Jane Ratcliffe

Jane Ratcliffe born Jane Brereton (died 1638) was an examplar of a godly life. She lived in Chester where her husband and later son were leading citizens. John Ley published an account of her life as "A Patterne of Pietie".

Life Her date of birth is unknown but her mother died in 1592 and her father died in 1599. She was the daughter of Mary Parrey of Flintshire and John Brerewood of Chester. Her brother was born in 1588 and he became a judge and was knighted to become Sir Robert Brerewood. Her uncle, Edward Brerewood, was a Puritan professor at Gresham College. he was twice the a Sheriff of Chester in 1590 and in 1601/2. She was said to have a "loving obedience" to John Ley, but it was noted that she was more enthusiastic for the Puritan church that she was and this dissonance with her husband was not thought ungodly by her church. and it has been noted that Ley's tribute was self-serving. He used his description of Ratcliffe's life to support his views on religion.