Thomas Knyvet MP (bef. 1528 - 1569)

Born before 1528 in New Buckenham, Norfolk, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died 22 Sep 1569 after age 41 in New Buckenham, Norfolk, England [uncertain]

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Biography

Thomas was born before 1528, probably at Buckenham Castle. He was the son of Sir Edmund Knyvet and Anne (Shelton) Knyvet.

He had at least three brothers: Edmund, Henry and Anthony.^[1]

His father died in 1551 and Thomas administered his father's will after the executors renounced.^[2]

Before marrying Catherine Stanley he could have had another wife since his will refers to her as "my laste wyfe". He may also have had either two wards or two illegitimate children: Arthur Williams and Elizabeth Williams (see Research Notes).^[1]

In In 1565 he married Catherine Stanley, the youngest daughter of Edward, 3rd Earl of Derby.^[3]

In 1565 he granted to Arthur Williams and Anthony his son the next presentation to the rectories of Attleborough, Stanhoe and Hilborough and the vicarage of Mendlesham, Suffolk. ^[4]

He had two sons, Thomas his heir in 1566 and Henry about a year later.^[3][5] His wife Catherine then died in 1568 after giving birth to their 3rd child, Jhone, who also died.

Sir Thomas died on 22 September 1569 and was buried in New Buckenham, Norfolk.^[6][7]

His will mentions his two sons Thomas and Henry.^[1] It is transcribed here.

Son Thomas' wardship was granted to Lord Cobham on 11 November 1570.^[3]

The will put his son Henry under the care of the executors until he was 8 and then into the care of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge where he was to be educated until the age of 16.^[1]

Research Notes

The MP Biography mentions an inventory after his death. This document may relate to that: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7829919

Arthur and Elizabeth Williams

His will provides for the education of two minors: Arthur son of Elizabeth Williams and Elizabeth Williams. This could imply that they were his illegitimate children. Especially so in the case of Arthur since he gives him the right to enter all his Manors if he is not paid three hundred pounds.

There is one document that refers to an "Arthur Williams alias Knyvet" in Wymondham which would support the theory.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Will: "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858"
   Ancestry Browsable Image
   Free Ancestry Sharing Images: Page1, Page2, Page3, Page4, Pages5
   Transcribed here
   Ancestry Record 5111 #913488 (accessed 4 December 2020)

   Name:	Thome Knevet [Thomas Knevet]
   Residence:	Buckenham Austell, Norfolk, England
   Probate Date:	11 Feb 1569 [1570 Feb 11]
   Death Year:	Abt 1569
   Source Citation	The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 52
   Original data:	Prerogative Court of Canterbury: Wills of Selected Famous Persons. Digitized images. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 1. The National Archives, Kew, England.

2. ↑ Father's MP biography: "KNYVET, Sir Edmund (by 1508-51), of Buckenham Castle, Norf. and London" Author: Roger Virgoe
   Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982 History of Parliament online (accessed 13 December 2020)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} MP Biography (Mimardière): "KNYVET, Sir Thomas (by 1528-69), of Buckenham Castle, Norf." Author: A. M. Mimardière
   Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981 History of Parliament online (accessed 13 December 2020)
4. ↑ Connection to an Arthur Williams: "Grant by Thomas Knyvett of Buckenham Castle to Arthur Williams and Anthony his son of the next presentation to the rectories of Attleborough, Stanhoe and Hilborough and the vicarage of Mendlesham, Suffolk" Indexed at National Archives Reference: HIL/1/11,869X8 This record is held by Norfolk Record Office National Archives (accessed 16 December 2020)
5. ↑ MP Biography (Virgoe): "KNYVET, Sir Thomas (by 1528-69), of Buckenham Castle, Norf]" Author: Roger Virgoe
   Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982 History of Parliament online (accessed 13 December 2020)
6. ↑ Burial: "Original Parish Records for New Buckenham"
   FindMyPast Image "Thomas Knevet Knyghte dyed the xxij daie of September ye yeare(?) aforesaid(?)”
   FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 12 December 2020)

   First name(s)	Thomas
   Last name	Knevet
   Sex	Male
   Occupation	Knyghe
   Birth year	-
   Death year	1569
   Death date	22 Sep 1569
   Burial year	1569
   Parish	New Buckenham
   Diocese	Norwich
   County	Norfolk
   Country	England
   Archive	Norfolk Record Office
   Archive reference	PD 540/1
   Archive year range	1538-1579
   Record set	Norfolk Burials

7. ↑ Burial: Neat version of Parish Records for New Buckenham
   FindMyPast Image
   "Thomas Knivet Knyght Dyed the 22 daye of September"
   FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 12 December 2020)

   First name(s)	Thomas
   Last name	Kinvet Knught
   Sex	Male
   Birth year	-
   Burial year	1569
   Burial date	22 Sep 1569
   Parish	New Buckenham
   Diocese	Norwich
   County	Norfolk
   Country	England
   Archive	Norfolk Record Office
   Archive reference	PD 540/3
   Archive year range	1538-1694
   Record set	Norfolk Burials

8. ↑ Mention of Arthur Williams alias Knyvet: "The Ketts of Norfolk" By L. M. Kett. Page 39. Google Books "Wymondham, Queen's : 1585, April 14 : Arthur William alias Knyvet and Marie his wife surrender half and acre..."