John Glanville

Birth, Marriage and Death information

     John Glanville was born before 1521 at ENG; a calculated date, his third son was born in 1541 yet John was younger than his brother Thomas.
     He married Thomazine Browne before 1541 at ENG dated so as to be prior to birth of son Nicholas, who in turn had a birth predating that of John's third son Sir John Glanville.
     He died in 1580 at Tavistock, DEV, ENG.
     His estate was probated on 1 February 1580 in London at the prerogative Court of Canterbury.

Other information

     The following article was written by W U S Glanville-Richards and published in an 1884 edition of the Western Antiquary under the above title -

At the head of the Pedigree of Glanville of Tavistock, in the Visitation of Devon in the year 1620, stands John Glanville, father of Sir John Glanville, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1598, but the Heralds have not mentioned the name or parentage of his wife. In the will of John Glanville of Tavistock, “the elder” - to distinguish him from his son Judge Glanville - which was proved in London, the 1st February, 1580, the first clue to the identification of this lady is found; for, amongst other names mentioned is that of “Thomazine” his wife, to whom he bequeaths certain property. Her surname is not alluded to, and it is highly probable that her name and family would still have remained buried in oblivion had not a bundle of old deeds, in the possession of a collateral descendant, been fortunately unearthed. Amongst these deeds was a conveyance of a parcel of land in the Parish of Tavistock from John, the son of William Browne, to his son-in-law, John Glanville of Tavistock, the husband of his daughter Thomazine. This is dated in the year 1548. The said parcel of land appears by another deed to have passed to Nicholas, the eldest son of John and Thomazine Glanville, and brother to Judge Glanville.

The Brownes were a family of consideration and repute. Sir Thomas Browne - son of Sir Stephen Browne, Lord Mayor of London in 1439 - was treasurer of the Household to Henry VI, and also Sheriff of Kent in 1440 and 1460. he married Eleanor Fitz-Alan, daughter and heriress of Thomas
Fitz-Alan and Joan his wife (PM 21 Henry 6th) which said Thomas Fitz-Alan was brother to John 14th Earl of Arundel. Sir Thomas and Lady Eleanor Browne had several children born to them, amongst whom were Sir Anthony Browne, Constable of Calais, ancestor to the Lords Montague; Sir George Browne of Bleechwood Castle, Surrey, beheaded in 1483; and William Browne whose son finally settled at Tavistock (Sir B Burke’s LG). The name of his son as it appeared by Har. MSS. and Rawlinson’s MSS. 6164.287, and also by another MS. in Queen’s Coll. Oxon, was John Browne of Tavistock, who had William and Thomazine, and probably another daughter who married William (?) Grylls of Tavistock. Thomazine was, as before stated, the wife of John Glanville of Tavistock, and mother of Sir John Glanville, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, whose fine monument is still to be seen in Tavistock Church.
     John was married 2 times.
     In 1548 a parcel of land was conveyanced to John, named son-in-law of John Brown.
     The Calendar of the Tavistock Parish records RN Worth 1887 lists:
[1552] Grant by Richard Williams, of Tavystock, to
John Touker, John Badge, William Kedley, William
Grylles, John Glandfyld att wyll, John Glubbe, Henry
Wylles, and Walter Mayster, of piece of land estimated
at twelve feet square, adjacent to the land of the Earl
of Bedford, pavement about the High Cross north, land
of John ffytz south and east, land of Richard ffortescue
west, 'ad solum opus vsum & pfitum omn pauperis de
Tavystock ' for ever. William names Hugh Bulle and
Richard Skyrrett his attornies. July 2. 6 Edward VI.

[Endorsed in 17th century writing 'The lower pte of the market-howse.']

[1553] Lease by John Badge, Henry Willy, John Glubbe,
William Grills, John Glandfild att Wyll, John Cornysche,
Walter Master, William Poynter, otherwise William Kedly,
the ' eight men ' of Tavystoke, and Edward Denys, church-
warden — to John Couch, of Tavystock, of tenement and
garden in West Street, which he before held — lands of
parish west, of John ffytz east, Thomas Tremayne north,
highway towards maudlyn south, — on the lives of John
Couch, Agnes his wife, and Walter Smale her son. John
Crocker and Richard Penluce attorneys. Nov. 6. 1 Mary.

[1560] Lease by William Kedlye, John Badge, William
Grylles, Henry Wyllye, John Cornyshe, John Glandfylde,
John Glubbe, and William Nycll, ' the eight men,' Richard
Roundell and John Skyrret, churchwardens, of tenement
and garden in West Street, before held by Robert Skynner,
— to John Gawde, eldest son of Blaunche Gawdd, deceased,
Blaunche Burges and Elynor Burges, daughters of William
Burges, for life. William Elyner and Walter Burges
attornies. April 21. 2 Elisabeth.

[1565] John Glanfyld, of Tavistocke, merchant, bond in
£60 to John ffytz, Richard Servington, armigeris, William
Houghton, John Gylle, John Coche, William Kedlye, and
William Grylles. Dated March 3. 7th Elizabeth. Con-
dition that if the above-named, with John Cornishe, John
Glanfelde at wyll, John Glubbe, John Badge, William Nycoll,
Thomas W , Edward Denys, John Skyrret, Richarde
Drake, John Maton, Walter Glubbe, Ewstys Drake, and
Thomas Lybbe, do peacefully and quietly have and hold,
&c., a tenement with curtilage adjoining and a garden in
Tavistocke — tenement having tenement of Queen east, of
John Malett, esquire, west, garden of Earl north, and
' mylbrooke ' south ; garden having garden of Earl east
and west, 'millbrooke' south, highway from the 'village'
of Tavistocke towards Inscombe north — according to the
' trewe meaninge of a ctyn gyft & graunt beringe the date
of these presents,' then made by the said John Glanfyld,
merchant, without any manner of disturbance or expulsion,
&c., of one Elizabeth Webbe, wyddowe, late the wyffe of
William Webbe, or of other persons on her behalf, or of
Glanfyld, Alice his wife, or any of them, and heirs, &c.
Signed by John Glanfyld, m'chantt.

[1568] Lease by Willyam Houghton, Willyam Grylls,
Willyam Poynter als Kedley, John Badge, John Glandfyld
at wyll, John Glubb thelder, Willyam Nycoll, Thomas
Lybbe, ' the eight men,' William Burne, and John glubb the
younger, churchwardens — to John ffytz,esquyer, of garden in
the possession of John Northcott, at Tavistock, ' together wHi
power lybertie and Authorytie to digge and make a trench
any waie thorowe the same gardeyn aswell to laie therin
pipes of tymbre ledd or othewyse to Gary water in the
same from one fowntene or sprynge lyinge & beinge in
one close of the saide John fifytz called the bought hayes
vnto the mansyon howse of the saide John fifytz as also
from tyme to tyme as often as nede shall requyre to
Repaire and Amende the saide pypes at the wyll and
pleasure of the saide John ffytz duringe the saide terme.'
Sept. 8. 10 Elizabeth.

[1572] Lease by William Houghton, William Kedley
als poynter, William Grylls, John Glanfyld, Edward Denys,
John Burgys, Richard Drake, and Thomas Lybbe, the
' eight men,' with Richard Brewen and Richard Glubbe,
churchwardens, of tenement and garden in Bannawyll
Strete, land late Roger Wynsore south, Richard Egge-
comb, merchant, Agnes his wife, and John Browne and
Margery his wife, north ; also a close in Waddon between
the lands lately given 'towardes the maynteynaunce of the
poore people in the Two Almshouses of Tavystook' and
lands of William Grylls — which land, &c., John Soper the
younger, of Tavystocke, cordwainer, held — to the said
John Soper, Joan his wife, and ' mawld ' their daughter, for
their Hves. Attornies — Peter Eggecomb and John Redstone.
Sept. 3. 14 Elisabeth.

[1576] Lease by John ffytz, esq., William Houghton
William Grylls, William Kedley thelder, John Glanfyld,
Edward Dennys, Thomas Libbe, Richard Drake, and
Charles Grills, of tenement with orchard, garden, and
'grayshaye,' and meadow called 'St. Savyers mede als
Blackedichemede,' in the possession of Walter Kedley the
elder, to the said Walter Kedlye, Alice his wife, and
Walter their son, on their lives in succession. Attornies —
John Skerrit and Richard Sawle. March i. 18 Elizabeth.

[1578] Surrender by Richard Twygge, of Tavystock,
yeoman, to John ffytz, esquyer, William Houghton,
William Poynter, John Glanfyld thelder, Edward Denys,
Richard Drake, Thomas Lybbe, and Charles Grylls, of ' all
myne estate Right title Interest & terme ' in the tenement
and garden in which he dwelt, also in a close called pety-
pase, otherwise the ' Churche pke.' Witnesses— Robert
Knighte, vicar, Thomas Grilles, Thomas Watts. May i.
20 Elizabeth.

[1578] Lease by John ffytz, esq., William Houghton
thelder, William poynter thelder, John Glanfyld thelder,
Edward Denys, Richard Drake, Thomas Lybbe, and
Charles Grylls, to Anthonye Nycole, of Steylesweke — of a
tenement and garden on the west side of Bannawyll
streate, * within the bourroughe & vyllage of Tavystock,' in
which Richard Twygge dwelt — also a close called pety-
pase ; on the lives of Anthonye Nycole, Richawrde the wife
of Richard Twygge, and John Twygge, son of Richard.
8s. 4d. reserved to the Queen as a rent charge geven to
Edward VL by Act of Parliament ' vppon the dysselucon
of Chaunteryes.' Witnesses — Robert Knighte, vicar, W.
Grills, Walter Master, Thomas Watts. May 3. 20 Elizabeth.

     John Glanville left a will on 12 January 1580 In the Name of God Amen The twelfth day of January in the
year of our Lord god 1580 And in the two and twentieth year of the reign of our Sovereign
Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god of England France and Ireland Queen Defenced of the faith
&c I John Glanvile thelder of Tavistock in the County of Devon being whole of mind and force
of remembrance praised be god adnulling and revoking all former wills & testaments gifts legacies
bequeaths devises executors and asserts by me in any wise heretofore made do now make my last
will and testament in manner and form following Imprimss I commend my soul into the hands of
Almighty god my creator and *** And my body to be buried Item I give and bequeath to
my wife Thomasine three of my best *** fur my best cloak my black monrmuge gown All such
are already delonded (?) unto her and also one fifth of wood in Grenada north a house in it and a door such
a lock and a key to the same and forty pounds of lawful money of England such is already delonded (?)
unto her And all such merchandize of mine being in affects as appraistht by an inventory thereof made
and valued at twenty nine pounds fourteen shillings and a feather bed a pair of blankets and a paire of
sheets all such are delonded (?) to her already Also I give unto her ten pounds of lawful money of
England to to paid unto her within three years after my death Item I give to the children of
my daughter Mary Sonnde (?) ten pounds of lawful money of England to bestowed by the
discretion of my executor such in ten years after my death Item I give devise will and bequeath
to Johan Glubb my daughter the wife of Richard Glubb All that my tenement *** Margery
Hamlyn now dwellith such the gardens to the same adjoining and all other their apptenances ***
and being in Founrde Freefe (?) such in the burrough of Tavistock in the county of Devon And also the
two parties in these parts to be divided of all that one tenement and a garden such thapptenance being
at Founrde Freefe (?) aforesaid now in the tenure of one Richard Ghere And all my right title
possession and Hendron of and in the same tenement and garden with thapptenance and of and in every note
and worth of the same: To have and to hold the land tenement and garden and the land two parcel
assigned for ever: To thonlit (?) rest and behoof of the same Johan my daughter and of her heirs and assigns
for ever to be holden of the chcis loarded of the fee thereof by the rent and remorts thereof before due and of
right *** Item I give and bequeath will and devise to Thomas Glanvile my son all my
messuages lands tenement and gardins rents rendrons and hereditments such these appurtenance in
the Burough of Tavistock aforesaid such I bought and purchased of Anthony Honychurch deceased
And also all my lands tenements meadows pastures leases rents rendons and hereditaments such these
appurtenance whatsoever situated lying and being coming growing or renting such in the parish of
Whitchurch in the said county of Devon To have and to hold all the said messuages lands tenements
and gardens rents rendrons and hereditaments such their appurtenances in the said Borough of Tavistock
such I bought and purchased of the said Anthony Honychurch And also all my said lands tenements
meadows pastures leases rent rendrons and hereditaments such thapptenance whatsoever such in the
said parish of whitchurch to the said Thomas Glandvile my sone his heirs and assigns for ever
to thonlit rest behoof and poftt of the said Thomas my son his heirs and assigns for ever to be holden
of the chrif lorded of the fee and frees thereof by the rent and remorts thereof before due and of right
*** Item I give unto William Jonson my linen cloth the value of thirteen shillings four pence Item
I give to my reninte (?) Nicholas Daxter forty shillings to be paid unto him by the by the discretion of my executor
Item I give to William Grills the son of my daughter Alice deceased forty shillings Item I give to
Agnes Hamlyn daughter of the same Alis forty shillings to be paid to willm grills their
father in law such in four years after my death : And if one of them happen to die before they be of
thage of twenty one years then the other living to have the whole four pounds Item I give unto
Johan Skyrritt and to Alice Skyrryt the daughters of my daughter Margaret deceased to each of them
forty shillings to be paid them when they shallbe of the age of twenty one years; and if one of them
happen to die before they bo of that age then thoth living to have the whole forty pounds Item I give
unto John Glanvil my son diverse implements of household such are delivered unto him already Item I give
unto John Glanvile my son the lease of the house such I had of Mr Dillington where I now dwell
All the residue of my goods chattels and debt (not before given now bequeathed) I give unto Thomas
Glanvile my son and him I make and ordain my *** *** and whole executor to see this my last
will and testament performed and all my legacies and bequeaths accomplished according to the same
purpose and meaning hereof In witness hereof I the said John Glanvile thelder have set my hand
and seal yeaven (?) the day and year aforewritten in the pure of those whose names are under written
the date and years abovesaid Test Robert Knight vicar of Tavistock Edward Erind Willm
Grills Richard Gloubb John Bligh Signum Johannis Glandville femorid.