by the Spensers insomuch as the giddy multitude were easily stirr'd up to appear in Arms for any design which savoured of Reformation whose strength and assistance when the great ones had got they made no other use of it than the deposal of their rightfull King upon which in short time ensued his barbarous Murther But the circumstances of this tragique business I must not stand here to tell our Stories being large enough of it howbeit that which relateth to this Castle I will briefly touch which is that the K. being seized upon in Wales by Henry E. of Lanc. brother and heir to the before mentioned Thomas who was beheaded and others was by the said Earl forthwith brought hither viz. in Dec. 20 of his reign where he had not long staid ere news came to him that in a Parliament held at Westm. on the morrow after Twelf-day he was deposed and his son young Edward elected King in his stead being then but 14 years of age Which wofull tidings being accompanied with a Message from the same Parl. for so they called that headless meeting proposing to him the renouncing of his Regal Dignity and Crown and permitting his said son to reign otherwise they would do homage to his son and proceed in what they had begun the distressed K. knowing no remedy told them that seeing they would reject him he was glad that his eldest son might be received Which answer of his being return'd by the same Messengers they proclaimed the new King on the 20 of Ian. and set out Proclamations in his name declaring to the people that K. E. 2. had made a voluntary and free resignation of his Regal Dignity to his eldest son whom within few dayes after they formally crowned at Westm. But they who had prosecuted their wicked contrivances against their rightfull K. thus far thought all was not safe except they went further and therefore gave it out that the deposed King was too much observed and respected so that about Palm-sunday following he was committed to the custody of Sir Tho. Berkley and Sir Iohn Matravers â— who hurried him from hence privately to Berkley-castle in Gloucestershire where their horrid intentions towards him wrought perpetual jealousies in their heads that he would be rescued which caused them closely to carry him from thence to Corf castle in Dorsetshire And to the end it should not be certainly known where he was kept him in perpetual motion to one secret place or other till about the Feast day of S. Mathias the Apostle that they most barbarously murthered him with a spit red hot thrust up into his body at the Fundament at Berkley aforesaid But I return to the succession of this Castle In 1 E. 3. Henry brother and heir to Thomas E. of Lanc. beheaded at Pontfract and attainted as I have already shew'd was restored to the Earldomes of Lancaster Leicester c. and all his brothers lands whereof this was part Which Earl dyed at Leicester 19 E. 3. and was there buryed leaving issue Henry his son created E. of Derby 16 Martii 11 E. 3. his father being then alive Earl of Lincoln 20 Aug. 23 E. 3. and lastly Duke of Lancaster 6 Martii 25 E. 3. which D. dyed seized inter alia of this Castle the Tuesday next after the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lady 35 E. 3. leaving his two daughters his heirs viz. Maud then 22 years of age and Blanch 19. and was buryed in the Collegiat-Church at Lâ—icester of his own foundation Which Maud became the wife to Will D. of Bavaria E. of Henault Holland c. and Blanch. of Iohn of Gant fourth son to K. E. 3. who shortly after was created D. of Lancaster viz. 13 Nov. 36 E. 3. so that upon partition of the lands of the said Henry Duke of Lancaster this Castle inter alia came to Blanch. Which Iohn of Gant began the Structure of all the antient buildings here now remaining excepting Cesars-tower with the outer walls and turrets towards the later end of R. 2. time as it seemeth for in 15 R. 2. I find that the King did appoint Iohn Deyncourt then Constable hereof and his Lieutenant as also Robert de Skyllington Mason to hire Diggers of stone Carpenters and Labourers to the number of xx persons and to provide stone timber tile and all other necessaries for the use of the said Duke in his buildings here Which Record above cited doth also agree with the tradition of the Inhabitants by whom the same part of the Castle is to this day called Lancasters buildings But this Iohn D. of Lanc. having issue Henry sirnamed Bullenbroke by reason of his birth at Bullenbroke in Lincolnshire afterwards King of Engl. by the name of H. 4. upon the deposal of King R. 2. as is very well known this Castle came to the Crown and is contained in the Act amongst other the possessions belonging to the Dutchy of Lancaster that were united to the Dukedome of Cornwall in the Parl. of 1 H. 7. Whose son and successor K. H. 8. bestow'd much cost in repairing thereof removing that building erected by K. H. 5. near the tail of the Pool in a low marish ground thereupon called Le plesans en marys and setting part thereof up in the base court of the Castle near the Swan-tower In the Crown it continued till Q. Eliz. by her Letters Pat. bearing date 9 Iunii 5 of her reign granted it to Robert Lord Dudley and his heirs Which Robert being one of the sons to Iohn Dudley D. of Northumberland was upon the 28 of Sept. 6 Eliz. created Baron of Denbigh and the day next following Earl of Leicester â— and having obtained this noble seat spared for no cost in enlarging adorning and beautifying thereof witness that magnificent Gate-house towards the North where formerly having been the back-side of the Castle he made the Front filling up a great proportion of the wide and deep double ditch wherein the water of the Pool came And besides that stately peice on the Southeast part still bearing the name of Leicesters-buildings did he raise from the ground two goodly towers at the head of the Pool viz. the Floud-gate or Gallery-tower standing at one end of the Tilt-yard in which was a spacious and noble room for Ladies to see the exercises of Tilting and Barriers and at the other Mortimers-tower whereupon the Arms of Mortimer were cut in stone which doubtless was so named by the E. of Leicester in memory of one more antient that stood there formerly wherein as I guess either the Lord Mortimer at the time of that great and solemn Tilting formerly mentioned did lodge or else because Sir Iohn Mortimer Kt. prisoner here in H. 5. time was detain'd therein The Chase he likewise enlarged impaling part of Blakwell within it and also a large nook extending from Rudfen-lane towards the Pool
preferred to a Schollars place in the University grew such a proficient that the Monks resolved to make him a Sollicitor for managing their Law-suits and to that purpose from the University placed him at the Inns of Court where he grew so skilfull in his profession that finding King H. 7. politiquely resolving to raise great summs of money by taking the forfaiture of penall Lawes which he conceived would be much more plausible to his subjects than the exacting from them by Loans Subsidies and such other ways of tax as his predecessors had used applyed himself to his service wherein being very officious and bringing store of money to the Kings Coffers he obtained a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth daughter and heir to Edward Grey Visc. L'â—sle before mentioned whom he made his wife That the later part of this Story is true I find testimony enough but that the father of Edmund was a Carpenter is not very likely in regard he marryed so eminently viz. Elizabeth one of the daughters and coheirs to Iohn Bramshot Eâ—quier seized of the Mannours of Gatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Weight as also of Bramshot in Hant-shire which Eliz. dyed 12. Oct. 14 H. 7. leaving Edmund her son then 36. years of age the other coheir called Agnes being the wife of Iohn Pakenham whence I conclude that he was a Gentleman as some others of the name of Dudley in severall parts of England are though perhaps not of the Baron of Dudley's line therefore how this formall Story of the Carpenter should rise I cannot well imagine unless the grandfather or great-grandfather of Edm. had been of that trade for it is no wonder to see those that are sprung from as poor Mechanicks by their activeness in the world to get wealth and assume the title of Esquire or Gentlemen without controull yea and be allowed so do Neither do we often find that those which are in truth of right noble extraction will boggle at matching their children with them But I return unto Edmund Dudley He was a man well vers't in the Law and one of the Privy Councell to that prudent Prince King H. 7. chosen in the first year of his raign propter prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polydore In 19 H. 7. he was Speaker of the Parliament and should the same year have been made a Sergeant at Law on the 13. of November but for what reason I will not take upon me to assign he desired that he might be discharged from assuming that degree whereupon the King directed his Precept to Will Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the great Seal commanding his forbearance of making out any Writ to him for that purpose In 22 H. 7. he had the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastings granted to him by Patent and wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer but a Sive-makers son in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugall disposition did project unto him the taking aduantage of such as had transgrest by exacting the forefaitures of penall Statutes or whether the King seeing so fair a gap open for him to rake vast summs of money from his subjects and finding those persons to be sit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses of filling his Coffers 't is hard to say certain it is that these were the men he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hatefull business into good language as Sir Fr. Bacon saith and after he had long made use of their service to that end exposed them to those advantages which the discontented people could justly take for their abhominable extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their estates And besides that they had packt Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any verdict which served for their purpose but at last found they a just reward for such their service for King H. 8. in the first year of his raign being desirous of popularity made known by his Proclamations that whosoever had received injury by the unjust oppressions of any should upon complaint to him have redress which liberty did so so animate the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing then would satisfy but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Dudley being thereupon arraigned in Guild-Hall London on Munday next after the xv of S. Iohn Baptist 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of S. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Charles Somerset of Herbert Knight Stephen Iennings Knight Mayor of the City of London Iohn Fineux Knight Robert Rede Knight William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humfrey Coningesby Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevill Thomas Lovell Knight Edward Poynings Kt. Henry Marney Knight Thomas Englefield Knight and Robert Drury Knight Justices to enquire c. Where the said Edmund being indicted of divers high Treasons was on wednesday next before the Feast of S. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his head cut off on Tower Hill with Empson who was tryed at Northampton through the peoples clamours and for their satisfaction 18. August 2 H. 8. by vertue of the K. speciall Writ for that purpose Having said thus much of the parentage of this Iohn Earl of Warwick I will now go on with my story of him At his fathers death he was scarce eight years old having to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esquire of the Body to the King who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained an Act for the repeal of the said Edmund's attainder and the restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree to enjoy all his said fathers lands Being therefore thus young it was a great while ere he came to appear in any publique employments so that till 24 H. 8. I have not yet seen any farther mention of his name but then I finde he was a Knight though how long he had been so I am not certain After which about ten years he was created Visc. L'isle viz. 12. Martii 34 H. 8. in respect of his descent on the mothers side as I have shewed and the same year made Lord Admirall of England for life Of person he was very comely and of a Spirit highly aspiring saith my Author neither wanted he skill industry nor resolution to attempt great matters In 36 H. 8. he landed the Kings Army at Leith in Scotland with a Fleet of CC. sail on which after they had wasted Edenburgh they also set fire The
Angl. D. VVill. Mason Pbr. 2. Oct. 1557. The Hospitall of S. Iohn Baptist. IN the Suburb on the East part of the town is there a street called Smyth's-street where the Jews long since resided neer unto which stood the Hospitall of St. Iohn Baptist founded by Will Earl of Warwick in H. 2. time for entertainment and reception of strangers and travailers as well as those that were poor and infirm What endowment it had at first I am not certain but in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. I find it certified that there was a carucate of land and a Dove-house pertaining thereto the land then valued at x s. and the Dove-house at ii s. howbeit the Record doth not express where it did lye Something there was belonging to it situate in Ditchford in this County viz. one mess. and half a yard land given by Fraricus de Dicheford Lord of that Mannour besides certain small proportions of errable land by other private men as also in Miton which considering that the Donors were mean persons I forbear to mention But in 6 E. 3. Sir Iohn de Bishopdon Knight having obtained License from Henry Earl of Lancaster chief Lord of the Fee gave the advouson of the moity of the Church of Morton-Merhull in this County thereto which moitie was appropriated accordingly by Wolstan Bishop of Worcester in consideration whereof the Master and Brethren of this Hospitall by their publique Instrument bearing date on the Feast day of St. Iohn Port Latine granted for them and their successors unto the said Sir Iohn and his heirs for ever the service of two Priests Friers of the said Hospitall dayly to celebrate divine service there for the good estate of him and Dame Beatrice his wife during their lives and afterwards for their soules and for the soules of their Ancestors heirs and all the faithfull departed which two Friers the said Sir Iohn and Dame Beatrice and their heires should yearly make choise of out of the rest of the Friers of this Hospitall for the performance of that service And in 19 E. 3. Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick gave the advouson of the other moytie of this Church of Morton which was also appropriated thereto by Reginald Bryan Bishop of Worcester 16 Apr. anno 1359. 33 E. 3. So that in 37 H. 8. it was certified that the totall of all the revenues belonging thereto were xix li. xvii s. iii d. ob over and above all reprises and that it was founded to maintain one Master two Chaplains and two poor folks there continually as also to keep Hospitality But at the time of that Survey was there no such thing one Anthony Stoughton servant to the Queen a younger branch of the Stoughton's of Stoughton an antient family in Surrey having obtain'd a grant thereof from the King for his life yet the Chapell was then standing and the lead thereof prized at xii li. scil 4 li. the fouder When it was seized into the Kings hands or upon what ground I cannot well resolve in regard the Statute for dissolution of the small Houses in 27 H. 8. extended onely to Monks Canons and Nuns and that the same King by his Letters Patent bearing date xx Decemb. 32. of his raign granted an estate for life therein to Anthony Stoughton above specified unless it were by Surrender because such Hospitalls were not dissolved by Act of Parliament till 37 H. 8. How it was therefore in this particular I shall not farther trouble my self to guess but if the King had not a sound title thereto when he granted that estate for life to Anthony Stoughton the Act of Parliament in 37. of his reign did make it good after which I find that Queen Eliz. by her Letters Patent dated 25. Iunii 5. Eliz. granted the inheritance thereof to the said Anthony and his heirs male who dyed seized of it 9 Dec. 17 Eliz. leaving issue William his son and heir then 31. years of age father of Anthony the present possessor thereof Patroni Guardiani Thomas Comes Warwici Henr. Bobby frater ejusdem domus 5. Cal. Ian. 1336. Fratres ejusdem Hospit Frater Phil. de Besford 7. Kal. Martii 1343. Fratres ejusdem Hospit Ioh. de Kelingwick confrater 9. Apr. 1363. Fratres ejusdem Hospit Ioh. Hadham confrater ult Aug. 1404. Fratres ejusdem Hospit D. Ricardus Leylond 8. Oct. 1461. Fratres ejusdem Hospit Frater VValt Straunge 17. Maii 1494. The Black Friers IN the Suburbe on the West side of Warwick stood the House of Friers Preachers commonly called Black Friers This Order was begun by St. Dominick a Spaniard in the time of Pope Innocent the III who being at first a Canon with a few that he chose to be his companions instituted a new Rule of strict and holy living and least they should grow sluggish in the service of God by staying at home in imitation of our blessed Saviour he appointed them to travail far and wide to preach the Gospell their Habite being a white coat with a black cloak over it as in the following page may be seen which Order Honorius the III. who succeeded Pope Innocent confirmed and Gregory the ix canonized him for a Saint In anno 1221. 20 H. 3. they first came into England and towards the later end of H. 3. reign setled here at Warwick Iohn de Plessets being then Earl It seems that they afterwards enlarged their mansion for I find that in 9 E. 2. they purchas 't of Avicia de Pilardynton a certain piece of ground containing Clx. foot in length and C. foot in bredth adjoyning thereto for that purpose and had the Kings pardon for so doing The like pardon had they in 18 E. 3. for ten acres of land lying here in Warwick acquired of Iohn de Peito the younger as also for half an acre more of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick situate neer their habitation and to enlarge the same To this House were the Botelers of Sudley and the Montforts of Colshill Benefactors so likewise was William Harewell sometime of Wotton-Wawen in this County Esquire as appears by an Indenture made 9. Oct. 16. H. 7. between Thomas Latimer D â— of Divinity Prior of the Friers Preachers here and the said William For in consideration of xl li. sterling which he gave to the repair of their Church and other necessaries they covenanted that there should be a perpetuall Chantry by one of the Friers thereof to sing Masse at the Altar of St. Peter of Millain in the said Church betwixt the houres of nine and ten every day for the good estate of the said William and Agnes his wife whilst they lived and for their souls after their departure hence as also for all Christen souls and that during their lives there should be every day said by the Priest who was to perform that service after
her Deed bearing date on the day of S. Lambert the Bishop and Martyr 31 E. 3. gave the inheritance thereof whereby it descended after the decease of the said Iohn who dyed childlesse unto his Cosin Maud Grymesarwe daughter of Iohn brother to the before specified Adam which Maud in 40 E. 3. past it unto Iohn atte Holt of Bermingham as her Charter dated here at Aston on the Sunday next before the Feast of S. Agapite the Martyr testifieth whose posterity whereof I have inserted the Descent in the following page do enjoy it to this day Which Iohn Holt dyed childlesse so that Walter his uncle became heir to the estate who in 40 E. 3. and 1 R. 2. underwent the office of Eschaetor to the King for this Countie and Leicestershire a service in those days of great trust and wherein none but persons of eminent worth and quality were imployed In the later of which years he was the principall Commissioner assigned in this Countie for levying and collecting a Fifteenth and Tenth then granted to the King in Parliament Of this Walter I find that by a Feoffment to one William Whetele and other persons in trust he setled this Mannour to the use of himself and Margerie his wife as also to his own right heirs and that he departed this life the said Margerie surviving who the better to secure her estate enfeoft Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Sir William Bagot of Baginton and other persons of qualitie therein And that he left issue Iohn and William which Iohn being heir apparent made another Feoffment in Fee simple thereof to the said Sir William Bagot But William the younger brother having great favour and countenance from King H. 4. in consideration of his good service done and to be done as the words of the Patent import obtained a grant of it from the said King for life in 1 H. 4. who challenged a legall title thereto as son and heir to Iohn Duke of Lancaster above mentioned one of the Feoffees unto the before recited Margerie in which Patent the King calls him Dilectus Armiger noster whence I guesse that he was his servant before he attained the Crown ... del Wolte Matilda del Holte relicta 16 E. 2. Joh. atte Holte 16 E. 2. Simon del Holte de Bermingham 4 E. 3. Albrâ—da 4 E. 3. Walt. Holte 49 E. 3. Margeria Joh. Holt de Yardley ar Audomarus Holt fil haeres 12 H. 6. Simon Holt. Matilda filia haer Ric. Collyng de Bruge North. Joh. Holt ar 19 H. 6. Margar. filia Ric. de la Bere de Kenardsley in Com. Heref militis Will. Holt Margareta filia Will. Cumberford de Cumberford in Com. Staff armigeri Will. Holt de Aston ar obiit 28. Sept. 6 H. 5. Johanna filia Adae Knight de Salopia Thomas Holt Justic. North Walliae obiit 23. Martii 37 H. 8. Margeria primogenita fil cohaer Will. Willington de Barcheston ar Edw. Holt de Dudston ar obiit 3. Feb 35 Eliz. Dorothea filia Joh. Ferrers de Tamworth Castro ar Thom Holt eq aur Bar. Gracia filia cohaeres Will. Bradbuâ—ne de Hogh in Com. Derb. ar Will. Holt de Aston ar 1 H. 4. ob s. p. Joh. arte Holte senior 21 E. 3. Joh. Holt ob s. p. Walt. Holt. fil haer obiit s. p. But about this time the said Sir William Bagot was under a great cloud as my story of him in Baginton will shew by which means the said William Holt kept the possession thereof with little opposall Howbeit in 5 H. 4. after time had shadowed the memory of his by-past actionsâ— and that he had got a Release from the Bishop of S. Davids and other his Feoffees of the interest they had to all his lands he set afoot his title to this Mannour but in conclusion there was a reference betwixt them made unto Edward Duke of Yorke and Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick unto whose arbitrement they were contented to submit and to that end bound themselves in CC li. bonds a piece The particulars of their Award I have not seen but by what afterwards appears it is evident that the said William Holt kept the possession thereof for in 14 H. 6. he released unto Iohn Warde of Little Bromwych and Iohn Shyngler all his right therein which Iohn and Iohn had been his Feoffees together with the said Earl of Warwick and others and so it seems still stood the possession continuing in himself for the better corroborating of whose title the next year after did Aâ—domare his nephew who in truth was the right heir release unto him all the right and claim he had thereto This William in 12 H. 6. was one of the chief persons in this County chosen to make Oath for performance of divers Articles concluded of in the Parliament then held having the title of William Holt de Aston armiger but for ought yet appeareth the estate which he had by grant from King H. 4. was but for terme of life so that the inheritance resting in the Crown occasioned Iohn Holt his nephew scil son to his brother Simon in 19 H. 6. to procure a Patent thereof with all the Liberties and priviledges thereto belonging and therein particularly exprest for himself and his heirs to be held of the chief Lord of the Fee and not of the King in Capite Which Iohn being so vested therein and taking notice of a certain Act of Reassumption made in the Parliament held at Westminster 29 H. 6. exhibited his Petition to the King that the same Act might not be prejudiciall to him nor unto Margaret his wife nor the heirs or assignes of the said Iohn in respect of the Patent before mentioned considering that it had been duly recovered as the said Petition alledged according to the course of Law before the Justices of the Common Pleas in the tenth year of the same King's reign by the said Aymer Holt cosin and heir to the before specified Walter against Will. Holt Esquire then tenant thereof by vertue of certain Letters Patent to him made as aforesaid which Petition was accordingly granted Of this Iohn Holt I further find that he was constituted Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire in 16 H. 6. and became afterwards a meniall servant to the same King who by way of reward for his fidelity and diligence made him Ranger of Sutton Chase the words of which grant being memorable I shall here transcribe Rex c. Sciatis quod de gratia nostra speciali ac consideratione diutini continui servicii quod humilis servitor noster Joh. Holt Armiger de Hospicio nostro nobis impendit impendere proponit in futuro Concessimus ei Officium de Ridership infra Chaceam de Sutton in Comitatu nostro Warwici quod per rebellionem Ricardi nuper Comitis
Master Bermingham was to ride out from home which being accordingly done they so contrived their business that one of their plot should ride leisurely before so that they might soon keeping but an ordinary pace overtake him whereupon they watcht an opportunity to strike into Master Bermingham's company as Travailers with whom they soberly rode for a while but being come up to their confederate forthwith set upon him for his Purse so that the villain thus seemingly rob'd makes pursuit after them and likewise after Master Bermingham as one of the pack who being thereupon apprehended and prosecuted apparently saw his danger The business therefore now working according to Dudley's first design there were others imployed to Mr. Bermingham with overture how he might save his Life viz. to make the Vicount L'isle his friend in giving up this Lordship of Bermingham to him which that it might bear the better colour and be the more valid was performed by yeilding it to the King and ratified by a speciall Act of Parliament the tenor whereof was as followeth Where Edward Byrmingham late of Byrmingham in the Countie of Warwick Esquire otherwise callid Edward Byrmingham Esquire ys and standyth lawfully indettid to our sovereing Lord the Kynge in diverse grete summes of money Aud also standyth at the mercy of his Highness for that the same Edward ys at this present convicted of Felony our seide sovereign Lord the Kyng ys contentid and pleased that for and in recompence and satisfaction to his grace of the seyde summes of money to accept and take of the seyde Edwarde the Mannoâ—r and Lordship of Byrmingham otherwise callid Byrmincham with the appurtenances lying and being in the Countie of Warwick and all and singular other lands and tenements reversions Rents Services and hereditaments of the same Edward Byrmingham set lying and beyng in the Countie of Warwick afforeseyde Be yt therefore ordeyned and enacted by the authorite of this present Parliament that our saide sovereine Lord the Kynge shall have hold and enjoy to him his heirs and assignes for ever the seide Mannour and Lordship of Byrmingham c. In which Act there is a reservation of xl l. per an to the said Edward and Elizabeth his wife during their lives Howbeit after this it was no less than nine years ere the grant of it from the Crown to the said Vicount L'isle was made for it bears not date till December 21 37 H. 8. perhaps on purpose so deferred that the world might the less censure him for this hard dealing at which time the inheritance thereof together with the Burgh of Bermingham and patronage of the Rectorie late belonging unto the before specified Edward Bermingham were past unto him with other lands lying in the Counties of Salop Heref. and Worcester But how short a time he enjoy'd it my Story of him as Earl of Warwick will further shew for being attainted and losing his head in 1 M. whereby all that he had eschaâ—ted to the Crown the same Queen in 3. and 4. of her reign by her Letters Pat. dated 9 Apr. granted the inheritance thereof to Thomas Marrow Esq. whose posteritie seated at Berkswell in this Countie continue Lords of it till this day Other particulars memorable relating to this place are as followeth viz. in 35 H. 3. a grant that another Faire should be yearly kept here for three days sc. on the Eve of St. Iohn Bapt. and the two days next following the Shiriff of Worcestershire having then command to proclaim it accordingly throughout his Liberties And that in 12 E. 2. the Inhabitants at the instance of Aâ—domare de Valence Earl of Pembroke obtained a License to take Toll of all vendible commodities brought hither to be sold for the space of three years viz. for every Quarter of Corn a farthing c. towards paving the town But this work was not perfectly compleated within that time nor of xv years after for in 7 E. 3. I find that they had another Pat. to take Toll in like manner for the space of 3. years more The Hospitall of St. Thomas the Apostle THis was situate at that end of the town towards Wolverhampton and on the right hand the road almost opposite to the sign of the Bull but touching the originall Foundation thereof I have not seen any farâ—her testimony than that Certificate made by the Commissioners upon their Survey in 37 H. 8. where it is said they were informed that the Ancestors of the Berminghams Lords of Bermingham erected it for one Priest to sing Mass daylie therein for the souls of the Founders for ever as also that the late Lord of Bermingham viz. Edw. Bermingham Esq. did inter alia grant the patronage of it to one Iohn Prettye for XCIX years which said Iohn past away his title therein to Mr. Clem. Thrâ—kmorton Gentleman And the first mention of it that I find is in 13 E. 1. where it appeareth that Thomas de Maidenhache of whom I have spoke in Aston gave unto it ten acres of Heath in Aston Wiâ—â— de Bermingham x. acres likewise and Ranulph de Rokeby 3. acres of land in Saluteley About that time were divers Cottages and lands lying also in Bermingham and the adjacent Villages given to it by sundry others viz. xxii acres of land and half an acre of meadow by the same Will. de Bermingham and the rest by a number of ordinary persons for all which the Prior and Brethren thereof obtained the King's speciall pardon in 4 E. 2. in regard they had been given thereto after publication of the Statute of Mortmain made in 7 E. 1. In 24 E. 3. Foub de Bermingham and Ric. Spenser gave thereunto two Messuages and an 〈◊〉 â—crces of land lying in Aston and Bermyngham â—o find a Priest to celebrate divine servâ—c◠〈◊〉 at the Altar of our Blessed Lady in the Church of the same Hospitall for the souls of Will. le Mercer and Margerie his wife and of certain others The clear yearly value of all which lands and tenements belonging thereto over and above reprises were in 26 H. 8. certified to be viii l. v s. iii d. at which time Sir Edw. Tofte was Chantrie Priest there but in 37 H. 8. the value above reprises was rated at viii l. viii s. ix d. Patroni Custodes sive Guardiani ejusdem Hospitalis D. Episcopus Frater Rob. Marmion 16. Cal. Oct. 1326. D. Episcopus Ioh Nevill confrater Non. Nov. 1353. D. Fulco de Bermyncham miles Rob. Cappe Cap. 6. Cal. Iunii 1361. D. Fulco de Bermyncham miles Thomas Edmund Pbr. 2 Non. Aug. 1369. D. Ioh. de Clinton miles Ioh. Frotheward Pbr. 15. Nov. 1390. D. Ioh. de Clinton miles Ioh. Cheyne 5. Sept. 1393. Domina Eliz. de Clinton Henr. Bradley Pbr. 22 Oct. 1398. D. Ioh. Russell miles Tho. Salpyn 24 Sept. 1403. D. Eliz. Domina de Clinton Rob. Browe Cap. 7. Martii 1407. D.
year abovesaid with all the names of those that subscribed thereunto which I have here subjoyned with their severall yearly Pensions that were granted to them during life Thomas Camswell Prior Ric. Bernaculus sub-Pr Winsfridus Cellarar Will. Waters Ioh. Reston Ioh. Evans Rob. Wyldy Tho. Chamburs Nich. Bromyche Will. Foster Ioh. Howlee Will. Bouchere Thomae Camswell Priori ibid. 123. li. 06. s. -08 Ric. Barnacle Monacho ibid. 13. 06. 08. Tho. Wynter Monacho ibid. 06. 13. 04. Rob. Wylde Monacho ibid. 16. 06. 08. Tho. Leke Monacho ibid. 06. 00 00 Humfr. Colar Monacho ibid. 05. 06. 08. Ioh. Ecculsal Monacho ibid. 05. 06. 08. Ioh. Evans Monacho ibid. 05. 06. 08. Tho. Chamburs Monacho ibid. 06. 13. 04. Nich. Brenyth Monacho ibid. 05. 06. 08. Will Foster Monacho ibid. 05. 06. 08. Priores de Coventre Lefwinus Anno. 1043. Laurentius obiit 4. Cal. Feb. Anno. 1179. 25. H. 2. Moyses obiit 17. Cal. Aug. Anno 1198. 10. R. 1. Ioibertus obiit 18. Cal. Iulii 1216. 18. Ioh. Galfridus electus 16. Cal. Aug. 1216. Rogerus 32. H. 3. Willielmus 33. H. 3. Henr. Irreys 13. Cal. Maii. 1342. Will. de Dunstaple 7. Cal. Sept. 1349. Will. de Grenburgh 10. Cal. Aug. 1361. Iac. de Horton ... Oct. 1391. Rog. Cotton 7. Aug. 1396. Ric. Crossby 10. Maii 1399. Ric. Nottingham 11. Maii 1437. Tho. Derram obiit 14. Apr. 21. E. 4. Ricâ— Shaw 14. H. 7. Will. Polesworth penult Febr. 1500. Tho. Wiford 26. H. 8. Tho. Camswell 30. H. 8. Which Priors had place in Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm as appears by all the writts of Summons in every Kings raign The succession of the particular Mannours which belong'd to this Religious house I have pointed at as they lye in my way All therefore that I now have further to do in relation unto it is to observe what became of the site thereof wherein I find that K. H. 8. by his Pat. dated 28. Iulii 37. of his raign granted it to Iohn Combes gent. and Rich. Stansfield and their heirs with divers mess. gardens mills c. thereto belonging to hold in Free Burgage From whom it came afterwards to Iohn Hales as it seemes for I find that in 15. Eliz. he dyed seised thereof leaving Iohn his nephew viz. son to his brother Christopher his heir but none of that family do now enjoy it Chantryes in and adjoyning to the Priory Leicester's Chantry THis Chantry was founded in 2. E. 3. as appears by the Covenants for Ordination thereof made betwixt Henry the then Prior and Rob. de Leicester and Will. de Leicester Canons of Lichfield whereby the said Prior doth undertake for himself and his successors to find two secular Priests to sing Mass daily in that Cathedrall at the Altar of the holy Trinity the blessed Virgin K. Edward the Confessor Edmund Archb. of Canterbury and All-Saints standing in the body of the said Church for the good estate of the same Church and for the soul of the before specified Prior as also for the souls of Henry and Letice father and mother of the said Prior Robert and Will. de Leicester above mentioned Geffrey and Elene their father and mother and of their brethren and sisters And likewise for the souls of Sir Will. de Bereford Frere Hugh de Rothwell VValt de Langton and Roger Northburg then Bâ—shop of Coventre and Lichfield But of this Chantry all that I find more is that upon the Survey taken in 26. H. 8. it was certified that Thomas Iackson and VVilliam Pawden were then the Priests belonging thereto each of which had a stipend of 4. li. per annum payd by the Prior and were removable at his pleasure Copstons Chantry THis Chantry adjoining to the wall of the Priory was founded by VVill. Copston in 19. E. 1. the revenue of it in 26. H. 8. being xi li. viii s. ii d. per annum over and above reprises and Anthony Molineux Dr. of Divinity then Warden thereof It seems that upon the dissolution of the Monastery in 30. H. 8. it was translated into S. Michaell's Church for there I find it in 37. H. 8. and of the clear yearly value of xi li. vii s. ii d. ob above all reprises The next particular whereof I come to speak is the two large and beautifull Churches dedicated the one to S. Michaell the other to the holy Trinity both which heretofore stood within the same Cimetery with the Priory Church S. Michaell's Church OF this the first mention that I find is in K. Stephen's time for then did Ranulph E. of Chester render it to the Monks of Coventre by the name of the Chappell of S. Michaell being satisfied by the testimony of divers persons as well Clergy as Laytie that it was their right Which act of his E. Hugh his son and successor confirmed Hereunto also did E. Ranulph the last of that name give the tythe of his lands and rents in Coventre for the health of his soul and of his ancestors souls commanding all his Officers upon pain of a grievous curse to make due payment of them accordingly What colour of right the Bishop had in the advouson thereof I find not but it seemes that a claime he made thereto so that in 32. H. 3. The Prior and he came to an agreement whereupon the said Prior to purchase the B ps interest parted with the perpetuall patronage of the Churches of Ruyton and Bobenhull then setling them upon the Cathedrall of Lichfield whereof since that time they have been Prebends By which Accord it was concluded that after the deceases of each of those Priests then Incumbents of the particular Chappell 's belonging thereto the Monks should provide secular Priests and other sit Ministers to serve in the said Chappell 's and to allow them competent maintenance And that to the vicaridge of S. Michall should by the Bishops Officiall and the Archdeacon and two other discreet men on the Priors part chosen and sworn be assigned out of the fruits of the said Church the value of xxiv marks per annum And moreover that the Prior and Covent should pay out of the fruits thereof to the Archdeacon of Coventre for his Procurations four marks And because that the Cathedrall of Lichfield had of antient time used to have xxx marks yearly out of the profits of this Church it was by the same Agreement further concluded that the same summe should be payd yearly thereto for the time to come at the Feasts of S. Michaell and Easter by even portions out of the Rectory of Southam the patronage whereof belong'd to the said Monks Which Accord bears date at Warwick 3. Kal. Iulii Anno 1248. 32. H. 3. But in 44. H. 3. this Church was appropriated to the Monks and in Anno 1291. 19. E. 1. with its Chappell 's valued
Cambridge-shire with the advouson of the Church of Swausey excepting 65. marks sterling annually due to the Warden and Schollars of Kings-Hall in the University of Cambridg And in 20. R. 2. from the Monks of S. Peters super Dinam in Normandy the Priory of Wolston in this County which was a Cell belonging to that Monastery As also the Priory of Hagham in Lincoln-shire from the Abbot and Covent of S. Severus in Normandy And now that they were grown thus rich in possessions by his Charter bearing date 21. Maii in the 21. year of his reign did he grant as ample protection to them and privileges both for the choyse of their Prior and otherwise as the originall House at Carthuse had together with immunity from all Taxes and payments whatsoever Neither did his bounty to them stay here for the next year ensuing he released unto them the payment of those 65. marks per annum to the Schollars of Cambridg before mentioned upon condition that they should find and maintain within the precinct of their House xii poor Shollars from seven years old till they accomplish't the age of 17. there to pray for the good estate of him the said King and of his consort during this life and afterwards for the health of their souls as also of the soul of Qu. Anne late deceased and for the souls of his Father Mother and all the faithfull departed And to the end that the service and worship of God might be yet further augmented in this Monastery by a Covent of Monks which were Priests he granted unto them the Priory-Alien of Lodres in Dorset-sh which was a Cell to the Abby of Monteburgh in Normandy the Priory of Wotton in this County which belong'd to the Abby of Counches in Normandy with the Mannour of Monkenlane in Hereford-sh parcell of the possessions belonging to the said Priory of Wotton The Priory of Long-Benyngton in Lincoln-shire and Feldallyng in Norff. Cells to the Abby of Savinei in Normandy the Priory of Hagh in Lincoln-sh belonging to the Monastery of Chirburgh in Normandy Which said Prioryes-Alien were all seized into the K. hands by reason of his Warrs with France But the most of these last mentioned were reassumed in 1. H. 4. as in my dicourse of Wotton above-mentioned will appear To which ample Donations K. H. 7. in 10. of his reign added his License to them for appropriating the Church of Potters-Piry in Northampton-sh of their patronage and of Egmond in Shrop-sh whereof the Advouson belong'd to the Abby of S. Peter at Shrewsbury in consideration that they should daily pray for the good estate of the said King his Queen and their Children as also of his Mother celebrating likewise once a week a Mass of the holy Ghost during the K. life and a solemn yearly Obit for his soul after his departure hence So that the full Revenue belonging thereto was by that fatall Survey made in 26. H. 8. certified to be clearly worth 131. l. -06 s. 08. d. per annum besides all Reprises Which undervalue though it exposed it to dissolution by the Statute of 27. H. 8. yet was the King pleased to shelter it at that instant as by a clause in the Act he had liberty to doe perhaps that he might get the better credit in his proceedings against the rest by reason the Preamble of that Act had represented the Monks residing in the lesser Houses to be persons that did highly dishonour God by the loosness of their lives and therefore thought through his favour to these of so strict a Rule whatever was alleaged against the other would be the sooner believed Amongst the Reprises recorded in that Survey besides the yearly Pensions and Almes paid by composition to the Hospitall of Okham in Rutland To the poor of Potters-Pirry in Northampton-sh To the poor of Wolston in this County And to the Friers Carmelites in Coventre I find that 53 s. -04 d. per annum was allowed for expences in bread and beer at the washing of poor peoples feet on Maunday-Thursday And 14. l. 10. s. per annum for bread and beer daily bestowed on the like poor living in and neer Coventre at the gates of this Monastery viz. in 30. quarters of Rye yearly at 5 s. a quarter and 30. quarters of Malt at 04. s. -08 d. a quarter But it was neither their devout and strict lives nor these charitable allowances that could preserve them from the common ruine which befell all the rest of the Religious Houses in 30. H. 8. as the Instrument of Surrender whereunto their publique Seal is affixt bearing date 16. Ian. the same year and subscribed by the particular persons whose names I have here inserted with the severall Pensions granted to each of them for life doth manifest These subscribed the Instrument Ioh. Bochard Prior. Ioh. Tood sen. Rob. Bulde Will. Abell vicar Ric. Appulby Tho. Letherbarow Ioh. Todd jun. Ric. Sclatter These had Pensions Ioh. Bochard Priori xl l. Ioh. Todd Monacho ibid. vi li. xiii s. iv d. Rob. Bold Mon. ib. vi l. xiii s. iv d. Will. Abell Mon. ib. vi l. Tho. Corbyn Mon. ib. v. l. vi s. viii d. Rich. Appulby Mon. ib. vi l. Rich. Crofts Mon. ib. v. l. vi s. viii d. Tho. Letherbarow Mon. ib. v. l. vi viii d. Ioh. Todde Mon. ib. v. l. vi s. viii d. Rich. Slater Mon. ib. v. l. vi s. viii d. After which viz. 17. Iunii 34. H. 8. was the site of this Monastery inter alia granted out of the Crown to Richard Andrews gent. and Leonard Chamberleyn Esq. and to the heirs of Andrews How short a time these two kept it I cannot say but I do not perceive that they enjoy'd it many years for in 9. Eliz. Henry Waver alias Over a Coventre Mercer dyed seized thereof leaving Richard his son and heir 36. years of age who in 11. Eliz. sold it to Rob. E. of Leicester Neither have any other that did since possess is continued owners thereof very long For from the Earl of Leicester it was sold to one Tho. Riley From him to Sampson Baker From Baker to Edw. Holt of Dudston esq whose son and heir Thomas now of Aston Kt. and Bar. sold it to Rich. Butler of Coventre gent. which Richard shortly after past it away to one .... Lodg a Londoner from whom Edw. Hill gent. purchased it whose son Edward now enjoys it Pinley THis place is now known to very few depopulation having extirpated all its Inhabitants but in the Conq. time it was involved with Coventre so that in his Survey it is not so much as mentioned Neither do I find any thing of it till King Stephens days that Ranulph Earl of Chester rendred the Chappell thereof to the Monks of Coventre with divers other of which I have already spoke As for the name I am of opinion that it was from
time amongst which this Mannour of Warmington as also that of Toftes â— with some others was by those Monks of Preaux granted to Lewys Clifford for life with remainder to Lewys his son for life also upon a certain Rent reserved to the King during the continuance of those warrs After which scil in 6 H. 4. the King by his Letters Patent dated 15. Martii granted the said Priory of Toftes with the Mannour of Toftes this of Warmington thereunto belonging to Thom Erpyngham and Iohn Heylles Clerk for the life of the said Thomas which Thomas and Iohn past away all their right therein to the Carthusian Monks at Wytham in Selewood in Com. Somerset 1 H. 5. who not only had the Ks. confirmation thereupon but his grant to hold them after the decease of the said Thomas during the time that the Warrs should last with France As also License to purchase from the said Monks of Preaux all the right and title that they had therein Howbeit such was the poverty of those Monks of Wytham that they were not able to go through with the bargaine before the Parliament held at Leicester in 2 H. 5. wherein there was an Act of Re-assumption made for seizing all the Lands and Possessions of the Priors-Alien into the Kings hand to be possest by him his heirs and successors for ever Which his son viz. King H. 6. being a pious Prince considering and no whit inclining to convert that to Lay-uses which had been formerly dedicated to Gods service as may sufficiently appear by his endowment of the Colledges in Cambridge and Eton with a great part of those lands and disposing of the rest to other Religious Houses not onely remitted to the said Monks of Wytham all the arrears of that annuall Rent reserved to the Crown for this and the other Mannours they so settled but without reservation of any further payment at all granted them to that Mâ—nastery of Wytham to hold and enjoy till he should make a revocation of his Patent And in 19. of his reâ—gn by his Patent dated at Westminster 28. Nov. wherein he recited his former grant out of a most devout affection to the said House of Wytham as being the first of that strict and holy Rule that had been founded in this Kingdom and to the intent that the Monks there serving God should more especially pray for the sâ—uls of his Royall Progenitors as also for his own sâ—ul after his departure out of this life gave unto them and their successors this Mannour of Warmington with that of Toftes and some other to hold and enjoy for ever in pure Almes But that Patent being judg'd invalid after Edward 4. had got the Crown the said Monks of Wytham obtained a new grant of them which bears date at Westminster 20. Iulii in the first year of his reign and held it accordingly till the generall dissolution of the Religious Houses by K.H. 8. whereupon coming to the Crown it was 27. Ian. 35. H. 8. granted unto William Sheldon and Francis Sheldon gentlemen and their heirs but how or when it past from these Sheldons I have not seen nor any more thereof than that in 5 E. 6. Sir Iohn Brown Knight had a License to grant it unto William Byâ—t and others The Church dedicated to S. Michael in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xii marks and a half and in 26 H. 8. at xvi li. iii s. x d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Pratellis Magr. Will. de Bockstones Subdiac 15. Cal. Oct. 1311. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Pratellis Magr. Thomas de Multon Cler. 9. Cal. Apr. 1331. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione Priorat de Warminton in manu sua exist Ioh. de Uppynham Cler. 13. Cal. Iulii 1349. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione Priorat de Warminton in manu sua exist Ioh. de Penerwich 15. Cal. Aug. 1350. Procurator Abb. C. de Pratellis Ioh. Careswell Pbr. 2. Non. Ian. 1361. Procurator Abb. C. de Pratellis Ioh. Bosevill Pbr. 4. Non. Aug. 1364. D. Rex ratione ut supra Ioh. Leech Pbr. 9. Cal. Dec. 1373. D. Rex ratione ut supra Thom. de Pennerudok Aâ—coliâ—us 14. Cal. Maii. 1376. D. Thom. Erpyngham miles Râ—b Lymbourne Cap. 7. Aug. 1404. Prior Conv. de Wytham Ric. Nayler Pbr. 13. Oct. 1429. Prior Conv. de Wytham D. Will. Hull Cap. 12. Iunii 1432. Prior Conv. de Wytham Ioh. Reedhull 10. Ian. 1440. D. Rex D. Sim. Pope Cap. 10. Maii. 1543. Iohan. Crocker de Hoke-Norton in Com. Oxon. ar Ioh. Hawle 10. Sept. 1554. Ric. Petipher de Radway ex conâ—â—ss Ric. Cowper de Warmington Anth. Petipher Cler. fil dicti Rich. 10. ` Dec. 1602. Guliel Hall Edw. Wotton Ric. Wotton in art Magr. 6. Febr. 1628. Arlescote THis little Hamlet standing under Edg-Hill somewhat near the elbow where it turns westwards was in the Conquerors dayes possest by the Earl of Mellent being given unto him with other vast lands in this County by King William upon sharing the Realm amongst his Noâ—mans and at the time of the generall Survey contained five hides and three virgates which five hides were then certified to belong unto the Monks of Preaux in Normandy and valued at 3 li. having been the freehold of one Bovi in Edward the Confessors dayes but the three virgates were then in the hands of the Earl himself and valued at ii s. In that Record it is written Orlavescote which name proceeded as I guess from some antient dweller there in the Danes or Saxons time Here it is that I have resolved to say someâ—hing Historically of the before recited Earl of Mellent in regard that by his pious gift of the 〈◊〉 part of this village to the said Monks of Preaux and his great possessions in this Shire he deserves to be signally memorized He was the son to Roger de Bellomont a person of great esteem with King William the first when he was but Duke of Normandy being one of his prime Councellers by Aâ—elina daughter of Wallâ—ran and sister to Hugh Earl of Mellent after tâ—e death of which Hugh without issue hâ—â— â—bâ—ained the Castle of Mellent from the King of France for a summe of money and succeeded him in the title of Earl Of his speciall valour in that famous Battail with Duke William whereby he got the Crown of England hearken to what Guil. Pictavensis saith Tyro quidam Normannus Rogerii de Bellomonte filius Hugonis de Mellento Comitis ex Adelina sorore nepos haeres praelium illo die primùm experiens egit quod aeternandum esset laude cum legione quam in dextro cornu duxit irruens ac sternens magna cum audatia No mervail therefore then that besides his inheritance in Normandy he obtained
seized into the King's hands but returning to obedience he had restitution of them in the last year of that King's reign To whom succeeded Will. who had severall imployments of much trust and note in his time within this County From 11. till 20 H. 3. he was frequently in Commission as a Justice of Assize In 16 H. 3. he with Iohn de Lodbeoc were constituted the King's Eschaetors here In 21 H. 3. he was in Commission for the collecting of a xxx th and in 56 H. 3. one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick To him succeeded Sir Thomas de Bishopsdon Knight his son and heir and to Sir Thomas Sir William howbeit of these I find little else notable than that they were Knights But the next was Sir Iohn de Bishopsdon who served in the Parl. held at Yorke in 12 E. 2. as one of the Knights for this shire being then seized of these Lordships viz. Bishopston Bishopswode vulgò Bushwode Lapworth Thorndon in this County Larkstoke in Gloucestershire Little Cokesey Herdewyk Pepewell and Waresley in com Wigorn. in all which he had Free-warren granted to him by a special Charter bearing date at Newcastle upon Tine 26 Sept. 13 E. 2. In 14 E. 2. he was a Knight and in the Rebellion with Thomas Earl of Lanc for which in 16 E. 2. he had pardon for xl lâ— Fine In 18 E. 2. he was in Commission for conservation of the peace in this shire and to take care that the Articles contained in the Statute of Winchester were observed In 1 E. 3. he served in the Parl. at Westminster as one of the Knights for this shire and was in Commission for the levying a xv th and tenth in this County So also in 2 E. 3. for collecting of a xx th In 4 E 3. again one of the Knights for this shire in the Parl. held at Westm. and the next year following constituted one of the Justices for conservation of the Peace Frethricus de Bissopesdone temp Regis Steph. Will. de Bissopesdone 9 R. 1. Juliana filia Henrici de Monâ—eforti Will. de Bishopsdon 11 H. 3. Thomas de Bishopsdon miles 31 H. 3. Cecilia una filiarum cohaer Henrici Pipard Will. de Bishopsdon miles temp E. 1. Christiana relicta 14 E. 1. Joh. de Bishopsdon miles 14 E. 2. Beatrix filia haeres Joh. de Sheldon Rog. de Bishopsdon 14 E. 3. Alicia filia haeres ux Walt. de Clodshale Thomas de Bishopsdon 7 E. 2. Johanna filia Edm. de Grafton militis Joh. De Bishopsdon 11 E. 3. Isabella filia Ioh. Stretch militis Thomas de Bishopsdon 8 R. 2. Will. de Bishopsdon m l 5 H. 5. Philippa 17 H. 6. Eliz. filia cohaeres ux Thomae Palmer de Holt in Com. Leic. ar Philippa ux Will. Catesby mil. Bearing a special affection to the Hospitall of S t Iohn Baptist in Warwick he gave thereunto the moytie of the advouson of the Church of Morton Merhull in this County and having wedded Beatrice the daughter and heir of Iohn de Sheldon dyed in 14 E. 3. being at that time Bayliff to the K. in his Forrest of Leekhay in Worcestershire which he held by grand Sergeantie leaving Roger his son and heir which Roger bore for his Armes bendè of six pieces Or and Azure with a cantonermine and dyed leaving issue Alice his daughter and heir wedded to Walt. de Clodshale of which Walter and his family I shall speak in Saltley whereupon this Lordship of Bishopsdon came to Iohn brother to the said Roger by virtue of an Entail made in 11 E. 3. whereby Sir Iohn de Bishopsdon Knight setled it with other lands upon his issue male by dame Beatrice his wife Which last mentioned Iohn being a man of eminent parts was in 32 E. 3. constituted Chancelour of the Kings Exchequer and took to wife Isabell the daughter of Sir Iohn Stretch Knight To whom succeeded Thomas and to him Sir Will. Bishopsdon Knight Sheriff of this County and Leicestersh in 5 H. 5. and in 6 H. 5. constituted one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Shire Of this Sir Will. I farther find that being retained by the Earl of Warwick for the fortifying of Calais he served in that imployment with one Launce and two Archers amongst the Knights that then were under him taking for his Launce and one Archer xx li per an and for the other Archer x. marks per an without their diet but he resided for the most part at his Mannour of Alscote in Gloucestershire and having in 17 H. 6. entailed this with divers other Lordships on the issue which he should beget on the body of Philippa his wife left only two daughters his heirs scil Eliz. and Philippa the former marryed to Thomas Palmer of Holt in Leicestershire from whom likewise by a daughter and heir the Nevills of Holt are descended the other to Sir Will. Catesby Knight Who in her right had this Mannour of Bishopston which by the attainder of Will. Catesby in 1 H. 7. whereof in Lapworth I have spoke came to the Crown and in 3 H. 7. was inter alia granted by the King to Sir Iohn Risley Knight and the heirs male of his body but by a speciall Act of Parl. in 11 H. 7. was restored unto George Catesby Esq son and heir to the said Will. together with the rest of his said Fathers forfeited lands whose grandchild viz. Sir Will. Catesby K t in 24 Eliz. sold to sundry persons the particular Tenements within this Lordship amongst which one was past to Will Askew of Lapworth by the name of the Mannour which Will. afterwards sold it to Andrew Archer of Tanworth Esq from whom it descended to his son and heir Sir Sim. Archer Knight and by him was lately granted to Iohn Greene and Thomas Greene yeomen and their heirs who being Inhabitants here are yet possest thereof The Chapell here dedicated to S t Peter is very antient as may appear by the Ordination thereof made in K. Iohn's time in the presence of Maugerius then Bishop of Worcester by S r Will. de Bishopsdon Knight who gave thereunto in pure Almes of his own demesn xiiii acres of land in one field and as much in another as also 4 acres of his land held by servile tenure and pasturage for 8. Oxen in what places soever his own Oxen should graze excepting in his meadows and moreover covenanted with Mauritius then Parson of Stratford super Avon that he and his Tenants there would sustain all the charges concerning the said Chapell viz. in building it up keeping it in repair and providing the Chalice Books Lights Vestments and all other necessaries therein and that the mother Church of Stratford should
what his Ancestors had granted to them in Wenge before mentioned To the Nuns of Pinley in this Countie he gave the tenth part of the povision in victuall for his Household viz. Bread Beer Flesh Fish and other things pertaining to his Kitchin whose munificence therein was so highly esteemedâ— that he and his posterity were reputed for no lesse than Founders of that Religious House Upon his death in 18 Ioh. the wardship of Peter his son and heir together with the custody of his lands was comitted to William de Cantilupe Which Peter in 11 H. 3. obtained a Charter bearing date 10 Febr. for a weekly Mercate at this his Mannour of Beldesert upon the Munday that granted to Thurstane his Ancestor being grown out of use I presume By the same Charter was there also a Fair granted to him and his heirs at this place to be yearly kept for three days viz. the Even day and morrow after the Feast of S. Giles the Shiriff of this County having comand to proclaim it accordingly But it seems he was not out of his wardship at that time for the same year did the said William de Cantilupe his Guardian procure authoritie from the King for receiving reasonable Aid from all the Tenants of the said Peter in this his Mannour of Beldesert and Henley This Peter upon the King's transfretation with his Army into Gascoin in 27. of his reign had power to receive Scutage of all his Knights Fees that he held of the Earl of Warwick according to the rate of xl s. per Scutum but being of a turbulent spirit he ever sided with the rebellious Barons of that age who the better to shadow their disloyall practises first plotted their meetings under colour of exercising themselves in martiall Tourneaments which were forbidden by the King who well foresaw the danger that might ensue yet such was their boldnesse as that notwithstanding the same Prohibition they met at Cambridge amongst whom he made one whose lands thereupon for that disobedient contempt were presently seized on By which timely care of restraining them all things were fairly quieted again at least in shew so that within three years after he and many more of those haughty Spirits attended the King in person into Gascoign And that he was a person of great qualitie in those times may appear by the Agreement betwixt him William de Beauchamp then E. of Warwick for an inter-marriage betwixt each of their eldest sons and eldest daughters whereupon they obtained a speciall Patent from the King that in case either of them did die before the accomplishment of such marriage and that his heir should be in minority the intended match might notwithstanding hold saving to the King onely the custody of the land Which Patent was so granted to them 20 Aug. 32 H. 3. immediatly before that voyage for Gascoin After which viz. in 34 H. 3. he obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and in divers other places and in 35 H. 3. was constituted Governor of Horestan-Castle in Derbyshire But amongst these his secular actions I may not omit to tell what I find of his pious works which is that about this time he confirm'd what his Ancestors had granted to the Monks of Thorney within his Lordship of Wenge in Rutl. And for the health of his soul and the soul of Alice his wife as also of his Father Mother Ancestors and friends whose bodies lay buried in the Prioty of Studley gave to the Canons of that House all his demesn land called the Uineyard situate within the Lordship of Studley In 37 H. 3. he obtained the King's confirmation of a marriage for one of his sons with Agnes the eldest daughter to Roger Bertram of Mitford a great Baron in the North. In 40 H. 3. he was sent Ambassador from the King into France In 41. being made Warden of the Marches towards Montgumeri for his better performance of that service he had at the instance of Prince Edward the custodie of the Counties of Salop. and Staff as also the Castles of Salop. and Bruges to dispose of the profits therein arising as he should think best during the continuance of the Warrs with Wales so that for the first year he was to hold those Counties he should answer nothing to the Exchequer but at the years end make his Account in the King's Wardrobe In the next year following he was constituted Governour of the Castles of Bruges and Ellesmere in Shropshire In 43 H. 3. he attended the King into France and bore for his Armes Bendé of six pieces Or and Azure yet all these high favours and Acts of trust from that King towards him could not allay the heat of his proud and lofty stomack For no sooner had the Rebellious Barons made head at Oxford where they forcing the King's assent to their disloyall and unjust Ordinances caused a choise of xxiv persons to to be made by whose discretion the Kingdom should be governed than that this Peter shew'd himself the most forward amongst them being not onely one of those xxiv so chosen to rule as aforesaid but when all the rest of them except himself and four others calmely considering the great confusion variance and petill then imminent by reason of that strange rupture were content that those Ordinances should be made void and the King restored to his former condition he joyned with them in opposing thereof Howbeit so confident was the King that his own candid intention towards them had wrought a change in their affections that in Ianuary follâ—wing he sent him Summons to appear at Hereford on Munday nexâ— after the Feast of the Purification oâ— our Lady weâ—l â—urnâ—shâ— with Horse and Armes to oppose the pâ—wer oâ— Lâ—â—elin Prince of Wales then in Rebelliâ—n 〈…〉 make a question wheâ—her he obeyed 〈…〉 for in the beginning of 〈…〉 was in Armes agâ—â—â—st the King 〈◊〉 Northampton â— with a muâ—â—itude 〈◊〉 the other rebe 〈…〉 and there taken upon the storming 〈…〉 town by the King's forces on the fiâ—t of 〈…〉 together with his two sons Peter and â—obert who were all sent Prisoners to the Cassle of Windsore Which distresse moved them and the rest to hearken unto termes of accord with the King from whom they soon obtained peaceable conditions so softned was his Prâ—ncely heart with theâ—r seeming fair intentions for the future whereupon by his Precept to Drogo de Barentine then Constable of Windsore Castle dated the 17. of the same month of May he appointed that the said Peter and his sons before specified should be immediatly set at liberty But loe the perfidiousnesse of these Conspirators for within two dayes following they gave the King battail at Lewes in Sussex where through the Prâ—nce his too eager purâ—uit of that part of the Rebells Army which he
in generall of the lands belonging to these Priories Alien and the occasion thereof having spoke in Wolston I shall here only take notice of what concerns this place in relation thereto Of which the first mention I find is in 16 E. 3. where the K. by his special Precept directed to the Shiriff of this County reciting that whereas he had committed the custody of it to Iohn the then Prior for a certain ferme to be yearly payd into his Exchequer during his Warrs with France and that the said Prior had neglected payment of that Rent accordingly for which respect it was again seized into his hands he had neverthelesse at the humble request of the said Prior who desired no more than a competent allowance for himself and one Monk then resident with him commanded that the sum of iii s. by the week for himself and xviii d. for his fellow Monk might be duly payd unto him out of the issues thereof during the time that it should continue under that seizure But after this viz. in 48 E. 3. there was another seizure made thereof and the custody of it then committed to Hugh Earl Stafford Iohn Maubert the then Prior and Frier Michael Cheyne Procurator generall to the Abbot of Counches Which Prior Maubert in 3 R. 2. obtained a speciall grant thereof to himself with all the lands belonging to it to hold during the said warrs with France paying XL l. per annum into the Exchequer Perhaps he dyed soon after for within three years following the said ferme was granted to Robert Selby a Priest and Iohn de Burley junior to hold during the continuance of the Warrs before specified paying xlvi li. xiii s. iv d. yearly into the said Exchequer But in 22 R. 2. upon the augmentation made unto the House of Carthusians neer Coventre then newly founded with the grant of severall Priories Alien in sundry Counties of this Realm whereof I have there made mention this of Wootton was one of those that the said King gave thereto though of that grant those Carthusians took little benefit for shortly after K. H. 4. by the deposall of King R. 2. attained the Crown taking into consideration that these Priories-Alien were originally founded to the honour of God and that through the frequent seizures of them into the hands of his Progenitors by reason of the Warrs with France the Monks were driven away and the Houses so wasted that such divine service as had antiently been establish't therein was wholly withdrawn out of his pious care to rectifie the said abuse did by the assent of his Councell in Parliament in the first year of his raign make full restitution unto Iohn Seurayn then newly instituted and inducted Prior here of all the possessions belonging to this House granting it to him and his successors for the like Rent reserved to the Exchequer during the continuance of his Warrs with France as had antiently been paid to the House of Counches in times of Peace upon condition that the same Prior and his successors should thenceforth find and maintaine so many Monks secular Priests and other English Officers therein as by the first Foundation of it were ordained to be and paying all Tenths Fifâ—eens and other Subsidies whatsoever with the Clergie and Commonalty of this Realm as often as there should be occasion Howbeit after this viz. in 4 H. 4. there was a new consideration had in the Parliament then held touching these Priories-Alien viz. that all should be again seized into the King's hands excepting onely those that were Conventuall whereupon the Shiriff of this Countie had command to give warning unto this Prior of Wootton and the rest within his limits to appear in their proper persons at Westminster on the Octaves of S. Hillary and to bring with them all their Charters and Evidences whereby he himself and his Councell might be satisfied whether they had been Priories Conventuall time out of mind or not But notwithstanding this Act they rested not long for whereas the former seizures had been so made onely upon pretence that by transporting part of the revenues belonging to these English Cells to those Houses in France whereunto they were subordinate the King's adversaries at such times as he had Warrs with the French were assisted in the Parliament held at Leicester 2 H. 5. it being considered that though a finall peace should be afterwards made betwixt England and France yet the carrying over such summs of money yearly out of England to those foreingn Monasteries would be prejudiciall to this Kingdom and the people thereof there was an Act then made that all the possessions in England belonging to the said Priories Alien should thenceforth remain to the King and his heirs for ever excepting such whereof there was speciall declaration then made to the contrary al entent saith the Act que divines services en les lieux avant dictz purront plus duement estre fait per gentz Anglois en temps avenir qùe n'ount est é fait devant ces heures en icelles par gentz Francois c. But this Proviso was not very punctually observed for I find that Sir Rouland Lenthale Knight having obtained certain Letters Patent from K. H. 5. by colour of an information that this Priorie was not presentable instituible nor inductible thereupon entred into the possession of it and received the profits so that thenceforth no Divine service was there performed contrary to the purport of that Statute of 1 H. 4. before mentioned as also against the pious intent of the said Founders So that in 16 H. 6. the King a king into his consideration the premisses to the intent that Gods service and all works of Charitie should be there devoutly performed did for the good estate of himself and for the souls of his noble Progenitors his heirs likewise and successors at the humble supplication of Frere Iohn a Monk of the House of Conchis above specified present him the said Monk to the Bishop of Worcester to be instituted and inducted as Prior thereunto And shortly after to give satisfaction unto the said Sir Rouland Lenthale touching that matter granted an anannuity of xx li. to him and his heirs for ever to be received out of the issues and profits of the Countie of Hereford But this new Prior had no long enjoyment thereof for by Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 12. Dec. in 22. of his reign did the same King bestow it upon the Provost and Scholars of his Royall Colledge in Cambridge then newly by him founded to have and to enjoy to themselves and their successors for ever Which Provost and Scholars about four years after obtained a formall Release from the said Prior by the name of Iohn Conches a Monk of the Order of S. Benet at Conches in Normandy and late Prior of the Priory of Wawens-Wootton in the County of Warwick
rumors were spread that Cardinall Poole laboured with divers Princes to procure forces against this Realme and that an Invasion was threatned which seemed the more credible because the Truce concluded betwixt the Emperour and the French King was generally known neither of them wanting pretence to bring an Army hither And this was also seconded by a suddain journey of the King unto the Sea-coast unto divers parts whereof he had sent sundry of the Nobles and expert persons to visit the Ports and places of danger who failed not for their dischargeâ— upon all event to affirme the perill in each place to be so great as one would have thought every place had needed Fortification Besides he forthwith caused his Navy to be in a readiness and Musters to be taken over all the Kingdom All which preparations being made against a danger believed imminent seemed so to excuse this suppression of the Abbyes as that the people willing to spare their own purses began to suffer it easily especially when they saw order taken for building of such Forts But let us look a little upon the success wherein I find that the said Visitor Generall the grand Actor in this tragique buisnesse having contracted upon himself such an Odium from the Nobilitie by reason of his low birth though not long before made Knight of the Garter Earl of Essex and Lord high Chamberlain of England as also from the Catholiques for having thus operated in the dissolution of the Abbies that before the end of the before specified Parl. wherein that was ratified which he had with so much industrie brought to pass the King not having any more use of him gave way to his Enemies accusations whereupon being arrested by the Duke of Norff. at the Councell-Table when he least dream't of it and committed to the Tower he was condemn'd by the same Parliament for Heresie and Treason unheard and little pittied and on xxviii th of Iuly viz. 4. days after the Parliament was dissolved had his Head cut off on Tower-Hill Nor did many of the Reformers speed much better for Fire and Fagot hapned to be their portion even within the same King's time as whosoever looks into the Storie of those days may see And as for the fruit which the people reapt after all their hopes built upon those specious pretences which I have instanc't it was very little For plain it is that Subsidies from the Clergie and Fifteens of all Lay mens goods were soon after exacted And that in Edward 6. time the Commons were constrain'd to supply the King's wants by a new invention viz. Sheep Cloathes Goods Debts c. for three years which Tax grew so heavy that the year following they prayed the King for mitigation thereof Nor is it a little observable that whil'st the Monasteries stood there was no Act for relief of the Poor so amply did those Houses give succour to them that were in want whereas in the next age viz. 39 o Eliz. no lesse than xi Bills were brought into the House of Commons for that purpose But fearing that this digression hath been too tedious I returne These Nunns being thus disposed of and the House demolish'd it was not long ere that the lands were dispersed for in 36 H. 8. the site and demesns with the whole Lordship of Polesworth were sold to Francis Goodere Gentleman which Francis had issue Sir Henry Goodere Knight his son and heir a Gentleman much accomplisht and of eminent note in this Countie whilst he lived having suffred imprisonment in behalf of that magnanimous Ladie Marie Queen of Scotland of whom he was a great honourer who had issue two daughters only scil Frances and Anne the one married to Sir Henry Goodere Knight son and heir to Sir William brother to the before specified Sir Henry the other to Henry Rainsford of Clifford in Com. Glouc. Which last mentioned Sir H. Goodere left four daughters viz. Lucie married to Sir Francis Nethersole Knight a Kentish Gentleman of an antient House sometime Orator for the Universitie of Cambridge and at the time of that his marriage Agent for K. Iames with the Princes of the Union in Germany of whom the King of Bohemia was chief as also Secretarie to the Q. of Bohemia and by them often imployed back again to the Court of England where he was of note by his actings and suffrings in their Majesties service The other viz. Elizabeth to Samuel Roper a Counceller at Law of Lincolns-Inne of whom I have made mention in Monks-Kirby Mary to Samuel Hildersham a worthy Divine Rector of West-Felton in Com Salop and Anne to Iohn Kingston D r of Physick Which Sir Francis at the speciall instance of his said Lady who bore a great affection to this Town in regard it had been possest by her Family from her great-grandfather's time having erected a convenient fabrick of stone therein for a School-House on the front whereof both his own and her Arms are cut with this Inscription Soli Deo Gloria Schola Pauperum Puerorum Puellarum In further accomplishment of her pious desires hath lately enfeoft six gentlemen of the Countrey thereabouts and seven Divines of the impropriate Tithes of Waverton Dordon and Pooley as also of a Rent-chardge of Xl. marks per annum issuing out of Holt-Hall and Freasley and six yard land in Waverton before specified all of the yearly value of Cxl li. per annum at the least which is more than the whole impropriate Tithes of this Parish do amount unto for a liberall maintenance of a Schoolmaster and Schoolmistris to teach the Children of the Parish viz. the Boys to write and read English and the Girles to read and work with the Needle and both to be instructed in the principles of the true Christian Religion And the residue to be imployed to such charitable uses as he may in his life time finde most conducing to advance the knowledge and practise of true Religâ—on and most beneficiall to the Poor of this place and afterwards he shall by his last Will and Testament declare And in default of his so doing that his said Trustees or the major part of them may increase the maintenance of the Vicar of Polesworth for the time being for whom he is now building a fair House there or set up another School to teach the three learned Languages to the Youth of this Parish or relieve poor Widows and Fatherless Children of deceased Ministers that have been learned godly and painfull in their lives or set out poor Apprentices of this Town Or grant exhibitions to the poor Schollars aforesaid towards the sending them to the Universitie of Cambridge and to be there maintained as they shall find most expedient in all or any of these and likely to be continued in perpetuity The Church dedicated to S. Edith was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. rated at xxii marks but the Vicaridge at no more than one mark