whereof he was by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 31 Ian. 18 Car. 1. Created Vicount Fauconberge of Henknowle in the Bishoprick of Durham And by Barbara his Wife Daughter to Sir Henry Cholmley of Roxby in Com. Ebor. Knight and Baronet had Issue two Sons Henry and Iohn and five Daughters Margaret Married to Iohn Lord Darcie of Astâ—n Mary to Sir Edward Osburne of Kiâ—eton in Com. Ebor. Baronet Barbara to Sir Henry Slyngâ—sby of Sâ—ryâ—en in Com. Ebor. Baronet Vrsula to Sir Walter Vavâ—sor of Haselwode in Com. Ebor. Knight and Frances to Sir Thomas Ingram of Shiriff-Hoton Knight a younger Son to Sir Arthur Ingram of Temple-Newsom in Com. Ebor. Knight and departing this life in an 1652. was buried in the Parish Church of Coâ—kswould in Com. Ebor. Which Henry dying before his Father left Issue by Grace his Wife Daughter and Heir to Thomas Barton of Smiâ—â—ells in Com. Lanc. Esq four Sons Thomas now Vicount Fauconbridge Henry who died in his youth Sir Rouland Belasyse Knight of the Bath and Iohn who died young And four Daughters Grace Married to George Vicount Castleton in Ireland Frances to Sir Henry Iones of Aston in Com. Oxon. Knight Arbella to Sir William Frankland of â—hurâ—ily in Com. Ebor. Baronet and Barbara to Walter a younger Son to Sir Robert Strickland of Siâ—er in Com. Westmorl Knight Which Thomas so succeeding his Grandfather in his Honours is now Captain of the Guard of Pensioners to his Majesty King Charles the Second and Married Mildred Daughter to Nicholas Vicount Castleton ¶ The second Son to the before-specified Thomas Vicount Fauconbridge Called Iohn faithfully also adhering to the late King Charles of blessed Memory at such time as through the influence of a predominant party in the late Long Parliament great Forces were ready to march against him rais'd and brought to Notingham upon the erection of his Royal Standard there in August an 1642. a compleat Regiment of stout Foot-Souldiers with which fighting valiantly on his behalf in the Batâ—els of â—ineton and Brainâ—ford as also in the storming of Bristoll and Battel of Newberie he was in consideration thereof advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Belasyse of Worlaby in Com. Linc. by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 27 Ian. 20 Car. 1. He was likewise in farther consideration of his eminent services in those times made Lieutenant-General of the Counties of York Notingham Lincoln and Derby Governour of the City of York and Garrison of Newark upon â—rent as also Captain General of his Majesties Guards And by our present Sovereign King Charles the Second constituted Captain-General of his Forces in Africa and Governour of â—angier Also Lord Lieutenant of the East-Riding of Yorkshire Governour of Hull and Captain of his Guard of Gentlemen-Pensioners But making scruple at the Oath injoined by Act of Parliament in an 1672. to be taken by all such as did then or should hereafter bear any Office under his Majesty he resigned all those his Commands as followeth viz. his Government of â—angier to the Earl of Middleton His Lieutenancy of the East-Riding of Yorkshire and Government of Hull to the Duke of Monmouth his Captainship of the Pensioners to his Nephew Thomas Vicount Fauconbridge and a Regiment of Foot raised during the late Wars with the Dutch to the Earl of Northampton This Iohn Lord Belasyse Married three Wives First Iane the Dâ—ughter and Heir to Robert Butler of Woodhall in Com. Hertf. Knight by whom he had Issue one Son called Henry made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of our present Sovereign King Charles the Second and one Daughter called Mary Married to Robert Vicount Dunbar in Scotland To his second Wife he Married Anne Daughter and Coheir to Sir Robert Crane of Chilton in Com. Suff. Knight Widdow of Sir William Airmine of Osgodâ—y in Com. Linc. Baronet He lastly Married the Lady Anne Daughter to Iohn late Marquess of Winchester by whom he hath Issue three Daughters Honora Barbara and Katherine Which Sir Henry his Son and Heir Married twice First Rogersa Rogers Daughter and Cohâ—ir with her Sister Elizabeth Dutchess of Richmund and Lenox to Francis Rogers of Brianston in Com. Dors. Esq And afterwards Sâ—san Daughter and Coheir to Sir William Airmine of Osgodby in Com. Linc. Baronet by whom he had Issue Henry his only Son and departed this life in an 1668. Lord Lovelace 3 Car. 1. IN 3 Car. 1. Sir Richard Lovelace Knight Son oâ— Richard Lovelace of Hurley in Com. Berks. Esq was by Letters Patent bearing date 31 Maii 3 Car. 1. advanced to the degrâ—e and dignity of a Baron of this Râ—alm by the Title of Lord Lovelace of Hurlâ—y Which place had hâ—râ—tofore been a Religious 〈◊〉 o◠〈◊〉 Monks and a Cell to 〈◊〉 Abby Hâ— Mâ—râ—ed to his first Wife Katherine Daughter of George Hill Widdow of William Hide of Kingston L'isle in Com. Berks. Esq but by her had no Issue and to his second Wife Margaret the sole Daughter and Heir to William Dodsworth Citizen of London by whom he had Issue two Sons Iohn and Francis and two Daughters Elizabeth Married to Henry Martin of Langworth in Com. Berks. Esq Son and Heir to Sir Henry Martin Knight then Judge of the Court of Admiralty and Margaret to Sir George Stonehouse of Radley in Com. Berks. Baronet And departed this life 22 Apr. an 1634. 10 Car. 1. To whom succeeded Iohn his Son and Heir who took to Wife the Lady Anne Daughter of Thomas Earl of Cleveland and departing this life at Woodstoke Mannor in Com. Oxon. 25 Sept. an 1670. was buried at Hurley before-specified leaving Issue Iohn his only surviving Son who succeeded him in his Honour And three Daughters Anne who died Unmarried Margaret Married to Sir William Noel of Kirkby Malory in Com. Leic. Baronet and Dorothy to Henry Drax a Merchant in Barbados Son of Sir Iames Drax Knight Which Iohn took to Wife Martha one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Sir Edmund Pye of Bradenham in Com. Buck. Baronet by whom he hath had Issue one Son called Iohn who died in his Infancy and three Daughters Anne Martha and Catherine Pierpont Earl of Kingston and Marquess of Dorchester 3 Car. 1 THat the Ancestor of this long continuing and eminent Family â—obert de Pierpont being of French extraction came first into England at the time of the Norman Conquest is clear enough For by the general Survey taken shortly after it is evident that he was then possess'd of the Lordships of Henestede and â—retham in Suffolk and that he held them of the famous William Earl Warren one of the chiefest of thâ—se Nobles that accompanied the Victorious Norman Duke in his signal Expedition hither And though none of the Descendents of this Robert did arrive to the dignity of Peerage till of late years yet were they persons of great note throughout all succeeding
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
Earldom of â—ichmund as also to Thomas Amaedius and Lewes his Brothers the Honors of Egle and Hastings ¶ Having now done with this Peter de Savoy I return to Iohn de Dreux Son to Peter de Dreux formerly Earl of Richmund as is before observed In 45 Hen. 3. this Iohn his Father being then alive obtained from the King a gift of Twelve thousand pounds sterling for the extent and value of the Earldom of Richmund and besides that Two hundred marks as a free gift the King then Covenanting with him That if the value thereof should upon this extent be found more then to give a farther allowance proportionable to the surplusage In 46 Hen. 3. Prince Edward releasing and quit-claiming to the King all his Interest to the Honor and Rape of Hastings in Com. Suss. The King thereupon granted the said Honor Castle and Rape to this Iohn in lieu of the Lands belonging to the Honor of Richmund which Lands Peter de Savoy passed to the King in exchange for the Honor of Hastings After which viz. in 50 Hen. 3. this Iohn had Livery of the said Earldom of Richmund from Guischard de Charrun a servant to the same Peter de Savoy who was authorised thereunto as it seems And having thus obtained Peter de Savoys title the King by his Letters Patents bearing date at Woodstoke 6 Iuly 52 Hen. 3. granted unto him by the name of Iohn Duke of Britanny Son to Peter late Duke of Britanny the Earldom of Richmund which his Ancestors had formerly enjoyed as the Record expresseth to hold to himself and his heirs of the said King and his heirs as his proper Inheritance And within few days after viz. 20 Iuly the same year by his Charter dated at Norâ—thampâ—on granted unto him the Castle and Honor of Richmund in Fee In consideration whereof he quit-claimed to that King all his right and title to the Earldom of Agenoâ—s in France Being thus possessed of the Earldom of Richmund he did thereupon ratifie all the Grants which had been made by his Ancestors to the Monks of Iervaulâ— Abbey in Com. Ebor. And in 53 Hen. 3. obtained License to go into the Holy Land for his support in which journey he likewise obtained leave to Demise certain Lands parcel of the Honor of Richmund for some time to the end he might borrow Two thousand marks thereon as also this farther favor viz. that in case he should die before his return his Executors if his heir should be under age and consequently in Ward to the King might retain those Lands until that debt of Two thousand marks should be clearly discharged In this 53 year of King Henry the Third's Reign he obtained a Grant from the King of the Honor and Rape of Hastings with the custody of the Castle and Knights Fees and the next ensuing year accompanied Prince Edward into the Holy Land In 2 Edw. 1. he procured the Kings Letters mandatory to all the Tenants of the before-specified Honor and Rape of Hastings to do him homage And having buried Beatrix his Wife Daughter to King Henry the Third in the Gray Friers Church in London in An. 1275. 3 Edw. 1. he Covenanted with the Canons of Eglestone in Com. Pal. Dunelm that they and their Successors should find Six of their Covent to celebrate Divine Service in the Castle of Richmund for ever The first of them to sing Mass for the instant day or Festival or of the Holy Ghost with Note the second of the Blessed Virgin with Note the third for the Soul of the before specified Beatrix his Wife and after his death for both their Souls as also for the Souls of all the faithful deceased The Fourth and fifth of the Blessed Virgin without Note and the Sixth for the Soul of the said Beatrix till his own death and afterwards for both their Souls and the Souls of all the Faithful deceased Which Canons to be perpetually Resident in the said Castle of Richmund the number of Thirteen in their Covent at Eglestone not lessened And for their support therein gave unto them his Capital Messuage at Multon with all his Demesn Laâ—ds there as also eight Ox-gangs of Land in that Lordship and Four and twenty Loads of Turff with Twenty Cart Loads of Heath to be yearly taken in the Moor of Boghes Moreover for their Lodgings he appointed them a certain place within his Castle of â—â—chmund near to the Great Chappel Provided that in time of War they should perform these Services at Eglâ—stoâ—e unless by special appointment of the Lord of the Honor of â—ichmund or his Bailiff In 5 Edw. 1. he obtained a Grant of all the Liberties in Com. Essex Hertf. Norâ—â— Suff. Cantabr Hunt Linc. and Nott. belonging to the Honor of Richmund and died in 13 Ed. 1. leaving Arthur his Son and heir Twenty one years of age To which Arthur succeeded Iohn his Brother and Heir who in An. 1293. 21 Edw. 1. was General of King Edward's Army theâ— sent into Gascoigne And the next year following being the Kings Lieutenant in 〈◊〉 was joyned in Commission with the Seneschal of Aquitane and some others to conclude a League of Amity with the King of 〈◊〉 and thereupon went accordingly In 24 Edw. 1. upon a skirmish with the French near â—urdeaâ—x the French flying into the City This Iohn with Peter de Mauley and Alan de Zouche following them too far were taken prisoners and in 27 Edw. 1. in consideration of his good and laudable Services obtained a Grant from the King of a thousand pounds per annum to be received out of the Exchequer until better provision should be made for him in which Grant King Edward calls him His beloved Nephew In 28 Edw. 1. being with the King in his Scotish Wars he had Scutage of all his Tenants by Military Service Moreover in 33 Edw. 1. he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant in Scotland and continued there for the space of the two next ensuing years In 34 Edw. 1. having obtained from King Edward a Grant of the Earldom of Britaâ—â—y he had Summons to the Parliament held at Carlisâ—e the same year In 1 Edw. 2. he was again constituted the Kings Lieutenant in Scotland and in 2 Edw. 2. continued in that Realm In 13 Edw. 2. the Scots advancing into England as far as York at which time they burnt the Suburbs of that City and made great spoil in many other places being taken prisoner by them in that fight upon Blackmâ—ore near Byland Abbey he was afterwards ransomed for a great sum of Money Towards the payment whereof the King required a Subsidy in his Parliament held at London in 17 Edw. 2. but could not obtain it So that by Letters
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
reveal this left the credit thereof should suffer through the emulation of Vnbelievers whereunto he obeyed But to the end that the truth of this Miracle might not be concealed from posâ—â—rity wrote the particulars thereof in a Schedule and delivered it to a Monk of Worcester with command That it should be put into a Shrine and not opened until after the death of himself and the King This good Earl Leofric took to Wife Godiva a most beautiful and devout Lady Sister to one Thorold Sheriff of Lincolnshire in those days and Founder of Spaâ—ding Abbey as also of the stock and lineage of Thorold Sheriff of that County in the time of Kenulph King of Mercia which Countess Godeva bearing an extraordinary affection to the City of Coventry often and carnestly besought her Husband that for the love of God and the Blessed Virgin he would free it from that griâ—vous servitude whereunto it was subject But he râ—buking her for importuning him in a matter so inconsistent with his profit forbad her to move any more therein Nevertheless she out of her Womanish pertinacy continued to sollicite him insomuch that he told her if she would ride on Horsback naked from the one end of the Town to the other in the sight of all the people her request should be granted whereunto she returned But will you give me leave so to do And he replying Yes The noble Lady upon an appointed day got on Horsback naked with her Hair loose so that it covered all her body but the Legs And thus performing the journey returned with joy to her Husband who thereupon granted to the Inhabitants of that City a Charter of Freedom from Servitude Evil Customs and Exactions A servitute Malis Custumis 〈◊〉 saith Iorvallensis Which Immunity I rather conceive to have been a kind of Manumission from some such servile Tenure whereby they then held what they had under this great Earl than meerly a Freedom from all manner of Tâ—ll except Horses as H. Knighton affirms and as the vulgar Tradition is in memory whereof the Picture of him and his Lady were set up in a South Window of Trinity Church in that City about King Kichard the Seconds time in his right hand holding a Charter with these words written thereon I Luriche for the love of thee Do make Coventrey Toll free This excellent Lady Godâ—va was cheifly instrumental in the Foundation of that Monastery at â—oventrey so performed by Earl Leâ—fric her Husband as hath been observed for Ingulphus saith that it was Instigante 〈…〉 At the instance of his Wife And her self so 〈◊〉 thereto that she gave her own whole Treasure and sent for skilful Goldsmiths who with all the Gold and Silver she had made Crosses Images of Saints and other curious 〈◊〉 which she devoutly disposed thereto Nor did her zeal to Gods Service terminate here For besides this she Founded the Monastery of Sâ—ow near Lincoln dedicating it to the Blessed Virgin and endowed it with the Lordships of Newark Flatburgh and Martinewelle giving possession of them by a fair Jewel and rich Bracelets curiously wrought as her Charter imports whereunto were witnesses King Edward the Confessor himself Aldred Archbishop of York Wlfwi Bishop of Dorchester Earl Leofrick her Husband with divers more great Earls and others The death of this Noble Leofric was at his Mannor of Bromseage in Com ... upon the second Kalends of September in the year 1057. 13 Edw. Conf. and his Sepulture in that Monastery at Coventrey of his own Foundation unto which he bequeathed his Body to be buried giving therewith a great quantity of Gold and Silver Of his Lands I find no other mentioned in the Conquerors Survey than these only viz. Aâ—tone Nunetune and Witechesâ—aw in Com. Saloâ— Nor of the Noble Lady Godeva his Wife then these Newerch Normantone Estoches and certain Lands in Fladburg in Nottinghamshire Brotune in Worcestershire Brantestone Penne and Molesley in Staffordshire Nortone Bildestone and Appleby in Leicestershire Aâ—lespede Aderstone Ardâ—eshille Hansley Chinesbery Anesty Fochewell and Coventrey in Warwickshire To him succeeded in this Earldom his eldest Son Algar of whom I may not omit what is memorable whilst his Father Earl Leofric was alive In An. 1053. 10 Edw. Conf. Harold Son to Earl Godwyne coming to enjoy the Earldom of the West Saxons upon his Fathers death quitted his interest in the Earldom of the East Saxons to this Algar Moreover about two years after this Algar was upon deliberation had in a great Council held at London banished by King Edward for what particular cause is not said but for Treason in general Whereupon he wafted over into Ireland and soon after returning with Eighteen Ships as a Pirate incited Griffin Prince of Wales to take part with him Whereunto Griffin consenting they invaded Herefordshire with a Rebellious Army slew and routed all those Forces which Ralph Earl of Hereford had raised to oppose them and having so done marched to Hereford where by Fire and Sword they did no little mischeif Of which the King having notice he presently sent Hardd Earl of the West Saxons against them with a great power but by mediation of such as interposed all being quieted Algar was admitted to the Kings presence and had his Earldom seised on for this his Rebellion restored to him again After this about two years Earl Leofric his Father departing the World he succeeded in this Earldom howbeit the next ensuing year being banished again he lost it but by the help of Griffin Prince of Wales and the Norway Fleet which came to him unexpectedly he reobtained it and within a Twelve Moneth after departing this life was buried in the Monastery at Coventrey near to the Grave of his Father leaving Issue but by whom I have not seen two Sons Edwyne who succeeded him in this his Earldom as also Morkar Earl of Northumberland of whom I have spoke elswhere and two Daughters Algitha Wife of Harold Earl of the West Saxons and afterwards King of England and Lucia who was at length sole Heir to her two Brothers first Married to Ivo Talbois a potent Norman Earl of Anâ—ou secondly to Rogere de Romare Son of Gerold and thirdly to Ranulf Earl of Chester the first of that name Of the Lands which this Earl Algar did possess in King Edward the Confessors days these are Recorded in the Conquerors Survey viz. Clive Wiclei Boctone and Ferendone in Northamptonshire Brotone in Nottinghamshire Celdeford Phincingefeld Westrefeld Phenstade Badwen Donmanna and Glestingethorp in Essex Merlaw in Buckinghamshire Grantesdene in Huntingdonshire Alrewas Scandone Certeley Wlstanstone Pinchetel Rowcestre Crachemers Wotocheâ—hed Bertone Lee Rugely Medeveld Mera Chenet Eleford Chenevare Patingham Clistone Drayton Opewas Herulvestone Claverlege Nordlege Alvidelege Wrfeld Seglesley and Penne in Staffordshire Lidlintone Mordune Scelgy Melleburne Evresdone and Badburgham in
so termed as a witness to the Charter of King Edward the Confessor made to the Canons of Waltham in Esseâ— And by the Conquerors Survey is Recorded to have been possessed of these following Towns and Lordships in King Edward the Confessors days viz. Come in Somersetshire Essedene Meletune Ledesdune Borham Pecheham Fredeneste Essedes and Sudtone and Colinge in Kent Ellede in Sussex Baverdone Pinnoch Chenemetone Witeford and Langford in Com. Devon Puteham in Hartfordshire Haltone Dileherst Dodintone and Lechamstede in Buckinghamshire and of Gatone and Codintone in Surrey Others say that he had seven Sons and thus ranked in Seniority viz. Suane Tosti Harold Gurth Elfgare Leofwyne and Wolnoth of all which excepting Elfgare I have already spoke which Elfgare was a Monk at Remes in France The name of this Earl Godwynes Daughter was Eadgith who became Wife to King Edward the Confessor of whom Ingulphus who lived in her time gives a singular Character for her admirable Beauty Humility Sanctity and Learning Adding That when he was a School-Boy and came to Court to see his Father she often meeting him would pose him in his learning and descending from the solidity of Grammar unto the levity of Logick wherein she was excellent would conclude him with the subtilty of her Arguments and frequently send him three or four pieces of Money by a Maid to satisfie for his Diet. Yet so highly was the King incensed against Earl Godwyne her Father that notwithstanding she was so excellently qualified he put her away from him and placed her in the Abbey of Werewell but the next ensuing year he received her again and restored her to her former Dignity Of the before specified Gytha second Wife to Earl Godwyne before mentioned I find that she was possessed of these following Lordships viz. Hertinges Traitone Mâ—râ—done Mundreham Westmestan and Odemanscote in Sussex Cerdenord in Berks Otringtone in Devon as also of Edestoche and Stoches in the County of Buck And that after the death of King Harold her Son she privately fled into France carrying great riches with her but never returned for fear of King William the Conqueror And now to close up my story of this great Earl take here this sharp Character of his from an old Historian Erat inter potentes Angliae omnium potentissimus vir magnarum opum sed astutiae singularis Regum Regnique proditor qui doctus fallere quaelibet dissimulare consuetus facile populum ad cujuslibet factionis inclinabat assensum Amongst the great Men of England he was the most potent of all a Person of great wealth but of especial craft a betrayer of Kings and the Kingdom who being skilful to deceive and accustomed to dissemble every thing could easily seduce the people to joyn with any Faction But to leave the best savor of him I will not omit his Works of Piety to the Cathedral of Canterbury viz. The Towns and Lordships of Stistede and Cogshall in Essex as also of Chich which he had of the gift of King Canutus and bestowed in pure Alms upon the Monks there serving God One thing more viz. a notable passage betwixt Alfwald the last Bishop of â—hâ—reburne and this Earl I cannot well omit This Alfwald was a very devout Man and so much mortified that when others did profusely feast as it was then the usage to do here in England after the coming in of the Danes he would take no other sustenance but Bread and Water A Person he was most highly devoted to the Blessed Virgin and S. Cuthbert of whom it is farther observable That after his death no one could sleep sitting in his Chair but he was terrified with ugly Visions But that of him which relates to this Earl is this That upon some discontent betwixt him and Godwyne and the same not appeased upon a meeting which was appointed for that purpose the Bishop upon his departure saying By S. Mary it shall go evil with him it fell out accordingly the Earl being thenceforth never free from the torture of his Guts until he received this Bishops Benediction Earls of Surrey OF this County Wada was Earl in An. 854. and joyning with Ealbere Earl of Kent in a sharp fight against the Danes in the Isle of Thanet there lost his life Earls of Southampton IN the year 860. Osric was Earl of this Shire King Ethelbyrht then Reigning at which time the Danes having invaded the Land and destroyed the City of Winchester he with the help of Ethelwlf Earl of Berkshire giving them Battle slew and dissipated their whole Army After this scil in the time of King Edgar Aelfegus was Earl of whom there is no other mention than of his death in An. 981. In the time of Canutus Alfelme was also Earl whose Daughter Ailiva was Wife to that King and Mother to Harold his Son and Successor in this Realm Earls of Berrocshire IN the year of Christ 860. Ethelwlf was Earl of this County and upon an Invasion then made by the Pagan-Danes who destroyed the City of Winchester raised the Berkeshire men and joyning with Osric Earl of Hantshire flew and routed all their Forces Ethelbyâ—ht being then King of the Weâ—t Saxons This 〈◊〉 is also sometimes called Eadulf In the year 871. the Danes quitting Norfolk and those parts advanced with their Army unto 〈◊〉 in this County whence two Danish Earls went out with a great power to Forage the Countrey the rest fortifying themselves in the mean while betwixt the Rivers of â—hames and Kâ—nnet But this valiant Eadulfe with his Forces encountring them at Englefeild which is not far from Reading Westwards flew one of those Earls and the greatest part of that their Army putting the rest to flight but within a few days after in another fight with them at Reading he lost his life The next Earl was Suane Son to Godwyne Earl of Kent of whom I have spoke elswhere he being Earl of more Counties Earls of Essex ¶ OF this County the first Earl that I have met with is Brithulfe so constituted by King Aelfred in the year of Christ 897. for defence of the same against the irruptions of the Danes but of him I find no more mention ¶ The next is Brithnoth who being witness to a Charter made by King Ethelred to the Abbey of Tavestock in Devon is there termed Dux In the year of Christ 991. this valiant Earl marching against the Danes who then had invaded the Coast of Suffolk and plundred Ipswich gave to Christ Church in Canterbury these Lordships viz. â—â—â—inges and Ilâ—ege and after the death of Elflede his Wife Heâ—â—ege And encountring those Pagans in open Battle at Maidon in Essex where great slaughter was on both sides the Danes being Victors
a Castle in those places or within those Precincts each to assist other for the demolishing it And for the better observance of this Accord they engaged themselves each to other by Oath in the presence of the Bishop of Lincoâ—n That if either of them should recede therefrom and not make satisfaction within fifteen days upon request that the Bishops of Lincoln and Chester should do justice upon them as Faith-breakers Moreover it appears that this Earl granted unto Robert Earl of Leicester and his Heirs the Lordship of Cerneley and all the Woods adjacent thereto adjoyning to his Forest of Leicester as well those of his Fee as his own proper Woods excepting his Park at Barow to hold and enjoy the same as Forest in as ample manner as he held the Forest of Leicester of the King So also whatsoever he had in the City of Leicester both in Demesn and of his Fee And as the Earl of Leicester and he did thus capitulate as hath been observed so most certain it is that King Stephen himself at length came to a good accord with him and received him into no little favor and trust for by his special Charter it appears that he bestowed on him the Castle and City of Lincoln to enjoy until he should be restored to his Lands in Normandy and Castles there And thereupon gave him leave to fortifie one of the Towers in Lincoln Castle and to have the command thereof until he should deliver unto him the Castle of Tikhill in Yorkshire Which being done then the King to have the City and Castle of Lincoln again excepting the Earls own Tower which his Mother had fortified as also the Constableship of that Castle and of the whole County which belonged to him by Hereditary right as are the words of the Charter Moreover besides all this the King then granted to him the Castle of Belvoir with the whole Barony thereto belonging and all the Land of William de Albini Lord of Belvoir of whomsoever he held it and likewise Graham with the Soke And though the Heirs of Graham should come to an Agreement with the King yet the Barony to remain to this Earl the King giving them exchange for it By this Charter also the King granted to him and his Heirs Newcastle in Staffordshire with all the Appurtenances the Soke of Roeley in Leicestershire Torkesey in Lincolnshire the Town of Derby with the Appurtenances Mansfield in Com. Nott. with the Appurtenances Stonely in Warwickshire with the Appurtenances the Wapentake of Oswarbeck in Nottinghamshire and all the Lands of Roger de Busly with the whole Honor of Blithe as it is set forth Likewise all the Lands of Roger de Poictou from Northampton to Scotland excepting that which belongeth to Roger de Montebegon in Lincolnshire Likewise all the Lands betwixt the Rivers of Ribble and Merse in Lancashire and the Land which he had in Demesne in the Mannor of Grimesby in Com. Linc. As also the Lands which the Earl of Glocester had in Demesne within that Mannor of Grimesby And lastly for the special respect that the King bore unto him he not only restored to Adelais de Condie all her Lands viz. Hornecastre in Lincolnshire when the Castle should be demolished but all his own other Lands Yet notwithstanding all hath been said this Earl was so real an honorer of Henry Duke of Normandy that he often adventured his life and fortune on his behalf And that the said Duke did highly esteem of him this memorable Charter which he Sealed at the Devizes in Wiltshire will abundantly manifest whereby heâ—granted unto him all his Inheritance in Normandy and England as freely as any of his Ancestors held the same viz. The Castles of Uire and Barbifleet with such Liberty that through the whole Precinct thereof he might take his forfeits as also the Wood of Fosses and Alebec and that for which â—e was Sheriff of Abrincis and in S. James whereof he had made him Earl Likewise whatsoever he had in Abrinchem he thereby gave unto him excepting the Bishoprick and the Abbacy of Mount S. Michael and what belonged unto them Moreover all the Honor id est the Barony of Earl Roger de Poictou wheresoever it lay and all the Honor of Blithe wheresoever in England As also the whole Honor of Eye which Robert Malet his Mothers Vncle did ever enjoy Furthermore he gave him Stafford and the whole County of Stafford and whatsoever he had of Inheritance there except the Fees of the Bishop of Chester of Earl Robert de Ferrers of Hugh de Mortimer and of Gervase Paganell and excepting also his Forest of Canoâ— which he retained in his own hand Likewise he gave unto him the Fee of Alan de Lincolne his Mothers Vncle and the Fee of Ernise de Burun as his own Inheritance and the Fees of Hugh de Scotiney Robert de Chalz Raphe Fitz-Oats Norman de Verdun and Robert de Staford wheresoever any of them lay Besides all these he gave to him and his Heirs Thirty pound Lands in Grimesby as also Nottingham Castle with the Borough and whatsoever he had in Nottingham And all the Fee of William Peverell wheresoever it lay excepting Higham unless he could acquit himself of his wickedness and treason by a fair tryal in Court Moreover if Ingelram de Albemarle would not take his part nor Earl Simon he gave Higham to this Earl Ranulph in case he would accept thereof as also Torchesey and Oswardebeck Wapentake Derby with all its Appurtenances Mansfield with the Soke Roeley with the Soke and Stanley near Coventrey with the Soke promising him farther that so soon as he should be in power he should have a tryal for Belvoir Besides all this he gave unto Six of his Barons whom he should chuse One hundred pound Land per annum to each viz Of that which should happen to be gained from his enemies And to all their Parents that Inheritance which was in his power and what was not at present he promised to do them right in whensoever he should be able Vnto which Charter these were Witnesses viz. William the Chancellor Reginald Earl of Cornwall Roger Earl of Hereford Patrick Earl of Salisbury Umfrey de Buhun Sewer ... Fitz-Gilbert Richard de Humet Constable Warin Fitz-Gerold Robert de Curcey Sewer Manasser Bisseâ— Sewer Philip de Columbers And on thâ— part of Earl Ranulph William Earl of Lincolne Hugh Wac G. Castell de Fines Simon Fitz-William Thurstan de Montfert Geffrey de Costentine William de Verdun Richard Boteler Roger Wac and Simon Fitz-Osbert This Earl gave to William Earl of Lincoln his Brother by the Mother the Lordship of Watteley to hold by the Service of two Knights Fees Having now done with his Secular Actions I come lastly to his Works of Piety which were great and many He was the devout Founder of a Monastery for Cistercian Monks in a place called Radmore
year following was joyned in Commission with P. Bishop of Winchester William Earl of Arundel and Hubart de Burgo Justice of England to treat with R. Earl of Clare and some other of the Rebellious Barons for a peaceable composure betwixt the King and them which Treaty was to be in the Church of Erehey i. e. Erith In 17 Ioh. the King granted to him the Mannor of Offinton in Lincolnshire part of the Possessions of William de Albini of Belvoir then in Arms for the better support of his Castle at Stanford But afterwards he fell off and adhered to the Rebellious Barons Howbeit when the King met them at Runnimede he was one who most inclined to him and by whose advice Magna Charta was granted Yet he soon after submitted to the Five and twenty Barons whom they that had been in Arms against the King made choice of to do what they should deem best in case the King should recede from the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest which he had sealed at Runnimede And likewise a Witness to that Charter which the King passed in the New Temple at London unto the Archbishop of Canterbury and others for confirmation of the Rights of the Church and Clergy of England And the year following when Lewes Son to the King of France being called in by the Rebellious Barons landed in England was one of those who at his Summons came and did fealty to him concluding That he would obtain the Crown The King therefore discerning his fidelity thus doubtful sent his Precept to him to deliver up his Castle at Pevensey unto Matthew Fitz-Herbert with command to demolish it But the death of that King hapning the same year altered the Scene for divers of the great Men standing stoutly to young Henry his Son Crowned him King So that Lewes at length seeing how things framed was content to quit the Realm whereupon this our Earl came in and swore fealty to King Henry In 9 Hen. 3. it being resolved at the earnest importunity of the Nobility that Falcasâ—us de Breant a Foreigner a person who had been instrumental in divers oppressions both in King Iohns time and since should be perpetually banished This Earl William had command to conduct him safe to the Sea Coast and then to leave him to the Winds which he did accordingly in the Moneth of March. In An. 1227. 11 Hen. 3. upon that great difference betwixt the King and Richard Earl of Cornwal his Brother concerning a certain Mannor belonging to that Earldom and which the King had given away whilest Richard was beyond Sea unto Walerand Teutonic a Fleming he was one of those who on the behalf of Earl Richard met at Stanford with a great power and sent a Minatory Message to the King not only to require restitution thereof to his Brother but to restore unto them that Charter which he had lately cancelled at Oxford concerning the Liberties of the Forest. In An. 1232. 17 Hen. 3. upon that high crime laid to the charge of Hubert de Burgh sometime Justice of England that he had accumulated much Treasure and left it in the custody of the Templers to keep which being found true some would have had him put to death This Earl William was one of those who undertook for his forth coming and sent him thereupon to the Castle of Devises to be there secured At the solemn Nuptials of King Henry the Third with Alianor his Queen Daughter to Reymund Earl of Province at which time the King and Queen rode in extraordinary state through the City of London and the sumptuous Feast at that time made This Earl served the King of his Royal Cup in the Earl of Arundels stead who being in minority could not perform that Office in regard he was not then girt with the Sword of Knighthood That this Earldom was very great doth appear by the Knights Fees it held of the King about this time being no less than Sixty two in the Rape of Lewes besides Thirty and an half in the Rape of Pevenesel of the Fee of Gilbert de Aquilâ In An. 1237. 21 H. 3. the King then exacting a Thirtieth part of all his Subjects movable Goods as a compensation for confirming the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest did accept of three great Peers for his Council whereof this our Earl was the cheif whom he caused to swear that they would not for any respect whatsoever give any other than good and wholesome advice Who was also one of the four in whose hands that great Tax was then deposited to the intent it might be imployed to the sole benefit of the King and Kingdom when need should require In An. 1238. 22 Hen. 3. upon that notable discord which hapned at Oxâ—ord betwixt Otto the Popes Legate and the Scholars of that University the King sent this Earl with a power of Soldiers to appease the same who apprehended divers Italians and Scholars that had committed foul outrages there at that time and carried them prisoners to the Castle of Wasâ—â—ingford This great Earl had the Sheriffalty of Surrey from the Fifth to the Tenth of King Henry the Thirds Reign inclusive and married two Wives the first Maud Daughter to ... Earl of Arundel who died without issue and lieth buried in the Chapter-House at Lewes The second likewise called Maud Widow of Hugh Bigod Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England eldest Sister and one of the Coheirs of Anselme Mareschal Earl of Pembroke and falling sick at London did there depart this life upon the Sixth Calends of Iune An. 1240. 24 Hen. 3. and was buried in the midst of the Quire in the Abbey of Lewes before the High Altar leaving issue by Maud his last Wife Iohn his Son and Successor and Isabel a Daughter Wife to Hugh de Albini Earl of Arundel for whose Marriage he gave Three hundred marks fine in 17 H. 3. Which Maud surviving him had the custody of the Castle of Cuniburg committed to her in 26 Hen. 3. and in 30 Hen. 3. received Livery by the King himself of the Marshals Rod being the eldest who by Inheritance ought to enjoy that great Office by Descent from Walter Mareschal sometime Earl of Pembroke Whereupon the Lord Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer had command to cause her to have all Rights thereto belonging and to admit of such a Deputy to sit in the Eâ—chequer for her as she should assign This Maud had also the custody of Strigoâ—â— Castle till her death which hapned in 32 Hen. 3. ¶ I come now to Iohn Son to the last William This Earl in An. 1247. 31 Hen. 3. being then but young
procured a Grant of five Bucks and ten Does to be taken out of the Kings Forests in Northumberland to store his Park at Alnwike and that he paid to the King upon collection of the Aid for marrying his Daughter Twelve pounds for his Twelve Knights Fees in Northumberland But surviving Isabel he married Agnes one of the Daughters of William de Ferrers Earl of Dervy And in 32 Hen. 3. upon Partition of those Lands in 〈◊〉 which did belong to William Mareschal Earl of Pembroke he had in right of the same Agnes an assignation of the Purparty belonging to her And departed this life in 37 Hen. 3. seised of these following Lordships whereof his Barony in Northumberland did consist viz. â—uncwike Aunemuwe Denwy Haverhall Bilton Leteâ—yr Scippling-Bothil Newton on the More Heysandan Gynis Ruggeley â—orewic Chivington del East Great Houton Little Houton Howyc Remmington Rock Charleton del North Charleton del South Falwedon Burneton-Batail Newton on the Sea Preston Tughal Swinton Newham-Eumin Lukrey with â—opum a member thereof Hetheriston Spinlistan Bodhill Ewrth Dodington with Nesebit also a member thereof Horton-Turbervil Hesilrig Leum Chattan Feleber Wetwod Cald-Merton Yherdhill Angerham with Reveley Hertetheved with its members scil Randon-Batail Prendewic Alneham Chirmundesden Bidlesden Clenhill Nedderton Burweton Alwehton Heton Ambhell Gharberton Thimum Srevenwood Havckislaw Chevelington and Hibâ—urne Whereupon his Castle of Alnwike was committed to Peter de Savoy Agnes his Widow having for her Dowry an assignation of the Lordships of Malton and Langton in Com. Ebor. and Tughale in Com. Northumb. To this William succeeded Iohn de Vesci his Son and Heir in minority at his Fathers death whose Wardship was committed to Peter de Savoy above-mentioned Of this Iohn that which I first find memorable is That he was one of the Kings cheif Commanders in his Wars of Galcofgne but afterwards scil in 47 Hen. 3. adhered to Montfort Earl of Leicester and other the Rebellious Barons then in Arms who resolved to compel the King to maintain those Ordinances made in the Parliament at Oxford so derogatory to His Royal Authority and when they had taken the King prisoner in the Battle of Lewes was summoned to the Parliament by them then held And being personally in Aâ—ms with Montfort Earl of Leicester and the rest was himself taken prisoner in that memorable Battle of Evesham where Prince Edward being victorious delivered his Father out of the hands of those insolent Rebels But after this being by vertue of that Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth admitted to composition as most other were he assumed the Cross and with divers persons of note took a pilgrimage into the Holy Land Whence being safe returned he was in 2 Edw. 1. made Governor of Scarborough Castle and married Mary Sister of Hugh de Lezinian Earl of March and Engolesme Covenanting in case she should die without any issue of her body begotten by him that he would restore unto the said Hugh Four thousand five hundred pounds Tournois For payment of Two thousand five hundred pounds whereof William de Valence became his surety Which Mary lived but a while for the next year after these Covenants were made Queen Eleanor gave unto him in marriage Isabel de Beaumont her Kinswoman Whereupon he obliged himself in case he should not have issue by her or that the issue which he should have should die without issue to pay unto the said Queen her Heirs or Assigns the sum of Five hundred and fifty pounds of Silver Which marriage being solemnised he obtained a Grant from King Edward of certain Lands in Northumberland Kent and other places whereof Eltham was part of they yearly value of Two hundred forty eight pound four shillings and eight pence In 10 Edw. 1. this Iohn was in the War of Wales and in 12 Edw. 1. procured a Charter for a weekly Market at Eltham aforesaid on the Tuesday and a Fair yearly on the Eve of the Holy Trinity and two days following This was that Sir Iohn de Vesci who returning hither from the King of Arragon brought a great number of Gascoignes to King Edward to serve him in his Welsh Wars And having given to the Monks of Râ—fâ—ord in Com. Nott. his whole Lordship of Roderham with eight Ox-gangs of Land there as also the Advowson of the moity of the Church departed this life without issue in 17 Edw. 1. leaving William his Brother and Heir at that time Forty years of Age and Isabel his Wife Sister of Henry de Beaumont surviving him Which Isabel in 25 Edw. 1. did her homage to the King for the Barony of Casal in the County of â—ife in Scotland whereunto she had title by the Quit-claim of Queen Eleanor Mother to King Edward the First and the same year attended the Dutchess of Brabant Daughter to King Edward into that Countrey In 33 Edw. 1. she obtained a Grant for her life of the Castle of Bamburgh in the case she did not marry again and in 5 Edw. 2. had the Castle of Scarborough committed to her custody Thus much touching this Isabel I now come to William Brother and Heir to the last mentioned Iohn de Vesci This William was a person in great esteem with that King for in 13 Edw. 1. he was constituted Justice of all his Forests beyond Trent and the next year after one of his Justices Itinerant touching the Pleas of the Forests Moreover the next ensuing year matching Iohn de Vesci his Son and Heir with Clementia a Kinswoman to Queen Eleanor he Covenanted to endow her at the Church door with Two hundred pounds Lands per annum lying in Newsham Sprouston and other places And because he could not be at the Wedding by reason of some special imployment in the Kings business he afterwards obliged himself if his Son should happen to die leaving her alive That he would make Livery unto her of Two hundred pound per annum out of those Mannors and Lands in the name of her Dowry Which Iohn was the same year constituted Justice of the Forests on the South of Trent But I return of William his Father In 17 Edw. 1. doing his fealty he had Livery of all the Lands which by the death of his Brother Iohn without issue descended to him and the same year was constitued Governor of Scarborough Castle The next year following doing his homage he had Livery of all those Lands in Ireland which were of the Inheritance of Agnes his Mother one of the Daughters to William de Ferrers Earl of Derby and likewise made Justice of Ireland During the time of the trust scil In 21 Edw. 1. he was in open Court in the City of Dublin in the presence of Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester and
Aegelwine Abbot of Eveâ—ham and Vrso then Sheriff of Worcestershire against Roger Earl of Hereford and Ralph Earl of Norâ—olk then in Rebellion to hinder their passing the Severn for the conjuction of their Forces This Walter de Laci had likewise many skirmishes with Fulk Fitz-Warine in one of which he was taken prisoner and put in Luâ—low Castle But after this hearing that the same Castle and Town were won by his Friend Sir Arnold de Lis he came and victualled them both and kept them as his own And when Iors of â—udlow and Fouke with his Father Warine endeavored the regaining thereof he sent to the Prince of Wales for help But farther I cannot say of him than that he gave his Lands at Deane to the Monks of S. Peters at Glocester and that being Founder of the Church of S. Peter in Hereford when the work was almost finished climing up a Ladder there he fell down and being killed with the fall 6 Kal. April An. 1084. 19 Wil. Conq. was buried in the Chapter-house at Glocester To which Church of Gtocester Emeline his Wife for the health of his Soul gave five Hides of Land in Duntesborne Leaving issue these three Sons viz. Roger Hugh and Walter and Monk in the Abbey of S. Peters at Glocester Which Roger had great possessions in this Realm through the bounty of the Conqueror viz. in Berkshire two Lordships in Shropshire twenty three whereof he held six of the King and the rest of Earl Roger de Montgomery in Glocestershire twenty in Worcestershire six and in Herefordshire sixty five besides four Carucates of Land lying within the limits of the Castle of Ewias which King William had bestowed on Walter de Laci his Father But in 2 Wil. Rusi joyning with Odo Earl of Kent and others in that Rebellion then raised on the behalf of Robert Curthose and in 5 Will. Rufi with Robert de Molbray Earl of Northumberland on the same account he was banished England and all his Lands given to his Brother Hugh After which going into Normandy he was made General of Curthoses Army and at length taking part with Robert de Belesme Earl of Sâ—rewsâ—ary of whose barbarous and cruel practises I have spoke largely in my Discourse of him did very much mischeif throughout the whole Dukedom of Normandy about the Nineteenth year of King Henry the Firsts Reign I come now to Hugh his Brother Though King William to satisfie those who had assisted him against King Harold had distributed amongst them the greatest part of this Realm nevertheless many more both Normans French and others came afterwards over expecting likewise to share in that General Conquest who finding England too little for satisfaction of their greedy Appetites obtained leave of King William Rufus to invade Waâ—es In which adventure Robert Fitz-Hamon being very prosperous by his Conquest of Morganoâ— others not doubting of the like success imitated his example Whereupon Roger Earl of Shrewsbury won 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Hugh Earl of Chester Tegeneâ— and Rowe nock Bernard Newmarch the Land of Brecknock Arnulph the younger Son of the same Earl Roger the Province of Peâ—â—râ—ke and this Hugh de Laci that of Ewâ—as Whereunto I shall add what the Learned Sir Iohn Dodd ridge Knight late one of the Justices in the Court of Kings Bench being a person of great knowledge in Antiquities hath in his description of Wales expressed viz. That all these Territories thus acquired were Baronies-Marchers and held of the Crown in capite And because they and their Posterity might the better keep the Lands so acquired and might not be drawn by Sutes of Law from the defence of those Lands so obtained by the Sword the said Lands were ordained Baronies-Marchers and had a kind of Palatine Jurisdiction erected in every of them and power to administer Justice unto the Tenants in each of their Territories having therein Courts with divers Priviledges Franchises and Immunities So that the Kings Writs were not current there unless the whole Barony had been in question Fitz. Ass. fol. 182. 18 Edw. 2. And this was the state of the Government of the Marches of Wales until 27 Hen. 8. But I return This Hugh afterwards became the first Founder of the Priory of Lanthony upon the Bank of the River â—othenay in 〈◊〉 and amply endowed it with Lands and Revenues He likewise bestowed the Church of S. Peters in Hereford Founded by his Father upon the Monks of 〈◊〉 and much inriched the Church of S. Davids Moreover to the Monks of Manmouth he gave three shillings yearly Rent issuing out of Lâ—dney for the good estate of himself Roes his Wife and Robert his Son but dying without issue left his great Inheritance to his two Sisters viz. Ermeline who had no Children and Emme who took to Husband ... by whom she had a Son named Gilbert who assuming the name of Laci begot on her a Son called Hugh Of which Gilbert all that I can say is That in those turbulent times of King Stephens Reign he took part with Geffrey Talbot his Kinsman in that design for taking the City of â—athe on the behalf of Maud the Empress and that being an expert and valiant Soldier after divers Encounters Skirmishes and Victories in the Holy Wars he at length became a Knight Templar and gave to that Order twelve Hides of Land and one Virgate in Guâ—tinges beside his Demesn there as also five Burgages in Wincheâ—câ—mb I come therefore to Hugh This Hugh upon Assessment of the Aid for marrying of the Kings Daughter certified That he held Fifty one Knights Fees and a fourth part de Veteri Feoffamento and Five and an half de Novo besides divers Lands for which no service was then established Some of his Tenants to them serving him in his house he finding them necessaries and some residing upon his Fermes in Wales where he maintained them at his own charge For all which in 14 Hen. 2. he answered Sixty marks and Forty pence In 18 Hen. 2. this Hugh adhering to the King when young Henry flew out in Rebellion was taken in the Castle of Uernoid for which respect as also for certain great services in Ireland he obtained the same year a Grant of the whole Territory of Methe in that Realm with its Appurtenances to hold to him and his Heirs by the service of Fifty Knights Fees in as ample manner as Murchard Hu Melachlin or any other before or after him enjoyed the same And likewise all the Fees which he had then acquired or should thenceforth acquire about Duâ—â—in so long as he should be his Bailiff there Moreover he did then constitute him Governor of
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
end he might be Earl of that County In 10 Ioh. this Earl was Sheriff of Essex and Hartfordshire for the one half of that year and so continued till the fifteenth of King Iohns Reign inclusive And in 14 Ioh. was one of the Nobles then reputed evil Councellors to that King but in 16 Ioh. he died without issue and was buried at Colne whereupon Robert de Vere his Brother and Heir gave a thousand marks to the King for livery of the Lands of his inheritance with the Castle of Heningham and Camenent together with the Wardship of the Heir of William Fitz-Oates to marry to his Neice This Earl Robert in 17 Ioh. being one of the cheif of those Barons who took Armes against the King was party to the Covenants at that time made betwixt the King and them whereby they were to have the City and Tower of London delivered up into their hands And stood up so stoutly with those great Rebells that he was in the number of them whom Pope Innocent the third Excommunicated for so doing But upon the death of King 〈◊〉 there being a peaceable composure betwixt King Henry the third and those losty-spirited men this Earl Robert was received into favor for in 4 Hen. 3. he beeame one of the Judges in the Kings Court of Justice as appears by a Fine then levied before him and others So Likewise in 5 H. 3. And having married Isabel the Daughter of Hugh but Sister and Heir to Walter de Bolebâ—c by whom he had issue Hugh his Son and Heir departed this life in 5 H. 3. and was buried in the Priory of Hacfeildbroad-Oâ—ke leaving Isabel his Wife surviving who in 6 Hen. 3. gave a Fine to the King of two thousand two hundred twenty eight Pounds two Shillings nine Pence Half-peny for the Wardship of her Son and heir which Fine was over and above a debt of One thousand seven hundred and eighty Pounds eleven Shillings owing by Earl Robert her Husband and after married to Henry de Nâ—vant but died upon the Morrow after the Puâ—ification of our Lady in 29 Hâ—n 3. I now come to Hugh Son and Heir to the said Earl Robert This Hugh in 15 Hen. 3. performing his Homage had Livery of all the Lands of Earl Robert his Father and in ann 1233. 17 H. 3. was solemnly Knighted at 〈◊〉 the King then solemnizing the Feast of Pentecost there Moreover in 21 Hen. 3. the King issued out his Precept to the Lord Treasurer and Chamberlains of his Exchequer to pay unto him twenty marks yearly at Easter and Miâ—haelmass by even portions for the third peny of the County of Oxford in the name of Earl of that County In 29 Hen. 3. upon the death of Isabâ—l de Bolebec his Mother giving security for payment of his Relief viz. an hundred pound and doing his Homage he had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance And in 30 Henr. 3. was one of the Barons who â—ubseribed that Letter sent to the Pope whereby they complained of his exactions upon this Realm In 32 Hen. 3. he was also in that Parliament then held wherein the King was upbraided by the Lords with his licentious expences and that his Treasurer and Chancelour were not persons of their approbation In 33 Hen. 3. he paid a thousand Marks to the King for the Wardship and Marriage of Alice the heir of Gilbert de Saâ—â—ford whom soon after that he married to Robâ—rt his Son And for the health of the Souls of himself his Wife Children and Ancestors founded the Hospital at Castle Henâ—ngham in Essex He also bestowed upon the Knights Templars his Lands in Radenache in Com. Buck. with the Church there He married Hawise the Daughter of Margaret Countess of Winton and departing this life in ann 1263. 47 Hen 3. was buried at Colne leaving Robert his Son twenty three years of age and being then seized of the Mannor of â—ensinton in Com. Midd. the Mannors of â—estreton and Whitchurch in Com. Buck. the mannor of 〈◊〉 in Com. Cantabr whereunto the Park belonging was four miles in Compass which Mannor appertained to the Barony for which he was the Kings Chamberlain and also the Mannor of Aâ—â—ton in that County appertaining likewise to that Barony Moreover of the Mannors of â—okefâ—ud and Preston in Com. Suff. Also of â—engham Castle in Com. Essex and Advowson of the Priory there with the Hamlet of 〈◊〉 and mannors of Hengham â—avetiles Benetby and Colun held likewise of the King in Capite by the service of Chamberlain together with the Advowson of the Priory of Colun Which Robert being shortly after viz. in 49 H. 3. one of the Barons in Arms against the King and made Knight in the field by Montford Earl of Leicester the cheif of them was amongst others surprized at Kenâ—lworth a little before that Battle of Evesham which proved so satal to those insolent Rebells But afterwards making his peace according to the tenor of that Decree called Diâ—â—â—um de Kenilworth he was by King Edward the first in the fourteenth year of his Reign inployed in those Warrs against the Welch And in 18 Edw. 1. obtained the Kings Charter for a Fair once every year at his Mannor of Lanham in Com. Suff. upon the Munday Tuesday and Wednesday in Easter week As to his works of Piety it appears that for the health of his Soul he gave to the Knights Hospitalars all his Royalty and services of two Knights Fees in Ashley and Silverley which Geffrey Arsick had wont to perform unto them and in 16 Edw. 1. an hundred and forty five Acres of Land and Meadow in Bilchaungre and Cakeiegh in Com. Essex to the Canons of Tremeuhale for the health of the Soul of Gilbert his Son This Earl Robert had a Daughter called Ioâ—ne married to William de Warren with whom he gave the Mannors of Midingham Tyburne Pâ—tewelle Wlfhamstone Nechamstede and Gynges with Lands in Cestresham of ten pounds per annum and died in 24 Edw. 1. leaving issue by Alice his Wife Daughter and Heir to Gilbert Lord Samford Chamberlain to Queen Elianore Robert his Son and Heir then of full age as also Hugh and Thomas his younger Sons Alfonsus his fourth Son dying in his life time Which Hugh in 21 Edw. 1. being then in the Warâ—s of France was constituted Governor of St. Cyverine having two hundred Horse and many Foot in that Garison And the next ensuing year was there also with Edmund Earl of Lancaster the Kings Brother and Blanâ—h his Wife Queen of Navarâ— Mother to the Queen of France and the Duke of Burgundy at the Ratification of the Peace made betwixt both Realms through the mediation of those Queens Moreover in 25 Edw. 1. he was sent with
Liberties in â—organnon should be forfeited but because he had married Ioane the Kings Daughter by whom he had issue and that by vertue of an Entail c. he had estate but for Term of Life therein it was resolved That they should be forfeited to the King only for Term of this Earls life and that he should be remanded to prison paying to the E. of Hereford One hundred pounds damage And on the other side it was concluded That the Liberties of the Earl of Hereford should for his offence remain in the Kings hands as forfeited for ever and the said Earl of Hereford be remanded to prison But by reason the King and his Council did not deem the Earl of Herefords offence so great as was that of this Earl and because he had married the Queens Kinswoman the King was pleased at the Queens instance that the forfeiture should only extend to his life and that his Heirs might not be disherited Howbeit after this being both of them committed to prison this Earl paid to the King a fine of One thousand marks for an attonement and the Earl of Hereford as much From which time I have not seen more of him till his death which hapned in the Castle of Monmouth 7 Id. Dec. An. 1295. 24 Ed. 1. And that he was buried in the Church of Tewksbury on the left hand of his Father leaving issue by Ioane of Acres his Wife Gilbert his Son and Heir then five years of age and three Daughters Which Ioane surviving and being in Frank-Marriage Enfeoffed of all the Lands belonging to both his Earldoms soon matched her self to a plain Esquire called Ralph de Monthermer clandestinely without the King her Fathers knowleâ—ge whom afterwards she sent to her Father to receive the honor of Knighthood But when the King understood that she had much debased her self in marrying so meanly being highly incensed he caused all her Castles and Lands to be seised on and sent her Husband Monthermer to strait imprisonment in the Castle of Bristol Nevertheless at length through the mediation of that great Prelate Anthony Beke then Bishop of Durham a reconciliation was made After which she resided at Marlborough for a time and the year following in the Parliament begun at London in the Moneth of Iuly all her Lands c. were restored to her so likewise was her Husband being afterwards beloved of the King as his own Son and had Livery of all the Lands belonging to this great Earldom to hold by the service of fifty Knights Fees in the War of Flanders Whereupon also he had the title of Earl of Glocester This Ioane of Acres gave to the Canons in the Chapel of our Lady at Caversham in Com. Oxon. for the health of her Soul and the Soul of Gilbert de Clare sometime Earl of Gloucester and Hertford her Husband a certain piece of Land within the inclosures of that Lordship for enlarging the grounds which the King her Father had given them near the same Chapel and departing this life in Ann. 1307. 1 Ed. 2. was buried in the Church of the Friers-Augustines at Clare the King her Brother and most of the Nobility of England being at her Funeral And now before I proceed with my Story of these Earles I must take leave to say something of Thomas de Clare before mentioned Brother to this last Earl Gilbert This Thomas was in such esteem with that great Rebel Montfort and those other of the Barons who had thus vanquished King Henry the third in the Battle of Lewes that in April following they made him Governor of S. Briavell's Castle in Com. Glouc. But having done such good service in order to the Kings deliverance as hath been observed he was in 50 Henr. 3. made Constable of the Castle of Colchester In 51 Hen. 3. being signed with the Cross he went into the Holy Land and in Anno 1271 55 Hen. 3. brought four Saracens into England whom he had taken Prisoners in those Holy-Wars In 1 Edward 1. he was constituted Governor of the City of London In 14 Edward 1. he joined with Richard de Burgh Earl of Ulster in that solemn compact made betwixt them two on the one part and Patric Earl of Dunbar together with his three Sons Patric Iohn and Alexander Walter Stuard Earl of Menteth Alexander and Iohn his Sons Robert Brus Lords of Anandale together with Robert Brus Earl of Carryk and Bernard de Brus his Sons Iames Stuard of Scotland and Iohn his Brother Enegusius Son of Donewald and Alexander his Son that they would thenceforth adhere to and take part with one another upon all occasions against all persons whatsoever saving their allegiance to the King of England and their fidelity to him who should gain the Kingdom of Scotland by right of Blood from King Alexander then lately deceased Which Agreement bears date at â—urnebyrâ—e in Carryk on the Eve oâ— S. Matthew the Apostle Anno 1286. 14 Edw. 1. But the year next following he died 4 Non. Septemb. Anno 1287. 15 Ed. 1. and was buried at the Gray-Friers in Liâ—eric Leaving issue a Son called Gilbert who with many other received the sacred ceremonies of Knighthood in 34 Edw. â— when Edward the Kings Son was honored with that dignity I now come to Gilbert Son to the last Earl Gilbert and Ioane of Acres Though this Gilbert was in minority at the time of his Fathers death and in Ward to the King yet he made his address to the Lords in Parliament the next ensuing year for the possession of all his Lands Rents and Franchises lying in London according to the Custom of that City alledging them to be held in Socage Whereupon it being required that the Mayor and Aldermen should come before them and certifie the truth thereof they accordingly did so and affirmed it to be the custom in case the Heir were of such age as that he knew how to manage his Estate And it being likewise found that then he was about eighteen years of age and had discretion to govern himself and what he had it was resolved by that great Councel that he should have Livery of them as also of all Advowsons of Churches within the Precincts of of that City which had been seised into the Kings hands by reason of the death of Ioane Mother of him the said Gilbert wherein she had estate for term of life So likewise of all his Socage-Lands lying in the Towns of Gloucester Sandwich and St. Edmundsbury and wheresoever else in England And as to the Mannor of Wexcombe the Town of Bodwinde and Hundred of Kinardeston in Com. Wilts the Hundred of Chadelington in Com. Oxon. the Hundreds of Rishmore Haâ—elore Craneburne and Pymperne in Com. Dorset and the Mannor of Claret in Comitat. Essex which he also
reported viz. that this Robert Fitz-Walter having a very beautifull Daughter called Maude residing at Dunmow the King frequently sollicited her chastity but never prevailing grew so enraged that he caused her to be privately poisoned and that she was buried on the South side of the Quire at Dunmow betwixt two Pillars there It is also reported that about this time the K. of France beginning to Invade the territories of the English in Normandy there were the like hostile incursions made upon his by the English and that a Truce betwixt them being ere long obtained and thereupon a Tournament held in that Realm this Rob. Fitz-Walter went thither and running at Tilt with his great Lance did at the first course overthrow his Rival both Horse and Man Likewise that both Kings being present at this Tournament King Iohn saying By Gods Tooth he deserves to be a King who hath such a Souldier of his train some freinds of this Robert stept out and told him who he was Whereupon King Iohn sending for him restored to him his Barony and gave him liberty to repair his Castles which had been so demolished as before is observed In 16 Ioh. upon Collection of the Scutage of Poâ—cton he paid an hundred twenty seven pounds for those sixty three Knights Fees and an half of his own Inheritance as also sixty pounds and one mark for the thirty Fees and a third part belonging to the Barony of Robert de Valoines his Wives Father and four pound for those two Knights Fees of Geffrey de Valoines her Uncle In 17 Ioh. he was constituted Governor of the Castle of Hertford But soon after joyning with the rebellious Lords his Lands were seized on and those in Cornwal committed to the custody of Henry the Kings Son Which seizure cemented him the firmer unto that party as it seems for I find that they soon after constituted him one of their Commissioners to treat with others for a peaceable composure of all differences and accordingly had Letters of safe conduct to come to the Church of Erithe where they were to meet for that purpose Which Treaty took such effect considering their power at that time as that the King by Covenant gave up the City of London totally into their hands and liberty to make choice of twenty five Barons by whom the whole Realm should be thenceforth governed this Robert being the cheif of those betwixt whom and the King those Covenants were thus made And to carry on their sway the surer having soon after a general Rendezvouz at S. Edmundsbury they took solemn Oaths at the high Altar there that if the King would not confirm the Laws and Liberties antiently establisht by King Edward the Confessor they would withdraw their allegiance from him and seize upon his Castles The tidings whereof being brought unto him then at Worcester celebrating the Feast of our Saviors Nativity he forthwith hasted to London lodging himself in the New-Temple Where they forthwith making their addresses to him in warlike habits boldly required a confirmation of those Laws and Liberties Being therefore in this straight he caused the Archbishop of Canterbury and some others to undertake that he would by a day prefixed give satisfaction to them all But not readily making performance of that promise they met again at Stanford in Easter week following in a warlike manner this Robert Fitz-Walter being the most active person of them all and afterwards at Brackley whence they sent the King this minatory Message viz. that if he did not by his Sealed Charter forthwith ratifie those Laws and liberties they so required they would by seizure of his Castles and all other his possessions compel him thereto Whereto the King replying that he would never yeild to such demands as should reduce him to the condition of a Servant they presently formed an Army and constituting this Robert Fitz-Walter General thereof stiled him the Marshal of the Army of God and the Church and marching forthwith to Northampton laid seige to the Castle there but wanting Engins of Battery went thence to Bedford and increasing in strength on the fifteenth of Iune ensuing met again at Runnimede near Stanes and there exacting those Charters of Liberties obtained a Confirmation of them accordingly Which being by force so gained as that the King held not himself in Conscience obliged to observe them they presently sent away some of their party into France whereof this Robert was one to sollicite King Philip to send over his Son Lewes to be Crowned King and to Reign here Upon whose landing this Robert joyned with William de Mandevil and William de Huntingfield in subjugating the Counties of Essex and Suffolk Notwithstanding all which services after the death of King Iohn when Lewes had by a long seige obtained the Garrison of Hertford he challenging the Governorship of it as his right Lewes told him that none of the English ought to be trusted therewith having been Traitors to their King yet wished him to be patient a while till the Realm was totally subdued then he would do equal justice to all But after this in Octocter following great discontents arrising from divers of the Nobles against Lewes who had possessed himself of their Estates and kept no faith with them many fell off from him so that he came to a Truce with King Henry promising forthwiâ—h to quit the Realm Whereupon this Robert Fitz-Walter who had been taken Prisoner as it seemes by the Kings party was by virtue of this Agreement with divers other set at liberty Howbeit notwithstanding this accord whereupon divers of the great men daily came in to the King and thenceforth approved themselves loyal Subjects some there were whose haughty spirits could not stoop amongst which Sayer de Quincy Earl of Winchester was not the least who then had a strong Garrison in his Castle of Mountsorrel in Leicestershire which would not submit for the releif whereof it being beseiged by the famous William Marshal then Governor of the Realm by reason of the Kings minority Quincy solliciting Lewes he moved the Londoners for their help who seldom failing to assist such pretended Patriots soon raised an army of above twenty thousand of which they constituted this Robert Fitz-Walter one of the Generals and accordingly marched thitherward whereof the Earl of Chester who lay before it having intelligence he presently raised his seige and went to Notingham which so animated the Rebells that they forthwith hasted to Lincoln and laid seige to that Castle The Royalists therefore getting what power they could from other places marched after them Which being discerned by the Rebels they sent this Robert with some others to discover their strength and soon after joyned
Battle wherein after a suddain and total rout of their whole Army fighting stoutly he was taken Prisoner But it seem he did not long continue in restraint for the next ensuing year being one of those who taking upon them the Cross went to the Holy-Land he was at the seige of Damieta After which I find no more mention of him till his death which hapning in Ann. 1234. 19 Henr. 3. he was buried before the high Altar in the Priory of Dunmow leaving Rose his second Wife then surviving who in 20 H. 3. had for her dowry an assignation of the Mannors of Hemenhale Disce and Tâ—eye as also of six Knights Fees of all which she had been by him endowed upon the day of her Nuptials and Walter his Son and Heir by Gunnora his former Wife with Christian a Daughter married to William de Mandevil Earl of Essex Which Walter in 24 Hen. 3. paid into the Exchequer a fine of three hundred Marks for livery of the Lands of his inheritance and in 30 H. 3. upon Collection of the Aid for Marrying the K. eldest Daughter sixty three pounds ten shillings for sixty three Knights Fees and an half of his own as also thirty pounds and half a mark for those thirty and a third part which he enjoyed of the Honnor of Valoines Moreover in 38 Hen. 3. he accompted one hundred twenty seven pounds for the same sixty three Knights Fees and an half upon assessment of the Aid for making the Kings eldest Son Knight In 42 Henr. 3. this Walter had summons amongst others to attend the King at Chester well appointed with Horse and Arms for restraining the incursions of the Welch and departing this life in Ann. 1258. 42 H. 3. was likewise buried in the Conventual Church of Dunmow leaving issue Robert his Son and Heir ten years of age Which Robert was made a Knight in Ann. 1274 2 Edw. 1. and in 3 Ed. 1. had Licence to pass away the inheritance of his House called Baynards-Castle within London adjoyning to the Wall of that City with all the Walls and Ditches thereto belonging as also the Turret called Montâ—itchet-Tower unto Robert Kylwardby then Archbishop of Canterbury provided that by reason of this grant nothing should be extinguished to him and his Heirs which did belong to his barony but that whatsoever relating thereto aswel in Rents landing of Vessells and other liberties and priviledges in the City of London or elsewhere without diminution which to him the said Robert or to that Barony had antiently appertained should be thenceforth reserved Whereupon that Archbishop translated the Dominican-Friers commonly called the Black-Friers then residing in Holburn towards Lincolns-Inne fields unto this place Which Liberties and Priviledges so reserved as abovesaid in regard they are memorable I have here thought sit to note viz. That the said Robert as Constable of the Castle of London for so was Baynards-Castle then called and his Heirs ought to be Banner-Bearers of that City by inheritance as belonging to that Castle and in time of Warr to serve the City in Manner following viz. To ride upon a Light-Horse with twenty Men at Arms on Horse-back their Horses covered with Cloath or Harness unto the great dore of St. Pauls Church with the Banner of his Arms carried before him and being come in that manner thither the Mayor of London together with the Sheriffs and Aldermen to issue Armed out of the Church unto the same dore on foot with his Banner in his hand having the figure of S. Paul depicted with Gold thereon but the Feet Hands and Head of Silver holding a silver Sword in his hand And as soon as he shall see the Mayor Sheriffs and Aldermen come on Foot out of the Church carrying such a Banner he is to alight from his Horse and salute him as his Companion saying Sir Mayor I am obliged to come hither to do my service which I owe to this City To whom the Mayor Sheriffs and Aldermen are to answer We give to you as our Banner-bearer by inheritance for this City this Banner of the City to bear and carry to the honor and proffit thereof to your power Whereupon the said Robert and his Heirs shall receive it into their hands and the Mayor and Sheriffs shall follow him to the dore and bring him an Horse worth twenty pounds Which Horse shall be sadled with a Saddle of his Arms and covered with Silk depicted likewise with the same Armes and they shall take twenty pounds Sterling and deliver it to the Chamberlain of the said Robert for his expences that day This being done he shall mount upon that Horse so given him by the Mayor with the Banner in his hand and being so mounted shall bid the Mayor to chuse a Marshal for the City Army Who being so chosen shall command the Mayor and Burgers of the City to assemble the Commons who shall go under this Banner of St Paul which he shall bear to Aldgate and being come thither they shall give it to whom they shall think fit And if it shall so happen that they must march out of the City then shall the said Robert make choice of two of the gravest men out of every Ward to guard the City in their absence and their consultation shall be in the Priory of the Holy Trinity near Aldgate And before what Town or Castle this City Army shall come and continue the Seige for one whole year this Robert shall receive from the Commonalty of the City an hundred shillings for his pains and no more These were his Rights and priviledges in the City of London in the time of Warr. And in the time of Peace these following viz. ¶ That the said Robert should have a Soke id est a Jurisdiction in the same City extending from the Canonry of St. Pauls along the Street before Paul's Brewhouse unto the Thames and thence to the side of the Mill which is in the Water that comes down from Fleet-Bridge and thence up by London-Wall all about the Black-Friers unto Ludgate and so back to the House of the said Friers to the corner of the Wall of the same Canonry of Pauls id est all S. Andrews parish which was the gift of his Ancestors for that Royalty And to this Jurisdiction he shall have these following particulars viz. a Soke-man whomsoever he please of that Jurisdiction or Ward And if any of that Ward be impleaded in the Guild-Hall touching any thing whatsoever which relateth not to the body of the Mayor or Sheriffs the Soke man may demand a Court and the Mayor and Citizens must grant it and to have judgement there as in the Guild-Hall viz. that if any Theif be taken within this Jurisdiction he shall have his restraint and imprisonment within the Soke and thither shall be taken as to the Guildhall before the Major and there
precept to be at Bristol on the Octaves of the same Feast in like sort accoutred In consideration of which services the King at the request of the said Earl of Gloucester respited the payment of certain moneys due by him to the Exchequer untill a farther time And in 42 Hen. 3. had the like summons to be at Chester upon Munday next after the feast of S. Iohn Baptist. Moreover in 44 H. 3. he had another summons to be at Shrewsbury so provided as abovesaid upon the like accompt and in 47 Hen. 3. to attend the King at Hereford to restrain the insolencies of the Welch who had made incursions on the Marches thereabouts This is that William who wedded Isabel the Daughter of William Mauduit of Hanslape in Com. Buck. Chamberlain to the King in his Exchequer by inheritance Sister and Heir to William Mauduit Earl of Warwick Which Isabel had in Frank-marriage all her Fathers Lands in Ledecumve with proviso that if they did not amount to the value of twenty pounds per annum it should be made up elsewhere This William de Beauchamp gave to the Abby of Bordsley certain Lands in Bivinton in Com. Warr. and by his Testament bearing date at Wauberge upon the Morrow after the Epiphany Anno 1268. 53 Henr. 3. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Church of the Friers-Minors at Worcester appointing that at his Funeral a Horse compleatly Harnâ—ssed with all military Caparisons should proceed before his Corps which usage hath continued in the solemnizing of funerals for great persons till our times To a Priest to sing Mass daily in his Chapel without the City of Worcester near unto that house of Friers he gave for the health of his Soul and for the Souls of Isabel his Wife Isabel de Mortimer and all the faithful 〈◊〉 all his Rent of the Fee of 〈…〉 in Wiche and Wincâ—ester with 〈…〉 what should be too short out of his 〈…〉 per goods To Walter his Son signed with the Cross for a pilgrimage to the Holy-Land on the behalf of the Testator his Father 〈◊〉 Isabel his Mother he gave two hundred Marks 〈◊〉 Ioane his Daughter a Canopy sometime belongiâ—â— to S. Wolstan and a Book of 〈◊〉 which he id est the Testator had lent them To Isabel his Daughter a Silver Cup. To 〈◊〉 his Dâ—ughter towards her Marriage all the money 〈◊〉 to him from his Son William and forty 〈◊〉 more with the Land which he bought in 〈◊〉 to enjoy till she should be married and no longer To 〈◊〉 his Daughter an hundred marks for her Marriage portion To William his 〈…〉 Cup and Hornes of St. Hugh and to the Countess his Wife a Ring with a Ruby it 〈◊〉 To Sir 〈◊〉 De Mortimer a Ring to Sir 〈◊〉 de Suley a Ring To the Frier-Minors of Worcester forty shillings To the Friers-Minors of Gloucester one mark To the the Friers-Carmelites there one mark To the Hospital of S. Wâ—lstan at Worcester one mark To the Hospital of S. Oswald there ten shillings To the Canons of Doddeford one mark To the Church and Nunns of Cokehili and Isabel his Wife ten marks To the Church and Nunns of Westwood one mark To the Church and Nunns without Wâ—â—cester one mark To every Anchorite in Worcester and the parts adjacent four shillings To the Church of Salewarâ— in Com. Wigâ—rn a House and Garden near the Parsonage to to finde a Lamp continually burning therein to the Honor of God the Blessed â—irgin S. Katherine and S. 〈◊〉 Of which Testament he constituted these his Executors viz. William his Eldest Son Earl of Warwick Sir Roger Mortimer Sir Bartholomew de Sudley with the Abbots of Evesham and great Malverne It seemes he lived not long after for I finde that his Son and Heir viz. William de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick did his Homage in the Chapel of Bredon for the Lands he held of him 2 Non. Mâ—ii Anâ—â— 1269. Which was within four Months after the date of this Testament And now before I proceed I shall observe two things first that the Lady 〈◊〉 Wife to this last mentioned William de 〈◊〉 who by the death of her Brother William Mauduit Earl of 〈◊〉 became Heir of this great Earldom was not only Foundress of the Nunnery at Cokehill before mentioned but betooke herself to a Religious life there as may plainly be inferred from that Legacy wherein she is joyned with those Nunns And secondly that this William the Testator though his Lady was then living and that they both together survived William de Mauduit her Brother to whom she was sole Heir above a twelve Month never had the title of Earl but that William de Beauchamp their Son and Heir enjoyed that Honor whilst they lived as is evident from these two passages in the Testament of William the Father viz. Item Willielmo primogenito meo Cornua Ciphum Seâ—nt Huwe filiae meae Comitissae uxori suae unum Annulum cum lapide de Rubie And afterwards Caetera autem bona mea commisi ordinationi dispositioni dilectorum Executorum Testament mei D. Rogâ—ri de Mortuomari Willieimi primogeniti mei Comitis Warewici In the first whereof he calls his Sons Wife Countess and in the second plainly stiles him Earl Which title he not only used in that Instrument of Agreement made betwixt him and Alice the Widow of William Mauduit the last Earl in 52 Henr. 3. whereof I have elsewhere spoke but hath the same title attributed to him by the Kings precept dated 9 Martii next ensuing the Earl his Uncles death his Father and Mother being then both alive By which precept it is also evident that he was in good esteem with the King forasmuch as it thereby appears that the King pardoned his releif viz. one hundred pounds and did likewise acquit him of ninety five pounds Which summe William de Mauduit the last Earl owed to a Jew in London This this William de Beauchamp might justly bear the title of Earl by right from his Mother she being Heir-general to William Mauduit who last enjoyed that Honor considering the custom of those elder times as Mr. Selden in his Titles of Honor hath observed I shall not stand here to argue but whether he ought to have so done before his Mothers decease had it not been by the Kings special favor I make a question All therefore that I shall say thereto is to shew some probable reason why that title was attributed to him during her time which is from what I finde delivered by Leland out of an old Chronicle of the Gests of England written in French but with some Mistake The words are these The old Lord Beauchamp of Helmeley sent three or four of his Sons to the Battle of Evesham to help King Henry the third and Prince Edward against Simon Montford and the Barons whereupon the eldest had Bellomonts Heir
issue Iohn afterwards Lord Latimer who died without issue whereupon his Lands came to Ralph Earl of Westmorland his Brother by a special Feoffment the Inheritance whereof were given by that Earl to his Son George This is all that I have seen of him till his death which hapned at Newcastle upon Tine 17 Octob. 12 Rich. 2. being the Feast day of S. Luke the Evangelist and that he was buried on the Southside the Body of the Church at Durham Being then seised of the Mannor and half Hundred of Clavering in Com. Essex the Mannors of Isenhamstead Lacimer Crowley and Broughton in Com. Buck. Dylewike Wotton Kerkington Ronhale Bromham Sutton and Stratton juxta Biecleswade and Potton juxta Sutton in Com. Bedf. Wiâ—lby and Carlton juxta Rockingham in Com. Northampt. Of the Mannor of Carbroke called Woodhal in Com. Norf. Helpringham and Skekington in Com. Linc. Bolton Gamelesby and Unthank in Com. Cumbr. Bywel Styford and the Castle of Bamburgh in Com. Northumbr Danby with the Hamlets of Cromecliff Glassdale and Leâ—om the Mannors of Thornton in Pickering-Lithe Scamston Sinelington Tiverington Leverton Sheriff-Hoton Duenby two parts of the Mannor of Walton the Mannors of Risebergh Stokesley Hemelington Sutton in Galtres Well with the Advowson of the Hospital Snape Crakehall Middleham Carleton Coverdale and Thoraldby all in Com. Ebor. Twenty Knights Fees in Sharnebroke Pabenham Hinewike Thorncote Carlton Turbey Stachesden Wotton Bromham Bidenham Houghton Conquest Horcliff Chalgrave Eversholt Potsgrave Chikesand Stotfold Stondon Helew South Yevel Stanford Wardon Rerdinton Conpoll Wiliton Harewedon Wrastlingworth Caddelow Wiâ—olâ—ston Bereford Ronhale Ravensden Goldington Rish Belnhurst Eaisho Aspel and Astwike as also of divers Lands in Bâ—â—daâ—e and Scotton and four pound Rent issuing out of ten Ox-gangs in Rillington in Com. Ebor. Leaving Sir Ralph de Nevil Knight his Son and Heir then twenty four years of age Which Elizabeth second Wife to the deceased Ralph being afterwards married to Sir Robert de Willoughby Knight departed this life 5 Nov. 19 Rich. 2. leaving Iohn de Latimer her next heir then thirteen years of age At the Funeral of Mand his first Wife there were offered in the Church of Durham six Cloaths of Gold whereof several Vestments were made viz. Two for the High Altar as also one Chesible and two Tunicles But I return to Ralph In 7 Rich. 2. this Ralph was joyned in Commission with Henry Earl of Northumberland and the Lord Nevil of Raby his Father with others for receiving that twenty four thousand marks formerly mentioned in full satisfaction of the Ransome of David de Brus King of Scotland In 9 Rich. 2. he was together with Thomas Son to the Lord Clifford made Governor of the Castle and City of Carlisle and likewise a Commissioner for the Guardianship of the West Marches all this being in his Fathers life time And in 12 Rich. 2. doing his homage had Livery of his Lands Moreover the same year after his Fathers death he was joyned in Commission with the Earl of Northumberland and others in the Government of the City of Carlisle and custody of the West Marches About which time he also obtained the Kings Charter for a weekly Market every Munday at his Lordship of Middleham in Com. Ebor. As also an yearly Fair on the Feast day of S. Alkeld the Virgin and likewise leave to inclose his Woods at Raskelff adjoyning to the Forest of Galtres and to make a Park there with three Deer-leaps being then constituted Warden of all the Kings Forests beyond Trent for life In 14 Rich. 2. he was made one of the Commissioners to treat with those from the Kings of France and Scotland touching the observation of the Truce made betwixt the King of England and them And in 18 Rich. 2. was joyned in the like Commission to treat of Peace with the Scots In this year he obtained License from the King to enfeoff Iohn de Nevill his Son and Heir and Elizabeth the Daughter of Thomas Holland Earl of Kent in all his Lands at Sutton in Galtres to hold to them and the Heirs of their two Bodies lawfully begotten And in 20 Rich. 2. obtained the Castle of Warke upon Twede from Sir Iohn Mountague Knight in exchange for certain other Lands In 21 Rich. 2. 21 Dec. he was made Constable of the Tower of London Shortly after which viz. in the Parliament begun after Christmas the King advanced him to the Title of Earl of Westmorland Being of the Privy Council to that King he obtained from him the Honor of Penreth with its Appurtenances as also all those Royalties in the County of Westmorland which justly belonged to the Crown and which had been unduly withheld by the Heirs of Robert de Vipount to enjoy during his life And from Iohn of Gant Duke of Lancaster had a Grant of Fiendeleze in Richmondshire but upon the landing of Henry Duke of Lancaster at Ravenspur who had been banished in 21 Rich. 2. this Earl with other of the Nobles who feared the Kings tyranny met him and was one or those who attended him at Westminster upon the morrow after Michaelmas-day where and at which time King Richard made a formal resignation of the Government desiring that the same Henry Duke of Lancaster might succeed him therein Which Henry thereupon King by the name of Henry the Fourth in the first year of His Reign gave unto this Earl the County and Honor of Richmond for term of life constituting him likewise Earl Marshal of England Soon after which adhering firmly to that King he stoutly reâ—isted the Earl of Northumberland in his Rebellious attempts and forced him with his Army which was advanced almost as far as Durham back to Proudhoâ— whereupon Henry Hotspur Son to that Earl was routed and slain in the Battle of Shrewsbury In 2 Hen. 4. he was constituted one of the Commissioners to treat with Rupert King of Romans touching a marriage betwixt Lewes the eldest Son of Rupert and Blanch eldest Daughter to King Henry the Fourth and the same year made Governor of the Town and Castle of Carlisle as also Warden of the West Marches toward Scotland And in 3 Hen. 4. Governor of Roxborough Castle in Scotland for ten years Moreover in 6 Hen. 4. one of the Commissioners to treat with the King of Scots or such persons as he should appoint upon the twenty fourth of March at Hanâ—en-stank upon a Truce betwixt both Kingdoms In which year he obtained a Charter for Free Warren in his Lordship of Kettâ—ewel in Craven with liberty to Impark three hundred Acres of Land there And the same year upon that Insurrection of Richard Scrope Archbishop of York and Thomas Moubray Earl Marshal at Schupton-Moor near York making a seeming compliance with that Bishop he took him
Altar where the Lady Anne his first Wife lay interred and the other in the Chappel of our Blessed Lady of the Bridge in Sheffield every of them to have eight marks yearly during that time And departed this life at his Mannor of Wingfield in Com. Derb. 26 Iulii 33 Hen. 8. with this Charactar viz. That he was Vir nobilis sapiens ac in omnibus vitae partibus moderatus a Person noble prudent and moderate throughout the whole course of his life To whom succeeded Francis his Son and Heir born in Sheffield Castle Anno 1500. 16 Hen. 7. Which Francis was summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons 17 February 24 Hen. 8. his Father then living And the same year his Father died scil 33 Hen. 8. the greater Monasteries being then totally dissolved obtained from the King by exchange for the Mannor of Farnham Royal in Com. Buck. which he held by Grand Serjeanty to support the Kings Right-Arm during the time he holds the Scepter in his hand at the Coronation of the Kings of this Realm the Inheritance of the scite of the Priory of Worsop in Com. Nott. And certain Lands in Sheffield belonging to the Abby of Beaucheif in Com. Derb. As also the scite of the Priory of Kingsmead near the Town of Derby with certain Lands thereto belonging And likewise divers Lands belonging unto the dissolved Monastery of Roucester in Com. Staff In 34 Hen. 8. this Earl Francis was in that Army which then marched into Scotland by reason that the King of that Realm had entertained some of the Northern Rebels frustrated King Henry of the promised enterview and that his Subjects had invaded the Borders while a Treaty was on foot But in this expedition no great matter was performed So likewise in that of 36 Hen. 8. he then commanding the Rear of the English Army at which time they plundered Leith and made great spoil by burning and rapine in the City of Edenburgh and all the Country thereabouts The quarrel being upon pretence of a desired marriage betwixt Prince Edward and the young Queen of Scotland whereunto the Scots would not readily condiscend The same year he was also constituted the Kings Lieutenant of the North. And in 2 Edw. 6 sent again into Scotland with fifteen thousand Men against the French Almains and Scots then in Arms for the relief of Hadingâ—on at that time besieged Where after he had victualled and reinforced the Town he encamped near the Enemy but finding them not inclinable to fight though they had received great supplies returned unto his Camp and afterwards for England Moreover the same year he was constituted Justice of all the Forests beyond â—rent and in 1 Mariae made President of the Council in the North. In 1 Eliz. he was likewise made one of the Queens Privy Council as also one of the Commissioners for receiving Claims from those who were to perform certain services at the solemnity of her Coronation And in the Parliament of 2 Eliz. was the only person of the Peers besides the Viscount Mountacute who opposed the Bill for abolishing the Popes Supremacy and Reformation of Religion But upon the one and twentieth of September the same year he departed this life leaving issue by his first Wife viz. Mary Daughter to Thomas Lord Dacres of Gillesland George his only Son and Successor his younger Son Thomas dying before unmarried and one Daughter called Anne who was married to Iohn Lord Bray Which George being a young Man in the time of Queen Mary and his Father then General of the English Army against the Scots commanded under him three thousand Soldiers and relieved the Earl of Northumberland then in danger at Lovick After that he was a Colonel of five hundred Horse upon the Borders and in 11 Eliz. had the custody of the Queen of Scots committed to his charge Moreover in 15 Eliz. upon the Arraignment of the Duke of Norfolk he was for that present service made Lord High Steward of England Moreover after the death of that Duke which soon after ensued he was constituted Earl Marshal of England And in those ambiguous times so preserved himself against all outward machinations calumnies at Court and the mischievous practises of his second Wife for full fifteen years as that he thereby deserved no less honor for his â—idelity and Prudence then he did for his Fortitude and Valor as Mr. Camden hath very well observed By his Testament bearing date 24 Iunii An. 1590. 32 Eliz. this Noble Earl bequeathed his Body to be buried at Sheffield in Com. Ebor. thereby likewise appointing that the sum of two hundred pounds should be yearly imployed for ever unto the benefit of the poorest Artificers of the Town of Pontfract in Com. Ebor. for the increase of Trades and Occupations there that is to say That the Major of the said Town and his Brethren or the major part of them with the Major by the assent of the Earl of Shrewsbury for the time being shall upon Munday in Whitson week pay and lend unto every poor Artificer of the said Town so far as the said Money will extend the sum of five pounds for three years then next following putting in good and sufficient security for the repayment thereof And departing this life 18 Novemb. the same year was accordingly buried at Sheffield where in his life time he erected a Noble Monument for himself whereon is this Epitaph viz. Christo opt max. Posteritati Sacrum IN spem certam futurae resurrectionis illustris hic conditur heros Georgius Salopiae Comes sui nobilissimi generis longâ serie à Normannorum conquestu derivati nullaque unquam perfidiae labeculâ aspersi Comitum ordine sextus summus Regni Marescallus à Talbotto Furnivallo Verdun Lovetoft Extraneoque de Blackmere honoribus amplissimis dominus insuper Baro nâ—ncupatus Garteriani quoque equestris ordinis sanè praeclarissimi sodalis dignissimus Francisci comitis unicus qui supererat â—ilius successor omniumque virtutum ex asse haeres Qui quantum Pacis Bellique artibus omnibusque corporis atque animi dotibus eximiis unitis potuit id omne secundâ—m pietatem in Deum uni patriae ejusque principibus impendere solebat Vt qui Mariae Reginae temporibus in Northumbrensis Comitis succursum à patre tum superstite ac Belli duci primario cum tribus armatorum millibus ad Lowicum in Scotiam ire jussus strenuè summaque cum laude bellicam illam praefecâ—uram administrabat Parique cum laude non minori successu paulo post Berwicum hosti in occursum missus quingentorum cataphracâ—orum equitum cohortu stipatus fuit concomitantibus Barone Grayo strenuo equite Drurio aliisque militaris scientiae peritissimis Bellique principatum tum
Which William had the Mannor of Uppingham in Rutland of his Fathers gift and Robert other Lands in that County who notwithstanding his former activeness on the Barons part with his Father was afterwards received into favorwith the King Having thus finished my discourse of this Peter I shall observe that in him this family was in the Meridian of its glory which thenceforth daily faded For being the fourth in Descent from Thurstan who had been first inriched with such fair Possessions by his Kinsman the Earl of Warwicks gift as before is noted and honored with divers imployments of special trust through the favor of his Soveraign being puffed up with ambition which prompted him to a Confederacy with the Rebelliâ—us Barons of that age he became at length partaker of that deserved destruction which then befel them And that thenceforth the luster of his Descendants though no whit abridged of their ancient Patrimony in regard of that indulgent Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth which admitted them to Grace upon favorable terms began daily to diminish till in the like fourth Descent his Male-line was in a manner extinct much of the ancient Inheritance with the Castle of Beldesert their principal Seat then divolving by Females to other Families and the memory of his name preserved only in an Illegitimate Off-spring I now come to Peter his eldest Son This Peter fiding with his Father in those his Rebellious Actings before specified was with him taken prisoner at Northampton in 48 Hen. 3. being as it seems the Commander in cheif of the Forces then there met for no less saith an Author of that time Horum erat praecipuus Petrus de Monteforti junioâ— qui ad castrum confugerat sed in crastino reddidit se. But the next mention I find of him is That he was wounded and taken prisoner in the Battle of Evesham where his Father lost his life and thereupon committed to Thomas de Clare unto whom his forfeited Lands were granted and whereof he received the benefit according to the Dictum de Kenilworth But shortly after was not only admitted to grace and favor to the reinjoying his paternal Inheritance but had restitution of an Annuity of fifty five pounds per annum to be received out of the Exchequer by himself and his Heirs which had been formerly granted to his Father in lieu of certain Woods lying in the Forest of Rutland wherein he had quitted his title to that King After which resolving on a Pilgrimage to S. Iames in Gallicia he constituted Humphrey de Hasting and Richard de Wrenbull or one of them his Attorney to transact his affairs in the mean time But whether he went the same year or not I make a question viz. 56 Hen. 3. For in 3 Edw. 1. he had another License to that purpose and within a short space grew in such esteem with King Edward that being imployed in his service in those Wars then had against the Welsh in 5 Edw. 1. he obtained in the eighth of that Kings Reign a Grant unto Queen Eleanor of the marriage of Iohn his Son and Heir with power that she should dispose of him in that kind to whom she pleased And in 11 Edw. 1. attended the King in that expedition then made into Wales those parts being then totally reduced to obedience for which service he was acquitted of fifty pound debt due by him to have been paid into the Exchequer After which scil in 15 Edw. 1. he departed this life leaving issue Iohn his Son and Heir and Elizabeth a Daughter afterwards married to William the Son and Heir of Simon de Montacute for which Lady there is yet standing a very noble Monument of Marble with her Effigies cut to the life in the Chappel on the North side of the Quire at Christ Church in Oxford heretofore the Conventual Church of S. Frideswide where there was afterwards a Chantry of two Secular Priests founded to celebrate Divine Service daily for her Soul and for the Soul of the same William de Montacute as also for the Souls of Iohn Bokingham Bishop of Lincoln Sir Peter de Montfort her Father the Lady Maud her Mother and of Iohn de Montacute William de Montacute Earl of Salisbury Simon de Montacute Bishop of Ely Edward de Montacute Alice de Aubeny the Lady Mary Cogan Elizabeth Prioress of Haliwell the Lady Hawise Bavent the Lady Maud Abbess of Berking the Lady Isabel a Nun at Berking Children of him the said Sir William de Montacute and her And moreover for the Souls of Sir Thomas de Furnivall her second Husband Sir Peter de Limesey her Kinsman Simon Islip and for the Souls of all her Parents and Friends I come now to Iohn de Montfort Son and Heir to the last mentioned Peter This Iohn was a Servant in Court to King Edward the First and in the twentieth of Edward the First obtained from Queen Eleanor a Grant of the marriage of William the Son and Heir to Simon de Montacute before mentioned to marry Elizabeth his Sister In 22 Edw. 1. he was in the Wars of Gascoigne and having been summoned to Parliament the next ensuing year amongst the Barons of this Realm departed this life in 24 Edw. 1. being then seised of the Mannor of Preston in Com. Butl. Acstead in Com. Surr. As also of the Castle and Mannor of Beldesert with the Mannors of Wytechirche Wellesborne and Ilmindon in Comit. Warr. leaving issue by Alice the Daughter of William de la Plaunch two Sons viz. Iohn his Son and Heir at that time five years of age and Peter as also two Daughters Elizabeth and Maud the one married to Frevil the other to Sudley whose posterity afterwards came to possess a great part of the Inheritance belonging to this Family For Iohn their elder Brother who had been summoned to Parliament to sit with the rest of the Barons of this Realm in 7 Edw. 2. and the same year received his pardon for the murther of Piers de Gaveston wherein he had a hand then marched with our English Army into Scotland and there lost his life in the Battle of Strivelin without issue Peter his Brother having none legitimate Which Peter was first in Holy Orders but after his Brothers death enjoying the Inheritance was notwithstanding his sacred Function so dispensed with that he betook himself to the World and became a Knight and standing loyal to King Edward the Second in the time of that great defection when many adhered to Thomas Earl of Lancaster was joyned in Commission with William de Beauchamp and Roger de Ailesbury for the safe custody of the City of Worcester in 15 Edw. 2. And in the twentieth of that Kings Reign was constituted Governor of
William de Braose Son to Philip de Braose Lord of Buelt held the Lands of Brecknock and Went for the whole time of K. Hen. 2. Ric. 1. and King Iohn's Reigns without any disturbance until he took to Wife the Lady Maud de St. Walerie who in revenge of Henry de Hereford caused divers Welsh men to be murthered in the Castle of Bergavenny as they fate at meat And that for this and some other pickt quarrel King Iohn Banished him and all his out of England Likewise that in this Exile Maud his Wife with William called Gam his Son were taken and put in Prison where she died the tenth year after her Husband fought with Wenbunnyn in Elvail where he slew above three thousand Welsh And goeth on thus An. 1208. 10 Ioh. which agreeth with what Matth. Paris hath delivered upon this matter all England and Wales being interdicted by the Pope upon the sixth Kalends of May King Iohn seized upon the Lands and Castles of this William de Braose and Banished him and his as before hath been said And that whilst he was thus in exile Peter Fitz Herbert obtained of the King the third part of his Lands at Brecknock viz. Blenlevenny Talgard and Walashire Moreover that after this Giles one of the Sons of this William then Bishop of Hereford as his next Heir outed Peter in regard he had no just title to that Estate And not long after that this Bishop Giles being reconciled to the King and thereupon readmitted to the Possession of those Lands enjoyed them all his time and died in Ann. 1215. leaving them to his Brother Reginald But after all these various relations let us now hear the substance of the King 's own report which is upon Record though with a little mistake for it runs in the name of King Henry the second Whereas it should be King Iohn Geffrey Fitz-Piers who is one of the Persons mentioned therein being then Iusticiarius Angliae and not in King Henry the second 's time This William de Braose being indebted to the King in the Summe of five thousand marks of Silver for the Province of Munster in Ireland which had been demised to him and paying nothing at all of five years though he had made divers promises and appointed his own times and being moreover indebted for the Ferme of the City of Limeric for five years also and having paid no more then an hundred pounds which he delivered at Roan in part of what was due It was resolved that according to the Custom of this Realm and the Law of the Exchequer there having been full five years neglect his Chattels should be distreined for satisfaction therein Whereof having notice he caused them to be conveyed out of the way so that no distress at all could be found command was therefore given to Gerard de Achiis the King's Bailiff for Wales that for this debt he should distrein his Goods within that Territory Whereupon Maud de Haia Wife to this William and William Earl Ferrers his Nephew as also Adam de Port who had married his Sister with other of his friends came to the King then at Gloucester and intreated that he might be admitted to his presence to give him satisfaction in the premisses Which being granted and the King immediately removing to Hereford he there attended him and delivered up three of his Welsh Castles viz. Haie Brecknock and Radnoure to be held by the King untill those debts were paid and satisfaction given for his transgression within such a compass of time as then was assigned him at his own request laying moreover all his Lands in England to pledge for performance of what he thus undertook and likewise giving Hostages viz. his Son William de Braose the younger and one of the Sons of Reginald de Braose as also four of the Sons of some of his Tenants Notwithstanding which he made no performance at all in any of his promises but after some time when Gerard Acbiis the Kings Bailiff unto whom the King had committed the custody of those Castles sent to the Constables of them that they should repair to him for receipt of their pay which he used to make Monthly unto them this William having advertisement of their absence brought his two Sons William and Reginald with a multitude of the Countrey people and attempted enterance into each of them and when he saw that he could not effect what he aimed at went to Leominster in Herefordshire burnt half the Town and slew and wounded divers of the Kings Officers and inhabitants thereabouts Likewise discerning that Gerard de Achiis thereupon began to raise the Countrey he fled with his Family into Ireland and was there entertained by William Marshall Walter Laci and Hugh Laci though he was the Kings Enemy and for forfeiture of all he had here in England had left the Kingdom but that William Marshall and the rest to excuse themselves signified to the King that they would undertake he should come in within a certain time limited and make satisfaction for those his Offences and in case he failed so to do they would not harbour him any longer nor suffer him to stay in Ireland Howbeit this promise being not observed by any of them the King raised an Army with purpose to go into Ireland but whilest he was making such preparation this William came to the Kings Officers there and craved of them safe conduct to come into England to make his peace with the King Whereunto they assented taking his Oath that he would so do but no sooner was he landed in Wales having left his Family in Ireland then that he endeavored to do more mischeif In the mean time the Kings Fleet wherein his Army was being come to Pembroke William Earl Ferrers repaired thither and having obtained leave from the King to know the purpose of this William returned answer that he desired to come nearer so that he might by his immediate Messenger have speech with him Which being granted he came to the water side at Pembroke and made offer of forty thousand marks to purchase his peace and to have restitution of all his Castles and Lands as well in England as in Wales which had been seised on for those his Rebellious Exploits Whereunto the King answered That he knew full well it was not at all in the power of William to perform what he had so offered but rather of his Wife then in Ireland and that he should have safe conduct to go thither to confer with her and his friends there concerning the Fine he had proposed and to ratifie such Agreement as should be made betwixt them and if they should not accord thereupon to return again into Wales in the same condition he then stood But to this not consenting he stayed in Wales and after the King was gone into Ireland did more mischeif by burning of Houses Maud de Haya his Wife likewise hearing that the King was arrived in Ireland fled
to her for her Dowry For the Wardship of which Robert as to his Lands Almaric de S. Amand in 11 Edw. 1. gave five hundred marks and two hundred marks more for his marriage Which last mentioned Robert died childless so that William his Brother became his Heir and left two Sons Robert that died without issue and Iohn both Knights as also three Daughters Elizabeth who died unmarried Lettice the Wife of ... Ayotte and Hawise wedded to Sir Robert de Daventry Knight Which Iohn having issue Iohn who deceased in 49 Edw. 3. without issue and Wentheline a Daughter that never had child Maud the Wife of William de Cressey and Margaret the Wife of William Wotton succeeded in the Inheritance ¶ A word or two now of William de Keynes second Son to the first Ralph This William at the time of the General Survey possessed Barton in Hertfordshire and Flore in Northamptonshire It is reported of this William for I take it to be him that being in the Battle of Liâ—coln in 6 Steph. on the behalf of Maud the Empress he had a vigilant eye on King Stephen and observed where he was who fought most courageously first with his Pole-Ax till it broke and afterwards with his Sword so long as it held Which when he discerned he rushed in upon him and took him by the Helmet crying out Come hither come hither I have hold of the King and so took him prisoner The name of his Wife was Adelais who survived him and gave to the Monks of Lewes two hides of Land in Doclinton for the health of his Soul Which Grant Hugh his Son confirmed and gave to the Monks of Grestine in Normandy all the Tithes of his Lordship of Witeford and one Acre of Land there with Common of Pasture for twenty five Sheep and two Oxen as also four Acres of Land in Pevensel in Sussex Hanselyn IN the Conquerors time Goisfrid Alselin was possest of these following Lordships viz. Of Branton Canteley and Hatlege in Yorkshire of Laxinton Schidrinctune Wilgeby Echering Walesby Almentune Chenapetorp Calveâ—â—une Bestorp Carletune Nord-Muscham Stoches Ghelling Carentune Bertune Scelford Newton and Obetorp in Nottinghamshire of Alwoldestune Emboldestune Torulfestune Eâ—ewell Elvodestune Hoilant Eghintune Braidestune and Ochebrock in Derbishire of Reschinton Amvine Dorinton Dicbâ— Rovestune Branzewell Dunesby Rosby Evedune Westburgh Dodinton Claipol Warageby Eleham and Chetelby in Lincoâ—nshire and of Alctone Gouteby Theitorp Billesdon and Rovestone in Leicestershire Which Goisfrid made choice of Shelford in Nottinghamshire amongst all these for the Head or Principal Seat of his Barony From this Goisfrid descended Ralph Hanselyn who in An. 1138. 3 Steph. was in that memorable Battle in Yorkshire near North Alverton against the Scots called Bellum de Standardo where the English obtained a glorious Victory of which Battle I have spoke largely in my discourse of William Earl of Albemarle In 11 Hen. 2. this Ralph paid sixteen pounds thirteen shillings four pence upon levying the Scutage of Wales And in 12 Hen. 2. upon the Aid for marrying of the Kings Daughter certified the Knights Fees which he then had to be in number twenty five whereof twelve a fifth and twelfth part were De Veteri Feoffamento for which in 14 Hen. 2. he paid twenty five marks but soon after this he died For in 18 Hen. 2. upon levying the Scutage of Ireland upon those Barons who neither went in Person nor sent Soldiers or Money Thomas Bardulf accounted twenty five pounds for Escuage of those Knights Fees And in 6 Rich. 1. twenty five pounds more for Scutage of the same Fees towards the discharge of the Fine for the Kings redemption Morâ—over in 8 Rich. 1. upon levying of the Scutage of Normandy Hugh Bardulf answered the like sum for those Fees And in 13 Ioh. the Tenants of Doun Bardulf accounted for them all viz. twenty five upon levying the Scutage of Scotland Whence it is probable that Doun Bardulf was Son of Thomas Bardulf by the Daughter and Heir of the same Ralph Hanselyn and had the Inheritance of this Barony of whom and his Descendants I shall elswhere speak Sudley AT the time of the Conquerors Survey Harold Son to Ralph Earl of Hereford who in King Edward the Confessors days suffered the Welsh to enter that City and destroy it by fire being possessed of the Lordship of Bochenton in Berkshire Wiche in Worcestershire Celverdestoch and Derceton in Warwickshire as also of Sudlege and Todintune in Glocestershire had his cheif Seat at Sudlege and afterwards obtaining Ewyas in Herefordshire Founded there a little Priory for Monks of S. Benedicts Order This Harold had two Sons viz. Iohn Lord of Sudley and Robert who residing at Ewyas assumed his sirname from that place And not only confirmed the Grants of what his Father had given to those Monks but added the Church of Burnham thereto To which Iohn succeeded Ralph de Sudley who in 12 Hen. 2. certified the Kinghts Fees then held of him to be in number four This Ralph Founded the Priory of Erdbury in Warwickshire within the Precincts of his Lordship of Celverdestoch before-mentioned now vulgarly called Chelveres Coton for the health of his Soul as also of the Souls of Emme his Wife Daughter of William de Beauchamp of Elmeley Otwell his Son and Heir and the rest of his Children and gave to the Knights-Templars certain Lands lying in Hardwick in Com. War Which Otwell in 4 Rich. 1. paid for his releif twenty marks and upon levying the Scutage for the Kings redemption in 6 Rich. 1. sixty shillings but dying without issue Ralph his Brother became his Heir and in 10 Rich. 1. gave three hundred marks to the King for Livery of his Lands In which sum sixty marks were included which had been imposed upon his Brother Otwell as a Fine for the defect of a Soldier whom he ought to have maintained in Normandy Which Ralph had issue Ralph his Son and Heir who in 6 Hen. 3. paying an hundred pounds for his Releif had Livery of his Lands And he Bartholomew who was Sheriff of Herefordshire and Governor of Hereford Castle for the last half of the fifty fourth year of Henry the Third and again Sheriff for the fifty sixth year of that King and 2 Edw. 1. but died in 8 Edw. 1. leaving issue by Ioane his Wife Daughter to William de Beauchamp of Elmeley and Sister to William de Beauchamp the first Earl of Warwick of that Family Iohn his Son and Heir then twenty four years of age Which Ioane being afterwards interred in the Priory of Erdbury Walter Langton Bishop of Coventry and Leitchfield in 13 Edw. 2. granted
to the King twelve hundred marks and two Palfreys to have Maud the Daughter of Robert Vavasour to Wife with her inheritance which Maud was Widdow of Theobald Walter In 12 Ioh. he attended the King into Ireland And in 17 Ioh. had Livery of the Dowry of her the said Maud lying in Amundernesse in Com. Lanc. After this Hugh Bigot for the love he bore to him bestowed on him the Lordship of Wantinge in Com. Berks. Hereupon he went with Ranulph Earl of Chester again into Ireland About this time it was that he adhered to the rebellious Barons and with the principall of them the next ensuing year underwent the sentence of Excommunication by the Pope He likewise continued in rebellion after the death of King Iohn Whereupon King Henry the third gave the Mannor of Norburgh in Com. Leic. which was part of his Lands to Henry Earl of Warwick But in 4 Hen. 3. he made his composition with the King and gave two hundred sixty two pounds and two great Coursers for to have possession of his Castle at Whitington Whereupon undertaking that it should not be prejudicial to the King in 5 Hen. 3. he had licence to fortify it And thenceforth manifested his loyalty in his service against the Welch in South-Wales under the famous William Mareshall Earl of Pembroke as also in his obsequious attendance upon the King himself in his Army at Montgomerie In 11 Hen. 3. this Fulke obtained the Kings Charter for a Fair every year at his Mannor of Cheping Samburne for three dayes viz. the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle and in 17 Hen. 3. gave the King six hundred marks for the Wardship of the Heirs of William Pantulf and benefit of their marriage In 22 Hen. 3. the time of the Truce betwixt King Henry and Lewelyn Prince of Wales being near to an end he was summoned with other of the Barons-Marchers to attend the King at Oxford on Tuesday next after the Quind of Easter then to consult of what should thereupon be done And in 29 Hen. 3. when Lawrence de St. Martin the Popes Kinsman was sent into England to exact money from the Bishops and Abbots to the great dislike of the People and thereupon Inquisition made of what was so got throughout England the King diâ—cerning it very burthensome sent this Fouke to command him to quit the Realm In 30 Hen. 3. he procured another Charter from the King for a fair every year at his Mannor of Waneting in Com. Berks for three days viz. on the Eve of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr and two days following and in 41 Hen. 3. received command to be assistant unto Hamon Strange for guarding the Marches of Wales in the parts about Montgomerie Moreover in 42 Hen. 3. he received farther summons to attend the King at Chester on MOnday next after the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist well furnished with Horse and Armes to restrain the incursions of the Welsh And in 44 Hen. 3. with the rest of the Barons-Marches had the like command to repair to the Marches for prevention of farther mischief from the Welsh This Fulke married a second Wife called Clarice and in 48 Hen. 3. being in the Battle of Lewes on the Kings part was there drowned in the adjacent River leaving issue Fulke his Son and Heir and a Daughter called Eve who became the second Wife to Lewelin Prince of Wales Which Fulke having made proof of his age in 1 Edw 1. and claimed his own inheritance wedded the Daughter to Gryffyn Son of Wenovewyn with whom he had the territory of Ballesleg Moreover in 10 Ed. 1. he attended the King in that Expedition then made by him into Wales and merited so well for the service he did there at that time that he obtained Pardon for two hundred pounds of that four hundred pounds debt which he owed unto the Exchequer and likewise a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesne Lands at Whitington as also another for the like Free-warren in all his Lands at Abberbury and for a Market every week there upon the Friday with two Fairs yearly the one on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Cirice and Iulite and the other on the Eve Day and Morrow after the feast of St. Nicholas In 22 Edw. 1. he was Summoned amongst divers other great men to attend the King with his advice touching the great affairs of the Realm and soon after that the same year accompanied him into Gascoigne with a military power In 25 Edw. 1. he was of the retinue with that great Prelate Anthony Beke then Bishop of Durham in that Expedition then made into Flanders In the same year also he was again with the King in his Warrs against the Welsh And in 27 Edw. 1. in the Wars of Scotland So likewise in 29 Edw. 1. In 34 Edw. 1. he was one of that great number of those select men that then received the order of Knighthood at London by Bathing and other sacred Ceremonies with Prince Edward whence he advanced with him into Scotland to restrain the attempts of Robert de Brus who had at that time assumed the Crown of that Realm and in 35 Edw. 1. sate with the rest of the Peers in the Parliament then held by King Edward at his City of Carlisle In 8 Edw. 2. he received the Kings precept to fit himself with Horse and Armes to attend him at Barwick upon Twede for restraining the incursions of the Scots and had Summons to Parliament from 23 Edw. 1. untill this eighth year of King Edward the second 's reign inclusive But about this time he died for the next year following Alianore the Wife of Fulke his Son and Heir by reason of her husbands aboad in the Wars of France was by the Kings special favor permitted to have Livery of the Mannor the Whitington untill his return into England that he might perform his Homage In 12 Edw. 2. this last mentioned Fâ—lke was in the Wars of Scotland being then of the retinue to the Earl of Arundelâ— Moreover in 14 Edw. 2. upon that Insurrection of many of the Barons he was Constable of the Kings Army which advanced against them And in 18 Edw. 2. in that expedition then made into Gascoigne In 1 E. 3. he was again in the Scottish Wars and in 3 Edw. 3 upon the conviction of Edmund Earl of Kent the Kings Uncle for reporting his Brother King Edw. 2. to be alive with endeavor to restore him to his Throne amongst other persons whom he accused as instigators of him to that attempt he charged this Fulke Fitz-Warine
marching to London he beleaguer'd that great City both by Land and Water so that Provisions of Victual could not be brought to it Whereupon through his skilful Conduct and singular Prudence Peace was forthwith wrought with the adverse Party This was about the beginning of the second year of King Henry the Third's Reign in which he executed the Office of Sheriff for the Counties of Essex and Hertford for three parts of that year and for half the third year But now being grown an aged Man and his Death near approaching I shall take notice of his Works of Piety Whereof the first and chiefest I find mention is That for the health of the Souls of King Henry the Second and of King Henry the Younger his Son whom he calls his Lord as also for the Soul of King Richard the First and for the health of his own Soul and Soul of Isabell his Wife and all his Ancestours he Founded the Priory of Kertmele in Com. Lanc. and conferr'd upon the Canons of that House all the Liberties and Privileges as Tongue could express or Heart devise Next That he gave to the Monks of Gloucester in pure Alms his Mill at Castle Goderich with the Sute thereto as also the Sute of the whole Town of Hunston Likewise That for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Isabell his Wife he gave to the Monks of Pembroke the Tithe of his Mills of Pembroke Tynbeh and Castle Martin Furthermore To the Chappel of our Lady at Caversham he gave all that Place which the Canons of Nutley had built upon for themselves near the Gate thereof as also xv Acres of Land there lying Westwards from the Church To the Canons of Bradenstoke in Com. Wiltes he gave the Church of Estoâ—e To the Knights Templars the Advowson of the Church of Spene for an yearly Pension of five Marks to be paid to the Preceptorie of Saunford as also the Church of Castelan-Emlyn with Lxxx Acres of Land there in Echirmanhir To the Monks of Stanley in Com. Wiltes a certain Place in Ireland call'd St. Saviours whereupon part of that Covent removed thither And began the Foundation of an Abby of Cistertian Monks in the Land of Dowysken in the same Realm of Ireland which Isabell his Wife and Geffrey Fitz-Robert his Steward according to the appointment of his last Will and Testament perfected This is it which is by some called Tinterne in regard it was propagated from that of Tinterne in Wales and by others de Voto by reason of a Vow he had made when he was in great peril at Sea He likewise Founded the Priory of Canons of St. Augustine at Kilkenny in Ireland As also that at Kilrush which was a Cell to Kartmele in Lancashire and that for Knights-Hospitallers at Legh-Garmon in the County of Wexford Moreover he granted divers Liberties and Privileges to the Burrough of Baudac in Com. Bedf. formerly given to the Knights Templars by his Noble Ancestour Gilbert Stroâ—gbow sometime Earl of Pembroke and gave unto them the Mill of Radewelleshebed with two Husbandmen in that Town And having by his last Will and Testament constituted the Abbot of St. Augustines at Bristoll and Henry Fitz-Gerald his Executors to whom he assigned his Mannor of Caversham near Reading till certain of his Debts were paid he departed this Life at Caversham in An. 1219. 3. H. 3. Whereupon his Body being thence carried to Reading was received with solemn Procession by the Monks of that Abby and placed in their Quire whilst Mass was solemnly celebrated for him Afterwards to Westminster and Mass celebrated there Thence to the New Temple where on the morrow it was solemnly Interred viz. on Ascension-day being 27 Cal. Apr. with this â—pitaph Sum qui Saturnum sibi sensit Hibernia Solem Anglia Mercurium Normannia Gallia Martem For he had been as Matth. Paris observes a severe Tamer of the Irish a great Favourer of the English atchieved much in Normandy and was an invincible Souldier in France Miles strenuissimus ac per orbem nominatiffimus saith another This great Earl left surviving him five Sons viz. William Richard Gilbert Walter and Anselm who succeeding one another in his Lands and Honours died all without Issue And five Daughters viz. Maude married to Hugh Bigâ—t Earl of Norff. and afterwards to Iohn de Warren Earl of Surrey Ioane to Warine de Montchensy Isabel first to Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester and afterwards to Richard Earl of Cornwal Sibyll to William de Ferrers Earl of Derby and Eve to William de Brahuse unto whose Heirs for lack of Issue by the Brothers the Inheritance at length descended Of which Brothers I shall speak in order and first of William the eldest This William in his Father's life-Life-time scil in 17. Ioh. adhered to the Rebellious Barons then in Arms against the King being one of those betwixt whom and the King those Covenants were made whereby the Government of the Realm was placed in xxv of them and the City of London thereupon put into their Hands Yea so great a Confident he was of that Rebellious Pack that they constituted him to be one of those xxv for which respect amongst them he underwent the Sentence of Excommunication by the Pope But upon the Death of King Iohn which hapned shortly after the Scene much altering his Noble Father reduc'd him to obedience as before is observed so that he became Loyal to King Henry the Third and thereupon had a Grant of the Lands of Saier de Quinci Earl of Winchester and David Earl of Huntendon two of those great Rebells for his Support in the King's Service as also all the Lands of William de Moubray and Gilbert de Gant with the Fees of all such as held of them and had adhered to the Rebellious Barons That which I find farther memorable of this second Earl William is That in 7 H. 3. whilst he was in Ireland Leoline Prince of Wales took two of his Castles and having cut off the Heads of those whom he found therein Mann'd them with his own Souldiers But that when Tidings thereof came to him he soon return'd into Wales and having with a great Power won them again took the like Revenge upon the Welch and thinking that not enough invading the Lands of Leoline wasted them with Fire and Sword Whereupon Leoline advanc'd towards him with all his Strength but to little purpose for encountring him in Battel he totally routed his whole Army of which to the number of Nine thousand were slain and taken Moreover That for this good Service against the Welch he then had Scutage of
all in Com. Somerset and Dorset Of the Mannor of Kersyngton in Com. Oxon. of the Mannor of Crokham CC Acres of Wood in the Parish of Hurst with the Hundred of Asherugge two Knights Fees in Hankford c. And lastly of the Mannors of Walâ—h-Bykenore and Lannoir in Com. Heref. But notwithstanding he was by Judgment in Parliament declared Traytor and to forfeit all the Lands Goods and Chattels whereof he had Possession upon the day of his death nevertheless the King taking notice that a great part of the Inheritance of Maude his Widow had been by him sold and much compassionating the low Estate of her and her Children by reason of this his Attainder in 1 of his Reign he granted unto her the Mannor of Stokenham with the Hundred of Colrigge and Free Borough of Chedelyngton all in Com. Devon parcel of his said Possessions and then valued at C l. per annum over and above all Reprises as also the Mannor of Yolhampton in the same County then in the Crown by reason of his Forfeiture to hold for term of her Life I now come to Thomas his eldest Son and Successor unto whom the King likewise shewing much compassion granted in 2 H. 4. the Mannors of Crokham in Com. Berks. Warblynton More and Huniton in Com. Suthampt. Knolle in Com. Somerset Pyworthy Okford and St. Mary-Cliffe in Com. Devon which were part of his Father's Lands to enjoy till he should accomplish his full age And the next ensuing year in augmentation thereto granted him the Mannor of Watyngwell in the Isle of Wiht This Thomas having married Alianore the fourth Daughter of Thomas Earl of Kent Sister and Coheir to Edmund Earl of Kent upon partition of the Lands of her Inheritance in 10 H. 4. had for her Purparty the Mannor of Ware in Com. Hertf. Eston juxta Coly-Weston in Com. Northampt. as also a certain Pasture called Leyderingham Calfcrost Welderyngham Engderyngham and Thorstamflat in Com. Ebor. And in 12 H. 4. had a farther Assignation for her said Purpartie of the Mannor of Somerton in Com. Somerset with a certain Fee-farm-Rent of Liv l. per Annum from the Bishop of Bathe and Welles for the Mannors of Ceddere Cungresbury and Axebrigge in Com. Somerset and xxx l. xiii s. iv d. yearly out of the Fee-farm of the Town of Basyngstoke with the Hundred in Com. Suthampt. Moreover in the Parliament of 2 H. 5. he endeavoured to reverse the Judgment given in 2 H. 4. against his Father but could not effect it And the same year in order to a firm and final Peace betwixt the English and French being joyn'd Embassador with the Bishops of Durham and Norwich for Solemnising the Espousals betwix King Henry and Katherine Daughter to the King of that Realm he went accordingly In 4 H. 5. he was by Indenture retain'd to serve the King in defence of the Town of Hareflew for one quarter of a year And the same year the King passing into France with a puissant Army he attended him with C Spears and CCC Archers about which time commanding the King's second Battel he wan the Castle of Aumbeliers In 5 H. 5. he was with King Henry at the Siege of Caen in Normandy where he merited so well that he obtain'd a Grant to himself and the Heirs-male of his Body of the Castle and Lordship of Danvillers and all other the Castles Lands and Lordships of Sir Richard Tournebu Knight And at the Siege of Koan same year was lodg'd with the Earl of Huntendon on the other side of the River Seine In 6 H. 5. besieging the Town of Freney he gave Battel to the French who came to relieve it slew of them near Five thousand and took Prisoner the Mareschal de Rows with many other Noble Persons and Six hundred Archers In 7 H. 5. he still continued in those Parts and with the Forces to him assigned took Hounflow 〈◊〉 de Uilliers Ewe Gurney the New Castle and generally all Places in that Part. And in consideration of these his eminent Services had thereupon a Grant of the Earldom of Perch in Normandy as also of the Barony and Castle of Longny part of the Possessions of Sir Lewes de Longny Knight paying yearly to the King his Heirs and Successors two Ousles at the Castlle of Koan upon the first day of August Moreover he was the same year constituted the King's Lieutenant-General of the whole Dutchy of Normandy So likewise again in 8 H. 5. And in 10 H. 5. upon the death of King Henry in France was left there with the Duke of Suffolk and others of the Nobility for defence of the Castles and Towns then remaining in the Power of the English Likewise in 1 H. 6. he still continued there But the King's death much altered the Scene for the French King taking new courage thereat brought his Army before the Town of Meulan lying upon Seine in Normandy and taking it by Storm put all the English therein to the Sword The News whereof being brought to the famous Iohn Duke of Bedford then Regent of France he forthwith dispatch'd this Earl as a Person more of an old Roman Courage than one of that age as my Author saith with Iohn of Luxemburgh Master of the Burgundian-Cavalry and a choice number of Men to recover it Who forthwith marching into Champaine set down before it and in short space got it again retaliating to the French the like measure as the English had there and thence coming to Brie and storming it put all to the Sword Shortly after this the French besieging Cravant he advanc'd with the Earl of Suffolk thither and with Four thousand Men giving Battel to them slew Two thousand took Four hundred Prisoners of which number Bucanus General of the Horse was one who within a little time ransom'd himself for Money In 3 H. 6. he march'd to the strong and rich City of Maine and so battered the Walls thereof with his great Guns not before that time known to the French that dispairing of Relief they rendred it to him Thence to Susan's-Church a noted Town of that Country and prepared to assault it upon the weakest side thereof setting Ladders to scale it But the Townsmen defended it with such courage that many of each part were slain Which being discerned by this Earl and that by such slight Skirmishes he should do no good he begirt the Walls with a Ditch and caused his Guns to be planted towards that part which was least fortified and so plied the Walls with his great Shot that he batter'd them down in few days Whereupon the Governour render'd it giving Two thousand Pieces
he who gave him counsel to displace Hubert de Burgh from the Oâ—fice or Iustice of England and cast him in Prison nay that he prest to hang him and to banish divers of the Nobility adding That he would have a strict account of his dealing whilst he had been Iustice of England and what he had then received But for answer to this high Charge the Archbishop and Bishops obtain'd time till Michaeâ—mas following and within the space of a Twelvemonth after the Times being then more calm made his Peace with the King for a thousand Marks without reception into Grace as formerly Howbeit the year following he grew in such Favour that in 21 H. 3. the King wrought a Reconciliation unto him from those of the Nobility who had been his greatest Enemies Shortly after which he came into Action again being made Justice of Chester and the King 's Chief Counsellor And being now grown in years by experience of former times deported himself with much more temper and moderation than heretofore As to his Works of Piety it appears that he gave to the Monks of Stoneley in Com. Warr. the Mannor of Bericote in that County To the Monks of Comâ—e a Mill at Wykin and to the Canons of Leicester a certain Wood called New-Hay lying near Stockingford in Com. Warr. in which Monastery he became a Canon-Regular before he died He married two Wives first Rohese Daughter of Thomas le Despenser Sister to Hugh Secondly Ida Sister of Henry de Hastings with whom he had in Frank-Marriage the Mannor of Bruneswaver in Com. Warr. And departed this Life in the Abby of Leicester 5 Id. Nov. Anno 1241. 25 H. 3. To conclude Iâ—te Stephanus in juventute c. saith my Author This Stephen though come of no high Parentage was in his youth of a Clerk made a Knight and in his later days through his Prudence and Valour so exalted that he had the Reputation of one of the Chief Men in the Realm managing the greatest Affairs as he pleased In doing whereof he more minded his own Profit than the Common Good yet for some good Deeds and making a discreet Testament he died with much Honour To him succeeded Gilbert his second Son Iohn the eldest dying in his Life-time as is already observed Which Gilbert having married Annabil the Daughter and Coheir of Robert de Chaucumbe in 15 H. 3. obtain'd a Grant from Simon de Montsort Lord of Leicester of the whole Town of Kegworth in Com. Leic. And in 17 H. 3. procur'd from the King a Grant in Fee-farm to himself and his Heirs of the Mannor of Newcastle under Lime in Com. Staff with the Advowson of the Church of Stoke paying xx l. per annum Rent And the same year was made Governour of Bolesover-Castle In which Trust and for other Services he merited so well as that the King upon his Fathers death which hapned shortly after acquitted him of his Relief then due for the Lands thereupon descended to him and the next ensuing year scil 26 H. 3. made him Justice of all his Forests South of Trent and Governour of Kenilworth-Castle In 32 H. 3. he gave a Fine to the King of C Marks that neither himself nor his Heirs nor Sir William Wastneys Knight who was a Retainer to him might be question'd for any Trespasses done in the Forests during the time that he was Justice and in 35 H. 3. was made one of the Justices of Oyer and Terminer in the City of London to hear and determine of all such Causes us had usually been tried before the Justices Itinerant at the Tower of London A Benefactor he was likewise to the Monks of Stoneley as it seems for it appears that they granted to him and Annabil his Wife that one Monk of their Covent should perpetually celebrate Divine Service there for the health of the Soul of Stephen his Father Rohese his Mother and her the said Annabil In 38 H. 3. with R. Bigod Earl-Marshal being appointed an Embassador beyond-Sea he went into Gascoine But this Journey hastned his death for in his Return towards England with Iohn de Plessets Earl of Warwick and others of the English Nobility having special Letters of Safe-conduct from the King of France for their secure travelling through any of his Territories he was treacherously seised upon at Ponte a City in Poictou and cast into close Prison Which hard usage so impaired his health that languishing with Infirmities he died shortly after Annabil his Wife surviving who ratified the Grants of her Ancestors to the Canons of Chaucumbe and of her own gift bestow'd on them C s. yearly Rent issuing out of her Lordships of Chaucumbe and Dauby and afterwards married to Roger de Somery Baron of Dudley To which Gilbert succeeded Nicholas de Segrave his Son and Heir to whom Alianore the Wife of Robert Hovell quit-claimed all her Right in the Mannor of Alkmundbury in Com. Hunt which Mannor had been part of the Possessions of Stephen de Saegrave their Father In 43 H. 3. this Nicholas attended the King into France but soon after approved himself an active Rebel against him for the same year taking part with the rest of the Barons that had armed themselves he was one of those who constrain'd him to submit to those dishonourable Ordinances made at Oxford and in order to their after-actings planted divers Schismatical Persons in Church-Livings for which and many Sacrilegious Outrages both himself and the rest of his Party were particularly Excommunicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury And in 46 H. 3. upon that Accord made betwixt the King and those Barons receiv'd a special Precept from the King requiring him in case he could not at that time personally repair to Court for ratifying the same Agreement that he should send his Seal for confirmation thereof In 47 H. 3. upon that Insurrection of the Welch wherein they wasted the Lands of Roger Lord Mortimer amongst other Great Men he had Summons to attend the King at Worcester upon the Feast-day of St. Peter ad Vincula there to receive the Order of Knighthood and thence to march with him well fitted with Horse and Arms. Whether he did so or not I cannot say but certain I am that the next ensuing year he was one of the Ringleaders of those who appear'd in open Hostility and fortified Northampton against the King for which his Lands were seised And when the Royal Army took that Town by Assault where many of his Party were laid hold on making his escape he fled to London where those Rebellious Citizens having raised a mighty Power on the behalf of the Barons made him their General Whence he march'd with 〈◊〉 Clare
In 13 Ioh. being thus seised of the moytie of the Honour of Leicester he obtain'd a special Discharge from the Scutage of Scotland then required for the same But not long after this viz. in 15 Ioh. it is said That the King bore great hatred towards him as he did also to some others in regard they complied not with him in his subjecting this Realm to the Authority of the Pope Nevertheless the next year following the Differences growing high betwixt the King and many of his Barons this Saiher Earl of Winchester had Letters of Safe-conduct to come to the Court and treat of an Accord betwixt them and afterwards was joyn'd in Commission with the Archbishop of Canterbury and others to see that all those who were to repair to London about the Feast of the Epiphany next ensuing the Pope's relaxation of the Interdict or to Northampton to petition the King for the Redress of ther Grievances should have safe-conduct until the Clause of Easter And moreover was so much favoured as that the King committed the Governourship of the Castle at Montsorell to his Trust. Howbeit shortly after associating himself with the Barons at that time in Rebellion he was a Party to the Agreement whereunto the King was then necessitated to submit whereby he gave up the City of London wholly into their power and liberty to make choice of xxv Barons by whom the Realm should thenceforth-be govern'd as also one of that number and thereupon together with the chief of them underwent the Pope's Excommunication the next ensuing year Which did not at all startle him for soon after he together with Robert Fitz-Walter to whom that Rebellious Pack then gave the Title of Marescallus Dei Ecclesiae were employ'd from the rest to Philip King of France for the procuring him to send over his Son Lewes into England with promise that they would advance him to the Royal Throne Nor did he return to his Obedience upon the death of King Iohn but kept a strong Garrison in the Castle of Montsorell on the behalf of Lewes And when the King's Forces had besieged it in 1 H. 3. being advertised from that Garrison that unless they had speedy Relief they could not hold it he went to Lewes and acquainted him therewith who thereupon rais'd a great Army in London and constituted him one of the Chief Commanders therein Which Army began their March Northwards upon the Munday next after Ascension-day Whereof the Earl of Chester and the rest who lay before it having notice they hasted to Notingham expecting there to give Battel to them But the Barons having by this means rais'd the Siege at Montsorell forthwith advanc'd to Lincoln where Gilbert de Gant with others of that Party had besieg'd the Castle and being got thither made a fierce Assault thereon Which being made known to the Noble William Marshall then Governour of the Realm by reason of the King's Minority he caus'd a general Rendezvouz of all the Power could be had out of such other Castles and Garrisons in those Parts as then stood for the King to be made at Newark upon Trent on Munday in Whitson-week and thence after three days march'd to Lincolne Which being discern'd by the Barons they forthwith through the direction of this Earl and Robert Fitz-Walter drew out and gave them Battel but without success for being routed upon the first Charge the King's Forces got the day and took Prisoners the most of that rebellious number amongst whom this Saiher Earl of Winchester was one of the Chief But in October following upon his submission all his Lands which had been seised into the King's hands for those his Actings were fully restored to him Thus much as to his Secular Actions Touching his Works of Piety all I have seen is That he gave to the Canons of Leicester Six Pounds yearly Rent out of Brackley and Halso in lieu of Eight Pounds Rent in the Suburbs of Leicester which he had by the Grant of the Bishop of Lincolne After which viz. in Anno 1218. 2 H. 3. he went with the Earls of Chester Arundel and some other of the English Nobility towards the Holy Land and was at the Siege of Damieta but died in Anno 1219. 4 H. 3. in his farther Journey towards Hierusalem The Issue which he left by that great Inheritrix before-specified was three Sons viz. Robert then in the Holy Land who married Hawyse the fourth Daughter of Hugh Keveliâ—k Earl of Chester upon which Marriage his Father gave him the Lordships of Ducebeie Grauntesseâ— Bradeham and Herdewich then of C l. per annum value to make a Dowrie for Hawyse his Wife Sister to the Earl of Chester as also two Knights Fees for the same purpose And had Issue by her Margaret a Daughter Wife of Iohn de Lacie Earl of Lincolne The other two Sons being Roger and Robert He left Issue also one Daughter called Hawyse afterwards married to Hugh the Son of Robert Earl of Oxford Which Roger his elder Brother being in the Holy Land in 5 H. 3. had Livery of his Father's Lands A word now of Margaret the Countess Widow of Earl Saiher This Margaret often making her residence in the Priory at Ware built there the great Hall the great Chamber the Chappel and other Rooms for her own conveniency and gave to the Knights Templars divers Lands in Sibford and Litleford Likewise to the Canons of Leicester one Yard-land in Schepisheved as also a Stag yearly in Charnewood upon the day of the Nativity of our Lady Likewise all her Lands at Henleye to plow and enclose And died in 19 H. 3. as it seeâ—s for then did Roger de Quinci her Son and Heir for so he was called pay C l. Relief for the Lands of her Inheritance and was the same year made Earl of Winchester Which Roger though he bore the Title of Winchester he was really Earl of Hantshire for it appears that in 36 H. 3. the King by his Precept to the Sheriff of Hantshire commanded that he should then make Livery unto him of that x l. Annuity which he had usually receiv'd out of the Issues of that County nomine Comiis in the name of Earl In 26 H. 3. this Roger being beyond-Sea with the King desired liberty to return into England And in 30 H. 3. was one of the Peers who by Letter to the Pope complain'd to him of his Exactions in this Realm In 31 H. 3. being in Galwey where he had great Possessions in right of his Wife and exercising more severity to the People of that Country than becom'd him he was besieg'd by them in a Castle there and being
Northampt and to the Mayor of the City of London to make Livery of them accordingly In 18 H. 3. this Iohn was constituted Sheriff of Yorkshire And the same year with Isabell his Wife Sister of Iohn Bigod had Livery of the Castle and Honour of Ewyas Lacy which were assign'd to her in Dower as part of the Lands of Gilbert de Laci her former Husband Moreover in 21 H. 3. upon that Accord then made betwixt the King and the Barons whereupon the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest being confirm'd a thirtieth part of all Mens Moveables was given to the King this Iohn was then admitted one of the Privy-Council And the same year there being a Grand Council then held at London was one of those at that time sent to the Pope's Legate to forbid him from attempting any thing therein which might be prejudicial to the King and Kingdom In 29 H. 3. he was one of the Commissioners sent from King Henry with Roger Bigod Earl of Norfolk and others to the Council at Lyons in France there to complain of the great Exactions upon this Realm from the See of â—ome And in 30 H. 3. was constituted Justice of Ireland with the Fee of Five hundred Pounds per annum In which Service he merited so well that the King in consideration thereof granted to him and his Heirs the whole Cantred of the Isles of Thomond But more I have not seen of him than that he was Sheriff of Yorkshire for the one half of the eighteenth year of Henry the Third So likewise for the nineteenth and half the twentieth And for Gloucestershire from the twenty third to the thirtieth of that King's Reign inclusive To this Iohn succeeded Iohn his Son and Heir called Iohn Fitz-Iohn Fitz-Geoffrey who in 42 H. 3. amongst other of the Great Men of that time had Summons to be at Chester on Munday preceding the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist well fitted with Horse and Arms to restrain the Infolencies of the Welch It is reported That in 42 H. 3. the King being then at St. Albans and having News that this Iohn was dead at some place near Guilford in Surrey thereupon caused a Mass to be celebrated for his Soul by the whole Covent there and forthwith sent his Precept to Iohn de Crakhill then his Treasurer to provide a Cloth of Gold to lay over his Corps when it should pass through the City of London To whom succeeded Iohn his Son and Heir then not fully of age but married to Margery the Daughter of that Great Man Philip Basset shortly after Justice of England Which Iohn in consideration of CCC l. Fine obtain'd from the King a Grant of the Custody of all the Lands of his own Inheritance as also the benefit of his next Marriage in case the said Margerie should depart this World before the accomplishment of his full age In 46 H. 3. adhering to Montfort Earl of Leicester and other the then Rebellious Barons upon that Peace at that time agreed on he was appointed by the King to send his Seal for the Ratification thereof in case he should not himself come in Person Howbeit notwithstanding that Accord the next ensuing year when they broke out again and boldly required That the King should submit to their unreasonable Ordinances called the Provisions of Oxford in regard they were there framed which were totally destructive to his Regal Authority he joyn'd with them in those their insolent Demands and soon after viz. in 48 H. 3. was one of their Chief Commanders in the Battel of Lewes where unhappily prevailing the King was made Prisoner After which marching towards Wales Ricards Castle the Chief Seat of Hugh de Mortimer as also the Castle of Ludlow were given up into his Hands And being so great a Confident of that Rebellious Rout he soon obtain'd from them they then exercising Regal Power a Grant of the Sheriffalty of Westmorland as also of the Custody of the Castles in those Parts which were Robert de Vipount's deceased and was likewise made Constable of Windsor-Castle And notwithstanding all this though he grew discontented for not being sufficiently rewarded yet so great was his aversness to the Royal Interest that when Clare Earl of Gloucester and some others fell off he stood firm to the other Party and fought stoutly on their side in the Battle of Evesham in 49 H. 3. where their whole Army being miserably routed and all the Chief of that Rebellious Pack slain he was the onely Person of Note who escaped death Being therefore made Prisoner and the Inheritance of all his Lands given by the King to Clare Earl of Gloucester though afterwards by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth he was admitted to Composition yet he forbore to make his Peace Whereupon command was given to the Sheriff of Hantshire to seise all his Lands After which I have not seen any more of him till his death which hapned in 4 E. 1. but without Issue he being then seised of the Mannor of Fambrigge in Com. Essex as also of the Mannors of Stepel Clayndon and Querndon with a certain part of Agmondesham in Com. Buck. Likewise of the Mannor of East-Pyrie in Com. Northampt and Morton in Com. Devon leaving Richard his Brother and Heir then xxvii years of age Who performing his Homage the same year had Livery of all his Lands lying in the Counties of Norff. Buck. Devon Surrey Wiltess Suthampt. Essex and Northampt. paying his Relief Which Richard in 10 E. 1. was in that Expedition then made into Wales And in 23 E. 1. summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm But in 25 E. 1. being in the Wars of France died the same year then seised of the Mannor of Fanbrigg in Com Essex Wyntersâ—ey with certain Lands in Chiriell in Com. Wiltes Moreton in Com. Devon Schaldeford and Schyre in Com. Surr. Multon and Potters Pirye in Com. Northampt. Whaddon with the Chase and Hamlets of Symlesburne Clayndon Aylesbury and Querndon in Com. Buck. Likewise of the Mannor of Wytheton in Com. Linc. and Advowson of the Priory of Shuldham in Com. Norff. leaving Maud Countess of Warwick his eldest Sister Robert Clifford Son of Isabell de Clifford Daughter of Isabell de Vipount and Idonea Daughter of the same Isabell de Vipount his second Sister Richard de Burgh Earl of Vlster Son of Aveline his third Sister and Ioane the Wife of Theobald le Butiller the fourth Sister his next Heirs Emme his Wife still surviving who in 26 E. I. had for her Dowrie an Assignation of the Mannor of Whaddon with the Chase and Park as also the Mannor of Aylesbury and Hamlet of Burton
de Segrave had all the Lands belonging to the Honour of Leicester committed to his custody leaving issue by her the said Amicia two Sons viz. Almaric and Simon Betwixt which Simon then called Earl of Montfort and Reimund Earl of Tholose there hapned a dispute in Anno 1226 10 H. 3. in a great Council at that time held at the City of Bourges in France Simon demanding restitution of the Lands of the same Reimund which the Pope and Philip King of France had bestow'd upon his Father and himself exhibiting both their Charters to manifest the same alledging also that Earl Reimund had been adjudged an Albigensian-Heretick Whereunto Reimund answered that he would freely submit himself to the King of France and Church of Rome to perform what they should determine therein But his adversaries requiring that he should stand to the judgment of the Twelve Peers of France he replied Let the King receive my Homage and I shall otherwise they will not esteem me as a Peer So that the business did not then receive any determination Moreover ere long after this viz. in Anno 1229. 14 H 3 Almariâ— his elder Brother by his Petition bearing date in February the same year and exhibited to King Henry the Third by this Simon wherein he styles himself Earl of Montfort and Leicester craved that he would vouchsafe to restore this Simon his Brother to all the Lands and Right which he the said Almaric had and ought to have in England and of which his Father as he alledg'd died seized And by another Petition desired that the Tertium Denarium Comitatus Leicestriae might be yielded to him It is said that fearing the hatred of Blanch Queen of France Mother to the King of that Realm this Simon fled thence into England where he was graciously received by the King and obtain'd the Earldom of Leicester with the Stewardship of England As also that being then made Seneschal of Gascome he thereupon perswaded King Henry that he should acknowledge that Countrey which had antiently been a Kingdom to be of the Fee of the King of France to the end that he might exclude the pretence made thereunto by the King of Castile who challeng'd it as belonging to Spain Others say that in Anno 1231. 15 H. 3. he recovered possession of the Town of Leicester and moiety of the Earldom Certain it is that the next ensuing year viz. 1232. 16 H. 3. he bore the Title of Earl of Leicester and obtain'd from Almaric his Brother then bearing the Title of Earl of Montfort and Constable of France a Grant of all the Lands in England which were sometime belonging to Simon their Father and of whatsoever else could accrew to their Father of the Inheritance of Amicia Sister to Robert sometime Earl of Leicester with the Stewardship of England to hold to him the said Simon and to the Heirs of his Body by the Wife he then had but for lack of issue of his body to return to the before-specified Almaric and his Heirs And shortly after this viz. on Munday next after the Quind of Easter in the presence of the King at Westminster quit-claimed to this Simon his Brother who then bore the Title of Earl of Leicester all his Right and Title to the Honour of Leicester Being thus invested with that Honour in Anno 1236 20 H. 3. as Steward of England at the solemn Nuptials of King Henry the Third he held the Basin wherein the King wash'd And in Anno 1238. 23 H. 3. the King then keeping his Christmas at Westminster upon the morrow after the Epiphany obtain'd his Sister Alianore Widow of William Marshal the younger Earl of Pembroke in marriage the Rites being performed by Walter one of the Kings Chaplains within a little Chappel at the corner of the King's Chamber At which Marriage Richard Earl of Cornwal the Kings Brother and the whole Kingdom were highly discontented by reason that she had in her Widowhood vowed Chastity in the presence of Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury and divers of the Nobility Thereupon meeting with Horse and Arms in Southwark upon the Octaves of S. Hillary with purpose to fall upon him he was constrained partly by intercession of friends and partly by gifts to reconcile himself to that great Earl But thinking himself not yet safe he raised great sums of money privately and went to Rome hoping there to obtain a full Dispensation for the same and in order thereunto having procured the Emperors Letters on that behalf by ample rewards had at length his desire with Letters from the Pope to Otto his Legate then resident in England to give sentence therein for him Howbeit notwithstanding all this William de Abindon a Dominican Frier and many other learned men exclaimed much in regard of that solemn vow made by Alianor then his Wife as before is observed Nevertheless upon the Festival of S. Calixtus arriving in England he was received by the King and his whole Court with much joy and made his Chief Counsellor Whence he rode speedily to his Wife then at Kenâ—lworth and near the time of Childbirth and upon the Feast-day of the Purification of our Lady next ensuing for farther corroboration of his Title was again invested by the King into this Earldom of Leicester his Brother Almariâ— then likewise quitting his claim thereto All which being thus solemnly done and the Birth of Prince Edward hapning soon after he had the honour to be one of his God-fathers at the Font Otto the Popes Legat performing that Sacred Ceremony of Baptism But before the end of that year the Kings countenance towards him began to change for upon the 5. Ides of August divers great Ladies coming to London to accompany the Queen to Church at her Purification amongst which this Earl and his Wife repaired also thither the King upon sight of him callâ—d him an Excommunicate person and forbad him to go with her to Church Which suddain unkindness much dismaying him he went away by water to Winchester House which the Bishop being dead the King had lent him But there he could not be permitted to stay the King in great wrath causing him to be put out of doors Whereupon he returned sorrowing and weeping yet could not appease his anger the King plainly telling him that he had abused his Sister before marriage and that though he afterwards gave her to him for a Wife it was unwillingly and to avoid scandal Upbraiding him that to ratifie this his unlawful Marriage he went to Rome and there corrupted that Court with large Bribes and Promises Adding that having failed in payment of the Money he ought justly to be excommunicated Moreover quoth the King Thou didst
But the Barons having intelligâ—nce of his purpose sent to him with offer of Peace the Frâ—ers-Preachers and Gray-Fryers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 laboring the same In hopes therefore of an amicable Accord the 〈◊〉 and the King of Almaâ—â—â— put themselves into their hands upon condition that there should be a sudden Treaty touching those Ordinances of Oxford viz. To retain such of them as were proper and to set aside the rest Whereupon and in hopes of an honorable Peace all the Kings party had leave to repair to their respective homes but instead of performance of what was so speciously pretended they first sent away the Prince to Walingford Castle Which being done and this Earl taking upon himself the cheif management and disposal of all things he put the King of Almaine in the Tower of London and sent the Prince with Henry the Kings other Son to the Castle of Dovor taking the King with him wheresoever he went Soon after which he issued out a Commission in the Kings Name under the Great Seal whereby himself with the Bishop of Chichester and Earl of Glocester were authorised to nominate nine select person some Bishops and some other to govern the Realm And having so done extorted from Prince Edward a Grant of the Inheritance of the Earldom and Honor of Chester with its Appurtenances under colour of an exchange for some other Lands and caused another Patent in the Kings Name bearing date 24 Decemb. to be sealed for ratifying thereof Moreover upon the twentieth of May following he passed another Patent of that Earldom and Honor as also of the Castle and Honor of Pec with the Castle and Town of Newcastle under Lime in Com. Staff to himself and his heirs And to the end that all things relating to the publick might the more advantageously be transacted for the establishing this their new Government they sent out Writs in the Kings Name and under his Seal bearing date the twenty fourth of December 49 Hen. 3. unto divers Bishops and Abbots and to such of the Nobility as were of their own party whereof this Earl was the cheif by which signifying The Realm to be then in peace and quiet and the desire of the King to establish the same to the honor of God and benefit of his People they were summoned to meet at London on the Octaves of S. Hillary there to sit in Parliament to treat and give their advice As also Precepts to every Sheriff to send thither at the same time two Knights for each County and to the Cities and Boroughs the like number of Citizens and Burgesses and likewise to the Barons of the Cinque-Ports a certain number of their discreetest Men for the same purpose this being the first time for ought is to be seen from any good Authority that the People were represented by two Knights for each County and one or two Burgesses for each Borough the Noblemen Bishops and great Abbots before that time representing all those who held of them and the Kings Tenants by Military service in Capite themselves and all those who held of them as I have elswhere more fully manifested And if I may be so bold as to give my opinion on what Reasons these potent Rebels then had thus to alter the former antient usage by requiring two Knights to be elected for each County and one or two Burgesses for each Borough I shall take leave to conjecture that it was because they discerning what large Retinues the Nobility and other great Men in those elder times had as also the great number of the Kings Tenants in Capite then called Barones minores it might have proved dangerous to themselves to permit such a multitude to come together And therefore considering that through the confluence of those many Reteyners brought by their own party to Oxford as before is observed they did at that time so far awe the King as that he was constrained to assent unto those unreasonable Ordinances called the Provisions of Oxford made and framed by themselves they had cause enough to suspect that by the like tumultuous meetings if not thus prevented they themselves might be divested of that usurped power which by the same artifice they had formerly thus gained And now having done with this I hope no uncecessary digression I proceed Having thus got the total sway of the whole Realm to himself the chief of those Barons who stood loyal to the King well foreseeing the consequence thereof viz. Roger de Mortimer Iames de Alditheley Roger de Leyburne Roger de Clifford Hamon le Strange and Hugh de Turbervile with some others with one consent conspired against him Discerning therefore this dangerous cloud he associated himself with Leweline Prince of Wales and removed Prince Edward from Dovor to the Castle of Hereford Then took the Castle of Haye belonging to the Earl of Hereford Likewise the Castle of Ludlow and miserably wasted the Lands of Roger. Mortimer After which he marched to Montâ—omerie where for the present those of the Nobles who were then fallen off came to an accord with him and thence Southwards purposing to encounter such forces as possibly might land from France in aid of the King But by this time the Pope having heard of these their doings he sent the Bishop of Sabine a Cardinal to Excommunicate them all Which Bishop being somewhat timerous to Land here upon that Errand directed his Letters to some of the English Bishops to attend him at Amiens in France and some others at Boloine where he delivered to them an Excommunication from his Holiness to be published in London and the Cinque-Ports Soon after which the Earl of Gloucester who next to himself had been the chief Actor in this Tragick Scene distasting the insolency of this Earl in thus assuming all power to himself and to do what he listed as also discerning that he had grasped all the Kings Castles and Revenues of the Crown with the benefit of all Compositions to himself which by agreement betwixt them should have been equally shared moreover that his Sons bearing themselves loftily had proclaimed a Turneament at Dunstaple against him whereunto the Londoners and great multitudes of people came he grew highly insensed and thereupon required that the King of Almaine with some other of the chief Prisoners taken in the Battle at Lewes should be put into his custody Which being denyed did so enrage him as that he would not hearken to any reconciliation and thereupon incited all the great men of the Marches whom this our Earl of Leicester had by publick Proclamation required to avoid the Realm to rise with him Which breach betwixt them gave opportunity to many others viz. Iohn de Warren Earl of Surrey William de Valence Earl of Pembroke c. to joyn
he sent for all his Knights and Esquires which held of the English party having twelve hundred men at Armes two thousand Archers and three thousand Foot and passing the Garone betwixt Burdeaux and Blay entered Poiâ—ou where he took the Town and Castle of Mirabell by assault Likewise the Town and Castle of Alnoy the Towns of Surgeres and Benon as also Mortain on the Sea side burnt the Town of Lusignen wone the Town and Castle of Taylbourg obtained the Town of St. Iohn d' Angle by render took the Town of Burg St. Maximien by assault So likewise Monstrell Boyvin and the City of Poitiers But these last passages are somewhat otherwise reported by Tho. Walsingham who saith that in this year viz 20 Edw. 3. upon a Counsel held at Brigerak in Aquitane by this Earl and the great men of that Countrey he being then Seneschall there Iohn the eldest Son to the King of France who had long besieged Aguilon but could not take it sent to him for a Truce which was expresly denied and seeing he could not obtain his desire quitted the Siege by night in much disorder leaving his Tents and Baggage behind And that this Earl thereupon fixed himself in Aguilon Reas and several other places as also in the Castles of Agenoys and Tonynges Likewise that marching by Seintonge with a thousand men he lodged at Salveterre which was rendered to him for fear and that after this having taken the Towns of St. Iohn d'Angelyn and Isyngham by assault as also the Castle coming to Poytiers after a short Siege he took it and having refreshed his Army there for eight days returned with great boâ—ty and triumph to Burdeaux About this time also Calais being besieged by the English King Edward took care that the avenues thereto should be strictly guarded so that the French might not approach to raise that siege Whereupon he sent this Earl to keep Newland Bridge with a choice number of men and Archers Shortly after which that strong garrison was rendered At this Siege bearing then the Title of Earl of Lancaster Derby and Leicester and Steward of England he was appointed by the King together with William de Clinton Earl of Hunâ—endon Renaud de Cobham Sir Walter Maney William Lovell and Stephen de Cosintone to hear and determine all disputes touching Armes and thereupon did by a certain Instrument under his and their Hands and Seals bearing date in the Camp there on the Eve of St. Margaret 21 E. 3. give judgement for Iohn de Warbelton in a certain cause then controverted betwixt him the said Iohn Son and Heir to Sir Iohn de Warbelton and Tibaud the Son of Sir Tibaud Russell who assumed the Sirname of Gorges for bearing his Armes viz. Lozengè d'Or d'Asure without any difference it being sufficiently proved that the ancestors of the said Iohn de Warbelton had time out of mind born the same Likewise that Sir Raufe de Gorges Grandfather of this Tibaud forsook his own proper Armes and of his own accord assumed these At this time he had of his own Retinue eight hundred men at Armes and two thousand Archers as also thirty Banners untill the Truce and kept such Hospitality that he spent an hundred pounds a day and eight or nine marks After which Truce it was found also upon account that he had expended in those Wars of France of his own treasure above seventeen thousand pounds Sterling besides the pay which he had from the King In consideration therefore of his Glorious Achivements in the Dutchy of Aquâ—â—tane and elsewhere by many Victories in open Fight as also in taking of divers Cities Towns and Castles as the Record it self doth express he obtained a Grant bearing date in the Camp before Calais 1 Iunii 21 Edw. 3. to himself and the Heirs male of his Body of the Castle and Town of Bragerac which was one of those places he had taken by strong assault Likewise of all the Lands and goods of those prisoners which he had taken at St. Iohn de Angely until their Ransoms were satisfied And soon after that procured another Grant to himself and the Heirs male of his Body of Horestan Castle in Com. Derb. and the annual Rent of forty pounds issuing out of the Town of Derby In this year there being a Tourneament held at 〈◊〉 in â—ent amongst other accouterments prepared for that Heroick Exercise this Earl had a Hood given to him by the King made of white Cloath and embroidered with Dancing men in blew habits and buttoned before with great Pearls In 22 Edw. 3. he was the principal of those persons unto whom the King gave Commission to treat with the Earl of Flanders upon certain differences betwixt the Subjects of England and people of Flanders As also made choice of to treat with the Constable of France upon a Truce for six weeks in order to a Peace throughout Picardy Normandy Arrois Beulongne and Flanders And upon the 25 of Septemb. the same year was constituted the Kings Lieutenant throughout the parts of Flanders Calaâ—s and all other places in France with power to treat and agree with any of the Kings adversaries or their adherents And in December following was sent to Denemere to receive the Fealty and Homage of the Earl of Flanders In this year likewise he obtained a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Lordships of Gymingham Methwolde Thefourd and Beston in Comitat. Norff. And in 23 Edw. 3. by Letters Patent bearing date 20 Aug. was advanced to the title and dignity of Earl of Lincoln having therewith the Annual Fee of twenty pounds granted to him to be paid by the Sheriff of that Shire in lieu of the Tertium Denarium of that County as Thomas his Uncle late Earl of Lincoln had Soon after which he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain-General in the parts of Poictou with power to treat of Peace and Amity as also for observation of the Truce with the French And upon his journey thither obtained License to grant a thousand pounds per Annum Lands and Rents to certain persons to dispose of according to his own direction for the terme of twelve years In this year he marched into Gascoine with thirty thousand men and for ten days space made great spoil in the Countrey for ten leagues with Fire and Sword At which time he took forty two Towns and Castles Then came with his Army to Tholouse and chalenged them out to fight which they declining he burnt the Suburbs of that City About this time also he was elected into that Honourable Society of Knights of the most noble order of the Garter then newly founded And not long after viz. in 25 Edw. 3. having merited so highly by his prudent conduct and renowned exploits in the wars he was farther advanced to
contrary to his Promise given he caus'd the Heads of this Richard and Sir Thomas Dimock to be forthwith cut off Of which cruel Act so soon as Sir Robert had notice he Marcht to the next Village standing a while doubtful whether he should fight until the Earl of â—arwicâ— came up with his Forces considering the King did out-number him But at length taking courage he put his Men in Array and fought stoutly for some houres till many of them forsaking him he was taken prisoner and thereupon with his Brother Dimock forthwith beheaded This Richard was summon'd to Parliament by the name of Richard Welles Lord Willoughby from 33 H. 6. to 6 Edw. 4. inclusive His son Robert being thus cut off and without issue left Elizabeth his VVife daughter of Iohn Bourchier Lord Berners surviving Which Elizabeth by her Testament bearing date 2d Oct. 10 Edw. 4. which was the next ensuing year bequeath'd her Body to be buryed in the Church of the Fryers at Doncaster where the Body of her said Husband lay Interred Of which Testament she constituted Executors Margerie Lady Berners her Mother and Sir Humphrey Bourchier Knight To this Sir Robert Welles succeeded Ioane his Sister as Heir then Married to Richard Hastings Esquire Brother to William Lord Hastings Chamberlain of the Houshold to King Edward the Fourth which Richard in 10 E. 4. had so much favor from that King that he obtained a special Livery of all the Castles Lordships Mannors and Lands whereof her Father Richard Lord Welles and Willoughty or Sir Robert Welles Knight her Brother or either of them were possess'd at the time of their respective Deaths and which by right ought to have descended to her the said Ioane and this without any Writ of Diem clausit extremum c. Which Mannors and Lands as appeareth by the Inquisition taken in 15 E. 4. mentioning the Attainder of the said Richard and Sir Robert in the Parliament held at Westminster 12 E 4. were as followes viz. Skendelby Comberworth Gawsell Willoughby Hoggesthorpe Ingoldmelles Cokerington Hawneby Trusthorpe Sutton Bunthorpe Welles Alford UUitherne Conyngesholme Graynesby Bradeley Hellowe Abye Pinchebek Belcheford Fulstowe Arsyke Swabye Orbye Burghe Partenay Ratheby Toyntone UUesterkele Stykeford Fowlstowe-Beke Saltflet-Haven Somercotes Carleton Screvelby Fenton Plesseley Toste Steping-magna Thedelthorpe Eresbye Handelby Hiptoft-Hall and Saltfletby in Com. Lincoln ¶ Having thus done with the chief branch of this Noble Family I come to Iohn Son of Leo Lord Welles by Margaret Dutchess of Somerset his Second Wife This Iohn in 1 R. 3. put himself in Arms for Henry Earl of Richmund but seeing the Duke of Buckingham who did the like unhappily betray'd fled with the Marquess of Dorset and others into Britanny And standing thus faithful to that Earl upon his arrival to the Crown by the Name of Henry the Seventh was made Constable of Rockingham-Castle having therewith also a Grant of the Stewardship of the Forest. Moreover in 3 H. 7. having then the Title of Vicount UUelles though the time of his Creation appeareth not on Record he obtain'd a Grant in special tail of the Mannor of Braunceton in the County of the City of Lincolne also of the Mannor of Blankney in Com. Linc. and Rusby in Com. Salop. late Francis Lord Lovel's attainted Likewise of the Mannor of East-Deping part of the possession of Roger Wake and of the Mannors of Bulwyke and Haryngworth in Com. Northampt. part of the Possessions of Iohn Lord Zouche Having Married Cecelie Daughter to King Edward the Fourth he had Summons to Parliament from 3 to 12 H. 7. inclusive And by his Testament bearing date 8 Feb. An. 1498. 14 H. 7. bequeath'd his Body to be Buried as the King and Queen and the Lady Margaret Countess of Richmund and Derby the Kings Mother and his own Wife should think fit Appointing that the said Lady Cecilie his Wife should have all his Castles Mannors c. during her Life And died 9 Feb. An. 1498. 14 Hen. 7. being St. Apolline's day at Paâ—mers-place in St. Sythes in London whereupon he was Buried in our Ladies Chapel at UUestminster leaving issue one sole Daughter called Anne who died ... and was Buried in the Augustine-Friers at London Leiburne 27 Edw. 1. IN 10 R. 1. Robert de Leeburne being dead Stephen de Turnbam gave three hundred Marks Fine to the King for the Wardship and Marriage of his Heir And in 9 Ioh. Margaret de Leeburne his Widdow I presume gave one hundred pounds and two Palfreys for licence to Marry again To Robert succeeded Roger his Son and Heir who in 17 Ioh adhering to the Rebellious Barons then in Arms was taken Prisoner amongst other of them in Rochester-Castle and committed to the safe custody of Iohn Mareschall This Roger Married Elianore one of the Daughters of the before specified Stephen de Turnham and in 36 H. 3. being in that notable Tourneament then held at Walden in Com. Essex Encountered with Ernauld de Mountenei a valiant Knight and unhappily run his Lance into his Throat under his Helment it wanting a Coller whereupon Mountney fell from his Horse and died presently insomuch as it was then supposed by some That in regard his Lance had not a Socket on the Point he did it purposely in revenge of a broken Leg he had received from Mountney Tilting with him in a former Tourneament After which the next ensuing year he attended the King in his Expedition then made into Gascoine And in 44 H. 3. was made Constable of the Castle at Bristol But in 46 H. 3. favouring the part of those turbulent Spirited Barons who were then grown powerful he was one of them whom the King by his Precpt prohibited to meet at any Tourneament without his special License Whereupon appearing openly on their side he took his Oath at Oxford to adhere firmly unto them for which together with the rest he underwent the Sentence of Excommunication by the Archbishop of Canterbury But not long after this being drawn off by Rewards as was said he forsook them Whereupon in 48 Hen 3. 26 Nov. he was made Warden of the Cinque-Ports and in December following became one of the undertakers together with Prince Edward and divers of the great Lords that the King should stand to the Arbitrement of the King of France touching the Ordinances of Oxford But the Barons declining that Award he farther manifested his Fidelity to the King by his eminent Actions in the ensuing War First at Northampton the same year being in Arms with him at the taking of that Town and Castle where the Barons had a notable Defeat And shortly after that upon the Assault of Rochester-Castle by those Barons where he received some dangerous Wounds
and Cicestre of the Mannors of Newport juxta-Walden of the Town of Wilton and Mannor of Cosham with One hundred pounds rent issuing out of the Mannor of Lichelade by the hands of the Abbot of Hailes As also of all the Lands which the before-specified Edmund Earl of Cornwall held at the time of his death as well in possession as Reversion Likewise of Two hundred shillings and ten Marks yearly Rent payable by the Mayor of London out of the Rent of Fifty pounds per annum due for Queen-Hithe Furthermore he then obtain'd a Grant of the whole Isle of Man But being thus highly advanced and inrich'd with such vast possessions he grew so insolent as that he despised the chiefest of the Nobles in so much as upon the day appointed for the King's Coronation viz. the Festival of St. Mathias the Apostle in An. 1309. 2 Edw. 2. the great Lords desired of the King in the presence of Charles and Lewes his Uncles Iohn Duke of Brabant and Margaret his Dutchess the Earl of Savoy and many others that he might be removed and when they saw it would not be they endevoured to defer that Solemnity but in vain for to honour him yet farther the King gave him the Crown of St. Edward the Confessor to carry in that Solemn Proceeding Which being over he became more and more elated and causing a Tourneament to be proclaimed at Walingford got thither such a number out of Forrein parts as that he there insulted over all the English Lords of which Thomas Earl of Lancaster Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke and Iohn Earl of Warren were not the least Who stomaching the matter unanimously entred into consultation how they might destroy him Moreover about this time he obtain'd another Grant from the King of the Castles of Gaure Thalamon and Mauleon in Gascoine with the Provost-ship of Camparian called Comptal and City of Baion also of the Mannors of Herb-funere Biorn Comtad Saline Dagines and Isle of Oleron with the Territories of Marempne and Lancras in Xantoigne for terme of life And shortly after that a Charter to himself and Margaret his Wife for a Market every week upon the Thursday at his Mannor of Torpell in Com. North. as also for a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow of St. Giles Likewise another Grant in tail to himself and the said Margaret and to the issue of their two Bodies lawfully begotten of the Mannor of Wroxhale in the Isle of Wight late part of the possessions of Isabell Countess of Albemarle Again having the Earldome of Cornwall thus granted to him and Margaret his Wife and to the heires of their two bodies lawfully begotten he obtain'd several Precepts to sundry persons to make Livery unto him of divers Lordships and Lands which were parcel thereof viz. to Adam de Carleton for Livery of the Mannors of Tremeton and Moresk in that County To Thomas de la Hyde Sheriff of that Shire of all the Lands then in his custody therein the like to Iohn de Sture of Lands in Devonshire Also to Iohn de Clinton for Livery of the Castle of Walingford the Honor of St. Walerie and Town of Cicestre To George de Perci of the Mannor of Cosham to Iohn de Knokyn of the Mannor of UUatlyngton To Roger de Wellesworth of the Mannor of Newport in Essex To Alexander Cheverell of the Town of Wilton and to Iohn de Gras Sheriff of Yorkshire of the Castle Town and Honor of Knaresborough with the Mannors of Routhelyve and Aldeburgh Which excessive favours raised his pride and insolencie to such an height as that the great Lords not being longer able to endure it humbly besought the King that he would manage his Affaires by the Advice of his Barons whereby he might be the more safe from danger Unto which outwardly assenting he forthwith called a Parliament to meet at London Where at their earnest instance this Piers was banish'd into Ireland about the Feast of the blessed Virgin 's Nativity but much against the King's mind In his passage therefore thitherwards he accompanied him to Bristoll and assign'd him all his own Royal Revenues in that Realm for his support there But no sooner was the Parliament dissolved than that he recall'd him again and upon his arrival in England met him at Chester Seeing therefore the King thus stedfast to him he despised the Nobles more than ever and seeing he gave him way to do what he listed fell to fingering the Treasure of the Kingdom and lent it out to Forrein Merchants for his own peculiar benefit so that there was not left wherewith to defray the usual expences of the King's Houshold the Queen likewise becoming so necessitous that she with Teares complained to her Father the King of France that she was bereft of that due Honor which belong'd to her The Barons therefore taking into their farther consideration that it was their Lenitie which encouraged him to be thus bold unanimously made an Address to the King and plainly told him That in case he would not rid the Court of this insolent Earl they would Arme themselves against him as a Perjur'd Person Whereupon for fear of greater mischief he once more abjured the Realm this farther Condition being added by the Barons That if ever he should be found in England again or in any of the King's Dominions he should be taken and condemn'd as a publick Enemy Hereupon he first went into France with a Guard But the King hearing thereof gave strict command that he should be laid fast in case he came thither to the end he might not return again into England to disturb the Queen his Daughter and the Nobles Having therefore got Intelligence of what the King of France resolv'd he hasted into Flanders but finding no rest there came back with his Companions relying upon the Earl of Glocester's Favor whose Sister he had Married and that interest which he well knew he had in the King Being thus return'd with all cheerful reception from the King he was soon after made Justice of all the Forests South of Trent and obtain'd a Grant in tail to himself and Margaret his Wife and the heires of their two Bodies lawfully begotten with remainder to the King and his heires of the Mannor of Werke in Tindale with divers ample Liberties Franchises and Priviledges within his Mannor and Honor of Knaresburgh as also in Burrough Brigg Clynte Aldeburgh and Routhclyst the particulars whereof for brevity I omit Likewise for Free-warren in all his Demesn lands within his Lordsh. of Tynragel Clymeâ—â—ond Helleston in Rerye Mâ—resa Rillaton Helleston in Trigg Lyskeret juxta Tybeste Penkeneke Talskidye Tywarnaill Tremeton Restormell Lestwithiell Ualistok Trewynton and Penlyn in
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-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
Husband in his life time obtained the custody of the Mannors of Westlee in com Suff. and Dâ—kenham in com Essex which were part of the Lands whereof he died seised to hold during the Minority of the said David her Son Which David in 29 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into France with Prince Edward then made Duke of Aquitane and in 33 E. 3. in that into Gascoigne So likewise in 43 E. 3. And having been summoned to Parliament in 39 42 and 43 E. 3. departed this life upon the tenth day of October 49 E. 3. being then seised of the Mannor of Brabourne in com Cantii Possewyke West-Lexham Stokey and Holkeham in com Norff. Gaynesburgh in com Linc. Hunteshalgh Thornton in Tindale Kildrehais UUainhopeside Newburgh as also of the Castle and Mannor of Mitford with its Members viz. the third part of the Mannor of Pont-Eland Little-Eland Calverton Valence Merdisfen Franclington Est-Kaldworth Bechfeld and Melteston in com Northumb. leaving Issue by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter to Henry Lord Ferrers of Groby his two Daughters his Heirs viz. Elizabeth and Philippa both in Minority Elizabeth his Widdow dying the same year who was buried at Ashford in Kent with this Epitaph upon her Tombe-stone Icy gist Elizabeth Counte D'Athels le file Seigneur de Ferrers que Dieu assoit Que morust le xxii jour d'Octobre l'an du grace MCCCLxxv Whereupon Henry Lord Perci obtained the Wardship of these Co-heirs But in 5 E. 3. Elizabeth the elder of them making proof of her age had for her maintenance an assignation of the Mannor of Brabourne in com Cantii Colingham Valence in Com. Wilts Possewyke and Holkham in com Norff. Thornton with the Hamlets of Thornton Neweburgh les Bowes and les Belles UUayneshope and Wayneshopeside with the Park of Waynshope Poltrenerot Emelhoppe Keldre and Keldre-Hays parcels of the said Mannor of Thornton within the Liberty of Tindale for her purpartie and the next year following became the Wife of Sir Thomas Percie Knight a younger Son to the before-specified Henry Lord Perci being then sixteen years of age and her sister Philippa of Sir Raphe Perci Knight Brother of the same Sir Thomas Which Philippa had for her purpartie an assignation of the Mannor of Gaynesbrough in com Linc. West-Lexham and Stykanay in Com. Norff. Mitford with the custody of the Castle Framlyngtone Esheldeworth Bechfeld and North Milleburne with two parts of the Mannor of Pont Eland the Hamlet of Little Eland the Towns of Calverdon Valence and Merdesfen and Rent of Six pence from Iohn de Mitford for the Hamlet of Mollesdon as also of the Mannor of Henteshalgh with the Forest of Lowes and divers Scalings in Hunt Eland in com Northumb. And surviving him afterwards Married to Sir Iohn Halsham Knight As did also Elizabeth her elder sister her husband and wedded Sir Iohn Scrope Knight Andrew de Harcla E. of Carlisle 15 E. 2. THis Andrew was son of Michael de Harcla Sheriff of Cumberland from 13 till 16 E. 1. inclusive As also Governor of Carlisle in 24 E. 1. But until 32 E. 1. that he attended that Victorious King into Scotland in which year he totally subjected that Realm to his own Power I have not seen any other mention of him After which viz. in 4 E. 2. he served again in the Scotish-wars being then of the Retinue with Iohn de Segrave And in 6 E. 2. was constituted Governor of the Castle of Carlisle In 8 E. 2. being Warden of the Marches he was soon after made Governor of the City of Carlisle and in 11 E. 2. Sheriff of UUestmorland as also of Cumberland and Governor of the Castle at Carlisle having at that time a special commission to receive all such of the Scots to protection as should submit to the King's Obedience being likewise the next ensuing year constituted Governor of the Castle at Cokermouth And in 12 E. 2. again Governor of the City of Carlisle In 15 E. 2. he had summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm and the same year upon that dangerous Insurrection made by Thomas Earl of Lancaster who then advanc'd out of Staffordshire to Burrough-brigg in Com. Ebor. being still Governor of Carlisle-Castle he Marcht thither with considerable Forces and after a sharp dispute wherein the whole strength which that Earl had there was routed and Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford slain Ibid. he took him Prisoner and carried him to the King at York whereupon he suffered death at Pontfract shortly after as did divers others Lords and persons of quality at York and other places at that time likewise taken prisoners In consideration of which service he obtain'd a special Charter to himself and the heires-Male of his body of an Annuity of Twenty pounds to be received out of the Issues of the County of Cumberland from the Sheriff of that Shire for the time being by the name and Title of Earl of Carlisle being then so created by cincture with a Sword By which Charter it was also covenanted that for the better support of the same Dignity he should have to himself and the heires-Male of his body Lands and Rents in the Counties of Cumberland and UUestmorland of a Thousand Marks per annum value and Five hundred Marks per annum more in the Marches of UUales And until such provision should be made that he should receive a Thousand Marks per annum out of the Exchequer at four times in the year viz. within the Clause of Easter the Quindesme of St. Iohn Baptist the Quindesme of St. Michael and the Octaves of St. Hillary This being the first Patent of Creation unto Honour wherein any Preamble importing the merits of the person so dignified was ever used and beareth date at Pontfract 25 Martii 15 E. 2. Besides all this he likewise obtain'd a Grant to himself and the heires-Male of his Body of the Mannor of UUerke in Tinedaâ—â— to hold by the service of one Knights Fee and paying a Sore-Goshhawke yearly into the Exchequer As also of the Castles and Mannors of Brouham Malestrung Meburne Regis Kirkby Stephen and Langeton with the Wood of UUhynnefeld the Cornage reserved to the King all in Com. Westmorl late part of the possessions of Roger Clifford and forfeited by his Rebellion Being therefor from a mean condition thus raised for he was merely a Knight of a small fortune he grew so lofty that he began to manifest that hatred publickly which he had for a long time privily borne towards Hugh le Despenser the greatest and most powerful Favourite of his time whom the King had advanced to the dignity of Earl of UUinchester in May next following And finding that the King did in such sort
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
Pontfract but afterwards in the Quire of the Collegiate-Church at Fotheringhay Thus have we seen the Tragique conclusion of this great Dukes life Of whom as I have read it was said by the Duke of Somerset his chiefest opponent that If he had not learned to play the King by his Regency in France he had never forgot to obey as a Subject when he returned into England The issue which he had by Cecilie his wife daughter to Raphe Nevill Earl of UUestmorland was as some say eight sons viz. Henry who died young Edward Earl of March afterwards King by the name of Edward the 4 th Edmund Earl of Rutland barbarously stab'd in the Town of Wakefeild by the Ld. Clifford shortly after the Battle being then but 12 years of age Iohn William and Thomas who all died young George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Glocester afterwards King by the name of Richard the Third and four daughters Anne married to Henry Holand Duke of Exeter after to Sir Thomas St. Leger Kt. Elizabeth to Iohn de la Pole Duke of Suffolk Margaret to Charles Duke of Burgundy and Vrsula Which Cecilie surviving him a long time by her Testament bearing date 1 April An. 1495. 10 H. 7. bequeathed her body to be buried beside the Body of her said Husband and in his Tombe within the Collegiate-Church of Fotheringhay And gave to her daughter Anne her largest Bed of Baudekyn with a Counterpoint of the same To her daughter Catherine a Traverse of Blew Sattin To her daughter of Suffolk her Chair with the covering all her Cusheons Horses and Harnesses for the same with all her Palfreys To her son in Law of Suffolk a Cloth of Estate To her son Humphrey two Altar-Cloaths of Blew Damask To her son William a Traverse of white Sarcenet and to her daughter Anne Prioress of Syon a Book of Bonaventure Which Testament was proved 27 August the same year Whereby it seemes that the Catalogue of his children above expressed is somewhat mistaken I come now to his Sons of which Edward who bore the Title of Earl of March in his Father's life-time though not by any Patent of Creation but as the eldest surviving son of that Duke by reason of his descent from the Mortimers Earls of March through an heir female as hath been already observed This Edward being at Glocester when his Father was thus slain hearing the tidings thereof remov'd to Shrewsbury And being there had by reason of the descent from that great Family of Mortimer very large offers of aide from those of the Marches thereabouts so that he soon raised in Army of Twenty three thousand men wherewith he quickly advanc'd Northwards against that of the Queens by which his Father lost his life But hearing that Iasper Earl of Pembroke half brother to King Henry with Iames Earl of UUiltshire were marching towards him with a great power of Welch and Irish he diverted his course and hasted towards them And at Mortimer's-Cross not far from Hereford East giving them Battel utterly routed all their Forces and slew many And having this success sped towards London joying with the Earl of UUarwick at Cheping-Norton near Cotswould By which conjuction having a considerable Body of men he entred the City in the first week of Lent very great numbers from the Counties of Kent Essex and other places coming in to his aid Where calling a great Council of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal he related the Tenor of the Articles made betwixt his late Father and King Henry which had been ratified in Parliament Whereupon the Lords declared that for as much as King Henry had made breach of them on his part and done contrary to the Ordinances in that Parliament they deem'd him insufficient to Rule and therefore fit to be deposed admitting this Edward for King Where I shall leave him with the remainder of his life and actions to our publick Historians But take notice in order of time of what Honors he conferred upon his two sons though not as they stood in seniority For in the seventh year of his Reign being upon St. George's day at St. Iohn's accompanied with other Knights of the Garter after Even-song in his Bedchamber in the presence of his Lords and his Council as also of Norroy and Guyen Kings of Armes he did by express command appont that Richard his second son then Duke of York for so it seems he had been declared though not formally created till long afterwards should bear for his Armes the like Armes as he himself did with this difference viz. A Label of three points Silver and on the first of them a Canton-gules and for his Badge a Falcon volant silver membred with two Sewels gold within a fetterlock anlocked and somewhat open gold Which Fetterlock was devised by the first Duke of York locked who was the fifth son of King Edward the Third as who should say he was far from the Inheritance Thus far my Author And upon the 28 th of May An. 1474 in the Fourteenth year of his Reign created him Duke of York as by his Charter then bearing date appeareth Next viz. 12 Iuii in the 16 th year of his Regin Earl of Nottingham and lastly 7 Febr. then next following Duke of Norffolk and Earl UUarren After which viz. 15 Ian. the ensuing year this young Duke married Anne the sole daughter and heir to Iohn Moubray Duke of Norffolk and Earl Marshal of England And as to his eldest son Edward having created him Prince of Wales 16 Iunii in the Eleventh year of his Reign upon the fifteenth of February in the 17 th he conferred on him the Title of Earl of Salisbury and upon the Eighth of Iuly in the Nineteenth the Titles of Earl of March and Pembroke But both these Royal Branches were not long after most execrably lop't off by their unnatural Uncle Richard Duke of Glocester who caused them to be privately Murthered in the Tower of London to make way for his own Title to the Crown by the name of King Richard the Third as is sufficiently known to those who have any whit lookt into the Story of that time and as I have elsewhere shewed Having now done with these his Children I come next to his two Brothers George and Richard Upon the death of their Father and Brother at Wakefeild these two were sent by their Mother unto the City of Utrecht Where having a fair reception by Philip Duke of Burgundy they remained till Edward their Brother attain'd the Crown of this Realm Of which Brothers being now to discourse severally I shall first begin with George that elder of them This George being created Duke of Clarence in the Parliament held shortly after King Edward the Fourth's Coronation was constituted Lieutenant of Ireland upon the 28 th
also betwixt him and the daughter and heir to Frederick Burgrave of Nurenburgh but none of them succeeded About this time also it was that Ioane Queen of Apulâ—â— obtain'd leave of King Henry to adopt this Duke for her son and that the Scots laying siege to the Castle of Roxboroâ—gh he raised an Army and Marcht Northward but they hearing of his approach fled In this year likewise being sent for by the King her sailed with a great power into Normandy and in 7. H. 5. was again retein'd by Indenture to serve him in his wars of France with six Knights One hundred and thirteen men at Armes and Three hundred and sixty Archers In 8 H. 5. being at that time in France he was with the King at the siege of Melon that strong City which endured fourteen weeks and four dayes viz. from the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen until Alâ—hallown-tide ere it rendred and in 9 H. 5. was once more made Lieutenant and Governor of this Realme during the King's abode in France In that year also upon the birth of Prince Henry at Windsore-Castle on the festival of St. Nicholas the Bishop he was one of his Godfathers at the Font and in the Moneth of April next following attended the Queen into Normandy In 10 H. 5. being still in France he was sent to raise the siege of a Walled City belonging to the Duke of Burgundy which the Dolphin with the Earl of Armanack and the Scots had laid thereto who hearing of his approach fled And upon the death of King Henry the Fifth which hapned soon after was left Governor and Lieutenant of Normandy as that King did in his life-time direct In 1 H. 6. the King being then but an Infant he was constituted his chief Counsellor and Protector as also Regent of France where continuing for the Government of that Realm he besieged Crotoy both by Water and Land for four moneths till it rendred About this time the Parisians to divert him whilst in his absence they might bring in Charles the Dolphin who call'd himself King of France advertised him that divers Castles and Fortresses lying near their Territories were replenisht with Enemies who stopt their passage and rob'd their Merchants which would be to their utter ruine if by his help they were not releived But this their Plot being discovered he entred Paris with a great Power before they lookt for him and apprehending the Conspirators put then to Execution and not only so but caused the Castles and Forts adjoyning to that City to be furnished with Englishmen And to avoid all Night-watchers about Parâ—s and the confines thereof took into his possession by assault or composition the Towns of â—rainelle and Braâ—e upon Seine And because two Castles the one called Pacâ—e and the other Couâ—saâ—e were ill Neighbours he sent Sir Iohn Fastolfe great Master of his Houshold with considerable forces to win them In 2 H. 6. besieging the Castle of Yvrie it was given up into his hands And having married Anne daughter to Iohn Duke of Burgundy obtain'd a special Act of Parliament for the making her a free-denizen her Homage being respited until she arrived in England In this year upon the taking of Uernoâ—l by Iohn Duke of Alenzon he marcht thither and giving him Battel obtain'd a signal Victory in which that Duke being taken prisoner Five thousand of the French lost their lives Whereupon he put another garrison into it and return'd to Paris In 4 H. 6. he was constituted Admiral of all England Ireland and Aquitane for the life of Thomas Duke of Exeter but afterwards so long as the King should please And in 5 H. 6. continued still in France In 7 H. 6. he was made Captain of the Town and Castle of Calais and the Marches of Picardy adjacent In 8 H. 6. he call'd a Parliament at Roan in Normandy of the three Estates of that Dutchy wherein he represented to them the happiness which they might enjoy by continuing under the English obeysance And soon after recovered the Town of St. Dennis from the French In 11 H. 6. Anne his wife departing the world whereupon the friendship betwixt him and the Duke of Burgundy began to slacken he buried her at the Celestine's in Paris within the Chapel of Orleans where a noble Tombe of black Marble with her Effigies as a Princess placed thereon was erected for her with this Epitaph Cy gist Noble Dame Madame Anne de Bourgongne Espouse de tres Noble Prince Monseigneur Jean Duo de Bethfort Regent de France fille de tres-noble Prince Jean Duc de Burgongne la quelle trespass a Paris le XIV de Novembre lâ— an MCCCCXXXII And before the end of that year married Iaquette daughter to Peter de Luxemburgh Earl of St. Paul In 12 H. 6. he was again constituted the King's Lieutenant of Calais and the Marches extending into Picardy Flanders and Attois and by his Testament bearing date in the Castle of Roan 10 Sept. An. 1435. 14 H. 6. bequeath'd his body to be buried in the Church of the blessed Virgin at Roan in case he should depart this life in Normandy If in Picardy then in the Church of Nostre Dame at Morivele and if in England in Waltham-Abby in Com. Essex Appointing that such Service Lights and other Ordinances should be performed at his Funeral as for a person of his degree according to the direction of his Executors Bequeathing to Iaquetta his wife all his Lands whereof he was then possessed as well in England as in France excepting the Castle and Lordship of Harapute which he gave to Richard his illegitimate son commonly called The Bastard of Bedford to enjoy during his life only And being a person highly famed for his prudent Government in times of Peace and singular prowess in Warr departed this life in the Castle at Roan upon the Festival of the Exaltation of the Holy-Cross in the year above-mentioned without any lawful issue being then seised of the Castle Mannor and Lordship of St. Briavells with the Forest of Dene in Com. Gloc. of the Mannors of Hoo and Preston in Com. Suss. Totyngbek in Com. Surr. Saldene and Bledlowe in Com. Buck. Bradwell Dangehall and Dangebregge in Com. Essex of the Castle and Honor of Richmund with the Mannors of Gilling Aldeburgh Bowes Forset Danby Multon Thornton Middelton Kneton also of the Castle of Wresel with the Mannors of Helaugh juxta Wighall and Kirk-levyngton in Cleveland all in Com. Ebor. of the Mannor of Bassingburne with the Hundreds of Papworth Flemdiche Haringford Chilford Stane and Padefeld in Com. Cantabr of the Mannor of Fulbroke in Com. Warr. Combe Quarles and Monkeston in Com. South two parts of the Mannors of Ambresbury and Winterburne with the Town of Wilton of the Mannor of
of his special Services both in Peace and War perform'd to King Henry the Fifth and likewise to that King obtain'd a farther grant of all the before-specified Castles Mannors and Lands to hold after the death of the said Elizabeth during the Kings pleasure paying C Marks per annum to the Exchequer at Easter and Michaelmass by even portions Moreover in farther consideration of his great Services to the same King Henry the Fifth and his Progenitors in England France and Normandy and for that he had married the said Elizabeth Countess of Huntington Mother to King Henry the Fourth he was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm in full Parliament 17 Iulii 11 H. 6. by the Title of Lord Faunhope it being the last day of that sitting And in 12 H. 6 was made Governour of the Town of St. Selerine then won by assault Shortly after which he had a grant of the Custody of Charles Duke of Orleans during the time of his restraint in England And upon the 30 th of Ianuary 20 H. 6. was Created Baron of Milbroke to bear that Title as a free Denizen of this Realm with place in Parliament c. By his Testament bearing date on Tuesday 10 Dec. an 1443. 22 H. 6. he bequeath'd his Body to be buryed in the Chappel of the blessed Virgin founded by himself in the Churchyard of the Friers-Preachers near Ludgate in the City of London and gave to the Covent of those Friers and their Successors an yearly Rent of xl Marks to be received from the Company of Fishmongers within that City for the Celebration of Divine Service in the said Chappel according to the tenor of a certain Indentuâ—e made betwixt him and that Covent He also bequeathed to his Bastard Son Iohn then being at Ampthill CCC Marks and in Case he should die before his arrival to xxi years of Age appointed that his other Bastard Son Thomas should have that money And departing this life upon the first day of December the same year without lawful Issue being then seized only for term of life by the King's gift of the Mannors of Calstoke Trematon Restormel Tewyngton Moresh Penknegh Penlyn Tyntagell and of the Burroughs of Lostwithiel and Camelfoâ—d all in Cornwall Likewise of the Mannors of Ampthull Myâ—broke Houghton Tyngreth Flytwike and Pelyng in Com. Bedf. was buried in the said Chappel at the Black Fryers accordingly Francis Lord Cottington 7 Car. 1. THis Francis being fourth son to Philip Cottington of Godmanston in Com. Somerset by Iane his Wife Daughter of Thomas Biflete had his first Education under Sir Charles Cornwallis Knight whilst he was Resident in Spain And being a person of great natural parts solid understanding and excellent judgment in 11 Iac. was constituted one of the Clerks of the Council After which in the Month of Ianuary an 1616. 14 Iac. he was sent by King Iames into Spain to recal Sir Iohn Digby Knight at that time Embassador there And in an 1621. 19 Iac. being then Agent in those parts for the King was design'd Secretary for the Prince instead of Th. Murrey Meriting therefore very much for his faithful Services there being after four years stay in those parts returned he was created Baronet 16 Febr. 20 Iac. And afterwards his Prudence and gravity growing more conspicuous upon the 18 th of April 5 Car. 1. being constituted Chancellor and Under-Treasurer of the Exchequer he was sent Embassador into Spain to treat of Peace with that King as also 10 Iulii 7 Car. 1 advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Cottington of Hanworth in Com. Midd. Moreover gaining yet farther trust with that King upon his Progress into Scotland in the ninth year of his reign he had Commission bearing date 30 Maii to exercise the Office of Lord Treasurer during the whole time of his Majesties absence which he managed with such discretion and fidelity that shortly after his return he was made Master of the Wards scil 25 Martii 10 Car. 1. And standing perfectly loyal to him in the time of his great troubles and sad afflictions when he was necessitated to repair to Oxford and to Garrison that City for the defence of his royal person he was there constituted his Lord Treasurer of that little which he could then obtain for a mean support In which imployment and otherwise he served him with great affection and fidelity till all was lost And in September next after the barbarous murther of that King scil an 1649. was again sent Embassador into Spain together with Sir Edward Hide Knight Chancellor of the Exchequer whence he never returned but departing this life at Ualedolid was there buried He married Anne Daughter to Sir William Meredeth Knight Widdow of Sir Robert Bret Knight by whom he had Issue one Son called Charles and Anne a Daughter neither of which survived So that Francis the Son of Mâ—nrice Cottington his Brother became Heir to his Estate William Phelip Lord Bardolf 16 H. 6. THis William was Son to Sir Iohn Phelip of Donyngton in Com. Suff. Kt. a valiant Souldier under King H. 5. in his Wars of France and having Married Ioan one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Thomas Lord Bardolf in 9 H 5. upon the Death of Avice Widdow of the said Thomas doing his Fealty had Livery of that purparty of those Lands which thereby descended to her she being at that time twenty six years of Age. And being Treasurer of the Houshold to that victorious King had at his death the chief conduct of his dolorous Funeral IN 8 H. 6. he was retained to serve the King with nineteen men at Arms beside himself and sixty Archers for one whole year in the Wars of France and went accordingly And in 15 H. 6. founded a Chantry for two Priests to celebrate divine service every day at the Altar of St. Margaret in the Church of Denyngton for the good Estate of himself and the said Ioan his Wife during this life as also for their Souls after their departure hence likewise for the Souls of King Henry the Fourth and King Henry the Fifth and all the faithful deceased In 16 H. 6. being at that time Chamberlain to the King he bore the title of Lord Bardolf though he never had Summons to Parliament And by his Testament bearing date 1 Dec. an 1438. 17. H. 6. wherein he stiles himself Lord Bardolf bequeath'd his Body to be buryed with his Ancestors at Denyngton abovesaid before the Altar in the Chappel of St. Margaret appointing that upon the carriage of it thither twenty Torches should be born about it at the entrance thereof into every town through which it should pass And that at his Months-mind twenty four Torches as also twenty four Tapers each
of Richmund at his landing Which was really his intent though he durst not shew it till he came near Bosworth but had Conference with him at Atherston about six Miles short of that place coming thither with great privacy to him the day before the Fight Approaching therefore near the Field he openly appeared notwithstanding the King's Message to him letting him know that unless he did forthwith repair to his presence he would put his Son the Lord Strange to Death and marcht with him in the Rear of all his Forces with one Troop of Horse and some few Foot until the whole Army was fully marshall'd Whereupon the Battel soon after ensued in which King Richard being slain and his Crown he that day wore found amongst the spoils he set it upon the Earl of Richmund's Head and Proclaim'd him King by the name of Henry the Seventh After which upon the 27th of October he was advanced to the dignity of an Earl by the Title of Earl of Derby and Constituted one of the Commissioners for exercising the Office of Lord High Steward of England upon the thirtieth day of that month which was the day of his more solemn Coronation as also soon after that made one of his Privy Council And in 3 H. 7. one of the Commissioners to exercise the Office of High Steward of England upon the day of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth Wife to that prudent King He Married two Wives First Eleanore the fourth Daughter to Richard Nâ—vil Earl of Salisbury by whom he had issue six Sons and four Daughters viz. Thomas and Richard who died young George called Lord Strange of whom I shall speak farther by and by William died young Edward afterwards Lord Mont-Egle and Iames elected Bishop of Ely in 22 H. 7. Which Iames being also Warden of the Collegiate-Church at Manchester in Com. Lanc. lyeth buried in the Chapell of St. Iohn Baptist on the North side of that Church by him built with this Inscription on his Tomb Of your Charity pray for the soul of James Stanley sometimes Bishop of Ely and Warden of Manchester who deceased this transitory world the xxii of March in the year of our Lord God 1525. upon whose soul and all Christian souls Iesu have mercy His four Daughters were these Ioan Catherine and Anne who died young and Margaret married to Sir Iohn Osbaldeston of ... in Com. Lanc. Knight His second Wife was Margaret Daughter and Heir to Iohn Duke of Somerset Widdow of Edmund Earl of Richmund before mentioned the happy Mother to King Henry the seventh but by her he had no issue By his Testament bearing date 28 Iulii an 1504 19 H. 7. bearing then the title of E. of Derby Lord Stanley Lord of Man and great Constable of England he bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the midst of the Chapell in the North Isle of the Church of the Priory of Bourâ—cough near Lathom in Com. Lanc. of his Ancestors foundation where the Bodies of his Father Mother and other of his Ancestours lay buried having provided a Tomb to be there placed with the personage of himself and both his Wives for a perpetual remembrance to be pray'd for and likewise appointing that the personages which he had caused to be made for his Father and Mother his Grandfather and Great-grandfather should be set in the Arches of the Chancell within that Priory in the places provided for the same And though he had formerly given to the Prior and Covent of that House large gifts in money Jewels and Ornaments and likewise made great reparations there he farther bequeath'd unto them xx l. to the intent that they should be obliged by their Deed under their Covent Seal to cause one of the Canons of that house duly to say Mass in the before-specified Chapel for his Soul as also for the Soul of his Lady then living after her decease Likewise for the Soul of Alianore his former Wife and for the Souls of his Father Mother Ancestors Children Brethren and Sisters Also for the Soul of William late Marquess Berkley and for the Souls of them who died in his or his Fathers service or that should die in his service And at every Mass before the Lavatorie audibly to say for the said Souls appointed by name and all other in general De profundis clamavi and such Oriâ—ons and Collects as are used to be said therewith Furthermore he willed that his Son Sir Edward Stanley should have and enjoy the Castle of Hornby so long as he lived And departed this life within the space of three months after as may seem by the Probate thereof which bears date 9 Nov. next ensuing To whom succeeded Thomas his Grandson and Heir by George his eldest Son who died in his life time Of which George before I proceed it is proper to take notice that having married Ioan the Daughter and Heir to Iohn Lord Strange of Knokin he had summons to Parliament by the title of Lord Strange in 22 E. 4. and afterwards until the twelfth of H. 7. inclusive Also that before his said marriage he was one of those noble persons which receiv'd the Honour of Knighthood by Bathing c. with Prince Edward the Kings eldest Son 18 Apr. 15 E. 4. and that in 1 H. 7. he was made one of the Lords of the Privy-Council Likewise that in 2 H. 7. being one of the principal Commanders in the Kings Army at the battel of Stoke juxta Newark he shared in the honour of that Victory which was then obtained against Iohn Earl of Lincoln and his adherents and was made one of the Knights Companions of the most noble order of the Garter Furthermore that in 9 H. 7. upon the siege of Norham-Castle by the Scots he advanced with Thomas Earl of Surrey and many other of the Nobility against those bold Invaders but performed nothing of consequence at that time the enemy retreating before they wrought thither And departing this life 5 Dec. 3 H. 7. his Father then living was buried in the Parish Church of St. Iames Garlik-hythe in the City of London leaving issue by the said Ioan his Wife two Sons viz. Thomas and Iames and two Daughters Iane married to Robert Sheffeild Esq and Elizabeth Which Thomas had livery of those lands whereof his Father died seised 9 Iulii 19 H. 7. And in 5. H. 8. his Grandfather being dead attended King Henry in that great expedition by him then made into France at which time he won Therouene and Tournay By Anne his Wife Daughter of Edward Lord Hastings Sister to George the first Earl of Huntington of that name and with whom he had four thousand Marks he had issue three Sons Iohn who died in his life time Edward his Successor in his honours and Henry as also one Daughter
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
the second who succeeded him in his Honors and Iames who died in his infancy the three daughters being these Frances married to Sir William Maynard Knight and Baronet afterwards created Lord Maynard Mary and Elizabeth who both died young Secondly Elizabeth daughter to Edward Boughton of Causton in com War Esquire and widow of Sir Richard Wortley of UUortley in Com. Ebor. Knight by whom he had issue Sir Iohn Cavendish made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Prince Charles but died in his youth This VVilliam Earl of Devonshire died upon the third day of March An. 1625. and was buried at Endsore before-mentioned To whom succeeded VVilliam his son and heir which VVilliam took to wife Christian daughter to Edward Lord Bruce of Kinlosse in Scotland Master of the Rolls in this Realm and by her had issue three sons first VVilliam secondly Charles a valiant Collonel for the King in those Wars whereunto his Majesty was necessitated for his own defence against the several Armies raised by the prevalent Party in the late Long Parliament in which he had the hard fate to be slain near Gainesborough in com Linc. about the begining of August An. 1643. thirdly Henry who died young also one daughter called Anne married to Robert Lord Rich son and heir to Robert Earl of UUarwick And departing this life at his house near Bishopsgate in the suburbs of London 20 Iunii An. 1628. 4 Car. 2. was buryed at Alhallows Church at Derby in the Vault with Elizabeth Countess of Shrewsbury his Grandmother upon the eleventh of Iuly next following To this last mentioned VVilliam succeeded VVilliam his son and heir made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the first who married Elizabeth daughter to VVilliam Earl of Salisbury by whom he had issue two sons VVilliam now Lord Cavendish and Charles who died unmarried and one daughter called Anne first married to Charles Lord Rich only son to Charles Earl of UUarwick and afterwards to Tohn Lord Burghley the only son to Iohn Earl of Exeter Which VVilliam Lord Cavendish married Mary daughter to Iames Duke of Ormund by whom he hath issue two sons VVilliam and Henry and one daughter called Elizabeth ¶ Having now done with the chief branch of this Family I come to Sir Charles Cavendish Knight third son to the first mentioned Sir VVilliam Cavendish Knight This Sir Charles Cavendish by his Testament bearing date at Welbeck in com Not. 27 Martii An. 1617 15 Iac. bequeathed all his personal estate to Catherine his wife excepting his markt Plate and Hangings whereof he gave her the use during her life which he appointed that Sir William Cavendish Knight of the Bath his son and heir should enjoy And departing this life shortly after for the Probate of this his Testament bears date upon the 20 of Iune next following was buried at Bolesover in com Derb. leaving issue by her the said Catherine who was daughter and heir to Cuthbert Lord Ogle two sons William and Charles Which William being made c Knight of the Bath in An. 1610. 8 Iac. at the â—reation of Henry Prince of Wales was afterwards scil 3 Nov. An. 1620. 18 Iac. advanced to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Ogle as also of Vicount by the title of Vicount Mansfeild And upon the seventh day of March 3 Car. 1. to the dignity of Baron Cavendish of Bolesovor and Earl of Newcastle upon Tine And being in such esteem with that incomparable King of ever blessed memory as that he was made choice of to be Governor unto the Prince his eldest son then of tender years upon that great and strange defection in An. 1642 18 Car 1. when the leading members of that unhappy Long Parliament which began at UUestminster 3 Nov. 1640. raised divers powerful Armies under colour of altering the Religion here established the Laws of the Land the Liberties of the subject and Priviledges of Parliament he first manned and fortified the Town and Port of Newcastle and Castle of Tinemouth for his Majesties service And afterwards levying other Forces in the midst of winter routed the greatest part of those Rebellious people which had made head in Yorkshire taking the most of their strong holds in that spacious County and some other places witness his Victories at Gaynesborough in com Linc. Chesterfield in Derbyshire Piercebrigg Secroft Tankersley Tadcaster Sheffeild Rotheram Yarum Beverley Cawode Selby Halifar Leedes and Bradford all in Yorkshire In which last having vanquisht their greatest Northern Army himself valiantly leading on he took twenty two great guns and many colours Moreover upon the Landing of the Queen at Burlington in Yorkshire in March An. 1642. with Arms and Ammunition which she had brought with her for supply of his Majesties wants at that time he received her there with much honor and with strong Guards conducted her safe to the King at Oxford through many and no small dangers in consideration therefore of which high services he was by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 27 Oct. 19 Car. 1. advanced to the dignity of Marquess of Newcastle After which persevering still in Arms during the whole time of those unhappy Wars in which he stoutly defended the City of Yorke for three months space against three powerful Armies consisting of Scots as well as English and lastly upon the loss of all suffering banishment during the long continuance of the late woful usurpation in farther consideration of these his most loyal adventures he was by our present Soveraign King Charles the Second farther advanced to more and greater titles of honor viz. to the dignity of Earl of Ogle and Duke of Newcastle 16 Martii An. 1664. 16 Car. 2 He married two wives first Elizabeth daughter and sole heir to William Basset of Blore in com Staff Esquire widdow of Henry Howard a younger son to Thomas Earl of Suffolk by whom he had issue two sons Charles and Henry and three daughters scil Iane married to Charles Cheney of Chesham Boys in com Buck. Esquire Elizabeth to Iohn Earl of Bridgwater Frances to Oliver now Earl of Bolinbroke and to his second wife Margaret daughter of Thomas Lucas of Colchester in com Essex Esquire sister to Iohn Lord Lucas but by her had no issue Which Charles took to wife ... daughter to Richard Rogers of Brianston in com Dors. Esquire but died in the life time of his Father without issue so that Henry is now his only son and heir who beareth the title of Earl of Ogle and having married Frances eldest daughter to William Pierpoint of Thoresby in com Not. Esquire second son to Robert late Earl of Kingston upon Hull by her hath issue one son called Henry and four daughters Elizabeth married to Christopher Duke of Albemarle Frances Margeret and Catherine Lord Arundel of Wardour 3 Iac. THis Family is a branch of that
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
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
times For besides these Lordships in Com. Suff. and Herst in Sussex with other Lands of great extent in that County amounting to ten Knights Fees held of those Earls it appears that in 12 H. 2. another Robert of this Line held one Knight's Fee in Lincolnshire of the Bishop of Lincoln de veteri Feoffamento that is to say whereof his Ancestor had been enfeoffed in the time of King Henry the First and gave the Lordship of Haliwell a place sometime famous for the many Pilgrimages made thither unto the Monks of Baâ—ingwerk in Flyntshire near at hand by the consent of Ranulph Earl of Chester it being of his Fee Also that after him in 23 H. 3. there having been a great Sute at Law betwixt Simon dâ— Pierpont and William then Earl Wâ—rren touching Free-Warren in the Lordships of this Simon at Herst since called Herst Pierpont and Goâ—â—brig in Com. Suss. they came to an Accord Whereupon that Earl in consideration of a Goshawk given to this Simon obtained leave for himself and his Heirs to hunt the Buck Doe Hart Hynd Hare Fox Goat Caâ— or any other Wild Beast in any of those Lands To which Simon succeeded another Robert whose Loyalty to King Henry the Third when he became much distress'd through the poâ—ency of those turbulent-spirited Barons of that Age is no less remarkable than the greatness of his Estate at that time For fighâ—ing valiantly on his behalf in the Battel of Lewes 48 H. 3. and being there with the King himself and Prince Edward taken Prisoner he was put to no less than seven hundred Marks Fine for his Ransom and for the payment thereof besides his own Bond constrain'd to bring in Wâ—lâ—râ—n de Munceaus for security But the King within sixteen Months after happily recovering his Rights in that memorable Battel of Eâ—esham acquitted them both as he had good cause from-that great obligation After him I meet with Henry a person of great note in that time who in 8 E. 1. having lost his Seal came into the Chancery then at Lincoln upon Munday the Morrow of the Octaves of St. Micâ—ael and made publication thereof protesting that if any one should find it and Seal therewith after that day that the Instrument so sealed ought not to be of any validity which Henry Married Annora the sole Daughter and Heir to Michael Malâ—ers Lord of Hâ—lme and other Lands of great extent in Com. Nott. And shortly after him another Simon Which Simon in 32 E. 1. was one of those who by a special Writ bearing date upon the eighth day of Iune had Summons amongst the Barons of this Realm to repair with all speed to the King wheresoever he should then be in England â—o treat of certain weighty affairs relating to his and their Honour the Sheriffs of every County having also Command to cause two Knights for each Shire as also two Citizens and two Burgesses for each City and Burrough to attend the King at the same time ad consulendum consentiendum to advise and consent for themselves and the commonalty of their respective Shires Cities and Burroughs unto what the Earls Barons and Nobles should at that time ordain the chief occasion of convening that Parliament being as it seems in reference to the King's Expedition into France for it appears that not only all the great men so summon'd whereof this Simon was one but divers other were thereupon required to fit themselves with Horse and Arms and to attend the King at Porâ—smouth upon the first of September next following thence to Sail with him into Gasâ—oine After this I find another Robert de 〈◊〉 Brother I suppose to this Simon who in 34 E. 1. was of the retinue with Edward Prince of Wales in that notable Expedition then made into Scotland and in 3 E. 2. again in those Wars Which Robert in 8 E. 2. had also summons s with divers eminent persons of that time to be at Newcastle upon â—ine on the Festival of the blessed Virgin 's Assumption well accoutred with Horse and Arms to restrain the Hostilities of the Scots And in 9 E. 2. obtain'd a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesn-Lands within his Lordships of Holme Holbeck Woodhouses Landeford and Weston in Com. Nott. as also in those of Northaneston Southaneston and â—reton in Com. Ebor. In 11 E. 2. he was made Governour of the Castle at Newark upon â—rent And in 1 E. 3. amongst other the great men of that age had summons to be at Newcastle upon â—ine on Munday next after Ascension-Day to restrain the Incursions of the Scots Also in 7 E. 3. in consideration of his special services in those Wars of Scotland he obtain'd a general pardon for all Trespasses by him done in the Forest of Shirewood as well in Vert as Venison Next to him in 33 E. 3. Sir Edmund de Pierpont Knight being in the Wars of France serv'd in the retinue with Henry Duke of Lancaster but was there taken Prisoner Some Ages afterwards Henry Pierpont Esq in recompence of his frequent and â—aithful services to King Edward the Fourth against the Lancastriâ—ns obtain'd a grant in special Tail of the third part of the Mannor of Sâ—aveley with the advouson of the Church in Com. Derb. then in the Crown by the Aâ—â—ainder of Iohn Lord Clifford And in 6 H. 8. Sir William Pierpont Knight obtain'd a confirmation for Free-Warren in all his Lordships and Lands of Holme juxta Notingham Holbek Woodhouses Landeford and Weston before-specified So likewise in those of Northanâ—ston and â—reton in Com. Ebor. To whom succeeded George his Son and Heir who in 32 H. 8. upon the dissolution of the Monasteries purchased the Mannors of Bondbuske Langweâ—h and another Mannor called Howbek Woodhouses in Com. Nott. parcel of the possessions of the Abbot and Covent of Welâ—ek Likewise the Mannors of Scarcliffe and Palterton in Com. Dâ—rb belonging to the Monastery of Newstede And having receiv'd the honour of Knighthood upon Tuesday 22 Febr. at the Tower of London in 1 E. 6. two days after that King's Coronation departed this life 21 Martii â— Eliz. being then seised of the Mannors of Holme Pierpont â—odgrave Barton in the Beanes Clipston Snâ—yuton Wydmeâ—pâ—le Westoâ— Bâ—ndbusk Laâ—dwarâ— â—owbek and Câ—kney with divers other Lands and advousons of Churches leaving Hâ—nry his Son and Heir xxi years of age and upwards Which Henry was also a Knight and by Frances his Wife eldest Daughter to Sir William Cavendish of Charswoâ—th in Com. Derb. Knight Sister to Williâ—m Earl of Devon leâ—t Issue Robert his Son and Heir in his youth a Fellow-Commoner in 〈…〉 Oxon. who being a person of excellent parts and ample Fortune was by Letters-Patent bearing date 29 Iunii 3 Car.
his Adversaries Having also written submissive Letters to the Queen he obtained her leave to retire to his own House under the more free custody of Richard Berkley Whereunto being removed to acquit her self of any severity injustice or prejudice towards him by her self or her Council she thought fit to call him to account not in the Star-Chamber to be fined but before some of the Lords of her Council viz. four Earls two Barons and four Judges where the particulars of the Charge laid against him were That against what he had in command he made the E. of Southampton General of the Horse Knighted sundry persons sent Forces into Munster and in stead of falling upon that great Rebel Tir-Oen treated with him contrary the dignity of the Queen and the honor of a Deputy and the more suspicious because clandestine Whereunto with great humility seriously professing his integrity he answered First as to the making of Southampton General of the Horse that he thought the Queen would have been satisfied therewith upon such reasons as he gave For his making those Knights he said it was to the end he might have persons of hoâ—or near him But going on to excuse his advancing into Munster the Lord Keeper admonished him that he should rather cast himself upon the Queens Mercy than to proceed in justifying or extenuating what he had done Alleadging that it would be esteemed a very absurd thing to palliate his Disobedience with a good intention of obeying and so pronounced him suspended from being any longer a Privy-Counsellor Earl-Marshal or Master of the Ordnance and to be committed to Custody during the Queens pleasure Whereunto all the rest of the Lords Delegates concurred But 't is said that the Queen expresly commanded that he should not be suspended from his Office of Master of the Horse All which he bore with such patience humility and expressions of his desire to relinquish the vanities of this World that the Queen having information thereof removed his Keeper from him suffering him to be free and with liberty to retire into the Country if he should think fit not coming to the Court. But this pleased him not his chief desire being to have admittance to her presence Which when he saw he could not obtain he grew more and more discontented and hearkned to the advice of Cuff and other unquiet spirits who perswaded him by force to take away those whom he esteemed his back-friends to the Queen and thereupon sent for Southampton out of the Netherlands entertained discontented Soldiers and had Sermons in his House every day by the most Zealous Preachers whereunto the Citizens resorted very much Keeping thus in his House he betook himself as he would have it thought totally to Divine Meditations Hearing of Sermons and entertaining his Friends but privately plotting by all the wayes he could the destruction of his Adversaries And to that end had in his thoughts the seizing upon the Queens Person and surprising the Tower of London the design being laid how to effect both It is not unworthy of observation that by these Sermons whereunto there was so great a concoâ—rse endeavours were used to instill into the People this Calvinistical Doctrine viz. ☞ That the Superior Magistrate hath Authority over the Sovereign Prince Of which notice being taken he was sent for to the Lord Treasurers House by one of the Secretaries of State Where divers of the Lords of the Council being purposely met intended to have admonished him that he should make use of his liberty temperately But suspecting lest upon some discovery of his purposes he should be committed to prison he excused his not going thither by pretending want of health Hereupon calling together his chiefest Confidents and intimating that some of them were ere long to be clapt in prison he asked them whether they thought it most proper to seize the Queen or to attempt the City of London and by the aid of his friends there to enter the Court or otherwise to preserve himself by flight But being neither provided of Force sufficient nor Military Engines to attempt the Court and considering that to enter there in such a sort would seem a Crime unpardonable It being also thought doubtful whether the Citizens would appear for him or not One of the company stept out by compact and assured him of assistance from the City against all his Adversaries Promising therefore to himself success therein he resolved the next day being Sunday to go into the City before the end of the Sermon at Pauls and there representing the cause thereof to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen to desire their aid against his Enemies And if the Citizens should stagger thereat then to adventure themselves into some other part of the Realme but if tractable then by their help to seize the Queen After which all that night it was given out from Essex-House that the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Raleigh conspired his death And the next morning being 8 Feb. viz. Sunday the Earls of Rutland and Southampton the Lords Sands and Mont Eagel with about three hundred Gentlemen of note coming to Essex-House he heartily welcomed them inâ—inuating to them that his life was sought and caused the House to be shut up so that none might go in or out but such as were well known The Queen therefore having notice thereof sent to the Lord Mayor of London to require the Citizens to keep their Houses and to obey command and appointed the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal the Earl of Worcester as also Sir William Knolles Comptroller of her Houshold Unkle to this Earl and the Lord Chief Justice Popham to go to Essex-House and to know the reason of this extraordinary concourse thither Who being admitted o in at the little Wicket found in the midst of the Court the Earls of Essex Rutland and Southampton with many others Whereupon the Lord Keeper turning to Essex told him upon what errand they were sent assuring him in case of wrong done to him by any Man equal right should be had But the Earl answered that his life was sought and that there were certain persons hired to murther him in his Bed Also that Letters had been forged in his name adding We are here only met to defend our selves and save 〈◊〉 Lives But whilst they were thus discoursing the multitude cryed out that he was abused and betrayed saying that the time passed away To whom the Lord Keeper turning commanded that upon their Allegiance they should lay down their Arms. Hereupon he went into the House the Lord Keeper and the rest following some in the mean time crying out Kill them throw the great Seal into the Thames Shut them up Being thus within the House he commanded that
the Dores should be shut upon them saying Have patience a while I will go into the City and acquaint the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs with the cause thereof and then return And accordingly leaving special Guards in the House rode with his Sword the rest accompanying him and taking with them as they passed the Earl of Bedford and Lord Cromwell cryed out For the Queen for the Queen saying also that his Life was sought not making any stay till he came to the House of Sheriff Smith in Fanchurch-street intreating the Citizens to Arm themselves But all in vain for instead of aid the Sheriff on whose assistance he much depended would not be seen getting out by a back door to the Lord Mayor The Lord Burghley with Garter King of Arms following and proclaiming him with all his Adherents Traytors The like did the Earl of Cumberland and Sir Thomas Gerard Knight-Marshal in other parts of the City Finding himself therefore in this forlorne condition he returned to Ludgate but being there stopt made back to Queen-Hithe and so got to Essex-House by Boats Where discerning that the Lord Keeper and the other Privy-Councellors whom he had shut up were set at liberty and returned to White-Hall in great perplexity he endeavored to fortifie the House But the Lord Admiral with considerable Forces suddainly besetting it after several Overtures whereby he would have made his conditions which would not be admitted he with the rest of his Adherents yielded themselves Whereupon it being about ten of the clock at night he was first carried to Lambeth-House and afterwards to the Tower of London And upon the nineteenth of the same Month of February brought to Westminster Hall where before the Lord Buckâ—urst then Lord High Treasurer of England constituted High Steward for that occasion being tryed by his Peers and found guilty of the Treason laid to his charge he had Sentence of death pronounced against him and accordingly lost his Head within the Tower of London upon the 25 th day of the same Month being at that time about thirty four years of age This hapned to be the end of this popular Man unto whose Story it will not be improper to add what is farther said of him by a person of great observation in his time viz. That the Queen being then grown old and the King of Scots not much regarded by the English nor well obeyed by his natural Subjects he began to look up towards the Crown unto which a Title was drawn for him as the direct Heir to Thomas of Woodstoke Duke of Gloucester one of the younger Sons to King Edward the Third This Man the Puritans cry up with most infinite praises both in their Pulpits and Pamphlets telling him that he was not only great in Honor and the Love of the people but temporis expectatione major far greater in the Expectation which his friends had of him And he accordingly applies himself to those of the Puritan Faction admits them to places of most Trust and Credit about his person keeps open House for Men of those opinions to resort unto under pretence of hearing Sermons and hearing no Sermons with more zeal and edification than those which seemed to attribute a power to Inferiour Magistrates for curbing and controling their undoubted Sovereign Which questionless must needs have ended in great disturbance to the Church and State if he had not been outwitted by Sir Robert Cecil Sir Walter Raleigh and the rest of their Party in the Court by whom he was first shifted over into Ireland and at last brought upon the Scaffold not to receive a Crown but to lose his Head which hapned very oportunely for King Iames of Scotland whose entrance might have been opposed and his Title questioned if this ambitious Man had prospered in his undertakings which he conducted generally with more heat than Judgment By Frances his Wife Daughter and Heir to Sir Francis Walâ—ingham one of the Queens Principal Secretaries of State and Widdow of Sir Philip Sydney he left Issue one Son called Robert and two Daughters viz. Frances who became the Wife of William Earl of Hertford afterwards Marquess of Hertford and Duke of Somerset and Dorothy first Married to Sir Henry Shirley of Stanton Harold in Com. Leic. Baronet but after to William Stafford of Blatherwick in Com. North. Esquire Which Robert with his said Sisters Frances and Dorothy were by Act of Parliament in 1 Iac. restored in Blood and Honor. After which this last mentioned Robert took to Wife the Lady Frances Second Daughter to Thomas Howard Earl of Suff. but that Marriage being nullified in 11 Iac. she soon Wedded Sir Robert Carr Knight of the Garter and Earl of Somerset whereupon though long after viz. in An. 1631. 7 Car. 1. he espoused Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir William Paâ—let of Eddington in Com. Wilts Knight one of the natural Sons of William the third Marquess of Winchester of that Family by whom he had Issue Robert a Son who died an Infant That the discontent which this Earl took upon his first Wifes behaviour towards him which produced that Nullity occasioned him to retire and then viz. in Iuly An. 1621. to go into the Palatinate there to exercise himself in the discipline of War is not unknown to many and that being there he became tainted with some Calvinistical principles there are few I suppose but do believe Nevertheless so great a confidence had the late King Charles the first of blessed Memory in his loyalty as that upon the first Insurrection of the Scots in An. 1639. he made him Lieutenant General of his Army in that Northern Expedition and afterwards Lord Chamberlain of his Houshold How it came to pass therefore that he was drawn off from his due Allegiance to that pious King in An. 1642 and accepted of a Commission to be General of those Forces then raised by Authority of the unhappy Long Parliament at that time fitting under the specious pretence of Safety to the Kings Royal Person preservation of the Religion here by Law established defence of the Laws and Liberty of the Subject How likewise and for what time he acted for them in that capacity how also he fell off and how he dyed which was not without suspition of poyson I leave to the relation of such faithful pens as may more properly represent it to the World in the next Age than now concluding my story of him that his death hapned at Essex House in London 14 Sept. An. 1646. and that he had thereupon a most magnificent Funeral at the charge of that Parliament upon the 22 day of October then next ensuing the proceeding being performed in great State unto the Abby Church of Westminster where he lyeth buried in St. Pauls Chapel Northward of the Capella Regum but without any Issue By reason whereof the Dignity of