The latest deed at which this article try removed is signed from the Robert Whitney themselves towards the 8 October 1492, ergo indicating not only that he had been alive during the time, however, more importantly the origin try latest (the late 15th century being an infamously bad months to have records). The document reads: “…should continue to be to the told you Robert Whitney and his awesome heirs by the himself and body away from Custance [Constance] formerly 1st wife, de l’ensemble des Audeley, knight, lord Audeley, legally begotten, permanently to hold of one’s chief lords of that percentage for functions thereof earlier due and traditional…“.
Although the file cannot clearly state normally, there are some facts we could however infer out of this small passage. The original and more than apparent you’re you to Robert and you can Constance was indeed not any longer hitched by 1492, when the action is composed. It very probably implies that Constance had died by then (or else one their wedding so you’re able to Robert is annulled, and that seems unrealistic in view of the moments and you may considering the lifetime away from material using their relationship). The next, and perhaps more significant little bit of info is you to Constance was Robert’s very first girlfriend, perhaps not his next/past partner, as numerous low-modern-day present allege, and that you to definitely Robert got definitely already been hitched at least once once Constance’s dying (given that she is named “1st spouse”).
The reason of one’s dilemma can get just be phonetic. On this subject number, I once more believe in Burke’s meticulous research, which reads below:
New Welsh poet Lewis Glyn Cothi typed an extended, yet sadly undated, epithalamium inside tribute towards matrimony regarding merch Tomas abdominal Rosser/Meistres Alis dewiser, [Mistress Alice, girl off Thomas son of Roger] so you’re able to Robert Whitney, Esq
Having situated one Constance Touchet are Robert’s very first wife, their relationship on child out of Tomas abdominal Rosser [Thomas ap Roger Vaughan of Hergest] need to have took place through to the performance of action.
Individuals pedigrees and you will non-modern sources mislead the first and second labels of Whitney’s next partner. You to definitely pedigree known the girl as the d off the woman dad and you may grandfather’s first labels. This is exactly more than likely due to the Welsh patronymic naming custom. Almost every other source called the lady Elsbeth nevertheless anybody else, Alice. The first identity away from Robert Whitney’s widow are Elizabeth. This is exactly turned-out because of the list of giving of one’s administration of one’s property from Robert Whitney, Esq.
The desire off Robert Whitteney esq., of your own parish out-of Whitteney try offered in order to Elizabeth his relict and you will James their child. James seemed at Hereford into twenty-seven Sep as he was supplied to administer and strength was kepted getting Elizabeth to administer at the another day.
In terms of are entitled Alice, probably the transition off her first-name ran something similar to: Elisabeth > Elsbeth > Eliz‘ > Alis > Alice
Issue should be questioned, but not, whether or not Alice Vaughan was his 2nd wife and Elizabeth his widow try yet , a third, before unknown girlfriend? The variety of documents looked at for this article build zero speak about from a definite 3rd wife, additionally the confusion close their Welsh identity and also the irregularities of medieval English program and spelling strongly recommend for me you to definitely Alice, whoever relationship to help you Whitney was described by the Cothi, and you may E, their widow, was in fact in reality you to definitely and same.
Regarding the lack of modern-day suggestions to indicate if not, I think Burke’s concept one to Alice (or E) Ve body is extremely most likely right. When he states, in the event the woman day out of death isn’t recognized, she is actually yes alive in may 1525, when the record granting the girl new administration out of her husband’s usually was old, certain three decades after their partner’s dying. Unless she lived to be over 90, while the Robert Whitney passed away in the early 1490s being around sixty years of age, they uses that their widow Alice/Age was a student in all the probability a little young, possibly by the upwards of ten years.