Jocosa Frankland facts for kids
Jocosa or Joyce Frankland (born 1531, died 1587) was an English woman who loved to help others. She is known as a philanthropist, which means she gave a lot of money to good causes. She used her wealth to support education, especially after a sad event in her life.
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Joyce Frankland's Early Life
Joyce Frankland was born in London in 1531. Her father, Robert Trappes, was a goldsmith, which means he made and sold items out of gold. Her mother's name was Joan.
Joyce married twice. Her first husband was Henry Saxey, a "merchant venturer." This means he was a businessman who traveled to trade goods. After Henry passed away, she married William Frankland. She also outlived William.
A Son's Legacy
Joyce had one son with her first husband, Henry Saxey. His name was William Saxey. Joyce loved her son very much. William studied at a place called Gray's Inn, which was a school for lawyers.
Sadly, William died young in 1581, when he was only 23 years old. This was a very difficult time for Joyce. Before he died, Joyce and William had already started helping colleges. They had set up special funds for students and teachers at Gonville and Caius College and Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
After her son's death, Joyce decided to use her wealth to honor his memory. She believed that supporting education was the best way to do this.
Supporting Education
Joyce Frankland became a very important supporter of schools and colleges. She wanted to help young people get a good education.
Founding Schools and Scholarships
In a place called Newport Ponds in Essex, Joyce started a free school. Today, this school is known as the Joyce Frankland Academy. It still helps students learn.
She also gave money to Lincoln College, Oxford. This money helped make four scholarships even better. Her mother, Joan Trappes, had started these scholarships earlier.
Helping Brasenose College
Joyce left a lot of land and houses to Brasenose College in Oxford in her will. A will is a document that says what someone wants to happen to their money and property after they die.
Her gifts helped the leaders and teachers at Brasenose College. They also created a new position for a teacher or researcher. This position was meant for someone from the Trappes or Saxey families if possible.
Joyce also made sure that four students at the college would have money to live and study. She even paid for a special teacher to help students learn logic and a clerk to help with religious texts.
Remembering Joyce Frankland
Because of Joyce Frankland's great kindness, Brasenose College honored her. Her name was included in a special prayer said every day in the college dining hall.
Joyce Frankland died in London in 1587. After her death, the leaders of Brasenose College put up a monument to remember her. It was in the church where she was buried. This church was later destroyed in the Great Fire of London.
There is a portrait of Joyce Frankland in the hall of Brasenose College. It has some Latin words written on it. Another portrait of her can be found at Caius College.
