Sir Thomas Danvers1
M, b. circa 1422, d. 10 September 1502
| Father | Sir John Danvers d. c 1449 |
| Mother | Joan Bruley |
Thomas was born circa 1422 in Oxfordshire, England, at the manor house at Colthorpe. Thomas married Miss (?) Fiennes. Thomas married 2nd Sybell Fowler, daughter of Sir William Fowler and Cecelia Englesfield, before 1477 in Oxfordshire, England. He inherited from his father the Brancestre property in Bambury. He also inherited from both branches of the Bruley family property at Henton, Waterstok, Corston & others.. He lived in the old manor house at Waterstok. He was an educated & cultured man. He sat on Parliament on various occasions & was a Member of Parliament through the ending of the War of the Roses. In 1501, he was made "Knight of the Sword" along with his brother William & mephew John Danves. He had one son who died young. Thomas made his will on 1 November 1501 at Waterstok, Oxfordshire, England.
In the name of God Amen. The 1st day of November in the fest of alhallowen’ 1501. I Thomas Danvers of Waterstok do make this my testament and last will as follows:
I give my body to be buried “where God dispose it.” And if I die at WAterstok then to be buried in the Chancel before St. Leonard.
I bequeath towards the reparation of the Mother Church of Lincoln 13s. 4d.
Also to each of the houses of the four orders of friars in Oxford 13s. 4d. Also to the Warden and Fellows of New College Oxford to say mass and dirge for my soul 26s. 8d.
I bequeath to the parson of Waterstok 13s. 4d.
I bequeath to my brother Sir William Danvers one bason and one ewer of silver in the which are graven my fathers arms and my mothers toether, for a rememberance for my soul.
I bequeath to the Churches of Milton, Ikford, and Aldebury 20s. each; also to every Church were I have any livelihood 6s.8d.
I also give towards the exhibition of two virtuous priests being scholars in Oxford 40s. each yearly for two years to say mass for my soul at all times of the year except at the eight principal feasts when I desire that they say mass for my soul in the Church of Waterstok.
I bequeath to Richard Croke son of Agnes daughter of my brother Henry Danvers when he comes to his full age, and it is thought by my executors that he will thrive, 10 marks. To my Godson Robert Croke brother to the said Richard 10 poundsto be employed after he come to the age of 21years towards his help and preferment.
I will that my Executrix have all my goods moveable and unmoveable in what place soever they be to pay my debts and wrongs.
I will that William Rabbes my old servant have for his true service to him and his heirs all the houses in Whateley nad the lands that I bought of Richard Laughton and Agnes his wife.
I bequeath to John Fulmer “to be good and true to my wife “ 10 marks; 20 s. to each of his other servants.
I will that my Executrix sell any purchase land that I have in Oxfordshire, that is to say, the crown of Oxford, in Woodstoke, Clever, and Bensington to do for my soul as shall seem mostexpedient.
As to my leveloode at Langstoke in Hampshire I will that my Executrix dispose of it to the house of St. “Swethums” in Winchester to proay for my soul and fot that of Lord Wayneflete.
I bequeath to Whately bridge and Ikeford brige and highways 20 pounds.
I will that the “Ile” in Waterstoke Church be finished “in as goodly haste as it may be and covered with leede;” also that there may be a new Chancel made in Waterstoe, Chilworth and Comb with the appurtenances make an estate to my wife for the term of her life if she remain unmarried, if she marry, then it shall go forthwith to my right heirs.
The residue of all my goods after my debts and the costs of my burying I bequeath to Dame Sibyl my wife whom I make my sole Executrix. I appoint my brother Sir William Danvers, Justice, to be Overseer of this my present will.
Witnesses: Master Christopher Bainbridge Archdeacon of Surrey, Master John Whit] hers, John Walker, Thomas Darell, Richard Grenefeld, John Fulmer, ane others.2
Thomas departed this life on Wednesday, 10 September 1502 in Waterstok, Oxfordshire, England. He was buried at Waterstok, Oxfordshire, England, in St. Anne Church. He was buried in a tomb which he had prepared during his life. It was an altar tomb in the chancel of the church. His will was proved at Lambeth the 26th day of September 1502.
In the name of God Amen. The 1st day of November in the fest of alhallowen’ 1501. I Thomas Danvers of Waterstok do make this my testament and last will as follows:
I give my body to be buried “where God dispose it.” And if I die at WAterstok then to be buried in the Chancel before St. Leonard.
I bequeath towards the reparation of the Mother Church of Lincoln 13s. 4d.
Also to each of the houses of the four orders of friars in Oxford 13s. 4d. Also to the Warden and Fellows of New College Oxford to say mass and dirge for my soul 26s. 8d.
I bequeath to the parson of Waterstok 13s. 4d.
I bequeath to my brother Sir William Danvers one bason and one ewer of silver in the which are graven my fathers arms and my mothers toether, for a rememberance for my soul.
I bequeath to the Churches of Milton, Ikford, and Aldebury 20s. each; also to every Church were I have any livelihood 6s.8d.
I also give towards the exhibition of two virtuous priests being scholars in Oxford 40s. each yearly for two years to say mass for my soul at all times of the year except at the eight principal feasts when I desire that they say mass for my soul in the Church of Waterstok.
I bequeath to Richard Croke son of Agnes daughter of my brother Henry Danvers when he comes to his full age, and it is thought by my executors that he will thrive, 10 marks. To my Godson Robert Croke brother to the said Richard 10 poundsto be employed after he come to the age of 21years towards his help and preferment.
I will that my Executrix have all my goods moveable and unmoveable in what place soever they be to pay my debts and wrongs.
I will that William Rabbes my old servant have for his true service to him and his heirs all the houses in Whateley nad the lands that I bought of Richard Laughton and Agnes his wife.
I bequeath to John Fulmer “to be good and true to my wife “ 10 marks; 20 s. to each of his other servants.
I will that my Executrix sell any purchase land that I have in Oxfordshire, that is to say, the crown of Oxford, in Woodstoke, Clever, and Bensington to do for my soul as shall seem mostexpedient.
As to my leveloode at Langstoke in Hampshire I will that my Executrix dispose of it to the house of St. “Swethums” in Winchester to proay for my soul and fot that of Lord Wayneflete.
I bequeath to Whately bridge and Ikeford brige and highways 20 pounds.
I will that the “Ile” in Waterstoke Church be finished “in as goodly haste as it may be and covered with leede;” also that there may be a new Chancel made in Waterstoe, Chilworth and Comb with the appurtenances make an estate to my wife for the term of her life if she remain unmarried, if she marry, then it shall go forthwith to my right heirs.
The residue of all my goods after my debts and the costs of my burying I bequeath to Dame Sibyl my wife whom I make my sole Executrix. I appoint my brother Sir William Danvers, Justice, to be Overseer of this my present will.
Witnesses: Master Christopher Bainbridge Archdeacon of Surrey, Master John Whit] hers, John Walker, Thomas Darell, Richard Grenefeld, John Fulmer, ane others.2
Thomas departed this life on Wednesday, 10 September 1502 in Waterstok, Oxfordshire, England. He was buried at Waterstok, Oxfordshire, England, in St. Anne Church. He was buried in a tomb which he had prepared during his life. It was an altar tomb in the chancel of the church. His will was proved at Lambeth the 26th day of September 1502.
Family 1 | Miss (?) Fiennes |
Family 2 | Sybell Fowler b. c 1428, d. b 29 Jun 1511 |