My wife's ancestors - Shelley - Contents

Sir William Shelley, Knt., of Michelgrove

Tomb of Sir William Shelley (died 1549) and Alice Belknap (died 1537).
Showing their 14 children (7 sons and 7 daughters).
Clapham church, Sussex.
Photo 2019. See full size.
See closer shot. See wider shot.

Sir William Shelley, Knt. (see here), born 1476,
of Michelgrove, Sussex.
He mar Alice Belknap [born c.1475, descendant of King John].
Marriage settlement is dated July 10, 1511, but they probably married around 1500.
He was a lawyer.
In 1527 he was raised to the bench as a Judge of the Common Pleas.
In London they lived in the parish of St. Sepulchre.
Around 1529 he entertained Henry VIII at Michelgrove.
Alice died 1537, age c.62 yrs.
Sir William built a new Michelgrove House c.1540.
Though [Hutchinson, 2008] says he entertained Henry VIII at Michelgrove after re-building it in 1534.
He died 4 Jan 1549 [regarded at the time as the end of 1548], age 73 yrs.
Tomb in Clapham Church, Clapham (near Michelgrove), Sussex.
Sir William and Alice had issue:

John Shelley,
of Michelgrove, Sussex.

Payment to Sir William Shelley in 1536 of £27 for a half year.
From p.152 of Vol.XI (pub 1888) of Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII.

Letters to the Crown from Sir William Shelley in March 1537 about Knell, Sussex, his property inherited through Belknap.
His wife appears to be dead.
From pp.325-326 of Vol.XII part 1 (pub 1890) of Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII.

Wider shot of the tomb of Sir William Shelley and Alice Belknap.
Location: LHS of altar, Clapham church, Sussex.
Photo 2019. See full size.
See closer shot.

1789 drawing of the tomb.
From BL.

Close-up of tomb showing Sir William Shelley and the 7 sons.
Sir William (died 1549) is shown dressed as a judge, with hood and coif. This is believed to be one of the earliest representations of this legal costume.
Photo 2019. See full size.

See other shot and other shot. From Tudor Effigies.
These two photos courtesy of J. Malcolm-Davies © The Tudor Tailor. Used with permission.

Alice Belknap and the 7 daughters.
One is dressed as a nun (as widows were dressed at that time).
Photo 2019. See full size.