Elinor Fowell

Elinor Reynell

• Birth: - Malston, Devon, England
• Death: Apr 9 1507 - Devon, England
• Parents: Walter Reynell, Margaret Stighull (youngest daughter)
• Husband: William Fowell AKA Eleanor Children 
• 1. Sir Richard Fowhell, Knt. of Fouhel's-Coome, m. 1st, Blanch, dau. and co-heir of— Hayes, of Devon; and 2ndly, Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Richard Edgcombe, Knt., sheriff of Devon in 1487;
• 2. John Fouhel,   bur. 9 May 1552, Ugborough, Devon, England
• 3. Katharine, m. to Thomas Coplestone, Esq. of Bowden;
• 4. Margaret, m. to John Holbeam, Esq.
• 5. Elizabeth, last Prioress of the Nunnery, Cannonsleigh, Devon

notes

Set into the wall of Ugborough church near Kingsbridge in Devon is the memorial brass of an early 16th century lady of the Fowell family. These memorial tablets may be regarded as fashion plates of the clothes and jewellery worn at the end of the Middle Ages. The figure wars a long gown, close fitting to the waist with sleeves terminating in cuffs trimmed with fur. Encircling her waist is a belt, very long and decorated with a tassel. The belt is fastened with an elaborate jewelled buckle, emblazoned with three 'mullets' from the Vowell coat of arms. The lady is wearing a headdress with a peak, resembling a Tudor window, indicating that she lived during the reign of Henry VII. She is most likely Elinor, the wife of William Fowell or Vowell, Member of Parliament for Totnes in 1455. The family held the manor of Fowlescombe in the parish of Ugborough.

The memorial plaque shows Elinor's hands closed in prayer. The hands are huge and stylised, with strong nails contrasting with her small body and pleading eyes. St. Peter's church stands in mouldy grandeur on a conical hill above the village, while to the north rise the twin peaks of Ugborough beacon, beautiful and remote. The church is Norman, but the dramatic brown granite tower was no erected until 1520, and as in Elinor's day, stone benches stand around the walls for the aged and infirm. Money for the 16th century screen painted green and scarlet and blue, may have been donated by Thomas Fowell, Elinor's grandson. What is now scarlet paint was the undercoat for a covering of gold-leaf, long since stolen!

• Information drawn from http://adupree.com/Gen800/getperson.php?personID=I399028&tree=adupree
• A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Enjoying Territorial Possessions Or High Official Rank: But Uninvested with Heritable Honours, Volume 4 (Google eBook) John Burke.  Henry Colburn, 1838 - Heraldry.  Page 447. Eleanor Reynell, daughter of Sir Walter Reynell, knt. of Trumpington and of Badlingham, & Margaret Stighull. "m. William Fouhel.esq. of Fouhels-Coome, in the parish of Ughorough. In the county of Devon, M.P. lor Totness, 33rd of King Heny VI. 1455, great grandson and heir of John De Fughill thereof, and his wife, the daughter and heiress of Trfaaze, of Trevaze, in the county of Cornwall, (see Fowhell, of Black Hall and Diptford). He d. 23rd March, and she, 9th April, 1507, and were both buried in the Fowell aisle of Ugborough Church, as appears by inscription on brass in the Fowell vaults."
• Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry, Volume 1 Page 437. "Fowell of Devonshire." "William Fouhel, of Fouhels-Coome, M.P. for Totness in the thirteenth parliament of Henry VI., 1455. He m. Eleanor, youngest dau. of Sir Walter Rcynell, Lord of Trumpington, by Margaret, his wife, eldest dau., and eventually sole heir (by Constance, his wife, dau. and coheir of Robert de Malston) of William Strighul, of Devon, and, dying 23 March, 1507, left (with three daus., Katharine, m. to Thomas Coplestone, Esq. of Bowden; Margaret, m. to John Holbeam, Esq. of 11 ol be am, and Elizabeth, last Prioress of the Nunnery, Cannonsleigh, Devon) two sons, of whom the elder, Sir Richard Fowhell, Knt. of FowheU's-Coome ..."