Sir Edmund Knyvett (Knevitt), 1° B. Berners, was born in Buckenham, Norfolk. Married Jane Bourchier, Baroness Berners, in Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk, c1508. She died 1562. He was Serjeant Porter to Henry VIII, and was made Receiver of the Honour of Denbigh.

Edmund's will, dated June 24, 1546, and probated the same year, mentioned his wife, Jane, and his children, but not by name. The will of Jane Knyvett, widow, daughter and sole heir of John Bourchier, Knight, late Lord Berners, deceased, was dated April 8, 1560, and probated December 1562.

National Archives (UK)
Reference: Phi/545 578 x 2
Indenture between King Henry VIII and Edmund Knyvett Esq. and Jane daughter of John Bourghchier, Lord Berners, granting them special livery of the said John's lands. With valor of said lands in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. Signed by Henry VIII, (March 24, 1533).

Reference: KNY 428 371 x 9
Petition of Edmund Knyvett of Ashwellthorpe to Thomas Cromwell as Keeper of the Privy Seal
Asking him to use his influence to enable him to purchase the manors of Haughton, Offley and Doxey (co. Stafford), then in the Crown's hands but formerly Lord Berners and claimed by Berners bastards, (1536-40).

Reference: KNY 406 371 x 7
Final Concord
Between Stephen Burrell querent and Edmund Knyvett sen. Esq. and wife Jane deforcients re the manor of Great Weldon and lands etc. there and in Thurning, Deenethorpe, (?) Deene ('Kyrbydene') and Bulwick, (1539).

Reference: KNY 430, 429. 371 x 9
Inquisition post mortem (incomplete)of Sir Edmund Knyvett of Buckenham, (1546).

Reference: Phi/546 578 x 2
Final Concord between John Walpole gent. and Stephen Borell gent. querents and Jane Knyvett widow daughter and sole heir of John Bowrcheour knight lately Lord Berners deforciant re manors of Colkirk, North Creake and Gateley with appurtenances in same towns, the advowsons of Colkirk, and moiety of that of North Creake. Octave of Michaelmas, (1552).

Reference: Phi/547 578 x 2
Settlement of property
By Jane Knyvett widow and William Knyvett gent. of the manors of Whaplode Holbeach and 'Qwhaplod' with appurtenances in same and in Pinchbeck, Moulton, Skirbeck, Boston, Killingholme and Aylesby, Lincs., to herself for life and ultimately to her right heirs, (November 15, 1557).

Reference: Phi/548 578 x 2
Lease for 60 years by Jane Knyvett widow to Thomas Touneshend of Testerton of property previously leased on January 2, 1552 to John Walpole gent. in Colkirk comprising close of land and pasture of 21a. called Benecroft near Colkyrke Wood, 4a. meadow and pasture at Westbeck; also, for 60 years from Mich. 1564 close of land and pasture cont. 11a. near Benecroft and Marysshe Close, closes of land, pasture and wood in Colkirk and Gateley inc. closes called Pylewoode, Overmarshe, Colney haugh, and two pieces of land, pasture and wood, one cont. 3a. in Colkirk in Blackland hyrne with part in Wesshepytt closse and part in a close called Little Batemans, and the other piece cont. 3a. in Gateley among other lands in Great Batemans Close, having 'a grovett in the south ende therof where sometyme housez were buylded', (January 10, 1560).

British Libray of Manuscripts
Reference: Add. 34892 f. 6
Knyvett (Jane). Sepulchral insecription at Ashwelthorpe 1561.