Following on from the ‘Dissolution’ Article
Once upon a time – the story of the Calke Lease reads like a fairy story of old, but sadly the facts are very true, especially for young Frances Preste.
We start the story after the reinstatement of Repton Priory and Prior John Young, in 1537, as the 99-year Lease of Calke issued to John Preste, became a legal binding document. The fact that the first 59 years were prepaid made it a target of greed in years that followed.
At first, all seemed well until in 1538, Thomas Cromwell took Repton Priory for the second and final time.
John Preste having lent funds to help with the reinstatement of Repton, put both his and his family lives in danger by declaring his support for the Catholic faith.
To be safe they had to leave London and go to the country – Calke was the obvious place, far away from London. Thought was in Tudor times ‘Out of sight out of mind’.
Before leaving London, John passed his other property holdings to his son-in-law Arthur Devonshire, also a Master Grocer, for safe keeping and same with his Apprentices.
While at Calke, John converted the Priory into a Tudor house now named Calke Manor for his wife Alice and daughter Frances. They remained there in hiding until Thomas Cromwell was beheaded in July 1540.
Now safe, John did return to London to continue his Grocers Business but kept Calke Manor as his main residence until he died in October 1546.
Following John Preste’s death in October 1546 –
When he died, Frances his youngest daughter, believed to be aged about 8 years old, becomes the next legal owner of the lease of Calke.
The will wording is to ensure that only Frances will benefit from owning the lease and not her Husband when she gets married.
(It was the routine practice in the Tudor day, for a husband to ‘take over’ his wife’s property holdings on marriage).
With Alice named as his Executrix,
John’s will states – “the remainder of the pre-paid period and the 40-year balance of the Calke Lease are left to my youngest Daughter – Frances and her Heirs”
Because of her young age, John states that his wife Alice has custody of Frances and is to act as her Guardian until she is of age or married.
Another interesting point, he states that if Alice wishes to remain at Calke Manor, she is required to pay rent of £13.6s.8d. per annum and be responsible for all necessary repairs.
This shows that Alice had properties in her name, which John had left untouched.
John also left Frances, the Lease of a farm Mantelles, plus 1/3 of his monies after debts and funeral. Alice set to receive 1/3 and the final 1/3 to perform his last wishes.
What happened next – see how the story unfolds below…
All changes on 12th January 1547 – Alice remarries.
Richard Blackwall – a Lawyer of The Inner Temple, London. (1517c – 1568)
Richard Blackwall was a senior knight in Derbyshire due to his connections, rather than land. Justice of the Peace – A legal opponent described him as ‘greatly friended and allied’ within the shire and accused him of exploiting this advantage to pervert justice at the Assizes. Very ambitious – used his knowledge of the Law for his own advantage, even if it meant being under hand by twisting the facts. He enjoyed the power and standing it gave him over others.
When he married Alice, he took his ‘Rights of Marriage’ and acquired Calke with the grand Tudor House, a prepaid lease giving much wealth, with land and permissions.
The tenants of Calke were issued with 21year leases, with the dues were to be paid to him.
With his household established there – he took on the role of ‘Lord of the Manor of Calke’. He had status and income so was happy to be registered as the owner of Calke in Elizabeth I Pardon Rolls, in 1559.
It didn’t appear to bother him that the legal leaseholder of Calke, was his step-daughter Frances who was entitled to the estate income and status.
Perhaps Alice having realised what kind of a man she had married and his treatment of Frances made a short will in February 1548, making Richard Blackwall her Executive, then stated that her first husband John Prest’s will was to be honoured and that Richard be a good father to her Daughter Frances.
Alice stood no chance against the likes of Richard Blackwall, as a woman had no standing in those days – unless later, you were – Bess of Hardwick or Elizabeth I
(If you were watching a Pantomime, you’d ‘BOO’ every time Richard came on stage – as he was selfish and definitely not a caring step-father to Frances)
Even in his own will dated July 1567 he states that ‘no good thing dwelleth in my flesh and nature depraved’ and that he was ‘a slave to the devil and damnation’.
Are things about to improve for Frances with the following Happy Event?
December 1557 – Frances marries William Bradbourne of Hough, son and heir to Sir Humphrey Bradbourne (a friend of Richard Blackwall)
BUT unfortunately nothing changed for Frances as Richard retains the Lease and continues to take all the income from Calke Manor.
Can things get any worse? – What comes next for Frances – a Court Case, which Richard Blackwall technically, can’t afford to lose.
Continuation of Frances’ Story follows …
Next article Lichfield Consistory Court, Lichfield Cathedral – Was this marriage legal?
(Information: you will note there are a number of variations to the spelling ‘Preste’.
Each variation detailed for you will reflect those used in the original documents located)
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