Early London Holylands

Up to now I’ve written only of those Holyland families originating in Leicestershire. However, there were Holylands in London from at least the first half of the 16^th century, and many of them were wealthy and influential.  What follows are some brief details of some of these people. This is still very much “research in progress” so if anyone has any further information, it will be very welcome!

It’s noticeable that there is more use of variant names in the early London records, with four or more variants used for the same individual across different documents. For ease therefore I’ve used the most frequent variants seen for each person, or the name they used as signature where possible.

James Hollyland/Holliland was a scrivener and an original member of the Stationers Company in the 1500s, and was a “common councellor” of the city of London. He may have died in the parish of St Andrew by the Wardrobe in 1565.

St Mary Overie

     
Another man with the same or similar name – James or Jacobus Holliland – was minister/curate of St Mary Overie in 1564 -66, receiving £20 year as his wage. (St Mary Overie is better known today as Southwark Cathedral). 

   

     William Hollylande was a freeman and dyer who lived in a messuage called the “Ledden Porche” in the parish of St Lawrence Jewry; he and his wife, Margaret, baptised several children there between 1543 – 1555. In 1562, William was wealthy enough to buy the manor of Wigfrith in Standon, Herts, but unfortunately died only a year later. His will, signed just two days before he was buried in July 1563, bequeathed Wigfrith and various properties in London to his family; he left money to friends for mourning, and to charities; he instructed that bread be distributed to every household in the parish after his burial and he left 40 shillings to the Liverie of Dyers, of which he 

      was a member, “for a repaste among them” if they attended his funeral; “and if they be not at my funeral then nothing”.

Coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Dyers

William’s son David Holleland/Holliland appeared in various records between the 1580s - 1620s as owner of Wigfrith and various other properties, including the manor of Northaw, Herts., as well as many different addresses in London. He was a mercer and member of the Clothworkers Guild and appears to have had a high profile –the search for more information about David continues! 

                                      

       A year after William’s death, his widow Margaret married John Lute, another   wealthy London tradesman and previous Master of the Clothworker’s   Company. William had been a dyer, and the family had close links with the     textile trade, not only through this marriage, but also due to the fact that at  least 3 of William’s sons became master mercers. William and Margaret’s  children benefited not only from William’s wealth, but also from that of their stepfather when he died a few years later.

Hercules Holyland was a grandson of the above William; born around 1590, he lived an eventful life, fighting for the Crown during the Civil War; I hope to write more about him in due course.

Not all Holylands in 16th century London were wealthy; records show some working as servants. However, what all have in common is that to date I have not found any current day descendants still bearing the Holyland (+v) name. All present-day Holylands that I can trace seem to descend from the previously mentioned Leicestershire branches. If you’re a Holyland, and you think I’m wrong on this point, please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you!

(Some information on this page has been taken from the website of the Clothworker's Company, which contains a great deal of very interesting information; check it out!)
https://www.clothworkers.co.uk/