the work wholly to the same Sir Andrew Iud passing by this pious Lady without any memorial for the same In that place where this Cross is now situate there stood antiently another which having been set up in ann 1423. 2 H. 6. was taken down in ann 1510. 2 H. 8. but for what reason I find not The next most memorable thing in order of time relating to this place is that purchase by the City made in 34 H. 8. from the Crown of much Monastery-land lying in and near â—hereto viz. the great Orchard containing 8 acres and the little Orchard 2 acres One Rode lying within the precincts of the Priory a Pool called New-pool containing 1 acre a Mess. called the Mote-house with divers lands thereto belonging a Wood called St. Cleres-grove with a Water-mill and divers particular parcels of land lying in Radford Certain mess. and lands in Bigging alias Stoke-Bigging with a large field called Harnal-field Divers other grounds called the Stripe Swanscroft Parsons-meadow Marble-field Windmyll-fields and Crowmote The mess. and ferm of Hawksbery and Hawksbery-grove with a certain Mannour-house there moated about as also a number of particular grounds lying in Sow Folkeshull and Wykin together with the House of Friers-minors commonly called the Gray-friers with its whole site and circuit All which and much more that for brevity I omit to particularize were for the sum of 1378 l. 10 s. granted to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty and their successors by the K. Letters Pat. dated 19 Iulii 34 of his reign to be held in Capite by the xx part of a Kts. fee and paying 7 l. 13 s. 2 d. yearly to the said K. his heirs and successors After which time viz. in 6 E. 6. that the lands and possessions of the Gilds and Chantryes came to de disperst they made the like purchase from the Crown for in consideration of the sum of 1315 l. 1. s. 8 d. they had a grant of whatsoever belong'd to Corpus-Christi and the Trinity Gilds As also to those Chanteryes called Mereton's Forde's and Pysford's-Chanteryes alias Forde's-Almes-houses and Copston's-Chantry together with divers lands lying in Weston Kinsbury Alspath Mereden and Gallesby in the Counties of Warw. and Leic. pertaining to them And likewise of Shepey's Haye's Preston's Allesley's Percye's Loginton's and Cellet's-Chantryes with lands in Gosfordstreet c. pertaining to the Chappel of St. George and divers rents belonging to the Priests of St. Michaels-Church with lands in Starton given for the maintenance of Obits But it was neither the lustre of their beautifull Cross nor all those large and easy acquisitions that did any whit balance the loss this City sustained by the ruine of that great and famous Monastery and other the Religious-houses c. which had so lately preceded for to so low an ebbe did their trading soon after grow for want of such concourse of people that numerously resorted thither before that fatal dissolution that many thousands of the Inhabitants to seek better livelyhoods were constrain'd to forsake the City insomuch as in 3 E. 6. it was represented unto the D. of Somerset then Protector by Iohn Hales a person of great note in those daies and whose memory is still famous here that there were not at that time above 3000 Inhabitants whereas within memory there had been 15000. To recompence which decay of trade in 6 E. 6. they obtained a Charter for another Faire to be kept here annually beginning 21 Oct. and to continue two daies after But after this time till 19 Iacobi I find nothing else memorable that relates to this City in general other than what I have already mentioned in my discourse of Cheylesmore Which King then granted them a most ample confirmation of all their former Charters Liberties Priviledges Lands and Rents As also that the House where they usually assemble for their City-affairs should be called the Councell-house of the said City and that those who then were or after that time were to be elected thereunto should be called the Councell of the City And moreover that the Mayor Recorder Bayliffs and other Officers should yearly be elected on their Leet-day to be held within a month after Michaelmass by xxxi persons nominated of those who have formerly born the principal offices in the City And likewise that there should be ten Aldermen in the ten wards as formerly had used to be And that the Mayor Recorder and those ten Aldermen should be Justices of peace within the same City and County thereof As also that the said xxxi persons should have power to tax themselves and all other the Inhabitants within the walls of the said City to the charge of repairing the said walls so as alwaies it discharge not those who of right or custome are liable thereto By which Pat. had they likewise a grant of two new Faires one to be held upon the first of April and the other upon the 16 of August with such Tolls as are taken in Smythfield within the suburbs of London And that they should take Recognizances for the peace and good behaviour and for appearance at the Sessions within the said City And further that they should have a second Councel consisting of 25 persons called the Common-Councell of the said City to prepare the affairs thereof for the Mayor and greater Councel And to have the government of such Orphans of Citizens of that City and of their estates as shall be commended by their own parents to the tutelage of the Mayor and Aldermen thereof in which case the Corporation to secure the Orphans portions to whomsoever that trusts them and pay six pounds per Centum for their maintenance And lastly that the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty might have liberty to purchase lands in Mortmayn to the value of 300 l. per annum to the general behoof of this City provided that such lands be not held in Capite nor Kts. service VVhich Pat. bears date 18 Iulii 19 Iac. Having now done with what concerns the City in general I will here subjoyn a Catalogue of the Mayors thereof An. 1347. 21 E. 3. Iohn Ward Will. Horn. Iordan Shepey he built Iordan-well Will. Luff Nich. Michell Ric. Freberne Iohn Hayton Walt. Whitweb Henry Dodenhale X. An. 1355. 29 E. 3. Ric. Stoke Nich. Michel Henry Clerke Will. Botoner Will. Yarmouth Ric. Stoke Nich. Percy Will. Botoner Henry Clarke Will. Botoner XX. Henry Clarke Will. Botoner Henry Dodenhale Nich. Michell Iohn Tofte Iohn Papenham Iames Benyngton Iohn Percy Henry Clarke Will. Botoner XXX Adam Botoner Will. Wolfe Iohn Papenham An. 1377. 1 R. â— Iohn Papenham Ianyn Swynnyshed Ric. Luff Henry Kele Iohn Knight Ric. Dodenhale Ianyn Deyster XL. Adam Botoner Ric. Clarke Henry Kele Iohn Tofte Henry Kele Henry Kele Iohn Scarborought Iohn Liberde Iohn Northwode Iohn Crosse. L. Ric. Lichefeld Iohn Onley Ric. Clarke Iohn Preston Geffrey Hampton Will. Whitchurch An. 1399. 1 H. 4. Nich. Dodeley Rob.
passage paage lestage stallage tallage carriage pesage pikage and terage throughout all the Kings dominions and that she should within the precincts thereof have Return of writts as also felons goods Fines for trespasses and for licences of concord amerciaments redemptions issues forfeited year day and wast with divers other And the next year following did the same K. further grant to the before specified Q. during her life and to the said Prince in reversion and his heirs a Court-Leet within this mannour with power to hold pleas of all such things as usually were determined before the Justices of Assise for the County of Warwick and likewise to have Return of writts goods of felons and fugitives within the precincts thereof with a gaol for the safe custody of felons or other transgressors And in 21. E. 3. had one Will. le Galeys license to found a Chantry here consisting of three Priests whereof one to be the Warden and to build a Chappell there in honour of the Blessed Virgin with a convenient mansion for them as also to amortize thereunto five mess. lying in Coventre Which Priests were to celebrate divine service daily for the good estate of the said K. E. 3. Q. Isabell his mother Edw. Prince of Wales and of the said Will. le Galeys during their lives and for the health of their Souls afterwards as also for the Souls of Edward late King of England the K. father and of Iohn late E. of Cornwall his brother and all the faithfull deceased After which viz. in 50. E. 3. I find that the said Prince gave 23. mess 6. cottages and 2. gardens lying here in Coventre which were parcell of this his mannour of Cheylesmore unto the Abby of Uale-Royall in Cheshire of Cisterc. Monks founded by the K. his father in 11. of his reign And the same year did he dy seized of this mannour leaving Ric. his son and heir 9. years of age and a half afterwards King by the name of R. 2. in whose days the Park here was not without Deer it seems for in 8. of his reign granting to one Tho. de Quinton the keepership of its pasturage for 6. years paying c. s. per annum to his Exchequer he reserv'd sufficient grasse for them In which 8. year the walls on the South part of this City being not built the Mayor Bayliffs and commonalty thereof humbly besought the K. to give them leave that they might go forward with that work concerning which I shall speak more fully anon who thereupon granted license to them so to do on condition that they should include within their walls his said mannour place standing within the Park of Cheylesmore as the Record expresseth which Park was a woody-ground in those times for in 11. R. 3. the K. assigned Ric. Clerk then keeper thereof to cause as much underwood there to be cut down as would make 3000. fagots and with the money arising by the sale of them to repair the pales And in 9. H. 5. Rob. Castell the K. Steward of this mannour was appointed to cause 12. oaks within it to be fallen for repair of the House as also more underwood to the value of 40. l. for defray of such charges as he should be at therein After this viz. in 16. H. 8. I find that the K. made a lease for 21. years of this his mannour with the herbage of the park and conyes there to Geffrey Whalley Prior of Ulvescroft in Leicestershire for 21. years for the rent of 13. li. -09 s. 05. d. ob And in 3. E. 6. did that K. by his Letters pat bearing date 19. Iulii grant it with the said Park unto Iohn E. of Warwick and his heirs as being part of the possessions annexed to the Dutchy of Cornwall by Charter and not in Parliament to hold in Capite Which Iohn on the 12. of Aug. following made a lease of the premisses unto the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of this City for the terme of 99. years to the uses and intents following viz. that they and their successors for the relief of the poor of the said City should yearly take to pasture in the said Park the number of 80. kyne or heyfers and 20. geldings of such poor Inhabitants of the said City and Suburbs as should not have elswhere nigh thereto sufficient pasture paying yearly for every Cow or heyfer 1. d. and for every gelding 2. d. But after his attainder which hapned in 1. Mariae as in Warwick I have shewed the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty by the mediation of Rob. E. of Leic. son to the said Iohn obteyn'd a grant thereof from Q. Eliz. to hold to them and their successors for ever in fee ferme the Rent reserved being ix li. per annum whereupon they covenanted with the said Earl to observe and perform the trusts before specified for the behalf of the poor Inhabitants as by an Indenture dated 4. Apr. 10. Eliz. appeareth HAving now finished my discourse of Cheylesmore I return to Coventre it self of which the last observable matter that I took notice was touching the paving thereof in 33. E. 1. To the end therefore that it may appear by what degrees it ascended to that beauty and strength in the walls and other buildings of note as also to those priviledges which it now enjoyeth I shall in order of time proceed to declare In 2. E. 3. the Monks of Coventre with the Inhabitants thereof obteyn'd a Pat. for taking Toll of all vendible commodityes that should be brought thither to sell for six years towards their charges of inclosing the same And at the request of Iohn of Eltham E. of Cornwall who had an estate in reversion in the mannour of Cheylesmore as I have there declared for two years more after the end of those six upon condition that the said Earl should not be charged towards building of the gates Which Pat. bears date at Leicester 6. Jan. the same year The particular proportions of Toll little differing from those which were assessed upon every thing for pavage as is before intimated After this in the 6. year of the said K. the Inhabitants of this town had license to erect a Common Conduit of xx foot long and x. foot broad in any of the streets thereof that they should think fittest for their conveniency and benefit And within 2. years following for their better encouragement in prosecuting their affairs obteyn'd a grant to them their heirs and successors of freedom from Toll pavage pontage and murage for all their merchandize throughout the K. dominions in consideration whereof he received a fine of ten marks from them But it had not then the reputation of a City or a Borough and the Record gives this reason eo quod in Quintis-decimis Regi Concessis non contribuit ultra summam c. marcarum In this K. reign it was that Coventre grew up
distinct and altogether separate from the said County of Warr. for ever and no parcel of the same County but from thenceforth called the County of the City of Coventre for ever And that the Mayor and Bayliffs of the said City should thenceforth also for ever be elected at the same time and place and according to the same manner and form as they had used to be in the reign of K. Edw. 3. of famous memory by vertue of his Letters Pat. or in the time of any of the K. progenitors And that the Bayliffs of the said City from the morrow after the feast-day of S. Nic. then next ensuing should be Shiriffs of the County of the said City for ever and yet nevertheless that they should still execute the office of Bayliffs according to the form and effect of the franchises and liberties granted by any of his said progenitors and before that time used And that they which were to be Shiriffs of the said City as aforesaid should in all future times after they had that office take their oaths before the Mayor for the time being and no other and in the Guild-hall of the said City and not elswhere according to due form for the just and faithfull execution of that office within the County of the said City And that the Mayor for the time being by his Letters P. t. under the Seal of his Office should forthwith certifie into the K. Court of Chancery the names of such Shiriffs so sworn as aforesaid which Shiriffs once every month upon the Tuesday should hold a Court for ever executing all such power and jurisdiction within their liberties as other Shiriffs within their Bayliwicks use to do all Writs and Precepts for the future to be directed to them that had used to be directed to the Shiriffs of Warwicksh and executed by them in case the said City and Hamlets had not been so made a County of it self Which Shiriffs should annually make their accounts in the Exchequer before the Lord Treasurer and Barons or before the Barons touching the issues of their said office or by their Atturneys And moreover that the Coroner of the said City and his successors should thenceforth be Coroners of the County of the said City for ever and execute that office in as ample manner as any other Coroner within any County of the Realm had used to do And that the said Coroners for the time being should be also Clerks for taking Recognizances of debts there according to the form of the Statute for Merchants made and provided the lesser part of the Seal for taking such Recognizances to be alwaies in their custody And further by the same Charter did the said K. grant that the Mayor and his successours within the said City and Hamlets should exercise the office of Clerke of the Market there and levy and receive all issues and profits arising thereby to the use of them the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of the said City for ever As also the office of Steward and Marshall of the K. Houshold And lastly that they the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty with all the Inhabitants of this City should be free from Toll passage pontage murage and pavage for all their goods and merchandize throughout the whole Realm of England and Ireland and enjoy whatsoever priviledges and franchises they or any of their predecessours had used to do Which ample Charter bears date at Westm. 26 Nov. 30 of his reign and was confirm'd by K. Edw. 4. The next thing of note is that K. H. 7. after that signal Victory at Bosworth-field where R. 3. was slain came hither with his Army and lodg'd at the Mayors house by name Robert Onley whom he Knighted at which time the City presented him with C l. and a Cup. The Cross. I Now come to speak of that stately Cross here being one of the chief things wherein this City most glories which for workmanship and beauty is inferiour to none in England the building whereof was begun in ann 1541. 33 H. 8. and finished in ann 1544. 36 H. 8. as by an old MS Chronol of the Mayors appeareth but the name of its Founder is now utterly lost for ought that these Citizens can tell of it To the end therefore that they may not still continue ignorant of so eminent a Benefactor I shall here by the help of that judicious Antiquary my worthy Friend Gervase Hollies of Grimesby in Com. Linc. Esq revive his memory It was Sir Will. Hollies Kt. sometime Lord Mayor of London and son to Thomas Holleys of Stoke near this City as I have evidently found amongst the Registers in Gild-hall and not son to Will. Holleys of London Baker as Stow hath erroneously affirmed Who bearing a special affection to this City in regard he was born so near gave order for the structure thereof as the words of his Testament bearing date 25 Dec. 33 H. 8. which I have here inserted do import And furthermore I give and bequeath unto the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Coventre and to the Commons of the same CCl. sterling to the intent and purpose hereafter ensuing that is to say to make a new Cross within the said City whereof delivered in hand to Mr. Warren Draper of the said City the 24 day of August last xx l. in ready money And also more paid to Mr. Over by the hands of Salt my Baylie of Yoxall 70 l. in ready money and so resteth unpaid Cx l. sterling which I will and desire my Executors see to be delivered and paid unto the said Mayor and Aldermen of Coventre aforesaid to the use and intent aforesaid within one year after my decease c. This Sir VVilliam was father of Sir VVill. Hollyes of Houghton in the County of Nott. Kt. the wonder of his Country for a great and setled hospitality and of so honest and honourable a nature that he is yet mentioned in those parts by the name of good Sir VVilliam Which last named Sir VVill. was great Grandfather to that learned Gent. before exprest as also to the present E. of Clare an 1638. And having thus taken notice of his munificence in erecting so noble a Monument I hope the mention of Eliz. his Ladies Charity though the poor of London were the object thereof will not be thought impertinent considering that it is not elswhere taken notice of Which was that by her Testament six Alms-houses for six poor men or women should be built out of her goods and chattels and lands to the yearly value of x l. be bought out of which weekly every one of the Alms-people should receive 7 d. the remainder to buy coals to make them fires which was accordingly performed in St. Helens parish by Andrew Iud Alderman of London and Thomas Scopham her brother her Executors Howbeit hitherto hath it not been publickly known that she was the Foundress forasmuch as Stow and others do attribute
18 to the 24 of H. 6. In 26 H. 6. he had the Shiriffalty of these Counties and dyed in 6 E. 4. leaving issue Philip his son and heir 24 years of age with Iohn a younger son Which Philip in 8 E. 4. being in Commission for the assessing of two fifteens and two tenths in this County then granted to the K. in Parliament dyed the same year seized inter alia of this Mannour and was buried in the Church of St. Iames at Badsley-Clinton as by his Testament he directed leaving issue Iohn Nicholas and VVilliam Of these three Nicholas was the last that survived but all of them dyed without issue and therefore Nicholas son to Iohn their Uncle became heir to the estate being then in ward to the King for this inheritance Of whom I find nothing further memorable than that he was of Shalston in Buckinghamshire and sold this Mannour of Shirford to Henry Smyth Esq the principal branch of his descendants having for the most part resided ever since at Drayton in Lescestershire whereof George Purefey Esq son and heir of George by Mary one of the daughters and co-heirs to Sir Valentine Knightley is still Lord though his seat be at Wadley in Berks. Which H. Smyth being son to Iohn a wealthy Citizen of Coventre of whom in Nether-Fletchamsted I have spoke bore so great a love to that City that he contributed to the purchase of 50 l. lands per annum for the maintenance of one Priest 12 poor men and one woman in the Gild of the holy Trinity St. Iohn Baptist and St. Katherine there situate And was in Commission for conservation of the peace from the 17 of H. 7. till his death as also for Goal-delivery in 17 and 23 H. 7. And had issue Sir VValter Smyth Kt. whose Murther here at Shirford by his own Lady assisted with two servants and the circumstances conducing thereto which are very memorable I shall here briefly set forth This Sir VValter being grown an aged man at the death of his first wife considering of a marriage for Richard his son and heir then at mans estate to that end made his mind known to Mr Thomas Chetwin of Ingestre in Staffordshire a Gentleman of an antient family and fair estate who entertaining the motion in behalf of Dorothy one of his daughters was contented to give 500 l. portion with her But no sooner had the old Knight seen the young Lady than that he became a sutor for himself being so captivated with her beauty that he tendred as much for her besides a good joynture as he should have received in case the match had gone on for his son Which liberal offer so wrought upon Mr Chetwyn as that he spared not for arguments to perswade his daughter to accept of Sir VValter for her husband Whereupon the marriage ensued accordingly but with what a tragique issue will quickly be seen For it was not long ere that her affections wandring after younger men she gave entertainment to one Mr VVilliam Robinson then of Drayton-Basset a young Gentleman of about 22 years of age son to George Robinson a rich Mercer of London and grew so impatient at all impediments which might hinder her full enjoyment of him that she rested not till she had contrived a way to be rid of her husband For which purpose corrupting her waiting Gentlewoman and a Groom of the stable she resolved by their help and the assistance of Robinson to strangle him in his bed appointing the time and manner how it should be effected And though Robinson failed in coming on the designed night perhaps through a right apprehension of so direfull a fact she no whit staggered in her resolutions for watching her husband till he was fallen asleep she then let in those assasinates before specified and casting a long towell about his neck caused the Groom to lye upon him to keep him from struggling whilst her self and the maid straining the towell stopt his breath It seems the good old man little thought that this his Lady had acted therein for when they first cast the towell about his neck he cryed out help Doll help But having thus dispatcht the work they carryed him into another room where a close stool was plac'd upon which they set him and after an hour that the Maid and Groom were silently got away to palliate the business she made an outcry in the house wringing her hands pulling her hair and weeping extreamly with pretence that missing him for some time out of bed she went to see what the matter was and found him accidentally in that posture Which subtill and feigned shews of sorrow prevented all suspicion of his violent death and not long after went to London setting so high a value upon her beauty that Robinson her former darling perhaps for not keeping touch with her as before hath been said became neglected But within two years following it so hapned that this wofull deed of darkness was brought to light by the groom before specified who being entertained with Mr Richard Smyth son and heir to the murthered Knight and attending him to Coventre with divers other servants became so sensible of his villany when he was in his cups that out of good nature he took his Master to a side and upon his knees besought forgiveness from him for acting in the murther of his Father declaring all the circumstances thereof Whereupon Mr Smyth discreetly gave him good words but wisht some others that he trusted to have an eye to him that he might not escape when he had slept and better considered what might be the issue thereof Notwithstanding which direction he fled away with his Masters best Horse and hasting presently into Wales attempted to go beyond Sea but being hindred by contrary winds after three essays to lanch out was so happily pursued by Mr Smyth who spared for no cost in sending to several Ports that he was found out and brought Prisoner to Warwick as was also the Lady and her Gentlewoman all of them with great boldness denying the fact and the Groom most impudently charging Mr Smyth with endeavour of corrupting him to accuse the Lady his mother in-law falsly to the end he might get her joyncture But upon his arraignment so smitten was he at apprehension of the guiltâ— that he publickly acknowledged it and stoutly justified what he had so said to be true to the face of the Lady and her Maid who at first with much seeming confidence pleaded their innocency till at length seeing the particular circumstances thus discovered they both confessed the fact For which having judgement to dye the Lady was burnt at a Stake near the Hermitage on Wolvey-heath towards the side of Shirford Lordship where the Country people to this day shew the place and the Groom with the Maid suffred death at Warwick This was about the third year of Q.
Roger de Craft answered for the 5th part of a Kts. fee here held of the E. of Warwick From whom descended Geffrey de Craft who in 4 E. 1. stiles himself Dominus de parva-Lalleford and from him Nich. who was the last of this line that had to do here for ought I have seen Neither can I further discover in whom the possession thereof rested for a long time after untill that Geffrey de Allesley had it which was about the beginning of H. 6. time Which Geffrey marryed Margaret one of the daughters and heirs of Henry Sutton Esq. Lord of Ditchford-Frary in this County where I shall have occasion to make further mention of him and was in Commission for assâ—ssing of the Subsidy granted to the K. in Parl. 9 H. 6. And in 12 H. 6. with the rest of the principal persons in this Shire took his oath for observance of the Articles concluded of in the preceding Parliament In 17 and 18 H. 6. he was constituted one of the Justices of peace in this County and departing this life 18 Aug. an 1441. left issue Elizabeth his daughter and heir wife of Thomas Boughton a Bedfordshire Gentleman as I have heard whereby this Lordship became transferred to that family wherein it still continues Which Thomas being constituted a Justice of peace in this County in 21 H. 6. so continued till the end of that K. reign as appears by the sundry renewings of those Commissions In 31 H. 6. he served in the Parliament as one of the Knights for this Shire and in 38. was appointed with others to array and arm all persons of body able and estate sufficient within this County for the K. service To whom succeeded Richard his son and heir constituted Eschaetor for this County and Leicestersh in 13 E. 4. as also Shiriff in 20. And Justice of peace in 22 E. 4. and 1 E. 5. Which Richard being again Shiriff for these Countyes in 2 R. 3. as by the Indentures betwixt him and Humfry Beaufo Esq the precedent Shiriff appears had the fate to be slain on that K. behalf at Bosworth-field as the tradition is but therein is a mâ—stake for the Inquis taken after his death expresseth that he dyed 20 Aug. 3 R. 3. which was two dayes before the Battail therefore 't is like that raising Forces in this County for the King he was encountred by some of the Earl of Richmund's Troops in their passage towards Bosworth and by that means lost his life Of whose descendants I find that Will. his son and heir was Squire of the body to K. H. 8. and in 27 of that K. reign Shiriff of this County and Leicestersh As also that William Grandson to the same William underwent the like office for these Countyes in 17 and 32 Eliz. being in Commission for the peace the greatest part of that Q. reign So likewise Edward son and heir to the said William the most part of K. Iames his reign having been Shiriff in 4 Iac. But further as to their matches and otherwise the Descent here inserted which briefly points at what else I am able to say in relation to this family here seated shall suffice Tho. Boughton ar 39 H. 6. Eliz. filia haeres Galf. Allesley Ric. Boughton ar ob 3 R. 3. Agnes filia .... Longvile .... filia co haeres Joh. Danvers de Waterstoke in Com. Oxon. ux 1. Will. Boughton aet 12. an 3 R. 3. sepult apud Dunchurch Edw. Boughton ar ob 1 E. 6. Eliz. filia cohaeres Wil. Willington ar Will Boughton ar ob 38 Eliz. Iana soror Tho. Coningsby de Hampton-Court in Com. Heref. eq aur Edw. Boughton aet 24. an 38 Eliz. Eliz. filia haeres Edw. Catesby filli jun. Ric. Catesby eq aur Will. Boughton duxit Abigal fil cohaer Henr. Baker de Shobery in Com Essex erectus in gradum Bar. per R. Car. Tho. Boughton de Bilton duxit Iuditham alteram fil cohaer H. Baker de Shobery ar Will. Boughton aet 12. an 3 R. 3. sepult apud Dunchurch D. Eliz. Barington ux 2. Tho. Boughton de Caustou ar Margar. filia haeres Edw. Cave Edw. Boughton ar Susanna filia Ioh. Brocker eq aur Henricus Boughton Howard filia Edw. Leigh de Rushall in Com. Staff ar Newnham-Regis NExt below on the bank of Avon stands Newnham-Regis where depopulation attending the inclosure hath reduced it to a small number of Inhabitants besides the Mannour-house In the Conq. Survey there is no direct mention of this place so that to what it then belonged I cannot well guess but do conceive it to have been of the E. of Mellent's or Turchill de Warwick's possessions in regard that it was of the fee of Roger E. of Warwick whose father Earl Henry enjoy'd the greatest part of the said E. of Mellent's and Turchill's lands in this County From which E. of Warwick the first that obtain'd it was Hugh fil Ricardi as it seems of whom in Wroxhall I have spoke who past it unto Geffrey de Clinton Chamberlain and Treasurer to K. H. 1. and he to the Canons of Kenilworth upon his foundation of that Monastery Which Canons had special grants from them both to acquit it of all secular services due to either of them or to the King in consideration whereof the said Geffrey gave to the above mentioned Hugh ten marks of silver to Margaret his wife two ounces of gold and to Roger E. of Warwick two gold Rings each having a pretious stone therein for it was held of the said Earl by one Kts. fee as appears by K. H. 2. confirmation thereupon But this for distinction from another Newnham within the same Hundred is called Newnham-Regis in respect that the K. was antiently possest of it as is evident also by the Quo warranto Roll of 13 E. 1. where the Kings Atturney questioning the Prior of Kenilworth for it alledged that K. Richard the first was seized thereof How this claim was determined I find not but that the Canons of Kenilworth enjoy'd it till the dissolution of that Monastery is plain enough and had allowance of a Court-Leet here and divers other notable priviledges After which suppression it continued in the K. hands till 7 E. 6. and was then granted to Iohn D. of Northumberland and his heirs upon whose attainder in 1 M. the Queen past it to Sir Rouland Hill Kt. and Citizen of London Of whom Sir Thomas Leigh Kt. and Alderman of the said City soon obtain'd it as may seem by his presentation to the Vicaridge in 1 Eliz. Which Sir Thomas afterwards setled it on Sir Will. Leigh Kt. a younger son and the heirs male of his body who inclosed it and left issue Francis his son and
to a very flourishing condition as by what I have said and shall further shew appeareth for in 18. E. 3. at the instance of Q. Isabel who had an estate in Cheylesmore for life as also in consideration that the reversion thereof was vested in Edw. then Prince of Wales D. of Cornwall and E. of Chester the K. by his Letters Pat. bearing date 20. Jan. did make it a Corporation consisting of a Mayor and Bayliffs which the Inhabitants should have power to choose and make out of themselves yearly who taking their oath according to the accustomed manner in the like cases might from thenceforth do all things appertaining to those offices And that they their heirs and successors for ever should thenceforth also have power to hold plea as well of trespasses contracts and agreements as of all other things hapning within the town And for the better tranquility of the said Inhabitants and of all merchants repayring thither the K. then granted that from thence-forth there should be a Common Seal by his Royall direction consisting of two pieces according to custome for Recognizances of debts there according to the form of the Statutes-merchant made and published the greater part whereof to remain in the custody of the Major for the time being and the lesser in the hands of a certain Clerk to be there deputed by the said K. his heirs and successors according to the tenure of the said Statutes And that the said Major and Clerk from thenceforth should receive Recognizances of debts according to the tenor of those Statutes as also to give in charge and commit them to due execution And lastly that there should be a Prison made in that part of the Town belonging to the said Q. for the chastizing of malefactors there taken wherof the Mayor and Bayliffs for the time being to have alwaies the custody and charge The xii persons that purchased these liberties for Coventre being Nicholas Michell Henry Dodenhale Walter Whitweb Roger Hunt Will. Trymelei Geffrey Freberne Iohn Rushall Rob. Thymbler Ric. Kerseley Will. Walsale Maurice Norfolk and Will. Wellyngbright Whereupon about two years after they elected a Mayor viz. Iohn Ward and after him continued the like yearly choyce as by the Catalogue of them which I have at the end of my discourse touching this City inserted may appear And in the year 1355. 29 E. 3. did they begin to build the walls by vertue of the K. license in 2 E. 3. before mentioned Richard Stoke at that time Mayor laying the first stone at the gate called New-yate where they began the work but whether they did vigorously proceed therein I cannot say rather supposing that they were restrained For afterwards when Edw. the black Prince came to enjoy that interest here which was setled upon him by the entail before mentioned having granted the same to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty thereof to hold in Fee-ferm for so doth that Pat. dated at Westm. 20 Nov. 37 E. 3. import he gave them license to enclose this City by that name it is there called with a wall of lime and stone embattailed to hold to them their heirs and successours of him the before specified Prince and his heirs for ever Whereupon the next ensuing year these good men of Coventre considering with themselves the great charge that would be required in thus fortifying the Town obtained license 3 Nov. from the K. to tax all the Tradesmen and Inhabitants thereof according to their estates and faculties and to collect all such sums of money as should be levyed for that purpose For effecting whereof accordingly the Mayor and Bayliffs then being with Thomas de Nassyngâ—on Will. Wolfe and Will. Corby were appointed Assessors out of which tax were excepted the lands and goods of all Ecclesiastick persons And to the end that the great charge which they were to undergo in making these walls might be the better born amongst them the K. being very desirous to further the work granted a Commission dated 3 Iulii 40 of his reign unto the Mayor and Bayliffs then being together with VVil. Catesby Nich. Michell VVill. Botoner Ric. de Stoke Henry de Dovedale and Iohn del Tofte giving them power to levy and receive these customs following viz. of every tun of wine 2 s. of every quarter of malt 4 d. of every Ox 4 d. of every Hog and Calf a peny and every Sheep a farthing sold in this Town for the space of 5 years then next ensuing towards the alleviating their charge But this assessment much pinching the Victuallers about 4 years after they made a grievous complaint to the K. alledging that they were almost undone by it Whereupon by his Pat. dated 14 Febr. 44 of his reign he revoked the former Commission commanding nevertheless that the Merchants and other rich men should be taxed with the meaner sort according to their several abilities towards the support of that cost in building those walls That Coventre then flourish'd very much may be discerned by so great and costly a work as this of the Walls Gates and Towers still remaining and second to none in England appears to be as also by that incomparable structure of St. Michael's steeple begun in ann 1373. 47 E. 3. Henry Clerke being Mayor and finished in ann 1395. 18 R. 2. the year of Richard Lichfeild's Mayoralty Neither did it want any advantage that by the K. favour could well be had for to the end that they might securely enjoy all those liberties and priviledges granted by K. H. 2. H. 3. Edw. 2. and E. 3. which are together contained in the Charters of 15 and 20 of E. 3. K. Ric. 2. in 1 of his reign made them an ample confirmation and not onely so but in the same year did constitute Iohn Percy Adam Botoner Henry de Keel Simon de Lichfeld Iohn de Herdwyke and Iohn Toftes Justices for conservation of the peace within the Town of Coventre with power to hear and determine matters of felony and trespass And moreover was out of his Princely goodness so indulgent to them that by his Pat. dated 4 Maii 8 of his reign he ratified the Charter of license made by K. Edw. his Grandfather in 37 E. 3. for building and embattailing the walls and thereby granted them liberty to dig as much stone in his Park of Cheylesmore as should suffice for so much of them as includes the Mannour-house of Cheylesmore with the making of one Gate near the said park adjoyning to the House of Friers-minors which is now called the Gray-frier-yate And likewise that towards the support of that charge the Mayor and Bayliff should for the space of 5 years then next ensuing have his Ferm of sealing woollen cloaths here to the value of xxiiii l. sterling And in 11 of his reign vouchsafed such freedome to the Mayors after that time to be elected there that they should
mortua subscripta Henricus quartus Rex Angl. Henr. Princeps VValliae Henr. Bewfort Epicp Wint. Henr. sextus Rex Angl. Franc. Henr. Frowyk de London Alicia mater ejus Henr. Comes VVarwici Cecilia ux ejus D. Ioh. Botourt miles Iocosa ux ejus D. Ioh. Rex Castelli Legionis D. Lanc. D. Constancia regina Castelli Leg. Ducissa Lanc. recepti fuerunt in Fraternitatem Gildae die Sab. prox ante festum S. Lucae Evang. anno regni Regis R. 2. post Conq. Angliae secundo D. Ioh. de Arundell D. Alianora consors sua recepti fuerunt in Gildam 4. die mensis Nov. Anno D. 1379. Ioh. Beauchamp Iohanna ux ejus Ioh. Drax Serjaunt de Armis D. Ioh. Holland Dux de Exon. D. Isabella Ducissa Ioh. Holland miles D. Eliz. ux ejus Ioh. filius frater Regum Dux Bedfordiae Comes de Richemuad de Kendale Constabularius Angliae Isabella Comitissa VVarwici Katerina Ducissa Lanc. D. Ric. Comes Arundell ux ejus Die Merc. prox post festum annunc S. Mariae Anno M. CCCLXXVI D. Rog. de Clarindon miles filius excell Domini nostri Principis VValliae D. Rob. Stretton Episc. Lich. D. Regin Grey dominus de Ruthyn de VVayesford Tho. Beauchamp miles Co. VVarwici VVill. Beauchamp miles ux Tho. Arundell Archiep. Cant. Henr. de Ardern miles D. Ioh. Clinton miles eâ— ux ejus D. Tho. Lancastriae filius illustr Regis H. 4. locum-tenens Hiberniae VVill. de Burgh Iustic Domini Regis Margar. ux ejus D. Will. la Zouch miles Eliz. ux ejus D. Vmfridus filius illustr Regis H. 4. Dux Glouc. D. Humfr. Comes Staffordiae with a multitude more from all parts And it is observed that the annuall Master of this Gild was he that had been Mayor the year before who during his continuance in that office sate next to the Mayor in all publique meetings The Oath of which Master I have likewise here inserted I shall be good and true to the Brethren and Sistern of the Trinity-Gild S. Mary S. John and S. Katherine of Coventre and all lawfull points and Ordinances of this place afore this time ordeyned truly to kepe to my power and in especiall all the ordinances that been or shall be the generall days ordayned truly kepe and observe Also I shall truly receive and true accompt yeild as well of my receipts as of all other things that longen to the Master of this Gild and the arrerage of my accompt if any be truly pay or I depart from my accompt and all other things truly doe that longen to the office of the said Master So help me God and all Saints Also I shall once before Candlemas next coming with 6. or 4. Brethren of this Yeild oversee all the tenements of the sams Yeld Upon the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. it appears that Mr Rob. Glasmond being then Warden of this Colledge of Babbelake for by that name it was then called had viii l. per ann stipend and that there were 7 Priests more which had iiii l. xiii s. iiii d. per ann a peice for their Salary But in 37 H. 8. upon the Survey then taken I find that the revenue of all the lands belonging to the said Gild amounted to Cxi l. xiii s. 8 d. out of which inter alia was then paid 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. per ann to a certain Priest called the Warden of the Chappel of Babbelake And to eight other Priests celebrating divine service there 37 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann To the Master of a Grammar-School there 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. per ann To two Clerks singing there 8 l. per ann To two Boys also singing there 2 l. per ann To divers poor men which had formerly been Brethren of the said Gild 10 l. in money according to the antient use To Tho. Gregory Clerk-Controuler of the same Gild 6 l. per ann And every Priest having likewise a Chamber within the precinct of the same Babbelake worth 4 s. per ann a peice Bond 's Almes-houses HEre was moreover within this place of Babbelake an Almes-house founded by one Thomas Bond a rich Merchant of Coventre wherein at the time of the said Survey were ten poor men and one woman kept to pray for the souls of the said Tho. Bond his grandfather father and all Christian souls All which were at that time maintained at the charge of Tho. Bond grandchild to the said Thomas by whose last Will the said Almes-house was to have been built and such poor maintained with a Priest and to that end certain lands put in Feoffees hands of 49 l. 11 s. 7 d. per ann value Out of which was paid to those poor people every Saturday 6 s. 8 d. which amounted to 17 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann To the Priest celebrating divine service 13 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann and 20 s. for a gown In toto 14 l. 6 s. 8 d. For 38 yards of black cloth to make gowns for the said poor men per ann 3 l. 16 s. 0 d. In Alms given to the poor yearly 13 s. 4 d. For 20 load of wood yearly for the said poor people 1 l. 3 s. 4 d. per ann For the Bayliffs fee 2 l. per ann In toto xliii l. viii s. xi d. ob But this being dissolved by Act. of Parl. as all other Chantryes Gilds and the like Fraternities were in 1 E. 6. I mean what belong'd to the Gild was by the K. Letters Pat. dated 12 Dec. 2 E. 6. granted unto the Bayliffs and Commonalty of this City and their successors to hold in Burgage by the service of 1 d. per ann Touching which Almes-house I shall further adde in memorial of the said Tho. Bond and other its Benefactors the Inscription upon the walls thereof This Hospitall was founded A. D. 1506. by Mr Tho. Bond Draper sometime Mayor and Alderman of this City for ten men and one woman who gave certein lands for mayntenance thereof which his son John Bond continued during his life But Tho. the son of John claimed those lands as his own whereupon the City sued him in Chancery and had a Decree against him which cost them a great sum of money for certein lands valued then at 20 l. per ann In the seventh year of K. James the said lands were questioned as concealed from the Crown which lands and tenements the City were enforc't againe to purchase of the K. to their very great cost and expences Notwithstanding the Citty have continued the charitable uses as formerly and as the lands have been improved so hath the maintenance of the old men been bettered and each mans place is now worth eleven pounds by the year Mr Sim. Norton Draper Mayor and Alderman of this City An. D. 1641. gave 300 marks for and towards the mayntenance of one man and one boy in this Hospitall of Babbelake
and one man and woman in Gray-Friers-Hospitall which man and boy are accordingly placed in this House and the Citty at their own charge makes their mayntenance equall with the rest of the Hospitall-men and boys In the year 1560. this Hospitall for Boys was first erected in the place where now it is being a House of the Cittyes and was for some years mainteyned by the Citty and the charity of well disposed people of Cittizens and Strangers till Mr Wâ—eatly in An. 1566. setled some lands towards the mayntenance thereof and other Benefactors since have given in all with his gift about 96 l. per ann Which being not sufficient to maynteine xxi Boyes and a Nurse and place them out Apprentices the Citty doth make up the rest being above 40 l. a year one year with another Corpus-Christi-Gild In Mill-lane THis Gild was founded in 22 E. 3. by Rob. Chaundos Iohn de Wynwik Clerk Iohn de Wyndsore Iohn de Weston Tho. Chaloner Will. Prest Henry de Busseby Nich. le Hunt Iohn Prest Will. de Teynton Gilb. de Pulteney Iohn Russell sen. Ric. le Gonere Iohn de Busheley Rog. de Tuwe Nich. Floutere Ric. Coupere Peter Percy and Nich. Pake in honour of the body and blood of our blessed Saviour for one Priest to sing Mass daily for the good estate of the same King E. and of the said Rob. Iohn c. above specified during their lives in this world and for their souls afterwards as also of all the faithfull deceased Unto which Iohn Scardeburgh of Coventre Iohn Wedon and divers others granted 29 mess. and a half 8 acres of land and 18 d. yearly rent all lying in Coventre in 15 R. 2. The lands and tenements belonging whereunto were by the Survey taken in 37 H 8. certified to be yearly worth 36 l. 10 s. 8 d. Out of which was annually paid to 4 Priests performing divine service in the Churches of the holy Trinity and S. Mich. viz. to each of them 4 l. a peice In toto 16 l. To poor people such as had formerly been of this Fraternity C s. per ann And in obits yearly C s. Of this Gild was Prince Edw. a Brother being so admitted 18 E. 4. as he was also of Trinity-Gild before mentioned Sheremen and Taylors Gild. adjoyning to Gosford-gate in S. George his Chappel as is said THere was yet one Gild more viz. of the Sheremen and Taylors founded it seems in R. 2. time to the honour of Christs Nativity Which K. gave them license to purchase lands in this City of 8 marks per ann value to find a Priest to sing Mass every day for the souls of the Founders thereof and all the faithfull deceased Whereunto K. H. 6. in 17 of his reign added his license for their purchasing of more lands to the value of x marks per ann and that they should choose 4 men of their Fraternity yearly at the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord to be Masters or Governours of the same and to have a Common Seal as also power to plead in any of the Kings Courts as a body corporate From which Gilds or Fraternities there is no doubt but divers Companies in the Cities and Corporations through England took their first patterns for obtaining such priviledges and immunities as at this day they enjoy And now that these Citizens had thus associated themselves into the several Fraternities before mentioned they began to have an opinion that if any more such Gilds were allowed in this place they might receive some inconvenience thereby And therefore in 1 H. 5. procured a declaratory Patent from the K. that thenceforth there should not be any new Gild erected But the young people viz. Journeymen of several trades observing what merry-meetings and feasts their Masters had by being of those Fraternities and that they themselves wanted the like pleasure did of their own accord assemble together in several places of the City and especially in S. George's Chappel near Gosford-gate which occasioned the Mayor and his Brethren in 3 H. 6. to complain thereof to the King alledging that the said Journeymen in these their unlawfull meetings called themselves S. George his Gild to the intent that they might maintain and abet one another in quarrels and for their better conjunction had made choyce of a Master with Clerks and Officers to the great contempt of the K. authority prejudice of the other Gilds viz. the holy Trin. and Corp. Christi and disturbance of the City Whereupon the K. directed his Writ to the Mayor and Justices with the Bayliffs of this City commanding them by Proclamation to prohibite any more such meetings HAving thus taken notice of all that is or hath been within the Walls which is worth observation I come to the Suburbs where I find nothing considerable but the Chappel or Hospital of Sponne on the West part of this City This Hospital was founded in H. 2. time by Hugh Keveliok E. of Chester who having a certain Knight of his houshold called Will. de Auney a Leper gave in pure Alms for the health of his soul and the souls of his ancestors his Chappel here at Sponne with the site thereof and half a carucat of land thereto belonging for the maintenance of such Lepers as should happen to be in the Town of Coventre In which Chappel was antiently one Priest at least to celebrate divine service for the living and the dead And with him had also wont to be certain Brethren and Sisters together with the Lepers praying to God for the good estate of all their Benefactors But this Hospital upon the grant of the Mannour of Coventre to the Monks in 34 H. 3. by Rog. de Montalt and Cecily his wife was inter alia reserved to the said Roger and Cecily and their heirs which Cecily had Coventre by inheritance from those Earls And in the Release made to the said Monks of the premisses by her the said Cecily in her widowhood is said to have been sometime belonging to the Abby of Basingwerk in Flintsh But clear it is that the Monks shortly after appropriated it to their own use though they held it not so very long for I find that it came at length to the Crown together with the Mannour of Cheylesmore and therein continued till 14 E. 4. But then did the K. pass it away to the Canons of Studley in this County and their successors by the name of Libera Capella S. Mariae Magd. apud Sponne juxta Coventrâ— with all the lands tenements c. thereto belonging in pure alms to pray for the good estate of him the said K. and of Q. Eliz. his consort Edw. his eldest son Pr. of Wales D. of Cornwall c. during their natural lives and for their souls afterwards as also for the soul of Ric. late D. of York the said K. father and all his progenitors The Arch-deaconry of Coventre AND now
Clopton Thomas Clopton Ursula primò nupta Tho. Markham de Ollerton in Com. Nott. secundò Henr. Nevill de Holt. in Com. Leic. arm This Iames de Clopton was son of Iohn and he of Rob de Clopton which Robert and his Ancestors assuming their sirname from this place were antiently Inhabitants here as it seems before they became owners thereof But Walter grandchild to the said Iames assumed the sirname of Cockfield being owner of Cockfield in Essex where he then had his residence He was also called Marshall perhaps in respect of that office in the Kings houshold and by these two names scil Cockfield aliàs Marshall did Iames his grandfather settle upon him and his heirs this Mannour house at Clopton with the greatest part of his lands in this Village and in that place called the Grove Isabell de Norton before specified in 8 E. 1. releasing unto him all her right in the lands which she had so obtained from Sir Peter de Montfort as is before exprest To which Walter succeeded Walter his son and heir and to him Iohn who residing here reassumed the sirname of Clopton and having License from Iohn Carpenter Bishop of UUorcester about the beginning of Edw. 4. time erected an Oratory within this his Mannour house for himself and his own family but within few years after Thomas Clopton his son and heir built a fair Chapell here and made special suit to Pope Sixtus the 4 th for leave to have divine service celebrated therein which was accordingly granted to him and his heirs 14 Cal. Aug. an 1474. Of this family and a younger brother to the same Thomas was Hugh Clopton who being a wealthy Mercer in the City of London bore the Office of Lord Mayor in an 1492. 8 H. 7 and was a speciall Benefactor to the town of Stratford super Avon for at his own costs he built that fair Bridge of Free-stone consisting of xiiii arches with the Causey at the west end thereof substantially walled on each side and made a Way 3 miles from Aylesbury towards London and one mile on this side that town And by his Testament appointed that his Executors should finish that beautifull Chapell of the holy Trinity in the said town of Stratford the Fabrick whereof was begun in his life time He bequeathed also C. marks to be given to xx poor Maidens of good name and fame dwelling in Stratford sc. to each of them five marks a peice at their marriage and likewise C l to the poor housholders in Stratford as also L li to the new building the crosse I le in the parish Church there To the Colledge of Stratford super Avon CC li To the poore housholders in London Cli. To poor Maidens marriages in London Cli. To poor Schollars viz. three at Oxford and three at Cambridge every one xx s the quarter for 5. years To the Hospitall of S t Thomas of Acres xxli. To the Hospitall of Bethlem xls. To the other Hospitalls xl s a peice To the Prisoners of Newgate vil. To those of Ludgate vili. To those of the Kings-bench 4l. To those of the Marshalsy 4l. To the Chamber of London in recompence for disobeying his oath which he observed not or misused xli. To the common Box of the Mercers xli. To the Fellowship of the Venturers resident in Zeland Brabant or Flanders vli. Flemish To the Fellowship of the staple at Calais x marks To divers of his kindred Cl. a year◠some 5 l per an a peice and the portions of any deceasing to be spent in repairing of Bridges High-wayes poor Churches poor Housholders and the like charitable uses This Testament bears date 8 Sept. 12 H. 7. By which also he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chapell of S. Katherine in the parish Church of Saint Margaret Lothbury within the City of London in case he should depart this life in London or within twenty miles thereof but if at Stratford super Avon or in UUarwickshire then in the Church of Stratford within the Chapell of our Lady between the Altar there and the Chapell of the Trinity next adjoyning thereto and for his Funerall appointed four Torches with 4 Tapers and no more two of which after the solemnizing thereof and of his Months-mind to remain for the high Altar And further directed that his Executors should provide an honest Priest to serve within that Church where his body should happen to be buried for the space of xx years next ensuing his decease there to pray for his soul and for the souls of Iohn his father Agnes his mother and all Christian souls And that the said Priest should be bound to say thrice every week during the said xx years Placebo and Dirige with Commendations taking every year for his salary if he served in London xi marks and if at Stratford upon Avon ten marks per an And dying a Batcheler 15 Sept. 12 H. 7. was buried in the Church of S. Margaret in Lothbury according to his said appointment It seems that being a very wealthy man he got this Mannour of Clopton from his elder Brother's posterity but deceasing without issue it came to them again Will Clopton being found his cosyn and heir who had livery thereof in 19 H. 7. Which Will. was owner also of Cokfield in Essex for by a pardon that he had in 5 Henr. 8. he is stiled VVill. Clopton de Clopton in Com. VVarw. armiger alias VVill. Cockfeild de Cockfeild in Com. Essex ar From which Will. descended Will. Clopton Esq who had two daughters and heirs viz. Ioyce the wife of Sir George Carew K t created Lord Carew of this Clopton 5 Maii 3 Iac. and Earl of Totneis 7 Febr. 1. Car. who dyed without issue And Anne marryed to Will. Clopton of Sledwick in the Bishoprick of Durham descended by a younger branch from the Family before specified Bishopston OF this place there is no mention in the Conquerors Survey because it was a Hamlet pertaining to Stratford and therefore belonging to the Bishop gave occasion that it had the name of Bishopesdone at first attributed thereto the situation being at the foot of an indifferent Hill as the syllable done or dune imports In King H. 1. time Frethricus de Bissopesdone was enfeoft thereof by Sampson then Bishop of Worcester as may seem by that Certificate which his successor made in 12 H. 2. in these words Isti sunt feoffati de dominico à tempore Sansonis Episcopi Frederec de Bissopsdon 1. mil. c. This Frethric or Fraric for so he is sometimes written lived to a great age there being mention of him in 9 R. 1. and had issue Will. his son and heir who being a Knight and in that Rebellion with the Barons against King Iohn was of the retinue to Walter de Beauchamp one of the principall of them for which his lands were