John Welles, 1st Viscount Welles facts for kids
John Welles, 1st Viscount Welles, was an important English nobleman. He was born around 1450. His parents were Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles and Margaret Beauchamp of Bletso. John was the half-brother of Lady Margaret Beaufort, who was the mother of Henry VII of England. This made John Welles the uncle of King Henry VII.
John Welles was given the special title of Knight of the Garter. This was a very high honor in England. He passed away on February 9, 1499, and was buried in Westminster, England.
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John Welles and the War of the Roses
John Welles lived during a time of great conflict in England called the War of the Roses. This was a series of wars fought between two powerful families, the House of Lancaster and the House of York. John's family, the Welles family, supported the Lancastrian side.
In 1461, John's father, Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles, was killed during the Battle of Towton. After his father's death, John's older half-brother, Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles, became the new Baron Welles.
However, Richard Welles and his son, Robert, were involved in a rebellion against King Edward IV of England in 1470. Because of this, both Richard and Robert lost their lives. After their deaths, Richard's daughter, Joan Welles, 9th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby, inherited the Welles title.
Sadly, after Joan Welles died around 1474 or 1475, a special law was passed. This law meant that Richard and Robert Welles lost their titles and lands, even though they had already passed away. Because of this law, John Welles could not become Baron Welles. He had to wait until King Henry VII of England came to power. King Henry VII later reversed this law, allowing John to finally claim his family's title.
Life After the Rebellion
Even though he received a pardon in 1478, John Welles still took part in a rebellion led by the Duke of Buckingham. When this rebellion failed, John had to escape. He went to Brittany, where his nephew, Henry VII of England, was living at the time.
When Henry VII became King of England, he rewarded John Welles for his loyalty. On August 7, 1485, Henry knighted John. Then, between July and November 1486, John was given the new title of Viscount Welles. He also received important lands and gifts from the King.
John Welles's Marriage and Family
In December 1487, John Welles married Princess Cecily of York. Princess Cecily was the daughter of King Edward IV of England and Queen Elizabeth Woodville. This marriage made John Welles a member of the Royal Family.
Princess Cecily was born on March 20, 1469, in Westminster, England. She passed away on August 24, 1507. King Henry VII likely arranged this marriage to reward his uncle, John, and to make sure Princess Cecily married someone loyal to the new king.
John and Cecily had two children together:
- Elizabeth Welles (born around 1489, died around 1498)
- Anne Welles (born around 1491, died around 1499)
John Welles passed away on February 9, 1499, in London. His daughter, Anne, also died soon after him.
John Welles's Will
John Welles made his will on February 8, 1499. In his will, he asked to be buried in a place chosen by the King, the Queen, his mother, and his wife. He also asked that the costs for his burial and funeral be covered.
He left specific items for the altar near his burial place. These items included silver candlesticks, a mass book, a chalice, a blue velvet vestment with his family's coat of arms, small silver cruets, and a silver cross. He wanted these items to be used to serve God forever.
John Welles also left all his castles, lands, and properties to his wife, Cecily, for the rest of her life. He trusted her to use the money from these lands to make sure his wishes were carried out if his other belongings were not enough. He also wanted a priest to say mass daily for his soul forever after his wife's death, using the income from his purchased lands.
He named his wife, Cecily, and Sir Raynold Bray as his executors. He humbly asked the King, the Queen, and the King's mother to oversee his will.
See also
- Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles
- John de Welles, 5th Baron Welles
- Governor Thomas Welles
- Baron Welles
