FLESHING OUT THE BONES OF OUR SHARED SHELDON HISTORY
Discover scores of larger-than-life characters who have illuminated the Sheldon story over a thousand years
Check out the most recent Sheldon articles
And we have lots of new material to add over the course of the coming months
Born to a golden age but dogged by ill fortune
Despite being born into a golden age, William Sheldon’s life was dogged by persecution for his religion and his loyalty to the Royalist cause.
The Mystery of the Missing Passport
A travel document issued to Edward Sheldon in 1625 may prove to the oldest British ‘passport’ in existence, pre-dating by 11 years one previously thought to be the oldest.
The Sheldon Tapestries
The Sheldon Tapestries marked an attempt by wealthy landowner William Sheldon and his son Ralph to create new rural employment opportunities through the development of new skills imported from continental Europe.
Born to a golden age but dogged by ill fortune
Despite being born into a golden age, William Sheldon’s life was dogged by persecution for his religion and his loyalty to the Royalist cause.
The Mystery of the Missing Passport
A travel document issued to Edward Sheldon in 1625 may prove to the oldest British ‘passport’ in existence, pre-dating by 11 years one previously thought to be the oldest.
The Sheldon Tapestries
The Sheldon Tapestries marked an attempt by wealthy landowner William Sheldon and his son Ralph to create new rural employment opportunities through the development of new skills imported from continental Europe.
From humble beginnings came power, wealth and influence
From humble beginnings in rural Warwickshire, one Sheldon family grew to become one of the most powerful in England, creating an incredible saga along the way. We follow their rise and fall through 900 years of turbulent history, from a knight in the service of King Edward I, to a Sheldon in Tudor times once described as the “richest commoner in England”.
Follow the Sheldon saga
GET READY TO TAKE YOUR SHELDON RESEARCH TO A NEW LEVEL
Be prepared to be surprised… shocked… saddened… amazed… elated… but never disappointed
W H Sheldon was a public transport pioneer who built tram systems all over Britain and Europe
William Sheldon fought alongside the ill-fated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field
John Sheldon, an 18th century surgeon, anatomist and scientist, became the first Englishman to fly
W H Sheldon was a public transport pioneer who built tram systems all over Britain and Europe
William Sheldon fought alongside the ill-fated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field
John Sheldon, an 18th century surgeon, anatomist and scientist, became the first Englishman to fly
Sarah Sheldon, burnt at the stake – for counterfeiting a few coins
Anyone bearing the Sheldon name will find the story of Sarah Sheldon a harrowing one. Even by the often barbaric nature of justice back in 1692, being burnt at the stake over a handful of dud coins seems a punishment out of all proportion. Counterfeiting was a treasonable offence and as such was subjected to the harshest penalties. Convicted males were often hanged, drawn and quartered. Women were spared that; In deference to their ‘dignity’ they were burnt at the stake instead!
Read Sarah’s harrowing story
SHELDON LOCATIONS IN EARLIEST RECORDS
Where Sheldons lived during the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I
A SEARCH THROUGH the earliest-available parish records from 16th century England gives us a good indication of the geographical distribution of people with the Sheldon surname at the time…