The history of this unfortunate man is well known, and culminated in his being beheaded on the 15th July, 1685.
ALEXANDER, SECOND EARL OF LEVEN.
This nobleman was the grandson of the celebrated General Sir Alexander Leslie, First Earl of Leven, whom he succeeded in 1662. On the 7th May, 1663, he was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons, in company with the Duke of Monmouth.
He married Margaret, daughter of Sir William Howard, and sister of the Earl of Carlisle, but died without issue male, in 1663. His kinsman George, fourth Lord Melville, was a staunch adherent of the Duke of Monmouth, and involved in the rebellion, but was lucky enough to escape into Holland; he was, however, attainted and his estates forfeited in 1685, but coming back to England with William III his estates and dignity were restored to him.
SIR JOHN AYLEF.
Sir John Aylef was an eminent Surgeon and probably born about 1490. Diligent search has been made for his parentage, but without success. In his will he refers to seven “poor” people “being of my kynn dwelling in Grenewiche,” and from the fact that he had a grant of arms instead of inheriting a paternal coat, as also the silence of his immediate descendants when registering the pedigrees at the Heralds’ Visitations (who must have known but did not care to register Sir John’s father), it may be assumed that he was of humble origin.
He was admitted to the freedom of the Barbers prior to 1522 and served the office of Warden 1530, 1532 and 1535, being chosen Master 1538. At this time he was Surgeon to Henry VIII and had cured him of a fistula, for which the king granted him the manor of Gryttenham in Wiltshire, part of the lands of the Abbey of Malmesbury. Henry also bequeathed by his will 100 marks to Aylef.