The Grigsbys Part Two - Margaret

Leeds Castle has always been a haven. The Queens of Henry VIII came to escape the Plague and pestilence in London. With an outbreak of the 'sweating sickness, Cardinal Wolsey moved to the safety of the Castle.

Leeds Castle and park passed from Royal ownership in 1552, when the Royal treasury was depleted.

This fairystyle castle, dating from the 9th century, is built upon two small islands in a serene lake. Today it is open to the public to see the beautiful setting of a castle surrounded by water with the park, woods and pastures in the background. You may walk through the richly furnished apartments which include medieval tapestries and paintings and see the splendor once enjoyed by Royalty. There are adjoining aviaries, a duckery, grotto, maze, golf course and a small vineyard. You can view the "SEMINAR ROOM" where my ancestor, John Grigby, served the Queens as "Clerk of her Council and Registrar of her Chancery."

Let's pick up where we left off - when John married Margaret Sharp in 1525 in All Saints Church in Loose, Kent.

Margaret was an heiress to all the properties of her father, Alexander Sharpe, gentleman. Those lands were located in the Parishes of LOOSE, FRITTENDEN, FARLEY, BIDDENDEN, CRANBROOK, and BENNENDEN.  What exactly is a "gentleman", and why is it important?  A gentleman was the lowest rank of the English gentry, below an esquire, but above a yeoman.  Because of that, stuff was written about them!  Otherwise, this family history would have been impossible to trace back this far.

Margaret was also the sole heir from her mother, Johanna Brode whose grandfather, John Brode, Senior, gentleman, was of Smeath, Brabome and Mersham Parishes, Kent. He held the positions of Coroner and Under-sheriff of Kent County. This title and position was an appointment from the Crown.

Their home in Maidstone was evidently the property inherited from Margaret's grandparents, John Brode, gentleman, and his wife, Joanne. It is described as "a messuage (house), garden and orchard in the towne of Maydston."

The family was living here in 1542, which date covers the time period their six children were bom about 1527-1538. Soon afterwards, they moved to Mersham Parish.

Margaret inherited an estate in that Parish from her BRODE ANCESTORS, which lands extended into Brabome Parish. The Manor House was called "BOWE." She was living here when she made her will dated: 7 MAY 1560, and it was given to her son, Alexander Grygsby, as recorded in her will.

You will note that she gave equally to her four daughters, lands and estates, as well as her two sons. She was fair and generous when the law in England at this time recognized that the oldest son have all the inheritance. My 11th great-grandmother believed in women's rights!  Margaret, along with her daughter Catherine, are buried in All Saints Church in Loose, under the chancel (right in front of the altar).  According to the church's website, evidence still exists in the stone.

37. Chancel, under the E window, just north of centre. Ledger stone, head towards the west: [Catherine] LAMB wyf Xpo[pher LAMB] Gent a dafter of [Marga]ret GRIGSBY died [......] of Decembar 1590.

Important people and martyrs were buried inside the church, so Margaret was well respected (or filthy rich).  

 

So whatever happened to John?  We'll find out in Part Three!