Migration to England.Even before the time of the dreaded "Council of Blood" when so many Protestants were forced to flee their lands in Belgium, the Protestant Queen of England realized there would be an advantage in having Walloones migrate to England. Her desires were to strengthen her realm economically. Finished silks were in great demand by the upper class throughout Europe and were becoming very expensive. Why depend on the Low Countries for their manufacture? Instead of continuing to import the finished product and increasing the trade deficit, she would import the whole industry. As early as 1561 Walloones set up looms in Sandwich and shortly afterwards in Canterbury and London. Among these immigrants to Canterbury was Jean Despaigne – the ancestor of the Despains of America. | ||
Origins of Jean Despaigne.Where did Jean Despaigne come from? Speculation about his possible ancestral home should take account of the fact that he had a grandson born in Lille (Walloone Flanders) some time around 1578. This would make him born some time around 1523. Lille is presently part of the Departement of Nord in France. Few records of Protestants and few records made before the reign of terror survive. We do know, however, from the evidence cited above that Despaigne families were resident in nearby Armentieres and Sailly-sur-Lys. Jean's arrival in England was near the pivotal year of 1579. We may probably identify our Jean with the "John Spanyne" who was naturalized in England on 14 Jun 1581.96 | ||
Three families.Jean died in Canterbury on 1 Jan 159497 leaving a will only fragments of which survive.98 This document tells us that he had property to leave to children of three wives. We know the name of only his last wife — his widow, Jaquesmine. She was received at the French Protestant Church in Leyden, Holland, on 13 Oct 1597.99 It should be reasonably safe to assume that the three children we know of are those of the will, each from one of Jean's three wives. | ||
| Jean & -- (--) Despaigne | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gervois | |
| brn abt 1553 | ||
| mrd | Marguerite Boussemar, mrd 30 Nov 1595100Oste Messeman, dcd 9 Feb 1629101 | |
| dcd 18 Aug 1594 | Canterbury, Kent, England | |
| [Here descends Despaigne of Canterbury] |
|---|
| Jean & -- (--) Despaigne | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2. | François | |
| brn abt 1560 | ||
| bns 15 Jun 1587102 | Judith LeFebvre, rec Leyden 13 Oct 1597103 brd 28 Aug 1609104 | |
| rec 13 Oct 1597105 | Leyden, Holland | |
| Jean & Jaquesmine (--) Despaigne | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3. | Peronne | |
| brn abt 1565 | ||
| mrd | Noe Quenente mrd (1) MarieGuesquiere,106 mrd (3) 18 Aug 1596107 Peronne DuBoys, brd 7 Mar 1599/1600108 | |
| dcd 23 Jun 1595109 | Canterbury, Kent, England | |
| (2) François & Judith (LeFebvre) Despaigne | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Marie | |
| brn 27 May 1593110 | Canterbury, Kent, England | |
| 2. | Jacques | |
| brn 12 Oct 1595111 | Canterbury, Kent, England | |
| Noe & (3)Peronne (Despaigne) Quenente | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Elizabeth | |
| brn 10 Dec 1592112 | Canterbury, Kent, England | |