Joan Leche

[2] They were of the same family as Sir Thomas Bodley (founder of the Bodleian Library), and bore the same coat of arms: 'Gules, five martlets argent on a chief indented or three crowns azure'.

The Bradbury family had come from Ollersett, Derbyshire, to Braughing, Hertfordshire,[20] and then moved to Littlebury, Essex, near Saffron Walden, where Joan's brother was vicar.

[21] After the marriage the family lived in the parish of St Stephen Coleman Street,[21] and Bradbury embarked on a public career which he appears to have avoided during his bachelorhood.

Barron and Sutton attribute Bradbury's involvement in public office and in the affairs of his company at this period to his wife's influence[23] and to the likelihood that she was able to 'take full charge of his business in his absence', enabling him to devote time to these other pursuits.

He made his will on 9 January 1510, requesting burial in the chapel of the parish church in St Stephen Coleman Street,[25] and died on the following day.

[29] After Bradbury's death his widow endowed a perpetual chantry in the church of St Stephen Coleman Street for the souls of both her husbands.

[35] After the death of her brother, the vicar, in 1521 Lady Bradbury carried out a project which he had long contemplated, the setting up of a grammar school in the town.

[41] The perpetual chantry founded by Dame Joan was dissolved under Edward VI, but some of the properties still remain with the Mercers' Company and are known as "Lady Bradbury's Estate in Covent Garden".