Certainly, some of these individuals and events existed, but the desire to link relations to certain Edwards’ lineages is entertaining at best.
It does make for some fun stories.
Agnes Blewitt married William Edwards on April 13, 1522 in Somerset, England. If Agnes is the daughter of Richard Bluet thus part of the Bluet family, she was from a family of wealth. The Bluet family owned Greenham, Cothay, and Holcombe Rogus manors. Not much is known of William’s status in this time, but is assumed he and his wife lived in the Greenham Manor which is next to King Henry VIII hunting lodge in Huntworth, Somerset, England.
In March of 1525, Agnes gave birth to Richard. It is rumored that Richard Edwards is the illegitimate son of Henry Tudor. The social and economic status of the Edwards family is important to determine the likelihood of what Agnes was up to during this time. The Edwards would need the social status to have access to Henry’s court. Henry did not claim Richard out of respect for marriage of Agnes and William but provided future favors. Agnes was granted the right to display the Tudor rose on her coat of arms. One of the arguments for Richard being illegitimate is that he needed Henry’s favors to obtain his future financial and social status. Of course the counter argument is that the Edwards had the financial and social status sufficient enough to provide for Richard, the first son.
Richard Edwards went on to attend Corpus Christi College in Oxford and graduated as a lawyer. Rather than pursuing a legal career he entered the new Christ Church, Oxford in 1546 and became an Anglican minister. In 1557 he moved on to the Chapel Royal rising to become the Master of the Children in 1561. He was a playwright, poet, musician and composer who spent some time at (his supposed half sister) Queen Elizabeth’s court. One play was Palemon and Arcite for the entertainment of Queen Elizabeth.
“Damon and Pythias” written in 1564 but not published until 1571, the play chronicles the Greek friendship story of Damon and Pythias. “Palamon and Arcite” published in 1566 a play, which was performed before Elizabeth I at Oxford. It is based on Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale. Though the text of the play is lost, there is a detailed record of its structure and plot. The performance was a highly spectacular affair organised by staff and students of Oxford University. The event was vividly recalled and described by many contemporary witnesses. His passing was noted by a contemporary of the time as being a writer of the same class as Shakespeare.
At some point in time, Richard moved into Edwards Hall, located in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales. Built by Norman knight Godefrey de Pomeroi between 1066 – 1100. Many nobles held this Hall including the Despenser Family until it returned to the Crown during Henry VIII’s reign, when it was passed to the Edwards as a “grace and favour” gift.
Richard Edwards II was born one month after his father’s death. He married and raised his six children in Edwards Hall.
One son, Joshua, born June 20, 1595 lived his life at Edwards Hall. He was made a Baron in 1664, the year he died.
Edwards Hall is found in many copied stories through out the genealogy world. Even this picture is circulated as proof. I do not believe there is any real evidence of it’s existence.
1600’s Edwards
Joshua’s son William was born in Edwards Hall. After his three children were born, he left his wife who remained at Edwards Hall, emigrated to America and died in Jamestown, Virginia. Thomas Nathaniel Edwards, born October 17, 1635 at Edwards Hall, was a successful ship Captain, real estate developer and merchant. Referred to as “The Old Ship Master”, master of the ship Retorne of Boston and Captain of the ship “Society”. The ship Retorne signed up indentured servants between July 12 and August 7, 1678. Six of the servants were indentured to buy passage to America. The ship sailed from Bristol, England to Maryland, Virginia, and Bermuda.
Robert Thomas Edwards born (1662), raised and died (1734) at Edwards Hall.
1700’s Edwards
Robert’s son Thomas Nathaniel, also born at Edwards Hall became a shipbuilder and later in America a merchant. He emigrated to New York sometime in the mid 1740’s with his brothers William and Edward. He gave support to the British Army during the French and Indian War (1754 – 1763). Thomas was a dedicated Tory and very active as an importer to New York to support the British government and army during the Revolutionary War.
Edwards Hall was abandoned in the early 1700’s and ultimately rendered to a pile of rubble.