William SPENCER

Notes:

Name:
He appears to have been dead by 14966 when his brother John executed his will, mentioning bequests William made to his children. William married Elizabeth Empson, daughter of Peter Empson and sister of his brother John's first wife, Anne Empson. Elizabeth was living as late as 1522, when she was mentioned in the will of her son John Spencer.

William lived in Radbourne, a village near Hodnell and now pat of Stratford-on-Avon district. In 1483-84 William Spencer of "Radbroke" and his wife Elizabeth were admitted to the Guild of the Holy Cross along with his brother John Spencer and the latter's wife Joan. He was said to be seated at "Rodburne" in 1 Henry VII ( 1485-86). He probably remained there, as his sons John and Thomas were living in "Radbroke" when they appeared as plaintiffs on the plea rolls inn 1498 and 1500.

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth EMPSON. Elizabeth (daughter of Peter EMPSON and Unknown ?) died after 1522. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sir John SPENCER was born about 1471; died in 12 or 14 Apr 1522 in Wormleighton, Warwickshire, England; was buried in Brington, Northamptonshire, parish church..
2. Thomas SPENCER died after 1504.
3. Jane SPENCER

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Poss. the son of Thomas and Matilda Spencer

Notes:

Name:
Henry Spencer married ISABEL ? before 1444, when together they joined the Guild of the Holy Cross. Lee claimed she was the "daughter and coheir of Lincolne," but no proof of a Lincoln connection has yet been found. The 1619 herald's visitation of Warwickshire states she died in 18 Edward IV (1478/9).

Henry first of record on 12 November 1430, when he and five others bought a messuage and shop in Daventry from John Waundell of Killesby. The document proves Henry was born before 1410. The estimated ages of his children suggest he was probably a young man in 1430. The Lee pedigree has claims that Henry mad a will in 1476, but as previously mentioned, neither the will nor evidence of an estate have been found for him.

On 26 November 1439, Henry witnessed a quitclaim of lands and rents in Newnham from Robert Willenhale to Robert Catesby, Esq. Henry was a collector of taxes in Badby in 1442. Henry Spencer of Badby and his wife Isabel were admitted to Guild of the Holy Cross on the Monday after Ascension Day 22 henry VI (1444), paying fees of 22s 4d, which included 10s for the souls of Thomas Spencer and his wife Matilda, probably Henry;'s deceased parents. An additional 20d was paid for the placement of four candles before the altar of the guild chapel. Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Guild of the Holy Cross was a religious, social, and charitable association, popular among the social elite. In 1468, Henry Spencer of Badby and his wife Isabella joined the Guild of Knowle, another religious and charitable association, based in Knowle, Warwickshire. The last known record of Henry Spencer of Badby was dated 1 June 1469 when he and others sold land in Newnham to Letitia Catesby, John Newenham, and the latter's wife Matilda. Henry had been granted the land by John Newenham a few days earlier, 27 May 1469. Newnham borders Badby on the east.

While there is no proof that Henry and Isabel had any children, it is known that a generation later there were three Spencer brothers and two of more sisters living in and near Badby, with no other Spencer family of record in the parish than Henry and Isabel.

Henry married Isabel ? before 1444. Isabel died in 1478-79. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]