Parentage of Anne Pennington, wife of Sir Christopher Curwen

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Tim Cartmell

Parentage of Anne Pennington, wife of Sir Christopher Curwen

Legg inn av Tim Cartmell » 19 aug 2007 07:15:03

Dear Listers,

In 2004, while visiting in Cumbria, I chanced upon an antiquarian book titled 'Papers and Pedigrees', by author William Jackson, F.S.A, published in 1892. In Vol. I, there is a family history about the Curwens of Workington, and within this article there is a point that I found interesting, regarding Anne Pennington, the wife of Sir Christopher Curwen II.

Specifically, William Jackson wrote that he believed this Anne Pennington was the daughter of John Pennington [Steward of Weysford] (d: 1460) who died in the lifetime of his father Sir John Pennington (d: 1470). This statement is contrary to what Joseph Foster wrote in his book, 'The Pedigree of Sir Josslyn Pennington, 5th Baron of Muncaster', published 1878; he stated that Anne Pennington was the daughter of Sir John Pennington, senior (d: 1470).

William Jackson provided his evidence based on the actual burial monument erected by Sir Christopher II Curwen, Knt., for his grandfather Sir Christopher Curwen (d: 1453), and his grandmother Elizabeth Hudleston (d: abt 1468). This burial monument still exists (though damaged by a fire in 1992), and is located in St. Michael's Church, Workington, Cumbria.

William Jackson indicates that Canon Knowles made a visual study of this monument (a drawing with written appendix describing the monument, which he included within the book); the details indicate that it dates to between 1455-1465. Jackson stated that the monument was erected by Sir Christopher II Curwen, Knt., in the lifetime of his grandmother Elizabeth Hudleston. Elizabeth Hudleston was still alive at this date, as proven by a Charter:- "Ego Elizabetha nuper uxor Christopheri Curwen militis relaxvi Willo Curwen armigero filio Thomae Curwen totum jus meum in quodam annuali reditu lxvs liber. firm. mei exeuntis de Manerio de Preston Patrick in Kendale in Com. Westmerland. Prout patet p. Cart. dat 7 Edw. IV (A.D. 1468)." "I, Elizabeth lately the wife of Christopher Curwen, knight, have released to William Curwen, esquire, son of Thomas Curwen, knight, the whole of my right in a certain annual income of 65 (pounds), derived from my farm of the manor of Preston Patrick
in Kendale. Dated: 7 Edward IV." Source: 'Papers and Pedigrees', by author William Jackson, F.S.A, published in 1892, pg. 304.

On the cover of the monument are the effigies of Sir Christopher Curwen, knight and Elizabeth his lady, with the inscription "Orate pro animabz Xtoferi Curwen militis et Elizabethe uxoris ejus."

On the western side of the monument are five shields;

1). "Curwen impaling lozengy for Croft, being the arms of Christopher's father and step-mother."

2). "Curwen and Hudleston, his own and those of his wife."

3). "Curwen only, being the central shield."

4). "Curwen impaling six annulets for Lowther, their son's arms and those of his wife."

5). "Curwen impaling Pennington, being the arms of their grandson Christopher and his wife." Source: 'History of the Ancient House of Curwen', by JF Curwen, published 1928, pgs. 78-80.

The last shield shows Sir Christopher II Curwen's coat of arms as "impaling the eldest son of Pennington, who predeceased his father."

I [Timothy Cartmell] viewed this monument while visiting in Cumbria, and can state that this Pennington shield carries sub-ordinaries a label with four (or possibly five) points, over five fusils. Jackson didn't explained how the coat of arms were that of the eldest son, but it may be supposed that a label in Heraldry typically represents a mark of Cadency for the eldest son in the lifetime of his father. Mr. Jackson believed that this evidence carved on the stone monument, was proof that Anne Pennington was the daughter (not the sister) of John Pennington (d: abt 1460) son of Sir John Pennington senior who died in 1470. Specifically, he stated, "I think the monument proves that she was daughter, and not sister, of that John Pennington who pre-deceased his father of the same name, although Mr. Foster, in his "Pedigree of the Pennington Family" (tabular statement) has put her down as the latter. I believe, also, that my view agrees better with the dates." Source: 'Papers
and Pedigrees', by author William Jackson, F.S.A, published in 1892, pgs. 304, 305.

In closing, are there any Heraldry experts who would have an opinion as to whether in the 15th century a four or five point label indicates an eldest son, or could the senior Sir John just be using his coat of arms with a mark of Cadency? Sir John Pennington, senior (b: 1393, d: 1470), was the son of Sir Alan Penington who died in 1415. In my mind, it doesn't seem probable that Sir John Penington senior would be using a mark of Cadency if his father died in 1415.

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks,

Timothy J. Cartmell


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Alex Maxwell Findlater

Re: Parentage of Anne Pennington, wife of Sir Christopher Cu

Legg inn av Alex Maxwell Findlater » 19 aug 2007 08:28:37

Certainly in the later mediaeval period the label is the mark of the
heir, usually the eldest son. Without being able to quote variants of
labels, they are known with 2, 3, 4, 5, and even 7 points. Later
again the standard label for the eldest son was a label of three
points. Nowadays the son has 3, the grandson 5 and the great-grandson
7, by convention.

At this period, I would not be surprised that the son had five, or
even four. However, as the points were usually evenly spaced, I am a
bit surprised that there is some doubt as to whether there were four
or five. Even if the shield had been damaged, the spacing would I
think indicate the original number.

I expect that Jackson is right - the necessity of the dates,
especially with women, would tend in that direction - and Foster was
not infallible.

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