of money to the King and in 9 H. 5. again joyned in Commission for the peace in this County being all that time Steward for the Mannour of Cheylesmore in Coventre But how this Lordship past from that family or at what time have I not seen nor any thing further thereof till 8 H. 4. that one VVill. Botener purchased it of Thomas Compworth and Eliz. his wife it being of the inheritance of the said Eliz. so that I suppose she was daughter and heir to Castell Which VVill. Botener was of Coventre some wealthy tradesman I presume but being setled here at Withibroke grew to be a man of some account in the world for the same year that he purchased this Lordship he was made a Justice of peace in Warwicksh So likewise in 1 H. 5. Of whom I further find that he gave a peice of ground containing Cxli foot in length and xâ—v foot and a half in bredth lying in Coventre to the Friers Carmelites there for the enlargement of their House in consideration that they should keep the Anniversary of Iohn Percy and Alice his wife deceased for ever And that in 12 H. 6. he is recorded amongst the other persons of chiefest quality in this County for making oath as to the observance of divers Articles ordained in the Parliament then held but from that time I have not seen any more mention of him After which viz. in 29 H. 6. this Mannour was setled by Fine upon Henry Everingham and Alice his wife and the heirs of Alice the other parties to the Fine being Thomas Wylkins and Rob. Bate And in 15 H. 7. Humfry Grey dyed seized of it leaving Edw. his son and heir 28 years of age So likewise did Tho. Grey in 2 Eliz. leaving Iohn his son and heir who accomplisht his full age 3 Dec. 4 Eliz. As for that which belong'd to the Monks of Combe within the precincts of this Lordship it was after the dissolution past away to Thomas Broke and Iohn Williams and to the heirs of Broke in 36 H. 8. by the name of a Mannour which I suppose was a good quantity for besides what I mentioned as given by Morevill there were divers petty parcels bestowed on those Monks by particular men of whom being persons but of mean quality I have omitted the mention This village was antiently of Monkskirby parish for upon confirmation made by Geffrey Muschamp B. of Coventre of what his predecessors had granted to the Priory of Kirby Widebroc is there mentioned to be a Chappel belonging thereto By an antient composition made betwixt the Monks of Combe and Kirby and the Incumbent of Withibroke I find that the Monks of Combe should receive all the tithes of those lands which they then held in Kirby Withibroke paying to the Prior and Covent of Kirby two marks of silver yearly at the Feast of S. Botâ—lph and for such lands which the said Monks of Combe should after that time obtain within the parishes of Kirby and Withibroke they to pay unto the Monastery of Kirby their xii th sheaf But the Priory of Monkskirby being granted to the House of Carthusians founded in the Isle of Axholme by Tho. Moubray D. of Norf. the said Carthusians obtained license in 22 R. 2. for the appropriation of this Church dedicated to All Saints to them and their successors for ever In ann 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at 8 marks and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge at viii l. vi s. viii d. the Incumbent then receiving yearly just so much in money for his salary at the hands of the Prior of Axholme Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Pr. C. de Kirby-monach Will. de Leone Pbr. 13 Cal. Dec. 1313. Edw. Rex ratione temporal Pr. de Kirby in manu sua c. Ric. de Melburn Cler. 1339. Edw. Rex ratione temporal Pr. de Kirby in manu sua c. Ric. de Walton Pbr 6 Id. Martii 1341. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Tho. de Burton Cler. 17. Martii 1405. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Rob. Malore Cler. 20 Sept. 1407. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Ioh. White Cap. 16 Iulii 1408. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Ioh. Hycke Cap. 4 Iulii 1410. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Ioh. Gybon Pbr. 25 Maii 1443. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Will. atte Heth. 25 Febr. 1445. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Will. Hall 19 Aug. 1456. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Ric. Kere 5 Martii 1456. Pr. Conv. de Axholme Georgius Perci 3 Apr. 1501. Patroni Vicariae Pr. Conv. de Axholme Ioh. Dawby Cap. 29 Dec. 1534. Praeses Socii Coll. S. Trin. Cantab. Rob. Batson Cler. 16 Maii 1553. Iacobus Rex Ioh. Walton 23 Maii 1614. Magist. Sâ—cii Scolar Coll. S. Trin. Cantab. Ioh. Malyn in art Bacc. 9 Oct. 1617. Monumental Inscriptions in the body of the Church Upon a Plate of Brass fixt on a Marble Grave-stone this Inscription Pray for the sawlles of Richard Wright and Elsabeth his wife the purchesid the Lordship of Hoppisford which Richard dâ—sessid the first day of December in the year of our Lord MCCCCCI Of whose sawlles God have mercy Amen In the midst of the Chancel lyeth a fair Marble with Plates in Brass upon it whereon are the portraitures of a man and his wife with this following Inscription Of your charite pray for the saullis of Christofer Wren gentilman and Chrystian his wife the which Christofer deceasside the xxv day of November in the year of the Lord MCCCCCxliii On whose saullys and all Christian saullys Iesu have mercy Amen On the South-side of the Chancell is a raised Monument of Alabaster with the portraiture of a man and woman drawn thereon in black lines and this Epitaph on the verge thereof Here lyeth the body of Christopher Wright of Happisford in the County of Warwick Esquire who was one of the Iustices of peace in the County aforesaid to our most gracious sovereigne Lady Queene Elizabeth He deceased the sixt day of December in the yeer of our Lord 1602. Whose soule God rest Above it against the wall is an Arch within which is the Arms of Wright viz. sable a cheveron engrailed Or betwixt 3 flower de luces argent with mantle helme and crest empaling Purefey The Motto under his Coat RECTUM RECTE CHRISTO FERET And under hers PUREFOY MA JOY Erected by Iane the wife of Christopher Wright Hopsford THis is in the parish of Withibrook and now little better than a depopulated place there being no more left of the Mannour-house than the bare skeleton thereof not habitable and two mean Cottages In the Conq. time Geffrey Wirce of whom I have so often spoke possest it by whose Survey it was certified to contain 3 hydes and valued at xxx s. being there written Apleford through mistake of the s for an l and
although it sufficed not to bear out any bad attempt of his own as my Author observeth yet was it of force to cross the evill purposes of others and therefore speeches were cast out that he caused himself to be proclaimed King in divers Counties and much more layd in charge against him by Northumberland's contrivance who when he came to his tryall was one of his Peers upon which Triall though they acquitted him of Treason yet did they find him guilty of Felony whereupon he had Judgment to be hang'd never remembring to crave the benefit of his Clergy which is by some observ'd to be a just Judgment of God upon him for having so much wronged the Church and all learning and had his head smitten off upon a scaffold on Tower-hill After this 't was not long ere infirmities seized upon the King from whom Northumb. was little absent to ordering the matter that whil'st he languish't Guilford Dudley his 4. son did marry with the Lady Iane Grey eldest daughter to Henry Duke of Suff. by Frances daughter to Mary second sister to King H. 8. and that a Patent was sealed for the said Lady Iane's succession to the Crown for drawing whereof in excâ—uding his two sisters with fair pretences the assistance of the Lord chief Justice Mountagu and Secretary Cecill was used which Letter 's were subscribed by alâ— the Privy Councell the greatest part both for number and power of the Nobility the Kings learned Councell and all the Judges at the Common Law except Sir Iames Hales one of the Justices of the Common Pleas some being guided with particular interest for that they were possest of so much Monastery and Chantry lands which if Religion should be altered through Qu. Maryes coming to the Crown they might be in danger to loose and others by fear of or obligation to the Duke of Northumberland then so potent and almost absolute in government of the State that 't was supposed he could make any title good either by his authority or his sword And having now thus designed to himself the power of a King for no less would he have had if the Lady Iane had been Queen he contrived to get the Lady Mary into his hands causing K. Edw. to write his Letters for her coming to him in his sickness but she being made sensible of the device when she was within half a days journey of London directed her course another way after which the King immediatly dyed whereupon Northumb. causes the Lady Iane to be proclaimed Queen but the tide of the peoples affections bending to Mary the Kings eldest sister she is likewise proclaimed first by the Citizens of Norwich and afterwards in Buck. and Northampton-shires neither was there want of numbers in severall parts that began to put themselves in Armes on her behalf So that 't was no sitting still now Northumberland therefore being Queen Iane's Champion with a Commission under the great Seal marcheth out with 600. Horse to suppress any power that should appear for Queen Mary having a promise from the Lords of more forces to be sent after him but such a change did he perceive in the affections of his own Souldiers whereof many forsook himâ— that to daub up the matter he returns to Cambridge and there without either Herauld or Trumpet accompanyed with the Maior and Marquess of Northampton proclaimes Queen Mary himself in the Market-place and in token of joy threw up his Cap. All which would not now secure him for the very next day the Earl of Arundell coming thithither from the Queen arrested him of Treason whence he was with his three sons Iohn Ambrose and Henry convey'd to the Tower of London and from that place ere long to his arraignment where being condemn'd for a Traitor he suffered death at Tower-hill the 22. of Aug. and was buried in the Tower Church by Iohn Cock then Lancaster-Herauld who having been his old servant was willing to shew some respect to him dead from whom living he had received so much favour and therefore begg'd his Head onely of the Queen that he might bury it in the Tower upon which suit he had his wholy body also granted Our Historians that write of his death do say that at his end he profest the Roman Religion and I have heard that for a witness of his Faith he vouch't Dr. Heath Archbishop of York afterwards Lord Chancelour yet was he so much blinded by ambition that apprehending the alteration of Religion to be the chief means whereby he might accomplish his worldly ends he told Sir Anthony Brown afterward Visc Mountacute when he moved him for restoring the Roman Religion â—hat albeit he knew the same Religion to be true yet seeing a new Religion was begun Run Dog run Devill he would go forwards One thing have I further to observe of him which is that being arrived to such a pitch of honour and greatness he was not content with those vast possessions that he had by the bounty of the K. and his own just acquisition but finding Iohn Lord Dudley grandfather to the last Baron to be a weak man whereby he had exposed himself to some wants and so became entangled within the Usurers bonds made those money-merchants his Instruments to work him out of Dudley-Castle which Usurers accordingly getting a mortgage of part of his lands let in such room for the Duke to put in a foot that he soon justled him out of his Castle and Barony so that the poor Lord being thus turn'd out of dore and left to the Charity of his friends for a subsistence spent the rest of his days in making visits amongst them with whom he usually stayed according as he found welcome being commonly called the Lord Quondam but so soon as Queen Mary had taken off the Dukes head she bestowed the Castle of Dudley and all the lands which belong'd to the quondam Lord upon Edward his son and heir who had wedded Katherine Bridges daughter to Sir Iohn Bridges Knight Lord Chandois one of her maids of Honour During the time that this our Earl of Warwick was so possest of Dudley-Castle it being a place that he thirsted after in regard of his name and for the honourableness of the House and seat from which he was desirous the world should believe he was descended for he had thrust into his titles Dux Northumbriae Comes Warwici Mareschallus Angliae Vâ—cecomes L'isle Baro de Somery Basset Tyase Dominus de Dudley praenobilis Ordinis Garterii miles Magnus Magister Seneschallus Hospitii regis he made great repairs there and built that stately fabrick within the walls thereof on the North part which was called the New work adorn'd the Gate-house tower with the Armes of Malpas Someri and the Lyon rampant by him assumed for Sutton's coat fairly cut in large shields of stone and fixt in the wall just over the Port cullice By Iane daughter and
13 Dec. to go to their own houses or stay where they pleased within this Kingdome till Candlemas following carrying themselves peaceably The same Author saith that Sim. Montfort and his Mother the Countess got away privately but five dayes before the Castle was delivered and fled beyond Sea but when he so got out of the Castle is somewhat uncertain for by what I have said already it appears that he was in the Isle of Ely the K. Letter Pat. bearing date Ian. xvi after the render of the Castle importing as much Which render was upon the Feast-day of S. Thomas the Apostle so that the seige lasted full six months Whereupon the K. took his journey the next day to Osney near Oxford and there celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of our Saviour with great joy But this seige was very prejudicial to the Canons of Kenilworth and did impoverish them much for in September after it was begun though they allowed the K. 300 quarters of Corn and many other things that the rest of their goods might be protected yet were they not free from the Souldiers oppression so that to releive their wants by his Letters Pat. bearing date the 24 of Ian. next ensuing the render of the Castle he recommended the same to all their Tenants requiring them to contribute in such manner thereto as they would expect that God should bless them and himself give them thanks Neither did the Monks of Stoneley avoyd the burthen of this Leaguer but all the recompence they had was that the K. confirmed their Charters There is no question but that the charge of this seige was very vast for in 53 of this K. reign Will. Bagot who had been Shiriff for 6 years before was allowed upon his account 75 l. 13 s. 9 d. for 255 quarters of Wheat 52 Oxen and 173 Muttons which he then took up and sent in out of this County and it is not to be doubted but that besides what the Countyes adjacent suffered by extravagancies of the Souldiers they sent in proportionable provisions or money All that I have else found memorable relating thereto is the delivery of the Sword called Curtina which is used to be carryed before the K. of England at their Coronation unto the Keeper of the K. Pavilion here on Sunday next after the Feast of S. Margaret the K. being then in the Camp as a so that the Queen accompanyed the D. of Brunneswik from Windsor-castle hither the said D. then marrying the K. Neece in his presence And lastly that Philip Marmion being Constable of this Castle immediatly after the seige carryed away divers Arms Lead Iron and other things to the then value of x l. But after the Articles for render hereof were so signed as aforesaid the K. staid not long ere he disposed of it for on the 16 day of the same month his Charter bears date at Warwick whereby he gave it unto Edmund his younger son and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten reserving to himself the advousons of the Priory of Kenilworth and Abby of Stoneley And in short space conferred certain priviledges unto him here viz. on the 28 day of December ensuing Free-chase and Free-warren in all his demesn lands and woods belonging to this Castle And the next year following a weekly Mercate upon the Tuesday and a Faire yearly to last for 3 dayes viz. the Even day and morrow after the Feast of S. Michael Which Edmund was E. of Leicester and Lancaster viz. of Leicester created 25 Oct. 49 H. 3. after the death of S. Montfort shin in the battle of Evesham and of Lancaster 31 Iunii 51 H. 3. And in 7 E. 1. held this Castle in demesn having two Mills standing upon the water of the Pool belonging thereto and several Freeholders which held of him by suit of Court and fealty As also two woods one called the Frith and another the Park then Common and containing 300 acres according to the large measure At that time it was certified that his Park here contained 40 acres of wood and the Pool half a mile in length and a quarter of a mile in bredth as also that he had here a Court-leet Gallows Assize of Bread and Beer with a Mercate on the Tuesday The same year I find that there was a great and famous concourse of noble persons here at Kenilworth called the Round-table consisting of an hundred Knights and as many Ladies whereunto divers repaired from forreign parts for the exercise of Arms viz. Tilting and martial Tournaments and the Ladies Dancing who were clad in silken Mantles Rog. Mortimer E. of Marâ—h being the chief and the occasion thereof Which Exercises began on the Eve of S. Mathew the Apostle and continued till the morrow after Michaelmas day the reason of the Round-table being to avoyd contention touching precedency a Custome of great antiquity and used by the antient Gauls as Mr Cambden in Hantsh from Athenaeus an approved Author observes As for other memorable matters relating to this place the enlargement of the Park hath next priority which was begun by Thomas E. of Lanc. son to the before specified Edmund for it appears that in 30 E. 1. Iohn Peche then Lord of Honile near adjoyning released his right of Common there so that the said Earl might hold it up inclosed with ditches and pales saving to him the said Iohn and his heirs Common of pasture for his Hogs and Cattle in two places viz. Merebroc and Bernet and in all other places not inclosed at the making of that release But after this viz. in 15 E. 2. Tho. E. of Lanc. beheaded at Pontfract being for his rebellion attainted and thereupon his lands and possessions confiscate Iohn de Somery Baron of Dudley and Raph Lord Basset of Drayton were appointed to seize this Castle for the K. use as by a special Precept dated at Tutbury 12 Martii appeareth which within 4 dayes following was committed to the custody of Ranulph Charun then his servant howbeit 24 Maii after he removed the said Ranulph and made Rob. de Stoke Governour in his stead In 16 E. 2. Iohn de Hastings had the custody of it and the next year Odo de Stoke which Odo held that command so long as his unfortunate Master had any power for in Febr. which was towards the later end of the 19 year of E. 2. the K. discerning those clouds which shortly after raised the flood of rebellion to such a height as that himself was miserably overwhelm'd therein commanded the same Odo then his Constable thereof to take and retain as many able men as he should in his discretion think fit for the garrisoning thereof But alas all too late such was the defection of most of the Nobles in their allegiance to him the cause whereof was principally attributed to his being so much swayed
Confiteor and Misereatur turning his face to the people a Pater noster and Ave for the prosperity of the said William and Agnes and after their decease for the souls of the said William and Agnes and all Christen souls As also turning his face to the people De profundis clamavi with this Orison Inclina Domine aurem tuam ad preces nostras which Masse to be called VVilliam Harewell's Masse But this House was surrendred into the Kings hands by Deed dated Oct. xx 30 H. 8. whereunto these names are subscribed Frater Thomas Norman Ord. Praed Warw. Prior. Ric. Walton Sacrista Thomas Bachalaun Nich. Alexander Sub-Prior Ioh. Watts Ric. Perse. Ioh. Tove Rog. Peche Which being Mendicants had no Pensions allowed unto them during life as the Monks and Canons had The site whereof and all that belong'd thereto was by the Kings Letters Patent bearing date 5 Ian. 5 E. 6. granted inter alia to Iohn Duke of Northumberland and his heirs and that it was soon after demolish't we need not doubt so that what became of the ground whereon it stood after it eschaeted to Queen Mary by his attainder is not worth while to enquire The Gilds Dominicanus The other of these Gilds viz. of S. George was begun the same year by Rob. de Dynelay Will. Russell and Hugh Cooke of Warwick by vertue of the said Ks. License bearing date 20 April whereby they had power to receive others also of this Borough into their Fraternity and to build and found a Chantry for two Priests to sing Masse every day in a Chapell over the Gate called Hongyn-gate in Warwick for the good estate of the said King Richard Queen Anne his Consort and of the said King's Mother as also of Michaell de la Poole and all the Brethren and Sisters of the said Gild during their lives in this world and for their Souls after their departure hence as also for the souls of K. E. 3. Edw. P. of Wales Father to K. Ric. 2. and other the Ks. Progenitors and all the Faithfull departed whereunto likewise Tho. Beauchamp then E. of Warw. had license to give the Advouson of the Church of S. Iames situate over the said Gate The same year did the Brethren of this Gild purchase two Mess. one Toft and a Quarry in Warw. for the use therof But that Gild of the Holy Trinity became at length united to this of S. George though the direct time of such their conjunction I have not found for in 10 H. 6. it so appears and that Tho. Escop Baker was Master thereof In 26 H. 8. I find that there were five Priests belonging thereunto each whereof had Cvi s. per an Stipend which amounted to 26 l. 13 s. 4 d. per ann But by the Survey taken in 37 H. 8. it is evident that the Revenue thereof amounted to xxxii l. x s. v d. out of which was yearly payd to four Priests celebrating Divine Service xxi l. vi s. viii d. viz. Cvi s. viii d. a peice To Ric. Hawes gent. Auditor thereof xiii s. iiii d. per ann To Ric. Ward Collector of the Rents xl s. per ann To eight poor people of the same Gild viii d. a week of antient custome amounting to xxxiiii s viii d. per ann And to two of the Canons celebrating Divine Service in the Quire of the Collegiate Church here at Warw. ii l. vi s viii d. per ann Of which foure Priests two did then sing Masse in the said Church of our Lady and the other two in the two Chapells built over the several Gates of Warw. viz. that of the East gate of S. Peter and the West S. Iames having their Colledge or mansion on the North side the said Chapell of S. Iames. But the remainder of the Revenues saving what was disposed of as abovesaid was imployed towards repairing the great Bridge here in Warw. over Avon containing 13 Arches and of the High-waies about the town Howbeit in 36. H. 8. the Master and Brethren thereof sold parcell of the lands belonging thereto for which they received the summe of 39 l. 13 s. 4 d. which summe they bestowed partly for obtaining the Coll. Church of our Lady in Warw. from the K. to be made use of as a Parish Church and partly for the erecting of a new School within this Town All that I farther find relating to this Gild is that after the general dissolution of such Fraternities by Act of Parl. in 37. H. 8. the Hall belonging thereto situate on the North-side the Westgate was granted unto Sr. Nic. le Strange Kt. and his heirs by K. E. 6. 23 Iulii in 4 of his reign and that it being afterwards acquired by Rob. Dudley E. of Leicester was in 28 Eliz. made an Hospitall by him for 12 men besides the Master scil impotent persons not having above 5 li. per an of their own and such as either had been or should be maimed in the Warrs in the said Q s. service her Heirs and Successors especially under the conduct of the said Earl or his Heirs or had been servants and tenants to him and his Heirs and born in the Counties of Warw. or Glouc. or having their dwelling there for five years before And in case there happen to be none such hurt in the Warrs then other poor of Kenilworth Warwick Stretford super Avon in this County or of Wotton under Edge or Erlingham in Gloucestersh to be recomended by the Minister and Church-wardens where they last had their aboad which poor men are to have Liveries viz. Gowns of blew cloth with a Ragged staff embroydered on the left sleeve and not to go into the Town without them But besides this Hospital of the E. of Leicester's Foundation is there another without the said West gate in part of the buildings sometime belonging to the before specified Gild wherein are viii poor women who have xxxiiii s. viii d. payable amongst them by even portions once a quarter out of Sir Thomas Puckering's estate which women doe also receive clothing for two years in December from the Bayliff of Warwick and Minister of S. Maries provided for them out of the summe of viii li. per ann payable out of Sir Tho. Puckering's estate for that purpose and for the like clothing of the poor in St. Michaels Hospitall and the third year have they the said summe of viii li. shared equally amongst them Two other Houses for poor people which have Trades did the said Sir Tho. Puckering build of fair ashler stone within this Borough viz. the one in Ioice-pool lane antiently called Walldâ—â—ch â— and the other in a lane leading towards the West gate from the Mercate place on the first whereof is this Inscription in capitall letters Domunculas hasce Thomas Puckering Miles Baronettus benevolo ut pote amici vicinique in hunc Burgum affectu motus cujus meliorem statum resque
Jejunia adhuc retinent nomen officii nam communiter Vigiliae non Jejunia nuncupantur The substance of this I have found Englished in an old Manuscript Legend of S. Iohn Baptist as followeth And ye shall understond and know how the Evyns were first found in old time In the beginning of holl Chirche it was so that the pepull cam to the Chirche with candellys brennyng and wold Wake and coome with light toward night to the Chirche in their devocions and aftir they fell to lecherte and songs daunses harping pipingâ— and also to glotony and sinne and so tourned the holinesse to cursydnes wherefore holy faders ordeined the pepull to leve that Waking and to fast the Evyn But hit is callyd Vigilia that is Waking in English and it is callyd the Evyn for at Evyn they were wont to come to Chirche Howbeit the direct time when this prohibition for coming so to Church in the Evening was made hath not as yet appeared to me but I do conclude it to have been very antient for though Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1362. 36 E. 3. by vertue of that appointment made by Pope Gregory the ninth for observation of some speciall Holy days and leaving the rest thus quas singuli Episcopi in suis Diocaesibus cum Clero Populo duxerint solenniter venerandas comanded that Solennitas Dedicationum Ecclesiarum Parochialium Sanctorum in quorum honore Ecclesiae parochiales dedicantur according to the Canon Law Dist. 1. cap. 16.17 Dist. 3. cap. 1. yet there is no doubt to be made considering what is before exprest but that such solemnities of the Churches Dedication were no lesse antient than the primitive times of Christianity and annually kept for many ages upon the same Saints day to whose memory such dedication was made but in processe of time certain inconveniencies being found in the observance of those very dayes especially such as hapned in Harvest when a little neglect may occasion much losse many of them were by speciall authority from the Bishop for that very reason altered and the solemnity transferred to the next Sunday following or some other Sunday as I have seen for instance of Tadcaster and Bishop-Wilton in Yorkshire where the Churches Festivall of the one being on the 28 of August was in the year MCCC xiv assigned to be kept on the Sunday next ensuing the Feast of the Decollation of S. Iohn Baptist and of the other which fell out on the fifteenth of September to be observed the Sunday ensuing Which alteration forasmuch as it broke the antient course and order perhaps occasioned for uniformities sake that Injunction of King Henry made in the year 1536. 28. of his raign whereby with the common assent and consent of the Prelates and Clergy of this his Realm in Convocation lawfully assâ—mbled amongst other things he decreed ordained and established that the Feast of Dedication of Churches should in all places throughout this Realm be thenceforth celebrated and kept on the first Sunday of the month of October for ever and upon none other day Since which time that Rule hath been observed in divers places as I have particularly taken notice especially where the Saints day unto whom the Church was dedicated hapneth in the Winter time but where it falls out in that time of the year that the weather is warm and proper for merry meetings it is generally seen that the said Festivall is yearly kept on the Sunday next following such day though not by commemoration of the Saint in any particular Church service but by holding up the Custome of Feasting amongst friends and good neighbours with the exercise of dancing and other sports which time is now usually called the Wake through most parts of this Kingdom But returning to Stratford and the successive Bishops that were Lords thereof I find that William de Bleys then being Bishop procured a Charter for another Faire to be kept here on the Eve of S. Augustin and on the day morrow after which Festivall falls yearly on the seventh Cal. of Iune being the 26. of May And within xvi years after Walter de Cantilupe obtained another to be yearly kept on the Eve of the Exaltation of the Holy Crosse the day and two days following viz. 14. Oct. which Charter bears date at Winchester 23. Dec. 24 H. 3. This indeed hath continued till the present times frequented by multitudes that come from far and neer unto it the Toll whereof was very antiently leased for ix s. iv d. and the Toll of the Mercate at xvi s. per annum which Walter sate Bishop for divers years in 39 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his successors in all their demesn lands here bearing date at Merton 2. Apr. Another Faire likewise did Godfrey Giffard when he was Bishop procure in 53 H. 3. to be held for three days viz. the Eve of the Ascension of our Lord commonly called Holy Thursday and upon the day and morow after And moreover the next year following got a new Charter for renewing the Faire again on the Eve of Trinity Sunday so granted by King Iohn as aforesaid and to continue for three days after Touching the revenue which the said Bishop had here in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. I find that it was in Rent of Assize xx li. two carucates of land rated at xx s. one Mill yeilding C s. the pleas and perquisites lx s. and the profits of the store xx s. But it should seem that the said Thursday Mercate grew in time to be neglected for it appears that Walter de Maydenstane made Bishop of Worcester in 2 E. 2. did in the very first year of his consecration obtain a new Charter for one to be kept upon the same day every week and added also another Fair thereto to begin yearly on the Eve of S. Peter and Paul being at the later end of Iune and to hold for xv days Which Charter bears date at Westminstr 4. Martii 2 E. 2. And now that the Mercate became thus setled it was not long ere that the Paving of the town began for in 5 E. 3. did one Robert de Stratford then Parson of the Church of Stratford but afterwards highly advanced as I shall shew by and by procure a Patent for taking Toll for the space of four years upon sundry vendible commodities that should be thither brought for sale towards defraying the charge thereof which Patent being directed Ballivis probis hominibus villae de Stratford super Avone expresseth that it was obtained ad requisitionem dilecti Clerici nostri Roberti de Stratford And was afterwards twice renewed at the request of the said Robert viz. in 8 E. 3. for four years longer and in 10 E. 3. for two years more This Robert de Stratford was afterwards Archdeacon of Canterbury
a special exemption from that voyage In 20 E. 3. he was again appointed one of the Commissioners in this County for arraying of Clx. Archers for the Wars of France as also assigned one of the Collectors of a xv th and x th then granted in Parliament for the Kings service and bore for his Armes Sable a Cheveron betwixt 3. Leopards heads jesant flower de luces Argent which coat was assumed by him or his Ancestors for their relation to Cantilupe in the tenure of this Mannour without doubt To this Sir Iohn Hubaud succeeded Iohn his son and heir of whom all that I find memorable is that in 29 E. 3. he was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster And to him Thomas a Commissioner in 2 R. 2. for assessing and collecting of a Subsidy in this County then granted to the King in Parliament which Thomas had issue Richard Hubaud Esquier who is ranked amongst those persons of chief note in this Shire that in 12 H. 6. Made Oath for observance of certain Articles concluded on in the Parliament then holden and bore for his Armes the three Leopards heads without a Cheveron with a labell of 3. points in cheif But after him I have not seen any thing very memorable of this family relating to their publique imployments untill Queen Eliz. time that Iohn Hubaud Esquier a person highly favoured by Robert Earl of Leicester who bore so mighty a sway in those days was by him in 14. of the said Queens reign pro bono consilio favore fideli amicitia multipliciter impenso impendendo as are the words of his Charter constituted Constable of Kenilworth Castle and cheif Steward of all his Mannours and lands lying in this Countie as also in the Counties of Salop Worcester and Montgomerie and cheif Ranger of all his Forests Parks and Chases within those Lordships having the Fee of x li. per annum granted unto him during life for that service The Church dedicated to S. Peter was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xii marks so also in 14 E. 3. but in 26 H. 8. at xii li. at which time the Procurations and Synodalls were ix s. v d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Dominus Ioh. Hubaud miles Ioh. Geraud Cler. 14. Apr. 1344. ........... Leonardus .............. 1348. Thomas Hebald Dominus de Ippesley Gralanus le Wolf Cler. .... Ian. 1386. Ric. Hubaude ar Thomas Chaturley Cap. 16. Ian. 1410. Ric. Hubaude ar D. Ric. Swyfte Cap. 5. Iunii 1420. Thomas Hubaude ar D. Will. Halford Cap. 28 Martii 1480. Ric. Hubaudar Magr. Hugo Livesay in jure Canon Bac. 2. Nov. 1482. Ric. Hubaudar D. Nich. Hubaud Cap. 21. Maii 1493. Ioh. Hubaud ar Will. Hubaud Accol 19. Maii 1529. Ioh. Hubaud ar Ric. Sherwyne Pbr. 20. Dec. 1558. Ioh. Hubaud miles Will. Bourne Cler. 2. Dec. 1572. Rad. Hubaud ar Clem. Lewes Cler. 22. Feb. 1583. Eliz. Angl. Regina per lapsum Henr. Daniell Cler. 13. Aug. 1588. Rad. Hubaud art Gabrael Cliff Cler. 11. Martii 1588. Anna Hubaud Vidua Ioh. Warmstry Cler. in art Magr. 26. Aug. 1615. In the body of the Church towards the North side is there a raised Monument but of a much meaner structure than either of those in the Chancell which are represented on the last page for it is onely of plaine stone-work with an Alabaster cover whereon is the portraiture of a man and woman graved and this Epitaph on the Verge Here lyeth the bodies of Nicholas Hubaud esquier and Dorothye his Wife the which Nicholas deceassed the second day of May in the yere of our Lord M Dliii and the said Dorothy deceassed the xvi â— day of May in the yeare of our Lord M Dlviii Upon whose soules God have mercy Amen In the East window of the North I le Sable 3. Leopards heads jesant flowers de lis Argent Hubaud Gules a Lyon rampant Argent crowned Or. Musard In the North window of the Chancell this coat Sable a Cheveron betwixt three Leopards heads jesant flowers de lis Argent Hubaud Studley DEscending lower on the same side of Arrow I come to Studley within which Parish these places of note are situate scil Mapleborow Skilts Holt and Padhougre In the Conquerors time the greatest part thereof viz. four hides in which also stood the Church and a Mill was possest by Will. fil Corbucionis whereunto belonged a Furnace yeilding annually xix Horse-loads of Salt and woods extending to one mile in length and half as much in breadth All which were then estimated at C s. having been the freehold of Swain before the Norman Invasion But the other part which in Edward the Confessors days belong'd to Godric and at that time to Will. Buenvasleth containing onely one hide besides the woods that were three furlongs in length and two in breadth and valued therewith at x s. was held of him by one William Of the before specified Will. fil Corbucion I find that he was a man of eminent note in this County having lands in Ilmindon Kineton Sekindon Wishaw Hodenhull Honingham Weston Coundon Barcheston Mapleborough Eccleshall Grafton Binton Bereford Wolverton Bearley and here at Studley where he or some of his descendants had a Castle as by the ruines thereof is evident and thereat their principall seat though they had likewise fair possessions in Berks. and Staffordshire I am of opinion that this William was Shiriff of this County for some part of William the Conquerors reign for upon that confirmation to the Monks of Worcester of Alveston in this County and the Mâ—ll at Salewarp in Worcestershire originally given to them by S. Wolstan the said King directed his speciall Precept unto Henry Earl of Warwick Vrso de Abetot and this Will. sil Câ—rbucion for their quiet enjoyment of those places which Urso was then Shiriff of Worcestershire as elswhere I have manifested To the said William succeeded Robert Corbusceon who in H. 1. time upon the Dedication of the Church of Eccleshale gave certain Glebe thereto And next unto him Peter his brother as I guesse who in some authorities is written Petrus filius Willielmi and in others Pâ—trus Corbezon as also Petrus de Stodley which Peter was a witness to severall Charters of Margaret Countesse of Warwick and of Earl Roger her son and in 12 H. 2. held ten Knights fees and a fourth part of William Earl of Warwick de veterifcoffamento whence I conclude that whatsoever William his grandfather did possesse in the Conquerors time upon erection of Henry de Novo-Burgo to the Earldom of Warwick the same was given to that Earl and that he newly enfeoft the said Peter thereof but it seems he kept them not long for I find that he passed them back to Earl Waleran brother to the said
Peter Fitz-Herbert and his successors This Peter after he had so obtained the eschaeted moytie as abovesaid grew exasperated for that large Scutage exacted by the King for maintenance of his Army in Poictou 16 Ioh. for which the Barons broke out into Rebellion and therein continued during the life of that King by reason whereof his lands here in Alencester were seized â— and committed to the custody of Will. de Camvill but in 1 H. 3. returning to obedience he had restitution of them again It seems that King H. 3. requiring the arrears of that Scutage in the fift of his reign this Peter was questioned for six marks due thereupon but had his discharge for for the same in regard he produced testimony that he had maintained Souldiers at his own costs in the said Army at that time In which year he had also the Kings Letters mandatory to his Tenants requiring their contribution to himâ— according to the rate of x s. for every Knights Fee towards the defraying of that charge he was at in attendance upon the King at the siege of Bitham Castle In 13 H. 3. he had Letters of protection for a journey beyond Sea wherein he was also to attend the King This Peter confirm'd to the Monks of Alcester whatsoever lands they were possest of in this place granting unto them freedome of paunage for their Hoggs in his Woods here with timber out of the same woods for their necessary occasions and Common of pasture for their Cattell and left issue Herbert commonly called Herbertus fil Petri who in 25 H. 3. came to a composition with Emma the widow of the before specified H. Falconer there called Hamo de Brome for her thirds in this moytie which Herbert shortly after past away all his right in the said moytie to Robert de Chaundoys who held it in 33 H. 3. Howbeit this was not the inheritance as it seemes for that did Walt. the son of Will. de Beauchamp purchase of Reginald son to the same Peter Fitz-Herbert in 56 H. 3. whereupon was reserved the forrein service of half a Knights Fee After which time the posterity of the said Walter enjoy'd it for very many ages having a goodly Mannour-house here whereat frequently making their residence they had sundry eminent imployments relating to this County for which respect purposing to speak historically of them I have inserted the ensuing Genealogie This Walter was brother to William de Beauchamp the first Earl of Warwick of that Family and being signed with the Crosse for a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 53 H. 3. had a Legacy of CC. marks bequeathed to him by his Father towards his better performance of that Holy Voyage In 21 E. 1. he obtained a Charter bearing date at Canterbury 14. Iulii for an yearly Faire to be held at this his Mannour of Alcester for eight days viz. on the Even of S. Giles and seven days following In 26. of the same Kings raign he had Summons amongst other great men to appear at Karleol upon the Even of Pentecost well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots and was the same year with the King in that eminent battail of Fawkirk In 28 E. 1. he had Freewarren granted to him in all his demesn lands here at Alcester as also at Powyk and severall other places in Worcestershire at which time he was Steward of the King's Houshold In that memorable Certificate sent unto the Pope by all the Peers of England sitting in the Parliament at Lincoln 12. Febr. 29 E. 1. whereby they asserted King Edward's superiority over the Realm of Scotland the name of this Walter is there subscribed with the addition of Dominus de Alcester whence I guess that he then resided here It seems that the time for the Faire here so obtained as aforesaid was found inconvenient for in 30 E. 1. in exchange thereof the King granted another Charter to him for to translate the same unto the Even of S. Faith the Virgin and to continue seven days following In 31 E. 1. he attended the King again into Scotland as appears by his being in person at that notable siege of Kaerlaverok But of this Sir Walter for he was a Knight I find no farther mention worthy the taking notice of other than that he wedded Alice the daughter of ...... Tony she being allied to him in the fourth degree of consanguâ—nity which marriage was long after ratified and the Children begot betwixt them decreed legitimate by Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester as having authority from the Pope in asmuch as they knew not of the impediments at the time of that contract made And that about the 31. of E. 1. he departed this Will. de Bellocampo 53 H. 3. Isabella soror haeres Will. Mauduit Comitis Warwici Will. de Bellocampo Comes Warwici jure materno Walt. de Bellocampo 53 H. 3. Alicia filia .... Tony. Egid. de Bello-campo 3 E. 3. Katherina Iohanna filia â—oh de Cherleton jun. 25 E. 3 Ioh. de Beauchamp 25 E. 3. Elizabetha 7 H. 4. Will. Beauchamp de Powyke 9 H. 5. Cath. una filiarum cohaer Gerardi Ufflete 9 H. 5. Eliz. ux Thomae Swinford 6 H. 5. Ioh. Beauchamp miles Thesaur Angl. 28 H. 6. Margareta soror Ricardi Ferrers ar condidit Testam 3 H. 7. Ric. Beauchamp 25 H. 6. Eliz. filia Humfr. Stafford mil 25 H. â— Eliz. una filiarum cohaer Rob. Willough by dominus Brook Edw. Willoughby obiit vivo patre Eliz. una consangu cohaer Roberti Willoughby domini Brooke Fulco Grevill miles filius secundus Edw. Grevill mil. Fulco Grevill miles obiit an 1606. Anna filia Rad. Nevill Comitis Westmerl Fulco Grevill miles dominus Brook obiit coelebs anno 1628. Margareta ux Ricardi Verney militis Robertus Grevill Blanchia filia .... Whitney Fulc Grevill obiit ... Augusti 1632. Maria filia Christophori Copley de Sprodborough in Com. Ebor. Robertus Grevill dominus Brook Cath. filia Francisci Russell Comitis Bedfordiae Anna obiit ante nuptias Blanchia ux Francisci D'autrâ—y mil. ob s. pâ—ole Anna uxor Ric. Ligon Margar. uxor Will. Rede Walt. Beauchamp Chivalier 3 H. 5. Ã quo Beauchamp Baro S. Amand. Will. de Bellocampo haeres Walt. Walt. de Bello-campo obiit 2 E. 3. Hawifia 13 E. 2. life leaving the said Alice a widow and three sons viz. Walter William and Giles Which second Walter in 10 E. 2. upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick his kinsman had the custody of the lands belonging to Warwick Castle together with the said Castle during the minority of his heir committed to him and the same year was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire In 13 E. 2. he obtained a Charter for another Faire
inheritance appertaining to Amicia the wife of Iohn le Lou one of the coheirs being past away unto Queen Alianore then wife of Edward 1. King of England as in Hampton hath likewise been intimated it was totally possest by that Queen and after her death in 20 E. 1. given together with the Mannours of Ardens-Grafton and Langdon and certain lands lying in Alspath Buleye Hulverleye Witlakesfeldâ— Kinwaldesheye Nuthurst and Didington all in this Countie as also with the Mannours of Briddebrok in Essex Westerham and Edulnebrugge in Kent and Turveston in Buckinghamshire to the Monks of Westminster upon condition that the Abbot Prior and Covent of that House or the Prior and Covent if the Abbot should be out of the way upon the Eve of S. Andrew the Apostle on which day the said Queen's Anniversary had used to be kept being solemnly revested in the Quire of that Monasterie should sing a Placebo and Dirige with nine Lessons C. wax Candles weighing xii li. a piece being then burning about her Tombe and every year new ones made for that purpose And furthermore that those Wax-Candles should be lighted at the Placebo and Dirige on the Eve of the same Anniversarie and burn on the day thereof till high Masse were ended And that all the Bells both great and small then ringing they should sing solemnly for her souls health And moreover that on the day of her said Anniversary the Abbot himself in case he were present or the Prior in his stead if he could not procure a more eminent Prelate should sing Masse at the high Altar the Candles then burning and Bells ringing and every single Monk of that Abby a private Masse the inferior Monks their whole Psalter and the Friers Converts of that House the Lords Prayer Creed and Aves as many as the Abbot and Covent should appoint for her soul and the souls of all the faithfull deceased And that likewise the said Prior and Covent and their successors on the same day to distribute unto every poor Body repairing to that Monasterie one penny sterling or money to that value staying till three of the clock expecting their coming before they should begin the Dole which was to be unto seven-score poor people And that of the Waxen Tapers before specified xxx to remain all the year long about the said Queens Tombe till the renewing of them on the day of her Anniversary all which to be lighted upon the great Festivall days and upon the coming of any Noble men thither and as often else as they should see fit And moreover that the said Abbot Prior and Covent and their successors should find two waxen Lights each of them weighing two pounds of wax to burn continually at the Tombe of the said Queen All which being performed the surplusage of the revenue issuing out of these lands to remain for their Pâ—ttances to be provided according as themselves should best like And for the more strict observance hereof every Abbot successively before the restitution of his temporalties to take a solemn Oath for observance of the premisses And that every year upon S â— Andrew's Eve the said King's Charter to be publiquely read in the Chapter-House in the presence of the whole Covent which Charter bears date at Barwick upon Twedâ— 20 Oct. 20 E. 1. The Monks of Westminster being thus possest thereof leased it for life in 34 E. 1. to Raph de Perham but after that time retained it in their own hands for ought I have seen to the contrary untill the generall dissolution of the Religious Hâ—uses by Kâ—ng H. 8. and then Westminster being made a Bishoprick as is very well known this Mannour inter alia became annext unto it but long it continued not so for in 4 E. 6. it was converted to a Deanrieâ— with secular Canons and the jurisdiction of the Bishop united to London Nicholas Ridley being then Bishop unto whom and his successors the same King Edw. 6. by his Patent dated 12. Apr. that very year gave and confirmed this Mannour which grant was afterwards ratified by Queen Mary But in 2 Eliz. there being a Commission for the reassumption of divers lands from the said Bishoprick at which time this Lorship came to the Queens hands it was in 15. Eliz. granted to Robert Earl of Leicester and his heirs which Earl in 23 Eliz. past it a way again in exchange for other lands unto the same Queen so that being thus in the Crown Sir Fulk Grevill Knâ—ght Lord Brook in consideration of his service as the Patent expresseth obtained it in Fee form of King Iames in 20. of his reign to be held of the Mannour of East-Greenwich for the Rent of Lxvii li. xvi s. viii d. per annum The Colledge ABout the later end of Ric. 2. time Walter Cook a Canon of Lincolne bearing a speciall affection to this place considering that it stood distant above a mile from the parish-Church did for the health of his own and his parents souls at his proper costs erect a fair Chapell here with a Tower-Steeple and Bells all in his Fathers own land to the honour of S. Iohn Baptist S. Laurence the Martyr and S. Anne adding also a Church-yard thereto purposing to endow the same Chapell with maintenance sufficient for one secular Priest to celebrate divine service therein so as that there should thenceforth be a Font for Baptizing of all Infants to be born within this Hamlet of Knolle and all persons there deceasing to be buried in that Church-yard For performance whereof he obtained a speciall Bull from Pope Boniface the ixth wherein was contained an Indulgence for seven days of their enjoyned Penance to all such as having made a true confession and were heartily sorâ—y for their sins and repairing yearly out of devotion thither on the Festivalls of our Saviour's Nativity Circumcision Epiphanie Resurrection and Ascension Corpus Christi day and Pentecost As also on the Nativity Annunciation Purification and Assumption of the blessed Virgin Nâ—tivity of S. Iohn Baptist S. Peter and Paul S. Anne and S. Laurence and on the Feast day of the said Chapells Dedication and All Hallown day or on the Octaves of those Feasts and for six days immediatly ensuing the said Feast of Pentecost should confer something towards the repair of the same upon every of those Holy days for the space of seven years which Indulgence bears date at S. Peâ—â—râ— in Rome â—viii Cal. Dec. in the ninth year of his Papacie scil 21 R 2. To second which Bâ—ll was there a speciall License granted to the Inhabitants here residing by Iohn Burghill Bishop oâ— Coventry and Lichfield in 1 H. 4. â—â—nchâ—ng the celebration of Dâ—vine Service therein by any sitting Prâ—ests For confirmation oâ— whith Chapell so built together with the Churchyard before specified there being a speciall Patent made by King H. 4. dated 18. Nov. in the fourth year of his reign License was
after his Father's death as my authoritie saith he then made a new grant of the premisses to the same Lord Clinton during the minority of the heir then his Ward whereupon the said Lord Clinton in consideration of Lxx li. sterling made an assignation of the said Custodie c. unto Iohn Hales Gentleman at that time Clerk of the Hamper and a very active man in the world as in Coventre I have shewed To the posterity of which Sir Will. Compton it continued till that Will. Lord Compton his great grandchild by his Deed bearing date 3. Febr. 39 Eliz. sold it unto Sir Thomas Egerton Kt. then Lord Keeper of the great Seal from whom Thomas Dilke Esquire afterwards Knight purchased it scil 21. Iunii 41 Eliz. whose grandson William now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Michael was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks In 5 E. 3. Sir William de Clinton Knight purposing to found a Chantrie therein obtained License to bestow the advouson thereof inter alia upon the same with Lands and Rents to the value of xx li. per annum In pursuance whereof he gave to Iohn Lynie Priest Warden of the said Chantrie and his successors a certain piece of land lying then betwixt the road-way leading from Filongley towards Colshill on the one side and the Church-yard of Maxstoke on the other and extending in length from the Lord of Maxstoke's Quarrie to the Pale of his Park together with the advouson of the Church as by his Charter bearing date at Maxstoke on the Feast day of the Annunciation of our Lady 6 E. 3. appeareth And moreover by the same Charter granted unto the said Warden and his successors 8. Messuages six yard land lying in Long-Ichinton as also the Bodies of viii Natives dwelling there with all their Chattells and Off-spring And besides this xx s. yearly Rent payable by one William Snede and Iohn his son out of a Messuage lying in Long-Ichinton aforesaid with the reversion of the same Messuage and one yard land after their deceases and lastly 4. Acres of land lying in the said town of Ichinton together with the advouson of the Church Which endowment being so made he forthwith by the consent of Roger de Northburgh at that time Bishop of this Dioces Iohn Lynie the then Parson whom he constituted Warden as abovesaid Sir Iohn de Clinton Lord of Maxstoke his brother and Parishioner there as also all the other Parishioners of Maxstoke ordained that the said five Priests should thenceforth celebrate divine Servâ—ce daily in the same Church where the Bodies of his Ancestors lay interred for the good estate of him the said Sir William de Clinton Iulian his wife Sir Iohn de Clinton his brother Alice his wife and for the souls of Sir Iohn de Clinton his Father the Lady Ida his Mother as also for the good estate of Edward the third then Kâ—ng of England Laurence de Hastings and for aâ—l the Lords Hastings in time to come And moreover of the said Roger then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield Henry Prior of Coventre and â—heir succâ—ssors and for the souls of all the Kâ—ngs oâ— England Lords Hastings Bishops of Coventre â—nd Lichfield Priors of Coventre Brethren and sisters Parents and benefactors and all the faithâ—uâ—l deceased Appointing that the said Warden and his successors as aâ—so the Subwarden and his should be always Priests in Orders admitted and instituted by the Bishop or Coventre and Lichfield for the time being and after the decease of him the said Sir William always presented by the said Sâ—r Iohn de Clinton his brother and his heirs having a House convenient for themselves and the other three adjoyning to the Churchyard of Maxstoke afâ—resaid there to inhabâ—te and lodge together And that the said Warden and his succâ—ssâ—rs shâ—uld pâ—â—vâ—de from time to timeâ— Bâ—â—â—ks Vâ—â—â—ments Lâ—ghts as also two Clerks fâ—r the use of himself 〈◊〉 Sub-warden and the other Priests aswell in the Church as in the Houseâ— viz. their Hall and Chamberâ— nâ—ght and day And mâ—reover that he and his said Sub-warden and thâ— othâ—r Priestsâ— shâ—â—â—d wear white Surpliceâ— with black Copes and Sâ—â—les after the manner of the Vicars-Chorall in the Caâ—hedrall of Lichfield whil'st they were about divine Service both in the Church and Quire And that the charge of the Books and Ornaments shâ—uld belong to the Sub-warden whose Office was to direct câ—ncerning the celebration of Masses viz. of whâ—m what howers and in what order by himself and the other Priests they were to be performed And that Bread Wine Water and Lights should be ready for the said Masses and divine exercises but at the charge of the Warden to be provided And further that aswell the Warden when he could fitly be at leisure and Sub-warden as all the Priests except some great occasion did hinder every day after dinner and before Vâ—â—pers should together in the said Church sing the full Office of the Dead viz. Placebo and Dâ—riâ—e except on double Fâ—â—tivalls and the time of Easter in whâ—ch theâ— ought to observe the custome of the Church of Salisbury in saâ—â—ing the said Office Aâ— also 〈…〉 and Canonicall howers with Note â— in the Qâ—â—re of the Church aforesaid admitting the Chaplains and Clerks of the same Church to sing with them if they pleased And likewise that after the Compline they should say the Commenâ—â—â—tion of the Dead â— in â—he said Quire according â—o the course above described And every Holy day in the Quire together the seven Penitentiall Psalmes and the â—v â—radualls with the Letanie and accustomed Prayers unless there were cause exprest by the Warden that they should say them out of the Quâ—re And that both the Warden and Sub-warden all the other Priests should every day celebrate their particular Masses in the said Church or Quire according to appointment except there were a lawfull impediment so that upon every Sunday the Masse of the B. Virgin should be celebrated with Note and the Mass of the day in such sort as was fit And upon every Munday one of them whom the Sub-warden should appoint to celebrate the said Mass of our Lady by Note with the Office for the Dead for the souls of the persons before recited and all the faithfull deceased And after the death of the said Sir William de Clinton and Sir Iohn his brother for their souls also And that another of the said Priests should celebrate the same day the high Mass of S. Michaell th'arch Angell Patron of that Church and of all the holy Angells with Note and the rest throughout the week thus Upon every Tuesday the Mass of S. Thomas sometime Archbishop of Canterbury by Note besides the high Mass of the day by Note also On Wednsday the first Mass of our blessed Ladie by Note and the high Mass of the said day with Note as also a memoriall of S. Katherine the Virgin On
did bring to passe The body of this worthy Knight shall never come to Hell But yet in Tombe of Marble-stone till Iudgment day shall dwell To which Sir Thomas succeeded Francis and to him Sir Thomas who resided frequently here in Queen Elizabeth's time being a Gentleman of eminent note in those dayes but since his Descendants have seldome dwelt at this place I now come to that part of Polesworth-Parish lying on the North side of Anker Stipershill THe place which bears this name is situate on the Northern side of Anker a little above Polesworth where the ground hath a naturall and steep descent to the River and by the form of an old entrenchment seems to have been a little Fortification Till Edw. 3. time I have not seen any thing of its name but then being written Stipurnshull it was made use of by the Lords of Tamworth-Castle for the keeping of their Threeweeks-Court as it had been I presume in the Marmions time Which Court continued so kept there for a long time after as by severall Records appeareth all the Tenants of that Fee doing their suit and service there but now it is usually kept no more than twice in the yeare Waverton THis had it's name originally from the high situation Waver and Over importing one and the same with suprà and being a member of Polesworth belong'd to the Marmions of Tamworth-Castle for it appears that Robert Marmion and Milisent his wife gave all their demesn lands lying therein to the Nunns of Polesworth in H. 1. time or thereabouts and enfeoffed g Robert de Grendon of certain lands in this Village which lands are by an heir female come with Grendon to the Chetwins Severall other parcells there were which sundry persons held afterwards of the heirs of Marmion viz. the Culies of Radâ—live in Com. Leic. The heirs of Iohn de Langdon and Will. de Fago and likewise Roger Hillarie though to whom these were first granted will be hard to discover Bramcote THat this was originally a member of Grendon and so consequently possest by the first Henry de Feriers need not to be doubted neither that Râ—ger de Grendon or his Ancestor was very antiently enfeoffed thereof by the same Henry for I finde that Walkeline a younger son to that Roger being seated here assumed it for his â—irname and that it was held by his Descendants of the heirs of Ferrers by half a Knight's Fee the posteritie of which Walkeline bore the Armes of Grendon scil two Cheverons but the colours I know noâ— Of these William son to the said Walcheâ—ine â— was a benefactor to the Nunns of Polesworth by the gift to them of one yard land and four acres lying in this village which grant Robert his son confirmed and bestowed upon the Monks of Aucote a Meadow called Bramcote-Meadow but with Proviso that he and hâ—â— heirs might be Toll-fâ—ee for the Corn they should grinde at Aucote-Mill To the said Robert succeeded William sirnamed de Grendon in the possession of this Mannour whom I take to be his brother From which William at length descended Sir Thomas de Grendâ—n Knight that left issue Margaret his daughter and heir first the wife unto ..... Charnells and afterwards of Thomas Malorie Which Margaret in her last widowhood past away all her title in this Mannour unto Iâ—hn Charnells of Snarkeston Eâ—quire her son and heir and to the neâ—s of his body lawfully begotten as appears by her Deed bearing date here at Bramcote the Munday next after the Feast of S. Andrew the Apostle 7 H. 6. From which Iohn descended William Charnells who in 6 E. 4. sold it unto Thomas Burdet Esquire Ancestor to Sir Francis Burdet Baroneâ— the present owner thereof as by the Pedâ—gree in Arrow doth appear where I have spoken historically of that antient Family whose Seat was for many ages at that place till Conway by an heir female had it Since which time till the marriage of Sir Thomas Burdet Bâ—ronet with Iâ—â—e daughter and heir to William Franceis of Formark in Com. Derb. Esquire a Ladie of singular endowments they resided here but now have made choâ—se of Formark before specified for their principall Mansion Austrey HAving now done with that large Parish of Polesworth I come to Austrey whereof I find that Wâ—lâ—ric Spot the Founder of Burton-Abby in Com. Staff was possest in the time of King Aethelred viz. about Lx. years before the Norman Conquest as also that it was by him given u to the wife of one Morcar but afterwards it came to Leofrike Earl of Mercia of whom in Coventre I have spoke which Leofrike gave two hides thereof to the Monks of Burton before mentioned Of the residue after the Norman Invasion did Henry de Ferrers hold two hides and a half and Nigel de Albingi five hides and a half which five hides were in the hands of eight Theines in Edward the Confessor's â—or's days the Church standing within the compass of them But in the Conqueror's Survey where the value of the whole is rated at v li. x s. scil that which belong'd to Burton-Abby xxx s. That which Henry de Ferrers had xx s. and that which Nigel de Albingi held iii li. it is written Aldulvestreâ— the last syllable thereof being Brittish discovering its great antiquitie and the former that it was originally so called from some antient possessor thereof Of what the Monks of Burton had with other additions given by severall persons afterwards they continued possest till the dissolution of that Monasterie But of the residue neither were the posteritie of Henry de Ferrers nor of Nigel de Albingi long owners For Hugo fil Ricardi of whom I have spoke in Hatton had it in H. 1. time In whose male line it rested so long as the same did last and afterwards by Margerie and Maude sisters and coheirs to Hugh fil Willielmi grandchild to the before specified Hugh as the Descent in Hatton sheweth it divolved to other Families the said Maud wife of Stephen de Nerbon making partition thereof with Thomas de Clinton grandson to her sister Margerie Which partition being so made the moytie belonging to Maude descended to Margerie de Nerbone her daughter and heir who gave all her said purpart to the Monks of Burton before mentioned in pure Almes Osbert de Clinton a younger son to the said Thomas unto whom it seems that the other part was by his Father assigned confirming the grant Which Osbert died without issue as I guess for it is plain enough that his purpart of Austrey came to the posteritie of Thomas his elder brother who were Lords of Maxstoke as the Pedegree in Maxstoke and Colshill sheweth and so descended to Edward Lord Clinton who by his Deed bearing date 6. Febr. 31 H. 8. sold this Mannour unto Iames Leveson of Wolverhampton in Com. Staff Esquire who gave it in