Edward Littleton 1505-1558

In or before 1505 [his father] Richard Littleton [aged 52] and [his mother] Alice Winnesbury [aged 52] were married.

In 1505 Edward Littleton was born to Richard Littleton [aged 53] and Alice Winnesbury [aged 53].

On 18th May 1516 [his father] Richard Littleton [aged 64] died.

by 1522 Edward Littleton [aged 17] was appointed Gentleman Usher. Around the same time he was appointed Constable of Stafford Castle.

Before 1523 Edward Littleton [aged 17] and Helen Swynnerton were married.

Around 1523 [his son] Edward Littleton of Pillaton Hall was born to Edward Littleton [aged 18] and [his wife] Helen Swynnerton at Pillaton Hall. He married in or before 1548 Alice Cockayne and had issue.

In 1523 Edward Littleton [aged 18] was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire.

In 1529 [his mother] Alice Winnesbury [aged 77] died. Her son Edward Littleton [aged 24] inherited Pillaton Hall.

Around July 1529 Edward Littleton [aged 24] was elected Knight of the Shire Staffordshire. His senior colleague was his neighbour John Giffard [aged 63].

Before April 1533 Edward Littleton [aged 28] and Isabel Wood were married.

In 1536 Edward Littleton [aged 31] was elected Knight of the Shire Staffordshire.

In 1537 [his daughter] Constance Littleton was born to Edward Littleton [aged 32]. Mother unclear. Either [his wife] Helen Swynnerton or Isabel Wood. The latter more likely since her marriage took place before Apr 1533. She married James Foljambe and had issue.

In 1539 Edward Littleton [aged 34] was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire.

On 9th May 1546 George Blagge [aged 34] was induced to deny the efficacy of the Mass, by trickery he alleged, while walking home after church. He was immediately summoned by Thomas Wriothesley [aged 40], the Lord Chancellor, and sent to Newgate Prison [Map]. At his trial at the Guildhall [Map], the main witnesses for the prosecution were Littleton [aged 41] and Sir Hugh Calverley [aged 42], MP for Cheshire. On their evidence, Blagge was sentenced to be burned for heresy the following Wednesday. Fortunately for him, the Lord Privy Seal, John Russell [aged 61], appealed on his behalf to the king [aged 54], who had not heard of the proceedings to that point. Henry immediately pardoned Blagge and ordered Wriothesley to release him.

In or before 1548 [his son] Edward Littleton of Pillaton Hall [aged 24] and [his daughter-in-law] Alice Cockayne [aged 12] were married.

Around April 1554 Edward Littleton [aged 49] was elected Knight of the Shire Staffordshire.

In 1555 Edward Littleton [aged 50] was elected Knight of the Shire Staffordshire.

Around 1558. St Michael's Church, Penkridge [Map]. Monument to Edward Littleton [aged 53] and his two wives Helen Swynnerton and Isabel Wood. His first wife Helen Swynnerton on his right with the simpler English gabled hood, his second wife on his wife with the later, more complex, French Hood. Armorials of Littleton, Wood and Swynnerton families. Sculpted by Richard and Gabriel Royley of Burton-upon-Trent.

Helen Swynnerton: she was born to Humphrey Swynnerton of Swynnerton. Before 1523 Edward Littleton and she were married.

Isabel Wood: Before April 1533 Edward Littleton and she were married.

On 20th October 1558 Edward Littleton [aged 53] died.