Lady Knyvet

Alice Knyvet (1418 – after 1490) was an English noblewoman, known for her defence of Buckenham Castle during the war of the Roses in 1461.

Early life Knyvet was born Alice Lynne in 1418 to Alice Stokes (d. 1480) of Kent, and William Lynne of London. Lynne was a successful grocer from London who had acquired several properties over his career. According to historian Roger Virgoe, Alice Stokes likely belonged to the Stokes of Bignell in Oxfordshire, a branch of the noble Harcourt family. was held in trust until she came of age by Thomas Catworth, grocer and later mayor of London. At the time of Alice's marriage to the younger John Knyvet, however, the Knyvets were experiencing a period of financial hardship. ), following the death of a maternal uncle belonging to the Clifton family, the castle's traditional owners. Edward IV of the opposing House of York deposed Lancastrian Henry VI as King of England in March 1461. To consolidate power, Edward quickly began confiscating the assets and property of Lancaster's supporters, with Alice's husband John Knyvet among them. John Knyvet was not present.'' She had also assembled fifty local men to aid her in protecting the property, arming them with swords, glaives, or bows and arrows.

Issue and later life The Easter Sepulchre at St Martin's Church, photographed 2009. Alice and her husband had four children, including William Knyvet and Christian Colet.