Elizabeth Cheney (1422–1473)
Elizabeth Cheney entered the world in Fen Ditton, Cambridgeshire during April 1422. Her father Lawrence Cheney served as High Sheriff of that county from roughly 1396 until his death in 1461. Elizabeth was the eldest child born to Lawrence and his wife Elizabeth Cokayne. Three younger sisters followed her into life including Anne who married John Appleyard. Mary wedded John Allington while Catherine became the wife of Henry Barley. A single brother named Sir John Cheney also survived childhood to marry Elizabeth Rempston. Two half-brothers existed through their mother's first marriage to Sir Philip Butler.
An unknown date marked Elizabeth's first marriage to Sir Frederick Tilney of Ashwellthorpe. The couple established their principal residence at Ashwellthorpe Manor in Norfolk. They produced one daughter named Elizabeth Tilney before the year 1445. Sir Frederick died in 1445 leaving their young daughter as heiress to his estates. This daughter would later become a crucial link to future English royalty. She married Sir Humphrey Bourchier around 1466 and had three children with him. Her second husband Thomas Howard became the 2nd Duke of Norfolk after 1472.
Shortly before the 1st of December 1446 Elizabeth Cheney wed Sir John Say of Broxbourne. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of King Henry VI. Sir John belonged to an embassy sent to France in 1444 to negotiate peace. His father-in-law settled land worth fifty marks clear per annum upon the new couple. They made their home at Broxbourne in Hertfordshire where they raised eight children together. Their eldest son Sir William Say held multiple titles including Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset from 1478 to 1479.
Elizabeth's descendants formed the great-grandmother line for three wives of King Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn descended through her daughter Elizabeth Tilney who married into the Howard family. Jane Seymour traced her lineage back through daughter Anne Say who married Henry Wentworth. Catherine Howard emerged from the union between Elizabeth Tilney and Thomas Howard. This complex web of marriages made Elizabeth a great-great-grandmother to both Edward VI and Elizabeth I. Her bloodline flowed directly into the Tudor monarchy that followed her death.
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Common questions
When and where was Elizabeth Cheney born?
Elizabeth Cheney entered the world in Fen Ditton, Cambridgeshire during April 1422. Her father Lawrence Cheney served as High Sheriff of that county from roughly 1396 until his death in 1461.
Who were the parents of Elizabeth Cheney?
Her father Lawrence Cheney served as High Sheriff of that county from roughly 1396 until his death in 1461. She was the eldest child born to Lawrence and his wife Elizabeth Cokayne.
When did Elizabeth Cheney marry Sir John Say?
Shortly before the 1st of December 1446 Elizabeth Cheney wed Sir John Say of Broxbourne. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of King Henry VI.
How many children did Elizabeth Cheney have with Sir John Say?
They made their home at Broxbourne in Hertfordshire where they raised eight children together. Their eldest son Sir William Say held multiple titles including Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset from 1478 to 1479.
Which Tudor monarchs descended from Elizabeth Cheney?
This complex web of marriages made Elizabeth a great-great-grandmother to both Edward VI and Elizabeth I. Her bloodline flowed directly into the Tudor monarchy that followed her death.