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GENEALOGY OF THE WINSTON AND CECIL FAMILIES FROM THE 1623 VISITATION OF GLOUSCESTERSHIRE
1. Drugo de Balladon
2. Emma de Balladon m. Gwyn ap Gwayth
3. Drugo de Wynston m. Isabell Wallis
4. Ivo de Winston m. Joane Caerlion
5. Gilbertus Winston m. Issabell Vallence
6. John Winston m. Joane Cecill
7. Gilbert Winston m. – Abrell
8. Margarett Winston m. Thomas Sitsilt (Cecil)
9. Richard ap Phillip Seyceld (Cecil; will 1508) m. Maud Vaughan
10. David Cecil m. Alice/Jane Dicksons
11. Richard Cecil m. Jane Heckington
12. Margaret Cecil m. Roger Cave
This, except for the wives of gens. 9—11, is the pedigree as given in the Visitation, with
a few details tossed in; except that I have used gen. 12 to list my own ancestor, Margaret
Cecil, sister of William Cecil Lord Burleigh.
However, there are discrepancies with other material. Chris Callais, in a post dated 20
Aug 2002 to the
Genealogy.com Medieval Genealogy Forum, shows an extra generation of
“Richard (Phillip) Cecil b. 1392 m. Mary Phillips” between gens. 8 & 9. This man
could not be the “Richard ap Phillip Seyceld” who left a will in 1508. The chronology
favors Callais; however, Lord Burleigh’s enemies claimed his grandfather David “kept the
best inn” in Stamford, and evidently the generations beyond gen. 10 “David” are in
dispute.
Lord David Cecil, in his 1973 work “The Cecils of Hatfield House,” states on p. 58 that
Richard Cecil (no. 11 above) had “married twice. His first wife, Jane Heckington, the
daughter of a respected local family and better born than himself, bore him two sons. The
elder, William, born in 1520, early showed himself unusually clever and hardworking.”
This book is a history of the descendants of William Cecil Lord Burghley, and omits most
collateral lines including the line that came into possession of The Biltmore Estate in
Asheville, NC.
Other internet sources claim William Cecil was the only son, and that there were three
daughters (Elizabeth, Margaret, and Agnes). I do not know of another source which names a
second wife for Richard Cecil. The “tudorplace” website lists Margaret Cecil as a sister
of William Lord Burleigh, but gives an inaccurate account of her marriages, viz. (1)
Erasmus [Ambrose] Smythe, (2) Sir William Skipwith, (3) Roger Cave. “tudorplace” also
gives what many think is a largely mythical pedigree for Burleigh back to one Robert
Cissell, who had a son James born about 1050. David Cecil (the lowly innkeeper in
Stamford, Lincs.), Lord Burleigh’s grandfather, appears to have been from the Welsh border
and came to prominence with the accession of Henry VII. Jorge Castelli, who operates the
“tudorplace” website, has informed me that he will correct his listings in line with the
Jayne (Heckington) Cecil inscription at St. Martin� 0�s in Stamford, Lincs. (see below).
Jayne (Heckington) Cecil’s tomb and inscription at St. Martin’s Church in Stamford, Lincs.
has survived and furnishes the necessary data. From this we learn that Richard Cecil died
in 1552 and that Jayne Cecil died in 1587. Thus Richard Cecil did not have a second wife.
Also, Jayne had only three children—William, Margaret, and Elizabeth. I do not know who
the Agnes Cecil some ascribe to Richard & Jayne might be, but perhaps she was a cousin
placed in the wrong family.
Herewith:
“In Happy Memory
Richard Cecill Esq. & Jayne
The said Richard was of the Robes to Kinge Henry 8 & to King E.6.
He deceased ye 19 of May 1552 and is interred in St Margaretts Church in Westmr. He was
sonne to David Cecill of Stamford Esqr. High Sherif of ye county of Northampton in the 33
& 34 yeares King H.8. and is buried in St George his Church in Stamford. The said
Jayne was daughter and heyre of W’am Heckington of Bourne in ye county of Lincolne Esqr:
She lived 87 yeares whereof she continued a widowe 35 yeares. She deceased ye 10th of
March 1587. She was a very grave religious Vertuous & worthy Matro & delighted
excedingly in ye workes of piety & charity. She was crowned with much Honor &
comfort & By God His great blessing she lived to see her children & her childrens
children to ye fourth & fift generation & yet in a plentifull & honorable
succession being a happy mother of yt most honorable Sr Wm Cecill Knight of ye most noble
order of ye garter LO: Burghley Lord High Trer of England who lyeth here by her
Margaret was fist marryed to Roger Cave of Stamford Esqr. Of whom is descended Ser Thomas
Cave & after to Ambrose Smith of Bosworth Esquier.
Elizabeth was first marryed to Robert Wingfield of Upton Esquier of whom is descended Ser
Robert Wingfield of Upton Knight & after to High Allington Esquier.”
Sir William Skipwith married Margaret Cave, daughter of Roger Cave and Margaret Cecil; he
did not marry Margaret Cecil.
7/12/06
JTC