1481 JOHN PENNY,
(116)
(Cardmaker and Glover).
Was born about 1430 probably at Melton Mowbray, and appears to have been closely connected with the Pennys of Bristol. That branches of the family were living at both places at an earlier date is certain, the Melton Mowbray group being also represented in the reign of Henry VIII. John Penny the elder of Melton Mowbray, butcher, a namesake and brother of the alderman, was living there in 1503. At the period under notice, and even later, it was a frequent practice for a man to baptize two sons with the same christian name, especially if he had been twice married.
AId. John Penny must have been admitted a free burgess, i.e., he became a freeman of the borough about 1452. The actual entry of his admission, however, owing to the freemen's rolls being missing between 1380 and 1465, cannot be traced. He is referred to in the later records as a cardmaker, that is, one engaged in making cards or instruments for the combing of wool. He was also a glover and obviously a successful man of business. In 1467 he was elected one of the borough chamberlains, a coroner in 1479, and was made alderman of the fifth ward at the division of 1484.
There is evidence that AId. Penny married twice. By his first wife Isabella, who was living at the time he made his will (24 March 1495~6), but who died soon afterwards, he had besides other issue a son, John Penny, LL.D. of Lincoln College, Oxford. The latter it appears was admitted a freeman of Leic. 1475~6 as "John Pene pardonner," as one licenced to sell Papal Indulgences. Later he was a canon at Leic. abbey, was abbot of Leic. from 1496 to 1508, became bishop of Bangor 1505 and later, in 1508 bishop of Carlisle, which See he held until his death at Leic. in 1519.
The second wife of AId. Penny, Annes or Agnes, a lady much his junior, remarried about 1499 Bartholomew Lyon of Leic. and became a widow for the second time about 1502. Later she became the wife of William Rubley of Leic., draper, and was living in 1524.
AId. Penny died in 1496 or early in 1497. His will, an interesting document in Latin, bearing date 24 March 1495~6, was proved at Leic. and is actually the earliest dated record of its kind preserved at Leic. Probate Registry. By this will, in which he describes himself as John Penny "nup' maior ville Leyc.", he directs that his body is to be buried in the parish church of St. Margaret "juxta hostm cancelle." To the altar of the said church he bequeathed 3s. 4d. for celebration of masses for his soul, to the gild of St. Margaret two silver tankards of the value of 6s. 8d., a legacy to his daughter Alice, and his dwelling house he devised to his wife Isabella, for life, afterwards to his son, William Penny. He mentions William Penny, merchant of Bristol, and appoints his said wife, his son John Penny, a canon of the monastery of (St. Mary de Pratis), Leic., and Richard Overend, vicar of St. Margaret's, to be executors. The name of Thomas Penny, presumably another of his sons, occurs as a witness.
