David Yale (chancellor) facts for kids
David Yale (around 1540–1626) was an important official called the Chancellor of Chester, England. He also communicated with Lord Burghley, who was the main minister for Queen Elizabeth I. David Yale was also the Vicar General for his relative, Bishop George Lloyd of Chester. His son, Thomas Yale, became the ancestor of the Yale family in America. Thomas's grandson was Elihu Yale, who helped start Yale University.
Life Story
David Yale was born around 1540. He was the son of John Wynn (Yale). David had a brother named Thomas Yale and a sister named Jane Yale. They were all part of the Yale family.
David followed his uncle, also named Thomas Yale, to Queens' College, Cambridge in 1555. He became a Fellow (a senior member) of the university from 1565 to 1581. After getting his first degree, he worked as a rector (a church leader) in Llandegla. In 1578, he took over his uncle's position at St. Asaph Cathedral. He also earned a special law degree called Doctor of Law.
In 1578, David Yale wrote to William Cecil, Queen Elizabeth's chief minister. Cecil was also in charge of Cambridge University. David asked Cecil not to let Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester influence who became the new President of Queens' College. David thought the person Leicester supported, Humphrey Tyndall, was too young and didn't have enough experience.
Even with David's letter, Tyndall was chosen as President of Queens' College in 1579. This happened because Lord Cecil recommended him. David Yale later became a church official in Chester in 1582. He then became the Chancellor of the Chester church area in 1587.
In 1598, David Yale bought a lot of land near Wrexham, Wales, from the Erddig family. He sold some of it but kept a place called Plas Grono as his family's home. This home was later sold by the family of his great-grandson, Elihu Yale.
The Erddig estate, including Erddig House, was later sold to Sir George Wynne, 1st Baronet. After that, it was sold to John Meller. From 1601 to 1620, David Yale was chosen as a Justice of the Peace, which meant he helped keep law and order. In 1607, he became the Vicar General for Bishop George Lloyd of Chester.
Family Connections
David Yale married Frances Lloyd. Her father was John Lloyd, a judge. David's sister-in-law, Mary Lloyd, married Sir Simon Weston. Sir Simon's family, the Willoughbys, owned Wollaton Hall.
David had several important uncles. One was Dr. Thomas Yale, who was a Chancellor and an ambassador for Queen Elizabeth I. Another uncle, Hugh Yale, was an Alderman (a city official) in Oswestry. Roger Lloyd, another uncle, was a secretary to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who was King Henry VIII's chief minister. David's aunt Katherine was from a noble family.
David's son, Thomas Yale II, married the daughter of Bishop George Lloyd. After Thomas died, his wife remarried Theophilus Eaton, who became Governor of New Haven Colony in America. She and her children moved to America. David Yale's great-nephew, also named Thomas Yale, married Dorothy Hughes. Their daughter, Dorothy Yale, married Hugh Hughes.
David Yale passed away in 1626. He was buried at Chester Cathedral in England.
