http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.ph ... 0&tree=LEO
we see that Matthew Machell b abt 1537 who m Mary Lewknor in 1568 and had a daughter Mary Machell who for many of us is a royal gateway, being both the mother of General James Cudworth of Massachusetts and also (by her shortest path to royalty), 12 steps to Edward I King of England
Many many many people have this Mary in their trees with little to nothing to say about her, and certainly no connections to anyone recently in her life to give her a boost up in society.
However, after a long and painful journey of two days time I can now happily report that Mary Machell is a Cecil 7 (at least so far). The connection that makes her so low is actually quite surprising to me.
Mary had a brother John Machell of Tangley near Wonersh, Surrey, he was "aged 13" in 1593 in his father's IPM of that year. Michael Machell the haberdasher died 23 Aug 1593
See
http://books.google.com/books?id=kR4tAA ... ley&pgis=1
John Machell of Tangley married firstly to Jane Woodruff baptised 4 May 1572 St Andrew Undershaft, London. They married 2 Dec 1599 at Seale, Surrey
See
http://books.google.com/books?id=kR4tAA ... +in&pgis=1
From which I quote
"John Machell (age 13 in 1593), married firstly at Seale, Surrey, 2 Dec 1599 Jane Woodroffe, (baptised 4 May 1572 St Andrew Undershaft, London), daughter of Sir Nicholas..."
The Woodruff family was also of known royal descent
Jane dau of Sir Nicholas Woodruff by his wife Griseld Kirton
Griseld dau of Stephen Kirton by his wife Margaret Offley
Stephen son of John Kirton by his wife Margaret White
Margaret dau of Robert White by his wife Margaret Gaynesford
Robert son of John White by his wife Eleanor Hungerford
Eleanor dau of Robert, 2nd Lord Hungerford by his wife Margaret Baroness Botreaux suo jure
Margaret is seven more steps to Henry III, King of England, as well as seperating ascending to Scotland, Jerusalem and France
Meanwhile back on the farm.
John Machell and Jane Woodruff had exactly four sons and four daughters, amongwhom was a Matthew Machell who married in 1635 Elizabeth, the widow of John Caryll who was son of Simon Caryll of Tangley by his wife Elizabeth Aungier eldest daughter of Francis Aungier, 1st Baron Aungier of Longford by his first wife Douglas FitzGerald.
But wait, that's not all.
After Jane Woodruff died, John Machell married again, to that very Elizabeth Aungier mentioned above as her third husband. Elizabeth Aungier is a Cecil5 her step-mother being that Margaret Cave, great-granddaughter of Richard Cecil.
As if this tangled family weren't bad enough, Francis Aungier father of Elizabeth, married, as his second wife Anne Barne dau of George Barne Knt of Woolrich by his wife Anne Gerard.
Anne Barne's brother Richard Barne of Tangley married as her second husband none other than Elizabeth Aungier, daughter of his brother-in-law !!
Will Johnson