Frederick Tilney
Frederick Tilney entered the world in the Borough of Broxbourne. He was the eldest son born to Sir Philip Tilney and Isabel Thorpe. This family held significant land across Norfolk and Lincolnshire. Frederick made his principal residence at Ashwellthorpe Manor. The estate had been passed down through generations of the Tilney line. Records show he had about six siblings living alongside him. One younger brother named Hugh Tilney would later father Agnes Tilney. That daughter became the second wife to Thomas Howard, a future Duke of Norfolk.
The Tilney family titles originated during the Siege of Acre between 1189 and 1191. These honors were earned by ancestors fighting in the Third Crusade. Frederick inherited these specific titles from his father Sir Philip. The siege itself took place over two years before Frederick was even born. His father retired as a secular canon to Lincoln Cathedral after his service. A ledger stone and monumental brass once stood there honoring Philip Tilney who died in 1453. The historical weight of these crusade-era titles defined the family status for centuries.
Frederick married Elizabeth Cheney on an unknown date that history has not recorded. She was the eldest child of Lawrence Cheney who served as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire. Her mother bore the name Elizabeth Cokayne. This union produced only one daughter named Elizabeth Tilney. The couple lived together until Frederick's death which occurred at some point before 1445. His widow Elizabeth Cheney remarried just one year later to Sir John Say. Sir John Say became Speaker of the House of Commons under King Henry VI.
Their single daughter Elizabeth Tilney married first around 1466 to Sir Humphrey Bourchier. They had three children together during their marriage. After her husband died she wed Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey on the 30th of April 1472. That match linked the Tilney bloodline directly to the Dukes of Norfolk. Their nine children included Thomas Howard who became the third Duke of Norfolk. Another son Lord Edmund Howard fathered Catherine Howard while a daughter Elizabeth Howard became Anne Boleyn's mother.
Up Next
Common questions
Where was Frederick Tilney born and what family did he belong to?
Frederick Tilney entered the world in the Borough of Broxbourne as the eldest son of Sir Philip Tilney and Isabel Thorpe. This family held significant land across Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
When did the Tilney family titles originate during the Siege of Acre?
The Tilney family titles originated during the Siege of Acre between 1189 and 1191 when ancestors fought in the Third Crusade. Frederick inherited these specific titles from his father Sir Philip after the siege took place over two years before Frederick was even born.
Who were the parents of Elizabeth Cheney who married Frederick Tilney?
Elizabeth Cheney was the eldest child of Lawrence Cheney who served as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire. Her mother bore the name Elizabeth Cokayne.
What happened to Frederick Tilney's widow Elizabeth Cheney after his death before 1445?
His widow Elizabeth Cheney remarried just one year later to Sir John Say. Sir John Say became Speaker of the House of Commons under King Henry VI.
How did the Tilney bloodline link directly to the Dukes of Norfolk through Elizabeth Tilney?
Their daughter Elizabeth Tilney wed Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey on the 30th of April 1472. That match linked the Tilney bloodline directly to the Dukes of Norfolk.