Robert Aylmer

Robert Aylmer (d.1493^[1]), of Norwich, Norfolk, was an English politician.

He was a grocer,^[2] Sheriff of Norwich in 1471,^[3] Alderman of Norwich^[4] in 1480, and Mayor of Norwich in 1481 and 1492.^[5] He was married to Elizabeth^[6] (d.1518^[7]).

Records

His will, written on 3 July 1493, included a large donation to St. Giles's Hospital.^[8]

His mark, with his initials, is in several of the South windows in the clerestory of St. Andrew's Church, Norwich. His gravestone, dated 1493, lies under the font.^[1]

Prey for the Soule of Robert Aylmer Citezeyn and Alderman of

the Moneth of July in the Yer of our Lord God m°cccc°

lxxxxiij°. on whose Soule God^[6][9]

Near it lies a stone with an effigies and this,^[6]

Orate pro anima Elizabethe filie Roberti Aylmer nuper Civis et

Aldermanni Norvici que obiit xv° die Sept. A° Dni. m°cccc°

lxxxxiij°. cuius anime propicietur deus.^[6][9]

On a north isle window,^[10]

Orate pro bono statu Thome Thirsby, et Eliz. Ur. et pro aiab: Johis: et Rob. Aylmer quondam maiorum Civitatis Norwici.^[10][11]

Elizabeth Thursby, widow, buried in the church by alderman Robert Aylmer, her late husband, gave 10 marks towards finishing the church, and her best gilt chalice.^[6][7]

Family

Children of Robert Aylmer and Elizabeth:

• Richard^[8] (d. 3rd day before the Ides of September, i.e. 11 September 1512^[5])
• Thomas^[8] (d.1500^[12]), buried in London, according to his mother's will,^[7] though he desires to be buried in Norwich in his,^[12] and there is a plaque in the church to that effect^[13]
• Cecile^[8]/Cecily,^[7] dead before 1518, when her mother writes in her will that she wishes for prayers to be said for the souls of my children 'Richard Thomas and Cecyly'^[7]
• Elizabeth (d. 15 September 1493)^[14]

After his death his widow Elizabeth was involved in a suit with Sir William Knyvett.^[15] At some point after this suit, Elizabeth remarried. First to John^[7] Aylmer, also called Mayor of Norwich in the north isle window which commemorates Elizabeth and her three husbands.^[16][11] Then, by 1500, when her son refers to her as Elizabeth Thursby in his will,^[12] to Thomas Thursby (d.1510^[17]), merchant, and three times Mayor of King's Lynn and the founder and benefactor of Thoresby College, and possibly had the daughters Margaret, the wife of Francis Mountford (1474/76–1536) of the Inner Temple, London and Feltwell, Norfolk,^[18] Beatrice, who married firstly William Trew (d.1510/12) of Lynn and secondly William Coningsby (by 1483–1540) of the Inner Temple, London and Lynn, Norfolk,^[19] and Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Gibbon (Guybon) (1470/71–1531), of West Lynn, Norfolk,^[20] Ellen and Margery.^[21]

Elizabeth, the widow of Robert Aylmer, is possibly the 16-great-grandmother of Prince Williiam, Duke of Cambridge, through her daughter or otherwise her step-daughter Elizabeth Thursby. According to Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica Thomas Thursby was married several times, so there is some uncertainty as to who the mother of his children was.^[21] If the birth date given for his son of the same name, 1587,^[21] is correct, this son cannot possibly be the son of Elizabeth, as she was still the wife of Robert Aylmer (d.1493) then. However, Elizabeth's son Richard's daughter Cecily mentions ' my aunte Thorysby' in her will, leaving her a spoon of silver,^[22] indicating that at least one of Thomas Thursby's children may have been by Elizabeth. Richard Aylmer writes of "my brother ffrannces mountford", the husband of Thomas Thursby's daughter Margaret,^[23] in his will.^[24][25] The names of Thomas Thursby's daughters correspond almost perfectly with known Aylmer given names. Another possible and equally likely explanation is that Richard Aylmer’s second wife Elyn/Elena,^[24] the mother of his four youngest daughters,^[5] is identical to Thomas Thursby’s daughter Elyn.^[17] Robert's wife Elizabeth is not the daughter of John Burgoyne who in the Visitations of Cambridgeshire marries 'Thomas Thorseby of Norfolk', as that Elizabeth is still alive and apparently a wife in 1528, when she receives an inheritance from her mother Margaret.^[26] Nor can she be the wife of Elizabeth's third husband's son, as that Thomas Thursby was marrying Anne^[21] Knyvett in 1527.^[27]

References

1. Ewing, William Creasy (2005). Notices of the merchants' marks in the city of Norwich.
2. Catalogue Description: Indenture - Agreement. Indenture - Agreement. Description: 1) John Fyncham the elder, gent. and John Fyncham the younger his son and heir. 2) John Pagrave of Norwyche, Esq. and Henry Falyate of the same, merchant. Agreement re release made by John Fyncham the elder to Thomas Brewys, Knight, Hugh Fenne, William Tendale, Esq., Richard Holdich, Esq., John Sulyard, Robert Aylmer grocer and John Cook, draper of the manor of Grymston called Brokeles Halle, the advowson of the same with appurtenances and lands and tenements in Grymston, Congham, Rydon, Pawsey and adjoining towns. 9 Edw IV. Date: 3 Nov 1469. Held by: Norfolk Record Office, not available at The National Archives. 3 November 1469.
3. A Compleat History of the Famous City of Norwich: From the Earliest Account, to this Present Year 1728. ... Published at the Request of Several Ingenious Gentlemen, Citizens, ... William Chase. 1728.
4. Probate inventory of Robert Aylmer of Norwich, citizen and alderman. Date: 4th July 1492. Held by: Lambeth Palace Library, not available at The National Archives. 4 July 1492.
5. "City of Norwich, chapter 42: The Great Ward of Mancroft, St. Peter of Mancroft | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2023. The following inscriptions are in the nave; and first of those on brass plates, beginning at the most eastern part, just by the step out of the chancel, lies a large stone, having the effigies of a mayor in his robes, between his two wives; by the first wife are the effigies of her children, two boys and two girls; and by the second four girls; it being placed here in memory of Richard Aylmer, mayor in 1511, son of Robert Aylmer, who was mayor in 1481, and 1492, and Joan his first wife; he died in 1512. This inscription is printed in Weever's Funeral Monuments, fo. 802, as imperfect, though it is legible at this day: Aylmer Ricardus Procerum de stipite natus, Is quondam Maior Urbis, iacet hic tumulatus, Hatis cum prima atque suis Consorte Johanna, Moribus ornatus, Bonus omnibus atque benignus, Anno Milleno, D, bind, cum duodeno, Jous semtembris trino, migrabit ob orbe. O bone Christe Thesu, fons bite, spes, Medicina, Votis inclina, te quesumus aure Benigna, Ut sibi sit Requies, bibat terum sine fine.
6. "City of Norwich, chapter 42: Middle Wimer ward". An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 4. British History Online. 1806. Retrieved 21 September 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
7. "CatalogueRef: NCC will register Gylys 97. Title: Thursby, Elizabeth, widow, 'Robert Aylmer late my husbond', of Norwich. Date: 1518. Description: Will. Level: Item. Repository: Norfolk Record Office". Published by FamilySearch here. In the name of god Amen the xiij daye the monyth of Decemb In the yere of o[u]^r lord god y^t ccccc xllj^th I Elizabeth Thursby of norwiche widow in my good mynde and hole Remembrance beyng (laudyd be god) at norwiche make this my testament and last wyll in this wyse ffirst I comend my soule to allmythi god and too o[u]^r blessed lady Sancte Marie and mother to criste Jhu. Sancte Laurance myn advoyz and to Sancte Andrew and to all the holy sanctes in hevyn and my body for to be burid in the churche of Sancte Andrew in norwiche by the sepultcre of Robert Aylmer late my husband whos hey altar ther I bequethe xxs [20 shillings] I bequethe to the Reparacons and admedment[? amendment?] of the sayd churche x marcs It[e]m I will have a wexe [wax] candyll of a pownde to beurne[? burn] dayly upon my grave by the space of one hole yere nexte after my decesse. And in the myghtys within the same yere I wyll have a lampe brennyng duryng the sayd yere And I geve and bequethe to hym that shall kepe and give attendance to the same hyghtes eny quarter viijd [eight pence] duryng the yere aforesayd, It[e]m I bequethe to the sayd churche of Sancte andrew my best wreten masse bok and my best chales gylte It[e]m I bequethe to the hey altar of the churche of Sancte Laurance in norwiche xxs [20 shillings] and to the Reparacon of the same churche v marcs A vestment to the value of xxs [20 shillings] and my nexte best chales gilte It[e]m I will thatt myn executores ffynde a seculer preist to syng and pray for my Sowlle my husbands Sowlles Robert John and Thomas, my childers Sowlles Richard Thomas and Cecyly my frends and benefactors Sowlles within the churche of Sancte Andrew aforesayd by the space of viij yeres nexte after my deceasse takyng eny yere to his wayges viij marcs [eight marks] It[e]m I wyll thatt myn executores shall ffynde a nothis [an honest?] Secular preiste to syng and praye for my Sowlle and for the Sowlles aforesayd within the churche of Sancte Laurance aforesayd by the space of ij yeer nexte after my deceasse It[e]m I bequethe to the churche of Sancte George of Colegate my wreten Sawter and xxs [20 shillings], It I bequethe to the Reparacons of thes churches folowyng that is too say Sancte Martens att the parish gate, Sancte Cruxes [Holy Cross], Sancte John of Madermarket and Sancte Peter of Mancrofte to iche of them xxs [20 shillings], It[e]m I will thatt myn executores shall kepe my dirige and messe solemnly amyt in the weke in the churche of Sancte Andrew with v. seculer pristes ij ffryers preist beyng ther p[re]sent both att dirige and messe takyng iche of them for ther labor iiijd [four pence] It[e]m to ij p[a]r[i]she clerks beyng ther pres[e]nt att dirige and masse to iche of them ijd [two pence] It[e]m to the clerke and sexten of the same churche of Sancte Andrew for ther labor and attendance in tollyng of the belles att ij att the clokke att after none to the dirige and for tollyng of the belle the nexte day att ix of the clokke to masse I bequethe to iche of them for ther labor and attendance iijd [three pence], It[e]m I will have ij children att the sayd dirige and messe in ther Sirplesses [surplices] to syng versicules I bequethe to iche of them jd [one pence], It[e]m I wyll have xij poremen and women att the sayd diriges and masses to pray for my Sowlle and for the Sowlles Aforesayd duryng the terme of the same diriges and messes and I bequethe to iche of them for ther labors jd [one pence] It[e]m I will thatt oon person in the stede of myn executor shall offer att eny masse so keppe in the honor and worchippe of the blessyd trinite for my Sowlle and the Sowlles Aforesayd iijd [three pence], It[e]m I bequethe to the curate in the sayd churche for the fondyng of the hyghtis ther for eny day att dirige and masse iiijd [four pence] It[e]m I will thatt my hyghtis whiche I have ordenyd for the said dirige and messe be continewyd att my coste and charge, It[e]m I bequethe to hym thatt shall warne the preistes clerks and pore folke to be present att the diriges and messes as is aforesayd for eny day for his labor iiijd [four pence] It[e]m I will that thes diriges and messes shalbe continewyd wekly as I have be [...] and as itt ys aforesayd wekly the fyrst day of September nexte after the date hereof It[e]m I bequethe to dame Elizabeth canf my goddoughter beyng a nune in blakburyh abbey [Blackborough Priory] xxs [20 shillings], It[e]m too Anne Canf xs [10 shillings], Item I bequethe to the p^ri^orisse of carrow xijd [12 pence] and to eny othere nune there iiijd [four pence], It[e]m I bequethe to iche anker [anchorite] and ankerisse [anchoress] in norwiche viijd [eight pence] It[e]m I bequethe to the presoners in the castell and in the Guyldhall of norwiche att the day of my buryall to iche of them in mete and money ijd [two pence], It[e]m I bequethe to iche person beyng a Lazar dwellyng att the Lazar houses att the w. gates of norwiche ijd [two pence], It[e]m I bequethe to the Sisters of normans within norwiche iiijd [four pence] It[e]m I bequethe to the churche of Sancte Clement in London where my Sonne Thomas Aylmer light buryd xxs [20 shillings] It[e]m I bequethe to the Reparacons of the of the churche of Sancte Margaret in Leun [Lynn] xxs [twenty shillings], It[e]m I bequethe to danne [See: Don (honorific)#Academia – Like the don used for Roman Catholic priests, this usage derives from the Latin dominus, meaning "lord". An English corruption, "dan", was in early use as a title of respect, equivalent to master.] George Henghm [George Hengham, Hyngham or Hingham was prior of Lynn from 1506. He is also mentioned in the will of Elizabeth's third husband, Thumas Thursby, of 3^rd of May 1510] p^ri^or of Leun [Lynn] xxs [twenty shillings], It[e]m I bequethe to the continuans of A comynd[?] carte for the foluyng of the strete in norwiche xli [£10] for the ward of Mydyll Wymer, It[e]m I bequethe to Helene Ayllmer, Elizabeth, Margrett and Cecely Aylmer the daughters of my Sonne Richard Aylmer whenne they come to the age of xviij yeres to Iche of them x marcs and to iche of them att the sayd age in plate assignaied and stuff of howshold appoyntid to iche of them to the value of x marcs and if fortune any of the sayd Helen, Elizabeth Margrett and Cecily or all to decesse by for the age of the sayd xviij yeres Thenne I wyll thatt the sayd Legatt made to the sayd chylde and childern to be deceassed shalbe distributed by myn executors in d[ee]ds of pythe and charite for my Sowlle my husbands Sowlles and all cristen Sowlles by myn executores [...] It I wyll thatt my place lyyng in Sancte Andrews parishe be sollyd by myn executores and the monye ther of commyng to go to the pformance of this my present testament, It[e]m I bequethe to Nicholas Gapston[?] Willm Amyes and Nicholas Osborn to iche of them v marcs It I wyll have a manne to goo in pylgrimage for my Sonne Thomas to o[u]^r lady of malsynggny [Marcigny] and he too have for his labor iijs iiijd [three shillings four pence] It[e]m I wyll have a manne to goo in pilgrimage to Sancte Antonye att Camb[irs]ton [Camber] in Sussex and he to have for his labor xs [10 shillings] It[e]m I bequethe to Thomas Thursby an agnus dei Silver and gilte withe holy wexe [wax] ther in and too his wyff A Image of o[u]^r lady Silver and gilte It I bequethe to Elizabeth Westgate A payre of Smalle corall be[a]ds of twyse ffyfty withe gilte pater noster, It[e]m I bequethe to [...] to be dysposed of for my Sowlle myn childers Sowlles myn husbands Sowlles and all my frendes Sowlles in [...] to the moste plesire of god and comfort to my Sowlle [...] I orden and make my welbelovyd in criste
8. Will of Robert Aylemer, Alderman of Norwich, Norfolk – The National Archives, Kew. 2 August 1493.
9. Blomefield, Francis; Parkin, Charles (1806). An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Containing a Description of the Towns, Villages, and Hamlets, with the Foundations of Monasteries ... and Other Religious Buildings ... W. Miller.
10. "City of Norwich, chapter 42: Middle Wimer ward". An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 4. British History Online. 1806. Retrieved 21 September 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
11. Blomefield, Francis (1806). An essay towards a topographical history of the county of Norfolk. (Continued from p. 678 [of vol. 3] by C. Parkin).
12. "CatalogueRef: NCC will register Cage 111. Title: Aylemer, Thomas, grocer, of Norwich. Date: 1500. Description: Will. Level: Item. Repository: Norfolk Record Office". Published by FamilySearch here.
13. "City of Norwich, chapter 42: Middle Wimer ward | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2023. 1500, Tho. Aylmer, grocer, in the church by his kindred.
14. "City of Norwich, chapter 42: Middle Wimer ward | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2023. Orate pro anima Elizabethe filie Roberti Aylmer nuper Civis et' Aldermanni Norvici que obiit xv° die Sept. A° Dni. m°cccc° lxxxxiij°. cuius anime propicietur deus
15. Catalogue Description: Knyvet v Aylmer. Plaintiffs: Sir William Knyvet, knight. Defendants: Elizabeth, late the wife of Robert Aylmer, and William Ferrour, his executors, and Thomas Cause and John Westgate, executors of John Wellys. Subject: Detention of property of Robert Toppis. Norfolk. 9 documents. Date: 1493-1500. Held by: The National Archives, Kew. 1493–1500.
16. "City of Norwich, chapter 42: West Wimer ward | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2023. Orate pro bono statu Thome Thirsby, et Eliz. Ur. et pro aiab: Johis: et Rob. Aylmer quondam maiorum Civitatis Norwici.
17. Will of Thomas Thursby, Burgess and Merchant of Lynn Bishop, Norfolk – National Archives. 23 October 1510. In the name of god amen the thirde day of May In the second yere of the Reigne of king Henry the ay^th [...] I give unto John G[...]dell son[?] unto Margerie my doughter to [...] above appoynted to Elizabeth my wif during hir life after the decesse of the same Elizabeth and also of the [...] my doughters or their heirs of their bodyes shalhave the same lands and ten[emen]ts after suche [...] any of the said Elizabeth Elyn Beatrice Margarete or the said John Gryndell [...]
18. "MONFORD, Francis (1474/76-1536), of the Inner Temple, London and Feltwell, Norf. | History of Parliament Online". www.historyofparliamentonline.org. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
19. "CONINGSBY, William (by 1483-1540), of the Inner Temple, London and Lynn, Norf. | History of Parliament Online". www.historyofparliamentonline.org. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
20. "GIBBON (GUYBON), Thomas (1470/71-1531), of West Lynn, Norf. | History of Parliament Online". www.historyofparliamentonline.org. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
21. Bannerman, W. Bruce (William Bruce) (1906). Miscellanea genealogica et heraldica. Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. London, England : Mitchell, Hughes & Clarke.
22. "CatalogueRef: NCC will register Attmere 338. Title: Aylemer (Aylmere), Cecily, dowghter of Rycharde Aylmere, citizen and alderman of Norwich. Date: 1541. Description: Will. Made of Myntlynge. Level: Item, Repository: Norfolk Record Office". Published by FamilySearch here. In the name of God Amen The x daye of November in the yeer of o[u]^r lorde god y^t ccccc xl^th I Cicely Aylmere made of Myntlynge doughter of Rychard Aylmere Citysyn and alderman of Norwich beynge in my hooll mynde and of good remembrance make my testament and last wyll in forme folowynge ffyrst I bequethe my Sowle unto almyghtie god to o[u]^r lady and to all the holy company of hevyn and my body to be buryed in the in the church of Sayncte Mychaell of Myntlynge by my lady my mother It[e]m I bequethe to the hyeghe aulter xxd [ten pence] It[e]m I bequethe to the reparacons of the sayd church iijs iiijd [three shillings four pence] It[e]m I bequethe to my aunte Thorysby one spone of sylver and vjs viijd [six shillings eight pence] It[e]m I bequete my salte with the conee [coin] to be devyded betwene my syster Bachecroft my syster Grenall and my syster Elisabeth Cressnore [Cressener] It[e]m I bequethe to my syster katheryn my corall beids and a spone of sylver It[e]m I bequethe to my syster Laine[?] my Ghete [gete = goats] It[e]m I bequethe to my syster Grenall my best worsted kyrtyll It[e]m I bequethe to Thomas Bachecroft my neppew^e [nephew] a conee [coin] of sylver It[e]m I bequethe all my shepe to Alexander[?] Grenall and to Mary Grenall to be devyded betwene them It[e]m to Mary Grenall one spone of sylver It[e]m I bequethe to Jone Grenall one spone of sylver It[e]m I bequethe to Beatrix Bachecroft one spone of sylver and my botell It[e]m I bequethe to Margaret Bekhin[?] one spone of sylver It[e]m I bequethe to Mother Manfold my best petycote and a apron of saye It[e]m I bequethe to Mother Plank[?] my worst petycote and my worst apron The resydue of my goods not bequethed I put them in the dysposycyon of my executor whom I do make my brother Rycharde Bachecroft to dyspose them for the welth of my sowle & These be the wittenes Anne Thorysby Elyn Grenall Thomas Buttler
23. "MONFORD, Francis (1474/76-1536), of the Inner Temple, London and Feltwell, Norf. | History of Parliament Online". www.historyofparliamentonline.org. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
24. "Will of Richard Rymere – The National Archives". Published by Ancestry here. 26 February 1515.
25. British Record Society (1893). Index of Wills Proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 1383-1558. (A-J) And now preserved in the principal Probate registry, Somerset house, London. Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. London : Chas. J. Clark, Boston : Cupples & Hird. p. 27. 1514 Aylemer, Aymere, Richiard, St. Peter Mancrofte, Norwich 31 Fetiplace
26. "Impington: Manors and other estates | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2020. John's widow Margaret held Impington until her death in 1528, (fn. 34) when it passed under a settlement of 1512 to their daughters Margaret, wife of George Heveningham, and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Thursby.
27. "K". A Who’s Who of Tudor Women. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2020. In the covenant for a marriage settlement dated May 31, 1527, Anne was described as "one of the queen's gentlewomen and one of the daughters of Sir Thomas Knyvett deceased." She was to marry Thomas Thuresby or Thoresby of Asshewykyne.