New action from which this post are removed try finalized because of the Robert Whitney himself into the 8 October 1492, thus indicating not just that he was live at that time, however, moreover your origin is actually contemporary (brand new late fifteenth millennium becoming a notoriously bad period to own records). New file checks out: “…shall will still be on told you Robert Whitney with his heirs because of the himself and body out of Custance [Constance] formerly his first spouse, des Audeley, knight, lord Audeley, legally begotten, permanently to hold of your own master lords of this commission to possess qualities thereof earlier owed and customary…“.
Even though the document will not clearly state as often, there are lots of facts we could without a doubt infer out of this brief passage. The original and most visible a person is one to Robert and you will Constance was no longer married by the 1492, if the action try created. That it really probably means that Constance got died by then (normally that the woman relationship so you can Robert was annulled, which seems unrealistic in view of one’s moments and you can because of the lifetime of procedure from their relationship). Another, and perhaps more significant bit of info is one to Constance is Robert’s basic girlfriend, not their next/last wife, as many non-modern offer allege, which you to definitely Robert got needless to say been partnered one or more times shortly after Constance’s dying (once the the sugar daddies woman is also known as “his first girlfriend”).
The cause of dilemma can get only be phonetic. On this subject count, We once again rely on Burke’s meticulous look, which checks out as follows:
The brand new Welsh poet Lewis Glyn Cothi typed a long, but really sadly undated, epithalamium from inside the tribute on the wedding out of merch Tomas ab Rosser/Meistres Alis dewiser, [Domme Alice, child out-of Thomas child regarding Roger] so you’re able to Robert Whitney, Esq
Which have centered that Constance Touchet is actually Robert’s very first spouse, his relationship towards daughter of Tomas ab Rosser [Thomas ap Roger Vaughan away from Hergest] should have took place till the delivery of the deed.
Some pedigrees and you may low-modern-day supply mislead the original and you may 2nd labels out of Whitney’s second girlfriend. One to pedigree regarded their because the d from the woman father and grandfather’s very first brands. It is likely due to the Welsh patronymic naming personalized. Most other provide named this lady Elsbeth nonetheless other people, Alice. The first identity from Robert Whitney’s widow try Age. This will be ended up by the checklist of your own giving of one’s administration of the property regarding Robert Whitney, Esq.
The will of Robert Whitteney esq., of the parish from Whitteney was offered to help you E his relict and you can James their kid. James seemed from the Hereford on twenty seven September as he is granted to administer and electricity try booked having E to manage from the another day.
For are named Alice, even the change from their first-name went something such as: Elisabeth > Elsbeth > Eliz’ > Alis > Alice
The question should be asked, yet not, whether or not Alice Vaughan are their 2nd girlfriend and E his widow try yet a third, in earlier times unknown wife? The variety of files checked-out because of it blog post create zero explore out-of a definite third partner, in addition to misunderstandings surrounding their Welsh identity while the problems regarding gothic English software and spelling strongly recommend in my opinion one to Alice, whoever relationships to Whitney is explained from the Cothi, and you can E, their widow, have been in reality you to definitely together with exact same.
On absence of latest advice to point if not, I think Burke’s idea you to definitely Alice (or Age) Ve body’s really probably best. As he says, even when her go out from passing is not understood, she are yes alive in-may 1525, if checklist giving the girl the latest government out of their partner’s commonly is actually old, particular 30 years shortly after her husband’s dying. Unless she resided becoming over 90, due to the fact Robert Whitney died in early 1490s getting everything 60 years old, it pursue one his widow Alice/E was a student in all possibilities a little young, maybe from the upwards of 10 years.