GREYS COURT
Tudor manor house, in the Chiltern Hills, at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Passed to Knollys family in early 16th century.
Place of birth and early childhood of Lettice Knollys.
Francis Knollys buried in the nearby church of St Nicholas at Rotherfield Greys, where his magnificent tomb remains.
KEY EVENTS
09 Jul 1514 - Grey's Court is granted to FRANCIS KNOLLYS' parents Robert Knollys and Lettice Peniston by King Henry VIII, for the annual sum of a "single red rose, payable at midsummer".
Apr 1540 - Marriage of FRANCIS KNOLLYS and CATHERINE CAREY; known to have taken up residence at Greys Court shortly after (granted by Henry VIII and Act of Parliament).
06 Aug 1543 - Birth of LETTICE KNOLLYS at Grey's Court, Rotherfield Greys.
Jun 1557 - CATHERINE CAREY joins husband FRANCIS KNOLLYS in Frankfurt, Germany, with their five youngest children; known to stay there until death of Mary I in Nov 1558, when they start making their way back to England.
Jan 1559 - FRANCIS KNOLLYS and CATHERINE CAREY known to be back in England, as Catherine joins Elizabeth I's household and is participant in her coronation.
Jan 1577 - LETTICE KNOLLYS and younger children known to have visited Greys Court until the spring, after having to move out of Chartley Manor, due to lack of provisions in husband WALTER DEVEREUX's will.
c.1580 - LETTICE KNOLLYS known to have visited Greys Court whilst pregnant (with Robert Dudley's child).
Jan 1585 - LETTICE KNOLLYS and ROBERT DUDLEY known to have visited Greys Court - Robert Dudley reported to have given money to the poor and servants of Greys Court, as well as losing money at dice.
15 Jul 1596 - Death of FRANCIS KNOLLYS at ?Caversham Park, Berkshire; he is buried at St Nicholas' Church, Rotherfield Greys.
Jul 1596 - FRANCIS KNOLLYS' eldest surviving son William Knollys inherits his property on his death, including Grey's Court.
Aug 1604 - Visit of King James I to Grey's Court, following William Knollys being created 'Baron Knollys of Greys' on his succession to the throne.
