Robert de Willoughby her next Heir viz. Son of William Son of Alice Sister of Eliz. Mother of her the said Maude then twenty six years of age But I returne to Richard In 3 Hen. 5. this Richard was in that expedition then made into France but before the end of that year finding himself infirme he made his Testament viz. 6 Aug. ann 1415. by which he bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Conventual Church of the Priory at Colne in Essex where his Ancestors lay Interred and gave to Alice his Wife all his personal Estate to pay his Debts discharge his Funeral and to dispose for pious uses After which viz. in 4 Hen. 5. he became riteined to serve the King in person in his Warrs of France but died the same year on the morrow after S. Valentines day leaving issue by Alice his Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs of Sir Richard Sergeaux Knight two Sons Iohn and Robert Which Robert took to Wife Ioane the Widow of Nicholas Lord Carew Daughter to Sir Hugh Courtney of Hacham Knight and Heir to her Mother Philippa one of the Daughters and Heirs to Sir Warine Archdeacon Knight and had issue Iohn who married Alice Daughter and Heir to Walter Kilrington alias Colebroke by whome he had issue Iohn Vere who after the death of that Earl Iohn commonly called Little Iohn of Camps became Earl of Oxford as I shall shew anon which Alice Viz. Widow to this last mentioned Earl Richard having then for her Dower an assignation of the Mannors of Over-Hall and Nether-Hall in Lavenham the Mannor of Bumstede at the Tower called Gebons the Mannor of Fingerith Great-Canefeld and Dodinghurst with that Mannor of Bumstede called Countess-Meadow in Bumstede Helion in Com. Essex but afterwards taking to Husband Nicholas Thurley Esq without the K. licence her Dowry was seised and Thurley imprisoned in the Tower of London untill by a fine of one years value of that her Dowry he obtained a Pardon for the Transgression I Now come to Iohn Son and Heir to Earl Richard who was nine years of age at his Fathers death This Iohn succeeding in his Fathers Honors was amongst others made Knight by the King at Leicester on Whitsunday 4 H. 6. the King himself having then received that Honor at the hands of his Uncle the Duke of Bedford And in 7 H. 6 being then in Ward having married Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir Iohn Howard the younger Knight without Licence did for the Summe of two thousand pounds to be paid into the Exchequer obtain pardon for that Transgression Before the end of which year making proof of his age and doing his Homage he had Livery of his Lands In 13 Henr. 6. this Earl Iohn obtained Licence to travail towards the Holy-Land with twelve persons of his Company and to take with him an hundred pounds in Money and to receive five hundred Marks more by way of Exchange In 14 Hen. 6. he went into Piâardy for the relief of Calais and the same year performing his Homage had Livery of all those Lands which by the death of Margaret the Wife of Sir Iohn Howard Knight descended to Elizabeth her Daughter whom he had married In 17 Hen. 6. he was joyned in Commission with Iohn Duke of Norfolk and others to treat with Charles de Valoys or his Embassadors touching a perpetual peace betwixt this Realm and France And in 32 Hen. 6. together with the Earls of Salisbury Saâop Worcester Wilts and some other Lords undertook to keep the Seas for three years next following being allowed the Subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage then granted for that service But when King Edward the fourth attained the Crown the Lancastrean party whereof this Earl was one soon fell for that King in the first year of his Reign calling a Parliament upon the fourth of November wherein King Henry the sixth and all his Linage were disherited caused this Earl Iohn and Auberie his eldest Son together with the Dukes of Exeter and Somerset and many other to be attainted and at several times after beheaded them on Tower Hill The Inquisition taken in 3 Edw. 4. after this his Death saith that he died 26 Februar 1 Edw. 4. and that Iohn his Son and Heir was at the time of the taking thereof twenty years of age Of his issue which he had by Elizabeth his Wife before mentioned there were five Sons viz. Aubery who suffered death with him Iohn who succeeded him Sir George Sir Richard and Sir Thomas all Knights and three Daughters viz. Mary a Nunn at Berking in Esseâ Ioane married to Sir William Norres of Yatenden Knight and Elizabeth to William Son and Heir to Henry Bourchier Earl of Essex In 3 and 4 Edw. 4 the King in Parliament upon the Petition of this Iohn Earl of Oxford mentioned the Act of Attainder of Robert Duke of Ireland in 11 R. 2. as also the restoration of Aubery de Vere in 16 R. 2. and the Annullation of the Act of 11. In 21 R. 2. as also the revoking that in 1 Hen. 4. Repealed that of 1 Hen. 4. which had been made in affirmance of the Act of 11 R. 2. as touching the said Earle of Oxford which had formerly repealed the Act of 21 Ric. 2. And as concerning him revived the Act of 21 Ric. 2. with a salvo to the King and his Heirs of any Right Title or Interest which he had or might have to any of those Lands which were Robert Earl of Oxford's with divers provisions and exceptions therein mentioned This Iohn in 10 Ed. 4 being one of those that then adhered to King Henry the sixth in order to his restoration which hapned that year though it held but a while sate High Steward for the Trial of Iohn Tiptoft Earl of Worceser who thereupon had Judgement of death and was beheaded on Tower-Hill But the Scene soon altered again for King Edward returning and getting strength met Richard Nevil the stout Earl of Warwick at that time King Henrys chiefest Champion at Barnet in Com. Midd. in the left Wing of whose Army this our Earl was placed with some Horse as Polyd. Virg. affirmeth Others say in the right wing and that leading the Van ward the Kings people were through his valor overmacht so that many ran away and carried news to London that the Earl of Warwick had won the Field Which might have fallen out true had not preposterous fortune hapned to his men who having a Starr with streams for their Liveries were not by reason of the mist distinguished from King Edwards men and through that mistake shot at one another Whereupon crying Treason he Fled with eight hundred of his Souldiers So that all his party being thus unhappily
of Febr. next ensuing And in 2. E. 4. for the better support of his dignity obtained a Grant in Tail-General of the Mannors of Lynton Letheâey Kirkleventon Tadcastre Poklyngton Scorburgh Nafferton Wandesford Hundmanby Semar and Thrustanby in Com. Ebor. as also of a certain Hostel in Kingston super Hull Likewise of the Mannor of Helagh in the County of the City of York and of all the Lands and Tenements lying in that City which did belong to Henry Earl of Northubmberland Likewise of the Castle and Mannor of Alnwike with its Members and of the Mannors of Benwyke Ruglee Hoghton Lessebury Aylmouth Tughall Biâton Swynhowe âewham Chatton Elyngheham Newstede Lukre South-Charleton Christerton Birlyng Fowdon Langeley Biker near Newcastle upon Tine and of the Castle and Mannor of Ovyngham all in Com. Northumb. Moreover of all the Lands in Tyndale called Talbots-Lands also of the Mannors of Calceby Malberthorpe Thedithorpe and Thurthorpe in Com. Linc. of the Mannors of Foston in Com. Leic Iselham in Com. Cantabr Cratfeild in Com. Suff. and of a certain House in the Parish of St. Katherine-Colman London with another in the Parish of St. Ann juxta Aldersgate all which by the attainder of the before-specified Earl of Northumberland in the Parliament begun at Westminster 1. E. 4. came to the Crown After this viz. in 4. E. 4. he had a grant for life of the Mannors of Middelton and Merdene with the Hundred of Middeltone in Com. Cantii of the Mannor and Parke of Ashehurst in Com. Surr. as also of the Castle Town and Lordship of Briavels and Forest of Dene in Com. Gloc. Likewise of the Castle and Lordship of UUodeford and Mannor of UUroxâaâe in Com. Somerset in Tail-general late Iames Earl of UUiltshire's attainted of the Castle and Lordship of Chester and all the Lands and Royalties thereto belonging to hold during pleasure And of the Mannors of Stoke under Hampden Melton Faucomberge Stratton super le Vosse Faryngton Gorney Inglescombe Midsomer-Norton UUydecombe UUeltone Lavertone with the Moiety of the Mannors of West Harptre and Shipton-malet in Com. Somerset and Ryme in Com. Dorset to hold for life In 5. E. 4. he was constituted Lieutenant of Ireland for the terme of Twenty years And had likewise a Grant for life of a certain place in the parish of St. Andrew in the City of London called The Kings Wardrobe with all the Lands and Rents thereto belonging The like in 8. E. 4. of the Castle and Lordship of Ouenesburg in the Isle of Shepey in Kent But shortly after this viz. in 9. E. 4. Richard Nevill commonly called the stout Earl of Warwick harbouring in his heart much discontent towards King Edward for the reasons I have shewed in my discourse of his Family and discerning that this Duke of Clarence bore no great good will towards the King his Brother so managed the business that he allured him to his partie and the more firmly to knit him to his Interest offered him the Lady Isabell his elder daughter in Marriage with the one half of her Mother's Inheritance Whereupon accompanying him to Calais he there Swore upon the Sacrament to keep his Promise with him and accordingly Married her in the Church of Nostre Dame having obtain'd a Dispensation from Pope Paul the Third by reason that they stood allyed in the second and third and third and fourth degrees of Consanguinity as also in respect that the Mother of this Duke was Godmother to her Which Dispensation beares date a Rome Prid. Id. Martii An. 1468 8 E. 4. Hereupon likewise the better to secure their grand design and the more cordially to oblige this Duke there was another Marriage made in France viz. betwizt Prince Edward son to King Henry the Sixth and Anne the other daughter to the same geat Earl and an Agreement then concluded the King Henry should Reign again and after him Prince Edward and his heirs but in default of such Issue this George Duke of Clarence and his heirs Having therefore thus framed this seeming sure Combination the Earl of ãâã caused an Insurrection to be made in ãâã by Sir Robert Welles Knight son and heir to Richard Lord Welles Which proving ansuccessful all that party being utterly vanquisht by the Kings Forces accompanied by this Duke he hasted to Exeter purposing suddenly to got over into France in hope of aid from King Lewes and accordingly landing at Dâepe address'd himself to that King then lodging at his Castle of Ambois But during their stay in France a Damsel from England belonging to the Dutchess of Clarence as 't was said landed there with overture from King Edward of a Reconciliation with them and having private discourse with this Duke so wrought upon him that he promised upon his return to stand fair Of which Warwick having no knowledge after he had obtained some aid in those parts accompanied with this Duke took shippin at Harflew and landing at Dartmouth in Com. Devon Proclaimed King Henry Whereat King Edward grew so startled that with the Duke of Glocester his Brother and some few others he hasted into Flanders UUarwick therefore discerning his own strength and Interest to be such again accompanied with the Duke upon the 25 th of October fetcht King Henry out of the Tower and restored him to his Regal Authority and thereupon caused a Parliament to assemble in which so potent he was all Acts made by King Edward were utterly repeal'd and the Crowns of England and France entail'd on King Henry the Sixth and his issue male â and for default thereof on this George Duke of Clarence and his heirs males It being then and there further declared that he should be next heir to his late Father Richard Duke of York and enjoy all his Lands as if he had been his eldest son at the time of his death Which being done he was associated with Warwick in the Government of the Realm But the scene shortly after altered For King Edward with some considerable forces from the Duke of Burgundy landing in Holdeâneâs 14 Martii An. 1471. 11 E. 4. marcht up into UUarwickshire Which for allarm'd that great Earl of UUarwick then staying at Coventre in expectation of this Dukes coming to him whith such Forces as he had raised about London as that discerning he made not haste he then began to suspect his fidelity as well he might for through the mediation of Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy their sister a perfect Reconciliation was privately made betwixt the King and him But for a while kept secret so that though after he had heard of his Brothers landing and advance towards London he got what Forces he could together being about Four thousând strong outwardly pretending that he would joyn with Warwick
the fourths Reign I find nothing more of this Duke Henry but soon after it is said that he speedily dispatched one Pershal his trusty Servant in all hast unto Richard Duke of Gloucester then in the North and that Pershall being privatly admitted to speak with him in the dead of the night told him that his Master had sent him to offer him his service and that he would wait on him with a thousand good Fellows if need were Likewise that thanks being returned and some secret Instructions from Richard the Messenger went back and within few daies met with him again at Notingham Moreover that when Richard came to Northampton this our Duke himself with three hundred Horse received him there and that having long conference with him it was beleived that the designe for effecting what soon after followed was there privily laid for after that time it was observed that he stood up vigorously for Richard and as one of his cheif confidents was with some others sent to the Queen who fearing the destruction of her Sons by the Duke of Gloucester their Uncle had taken Sancttuary with them at Westminster by fair pretences and promises to gain them out of her hands Which being done and Hastings late Lord Chamberlain to King Edward the fourth whose furtherance in his wicked purposes he despaired to obtain cut shorter by the Head lest Morton Bishop of Ely a person of singular prudence and Gravity might stand in his way he committed him to the custody of this Duke who thereupon fent him to his Castle of Brecknock in Wales And having so done to secure this Duke the more firmly to his ends he made him Cheif Justice of all South-Wales and North-Wales as also Constable of the Castles of Caermardyn Cardigan and divers other in those parts his Patent bearing date 18 Maii Richard being then Protector and King Edward the fifth alive Nay an Author of that time reports that he gave him all his riches so that he then made his boast that he had as many Liveries of Staffords Knotts as Richard Nevill the late great Earle of Warwick had of Ragged Staves with large promifes of far greater Matters as I shall shew anon Wherewith being corrupted he stuck at nothing that might carry on that Tragical designe which both of them had so closely layd for our Historians tell us that in the time of Dr. Shaa's Sermon at Pauls Cross where that Doctor endeavored to make the people beleive that the Children of K. E. 4. were not lâgitimate and upon the coming in of the Protector said This is the Fathers own Figure his own Countenance c. it was observed that this Duke accompanied him And two days following came to Guild-Hall where the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and Commons of the City were assembled and in a long Oration depraving the Government of King Edward the fourth by sundry instances represented to them the illegitimacy of his Children much magnifying that Sermon preached by Dr. Shaa on the Sunday before and withall insinuating that K. Edward the fourth himself was not lawfully begotten but that Richard Duke of Gloucester the then Protector was the really begotten Son of Richard Duke of York telling them that all those things well considered together with the Knightly prowess and manifold virtues of the Protector that the Nobles and Commons of England especially of the North were determined to make their humble Petition unto him to take upon him the Government of the Realm Moreover the next day after having procured another meeting of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Chief Commoners of the City at Baynards-Castle the Protector likewise meeting them there as the Mouth of them all he humbly desired him to take upon him the Rule Which when the Protector seemed modestly to deny he answered that it was finally determined by the Realm that King Edwards Line should no longer Reign And so it happned for that very day or the night ensuing was that horrid Murther of the young King and his Brother committed secretly in the Tower of London Furthermore soon after this viz. upon the fifth of Iuly he rode with him in State from the Tower to Westminster through the City of London And the day following in that solemn Proceeding from Westminster Hall unto the Abby in order to his Coronation bore his Train with a white Staff in his hand signifying the Office of Lord High Steward of England for that day Having thus been the principal Agent in advancing Richard to the Throne and thereupon pressing his performance of what had been privately promised this new King signed a Bill for Livery of all those Lands unto him whereunto he pretended a right by descent from Humphrey de Bohun sometime Earl of Hereford and Constable of England An abstract whereof I have here inserted together with a Schedule of the Castles and Mannors affixed thereto R. R. RIchard by the grace of God King of England c. To all c. Know ye that We not only considering that our right trusty and right enryrely beloved Cosyn Henry Duke of Buckinhgam is Cosyn and Heir of Blood to Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and rightfull Inheritor of such Inheritances as were of the same late Earl but also the true feythfull and laudable service the which our seid Cosyn hath in many sundry wisez done unto us to our right singular wele and plesure Considering also and understanding that the Mannors Lordships and Lands specified in the Schedule hereunto annexed the which were parcel of the Inheritance of the said Earl and were chosen and accepted in purpartie by Herry the fifth late King of England Son of Mary one of the Daughters and Heirs of the said late Earle of a partition betwene the same late King and Anne Daughter of Alianore another of the Daughters and Heires of the sayd late Earle made by authority of Parliament the second year of his Reigne in allowance of other Mannours Lordships Lands c. of the like value allotted and assured in purpartie to the same Anne come unto the hands of Edward the fourth late King of England our Brother by virtue of certain Act or Acts of Parliament made against Herry the sixth deceased without issue so that our said Cosyn as true Inheritor to the sayd Inheritance in forme abovesayd should by his death have had and inherited the said Mannors Lordships c. specifyed in the sayd Schedule if the sayd Act or Acts of Parliament had never been made And also for certain other considerations us especially moving wille and grant to our sayd Cosyn that in our next Parliament to be holden he shall be surely and lawfully by Act of Parliament restored frothe Feste of Easter last past to all the foresayd Mannours c. specifyed in the sayd Schedule and the same have hold and enjoy to him and to his Heires according to such
Girl scarce eight years old for better securing the twenty years Truce made with that Nation began to apprehend that nothing could now hinder him from doing what he listed and thereupon caused his Uncle the Duke of Gloucester to be laid hold on at Pâeshy in Essex when he least thought thereof and hurried him thence to âalais where he was secretly murthered by the before mentioned Thomas Moubray not without the Kings privity as it was said And the same day that the Duke of Gloucester was so seised on the King invited this our Thomas Earl of Warwick to a Feast who suspecting no danger came but found it otherwise for there was he arrested and carried away prisoner and putting himself upon the Parliament for Justice acknowledging the meeting at Haringhay-Park had judgement of death passed upon him which hard sentence the K. at the E. of Salisbury's instance who alledged that he was seduced by the Duke of Gloucester being an old man and withall that there were never any of the Beauchamps that did treason against the Crown of England was pleased to suspend and instead thereof banished him to the Isle of Man where he was to continue prisoner during his life directing his precept to William de Scrope Earl of Wiltshire who then had the Dominion of that Isle and to Sir Stephen de Scrope Knight dated at Westminster 12 Octob. in the twentieth year of his Reign straightly commanding them to carry him thither and put him in sure custody as they would be responsable body for body Whereupon his Castle and Mannour of Warwick with divers other fair Lordships were given by the King unto Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and to the Heirs male of his body and the rest of his Lands to others and the next year following the custody of Richard Beauchamp his Son and Heir and of Elizabeth his Wife was committed to the same Thomas then made Duke of Surrey who had also a special grant of that suit of Arras Hangings in Warwick-Castle which contained the Story of the Famous Guy of Warwick Which hard measure to this Earl and his Son occasioned Katherine the Nunn at Shouldham to petition the King in her own behalf in regard she was the Grand-child and Heir to this Earles Father by Guy his eldest Son as hath been already shewed and enjoyed no part of her inheritance Whereupon she obtained an assignation of forty marks per annum Annuity out of the Kings Exchequer during her life But though this our Earl was thus banished to the Isle of Man he continued not long there for on the twelfth of Iuly 21 R. 2. the Kings mandate to the Constable of the Tower of London for his reception to imprisonment there bears date where he remained during the residue of King Richards Reign which was not long for notwithstanding he had so strengthened himself by that allyance with the French as hath been observed filled his coffers with vast summs of money by loanes and otherwise pulled down and ruined all whose fidelity to himself he suspected and advanced his Friends and favorites in that Parliament of 21 of his Reign which damned those Acts that by the power of the great ones had been made in the Parliament of 11. Behold the Monster-multitude agitated by the malice and ambition of his Enemies took part with them whereby he came to be suddenly overwhelmed in the Gulph of absolute destruction being deposed from his Throne and barbarously Murthered as the Story of those times do manifest and Henry of Lancaster Crowned K. in his room In the first year of whose reign all that had been done in the Parliament of 21. R. 2. being made null and void this E. Thomas was then restored to his full Liberty Honor and Possessions having all the goods in Warwick-Castle belonging to the before mentioned Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey bestowed on him and in particular that suit of Hangings containing the Story of the famous Guy which had been forfeited to the new K. by the then attainder of Holland But after this I find no more of his temporal imployment his death near approaching I shall therefore take notice of his pious works which were these In 49 Edw. 3. he established an Anniversary for his Father in the Collegiat Church of Warwick for the solemnizing whereof the Deane Canons and Vicars of that Church and every Priest in Warwick who should come to the Dirige and Mass was to have his Dinner and four pence in money Moreover six shillings and eight pence to be distributed amongst the Friers of that Town three shillings and four pence to the Canons of S. Sepulchres in Warwick and twenty shillings yearly amongst the poor In 5 R. 2. he built one of the Cells in the Monastry of Carthusians near Coventre that being the time of its foundation In 6 R. 2. he gave the perpetual Patronage of the Church dedicated to St. Iames scituate over the Gate called Hongyn-gate in Warwick to the Gild of St. George there newly founded in a Chapel over the same Gate And in 15 R. 2. having finished the quire of the Collegiate Church begun by his Father and newly built from the ground the whole body of that Church which very Fabrick now stands he gave the Mannor of Hasdoure with the advowson of the Church as also the Advowson of the Church of Wolfhamcote both in Com. Warr. together with the perpetual patronage of the Church of Wyclesford in Cambridgeshire unto the the Dean and Canons thereof and their successors to pray for the good estate of King Richard the second and of Queen Anne then his Consort of himself and Margaret his Countess Sir William Beauchamp his Brother and Ioane his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of their Souls after their departure hence as also for the Souls of their progenitors ancestors and all the faithfull deceased And by his Testament bearing date at Warwick-Castle 1 Apr. anno 1400 1 H. 4. bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Collegiate Church before specified likewise to every Town whereof he was Lord or Patron of the Church twenty marks in money in the name of his Principal But if he should depart this life at Warwick then he appointed that this Collegiate Church of our Lady there should have the best Beast For his Herse he directed that three hundred pound weight of Wax in six Tapers and seven Morters to remain in that Church and sixty poor men in Gowns made of white cloath to carry each of them a Torch at the solemnising of his Funeral Also that forty of these Torches after his Exequies were finished should be distributed to the poor Churches of his patronage the residue to remain to that Collegiat Church at Warwick Moreover that all his friends attending the Funeral should have good entertainment viz. a Supper over
Chancellor affirming That he did thenceforth continue a prisoner until the King caused his enlargment as abovesaid offering to stand or fall by the Kings Testimony therein And he farther alleaged That his acknowledgment of that Deed ought not to have the force of a Record and consequently to oblige him in regard it was not made in open Court but in the presence of the Chancellor only who was then at a great distance from the Court and had neither Roll nor Clerk there to record the same for that he came to him in his Chamber where he was a prisoner and not as the Kings Chancellor but as a private person Whereunto Edmund again answered That there was no necessity of any tryal thereof by the Countrey nor the testimony of the Chancellor or the Kings judgment theâein for as much as he acknowledged that he did it in the presence of the then Chancellor and that it was thereupon enrolled c. as abovesaid But notwithstanding all these Arguments the Court dismissed his Suit so that he could have no remedy for the regaining of those his Lands Whereupon he lost Tuâbury Castle and other vast Possessions which Edmund then Earl of Leicester and Lancaster and his Descendants thereupon enjoyed But this was not all for he lost his Earldom likewise All that I have farther seen of this Robert is That by his Letters Patents bearing date at Yoxhall on Tuesday next after the Feast day of S. Fabian and Sebastian in 46 Hen. 3. he gave liberty unto Sir Walter de Raleg and his Heirs inhabiting at Uttoxater in Com. Staff to hunt and course the Fox and Hare within the Precincts of his Forest of Needwood in that County with eight Braches and four Greyhounds To which Branch his Seal of Arms is affixed wherein it appears that upon his Sheild and the Caparisons of his Horse waving the Border of Horsshooes given by his Father he bore only Varrâ Or and Gules which Armes were afterwards continued by his posterity Likewise that he gave to the Canons of St. Thomas juxta Stafford for the health of the Souls of Mary and Alianore his Wives and to the end his body might be there enterred when he should happen to dye two messuages in Chartâey in Comit. Staff with 17 Acres of Land and the Advowson of the Church of Stow juxta Chartley This Mary was Daughter to Hugh le Brun Earl of Angoleâne Niece to King Henry the third but married very young he being but nine and she no more than eight years of age Howbeit by her he had no issue The other viz. Alianore was Daughter as some say to Ralph Lord Basset by whom he had Issue Iohn his Son and Heir Which Alianore surviving him commenced her Suit against Edmund Earl of Lancaster the Kings Brother in 7 Edw. 1. for her Dowry of her Husbands Lands viz. Tutbury Scroptone Roââestone Meercintone Calling-wood Uttockeshather Adgarsley and Newborough in Com. Staff Duffield Machiney Certeley Winburne Southwood Heâleg Beaurepaire Holand Edreskay New-Bigginge Alrewasâege Spondone and Chatesdene in Com. Derb. And Leverpole West-Derby Crosby Waverton Magna Hale Burgeon Salford and Hardaisell in Com Lanc. Whereunto Edmund answered that he claimed nothing in Spondone and Chatesdene and for all the rest he said that Robert de Ferrers her late Husband did in Chancery acknowledge all those Lordships to be the right of his Sureties who undertook for the payment of fifty thousand pounds for his Redemption by reason of his Transgressions committed in the time of King Henry Father of the then King And that because he failed in payment of that Money those his Sureties past the Lordships above mentioned to him the said Edmund She therefore discerning that nothing could be got in strictness Released unto him the said Edmund all her Right of Dower in those Lands And soon after viz. in 9 E. 1. obtained from him the Lordship of Gumecestre commonly called Godmanchester in Com. Hunt to hold during her life I come now to Iohn Son to this last mentioned Robert This Iohn was in minority in 9 Ed. 1. And in 22 E. 1. upon the death of Margaret his Grandmother Daughter and Coheir to Roger de Quinci E. of Winchester as hath been observed doing his Homage had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance which as Nephew and Heir to her descended to him But he was somewhat of his Fathers Spirit as it seems for in 25 Ed. 1. when the Earl of Hereford the Earl Marshal and others being discontented at the Government prohibited the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer to gather that Subsidy granted to the King in the Parliament then held at St. Edmundsbury being the eighth part of their movable goods having allured the Londoners to stand with them for the recovery of their Liberties as they termed it he joined with them in that disloyal Act but by the special care of Prince Edward then Lieutenant here in his Fathers stead who was at that time victorious in Scotland the heat of these turbulent Spirits was allayed by the Kings condescension to confirme Magna Chârta and the Charter of the Forests as also that no Tax should thenceforth be imposed upon the Subject but by consent in Parliament and that the Offences of those Earles and their adherents should be pardoned in which Pardon this Iohn de Ferrers is particularly named the King also remitting all that displeasure which he bore towards him for not attending him in his expedition into Flanders when Commanded Soon after which this Iohn addressing himself by an humble Petition to Pope Nicholas the third represented to his Holiness that Robert de Ferrers his Father late Earl of Derby in that Warr betwixt King Henry the third and his Barons adhering to them was taken Prisoner by the Kings Forces and used so severely that he could obtain no liberty unless he would pass all his Lands then extending to the value of three thousand pounds per annum to Edmund the Kings Son and his Heirs to hold and enjoy untill he the said Robert or his Heirs should pay unto the same Edmund fifty thousand pounds upon one day And that the said Robert more affecting his Liberty than his Lands had granted them on those conditions so that they had been enjoyed by the said Edmund and Thomas his Sons Earls of Lancaster for more than thirty years wherefore he humbly besought His Holiness that for as much as he could not possibly raise so great a summe of Money unless he might reposses those Lands and that whereas divers Prelates and other Spiritual Persons being really sensible of this his hard condition were willing to furnish him with so much money for the present payment of that summe in case they might be permitted so to do that considering the penalty of a certain Constitution then lately set forth by his Holiness to the contrary he
Matravers Langton Matravers East-Mordon Remmesbeare and Worthe in Comitat. Dors. of two parts of the Castle Town and Lordship of Castle Acre and two parts of the Mannor of Mileham in Comit. Norf. of the Mannors of Bourne Polyng Levemyââtre Palyngham Dunhuââte Alfredesham Lye Pynkhurst Wepham likewise of the Hundreds of Polyng Rutherbrugge Eseborne Boxe Stokebrugge and Bourne of the Mannor of Wodecourt and Warren of Wâthe as also of two parts of the Castle Mannor and Twon of Arundell and two parts of the Mannor of Overfould with the Forest and Chace of Arundell of the Mannors of Wollavinton Preston and Todeham and Patronage of the Almeshouse at Arundell called Mesoâ-dieu Moreover of the Mannors of Codâlawe Berecourt Wyldebrugge Lynche Almodyton and Stopham all in Com. Sussex and of the Mannor of Posâlyng in Kent leaving Humphrey his Son and Heir then six years of Age. Maude his Wife Daughter of Elizabeth the Wife of Robert Lovell which Elizabeth was Daughter and Heir to Sir Guy Bryen the younger Knight then surviving who by her Testament bearing date 11 Maii Ann. 1436. 14 H. 6. bequeathed her Body to be buried in the Chappel of St. Anne within the Abby of Abboâsbury giving to Humphrey her Son all her Reliques as also to Aviâe her Daughter Wife of Sir Iames Ormond Knight her French Book and died the same year Which Humphrey departing this life during his minority the inheritance of this Castle and Honor divolved to William his Uncle who in 18 H. 6. upon the death of Beatrix the Widow of Thomas Late Earl of Arundell doing his Homage had livery of all those Lands which she held in dower he being then twenty three years of age Betwixt this William Earl of Arundell and Thomas Earl of Devon in 23 Hen. 6. there hapned a great dispute in Parliament touching their precedency which being revived in the Parliament of 27 Hen. 6. was then referred to the Judges of the Common Law for their decision but they declaring that it was matter of Parliament belonging to the Kings Highness and to his Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament by them to be decided refused to give any opinion therein the Question being whether this Earl should have precedence of the Earl of Devon or not in regard that the Act of 11 Hen. 6. expresseth that Iohn then Earl of Arundell should have the place precedence c. as Earl of Arundell not mentioning his Heirs Whereupon after diverse arguments on each part had the Lords did resolve that he should have his place in Parliament and the Kings Council as Earl by reason of the Castle Lordship and Honor of Arundell for himself and his Heirs for evermore above the said E. of Devon and his Heirs as Worshipfully so saith the Act as any of his Ancestors Earles of Arundell before that time ever had The next thing whereof I have thought fit to take notice in regard it falls out in point of time is that Alianore Countess of Arundell Mother of this Earl William who took to her second Husband Sir Richard Poynings Knight and to her third Sir Walter Hungerford Kt. did by her Testament bearing date 20 Iulii Anno Dom. 1455 33 Hen. 6. wherein she stiles her self Countess of Arundell and Lady Maltravers bequeath her Body to be buried in the Chappel of our Lady within the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity at Arundell and gave to the Master and Fellows of that Coledge a Cross of Silver Gilt to remain therein perpetually for convenient uses as also forty pounds Sterling upon condition that the Master and Fellows with all the Priests and Officers of that Colledge and their successors should yearly keep the Obits of Iohn Earl of Arundell her late Husband and her own Obit with Mass and Office of Requiem solemnly with Note at convenient hours for their Souls their Parents and Ancestors Souls and all the Faithful deceased And likewise ordained that her Executors should dispose two hundred Marks of her Goods to found a Perpetual Chantry at the Altar of our blessed Lady in the same Chappel for one Priest to celebrate Mass thereat every day for the health of her said Husband's Soul and her own Soul and have ten Marks per annum for so doing or at least for twenty years next after her decease Moreover that she gave to William Earl of Arundell her Son her best Cup of Gold likewise a Ring with a Ruby and an hundred pounds Sterling To Ioane Countess of Arundel a Cup of Silver To Alianore Percy her Daughter by Poynings a Golden Collar for her Neck with a Jewel set with Precious stones hanging thereat Also a Bason of Silver with the Armes of the Lord Poynings and of Sir Iohn Berkley Kt. her Fathâr thereon Likewise an Ewer of Silver and an hundred pounds Sterling To the Lady Dudley her Sister a rowe of Pearles To Margaret the Wife of the Lord Hungerford a standing Cup gilt To Sir Robert Hungerford Kt. Lord Molyns then Prisoner in France all her Wooll at Haâtesbury of an hundred pounds value towards his Ransom provided that he be released of his Imprisonment during his life and that neither he nor the Lord Hungerford his Father nor any other disturb the Executors of that her Testament To Sir Morice Berkley Kt. her Brother two Silver pots with the Armes of the Lord Hungerford and twenty pounds Sterling and to the Lady Lora his Wife a Cup of Beryl garnished with Gold To Maurice the Son of her said Brother a Salt-Celler of Silver and ten pounds Sterling To Anne his Wife a Book of Mattins covered with Velvet To Thomas Berkley her Brothers Son ten pounds and to Edward another of his Sons ten pounds The Probate of which Will bears date the twenty third of August following But I return to William In 38 Hen. 6. this William Earl of Arundell in consideration of his special services was constituted Justice of all the Kings Forests South of Trent and in 10 Edw. 4. made Constable of Dover-Castle and Warden of the Cinque-ports Moreover in 11 Edw. 4. he was reteined to serve the King in the Custody of that Castle for fifteen dayes with twenty men at Armes and forty Archers for the suppressing certain Rebells then in Armes And the same year was one of the Lords in Parliament who made Oath to Prince Edward In 17 Edw. 4. he was one of the Commissioners sent to treat with the Commissioners of Lewes King of France for prorogation of a Truce made betwixt the King and him and in 1 Edw. 5. again constituted Justice of all the Kings Forests and Chases South of Trent the like Grant he had in 1 Ric. 3. And having married Ioane the Daughter of Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury had issue by her four Sons viz. Thomas William George and Iohn as also one Daughter
the 27 till the 38 year of King Henry the Sixth inclusive And that for his firm fidelity and constant actings for the Lancastrian interest being attainted in Parliament upon the fourth of November 1 Edw. 4. his Lands were thereupon confiscate and Belvoir-Castlâ given to the Lord Hastings who coming thither to view the same and to lodge therein was repelled by one Mr. Harrington a man of power in the Country a friend to the Lord Ross. Moreover that the Lord Hastings came again with some Forces and did great spoil to the Castle defacing the Roofs and taking away the Lead wherewith it was covered to his House at Ashby de la zouch where he then bestowed no small cost in building which occasionâd the Castle to fall to such ruine by rotting of the Timber as that it was wholly uninhabitable until the Earl of Rutland in King Henry the Eight's time repaired it making it a more stately Structure than ever it was Lastly that he departed this life at Newcastle in the same first year of King Edward the Fourth leaving Issue by Philippa his Wife one of the Daughters to Iohn Lord Tiptoft and Sister and Coheir to Iohn Earl of Worcester two Sons viz. Edmund and Iohn and three Daughters Elianor Isabell and Margaret Which Edmund was constrained to flee beyond-Sea in his tender years in regard of his fidelity to the House of Lancaster for there it appears that he was adhering to the Adversaries of King Edward the Fourth as the Inquisition taken after the death of Elianor Dutchess of Somersest his Aunt doth express But notwithstanding this hard measure to Edmund yet the Lady Philippa his Mother found some favour as may seem by that Grant made by King Edw. 4. unto Thomas Wingfield Esquire her second Husband and her of the Mannors of Uffington Wragby and Estryngton in Com. Linc. Orston Warsop and Ekeryng with the Advowson of the Churches of Warsop and Ekeryng in Com. Nott. of the Mannor of Seton in Com. Ebor. and an Annuity of twenty pounds issuing out of the Priory of Wertre in the said County of the Mannor of Adderley in Com. Salop. as also of the Mannor of Estbeurne in Com. Sussex all which were part of the Possessions of the before-specified Thomas Lord Ross attainted But this Edmund so fled as is observed got privately into England again as it seems for it appeareth that he with others joyning himself to the Duke of Somerset in the month of May â Edw. 4. made head in the North and with him Sir Raphe Perci and others to the number of two or three hundred got into Bâmburgh-Castle but were soon defeated by the power which Iohn Earl of Northumberland then raised All that I have farther seen of him is that departing this life at Enefield upon the 13 of October Anno 1508. 24 Hen. 7. he was buried in the Parish Church there and that his three Sisters above-mentioned became his Heirs Of which Elianor the eldest became the Wife of Sir Robert Maners of Etall-Castle in Com. Northumb Knight and Isabell the second of Thomas Grey a younger Son to Sir Raphe Grey of Werke in the same County Knight Nor of the Lady Philippa their Mother have I observed more than that after the marriage of her eldest Daughter Elianor before-mentioned she lived for a time at Etall-Castle with her and that in 22 Edw. 4. she removed thence to Newcastle upon Tine to the intent she might the better Pray give Alms and cause to be prayed for the Soul of the said Thomas Lord Ross her late Husband This Sir Robert Maners had Issue by the said Elianor two Sons viz. George and Edward and two Daughters Elizabeth and Cecilie the one married to William Fairfax Son to Sir Guy Fairfax Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-pleas and the other to Thomas Fairfax Brother to the said William Ros of Werke THat this was an Antient Barony is evident from the accompt given of the farm of it in 31 Hen. 2. by Hugh de Nevill viz. C l. lx s. vj d. where it is called Honor de Werch So also in 34 Hen. ãâã where he accompts xiij l. xviij d. of the farm thereof given by the King's command to Robert de Ros. Which Robert de Ros was of Helmesâey in Yorkshire and called Furfan and in 11 Hen. 3. gave to Robert his younger Son this Castle and Barony of Werke which Barony he held of the King by the service of two Knights Fees as his Ancestors had done from the time of King Henry the First by whom they were originally enfeoffed thereof and whereunto did belong these Towns and Lordships viz. Levermue Mindrum Karham Prestfen Mainlawe Dunum Pulwiston Schotton Killum ãâã Newâon alteram Newton Langeton Lilleburne Hilderton Weperden Russeden Schauden Titling Bowelton Alburwic Butlisdon the Grange of Stratton and the moity of Glatendon This Robert the Son in 21 Hen. 3. being constituted chief Justice of the Forest in the Counties of Notingham Derby York Lancaster Northumberland and Cumberland did so continue till 28 Hen. 3. if not longer And in 36 Hen. 3. had Free-warren granted to him in all his Demesn Lands at Werke Karram Presâen Mundrum Dunum Menilawe and Levermue in Northumberland In 39 Hen. 3. he delivered the Castle of Werke into the King's hands who then advancing with his Army into Scotland thought it not fit to suffer so strong a Fort to be out of his owâ power the King then promising that no advantage should be made of that Render in reference to the suit which he had against him at that time for the right and title thereto Which promise he accordingly performed the next ensuing year yielding it back to him again About that time this Robert unto whose care and guidance together with Iohn de Baillol the Kingdom of Scotland as also King Alexander the Third and Margaret his Queen Daughter to King Henry the Third of England had been committed was accused for much misdemeaning himself in that Trust he being then of Counsel to the said King Alexander King Henry therefore highly resenting the same marched in all haste towards Scotlând with his Army resolving to punish him severely for it And approaching near the Borders sent away Richard Earl of Gloucester and Iohn Mansell his special Clerk and Counsellor to discover whether he was guilty of that charge and whether he would presumptuously defend himself therein or not Hereupon the Earl and Mansell taking with them a large attendance of choice men hasted to Eâenburgh and being advertised that the King and Queen were shut up in the Castle came to the Gates with some few of their company pretending themselves to be inferiour servants to this Robert de Ros by which means
approve themselves Loyal to him and the same year being in the Wars of Scotland was of the Retinue with Raphe Lord Nevill In 28 E. 3. he was constituted one of the Commissioners to Treat with the Scots touching the enlargement of Edward Brus King of Scotland then Prisoner in England and in 29 E. 3. was in the Wars of France So likewise in 33 E. 3. And departed this life upon Sunday next ensuing the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin without Issue being then seised of the Mannor of Holbeche in Com. Linc. two parts of the Mannor of Dacre in Com. Cumbr. as also of the Mannors of Fyshwyke Halton and Eccleston in Com. Lanc. and of the Mannor of Nether-Tralyng within the Sherifdome of Rokesburgh in Scotland leaving Ranulph de Dacre his Brother then Rector of the Church of Prestecotes his next Heir at that time Forty years of age who doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands Margaret the Mother of the before specified William being then alive but died the same year upon Friday next after the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin being seised of the Mannor of Holbeche in Com. Linc. Eccleston in Com. Lanc. Bârton Aldelathes Hoffe and Moyty of the Town of Overton in Com. Westmorl As also of the Castle of Naworth and Mannors of Irthington Brampton Burgh upon the Sands Kirk-Oswald Laysingby with the Hamlets of Brakanhill Echesbye Milverton and Northwode in Com. Cumbr. the before specified Ranulph de Dacre Rector of the Church of Prestecotes being then found to be her Son and next Heir Which Ranulph in 39 E. 3. was in the Wars of Scotland and in 45 E. 3. constituted one of the Commissioners for guarding of the West-Marches And having been summon'd to Parliament till 47 E. 3. departed this life upon Friday next after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in 49 E. 3. being then seised of the Mannors of Halton Fishwike Quekelette and Moiety of the Mannor of Eccleston in Com. Lanc. Irthington Brampton Kirk-Oswald Laysingby Burgh upon the Sands Dacre Farnham and Irthingrode in Com. Cumbr. leaving Hugh his Brother and Heir Forty years of age Which Hugh in 43 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into France and of the Retinue with Iohn Duke of Lancaster and in 45 E. 3. being then a Knight having done wrong to the Earl Douglas of Scotland contrary to the Articles of Truce betwixt both Realms to the damage of an hundred pound which Sum Henry Lord Perci thereupon paid to the said Earl Command was given to the Sheriffs of London to apprehend him and to put him in Prison until he should make payment thereof to the Lord Perci In 45 E. 3. he was again in Commission for guarding the West-Marches and in An. 46 E. 3. in the Wars of France Likewise in that Expedition into Flanders in 47 E. 3. In Three Four and Five R. 2. he was again constituted one of the Commissioners for guarding of the West-Marches and having been summon'd to Parliament from 50 E. 3. until 5 R 2. inclusive departed this life upon Thursday preceding Christmas-day in 7 R. 2. being then seised of the Mannor of Overton in Com. Westmor as also of the Castle of Naworth and Mannors of Irthyngton Kirk-Oswald Laysingby Burgh upon the Sands Dacre and Ferntham in Com. Cumbr leaveing William his Son and Heir Twenty six years of age Which William had thereupon Livery of his Lands his Homage being respited in regard he was at that time in the Kings Service at Scotland In 11 R. 2. this William was in the Garrison of Barwick with young Henry Perci then Governor thereof and having been summon'd to Parliament from 7 R. 2. till 22 R. 2. departed this life 20 Iulii the same year leaving Thomas his Son and Heir Twelve years old who making proof of his age in 10 H. 4. had Livery of his Lands Which Thomas in 4 H. 5. was by Indendenture reteined to serve the King in his Fleet at Sea for one quarter of an year with Thirty Men at Arms and Sixty Archers And in 8 H. 5. constituted chief Forester of the Forest of Inglewode in Com. Cumbr. In 2 H 6 he was one of the Commissioners appointed to Treat with Iames the first then King of Scotland for a lasting Peace betwixt both Realms And in 11 H. 6. was again in Commission to Treat with the Scors at Hardenstank touching Satisfaction for such injuries as had been done to the English by some of that Nation In 13 H. 6. he had an eminent Command in that Army raised in the Northern Counties for defence of the Garrison at Barwick then in danger to be assaulted by the Scots And in 30 H. 6. was appointed one of the Commissinoers to Treat with Iames Earl Douglas upon certain Articles which had been signed by him And having been summoned to Parliament from 14 H. 4. until 33 H. 6. departed this Life upon the Fifteenth of Ian. 36 H. 6. Whereupon Ranulph his second Son was found to be his next Heir Male and at that time 26 years of age Thomas the Eldest being dead in his life time which Thomas by ... his Wife Daughter of Richard Bowes Esq left Issue Ioane his sole Daughter and Heir then Married to Sir Richard Fenys Knight Whereupon the King by his Letters Patents bearing date the Seventh day of November declared the same Richard Fenys to be Lord Dacre and one of the Barons of this Realm as also that he should enjoy all pre-eminence belonging to that degree Of which Sir Richard Fenys and his Posterity having spoke at large in my discourse of that Family I return to Ranulph commonly called Lord Dacre of the North. This Ranulph firmly adhering to King Henry the Sixth against those of the House of Yorke then in Arms and foyled in the Battle of Wakefeild in 38 H. 6. in consideration of his eminent services in that War obtain'd a Grant of Forty pounds per annum to be paid out of the Revenues of the Mannor of Plumpton then in the Kings hands by the attainder of Richard Earl of Salisbury Slain in that Battle And had Summons to Parliament in that 38 th year But the Scene soon changing by that absolute and signal Victory obtained by King Edward the Fourth at Towton-Field in which Battle this Ranulph lost his life and had Burial in Saxton-Church-yard with a mean Tombe over his Grave he was by Act of Parliament began at Westminster 4 Nov. 1. E. 4. attaynted and all his possessions forfeited to the Crown viz. the Mannor of Barton and Moiety of the Mannor of Hoffe in Com. Westmorl as also of the Castle of Naworth
Iaques whence he went to Bayone whereupon all that he had in Gallicia was again recovered by the French in fifteen days After this the King of Castâle sent to him to Treat of a Marriage betwixt his own Son and his Daughter And at the request of the Duke of Berry a Truce was made by him in the parts of Tholouse and âvergue In 11 R. 2. he had commission to Treat of Peace with the King of Spaine and the same year was constituted Lieutenant of the Dutchy of Aquitane In 12 R. 2. during his absence he obtained divers priviledges in his Dutchy of Lancaster viz. for a Chancery Court there and to have Writs for that Office under his own Seal as also Justices for Pleas of the Crown as well as other with all Royalties belonging to a County-Palatine in as ample manner as the Earls of Chester ever had Likewise for an Exchequer with Barons and other necessary Officers and power to make Justices-Itinerant for pleas of the Forest c. Besides Câistance his Wife there was Catherine his Daughter by her as also his two other Daughters by Blanch his first Wife viz. Philippa then unmarried and Elizabeth Countess of Pembroke who had left her young Husband behind in England by reason whereof he caused a Divorce betwixt himself and her and Married the Sister of the Earl of March which Elizabeth had been formerly Wedded to Sir Iohn Holand but his Daughter Philippa he Married to the King of Portugal and Catherine to the King of Spaine Whereupon that King making agreement with him he came back into England in November An. 1389. 13 R. 2. with much Treasure for it s said that he had forty seven Mules laden with Chests full of Gold for his second payment and divers great Men of Spaine as Pledges for the yearly payment of sixteen thousand Marks for his life and in case his Wife should survive him she to have twelve thousand Marks yearly In his return from those parts he releived Breât in Britanny then Besieged by the French Being thus come home by the consent of the Lords and Commons then assembled in Parliament 2 Martii the same year he was Created Duke of Aquitane by putting a Cap upon his Head and giving him a Rod of Gold to hold it of the King as of the Realm of France In An. 1390 14 R. 2. he had a great and noble Hunting in Leicester-Forest and all the Parks thereabouts divers eminent persons then accompanying him And in 15 R. 2. being constituted Lieutenant of Picardy went thither for the defence of those parts In the same year also being the chief of the Commissioners appointed to Treat of Peace with the French he concluded the same for one whole year Moreover the next ensuing year he was sent again as one of the Ambassadors to Treat of Peace with them and coming to the King of France at Amiens agreed with him for a Truce by the space of two years Whereupon after seventeen days stay there he returned accompanied by the Bishop of Durham the Earl of Rutland Son to the Duke of Yorke with a thousand Horse bravely appointed In 17 R. 2. he was again sent into France to Treat of Peace with the Dukes of Berry and Burgundy Unkles to the King of France In the time of whose absence Constance his Wife died and was buried at Leicester with great Solemnity upon the Sunday next after the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul About this time he was again constituted the Kings Lieutenant of Picardy as also joyned in Commission with Edmund Duke of Yorke to ratifie the Truce betwixt England and France which was agreed on for four years the Scots being also included therein In 18 R. 2. he obtained a Charter for divers Priviledges in his Hundreds of Gallow and Brothercrosse in Com. Norff. viz. Fines Amerciaments and Redemptions of his own Tenants as also year day and Waste Felons goods Return of Writs c. And in Autumne the same year went into Aquitane with a great power for the subduing of that Country But in 19 R. 2. after he had spent a vast summe of Money to gain the affections of the Inhabitants of those parts having been made Duke of Aquitane as is before observed the people rejected him Whereupon being recalled he came back and repaired to the King then at Laâgle where he kept his Christmass But though in shew he had an honorable reception he did not find it cordial he therefore hasted to Lincolne where his old Friend Catherine Swinford lay and Married her on the Octaves of the Epiphany whereat there was no little admiration in regard of her low birth After which he attended the King into France being with him at Guynes upon the meeting then had with the King of that Realm In 20 R. 2. he was again made Lieutenant of Picardy and shortly after that went again into Gascoine In which year the Parliament then convening at London he procured an Act for the legitimation of those children which he had begot on Catherine Swineford the Widdow of Sir Hugh Swineford Knight and Daughter to Sir Paen Roet Knight alias Guyen King of Arms which Children were these viz. Iohn sirnamed Beaufort afterwards Earl of Somerset Henry Bishop of Winchester and Cardinal as also Lord Chancelor of England Thomas Earl of Dorseâ and afterwards Duke of Eâeter Ioane first married to Sir Robert Ferrers of Oversley and afterwards to Raphe Earl of Westmorland In 21 R. 2. he had a special Commission to raise three hundred Men at Arms and six hundred Archers and to bring them to the next Parliament to be held at Westminster for the Kings Guard And in 22 R. 2. was constituted Lieutenant in the Marches towards Scotland from the beginning of the Truce betwixt both Realms for twenty eight years Before the end of which year he departed this life some say at his Castle of Leicester others at Ely House in Holburne and was honorably buried on the Northside of the Quire of St. Pauls Cathedral in London with Constance his second Wife where they had a noble Monument which was utterly destroyed in the time of the late usurpation Shortly after which Raphe Earl of Westmorland and Thomas Earl of Worcester with other his Executors procured Licence to found a Chantry there of two Priests to celebrate Divine Service for the health of his Soul as also for the Soul of Constance his Wife and all the faithful deceased But Catherine Swinford his third Wife surviving him departed this life upon the tenth day of May in the year 1403. 4 H. 4. and lyeth buried under a fair Tombe of Marble in the Quire of the Cathedral
return commanded the Van of his Army at Barnet Field where he became victorious He was likewise with him shortly after in the Battle of Tewksbury where after he had got the day and taken Prince Edward Son to King Henry the Sixth Prisoner he helpt to murther him in cold blood And in 11 E. 4. 11 Maii being made Lord Chamberlain of England for life in farther consideration of his many Services he obtained a Grant i in special tail of the Mannors of Midelham and Shyreshoton with their appurtenances in Com. Ebor. of the Castle and Lordship of Penreth with its Members in Com. Cumb. And of all the Lordships Mannors and Lands which Richard Nevill late Earl of UUarwick or the Heirs Male of his Body or any of his Ancestors whose Heir Male he was held Also of the Mannors Honors and Lordships of Hethingham and Castle of Hethyngham Sibill Langdonhall Dodynghirst Fyngrith in Blakmore Crustwyth Beamoâd Benteley Yeldham Hall Bumsted Helyon Steple-Bumsted Eston-Hall Colne Crypping-Hall Stanftede Monsichet and Canefeld with its Members in Com. Essex of the Stewardship and custody of the whole Forest of Essex of the Castles Lordships and Mannors of Habendone Dullyngham Saxton Camps Swafeham and Hengston in Com. Cantab. of the Mannor of Hornemede in Com. Hertf. Lavenham Mendham Tadyngston Cokefeld Aldenham and Preston in Com. Suff. Flete in Com. Cantii Chesham Ashton and Staunford in Com. Buck. Chepyng-Norton in Com Oxon. Poldeve Roseneython Etheron Predannek and Penhale in Com. Cornub. part of the possessions of Iohn late Earl of Oxford attainted of the Mannors of West-Hordone Pursers in Steâbyng Gymgrauf Shenfeld Cravenham Est-Tilbury West-Tilbury and Ames in Com. Essex part of the possessions of Lewes Fitz-Iohn attainted Also of the Mannors of Charde Acre Herthurst Giffard Boxtstede and Shelley in Com. Suff. and Enhale in Com. Cantab. late Robert Harleston's Esq attainted of the Mannors of Skrevelby Horn-Castell Maryng Over Tyngtone Marom Screvelby Vlfrire Thornton Connesby and Donington in Com. Linc. late Sir Thomas Dimocks Knight attainted of the Mannors of Sutton Tid St. Maries Tid St. Giles Gosberkirke Moreton Surflete Witham North-Wiltam Newton and Walcote in Com. Linc. and Upton in Com. Nott. late Sir Thomas de la Laundes Knight attainted of the Mannors of Longhton Ingoldsby Colston Basset Caworth Cortlingstoke and Remston in Com. Nott. part of the possessions of Iohn Truthale attainted and of the Mannor of Colsond Darcie in Com. Essex late belonging to Iohn Darcie attainted In this year likewise in the Parliament then held amongst other of the Lords he made Oath and recognition to Prince Edward eldest Son to the King and by a special Act of Parliament viz. 6 Oct. 12 E. 4. was enabled to hold to himself and the Heirs of his body lawfully begotten so long as any Heir Male of the body of Iohn Nevil Marquess Montague should continue the Honors Castles Lordships and Mannors of Midelham and Shiref Hoton with the Mannors of Est Lylling Elvyngton Skyrpenbek Yaresthorpe Raskel Houke Scoreby Wilberfosse Stanfordbrig Hunt-Burton and Knapton Rise in Holdernesse Sutton upon Derwent Sherborne in Herford-lithe Apilton in Ridale Sutton in Galtres and Thorlesthorpe Carletone Coverdale in Coverdale West UUitton UUodhall Ketilwell in Craven New-Bigging Thoralby with Bishopdale Burton Baynbrigg with the Vale of UUynslaw-dale Brathwayte Aykescarth Crakehall Busby Faceby Carleton in Cleveland little Crukehall Bowes New-Forest Arkel garth-dale Hopes otherwise called Est Hope West Hope Multon Forsete Gylling Salkeld Soureby Langwathby Scotby and Carlatone the Barony of UUorton Free-chase in UUinsla-dale ten pounds Rent issuing out of the Castle and Mannor of UUilton the Toll of Bowes the Mannors of Leamyng Disford and Smeton the Wapentakes of Langbergh Hang-wesâ Hallikeeld and Gylling the Advousons of the Churches of More Monketon UUalkyngton and Elvyngton and of a Chantrey in the Church of Appilton also of a Mill in Richemond and the Issues and Profits of a Farm called Litferme the half of the Soil and Wood of Snape called the UUestmode with all the Homages Rents called Castle-Ward Knights-Fees Rents and Services of Free-Tenants to the said Castle and Lordship of Richmond or any parcel thereof lately belonging to Richard Earl of UUarwick attainted And having been formerly flesht in the Murther of Prince Edward in 12 E. 4. he acted the like barbarous and cruel exploit upon the Person of the deposed King Henry the Sixth at that time kept Prisoner in the Tower of London After which in 14 E. 4. he was by Indenture reteined to serve the King his Brother in his Wars of France and Normandy with one hundred and twenty men at Arms whereof nineteen to be Knights and a thousand Archers And in 17 E. 4. was again constituted Lord great Chamberlain of England In 20 E. 3. he obtained a Grant of the Wardship and Marriage of George Nevill Son and Heir to Isabell late Wife of Iohn Marquis Montagu and in 21 E. 4. was sent with a numerous Army into Scotland where he wasted a great part of that Country In which year in order to the Relief of the East-Marches miserably opprest by the Wars he obtained Commission to buy by his Agents two thousand Quarters of Wheat a thousand Quarters of Barley Rye Oats Muncorne Beans and Pease And in 22 E. 4. also upon breach of the Truce he was again constituted Lieutenant and Captain General against the Scots But it was not long after this that King Edward the Fourth lived whereupon it being thought fit that King Edward the Fifth his Son should during his tender years be under the tuition of this Duke his Uncle and he to govern by the Name of Protector during his minority such was his ambition to have the sole Soverainity in himself that he most barbarously caused the young King with Richard Duke of Yorke his Brother to be privily Murthered in the Tower of London and having so done as next of blood set the Crown upon his own Head Our Historians report that this execrable fact was perpetrated by two merciless Men Miles Forest and Iohn Dighton through the procuring of Sir Iames Tirrel Knight a great confident of King Richards by smothering them in Bed about midnight their Lodging then being in that Building near the Water-Gate which is thereupon to this day called the Bloody Tower also that their Bodies were buried at the stair-foot there somewhat deep in the ground under a great heap of Stones And that when it was told King Richard in what an obscure corner they were laid he giving command for their Burial in a better manner a Priest which belonged to Sir Robert Brakenbury at that time Lieutenant of the Tower secretly removing them and dying shortly after it could never be known to what place they were carried But so it hath very lately hapned that in the Month of February An. 1674. their Bones have been casually found about nine foot deep under the first Haut-pace
he was seised of the Mannors of Langham and Peldon in Com. Essex Bucle parva in Com. Northampt. Colthorp Solbergh parva Smythton Myton super Humber Rymeswell and Beghom in Com. Ebor. and Westwode in the Isle of Axholme in Com. Linc. And in right of Catherine his Wife daughter and heir to Sir Iohn de Wingefeld Knight of the Mannor of Nether-hall in Saxlingham and the Advouson of the Church of Saxlingham-Thorpe as also of two Messuages Four hundred Acres of Land Ten Acres of Meadow Twenty Acres of Pasture and Forty two shillings Rent in Saxlynham Floteman-Neuâon Brokedysh and Herleston in Com. Norff. And of the Mannors of Wyngefeld Stradbroke Silham Fresyngfeld Sternefeld and Saxmundham Likewise of the Mannor of Wingefeld called Old-Halle and the Advousons of the Churches of Stradbâok and Saxmundham Also of the Chantry of Wingefeld and of Seven hundred Acres of Land Twenty Acres of Meadow One hundred Acres of Pasture Twenty Acres of Wood One hundred Acres of Heath One hundred Acres of Marish and One hundred shillings Rent in Wingefeld Silham c. leaving Michael his son and heir Twenty one years of age and six moneths and a daughter called Anne married to Gerard de L'isle son of Warine Lord L'isle It is reported of this Michael that he built a goodly House of Brick like a Palace opposite to the West-end of St. Maries Church in Kingston upon Hull with faire Orchards and Gardens and inclosed them with Brick-walls Likewise that he there built three other Houses each whereof had a Tower of Brick viz. two in the midst of the Town and the third upon the Bank of the River Hull I now come to Michael son to the before-speciied Michael This Michael in 15 R. 2. being a Knight having Married Catherine the daughter of Hugh Earl of Stafford and possessing âo more than the Mannors of Blyburgh and Herpeswell in Com. Linc. and Gresthorpe in Com. Nott. which were setled upon him and her in Marriage in the life time of his Father for their better support procured a grant from the King of Fifty pouâds per annum to be paid out of the Ferme of âingston upon Hull for an addition thereto And having so done obtain'd License to travel into Prusia Moreover in 1 H 4. by his humble Petition representing that whereas the Castle Town and Mannor of Eye in Com. Suff. with its members and all the Lordships and Lands thereunto belonging had been given to Michael Earl of Suffolk his father for the better support of his dignity and that by virtue of a Judgment in the Parliament held at Westminster in the 10 th and 11 th of the said King's Reign the same Castle and Lands were seized into the Kings hands As also whereas by an Act of that Parliament held in 21 R. 2. that Judgment being totally annulled restitution ought to have been made of the same Castle and of all other the Lands and Possessions whereof he was then seised And that for as much as in the Parliament held that very year all the Acts in that Parliament of 21 R. 2. were made void He therefore desired Restitution of the said Castle and Lands Unto which Petition due consideration being had and the rather in regard of his acceptable services to the then King upon his first landing in England by the assent of all the Nobles at that time in Parliament assembled he obtained a special grant of them accordingly As also that he and his heirs should be capable of inheriting all other the Lands and Lordships late belonging to the same Earl Michael or of any other his Ancestors And in particular that he and the heirs male of his body should enjoy the same Title of Earl of Suffolk and have the Castle Town and Honor of Eye with its Members and Appurtenances for the better support of his Estate and Honor. And in case he should depart this life without heir male of his body that then the said Town Castle and Honor c. should resort to the next heir male of the body of Michael his Father And in 5 H. 4. upon the death of Richard de lââ Pole his brother without issue was found to be his heir and doing his Homage had Livery of all the Lands whereof he then died seised Moreover in 9 H. 4. he was imployed beyond the Seas in the Kings service So likewise in 11 H. 4. And in 3 H. 5. being by Indenture reteined to serve the King in his Wars of France he declared his Testament 1 Iulii An. 1415. the same year Whereby he bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Church of the Carthusians at Kingston upon Hull betwixt the Tombe of his Father and Mother and the Altar Appointing that no Tombe should be placed over him but a flat Stone in case he should die in those Northern parts And if in any other part of England then to be buried in the Collegiate-Church of Wyngefeld in Com. Suff. on the North-side the Altar of the blessed Virgin To Catherine his Wife he thereby bequeathed a little Book with Tablets of Silver and Gilt as also the Coronet which was the Earl of Stafford's her Father To his son a little Primer which did belong to Iohn de la Pole his Brother constituting the said Catherine his Wife and Edmund his Uncle his Executors And being at the siege of âarâlew soon after died there of a Flux upon Wednesday 14 Sept. next ensuing the Feast of the Holy Cross the same year being then seised of the Mannors of Rymesweââ in Com. Ebor. Causton and Burgh in Com. Norff. as also of the Honor of Eye with the Hundreds of Lodingland Hertâsmere and Stow and of the Mannors of Westwode Blyburgh Lowystoke Combes Benhale and Ueyses-Mannor in Stratford in Com. Suff. leaving Michael his son and heir Twenty three years of age Who survived him but a while for within a moneth after he was slain in France in that great battel of Agincourt where the English had the Victory upon Friday being the Festival of St. Crisprin and Crispinian and buried at Ewelme in Com. Oxon. being then seised of the Mannor of Rymeswell in Com. Ebor. Causton and Burgh in Com. Norff. As also of the Castle and Mannor of Eye the Hundreds of Lodinglond Hertesmere and Stow Likewise of the Mannors of Combes Benhale Ueyses Mannor in Stratford Westwode and Blyburgh all in Com. Suff. leaving William his Brother and heir-male Nineteen years of age But though he thus died without issue-male he had three daughters who were his heirs-general viz. Catherine Elizabeth and Isabel The benefit of whose Marriages in 4 H. 5. was granted to William Earl of Suffolk their Uncle Of these Catherine being designed for a Nun at Bruâiard and accordingly received into that Monastery before she came of age the King
descended to him and it so clog'd with Debts that for the disengaging thereof he Married the said Frances his Grand-Daughter and Heir to Humble Ward the only Son of William Ward a Wealthy Goldsmith in London Jeweller to the late Queen of which Humble I shall speak farther in due place And departing this Life 23 Iunii an 1643. was buried in St. Edmund's Church at Dudley since pull'd down in the time of the late troubles by reason of its nearness to the Castle ¶ Having now done with this Line of the Barons of Dudley I come to Iohn the second Son to Iohn Lord Dudley This Iohn by Elizabeth his Wife one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Iohn Bramshot Esq Lord of the Mannors of Eatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Wiht as also of the Mannor of Brâmshot in Com. Suth had Issue Edmund his Son and Heir which Edmund upon her Death 12 Oct. 14 H. 7. was found to be thirty six years of Age. And having been trained up to the Study of the Laws in Grays-Inne as it seems by his Arms then set up and still remaining in a Window of the Chappel there became so great a proficient therein as that though then but young in 1 Henr. 7. he was made choice of to be one of the Privy Council to that prudent Prince proper prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polyd. Virg. In 19 H. 7. being then Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament he should have been made Sergeant at Law upon the 13th of November But for what reason appears not he did Petition that he might be discharg'd from assuming that Dâgree Whereupon the King directed his Precept to William Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal Commanding his forbearance to make out any Writ for his Call and in 22 H. 7. he obtain'd the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastitings in Com. Suss. This Edmund wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer Son to a Sive-maker in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugal disposition did first project the taking advantage against such as had transgressed the penal Laws by exacting from them the forfeitures according to those Statutes Or whether the King perceiving so fair a gap open to rake vast sums of money from his subjects finding those persons to be fit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses for filling his Coffers 't is hard to say But certain it is that these were they whom he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hateful business into good Language as the Lord Verulam saith And merited so well in that imployment as that he obtain'd a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Edward Grey Viscount L'isle whom he made his Wife and by her had issue divers Children But after King Henry had long made use of the services of him and Empson to that end he exposed them to such advantages as the discontented people had any colour to take against them for their manifold Extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their Estates Besides this having also packt-Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any Verdict which serv'd for their purpose they at length had their just reward for those oppressions For King Henry the Eighth in the first year of his Reign being desirous of popularity did by his Proclamation divulge that whosoever had received Injury by the Injustice of any should upon complaint to him have redress Which liberty did so incourage the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing would then satisfie but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Whereupon this Edmund being arraign'd at Guild-Hall in London upon Munday next after the xv m e of St. Iohn Bapt. 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumb. Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of St. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Sir Charles Somerset Knight Lord Herbert Stephen Iennings then Mayor of the City of London Sir Iohn Fineaux Knight Sir Robert Rede Knight Sir William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humphrey Coningesby Sir Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevil Sir Thomas Lovel Knight Sir Edward Poynings Kt. Sir Henry Marney Knight Sir Thomas Englefeild Knight and Sir Thomas Drury Knight Justices to inquire c. upon an Indictment of divers high Treasons and thereupon convicted he was on Wednesday next preceeding the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his Head smitten off on Tower Hill with Empson who had been-tryed at Northampton for the Peoples satisfaction upon the 28th of Aug. 2 H. 8. by virtue of the Kings Special Precept to that purpose leaving Issue three Sons Iohn Andrew and Ierome and a Daughter Married to William Lord Stourton Which Andrew being afterwards a Knight and in that Conspiracy upon the Death of King Edward the Sixth for raising the Lady Iane Gray to the Royal Throne had with others sentence of Death in 1 Mariae for the same Of these Iohn the Elder scarce of eight years of Age at his Fathers Death had to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esq of the Body to the King Who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained a special Act for the Repeal of the said Edmunds Attainder and restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree so that he might enjoy all his Fathers Lands Being therefore thus young many years passed before he appeared in any publick Employment so that till 15 H. 8. I have not seen any farther mention of him but then it appears that he was Knighted by Charles Brandon Duke of Suff. General of those forces sent into France against the Duke of Bourbon Also that in 19 H. 8. he accompanied Cardinal Woolsey into France who then went Ambassador thither and that in 26 H. 8 being the Kings Servant he was made Master of the Armory in the Tower of London for life with the Wages of xiid. per diem for his Groom in that Office Moreover that in 31 H. 8. he was Master of the Horse to the Lady Anne of Cleve then landed in this Realm in order to her Marriage with King Henry And in 32 H. 8. in those triumphal Justs held at Westm. upon the first of May and several days after was the first and principal of the Challenges against all Comers his Horse being trapt with white Velvet After which about two years by reason of his Descent on
willingly did either actually endeavor or seriously intend any thing against the person of the King or the State Thus far Godwin ¶ I now come to Edward the eldest Son to Edward Duke of Somerset by Anne his second Wife upon whom his chiefest honors as also divers Lands of great extent were entailed This Edward being dispossessed of all by the Attainder of his Father in that Parliament of 5 6 E. 6. so continued until the first year of Queen Eliz. But then through the especial grace and favor of that Queen being a Knight he was by Letters Patent bearing date 13 Ian. in the first year of her Raign advanced to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Beauchamp as also to the Dignity of Earl of Hertford That which I farther find most memorable of him is that he Married the Lady Catherine Grey Daughter to Henry Duke of Suffolk who was of near alliance in blood to the Queen and had been formerly Wedded to Henry the eldest Son to William Earl of Pembroke but lawfully repudiated And that she being discerned to be great with child was in 5 Eliz. committed Prisoner to the Tower of London though she acknowledged her self to be his lawful Wife Likewise that he being then recalled out of France having thither gone with the Queen leave and owning his Marriage with her was also there imprisoned And that the Archbishop of Canterbury and others being made choyce of to examine the business and to determine therein no witnesses of the Marriage being produced within the limited time gave Sentence that it was unlawful and the carnal copulation betwixt them unjustifiable as also that both of them for their transgression therein should endure due punishment Moreover that shortly afterwards being delivered of her first begotten Son in prison and after that of another having corrupted her keeper Edward Warner Lieutenant of the Tower was put out of his place and imprisoned and he himself censured in the Star Chamber upon these three points First for that he had vitiated a Maid of the Royal Blood Next that he had broke Prison And lastly that he had lain with her again Also that to this he answered that having lawfully married her and the Prison-doores being open he came to her in her sadness to comfort her and pay his Conjugal Debt Nevertheless he was fined at Five thousand pounds and kept prisoner for the space of nine years Nor was she set at liberty but there continued till her death Hereupon I shall add what I have heard related from persons of great credit which is that the validity of this marriage was afterwards brought to a Tryal at the Common-Law where the Minister who married them being present and other circumstances agreeing the Jury whereof Iohn Digby of Coleshill in Com. Warr. Esquire was the Fore-man found it a good Marriage This Earl lived to be an aged man and in An. 1605. 3 Iac. was sent Embassador to the Arch-Duke for confirming a Peace By the before-specified Lady Catherine his wife he had issue three sons Edward called Lord Beauchamp Thomas who took to wife Isabell the daughter of Edward Onley of Catesby in Com. Northampton Esquire and died without issue and another Edward As also Catherine a daughter who died young He had likewise two other wives first Frances sister to Charles Earl of Notingham and lastly Frances daughter to Thomas Vicount Howard of Bindon but by neither of them any issue And departing this life ... April An. 1621. 19 Iâc was buried in the Cathedral Church at Salisbury Which Edward Lord Beauchamp his eldest son in 6 Iac. obtained Letters Patents granting that he and the heirs-male of his body immediately after the death of Edward Earl of Hertford his father should be Barons of Parliament and have place and voice there As also other Letters Patent bearing date 14 Maii the same year for the enjoyment of the Title of Earl of Hertford in reversion after his the said Edward Earl of Hertford's death And having married Honora daughter to Sir Richard Rogers of Brianston in Com. Dors. Knight had issue by her three sons viz. 1. Edward who married Anne daughter to Robert Earl of Dorset and had issue by her Edward a son and Anne a daughter who died young 2. Sir William Seamour Knight and Sir Francis Seimour Knight And one daughter called Honora married to Sir Ferdinando Dudley Knight of the Bath son and heir apparent of Edward Lord Dudley But this Edward Lord Beauchamp died in his Father's life time viz ... Aug. An. 1618. 16 Iac And so did Edward his eldest son In so much as upon the death of Edward Earl of Hertford his Father Sir William Seimour Knight the second son succeeded him in his Honors and married two wives first the Lady Arabella daughter to Charles son to Mathew Earl of Lenox by whom he had no issue And afterwards the Lady Frances daughter of Robert Earl of Essex sister and coheir to Robert ãâã brother In An. 1640. 16 Car. 1. this William in consideration of his eminent merits being advanced to an higher pitch of Honor by the Title of Marquess of Hertford as by His Majestiâs Letters Patents bearing date 3 Iunii appeareth was thereupon constituted Governor to the Prince and faithfully adhering to that King of blessed memory at such time as through the influence of a prevalent Party in the late Long Parliament divers Armies were raised against him in most parts of this Realm under certain plausible pretence was made Lieutenant-General of all his Forces in the Counties of Wilts South Dorset Somerset Devon and Cornwall Moreover upon the third of Iune An. 1643. he was elected Chancellor of the famous University of Oxford and the same year made Groom of the Stole And living to see the happy Restoration of our present Soveraign King Charles the Second was by a special Act in that Parliament begun at Westminster 25 April in the 12 th year of his Reign restored to the Title of Duke of Somerset by a Repeal of that Act of 5 6 Edw. 6 th for the Attainder of Edward Duke of Somerset his Great-Grandfather After which upon the 24 th of October the same year he departed this life and was buried at Great Bedwind in Com. Wilts By the Lady Frances his wife he had issue five sons William and Robert who lived till the age of Twenty years and then died unmarried Henry who took to wife Mary the daughter to Arthur Lord Capell and died at the age of Twenty eight years in his father's life time Edward who died in his infancy and lastly Iohn Also four daughters Arabella who died unmarried Frances first married to Richard Vicount Molineux secondly to Thomas Earl of Southampton Lord High Treasurer of
THE BARONAGE OF ENGLAND OR An Historical Account OF THE LIVES and most Memorable ACTIONS of Our English Nobility In the SAXONS time to the NORMAN Conquest And from thence of those who had their rise before the end of King HENRY the Third's Reign DEDUCED From Publick Records Antient Historians and other Authorities BY WILLIAM DUGDALE NORROY King of Arms. Nam genus proavos quae non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra voco Ovid. TOME the First LONDON Printed by Tho. Newcomb for Abel Roper Iohn Martin and Henry Herringman at the Sun in Fleetstreet the Bell in S. Pauls Churchyard and at the Anchor in the Lower Walk of the New Exchange 1675. SERENISSIMO CELSISSIMOQVE CAROLO SECUNDO Dei Gratiâ MAGNAE BRITANNIAE FRANCIAE HIBERNIAE MONARCHAE Fidei Defensori GULIELMUS DUGDALUS NORROY Rex Armorum MAJESTATI Ejus Humillimus ac Fidelis Subditus Servus HOC OPUS D. D. THE PREFACE THere having been so much and so well in general already spoken in few words by that great Orator Cicero in commendation of History That it is the Witness of times past the Voice of Antiquity the Light of Truth and the Life of Memory to offer more were superfluous Most certain we are that every one naturally is desirous of Knowledge and Experience teacheth us That the gaining thereof is not any way better then by observing the success which hath attended the Actions of other Men. Ailred an old Monk of Rievaulx who lived in the time of King Stephen and Henry the Second in his Preface to the History of King Edward the Confessors life tells us That by Recording the Lives and Actions of the Good those who come after have encouragement to imitate their Vertues and that nothing more inciteth the mind of Man to an emulation of others then to hear the report of their noble Atchievements conceiving that by doing the like they may reap the like benefit It is said of Demetrius Phalaraeus that he advised King Ptolomy to provide himself of Books touching his Kingdom and such as did Treat of Military Actions to the end that therein he might read what his Friends durst not admonish him of And that when Alphonsus King of Aragon lay sick at Capua reading the famous Acts of Alexander the Great written by Quintus Curtius he grew so much pleased therewith that upon his recovery he said Farewel Avicen farewel Hippocrates and all other Physitians and long live Quintus Curtius the Restorer of my Health Of what relates to Kings and Soveraign Princes the Volumes which have been already written are large and numerous nor hath there been a neglect to preserve the memory of others though of inferior rank who have been famous in their times it being accounted a generous disposition in all Men to endeavor to know whence their Forefathers were For besides what we find of such dispersedly occurring in our Publick Histories and Annals Divers there are of whom a particular account hath been given as to their Marriages and Issue For instance of some great Families in Bretaigne by Augustine du Paz Of the Houses of Chastillon Guines Ardres and many other by Andrew du Chesne And of ours in this Realm by the Learned and Iudicius Robert Glover long since Somerset Herald in imitation of Claude Paradine his Alliances Genealogicks which with great exactness being performed was afterwards made publick by Thomas Mills his near Kinsman and Executor The like also of the Marriages and Issue of the Nobility of England with-some Historical Notes did Ralph Brook sometime York Herald accomplish in An. 1619. afterwards Reprinted with Corrections I wish I could not say with too sharp and severe Reflections by Augustine Vincent at that time Windsore Herald who in his Epistle Dedicatory to the then Earl of Arundel and Surrey Earl Marshal of England intimates his purpose of somewhat touching The Baronage of England and lives of such as had been Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter For the effecting whereof he had no small advantage by his free access to the Publick Records in the Tower of London being then a Clerk in that Office though what progress he made in either of these I never yet saw Of the Right Noble and Antient Family of Berkley of Berkley Castle in Com. Gloc. there hath that been done in an Historical way by the special Industry of a worthy Gentleman lately deceased which I heartily wish may be a Pattern for some others to follow it being faithfully extracted partly out of Publick Records and partly from the great mass of antient Charters and other Memorials still remaining in Berkley Castle I must ingenuously acknowledge that I had not any thoughts of attempting this Work here made publick until by God Almighties disposal attending the late King Charles the First of Blessed Memory in His Garison at Oxford according to the duty of my place and continuing in his service there from the beginning of November An. 1642. until the end of June 1646. I had both leisure and opportunity of perusing many excellent Histââââal Manuscrips choicely preserved in the Famous Bodleian Library and sundry Colledges there whence having gathered a large stock of fit materials in order to such a Work I grew encouraged to proceed farther and thereupon betook my self to a diligent search into those old Records in the Tower of London Office of the Rolls Exchequer and sundry other publick places Next into that incomparable Treasury of most antient and choice Manuscripts which the late Right Worthy Sir Robert Coâton Baronet had in his time happily get together And after that into divers other no less estimable which with much charge had been gained by the Right Honorable the late Lord Hatton and by his especial favor freely communicated to me likewise into that elaborate Collection from the Pipe-Rolls made by Mr. Roger Dodsworth my late deceased Friend and into sundry other whereunto my Quotations do refer Amongst which those of the before specified Robert Glover formerly Somerset Herald most opportunely acquired from several hands wherein they lay obscured were not the least A task indeed of such importance and weight for so at length I found it to be that though I had thus fitted my self with materials conducing thereto I could hardly be perswaded to undertake But considering at last that these my Collections which had been no small charge and pains to me were not like to be of such use to those unto whose hands they might hereafter come as to my self I resolved to put them in order and to begin the Work As to its Title The Baronage of ENGLAND some perhaps may doubt whether it be suitable and proper to it by reason it contains all other superior Dignities from a Baron to a Duke inclusive It is therefore to be noted That all those Degrees were antiently comprehended under that appellation and that this First Volume relates only to such
two fair Lordships viz. Righale and Beoâmesthorpe Which Lordship of Righale after her death he obtained by Agreement with the Monks to hold during his life and then to return to the Abbey Of his Lands I find no other mention in the Conquerors Survey then these viz. Wilebi Lochushum Aclum and Englebi with the several Hamlets then belonging to each of them Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland being at that time not Surveyed by reason they had been so wasted by Wars ¶ Upon the death of Siward Tosti Fourth Son to Godwyne Earl of Kent was made Earl of Northumberland by King Edward the Confessor An. 1056. being the Thirteenth year of his Reign by reason that Waltheof Son of Earl Siward being then but a Child was not able to govern This Tosti was a Person of a very stout spirit as will appear by what I shall farther say of him Upon the death of Kinsi Archbishop of York Aldred Bishop of Worcester being elected in his stead was accompanied to âome by this Earl Tosti upon his going to receive the Pall at the hands of Pope Nicholas the Second But if so hapned that when they came thither such exceptions were taken against him for some expressions that he was not only refused with dishonor but in his return robbed of all that he had At which Tosti being not a little moved boldly told his Holiness that his Excommunications which were laught at by Petty-Theeves and Robbers who were near him were not much to be feared in those Countreys that lay far off and therefore required That what the Archbishop had thus been robbed of should be restored again otherwise the loss thereof would be imputed to his fraudulency Adding That when the King of England should hear thereof he would make a stop of the Tribute which was to be paid unto S. Peter alleaging moreover That it would be accounted an impious thing that Aldred should return back into his Countrey thus robbed and dishonored Upon which Speech the Pope was prevailed with to give Aldred the Pall. About three years after this he accompanied his Brother Harold in that Military Expedition into Wales wherein Prince Griffin was subdued and slain But the next ensuing year upon that unhappy scuffle which fell out betwixt him and his Brother in the presence of the King at Windsore whereof I have spoke in the life of Harold he grew so implacably enraged that he forthwith hasted to Hereford where his Brother made a great entertainment for his Officers and there finding them met together most barbarously cut off their Heads and Limbs and put them into those Vessels of Wine Methe and other Liquors which were provided for that Feast And having so done sent to tell the King that he should find the Meat well powdered at the Feast whereunto he was going For which execrable act the King commanded that he should be foâhwith banished and so he was being also expellâd Northumberland by the general voice of the whole County who were not a little enraged against him for the same For further aggravation whereof what I shall here add did not a little contribute It hapned that this very year the Fifth Nones of October some Military Officers of Northumberland with Two hundred Soldiers came to York and by reason of that horrid murther of divers Gentlemen of their County Servants to Cospatric whom Queen Edgythe for the sake of this her Brother Tosti caused to be killed in the Kings Court by treachery upon the fourth night in Christmass and for the sake of others whom the preceding year this Earl Tosti had allured into her Chamber and murthered as also for the great Tribute which he the said Tosti had extorted from the whole County of Northumberland These Officers with the Two hundred Soldiers abovementioned fell upon the Servants and Retainers of Earl Tosti at York and there slew no less then Two hundred of them broke open his Treasury and took all that was to be found there Whereupon the whole County taking an Alarm went to Harold then Earl of the West Saxons into Northumberland and to those Honorable Persons whom the King had sent to keep Peace in that Country But though there and afterwards at Oxford on Simon and Iudes day all endeavors that could be were used for pacification with this Earl Tosti they unanimously opposed it expelling him the Countrey for these his transcendent Villanies who thereupon with his Wife fled to Baldwyn Earl of ãâã and Wintering at S. Omers continued in those parts until King Edwards death But not long after he got to the Isle of Wâght and there exacted very much from the Inhabitants then came to Sanowich and did the like at that Port And hearing that his Brother Harold then King had prepared Forces both by Sea and Land to go against him he sailed to the Coast of Lindsey in Lincolnshire and there burning divers Towns made great slaughter of the people Whereupon Edwyne Earl of Mercia and Morkar his Brother marched thither with an Army which caused him to quit those Parts and go into Scotland where he continued with King Maleolme that whole Summer And afterwards when he heard that Harold Harfager King of Norway was come to the Mouth of Tine with more then Three hundred Sail of Ships he hasted towards him with his Navy and entred Humber with him and there sailing upwards into Duse Landed their Forces at Richale Whereof King Harold having intelligence he forthwith marched towards the North but before he got into Yorkshire Edwyne and Morkar before mentioned with a considerable Army gave them Battle at a place called Fulford on the North side of the River Duse near York upon the Even of S. Matthias the Apostle where many of the Norwegians at the beginning of the fight lost their lives but being not able to withstand the power of so great an Army as the King of Norway and this Earl Tosti then had they were forced to flee with no little loss Howbeit within five days after King Harold himself came with a powerful Army to York and meeting with the Enemy at Stanford Bridge after a sharpe and bloody conflict obtained the victory In which fight the King of Norway and this Earl Tosti lost their lives Having thus traced this haughty and turbulent spirited Earl through sundry turmoils and mischeivous practises to his death all that I shall more say of him is That he is said to be the first Founder of the Monastery of Tinmouth and that having S. Cuthbert in great veneration he was very munificent to the Church of Durham as also That he took to Wife Iudith the Daughter of Baldwyn Earl of Flanders but had no issue whereof I have seen mention Of such Lands as this
for that in so doing he had endeavored to deprive his eldest Son Ethelbald of his Right to succeed him and partly because in his return he had wedded Iudith Daughter to Charles then King of France Earls of Dorset THe first Earl of this Province that I find is Aethelhelme who in the year 838. King Egbert then Reigning after an honorable Victory which he had upon the Danes that then invaded this Land in pursuing them farther than was safe lost his life ¶ The next is Osric or Osred who in the year 845. in the time of King Ethelwolph joyning with Earnulf Earl of Somersetshire and Alstane Bishop of Shireburne encountred the Danes in Battle at Pedredesmuth slew a multitude of them and obtained a signal Victory This is that Osric whom some of our Historians do call Earl of Hantshire ¶ After him scil in the Reign of King Edgar Egelward of whom I have not seen any other memorial than his being Founder of the Abbey of Pershore in Worcestershire Earls of Devon THe first Earl of this County that I read of was Karl who in the year 851. Athewulph being then King of the West Saxons fought valiantly against the Pagan-Danes which did then much infest this Kingdom and obtained a great Victory against them at Winborne in Dorsetshire The next was Odda who in the year 878. King Alfred Reigning was besieged in a certain Castle by those Pagan-Daneâ After him Edred of whom I find no other mention than that he died in the year 901. a Moneth before the death of King Alured and that he had been a faithful assistant to him in many Battles Then Ordgar in the time of King Edgar of whose beautiful Daughter called Alfrida there is a notable Relation first of her marriage with Ethelwolfe Earl of the East Angles and afterwards with King Edgar himself whereof I shall take notice at large when I come to speak of the said Ethelwolfe Of this Ordgar this is cheifly memorable viz. That he Founded the Abbey of Horton in Dorsetshire which was a Cell to Shireburne and likewise Tavestoke in Devonshire in the year 961. And dying in the year 971. was buried in that Abbey where he had a fair Tomb as also that he had a Son called Edulf of a Giant-like stature and wonderful strength of whom it is reported That coming to Exeter with King Edward Son and Successor to King Edgar and finding the Gates of the City shut up and barred he with his hands and fâât burst them open and that this Edulf had a Monument also in the same Abbey of Tavestoke in proportion suitable to the immensity of his Bulk This ãâã is sometimes called Ordulf and by some reported to have been the Founder of that Abbey of Tavestoke After Ordgar a certain Norman Earl called Hugh was made Earl of this County by Queen Emme which Hugh partly by his negligence and partly treachery suffered Sweine King of Denmark to enter Exeter and make great spoil there To him succeeded Ailmâââ who being also Earl of Cornwal is under the Title of that County spoke of And to him Odo unto whom King Edward the Confâssor gave also the Earldoms of Somerset and Dorset Earls of Kent OF Kent the first Earl whereof I have seen any mention and that upon a memorable occasion was Ealhere viz. A Victory against the Danes in this County in the year of Christ Dccclii Who arriving in the Mouth of Thames with 350 Ships landed a great Army wasted the City of London and foiled Beortulph King of the Mercians in open fight But at length coming to Sandwich were encountred by King Ethelstan Son to Athelwulph the West Saxân King and by the help of this Earl Ealâere after great slaughter totally put to flight nine of their Ships being then also taken About two years after this valiant Earl with the assistance of Wada Earl of Surrey gave them Battle again in the Isle of Shiâey where though at the first onset he had the better of the day yet at last the Danes prevailing he lost his life The next Earl of this County that I meet with was Ceolmund so constituted by King Aelfred in the year of Christ Dcccxcvii to withstand the incursion of those Pagan-Danes which then much infested this Land In the time of King Canutus Godwyne a person of great note in those days and of a most Noble Extraction was Earl viz. Son of Wolnoth Son of Egelmar Son of Egelrick Brother to that great Edric-Streona Earl of Mercia in the days of King Ethelred commonly called the Vnredy In the year 1024. this Earl Godwyne was General of the English Forces in that expedition made by King Canutus with his Army consisting of English and Danes against the Swedes in which he performed most signal service for discerning the King to have great loss in the first days fight he privily assaulted the Enemies Camp in the night following slew a multitude of them and routing the rest compelled Vlfe and Eiglafe Kings of that Nation to peaceable terms But the next thing memorable of him that I have met with was a most perfidious and ignoble Act which much clouded the honor he gained by that brave and heroick exploit the Story whereof is briefly this The year following the death of King Canutus who was in truth no other than an Invader here Aelfred Son to Etheldred late King of England by just Succession having remained in Normandy with Duke Richard his Uncle for a long time made sail hither with Five and twenty Ships full of stout Soldiers to challenge his rightful Inheritance and arriving at Sandwich advanced to Canterbury whereof Earl Godwyne having notice he went and met him and having assured him of his Fidelity feasted with him that Evening But soon after in the night time when Aelfred and his followers were asleep in their Beds at Guilford in Surrey he rushed in upon them with a multitude of armed Men and binding their hands behind them set them on a row causing them all to be beheaded except the tenth man and not satisfied with that decimated them once over again so that ââw were left alive After which he bound the Royal Aelfred himself a young Prince of great honor and carried him to the City of London unto Harold Son to Canutus by the power of this Earl then made King who upon sight of him commanded that he should forthwith be carried to the Isle of Ely and his eyes put out which being performed he soon died The substance of this most perfidious action of Earl Godwine doth Simoen Dunelmensis also relate but with instances of greater barbarity taking notice that upon the death of young Aelfred at Ely as is above exprest his Body
was buried in the South Porch on the West part of the Cathedral there But on these his faithless and cruel practises little comfort or quiet attended for no sooner was King Harold dead but Hardi-Canutus King of Denmark who succeeded him in the Throne calling to mind the injuries done by Harold unto himself and his Mother sent this Earl Godwyne with some others unto London causing them to dig up the Body of that deceased King unto whom he had been so obsequious whilest he lived cut off his Head and threw it with his Body into the Thames and moreover growing most highly displeased with him would not accept of any other attonement than a present to be made of a Ship Gilt with Gold and Tackâing suitable wherein were Fourscore Soldiers in Gilt Armor each of them having two Bracelets of Gold on their Arms weighing sixteen ounces as also Habergions or Coats of Fence of Gold Gilt Helmets Swords with Gilt Hilts girt to their Loyns and a Danish Ax of Gold hanging on their left Shoulders In their Left-hands each bearing a Target with Gilt Bosses and Nails and in their Right a Lance called in English a Tegar And having by this extraordinary present thus qualified the King to excuse his cruel murther of young Ethelred in the Isle of Ely as hath been said he laid the fault wholly upon King Harold affirming that against his will he was compelled thereto by him But observing notwithstanding this specious excuse that the English Nobility were highly incensed against him for that perfidious and barbarous Act so that his safety here was much in danger he fled into Denmark and there continued for the space of four years his Lands and Possessions here being in the mean time confiscated Howbeit taking notice of the singular Piety and Clemency of King Edward sirnamed the Confessor who upon the death of Hardi-Canutus was Crowned King he adventured again into England and came to London where the King and all the great Men of the Land then âate in Parliament imploring the Mediation of his Friends and Kinred for Favor and Mercy who thereupon being brought into his presence and charged by the King with the guilt of his Brother Elfreds Blood denied the fact and put himself upon tryal of that Court where after divers Arguments by the Earls and Barons at that time so assembled some in favor of him and some otherwise up stood Leofric Earl of Chester a Person of great Integrity and no less Piety and said That though Earl Godwyne waâ a Man of the greatest Parentage of any in England yet he could not deny but that by his procurement Elfred was put to death And therefore advised That the same Earl Godwyne and his Son with those Twelve Earls who were his Friends and Kinsmen should in all humility go to the King each of them carrying as much Gold and Silver as he was able to bear and offer it unto him as an atonement for that transgression most humbly beseeching his pardon for the same and restoration of his Lands upon doing of his homage and fealty All which being accordingly performed the good King did not only condescend thereto but to put the greater obligation upon him took unto Wife Edgitha his Daughter But within few years after it hapned that upon the landing at Dover of Eustace Earl of âolâin who had married Goda the Kings Sister some of his followers being rude and imperious in taking up Lodgings there killed one of the Townsmen whereat the rest grew so enraged that they presently fell upon the Earls Retinue with all violence slew twenty of them and wounded very many more Earl Eustace therefore who hardly escaped their fury with one of his men hasted to the King then at Gloucester and made a grievous complaint to him of this mischeif Whereupon the King sent for this Earl Godwyne and commanded him That with his power he should vindicate this injury so done to the Earl of ãâã but Earl Godwyne rather excusing the fact then endeavoring any reparation for the same under colour of restraining the incursions of the Welsh raised the Kentishmen with those also of Suâââx and West Saâony his eldest Son Sâanus acting in like manner throughout the Counties of Oxford Gloucester Somerset Hereford and Berks and Harold another Son amongst the East Saxons East Angles Huntingdon and Cambridgeshires and formed a very great Army Whereupon King Edward forthwith sent for Leofric Earl of Mercia and Siward Earl of Northumberland who forthwith got what Forces they could together Raphe Earl of Hereford Nephew to the King viz. Son to his Sister Goda assisting with all the power he could raise But in the mean while Godwyne marching into Gloucestershire pitch his Tents at âangtreo in that County and sent Messengers to the King requiring the delivery up of Earl Eustace and all his followers then in Dover Castle and threatning otherwise that he would denounce open War against him Howbeit the King refusing so to do and Earl Godwyne discerning that the Army which the King had raised by the help of those Earls was not inferior to his submitted to an amicable Treaty to be held at London for appeasing of that quarrel Whereupon the King marched with his Army thither and Earl Godwyne likewise with his which he quartered in the Borough of Southwark In order therefore to this peaceable composure the King sent to Earl Godwyne to come to his Court with no more than Harold his Son and twelve of their Retinue unarmed requiring also that they should deliver up unto hem what Military Services were due unto them throughout all England But in answer to this Message they alleaged That they durst not adventure themselves without Hostages to that Contion of Factious Men for so they termed the Kings Council then about him nor without peril and disgrace come thither with so few men and unarmed But the King observing that the Soldiers of Earl Godwyne fearing the strength of his Forces did by little and little out-run their Colours caused open Proclamation to be made that the Earl should appear at his Court as before he had required or depart out of England within five days Whereupon with Gytha his Wife and three of his Sons viz. Tosti Swane and Gyrth he hasted to Thorney where having a Ship ready to transport them they soon got unto Baldwyne Earl of Flanders whose Daughter Iudith Tosti had married his two other Sons Harold and Leofwyne sailing from Bristol into Ireland But long it was not ere this great Master of Mischeif making all hostile preparations for that purpose returned into England again so also his Sons Harold and Leofwyne who came back out of Ireland and entring the Mouth of Severne made no small spoil in Somerset and Dorsetshires
was slaim Which Grant of Hetlege in Suffolk was confirmed by the same Lady Elflede his Wife After him Harold Son to Earl Godwyne was Earl of this County but upon the death of Earl Godwyne his Father the Earldom of the West Saxons being given to him he quitted this of Essex unto Algar Son to Leofric Earl of Chester of which Algar I purpose to speak under the title of the Earls of Mercia Earls of East Angles or Norfolk THe first Earl of this Province of whom I have seen any mention is Aethelstan who was then Half-Koning id est Semi-Rex and this was in the time of Aethelstan King of England Which Earl Aethelstan taking to Wife a certain Woman named Alfwen afterwards Nurse to King Edgar had by her four Sons viz. Ethelwold Alfwold Ethelsine and Ailwine This Earl Aethelstan in his later days devoting himself to a Religious life was shorn a Monk in the Abbey of Glastonbury in Somersetshire The name of his Wife was Alwen but whose Daughter is not exprest Foundress of the Nunnery of Chateriz in Cambridgshire Which Alwen gave Weston to the Monks of Ramsey but was buried at Chateriz To Aethelstan succeeded in this Earldom his eldest Son Ethelwold by some called Ethelwolfe in the time of King Edgar of whom there is this memorable Relation viz That King Edgar after the death of that fair Lady Elflede his Queen having heard how great same Alfrida Daughter to Ordgar Earl of Devon had for her beauty privately sent this Earl Ethelwolfe as his cheif Confident to see if she was such a one as general report had represented her to be Who accordingly took his journey to her Fathers House in those parts and finding her in all respects really to be no less than had been exprest of her he bethought himself how to delude the King and obtain her for his Wife and thereupon made his Addresses to Earl Ordgar her Father to that purpose Who being an aged and an infirm Man and discerning this Ethelwolfe to be a comely person and skilful in the exercise of Arms concluded That he might be a fit match for this his sole Daughter and Heir as being able to defend her Rights and thereupon gave his assent thereto upon condition That the King would assent Having thus far proceeded Ethelwolfe returns and tells the King That indeed she was a Lady of a beautiful Countenance but much deformed of Body whereupon the King being content to let her alone Ethelwolfe intreated his good will that he might have her himself by which means a fair accession of Lands and Riches might come to his own Estate and soon obtained his desire Whereupon within a short space after he took her to Wife and begetting upon her a Son prevailed with the King to be one of his Godfathers Having thus accomplished his desires first in the enjoyment of a Son and next in this Alliance to the King by that Spiritual Kinred he then revealed to his Wife the whole story how he had deluded the King who had so great a desire to have married heâ which much abated her after affections to him though she made no words thereof But at length it so hapned that the truth of this Earl Ethelwolfs actings in this business being fully made known at Court the King hasted speedily into Devonshire under colour of Hunting in those parts and returned not till he had seen this fair Lady with whose beauty he became so enamored that he caused a place of entertainment to be prepared for her and her Husband near the Wood wherein he was to hunt unto which he was no sooner returned from his sports but he saw her with his little God-son whom Ethelwolfe soon presented to him the King thereupon embracing her in his Arms and kissing her After which being enflamed with the love of her he had little rest his thoughts tending to nothing so much as the full enjoyment of her For the accomplishing therefore of that his desire he calls a Parliament within eight days following at Salisbury in which all his Nobles of the Land being met he proposed to their consideration the safe custody of Northumberland against the irruptions of the Danes Whereupon this Earl Ethelwolfe was resolved on for the custody of York and the parts adjacent But so the design was laid that he should never return back as it seems for passing through the Forest of Werwelle in Hantshire he was set upon by certain armed Men sent thither by the King to lie in wait for him and there barbarously murthered The news whereof was no sooner brought to the Court than that the King sent for that beautiful Lady and with great joy made her his wife the same day both of them wearing Crowns on their Heads But on the morrow morning Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury afterwards better known by the name of Saint Dunstan came into the Kings Lodging Chamber and boldly asked him who that was that he had there in Bed with him and it being answered The Queen the good Archbishop plainly replied That it was against the Laws of God and Holy Church thus adulterously to lie with her whose Son he had been Godfather to in regard of their Spiritual Kinred After which time she never loved S. Dunstan yet he ceased not to admonish the King of that fault though to little purpose All that I have farther to say of this fair Alfrida is First That she bore unto King Edgar two Sons Edmund who died in his childhood and Ethelred commonly called the Vnready who at his Baptism pist in the Font whereupon this holy Man S. Dunstan prophecied That in him the Dominion of the English should have its period wherein he was not much wide as our Historians do tell And secondly That to expiate the murther of Earl Ethelwold her Husband she Founded a Monastery of Nuns at Werewelle beforementioned To this Earl Ethelwold so murthered as hath been said succeeded Ethelwine by some called Egelwine or Ailwine his youngest Brother in this Earldome which Ailwine was the pious Founder of that great Abbey of Ramsey in Huntingdonshire at the special instance of Oswald Archbishop of York whereunto he then gave Two hundred Hides of Land This is that pious Earl Ethelwine who when Elfare Earl of Mercia and divers other great Men upon the death of the good King Edgar being blinded with gifts would have turned out those Abbots and Monks out of the Monasteries which had been therein placed by that King stoutly stood up with his Brother Alfwold and Earl Brithnoth then Earl of ... and opposed the same in an open Synod affirming That they would never endure that the Monks should be expelled the Kingdom who were the Supporters of all Religion therein whereupon he was termed Dei Amicus This was also that famous Ailwine who had the title of Totius Angliae Aldermannus id
use of light Armor which so astonished the Welsh that Griffin being forced to flee to Sea for his safeguard they offered Hostages in case they might have Protection to become tributary to King Edward And to manifest their reality therein they slew Griffin within a short time after and sent his Head to Earl Harold who forthwith conveyed it to the King substituting another Prince of Wales in his stead This is all that I have seen of his actings in Wales other than his beginning of a noble structure at Portaseith that the King might be the better accommodated when he came to hunt in those parts but Cradoc the Son of Griffin prevented his finishing thereof by slaughter of most of the Workmen and taking away all the Materials In this year it so hapned that the King being at Windsore Harold shewed himself so familiar with him as to drink to him in a Cup of Wine Which boldness seeming distastful to Tosti his elder Brother then present and Earl of Northumberland he pulled Harold by the Hair of the Head whereupon a scuffle began which many by-standers did endeavor to foment but the King made only this observation on it viz. That the just wrath of God did produce this deadly feud betwixt these most pernicious Brothers for notorious it was That all the Sons of that late Trayterous Earl Godwyne were so transcendently wicked that if they saw any comely Seat they would murther the owner of it in the night time and destroying his Children possess themselves of it Yet so subtile were they in their Flatteries with the well-meaning King that by abusing his innocency after they had perpetrated the greatest villanies they made themselves the cheif Rulers and Disposers of all things in the Kingdom Others report this scuffle betwixt Harold and his Brother Tosti thus viz. That they being jesting with one another in the presence of the King Harold fell from jesting to lug his Brother by the Hair and throw him on the ground and that had he not been prevented he would have strangled him with his hands Whereupon the King taking notice of the passage said That there would be very great feud betwixt them hereafter and that one of them should be the destruction of the other That which now remains to be said of this Earl is is getting of the Crown which his ambitious thoughts had long aimed at The manner whereof was thus King Edward departing this life without Issue the great Men of the Land grew not a little doubtful whom they should set up to be King Some of them inclining to William Duke of Normandy whom King Edward had designned as was said some to this Earl Harold others to Edgar-Etheling Grandson to the late King Edmund Ironside who was in truth the rightful Heir but then young But Harold being a crafty man considering the danger of delay upon the very Festival of the Epiphany on which King Edward was buried extorting Fealty from the Nobles set the Crown upon his own Head Whereof his Brother Tosti who sufficiently hated him having notice he sailed presently out of Flanders where he was at that time with no less then Forty Ships and coming into Scotland where he met Harold Harfager King of Norway made a compact with him and invaded England with design to conquer his Brother Harold Which being made known unto Harold he raised all the power he suddenly could and marching Northwards to oppose them at Stanford Bridge in Yorkshire which is over the River Darwent after a sharp conflict wherein his Brother Tosti and the King of Norway were both slain became absolute Victor But most avariciously converting all the Booty and Spoils of the Field to his own sole benefit so discontented his Soldiers that they unanimously forsook him and disperst themselves Nevertheless so highly was he âlated with this great success that not at all regarding his Oath made to William Duke of Normandy partly for that the young Daughter of that Duke to whom he had been so affianced as hath been said was dead and partly considering that Duke William was at that time embroiled in some Military disputes with his Neighbors of Britanny he sleighted those fair overtures which had been made to him thinking himself secure enough And to justifie himself therein the more alledged That the Oath which he had made to the Duke being in time of necessity was not to be kept as also that the Kingdom whilest King Edward lived could not without his privity be disposed of to any But Duke William was of another mind for no sooner did he hear that Harold had thus made himself King but that he sent Ambassadors hither to put him in mind of the breach of his Faith and not without some threatning intimations of his farther purpose Whereunto Harold made reply That in truth he was of necessity compelled when he betrothed his Daughter in Normandy to make that Oath of delivering this Kingdom of England unto him but utterly denied that a compulsory Oath was at all to be kept Adding That if a Vow or Oath made by a Maid in the House of her Parents without their assent be void much more his who being under the power of the King and compelled to take an Oath without the Kings privity Moreover he alleadged That it must be held too much presumption to alienate the Inheritance of a Kingdom without a general consent of the people and that it was a most unjust request that he should quit the Kingdom which he had undertaken to govern with so much favor of the greatest persons therein But the Duke when he heard of these Allegations was not a little enraged and therefore having obtained the approbation of Pope Alexander to countenance his intended expedition for England prepared considerable Forces with which he put to Sea from the Port of S. Ualeries and landing at Pevensey near Hastings in Sussex did soon after put that dispute to the decision of the Sword by a bloody Battle the Circumstances whereof are at large related by our Historians wherein Harold though fighting most courageously and with great resolution lost his life After which his Body was delivered by the Conquerors appointment to William Malet to be Interred upon the Sea-shore near at hand but being begged by his Mother was buried in the Abbey of Waltâam in Essex which he had Founded Whence it is said he marching to this Battle and making his Orisons to the Holy Cross whereunto that Church was dedicated the Cross at his departure as a farewel to him did bend it self and ever after continued in that leaning posture The Lands which this Earl Harold possessed in King Edward the Confessors time were very great in divers Counties as appears by the Conquerors Survey viz. Flanebury Cattune âoningesburg with divers Hamlets thereto belonging
tide to turn began to consult his own safety And for the better ingratiating himself with the King not only brought in all his Forces but with those alone took Bedford by Assault which had always set light by the Royal Authority and delivered it into the Kings hands And besides all this in 11 Steph. when the King sate down with his Army before the Castle of Wallingford he came in to him with no less than Three hundred well-appointed Horse and there stedfastly continued until a most impregnable Fort was raised for the close besieging that Garrison which had much annoyed the Countrey by frequent excursions But notwithstanding all this the King durst not trust him considering his former actings so that unless he would deliver up the Castle of Lincoln and all other places of strength then in his power it was resolved he should be secured which being afterwards accordingly done at Northampton he was by the Kings command laid hold on and cast into prison Howbeit giving Hostages and making Oath that he would no more be disobedient he had free permission to enjoy the benefit of his Earldom Yet no sooner was heat liberty than neglecting his Oath he began to flie out again seising upon the Kings Castles some by fraud and some by force Howbeit coming to Lincoln expecting to take it by assault he was repulsed with much loss Thence therefore he hasted to his Castle at ãâã whereof finding the Kings Forces possessed he presently raised a strong Fort to besiege them but the King hearing of it made all speed he could to relieve it In which attempt divers of his men were slain and wounded and the King himself hurt yet after a while having gotten more strength he again adventured and then utterly routed them In which action many lost their lives our Earl himself not escaping without Wounds About this time there hapning some variance betwixt this Earl Ranulph and Owen Prince of North Wales Ranulph gathered a power of his friends and hired Soldiers from all parts of England and with the help of Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powys who disdained to hold his Lands of Owen entred North Wales But Owen meeting them at âounsythâ gave them Battle and utterly routed all their Army After this sâil in An. 1150. 15 Steph. this Earl assisted at the Knighting of young Henry Duke of Normandy at Carâeol by David King of Scotland and there came to an Agreement with that King touching âarleol which he claimed as his Hereditary Right and did him homage for it it being then said That instead of Carleol he should have the Honor of Lancaster and that his Son should marry one of the Daughters of Henry Son to the King of Scotland Whereupon they all agreeing to march with what power they had against King Stephen the King of Scots and young Henry advanced with their Forces to Lancaster expecting to have met this Earl there with his as he promised but he failed them And the next year following betaking himself to his wonted treacherous courses was laid hold on by King Stephen and through very strait imprisonment put to great misery nor could he obtain any liberty until he had yielded up Lincoln and all his strong Holds into the Kings hands and given Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester his Nephew for an Hostage Howbeit after he had by that means got his enlargement he performed nothing of what he promised but exposed his Hostage to danger and for regaining his Castles did his utmost to recal young Henry out of Normandy Thus we see how restless this stout Earl was in that quarrel of the Empress and her Son yet before his death he grew more calm as may appear by those amicable Articles of Agreement made betwixt him and Robert then Earl of Leicester at that time one of the Kings most firm Champions in the presence of Robert then Bishop of Lincoln and their own respective Retinues viz. On the Earl of Chesters part Richard de Lovetot William Fitz-Nigel and Ranulph his Sheriff and on the Earl of Leicesters part Ernâld de Bois Geffrey Abbot and Reginald de Bordiney the substance whereof were as followeth viz. I. THat the Earl of Leicester should thenceforth possess Mountsorel Castle to be held of Earl Ranulph and his Heirs upon condition that he should receive Earl Ranulph and his Retinue into the Borough and Fort there upon occasion And in case of necessity that Earl Ranulph himself should lodge in the Castle II. That if the King should command the Earl of Leicester to assist him against Earl Ranulph that he must not take with him above twenty Men at Arms. And in case the Earl of Leicester take any thing from Earl Ranulph in that service faithfully to restore it III. Likewise that the Earl of Leicester should not upon any occasion damnifie Earl Ranulph except he sent him a Defiance fifteen days before IV. That he should assist Earl Ranulph against all Men excepting the King and Earl Simon yea against Earl Simon also in case that he do Earl Ranulph any wrong and not make recompence for it upon request made by the Earl of Leicester V. That he should do his utmost to defend all the Earl of Chesters Lands and Possessions which were within his power VI. Moreover that Raunston Castle should be demolished unless Earl Ranulph should be otherwise content And if any person should hold that Castle against the Earl of Leicester Earl Ranulph to give his real assistance for the destroying it VII That if Earl Ranulph should have cause of Action against William de Alneto the Earl of Leiceâter should bring him to tryal in his Court so long as he should hold any Lands of him And in case the said William shall recede from his fidelity unto the Earl of Leicester for demolishing that Castle or for bringing him to such Tryal in his Court Earl Ranulph not to give William de Alneto any protection By this Accord also the Earl of Leicester was to have the Castle of Witewic belonging to Earl Ranulph fortified ¶ The like Covenants were on the part of Earl Ranulph unto the Earl of Leicester and that he should assist him against all men except the King and Robert Earl Ferrers Also as to the razing of Raunston Castle if any one should hold it against the Earl of Leicester ¶ Furthermore it was agreed That neither of them should erect any new Castle betwixt Hinkley and Coventrey nor betwixt Hinkley and Hacareshul nor betwixt Coventrey and Donington nor betwixt Donington and Leicester nor at Gateham nor at Kinolton nor nearer Nor betwixt Kinolton and Belvoir nor betwixt Belvoir and Okeham nor betwixt Okeham and Rokingham nor nearer unless by the mutual assent of both Likewise That if any man should erect
Hortatory to all his Tenants the Money was raised by a free Contribution Being thus at liberty again in 18 Edw. 2. he was one of the Ambassadors then sent to the King of France for securing the Dutchy of Aquitane from farther spoil by the French It is said That about this time by the Kings procurement he should have murthered the Queen and the Prince In 1 Edw. 3 this Iohn obtained License to grant the Earldom of Richmund together with the Castles of Richmund and Bowes which he had of the gift of King Edward the Second unto Arthur his Brother and Heir In 5 Edw. 3. he obtained the like License to grant unto Mary de S. Paul Countess of Pembroke the same Castles of Richmund and Bowes with all other the Mannors and Lands belonging to his Earldom of Richmund And in 7 Edw. 3. procured leave to reside beyond Sea to follow his own business But all I can farther say of him is That he gave Three hundred pounds to the new building of the Grey-Friers Church in London bestowing many rich Jewels and Ornaments thereon and departing this life in 8 Edw. 3. without issue was buried at Uanys in Britanny Whereupon Iohn de Dreux Son of Arthur Earl of Britanny did his homage for this Earldom of Richmund but died 16 May 15 Ed. 3. Soon after which Iohn Duke of Britanny and Earl of ãâã having his Earldom of Montfort seised upon by the King of France in regard he adhered to King Edward in recompence thereof obtained a grant of this Earldom of Richmund to hold as freely as Iohn late Duke of Britanny and Earl of Richmund enjoyed the same until such time as he should reposses his Earldom of Montfort Whereupon he did his homage for it In 19 Edw. 3. the King being necessitated to another Expedition into France required this Iohn to repair unto him upon the Feast-day of S. Lawrence with all his Retinue well-fitted with Horse and Arms and to attend him thither In 36 Edw. 3. he was again on the behalf of King Edward in the Wars of France But that which I next meet with as most memorable of this Iohn is That whereas King Edward the Third had by his Charter bearing date 20 Sept. the Sixteenth of His Reign advanced Iohn of Gant his fourth Son to the Dignity of Earl of Richmund and thereupon given him the Honor of Richmund with all the Castles Mannors Lands c. to the same Earldom appertaining in 34 Edw. 3. taking notice thereof he released and quit-claimed to the said Iohn of Gant all his Right Title and Claim thereto Howbeit some years after viz. in 45 Edw. 3. upon a certain Agreement then made betwixt King Edward and this Iohn the King then granting unto him in General Tail divers Castles and Lands in Aquitane to be held of the Prince of Aquitane by Homage As also the whole Dukedom of Britânny to be held of the said King Edward as King of France by homage he rendred to the said King divers other Castles and Lands Whereupon the next ensuing year upon a farther Agreement betwixt King Edward and him for the special affection which the King bore unto him as the words of the Patent do import and to the end that he and the heirs of his Body should keep those Covenants which were then newly made betwixt them The King then gave unto him and Ioan his Wife and to the heirs of his Body the Castle Town and Honor of Richmund with all the Castles Mannors and Lands thereto belonging as also the Earldom of Richmund shortly after which viz. in 48 Edw. 3. he served the King again in his Wars of France but afterwards being taken at Nants by the Earl of Bloys died in prison at Paris leaving issue by the said Ioan his Wife Daughter to Charles King of Navarre afterwards married to Henry the Fourth King of England Iohn his Son and Heir and a Daughter called Ioan Wife to Raphe Lord Basseâ of Drayton Which Iohn being stiled The Valiant in 1 Rich. 2. was by Indenture retained to serve the King in his Wars of France for one quarter of an year with Two hundred Men at Arms whereof himself accounted Twelve Knights and One hundred eighty seven Archers And in 2 Rich. 2. in conâideration of the Castle of Brest in Britanny which he delivered up to King Richard obtained a Grant to himself and Ioan his Wife Sister to the King of the Castle and Mannor of Rising in Com. Norf. with that part of the Toulbooth at Linne appertaining to the King In 3 Rich. 2. bearing the title of Duke of Britanny Earl of Montfort and Richmund he was again in the Wars of France But shortly after this falling off to the King of France contrary to his Faith and Allegiance to the King of England and his Progenitors his Lands in England were seised Whereupon after some time ensued his absolute deposal from all titles of Honor here by Act of Parliament After which viz. in 21 Rich. 2. Ioan his Sister then Widow of Raphe Lord Basset of Drayton obtained Livery of the Castle County and Honor of Richmund Ribald of Middleham HAving thus done with the Succession of these Earls I come to Ribald a younger Brother to Alan sirnamed Niger the Second Earl of Britanny and Richmund This Ribald by the gift of Earl Alan his Brother had the Lordship of Middleham in the Northern Parts of Yorkshire which he held together with Scrastone Speningetorp Havogswell and Wadles in that County at the time of the General Survey made by King William the Conqueror And in his age betaking himself to a devout course of life was shorn a Monk in the Abbey of S. Maries at York To him succeeded Raphe his Son and Heir of whom I find that he took to Wife Agatha the Daughter to Robert de Brus of Skelton and had with her the Lordship of Ailewic in Hertnes in Frank-marriage as also that for the health of the Souls of his Father and Mother he gave to the Monks of Fountaines in Com. Ebor. all those Lands lying betwixt Aldeburgh and Welle touching which there had been variance betwixt them and likewise that Common of Pasture belonging to Welle and Snape and the other Hamlets appertaining to Welle to hold for Ten years from the Feast of S. Martin which should next happen after the death of William Archbishop of York commonly called Saint William To which Grant Robert and Ribald his Sons as also Henry his Brother were witnesses And that in 14 Hen. 2. he paid half a mark to the King upon Collection of the Aid for the marriage of Maud his Daughter to the Emperor To this Raphe succeeded
Hostages for their future peaceable demeanor But this fair shew of Peace proved no other than a deceitful contrivance to entrap the English For the Scots hereupon gathering their whole strength together about Scrieuin thereupon enticed our Earl to march thither who inadvertently adventuring the most of his Forces over the Bridge saw them utterly routed and destroyed before he could get to their relief Which caused so great a consternation upon himself and the remainder of his Men that they fled immediately to Barwick and thence into England Notwithstanding which loss he was again constituted General for an other expedition into Scotland and thereupon with divers other of the English Nobility advanced thither But tidings being brought of a Peace which was concluded by King Edward then in Flanders and the Scots no farther acts of hostility were then done on either part And in 28 Edw. 1. was made Governor of the Castle of Hope in Com. Derb. In An. 29 Edw. 1. he was sent with Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and others to treat with Agents from the King of France upon Articles of Peace betwixt King Edward and the Scots And in 32 Edw. 1. again imployed into Scotland on the Kings service But before the end of that year he died at âenington near London upon the fifth Calends of October having continued Earl of Surrey no less then Fifty four years and was buried in the midst of the Pavement in the Quire of the Abbey of Lewes before the High Altar with this Epitaph upon his Tomb-stone Vous qe passer ov bouche close Prier pur cely ke cy repose En vie come vous esti jadis fu Et vous tiel ferretz come je su Sire Iohan Count de Garenne gist ycy Dieu de sa alme eit mercy Ky pur sa alme prierra Troiz mill jours de pardon avera Certain it is that he was a person in high esteem with the King as may seem by that special Precept directed to the then Bishop Elect of London whereby signifying how pious and before Almighty God a meritorious work it was to pray continually for the dead that so they might be the more easily delivered from the burthen of their sins and that this our Earl who had been a most faithful and useful Subject and Servant to him and the whole Realm was then departed this life to his very great sorrow he required him that he should cause his Sonl to be commended to the Mercy of God by all Religious and Ecclesiastick Persons throughout his whole Diocess of London The like Precept was directed by the King unto the Archbishop of Canterbury for his whole Province as also to the Abbots of S. Augustines in Canterbury Westminster Waltham S. Albans S. Edmunds-Bury and Evesham Moreover for Indulgencies to such who should pray for his Soul I farther find that Robert then Archbishop of Canterbury granted forty days Gilbert Bishop of Chichester forty days Thomas Bishop of Rochester thirty days the Bishop of Durham forty days the Bishop of âarleol forty days the Bishop of Lincoln forty days the Bishop of Coventry and Liechfield forty days and Iohn Bishop of Chichester forty days His Wife viz. Alice already mentioned Sister by the Mothers side to King Henry the Third departed this life the fifth Ides of February An. 1290. 19 Edw. 1. and was buried under a Marble-stone before the High Altar in the Abbey Church of Lewes whereon the Figure of a Dragon with a Branch in his Mouth was graven By her he had issue William who wedded Ioan Daughter of Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford and had with her the Mannors of Medmenham in Com. Buck. Crawmersh in Com. Oxon. and Beston in Norfolk in Frank-marriage as also the Mannors of Prittlewell Tiburne Wulfhamstone Nechamsted and Ginges and Lands of Ten pounds per annum in Cestreham He had also issue by her the said Alice two Daughters viz. Alianor and Isabel which Alianor was first married to Henry Lord Percy and afterwards to the Son of a Scotish Earl and Isabel to Iohn Baillol afterwards King of Scotland This William died in the life time of the Earl his Father upon the eighteenth Kalends of Ianuary in An. 1286. 14 Edw. 1. leaving Ioan his Lady great with Child with Iohn his Son and Heir afterwards born upon the second Kalends of Iuly the same year and was buried before the High Altar in the Abbey of Lewes Which Ioan departed this life upon the eleventh Kalends of December in An. 1293. 21 Edw. 1. and lieth buried with her Husband before the High Altar at Lewes under a high Tomb. ¶ I come now to Iohn Son to the said William but born after his death as hath been said who next succeeded in these Earldoms of Warâen and Surrey as Heir to Iohn his Grand-father This Iohn having an offer made unto him by the King in his Chamber at Westminster in Parliament upon Munday next before the Feast of S. Edward King and Martyr 33 Edw. 1. Of Ioan Daughter to Henry Earl of Baar gratefully accepted thereof he being not then fully twenty one years of age and took her to Wife That which I find next memorable of him is That at that great solemnity of making Prince Edward Knight at the Feast of Pentecost An. 34 Edw. 1. he then received the like honor the whole number then Knighted being no less then Two hundred threescore and seven In the next year following the last of that Victorious Kings Reign he was with him in that his Scotch expedition wherein he died And in 2 Edw. 2. was at that great Tourneament at Wallingford unto which Piers Gavaston brought such a multitude of strangers to the great affront and abuse of the English Nobility In 4 Edw. 2. he went again into Scotland being in such favor with the King that he obtained a free Grant the same year of the Castle and Honor of Peke in Derbishire together with the whole Forest of High Peke to hold during his life in as full and ample manner as William Peverel antiently enjoyed the same before it came to the Kings of England by Escheat In 5 Edw. 2. upon that high discontent by the Nobles of this Realm against the new raised Minion Piers Gavaston this Earl with the Earl of Pembroke besieged Peirs in Scardeburgh Castle and forced him to render himself In 6 Edw. 2. he obtained the Kings Charter for a weekly Market every Tuesday at his Mannor of âigaâe in Surrey Also for another Market at his Mannor of Cukefeld in Surrey upon the Monday and a Fair there yearly upon the Eve day and morrow after the Feast of the Holy Trinity Likewise for a Market every Tuesday at âychening in Sussex and a Fair
Mary Overy the Church of Plumbton ¶ To this Reginald succeeded William his Son and Heir who in 31 Hen. 2. paid Scutage by reason of this his Honor for Military Service done in Ireland And in 2 Rich. 1. Seventeen pound two shillings six pence for the Scutage of Wales In 5 Rich. 1. he had the custody of the Heir of Hugh de Chandos granted to him And in 6 Rich. 1. he accounted for Fourteen pound five shillings upon the Aid for that Kings Redemption In 3 Ioh. he again answered Twenty eight marks and an half for Scutage done for the Knights Fees belonging to this Honor. And in 5 Ioh. gave Four hundred marks to the King for License to marry Milisent the Widow of Richard Muntfichet with her Dowry she being his second Wife This William Founded the Priory of Wirmgay and gave to the Canons of Southwark with his Body there to be buried Sixty Acres of Land in Fortiscre for the health of the Souls of Reginald his Father Alice his Mother Beatrice his Wife Reginald his Son and the Souls of Beatrice and Isabel his Daughters And in An. 1208. 11 Ioh. died leaving the same Beatrix then Widow of Dodo Bardulf his sole Daughter and Heir who the next ensuing year gave a Fine of MMM C. marks for Livery of the Lands Heredirarily descended to her by the death of her Father and assignation of a reasonable Dowry of her Husbands Lands so that she might not be compelled to marry again as also that her Father Debts should be paid as well out of the Goods of Milisent his Wife as out of his own Which Milisent was living in 3 Hen. 3. This Beatrix his Daughter afterwards became the Wife of Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent and Justice of England who had with her the Mannors of Wirmgay Stow Roubeton and Feneburge as also certain Lands in Flesciâge in Com. Norf. But her Son William Bardâlf had after her decease this Honor of Wirmgay of whom and his Descendants I shall speak in due place Earls of Leicester THe first of this Family called Robert of whom I am now to speak was not advanced to this Earldom of Leicester until the time of King Henry the First yet being Earl of Melâent in Normandy in the time of the Conqueror I have thought fit to rank him amongst those of that Dignity in his time As for his Parentage by his Fathers side he was of near Alliance to the Conqueror viz. Son of roger de Belâomont Grand-son to Turolf of Pont Audomanre by Wevia Sister to Gunnora Wife of Richard the first of that name Duke of Normandy Great Grand-father to King William the First And by Adelina his Mother Heir to the Earldom of Mellent she being Daughter of Waleran and Sister to Hugh both Earls of Mellent which Hugh took the habit of a Monk in the Abbey of Beâ After whose death without issue this Robert obtained the Castle of Mellent for a sum of Money from the King of France and succeeded him in the title of Earl Of his signal deportment in that memorable Battle with Duke William whereby this Realm of England was thenceforth obtained hearken to what William Pictavensis saith Tyro quidam Normannus c. Acertain Norman young Soldier Son of Roger de Bellomont Nephew and Heir to Hugh Earl of Mellent by Adelina his Sister making the first ân-set in that fight did what deserveth âting Fame Boldly charging and breaking in upon the Enemy with that Regiment which he commanded in the Right Wing of the Army For which eminent Service he had vast Possessions bestowed on him here viz. In Warwickshire Sixty four Lordships and in Leicestershire Sixteen or the greatest part of them besides Seven in Wiltshire three in Northamptonshire and one in Glocestershire whereof Roger his Father was also possessed As to his after-actings I find that being a person of an haughty spirit and puffed up with Rewards and Promises from the King he came to Roan in An. 1090. 3 Wil. Rufi where boldly requiring of Robert Curthose Duke of Normandy the Castle of Ivery the Duke answered That he had given to his Father the Castle of Brâon for it which was an equal exchange Whereupon he replied I allow not of that Bargain but what your Father gave to my Father that will I have otherwise by S. Nichasius I shall do that which will displease you At which words the Duke growing very angry caused him to be laid hold on and imprisoned Whereof so soon as the crafty old Man his Father heard he sent the Duke a present hasting afterwards himself to him and with fine flattering expressions obtained his Sons liberty Now what the particulars of this subtil and deceitful dealing were I shall briefly tell Yvo having begun a Rebellion in England wherein he had done much mischief by firing some Houses of his Neighbors and being through the Kings excessive indignation towards him fined at a vast sum made his Addresses to this Earl of Melâent who was the cheif of the Kings Council hoping by his means to obtain some favor Who thereupon cunningly advised him to perform a long pilgrimage for effecting whereof he would help him to Five hundred marks of Silver keeping his Lands in pawn for Fifteen years with promise That at the end of that term they should be wholly restored to his Son and not only so but that he would give him his Brothers Daughter viz. Henry Earl of Warwick in marriage For the performance of which Agreement this Earl gave his Oath the King himself likewise assenting thereto But in this Pilgrimage Yvo departing the World his Son neither enjoyed the Woman as was promised nor any of his Paternal Inheritance In 25 Hen. 1. associating to himself Hugh de Montfort who had married Adelina his Daughter and others notwithstanding the former favors of King Henry to him he entred Normandy in an hostile manner but was encountred and taken prisoner by William de Tankervil who delivered him up captive to the King Other particulars as to his Secular actings I have not observed Take therefore this general Character of him from an eminent Author Fuit igitur Robertus Consul c. This Earl Robert of Mellent was the wisest of all Men betwixt this and Ierusalem in Worldly affairs famous for knowledge plausible in speech skilful in craft discreetly provident ingenuously subtile excelling for prudence profound in counsel and of great wisdom by which means he acquired vast Possessions viz. Honors Cities Castles Town Villages Rivers and Woods The Honors he had were not only here in England but in Normandy and France insomuch as he made the Kings of England Friends and Foâs to each other at his pleasure If he was displeased with any Man he forced him to a submissive Humiliation if
as well for his Father Huberts demerits and his own as the desire of Fitz-Osberne readily yeilded Being thus possessed of that great place and waiting on the Conqueror at ãâã in Normandy at the time of his Death he so subtilly managed the business on the behalf of William Rufus as that he may well be accounted the chief instrument in raising him to the Royall Throne for having first incited him to be active for himselfe in that great affair he hasted with him into England and through his insinuations with William de Pontearche obtained the Keys of the Treasury then at Winchester Thence sped to Dover Castle and obliged the Guardians of that strong Hold by solemne Oath that they should not give it up to any but by his advice The like he did at Pevensey and Hastings and other maritime Forts pretending that the King whose Death was kept secret would stay longer in Normandy and have good assurance of the safety of his Castles from himself then his Steward But having thus secured them he returned to Winchester and made it publickly knowne that the King was dead so that whilest the rest of the Nobles were consulting in Normandy touching the succession William Rufus was by the contrivance and actings of this Eudo advanced to the Royall Throne For which great service Rufus soon yeilded to the request which the Inhabitants of Colchester made viz. that they might have this Eudo to Govern amongst them in that antient City Whereupon coming thither and making serious enquiry into the state thereof he eased the oppressed restrained the insolent and pleased all And to the end that impositions upon the people might be timely alleviated he retained to himself the lands of Condemned and Outlawed persons And discerning on the South part of the Town a small assent at the foot whereof Siricus a Priest had then his habitation and a little Church built of Wood to the honor of St. Iohn the Evangelist wherein it was observed that Divine Lights sometimes appeared by night as also the sound of Heavenly Voices devoutly praising God and yet no man there And moreover taking notice what had hapned to a certain man who had been put in Fetters by the Kings command viz. that standing in that Church at the celebration of Mass the Bolts of his Fetters flew out whereby he was suddainly loosed he became so much transported with these Miracles that he resolved to found an Abby in that place wherein perpetual suffrages might be made for his Soul Which being made known to Maurice the then venerable Bishop of London he forthwith came thither and well approving the pious intention of this devout man promised his best assistance thereto In pursuance whereof upon the fourteenth of the Calends of September ann 1096. the Fabrick being designed and Workmen provided this famous Eudo laid the first Stone in that building But as to his endowment thereof with lands and revenues he could not then effect what he intended in regard that he stood non in favour with King Henry the first at the entrance of whose Reign this good work was begun being suspected for a well-wisher to his brother Robert Curthose Nevertheless King Henry for the sake of Rohese then wife to this Eudo daughter of Walter Giffard Earl of Buckingham and sister to William Giffard Bishop of Winchester widow of Richard son of Gilbert Earl of Brioââ in Normandy did not carry a severe hand towards him but at the instance of that Bishop and of Peter de Valoins his Sisters Son received him into favour So that at length this pious work being finished he endowed it with Lands Tithes and Revenues in such a plentiful manner as that those few Monks who were thither brought from the Abby of St. Maries at York to propagate their order in this new founded Monastry did soon increase to the number of twenty and more It is farther memorable of this Eudo that he built the Castle at Colchester also that lying on his Death-bed at the Castle of Preaux in Normandy he disposed of all his temporal estate according to the exhortation of King Henry who there visited him And bequeathing his Body to be buried in this his Abby at Colchester then gave thereunto his Lordship of Brightlingâie and an hundred pounds in Money Likewise his Gold Ring with a Topace a standing Cup with Cover adorned with Plates of Gold together with his Horse and Mule And there departed this Life leaving issue one sole Daughter and heir called Margaret the Wife of William de Mandevil by whom she had issue Geofrey Mandevil Earl of Essex and Steward of Normandy through her right Whereupon his Body being brought over into England was honorably Buried at Colchester as he desired upon the morrow preceding the Callends of March ann 1120. 20 H. 1. But his Lady Rohesia who died in Normandy shortly after had Sepulture there in the Abby of Bec. After which his possessions in England were by Maude the Empresse confirmed to the said Geffrey Mandevil Earl of Essex ¶ The next of this name touching whom I find mention is Henry de Rie who in the year 1146. 11 Steph. gave the mannor of Diepham to the Monks of Christ-Church in Canterbury But after him I come to another Hubert who in 8 Hen. 2. is taken notice of in Com Norff. and in 12 Hen. 2. upon the Assessment of the Ayre for marrying the Kings Daughter certified that he had Thirty five Knights fees for which in 14 Hen. 2. he paid Thirty five Marks but dyed in 18 Hen. 2. or sooner for in that year upon Collection of the Scutage of Ireland the Sheriff of Norfolk accounted Thirty five pounds for the Scutage of those Thirty five Knights fees of his Barony But he left not any issue Male for in 1 Ioh. Robert Fitz-Roger a great Baron in Northumberland gave Three hundred Marks for the yonger daughter of this Hubert to marry unto a nephew of his and in 13 Ioh. upon Collection of the Scutage of Scotland Iohn Mareschall who had married one of the daughters and heires answered for Seventeen Knights fees and a half part of that Honour and Roger de Cresci who had marryed another as much ¶ Of this Family also I presume was Iohn de Rye who adhering to the rebellious Barons in 48 Hen. 3. was taken prisoner with many more of that party upon the storming of Northampton by the Kings Forces But in 53 Hen. 3. at the instance of Edmund the Kings son obtained his pardon for his actings at that time After this viz. in 5 6 Edw. 1. there was Nicholas de Rye Sheriff of Lincolneshire And in 9 Edw. 1. Ranulph de Rye obtained the Kings licence for a Market every week upon the Munday at his Mannor of Gosberchurch in Com. Linc. as also for
First and likewise a Ratification of the Lordships of Eresham Walesham Alvergate and Aclay Notwithstanding which favors in 19 Hen. 2. he took part with Robert Earl of Leicester in that disloyal Insurrection then began by him adhering to young Henry whom King Henry had Crowned in his Rebellious practises against his Father and received from him a Grant of the whole Honor of Eye in Suffolk as also the custody of the Castle at Norwich And the better to support himself therein received the French and Flemings into all his Castles But in these his extravagant enterprises he thrived not long for the King prevailing demolished his Castle at Walton and advanced towards his other places of strength at Franângham and Bungey wherein having no more than Five hundred Soldiers many of which discerning their danger fled away despairing also of any farther supply he made his peace with the King for a Fine of a thousand marks and rendring those Castles with much difficulty obtained leave from the King that the Flemings might return into their own Countrey Not long after this he went into the Holy Land with the Earl of Flanders and died in An. 1177. 23 Hen. 2. Whereupon the King seised upon all his Treasure and retained it in his hands ¶ To this Hugh succeeded Roger his Son and Heir whom King Richard the First by his Charter dated at Westminster 27 Nov. in the first year of His Reign did again constitute Earl of Norfolk as fully as Hugh his Father enjoyed that Honor in the time of King Henry the Second And moreover rendred to him his Office of Steward to hold as freely as Roger his Grandfather or Hugh his Father held the same He likewise ratified unto him those Lordships of Eresham Walesham Alvergate and Aclay And restored and confirmed unto him all the Lands of Aubrey de Insulâ beyond Humber and on this side Humber id est Setrington and Holebrock with their Appurtenances and specially those Lands which did not any service to Belvoir Castle in the time of King Henry the First Moreover within the compass of the same year he made him one of his Ambassadors to Philip King of France for obtaining Aid towards the recovery of the Holy Land But for this favor from the King of enjoying the Earldom of Norfolk and that Hugh his Brother should not have Livery of any Lands which were his Fathers except by judgment of the Kings Court and his Peers he gave no less than a thousand marks to the King Shortly after this viz. in 3 Rich. 1. he was one of the Sureties for William de Longcamp Bishop of Ely then Chancellor to the King for performance of those Articles of Peace which were then concluded on betwixt Iohn Earl of Noreton and that Bishop King Richard then being in the Holy Land And when tidings were brought into England that King Richard was made captive in Almaine he received command from the same Bishop who was then newly returned from those parts to go back with him thither Moreover after the return of King Richard from his captivity 6 Rich. 1. he attended him with the rest of the Nobles in that great Council then held at Nottingham And at his second Coronation was one of those Four Earls that carried the Silken Canopy over his head In 2 Ioh. he was sent together with Philip Bishop of Durham with Letters of safe conduct unto William King of Scotland to require his speedy repair unto Lincoln where the King then held his Parliament to do his homage to King Iohn And in 15 Ioh. attended him into Poictou But afterwards scil in 17 Ioh. taking part with the Rebellious Barons was one of those that met together in an hostile manner first at Stamford and next at Brackley and discerning their own power exacted from him those strict Covenants whereby the Government was put into the hands of Twenty five of their party himself being one for which unparallel'd insolence he was with the rest of his complices excommunicated by Pope Innocent the Third In 5 H. 3. there being a determination made in the great Council then held at Oxford of that dispute which had in former times been raised betwixt the Earl of Leicester and this Earl Roger concerning the Stewardship of the Kings Houshold command was given to Ranulph Earl of Chester who had then the custody of the Earldom of Leicester that he should render unto this Earl Roger what was then remaining of the Ten Knights Fees belonging thereto In which fifth year of King Henry the Third he died as it seems for Hugh his Son had then Livery of his Lands performing his homage Another Son he had called William unto whom Robert de Sutton gave in Frank-Marriage with Margaret his Daughter all his Lands in Sutton and Bures with the Advowson of the Church as also the Serjeanty of the Hundred of Berstaple and Suit of all his Lands at Langedon with the Advowson of that Church which Grant was confirmed by King Iohn in the Eleventh of His Reign He had also a Daughter called Margery Wife of William de Hastings Son of William and had by the gift of her Father the Mannor of Little Bradley in Frank-Marriage But I return to Hugh In 7 Hen. 3. this Earl Hugh being with the Kings Army in Wales had Scutage levied upon all his Tenants that held of him by Military service in the Counties of Norfolk Suffolk York Essex and Leicester But of him I can say no more than that he took to Wife Maud the eldest Daughter of William Mareschal Earl of Pembroke by whom he had issue Roger who succeeded him in his Honors as also Hugh a younger Son who in 41 Hen. 3. was by the then prevalent power of the Barons made Justice of England And that departing this life in An. 1225. 9 Hen. 3. Alexander King of Scotland for the sum of Five hundred marks obtained the Wardship of Roger his Son and Heir Which Roger had formerly married Isabel Sister to the same King Alexander scil in 9 Hen. 3. In 17 Hen. 3. the King celebrating the Feast of Pentecost at Slocester girt this Roger with the Sword of Knighthood But soon after he was one of those that adhered to Richard Mareschal Earl of Pembroke in his Rebellious Actings In 18 Hen. 3. he had Livery of Framelingham Castle by the Kings special Precept In 21 Hen. 3. there being great animosities betwixt the Nobles of England a Tourneament was held at Blithe in Nottinghamshire where those of the South sided against them of the North In which Tourneament they falling to hostility the Southern Lords had the better of the day But in that Action none behaved himself more bravely than
advanced to the Title of Duke of Buckingham to hold to himself and the Heirs-male of his Body with the Fee of Forty pound per annum out of the Counties of Bedf. and Buâks Moreover in Iune following he was again retained by Indenture to serve the King as Captain of the Castle of Calais during his life with twenty nine Men at Arms on foot and twenty Archers on foot taking two shillings per diem for himself and for his Men at Arms and Archers six pence And soon after that was sent Ambassador with the Archbishop of York and others to treat with the Ambassadors of Charles of France the Kings Uncle touching a perpetual Peace betwixt both Crowns But being thus created Duke of Buckingham ther soon hapned thereupon great animosities betwixt him and Henry Beaâchamâ Duke of Warwick to whom the King had given precedence next before him For the appeasing whereof there was a special act made in Parliament viz. that they should have precedence by turns the one one year and the other the next and so alternately during their lives And the Survivor during his life to have precedence of the others Heir but afterwards such of the Heirs of each who should first happen to have Livery of his Lands to have precedence of the others Heir and the Duke of Warwick to take place the first year Which Duke of Warwick departing this life about two years after without Issue-male this Duke obtained a special Grant bearing date 22 May 25 Hen. 6. unto himself and his Heirs for precedence above all Dukes whatsoever whether in England or France excepting only such as were of the Blood Royal. Moreover in 28 Hen. 6. he was made Constable of Dover Castle as also of the Castle at Quinborongh and Warden of the Cinque-Ports And in 34 Hen. 6. after that fatal Battle of S. Albans where the Duke of York being victorious Humphrey Earl of Stafford his eldest Son lost his life seeing what specious pretences were made by that party to captivate the people he with the Duke of Sommerset got privately to Queen Margaret and gave her notice of the danger For which great adventures and inconsideration of his vast expences in attending the King in those turbulent times as well in Kent against his adversaries then in Arms as in other places in 38 Hen. 6. he obtained a grant of all those Finâs which Walter Devereux of Webley in Com. Heref. Esquire William Hastings of Birby in Com Leicest Esq and Walter Hopton of ... in Com Salop. Esq were to make to the King for their transgressions As to his works of piety all that I have seen is that in 24 Hen. 6. he setled an hundred marks per annum Lands and Rents upon the Dean and Canons of his Free-Chappel at Stafford for the perpetual maintenance of certain Priests there to celebrate Divine Service for the good estate of himself and of Margaret then Queen of England as also of Anne his own Wife during their lives here Likewise for the health of their Souls after their departure hence and for the Souls of all the faithful decâased By his Testament bearing date at Marstoke Castle 16 Augât anno 1460. 38 H. 6. he appointed that his Funeral should be solemnized without any sumptous costs or charge and that on the day of his Obit and Funeral two hundred Marks in Money should de distributed to poor people to pray for his Soul over and above all other costs that day in Meat Drink Cloathing of his Servants and Cloathing and Reward to poor men holding of Tapers Also that the Canons of Marstoke should before his decease have an hundred pounds in money to purchase Lands to the value of an hundred shillings per annum which if it were done in his life they should therewith augment that Covent with one Canon more for ever so that thenceforth there might be fourteen the Prior for the time being accompted for one Of which number one should sing daily and pray for his Soul and for the Souls of his ancestors as also the Souls of his Wife and Children at the Altar in the North Isle of the conventual Church at Marstoke abovesaid And moreover willed thereby his Colledge of Plecy in Essex of the Foundation of Sir Thomas of Wodstoke late Duke of Gloucester his Grandfather should be augmented with three Priests perpetually and six poor men to pray for his Soul and for the Souls of his ancestors his Wife and Children And that there should be purchased and lawfully amortized to the said Colledge by his Executors in case it were not done in his own life time for the augmentation and sustenance of the Master and Brethren of the said Colledge and of the said three Priests and poor men Lands and Tenements to the yearly value of an hundred Marks whereof every of the said seven poor men to have every week twelve pence for his sustenance and to find himself except Housing which he appointed to be built there for them by the advice of his Executors And that there should be builded on the North side of the Church of the said Colledge a Chappel to be hallowed in the worship of the Trinity and our Lady Moreover that there might be found and said in the said Chappel after that it should be so made and hallowed a Mass of our Lady whereunto the said seven poor men to come daily except they were letted by sickness to pray for the Souls abovesaid Of which Testament he ordained Executors his Wife as principal and his Brother of Canterbury But the date of this Will is certainly mistaken it should doubtless be 16 August ann 1459. which falls out to be in 37 Hen. 6. for on the 6 Kalend. of August which is 27 Iuly 38 H. 6. this Duke was slain in the Battle of Northampton fighting stoutly there on the Kings part and buryed as our Historians say in the Gray Friers at Northampton though others affirm that many of the slain were buried in that Monastry there called De lo pre and others in S Iohns Hospital By the Inquisition taken after the death of this Duke it is found that he died upon the tenth of Iuly in 38 Hen. 6. and that Henry Son of Humphrey his eldest Son who was slain in the Battle of S. Albans 22 Maii 33 Henr. 6. as hath been already observed was his next Heir and at that time somewhat more then five years of age Moreover that he then died seized of the Mannor ot Brustwyke with the Hamlets thereunto belonging commonly called the Dominion of Holderness in Com. Ebor. likewise of the Mannor of Desenyng with its members as also the Mannor of Hoverhull and Mannor of Cavenham called Shardlows in Com Suff. of the Mannor of Stratton-Audley in Com. Oxon. Ratcliffe upon Sore and Kneshall in Com. Notting Okeham Camerwell Blechynglegh with the Burrough Essyngham Chepsted
ãâã the last of Ianuary in the same year appâarâth In 2 Edw. 2. he was in another expedition into Scotland And in that year was one of those great men who took part with Thomas Earl of Lancaster and conspired the death of Piers de Gavaston the great favorite of that time for the better recovery of the peoples liberties In 3 Edw. 2. he was the principal pârson sent by the King from York with a sufficient strength for guarding the Marches of Scotland And in 5 Edw. 2. had restitution of the Constableship of England which the King had for some reasons seized into his own hands Furthermore in 6 Edw. 2. he was the cheif person in Commission to continue a Treaty begun at Marââyate with Lodowick Earl of Eureux the Bishop of Poâctou and others concerning certain matters of great moment touching the King himself and some of the great Noblemen of England which treaty was to continue at Loâdon but neither the Commissioners nor their retinue to lodge in the City But after this viz. in 7 Edw. 2. being in that fatal Battle of Strâvââg in Scotland and the English Army routed he was taken Prisoner in the flight near unto the Castle of Botheville yet had his liberty soon after by exchange for the Wife of Robert de Brus who had been long Captive in England In 8 Edw. 2. he was with the Earl of Lancaster and other of his party at the beheading of Piers Gavaston near Waâwick In 9 Ed. 2. he was again in Scotland In 11 E. 2 he received command to send two hundred Foot-Souldiers out of his Territories of Brecknock Penkenâlyn and Cantredsclyfe in Wales to be at Newcastle on the morrow after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy-Cross to march into Scotland And in the same year had a grant from the King of the Castle of Buelte in Ireland with the Lands thereto belonging In which year he entertained Sir Peter de Ouvedale Knight by Indenture to serve him during life and to receive Livery of Robes and ... as his other Batchelours as also bouche of Court with Hay and Oats for four Horses and Wages for four Groomes in time of peace whensoever he should come to Court by his command But in times of Warr and for Tourney Hay and Oatâs for eight Horses and Wages for eight Groomes with satisfaction for such Horses and Arms as he should lose in War in his service In 12 Edw. 2. he was again in the Kings service in Scotland So also in 13 Ed. 2. In 14 Edw. 2. the King having intelligence that he was raising forces in the Marches of Wales against Hugh le Despencer the younger for those reasons which I have in my discourse of William de Braose expressed sent him a peremptory command to forbear which he obeyed not but forthwith joyned with Thomas Earl of Lancaster in that great Insurrection then by him made and when others forsooke him stuck to him firmly the particulars whereof I referr to the Story of that Earl and having forced the King by terror to assent to those their insolent actings he published the Edict in Westminster-Hall for the banishment of Hugh despenceâ the elder And the next year following sâil 14 Edw. 2. joyned with Roger Mortimer and others in the wasting his Lands in Wales But soon after this the Scene altered for the King getting power so fiercely pursued these potent Rebells and all their adherents that at Burrough-Brigg in Yorkshire he utterly defeated them where this Earl endeavoring to pass the Bridge was by a Souldier who lurked underneath run through the Body with a Lance 16 Martii ann 1321 15 Ed. 2. and buried at the Friers-Preachers in York He had to Wife Elizabeth one of King Edward the firsts Daughters Widow of Iohn Earl of Holland Which Elizabeth had in joynture the Barony of Essex By whom he had issue six Sons viz. Humphrey who died young Iohn Humphrey Edward William afterwards Earl of Northampton and Aeneas And four Daughters viz. Margaret who died young Alianââ Margaret the Wife of Hugh de Courtney Son and Heir to Hugh de Courtney the first Earl of Devân of that name and Isabel who died in her Childhood Which Edward de Bohun in 4 Edw. 3. had a grant from the King of the Lordships of ãâã and Sende in Wiltshire part of the Lands of Hugh le Despencer Earl of Winâhester and forfeited by his attainder to hold to himsââââ and the Heirs male of his Body lawfully begotten But of him I have seen no more than that in â Edw 3 he was sent together with some of the English Nobles as Embassador into Scotland to be present at the Parliament of Edwârd Baillol then King of that Realm and that he died without issue To this last Humphrey succeeded Iohn de Bohun his Son and Heir in these Earldoms of Hereford and Essex and Constable-ship of England who was made Knight of the Bathe upon the twentieth of Ianuary 20 E. 2. and then had by the special command of Prince Edward his Robes for that Solemnity allowed unto him out of the Kings Ward-robe as for an Earl After which being girt with the Sword of Knighthood together with the King himself upon the Eve of the ãâã of our Lady 1 Edw. 3. by Iohn Brother to the Earl of Henault he went into Scotland in that expedition made the same year And in 9 E. 3. was again in Scotland in K. Edwards service This Iohn first took to Wife Alice Daughter of Edmund Earl of Arundell for the making of which match a special Dispensation was by the Kings special endeavor procured from the Pope to the end it might be a means to qualifie those great animoâities which then were betwixt both those families which Alice soon after died and was buried at Waldene He afterwards wedded Margaret the Daughter of Ralph Lord Basset but having no issue by either of them departed this life at Kirkby-Thure in Westmorland upon the Feast day of S. Fabian and Sebastian in ann 1335. 9 Edw. 3. and was buried at Stratford near London the Lands whereof he was found to die seized of being as followeth viz. a certain Tenement called Blanch-Appelton in the City of London the Mannor of Wokesey in Com. Wiltes Whytenhurst in Comit. Glouc. the Castles of Hay Brecknock Caldecote and Huntington in the Marches of Wales the Mannor of Agmondesham in Com. Buck. Northamstede in Comit. Hartf Enefeild in Com. Midd. Farnham Dunmaw Fobbyng Querndon Badewe and Depeden in Comitat. Essex Hatfeild and Brometho in Com. ... Kenebauton with the Castle and Honor in Huntendonshire Waldene Great-Waltham and Plessets with the Castle in Essex also and the Lordship of Donne in Middlesex which he held joyntly
the same year made Constable of Dover-Castle Warden of the Cinque-ports for Life and Admiral of the Seas for the South North and West-Coasts He was likewise one of the Founders of the most Noble Order of the Garter and departing this Life without issue 2 Decem. 34 E. 3. lyeth buried betwixt two Pillars on the South part of the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul in London before the Image of our Lady where he had a Noble Monument which was usually called Duke Humphreys Tombe He had summons to the Several Parliaments from 24 unto 34 Edw. 3. inclusive And for his residence in the City of London built a fair house in the Parish of S. Andrew near Baynard's-Castle which by his Executors being sold to King Edward the third was afterwards made use of for the Kings great Wardrobe I now returne to Thomas the succeeding Earl born in Warwick-Castle having to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Henry his Brother with Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth This Thomas was not two years old at his Fathers Death yet who had the Custody of him during King Edward the second 's Reign I find not Most like it is that Hugh le Despencer the great favorite of that time having a grant of his Lands as hath been observed had also the tuition of his person But certain it is that in 12 Ed. 2. which was about three years after his Fathers death the King wrote to the Pope that there having been great Contention and Discord betwixt Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick then lately deceased and Roger de Mortimer Lord of Wigmore touching certain Lands in the Marches of Wales he desired for the future appeasing of them that this Thomas thus in minority should marry one of the Daughters of the same Roger de Mortimer and therefore besought his Holiness for a special Dispensation to that purpose by reason they were allied together in the third and fourth degrees of Consanguinity And in 18 of his Reign sent other Letters to the Pope representing the animosities and discontents amongst divers of his Nobles with the dangers imminent to the whole Realm thereby and for the quieting whereof desired his Dispensation for several intermarriages of their Children which otherwise by reason of their near alliance to each other in blood could not be lawful and in particular instanced for this Thomas the young E. of Warwick and one of the Daughters of Edmund Earl of Arundel Howbeit notwithstanding these last Letters the first became most prevalent as I shall shew by and by for in order thereto the Lord Mortimer in 1 Edw. 3. obtained the custody of Warwick-Castle and the rest of his lands untill he should come to full age but in 3 E. 3. the King being minded to do him a special favor as the words of his precept do import accepted of his Homage though he was not then of full age commanding that he should have Livery of all his Fathers Lands and the next ensuing year admitted him to the Sheriffalty of Worcestershire which was of his inheritance as also to his Office of Chamberlain in the Exchequer with power to appoint whomsoever he should think fit for the executing of both those services in such sort as in his ancestors times had been used And in 5 E. 3. made him Governor of the Isles of Gernsey Serke and Aureney And now that he arrived to years of Action he was scarce ever out of some great and memorable imployment for in 7 Edw. 3. he attended the King in his Scottish Expedition at which time Edward de Baillol did Homage to King Edward for the Realm of Scotland with the adjacent Isles In 9 Edw. 3. he was again in the Warrs of Scotland and had the Guardianship of the Marches then committed to his trust In 10 Edw. 3. he continued still there And in 11 Edw. 3. was the principal person in Commission to conferr with those of the Nobility and others who were marching into that Realm and to declare unto them the Kings pleasure as to their actings and stay there All this being whilest he lived a Batchelor for in 12 Edw. 3. the King having in satisfaction of a great summe of money which he owed to Roger Lord Mortimer for the time he was his Lieutenant of Ireland granted unto him the benefit of the marriage of this Earl he thereupon took to Wife the Lady Catherine Mortimer his Daughter In 13 Edw. 3. he was with King Edward at Uyronfosse and commanded in a Wing of the Army there drawn up to give Battle to the French After this his marriage viz in 14 Edw. 3. he attended the King in that expedition then designed for Flanders in which passage the King obtained a notable Victory at Sea upon the French Fleât that lay to obstruct his landing there In 15 Edw. 3. he was at that famous Feast and âusts held at London by King Edward for the love of the Countess of Salisbury And in 16 Edw. 3. in order to a Voyage-Royal which the King intended for France was sent with the Bishop of London and some others as Commissioners to treat with the Kings friends and allies in Brabant and Flanders touching that affair and likewise with Philip de Valois upon other particulars In the same year being in that expedition then made into Britanny he had an assignation of an hundred and twenty sacks of Wooll for the wages of fourscore men at Arms himself accounted one Baneret eighteen Knights threescore Esquires and an hundred Archers on Horseback and being at the Siege of Nants Skirmished so stoutly with the Army upon a Sally then made that they were forced in again The next ensuing year he marched into Scotland with Henry Earl of Lancaster for raising the Seige of Loughmaban-Castle whereof William de Bohun then Earl of Northampton was Governor And before the end thereof was sent with the Earl of Lancaster and others to the Pope for ratifying the peace then concluded on betwixt King Edward and Philip de Valois In 18 Edw. 3. he had a grant of the Sheriffalty of Warwick and Leicestershires for terme of his life and was the same year constituted Marshal of England In this year likewise he went again into France and continued in the Warrs there the greatest part of the next ensuing year In 20 Edw. 3. he attended the King in another expedition thither where ariving with him at Hoggs in Normandy in the Month of Iuly he manifested his valor to admiration by making the first attempt there with one Esquire and fix Archers though he had but a weak Horse with which and those few men he encountred with an hundred Normans whereof he slew sixty thereby making way for the Army to Land And in the
Castle at Plimpton and to have the Lordships of Moreâs and Ridleston which were the Inheritance of the Countess of Mellent which she had granted to him as also for the Lordship of Cruke which was the Dowry of the Countess of Berry and of his Fee for which he had paid fourscore pounds per annum which payment was upon this Fine to be quitted Moreover to have a Tryal by the great Assize for decision of the right betwixt the King and himself touching Rumbrug and Langele viz. eight pound Land near Southampton likewise for enjoying that twenty pound Land which was of the Normans and that he might govern his Tenants by Military service and others in the Isle of Wight according to the Law of the Land and Judgment of his Court so that they might do with their Lands as they rightfully ought In 8 Ioh. he gave to the King one hundred pound and a Palfrey for Livery of the Lordships of Reynton and Feltham which were the marriage Portion of Alice his Grand-mother And in 13 Ioh. paid one hundred seventy and eight marks for eighty nine Knights Fees in Devonshire and four pounds and one mark for three and an half in Berkshire upon levying the Scutage of Wales In 15 Ioh. he went into Poictou In 18 Ioh. the King taking notice of his great age and by reason thereof his disability to defend his Lands against Lewes of France whom the Rebellious Barons had then called in did grant that he might retain his said Lands in his own hand upon condition that Baldwin his Son should constantly remain with the King in his service Which Baldwin having wedded Margaret Daughter and Heir to Warine Fitz-Gerald and dying in the life time of his Father King Iohn gave her in marriage unto his great favorite Falk de Breant in 15 Ioh. This Earl William took to Wife Mabel Daughter to Robert Earl of Mellent and had by the gift of her Father the Lordships of Esturmenistre Moreis and ââdlestune to hold to her and her heirs By which Mabel besides Baldwin his Son who died in his life time as hath been observed he had issue two Daughters viz. Mary the Wife of Robert de Curtenay who had in marriage the Head of his Barony in Devonshire with the Castle of Plimpton And Ioane first married to William the Son of William Briwere and after to Hubert de Burgh Chamberlain to the King who had also in marriage with her the whole Isle of Wight as also Christ Church Which Ioane died without issue This William died in 1 Hen. 3. whereupon his Castles of Caresbrock and Plimpton were committed to the trust of the Sheriff of Hantshire and others and the custody of his Lands in Hantshire Dorsetshire and Somersetshire unto Ralph de Wiliton But the Wardship of the Son and Heir of Baldwin his Son was given to Falk de Breant above mentioned who had married his Mother and held as her Dowry inter alia the Castle of Plimpton which was accounted Caput Honoris Comitatus Devon upon whose death which hapned in 9 Hen. 3. she the said Margaret had Livery of her Dowry by her first Husband Baldwin before mentioned she thereupon undertaking to pay the Debts of her last Husband Falk de Breant by three hundred marks per annum till they should be fully satisfied This Margaret by some called Margery in her pure Widowhood for the health of the Soul of Warine Fitz-Gerald her Father and the Souls of Alice de Curcy her Mother gave to the Canons of Bolton in Yorkshire her Mills at Hareâode in that County And in 36 Hen. 3. An. 1252. departed this life upon the sixth Nones of October Matthew Paris affirms that she was by King Iohn the Tyrant as he calls him who stuck at no wicked act constrained to marry that impious ignoble and base conditioned man Falk de Breant against her Will of which marriage he says one wrote these following lines at that time Lex connectit eos amor concordia Lecti Sed Lex qualis Amor qualis Concordia qualis Lex exlex Amor exosus concordia discors And goeth on thus That on a time being in Bed with him he dreamed that a Stone of an extraordinary bigness like a Thunderbolt burst out of the Tower of the Church at S. Albans and falling upon him crusht him to pieces Whereupon starting out of his sleep and with great amazement trembling she asked him what the matter was and how he did To whom he answered I have in my time undergone many perils but never was so much terrified as in this Dream And having told her all particulars she replied That he had grievously offended S. Alban by polluting that Church with blood and plundering the Abby and therefore advised him for preventing a more grievous revenge to reconcile himself to that holy Martyr Wherefore lodging then at Luyton he forthwith arose and went to S. Albans and having sent for the Abbot fell upon his knees with tears and holding up his hands said Lord have mercy upon me for I have grievously offended God and his Blessed Martyr S. Alban but to a sinner there is mercy Let me therefore by your leave speak to your Covent in Chapter to ask pardon of them in your presence for what I have done Whereunto the Abbot consented admiring to see such Lamb-like humility in a Woolf Therefore putting off his apparel he entred the Chapter-house bearing a Rod in his hand and confessing his fault which he said he did in time of War received a lash by every one of the Monks upon his naked Body And when he had put on his cloaths again he went and sate by the Abbot and said This my Wife hath caused me to do for a Dream but if you require restitution for what I then took I will not hearken to you And so he departed the Abbot and Monks being glad that they were so rid of him without doing them any more mischeif This Margaret held the Lordships of Pishoo Niweham South-Lamheth Wrokeshale and Christechirche in Dower from Baldwine sometime Earl of Devonshire her Husband and came at last to be the Wife of Robert Aguillon but died not till 20 Edw. 1. by which it is evident that she lived to a very great age I now come to Baldwin Son of Baldwin who died in his Fathers life time In 11 Hen. 3. Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester and Hertford gave a Fine of two thousand marks to the King for leave to marry his eldest Daughter to this young Earl Whereupon all his Demesn Lands which were then esteemed at two hundred pound per annum value were committed to the Guardianship of the same Earl of Glocester the rest being in the hands of Savaric de Male-leone till he
Grant from the King of all those Fees in Northumberland which did belong to Patrick de Dunbar Earl of March then in Rebellion against King Edward And in 13 Ed. 2. by reason of the spoil done to his Lands in the North upon several incursions of the Scots whereof Eleanor his Mother had the custody during his minority and which she could not well defend he obtained a Surrender thereof from her to the King and thereupon a Grant of them to himself paying Four hundred marks per annum to the Exchequer But in 15 Edw. 2. he procured an absolute Livery of them though he had not then made proof of his age And the same year was constituted Governor of the Castle of Pickering in Yorkshire by the forfeiture of Thomas Earl of Lancaster then in the Crown as also of Scarborough Town and Castle Not long after this viz. in 18 Edw. 2. he obtained the Kings Charter for two more Fairs yearly at Pokelington in Com. Ebor. And in 19 Edw. 2. upon the landing of Queen Isabel and Prince Edward in England being one of the Nobles that joyned with them for reforming those abuses in the Government occasioned through the power of the Spensers by the access of those Forces he brought to Glocester where she then was much increased her Army Being therefore thus instrumental in this great change in 1 Edw. 3. he obtained the custody of the Castle of Skipton in Craven as also a Charter for a Market and Fair at his Mannor of Topclive in Com. Ebor. And was one of the twelve Lords by whom it was decreed that young King Edward should be guided Moreover in the first year of Edward the Third he was the principal person in Commission for the Treaty of Peace betwixt the Kingdoms of England and Scotland and constituted Warden of the Marches But upon conclusion of the Peace betwixt the English and Scots in the Parliament at York he could not assent that the English should quit those Lands as they had in Scotland by Inheritance In 2 Edw. 3. upon the death of Eleanor his Mother he was made Constable of Scarborough Castle the custody whereof was committed to her charge in 19 Edw. 2. and in 1 Edw. 3. In 2 Edw. 3. this Henry being retained by Indenture to serve the King with a certain number of Men at Arms as well in times of Peace as War during the term of his life and to receive Five hundred marks per annum sallary did in consideration of that Annuity obtain a Grant of the Inheritance of the Castle of Werkworth in Com. Northumbr which after the death of Sir Iohn de Clavering without Issue-male of his Body was to divolve to the King and his Heirs with condition That when the Possession of the said Castle should so come to his hands then the payment of those Five hundred marks to cease And was a person of such note that Sir Ralph Nevill the same year did by Indenture bearing date at Clifton near York upon the fifth of August Covenant to serve him both in Peace and War as long as they both should live with twenty Men at Arms whereof five to be Knights upon such wages and other terms as in my discourse of that Family is more fully expressed In 3 Edw. 3. he Founded a Chantry for two Priests in the Chappel at Semar to celebrate Divine Service for his own soul as also for the soul of his Mother and all their Ancestors endowing it with one Messuage twenty Ox-gangs of Land and six Acres of Meadow in Wike within the Lordship of Semar And in 5 Edw. 2. the King taking notice in what sort he had retained him as well in time of Peace as War as above is expressed and that by Act of Parliament after that Agreement so made all Retainers in time of Peace were to be void did Grant That the Castle and Mannor of Werkworth and Mannor of Roubâây which after the death of Sir Iohn de Clavering without Issue-male were to divolve to the Crown As also the Mannors of Corbrigge and ãâã and all other the Lands of the said Iohn de Clavering so Intailed as abovesaid should after his death without Issue-male come to this Henry and his Heirs excepting only the Dowry of Hawise then the Wife of him the said Iohn de Clavering In 6 Edw. 3. he was again constituted Warden of the Marches of Scotââââ and in 7 Edw. 3. being then Governor of the Castle of Barwick was one of the Commissioners sent to the Parliament of Scotland to approve and ratifie those Agreements as had been made betwixt King Edward and Edward de Baillol King of Scotland In this year also he had a Grant from Edward de Baillol King of Scotland of the Inheritance of the Pele of Loughmaban as also of Anandale and Moââetdale with all the Knights Fees and Advowsons of Churches within those Valleys in as full and ample manner as Thomas Randulph sometime Earl of Murrey ever had them and moreover of divers Lands in that Realm which belonged to other men All which Castle Lands c. then valued at a thousand mark per annum he did the year following surrender to King Edward the Third and his Heirs in exchange for the Castle and Constablery of Ieddeworth and Towns of Ieddeworth Bendâeddeworth Hassinden and the Forest of Ieddeworth together with five hundred marks per annum to be received out of the Customs of Barwick as also the custody of the Castle at Barwick with the Fee of one hundred marks for that service in time of Peace and two hundred pound per annum in time of War And the same year was joyned in Commission with Ralph de Nevill in the guarding of the Marches throughout the Counties of Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland In this year likewise he Intailed a multitude of his Lordships and Lands upon the Heirs-male of his Body as by a special Feoââment bearing date 24 Sept. appeareth viz. The Castles of Alnwike and Werkworth the Mannors of Alnwike âughal Swinhow âeâwike and Alnham in Comit. Northumbr Spoford Topcliff Semer Naffertan Lekingfield Catton and Câetop with the Hamlets of Letheley Arlethorp Gristiwoit Aystiby Wanesford and Aâgham in Com. Ebor. Two part of the Mannors of Warkworth Corbrigge Aklington and Roubiây with the Hamlets of Snitir Bitling Thorpeton and Newton with their appurtenances in Com. Northumbr As also the Advowsons of the Churches of Spoford Lekingfield Scorburgh Arncliff Catton and Dânygton in the said County of York Likewise the moity of the Village of Trastreston which Robert de Ogle then held for term of life the Borough of Alnmouth with the Mannors of Hoghton and Lescebiây in Com. Northumbr Which Isabel de Vesci held for term of life as also the Mannor of
Moreover he saith That this Earl never used to fight on foot but his manner was when he had led his Men to the Charge then to take Horse And if the victory fell on his side to fight among his Soldiers otherwise to depart in time But at this Battle that he was constrained by his Brother the Marquess Montacute a valiant Knight to alight on foot and send away his Horse Of his extraordinary Hospitality I also find this observed That at his House in London six Oxen were usually eaten at a Breakfast and every Tavern full of his Meat For who that had any acquaintance in his Family should have as much sodden and roast as he might carry upon a long Dagger Nay it appears That being Admiral to King Henry the Sixth he was stiled Great Captain of the Sea having for his support in that place not only all the Tonnage and Poundage belonging to the King in any wise but a thousand pounds per annum out of the Revenues of the Dutchy of Lancaster as also that by the same Kings favor he had a Grant of preheminence above all the Earls of England and moreover to add to his greatness a peculiar Officer at Arms for his service in martial imployments called Warwick Herauld But after his death his Countess underwent no little distress being constrained to take Sanctuary in the Abby of Beaulieu in Hantshire where she continued for a long time in a very mean condition and thence privately got into the North where also she abode in great streights all her vast Inheritance being by authority of Parliament taken from her and setled upon Isabel and Anne her two Daughters and Heirs the first of them Wife to George Duke of Clarence and the other to Richard Duke of Glocester as if she her self had been naturally dead which was withheld from her till 3 Hen. 7. that the King having himself a mind thereto her Daughters being then both dead by a new Act of Parliament annulled the former As against all Reason Conscience and course of Nature and contrary to the Laws of God and Man as the words thereof import And in consideration of the true and faithful service and alleagiance by her born to King Henry the Sixth as also that she never gave cause to such disherison restored unto her the Possession of the premises with the power to alien the same or any part thereof But not with purpose that she should enjoy it as it seems for it appears that the same year by a special Feoffment bearing date 13 Dec. and a Fine thereupon she conveyed it wholly to the King Entailing it upon the Issue-male of his Body with Remainder to her self and her heirs The names of the particular Lordships contained in that Grant being as followeth viz. the Mannors of Warwick Toneworâh Lighthorne Morton Berkswell Brayles Claverdon Suttun Winterton Buddroke Haseley Sniterfield and Pipe-Hall in Com. Warr. Albotley Shraveley Elmley-Lovet Salwarpe Hall-place Wich Elmley Castle Chadssey Hervington Sheriffs-Lench Yerdley Crombe-Simonds Warpdel Hanley Bushley Ridmerley Upton super Sabrinam with the City of Worcester in Worcestershire Tewksbury Stoke Archer Whitington Fairford Sobbury Tredington Panington Fidington Northey Muth Berton Regis juxta Bristol Barton Hundred Kenmerton Chedworth and Lidney in Glocestershire Burford Shipton Spelsbury Chadlington Hundred and Langley in Oxfoâdshire âaversham and Stanford in Berkshire Chiriel Sherston and Brodton in Wilthshire Dertford Willington and Hendon in Kent Walthamstow and Franceys in Essex Flampstead in Hertfordshire Potters-Piry Ashrugge Hundred Querendon Alisbury Buckland Agmondsham Slingsbury Hansiape Olney and Merlaw in Com. Bucks Multon Conesgrave and Yelvertoft in Com. Northampt. Walshal Piry Bar Patingham and Shenston in Com. Staff Barnard Castle in the Bishoprick of Durham Kibworth in Com. Leic. Kimworth Bautrey and Hotham in Com. Ebor. Essingdon Shellingthorp Gâeetham Barowden Preston and Uppingham in Com. Rutl. Stillingthorp in Com. Linc. Kirtling in Com. Cantabr Snodel and Faunhope in Com. Heref. Saham Toney Out Sokin Neckton Panworthal and Gressingham Parva in Com. Norf. Carnaunton Hoston Toney Bliâton and Lantran in Cornwal Glamorgan Burgavenny Elvell Snodehill Llangtrey Llangew and Wale Bikeneour in Wales and the Marches thereof South Tanton and Seal with the Hundred of South Tanton in Com. Devon The Isles of Iersey Gernsey Serk and Aureney with the Castles therein and certain Houses in Southwark Which Countess was living in 5 Hen. 7. as appears by an Assignation from the King of the Mannor of Sutton in Com. War at that time for her maintenance but how long after I know not for of her death there is no mention in Record that I can find By this great Earl her Husband she left left issue two Daughters as before is observed viz. Isabel and Anne Which Isabel was born in Warwick Castle 5 Sept. An. 1451. 30 Hen. 6. And on Tuesday 11 Iulii An. 1469. 9 Ed. 4. married at Calais by the Archbishop of York to George Duke of Clarence Brother to King Edward the Fourth by vertue of a Dispensation from Pope Paul the Third in regard that they stood allied in the second and third and third and fourth degrees of Consanguinity As also in respect that the Mother of the Duke was Godmother to this Isabel. Which Dispensation bears date at Rome Prid. Id. Martii An. 1468. 7 Edw. 4. The other Daughter Anne was first married to Edward Prince of Wales Son of King Henry the Sixth stabbed at the Battle of Tewksbury in cool blood by Richard Duke of Glocester as our Historians affirm and afterwards to Richard Duke of Glocester who by reason thereof possest himself of all Warwicks Lands imprisoning her Mother as long as she lived and poysoning her as it was thought to make way for his marriage with his Brothers scil King Edward the Fourth eldest Daughter Iohn Nevill Marquess Mountague THis Iohn being second Son to Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury by Alice Daughter and Heir to Thomas Mountague Earl of Salisbury stoutly adhering to the House of York with his Father and elder Brother upon the success of that party was in the first year of King Edward the Fourth summoned to Parliament by the title of Iohn Nevil Lord Mountague And in 2 Edw. 4. in consideration of his good services had as a reward for the same a Grant to himself and the Heirs-male of his Body of the Mannors of Wirmingey and Matsall in Com. Norf. Haloughton in Com. Leic. Stoke Bardolf and Bedding in Com. Nottingh Hellow in Com. Linc. As also of Wilby and Strowerdy with the Advowsons of the several Churches belonging to those Lordships all which divolved to the Crown by Act of Parliament the preceding year upon the Attainder of ... Moreover in 3 Edw. 4. he was constituted General Warden of the East Marches toward Scotland and the next ensuing year 23 May advanced to the
to whom the King directed his Letters by which he required him to send his Seal for ratifying thereof in case he could not then personally repair unto him And in 47 Hen. 3. upon those hostile Incursions then made by the Welsh received Summons as did other of the Barons-Marchers to come to Hereford on the third day after the Epiphany well fitted with Horse and Arms for defence of the Marches And after that another Summons to prepare himself with Horse and Arms to attend Iames de Aldithele one other of the Barons-Marchers at Ludlow for preventing the like Incursions Nevertheless soon after this viz. in 48 H. 3. adhering to the Rebellious Barons he was with some of them in the Castle at Rochester but long he did not continue there For it appears that before the end of that year being in Arms for the King in the Battle of Lewes he was with him taken prisoner This Iohn died in 52 Hen. 3. as it seems leaving issue by Maud his Wife Daughter of Roese de Verdun Iohn his Son and Heir then twenty two years of age who doing his homage had Livery of his Lands paying a hundred pound for his releif for his own Barony in Shropshire and elswhere as also twenty five pound for the fourth part of the Barony of Hugh de Albiny late Earl of Arundel Of which laââ mentioned Iohn I have seen no more then that he departed this life upon Friday preceding the Annunciation of our Lady 54 Hen. 3. leaving issue by Isabel de Mortimer his Wife Richard his Son and Heir five years of age upon the Feast day of S. Blase Shortly after which viz. in 1 Edw. 1. the custody of the Castle of Blancminster and all other the Lands of this last deceased Iohn were committed to Iohn de Oxinden and the Wardship of the said Richard granted to Roger de Mortimer Howbeit Isabel his Mother in 8 Edw. 1 obtained the custody of the Castle and Honor of Arundel during his minority so likewise of the Castle of Blancminster and Hundred of Oswaldster Yet within two years after Edmund de Mortimer Son to the before specified Roger procured the Kings Grant for the custody of Arundel Castle as also of the Castle and Hundred of Oswaldstry But in 13 Edw. 1. this Richard was out of Ward and obtained a Grant for a Fair at his Mannor of Arundel in Sussex upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross. That this Richard thus possessing the Castle of Arundel thereupon enjoyed the Honor viz. the title of Earl without any formal Creation or other Investiture is clear enough from sundry Authorities First from the Letters of Protection which he had in 26 Edw. 1. upon that expedition then made into Scotland wherein he was he being therein called Richardus filius Alani Comes Arundell Next by that Precept in 29 Edw. 1. directed to him from the King whereby taking notice that he had raised certain Forces to march against Fouke Fitz-Warine a great Baron in Shropshire he is therein also sâiled Comes Arundell and required under the penalty of forfeiting whatsoever he held of the King to forbear any act of hostility against him the said Foukâ As also by the Inquisition taken after his death the next ensuing year wherein he is likewise so called Moreover That Iohn his Ancestor had before him that title is evident from the Kings Mandate to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer in 35 Edw. 1. to enquire what debts Edmund then Earl of Arundel Son and Heir to this last mentioned Richard stood charged with either in his own name or in the name of any of his Ancestors In which Mandate there is this expression Quod idem Edmundus nobis tenetur ad Scaâcarium praedictum in Ciiil. xvi â ixd. de duobus debitis quae inveniuntur in Rotulis Scaccarii nostri praedicti sub nomine Iohannis filii Alani quondam Comitis Arundelliae Antecessoris praedicti Edmundi c. And lastly from the Act of Parliament in 11 Hen. 6. which declareth That all who had been possessed of the Castle and Honor of Arundel were Earls thereof without any other Creation But of this Richard Earl of Arundel I have no more to say then that he took to Wife Alizon Daughter to the Marquess of Saluce in Italy and left issue by her Edmund his Son and Successor sixteen years of age in 30 Ed. 1. As also two Daughters viz. Maud Wife to Philip Lord Burnel and Margaret to William Boteler of Wemme Which Edmund in 34 Edw. 1. having received the honor of Knighthood with Prince Edward and divers persons of note by the solemn Ceremony of Bathing c. attended the King in his expedition at that time made into Scotland So likewise in 35 Edw. 1. In 3 4 Edw. 2. he was again in the Wars of Scotland and in 5 Edw. 2. obtained the Kings Charter for a Market every week upon the Wednesday at his Mannor of Ruiton in the Marches of Wales with a Fair yearly on the Eve and Day of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist and three days next following About this time it was that Thomas Earl of Lancaster took upon him to redress what was amiss in the Government divers of the Nobility adhering to him in that design whereof this Earl was one But notwithstanding he so appeared therein in 10 Edw. 2. he was constituted Lieutenant and Captain General to the King from Crent Northwards as far as Roxborough in Scotland In 11 Edw. 2. he was charged with providing two hundred Foot for the Kings service in Scotland out of his Territories of Blancminster and Clun And in 12 13 Edw. 2. marched again into Scotland in which Wars and other his imployments he performed his trust so well as that in 15 Edw. 2. the King bestowed on him and the Heirs-male of his Body all those Houses near Algate within the City of London as also the Mannor of Ideshale in Com. Salop. Which by the forfeiture of Bartholmew de Badlesmere a great Baron in âent were escheated to the Crown So likewise the Mannor of Eâworth in the Isle of Axhoâme and all the Lands besides within that Isle which did belong to Iohn Lord Moubray and which by his Rebellion were then forfeited with all other Lands there which belonged to any other Rebel As also the Castle Mannor and Lands of Chirke the Castle and Mannor of Dolverne and likewise those Lands of âery and Kâdwey in the Marches of Wales which were part of the Possessions of Roger Lord Mortimer of Wigmore and also escheated by his Rebellion Moreover he stood in so great favor with that King and was so far trusted by him that in 18 Edw. 2. he
called Mary and died in 3 Hen. 7. Which Thomas succeeding him in his Lands and Honors in 5 Hen. 7. was sent over into Flanders amongst divers other of the English Nobles in aid of Maximilian the Emperor against the French He had also Summons to Parliament by the name of Thomas Arundel de Matravers Chivalier in 22 Edw. 4. And 1 Hen. 7. his Father being then alive And having married Margaret the Daughter of Richard Widvile Earl Rivers had issue by her two sons viz. William and Edward and two Daughters Margaret the Wife of Iohn de la Pole Earl of Lincoln and Ioane married to George Nevill Lord Bergavenny This Earl Thomas by his Testament bearing date 12 Octob. An. 1524. 16 Hen. 8. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Chancel of his Collegiate Church at Arundel where the Corps of his Lady lay interred constituting William Lord Matravers his Son one of his Executors and departing this life in his Park at Dauley 25 Octob. An. 1524. 16 Hen. 8. was buried in the same Collegiate Church at Arundel Which William in 2 Hen. 8. his Father living and then called Sir William Arundel Knight Lord Matravers having Wedded Anne the Sister to Henry Earl of Northumberland obtained a Grant to himself and Heirs of his Body from the King of the Mannors of Warbââton Duriate and Dunpole in Com. Somers and Hunton in Com. Southampt To hold by the service of a Red Rose yearly And in 16 Hen. 8. upon the death of his Father had a special Livery of all his Castles Lordships and Lands In 22 Hen. 8. this Earl William was one of the Lords in Parliament who subscribed that Letter sent to Pope Clement the Seventh whereby he might easily discern that In case he did not comply with King Henry in that cause of his Divorce from Queen Catherine his Supremacy here would be shaken off And in 33 Hen. 8. when the King by Cromwels Policy obtruded much of the Monastery Lands upon his Nobles and others in exchange for Lands of their own he had in lieu of the Mannors of Shillingley Hââernhoo Palingham Wollavington Alversham Codham Bignore Stopeham â and Eartham with four Woods in Sussex the Inheritance of the site of the Priory of Micheâham with all the Buildings thereto belonging as also all the Lands in Michelham Arungton Hailesham Hellingley Chedingley Pewensey Westham Willingdon Sharnford Fockington and Ievington in the same County all which were esteemed at the time of the dissolution of that Priory the Demesn Lands thereof As also the Mannors of Michelham Parkgate Sharnford and Down-Ashe Cawdeane and Holiwich in the same County and in Kent with the Water-Mill of Michelham Parkgate And moreover all the Lands called Sextery-Lands lying in the Towns of Hellingley Willingdon Ievington and Hailesham in that County of Sussex with the Advowson of the Rectory of Ripe lately pertaining to the Monastery of Lewes And likewise all those Mannors and Lordships of Swanborough and Horsted in Com. Suss. Imberhorne in the County of Sussex and Surrey and the Parks called Horsted Park in Com. Suss. belonging also to the said Monastery of Lewes This Earl William by his Testament bearing date 23 Ian. An. 1543. 35 Hen. 8. gave to direction thereby for his Burial but making the Lady Anne his Wife and Henry Lord Matravers his Son his Executors departed this life at Downley in the Parish of Singleton in Com. Suss. upon the twenty third of the same Moneth of Ianuary and was buried at Arundel By his first Wife Anne Daughter to Henry Earl of Northumberland he had issue Henry his Son and Heir and likewise two Daughters Anne and Catherine who died unmarried And by Elizabeth his second Wife Daughter to Robert Willoughby Lord Brook two Daughters Margaret and Elizabeth who died also unmarried Which Henry who succeeded him having been in 36 Hen. 8 Field-Marshal of the Kings Army at the Siege of Boâââgne was in 38 Hen. 8. constituted one of the Assistants to that Kings Executors And in 4 Ed. 6. upon a Peace concluded by the King with the Scots and French wherein also the Emperor was comprehended was one of the Hostages for Ratification of the Articles About this time after the Duke of Somerset Uncle to the King and Protector was brought to the Block by Dudley Earl of Warwick the chief contriver in his Tragedy he endeavored to draw this Earl to his party who at that time was discountenanced and therefore by Warwick singled out as the most fit person for his purpose But after many secret Conferences which were often held betwixt them in the night seeing that he could not prevail he found means to discharge him from the Council and to confine him to his house objections being framed against him that he had taken away Bolts and Locks at Westminster and given away the Kings Stuff being Lord Chamberlain for which he was fined at twelve thousand pounds to be paid by a thousand pounds yearly and the next year following committed to the Tower upon pretence that he had been one of those who did conspire to draw in some of the Lords unto the Lord Pagets house under colour of a Banquet there to take off their heads This Earl Henry after the death of King Edward the Sixth cordially inclined to the Right of Mary the eldest Daughter of King Henry and when that Dudley then Duke of Northumberland was gone out towards Cambridge with what power could at present be had on the behalf of the Lady Iane Grey whom through his influence the Lords of the Council had proclaimed Queen upon a meeting of divers Lords at Baynards Castle in that despeâate juncture of time he bitterly inveighed against him laying open his injustice and cruelty in the time of King Edward and declaimed boldly against that treacherous act of his touching the disherison of the Daughters of King Henry Which stout Speech put such a courage into the rest of the Lords then present that they forthwith resolved to maintain the Right of Mary against all opposers and accordingly proclaimed her Queen in Cheapside Moreover he was again made Constable of England for the day immediately preceding the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth Likewise High Steward of England for the fifteenth of Ianuary on which day she was solemnly Crowned and soon after that one of her Privy Council But in 3 Eliz. having fed himself with some hopes of obtaining Queen Elizabeth for his Wife and failing therein after he had spent much upon these vain imaginations his Friends in Court failing him he grew troubled in mind and thereupon to wear off the grief got leave to travel In 11 Eliz. being constituted one of the Commissioners to
inquire of the murther of Henry Lord Darley Husband to Mary Queen of Scots he shewd not himself inclinable to judge that Queen guilty thereof as some did He was likewise a great favorer of the Duke of Norfolks marriage with the same Queen as some other of the Nobles then were for which in 14 Eliz. he suffered imprisonment After which I have not seen any thing of him much memorable until 22 Eliz. That by his Testament bearing date 30 Decemb. in that year he bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Quire of the Collegiate Church at Arundel appointing that a memorial in Brass and Gilt should be there affixed upon his Fathers Tomb. And having married two Wives first Catherine the Daughter of Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset by whom he had issue Henry who died at Brussels in his life time Ioane married to Iohn Lord Lumley and Mary to Thomas Duke of Norfolk and to his second Wife Mary Daughter of Sir Iohn Arundel of Lanherâe in Com. Cornub. Knight Widow of Robert Earl of Sussex by whom he had no issue he departed this life 25 Febr. the same year being then sixty eight years of age and was buried at Arundel with his Ancestors where he hath a noble Monument in the Epitapth whereon his principal imployments and Honors are sum'd up viz. That he was one of the Knights of the most Noble Order of the Garter and of the Privy Council to King Henry the Eighth King Edward the Sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Governor of Calaâs and Marshal of King Henry the Eighths Army when he besieged Boloigne as also Lord Chamberlain of his Houshold And at the Coronation of King Edward the Sixth exercised the Office of Marshal of England being afterwards made Lord Chamberlain of his Houshold Moreover That he was High Constable of England at the Coronation of Queen Mary afterwards Steward of her Houshold and President of the Council and so to Queen Elizabeth Talbot THe first mention I find of this name is in that Grant which Walter Gifford Earl of Buckingham in the Conquerors time made to the Monks of Cerasie in Normandy where Richard Talbot is mentioned amongst the witnesses thereto The next is of Geffrey Talbot who in the time of King Henry the First held twenty Knights Fees of the King which Walter de Meduana possessed in Henry the Seconds time and gave the half of his Lordship of Little Wroteham in Kent to the Monks of Rochester This Geffrey being banished by King Stephen exercised much cruelty in his Military actings on the behalf of Maud the Emprâsâ joyning with Gilbert de Lacy his Kinsman in his design for taking the City of Bath But failing therein and being thereupon taken prisoner he mollified the King by complaining of very hard usage which had provoked him so to flie out and was thereupon received to favor Of this Geffrey I also find that in 3 Steph. still taking part with Maud the Empress and her Son Henry then Duke of Normandy he fortified the Castle of Hereford against King Stephen I come now to Hugh Talbot whom I take to be Brother to Geffrey To this Hugh in 19 H. 1. did Hugh the Son of Gerard de Gornay then in Rebellion against that King commit the custody of the Castle of Pleiââe But all that I have farther seen of him is That having been a Benefactor to the Monks of Beaubeck in Normandy at length he took the habit of a Monk in that Monastery Leaving issue three Sons viz. Richard William and Hugh Which Richard in An. 1153. 18 Steph. ratified his Fathers gifts to those Monks And about the beginning of Henry the Seconds Reign obtained from that King a Grant of the Lordship of Lintone in Com. Heâef Which Grant King Richard the First for two hundred marks afterwards confirmed To this Richard succeeded Gilbert Talbot his Son and Heir who in 12 Hen. 2. held one Knights Fee in Lintone of Robert de Ewyas Which Gilbert in 5 Rich. 2. had other Lands given him in Lintone for the custody of the Castle of Ludlow And in 1 Ioh. gave a Fine of forty shillings that he might not go beyond Sea as also that he might have the Scutage of his own Demesns In 7 Ioh. this Gilbert paid ten marks for his Scutage then assessed at two marks for each Knights Fee But farther of him I have not seen then that he had issue Richard who married Aliva the Daughter of Alan Basset of Wickombe in Com. Buck. Sister to Philip Basset Justice of England and Widow of Dru de Montacute In 18 Hen. 3. William Talbot had the custody of the Castle at Bristoll and was Sheriff of Glocestershire for the one half of that year as also for the 19 20 21 Hen. 3. But I return to the before specified Richard Talbot and Aliva succeeded Gilbert their Son and Heir Which Gilbert in 44 Hen. 3. was made Governor of the Castles of Grosmund Skenfrith and Blancminster And in 45 Hen. 3. was constituted one of the Justices Itinerant for the County of Hereford Moreover in 47 Hen. 3. upon the disturbances which the Welsh then made upon the Marches he was commanded by the King to fortifie the Castles abovementioned as also the Castle of Monmouth And having married Guenthlian or Guendoline the Daughter of Rhese ap Griffith Prince of Wales For which respect his Descendants ever afterwards relinquishing their Paternal Arms viz. Bende of ten peices Argent and Gules bore the Lion rampant Or in a Field Gules with a Bordure engrailed of the first which were the Arms of the said Rhese and his Ancestors Princes of Wales departed this life in 2 Edw. 1. being then seised of the Mannor of Longâope and Redleg in Com. Gloc. As also of the Mannor of Eccleswell and Lintone in Com. Heref. Leaving Richard his Son and Heir of twenty four years of age Which Richard then doing his homage had Livery of his Lands And in 10 Edw. 1. was in that expedition then made into Wales as also in the Wars of Gaâcoigne in 24 and 25 Edw. 1. in which last mentioned year he was constituted Governor of the Castle of Cardiffe The same year he was also again in Gascoigne and before the end thereof had Summons to attend Prince Edward upon the day of S. Nicholas at Newcastle upon âine to prevent an Incursion of the Scots Moreover in 29 Edw. 1. being in that great Council then held at Lincoân he subscribed that Letter to the Pope for asserting the Right of King Edward to the Superior Dominion of the Realm of Scotland This Richard married Sarah the Daughter of William Beauchamp Earl of Warwick
in the County of Derby four in the County of Essex five Mannors a Forest a Chace and a Barony in the County of Sussex two Mannors in the County of Surrey four in the County of Huntington one in the County of Hertford three in the County of Cambridge another Barony and four Mannors in the County of Bedford and others in some other Counties as also divers Lands in Calais Ireland and Wales with certain Hundreds Royalties and Knights fees in consideration whereof he obtained the Office of Earl Marshal and title of Marquess to himself and the Heirs male of his Body And besides all this he sold away and gave divers Lands and Lordships to Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlain of that Kings Houshold and others Also to Sir Reginald Bray Kt. his Mannor of Hamme in Comit. Bedf. with Kensington and Maryborne in Com. Midd. as rewards of his Court-favors Moreover to Thomas Stanley Earl of Derby for the like respect in default of issue of his own Body he gave the Mannors of Donyngton Thwayts Threske Hovingham Kirkby-Malsard and Burton in Lonesdale in Com. Ebor. As also the Mannors of Wenge Segrave in Pen and Marlow in Comit. Buck. the Mannors of Denge alias Dengy in Com. Essex Epworth Belton Haxey Ouston and UUrote in Com. Linc. Alspath in Mereden in Comit. Warw. Slagham in Com. Suss. and Wisselee in Comit. Surr. to hold to the said Earl and the Heirs of his Body He likewise setled the Mannors of Hinton and Kenet in Com. Cantabr to the use of himself for life the remainder to Richard Willuby for life then to the Heirs of his own body the remainder to the Heirs male of the Body of the said Richard Willughby So also the Mannor of Caloudon in Com. Warw. to the same parties with the like remainders To his then Wife the Lady Anne he by his Will devised all his Messuages and Lands in the City of London paying two hundred marks to the Friers-Austines there and his house at Chelsey in Com. Midd. to Iohn Whiting and his heirs The Mannor of Great Chesterford he also setled on himself and the said Anne his Wife and the heirs of his own body the remainder to the King and the Heirs male of his body and having so done built a fair House thereon which Mannors so given to the King were all established by Act of Parliament in 7 Hen. 7. so that he left nothing for his Heir And by his Testament bearing date 5 Feb. ann 1491. 7 Hen. 7. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Church of the Friers Austines in London thereby also willing that his Executors should ordain two Friers perpetually to sing in the White Friers in Fleetstreet in the suburbs of London at the Altar of Sâ Gasion there to pray for his Soul and for the Souls of his Father and Mother his Wives Soul and the Soul of his Son Sir Thomas Berkley for evermore Likewise another Frier perpetually to sing in the Gray-Friers at Gloucester to pray for his own Soul and the Souls aforesaid Towards the building of which Gray-Friers he gave twenty pounds Moreover he willed that his Executors should purchase Lands to the value of ten marks yearly therewith to find a perpetual Chantry at the Altar of our Lady of Pitie in Edworth in Com. Linc. to pray for the Souls aforesaid for ever Likewise that they should purchase more Lands to the value of twenty two marks therewith to find two perpetual Priests at Longbrigge one of them daily to sing in the Chappel of the Trinity there and the other in the Chappel of the Church of Berkley where his Father and his said Son lay buried to pray for their Souls for evermore and to dispose of an hundred marks in building an House at Longbridge for those Priests to dwell in as also to buy Ornaments and Vestments for that Chappel of Longbridge forty marks Lastly he willed that his Executors should purchase a Pardon from Rome as large as might be had for plein remission of the sins of all those who would be confessed and contrite at Longbridge from Even-song to Even-song in the Feast of the Trinity and there say three Pater Nosters and three Aves for his Soul and the Souls aforesaid And departing this life on St. Valentines-day viz. 14 Febr. Anno 1491. 7 Hen. 7. without issue was accordingly buried in the Friers Augustines at London Maurice his Brother being his next Heir but enjoyed nothing of the Honour having incurred his displeasure for the reasons before expressed the Castle of Berkley with those Lands and Lordships which were the body of that antient Barony being by this Marquess given as is before observed to King Henry the seventh and the issue male from him descending Which Maurice being thus disherited became as active as he could for the regaining of what in strictness of Law was his right having for his better help to support himself in such Suits wherein he became afterwards for that end engaged in the fourteenth of Henry the Seventh together with Thomas Earl of Surrey as Cosins and Heirs to George Bewes Brother of Agnes Mother of Isabel Widdow of Sir Walter Cokesey Knight Livery of all the Mannors and Lands belonging to the said George Agnes and Isabel. By which suits through his prudence and diligent prosecution of them he first recovered the Mannor of Sages lying in the Parish of Slimbrigge it being evident that it was no part of the Mannor of Slymbrigge so passed by Fine and otherwise to King Henry the seventh as aforesaid Likewise twenty two marks yearly rent in Frampton upon Severne which did not pass in these settlements Next of the Lands setled upon Anne the last Wife of the Marquess for life c. he got the possession of the Mannors of Wenge Segrave in Pen and Little Marlow in Com. Buck. as also of the Mannors of Sileby Mountsorrel and the hundred of Goscote in Com. Leicest and some other Lands And whilst these were in controversy the Mannors of âetebury in Comit. Glouc. Maningeford Braose in Com. Wiltes the moity of the Mannors of Leigh Cothorne and Gate Burton in Com. Linc. as also of Wovers-thorpe in Com Ebor. descended to him as one of the two Coheirs of the Lord Braose which the better enabled him to look after the rest And after this making title to those Lands which were given by his Brother the Marquess to Thomas Earl of Derby they came to reference by the mediation of friends and knisfolk whereupon an Award was made by Sir Iohn Fyneux Chief Justice of the Kings Bench and Sir Thomas Frowyk Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas whereby he got the Lordships of Wenge and Segrave in Pen in Comitat. Buck. as also of Hovyngham Donyngton and Twaytes in Com. Ebor. Nor was it long after that ere he recovered the Mannor of Chesterford in Essex where the said Marquess was building at his
Sir Iohn d'Arcy Knight his Son and Heir at that time thirty years of age Soon after which in consideration of the many good services performed by this deceased Iohn d'Arcy in his life time and for the good services of the before-specified William his Son the King granted to the said William the Castle of Markynegan in Ireland to hold for life I now come to Iohn d'Arcy Son and Heir to this last mentioned Iohn This Iohn in 9 Edw. 3. called Iohannes d'Arci le Fitz his Father then living was in the Wars of Scotland and having for his especial services deserved very well from the King in 15 Edw. 3. obtained a Grant of an Annuity of forty pound per annum to himself and his heirs for ever which is enjoyed at this day In 16 Edw. 3. he obtained License that Alice the Widow of Nicholas Menill might marry to whom she pleased being the Kings loyal Subject In which year he was in that expedition then made into France In 20 Edw. 3. having had the custody of the Kings Liberty of Holderness in Com. Ebor. As also of the Mannor of Brustwyke with its Members and the Mannor of Bareweck in Com. Linâ likewise granted to him he was in consideration of his many services done and to be done discharged from rendring accompt to the King for them or any of them In which year King Edward landing with a great Army at Hogges in Normandy made him a Banneret and gave him two hundred pounds per annum out of the Exchequer during life for his better support of that Honor as by his Patent there dated 15 Iuly appeareth So that it is not to be doubted but that being there at that time he was one of those who in August following behaved themselves so bravely in that memorable Battle of Cressey where the English obtained such lasting same as our Historians do amply declare And in 21 Edw. 3. found such favor from the King that upon doing his homage being then of full age he had Livery of his Lands before the Inquisitions taken after his Fathers death were according to custom returned into the Chancery In which year he was constituted one of the Commissioners to treat and conclude of Peace betwixt King Edward and the King of France and likewise constituted Constable of the Tower of London for life About this time he gave the Advowson of the Church of Knayth to the Nuns of Hevenings Soon after which being again imployed by the King in his Wars with France he had one hundred and twenty great Horses sent over to him at Calais This deceased Iohn had two Brothers the one called Robert who was also a Knight and served in the Wars of France under Henry Duke of Lancaster and the other named Roger. But this last mentioned Iohn who was thus within age at his Fathers death died in minority upon the six and twentieth of August 36 Edw. 3. being seised of the Mannor of Westbroke in Com. Hertf. Ekinton in Com. Derb. Kirkby and Stretton in the Clay in Com. Nottingh Knayth and Southorpe in Com. Linc. Haddeston in Com. Northumbr As also of Notton and Silkston in Com. Ebor. He then also died seised of an Annuity of nine pound sixteen shillings two pence issuing out of the Ferm of Newcastle upon Tine Which Annuity was granted to Iohn his Father in compensation for his Office of Justice of Chester leaving Philip his Brother and Heir then eleven years of age Which Philip in 47 Edw. 3. making proof of his age and doing his homage had Livery of his Lands In 4 Rich. 2. this Philip was in that expedition made into France with Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham and arriving at Calais three days before Maudlin-tide in Iuly rode with his Banner displayed And became so active a person in the Wars of France having a command of divers Men at Arms and Archers for the recovery of the Kings Rights there as that in 6 Rich. 2. he was specially excused from repairing into Ireland as all persons having Lands there by an Act of Parliament made in 3 Rich. 2. were then obliged unto for the defence of that Realm against the Irish Rebels then in Arms. And in 7 Rich. 2. for the like consideration and in regard of his great charge in supporting himself in those Wars as also for that he was then marching towards Scotland against the Kings enemies there he had a Grant of all the Issues and Revenues of his own Lands in Ireland for the aid and defence of the Countrey Moreover in 9 Rich. 2. being constituted Admiral of all the Kings Fleet from the River of Thames Northward he took certain prizes at Sea from the Enemy which being brought into the Port of Sandwich were by the Kings command redelivered to him for his own use And in 16 Rich. 2. was in that expedition then made into Ireland In 21 Rich. 2. he had the Kings License to go into Ireland upon his own occasions and having been summoned to Parliament from 1 Rich. 2 until 21 of that Kings Reign inclusive departed this life upon the morrow after S. Georges day being seised of the Mannor of Ekinton in Com. Derb. Kirkby in Com. Nott. Wollore Hethpole Hoderslaw Belford Yesington Lowyk Haddeston and of that great Waste called the Forest of Cheviet as also of the Advowson of the Hospital of Wollore all in the County of Northumberland likewise of the Mannors of Temple Hyrst Temple Newsom Yarum Aselây Aldewerk and Notton in Com. Ebor. As also of Torkley and Knayth in Com. Linâ leaving Iohn his Son and Heir then twenty two years of age Which Iohn doing his homage the same year had Livery of all those Lands before mentioned excepting such whereof Elizabeth the Widow of the said Philip was endowed and having had Summons to Parliament from 23 Rich 2. until 12 Hen. 4. inclusive departed this life 9 Decemb. 13 Hen. 4. leaving Philip his Son and Heir fourteen years of age and Margaret his Widow Daughter to Henry Lord Grey of Wilton surviving afterwards married to Sir Thomas Swinford Knight Which last mentioned Philip died 2 August 6 Hen. 5. before he accomplished his full age leaving Eleanor his Wife Daughter of Henry Lord Fitz-Hugh surviving and Elizabeth and Margery his two Daughters and Heirs the one two years of age and upwards and the other not much more than one Of which Daughters Elizabeth became the Wife of Sir Iames Strangwayes the younger Knight and Margery of Sir Iohn Conyers Knight And in 36 Hen. 6. were likewise by Inquisition found to be Cosins and Heirs to Iohn d'Arci le Fitz viz. Daughters of Philip Son
a power pulled down all the Houses and flew those who refused to submit The King of France therefore hearing what he had done sent summons to him to appear at his Court but he obeyed it not saying he had done no more then his duty Whereupon that King in great wrath caused an Edict for his Banishment to be published But so soon as he heard thereof he betook himself to the Castle of Monpesade which was well fortified where he was out of all danger The King therefore by his Messengers required that he should be delivered up and proceeded against according to the usage of that Realm But so soon as the King of England heard thereof he would not endure that for so just an act so brave a Souldier should have any molestation And the year following renewed his Commission for the government of that Dutchy though he held it not long after but leaving it he was the year following made Constable of Dovor Castle and Warden of the Cinqueports and in 20 E. 2. constituted Governor of the Isles of Garnsey Ieresey Serke and Aureny In 1 E. 3. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland And in 7 Edw. 3. again in Scotland upon the Kings service Moreover in 8 Edw. 3. he was constituted Justice of North-Wales And having been a good benefactor to the Canons of Launde of his Ancestors foundation those Canons in 16 Edw. 3. founded a perpetual Chantry for one Priest to celebrate divine service daily in their Conventual Church for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Ioane his Wife Daughter of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick This Ralph died 25 Febr. 17 Edw 3. leaving Ralph his Grandson viz. Son of Ralph who died in his lifetime Ann. scil 1333. 7 E. 3. his next Heir then eight years of age Which Ralph in 29 Edw. 3. making proof of his age and doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and the same year went again into Gascoigne So also in 33 Edw. 3. In 34 Edw. 3. he served the King again in his Warrs of France and Normandy and in 35 E. 3. travailed into the Holy-Land In 39 Edw. 3. he was in another Expedition then made into Gascoign And in 40 E. 3. was of the retinue of Prince Edward with his Army in those parts In 42 and 43 E. 3. he continued also there And in 46 and 47 Edw. 3. was again in the Kings service in that Countrey So likewise in 1 Ric. 2. And in 2 Ric. 2. coming back underwent great perill at Sea by Tempest In 3 Ric. 2. he was again in that expedition then made into France under Thomas of Wodstoke Earl of Buckingham for the assistance of the Duke of Britanny then much oppressed by the French Moreover in 4 R. 2. he was again in France and in the retinue of that Earl Wherein he served with two hundred men at Armes and two hundred Archers himself with nine Knights being part of the number where he rode with his Banner displaid And in 7 Ric. 2. made his Testament at London whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Cathedral-Church of Lichfield if he should fortune to die in England and an hundred marks to be bestowed on his Funeral To that Cathedral he then gave two hundred marks for the yearly keeping of his Obit there as also two hundred marks more for the amortizing of Lands in Tamworth Wynecote and Pakyngton with a Mill called Wykford-Mill to the Monks of Canewell Moreover to the Abbot and Covent of Lavenden in Com. Buck. two hundred marks for amortizing the Mannor of Wardyngton to to that House To the Friers Augustines at Atherston five hundred marks for the repairing their House and Church To the Gray-Friers at Northampton two hundred marks for repair of their Church Cloyster and Refectory To the White-Friers at Coventre three hundred pounds To the Hospital of our Lady of Bethlem without Bishopsgate in London two hundred marks Appointing that his whole stock of Chattel upon all his Lordships and Lands should be distributed to his poor Tenants according to the discretion of his Executors Howbeit after this he lived some few years and in 9 Ric. 2. went with Iohn Duke of Lancaster and a great power into Spain for the recovery of the inheritance of Constance his Wife unto the Kingdom of Castile And in 10 Ric. 2. was reteined to serve the King in his Army which he raised that year for the defence of this Realm It is reported by one of our Historians that about this time King Richard discerning his Uncle the Duke of Gloucester and many of the Nobility to be much discontented at his Government in regard they saw that the Duke of Ireland and some others swayed all according to their pleasures so that the ruin of the whole Kingdome was in danger and that they therefore designed the removal of that Duke and his complices from the King by power he sent for the Lord Mayor of London to try whether the Citizens would stick to him against his Uncle and those of that party but was answered that the Citizens would not fight against them that were friends to him and the Kingdom And that this Lord Basset standing by then told the King that his life and estate had been ever ready at his service in the ways of truth and righteousness as also that if he should now be drawn into the Field they should be so still but added that he would not adventure a broken head for the Duke of Ireland Having thus given as large an account of this active person as I can I now come to his last Testament bearing date on Sunday next after the Feast of St. Hillary Anno. 1389. 13 Ric. 2. whereby he likewise bequeathed his body to be buried in the Cathedral Church of Litchfield near the Altar of St. Nicholas By this Testament he gave two hundred pounds over and above certain Tenements in Litchfield and Walshall unto the Priory of Canwell for the augmenting that Covent with five more Monks and to find one Priest perpetually to pray for his Soul and the Souls of his Ancestors at the same Altar of St. Nicholas and keeping his Obit with certain Lights as also to make a Wall towards the water and a new Belfrey And ordained the foundation of four more Chanteries where Prayers should be said for his Soul for ever viz. at Bethlem without Bishopsgate two In the Chappel of our Lady situate in the Church-Yard at Olney in Com. Buck. one and in the new Chappel built by himself at Colston Basset in Com. Notting one more for effecting of all which he gave two hundred pounds Moreover he ordained that the person whomsoever it should be that should first bear his Sirname and Armes according to the appointment of his last
of Michael de Hanslape in as ample manner as King Henry the first gave them to his Father as also Bergedone now called Berwedon in Com. Ruti with the whole Soke which Queen Maude gave to the before-specified Maude and which Maude the Empress restored to the same William Farthermore this William had by the Grant of that Duke the Chamberlainship of his Treasury id est of his Exchequer with Livery and all other its appurtenances viz. the Castle of Porchestre and all the Lands to the said Chamberlainship and Castle appertaining both in England and Normandy in as full a manner as William his Father and Robert his Brother ever held them Moreover in consideration of his good service he had Haverberge and Bugedone with the whole Soke then given unto him as also the Constablery of Richege in Fee with an hundred pounds per annum Lands of such of the Dukes own Demesne as he should first happen to be possessed of And after Henry had by the death of King Stephen obtained the Crown he confirmed to this William the whole Barony whereof his Father died seized as well in England as Normandy viz. Hanslape in Com. Buck. with its apurtenances Bergedone with the Hundred in Com. Rotl and Manetone in Com. ... with all other the Lands which he had formerly given to his Father at Notingham as also Scaâdene and Herlege with their appurtenances with the Land at Roan and all other Lands and Tenures in Normandy Being therefore possessed of this inheritance upon the assessment of the Aid for marrying the Kings Daughter in 12 Hen. 2. he certified his Knights Fees de Veteri Novo Feoffamento to be in number four and an half for all which in 14 H. 2. he paid sixty shillings viz. twenty three shillings and four pence for his Fees de Veteri Feoffamento and for those de Novo thirty six shillings and eight pence And after this ere long viz. in 26 Hen. 2. was made Sheriff of Rutland in which Office he continued to the thirty third of Henry the second as also three parts of the thirty fourth year So likewise in 1 and 2 Ric. 1. And in 6 R. 1. was in that expedition then made into Normandy When he died I find not but to him succeeded Robert who took part with the rebellious Barons in King Iohns time as it seems for it appears that in 1 H. 3. the K. granted his whole Honor id est the Barony of Hanslape with its appurtenances unto Henry de Braboef for his support in his service during pleasure But before the sixth of Henry the third this Robert died whereupon Isabel his Widdow one of the Heirs to Thurstan Basset gave twenty marks for her purparty of her Fathers Lands leaving William his Son and Heir who before the end of that year giving security for the payment of his reliefe viz. an hundred pounds had Livery of his Lands This William in 17 Ioh. was constituted Governor of Rokingham Castle but the same year taking part with the rebellious Barons he made a Garrison of his House at Hanslape as it seems for it is said that the next ensuing year Falcase de Breant who was then a bold Souldier and one that stood stoutly to the King took it and demolished it upon the fourth Cal. of December Which hardening him in his rebellious actings he was amongst others of that party Excommunicated by the Pope Nor did the death of King Iohn which hapned the same year allay the heat of his turbulent disposition for it is apparent that he still persisted therein and being in Armes against King Henry the third in the Battle of Lincoln 1 Hen. 3. the whole power of that rebellious party being then utterly vanquished he was there taken Prisoner But after this returning to his due obedience he enjoyed his estate and in 7 Hen. 3. making a Park at his Mannor of Hanslape had out of Salcey Forest of the Kings gift five Does for the storing thereof In 10 Hen. 3. doing his Homage for those Lands which descended to him by the death of Isabel Basset his Mother he had Livery of them and in 17 H. 3. obliging himself by a special Writing to serve the King faithfully all the dayes of his life and never to oppose him or his Heirs for the better securing of that promise he delivered up William his Son in Hostage Whereupon the King soon after so far trusted him that he restored back that Hostage the next ensuing year After which ere long viz. in 26 Hen. 3. he had Summons amongst divers other eminent men of that time to fit himself with Horse and Armes to attend the King in his Expedition into France But in 41 H. 3. he departed this life being then seized of the Mannor of Hanslape in Com. Buck. as also of the Mannor of Bermedon and Hundred of Wrangedyke with certain Lands of thirty pounds per annum value lying in Cottesmore and Gretham all in Com. Rutl. and likewise of four Carucates of Land in Hartlegh in Com. Southampt leaving issue by Aliie his Wife Daughter of Waleran Earl of Warwick William his Son and Heir at that time thirty six years of ages Which William in 41 H. 3. had so much favor from the King in payament of a debt of two hundred marks due from him as well for his Relief as for the Serganty he held viz. an hundred pounds for his Relief for his Barony and fifty marks for his Sergeanty as that it was accepted of fifty marks per annum The next year following this William had summons to attend the K. at Chester well accoutered with Horse and Armes to oppose the Incursions of the Welch and in 47 H. 3. doing his Homage and paying an hundred pounds for his Relief as Son and Heir to Alice the Daughter of Waleran E. of Warwick had Livery of all the Lands belonging to that Earldom whereof Iohn de Plessets E. of Warwick died seized and which by Hereditary right were descended to him viz. the Castle and Honor of Warwick and all the Mannors and Lands thereto belonging Whereupon by the title of Earl of Warwick he had the same year summons to attend the King at Worcester on the Feast day of St. Peter ad Vincula well fitted with Horse and Armes thence to march into Wales against Leweline ap Gryââin at that time in Hostility And the next year following had the like summons to repair unto the King at Oxford in Mid-lent for the same respect but so great was the strength that the rebellious Barons had then got together that the King grew necessitated to let his Welsh intended Expedition alone and march to Northampton and in all probability sent away this Earl to make sure his Castle at
very large extent as may appear by the Boundaries thereof as also the Advowson of the Hospital of Saint Leonard at Kickby in âendal and fishing in the River of Leven To the Canons of Cockersand in Com. Lanc. all his Woods in Forton and whole Demesn there as also four Ox-gangs of Land in Garstang with a certain fishing in the River of Lon called Childe Also to the Canons of Leicester two Ox-gangs of Land in Cokerham And having married Gundred the Widow of Roger Earl of Warwick Daughter to William the second Earl Warren which Earl Roger died in 18 Steph. left issue William his Son and Heir called William de Lancaster the second as also a Daughter married to Richard de Morevill Which William the second was Steward to King Henry the Second and at the instance of Helewise de Stuteville his Wife gave to Hugh the Heremite a certain place called Askelcros and Croc to look to his fishing upon Loyn as also his Woods there for the benefit of his Hospital at Cockersand and left issue one only Daughter his Heir called Helewise whom King Richard the First shortly after his Coronation gave in marriage to Gilbert the Son of Roger Fitz-Reinfride Which Roger was one of the Justices of his Bench and had so been in the time of King Henry the Second and likewise a Justice Itinerant and executed the Sheriffs Office for the County of Sussex from 23 untill 33 Hen. 2. inclusive So likewise for Berkshire in 34 Hen. 2. and 1 Ric. 1 This being moreover memorable of him viz. that in 28 Hen. 2. he was amongst others at Waltham when the King by his Testament did there make a disposal of divers summs of money to pious uses viz. to the Knights-Templars and Hospitalars for defence of the Hâly-Lând as also to sundry Forreign Monastâries But I returne to Gilbert This Gilbert in 1 Ric. 1. in consideration of sixty marks of Silver then paid to the King was acquitted for himself and his heirs from a certain Tribute called Nutegeld which he did use to pay out of his Lands in Westmorland and Kendall Also from suit to the County-Court Hundred-Court and Tithing Likewise from Aid to the Sheriff and all his Bailiffs And moreover obtained a Grant of Free-Forest in Westmorland Kendale and Furneâse in as ample manner as William de Lancaster Son of Gilbert before-mentioned enjoyed the same and by those very Bounds Also that Forest which King Richard had granted to him and his Heirs in Kendale with six pounds Land in as ample Manner as Nigell de Albini ever held the same and that whatsoever was wast in the Woods of Westmorland and Kendale in the time of the before-specified William de Lancaster the Son of Gilbert should continue so still In 7 Ric. 1. This Gilbert and Helewyse his Wife setled that division of the Mountaines of Furnesse coâmonly called Furnesse Fells by a Fine levied upon Sunday next ensuing the Octaves of the Blessed Virgin betwixt himself and her on the one part and the Abbot and Covent of Furnesse on the other part Whereby it was accorded that they the said Gilbert and Helewyse and their Heirs should enjoy that part which lieth towards the West as it was then set forth by certain Limits to hold of the Monks of Furnesse by the paiment of twenty shillings yearly for all services Whereupon those Monks granted to him and her the Lordship of Ulveston for ten shillings yearly Rent to be thenceforth paid unto them and their Successors And in 1 Ioh. in consideration of an hundred pounds and two Palfreys then given to that King obtained a confirmation of the Charters above-mentioned In this year also he accounted for the Ferme of Westmorland for the sixth year of King Richard the first And in 6 Ioh. obtained a Grant of the Custody of the Honor of Lancaster to hold during the Kings Pleasure After which viz. from the seventh to the seventeenth of that King's Reign he executed the Sheriffs Office in that County Howbeit notwithstanding this trust he adhered to the rebellious Barons in Armes against that King in the seventeenth of his reign under colour of asserting their antient Customs and Liberties Which the King wanting strength to cope with them was then neceâââated to ratify But being soon afterwards sufficeently apprehensive of the ill consequence which those compulsory condiscensions would produce and addressing his complaint to the Pope whereby he shewed that through their insolencies and injurious Actings he had been constrained to grant what they required his Holiness forthwith made void the same Which favor gave him so much Countenance that he soon raised a potent Army and understanding that divers of those his Enemies were got to Rochester Castle he advanced thither which after a short siege he took and in it amongst others William de Lancaster the Son and Heir to this Gilbert Fitz-Reiâfride Which unexpected disaster so allarm'd Gilbert that he soon thought fit to make his Peace and to that end procuring Letters of safe Conduct came to the King from whom in consideration of twelve thousand marks he obtained pardon as also that William de Lancaster his Son Ralph de Aiâcurt and Lambert de Bâssy his Knights should be freed from their imprisonment having been taken in Rochester Castle as before is expressed Nevertheless he was not so far trusted as to be at liberty without giving divers Hostages for his own future fidelity and for the fidelity of William his Son viz. Benedict the Son and Heir to Henry de Reidenan the Son and Heir of Roger de Kirkây his Daughters Son the Son and Heir of William de Windleshore the Daughter and Heir of Ralph d'Eincurt the Daughter or Son and Heir of Roger de Burton the Daughter and Heir of Adam de Yelond the Son or Daughter of Thomas de Bethân the Son or Daughter and Heir of Walter de Strickland the Daughter of Richard de Copland and the Son of Gilbert de Lancaster And if it should happen any of these Hostages to die that then he should deliver other Sons or Daughters of those Knights or of some other persons in their stead Moreover besides all this he delivered into the Kings hands his Castles of Merhull and Kirkeby to dispose of at his pleasure All this being effected at Berewââ upon the twenty second of Ianuary the same year And in 18 Ioâ procured other Letters of safe-conduct for his coming to the King to confer with him on the behalf of William his Son and for his enlargement from Prison Likewise after the death of King Iohn who departed this life before the end of that year he obtained the like Letters of Safe-conduct to repair
22 E. 3. he was again in those Wars as also in 29 E. 3. but then of the retinue with Prince Edward And in 33 E. 3. in that expedition then made into Gascoigne In 43 E. 3. he was again in the Wars of France being then of the retinue with Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster And in 47 E. 3. in that expedition made into Flanders in which year he had his last summons to Parliament When he died I cannot certainly find but that he left Issue three Daughters his Heirs viz. Philippa married to Edward Duke of York Elizabeth to William de Montacute Earl of Salisbury and Maude to Iohn Lord Strange of Rnocking Pomerai AT the time of the general Survey made by King William the Conqueror Raphe de Pomerai did then possess two Lordships in Somersetshire viz. Stowei and Are and fifty eight or the greatest part of them in Com. Devon whereof Berie afterwards called Berie Pomerai was one being the head of that Barony To this Raphe succeeded William who in An. 1102. 3 H. 1. gave to the Monks of Gloucester his Lordship of Berie in Com. Devon for the redemption whereof Gozeline his Brother afterwards granted to them Seldene for which at length they got Hope maylesel by the consent of King Henry the First This William de Pomerai had a Son called Ethelward said to have been Founder of the Abby of Buckfast in Com. Devon To which William succeeded Henry his Son and Heir who in 11 H. 2. paid vij l. xij s. vj d. for the Scutage of Wales And in 12 H. 2. upon the Assessment of that Aid for marrying the King's Daughter certified his Knights-fees to be in number thirty one and an half a twenty sixth and twenty eighth part for which in 14 H. 2. he paid xxj l. v s. vj d. Moreover in 33 H. 2. upon collection of the Scutage of Galwele he answered xxxj l. xviij s. iv d. in regard he was not then in that Expedition And in 6 R. 1. gave a fine of seven hundred Marks for Livery of his Lands in this Realm and elsewhere and for obtaining the King's favour Furthermore in 9 R. 1. he paid one hundred and forty Marks for Livery of his Lands whereof he had been dispossessed because he came into England without the King's license Likewise in 6 Ioh. he gave sixty Marks to be repossessed of his Land of Ridwari in as full a measure as his Father enjoyed it at the time when he entred the Castle of S. Michael's Mount in Cornwall for which cause he was dispossessed thereof and bestowed on the Knights Hospitallers the Church of S. Maderi in Com. Cornub. whereupon it afterwards belonged to their Preceptory at Trehigh But in 9 Ioh. this Henry being dead Henry his Son by Maude de Vitrei his Wife gave a Fine of six hundred Marks for Livery of his Lands of which summ Alice de Valletort paid four hundred Marks and in 13 Ioh. upon collection of the Scutage of Wales then levied at two Marks paid sixty three Marks and eleven shillings for thirty one knights fees and two parts In 16 Ioh. this Henry was joyned with Iohn de Erlegh in the Governour-ship of the Castle of Exeter and Shrivalty of Devonshire And standing loyal to the King in the time of that great defection viz. in 17 Ioh. obtained a grant of all the Lands of Roger de Raymes in Com. Devon But it seems he fell off again and yet returned to obedience within less than the space of one year for in 18 Ioh. 13 Sept. giving security for his future fidelity the King commanded a restitution of his Lands which had been seised for that offence and then also had Livery of the Lands of Andrew Vitrei in Cornwal And in 6 Hen. 3. departed this life whereupon the Wardship of his Heir called also Henry was committed to Raphe de Trublevil Which Henry coming of age in 16 Hen. 3. and doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands but died in 21 Hen. 3. as it seems for then Margaret his widow for a fine of four hundred Marks obtained a grant of the Wardship of his Heir as also of his Lands whose name was Henry and likewise an assignation of her Dowry In 42 Hen. 3. this last mentioned Henry had summons amongst other of the great men of that time to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to attend the King at Chester on Monday next preceeding the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist to oppose the Hostilities of the Welch and in 48 Hen. 3. obtained pardon for his actings in the Troubles of that time But in 49 Hen. 3. being again in Arms against the King his Lands were extended and departed this life in 9 E. 1. leaving Henry his Son and Heir sixteen years of age married in his Father's life-time whose Wardship viz. of his Body and Lands was granted to Geffrey de Camvil for two hundred pounds Which Henry in 15 E. 1. arrived to his full age on Friday next after the Feast of Pentecost and the same year had pardon for his Scutage upon collection of the Scutage of Wales by reason he had been personally in the King's Army there viz. in 10 E. 1. though he was then in minority Furthermore in 25 E. 1. he attended the king in his expedition at that time made into Flanders and in 27 E. 1. was found to be one of the next heirs to Roger de Valletort but departed this life in 33 E. 1. being then seised of the Mannor of Tregony in Cornwal as belonging to the Mannor of Bery in Com. Devon which together with some others he held in Capite by Baroây He likewise died seised of the Mannor of Stokeley-Pomerai in Com. Devon held also in Capite of the King by the service of Borony as also of the Mannor of Birie by the service of Barony and moity of the Mannor of Hurberton by the service of Barony and moity of Brixham a member of Hurberton all in Com. Devon leaving Henry his Son and Heir fourteen years of age Which Henry in 14 E. 2. ratified the grant of the Mannor of Tale made by Iosceline his Uncle and Henry his Father to the Monks of Forde This last mentioned Henry in 12 E. 3. being then a Knight and one of the Cousins and Heirs to Roger de Valletort by his Deed bearing date 15 February the same year released to Prince Edward eldest Son to the King and then Duke of Cornwal all his right and title to the Castle and Mannor of Trematon in Cornwal belonging by right of descent unto him from the said
whereupon in 2 Hen. 3. the King directed his Precept to the Sheriff of Cumberland to give him Possession of the Mannors of Seureby ãâã and Hup-Buttesby which had been formerly granted to him by King Iohn until he should recover his own Lands in Normandy And in 8 H. 3. discharged him from payment for two Knights Fees in Northumberland upon collecting of the Scutage of Montgomery moreover in 10 Hen. 3. he granted him a Mercate at his Mannor of Bowelton in Com. Northumb This is that Robert two Founded the Castles of Helmessey alias Hamlake in Yorkshire and of Werke in Northumberland and married Isabell Daughter of William sirnamed Leo King of Scotland by whom he had Issue two Sons William and Robert unto which William he gave that his Castle of Helmestey as also the Patronage of the Monasteries of Kirkham Rievault and Wardon and to Robert the Castle of Werke with a Barony in Scotland to be held of the said William his Brother by military service And having confirmed to the Knights Templars the Lordship of Riâstan which his Father gave unto them and moreover bestowed upon them the Town of Braunceby he himself became one of that Order in which habit departing this life in 11 Hen. 3. he was buried at London in the Temple-Church there William his Son and Heir being then of full age who doing his Homage and giving security for the payment of an hundred pounds for his Relief had Livery of his Lands This William taking part with his Father and the other Rebellious Barons against King Iohn was made prisoner for what he then acted but for a Fine of thirty Marks again released in 16 Ioh. and the next ensuing year had Letters of Protection for his safe coming to the King howbeit flying out in 18 Ioh. he was constrained to compound for his redemption at an higher rate viz. five hundred Marks for the payment whereof his Son and Nephew were made Hostages and he thereupon sent to the Pope's Legate for Absolution Nevertheless as soon as he discerned an opportunity he flew out again joyning âââh the rest of the Rebellious Barons on the behalf of Lewes Son to the King of France who gave Battel to King Henry the Third at Lincoln in the first year of his Reign and was there taken prisoner but he did not not long continue in restraint for within four months after command was given to Robert de Vipount to deliver him up to Robert de Ros his Father forasmuch as Roger le Bigod Earl of Norfolk the Earl Ferrers Peter Fitz-Herbert and ... Harecourt had obliged themselves by their own Lands that in case he should be put to his redemption they would acquit him unless he were discharged by vertue of those Articles of Peace that were made betwixt King Henry the Third and Lewes of France in the presence of William Marshall Earl of Pembroke and others After which time he stood firm to the King for in the third year of his Reign he was with him in his Army at Newarke Likewise in 5 Hen. 3. he accounted for two hundred and sixteen pounds and one Mark which he had received to the King's use for redemption of prisoners and in 14 Hen. 3. was in Britanny in his service In 25. Hen. 3. he together with Agatha Trusbut gave a Fine of fifty pounds as a Relief due for those Lands which descended to them by Inheritance upon the death of Hillaria Trusbut Sister to Rose who was Grand-mother to this William In 26 Hen. 3. being with the King in Gascoign and having no competent support for longer continuance in his service there he freely offered his Lands in Pawn to the King in case he would supply him with money there which the King refused to do Whereupon being necessitated to return thence the King commanded his Lands to be seised which injurious act was so much resented by Richard Earl of Cornwall the King's Brother and some other of the Nobles that they all forsook the King and came back into England In 29 Hen. 3. he accounted iv l. xij s. vj d. for his Lands in Lincolnshire upon that Aid then collected for marrying of the King 's eldest Daughter viz. for four Fees an half and the eighth part and forty shillings for two Fees in Northumberland And likewise in Yorkshire xj l. xij s. vj d. for five Fees a fourth and twenty fifth part As also for three Fees and a third part of the Fee of Trusbus and two Fees an eighth and twelfth part of the moity of the Fees of Wartre And moreover two Marks and an half for the moity of the Fees of Hillaria Trusbut whose Heir he was which were required in Lincolnshire And in 31 Hen. 3. did his Homage as Cousin and Heir to Agatha Trusbut above-mentioned for one Knights Fee which she held of the King in Lincolnshire and paying the Relief for the same had Livery thereof Moreover in 32 Hen. 3. he paid an hundred pounds Relief for the moity of the Barony of Trusbut as Heir to the same Agatha In 37 Hen. 3. he offered his service to the King to attend him into Gascoigne and in 38 Hen. 3. gave nine pounds five shillings Aid for his Fees in Lincolnshire at the making of the King 's eldest Son Knight viz. for four Fees an half and an eighth part so also for two Knights Fees in Northumberland In 42 Hen. 3. upon the restraint of Alexander the Third King of Scots by his own Subjects this William and Robert his Son had summons to march with other of the Northern Barons into Scotland with Horse and Arms for his deliverance and the same year had summons with others to come to Chester on the Monday next preceeding the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist to march against Lewelin Prince of Wales who had then made divers inroades upon the Marches And departing this life before the end of that year lest Issue by Lucia his Wife daughter to Reginald Fitz-piers of Blewleveny in Wales Robert his Son and Heir and was buried in the midst of the Quire of Kirkham Priory before the high Altar Which Robert married Isabell the Daughter and Heir to William de Albini Lord of Belvoir long before his Father's death whilst she was in Ward to the King as it seems by that Mandate bearing date at Windsore 17 Maii 28 Hen. 3. directed to Bernard de Savay and Hugh Giffard for delivering her unto the said Robert her Husband but not without a round composition as I guess for it appears that both he and his Wife in 32 Hen. 3. were debtors to the King in no less than the sum of 3285 l. xiij s. iv d. and a Palfrey of which sum the
is evident by the Inquisition taken after the death of the Lady Beatrice his Grandmother the preceeding year Being with the Dukes of Exeter and Clarence at the Siege of Koan in 6 Hen. 5. he gave such Testimonies of his valour and military skill that he received from the favour of that victorious King a Grant of the Castle of Basqueville situate in the Dutchy of Normandy which did belong to Sir William Martell Knight to hold unto himself and the Heirs male of his body But alas this signal mark of that renowned Prince his favour continued not long to him for about two years after being with Thomas Duke of Clarence brother to the King in France who then with the English Army had marched far and successfully into the Country and with him adventuring more boldly upon the Dolphin's Army than was requisite considering the slenderness of their strength and the difficulty of the passage by reason of a River and Marish which they were to pass through the disorder of their Forces upon that occasion was there most unhappily slain together with the Duke of Exeter and William a younger Brother with many more of the English Chivalry about four miles distant from the Castle of Beaufort upon Easter Eve 22 Martii leaving Margery his Wife Daughter and Heir to Sir Philip Wentworth Knight a young Widow but no Issue by her so that Thomas his next Brother then became his Heir being at that time fourteen years of age After which his Body being brought over into England had sepulture at Belvoir on the North-side of the Quire near to his Father's grave This Margery had her Dowry assigned to her in November following viz. the Castle of Helmesley with the Lordships thereto belonging as also the Mannors of Haugh and Lynton in the County of York the Mannors of Chilham and Wulryngton in Kent the Site of the Mannor of Braundeston and the third part of the Mannor of Stoke-Daubeny in Northamptonshire the Mannor of Preston-Beauset in Com. Buck. the Mannor of Barkeston called Bellhouse-place with two parts of the Mannor of Kedmylde in Com. Leic. sixty three pounds fourteen shillings four pence Annual Rent issuing out of the Fee-farm Rent of the City of York as also eight Bovates of Land in Eykering within the County of Notingham And by her last Will and Testament bearing date 30 August Anno 1477. 17 Edw. 4. bequeathed her Body to be buried in the Chapel of S. Margaret and S. Bernard at Cambridge on the North-side of the Quire under the window of All-Saints She likewise bequeathed to Henry Wentworth her Heir twelve dishes of Silver with other things appointing that he the said Henry should cause the body of Sir Philip Wentworth Knight her Father to be translated to the Church of Newsom in Lincolnshire and a Marble laid over it and another Marble to be laid upon the Body of his Mother in the Church of the Fryers-Minors at Ipswich This Margery married to her second Husband Roger Wentworth and died 20 April 18 Edw. 4. ¶ I come now to Thomas Lord Ross Brother and Heir to Iohn as is above exprest This Thomas following the example of his Brother as to military actions being retained in 5 Hen. 6. to serve the King in his Wars of France in the retinue of Iohn Duke of Bedford with two Knights thirty seven men at Arms and an hundred and twenty Archers was Knighted with divers other Noble-men by King Henry the Sixth at Leicester on Whitsunday 4 H. 6. after the King himself had been Knighted there by the Duke of Bedford but having the fate of a very short life I have seen nothing more of him than his summons to Parliament in 7 Hen. 6. and his confirmation to the Monks of Belvoir of all the Grants that had been made unto them by his noble Ancestors which bears date at Belvoir-Castle 23 April 8 Henry 6. Also that having married Alianor daughter to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick he begot on her a Son called Thomas born September the ninth Anno 1427. 6 Hen. 6. and died the eighteenth of August in the ninth year of that King's Reign leaving the same Thomas his Son little more than three years of age Which Elianor had her Dowry assigned to her in December following On the behalf of this Thomas and by reason of his minority it was that Sir Robert Ross Knight his great Uncle was deputed by the King to perform the office of Chamberlain to the Archbishop of Canterbury upon the day of his Installation which office did belong to the Lord Ross in respect of his tenure of the Mannor of ... And so great a sense had that King of the advantages he reaped by the yearly profit of the Lands which were of this Thomas his Inheritance who was at that time but eighteen years of age for as much as he had received the Revenues thereof during the whole minority of Thomas Lord Ross his Father who had been in Ward no less than fourteen years as that he freely commanded that this Thomas should have Livery of âll his Lands in as full a manner as if he had been of full age Here before I proceed farther it will not be impertinent to give some farther accompt of Sir Robert Ross great Uncle to this Thomas but of him all that I have to say is that he departed this life before the 27 th of Henry the 6 th seised of the third part of the Mannor of Humanby in Yorkshire leaving Issue these two Daughters his Heirs viz. Margery Wife of Iohn Wittilbury Esquire and Elianor of Humphrey Duddeley ¶ I now return to the before-mentioned Thomas of whom I farther find that King Henry the sixth in the thirty first year of his Reign taking into consideration his many good services even from his youth by way of recompence gave him license to Transport twenty thousand Wood-fells called Morling and Shorling without paying any Customs for the same And that in 34 Hen. 6. he had leave to go on Pilgrimage beyond the Seas as also that in 38 Hen. 6. having firmly adhered to the Crown throughout the whole course of that King 's troublesom Reign and the great expences and losses he under-went in his service during that time the said King gave him an Annuity of forty pounds to be received out of the Mannors of Yaresthorp Appilton Scorby and Hund-Burton in Com. Ebor. then in the King's hands by reason of the forfeiture of Richard late Earl of Salisbury to enjoy during his life And in the same year that upon the great overthrow of the Lancastrian Army at Towconfield being then with the King at York when the sad tidings thereof came to him he fled with him to Barwick And moreover that he had summons to Parliament from
procuring entrance they let in the rest of their train with resolution to have seised on the Guards had they found any resistance Being thus got in and news thereof brought to the Queen she presently came to them and made a grievous complaint of her hard usage expressing that she was kept there like a prisoner in a solitary place near the Sea and destitute of any wholsom air being neither permitted to go abroad nor to have attendance of Waiting-maids fit for her no nor to enjoy her Husband's bed All which the Earl and Mansell not only remedied but straitly required this Robert to appear in King Henry's Court to answer the same who when he came found the Charge so sharply pressed against him that he was fined at no less than an hundred thousand Marks which afterwards upon the King 's better information being satisfied that he had injury by this sentence was wholly remitted and he received into favour And as to the suit which the King had against him for the title to his Castle of Werke in defence whereof he produced William his elder Brother for Warranty the King upon mature advice with those Noblemen who were of his Counsel discerning that he had good right thereto quitted his claim to him In 22 Edw. 1. 8 Iunii he had summons with other of the Barons forthwith to repair unto the King and to give him his best advice in certain matters of great consequence relating to his Crown and Kingdom but there is no place mentioned in the Writ whereunto they were to come Which consultation was doubtless touching his Expedition into Gascoigne for immediately after he had command to be at Portsmâuth on the first of September ensuing well accoutred with Horse and Arms to attend him thither So also was William de Ros of Igmanthorpe Brother to this Robert from whom the Family of Ros of that place which continued till of late did descend This Robert was Founder of the Hospital at Bâwelton in Northumberland for three Chaplains thirteen Lepers and other Lay-brethren there which he amply endowed with Lands But about a year after being far in love with a Scotch-woman whom he had a mind to make his Wife he endeavoured to inveigle William de Ros of Hamlake his Kinsman to the Scots party acknowledging that he himself was of their confederacy who refusing to be thus wrought upon rebuked him for that attempt and represented to him how scandalous such an act would be to their whole Family Howbeit all this prevailed not for that night he got privately away to the Scots which being discerned by William he forthwith hasted to the King then at Newcastle upon Tine and signifying to him the perfidiousness of this his Kinsman desired some help to defend the Castle of Werke lest it should be surprised by the Scots through the means of that treachery who accordingly sent a thousand of his men which were quartered the night following at Prestfen whereof this Robert being aware he took a power of Scots out of the Garrison of âokeshurgh and privily surrounding the Village gave them a Signal viz. Tabart and Surcoat commanding that whosoever naming the one word ãâã the party to whom he expressed it did not answer the other they should kill him And thereupon entering Prestâen set fire on the Houses which so astonished the English that divers of them slew those of their own party and many were taken prisoners and most barbarously used But this vile and unworthy act was not long unrevenged for shortly after King Edward made slaughter of no less than ten thousand and fifty three of the Scots in the Battel of Dumbar Thus far the Narrative of our Historian touching the actings of this Robert de Ros at that time but thereunto I have some particulars to add from another authority viz. that he then marching in the Scots Army with Banners displayed was with them at burning the Town of Werke and afterwards joyned himself unto William Waleys that famous General of the Scots and committed great spoil upon the King's Subjects in those Northern parts All that I have seen farther of him is that he married Margaret one of the four Sisters and Heirs to Peter de Brus of Skelton a great Baron in the North but of his Issue the Records do somewhat differ for by one Inquisition it is found that she had a Son called William de Ros to whom she gave the Castle of Kendall and from whom the Rosses of Kendall descended and by another that he had Issue two Daughters who were Heirs to their Mother's Inheritance viz. Margaret the Wife of Iohn Salvain and Isabell the Wife of Iohn de Knock which Isabell lived not long as I gues for it is evident that in the sixth year of Edward the Second Margaret called her self the daughter and heir to this Robert de Ros of Werke and humbly acknowledging to the King the rebellious actions of her Father withal represented to him that he the said Robert by the consent of those of the Nobility and others who were then with the King in Scotland did come to an accord with Iohn Comyn of Badenagh for himself and such who were with him in Arms which was that they should be safe as to life and member free from imprisonment and disherison of their Estates as also that their Heirs then within age should enjoy the like terms as to their lives limbs freedom from imprisonment and disherison Moreover that she the said Margaret was then within ages and according to the tenor of that Agreement ought to take benefit of the same Articles Whereupon the King did by his Letters Patents pardon the forfeitures of the said Robert de Ros her Father and granted that her request Ros of Kendall I Now come to that Branch of this Family which had their seat at Kendall in Westmerland where first I am to take notice that the Interest they had there was through the right of Margart before-mentioned she being one of the Sisters and Coheirs to Peter de Brus of Skelton-Castle in Yorkshire Son of Peter and Helewisia his wife Sister and Heir to William de Lancaster Baron of Kendall and that thereupon she came to have the one half of that Barony excepting only the Valley of Kentmere for her share This Margaret had Issue by the said Robert a Son called William de Ros unto whom she gave Kendall-Castle with the fourth part of ãâã Town as also the whole Hamlets of Hoton Hay Salthobrig Stirkland-Kandolf and ârenygg with other Lands Which William died in 3 Edw. 2. leaving Thomas his Son and Heir three years old and an half who in 2 Edw. 3. making proof of his age had Livery of his Lands
France for their Aid he held it out stoutly against that Victorious Army which had subdued all their Field-Forces at Evesham for the full space of six Months and when the King sent his Messenger to him with gracious Offers in case he would yield it he most inhumanely maimed him and casting forth huge Stones with their Engines made frequent bold Sallies upon the Besiegers to do all the mischief they could devise against them not being at all daunted with the Sentence of Ottobon the Pope's Legate then there and thundred out against them nor all the Power wherewith they were begirt But at the length finding no hopes of help notwithstanding the Encouragement he had receiv'd from young Montfort he was constrain'd to submit yet upon Honourable Terms viz. To march thence with Bag and Baggage Which he did upon the Eve of St. Thomas the Apostle Whereupon though others thâough the King 's great Clemency were admitted to ravourable Compositions by virtue of that signal Decree called Dictum de Keâilworth made in the Camp during that notable Siege and he excepted being referr'd to a full seven years Imprisonment or submission to the King's Mercy Nevertheless such was the King's Goodness towards him that in the first place even in the height of those his most violent Actings viz. in the Month of September during that Siege he afforded unto his Lady for her present Support the Lorâships of Fillongley Allesleâ and ãâã in Com. Warr. with Barwell and ãâã in Com. Leic. all which were then valuâd at C l. per ânnum and in Ianuary next following added the Lordships of Ierdââey ãâã and ãâã And within two years after through the Mediation of Prince Edward admitted him to take the Benefit of that Dâârââ called Dictum de ãâã from which he was so excepâed as is before observed Whereupon by a formal Instrument under his Seal dated at Ely 13 Iulii 51 H. 3. that Isle being the Place whereââââ young Simon Montfort and other the most dâspâratâ Rebels flâd of whom he was made Capâain âhe obliged himself to be an Obedient and Loyal Subject for the furture and for farther confirmation thereof added his solemn Oath Whereupon the ãâã of his Composition being assigned to Râger le Strange in consideration of his faiâhful Services command was given That the Lordships oâ ãâã Worfeild and Wulverhampoâ which had been seised into the King's Hands by reason of his Rebellion should not be restored to him until the said Roger were fully satisfied Wââch being done he had Letters of Safe-conduct to go to his own Houses or any other Part of the Realm When he died I do not find but he had Issue Henry his Son and Heir Which Henry took to Wife Ioane the Sister and at length Hâir to George de Cantilupe Baron of Bergaven y but departed this World in 53 H. 3. as it seems for in that year she being then his Widow had an Allotment of divers Knights Fees and parts of Fees lying in sundry Places for her Dowrie in the whole amounting to xxiv leaving Iohn his Son and Hâir in minority As also another Son called Edmund with three Daughters Auda Lora and Ioane Which Iohn upon the death of his Uncle George de Cantilupe in 1 E. 1. being then of full age had Livery of the Lands of his Mothers Inheritance viz. the Castle and Honour of Bergahenny and Castle of Ki garan in Wales the Mannor of Aston commonly called Aston Cantelupe in Com. Warr. the Mannors of Berew K parva Merston and Stotâord in Com. Somerset as also of the Mannor of Badmundeseld in Com. Suff. which upon the Partition then made of them were allotted to him for his Purpartie In 12 E. 1. this Iohn was in that Expedition then made into Scotland and in 15 E. 1. attended Edmond Earl of Cornwall unto whom the King then in Gascoine had committed the Custody of the Realm into Wales Moreover in 21 E. 1. accompanied Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester and Hereford into Ireland and in 22 E. 1. had summons amongst others to be at Portsmouth on the first of September well fitted with Horse and Arms thence to attend the King in his Voyage into France The like Summons he had in 25 E. 1. amongst others to be at London on Sunday next after the Octaves of St. Iohn Bapt. to attend him again into those Parts As also the next ensuing year to be at Carlisâe on Whitson-Eve to march against the Scots In 28 E. 1. he attended the King again into Scotland and there performed Military Service for five Knights Fâes and in 29 E. 1. was again in the Scottiâh Wars being then of the Retinue with Edward Prince of Wales In 30 E. 1. he was constituted the King's Lieutenant in the Dutchy of Aquitane and in 31 E. 1. was with the King at that memorable Siege of âaerlaberâk in Scotland The same year also he was again in Gascoine And in 34 E. 1. had special Summons amongst the rest of the Peers to be at Westininster on the morrow after Trinity â Sunday there to consult and take order touching an Aid for the making of Prince Edward Knight In w ch year he obtain'd a Grant from the King of the whole County of Mentethe in Scotland with the Isles as also of all other the Mannors and Lands of Alan late Earl of Menteth then declared an Enemy and Rebel to the King In 3 E. 2. being constituted Seneschal of the Dutchy of Aquitane he obtain'd the King's Precept to the Constable of Dobor-Castle for Liberty to Transport himself and his Family Plate Money c. as also the King's Letters to Philip then King of France for Safe-conduct into Aquitane throught his Territories and in 4 E. 2. was again in the Wars of Scotland This Iohn had Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm from 23 E. 1. till his death which hapned in 6 E. 2. he being then seised of the Mannor of Wigginton in Com. Staff half a Knights Fee in Tibenham in Com. Norff. Cx Acres of Wood in Toâenham in Com. Midd. of the Mannor of Blancham in Com. Bedf. Burbache and Nayleston in Com. Leic. Ierdele in Com. Northampt. Badmundesfeild in Com. Suff. Allesâep and Fillongley in Com. Warr. Worfeild in Com. Salop. Bâamton in Com. Hunt Moreover of Lxix s. Rent issuing out of the Towns of Beltesfeld Golkesley and Donyngton in Com. Linc. in exchange for his Purpartie of the Earldom of Chester as also of the Castle and Lordship of Berâabenny with the Territory of Over-Went in the Marches of Wales leaving Iohn his Son and Heir at that time xxvi years of age and Isabell his Wife Daughter of William Sister and
In 13 Ioh. being thus seised of the moytie of the Honour of Leicester he obtain'd a special Discharge from the Scutage of Scotland then required for the same But not long after this viz. in 15 Ioh. it is said That the King bore great hatred towards him as he did also to some others in regard they complied not with him in his subjecting this Realm to the Authority of the Pope Nevertheless the next year following the Differences growing high betwixt the King and many of his Barons this Saiher Earl of Winchester had Letters of Safe-conduct to come to the Court and treat of an Accord betwixt them and afterwards was joyn'd in Commission with the Archbishop of Canterbury and others to see that all those who were to repair to London about the Feast of the Epiphany next ensuing the Pope's relaxation of the Interdict or to Northampton to petition the King for the Redress of ther Grievances should have safe-conduct until the Clause of Easter And moreover was so much favoured as that the King committed the Governourship of the Castle at Montsorell to his Trust. Howbeit shortly after associating himself with the Barons at that time in Rebellion he was a Party to the Agreement whereunto the King was then necessitated to submit whereby he gave up the City of London wholly into their power and liberty to make choice of xxv Barons by whom the Realm should thenceforth-be govern'd as also one of that number and thereupon together with the chief of them underwent the Pope's Excommunication the next ensuing year Which did not at all startle him for soon after he together with Robert Fitz-Walter to whom that Rebellious Pack then gave the Title of Marescallus Dei Ecclesiae were employ'd from the rest to Philip King of France for the procuring him to send over his Son Lewes into England with promise that they would advance him to the Royal Throne Nor did he return to his Obedience upon the death of King Iohn but kept a strong Garrison in the Castle of Montsorell on the behalf of Lewes And when the King's Forces had besieged it in 1 H. 3. being advertised from that Garrison that unless they had speedy Relief they could not hold it he went to Lewes and acquainted him therewith who thereupon rais'd a great Army in London and constituted him one of the Chief Commanders therein Which Army began their March Northwards upon the Munday next after Ascension-day Whereof the Earl of Chester and the rest who lay before it having notice they hasted to Notingham expecting there to give Battel to them But the Barons having by this means rais'd the Siege at Montsorell forthwith advanc'd to Lincoln where Gilbert de Gant with others of that Party had besieg'd the Castle and being got thither made a fierce Assault thereon Which being made known to the Noble William Marshall then Governour of the Realm by reason of the King's Minority he caus'd a general Rendezvouz of all the Power could be had out of such other Castles and Garrisons in those Parts as then stood for the King to be made at Newark upon Trent on Munday in Whitson-week and thence after three days march'd to Lincolne Which being discern'd by the Barons they forthwith through the direction of this Earl and Robert Fitz-Walter drew out and gave them Battel but without success for being routed upon the first Charge the King's Forces got the day and took Prisoners the most of that rebellious number amongst whom this Saiher Earl of Winchester was one of the Chief But in October following upon his submission all his Lands which had been seised into the King's hands for those his Actings were fully restored to him Thus much as to his Secular Actions Touching his Works of Piety all I have seen is That he gave to the Canons of Leicester Six Pounds yearly Rent out of Brackley and Halso in lieu of Eight Pounds Rent in the Suburbs of Leicester which he had by the Grant of the Bishop of Lincolne After which viz. in Anno 1218. 2 H. 3. he went with the Earls of Chester Arundel and some other of the English Nobility towards the Holy Land and was at the Siege of Damieta but died in Anno 1219. 4 H. 3. in his farther Journey towards Hierusalem The Issue which he left by that great Inheritrix before-specified was three Sons viz. Robert then in the Holy Land who married Hawyse the fourth Daughter of Hugh Keveliâk Earl of Chester upon which Marriage his Father gave him the Lordships of Ducebeie Grauntesseâ Bradeham and Herdewich then of C l. per annum value to make a Dowrie for Hawyse his Wife Sister to the Earl of Chester as also two Knights Fees for the same purpose And had Issue by her Margaret a Daughter Wife of Iohn de Lacie Earl of Lincolne The other two Sons being Roger and Robert He left Issue also one Daughter called Hawyse afterwards married to Hugh the Son of Robert Earl of Oxford Which Roger his elder Brother being in the Holy Land in 5 H. 3. had Livery of his Father's Lands A word now of Margaret the Countess Widow of Earl Saiher This Margaret often making her residence in the Priory at Ware built there the great Hall the great Chamber the Chappel and other Rooms for her own conveniency and gave to the Knights Templars divers Lands in Sibford and Litleford Likewise to the Canons of Leicester one Yard-land in Schepisheved as also a Stag yearly in Charnewood upon the day of the Nativity of our Lady Likewise all her Lands at Henleye to plow and enclose And died in 19 H. 3. as it seeâs for then did Roger de Quinci her Son and Heir for so he was called pay C l. Relief for the Lands of her Inheritance and was the same year made Earl of Winchester Which Roger though he bore the Title of Winchester he was really Earl of Hantshire for it appears that in 36 H. 3. the King by his Precept to the Sheriff of Hantshire commanded that he should then make Livery unto him of that x l. Annuity which he had usually receiv'd out of the Issues of that County nomine Comiis in the name of Earl In 26 H. 3. this Roger being beyond-Sea with the King desired liberty to return into England And in 30 H. 3. was one of the Peers who by Letter to the Pope complain'd to him of his Exactions in this Realm In 31 H. 3. being in Galwey where he had great Possessions in right of his Wife and exercising more severity to the People of that Country than becom'd him he was besieg'd by them in a Castle there and being
after all those great Troubles and Sorrows he totally submitted to the King's Grace and Favour and delivered up his Casâles of Skenefrith Grossemunt and Bewcastle in Wales as also his Castle of Hethlegh with the Town and Park And that the King was thereupon pleased that he and Margaret his Wife should during their respective Lives and the Life of the Survivor of them enjoy all his other Lands whatsoever by whomsoever granted and to receive him into his full Grace and Favour Thus much as to his Secular Actings and Sufferings I now come to his Works of Piety To the Monks of Clyve in Somersetshire he gave certain Lands in Clyve Treglaston and Pothwell To the Canons of Bradsole in Kent the Church of Porteââade To the Monks of Dore in Com. Heref. certain Lands called Linchoit which were made a Grange to that Abby and Pasturage for all manner of Cattel in his Territory of Grosmunt Likewise Paunage for their Hogs in the Forest of Grosmunt Estovers for Building at their Grange of Linchoit out of the same Forest and dead-wood for Fewel Moreover he gave unto them the Hermitage of Lanneir with the Ground thereto adjoyning and six Ox-gangs of Land in the before-specified Forest. He also founded the Hospital of our Lady at Dovor Furthermore he gave certain Houses situate betwixt the Abby of Westminster and the City of London to Laurence de St. Alban Rector of the Church of Atelbergh and Richard de Wokinden Rector of the Church of A ... lers to the intent that the Revenues of those Houses should be disposed of for the succour of the Holy Land as also for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Margaret his Wife Iohn his Son M. his Daughter and all his Forefathers and Successors Lastly in consideration of the Sum of Cxl Marks of Silver he purchased from the Monks of Westminster the Inheritance of certain Houses with a Court and Free-Chappel wherein to celebrate Divine Service for himself and his Family within the Liberties of Westminster paying yearly to them and their Successors a Wax Taper of three pound weight upon the Feast-day of St. Edward And founded the old Church of the Maeson Dieu in Dovor As to his Wives he first Wedded Ioane Daughter to William de Vernun Earl of Devon Widow of William de Briwer with whom he had in Marriage the whole Isle of Wibt and the Lordship of Christ-Church in Hantshire Secondly Beatrix Daughter to William de Warren of Wirmegay in Com. Nârff Widow of Dodo Bardolf Thirdly Isabell Daughter and Coheir to William Earl of Gloucester Widow of Geffrey de Mandevill whom King Iohn had first repudiated And fourthly Margaret Daughter to William King of Scotland as before hath been observed Of his Issue all that I have seen is That he had two Sons Iohn and Hubert both by his last Wife as it seems For certain it is that Iohn succeeded him in that part of his Inheritance which remained and was by the said Margaret The Names of his Daughters were Margaret and Magot Whereof Margaret was so married to Richard de Clare Earl of Gloucester as hath been already observed Of his Death I find that it hapned at Banstede in Surrey 4 Id. Maii An. 1243. 27 H. 3. Whereupon his Corps was brought to Londoâ and there honourably interred within the Church of the Friers-Preachers commonly called the Black-Friers then situate in Holburne on the back-side of Lincolns-Inne unto which Covent he had been a large Benefactor having amongst other things bestow'd on them his Palace at Westminster afterwards purchased by the Archbishop of Yorke and called White-Hall I come now to Iohn his Son This Iohn was girt with the Sword of Knighthood by King Henry the Third on Whitsunday in Anno 1229. 13 H. 3. In 26 H. 3. the year preceding his Father's death he was in that famous Battel of Xantoigne against the French where the English obtain'd a glorious Victory And in 27 H. 3. which was the year wherein his Father died doing his Homage had Livery of the Lands of his Inheritance but did not enjoy the Title of Earl of Kent In 44 H. 3. upon the death of Margaret his Mother he was found to be her next Heir But after this he âided with the Rebellious Barons being a Party to that Agreement made betwixt the King and them in 46 H. 3. And in 48 H. 3. was in the Battel of Lewes on their part as also the next ensuing year in the Battel of Evesham Whereupon his Lands were seised This Iohn gave the Mannor of Chalk to the Monks of Bermondsey and having married Hawyse the Daughter and Heir of William de Lanvaley left Issue Iohn his Son and Heir though when he died I find no mention A word or two now of Hubert his younger Brother In 10 E. 1. this Hubert came before the King and his Council at Chester upon Sunday next ensuing the Feast of St. Peter and Paul and oblig'd himself in the Sum of a thousand Pounds for his future Fidelity to the King and his Heirs From whom descended Thomas Burgh of Sterborough-Castle in Com. Surr. Lord of Gaynesborough in Com. Linc. who in 3 H. 7. was advanc'd to the Dignity of Lord Borough But I return to Iohn Son and Heir to the before-specified Iohn In 3 E. 1. this Iohn as Heir to Hawyse de Lanvalley had Livery of the Mannors of Kingston Wakerle Waokre Hallingburie and Lexenden which Iohn his Father held by the Courtesie of England as of the Inheritance of her the said Hawyse paying C l. for his Relief And departed this Life in 8 E. 1. being then seised of the said Mannor of Wakerle in Com. Northampt. held of the King in Capite together with the Barony of Lanvaley by the Service of one Knights Fee and an half leaving Issue three Daughters and Heirs viz. Hawyse the Wife of Robert de Greilly Dervorgild the Wife of Robert Fitz-Walter and Margerie a Nun at Chiksand in Com. Bedf. He likewise then died seised of the Mannor of Porteslade in Com. Suss. Lewes with the Advowson of the Church As also of the Mannors of Halwenesheye Alryngton Hallingbury Walkerne and Kingston in Com. Somerset Of which Mannors Robert de Grelle and Hawyse his Wife had the Mannors of Waoker Hallingbury and Lexenden and the said Robert Fitz-Walter and Dervorgill the Mannors of Wakerley Kingston and Porteslade Briwere THE first mention I find of this Name and Family is in 26 H. 2. upon a memorable occasion William Briwere the Son of Henry Briwere in consideration of xxxi Marks in Silver whereof ten were acquitted for his Service belonging to the Land and the rest paid in Money then purchasing from Hawise de Iâesham Raphe
his eldest Son with some other Persons as Hostages for the Remainder the King at the humble Suit of Reginald seeing no other means for his Enlargement gave way thereto authorising Sire William de Roos Sire Richard de Grey Sire William de Willughby Sire William le Zouche and Sire Hugh Huls as also Iohn Harvey William Vaus Iohn Lee Iohn Langeford Thomas Payne and Iohn Elnestow and every of them to treat with Owen and his Council and to conclude with him in what they should conceive most expedient to be done for his Redemption Whereupon they consenting to give that Sâm for his deliverance the King gave Licence to Robert Braybroke Bishop of London as also to Sire Gerard Braybroke the Father and Sire Gerard the Son then Feoffees of divers Lordships for this Reginald to sell the Mannor of Hertelegh in Kent towards the raising of that Sum. And for the better enabling him to pay so great a Fine was pleased to grant That whereas it was enacted That all such Persons who were Owners of Lands in Ireland and did not there reside should for such their neglect forfeit two parts of the Profits of them to the King that notwithstanding this Act he should forfeit nothing for his Non-residence there during the term of six years then next ensuing This is the same Reginald who had the great Contest in the Court of Chivalry with Sire Edward de Hastings touching the Title of Lord Hastings and bearing the entire Arms of Iohn de Hastings late Earl of Pembroke unto whom he was Heir as hath been observed Which Cause coming to a definitive Sentence in 11 H. 4. the Right and Title to the said Name and Arms was adjudged to him and his Heirs as Lord Hastings and Sir Edward de Hastings thenceforth prohibited to bear them was sentenc'd to pay such Costs of Suit as should be appointed by the Court. After this viz. in 4 H. 5. he was retain'd by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars of France And the same year serv'd him in his Fleet at Sea In 9 H. 5. he was again retain'd to serve him in his Wars beyond-Sea for half a year with six Men at Arms himself accounted one and eighteen Archers mounted according to their respective Conditions taking per diem for himself two Shillings and for each of his Men at Arms Twelve Pence with the accustomed Reward and Six Pence apiece for his Archers As also to have the benefit of all Prisoners they should take excepting Kings Princes or any of the Royal Blood and especially Charles the Dââphin of Viennois or any one that murthered Iohn Duke of Burgeyne or were consenting thereto And in 3 H. 6. was in like sort retain'd to serve the King in his Wars of France under the Command of Iohn Duke of Bedford the King's Uncle then Regent of France with twenty Men at Arms and sixty Archers on Horseback for the like Wages This Reginald had two Wives viz. Margaret the Daughter of William Lord Ros and Ioane Daughter and Heir to William Lord Astley By the first of them he had Issue Sir Iohn Grây Knight who in 13 R. 2. serv'd the King in his French Wars Which Iohn departing this Life whilst his Father lived left Issue Edmund and Thomas Which Thomas being a Knight in 28 H. 6. was advanc'd to the Dignity of Baron of Rugemont-Grey in Com. ... And having in 38 H. 6. obtain'd the Stewardship of the Lordships of Wendover and Whaddon in Com. Buck. forfeited to the King had in farther consideration of his special Services in those Wars which King Henry underwent with his Adversariâs of the House of Yorke a Grant of Forty Pounds per annum out of those Lordships above-mentioned But for this his Fidelity to the House of Lancaster he paid dear for in 1 E. 4. he was with many others of that Party attainted in Parliament being then seised of the Mannor of Langton in Com. Ebor. and Merton in Com. Westmerl leaving no Issue for ought I have seen By his second Wife the said Reginald had Issue three Sons viz. Edward who married Elizabeth the Daughter and Heir to Henry Lord Ferrers of Groby of whom and his Descendents I shall speak by and by Iohn Grey of Barwell in Com. Leic. and Robert Grey of Enfeild in Com. Stâff And died in 19 H. 6. leaving Edmund his Grandson viz. Son of Iohn his eldest Son who died in his Life-time his next Heir Which Edmund the same year in consideration of his special Services to that King perform'd in Aquitane and other Parts beyond Sea as also in the Realm of England by attendance on his Person to his very great expence and for a Fine of Three hundred Pounds paid into the Exchequer as well in satisfaction of the Profits of his Lands which belong'd to the King from the death of the said Reginald as the Relief thereupon had a special Licence to enter upon all his Castles Lordships and Lands not onely in England Wales and the Marches of Wales but those in Ireland and the Town of Calais without any Inquisition to be taken after the death of his said Grandfather or other Livery of them This Edmund having a fair Estate in Bedfordshire did not a little augment it by the addition of Anthill and certain other Lands of the Lord Fanhope But how he came by them let us hear In the time of the Civil War betwixt King Henry the Sixth and King Edward the Fourth there was a Battel fought saith Leland without the South-Suburbs of Northampton The Lord Fanhope took totally King Henry's part The Lord Grey of Ruthyn did the same in countenance but a little afore the Field he practised with King Edward Other saying that he had a Title to the Lord Fanâope's Lands at Antehill and thereabout or depraving him with false Accusations so wrought with King Edward that he with all his strong Band of Walschemen fell to King Edward's part upon promise that if Edward wan the Field he should have Antehille and such Lands as Fanhope had there Edward wan the Field and Gray obtained Antehille cum pertinentiis c. So far my Author That he had great esteem from King Edward is plain enough for upon the twenty fourth of June in 3 E. 4. he made him Lord Treasurer of England and within two years following viz. 3 Maii 5 E. 4. using then the Titles of Lord and Baron of Hastings Weysford and Ruthyn created him Earl of Kent and to the Heirs-male of his Body After which viz. in 11 E. 4. he was one of those Pâers who upon the third of July King Edward having again recovered the Crown subscrib'd and gave their Oaths of Fealty to Prince Edward the King's Son And after the death of King Edward obtain'd from King Richard the Third a
appropriated to his College of Astley to the intent that the Dean of that College and his Brethren should specially pray for the Souls of King Edward the Fourth Queen Elizabeth his Wife Mother to this Marquess as also for his Fathers his own his Wifes Soul and all Christian Souls He also Willed That his Son and Heir apparent should after his Decease have and enjoy his Mannors of Groby Bradgate Rotby Newton Ansty Cobentre Glenfeild with all the Members to them appertaining as also the Mannor of Higham in Com. Leic. with Winchester Fee and the Mannors of Graâton Hertwelle Ashehenne Rooâe Wyke Hâmund Wyke Dive Stoke upon Tearne Wuttân under Wyvor Broughton Astley the Lee ãâã and ãâã Lee Bancors and Levisham with all his ãâã in Calais And that Cecilie his Wife should have the Mannor of Astâââ with its Appurtenances Likewise for the performance of his Legacies and that every of his Daughters unmarried might have a thousand Pounds the Revenues and Profits of his Mannors of Lutterworth Creke Clay-Coton Willougâoâ Waterlesse Wedyngton Trelawne Tregewell Trewardreth Colrige West-Kington and Leysthorp should be received by his Executors And That if the Lord Ferrers who had then married Mary his Daughter should die before Carnal Copulation or disagree to the Marriage then that Thousand Pounds to return And lastly That all Covenants betwixt the Lord Dudley and him for the Marriage of his Son and Hâir to Cecilie his Daughter should be in all points perform'd By this Cecilie his Wife who was Daughter and Heir to William Lord Bonvile and afterwards married to Henry Earl of Wiltshire he had Issue seven Sons viz. Edward and Anthony who died young Thomas who succeeded him in his Honours Richard Iohn and Leonard and George a Clergy-man and eight Daughters Dorothy first married to Robert Willoughby Lord Broke and afterwards to William Blount Lord Montjoy Cecilie to Iohn Sutton Lord Dudley Eleanor to Iohn Arundell of Lanherne in Cornwall Esq Elizabeth to Gerald Fitz Gerald Earl of Kildare in Ireland Mary to Walter Devereux Lord Ferrers of Chartley afterwards created Viscount Hereford Margaret to Richard Wake of Blisworth in Com. Northampt. Esq Bridget died young and Anne to Richard Clement And departed this Life 20 Sept. 17 H 7. Shortly after which viz. 18 Nov. 18 H. 7. Thomas his Son and Heir had Livery of his Lands Which Thomas in 3 H. 8. was General of that Army sent about the beginning of May into Spaine consisting of Ten thousand Men whereof Five thousand were Archers who besides their Bows and Arrows carried Halberts which they pitched in the Ground till their Arrows were shot and then took up again to do Execution on the Enemy wherein were also his three Brothers with the Lord Thomas Howard Son and Heir to the Earl of Surrey the Lords Brooke Willoughby and Ferrers Which Army arriv'd at Passage a Port in Guipuscoa and though design'd to joyn with the Forces of Ferdinand the Emperor to invade Guyenne a Territory belonging to the King of France yet being landed and the Emperor proposing other Actings from it than were consonant to the Commission and Instructions which the King had given after many of the Soldiers by ill Diet lost and the General himself sick return'd for England about the end of November following without performing any thing of moment In 5 H. 8. this Thomas and four of his Brothers together with the Duke of Suffolk and some other gallant Englishmen upon Proclamation of a Justs at St. Dennis in France which Francis de Valois next Heir to the Crown of France having married Claude eldest Daughter to Lewes the Twelfth by Anne Inheritrix of Bretaigne to give some proof of his Valour had obtain'd leave of the King to be performed went thither and behaved himself so bravely therein that he return'd home with singular Honour In 12 H. 8. at that famous Meeting of King Henry and Francis the First of France between Ardres and Gisnes in Picardy he carried the Sword of Estate before the King of England naked as the Duke of Bourbon did before the King of France And after that was one of the Aiders in those renowned Justs and Tournaments which were held at that time there betwixt the English and French In 14 H. 8. he was sent to Calais to attend the Emperor Charles the Fifth into England which was the time that the Emperor was so magnificently entertain'd by King Henry being himself lodg'd in Black-Friers and his Train in the King's then new-beautified Palace at Bridewell And in 15 H. 8. was together with Sir Thomas Lovel Knight constituted Chief Justice-Itinerant of all the King's Forests and then had a Grant from that King to himself and the Heirs-male of his Body of the Mannors of Wawens-Wotton Sheldon and Lalleford in the County of Warwick part of the Possessions of Edward Duke of Buckingham lately attainted And in 19 H. 8. in exchange from the King the Mannors of Loughborough and Shepesheved in Com. Leic. with the Advousons of the Churches thereto belonging which came to the Crown by the Attainder of Francis Lord Lovell in consideration of the Lordships of Grafton and Hartwell in Com. Northampt. of his own Inheritance And moreover by another Grant obtain'd the Inheritance of Bardon-Park in Com. Leic. In 19 H. 8. Cecilie the Mother of this Marquess then Widow of Henry Earl of Wiltshire by her Testament bearing date the sixth of March bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Chappel at Astley in the Tomb where the late Lord Marquess her Husband lay And appointed That soon after her death a thousand Masses should be said for her Soul in as convenient haste as might be Moreover That a goodly Tomb should be made in the Chappel of Astley over the Lord Marquess her Husband and another over her self And that her Executors should provide two Priests daily to sing in the said Chappel of Astley by the space of Lxxx years to pray for the Soul of the said Lord Marquess and her own Soul and each of them to have viii l. yearly Stipend for their pains In 21 H. 8. this Marquess being one of the Witnesses produc'd in that Cause of Divorce betwixt King Henry and Queen Katherine his first Wife deposed to the Age of Prince Arthur and for his Abilities as to Carnal Copulation and the same year was one of the Lords who subscrib'd and presented to the King that sharp Complaint contain'd in Forty four Articles against the then Great and Potent Cardinal Wolsey In 22 H. 8. he was one of those English Lords that subscrib'd a Letter to Pope Clement the Seventh whereby they importun'd his allowance of the Divorce before-mentioned And upon the second of June Anno 1530. 22 H. 8. did by his Testament bequeath his Body to be buried in the same Chappel at Astley
Assignation of the Mannors of Foxley Saxthorp Bergh Filby Hoderiston Hocham and Kerbroke in Com. Norf. Ixening in Com. Suff. Pyriton in Com. Hertf. Braxstead Fordham Redeswel Hassingbroke and Walbury in Com. Essex Melton Ludesdon Hertley and Wikham in Kent Swindon in Com. Wiltes Shrivenham in Com. Berks. Doninton in Com. Buck. Downham with the Soke in Com. Nott. The Mannor of St. Florence in Wales the Mannor of Felton and certain Lands in Thrastreston in Com. Northumbr Eighteen shillings six pence farthing Land and Rent in Pount-Eland in Com. Northumbr Forty pounds Land and Rent in Castel Martin in Walesâ Ten pounds Rent in Beverley Scoureburgh and Besewike in Comit. Ebor. And by the name of Mary de St. Paul Countess of Pembroke Lady of Weysford and Montinac for the health of her Soul and the Soul of Audomare sometime Earl of Pembroke her Husband and the Souls of Guy de Chastilioun sometime Earl of St. Paul her Father and Mary de Britannia sometime his Wife her Mother founded an House of Nuns called Minoresses at Denney in Com. Cantabr and gave great sums of Money towards the fabrick of the Gray-Fryers Church in London Earls of Lancaster BEfore I speak of the advancement of Edmund the first of these Earls to that title and dignity I shall observe that he was the younger Son of King Henry the Third and born at London upon S. Marcels day scil 17 Kal. Febr. An. 1245. 30 Hen. 3. Next that upon S. Lukes day in 38 Hen. 3. the King convening many of his Nobles the Bishop of Romania of the Order of the Fryers-Preachers came to him from the Pope and having brought a Ring from his Holiness gave it to this Edmund investing him therewith into the Dominion of Sâcâly and Aâulia whereupon he had the Title of King of Sicily Which being done the Bishop returned with large rewards About this time also he was made Earl of Chester But in regard he was young the King as his Guardian for the Kingdom of Sicily issued out his Letters of Attorney dated at Bourdeaux 14 Octob. for taking possession thereof Whereupon this Edmund granted the Principality of Capua a Member of that Regality to Thomas Earl of Savoy But though this specious gift of that Kingdom came to nothing Conradus the real King thereof being then alive it was not long after that he attained both real Titles and vast Possessions For in 49 Hen. 3. upon the Forfeiture of Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester whereof I have already spoke the King by his Letters Patents bearing date 25 Octob. gave unto him the Inheritance of the Earldom of Leicester as also the honor and Stewardship of England Likewise all the Lands of Nicholas de Segrave a partaker with Montfort a in his Rebellious Actings And the next ensuing year 28 Iunii bestowed on him all the Goods and Chattels whereof Robert de Ferrers Earl of Derby was possessed upon the day of the skirmish at Chesterfield And upon the twelfth of Iuly following gave him the Honor of Derby with all the Castles Mannors and Lands of the same Robert de Ferrers as also the Honor of Leicester and all the Lands of Simon de Montfort late Earl of Leicester To hold to himself and the heirs of his Body Moreover about this time he farther granted unto him the custody of the Castles of Kaermerdin and Cardigan and likewise the Isle of Lundy And thinking all this not sufficient he shortly after gave him the Castle of Shireburne in Com. Dors. as also the Castle of Kenilworth in Com. Warr. with all the Lands thereto belonging the Honor Earldom Castle and Town of Lancaster with their Appurtenances together with the Honor and Castle of Monmouth to hold to himself and the heirs of his Body And not long after this viz in 53 Hen. 3. being thus inriched he obtained a farther Grant of the Honor Town and Castle of Leicester with all the Lands and Knights Fees which were Simon de Montforts late Earl of Leicester To hold to himself and the Heirs of his Body lawfully begotten as also of all the Lands which he the said Simon held of the Barony of Iohn le Viscount in the County of Northumberland and of all other the Lands of the same Simon which by his Forfeiture Escheated to the Crown likewise of the Stewardship of England to hold for life And the same year was with Prince Edward his Brother and many others signed with the Cross. The next year following viz. 54 Hen. 3. 6 Id. Apr. he married Aveline the Daughter of William Earl of Albemarle Countess of Holderness Heir to her Father and by her Mother Countess of Devon and the Isle of Wight but by her he had no issue And obtained a discharge from the King of a debt of One thousand seven hundred sixty seven pounds four shillings five pence due by Iohn de Monmouth whereunto the Castle and Honor of Monmouth which he then possessed were liable Shortly after which he went into the Holy Land and in 56 Hen. 3. returned Thus much as to what I find memorable of him in his Fathers time After which scil in 4 Edw. 1. he obtained a Grant from that King bearing date 26 Iuly of the Castle of Charââey in Com. Staff and to the heirs of his Body part of the Possessions of Thomas de Ferrers And in 5 Edw. 1. a farther Confirmation of the Mannor Castle and Honor of Monmouth late Iohn de Monmouths which had been granted to him by King Henry the Third with a special discharge from those debts which were owing to the Exchequer by the same Iohn Also in 7 Edw. 1. a Grant from the King of the Mannors of Wirksworth and Esburne with the Wapentake of Wirksworth in Fee to hold by the service of two Knights Fees in exchange for the Castles of Kaermerden and Cardigan In this year likewise he obtained the title of Earl Champaigne by the Grant of King Edward and in 10 Edw. 1. was in that expedition then made into Scotland In 12 Edw. 1. he procured from Queen Eleanor his Mother a Grant of the Houses Garden Place and Rents by her purchased from the Provost and Canons of Montâoy situate in the Suburbs of London lately belonging to Peter de Savoy her Uncle And in 13 Ed. 1. as Earl of Chester obtained from the King a Grant of divers Liberties as also Free Chase in the Chase of Wisseley and Wimburgholt Likewise a farther Confirmation of the Castle and Honor of Monmouth with the Castles of Grosmund Skenfrith and Blaunch Castell and of all the Lands of Robert de Ferrers late Earl of Derby given to him by his Father King Henry the Third Also of the Town and Castle of Leicester late Simon de Montforts Earl
Brother to this last mentioned Nicholas the Family of Poinz still residing in Glocestershire are linâally descended Plugenet 23 Edw. 1. IN 2 Hen. 2. Hugh de Plugenet had Lands given to him in Hedendune in Comit. Oxon. and in 13 Hen. 2. was owner of Lamburne in Com. Berks. In 22 Hen. 2. he was amerced at twenty Marks for trespasses in the Forest and in 2 Ric. 1. gave an hundred pounds Fine for livery of his Lands in Lamburne Westberie and Heddington And having married Sibill the Daughter and Coheir of Iosceus de Dinant had issue by her two Sons Alan and Iosceus Which Iosceus in 14 Ioh. upon the death of his Mother gave an hundred marks and one Palfrey for livery of the Lands in Lamburne of her Inheritance To one of these succeeded another Alan Which Alan in 49 Hen. 3. after the King became victorious over his Rebellious Barons at âvesham was made Governor of Dunster Castle in Com. Somers And in 52 H. 3. being then a Knight obtained a Grant in Fee-ferme from Robert Wâlroâd his Uncle to himself and the Heirs of his Body of the Mannors of Langâord and Whaddon in Comit. Wiltes Kingeston and Mangareston in Com. Dors. and Wateley in Com. Somers As also of the wardenship of New-Forest and Advowsons of the Churches of Whaddon and Langford paying yearly to him the said Robert and his Heirs an hundred and forty pounds at four usual days The like Grant also he had from him of the Castle and Mannor of Rââpec in Com. Heref. as also of the Mannor Harnham paying yearly an hundred and forty pounds and one Spar-Hawk at three termes in the year Moreover standing loyal to the King in his Wars with the Barons he had a Grant of the Lands of Ralph Musard then forfeited by reason of his Rebellious actings in those turbulent times but afterwards upon composition restored them to him again And in 1 Ed. 1. upon the death of Robert Walrond his Uncle refusing the Escheator entrance into the Castle of Kilpec contrary to the accustomed usage in such cases hasted to the King then at London and rendred it to him Whereupon command was given that the Escheator should take it into his hands permitting no other person Nobleman or Knight to come into it But before the end of this year he obtained a special Precept directed to Bartholomew de Sudley to make diligent enquiry and to certifie whether the said Robert Walrond had any Children or not Whereupon it being found that he died Issueless this Alan performing his Fealty had livery thereof accordingly as also of the Mannors of Langford Whaddone and Harnham in such sort likewise limited In 10 Edw. 1. he was in that Expedition then made into Wales and the same year obtained a Grant of the Mannor of Haselbury in Comit. Dors. part of the possession of William de Mareschal attainted Shortly after which viz. in 14 Edw. 1. he procured a Charter for a weekly Market there upon the Munday as also for Free-warren in all those Lands and Lordships which had been granted to him in the time of King Henry the third And in 15 E. 2. was constituted Governor of Drosâelan Castle in Wales which belonged to Rhese ap Meredith then a Rebel Furthermore in 18 Edw. 1. he obtained another Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesne Land within his Lordships of Little Kington Great Kington Batecumbe Mulebury Bolbe Bere and Kington in Com. Dors. Culmeston Wadden Langford and West-Harnham in Comit. Wiltes And in 22 Edw. 1. received command to attend the King at Portsmouth upon the first of September well fitted with Horse and Armes thence to sail with him into Gascoin In 25 E. 1. the King being in Flanders and constituting Edward his Son Governor of the Realm in his absence this Alan being a person highly esteemed for his wisdom and military knowledge was appointed one of his Assistants for advice therein And having been summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm from 23 Edw. 1. untill the 25 th year of that Kings Reign inclusive departed this life in 27 Edw. 1. being then seized of the Castle of Kilpec in Com. Heref. which he held by Serjeanty to be Bailiff to the King for his Hay of Hereford Likewise of the Mannors of Longeford Mobbevyle Wheddon West-Harnham and Saltertone in Com. Wiltes as also of the Mannor of Hedington in Com. Oxon. and jointly with Ioane his wife of the Mannor of Genge in Com. Berks. with Mudeford Torry Pultenay and Haâelbere in Com. Somers leaving Alan his Son and Heir twenty two years of age And Ioane his Wife surviving who had also the Mannor of Winfroid assigned to her for her better suport Which Alan doing his Homage had livery of his Lands before the end of that year And in 28 Edw. 1. was in the Scotish Wars So likewise in 29 and 31 Edw. 1. And in 34 Edw. 1. being made a Knight at the Feast of Pentecost with Prince Edward and many others by Bathing c. attended him in that Expedition thereupon made into Scotland and continued there in 35 Edw. 1. In 2 Edw. 2. this Alan obtained Licence for a Market every week upon the Friday at his Mannor of Kilpec in Com. Heref. as also for a Fair there yearly on the Eve and Day of the Assumption of our Lady and two days following In 4 Edw. 2. he received Summons to be at Roxburgh upon the Feast day of St. Peter ad Vincula well fitted with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots So likewise in 8 Edw. 2. to be at Newcastle upon Tine upon the Festival of the blessed Virgins Assumption And having been summoned to Parliament in 5 Edw. 2. and no more departed this life soon after as I ghess leaving Ioane de Bohun his Sister and Heir who doing her Homage in 19 Edw. 2. had livery of the Lands of her Inherinance Which Ioane died without issue in 1. E. 3. whereupon the Lands of her Inheritance resorted to Sir Richard de la Bere Knight Son of Richard de la Bere Brother of the whole Blood to Alan Plugenet her Father Fauconberg 23 Edw. 1. OF this antient Family the first of whom I find mention is Peter de Falkeberge Son of Agnes de Arches founderess of the House of Nuns at Nun-Kelling in Holderness Which Peter for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Beatrice his Wife as also for the Souls of William Walter and Stephen his Sons and all his Ancestors Souls gave to the Monks of Pontfract his moity of the Church of St. Michael at Catchewic in consideration whereof they covenanted to celebrate his Obit and Anniversary and likewise the
As also before the end of that year being with him in the Battle of Lewes Whence so soon as he discern'd the day to be lost he fled into the Marches of Waâes where together with the Lord Mortimer and others he did his best in opposition to Prince Leoline at that time a great adherent to the Rebellious Barons For which signal Services after the Kings recovery of his Royal Power by that happy Victory at ãâã in 49 of his Reign he was made Warden of all the Forests beyond Trent As also Sheriff of âumberland Warden of the Cinque-Ports and Sheriff of âent And in recompence of those his laudable Adventures obtain'd a Grant of the Wardship of Idonea the younger of the Two Daughters and Coheirs of Robert de Vipount a great Baron in the North. As also of the Lands of Adam lâ Dispenser Likewise of the Mannors of âirk-Oswald and Burgh in Com. Westmorl with the Bayliwick of the Forest of Engâewode in Com. Cumbr. part of the possession of Thomas de Multon Moreover of the Mannors of Thurtok and Hoo which belong'd to Richard de Gray with the Mannors of Bertone Swalvefeld and Stanton part of the possessions of Roger de St Iohn all of them the Kings Enemies and Rebels Furthermore in 50 H. 3. joyning with Roger de Clifford who had the Wardship of Isabell the elder of those two Daughters and Coheirs to the before-specified Robert de Vipount he procured the Kings Pardon to them for the Rebellious actings of their Father in the time of that grand Insurrection of Montfort Earl of ãâ¦ã And before the end of this 50 th year was again constituted Sheriff of Cumberland and Governor of the Castle at Carlisle About that time also having the Guard of the Sea costs in Kent against the Inhabitants of the Cinque-Ports who then stood out against the King in which Service he expended large Sums of his own Moniâs Command was given to the Sheriff of Kent to reimburse him out of the Contributions received from that County In 51 H. 3. he was again made Sheriff of âumberland and in 52 H. 3. once more Sheriff of Kent for the first quarter of that year In 54 H. 3. he was sign'd with the Cross in order to his going to the Holy-Land with Prince Edward and departed this Life in 56 H. 3. leaving Eleanore de Vaux the Widdow of Roger de Quinci Earl of Winchester his Second Wife surviving and William his Son and Heir which William then doing his Homage had Livery of part of the Lands of his Inheritance the Mannors of Bodune Eshetesford Bukewell Bakemanston and Wereham and all the Lands of Margerie de Vernun in Suho whereto the said Eleanore Countess of Winchester his Fathers Widdow laid claim as being joyntly enfeoffed of them together with him excepted Of which she was thereupon endowed by the King 's special appointment And in 2. E. 1. had Livery of the Mannors of Lâyburnâ Langele Ledes Horittesham Esham Elmerston Mere Gare Werhorne and East Hetesford whereof the said Roger his Father died also seized In 10 E. 1. this William was in that Expedition then made into Wales And in 22 E. 1. made Constable of the Castle of Pevensey In which year the King concluding a League with Rodulph King of Romans and sending an Army into Gascoigne he disposed his Fleet at Sea into three parts constituting this William Admiral of that part of it which lay at Portmouth and thereupon directed his Precept to the Sheriffs of Southampton Dorset Somerset Devon Cornwal and Gloucester Shires as also to those in the Marches of Wales and Ireland and likewise to all his Bayliffs and Foresters throughout those Counties that they should furnish him with Timber for the building of Sixty Ships so as they might be at Portmouth in readiness for his Service by the Feast day of St. Peter ad vincula next ensuing And in 24 E. 1. obtained a Grant of the Wardship and Marriage of the Son and Heir of William de Say deceased to be an Husband for Idonea his Daughter In 25 E. 1. he attended the King in his Expedition then made into Flanders And in 28 E. 1. was in the Scotish Wars So likewise in 29 and 32 E. 1. And in 35 E. 1. obtain'd a Charter for a Market every week upon the Monday at his Mannor of Preston in Kent as also for a Fair there yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Invention of the Holy-Cross And having been summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm from 27 E. 1. till 3 E. 1. departed this Life in the same year being then seised of the Mannors of âa Gore Esham and Langele in Com. Cantii whereof he had been jointly enfeoffed with Iulian his Wife by Fulke Payfrere Also of the Mannors of Eââure Ashtesford Preston Elmarston Over-lund and Mere with the Parks and Marish of Slahule Likewise of the Mannors of Done and West Gate in the Isle of Tanet all in Com. Cantii leaving Iulian the Daughter of his Son Thomas de Leiburne who died in his life time his next Heir at that time six years of age Iulian his own Wife surviving Which Thomas in 32 E. 1. was with his Father in the Scotish Wars but dyed in 35 E. 1. being also jointly enfeossed together with Alice his Wife by William his Father of the Castle and Mannor of Leiburne in Kent leaving the before-specified Iulian his Daughter three years of age Which Iulian afterwards became the Wife of Iohn de Hastings Father of Laurence the first Earl of Pembroke of that Family and afterwards of William de Clinton Earl of Huntendon ¶ Of this Name but whether of the same Family I am not sure was Sir Iohn de Leyburne of ... in Com. Salop who having been in that Insurrection with Thomas Earl of Lancaster Iohn Lord Moubray and others in 15 E. 2. for which his Lands in Com. Northumb. were seised made his peace in 17 E. 2. by a pecuniary Fine and thereupon had restitution of them In 18 E. 2. this Sir Iohn de Leyburne accompanied Iohn de Felton in that Expedition then made into Gascoigne and in 4 E. 3. upon the Death of Iohn le Strange of Cheswardyne in Com. Salop. was found to be his next Heir viz. Son of Lucia Sister of the said Iohn and at that time Thirty years of age In 7 E. 3. he obtained a Charter for Free-Warren in all his demesne Lands throughout his Lordships of Caux Wortham Yokeshull Mynsterley Shelve Wenthovre Byn-Weston Aldemere Berwike Childerscalne and Marton in the Hundred of Ellesmere in Com. Salop. As also at Angreham in Com. Northumb. Silfreton Hurbreton and Bâyxham in Com. Devon
and Office of Surveyour of all the Castles and Lands as well in England as Wales belonging to Prince Edward to hold until he should accomplish his full age And in 37 H. 6. was again constituted one of the Commissioners to meet with those from Scotland at Newcastle upon Cine touching satisfaction for such Injuries as had been committed by the Subjects of either Realm against the other contrary to the Articles of Truce formerly concluded betwixt them This Iohn Vicount Beaumont was summoned to Parliament from 10 H. 6. until 38 H. 6. But in that 38 th year the Duke of Yorke being at Calais and having gotten strength through the aid of the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury sent divers complaints to the King amongst which one was against him calling him their mortal Enemy alleadging that he had misled the King and wrought upon him to consent unto that Act of Parliament made at Coventre against them as also that he had made spoyl of their Lands and Goods And ere long after landing in England gave Battle to the King at Northampton viz 10. Iulii 38 H. 6. where obtaining the Victory this Vicount Beaumont was slain with many other persons of note To whom succeeded William his second Son Henry the eldest Son being dead before and buried in Denington Church in the Diocess of Norwich Which William in right of Elizabeth his Mother Daughter and Heir to William Phelip Lord Bardolfe had also the Title of Lord Bardolfe possessing a large Inheritance as Heir to her and in the same 38 th year of H. 6. made proof of his age as Cousin and Heir to Iohn Lord Bardolf viz. Son and Heir of Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to him the said Iohn viz. that he was born at Edenham in Com. Linc. and Baptized in that Church upon the Feast-day of St. George the Martyr 16 H. 6. the Abbot of Crouland being one of his Godfathers Whereupon he had Livery of his Lands his Homage being respited He first Married Elizabeth Daughter to Richard Scrope Brother to the Lord Scrope of Bolton and secondly Ioane Daughter to Humphrey Duke of Buckingham but adhering firmly to the Lancastrian Interest as his Ancestors had done participated of the hard fate which soon after befel that Family being taken Prisoner at Townton-Field in 1 E. 4. and in the Parliament begun at Westminster 4. Nov. the same year attainted at which time he was seised of the Mannor of Halowton in Com. Leic. Shelforth Stoke Bardolf Gedlyng and Carleton in Com. Nott. Grymesthorpe Aylesthorpe Southorpe Edenbam Hale alias Westhall in Com. Linc. Bolton Perci in Com. Ebor. Loughborough Shepeshed UUhitington Aâhvy la Zouche UUhytwyke Bochaston Newton Hokescote Donyngton Harkefeld Rothy Beaumaner and Botesford in Com. Leic. Stowe Bardolf Roungeton Fareswell in Fyncham UUhinbergh Mateshale Erpyngham UUykmere Cantelee Strapeshagh Castre Denyngton Brundishe Ilkelyshale Clopton and Cretyngham in Com. Norf. UUatton and Stone in Com. Hertf. and UUilberham in Com. Cantabr In 14 E. 4. this William Vicount Beaumont taking part with Iohn Earl of Oxford who withdrew himself from Barnet field in 10 E. 4. fleeing first into Scotland and afterwards into France landed with him in Cornwall and assisted him in keeping of St. Hichaels Mount Whereupon the Sheriff of that County offering pardon to the Earls Men who thereupon forsook him he was brought Prisoner with him to the King But in 1 H. 7. the Lancastrian Party long depressed through the favor of King the chief and only remaining Branch of that Illustrious stock being raised again amongst them this William was restored in Parliament begun at UUestminster 7 Nov. in the first year of his Reign After which I have not seen any thing farther of him than that having been summoned to Parliament from 1. until 12 H. 7. inclusive he departed this life without Issue 28 Dec. 24 H. 7 And that Francis Lovel had he been at that time living and not attainted should have been his next Heir viz. Son of Ioane Sister to the said William ¶ From this Noble Family do the Beaumonts of Cole-Orton Grace-dieu and Stoughton in Com. Leic. derive their Descents by Sir Thomas Beaumont Knight a younger Son to Iohn Lord Beaumont and Catherine his Wife Daughter of Everingham Which Thomas being Lord of Basquerville and Captain of Gailliarde was reteined with Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France in the Minority of King Henry the 6 th to serve the King in those Wars So likewise did the Beaumonts late of UUednesbury in Com. Staff viz. from Henry the younger Brother to Iohn Vicount Beaumont Gorges 2 Edw. 2. IN 41 H. 3. upon that Expedition made into UUales Raphe de Gorges in order thereto had Summons to be at Bristol well fitted with Horse and Arms within the Octaves of St. Peter ad vincula and in 47 H. 3. was made Governor of Schireburne-Castle Likewise in 50 H. 3. of the Castle at Exeter And the same year as also in 51 H. 3. executed the Sheriffs Office for Devonshire as Fermor of it After which in 54 H. 3. he was signed with the Cross in order to his journey into the Holy Land with Prince Edward But died in 56 H. 3. or before Whereupon Elene his Wife had then Livery of the Mannor of Dene for her support And upon her death in 20 E. 1. Raphe her Son and Heir doing his Homage had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance Which Raphe in 21 E. 1. was Marshal of the Kings Army in Gascoigne and in 22 E. 1. went again into those parts where he obtained such favor from the King that in case he should depart this life before his return his Executors should receive the profits of all his Lands from the time of his death until the end of three years and likewise the free administration of all his Goods for the performance of his Will But in that year Charles Brother to the King of France invading Gascoigne with a great power laid Siege to Râsune whereof Iohn de Britania was Governor who forsaking his charge exposed those in the Garrison to the Mercy of the Enemy amongst which this Raphe being one he was carried Prisoner to Paris Nevertheless after this in 25 E. 1. he adventured into Gascoigne And in 28 E. 1. was in the Wars of Scotland so likewise in 31 E. 1. and 32 E. 1. In which 32 year he obtained the Kings Charter for a Market at his Mannor of Lidâton in com Dors. upon the Thursday every week and a Fair yearly upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin and for five days then next following In 34 E. 1. he was again in
in those parts and in 9 H. 5. had the Kings Licence to travail Moreover in 1 H. 6. he was again reteined by Indenture to serve in the Wars of France with three Knights thirty six Men at Arms and two hundred and forty Archers at which time he was associated with Thomas de Poynings to conduct four hundred Men at Arms and twelve hundred Archers unto Iohn Duke of Bedford the Kings Unkle then Regent there And in 2 H. 6 accompanied him at the takeing of Yvrie as also in that great Battle of Uernoil where the English obtained a signal Victory The next ensuing year also discovery being then made that a Gascoign of the Garrison of Alanzon had compacted with the French to betray that place unto them he was sent with Sir Iohn Falstolfe for the prevention thereof whereupon when Charles de Villiers came early in the Morning with two hundred Horse and three hundred foot he slew and took the greatest part of them Soon after this likewise he was with the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk at the Siege of Monns in Champaigne which was then won with other Towns and Castles to the number of thirty six And in 7 H. 6. accompanied the great Cardinal Beaufort in his journey to Bohemia In 10 H. 6 he Besieged the Castle of St. Selerine then bearing the Title of Earl of Uandosme and Beaumont Lord Willoughby of Monblay and Beaumesguil as appears by a safe conduct to him made from Iohn Duke of Beford at that time Regent of France And in 11 H. 6. was sent by the same Duke to recover St. Ualeries which after a short Siege was rendred About that time also he gave Battle to the French in Burgundy where being Victorious he took Loviers in his passage thence And upon that Insurrection of the Normâns marching with the Earl of Aruudel vanquisht them having thenthe command of six thousand Archers and thirteen hundred Horse In 12 H. 6. upon the death of Ioane Dutchess of Yorke Widdow of Sir Henry Bromflet Knight he being then in the Wars of France and doing his Homage had Livery of the Lands which she held in Dower from William Lord Willoughby his Father whose Wife she formerly had been and in 13 H. 6. besides of his own Retinue twenty Men at Arms and sixty Archers with which by Indenture he covenanted to serve the King he commanded all those which were reteined by Sir Bertine Entervesall Knight and joyned with the Lords Talbot and Seales in taking the Towns of St. Dennis and Pontois After the Duke of Bedfords death Edmund Duke of Somerset and Richard Duke of Yorke being made Generals of the English Forces in those parts the French recovering strength he was sent to Paris for the defence of that City which through the assistance from the Duke of Burgundy was Besieged Whereupon having no supply he was constrained to render it after it had been fifteen years in the possession of the English and thence marcht to Râan In 20 H. 6. he gave Battle to the French near Amiens and being victorious returned with great Booty to Roan In which year he was made Master of the Kings Hart-Hounds and sent by Richard Duke of Yorke then Regent of France into Anjou where he made great spoil This Robert Lord Willoughby took to Wife Maud the Cosin and Co-heir to Raphe Lord Cromwell and having been summoned to Parliament from 12 H. 4. to 29 H. 6. departed this life upon the Festival of St. Iames the Apostle 30 H. 6. being then seised of the Mannor of Plesley in Com. Derb. and of the Mannors of Hoggesthorpe Wylughby Eresby Ingoldmels Spillesby Hundelby Tofte juxta Boston Heptoft-Hall Stepyng magna and Hamby in Com. Linc. leaving Ioane the Wife of Sir Richard Welles Knight his Daughter and Heir twenty seven years of age Having thus finisht my discourse of this valiant and expert Souldier I shall take leave to add what an old Poet hath said of this Noble Family and especially of him O Holy St. George O very Champion O undefyled and most holy Knight O gemme of Chivalry O very Emeraud stone O Load-star of Loyalty O Diamond most qwyght O Saphir of sadness O Ruby of most right O very Carbuncle O thow Mantase of Ynde Graunt me thy helpe thy comfort for to find I meane to be mediator unto thy great Captain Which is the King of the celestial Paradyse So that I may my Heart and Will constrayne Of mine old Ancestors to follow the gyse And things of rirght ever to enterprise God for to serve the King ever in like case My time to spend in Fayth Peace Truth and Grace For with the Conquest prov'd by old Evidence Sir John de Willughby the valiant Chivalier Did here inhabite this is sooth sentence Whâse Arms was Azure an Hermite sable cleere His life in rest continued many a year Holy St. George grant me to do the same Encrease of Honor devoid of sin and shame Of his Descent and of his Worthiness The Armes of Israel his very habitude De nostre Dame saving the difference With Armes of Honor Veâenge the Pyakill By Grace Hardines Strength and Mirakyll A Bugle was sâain by myne old ancestry Whose Head powdred Hermyn bears yet memory In later days one Willughby a true Knight Was in Barbary and made discomforture There of the King and took him through his might Whose name was Cane of whom he made rekevyn And with his ransome he did himself enewyn To build Barbican without Creplegate Through help of St. George he was so fortunate Of my old ancestors by helpe of Goddes might By reason of Marriage and lineal Descent A Sarasyn King discumfyt was in Fight Whose Head my Crest shall ever be present Holy St. George with faythfull true intent Exalt myne Honor devoyd all enmmytie To follow the old in Truth and Loyaltie In Agincourt with King Henry the fifte Ld. Robert de Willughby did Acts of grete Honour Six against one but with his Deeds swift He wan the Gre a Mayde was called therefore The Mayd of England in France for evermore Holy St. George bâ meane that he may stye To syng the Sanctus with the Hierarchy Now holy St. George myne only avower In whom I trust for my protection O very Chevalier of the stourished Flower By whose Hands thy Sword and Shield hast wone Be mediator that she may to her Sone Cause me to heare Râx splendens songen on hye Before the Trinitye when that I shall dye A word now of Maud the last Wife of this Robârt Lord Willughby who surviving him had thereupon the Kings Precept to the Sheriff of Lincolnshire for assignation of her Dowrie This Maud afterwards became the Wife of Sir Thomas Nevill Knight a younger Son to Richard Earl of
Salisbury and upon the Imprisonment of the same Sir Thomas in 38 H. 6. whose Lands and Goods were seised into the Kings hands for his rebellious actings found so much favor as that she had an assignation of two hundred pounds per annum out of those which were of her own Dowrie By her Testament bearing date 18 Iulii An. 1497. 12 H. 7. she bequeathed her Body to be buried in the Church of the Colledge of âatshail before the high Altar on the right hand of her Uncle Raphe Lord Cromwell under a stone there ready provided by her for the same appointing that if she should dye in the Parish of Taâshal her Solemn Obsequies except Burial should be done in that Church and accordingly lyeth there with this Epitaph upon ãâã Tomb-stone ãâ¦ã Matilda nuper domina ãâ¦ã Roberti domini de ãâ¦ã hares illustris domini Radulphi nuper domini Cromwell militis fundatoris hujus collegii quae obiit 30 die Augusti An. Dom. MCCCCXCVII cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen ¶ The Issue Male of the principal branch of this noble Family being thus extinct Sir Robert Willughby Knight Son of Thomas by Ioane his Wife Daughter of Sir Richard Arundell Knight a younger Brother to this last Robert Lord Willughby became the next Heir Male and died 30 Maii 5 E. 4. being then seised of the Mannor of âraundon in Com. War Wichampton in Com. Dorset Bredfeld Sogenho Wodbrigg Wykes Vfford Combes Ufford Benge Parham Baudeseye Ketilberghe and Wyndervile as also of the Hundred of Staunford in Com. Suff. and of the Mannor of Ronghton in Com. Norff. leaving Sir Robert Willughby Knight his Son and Heir sixteen years of age which Sir Robert was also found Cousin and Heir to Alianore the other Daughter of Sir Richard Arundell Knight his Mothers Sister who died without Issue Cecilie his Wife Daughter of Leo Lord Welles surviving But this last mentioned Sir Robert Willughby enjoyed his Inheritance not long for upon the twenty fourth of March 7 E. 4. he departed this life being then within age leaving Christopher his Brother and Heir fourteen years old Which Christopher in 14 E. 4. making proof of his age had Livery of his Lands his Homage being respited and by his Testament bearing date 1 Nov. An. 1498. 14 H. 7. appointed that his Body should be buried in the Church of the Nuns at Campsey in Com. Suff. before the high Altar where his Father lay interred bequeathing to the Prioress there twenty pounds To every of the old Nuns six shillings and eight pence To each of the young Nuns three shillings and four pence To the Master of the Chantry there forty shillings To every Priest there to sing Mass of Requiem and Dirige in the Quire for his Soul ten shillings For the making another Tombe for Robert late Lord Willughby his Uncle at Metyngham ten Marks and to William Willughby his eldest Son or to him who after his death should be his Heir half his Plate and Jewels The Probate whereof bears date 13 Iulii An. 1499. This Chriâtopher had also two other Sons Charles and Thomas Which Thomas being an industrious Student in the Common Laws of this Realm was advanced to the State and degree of a Serjeant at Law in Trin. Term. 13 H. 8. And to be the Kings Serjeant 28 Apr. 22 H. 8. Likewise one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas 9 Oct. 29 H. 8. from whom Sir Percinal Wilâughby Knight late of Wollaton in Com. Nott. and Middleton in Com. Warr. by the Marriage of the eldest Daughter and Co-heir to Sir Francis Wilâughby Knight did lineally descend But I return to William Son and Heir of Christopher This William in 19 H. 7. had a special Livery of his Fathers Lands And at length by the failer of of Issue Male of the Lord Welles came to be one of his Co-heirs Cecilie his Mother being one of the Daughters of Leo Lord Welles whose Grandson Robert Lord Welles dying without Issue left Ioane his Sister and Heir Married to Richard Hastings Esquire as I have elsewhere shewed Whereupon in 14 H. 7. the Lord Welles his Lands being then shared amongst those Co-heirs this William had Livery of the Mannors of Sayns-Park Hall and Hemâales in Theydon Geââon as also of the Mannor of Madeley in Iâping in Com. Essex for his purparty And in 3 H. 8. a War being then designed with France on the behalf of Ferdinand King of Arragon and Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset constituted General of the English Army he accompanying him in that Expedition arrived at ãâã a Port of ãâã with purpose to invade Guyen After this in 5 H. 8. after the taking of Therouene being with the King at the Siege of Tournay upon the yeilding thereof accompanyed with the Lords L'isle and Bergavenny and six hundred Men he entred that City by the Kings appointment By his Testament bearing date 4 Maii 18 H. 8. he appointed his Body to be buried in the Collegiate-Church of Spilesây and to the Church of Parham for his Tithes and Offerings negligently forgotten bequeathed four pounds Appointing that the Lady Mary Salines his Wife a Spaniard who had been a Maid of Honor to Queen Catherine first Wife of King H. 8. should have and enjoy for term of her life his Mannors and Lordships of Hellow Abye Swabye UUelles Alforde Parteney and Thedâlthorpe in Com. Linc. UUalcote UUheatacre and UUheatacre Burrough in Com. Norff. Ufford Bredfelde Sogennowe UUinderfelde UUoodâridge Oâford UUykes Vfford and Cambys in Com. Suff. according to the Covenants of Marriage made betwixt her and him And as to the residue of all his other Mannors viz. Eresby ãâã Toynton Willoughby Steping the great Hanby Fulââstowe Beke Fullistowe Arsick Safââet Haven âokerington Frisâeney Yngolmells Westerkele Stykford Ratheby Skyrbeââ the Tâlle in Boston Dubledike in Gosberkirke otherwise called Gosberton and Pinchebeke in Com. Linc. Rowton in Com. Norff. and Parham in Com. Suff. Also the reversion of his Mannors of Egefelde in Com. Norff and Wesâringe in Com. Linc. after the decease of his Brother Iohn Willughby and Cecilie his Wife with the reversion of his Mannor of Baââesây in Com. Suff. after the decease of his Brother George Willughby and Anastace his Wife Likewise that his Mannors of Orby Brugh Hoggisthorp Skidbrok Beâcheforth and Folteby in Com. Linc. should go to the performance of his Will And after the decease of Thomas Willughby and Bridget his Wife and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten that the Mannor of Brandon in Com. War should remain for performance of his Will and payment of his Debts Furthermore that a Tombe should be set up For himself and his Wife at Spillesby-Colledge and another at Meâingham for the late Lord Willoughby Sir Robert his nigh Kinsman And that there should be bestowed upon his
in the Wars of France So likewise at Sea in 2 R. 2. And in 3 R. 2. was constituted one of the Commissioners to treat with Iohn Duke of Brittanny and the Earl of Montfort for a League of Friendship with King Richard being the same year in that Expedition made into Ireland with Edmund Mortimer Earl of March Thus far as to his Military Actings all that I have now farther to say of him is That he founded a Chantry for four Priests to sing divine Service every day in the Chappel of our Lady within his Mannor of Slapton in Com. Devon and that he endowed it with Lands of Ten pounds per annum value as also with the Advouson of the Church of Slapton Likewise that he was summon'd to Parliament from 24 E. 3 till 13 R. 2. inclusive And lastly that having married Elizabeth daughter to William de Montacute Earl of Salisbury Widow of Hugh de Despenser the third he departed this life on Wednesday next after the Feast of the Assumption of the blessed Virgin in 14 R. 2. being then seised d of the Mannor of Northam in Com. Devon as also of the Mannors of Slapton and Torre Brien in reversion after the death of Philippa wife of Iohn chaundos leaving Philippa wife of Iohn Devereux son of Sir Iohn Devereux son of Sir Iohn Devereux Knight and Elizabeth then the wife of Robert son of Sir Iohn Lovell Knight his Cosins and next heirs viz. daughters of Guy his son who died in his life time the said Philippa then being Twelve years of age and Elizabeth Nine Which Philippa making Proof of her age in 20 R. 2. and doing her Homage had Livery of her Lands He had also another son called William who was a Knight and Captain of the Castle of Merk in the Marches of Calais but died in 21 R. 2. without issue being then seised of the Mannors of Donheâd Batheneston and Shokewyke in Com. Somerset leaving the before-specified Philippa the wife of Iohn Devereux and Elizabeth the wife of Robert Lovel his next heires Which Philippa afterwards married to Sir Henry le Scrope Knight Of the Lands of this Sir Guy and Sir William his son thus deceased Philippa the wife of Sir Henry le Scrope Knight had for her Furparty an Assignation of the Mannor of Bathneston and Shokerwyke in Com. Somerset Pompknolle in Com. Dorset Northam in Com. Devon with the alternate presentation to the Church of Pompknolle And Elizabeth the wife of Robert the son of Iohn Lovell the Mannor of Donhed in Com. Somerset with the like presentation to the Church of Pompknolle as also the Isle of Louday with the Lordships of Dertemouth Clifton and Hardeness in Com. Devon Musgrave 24 Edw. 3. OF this antient Family whose seat now is at Harkâa-Castle in Com. Westmorl and Edenhale in Cumberland there hath only been one that was summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realme viz. Sir Thomas Musgrave Knight son I presume to that Thomas who in 6 E. I. with Ranulph de Dacre obtain'd the King's Charter for a Market every week upon the Wednesday at Overton in Com. Westmorl as also for a Faire yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow of Simon and Iude And in 4 E. 2. was in the Scotish Wars Which Thomas the son upon that Invasion of the North made by David de Brus King of Scotland putting himself in Armes with the Barons of those parts was one of the Commanders in the Van of that Army which gave him Battel near Durham upon St. Lukes day in 20 E. 3. where his whole Army being utterly routed that King with divers of his Nobles were taken Prisoners In this year likewise he was associated with the Bishop of Carlisle and others in guarding the West-Marches towards Scotland And in 21 E. 3. made Governor of Barwick upon Twede as also sole Justiciar throughout all the Lands in Scotland whereof King Edward the Third had then possession After this viz. in 26 E. 3. upon the danger of an Invasion by the French he was joyn'd in Commission with Thomas Lord Lucie to Array and Arme all the Knights Esquires and others in Com. Cumbr. and Westmorl for the defence of the adjacent Sea-Coasts And in 27 E. 3. associated with Raphe Lord Nevill and the same Thomas Lord Lucie in the Wardenship of the West-Marches In 28 E. 3. he was constituted a Commissioner with the Bishop of Durham and others to see all things perform'd which had been agreed on touching the delivery of David de Brus king of Scotland still prisoner in England and in 29 E. 3. accompanied Raphe Lord Nevill in the Scotish wars In 30 E. 3. he received Command to reside upon his Lands in the Marches toward Scotland for the defence of the Country against any Incursions And in 32 E. 3. obtain'd a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-Lands at Mulgrave and Souleby in Com. Westmorl with power to imparke his Woods called Hevenings in Mâlgrave containing Two hundred Acres In 33 E. 3. he was made Sheriff of Yorkshire and Governor of the Castle at York So likewise in 37 38 E. 3. And in 39 E. 3. upon some danger of an Incursion by the Scots receiv'd command to repaire to his Lands in the Marches for the better safeguard of those parts In 42 E. 3. he was constituted Eschaetor for the Counties of Yorke Northumberland Cumberland Westmorland and in 44 E. 3. having married Isabel the Widow of Robert the son of Robert Lord Clifford obtaind not only a Remission of all the Profits of two parts of the Castle and Mannor of Skypton in Craven for the time they held the same during the Minority of the heirs but for his good services had a Great of One hundred Marks per annum to be received out of the Exchequer Moreover in 46 E. 3. he was associated with the Bishop of Carlisle and others in the Office of Warden of the West-Marches And in 47 E. 3. again made Governor of Barwick upon Twede So likewise in 49 E. 3. for one year and in 50. E. 3. for three years more In 2. R. a this Sir Thomas Musgrave being still Governor of Barwick and desirous to find out the Scots Marcht with his son then a Knight also from Mauros towards Morlane leaving the River of Twede on their left hand Whereupon the Earl Douglas being near seeing he must fight Knighted his son Iames and caused him to raise his Banner The like therefore did this Thomas to his son and divers of his House but a sore Battel ensuing he was taken prisoner with his son and One hundred twenty men at Armes whereupon the procured Iohn de Nevill Sir Iohn Heron Knight Alan de Shottre Robert de Haggerston and Robert de Grey of
but marching downwards came in to the King his Brother about three Miles Southward from the Town of Warwick Nevertheless though he so did he left no means unassayed to work a Reconciliation betwixt that Earl and King Edward unto which he found the King inclinable enough So that it might very well have been effected had it not been for the obstinacy of that haughty spirited Earl of Warwick Whereupon he marcht with the King towards the City of London into which entring upon the eleventh of Aprill King Henry was delivered up to them In the mean time the Earl of Warwick being come up to St. Albans and King Edward resolving to encounter him both Armies met on a plain called Gladmore-âeath near Barnet upon Easter-day 30 April where King Edward placing his Brother the Duke of Glocester in the Van and with the assistance of this Duke leading the main Battel himself the Lord Hastings commanding the Rear a sharp Fight ensued wherein Warwick was slain and his whole Army routed Shortly aftger which viz. 4 Maii next following those of the Lancastrian-pary then unsubdued making head again in Glocestershire were met with at Tewksbury and there utterly destroyed At which time Prine Edward son to King H. 6. being taken prisoner and asked by King Edward How he durst bear Armes against him Answering To recover his Fathers Kingdome and Heritage this George Duke of Clarence with his Brother Richard Duke of Glocester and the Lord Hastings suddenly Murthered y him in cold blood A most barbarous and unmanly Act not one of them afterwards enjoying much content in this World but coming in a short space to untimâly deaths Having therefore in these greatest Exigencies stuck thus stoutly to his Brother in the very same year viz. 11. E. 4. the Parliament then siting he did there with divers other of the Peers recognize his Right and Swear Fealty to Edward his eldest son And in 12 E. 4. in consideration of that his Marriage with Isabel the eldest daughter and coheir to the said Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick and Salisbury was by special Letters patents bearing date 25 Martii created Earl of Warwick and Salisbury with the Fee of Twenty pounds per annum issuing out of each of the Counties of Warwickshire and Wiltshire to himself and the heirs male of his Body for the better support of those dignities Moreover he obtain'd a Grant for life of the Lordship of Clavering in Com. Essex as also of the Mannor of Newport paynell and Parke of Tyford in Com. Buck. with the Mannor of Solâhull and Park of Fulbroke in Com. Warr. And likewise of a certain House called The Herber in the City of London and of the Castle and Lordship of Nore-end After which in 14 E. 4. he was retein'd by Indenture to serve the King with One hundred and twenty men at Armes and a Thousand Archers And by Letters Patents bearing date 18 Iulii had a grant in special tail of two parts of the Mannor of Ros in Holdernessâ In 15 E. 4. he was at the Enterview at Piquenni near Amiens betwixt King Edward and the King of France And in 16 E. 4. had a grant in special tail of the Lordship and Mannor of Ludgarsale in Com. Wilts with all the Knights Fees thereto belonging As also in 17 E. 4. another in reversion after the death of Margery Lady Roos of the Castle and Mannor of Helmesâey in Com. Ebor. But after all this the King being jealous k of him designâd his destruction It is reported by our Historians that he did endeavour to possess the people that the King his Brother used by Negromancie or Poison to make away those that he hated Also that he was a Bastard and therefore not fit to Reign Moreover that he himself had procured divers of the Kings subjects to be sworn to him and his heirs without reservation of their Allegiance to the King It was likewise then said that the King was much târrified by a Prophesie that a person whose name began with G should succeed him in the Government which afterwards in truth was fulfilled in the Duke of Glocester Others gave out that this Duke having buried his Wife did by the help of Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy his sister endeavour to obtain Mary the only daughter to Charles Duke of Burgundy and that King Edward maligning his advantage thereby hindred it which revived the old Grudge betwixt them Which of these in particular was the chief cause of the distast then taken against him by the King is hard to say but certain it is that being offended with him he caused him to be imprison'd and that soon after he was Murthered by drowning in a Butt of Malmsey By the Inquisition taken after his death it was found that he died that is to say that he was so Murthered 18 Feb. 17 E. 4. being then seised of the Mannor of Bretâys in Com. Essex As also of the Mannors of Hauâbere Iwarn Courtney Ebberton Ramsam Wroxhall Child-Frome Ientcome Maperton Pound-Knoll Hoggs-Toller and of the Castle and Mannor of Corff in Com. Dorset of the Mannors of Somerâon Erle Kyngesdone Crukerne Hunspill Misterton Grove Exton Charleton Makerell Dunhede and Stoke Michell in Com. somerset of the Mannor and Burrough of Tyverton the Mannors and Lorships of Plympton and Okehampton of the Burrough of Challeghe and Mannors of Collcome and Whiteford in com Devon of the Mannors of Shemoke Weston Tony Trelowye Portlo Port-pigham Crofthale Northyll and Landeer in com Cornub. of the Mannor of Bassyngburne in Com. Cantabr of the Mannors of Frampton Wykes Boston on the East-side of the Water Gayton with the Soke Momby with the sokes Washyngburgh Futâek Ledenham two parts of the Mannors of Freston and Boston on the West-side the Water of the Castle and Lordship of Somerton of the reversion of the Mannors of Barton and Stewton immediately after the death of Katherine then Dutchess of Norffolk and of the reversion of the third part of the said Mannors of Freston and Boston on the West-part the Water after the death of Margery Lady Roos Likewise of two parts of the Mannor of Ros in Holderness as also of the reversion of the Castle and Mannor of Helmesley in Com. Ebor. after the decease of the said Margery Lady Roos and of the Mannor of Solyhull in Com. Warr. Edward his son and heir being at that time three years of age and upwards Soon after which he was attainted in the Parliament begun at Westminster upon the sixteenth day of Ianuary He likewise left issue by the same Lady Isabell his Wife one daughter called Margaret married to Sir Richard Pole Knight of whom I shall say more when I come to speak of Henry her son who was advanced to the title of Lord Montague by King Henry the Eighth But
next ensuing whereupon he had burial accordingly To whom succeeded Edward his Brother and Heir who married Frances Daughter to Sir Thomas Treshan of Liveden in Com. Northt Knight and by her had issue four Sons and two Daughters viz. William Stourton made Knight of the Bath at the Creation of Charles Prince of Wales in An. 1616. Thomas Francis and Edward His two Daughters were these Margaret married to Sir Thomas Sulyar of Wetherden in Com. Suff. Knight and Mary to Walter Norton of ... in the same County Esq And departing this life at Clerkenwell in the Suburbs of London 7 Maii 1632. 8 Car. 1. was buried at Stourton with his Ancestors Which Sir William so succeeding him married Frances Daughter to Sir Edward More of Odypham in Com. Sutht Knight and had issue r by her three Sons Edward William and Thomas a Monk as also two Daughters Mary married to Iohn Weld of Lulworth-Castle in Com. Dors. and Frances a Nun at Cambray Which Edward faithfully adhering to the late King Charles the first of Blessed Memory in those woful times of his late unhappy troubles departed this life in the Garrison of Bristol in Ianuary An. 1644. his Father then living leaving issue by Mary his Wife Daughter to Robert Lord Petre William his Son and Heir now living whom by Mary his Wife Daughter of Iohn Preston of Furnesse-Abby in Com. Lanc. Esq hath issue Widvile 26 H. 6. THE First mention I find of this Family is in 37 E. 3 Richard de Wydvill being then constituted Sheriff of Northampton-shire and Governour of the Castle there After which in 39 E. 3. he had the like trust and in 43 E. 3. was made Eschaetor for that County and Rutland Again in 44 E. 3. Sheriff of Northampton-shire as also Governour of the Castle at Northampton To this Richard succeeded Iohn de Wydevill Sheriff of the same Shire and Governour of the Castle in 4 R. 2. Likewise in 6 R. 2. Eschaetor for those Counties of Northampton and Rutland and in 9 R. 2. again Sheriff of Northampton-shire To whom succeeded another Richard which Richard in 7 H. 4. had the Shrivalty of the same County and Governourship of the Castle conferred upon him and in 8 H. 5. being then one of the Esquires for the Body to that Heroick King was constituted Seneschall of the Dutchy of Normandy and other the parts of France within that Kings obedience to superintend all the Captains and Lieutenants of the Cities fortifyed Towns and Castles within those Precincts In 3 H. 6. he was made Constable of the Tower of London and in 4 H. 6. Knighted by the King at Leicester upon Whitsunday the King himself having then received that Honour at the hands of his Uncle the Duke of Bedford In 5 H. 6. being Lieutenant of Calais to the Duke of Bedford governour of that Garrison he continued there for the better defence thereof In 7 H. 6. he was reteined by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars of France and Normandy for half a year with C Men at Arms and CCC Archers and in 14 H. 6. having then his residence for the most part in Northampton-shire and sometimes at Maydston in Kent was again in the Wars of France being of the Retinue with William Earl of Suffolk In 15 H. 6. having without licence married Iaquet de Luxembourgh Daughter to Peter Earl of St. Paul widow of Iohn Duke of Bedford he gave a thousand pounds fine for that transgression and for livery of those Castles Mannours and Lands which were of her Dowry and in 17 H. 6. was sent into Normandy with a thousand stout men for the better defence of those parts In 19 H. 6. being challenged by a Knight of Spain to perform certain feats of Arms in Smithfield they there met accordingly upon the xxvi of November but after the third stroke the King prohibited them to go on Before the end of which year he accompanied Richard Duke of York then Lieutenant-General and Governour of the Realm of France and Dutchy of Normandy into those parts and in 26 H. 6. in respect of his valour in Arms great integrity and acceptable services was advanced to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Rivers as by the Kings Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 29 Maii appeareth it being no name of any place but of an antient Family â sometimes Earls of Devon And for his better support of that Honour had thereby granted to him and to the Heirs male of his Body in reversion after the death of William Burton one of the Grooms of the Kings Chamber the annual rent of xiv s. iv d. due to the Keeper of the Castle of Northampton As also all the Knightsâees and services whatsoever belonging to the Honour of Chokes and likewise those of Bryans-fee Iohn de Bayeux fee Maundevill fee Lexington-fee or of the Baronies of Rivers and Ledet's fee with all Advowsons Eschaets Forfeitures and Liberties by reason of the Tenure of those Honours Baronies and Fees In 27 H. 6. in further consideration of his services in the wars of France and Dutchy of Normandy he obtained a grant in special tail of the Mannour of West ââurrek called West-Hall in Com. Essex in reversion after the death of Iaquet Dutchess of Bedford his Wife And about that time had a Charter for Free-Warren in all his demesn-lands within his Lordships of Grafton Patshull and Wyken in Com. Northt though they were within the precincts of the Forest In 28 H. 6. he was installed Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and in 29 H. 6. constituted Seneschal of Aquitaine with power to receive into the Kings obedience all Cities Towns and Forts therein which were then willing to yield thereto In 38 H. 6. being sent to Sandwich for the defence of that Port and those great Ships which lay at Anchor there against the power of Nevil Earl of Warwick who had raised new forces on the behalf of the Duke of York he was in the night time surprized in his Bed with Anthony his Son by certain persons sent from that Earl who carried him with those Ships to Calais But though he stood firm to King Henry the sixth against the house of York yet after King Edward the fourth had obtained the Crown and been captivated with the beauty of Elizabeth his Daughter Widow of Sir Iohn Grey so that he made her his Queen all his precedent Actings for the Lâncastrian interest were forgot great Honours and Trusts being then conferred upon him by that King First viz. 4 Martii 6 E. 4. the office of Treasurer of his Exchequer and upon the 24 of May next ensuing the title of Earl Rivers Also the
before viz. First her Grandfather who married Eliazbeth the Daughter and Heir of William Lord Harington And afterwards her Father commonly called William Lord Harington who married Catherine one of the Daughters of Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury and was slain in the Battel of Wakefeild on the part of the House of York upon the laft day of December the same year viz. 39 H. 6. which was within less than two months before his Grandfathers death But upon the death of this William Lord Bonvile thus beheaded at St. Albans in regard he had stood up so stoutly against the Lancastrians Elizabeth his Widdow in 1 E. 4. had an assignation of a very large Dowry viz. of the Mannour of Pokyngton with divers lands in Thornay Pixton Taunton Glastonbury and Drayton in Com. Somers Maperton Sturmynster-Marshall Alryngton Mourton Berne and divers lands in Lyme in Com. Dors. Combe Pyne-Seton Combe Peyne Downe Vmfravile Charletone Heade and Pole Northcote with divers Lands in Birches Sydeford Axminstre and Toregge in Com. Devon as also of divers Lands in Tregemelyn Permarthe Noddon Trevasso Holiwode Milhay Kilquyte Seynterne Polkeâys and Roboletesdon late belonging to Richard Welyngton in Com. Cornub. as also of the Mannour of great Glen in Com. Leic. All which being of the Inheritance of the before specified Cecilie who became the Wife of Thomas Marquess Dorset and afterwards of Henry Earl of Wiltshire were afterwards enjoy'd by her It is said that this William Lord Bonvile had many illegitimate Children whereof one was setled in the West Country to whom he gave C Marks per annum whose posterity remained in King H. 8. time Edmund of Hadham Earl of Richmund 31 H. 6. THis Edmund Sirnamed of Hadham in Com. Hertf. in regard of his Birth there being the other Son to Owen Teuther by Katherine Daughter to Charles the Sixth King of France was in 31 H. 6. by reason of his so near Alliance to that King viz. Brother by the Mother Created Earl of Richmund by Letters Patent bearing date at Reading upon the 23d. of November with Precedence before all other Earls and the same year obtain'd a grant from the King in Fee of that Mansion House called Baynard's Castle situate near Paul's-Wâarfe in London Of his personal Actings there is little memorable that I have seen other than his Marriage with Margaret the sole Daughter and Heir to Iohn Beaufort Duke of Somerset and that he departed this Life on the Morrow after All Souls day in 35 H. 6. being at that time seised in Fee of the Castle and Lordship of Horestone and Mannor of Bollesobere in Com. Derb. And in Fee-tail of the Mannor of Ludgareshale in Com. Wiltes of the moity of the Mannor of Bassingburne in Câm Cantabr of the whole Earldom Honour and Lordship of Richmund in Com. Ebor. and two parts of the Mannor of Swafham in Com. Norff. And jointly with Iasper Earl of Pembroke his Brother of the Mannors of Mansfeld Lyndeby and Town of Clypston in Shirewode in Com. Nott. leaving Henry his Son and Heir of the Age of fifteen Weeks afterwards King by the name of Henry the Seventh Whereupon he was buried in the Cathedral of St. Davids in Wales with this Epitapth Vnder this Marble-stone here inclosed restet the Bones of the noble Lord Edmund Earl of Richmund Father and Brother to Kings the which departed out of this World in the year of our Lord God 1456. the third of the Month of November on whose Soul Almighty Iesu have mercy Amen Margaret his Wife surviving who afterwards Married to Henry a Younger Son to Humphrey Duke of Buckingham and lastly to Thomas Lord Stanley Earl of Derby but by neither of these had any Issue This great Lady by her Teftament bearing date 6 Iunii an 1508. which was the 23d. and last year of her Son King Henry the Seventh's Reign bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Monastery of St. Peter at Westminster within the Chappel of our Lady begun to be built by that King Appointing that Placebo and Dirige with Laudes and all other Divine-Services Prayers and Observants belonging thereto should be solemnly and devoutly songen and said in the day of her Decease by all the Priests Ministers and Children of her Chappel and Mass of Requiem with Note on the Morning next ensuing and so to continue every day as long as her Body should rest there unremoved towards the place of her Interment Likewise that the like Placebo and Dirige with Laudes and Mass of Requiem should be solemnly and devoutly said during all the time in the Parish-Church of that place where it should please God to call her out of this transitory life by all the Priests and Clerks of the same Church and by other Priests to the number of threescore and Clerks to the number of thirty as also in twenty Parish-Churches next adjoining to the place of her decease by all the Priests and Clerks of every such Church Furthermore that every Priest to the number of threescore being present in the Parish-Church where her Body should rest any night between the place of her Decease and the place of her Interment that should be helping to all Divine Service of Placebo and Dirige to have for his labour eight pence and ever Clark of thirty four pence And that in the day that it should please God to call her out of this Life and day of her Interment there should be distributed in Alms amongst poor people Cxxxiii i. vi s. viii d. Moreover by her last Will bearing date at the same time intending God to be the more honoured aswel within the said Monastery where the purposed that her Body should be interred as in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and other places where Scholars were to be brought up in virtue and cunning the ordained that three perpetual daily Masses with divine Service should be daily said by three sad and discreet Monks of the said Monastery and one-perpetual Anniversary devoutly holden with Lxx. Lights and with the distribution of ten pounds in Alms at every such Anniversary perpetually And one perpetual Brother called a Converse to be perpetually kept in the same Monastery specially to serve there at their Masses and all other Priests that should say their Masses at the Altars where as two of the Said Chantry-Masses shall be said She also thereby established two perpetual Readers in Divinity one of them in the University of Cambridge and another in the University of Oxford Likewise one perpetual Preacher of the Word of God in the same University of Cambridge and obtained Licence to found a perpetual Chantry in the Church of Wynburne of one perpetual Priest to teach Grammar freely to all that would come thereto while the World shall endure with Licence to give to either of the said two Readers and their Successors Lands and Tenements to the yearly value
of Age Ioane his Wife surviving who by her Testament bearing date 3 Dec. an 1485. 1 H. 7. bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of All-Hallows at Herst Monceaux near to the grave of Sir Richard Fenys Kt her Husband And to Elizabeth Lady Clinton her Daughter Wife of Iohn Lord Clinton and Thomas Fenys her Son gave all her Chattels and Jewells to be divided betwixt them Which Thomas accomplishing his full age in 7 H. 7. had Livery of his Lands Shortly after which viz. in 10 H. 7. he was made Knight of the Bath upon the Creation of Henry the Kings second Son Duke of Yorke And in 8 H. 7. appeared in Arms against the Cornish-men who had then made a great Insurrection So likewise shortly after when the Scots had laid Siege to Norham-Castle he marcht with the Earl of Surrey to the raising thereof This Thomas having been summon'd to Parliament from 11 H. 7. to 21 H. 8. by his Testament bearing date 1 Sept. an 1531. 23 H. 8. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of Herst Monceaux on the North-side of the high Altar Appointing that a Tomb should be there made for placing the Sepulcher of our Lord with all fitting Furniture thereto in honour of the most blessed Sacrament Also that towards the Lights about the same Sepulcher C l. in Wax should be imploy'd in Tapers of ten pound weight a piece for to burn about it Likewise that his Funeral should be solemnized according to the degree of a Baron and a Tomb set over his Grave to the end it might be known where his Body resteth Moreover that an honest Priest should sing there for his Soul by the space of seven years taking annually for his Salary and to find Bread Wine and Wax xii marks sterling And died in an 1534. 26 H. 8. as it seems for then doth the Probate of this his Testament bear date leaving Thomas his Cousin and Heir Apparent to succeed him Which Thomas in an 1541. 33 H. 8. being seduced by some extravagant persons to course in the night time in Laughton-Park in Com. Suss. belonging to Nicholas Pelham Esq by the way at a place called Pikehay met with three persons betwixt whom and those of his Company there hapned a fray wherein one of them was mortally wounded and died soon after Whereupon he was indicted of murther for the same and being found guilty thereof upon Tryal by his Peers upon the xxix th of Iune being St. Peters day was carried from the Tower of London to Tiburn and there hang'd After which his Body was buryed in St. Sepulchers Church near Newgate he being then not above xxiv years of Age. Whose death was much lamented in regard of his youth noble disposition and the King 's inexorable rigour It is said that this Manslaughter for it was no other was committed by those who were of his Company at that time he not being present And that being call'd in question he was through the subtilty of some Courtiers who gaped for his Estate perswaded to acknowledge the Murther for that the Indictment charg'd him with and to submit himself to the King's mercy Unto which advice imprudently hearkning he had Sentence of death and suffered accordingly leaving Issue Gregory his Son and Heir and a Daughter called Margaret Which Gregory with his Sister being restored by Act of Parliament in 1 Eliz. accompanied the Earl of Lincoln in 14 Eliz. then sent Embassador to the King of France at Paris Where the League not long before concluded on at Bloys was fully ratified This Gregory Lord Dacres dying without Issue 26 Sept. an 1549. 36 Eliz. was buried at Chelsey leaving Margaret his Sister his sole Heir Which Margaret being Married to Sampson Lennard Esq and making claim to the Honour it was declared and adjudg'd by the Lords Commissioners for exercising the Office of Earl Marshal of England in the second year of King Iames with the privity and assent of the King that she the said Margaret ought to have and enjoy the name state degree stile honour place and precedency of the Barons Dacre to have and to hold to her and to the Issue of her Body in as full and ample manner as any of her Ancestors did enjoy the same As also that her Children might and should take and enjoy their place and precedence respectively as the Childern of her Ancestors Barons Dacre formerly had and enjoyed This Sampson also by the special favour of the King in 10 Iac. obtaining a grant to himself during his Life for to take place and precedence as the eldest Son to the Lord Dacres of the South had Issue by her the said Margaret Henry his Son and Heir to whom the Title of Lord Dacres was afterwards confirm'd Which Henry died 10 Aug. an 1616. 14 Iac. and by Chrysogona his Wife Daughter of Sir Henry Baker of Sissinhurst in Com. Cantii Knight left Issue three Sons Richard Edward and Fienes And two Daughters Margaret Married to Sir ... Wildgoose Knights and Philadelphia to Sir Thomas Parker of Willington in Com. Suss. Knight Which Richard Lord Dacre departed this Life at Herst-Monceaux 18 Aug. an 1630. 6 Car. 1. leaving Issue by Elizabeth his first Wife Daughter and Coheir to Sir Arthur Throkmorton of Paulere Perie in Com. Northt Knight four Sons viz. Francis Richard Thomas and Henry of which Sons Richard and Henry died young And by Dorothy his second Wife Daughter of Dudley Lord North one Son called Richard and Catherine a Daughter To whom succeeded Francis his Eldest Son who Married Elizabeth Daughter of Paul Vicount Banning and died in an 1662. leaving Issue by her two Sons Thomas advanced to the dignity of Earl of Sussex by Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 5 Octobris 26 Car. 2. and Henry Fienes Lord Say 25 H. 6. ¶ I Now come to Iames the second Son of the before-specified Sir William de Fienes Kt. This Iames being a valiant Souldier in 6 H. 5. obtain'd a grant from that Victorious King of the Lordship of De la Court le Comte within the Bayliwick of Cauâ in Normandy part of the possessions of the Lord of Lymers and likewise of all those Lands lying within the Bailiwick of âoben and Cauâ which did belong to Roger Bloset and his Wife The next year following upon the render of Arqueâ he was constituted Governour there And in 8 H. 6. attended the King into the France for the better defence of those parts In 15 H. 6. he was made Sheriff of Kent So likewise in 17 H. 6. of Surrey and Sussex And in 18 H. 6. being Esquire for the Body to that King had a grant of Câ yearly Pension to
and first to Sir William Stanley Knight younger Brother of Thomas the first Earl of Derby This Sir William being a stout adherer to the House of York and a near servant to King Edward the fourth in consideration thereof obtained from that King in the first year of his reign a grant in special tail of the Castle and Lordship of Skypton in Craven in Com. Ebor. with all the Towns and Hamlets belonging thereto then in the Crown by the attainder of the Lord Clifford Likewise in 2 E. 4. being at that time one of the Kings Carvers another grant of all those lands in Kent called by the name of Cobbeshole part of the possessions of Robert Myrefen then also in the Crown by reason of his attainder And in 10 E. 4. that King being taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick and convey'd to Middleham-Castle in the North nevertheless having leave for his recreation to hunt this Sir William with a choise Band of Men by the help of Sir Thomas Borough took him from his Keepers and set him at liberty In 12 E. 4. he was Chamberlain of Chester and by King Richard the third was made one of the Knights for his Body as also constituted Justice of Norâhwales in the first year of his reign But shortly after he became suspected for a favourer of the Earl of Richmund there being cause enough for in 3 R. 3. he joined with Thomas Lord Stanley his elder Brother in raising âorces on the behalf of that Earl and marcht along with him to Bosworth Field where he became the chief Instrument of the Victory then obtained by so opportunely bringing on those fresh Forces to his aid when he stood in no little danger of losing the day For which happy service he was first made chief Gentleman of his Bedchamber as also one of his Privy Council and afterwards one of the Chamberlains of his Exchequer and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter But in 10 H. 7. whether he thought himself not sufficiently rewarded for that grand service done at Bosworth Field or whether he did really believe that the person whom Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy Sister or King Edward the fourth then brought to light whom our Historians call Perkyn Warbeck was the second Son of King Edward and that he had been secretly convey'd away and so preserved from that cruel murther which most men thought he suffered with the young King his Brother in the Tower of London is hard to say But certain it is that being accused for a favourer of that reputed counterfeit notwithstanding his merit at Bosworth-Field he suffered death for the same on Tower-Hill upon the 16 of February The substance of what they laid to his charge was an expression which fell from him viz. If he certainly knew that the young man called Perkin Warbeck were the undoubted Son of King Edward the fourth he would never bear Arms against him Whereupon construction being made that he bore no hearty good will to King Henry Likewise that being a person powerful and wealthy he was the more dangerous for it was commonly said that he had of ready coyn and plate in his Castle at Holt to the value of forty thousand Marks or more besides his Lands and Fees which extended to three thousand pounds per annum This Sir William Stanley by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter of Thomas Hopton left issue William afterwards Knight who by Iane his Wife Daughter and Heir to Sir Geffrey Massy of Tatton Knight had Issue Iane his sole Daughter and Heir married to Richard second Son to Ranulph Brereton of Malpas Esq Stanley Lord Montegle IN 5 H. 8. Sir Edward Stanley Knight a younger Son to Thomas the first Earl of Derby of this House commanding the Rere of the English-Army at Fleddon-Field in the very heat of that memorable Battel forced the Scots by the power of his Archers finding themselves much gall'd by their Arrows to descend the Hill which occasioning them to open their Ranks gave the first hopes of that dayes Victory Whereupon the King of Scots espying the disorder and making a fresh charge with great courage almost overthrew the Earl of Surreys Standard But this Sir Edward thus coming in joining with the Lord Thomas Howard and the Lord Dacres soon put an end to the dispute by a total rout of their whole Army wherein that King lost his life As a reward for which service King Henry keeping his Whitsântide at Eltham the next ensuing year viz. 6 H. 8. commanded that in consideration of those his valiant acts against the Scots done in that Battel where he won the Hill and vanquisht all that opposed him in particular the Earl of Argile and many other persons of note As also for that his Ancestors bore the Eagle in their Crest he should be proclaimed Lord of Montaygle Which being then and there accordingly done he gave to the officers of arms five Marks besides the accustomed largess and likewise to Garter principal King of Arms his Fee Whereupon he had special Summons to the Parliament which began at Westminster upon the fifth of February the same year by the title of Lord Montegle and soon after that attended the Lady Mary the Kings Sister into France in order to her marriage there with Lewes the xii King of that Realm He was also made Knight of the most noble order of the Garter and by his Testament bearing date 5 Apr. 14 H. 8. bequeathed his Body to be buryed in the new Chancel to be erected at his costs and charges at the East end of the Chapel of St. Margaret at Hornby and in case he should depart this life before the consecrating of the fame then to be for the present interred within the Priory-Church there Appointing that his Executors should provide a convenient Marble-stone to be laid upon his Grave with an Image of Copper and gilt thereon and six Escocheons of his Arms with inscription necessary or else to lay his Body in a standing Tomb there with an Image in gross Copper gilt as should be most agreeable and seemly to the Chancel as also his Helmet and Arms to be there set up for the charge whereof he affigned C. Marks He likewise willed that his Executors should cause his Funeral to be ordered and solemnized in like manner and form as other Barons of England of the order of the Garter had usually been avoiding pomp and vain glory of the world with black gowns to his servants Children and Friends and distribution of Dole amongst poor people for the charge whereof he assigned C l. Also that xxiv white Gowns should be given to xxiv honest men to bear Torches on the day of his Funeral And his Obit yearly kept with Dirige and Mass upon the Anniversary of
being Usher of the Chamber to Queen Margaret he had the title of Esquire and soon after being Knighted was made Constable of Baââburgh-Castle in Northumberland Iohn Heron Esq the former Governour being deceased In 28 H. 6. he became Chamberlain to that Queen And in 33 H. 6. being in the first Battel of St. Albans on the Kings part was âore wounded But in those offices and employments he thrived so well as that the King wanting money borrowed of him the sum of one thousand thirty three pounds six shillings eight penââ for the payment whereof he had an assignation out of the fifteenth and tenth granted in the Parliament of 35 H. 6. And in 36 H. 6. was sent to Antwerp in Brabant and other places within the Dominion of the Duke of Burgundy for dispatch of the most important affairs in those parts Soon after which he was made Knight of the most noble order of the Garter Howbeit notwithstanding his obligations to that Queen and what other favours he had received from the King in 38 H. 6. when he saw the Duke of York appear in Arms he sided with him for which cause with many other of that partie he was attainted in the Parliament held at Coventre the same year But by this his attainder he lost not much For King Henry's deposal hapning soon after he marcht with King Edward to Towton-field and upon that great and absolute Victory there obtain'd a grant of the Office of Chief Butler of England as also of the stewardship of the Castle and Lordship of Berkhamsted in Com. Hertf. And the same year being advanced to the degree and dignity of a Baron for the Record calls him Lord Wenlok as also one of the Kings Privy Council he was constituted one of the Embassadours then imploy'd to the Duke of Burgundy to treat for an amicable entercourse of Trade betwixt the Merchants of England and those of his allegiance being then likewise summoned to Parliament And the next ensuing year was again sent Embassadour to the same Duke to treat touching the prorogation and continuance of that Truce which had been concluded betwixt King Edward and him as also for the like free entercourse betwixt the subjects of England and those of Burgundy He likewise the same year attended the King in his Northern Expedition the Lancastrians having again possessed themselves of divers strong holds in Northumberland and assisted at the Siege of Dunstanburgh Castle Moreover in 4. E. 4. he was imply'd in that Embassy with Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick and others to treat of Peace with King Lewis of France and in 5 E. 4. was again sent with others to treat with the Commissaries of Philip Duke of Burgundy touching matters of Trade as also with other Commissioners of Francis Duke of Britanny for a league of amity betwixt King Edward and the Duke In 6 E. 4. he was again sent to treat of peace with the French and had summons to the Parliament held that year In all which services he behaved himself so acceptably as that in 7 E. 4. by way of remuneration he obtain'd a grant of all the moveable goods of Henry Duke of Somerset and Andrew Trollop and their servants forfeited to the King for their respective rebellious actings and in 10 E. 4. was constituted Lieutenant of Calais and the marches adjacent But as Nevill Earl of Warwick had been the chief Instrument in advancing King Edward to the Royal Throne so was he the principal of those who through private respects endeavoured to pull him down In which adventure this Iohn Lord Wenlok took part with him for it appears that after the Battel at Barnet wheâein the Earl was slain when Queen Margaret landing at Weymouth came to Beaulieu-Abby in Hantshire he was one of those that hasted to her with endeavor to raise new Forces for the restoring of King Henry then kept prisoner in the Tower of London but in that great attempt he unhappily miscarried being slain fighting stoutly in the Battel of Tewksbury which fell out soon after viz. 4 Maii An. 1471. 11 E. 4. leaving neither Wife nor Issue that ever I could see Some say that the Duke of Somerset who with his Brother Iohn led the Van coming out of his Station and finding this Lord Wenlok who with the Prince commanded the Middle-Ward standing still whom he expected to have followed him turn'd to him and calling him Traytor knockt out his Brains with his Axe Howard 12 E. 4. THere are those perhaps who will expect that I should ascend much higher in manifesting the greatness of this honourable and large spreading Family in regard I do not make any mention thereof above the time of King Edward the first Some supposing that their common Ancestor in the Saxons time took his original appellation from an eminent Office or Command others afterwards from the name of a place And some have not stuck to derive him from the famous Hereward the Chief Conducter of those Forces which so stoutly defended the Isle of Ely for a time against Kind William the Conqueror and his Army But to this last I cannot well assent by reason that Inguâph then Abbot of Crouland who was his contemporary affirms that Hereward left no other Issue than an Heir female named Turfrida Wife to Hugh de Evermue Lord of Deping in Com. Linc. I shall therefore after much fruitless search to satisfie my self as well as others in this point begin with William Howard a learn'd and reverend Judge of the Court of Common-Pleas for a great part of King Edward the first 's and beginning of Edward the Second's Reign before whom there are memorials of Fines which were levyed from xv Ioh. Bapt. 26 E. 1. until crastin S. Ioh. Bapt. 2 E. 2. This William had large possessions in Wigenhale in the North-West part of Norfolk as also in divers other places thereabouts being one of the Commissioners of Sewers for the repair of the Banks and Drains in Middelton Rungeton and Sechithe in that part of Norfolk in 22 E. 1. And in 23 E. 1. had summons amongst the rest of the Judges of the Courts at Westminster and the Kings learned Council unto the Parliament then held there So likewise to those Parliaments of 25 28 and 32 E. 1. as also of 1 E. 2. To whom succeeded Iohn his Son and heir Which Iohn in 34 E. 1. being one of the Gentlemen of the Kings Bedchamber obtain'd the wardship of the land and Heir of Iohn de Crokedake a person of note in those parts And in 4 E. 2. was in that Expedition then made into Scotland He was also Sheriff for the Counties of Norf. and Suff. from 11 E. 2. till 16. of that King's Reignâ inclusive and Governour of
Richard Coniers of Norden in Com. Palat. Dunelm and Christopher Coniers of Eletham Henry Philip Robert and William and four Daughters viz. Elizabeth Married to William Fitzâ Williams of Sprotborough Margerie to Rouland Playce and Eleanore to Thomas Merkenfeld Which Iohn his Son and Heir Married Alice Daughter and Coheir to William Nevil Lord Fauconbridge afterwards Earl of Kent and in 5 E. 4. was join'd in Commission with Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick and divers other Northern Lords to treat with the Scots touching some injuries by them done to the Subjects of this Realm contrary to the Articles of Truce agreed on by both Crowns He was also imploy'd in 13 E. 4. with Henry Earl of Northumberland and others upon the like occasion And having been Installed Knight of the most noble order of the Garter in 1 R. 3. departed this life in 5 H. 7. leaving Issue two Sons William his Son and Heir and Iohn and two Daughters Anne Married to Richard Lumley and Margerie to William Bulmer Which William Coniers in 8 H. 7. accompanied Raphe Nevill Earl of Westmorland and divers other Northern Lords to raise the Siege of Norham-Castle then beleaguer'd by the Scots and in 22 H. 7. bore the Title of Lord Conyers Whereupon in 1 H. 8. he had Summons to Parliament and was made Constable of the Castles at Richmund and Middleham Having therefore such trust and power in those parts in 5 H. 8. he marcht with the Earl of Surrey against the Scots who had then invaded Northumberland Whereupon he had his share in the honour of that Victory then obtain'd at Floddon-field where King Iames the Fourth lost his Life And having Married Anne Daughter to Raphe Nevill Earl of Westmorland departed this life in 16 H. 8. leaving Sir Christopher Coniers Knight his Son and Heir and two Daughters Catherine Married to Sir Francis Bigod of Settrington Knight and Margaret to Richard Cholmley Son and Heir to Sir Roger Cholmley of Rockley Knight Which Christopher had Livery of his Lands the same year And in 22 H. 8. with the rest of the Lords then sitting in Parliament subscribed that Declaration then sent to Pope Clement the Seventh whereby 't was represented to his Holiness that in case he did not comply with King Henry in that business of his Divorce from Queen Katherine his Supremacy here could not long be owned And having Married Anne Daughter to William Lord Dacres of Gillestand departed this life in 30 H. 8. leaving Issue Iohn his Son and Heir as also Leonard a younger Son and two Daughters Elizabeth Married to George Playce of Halnaby Esq and Iane to Sir Marmaduke Constable of Everingham Knight Which Iohn in 36 H. 8. accompanied the Earl of Hertford then General of that Army sent into Scotland at which time Leith was taken by the English and he there with others Knighted In 5 E. 6. this Iohn Lord Coniers was made Warden of the West-Marches toward Scotland as also Governour of the Castle at Carlisle and in 1 Mariae Warden of the East-Marches and Governour of Barwick And having Married Maud the Daughter to Henry the first Earl of Cumberland departed this life in 3 4 Ph. M. leaving three Daughters his Heirs viz. Anne Married to Anthony Kempe of ... in Com. Cantii Elizabeth to Thomas the Son of Sir Arthur Darcie Knight and Catherine to Iohn the Son and Heir of Iohn Atherton of Atherton in Com. Lane Esq Of which three Daughters no Issue remaineth but from Elizabeth so Married to Darcie Pole Lord Mountagu 19 H. 7. THE first of this Family touching whom I have seen any thing memorable is Sir Richard Pole Knight Son of Sir Geffrey Pole Knight descended from an antient stock of that surname in some part of Wales Which Sir Richard being a valiant and expert Commander was by Indenture first retained to serve King Henry the Seventh in his Wars of Scotland in the 12th year of his Reign with five Demilances and CC. Archers and afterwards before the end of that year with six hundred men at Arms threescore Demilances and five hundred and fourty Bows and Bills And being a person much accomplisht was made chief Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to Prince Arthur and Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter whereupon attending him into Wales he received Command to govern in those parts The certain time of his Death I find not but that by the Lady Margaret his Wife Daughter to George Duke of Clarence he had Issue four Sons Henry Geffrey Arthur and Reginald and one Daughter called Vrsula Married to Henry Lord Stafford Which Margaret surviving him in 5 H. 8. by her Petition to the King representing that whereas by Act of Parliament in 19 H. 7. Edward her Brother called Earl of Warwick had been declared Traytor and his Lands thereupon forfeited she humbly intreated that it would please his Highness to permit her to inherit his state and dignity she being his Sister and Heir in blood and be stiled Countess of Salisbury Which being granted she obtained his Letters Patent bearing date 14 Oct. the same year for all the Castles Mannors and Lands of Richard late Earl of Salisbury her Grandfather which came to the Crown by the attainder of the same Edward Earl of Warwick her Brother But notwithstanding that favour a most sad fate overtook her at last she being attainted for Treason in 31 H. 8. under colour of complyance with the Marquess of Exeter at that time also attainted certain Bulls from Rome being found at Cowdray her Mansion House It was also laid to her charge that the Parson of Warblyngton had conveyed Letters from her to her Son Reginald the Cardinal and that she had forbidden all her Tenants to have the New Testament in English or any new Book that the King had priviledg'd What else might be the cause is not certain but it appeareth from sufficient tâstimony that she behav'd her self most stoutly though seventy years of age and would not confess any thing Nevertheless she had sentence of death passed against her without ever being heard yet the Execution thereof was deferred for two years until the 27th of May an 1541. 33 H. 8. at which time she lost her Head in the Tower it being thought that the Insurrection about that time in Yorkeshire was through the instigation of the Cardinal her Son and consequently the occasion taken thus to cut her off in whom determin'd the Line of Plantaginet She being then possess'd of these following Lordships Lands and Revenues   l. s. d. In Com. Cornub. Lantyane 20 10 06. In Com. Devon Wonneford 06 19 10. Clifte S. Maryes 08 04 06 Py-Worthye 18 04 10 ob Stokenham with the
in 26 H. 8. Principal Secretary of State as also Master of the Rolls Shortly after this that Long Parliament then siting at Westminster began 3 Nov. 21 H. 8. and held by Prorogation till the 27 th of that Kings reign originally design'd to swallow up those vast possessions which through the bounty of divers pious Kings and many other devout people of this Nation had been bestowed on the Monasteries wherein this Cromwell had been the Principal contriver it was thought fit in order to that grand work to send visitors into all parts for making Inquisition into the demeanor of the Votaries then profess'd in any of those Religious Houses to the end that by representing them more loose in their lives than the strictness of their Rule required the less regret might be had not only to their ejection but to the utter suppression of their Orders Whereupon in October An. 1535. 27 H. 8 being sent with Doctor Lee and others upon that notable errand they put forth all who were willing to depart and all who were under the age of Twenty four year shutting up those who remained that they should not go out of their places And to them which departed assign'd Forty shillings in Money with a Priests Gown for their Habit but to the Nuns no other Apparel than secular women did use Which being done they took the Relicks and chiefest of the Jewels in every House to the King's use This grand Action being over whereupon soon ensued the dissolution of all those which had been by other Inquisitors found under the value of Two hundred pounds per annum he was shortly after viz. 2 Iulii 28 H. 8. made Lord Keeper of the King 's Privy Seale and upon the ninth of the same moneth advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the name of Lord Cromwell of Okeham in Com. Rutl. and within six dayes after viz. 15 Iulii which was the last day of the Parliament then held took his place amongst the Lords in that House Being therefore arrived to this high pitch of Honor and Trust that which I shall next observe is that the Popes Supremacie being here by authority of Parliament abolished and directly declared to be in the King divers businesses thereupon hapening which could not be dispatch'd without his Highnesses consent himself being not able to undergo the burthen thereof confer'd that Authority on this Lord Cromwell making him Vicar-general over all the Spiritualties under himself Not that he thought a Layman more fit for it than one of the Clergy but because under colour thereof he had resolv'd to put in execution some designs wherein the Clergy in probability would have moved but slowly Whereupon he became President in the Synod of that year viz. 28 H. 8. and sate above the Bishops as Head over them By the Authority of which Synod a Book was set forth wherein many points of Doctrine being proposed to be expounded by the Curates to their Parishioners mention was only made of three Sacraments viz Baptisme the Eucharist and Penance as also some Holy dayes abrogated and divers other things pertaining to Religion and Ecclesiastical Discipline somewhat changed And in September the same year sent out under the King 's Spiritual Seal certain Injunctions to the Prelates and Clergy of the Realm charging Curates to Prââch and to Teach their Parishioners the Pater Noster Ave Creed Commandements and Articles of Faith with other Articles in the English-tongue In 29. H. 8. he was constituted Chief Justice Itinerant of all the Forests beyond Trent And in September An. 1538. 30 H. 8. sent forth Injunctions to all Bishops and Curats throughout the Realm charging them to place in every Parish-Church the Bible of the largest Volume Printed in English for all men to read on as also a Register wherein all Weddings Christenings and Burials should be entred About this time it was that he obtain'd a grant of the Castle and Lordship of Okeham in Com. Rutl. and was also made Constable of Caresbroke-Castle in the Isle of Wighâ It is observed that in this great work for dissolution of the Religious Houses though divers of the Visitors petitioned that some might be spared as well for the virtue of the persons in them as for the benefit of the Country the poor receiving thence much releife and the richer sort good education for their children and though that worthy Man Latimer then Bishop of Worcester wisht that two or three might be left in every Shire for Pious uses yet did this Cromwell by the King's permission invade all and what betwixt Threats Gifts Perswasions Promises and whatsoever might make a man obnoxious at length obtain'd from the Abbots Priors Abesses and their Covents of all those greater Monasteries which the Act of Parliament of 27 H. 8. had not suppressed formal Surrenders under their publick Seales It is likewise not unworthy of note that he was a principal Instrument in keeping down the Clergy whom in regard of their Oathes to the Pope he usually term'd the King's half Subjects And that as to the expulsion of the Monks he said It was no more than a restoring them to their first Institution being lay and labouring persons Nor did it move him that so much strictness and austerity was enjoyn'd them in their respective Orders since he said They might keep it in any condition In recompence therefore of this high service he soon obtain'd a grant from the King in Fee of the dissolv'd Monastery of St. Osythes in Essex with all the Houses Buildings Church and other Appurtenances thereunto belonging as also of the Mannors and Lordship of Chich-St Osithes Barnton Coketwyke Wigbargh Erles Hall Westwyke Howyke Lewyke Wyershall alias Withston Hal Cannon Hall alias Can Hall Abbots Hall Cost Hall alias Costed Hall Mylâend Hall Broke Hall and Birche Hall with Horsey and all and singular their Members parcel of the possessions of the same Monastery of St. Osythes Likewise of the Mannor or Lordship of Chalwedon in Com. Essex parcel of the possessions of the new Hospital of our Blessed Lady without Bishopsgate in London as also of the Mannors and Lordships of Tollesbury High-Hall Abbesse-Hall and Hackley in the said County of Essex parcel of the possessions of the Monastery of Berkyng And of all that Mannor of Gorewells in Tollesbury aforesaid parcel of the possessions of the Monastery of Bylegh in that County Likewise of the Mannors of Wileghe Brightingsey alias Brykelsey Pichesaye Mondone and Grynstede in the same County parcel of the possessions of the Monastery of St. Iohn at Colchester Also of the Mannors at Dedham and Langham in the same County with the Mannor and Lordship of Stratford Juxta Higham in Com. Suff. with three Mannors the King had by the Grant of Charles Duke of Suffolk Moreover he then obtained from the
Which Thomas had issue Richard who having been an industrious Student of the Laws in the Middle-Temple London was in 21 H. 8. made choice of for the Autumn-Reader in that Honorable Society Shortly after which by degrees having sundry eminent imployments he arrived to great wealth and Honor For in 24 H. 8. he obtain'd the Office of Attorney general in Wales and the Marches thereof for life and in 25 H. 8. 10 Octob. was constituted the King's Sollicitor-general In 27 H. 8. he had a Grant of the Office of Chirographer in the Court of Common-Pleas and about that time visiting Sir Thomas Moore late Lord Chancellor then a prisoner in the Tower used divers Arguments for perswading him to acknowledge the King's Supremacy in Spirituals which for many ages had been attributed to the Pope In which year upon the dissolving of all those Religious Houses whose yearly values were not certified to be above Two hundred pounds the King's Revenues being thereby not a little augmented and a certain peculiar Court called The Court of Angmentation by Act of Parliament erected he was made Chancellor thereof and thereupon obtain'd a Grant of the scite of the Priorie of Lighes with the Mannor of âighes thereto appertaining in Com. Essex as also of divers Lands in other places belonging to that Monastery In 36 H. 8. at the siege of Boloinâ he was one of the Commissioners appointed to Treat with the French touching Peace being at that time Treasurer of the King's Wars both there and in Scotland and in 38 H. 8. the King lying on his Death-bed was constituted one of the Assistants to his Executors in matters of great consequence In 1 E. 6. being then a Knight he was by Letters patent bearing date 16 Feb. advanced to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Riche it being the fourth day before the Coronation and upon the Thirtiâth of November following constituted Lord Chancellor of England But in 5 E. 6. well observing y the danger of the times both by the Duke of Somercet's fall and otherwise and doubting what questions might arise in the ensuing Parliament having accumulated to himself a very fair fortune like a discreet Pilot who seeing a storme at hand gets his Ship into Harbor he made sute to the King by reason of some bodily Infirmities that he might be discharged of his Office Which being granted the Great Seal was delivered to Thomas Goodrick Bishop of Ely after which he lived many years and at his own charge built the Tower Steeple at Rochford in Com. Essex By his Testament bearing date 12 Maii 9 Eliz. he bequeath'd his body to be buried in the parish Church of Felsted in Com. Essex and departed this life the next ensuing year as may seem by the probate thereof which beares date 3 Iunii An. 1568. 10 Eliz. leaving issue by Elizabeth his wife sister to William Ienks Citizen of London Robert his son and heir and nine daughters Margerie married to Henry Pigot of Abington Esquire Agnes to Edmund Mordant Esquire Mary to Sir Thomas Wrothe Knight Dorothy to Francis Barley Esq Elizabeth to Robert Peyton Esquire Winifride first to Sir Henry Dudley Knight and afterwards to Roger Lord North and Frances to Iohn Lord Darcy of Chiche Which Robert succeeding him in his Honor in 15 Eliz. was one of the Peers upon the Tryal of Thomas Duke of Norffolk and afterwards sent into France with the Earl of Lincolne Lord Admiral and others for concluding a League with the French at Blois In 16 Eliz. he was imploy'd into Ireland with the Lord Darcie and others but returned upon occasion of private business within a Moneth and died in An. 1581. 23 Eliz. as may seem by the probate of his Will bearing date 7 Iunii the same year leaving issue by Mary his wife daughter and heir of George Baldri son and heir to Sir Thomas Baldri Knight Citizen of London three sons Robert his son and heir Sir Edwyn Riche Knight and Richard as also one daughter called Elizabeth Which Robert in 40 Eliz. having been in that voyage with Robert Earl of Essex to Cadez was by Letters patent bearing date at Westminster 6 Aug. 16 Iac. An. 1618. advanced to the Title of Earl of Warwick and founded an Almeshouse at Rochford in Com. Essex for five poor men and one aged woman He married two wives first Penelope daughter to Walter Earl of Essex who bore him three sons Robert who succeeded him in his Honors Henry afterwards created Earl of Holand and Charles Which Charles being a Knight was slain in that voyage with the Duke of Buckingham to the Isle of Rhe in France in An. 1627. And four daughters Letice first married to Sir George Carie of Cockington in Com. Devon Knight and after to Sir Arthur Lake Knight Penelope to Sir Gervase Clifton of Clâfton in Com Nott. Knight and Baronet Essex to Sir Thomas Cheeke of Pirgo in Com. Essex Knight and Isabel to Sir Iohn Smith Knight son to Sir Thomas Smith Knight Farmer of the Customs widow of Richard Rogers of Brimston in Com. Dors. Esquire But this Penelope his first wife forsaking him married in his life time to Charles Earl of Devon To his second wife he wedded Frances daughter to Sir Christopher Wray Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench widdow of Sir George Paul of Snartford in Com. Linc. Knight and Baronet but by her had no issue and departing this life at Warwick House in Holburne 24 Martii An. 1618. within eight moneths after his Creation was buried with his Ancestor's at Felsâed before-mentioned Which Robert so succeeding him married thrice first Frances the daughter and heir to Sir William Hatton alias Newport Knight by Elizabeth his wife daughter and heir to Sir Francis Gaudi Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas and by her had issue four sons Robert and Charles who succeeded him As also Henry and Hatton who died unmarried Likewise three daughters Anne married to Edward then Lord Mandevile son and heir to Henry Earl of Manchester Lucie to Iohn Lord Roberts of Truro and Frances to Nicholas Earl of Scarsdale Which Robert was Admiral for the Long Parliament An. 1658. And departing this life upon the 18 th day of April An. 1658 was buried at Felstede His grandson married Frances the youngest daughter of Oliver Cromwell then called Lord Protector To whom succeeded Robert his eldest son made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the First Which Robert married Anne daughter to William Earl of Devonshire and by her had issue one son called Robert who died in his life time without issue and three daughters Anne married to Thomas son and heir to Sir Iohn
the Navy consisting of an Hundred Saile wherein were about Seven thousand Land-souldiers about the tenth of Iuly he landed in the Isle of ãâã in aid of the Rochellers then besieged by the French In which finding two strong Forts he fruitlesly attempted one of them And after three moneths stay discerning fresh-forces brought in by the French which were too powerful for him to deale with made his Retreat but without any defence for the securing thereof so that he there lost at least Two hundred brave Gentlemen which were suddenly Horst and near Two thousand of his Foot soldiers ere they could reach to his Ships Which imprudent conduct for it was judged no better occasioned a sharp debate against him by the House of Commons in the next ensuing Parliament Wherein it being Voted that his excessive power was the cause of all the evils and dangers to the King and Kingdome a Remonstrance of Grievances was then drawn up whereby he stood charg'd to be the principal occasion of them Which touching him so nearly in point of Honor his hopes were by a second Expedition thither to regain what he had so lost in that unhappy attempt To which end having made a large preparation he came to Portsmouth in August the next ensuing year Where staying a while to put all things in order for the service and Iohn Felton born in Suffolk and bred a Soldier but of a melancholy constitution being Lieutenant of a Foot-Company in Sir Iames Ramsey's Regiment pressed into an inner-Chamber where he was at breakfast with Monsieur de Soubiez Sir Thomas Fryer and divers other persons of Quality Whence expecting his passage through a kind of Lobbye betwixt that and the next Roome where there stay'd many expecting him In his passage through this Lobby which was somewhat darker than the other Room Sir Thomas walking by his side and privately discoursing with him in the very moment that they parted Felton with a back blow stab'd him into the left side leaving the knife in his body which the Duke himself pulled out but immediately sunk down and expired Which sudden act did so much amaze all that were near at hand that no man took notice of the Assassiâate so that he might easily have passed away undiscovered but that glorying in what he had thus done he freely revealed himself This hapned upon Saturday the 23 d of August An. 1628. when he had fully compleated the Thirty sixth year of his age and three dayes more his Dutchess being then in the same House in an upper Room scarce out of Bed and the Court not much more than six miles distant Being thus barbarously murthered his Corps was brought to Walingford House at Westminster and honorably buried in King Henry the Sevenths Chapel on the North-side where he hath a most noble Monument erected to his memory It was then said that the cause which moved Felton to this wicked Act was that the Duke had denyed him his Captains place upon a vacancie his Colonel then moving for one Powell a person of known valor Also that he bore an old grudge to a Knight of Suffolk whom the Duke had admitted to some degree of favour Moreover that about this time there was a Libellous Book written against the Duke by one Eggleston a Scotish Physitian which represented him Monstrous and not worthy to live in a Christian Court And that being questioned as to his Motives therein he confessed that he had long lookt upon him as an evil Instrument in the Common Wealth Likewise that he was convict thereof by the Remonstrance of the House of Commons in Parliament but that he did it partly for private displeasure having read some Books which defended the lawfulness to kill an Enemy to the Republick The Knife wherewith he did it he acknowledged that he had bought in an obscure Cutlers shop on Tower Hill for Ten pence and that he fixt the sheath to the lyning of his pocket to the end he might draw it out with one hand his other being maym'd Also that he hasted to Portâmouth partly on horseback and partly on foot being indigent of Money But for this he became a great Penitent wishing at his Tryal that his Right hand might be cut off as a true testimony of his hearty sorrow for destroying so Noble and Loyal a Subject This great Duke took to wife Catherine the daughter and sole heir to Francis Earl of Rutland by whom he had issue three sons Iames George and Francis and one only daughter called Mary on whose behalf her father then living obtained certain Letters-patent bearing date 31 Aug. 3 Car. 1. whereby in case he should depart this life without issue-male she should enjoy the Title of Dutchess of Buckingham with all priviledges belonging to a Duke Which noble Lady first married to Charles Lord Herbert son and heir to Philip then Earl of ãâã who departing this life at Florence in An. 1635. without any issue by her she after became the wife of Iames Duke of Richmund and Lenox Of those his three sons Iames the eldest dying in his infancie George the second succeeded him in his honors which George was made Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter by our present Sovereign King Charles the Second as also Master of the Horse and Lord Lieutenant for the County of York And married Mary sole daughter and heir of Thomas Lord Fairfax of Cainrone in the Realm of Scotland The third son the Lord Francis born after his father's death being a person of a very high courage and bearing most Loyal affections to His late Majesty King Charles the First of blessed Memory put himself in Armes together with the Earl of Holand and others for His rescue out of the hands of those barbarous Usurpers who then kept him close-Prisoner in the Isle of Wiht in order to his Woful Murther which shortly after hapned But before he could raise such a considerable strength as might probably have accomplisht this Right Noble attempt he was upon the seventh of Iuly An. 1648. met by a much greater Power of the Enemy at Kingston upon Thames and there in a sharp Skirmish most unhappily slain Villers Vicount Purbeck ¶ I Now come to the rest of the most near Relations to this late Duke Of these the first was Sir Iohn Villers Knight his elder brother who by Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 19 Iunii 17 Iac. was made Baron of Stoke in Com. Buck. and likewise advanced to the dignity of a Vicount by the Title of Vicount Purbeck of Purbeck in in Com. Dors. This Iohn married twice first Frances the youngest daughter of Sir Edward Coke Knight by Elizabeth his wife fourth daughter to Thomas Earl of Exeter Widow of Sir William
whereof he was by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 31 Ian. 18 Car. 1. Created Vicount Fauconberge of Henknowle in the Bishoprick of Durham And by Barbara his Wife Daughter to Sir Henry Cholmley of Roxby in Com. Ebor. Knight and Baronet had Issue two Sons Henry and Iohn and five Daughters Margaret Married to Iohn Lord Darcie of Astân Mary to Sir Edward Osburne of Kiâeton in Com. Ebor. Baronet Barbara to Sir Henry Slyngâsby of Sâryâen in Com. Ebor. Baronet Vrsula to Sir Walter Vavâsor of Haselwode in Com. Ebor. Knight and Frances to Sir Thomas Ingram of Shiriff-Hoton Knight a younger Son to Sir Arthur Ingram of Temple-Newsom in Com. Ebor. Knight and departing this life in an 1652. was buried in the Parish Church of Coâkswould in Com. Ebor. Which Henry dying before his Father left Issue by Grace his Wife Daughter and Heir to Thomas Barton of Smiââells in Com. Lanc. Esq four Sons Thomas now Vicount Fauconbridge Henry who died in his youth Sir Rouland Belasyse Knight of the Bath and Iohn who died young And four Daughters Grace Married to George Vicount Castleton in Ireland Frances to Sir Henry Iones of Aston in Com. Oxon. Knight Arbella to Sir William Frankland of âhurâily in Com. Ebor. Baronet and Barbara to Walter a younger Son to Sir Robert Strickland of Siâer in Com. Westmorl Knight Which Thomas so succeeding his Grandfather in his Honours is now Captain of the Guard of Pensioners to his Majesty King Charles the Second and Married Mildred Daughter to Nicholas Vicount Castleton ¶ The second Son to the before-specified Thomas Vicount Fauconbridge Called Iohn faithfully also adhering to the late King Charles of blessed Memory at such time as through the influence of a predominant party in the late Long Parliament great Forces were ready to march against him rais'd and brought to Notingham upon the erection of his Royal Standard there in August an 1642. a compleat Regiment of stout Foot-Souldiers with which fighting valiantly on his behalf in the Batâels of âineton and Brainâford as also in the storming of Bristoll and Battel of Newberie he was in consideration thereof advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Belasyse of Worlaby in Com. Linc. by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 27 Ian. 20 Car. 1. He was likewise in farther consideration of his eminent services in those times made Lieutenant-General of the Counties of York Notingham Lincoln and Derby Governour of the City of York and Garrison of Newark upon ârent as also Captain General of his Majesties Guards And by our present Sovereign King Charles the Second constituted Captain-General of his Forces in Africa and Governour of âangier Also Lord Lieutenant of the East-Riding of Yorkshire Governour of Hull and Captain of his Guard of Gentlemen-Pensioners But making scruple at the Oath injoined by Act of Parliament in an 1672. to be taken by all such as did then or should hereafter bear any Office under his Majesty he resigned all those his Commands as followeth viz. his Government of âangier to the Earl of Middleton His Lieutenancy of the East-Riding of Yorkshire and Government of Hull to the Duke of Monmouth his Captainship of the Pensioners to his Nephew Thomas Vicount Fauconbridge and a Regiment of Foot raised during the late Wars with the Dutch to the Earl of Northampton This Iohn Lord Belasyse Married three Wives First Iane the Dâughter and Heir to Robert Butler of Woodhall in Com. Hertf. Knight by whom he had Issue one Son called Henry made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of our present Sovereign King Charles the Second and one Daughter called Mary Married to Robert Vicount Dunbar in Scotland To his second Wife he Married Anne Daughter and Coheir to Sir Robert Crane of Chilton in Com. Suff. Knight Widdow of Sir William Airmine of Osgodây in Com. Linc. Baronet He lastly Married the Lady Anne Daughter to Iohn late Marquess of Winchester by whom he hath Issue three Daughters Honora Barbara and Katherine Which Sir Henry his Son and Heir Married twice First Rogersa Rogers Daughter and Cohâir with her Sister Elizabeth Dutchess of Richmund and Lenox to Francis Rogers of Brianston in Com. Dors. Esq And afterwards Sâsan Daughter and Coheir to Sir William Airmine of Osgodby in Com. Linc. Baronet by whom he had Issue Henry his only Son and departed this life in an 1668. Lord Lovelace 3 Car. 1. IN 3 Car. 1. Sir Richard Lovelace Knight Son oâ Richard Lovelace of Hurley in Com. Berks. Esq was by Letters Patent bearing date 31 Maii 3 Car. 1. advanced to the degrâe and dignity of a Baron of this Râalm by the Title of Lord Lovelace of Hurlây Which place had hârâtofore been a Religious ãâã oâ ãâã Monks and a Cell to ãâã Abby Hâ Mârâed to his first Wife Katherine Daughter of George Hill Widdow of William Hide of Kingston L'isle in Com. Berks. Esq but by her had no Issue and to his second Wife Margaret the sole Daughter and Heir to William Dodsworth Citizen of London by whom he had Issue two Sons Iohn and Francis and two Daughters Elizabeth Married to Henry Martin of Langworth in Com. Berks. Esq Son and Heir to Sir Henry Martin Knight then Judge of the Court of Admiralty and Margaret to Sir George Stonehouse of Radley in Com. Berks. Baronet And departed this life 22 Apr. an 1634. 10 Car. 1. To whom succeeded Iohn his Son and Heir who took to Wife the Lady Anne Daughter of Thomas Earl of Cleveland and departing this life at Woodstoke Mannor in Com. Oxon. 25 Sept. an 1670. was buried at Hurley before-specified leaving Issue Iohn his only surviving Son who succeeded him in his Honour And three Daughters Anne who died Unmarried Margaret Married to Sir William Noel of Kirkby Malory in Com. Leic. Baronet and Dorothy to Henry Drax a Merchant in Barbados Son of Sir Iames Drax Knight Which Iohn took to Wife Martha one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Sir Edmund Pye of Bradenham in Com. Buck. Baronet by whom he hath had Issue one Son called Iohn who died in his Infancy and three Daughters Anne Martha and Catherine Pierpont Earl of Kingston and Marquess of Dorchester 3 Car. 1 THat the Ancestor of this long continuing and eminent Family âobert de Pierpont being of French extraction came first into England at the time of the Norman Conquest is clear enough For by the general Survey taken shortly after it is evident that he was then possess'd of the Lordships of Henestede and âretham in Suffolk and that he held them of the famous William Earl Warren one of the chiefest of thâse Nobles that accompanied the Victorious Norman Duke in his signal Expedition hither And though none of the Descendents of this Robert did arrive to the dignity of Peerage till of late years yet were they persons of great note throughout all succeeding
Halifax He first Married Dorothy Daughter to Henry Lord Spenser Earl of Sunderland by whom he hath Issue three Sons Henry William and George and one Daughter called Anne Secondly Gertrude Daughter to William Pierpont of âhoresby in Com. Nott. Esq second Son to Robert late Earl of Kingston upon Hull Wentworth Earl of Strafford 4 Car. 1. ABout the beginning of the Reign of King Charles the First Sir Thomas Wentworth Baronet Son and Heir to Sir William Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse in Com. Ebor. Baronet the chief branch of that antient Family being a person of a fair Estate and one of the Knights for that spacious Shire in divers Parliaments did by his management of sundry Conferences with the House of Lords in those great Conventions and otherwise make his abilities so conspicuous as that the King having notice thereof soon chose him into the number of his Privy Council and in short time discerning his parts to be such as did worthily merit some special mark of Honour by his Letters Paâents bearing date 22 Iulii in the fourth year of his Reign first advanced him to the Title of Baron Wentworth of Wenâworth Woodhouse Next viz. upon the tenth day of December following to that of Vicount-Wentworth After this constituted him Lieutenant of Ireland and upon the 12 th of Ianuary in the xv th year of his Reign to the farther dignities of Baron of Raây by reason of his Descent from that great Family of Nevill sometime Lords of that place and Earl of Strafford and lastly elected him into that honourable Society of Knights Companions of the most noble Order of the Garter Which great Trust of that Lieutenancy he underwent with such gravity and prudence administring Justice impartially to every one as gave no little satisfaction to his Majesty and all good people And upon that Insurrection of the Scots in an 1639. being call'd back from that charge after he had form'd an Army there of eight thousand men which might have been useful to that Kingdom had not those who design'd his destruction prevented it was constituted Lieutenant-General of those Forces then raised for the repâlling of those Invaders who had at that time possess'd themselves of some of the Northern Counties But the good King considering that it was not a Foreign Enemy who had thus entred this Realm and therefore deeming it safest to call a Parliament here by the advice whereof he might receive best direction how to get them out found the leading Members in that unhappy Convention secretly confederated with that rebellious people whose Principles being Anti-Monarchical nothing but the absolute extirpation of the Religion establisht and the total ruine of this peaceful Government whereby they might share the Revenues both of Church and King would serve their turn To which end the removal of every impediment in their way being design'd they first began with this incomparable person exhibiting a Charge of High-Treason against him Whereupon he was brought to Tryal before his Peers but when they came to the particulars of proof though they searcht into all the actions of his life from the first time that he ever had any publick imployment of Trust and found nothing that amounted to a considerable misdemeanour Nevertheless by diveââ unjustifiable devices they at length passed a special Bill for his Attainder but with this particular clause that the like should never be drawn into practice again And having so done by sundry other indirect practises extorted from that good King his Royal assent thereto and then cut off his Head at Tower-Hill upon the 12 th of May ensuing an 1641. An Act in truth of such Injustice and Cruelty as that not only some of those who had been seduced to concur with them therein when they themselves afterwards came to be destroy'd by the hands of the Common Executioner infinitely bewailed and repented of but which lay heavy upon the Conscience of that most pious and devout Martyr the King himself when he suffered Death by that barbarous Generation in whose destruction they had design'd the utter ruine and extirpation of this formerly long-flourishing and famous Monarchy But the particulars of the unhappy sufferingâ of this worthy person and the steps by which his and those Enemies to Monarchy did tread in order to the accomplishing their pâânicious purposes I leave to the relation of some more able Pen which may transmit them to future ages in due time it being not yet so needful to bring them upon the Stage of this World considering that there are many yet alive who cannot forget what themselves have seen so lately acted and whom it will highly concern to impart what they know thereof to their immediate descendents This most noble Earl married three Wives First Margaret Daughter to Francis Earl of Cumberland by whom he had no Issue Secondly Arabella Daughter to Iohn Earl of Clare by whom he had Issue one Son called William and two Daughters the Lady Anne married to Edward Lord Rockingham and the Lady Arabella to Iustin Macarti Son to Donâgh Earl of Clancarti And lastly Elizabeth Daughter to Sir Godfrey Rodes of Great Houghton in Com. Ebor. Knight by whom he had Issue one Daughter called Margaret Being thus barbarously cut off his Body was carried to Wentworth Woodhouse and there buried To whom succeeded William his Son and Heir who married the Lady Anne the eldest of the three Daughters of that most Heroick and truly Loyal Iames Earl of Derby who suffered death also by the hands of those Antimonarchists and since the restoration of our present Sovereign hath by him been honoured with an election and Investiâure into the Society of the Knights of the most noble Order of the Garter and one of his Privy Council Francis Lord Dunsmore Earl of Chichester 4 Car. 1. AMongst the many whose ample Fortunes did much conduce to those advancements which their Posterity afterwards obtained to several eminent Titles of Honour Sir Thomas Lâigh Knight was not the least who being Son to Roger Leigh of Wellington in Com. Salop. dâscended by a younger Branch from that antient Family of the Leigâs of High-Leigh in Cheshire and bred up under Sir Rouland Hill an opulent Merchant of London became at length his Factor beyond Sea and underwent that trust so well that Sir Rouland having no Issue matcht Alice his Niece Daughter to ... Barker of Hâghmon in Shropshire unâo him and bestowed upon his Children the substance of his estate Which Sir Thomas being âord Mayer of London in the first year of ãâã Elizâbeths reign departed this life in that Câty 17 November 14 Eliz. and was buried in Merâers-Chapell with this Epitaph upon his Tomb Sir Thomas Lâigh bi civil life All offices did bâare Which in this City worshipfull Or honourable were Whâm as God blessed with great wealth So losses did be feâle Yet nâver châng'd he constant minde Tho' Fortune turn'd her wheele Learning he lov'd and helpâ the poore
Common-Pleas conferred upon him and on the 23th of Ianuary 16 Car. 1. that of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England Being therefore thus raised to that eminent place of Honour and Trust on the eighteenth of February next ensuing he was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Littleton of Mounsâow one of the Hândreds in Com. Salop. But shortly after the troubles in this Realm taking their rise partly from that Insurrâction of the Scots and their entrance of this Realm which hapned in August next ensuing an scil 1640. and partly from the predominancy of certain Members in the late Long Parliament then called by reason of that Invasion so that the King to avoid the danger of such Tumults as being then countenanced by those Mâmbârs threatned his safety retired to the City of York in March an 1642. This Lord Keeper being not a little sensible of his Majesties hard condition and well weighing his own duty in that perillous conjuncture hastâd thither to him with the Great Seal in Iune next following and after that ceasing not to continue his dutifull attendance from place to place wheresoever he moved or received command to abide served him with most Loyal affections until his âwn death which hapned at Oxford 27 August an 1645. 21 Car. 1. where he had an honourable Burial in the North I le of the Cathedral called Christ-Church opposite to the Quire He married Anne Daughter to Iohâ Littleton of Frankley in Com. Wigorn. Esq who died mâny years before him leaving no Issue Capel Earl of Essex 17 Car. 1. THE first of this Family who laid the âoundation for supporting that Honour which afterwards his Descendents obtained was Sir William Capel Knight Lord Mayor of London in an 1504. 20 H. 7. which Sir William built a fair Chapel on the South-side of the Church called great St. Bartholmews in the Suburbs of that City and ãâã there buried From whom descended Arthur Capel of Hadham in Com. Hertf. Esq Which Arthur being a person of great merit was by Letters Patents bearing date 6 Aug. an 1641. 17 Car. 1. advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Capel of Hadham And upon that grand defection hapning before the end of the next ensuing year when several Armies were levyed through the influence of a predominant party in the Parliament then held at Westminster under divers plausible pretences whereby much bloodshed and great devastation ensued most loyally put himself in Arms on the King's behalf for the general welfare of his Majesty and these Realms raising at his proper charge some Troops of Horse with which in his own person he served both valiantly and faithful in sundry Battels and other perillous Encounters throughout the long continuance of those unhappy Troubles And when through a second great Invasion of the Scots the King became totally over-powered his Field-Forces disâipaââd all his Garrisons lost and his Royal Person Imprison'd in the Isle of Wiht being sufficiently apprehensive of the misery which was like shortly after to befal him couragiously adventured himself with all the strength he could raise in hope of his rescue but miscarrying therein suffered Death for that attempt upon the ninth of March an 1648. Whereupon his Corps was buâied at Hadham This most loyal and right valiant Lord took to Wife Elizabeth the Daughter and Heir of Sir Charles Morison of Câyâho-berrey in Com. Hertf. Knight and Baronet and by her had Issue four Sons Arthur Henry made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the Second Edward and Charles and four Daughters Mary Married to Henry Lord Beauchamp at that time Son and Heir Apparent to William Marquess of Hertford and surviving him to Henry now Marquess of Worcester Elizabeth to Charles Earl of Carnarâon Theodosia to Henry then called Lord Cornbury now Earl of Clarendon and Annâ to Iâhn Son and Heir Apparent to Giles Strangways of Melbury Sândford in Com. Dorset Esq To him succeeded Arthur his Son and Heir on whom our present Sovereign King Charles the Second shortly after his happy Restoration looking with an high regard both in respect of his noble Father's most eminent actings and sufferings and his own personal merits not only advanced him to the Title of Vicount Mâldon in Câm Essex bât to the dâgree and dignity of Earl of Essex by Letters Patent bearing daâe 20 Apr. in the thirteenth year of his Reign And since that having large experience of his prudence and great abilities constituted him Lord Lieutenant of the Realm of Ireland This Earl Married Elizabeth Daughter to Algerâon Earl of Northumberland and by her hath had Issue six Sons viz. Algernon Chârles Arthur Henry Algerâon and Arthur and two Daughters Elizabeth and Aââe of all which the last Algernon and Anne are only living the rest dying young Bruce Earl of Aylesbury 17 Car. 1. UPon the coming of King Iames to enjoy the Crown of this Realm in an 1603. amongst many other worthy persons of the Scottish-Nation Edward Bruce of Kinlosse was not the least who though a Native of that Country did descend from the antient Barons of that name sometime Lords of Skelton in Cleâeland and other large possessions in the Northern parts of Yorkshire This Edward being a person of great parts was sent Embassador from King Iames with the Earl of Marre in 43 Eliz. unto that Queen to Congratulate her good success in repressing that audacious attempt of the Earl of Essex and his Complices who had then suffered death for the same Which she took very well being not a little pleas'd to hear so much from them in regard of the rumours then dispersed viz. that Essex was made away for favouring the King of Scot's Title Also that had they come in time they would have mediated for him And upon the death of that Queen being eminently Instrumental to the peaceful entrance of King Iames by the Intelligence which he privately held in her life time with Sir Robert Cecill Knight one of her principal Secretaries of State in recompence of those his faithful Services had that great Office of Master of the Rolls conferr'd upon him for life upon the eighteenth of May 1 Iac. and the next ensuing year by Letters Patent bearing date 8 Iulii was advanc'd to the dignity of a Baron of Scotland by the Title of Lord Bruce of Kinlâsse being of the Privy Council to his Majesty in both Realms But upon the 14 th of Ianuary an 1610. 8 Iac. he departed this life being then Lxii. years of Age and was buried in the Chapel of the Rolls in Chancery-Lane London where there is a fair Monument erected to his memory with this Inscription upon it Fuimus Sacrae Memoriae Domini Edwardi Bruce Baronis Bruce Kinlossensis Sacrorum Scriniorum Magistri dicatum Quiobiit 14 Ian. Sal. 1610. Aetat 62. Iacobi Regiâ 8â
his service with which he encountred a strong party of those rebellious Invaders the Scots at Corbridge in Northumberland and put them to the worst Next being Commander in chief of those Troops which the King sent from Oxford against that great Rebel of Lincolnshire Colonel Rosseter he gave him the âoyl Thence marching against the Lord Fairfax and putting him to the rout he relieved Pontâract-Castle at that time besieged by a numerous Body of the Northern-Rebels And after all this firmly adhering to that good King of blessed memory untill necessity prompted his Majesty to cast himself upon his Native-subjects the Scots so that he could not serve him farther in this Realm he betook himself to Foreign paâs till he did discern a fitter opportunity And then couragiously attempting the strong Garrison of Barwick upon âwede and that well fortified City of Carlisle he reduced them both to his Majesties obedience After which having raised new Forces for his service he did great things and attempted greater but soon after through the powerfulness of the Enemy the King's Interest sinking more and more his Armies being totally scattered he became their Prisoner Whence making his escape with no little difficulty he again got beyond Sea there with most exemplary loyalty attending our present Sovereign in his most low and desperate condition In consideration therefore of these his great Actings and Sufferings he was by Letters Patent bearing date a Bruges in Flanders upon the fourth day of February in the tenth year of his Majesties Reign which was about two years preceding his happy Restoration advanced to the degree and dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Langdale of Holme in Spaldyngmoore and to the Heirs male of his body He marryed Lenox the Daughter of Sir Iohn Rhodes of Barlborough in Com. Derb. Knight and by her left Issue two Sons Marmaduke and Philip the rest dying young as also two Daughters Lenox and Mary And departing this life in his House at Holme in the East-riding of Yorkshire 5 August 1661. was buried at Sancton near adjacent To whom succeeded Marmaduke his Son and Heir who married Elizabeth the Daughter of Thomas Savage of Beeston in Com. Cestr. Esq Brother to Iohn late Earl Rivers and by her hath Issue one Son named Marmaduke and two Daughters Iane married to Michael Anne of Frickley in Com. Ebor. Esq and Elizabeth to Hugh Smithson Esq Son and Heir to Sir Ierome Smithson of Stanwick in the same County Baronet Lord Crofts 10 Car. 2. THE next in order of time who had the Title of a Baron of this Realm conferred upon him by our present Sovereign then in Foreign parts was William Crofts Esq the lineal Heir male of that ancient Famimily which had for divers Ages flourished at Saâham in the County of Suffolk whereof many were dignified with the Honour of Knighthood and by females descended from the first Lord Wentworth of Netâlested as also from the Montacutes sometime Earls of Salisbury and Nevills Earls of Westmorland Which William having been brought up in the Court of England from his youth became Master of the Horse to his Royal Highness the Duke of York Next to be Captain of the Guard to the late Queen-Mother and afterwards Gentleman of the Bed-chamber to his Majesty that now is In all which imployments behaving himself with great fidelity he was at length sent Embassadour into Poland where he managed that high Affair then committed to his trust with singular prudence and dexterity In consideration of which notable services he was by Letters-patent bearing date at Bruxells in Brabant upon the 18. of May in the tenth year of his Majesties Reign advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Crofts of Saxâam He marryed two Wives first Dorothy the Daughter to Sir Iohn Hobert of Intwood in Com. Norf. Baronet Son and Heir to Sir Henry Hobert Knight and Baronet sometime Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas Widow of Sir Iohn Hele Knight Secondly Elizabeth Daughter of William Lord Spenser but by neither of these hath had any Issue Lord Berkley of Stratton 10 Car. 2. ABout the same time likewise his Majesty taking into his Princely consideration the eminent merits of Sir Iohn Berkley of Bruton in the County of Sâmerset Knight descended from the most noble and ancient Barons Berkley of Berkley-Castle of whom I have already spoke in the first Volume of this work who being Governour to his Royal Highness Iames Duke of York and managing his Affairs in his tender years most seasonably approved his Loyalty to the late King Charles of blessed memory in a very high measure First by putting himself in Arms on his part at the beginning of the late unparallel'd Rebellion for which cause he suffered Imprisonment for a time Next by his opportune though hazardous adventure in bringing a considerable supply of Arms and Ammunition out of Holland in the Year 1642. which he then safely landed in the parts of Holderness for his Majesties service After this being made General of his Majesties Forces in Cornwall joining with Sir Ralph Hopton Knight afterwards Lord Hopton he obtained divers Victories against the Rebels of those western-Counties in the several Battels of Bradock Saltash Launceston and Stratâon as also at Modbury in the County of Devon And laying strong siege to Exeter after divers bold skirmishes with the Enemy at length not only reduced it to his Majesties obedience but most valiantly repulst their Fleet then at âopsham under the command of Robert Earl of Warwick taking three of their Ships in that Harbour whereupon he was constituted Governour of that great City General of all his Majesties Forces in Devonshire In consideration therefore of these his most loyal and successful services he was by Letters-Patent bearing date at Bruxells in Brabant upon the 19. of May in the tenth year of his Majesties Reign advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Berkley of Stratton Since which time being constituted Lord Lieutenant of Ireland he arrived there in April 1670. and having undergone that Trust for about the space of 3 years is now Embassadour in France He marryed Christian the Daughter of Sir Andrew Riccard Knight President of the East-India Company and Widow of Henry Lord Kensington Son to Henry late Earl of Holland by whom he hath Issue four Sons Charles Iohn and William now living and Maurice who died young As also one Daughter called Anne Iames Duâe of York 11 Car. â THis most Illustrious bâââch of the Royal Family that is to ây Second Son to the late King Charles the First of blessed memory having been by ãâã Renowned Father created Duke of York ãâã Letters-Pattents bearing date at Oxford ãâã Ian. in the Nineteenth year of his Reign iâ farther augmentation to his
Titles had the âignity of Earl of Ulvester in the Realm of Iâââand conferred upon him the tenth day of Mââ in the Eleventh year of the Reign of our preâânt Soveraign K. Charles the Second He first married the Lady Anne eldest daughâter to Edward late Earl of Clarendon and by her had issue four sons Charles Duke of Cambridge who died in his Infancy Iames Duke of Cambridge Henry Duke of Kendal and Edgar Duke of Cambridge all which died likewise in their childhood And three Daughters the Lady Mary and Lady Henriettaâ yet living and the Lady Catherine who died in her Infâncy He afterwards married the Lady Maria Beatrice daughter to the Duke of Modina in Italy by whom he hath had issue one daughter named Catherine-Laura which died in her Infancy Henry Duke of Glocester 11 Car. 2. THe next is Henry the Third Son to the same King Charles the First by the like Letters-patent bearing date 13 Maiâ the ensuing year created Duke of Glocester and Earl of Cambridge Who having been partaker with our present Soveraign in his greatest Diââesses during the long continuance oââhe ââte Unparrallel'd Usurpation had at lengââ the happiness to see him Peacefully restored to the Royal Throne of these his Realmes accompanying him into England before the end of May the following year but departed this life unmarried upon the Thirteenth day of September next ensuing and was buried in the Royal Chapel of King Henry the Seventh at Westminster under the Tombe of Mary Q of Scotland his Great-Grandmother Monke Duke of Albemarle 12 Car. 2. HAving now done with all such Creations which were made by our present Soveraign King Charles the Second before his Joyful Return into England I now come to those which ensued afterwards and first to that of George Monke of Potheridge in Com. Devon Esq who having sedulously exercised a Military course of life both by Sea and Land in Forrein parts for the chief time of his youth and afterwards applying himself to his late Majesties Service at the beginning of the late unhappy Rebellion in which he had the fate to be taken prisoner at length obtaining his liberty he took up Armes with the Adverse-Party in expectation of a fitter season to manifest his great affections to his King and Country Of which after much devastation and spoile the Cruel Murther of His Majesty and extirpation of this formerly long-flourishing Monarchique Government when he discern'd some view he ceased not to improve all opportunities whereby he might accomplish those blessed ends which his Right-Loyal Heart had always though with great Reservation most earnestly designed And accordingly through God's assistance became the Chief and most happy Instrument of Restoring the King to His Just Rights and all these Realmes to their long desired Peace and Tranquillity the pârticulars whereof as they are not unknown to this present Age so are they made publick to the World by divers persons which have given an Historical Account thereof for the better satisfacton of future times In contemplation therefore of these his most Laudable Adventures and as a Lasting Testimony of the real sence which His Majesty had of these his transcendent merits considering also that by the Lady Frances daughter and coheir to Arthur Plantaginet Natural son to King Edward the Fourth wife of Thomas Monke Esq his Lineal Ancestor he was descended from Edward Grey Vicount L'isle and by Elizabeth his wife daughter and heir to Iohn Talbot Vicount L'isle son to the renowned Iohn Talbot sometime Earl of Shrewsbury and with him slain in the Battel of Chastiâlion by Margaret wife of that valiant Earl from the famous Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and Aumarle Regent of France whose eldest daughter and coheir she was he had by Letters-patent bearing date the seventh day of Iuly in the Twelfth year of His Majesties Reign these several Dignities and Titles of Honor conferred upon him and the heirs male of his Body that is to say Baron Monke of Potheridge Beauchamp and Tyes Earl of Torington and Duke of Albemarle And shortly after was installed K t of the most noble Order of the Garter He married Anne Sister of Sir Thomas Clarges Knight and departing this life upon the fourth day of Ianuary An. 1669. was honorably buried upon the last day of April next ensuing on the North-side of King Henry the Seventh's Chappel adjoyning to the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster leaving Christopher his only Son and successor in his Honors now Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter who married the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to Henry Earl of Ogle son and heir apparent to William Ouke of Newcastle but by her as yet hath no issue Lord Butler of Lanthony and Earl of Brecknock 12 Car. 2. THe next on whom our present Soveraign after his happy Restauration conferred any Title of Honor was Iames Marquess of Ormond and Earl of Ossory in Ireland of His Majesties Privy-Council both in England and that Realm Lord Steward of His Houshold one of the Gentlemen of his Royal Bedchamber and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Paternally descended from Hervey Walter a great Baron of this Realm in the time of King Henry the Second of whom I have spoke in the First Volume of this Work whose posterity afterwards became Earls of Ormond whereof another Iames surnamed Butler who married Elizabeth the daughter of Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex Lord of Brecknock and Constable of England by Elizabeth his wife one of the daughters of King Edward the First was the first so created by King Edward the Third Which first mention'd Iames having been Lieutenant of Ireland in the time of King Charles the First of blessed memory where he performed great things and afterwards constantly adhered to His Majesty that now is throughout that tedious time of His Calamitous expulsion meriting much for his most Loyal Actings and Sufferings was by Letters-patent bearing date at Westminster upon the Twentieth day of Iuly in the same Twelfth year of His Reign advanced to the state and degree of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Butler of Lanthony in the County of Glocester his noble Ancestor Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex having divers ages past been the Pious Founder of a great Abby there as also Earl of Brecknock and to the heirs make of his body And the next ensuing year by other Letters-patent dated at Westminster upon the Thirteenth day of March created Duke of Ormond in the Realm of Ireland and shortly after that again Lord Lieutenant of that Realm This Duke married the Lady Elizabeth Preston the daughter of Richard Lord Dingwell who was honoured with the Title of Earl of Desmond by King Iames and by her hath issue three sons first Thomas who beareth the Title of Earl of Ossory Secondly Richard Earl of Arran who first married the Lady Mary daughter toâ Iames
upon the Grave of Elizabeth his first Wife as also restitution made for any wrong done by him and his servants to be rewarded To Isabel then his Wife he gave all the Silver Vessels Bedding and Housholdstuff which he had with her and over and above all that and whatsoever else she had since they were married two douzen of Silver Dishes twelve Chargers of Silver twelve Sawcers of Silver a pair of Basins covered Silver and Gilt four other Basins of Silver four Ewers of Silver twelve peeces of Silver of one sort with his Arms enamelled on the bottom of them and likewise the great Paytren bought of the Countess of Suffolk sometime belonging to the Earl of Salisbury And to his Son Henry the Cup of Gold with the Dance of Men and Women Of which Testament bearing date at Caversham in Oxfordshire 8 Aug. An. 1435. 15 Hen. 6. were Executors the Lord Cromwel the Lord Tiptoft Iohn Throkmorton Richard Curson Thomas Hugford William Berkswel Priest and Nicholas Rody his Steward After which viz. ult Apr. An. 1439. 17 Hen. 6. he departed this life at the Castle of Roan in Normandy leaving issue by Elizabeth his first Wife Daughter and Heir of Thomas Lord Berkley three Daughters viz. Margaret born at Gooârest in Wedgnock Park near Warwick the next year after the Battle of Shrewsbury second Wife to the famous Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Eleanor born at Walkinston in Essex shortly after the Feast of our Ladies Nativity 9 Hen. 4. first married to the Lord Roos and afterwards to Edmund Beaufort Marquess Dorset and Duke of Somerset And Elizabeth born in Warwick Castle Wife to George Nevil Lord Latimer To his second Wife he wedded Isabel Daughter of Thomas le Despenser Earl of Glocester and by the death of her Brother Richard and elder Sister Elizabeth without issue Heir to all his Lands But being the Widow of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Worcester his Uncles Son he had a special Dispensation from the Pope to marry her By which Isabel he left issue Henry and Anne of both which I shall speak in their order The Lands whereof he was possessed were very vast as may seem by that computation of their yearly value extracted from the Accompts of his several Bailiffs through England and Wales in 12 Hen. 6. amounting to no less than Eight thousand three hundred and six marks eleven shillings eleven pence halfpenny Which setting aside the good penny worths that his Tenants had of what they then held would in the days we live augment that sum sixfold at least considering about that time Barley was sold for four shillings two pence the Quarter Oats at two shillings one penny halfpenny Capons at three pence apiece and Hens at one penny halfpenny as by certain Accompts of his Houshold Officers appeareth Touching the Lady Isabel his Countess I find that she did not long survive him for her Testament bears date the first of December following and the Probate thereof 4 Febr. the same year Of which Testament in regard it is very memorable I shall here deliver the substance viz. That her Body should be Interred in the Abby of Tewsbury and her great Templys with the Baleys sold to the utmost and delivered to the Monks of that House so that they grutched not with her Burial there and what else she had appointed to be done about the same As also that her Statue should be made all naked with her hair cast backwards according to the design and model that one Thomas Porchalion had for that purpose and Mary Magdalen laying her hands a cross with S. Iohn the Evangelist on the right side and on the left side S. Anthony and at her feet a Scutcheon empaling her Arms with those of the Earl her late Husband supported by two Griffins but on the sides thereof the statues of Poor Men and Women in their poor array with their Beads in their hands She also willed that of her great Sharpe a Chalice should be made and offered to our Lady in the Lady Chappel there at Tewksbury and gave to our Lady of Caversham a Crown of Gold made of her Chain weighing five and twenty pound and other broken Gold in her Cabinet and two Tablets the one of S. Catherine the other of S. George the Precious Stones of which Tablets to be set in the said Crown Her Tablet with the Image of our Lady having a Glass for it she appointed to be offered unto our Lady of Walsingham as also her Gown of Green Alyz Cloth of Gold with wide Sleeves and a Tabernacle of Silver like in the Timber to that over our Lady of Caversham and that her great Image of Wax then at London should be offered to our Lady of Worcester To the Abby of Tewksbury she gave her Wedding Gown and all her Cloaths of Gold and Cloaths of Silk without Furs saving one of Russet-Velvet which she bequeathed to S Winifrid farther directing that all her precious Stones and Pearls should be sold as also her Silver Vessel and Goods to perform her Will whereof Sir William Mountfort Iohn Nanfan and Iohn Norris were constituted Executors ¶ I come now to Henry the succeeding Earl Son and Heir to Richard by this Lady Isabel. He was born at Hanley Castle in Wârcestershire on Thursday 11 Cal. Apr. An. 1424. 3 Hen. 6. and Baptised on the Saturday by Philip Morgan Bishop of Worcester having to his Godfathers at the Font Henry Beaufort Cardinal and Bishop of Winchester with Humphrey Earl Stafford and to his Godmother Ioane Lady Bergavenny the same Bishop of Worcester being his Godfather also at Confirmation At his Fathers death he hardly exceeded the age of fourteen years Before he accomplished the age of nineteen years he tendred his service for defence of the Dutchy of Aquitane in consideration whereof and to give him the more encouragement in that expedition the King by his Charter bearing date at Dover 2 Apr. 22. of His Reign created him Primier Earl of England and for a distinction between him and other Earls granted to him and the Heirs-male of his Body leave to wear a Golden-Coronet about his Head as well in his own presence as elswhere upon such great Festivals as the like used to be worn And within three days following considering the high deserts of his noble Father of whom he there makes a most honorable mention advanced him to the title of Duke of Warwick granting him place in Parliament and all other Meetings next to the Duke of Norfolk and before the Duke of Buckingham and giving him forty pound per annum to be paid by the Sheriffs of Warwickshire and Leicestershire for the time being out of the Revenue of those Counties towards the better support of that Honor. But this business of Precedency was so stomached by Humphrey Duke of Buckingham that had not the King
by Act of Parliament in the Three and twentieth of His Reign which was the next year ensuing that Creation of the Duke of Warwick qualified it much inconvenience had risen upon it Therefore For appeasing the contention and strife moved betwixt them for that preheminence those are the words of the Act it was established That from the second of December then next following they should take place of each other by turn viz. One that year and the other next and so as long as they lived together the Duke of Warwick to have the first years precedency and he who should survive to have place of the others Heir-male as long as he lived And from that time that the Heir-male of each should take place of other according as it might happen he had Livery of his Lands before him After which he had a Grant in Reversion from the death of Humphrey Duke of Glocester of the Isles of Gernsey Iersey Serke Erm and Aureney for the yearly Rent of a Rose to be paid at the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist as also of the Mannor and Hundred of Bristol in Com. Gloc. for the yearly Rent of Sixty pounds and likewise of all the Kings Castles and Mannors within the Forest of Deane for the Rent of One hundred pound per annum To all which Honors he had this farther added viz. to be Crowned King of the Isle of Wight by the Kings own hand But this hopeful Branch the sole Heir-male to this great Earldom was cropt in the flower of his youth before the fruits of his heroick disposition could be fully manifested to the World For upon S. Barnabas-day scil 11 Iunii An. 1445. 23 Hen. 6. being but Twenty two years of age he died at Hanley the place of his birth and was buried in the Abby of Tewksbury about the midst of the Quire at the head of Prince Edward Son and Heir to King Henry the Sixth In his Fathers life time when he was scarce ten years of age being then called by the name of the Lord Despenser he wedded Cecily Daughter to Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury whose Portion was Four thousand seven hundred marks which Cecily afterwards scil 27 Hen. 6. married to Iohn Lord Tiptoft by whom he left issue one only Daughter called Annâ born at Kaerdiff in the Moneth of February An. 1439. Which Anne being about two years old at his death was committed to the tutelage first of Queen Margaret and afterwards of William de la Pole Duke of Suffolk and had the title of Countess of Warwick but did not long survive for I find that 3 Ian. An. 1449. 27 Hen. 6. she departed this life at Newelme in Oxfordshire a Mannor of that Duke of Suffolk and was buried in the Abby of Reading next to the Grave of Constance Lady Despenser her Great Grandmother Daughter to Edmund of Langley Duke of York Whereupon Anne her Aunt born at Caversham in Oxfordshire 3 Id. Iuly An. 1429. 7 Hen. 6. Sister of the whole Blood to the late Duke of Warwick became Heir to this Earldom being at that time the Wife of Richard Nevil Earl of Sailsbury before-mentioned having been wedded to him the same year that Henry her Brother married Cecily his Sister Which Richard by reason of that Marriage and in respect of his special Services about the Kings peron and likewise in the Wars of Scotland for so doth the Patent import had upon the three and twentieth of Iuly next following the death of the before mentioned Anne his Wives Neice the Dignity and Title of Earl of Warwick confirmed and declared to him and his said Wife and to her Heirs with all preheminencies that any of their Ancestors before the Creation of Henry Duke of Warwick used Beauchamp of Alcester and Powyk I Now come to Walter de Beauchamp a younger Son to William de Beauchamp of Eâmley by Isabel his Wife Sister and Heir to William Mauduit Earl of Warwick Which Walter having purchased the moity of the Mannor of Alcester in Com. War from Peter Fitz-Herbert in 56 Hen. 3. made that place one of his principal Seats the other being at Powyke in Worcestershire This Walter was an eminent Man in his time In 53 Hen. 3. being signed with the Cross for a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land he had a Legacy of two hundred marks bequeathed to him by his Father for his better performance of that voyage And in 21 Edw. 1. obtained a Charter from the King for a Fair to be kept yearly at this his Mannor of Alcester for eight days beginning on the Eve of S. Giles and for seven days after In 24 Edw. 1. he was Steward of the Houshold to that King and in 25 Edw. 1. attended him into Flanders In 26 Edw. 1. he had Summons amongst other great Men to be at Carlisle upon Whitson Eve well furnished with Horse and Arms to march against the Scots and was the same year with the King in that famous Battle at Faukirk In 27 Edw. 1. he was again in Scotland and in 28 Edw. 1. had a Charter for Free Warren in all his Demesn Lands at Alcester and Powyke granted unto him as also in divers other places in Worcestershire In 29 Edw. 1. he was one of those Lords in the Parliament at Lincoln who then signified to the Pope under their respective Seals the superiority of King Edward over the Realm of Scotland being there stiled Dominus de Alcester In 30 Edw. 1. he obtained another Charter to alter the yearly Fair at Aâcester from the Eve of S. Giles the Abbot unto the Eve of S. Faith the Virgin and to continue for seven days after In 31 Edw. 1. he attended the King again into Scotland and was at that famous Siege of Caerlaverok This Walter had to Wife Alice the Daughter of ... Tony which marriage in regard they were within the fourth degree of consanguinity was after ratified by Godfrey Bishop of Worcester and the children begot between them decreed legitimate by him who had authority so to do from the Pope in regard they knew nothing of that impediment at the time of the Contract made and departing this life 14 Cal. Martii 31 Edw. 1. was buried in the Gray Friers near Smithfield in the Suburbs of London To him succeeded Walter his Son and Heir who in 32 Edw. 1. was in that expedition then made into Scotland and in 34 Edw. 1. being again in Scotland he departed thence before the War was at an end for which respect his Lands Goods and Chattels were seised by the King But the next year after he obtained pardon for that transgression In 4 Edw. 2. this Walter went again to the Wars of Scotland so likewise in 7 Edw. 2. In 10 Edw. 2. upon the