Sir Robert Lytton of Knebworth

Sir Robert Lytton has relatives in Litton & Tideswell, Derbyshire, but there is no direct proof of his parents as yet, although they may be Robert Lytton & his wife buried at Tideswell.

His known career started in at least 1478 when he was Clerk of the Estreats.

Sir Robert Lytton KB was invested as a Knight of the Bath on 1 November 1494 at the creation of Prince Henry as Duke of York.

Knight of Stanwell, Middlesex, of Lytton and Knebworth, Hertfordshire; Clerk of the Exchequer; Privy Councillor; Under-Treasurer of England; Keeper of the Great Wardrobe; Treasurer at War; Burgess for Ludgershall; Knight of the Shire for Hertfordshire.

He married three times; firstly to a daughter of Thomas Rede, dyer and citizen of London. Her nane is said to be Agnes. The then married Agnes, widow of John Pareys [who had a first wife also named Agnes. Finally, he married Elizabeth Andrews, eldest daughter and co-heiress of John Andrews and Elizabeth Stratton. She was the widow of Thomas Wyndesore [she had 12 known children with her first husband]

Sir Robert Lytton, despite the claims of many pedigrees, had children only with his first wife. All were born well before his third marriage with Elizabeth Andrews.

Sir Robert left a will dated 11 April 1505, proved 26 July 1505.

Sir Robert was not born at Knebworth, contrary to some webtrees out there. He bought the estate c. 1492 (in the 7th year of Henry VII). In addition, he could not have died in 1483 because he served Henry VII in several capacities and Henry did not rule until 1485.

From https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lytton-3

Research Note: Parentage

Robert Lytton's parentage is unclear. While Burke [1] named them as Sir Robert Lytton of Litton in Derbyshire and his wife Agnes Hotoft, it appears that Burke has conflated this Sir Robert with a Sir Robert Litton [2] of several generations earlier, who served King Henry IV. Burke's account must be considered unreliable.

He married three times; First, probably by 1470, based on the birthdate of their eldest son, to Agnes [not named in any primary sources] Rede, daughter and heiress of Thomas Reede and his wife Letice. Agnes is the mother of all Robert's children, named in the Wills of Robert and of Agnes's parents.

1. William - heir; b. about 1470; m. Audrey (Adriana) Booth
2. Thomas - second surviving son;
3. George - named in Thomas Reede's 1492 Will, named in Agnes Lyttons 1486 will, Named in his cousins Richard Lytton's 1503 will, not named in Robert's 1505 Will, probably deceased
4. Agnes - m. John Catesby - not named in grandparents' Wills
5. Margaret - m. Richard Devenish
6. Elizabeth - named in Letice Reede's 1496 Will, not named in Robert's 1505 Will, possibly deceased

Agnes died some time before 1485, when Robert remarried to a woman called Agnes, widow of John Pareys. She died in 1486.

His third wife was Elizabeth Andrew, widow of Thomas Windsor, who died in 1485. This marriage brought Robert the manor of Stanwell,[10] which he held by 1490, [11]thus dating the marriage by 1489. Richardson [6] claims this marriage produced no children.

Will Of Agnes Lytton, wife PROB 11/7/304 27 April 1486
In the name of God, Amen the 25th day of February in the year of our Lord God 1485/1486
And the first yere of the reigne of King Henry the VII, I Agnes Lytton wife of Robert Lytton, Gentleman,
and late the wife of John Parys dec, citizen while he livid and pewterer of London and executer of
the testament of the same John make and ordeyn thrugh the licence of the foresaid Robb my husband
this my present testament conteyning my last will in the manner and forme folowyng that is to say first I
bequeath and commend my soul unto almyghty god my creator and saviour to our blessed lady saint
Mary the virgin his glorious moder and to all sainte my Body tobe buried in the parish church of saint
Botolphe beside billingsgate in the ward of Billingsgate in London in honest wise by the grave
where the body of the said John Paris lieth buried Item I bequeath for my burying there tobe hadde
…. Item, I will that if it happen Agnes Litton my daughter late the daughter of
the said John Parys, Robert Thompson her cosyn, and the children of Richard Dunce to ?se with
once heires of their bodies lawfully begotten etc
…I bequeath to the forsaid Agnes Litton, my daughter my greateste etc [lots of jewellery & clothes]…for the soul of the foresaid John Paris her father….
Item, I bequeath to Agnes, Margaret & Elizabeth, daughters of my foresaid
Husband Robert Lytton, that is to say, to each of them, 10 pounds tobe delivered at ther marriage eyther of them tobe others heires
… Item I bequeath to Thomas Lytton and George Lytton sons of my said husband, that is to say to eyther of them 10 pounds that tobe delivered at their lawful age and
eyther of them tobe others heires. Item, I bequeth to Agnes Erunshall 10 pounds. I bequeth to
Alice her cousin a blew gowne of myn lined with bakram. …. Item I bequeath to Richard Lytton 10 pounds….residue to Robert Lytton my husband. Executors Robert Lytton my husband and Agnes Lytton my daughter. And I tenderly request and bessech my said
Husband at the ? of this and for all the ?e that was ?one hym and me that he
wilbe good fader unto my said daughter Agnes and therysh heirs as my most speciall trust is in hym
In witness wherof to this my present I have sett my seale at London
the day and yer abovesaid

1492 Will of Thomas Rede, Citizen & Dyer of London.
Names his wife Lettice, daughter Johane Colyns, her underage daughter Lettice Colyns, his son Robert Rede "if he can be found", his son-in-law Robert Lytton & sons William, George & Thomas Lytton.

1505 Will of Sir Robert Lytton dated 11 April 1505 proved 25th July 1505
Wants to be buried at the Black Friars, near Ludgate, London
Most entirely beloved wife Dame Elizabeth Lytton
William Lytton my son & his wife, Thomas Lytton my son
Daughters; Audrey Lytton [presumably daughter-in-law, wife of his som William], Agnes Catesby and Margaret Devenish. NOTE: No Faith in this list. There is zero primary evidence for Faith existing, despite what all the pedigrees state!
Two step-children listed, but as son Anthony Wyndesore and daughter Margaret Wyndesore.
Also neece Agnes Clayton, brother Sir Christoher Lytton
John Catesby of Althorpe [likely the husband of daughter Agnes]
Souls of his fader & moder.
Executors: wife Dame Elizabeth Lytton & son William Lytton
Overseer Edmund Dudley [husband of Anne Windsor his stepdaughter] & Andrew Wyndesore
George Wyndesore godson
Witnesses: George Puttenham Knight, Andrew Wyndesore Esquire, Anthony Wyndesore

1505 10th October 1505 Will of Sir Christopher Litton, Canon of the Kings Chapel, Saint Stephens
Wants to be buried at the Blackfriars, London in the tomb with his brother
A bequest to Christpher Litton,
A bequest to William Litton, Thomas Litton, Agnes Catesby & Margaret Devenish [all of his brother's children. Note the lack of Audrey, increasing the likelihood she was a daughter in law. Not too, the lack of the [imaginary] Faith.
Cosen William Blackwall, Agnes Clayton cosen, Elizabeth Castell cosen, John Litton of Tydeswall
Brother Robert Litton soul, Fader & mother soules. Also those of Margaret Clayton, Robert & Humphrey.
Executors: Robert Blackwall, John Castell, Ric Blackwall.
[Sir Christopher Lytton/Litten
Canon of St Stephens Chapel, Westminster
Canon 24 Sep 1494 to death 1505]

1474-1485 Clerk of the Estreats
1478
<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/a35f6ff6-d8a4-4...>
Reference DE/K/46816
Date- 10 May 1478
By Thomas Cheyne of 'Artilburgh', Northampton, esq, (son and heir apparent of Sir John Cheyne of Ditton, Kent, knight, and of Elizabeth his late wife who was daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Rempston, knight,) to John Fitzherbert, Robert Eyre, son of Robert Eyre of [Nether] Padley, Derby, esq, Thomas Rede, citizen of London, Thomas Hunt, Robert Lytton of London, gentlemen, Richard Blakwall and William Clayton, of the manor of Litton etc. Power of attorney to Thomas Hogekynson and John Barton to deliver seizin.
Held by Hertfordshire Archives
1482 -1485 Teller of the Exchequer
1482
<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C17886258>
Reference E 404/77/2/53
Date: 4 Feb 1482
Beneficiary of the warrant: Richard Boteller and Robert Litton, tellers of the receipt of the Exchequer
Subject: 10 marks to Richard Boteler in addition to his £20 a year for his said office; and £20 a year to Robert Litton for his said office
Authorising clerk: Tilghman
Dated at Tower of London, 4 Feb 21 Edw IV
1485-1505 Treasurer's Remembrancer
1485- <https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/04d14c12-8b42-4...>
Quitclaim
Reference: DE/K/21938
Date: 12 July 1485
By Robert Lytton of London, gentleman, to John Fitzherbert, Robert Eyre, son of Robert Eyre of Padley, Derby, esquire, Thomas Rede, citizen of London, Thomas Hunt, Richard Blackwall and William Clayton of his right in the manor of Lytton and other property in the town of Lytton, Derby which he, together with John Fitzherbert and the others, had of the gift of Thomas Cheyne of "Artilburgh", Northampton, esquire, son and heir of John Cheyne of Dytton, Kent, knight
1485 - Supported King Henry VII in the Battle of Bosworth 22nd August
1487 - 1505 Replaced Sir Reginald Bray as Undertreasurer. Also Privy Councillor
1487-
<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12229247>
Reference SC 1/51/110
22 July 1487
Henry VII to John Dinham, lord Dinham, treasurer, Reynold Bray, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Robert Litton, under-treasurer: instructions for the victualling of a warship for coastal defence and for their advice on defence of the seas. Dated at Kenilworth castle.
1490 -purchased Kebworth [apparently from the husband of a cousin Sir Thomas Bourchier, who had it by right of his former wife Isabel Baree, wife of Humphrey Stafford]]
1492- Appointed Keeper of the Great Wardrobe [of Henry VII and family]
1493 Sir Robert Lytton KB was invested as a Knight of the Bath on 1 November 1494 at the creation of Prince Henry as Duke of York
1493-1500
<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7460091>
Reference: C 1/197/5
Date: 1493-1500 variuos court cases after the death of Agnes, widow of both John Pareys & also the daughter of John Pareys & Agnes, who had been married to William Lytton. Her inheritance now shpuld go back to the family of John Pareys.
Short title: Dunce v Lytton.
Plaintiffs: Richard Dunce, citizen and grocer of London, and Agnes, his wife.
Defendants: Sir Robert Lytton, knight, late the husband of Agnes, late the wife of John Parys, and William, his son, late the husband of Agnes, daughter of John Parys.
Subject: Detention of deeds relating to tenements in St Mary's Mattfelon, Holborn, St Botolph's beside Billingsgate and Allhallows, Lombard-Street, belonging to the said John Parys. London
More court cases
<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7461613>
C 1/227/2
Date-1493-1500
Short title: Tomson v Lytton.
Plaintiffs: Robert Tomson, son of Avyse, sister of John Pareys.
Defendants: William Lytton.
Subject: Messuages and lands in Greenwich and elsewhere. Kent.
<https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7464224>
Reference c 1/287/68
1501-1502 Served as Treasurer at War
Date: 1505-1515
Plaintiffs: Thomas Barker and Agnes, his wife, daughter of William and Emma Johnson.
Defendants: William Lytton, son of Robert Lytton, knight, late husband of Agnes, wife of John Parys, of London, pewterer.
Subject: Bequest by John Parys, uncle of the said Emma and father-in-law of the said Robert. London.

Personal dates
1469 or earler married a daughter of Thomas Rede, Dyer & citizen of London
1470 approx, eldest son William Lytton born by this date, probaly earlier
1485 wife died before this date
1485 married Agnes, widow of John Pareys
By 1486 other children born; sons George & Thomas, daughters Agnes, Margaret & Elizabeth. Son William married to Agnes, daughter of John Pareys & his wife Agnes [then married to Robert Lytton]
1489 Approx, married Elizabeth Andrews, widow of Thomas Wyndsore
1492 All three sons living [will of Thomas Rede]
1505 by this date, son William married to Audrey Booth.
1505 Sir Robert Lytton will. Sons William [& wife] & Thomas, daughters Agnes Catesby & Margaret Devenish, daughter in law Audrey. Step children Margaret & Anthony Wyndesore. Brother Sir Christopher Lytton
1505 Will of Sir Christopher Lytton. Brother Sir Rober Lytton, dec. William & Thomas Lytton, also Agnes Catesby & Margaret Devenish. Also relatives including Christopher & John Litton
1519 daughter Margaret still married to Richard Devenish.

• Sir Robert Lytton, Burgess of Ludgershall, Treasurer at War, Under-Treasurer of England1,2,3,4,5,6

b. circa 1445 *Father	Robert Lytton *Mother	Agnes Hotoft [seems ro be no evidence of his parentage]

• Sir Robert Lytton, Burgess of Ludgershall, Treasurer at War, Under-Treasurer of England was born circa 1445 at of Lytton, Hertfordshire, England.2 He married Agnes Rede, daughter of Thomas Rede, circa 1470.4,6 Sir Robert Lytton, Burgess of Ludgershall, Treasurer at War, Under-Treasurer of England married Elizabeth Andrews, daughter of John Andrews, Esq., Burgess of Ipswich & Bletchingley and Elizabeth Stratton, 1486 and 1489; They had no issue Sir Robert Lytton,left a will on 11 April 1505; Requested burial in the Friars next Ludgate, Middlesex.3,5 His estate was probated on 26 July 1505.3,5
• Family1 Agnes Rede b. c 1452, d. bef 1485
• Children
  • William Lytton, Esq., Sheriff of Hertfordshire & Essex, Governor of Boulogne Castle+4,6 b. c 1475, d. 26 Aug 1517, Thomas Lytton, George Lytton, Agnes Catesby, Margaret Devenish, and Elizabeth Lytton.
• Family2 Elizabeth Andrews [widow of Thomas Wyndesore] b. 1442
• Child
  • Fides Lytton is often quoted, but she appears to be ficticious.
• Citations
• [S6165] Unknown author, Some Descendants of Charlemagne by von Redlich, p. 166; Lineage and Ancestry of HRH Prince Charles, Vol. II, p. 469.
• [S5] Douglas Richardson, Plantagenet Ancestry, p. 476.
• [S16] Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry, 2nd Edition, Vol. III, p. 72.
• [S16] Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry, 2nd Edition, Vol. III, p. 90.
• [S4] Douglas Richardson, Royal Ancestry, Vol. III, p. 662-663.
• [S4] Douglas Richardson, Royal Ancestry, Vol. III, p. 683.
• From: http://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p665.htm#i... ________________________
• Sir Robert Litton1
• M, #446452
• Last Edited=2 Dec 2015
• Sir Robert Litton married Elizabeth Andrews, daughter of John Andrews and Elizabeth Stratton.1
• Citations
• [S22] Sir Bernard Burke, C.B. LL.D., A Genealogical History of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire, new edition (1883; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1978), page 591. Hereinafter cited as Burkes Extinct Peerage.
• From: http://www.thepeerage.com/p44646.htm#i446452

___________________

• A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, by John Burke
• https://archive.org/details/agenealogicalan09burkgoog
• https://archive.org/stream/agenealogicalan09burkgoog#page/n481/mode...
• Pg.447
• .... etc.
• SIR ROBERT DE LYTTON, of Lytton, in the county of Derby, comptroller of the household to King Henry IV. receiver-general of the Queen's rents in her honour of High Peak, and agister of that forest. — His son (by his wife, Agnes, daughter of John Hotoft, sheriff of London),
• SIR ROBERT DE LYTTON, of Lytton, under-treasurer of the Exchequer to Henry VII. keeper of the great wardrobe, a member of the privy council, and a knight of the bath, purchased in the 7th Henry VII. the demesne of Knebworth, of Sir Thomas Bourchier. Sir Robert m. Elizabeth, dau. and co-heir of John Andrews, of Weston, in Norfolk, and relict of Thomas Windsor,* of Stanwell, by whom he had, (with a dau. Fides, m. to Richard Deveneish, esq. of Hellengleigh) a son,
• WILLIAM DE LYTTON, of Knebworth, Governor of the castle of Bulloigne, in France, and sheriff for the counties of Herts and Essex, who wedded Audrey, daughter and heiress of Sir Philip Booth, .... etc.
  • * By this Thomas Windsor, Elizabeth left a son SIR ANDREW WINDSOR, summoned to parliament as Baron Windsor, 31 HENRY VIII. Burke's Extinct Peerage. _________________
• Plantagenet ancestry: a study in colonial and medieval families By Douglas Richardson, Kimball G. Everingham
• http://books.google.com/books?id=p_yzpuWi4sgC&pg=PA475&lpg=PA475&dq...
• Pg.475
• 13. Elizabeth Stratton, daughter and heiress, born about 1425. She married about 1439 John Andrew (or Andrews), Esq., of Baylham, Suffolk, laywer, Burgess for Ipswich and Bletchingley, Suffolk, son of James Andrews, of Ipswich, Suffolk, by Alice, daughter and heiress of John Weyland. He was born perhaps about 1415. They had two daughters, Elizabeth and Anne. He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1453, and was a lawyer. They had two daughters. John Andrews, Esq., died in 1473, and was buried at Stoke near Ipswich, Suffolk. His widow, Elizabeth, left a will dated 18 Oct. 1474, proved 11 Dec. 1474 (P.C.C. 11 Wattys). She was buried at St. Dionis Backchurch, London.
• .... etc.
• Children of Elizabeth Stratton, by John Andrew, Esq.:
• i. Elizabeth Andrew [see next].
• Pg.476
• 14. Elizabeth Andrew, 1st daughter and co-heiress. She married (1st) before 1 Feb. 1465/6 Thomas Windsor, Esq., of Stanwell, Middlesex, and West Hagbourne, Berkshire, lawyer, Usher of the Chamber, Constable of Windsor Castle, Knight of the Shire for Middlesex, son and heir of Miles Windsor, Esq., of Stanwell, Middlesex, by Joan, daughter of Walter Green. He was born about 1441 (aged 11 in 1452). They had three sons, Andrew, Andrew (2nd of name), Knt., K.B. [1st Lord Windsor], and Anthony, Knt., and four daughters, Elizabeth, Bridget, Alice and Anne, Thomas Windsor, Esq., died testate 29 Sept. 1485 (P.C.C. 14 Logge, requesting burial at Stanwell). His widow Elizabeth, married (2nd) Robert Lytton, Knt. (died testate, in 1505), of Lytton and Knebworth, Hertfordshire, Privy Councillor, Under-Treasurer of England, Keeper of the Great Wardrobe, Treasurer at War, Burgess for Ludgershall, Knight of the Shire for Herfordshire. They had sons, William and Thomas. She died in 1542.
  • .... etc. _____________
• Thomas WINDSOR (Constable of Windsor Castle)
• Born: ABT 1440/44, Stanwell, Middlesex, England
• Died: 29 Sep 1485, Stanwell, Middlesex, England
• Notes: fought on Richard III's side at the Battle of Bosworth. In his will, dated 13 Aug 1479, he lists: The late Dame Alice Wyche (wife's aunt), Elizabeth his wife, Andrews his son, John Andrews (father in law), Elizabeth wife of John Andrews (mother in law), Anthony Windesore his youngest son, William Windsor his son, Anne his unmarried daughter, Elizabeth his married daughter (married to Richard Fowler), Alice his married daughter (married to George (or Wm?) Puttenham), His cousin John Catesby.
• Father: Miles WINDSOR
• Mother: Joan GREEN
• Married: Elizabeth ANDREWS (dau. of John Andrews and Elizabeth Stratton) (m.2 Robert Lytton of Lytton and Knebworth) BEF 1 Feb 1465/66, Baylham, Suffolk, England
• Children:
  • 1. Elizabeth WINDSOR
  • 2. Anne WINDSOR
  • 3. Andrew WINDSOR (1° B. Windsor of Bradenham)
  • 4. William WINDSOR
  • 5. John WINDSOR
  • 6. Thomas WINDSOR
  • 7. Alice WINDSOR
  • 8. Miles WINDSOR
  • 9. Anthony WINDSOR
  • 10. Bridget WINDSOR
  • 11. Margaret WINDSOR (Prioress of Syon Abbey)
• From: http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/WINDSOR.htm#Thomas WINDSOR (Constable of Windsor Castle)1 _______________

References

1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111027692/robert-lytton
2. WikiTree contributors, "Robert Lytton KB (1452-1505)," WikiTree: The Free Family Tree, (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lytton-3 : accessed 12 December 2024). cites
   1. Burke, John. A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, p. 447. London: Henry Colburn, 1833. p. 447
   2. LITTON, Sir Robert (d.c.1415), of Wennington, Essex HOP
   3. "Pedigree of Lytton and Pulter", Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica, 1906. p. 178. Pedigree"
   4. Lysons, Daniel, and Samuel Lysons. "General history: Gentry families extinct since 1500." Magna Britannia: Volume 5, Derbyshire. London: T Cadell and W Davies, 1817. cxii-clii. British History Online. Web. 17 January 2024. Litton
   5. Douglas Richardson. Royal Ancestry, volume III, pages 684-685 LYTTON 15.
   6. Richardson, Royal Ancestry, III:663-664 LUDLOW 12.
   7. "Appendix 2: Biographical Details of Individuals Mentioned in the Accounts." The Estate and Household Accounts of William Worsley Dean of St Paul's Cathedral 1479-1497. Eds. Hannes Kleineke, and Stephanie R. Hovland. Donington: Shaun Tyas on behalf of Richard III and Yorkist Trust and the London Record Society, 2004. 129-177. British History Online. Web. 17 January 2024. Litton, Sir Robert
   8. Shaw, WA, Knights of England, Vol. I, p. 144. London: Sherratt and Hughes, 1906. p. 144
   9. "Parishes: Knebworth," in A History of the County of Hertford: Volume 3, ed. William Page (London: Victoria County History, 1912), 111-118. British History Online, accessed January 17, 2024, Knebworth
   10. "Stanwell: Manors." A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Sunbury, Teddington, Heston and Isleworth, Twickenham, Cowley, Cranford, West Drayton, Greenford, Hanwell, Harefield and Harlington. Ed. Susan Reynolds. London: Victoria County History, 1962. 36-41. British History Online. Web. 17 January 2024. Stanwell
   11. Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem and Other Analogous Documents Preserved in the Public Record Office, Henry VII · Volume 1, Great Britain. Public Record Office · 1898. p. 210, #497. IPM
   12. "Will of Thomas Reede of London" PROB 11/9/175
   13. Reade, Compton & R Reade Macmullen, A Record of the Redes of Barton Court, Berks, pp. 22-23 note. Jakeman & Caver, 1899 Wills Much information in this work is not reliable.
   14. The Antiquary, vol. XXIV, (1880), p. 77. p. 77
   15. The Antiquary, vol. XXIV, (1880), p. 76. p. 76
   16. "Will of Sir Robert Lytton" PROB 11/14/661
   17. Probably John Catesby of Althorpe, husband of his daughter Agnes.
   18. Josiah C. Wedgwood, History of Parliament: Biographies of the Members of the Commons House 1439-1509, (London: His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1936), 565-566, Internet Archive.
   19. Devenish, Robert Jones, 1864- p. 161 See Also:
   20. Richardson, Douglas. Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, 5 vols, ed. Kimball G. Everingham. Salt Lake City: the author, 2013. See also WikiTree's source page for Royal Ancestry.

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Sir Robert Lytton did not have any children with Elizabeth Andrews. He did not have a daughter Isabella/Isabel with any of his wives.