Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery - Schools

Blakesley Hall in Tudor Times

Robert

Robert married Elizabeth Shilton in 1589. They were married in the church of St. Martins in Digbeth. Elizabeth was the daughter of another rich businessman called John Shilton.

One year later, Blakesley Hall was finished. We think that Robert and Elizabeth lived there with his family.

Robert signed his name to some Tudor documents. This is his signature.

The family at Blakesley Hall

Richard Smalbroke
Mistress Elizabeth Smalbroke sr.
Robert Smalbroke
Mistress Elizabeth Smalbroke jr.
Joan Smalbroke

The Greswolde boys had married and made their own homes by 1590.

In 1593 Robert and Elizabeth had a baby daughter. They named her Barbara, after Elizabeth's mother.

By 1603, Robert had died. His widow married again. She married a great enemy of Richard Smalbroke, Thomas Colmore. There was a family row which ended up with Richard being taken to court by Elizabeth jr and her new husband. Richard was very bitter and tried to leave all his money and land to his favourite nephew who was named after him.

This nephew was known as Richard Smalbroke junior.

In the end, Barbara was left Blakesley Hall and other property as her dowry when she married. Richard Smalbroke died in 1613. His grandaughter married twice and had 13 children altogether, 11 of them boys! She died at Blakesley Hall in 1679 at the grand old age of 86 after a long, full, and happy life.