The Boynton family and the family seat of Burton Agnes/Boynton of Sedbury

by Carus Vale Collier

THE BOYNTONS

OF SEDBURY

The Sedbury branch of the Boynton family springs from the second son of Sir Thomas Boynton (VIII), of Acklam, and Margaret his wife. This son, named Christopher (I), was an executor of his father's will,^[1] and is said to have been guardian to his nephew (?) Thomas, son of Sir Henry Boynton in the time of Henry IV.^[2] He was also on the Commission of the Peace. In 11 Henry IV (1410) there was a Commission issued to Christopher Boynton and others to inquire into the capture of salmon and fry in the Rivers Humber, Ouse, Don, Aire, Derwent, Wharf, Nidd, Yore, Swale and Tees, contrary to the statute of Westminster, and to punish offenders.^[3] Later, in 1414, he was one of those who had to inquire into the report that certain lands, held by John de Darcy, chivaler, and Elizabeth, late the wife of Philip, late Lord of Darcy on the days of their deaths, were more than were specified in the inquisitions taken.^[4] In 1417 he was on a Commission concerning walls and ditches in the East Riding of Yorkshire.^[5] During the same year he was one of the Commissioners of array for the defence of the realm during the King's absence in foreign parts,^[6] and in 1418, he acts as escheator in the County of York.^[7] In 1419 he is called upon with others to treat about a loan to be paid to the King for the resistance of the malice of the King's enemies;^[8] in 1422 with others he is "to inquire into the report that whereas divers progenitors of the King, Kings of England, in the first foundation of the Hospital of St. Leonard, York, granted to the master, brethren and poor people of it, a thrave of corn each year from all ploughs in the Counties of York, Lancaster, Westmorland and Cumberland for the maintenance of the said brethren and poor people, and Pope Alexander III confirmed the alms, and the master and brethren have had the same, nevertheless divers men of the said parts, religious and others, refuse to render the thraves to Robert FitzHugh, clerk, now master, and the brethren."^[9] And during the same year Christopher Boynton with William Stapulton are to survey all defects in the Castle of Carlisle and the other houses and buildings of the Castle, and the walls of the town, and report thereon.^[10] We hear no more of this Christopher Boynton until in 1439-40 he is party to a deed relating to the Manor of Quicke in Sadleworthfrith.^[11]

Christopher Boynton married Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir to Sir Robert Conyers, of Ormesby, in the County of York, and by her had a son—

Christopher (II).

Christopher Boynton (I) died on the Saturday before the Feast of St. Lucy, 30 Henry VI (1451), and Sir William Bowes, Kt., and John Ruddeston, clerk, were seized of Castle Levington to the uses of his will.^[12]

(II)CHRISTOPHER BOYNTON [1451-1475], son and heir of Christopher Boynton (I) and Elizabeth his wife; married

(1) ⁠ daughter of ⁠ Wandesford and ⁠

(2) Joan, daughter of James Strangeways, of Skelton, Esq. Her first husband was Conan Barton, Esq., of Whenby (d. 1436).^[13] To her John Rudston, clerk, being seized of the manor of Castle Levington, in fee, gave it, by the King's licence to her and the heirs of her body by Christopher Boynton^[13] She died 10th January, 1489. Her Inquisition p. m., is dated 23rd July, 1489, and her heir is her son Henry.^[14] By her will dated 7th April, 1486, proved 7th February, 1488-9, she desired to be buried in the choir of the Friars of Yarm, and leaves to her daughter Dame Agnes Ratcliffe, a pair of "beades of gold," to Henry Boynton, of Sadbury, ten marks, to John Boynton, his brother, ten marks, and to her son Connand, the best twelve silver spoons, to her daughter Elizabeth Sayer, a salt seller of silver, and to her daughter, Alyson Eltan, twelve silver spoons.^[13]

By Joan, his wife, Christopher Boynton had issue—

(1) Christopher (III).

(2) Henry (IV).

(3) John.

(III)CHRISTOPHER BOYNTON [1467-1474], son of Christopher Boynton (II) and Joan his wife, was living certainly between 1467 and 1474,^[15] but probably died before his father.

He married Agnes, daughter of Henry Scroope, of Bolton,^[16] this lady marrying for her second husband Sir Richard Radcliffe.

Christopher Boynton does not appear to have had issue by Agnes his wife.

(IV)SIR HENRY BOYNTON, KT. [1475-1531], second son to Christopher Boynton (II), and Joan his wife, succeeded his elder brother Christopher (III). He founded in con- junction with Richard Barmingham, the chantry of St. Nicholas in the Church of Gilling, for prayers for the souls of the founders, with a yearly rent of fifty-four shillings and fourpence coming out of the lands and tenements in Trenholm, of the possessions of the late monastery of Mount Grace.^[17]

Sir Henry married Isabella, daughter and heir of Bertram Lumley, of Ravensworth, and by her had a daughter Isabell,^[18] who was married to Sir William Gascoigne, of Gauthorpe.^[19]

Sir Henry died on the "vii id ianuarii" (7th January), 1531, and is buried with Isabella, his wife, at Gilling Church, where a handsome slab, now fixed on the west wall of the nave, bears incised figures of a man in armour and his wife, with arms and inscription.

BOYNTON OF SEDBURY

(VIII) Sir Thomas Boynton

=

Margaret

(I) Christopher Boynton

=

Elizabeth daughter and co-heir of Sir Robert Conyers of Ormesby

Joan dau. of James (2) Strangeways of Skelton

=

(II) Christopher Boynton

=

(1)……dau. of……Wandesford

(III) Christopher Boynton

=

Agnes dau. of Henry Scroope of Bolton

(IV) Sir Henry Boynton

=

Isabella dau. and heir of Bertram Lumley of Ravensworth

John

Isabell

=

Sir William Gascoigne

1. Dugdale's Visitation of Yorks. (Clay), p. 145.
2. Plantag. Harrison's Hist, of Yorks., 115.
3. Cal. Pat. Rolls, 11 Henry IV.
4. Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1 Henry V, p. 179, and 2 Henry V. p. 220.
5. Cal. Pat. Rolls, 5 Henry V. p. 137.
6. Cal. Pat. Rolls, 5 Henry V, p. 144.
7. Cal. Pat. Rolls. 6 Henry V. p. 183.
8. Cal. Pat. Rolls. 7 Henry V, p. 250.
9. Cal. Pat. Rolls. 9 Henry V. p. 389.
10. Cal. Pat. Rolls. 9 Henry V. p. 408.
11. Yorks. Archæo. Journal. VIII. p. 12.
12. Inq. p. m. 30 Henry VI, n. 19.
13. Test. Ebor. IV, 13.
14. Cal. of Inq. 4 Henry VII, p. 387.
15. Early Chancery Proceedings, bundle 56.
16. Test. Ebor. IV, p. 13n.
17. Chantry Surveys, I, 144.
18. So says Dugdale (Clay), but Tonge's Visitation, p. 42, says her name was Elizabeth.
19. Dugdale's Visitation of Yorks. (Clay).