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Sir George Yeardley / Randal Yeardley

Posted By: Robert F Eardley
Date: Friday, 4 April 2003, at 4:40 p.m.

Hello Everyone,

Whilst awaiting Frank's final word on the Sir George Yeardley saga, perhaps I can present just a flavour of the kind of research with which Frank has been involved.

We know for certain that George was a student at Christ's College Cambridge in 1598-99.However, we are uncertain as to his year of birth.Some records indicate 1577, while others indicate 1587.Clearly 1577 makes most sense.Looking at the Cambridge Archives it appears that ages 17-19 are by far the most common.Indeed it has not been possible to locate anyone of 13 or so'going up' at so young an age.So let's assume that a George Yeardley/Yardley/Erdley attended Cambridge in the years indicated.His surname is spelled in these variables in his letters to and from Virginia.

Then by pure chance,Frank came upon an exciting discovery with the Archivist at Cambridge.They discover clear references to Randal Yardley/Eardley/Erdley matriculating from non other than Christ's College Cambridge in 1580 and gaining a B.A. 1580 and 3 fourths.The record clearly indicates he is the 5th son of William Yardley of Yardley, Staffs by the daughter of William Moreton of Moreton, Cheshire.He gains his Masters in 1587 and then goes on to be a Fellow at Oxford in 1591.At Oxford he is known as Mr Eardley or Mr Erdley------same variations as Sir George.It does somewhat beggar belief that Sir George and Randal were not related.Same variations,same college,same general time frame.It must be conceded,however that George is unlikely to be the son of William and that the likely candidate is John of Fryday St.Also,it draws us to conclude that we cannot place infallibility on the details contained in the Visitation.William must have known the whereabouts of Randal but fails to mention that he was at Cambridge.Perhaps he didn't need to--but now we know.

Randal went on to be clergyman at Faversham,Kent from 1599-1605.Nothing more is currently known.

Frank will give a full update when he is comfortable with the complete picture.

Hope this sheds some light on our current family debate.

Robert F.

Messages In This Thread

Sir George Yeardley / Randal Yeardley
Robert F Eardley -- Friday, 4 April 2003, at 4:40 p.m.