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
18 to the 24 of H. 6. In 26 H. 6. he had the Shiriffalty of these Counties and dyed in 6 E. 4. leaving issue Philip his son and heir 24 years of age with Iohn a younger son Which Philip in 8 E. 4. being in Commission for the assessing of two fifteens and two tenths in this County then granted to the K. in Parliament dyed the same year seized inter alia of this Mannour and was buried in the Church of St. Iames at Badsley-Clinton as by his Testament he directed leaving issue Iohn Nicholas and VVilliam Of these three Nicholas was the last that survived but all of them dyed without issue and therefore Nicholas son to Iohn their Uncle became heir to the estate being then in ward to the King for this inheritance Of whom I find nothing further memorable than that he was of Shalston in Buckinghamshire and sold this Mannour of Shirford to Henry Smyth Esq the principal branch of his descendants having for the most part resided ever since at Drayton in Lescestershire whereof George Purefey Esq son and heir of George by Mary one of the daughters and co-heirs to Sir Valentine Knightley is still Lord though his seat be at Wadley in Berks. Which H. Smyth being son to Iohn a wealthy Citizen of Coventre of whom in Nether-Fletchamsted I have spoke bore so great a love to that City that he contributed to the purchase of 50 l. lands per annum for the maintenance of one Priest 12 poor men and one woman in the Gild of the holy Trinity St. Iohn Baptist and St. Katherine there situate And was in Commission for conservation of the peace from the 17 of H. 7. till his death as also for Goal-delivery in 17 and 23 H. 7. And had issue Sir VValter Smyth Kt. whose Murther here at Shirford by his own Lady assisted with two servants and the circumstances conducing thereto which are very memorable I shall here briefly set forth This Sir VValter being grown an aged man at the death of his first wife considering of a marriage for Richard his son and heir then at mans estate to that end made his mind known to Mr Thomas Chetwin of Ingestre in Staffordshire a Gentleman of an antient family and fair estate who entertaining the motion in behalf of Dorothy one of his daughters was contented to give 500 l. portion with her But no sooner had the old Knight seen the young Lady than that he became a sutor for himself being so captivated with her beauty that he tendred as much for her besides a good joynture as he should have received in case the match had gone on for his son Which liberal offer so wrought upon Mr Chetwyn as that he spared not for arguments to perswade his daughter to accept of Sir VValter for her husband Whereupon the marriage ensued accordingly but with what a tragique issue will quickly be seen For it was not long ere that her affections wandring after younger men she gave entertainment to one Mr VVilliam Robinson then of Drayton-Basset a young Gentleman of about 22 years of age son to George Robinson a rich Mercer of London and grew so impatient at all impediments which might hinder her full enjoyment of him that she rested not till she had contrived a way to be rid of her husband For which purpose corrupting her waiting Gentlewoman and a Groom of the stable she resolved by their help and the assistance of Robinson to strangle him in his bed appointing the time and manner how it should be effected And though Robinson failed in coming on the designed night perhaps through a right apprehension of so direfull a fact she no whit staggered in her resolutions for watching her husband till he was fallen asleep she then let in those assasinates before specified and casting a long towell about his neck caused the Groom to lye upon him to keep him from struggling whilst her self and the maid straining the towell stopt his breath It seems the good old man little thought that this his Lady had acted therein for when they first cast the towell about his neck he cryed out help Doll help But having thus dispatcht the work they carryed him into another room where a close stool was plac'd upon which they set him and after an hour that the Maid and Groom were silently got away to palliate the business she made an outcry in the house wringing her hands pulling her hair and weeping extreamly with pretence that missing him for some time out of bed she went to see what the matter was and found him accidentally in that posture Which subtill and feigned shews of sorrow prevented all suspicion of his violent death and not long after went to London setting so high a value upon her beauty that Robinson her former darling perhaps for not keeping touch with her as before hath been said became neglected But within two years following it so hapned that this wofull deed of darkness was brought to light by the groom before specified who being entertained with Mr Richard Smyth son and heir to the murthered Knight and attending him to Coventre with divers other servants became so sensible of his villany when he was in his cups that out of good nature he took his Master to a side and upon his knees besought forgiveness from him for acting in the murther of his Father declaring all the circumstances thereof Whereupon Mr Smyth discreetly gave him good words but wisht some others that he trusted to have an eye to him that he might not escape when he had slept and better considered what might be the issue thereof Notwithstanding which direction he fled away with his Masters best Horse and hasting presently into Wales attempted to go beyond Sea but being hindred by contrary winds after three essays to lanch out was so happily pursued by Mr Smyth who spared for no cost in sending to several Ports that he was found out and brought Prisoner to Warwick as was also the Lady and her Gentlewoman all of them with great boldness denying the fact and the Groom most impudently charging Mr Smyth with endeavour of corrupting him to accuse the Lady his mother in-law falsly to the end he might get her joyncture But upon his arraignment so smitten was he at apprehension of the guiltâ— that he publickly acknowledged it and stoutly justified what he had so said to be true to the face of the Lady and her Maid who at first with much seeming confidence pleaded their innocency till at length seeing the particular circumstances thus discovered they both confessed the fact For which having judgement to dye the Lady was burnt at a Stake near the Hermitage on Wolvey-heath towards the side of Shirford Lordship where the Country people to this day shew the place and the Groom with the Maid suffred death at Warwick This was about the third year of Q.
and of such rankness that much of it hath bean carryed by the Husbandmen to further distances like Dung to make the ground more fertile Upon the very thwarting of those two great ways hath antiently stood some eminent Cross which the Country people called High-Cross but now instead thereof is onely a pole bearing that name That this was the station of the Bennones I have Mr. Cambdens authority from Antonines-Itinerary yet nothing more can I say of it time having worn out the memory of what else was memorable But I return to Wibtoft Though it lye in this County yet is it in the Parish of Cleybroke in Leicester-sh and hath a Chappel dedicated to our Lady viz. to her Assumption The first mention I find of it is 60. years and more before the Conquest for Ulfric Spot a potent man in those days and founder of Burton-Abby in Stafford-sh gave it by his Will to one Athelric for life and afterwards to the said Monastery of Burton But in the Conq. time it was possest by the Earl of Mellent and in the generall Survey then taken written Wibetot Willey being join'd therwith both which were the freehold of Sexi in Edw. the Conf. days After which ere long was Ernald de Bois enfeoft thereof with Clifton Bulkinton c. whereof I have already spoke for not only an Extent of Knights-fees in 55. H. 3. shews that they were then held joyntly of the E. of Warwick by 4. Kn. fees but the possession hereof continuing in the family of Boys and afterwards to Zouch as most of the other did argues no less And I find that the grant of Raph Araby made to the Abby of Leic. of 7. mess 10. crofts 5. yard land and a half and one mill lying here was confirm'd by the same Ernald wherein the Abbot claimed a Court-Leet and the like Priviledges that he did in Bulkinton and had allowance of them As also that the same year scil 13. E. 1. the Prioress of Eaton purchased one mess and 120. acres of land lying in this place of Gilbert de Houby a great man in Leicestersh But further can I not speak thereof than that in the line of Zouch it continued as by the severall authorities I have vouch't in Bulkinton appeareth till Edw. Lord Zouch in our Fathers memory past it away as he did the substance of his antient inheritance Willey FOllowing Watlingstreet I next come to Willey joyn'd with Wibtoft in the Conq. Survey both which being then held by the E. of Mellent and containing 3. hides were valued at 4. l. But the first mention that I after meet withall of this place is in 26. H. 2. where Robert de Wilega for so he is there written payd 3. marks to have a tryall in the K. Court against Simon de Verdon for this Village From the E. of Mellent it came to the E. of Warwick as most of Mellent's lands in this County did and was granted to Hastings by one of those antient Earls as may seem by severall Inquisitions from whom the ancestours to Turvile and Herdebergh were at first enfeoft Robert de Wilega being one of those families and called de Wilega whilst he resided here and de Herdeberg when he dwelt at Herdeberg now called Harborough-magna in this County for such kind of alteration of names was usuall enough in old time as I could manifest if need were But what I find memorable in generall touching this family of Herdebergh I purpose to declare when I come to Great-Harborough before mentioned where I have inserted a Scheme of their descent and therefore here I shall chiefly take notice of them as in relation to this place for I have circumstance enough to satisfy me that Herdebergh had the principall interest and not Turvile though Turvile had part In 33. H. 3. there was a tryall betwixt Roger de Herdebergh and the Abbot of Preaux in Normandy touching the Church here in respect of the right that the said Abbot claimed therein by reason of the Cell at Warmington in this County of the Eâ— of Warwick's foundation which was subordinate to that Monastery of Preaux upon which suit it seems that the Abbot of Preaux recovered the same for it appears by the Institutions that he presented thereto To which Roger de Herdebergh succeded Hugh that held this Mannour immediatly of Hastings and had issue Roger who dying in the life time of his Father left onely two Daughters Ela the elder within age in 14. E. 1. marryed to Will. le Boteler of Wemme in Com. Salop and Isabell to ..... by whom she had issue Dionysia that dyed y Childless and Alice wedded to Iohn de Peyto which Iohn and Alice in 7. E. 3. setled the one moytie of this Mannour upon the issue of their two Bodies and for default thereof upon the said William le Boteler and the heirs of his Body with remainder to the right heirs of Ela. And the other moytie after the decease of them the said Iohn and Alice unto the said William with the like remainder By which means it descended to Edmund le Boteler son to the said Will. and Ela as the descent doth manifest which Edm. being a Priest dyed 49. E. 3. whereupon his Sisters became his heirs to the estate whereof Dionysia the eldest marryed to Hugh Cokesey and had issue Sir Walter Cokesey Kt. unto whom Sir Fouke Pembruge Kt. and Margaret his Wife Daughter and heir of Ida or Idonea the second Sister of the said Edmund by William Trussell of Odiham released their right in the fourth part of this Mannour 51. E. 3. which Sir Walter had issue Walter and he Sir Walter Cokesey Kt. that dyed seized thereof 15. Dec. 24. H. 6. without issue leaving Ioyce his Sister and heir first marryed to ...... Beauchamp but afterwards to Grevile by whom she had issue Sir Iohn Grevile Kt. that left Thomas his Son and heir who called himself Cokesey as in Milcote I shall further shew which Thomas was also a Kt. and dyed without issue whereupon Robert Russell and Robert Winter being his Cosens and heirs had livery of his lands in 15. H. 7. From which Robert Winter descended George who accomplishing his full age 27. Ian. 7. Eliz. sold his two parts of this Mannour to the Tenants Hugo de Herdebergh Rog. de Herdebergh Ela filia cohaeres Gulielmus le Boteler de Wemme Ankareta ux Ioh. Strange de Blakmere Joh. Strange defunctus 49. E. 3. Ioh. Strange defunctus 49 E. 3. Eliz. obiit infra aetat Ankareta amita haeres Eliz. ob 1. H. 5. Ric. Talbot miles Gilb. Talbot miles fil haeres aetat 27. an 1. H. 5. Ankareta ob s. prole 9. H. 5. Ioh. Talbot miles erectus in Com. Salop 20.
the foundations of much building there discovered and a place yet called S. Nicholas-Church-yard testify But touching that Monastery of Nuns all that I find is no more but this viz. that in the year of Christ 1016. Canutus K. of Denmark and that infamous traytor Edricus invading Mercia with an Army burnt and wasted divers towns in Warwicksh at which time the said House of Nuns whereof St. Osburg a Holy Virgin had been sometime Abbess was destroyed What this Osburg was I mean for her parentage or when she lived I have not seen for Iohn Capgrave a learned man and diligent searcher after our English Saints makes no mention of her I shall therefore descend to K. Edw. the Conf. time about the beginning whereof I find that the Noble Leofrick Earl of Mercia founded a goodly Monastery for Monks in the place where the other stood which Monastery was the chief occasion of all the succeding wealth and honour that accrued to Coventre as I shall sufficiently demonstrate when I come to treat in parâ—icular thereof for of its beginning growth riches greatness honour and dissolution I purpose to speak at large and therefore referring my discourse concerning the same and all other the Religious Houses Churches c. here to their proper place I will take notice of what I find otherwise memorable touching this City And because this great Earl and his Countess were the most eminent Benefactors that ever it had I shall here make a brief Narrative of them so far at least as they had any relation to this place The first of his Progenitors concerning whom I have any historicall authority was Leofrik Earl of Chester in the time of Ethelbald K. of Mercia about 900. years agoe whose descendants to this our Leofrik the Pedegree which in this discourse I have inserted doth succinctly point out As to the time of his advancement unto the Earldom of Mercia which contains the most of the Counties in this Midland part of the Realm I can say nothing In the days of K. Ethelred he was stiled Leofricus Comes at large which might be of Chester onely by defcent from his ancestors By K. Canutus he was made Capt. Generall of his forces an 1018. and grew afterwards in high favour with the said K. In the time of Hardi Canutus he was called Merciorum Comes and though that in the beginning of Edw. the Conf. days he is stiled onely Comes Herefordiensium yet do I conceive that he had that title attributed to him in such sort as Edwyn his Grand-child had of Comes Warwici as I shall hereafter shew those Counties being included within his Mercian territories That his power was very great in the times wherein he lived appears by these instances First that after the death of Cnut and great debate who should succeed him in the kingdom he with the Barons on the North of Thannes advanced Harold sirnamed Harefoot Son to the said Cnut unto the Crown And next that Hardi Canutus being dead he was one of the chief that raised K. Edw. called the Confessor at that time in Normandy to the regall throne and afterwards with intire affection defended him from the malice of Earl Godwyn This Leofrik wedded Godeva a most beautifull and devout Lady Sister to one Thorold Shiriff of Lincolnsh in those days and founder of Spalding-Abby As also of the stock and lineage of Thorold Shiriff of that County in the time of Kenulph K. of Mercia Which Countess Godeva bearing an extraordinary affection to this place often and earnestly besought her Husband that for the love of God and the blessed Virgin he would free it from that grievous servitude whereunto it was subject but he rebuking her for importuning him in a matter so inconsistent with his profit commanded that she should thenceforth forbear to move therein yet she out of her womanish pertinacy continued to solicit him insomuch that he told her if she would ride on Horse-back naked from the one end of the town to the other in the sight of all the people he would grant her request 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 Horse-back naked with her hair loose so that it covered all her Body but the Legs and thus performing the journey return'd with joy to her Husband who thereupon granted to the Inhabitants a Charter of freedom 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 onely a freedom from all manner of Toll except Horses as Knighton affirms In memory whereof the picture of him and his said Lady were set up in a South window of Trinity-Church in this City about K. R. 2. time and his right hand holding a Charter with these words written thereon I Luriche for the love of thee Doe make Coventre Tol-free But besides his foundation and endowment of the Monastery here at Coventre before specified of his proper patrimony was he a great Benefactor to divers other Religious-houses viz. Leominster in Herefordsh Wenloc in Shropsh S. Werburgs and St. Iohn's in Chester Worcester and Evesham both in Worcestersh to all which he likewise gave divers rich ornaments To the Abby of Burton super Trent in Staffordsh he also granted a large part of Austrey in this County and departing this life in a good old age at his house in Bromley 2 Cal. Sept. 1057. 13 Edw. Conf. was honourably interred in the Monastery here at Coventre before mentioned unto which he bequeathed it with a great quantity of Gold and Silver By some Authors he is called Comes Leicestriae but 't is plain by what I have already cited that it should be Cestriae And now before I proceed I have a word more to say of the noble Countess Godeva which is that besides her devout advancement of that pious work of his in founding this magnificent Monastery for my Author says it was instigante uxore sua Godeva omnem thesaurum saith another eidem Ecclesia contulit c. She gave her whole treasure thereto and sent for skilfull Goldsmiths who with all the Gold and Silver she had made Crosses Images of Saints and other curious ornaments which she devoutly disposed thereto Neither did her zeal to Gods service and honour rest here for over and above all this she built the monastery of Stow near Lincoln dedicating it to the blessed Virgin and endow'd it with the Lordships of Newark Flatburgh and Martinewelle giving possession of them by a fair Jewell and rich Bracelets curiously wrought as her Charter imports whereunto were witnesses K. Edw. the Conf. himself Aldred Archb. of York Wlfwi B. of Dorchester E. Leofrik her Husband with divers more great Earls and others But I am
illeoques en mesme la manoir q'est affaire pur celuy que devie en ville Et que le Bedeman alera par tote la ville a prier pur l'alme a les coustages de la dite Gilde 9. Itâ—m ordeigne este que si ascun Frere ou Soer devie en poverte n'ad my de ses biens propre dount estre ensevely que devire soiet il ensevely honorablement come il appiert a une Frere Soer as les costages de la Gylde Haec est ordinatio regula facta constituta per assensum totius Fraternitatis Gyldae S. Trinitatis S. Mariae S. Johannis S. Katherinae pro Capellanis ejusdem Gildae faciendis ac pro sanitate corporis ac animae valdè utilis Inprimis quod omnes presbyteri singuli ad Ordinationes pro eisdem faciendi corporaliter prestabunt Sacramentum quatinus in eis est jur edit edend Item ordinatum est quod Custos chori Capellae de Babbelake omnes Presbyteri ejusdem omnes singuli benè honestè se gerant tonsurati vestes deferent statui suo congruentes Ipsi quoque presbyteri omnes singuli Missas alia Divina obsequia cotidie in capella praedicta impedimento cessante legitimè celebrabunt Et in singulis Missis rogabunt specialiter pro Fratribus Sororibus Gildae praedictae vivis defunctis pro omnibus benefactoribus ejusdem Quolibetque die Matutina alta Missa Vespere Completorium in choro dictae Capellae cum Nota debent decantari Et post Matutinas horas cantandi ut praedicitur Missa de beata Virgine quolibet die debet celebrari ad Altare ejusdem Virginis cotidie cum Nota de uno sacerdote ad candem deputato per ordinationem custodis chori nisi fuerint impediti per obitum alicujus Fratris aut Sororis in festis ejusdem Virginis per octabas ejusdem cum acciderint Ad quam quidem Missam celebrandam ut praemittitur Clericus qui pro tempore fuerit Capellae praedictae pulsabit campanam pro eadem Missa ordinata per spacium ultimae horae in choro cantata eodem tempore fiat Et in quolibet die fiat Missa matutinalis de S. Trinitate Et in qualibet die fiat Missa de Jo. Baptista una Missa de S. Katerina una Missa de Requiem pro defunctis simul cum omnibus aliis Missis aliis divinis officiis secundùm ordinationem suam inde faciendum Et in qualibet die Dominica aspersio aquae benedictae cum Nota decantabitur Item ordinatum est quod omnes presbyteri ibidem existant nisi aliquis eorum legitimè fuerit impeditus per Custodem licentiatus Et quod nullus presbyter se absentet ab aliqua Missa Matutinis horis Vesperis Completorio cum Nota decantata nec ab aliqua alia divina operatione in Capella praedicta facienda nisi legitimè fuerit impeditus per Custodem Capellae praedictae licentiatus Item ordinatum est quod nullus Presbyter ibidem moram trahens utetur commune taberna neque se absentet extra hospitium suum noctanter nisi fuerit per rationabilem causam seiente Custode praedicto Item ordinatum est quod in qualibet die post Completorium fiant quinque cerei ardentes coram imagine Virginis Mariae in Capella praedicta dum una Antiphona viz. Salve Regina per Notam praedictam decantabitur Et quod omnes Presbyteri ibidem existant nisi aliquis eorum fuerit impeditus vel per Custodem licentiatus Et in qualibet die Parasceve postquam Corpus Christi in Sepulchro positum fuerit unum cereum ardentem coram sepulchro perficiatur dum sacrum Corpus Domini ibidem permaneat Item ordinatum est quod quandocunque aliquis frater vel aliqua soror Gildae praedictae ab hac luce migraverit quod Custos qui pro tempore fuerit Capellae praedictae caeteri Presbyters Gildae qui in alio loco celebrabunt quilibet eorum per se scribet vel facient aut faciet scribere nomen baptismi defuncti super tabulas supra Altaria inde ordinata Et quod omnes singuli Presbyteri Gildae Praedictae pro anima illius defuncti celebrent habeant in sua memoria per unum annum integrum post obitum suum Et quod quilibet Sacerdos Gildae praedictae postquam Confiteor Misereatur dicantur revertat ad populum dicens Orate specialiter pro statu omnium fratrum sororum Gildae S. Trinitatis S. Mariae S. Johannis S. Katerinae Coventriae pro animabus defunctorum illius omnium aliorum pro omibus eidem Gildae benefactoribus Pater noster cum salutatione de virgine Maria. Pro quibus verò Ordinationibus constitutionibus superiùs nominat is benè fideliter observandis tenendis continuandis praedicti Magistri Gildae praedictae persolvent annuatim cullibet Capellano ad Capellam praedictam morantem pro salario suo dum benè honestè se gerat octo marcas sex sol octo denar Item habebunt duos campos viz. illum campum quondam Lalleford Howelsfield in recompensationem laborum suorum Et insuper ordinatum est quod hostiae Capellae beatae Mariae de Monte in cimiterio S. Michaelis fient apertae quolibet die festo ab hora Matutina usque ad finem altae Missae in Ecclesia S. Michaelis Et in diebus â—erialibus à tempore Matutinarum usque ad finem Missae B. Mariae in Ecclesia praedicta Et quando aliquis Presbyter ibidem celebrârit fiat â—ampana pulsata qualibet die ad quamcunque celebrationem Missarum cujuscunque Presbyteri cum acciderit Et quod ad horas Vesperarum hostia sint aperta durante hora Vesperarum in Ecclesia parochiali The Oath YE shall be good and true and each of you shall be good and true to the Master of the Gild of the holy Trinitie our Lady S. John and S. Katherine of Coventre and to all the Brethren and Sisters of the same Gild And all the good Rules and ordinances by the said Master and his Brethren afore this time made and hereafter to be made and your days of payment truly for to keep to your power so God you help and all Saints Petition MAister we beseech you at the reverence of the holy Trinity that you will vouchsafe to receive us to be Brethren of this place with you Nay so great a reputation had this Fraternity far and neer that K. H. 4. and K. H. 6. with divers of the principall Nobility Bishops and other eminent persons thought it no dishonour to be admitted thereof as by this ensuing Catalogue where many more are registred may be seen Haec sunt nomina fratrum sororum Gildae S. Trinit S. Mariae S. Johan Bapt. S. Katherinae Coventriae viva
back to the said Henry her brother as her heir or whether she quitted her title thereof to him appears not but certain it is that the same Henry had it again for by his deed in writing he gave it in Frank-marriage at the Church dore with Letice his daughter unto Geffrey Savage the day that he wedded her In whose line it continued till towards the later end of H. 3. time but then by an heir female divolved to Ednesoure from whom it shortly went by the like means unto Herthull as the desent here plac't will shew After which it continued to the Herthull's till R. 2. time and then was passed to Sir Will. Bagot by Sir Ric. de Herthull Kt. Of which families of Savage Ednesoure and Herthull I will here take notice in an historicall way in respect I do rather think that their residence was here this being a Castle and standing till R. 3. time if not longer than at any other of their seats which they had in this County and Derbysh. Of the first Geffrey Savage this is all I find viz. that he is mentioned in the Shiriffs account of 5 H. 2. As also that in 31 H. 2. Thomas de Ardern had suites with him for two hides of land in this County and that he had issue Helias and Geffrey which second Geffrey gave to the Monks of Stoneley two parts of his Mill called Yartford-mill â— with the sure thereto due from his tenants of Hull and Wotton And was also a Benefactor to the Nuns of Polesworth granting unto them one Rob. de Weston his bondman with his issue But it seems he was in some disfavour with K. Ric. 1. for in 7. of his reign he gave 50. marks pro habenda benevolentia Regis in which year he came to an Agreement with Tho. de Arden concerning the Mannour of Wotton About the beginning of K Iohn's time I find that Henry de Armentiers impleaded him for a Kts. fee here in his absence when he was beyond Sea in the K. service for which he had afterwards tryall by Battail of which I shall more particularly speak in Wotton In 6. Ioh. it appears that being surety for Will. de Hardreshill to the Jews of Northampton of whom the said Will. had borrow'd a large sum of money he was distreined for that debt and thereupon necessitated to complain to the K. to whom he gave a fine of x. marks that the said Will. might be compelled to pay it himself In 5 H. 3. he was joyn'd in Commiss with other persons of quality in this County to be one of the Justices for taking an Assize of Novel disseisin which Philippa Marmion had brought against Rob. Marmion the younger touching her dowrie of such lands as Rob. Marmion her husband dyed seâ—zed of in Tamworth and Midleton And dyed the next year following as it seems for in that year did his son Geffrey the 3. pay his Releif and do homage for half a Kts. fee he held of the K. in this County Which Geffrey in 12. H. 3. was with Hugh Despenser in the K. Army for which cause the Shiriff had command to respight those demands he made of him this being the time when Ric. E. of Cornwall the K. Brother with divers of the Barons put themselves rebelliously in Armes but dyed in 15 H. 3. the same H. De spenser having the custody of his heir as father to Petronill his wife leaving issue Geffrey who being thus in ward dyed without issue in 32 H. 3. whereupon Will. le Savage his brother then Rector of the Church of Neuton in this County became heir to the estate and doing his homage had livery of all his lands held of the K. in Capite Galfridus Salvagius 5 H 2. Leticia filia Henrâ— de Ardern Helias Galfr. Salvagius 2. R. 1.5 H. 3. Galfr. Salvagius 6 H. 3. defunctus 15 H. 3. Petronilla filia Hug. le Despenser Rob. Will. frater haeres Galfr. Rector Eccl. de Neuton defunctus 43 H. 3. Galfr. Salvagius defunctus 32 H. 3. f. prole Lucia ux Thomae de Ednesoure Iohanna ux Ric. de Hert. Hull Adam de Herthul fi haeres defunctus 13 E. 1. Ric. de Herthull miles obiit 18 E. 2. Ric. de Herthull 15 E. 2. Adam de Herthull miles defunctus 11 E. 3. Alicia filia Egidii de Astley militis ux prima Ric. de Herthull miles defunctus 13 R. 2. Maria filia notha Thomae de Bellocampo Comitis Warwici postea nupta Othoni Worthington 16 R 2. Adam de Herthull obiit vivo patre s. prole Egid. de Herthull obiit vivo patre Kath. filia Ioh. Walsh Will. de Herthull consangu haeres Ric. de Herthull mil. aet 10. an 13 R. 2. obiit s. prole 3 H. 4. Eliz. amita haeres Will. de Herthull 1. nupta Edm. Cokeyn ar 2. Ioh. Franceis de Ingelby Ioh. Cokeyn miles Amicia soror cohaeres 1. nupta Walt. de Miriden 2 ..... de Derley obiit s. prole Tho. de Ednesoure 1. haeâ—duÌ„ Wil. le Sauvage 43 H. 3. obiit 13 E. 1. s. prole Philippa ux Hug. Menill 43 H. 3. Gulielmus de Menill Hugo de Meinill 7 E. 2. Iohanna primogenita filiaruÌ„ haeredum Roberti de la Ward Ric de Meinill 39 E. 3. Which Will. had a brother called Robert who being Steward to the Nuns of Polesworth gave certain Rent issuing out of lands in Freseley for maintenance of the Lights belonging to the Chappell of our blessed Lady in that Monastery by reason of his purpose to be buried there for so I find he was as also Petronill his mother and that there was a speciall Indulgence of xx days penance afforded by Brandanus B. of Ardagh in an 1253. 37 H. 3. to all those of what Dioces whatsoever that should say three Pater-nosters and as many Ave's for the health of his the said Rob. and Petronill's souls This Will the Parson overlived his said brother Robert and was a further Benefactor to those Nuns giving them all such mess. lands and rents which the same Rob. held in Fresele and Dodenhale with his part of that land where the Chappel beyond St. Edith's-well in Povele-wood was built to the end that out of the profits thereof a mark of silver should be yearly paid viz. half at the Anniversary of the Lady Petronill his mother and the other at the Anniversary of the before mentioned Rob. Savage his brother as also a stone of wax for the Lights at Mattens in the said Monastery and dyed in 43 H. 3. seised of large possessions in this Shire and in the Counties of Wigorn Staff Leic. and Derb. leaving Tho. de Ednesoure the son of Tho. de Ednesoure by Lucia his sister and Philippa then the wife of Hugh de Meynill his other sister his heirs which said Tho. and Hugh had
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
To whose maintenance she charged 29 li. per annum to be payd out of Milburn-grange situat in this parish and thus distributed viz. 52 s. to each of the poor people at the Feasts of S. Iohn Baptist S. Michael the Nativity of our Lord and the Annuntiation of our Lady by even portions vi s. viii d. apiece yearly to the Church-wardens for the time being whom she constituted Supervisors of the said poor people as to their orderly coming to Church every Sunday and Holy day except there were urgent cause to the contrary x s. per annum to the Mayor of Coventry for the time being whom she also appointed to oversee the performance thereof And x s. yearly towards the repair of the Church here at Stonley as also xxii s. viii d. to a Preacher for to preach 4. Sermons there yearly All which Q. Elizabeth by her Letters Pat. bearing date 28. Iunii 19. of her raign confirmed Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes temp Inst. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Ioh. de Wylmeleighton Diac. Non. Oct. 1307. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Ioh. de Wylmeleighton Subdiac 19. Maii 1307. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Ioh. Wake Cap. 17. Cal. Sept. 1337. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Will. Aleyn de Shulton Pbr. 2. Non. Iunii 1348. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Io. de Sutham Cap. 17. Cal. Oct. 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Henr. de Mollington Diac. 3. Cal. Maii 1350. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Will. Payn Pbr. 5. Cal. Sept. 1361. Prior Conv. de Kenilw. Ioh. Scarburgh Pbr. 8. Iulii 1398. Abbas Convent de Stonley Ioh. de Coventre Monachus 13. Aug. 1401. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. Clifton Cap. 23. Oct. 1417. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Hull Cap. 5. Iunii 1421. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Morecock Cap. 28. Martii 1425. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Nich. Blake Cap. 19. Iunii 1428. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Westhouse Pbr. 1. Nov. 1442. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. Loveles 5. Novemb. 1445. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Tho. Canke Pbr. 22. Ian. 1450. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ric. Whyngar Pbr. 14. Ian. 1494. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. Wall Pbr. 27. Martii 1494. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ric. Mawdesley Cap. 1. Martii 1537. Tho. Reyley Civis Cov. ratione concess Pr. C. de K. Ioh. Hessam Cap. 21. Oct. 1545. Eliz. Regina Henr. Belingham Cler. 23. Ian. 15â—8 Cloud THis being now only known by the Bridge over Avon betwixt Babnell and Starton hath its name from the rock on the Southern side thereof Clude in the Saxon signifying as much In the Conq. time there were two Priests in Stoneley which had each of them a Chappell viz. one at Flechamsted and the other here at Cloud Of these he that served here was called Edmund the Hermite in regard that antiently here had been an Heremitage Unto which Edmund for his maintenance certain parcels of land lying in Starton were given by Will sirnamed Hasteler brother and heir to one Simon Cook to K. H. 1. which Edmund was buried in the Chappell here afterwards burnt by theeves After whose death neither the King nor any Lord of Starton presenting thereto the Prior of Kenilworth as Rector of the Church of Stoneley entred upon the lands belonging to it and appropriated them to the use of that Monastery As for the Bridge before specified it was built by one of the said Heremites out of the Almes bestow'd upon him by good people Which falling in time to decay the Prior of Kenilw. in 26. E. 3. was presented by the Hundred for not amending it for as much as his Predecessors time out of mind had used to repair the same as then was alledged but the Prior proved that no certain person was obliged to repair it in regard it had been built by the Heremite as above said And moreover that there being another Bridge neere at hand there was no necessity to keep up this whereupon he was acquitted Starton A Little below Cloud lyeth Starton taking its name from the Stoure or streame as I guess Which being a member of Stoneley continued therewith in the Crown till K. H. 1. granted it unto his Cook called Simon sirnamed Hasteler de Arderne and his heirs by the service of a soar-Sparhawk yearly From whom it descended to Will his brother who gave to Edmund the Heremite then Priest at Cloude those parcells of land before mentioned To which Will. succeeded Geffrey sirnamed Arderne and to him Rhese who past this mannour to Walter Marescall Earl of Pembroke in exchange for lands in Ireland Which Walter soon convey'd it to Sir Geffrey de Langley Knight of whom I have spoke in Pinley and Maud his wife and the heirs of their two bodyes and for want of such issue to the right heirs of the same Geffrey reserving the said Rent of a Soar-sparhawk to be yearly payd to the King his heirs and successors at the feast of S. Michael the Archangellâ— and to him the said Earl and his heirs a pair of Gloves or a peny for all services King H. 3. by his Charter dated 12. Martii 29. of his raign confirming the grant Soon after which viz. in 30. H. 3. the said Geffrey obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here but the next year following sc. 31. H. 3. he past away this Mannour to the Monks of Stoneley and their successors in Fee-ferm for xx li. per annum undertaking to pay the Soar-Sparhawk to the K. And afterwards releasing the said xx li. Rent to the Monks obtained the Kings confirmation of his grant the Soar-Sparhawk being afterwards paid by his heir The particulars which the said Monks had here were in 7. E. 1. certified to be two carucats of and and one Water-mill in demesn with six villains and seven Cottagers holding by severall Rents and Services All which with liberty of Free-warren renew'd to them by another Charter in 12. E. 1. they enjoyed till the dissolution of their House in 27. H. 8. But then coming to the Crown it was in 33. of the same Kings raign granted to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. which D. by his deed bearing date the last day of the same month passed it unto Matthew Wrottesley and Anthony Foster who in March 3. E. 6. sold it to Thomas Marrow of Rudfyn Esq. of whose grand-child Samuel it was purchased by Sir Thomas Leigh Knight Citizen and Alderman of London 17. Iunii 7. Eliz. and so continueth to his posterity together with Stoneley unto this day There is a fair Bridge of stone over Avon lying neer Starton now commonly called Starebridge but formerly Kingsbrigge This in 51. H. 3. being in decay the King directed his Precept to the
suddain did so vigorously lay at the corner of the Gyants target that his Club bossed with Iron fell to the ground w ch whil'st he stretched out his arm to take up the Palmer with his sword cut of his hand whereupon the Danes grew much dismayed and on the other sidâ— was there as great rejoycing by K. Athelstan and the English and yet notwithstanding did Colbrond hold out the Combate till the evening of that day that by loosing so much bloud he fainted so that Guy with all his strength fetching a blow cut of his head The victory therefore thus happily obtained occasioned the Danes with great confusion to hasten a way and the valiant Guy to give thanks unto God repairing forthwith to the Cathedral where he was honourably received with solemne Procession by the Clergy and others and offered his weapon to God and the Patron of that Church before the high Altar which my Author saith even to his time was kept in the Vestry there and called by the name of Colbrond's Ax but this being done reassumed his Pilgrims habit Whereupon the K. became most importunat with him to discover his name but he utterly refused so to do except to himself and that upon his oath not to reveal it unto which condition the K. assenting they walkt out alone in a by-path to a certain Crosse at some distance from the Citie and as soon as they came thither humbly bowing himself to the K. and saying that he was Guy Earle of Warwick the K. embraced him in his arms kissed him and promised him large rewards if he would live in his Court but he with much thankfulnesse refusing to receive any besought the K. that he would not disclose what he had said in regard his resolution was to continue in that Pilgrims state and so they there parted with tears From whence the Earle bent his course towards Warwick and coming thither not known of any for three dayes together took Almes at the hands of his own Lady as one of those xiii poor people unto which she dayly gave relief her self for the safety of him and her and the health of both their Souls And having rendred thanks to her he repaired to an Heremite that resided amongst the shady woods hard by desiring by conference with him to receive some spiritual comfort where he abode with that holy man till his death and upon his departure out of this World which hapned within a short time succeeded him in that Cell and conâ—â—nued the same course of life for the space of two years after but then discerning death to apprâ—â—ch he sent to his Lady their Wedding Ring by a trusty servant wishing her to take care of his burial adding also that when she came she should find him lying dead in the Chapel before the Altar and moreover that within xv dayes after she her self should depart this life Whereupon she came accordingly and brought with her the Bishop of the Dioces as also many of the Clergy other people and finding his body there did honourably inteâ—re it in that Heremitage and was her self afterwards buried by him leaving her paternal inheritance to Reynburn her onely son Which departure of our famous Guy hapned in the year of our Lord Dccccxxix and of his own age the seventieth To whom succeeded the Noble Reynburn Earle of Warwick through his Mothers right who haveing been stolen away in his Child-hood and carried into Russia where he gave great testimony of his singular valour in sundry Warlike feats whilst he continued in those forreign part upon his return into Engl. wedded the beautifull Lady Leonetta daughter to K. Athelstan but afterwards dying beyond the Seas was buried in a certain Island near unto Uenice and left for his successor Wegeat alias Weyth the humed a person of great courage and much honoured for his skill in martial affairs This Wegeat was a benefactor to the Monastery of Evesham by giving thereunto six messuages lying in Whitlaxford and Grafton in this County and had issue Vsa commonly called Huve the humed a most deveut man and a special friend to the Monks of Evesham for in the year Dcccclxxiiii by the consent of K. Edgar he gave them the whole Village of Whitlaxford now called Wixford and little Grafton and bequeathing his body to sepulture in that Monastery departed this life about the beginning of the reign of S. Edward the K. and Martyr To whom succeeded Wâ—lgeat who obtained a grant from those secular Canons which were possest of the Abby of Evesham upon expulsion of the Monks for 5. hides of Land in the same Whitlaxford upon an easier rent than had wont to be given conditionally that upon his death the Monastery might repossesse the same Land with all the stock that then should happen to be upon it Notwithstanding which the Monks could not get it again of a long time after till that Abbot Egelwyne purchased it a new of Earle Wigod a potent man in the dayes of K. Edw. the Conf. This Wolgeat was in special favour with K. Ethelred but for his wicked courses and oppressions had all his Lands and honour taken from him in the year M. vi Whether he had ever restitution of them or in whose hands the Earldom was thereupon put is uncertain but true it is that Warwick with a great part of the Countrey became shortly after viz. An. M. xvi much wasted by Canutus the Dane at which time the Nunnery near to the Church of S. Nicholas as also the Abby were burnt to the ground When or by whom those Religious houses were founded I never yet could finde nor any mention of them before this It seems the Abby stood on the Northwest part of the Town for the Lane there called Abby-lane argueth as much And the said house of Nuns took up all that which is now S. Nichols-Church-yard with a great part of the ground whereupon the Hospital of S. Iohn Bapt. was afterwards built the Chancel of S. Nicholas Church being the Quire thereof I now come to Wigod the hereditary successor of Wolgeat who being a potent man and a great Warriour as also a special benefactor to the Monks of Evesham lived in the times of K. Ethelred K. Edmund and of the Danish Kings and had to wife the sister of Earle Leofrik founder of the Monastery at Coventre To him succeeded Alwyne contemporary with K. Edward the Conf. and Will the Conq. This is he that in the Conq. Survey is called Alwinus Vicecomes the reason whereof I conceive to be either because that he did exercise the power and Authority of the Earle of Mercia scil Earle Leofrike his Uncle here in Warwick-shire as his ancestors had done for which respect my Author reputes him and them Earls as I have already shewed and hath ranckt them in that degree or else that he had the custody of the County to the Kings immediate use
that he might not be admitted to that Bishoprick as being a man wholy seeking to inrich himself by unjust means a disturber of the Kingdoms tranquility welfare In the same year this Earl received Summons with divers other great men to be at Chester on Munday next before the feast of S. Ioh. Bapt. sufficiently accoutred with horse and arms to attend the K. in his Welch expedition against Lewelin ap Griffith his complices In 44. H. 3. he had the like command to attend the K. at Shrewsb on the feast day of the Nativity of our Lady thence to march with him into Wales as abovesaid And the next year following to be at London on the morrow after Simon Iude's day with Horse and Arms c. which hapned about the time that matters grew high betwixt the K. and his Barons by reason whereof the K. having had sufficient experience of his fidelity committed then to him the custody of this County and Leicestersh with the Castle of Sauvey But he lived not to see the issue of these troubles which growing on more more every day occasioned much misery bloudshed in this Realm for in Feb. 47. H. 3. he grew desperately sick insomuch as the K. apprehending his death not far off out of the great love affection he bore towards him as the Patent imports granted that the Executors of his Testament whensoever he should dye might freely administer of his goods Chattels for the fulfilling thereof And that for such debts as were due from him to the Crown the K. would require them of his Heirs and on the 26. of the same moneth departing this life was honourably buried in the Quire of the Abby at Missenden in Buckingham-sh After which viz. in Apr. following Hugh de Plessets his Son Heir by a former wife called Cristine and daughter of Hugh be Sandford did his homage and had livery of the Mannours of Okenarton Kydelington and Suttesdon in com Oxon. which were of her inheritance the two former being held of the K. by Barony When Margery his Countess dyed I am not certain I. Rous alledgeth that it was 7. Iunii An. 1243. 27. H. 3. but in that he is much mistaken for by what I have already shewed it appears that she was living in 34. H. 3. All that I finde further memorable of her is that in her widow-hood before she match't with Ioh. de Plessets she confirm'd to the Hospital of S. Mich. in Warwick for the health of her Soul and for the Souls of E. Henry her Father E. Tho. her brother Iohn Mareshall her husband and her ancestors all the obventions as well in great as small Tithes and other things of the assarts of Wegenock with the Tyth of the Paunage Venison of Wegenock and Rinsell as freely as Earl Waleran her grand-father did give them thereto And moreover bestowed on the poor of Warwick towards their better relief for ever a common Pasture called Cley-pits lying on the West-side of the Town I now come to Will. Mauduit the succeeding E. unto whom the inheritance of that Honour lands thereto belonging upon the death of the said Countess descended as Son Heir to Alice the daughter of E. Waleran This Will was of Hanslap in com Buck Chamberlain of the Exchequer to the K. by inheritance for by that service did he hold the same Lordsh. Of Warw. Castle with all other the Mannours c. belonging to that Honour he had livery 4 Apr. 47. H. 3. then doing his homage giving security to pay C. li. for his Relief The first mention that I afterwards find of him is that the same year he had Summons with many other great men to attend the K. at Worcester on the feast day of S. Peter ad vincula furnisht with Horse and Arms thence to march into Wales against Lewelin ap Griffin again in rebellion The next year following had he the like Summons to attend the K. at Oxf. in Midlent for the same respects but so great was the strength that the rebellious Barons had then got together that the K. grew necessitated to let his Welch expedition alone and march to Northampt. and in all probability sent away this E. to make sure his Castle of Warwick being a place so considerable in regard of its strength and situation and the rather because the Rebels were possest at that time of Kenilworth-Castle But such was the unhappinesse of this E. that for want of diligent guards they came from Kenilw. under the command of Iohn Giffard Governour of that Castle and surprized this at Warwick by treachery slew divers of the Earls Souldiers and carried him with his Countess prisoners to Kenilworth out of which before he could be delivered they made him pay nineteen hundred Marks for his ransome and threw down all the Walls except Towers of Warwick-Castle After which unhappy accident I finde no more of him than this Character by I. Rous viz. that he was Vir in Consilio providus caeteris virtutibus meritò laudandus and that he married Alice the daughter of Gilbert de Segrave but died without issue 8. Ian. an 1267. 52. H. 3. as also that his Heart was buried in the Monastery of Nuns at Catesby in Northampton-shire and his body at Westm. whereupon Will. de Beauchamp son to Isabel his sister as his next Heir succeeded him in the inheritance of this Earldom and estate who was at that time xxx years of age But Alice his Countess during her life for she was then alive held the Mannours of Brayles in this Shire Gretham in com Rutl. and Cheddeworth in com Glouc. which were assigned for her dower by agreement betwixt the said Will. Beauchamp and her with divers Knights fees in the Counties of Warr. Leic. Buck. Northampt Suthampt. Rutl. and Devon And having now brought the succession of these great Earls into the line of Beauchamp whose principal seat was the Castle of Elmley in Worcester-shire it will not be taken amisse I hope if here I disgresse a while in speaking historically of that antient and noble family especially considering that some of them had to do in this County long before they became Earls of Warwick The first with whom I will begin i◠Walter de Beauchamp by descent a Norman who was the protoparent of this family that setled in Worcester-shire for ought I could ever finde to the contrary for besides all the Lands here of one Rog. de Wygracestra that K. Henry 1. bestowed upon him with divers ample priviledges thereto belonging he gave him the Sheriffalty of Worcester-shire to hold as freely as any of his ancestors had done which Office Vrso d'Abitot hereditarily held in the time of K. William the Conq. whose daughter Heir Emelina he had married Howbeit what
ever after found yet by his Cote of Arms discovering who he was they might have been buried together the state and lustie of whose equipage in that journey may in some sort be discerned by his Painters bill which I have here from the Original transcribed having with him a peculiar Officer at Arms called Warwick-Herauld who had a grant from him of an Annuity of x. Marks Sterling per annum Thes be the parcels that Will. Seburgh Citizen and Peyntour of London hath delivered in the monthe of Juyll the xv yeer of the reign of Kyng Harry the sixt to John Ray Taillour of the same Citee for the use and stuff of my Lord of Warwyk Ferst CCCC Pencels bete with the Raggidde staffe of silver pris the pece v. d. 08. l. -06 s. -00 Item for the peynting of two Paveys for my Lord the one with a Gryfon stondying in my Lordis Colours rede white and russet pris of the Pavys 00-06-08 Item for the other Pavys peyntid with blak and a Raggid staffe bete with silver occupying all the felde pris 00-03-04 Item one Cote for my Lordis body bete with fine gold pris 01-10-00 Item other two Cotes for Herawdes bete with dymy gold pris the pece xx s. 02-00-00 Item iii. Baners for Trumpetis bete with dymy gold pris the pece xiii s. iiii d. 02-00-00 Item iiii Spere shafts of reed pris the pece xâ—i d. 00-0â—-00 Item one grete Burdon peynted with reed 00-01-02 Item 1. nother Burdon ywrithyn with my Lordis Colours reed white and russet 00-02-00 Item for a grete Stremour for the Ship of xl yerdis length and viii yerdis in brede with a grete Bere and Gryfon holding a Raggid staffe poudrid full of raggid staves And for a grete Crosse of S. George for the lymmyng and portraying 01-06-08 Item a Gyton for the Shippe of viii yerdis longe poudrid full of raggid staves for the lymmyng and workmanship 00-02-00 Item for xviii grete Standards entretailled with the Raggid staffe pris the pece viii d. 00-12-00 Item xviii Standardis of worsted entretailled with the Bere and a Cheyne pris the pece xii d. 00-18-00 Item xvi othir Standardis of worsted entertailled with the Raggid staffe pris the pece xii d. 00-05-04 Item 3. Penons of Satyn entreteylled with Raggid staves for the lymmyng full of raggid staves pris the pece ii s. 00-06-00 Item for the Cote armour bete for George by the commandement of my Lord pris 00-06-08 But he safely arrived though not without much difficulty and continued in that high imployment till his death which hapned about 4. years after as I shall shew anon using this title in his Charters Ric. de Beauchamp Comes de Warrewyk de Aumarle seign L'isle Capitayne de Roven Having thus manifested the chief of his publick imployments I now come to speak of those pious works which for his Souls advantage he either performed himself in his life time or by his Will appointed that his Executors should do Of the first was the foundation of that Chantry at Guy-Cliff in 9. H. 6. whereof I have there spoke at large but the rest being left to his Executors performance viz. to perfect the building at Guyes-Cliff the building of that magnificent Chapel in honour of our Lady adjoyning to the Collegiat Church in Warwick where his Monument now is of which I shall speak more fully there the amortizing of Lands for the maintenance of 4. more Priests and 2. Clerks in the said Collegiat Church over and above the number there before and of Lands to the value of xx Marks per ann to his Colledge at Elmley for the maintenance of one more Priest to be added to the number at that time there By his said last Will and Testam bearing date at Caversham in Oxfordsh 8. Aug. An. 1435. 15. H. 6. which is very memorable he appointed that first and in all haste possible after his decease there should be five thousand Masses said for his Soul Next his debts to be truely and wholly paid Then that untill the Chapel above specified were finisht his body should be laid in a Chest of stone before the Altar on the right hand of his fathers Tomb in the said Collegiat Church of Warw. afterwards removed thither where he ordained 3. Masses every day to be sung as long as the world might endure one of our Lady with Note according to the Ordinale Sarum The 2. without Note of Requiem The 3. also without Note viz. the Sunday of the Trinity the Munday of the Angels the Tuesday of S. Thomas of Canterb. the Wednesday of the Holy-ghost the thurâ—Thurâ—day of Corpus Christi the Fryday of the Holy Crosse the Saturday of the Annunciation of our Lady for performance of which he appointed xl l. Lands per ann over and above all reprises to be amortized viz. for every of the four Priests above specified x. Marks per ann and for every Clerk v. Marks and x. Marks to be divided amongst the said four Priests and other six Vicars of the Colledge to increase their yearly salary viz. to each of them xiii s. iiii d. And besides this that his Executors should treat with the Abbot and Covent of Tewksbury and agree that in their Monastery his Obit might be yearly kept as also one Masse sung every day there for his Soul which to be the first if it might be if not the last To the Collegiat Church of Warwick he gave an Image of our Lady in pure Gold there to remain for ever in the name of a Heriot and appointed that his Executors should cause four Images of Gold each weighing xx li. to be made like unto himself in his Coat of Arms holding an Anker betwixt his hands and so to be offered and delivered in his name viz. one to the Shrine in the Church of S. Alban to the honour of God our Lady and S. Alban another to the Shrine of S. Thomas at Canterbury the third at Bridlington in Yorksh. and the fourth at the Shrine in the Church of S. Winifride at Shrewsbury And moreover that a goodly Tombe of Marble should be erected in the Abby of Kingswood in Com. Glouc. upon the grave of Eliz. his first wife as also restitution made for any wrong done by him and his servants to be rewarded To Isabell then his wife he gave all the silver vessel bedding and houshold stuffe that he had with her and over and above all that and whatsoever else she had since they were married two dozen of silver dishes xii Chargers of silver xii saucers of silver a pair of Basyns covered silver and gilt four other Basyns of silver four Ewers of silver xii pieces of silver of one sort with his Arms enameled on the bottom of them likewise the great Paytren bought of the Countesse of Suff. sometime belonging to the Earle of Salisbury and to his Son Henry the Cup of Gold with the dance of men and women
send him in four Butsueins id est Mariners or 4 lib. in money That it was by the Conquerour granted to Henry de Newburgh upon his advancement to the Earldom of Warwick is manifest enough though the particular Charter if he had any whereby iâ— was so given appears not for I find that the same Henry conferred the tenth of the Toll thereof upon William one of his Priests as also that Earl Roger son to the said Henry for the health of his soul gave likewise iv li. x s. of his Rent out of it unto one Iohn a Priest And by the Inquis taken after the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick 9 E. 2. it appears that he held the same with the Suburbs and Castle of the King in Capite per servitium Comitatus which no doubt was the service whereby K. Will. granted it unto the before-specified Henry the first Earl of the Norman line In 16. H. 2. it answered v. marks for Pleas concealed In 31 H. 3. upon setling divers Mannours part of the Earldom of Warwick upon Iohn de Plessets for life who had married Margerie the sister and heir to Thomas the last Earl the Mannour for by that name it is termed was one Which Iohn de Plessets being Earl by his Charter bearing date the Friday next after the Feast of S. Mathew the Apostle in 45 H. 3. granted to the Burgesses of this place a Fair here for 3. days with immunity that all comers thereto should be quit of Toll for six years and if any man did commit an offence within the compass of the said Fair to be amerced by the said Earl's Bayliff and xii lawfull Burgesses And in case any stranger repairing thither at such time should set up a Stall of xii foot upon the bare ground to pay vi d. for the same howbeit the Inhabitants to erect Stalls at their pleasure In 4 E. 1. it was certified that there was a piece of ground lying in the Suburbs of this Borough held of the K. by the service of four Horshoos for the Ks. Courser when he came to his Mannour of Stoneley which piece of ground the Prior of Asheby then held And in 7 E. 1. it appears that Will. de Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick held the before specified Borough of the K. in Capite and that he had here a yearly Fair lasting 8. days before the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula and 8. days after as also a Mercate every week upon the Wednsday and .... valued at xxiiii li. per an And moreover a Pillory and Tumbrell with a Court upon the Munday every week wherein Duell for felony might be waged the profits of which Court were then valued at x. Marks Which Earl in 13 E. 1. being questioned by what authority he claimed to have a Gallows with Assize of Bread and Beere in this place pleaded Prescription whereupon the same was allowed And in 18 E. 1. obtained the Kings Charter bearing date 25. Aug. for himself and his heirs to have another Fair here yearly to last for xv days viz. the Even Day and Morrow after the Feast of the Apostles St. Peter Paul and xii days following About the later end of whose reign the Pavement of this town was first bâ—gun and so much of its Walls as now appear towards the support of which charge Guy de Beauchamp the then Earl procured a Patent for the receiving of a certain Toll upon all vendible commodities that should be brought hither to sell for the space of seaven years viz. for every quarter of corn a half peny for every Horse Mare Oxe and Cow a half-peny for every hide of Horse Mare Oxe or Cow tan'd or not tan'd a farthing and so of all other things more or less which for brevity I omit It seems that this work of Walling and Paving was not perfected according to their mindes within the compasse of that time so limited for I finde that in 8. E. 2. the same Earle had another Patent for receiving of certain proportions of Toll by the space of three years longer towards the same charge Neither did those three years accomplish what they had an intent to do for in 6. E. 3. Thom. de Beauchamp the then Earle got a third Pat. for taking of Toll to the like purposes by the space of 7. years which Thomas in 24. E. 3. had a Charter of Free-warren granted to him in all his demesne lands here Howbeit besides the Toll taken for sustaining the charges before specified the Earls it seems successively had another proportion upon certain vendible commodities which being apprehended over-burthensome by Merchants Tradesmen who brought their wares hither occasioned them to forsake the Mercate and carry their commodities to other places whereby the Inhabitants of this place had much prejudice the said Earle therefore bearing a great respect to their weal and advantage at the request of the Lady Katherine his Countesse and for the health of his Soul as also the Souls of his Ancestors by his special Charter bearing date on the Feast day of the Circumcision of our Lord 32. E. 3. freed them for the future from any manner of Toll Terrage or Stallage due to him either by long prescription or any grant from the Kings of this Realm unto him or his Ancestors The next thing that in order of time I finde memorable is that in 48. E. 3. the Inhabitants of this Town for the repair of the great Bridge here over Avon had a Pat. to take Custom of all vendible Commodities that should passe over it into Warwick for the space of 3. years viz. of every Hors-load of Corn a farthing of every Cart-load as much of every Horse Mare Oxe or Cow a farthing c. with a certain rate likewise upon all other things And at the end of the said three years had they another Patent for continuing the like imposition for three yeares more yet all this would not do for after those 3. years were ended they had the same renewed for three years longer After which viz. in 1. H. 5. the Fair at Michaelmasse being found inconvenient was by a new Charter changed to the Even Day and morrow after the Feast of St. Bartholmew the Apostle That this being an eminent Borough sent usually two Burgesses to the Parl. as anciently as any other did I am induced to believe in regard I find that in 28. E. 1. the Major and Bailiffs of Warwick for by that name it seems they were then called had command to allow unto Will. de Stodeley and Philip le Rous reasonable expences for their service in the Parl. held at Westm. that year Howbeit after that time scil 1. E. 3. the Ks. Mandates are to the Bayliffs for making such allowance of the Burgesses expences without any mention of Major But when it was that the principal
and his successors to be payd yearly at Christmasse out of the fruits of the Rectory which Pension was augmented as it seems for I find that in anno 1350. the said Provost and Scholars by their publique Deed dated 10. Febr. granted to Iohn Thoresby then Bishop of Worcester and his successors in respect of that Appropriation xx s. per annum Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Prior Conv. S. Oswalds de Nostell Adam de Sengrave Cler. prid Cal. Nov. 1321. Prior Conv. S. Oswalds de Nostell Ioh. de Sybeston Cap. 13. Cal. Feb. 1324. Patroni Vicariae Praepositi Scolares Aulae Regin Oxon. Ioh. Grover Pbr. 3. Iulii 1395. Praepositi Scolares Aulae Regin Oxon. D. Ioh. Severle Pbr. 19. Iunii 1402. Praepositi Scolares Aulae Regin Oxon. D. Will. Seman Pbr. 2. Maii 1404. Praepositi Scolares Aulae Regin Oxon. D. Ioh. Leyr Pbr. 29. Dec. 1408. Praepositi Scolares Aulae Regin Oxon. D. VVill. Gerard Cap. 6. Martii 1431. Praepositi Scolares Aulae Regin Oxon. D. VVill. Beverle Cap. 12. Dec. 1438. Praepositi Scolares Aulae Regin Oxon. D. Ioh. Graunge Cap. 2. Martii 1444. D. Episc. per lapsum D. Rob. Lord 20. Iulii 1460. Praepos Scolar Aulae R. Oxon. D. Thomas Hewse Cap. 20. Nov. 1470. D. Episc. per laps D. Nich. Burton Cap. 11. Maii 1473. Praepos Scolares Collegii Reginae Oxon D. Ioh. Pynchware in art Bacc. 10. Martii 1478. Praepos Scolares Collegii Reginae Oxon D. Ioh. Tiptote 16. Oct. 1490. Praepos Scolares Collegii Reginae Oxon Ioh. Brocden 20. Maii 1512. Praepos Scolares Collegii Reginae Oxon D. Ambr. Hylton in Art Magr. 6. Iunii 1532. Praepos Scolares Collegii Reginae Oxon Georgius VVarwic Cler. in Art Magr. 4. Ian. 1594. Praepos Scolares Collegii Reginae Oxon Thomas Richardson Cleric Art Magr. 22. Decemb. 1624. Ashorne THis Hamlet is in the Parish of Newbold-Pacy and doubtlesse had that name originally though corruptness in pronunciation hath somewhat altered it by reason of its Eastern situation from Newbold for the later syllable now written horne was at first hyrne which being an old English word signifies a corner and the fomer viz. Ash was Esse and proceedeth from the word East as Esseby which is usually called Ashby As it is of Newbold Parish so was it formerly a member thereof being held of the Hastang's who were Lords of the whole but which of them first past it away I have not seen howbeit inasmuch as I find that the family of Balaunce were possest of it for divers descents and that Rog. Balaunce levied a Fine of lands here in 7 R. 1. wherein it is written Hassorne I may without much rashnesse conclude that they were Lords thereof as antiently The next that I meet with of that name is VVill. Balaunce whose service for one Knights fee held of Robert Hastang part whereof I conclude to be for this place was in 12 H. 3. remitted he being then servant to Stephen de Lucy From which VVill. descended Thomas who in 7 E. 1. held this Lordship of Robert de Hastang by the service of half a Knights fee and had at that time two carucats of land here in demesn as also nine Tenants holding four yard land in servage At that time I also find that one Hugh de Bromle and Avicia his wife held certain lands here of the said Robert de Hastang by the third part of a Knights fee and that he had one carucat in demesn and four tenants holding one yard land and a fourth part As also that the same Hugh gave one yard land here to the Monks of Bordesley which at that time the Bishop of Chester held of them and likewise that the Freres of Thelesford then held one yard land here of the same Hugh for xii d. and half a pound of Cummin Of which family was Nich. Balaunce the last male branch that had to do here which Nich. had issue Ioane marryed to Iohn Vessy of Brentingthorp in Com ...... who by their Deed bearing date at Coventre on the Feast day of S t Dunstane 32 E. 3. granted this Mâ—nnour to Thomas Beauchamp E. of Warwick and Iohn VVhateley and their heirs which Iohn VVhateley by his Release dated on Munday next after the Feast of S t Martin ensuing quitted to the said Earl and his heirs all his interest therein To whom it continued till 8 H. 6. that Richard Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick gave it to his Chantry at Guyes-Cliffe whereof I have already taken notice Which Chantry with all the Mannours messuages lands c. thereto belonging being granted by Thomas Moore and Roger Higham the last Chantry Priests thereof unto Sir Andrew Flamock Knight and his heirs as their deed dated 4. Iunii 1 E. 6. manifesteth â—his Mannour then past to him thereby but what is become of it since I have not seen Thelesford Priory UPon the Southern bank of this torrent within lesse than a flight shoot of its conjunction with Avon stood a little Monastery somewhat neer the Road-way leading from Wellesburne towards Warwick as it thwarteth the Foord which was founded in H. 3. time by Sir Will. Lucy of Cherlecote Knight to the honour of God S. Iohn Baptist and S. Radegund the persons profest here being of the Order of the holy Trinity for redemption of Captives But before I further proceed to speak of the particular endowment which it had I must first first say something of the same S. Radegund and then briefly take notice of the originall and first occasion of this Order She was the daughter of Pertarius King of Thuring and wife to Clotharius the fift King of France of the Merovignian line who dyed in the year of Christ 564. and being a Lady much devoted to prayer and Almesdeeds often fastings and chastening her self with hair-cloth which she wore under her royall apparell as she one day walk't alone in the Garden of her Palace hearing the voices of Prisoners in fetters imploring pitty to them she betook herâ—elf to Prayer whereupon their â—etters burst in sunder and they became loosed as saith my Author This Râ—degund took the habit of Religion at the hands of S. Medard Bishop of Noyon and founded a Monastery for Nuns at Poictiers in honour of the holy Crosse whereof she was Abbesse living there in great sanctity daily ministring relief to poor people and departed this life on the Ides of August in which Abby she had sepulture and was canonized for a Saint But of this Order of the holy Trinity for Redemption of Captives is S. Iohn de Muta born at Faulcon in Provence anno 1154. said to be the Founder who being Student in the University of Paris where he attained to the degree of Doctor grew so famous for
great and speciall considerations the gift of an Clx li. bestowed upon him by the King out of the profits of this County and Leicestershire being the same year made Shiriff of these Counties In 20 E. 4. I find that he was a Knight In 1 H. 7. created Knight of the Bath at the Queens Coronation In 6 H. 7. constituted one of the Commissiâ—ners of Array in this County for setting forth men in defence of the Realm against Charles the 8. King of France then threatning an invasion thereof being also in Commission for Conservation of the Peace in this Shire at the same time In 7 H. 7. he quitted to the Canons of Thelesford those liberties which he and his Ancestors used to have in Thelesford viz. Toll Tack Stallage and Bloodshed as in Thelesford I have shâ—wed And by his Testament bearing date 2. Iulii anno 1492. in the same 7 year of King H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chancell of the Parish-Church of Stratford super Avon â— in this County To eight Churches next adjâ—yning to Cherlecote viz. Hampton Wasperton Bereford Newbold Wellesburne Loxley Alveston and Shirburne he gave vi s. viii d. a piece To the reparation of the high Altar in the Church of Cherlecote vi li. xiii s. iv d. and an acre of his demesn lands in Cherlecote to be for ever at the disposition of the Church-Wardens there for the behoof of the same Church To the House of Thelesford for the observation of his Exequies xl s. To the Nuns of Pinley for the like xl s. To the Canons and Vicars of the Collegiate-Church in Warwick for the like xx s. To the Warden and Priests of Stratford for the like xx s. And constituting Sir Edward Raleigh Knight Robert Throkmorton and Thomas Breton Esquiers his Executors departed this life 3. Iulii the same year leaving issue Edmund his son and heir 28. years of age with William Henry and Humfry his younger sons and Mary a daughter And of the Lady Alice his widow I find that by her Testament dated ult Sept. 1494. 10 H. 7. she bequeathed her body to sepulture within the Chancell of the said Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford super Avon before the high Altar on the left side her said husband To the before specified Sir William succeeded the said Edmund Lucy his son and heir by Margaret his first wife which Edmund was a Commander in King H. 7. Army at the battail of Stoke â—uxta Newark in the second year of that Kings raign and in Aprill 7. H. 7. retained by Indenture to serve the said King in his Warrs for one whole year with two men at Armes having with him his Custrell and his Page and three Demilances xxx Archers on foot and vi Bills of good and able persons taking for himself and his men at Armes xviii d. per diem wages for his Demilances ix d. per diem and Archers and Bills vi d. per diem this being the time that King Henry took his voyage into France and besieged Bulloin till a truce was taken In 10 H. 7. 20. Sept. â—e had Summons amongst divers others of great qualâ—â—y to atâ—end the King in person upon the Feast day â—f All Saints the same year ready fitted to be made Knight of the Bath with Henry the Kings son who was also to be at the same time created Duke of Yorke But it seems he did not accordingly appear for in Aprill following his Testament bears date wherein he is stiled Esquier by which Testament he bequeathed his body to be buried in our Lady Chapel within the Monastery of Thelesford on the North side of his mother Margaret Lucy To the said House of Thelesford he bequeathed a Crosse of silver and gilt of ten pounds value to be bought by his Executors Fourty marks he appointed to be spent and given on the day of his buriall by the hands of his Executors to Priests Clerks and poor people And also willed that at his Months mind xii poor men holding Torches should have each of them a black Gown and hood and iv d. in money Likewise that his Anniversary should be kept at Thelesford for the space of xx years after his death and xl s. spent thereat for Dirige overnight Masses and to poor people He further willed that one Priest of the same Order of those at Thelesford should sing in the said Chapell for his soul for the souls of Iane his wife and Sir William Lucy Knight his father and all Christen souls by the space of six years next after his decease And that the same Priest should have yearly for so doing during the said six years 8. marks to be payd by the hands of his Executors And that a Marble stone of 7. foot in length and 4. foot in breadth with the Armes of himself and his wife and their portraictures together with an Inscription might be laid upon his grave Of which Testament he constituted Sir Reginald Bray Kt. a great man in that time to be Supervisor When he dyed I am not certain but the Probate thereof bears date 19 Maii anno 1498. 13 H. 7. By Iane his wife he left issue Thomas one of the Sewers to K. H. 8. in the first year of his reign which Thomas had by the Ks. Letters Pat. bearing date 21. Sept. the same year the custody of all the lands belonging to George Catesby of Ashby-Legers in Com. Northampt esq then deceased to hold during the minorâ—ty of Will. Catesby his son and heir and took to wife Eliz. the widow of the said George daughter to Sir Ric. Empson of Easton-Neston in that County This Thomas was a Knight in 6 H. 8. but how long before I am not certain and in 16 H. 8. Shiriff of this County and Leicestersh By his Testament bearing date ult Iulii 17 H. 8. he bequeathed hâ—s body to be buried in the Gray-Friers at London appointing that within a year after his decease there should be a stone laid upon his grave with the portraiture of himself his Lady and children and his Armes at the 4. corners thereof as also such an Inscript as his Executors should devise to the intent that good people might have remembrance to pray for his soul and all Christen souls for those are his words He also willed that a Priest should be found by his said Executors to say Mâ—â—tâ—â—â—nd to pray for his soul in the Parish-Church of Cherlecote or Ashby for the space of 3. whole years after his decease and left issue by the sayd Eliz. 3. sons Will. Thomas and Edmund and 3. daughters scil Anne Radegund and Barbara To Thomas he gave the Mannour of Cleybrook in Com. Leic. and to the heirs male of his body with remainder to his son Edmuâ—d to whom he bequeathed â—he Mâ—nnours of Bekering and Sharpenho
Pbr. 17. Oct. 1378. Baldw. de Bereford miles Ioh. Cook Pbr. penult Oct. 1386. Will. Lucie ar Will. Onne Cap. 17. Iunii 1431. Will. Lucie ar D. Thomas Buschebury Pbr. 2. Martii 1435. Will. Lucie ar D. Steph. Heyward Cap. 24. Nov. 1463. Will. Lucie ar D. Will. Smyth Cap. 26. Oct. 1475. Will. Lucie ar D. Tho. Suarte Cap. 12. Dec. 1483. Will. Lucie ar D. Will. Blamford Cap. 16. Febr. 1485. Minister Confratres de Thelesford Ioh. Wilson Confrater Domus de Thelesford 29. Iulii 1504. Minister Confratres de Thelesford Ioh. Brokeden Pbr. 23. Iun. 1515. Ric. Verney ar D. Eliz. Lucy ux ejus nuper ux Th. Lucy mil. defuncti D. Andreas Warburton Pbr. 24. Maii 1534. Tho. Lucie ar D. Nich. Smith Cler. 23. Iulii 1562. Tho. Lucy miles Ioh. Davies Cler. 21. Aug. 1577. Tho. Lucy miles Ric. Southam Cler. 25. Maii 1582. Thomas Lucy miles Mich. Wood Cler. 10. Aug. 1619. HERE ENTOMBED LYETH the Lady Ioyce Lucy wife of Sir Thomas Lucy of Cherlecote in the County of Warwick Knight daughter and heir of Thomas Acton of Sutton in the County of Worcester esquire who departed out of this wretched world to her heavenly kingdome the tenth day of February in the year of our Lord God 1595. and of her age lx and three All the time of her life a true and faithfull servant of her good God never detected of any crime or vice in religion most sound in love to her husband most faithfull and true in friendship most constant To what in trust was committed to her most secret In wisdome excelling in governing of her house and bringing up of youth in in the feare of God that did converse with her most rare and singular A great maintainer of hospitality greatly esteemed of her betters misliked of none unlesse of the envious When all is spoken that can be said a woman so furnished and garnished with vertue as not to be bettered and hardly to be equalled by any As she lived most vertuously so she dyed most godly Set down by him that best did know what hath been written to be true Thomas Lucy On grave stones of marble in the body of the Church Hic iacet Edmundus Wykham quondam filius Thome Wykham generost cuius anime propitietur Deus Hic facet Dominus Iohannes Marsker quondam Capellanus â—stius Ecclesâ—e cuius anime propitietur Dens Amen THOMAS LUCIE MILES AGRI VARVICENSIS DECUS ET DELICIAE antiquissimâ oriundus familiâ virtute nihil duxit antiquius quâ majoribus suis etiam perillustribus emicuit si fas dicere maâ—or illustrior Quantus extiterit in illum patria amor quanta illius in patriam pietas publica regni comitia quibus saepenumero popularis illum ardor inservit abundè perhibent Rei familiari splendidissimae nemo aut meliùs prospexit au minùs serviit promentibus indies liberalitate magnificentiâ quae frugalitas condiderat Patrem familias praestitit qualem perpauci Famulorum si quem morbus corripuerat ipse statim male habuit adhibuit medicum suis sumptibus restituit Qui pater in hero erga servos facile judices quid fuerit in patre erga suavissimam prolem in marito erga dilectissimam uxorem Mensae quae nunquam non opipera bonus quisque gratissimus accubuit praesertim si Theologiam sapuit musas imbibit quarum ipse sitientior dubium an scientior fuerit Musaeum cerâ—è animatum audiit Neque minus benigna pauperculis janua Cui samem omnibus eximenti qui vaâ—edixit etiam benedixit Multas operas praecipuè ne nihil agentes malè agerent quotidiè exercuit Multis opidulis etiam plaustra cibariorum quotannis transmisit Bellatorem equum qui apud illum plurimus et nusquam loci pluris nusquam generosior animi gratia saepiusculè pressit cui nisi callidiùs fuisset quam sibi moderatus nam equo intentior laesit intestina nondum ille quo fuimus foelices quo non alter fuit in terris foelicior fuisset in coelis foelicissimus Nobis autem occidit sibique exortus est Decembris viii anno Dom. M.DC. XXXX Aetatis suae Lvi ET ALICIA UXOR IPSIUS FILIA ET HAERES Thomae Spenser de Claverdon armigeri Cujus eximias virtutes prohibet hoc marmore quod nec illas capit nimia superstitis modestia Hoc solum patitur fuisse conjugis dum erat in vivis observantissimam posuisse mortuo hoc qualecunque monumentum factumque prae amore atque moerore uti cernis marmoreum A little below Cherlecote is Avon increased by the confluence of another Torrent which hath its rise from the Eastern side of this Hundred as the Map will shew But such is the hillynesse of that part wanting the like streames to water it which in most other places are to be seen as that the situation of the towns cannot be observed as elsewhere Taking notice therefore of them by those other eminent marks as may best demonstrate how 〈◊〉 wherein that mountanous tract called Edge-Hill will stand me in much stead I shall begin with Herdwick-Priors in which Parish are contained the Villages of Priors Merston and Shukborough-inferior Herdwick-Priors THis was one of those xxiv towns which Earl Leofrike gave to the Monks of Coventre in Eâ—ward the Confessors days when he founded that Monastery as in Coventre I have manifested and in the Conquerors Survey is certified to contain xv hides then valued at x li. In that Record it is written Herdwiche but touching the Etymologie of its name I need not here speak having already in Herdwick juxta Lemington delivered my opinion all places of the same denomination proceeding from the like cause There is not much to be said of this Lordship in regard that it continued to the Monks of Coventre so long as that Monastery stood which Monks had Free-warren granted to them in all their demesn lands here in 41 H. 3. viz 5. carucats as appears by that Inquis of 7 E. 1. the rest being held by Tenants whereof xxix were such as occupyed 17. yard land for which they payd certain particular Rents and performed divers servile duties Besides which Free-warren they had also at that time a Court-Leet and Gallows But after the dissolution of the Monasteries it was by the Ks. Letters Patent dated 25. Apr. 34 H. 8. granted unto Sir Edm. Knightley Kt. and to the heirs male of his body with remainder to Valentine Knightley his brother c. with Offchurch as I have there more fully shewed Which Sir Edm. dying 12. Sept. in the same 34. year of H. 8. without issue male his brother Valentine then a Knight became possest thereof who by a speciall Patent dated 4 5 Ph. M. had License to alien it unto Sir Iohn Spenser Knight and Edward Griffin Atturney generall to the Queen and their heirs
12 Iac. whose grandchild Richard about 12 Car. sold it unto Ric. Shukborough of Shukborough Esq Besides this Mannour already spoke of is there another here at least in reputation for in 30 H. 8. Will. Walter was possest thereof in right of Isabel his wife Which Will. demised the same to Will. VVillington Esq of whom in Barcheston I have spoken who in 1 E. 6. converted 4 mess. here into cottages as also 200 acres of arable land into pasture And being seized in Fee-simple of one mess. and lx acres of land more did the like by it All which by his last Will and Testament he bequeathed inter alia to his cosyn Will. Barnes and his heirs upon condition that he should distribute certain summs of money to the poor of Brailes Shipston and Tysoe In the Chapell here at Chelmescote there was a Chantry founded by one Thomas de Pakinton of Brailes in an 1322 16 E. 2 as appears by a certain Agreement indented made the 16 day of Ian. the same year betwixt Thomas Cobham then Bishop of Worcester the Prior and Covent of Kenilw. and Gilb. de Wythibroke Vicar of Brailes on the one part and the said Thomas de Pakinton on the other part whereby the same Prior and Covent with the said Vicar of Brailes do grant liberty to the said Thomas and his heirs to provide a fit Priest for celebration of Divine service in the Chapell before-specified and to maintain him at his and their proper charges which Priest was to be presented to the Vicar of Brailes for the time being by the said Thomas and his assignes making oath to be accountable unto him for all Tithes obventions and oblations there received as due to the mother Church of Brailes provided that he the said Thomas with his Tenants and neighbours of Chelmescote might have divine service in that Chapell if they thought fâ—â— so that they did perform all parochiall ritesâ— and receivâ— the Sacraments at the Church of Brailes and in acknowledgement of their duty therâ—â—n to repair thither on Christmasse day Candlemasse Good Friday Easter day Whitsunday S t â—eorge his day and All Saints as also on the day of the Dedication of the said Church of Brailes there to hear divine service and visit the said parish Church except manifest and reasonable cause should appear to the contrary and that on those days there should be no service at all in that Chapell All which was confirmed by Simon Mountacute Bishop of Worcester in an 1334. 8 E. 3. But in 21 E. 3 the said Thomas de Pakinton then Parson of Maple-Derham in Oxfordshire by his Instument dated Feb. 25. setling upon Nich. Laumprey of Wroxston his nephew the inheritance of four Messuages and four yard land lying in Over Brailes and of the Fee called Segrave's Fee together with lxvis ob yearly Rent issuing also out of certain lands there did appoint that with the profits of the said land and rent two Priests should be perpetually maintained to celebrate divine service dayly in the parish Church of Brailes for his noble Lord Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick his ancestors kindred and heirs As also for himself his parents kinsfolks and their posterity and for the souls of all faithfull people deceased Howbeit the compleat Ordination of this Chantry was not till the year 1348 22 E. 3 And then did the said Thomas de Pakinton declaring himself to be the Founder of a Chantry consisting of four Priests within the Parish of Brailes appoint and direct that they should clebrate divine service for his Lord the Earl of Warwick his Countesse children and ancestors as also for him the said Thomas and all his ancestors and kinsfolke in manner following viz. two of them which were to inhabite near the said Chapel at Chelmescote in the house there assigned for them every day to sing the Mattens of our blessed Lady and the Mattens of the day with all Canonical hours distinctly and openly and to celebrate Masse dayly in manner and forme following unlesse they should be hindred by sufficient cause viz. One of them every sunday and on the great Festivalls and on Munday the Masse of the holy Trinity Tuesday of S t Thomas the Martyr Wednesday of S t Katherine and S t Margaret Thursday of Corpus Christi Fryday of the Holy Crosse and Saturday of the Annuntiation of our Lady The other Preist to celebrate every day the Masse of Requiem for the soules of all the faithfull departed this life And in every Masse except by reason of solemnizing the Festivall he should be hindred to say seven Collects one of the celebration of the Masse The second for him the said Thomas de Pakinton viz. Deus qui caritatis c. The third also for him likewise after he should be departed this World Deus cujus misericordiae non est numerus suscipe pro anima famuli tui c. The fourth of S t Thomas the Martyr The fift of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin The sixth for the soules of the deceased beginning with Inclina The seventh the generall Collect which beginneth thus Sanctissime Dei genetrix Maria especially naming therein the said Earl his Countesse and children as also him the said Thomas de Pakinton and all his kindred And upon all Holy dayes and others except the solemnity of the Festivall did hinder to say a Placebo and Dirige with commendation of the souls of the persons before spoken of for the souls of all the faithfull deceased And likewise ordained that the other two Priests should also live together near the said mother Church of Brailes in the house assigned for them and be daily present therein at Mattens and all other Canonicall houres to joyne with the Priests belonging to the Church except just cause and hinderance hapned and dayly sing Masse at the Altar near his Father's grave behaving themselves in Masses and all other things in such sort as is directed for the two Priests at Chelmescote And moreover that all these Priests before their admission to these Chanteries should take their corporal oaths before the Vicar of Brailes for the time being that they would preserve the mother Church of Brayles indempnified and observe all other orders as aforesaid to their utmost power Which Ordination was confirmed accordingly by the Canons of Kenilworth as Rectors of the said Church of Brailes as also by Iohn de Chelmescote then Vicar of Brailes â—he Earl of Warwick and Bishop of Worcester Winderton THis being also a member of Brailes is not very antiently for ought I have seen mentioned in Records for the first time that I meet with it is in 20 H. 3. Where it appears that it was held of the Earl of Warwick by half a Kts Fee one of the D'Eivills of Walton-Deivill in this County being possest thereof and in 36 Henry 3. Robert D'Eivill It seemes that D'Eivill became first enfeoft thereof by Roger
he of the Earl Ferrers which shews that part of Nether-Etindon extended into this And that in 7 E. 1. Henry de Brandeston had xx Tenants in this Village holding severall proportions of land As also that Thomas the son of Thomas de Etindon had two yard land and a half in demesn and certain Tenants holding other lands of him by particular Rents and divers servile employments besides some Freeholders And moreover Iordanus de Pilardintone four yard land held of Iohn de Warwick by the service of a pair of Gloves which Iohn held it over of William le Boteler and he of the Earl of Leicester But this I believe was part of that proportion which Hugh de Grentemaisnill had in thâ— Conquerors time as abovesaid as was that without question which Henry de Brandestor hâ—ld For in 27 E. 1 upon the death of Hugh de Brandeston it is evident that he had much land in this Village whereof xii Tenants held xii toftes and twelve yard land in Villenage then valued at vi li. as also that he the said Hugh so held them all of William le Boteler of Wemme by the service of the fourth part of a Knights Fee And that the Progenitor of Boteler was enfeoft thereof either by Hugh de Grentemaisnill himself or by Robert Blanchmains Earl of Leicester who wedded the daughter and heir to the said Hugh as I have elswhere observed there can be no doubt Afterwards viz. in 20 E. 3. Iohn Lord of Over-Etingdon held the seventh part of a Kts. Fee here of the Earl of Lancaster From which time till 23 H. 8. I find not a syllable of this place worthy the taking notice of in an historicall way But then did Thomas Porter possesse a good part of it by the name of the capitall messuage and certain lands in Over Etingdon and dyed seized thereof leaving Fouk Porter his son and heir within age which Fouk departing this life 28. Febr. 12 Eliz. left Simon his son and heir 19. years of age In 4 E. 1. there was a Chantry founded in the Chapell of our Lady within this Village by William de Ichington who gave thereunto one messuage one tofte one yard land and a half two acres of meadow and four marks yearly Rent with the appurtenances in Over-Etindon and Newbold for the maintenance of a Priest to sing Masse dayly there for the health of his soul as also for the souls of his Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased the Ordination of which Chantry was made xii Cal. Maii anno 1316. 10 E. 2. by the Prior Covent of Kenilworth unto whom the Church of Etindon inferior was appropriated as I have already observed upon the Petition of the said William de Ichington the Founder then Vicar of Nether-Eatindon before specified at the instance of Thomas Earl of Lancaster for the health of the souls of the said Earl and of his father and mother and of Sir Robert de Holland as also for the soul of the said William de Ichington By which Ordination it appeareth that the said Earl and his heires were to present thereto so oft as occasion should be but that the Chantry Priest there celebrating should not receive any Offrings or Tithes from the Parishioners nor administer the Sacraments to them in prejudice of the mother Church And that upon these Festivall days under-written he should repair to the said mother Church at Nether-Eatendon and there celebrate divine service viz. Christmasse-day Candlemasse-day Palm sunday Good-friday Easter-day Ascension-day Whitsunday Trinity-Sunday the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist the Assumption of our Lady all-hallown-All-hallown-day and the day of the Dedication of the said Church And moreover that he and his successors should in the Chapter house at Kenilworth always make Oath of their fidelity to the said Canons of Kenilworth upon admission thereto as also to perform all and singular the Articles above mentioned Which Ordination was confirmed by Walter de Maydenston Bishop of Worcester with the Prior and Monks of that Church To this Chantry did Henry de Brandeston also give viii s. yearly Rent issuing out of two messuages and two yard land lying in this Village of Over Eatendon So that the revenue belonging thereto in 26 H. 8. was valued at vii li. vi s. viii d. the Rent of xviii d. per annum being then payd out of it to Francis Shirley Esquier But in 37 H. 8. at vii li. viii s. iv d. the like Rent of xviii d. per annum being reckoned as due to Shirley and xviii d. more payable to the Bishop of Worcester to be deducted Fulridy IN the Conquerors time did the same Ermenfridus who held one hide of land in Over-Eatendon of Turchill de Warwick hold of him another in this place as appears by the generall Survey in which it is written Fulrei But the Progenitors of Shirley were antiently enfeoft thereof as it seems for in 36 H. 3. it was certified that one Robert de Fulri held half a Knights Fee and the sixt part here of Sewall de Etendon and in 7 E. 1. that Iohn de Weston held it of Raph de Shirley by the service of half a Knights Fee Which Iohn then had half a carucate of land in demesn and two Tenants holding certain lands by servile tenure with some Freeholders But after this viz. in 20 E. 3. Iohn Dimok and Iohn Bardolf answered for half a Knights Fee here held of the Earl of Lancaster and the Lord Stafford Howbeit I do not find that this was ever reputed to be a distinct Mannour of it self but that the Mannour of Nether-Eatendon did extend into it and that the Inhabitants thereof do their suit to the Court-Leet at Nether Eatendon granted by King Iames to Sir George Shirley Baronet in 16. of his raign Thorndon THis Hamlet long since depopulated being a member of Nether-Eatendon is not particularly mentioned in the Conquerors Survey but was possest therewith by Shirley's Ancestors for in 36 H. 3. it appears that William de Bissopesdon held three parts of a Knights Fee here of Sewall de Etendon which argues that Fraricus de Bissopesdon Progenitor to the said William of whom in Fulridy I have made mention was first enfeoft thereof by the Ancestors of the said Sewallus In 7 E. 1. this William de Bissopesdon for I suppose it might be he was Lord hereof and held it of Raph de Etendon for so it seemes that Raph de Shirley was called when he resided at Eatendon by the service of half a Knights fee and had two carucates of land here in demesn with xv Tenants holding seven yard land and a half by severall Rents and sundry servile imployments But of this family of Bishopesdon I shall particularly speak in Bishopesdon where the descent is inserted In 13 E. 2. Iohn de Bishopesdon had a Charter of Free-warren to him and his heirs
double Festivalls Which poor men so to be placed in the said Almeshouse to be chosen out of those that had been his Tenants or serving men at the discretion of his son and heir and heirs successively Advertising his son and heir that if he should so amortize this land for those uses it would be a meritorious deed and for which he should have Gods blessing and his and adjuring that none should break this his Will under pain of the Churches Curse Whereunto when he was upon his Pilgrimage to the Holy Land as I have said he added that Anthony his son should have his best ambling Horse to offer at S. Thomas Hospitall in Rome for a Morâ—uary his son Michael his next best Horse and that his goods which he had sent before to Florence should be divided betwixt the said Anthony and Michael Which Will was dated 10. Aug. anno 1518. and proved 9. Nov. anno 1520. To this Sir Robert succeeded George his son and heir who being a Knight in 17 H. 8. was one of those that attended in Court at that solemn Coronation of Queen Anne in 25 H. 8. and in 18. and 35 H. 8. executed the office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire This Sir George built that stately Castle-like Gatehouse of free-stone here at Coughton intending as it should seem to have made the rest of his House sutable thereto and having erected a fair Monument for himself and the Lady Catherine his wife standing towards the North-side of the Chancell as I shall shew by and by bequeathing his body to be buried under the same departed this life in 1. Mariae as may seem by the Probate of his Testament leaving issue a fair ofspring Of which I find that Robert the eldest was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in 1. M. being then a Knight That Clement the third son was of Haseley in this County of whom and his descendants I have there spoke That Nicholas the fourth was a Knight and in 1 Eliz. imployed as Embassador to Francis the second King of France and Mary Queen of Scots his consort to expostulate the matter with them for assuming the Armes of England in their quarterings and afterwards scil in anno 1567. 9 Eliz. into Scotland at which time the said Queen was most barbarously kept in prison by her rebellious subjects where and when they extorted a resignation of the Regall power from her unto which he having perswaded her to subscribe signified to Queen Eliz. that it was of no validity forasmuch as she had been constrained thereto by the terror of a base imprisonment His other negotiations I shall not stand to particularize referring my Reader to M r Cambden's Annals of Queen Eliz. raign Anno scil 1570. where he speaks of his death and unto Stow's Survey of London for his Epitaph on a fair Monument of Alabaster wherein his statue in armour is cut situate on the south side of the Chancell in S t Catherine Creechurch near Algate within that City But touching the other sons of the said Sir George I find not much memorable except it be of Sir Iohn his seventh son Knighted by Queen Eliz. in the first year of her reign whose Epitaph upon his Monument in the Chancell here at Coughton doth sufficiently declare his eminency and worth Which Sir Iohn had issue Francis attainted in 26 Eliz. for Treason layd to his charge as having conspired God knows what in behalf of the Queen of Scots To the before specified Sir Robert eldest son of Sir George succeeded Thomas and to him Iohn and to him Sir Robert Throkmorton Baronet erected to that dignity by Letters Patent bearing date at Nottingham 1. Sept. 19. Caroli and to him Sir Francis now living whose severall marriages the Pedegree before inserted sheweth The Epitaph upon Sir Robert Throkmorton's Monument represented at the bottome of pag 562. Here lyeth buried Sir Robert Throkmorton Knight son ad heir of Sir George Throkmorton Knight which Sir Robert was twice wedded in the fear of God first to Merell Barkley one of the daughters of the Lord Barkley and did beget on her bodie 3. sons and 4. daughters second to the Lady Elizabeth Hungerford sometime wife of the Lord Hungerford and one of the daughters of the Lord Hussie by whom he did beget two sons and five daughters who departed this life for happier estate the day of Anno Domini 15 .... On the other side of this Monument are these verses Conditur hoc tumulo generosae gloria plebis Luget ut amissum patria chara patrem Nam plebs patronum clari sensere parentem Fautor erat miseris pauperibusque pius Religiosus amans observantissimus aequi Sincerus cultor principis atque Dei. Armatum sensere hostes sensere togatum Pacificum cives clarus utroque fuit Auxerunt famam neptes clarique nepotes Undique multiplici prole beatus erat Erudienda bonos virtutis semina liquet In cinerem rediit qui fuit ante cinis Vita dedit mortem letam mors ultima vita Vita fugax obiit vita perennis adest Magne Roberte vale divae virtutis alumnae Namque tenes superas non rediture domos Circumscribed on the freeze of this Monument O miser respice finem qualis sum in brevi eris vigila ergo quia nescis diem neque horam Upon a plate of brasse fix't on the North wall of the Chancell is this Inscription Of your charite pray for the soul of dame Elizabeth Throkmerton the last Abbas of Denye and Aunt to Sir George Throkmerton Knight who deceassed the xiii day of Ianuarye in the yere of our Lord God a. MCCCCCxlvii who lieth here tumilate in this tumbe on whoze soule and all Christen soules Iesu have mercy Amen Vivit post funera virtus Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conventus de Stodley Ioh. Grenhull Pbr. 29. Maii 1339. Prior Conventus de Stodley Ioh. de Somburne Pbr. 23. Apr. 1378. Prior Conventus de Stodley Thomas de Balle Cap. 1. Oct. 1434. Prior Conventus de Stodley Rob. Cowper Cap. 20. Sept. 1440. Prior Conventus de Stodley D. Hugo Lynesay Pbr. ult Apr. 1471. D. Henr. 8. Rex Angliae D. Henr. Shelmerdyne Cler. 23. Apr. 1541. Thomas Throkmorton generosus Thomas Ireland Cler. 6. Apr. 1593. Ric. Berkley de Lancombe in Com. Gloucest ar Will Norwood de Lech-Hampton in dicto Com. ar Leonardus Digby Cler. 10. Dec. 1624 The Armes which were lately standing in the windows being onely such as had been set up at the new glasing of them in Sir George Throkmorton's time I have purposely omitted in regard they were no other than such as be in the windows of the Mannour-house whereof I have taken notice Samburne OF this place having its originall denomination from that little Sandy brook nigh unto which it stands I find very antient mention
elsewhere within the King's dominions And lastly that he and his heirs should have another Faire yearly within this Town beginning on the Even of S. Dunstan and continuing for two dayes following Which ample Charter bears date at Westminster xviii Nov. in the year before specified After which ere long viz. in 28 H. 6. was he made Lord Treasurer of England but in that Office he continued not long as also a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace and assessing of Subsidies in this County but in these I presume he acted little in respect of his other great imployments being a Baron of this Realm and summoned to severall Parliaments in the said King's time By his Testament bearing date ix Apr. An. 1475. 15 E. 4. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of the Dominican Friers at Worcester in a new Chapell to be made on the North side of the Quire To which House of Friers for his buriall there he bequeathed the value of xx marks to be had in vestments and stuff besides a pair of Organs of his own residing at that time at Chelchith in the County of Midlesex Appointing that a Priest of that Friery should daily say Masse at the Altar within the said Chapell before his Tombe after the Order of a Trentall for his soul and the souls of his Father and Mother Brethren and Sisters his Children and Ancestors souls and especially for the souls of Sir Iohn Fastolf Knight Will. Botreaux and all Christen souls taking by the week for the said Masse so daily to be said viii d. for evermore Which Chapell and Tombe with his statue thereon in Alabaster he did by the said Testament ordein that his Executor should cause to be made and departed this life the same year leaving Sir Ric. Beauchamp Knight his son and heir then 40. years of age who in the private Chapell of this Mannour-house here called by the name of Beauchamps-Court having speciall License from the Bishop of Worcester wedded Eliz. the daughter of Sir Humfrey Stafford Knight by whom he had issue three daughters that were his heirs viz. Eliz. married to Sir Robert Willoughby Lord Brook first summoned to Parl. by that title in 7 H. 7. Anne to Ric. Ligon and Margaret to Will. Rede which Sir Robert had in her right this Mannour of Alcester in partition and dyed seized thereof 10 Nov. 13 H. 8. leaving Eliz. Anne and Blanch his cosins next heirs viz. daughters of Edw. Willoughby his son by the before specified Elizabeth Of which daughters so in minority Eliz. the eldest was committed to the tuition of Sir Edward Grevill of Milcote Knight who obtained her wardship as I have by tradition been informed with purpose to marry her unto Iohn his son and heir but she better affecting Fòuke the younger became his wife to whom she brought this Mannour of Alcester with other lands which Fouke much enlarged his Mannour-house at Beauchamps-Court taking stone and timber from the then newly dissolved Priory at Alcester for that purpose as also his Park with part of the wast belonging to this Lordship and bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire in 34 H. 8. being then a Knight so also in 1 E. 6. and departed this life 10. Nov. Anno 1559. 1 Eliz. leaving issue Fouke his son and heir and Robert a younger son which Fouke was Knighted in 7 Eliz. being then 29 years of age In 12 Eliz. he came first into Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Shire and departing this life in an 1606 4 Iac. left issu by Anne his wife daughter to Raph Nevill E. of Westmerland Fouk his son and heir Which last recited Fouk having been a servant in Court to Q. Eliz. made Under-Treasurer and Chancelour of the Exchequer by K. Iames as also one of the privy Councell and a Gentleman of his Bedchamber in 15. of that King's reign obtained a speciall Charter confirming all such liberties as had been granted to any of his Ancestors in the behalf of this Town upon a new Rent of x s. per annum then reserved to the said K. his heires successors and was created Lord Brook of Beauchamps-Court before mentioned 9. Ian. 18. Iac. with limitation of that Honour for lack of issue male of his own body unto Robert Grevill son of Fouk son of Robert before specified a younger son to the first Sir Fouk This Fouk Lord Brook obtaining the Castle of Warwick from King Iames when it was in a very ruinous condition bestowed so much cost in the repairs thereof beautifying it with most pleasant Gardens and Walks and adorning it with rich furniture that considering its situation no place in this part of England doth compare with it for statelinesse and delight But delaying to reward one Hayward an antient servant that had spent the most of his time in attendance upon him being expostulated with for so doing received a mortall stab on the back by the same man then private with him in his Bed-chamber at Brook-house in London 30. Sept. Anno 1628 5 Car. who to consummate the Tragedy went into another roome and having lock't the dore pierced his own bowells with a sword After which viz. 27. Oct. the said Lord Brook's body being wrapt in Lead brought to Warwick was there solemnly interred in a vault on the North side the Quire of S. Maries Church under that beautifull Monument erected by himself whereof I have there taken notice To whom succeeded in this his Lordship of Alcester and divers other lands of great value the before specified Robert Grevill Lord Brooke by vertue of a speciall grant whereby they were so setled I now come to speak of that Family of Botreaux which possest the other half of this Mannour till 22 H. 6. as I have intimated Robertus Corbet ..... Reginaldus Comes Cornub Regis Henrici primi nothus Henricus Filia cohaeres Henricus fil Herberti Petrus fil Herberti 6. Joh. Herbertus fil Petri 33 H. 3. Regin fil Petri 56 H. 3. Johannes Herbertus Alicia altera filiarum cohaeredum Will. Boterell Will. Boterell 6. Joh. ob s. prole Albreda fil Walteri Waleran Reginaldus de Boterell frater haeres Will. de Botereus 2 E. 1. Will. de Botereus 9 E. 2. Regin de Botereus 4 E. 3. Walt. de Botereaux obiit 41 E. 3. Joh. Botereaux aetat 6. an 41 E. 3. Margeria filia Will. Dunfrell Joh. Botreaux de Wetheley in Com. Warw. gen 10 H. 6. Thomas Botreaux 22 H. 6. Of Will. de Botreaux who married Alice one of the daughters and coheirs to Rob. Corbet I find that he confirmed to the Monks of Alcester all that they there held of his Fee and that he left issue Will. and Reginald which second Will. in 6. Ioh. gave two Horses for the great saddle
and one Norway Goshawk to the King for license to marry Albreda the widow of Iohn de Ingeham daughter to Walter Waleran over and above CCC marks payd by her for the like permission In 5 H. 3. he attended the K. in person with his Army at that memorable seige of Bitham Castle in Lincolnshire and in consideration of that service had the King's Letters mandatory for assessing Scutage upon his Tenants according to the rate of x s. for every Knight's Fee but being a man of an active Spirit I find that he did put himself in Armes with some of the Barons in 17 H. 3. when the Nobility grew discontented that the K. received so many Poictovins into places of power and trust whereupon his lands here at Alcester were seized upon for so doing To him succeeded Reginald his brother heir who had livery of his inheritance in 27 H. 3. but adhering to the Barons in that great Rebellion of 49 H. 3. had this his Lordship of Alcester again seized on which by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth whereof I have elswhere spoke were restored again Of this Reginald I have not seen any more than that he died about the beginning of E. 1. time leaving Will. his son and heir who doing his fealty had livery of the inheritance descended to him To whom succeeded another Will who made this his place of residence as it seemes for in 17 E. 2. he was in the list of those Knights and men at Armes of this County whose names were then certified into the Chancery though his chief seat was at Botreaux-Castle aliàs Bosse-Castle in Cornwall But the next that had to do here was Reginald Botreaux a younger son to the last Will. upon whom this Mannour was setled in 4 E. 3. and upon the issue male of him and Isabell his wife with remainder to his right heirs From which Reginald descended Thomas Botreaux who in 22 H. 6. sold all that he had here by so antient a succession to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Powyk as I have already observed A word or two now of the Tenure which it seems was by Sergeanty for so doth it appear by severall authorities scil in 27 H. 3. 33 H. 3. Item dicunt saith the Record quod villata de Allencestre ex utraque parte debet respondere domino Regi per Sergeantiam sed nescitur qualiter nec per quod servitium but afterwards I find it cleer for in 32 E. 1. upon the Relief paid by Will. de Botreaux for the moity of this town it is there said to be held of the King per servitium inveniendi medietatem Equitis armati cum uno Equo discooperto in guerra Regis Of the homage and service reserved by Reginald Fitz-Herbert upon his grant of the moytie of this Lordship unto Walter de Beauchamp his heirs in 56 H. 3. I find that Herbert fitz Iohn his grandchild passed it over unto Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and his heirs by his Deed dated at Westminster on Munday 5. Maii 8 E. 2. The Church though at first given by Raph Boteler to the Monks of Alcester upon the Foundation of that Monastery in 5 Steph. afterwards came to the Nuns of Cokehill in Com. Wigorn. which Monastery was founded by Isabell the wife to William de Beauchamp the first Earl of Warwick of that Family for the advouson whereof the said Nuns were at suit with Peter Fitz-Herbert and Will de Boterell Lords of Alcester in 11. H. 3. after which time they quietly enjoyed it as it seems by their Presentations thereto In anno 1291 19 E. 1. it was rated at xii marks the portion which the said Nuns had out of it being two marks and a half The like valuation do I find in 14 E. 3. It seems that upon the rebuilding of it the Dedication became altered for in 11 H. 3. it bore the name of S. Nicholas but in 6 H. 6. of S. Faith the Virgin at which time the value was certified to be no more than xii marks but in 26 H. 8. it extended to xvi li. there being yearly paid for Procurations and Synodals x s. v d. ob per annum out of it and xxvi s. viii d. as a Pension to the Prioresse of Cokehill Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. de Dekene Pbr. 9. Iunii 1339. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ric. Bernet Pbr. 16. Oct. 1361. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Thom. Tyffeld Pbr. 7. Aug. 1368. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Rob. Aumeney Pbr. 24. Nov. 1379. Thomas Crew Ric. Newbold Pbr. 15. Dec. 1391. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. Piry 1. Febr. 1401. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ric. Newbold Pbr. 25. Apr. 1402. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. Tymmes 5. Febr. 1434. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Rob. Beausant 10. Nov. 1435. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Ioh. Lyde Cap. ult Oct. 1469. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Magr. Ric. Harris in decret Bac. 7. Iunii 1470. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Will. Hyot 1. Ian. 1480. Ioh. Somervile de Bordesley ar Anna ejus ux Executrix Testam T. Evance gen nuper mariti sui per concess Prior C. de Cokehill D. Will. Walker Pbr. 19. Maii 1544. Fulco Grevile miles Ioh. Stokton Cler. 20. Iunii 1578. Within this Parish Church were two Chanteries the first in a Chapell of our Lady founded by one of the Botelers of Oversley I suppose Iohn for in 15 E. 1 he presented to it the Priest serving there being to sing Mass every day at six of the Clock in the morning and to pray for the souls of the Founders To which Chantrie did Petronill the Widow of Rob. Squyer of Alyncestre in 7 E. 3. give 3 Messuages xvi acres of land 4 acres of meadow and xx s. Rent with the appurtenances lying in Alcester for divine service to be celebrated there for the soul of E. 2. late King of England as also for her own and her husbands souls their children ancestors and all the faithfull deceased the revenue whereof was in 26 H. 8. certified to be yearly worth vi l. out of which certain Rents were deducted but in 37 H. 8. vi l. v s. ix d. The Priests belonging to this Chantry were successively presented thereto by the Botelers of Oversley before mentioned and afterwards by the Nevills untill 6 H. 7. that Sir Will. Beauchamp of Alcester and others obtained the patronage thereof The other Chantry was founded in 36 E. 3. by Iohn the son of Giles de Beauchamp for one Priest to sing Mass daily and do divine service in the said Church at the Altar of All Saints for whose maintenance he gave xi
to the before specified Henry And continuing to the succeeding Earls it was in 9 Ioh. inter alia assigned to Alice the widdow of Earl Waleran to hold in dower during her life and in 26 H. 3. to Ela the widdow of Earl Thomas and after this viz. in 31. H. 3. upon the Agreement betwixt Will. Mauduit and Alice his wife and Iohn de Plessets and Margerie then Countess of Warwick his wife which Alice was Aunt and heir to the said Countess it was one of the Mannours setled upon the same Iohn de Plessets for life in case he survived the said Margerie But Ela the Countess being then living it rested in her possession who had a Charter of Free-warren granted to her for life here and in the rest of the Lordships of her dowrie bearing date 2 Nov. 36 H. 3. Which Ela afterwards marrying to Philip Basset had in 49 H. 3. not onely a Confirmation for her enjoyment hereof during her own life by Will. Mauduit then Earl of Warwick but likewise a grant that the said Philip her husband might hold it during his life in case he should survive her Howbeit in 13 E. 1. I find that Will. de Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick claimed a Court Leet Assize of Bread and Beer Freewarren Gallows Infangthef Tumbrell and Weifs within this Lordship by Prescription all which were allowed whereby it seems that he had then possession thereof though the before specified Ela was then alive by some Agreement 't is like for she did not totally quit her interest here till 17 E. 1. but then by her Deed bearing date at Osney 1 Iunii she passed over and releast the same unto him In 9 E. 2. being in the King's hands by reason of the minority of Thomas son and heir to Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and valued at xxxiv l. xvi s. iiii d. ob per an it was with the Castle of Warwick and the rest of his possessions in regard of the notable services performed by the said Earl as the grant imports assigned to his Executors for the use of the said Thomas But notwithstanding that assignation it was with divers other great Lordships part of the possessions of the deceased Earl again resumed into the Kings hands and in 11 E. 2. disposed of to Hugh le Despenser the elder to hold till the heir should accomplish his full age After which viz. in 18 E. 3. did T. de Beauchamp the succeeding Earl entail it together with the Castle of Warwick and divers other Lordships upon his issue male where the names of his severall sons are recited To whose posterity it continued till 3 H. 7. as in my discourse of those Earls is manifested but then coming to the Crown was by K. H. 8. in 36 of his reign in consideration of 630 l. 16 s. 2 d. granted unto Sir George Throgmorton Kt. to be held in Capite by the xx th part of a Kts. fee in whose Family it continued till Thomas Throgmorton Esq. by virtue of an Act of Parl. in 2 Iac. sold it to Andrew Archer Esq. whose son and heir viz. Sir Sim. Archer Kt. now enjoys it That the Church dedicated to St. Mary Magd. was originally but a Chapel belonging to Brailes and therewith granted to the Canons of Kenilworth in H. 1. time I have already shewed but in 3 Ioh. it had the reputation of a Church if not before for then by an Agreement betwixt those Canons and Waleran Earl of Warwick touching the future Presentation thereto it was determined that whensoever it might happen to be void the Earl and his heirs should nominate a Clerk to the Canons of Kenilworth and they to present him to the Bishop and that the said Canons should thenceforth receive out of it at the hands of the present Parson incumbent a yearly Pension of two marks of silver upon the Feast days of St. Mich. the Archangell and the Annunciation of our Lady by equall portions and a stone of Wax on Candlemass day for ever About that time I find that Iohn Arch-Deacon of Worcester being Parson here had a Vicar under him called Roger de Warwick the son of one Godwin presented thereto by the Canons of Kenilworth which Vicar did then pay to the said Arch-Deacon yearly in the nature of a Pension two Marks at Easter and Michaelmass by equall portions and to the Canons of Kenilworth other two Marks and a stone of Wax as antiently they had used to receive out of the same But all the Glebe belonging thereto was not given at the first Foundation thereof for it is evident that Walter the son of Peter de Wolvardington did about the beginning of H. 3. time grant unto Richard Lungespe the then Incumbent and his successors in pure Alms a certain Messuage with the appurtenances situate here in Tanworth the witnesses to his grant being Rob. de Lexinton Iolanus de Nevill and Gilbert de Preston then Justices of the Court of Common Pleas with others In An. 1291 19 E. 1. this Church was rated at L. marks but in 9 E. 2. the advouson thereof being assigned to Alice the widdow of Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warwick as part of her dowrie it was valued at no more than xxx Marks After which viz. in 14 E. 3. the interest that the said Canons and Earl had therein was past away to Will. de Clinton Earl of Hantingdon that of the Canons upon the Sunday next after the Feast of St. Mathew the Apostle reserving to themselves and their successors the Pension of two Marks and a stone of Wax yearly at which time also they granted to them a Messuage adjoyning to the Church yard which was part of the Glebe And that of the Earls by Thomas de Beauchamp then E. of Warwick 1 Martii the same year all which was confirmed by the King Whereupon the same Earl on the first day of May next ensuing bestowed that advouson with the appurtenances on his Priory of Maxstoke in this County then newly founded by him as I shall hereafter shew whereunto likewise the before specified Earl of Warwick and Canons of Kenilworth did seal Releases of their severall interests scil the Earl on the Thursday being the Feast day of St. Luke the Evang. and the Canons on the Feast day of S. Vincent the Martyr in 15 E. 3. reserving still the said Pension of two Marks and a stone of Wax to themselves and their successors for ever after which ere long the said Canons obtained an appropriation thereof scil ult Dec. the same year from Wolstan Bishop of Worcester whereby it appears that the perpetuall Vicar having the cure of souls here was to have a competent portion assigned unto him out of the fruits of the Church extending to xx marks sterling per an but that the said two marks per an and the stone of Wax to the Canons of
to continue for two dayes following and the other upon the feast-Feast-day of S. Luke the Evangelist and two days after which Charter bears date at Westminster xvi Maii. the year above specified From which Family of Boteler it came by daughters and heirs to Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and William Belknap Esquire and so accompanying the possession of Beldesert as by the authorities which I have there cited may be seen returned to the Crown by the death of Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick without issue and continued therein till that King Iames by his Letters Patent bearing date 23. Sept. 17. of his reign past it to Iohn Lord Digby and his heirs with divers Mannours and lands lying in other Counties in consideration of 13000 li. allowed him by his Majestie towards the defraying of his charges in his Spanish Embassie The Chapell here dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist was built about the 41. year of King Edw. 3. as appears by the confirmation thereof then made by William Witlesey Bishop of Worcester in which is exprest that it was erected at the sole charges of the Inhabitants in regard of the large distance and foul ways in Winter-time betwixt this Village and the Parish Church of Wootton-Wawen and by the consent of William de Senye then Prior of Wotton unto which Religious House the said mother Church of Wotton was appropriated and Will. de Perton the then Vicar which Inhabitants and their successors had authoritie then given them by the same Bishop to provide and maintain a fitting Priest at their own proper charges for celebration of Divine service there so that the Vicar of Wotton for the time being might wholly receive and take all Oblations arising in the said Chapell upon Christmass day Candlemass day Easter day and S. Peter's day being the day of the Dedication of that Church and for Churching of Women at any time in the said Chapell But of all other profits arising upon the said days or any other throughout the year the Vicar to have two parts only and the Prior the third And that the Priest belonging to this Chapell might have power so often as occasion should be to Church Women there to administer the Sacrament to such old decrepite people as could not go to the said Parish Church and to perform all other parochiall rites therein buriall for the dead only excepted For the performance of all which the Priest for the time being at his first admission thereto was to oblige himself by his corporall Oath in the presence of the Prior of Wawens-Wotton and the Vicar lest the said Church of Wawens-Wotton should be dampnified And that all good people might be the more stirred up to contribute towards the charges for the fabrick hereof as also for the Bells Books Lights Vestments and other Ornaments belonging thereto the said Bishop by that his publique Instrument which bears date at Hertlebury 5. Cal. Augâ— Anno 1367. granted to every one that would be open-handed therein an Indulgence of xl days all which was confirm'd by the Prior and Monks of Worcester About two years after there was a purpose by one William Fifhyde of this town to found a Chantrie in a Chapell then newly intended to be built here for one Priest to celebrate Divine service daily for the good estate of the said William as appears by that preparation to a License for amortizing of three messuages situate in Henley aforesaid to that end but whether it were performed or not I make a question for I have seen no more of it In 26 H. 6. there was an Hospitall here built for the relief of poor people and strangers towards the support of which charge Iohn Carpenter then Bp. of Worcester granted out an Indulgence to endure for three years on the behoof of all such as should make contribution Some think that the Gild-House situate on the North side of the Chapell is the Hospitall here spoken of For in the Chapell before mentioned there was a Gild founded by Raph Boteler Lord Sudley which Gild had four Priests belonging thereto who were to pray for the Founder's soul. But upon the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. there were no more than two Priests serving therein whereof one had an yearly stipend of v li. vi s. viii d. and the other of v li. Howbeit in 37 H. 8. upon the Extent of the lands belonging thereto which were then valued at xxvii li. iii s. iii d. it appears that there were three Priests z whereof one had a stipend of Cx s. per annum and the other two of C s. a piece as also an Organist who had xl s. annuity Before the dissolution of this Gild it was a custome as I have heard that upon all publique occasions as Weddings and the like the Inhabitants of this town kept their Feast in the Gild House before specified in which they had most kind of Houshold stuff as Pewter Brasse Spits Andirons Linnen Tables c. and Wood out of the little Park at Beldesert for fewell those which were at the charge of the Feast paying only vi s. viii d. for the use of them But now all is gone except the Pewter which being in the Chapell-Wardens custody they lend out for iv d. a dozen when any Feast is made Wootton-Wawen FOllowing this petty stream I come next to Wootton commonly called Wootton-Wawen a Parish of a very large extent containing these Villages and places of note viz. Aspley Mockley Fordâ—Hall Crowley Ullenhale Botley Henley in Arden already spoke of Whitley Forwode Edston Bearley Silesburne Wawens-Moore Wyche and Offord of all which in their order As for the name there is no question but that it was originally occasioned from the situation being amongst woods and so for the more facility of pronuntiation called Wootton insted of Wootton having the addition of Wawen for distinction from another Wootton in this County in regard that one Wagen commonly called Wawen Lord thereof before the Norman Conquest had his seat here This Wawen was a man of great quality in his time for being one of the witnesses to Earl Leofrik's Foundation Charter of the Monastery at Coventry in 1 o Edwardi Conf. he is rankt with other eminent persons and after his name these words added viz. multi alii Primates in Angliae quorum hìc nomina notare fastidiosum esset Neither doth the extent of his lands argue lesse for by the Conqueror's generall Survey it appears that Wara now called Church-Over Wolvarde Tiesho Mortone now Morton-Bagot Ullenhale Offord and this Wootton were all his and perhaps much more though there not recorded But it being the fate of the native English in a manner totally to be dispossest of their inheritances to make way for the Normans advancement this Wagen or Waga for so his name is written in Domesday-book was outed of all those places before specified which with divers other fair Lordships lying in
it was the Freehold of Leuvinus Doda In that Survey it is written Wilmecote the originall of which appellation did questionlesse proceed from the name of some antient Inhabitant there in the Saxons time But the next mention that I find thereof is not till 6 Ioh. where it is written Wilmundecote and certified to be part of those lands that the Normans had in England which were then seized on for their adhering to the K. of France as in Ilmindon I have already observed one Bricto Camerarius being then Lord thereof and Chamberlain of Normandy as I guesse the value of it then consisting only in rent of Assize amounting to xliis per an and no more After which ere long one Will. de Wilmecote was owner of it who doubtlesse took that sirname from his residence here for in 12 H. 3. it appears that he brought an Assize against Maurice Arch-Deacon of Gloucester touching the advouson of the Chapell belonging to this Village yet in E. 1. I find that Raph de Lodinton had a good proportion here viz. two yard land in demesn with a Water Mill as also 5 yard land in Villenage all which he held of Sir Thomas de Camvill by the fourth part of a Kts fee which fourth part in 25 E. 1. was certified to be held of Edm. Earl of Lancaster the Kings Brother by Robert de Vale of whom in Lodington I have spoken already But about that time was there one Iohn de Wilmecote Lord hereof and shortly after him Henry de L'isle of Moxhull in this Countie who with Ioan his wife in 9 E. 2. were found to hold half a Kts. fee here of the Earl of War which half Kts. fee was of her inheritance she being the heir to the before specified Iohn de Wilmecote To which Henry succeeded Iohn his son and heir who in 10 E. 3. entailed this Mannour with the advouson of the Chapell upon the issue of his body by Maude then his wife with remainder to his right heirs by reason whereof it continued to his posterity whereof I shall speak in Moxhull till 8 H. 7. but then was past away by Henry L'isle Esquire and Eliz. his wife to Will. Purchesse and others in trust as I conceive for Hugh Clopton Alderman of London for I find that the said Hugh dyed seized thereof 15 Sept. 12 H. 7. leaving Will. Clopton his Cosin and next heir as in Clopton is shewed who had livery thereof accordingly in 19 H. 7. The Chapell here dedicated to St. Mary Magd. was given to the Gild of the Holy Cross in Stratford super Avon in E. 4. time by the before mentioned Henry de L'isle and Eliz. his wife one Thomas Clopton being then Master of the same Patroni Capellae Incumbentes c. Matilda de Lyle Ioh. de Walton 21 Martii 1372. Matilda de Lyle Ioh. Cade 18 Ian. 1380. Newnham AS for the name of this place it proceeded originally without doubt from the first habitation fixed thereat whether it were one single House or more the syllable Ham with our Ancestors the Saxons not onely signifying a House but a neighbourhood of divers dwellings as we may observe by the many towns that terminate in Ham so that Neunham imports the same that nova habitatio doth But of this little village I have not seen any mention at all in Record above 9 E. 2. where it is certified as a Hamlet of Aston-Cantelupe of which Mannour it is stâ—ll reputed to be parcell Little Alne THis was also originally a member of Aston-Cantelupe and antiently possest by the Lords of that Mannoâ—r It should seem that a great part of those lands which were given to the Canons of Studley by some of the Cantelupes do lye within the compass of this village though in the grant they are said to be in Aston-Cantelupe for upon the passing them out of the Crown in 1. Mariae they are granted to Anthony Skinner by the name of the Mannour of Little-Alne five Tenements a water Mill with a meadow as parcell of the possessions of the Monastery of Studley which Anthony dyed seized thereof 19 Nov. 1 Eliz. leaving issue George and William which George dying without issue Will. became heir to the estate whose grandchild Anthony now enjoys it Shelfhull THe first mention I find of this place is in H. 3. time upon the grant of a large assart to the Canons of Studley by Will. de Cantilupe the third where it is bounded upon the Park of Scelefhull which Park belonging to the Lords of Aston-Cantelupe doth argue that it was antiently a member thereof And out of all doubt those Woods or the greatest part of them which are mentioned by the Conquerour's Survey to belong unto Aston were imparkt by the Lords of that Mannour for their pleasure in Hunting it being a mountanous ground most proper for Deer an Conies But the extent of Shelfhull was more than this Park for in 6 E. 2. after the death of Iohn de Hastings Lord of Aston before specified it appeareth that Will. le Walsh held the sixth part of a Kts. fee of him lying in this place Howbeit till 14 H. 6. I have not seen it called a Mannour but then upon the death of Ioan Beauchamp Lady Bergavenny it carries that name nevertheless it is reputed as a member of Aston-Cantelupe and therewith belongs to the Lord Bergavenny at this day Haseler SOmewhat lower but yet farther distant from the bank of Alne stands Haseler containing these two petty Hamlets sc. Walcote and Upton which before the Norman invasion was the freehold of Vlviet and Aluric but at the time of the Conquerour's generall Survey possest by Nich. Balistarius being certified to contain 5. hides with a Mill rated at vi s. viii d. as also a Salt House of iiii s. Rent and two quarters of Salt all being valued at vi li. In that Record it is written Haselove the stroke over the v. through the transcribers neglect being omitted for it should be Haselovere That the later part of the name viz. Overe which in our common speech signifies the same with supra agreeth with the situation of the place is evident enough for it stands upon a notable ascent almost every way and if I may take leave to guess at the other part I shall conclude that the same hilly ground whereupon the town stands being originally woody and full of Hasells as much of the Country thereabouts yet is gave occasion thereof How it past from the before specified Nich. Balistaerius or his posterity I find not but in H. 2. time Nicholas de Pole one of the King's Justices was chief Lord here whose descendants enjoy'd it not long for in 20 H. 3. it appertained to W. de Hastings and upon the Aid then gathered answered for half a Kts. fee amongst divers other lands in this Countie then certified to be
begotten and for lack of such issue to Thomas de Morehall with remainder to Iohn de Clopton and his heirs By which entail it should seeme that it came to the same Iohn de Clopton for it appears that Thomas de Crewe had to do here in right of Iulian his wife mother to Sir Will. Clopton Kt. and widow as I guess to the same Iohn de Clopton Of which Thomas in respect of his residence here and relations to this County I may not omit to declare what I find memorable In 2 H. 4. he was Atturney to Margaret Beauchamp Countess of Warwick mother to Earl Richard In 6 o one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parâ— then held at Coventre In 7 o a Commissioner for enquiry touching the King's debts In 8 H. 4. and 1 H. 5. one of the Justices of Peace in this Shire In the same first year of H. 5. Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire and in 3 H. 5. chief Steward to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and one of his Councell This Iohn by his Testament bearing date 5 Sept. 6 H. 5. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chapell of S. Iohn Bapt. adjoyning to the Church of St. Milburge the Virgin here at Witlaxford giving to certain Priests to celebrate divâ—ne Service for the health of his soul C. marks as also to poor people to pray for his soul the like summe constituting Elizabeth his sister then Prioresse at Chester to whom he also gave C. marks together with Will. Clopton and Ioane his wife his Executors and departing this life the same year lyeth buried under a very fair Monument of gray Marble raised about 18 Inches from the ground in the midst of that Chapell whereon are the portraitures in brasse of himself and his wife as when I come to speak particularly thereof shall be shewed But the interest which he had heâ—â—â— was only for terme of life by the assignation of Sir Will. Clâ—pton before specified in whom the inheritance rested which Will. having by a certain Feoffment bearing date 7 Maii 7 H. 5. declared his intentions for the setling of his estate dyed leaving only two daughters his heirs viz. Agnes the wife of Thomas Herberd and Ioane marryed to Iohn Burgh betwixt whom the inheritance descending to them was by Indenture dated 22 Febr. 22 H. 6. divided and this Mannour of Morehall with Wichfford inter alia allotted to Ioane who left issue by her said husband four daughters and heirs sc. Eliz. married to ...... Newport Ankaret to Iohn Leighton Isabell to Sir Iohn Lyngen Kt. and Sibill to Thomas Mitton Esq. The Chapell dedicated to S. Milburge now reputed a Parish Church was originally belonging to Saltford and therewith given by K. H. 1. to the Canons of Kenilw. shortly after the Foundation of that Monastery and confirmed by several Arch-Bishops of Canterbury but after that viz. in 5 Steph. Raph Boteler upon his foundation of the Priory at Alcester gave the Tithes of this place to that Religious house though by what colour of right I find not Which grants occasioned the Monks of Evesham to look about them who being Lords of the Mannour conceived that they had a good title to the patronage of the Chapell whereunto they made their claim but at last they came to this Agreement with the Canons of Kenilworth viz. that the said Canons should yearly have the summe of viii s. which they had wont to receive for the Tithes of this Village and whatsoever Parochial benefit they had used to have therein excepting the Tithes of those lands which particularly belonged to the said Monks of Evesham In consideration whereof the same Canons of Kenilworth were yearly to pay to the Monks of Evesham X s. at the Feasts of S. Mich. th'Archangell and the Annuntiation of our Lady by equall portions and to cause divine Service to be celebrated three days a week in the said Chapell sc. Sundays Wednsdays and Fridaysâ— which Agreement was confirm'd by Roger Bishop of Worcester in H. 2. time But thereof had not the Monks of Alcester any benefit wherefore insisting upon their right in this Chapell there was at length a fair conclusion made betwixt the said Canons of Kenilworth and them in the presence of Iohn de Constantiis Bâ—shop of Worcester and others at the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury whereby it was concluded that the Monks of Alcester should thenceforth receive the whole Tithes of the demesns of this Lordship for ever and the Canons of Kenilworth the Tithes of that held in Villenage And in like sort that the Monks should receive all the Tithes of Budeley now called Morehall except of those lands which belong'd by inheritance unto Ric. de Eccleshale Godfrey de Budiford as also to Norman and Will. Parmentier at the time when this Agreement was made Of which lands the said Monks and Canons should divide the Tithe-Corn betwixt themâ— but the parochiall right with the small Tithes of those 4 persons and their successors in the said lands to belong to the Canons for ever The Chantrie In 26 H. 6. one Will. Wolashull obtaining License from the King founded a Chantry here for one Priest perpetually to celebrate divine Service to the honour of our Lady and S. Iohn Baptist in the Chapell annext to this Parish Church for the good estate of the said King with Margaret his Queen and of the said Will. during their lives in this World as also for their soules after their departure hence together with the souls of Thomas Crewe Esq and Iulian his wife Sir William Clopton Knight and Ioane his wife their parents and friends unto whose maintenance he gave in pure Almes a certain dwelling House situate here in Wykâ—ford called Prâ—â—ts-place with a Close adjoyning thereto containing two acres But by the Survey taken in 37 H. 8. I find it certified that this Chantrie had no foundation at all and that the Priest serving there was Chaplain to one Dame Sibill Mytton who in her life time had made instant labour unto Richard Mytton her son and heir to grant him an annuity of Cvi s. viii d. out of his lands for terme of life at whose request the said Richard was contented it being at his the said Richard's pleasure whether he would grant more Annuities to any other after the death of one Richard Elias at that time Chantrie Priest Aspley juxta Wicksford THis is a depopulated place and not mentioned in any Record that I have seen till 18 E. 3. that Gilbert Chasteleyn releaseth to Sir Fouk de Bermingham Knight all his right and title therein nor afterwards till â—fter the death of Thomas Crewâ— of whom in Wicksford I have spoke at which time it was found that he held it during his life by the assignation of Sir William Clopton Knight together with Wicksford and Morehall since
and he three daughters that were his heirs with the eldest of whom he gave these lands of Nechels to Sir Robert de Handsacre Knight in frank marriage but she dying without issue they came to Alice her niece then the wife of Sir George de Castell Knight which Alice in her widowhood sc 4 E. 3. in consideration of xl li. of silver past away all her interest in this Mannour unto Simon del Holt of Bermingham and his heirs whose posteritie have continued Lords thereof ever since Sir Thomas Holt now of Aston Knight and Baronet being the present owner thereof Anno scil 1640. But it hath been long since totally depopulated though antiently it was a pretty Village as by severall instances might be shewed for in 34 E. 3. Sir Thomas de Arden Knight had a mansion here as appears by a License granted to him from Robert de Stretron then Bishop of this Dioces to have a private Oratorie or Chapell therein for himself and his own Family It seems that the same Philip de Aylesbury of whom I have made mention in Dudston had also some interest here in R. 2. time for he then wrote himself Dominus de Dudston de Nechells but of what extent it was I cannot say all which was passed by Sir William de Bishopsdon in 2 H. 5. unto Rich. de Clodshale of Saltley and his heirs being said to have sometime belong'd unto the same Philip de Aylesbury In 33. H. 6. there was a Fine levied betwixt Thomas Waldeyve and Williaem Leycroft Plantiffs and Robert Danvers Henry Fillongley and Iohn Holt Esquire deforciants of this Mannour for by that name it then passed by which it seemeth that the inheritance thereof became vested in the before specified Thomas Waldeyve perhaps to the use of the same Iohn Holt and his heirs for in 20 H. 8. Thomas Holt who then wrote himself de medio Templo London generosus was owner thereof which Thomas was grandfather to Sir Thomas above mentioned Dudston OF this Hamlet there is now no more left than the Mannour-house but by the name I should judge it to be a Village of great antiquitie and so called from Dode or Dud whence Dudley doubtlesse had the appellation But till E. 1. time I have not found any mention of it in Record in regard it was involved with Aston and so came to Sir Thomas de Erdington as a member thereof though it be not particularly named for it is evident that Henry de Erdington great grandchild to the said Sir Thomas did his fealtie to Ioane Botetourt Lady of Weoley as coheir to Someri Baron of Dudley on S. Mark 's day 17 E. 2. for this place together with Aston mention being made of their tenure by a pair of gilt Spurs or six pence as in the originall grant of Aston may be seen which Sir Henry for he was afterwards a Knight granted it by the name of Manerium de Dudeston to Thomas de Maidenhache and his heirs about the beginning of E. 1. time who had Free warren in all his demesn lands here together with Aston as by the King's grant thereof in 14 E. 1. appeareth but having severall daughters and heirs as in Aston is shewed this inter alia was allotted as a member of Aston unto Sibill the wife of Adam de Grymesarwe by means whereof it came to Iohn de Grymesarwe their son and heir who sold it unto Iohn atte Holt in 38 E. 3. for xl marks From which Iohn it is descended as the Pedegree in Aston manifesteth unto Sir Thomas Holt now of Aston Knight and Baronet the present Lord thereof and was his principall seat till he had built Aston house But notwithstanding the Mannour thus fixed in the Familie of Holt there was a considerable part of this Village antiently possest by the Aylesburyes of whom I have spoke in Edston for I finde that Roger de Aylesbury stiled himself Dominus de Dodestone in 5 E. 2. so also did Philip de Aylesbury in 10 R. 2. yet when or how it past from Aylesbury I have not seen but in 2 H. 5. Sir William de Bishopsden Knight granted to Richard de Clodshale all the lands and tenements lying here which had formerly belong'd to the before specified Philip de Aylesbury after which I have not met with farther mention of them Deretend THis place antiently written Dury-yatehend though it be within the Parish of Aston is parcell of the Lordship of Bermingham so that of it self there is nothing farther memorable than a certain Chapell erected about the beginning of King Ric. the second 's time wherein by an Agreement made 13. Iunii Anno 1381. 4 R. 2. betwixt the Monks of Tykford in right of their Rectorie of Aston before specified Richard Shobenhale then Vicar of Aston and Sir Iohn Botetort Knight Patron of the said Priorie of Tykford on the one part And Sir Iohn Birmingham Kt. Lord of this Hamlet Geffrey Boteler Robert Greene and others Inhabitants here and in Bordsley on the other part by the consent of Robert de Stretton then Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield the said Inhabitants of these two Hamlets partly in respect of the danger by flouds especially in Winter-time and their great distance from the said mother-Church of Aston and partly that their Children might not want Baptisme in case of necessity there should be a Font in the said Chapell and that they might have libertie to find at their own proper costs a fitting Priest to celebrate divine Service therein as also for Churching of women Provided that the same Inhabitants should repaire to the said Mother-Church of Aston on Easter-day Christmasse-day All-Hallown-day and the days of the Dedication of the said Church scil S. Peter S. Paul hapning next after the Feasts of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist and Purification of the blessed Virgin then and there to render and pay to God and the said Parish Church all their Tithes great and small with Oblations in such sort as they had antiently used and were of right to do to the same Church Which Priest so serving in this Chapell was by the before specified Agreement in case the Vicar of Aston for the time being or his Parochiall Priest could not attend it to visit the sicke of these two Hamlets and to administer unto them as also to confesse and absolve them so as they should shrive themselves once a yeare to the said Vicar of Aston or his Parochiall Priest as of right they ought After which viz. in 6 R. 2. did William Geffen Thoms Holden Robert of the Greene Richard â—ene Thomas de Belne and Iohn Smyth obtain License of the King to give certain lands of x. marks yearly value and lying within the said Parish of Aston for the finding of a Priest to celebrate divine Service daily in this Chapell But in 37 H. 8. were the possessions lying in Bordsley
Esquier And to manifest that he was a person eminently qualified in 18 E. 2. he served in the Parliament then held at London as one of the Knights for this Shire having ii s. vi d. allowed him per diem for his expences during that imployment But in 1 E. 3. upon a strong suspition of Heresie suggested against him to the King a Commission to Will. de Clinton bearing date 3 Maii was forthwith issued out not only to arrest and take him but to seize on all his lands goods and Chattels of which being advertised he submitted himself to prison and brought in sureties to stand to a lawfull triall therein viz. Raph. de Crophull of Notinghamshire Walt. de Heselarton of Yorkshire Edm. de Shireford David de Caunton Rog. le Pledour and Iohn de Alspath of this County whereupon he was set at liberty and his lands and goods restored to him as by the King 's special Precept bearing date at Notingham 3 Sept. appeareth After which viz. in 5 E. 3. the said Lord Basset received his full accompt for all the time he had served and reâ—eined to him and gave him a generall Acquittance To whom succeeded Iohn who for the lands in Blaggreve which sometime belong'd to Rob. de Blaggreve his grandmothers Father obtained a Release from Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight heir â—o Marmion as to the suit due to his three weeks Court at Stipershull and all other services for that land during his own life and the life of Maud his wife saving to the said Sir Baldwin his homage and a pair of gilt spurs at the Feast of S. Edith yearly This Iohn in 30 E. 3. payd to Sir Iohn de Arden Kt. and Henry his brother Executors to Raph de Arden their father the sum of vi s. viii d. for reasonable Aid due upon the marriage of Sibill his eldest daughter in respect of the lands in Moxhull which he held of him by military service and at the same time xxxiii s. iiii d. for a Relief due to the before specified Raph for those lands and bore for his Armes three Eglets displayed gules as by his Seal and an old Glasse window in Bentley Chapell appeareth which coat or part thereof at least was assumed by Henry his Father for I have seen a Seal of his with one Eglet displaied within the compasse of a roundle and not in a Shield a course very antiently used before they put their Badges into Shields as I have observed in the Families of Beke of Eresby and Darcy the first of which bore their Crosse sarcilè so and the other their Cinquefoile Which Iohn bearing a singular reverence to the Monks of Merevale desired that his body might be there buried as may appear by certain land and Rent that he assigned to some friends in trust for the finding of divers wax Lights to burn every Sunday and Holiday in the Chapell of our Lady adjoyning to the gate of that Abby for which respect he had a special grant from Robert de Atherston Abbot of that House and his Covent under their publick Seal bearing date the Wednsday after Lammas 33 E. 3. of a certain proportion of ground within the said Chapell of our Lady containing seven foot square where he and Maud his wife at the death of each should have sepulture And that upon all great Festivall days aswell as Sundays five waxen Lights should be burning there as also that he the said Iohn and Maud should have liberty to set up Images in the same Chapell in honour of the blessed Virgin Henricus de Insula Will. de Insula 21 H. 3. Margareta Nicholaus de Insula 36 H. 3. Amieâ—a 41 H. 3. Iuliana filia haer Rob. de Blaggreve 1 E. 1. Ankitellus de Insula 22 E. 1. Christiana ux 2 obiit 33 E. 1. Philippus de Insula Rector Eccl. de Wishaw 4 E. 2. Henr. de Insula 4 E. 2. Iohanna 9 E. 2. Philippus de Insula Rector Eccl. de Cavendish 9 E. 3. Henr. de Insula 9 E. 3. Ioh. de Insula 9 E. 3. Matilda relicta 47 E. 3. Idonea 1 R. 2. Ioh. de Insula 6 H. 4. Margeria 13 H. 4. Will. de L'ile ar 29 H. 6. Iuliana filia Rob. Midlemore de Eggebaston Henricus de L'isle ob 20 H. 7. Eliz. filia Will. Morgan Iohannes L'isle obiit 29 H. 8. Anna filia haeres Will. Lecroft de Colshull 12 H. 8. Nich. L'isle obiit 32 H. 8. Anna filia Thomae Swinerton de Hilton in Com. Staff Thomas L'isle ob 23 Aug. 8 Eliz. Anna filia Georgii Masterson una sororum cohaer Thomae Ioh. L'â—sle obiit 24 Ian. 36 Eliz. Dorothea filia Georgii Willoughby filii Hugonis Wiloughby mil. Franciscus L'isle obiit infra aet 38 Eliz. Ioh. L'isle ar Brigitta filia Ioh. Knotsford de Studley Ioh. L'isle Maria filia Mathei Cradock de Caverswall-castro in Com. Staff ar Regin L'isle de quo illi de Bremor in Com. Suthâ— To which Iohn succeeded Iohn his son who in H. 5. time was retained by the Earl of Warwick amongst other of his Esquires to serve him with one Lance and one Archer at the seige of Caleis for which he was to receive xxl per an besides his diet And to him William and to William Henry who gave the Rectorie of Wilmecote with all the Tithes thereto belonging to Thomas Clapton Master of the Gild at Stratford super Avon to the intent that the Priest singing the first Masse every day in the said Gild should say De profundis before the holy Lavatorie for the good estate of him the said Henry and Elizabeth his wife and for their souls after their departure hence as also for the soules of his ancestors and successors Which Henry was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in the second and nineteenth years of K. H. 7. reign and by his Testament dated 13 Sept. 20 H. 7. bequeathing his body to be buried within his own proper Chapell in the Church of S. Chad at Wishaw before the Image of Henry the sixth sometime King of England departed this life about that time for the Probate of his Will beareth date the next month following Unto which Henry succeeded Iohn his son and heir who taking to wife Anne the daughter and heir of Will. Lecrofte had with der divers Houses and a great proportion of land lying in Colshill and other places Of this Iohn I find that upon the birth of Elizabeth second daughter to King H. 8. afterwards Qu. of England he received a special Letter from Qu. Anne dated at Greenwich 7 Sept. 25 H. 8. advertising him of the good speed she had in her deliverance and desiring his congratulation unto God for it as also his Prayers for the good health prosperity and continuall preservation of the said young Princesse To whom succeed Nicholas and to him Thomas who wedded
Abbas Westmonasterii D. Eliz. Pultney Anno 1498. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Alicia Hugford 26. H. 8. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Iohanna Hugford 28. H. 8. In this Parish of Solihull have lived severall Families of antient Gentlemen viz. Boteler Greswould and Waring which last still continues Of Boteler Richard was the first of whom I find any certainty viz. in 8. H. 4. who had issue Iohn a Lawyer afterwards of Elmedon where his posterity continued for some descents so that I shall reserve what I have further to say of him and them till I come to that place Of Greswould the first that I have seen mentioned by any authentique authority was Richard Greswould who died before 13 H. 4. And the next Thomas recorded in 12 H. 6. amongst those persons of quality in this County which were sworn to observe the Articles concluded upon in the Parliament then held Which Thomas in 16 H. 6. having the custody of the Mannour of Solihull together with Sheldon committed to him then seized into the King's hands upon the death of Edward Duke of Yorke augmented the allowance for support of the Chantrie-Priest at Solihull and was a Justice of Peace in this Countie from 21. till 36 H. 6. From whom descended Iohn Greswould of Langdon-Hall before mentioned I am not certain how long the Warings have resided in this Parish for the first mention that I meet with of them here is in 21 H. 7. their seat being called Berry-Hall but antiently they lived within the precincts of Tanworth for I often find them stiled of that place and that Ioan Waryn in 51 E. 3. was in Commission with other persons of quality in this Countie for assessing a Subsidie of Pâ—â—e-money viz. iv d. upon every head So also in 2. R. 2. for collecting a Subsidie then granted and in 7 R. 2. for assessing and gathering the half of a Tenth and Fifteenth To whom succeeded Thomas Waring of Toneworth one of those in this Countie sworn to perform the Articles concluded on in the Parliament of 12 H. 6. being then stiled Armiger Of which Family was likewise the Ladie Alice Waring Prioresse of Henwood in 38 H. 6. But to trace down their descent particularly I shall not need in regard they continue possest of their antient lands to this day having much adorn'd their House by matching with divers very good Families viz. Butler of Elmedon Hubaud of Ipsley Baskervile of Eresley in Com. Hereford Huâ—ford of Henwood and Midlemore of Eggebaston bearing for their Armes Azure a Cheveron betwixt 3. Lions passant Or. Hampton in Arden BEing now past the precincts of Solihull I come next to Hampton in Arden on the Western bank of Blithe in which parish are these severall Villages and Hamlets scil Nuthurst Knoll Balshall Kinwaldsey Didington and Chadleswick but all of them except Didington situate on the other side the River This with divers other fair Lordships being the inheritance of one Luevinus before the Norman Invasion was disposed of by the Conqueror to Geffrey de Wirce of whom in Monkskirby I have spoke and by the generall Survey rated at x. hides there being then a Church as also a Mill of xl d. and Woods extending to three miles in lenth and as much in breadth all valued at C s. In that Record it is written Hantone which manifesteth that the name was originally occasioned from the situation hean in the Saxon signifying high though by contraction written Han and through corrupt pronunciation Ham. But by what I have said in Monkskirby it will appear that all Wirce his lands were conferred on Nigell de Albani which Nigell had issue Roger sirnamed Moubray by whom the Ardens who were Lords of this Mannour were afterwards enfeoft thereof Rad. de Hantona 5. Steph. Rog. de Ardena 20 H. 2 .... filia Alani filii Tur fini Will. de Ardena 5 H. 3. Amicia de Traci Hugo de Ardena miles 35 H. 3. Will. de Ardena defunctus 4 E. 1. ob s. p. 1. Ric. de Ardena frater haeres ideota 4 E. 1. Oliva Rob. le Megre Will. le Megre 52 H. 3. Amicia una filiarum cohaer Joh. Lou sive Lupus 13 E. 1. Margeria altera filiarum cohaer Philippus le Lovet 13 E. 1. Hawisia Ricardus Peche Joh. Peche de Wilmeleghton 49 H. 3. Walt. de Ardena Cler. Rog. de Ardena Cler. Petrus de Ardena Clericus Rob. de Ardena Lexov Archidiac Will. de Ardena Of these the first that had to do here was called Radulphus de Hamtona but whether he were one of the sons to Turchill de Warwick called also Turchill de Ardena of whom I have spoke both in Warwick and Curdworth I dare not absolutely affirm though his posterity assumed the sirname of Arden but do conjecture that he was Of w ch Raphe I find mention first in 5. Steph. and lastly in 33 H. 2. where being then a Justice Itinerant he is termed Radulphus de Ardena But cleer enough it is that though he took his sirname from hence yet he was not absolute owner hereof nor indeed of any more than certain lands called Chadleswie then reputed as a Member of this Lordship which lands he purchased of Roger de Moubray before mentioned for the Mannour-house with the demesns and advouson of the Church were first given by the said Roger de Moubray to Raph de Haia in exchange for certain lands lying in Yorkshire Of which Raphe did Rob. de Arden one of the sons of the said Raphe acquire them for L. marks of silver This Robert being a Clergie-man and Archdeacon of Liseaux in Normandy gave all his estate here unto Peter and Roger his brothers Which Peter a Clerke also having Chadleswic before specified by his Father's gift disposed of it and all his share in the rest unto the same Roger who for confirmation thereof not only obtained the Charters of Roger de Moubray above mentioned and of Nigel his son and heir but of the Bishop of Liseaux together with the Dean and Chapter of that Church under their publique Seals To whom succeded William and to William Hugh de Arden Which Hugh received that Christen name from Hugh fil Willielmi his Godfather otherwise called Hugh de Hatton of whom in Hatton I have spoke and a kinde token withall of his said God-father's love scil the Mill at Amington in this Countie as also a yard land lying in that place in which grant his God-father calls him Filiolus quem de sacro Fonte suscepit whence it appears that in times past the God-fathers received the Child out of the Priests hands as soon as it had been dipt in the Water which usage was very antient and perform'd by more than three persons as it may seem by that constitution of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1151. the words whereof are these Statuimus
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
1427. D. Rad. Shirley miles Alicia ux 〈◊〉 Thomas Sâ—mnour ult Nov. 1432. Hâ—mfr Dâ—â— Buck. D. Nich. Clerke Pbr. 3 Sept. 1446. D. Margar. Comiâ—â—ssâ— Richm. Dâ—rb Will. Aleyn Pbr. 22 Maii 1494. D. Episc. per laps Thom. Blundell art Mag. ..... Nov. 1499. 〈…〉 by miles 〈…〉 D. Henr. Rode Pbr. 18 Maii 1527. Ioh. Edo ex coâ—cess H. March Dâ—â—s Heâ—r Blakemore Cler. 18 Sept. 1560. Sim. Dun on 〈◊〉 ex concess Georgii Digby ar Will. â—lâ—kemere Cler. 28 Apr. 1582. Roâ— Dominus Digby Baro de Gâ—ashill in Hibernia Will. Orton Cler. 20 Ian. 1625. Roâ— Dominus Digby Baro de Gâ—ashill in Hibernia Guill Bull. Cler. 28 Iunii 1628. Of the Chantrie founded here the occasion was this The before specified Iohn de Peto having been so great a Benefactor to the Canons of Kenilworth by giving to them the Church of Locksley and a large portion of that Village as that by way of remuneration they charged themselves and their successors with the payment of xii marks and v s. of silver yearly viz. viii marks for the maintenance of a Chantrie Priest for ever and four marks and five shillings for other pious uses in 25 E. 3. built a Chapell adjoyning to â—his Church dedicated to our Ladie and procured Roger de Northburgh then Bishop of this Dioces to ordain a Chantrie therein who accordingly 〈◊〉 appoint and estâ—blish that it should be 〈…〉 in Chantrie of Iohn de Peto â—unior and that 〈…〉 serving therein should be 〈…〉 by the Prior of Coventre for 〈…〉 at the nomination of the said 〈◊〉 and the Lady Beatrice his wife having an habitation adjoyning to the Church-yard then aâ—â—o newly â—uilt by the said Iohn de Peto as also that the same Priest should especially pray for the good estate of him the said Iohnâ— and likewise of Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick the Ladie Catherine his Countess Sir Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntendon Beatrice wife to the said Iohn his Father and moreover of Roger de Northburgh then Bishop of Cov. and Lich. during this life and for their souls after their departures hence and for the souls of all the Earls of Warwick as also the souls of the Fathers and Mothers of the said Iohn and Beatrice their kindred and friends all the Priors of Coventre and Kenilworth the Benefactors to the said Chantrie and all the faithfull deceased That likewise in this Chapell the Anniversarie of the said Iohn should be kept in a solemn manner by the Parson of this Parish for the time being or at least by his Curate and the Chantrie-Priest and that for the space of xv dayes following the said Chantrie-Priest should say the Office for the dead viz. Placebo and Dirige for the soul of the said Iohn and all the faitfull deceased And moreover that upon the Feast day of the Annunciation of our Lady one of the Canons of Kenilworth might every year be sent hither and 〈…〉 the Mass of that day and having so done and made silence read unto the people then present the Ordination of this Chantrie and 〈◊〉 after make distribution of â— s. sterling to the poor for the soul of the same Iohn and all the rest before mentioned viz. to every poor body a peny unless the number of the poor then hapning to be there should be so great that it would not hold out and if so then two or three to have a peny amongst them Which Ordination bears date at Heâ—wode 5 Dec. 1351. 25 E. 3. And because the House for habitation of the Chantrie-Priest before specified had no Garden belonging to it there was a peice of ground containing 7 Perches square adjoyning thereunto on the North part given by Geffrey Scroâ—e then Parson of Solihull Will. Scrope Parson of Medburne and Will. Alkington Clerke for the soul of Sir Iohn Hothum Kt. Which piece of ground was granted to them by the said Sir Iohn Hothum to the intent that the Chantrie-Priest dwelling there should have a Quarter of Oats yearly growing thereon as also Pot-herbes to be spent in his House Colshill SOon after the said torrent is passed Sheldon it enters Cole which river hasting towards Blythe gives name to Colshill situate upon an ascent on the South side thereof This was one of those towns which we call Antient Demesn inasmuch as K. Edward the Confessor and K. Will. the Conqueror possest it as appears by the generall Survey then taken where it is rated for three hides at which time there was a Church and likewise a Mill valued at xl d. as also ten Burgesses in Tamworth belonging thereto with VVoods of three miles in length and two in breadth but unto whom the Conqueror or his son first disposed of it I never could find yet that one of them so did I incline to beleive in regard that in the Charter of confirmation made by K. H. 2. unto Osbert de Clinton ratifying the grant which Geffrey de Clinton his Kinsman had made thereof to him the said Osbert there is express mention that Geffrey de Clinton Father to the said Geffrey did purchase it Of which two Geffreys I have spoke in my storie of Kenilworth and shall therefore say no more of either than that it was Geffrey the second who so granted it unto the before mentioned Osbert and his heirs for his homage and the service of one Knight's Fee in whose line it contined for divers Descents scil till that in Edw. 3. time by an heir female it was transferred to the Familie of Mountfort Of this Osbert I find that in 8 H. 2. he is called Osbertus de Colâ—hill so also in 10 and 11 H. 2. upon levying of the Scutage in those years and that he wedded Margaret the daughter to Will. de Hatton son of Hugh that sounded the Priorie of Wroxhall by whom he had issue Osbert his son and heir which Margaret in 2 Ioh. came to an accord with her said son touching her dowrie releasing her right to the third part of the VVoods in generall belonging to this Lordship in leiu of an assignation by him then made unto her of certain VVoods by particular names amongst which in describing them by boundaries there is this expression Et ultra â—quam which is on the North side of the River Cole hoscum à quercu qui vocatur Quercus Castelli usque ad Luttleshaie From whence I observe that in antient time there had been a Castle thereabouts though where it stood I cannot well guess except in 〈◊〉 feild on the North side of the town called Grimeshill-feild for there on the right hand the 〈…〉 towards Lichfeild have of late times been digged up certain foundations of building accidentally discovered amongst which a piece of Roman copper-coin was found on the one side whereof is the head of Trajan the Emperor with a Laurell about it and this circumscription I M P.
the Justs of Peace which belong'd to War To Ioane and Elizabeth his daughters a thousand marks a piece to their marriage And constituting Thomas Arundell Archb. of Canterbury Thomas Earl of Arundell Ioane his wife c. his Executors departed this life in 12 H. 4. leaving issue by the same Ioane who was one of the daughters and coheirs to Ric. Earl of Arundell Richard Beauchamp his son and heir Of this deceased Lord I have the rather taken occasion to speak in regard that he made his residence at some times in this Countie as I presume his Lady also did in her widdowhood for I find that she was at severall times in Commission for treating with the people about Loanes to the King within this Shire surviving him many years her death hapning not till 14 H. 6. Of whose Testament forasmuch as by it that greatness and state wherein the English Nobilitie in those days lived may in some sort be seen as also the pomp of their Funeralls I have here transcribed the greatest part In the name of the blessed Trynyte Fader sonn and Holy Ghoast the xth day of Ianyver in the yeer of our Lord MCCCCxxxiiii I Johanne Beuchamp Lady of Bergavenny as a meke daughter of holi Chirche full in the Christen fayth and belive hool in minde and body blessed be God considering that the freel condicion of this wrechid and unstable lief ys ful of perels and the yend and conclusion thereof is not elles but Deth fro the which no persone of none astate schall escape and therfore purposyng with the love of God to dyspose such goods as of his grace he hath lent me in such use as aryght be most to hys plesauns and profit to my soule and all theirs that I am bounden to I have ordeyned and make my Testament and last Will in this forme First I bequethe my soule to the mercy of my blessed Saviour and maker Ihesu Chryst through the besechyng of his blessed Moder Mary and alle holy companye in Hevene and my symple and wreched body to be buried in the Queer of the Frere-Prechours of Hereford in a new Tumbe by my worthi Lord and somtime husband Sir Will. Beuchamp on whoo 's soule God have merci But I wâ—l that my Bodi be kept unburied in the place where hit hapneth me to die unto the time my maigne be clethed in black my Hers my Chare and other covenable purviance made and then to be carried unto the place of my buryeng before rehersed with alle the worship that ought to be done unto a woman of myne astate which God knoweth wele procedeth not of no pompe or vayn glorie that I am set in for my Bodi but for a memorial and a remembrance of my soule to my kyn friends servants and alle other And I wol that every Parish Chirch that my seid Bodi resteth ynne a night after hit passeth fro the place of my dying be offred two Clothes of Gold and if hit rest ynne any College or Conventuall Chirche three Clothes of gold Also I devyse that in every Cathedrall Chirche or Conventuall where my Bodi restes a nyght toward the place where my Bodi shall be buried that the Dean Abbot or Prior have vi s. viii d. and everi Chanon Monk Vicar Preste or Clerke that ys at the Dirige at the Mass in the morning shall have xii d. Also I ordeyn that anon aftur my burying there be done for my soule five thousand Masses in alle the hast that they may goodly And I bequethe unto the House of the seid Freres at Hereford in generall CCC marks for to fynd two Prostes perpetuall for to syng for my Lord my Husbond my Lord my Fader my Lady my Moder and me and Sir Hugh Burnell Kt. and alle my good doers and alle Crysten soules the one Prest to syng the fyrst Mass in the mornyng in the same House and the other the last Mass that ys done in the day yn the same House so that it be sene that there be sure ordinauns made therefore to be kept perpetually as Law wolle And I bequethe ech Frere of the same House in speciall the day of my burying to pray for my soule iii s. iiii d. And I wool that the forseyd Freres have a hool sute of black that ys to sey a Chesepyl two Tunycles three Coopes with my best pair of Candelsticks of sylver wrethen and my best sute of vestments of Clothe of gold with Pecocks with Autere-clothes and Aubes and alle that longeth thereto for a memoriall perpetualle to use hem euerie yere at the Anniversarie of my Lord my Husbond and of me And for the costes of myne enterement upon my deth and burying I ordain and devyse a thousand Marks And I devyse C. marks to be dalt peny mele or more after the discretion of myne Executors among poer men and women that come to myne eâ—teremenâ— the day of my burying And I ordain and devise to have five Prestes for to syng for me xx wynters for my Lord my Fader my Lady my Moder my Lord my Husband my son Richard Earl of Worcestre Sir Hugh Burnell Kt. and alle my good doers and alle Crysten soules and that of the most honest persones and good conversacions that mow be founden of which â—ive Prestes I ordeyn and devyse two to syng in the parish of Rocheforde and other three in Kirkeby-Belers in the Counte of Lecestre duryng the terme aforeseyd Moreover I devyse CC. marks to be departed among my poer Tenants in England in such place as moost nede ys aftur the discrecion of myne Executors Also I devise C l. to be dysposed in clothyng Bedding Hors Oxen and other bestial and necessaries within halve a yere aftur my deth to be yeven dalt among Bed-red men and other poer people dwellyng in the Lordships that I have And also I devyse that Bartholmew Brokesby and Wauter Kebyll be everi yere at Hereford the day of my Anniversarie seing that my Obite with the remnant of my obsequies be done in due wise to the most profit of my soule spendying about the execution thereof at every time x l. after here discrecion Moreover I devise to the marriage of poer Maydens dwellyng withyn my Lordships C l. And to the makyng and emendyng of febull Brugges and foul weyes C l. And to the fynding and deliverans of poer Prisoners that have ben well condicioned xl l. Also I bequethe to Sir James son and eyre of the Erle of Ormond Five hundred pounds to be dispent by myne Executors about the defence of the lands that I give and assigne him by the Will of my Landes in caas they be chalenged or ympugned wrongfully within his age or elles to have the same money or elles so much thereof as ys unspend at hys ful age to the same intent and a payr of Baysins of silver gylt and covered with my Armes And I devyse and bequethe to
marks found sufficient sureties for his future good behaviour viz. Sir Iohn Murdak Knight Simon de Whitacre and Alan de Wodelowe And the next year following being a Justice of Assize in this County bore for his Armes Sable three Lozenges Aâ—gent After which viz. in 1 Edw. 3. he was a Knight and in 11 Edw. 3. one of the three for this County that had speciall summons to attend the King in his great Councell held at Westminster the Friday next after michaelmass-Michaelmass-day The next year following he had the like summons to be aâ— Westminster on the morrow after the Clause of Easter the Kâ—ng being then resolved upon an expedition beyond Sea in which year also he was constituted a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace in this Countie and to see that all persons were sufficiently armed according to the Statute of Winchester In 17 E. 3. he was in Commission to arrest such Proctors as were then imployed here in England as also other Purveyors from the Court of Rome which by vertue of the Pope's Bulls did put in practise divers things derogating from the King 's Royall power In 18 E. 3. again joyned in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Countie In 19 E. 3. he had summons amongst sundry other persons of note to be well accoutred with Hoâ—se and Armes on the Feast of S t Laurence to attend the King in his French expedition and by Ioane the daughter of Hugh de Culi of Radclive in Leicestershire had issue Richard his son and heir who bore for his Armes Argent upon a bend sable cotized Gules three Lozenges of the first Which Richard in 27 and 28 E. 3. was imployed as a Commissioner for levying and collecting a xvth and xth in this Countie So likewise in 47 and 48 Edw. 3. but farther of him I have not observed any thing memorable other than that he left issue one onely daughter called Ioane wedded to Alan Waldeif of Alspath by whom she had two daughters and heirs viz. Elene married to Richard Walsh of Onelip in Leicestershire and Margaret to Thomas Hore of Elmedon Which Richard Walsh and Thomas Hore were certified to hold this Mannour joyntly in 10 H. 6. but afterwards Hore had it wholy as it seemes and left Alan his son and heir and he Katherine an onely daughter married to Iohn Boteler of Solihull Gentleman Which Iohn and Katherine had issue Iohn Boteler who sold his moytie to Thomas Marow then of Wrydfen Esquire In whose hands it continued but a while for by his Deed bearing date 3. Martii 2 3 Ph. M. in consideration of CCC li. he past away the same unto Richard Kyfe alias Coke and Iohn Miller both of this town Yeomen and to the heirs and assigns of the said Richard Which Richard by his last Will and Testament bearing date about November 5 6 Ph. M. bequeathed all his lands to Katherine Corbet his wifes daughter and the heirs of her body whereby the inheritance thereof came to the posterity of the same Iohn Miller unto whom she was wedded But the other moytie descended from the before specified Richard Walshe and Elene his wife to Thomas Walshe their son and heir and so to Anne the wife of Sir Thomas Pultney Knight cosin and heir to the said Thomas Walshe Which Sir Thomas Pultney had issue Francis and he Gabraell who in Queen Elizabeth's time aliened it to the heirs of the said Iohn Miller most if not all the Fermes as of Marow's moytie before specified and part of the demesns having been sold out before to the particular Tenants The Church here dedicated to S. Leonard was originally but a Chapell belonging to Colshill as may seem by what I have in Colshill already manifested yet did the patronage thereof pass by the name of a Church in 3 Ioh. as appears by the grant then made unto the Nuns of Mergate in Bedfordshire from Iordan de Whitacre the appropriation whereof I have not seen conceiving that it was very antient but the Cure hath been served by a Stipendiarie there being no Vicar endowed Whitacre inferior THis being part of that which in my discourse of Whitacre superior is contained under the name of Witecore without any distinction came totally to the Marmions Lords of Tamworth-Castle as the other did and in King Stephen or beginning of Hen. 2. reign was granted by Robert Marmion to William Fitz Raphe to hold by the service of one Knight's Fee Which William being a very devout man gave to the Nuns of Polesworth all his lands lying in Aldulvestre now called Austrey in this Shire To whom succeeded Raphe also sirnamed Fitz Raphe one of the pledges for Robert Marmion in 2 H. 3. that he should faithfully keep the Castle of Tamworth to the King's use who in 6 H. 3. was one of the Justices of Assize in this Countie and in 20 H. 3. certified to hold this Mannour of the said Robert Marmion by the service of one Knight's Fee whereat both he and his successors for some descents resided as I guess there being the site of a fair Mannour place which had antiently a Park belonging thereto The next of which line was Nich. Fitz-Raphe whom I take to be son and heir to Raphe before specified who being a Knight about the 29. of H. 3. and in 34 H. 3. one of the Justices for Gaol-delivery at Warwick bore for his Armes two Barrs as by his Seal appeareth and had issue Giles whose daughter and heir Isabell took to husband Robert a younger son to Philip Marmion Lord of Tamworth-Castle Which Robert being by that means possest of this Mannour gave to the Nuns of Polesworth a yard land lying therein for the health of his soul and the soul of the said Isabell and by his Deed bearing date at Draiton-Basset the Wednsday next before the Feast of S. Leo the Pope 14 E. 2. in consideration of an annuity of XL li. to be payd during his naturall life past away all his title and right in this Mannour as also in Halughton Pericroft and Glascote unto Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton to hold during that terme unto which Deed his Seal of Arms is affixt viz. three Swords in pale pointing downwards with a Cheif varrè This Robert had issue a daughter called Amice first married to Eustace de Hardreshull as it seems for the said Eustace and she in 14 Edw. 2. covenanted to passe away all their interest and right herein as also in those other before specified unto the said Lord Basset which was done accordingly by a Fine levied xv Mart. the same year But she was afterwards married to Iohn de Whitacre and in 3 Edw. 3. having buried him released to the said Lord Basset all her right only
thereof jointly with his said wife in 2 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir xxxvi years of age who after the decease of his mother in 14 E. 3. doing his homage to the King had full possession thereof Which last mentioned Baldwin died in 17 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir 26. years of age who the next year following did his Homage to the King and had thereupon Liverie of all the lands of his inheritance lying in this Shire as also in the Counties of Hereford Salop. Staff Wigorn. Wiltf Norf. and Suff. In 26 E. 3. he was a Knight and bore for his Armes Or a Crosse fleurè gules and for his Crest upon a Chapeu the Leggs of a man booted spurred and reverst as appeareth by his Seale but not long after this he altered it and bore a Plume of Fethers in stede of the other Of this Sir Baldwin I further find that he was in great esteem with Edward Prince of Wales commonly called the Black-Prince being for his approved fidelitie and service in 38 E. 3. made by him his Steward of Xantoigne in France for life and in 46 E. 3. retained with the same martiall Prince by Indenture to serve Rob. Marmion temp Regis Will. Conq. Robertus Marmion temp H. 1. Milisear Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Rob. Marmion senior ob 25 H. 3. Maria ux 2. Iohanna primò nupta Thomae Ludlow mil. secundò Henrico Hillarie Philippus Marmion ob 20 E. 1. Iohanna filia cohaer Hug. de Kilpeck 27 H. 3. Iohanna ob 23 E. 1. sine prole Mazera ux Rad. Cromwell Iohanna consangu una haeredum Philippi Marmion 20 E. 1. Alex. Frevile 20 E. 1. Baldw. Frevile obiit 17 E. 3. Elizabetha 3 E. 3. Eliz. soror cohaerâ— Ioh. de Monteforti mil. ux 1. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 49 E. 3. Iohanna filia â—â—â— Domini Strange 46 â— 3. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 11 R. 2. Iocosa filia Joh. Botetourt mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile miles obiit 2 H. 4. Iohanna filia Thomae Greene mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob s. prole 7 H. 5. Elizabetha 7 H. 5. Thom. Ferrers filius secundogeniâ—us Will. D. Ferrers de Groby Thomas Ferrers miles obiit 22. Aug. 14 H. 7. Anna filia Leonardi Hastings de Kirby soror Will. Domini Hastings Ioh. Ferrers miles obiit vivente patre Matilda filia Ioh. Stanley de Elford mil. Ioh. Ferrers miles consanguâ— haeres Thomae Ferrers militis 14 H. 7. Dorothea filia Will. Harper de Rushall in Com. Staff ar Margareta filia Thomae Picot servientis ad legem ux 1. Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Ioh. Ferrers arm Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Barbara nupta 31 H. 8. Dorothea ux Edw. Holt ar Humfridus Ferrers miles obiit 5 Iac. Anna filia Humfr. Bradburne de Lee in Com. Derb. nupta 5 Eliz. Walt. Thomas Edw. Ioh Ferrers miles obiit .... 1633. Dorothea filia Ioh. Puckering militis Custodis magni Sigilli Angliae Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit ..... Sept. 1633. Anna filia Ioh. Pakington de Ayles borough in Com. Wigorn. equ aur secundo nupta Philippo Comiti de Chesterfield Ioh. Ferrers natus .... anno 1629. Francisca ux Ioh. Pakington eq aur Anna ux Sim. Archer eq aur Iana ux Thom. Rous Bar. Elizabethaâ— Catherina Brigita Susanna Edw. Henr. Thomas Georgius Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Franciscus Cokain primus maritus Leonardus Ferrers 12 H. 7. Rad. Ferrers Decanus Eccl. Coll. de Tamworth 12 H. 7. Margareta primò nupta Hug. Willoughby mil. secundò Ric. Bingham mil. Eliz. filia Joh. de Botetourt de Weoley mil. nupta 27 E. 3. ux 1. Iecosa ux Rogeri Aston Ida filia .... Clinton 35 E. 3. Matilda ux Rad. le Boteler 20 E. 1. Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Philippa 5 H. 3. Rob. Marmion jun. 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. Will. Marmion 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. him in the warrs of France with six men at Arms viz. three Knights and three Esquires taking xx li. per annum Fee for the Knights and x. marks for the Eâ—quires As also that he had three wives viz. Elizabeth sister and coheir to Sir Iohn Montfoâ—t Kt. of which Family I have spoke in Beldesert Secondly Ida daughter to ..... Clinton a Ladie of Honour to Queen Philippa and thirdly Ioane daughter to the Lord Strange and that he departed this life in 49 E. 3. leaving by the said Elizabeth Baldwin his son and heir xxiv years of age Which Baldwin being a Knight in 1 Ric. 2. exhibited his claim to be the King's Champion on the day of his Coronation and to do the service appertaining to that Office by reason of the tenure of this Castle viz. to ride compleatly armed upon a barb'd Horse into Westminster Hall and there to challenge the Combate with whomsoever that should dare to oppose the King's title to the Crown which service the Marmions antiently Lords thereof had heretofore performed But Sir Iohn Dimock being then his Competitor carryed it from him by Judgment of the Constable and Marshall of England in regard he was possest of the Lordship of Scrivelby in Lincolnshire which by better authorities than Frevile could produce appeared to have been held for divers ages by that service and that the Marmions had the said office as owners thereof and not in right of this Castle it being descended to Dimock with Scrivelby from an heir female of Sir Thomas Ludlow Knight husband of Ioane the yongest daughter to Sir Philip Marmion before spoken of Which Sir Baldwin in 3 R. 2. was also one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Shire and in 9 R. 2. upon partition made betwixt him and Sir Thomas Boteler Knight of Mountfort's lands whereunto they were heirs had the Mannour of Ashstede in Com. Surr. with Gunthorpe and Loudham in Com. Nott. assigned to him as also the reversion of the Mannours of Henley Beudesert and Haselholt in this Countie after the decease of William de Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in whose hands they then were And had two wives both daughters unto Sir Iohn Botetourt of Weoley-Castle in Com. Wigorn. whereof Elizabeth the first was married to him in 27 E. 3. but I suppose she was then very young and died before they lived together in regard it is plain that he afterwards married Ioyce her sister who overlived him and took to her second husband Sir Adam Peshale Knight which Joyce at length became one of the coheirs to Ioyce her Neece daughter and heir to Iohn son