Additional MS 39564 (Ledall Roll) with the signatory: "Amen Quod I Ledall"
Nestled within the ancient annals of the Ledall Roll (Additional MS 39564) lies a cryptic signature, bearing witness to a soul who left an indelible mark on history. It reads, "Amen Quod I Ledall," a phrase that, when translated, resounds as "confirmed by J. Ledall." In an era where the ink of quills sealed destinies, this act of confirmation held profound significance. It was the mark of ownership, an assertion of authorship, and a testament to the veracity of the document.
While some may speculate that this J. Ledall was a mere scribe, it is implausible that a scribe would be needed to copy a fencing treatise written in the 16th century, especially when the originator was both literate and wealthy (as we shall soon see). Rather, it is more plausible that J. Ledall was the mastermind behind this parchment's inception. From the context of the manuscript and the potential author there isn't any need for a scribe to be utilized as a copyist or originator and therefore the idea the J. Ledall was a scribal copyist lacks burden of proof.
Confirming the Author's Identity
Delving into the enigma of the authorship of the Ledall Roll necessitates an exploration of the Ledall surname. A name as singular as a star in the night sky, it illuminates the path to certainty. With unwavering clarity, scholars discern that the author was none other than John Ledall, a luminary born of British soil, gracing the city of York with his presence around the year 1515. His journey through life continued until 1582 when he found his final repose in the hallowed grounds of St. John's Chapel Micklegate.
The chief pioneer of research into the identity of John Ledall is a contemporary scholar Gordon Hamilton who stated:
"When I researched the author of Additional MS 39564, there were 5 potential candidates, all other candidates were ruled out by process of elimination. John Ledall/Ledale was identified as he fit all the criteria in regard to level of education, martial ability and time period of the written English.
The other closest candidates were John Ledall of Dotlland who appears on the Northumberland muster roll and perfectly fits the time frame. He was ruled out with the assistance of Greg Finch of the Hexham Historical Society (who ironically lives on the site of Dotlland village and had been involved in its excavation) he was a poor farmer with a very low level of education
There is a Knight, John Ledale but further investigation revealed he was just out of the time frame of English writing standard of the time.
He was identified by Occams razor as sadly any documentary evidence to definitively match the signature was compromised by the flooding of York Archives in which all documents for the precise period, he was Chamberlain of York were sadly lost.
I was lucky enough to able to identify him the day before I did a presentation of my research at York Guild Hall, John Ledall was well travelled, and he appears on accounts in the south of England. It is likely he had connections with Europe too as York imported and exported goods particularly to the Baltic, Low Countries and the German Duchys/Kingdoms of the time."
John Ledall, the British merchant and steward of words, transcended his mortal existence. Through the quill's dance and the parchment's embrace, he etched his name into the annals of time, and his legacy continues to beckon to those who seek the secrets of history's illuminated manuscripts.
The Ledall Surname
To gain deeper insights into the persona of John Ledall, the luminary behind the Ledall Roll, one must embark on a journey into the annals of his family's history. The surname Ledall, rooted in the Anglo-Saxon soil of yore, weaves a narrative that spans the ancient landscapes of Cumbria and Northumberland in England, as well as Dumfries-shire and Roxburghshire in Scotland. In these regions, nature herself etched the name into the land, as the Lidell River continues to meander through the ages.
Looking upstream from Penton Bridge, with England to the right and Scotland to the left is the Lidell River named after this illustrious family.
The Ledalls, a lineage of resilience and fortitude, left an indelible mark upon the tapestry of history. High upon the verdant hills that overlook the Lidell River, they raised the formidable bastion known as Liddel Strength. This castle stood as a sentinel against the turbulent tides of time, guarding the volatile borderlands between Scotland and England from marauding raiders. Yet, like so many echoes of antiquity, Liddel Strength succumbed to the inexorable march of history, falling to the Norman invaders nearly a millennium ago.
This is all that remains of Lidell strength.
The Ledall lineage, undeterred by the passage of centuries, pressed onward. In the 13th century, they erected the magnificent Ravensworth Castle, an architectural masterpiece nestled in the idyllic village of Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, England. This fortress bore witness to centuries of change and upheaval, standing as a silent sentinel through the pages of time. Today, it is rightfully celebrated as a Grade 1 listed building, preserved under the watchful eye of the English Heritage Foundation.
The remains of Ravensworth Castle.
John Ledall, a scion of this distinguished lineage, drew inspiration and strength from the echoes of his ancestors' legacy. His life's journey would intertwine with the grand tapestry of history, leaving an indelible mark for future generations to discover and marvel at. The Ledall name, like the Lidell River, continues to flow through the currents of time, a testament to the enduring spirit of a family whose history is as rich as the lands they once called home.
John Ledall – the Man
In the vibrant tapestry of 16th-century York, one name stood out like a jewel in the crown of the city's history - John Ledall. Descended from the storied Ledall family, whose roots ran deep into the ancestral soil of Ravensworth Castle, John's life was destined for greatness from the very beginning.
The 16th century was a time of grandeur and challenge, where medieval cities were encased in formidable walls, their gates jealously guarded around the lock. To be awarded the Freedom of the City of York, as John was in 1529-1530, was a distinction of immense honor. It meant more than mere privilege; it symbolized the city's acknowledgment of John as a trusted friend. The keys to those fortified gates now swung open for him at any hour, granting him unparalleled access and mobility.
But John Ledall did not merely revel in this newfound privilege; he wielded it as a weapon of opportunity. As a shrewd merchant, he navigated the bustling markets and trade routes, amassing wealth and influence with each successful deal. His name became synonymous with prosperity.
Yet, it was not only through his entrepreneurial acumen that John rose to prominence. Fate smiled upon him when he wed Elizabeth, a formidable woman of the Vavasour family, deeply connected to the barons and the High Sheriff of Yorkshire. This alliance was more than marital; it was strategic. The Vavasours held keys to the Royal Court, and their influence was felt far and wide.
This is part of a copy of John Ledall's Will & Testament, which mentions his wife Elizabeth. It also mentions the Guild of Corpus Christi.
In 1533, the couple received an invitation that would further etch their names into history. They joined the prestigious Guild of Corpus Christi, a community of esteemed individuals bound by common purpose and ambition. John and Elizabeth, together, represented the bridge between York's thriving commerce and the corridors of power in the Royal Court.
A reference to John Ledall is made in the minutes for the Guild of Corpus Christi:
"James Harrington, merchant, son of William Harrington, alderman of York (see p. 168, antea). Free in 1533, chamberlain in 154-1, sheriff in 1549-50, and governor of the Merchants' Company from 1552 to 1554. On 24th August, 1558, he was elected an alderman, vice John North, deceased, but he refused to be sworn. On the 19th of September following, " at commandement of my lord mayour," he appeared before the city council, " and albeit he was gently exhorted and requyred, as well by my sayd lord mayour as other his brederne, alldremen, etc., to take his othe of aldreman accustomed, yet neyther by fayre meanes, ne otherwise, wold he take his othe, but very obstinately refused soo to doo. And for soomoch he thus contynewed still in his sayd wilfullnes, and wold in no wise be persuaded," it was therefore unanimously agreed "that the same Mr. Haryngton, for his said obstynacy and disobedyens, to the perillouse example of others, shalbe commytted forthwith to warde unto suche tyme he wilbe justified, accordyng to his franchised oathe." The council, however, " percey vyng that the sayd Mr. Haryngton by long sykenesse was weake and feble, considered that the mayour's kid-cot, where unto franchised men are used to be commytted for their offens, was to rawe and cold an hows for hym. Therfor, for the bettar preservacion of his health, they were nowe content and aggreed that he shold be commytted to the shirefes of this citie, to be by theym kept in warde in John Ledale's hows, or some other honest hows on the brigge, and there to be taken hede to and kept as prisoner, withowte great duresse, by some of their officers " (Corp. Min., xxii., 133 b). At a meeting of the Council on the 14th October, it was agreed that a letter should " be sent up to Mr. Recordar, desiring him to declare the playn trueth to Mr. Wray concernyng his broder-in-lawe Mr. Haryngton's wilfullnes." Mr. Harrington, who was then present, being " gently desyred and requyred, as well by my lord mayour as all others, to take his oathe of alderman, did obstinatly refuse that to doo," and was therefore " commytted to warde, from whens he came, upon Ouse-brige" (Ibid., 136 5). A fortnight afterwards, aldermen Bean, Watson, and Goldthorpe went to Mr. Harrington's house, he being sick, and not able to attend at the Common Hall " withoute perill, and hurtfull to his boddy, — and before them he tuyke his othe of aldermanship accustomyd" (Ibid., 138 b). Alderman Harrington occupied the civic chair in 1560, and died in January, 1562-3, leaving a widow Cecilia, the daughter of Thomas Wray, esq., of St. Nicholas, near Richmond."
Their legacy wasn't merely one of wealth, power, and privilege; it was a testament to the indomitable spirit of a man who turned the Freedom of the City into a passport to prosperity. It was the story of a union between two influential families that echoed through the annals of York's history. John Ledall, the merchant extraordinaire, and Elizabeth, the aristocratic connection, were, and forever shall be, remembered as key players in the epic tale of York in the 16th century.
Indeed, John Ledall was a man of many facets, and his journey through life took him along unexpected and illustrious paths. While he was known for his entrepreneurial success and his connection to the aristocracy through his marriage to Elizabeth Vavasour, there was another side to him that added to his enigmatic character.
John's early life had seen him embark on a military career, which began with the prestigious Freedom of the City of York. But it was his subsequent roles that truly revealed his mettle as a man of action and authority. Before being awarded the title of Chamberlain of York in 1547, John had served as a Bridgemaster of York. These positions spoke volumes about his rise through the ranks within the city.
Starting as a lower-ranking officer, entrusted with the vital responsibility of overseeing the city's gates and their vigilant guards, John proved his dedication to the safety and well-being of York's citizens. His tenure as Bridgemaster was a testament to his organizational skills and unwavering commitment.
However, it was his ascension to the position of Chamberlain of York that showcased his remarkable transformation. In this role, John Ledall became the chief steward of the aristocracy's households in York, a position of tremendous influence and responsibility. Managing the affairs of the noble families required not only financial acumen but also the ability to navigate the complex web of aristocratic politics.
Yet, there was more to John's character than his administrative prowess and military discipline. His interest in swordplay hinted at a deeper connection to the martial arts. It's quite conceivable that his military training was not just a formality but a genuine passion. In an era where swordsmanship was both a practical skill and a mark of honor, John's proficiency with a blade would have been a source of pride.
As a seasoned merchant, John's travels would have taken him to distant lands, including what is now the Netherlands. It's plausible that during these journeys, he crossed paths with German fencers and martial artists, such as the renowned Joachim Meyer. This intersection of worlds, where the worlds of trade and martial arts met, would have enriched John's life with diverse experiences and knowledge.
In the annals of history, John Ledall emerges not just as a merchant, but as a multifaceted figure. A military man, a trusted administrator, a swordsman, and a well-traveled soul, he left an indelible mark on the vibrant city of York in the 16th century. His story, a tapestry woven with threads of courage, ambition, and skill, continues to fascinate and inspire generations to come.
John Ledall died in 1582 and his last will and testament gives us insight into the wealth of the man himself:
"John Ledall: merchant-Chamberlain 1547. Will dated 13 January 1581. To be buried in the church yard of St. johns, Ousebridge. To my son-in-law, Richard Morton, and to his heirs begotten of Elizabeth; his wife, my daughter, my great house, with the garth, etc., in Felter Lane. To John Ledell, alias Blake, my base begotten son, 'the one-half of all my pewter which I lent to my son-in-law Richard Morton since he was chosen Sheriff and yet remaining in his custody' also my books, both Latin and English. Son of George Ledale, glover (free in 1493), free by pat. In 1530, married daughter of Richard Vavasour, gent of Copmanthorpe, by who he had a daughter Elizabeth. Richard Morton, mercer, Sheriff 1581-82, father of Thomas Morton, Bishop of Durham." (The Register of the Guild of Corpus Christi in the City of York; page 224).
Interestingly, John Ledall left his library of books to his son John (aka Blake). Perhaps the Ledall Roll was included in this collection only to later find its way through history to the acquisition made by Rev. Alfred Fuller who in 1917 donated it to the British Museum and then in 1973 made its final home at the British Library.
A Copy of John Ledall's Will from the York Archives
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