Jacob Blakeway: A Historical Figure in 17th-Century England
Jacob Blakeway, born in July 1583, emerged as a significant figure in 17th-century England due to a scandal that would reverberate through history. This incident not only captured the attention of contemporaries but also had lasting implications for the More children, who were later sent to America aboard the Mayflower in 1620. For many years, genealogists and historians puzzled over the circumstances that led to this remarkable event, which has been extensively documented since its discovery in the mid-20th century.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Blakeway was baptized on July 25, 1583, at Stanton Long Parish Church in Corvedale. He was the firstborn son of Edward Blakeway and Anceret, whose name is derived from the Welsh Angharad. The Blakeway family had deep roots in the area, having been tenants of Jasper More’s estate at Larden Hall for generations. This manor was located just half a mile from Brockton, where the Blakeways resided. A local track known as Blakeway Hollow connects Much Wenlock to Apedale, where remnants of the Blakeway legacy persist through names like Blakeway Farm and Blakeway Cottage.
The Scandal Involving Katherine More
The story of Jacob Blakeway becomes intertwined with that of Katherine More, whose father Jasper More was a prominent landowner. Following the deaths of Jasper’s sons, Katherine became the last unmarried daughter eligible to inherit property. In a strategically arranged marriage, she wed her cousin Samuel More on February 4, 1610. Over the next few years, Katherine bore four children: Elinor, Jasper, Richard, and Mary. All were baptized at St. James parish church in Shipton, Shropshire.
However, by 1616, a scandal erupted when Jacob Blakeway was accused of engaging in an adulterous relationship with Katherine More. Samuel More vehemently denied paternity of the children, citing their resemblance to Jacob as evidence of his wife’s infidelity. This accusation led to severe consequences for both Katherine and her children.
Court Proceedings and Legal Battles
Jacob and Katherine acknowledged their affair but claimed they had been betrothed before her marriage to Samuel. They sought an annulment based on this alleged pre-contract. In June 1616, they presented their case to the Chancellor of the Consistory Court of the Diocese of Hereford. If they could have substantiated their claim with witness testimony, they might have succeeded; however, all potential witnesses were deceased.
In a dramatic turn of events, Samuel More removed all four children from Larden Hall in April or May 1616 shortly after the youngest child’s baptism. Samuel’s father Richard played a crucial role in this decision. He arranged for the children to be placed with his tenants near Linley as part of a broader effort to distance them from their mother’s alleged shame.
In March 1617, Jacob received a royal pardon for the charges against him regarding his relationship with Katherine More. Yet troubles continued as he faced accusations of trespassing brought forth by Samuel More. During the Lent assizes of 1618, Jacob was ordered to pay damages amounting to £400 but appealed the verdict. Subsequently, Jacob fled to avoid execution of judgment, leaving his fate unknown.
The Fate of the More Children
Katherine More fought tirelessly for custody of her children over several years but ultimately lost her legal battle by July 8, 1620. Following this devastating defeat, Samuel More surreptitiously arranged for his children to be sent to America aboard the Mayflower without their mother’s consent or knowledge. He justified this drastic action by describing it as a means to protect them from potential social stigma associated with their parentage.
The Mayflower set sail in September 1620 carrying many individuals seeking new beginnings in the New World. Among them were Katherine’s children—Elinor (age 8), Jasper (age 7), Richard (age 6), and Mary (age 4). Initially bound for Virginia, weather conditions forced their landing at Cape Cod instead.
Tragic Outcomes
The first winter proved fatal for many passengers aboard the Mayflower. Elinor More succumbed shortly after arrival in November 1620 and was buried without any record of her grave site; she is memorialized at Cole’s Hill in Plymouth alongside other victims of that harsh winter. Her brother Jasper also died just weeks later from an infection while still at Cape Cod Harbor.
Mary More did not survive long either—she passed away during that brutal winter
Artykuł sporządzony na podstawie: Wikipedia (EN).