To make an addition or correction to the family tree click HERE.
Return to Main Family Tree Page click HERE.
If possible, include the number of the person referenced in your comments.
To view family photographs click HERE.
Last updated July 14, 2014|
Sir Thomas Cheney was the younger brother of Francis Cheney (b.14810. Francis married when
he was only 15 And succeeded his father as governor off Queensborough Castle. He left his
property to Sir Thomas when he died Early in life without having children. Sir Thomas adapted
successfully to the favor of four Sovereign: Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary I, and Queen
Elzabeth I. Sir Thomas became on of King Henry Viii"s henchmen soon after Henry's Ascension
to the Thorne. Sir Thomas was knighted and made Governor of Queensborough Castle following
the death of his brother Francis. Sir Thomas prominence in the Court of henry VIII was most
likely due in part to the king's interest in his Uncle Sir John Cheney who enjoyed favor with
Henry VIII's father Henry Tudor. Sir Thomas career was more that of a diplomat than of a soldier. He was sent in 1513 on a mission to the Court of Pope Leo X where an international plot in the Vatican and several leading powers was in the making. In 1515 he was Sheriff of Kent and an Esquire to the King. He was made Treasurer of the Royal household in 1520, an appointment which he retained for the Sovereigns who followed Henry VIII. He was Ambassador to France in 1521 and 1526. He was Constable of Rochester and Dover Castles, Bailiff of Sandwich and Dover, and Lord Warden of the Cinq Ports, ht latter an important post held by his ancestor Sir Robert de Shurland, Father-in-law of Sir William de Cheney (eb1270). He entertained King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn of Shurland in 1532, just before they were married. He was made Knight of the Garter in 1539. Sir Thomas inherited several properties from his father And from his uncle Sir John, including Shurland, Eastchurch Manor, Nutts Manor, Cheyne Court (Lvychurch) and Bifron Manor, all in Kent. he inherited Toddington in Bedfordshire through his second wife. Hing Henry VIII left a cash legacy to Sir Thomas Cheney in his will off 1546. Sir Thoms also obtained several more estates in Kent, including Davington Priory, when Sir Thomas Wyatt and his follower fell on bad times in 1554. There is a memorial to Sir Thomass Cheney at the church in Davington (Kent), with his arms surrounded by the Garter, and with his motto, "Le meus que je puis". He married twice. His first wife, Friedwith Frowicke, gave Him a promising son john, who was slain in France, leaving two daughters but no sons. His second wife, Anne Broughton, gave him a second son, Henry, who was a great disappointment to his father and by no means worthy of his forebears. Henry Cheney inherited most of his father's property, and achieved high office, but died without having children. He was knight of the Shire and a Justice for Kent in1562, and for Bedfordshire in 1572. He became Sheriff of Kent in 1574 having been knighted by Queen Elizabeth. in 1578 he was named Lord Cheney of Toddington. He was one of the judges at the trial of Mary Queen of Scots in1587. Henry Cheney married Joan, daughter of Lord Went worth. They had no children. Henry Cheney was an extravagant and pompous man. He was a spendthrift who dissipated all of his inherited wealth, dying a near pauper. He sold Shurland which had been the family's ancestral home for three centuries and built a magnificent mansion at Toddington. He entertained Queen Elizabeth lavishly in 1563 and 1573. henry was known as "the extravagant Lord Cheney". Sir Thomas Cheney had an illegitimate daughter, Frances Cheny who appears to have been born when he was 57 years old. this may not be so strange under the circumstances and his disaffection with his son Henry. His attempt to obtain a satisfactory heir suggests that he may simply have been following the example set by his close associate Henry VIII. |