Thomas More and the Daunce Family

Abstract

The purposes of this paper are to offer some biographical data on More's son-in-law William Daunce, and his and Elizabeth More Daunce's descendants; and to consider implications of More's statement-contained in his last letter to his daughter Margaret-that if his son John should inherit his property, then John should breake not my will concerning his sister Daunce. Most of material I cover in first part of this paper could fall under title of Thomas More's Son-In-Law William Daunce, and Other William Dauntsey, Mercer and Alderman of London. This title should indicate that my first point is to identify More's son-rn-law by distinguishing him from another man of practically same name. Both men were prominent in London during 1520s, 1530s, and 1540s. Unfortunately, some scholars have confused two men, which is easy enough to do, since spellings of their names vary in contemporary documents. I will use spelling of Daunce for More's son-in-law, and Dauntsey for other man, who was a mercer and alderman. These seem to be most common spellings of family names for these two different men. Let us start with William Dauntsey. John Stow mentions him in his Survey of London, when he comments on Cordwainer Street ward, within which is the fayre parish Church of Saint Anthonies in Budge Row.. .. Stow provides following entry for this parish: William Dauntsey Mercer, one of shiriffes, buried 1542.'I The parish registers for St. Anthony's, or St. Antholin Budge Row, record burial of Mr. William Dauncy, alderman on April 27, 1543. Interesdngly, these same registers record burial of Mistris Dancy wife of Alderman Dancy, on June 16, 1542.2 If man mentioned in these parish registers were More's son-in-law, then we would know burial date of not only this in-law of More family, but also burial date of Elizabeth More Daunce, More's second daughter.