Editing Leonard Digges (scientist) (section)

==Biography==
Leonard Digges, born about 1515, was the only son of James Digges (born c.1473), esquire, of Digges Court and Broome in [[Barham, Kent]], by his second wife, Philippe Engham, the daughter of John Engham, esquire, of Chart, Kent. James Digges had been [[High Sheriff of Kent]] in 1510–11, and had married as his first wife Mildred Fineux, the daughter of [[John Fineux|Sir John Fineux]], [[Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales|Chief Justice of the King's Bench]], and Elizabeth Apuldrefield, by whom he had an only son, John Digges, who married Mildred Scott, the daughter of [[John Scott (died 1533)|Sir John Scott]] (d. 7 October 1533) of [[Scot's Hall]] in [[Smeeth]], Kent. John Digges predeceased his father, leaving two sons by his wife, Mildred Scott, William Digges and Francis Digges. James Digges made his last will on 20 February 1535/6 requesting burial in the north chancel of the church of [[Barham, Kent|Barham]], 'where my mother and my wife do lie', and naming as executors his second wife, Philippe; [[John Sackville (died 1557)|John Sackville]], esquire; his nephew, Robert Brent, gentleman; and his son, Leonard, with Sir William Hawte as overseer.<ref>{{Harvnb|Glencross|1922|p=363}}.</ref> The will was proved on 24 November 1540, at which time his second wife, Philippe, was still living.<ref>{{Harvnb|Richardson II|2011|p=81}}; {{Harvnb|Johnston|2004}}; {{Harvnb|Glencross|1922|pp=363–4}}.</ref>

Leonard Digges was the grandson of John Digges, esquire, of Digges Court and Broome, [[High Sheriff of Kent]] in 1495-6, and his wife Joan Clifton, the daughter and co-heiress of [[Gervase Clifton (died 1471)|Sir Gervase Clifton]] of [[Clifton, Nottinghamshire]], London, and [[Brabourne]], Kent, by his first wife, Isabel Herbert, daughter of Vincent Herbert, esquire.<ref>{{Harvnb|Richardson I|2011|pp=512–13}}.</ref> Leonard Digges' aunt, Isabel Digges, the daughter of John Digges and Joan Clifton, married Richard Sackville (d. 28 July 1524), esquire, and was the mother of [[John Sackville (died 1557)|John Sackville]].<ref name="Richardson II 2011 81">{{Harvnb|Richardson II|2011|p=81}}.</ref>

In 1542 Digges, in company with three other gentlemen, visited the castle of [[Guînes]], 'where they impressed their host through debate and demonstration of their skills in geometry, navigation, measurement, and artillery'.<ref name="Johnston 2004"/>

In January 1554 Digges took part in an unsuccessful rebellion led by the [[Protestant]] [[Thomas Wyatt the younger|Sir Thomas Wyatt]], who opposed the projected marriage between [[Philip II of Spain]] and England's new Catholic Queen, [[Mary I of England|Mary I]]. Digges was convicted of [[high treason]], [[attainder|attainted]], and condemned to death. His life was pardoned on 1 April 1554, but according to Johnston 'his lands and goods, which had been seized after his attainder, continued to be held subject to payment of recognizances to the crown'. In February 1555 Digges was fined 400 marks. After being paid off in instalments, the fine was discharged on 7 May 1558.<ref name="Harvnb |Johnston|2004">{{Harvnb |Johnston|2004}}.</ref> The date of Digges' death is unknown; he is thought to have died about 1559:<ref>Some sources, including the first edition of the ''Dictionary of National Biography'', erroneously state that he died about 1571.</ref>

<blockquote>From Thomas's autobiographical comments in a legal dispute of the 1590s it can be inferred that Leonard died about 1559, shortly after he had resumed possession of his confiscated lands.<ref name="Harvnb |Johnston|2004"/></blockquote>

===Marriage and issue===
Digges married Bridget Wilford, the daughter of Thomas Wilford, esquire, of Hartridge in [[Cranbrook, Kent]], by his first wife, Elizabeth Culpeper, the daughter of Walter Culpeper, esquire, by whom he had three sons and three daughters:<ref name="Richardson II 2011 81"/>

*[[Thomas Digges]], whose children were Sir [[Dudley Digges]] (politician and statesman) (1583–1639), [[Leonard Digges (writer)]] (1588–1635), Margaret and Ursula
*James Digges.
*Daniel Digges.
*Mary Digges, who married a husband surnamed Barber.
*Anne Digges, who married William Digges.
*Sarah Digges, who married firstly a husband surnamed Martin, and secondly John Weston.