Roger Wyncoll (B)
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Roger Wyncoll (B) is shewn
in Heralds' Visitations both at the Heralds' College, 1
the British Museum, 2 and Bodleian Library 3
as the son and heir of John Wyncoll (A), of Little Waldingfield, Suffolk.
It seems clear, from the will of John Wyncoll (A), who, all through his
will, mentions his sons in the order "John, Robert, Roger," and of Robert,
his son, who, in appointing his brothers executors, mentions, first, John
and, secondly, Roger, that John was his eldest son and Roger the third
or fourth. It cannot be said, with certainty, where William came in, as
he died in his father's lifetime (in 1519), and only his children are referred
to in the will. Many such mistakes appear in the Heralds' Visitations,
and for obvious reasons.
Roger Wyncoll is termed by some authorities a "clothier," of Little Waldingfield, and by others a "gentleman." It is probable that, as a young man (his father's will appears to make it conclusive), he followed the latter's business and subsequently retired from taking an active part therein. His son certainly had none. He was owner of several manors, but unfortunately does not specify them in his will. He purchased the manor of Twinstead, Essex, from Christopher Goldingham, 4 which village became the home of the family for a century and a half, or more, later; and he also had the manor of Bois Hall, in Halstead. The manor-house of Bois Hall stood at the upper end of Halstead town, on the right of the road leading to Sudbury. Roger Wyncoll married Thomasine, daughter of Page, "a sole Heyre." What property she brought to him I have been unable to discover, but being the Only child of an armigerous father, she undoubtedly inherited some property, which would pass to her husband on marriage. Once the nuptial knot was tied in those days, the wife no longer remained a "femme sole" for the purposes of her property, as now! Being "a sole Heyre," Thomasine Page's arms were emblazoned "in pretence" on Roger Wyncoll's shield, and quartered with it in future generations. |
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There were six children by this marriage, viz.: Thomasin, who married William Bogais, gentleman, of Edwardstone, Suffolk; Alice, who married Edward Coleman, gentleman, of Great Waldingfield; John (C); Rose, married Julian Luffkyn, of Boxted, Essex; Anne, who married John Jermyn (or Rist), of Borley, Essex; and Katherine, who married Thomas Coo, of Belchamp, Essex. |
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Roger Wyncoll's will, 5 made 1st July, 1559, is peculiar for its lengthy religious preamble. By such will, he directs that "in consideration of her release and discharge of the third part or portion which she might claim and might have after his decease of and in All those his Manors, lands, tenements and other hereditaments," Thomasine, his wife, shonld have an annuity of 20l. for the term of her natural life, to be paid her by his son John at two equal terms of the year. This bequest appears to have been with the object of removing his wife's claim to dower and freebench on his decease, and so that his son John should own the real estate free from any such claim, but subject to the annuity. That annuity would be worth, in present-day money, more than 200l. a year, and it is possible that the amount was arrived at by mutual agreement between husband and wife. He appointed his wife and his son, John, executors of his will. | |||||||||||
I have few records of Roger Wyncoll, but the following are interesting. Among the charters in the British Museum. 55 H, 30 to 37 "Extracta Rotulorum Curiarum tent apud Lavenham (co. Suffolk) ab Anno 13 Henry VII. (1497-8) ad anno 63 ac i (1608-9) de dursum redditione tenemente vocate Mylkes Vey seps in Illeigh Combusta (Brent Illeigh) in eodem Com." No.34 refers to possession by Roger Wyncoll (1536). Also charter 25 H, 8 of 1533. Roger Rocher Clk, and others to John Wyncoll; Roger Wyncoll senr. to Reus Feoflt. Refers to land in Great Waldingfield. Roger Wyncoll's widow, Thomasine, outlived her husband for a period of eight years, at least. She is assessed in the Subsidy Returns for the parish of Little Waldingfield on the 10th February, 1568, 6 at which time it is certain she was living. His will was attested by John Hopkins, Roger Wyncoll the Younger, and Raffe Garth. It was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in October, 1560. |