to say having its name from the wideness of the Forde and for Bradforde is by corruption called Bretforde But the first mention I find thereof is that Geffrey Clinton son to Geffrey who founded the Castle and Priory of Kenillworth gave land to the foundation of a small Cell for Nuns here which land is particularly mentioned in his grant the name of the first Votress there being Noëmi but it seems she liked not the place for her fellow Nun named Seburge and she past away the same lands to the Canons of Kenillworth in the life time of the said Geffrey Clinton and by his consent Henry de Clinton son of the said Geffrey afterwards confirming the grant After this viz. in 11 H. 3. Nicholas de Verdon obtained a special Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Tuesday and his great Grandchild Theobald had here a Gallowes as a badge of those royal priviledges belonging to his Castle of Brandon which Gallowes were in this place at first erected as I guess because it lyes upon that great Roman way called the Fosse so that it might be in terrorem to passengers But upon partition of Verdons lands it went with Brandon to Burghersh in right of Elizabeth his mother one of the co-heirs since which time they have not been severed Here was a kind of Hospital or Chappel of St. Edmund founded I presume by the Turviles Lords of Wolston for they were Patrons of it as appears by the Institutions thereunto Rieton HAving now done with the Parish of Wolston I come to Rieton situate upon the Southern-side of Avon and usually called Rieton super Dunsmore for distinction from another of the same name which is in Bulkinton-Parish the reason being obvious enough forasmuch as the soyl here is of a light sandy disposition and beareth Rye best of any Grain This was one of those towns which Earl Leofrike gave to the Priory of Coventre upon the foundation thereof An. 1043. 1. Edw. Confessoris as I shall further declare when I come to speak of that Monastery But it seems that the Monks chopt it quickly away though it appears not how for Aluuinus Progenitor to the family of Arden had it before the end of the said Kings reign And in the Conq. time Turchill the son of the same Aluuin commonly called Turchill de Warwick held it It is there written Rietone and conteyning three hydes and half a carucate had at that time a Church and a Mill the woods thereof being then certified to contain half a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth and the value of the whole lx sol The word in domesday-Domesday-book signifying a mile is leuca or leuva which the French to this day call a legue but that it was used to express a mile that is to say a thousand paces and not a league which with the French is twice so much observe what Ingulphus an authentique Historian who lived in that age says viz. that the English being now brought under the dominion of the Normans did in many things follow the French Garbe and therefore in the stead of miles they called them leucas that is legues but intended miles Nay so carefull were those that took this Survey to account the measure with the scantest in regard of envious Informers that they would alwaies express the measure rather more than less of what it really was The Leiger Book of Stonley says that this Mannour was a member of Stonley and given to the family of Arden by K. H. 1. The first part of which expression is like to be true but I am of opinion that it was part of those lands which Turchills posterity were permitted to enjoy and not at all out of their possession till they granted it a way to the Hospitalars as I shall shortly manifest For Siward de Arderna son and heir to the said Turchill with Cecelia his wife gave to the Monks of Thorney in Cambridge-shire the Mill here at Ryeton for the health of his soul which grant Henry de Arderne his son confirmed which Mill yeilded xii s. Rent per an in that age howbeit in these grants and confirmations of Thorney it is written Rugintunia Rutunia and Ruitonia In which family of Arden it continued till Edw. 1. time Thomas de Arden being certified in 7. E. 1. Lord thereof and that he held it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of half a Kts. Fee This Thomas had here then in demesn three carucates of land and a water-Mill as also three servants each of them holding a yard land and a half and paying a certain yearly rent in money plowing one day in winter a peice and one day in Lent mowing raking making hay carrying corn and gathering Nutts at each work one day The Cottagers were at that time xiii in number who likewise besides their Rent did work one day a piece at some of those before mentioned labours And the freeholders xv which held eight yard land and a fourth part three acres and a half and one rode but their particular names and Rents for brevitie I omit At that time it was also certified that the Abbot of Thorney held a Mill there and half a yard land And the Hospitalars had two Free-holders holding one yard land and a water-Will But in 10. Edw. 1. there was a sure betwixt the before specified Thomas de Arderne and the said Hospitalars by which suit the Prior of St. Iohns recovered of the said Thomas one Mill CC. acres of land twelve acres of meadow and ten acres of wood and had possession thereof accordingly howbeit the Earl of Warwick of whose Fee it was came and interposed with his claim so that there issued out a Writ to enquire of the Earls right therein After which viz. in 14. E. 1. this Thomas though for what consideration I find not granted all his right therein to the said Hospitalars and their successors against whom in 9. H. 8. it was certified that they had inclosed here three hundred acres of land and that by this decay of husbandry if remedy were not provided the Church there would fall to ruin But after the dissolution of the Monasteries K. Edw. 6. in 4. of his reign granted this Mannour inter alia to Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs which Iohn was afterwards made Duke of Northumberland and lost his head in 1. Mariae as in Warwick I shall more fully shew After whose attainder Queen Mary restoring the Romish Religion granted it with other things to Sir Thomas Tresham Kt. as Master of the Hospitall of St. Iohn of Ierusalem in England and to his successours but upon the death of that Queen the Romish Religion being again supprest Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick son to the attainted Duke amongst divers other lands which were his Fathers obteined it to himself and the heirs
Cap. 13 Martii 1430. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Bradley Pbr. 14 Oct. 1430. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Tho. Plunchon Pbr. 20. Sept. 1433. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Gaydon Pbr. 1 Iunii 1445. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Spycer Cap. 23 Oct. 1453. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth D. Adam Stapull Cap. 15 Iunii 1500. Walt. Smyth miles Henr. Porter gener ratione concess Pr. Conv. de Kenilw. D. Tho. Parker Cap. penult Oct. 1542. Tho. Leigh miles Rog. Barker Cler. ...... 1565. D. Alicia Leigh relicta Tho. Leigh militis Rog. Vicars Cler. 29 Martii 1572. D. Alicia Leigh relicta Tho. Leigh militis Henr. Beriche Cler. 4. Aug. 1575. D. Alicia Leigh relicta Tho. Leigh militis Math. Croket Cler. 8. Maii 1581. Alicia Leigh generosa Martinus de Laene 15 Aug. 1586. Tho. Leigh miles Timoth de Lene 6 Ian. 1610. Bericote ON the South side of Avon but in the parish of Ashow lyes Bericote but long since depopulated Which name may seem to have had its original from the ascent it stood upon Berg with the Saxons signifying a little hill and cote the same with domus as is commonly known In the Conq. time Turchil de Warwick whose father Alwinâ— possest it before the Norman invasion held it by his under-tenant named Tonne it then containing 2 hydes there being a Mill rated at 4 s. and the whole value of all xl s. But soon after though I have not seen how it came to the Crown and therein continued till H. 2. time Which King enfeoffed one Boscher his servant thereof with the said Mill and other the appurtenances by the service of keeping a white Brache with red ears to be delivered unto the K. at the years end and then to receive another to breed up together with half a quarter of bran From which Boscher it descended to Henry his son and heir who granted it unto Steph. de Segrave Which Stephen bestowed it on the Monks of Stoneley reserving C s. yearly rent to be paid to him and his heirs for ever But this Annuity did Gilbert the son and heir to the said Steph. release to them in augmentation of one Monk more to be added unto that Covent In 7 E. 1. I find that the said Monks of Stoneley had 13 Cottyers and 3 Free-holders here with a wood containing 4 acres inclosed in the nature of a Park After which it became depopulatedâ— though when I know not for in 33 H. 8. here was nothing left but a Grange which being by the K. 9 Feb. the same year granted to Charls Brandon D. of Suff. the said D. soon after past away to Math. Wrottesley Esq and his heirs Which Mathew together with Anth. Foster Esq sold it 4 Martii 3. E. 6. unto Tho. Marrow the elder of Rudfyn Esq who in 2 3 Ph. M. alien'd it to Iohn Harreyoung Gent. of whom it was purchased 20 Oct. 24 Eliz. by Tho. Leigh Esq but afterwards Kt. and Bar. and Katherine his wife and so is descended to Tho. Lord Leigh his grandson the present possessor thereof Chesford-Bridge A Little below is Chesford-Bridge which being in decay the towns of Kenilworth Wottonâ— Hull Milverton Asho Cobington Lillington Lemington-Priors and Radford were presented before the Justices Itinerant by the Hundred of Knightlow in 13 E. 1. for the not repair of it but in 6 E. 2. the Jury upon their Verdict discharg'd them judgement being given that the Abbot of Combe ought to repair it Howbeit in 26 E. 3. it was found upon a trial that the ground on neither side the Bridge did belong to the Abby of Combe and that the same Abbot ought not to repair the ends thereof his predecessors never having done it nor of right ought to amend any more than 2 Arches with that part of the Bridge standing out of the stream and that neither those two Arches nor the other part out of the Water-course were at that time in decay But in 43 E. 3. it appears that the Abbot of Combe being again questioned could say nothing in his defence for the not repairing it there being an Arch then broken wherefore the Shiriff had command to distrain him thereunto Wootton vulgo Leek-Wotton ABout a mile below Ashow there falls into Avon a torrent called Holbroke which hath its head from the great Pool in Wedgnock-park On the top of the Hill Southwards of this brook stands Wotton that antiently included Milberton Leminton Asho Lillinton and Cobinton within its parish which now are all distinct Mother-Churches but for the present containeth onely Heathe Woodcote Hill vulgarly called Hill-Wotton and Wedgnock-Park whereof I will speak in their order Touching Wotton it self I find that in the Conq. time Rog. de Montgomeri E. of Shrewsbury possest it one Outti holding it under him whose Free-hold it was before the Norman invasion and that it contained then 3 hydes having a Mill rated at 2 s. which is now called Guyes-Cliff-Mill the woods thereof being two miles in length and one in bredth all valued at C s. But in doomsday-Doomsday-book it is written Quatone which I conceive to be in reference to the situation thereof amongst woods the word coit in the British signifying a wood with which agreeth the modern English appellation viz. Wotton the d being changed into t for the more smooth pronunciation That the said Roger and his posterity lost all for their Rebellion I have manifested in Wolston so that this being in the hands of K. H. 1. was inter alia given to Geffrey de Clinton who upon his foundation of the Priory at Kenilworth gave thereunto the Church of this town and 1 hyde of land Which grant of his had been greater but that he reserved part of the woods to be afforested to enlarge his Park of Kenilworth But the rest Geffrey Salvage had and very probably by the grant of the same Geffrey it being a whole Kts. fee of which G. Salvage and his descendants I have already spoke in Baginton who had much ado to hold it as it seems for in 2 R. 1. Richard de Frevill then Lord of Wolston impleaded him for it And in 7 R. 1. he was constrain'd to come to an Agreement with Tho. de Arderne about it who then levyed a Fine thereof to him Nay in 2 Ioh. Henry de Armentiers had suits with him for it who claim'd it in right of Isabell his grandmother alledging that she was seized thereof in H. 2. time and that by David de Armentiers her son it so descended to him the said Henry Whereunto Geffrey answered â— that being in the K. service beyond Sea he had protection for which he paid a Fine at his passage to the end he might not be impleaded in his absence whereupon he was then discharged But it
and heir of Sir Henry Ferrers and Margaret Hekstall his wife of East Peckham in the County of Kent Knight He died th xxix th day of August 1535. leaving issue Henry Edward George and Nicholas Here also lieth Dame Constance his wife daughter heir to Nicholas Brome Esquire of this Mannour of Badsley-Clinton who died the xxx th day of September 1551. Here also lieth Henry Ferrers their eldest son and heir who married Catherine one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John Hampden of Hampden in the Countie of Buck. Knight He died Anno D. 1526. leaving issue Edward Ferrers married to Briget daughter to William Lord Windsor of Bradenham 1548 and died Anno Dom. 1564. Ecce hic in pulvere dormimus Hic nostrae residet gloria carnis Disce mori mundo Vivere disce Deo Hodiae nobis Other Monumentall Inscriptions Upon a stone in the midst of the Chancell Here lieth Henry Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Edward Ferrers and Briget Windsor his wife who was sometime Lord of this Mannour and married Jane one of the daughters and coheirs of Henry White son and heir of Sir Thomas White of South-Warnborn He died the x th day of October Anno Dom. 1633. of his age the 84 th leaving issue Edward Ferrers Upon another near the former Here lieth the body of Edward Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Henry Ferrers and Jane White his wife sometimes Lord of this Mannour who married Anne the eldest daughter of William Peto of Chesterton Esquire and Elianor Aston his wife who died March the xx â—h aged 65. Anno à pariente Virgine 1650. leaving issue onely Henry Ferrers Haec mihi lapidea marmorea posita est immo tibi qui hoc legis quisquis es vigila dum vigilas in rem tuam maturè propera horam scit nemo Vale. In the body of the Church Here lieth Anne the eldest daughter of William Peto of Chesterton Esquire and Elianor Aston his wife who was married to Edward Ferrers Esquire Lord of this Mannour of Badsley the xii th day of February Anno Dom. 1611. and died in child-birth the xii th day of September Anno 1618. aetatis suae 33. leaving issue onely Henry Ferrers Inscribed on the South side of the Chancell in stone Edward Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Henry Ferrers and Jane White his wife did new build and reediâ—ie this Chancell at his own proper costs and charges Anno Dom. 1634. Monuments and Monumentall Inscriptions now defaced which were taken notice of by Mr. Henry Ferrers in Queen Elizabeth's time In the Chancell upon a raised Monument Hic jacet Beatrix Brome vidua filia Radulfi Shirley militis quondam uxor Iohannis Brome de Badsley-Clintoâ— armigeri que obiit â— die mensis Iulit anno Domini MCCCClxxxiii cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen Vpon a Marble there whereon was a large Portraiture in Brasse of a man in armour Hic jacet Philippus Purefey armiger filius heres Willielmi Purefey de Shirford in Com. War armigeri qui obiit xviâ— die mensis Septembris anno Domini MCCCClxviâ— cujus anime propitietur Deus In this Chancell there is a large grave-stone whereon is a plaine Cross but no Inscription under it lyeth buried Dorothy sole daughter and heir of Thomas Marrow Sergeant at Law who was first married to Francis Cokeyne of Pooley in this County Esquire and afterwards to Sir Humfrey Ferrers of Tamworth-Castle Under a large marble lying within the Church dore at the very entrance whereupon hath been a faire portraiture in brasse of a man in armour lyeth buried Nicholas Brome sometime Lord of this Mannour And under the next stone lyeth Elizabeth one of his daughters wife to Thomas Hawe of Solihull Under another neare thereto lyeth Edward Brome son of the said Nicholas by Katherine Lampeck his second wife which Edward married Margery the daughter to Iohn Bâ—aufo of Emscote in this County Eâ—quire and dyed Anno 1531. 23 H. 8. Church-Bikenhill REturning now to the stream of Blithe I come next to Church-Bikenhill This containeth four other petty Hamlets viz. Hill-Bikenhill Midle-Bikenhill Kingsford Wavers-Merston Merston-Culy and Lindon of all which Turchill de Warwick was possest in the Conqueror's time but then they were reputed for no more than two Villages the one certified to contain two hides with Woods of four furlongs in length and as much in breadth having been the freehold of Aluuardus before the Norman invasion And the other likewise two hides the Woods belonging thereto being xii furlongs in length and six in breadth all which one Aluric enjoyed in Edw. the Confessor's days In domesday-Domesday-book they are both written Bichehelle but afterwards Bychenhulle and Bigenhull wherefore considering therewith the present manner of pronouncing the word I do conâ—clude that the name originally grew from the old English word Biggen which signifieth a Hall on Mannour-House the later syllable shewing that it stood upon an ascent as we see this town doth It should seem that a younger branch of Arden's Familie whereof the said Turchill was the root had that which is now called Church-Bikenhill assigned for his patrimonie for in the Deed made by Henry de Arderne Turchil's grandson and heir of certain lands for the dowrie of Leticia his wife he likewise grants unto her servitium Eustachii de Arderne de Bychenhulla which it appears that he held of him But I am of opinion that the descendants of this Eustace forsook the name of Ardern and in respect of their residence here assumed the name of Bikenhull for in 33 H. 2. and afterwards I find mention of Thomas de Bikenhulle with relation to this place and about the beginning of H. 3. time Alexander de Bykenhull which Alexander bound himself in the summe of â—v marks of silver unto Sir Hugh de Arden of Hampton Knight that he would neither sell or pawn any part of his lands without the consent of the said Sir Hugh and in 19 H. 3. was one of the Justices of Assize in this Countie After which scil in 23 E. 1. Alice de Langley of whom in Wolfhamcote I have spoke wrote her self Domina de Bygenhull perhaps she was widow unto the said Alexander and yet the same year did Thomas whom I conceive to be his son stile himself so likewise But the next possessor of it though how I find not was Walter Parles about the later end of E. 2. time To whom succeeded William Parles who in 1 E. 3. past away his title therein unto Sir Iohn Peche of Hampton in Arden Knight whose grandchild Sir Iohn Peche in 28 E. 3. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here From which time for want of light I have not discovered any more thereof The Church dedicated to S. Peter though at the first Foundation of the Monasterie of Henwood it was united thereto continued not 〈◊〉 â—o thâ—se Nunns but was transmitted
to ix carucats of land But notwithstanding that this giâ—t was soe confirm'd to the Monks by the Conq. yet did Henry de Newburgh after he had by the favour of K. Will. Rufus in the beginning of his reign obtained Turchill's lands in augmentation of his Earldome lay his claim thereto soe that Rainaldâ—s the then Abbot was glad to give him a mark in gold to ratify their title After which sc. in 4. H. 1. the said Monks granted it in fee to one Auskitill who held lands â—f them at Tadmarton in com Oxon. in exchange for those wherein the said Auskitill upon this agreement quitted his title But forasmuch as that land at Tadmarton had been taxed to the K. in all payments for 5 hides and that this at Chesterton was assest at no more than one the said Auskitell allowed the Monks all the Tithe of his corne arising out of this To which Auskitell in K. Iohn's time succeeded one Sir Rob. de Kyngestune Kâ— in the possession of this place whether by descent or otherwise is hard to say which Sir Rob. gave some lands lying here unto Will. de Ardern of Rodburne with Avicia his daughter in frank marriage but in 36. H. 3. one Will. de Ley was owner of it and held it of the Monks of Abingdon by the service of a Kts. fee. 'T is not unlike but that this Will. de Ley might be son to Sir Rob. de Kyngestune and changed his name by residing at his Mannour of Ley â—n Berkshire as was usuall enough in those times when sirnames were but in their infancy To whom succeeded Thomas de Ley who had a whole carucat of land here and a virgat in demesn with x Servants holding severall proportions of him under particular Rents and certain servile employments And to him Iohn de Leye who in 6. E. 3. obtain'd a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and at Leye in Berksh which Iohn in 12. E. 3. past away all his estate herein to Thomas de Leye his brother his Seal of Armes being 3. lyons passant upon a bend cotized From which time till 3. R. 2. have I seen noe more mention of it but then was it possest by Cath the widow of Sir Thomas Besyles Kt. daughter of Iohn son as I suppose of the said Thomas Leye which Sir T. Besyles had issue Sir Peter who dyed without children whereupon Rob. Craunford son of Margaret daughter of Alice sister to Iohn father to the above specifyed Catherine became his heir and was 30 years of age 3. H. 6. howbeit soon after this viz. in 10. H. 6. Iohn Verney Clerk Parson of Bredon in UUorcestersh with others were certifyed to be Lords thereof of which Iohn I shall say more in Compton-Murdak But it seemes that he and the rest were onely Feoftees in trust for Ric. Verney esq after wards Kt. his brother in those turbulent times for I find that in 25. H. 6. Tho. Hugford esq Nich. Rody and Will. Berkswell Clerk to whom belike the other Feoffees past their interest by their deed bearing date 10. Maii released to the said Ric. Verney and Elianore his wife all their right in this Mannour the depopulation whereof as may seem by Rous his complaint hath been antient From which Sir Ric. Verney descended Sir Ric. Verney late of Comptou-Murdak Kt. who in our time setled a considerable part thereof together with the Mannour-House upon Iohn Verney his younger son whose posterity do still enioy it Tachebrooke Episcopi FOllowing this petty stream I come next to Tachebrook â— commonly called Bishops Tachbrook for distinction from the other which is in this parish In the Conq. time it was held by the Bp. of Chester id est Cov. and Lich and contained 7. hides having then 2. Mills rated at xii s. but all at vii l. being part of the possâ—ssiâ—ns belonging to the Church of St. Chad at Lichfeild as Dâ—mesday book witnesseth wherein it is written Taschebroc I can but guess at the Etymologie of the name perhaps it might be from the Brittish word tegwch though there be so much difference in the orthography for in pronuntiation there can be no great dissonance and therefore considering that tegwch signifyes the same that pulchritudo and serenitas doth it may be applicable enough to this little brook which is soe pure and clear a torrent To the succâ—ssive Bishops of this Dioces it continued till E. 6. time of which Rog. Molend in 43. H. 3. obtaind a Charter of Free warren for himself and his successors in all his demesn lands here In 7. E. 1. it appears that the Bp. held 3 carucats of lands here in demesn and that he had xix servants who work't 3 dayes a weeke for him through the whole year and used to mow ad magnam Pâ—ecariam which I take to be his generall Reap or some such day in Harvest That he had also ix Cottiers who payd certain Rents and did work in Harvest as also six Freeholders that did the like and a Court-Leet with Gallows for which together with Assize of Bread and Beer he pleaded Prescription in 13. E. 1. and had allowance of them But in 1. E. 6. it was passed by Ric. Sampson the then Bp. to Thomas Fysher esq togeâ—her with Bishops Ichington Geydon and Chadshunt as in Bishops Ichington is shewed which alienation was confirm'd by the Dean and Chapter as also by the K. who granted unto the said T. Fisher and his heirs certain Liberties to be excercised within the precincts of these Lordships whereof I have also made mention in Ichington which T. Fysher dyed seized thereof in 20. Eliz. leaving Edw. his son and heir who sold it The Church dedicated to S. Chad hath for a long time been a Prebend of Lichfeild and had a Vicar antienly endowed In an 1291. 19. E. 1. it was valued at xxx marks and in 26. H. 8. the Vicaridge at Cxiii s. iiii d. per an Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Hugo Leyng Cap. 4. Id. Oct. 1327. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. de Stamford 3. Non. Iulii 1345. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. de Stretford 7. Id. Nov. 1348. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. de Derset Pbr. 7. Id. Iulii 1349. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Hugo de Leeth Pbr. 16 Cal. Feb. 1353. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Rob. de .... D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Barthol Power Pbr. 11. Dec. 1390. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. atte Kirk Pbr. 8. Oct. 1391. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Henr. Bowyar Pbr 24. Apr. 1394. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. D. Ric. Wytherley Cap. 4 Sept. 1405. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Burwell Cap. 24. Apr. 1406. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. de Olughton Pbr. 10. Dec. 1423. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh.
confirmation by VValter de Cantilupe Bishop of Worcester which Tenth of Victuall the said Peter also allowed all the days of his life and so likewise Peter the son of that Peter untill 5 E. 1. Wherefore I am of opinion that the Rent-Corn above mentioned was by him setled as is before exprest in lieu thereof And in 3 E. 2. Philip le Lou and Margerie his wife gave the perpetuall advouson of the Church of UUhatcote in this County Within the precinct of Fulbroke-Park had they also two Tofts one yard land one Croft called Hoppeâ—croft one meadow called Latomes-meadow and half an acre in Wodemedow with an Isle called the Mill-dams compassed about with the River Avon but of whose grant I find not And that the hearts and hands of many people in antient time were free and open to such devout Votaries we have innumerable examples Neither did there want Instruments to stirr them up thereto as here by severall Indulgences one of Hubert Archb. of Canterbury an 1195 7 R. 1. another by the before specified VValt de Cantilupe Bishop of Worcester an 1253. and a third by Simon de VVauton Bishop of Norwich an 1260 each of them vouchsafing pardon of Penance for a certain number of dayes for such sins whereof the persons offending making true confession should be heartily sorry giving something of their temporall substance to these Nunsâ— Divers immunities also usually granted to such Religious Houses did King Henry 2. and King Henry 3. vouchsafe unto them as by their Charters may appear But neither could the pious and strict lives of these innocent Ladies nor the priviledges of those Kings preserve them from that generall ruine which hapned in 27 and 30 H. 8. As a preparatory to which work was that Survey in 26. of his Reign whereby this House with all that belong'd thereto was rated at xxii li vi s iiiid. over and above the Reprizes whereof xvii s iiii d per an was reckoned to be yearly distributed in Almes to poor people for the soul of Sir Peter de Montfort one of their Benefactors and xii s for the soul of Sir Raph de Sudle Knight another Roger VVigston Esq being then high Steward thereof having a Pension of xx s per. an And the next year ensuing followed the dissolutiof it with the rest of the small Houses by Act of Parliament whereupon Margerie VVigston the then Prioress obtained an annuity of iiii li per an during her life but the rest of her Covent nothing After which sc. in 36 H. 8. the King by his Letters Pat. bearing date 15 Oct. in consideration of 342 l 11 s 00. sold to VVill. VVigston Esquier son to the before specified Roger the site of this Monastery with the Mannour of Pinle and all the demesns thereto belonging as also the lands in Shrewley Clardon and Langley with a Croft in Hatton and the said Rent-corn issuing out of the Mannour of Whitchurch to hold to him the said Will. and his heirs in Capite by the xx th part of a Kts. Fee Reserving xxxvâ— s ix d yearly to himself his heirs and successors in the name of a Tenth which said site and lands in Pinle is since come by purchase to .... Cooksey the present owner thereof Priorissae Electae per Convent Lucia de Sapy 5. Id. Nov. 1269. Electae per Convent Helewysia de Langelegh Noâ— Oct. 1321. Electae per Convent Eliz. de Lotrynton 4. Id. Martii 1324. Electae per Convent Matilda le Bret. Electae per Convent Amicia de Hinton 4. Iulii 1358. Electae per Convent Alicia Myntyng monialis de Whiston 12 Martii 1426. Electae per Convent Margareta Wigston Budbroke FOllowing this little stream I come next to Budbroke which in the Conq. time was possest by Raph de Limesi a great man in those days as in Itchington longa I have intimated though he had no more land in UUarwickshire than five hides in this place whereunto belong'd a Mâ—ll valued at iis. and woods of a mile in length and three furlongs in breadth as also seaven Houses in Warwick yeilding viis Rent per an all which were valued at viiili and were the inheritance of Edwine Earl of Mercia before the Norman invasion In Domesday book it is written Budebroc â— and tis like had its name originally from the muddinesse of that petty stream Bude in the Brittish signifying the same with immundus in Latine But the posterity of the said Raph de Limesi continued not long owners of it for in 23 H. 1. I finde that Roger Earl of Warwick had it which makes me presume that lying so near to Warwick Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of the Norman race and father to Roger obtained it From which E. Roger was it past as it seems to Geffery de Clinton Founder of Kenilworth Castle and the Monastery there as I have elswhere shewed for it appears that Geffrey de Clinton son to the said Geffrey upon his gift of the Church here at Budbroke to the Canons of Kenilworth conditioned with them to pay a mark of silver yearly to the Collegiate Church of our Lady in Warwick in performance of an Agreement made long before betwixt the said Geffery his father and the Canons of that Church and plain it is that the same Earl Roger upon his foundation of that Collegiate Church gave this of Budbroke thereunto together with all the Tithes of the Town To which G. de Clinton as by the Descent in Colshill appeareth succeeded Henry his son and heir who in 3 Ioh. in consideration of xx marks of silver one Palfrey and one Ring of Gold granted two Knights fees here in Budbroc unto Hugh de Bardulf which Hugh immediately past them away again to Iohn de Curly and his heirs for xl marks of silver But it seems that Rob. de Curli Father to the said Iohn and Will had an estate in this Lordship by some grant from the said G. de Clinton as when I come to speak of the Church may be discerned being contemporary with G. de Clinton the second and witness to one of his Charters of which Robert the last mention that I find is in 1 R. 1. And of Iohn his son the first that for adhering to the Kings enemies in 6 Ioh. he had all his lands seized upon This was as I guess for deserting him in Normandy whereupon ensued the totall loss of that Dutchy for in the Record of 33 H. 3. Budbroke is said to be de terra Normannorum but these lands so seized did VVill. Curly brother to the said Iohn obtain from the said King for C. marks fine and one Palfrey Rob. de Curli 1 R. 1. Ric. de Curli 6 Joh. Ioh de Curli 6 Joh. Will. de Curli 6 Joh. Will. de Curli 22 H. 3. Alicia filia haeres ux Petri de
Iohn the son of Iohn de Barre the elder passe away the whole Mannour excepting C. acres of Pasture and xl s. Rent to Richard the son of Richard de Pyrie and his heirs To whom succeeded Philip de Pyrie whose widow Marion held it in 35 E. 3. And in 47 E. 3. one William de la Hay with Marion his wife which Marion was in all probabilitie daughter and heir to the said Philip From whom with Marion his daughter and heir it dâ—volved to Thomas East then Yeoman of the Crown who in 5 H. 6. enjoy'd it Which Thomas had issue Thomas and he Henry East of Hay-Hall in Yardley Com. Wigorn. that sold it to Iohn Bâ—nâ— a rich Draper in Coventre of whom in Ward end I have made mention who having 3. daughters and heirs whereof Alice was married to Michaell Ioyner of Coventre this by Partition fell to her and by her and her said husband was sold in 15 Eliz. to Edward Kynardsley Esquire that had marryed Margaret one of the other sisters From which Edward it descended to Iohn his son and heir who having first past away the Fermes to sundry persons in 18 Iac. aliened the Mannour unto William Booth Esquire an utter Barister of the Middle Temple descended by a younger son from the Booths of Cheshire as I have heard whose son and heir William now enjoys it being a Gentleman so well affected to Antiquities that by his judicious observation of sundry notable things concerning this part of the Countie which with much freenesse he hath imparted toward this present work he deserves a better acknowledgment from me than by a few words can be exprest Erdington BEfore the Norman Invasion Edwine Earl of Mercia was owner of this town but afterwards through the Conqueror's favour did the same William Fitz Ausculf of whom I have spoke in Aston possesse it By the generall Survey then taken it was estimated at three hides valued at xxx s. having a Mill rated at iii s. and woods containing one mile in length half a mile in breadth As for the name I am of opinion that it originally proceeded from some antient possessor of it in the Saxon's time perhaps Harding for in domesday-Domesday-book it is written Hardintone Till King Stephan's or the beginning of H. 2. time certain it is that the successors of the above mentioned William Fitz Ausculf in the Barony of Dudley continued owners of this place but then was it granted to Henry sirnamed de Erdinton in respect of his residence here by Gervase Paganell one of those Barons to hold by the service of a Knights fee To whose descendants in the male line it continued till after the beginning of ward the fourth's reign and being their principall seat was strongly fortified with a large double moat on the front and two other sides thereof having the River for its better defence on the back part within which moat was also an antient Chapell peculiar to the House as by its ruines may be seen Henricus de Erdinton 12 H. 2. Will. de Erdinton Thomas de Erdinton 6 Joh. Roesia de Cokefield relicta 2 H. 3. Egid. de Erdinton 14 H. 3. Domina Roisia de Erdinton Matilda ux Joh. de Lee fil Thomae fil Joh. Lee mil. Henr. de Erdinton miles 7 E. 1. Matilda filia Rog. de Someri 1 E. 1. Will. de Bifield secundus maritus Henricus de Erdinton 19 E. 1. Johanna filia una haered Thomae de Wolvey militis 35 E. 1. Egidius de Erdinton miles 31 E. 3. Eliz. filia Thomae Tolthorpâ— de ..... in Com. Rutl. relicta 49 E. 3. Thomas de Erdinton miles 9 R. 2. Margareta filia Thomae Corbet de Morton-Corbet in Com. Salop. Anna filia Thomae de Harecourt 18 R. 2. Thomas de Erdinton 6 H. 4. Sibilla ux secunda 13 H. 6. Thomas Erdinton miles 19 H. 6. Maria ux Will. filii Alani 2 H. 3. To which Henry succeeded William and to William Thomas de Erdinton who in 6 Ioh. had the Shirifalty of Salop. and Staffordshires And at that time a Chapell within his Mannour-house here at Erdington concerning which there grew a difference betwixt the then Parson of Aston and him which was at length thus determined viz. that the Parson should receive from the said Thomas the Tithe of all his profit arising out of Aston Mill and he the said Thomas to make Oath that the mother Church of Aston should not have any detriment in Tithes or Oblations in respect thereof the Priest there serving promising faithfully as much As also that on the principall Festivalls he the said Thomas with his wife children and Family should repaire thither except there were good cause to the contrary and especially upon the Feast day of S. Peter and Paul bringing with him three Tapers of wax weighing two pounds This Thomas was Chamberlain to King Iohn and received many great favours from him In the eight of his reign he had the Mannours of Kington and Norton and in 14. the Lordships of Welinton and Shawbury in Shropshire bestowed on him by that King with whom he had so much trust that the next year following he with Raph Fitz Nicholas of whom in Stretton-Baskervile I have made some menâ—â—on was privatly sent Embassador to Admiralius Murmelius great King of Aphrica Marrochia and Spain to let him know that he would willingly deliver up this Kingdom to hold of him by a certain Tribute as also forsake the Christian Religion and cleave to the Law of Mahomet in case he might have assistance from him to such a desperate condition was he exposed by his rebellious Nobility Upon his return from which Embassie I find that he compounded with Stephen de Staunton and Robert de Staunton son and heir to the said Stephen for their title to the Honour of Montgomeri and the Mannours of Badmundfeld Pulton Acton and Lideham belonging thereto and had the King's confirmation thereupon It seems that he had some title to that Honour by descent from Baldwin de Bollers unto whom King H. 1. gave it with Sibill de Falcise his neice being sprung from the said Baldwin by his second wife In 16 Ioh. he purchased the wardship and marriage of the son and heir to William Fâ—tz Alan a great Baron in Shropshire with purpose to marry his daughter Mary unto him which was accordingly effected in consideration whereof he was to pay five thousand marks for the performance whereof Ranulph Earl of Chester and severall other of the great Nobilitie became his 〈◊〉 And in 17. Ioh. had command from the King to hasten with some of his forces unto Tamworth Castle in this Countie to take out of it â—â—l the Prisoners Horse Armes and amunition therein and to pull it down to the ground After which ere long scil in 2. H. 3. he died
the Ordination before specified It is very like that this Chantry swallowed up that whereof I made mention in 8. E. 3. viz. which Thomas Astley had Licence to found for upon the Survey taken an 37. H. 8. there was no other but this in that Chappell of our Lady the lands belonging whereunto were by the Commissioners in 37. H. 8. certified to be of the the yearly value over and above all reprises of iiii l. xviii sol x. d. For the other Chantry was in a Chappel of St. Iames in Hull super Dunsmore as the Record expresses which is that part of the town situate upon the Hill Westwards from the Church and founded by Mag. Thomas de Morton in 18. E. 3. The certificate in 37. H. 8. expresly says he was a Priest and the word Mag. imports as much yet in the Licence given to him to amortize lands thereunto viz. one messuage one yard land and four acres as also four acres and one rode of meadow in Hill Morton aforesaid it is for a Priest to sing Mass for the good estate of him the said Thomas and Alice his Wife and Margerie their Daughter during their lives and for their souls when they should depart this world As also for the souls of Adam de Morton his father and their ancestours c. But it seems he was a marryed man and a professour in some other science The value thereof in 37. H. 8. was certified to to be xlvi s. viii d. In this Lordship of Hill Morton there were also eight messuages and one yard land and a quarter given by one William Poyntell to the Hospitall of St. Iohn Baptist in Luterworth for the finding of a Chantry Priest there to sing Mass for the souls of him the said William and his VVife 3. E. 3. In the middle I le of this Church are two grave-stones of marble each of them having small portraictures in brass of a man and a woman with divers children on one of them is this Inscription Here lyeth Thomas Perkins and Alice and Elizabeth Our Lord save their souls from everlasting death Amen On the other this Here lyeth Richard Tant and Margaret his wife God bring their souls to everlasting life Amen Rugby ON the South-VVest side of this little Rill which comes from Hill Morton lyes Rugby bounded with Avon towards the North but in doomesday-Doomesday-Book written Rocheberie Beriâ— signifying with our ancestours a Court or habiâ—ation of note And Roche a rock or quarry of stone for such there is VVestwards from this town about half a mile and 't is very like that the ground whereon the town stands being high is of the same condition though that the quarry lye not very near the surface of the earth so that then the nature of the soyl may be the occasion of the name Howbeit in all the elder times sithence it is written Rokeby with a K. instead of the Ch. In the Conquerours time Turchil de Warwick of whom I have already made mention was owner of it one Eddulfus for so he is called in the Conq. Survey then holding it of him it being then certified to contein two hydes and a half the posterity of which Eddulfus continued possest thereof holding it by half a Knights Fee of the said Turchill's Heirs till it went away with a Daughter and Heir in Edw. the first his time as the descent will shew Eddulfus tempore Conquestoris Thurbertus filius Hadewolfi Henricus de Rokeby Henricus de Rokeby Annabilla Ranulphus de Rokeby Annabilla filia haeres uxor Joh. Goband militis But Thurbert the son of this Eddulfus is sometimes called Thurbertus filius Hadelwolfi de Bilneja for it seems he had also a Seat at Bilney now called Binley and sometimes Thurbertus de Rochebe and was a notable benefactor to the Monks of Combe giving a large precinct of his land in Bilney adjoyning to Smite within which Smite the monastery was founded the lands being exprest by boundaryes after the antient manner which grant was ratified by Henry son to the same Thurbert who calls himself Henricus de Rokeby filius Thurberti de Bilney adding to his fathers gift the Mill of Bilney and some other land for the better assurance whereof Henry de Arderne grandson to Turchill confirms the grant though that with a great part also of his inheritance was taken away by the Conquerour or King H. 1. and given to the Earl of Warwick as I think before that time which was in the reign of K. Steph. Roger Earl of Warwick being a witness thereunto for Earl William son of Roger adds his Charter of confirmation to them all which needed not had he not been possest of Arden's lands Here was a little Castle at Rokeby which stood about a furlong from the Church Northwards as is to be seen by the banks of earth and part of the moat yet remaining I am of opinion that this was one of those Castles which were built in King Stephens time for fearing the coming of the Empress as saith mine Author concessit ut quilibet procorum suorum munitionem seu castrum in proprio fundo facere posset Almost all which were demolished by the command of K. H. 2. about the third year of his reign And besides the probability thereof the Inhabitants have it by tradition that it was Sir Henry Rokebye's castle This Henry de Rokeby was a benefactor to the Abby of Pipwell in Northampton-shire as appears by what he gave in Rokeby where the Monks of Pipwell had a grange He also gave all the land which he had in Holme to the Canons of Leicester whereof I have already spoke for the advouson of the Chappel of Rokeby which was a member of Clifton and belonging to that Abby touching which Chappel there was a sute betwixt the said Henry and the Abbot of Leicester in the 2. year of K. Iohn and bequeathing his body to be buried at Combe therewith gave the yearly rent of half a mark of silver issuing out of the Mill of Aston juxta Bermingham in this County which Henry had issue Henry who consumed all the grants to that Abby made by his grandfather and father adding something from himself in Bilney But it seems that the difference concerning the advouson of the Chappel of Rokeby ended not till this time For by a fine levyed 5. H. 3. betwixt Henry Rokeby and the Abbot of Leicester it was concluded that the said Henry and his heirs should exhibit a fit Clerk to the same Abbot and his successours whom they might present to the Bishop which Clerk should pay to them yearly the antient and due pension that the Abby of Leicester had wont to receive out of the said Chappel of Rokeby in right of their Church of Clifton And to perfect this agreement the said Henry gave to that Abby for ever a yard land in Holme
Isabell entayling it upon the heirs of the Body of her the said Isabell with remainder to the right heirs of Walter Which Walter had issue Sir Raph White-horse Kt. who in 16 R. 2. granted it to VVill. Giffard and others From whom as also from Sir Will. Bagot Kt. who it seems had an estate in trust therein it was convey'd in 18 R. 2. to Iohn Leventhorpe Thomas Totty and others but to the use of the said Iohn Leventhorpe which Iohn in 3 H. 5. agreeing upon a price with Totty levyed a Fine thereof to him and his heirs upon condition that the money should be forthwith payd but the said T. Totty going presently beyond Sea where he was made Captain of the Castle of Rysbanke neer Caleys and a Knight to boot for so was he after stiled hapned to be slain at the battail of Marke so that the bargain could not be compleated Whereupon the before specified Iohn Leventhorpe being fully siezed of it as his own right by his deed bearing date 11 Nov. 12 H. 6. past it to Iohn Fildyng and his heirs which Iohn was great-Grand-Child to Rob. de Newnham before specified as the Pedegree here inserted sheweth and paternally of a very noble Philippus de Neunham Iuliana Iohanna filia haeres Alanus de Kilworth Philippus de Newnham Cath. uxor Ioh. Collard Isabella ux Walt. Whitehorse Rad. Whitehorse miles 16 R. 2. Robertus de Newnham Iohanna filia haeres Will. Prud home Iohanna filia haeres Wil. Fildyng Ioh. Fildyng 12 H. 6. extraction viz. from the Earls of Hapspurg in Germany as is apparent from divers authentique evidences whereof I shall only give these two for instance the one a Letter of Atturny made by Geffrey his grandfather bearing date at Munsterton Com. Leic. on the feast day of S. Barnabas the Apostle 9 Edw. 2. in which he calls himself filius Galfridi filii Galfridi Comitis de Hapsburg domini in Laufenburg Rinfilding in Germania and wherein by the consent of Agnes de Napton his wife he gives power to VVill. Purefey to deliver seisin of his Mannour of Munsterton before specified unto Sir Rauf de Stanlow as also of one yard land in Lutterworth which his Mother Maud de Colvile sometime held And the other an Accquittance made by the said Sir Raufe upon the receipt from him of x li sterling wherein he mentions his descent as abovesaid which Acquittance bears date at Westm. 5 Iulii 12 E. 2. And that it may not seem strange that a forreigner so eminent for his parentage should thus settle here in England I have here added what I find in an antient MS. written about K. Edw. 4. time which manifesteth the occasion thereof Memorandum quod Galfridus Comes Hapsburgicus propter oppressiones sibi illatas à Comite Rodolpho qui postea electus erat Imperator ad summam paupertatem redactus unus ex filiis suis nomine Galfridus militavit in Anglia sub Rege Henrico tertio Et quia pater ejus Galfridus Comes habuit praetensiones ad certa dominia in Lauffenburg Rinfelden retinuit sibi nomen de Felden Anglicè Filding reliquit ex Matilda de Colevile uxore sua Galfridum Johannem Thomam tunc pueros Galfr. Filding duxit in uxorem Agnetem filiam Joh. de Napton qui fuit frater Roberci de Napton milâ—tis ex Alicia filia Ricardi de Misterton uxoris suae habuit exitum Will. Filding qui duxit in uxorem Johannam filiam Will. Prudhome ex Juliana filia haerede Roberti de Newnham ex illa genuit Joh. Filding militem qui ex Margareta Purfrey uxore sua genuit Will. Fildâ—ng mil. qui quidem Will. duxit in uxorem Agneâ—em de Seyton habuit exitum Johannem Everardum Edw. Martinum Filding It seems that K. Henr. 3. much tendring the condition of the before specified Geffrey who was in Armes on his part here in England as by what is above exprest may appear gave him a considerable support in Rents and Fees lying in sundry places For in a Roll of them yet extant and written in E. 3. time whereunto the title is Redditus feoda Willielmi Filding filii Galfridi filii Galfridi filii Galfridi Comitis de Hapsberg Lauffenberg Rinfelden in the margent thereof is this inâ—ertion Ex dono quondam Regis Henrici filii Regis Johannis As the testimony of these things is in truth of much honour to those of this Family so do I perceive that it hath heretofore had no lesse estimation amongst them for in an old Book sometime belonging to the Hospital of S. Iohn Bapt. in Lutterworth I find this written Notum sit omnibus hunc librum visuris quod ego Willielmus Veâ—sy Magr. Hosp. S. Joh. Bapt. de Lutterworth praesent sui quando Joh. Fylding qui postea erat miles codem anno quo inserviebat Johannem ducem Bedfordiae in Bello contra Gallos tradidit multas veteres scripturas custodiendas Thomae Bellers Gentilman quae certificabant dominum Galfridum Felding filium fuisse Galfridi Comitis de Hapsburg c. ut supra And likewise this following expression made by Sir Will. Filding Kt. who lived in H. 8. time The Evidence of all these things was left with VVill. Cave the son of Thomas Cave Gentleman by Sir VVilliam Filding befor the battail of Tewksbery and a Bill of remembrance of the same after given to Ric. Cave which was also written in the book of VVill. Veysy Mayster of the Hospitall of S Iohn Bapt. of Lutterworth This was the bok of my Fader Syr Everard Fylding That they have antiently born for their Armes three Lozenges upon a Fesse some Seals to Deeds before date as also of K. E. 3. and Ric. 2. time do testifie and for their Crest sometimes an Eagle and at other a Palm Tree though of later times altered And that these matches with Napton and Prudhome before specified were heirs the quarterings on those their Monuments at Monkskirby are satisfaction enough But I return This Iohn having served in the warrs of France and been dignified with the honour of Knighthood as by what is before exprest appeareth left issue VVilliam his son and heir a person so well affected to the Lancastrian side in the Civill Wars betwixt that and the House of York that no sooner did K. H. 6. regain his soveraignty viz. in 49 of his reign but that he constituted him Shiriff of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon being then a Kt. In which year fighting on the behalf of the said K. in that memorable battail of Tewksbury he lost his life and was there buried This Sir William by Agnes the Daughter and heir of Seton with whom he had the Lordship of Martinsthorp in Rutland and a descent in
blood from those great families of Vaux Longvile and Bellers a younger branch of Moubray left issue Everard Fildyng his son and heir Shiriff of this County and Leicestersh in 21. E. 4. and in 2 H. 7. a Commander in the Kings Army at the battail of Stoke juxta Newarke So likewise at Black-heath in Kent in 12 H. 7. which Everard being made Kt. of the Bath at the marriage of Prince Arthur in 15 of that King's reign was Custos Rotulorum in the County of Leic. within two years after And by his Testament bequeathing his body to be buried before the Altar of our blessed Lady in the Black-Fryers at Northampton departed this life in 6 H. 8. leaving issue by Iellis Russell his wife VVill. Fildyng Esq. Shiriff of Rutlandshire in 11 and 12. as also in 18 H. 8. but afterwards Kt. who having been imployed about raising forces out of his Tenants and otherwise for the Wars of France and Scotland in the time of H. 8. as by severall Privy Seals appeareth assisted likewise with no lesse than xvi Horse at his own charges against the Scots as from the Registers sometime belonging to the Councell-table hath been observed As also with ten able persons most Archers and Gunners in that Navall preparation made by the same King under the conduct of the Earl of Southampt for preventing such attempts as might be exercised by the Pope or his Agents whose Supremacy he had abolished And was in such esteem with Q. Iane third wife to the said K. H. that in 29 H. 8. upon her delivery of Prince Edward she sent a Privy-Seal unto him signifying the same with desire of his congratulation and prayers This S r Will. by Eliz. Daughter to S r Thomas Pultney of Misterton K t leaving issue Basill dyed 24 Sept. 2. E. 6. which Basill was Shiriff of this County in 11 Eliz. and took to wife Godith second of the 7 Daughters and coheirs to Will. Willington of Barcheston Esq by whom he had issue William Shiriff of this County also in 31 Eliz. and thrice of Rutland viz. 24 34 and 40 Eliz. who being afterwards a K t by Dorothy the Daughter to S r Raph Lane by a Daughter and coheir to the Lord Parre of Horton had issue Basill Shiriff of this County in 9 Iac. which Basill by Eliz. Daughter to Sir Walter Aston of Tixshall K t had issue William Lord of this place an scil 1640. who being Knighted by K. Iames about the beginning of his reign and after made Custos Rotulorum in this County was in 18 thereof advanced to the dignity of Baron and Vicount Fildyng And in 20 ob generis claritatem nuptias admodum honorandas sed praecipuè ob eximiam virtutem erga nos Coronam nostram fidem as the words of that Charter importâ— created Earl of Denbigh And having been constituted Master of the great Wardrobe and Admirall at Sea in severall expeditions did likewise by his marriage with Susan Sister to George late D. of Buck. not a little enlarge the honour of this Family In another Window of the Parlour In the parlour Window at Newnham Cester-Over THis was antiently a village of many dwellings but long since depopulated so that there remains now no more than the Mannour House and that reduced to so mean a condition as 't is scarce capable of any Inhabitant other than an ordinary Feâ—mour the grounds for the most part being converted to Sheep-pasture Of later times it hath been by the vulgar called Cester-Over which occasioned Mr. Cambden in his Britannia to represent it as a place of great antiquity and no less then a City in the Romans time to which opinion the adjacency of Watlingstreet did as it seems the more encline him But that addition which is by the corrupt pronunciation of the vulgar called Cester â— should in truth be Thester for so 't is antiently written as I shall shew anon and not used neither till a long time after the Conquest for in domesday-Domesday-Book it is called Wara where the place now called Church-Over is written Waure as well as Wara and Browns-Over also Waure and Wara as I have already shew'd with the reason thereof As for this addition of Thester for distinction from the other towns before mentioned it is no more than to signify the Eastern situation thereof from Monkskirby in which Parish it is and so by contracting two words into one viz. The Easter or The Eastward for the more brief expression is called and written Th'ester Robertus temp Conq. Robertus de Waure temp H. 2. Will. de Wavere dom de Thester-Waver 3. R. 1. Will. cognom de Blith Rob. de Waver miles Emma filia Rogeri Pantolf cohaeres Will. Pantolf fratris sui Will. de Waver miles 35. H. 3. obiit 56. H. 3. Johanna haeres Rob. de Hayrun dom de Church-Lalleford Will. de Waver 35. E. 1. Alicia filia Rob. Lovet de Neuton 35. E. 1. Robertus de Thestre-Waure 20. 47. E. 3. Ioh. Waver de Thestrewaver 10. H. 6 Christiana filia .... lakes Hen. Waver miles Aldermannus Civit. Lond. obiit 10 E. 4. Joh. Waver Thomas Waver Henr. Waver fil haeres ob 19. E. 4. Will. Brown ar 1 maritus Christiana filia haeres aet 5. an 19 E. 4. ob 37. H. 8. Humfr. Dimock ar 2. maritus Ioh. Browne â—sabella Edw. Browne ar consangu haeres Christianae aet 22. an 37. H. 8â— In the Conq. dayes Geffrey Wirce of whom I have so often made mention possest it at which time being certified to contain 5. Hides and having a Mill it was valued at xl s. one Robert then holdng it of the said Geffrey which Robert was paternall Ancestour as I conceive to the family of Waure written afterwards Waver who assuming their Sirname from hence flourished here till toward the end of E. 3. time as this descent manifesteth But the first of this line touching whom I have found any thing of note is Sir Rob. de Wavere Kt. who wedded Emma one of the two Daughters of Sir Roger Pantolf Kt. Lord of Neubold-Pantolf and coheirs to Will their Brother This Sir Robert was a good benefactor to the Monks of Combe for besides the grant of 2. yard land common for 100. Sheep 24. Beasts and 30. Hoggs for xxii marks of silver he gave them 96. acres of errable land lying in this village with his Body to be buried in that Monastery appointing the like solemnity to be performed for his Obit as for a Monk of that Covent To him succeded Sir William his Son and heir who wedded Iuliana heir to Rob. Hayrun Lord of Church-Lawford Which Sir VVill. in 35. H. 3. founded a Chantry in the Priory of Monkskirby and endowed it with certain lands and Rents lying in Cosford In 38. H.
Rob. Brokk Cler. 6. Aug. 1538. In the middst of this Church before it was pull'd down by reason of the steeple's ruine as I have observed was a fair raised monument for Thomas Grey the first Marq. Dorset of his family and his Lady whereupon their statues were excellently cut and under the same a vault adorned with the pictures of Bishops Cardinalls and Monks in which their bodyes lay but by the fall of the steeple before specified it was totally broken and spoiled In the Chappell which stood on the Southside of the Quire stood likewise two fair monuments the one of Thomas the second Marq. Dorset and his Lady on the heads of whose statues were Coronets and the other of Edw. Grey Visc. L'isle his Lady on the sides whereof were xvi persons and eight of them in religious habits Both which monuments at the removall of the same Chappell to the east end of the Quire where it now serveth for a Chancell were pull'd down and utterly defaced In the same Quire before the said alteration were also some other monumentall stones of marble with portraitures in brass upon them besides those whereof I have already taken notice upon one of which was this Epitaph Ex Astley domo Miles fuit iste Willielmus Heres magnanimus Thome Astlei viralmus Hic fundatoris fuit largus hospes honoris Et dignus mores strenuus sequitur genitoris Migravit celis animatum luce soleâ—â—i M. C. quater bis Domino regnante perciuit Bedworth FOllowing the stream of this small Brook called Sow I come next to Bedworth a place very well known in regard of the Coal-mines there As for the name thereof I conceive it did originally proceed from some one that possest it in the Saxons time whose name was Bede for that the said appellation was then in use those who are conversant in our English Histories do well enough know the later sillable worth signifying a habitation In domesday-Domesday-book it is written Bedeword the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wanting a stroke through it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which with the Saxons stood for th and by that Survey is rated at 4 hydes the woods extending to one mile in length and half a mile in bredth all being then valued at xl s. and whereof Edwyn Earl of Mercia was possest before the Norman invasion but afterwards by the E. of Mellent most of whose lands in this County his brother the E. of Warwick within a short time had from whom some one of the family of Hastings obtained it as it seems for I find that they held it by Kts. service of his descendants together with Wiley whereof I have already spoke I am of opinion that the families of Turvile and Craft were enfeofft thereof by Hastings for it is evident that they antiently possest it mention being made of William de Turevill in 1 Ioh. and in 20 H. 3. that Simon de Turvill and Rog. de Crafâ— held one Kts. fee here But towards the later end of H. 3. time Will. de Charnells had to do here though I am not able to say upon what title unless it were by descent from Beatrix his mother whom I conjecture to have been the heir of Craft as in Bilton you may see Neither can I discern how or when Turvill absolutely quitted his interest in this place for in 20 E. 3. Will. de Charnells and Oliver de Turvill answered for half a Kts. fee here which they held of the heirs of Hastings And yet I find that in 28 E. 1. Will. de Charnells wrote himself Dominus de Bedworth and in 9 E. 2. Henry de Charnels his father is solely certified to be Lord thereof Wanting therefore such light as might guide me in the full discovery of the successive Lords thereof I have added so much of the descent of both these families viz. Turvill and Charnells as I have found by Record to have had relation thereunto Will. de Turvill 20 H. 2 1 Joh. Simon de Turvill 20 H 3. Will. de Turvill 53 H. 3. Magister Philippus de Turvill rector eccl de Bedworth 28 E. 1. Rob. de Turvile 23 E. 1. Oliverus de Turvile 20 E. 3. Beatrix relicta 34 H. 3. Will. de Charnels Will. de Charnels 55 H. 3. Nich. de Charnels miles Dom. de Bilton 28 E. 1. Wil. de Charnels Dom. de Bedworth 28 E. 1. miles 31 E. 1. Henr. de Charnels D. de Bedworth 9 E. 2. Will. de Charnels de Bedw miles 23 E. 3. Ioh. Charnels de Bedworth 6 R. 2. Eliz. relicta â— H. 4. Of these Iohn Charnels was the last for ought I have seen that had it but of that family so possest thereof or of the Turviles have I not seen any thing very memorable other than the founding of a Chantry in this Church at the Altar of our blessed Lady by Philip de Turvile the Parson here presented in 28 E. 1. as his Institution manifesteth Which was performed in 6 E. 3. and endowed with a good proportion of land some lying in Eccleshale but the greatest part in Bedworth the ordination thereof being made by Rog. Northburgh B. of Cov. and Lich. 5 Id. Iulii an 1332. the same sixth year of E. 3. whereby it also appears that the said Philip was then a Canon of Lichâ— In 4 H. 4. there being a Fine levyed betwixt Sir Will. de Astley Kt. and others Plantiffs and Iohn Attehale and Ione his wife Deforc. of 24 mess. 5 carucats and 9 yard land 46 acres of meadow 12 acres of pasture 32 acres of wood and 12 marks 1x s. rent lying in Bedworth Astley Corley and many other places with th'advouson of the Church those lands with the said advouson were thereby vested in the said Sir Will. de Astley and his heirs paying yearly to the said Iohn and Ioane onely during the life of Eliz. the widow of Iohn Charnels x l. sterling and after her decease xx marks yearly to the same Iohn and Ioane during their two lives in case they survived her But in 10 H. 6. it was certified that Iohn Clerke of Coventre Gentleman and the Lady Margaret Astley widow to Sir VVill. Astley before mentioned held this Mannour by the service of half a Kts. fee. So that it seems either the Mannour past by vertue of that Fine or else was granted to the Lord Astley by some other Act for it appears that from that time the heirs of Astley were owners of it and that Regin Lord Grey of Ruthin who marryed the heir female of Astley leas'd the Mannour-house and demesns there for years in 18 H. 6. As also that Thomas the second Marq. Dorset descended from the said Reginald as the Pedegree in Astley sheweth by his Testament bequeath'd it to Edward one of his younger sons for life assigning out of it to the poor of his Hospital which
the name of Kenilworth was then in two parts the one called Optone certified to contain three hides being then held immediatly of the King by Albertus Clericus in pure Almes upon which were resident two Priests the woods whereof conteyned half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth This being that part of Kenilworth which now the Inhabitants call the High-town and situate upon the ascent on the North part of the Church But the other which in the same Record is written Chinewrde and possest by Rich. Forestarius did then contain no more than three virgats besides the woods which were certified to be half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth Haec duo membra saith domesday-Domesday-book jacent ad Stanlei manerium Regis That the name originally did proceed from some antient possessor of it whose habitation was there is not to be doubted the syllable Wrde which should be Wrâ—e id est Worthe and signifieth a mansion or dwelling place manifesting as much but whether his name was Kenelm or Kenulph for antiently it was written Kenilworth or whether it were the above mentioned Rich. Forestarius who had his seat there which Richard in some very antient authorities that I have seen is called Rich. Chineu I cannot positively determine and therefore will not insist longer on conjectures Certain it is that it continued in the Kings hands till H. 1. time and then was given to Geffrey de Clinton a Norman who doubtless had his first abode in England at Clinton now vulgarly called Glinton in Oxford-shire and thence assumed his sirname This Geffrey if we may credit our Countrey-man Rous was grandson to Will. de Tankervile Chamberlain of Normandy and Maud his wife daughter to Will de Arches whose descent is derived from Wevia sister to Gunora Dutchess of Normandy but of the certainty thereof I much doubt considering that an authentique Historian his Contemporary renders him to have been of very mean parentage and meerly raised from the dust by the favour of the said King Henry from whose hands he received large possessions and no small honour being made both Lord Chamberlein and Treasurer to the said King and afterwards Justice of England which great advancements do argue that he was a man of extraordinary parts It seems he took much delight in this place in respect of the spacious woods and that large and pleasant Lake through which divers petty streames do pass lying amongst them for he it was that first built that great and strong Castle here which was the glory of all these parts and for many respects may be ranked in a third place at the least with the most stately Castles of England Neer unto which he also founded at the same timeâ— a goodly Monastery for Black Canons of which Order it will not be amiss to take a brief view before I go on with my discourse of this particular Monastery The most received opinion is that these Canons Regular had their first institution from S. Augustin Bishop of Hippo wherefore I will succinctly deliver the occasion and ground thereof This Augustin was born in the City of Tagaste in Africa and betaking himself to the study of Philosophy in his younger years grew to be an excellent Schollar and a famous Rhetorician for which he became so eminent that being sent for to Millain there to teach Rhetorique by the preaching of S. Ambrose then Bishop of Millain he was reclaimed from the Heresy of Manicheus wherewith he had been tainted And afterwards coming to Hippo at the solicitation of a great person was by Valerius then B. of that place ordayned a Priest in which City he shortly instituted a Covent of Clerks and lived according to the Rule constituted by the holy Apostles instructing them in the Evangelique perfection viz. love of Poverty Obedience and Chastity After which upon the death of Valerius he became B. of Hippo but notwithstanding being desirous to continue his Religious Course of life he founded a Monastery of Clerks within the precincts of his Church Divers sorts of Religious persons have taken him for their Law-giver viz. the Heremites called Augustines Canons Regular c. making all profession under his Rule Their habite as Polyd. Virg. affirmeth is a white coat and a linnen surplis under a black cloak with a hood covering their head and neck which reacheth to the shoulders having under it doublet breeches white stockings and shoos or slippers and when they walk out a black corner'd cap or a broad Hat their Crowns being shaven but not so much as other Monks Thus much as to the Order With this Monastery so founded by the said Geffrey de Clinton I will now proceed in regard it was so signall a Monument of his piety reserving my story of the Castle till anon By his Foundation Charter it appeares that he gave to the Canons of this House for the redemption of his sins as also for the good estate of King Henry whose consent he had thereto and of his own wife and children all the lands and woods of this Kenilworth excepting what he had reserved for the making of his Castle and Park Together with the Mannors of Salford Itlicote and Neunham in this County The Church of Wotton with a hide of land thereto belonging Two hides in Lilenton with the Churches of Clinton in Oxford-shire and Barton in Northhampton-shire Granting further unto them of pasturage viz. that wheresoever his own Cattell Hoggs should be whether within his Park or without there also might theirs have liberty to feed And their tenants Hoggs to have the like freedom in all other except his inclosed woods and Park as his own tenants had Adding by another Charter the gift of a full tenth of whatsoever should be brought to his Castle viz. either to his Cellar Kitchin Larder Granary or Hall-garth as well of all bought or given either in Corn Hay Hoggs Muttons Bacon Venison Cheese Fish Wine Hony Wax Tallow Pepper and Cumin though they had been tithed elswhere before as of his own proper revenue Together with all his Lambskins throughout every his Mannours as well those as should be kill'd to eat as of others that might dy casually Canonicus Regularis S â— Augustini To these large and munificent gifts he added the Mannour of Hichenden in Com. Buck. which he had by the bounty of King Henry and the Church of Stone in Stafford-shire which he procured of one Enisan within whose Lordship it lay by the consent of Nich. de Stafford it being founded in his fee. But that which I call here the Church of Stone was a small Monastery founded in memory of Wolfade and Ruffin slain by King Wolpherus their father in respect that they became Christians being converted from Paganism and baptized by that holy man S. Chad B. of Lichfield near a thousand years since And besides these particulars did he likewise give
reciperent necessitatis In this town there was also one Henry Waltham who held one carucat of land and xvii s. yearly rent here by Sergeanty viz. to be the Kings Marshall in the Court of Common-Pleas which Henry in 5. H. 3. payd ten marks for his Relief due for the land above mentioned and formerly belonging to Will. Wigan his Uncle But besides the Mannour so granted by the said Thurstane to that Hospitall was there given thereunto by Peter the son of the same â—hurstan all that he had here which did belong to the before specified Yvo there called Yvo de Shraule for he was also owner of Shrewley in this County As also the advouson of the Church by Gilbert de Segrave so that in 32. H. 3. the Guardian and Brethren of the said Hospitall being possest of such a fair proportion of lands in this place obtained a Charter for a weekly Mercate here on the Tuesday and a Fair once every year to last for 2. days viz. the Munday and Tuesday in Whit-sonweek Neither was this all for it appears that in 53. H. 3. Iohn the son of Peter son to the before mentioned Thurstane gave thereunto one messuage and one carucat of land more lying within the precincts of this Village as also all his right to the patronage of the Church And that in E. 1. time a family â—earing the name of Hamund and here residing were good Benefactors thereto Of which was one Richard Hamund alas Clerk stiled esquier in 23 H. 6. who then held the whole Mannour by Lease of the said Guardian and Brethren But I further find that Will. Wainflete Bishop of Winchester â— having in 26. H. 6. began the foundation of Magdalen College in Oxford in the very place where the same Hospitall stood did in 35. of the same Kings raign obtain from the said Master and Brethren the grant of this Lordship whereunto it hath eversince continued â—eing possest by the Pâ—esident and Fellows thereof at this day yet constantly leased out to the descendants of the said Richard Clerke men of a fair estate here Of which family were Edward and Hierome viz. sons of Henry Clarke the former father to William Clerke of this place deceased Henry Clerke of Rochester in Kent now Sâ—rgâ—ant at the Law as also oâ— Samuel Clerke of Kingsthorpe in Northamptonshire Doctor of Divinity and one of â—he Chaplains in ordinary to King Iames and Kâ—ng Charles who wedded Margarâ—â— one of the daughters to Wâ—lliam Peyto late of Chesterton in this Câ—unty esquire And the later of Iohn Clerke of Gilsborough in Norhamptonshire Counsellour at Law and Bencher of Lincolns-Inne an scil 1640. From which Richard Sir George Clerke of Watford in Com. Northampton Kt. As also Iohn now merchant of London nephew to the same Sir George and tenant to this Mannour from that Colledge are likewise descended Nor may I omit to take notice that of this family was also the famous Sir Iohn Clerke in H. 8. time as constant tradition still affirmeth who having taken the Duke of Longvile prisoner at the battail of Spurs was for that signall service rewarded by the King with an honourary addition to his Armes viz. in the sinister part of the shield a Canton azure with a demi Ram saliant Argent two flower de Luces Or in chief and over all a baston trunked as appeareth on his Monument at Tame in Oxford-shire Which Armes viz. Argent on a bend gules between three pellets as many Swans proper is still born by these Clerk's before mentioned as well as by the immediat descendants to the said Sir Iohn now residing at Weston by Tame beforementioned and at Crowton in Northamtonshire The Church dedicated to S. Nicholas being very antiently appropriated to the sâ—â—d Hospitall of S. Iohn without the Eâ—st gate in Oxford as by the Institutions to the Vicaridge may seem was in an 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at viii marks And in 26. H. 8. the Vicaridge at ix li. iv s. iv d. To this Church did one Iohn Haward in 15 H. 6. give one mess. lying withing the precincts of UUilloughby as also 20. Acres of land situat in Kite-Herdewik and Bradwell for the finding of a Lamp to burn therein for ever Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Henr. Trunket Pbr. 24. Martii 1311. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. de Allespath Cap. 12. Cal. Sept. 1312. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Pyndâ—re Cap. 3. Cal. Feb. 1348. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Ioh. de Garsyndon Pbr. 29. April 1388. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Bartlot Cap. 15. Oct. 1417. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Michaell Iames 10. Iunii 1431. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Pygete Pbr. 16. Iunii 1431. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Ioh. Mervyn Pbr. 2. Apr. 1436. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Thomesone Pbr. 3. Sept. 1443. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Ric. Stokysley 1. Febr. 1505. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Will. Humfrey in art Mr. ult Feb. 1521. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Tho. Gardiner Cler. 9. Martii 1547. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Gedeon Haencock Cler. 23. Iunii 1578. Eliz. Regina Gideon Hancock Cler. 3. Febr. 1585. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Rob. Wilton Cler. ult Iunii 1602. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Henr. Clerke in art Mr. 15. Maii 1621. Dunchurch I Next come to Dunchurch containing these Hamlets viz. Causton Tofte and Thurlaston the last of which extends it self to the very bank of Leame In the Conquerours time Osbernus fil Ricardi of whom I shall speak in Aston-Cantlow possest it but in domesday-Domesday-Book it is written Donecerce and certified to contain five hides valued at C s. of which before the Conquest one Vlmarus was owner As for the originall of the name 't is evident enough Done or Dune signifying in our old English a Hill and Cerce a Church which agrees with the situation thereof In King Stephen's time I find that Hengelramus Clement being Lord of it gave to the Monks of Piâ—well his demesn lands lying in the fields here which grant Will. Clement his son ratified who likewise bestowed the advouson of the Church upon them Richard Peche then Bishop of Coventre confirming the same But whether it was the said Hengelram or his father who became first enfeoffed of this Lordship by the descendants from the before specified Osbernus I cannot directly affirm yet that it was one of them is not to be doubted for as much as by many Records it is evident that the posterity of the said Hengelram held it of the Honour of Ricards-Castle in Hereford-shire which belong'd to the said Osbern and his family who assumed the name of Say by half a Kts. fee. But from the before specified Will.
the Free-hold of one Uluuinus in Edw. the Conf. time and the E. of Mellent one hyde rated at xx s. which Chentvin possest before the Norman invasion But in domesday-Domesday-book it is written Franchetone the k being not then used by the Norman Clerks How to reconcile this with what I find by other Records viz. that it was inter alia given by E. Leofrike to the Priory of Coventre at his foundation thereof 1 Edw. Conf. and that it continued to that Monastery even till its dissolution being reputed de Baronia Prioris de Cov. as the Record in 9 E. 2. manifesteth I do not well know That the advouson of the Church and some lands in Frankton were in other hands is apparent but these were of so small a proportion that I cannot conceive they extended to more than what the E. of Mellent had and therefore taking the liberty to conjecture I shall by the help of strong circumstances conclude that what Rog. E. of Shrewsbury had here at that time he enjoyed by intrusion upon the right of the Monks which was no strange act amongst those bold persons who had such large shares in this Kingdome upon the Conquest thereof and that the Church was founded and endowed out of the E. of Mellent's part of the probability wherof I shall make some further observation anon Touching the Priors Mannour I find that K. H. 3. granted to the Monks of Cov. Free-warren in all their demesn lands here 30 Iulii 41 H. 3. and that Rog. Meyland B. of Cov. and Lich. in an 1260. 44 H. 3. gave them immunity from payment of any tythes out of all their demesn lands lying therein Other priviledges the said Monastery had here as appeareth by the Quo VVarr Roll of 13 E. 1. whereunto I refer my Reader for satisfaction as I also do to the Leiger-book of that House f. 217. a. and 220 a. for the extent with the metes and bounds thereof After the dissolution of the Monasteries it continued in the Crown till 32 Eliz. and then was granted to Tho. Thornton and Tho. VVoodcock and their heirs who sold it to Iohn Temple which Iohn gave it unto Iohn Temple one of his younger sons whose son and heir Thomas now enjoys it I now come to the other part which the E. of Mellent held with the advouson of the Church This as most of that Earls lands did came to Hen. de Neuburgh the first E. of Warw. after the Conquest or to Rog. his son For in 12 H. 2. Will. E. of Warw. certifies that Rob. de Frankton held one Kts. fee of him de veteri feoffamento whereby 't is clear that the ancestor of the said Rob. was enfeoft thereof temp H. 1. which Kts. fee was held of the succeeding Earls by Will. de Frankton in 20 H. 3. From whom descended Raph de Frankton who past this Mannour to Rog. de Elinhale and he to Raph de Okeover and Alice his wife sister to the said Roger. Which Raph in 4 E. 2. alien'd to Ioh. le Palmere of Frankton and his heirs the said advouson of the Church with one mess. 2 yard land 3 acres of meadow and 3 s. 1 d. rent To whom succeeded Will. le Palmere which Will. in 20 E. 3. with Henry de Hinton was certified to hold half a Kts. fee here of the heirs of Rob. Champayn and he of Raph Basset and he of Will. le Boteler of Oversley and he of the said E. of Warw. So that it appears that Boteler was originally enfeoft thereof by the E. of Mellent or the E. of Warw. who possest so much of Mellent's lands and granted it to Basset and he to Champayne of whom Palmer had it In whose male line it continued till the beginning of H. 6. time and then came to Iohn Hereward by Kath. the daughter and heir of Tho. Palmer as the Institutions to the Rectory manifest But the next possessor thereof that I find was Ric. Duke of Newenton-Purcell in Com. ...... Gent. who lived in the beginning of H. 8. time whose grandchild Iohn Duke dyed seized of it in 7 Eliz. leaving Ric. his son and heir 2 years old Since which one Tho. Leeson and after him Edw. Yorke and George his son have been owners of it and so also Iohn Shukburgh Esq by the marriage of Mr Yorke's daughter as I have heard In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church was valued at v marks and a half but in 26 H. 8. at Cxii s. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals and iiii l. yearly paid to the Priory of Coventre for the use of the Sacrist Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Inst. Rob. de Hokovere Alicia ux ejus Ioh. de Clungunford Diac. 9 Cal. Oct. 1304. Ioh. lâ— Palmâ—r Ioh. de Chaddesden Cler. 9 Cal. Martii 1338. Ioh. lâ— Palmâ—r Ioh. Palmer Cler. 4 Id. Apr. 1342. Will. le Palmer Ioh. fil Will. le Palmer Cler. 4 Non. Iulii 1346. Ioh. le Palmer Ric. Boule Cler. 16 Cal. Ian. 1350. Ioh. le Palmer Tho. le Palmer Id. Ian. 1350. D. Episcopus Tho. Barwe Cler. 8 Feb. 1372. Henricus de Wentebriggs Magr. Walt. London 5 Iunii 1404. Tho. Palmer Will. Couper Cap. 13 Febr. 1408. Tho. Palmer Ioh. Everard Cap. 1 Oct. 1410. Tho. Palmer Ric. Wodyngtone Cap. 13. Maii 1411. Ioh. Hereward uâ— ejus filia haeâ—es Tho. Palmer de Frankton Ric. Pracy Pbr. ult Ian. 1427. Ioh. Hereward uâ— ejus filia haeâ—es Tho. Palmer de Frankton Henr. Coventre Cap. 15. Febr. 1451. Reynburn Balguy alii hac vice ratione concess Ric. Duke de Newenton-Purcell gen Edw. Stretehey art Magr. 19 Apr. 1529. Will. Hancok hac vice ex concess Ric. Duke Bernardus Massy Cler. ..... 1547. Anthon. Leeson de Abthorpe in Com. Northampt. Gen. Ioh. Newton Cler. 27 Ian. 1560. Anthon. Leeson in leg bacc Tho. Dagly Cler. 7 Ian. 1563. Wilfridus Leutiâ— hac vice Will. Câ—ver 3 Dec. 1566. Henr. Clever de Herdwicke Ioh. Smyth 11 Aug. 1569. Georgius Yorke ar Ric. Shughborough Cler. art bacc 16 Iunii 1619. Cath. Densey ex concess Ric. Shughburgh G. Yorke Ioh. Biker art Magr. 20. Iulii 1626. Wapenbury NExt below on the same side of Leame stands Wapenbury one of the Lordships in this Shire given by K. Will. the Conq. unto Geffrey Wirce of whom I have spoke in Monkskirby Which Geffrey being a good Benefâ—ctor to the Monks of S. Nicholas at Angiers in France bestowed on them inter alia the greatest part of the tythes in this Village By the Conq. Survey 't is certified that this place contained 5 hydes and that there was then a Mill rated at vi s. viii d. with woods of half a mile in length and 2 furlongs broad all being then valued at Cx s.
2. yard land in demesn and 2. servants holding the residue under particular Rents and performance of servile labour It was then also certified that William Chatere held 8. yard land here of the Prior of Coventre whereof three parts of a yard land he had in demesn Which interest so belonging to the Monks of Coventre here was in right of their Mannour of Priors-Merston that extended into it for no less doth the Record of 9 E. 2. import The substance of which lands so held by Hastings came in tract of time to one Simon de Shukborow and Raph Chatere for in 6 E. 2. It was found that they two held no less than a Knights fee here of the same Iohn de Hastings From which Simon descended Iohn de Shukborow who in 20 E. 3. held of Hasting's heir the third part of a Kts fee in this place And from him Iohn Shuckborough esq who in 10 H. 6. was certified to hold a Mannour here by the 4. part of a Knights fee. But another Mannour there was also and that very antient which belonged to the family of Dive the inheritance whereof in 27 E. 3. Margaret the widow of Richard Hastang daughter and heir to Raâ—â— Dâ—ve and cosiâ— and heir to Iohn Dive of Ducklington in Com. Oxon. granted to Will. Catesbâ— and Iohn his son wherein Emme the Widow of the said Iohn in 13 H. 4. obtained a Charter of Free-warren â— in the behalf of herself and Iohn her son Which Mannour afterwards coming to the hands of Richard Collyng of Wavers-Merston gent. was in 32 H. 8. past from him unto Thomas Shuckborough esq and his heirs Lord of the other Mannour by descent from Thomas his ancestor before specified whose great-grandchild Sir Richard Shuckborough Knight now enjoys it That these Shuckboroughs were very antiently possest of lands here there is no doubt for I find one William de Suckeberge in 3. Ioh. which might be the first assumer of this denomination there being many good and great families whose ancestors â—ixt not their sirnames till afterwards But little have I seen memorable of them in those elder times other than the bare mention of their names neither am I able of a long time after by the advantage of Records to deduce their descent in a lineall succession I shall therefore briefly mention what I have met with as remarkable touching any of them and so pass on to the next In 1 E. 3. I find that Iohn de Shukburgh having been one of the Coroners in this County an office in those days of great account had his Quâ—etus est the Shiriff being commanded to cause another to be chosen in his room But it seems the Kings command was not thereupon pursued because the next year afterâ— he directed another Precept dated from Pontfract 19 Aug. to the same purpose In 6 H. 4. Iohn Shukkeburgh and Thomas Shukkeburgh were with the Shiriff and other Commissioners assigned to collect a Subsidy in this County then granted to the King in Parliament And in 7 H. 5. William Shukburgh of Shukburgh being rank't amongst those Knights and other Esquiers of this County who bore antient Armes from their Ancestors had warning by the Shiriff to appear before the Councell there to receive order for serving the King in his proper person for the defence of the Realm In 6 H. 6. he was one of the Commissioners appointed for the Collecting a subsidy of vi s. viii d. from certain Inhabitants residing within the Cities and Boroughs of this County And departed this life in 11 H. 6. being at that time one of the Coroners for this Shire From whom descended Thomas who was in Commission for conservation of the peace from 18 H. 7. to the end of that Kings raign and for many years in H. 8. time This family do bear for their Armes Sâ—ble a Cheveron betwixt three Mullets argent relating as t is observable to those little stones called Astroites which are very like a Mullet and frequently found in the plowed fields hereabouts The Church dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist being given to the Nuns of Wroxhall as I have already shewed was antiently appropriated to their use and in 26 H. 8 valued at viii li. vi s. viii d. the Procurations and Synodalls yearly payable to the Archdeacon of Coventre for the same being x s. vi d. But here was never any Vicar endowed the Cure having been served by a stipendary Which Rectory after the dissolution of the Monasteryes was granted to Sir Iohn Williams Knight in 32 H. 8. who had license the year following to alien it unto Thomas Shukborough esq from whom it descended to Sir Richard Shuckborough before mentioned Granborough I Now return somewhat neerer to the bank of Leame where I behold Granborough within which parish is Wolscote Walcote and Calcote This is one of those 24. townes that Leofrik Earl of Mercia gave to the Priory of Coventre at his foundation thereof in 1 Edw. Conf. And wherein by the Conq. Surveyâ— that Monastery was certified to hold 8. hides and 1. virgate of land there being then a Mill rated at xvi d. and the value of all recorded at viii li. At the same time it was also found that Richard Forestarius held of the King 2. hides in this place then valued at fifty shillings which before the Conquest were the freehold of one Râ—mdi But in domesday-Domesday-book it is written in one place Graneberge and in the other Greneberge whereby it appeares that the name did originally proceed from its situation on a rising ground A great part hereof was in K. H. 1. time given by Laurencâ— then Prior of Coventre the Monks of that House unto Robert the son of Noel which grant K. H. 2. confirmed to Thomas Noel his son who wedded Margaret one of the sisters and coheirs to Raph Strange of Knockin in Shropshire which Margaret held the same land in dower After whose death Alice and Ioan the daughters and heirs of the said Thomas had livery thereof Alice being then the wife of William de Harecurt and Ioan of Thomas Fitz-Eustace It should seem by what hereafter appears that the issue of Alice by William de Harecourt carryed away the whole inheritance here but whether by any grant from Ioan the other sister or that she had no issue I am ignorant For in 36 H. 3. Ric. de Harecurt was certified to hold the same of the Prior of Coventre which Richard dyed in 42 H. 3. leaving William his son and heir who doing his homage had livery of all his fathers lands In 47 H. 3. this William had summons amongst divers other great men to be at Worcester sufficiently furnisht with Horse and Arms on the Feast-day of S. Peter ad vincula commonly called Lammas to resist the power of Lâ—welin Prince of Wales then in Rebellion And the
prejudice of his successors I cannot certainly tell but finding by the story of him that he had a good affection to the Romish Religion notwithstanding he had formerly asserted the K. Supremacy in H. 8. time 't is not unlike but there were those that had a mind in the beginning of Edw. 6. raign when Popery was abolish't to heave him out of his Bishoprick and that he to gain a friend in Court parted with these Lordships to that end For this Tho. Fisher as I have heard was no less than Secretary to the D. of Somerset at that time Lord Protector to the K. and being as greedy of Church-lands as other Courtiers in those days were swallowed divers large morsells whereof this was one and indeed so fair a bit as that he was loath any should share with him therein and therefore making an absolute depopulation of that part called Nether-Ichington where the Church stood which he also pulled down for the building of a large Mannour-house in its room to perpetuat his memory changed the name of it from Bishops-Ichington to Fisher's-Ichington And after all this the better to strengthen his title procured Raph Bane the succeeding Bishop to levy a Fine thereof in 4. 5. Ph. M. But how such sacrilegious acquisitions do thrive though fenc't about with all worldly security imaginable we have manifold examples whereof this is one and not the least observable for after the death of the said Thomas which hapned in 20 Eliz. Edward his son and heir making a shift to consume all those great possessions which his father left him excepting only this Lordship and dying in prison as in Warwick I shall more particularly observe left it to Iohn his son and heir who by his deed bearing date 8 Iac. sold it unto Thom. Coxe of Honyngham in this County and after that went into Ireland Which Thomas Coxe had issue Thomas who convey'd it to Sir Iames Enyan of Flore in Com. Northampt. Baronet about the xii year of our late soveraign King Charles Which Sir Iames by Iâ—ne daughter to Sir Adam Newton of Charlton in Com. Cantii Baronet having issue onely daughters whereof Dorothe the eldest married to Thomas Stanley son and heir of Sir Thomas Stanley of Cumberlow in Com. Hertf. Knight one of the chief ornaments of our time for his exquisite learning and other vertues within five years after his said purchase past it away to Sir David Conyngham Knight so that the third generation never enjoyd it since it was thus aliened from the Bishoprick The Church dedicated to All-Saints very antiently belonging to the Chief Chanter of Lichfield-Cathedrall and given I presume by Roger Molend the first Bishop that had the whole Lordship was in 7 E. 1. held appropriat by the said Chanter who then had there a carucat of land in demesn with 8. Freeholders occupying 4. yard land In 19 E. 1. it with the Chapells belonging thereto viz. Over-Ichington Chadshunt and Geydon were valued at lx marks and the vicaridge at 5. marks but in 26 H. 8. the said Vicaridge with the Chapells were rated at xiii li. vi s. viii d. Patroni Vicariae Incumb temp Instit. Magr. A. praecentor Eccl. Cath. Lich. Warinus de Walton Pbr. die Sab. prox post fest S. M. Magd. An. 1300. D. Petr. de Columpna Praecentor c. Will. de Neusum Pbr. 15. Cal. Nov. 1319. Mr. Franc. de Luco Canon Ebor. Procur praed Petri. Henr. Savage Pbr. 2. Non. Iulii 1322. Mr. Mich. de Northburgh praecentor c. Adam de Hale Pbr. 4. Non. Iunii 1339. Thom. de Badby praecentor c. Adam de Hale Pbr. 8. Id. Maii 1342. Thom. de Badby praecentor c. Hugo Adam Pbr. 16. Cal. Oct. 1361. D. Rob. Wolnedon Praecentor c. Ioh. Careswall 24. Dec. 1407. Precentor Eccl. Cath. Lich. Rob. Paneshall 4. Aug. 1410. Precentor Eccl. Cath. Lich. Ioh. Raulins 27. Maii 1412. Precentor Eccl. Cath. Lich. Thom. Flesher Cap. 1. Sept. 1416. D. Episc. per lapsum Ioh. Probus Pbr. 22. Iulii 1426. Praeceptor Eccl. Cath. Lichf Ioh. Balsham Pbr. 26. Oct. 1442. Praeceptor Eccl. Cath. Lichf Will. Mylde Pbr. 5. Nov. 1444. Praeceptor Eccl. Cath. Lichf Ioh. Ingelmels 15. Martii 1446. Praeceptor Eccl. Cath. Lichf Ioh. Probus Pbr. 10. Dec. 1446. Praeceptor Eccl. Cath. Lichf Will. Bustarde Diac. 15. Martii 1492. Mr. Thom. Fitzherbert Praecentor c. D. Will. Betham penult Martii 1530. Mr. Hugo Palmer S. Theol. Bacc. Praecentor c. D. Ric. Iudson Cap. 12. Iulii 1546. Henr. Comberford Praecentor c. Edw. Keble Cler. 9. Maii 1558. Edw. Leedes Praecentor c. .............. 1568. D. Eliz. Regina Will. Wigan Cler. 4. Nov. 1586. Thom. Coxe gener Ric. Hunte Cler. in art Magr. 8. Iulii 1621. Geydon OF this place originally a member of Chadshunt and involved therewith in the Conq. Survey I have not seen any mention in Record till 7 R. 1. where there is no more said than that Will. le Butler gave 1. mark to have seisin of his freehold therein After which viz. in 7 E. 1. it was certified that the B. of Cov. and Lich. antiently called B. of Chester had xxiii tenants here who performed divers servile labours as Plowing Sowing Mowing Reaping c. And ten Freeholders whereof one sc. Will. le Boteler had 4. yard land To whose successors it continued with the like priviledges as they had in Chadshunt till 1 E. 6. but was then granted to Thom. Fisher together with Itchington and confirmed by the K. in 3 E. 6. As also in 4. 5. Ph. M. by Raph Bane the succeeding Bishop and descended to Edward Fisher son and heir of the said Thomas for proof of all which I have cited authorities in Itchington which Edward by his deed bearing date 6. Nov. 27 Eliz. sold the greatest part of what he had here being nineteen yard land to one Iohn Askell and his heirs whose posterity enjoy it till this day and the rest being 5. yard land to others Which xxiv yard land was all that the Bishop had here for the other xviii partly belonged to the antient Freeholders and partly to the Vicars of Bishops-Ichington being of the Glebe to that Church The Chappell here was dedicated to S. Giles but hath no Armes in it Chadshunt THIS is one of those 24. towns given by E. Leofrike to the Monastery of Coventre at the foundation thereof above xx years before the Norman Conquest and is in that Charter called Chaddesâ—eyhunt but in domesday-Domesday-book written Cedeleshimte and there valued at vii li. As for the name there is no question but that it proceeded originally from one Cedde or Ceadde which we now call Chadde for in the Saxons time that appellation was usuall Upon the confirmation made by K. Stephen to the Priory of Coventre of the lands
which were the antient possession of those Monks it is mentioned to be one of those places that they had then newâ—y recovered and recorded bâ— the name of Chadeseâ—font but with Bishops-Itchington it past from the Monks of Coventre to the Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield and in 7 E. 1. was certified to be in the possession of the Bishop of Chester for so was the Bâ—shop of Coventre and Lichfield then called who at that time held 6. carucats of land here in demesn and had xvii servants occupying severall proportions as also two Cottiers and three Freeholders which Freeholders held other tenements by a certain Rent and performance of some services In 13 E. 1. Roger Molend then Bâ—shop of Coventre and Lichfield claymed the like priviledges heâ—e as he did in Ichington-Episc which were allowed Whose successors enjoyd it till 1 E. 6. that Richard Sampsun tâ—e then Bishop aliened it with Ichington to Thomas Hawkins alià s Fisher as I have there shewed From which Fisher it past in exchange 6 E. 6. to Thomas Newsam gentleman for xiii yard land lying in Over and Nether-Ichington and the sum of Cxl. li. in money whose great-grandchild scil Thomas Newsam now enjoys it Within this Mannour so belonging to the Bishop the chief Chanter of Lichfield it seems had antiently also certain possâ—ssions for I find that in 16 H. 3. Richard de Hauton then chief Chanter recovered against one Thomaâ— Mathew 41. acres of land and three messuages whereupon a Fine was then levied and the said mess. and land acknowledged to be the right of the same chief Chanter as belonging to the Cathedrall of Lich. And besides these mess. and lands had he also a title to eight yard land in Radway as an Agreement made in An. 1275. 3 E. 1. betwixt Thomas de Wymundham then chief Chanter and the Monks of Stoneley manifesteth by which it was concluded that the said chief Chanter and his successors should thenceforth accept of xiii s. iv d. per annum payable on the morrow after Easter and the feast day of S. Matthew the Apostle by even portions in lieu thereof The Chapell here was dedicated to All-Saints in the windows whereof are no Armes neither are there any Monuments in it but of a late erection as the Epitaphs I have here added doe manifest On the South Wall Here lyeth buried the Predecessors of Walter Newsam Lord of Chadshunt in the County of Warwick He wedded the daughter of Anthony Aylworth of Aylworth Com. Glouc. Esquier who lived the severall ages of 76. years and had issue Thomas John George Edward and Anne 1621. Upon the said Monument are these Armes viz. Arg. upon a fesse sable 3. Crosses Croslets of the first and a Mullet in chief of the second On a plate of brasse in the said South-wall is the picture of a man with this Inscription Here lyeth the body of William Askell gent. who deceased the 6. of Febr. Anno Dom. 1613. aetat suae 48. On a flat stone in a plate of brass towards the East end of the Chappell Here lyeth buryed the body of Theophilus Wilkyns late of Chadsunt who dyed on the first of August 1613. And in the Chapell yard there hath been an antient Oratory as the Inhabitants report in which was the Image of S. Chadde whereunto Pilgrimages had wont to be made for by an Inquisition taken in 4 Eliz. it appears that the Offrings brought thither upon that occasion did amount to xvi li. per annum one year with another Herberbury FOllowing the course of Ichens I come next to Herberbury wherein I find that divers persons had shares in the Conq. time viz. the Monks of Coventre 1. hide and 1. virgat which being wasted by the Kings Army were then certified to be worth but ii s. The Earl of Mellent 4. hides and a half valued at C s. and held by Leuuinus and Alricus in Edward the Confessors time Turchill de Warwick 4. hides valued at lx s. whereof Willielmus Progenitor to the family of Lodbroke as I conceive was then his tenant one Ordric having been owner of them before the Conquest in which part of the town the Church stood Henry de Ferrers 2. hides valued at iv li. and then held by Wazelinus but were the Freehold of Siward Barn of whom I have spoke in Burton-Hastings before the Norman invasion And William Buenvasleth 3. virgats rated at v. sol But this place is in domesday-Domesday-book variously written viz. Edburberie Erburberie and Erburgeberie which considered makes me suppose that one Erneburga or Erburga the name of a woman antiently was possessor thereof in the Saxons time Touching that which the Monks of Coventre had here I find that it came afterwards to the Canons of Kenilworth though how or when I cannot declare the quantity thereof being five yard land as in 7 E. 1. was certified whereof four the said Canons then held in demesn and the fift was occupyed by three servants who performed certain servile labours for the same But the Earl of Mellent's share descended to his son viz. Robert Earl of Leicester which Robert enfeoft the same G. de Clinton thereof who was founder of the Castle and Priory of Kenilworth temp H. 1. Whose grandchild Henry past a great part of it to Reginald Basset of whom in Wolvey I have made mention and Henry Mallore son to Ankitell Mallore Robert Fitz-Parnell Earl of Leic. in King Iohn's time confirming the grants Which Henry kept his part not long but aliened some of it away to the said Reginald who disposed thereof with all he had here besides to the Monks of Combe levying a Fine thereupon in 3. Ioh. and gave the residue to the Canons of Kenilworth But the greater proportion thereof the Monks of Combe had viz. two carucats excepting one virgat in demesn and two Windmills with 12. servants holding ...... yard land and half at the will of the Lord performing divers servile labours two Cottagers holding two Cottages and two Freeholders who occupyed half a yard land and two acres all which were held by them of the heires to the said Reginald Basset by the eight part of a Knights fee That which the Canons of Kenilworth held being 2. Windmills and 2. yard land in demesn three servants occupying one yard land and a half and seven Freeholders holding one mess. two yard land 24. part and two acres Another part of what the same Earl of Mellent had here was granted by some of his descendants to the Monastery of Nun-Eaton whereof they were Patrons But that which Turchill de Warwick had was given it seemes to Henry de Neuburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line and by the said Henry unto Geffrey de Clinton before specified which Geffrey bestowed the Church on the Canons of Kenilworth immediatly after his foundation of that Monastery Henry his grandchild confirming the gift It should seem
de Salford An. 1285. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Lipener Cap. Cal. Iunii 1308. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Henr. de Barewe Pbr. 4. Cal. Aug. 1320. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Westbury Cap. 11. Cal. Dec. 1331. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Leycester Cap. 17. Cal. Iulii 1332. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas Crowe Pbr. 2. Id. Oct. 1361. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Rad. Boy Pbr. 10. Apr. 1379. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Walt. Maltelby Cap. penult Oct. 1410. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas Boteler Cap. 21. Aug. 1416. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Clare 5. Iunii 1421. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Warde Cap. ult Martii 1425. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Warde Cap. 28. Sept. 1429. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Watson Pbr. 7. Maii 1430. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas Prate Pbr. 16. Feb. 1431. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Wylmot 22. Dec. 1436. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Parker 8. Iunii 1456. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth D. Iac. Hynches penult Maii 1521. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth D. Alex. Acotte penult Maii 1536. Nich. Cooke alii hac vice ex concess Pr. C. de Kenill D. Ric. Badger Cler. 18 Sept. 1550. D. Regina Eliz. Math. Pickering Cler. 8. Dec. 1572. Ric. Wagstaff de Herberbury gener Will. Spycer Cler. 15. Sept. 1612. Idem Ric. Walt. Iackman art Magr. 13. Sept. 1622. Idem Ric. Ric. Watts Cler. 2. Martii 1622. Vfton THis is one of those towns that E. Leofrike gave to the Monastery of Coventre at his foundation thereof 1. Edw. Conf. in whose Charter it is written Ulfetune and in the Conq. time certifyed to contain 4. hides then valued at C s. but in that Survey recorded by the name of Ulchetune However it be thus written as also afterwards I am of opinion that its denomination was originally occasioned from on Ulfe whose seat and possession in the Saxons time it had been But it seems the Monks were disturbed of their enjoyment thereof shortly after though by whom or upon what pretence appears not for I find that in K. Steph. confirmation made to them of this and other Mannours whereof they were possest in the time of K. Edw. the Conf. and K. William his grandfather he mentions this for one and that they had then newly recovered it After which viz. in 41. H. 3. they had Free-warren granted to them in all their demesne lands here which in 7. E. 1. extended to two carucats of land then held in demesn at which time they had xxx servants holding xv yard land who performed divers kindes of servile imployments for those Religious persons And likewise 4 Cottiers that did the like as also six Free-holders who held 4. yard land and a fourth part and moreover a certain wood containing x acres with Court-leet Assize of bread and beer and other priviledges But in that Record it is written Olneweton Oulfton Olufton and Olughton The next observable passage relating thereto is that in 13. E. 1. Rob. de Pinkney commenced suit against the Prior of Coventre for it and layd his claim from Gerard de Limesy his ancestor alleadging that the said Gerard was seized thereof in K. Iohn's time whose descent J have made plain in Long-Ichington But hereunto the Prior answered that E. Leofrik before mentioned by the license of K. Edw the Conf gave it to the Monastery of Coventre and that the said K. Edw confirmed the donation as also K. Will the Coâ—q K. H. 2. and K. H. 3. And yet notwithstanding all this the said Prior was content to make an agreement with him the said Robert who thereupon acknowledged the right of the Monks by a Fine levied Octab. Ioh. Bapt. 14. E. 1. and for so doing was made partaker of all their prayers and devout excercises From which time the Monks peacebly enjoy'd it till the dissolution of their House in 30 H. 8. that it came to the Crown wherein it continued till 37 of that Ks. Reign but then was granted inter alia to Thomas lord Wrio thesley at that time L. Chancelour of England and his Heires who the very same year past it to Will. Stanford Esq and his Heires which Will. the next year following conveyed the Inheritance thereof to Sr. Andrew Flammock Kt. and Eliz. his VVife whose son and heir Francis Flammock Esq in 1 Eliz. sold it to Sr. Iohn Spenser of Althorpe in Com. Northamp Kt. by which means it came to Tho. Spenser late of Clardon in this County Esq a younger son to the said Sr. Iohn The Church dedicated to St. Michael was appropriated to the Priory of Coventre by Rog. de Molend Bpp. of Cov. and Lich. 5. Non. Nov. An. 1260. 44 H. 3. having antiently been endowed with 1 yard land and in An. 1291. 19. E. 1. was valued at xiiii Marks but by the certificate made in 26 H. 8. I find that it belonged to two Prebendaries in the Cath. Church of Lichfeild who provided a stipendiary to serve the Cure unto whom they then allowed certain small Tithes to the value of iiii li. xiii s. iiii d. per an Honingham BElow Ufton there is no other Village situate on the western bank of Ichene so that now I come to observe the next that comes in my way after the conjunction of it with Leam viz. Honingham In the Conq. time Will. fil Corbucionis of whom in Studley I have spoke further held it Osmund and Chetel being his tenants thereto It then contained 3. hides and a half which were valued at iii l. and in Edw. the Conf. time was the freehold of Eneuui and Saulf In domesday-Domesday-book it is written Huningeham which name I conceive was first occasioned from some possessor thereof in the Saxons time ham signifying in our old English an habitation or dwelling In the family of Corbicun it did continue till about the beginning of H. 3. reign as I guess for Sir Geffrey Corbicun Kt in K. Iohn's time gave unto Edm. Rector of the Church of Wapenbury and his successors with the allowance and consent of Sir Ric. de Wapenbury the Patron thereof one mess. with half a yard land and a floud-gate lying in this Honyngham but adjoyning to the Miln-holme of Wapenbury with all the Tithes of his Fee there for the maintenance of a Preist to celebrate divine service 3. days in the week in his Chappel here viz. Sunday Wednesday and Fryday and upon all the double Festivalls with Mattens Mass and Vespers Which grant so made by the said Sir Geffrey was in respect of the dangerous passage to the mother Church of Wapenbury at such times as the River Leame exceeded its bounds And
also in delineation of divers Monuments for adorning the present work Ioh. Verney Ioh. Verney Cleric Rector Eccl. de Bredon in Com. Wigorn 6 H. 6. Supervisor Receptor generalis Ric. de Bellocampo Comitis Warw. Dec. Eccl. Cath. Lich. 14 H. 6. Ric. Verney miles obiit 5 H. 7. Alianora filia haeres Ioh. Loutham de Northampton Edm. Verney ar ob 6. Feb. 10 H. 7. Eliz. filia Will. Fielding mil. Ric. Verney ar obiit 28. Sept. 18 H. 8. Anna filia Will. Davers unius Iustic de Banco temp H. 7. Thomas Verney mil. 28 H. 8. Alicia soror cohaeres Edm. Tame de Fairford in Com. Glouc. mil. Ric. Verney miles 3 4 Ph. M. Francisca filia Georgii Raleigh de Farnborough ar Georgius Verney ar obiit 8. Apr. 16 Eliz. Iana filia Will. Lucy de Cherlecote ar Ric. Verney miles obiit 7. Aug. 1630. Margar. filia Fule Grevill mil. soror haeres Fulconis domini Brook obiit 26. Martii an 1631. Grevillius Verney miles obiit 12. Maii 1642. Cath. filia Rob. Southwell eq aur Grevillius Verney ar obiit 9. Dec. 1648. Eliz. filia Ric. Vicecomitis Wenman Grevilius Verney natus 26. Ian. anno 1648. Ricardus Georgius Eliz. ux Edw. Peto de Chesterton ar When this town was depopulated I cannot directly affirm but it seems to have been antiently for I find that our Countreyman Rous hath it in the list of those whereof he so much complains The Church being given by Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick as a Prebend for the maintenance of one Canon in the Church of our Lady at Warwick was confirmed thereto by Walter Durdent Bishop of Coventre in King Stephen's time as also by Guy de Beauchamp Earl Warwick in 4 E. 2. And in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks But in 26 H. 8. not taken notice of other than as appropriated to the Collegiat Church of our Lady in Warwick and there rated So that there have not ever been any Presentations thereto excepting those of the Earles to the Prebend in the said Collegiate Church Wellesburne Hastang FOllowing this petty stream I behold Walton-Mauduit on my right hand and Walton-D'eivill and Wellesburne-Mountfort on my left all which are in the Parish of Wellesburne-Hastang lying above a mile below them whereofâ— according to my accustomed methodâ— I must first speak In the Conquerors time there was no distinction betwixt these two Wellesburnes but both being then included togetherâ— were joyned with Quintone in Gloucester-shire and certified to be in the Kings own hand having been held by King Edward the Confessour before the Norman invasion In domesday-Domesday-book it is written Waleburne but afterwards Walesburne and Welesburne so that 't is apparent that the little brook upon which it stands did at first occasion the denomination thereof burne in the Saxon importing the same that torrens in the Latine doth That the whole which shortly after came to be two Lordships was inter alia given by the Conqueror unto Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line is not to be doubted considering that he was Founder of the Church as when I come to speak thereof shal be shewed This was originally granted by one of the antient Earls of Warwick to Robert de Hastang or some of his Ancestors from whom William de Pacy became enfeoft of certain lands here which afterwards were conveyed to Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester who possest them in 7 E. 1. it being then called Wellesburne-parva In which year I find that Walt. Giffard Arch-Bishop of York Brother to the said Godfrey past unto Henry le Foune and Isabell his wife xxviii Mess. six yard land and xxx s. Rent lying in this place But long it was not after this ere that Iohn de Strattelenges and Maud his wife became Lords thereof for by a Charter bearing date at Westm. 20 Maii 18 E. 1. they had a grant of a Mercate here weekly every Munday and an yearly Fair to hold for two days viz. the Even and day of the Apostles Peter and Paul After which I can give no further account thereof till 9 R. 2. that Sir Iohn le Strange of Walton Kt. and Mabell his wife levyed a Fine of xl Mess. x. tofts one Mill eleven yard land 17 s. Rent and half a pound of Pepper lying in this place then called by the name of Wellesburne le Strange and in Wellesburne-Mountford with the advouson of the Chantry in the Church here at Wellesburne le Strange by which Fine the premâ—sses were vested in the two Vicars of Wellesburne and Walton As this was an act of trust so also was there another in H. 6. time whereupon Rob. Danvers and the rest of his fellow Feoffees did entail this Mannour with other lands upon Sir Thomas le Strange Kt. and Eliz. his wife and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten and for want of such issue on the right heirs of the said Sir Thomas which Sir Thomas had issue Thomas and he two Daughters and heirs viz. Anne and Margaret as in Walton D'Eivile appeareth to whom it descended and hath ever since attended the succession of that Mannour being now possest therewith by Sir Charles Mordant The Church dedicated to St. Peter was originally built as it should seem by Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman race as also dedicated and endowed with glebe and Tithes by him and Earl Roger his son as the Charter of the said Roger and the confirmation of Earl Will. his son do testify whereby also it appeareth that it was the Mother Church to the two Waltons both the Wellesburnes and Cherlecote which E. Roger soon after bestowed it on the Canons of Kenilworth whereupon they had the confirmation of K. H. 1. as also of Simon then Bishop of Worcester In an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xxii marks howbeit the time of its appropriation I find not but in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii l. over and above ix s. v. d. allowed for Procurations and Synodals In this Church there was a Chantrye founded by one of the Hastangs as is likely by their nomination of him to the Canons of Kenilworth whom they presented thereto but after 14 R. 2. that William son and heir to Sir Iohn le Strange presented to it through the default of those Canons I have not seen any more thereof Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Rollandrit Diac. 5 Cal. Apr. 1288. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rob. de Cestanlede Pbr. 6. Non. Iulii 1301. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. de Keten Pbr. 10. Cal. Aug. 1303. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Sim. de Salle Cap. 9. Cal. Nov. 1303.
the same year unto Rob. de Halford but of the residue I cannot give any farther account In An. 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church was valued at vii marks the portion that the Canons of Kenilworth had out of the Tithes belonging thereto being then rated at five marks but in 26 H. 8. it was esteemed at xiiili vis viiid the Synodalls and Procurations deducted thereout amounting to viiis xiâ— ob the Pension to the Canons of Kenilworth xls. and that to the Monks of Shene viiis Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. Wigorn. Adam de Bibye Cler. 14. Cal. Martii 1270. D. Episc. Wigorn. Rob. de Albinton Cler. 3. Iunii 1275. D. Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. de Bebury Accol 15. Kal. Iulii 1313. D. Episc. Wigorn. Magr. Byndo de Bandinell 8. Id. Apr. 1315. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Will. Wydebrugge Pbr. die S.M. Magd. 1321. D. Episc. Wigorn. Magr. Thom. de Upton Cler. 25. Apr. 1335. D. Episc. Wigorn. Thom. Bakhouse Pbr. 10 Kal. Aug. 1335. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Ioh. de Rippon Cap. 4. Aug. 1339. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Botoner Pbr. 30. Dec. 1339. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Rob. Marny 18. Dec. 1340. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Gate Cler. 17. Dec. 1341. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Bened. Palmer Accol 20 Feb. 1392. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Steph. Donne 11 Iunii 1405. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Tymmes 2 Iunii 1406 Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Rose 28. Sept. 1410. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Will Pikering 13. Aug. 1431. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Mr. David Geffrey in utroque jure Bacc. 27 Ap. 1488 Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Loket Pbr. 15 Iulii 1492. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Sudill Cap. 2 Martii 1514. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ric. Cheney Cler. in S. theol Bacc. 21. Iulii 1546. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Nich. Iackson Cler. 5. Sept. 1561. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Edw. Mussage Cler. 24. Nov. 1571. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Will. Thornhill Cler. 8. Nov. 1579. In a North Window of the Church this Coat Or two Bends gules Sudley Upon a gravestone near the dore of the Church this Inscription Hic jacet Magister Henricus Kymycberi quondam Rector istius Eccclesiae qui obiit 5. die mensis Iulii An D. MCCCCLXXXIIII Cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen Nether-Eatendon A little below Halford Stoure leaveth Netheâ— Eatendon on its Eastern bank within the precincts of which parish are the Hamlets of Over-Eatendon Fulridy and Thorndon There is no doubt but that the name of this place was originally occasioned from its situation Ea in our old English signifying water and dune or don an ascending ground for at the foot of an hill and near the river doth it stand After the Norman invasion Henry de Feriers progenitor to that great family afterwards Earls of Derby possest it the extent thereof amounting to xvii hides then valued at xxi as appears by the Conquerors Survey and of him did one Saswalo hold it at which time there was a Church and a Mill to whose posterity in the male line it hath continued even to this day being the only place in this County that glories in an uninterrupted succession of its owners for so long a tract of time and till the reign of King Henry 3. was their principall seat though their possessions in other Counties were very large whence also they were denominated but afterwards fixing at Shirley in Derbyshire they assumed their sirname of that place which hath ever since been appropriated to this antient Family But of this Sasuualo whose name argues him to have been of the Old English stock as some think I have not much to say considering that we have so little light of History and nothing of Record for other discovery farther than the generall Survey before mentioned and the Registers of Abingdon and Kenilworth the one of which testifieth that he gave the Tithes of Hildesleie to the Monks of Abingdon and the other that he founded the Church here at Eatendon for it plainly appears that he endowed it at its Dedication But I do conclude that he was an eminent person forasmuch as he did not only possess this great Lordship but also Tichmersh in Northamptonshire part of Wintenai in Lincolnshire with Hatun Hoga and Etewell in Derbyshire For as most of the English were totally bereft of their antient patrimony so few of them were permitted to enjoy any more than a part thereof and to hold the same by military or other service from their new Lords as in my Introduction is manifested And if I may guesse at his greatnesse by the extent of his estate which we see amounted to xvii hides in this place I must conclude him to have been no lesse than a Thane in the Saxons time when not much more than five hides of land as the learned Selden observes was the estate of some which had that dignity But leaving this worthy person in regard that at so great a distance no more can be discerned of him I come to Henry his son who was a witnesse to the foundation Charter of Merevale Abby made by Robert de Ferrers granchild to the before specifyed Henry in K. Steph. time as also a devout Benefactor to the Canons of Kenilworth for by the consent of Robert Earl Ferrers his Lord and for the good estate of him the said Earl his wife and sons as also for the remission of his own sins and the souls-health of his Ancestors successors parents and freinds he gave them the Church of this place with all the Glâ—be and Tithes thereto belonging which grant of his was confirmed by the said Earl but dyed without issue as it seems for plain it is that Henry the son to his brother Fulcher succeeded him in the inheritance and conferred on the Monks of Bildwas the land of Ivenbroc Which Henry though he had issue Fulcher yet constituted his younger brother Sewall his heir de Baroniis Fulcheri Henrici id est of the lands of his father and uncle by Fine in the Court of Will Earl Ferrers his superior Lord levied in 4 R. 1. and perhaps by the power of that great Earl as more favouring Sewall which Baronies extended to nine Knights Fees whereof 4. belonged to Fulcher his father and 5. to the before specifyed Henry his Uncle as the red Book in the Exchequer testifieth This Sauualdus or Sewallus for he is both wayes written being a Knight and by reason of his residence here called r Sewallus de Etendon did not only disclaim and remit to the said Canons of Kenilworth all his interest that he had in the patronage of this Church but for the health of his soul and of the soules of his two wives gave
leaving Iohn Baker his brother and heir L. years of age Which Iohn together with Humphrey Baker then residing at the Charter-House neer Coventre by their Deed bearing date 29 Ian. 33 Eliz. aliened it unto Robert Brudnell of Duddington in Com. Hunt Esquire whose son and heir Thomas now Lord Brudnell past it away together with that other Mannour formerly Boyvile's and by the same Deed unto Sir Edward Brabazon by which means it came to Sir Anthony his younger son before specified There was antiently an Hermitage within the precincts of this Lordship situate neer to the borders of Maxstoke the place bearing that name to this day built by one Hemeric Parson of this Parish in the time of Robert de Ceraso Lord of the Mannour before spoken of and together with the Church of Pakinton given by Gislebert Picot to the Monks of Worcester for the health of his soul as also of his Ancestors and successors in pure Almes which gift William Picot his son confirmed with addition of a large proportion of land lying neer thereto exprest by metes and bounds over and above what his Father before him had granted with it In consideration whereof he received from the said Monks four marks of silver and two bâ—sants of Gold which gâ—ants were confirm'd by Pope Innocent the third 4. Id. Febr. in the 4 th year of Kâ—ng Iâ—hn's reign Some other concessions there were to this Heremitage by ordinarie persons but for brevity I omit them All which lands upon the dissolution of the Monasteries by King H. 8. were in 33. of his reign granted inter alia to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester unto whom they still continue Anno scil 1640. But after the Church was so given to the Monks of Worcester by the said Sir Gilbert Picot and confirm'd by Walter Durdent Bishop of Coventre there grew a dfference betwixt those Monks and the said Gilbert concerning the rights due thereto in so much as they went to suit with him about it howbeit at length they came to a friendly agreement whereupon the same Gilbert was for himself and all his Tenants to pay Tithe Hay and to allow them xii loads of Wood yearly by the oversight of his Woodward as also an habitation for the Priest there officiating and timber with six forâ—s for the building of it and likewise for sustainâ—ng it always in repair together with half an acre of Land and trouse out of his Woods for the continuall fencing thereof In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. the value of this Church was certified at one Mark but in 26 H. 8. at iii li. over and above iii s. x d. allowed for payment of Procuratioâ—s and Synodals having at that time an annuall Pension of x s. payable by the Prior of Maxstoke Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Prior Capitulum Eccl. Cath. Wigorn. Ioh. de Albodesle 15. Cal. Dec. 1339. Prior Capitulum Eccl. Cath. Wigorn. Thomas Wray Cler. 3. Id. Nov. 1349. Prior Capitulum Eccl. Cath. Wigorn. Ioh. de Pakinton Cap. 13. Cal. Martii 1351. Prior Capitulum Eccl. Cath. Wigorn. Ioh. Clerk in prima tonsura constitutus 25. Febr. 1397. D. Episc. per lapsum Rad. Worston Pbr. 22. Oct. 1433. Prior Cap. Wigorn Ioh. Rogers Pbr. 6. Decemb. 1442. D. Episc. per lapsum Ioh. Ansteley Pbr. 18. Aug. 1447. Prior Cap. Wigorn Ioh. Wykkyns Pbr. 4. Apr. 1493. Prior Cap. Wigorn D. Râ—c Iorden Cap. 24. Maii 1537. Prior Cap. Wigorn D. Leonardus West Cap. .... 1538. Decan Cap. Wigorn Will. Clarke Cler. 22. Iunii 1566. Decan Cap. Wigorn Georgius Field Cler. 28. Martii 1573. Eliz. Regina per lapsum Ioh. White Cler. 22. Maii 1596. Decan Cap. Wigorn Rob. Greeneough in Aâ—t Magr. 16. Martii 1618. Decan Cap. Wigorn Henr Banks Leg. Bac. 5. Martii 1628. Berkswell THis lying on the other side of Blithe containeth Barston and Morecote-Hall within its parish Before the Norman invasiâ—n one Levenet was owner thereof but upon the Conquest by Duke William it with other vast possessions were conferred upon Robert Earl of Mellent in whose hands they continued till after the generall Survey in which this was rated but for one hide and valued at no more than v s. the reason whereof I conceive to be because the substance of it was then involved with Barston In Domesday book it is written Berchewelle having first had that denomination as I guess from the large Spring which boâ—leth up on the South side of the Church-yard Of those lands belonging to the Earl of Mellent which Henry de Newburgh his brother who obâ—â—ineâ— the Earldome of Warwick had this of Berkswell being part was by him given to Ranulf de Manâ—eville in King H. 1. time as may easily â—e gathered from what I have observed in Lighthorne To which Ranulf succeeded Nigel de Amundevile who in 12 H. 2. was certâ—fied to hold one Knight's fee of the Earl of Warwick de veteri feoffamento which Knight's fee is after manifested to â—ye here and in Lighthorne This Nigel had his â—eat here as I guess for it appears that he had then a Park at this place and that Oliva his wife had the whole Lordship in dower but all that I have observed of him worthy the recitall is that he gave to the Canons of Kenilworth for their fâ—well as much dead wood in his Woods here at Berkswell excepting onely his Park and that called Bernet as two Carts throughout the year Winter and Summer could carry and that because it was his wives dowâ—ie as I have said she had a Palfrey and xl s. in money for her consent To this Nigell succeeded Richard de Mundevill who in 13 H. 3. was suretie for the payment of xx li. for Thomas Earl of Warwick being part of C li. due to the King for his Relief After which he had many publique and eminent imployments in this Countie for in 21 H. 3. I find him one of the Commissioners for assessing a xxxth part of all mens goods for the King's behoof In 20 21. and 22 H. 3. a Justice of Assize In 26 H. 3. in Commission with the Shiriff and Iohn Durvassall for assessing of Armes and conservation of the Peace From 27. till 34 H. 3. a Commissioner for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 34 H. 3. a Knight After which viz. in 37 H. 3. he had a Charter of Free warren extending to all his demesn lands both here and in Lithtehirne and the same year received an exemption for serving on Juries whence I conclude that he was then grown old And therefore because his son and heir was also called Richard I will now begin to speak of him whose publique Actions were no lesse eminent than his Fathers had been In 41 H. 3. he attended Richard
Will. Forster Cap. 5. Maii 1543. Mich. Cameswell ar D. Ric. Branker 9 Sept. 1554. Mich. Cameswell ar D. Nich. Caponhurste 16 Sept. 1557. Nich. Harding Gen. Nic. Frauncys alias Deakyn Cler. 21 Iunii 1571 Margar. Fox Sam. Sanders Exec. Testam Galfr. Iones 19 Apr. 1572. Tho. Sanders defunctiâ— Ioh. Gregorie Basilius Smyth 2 Oct. 1621. Fillongley IN the Conqueror's time this place was rated at two hides and possest by severall persons Half a hide thereof the Bishop of Constance had then held by Leuuinus and valued at xxx s. whereof the Woods extended to two furlongs in length and one in breadth another half the Monks of Coventre possest valued at xxx s. more the Woods belonging whereunto were a quarter of a mile in extent A third half hide one Alsi then enjâ—yed rated likewise at xxx s. whose inheritance it had been before the Norman invasion the Woods amounting to x s. thereof and the fourth half hide did Rob. Dispensator hold which though it was then vaâ—ued but at xx s. had the Church thereâ—n and Woods containing two miles in length and one in breadth But the name of it is variously written in Dâ—mesday Book viz. Filungelei Filingelei Felingelei and Filunger Of these parcells that one half hide appertaining to the Monks of Coventre came afterwards to Gerard de Alspath who held it of them in H. 3. time it being then called Old-Fillongley by the fourth part of a Kts. fee but whether he were the first that was enfeoft thereof I cannot affirm That which Rob. Dispensator held soon after divolved to Marmion Lord of Tamworth Castle and the residue to one of the old Earls of Leicester â— as it should seem from whom Hugh de Hastings or rather Walter whom I take to have been father of Hugh was enfeoft in H. 1. time as by circumstance may be inferred for certain it is that Hugh de Hastings who lived about the later end of H. 1. time possest it which Hugh had issue William and he another William and that these and their posteritie held it of Marmion and the Earl of Leicester I have proof enough Nor do I doubt that this Familie of Hastings had in those elder times their seat here I mean before their marriage with the heir of Cantilupe that they setled at Bergavenny for here are the ruines of two Castles the one North-East of the Church about a quarter of a mile to this day called by the name of the Castle-hills and the other Southwards from the Church scarce half that distance bearing still the name of Castle-yard and which was standing in 18 E. 2. unto which adjoyned a Park of a very large extent and therefore forasmuch as they had other fair possessions in this Countie I think it not amiss to say something here of them historically beginning with Walter Walt. de Hastinges Hadewisa Hugo de Hastings Erneburga neptis haeres Rob. de Flamvile Will. de Hastings 11 H. 2. relicta Will. Cumin 18 Ioh. Will. de Hastings 9 H. 3. Henr. de Hastings obiit 34 H. 3. Ada una sororum cohaer Ioh. Comitis Cestriae Huntend Henr. de Hastings defunctus 53 H. 3. Iohanna soror haeres Georgii de Cantilupe Ioh. de Hastings dominus de Bergavenny defunctus 6 E. 2. Isabella soror cohaer Audomari de Valentia Comitis Pembrochâ—ae Eliz. uxor Rogeri de Grey Regin de Grey de Ruthin Regin de Grey consangu haeres Ioh. de Hastings ult Comitis Pembr aet 28. an 13 R. 2. Ioh. de Hastings D. de Bergav defunctus 18 E. 2. Iuliana filia haeres Tho. de Leyburn secundò nupta Tho. le Blount tertio Will. de Clinton Com. Hunâ— Laur. de Hastings Co. Pembr obiit 22 E. 3. Rog. de Mortimer Comes Marchiae Anna. Ioh. de Hastings Co. Pembr obiit 49 E. 3. Anna filia haeres Walteri Maney mil. Ioh. de Hastings Co. Pembr obiit infra aet 13 R. 2. Philippa filia Edm. Mortimer Co. Marchiae Catherina Thom. de Bello-campo Co. Warw. Will. de Bello-campo miles D. de Bergav 17 R. â— Iohanna filia haeres Ric. Comitis Arund Ric. de Bellocampo Comes Wigorniae Elizabetha filia haeres Edw. Nevill miles filius junior Radulphi Comitis Westmerl Georgius Nevill Dominus de Bergav 3 H. 7. Henricus Ric. de Hastings Rector Eccl. de Barwell This Walter was an especiall benefactor to the Nuns of Polesworth for it appears that he gave them Oldbury with a large portion of land adjoyning which was thenceforth made a Cell to that Monasterie To him succeeded Hugh de Hastingâ— who wedded Erneburga neece and heir to Rob. de Flamvile which Erneburga gave the Church of Barwell to the said Nuns of Polesworth The next was William de Hastings whose lands in this Coâ—ntie â—nâ— Lecestershire were disposed of about the later end of K. Iohn's reign to Will. de Roeley and Elias his Uncle for their support in the said King's service but whether he were then dead or in Armes against that King is not directly manâ—fest from the Record Which William had issue William of whom I have seen lâ—ttle memorable other than his being at the siege of Bitham-Castle with K. H. 3. and that he was dead in 10 H. 3. for in that year did Henry his son and heir give L. marks Fine to have Liverie of the lands descended to him by his Father's death then doing his homage This Henry wedded Ada fourth daughter to David Earl of Huntingdon and of Maud one of the sisters unto Ranulph the last of that name Earl of Chester by which means he came to have a share in that great inheritance I mean the Earl of Chester's lands after the death of Iohn sirnamed Scot his wifes brother and last Earl of that Familie and in 26 H. 3. attending the King into France was taken Prisoner at that great defeat which the English Army had neer Xante but soon released by exchange In 34 H. 3. he went beyond Sea again in the company of Richard Earl of Cornwall and divers of the prime Nobilitie who passed through France in very great state and with a pompous retinue though to what purpose is not manifested Whether hâ— died in that journey I know not but certain it is that it was the same year M. Paris having thereupon this expression Eisdemque dicbus obiit Henricus de Hastingâ— miles egregius Baro opulentus To whom succeeded Henry his son and heir at that time in minoritie of whose Wardship Guy de Luzingman half brother to the King had it seems a grant for in 36 H. 3. the said Guy past it overunto Will. de Cantilupe the Kâ—ng confirming the same which William gave his daughter Ioane in marriage to him as I shall farther observe anon This Henry in 44 H. 3. had Summons amongst
intimation I find of it is in 20 H. 3. where half a Knights fee in this place is certified to be held of Raph de Todneye yet who it was that then so held it is not exprest but in 36 H. 3. it appears to be William le Bretun The next that had to do here I mean in this part was Walter Pykerell yet not reputed Lord of the Mannour though he had the advouson of the Chapell so that considering that the Abbot of Bordesley was shortly after certified to be Lord of this town as I shall more plainly shew by and by I may without much presumption conclude that by one means or other the Monks of that Monastery obtained a large proportion in this part thereof after that Walter Cumin as I shall declare anon had given them all that he had here Which Walter in 10 E. 2. levied a Fine of what he had here and in Hilborough viz. two mess. three carucates of land and eight marks Rent with the advouson of the Chapell whereby he entailed it upon â—he issue of his body by Agnes his wife the remainder to Iohn de Leicester Priest But it seemes that Pikerell had no children by that woman for Leicester enjâ—yed it according to this Entail and presented to the Chapell as will appear anon From whom it came to Roger Hillary who had Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands in this place and in Stafford-shire 4. Maii 18 E. 3. and held what he had here oâ— the Earl of Warwick by the fourth part of a Knights fee. Which Roger was a Kt. and had issue Sir Roger who dying childlesse in 1 H. 4. Sir Iohn Rochford Knight son of Saer de Rochford by Ioan his elder sister and Eliz. daughter to Will. de la Plaunch by Eliz. his other sister became his heirs which Eliz. had 4 husbands First Sir Iohn Bermingham Knight Secondly Sir Iohn Russell Knight Thirdly Sir Iohn Clinton Knight and Lastly Robert Lord Grey of Rotherfeild whereupon by partition betwixt these coheirs in 13 H. 4. the said Eliz. had inter alia this Mannour allotted to her but dying without issue in 2 H. 6. the posterity of Sir Iohn Rochford became her heirs as to it viz. Ioan the wife of Sir Robert Roos Knight Margaret the wife of Frederick Tilney and Alice of Iohn Gibthorp Betwixt whom partition being made it was assigned to Ioan for Sir Robert Roos presented to the Church in 5 H. 6. and dyed ult Sept 20 H. 6. leaving Margaret the wife of Thomas de Pinchbeck and Alianore his daughters and heirs which Margaret was afterwards marryed to Iohn Wittlebury But from Witlebury it ere long divolved to Sir Richard Clement Knight by Anne a daughter and heir as I guesse by the Presentations The other part of this town possest by Osbernus filius Ricardi in the Conquerors time as I have shewed was by Osbertus filius Hugonis grandchild to the said Osbern granted to Hugh Hubald progenitor to the Hubauds of Ipsley and his heirs to hold by the service of one Foot-man in the Marches of Wales for 8. dayes yearly upon xv days notice which Hugh past it away to Walter Cumin reserving the said service Osbertus filius Hugonis confirming the grant But it continued not long in the line of Cumin for Walter Cumin son to the said Walter gave it to the Monks of Bordsley at which time it was accounted three hides whose grant Henry Hubauld of whom it was held confirmed for the yearly Rent of x s. and the before specified service of a Footman c. which was to be performed in the guarding of Ricards-Castle as that Charter testifieth But it seems that the Monks of Bordsley obtained more lands here in Stretton besides these for in 4 E. 1. I find that they had 4. hides and in 9 E. 2. were certified to be Lords of the town which being the greatest part thereof continued to them till the dissolution of that House but soon after scil in 37. H. 8. was past out of the Crown together with the Grange unto Thomas Badger Thomas Fowler and Robert Dyson From whom it came at length to one William Freeman who in 1 Eliz. dyed seized thereof leaving Iohn his cosin and heir xv years of age In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church here was not valued but in 14 E. 3. I find it rated at iii. marks and a half yet is there no mention of it in 26. H. 8. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Walt. Pykerel Ioh. de Cestaneslade Cler. 8. Id. Oct. 1298. Ioh. de Leicester Cler. Henr. de Schulton Cler. 17. Iulii 1330. Ioh. de Leicester Cler. Ioh. de Wentebrig 10. Nov. 1339. Ioh. de Leicester Cler. Rog. Clonne Pbr. 27. Apr. 1340. Walt. de Leicester Cler. D. Thomas de Bernak Cap. 2. Martii 1341. Rog. Hillarie miles Henr. de Ombrysley Pbr. 23. Martii 1393. Rog. Hillarie miles Ioh. de Sloghtre Pbr. 24. Iulii 1361. Ioh. de Hampton Dominus de Stretton D. Ioh. le White Pbr. penult Oct. 1371. Rog. Hillarie miles Rob. de Caldecote Pbr. 6. Dec. 1361. Rog. Hillarie miles D. Ioh. Sweter Cap. 28. Nov. 1368. D. Eliz. Domina de Clinton Gilb. Bury Cap. 5. Martii 1412. D. Eliz. Domina de Clinton D. Ioh. Handy Cap. 28. Aug. 1420. Rob. Roos miles Ioh. Staundford Pbr. .... 1426. Thomas Pinchebek ar D. Ioh. Westbury Pbr. 21. Nov. 1429. Ioh. Wittlebury ar Margar. ux ejus D. Ioh. Sonwyn Cap. 24. Ed. 1442. Ioh. Wittlebury ar Margar. ux ejus Will. Lumbard Cler. 11. Martii 1444. Rob Wyttelbury ar D. Rob. Lowth Cap. ult Iunii 1484. Anna Wittelbury D. Will. Flocton Cap. 18. Feb. 1506. Ric. Clemens ar VVill. Robyns 8. Dec. 1524. Anna Grey vidua nuper ux Ric. Clement militis Hugo Zulley Cler. 6. Apr. 1549. Rad. Sheldon ar Thomas Evans Cler. 29. Iulii 1575. Nich. Hobday Yeoman ex concess Rad. Sheldon ar D. Franc. Hunt Cler. 28. Aug. 1581. Barcheston SToure being increast with this torrent which passes by the skirts of Stretton hasteth Northwards and on its Eastern bank leaveth Barcheston with Willington a petty Hamlet Part of this town viz. two hides and a half belonging to Will. fil Corbucionis in the Conquerors time of whom in Studley I have spoke was then held of him by one Iohais and valued at xl s. having a Mill therein rated a C d. But the residue viz. one hide and half a virgate Aluriâ— then held of the King which is certified in the generall Survey amongst the lands of Ric. Forestarius and valued at xl s. All which with the two hides and a half before exprest was the freehold of one Wiching in Edward the Confessors dayes In Domesday book it is
written Berricestone in one place and Bericestune in another and was of so much note in those antient times that it gave name to one of the Hundreds then in being as I have eslwhere already observed Whether it were any of the descendants of the before recited Iohais that became first enfeoft thereof by the posterity of Corbuceon I cannot affirm but do conclude that he was common Ancestor to the family of Whitacre and thence had first his sirname as in Whitacre-superior I have manifested Of which family was also Simon who likewise assumed his sirname from hence and wrote himself Dominus de Berchestone as in sundry old Records I have seen To whom succeeded Rich. de Barchestone in 6. Ioh. and after him Simon Henry and Alexander Then Richard in E. 2. time whose name in 17. of that Kings raign is in the list amongst those Esquiers which were certified as men at Armes of this County and bore a Crosse engrailed And lastly Thomas and Alexander temp E. 3. all Lords of this Mannour Which Alexander in 26 E. 3. was in Commission with other persons of quality for the levying and collecting of a xv and tenth so also in 34 E. 3. and in 45 Ed. 3. for the assessing a Subsidy of 1061 li. 07. s. in this County But from him can I not clearly discover the successive Lords of this Mannour untill Iohn Durant became owner thereof in 8. H. 6. After which Iohn I find one Thomas Durant in E. 4. time then William in H. 7. but nothing memorable of them other than that they were gentlemen for so is Iohn recorded in 10 H. 6. and VVill. in 12 H. 7. Which VVill. had issue Henry Duâ—â—nt who by his Deed bearing date 14. Sept. 23 H. 7. sold this Mannour to VVilliam VVillington son to Iohn VVillington of Todnam in Gloucester-shire and he of VVilliam VVillington of the same place son of another Iohn descended as 't is probable from that Ralph de VVylinton who lived in E. 1. time of whom I have made mention in Chiriton Betlesworth and Wiginshill of which line I conceive that Iohn de VVylinton and Raph de VVylinton were who in the times of King Edward 3. and R. 2. had successively Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm Of this VVill. VVillington I find that being a wealthy Merchant of the Staple and setling himself here at Bercheston he depopulated the town in 24 H. 7. making inclosure of 530. acres of land so that there was no more than 64. acres left for tillage which were used by him as belonging to his Mannour-house there and mannaged with one Plough And that he had a very fair estate in lands in this County as also in Oxford and Gloucester shires but having no issue male advanced his seven daugthers in marriage to divers good familyes viz. Margery to Thomas Holt of Aston juxta Bermingham Esquier and afterwards to Sir Ambrose Cave Knight Godith to Basill Fielding of Newnham Esquier Elizabeth to Edw. Boughton of Lawford Esquier Mary to VVill. Sheldon of Beoley Esquier Margaret to Edw. Grevill of Milcote Esquier Anne to Francis Mountfort of Kingshurst Esquier and Katherine first to Richard Kempe secondly to VVilliam Catesby of Lapworth Esquier and lastly to Anthony Throkmorton a younger son to Sir George Throkmorton Knight And that by his Will which bears date 25. Martii anno 1555. he disposed of his body to be buried here at Bercheston having a fair Monument in the Church as I shall shew by and by But upon the partition betwixt these coheirs this Mannour came to Sheldon as it seems for his posterity of whom I have made some mention in Weston juxta Chiriton doe enjoy it at this day The Church dedicated to S. Martin in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xxviii marks but in 26 H. 8. at no more than xiii li. vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Heur de Bercheston Ric. de Bercheston Pbr. 3. Cal. Febr. 1281. Thomas de Bercheston Ioh. de Bercheston Subdiac 10. Cal. Ian. 1296. Thomas de Bercheston Gilb. de Swaleclive Pbr. 12. Cal. Dec. 1333. Alex. de Bercheston Rog. de Chastelion Cler. 20. Apr. 1345. Alex. de Bercheston Nich. de Todenham Pbr. 17. Nov. 1361. Thomas Comes VVarwici Ioh. Asple 7. Martii 1382. Ric. Bromley alii Feoffati de dominio de Bercheston advoc Eccl. VVill. Taylor 26. Apr. 1388. Ric. Bromley alii Feoffati de dominio de Bercheston advoc Eccl. D. Ioh. Stark 28. Dec. 1389. Thomas Erdington ar Sibilla ux ejus D. Ioh. Gunne 18. Nov. 1433. Thomas Erdington ar Sibilla ux ejus Magr. Thoma Oldbury 15. Ian. 1433. Rob. Ardern ar Magr. Thomas Stocton 7. Maii 1439. Rob. Ardern ar D. Thomas Pyjon 5. Maii 1449. Ioh. Hugford ar alii Feoffati Will. Durant D. Hugo Byker Cap. 23. Iulii 1481. Tho. Wellys Ioh. Wellys ex concess Will. Durant D. Ioh. VVellys Cap. 6. Sept. 1498. Rob. Throkmorton miles Magr. Hugo Humfrey 17. Aug. 1503. Georgius Throkmorton miles VVill. Buckmaster S. Theol. Professor 23. Apr. 1530. Georgius Throkmorton miles D. VVill. Lane Cler. 4. Feb. 1545. Rad. Sheldon de Beoley ar VVill. Bullwer Cleric 8. Oct. 1606. Willington IN this village did Robert de Stadford possesse one hide and a half at the time of the Conquerors generall Survey then valued at xx s. and held of him by one Luvein but had been the freehold of Dodo and Leuric before the Norman invasion The residue had Gislebertus de Gand a great man in Lincoln-shire which was all he possest in this County and extended to no more than one hide one virgate and a half and being held of him at that time by one Fulbric together with a Mill was valued at xx s. having been the inheritance of Aluuardus in Edward the Confessor's days In that Record it is written Ullavintone Howbeit after this till 36 H. 3. I do not find a syllable more thereof but then amongst the Fees of the Lord Stafford it is certified that Richard de Bartone payd xxx d. for Scutage here and in 56 H. 3. Robert de Hamme was Lord of it as appears by a Release made by him and Mabell his wife to the Nuns of Sewardslee in Com. Northampt. of such suit of Court as he claimed of them for the lands they held of him and his said wife within this village Which Robert in 7 E. 1. held of the King four yard land here in demesn by the service of the seventh part of a Knights Fee and suit twice a year to his Court at Long Compton for of that Mannour it seems it was then a member and in 15 E. 1. in the possession of Iohn de Hamme son to the