The Tudor Connection

The Tudor Dynasty of Kings of England descend from Prince Rhys ap Tewdwr a king of Deheubarth in Wales born abt 1065 in an area now known as Carmarthenshire and previously The House of Dinefwr this was a royal house of Wales and refers to the descendants of Cadell ap Rhodri King of Seisyllwg, son of Rhodri the Great.. who was King of Gwynedd from around 844 until his death. He is called "King of the Britons" by the Annals of Ulster.

The daughter to Henry VIII Tudor, was Queen Elizabeth 1, was born 1533 and died 1606. She was raised at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, until 17 November 1558 when she was made Queen. Hatfield later belonged to Sir Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury the son of Sir William Cecil, Lord Burley b. 1521.  Robert Cecil’s half brother was Sir Thomas Cecil 1st Earl of Exeter and they were cousins to Francis Bacon.

William Cecil, Lord Burley said to be descended from Seisyll Welsh Kings, was first minister to Queen Elizabeth 1st and was responsible with Thomas Walsingham and others for the execution of Mary Queen of Scots after foiling a plot by John Ballard (aka John Fortescue) a priest to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. We are told consequently he was hung, drawn & quartered Tuesday 20th September 1586 at Holburn in London.

The grandson of Sir David Ballard, through his daughter Jane one Thomas Probert who married Jane the daughter of William Earl of Pembroke and there son Walter Probert married into the ap Eynon (Baynam) family of Clearwell, conneted to the de Carent Family decendants of Beluard de Carewent. Thomas Probert was decended in patriline through Ynyr back to Macsen Wledig (Emporer, Maximus). and a grandaughter of David Ballard, Alswn married Richard ap Meurig also a patriline decendend of Macsen Wledig (Emporer, Maximus).

The family of Ballard’s of Much Dewchurch, Herefordshire are related to the Cecil/Burley family maternally through Rose Walshe 4th in decent to Sir Richard Hurtesley of Letton Herefordshire. Hurstley and Birley were the manorial seats of the Cecil Family. Rose Walshe/Hutesley was the wife of Sir Thomas Ballard of Letton, Herefordshire.

John Ballard of Much Dewchurch, Herefordshire, son was James Ballard who was a Priest and Prebendary of Llandaff 1583 he conducted the Funeral in 1598 of William Cecil, Lord Burley and was described by Paul Delahay as "a Cecil by decent" was that through the marriage of his ancester Thomas Ballard to Rose Walshe or was it through an older patriline?.

John Ballard of Much Dewchurch is recorded as being confirmed & granted arms 1st January 1557 in the Reign of Elizabeth l. This must be recorded incorrectly, the earliest 1st January in Elizabeth’s Reign would have been 1559 (the published date of 1st January 1557 works out to be in the Regnal year of 4th Mary 1st).

In 1598 William Ballard writes to Robert Cecil and Prays for the passing of his grant for the Office of Enrolment of her Majesty's Evidences. Details various circumstances connected with the grant. He was brought up in the Queen's house at Hatfield, his parents being her Highness's first servants, and his mother then employed about her person; and for their sakes the Queen granted him that place. Has held the office of the General Enrolments, created 15 Eliz., to which he was admitted by Sir Nicholas Bacon.

The writ above must have gone in front of the Queen and so acknowledges the relationship mentioned above as later we find a grant in favour and opposed to the views of Lord Chief Justice Cobham who was previously petitioned by Robert Cecil in favour of William Ballard’s request early 1598 regards this matter as follows.

In 1599 Her Majesty assigned him a bill of the Clerkship of the Enrolment of Evidences in Chancery; by which he was encouraged to disburse 100l. If he be put from his grant, the Queen will lose the gift of the office. He will also lose his money, unless he may have order to be satisfied from those clerks who receive the profits without warrant. Prays for Cecil's favour in the matter.

William Ballard’s parents were described as Queen Elizabeth’s first Servants and His mother then employed about her person, His parents could have been John Ballard & Elizabeth Ballard who are recorded in the Household accounts for Princess Elizabeth 1551/2 this was the only years accounts available to me at present so we can not speculate the time frame that these Ballard’s were in the service of the princess.

Records for First maids

Blanche Herbert, Lady Troy, (previously Blanche Milborne, then Blanche Whitney) was the Lady Mistress in charge of the upbringing of Queen Elizabeth I, Edward VI and also of Queen Mary when she lived with the younger Tudor children. She was twice married, and widowed; first to James Whitney then Sir William Herbert of Troy Parva, an illegitimate son of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke and one of his mistresses. She had five children. Lady Troy died c. 1557 before Queen Elizabeth I’s accession.

Blanche Milborne was one of the eleven co-heiresses (a son and daughter died young) of Simon Milborne and Jane (Baskerville) of Burghill, Herefordshire. Her eldest sister, Alice married Henry Myles and they were the parents of Blanche Parry. The family had widespread gentry connections; Sir William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke married Ann Devereux, the niece of Simon Milborne’s mother, Elizabeth Devereux. Blanche was also connected to Queen Catherine Parr sharing Agnes Crophull as an ancestress making them second cousins.

Blanche Parry. (ap-Harry) 1507 -1590. She was born at Newcourt, Bacton, Herefordshire her father Henry Myles was Steward of Ewyas Lacy, Steward of Dore Abbey (Cistercian) and three times High Sheriff of Herefordshire. He was related to the Herbert family of the Earls of Pembroke and was cousin to Sir William Cecil, Lord Burghley. Her brother Thomas Parry He was knighted by Elizabeth at her accession in 1558, and held the offices of royal steward His father was Henry Vaughan of Tretower Court. Thomas Parry married Anne Rede she was the widow of both Sir Giles Greville and Sir Adrian Fortescue a Roman Catholic martyr from whom was bore Sir John Fortescue of Salden born 1533 at Holburn who negotiated with Robert Cecil to buy a property from him.

Expenses of the Princess Elizabeth, 1551-2

Household Account

Disbursed by Thomas Parry for provision and expenses of the Household.

(Page. 8.)

The Buttrye And Sellor

John Ballarde for his expenses, .x.s.

(Page. 10.)

John Ballard for carriage of bere, .Iiiij.s.

John Ballard for carri. of bere, .xIiij.s.

(Page. 11.)

The Spicerie And Chaundrye

Elizabeth Ballarde for washing, xxxiiij.s.

Elizabeth Ballarde for expenses, .x.s.

Elizabeth Ballarde for neccies, .x.s.

Elizabeth Ballarde for neccies, .xxj.s. iij.d.

Many entries…..

(Page 36.)

The Chamber And Robes – New Years Gifts - Rewards To Officers, Musicians, Servants, &c.

Paid to, John Ballarde, .x.s. In thole as by warraunte appereth (others John Maddox etc)

[The Camden miscellany, volume the second .by Royal Historical Society (Great Britain) published 1853].