Biography of John Winchcombe aka Smallwood aka Jack of Newbury 1489-1557

Paternal Family Tree: Winchcombe

In 1489 John Winchcombe aka Smallwood aka Jack of Newbury was born to John Winchcombe aka Smallwood at Winchcombe, Newbury.

In 1519 [his father] John Winchcombe aka Smallwood died. He was buried at St Nicholas' Church, Newbury where he has a brass as directed in his will:

Almighty God, to Our Blessed Lady St. Mary the Virgin and to all the Holy Company of Heaven ... buried in Our Lady Chancel, in the parish church of Newbury, by the side of his first wife, Alice, and a stone to be laid upon us both."

He bequeaths to the mother church of Salisbury, 11d, to the High Altar of the Church of Newbury "for offerings negligently forgotten," 11d and makes bequests to the several other altars in the church.

To his wife, Joan, he bequeaths 100 marks sterling, also his "household stuff" together with his cattle, wood, corn, hay and other effects; also half his plate. He further bequeaths to her for life, and afterwards to his son, John (age 30), his interest in lands and tenements he holds of the Dean and Chapter of Windsor, reserving to his said son, John (age 30), the racks and tenters in a close called "Culverhouse."

Around 1519 [his son] John Winchcombe was born to John Winchcombe aka Smallwood aka Jack of Newbury (age 30).

In 1536 John Winchcombe aka Smallwood aka Jack of Newbury (age 47) recruited man from Newbury to fight for King Henry in the Pilgrimage of Grace.

Anne of Cleves Arrival at Calais

Letters and Papers 1539. 02 Jan 1539. Anne of Cleves,

“The coming of the lady Anne's Grace from Dissildorf, in the land of Venberghe (von Berg?), to Calise.”

Setting forth the stages between Düsseldorf and Antwerp, where she was met by the English merchants four miles outside the town, in 50 velvet coats with chains of gold, and received inside the town, with 80 torches burning in the daylight, and brought to the English lodging, where they kept open household one day for her and her train. Next day, the English merchants brought her on her way to Stekyn (the first stage on the way to Gravelines) and gave her a gift.

ii. The stages from Antwerp to Gravelines, where she was received by the captain with a shot of guns. Next morning, 11 Dec. 31 Henry VIII., she arrived within the English pale at Calais between 7 and 8 a.m., and was received by the lord Deputy, the lieutenant of the Castle, the Knight Porter, and the marshal of Calais, Sir George Carow, captain of Resbanke, and the captain of the Spears, well appointed with great horses, and with them the men of arms, in velvet coats and gold chains, and all the archers in the King's livery well appointed; “and so brought her towards Calais, a gentleman of arms of the King's and another of hers riding together.” Within a mile of Calais she was received by the earl of Southampton, lord Admiral, with the lord Wm. Howard, Sir Fras. Brian, the lord Grey of Wilton, the lord Hastings, lord Clifford, lord Herbert, lord Tailbush, Sir Thos. Seymour, Sir Henry Knyvett, Mr. Gregory Cromwell, with “xxiiij” (qu. four score?) gentlemen in coats of satin damask and velvet, besides the said lords, who wore three collars of cloth of gold and purple velvet and chains of gold, and 200 yeomen, &c., in the King's colours, red and blue cloth. “Then the King's ships of (i.e. off) Newland as she came by them let 200 shots of guns,” after which the town of Calais shot 300 pieces of ordnance. When she came to the Lantern Gate she stayed and viewed the King's ships, the Lion and the Sweepstake, decked with 100 banners of silk and gold, wherein were 200 master gunners and mariners and 31 trumpets, “and a double drum that was never seen in England before”; and so her Grace entered into Calais. At her entry, 150 pieces of ordnance let out of the said two ships made such a smoke that one of her train could not see another. “Where stood in order on both sides the streets, like a lane, with 500 soldiers in the King's livery of the retinue of Calais, and the mayor of Calais with his brethren, and the commons of Calais, and the merchants of the Staple, stood in like manner in array, and made a lane wherethrough she passed to her lodging.” There the mayor and his brethren came to her and gave her 50 sovereigns of gold, and the mayor of the Staple, 60. Next morning “she had a gun shot, justing and all other royalty that could be devised in the King's garrison;” and kept open household there for the 15 days that she remained. On 27 Dec., St. John's Day, she took ship, and landed at the Downs, between 6 and 7 p.m., where she was met by the duke and duchess of Suffolk, who, with their train, accompanied her to Deal Castle. There she banquetted, and proceeded to Dover, where she tarried till Monday, and then set forth to Canterbury, where she was received by the Archbishop with other bishops and the gentlemen of Kent. On Tuesday she went to Sittingborne, and the “other” day, being New Year's Even, to Rochester, where she was received by the duke of Norfolk, accompanied by lord Dacres of the South, lord Mountjoy, the barons of the Exchequer, Sir Roger Towneshend, Sir Edw. Beningfield, Sir John Jermy, Sir Edm. Knyvett, Sir Edw. Wyndham, Sir Thos. Jermyn, Sir Jas. Bullyn, Sir Wm. Paston, Sir Fras. Lovill, Sir Th. Straunge, Sir John Clere, Sir Wm. Conysby, Mr. Ric. Southwell, Mr. Philip Calthrope, Mr. Robt. Townesend, H. Hubbert, Thos. Gibbon, Thos. Thursby, Erasmus Paston, Edm. Lumner, Thos. Tyndale, and Ralph Symons. There she remained New Year's Day; on which day the King, only with certain of his Privy Council, came and banquetted with her, and departed again to Greenwich. On Friday she removed to Dartford, and on Saturday, 3 Jan., she marched forwards to the Blackheath till she came to Shots hill (a misreading of Shoters hill), at the foot whereof was a very gorgeous tent or pavilion, “and there her Grace entered and shifted her, and tarried a certain space banquetting.” Whereof hearing, the King marched through the park to meet her, in this manner:—First the trumpets blowing, then His Grace's chaplains, two and two in order, then the counsellors learned with other his counsel at large, as the Attorney, Solicitor, and Receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster, Dr. Peter, Mr. Peter Van, Sir John Williams, Sir Ric. Weston, Sir Wm. Essex, Sir John Dancy, Sir Brian Tuke, the Treasurer of the Tenths, Mr. Ric. Pollard, the Treasurer, Solicitor, Attorney, and Chancellor of the Augmentations, Mr. Wriothesley, Mr. Amnor (Almoner), and Comptroller of the Household. Then the King's privy chamber, the grooms first, and then Philip Hobby, Maurice Bercley, Th. Paston, Ric. Morison, Rauf Sadler, Ant. Knyvet, Peter Mutus, Ric. Crumwell, John Wellisborne, Thos. Culpeper, Ant. Deny, Sir Ant. Selenger, Sir Ric. Long, and Sir Thos. Henage. Then barons, bishops, earls, and dukes in their degrees, as the mayor of London and my lord Parr, the lords St. John and Hongerford, Mordaunt and Borough, Wentworth and Windsor, Tailbush and Sturton, Clynton and Ferrers, Morley and Delaware, Cliffe (qu. Clifford?) and Nevill, Bulbecke and Maltravers; the bishops of St. Asse and St. David's, Hereford and Lincoln, Durham and Winchester; the earl of Essex, the earls of Arundel and Surrey, of Hertford and Sussex, lord Russel, lord Sands and the earl of Oxford, the lord Crumwell and the lord Chancellor, the earl of Southampton and the duke Philip, the ambassadors of France and of the Emperor. Then the lord marquis Dorset bearing the sword before the King. The King. Next, the Master of the Horse leading the horse of estate, next the children of honour, and then the captain of the Guard, with the Guard following.

Whifflers appointed for order keeping: Sir Giles Stranguish, Sir Wm. Parr, Sir John Horsey, Sir Auth. Hongerford, Sir Wm. Barington, Sir John Brudge, Sir John Gifford, Sir Humph Foster, Sir John Sentlow, Sir John Villers, Sir Nic. Poyniz, Sir John Marcam, Edm. Littleton and Chas. Wingfeld.

Names of esquires and knights, but first, the 50 “gentlemen called Pensioners, which all stood from the park pale upon the heath to the meeting places (sic) after their degrees, &c., the King passing through, &c.” Pensioners:—Sir Ric. Page, lieutenant, Sir Humph. Ratclif, Sir Osborn Ychingham, Sir John Nevill, Edw. Hastings, H. Stranguish, John Wingfeld, Edm. Brudges, John Chamborne, W. Long, Th. Morgan, W. Blount, W. Herbert, Ric. Breme, John Banester, Fras. Knollis, Henr. Jeringham, Gawen Carow, John Zowtche, Peter Carow, Edm. Skipwith, Palmer of Gloucester, Ric. Freston, Thos. Mantill, John Candish, Th. Ashley, W. Stafford, John Dramer, Th. Horne, W. Pelham, Giles Pole, Hen. Markeham, And. Flamoke, John Gresham, W. Calawey, T. Sacvile, Ric. Fremingham, Edw. Gruston, W. Skipwith, Edw. Vaughan, Ed. Bellingham, T. Bollis, T. Palmer, Rauf Vane, W. Ellerker, J. Portnare, Chr. Ludcote, Nic. Arnolds, Edm. Harvy, George Zoweche.

Knights:—Sirs Humph. Forster, John Gadge, Thos. Speyke, Hugh Poullet, Hen. Long, John Sent John, Th. Rotheram, Wm. Wyndisor, Robt. Dormer, Rauf Verney, T. Lonvile, Ant. Lee, John Nores, Th. Arundell, Ed. Willoughbie, T. Poynings, Giles Capell, Wm. Newenham, John Rainsford, T. Darcy, Clement Hurleston, Ed. Tame, John Seneclere, T. Toye, John Mordaunt, John Welsh, John Hurleston, Walter Denys, Hen. Parker, Griffith Doone, Philip Butler, Nich. Sterley, T. Tresham, Walter Stoner, T. Griffith, Robt. Kyrkham, John Byron, John Harcote, George Darcy, Ric. Padge, John Danet, Ric. Shurley, Wm. Ganinge, Arth. Hopton, Humph. Wingfield, Wm. Walgrave, Th. Parmeston, John Willoughbie, George Somerset, John Jernyngham, Thos. Lysle, Wm. Barcley, Peter Philpot, Wm. Gifford, Mich. Lister, Ant. Windisor, Edm. Gorge, Hen. Capell, John Newton, John Fulford, Walter Smith, Humph. Ferreis, John Russell, Edm. Walsingham, Edw. Brey, Percival Hert, Ric. Manering, T. Trenchard, Giles Alington, Robt. Payton, W. Gastoigme (sic), Wm. Fitzwilliam, W. Drewry, Th. Germyn, Th. Eliot, John Brown, John Hampden, John Rogers, W. Weste, Ri. Chameley, Fras. Dawtry, W. Fylding, Geo. Throgmerton, Humph. Browne.

Esquires:—Ant. Kyngston, Geo. Harper, Robt. Tyrwit, Leonard Rede, Robt. Drewry, T. Gifford, Rauf Lane, Edm. Knightley, Geo. Gifford, T. Edgare, Fras. Pigot, Robt. Cheynie, Edm. Fetiplace, T. Essex, W. Hide, Ric. Brudges, Alex. Humpton, Reynold Williams, Ed. Fabian, T. Vachell, Chr. Ashton, J. Yate, John Winchcombe (age 50), Roger Sturton, J. Zowtche, Robt. Coker, Robt. Byngham, George Troublefeld, John Wentwurth, John Tyrell, John Brown, Edw. Grene, Robt. Mordant, J. Christynmas, Ant. Coke, J. Becwit, Fras. Clovil, Edw. Tyrell, Hen. Appleton, W. Ayelif, Humph. Tyrell, Guy Crafford, Ric. Higham, J. Pontis, Nic. Wekis, T. Tame, Robt. Wyttney, T. Whyttyngton, Jas. Clifford, George Baneham, Arth. Porter, Ric. Tracy, Rauf Norwood, John Prout, J. Newdigate, J. Denton, John Haryngton, J. Damester, J. Skynner, J. Morrel, J. Shelley, J. Bracket, J. More, T. Nevill, Robt. Cheseman, Ant. Catesby, Ric. Catisby, Ant. Cope, F. Brudnell, T. Cave, Leonard Chamberlain, T. Carter, T. Waneman, Humph. Ashfeld, Ed. Sapcots, Ant. Colley, Leonard Brown, Chr. More, T. Heron, Oliver Sent John, J. Sacvile, J. Palmer, J Covert, J. Tetcher, J. Parker, J. Harman, John Pollet, J. Kingsmill, J. Spring, J. Sands, Nic. Gainisford, Roger Bellingham, Robt. Oxinbridge, T. Ashbury, T. Darell, Ant. Pelham, Ant. Rouse, Robt. Crane, Lionel Talmach, Robt. Garnesh, Ric. Candish, T. Sands, Nic. Titchborne, Nic. Uppeton, Robt. Puttyngham, Ric. Pexsale, J. Stowell, J. Rodeney, W. Wroughton, T. Yorke, Ed. Montpeson, J. Erneley, Robt. Long, J. Boneham, J. Chabe, T. Aprice, J. Pie, W. Lucye, J. Gascoigne, W. Willington, Fowlke Grevill, J. Grevill, Ed. Conway, Raignold Digby, Robt. Acton, T. Acton, — Chawmond, Young Wigeston, Ant. Sowthwell, H. Wyngfeld, G. Morgan, young Ferres, young Selenger, Robt. Markeham, — Basset, — Johnson, and Robt. Throgmerton.

In a modern hand, pp. 11.

In 1540 John Winchcombe aka Smallwood aka Jack of Newbury (age 51) purchased Bucklebury Manor, Berkshire and Thatcham Manor, Berkshire.

In 1545 John Winchcombe aka Smallwood aka Jack of Newbury (age 56) was elected MP Great Bedwyn.

In 1547 John Winchcombe aka Smallwood aka Jack of Newbury (age 58) was elected MP Cricklade.

On 02 Dec 1557 John Winchcombe aka Smallwood aka Jack of Newbury (age 68) died at his home on Northbrook Street, Newbury. He was buried at St Nicholas' Church, Newbury on 08 Dec 1557.