Nicholas Seychelles II

Nicholas Seychelles II (1532-1568) was the son of Nicholas Seychelles I and Katherine Seychelles. He was a member of the Seychelles Dynasty and the eldest child and son. His siblings included: John Seychelles III, Joan Seychelles , Cuthbert Seychelles , Frances Seychelles , James Seychelles II , Elinor Seychelles , Leonard Seychelles , and Kat Seychelles.

Early Life

Nicholas Seychelles II was born in London, England in 1532. He was named after his father, as was the custom. He was the eldest of thirteen children. He was conceived and born after his father finished his military time. He spent his childhood living in the flat above the print shop his father worked in. His mother home schooled he and his siblings. He was the closest to his brother, John Seychelles III, who was 6 years younger than him, but had a close relationship with all his siblings. His parents reminded him that he was the eldest and the protector of his younger brothers and sisters. His father taught him his way around a print machine all through his youth, especially as he was a partner.

Mid-Life

Nicholas II stayed in London his entire life. After turning sixteen, he was employed by his father to work at the Mayfair Post. He worked as a writer from 1548-1552. He took leave from his job after his mother's death to help look after the children (including new born baby Kat ) while his father continued work. After his father remarried to Sally Seychelles, he took on his job again. He became a partner and his father's successor. He met his wife, Anne Barkley in 1553 when she was 18 and he, 21. She was the daughter of a blacksmith and while his father said he was marrying down, Nicholas II stayed with her. They married in 1554. They had several children, listed as follows: Katherine Seychelles III (1555-1580), Walter Seychelles (1559-1602), Mary Seychelles II (1560-1562), Elizabeth Seychelles (1562-1567), and Beatrice Seychelles (1566-1580). After his father's death in 1557, he took ownership of the shop, which continued to grow under his hand, though not to the extent it had under his father.

Later Life

As the Mayfair Post grew, so did tensions between the Dutch and their rulers. The Dutch War of Independence started in 1566 and England participated. Nicholas II joined to prove himself as his father had, and rose to the rank of Corporal, but was killed in action in 1568.

Result of Death/Legacy

As a result, his wife (33) and children (Katherine III (13), Walter (9) and Beatrice (2)) inherited the shop. Katherine managed it with the help of his brother, Leonard (18), who moved in to help. After his death, Katherine remarried a blacksmith in 1570. Knowing her husband wanted her children to grow up with the print, she had Leonard take them in despite being only 5 years older than her eldest. She left for a life with her new husband at his blacksmith shop and lost contact with the family. Presumably she had more children which would be Katherine III, Walter and Beatrice's half-siblings. Her children saw her only once after being left with Walter, a visit in 1573.