of the possessions of Waga of whom I have spoke in Wootton in Edw. the Confessors days was held by Robert de Stafford in the Conq. time and by the generall Survey then taken wherein it is written Holehale certified to contain one hide the woods being half a mile in length and one furlong in breadth all valued at iv li. From which Robert or his son Nicholas did Roger Earl of Warwick obtain it as it seemes and enfeoft thereof one Roger who residing here assumed the sirname of Ulehale from whom descended certain male branches which continued till Edw. 1. time at the least whereof one viz. Robert grandchild to the said Roger wrote himself Dominus de Holenhale and in 36 H. 3. was certified to hold a fourth part of a Knight's fee here of the Earl of Warwick I suppose by some circumstances that this Mannour first came to the family of Mountfort about King H. 3. time for I find that Peter de Mountfort did then confirm the grant of certain particular parcells of land lying here given by petty Freeholders to the Monks Wootton but the first positive proof that I have which manifesteth Montfort directly to have been Lord thereof is in 32 H. 6. where one Richard Hawnell who was enfeoft thereof by Sir William Mountfort of Colshill Kt. releases his right therein to Humphrey Duke of Buck. and others which Duke with the rest had likewise but an estate in trust thereof for it appears that it came to the Crown in 10 H. 7. by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort Knight as in Colshill shall be shewed and was by the same King in 12. of his reign granted away with divers other Lordships in this Countie to Gerald Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth S. Iohn then his wife and the heirs male of their two bodyes K. H. 8. in 2. of his reign confirming the same From which Earl it descended to Sir Iames Fitz Gerald Knight one of his sons by the said Eliz. But by his attainder in 28 H. 8. as I have elsewhere shewed returned again to the Crown and in 1 Mariae was by that Queen granted unto Michael Throkmorton Esquire a younger son to Sir Robert Throkmorton of Coughton Knight who died seized thereof 1. Nov. 5 6 Ph. M. leaving Francis his son and heir seven years of age which Francis had issue Iohn Throkmorton of whom it was purchased in our time by Mr. Bolton a Citizen of London Here is a fair Chapell dedicated to the blessed Virgin wherein the Vicars of Wootton for the time being have of antient time used to find a Priest at their own proper charge to celebrate divine service The Epitaph belonging to the Monument represented on the next page Here lieth the body of Francis Throkmorton Esquire borne in the Citie of Mantua in Italy son and heir unto Michaell Throkmorton Esquire and of Agnes Hide of Southamptonshire which Michaell was borne at Coughton-Court in the Countie of Warwick and was youngest brother to Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton aforesaid Knight And after that the said Michaell had lived many years in Italy in good and great reputation with bountifull Hospitalitie entertaining most of the Noble-men and gentlemen of England that had occasion to come that way and did returne into the Realm of England in the very beginning of the reigne of Q. Mary and received of her gift the Maenours of Honiley Blackwell Packhurst Winderton Vllenhall in Ullenhall and others as appeareth by her Majesties Letters Patent bearing date in the first year of her reign And after went into Italy againe where he departed this life and lieth buried in S. Martin's Church in the said Citie of Mantua under a fair Tombe The said Michael married Iudith Tracie daughter of Richard Tracie of Stanway in the Countie of Gloucester Esquire and of Barbara Lucy of Charlecote in the aforesaid County of Warwick and sister to Sir Paul Tracie Baronet and had by her six Children whereof three that is to say Francis Michaell and Iudith are departed this life without issue and the other three are living that is to say Iohn Michaell and Iudith Anno Dom. 1617. anno decimo quinto domini nostri Iacobi Regis Angliae Mors mihi lucrum portus refugium Sic transit gloria Mundi Omnia vana vidi solo mea Christo repono Mors tua Mors Christi fraus Mundi gloria Coeli Et dolor inferni sunt meditanda tibi Botley THis being originally a member of Wootton is not taken notice of in the Conqueror's Survey but the name which is Saxon shews it to be of greater antiquity for Botle was the word which our Ancestors used in the same sense that we do Domus in Latine In H. 2. time Robert de Stadford possessor also of Wootton gave to the Canons of Kenilworth certain lands lying in this place with the homages and services of severall persons as also to Geffrey Malore and his heirs all those lands homages services which he likewise held of him here reserving the payment of a Sparhawk to himself and his heirs by the said Geffrey and his heirs which Geffrey was of those Malories that resided at Tachebroke in this Countie From whom descended Iohn Malore who in 9 E. 3. had Free warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here and at Tachebrooke before specified as also at Walton on the Woulds in Leicestershire and from him another Iohn who with Ankitell Malore his son and heir by their Deed bearing date the Thursday after the Feast of S. Michael th'arch-Angell 22 H. 6. aliened it to Richard Archer Esquire and his heirs whose posteritie have ever since enjoy'd it Sir Simon Archer of Tanworth Knight being the present owner thereof Whitley THis being in the Conqueror's time possest by Robert de Stadford with Wootton and then certified to contain three hides was held of him by one Drogo which name we now call Drew having then a Mill Woods extending to half a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth all which were valued at xl s. and before the Norman Invasion had been the inheritance of three brothers Some have affirmed that this Drogo was a Norman and servant to the said Robert de Stadford and that his posterity assumed the sirname of Whitley in regard of their residence here as also that from this Family of Whitley came the Offords and Fulwoods the one from Robert who seating himself at Offord whereof I shall speak anon left that name to his descendants and the other from Richard who planting at a place in the parish of Tanworth then called Fulwood but now Clea-Hall had also thence that denomination all which from antient evidences is likewise in some sort manifested Of this Family was one Thomas de Witele who had issue Robert which Robert in consideration of x. marks of silver past
are descended as I have already shewed Of which Sir Thomas in respect he had some publique employments of note in this County I shall say something leaving his posterity by Eliz. daughter of Richard Harecourt son of Sir Will. Harecourt Kt. whose cosin and next heire she was seated at Patshull in Staffordshire where they still continue Of which family viz. of Patshull was the famous Iohn de Astley who on the 29. of Aug. Anno 1438. 17. H. 6. maintaining a Duel on Horsback within the street called St. Antoine in Paris against one Peter de Masse a French-man in the presence of Charles the the vii K. of France pierc't the said Peter through the head and had as by the Articles betwixt them was conditioned the Helmet of the said Peter being so vanquish't to present unto his Lady And on the 30. of Ian. 20. H. 6. undertook another fight in Smyth-field within the City of London in the presence of the same K.H. 6. with Sir Philip Boyle an Arragonian Knight who having been in France by the K. his masters command to look out some such hardy person against whom he might try his skill in feats of Armes and missing there of his desires repaired hither After which combate ended being gallantly perform'd on foot with Battail-axes spears swords and daggers he was knighted by the K. and had an annuity of c. marks given him during his life Nay so famous did he grow for his valour that he was elected Knight of the Garter bearing for his Armes the Coats of Astley and Harcourt quarterly with a label of 3. points Ermine as by a very antient MS. book wherein the Ensignes of those Kts. of that honourable order are depicted appeareth But I return to the before specified Sir Will. de Astley eldest son to Thomas founder of the said Coll. Church He was in Commiss for the Peace upon the severall renuings thereof from 17. R. 2. till 6. H. 5. And in 3. H. 4. assigned to enquire concerning the disturbers of the Laws and framers of Lyes In 4. H. 4. for arraying of men In 6. to treat with the people for a loan of money to the K. and left issue one only daughter by whom the inheritance of this great House divolved to the Grey's of Ruthin But before I speak farther thereof I must add a word or two more of this family of the Astley's in reference to them as they were Barons which is that Thomas who was slain in the battail of Evesham is reputed by our Historians so to have been for before 49. H. 3. have we no particular summons to Parliament to distinguish the Barons from other great men But his son Andrew was summoned in 23 24 25 28 32 33 and 34. E. 1. Nicholas in 30. E. 1. as also in 2 and 3. E. 2. And Thomas who founded the Coll. Church in 16.22 and 23. E. 3. as appears by the Records of those times Howbeit William never had summons Which instances do shew that what is now claim'd as due by custome was not so esteem'd in those days To this William succeeded Ioan his daughter and heir first marryed to Thomas Raleigh of Farnborough in this County Which Thomas by his Testament bearing date here at Astley the Wednesday after the feast of St. Luke the Evang. 6. H. 4. bequeath'd his body to be buryed in the Quire of this Coll. Church and ten pounds for performance of his Obit and gave xx marks also to find a Priest to sing Mass for his Soul the space of 3. years He likewise bequeath'd a bowl of silver with a cover to the Lord Astley and to the Lady Ioan his wife a diamond with a silver bowl and cover To every Yeoman servant of that house vi s. viii d. and to every groom iii. s. iiii d. After whose death which hapned at that time as by the Probate of his will appeareth she marryed to Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin whose posterity by her possest this place for divers generations and were advanced to great honour as I shall shew anon for which respect it will not be amiss to take some notice of this Reginald their common ancestor and whence he sprung He was son of Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin son of Roger by Elizabeth the Daughter of Iohn Lord Hastings of Bergavenny and Isabel his wife one of the daughters and heirs to Will. Valence Earl of Penbroke by means whereof he became heir to the last Iohn Hastings E. of Penbroke as I shall shew more fully when I come to Fillongley Which Rog. was first summoned to Parliament in 28. E. 1. by the name of Roger de Grey Chivalier but his son Reginald had in all his summons the addition of de Ruthin the Castle of Ruthin being his seat and granted by K. Edw. 1. to Reginald Lord Grey of Wilton his grandfather Betwixt this Reginald who had great possessions in Wales and Owen Glendowr there grew some difference about a Common lying betweeen the Lordship of Ruthin and the Lordship of Glendowr-duy whereof Owen was owner and took his sirname Which Owen during the reign of K. R. 2. was too hard for the Lord Grey being then a servitour in Court to K. Ric. with whom he was at the time of his taking by the D. of Lanc. in the Castle of Flint But after K. Richard's deposall the Lord Grey as better friended than Owen entred upon the Common Whereupon Owen having many friends and followers in his Countrey as those that be great with Princes commonly have put himself in Armes against the Lord Grey whom he meeting in the field overcame and took prisoner spoiling his Lordship of Ruthin so that many resorted to him from all parts of Wales not knowing but that he was in as great favour then as in K. Ric. days others also putting in his head that now the time was come that the Britons by his means might recover again the honour and liberties of their ancestors The Lord Grey therefore thus made priâ—oner was constrain'd to ransom himself at ten thousand marks the King consenting that the Lord Rosse and Willughby with other of his friends and allies should endeavour to raise the said Fine in regard as the Record expresses the King knew him to be a loyal and valiant Kight After which viz. in 9. H. 5. he was retein'd by Indenture to serve the K. in his warrs beyond Sea for half a year with six men at Armesâ— himself accounted one and 18. Archers mounted armed and arrayed according to their severall conditions taking per diem for himself 2. s. and for each of his men at Armes 12. d. with the accustomed reward and 6. d. a piece for his Archers As also to have the benefit of all prisoners they should take excepting Kings Princes or any of the Royall blood and especially Charles the Dauphin of Uiennois or any that murthered
which being then a wast wherein the Inhabitants of Kenilworth had Common in consideration thereof he gave them all those fields called Priors-fields lying North of the Castle I have heard some who were his servants say that the charge he bestowed on this Castle with the Parks and Chase thereto belonging was no less than 60 thousand pounds Here in Iuly an 1575. 17 Eliz. having compleated all things for her reception did he entertain the Queen for the space of xvii dayes with excessive cost and variety of delightfull shews as may be seen at large in a special discourse thereof then printed and entituled The Princely pleasures of Kenilworth Castle having at her first entrance a floating Island upon the Pool bright blazing with Torches upon which were clad in silks the Lady of the Lake and two Nymphs waiting on her who made a speech to the Q. in meeter of the antiquity and owners of that Castle which was closed with Cornets and other loud Musick Within the base-court was there a very goodly Bridge set up of xx foot wide and lxx foot long over which the Queen did pass on each side whereof were posts erected with Presents upon them unto her by the Gods viz. a cage of Wild-fowl by Silvanus sundry sorts of rare Fruits by Pomona of Corn by Ceres of Wine by Bacchus of Sea-fish by Neptune of all habiliments of War by Mars and of Musical Instruments by Phoebus And for the several dayes of her stay various and rare Shews and Sports were there exercised viz. in the Chase a Savage man with Satyrs Bear-baitings Fire-works Italian tumblers a Country Bride-ale with running at the Quintin and Morrice-dancing And that there might be nothing wanting that these parts could afford hither came the Coventre-men and acted the antient Play long since used in that City called Hocks-tuesday â— setting forth the destruction of the Danes in King Ethelred's time with which the Queen was so pleas'd that she gave them a brace of Bucks and five marks in money to bear the charges of a Feast Besides all this he had upon the Pool a Triton riding on a Mermaid 18 foot long as also Arion on a Dolphin with rare Musick And to honour this Entertainment the more there were then Knighted here Sir Thomas Cecill son and heir to the Lord Treasurer Sir Henry Cobham brother to the Lord Cobham Sir Francis Stanhope and Sir Tho. Tresham The cost and expence whereof may be guest at by the quantity of Beer then drunk which amounted to 320 hogsheads of the ordinary sort as I have credibly heard Shortly after which viz. the next ensuing year he obtained by the grant of the said Q. a weekly Mercate here upon the Wednesday with a Faire yearly on Midsummer-day But this great Earl who bore no little sway in his time as besides our Annals some yet living can testifie having wedded the Lady Lettice daughter to Sir Francis Knolls Knight of the Garter Treasurer of the Houshold to Q Eliz. and widow to Walter E. of Essex â— wanting by her any surviving issueâ— by his last Will and Testament dated at Midleburgh in Zeland 1 Aug. an 1587. being then General of the English Auxiliaries for the United Provinces gave it to Ambrose E. of Warwick his brother for life and the inheritance to Sir Robert Dudley Knight whom he then thought not proper to stile his lawfull son and to his heirs Which Sir Robert being a person of great learning and parts coming to the possession of it within little more than a year after his fathers death for his Uncle surviv'd him no more as in Warwick I have shew'd made it his seat and endeavouring to assert his legitimacy which as to very many stood somewhat dubious in regard of his said fathers marriage with the before specified Countess of Essex during the life of the Lady Douglasse his mother widow to the Lord Sheffeild and daughter to Will Lord Howard of Effingham but failing thereof travelled into Italy where he past away his right therein unto the late Prince Henry the story whereof with the circumstances forasmuch as 't is memorable in sundry respects I shall here succinctly deliver About the beginning of K. Iames his reign this Sir Robert having marryed Alice daughter to Sir Tho. Leigh of Stoneley Kt. and considering with himself that in case he made good his legitimacy not onely the title to the Earldome of Leicester as heir to his father as also that of Warwick for want of issue by the before specified Ambrose his uncle together with the dignity of Lord L'isle would rightfully accrue to him but likewise the Castle of Warwick with divers fair Lordships in this County by vertue of an entail upon his said uncles first advancement to that honour did by reason of the great Plague at that time in London obtain a Commission from the Archb. of Cant. out of his Court of Audience directed to Dr Zachary Babington then Chancellour of Litchfeild and other for examining witnesses to prove his said fathers marriage But no sooner was it discerned by the before specified Lady Lettice and her friends that the consequence thereof would much reflect upon her than that they procured Sir Edw. Coke the K. Atturney general to exhibit a Bill in the Sâ—ar-Chamber against the same Sir Rob. and Dame Alice his Lady as also against the said Lady Douglasse Sheffeild for so she was called then wife of Sir Edw. Stafford Kt. and against the before mentioned Sir Tho. Leigh Dr Zach. Babington and divers other charging them with no less than combination and conspiracy to defame the said Lady Lettice and unjustly to entitle himself to those Honours c. And upon the petition of the Lord Sâ—dney procured a command from the Lords of the Councel not onely to stop the said proceedings at Lichfeild but to bring all the depositions there taken to remain within the said Court of Star-Chamber in the Councel-chest Nevertheless did they vouchsafe liberty to the said Sir Robert to examine Witnesses in that honourable Court in order to the making good of his legitimacy Whereupon by full testimony upon â—ath partly made by the said Lady Sheffeild and partly by divers other persons who were present at her marriage with the before specified Earl it appeared that she having been first contracted in Cannon-Row within the City of Westminster about two years before was solemnâ—y wedded to him in her Chamber at Asher in Surrey by a lawfull Minister according to the form of Matrimony by Law establisht in the Church of England in the presence of Sir Edward Horsey Knight that gave her in marriage as also of Robert Sheffeild Esq and his wife Dr Iulio Henry Frodsham Gent. with five other persons whose names are there specified and that the Ring wherewith they were so marryed was set with five pointed Diamonds and a table Diamond which had been given to him the said Earl by the then Earl of
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
in all 17. quarters and a half and 6. quarters of Malt made in beer at 4 s. the quarter The yearly fee then to the principall Officers being to Henry Marq. Dorset their high Seward Liii s. iv d. To Robert Caster gent. their generall Receiver xxvi s. viii d. And to Thomas Gregory Auditor xxvi s. viii d. So that being in clear yearly value less than CC li. it was suppressed by Act of Parl. in 27. H. 8. whereupon the Monks were for the most part disposed of to other Religious Houses that then stood undissolved Thomas Tutbury the then Abbot having a Pension of 23 li. per annum assigned to him during his life Catalogus Abbatum 1. Willielmus primus Abbas obiit Id. Dec. anno 1159. 2. Rogerus obiit Non. Feb. anno 1178. 3. Nicholaus obiit Cal. Sept. anno 1188. 4. Henricus obiit 3. Id. Sept. anno 1189. 5 Will. Pershore translatus ad Bordesley 6. Will. de Campden Abbatizavit 8. ann 7. Will. de Tysoe obiit 10. Cal. Aug. an 1217. 8. Ranulphus cessit officio ann 1221. 9. Will. Gyldeford depositus ann 1231. 10. Osbertus de Westwelle renuntiavit officio Non. Sept. ann 1258. 11. Petrus Wyche obiit 9. Cal. Martii 1261. 12. Ric. de Merynton à regimine amotus ann 1272. 13. Tho. de Orlescote translatus ad Bordesle an 1277. 14. Wâ—ll de Heyford assumptus in Abb. de Bordesse an 1293. 15. Ioh. de la Sale depositus post an 16. 2. menses 16. Rob. de Hockele obiit die S. Desiderii Episc. an 1349. 17. Rob. de Atherston renuntiavit officio anno tertio regiminis sui 18. Thomas de Weston alià s dictus Tho. de Pipe successit eidem Roberto 9. Cal. Iunii an 1352. aetate juvenis Rob. Sutton 10. H. 7. Thom. Hodskinson Thom. Tutbury 27. H. 8. After the before-specified dissolution it contitinued not long in the Crown for in 30. H. 8. it was granted to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and his heirs Which D. had issue Henry and Charles who both dying childless Sir Ric. Cavendish Knight Sir William Sidney Knight Thomas Glemham Esq. Tho. Lovell Esq. Christian Darnell widow Eliz. the wife of Walter Ayscough Esq. and Eliz. the wife of Iohn Trye were found to be their cosins and heirs Betwixt whom partition being made 21. Maii 2. Eliz. the site of this Monastery with part of the lands thereunto belonging was allotted unto William Cavendish Esq. son and heir to the said Sir Richard Which Will. by the name of Will. Cavendish of Trymley St. Martin in Com. Suff. Esq. by his deed bearing date 17. Martii 3. Eliz. sold it unto Sir Rowland Hill and Sir Thomas Leigh Knights Aldermen of London After which upon division made of divers Mannours and Lands joyntly acquired by them the site of this Monastery became allotted to the same Sir Thomas Leigh who purchasing in the greatest part of all other lands lying in Stonley thereabouts and obtain'd in 4. Eliz. a Pat. of confirmation for them all together with the Mannour of Stonley Which Sir Thomas being son to Roger Leigh of Wellington in Shrop-shire descended by a younger branch from that antient family of the Leigh's of High-Leigh in Cheshire as their descent sheweth and bred up under the said Sir Rowland Hill an opulent merchant of London became at length for his skill and diligence his Factor beyond Sea and underwent that trust so well that Sir Rowland having no child match't his neece whom he much affected to him viz. Alice daughter to ...... Barker of Hamon in Shropshire upon whose issue he bestow'd the greatest part of his estate Much might be said of this Sir Thomas Leigh who was Lord Mayor of London in 1 Eliz. but let the Epitaph upon his Monument at Mercers-Chappell where he lyeth buried suffice for he dyed in that City ....... 14. Eliz. leaving issue 3. sons Rouland Thomas and William The eldest of which was largely provided for in Gloucester-shire at Longborow and thereabouts by the said Sir Rouland Hill his Godfather But the second here And the third at Neunham in this County had ample possessions setled upon them by their father and mother she being joyned purchaser in all and lived here at Stonley to a very great age to see her childrens children to the fourth generation where departing this life ..... Ian. an 1603. she was buried at the upper end of the Chancell on the North side The memoriall of which worthy Lady though there be none over the place of her sepulture will continue in that lasting monument of her piety erected in this Town I mean the Hospitall for poor people of which I shall say more anon Thomas the second son Knighted by Q. Eliz. and honoured with the title of Baronet at the first erection of that order scilicet 29. Iunii 9. Iac. wedded Katherine daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser of Wormleighton Knight by whom he had issue Sir Iohn Leigh Knight his son and heir whom he survived And having lived to a great age in much reputation being Custos Rotulorum for this County and in all publique employments of his time one of the superior rank deceased in Febr. 1. Car. leaving Sir Thomas Leigh son to the before specified Sir Iohn his next heir Which Sir Thomas now Lord of this Mannour having been dignified with Knighthood by King Iames wedded Mary daughter and coheir to Sir Thomas Egerton Knight eldest son to Thomas Lord Ellesmere Lord Chancelour of England and firmely adhering to the late King Charles in his greatest distresses was in testimony of his stedfast loyalty advanced to the degree and title of a Baron of this Realm The Church dedicated to our Lady whereunto belonged 8. yard land being given by K. H. 1. to the Canons of Kenilworth shortly after the Foundation of that Monastery was appropriated to them by Geffrey Muschamp Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield in King Iohn's time with a Pension of v. marks out of the Vicaridge and confirmed by Pope Gregory the ix anno 1228. 12. H. 3. And in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at 24. marks the Vicaridge in 26. H. 8. being likewise rated at vi li. -xv s. iv d. over and above xxx s. yearly Pension then payd to the Canons of Kenilw. and 8 s. per annum allowed for Procurations and Synodals Which Vicaridge was by the Lady Aliza Dudley augmented with 20 li. per annum out of lands purchased in Manceter whereof I have there taken notice who also gave three large and faire pieces of gilt plate to remain for the use of the Communicants here for ever The Hospitall before mentioned was founded by the said Lady Alice Leigh for ten poor people viz. five men and five women all of them to be unmarried persons and nominated by her but after her decease by Sir Thomas Leigh her son during his life and his heirs for ever
double Festivalls Which poor men so to be placed in the said Almeshouse to be chosen out of those that had been his Tenants or serving men at the discretion of his son and heir and heirs successively Advertising his son and heir that if he should so amortize this land for those uses it would be a meritorious deed and for which he should have Gods blessing and his and adjuring that none should break this his Will under pain of the Churches Curse Whereunto when he was upon his Pilgrimage to the Holy Land as I have said he added that Anthony his son should have his best ambling Horse to offer at S. Thomas Hospitall in Rome for a Morâ—uary his son Michael his next best Horse and that his goods which he had sent before to Florence should be divided betwixt the said Anthony and Michael Which Will was dated 10. Aug. anno 1518. and proved 9. Nov. anno 1520. To this Sir Robert succeeded George his son and heir who being a Knight in 17 H. 8. was one of those that attended in Court at that solemn Coronation of Queen Anne in 25 H. 8. and in 18. and 35 H. 8. executed the office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire This Sir George built that stately Castle-like Gatehouse of free-stone here at Coughton intending as it should seem to have made the rest of his House sutable thereto and having erected a fair Monument for himself and the Lady Catherine his wife standing towards the North-side of the Chancell as I shall shew by and by bequeathing his body to be buried under the same departed this life in 1. Mariae as may seem by the Probate of his Testament leaving issue a fair ofspring Of which I find that Robert the eldest was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in 1. M. being then a Knight That Clement the third son was of Haseley in this County of whom and his descendants I have there spoke That Nicholas the fourth was a Knight and in 1 Eliz. imployed as Embassador to Francis the second King of France and Mary Queen of Scots his consort to expostulate the matter with them for assuming the Armes of England in their quarterings and afterwards scil in anno 1567. 9 Eliz. into Scotland at which time the said Queen was most barbarously kept in prison by her rebellious subjects where and when they extorted a resignation of the Regall power from her unto which he having perswaded her to subscribe signified to Queen Eliz. that it was of no validity forasmuch as she had been constrained thereto by the terror of a base imprisonment His other negotiations I shall not stand to particularize referring my Reader to M r Cambden's Annals of Queen Eliz. raign Anno scil 1570. where he speaks of his death and unto Stow's Survey of London for his Epitaph on a fair Monument of Alabaster wherein his statue in armour is cut situate on the south side of the Chancell in S t Catherine Creechurch near Algate within that City But touching the other sons of the said Sir George I find not much memorable except it be of Sir Iohn his seventh son Knighted by Queen Eliz. in the first year of her reign whose Epitaph upon his Monument in the Chancell here at Coughton doth sufficiently declare his eminency and worth Which Sir Iohn had issue Francis attainted in 26 Eliz. for Treason layd to his charge as having conspired God knows what in behalf of the Queen of Scots To the before specified Sir Robert eldest son of Sir George succeeded Thomas and to him Iohn and to him Sir Robert Throkmorton Baronet erected to that dignity by Letters Patent bearing date at Nottingham 1. Sept. 19. Caroli and to him Sir Francis now living whose severall marriages the Pedegree before inserted sheweth The Epitaph upon Sir Robert Throkmorton's Monument represented at the bottome of pag 562. Here lyeth buried Sir Robert Throkmorton Knight son ad heir of Sir George Throkmorton Knight which Sir Robert was twice wedded in the fear of God first to Merell Barkley one of the daughters of the Lord Barkley and did beget on her bodie 3. sons and 4. daughters second to the Lady Elizabeth Hungerford sometime wife of the Lord Hungerford and one of the daughters of the Lord Hussie by whom he did beget two sons and five daughters who departed this life for happier estate the day of Anno Domini 15 .... On the other side of this Monument are these verses Conditur hoc tumulo generosae gloria plebis Luget ut amissum patria chara patrem Nam plebs patronum clari sensere parentem Fautor erat miseris pauperibusque pius Religiosus amans observantissimus aequi Sincerus cultor principis atque Dei. Armatum sensere hostes sensere togatum Pacificum cives clarus utroque fuit Auxerunt famam neptes clarique nepotes Undique multiplici prole beatus erat Erudienda bonos virtutis semina liquet In cinerem rediit qui fuit ante cinis Vita dedit mortem letam mors ultima vita Vita fugax obiit vita perennis adest Magne Roberte vale divae virtutis alumnae Namque tenes superas non rediture domos Circumscribed on the freeze of this Monument O miser respice finem qualis sum in brevi eris vigila ergo quia nescis diem neque horam Upon a plate of brasse fix't on the North wall of the Chancell is this Inscription Of your charite pray for the soul of dame Elizabeth Throkmerton the last Abbas of Denye and Aunt to Sir George Throkmerton Knight who deceassed the xiii day of Ianuarye in the yere of our Lord God a. MCCCCCxlvii who lieth here tumilate in this tumbe on whoze soule and all Christen soules Iesu have mercy Amen Vivit post funera virtus Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conventus de Stodley Ioh. Grenhull Pbr. 29. Maii 1339. Prior Conventus de Stodley Ioh. de Somburne Pbr. 23. Apr. 1378. Prior Conventus de Stodley Thomas de Balle Cap. 1. Oct. 1434. Prior Conventus de Stodley Rob. Cowper Cap. 20. Sept. 1440. Prior Conventus de Stodley D. Hugo Lynesay Pbr. ult Apr. 1471. D. Henr. 8. Rex Angliae D. Henr. Shelmerdyne Cler. 23. Apr. 1541. Thomas Throkmorton generosus Thomas Ireland Cler. 6. Apr. 1593. Ric. Berkley de Lancombe in Com. Gloucest ar Will Norwood de Lech-Hampton in dicto Com. ar Leonardus Digby Cler. 10. Dec. 1624 The Armes which were lately standing in the windows being onely such as had been set up at the new glasing of them in Sir George Throkmorton's time I have purposely omitted in regard they were no other than such as be in the windows of the Mannour-house whereof I have taken notice Samburne OF this place having its originall denomination from that little Sandy brook nigh unto which it stands I find very antient mention
that the contest for those of the Earls of Pembroke sc. Or a Manche gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey son to the before mentioned Reginald and Edw. Hastings brother and heir to the last mentioned Hugh lasted little less than twenty years in the Court Militarie before the Constable and Marshall of England wherein after much money spent the said Edw. Hastings who chalenged them as heir male of the Familie was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 ob q. costs â—rey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Armes adjudged to Grey but imprisoned xvi years for disobeying that Sentence The particular proceedings in which business with the hard measure which the said Edward had for brevities sake I pass by referring my Reader to that learned Comment upon Sir Henry Spelman's discourse of Armes lately published by my worthy friend Edw. Byske Esq. where they are compendiously set forth and return to the before specified Wil. Beauchamp Which William possessing this Lordship of Fillongley â— and the greatest part of the said Earl of Pembroke's lands by virtue of that entail was impleaded for the same by the above mentioned Edw. Hastings and having invited his learned Counsell to his House in Pater Noster Row within the Citie of London amongst whom were Rob. Charlton then a Judge Will. Pinchbeck Will. Brenchesley and Iohn Catesby all learned Lawyers after Dinner went into his Chapell and at his coming out in an angry fashion threw to each of them a piece of Gold saying Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any right and title to Hasting's Lordships and Lands whereupon Pinchbeck stood up the rest being silent fearing that he suspected them and said No man here nor in England dare say that you have any right in them except Hastings do quit his claim therein and should he do it being now under age it would be of no validitie Perhaps there had been some former entail to settle them upon the heir male of the Familie which preceded that before spoken of but what ever it was sure we are that Hastings apprehended the injury done to himself so great as that with extream anguish of mind at his later end he left God's curse and his own upon his Descendants if they should not attempt the vindication thereof Of this Will. de Beauchamp who was a younger son unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by Catherine Mortimer sister of Agnes mother unto Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke before specified I find that he was in 4 R. 2. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his wars with CCL men at Armes and CCL Archers for a quarter of a year under the command of Edmund de Langley Earl of Cambridge the King's Uncle in the parts of Portugall and Spain in which expedition the said Earl was Generall So also in 6 R. 2. with that warlike Bishop of Norwich sc. Henr. Spenser who was so victorious in the parts of Flanders about that time and should have had 500. marks for the service of himself in particular of which he received part but because he had it not all before-hand he refused to stir from home After which viz. in 7 R. 2. he was constituted Governour of Calais and retained by Indenture for the safe custodie thereof with CXL men at Armes on Horseback whereof himself with nine other Kts. to be part CL. Archers on Horseback C. men at Armes and CLxxxiii Archers on foot and four Esquires on Horseback with condition that xx men at Armes and ten Archers on Horseback as also ten Archers on foot belonging to the Treasurer of Calais should be under his command in relation to that service and in consideration thereof to receive four shillings per diem for his own wages for the rest of the Knights ii s. and men at Armes serving on Horseback xii d. Which retainer was for two years but the next year ensuing the like Covenants were renewed for the terme of three years more and in 11 and 12 R. 2. for each of those years singly In 10 R. 2 he was made Governour of the Castles of Pembroke and Kilgaran In 16 R. 2. first summoned to Parliament with the Barons by the name of Will. Beauchamp de Bergavenny chivalier and made Knight of the Garter being then possest of the Castle of Bergavenny with the other lands which the befâ—re specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke had so entailed upon him as hath been said In 1 H. 4. made Justice of South-Wales and frâ—m 2 H. 4. till 8. inclusive was in Commâ—ssion for conservation of the Peace in this Countie But farther of his Militarie or Civill imployments I have not seen nor can I say more of him than that he gave to the Collegiate Church of Warwick for the good estate of K. Ric. 2. and Q. Anne his Câ—nsort as also of himself and Ioan his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of all their souls afterwards the advouson of the Churches of Spellesbury and Chadsley-Corbet in Worcester'shire and that he was in some sort a Benefactor to the Gild of the Holy Trinitie our Ladie and S. Iohn Baptist in Coventre as may seem by his portraiture set up in glass on the East side of St. Mary Hall together with his Ladie in robes of great state which in my discourse of that place are most exactly represented And lâ—stly that by his Testament bearing date at Bergavenny 25 Apr. an 1408. 9 H. 4. he bequeatned hâ—s body to be buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers at Hereford next and beneath the Tombe of the before specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke appointing that five Tapers should be hung about his Bodie as soon as mâ—ght be after his death as also that xxiiii men should be cloathed in black each of them hâ—lding a Torch in his hand and to have ii d. a piâ—ce for the same To which place of his burâ—all he bequeathed xx marks or more as his Executors should think fit and over and above what hath been already exprest C l. for the charges of his Funerall directing that ten thousand Masses should be sung for his soul in all the hast that might be after his death by the most honest Priests that could be got as also that four good Priests be found by the space of ten years singing for his soul and for the soul of his Lord Sir Iohn Hastings Earl of Pembroke and for all the souls unto whom he had obligation And moreover to his poor Tenants withâ—n his Lordships C l. To Ioane his wife a pair of Basyns covered and overgylt having the Armes of Warwick and Arundell empaled upon them To Richard his son his best Sword and Harneis to be armed withall aswell for War as Peace as also all his other Harneis for