Edward Bayntun
Edward Bayntun (1480- 27 November? 1544) was a gentleman at the court of Henry VIII of England. He was vice-chamberlain to Anne Boleyn, the King's second wife, and was the brother-in-law of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife.
Early Life and First Marriage
Edward Bayntun was born at Faulston House in Faulston in the county of Wiltshire in 1480. Though mediaeval accounts record the name "Baynton" as such, the spelling around the Tudor period was "Bayntun." Before 1505, Edward married Elizabeth Sulyard, daughter of Sir John Sulyard of Wetherden, Suffolk. They would have seven children:[1]
- Bridget Bayntun (1505-1545), married James Stumpe of Malmesbury. Had issue.
- Andrew Bayntun (1515-1564), married Phillipa Brulet and Frances Lee. Had issue.
- Edward Bayntun (1517-1593), married Agnes Ap Rhys. Had issue.
- Henry Bayntun (c. 1520), married Dorothy Mantell. Had issue.
- Anne Bayntun
- Jane Bayntun (1523-1549), married Sir William St Loe, of Chew Magna, Somerset, who later married as his third wife, Bess of Hardwick. Dame Jane and Sir William and by him had issue.
- Ursula Bayntun
In 1516, Edward inherited the Manors of Bromham and Faulston after the death of his father John Baynton. He was a soldier and a courtier, and would be a favorite of Henry VIII of England as well as a champion of religious reform.[1] Though it is uncertain as to whether or not Catherine of Aragon had a Vice-Chamberlain, the two were said to be friends, and Edward was said to have visited her house often. She had the archway to Bromham House reconstructed as a gift to Edward. "It bears the royal arms of the Tudors beneath the oriel window in the upper storey, and in the spandrels of the arch forming the gateway, those of Sir Edward Bayntun, the original builder and his first wife Elizabeth Sulliard, the daughter of Sir John Sulliard, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Today this beautiful landmark is known to locals as Spye Arch."[1] The King granted Edward large tracts of lands, making him one of the largest landowners in Wiltshire. Among these were many stewardships including the stewardship of Salisbury for which Cardinal Wolsey recommended him.[1]
Second Marriage and Vice-Chamberlain
Baynton married Isabel Leigh (born c. 1495-7), the daughter of Joyce Culpepper and thus the half-sister of Catherine Howard on 18 January 1531. They would have three children.[1]
- Henry Baynton (b. c 1536). Married Anne Cavendish. Had issue.
- Francis Baynton (b. 1537)
- Anne Baynton (d. young)
Before Isabel and Edward's marriage, a settlement was created that stipulated that if Edward died before Isabel, she would inherit a number of properties, including the manor at Week.[1]
In 1533, he became Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Anne Boleyn. He would retain the position of Vice-Chamberlain to Henvry VIII's Queens for the rest of his life. In June 1535 the King and Queen went on progress through Gloucestershie and Wiltshire and visited houses of nobles engaged in religious reform. They visited Bromham House from the 27th of August to the 3rd of September.[1]
When Queen Anne's downfall began, Edward was trusted with obtaining confessions from the men accused of having relations with Anne, one of them being Mark Smeaton. Edward stated, "Only the wretched Mark Smeaton would confess against the Queen, although I have no doubt the others were as fully culpable as ever was he. It would in my foolish conceit, much touch the King's honour if it should no further appear." In a letter to Cromwell in 1536, then Princess Mary I of England recommended that Edward's aunt be rewarded for her service to the King.[1]
When Henry VIII married Jane Seymour on 30th June, 1536, Edward was in attendance and Master of the Queen's Horses. Edward and his wife Isabel were also present for the christening of the future Edward VI of England on 15th October. Queen Jane died on the 24th, and Isabel was one of the twenty-nine women who walked in succession to mark each year of her life. For a short time after this, Edward and Isabel served as guardians to Mary and Elizabeth I of England, though the exact amount of time is not known. They did play an important role in all three of the royal children's households.[1]
Edward was reinstated as Vice-Chamberlain to Anne of Cleves and her household was ready and waiting for her upon her arrival at Greenwich. He continued to serve in this office to Catherine Howard, who was the half-sister to his wife Isabel. Isabel became one of Catherine Howard's Lady of the Privy Chamber upon her marriage to Henry VIII[1]. When Queen Catherine was banished from court in 1541, Isabel was one of the four ladies-in-waiting she was allowed to take with her.[1] An account of the jewels that was taken following the Queen's arrest noted that she had given a "girdle of gold" to the Lady Baynton.[1]
Edward and Isabel were present upon the marriage of Catherine Parr to Henry VIII, and Edward was again Vice-Chamberlain to the new Queen.
War with France and Death
While Edward was Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen and a courtier, he was also a soldier and served his King during war. He was listed with the English army at Flanders on 7th July 1543 in charge of ten horsemen and 100 footsoliders.[1] During the second siege the following year, Edward was present with ninety-four horsemen. In October 1544, Edward was in charge of the transportation of the King's army with Sir George Carew and a Mr. Harper. They reported that there were 700 ill soldiers that needed transport. He is reported to have died on 27 November 1544 from wounds that may have been sustained in battle.[1] His son Andrew was his heir and property was also left to his sons Edward and Henry. He wished to be buried at his parish church in Bromham, but his body never returned from France.[1]
After Edward's death, Henry VIII created a commission to inquire after revenues belonging to Chantries, Colleges, Guilds, and Fraternities and the yearly amount of £6 - 2s - 4d was granted to Isabel as widow of Edward.[1]
Personality
Baynton is described as someone who shared some of Anne's religious opinions, but he was essentially a career courtier, serving as vice-chamberlain to all Henry VIII's later wives.[2]