Biography
Robert of Bankhouse, living 1456, son of Robert of Exley Hall (liv. 1424). The designation “Bankhouse” indicates a property within the Southowram area. The NZ pedigree traces the main Exley descent through this Robert, and his descendant Thomas Exley (d. 1553) is described as “Last Exley owner of Bankhouse, Skircourt.”
Victor’s July 1990 letter corrects the NZ pedigree on one point: it places Bankhouse in “Skirsote, not Bailey Hall.” He also corrects the NZ pedigree’s claim that James of Wortley was Robert’s son: “He wasn’t, he was Robert’s cousin.” However, the NZ pedigree itself (sheet 3) does list James as Robert’s son, and this remains the working assumption in the vault pending further evidence.
Evidence
- “Robert of Bankhouse liv. 1456” (NZ Pedigree Sheets (Typed), sheet 2)
- Victor Exley Letter July 1990: corrects Bankhouse location to Skirsote; challenges James as son (says cousin instead)