Elizabeth (Jenyns) Lee (abt. 1495 - abt. 1562)

Born about 1495 in Buckinghamshire, England

Wife of Francis Lee — married 1523 in Dinton, Buckinghamshire, England

Descendants

Died about Jan 1562 at about age 67 in Dinton, Buckinghamshire, England

Biography

Elizabeth (Jenyns) Lee was born in Buckinghamshire, England.

Elizabeth Jenyns was born about 1495 as there is no mention of either party being a minor in the marriage settlement of 1517.^[1] The document is transcribed here Lee - Jenyns Marriage Settlement

Elizabeth Jenyns married Francis Lee (abt.1506-1558) of Moreton in Buckinghamshire soon after the Marriage Settlement dated 17 January 1517.^[1]

The marriage settlement shows two relations of Elizabeth Jenyns. A Richard Jenyns, a cleric and William Jenyns. See the research notes, below.

The settlements says all the lands owned by Francis Lee are placed in a trust for the use of both Francis, Elizabeth Jenyns and their heirs.^[1]. Five years later in 1522 the Muster records the property is listed and shows the most valuable was at Moreton, attracting a charge of £2 13s 4d. Francis Lee also was assessed for £10 for goods at Moreton. There were no goods at the other places owned by Francis. This shows the Lee family resided at Moreton.^[2]

Francis Lee and Elizabeth had the following children

• Thomas
• Richard
• Robert
• Francis
• William
• John

according to the 1634 Visitation of the County of Buckingham ^[3] , there were no dates given. In the Elizabeth's will two daughters, Elizabeth and Agnes are mentioned. ^[4] There is a brass in Dinton church for Francis and Elizabeth Lee which mentions there were five sons and five daughters. ^[5]

Elizabeth (Jenyns) Lee's Will was written May 4 1561^[6] and was proved 14 January 1561-2 ^[4] Elizabeth Lee died between these dates. She asked to be buried in Dinton Church. A transcription of the will is at Will of Elizabeth (Jenyns) Lee

Research Notes

• The Marriage Settlement ^[1] and Will ^[6] uses the spelling Jenyns for Elizabeth's maiden name while the probate uses the spelling Jennyns. ^[4]
• The will itself is damaged, therefore the probate copy was used for most details.
• The date of birth remains a mystery as there are no other records that mention Elizabeth Jenyns directly. The circumstances of Francis Lee the husband show he was older than the date recorded.
• Looking at the records that exist, they show that Francis Lee was an adult by 1522. Both Francis and Thomas his brother were both witnessing a will of their neighbour in 1522.^[7] Both Thomas and Francis were listed in the 1522 Certificates of Musters for Buckinghamshire. In reality this was a survey for taxation by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. The entry for Morton Farm shows Francis Lee is a minor landowner being assessed at £2 13s 4d ^[2] . There are other entries in the Musters where "boy" is written against the entry. Indicating the individual was above the age of 16 and not yet a man.
• There are 6 sheets of accounts where Franics Lee is managing land in Moreton for his brother Thomas in 1521 to 1522. Includes details of livestock sales. ^[8] These records show a yeoman farmer and land owner, of the middling sort. As the bothers' father was already dead before 1517.^[5] there was no strategic alliance being managed through the marriage settlement. For Francis Lee he probably wanted a wife of similar age to manage the household and raise a family.
• The Certificate of Musters ^[2] pages 64 & 78 shows a William Jenyns (Jenins) living in Bourton and with property in Hartwell. A candidate for being William Jenyns in the marriage settlement.
• The Archdeaconary Court Book^[7] page 289: Agmundesham [Amersham] iiij d. Dominus Richardus Jenyn stipendarius ibidem. His name is mentioned again on page 298 at the same place. A candidate for being the Richard Jenyns in the marriage settlement.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Settlement
   Marriage Settlement, 17 January 1517 Ref D-BAS/57/35 Buckinghamshire Archives, Council Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Musters
   Chibnall, A. C., ed. The Certificate of Musters for Buckinghamshire in 1522. London: Royal Commission of Historical Manuscripts JP 18 Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (1973) page 74; Image download available Buckinghamshire Record Society Volume 17 (Accessed 8 Nov 2023)
3. ↑ Book
   Philipot, John, 1589?-1645; Ryley, William, d. 1667; Harvey, William, d. 1567; Rylands, W. Harry (William Harry), 1847-1922; College of Arms (Great Britain), The visitation of the county of Buckingham made in 1634 by John Philipot, esq. .... London : [Mitchell, Hughes & Clarke, printers] (1909) page: 80; digital images Internet Archive (accessed 8 November 2023)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Probate
   Elizabeth Lee widow of Moreton (Dinton) probate date 14 Jan 1561-2. in Probate records of the Court of the Archdeacon of Buckingham. Ref DAWe: 14/152. Buckinghamshire Archives, Council Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Brass
   Rutter, David C "Palimpsest Brasses at Dinton'" in Records of Buckinghamshire Volume XV Part 3 p. 153. Aylesbury: Buckinghamshire Archeological Society (1949); Images available Buckinghamshire Archeological Society Vol 15 (Accessed 9 Nov 2023)
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Will
   Elizabeth Lee widow of Moreton (Dinton) date 4 May 1561. in Court of the Archdeacon of Buckingham. Ref: DAWf: 6/60. Buckinghamshire Archives, Council Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Court
   Elvey , E.M.,ed. The Courts of The Archdeaconry of Buckingham 1483-1523 , Aylesbury: Buckinghamshire Record Society (1975) page 282; Image download available Buckinghamshire Record Society Vol 19 (Accessed 8 Nov 2023)
8. ↑ Accounts
   Accounts of Francis Lee, the agent for his brother Thomas Lee for the estate of Moreton in Dinton, ...1522. Ref D-BAS/39/477 Buckinghamshire Archives, Council Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.