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Melita – The Grey family were everywhere. How could they be so important at court and yet be so little known?<\/p>\n
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Thomas Grey and Elizabeth Woodville<\/b><\/p>\n
John Grey married Elizabeth Woodville and had 2 sons, Thomas and Richard. The Greys and Woodvilles were Lancaster supporters. After John Grey was killed in battle, Elizabeth went on to marry King Edward IV. <\/p>\n
Woodville marriages were used to build an alternative power base to the Nevilles.<\/p>\n
Anne Holland was a potential bride for Thomas Grey but she died age 18.<\/p>\n
Thomas Grey married Cecily Bonville, who was one of the richest heiressess in the country and step-daughter of Edward IV’s ally, William Hastings. <\/p>\n
Thomas Grey was a regular jouster and accompanied Edward IV to France.<\/p>\n
The events of 1483 show a close relationship between Elizabeth and Thomas. <\/p>\n
Thomas would not accept overthrow of Edward V, or his brother Richard’s execution and became involved in Buckingham’s rebellion. When that failed, he fled abroad to Henry Tudor.<\/p>\n
When Elizabeth summoned him back to England, Thomas tried to get home but was compelled to return, Melita argued that Thomas only made a show of returning home.<\/p>\n
After Henry VII took the throne, Thomas returned to England and was in regular attendance at court for 2 years.<\/p>\n
He was the chief male mourner at his mother’s funeral in 1492.<\/p>\n
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Cecily Bonville and Thomas Grey (2nd)<\/b><\/p>\n
Little is known about Thomas’s childhood. Attended the christenings of Prince Arthur and Prince Henry and later on the marriage of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon.<\/p>\n
Cecily was appointed the executor of her husband’s will. Thomas (1st) left the following bequests, with the money to come out of the estate:<\/p>\n
Bradgate to be completed
\nMausoleum at Astley to be completed
\n8 dowries for daughters<\/p>\n
Cecily remarried and her new husband was younger than her son. Thomas and Cecily quarrelled and Henry VII had to intervene. If Cecily died, then her second husband would inherit.<\/p>\n
Her daughters wanted their dowries but there was not enough money from the estate. Cecily’s second husband died in debt, which depleted her fortune.<\/p>\n
In her will, Cecily made efforts to stop her son changing her bequests. Thomas would be cut out of the will if he challenged it.<\/p>\n
Thomas tried to carry out the bequests left by both parents.<\/p>\n
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Margaret Wotton and Henry Grey<\/b><\/p>\n
Margret Wotton was the daughter of a Woodville connection in Kent. Had 9 children with Thomas, including Henry Grey, born in 1517. Henry spent time in the household of Henry Fitzroy (illegitimate son of Henry VIII).<\/p>\n
In 1530 Thomas (2nd) died and left his wife as executor of the estate and guardian of their children.<\/p>\n
A marriage was agreed between Henry and Katherine Fitzalan. Included a \u00a34000 fee if the marriage did not go ahead. Henry refused to marry Katherine, so her father, the Earl of Arundel, withdrew from the agreement and took the money.<\/p>\n
Henry’s wardship\/marriage was sold to Charles Brandon at a cost of \u00a32000. Charles then arranged a marriage with his daughter Frances.<\/p>\n
Margaret ceased Henry’s allowance but Charles did not support him financially and Henry blamed his mother.<\/p>\n
The Privy Council told Margaret to pay for Henry and Margaret wrote to Thomas Cromwell worried about her son’s behaviour.<\/p>\n
In the summer of 1533, Henry married Frances and was declared of age in 1538.<\/p>\n
Margaret had to leave Bradgate and moved to Tilty and her sister-in-law’s at Ightham Mote.<\/p>\n
Henry refused to let Margaret have her belongings and refused to pay his father’s bequests. Henry was keen to have the money but not the responsibility!<\/p>\n
No proof they were ever reconciled before her death.<\/p>\n
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Buy ‘The House of Grey’:<\/b><\/p>\n
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Amazon.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n Amberley Publishing<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n On Monday 18th November, Melita Thomas gave a talk at Hampton Court Palace. Melita’s talk focused on 3 mother and son relationships in the Grey family (including the father of Lady Jane). ‘The House of Grey: Friends & Foes of … Continue reading
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