Sir John de Brancestre

John de Brancestre (or John Brancestre - found both ways), was the son of John de Brancestre, Goldsmith, formerly of London, but who had moved to the country and held half a knight's fee in South Morton, Berkshire.

John de Brancestre married Margaret, the daughter of Henry Mile and widow of William de Welham. He came into control of the Welham properties through marriage, but soon sold them off, settling at Colthorpe, on the outskirts of Banbury. He had a son John who died before him and a daughter Agnes who became the heir.

John and his family escaped the Black Death because they had already settled in the countryside, away from London. His name appears on a deed in Banbury as early as 1365. He acquired Colthorpe Manor early in the reign of Richard II, and appears to have gained wealth and prominence in the region by that time. During the reign of Edward III, John de Brancestre appears on the Lay Subsidy Rolls, but not in a high position. By the fourth year of Richard's reign, he heads the list. In the older lists he is shown as "armiger," and in later lists as "chevalier."

Links to additional material:

• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=olney&id=...

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Sir John Brancestre M, d. before 1392 Father* John Brancestre Mother* Margaret (?)

    John was born. He has a sister Catherine. He was the son of John Brancestre and Margaret (?). John married Margaret Mile, daughter of Henry Mile, after 1356. Margaret was the widow of William de Welham in 30 Edward III [1356]. He resided in Colthorpe Manor house. This was just outside Bambury. In the lay Subsidy Rolls of the 2nd or 4th of Richard II, John heads the list. Next to his name was written "armiger". John sold off some of the property that Margaret brought to this marriage & had been her deceased husbands in 51 Edward III 1377. John departed this life before 1392. Family 	Margaret Mile d. b 1392 Children	

John Brancestre

   Agnes Brancestre+

Biography

John Brancestre held land in Banbury as early as 1365. [1]

He married Margaret, the daughter of Henry Mile, and widow of William de Welham. [2]

Sir John Brancaster died between 1378 and 1392. [3]
Sources

   ↑ Ancient Deeds, Vol. ii, B. 3, 512, of March 20, 39 Edward III.

   ↑ MacNamara, F.N. Memorials of the Danvers Family (of Dauntsey and Culworth): Their Ancestors ... (Hardy & Page, London, 1895) p. 89.

   ↑ Our Royal, Titled, Noble, and Commoner Ancestors & Cousins.

http://knight-france.com/geneal/names/3441.htm

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