My Alter Ego: 16th Century

Joan of Coggeshall

Webmaster: Jo-Anne Giblin

Born: July 7, 1537
Father: James of Coggeshall (d)
Mother: Anne Marling
Siblings: Alexandra (younger sister),
Spouse: Walter Horman (d)
Children: Constance

Born in Essex, England in the village of Coggeshall. Her father was a wool merchant and was very well liked and respected in the village. Her mother taught her the fine art of needle work. When she was not helping her mother in the home she would always be found working hard on her needle work.

When she was of marriageble age her father went into parternship with a trade merchant from london. Her father then arranged marriages for both herself and her sister. Joan was married his partner's son, and her sister married a frenchman who was in England on business. Her sister is now living in France.

After her marriage, her husband took her to London as this is where his business was. She was very unhappy in her marriage as her husband was very strict with her and his money. Gone where the days when presents would be brought for her, she instead would earn money working as a seamstress.

Shortly after the birth of her daughter Constance, her father became gravely ill so her husband permitted her to return home. Soon after her arrival her father died. Her mother was distraught over the death and could not travel so she remained in the village until they could travel to London. It was not long before she learned that her husband had been killed one night over a bad business dealings that left him broke. She works in the village as a seamstress caring for her mother and daughter.