This is supposed to be the transition from the Middle Ages to a more modern world, following the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in the middle of the century and the spreading out of ideas from that city. However, the Renaissance probably did not make much difference for the ordinary folk of Sharrington or for the country as a whole.

Civil Wars broke out in England, the so called Wars of the Roses, not between Yorkshire and Lancashire as such, but between the Royal Dukedoms of York and Lancaster, to settle which member of the Royal Family would be King. Of course, the squabbles in France continued as well.

The Dawbney, Daubenye or Daubeney family were Lords of Sharrington and, in 1469, John Daubeney was killed by “shell shot” whilst helping to defend Caister Castle for the Paston Family against John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.

John was a younger son of the Daubeney family and, in his Will; he left £6 for a Chantry Priest at Sharrington to pray for his soul in the church. (Presumably until the £6 ran out).    John Daubeney’s brass figure, in full armour with sword and spurs and with a Lion at his feet, resides in All Saints Church.

In 1485, Henry Tudor put an end to the civil war when he defeated and killed Richard III at Bosworth Field.

Henry VII is of particular interest to numismatists, as coin collectors like to call themselves, because he introduced the first “portrait” coins in England. Until then, the silver “hammered” coinage had merely portrayed a crude, crowned facing bust of the King, which did not look like anyone in particular, but, following the custom of the Renaissance Princes of Europe, Henry introduced Testoons, (shillings) and Groats, (four pence), showing a bust, which was an actual profile of his own face. The coins were still “hammered” however, as opposed to milled, pressed or machine made; this process having to wait until Elizabeth 1 was on the throne.[1]

By Peter Chapman 2000

References:

(i) General History,

(ii) All Saints Church Guide.

(iii) Seamy, Standard Catalogue of British Coins, Volume 1, Coins of England., and actual specimens.

______________

[1] The reason that a reference to coinage has been made is that, in a following chapter there is a direct connection between coinage and the Daubeney family.