in 46 E. 3. at which time he was retain'd by Indenture to serve the King in those Wars with xl Men at Arms himself being then a Banneret xv Knights xxxiv Esquires and Lx Archers This William in 5 R. 2. had a Resolution to found a Monastery of the Carthusian Order in Honour of St. Anne near to the City of Coventre but was by death prevented whereupon King Richard the Second accomplish'd that Work for on Wednesday the Feast of St. George the same year he departed this Life leaving Sir William la Zousche of Braunfeild Knight his Son and Heir then xl years of age as also a younger Son called Thomas who afterwards had the Mannors of Ightam and Eynesford in Com. Kanc. being then seised of the Castle and Mannor of Torneys with its Members viz. Lodeswalle and Hiwishe as also of the Mannor of Cornewâ—rthie in Com. Devon of the Mannors of Eygâ—reham and Eynesford in Com. Cantii of the Hundred of Calne with the Mannor of Calston and Mannor of Ambresbury called le Coâ—ynger in Com. Wiltes of the Mannor of Kingesw 〈◊〉 in Com. Suthampt. of the Mannor of Kilpesham in Com. Rotel Haryngworth Bulwyke Beâ—ghâ—y and Mannor called Souches-Mannor in Rothwell in Com. Northampt. of the Mannor of Ilkeston in Com. Derb. Zouches-Mannor in Docking in Com. Norff. Bluenlegh in Com. Suff. Mule Bracy in Com. Salop. Eyton with its Members viz. Henlawe Berston and Wymington Totenshe Houghton and Weston Inge in Com-Bedf Hamme in Com. Buck. Wythkall Lavnton and Lynthorpe in Com. Linc. Thorpe Ernauld with its Members viz. Brentyngby Busseby Thurneby and Houghton as also of the Mannor of Claybroke in Com. Leic. and likewise of the Mannor of Weston in Com. Warr. Elizabeth his Wife surviving who by her Testament bearing date upon the Feast-day of St. Ambrose Anno 1408. 9 H. 4. bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Abby of Tewkesbury where the Corps of her Brothers lay Interred with xx l. to that House and gave to Edmund and Thomas her Sons all her Silver Vessel to be equally divided betwixt them Which William viz. Son and Heir to the last-mention'd William doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and in 7 R. 2. was in the Wars of France This William was he who being accused by a Frier-Carmelite that he had scandalized Iohn of Gant Duke of Lancaster with evil Machinations against the King was brought before the Parliament though at that time very sick to answer the Charge but stoutly denying all he was at length acquitted And in 8 R. 2. was retain'd by Indenture to serve the King in his Scoâ—â—sh Wars for xl days the King resolving to go in 〈◊〉 thither But in 10 R. 2. being then called William Lord Zousche of Torneys residing there at that time as it seems obtain'd Licence from the King to make a Castle of his Mannor-house at Haringworth in Com. Northampt. Which Licence was afterwards confirm'd to Sir William la Zousche Knight his Cousin and Heir in 10 H. 6. In 12 R. 2. this William was banish'd the Court as one of the King 's Evil Counsellors by those Great Lords who then met in Arms at Haringey Park After which viz. in 15 R. 2. he was by some Inquisitions found to be next Heir to Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke viz. Son of William Son of Eudo Father of William Son of Milisent Daughter and one of the Heirs to William de Cantilupe Brother of Nicholas Father of William Father of Nicholas Father of William Father of William who died without Issue And in 19 R. 2. upon the Saturday next preceding the Feast of St. Dunstan being the thirteenth of May departed this Life leaving William his Son and Heir xxii years of age Which William doing his Homage the year following had Livery of his Lands This William the same year viz. 20 R. 2. being in the Wars of France was of the Retinue of Edward Earl of Rutland and in 22 R. 2. went again to those Wars Moreover in 1 H. 4. in consideration of his good Services to that King he had a Grant of C l. per annum out of the Exchequer And in 3 H. 4. attended Blanch the King's Daughter to Celein where she was married to the Emperor's Son Furthermore in 7 H. 4. upon the death of Thomas la Zouche his Uncle who held the Mannors of Middle Claydon and Elesyngburgh in Com. Buck. for term of Life the Reversion appertaining to him he then came to the Possession of those Lordships And in 8 H. 4. was again in the Wars of France In 1 H. 5. being at that time Lieutenant of Calais he was one of the Embassadors sent to Cbarles King of France for the Observation of the Truce made by King Richard the Second and that King And having married Alice the Daughter and Heir of Sir Richard de St. Maur the younger Knight and of Mary his Wife as also Cousin and Heir of Ela the Wife of Sir Richard St. Maur the elder Knight Father of Richard the younger and made proof of her age had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance doing his Fealty This William died 3 Nov. 3 H. 5. being then seised of the Mannor of Drey Docking in Com. Norff. Kilpham in Com. Rotel Haryngworth Bulwyke Braunfeild Houghton and Berughby in Com. Northampt. Ilkeston in Com. Derb. of the Castle of Greisele in Com. Nott. of the Castle of Totneys with the Borough and Mannor of Cornworthy in Com. Devon of the Mannors of Lavington Withâ—all and Kinthorpe in Com. Linc. Weston in-Arden and Folkeshull in Com. Warr. Claybroke and Thorpe Ernauld with its Members in Com. Leic. Colston with the Hundred of Calne in Com. Wiltes Meole Bracy in Com. Salop. Hergrobe Odâ—cumbe and the Borough of Briggewater in Com. Somerset Esulburgh Claydo Stoke Mandevile and Hamme in Com. Buck. as also of the Mannors of Thorâ—bury and Eyton in Com. Bedf. leaving William his Son and Heir xiii years of age whose Marriage was granted by the King to Raphe Earl of Westmorland but the Benefit of his Lands to Iohn Holand Earl of Huntendon to hold during his Minority As also Iohn a younger Son who married Elizabeth the Aunt and Heir to Henry Lord Grey of Codnovre from whom the Zouches of Codnobre did descend and two Daughters viz. Margaret the Wife of Sir Thomas Tresham Knight and Elizabeth Which William his Son and Heir upon the death of Elizabeth his Mother in 4 H. 6. doing his Fealty had Livery of all those Lands which she held in Dower and in 2 E. 4. being then above xxx years of age and bearing the Title of Lord Zouche and St. Maur having perform'd many special Services
at his Fathers death and having married Anne the daughter to Robert Earl of Essex by her had issue Philip his son and heir and two daughters Mary married to ... Gower of ... in Com. Ebor. and Anne to VVilliam VVolrich of ... in Com. Sussex Esquire and died 14 Eliz the said Philip being at that time seventeen years of age Which Philip took to wife Frances daughter to Henry â—arl of Cumberland and by her had issue two sons viz. Sir George Wharton Knight of the Bath who married Anne daughter to Iohn Earl of Rutland and was slain in a Duel by Sir Iames Steward Knight upon the eighth of November An. 1609. leaving no issue And Sir Thomas VVharton Knight Which Sir Thomas took to wife Philadelphia the daughter to Robert Earl of Monmouth and having issue by her two sons Philip and Thomas died in his fathers life time viz. 17 Apr. 20 Iac. and was buried at Easby near Richmund in Yorkshire This Philip had likewise issue three daughters Margaret married to Edward Lord VVotton Eleanore to VVilliam Thwaytes of Long Marston in Com. Ebor. Esquire and Frances to Sir Richard Musgrave of Edenhale in Com. Cumbr. Knight of the Bath and Baronet And departing this life upon the Twenty sixth day of March An. 1625. was buried at Healey in the County of the City of York Leaving Philip his grandson viz. eldest son to Sir Thomas who died in his life time his successor in his honor Which Philip arrived to his full age in An. 1634. and married three wives Elizabeth daughter of Sir Rouland Wandesford of Pickhay in Com. Ebor. Knight Attorney of the Court of Wards by whom he had issue one only daughter called Elizabeth married to Robert then Lord VVilloughby of Eresby now Earl of Lindsey and Lord Great Chamberlain of England Secondly Iane the daughter and heir of Arthur Goodwyn of Upper Winchendon in Com. Buck. â—squire by whom he hath had issue two sons Thomas and Goodwyn and four daughters Anne married to VVilliam Carr a Scotchman only son to VVilliam Carr Groom of the Bedchamber to King Iames. Margaret to Major Dunch of Pusey in Com. Berk. Esquire Mary to VVilliam Thomas son and heir of Edmund Thomas of Wennoe in Com. Glamorgan Esquire and Philadelphia He thirdly married Anne daughter to the said VVilliam Carr Groom of the Bedchamber to King Iames widdow of Edmund Popham Esquire by whom he hath one son called VVilliam Which Thomas son and heir apparent to this Philip Lord VVharton hath married Anne one of the two daughters and coheirs to Sir Henry Lee of Dichley in Com. Oxon. Baronet Lord Paget 4 E. 6. THe first mention I find of any bearing this name who arriv'd to the dignity of Peerage is VVilliam Paget a person naturally endowed with excellent parts as may seem by his ascent from so low a condition to those high Preferments whereunto by sundry degrees he attained being son a to ... Paget one of the Serjeants at Mace in the City of London who was born near Wednsbury in Staffordshire of mean Parentage where 〈◊〉 were some of that generation till of late years remaining so that he might well say with the Poet Et quae non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra voco For in 23 H. 8. by reason of his great abilities he came to be one of the Clerks of the Signet And in 32 H. 8. Clerk of the Council As also Clerk of the Privy-Seale with the Fee of Thirty pounds per annum and soon after that Clerk of the Parliament for life In all which employments he deported himself with such sedulity and prudence as that in 33 H. 8. he was sent Embassador into France and upon his return from that honorable Negotiation made one of the principal Secretaries of State for so I find him in 35 H. 8. Moreover in 36 H. 8. being then a Knight he was constituted one of the Commissioners to Treat with Mathew Earl of Lenox touching the advancement of King Henry the Eighth's Interst in Scotland whereupon l that Earl was to marry the Lady Margaret Douglas King Henry's Neice And the same year attending that King in his Expedition to Boloin was associated with the Earl of Hertford and others to Treat with the Embassadors of France in order to a general accord betwixt both Realms In 37 H. 8. he obtained a grant to himself and Iohn Mason Esquire then Secretary to the King for the French Tongue and the survivor of them of the Office of Master of the Posts with the Fee of Sixty six pounds thirteen shillings four pence per an And in 38 H. 8 was one of the Commissioners which treated of and concluded a Peace with the French Shortly after which the King lying on his Death-bed he was constituted one of his Executors and appointed one of the Council to his successor King Edward the Sixth In the second year of whose Reign he obtained a grant in Fee of that House without Temple-Barr in the City of London then called Exeter-place formerly belonging to the Bishops of that See as also of a certain parcel of ground lying within the Garden of the Middle-Temple adjoyning thereto Which House he transformed into a new Fabrick for his own habitation and called it Paget-House But long it held not that name being from after-owners called next Leicester-House and at length Essex-House The next thing which I find memorable of him is that in 4 E. 6. he was sent Embassador to the Emperor Charles the Fifth to signifie how King Edward being on the one side distressed by the Scots and on the other by the French likewise miserably rent by intestine divisions at home necessity required speedy Succors from him else that he must submit to an inconvenient Peace with France And upon the Third of December the same year being then Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Comptroller of the Kings Houshold Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster and called by Writ to the Parliment then sitting by the name of Lord Paget of Beaudsert in Com. Staff he took his place there amongst the rest of the Peers After which upon the 19 th of Ianuary next ensuing he had his solemn creation to that honor and within three dayes following was sent with the Earl of Bedford and Sir Iohn Mason again to treat of Peace with the French Notwithstanding all which great services such enemies he had that in 5 E. 6. upon the fall of the Duke of Somerset whose ruine was effected by the contrivance of Dudley Duke of Northumberland against whom the principal charge was that he had designed the Murther of some Noblemen at Pager-House this Lord was sent to the Tower and bereav'd of his Ensignes of the Garter But Money being not a little wanting at that time whereupon several persons
with a numerous Army he stoutly defended it against their whole power It is said by some of our Historians that upon King Edwards coming into France at that time with a puissant Army which occasioned the before specified Iohn to raise his siege and to march away in order to the conjunction of his Forces with the Army of Philip his Father this Ralph Lord Stafford â—allied out of Aguillon fell upon his Rear and cut off a great part thereof Moreover that being thus cleared from that siege he joyned his Forces with King Edwards and had an eminent command in the Van of the Army under the Black Prince in that famous Battle of Cressy which soon after ensued where the English obtained a glorious victory Likewise that after that victory being sent with Sir Reginald Cobham and three Heralds to view the slain they reported the number to be Eleven great Princes eighty Bannerets twelve hundred Knights and more than thirty thousand Common Soldiers And also that upon the render of Calais which hapned shortly after he was one of those who were then appointed to take possession of it for the King The next year following there being an accord made betwixt this Ralph and Margaret his Wife on the one part Sir Robert de Harley and Elizabeth his Wife on the second part and Sir Edward Cornwall on the third part as Cosins and Heirs to Peter the Son of Peter Corbet This Ralph claiming the Castle of Caus and other Lands as being descended from the eldest Aunt of the same Peter it being thereby concluded That he should thenceforth enjoy that Castle to him and his heirs he obtained Livery thereof doing his Fealty for the same And before the end of that year in farther consideration of his laudable services did also obtain another special Livery of all those Lands which Hugh de Audley Earl of Glocester then deceased held of the Inheritance of Margaret his Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs to Gilbert de Clare sometime Earl of Glocester which by the death of her the said Margaret did by descent belong to Margaret Wife to this Ralph as Daughter and Heir to them the said Hugh and Margaret his homage being respited in respect of his Military imployment For he was then sent again into France and had purveyance for himself his men and horses in the Counties of Sussex Surrey and Kent till he took shipping Sir Hugh Fitz-Simond Knight being at that time one of his Retinue as appears by an Indenture dated 16 Martii the same year whereby he covenanted to serve him in the Wars wheresoever he should have occasion with four Knights himself accounted and eight Esquires for the space of one whole year next ensuing Being thus again in France he was one of the Ambassadors sent to the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont to treat of Peace betwixt King Edward and Philip de Valoys then assuming the title of King of France In 22 Edw. 3. which was the next ensuing year he obtained License to make Castles of his Mannor Houses at Stafford and Madeley as also a Grant from the King of 573 l. for his expences in his service beyond Sea And being then by Indenture retained to serve the King during his whole life with sixty Men at Arms had by reason thereof Six hundred marks per annum assigned unto him to be received out of the Ports of London and Boston Moreover having merited so well for his many and great services he was about this time elected to be one of the number of that honorable Society of the most Noble Order of the Garter then instituted by that martial and victorious Prince King Edward the Third Furthermore in 24. Edw. 3. he was joyned in Commission with the Bishop of Durham the Lord Percy and Lord Nevill to treat with the Nobles of Scotland at York for a firm and final Peace betwixt both Realms In which and all other his employments his deportment was such That the King in consideration thereof upon the fifth of March then next ensuing advanced him to the title of Earl of Stafford and for his better support of that dignity granted to him a thousand marks per annum in Fee until he should provide Lands of that value to settle on him and his heirs And being thus raised to these Honors and inriched with such large benefits he was shortly after viz. in 26 Edw. 3. constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain-General in his Dutchy of Aquitane with special Commission to treat with any persons of what Nation soever upon terms of Aid to the King and mutual assistance from him In which service viz. The Lieutenancy of Aquitaine he was then likewise retained by Indenture bearing date 3 Martii to continue with an hundred Men at Arms and an hundred Archers on Horsback of his own proper Retinue until Michaelmass next following And from that time forwards to have an additional number of One hundred Men at Arms more with good Captains and Two hundred Archers on Horsback provided at the Kings charge for the time of his stay there The King likewise indenting farther with him to send by way of more supply under the conduct of the Duke of Lancaster the Earls of Northampton Arundel Warwick or Huntingdon Three hundred Men at Arms and seven hundred Archers During the time of which stay there he constituted Sir Iames Pipe Knight then Seneschal of that Dutchy Governor of the Town and Castle of Blavy situate in the Enemies quarters And in regard of this his necessitated absence from England obtained a special Precept to the Judges of the Kings Bench that they should not in any of their Sessions within the County of Essex intermeddle with his Liberties For which expedition whilest he was preparing he had an Assignation of the Town of 〈◊〉 in Com. Middl. for the quartering of his Men and Horses Sixty Men with Lances being for that service then impressed out of his Lordships of Newport and Netherwent in the Marches of Wales In 27 Edw. 3. he attended Prince Edward in the company of the Earl of Warwick unto the City of Chester with a Military Power for the protecting of Sir Richard de Willoughby and Sir William de Shareshul Knights then sitting there as Justices Itinerant against the violence of the people whose Insurrection they feared And the same year had a special Dispensation from Pope Innocent the Sixth bearing date 15 Kal. Febr. That such Religious Persons as should be at his Table or in his House might eat Flesh. In 29 Edw. 3. he attended the King again into France whose purpose was to have given Battle to the King of France then at S. Omers had he not privily got away And in 33 Edw. 3. marching towards Reyns in Campaigne and quartered in
he died without Issue of his Body the Town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his Heirs and Successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and other his Lands in England and Wales to his Cousin William de Beauchamp viz. his Mothers Sisters Son in Fee provided he should bear his Arms and endeavour to obtain the Title of Earl of Pembroke And in case he should decline so to do then his Kinsman William de Clinton to have them upon the same Conditions Upon the death of this last Earl Anne his Wife surviving had thereupon for her Dowrie an Assignation of the Mannors of Sutton Wynferthing and Asshele in Com. Norff. Lydgate Badmondesfeild Otteleye and Wridlyngton with three Burgages within the Town of St. Edmundsbury in Suffolk the Mannors of Thoryton Est-Hannyngfeld South-Hannyngfeld with certain Lands in West-Hannyngfeld and Fanges in Com. Essex the Mannor of Totenham in Com. Midd. Podyngton and Westâ—â—te with certain Lands in Southwarke in Com. Surr. the Mannor of Benham in Com. Berâ—s with certain Lands in Fitelton in Com. Wiltes the Mannors of Brampton and Lyming in Com. Hunt Shelford in Com. Cantabr Blounham and Kempston in Com. Bedf. certain Lands in Repyngdon in Com. Derb. the Mannors of Allefley Filoâ—gley Aston Cantlow and Pillâ—rdyngton in Com. Warr. and Mannor of Naâ—lesten in Com. Leic. Which Anne departed this Life upon Palm-sunday in 7 R. 2. Iohn her Son and Heir being then eleven years of age Of which Iohn I find that at the Coronation of King Richard the Second being then not five years of age he claimed to carry the great Golden Spurs and shewing sufficient Evidence of his Right to do that Service it was adjudged That by reason of his Minority another should be appointed to perform the same on his behalf viz. Edmund Mortimer Earl of March whose Daughter Philippa he married though very young but had no Issue by her for so it hapned that in 13 R. 2. the King keeping his Christmass at Wodstoke and there holding a Tournament being then but seventeen years of age he adventured to Tilt with Sir Iohn St Iohn and that by an unluckie slip of St. Iohn's Lance he was run into the bottom of his Belly so that his Bowels breaking out he suddenly died to the great grief of many in regard he was a Person of so Noble a Disposition that in Bounty and Courtesie he exceeded most of his Degree Which untimely death of his was then thought by many to be a Judgment upon the Family in regard that Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke his Ancestor was one of those who gave Sentence of Death upon Thomas Earl of Lancaster at Pontfract for it was observ'd that after that Judgment so given none of the succeeding Earls of Pembroke ever saw his Father nor any Father of them took delight in seeing his Child His Death thus hapning upon the thirtieth of December 13 R. 2. he was buried in the Church of the Grey-Fryers without New-gate in the Suburbs of London where he had a Noble Monument which at the general Dissolution of the Religious Houses by King Henry the Eighth was with the rest utterly defaced Dying thus without Issue Reginald Lordâ— Grey of Ruthyn was by some Inquisitions found to be his Cousin and next Heir of the whole Bloud as descended Lineally from Elizabeth Sister to Iohn de Hastings Father of Iohn Great-grandfather of this Earl And by other Inquisitions Hugh de Hastings Son of Hugh Son of Hugh Son of the same Iohn de Hastings by Isabell the Daughter of Hugh le Despenser his second Wife also found to be his Heir-male but of the half Blood This Hugh in 14 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into Flanders and in 16 E. 3. summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm In 20 E. 3. being call'd Consanguineus Regis The King's Cousin he was constituted his Lieutenant in Flanders and Commander of all his Military Forces there against the French where they took above CCC Prisoners and brought them into England And in 20 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into Britanny being of the Retinue to Henry Duke of Lancaster Moreover in 33 E. 3. he was in the Wars of Gascoine and in 40 E. 3. attended Iohn Duke of Laneaster into Spain After which viz. in 43 E. 3. he was in that Expedition then made into France and of the Retinue with the same Duke of Lancaster This is all of moment that I have seen of him I should now proceed to his Descendents But forasmuch as they never had Summons to Parliament I am not concern'd to speak of them Nevertheless forasmuch as Edward Hastings Great-grand-son to this Hugh had a long Contest with Reginald Lord Grey of Rutbyn for bearing the Arms of this Family it will not I hope be deemed impertinent to take notice that so little did Iohn Earl of Pembroke Father to the last Iohn regard his next Heir-male and so much dislike Reginald Grey Father to the last Reginald as that he Entailed the greatest part of his Lands upon William de Beauchamp before-mentioned Notwithstanding which Settlement the Right of Bearing the Arms was in those days of such esteem that the Contest for them sc. Or a Manch Gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey Son to the before-mention'd Reginald and Edward Hastings Brother and Heir to the last-mention'd Hugh lasted little less than xx years in the Court-Military before the Constable and Marshal of England Wherein after much Money spent Edward Hastings who so challenged them as Heir-male of the Family was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 d. ob q. Costs Grey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Arms adjudged to Grey but imprisoned sixteen years for disobeying that Sentence The particular Proceedings in which Business with the hard measure which Edward Hastings had for brevity I pass by But one thing farther I shall observe viz. That Edward Hastings questioning William de Beauchamp for those Lordships and Lands whereof Iohn the last Earl of Pembroke died seised and which had been so setled upon Beauchamp by that Entail before mention'd Beuchamp invited his Learned Counsel to his House in Pater-noster-row in the City of London amongst whom were Robert Châ—â—lton then a Judge William Pincâ—ebek William Brenchâ—sley and Iohn Catesby all Learâ—ed Lawyers and after Dinner coming out of his Chappel in an angry mood threw to each of them a Piece of Gold and said Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any Right and Title to Hastings Lordships and Lands Whereupon Pinchbek 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
Realm and obtain'd a Grant of the Castle and Lordship of Folkyngham in Com. Linc. Likewise of the Mannors of Lavyngton Sapirton Awethorp Asâ—akby Birhorp Repingbale the moity of the Mannor of Bykere and Mannor of Welbourne in the same County Of the Mannors of Loughborough and Shepeshed in Com. Leic. Of the Forestership of Rutland and Mannor of Leyseld in that County Of the House called Beaumond's-Inne situate in the Parish of St. Benedict in the Ward of Baynard's-Castle within the City of London late part of the Possessions of Sir William Beaumont Knight Viscount Beaumont as also of all that Purparty late belonging to the same William Viscount Beaumont of the Honour called Winchester-Fee with the Appurtenances in the said County of Leicester And of all the Lands and Lordships which were the said William Viscount Beaumont's in Folkingham and elsewhere in the County of Linc. and in Edmynton in Com. Midd. which by his Attainder in the Parliament held at Westminster the fourth day of Novemâ—er in the first year of that King's Reign came to the Crown At the same time he likewise obtain'd a Grant of the Mannors of Ashby la Zouch with its Appurtenances in the before-specified County of Leic. lately belonging to Iames Earl of Wiltshire then also Attainted As also of the Mannors and Lordships of Beaumaner Whytewyk Stochaston Neuton Hokelescote Donington Markefeild and Erneshy with their Appurtenances in that County and Mannor of Hekynton in Com. Linc. which Katherine Dutchess of Norfolke held for term of her life with Remainder to the said William Viscount Beaumont Furthermore in regard of the near Alliance in Bloud of Katherine his Wife Daughter to Richard Nevill late Earl of Salisbury Widow of William Lord Bonvile he obtain'd a further Grant to himself and her of the Mannor of Bolton Perci in Com. Ebor. as also of the Mannors and Lordships of Plompton Bercombe and Birlynâ— in Com. Suss. part of the Possessions of the same William Viscount Beaumont Likewise of the Honour Castle and Lordship of Belvoir with the Park and all its Members viz. Wollesthorp in Com. Linc. Barkeston Plumgarthe Redmyld and Hardeby in Com. Leic. with the Advowson of the Priory of Belvoir and Advowson of the Churches of Hardeby Wollesthorpe and Redmyld And of the Rent called Castle-Guard wheresoever throughout England appertaining to that Castle Also of the Mannor of Botesford with the Hamlets of Normanton and Esthorpe Advowson of the Church of Botesâ—ord in Com. Leic. And of the Mannor of Stoke D'aubeny with the Hamlets of Wilbaston Sutton and Asheley in Com. Northampt. All which were part of the Possessions of Thomas Lord Roos and by reason of his Attainder came to the Crown to hold to him the said William and Katherine and the Heirs Males of their two Bodies lawfully begotten and for want of such Issue to his Right Heirs The like Grant he also obtain'd of the Castle and Rape of Hastings in Com. Suss. The next year following viz. 2 E. 4. being Install'd Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter he had a Grant from Anne Dutchâ—ss of Suffolk of xx l. per Annum out of the Mannor of Langbar in Com. Essex And the same year the Lancastrians endeavouring to make Head again having possess'd themselves of the Castles of Bamborough Dunstanburgh and Alnwich in Com. Northumbr he assisted at the Siege of â—unstanburgh And in 3 E. 4. was joyn'd in Commission with Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick Iohn Earl of Northumb. and others to Treat with certain Commissioners and others from Iames the Third King of Scotland for a Truce betwixt both Realms In 4 E. 4. he obtain'd a Grant for Life of the Honours of Peverel Boloin and Hâ—genet with their Appurtenances lying in the Counties of Buck-Northampt and Leic. as also of the Honour of Huntendon with its Members in the Counties of Hunt Cambr. Bedf. Buck. and Northampt. part of the Possessions of Iohn Hastings late Earl of Pembroke And the same year had the Gift of x l. per Annum from the Lord Berkley to be paid out of his Mannor of Hamme juxta Berkley In 5 E. 4. he was again joyn'd in another Commission with Richard Earl of Warwick so treat and conclude with Iames Luxemburgh Lord of Richburgh upon a firm League of Amity betwixt King Edward and Charles of Burgundy Earl of Charoloys And the same year being still Master of the Mint undertook the Coyning of Gold viz. a Piece of viii s. 4 d. Sterling call'd a Noble of which there should be fifty such Pieces in the Pound-weight of the Tower Another Piece of iv s. ii d. Sterling and a third of the fourth part of the first for ii s. i d. Sterling In 6 E. 4. he was again joyn'd with Richard Earl of Warwick to Treat of Peace with the Embassador of Lewes the Eleventh then King of France as also to Confer with Charles of Burgundy Earl of Charoloys or his Embassadors for a Marriage betwixt him the said Charles and Margaret Sister to the King of England And soon after that was Commissioned with Richard Earl Rivers and others to Treat with the Commissioners of Philip Duke of Burgundy upon a League of Amity betwixt that Duke and King Edward In the same year he was again constituted Steward of the Honour of Leycester and Constable of the Castle there as also Warden of all the Parks Chaces and Mannors belonging to that Honour And in consideration of his good Services and of the good Services of Raphe Hastings Esq had a Grant from Queen Elizabeth Wife of King Edward the Fourth for the Custody of the Forest of Rokyngham in Com. Northampt. Moreover the next ensuing year after King Edward's Surprisal by the Earl of Warwick and Escape from Middleham-Castle in Lancashire he met him there and assisted him in raising new Forces whereby he got safe to London Soon after which viz. within the compass of that year he was sent Embassador with Anthony Widvile Lord Scales and others to Treat again with Charles Duke of Burgundy for a Marriage betwixt that Duke and Margaret Sister to King Edward the Fourth And in 8 E. 4. by Richard Earl of Warwick who calls him his dear Brother had a Grant of the Stewardship of all his Lordships and Revenues lying within the Counties of Leic. Rutl. and Northampt. during Life with the Fees accustomed So likewise from the Abbot and Covent of St. Werburge in the City of Chester to be general Steward of all the Revenues belonging to that Monastery lying in the County of Pembroke for Life with a Pension of six Marks yearly payable to him out of the Mannor of Weston upon Trent in Com. Leic. In 9 E. 4. he was again constituted Chamberlain of all North-Wales and Counties of Carnarvon Anglesey and Mereoneth as also Constable
3. departed this life on Friday next after the Assumption of our Lady in 35 Edw. 3. being seised of the Mannors of North Moltoâ— in Com. Devon Eton-Meysy and Wittenham in Com. Wiltes and of the Mannors of Winâ—rid Egle in Com. Dorset Casteâ— Cary Nershe North-Barwe South-Barwe Rode Corscombe â—restelege Blakeford Broghton and the Borough of Wincaulton in Com. Somerset leaving issue by Nuriel his Wife daughter and heir to Iames son and heir to Richard Lord Lovel Nicholas his son and heir nine years of age who died in his Minority whereupon Richard his brother succeeded him Which Richard in 10 R. 2. was in the Wars of France and of the retinue with Richard Earl of Ardundel Admiral of England This Richard de St. Maur Married Ela the daughter and coheiâ— of Sir Iohn St. Lo Knight and having been summon'd to Parliament from 4 R. 2. till 2 H. 4. inclusive died 15 Maii the same year being seised of the Mannors of Winefride Egle in Com. Dorset Whittenham Langenham Hulpringham the fourth part of the Mannor of Immere the third part of the Mannor of Lokynton as also of the Mannor of Westbury with the Moietie of the Hundred in Com. Wilts Likewise of the Mannor of North Molton in Com. Devon Hampton-Meyâ—y 〈◊〉 Bradeston and Styntescombe in Com. Gloâ— Castel Cary Mershe Brokton Rode Stoke Hallowe Presteley 〈◊〉 and Borough of Wincaulton in Com. Somerset leaving Richard his son and heir Twenty three yeares of age with two other sons Iohn and Nicholas Which Richard in 22 R. 2. went into Ireland with Thomas Duke of Surrey then Lieutenant of that Realm and in 3 Hen. 4. was in the Wars of France And having been summon'd to Parliament from 3 to 8 Hen. 4 departed this life in 10 Hen. 4. leaving Alice his daughter and heir then in Minority and Mary his Wife surviving Which Mary and thereupon for her Dowrie an assignation of the Mannors of Rode and Winfrid Egle as also of the Mannor of Shepton Montagu in Com. Somerset and License to Marry Hugh Mortimer Esquire Shortly after this Elâ— the Widow of Sir Richard de St. Maur the elder by her Testament bearing date 28 Nov. An. 1409. 11 H. 4. bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the New Chappel of 〈◊〉 Priorie next to the Grave of the said Sir Richard St. Maur her husband and gave to her son Nicholas Twenty pounds Likewise to her son Iohn a set of Bedes of Coral garnished with Gold and departed this life the same year leaving Iohn her son her heir-male and the before specified Alice her Grand-daughter her heir-female viz. daughter and heir to Richard her eldest son who deceased in her life-time Upon proof of the age of which Alice in 2 Hen. 6. it did appear that she was born in the House of Thomas Cressy Citizen and Mercer of London in the Parish of St. Laurence in Cripplegate-Ward in that City upon the Twenty-fourth day of Iuly 10 H. 4. and Baptized in the Church of St. Laurence As also that she became the Wife of Sir William le Zouche Knight who performing his â—calty at that time had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance Norwich 8 Edw. 2. THe first of this Name of whom I have seen mention is Geffrey de Norwich who in 14 Ioh. did partake with Robert Fitzwalter in his rebellious actings against that King whereupon he was committed to prison From whom descended I presume Walter de 〈◊〉 who in 5 E. 2. was made one of the Barons of the King's Exchequer and at that time obtain'd a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-lands at Crouchestoke 〈…〉 Gunton Magna Crelsingham and East 〈◊〉 in Com. Norff. Branâ—eld 〈◊〉 UUalpoler Shepemedwe UUeston and Horingwell in Com. Suff. as also in Skâ—â—dington and Burton 〈…〉 and Hoddesdon in Com. 〈◊〉 This Walter had Summons to Parliament in 8 E. 2. but no more And in 9 E. 2. in consideration of his good services done and to be done as also for Fifty Marks in Money paid to the Exchequer obtain'd a Grant of the Marriage of Roger the son and heir of Iohn Huse Cosin and heir to Iohn de Berewick Moreover in 13 Edw. 2. he was made Treasurer of the Exchequer and in 14 E. 2. obtain'd the King's License for a Fair at his Mannor of Lings in Com. Norff. upon the Eve and Day of St. Margaret and two dayes following besides that Fair which he had there before upon the Festival of St. Edmund the Martyr Also a Grant of the Mannors of Dalham and Bradefeld with the Advouson of the Church of Dalham in Com. Suff. to hold in Fee-ferme for the Rent of Forty pounds per annum to the Exchequer In 15 E. 2. at the instance of Walter Bishop of Exeter he was again made Treasurer of the Exchequer And in 16 E. 2. Lieutenant to the same Walter at that time Treasurer during his recess upon his own affaires And departed this life in 2 E. 3. To whom succeeded Sir Iohn de Norwich Knight Which Sir Iohn in 8 E. 3. obtain'd License for a Market every week upon the Friday at Great Nassingham in Com. Norff. And for a Fair yearly upon the Eve and Day of the Apostles Simon and Iude. In 9 E. 3. this Sir Iohn was in the Wars of Scotland and in 11 E. 3. in those of Gascoine by reason whereof he had respite for payment of his Debts until the Festival of St. Peter ad vincula next ensuing And in 12 E. 3. in farther consideration of his services had an allowance of Sixty pounds fourteen shillings of the surplusage of what was due to him from the time he had been Admiral of the whole Fleet to the Northwards In which year he was again in the Wars of Gascoinâ— And by reason of his great services there in 13 E. 3. had a grant of Fifty Marks per annum to be paid out of the Exchequer until provision of Lands equivalent should be made in some fit place for him In 17 E. 3. he had License to make Castles of his Houses at Metyngham in Com. Suff. Also of those at Blackworth and Lyng in Com. Norff. And in 18 E. 3. was again in the wars of France So likewise in E. 3. being then of the retinue with Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby In 21 E. 3. he was also in those wars And in 24 E. 3. obtained License to Found a Chantry in the Church of Raveningham in the Diocess of Norwich consisting of one Master and eight Priests to the honor of the blessed Virgin St. Andrew the Apostle and All-Saints to Celebrate Divine Service for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Margaret his Wife c. In 31 E. 3. he
descended to him and it so clog'd with Debts that for the disengaging thereof he Married the said Frances his Grand-Daughter and Heir to Humble Ward the only Son of William Ward a Wealthy Goldsmith in London Jeweller to the late Queen of which Humble I shall speak farther in due place And departing this Life 23 Iunii an 1643. was buried in St. Edmund's Church at Dudley since pull'd down in the time of the late troubles by reason of its nearness to the Castle ¶ Having now done with this Line of the Barons of Dudley I come to Iohn the second Son to Iohn Lord Dudley This Iohn by Elizabeth his Wife one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Iohn Bramshot Esq Lord of the Mannors of Eatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Wiht as also of the Mannor of Brâ—mshot in Com. Suth had Issue Edmund his Son and Heir which Edmund upon her Death 12 Oct. 14 H. 7. was found to be thirty six years of Age. And having been trained up to the Study of the Laws in Grays-Inne as it seems by his Arms then set up and still remaining in a Window of the Chappel there became so great a proficient therein as that though then but young in 1 Henr. 7. he was made choice of to be one of the Privy Council to that prudent Prince proper prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polyd. Virg. In 19 H. 7. being then Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament he should have been made Sergeant at Law upon the 13th of November But for what reason appears not he did Petition that he might be discharg'd from assuming that Dâ—gree Whereupon the King directed his Precept to William Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal Commanding his forbearance to make out any Writ for his Call and in 22 H. 7. he obtain'd the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastitings in Com. Suss. This Edmund wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer Son to a Sive-maker in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugal disposition did first project the taking advantage against such as had transgressed the penal Laws by exacting from them the forfeitures according to those Statutes Or whether the King perceiving so fair a gap open to rake vast sums of money from his subjects finding those persons to be fit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses for filling his Coffers 't is hard to say But certain it is that these were they whom he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hateful business into good Language as the Lord Verulam saith And merited so well in that imployment as that he obtain'd a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Edward Grey Viscount L'isle whom he made his Wife and by her had issue divers Children But after King Henry had long made use of the services of him and Empson to that end he exposed them to such advantages as the discontented people had any colour to take against them for their manifold Extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their Estates Besides this having also packt-Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any Verdict which serv'd for their purpose they at length had their just reward for those oppressions For King Henry the Eighth in the first year of his Reign being desirous of popularity did by his Proclamation divulge that whosoever had received Injury by the Injustice of any should upon complaint to him have redress Which liberty did so incourage the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing would then satisfie but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Whereupon this Edmund being arraign'd at Guild-Hall in London upon Munday next after the xv m e of St. Iohn Bapt. 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumb. Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of St. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Sir Charles Somerset Knight Lord Herbert Stephen Iennings then Mayor of the City of London Sir Iohn Fineaux Knight Sir Robert Rede Knight Sir William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humphrey Coningesby Sir Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevil Sir Thomas Lovel Knight Sir Edward Poynings Kt. Sir Henry Marney Knight Sir Thomas Englefeild Knight and Sir Thomas Drury Knight Justices to inquire c. upon an Indictment of divers high Treasons and thereupon convicted he was on Wednesday next preceeding the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his Head smitten off on Tower Hill with Empson who had been-tryed at Northampton for the Peoples satisfaction upon the 28th of Aug. 2 H. 8. by virtue of the Kings Special Precept to that purpose leaving Issue three Sons Iohn Andrew and Ierome and a Daughter Married to William Lord Stourton Which Andrew being afterwards a Knight and in that Conspiracy upon the Death of King Edward the Sixth for raising the Lady Iane Gray to the Royal Throne had with others sentence of Death in 1 Mariae for the same Of these Iohn the Elder scarce of eight years of Age at his Fathers Death had to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esq of the Body to the King Who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained a special Act for the Repeal of the said Edmunds Attainder and restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree so that he might enjoy all his Fathers Lands Being therefore thus young many years passed before he appeared in any publick Employment so that till 15 H. 8. I have not seen any farther mention of him but then it appears that he was Knighted by Charles Brandon Duke of Suff. General of those forces sent into France against the Duke of Bourbon Also that in 19 H. 8. he accompanied Cardinal Woolsey into France who then went Ambassador thither and that in 26 H. 8 being the Kings Servant he was made Master of the Armory in the Tower of London for life with the Wages of xiid. per diem for his Groom in that Office Moreover that in 31 H. 8. he was Master of the Horse to the Lady Anne of Cleve then landed in this Realm in order to her Marriage with King Henry And in 32 H. 8. in those triumphal Justs held at Westm. upon the first of May and several days after was the first and principal of the Challenges against all Comers his Horse being trapt with white Velvet After which about two years by reason of his Descent on
of the Isle of Iersey but in 28 H. 8. surrendred that trust And having Married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas Cheney of Irâ—lingburgh in Com. Northt Knight had Issue by her two Sons William and Nicholas and two Daughters Anne Married to Reginald Bray of Eâ—on in Com. Northt second Son to Reginald Bray Brother to Edmund Lord Bray of 〈◊〉 in Com. Bedf. and Maud who died unmarried Which William being Summon'd to Parliament in 4 5 Ph. M. took his place there upon the xx th of Ianuary and by his Testament bearing date 20 Aug. an 1593. 35 Eliz. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Chappel on the Southside the Parish-Church of St. Peter in Irtlingburgh by his Grandfather Sir Thomas Cheney Knight appointing that a Tomb should be made in the same Chappel over his Mother's Grave Also that after his Funeral-Expences Debts and Legacies discharged the remainder of the mony due to him from Sir Thomas Cecill Knight should be imploy'd in the erecting of an Almeshouse at Irtlyngburgh and died in anno 1595. 38 Eliz. This William Lord Vaux had two Wives First Elizabeth Daughter to Iohn Beaumont of Graeedieu in Com. Leic. Esq Master of the Rolls in Chancery by whom he had Issue Henry who died in his life time and three Daughters Alianore Married to Edward Brokesby of Sholdby in Com. Leic. Esq Elizabeth a Nun at Roan in Normandy and Anne Secondly Mary Daughter to Iohn Tresham of Rushton in Com. Northt Esq on whom he begot three Sons viz. George Edward and Sir Ambrose Vaux Knight and two Daughters Muriel the Wife of George Foulshurst and Catherine Which George his eldest Son Wedded Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir Iohn Roper of Welle-Place in Com. Cantii Knight afterwards Created Lord Tenham but died in his Father's life time leaving Issue three Sons Edward William and Henry and three Daughters Catherine Married to Sir Henry Nevill Knight Son and Heir to Henry Lord Bergaveny Mary to Sir George Simeon Knight and Ioice Which Edward succeeding his Grandfather took to Wife Elizabeth the Daughter of Thomas Howard Earl of Suffolk Widdow of William Earl of Banbury and dying in an 1661. without any lawful Issue Nicholas Son of the same Elizabeth his Wife born in the life time of the said Earl of Banbury enjoys all his Estate Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Richmund and Somerset 17 H. 8. THis Henry being natural Son to King Henry the Eighth begotten on the Lady Elizabeth Tailboys Widdow of Sir Gilbert Tailboys and Daughter of Sir Iohn Blount Knight was upon the 18th of Iune 17 H. 8. first made Knight of the Garter then advanced to the dignity of Earl of Notingham as also the same day Created Duke of Richmund and Somerset the Ceremony thereof being performed at the Royal Palace call'd Bridewell in the City of London at which time he had arrived to little more than six years of age Upon the same day also he was Constituted Lieutenant-General of all the Kings Forces North of Trent and Warden of the Marches of Scotland Likewise upon the 26th of Iuly next ensuing Admiral of England And in 19 H. 8. had a new Patent for his Wardenship of the Marches of Scotland In 22 H. 8. being made Lieutenant of Ireland Sir William Skeffyngton Knight by reason of his tender years was constituted his Deputy there Having for a time his Education with Henry Earl of Surrey in the Castle of Windsore in November an 1532. 24 H. 8. they went both of them of Paris there to study In which year King Henry passing the Seas with a Royal Train to Calais for an Enterview with King Francis of France this young Duke being bravely attended met them there Making the Earl of Surrey his Companion during his abode in France there grew so great a Friendship betwixt them that he Married Mary the Sister to that Earl Daughter to Thomas Duke of Norff. but never had carnal knowledge with her It is observed by our Historians that being very personable and of great expectation he was thought to be not only for ability of Body but of mind one of the rarest youths of his time For which reason and because the King had then no Male Issue he was much cherished by him But he departed this life upon the 24 th of Iuly an 1536. 28 H. 8. being then about seventeen years of age and was buried at Thetford in Com. Norff. the King mourning for him a long time after Thomas Bullen Earl of Wiltshire 17 H. 8. AS to the Parentage of this Thomas he was Grandson to Sir Geffrey Bullen Knight a wealthy Mercer in London as also Lord Mayor of that City in an 1458. 37 H. 6. by Anne his Wife eldest Daughter and Coheir of Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastings and Son to Sir William Bullen of Blickling in Com. Norf. Knight by Margaret his Wife Daughter and Coheir to Thomas Boteler Earl of Ormund In 12 H. 7. this Thomas Bullen was in Arms with his Father and divers other persons of Note for suppressing that Insurrection of the Cornish Men then endangering the Realm And in 3 H. 8. being one of the Knights for the Kings Body was constituted Governour of the Castle at Norwich jointly with Sir Henry Wyat Knight Master of the Kings Jewel-house In 4 H. 8. he was one of the Embassadors then imploied to Maximilian the Emperour touching a War with France and in 7 H. 8. made Constable alone of that Castle at Norwich In 11 H. 8. being Embassador in France he transacted the business for that famous enterview of King Henry and Francis the first betwixt Guisnes and Ardres and in 13 H. 8. was again sent Embassador to the Emperour In 14 H. 8. being then Treasurer of the Kings Houshold he was sent Embassadour into Spain to advise with King Charles what was farther to be done in order to the War with France Where he continued in 15 H. 8. In 17 H. 8. by reason of the great affection which the King bore to the Lady Anne Bullen his Daughter upon the 18 th of Iune he was advanced to the title of Vicount Rochford at the Kings Palace of Bridewell And in 19 H. 8. accompanied the Bishop of Bath and Wells and Sir Anthony Browne Knight to the King of France with the ensigns of the most noble order of the Garter as also to take his Oath not to violate the late league formerly made In 21 H. 8. with divers other Lords he subscribed the Articles then exhibited in Parliament against Cardinal Wolsey And upon the eighth of December the same year being then Knight of the Garter was created
same consideration the like Grant of the Forestership of Thornwoods on the Southern part of Shirewoâ—â— in that County with the Fee of four pence a day for executing that Office Nevertheless no sooner did the Earl of Richmund land in this Realm though but with a very slender strength that that he with his six valiant Brothers viz. another Sir Everard then also of Tilton Iohn Digby of â—etilby Rouland Digby of Welby both in Leicestershire Lybeus Digby of Luffâ—am in com Rotel Thomas and Benjamin not forgetting the old Lancastrian Interest came in freely unto him and fought stoutly on his part at Bosworth-Field against King Richard where the Victory falling to that Earl being thenceforth King by the name of Henry the Seventh he advanced Iohn and Thomas to the dignity of Knighthood making the former also Knight-Marshal of His Houshold and the other one of the Gentlemen Huishers of His Chamber conferring on him the Bailywick of â—â—ney in com Buck. and Keepership of the Park there where he thenceforth made his residence But none of them had better advantages for their faithful services to that King than Simon for in the first year of his Râ—ign he obtained the Stewardship of certain Lordships in com Rutl. viz. Uppingham Preston Barouâ—hdon Esenden and Greteham and of all the Lands formerly belonging to George Duke of Clarence to hold for life as also the like Office and Receivership for the Mannor of Bâ—dale in com Ebor. And having in the second year of his Reign been a Commander in His Army at the Battel of Stoke had in consideration of his acceptable services a Grant of the Mannor of â—avysbâ—ry in the parish of Micham in com Surr. and to the heirs male of his body and the next ensuing year a Grant of the Office of Comptroller of the Petty-Customes in the Port of London as also of the Forestership of Thornwoods in Shirewood formerly conferred upon him by King Edward the 4 th and in 11 H. 7. of the Lordship of Coâ—eshill before-specified in special Tail being at that time Deputy to Iohn Earl of Oxford Constable of the Tower of London Which Lordship came to the Crown by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort Knight for his adherence to Perkâ—n Warbeck After this in 12 H. 7. he had a Commission to exercise Marshal-Law in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall against divers Malefactors and having been Sheriff of the Counties of Warwick and Leicester in the first and ninth years of King Henry the Eighth by his Testament bearing date 22 Aug. 9 H 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chancel of the parish Church of Coleshill under a fair Toâ—b there erected in his life time and departed this life 24 Febr. 12 H. 8. leaving issue by Alice his wife daughter and heir to Iohn Waleys of Est Raddon in com Devon Esquire Reginald Digby his son and heir as also a younger son called Thomas from whom the Digby's of Mansfeild Woodhouse in com Nott. are descended Which Reginald by Ann his wife daughter and coheir to Iohn Danvers of Cothorpe in com Oxon. Esquire had issue Iohn who took to wife Ann the daughter of Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton in com Warr. K t And he George who being at the siege of â—utphen in 28 Eliz. had there the honor of Knighthood conferred on him and by Abigail his wife daughter to Sir Arthur Heveningham of ... in com Norff. Knight left issue l three sons Robert Philip and this Iohn Which Robert being afterwards a Knight and taking to wife Lettice the Grandchild and heir female to Gerald Earl of Kildare in Ireland left issue Robert his son and heir created Lord Digby of Geashill in that Realm by K. Iames whose descendents do still enjoy that honor As to the advancement of this Iohâ— it was his own meer merits which brought it to pass For having first been a Fellow-Commoner in Magdalen-Colledge Oxon. and afterwards travelled into France and Italy whereby he became singularly qualified upon that designed Insurrection on Dunsmore Health in Warwickshire by those Unparallel'd Gunpowder-Conspirators about the beginning of November 3 Iac. in order to the surprisal of the Princess Elizabeth the King's daughter then residing at Combe in that County whereof the Lord Harington her Guardian had private intimation he was by that Lord dispatcht to the Court to acquaint His Majesty therewith Where his abilities and fidelity being amply discern'd by that prudent King he was admitted Gentlâ—man of the privy-chamber and one of His Majesties Carvers Also upon the sixteenth of March 4 Iac. Knighted at Whitehall And in the moneth of April An. 1611. 9 Iac. imployed Embassador into Spaine so likewise in October An. 1614. 12 Iac. Moreover 3 April An. 1616. 14 Iac. made Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold and one of his Privy Council And the next ensuing year 15 Iac. being sent again into Spaine upon his return was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm 25 Nov. 16. Iac. by the title of Lord Digby of Shireburne in com Dors. After which scil An. 1620. 18 Iac. he was sent Embassador to the Arch Duke Albert and the next year following to Ferdinand the Emperor as also to the Duke of Bavaria Whence returning in October An. 1621. he was again scil in An. 1622. 20 Iac. employed Embassador extraordinary to the Spaniard touching a Marriage betwixt Prince Charles and the Lady Maria daughter to Philip the Third then King of that Realm and created Earl of Bristol 15 Sept. the same year He married Beatrice daughter to Charles Walcot of Walcot in com Salop. Esq widdow of Sir Iohn Dive of Bromham in com Bedf. Knight by whom he had issue two sons George born at Madrid in Spaine in the month of October An. 1612. and Iohn born in England in March An. 1617. who dyed in France unmarried As also two daughters Mary married to Sir Arthur Chichester now Lord Dunegal in Ireland and Abigal to George Freake â—ldest son of Iohn Freake of Shroughton in â—om Dors. Esquire And departing this life at Paris in France 16 Ian. An. 1653. was there buried in the common burial place of the Hugâ—enots in that City To whom succeed George his son and heir installed Knight of the Garter An. Apr. 1661 which George married Anne daughter to Francis late Earl of Bedford and by her had issue two sons viz. Iohn his son and heir who first married Alice the only child of Robert Bourne of Blake-Hall in the Parish of Bovenger in com Essex Esquire by whom he had no issue secondly Rachel daughter of Sir Hugh Windham Knight one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas the name of his second son was Francis slain in that sharp Fight at Sea
derive themselves from Herbert Fitz Herbert called Finch who was in ward to the King in 28 E. 1. and lineally descended from Henry Fitz Herbert Chamberlain to King Henry the first was Sir Moyle Finch of Eastwell in com Cantii Knight which Sir Moyle being a person of an ample Fortune was the twenty fifth in number as to precedence of those whom King Iames raised to the degree and title of Baronet in the ninth year of his Reign his Patent bearing date 23 Iunii And not long afterwards by reason of his great prudence in the management of publick affairs should have been more highly dignified in case his death had not prevented it For that consideration therefore and by reason that Elizabeth his widdow was not only the sole daughter and heir to Sir Thomas Heneage Knight Treasurer of the Chamber Vice Chamberlain of the Houshold and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster to Queen Elizabeth as also one of her Privy Council but a Lady of excellent endowments the same King by his Letters Patent bearing date 8 Iulii in the twenty first year of his Reign advanced her to the dignity of a Vicountess by the title of Vicountess of Maydâ—â—on in Kent with limitation of that honor to the heirs male of her body lawfully begotten After which sâ—il in 4 Car. 1. having obtained from that King the favor of an higher title upon the twelfth of Iuly the same year she was created Countess of Winchelsey in com Suss. with the like limitation and departing this life 13 Martii An. 1633. had burial at Eastwell under a noble Monument there erected for them both The issue which she had by her said Husband was seven sons and four daughters first Sir Theophilus Finch Knight who married Elizabeth daughter to Sir Christopher Hayden of Baconsthorpe in Com. Norff. Knight but died without issue in his life time secondly Sir Thomas Finche Knight thirdly Iohn a Student of the Law of whom there is not now any issue remaining fourthly Sir Heneage Finche Knight Sergeant at Law and Recorder of the City of London fifthly Francis Finche of the Inner Temple who died without any issue surviving sixthly William and seventhly Robert who died both unmarried The daughters were these Anne married to Sir William Twisden of East-Peckham in com Cantii Barronet Catherine to Sir Iohn Wentworth of Gosfeild in com Essex Knight and Barronet and two others bearing the name of Elizabeth who died young Which Sir Thomas succeeding her in those honors married Cecilie daughter to Iohn and sister to the before-specified Sir Iohn Wentworth and departing this life at his house in Charter House-yard in the Suburbs of London 4 November An. 1639. was buried at Eastwell leaving issue surviving three sons Heneage Iohn and William and five daughters Frances married to Sir William Strickland of Boynton in com Ebor. Knight Anne to Sir William Waller Knight Catherine died young Cecilie to Sir Erasmus Philips Knight Diana 〈◊〉 Nicholas Tooke of Gadington in com Cantii Eâ—quire and another Catherine to Ambrose Moore Esquire To whom succeeded Heneage the eldest of those three sons now Earl of Winchelsey who married thrice first Diana daughter to Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham by whom he hath no issue surviving secondly the Lady Mary second daughter to William then Marquess of Hertford afterwards Duke of Somerset and being descended from the antient Family of Herbert long since of Eastwell before mentioned by reason of his faithful services to our present Soveraign King Charles the second manifested in the time of his unparrall'd distresses not only with great hazard supplying his necessities in forreign parts but by preparing Auxiliaries Horse and Foot upon occasion for his best service in acknowledgment of this his signal Fidelity was by Letters Patents bearing date 26 Iunii in the twelfth year of his Keign advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Fitz Herbert of Eastwell before specified Shortly after which he was sent Embassador into Turkey where he continued about eight years By which Lady he had issue six sons first William commonly called Lord Maidston secondly Heneage thirdly Thomas fourthly Charles fifthly Leopald and sixthly Lashley the three last being born in Turkey he had also issue by her two daughters now surviving the rest dying young viz. the Lady Frances married to Thomas Thynne Esquire son to Sir Henry-Frederick Thynne of Caurse-Castle in com Salop. Knight and the Lady Iane. His third wife is Catherine daughter to Sir Thomas Northelyffe of Langton in com Ebor. Knight widdow of Sir Iohn Wentworth of of â—msald in the same County Knight by whom he hath issue Catherine a daughter Which William called Lord Maydstone married Elizabeth the daughter of Thomas Windâ—am of Felbragg-Hall in com Norf. Esquire but being in that great Fight at Sea against the Dutch in May An. 1672. 24 Car. 2. had the ill hap to be there slain by a Cannon Bullet leaving issue one daughter called Mariamna and his Lady then great with Child of a son whereof she was delivered upon the twenty sixth of September next following whose name is Charles and now called Lord 〈◊〉 Iohn Lord Finche of Fordwiche 16 Car. 1. A Branch of this Family viz. Son of Sir Henry Finch of Mote in com Cantii Knight second Brother to Sir Moyle Finch was Iohn Finch who having his education in Grays-Inne became so great a proficient in his Study of the Laws that in 16 Iac. he was made choice of for the Autumn Reader there as also shortly afterwards viz. in An. 1627. 3 Car. 1. Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament And in 2 Car. 1. 3 Nov. constituted Treasurer for that honorable Society of Grays Inne Likewise upon the 13 of December following made the Queens Atturney General After this 8 Sept. 10 Car. 1. he was called to the state and degree of Serjeant at Law and upon the fourteenth of October constituted one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas also upon the twenty first of Ianuary 11 Car. 1. Chief Justice in the same Court Moreover upon the death of Thomas Lord Coventry he had the office of Lord Keeper of the great Seal conferred upon him scil 23 Ian. 15 Car. 1. and lastly upon the seventh of April 16 Car. 1. was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Kealm by the title of Lord Finche of Fordwiche But long he continued not in that high place of Lord Keeper the predominant party in the late Long Parliament being so fierce upon him as that in Ianuary the next ensuing year to preserve himself from their severity he fled into the Netherlands and there continued till the happy Restauration of our present Sovereign King Charles the second He married twice first Eleanore daughter to Sir George Wyat of Boxley in com Cantii Knight secondly Mabella daughter of Charles
Tosti possessed in King Edward the Confessors days these are taken notice of in the Conquerors Survey viz. Preston in Agmundernesse with divers Hamlets then thereto belonging Haltune with many Hamlets also belonging unto it Witune and Hougun with divers Villages to them belonging all which I take to be now in Lancashire Walegrit Hamiburg Estrop Broestwic Gretone and Biedun with divers Hamlets respectively to them appertaining in Yorkshire Cosseham and Bradelie in Wiltshire Winesford in Somersetshire Perie in Northamptonshire Bodmescel in Nottinghamshire Fiseburne in Sussex Hannei in Berkshire Begesford in Hartfordshire Nedreham Brickel and Falelie in Buckinghamshire Driffelle and Briâ—tevoldes in Gloucestershire Cotes in Huntingdonshire Holest Rincurde Nonoelle Weringetone and Erneâ—ude in Hantshire Borecome Antune Affetune and Frescewatre in the Isle of Wight and Stoches in Oxfordshire ¶ Upon the expulsion of Earl Tosti as hath been observed Morkar the younger Son to Algar Earl of Chester was by King Edward the Confessor constituted Earl of this Province That he with his Brother Edwyne routed Tosti and Harold Harfagar King of Norway the preceding year upon the Shore of Humber called Lindsey Coast where he had landed and made his Piratical Invasion and afterwards that he with his Brother Edwyne gave Battle to the King of Norway and Tosti upon the Northern side of the River Ouse near York where at the first on-set they had the better of the day hath been already intimated in my Historical Discourse of that Earl I shall therefore now proceed with what I find farther observable concerning him which in brief is this That withdrawing himself from that memorable Battle near Hastings in Sussex wherein King Harold was slain by William Duke of Normandy He with his Brother Earl Edwyne came to London and sollicited the Londoners to make one of them King which not succeeding they carried away their Sister Algitha the Queen and sent her to the City of Chester and thence betook himself with his said Brother to York where Malcolme King of Scots with divers English and Danes were got together as their only place of refuge which so enraged the Conqueror that with fire and sword he did soon after almost destroy that whole City And the year next ensuing carried him over into Normandy together with his Brother Edwyne and many other great Men. That King William restored unto him this Earldom notwithstanding he had cause enough to doubt his fidelity is sure enough Howbeit Morkar being otherwise hindred with great affairs committed the Administration and that part thereof which lieth North of Tine unto Osulph Son to Eadulfe one of the Earls before-mentioned But his heart standing not right to the Norman Conqueror he with his Brother Edwyne privately withdrew themselves from Court under colour of advertisement That the King had a purpose to secure him and broke out in Rebellion And when his Brother Edwyne was murthered by his own followers as I shall shew where I speak particularly of him he with divers other persons disaffected to King William betook himself to the Isle of Ely where after a long Siege he was at length taken and committed to prison yet when King William lay upon his Death-bed was again enlarged by his Commandment But no sooner had King William Rufus got the Crown than he was again imprisoned and at length murthered by some of his own Retinue Of any Wife or Issue that this Earl Morkar had I have seen no Memorial but in King Edward the Confessors time he was possest of these Lands viz. Eâ—sicewall Pickering Wicstun Wartre Drifelt Basewic Poclinton Bretlinton Burtone Welleton with the Hamlets thereto belonging Trectone Walise Olleie Brantone Ovreton Scheltune Foleford Chilnesse Wifornes Wapletone Hornesse and Esintone with divers Hamlets to them respectively belonging in the County of York Nessham Tuange Cuneet Wrdiâ—e Iteshale Caiham and Sudtone in Com. Salop Castretone in Com. Rotel Westone in Northamptonshire Actune and Hâ—iloch in Cheshire Lene in Herefordshire Rolvestune in Staffordshire Broctone and Saltebi in Leicestershire and Cherchebi Chime Bodebi Wellingoure Basingheham Castre Shillingtune Colstewrde Cotes Barewe Stroustune Nort-Stoches Carletune Bredestorp Wes-Bitham Bortone Brune and Stapleford in Lincolnshire Earls of Lincoln IN An. 716. Egga was Earl of this County being then a Witness to the Charter of King Ethelbald granted to the Monks of Crouland Earls of Chester IN An. 716. Leuric or Leofric was Earl of Chester and witness to the Charter of King Ethelbald unto the Monks of Crouland of which Monastery that King was Founder he is there called Comes Leicestriae but the reason is because the City of Chester was altiently termed Vrbs Legionum and for thaâ— respect therefore in that mention made of Leofric Earl of Mercia in King Edward the Confessors time by R. Hoveden where he takes notice of his great munificence to several Religious Houses and in particular to that of S. Werburge the Virgin he saith in Legacestrâ sita which is very well known to be intended of Chester where the Abbey of S. Werburge was and not in Leicester But of this Earl Leuric or Leofric I can say no more than that he had issue Algar the first and he Algar the second and he Leofric the second and he Leofwine Earl of Mercia of whom and his Descendants I have spoken under the title of Mercia Earls of Wiltshire ABout the year of Christ 800. Wicstan or Werstan was Earl of this Province and slain in Battle at Kinemeresford fighting against Earl Edelmund it being the first year of King Egberts Reign ¶ After him scil in An. 886. Aethelhelme was Earl who at that time carried a large sum of Money to Rome which was collected from the people out of the several Diocess of England but in the first year of King Athelwlfs Reign being sent by that King with his Army to encounter the Danes at Port in Hantshire he was slain in that Battle Earles of Mercia OF this Part of England antiently called Mercia and containing the Counties of Gloucester Hereford Worcester Salop Chester Stafford Derby Nottingham Leicester Lincoln Northampton Warwick Oxford Buckingham Huntingdon and half of Bedfordshire These following Persons were heretofore Earls viz. Hugh sirnamed the Great who being Patron of the Priory of â—â—wksbury in Gloucershire buried Brictric King of the West Saxons in the year of Christ 799. in the Chappel of S. Faith the Virgin there who also departing this life in the year 812. lieth buried also in that Monastery ¶ Not long after him was Witlafe Duke or Earl of Mercia scil An. 833. but soon after advanced to the title of King ¶ The next was Ethelred unto whom the City of London upon the Restauration thereof after it had been destroyed by the
Cambridgeshire Hemesby in Norfolk Tite Luctone Gadenai Fleote Holobech and Spalling in Lincolnshire To this last mentioned Earl Algar succeeded Edwyne his eldest Son in this Earldom Edward the Confessor being dead and Harold the Son of Earl Godwyne having made himself King of whom that which is most memorable I shall here relate viz That when Tosti Earl of Northumberland had Landed on Lindsey Coast in Lincolnshire with his Rebellious Forces he with the help of Morkar his Brother did beat him out of that Countrey And soon after this most couragiously gave Battle near York unto Harold Harfager King of Norway who then had invaded the Land though without success And though it doth not directly appear that he was in that notable Battle at Stanford-Brigg in Yorkshire with King Harold which hapned within five days after wherein that King of Norway was slain yet it may be very well presumed that he was in regard that afterwards withdrawing himself from giving assistance to King Harold in that fatal Battle which soon after ensued with William Duke of Normandy upon his invasion of this Realm the reason of such his desertion is instanced viz. Not for any well-wishes he had to Duke William but for that King Harold had detained from him his share of the spoils got in that fight at Stanford-Brigg For no sooner did he and his Brother Morkar hear that the Norman Duke was Conqueror and that King Harold was slain but that both of them hasted to London and there sollicited the Citizens to make one of them King Of which attempt finding no fruit they took their Sister Algytha the Queen Wife to slain King Harold and sent her to Chester themselves speeding to York where Malcolme King of Scots with divers English and Danes were got together as their only place of Refuge which so enraged the Conqueror that with Fire and Sword he thereupon almost destroyed that whole City All therefore being in the Power of the Conqueror for so Duke William was thenceforth called this Earl with his Brother Morkar and divers others at Berkamsted in Hertfordshire submitting themselves swore fealty to him and were thereupon with many fair words received into protection and not only so but were present at his Coronation Nay this Earl Edwyne was assured by the King that he should have his Daughter in marriage howbeit through the deceitful Council of his Normans there was no performance of that promise but instead thereof in Lent following when the Conqueror went into Normandy he would not trust these great Men behind him but took them and most of the principal English Nobility from whom he feared mischeif in his absence along with him Which hard dealing provoked this Earl Edwyne and his Brother Morkar who were very popular and well beloved to break out by a new Insurrection wherein they had many followers as also the Prayers of the Lay-Clergy and Monks with the continued well-wishes and supplications of the poor for their better success in that enterprise Such was the then general discontent throughout the Kingdom by reason of the miserable oppressions exercised by the Normans To the assistance of which Earls Blidon King of Wales their Nephew came also with a numerous Army But King William wisely foreseeing the danger caused narrow search into all places to be made and forthwith fortified such which might be of any advantage to his Enemies So that this our Edwyne and his Brother Morkar considering the success of their attempts to be dubious sought for favor which being granted but in shew Morkar betook himself to the Isle of Ely whence he designed in case he should not be able to defend himself to get away by Sea Whereupon the King drew down Forces to besiege him but withal imployed deceitful Messengers to treat with him from whom he had no little assurance that if he would submit he should be received into the condition of a faithful Friend unto which he giving overmuch credit came peaceably out and yielded himself but the King resolving to trust him no more conveyed him to close and perpetual imprisonment Whereof when Edwyne heard he determined to release him or lose his life and to that end endeavored for full six Moneths space to get assistance from the Scots Welsh and English but before he could accomplish any thing therein three Brothers who were his principal Military Officers and such as in whom he reposed great trust betrayed him to the Normans by whom with Twenty Horsmen being pent up in such a place with the Tide that they could not escape valâ—antly defending himself he lost his life Whose death was not only much lamented by the English but by the French and Normans in regard he was of such a Noble Extraction and of so devout Parents as also a Person very beautiful and an especial lover of the Clergy Monks and Poor-people So that when the King himself heard by what treachery his life was lost being compassionately moved he wept banishing those that betrayed him instead of rewarding them as they expected Of any Issue or Wife that he ever had I have seen nothing but of the Lands whereof he was possest in King Edward the Confessors days the Conquerors Survey Recordeth these viz. Muertone Hotone Chellinghes Catrice Ascam Chipesch Ledestune Lastone and Trapum with divers Hamlets belonging to each of them in Yorkshire Eiminstre Forde Ellesmales Archelon Walitone Dodintone Stratune Stodesdone Crugetone Dodetune Celmeres Wiche Langeford and Plivesdâ—ne in Shropshire Dubrige Widerdestune and Dulvestune in Derbishire Wivrâ—hâ—m Estham Maclesfeld Optone Beddesfeld Burwardestone Hurdingebery Pontone Ferentone Alburgham Haordine Radintone Dodestune Roelend and Biscopestrey in Cheshire and part of North Wales Bremesgrave with Eighteen Hamlets at that time thereto belonging Dudeley Benesley and Fecceham in Worcestershire Suchely in Herefordshire Hales Bradeley Bernertone Abetone Lutni Belintone Burtone Selchemore Longenelre Mutone Alverdestone Ullavestone Ricardescote and Monetvile in Staffordshire Blochesham and Edburgebery in Oxfordshire and Chirchetone in Lincolnshire Earls of Somerset THe first Earl of this Shire of whom I find mention was Hun who being in the Battle at Ellendune betwixt Egbirht King of the West Saxons and Beornulf King of Mercia In An. 823. was there slain and his Body buried at Winchester In the year 845. Earnulf was Earl of this County who joyning with Osric then Earl of Dorset and Alstane Bishop of Shireburne gave Battle to the Danes at Pedredesmuth where they obtained a great Victory over those Pagans But all that I have seen farther of him is That in the year 854. he conspired with the said Bishop of Shireburne against King Athelwolf then at Rome and had caused his younger Son Aelfred to be Crowned by Pope Leo determining to oppose his return again into England partly
and Cletune with many Hamlets also pertaining thereto in Yorkshire Contone Melchesham Bromham Nigraure Colingeburne Cilletone Clive Ocheburne Lochintone Hunlavintone Bereford and Botefelde in Wiltshire Melcome Beincome Pidere and Alford in Dorsetshire Dolvertune Clive Netelcumbe Capintone Longeford Nort-Curi Eungresbery Hesâ—erige Loligtone Branwelle and Prestitene in Somersetshire Egrastone Haltone and Egleshos in Cornwal Bradestone Toretone Tavestocke Haldeword Molland Morade Alsiâ—tone Topeshant Mortone Coletone Hamistone Spicewite Nimetone Uluredintone Framintone Donitone and Heclicorne in Devonshire Westune in Shropshire Benâ—tet Witham Hadfeld Havering Stanwege Ulâ—elmestune Phingere Writele Brietisesde Laleford Neuport Richeling Phernige Wochendune and Waltham in Essex Arclei and Staninges in Kent Crohest Watlingtone Telttone Ripe Bogele Gate Ramell Piceham and Derentune in Sussex Finchamstede Ciltetone Bristoldestone Burtardescote and Clivore in Berkshire Wimondeslay Hiz Weley Waldeney Wavedene Deneslay Offelay Hesmere Hegestanestone and Eye in Hartfordshire Sueneborne Opetone and Waburne in Buckinghamshire Alwestan Campedene Brimsfeld and Chenemeresford in Gloucershire Inteberge in Worcestershire Merchelay Clive Ascis Elwiston Mateurdin Herdeslege Cicwrdine Ulfelmestune Stivingeurdin Hanknetune Burardestune Hergesth Bandeford Chingtune Ruiscop Etune Hamme Liedeberge Cotingtune Hantune Suewessen Willaveslege Widferdestune Manitune Brismerfrum Sbech Lenehalle Malveselle Siertune Brocheurdy Penebruge Stratford Cwre Dodintune Titellege Midewde Walelege Herdeslege Mateurdin and Curdeslege in Herefordshire Bermundesey Meretone Gomesfelle Slede Patricsey Tadorne Bocheham and Wiseley in Surrey Odiham Ferley Lacherne Haseley Brochenstune Tedeorde Silcestre and Esse in Hantshire Bromley in Staffordshire Sciptone Langefort and Cercelle in Oxfordshire Cherteling in Cambridgshire Clare and Suafham in Norfolk Barhon Tedingsworde and Cogeworde in Leicestershire Grantham Haltone Bernodeby Tadewelle Wadintune Exewelle Fulnodeby and Carletune in Lincolnshire All that I have farther seen of him is That he gave the Lordship of Cliftone in Com ... to the Monks of Peterborough and had two Wives What the first of them was I cannot say by whom he had three Sons Godwyne Edmund and Vlfe Of Godwyne and Edmund I find this mention viz. That in the year 1068. which was the second of King William the Conquerors Reign they came with some Forces out of Ireland and landed in Somersetshire and that one Eadnoth who had been Constable to King Harold encountred them with an Army but was there slain After which Victory they marched into Devonshire and Cornwal made great spoil there and got safe again into Ireland with no small booty And of Vlfe this That being prisoner in Normandy with Dunecan Son to Malcolme King of Scots Robert Eldest Son to King William the Conqueror upon the death of his Father returning into Normandy set them both at liberty and honored them with the dignty of Knighthood He had also two Daughters viz. Gunbild who falling blind by a dangerous infirmity was restored to her sight by S. Wolstan Bishop of Worcester The other whose Christian name is not mentioned being brought into Denmark by two of her Brethren was married to Iarislaves and of the Danes called Waldemar King of the Russians By whom he had a Daughter who was Mother to Waldemar King of Denmark from whom the Danish Kings for divers ages after have proceeded The second Wife of Harold was Alditha or by some Algytha Daughter of Algar Earl of Mercia and Widow of Griffin Prince of Wales Earls of Huntendon OF this County the first Earl of whom I have found mention is Tosti who was of a Danish extraction There is this onely memorable of him that upon the return of that famous Siward afterwards Earl of Northumberland from King Edward the Confessors Court by whom he had been very honorably received meeting with this Earl Tosti upon a Bridge he was basely affronted by him Tosti throwing dirt at him with his feet For which indignity though he did not at that time lift up his hand against him meeting him afterwards in the same place he cut off his head and carried it to the King Who having heard the truth of the whole passage gave unto Siward this his Earldom of Huntingdon But of this Siward as Earl of this County I need not to speak farther here having discoursed at large of him under the title of Northumberland After which Siward the next Earl of this County was Harold Son to Earl Godwyne so was he also of Essex East Angles or Norfolk and Cambridgshire but having spoke of him as Earl of the West Saxons I shall say no more of him in this place Earls of Hereford OF this County Raphe Son to Walter de Maunt by Goda Sister to King Edward the Confessor was Earl in the same King Edwards time of whom I find only these particulars memorable viz. That in the year 1051. he raised what Forces he could in this his County and joyned with Leofric Earl of Mercia and Siward Earl of Northumberland against Gâ—dwyne Earl of Kent then Rebelliously in Arms against King Edward the Confessor After this he together with Earl Odo both Kinsmen to that King was made Admiral of above Fifty Ships which were sent against Harold and those other his Complices that then infested the Coasts with Piracies But in the year 1055. when Algar Earl of Mercia who was banished and joyning with Griffin Prince of Wales entred Herefordshire with an Army This Earl Raphe having raised what power he could to oppose them and commanding the English to fight on Horsback contrary to their usual course when he should have made the Onset he was the first who with the French and Normans ran away which caused the total loss of that Battle By means whereof the City of Hereford and the whole Countrey thereabouts were exposed to the mercy of those Rebels This was on the Nineth Calends of November the same year THE BARONAGE OF ENGLAND AFTER THE Norman Conquest Earl of Kent AS it cannot be doubted but that William Duke of Normandy after he had by that signal Victory over King Harold subjected this Realm to his absolute power would use all rational means for the establishing himself in his future Dominion So is it most certain that the advancing of such persons to cheifest trust and command who had hazarded their lives with him in that notable adventure was then esteemed the greatest interest of that Puissant Conqueror and of all those his Friends and Followers in order to the securing of what they had thus prosperously acquired Amongst these therefore as none were like to be better trusted so few had greater Advancements than his nearest Allies as will appear by what I shall observe in this Historical Discourse First therefore to begin with Odo who though an Ecclesiastick Person viz. Bishop of Bayeuâ— in Normandy yet considering that he was by the Mothers side Brother to the Conqueror he was raised to this Earldom of Kent being the first place of power and trust which after that Victory King William conferred upon
I neither sentence any Clerk or Bishop but my own Earl whom I made my Vicegerent in my Kingdom resolving That he shall give account of that his trust Whence he carried him into Normandy and in the Castle of Roan kept him prisoner to the end of his Reign which was four years but then was he set at liberty by King William the Second commonly called Rufus and this his Earldom of Kent restored to him Howbeit though he was thus enlarged and favored by K. William Rufus when he discerned that he had not the whole sway in disposing of all things as formerly for William de Karilepho Bishop of Duâ—ham was made Justice of England he fell off from his Allegiance and seduced many others inciting them to set up Robert Curthose in the Royal Throne as a person of a more gentle disposition and who was past his youthful Vanities And in order thereto began an Insurrection in Kent where he burnt divers Towns belonging to the King and Lanfranke then Archbishop carrying the Plunder of them to Rochester bearing an immortal hatred to that Archbishop in regard that by his Councel he had been cast into prison by King William the First with that nice distinction as he was Earl of Kent for as a Clergiman and Bishop it was not justifiable From Rochester he marched to Pevensey in Sussex and betook himself to his Castle there unto which the King presently marched and laid siege but at the end of six weeks being for want of Food forced to render it up he promised by Oath to quit the Realm and never to return until the King should command him as also to deliver up the Castle of Rochester before his departure Howbeit when he came to Rochester with those Soldiers of the Kings unto whom he was to render it he and they were all shut up at Rochester by the Garrison which he had left in that Castle Some were then of opinion that this was done by his own contrivance for there were then in that Castle many gallant Men and almost the whole Nobility of Normandy There was also young Eustace Earl of Bolein and divers Noblemen of Flanders But no sooner was the news hereof brought to the King than that he marched with his Army to Rochester and besieged the City so that within a short space those that were there rendred themselves And Odo losing all his Honor for ever abjured the Kingdom and went into Normandy where being received by Robertâ— Curthose then Duke he had the whole care of that Province committed to him The principal persons who joyned with Odo in this Conspiracy against King William Rufus on the behalf of Robert Curthose were Geffrey Bishop of Constance Robert Earl of Moreton Brother to this Odo Roger Earl of Shreasbury Robert de Molbray Earl of Northumberland and Roger Bigot Robert de Belesmo William de Owe Robert fil Baldwini de Excestre Hugh de Grentmaisnill Bernard Newmarch Roger de Lacy and Ralph de Mortimer But of these Roger Earl of Shrewsbury first fell off Being thus received in Normandy and in such high esteem with Curthose he had the whole Government of that Dukedome committed to his charge and was thereupon made his Counsellor To conclude with the words of mine Author He was Eloquent and magnanimous courtly and to speak according to the World couragious He was a great honorer of Religious Men his Clergy he stoutly defended with his Tongue and Sword and furnished his Church with rich Ornaments as his Buildings Vestments and Plate of Gold and Silver which he gave thereto do testifie In his youth in regard he was Brother to the Duke he was advanced to the Bishoprick of Bayeux in which he sate more then fifty years His carnal affections being sometimes predominant he begot a Natural Son named John who was afterwards by reason of his eloquence and ingenuity of great esteem in the Court of King Henry the First And though he was a person sometimes addicted to Secular Levities yet he had a great regard to Ecclâ—siastick Matters The Church of our Lady at Bayeux he built from the Ground and decked it with divers costly Ornaments In the Church of S. Vigor sometime Bishop of Bayeux which is situate near the Wall of that City he placed Monks and constituted the Religious and Prudent Robert de Tumbalene Prior there who amongst the rest of his learned Works left a short clear and profound Coment upon the Canticles Which Monastery he made a â—ell to the Abbey of Dijon He also sent young Schollars to â—iege and other Cities where he knew the study of Philosophy to flourish and gave them large exhibitions for their support in Learning of which so by him educated were Thomas Archbishop of York and Sampson his Brother Bishop of Worcester William de Ros Abbot of Fiscamp in Normandy Thurstan Abbot of Glasâ—onbury and many other then living So this Bishop Odo though much entangled with worldy cares yet he did many landable things and what he got indirectly be bestowed upon the Church and Poor Howbeit at length leaving the World he took a journey to Rome with Duke Robert his Nephew but died at Palermo in Sâ—câ—ly and had Sepulture in the Church of our Lady there The Lands and Possessions which he had here in England were wonderful great all which were given him by the bounty of King William his Brother for in Kent he had no less than an Hundred eighty four Lordships or the greatest part of them in Essex Thirty nine in Oxfordshire Thirty two in Hartfordshire Twenty three in Buckinghamshire Thirty in Worcestershire Two in Bedfordshire Eight in Northamptonshire Twelve in Nottinghamshire Five in Norfolk Twenty two in Warwickshire Six and in Lincolnshire Seventy six Earl of Cornwal TO this Earldom was Robert Earl of Moreton in Normandy Brother to King William by the Mother shortly after the Conquest advanced and had other great Honors given him in this Realm In the time of King William Rufus taking part with his Brother Odo Earl of Kent in that Insurrection on the behalf of Robert Curthose he held the Castle of Pevensey on that account but so soon as the King laid siege thereto rendered it up to him and made his peace This Earl having had the Standard of Saint Michael carried before him in Battle as the words of his Charter do import under which it is to be presumed he had been prosperous did out of great devotion to God and the Blessed Virgin for the health of his Soul and the Soul of his Wife as also for the Soul of the most glorious King William for those are his expressions give the Monastery of S. Michael at the Mount in Cornwal unto the Monks of S. Michael de Periculo Maris
in Hantshire Nine in Middlesex Eight in Cambridgshire Eleven in Hertfordshire One in Glocestershire One in Worcestershire Two in Warwickshire Eleven in Staffordshire Thirty in Sussex Seventy seven besides the City of Chichester and Castle of Arundel and in Shropshire very near all that County besides the City of Shrewsbury As to his enterprises in Wales it is to be noted That after the Normans became thus Victorious as hath been observed they thought the whole Realm of England too little recompence for so great and hazardous an adventure and therefore observing that Robert Fitz-Hamon and those Knights who assisted him hath sped so well by their attempts in Glamorganshire desired King William to grant them what they could by power and force obtain from the Welsh Unto which request considering that by thus enlarging his Dominion his Soveraignty and Wealth would consequently be the greater he readily assented Whereupon he entred Powysland and won the Castle and Town of Baldwine which he fortified and called after his own name Montgomery So likewise Cardigan and did homage for them to the King There is this also farther memorable of him viz. That he built a strong Castle at Shrewsbury upon that neck of Land situate betwixt the stream of Severn on each side which River so admirably environeth all the rest of that Beautiful Town as that it is now well defended on every part And next that he was a person of extraordinary devotion to God for he not only Founded and most amply endowed that great Abbey of S. Peter and Paul in the Eastern Suburbs of Shrewsbury but also three other Religious Houses in Normandy One in the Suburb of the City of Sais the second at â—roarn upon the River Dive and the third at Almanacha for Nuns He was also a great Benefactor to that Abbey of S. Stephens at Caen in Normandy Founded by the most famous King William the Conqueror giving thereunto certain Lands in those parts So likewise to the Abbey of Vtica in Normandy as appears by his Grant of the Lordships of Melâ—eburne in Cambridgshire 〈◊〉 now called Dnne and Mercston in Staffordshire with one Hide of Land at Graphan Likewise of certain Lands at Chichester with the Tithes of Cheese and Wool of Pulton and Tithes of Senegay in Cambrdgshire Moreover to the Monks of S. Peter at Cluni in Burgundy by his Grant of Chelton And lastly by his Structure of the Church at Quadford near Bruggenorth in Shropshire the occasion whereof was as followeth Upon the first passage of Adeliza his second Wife out of Normandy into England there hapning so great a storm at Sea as nothing but Shipwrack was expected by the Mariners a certain Priest who was her Chaplain being much wearied with long watching fell very fast asleep in which sleep there appeared to him a comely Matron who said thus If your Lady would be preserved from the danger of this dreadful Tempest let her vow to God that she will build a Church to the honor of S. Mary Magdalen in the place where she shall first meet the Earl her Husband in England and specially where an hollow Oak groweth near an Hogstie All which when he awaked he told to his Lady who soon made her vow accordingly whereupon the Tempest ceased and she with her attendants came safe to shore At length after divers days journey towards her Husband she met him near Quatford in an Out-wood on Hunting at a certain place where such an Oak then grew and relating to him what had hapned moved him that he would fulfil her vow who forthwith assenting caused that Church in honor of S. Mary Magdalen to be built which he endowed with ample possessions and gave to his Collegiate Chappel in the Castle of â—rugge Norâ—â— He first took to Wife Mabel Daughter and Heir to William Talvace Son of William Son of Ivo de Belesme a person of great power and note in the time of Richard Duke of Normandy with whom he had a large inheritance in Belesme and elswhere Which Lady bearing much hatred to the Founders of the Abbey of Utica caused that House to be grievously burthened with quartering of Soldiers For which and other oppressions by her exercised towards divers of the Nobility she was afterwards murthered in her Bed and buried in the Abbey of Troarn before mentioned By this Mabel he had Issue five Sons and four Daughters viz. Robert de Belesme Hugh de Montgomery Roger of Poictou of which three I shall speak more largely Philip who applied himself to Literature and was a Priest as also Arnulph who having nothing of his Fathers Inheritance betook himself to Feats of Arms. And following his Fathers example in his Adventures in Wales won that part of Soâ—th Wales called Dyvet now Pembrâ—kâ—shire for which respect having the title of that Earldom he first began to build a Castle there which he afterwards fortified on the behalf of his Brother Robert in the time of that Rebellion against King Henry the First He also gave to the Abbey of S. Martin at Sais in Normandy so Founded by his Father as hath been said for the health of his Soul the Soul of Earl Roger his Father and of Earl Hugh his Brother who was slain that year the Church of S. Nicholas situate within his Castle of Pembroke with Twenty Carucates of Land besides Of his Daughters Emme the Eldest was Abbess at Almanisca Maud was Wife of Robert Earl of Moreton Half-Brother to the Conqueror Mabel of Hugh de Novâ— Casteko and Sibil of Robert Fitz-Hamon Lord of Corboil in Normandy His second Wife was Addeliza Daughter of Ebrard de Pusaic by whom he had Issue only one Son Ebrard who being a Clergiman was one of the Chaplains to Henry the First King of England And now as this great Earl having a venerable esteem of the Monastick Profession was Founder and Benefactor to so many Religious Houses as hath been said so at his departure out of this World he farther manifested his affections thereunto For by his last Will and Testament he bequeathed to the Monks of S. Ebrulf at Uitca Thirty shillings to be paid every year out of his Lands at â—lencion at the beginning of Lent for the maintaining of a Lamp to burn in the Church of that Abbey day and night before the Crucifix And having by the hands of Reginald then Prior of Shrewsbury obtained from the House of Cluâ—â— in Burgundy the Coat of S. Hugh sometime Abbot there for himself to put on caused himself to be shorne a Monk in the said Abbey of Shrewsbury with the consent of his Wife where it is observed of him That three days before his death he wholly applied himself to divine Conference and devout Prayers with the rest of that
that his descent for I find that having wedded Lucia Sister to those Noble Brothers Edwyne and Morkar of whom I have made mention under the Titles of Mercia and Northumberland he not only gave up those Lands of her Inheritance in lieu thereof but a large sum of Money besides which was not totally paid of a good while after For it appears that in 5 Steph. Ranulph Earl of Chester Son to this Ranulph is certified to be indebted to the King in a thousand pounds De debito Patris sui pro terrâ Hugonis Comitis This Ranulph before he thus enjoyed the Earldom of Chester was Earl of Cumberland for so I find him stiled in that Confirmation made by King William of the Mannor of Wederhale to the Abbey of S. Maries at York which afterwards became a Cell to that Monastery By some of our Historians he is called Earl of Carlisle by reason of his residence there that being the cheif City of Cumberland who farther report of him that he came over with William Duke of Normandy and gave him effectual assistance in his Conquest of England as also that he began the building of the City of Carlisle and granted divers Immunities to the Inhabitants thereof And moreover that King William in his return from Scotland discerning Carlisle to be so Royal a Town took it from him and gave him this of Chester in its stead It is likewise recorded of this Ranulph that being a person of more than ordinary valor King William the Conqueror gave him that vast Mountainous Country called Stanemore situate on the skirts of Yorkshire and Westmerland then possessed by Aliens upon condition he could recover it out of their hands and that by his singular courage having beaten out those Foreigners he Enfeoffed his two Brothers in a large portion thereof viz. William of Coupland and Geffrey of Gillesland and a multitude of others within the County of Cumberland amongst which one Waltheof a Man of note in that age as also the Morvills and sundry persons in Anandale whose Estates the King at his request confirmed But the Earldom id est of Cumberland he retained to himself with all Royalty and Dominion for a long time with as much power and freedom as if there had been another King in those parts And that after this the King proposing to him the waging War with the Marchers in Cheshire who had invaded a great part of that Countrey he undertaking the work drove them out Whereupon he gave him that whole Province and made him Count Palatine of it as he had Earl Hugh So that he thenceforth left the Earldom of Cumberland on condition that those whom he had Enfeoffed there should hold their Lands of the King in Capite and setled himself in Cheshire This Earl was Founder of the Abbey at Kaldra in Cumberland and translated the Bones of his Uncle Earl Hugh from the Church-yard into the Chapter-House at Chester at which time he gave to the Monks of the Abbey of S. Werburg there the Lordship of Uptune in Cheshire He gave also to the Abbey of S. Maries at York the Church of S. Michael and the Church of S. Laurence belonging to his Castle at Appleby in Westmerland And departing this life in the year One thousand one hundred twenty nine 29 H. 1. was buried in the Abbey of S. Werburg before mentioned leaving Issue by Lucia his Wife Daughter to Algar sometime Earl of Mercia as I have elswhere shewed two Sons viz. Ranulph and William and two Daughters Alice Wife to Richard Fitz-Gilbert Ancestor to the Old Earls of Clare and Agnes of Robert de Grent-Maisnil Which Lucia surviving him in 5 Steph. paid to the King Cclxvi l. xiii s. iiii d. for Livery of her Fathers Lands and likewise Five hundred marks fine to the end she might not be compelled to marry again within the space of five years To the Nuns of Stikeswould in Lincolnshire she have Seven Carucates and Four Ox-gangs of Land lying in Huntendon And confirmed to the Priory of Spalding in the same County the Mannor of Spalding which Ivo Talboys her first Husband had formerly given to the Monks of S. Nicholas at Angiers in France unto which Monastery this of Spalding was a Cell where she afterwards had Sepulture Ranulph Son to the last Ranulph succeeding in the Earldom of Chester being for distinction from his Father called Ranulph de Gernons was a Man of great action in his days especially in Martial Affairs in that turbulent time of King Stephens Reign taking part with Maud the Empress and her Son Henry Duke of Normandy afterwards King by the name of Henry the Second to whom he was by affinity nearly Allied for he had wedded Maud Daughter of Robert sirnamed Consul Earl of Gloceâ—â—er one of the Illegitimate Sons to King Henry the First which Robert was by his Father Brother to the Empress In 6 Steph. this Earl Ranulph de Gernons seised upon Lincoln by subtilty and manned it on behalf of the Empress Whereupon the King laid siege to it about Christmass and continued it till this stout Earl with Robert Earl of Glocester his Father-in-Law and many other of the English Nobility came at Candlemass to raise it Who then passing the Fen as in those days it was with no little difficulty disposed their Army into four parts the Van led by himself which being put in Battle Array he made a bold Oration to the Soldiers manifesting the cause of that their undertaking and of his own resolution to lead them on being therein seconded by the Earl of Glocester Howbeit before these Speeches were fully ended the fight began and the charge on the part of these Earls given with such courage that the Royal Army was soon routed and the King himself being taken prisoner sent to the Castle of Bristol there to be secured where he continued not long For though the Empress upon this success getting together all the strength she could make the King of Scots also coming to her aid marched to Winchester and laid siege to that Castle which the Kings Forces then held Yet through the perfidiousness of this Earl who leaving her fled to the adverse party her Army became soon foiled and the Earl of Glocester a prisoner for whose enlargement the King was set at liberty After this in 9 Steph. the King came to besiege Lincoln again and began to build a Fort against the Castle which being discerned by this Earl then within it he issued out upon the Workmen before they had perfected their design and destroying many of them necessitated the King to draw off his Army which within a short space after so much increased that our Earl seeing the
the Mannor of Ledes in Yorkshire as part of that Inheritance Agnes the third sister with her Husband William de Ferrers Earl of Derby being both then living had for her part the Castle and Mannor of Chartley in Staffordshire assigned for her capital Seat with the Castle and Town of West Derby in Com. Lanc. and all the Lands belonging to the said Earl of Chester which lay betwixt the Rivers of Ribble and Merse together with the Mannor of in Buckbroek in Northamptonshire and Navenby in Lincolnshire And Hawise the fourth sister Wife of Robert de Quincy for her share the Castle and Mannor of Bolingbroke in Com. Linc. for her principal Mansion and all the other Lands which belonged to Earl Ranulph her Brother situate in the Provinces of Lindsey and 〈◊〉 in the said County of Lincoln for which she then gave fifty pounds for her relief Unto which Hawise the said Earl in his life time granted the Earldom of Lincoln that is to say all he could grant thereof to the end she might be Countess and that her heirs might also enjoy it whereof it seems the King did not disallow insomuch as at her desire he conferred the Honor upon Iohn Lacy Constable of Chesâ—eâ— and the heirs of his Body by Margaret her Daughter As for the Knights Fees which were assigned to each of these Sisters or their Descendants in the several Shires of England I shall for brevity spare their recital referring my Reader to the Record where they are particularly exprest in case he desire satisfaction therein There now only remains something to be said of Iohn Scot the last Earl Son to David Earl of Huntendon by Maud the eldest Sister of the said Earl Ranulph as hath been already observed For after his death this Earldom came to the Crown his Sisters who were all very nobly matched having in recompence thereof many fair Lordships as I shall shew by and by In An. 1233. 17 Hen. 3. upon that great difference betwixt the King and Richard Earl Marshal divers of the Nobility then adhering to the Earl this Iohn Earl of Chester with Iohn Earl of Lincoln were so corrupted by Peter de Rupibus then Bishop of 〈◊〉 who gave them a thousand marks that notwithstanding their former engagements to the Earl Marshal they fell off and took part with the King At that great solemnity of King Henries marriage to Alianor the Daughter of Reimund Earl of â—rovince which was performed with extraordinary pomp and state at London and Westminster about the 14 Kal. of February in the Twenty eighth year of his Reign this Iohn Earl of Chester carried the Sword called Curtana before the King in token that being an Earl Palatine he had power to restrain the King if he should be exorbitant as saith my Author the Constable of Chester then waiting upon him and with his Wand keeping off people from disturbing the proceeding And the same year with many other Nobles took upon him the Cross for a Voyage to the Holy Land but whether he performed the journey or not I make a question for the next year following I find he died without issue at Oernhall in Cheshire about Whitsontide 7 Id. Iunii poysoned by Helene his Wife Daughter to Leoline Prince of Wales whom he had married in his Uncle Earl Ranulph his days to the end there might be a firm Peace betwixt that Earl and Lewelin and was buried at Chester Whereupon in regard that Regal Prerogatives belonged to this Earldom the King assumed it into his own hands Ne tam praeclara dominatio inter colos faeminarum dividi contingeret Least so fair a Dominion should be divided amongst Women and gave unto his Sisters and Heirs other Lands instead thereof viz. To Iohn de Baillol and Dervorguil his Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs to Alan of â—alâ—owaâ— by Margaret the eldest Sister of this Iohn Earl of Chester the Mannors of Luddingland and â—orkesay in the County of Lincoln with the Ferme of Yarmouth in Norfolk And to Christian the other Daughter and Coheir of the same Alan and Margaret the Mannor of Driâ—â—ield in Yorkshire and the Mannor of â—hingden with the Advowson of that Church in Northampconshire To Isabel the Second married to Robert de Brus of Anandale the Mannors of Wrâ—ttel and Hathfield in Essex And to Ada the Fourth then the Wife of Henry de Hastings for Maud the Third was dead without issue the Mannor of Bromâ—sgrove in Worcestershire the Mannor and Castle of Bolesovore in Derbishire the Mannor and Soke of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire and the Mannor of Oswardbec in the same County the Mannors of Wurfield Stratton and Cunedoure in Shropshire with Wigginton and Wulrune Hampton in Staffoâ—dshire Moreover for Helen his Wife who soon after married to Robert de Quency command was given by the King that she should forthwith have Livery of these Lordships hereafter named whereof Iohn Earl of Chester and Huntendon her late Husband died seised to hold until such time as by a perfect Extant of all his Lands she should have a sufficient Dowry assigned unto her viz. Fordringhey and Iarewel in Com. Northampt. Keweston in Com. Bedf. Totenham in Com. Midd. Brampton Cunnington and Limpays in Com. Hunt Badew in Com. Essex and Erron in Com. Rutl. And after this viz. in 31 Hen. 3. was this Earldom of Chester with the Castles of 〈◊〉 and Dissard annexed to the Crown for ever Earls of Britanny and Richmund THe first Earl of Richmund was Alan sirnamed Rufus or Fergaunt by reason of his Red Hair Son to Eudo Earl of Britanny in France Which Alan coming over into England with Duke Wilâ—iam of Normandy commanded the Rear of his Army in that memorable Battle near Hastings And after that signal Conquest was advanced to this Earldom of Richmund it having been the Honor of Earl Edwyne of whom I have already spoke under the title of Mercâ—â— having therewith all that Northern part of the County of York vulgarly called Richmundshire given unto him by King William at the time of his siege of that City This Earl Alan was in his very youth not a little famous for his valor insomuch as he feared not that heroick spirited William then Duke of Normandy his near Neighbor who challenged Britanny as his hereditary Right from Gisla with whom Charles the Great bestowed it in marriage to Rollo his Lineal Ancestor but gave him rather cause of provocation After his Possession of this Earldom of Richmund he began the Building of a strong Castle and Fort near unto his capital Mansion at â—iâ—â—ing for the better safeguard of himself and his Tenants in that part of the Countrey against the attempts of the English then every where
Durham a person of excellent endowments by birth a Lorrainer and for his integrity of life and vertuous qualities very much beloved but his gentle disposition was such that he did not restrain his servants from oppressing the people thereabout nor his soldiers from sundry insolencies which they exercised in those parts therefore as that good old Eli suffered for the impieties of his Sons so did this Bishop For it thus hapned that upon an appointed day those of the Bishops retinue who had been the wrong-doers and a multitude of the persons injured being met together at Gateshed near to Newcastle upon Tine in order to a fair and friendly reconciliation of all differences there arose a great tumult amongst them whereupon the Bishop to put a quiet end thereto went to the Church and called before him the cheif of the Complainants with whom having treated he sent them out to speak with the rest staying with some few behind But immediately ensued an extraordinary uproar by the multitude without doors and no small slaughter of the Bishops Retinue Nor did this suffice for so highly were those people enraged that they set the Church on fire and murthered the innocent Bishop with all others that endeavored to escape the flames This woful slaughter hapned on the morrow preceding the Ides of May. ¶ After whose death one Alberic a Norman by birth as it seems was constituted Earl by King William who being a man unfit for publick business soon returned hence into his own Countrey Of this Earl Alberic it is reported That being a person of great Authority and not satisfied with his own condition he consulted with the Devil and was told That he should possess Greece Whereupon he made a Voyage into the East and entered that Countrey but when the Greeks understood that it was to reign over them they despoiled him of all that he had and expelled him those parts After which being wearied with travel he returned into Normandy unto King Henry who gave him a Noble Widow in Marriage and that the Priest at the celebration thereof asking the Woman of course Lady Gracia for so was her name wilt thou have this man He then began to discern the illusion of the Devil who had thus puft him up with that deceitful hope About this time Geffrey Bishop of Constance had the Government of this Earldom for being one of the Witnesses to the Foundation Charter of S. Maries Abbey at York it is said Eo tempore scil An. 1088. Northymbrorum Consulatum regebat This Geffrey being of a Noble Norman extraction and more skilful in Arms then Divinity knowing better to train up Soldiers than to instruct his Clergy was an eminent Commander in that signal Battle near Hastings in Suffex wherein Duke William of Normandy became Conqueror and consequently King of England for which great service he had no less than Two hundred and fourscore Lordships given him by that King He was also in divers other Battles against the Danes and English and by subduing his Enemies obtained vast Possessions But the next Earl of this Province whereof our Historians do take notice was Robert de Moubray Nephew unto that Bishop and his Heir to all those Lands above exprest This Robert was a person of large stature strong black hairy bold and subtile of a stern countenance few words and so reserved that he was not often seen to smile Stout in Arms disdainful to his equals and so haughty minded that he thought it below him to obey his Superiors He was Son to Roger de Moubray one of those heroick Men that came over into England with William Duke of Normandy and assisted him in his Conquest During the time of that King I find little memorable of him but after viz. in the beginning of King William Rufus his Reign he took part with â—do Bishop of Bayeux and those other whom I have mentioned in my Discourse of him as Earl of Kent in that Rebellion against the King in order to the advancing of Robert Curthose to the Royal Throne In which Insurrection the before specified Geffrey Bishop of Constance and this Earl Robert his Kinsman wasted the City of Bathe and Castle of Berkley carrying the spoils to Bristol where they then had a Castle of great strength and afterward laid Siege to Ilchester but were repulsed In the seventh year of William Rufus this Earl Robert together with William de Ou and divers others machinating to pull down the King and to set up Stephen of Albemarle his Aunts Son in his stead put themselves in Arms. King William therefore taking notice thereof summoned him to his Court but the Earl being not a little puft up with pride in regard he had not long before subdued Malcolme then King of Scotland near Alnwik scorned to obey the Kings Commands The King therefore advanced towards him with an Army laid siege to Newcastle and there made prisoners divers of the cheif Nobility then in Rebellion thence marched to Tinmouth and took in that strong Hold Earl Roberts Brother being therein After this to Bamburgh a place of such strength that it seemed impregnable whereunto this Rebellious Earl had made his retreat and laid siege thereto The Earl therefore discerning himself in this streight got out of that Castle by night with thirty of his Soldiers and fled to Tinmouth but being followed thither by the Kings Forces and not able to defend it above six days he was grievously wounded in the Leg and thence carried prisoner into Winâ—sor Castle Whereupon the Monk of Durham makes this observation of him That in the same Church which he had by violence taken from S. Cuthbert he lost all that he had with his Earldom and Liberty to boot But the particular circumstances of this his Rebellion and issue thereof according to the Relation of another Author varying somewhat from what I have already exprest I shall here also add This Earl being a cheif person in that Plot for advancing Stephen of Albemarle to the Crown began that Insurrection by the seisure of four great Ships taken with Merchandise from Norway and bound for England for which the King commanding satisfaction to be given and he refusing as also requiring his appearance before which he refused to make the King marched towards him with an Army and as he was entring his Territories Gilbert de Tonebruge a potent Baron and of the same Conspiracy prostrating himself at the said Kings feet and craving pardon made known to him all the design advising him not to enter a certain Wood then at hand the Rebels as he told him being there in Arms to destroy him discoverin likewise to him all those other who were in the Conspiracy Whereupon the King diverting his course marched to
he was buried in the Priory of S. Andrew at Northampton Whereupon the King gave this of Huntendon to the before specified William King of Scots who immediately delivered it unto David his Brother This last Earl Simon took to Wife Alice sole Daughter and Heir to Gilbert de Gant Earl of Lincoln with whom he enjoyed her Fathers Honor during her time but she dying without issue was buried at Bridlingâ—on in that Monastery of the Foundation of Walter de Gant her Grand-father whereupon it returned to Robert her Uncle Earl of Buckingham THe first Earl of this County after the Conquest was Walter Giffard Son of Osberne de Bolebec and Aveline his Wife Sister to Gunnora Dutchess of Normandy Great Grand-Mother to the Conqueror Who being one of those Noble Normans who accompanying the valiant Duke Wilâ—iam to whom he was thus Allied in his expedition hither courageously assisted him in that great Battle against King Harold whereby he obtained the Crown of England for which respect he became soon after advanced to this Earldom of Buckingham and was one of the principal Persons sent by the King with Remigius Bishop of Lincoln and others at the time of the Conquerors General Survey into Worcestershire and some other Counties to take notice of the Extent and Value of all the Kings and other Mens Lands in those parts The Possessions which he himself had as appears by that Survey being as followeth In Berkshire two Lordships in Wiâ—â—shire one in Somersetshire one in Huntingdonshire one in Cambridgshire five in Oxfordshire nine in Bedfordshire nine in Suffolk three in Norfolk twenty eight and in Buckinghamshire forty eight This Walter gave the Lordship of Blakeham in Suffolk to the Monks of Bec in Normandy which was afterwards made a Cell to that Abbey Afterwards adhering to King William Rufus against Robert Curthose he fortified his Mansions in Normandy on the said Kings behalf and was a cheif Commander in his Army there behaving himself very honorably in that service and persisting therein to the utmost He was likewise one of the Witnesses to those Laws of King Henry the First which he established here at the beginning of His Reign Yet afterwards scil in An. 1102. being the next year he sided with Robert Curthose but the year following departed this life here in England and had Sepulture at the entrance of the Abbey Church of Longavâ—liâ— in Normandy which he Founded and gave divers Lordships and Lands lying in England thereto with this Epitaph upon his Tomb. Stemma Gifardorum Galterius ingenuorum Quae meruit vivens busta sepultus habet Templi Fundator praesentis aedificator Hoe velut in proprio conditus est tumulo Qui se magnificum Patriaeque probavit amicum Dux virtute potens pietate nitens Religiosorum sed praecipue Monachorum Cultor multimodè profuit Ecclesiae His memory continuing in high veneration by all the Cluniac Monks who by their daily Prayers ceased not to commend his Soul to God for those benefits which they had plentifully reaped in Longaville by his Charity This Walter took to Wife Agnes one of the Daughters of Gerard Flaitell Sister to William Bishop of Eureux by whom he left issue Walter his Son who succeeded him in this his Earldom of Buckingham and divers Daughters whereof one viz. Rohais was Wife to Richard Fitz-Gilbert Ancestor to that great Family of Clare ¶ Which second Walter being most faithful to King Henry the First against all those Rebellious attempts that disturbed his quiet gave most high Testimonies of his valor in that notable Battle at Brennevill in An. 1119. against Lewes King of France who was there in person in which fight the French were beaten And though at first he did incline to King Stephen yet he afterwards made his Peace with Geffrey of Anjou Husband to Maud the Empress This Earl Walter in 12 Hen. 2. upon Assessing of the Aid for marrying of the Kings Daughter certified That he had Ninety four Knights Fees and an half De Veteri Feoffamento and one and an half De Novo and with Ermetrude his Wife Founded the Abbey of Nutâ—ey in King Henry the Second's time at his Park of Trendon near Tame in Backinghamshire but dying without issue the Lands of his Barony came to be shared amongst his Relations as it seems For in ... Rich. 1. Richard de Clare Earl of Hertford in respect of his Descent from Rohais Sister of this Earl and Wife of Richard Fitz-Gilbert his Linâ—al Ancestor and William Mareschal Earl of Pembroke in Right of Isabel his Wife Daughter and Heir to Richard Earl of Strigul obtained a confirmation from that King of all the Lands of this Walter Earl of Buckingham both in England and Normandy Of which Lands Richard Earl of Hertford was to have the cheif Seat in England and William Earl of Hemâ—roke and Isabel the head or cheif Seat of those in Normandy the residue both in England and Normandy to be equally divided betwixt them Earl of Albemarle and Holderness THe first who had this Honor conferred upon him was Odo Earl of Champaigne a person nearly allied to King William the Conqueror by Consanguinity being Grand-Son of Maud Daughter to Richard Duke of Normandy Wife of Odo Earl of 〈◊〉 and Chartres This Odo being a valiant young Man and having slain a great person of that Countrey where his Father lived fled to his Kinsman William then Duke of Normandy where by the help of the Archbishop of Roan obtaining the Dukes Sister Adeliza for his Wife He intreated the Archbishop to move the King for some maintenance and told him the cause of forsaking his own Countrey At his request therefore King William gave him the Isle as he calls it of Holderness And to add thereunto the Archbishop himself bestowed on him the City of Albemarle to the intent that in all the expeditions where the Archbishop went in person he should be his Standard-Bearer with Twelve Knights Which Territory of Holderness was given by the same King William unto one Drew le Brever a Fleming who accompanied him hither at the Conquest being a skilful and courageous Man in Arms Whereupon Drew built the Castle of Skypse the strongest Fort on all that side but having afterwards killed a Kinsman of the Kings and therefore constrained to flee for it getting away into Flanders King William bestowed it upon Odo de Campania as hath been said Holderness upon this occasion being given unto Odo and at that time was a barren Countrey bearing no other grain but Oats so soon as his Wife had brought him a Son whom he named Stephen he intreated
weighty Arguments Nor was he wanting to second that his Counsel by his Actions most valiantly adventuring himself in that Signal Battle whereby that Duke obtained the Crown of England being then the cheif in his Army for which high services he was first advanced to this Earldom of Hereford having also the Isle of Wight then given him and in the second year of His Reign constituted Governor of that strong Castle at â—inchester which was then newly built as also cheif Administrator of Justice throughout the whole North of England as Odo Earl of 〈◊〉 was throughout the South in which he behaved himself with no little prudence sometimes acting alone but in cases of necessity sitting both together and assisting each other always deporting himself with great Equity as the King had directed him to do punishing the bad cherishing the good and carefully superintending those who did administer Justice under him in each place In the third of that Kings Reign after the raising of a strong Fort at York by the King when he had relieved that City then besieged by Edgar Etheling and his adherents he was made Governor thereof By the advice of this Earl and some others it is said That King William caused all the Monasteries of England to be searched and what Money he found that the rich Men of the Land had therein deposited by reason of his austerity to be taken away Howbeit to make some amends for that and all other miscarriages which his Military course of life or any other worldly respects had exposed him unto he became the devout Founder of two fair Abbeys in Normandy the one at Lira the other at Corneâ—les And unto that of Lira gave divers Churches Lands and Tithes in England viz. The Church of Hanley in Worcestershire as also all the Tithes of that Lordship with Twenty shillings yearly Rent one Man and half a yard Land there Likewise all the Tithes of the Forest of Malverne excepting Venison the Tithes of Cuhull with one Man and half a yard Land there the Tithes of Bissley with one Man and one yard Land there the Tithes of Eldresfeld one Man and one yard Land there The Churches of Fechham Chedworth the Tithes of Alverthone and Eight shillings Rent out of the Church of Salpertone the Tithes of Frothelmetone with one hide and one yard Land in Danteburne But I now come to his death the occasion whereof was thus Upon the death of Baldwine Earl of Flanders Ernulph Earl of Henault being of right to succeed him as Nephew and Heir for he was his Grand-child by his eldest Son Philip King of France came to his aid therein and Maud Queen of England Aunt to the said Arnulph sent this our Earl William Fitz-Osborne to give him assistance But to oppose this Claim of Arnulph Robert the Frison his Uncle procured great Forces from Henry the Emperor wherewith marching suddenly against the other he fell upon them before they were aware and having thereby soon routed the French slew the said Arnulph his Nephew with this our stout Earl upon the Tenth Kalends of March in the year 1070. Upon whose death let us hear what the Monk of Utica an English Man by birth saith and seriously take into consideration the vanity of Earthly-greatness and withal observe That after this short life of Nature there is a long life of Fame who will blow her Trumpet aloud to posterity and plainly lay open to the World as well the bad as good Actions of the most potent Men that shall be in their highest pitch of worldly power Verè ut gloria mundi flos feni c. Certainly saith he the glory of this World fadeth and withereth as the flower of the Field yea it passeth away and vanisheth even as smoak What is become of William Fitz-Osberne Earl of Hereford Vicegerent to the King Sewer of Normandy that mosi Warlike General Was he not in truth the cheif and greatest oppressor of the English and he who cherished an enormous cause by his boldness whereby many thousands were brought to miserable ends â— See! The just Iudge beholding all things rewards every man according to his own demerits Alas Is he not now slain Hath not this hardy Champion had his desert As he slew many with the Sword so he suddenly received his death by the Sword Nor is it unworthy of Note what the Monk of Worcester hath of him The Town of Headsofrey saith he scituate at the East of Wic doth of right belong to this Monastery but after the Norman Conquest of this Realm Earl William of Hereford took it away and gave it to one Gilbert his servant and so we lost that Lordship And this Earl William who unjustly took from God and S. Mary many other Lands by the just judgment of God not long after died a banished man from his Country an ignominious death for not being afraid to disherit the Houses of God God in just vindication thereof left him no heir to his Honor his Son and Heir being for Treason within a short time imprisoned where he miserably ended his life and all his Posterity by a publick Law deprived of their Inheritance Dying thus his Corps was conveyed to Cormeilles one of the Abbeys of his own Foundation and there Interred There is no doubt but that he had very large Possessions by the Conquerors gift for it appears that he built the Castle of Estbrighoyel in Glocestershire and the Castles of Clifford Wigmore and Ewias in Herefordshire but in regard he died long before the General Survey there is no Memorial at all left of them This Earl first took to Wife Adeline Daughter to Roger de Toney a great Baron of whom I shall make mention in due place and had issue by her Three Sons and three Daughters of which Sons William the eldest had after his Fathers death Bretol and all other his Lands in Normandy and by the assistance of Philip King of France and Robert Curthose Duke of Normandy did after a time recover the Castle of Ivery extorted from him by Gohell de Berhehivale which Castle he had of the gift of the said Robert And having married Adeline Daughter to Hugh de Montfort and been a great Benefactor to the Monks of Utica departed this life the second Ides of Ianuary An. 1099. 12 Wil. Rusi Whereupon he had Sepulture in the Cloyster at Lira before mentioned but left no legitimate issue His second Son was Raphe shorn a Monk at Cormeiles in his youth The third was Roger de Britolio who had this Earldom of Hereford and all his Lands in England after his Fathers death By the Instigation of this Roger King William caused all the Monasteries of England in the Eighth of His Reign to be searched for their treasure But this Earl stood not long for being a faithless and
having called before them divers eminent disturbers of the Publick Peace who refusing to come put themselves in Arms they laid aside the Gown and took up the Sword wherewith meeting with those bold Rebels at a place called Fagadune they valiantly fought and happily vanquished them and for terror to others cut off the right Foot of all they took alive These were those Conspirators whereof Raphe de Guader Earl of Norfolk and Roger Earl of Hereford were the Ring-leaders of which I have already spoke more largely under the title of Norfolk and Hereford And after this when King William discerned that Roger de Mortimer his General upon a Victory obtained against the French had privily sheltred Earl Raphe de Monte-Desiderio one of his Enemies and then suffered him to get away for the faithful service of this Earl Warren he gave him the Castle of Mortimer which was the cheif Seat of that Roger. Upon that great Rebellion of Odo Bishop of Bayeux on the behalf of Robert Curthose this Earl William stoutly assisted the King both by his Counsels and Actions And was likewise in such favor with King William Rufus that so soon as by the great Council of the Peers which he caused to meet at Winchester he was setled in his Dominion he conferred upon him this Earldom of Surrey This first Earl William was he who with the Lady Gundred his Wife going on Pilgrimage to Rome and in their passage visiting divers Monasteries to make their Orizons had reception with such great respect at Cluni in Burgundy by the then Prior and Covent of that House though the venerable Abbot Hugh was then absent that they were admitted into the Fraternity of those devout Monks which special favor won the love of this Noble Earl to that Abbey above all other And because long before that time and then much more they the said Earl and his Lady had determined by the advice of Lanfrank then Archbishop of Canterbury to found some Religious House for the welfare of their Souls they forthwith resolved that it should be rather of the Cluniac Order than any other and therefore earnestly requested the Abbot and Covent that they might obtain three or four of their Monks unto whom they would give that Church antiently dedicated to S. Pancrace standing under his Castle of Lewes in Sussex which was rebuilt of Stone it being of Wood before signifying their purpose at the first to endow it with Lands and Possessions for the maintenance of no less than twelve Monks Unto which request though the Abbot did not readily incline considering how far distant that place was from â—lum besides the interposition of the Sea which made the recourse betwixt them the more hazardous yet after he understood that this Earl had obtained License from King William to introduce Monks of their Order into England he was then better satisfied and sent four of his Covent Lanzo being cheif Whereupon this pious Earl did immediately by his Charter Grant and Confirm what he had before so designed and promised Likewise he gave thereunto the Church of Acre in Norfolk with two Carucates of Land resolving there to found another Monastery and make it subordinate to this of Lewes But in case of failing so to do that then his Heir should perfit the Work purposing moreover that the Bodies of himself and his Lady should have Sepulture in that Church of S. Pancrace and also to increase the number of the Monks And afterwards living to accomplish his intended Foundation of that Priory at Acre he gave the Churches of Methwould Roinges otherwise called Leden Church Wikemer Trunchet and two parts of his Tithes in Grimestune thereto Furthermore to those Lands in Sussex wherewith he at first endowed that Priory of Lewes he added these Churches in Yorkshire viz. Cuningsburgh Hertille Fislac Hatfield with the Chappel of Torne the Church of Little Sandall with the Chappel of Harnoldesthorp the Church of Wakefield with the Chappel of Horbiry the Church of Hallifax the Church of Dewsbury with the Chappel of Herteveshed the Church of Burton and the Church of Great Sandall To the Monks of S. Maries in York he gave the Isle of â—enes And to the Monks of Boxgrave in Sussex part of his Wood called Bessesole all his Lordship of Winkings and in recompence for those Tithes in Stotitune which were granted for to find one Monk to celebrate Divine Service there continually for all the Faithful deceased he gave Forty Acres of Land and one Messuage as also Common of Pasture for One hundred and fifty Sheep Ten Oxen Two Horses and Twenty Hogs And surviving his said Lady Gundred whose Corps was buried there he moreover gave for the health of her Soul his own Soul and the Souls of his Posterity his Mannor of Hecham in Norfolk commanding That his Heirs should confirm the same As also the Lordship of Waltune Which Lady Gundred was Sister of Gherbode a Fleming to whom King William the First had given the City and Earldom of Chester The issue which this great Earl left by her were two Sons William his Successor in these Honors and Raynald who adhering to Robert Curthose in An. 1104. being one of the Principal who broke the League of Peace made betwixt him and King Henry the First was taken prisoner at Dive upon winning of the Fort there in An. 1106. And two Daughters Edith first married to Girard de Gornay and afterwards to Drew de Monâ—â—ux and ... the Wife of Ernise de Colungis His death hapned in the year 1089. 8 Kal. Iulii 1 Will. Rufi After which his Body being honorably Interred in the Chapter House at Lewes this Epitaph was engraven upon a white Stone laid over it Hic Guillelme Comes locus est laudis tibi fomes Hujus fundator largus sedis amator Iste tuum funus decorat placuit quia munus Pauperibus Christi quod promptâ— mente dedisti Ille tuos cineres servat Pancratius haeres Sanctorum Castris qui te sociabit in astris Optime Pancrati fer opem te glorificanti Daque poli sedem talem tibi qui dedit aedem â— But the Lady Gundred his Wife died in Childbed 6 Kal. Iunii An. 1085. about three years before him and lieth buried in the Chapter House at Lewes It is reported that this Earl William did violently detain certain Lands from the Monks of Ely for which being often admonished by the Abbot and not making restitution he died miserably And though his death hapned very far off the Isle of Ely the same night he died the Abbot lying quietly in his Bed and meditating on Heavenly things heard the Soul of the Earl in its carriage away by the Devil cry out loudly and
a Fair there yearly on the Eve Day and morrow after the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul with free-warren in all his demesne lands at Gosberchirch Swinflete Quadavering Donington Iwardby and Houstorp in Com. Linc. But forasmuch as neither of these two last mentioned nor any of their posterity are ranked amongst the Barons of this Realme I shall not enquire farther after them Malet THE first of this name whereof I finde mention is Wiliam Malet who being with William the Conqueror in that famous Battle against King Harold was sent with the Body of that King there slain to see it decently Interred and being Sheriff of Yorkshire in the third year of that victorious Williams Reign was with his Wife and Children in York when Harold and Canutus sons to Swane King to Denmark landing in the mouth of Humber came with a great power thither and slew above three thousand Normans who had burnt many Houses near the Castle which might have been an advantage to the Danes by filling up the Ditches and consequently in gaining of that City This William was a witness to the Charter of that King made to the Dean and Canons of St. Martins le Grand in London subscribed next to the Earles having then the title of Princeps and gave Cuntevill in Normandy to the Abby of Bec in that Dukedome But this is all I have seen of him other than that by Hesilia his Wife he left issue a Son called Robert Which Robert in consideration of his special services obtained from King William the Honor of Eye in Suffolk and at the time of the general Survey possessed thirty two Lordships in Yorkshire three in Essex one in Hantshire two in Notinghamshire eight in Lincolnshire and two hundred twenty one or the greatest part of so many in Suffolk whereof Eye was the chief where having then a Market and a Parke he founded an Abby for Monks of the Benedicâ—ne order and amply endowed it This Robert thus possessing so vast an estate held the Office of Great Chamberlain of England under King Henry the first but enjoyed it not long for in 2 H. 1. being with some other great men called to account for deserting the King in his necessity that is to say for adhering to Robert Curthose he was disherited and Banished After this I finde one William Malet whom King Henry the first in the tenth year of his Reigne keeping the Feast of Pentecost at Windshore did also disherit with some others who had then injured him And not long after this there was another William Malet who held twelve Knights fees of the Abbot of Glastenbury viz. ten in his Mannor of Dundene upon Pauldone and two in Shepton both in Somersetshire In 2 Hen. 2. this last mentioned William paid twenty five pounds for Danegell in Com. Somerset and in 12 Hen. 2. upon levying the Ayde for marrying the Kings Daughter certified his Knights fees to be in number twenty one an half a third a fourth two fifths and a twentieth part de Veteri Feoffamento and two Knights fees a fifth and two tenth parts de Novo For all which in 14 Hen. 2. he paid fifteen pound twelve shillings and ten pence To him succeeded another William who in 6 Riâ— 1. was in that expedition then made by the King into Normandy and the next ensuing year paid an hundred pound Fine for livery of the Lands of his inheritance This William held Cuti now called Curi-Malet in Com. Somerset and other Lands of the King by the service of twenty Knights fees and in 5 Ioh. residing then at Curi gave an hundred shillings to the King for liberty to proceed in Law against William de Evermue for the Lordship of Swinton Moreover in 12 Ioh. he executed the Office of Sheriffe for Somerseshire and Dorsetshire for three parts of that Year So likewise for the three next ensuing Years and in 15 Ioh. served the King with twenty Souldiers for discharge of a debt then due by him But in 17 Ioh. was one of the Barons then in Armes against the King for which respect a great part of his Lands lying in the Counties of Somerset Dorset and Surry were given to Hugh de Vivion and Dadington in Com Oxon. to Thomas Basset whose Daughter Alice he had wedded having with her that Lordship in Frank-matriage Nor was this all for it appears that for his rebellion at that time he underwent the sentence of Excommunication from the Pope as some others then did Howbeit making his peace in 9 Hen. 3. the Husbands of his Daughters and Heirs he himself being then dead viz. Hugh de Vivion who married Mabell and Robert de Muscegros who wedded Helewise were constrained to pay the Fine viz. two thousand marks which was not satisfyed till that time they having then allowance of five hundred marks due to him the said William for former service in King Iohns Army in Poirtou viz. for ten Knights at two shillings a day and twenty Servants at twelve pence a day Of which Daughters Helewise who married to Robert de Musoegros became afterwards the Wife of Sir Hugh Pointz betwixt whom and Vivion this Barony of Malet was divided Todenei THat King William the first after he had subdued this Nation by that his prosperous victory over King Harold the usurper and conferred upon his friends and followers aswel the Chiefest Honors as Offices of greatest trust did seat those eminent persons where they might have best advantage for subjecting the conquered English to his future Government is not unknown to any that have been conversant in the History of his time And that the then potent men did make choice of such places for their principle habitations whereuâ—to the accesse was most difficult as Hills and Promontories naturally were is evident enough to all that have observed the scituation of those antient Castles at that time erected in divers parts of this Realm Of this kind Belvoir standing on the skirt of Leicester and Lincolnshires is not the least notable which being built by Robert de Todenei a Noble Norman upon that stately ascent overlooking the beautiful valley adjacent thence by him called Belvoir from the fair view it hath of the Country thereabouts became the chief seat of that Great Barony so bestowed upon him by the then puissant Conqueror whose possessions lying in divers Counties of this Realm were of no small extent for by the general Survey then taken it appeareth that he had the Lordships of Daltone and Naborne in Yorkshire of Cesewic in Essex of Bradsey Seile Mealle and Gokesford in Suffolk of Dochesworde in Cambridgeshire of Mascewelle and Bereword in Hartfordshire of
Richmund and Derby by Reginald Bray her trusty instrument for bringing in of Henry Earl of Richmund afterwards King by the name of Henry the seventh who seeing Henry Duke of Buckingham one of the chief in that designe he so unhappily surprized before it could take effect got with other wellwishers to it into Britanny And after that succesful day at Bosworth where King Richard being slain the Crown was set on that victorious Henries Head he was made one of his chief Councellors Constable of the Castle at Bristol Master of the Mint and upon the twelfth day of March the same year advanced to the dignity of a Baron Moreover in 2 Hen. 7. he was retained by Indenture to serve the King in his Fleet at Sea with three hundred and fifty Souldiers in four Ships for the space of six weeks from the twentieth day of February And in 3 Henr. 7. constituted one of the Chamberlains of the Kings Exchequer In 4 Henric. 7. being then Governor of Calais he was sent into Flanders with three thousand Souldiers to the aid of Maximilian the Emperour there being a Rebellion then raised in those parts where he had a notable Skirmish with the Enemy near Dixmew in which he slew many took divers prisoners and returned with much Booty And in 7 Hen. 7. was imployed as Embassador with Richard Fox then Bishop of Exeter for reconciling all matters betwixt King Henry and the French In 9 H. 7. he was made Justice-Itinerant of all the Kings Forests on the south of Trent Sir Reginald Bray being his associate And upon the fall of Sir William Stanley in 10 H. 7. constituted Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold In 12 Hen. 7. being prepared to march as General with an Army into Scotland to vindicate those injuries which King Henry had received thence having of his own retinue five Lances fifteen Demi-lances two hundred fifty four Archers and Bills for two hundred and fifty Souldiers six Lances twelve Demi-lances seventy one Archers and Bills for three hundred Souldiers and seven Lances four Demi-lances five hundred forty four Archers and Bills for three hundred and sixteen Souldiers he was prevented from that expedition by the Rebellion of the Cornish-men who were headed by Iames Lord Audley and had his share in the honor of that victory over them at Black-Heaâ—h in Kent which was then through the happy conduct of the Kings forces under the command of Thomas Earl of Surrey so successfully obtained And the next year following was in the head of that Army against those forces near Tanton in Com. Somers which were newly landed in Cornwall on the behalf of Perkin Warbeck where they were utterly vanquished In 19 Hen. 7. he was made Constable of the Castle of Bridgwater And by his Testament bearing date the 19 Maii 23 H. 7. bequeathing his Body to be buried in the Abby of S. Peter at Westminster appointed that his Feoffees would stand seised of and in his mannors of Wynderstow in Comit. Willts and Grychell-Gover in Com. Dorset of the yearly value of twenty six pound thirteen shillings and four pence to the intent that with the issues of the same there should be three Priests suâ—ained perpetually to sing for his Soul and the Souls of his Father and Mother viz. two in the Church where he was to be buried and the third in the Parish Church of South-Pederton in Com. Somerset where divers of his ancestors lay interred every of them to have for his Salary ten Marks Sterling And to Elizabeth his wife Daughter to Sir Iohn Arundel of Lanhern in Cornwall Knight he gave an hundred Marks worth of Plate He died at London 28 Maii 23 H. 7. and lieth buried in the Chapel of S. Paid within the Abby Church of Westminster as by the Epitaph on his Monument there appeareth Leaving issue Henry his only son and one daughter called Cecelie married to Iohn Bouchier Lord Fitz-Warren afterwards Earl of Bathe Which Henry in 6 Hen. 8. had a special livery of all the Lands whereof his said Father died seised And was created Earl of Bridgewater upon the nineteenth day of Iuly 30 H. 8. at the Kings Mannor house of Ocking being the second who had the title of some eminent City or Town But this Henry though wedded to Catherine daughter of Thomas Duke of Norfolk died without issue William de Albini Pincerna THis William de Albini son of Roger de Albini by Amicia his wife and elder brother to that famous Nigel de Albini whose posterity assumed the sirname of Moubray as I have elsewhere shewed coming first hither with William Duke of Normandy at his Conquest of England and being much aiding to him in that service had divers Lands in Norfolk and other place conferred upon him whereupon he ejected several persons out of their possessions amongst which one Edwyne a Dane who first came hither with King Knute was by him dispossessed of the Lordships of Snetsham Sharneburne and Stanho in that County Edwyne therefore with some others who suffered in like sort went to King William and told him that neither before his entrance nor since his Conquest they had ever acted or conspired against him but lived inoffensively as they were ready to prove Upon which complaint the King forthwith caused enquiry to be made through the whole Realm and commanded that those who had lived peacably should have restitution of their Lands so seized on to enjoy as freely as they had done before and thenceforth to be called Drenges And in pursuance of that his Command appointed that this William de Albini then his Butler and William de Warren his Forester should restore unto Edwyne all those Lands which they had thus taken from him But notwithstanding this Mandate all he could get at present was only three hundred Acres of Land and three Folds in Snetesham and after that four hundred Acres of Land and four Folds in Stanho to be held of him by certain services As also four hundred Acres of Land and as many Folds in Sharneburne from William de Warren Howbeit ere long the King having sent Edwyne into Normandy for his Bastard Daughter there begotten before the Conquest of England gave her in marriage to Asceur his Son from which time the said Edwyne had protection so long as he lived To this William de Albini and his heirs was the Lordship of Bokenham also given by King William the first to hold by the service of being Butler to the Kings of England on the day of their Coronation For which respect he was afterwards stiled in divers Charters Pincerna Henrici Regis Anglorum This William de Albini founded the Abby of Wymundham in Norfolk and gave to the Monks of Rochester the Tithes of
his stead Unto which Instrument her Seal of Arms is affixed viz. Stafford and Basset quartered and that he dying in 2 Ed. 2. was buried in the Fryers Minors at Stafford leaving issue two Sons viz. Ralph his Son and Heir then nine years of age and Sir Richard Stafford Knight his younger Son who in 30 33 Ed. 3. was in the Wars of France So likewise in 34 Edw. 3. and in 35 Edw. 3. being made Seneschal of Gascoigne continued there the next ensuing year being then called Sir Richard Stafford of Clifton Knight which Lordship he then possessed by reason of his marriage with Maud the Daughter and Heir to Richard de Camvile of that place Which Sir Richard Stafford had issue Richard who in 36 Edw. 3. was in that expedition with his Father then made into Gascoigne and in 40 Edw. 3. went again to those Wars Moreover this Richard had Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons from 44 Edw. 3. until 4 Rich. 2. inclusive and then viz. upon the Thirteenth of August departed this life being seised of the Mannors of Childecote in Com. Derb. Norton in Hales in Com. Salop. Clifton Camvile Pipe and Bruggeford in Com. Staff The moity of the Mannor of Campeden and the Mannors of Aston under Egge Charingworth and Winton in Com. Gloc. As also of the Mannor of Sibbertoft in Com. North. leaving Edmund his Son and Heir then a Priest Thirty six years of age Which Edmund being afterwards Bishop of Exeter and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England Sir Thomas Stafford Knight his Brother came to possess the Estate who having issue Thomas that died without issue the Inheritance thereof descended to Catherine his Sister married to Sir Iohn Ardern Knight But I return to Ralph Son and Heir of Edmund This Ralph coming of full age in 17 Ed. 2. and then doing his homage had Livery of his Fathers Lands and the next ensuing year being made a Knight by Bathing and other Sacred Ceremonies had Robes with all other accoutrements as a Banneret allowed him out of the Kings Wardrobe for that solemnity After which he soon grew an active person in the Wars of that heroick Prince King Edward the Third For it appears that in 1 Edw. 3. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland and in 4 Edw. 3. one of those Lords who stoutly pursued that then potent Man Roger de Mortimer Earl of March and took him in the Castle of Nottingham Moreover in 8 9 Edw. 3. he was again in the Scotish Wars as also in 10 Edw. 3. Margaret his Wife being then with him So likewise in 11 Edw. 3. and in 13 Edw. 3. in that expedition then made into Flanders Furthermore in 14 Edw. 3. King Edward having entred the North parts of France with a powerful Army in order to the recovery of that Realm as his Hereditary Right and discerning how he was illuded by Iohn Stratford then Archbishop of Canterbury whom he trusted in his absence in not helping him to that supply of Money from England whereon he depended for support of these Wars so that he was then necessitated to return from that hopeful adventure without success he sent this Ralph Lord Stafford then Steward of his Houshold unto that Archbishop to offer him safe conduct in coming to him to the end he might understand what defence he could make for that his neglect In 15 Edw. 3. he was again in the Wars of Scotland and the same year obtained the Kings Charter for a Market every week upon the Tuesday at his Mannor of Madley under Lyme in Com. Staff as also two Fairs yearly the one on the Eve and Day of S. George the Martyr and two days following and the other on the Eve and Day of S. Leonard and two days after And likewise a weekly Market at his Mannor of Tisho in Com. War on the Wednesday with a Fair every year upon the Eve and Day of S. Peter ad Vincula commonly called Lammas as also view of Frank-Pledge and divers other Priviledges viz. For Tryal and Execution of Malefactors c. In 16 Edw. 3. being sent into Britanny with divers other eminent persons he had of his Retinue fifty Men at Arms and fifty Archers all on Horsback whereof himself and two other were then Bannerets sixteen Knights and thirty one Esquires having for his and their support in that service fifty seven Sacks of the Kings Wools. Moreover being then in the City of Uannes at that time besieged by the French he escaped by a Postern but afterwards was taken prisoner before Nants then besieged by the English and exchanged for the Lord Clysson In 17 Edw. 3. he was joyned with the Earls of Lancaster Glocester Warwick Northampton and others in another expedition for Scotland to raise that Siege which the Scots had laid to the Castle of Lough Mabar whereof the Earl of Northampton viz. William de Bohun had then the custody And shortly after this was imployed again with Henry de Lancaster Earl of Deâ—by and some other grave persons to the Court of Rome there to treat with the Pope not as a Judge but as a private Person and Friend touching the right of King Edward to the Crown of France He was likewise the principal person then sent in Commission with Sir William Trussel Knight and some others to the Governors and Burger-Masters of divers good Towns in Flanders to treat touching the well regulating of that Countrey as to the Staple of Wools and Sheep Skins as also to treat and conclude touching the Coynage of good Money Gold and Silver to be current as well in England as in Flanders and by another Commission impowred to treat with the Princes and others of Almaine touching a League of Friendship betwixt King Edward and them and to obtain their assistance to him upon occasion Moreover in 18 Edw. 3. being sent into Gascoigne with Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby upon the assault of Bergerath by that Earl on the Land part this Ralph commanded the Fleet to attack it by Sea and was with him likewise at the siege of Auberoche In 19 Edw. 3. he had that great office of Seneschal of Aquitane conferred upon him and continuing thereupon in those parts command was given to the Sheriff of Glocestershire to send thither to him One hundred Bows and six hundred Arrows for the Kings service there In 20 Edw. 3. he went again into Gascoigne and being then in Aguillon when Iohn Son and Heir to Philip King of France came to besiege it he placed empty Wine Hogsheads upon that part of the Town which was not Walled putting Stones into them and though he was besieged
with Margaret his Wife Whereupon this his whole inheritance descended to Humphrey his next Brother then twenty four years of age Which Humphrey in 11 Edwar. 3. had an assignation l of an hundred and forty six pounds fourteen shillings and eight pence for Wages of thirty Men at Armes which were of his retinue in the Garison of Perth in Scotland from the fourteenth of November in the tenth year of that Kings Reigne untill the twentieth of April next following And in 14 Ed. 3. was in that great Naval fight against the French near Sluyce In 15 Edw. 3. he was one of those eminent Lords who were at that great Feast and Justs which the King held at London for love of the Countess of Salisbury And in 16 Edw. 3. amongst others received command from the King to provide forty Men at Arms and sixty Archers for his service in that expedition then made into Britanny appointing him to be at London on the Octaves of S. Hillary there to treat and conclude with his Council touching the Wages for those his Soldiers in that Service In 20 Edw. 3. he attended the King into France for relieving Aguâ—â—â—on then befieged by the French And in 21 Edw. 3. obtained License to fortifie and embattail these his Mannor Houses viz. Writtele Brymshoo Apechilde Deepden and Walden in Essex Enfield in Middesex Wocksey Uphaven and Send in Wiltshire and Whitenhurst in Glocestershire In 26 Edw. 3. the King apprehending some danger of an invasion by the French commanded him forthwith to repair to some one of his Lodships in Essex there to give his best assistance for prevention thereof And upon the Arraying of Soldiers the same year for his service charged him with sixty Men for his Honor of Brecknoc in Wales In 33 Edw. 3. he again attended the King into France But after that time I have not found any thing memorable of him than that he died unmarried 15 Octob. An. 1361. 35 Edw. 3. and was buried in the Church of the Friers-Augustines in the City of London which he re-edified in An. 1354. Whereupon all his Lands and Honors descended to Humphrey de Bohun his Nephew Son of William de Bohun Earl of Northampton his Brother Which Humphrey was thenceforth Earl of Hereford Essex and Northampton and likewise Constable of England But before I proceed to speak of him I must take leave to say something of William his Father ¶ This William before he arrived to the Title of Earl was one of those great Lords that prosecuted Roger de Mortimer who afterwards suffered death as I shall shew in due place And in the Parliament held at London 11 Edw. 3. amongst other eminent persons who were raised to the like Dignity upon the advancing of Edward the Black Prince to the Dukedom of Cornwal was created Earl of Northampton March 17. Shortly after which he had a Grant of the Castle Mannor and Town of Stanford with the Lordship of Grantham in Lincolnshire which Iohn de Warren Earl of Surrey held for life Likewise of the Castle and Mannor of Fodringhey in Northamptonshire which Mary Countess of S. Paul then also held for life and the Castle and Mannor of Okeham in Rutland with the Sheriffalty of the County of Rutland to hold to Himself and the Heirs-males of his Body under certain conditions in the said Grant expressed The extent of all which may be seen in the Record In that year also he was joyned in Commission with the Bishop of Lincoln the Earl of Suffolk and others to treat with Philip King of France touching the Right of King Edward to that Realm with power to make Declaration of the same And at that time was likewise constituted one of the Kings Commissioners to treat of Peace with David de Bruys King of Scotland In 12 Edw. 3. having married Elizabeth the third of the Sisters and Coheirs of Sir Giles de Badlesmere an eminent Baron then Twenty eight years of age he had an Assignation of her Purparty of those Lands which by Inheritance descended to her upon the death of her said Brother viz. The Mannor of â—onge in Kent as also divers Lands in Snodhurst and Greenwich in that County the Mannors of Lachlegh in Essex of Hameldon in Rutland and of Ideshale in Shropshire In which year he went with Henry Earl of Lancaster and others into Flanders the King also being at that time there with a great Army in order to his claim of the Crown of France And was one of the Marshals in the third Battalia of King Edwards Army drawn up at Utronfosse against the French Moreover in 14 Edw. 3. he was in that famous Naval fight before Siuyse in Flanders betwixt the King of England and the French And the same year obtained a Grant of the Mannors of â—â—â—wood and Reylegh with the Honor of Reylegh and Hundred of 〈◊〉 in Essex to himself and the Heirs-male of his Body And being before the end of that year again beyond Sea had an Assignation of Four thousand five hundred forty six pounds seventeen shillings six pence half penny farthing part of a larger sum due to him for his service in the Wars of France Likewise in regard of more Money still owing to him by the King for those his services for want whereof he could not pay those debts to his Creditors which he had contracted by reason of the Wars he obtained License the next year following to transport eighty Sacks of his own Wooll into Flanders And the same year had a farther Assignation of such Lands as were of the Inheritance of Elizabeth his Wife viz. The Mannors of Erithe Langport and Rumney in Kent Drayton in Sussex two parts of the Mannor of Finmere in Oxfordshire a House near Algatâ— in the City of London and the fourth part of the Mannor of Tharsted in Esseâ— In this year also he was one of the great Lords present at that famous Feast and Justing which King Edward then made for love of the Countess of Salisbury as it was reported so likewise in the Scotch expedition then made And had a Grant of the Castle and Mannor of Okeham in Rutland to himself and the Heirs-male of his Body lawfully begotten wherein he had only but term of life before In 16 Edw. 3. he was made the Kings Lieutenant and Captain General in Britanny with power to receive fealty and homage from the people there on the behalf of King Edward as King of France Where he obtained a great victory near Morlays and after won the Town of Roch-Dirien by assault In this year he had another License to transport two hundred Sacks of Wooll thither each Sack containing twenty six Stone and each Stone fourteen pound And was at the making of that
famous League betwixt the King of France and King Edward wherein the Spaniard and divers other were included and by Oath did undertake for King Edwards observance thereof In 17 Edw. 3. he was one of those who attended Henry Earl of Lancaster in his expedition into Scotland for raising the Siege of Loughmabon Castle then made by the Scots which being effected he was constituted Governor thereof In the same year he was again in Britanny in the Kings service so also in 19 20 Ed. 3. being then with the King to raise the Siege of Aguillon In which last mentioned year King Edward having advertised the Pope that the King of France had violated the League lately made and thereupon invading that Kingdom this Earl attended him and having passed the River of Seâ—ne slew Five hundred of those who opposed his Repair of the Bridges over that stream In the same Twentieth of Edward the Third he was in the second Battalia of King Edwards Army in that famous Battle of â—ressey in France wherein two Kings viz. of Boheâ—â—â— and 〈◊〉 with divers great Dukes and Counts lost their lives and the King of England obtained a glorious victory Wherein as also both before and after that memorable fight he approved himself a right valiant and expert Commander In 21 Edw. 3. he was again in the Kings service beyond Sea So also in 22 Edw. 3. And in consideration that King Edward did at his request grant to Humphrey de Bohun his Brother Earl of Hereford the Inheritance of the Lordships of Uphaven and Send in Wiltshire whereof Edward his other Brother had a Grant to himself and the Heirs male of his Body but died without issue he remitted to the said King Two thousand marks of the Money due to himself for his service in Britanny In 23 Edw. 3. he was again constituted one of the Kings Commissioners to treat with the Commissioners of the King of France upon a Truce betwixt King Edward and him In 24 Edw. 3. he was made Warden of the Marches towards Scotland And in 25 Ed. 3. one of the Commissioners appointed to treat with the great Men of Scotland for the inlargement of David Brus and making a final Peace betwixt England and Scotland In 26 Edw. 3. this Earl together with Iohn de Vere Earl of Oxford was in Commission for Arraying of Soldiers in the Counties of Essex and Hartford to oppose the French then threatning an Invasion and was himself charged with the providing of thirty Men at Arms with Lances in respect of his Lordship of Melenith in Wales In 27 Edw. 3. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland and one of the Commissioners who were appointed to meet with the Nobles of that Realm to treat with them touching the delivery of David de Bruys called King of Scots still prisoner in England So also in 28 Edw. 3. the said David being yet detained In 29 Edw. 3. he was also in the Kings service in Scotland And the same year upon King Edwards passing over to 〈◊〉 attended him thither as also thence to S. 〈◊〉 expecting the King of Franâ—e in those parts with his Army but finding him not there wasted the Countrey adjacent In 30 Edw. 3. he was again constituted a Commissioner to treat with the Nobility and Commons of Scotland for the enlargement of David de Brus still a prisoner and for a final Pâ—ace betwixt both Kingdoms In 32 Edw. 3. he was again in Gascoigne so also in 33 34 Edw. 3. By which instances it plainly appeareth that he was a person of great action in his time especially in Military affairs But with more I have not met concerning him than that he with Elizabeth his Wife gave the perpetual Patronage of the Priory of 〈…〉 to the Abbot and Covent of 〈◊〉 and their Successors and that departing this life upon the sixteenth of September Aâ— 1360. â— 34 〈◊〉 3. he was buriâ—d in the said Abbey of 〈◊〉 on the Northside of the Presbytery leaving issue by the said 〈◊〉 Daughter of Bâ—rth 〈◊〉 de Bâ—dlesmere one of the Coheirs to Giles her Brother and Widow to Edmund de 〈◊〉 one only Son viz. Humphrey then nineteen years of age and one Daughter called Elizabeth married to Richard Son and Heir to Edmund Earl of Arundel Of Elizabeth the Wife of this great Earl it is memorable That in her Husbands life time and by his leave she making her Testament ult Maii An. 1356. 30 Edw. 3. bequeathed her Body to be buried in the Quire of the Friers-Preachers at London and gave to that Church one hundred marks sterling as also a Cross made of the Wood of the very Cross of our Saviour which she usually carried about her wherein was contained one of the Thorns of his Crown Moreover two fair Altar Cloaths of one suit two of Cloth of Gold one Chalice one Missal one Grail and one Silver Bell likewise thirty one Ells of Linnen Cloth for making of Albes one Pulpitary one Portfory and an holy Water-Pot of Silver To the Friers-Preachers at Oxford an hundred marks two whole Vestments with two whole Copes thereto appertaining two Cloths of Gold of one suit and a Chalice To the Friers-Preachers of Cambridge fifty pounds to those of â—helmsford twenty pounds and of 〈◊〉 twenty pounds and likewise an hundred and fifty marks to be distributed to several other Covents of the same Order of Friers in such sort as Frcre David de Stirington should think best for her Souls health To the Grey-Friers in London five marks to the Carmelites five marks to the Augustines five marks and to the Church of Rochford one pair of Vestments which she used on Holidays in her own Chappel The cheifest of her other Legacies being these viz. To the Earl of Hereford a Tablet of Gold with the form of a Crucifix thereon to Humphrey her Son a Cup of Silver gilt with two Basins and one Ewer of Silver to Elizabeth her Daughter a Bed of Red Worsted embroidered to her Sister the Countess of Oxford a Black Horse and a Nouch to her Sister Roos a Set of Bâ—ads of Gold and Jet with a Firmaile And that she lieth buried in the old Church of the Black-â—riers near Ludgate in the City of London ¶ Which Humphrey her son by the death of his Uncle viz. Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford and Esseâ— without issue as hath been observed succeeded him in those Earldoms as also in the Office of Constable of England and by descent from William his Father was Earl of Northampton who being not then of full age was committed to the Guardianship of Richard Earl of Arundel Whereupon he had License from the King to travel and the next year after being of full age had
death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick his Kinsman he had the custody of all the Lands belonging to Warwick Castle together with that Castle during the minority of his heir And the same year went again into Scotland In 12 13 Edw. 2. he was likewise in those Scotish Wars and in 19 Edw. 2. was sent into Gascoign to make provision against the Kings coming thither In 1 Edw. 3. he was again in Scotland and the same year had a special Commission to execute the Office of Constable of England in a particular case but died in 2 Edw. 3. leaving William his Brother and Heir then forty years of age Which William had also been a Military Man for many years For in 25 Edw. 1. he was in that expedition made into Flanders and in 26 Edw. 1. in Scotland Likewise in 34 Edw. 1. and 7 Edw. 2. And in 10 Edw. 2. had the Sheriffalty of Worcestershire granted to him during the minority of the Heir of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick In 13 Edw. 2. he procured a Charter from the King for another Fair to be kept yearly at Alcester for eight days beginning on the Eve of S. Bernabas the Apostle In 14 Edw. 2. he was made Governor of S. Briavels Castle in Com. Gloc. and of the Forest of Deane and in 15 Edw. 2. constituted one of the Kings Commissioners for the safe custody of the City of Worcester In 1 Edw. 3. he was again in Scotland but farther I find not of him To this William succeeded Giles his younger Brother who in 15 Edw. 2. was made Sheriff of Carnarvonshire and Governor of the Castle of Beaumaris and in 12 Edw. 3. was in that expedition then made into Flanders In 13 Edw. 3. being in the Kings service beyond Sea at his great expences he had a special discharge for providing of those six Soldiers in the Isle of Wight for his Lands there unto which otherwise he had been liable In 14 Edw. 3. he obtained License to fortifie his Mannor-house at â—â—cester called Beauchamps Court with a Wall of Lime and Stone and to embattle it And in 16 Edw. 3. had the like License to fortifie his house at Freskwater in the Isle of Wightâ— and to embattle the Walls thereof having divers other priviledges granted to him for that Lordship This Giles left issue Iohn his â—on and Heir of whom I have seen little else saving his Foundation of a Chantry in the Parish Church at Alcester in 36 Edw. 3. for one Priest to celebrate Divine Service daily at the Altar of All-Saints for whose maintenance he gave eleven Messuages one Shop eleven Acres of Land and four Acres of Meadow lying in Alcester and that in 3 Rich. 2. he was in that expedition then made into France Which Iohn had issue Sir William de Beauchamp Knight as also Sir Walter de Beauchamp a younger Son from whom the Beauchamps Barons S. Amand did descend Which Sir William in 16 Rich. 2. was made Constable of the Castle of Glocester in 3 Hen. 4. Sheriff of Worcestershire and in 1 Hen. 5. of Glocestershire and having married Catherine one of the Daughters to Gerard de Vsflete left issue Sir Iohn Beauchamp Knight who in 17 Hen. 6. upon the death of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was constituted one of the Commissioners for the Guardianship of all his Castles and Lands during the minority of Henry his Son and Heir Moreover having purchased from Thomas de Botreax the other moity of the Mannor of Alcester which had continued in that family for divers descents did in 25 Hen. 6. in consideration of the many good and acceptable services performed by him to that King and to King Henry the Fifth his Father obtain a special Charter for divers ample Immunities and Priviledges with another Fair yearly to begin on the Eve of S. Dunstan and to continue for two days following Furrhermore in the same five and twentieth year of King Henry the Sixth for the like consideration as above is expressed he was upon the second of May advanced to the title and dignity of Lord Beauchamp of Powyke and had an Annuity of Sixty pound per annum out of the Fee-Farm of the City of Glocester granted to him and his heirs for their better support of that Honor being at the same time constituted Justice of South Wales with power to exercise that Office by himself or his sufficient Deputy After which ere long viz. in 28 Hen. 6. he was made Lord Treasurer of England but in that Office he continued not full two years This Iohn by his Testament bearing date 9 April Ann. 1475. 15 Edw. 4. bequeathed his Body to Sepulture in the Church of the Dominican Friers at Worcester in a new Chappel to be made on the North side the Quire to which house of Friers for his burial there he gave twenty marks to be bestowed in Vestments and Stuff beside an Organ of his own and appointed that a Priest of that Friery should dayly say Mass at the Altar within that Chappel before his Tomb after the order of a Trental for his Soul as also for the Souls of his Father and Mother Brethren and Sisters his Childrens and Ancestors Souls and especially for the Soul of Sir Iohn Fastolf Knight William Botreaux and all Christian Souls taking by the week for that Mass so daily to be said eightpence for evermore Which Chappel and Tombe with his Effigies thereon in Alablaster he did by this his Testament ordain that his Executors should cause to be made and departed this life the same year leaving Margaret his Wife surviving and Sir Richard Beauchamp Kt. his Son and Heir then forty years of age which Margaret by her Testament dated the Wednesday next after the Nativity of our Lord Anno 1477. 2 Hen. 7. bequeathed her body to be buried in the Church of the Dominican Friers commonly called the Friers Preachers at Worcester with her Lord and Husband and thereby ordained that a Priest should sing for her Soul during the terme of one whole year next after her decease within the said House of Friers receiving for his pains an hundred shillings She also willed that a Tablet of Alablaster should be made of the Birth of our Lord and the three Kings of Coâ—eyn to be set on the Wall over her Body when it should be buried Likewise an Image of Alablaster of St. Iohn the Evangelist containing three quarters of a yard in length with the Chalice in his hand to be set over her in likewise Also a Candlestick of white Iron with three branches to set on the Tapers of Wax of four pound to burn before that Image every Sunday as long as they should endure Moreover on the day of her
Earl of Albemarle died in his life time An. 1152. 12 Steph. leaving issue a Son called William who never had the title of Earl Which William in 12 Hen. 2. upon the Assessment of the Aid for marrying the Kings Daughter certified his Knights Fees De Veteri Feoffamento to be in number thirty two and De Novo twenty five a fourth and third part of which nine and an half were released This William the third of that name in the second of Richard the First obtained from Simon Briton a Release of all his Claim in the whole Marsh of Bolingbroke betwixt Lindley and Smalnam And in 6 Rich. 1. was with the King in that expedition then made into Normandy Moreover he obtained from Geffrey Fitz-Stephen the Superior of the Knights Templers in England a full Release of all their interest in Bradmere and all the Fees belonging to Bolingbroke and the Soke of Bolingbroke which Earl William his Grandfather had formerly given to them And calling himself Nephew and Heir to Earl William his Grandfather in An. 1182. 28 Hen. 2. confirmed the Grants of all the Lands by him given to them at the Foundation of that Abby Vipount IN An. 1073. 7 Will. Conq. Robert de Vipount was sent into Normandy with William de Molines both expert Soldiers in aid of Iohn de Rlecche a potent person against Fulke Rechin Earl of Anjou who had then invaded those parts Which Robert in An. 1085. 18 Will. Conq. fighting couragiously against Hubert the Vicount and those of Maine then in Rebellion was unhappily stain After this another Robert in Anno 1107. 8 Hen. 1. was at raising the Siege which the Pagans had laid to the City of Antâ—oech And in 5 Steph. William de Vipount had a contest for certain Lands in Devonshire to be determined by Battle Which William gave certain Lands lying in Hardingstorne in Com. Northampt. to the Nunnery of our â—ady a Pree id est of the Meadows at Northampton And in 4 Ioh. obtained the Kings Precept to the Steward of Normandy to have as full possession of the Lordship of Uipount in that Dukedom as Robert de Vipount his Brother had when he went into France after the War But upon condition that he should stand to a tryal for it in the Kings Court in case any question were made of his title thereto This last mentioned Robert in 5 Hen. 2. gave twenty marks to have a tryal for his Lands in Devonshire in which County he helâ—â—â—â—ight Knights Fees in 12 Hen. 2. of the Honor of Toâ—neâ—s And in 9 Rich. 1. accounted eighty five pound to the King for the Farm of the Honor of â—â—khill Moreover in 3 Ioh. he gave to the King twenty marks and one Palfrey for the Wardship of Richard de Scirinton In 4 Ioh. he was with the King in France and probably in that memorable Battle at Mâ—â—abell in which the French and Poictovins received so great an overthrow where also many prisoners were taken divers of which he had in his custody until he received the Kings command to deliver them unto Hugh de Gurnay amongst whom was Arthur Earl of Britanny the Kings Nephew afterwards barbarously murthered For which service without doubt it was That the same year viz. ult Martii he first had a Grant from King Iohn of the Castles of Appleby and Burch with the whole Bailiwick of Westmerland to hold during pleasure And the next ensuing year for his better support in the same Kings service another Grant bearing date at 〈◊〉 upon the twenty eighth of October of the premisses together with the services of all those who held not by Military service to hold to him and his heirs by the Wife he then had by the service of four Knights Fees for all services Provided he should not commit Waste in the Woods of Wineâ—ell nor hunt therein during the Kings life except he were there himself in person And saving to the King and his Heirs all Pleas of the Crown Which Grant includes the Barany though not the Borough of Appleby that having been granted to the Burgesses there by King Henry the Second and confirmed by King Iohn in the first year of His Reign so likewise by King Henry the Third in 16 Hen. 3. To this Barony belongs the Castles and Mannors of Appleby and Burgh Under Stanemore Flaxbrigg-Park Sowerby Winton Kirkby Stephen Mallerstang Pendragon Langton Meabourne Regis Brougham Castle Kirkby Thore Mawdes-Meabourne Temple-Sowerby with the Forests or rather Chases of Winefell and Mallerstang All which together with the Sheriff-wick and services of the Tenants to these Lordships hereafter mentioned which held thereof by Cornage made up the Barony viz. Cabergh Hartâ—ey Smardale Holbeck Askham Musgrave-Magna Murtan Cowby Sandford Sowlby Warthcop Waitby Overton Crosby Musgrave-Parva Helton Askby-Magna Askby-Parva Helton-Fletham Crosby-Ravensworth Naitby Hep Bampton Palking Cundall Knipe Clifton Brougham Dufton Brampton Bolton Yavenwick Knockshalcock Clyburne Coleby Hoff Drybeck Ormshead New Biggin Milburne Kirkby-Thore Cracanthorpe Lowther Maud Meabourne and Burton In the same fifth year of King Iohn this Robert de Vipount had also the custody of Windsor Castle so also of the Castle of Bowes in Com. Westmorl In 6 Ioh. he was made Constable of Nottingham Castle and in 7 Ioh. had a Grant of the custody of the Mannors of Lacton and Wateleg part of the Possession of Ralph Tayson Moreover the same year he was joyned with Rich. de Beauchamp in the Sheriffalty of the Countiâ—s of Nottingham and Derby and afterwards was Sheriff alone of those Counties until the eleventh of that Kings Reign inclusive In 9 Ioh. he was sent into the County Palatine of Durham to signifie unto the people of those parts the tenor of that Conference which had been betwixt the King and his Bishops touching Ecclesiastical Matters and the injuries then offered unto him by the Pope with command That he should so dispose of the Clergy and Laity there and of their whole Estates as he had received direction from the King to do And in 12 Ioh. began first to account for his Sheriffalty of Westmorland In this twelfth year he also executed the Office of Sheriff for Wiltshire for half that year and afterwards till the end of the fifteenth year So likewise for Devonshire from the twelfth to the end of the seventeenth of the same Kings Reign In 13 Ioh. upon levying the Scutage of Scotland he answered three pound sixteen shillings â—ight pence for three Knights Fees and a third part which were of the Fees of William de Rumeli And by his Deed dated at Cliburne 8 May the same year confirmed the Grant of Maud his Mother Daughter to Hugh de Morevill of Kirk-Oswald in Com. Cumbr.
In 2 Ric. 1. he gave the King a thousand marks for the Wardship of the Heirs of Gilbert de Monemuthe And in 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 10 R. 1. was again Sheriff of Herefordshire In 6 Ric. 1. he paid fifteen pounds for Iohn de Monmouth upon levying the Scutage for the Kings Redemption but was acquitted from the Scutage of Normandy the same year in regard he was then in person with the King About this time Rese Prince of Wales besieging the Castle of Payne in Elvel belonging to this William was pleased to draw off his forces upon an amicable composition then made between them In 7 Ric. 1. this William and Oliver de Traci the other sharer in the Honor of Berstaple came to an accord touching that Barony by which it appears that Oliver did pass his title to the inheritance thereof unto this William he thereupon being content that Oliver should hold all those Lands for his life and receive an Annuity of twenty pounds from him for terme of his life also And in case the said Oliver should die leaving no issue by his then Wife and born after the date of this agreement that then all those Lands should remain to this our William and his Heirs for ever But if the same Oliver should have such an Heir so born as aforesaid then that the Mannor of Freminton with the appurtenances should come to this William and his Heirs with five Knights Fees there mentioned In 1 Ioh. upon levying the Scutage assessed after the Kings Coronation he accounted thirty marks for the Scutage of Iohn de Monmouth and forty five marks and an half for the Scutage of Adam de Port. In 2 Ioh. the King granted unto this William and his Heirs a special Charter dated at Faleise in Normandy that no Sheriff or other of his Officers should for the execution of their Offices lodge within the Lands of his Honor of Bâ—aose but that his own Officers should give Summons for all the Pleas there belonging to the King As also that the King's Justices Itinerant whensoever they were to come into the Baliwick of Faleise should sit at Braose and there hold plea of all things belonging to the King receiving entertainment for one day at the cost of this William And moreover by this his Charter granted to all the Tenants of this William within that his Mannor at Braose that they should be exonerated not only from all Carriages and Aid to the Sheriff or Constables of Faleise but from all Customs of Victual whatsoever which should be bought or sold at Faleise In the same year this William de Braose purchased of King Iohn for the summe of five hundred marks all the Lands of Philip de Wirecestre and Theobald Walter in Ireland but Philip de Wyrecestre recovered part of his again by a strong hand and Theobald by the help of his Brother Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury compounding for five hundred marks repossessed his again and became his liegeman If this were the Honor of Limeric as I suppose it was then is our Historian mistaken in the Summe for the Record expresly says that in this second year of King Iohn he gave the King five thousand marks for the Honor of Limerit excepting the City and Advouson of the Bishoprick and Abbies In 5 Ioh. the King bestowed upon him ten pound Lands at Frome in Herefordshire which were part of the Possessions of Stephen de Longchamp To this William and his Heirs it was that King Iohn granted or rather confirmed the whole Land of Gowher lying within the precincts of Kaermerdynshire in Wales to hold by the service of one Knights Fee In 5 Ioh. he gave a Fine of a thousand pounds to the King for the Widdow of Hugh Bardulf to be Wife unto one of his Sons It should seem that she thereupon married Iohn de Braose and that he died soon after For in 6 Ioh. the King issued out his Precept to the Barons of his Exchequer requiring them that in case fifty pounds of that money were then paid they should take no more then twenty five pounds of the remainder and acquit this William of all the rest Within two years following that Widdow gave to the King two hundred marks and five Palfries that she might not be distrained to marry again but continue a Widdow as long as she pleased and that she might enjoy her right to her Fathers Barony In 7 Ioh. this William de Braose gave eight hundred marks three Horses for the great Saddle five ... Chacuros twenty four ... Senâ—as and ten Grey-hounds to have Livery of the Castles of Grosmont Skenefrith and Lantelio which were of his inheritance and which he held of the King by the service of two Knights Fees In 10 Ioh. the King perceiving that this his Realm was interdicted by the Pope and therefore fearing more mischief sent Souldiers to all the great men of England especially to those of whom he stood in any doubt requiring Hostages from them to the end he might the better reduce them to his Obedience in case they should be absolved from their due Allegiance by his Holiness Whereupon some delivered up their Sons and others their Nephews and near Allies Coming at length to this William and requiring from him the like Hostages they found a Rub for Maud his Wife stept out and told them in short that she would not suffer any of her Children to come into the Kings Hands in regard he had basely murthered his own Nephew Arthur whom he ought to have treated honorably But William rebuked her for speaking thus rashly and said if he had in any thing offended the King he was ready to make satisfaction according to the judgement of the Court and the Barons his Peers upon assignation of a certain day and place without giving any Hostages Whereupon the Messengers returning and reporting to the King what had passed he presently sent his Souldiers and Officers to seize upon him privily and bring him to his presence but William having notice thereof fled forthwith together with his Wife and Family into Ireland As to this story of King Iohn's dealing with him it is in another manner related by some One saith viz. a Monk of Lanthony that this William having Warr with his great Adversary Gwenhunewyn conquered him and slew more then three thousand of the Welch in one day at Elvel viz. on the morrow after the Feast of St. Laurence the Martyr Ann. 1198. which falls out in the last year of King Richard the first and that for this cause King Iohn disherited him and banished him the Kingdom without any formal judgement and that in this Exile he died As also that Maud his Wife with William his Son and Heir were then likewise cast into Prison and there died which Prison was the Castle of Corf Another delivers it thus This
the Redemption of those Lands obtained the Kings Precept unto the Barons of his Exchequer to make Inrollment thereof Which Iohn died in 12 Edw. 1. whereupon Iohn his Son and Heir had Livery of his Inheritance But dying without issue in 19 Edw. 1. Philip his Brother became his Heir who had thereupon the like Livery Which Philip departed this life in 18 Edw. 2. leaving Elizabeth his Wife surviving who had the Mannors of Ramesham and Comb-Keynes in Com. Dorset assigned for her Dowry and Iohn his Son and Heir Besides this last mentâ—oned William there was shortly after another William though how branched from this Stock I cannot say Which William in 30 Edw. 1. exhibited his Petition in Parliament on the behalf of Margaret then his Wife for the third part of the Mannor of Corpel in Com. Northampt. part of the Possessions of Iohn de Camoys her first Husband Whereunto the Kings Attorney answered That she ought not to have any Dowry therein by reason that divers years before the death of him the said Iohn she had departed from him and lived in Adultery with this William Paynell and that being never reconciled whilest he lived she ought not by force of the Statute concerning Women eloping from their Husbands and of their own accord living in Adultery with others and not after reconciled to have any Dowry at all Whereupon the said William and Margaret to manifest the consent of Iohn de Camoys for such her departure from him produced a formal Grant from the said Iohn in haec verba OMnibus Christi â—idelibus ad quos praeseâ—s Scriptum pervenerit Johannes de Camoys filius haeres domini Radulphi de Camoys salutem in Domino Noveritis me tradidisse dimiâ—isse spontaneâ voluntate meâ— domino Willielmo Paynell Militi Margaretam de Camoys filiam haeredem domini Johannis de Gatesden uxorem meam etiam dedisse concessisse eidem Willielmo relaxasse quietum clamasse omnia bona catallâ— quae ipsa Margareta habet vel de caetro habere posset etiam quicquid mei est de praedictâ Margaretâ bonis vel 〈◊〉 cum pertinentiis ita quod nec ego nec aliquis alius nomine meo in praedictâ Margaretâ bonis catallis ipisus Margaretae cum suis pertinentiis de caetero exigere vel vendicare poterimus nec debemus imperpetuum Et volo concedo per praesens Scriptum confirmo quod praedicta Margareta cum praedicto domino Willielmo sit maneat pro volunt 〈◊〉 Willielmi In cujus rei testimonium huic praesenti Scripto Sigillum mâ—um apposui His testibus Thomâ de Depeston Johanne de Ferrings Willielmo de Icombe Henrico le Biroun Stephano Camer Waltero le Blound Gilberto de Batecombe Roberto de Bosco aliis Alleaging That she did cohabite with this William by the freewil and consent of the same Iohn and delivery of her as the words of the Grant do import Howbeit after great Arguments on each part in regard she was never reconciled to her said Husband but surviving him did afterwards formally mary this Sir William Paynell at length judgment was given that she should not have any benefit of that Dowry This William was summoned to Parliament in 32 Edw. 1. and so till 8 Edw. 2. inclusive And in 34 Edw. 〈◊〉 was of the retinue to Iohn de Warenne in the Wars of Scotland so likewise in 35 Edw. 1. But all I have farther seen of him is That he granted to the Canons of Heringham in Suffex his Mannor of Cokeham and thirty two Acres of Land in Lanucyngg with the Ferry at New Shoreham in Suffex and that he departed this life 1 Apr. 10 Edw. 2. being then seised of the Mannors of Littleton Paynell and Knighton Paynell in Com. Wilts Westcote in Com. Surr. As also of the Mannors of Wolbeding Atte-Fure Hamtoneâ— and Okhangre in Com. Suss. And moreover that to him succeeded Iohn Paynell his Brother and Heir who in 10 Edw. 2. doing his homage had Livery of his Lands saving to Eva de S. Iohn the Widow of the said William her reasonable Dowry Which Iohn in 12 Edw. 2. obtained the Kings Charter for a Market upon the Tuesday every week at his Mannor of Littleton in Com. Wiltes as also a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow of the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist and departed this life the same year leaving Maud his Daughter and Heir thirty years of age Pantulf IN Anno 1074. 8 Will. Conq. William Pantolf a valliant Knight through the advice of Mainer the venerable Abbot of St. Ebrulfs at Utica founded the Abby of St. Peter at Norum and amply endowed it with Lands and Tithes as also with the Churches within his several Lordships both in England and Normandy and Tithes of all his possessions Moreover he gave all his personal Estate to be equally divided betwixt the Monks of St. Ebrulfs and those of Norum Roger de Montgomeric his superior Lord then residing at Beâ—esâ—â—e in Normandy adding his Confirmation thereto Furthermore in Ann. 1077. 10 Will. Conq. he accompanied Robert Abbot of St. Ebrulfs Brother to Hugh de Grentmesnill after he had been at the Dedication of the Churches of Cane Baieâ—x and Bec which were Consecrated the same year into Apulia at which time Robert Wigard then Duke of Calabria received him with much Honor and taking notice of his valor endeavored to retain him in his service with promise of ample reward setting him next to himself at dinner and offering him in case he would stay three Cities in Italy But it so falling out about this time Mabeâ— the Countess being killed by Hugh de Salgei a stout and resolute Knight that this William was shrewdly suspected to be accessory to the murther in regard he had intimate familiarity with that Knight Whereupon Earl Roger de Montgomerie his superior Lord making seizure of all his Lands and seeking his life he fled to Utica with his Wife and Sons and there in great fear remained a long time under the protection of those Monks till at length through the importunity of divers noble persons it was concluded that he should undergo that severe Trial by Fire-Ordeall viz. to purge himself from the guilt of this foul murther by carrying a piece of Iron red hot in his Hands Which he did without any harme his Adversaries looking on with purpose to cut off his Head in case they had discerned him guilty After which having received great consolation in the height of his Adversity from the Abbot and Monks of Utica he gave them four of those Palls which he brought out of Apulia whereof four Copes were made for the Chanters in their Church at Utica
Kings Charter for a weekly Market upon the Thursday at his Mannor of Wymersley before mentioned as also a Fair yearly on the Eve and Day of St. Martin in Winter But considering that none of these had ever any Summons to Parliament and consequently stood not in the degree of Barons of this Realm I shall not pursue my story of them any farther then briefly to take notice that Elizabeth the Wife of Iohn Nevill of Althorpe in Com. Linc. was the Daughter and Heir of Robert Newmarch and he the Son of Ralph Newmarch descended from the before-specified Roger Newmarch as may seem by the Inheritance which she enjoyed viz. the Mannors of Wilmersley Askerigge and Scothorp In Comitat. Ebor. and Whatton in Com. Nott. Peverell of Nottingham THe first of this name of whom I find mention is Ranulph Peverell who at the time of the Conquerors Survey held four Lordships in Com. Salop. six in Norfolk nineteen in Suffolk and thirty five in Com. Essex Which Ranulph was the reputed Progenitor of the several Families of that name for having married ... the Daughter of Ingelric founder of the Collegiate Church of St. Martins le Grand in the City of London who had been a Concubine to William Duke Normandy not only those Children which he had by her but that very William begotten on her by the same Duke before his Conquest of this Realm had the name of Peverell Of these therefore being next to speak I shall begin with William so begotten of that Concubine This William in the second year of the Conquerors Reign when all places of strength were committed to the trust of the Kings chiefest friends and allies had the Castle of Nottingham then newly built and scituate most advantageously both for defence and pleasure given to him and with it or soon after divers Lands in sundry Counties of a large extent for by the General Survey it appears that hethen had forty four Lordships in Northamptonshire in Essex two in Oxfordshere two in Bedfordshire two in Buckinghamshire nine and fifty five in Noâ—â—inghamshire with forty eight Tradesmen's Houses in Nottingham yielding thirty six shillings Rent per Annum as also seven Knights Houses and eight Borderars there of all which the Honor of Peverell did consist in Derbysâ—ire fourteen whereof Bolâ—sover and the Castle of Peke with the Honor and Forest were part and six in Leicestershire Of this William it is farther memorable that upon the breach which hapned betwixt Robert Curthose and King William Rufus he himself with eight hundred men held the Castel of Helme in Normandy against Rober Curthose but upon siege laid thereto was constrained to give it up And after this viz. in 1 Steph. being one of the temporal Lords in that great Councill then held at Oxford he is mentioned amongst the Witnesses to the Laws then made and ratified by King Stephen Likewise that in 3 Steph. conducting the forces of Nottinghamshire he was one of the chief Commanders in that notable Encounter with the Scots near North-Alverton in Yorkshire called Bellum de Standardo and worthily shared in the Victory then obtained by the Northern Barons against those bold Invaders But in 7 Steph. fighting stoutly on the Kings part in the Battle of Lincolne and being there with him taken Prisoner his Castle of Nottingham was disposed of by Maud the Empress to William Painell howbeit the year next following his own Souldiers recovered it again by a stratagem in the night time Moreover he founded the Priory of St. Iames near Northampton and likewise that of Lenton near Nottingham for Cluniac Monks amply endowing it with Lands and Revenues for the health of the Soul of King William the Conqueror and Maud his Wife K. William Rufus King Henry the first and Maud his Consort as also for the Souls of William and Maud their Children and likewise for the health of his own Soul and the Souls of Aveline his Wife William his Son and all his other Children Of which William his Son it is chiefly memorable that having poisoned Ranulph Earl of Chester about the later end of King Stephens Reign and fearing the severity of King Henry the second for that foul crime he fled to a Monastery of his own Patronage which doubtless was Lenton where he caused himself to be shorn a Monk but being advertised of King Henries coming that way from York he quitted his habit and privily fled away leaving all his Castles and possessions to the Kings Pleasure some of which continued many years after in the Crown as appears by the Sheriffs Accompts and at length were given by King Henry the second to Iohn Earl of Moreton afterwards King But some came to the Family of Ferrers in marriage with Margaret Daughter and Heir to this last mentioned William as Higham in Northamptonshire one of the Lordships whereof William his Father was possessed at the time of the Conquerors Survey afterwards distinguished by the name of Higham Ferrers from another of that name called Cold-Higham in the same County Peverell of ... ¶ HAving thus done with the Descendants of William Peverell of Nottingham I come next to Haman Peverell the eldest Son of the before-specified Ranulph This Haman was one of the Barons id est chief Tenants to Roger de Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury founder of the Abby of St. Peter in the Suburbs of that place shortly after the Norâ—â—n Conquest and in the time of Earl Hugh Son and successor to Roger gave the tithes of all his Lordships in Com. Salop. to the Monks of that great Abby viz. Burton under Lime Wulrinton Arkalon Heâ—tone Wilsipeland Cley Brugelton and Kincardesei Moreover he gave unto them the Lordships of Witenton Chinardesei Crugelton and Selepe Sybill his Wife joining with him in the Grant But farther of him I have not seen nor of Sybill his Wife then that she was the Daughter and Heir to Gerard de Tournay which Gerard gave the Lordships of Beâ—ton to those Monks of Shrewsbury Peverell of Dovor THe next Son of the said Ranulph was William Peverell of Dovor so called in regard he was Castallan id est Governor there This William gave to the Monks of St. Maries at York eight Carucates of Land in Rudstan and was Witness to that Charter of King Henry the first whereby he settled the Episcopal See for Somersetshire at Bathe which antiently had been at Welles Moreover he founded the Priory of Hatfield Peverell in Com. Hertf. which was a Cell to that great Abby at St. Albans and Confirmed to the Monks of Thorney the Grant of seven Acres of Land at Copthorne with a Meadow in Botulbrigg belonging thereto given unto them by Hugh de Leisures To which William succeeded William his
afterwards scil ... in Ann. 1360. departed this life Aquila BEfore I begin to discourse of this Family it will be fit to take notice that this Sirname de Aquila became originally assumed from Aquila in Normandy of which an Ancestor to Gislebert was an inhabitant as also that the Town had that denomination by reason an Eagle made her nest in an Oake growing there when the Castle was first in building And though I begin with Gilbert I must not forget that Eugenulf de Aquila his Grandfather was one of those valiant Normans who arrived here with the renouned Duke William and fighting stoutly against the English in that memorable Battle near Hastings in Sussex wherein King Harold was slain and Duke William thenceforth King of England there lost his life Moreover that the same Eugenulf had issue three Sons viz. Richer which I take to be the same with Richard Gislebert and Roger which Richer married Iudith Daughter of Richard de Abrincis Sister of Hugh the first Earl of Chester and taking part with King William against his rebellious Subjects of Maine had the hard hap to be slain in that War in Ann. 1085. leaving issue two Sons viz. Gislebert and Egenulph and Maud a Daughter Wife of Robert de Molbray Earl of Northumberland which Maud afterwards whilest he was prisoner by the permission of Pope Paschal married again to Nigel de Albini but at length was divorced ¶ This Gilbert was possessed of Weitlei in Surrey in King William the Conquerors time And upon that rebellion of the Normans in Ann. 1090. 3 Will. Rufi against Robert Curthose their Duke when Roan was in danger to be lost by the defection of the Inhabitants he firmly adhered unto him and brought him a Company of stout Souldiers over the Bridge on the South part of that City In that War which King William Rufus had with Philip King of France in Ann. 1097. 10 Will. Rufi at which time he wasted the confines of Chaumont he was taken prisoner by the French But he did not long continue in that restraint as it seems for the following year after the King had gotten Maunt he was constituted one of the Governors thereof In 3 Hen. 1. he was one of those that assisted in the destruction of that wicked and â—irannous man Robert de Belesme Earl of 〈◊〉 and Shrewsbury the chief disturber of the peace of all England and Normandy and out of the great Devotion he had to the Abby of St. Ebrulf at Utica granted the one moity of his Town of Aquila thereto so that Richer the Knight whom I take to be his Son should hold it of the Monks of that House the other moity which they had by the gift of Richer his Father being by them held in Demesne This Gislebert took to Wife Iuliana Daughter of Geffrey Earl of Mauritane and by her left issue Richer Eugenulf Geffrey and Gislebert of which Eugenulf and Geffrey afterwards perished in that lamentable Shipwrack with the Children of King Henry the first ¶ In Ann. 1118. 19 Hen. 1. this Richer was one of those who took up Armes against the King and endeavoured to restore William Son of Robert Curthose to his Fathers Honors and when he saw the flame of Rebellion much spread in Normandy demanded his Fathers Lands in England but the King denied him saying that his Brothers Geffrey and Eugenulf who were then Servants in his House did expect them as their hereditary right Whereupon in great discontent he forsook the Court then in Normandy and hasting to K. Lewes of France offered to adhere to him against King Henry if those his Lands which he had so demanded were not restored to him Whereunto King Lewes answered that if he would so do he should have sixty stout Souldiers and Almaric de Montfort fifty to man his Castle of Aquila Richer therefore well weighing this Offer returned to King Henry and moved him again for those Lands but prevailing not went away very sad Howbeit on the morrow Earl Rotro his Uncle coming to the King and earnestly importuning him therein and withal representing to him that this refusal might tend to the increasing of the Rebellion then begun obtained his desire Of which good success when Richard did hear he was so much joyed that he went to King Lewes with those Forces he had raised and told him that he could not then perform his promise to him for that King Henry had now restored to him all those Lands which he claimed so that he ought therefore in all justice to be faithful to him Unto whom Lewes replied Go and I will do what I can Presently therefore did Richard go to his own House whom King Lewes slowly followed with his Army to the Gates of Aquila which being discerned by the Inhabitants they stood upon their guard but by what chance it was not known there hapned a suddain Fire which by the means of the Wind raged so fiercely that it soon consumed the whole Town Richard therefore necessitated by this misfortune went again to King Lewes and renewing his agreement gave up his Castle to him But after became a Robber and the next year following having plundred Ciseâ— and being followed by the Neighbours for the recovery of their goods he turned back upon them with his armed men which the people discerning and that there was no Garrison at hand whereunto they could fly for succor espying a Wooden Cross they all fell down before it whereat he became so moved that he suffered them to go without any harm But notwithstanding he stood thus reconciled to King Henry whereby he repossessed his paternal Inheritance he again scil in An. 1127. 28 H. 1. joyned with Robert de Belesme and other discontented persons who took part with William Son of Curthose before-mentioned And afterwards associated himself with that famous Archer Robert Boel as also with many other lewd companions and did great mischief in Normandy by plundering and robbing Yet at length being allured to King Stephen by the gift of 〈◊〉 he assisted him with all his power against his Norman Rebells After this in his return to England with fifty Souldiers unarmed he was surprised at Liâ—a by Robert de Belesme notwithstanding they were on peaceable termes and by him kept prisoner at Britoll for six Moneths in which space Belesme much wasted his Lands by Plunder and Fire but ere long he was releived and enlarged through the power of Earl Rotro his Uncle Howbeit returning to his rapines and rebellious practises King Stephen compelled him to give Hostages for his better demeanor and burnt his Fort at Bonmokne which was the
And in the month of Iuly brought her over with a great power unto Portsmouth whence having carried her to Arundell Castle where she had honourable reception from Queen Adeliza her Mother-in-law Widow of King Henry the First and then Wife to William Earl of Arundell he rode with ten Knights and as many Archers on horse-back first to Walingford and thence to Gloucester divulging her arrival to Brien Fitz-Count at Walingford and Milo Constable of England at Gloucester Which news was so acceptable to them that they forthwith prepared to arm on her behalf Then he marched to Worcester and upon the seventh Ides of December took that City Likewise in Aprill following at the instance of Raphe Painell he entred Notingham and having Plundered the Inhabitants Burnt the whole Town And in Anno 1141. 5 Steph. sailing into Normandy carryed with him certain Hostages from divers Noblemen of England who were friends to the Empress desiring that the Earl of Anjou her Husband should there keep them and come over himself for recovery of this Kingdom as the right of his Wife and Son After which viz. the next ensuing year having advertisement that King Stephen had beleagur'd Lincoln which the Earl of Chester then held for the Empress he came with a great power of the Welch aâ—d joyning with others to raise the Siege commanded the Rear of that Army And when both sides were drawn out for Battel made an Oration to the Souldiers First telling the Earl of Chester his Son-in-law who offered to lead on the Army that Being a person noble of Birth and excelling in Valour the Honour to strike the first stroke was not unworthy of him but quoth he that which incites me to fight is the madness and perjury of the King who had sworn Fealty to the Empress in the time of King Henry the First wherefore there being no retreat we must either conquer or dye It is therefore necessary that he who hath no other refuge should have recourse to his Valour Behold said he against whom it is that you are to fight and what manner of men they are Here is against you the Earl of Mellent a most deceitful person having iniquity in his heart fraud in his lips and sloth in his actions Next there is the Earl of Albemarle a drunkard but no Souldier and then there is Simon Earl of Northampton a man of words only who never makes performance of his promise c. Soon after which the fight began and was fiercely maintained for a while on each part but at length the King seeing his Army routed yielded himself to this Earl and was sent Prisoner to Bristoll Upon which success the Empress being too much elated came first to Cirencester so to Winchester where she was solemnly received with Procession by Henry de Blois the King's Brother then Bishop there and afterwards to London with purpose to treat of the state of the Realm where she had very honourable reception by the Citizens but application being made to her by the Queen Wife of King Stephen that the King her Husband might be enlarged on condition that he should render the Kingdom to her and live retiredly in some Cell or perpetually to travel as a Pilgrim she would by no means yield thereto On the other side the Citizens Petitioning her that they might enjoy the Laws of S. Edward and not be obliged to those promulged by her Father which they said were grievous she utterly refused to hearken to them Whereupon the people growing enraged resolved to seise upon her of which having advertisement she forthwith sent away her Houshold-stuff and fled to Oxford where she expected a full Rendezvous of all dispersed Souldiers and commanded that the King then in Prison at Bristoll should be more strictly kept and put in Fetters and so after a few days with this Earl of Gloucester her Brother she marched to Winchester and besieged the Castle there in which the Bishop then was Who seeing his condition sent to the Queen and those of the Nobles that were friends to King Stephen to come speedily to his relief Which accordingly they did and after them the Londoners whereby a powerful Army was soon got together which blocking up all Avenues to the City kept Provisions from the Besiegers and so galled them by frequent skirmishes as that being thus distressed on the one side and allarm'd by divers bold sallies from those within the Castle on the other by whom likewise a great part of the City was fired she sent three hundred of her men to Werwell-Abbey six miles distant there to erect a Fort by which means the Royalists might be so disturbed as that some Provisions might with more security be brought to her But this attempt took no good effect for the Royalists being made aware of it came suddenly to Werwell and making great slaughter amongst those who had begun that work occasioned such a consternation upon the Empress and her party that they were forthwith necessitated for prevention of their ruine to break through the Enemy by flight Which that she her self might the more securely do she crept into a Coffin and caused it to be carried as a dead Corps to Gloucester But upon that her flight this Earl passing thence another way was pursued closely and at Stoubregge taken together with the Earl Warren and many others and thereupon brought to the Queen by the Bishop of Winchester she being then in that City whence she sent him by William de â—pre who then had the power of Kent to be imprisoned in Rochester-Castle After which though offer was soon made to release him in exchange for the King he would not hearken to it but at length about the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy-Cross yielding thereto they were both of them set at liberty Being thus again at large and the King endeavouring to Besiege Walingford where the Empress then was assisted by the Earl of Chester and Hugh Bigod he hindred that design Thence he followed the King to Winchester and beat him off the making a Castle which he intended there and shortly after that sailed into Normandy where finding that Earl Geffrey had reduced that Country and was preparing to march into Anjou to pursue those who were then in Rebellion he previled with him to come into England with all his power and rescue the Kingdom his Wife and Children's Inheritance out of an Usurpers hands Whereupon with Henry his Son and some of his choicest Souldiers they landed at Warham Howbeit when they came thither this our Earl of Gloucester receiving Advertisement that King Stephen had then
in another Scotch Expedition so also in 34 Edw. 1. being then of the Retinue of Adomare de Valence In 1 Edw. 2. with Robert de Vnfranvill Earl of Angos and Henry Beaumont he was constituted the King's Lieutenant in Scotland betwixt Barwic and the River of Forth as also in the Marches of Anandale Carryk and Galloway And though this Lieutenancy was conferred upon Iohn de Segrave the next following year yet he continued still in Scotland in that King's service After this scil in 7 Edw. 2. he was constituted with Iohn de Moubray and others Warden of the West-marches of Scotland and in 8 Edw. 2. received another command from the King to come to New-castle upon Tine well accoutred with Horse and Arms to march against the Scots To the several Parliaments in 23 and 30 Edw. 1. 1 3 5 6 7 8 and 9 Edw. 2. he had summons And in 10 Edw. 2. did again receive command from the King to come to Newcastle upon Tine well fitted with Horse and Arms to march against the Scots in which year he died and lyeth buried in the Priory of Kirkham under a Marble Tomb on the North-side of the Quire leaving William his Son and Heir then of full age who doing his Homage had Livery of all his Lands as also Iohn a younger Son of whom I shall speak anon And likewise Anne a daughter Wife to Pain Tipetot Son of Robert de Tipetot a Baron of Parliament in King Edward the Second's time But Maude de Vaux his Wife Daughter and Coheir of Iohn de Vaux lyeth buried in the Priory of Pentney in Norfolk of the foundation of Robert de Vaux her Ancestor This William in 4 Edw. 2. his Father being then living and in Scotland was in that Expedition then made thither and soon after the Livery of his Lands had a Confirmation of the Castle of Werke formerly granted to William his Father by reason of the forfeiture of Robert his Kinsman before-mentioned The next ensuing year he was constituted one of the Commissioners with W. Archbishop of York and others to treat of Peace betwixt the King and Robert de Brus who then assumed the title of King of Scotland About which time he came to an agreement with the King for the Castle of Werke viz. to grant it to the King in exchange for other Lands and in accomplishment thereof did by his Deed bearing date at York 25 September pass it to the King his Heirs and Successors with all the Knights Fees thereto belonging excepting the Patronage of such Cells as did belong to the Priory of Kirkham and Hospital of Boulton in lieu of Lands and Rents of the yearly value of four hundred Marks betwixt the Rivers of Thames and Teyse to be granted to him by the King before the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist then next ensuing In 12 Edw. 2. he was again in Scotland upon that King's service In 18 Edw. 2. he went into Gascoigne in that Expedition then made In 1 Edw. 3. he had the Shreevalty of Yorkshire and in 2 Edw. 3. was made Governour of the Castle of Werke In 7 Edw. 3. he was in another Expedition to Scotland In 11 Edw. 3. by his humble Petition representing to the King That whereas he had received a command from King Edward the Second to attend him at Coventry thence to march with him against the Scots who had in an hostile mander invaded this Realm and that being then at his Mannor of Freston in Lincolnshire he hasted to him with all his men at Arms divers Hoblers and some Foot-Souldiers accordingly and had received no more than the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds towards his charges in that Expedition the King by his Precept directed to the Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer bearing date the 18 th of December the same year commanded that the remainder due to him for his expences in that service should be forthwith paid And the next ensuing year granted unto him a certain Tower in the City of London built by King Edward the Second and adjoyning to the River of Thames near to a place called Baynards-Castle to hold to him the said William and his Heirs as Appurtenant to his Castle of Hamlake in Yorkshire by the service of a Rose to be yearly paid at the Exchequer upon the Feast-day of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist for ever In 14 Edw. 3. upon advertisement that the Scots intended another Invasion he received a strait command from the King dated 25 Sept. that he should forthwith repair to his Castle of Hamlake and there remain the whole ensuing Winter with all his men fitly arrayed for the defence of those Northern parts And in 16 Edw. 3. the King purposing an Expedition into France with a Royal Army sent his Letters unto this William amongst others bearing date 20 December to furnish him with twenty men at Arms and twenty Archers well arrayed who were to take shipping at Portsmouth upon the first of March then next ensuing upon such terms as the King should agree with others that had the like Letters At which time being in Britanny after some fruitless assaults made upon the City of Nantes he was one of those whom the King left there with six hundred men at Arms and two hundred Archers to maintain the Siege And in 17 Edw. 3. had command to provide the like number of men at Arms and Archers for those Wars of France This William was summoned to Parliament in the 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 and 20 of Edw. 2. So likewise to all the Parliaments of King Edward the Third from the first to the sixteenth year of his Reign inclusive and took to Wife Margery the eldest of the Sisters and Coheirs of Giles de Badlesmere of Ledes-Castle in Kent a great Baron of that time by whom he had Issue two Sons viz. William and Thomas and two Daughters Margaret and Maude and departing this life the 16 th of February in the year 1342. 17 Edw. 3. was buried in the Priory of Kirkham under a fair Tomb of Stone on the South-side the high Altar leaving William his Son and Heir then sixteen years of age The Lands of his own Inheritance whereof he died seised being as followeth viz. the Castle and Mannor of Helmesley with the Mannors of Harum Howsom Garton and Lynton in Yorkshire which he held by the service of one Barony as also the Mannors of Seton Storthwayt and Ros in Holderness in the same County The Castle and Mannor of Belvoir with the Mannors of Uâ—â—ington Freston Bosten and Melton in Com. Linc. Redemyld and Boâ—elesford in Com. Leic. Likewise one hundred and fifty Marks yearly Rent issuing out of the City of Lincoln and fifty Marks out of the City
Tichemershe Hinton juxta Brakele Hulls with the Mannor and Hundred of King's-Sutton in Com. North ton and Broughton in Com. Leic. leaving William his Son and Heir 17 years of age Which William in 4 Hen. 5. was by Indenture retained to serve the King with six men at Arms and eight Archers in his Wars of France and before the end of that year to serve him in his Fleet at Sea with two men at Arms himself accounted and four Archers Moreover in 9 Hen. 5. he was again in those Wars of France and in 1 Hen. 6. doing his Homage had Livery of the Lands of his Inheritance by descent both from Iohn Lord Lovell his Father and Maude the Daughter and Heir of Robert de Holand his Grandmother being then twenty four years of age This William was summoned to Parliament from 3 Henry 6. till 33 Henry 6. inclusive and having married Alice one of the Daughters of Sir Iohn Deincourt Knight Sister and Coheir to William Lord Deincourt Widow of Raphe Boteler Lord Sudley performing his Fealty in 2 Hen. 6. had Livery of the Lands of his Inheritance After which viz. in 8 Hen. 6. he was retained by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars of France with twenty nine men at Arms and eighty Archers and in 21 Hen. 6. procured License to deafforest his Woods called Minsterwoods in Com. Oxon. with two Fields thereto adjoyning and to impark them But in 24 Hen. 6. in consideration of his eminent services in Foreign parts as well in the time of King Henry the Fifth as this King as also by reason of his infirmity of body he obtained an especial exemption from coming to Parliament for the whole term of his life Howbeit in 28 Hen. 6. notwithstanding this special Priviledge he was made Constable of Walingford Castle and departed this world upon the 13 th of Iune 33 Hen. 6. leaving Iohn his Son and Heir twenty two years of age Alice his Wife still surviving who the very same year upon the death of Margaret her Sister Wife of Raphe Lord Cromwell without Issue was found to be her next Heir by which means divers fair Lordships and Lands descended to her whereof she had special Livery soon after The Lands whereof this William Lord Lovell died seised were these viz. the Mannors of Ketherhythe and Berâ—undsey in Com. Surr. Wolverhampton in Com. Staff Waltham Parva called Powers-mannor and Burnells in Berle in Com. Hertf. Kesyngdon-Basset in Com. Glouc. Wevilcate called Butlers-Court in Com. ... Mynster-Lovell Dokelyngton Norton-Bruyn and Cheleston in Com. Oxon. Denford in Com. Berks. Elcombe Blackgrove Mighenden Wigtetcote Sulthorpe Whythyll Uffecote Erdescote and Knoke in Com. Wilts The third part of the Chase of Charnewood in Com. Leic. The Mannors of Cranleye and Broughton-Lovell in Com. Buck. The Mannors of Holgate Clee-Saint Margaret Wolstanton Prestes-weston Ardulveston Bollylye Longfeld Uppington Wotton Onebury Welton Sutton Corston Abbeton Ewdon-Burneâ—l Benthall Millingchope Bushbury Longedon Condovere Astewall Hope-Bowdlers Wiggecote Chatwall Smethecote Chelton Acton-Keyner Tasseley Konton Ambâ—ston Pulleleye Kammeshurst Streford-Cantelope Acton-Burnell and Acton-Pigot in Com. Salop. the Borough of Brakele the Hundred of Sutton alias King's-Sutton the Mannors of Pokebroke Duston Tychemershe King's-Sutton and Halls in Com. Northt And of the Inheritance of Alice his Wife of the Mannors of Askeham and Drynghouse within the Liberty of the City of York and Mannor of Baynton in Com. Ebor. of the Mannors of â—â—gges Herdewyke Kotherfeld Somerton the moity of the Mannor of Fringford and fourth part of the Mannor of Stanlake in Com. Oxon. Of the Mannor of Ordton alias Ulverton in Salihull in Com. War Of the Mannors of Shovyndon Est-claydon Bold-claydon Woburne and Fryngford in Com. Buck. as also of the Mannor of 〈◊〉 in Com. Cantii And joyntly with the said Alice of the Castle and Mannor of Wardour and Mannors of Bridesâ—ursh Ubbedon and Wamburghe in Com. Wilts ¶ I now come to Iohn his Son and Heir This Iohn in 34 Hen. 6. then a Knight had Livery of his Lands his Homage being respited And in 38 Hen. 6. in consideration of his good services obtained a Patent from the King to be chief Forester of the Forest of Whichwode in Com. North â—â—â— But before the end of that year the Scene suddenly changed for upon the landing of the Dake of York and those of his party this Iohn Lord Lovell accompanying the Lord Scales and Hungerford to London in hope to gain the Citizens for King Henry failing therein were constrained to flee to the Tower for refuge Soon after which the Yorkists prevailed every where to the total ruine of King Henry and most of his Friends so that of this Iohn I have not afterwards seen any thing further memorable till his death which hapned 9 Ian. 4 Edw. 4. he being then seised of the Mannor of Yoxball in Com. Staff Denford and Pole in Com. Berks. Mynster-Loveil 〈◊〉 Paâ—ve Dukeâ—â—gton Norton-Bryne and the Mannor of Wybâ—scote called 〈◊〉 Court in Com. Oxon. Baynton called Deincourts-Mannor and Wald-Newton upon the Woulds in Com. Ebor. Of the Mannors of Halls Brackley King's-Sutton and Tichemersh in Com. North ton Of the Mannors of Holgore Clee â—S Margaret Wolstanton Prestes-Weston Bollyleye Longford Uppinton Pullileye Wotton Walton Sutton Corston Abeton Edon-â—urnell Beithall Millinchope Bushbury Longedon Cundovere Astwall Hope-Bowdeler Chatwall Smethecote Acton-Keigner Tasseley-Cantelope Acton-Burnell and Stretfeld in Com. Salop. as also of the moity of the Mannor of Askham-Bryan in the County of the City of York leaving Issue Francis his Son and Heir by Ioane his Wife Sister of William Viscount Beaumont his Son and Heir nine years of age Which Francis in 22 Edw. 4. went with Richard Duke of Gloucester then Lieutenant General of the English Army into Scotland and before the end of that year viz. upon the 4 th of Ianuary was advanced to the dignity of Viscount Lovell Moreover being a great Friend and Favourer of King Richard the Third in those his unjust and bloody practices whereby he attained the Crown he was advanced to the office of Lord Chamberlain of his Houshold And being thereupon made Constable of the Castle of Wâ—â—â—ngford had the custody of that Honour as also of the Honour of S. Waleries granted to him and was likewise constituted chief Butler of England And having thus twisted Interests with him adventured himself in Battel for him at Bosworthfield where that King being slain and his Army totally routed he made shift to escape with his life and thence fleeing to S. Iohns at Colchester in Essex took Sanctuary there for a while but deeming that no safe place privily got away to Sir Thomas Broughton's house in Lancashire and there lurked for some months and so into
was his Inheritance from his Father as hath been said notwithstanding that Fine paid by him for it to King Richard the First he was constrain'd in 11 Ioh. to give to that King CCCC Marks more and two great Horses which Lordship the Record says was formerly belonging to Robert his Uncle In 13 Ioh. his Mother Hawyse being then dead he undertook to pay Twelve hundred Marks more that he might receive the Homages for the Honour of Okehampton then in the King's Hands and that he might have to Wife Mary the Daughter to the Earl of Devonsh And the next year following to be acquitted of that Debt covenanted to serve the King with xx Men at Arms for the term of one whole year to commence on the Octaves of St. Iohn Baptist at his own proper Costs wheresoever the King should appoint In 16 Ioh. this Robert was made Governour of the Castle of Brugges vulg Bruggenorth in Com. Salop. And in 17 Ioh. constituted Sheriff of Oxford shire and Governour of Oxford-Castle In 18 Ioh. having the City of Eâ—eter in his power by Right of Descent from Hawyse his Mother divers of the Barons being then in Arms against the King he had liberty to take in William de Briwere who had married his Wife 's other Sister and all his Strength in case he thought his own Forces with the Aid of the Citizens should be too weak for the defence thereof In 1 H. 3. he had Livery of the Bailiwick of Devonsh which Henry Son to Reginald Earl of Cornwall then held And notwithstanding the Hereditary Right of Hawyse his Mother to the Sheriffalty of Devonsh accepted of the King 's Grant thereof in 2 H. 3. Nor did he hold it any longer than till the ninth year of his Reign the King himself then taking it into his own hands Which Hawyse died in 4 H. 3. whereupon he had Livery of all the Lands of her Inheritance lying in the Counties of Devon Dorset and Somerset But in 16 H. 3. the King thinking it not safe for himself that the Castles of England should be out of his own Power in regard there was then no good accordance betwixt him and divers of the Barons took also this at Exeter into his Hands and committed the Custody of it to Peter de Rievaulx a Person then in no small esteem with him To the Monks of Forde this Robert was ever a Friend and so much delighted in that Abby that he call'd it The fairest Feather in his Train glorying much in his Patronage thereof But more of him I cannot say than that he died at his Mannor at Ywerne in Dorsetsh upon the seventh Calends of August Anno MCCXLII 26 H. 3. and was buried with great Funeral-pomp in the Quire at Forde above-mention'd where a stately Tomb with his Image thereon in Armour was afterwards erected to his Memory and on the Circumference thereof this Epitaph Hic jacet ingenui de Courtney gleba Roberti Militis egregii virtutum laude referti Quem genuit strenuus Reginaldus Courtoniensis Qui procer eximius fuerat tunc Devoniensis Leaving Issue by Mary his Wife Daughter and at length sole Heir to William de Revers Earl of Devon Iohn de Courtney his Son and Heir who in 27 H. 3. which was the next year following paying C Marks for his Relief and doing his Homage had Livery of all his Lands Which Iohn in 29 H. 3. upon the Marriage of the King 's eldest Daughter paid Ninety two Pounds fifteen Shillings to the Aid then leviâ—d for those Ninety two Knights Fees and a third part of his Grandmothers Inheritance And in 30 H. 3. gave a Fine to the King of Two thousand and five hundred Marks for the Wardship of the Heirs of Iohn de Nevill and the Benefit of their Marriages and Lands till they should be of full age In 37 H. 3. he attended the King into Gascoine And in 38 H. 3. upon levying the Aid for making the King 's eldest Son Knight paid Two hundred and five Pounds ten Shillings for those Ninety two Knights Fees and three Parts belonging to the Honour of Okehampton In 41 H. 3. he had Summons with others to be at Bristoll upon the Octaves of St. Peter well furnish'd with Horse and Arms to attend the King into Wales for the defence of those Parts against the Power of Lewelin ap Griffin then in Arms there In 42 H. 3. he had the like Command to be at Chester on Munday next preceding the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist for preventing the Hostile Incursions of the Welch And in 43 H. 3. upon levying the Scutage of Wales answered for the same number of Knights Fees as is before express'd In 45 H. 3. he had a Grant of a Mercate upon the Wednesday every Week at his Mannor of Ywerne Courtney in Com. Dorset and two Fairs yearly one on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Invention of the Holy Cross and the other the Eve Day and Morrow after the Exaltation thereof And in 46 H. 3. was made Constable of the Castle of Iotneis in Com. Devon Touching his Works of Piety all that I have seen is That in 19 H. 3. for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Emme his Wife and all his Ancestors Souls he gave to the Knights-Templars all his Lands in East-Hyrst viz. Lx Acres and quitted unto them all his Right of Common which he had in their Woods at West-Hyrst It is reported of this Iohn That returning on a time from beyond-Sea there hapned in the night so great a Tempest that the Mariners expected nothing but Shipwrack Which discerning he bade them take Courage and labour hard one Hour For then quoth he will be the time that my Monks of Forde do rise by whose devont Prayers we shall be preserv'd from this Danger And that one of the Company answered There could be no hope of help from them in regard they were at that present all asleep in their Beds To which 't is said he reply'd Though many of them sleep I am sure some of them are waking and being sensible of this hideous Storm do fervently pray for my Deliverance And that when the Pilot heard him thus confident said Are we to regard this frivolous Talk being immediately to perish this Earl much astonish'd held up his Hands and said O merciful God vouchsafe to hear those devout Monks who now pray for me and me with them and bring us safe to our desired Port. And that upon this Expression the Tempest forthwith ceasing they were all brought safe to Land Moreover That after his arrival calling to mind this extraordinary Deliverance by the help of their Prayers he was a great Benefactor to them And departing this Life upon the fifth Nones of May Anno MCCLXXIII 1
stood related to each other in Blood Of these Richard Comin had his Residence in Northumberland as it seems for it appears that in 22 H. 2. he was fined at C l. for neglecting to attend the Justices-Itinerant in that County And in 32 H. 2. Walter Comyn paid xxx s. for Scutage with the rest of the Barons who were not in the Expedition of Galweie in Ireland After this viz. in 4 H. 3. William Cumin was one of the Coheirs to Andrew Giffard for the Barony of Funtell in Com. Wiltes And in 17 H. 3. Isabell the Wife of David Comin became one of the Coheirs to Christian the Wife of William de Mandevill Earl of Essex Which David with other the Great Men of that time in 26 H. 3. receiv'd Summons from the King to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to attend him into Gascoine But from these I come to Alexander Comyn Earl of Beghan in Scotland This Alexander married Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Heirs to Roger de Quinci Earl of Winchester in 51 H. 3. and then had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance In 3 E. 1. at the Request of Alexander King of Scotland who had married King Henry the Thirds Daughter he obtain'd Livery of the Inheritance of the said Elizabeth his Wife though she could not at that time come to the King in Person being great with Child To him succeeded Iohn his Son and Heir whom he enfeoffed of the Mannor of Wightwicke in Com. Leic. in 11. E. 2. and died in 18 E. 1. the said Iohn his Son being then xxx years of age Who thereupon doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and in 20 E. 1. obtain'd Licence from King Edward to dig in those Mines within the Dominion of the Isle of Man called The Calf for Lead to cover eight Towers in his Castles of Criyelton and Galweâ— in Scotland Moreover in 21 E. 1. this Iâ—hn Earl of Boghan obtain'd the King's Charter for a Market every Week upon the Tuesday at his Mannor of Wightwick in Com. Leic. and a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and two Days after the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist. In 22 E. 1. he had Summons to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to attend the King at Portsmouth on the first of September in order to his Expedition into France Furthermore in 34 E. 1. he serv'd King Edward in his Scottish Wars But having no Issue as it seems he enfeoffed his Brother William in two parts of the Mannor of Shepesheved in Com. Leic. as also in the Towns of Mekinfeld Whitenton Bochardeston and Newton Likewise in the moytie of Kocheby and Whirwick and Park of Bredon and in all the Demesns of the Mannor of Whytwick excepting the Site thereof all in that County Whereupon the King upon the death of the said Iohn took the Homage of the before-specified William But William being conscious that he had no just Title to them rendred them to the King in right of the two Nieces of him the said Iohn viz. Alice the Wife of Henry de Beaumont and Margaret her Sister Whereupon they the said Henry and Alice performing their Homages had Livery of the one Purparty of those Lands ¶ I now come to them of Badenagh Of these that which I find most memorable is That in 48 H. 3. Iohn Comyn of Badenagh was amongst others at the Siege of Northampton with King Henry where upon storming that Town divers of the Rebellious Barons were taken And that afterwards fighting valiantly for that King with a stout Band of Scots which he commanded in that fatal Battel of Lewes hapning soon after he was there with him taken Prisoner Moreover That in Anno 1268. 52 H. 3. by Mediation of the two Kings of England and Scotland he came to an Agreement with the Citizens of Yorke concerning the murther of some of his Servants Whereupon he had three hundred Pounds paid unto him in Money with promise that those Citizens should maintain two Priests to celebrate Divine Service for ever for the health of their Souls upon Duse-brigge in that City where the Murther was committed He was also one of the Competitors for the Crown of Scotland in An. 1291. 19 E. 1. viz. as Brother and Heir to William Son and Heir of Iohn Son and Heir to Richard Son and Heir to William Son and Heir to Hextild Daughter and Heir to Gâ—thrick Son and Heir to Dovenald sometime King of Scotland To him succeeded Iohn his Son and Heir who in 24 E. 1. joyning with the Earls of Boughan Menteth Strathern Lenox Roâ— Athol and Mar entred England with Five hundred Horse and Ten thousand Foot and besieg'd Carlisle but prevailing not drew off and returned into Scotland Whereupon Iohn Earl Warren and William de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick being sent after them with a great Power besieg'd the Castle of Donbar which by treachery the Scots had gained and forcing it to yield took him with five other Scotch Barons and sent them into England not to return till the Wars with France should have an end But the next ensuing year King Edward keeping his Christmass at Linlithcow in Scotland he submitted himself and was receiv'd to favour having his Lands also restor'd to the end he might serve in the Wars of Flanders This Iohn married Ioane one of the Sisters and Coheirs to Adomare de Valence Earl of Pembroke and having Issue by her one Son viz. Iohn and two Daughters viz. Ioane afterwards married to David de Strabolgy Earl of Atholl and Elizabeth to Richard Talbot and being invited to Dunfres by Robert Brus Earl of Carrick who bore himself high of his Kindred in Scotland expecting thereby to gain the Crown of that Realm came thither accordingly to the House of Gray-Friers Where meeting together Brus said unto him Take my Inheritance of Carryck and help me to be King of Scotland or let me have thine and I will help thee to be King Whereunto giving a Denial he was there murthered and with him Sir Roger Comyn his Brother by the procurement of Brus. To whom succeeded Iohn his and Heir Which Iohn died without Issue 19 E. 2. being then seised of the Mannor of Tyrsete in Tindale in Com. Northumbr leaving Ioane Wife of David de Strabolgi Earl of Athol then xxx years of age and Elizabeth her Sister xxvi years of age his Sisters and next Heirs Which Elizabeth afterwards became the Wife of Richard Talbot This Elizabeth being one of the Cousins and Heirs to Adomare de Valence Earl of Pembroke had as her Puâ—party in 18 E. 2. an Assignation of Castle-Goderich in the Marches of
body by her he would pay unto that Queen five hundred and fifty pounds of silver In 25 Edw. 1. this Isabel calling her self Daughter to Agnes de Bellomont did Homage to the King at Ipswiche for the Barony of Caral in the County of Fife in Scotland whereof she was possess'd by virtue of a Release from the said Anne her Mother And in 33 Edw. 1. Iohn de Vesci her husband being then dead she granted to the King and his heires for ever her Mannor of Caral with the Haven of Can. Whereupon he again granted it to her for life the remainder to Henry de Beaâ—mont her Brother and his heirs Moreover he farther granted to her for life and to the said Henry her Brother in Fee all the Lands of her the said Isabell in Welleburne in Com. Linc. By reason whereof she obtain'd the said King's Charter for a Market every Week upon the Wednesday at her said Mannor of Caral and a Fair yearly on Monday in Easter-week and fourteen dayes following In 1 E. 2. she was made Governess of the Castle of Bamburgh in Com. Northumb. paying the antient serme thereof to the Kings Exchequer But in 3 Edw. 2. at the request of Henry de Laci Earl of Lincolne the King acquitted her of One hundred and twelve pounds which was due to his Exchequer for that Castle of Bamburgh and Rent of the Town of Wernemuthe by reason of the great expence she had undergone in attending upon Queen Isabell. After which ere long quitting her right in that Castle at the King's request she had a Grant of the Mannors of Thoresway Styveton Lyndewode and Ketlesthorpe in Com. Linc. with the King 's free Court in the City of Lincolne as also of the Mannors of Weye and Pyddcle in Com. Dorset for life And departing this life in 8 Edw. 3. without issue the said Henry de Beaumont her Brother was found to be her next heir I now returne to Iohn Lord Beaumont son and heir to the before-specified Henry This Iohn in 12 Edw. 3. was in that Expedition then made into Flanders and of the retinue with William de Montacute Earl of Salisbury And upon his Father's death in 14 Edw. 3. doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands but never used the Title of Earl of Boghan In which year he was again in the Wars of Flanders and obtain'd the King's Precept to the Collectors of the Subsidy in Com. Devon for the receipt of Sixty six pounds sixteen shillings six pence in part of the Wages then due to him for his service beyond-Sea In this year attending Queen Philippa during her residence in Brabant the Lady Alianore de Lancaster the fifth daughter to Henry Earl of Lancaster his Wife being there delivered of a Son called Henry he obtain'd the King's special Letters Pattents declaring that notwithstanding the said Henry was begotten and born in forrein parts nevertheless in regard it was by reason of his and his Ladies attendance on the Queen he should be reputed a lawful heir and inherit his Lands in England as if he had been born there In 15 Edw. 3. he was retein'd to serve the King in his Fleet at Sea with Sixty one Men at Armes whereof one Baneret Twenty four Knights Forty men at Armes and Forty Archers for forty dayes In which year also he was in the Wars of Scotland And having been summon'd to Parliament in 16 Edw. 3 and not before departed this life the same year leaving Henry his son and heir two yeares of age Whereupon in order to his Funeral the King sent his Precept to William Shireburne a Burgess of Yorke to make payment of Two hundred pounds of those Moneys which he did then owe for One hundred thirty Sacks and twenty Clays of Wooll by him received out of the North and East-Riding of that County unto Sir William de Burton Knight to the use of Alianore the Widow of the Defunct towards the charge of that great Solemnity Which Alianore so surviving him in 17 E. 3. procur'd the King's Charter for Free-warren in all her Demesn-lands at Tackley in Com. Oxon. and Seukworth in Com. Berks. But I return to Henry his son and heir whose Legitimacy in regard of his birth beyond-Sea was afterwards ratified in the Parliament held 25 Edw. 3. In 34 E. 3. this Henry doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands the King being well satisfied that he was of full age though he did not make any formal proof thereof and obtained his Precept to the Lord Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer for the acquitting him of one hundred pounds due for the ferm of his Lands at the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist whilst he was in his Minority towards the charges he had been at in attending him in his last Expedition beyond Sea Moreover in 40 E. 3. he was in the Wars of Gascoigne And having been summoned to Parliament from 36 E. 3. until 42 E. 3. inclusive departed this life upon Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin 43 E. 3. leaving Iohn his Son and Heir eight years of age and Margaret his Wife Daughter to Iohn de Vere Earl of Oxford surviving him who had for her Dowrie an assignation of the Mannors of Hekynton and Stiveton in Com. Linc. with two Messuages in the City of Lincolne and afterwards Married to Nicholas de Louvain In 47 E. 3. the Wardship of this Iohn Son and Heir to the before-specified Henry Lord Beaumont with the custody of his Lands during his Minority was committed to William Lord Latimer But in 6 R. 2. making proof of his age and doing his Homage he had Livery of them and the same year was with Henry de Spencer then Bishop of Norwich in the English Army sent to make War against those that held with Pope Clement the Seventh Moreover in 7 R. 2. he was at Burbroke when the King of France with his whole Host besieged it and with one hundred men at Arms and three hundred Archers kept one Ward there In 10 R. 2. he accompanied Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster then called King of Castile and Leon into Spaine Howbeit before the end of this year such was the prevalency of the great Lords which then met at Haringey-Park that they expelled him the Court as an Evil-Councellor to the King But those discontents somewhat abating he obtained Licence to pass unto Calais there to exercise himself in Feats of Arms with the French four Knights of that Country having challenged as many English to Just with them there at which time he Tilted with the Lord Chamberlain to the King of France And in 12 R. 2. was made Admiral of the Kings Fleet to the Northwards as
Free-warren at Cukewald and Everle in Com. Ebor. as also for a Market upon the Wednesday every week at Cukewald and for a Faire there yearly on the Eve and Day of our Ladies Assumption And in 33 E. 3. was in the Wars of Gascoine In 34 E. 3. making surrender of those Letters Patents and Indenture of Reteiner made in 21 23 E. 3. he had a grant of Two hundred pounds per annum payable every year out of the Exchequer with Robes out of the King 's great Wardrobe And in 37 E. 3. had another Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-lands at Chorkeby juxta Threske and â—illom in Com. Ebor. He had also summons to Parliament from 18 to 38 E. 3. inclusive and died in 39 E. 3. leaving Thomas his son and heir at that time a Knight and of full age who had thereupon Livery of his Lands Which Thomas being also a Military-man in 40 E. 3. Marcht into Scotland and in 51 E. 3. was made Constable and Chamberlain of Loghmaban-Castle in that Realme In 1 R. 2. 3. R. 2. he was likewise in the wars of France as also in 7 R. 2. being at that time in the retinue of Henry de Perci Earl of Northumberland continuing with that Earl in the Garrison of Barwick the whole ensuing year But farther I have not seen of him till his death which hapned upon Friday next after the Feast of St. Martin in Winter 3 H. 4. at which time he was seised of the Mannors of Kerby Killingwyke Howke Skakelthorpe Colton le Lund and Twithorp in the Thistles in Com. Ebor. leaving Thomas his Grandson viz. son of William his eldest son who died in his life time his next heir eightteen years of age and then married to Margaret the daughter of Sir Iohn Godard Knight But neither his Grandfather nor himself nor any of his descendents had ever summons to Parliament Molins 21 Edw. 3. THat this Family of Molins whereof I am now to speak was originally of French extraction and from that Town in Bourbonois so called is not at all to be doubted Howbeit until the beginning of King E. 3. Reign that Iohn de Molins became a person not a little eminent as well for his esteem with that King as his large possessions in several Counties especially Buckinghamshire I have not seen any thing of note thereof from our publick Records It is not improbable but that he did descend from the same Robert de Molins who disobeying the commands of King Henry the First was thereupon disherited and banish'd out of Normandy with Agnes his wife daughter of Robert de Grentmesnill whereupon he went into Apulia and there ended his dayes But I return to Iohn This Iohn being one of those who in 4 E. 3. entred the Castle of Nottingham with William de Montacute and others in the night time and there surprized Roger de Mortimer Earl of March received pardon for the same shortly after He took to wife Egidia the Cosm and heir of Iohn Manduit of Somerford in Com. Wiltes and Margaret his wife daughter and coheir of Robert Pogeys of Stoke in Com. Buck commonly called Stoke Pogeys And in 5 E. 3. being then a Gentleman of the King's Privy-Chamber in consideration of his laudable services done and to be done obtained License for himself and her the said Egidia to have a Faire every year at his Mannor of Stoke pugeis upon the Eve and Festival of St. Giles and five dayes then next ensuing as also to make a Castle of his Mannor-Houses of Stoke pugeis and Ditton in Com. Buck. And in 6 E. 3. had the like Grant for to hold a Court-Leet at his said Mannor of Stoke pugeis Moreover in 7 E. 3. he procured a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-lands at Weston Turvile in the same County Also to make a Castle of his Mannor-House there And in 8 E. 3. the like Charter of Free-warren in all his Demesn-lands at Agmondesham and Little Mussenden in that County As also at Halverthing and Wandesworth in Com. Surr. Furthermore the next ensuing year scilicet 9 E. 3. having purchased the Mannors of Dachet and Fuâ—mere in Com. Buck. from William de Montacutâ— he obtain'd the King's confirmation of that Grant together with a Grant in Fee of the Mannor of Lutegareshale in Com. Buck. part of the possessions of Hugh le Despenser Earl of Winchester attainted To the Canons of St. Marie-Overie in Southwark in Com. Surr. he was a special Benefactor in recompence whereof by their Instrument bearing date 4 Cal. Febr. the same year they made him partaker of all their Prayers c. and covenanted to mention him in all their Masses Vigils c. and so soon as notice should be given to them of his death or the death of Egidia his wife to inscribe their names in their Martyrologe and to make recital of them annually in their Chapter as also to performe the like office for them as for other their Benefactors And that he the said Iohn his heirs and successors Lords of Stoke should have precedence in the Church of Stoke and in all Processions aâ— the Patrons thereof ought to have In 10 E. 3. he obtained License for the making of a Castle of his Mannor-House at Aston in Com. Buck. and to im-parke his Woods of Ilmere la Sale with One hundred Acres of Pasture in Bekennesfeld Burnham Chispenham and for Free-warren in Bekennesfeld Burnham Chipenham Chalshunt Fuâ—nham and Huggley in the same County In which year being in the wars of Scotland he was of the retinue with William de Montacute In 11 E. 3. he had a Grant in Fee of the Mannor of Hendle in Com. Oxon. which Hugh de Aâ—dley and Margaret his wife held for terme of their lives as also of the Mannor of Swyrford in the same County which Iohn de Handlo likewise held for life And the same year procured a special Charter for divers priviledges in his Lordships of Brehull Stoke pugeys Ditton Dachette Fâ—â—mere Ilmere Adinton Asson Bernard Weston Turvile and Lutgaâ—esale in Com. Buck. Also in Henle and Swyrford in Com. Oxon. viz. Return of Writs Summons of the Exchequer Infangthef Outfangthef Felons Goods Wayf and Stray Gallows and Judgment of such Malefactors as should be apprehended therein according to the liberty of Infangthef and Outfangthef Likewise to be quit of â—oll Murage Pontage and Pavage throughout the whole Realme with Free-warren in all the premises About the same time likewise he received Commission to seize upon all the Merchants of Lumbardy with their Goods Jewels of Gold and Silver and other Chattels then in the City of London and to deliver them to the Constable of the Tower And had so great a respect from the before-specified William
next ensuing whereupon he had burial accordingly To whom succeeded Edward his Brother and Heir who married Frances Daughter to Sir Thomas Treshan of Liveden in Com. Northt Knight and by her had issue four Sons and two Daughters viz. William Stourton made Knight of the Bath at the Creation of Charles Prince of Wales in An. 1616. Thomas Francis and Edward His two Daughters were these Margaret married to Sir Thomas Sulyar of Wetherden in Com. Suff. Knight and Mary to Walter Norton of ... in the same County Esq And departing this life at Clerkenwell in the Suburbs of London 7 Maii 1632. 8 Car. 1. was buried at Stourton with his Ancestors Which Sir William so succeeding him married Frances Daughter to Sir Edward More of Odypham in Com. Sutht Knight and had issue r by her three Sons Edward William and Thomas a Monk as also two Daughters Mary married to Iohn Weld of Lulworth-Castle in Com. Dors. and Frances a Nun at Cambray Which Edward faithfully adhering to the late King Charles the first of Blessed Memory in those woful times of his late unhappy troubles departed this life in the Garrison of Bristol in Ianuary An. 1644. his Father then living leaving issue by Mary his Wife Daughter to Robert Lord Petre William his Son and Heir now living whom by Mary his Wife Daughter of Iohn Preston of Furnesse-Abby in Com. Lanc. Esq hath issue Widvile 26 H. 6. THE First mention I find of this Family is in 37 E. 3 Richard de Wydvill being then constituted Sheriff of Northampton-shire and Governour of the Castle there After which in 39 E. 3. he had the like trust and in 43 E. 3. was made Eschaetor for that County and Rutland Again in 44 E. 3. Sheriff of Northampton-shire as also Governour of the Castle at Northampton To this Richard succeeded Iohn de Wydevill Sheriff of the same Shire and Governour of the Castle in 4 R. 2. Likewise in 6 R. 2. Eschaetor for those Counties of Northampton and Rutland and in 9 R. 2. again Sheriff of Northampton-shire To whom succeeded another Richard which Richard in 7 H. 4. had the Shrivalty of the same County and Governourship of the Castle conferred upon him and in 8 H. 5. being then one of the Esquires for the Body to that Heroick King was constituted Seneschall of the Dutchy of Normandy and other the parts of France within that Kings obedience to superintend all the Captains and Lieutenants of the Cities fortifyed Towns and Castles within those Precincts In 3 H. 6. he was made Constable of the Tower of London and in 4 H. 6. Knighted by the King at Leicester upon Whitsunday the King himself having then received that Honour at the hands of his Uncle the Duke of Bedford In 5 H. 6. being Lieutenant of Calais to the Duke of Bedford governour of that Garrison he continued there for the better defence thereof In 7 H. 6. he was reteined by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars of France and Normandy for half a year with C Men at Arms and CCC Archers and in 14 H. 6. having then his residence for the most part in Northampton-shire and sometimes at Maydston in Kent was again in the Wars of France being of the Retinue with William Earl of Suffolk In 15 H. 6. having without licence married Iaquet de Luxembourgh Daughter to Peter Earl of St. Paul widow of Iohn Duke of Bedford he gave a thousand pounds fine for that transgression and for livery of those Castles Mannours and Lands which were of her Dowry and in 17 H. 6. was sent into Normandy with a thousand stout men for the better defence of those parts In 19 H. 6. being challenged by a Knight of Spain to perform certain feats of Arms in Smithfield they there met accordingly upon the xxvi of November but after the third stroke the King prohibited them to go on Before the end of which year he accompanied Richard Duke of York then Lieutenant-General and Governour of the Realm of France and Dutchy of Normandy into those parts and in 26 H. 6. in respect of his valour in Arms great integrity and acceptable services was advanced to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Rivers as by the Kings Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 29 Maii appeareth it being no name of any place but of an antient Family ☜ sometimes Earls of Devon And for his better support of that Honour had thereby granted to him and to the Heirs male of his Body in reversion after the death of William Burton one of the Grooms of the Kings Chamber the annual rent of xiv s. iv d. due to the Keeper of the Castle of Northampton As also all the Knightsâ—ees and services whatsoever belonging to the Honour of Chokes and likewise those of Bryans-fee Iohn de Bayeux fee Maundevill fee Lexington-fee or of the Baronies of Rivers and Ledet's fee with all Advowsons Eschaets Forfeitures and Liberties by reason of the Tenure of those Honours Baronies and Fees In 27 H. 6. in further consideration of his services in the wars of France and Dutchy of Normandy he obtained a grant in special tail of the Mannour of West â—â—urrek called West-Hall in Com. Essex in reversion after the death of Iaquet Dutchess of Bedford his Wife And about that time had a Charter for Free-Warren in all his demesn-lands within his Lordships of Grafton Patshull and Wyken in Com. Northt though they were within the precincts of the Forest In 28 H. 6. he was installed Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and in 29 H. 6. constituted Seneschal of Aquitaine with power to receive into the Kings obedience all Cities Towns and Forts therein which were then willing to yield thereto In 38 H. 6. being sent to Sandwich for the defence of that Port and those great Ships which lay at Anchor there against the power of Nevil Earl of Warwick who had raised new forces on the behalf of the Duke of York he was in the night time surprized in his Bed with Anthony his Son by certain persons sent from that Earl who carried him with those Ships to Calais But though he stood firm to King Henry the sixth against the house of York yet after King Edward the fourth had obtained the Crown and been captivated with the beauty of Elizabeth his Daughter Widow of Sir Iohn Grey so that he made her his Queen all his precedent Actings for the Lâ—ncastrian interest were forgot great Honours and Trusts being then conferred upon him by that King First viz. 4 Martii 6 E. 4. the office of Treasurer of his Exchequer and upon the 24 of May next ensuing the title of Earl Rivers Also the
by promise of money to some of the Scots got the Earl of Northumberland into his hands he sent him to Yorke where he was shortly after beheaded In An. 1582. 25 Eliz. upon the return of the Duke of Anâ—ou who had stayed here three Months as a Suitor to Queen Elizabeth with some other of the Nobility he attended him to Antwerp by her Majesties command And in 29 Eliz. was made General Warden of the Marches towards Scotland as also about that time Lord Chamberlain of the Queens Houshold In 30 Eliz. upon puting the Queen of Scots to death in England continuing still at Barwick he was imployed unto King Iames her son to pacifiâ— him therein and in An. 1592. 35 Eliz. upon the charge laid to Sir Thomas Perrot Deputy of Ireland was one of the Commissioners assigned to consider thereof He was also Captain of the Pensioners and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and having married Anne daughter of Sir Thomas Morgan Knight by her had issue four sons and three daughters first George secondly Iohn thirdly Sir Edmund Carye Knight and fourthly Robert afterwards Earl of Monmouth The daughters were these Catherine married to Charles Earl of Nottingham Philadelphia to Thomas Lord Scrope and Margaret to Sir Edward Hoby Knight And departing this life upon the twenty third of Iuly An. 1596. 38 Eliz. being then seventy one years of age was buried in the Chapel of St. Iohn Baptist within the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at UUestminster where there is a noble Monument erected to his memory with this Epitaph In domino hic obdormit Henricus Carey Baro de Hunsdon villae Berwici limitisque tam orientalis quà m medâ—â— versus Scotiam olim praefectus pentionariorum generosorum Capitaneus Forestarum cis Trentam Iusticiarius summus Garteriani ordinis eques auratus Dominae Reginae Camerarius à sacris Consiliis eidemque consobrinus Vna cum illo conditur uxor charissima filia Thomae Morgan equitis aurati quae plures illi liberos peperit è quibus sunt superstites Georgius Iohannes Edmundus Robertus equites aurati Catherina Comitissa Nottinghamiae Philadelphia Baronissa Scrope Margereta domina Hoby Obiit 23 Iulii 1596. Aetatis Lxxi Patri optimo Georgius Carey filius Baro de Hunsdon ordinis Garterii socius Vectae Insulae prafectus Reginae Elizabethae Camerarius à sacris Consilâ—s Maritoque charissimo Anna uxor Honoris Memoriae ergo sibique suis mortalitatis memores posuerunt To whom succeeded George his eldest son who being also Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter Governor of the Isle of UUight Lord Chamberlain of the Queens Houshold and one of her Privy Council departed this life 9 Sept. An. 1603. 1 Iac. leaving issue by Elizabeth his wife daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser of Althorpe in Com. North. Knight one sole daughter and heir called Elizabeth who became the wife of Sir Thomas Berkley Knight son and heir to Henry Lord Berkley Whereupon Iohn his next Brother and heir male succeeded him in the honor Which Iohn during his Brothers life scil in 43 Eliz. was constituted Warden of the East-Marches toward Scotland being then a Knight and departing this life ... Apr. 1617 15 Iac. left issue by Mary his wife daughter to Leonard Hyde of Throgkyn in Com. Hertf. Esquire two sons Henry and Charles and two daughters Anne married to Sir Francis Lovell of East-Harâ—yng in Com. Norf. Knight and 〈◊〉 to Sir Thomas Woodhouse of Kymberley in the same County Knight Which Henry succeeding as Lord Hunsdon was advanced to the dignity of Vicount Rochford 6 Iulii 19 Iac. Likewise to the Title of Earl of Dovor 8 Martii 3 Car. 1. And having married Iudith the daughter of Sir Thomas Pelham of Lofton in Com. Suss. Baronet by whom he had issue three sons Iohn made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the first Pelham who died without issue and George and three daughters Mary married to Sir Thomas Wharton Knight of the Bath Brother to the Lord Wharton Iudith died unmarried and Philadelphia departed this life An. 1668. To whom succeeded Iohn his son and heir who first married Dorothy daughter to Oliver Earl of Bolinbroke but by her had no issue and secondly Abigal daughter of Sir William Cokain Knight Alderman of the City of London by whom he hath issue one only daughter called Mary married to William Heveningham of ... in com ... Esquire ¶ Having finished with this elder branch I lastly come to Robert third son to the first Henry Lord Hunsdon In 40 Eliz. this Robert being then a Knight was made Warden of the Marshes towards Scotland and in 19 Iac. 6 Feb. created Lord Carey of Lepington in com Ebor. Also Earl of Monmouth 5 Feb. 1 Car. 1. And departing this life at Moore-Park in com Hertf. 12 Apr. An. 1639 15 Car. 1. left issue by Elizabeth his wife daughter of Sir Hugh Trevanion of Corriheigh in Com. Cornub. Knight two sons viz. Henry Carey made Knight of the Bath in An. 1616. at the creation of Charles Prince of Wales and Thomas and one daughter called Philadelphia married to Sir Thomas Wharton Knight son and heir to the Lord Wharton Which Sir Henry succeeding him in his honors marryed Martha eldest daughter to Leonel Earl of Middlesex by whom he had issue two sons Leonel and Henry who both died in their Fathers life time without issue And eight daughters Anne married to Iames Hamilton Vicount Claneboy and Earl of Clanbrazell Philadelphia died unmarried Elizabeth Mary wedded to William Earl of Desmond Trevaniana died unmarried Martha to Iohn Earl of Middleton in Scotland Theophila and Magdalen both died unmarried He died 13 Iunii An. 1661. and was buryed at Rickmansworth in Com. Hertf. Lord St. Iohn of Bletsho Earl of Bolinbroke 1 Eliz. THese being a branch of the antient Family of St. Iohn of Stanton St. Iohn in Com. Oxon as I guess came first to possess this Lordship of Bletsho about the time of King Henry the Sixths Reign Sir Oliver St. Iohn Knight then taking to wife Margaret the sister and sole heir to Iohn de Beauchamp of Bletsho Knight as in my discourse of those Beauchamps is already shewn From which Sir Oliver did Oliver St. Iohn Esquire lineally descend who by Letters Patent bearing date 13 Ian. 1 Eliz. was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord St. Iohn of Bletsho and in 15 Eliz. was one of the Peers which sate and gave Judgment upon Thomas Duke of Norffolk then attained This Oliver by his Testament bearing date 20 Apr. An 1582. 24 Eliz. bequeathing no certain place for his
by another Patent bearing date 4 Nov. the dignity of Earl Rivers after the death of the said Vicount Colchester without issue male of his body he being then advanced to that degree of honor By which Elizabeth he had issue seven sons first Iohn his next successor in those Titles secondly Thomas who married Bridget daughter and coheir to William Witmore of Leighton in com Cestr. Esquire by Margaret his wife daughter of Sir Hugh and sister and heir to Sir George Beeston of Beeston in com Cestr. Knight widow of Sir Edward Somerset Knight fifth son to Edward late Earl of UUorcester thirdly Francis fourthly William fifthly Iames sixthly Richard and seventhly Charles As also six daughters Iane married to Iohn Marquis of UUinchester Dorothy to Charles Vicount Aâ—dover son and heir to Thomas Earl of Berkshire Elizabeth to Sir Iohn Thimelsby of Iâ—nham in com Linc. Knight Anne to Robert son and heir to Thomas Lord Bâ—ndnell afterwards Earl of Cardigan Catherinâ— a Nun at Dunkirke and Henrietta Maria to Raphe Sheldon of Beoley in com Wigora Esquire and departing this life at his house on Tower Hill in the City of London 20 Nov. An. 1635. 11 Car. 1. was honourably buryed with his Ancestors at Marfeild in Cheshire upon the sixteenth day of December next ensuing To whom succeeded Iohn his son and heir who by the death of the before specified Thomas Earl Rivers in An. 1639. enjoyed that title and by Catherine his first wife daughter of William Lord Morley and Mont Eagle had issue three sons Thomas Iohn and Richard as also five daughters Elizabeth wife of William Lord Petre Iane first married to George Lord Chandois next to Sir William Sidley of Aylesford in com Cantii Barronet and lastly to George Pitts of Stratfeild-Sey in com South Esquire Catheâ—ine to Charles Sidley brother to the same Sir William Mary to Henry Killegrew Groom of the Bed Chamber to his Royal Highness Iames Duke of Yorke and Frances who died young To his second wife he married Mary daughter of Thomas Ogle of South Diâ—â—ington in com Northumbr Esquire and by her had issue one only son called Peter This Earl died 10 Oct. An. 1654. and was buried at Maxfeild Whereupon Thomas his eldest son succeeded him in his Honours and married Elizabeth one of the natural daughters of Emanuel late Earl of Sunderland by whom he hath issue two sons viz. Thomas called Lord Colchester and Richard as also two daughters Elizabeth and Arabella Which Thomas Lord Colchester having married Charlot daughter of Charles late Earl of Derby hath issue by her one daughter called Charlot Cranfeild Earl of Middlesex 19 Iac. OF this County until the time of King Iames none were ever dignified with the Title of Earl but then Lionel Cranfeild a Merchant of London son to Thomas Cranfeild of the City of London Esquire who received the honor of Knighthood at Otelands 4 Iulii An. 1613 11 Iac. having for his great abilities been first made Master of the Requests 20 Nov. 14 Iac. Next Master of the Kings Great Wardrobe Then scil 15 Ian. 16 Iac. Master of the Wards Afterwards 15 Ian. 18 Iac. a Privy Councellor and upon the ninth of Iuly 19 Iac. advanced to the degree of a Baron this Realm by the title of Lord Cranfeild of Cranfeild in com Bedf. Also upon the thirteenth oâ— October following Lord Treasurer of England was by Letters Patents bearing date 16 Sept. An. 1622 20 Iac. created Earl of Middlesex but in the Parliament of 22 Iac. deprived of his office of Lord Treasurer fined at fifty thousand pounds and committed Prisoner to the Tower of London This Earl first married Elizabeth daughter of Richard Shepard a Merchant in London by whom he had issue three daughters Martha wedded to Sir Henry Carey Knight of the Bath afterwards Earl of Monmouth Elizabeth to Edmund Lord Sheffeild grandson and heir to Edmund Earl of Mulgrave and Mary who died unmarried And to his second wife Anne daughter to Iames Brett of Howby in com Leic. Esquire by Anne his wife sister to Mary Countess of Buckingham by whom he had issue four sons Iames Edward and Leonel who succeeded him in his honors Edward who departed this life unmarried and William who died young as also two daughters Frances wife of Richard now Earl of Dorset and Susan who died young And departing o this life upon the sixth of August An. 1645. being at that time 70 years of age 1 was buried in St. Michaels Chapel in the Abby Church at Westminster where there is a fair Monument erected to his memory with this Epitaph M. S. Leonelli domini Cranfeild Middlesexiae Comitis à Iacobo sagacissimo principe in Aulam acciti pro nativo ingenii vigors amplis tuâ—â— honoribus tùm muneribus munificentissimè decorati à supplicum libellis Rei Vestiariae Orphanorum tutelae praefectus à sanctioribus consiliis subiit novissimè totius Angliae Thesaurarii splendidissimam atque lubricam provinciam in quibus quà m sedulò navarit operam indicant tituli Equitis aurati Baronis de Cranfeild Middlefexiae demùm Comitis atque alii variè collati Hinc gliscente invidiâ urgentur adversae rerum procellae dum animosè movet lucentes quae innocentiae conscientiá fortè jactatus tantum non naufragiis enatavit sedatâ bieme figit anchoram in re lautâ sereno senectutis ocio respiravit expiravit Hîc depositus dum lassum prius jam luxatum corpus Nauclerus ille resuscitatum in fusiore navigio coelesti aeternitatis portu collocarit Obiit Augusti 6 Anno MDCXLV aetatis plus minus 70. Duas successivè conjuges accepit ex utrisque suscepit prolem Elizabetha prior peperit faeminas Elizabetham hodie Comitissam de Moulgrave Martham Comitissam de Monmouth Mariam quae ante nuptias diem obiit Ex Annâ relicta hodie Comitissâ de Middlesex communi tumulo modò Deus velit inhumandâ cujus apponitur effigies nati sunt Iacobus Honorum haeres Middlesexiae Comes Lionellus Edoardus superstites Alterius sexus Francisca domina Buckhurst Susanna ante octennium denata Infans Haec Iunii 25. 1647. To whom succeeded Iames his son and heir who married Anne the third daughter and coheir to Edward Earl of Bath which Iames having issue by her one sole daughter called Elizabeth wedded to Iohn Lord Brackley eldest son to Iohn now Earl of Bridgwater departed this life without any issue So that Lionel his Brother became his successor in his Honors and having married Rachel daughter to Francis Earl of Westmorland widow of Henry Earl of Bath died in October An. 1674. without issue whereupon he had Burial in the same Chapel of St. Michael at Westminster where his Father lyeth interred being the last Earl of Middlesex of this Family Finch Earl of Winchelsey 21 Iac. OF this Family which do
of York until the King should settle Lands of three hundred Marks per Annum value in consideration of the Castle of Werke which he the said William had granted unto the King as is before observed The Lands which were of the Inheritance of Margery his Wife being these viz. the Mannor of Aderly in Shropshire the Mannors of Chrilham Hothfield and Wulrington in Kent the moity of the Mannor of Tarent-Ruyâ—â—chenton and the moity of the Hundred of Conekeshyrie in Dorsetshire the Mannor of Chyngford in Essex the Mannor of Chalbestone in Bedfordshire the Mannor of Hakeford with the Advowson of the Church in Norfolk as also the Mannors of Whitwell and Watton the moity of the Mannors of Holt and Cleye with the Advowson of the Church of Cleye and the moity of the Mannor of Hoghten in the same County Which Margery had for her Dowry these Lands following assigned unto her viz. the Mannors of Uâ—â—ington and Melton in Com. Linc. Botelesford in Com. Leic. Ros in Holderness Garton with its members viz North-Dalton Naburn and Tibethorne and the Mannors of Seton Storthwayt and Fulford in Com. Ebor. as also divers Tenements and Rents in Wartre Methelburne Herlethorpe and Folkeâ—thorpe belonging to those Mannors of Seton and Storlethwayte Touching Margaret one of his Daughters I find that in 6 Edw. 3. there were certain Covenants made betwixt him and Sir Edward de Bohun Brother to William de Bohun Earl of Northhampton viz. That he the said Edward should take her to Wife and enfeoffe her of the Mannors of Upabene in the County of Wilts or of two hundred Marks per Annum Land to hold during her life And now before I proceed farther I shall say something of Iohn the younger Brother of the last mentioned William in regard he was a person so eminent in his time This Iohn being of the party of Queen Isabell and those other whom the King at the instigation of the Spensers had banished landed with her and the Prince who had then for the better carrying on their designs made a Contract with Philippa Daughter to the Earl of Henault at Ypswich on the tenth Calends of October 20 Edw. 2. And being likewise in great favour with the young King upon the deposal of Edward the Second was not only constituted Steward of his houshold in the first year of his Reign but imployed into Scotland in that Expedition made thither the same year his Brother Thomas being also with him in that service and moreover was one of those 12 Lords by whom it was resolved the King being young should be governed In 2 Edw. 3. he was made Governour of Somerton-Castle in Lincolnshire In 7 Edw. 3. he was again in Scotland with his Father upon the King's service So also in 9 Edw. 3. In 10 Edw. 3. he was constituted Admiral of the Seas from the River of Thames Northwards In 11 Edw. 3. he served the King in Gastoigne and the same year had a Charter for Free-warren granted to him in all his Demesn Lands at Touxford Warsop and Aston in Com. Nott. and in Hornlegh and Hornton in Com. Oxon. as also to hunt the Fox Wolf Hare and Cat throughout the King's Forest of Notinghamshire And in 12 E. 3. upon his Petition to the King in Parliament whereby he represented the charge he had been at in arraying of men in divers parts of the Realm whilst he was Admiral command was given to the Lord Treasurer and Barons of the King's Exchequer to make him allowance for the same In that year also he was again imployed beyond the Seas in the King's service and had summons to Parliament from 1 Edw. 3. until the eleventh of that King's Reign inclusive but departed this life before the end thereof without any Issue of his body so that William de Ros his elder Brother became his Heir being then fifty years of age The Lands whereof he died seised being those of his own Inheritance viz. The Mannor of â—arsop in Com. Nott. the Mannors of Wadton Kellyng Salthous in Com. Norff. and the Mannors of Gedeney Gaixhill Steynton Poynton and Lexham in the same County As also the Mannors of Thornton in Craden Thurmanhalle with the moity of the Mannor of Cliffe in Com. Ebor. in right of Margaret his Wife of whose Inheritance they were Upon whose death his Brother William representing to the King that the Goods and Chattels of this Iohn were seised by his Officers for Debt and desiring some allowance out of them for defraying his Funeral expences in consideration of his former faithful services and now at last in regard he dyed beyond-Sea in his personal attendance upon the King in the parts of Brabant and Flanders obtained two hundred Marks for that end And the next year ensuing doing his Homage had Livery of all those Lands above-mentioned whereof he died seised in his own right saving to Margaret his Widow her reasonable Dower which was the third part of the Mannor of Wadton in Com. Norff. the third part of certain Lands in Boston and Skyrbeck in Com. Linc. the third part of the Mannor of Weston juxâ—a Otteley in Com. Ebor. with certain Lands in Bayldon in that County and the third part of the Mannor of Warsop in Com. Nott. ¶ I now come to William de Ros Son and Heir to the last William In 17 Edw. 3. his Father being lately deceased and â—e in minority Raphe Lord Nevill for the sum of a thousand and three hundred Marks had a Grant of the custody of two parts of all his Lands In which year this Raphe sent twenty men at Arms and twenty Archers beyond Sea amongst others for the King's service In 20 Edw. 3. he was in that great Expedition made by King Edward the Third for raising the Siege of Aguyllon which the Duke of Normandy had laid with an hundred thousand men The same year he was one of those Lords who led the second Brigade in that famous Battel of 〈◊〉 where the King obtained a glorious victory And being returned into England before Winter was one of the chief Commanders in the fourth Brigade of the English Army which gave Battel to the Scots at Beawre-parke near Nevills-Cross by some called the Battel of New-Castle upon Tine where David de Bruse King of Scots with many of the Nobles of that Realm were taken Prisoners And in 21 Edw. 3. went again into France with Edward Prince of Wales commonly called the Black Prince the Town of Calais being then Besieged and taken by the English So also in 23 Edw. 3. the King himself hasting thither at that time for preventing the French from regaining of Calaâ—s and the next year following upon proof of his age had Livery of his Lands in which year