was slaim Which Grant of Hetlege in Suffolk was confirmed by the same Lady Elflede his Wife After him Harold Son to Earl Godwyne was Earl of this County but upon the death of Earl Godwyne his Father the Earldom of the West Saxons being given to him he quitted this of Essex unto Algar Son to Leofric Earl of Chester of which Algar I purpose to speak under the title of the Earls of Mercia Earls of East Angles or Norfolk THe first Earl of this Province of whom I have seen any mention is Aethelstan who was then Half-Koning id est Semi-Rex and this was in the time of Aethelstan King of England Which Earl Aethelstan taking to Wife a certain Woman named Alfwen afterwards Nurse to King Edgar had by her four Sons viz. Ethelwold Alfwold Ethelsine and Ailwine This Earl Aethelstan in his later days devoting himself to a Religious life was shorn a Monk in the Abbey of Glastonbury in Somersetshire The name of his Wife was Alwen but whose Daughter is not exprest Foundress of the Nunnery of Chateriz in Cambridgshire Which Alwen gave Weston to the Monks of Ramsey but was buried at Chateriz To Aethelstan succeeded in this Earldom his eldest Son Ethelwold by some called Ethelwolfe in the time of King Edgar of whom there is this memorable Relation viz That King Edgar after the death of that fair Lady Elflede his Queen having heard how great same Alfrida Daughter to Ordgar Earl of Devon had for her beauty privately sent this Earl Ethelwolfe as his cheif Confident to see if she was such a one as general report had represented her to be Who accordingly took his journey to her Fathers House in those parts and finding her in all respects really to be no less than had been exprest of her he bethought himself how to delude the King and obtain her for his Wife and thereupon made his Addresses to Earl Ordgar her Father to that purpose Who being an aged and an infirm Man and discerning this Ethelwolfe to be a comely person and skilful in the exercise of Arms concluded That he might be a fit match for this his sole Daughter and Heir as being able to defend her Rights and thereupon gave his assent thereto upon condition That the King would assent Having thus far proceeded Ethelwolfe returns and tells the King That indeed she was a Lady of a beautiful Countenance but much deformed of Body whereupon the King being content to let her alone Ethelwolfe intreated his good will that he might have her himself by which means a fair accession of Lands and Riches might come to his own Estate and soon obtained his desire Whereupon within a short space after he took her to Wife and begetting upon her a Son prevailed with the King to be one of his Godfathers Having thus accomplished his desires first in the enjoyment of a Son and next in this Alliance to the King by that Spiritual Kinred he then revealed to his Wife the whole story how he had deluded the King who had so great a desire to have married heâ— which much abated her after affections to him though she made no words thereof But at length it so hapned that the truth of this Earl Ethelwolfs actings in this business being fully made known at Court the King hasted speedily into Devonshire under colour of Hunting in those parts and returned not till he had seen this fair Lady with whose beauty he became so enamored that he caused a place of entertainment to be prepared for her and her Husband near the Wood wherein he was to hunt unto which he was no sooner returned from his sports but he saw her with his little God-son whom Ethelwolfe soon presented to him the King thereupon embracing her in his Arms and kissing her After which being enflamed with the love of her he had little rest his thoughts tending to nothing so much as the full enjoyment of her For the accomplishing therefore of that his desire he calls a Parliament within eight days following at Salisbury in which all his Nobles of the Land being met he proposed to their consideration the safe custody of Northumberland against the irruptions of the Danes Whereupon this Earl Ethelwolfe was resolved on for the custody of York and the parts adjacent But so the design was laid that he should never return back as it seems for passing through the Forest of Werwelle in Hantshire he was set upon by certain armed Men sent thither by the King to lie in wait for him and there barbarously murthered The news whereof was no sooner brought to the Court than that the King sent for that beautiful Lady and with great joy made her his wife the same day both of them wearing Crowns on their Heads But on the morrow morning Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury afterwards better known by the name of Saint Dunstan came into the Kings Lodging Chamber and boldly asked him who that was that he had there in Bed with him and it being answered The Queen the good Archbishop plainly replied That it was against the Laws of God and Holy Church thus adulterously to lie with her whose Son he had been Godfather to in regard of their Spiritual Kinred After which time she never loved S. Dunstan yet he ceased not to admonish the King of that fault though to little purpose All that I have farther to say of this fair Alfrida is First That she bore unto King Edgar two Sons Edmund who died in his childhood and Ethelred commonly called the Vnready who at his Baptism pist in the Font whereupon this holy Man S. Dunstan prophecied That in him the Dominion of the English should have its period wherein he was not much wide as our Historians do tell And secondly That to expiate the murther of Earl Ethelwold her Husband she Founded a Monastery of Nuns at Werewelle beforementioned To this Earl Ethelwold so murthered as hath been said succeeded Ethelwine by some called Egelwine or Ailwine his youngest Brother in this Earldome which Ailwine was the pious Founder of that great Abbey of Ramsey in Huntingdonshire at the special instance of Oswald Archbishop of York whereunto he then gave Two hundred Hides of Land This is that pious Earl Ethelwine who when Elfare Earl of Mercia and divers other great Men upon the death of the good King Edgar being blinded with gifts would have turned out those Abbots and Monks out of the Monasteries which had been therein placed by that King stoutly stood up with his Brother Alfwold and Earl Brithnoth then Earl of ... and opposed the same in an open Synod affirming That they would never endure that the Monks should be expelled the Kingdom who were the Supporters of all Religion therein whereupon he was termed Dei Amicus This was also that famous Ailwine who had the title of Totius Angliae Aldermannus id
in Hantshire Nine in Middlesex Eight in Cambridgshire Eleven in Hertfordshire One in Glocestershire One in Worcestershire Two in Warwickshire Eleven in Staffordshire Thirty in Sussex Seventy seven besides the City of Chichester and Castle of Arundel and in Shropshire very near all that County besides the City of Shrewsbury As to his enterprises in Wales it is to be noted That after the Normans became thus Victorious as hath been observed they thought the whole Realm of England too little recompence for so great and hazardous an adventure and therefore observing that Robert Fitz-Hamon and those Knights who assisted him hath sped so well by their attempts in Glamorganshire desired King William to grant them what they could by power and force obtain from the Welsh Unto which request considering that by thus enlarging his Dominion his Soveraignty and Wealth would consequently be the greater he readily assented Whereupon he entred Powysland and won the Castle and Town of Baldwine which he fortified and called after his own name Montgomery So likewise Cardigan and did homage for them to the King There is this also farther memorable of him viz. That he built a strong Castle at Shrewsbury upon that neck of Land situate betwixt the stream of Severn on each side which River so admirably environeth all the rest of that Beautiful Town as that it is now well defended on every part And next that he was a person of extraordinary devotion to God for he not only Founded and most amply endowed that great Abbey of S. Peter and Paul in the Eastern Suburbs of Shrewsbury but also three other Religious Houses in Normandy One in the Suburb of the City of Sais the second at â—roarn upon the River Dive and the third at Almanacha for Nuns He was also a great Benefactor to that Abbey of S. Stephens at Caen in Normandy Founded by the most famous King William the Conqueror giving thereunto certain Lands in those parts So likewise to the Abbey of Vtica in Normandy as appears by his Grant of the Lordships of Melâ—eburne in Cambridgshire 〈◊〉 now called Dnne and Mercston in Staffordshire with one Hide of Land at Graphan Likewise of certain Lands at Chichester with the Tithes of Cheese and Wool of Pulton and Tithes of Senegay in Cambrdgshire Moreover to the Monks of S. Peter at Cluni in Burgundy by his Grant of Chelton And lastly by his Structure of the Church at Quadford near Bruggenorth in Shropshire the occasion whereof was as followeth Upon the first passage of Adeliza his second Wife out of Normandy into England there hapning so great a storm at Sea as nothing but Shipwrack was expected by the Mariners a certain Priest who was her Chaplain being much wearied with long watching fell very fast asleep in which sleep there appeared to him a comely Matron who said thus If your Lady would be preserved from the danger of this dreadful Tempest let her vow to God that she will build a Church to the honor of S. Mary Magdalen in the place where she shall first meet the Earl her Husband in England and specially where an hollow Oak groweth near an Hogstie All which when he awaked he told to his Lady who soon made her vow accordingly whereupon the Tempest ceased and she with her attendants came safe to shore At length after divers days journey towards her Husband she met him near Quatford in an Out-wood on Hunting at a certain place where such an Oak then grew and relating to him what had hapned moved him that he would fulfil her vow who forthwith assenting caused that Church in honor of S. Mary Magdalen to be built which he endowed with ample possessions and gave to his Collegiate Chappel in the Castle of â—rugge Norâ—â— He first took to Wife Mabel Daughter and Heir to William Talvace Son of William Son of Ivo de Belesme a person of great power and note in the time of Richard Duke of Normandy with whom he had a large inheritance in Belesme and elswhere Which Lady bearing much hatred to the Founders of the Abbey of Utica caused that House to be grievously burthened with quartering of Soldiers For which and other oppressions by her exercised towards divers of the Nobility she was afterwards murthered in her Bed and buried in the Abbey of Troarn before mentioned By this Mabel he had Issue five Sons and four Daughters viz. Robert de Belesme Hugh de Montgomery Roger of Poictou of which three I shall speak more largely Philip who applied himself to Literature and was a Priest as also Arnulph who having nothing of his Fathers Inheritance betook himself to Feats of Arms. And following his Fathers example in his Adventures in Wales won that part of Soâ—th Wales called Dyvet now Pembrâ—kâ—shire for which respect having the title of that Earldom he first began to build a Castle there which he afterwards fortified on the behalf of his Brother Robert in the time of that Rebellion against King Henry the First He also gave to the Abbey of S. Martin at Sais in Normandy so Founded by his Father as hath been said for the health of his Soul the Soul of Earl Roger his Father and of Earl Hugh his Brother who was slain that year the Church of S. Nicholas situate within his Castle of Pembroke with Twenty Carucates of Land besides Of his Daughters Emme the Eldest was Abbess at Almanisca Maud was Wife of Robert Earl of Moreton Half-Brother to the Conqueror Mabel of Hugh de Novâ— Casteko and Sibil of Robert Fitz-Hamon Lord of Corboil in Normandy His second Wife was Addeliza Daughter of Ebrard de Pusaic by whom he had Issue only one Son Ebrard who being a Clergiman was one of the Chaplains to Henry the First King of England And now as this great Earl having a venerable esteem of the Monastick Profession was Founder and Benefactor to so many Religious Houses as hath been said so at his departure out of this World he farther manifested his affections thereunto For by his last Will and Testament he bequeathed to the Monks of S. Ebrulf at Uitca Thirty shillings to be paid every year out of his Lands at â—lencion at the beginning of Lent for the maintaining of a Lamp to burn in the Church of that Abbey day and night before the Crucifix And having by the hands of Reginald then Prior of Shrewsbury obtained from the House of Cluâ—â— in Burgundy the Coat of S. Hugh sometime Abbot there for himself to put on caused himself to be shorne a Monk in the said Abbey of Shrewsbury with the consent of his Wife where it is observed of him That three days before his death he wholly applied himself to divine Conference and devout Prayers with the rest of that
two fair Lordships viz. Righale and Beoâ—mesthorpe Which Lordship of Righale after her death he obtained by Agreement with the Monks to hold during his life and then to return to the Abbey Of his Lands I find no other mention in the Conquerors Survey then these viz. Wilebi Lochushum Aclum and Englebi with the several Hamlets then belonging to each of them Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland being at that time not Surveyed by reason they had been so wasted by Wars ¶ Upon the death of Siward Tosti Fourth Son to Godwyne Earl of Kent was made Earl of Northumberland by King Edward the Confessor An. 1056. being the Thirteenth year of his Reign by reason that Waltheof Son of Earl Siward being then but a Child was not able to govern This Tosti was a Person of a very stout spirit as will appear by what I shall farther say of him Upon the death of Kinsi Archbishop of York Aldred Bishop of Worcester being elected in his stead was accompanied to â—ome by this Earl Tosti upon his going to receive the Pall at the hands of Pope Nicholas the Second But if so hapned that when they came thither such exceptions were taken against him for some expressions that he was not only refused with dishonor but in his return robbed of all that he had At which Tosti being not a little moved boldly told his Holiness that his Excommunications which were laught at by Petty-Theeves and Robbers who were near him were not much to be feared in those Countreys that lay far off and therefore required That what the Archbishop had thus been robbed of should be restored again otherwise the loss thereof would be imputed to his fraudulency Adding That when the King of England should hear thereof he would make a stop of the Tribute which was to be paid unto S. Peter alleaging moreover That it would be accounted an impious thing that Aldred should return back into his Countrey thus robbed and dishonored Upon which Speech the Pope was prevailed with to give Aldred the Pall. About three years after this he accompanied his Brother Harold in that Military Expedition into Wales wherein Prince Griffin was subdued and slain But the next ensuing year upon that unhappy scuffle which fell out betwixt him and his Brother in the presence of the King at Windsore whereof I have spoke in the life of Harold he grew so implacably enraged that he forthwith hasted to Hereford where his Brother made a great entertainment for his Officers and there finding them met together most barbarously cut off their Heads and Limbs and put them into those Vessels of Wine Methe and other Liquors which were provided for that Feast And having so done sent to tell the King that he should find the Meat well powdered at the Feast whereunto he was going For which execrable act the King commanded that he should be foâ—hwith banished and so he was being also expellâ—d Northumberland by the general voice of the whole County who were not a little enraged against him for the same For further aggravation whereof what I shall here add did not a little contribute It hapned that this very year the Fifth Nones of October some Military Officers of Northumberland with Two hundred Soldiers came to York and by reason of that horrid murther of divers Gentlemen of their County Servants to Cospatric whom Queen Edgythe for the sake of this her Brother Tosti caused to be killed in the Kings Court by treachery upon the fourth night in Christmass and for the sake of others whom the preceding year this Earl Tosti had allured into her Chamber and murthered as also for the great Tribute which he the said Tosti had extorted from the whole County of Northumberland These Officers with the Two hundred Soldiers abovementioned fell upon the Servants and Retainers of Earl Tosti at York and there slew no less then Two hundred of them broke open his Treasury and took all that was to be found there Whereupon the whole County taking an Alarm went to Harold then Earl of the West Saxons into Northumberland and to those Honorable Persons whom the King had sent to keep Peace in that Country But though there and afterwards at Oxford on Simon and Iudes day all endeavors that could be were used for pacification with this Earl Tosti they unanimously opposed it expelling him the Countrey for these his transcendent Villanies who thereupon with his Wife fled to Baldwyn Earl of 〈◊〉 and Wintering at S. Omers continued in those parts until King Edwards death But not long after he got to the Isle of Wâ—ght and there exacted very much from the Inhabitants then came to Sanowich and did the like at that Port And hearing that his Brother Harold then King had prepared Forces both by Sea and Land to go against him he sailed to the Coast of Lindsey in Lincolnshire and there burning divers Towns made great slaughter of the people Whereupon Edwyne Earl of Mercia and Morkar his Brother marched thither with an Army which caused him to quit those Parts and go into Scotland where he continued with King Maleolme that whole Summer And afterwards when he heard that Harold Harfager King of Norway was come to the Mouth of Tine with more then Three hundred Sail of Ships he hasted towards him with his Navy and entred Humber with him and there sailing upwards into Duse Landed their Forces at Richale Whereof King Harold having intelligence he forthwith marched towards the North but before he got into Yorkshire Edwyne and Morkar before mentioned with a considerable Army gave them Battle at a place called Fulford on the North side of the River Duse near York upon the Even of S. Matthias the Apostle where many of the Norwegians at the beginning of the fight lost their lives but being not able to withstand the power of so great an Army as the King of Norway and this Earl Tosti then had they were forced to flee with no little loss Howbeit within five days after King Harold himself came with a powerful Army to York and meeting with the Enemy at Stanford Bridge after a sharpe and bloody conflict obtained the victory In which fight the King of Norway and this Earl Tosti lost their lives Having thus traced this haughty and turbulent spirited Earl through sundry turmoils and mischeivous practises to his death all that I shall more say of him is That he is said to be the first Founder of the Monastery of Tinmouth and that having S. Cuthbert in great veneration he was very munificent to the Church of Durham as also That he took to Wife Iudith the Daughter of Baldwyn Earl of Flanders but had no issue whereof I have seen mention Of such Lands as this
Danes was by King Alfred as the cheif City of the Mercians granted with Ethelfleda his Daughter Wife to this Earl Ethelred in the year 886. This Ethelred rebuilt the City of Chester in the year 906 and died in the year 912. After whose death Ethelfleda his Widow governed this Province of Mercia excepting the Cities of London and Oxford which King Edward the Elder her Brother retained in his own hands for many years with much Prudence She was a Lady of singular endowments exceeding the antient Amazons for having brought forth her first-born with much difficulty she devoted her mind to a chaste life and exercises her self in the structure of Towns and Castles as also in conducting of Armies as if she had changed her Sex The places which she built are said to be these viz. Brunesburgh Scorâ—ale Bruge now Bruggenorth in Shropshire Tamworth Stafford Warwic Cerceburgh now Monkskirby in the County of Warwick Wardebirh and Runcoven now Runcorne in Cheshire and Edesbirh now called The Chamber in the Forest in that County She likewise besieged Derby and took it by assault and also Leicester This excellent Woman with her Husband Founded a Monastery in the City of Gloucester and translated the Relicks of S. Oâ—wald from the Abbey of Bardney in Lincolnshire thither which Monastery so Founded by them was afterwards destroyed by the Danes And departing this life upon the 19 Kalends of Iuly in the year of Christ 915. was buried at Gloucester in the Church of S. Peter There was no other issue of this Earl Ethelred but one only Daughter called Elwina which he had by this famous Lady Ethelfleda his Wife from whom after the death of her Mother King Edward took all the Government of this Province sending her into West Saxony ¶ Unto Ethelred and that famous Lady Ethelfleda last mentioned succeeded Elfere a near Ally to King Edgar This Elfere outed those Monks which King Edgar had placed in divers Monasteries and introduced Secular Priests who had Wives in their stead In the year 979. he came to Werham where the Body of S. Edward the Martyr lay buried and causing it to be washed and adorned with new Vestments carried it to Shaftsbury and most honorably Intomb'd it in that Abbey And in the year 983. departed this life ¶ To him succeeded in the Government of this Earldom Alfric his Son who in the year 986. was banished the Land by King Ethelred but ere long again restored For in the year 991. by the counsel of him and Athelward another Earl it was That a firm Peace was made with the Danes and an yearly Tribute yielded to them as a Composition that thenceforth they should forbear their usual Inroads and Rapines Howbeit bearing in mind his former banishment he suffered himself to be taken in a fight at Sea by the Danes through his own treachery and from that time was never faithful in his heart to the King For in the year 1003. upon another invasion of the Danes coming up to Exeter after he had raised the power of Hantshire and Wiltshire to encounter them in Battle feignning himself to be sick he betrayed his own Army whereby the Danes made no little spoil in those parts But after this he had the reward of his treachery being slain in Battle at Essesdune in Essex fighting on the part of King Edmund Ironside against King Canute through the treachery of that perâ—idious Eadric Streona of whom I shall speak anon who betrayed the English Army at that time to the Danes as this Alfric had done before near Exeter Nor did he leave any Issue but one Son called Algar whose eyes were put out for his Fathers treachery ¶ To this treacherous Alfric succeeded Edric sirnamed Streone Uncle to Godwyne and of mean Parentage a person of the greatest power of any next to the King and of most intimacy with King Ethâ—lred as also with Swane King of Denmark and with Canute his Son being advanced to this Earldom in the life time of the said Alfric by King Ethelred in the year 1007. the Twenty nineth of King Ethelreds Reign He was a Man so transcendently wicked that one of our ancientest Historians and of greatest credit gives him this ensuing Character viz. Faex hominum c. That he was the very dregs of Men the dishonor of the English a wicked destroyer a subtle Knave whose Noblenâ—ss had not obtained him wealth but his bold language He always lay in wait to deceive and was ready prepared to cheat He attended the Kâ—â—gs Councils as a faithful Person but disclosed them like a Traytor Being often sent to the Kings Enemies as a Mediator for Peace he kindled the Flame of War whose perfidiousness appeared upon all occasions in this and the succeeding Kings days Thus far his Character now to his practises In the year 1009. he with false reports disswaded the King from giving Battle to the Danes In An. 1015. he deceitfully alluring Siferd and Mâ—rchere two eminent Noblemen into his Chamber caused them to be secretly murthered The next year following he most perfidiously went over to Canute King of Denmark with Forty Ships and joyned with him And passing the River of Thames with him at Crekelade in Gloucestershire entred the Province of Mercia with an Army and destroyed divers Towns in Warwickshire Whereupon King Edmund raised all the power he could and met them at a place called Scearstan but this perfidious Eadric with others of his party who ought to have assisted the King joyning with the Enemy brought over the Hantshire and Wiltshire Men to that side Notwithstanding all which the Kings Army fought so stoutly that they stood their ground and the ensuing day had utterly routed the Danes had it not been for a subtile stratagem of this wicked man who seeing the peril wherein they were caused the head of a man called Osmear which in the face and colour of his hair was somewhat like to the King and lifted it up on high crying to the English You fight in vain adding You Dorset 〈◊〉 and Wiltshire-men your Head is gone therefore hasten away quickly behold the Head of your King which I haâ—e in my bands therefore betake your selves to flight as soon as you can Which cunning and deceitful practise so wrought upon many that they immediately fled But the contrary being soon discerned the rest fought on so â—â—outly that they had the better of the day So that 〈◊〉 with his broken Army retreated in the night towards London Which good success gave such a great reputation to the King that he increased his Army exceedingly and marched back into West Saâ—ony insomuch as 〈◊〉 growing apprehensive of his danger betook himself to his usual art of dissimulation and treachery again and made means to the King that he might be received into his protection
reveal this left the credit thereof should suffer through the emulation of Vnbelievers whereunto he obeyed But to the end that the truth of this Miracle might not be concealed from posâ—â—rity wrote the particulars thereof in a Schedule and delivered it to a Monk of Worcester with command That it should be put into a Shrine and not opened until after the death of himself and the King This good Earl Leofric took to Wife Godiva a most beautiful and devout Lady Sister to one Thorold Sheriff of Lincolnshire in those days and Founder of Spaâ—ding Abbey as also of the stock and lineage of Thorold Sheriff of that County in the time of Kenulph King of Mercia which Countess Godeva bearing an extraordinary affection to the City of Coventry often and carnestly besought her Husband that for the love of God and the Blessed Virgin he would free it from that griâ—vous servitude whereunto it was subject But he râ—buking her for importuning him in a matter so inconsistent with his profit forbad her to move any more therein Nevertheless she out of her Womanish pertinacy continued to sollicite him insomuch that he told her if she would ride on Horsback naked from the one end of the Town to the other in the sight of all the people her request should be granted whereunto she returned But will you give me leave so to do And he replying Yes The noble Lady upon an appointed day got on Horsback naked with her Hair loose so that it covered all her body but the Legs And thus performing the journey returned with joy to her Husband who thereupon granted to the Inhabitants of that City a Charter of Freedom from Servitude Evil Customs and Exactions A servitute Malis Custumis 〈◊〉 saith Iorvallensis Which Immunity I rather conceive to have been a kind of Manumission from some such servile Tenure whereby they then held what they had under this great Earl than meerly a Freedom from all manner of Tâ—ll except Horses as H. Knighton affirms and as the vulgar Tradition is in memory whereof the Picture of him and his Lady were set up in a South Window of Trinity Church in that City about King Kichard the Seconds time in his right hand holding a Charter with these words written thereon I Luriche for the love of thee Do make Coventrey Toll free This excellent Lady Godâ—va was cheifly instrumental in the Foundation of that Monastery at â—oventrey so performed by Earl Leâ—fric her Husband as hath been observed for Ingulphus saith that it was Instigante 〈…〉 At the instance of his Wife And her self so 〈◊〉 thereto that she gave her own whole Treasure and sent for skilful Goldsmiths who with all the Gold and Silver she had made Crosses Images of Saints and other curious 〈◊〉 which she devoutly disposed thereto Nor did her zeal to Gods Service terminate here For besides this she Founded the Monastery of Sâ—ow near Lincoln dedicating it to the Blessed Virgin and endowed it with the Lordships of Newark Flatburgh and Martinewelle giving possession of them by a fair Jewel and rich Bracelets curiously wrought as her Charter imports whereunto were witnesses King Edward the Confessor himself Aldred Archbishop of York Wlfwi Bishop of Dorchester Earl Leofrick her Husband with divers more great Earls and others The death of this Noble Leofric was at his Mannor of Bromseage in Com ... upon the second Kalends of September in the year 1057. 13 Edw. Conf. and his Sepulture in that Monastery at Coventrey of his own Foundation unto which he bequeathed his Body to be buried giving therewith a great quantity of Gold and Silver Of his Lands I find no other mentioned in the Conquerors Survey than these only viz. Aâ—tone Nunetune and Witechesâ—aw in Com. Saloâ— Nor of the Noble Lady Godeva his Wife then these Newerch Normantone Estoches and certain Lands in Fladburg in Nottinghamshire Brotune in Worcestershire Brantestone Penne and Molesley in Staffordshire Nortone Bildestone and Appleby in Leicestershire Aâ—lespede Aderstone Ardâ—eshille Hansley Chinesbery Anesty Fochewell and Coventrey in Warwickshire To him succeeded in this Earldom his eldest Son Algar of whom I may not omit what is memorable whilst his Father Earl Leofric was alive In An. 1053. 10 Edw. Conf. Harold Son to Earl Godwyne coming to enjoy the Earldom of the West Saxons upon his Fathers death quitted his interest in the Earldom of the East Saxons to this Algar Moreover about two years after this Algar was upon deliberation had in a great Council held at London banished by King Edward for what particular cause is not said but for Treason in general Whereupon he wafted over into Ireland and soon after returning with Eighteen Ships as a Pirate incited Griffin Prince of Wales to take part with him Whereunto Griffin consenting they invaded Herefordshire with a Rebellious Army slew and routed all those Forces which Ralph Earl of Hereford had raised to oppose them and having so done marched to Hereford where by Fire and Sword they did no little mischeif Of which the King having notice he presently sent Hardd Earl of the West Saxons against them with a great power but by mediation of such as interposed all being quieted Algar was admitted to the Kings presence and had his Earldom seised on for this his Rebellion restored to him again After this about two years Earl Leofric his Father departing the World he succeeded in this Earldom howbeit the next ensuing year being banished again he lost it but by the help of Griffin Prince of Wales and the Norway Fleet which came to him unexpectedly he reobtained it and within a Twelve Moneth after departing this life was buried in the Monastery at Coventrey near to the Grave of his Father leaving Issue but by whom I have not seen two Sons Edwyne who succeeded him in this his Earldom as also Morkar Earl of Northumberland of whom I have spoke elswhere and two Daughters Algitha Wife of Harold Earl of the West Saxons and afterwards King of England and Lucia who was at length sole Heir to her two Brothers first Married to Ivo Talbois a potent Norman Earl of Anâ—ou secondly to Rogere de Romare Son of Gerold and thirdly to Ranulf Earl of Chester the first of that name Of the Lands which this Earl Algar did possess in King Edward the Confessors days these are Recorded in the Conquerors Survey viz. Clive Wiclei Boctone and Ferendone in Northamptonshire Brotone in Nottinghamshire Celdeford Phincingefeld Westrefeld Phenstade Badwen Donmanna and Glestingethorp in Essex Merlaw in Buckinghamshire Grantesdene in Huntingdonshire Alrewas Scandone Certeley Wlstanstone Pinchetel Rowcestre Crachemers Wotocheâ—hed Bertone Lee Rugely Medeveld Mera Chenet Eleford Chenevare Patingham Clistone Drayton Opewas Herulvestone Claverlege Nordlege Alvidelege Wrfeld Seglesley and Penne in Staffordshire Lidlintone Mordune Scelgy Melleburne Evresdone and Badburgham in
the payment of a thousand marks towards his support in the Wars and was one of the principal persons left behind for the defence thereof whence he marched into Anjou and Normandy In both which they took divers places of strength And having setled all things well in those parts returned into England about the Kalends of August the year next following where he was no sooner arrived but that he hasted to the King then in Wales and at that time very busie in building of Maud Castle of whom he was very honorably received Not long after this sâ—il in 16 Hen. 3. the King summoned all his Nobles as well of the Layty as Prelates to meet him at Westminster on the Nones of March where representing his great want of Money occasioned by the Wars he had in France he required a Subâ—idy from them But this Earl then told the King that all the Earls Barons and Knights who held in capite were in person with him in his late expedition and had spent so much in supporting themselves that they returned very poor so that they ought not to contribute to that Subsidy then demanded By means of which answer they had liberty to depart To the Monks of Coventrey he ratified the Recognition and Confirmation made by Earl Ranulph his Grand-father of the Chappel of S. Michael and all the rest viz. Ansty Shulton Wykin Bilney Whitley Pyuley Stoke Stichall Eccleshall Folkeshull Karesley Whaberley Sponne and Bisseley within his Fee in all which he solemnly invested them on the Feast day of S. Abdon and Sennes in Iuly 3 Rich. 1. by his Gold Ring which with his Charter he offered upon the Altar To which Chappel of S. Michael he likewise conferred the Tithes of all his Lands and Possessions in Coventrey and that under the penalty of a Curse upon his Officers Servants and Heirs if they should not make due payment of them accordingly And besides this he gave to those Monks in exchange for one Cart of the two Carts which Earl Ranulph his Grand-father by his Charter granted them to have going to and fro in his Woods twice a day except on Festivals for necessary House-boot Fire-boot and Hey-boot as I have already shewed Cclxxx Acres of Land being part of his Wood and Waste in Eccleshair and Kersley according to xxv Foot to the Perch which Wood and Waste he gave them liberty to inclose reduce into Tillage or otherwise to use for their best commodity And to the Nuns of Polesworth he gave Ten marks per annum out of his Revenues in Coventrey to be paid at Michaelmass and Easter by even portions until he should assign them the like Annuity out of any other particular Lands Which Grant he expresses to be made for the health of his Soul and the Souls of his Ancestors and Successors and of the Soul of Robert Marmion the elder a great Baron of that time This Earl executed the office of Sheriff by his Deputies for the Counties of Salop and Stafford in the Second third fourth fifth seventh and part of the eighth year of King Henry the Third So also for the County of Lancaster in the Third fourth fifth sixth seventh and nineth of Henry the Third And towards the later end of the Sixteenth year of that Kings Reign viz. 50 Cal. Nov. he died at Wallingford after he had governed the County Palatine of Chester above fifty years It is reported â—aith Henry Huntendon of this Earl that when he died a great company in the likeness of Men with a certain potent person hastily passed by an Hermites Cell near Wallingford and that the Hermite asking one of them what they were and whether they went so fast he answered We are Devils and are making speed to the death of Earl Ranulph to the end we may accuse him of his sins Likewise that the Hermites thereupon adjuring the Devil that he should return the same way within thirty days and relate what was become of this Earl He came accordingly and told him That he was for his iniquities condemned to the torments of Hell but that the great Dogs of Deulacres and with them many other did bark so incessantly and fill their habitations with such a noise that their Prince being troubled with it commanded he should be expelled his Dominion who is now saith he become a great enemy to us because their suffrages together with others hath released many Souls from Purgatory His Body was buried at Chester but his Heart at the Abbey of Deulacres so by him Founded as hath been observed Of whose death so soon as news brought to Hubert de Burgh the Messenger telling him that one of his cheifest Enemies was deceased He fetched a great sigh and said God have mercy on his Soul and being then fasting called for his Psalter as he stood before the Cross and ceased not till he had sung it all over for the health thereof But this Earl left no issue which some then thought to be a judgment of God upon him for putting away his first Wife But Clemencia his second Wife survived him and in the same year that he died had Livery of the Mannors of Benington and Limberg in Lincolnshire which were given to her in marriage as also of all the Lands Rents and Services which Bertrice sometime Countess of Chester had in the Lordships of Wadington Normaâ—dy Bentford Dunynton and Hauteburgh in the same County with the Mannor of Reppandon vulgo Repton in Com. Derb. which were assigned to her by the King for her Dowry The names of his four Sisters and their Husbands I have already mentioned but now insomuch as all his Possessions which were very great came to them or their Descendants as his Heirs I must say something more as to the dividing thereof amongst them Of Maud the eldest Wife to David Earl of Huntendon Brother to William King of Scots descended Iohn sirnamed Scot Successor to this Ranulph in the Earldom of Chesteâ— who had for his part Maud his Mother being them dead the whole County of Chester and the Advowson of the Priory of Coventrey But Mabel the Second who married to William de Albany Earl of Arundel was dead before the Earl her Brother and so was William Earl of Arundel her eldest Son Whereupon Hugh de Albany her second Son then Earl of Arundel and in Minority came to share in that great Inheritance unto whom Coventrey was in Partition assigned for his Capital Seat as some Records do testifie But others that the Mannor of Barow was allotted to him for his cheif Mansion and that he had for the present the Mannors of Campden in Glocestershire Olney in Buckinghamshire as also Coventrey until such time as a more perfect and equal Partition should be made amongst them and the next year following an addition of
to render that his Fort called 〈◊〉 with all the Treasure he had therein being thenceforth for want of Food and by reason of other sufferings put to great misery Touching this Battle another Historian varies much in his Relation from what the Monk of Durhaâ— hath above expressed for inter alia reporting the Speech which Robert Consul Earl of 〈◊〉 made before the Battle unto Ranulph Earl of Chester after he had highly magnified him for his desires to lead the Van he goes on thus Against whom is it that we fight Here is Alan Earl of Britanny in Arms against us nay against God himself a wicked person and full of all manner of iniquity No man for malice to be compared with him being always disposed to mischeif thinking it a dishonor that any one should equal him for cruelty But before he had made an end of his Speech the Battle began the Van of those who fought for the Empress assaulting that part of the Kings Army wherein this our Earl together with the Earl of Mellent Hugh Bigot Earl Simon and the Earl of Warren were which was done with such courage that they were suddenly routed some slain some taken and the rest put to flight The Author of those Memorials intituled Gesta Regis Stephani representeth this Earl for a most deceitful person adding that whilst he was contriving his revenge against the Earl of Chester his adversaries prevailing he was taken and cast into prison where he continued until he submitted himself and delivered up his Castles unto him And that in the mean while he lost the Earldom of Cornwal which he had of the Kings gift This Earl Alan wrote himself Earl of Britanny â—ornwal and Richmund and gave unto the Monastery of S. Michael at the Mount in â—ornwal Ten shillings yearly Rent issuing out of the Fair at 〈◊〉 for the health of his Soul his Wife and Childrens Souls and for the Redemption of the Soul of Brientius â—ilius Comitis his Uncle from whom he did Hereditarily possess his Lands in Cornwal To the Monks of Iorevaulx he gave Common of Pasture throughout all his Forest of Wandesleydale and as much Mowing Ground in his Meadows there as they should need as also Timber in any part thereof for their Buildings and necessary uses He bestowed also on the Monks of Fountains all his Woods belonging to Marsc on that side the River Iore wherein Burton is situate for the Building of their Cell at Aldeburne and on the other side of the same River he gave unto them Rumore and Bramley When he died I have not certainly discovered but he was buried in the Abbey of Begar in Com. ... of the Cistercian Order whereunto he gave at his death certain Lands in the Soke of Gaytune for erecting a Grange thereon The name of his Wife was Bertra by whom he had issue Conan who succeeded him in his Honors and three other Sons viz. Robert Bryan and Reginald This Conan had the title of Duke of Britanny and Earl of Richmund and in 1 Hen. 2. went into Britanny where he was received by the most for their Duke ¶ In 10 H. 2. he was one of the Witnesses to that Recognition made by the King touching the Peoples Liberties And according to the example of his Ancestors bore an especial love to the Abbey of Iorvauix for discerning the place where it stood viz. At Fo rs not to be convenient he gave the Monks of that House leave to translate it unto a piece of Waste Ground in East Witton and bestowed on them a large Pasture in Wandesâ—esdaiâ— which Land lieth beyond 〈◊〉 and extendeth it self unto the Bounds betwixt 〈◊〉 and Massamshire As also all that several Pasture on the North of the River 〈◊〉 reserving only liberty for his Deer giving them leave to take Estovers and all other necessaries on the South of Iore and likewise Pasturage throughout his new Forest near Richmund for all their Cattle with power to keep Mastiff Dogs for chasing out Wolves out of those their Territories Moreover he Founded the Priory of Nuns at Roweny in Hartfordshire To the Cell of S. Martins near Richmund he gave the Tithes of his Mills at Richmund To the Monks of Kirstede he gave the Church of Kaiton with two Carucates and an hah of Land lying in the Fields of Kaiton as also a parcel of Ground called Kaiton-Rahage To the Abbey of Denney in Cambridgeshire he confirmed all that Robert his Chamberlain gave thereto And ratified the Grant of the Land called Wath which his Ancestors had bestowed on the Monks of S. Michael at the Mount in Cornwal He married Margaret Daughter to Henry Earl of Huntendon Sister to William King of Scots by whom he had only issue Constance a Daughter first married unto Geffrey Fourth Son to Henry the Second King of England which Geffrey was in her right Duke of Britanny Secondly to Ranulph Earl of Chester whom she forsook and thirdly to Guy de Tuarz Brother to the Vicount of Tuarz This Margaret surviving him became afterwards the Wife of Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford It is reported That upon the death of Geffrey Earl of Anjou Father to Henry the Second King of England the City of Nantz in Britanny electing Geffrey second Son to the said Geffrey to be their Ruler sent for him and delivered unto him the Possession thereof as also of the adjacent Province but he dying soon after the Earl of Richmund id est this Conan having the rule of a great part of that Province of Britanny entered the City of Nantz Whereof the King id est Henry the Second being informed he forthwith commanded That the Earldom should be seised into his own hands and after wards discerning that this Conan who had the Dominion of the greatest part of Britanny died leaving only one Daughter and Heir by Margaret his Wife Sister unto William King of Scots he gave her in marriage she being then in Minority unto Geffrey his younger Son and took all her Inheritance into his own power And having so done then observing that the vulgar people of that Countrey being much opprest by some of their Superiors had addressed themselves to him for protection he presently subdued those great ones and thereupon reduced the whole Countrey of Britanny to his own Dominion This Conan dying in Britanny An. 1171. 17 Hen. 2. was buried at Begar whereupon the Honor of Richmund was retained in the Kings hands for a time For in 21 Hen. 2. Ranulph de Glanvil accounted for the ancient Ferme thereof which was 535 l. 14 s. 10 d. So also in 29 Hen. 2. ¶ Unto which Conan in right of Constanâ—e his sole Daughter and Heir Geffrey
Bishop of Durham in the County Court and in his Synods readily assisted that venerable person with his Secular Authority Moreover as to his Works of Piety certain it is that he gave to the Monks of Durham the Church of our Lady at Tinmouth with the Body of S. Oswyne King and Martyr there Interred Howbeit not forgetting the barbarous murther of Earl Aldred his Grand-father which was committed by that treacherous and cruel Carl Son of Thuribrand as I have already shewed he sharply vindicated the same upon his Children causing them to be slain at Setâ—rington when they were all feasting together at that place But at length being trained into that plot of Raphe de Waher Earl of Norfolâ— Roger Earl of Hereford and others who designed the expulsion of King William he was cast into prison And though Lanfrank then Archbishop of Canterbury his Confessor did affirm that he was not at all guilty of that charge for having revealed the same to him by his advice he hasted to the King then in Normandy and discovered it yet his impious Wife saith mine Author affecting a second Marriage conspired with some of the Normans who greedily gaped after his Earldoms of 〈◊〉 and Huntingdon and specially with 〈◊〉 Talbois Earl of Anjou who thirsted after his other possessions and plotted his death so that he was soon after beheaded at Winchester being brought to the place of Execution in his Consular-Robes Whereupon his Body was first there interred upon the meeting of two High-ways but afterwards translated to 〈◊〉 and buried in the Chapter-house of that Monastery by Wulkitel the then Abbot whereunto he had formerly given the Lordship of Beâ—nak in Noâ—thampâ—onshire wherein there is a famous Quarry of Stone of great use to that Religious House It is reported by one of the Monks of that place that not long after his Sepulture there the Countess Iudith his Widow becoming very penitent for her former miscarriage towards him brought a Pall of Silk and laid it on his Tomb which being too short by a Divine Power stretched it self forth to a fit length And that when Abbot Ingulph translated his Corps out of the Chapter-house into the Quire he found it perfect in all parts and not corrupted with any putrefaction Moreover that being laid near the High Altar many infirm people who came of devotion thither were miraculously cured by his merits Likewise that the same Abbot devoutly meditating in his Bed of what had so wonderfully hapned falling at length a sleep he saw in a Vision S. Bartholomew the Apostle and S. Guthlac the Confessor cloathed in white Priestlike Rayments and assisting him at the Tomb. Also that when the Apostle saw his Head firmly closed to the Body and only a red circle like a thred about his neck he said Is not this an Headless Man and that S. Guthlack standing at the Feet answered He was an Earl whereunto the Apostle replied But now he is a King He also addeth That when the Abbot had declared his Vision to the Monks he earnestly incited them to a due reverence of his Relicks and to render like praise to God who is marvellous in his Saints Likewise that One hundred twenty nine years after his Martyrdom Abbot Henry caused a Tomb of Marble with his Effigies thereon to be erected near the Steps ascending towards the High Altar on the left hand and thither removed his Relicks with great solemnity and devotion upon the xvi th Kal. of April An. Mccxix On which Tomb this Epitaph composed by the Relator viz. Don William a Monk of that Covent was written Hic Waldeve Comes tumularis incineraris Parte tamen meliore tui super 〈◊〉 loâ—aris Et merito nam cum juvenis in carne fuisti Mortuus huic mundo caelestia regna petisti Cum fieres gemini Comitatus clarus honore Clarior extiteras mentis morumque â—tore Firma fides stabilis spes puri fervor amoris Te colâ—ustrarunt interni luce decoris Tu qui praeciâ—rus praeclara stirpe fuisti Praeclaris meritis praeclarius enituisti Tu qui Marte potens famosa Trophaea tulisti Temet 〈◊〉 faelicius ac domuisti Tu qui dives opum per opes inopes relevasti In caelo tibi thesauros hac arte parasti Sed te plus quam Job mulier Sathan mediante Tentavit propria tibi conjuge fata parante Haec accusavit Rex credidit tibi mortem Intulit assignas cum dampnatis tibi sortem En monus haeredes mulieris fe superari Saeve fraude sinens to jussit decapitari Rubra cruore tuo quondam Wintonia luxit Exuviis post freta tuis Croilanda reluxit Quam faelix locus hic thesaurus cui datur iste Per quem languentes curat tua gratia Christe Clare Comes praeclare Deo Gualdeve beate Willelmi sint quaeso tui laudes tibi gratae After the death of this Earl King William offered Iudith his Widow in Marriage unto Simon de S. Liz a Nobleman Norman but she refusing him in regard he was lame on one of his Legs the King in much wrath disposed of the Earldom of Huntingdon to that Simon Whereupon being extreamly terrified she fled away with her three Daughters and lurked in several places and became so sensible of her guilt in promoting her Husbands death that in great penitency she continued all the days of her life a Widow Of these three Daughters Maud became the Wife of Simon de S. Liz beforementioned unto whom the King so gave the Earldom of Huntingdon Alice otherwise called Iudith was married to Raphe de Toeni sive de Conchis Lord of Flamsted in Hartfordshire unto whom she brought the Lordship of Welcomstow of her Fathers Inheritance and ... to Robert the fifth Son of Richard de Tonebrugge Of the Lands which this great Earl did possess in King Edward the Confessors days the Conquerors Survey takes no notice of any more than Brantone Hardingsâ—one â—eoweâ—â—e and Bosicte in Northamptonshire Dodinctune in Huntingdonshire Toteham in Middlsex Hohton and Hadre in Leicestershire and Wichingedene and Exentione in Lincolnshire But those which the Countess Iudith had at the time of that General Survey were very great viz. Wileâ—meston in Essex Poteham in Middlesex Meretone and Petintone in Oxfordshire besides Thirteen Lordships in Hartfordshire Nine in Glocestershire Nine in Huntingdonshire Twenty seven in Bedfordshire Fourscore and â—ix in Northamptonshire and Rutâ—and Seventeen in Lincolnshire and Thirty eight in Leicestershire This Iudith Founded the Priory of Helenstow in Berkshire and likewise procured from King William a Charter of divers Immunities and Priviledges for the Monks of Saltry in Huntiâ—gdonshire of the Cistercian Order which Religious House she much frequented in her time ¶ Unto Earl Waltheof succeeded next in the Government of this Province Walcher Bishop of
That this second Simon succeeded his Father in the Earldom of Northampton is not to be doubted but that the Earldom of Huntendon was taken from him for the greatest part of his time is plain enough For David Son of Malcolme the Third King of Scotland and Brother to Alexander to whom he after succeeded in that Kingdom having married Maud his Mother eldest Daughter unto Earl Waltheof as hath been already observed by the special favor of King Henry the First possessed himself thereof Of this David it was told King Stephen upon his first assuming the Crown of England that whereas he did make a shew of coming to him in a peaceable manner and as a guest he had entred Carlisâ—e and Newcastâ—e and possessed himself of those strong Towns Whereupon the King advancing towards him with an Army David met him a little South of Durham and peaceably accorded the business rendring Newcastle and holding Carlisâ—e by the Kings permission but did no homage to him in regard he had before sworn allegiance to Maud the Empress Which David by the before specified Maud Daughter of Earl Waltheof had issue Henry who doing homage to King Stephen at York obtained Livery not only of this Honor of Hunâ—endon but a Grant of the Borough of Doneaster and Carlisle as an augmentation thereto and restitution of all those Lands Forts and Castles which he formerly had Nay he was then in such high estimation with King Stephen that upon his solemn keeping of the Feast of Easter he set him on his right hand which gave such distaste unto divers of the Nobles at that time there that William then Archbishop of Canterbury Ranulph Earl of Chester and some others forsook the Court. This Henry married Ada Sister to William Earl Warren by whom he had issue three Sons viz. Malcolme and William afterwards Kings of Scotland and David Earl of Huntendon and Carect He had likewise issue three Daughters Ada the Wife to Floris Earl of Holland Margaret of Conan le Petit Earl of Britanny and Maud who died young He died in the year One thousand one hundred fifty and two which hapned in the life time of his Father and was buried in the Abbey of Calc ¶ After whose death Simon Son to the before specified Earl Simon and Maud who had the Earldom of Northampton as hath been shewred entred upon this Earldom of Huntendon This Earl took part with King Stephen against Maud the Empress and her son Henry the Second Duke of Normandy and therefore shared with him in that bad fate which he had in the Battle of Lincolne in the Sixth year of His Reign The Character which Robert Earl of Glocester his Enemy gives of him is this in effect viz. That he was a Man forward in promises and slow in performance Howbeit his Works of Piety were such as speak better of him for he Founded the Nunnery called De la Pree near unto Northampton as also the Abbey of Saltrey in Huntingdonshire and gave to the Knights-Templers the Church of Suthwike But in that Treaty betwixt Henry Duke of Normandy and King Stephen at the Siege of Wallingford in 18 Steph. no man stood more opposite to a peaceable accord than he though his death was then at hand for he then and there departed this life and was buried in the Priory of S. Andrews at Northampton He had a Brother called also Simon de S. Liz who bestowed to that Abbey of De la Pree of this Brothers Foundation a certain Meadow in Cumton called Huthere Lidehaleh for maintenance of the Lights in that Abbey Church To whom succeeded another Simon who in 16 Ioh. gave a Palfrey to the King to have a Writ of Right for one Knights Fee in Cumton against David Earl of Huntendon And in 7 Hen. 3. paid Thirty marks and one Palfrey for the Wardship and Marriage of the Heirs of Richard Balastan The Descendants of which Simon fixing at Seton in Com. Rutl. assumed that place for their sirname whose Heir-female Temp. Hen. 6. became the Wife of Sir William Feilding of Newnham in Com. Warr. Knight From whom the Right Honorable Basil now Earl of Denbigh is Lineally descended But I return This last Earl Simon married Isabel Daughter to Robert Earl of Leicester afterwards Wife of Gervase Paganel Which Isabel in her Widowhood passed over unto Robert Earl of Leicester her Nephew all her Lands of Bradefeld Botmdone Norfeld and Waltham and put her self into his Protection and Tuition And by her left issue a Son called Simon and two Daughters viz. Amice and Hawise both in the custody of King Henry the Second Which Simon did immediately succeed him in the Earldom of Northampton but not in that of Huntendon so soon for Malcolme King of Scots Grandson to Maud the eldest Daughter to Earl Waltheof by her second Husband David King of Scotland obtained it from King Henry the Second in the first year of His Reign in lieu of the Counties of Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland which he then rendred up to the same King Though others affirm That it was for accompanying that King in his expedition to Tholouse in An. 1159. which was about four years after Which Malcolme being dead William King of Scotland his Brother and Successor held it until he with divers of the English Barons rose in Arms against that King on the part of young King Henry his Son at which time David brother to the King of Scotland who had the Castle and Honor of Huntendon then in his hand joyning with them also in that Rebellious Insurrection besieged the Castle The news whereof being soon brought to King Henry then in Normandy made him so much incensed that he forwith appointed an Army to be raised in England to reduce those Rebels and that the Castle and Earldom of Huntendon should be delivered unto Earl Simon as the rightful Heir thereof Which tidings were so acceptable to Simon that without delay he came before it with considerable Forces whereupon the King of Scots who then held it finding himself not able to make resistance rendred it up into his hands But when it was thus obtained these two Earls viz. Simon and David striving much about it the King moved with anger swore That neither of them should have it and so caused it to be demolished This Earl Simon in 12 Hen. 2. upon Collection of the Aid for Marrying of the Kings Daughter certified the Knights Fees he then held to be Lxviii and a half de Vet. Feoffamento and about the number of xii de Novo and notwithstanding King Henries rash Oath enjoyed the Earldom until his death which hapning in An. 1184. 30 Hen. 2. without issue
To whom succeeded in this Earldom William de Mandevil Earl of Essex in Right of Hawise his Wife Daughter and sole Heir as it should seem to the same Earl William le Grosse For it is said of this William de Mandevil that after his return from the Holy Land on which Voyage he went in An. 1176. Hawistam filiam Comitis de Albamarla cum totâ Patris Haereditate desponsavit He wedded Hawise the Daughter of Albemarle with the whole Inheritance of her Father And that he had the title of Earl of Albemarle is clear enough But of that Earl viz. William de Mandevil having occasion to speak more largely in Essex I shall now say no more than that he departed this life at Roan in Normandy in the Moneth of November An. 1189. 1 Rich 1. leaving no issue by this Hawise who afterwards taking William de Fortibus to her Husband he was also in her Right Earl of Albemarle and Lord of Holderneâ—s ¶ This William de Fortibus being with King Richard the First at Chinon in Anjou in the second year of His Reign was there constituted one of the Admirals of his whole Fleet wherewith shortly after Easter that year they sailed towards Ierusalem In which journey passing betwixt Affrica and Spain after many Tempests they came to Marseilles on the Octaves of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and on Holy Rood day to Messana in Sicily In the same year upon Collection of the Scutage for Wales he answered Six pound Ten shillings for the Barony of Skipton and Ten pound for the Knights Fees appertaining to his Earldom of Albemarâ—e In 6 Rich. 1. upon levying the Scutage for the Redemption of King Richard from his imprisonment in Almaine he was acquitted in regard he had been with him in his Army in Normandy and in that year departed this life leaving issue William de Fortibus his Son and Heir but in regard that Hawise his Wife was Heir to this Earldom and that surviving him she married again to Baldwine de Betun then Earl of the Isle of 〈◊〉 the said Baldwine enjoyed this Earldom in her Right by the savor of King Richard From whom also he had such great respects that he received by his Grant the Mannors of Luiton Waneting and Norton and was sent in the Nineth year of His Reign together with the then Bishops of Durham and Ely to be present at the election of the Roman Emperor viz. Otho Nephew to that King In 2 Ioh. this Earl Baldwine had a Grant from the King to himself and Hawise his Wife and their Heirs that they should enjoy the Town of Heddune in Holderness for a Free Borough in as full a manner as the Burgesses of York held theirs In 5 Ioh. he granted to William Mareschal Earl of Pembroke with Alice his Daughter in Frank-marriage the Lordships of Brabourn Surton and â—emesing in Kent Luiton in Bedfordshire Rollesham in Norfolk Waneting in Berkshire Severnstoke in Worcestershire and Norton in Northamptonshire to hold to them and their Heirs In the same year King Iohn bestowed on him all the Lands and Possessions of the Advocate of Betun within this Realm of England And moreover granted to him a Fair yearly to be held at his Lordship of Skipton in Yorkshire as also License to Afforest his Lands at Apeltrewyke for two miles in length c. And likewise all his Lands in Craven as the Bounderies thereof extend betwixt the same and the Lands of the Constable of Chester for the length of five miles In 13 Ioh. this Earl Baldwine upon Collection of the Scutage for Scotland answered Fourscore marks for Twenty Knights Fees belonging to his Countess Hawisia and Fifty two marks for Thirteen Knights Fees of the Inheritance of Alice de Rumelli her Mother Wife of Alexander Fitz-Gerold and died the next year following viz. An. 1212. 14 Ioh. leaving the same Hawisia alive who then gave no less than the Sum of Five thousand marks for to have the Possession of her Inheritance and Dowries and that she might not be compelled to marry again All that I have farther known of her is That in her pure Widowhood after the death of Baldwine de Betun her last Husband she bestowed on the Monks of Gerondon in Leicestershire for the health of the Soul of William de Mandevill Earl of Essex her first Husband her own and her Ancestors Souls four Carucates of Land in Estwell And that she made an ample Confirmation to the Monks of Meaux of all the Possessions given at the Foundation of that Abbey by William Earl of Albemarle her Father and of all other the Lands wherewith it was endowed ¶ Unto which Baldwine de Betun succeeded in this Earldom of Albemarle William de Fortibus the Second Son to the before specified Hawise by William de Fortibus her second Husband Unto whom King Iohn in the Sixteenth of His Reign confirmed all the Lands which accrued to him by Inheritance from his Mother This William in 17 Ioh. taking part with the Rebellious Barons against the King was one of the Five and twenty chosen by them for Governing the Realm And upon the invitation of those Rebellious Barons repaired to London with many other and joyned with them and not only so but obliged himself by Oath with those Five and twenty above expressed to observe the Tenor of the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest signed by the King at Runmmede as also to compel the King so to do in case he should receed therefrom But he soon after fell off from his Party and adhered to the King being with him in his expedition that very year when he made such spoil and rapine in the Northern Parts Yea he increased so much in his favor that he obtained a Grant of all the Lands which belonged to Aliâ—e his Sister then Wife to William Mareschall the younger and the next year ensuing was made Governor of the Castles of Rockingham in 〈◊〉 Sauvey near Ouston Abbey in Leicestershâ—re and Bitham in Lincolnshiâ—e with strict command to destroy all the Houses Parks and Possessions of those Barons who were in Arms against the King Upon the death of King Iohn he also stood firm to King Henry the Third having the custody of that Castle of 〈◊〉 committed to him in the first year of His Reign and was one of those great Men who on the Kings behalf laid siege to Mountâ—orell Castle in Leicesteâ—shire then held on the behalf of the Rebellious Barons by Henry de Braybroâ— so likewise at the raising of that siege of Lincoln Castle by the overthrow of their whole Army was one of the cheif Commanders on the Kings part But having by this course of
weighty Arguments Nor was he wanting to second that his Counsel by his Actions most valiantly adventuring himself in that Signal Battle whereby that Duke obtained the Crown of England being then the cheif in his Army for which high services he was first advanced to this Earldom of Hereford having also the Isle of Wight then given him and in the second year of His Reign constituted Governor of that strong Castle at â—inchester which was then newly built as also cheif Administrator of Justice throughout the whole North of England as Odo Earl of 〈◊〉 was throughout the South in which he behaved himself with no little prudence sometimes acting alone but in cases of necessity sitting both together and assisting each other always deporting himself with great Equity as the King had directed him to do punishing the bad cherishing the good and carefully superintending those who did administer Justice under him in each place In the third of that Kings Reign after the raising of a strong Fort at York by the King when he had relieved that City then besieged by Edgar Etheling and his adherents he was made Governor thereof By the advice of this Earl and some others it is said That King William caused all the Monasteries of England to be searched and what Money he found that the rich Men of the Land had therein deposited by reason of his austerity to be taken away Howbeit to make some amends for that and all other miscarriages which his Military course of life or any other worldly respects had exposed him unto he became the devout Founder of two fair Abbeys in Normandy the one at Lira the other at Corneâ—les And unto that of Lira gave divers Churches Lands and Tithes in England viz. The Church of Hanley in Worcestershire as also all the Tithes of that Lordship with Twenty shillings yearly Rent one Man and half a yard Land there Likewise all the Tithes of the Forest of Malverne excepting Venison the Tithes of Cuhull with one Man and half a yard Land there the Tithes of Bissley with one Man and one yard Land there the Tithes of Eldresfeld one Man and one yard Land there The Churches of Fechham Chedworth the Tithes of Alverthone and Eight shillings Rent out of the Church of Salpertone the Tithes of Frothelmetone with one hide and one yard Land in Danteburne But I now come to his death the occasion whereof was thus Upon the death of Baldwine Earl of Flanders Ernulph Earl of Henault being of right to succeed him as Nephew and Heir for he was his Grand-child by his eldest Son Philip King of France came to his aid therein and Maud Queen of England Aunt to the said Arnulph sent this our Earl William Fitz-Osborne to give him assistance But to oppose this Claim of Arnulph Robert the Frison his Uncle procured great Forces from Henry the Emperor wherewith marching suddenly against the other he fell upon them before they were aware and having thereby soon routed the French slew the said Arnulph his Nephew with this our stout Earl upon the Tenth Kalends of March in the year 1070. Upon whose death let us hear what the Monk of Utica an English Man by birth saith and seriously take into consideration the vanity of Earthly-greatness and withal observe That after this short life of Nature there is a long life of Fame who will blow her Trumpet aloud to posterity and plainly lay open to the World as well the bad as good Actions of the most potent Men that shall be in their highest pitch of worldly power Verè ut gloria mundi flos feni c. Certainly saith he the glory of this World fadeth and withereth as the flower of the Field yea it passeth away and vanisheth even as smoak What is become of William Fitz-Osberne Earl of Hereford Vicegerent to the King Sewer of Normandy that mosi Warlike General Was he not in truth the cheif and greatest oppressor of the English and he who cherished an enormous cause by his boldness whereby many thousands were brought to miserable ends â— See! The just Iudge beholding all things rewards every man according to his own demerits Alas Is he not now slain Hath not this hardy Champion had his desert As he slew many with the Sword so he suddenly received his death by the Sword Nor is it unworthy of Note what the Monk of Worcester hath of him The Town of Headsofrey saith he scituate at the East of Wic doth of right belong to this Monastery but after the Norman Conquest of this Realm Earl William of Hereford took it away and gave it to one Gilbert his servant and so we lost that Lordship And this Earl William who unjustly took from God and S. Mary many other Lands by the just judgment of God not long after died a banished man from his Country an ignominious death for not being afraid to disherit the Houses of God God in just vindication thereof left him no heir to his Honor his Son and Heir being for Treason within a short time imprisoned where he miserably ended his life and all his Posterity by a publick Law deprived of their Inheritance Dying thus his Corps was conveyed to Cormeilles one of the Abbeys of his own Foundation and there Interred There is no doubt but that he had very large Possessions by the Conquerors gift for it appears that he built the Castle of Estbrighoyel in Glocestershire and the Castles of Clifford Wigmore and Ewias in Herefordshire but in regard he died long before the General Survey there is no Memorial at all left of them This Earl first took to Wife Adeline Daughter to Roger de Toney a great Baron of whom I shall make mention in due place and had issue by her Three Sons and three Daughters of which Sons William the eldest had after his Fathers death Bretol and all other his Lands in Normandy and by the assistance of Philip King of France and Robert Curthose Duke of Normandy did after a time recover the Castle of Ivery extorted from him by Gohell de Berhehivale which Castle he had of the gift of the said Robert And having married Adeline Daughter to Hugh de Montfort and been a great Benefactor to the Monks of Utica departed this life the second Ides of Ianuary An. 1099. 12 Wil. Rusi Whereupon he had Sepulture in the Cloyster at Lira before mentioned but left no legitimate issue His second Son was Raphe shorn a Monk at Cormeiles in his youth The third was Roger de Britolio who had this Earldom of Hereford and all his Lands in England after his Fathers death By the Instigation of this Roger King William caused all the Monasteries of England in the Eighth of His Reign to be searched for their treasure But this Earl stood not long for being a faithless and
himself Iohn Earl of Warren Surrey and â—â—â—thern Lord of Bromfield and Yale bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Church of S. Pancrace at â—â—wes and given to Ioan de Basing his Daughter a Silver Cup to his Daughter Katherine Ten marks as also to Isabel another of his Daughters then a Nun at 〈◊〉 Twenty marks and to Isabel de Houland his Wife a Ring with a Ruby He departed this life without any lawful issue upon the morrow preceding the Kalends of Iuly An. 1347. 21 Edw. 3. being the One and sixtieth year of his age and lieth buried alone under a raised Tomb near the High Altar in the Abbey of â—ewes leaving Alice his Sister Wife to Edmund Earl of Arundel his next Heir in Blood The Lands whereof the Inquisitions taken after his death do report him to die seised were as followeth viz. The Mannor of â—iburne in Com. Middl. The Mannors of Grantham Stanford and Paunâ—on-Magna in Com. Linc. The Castle and Town of Lewes with the Lordships of Cokefield Clentone Brighelmeston Rottingden Hounderden Northess Rademeld â—â—mer Middleton Alington Woâ—th Pycombe Pydinghow and Seford The Castle and Town of Rigate with the Mannors of Dorking and Bechesworth in Surrey The Mannors of Troubrigge Winterbourne and Ambresbury in Wiltshire for term of life by the Kings Grant The Castle of Acre and Mannor of Bestone in Norfolk The Mannor of Gymingham and Advowson of the Abbey of Marham The Mannor of Middlewould the Hundreds of Malhow and Brother-cross in Com. Nors The Mannor of Medmenham in Com. Buck. The Mannors of Caneford and Sâ—apwâ—ke in Com. Dors. for term of life with Remainder to Thomas Earl of Lancaster and his Heirs The Mannors of Coningsburgh â—aitfield and Wakefield in Com. Ebor. The Mannors of Henstrig and Cherleton in Com. Sommers The Mannor of Bokeland in Right of Ioan his Wife The Mannor of Wanton in Surrey also for term of life of the Inheritance of Iohn de Breause That there grew some dislike betwixt this Earl and Ioan his Wife is sure enough for it appears that they were divorced upon pretence of a former Contract made by him with Maud de Nereford a person of a great Family in Norfolk and that he allowed unto the same Ioan Seven hundred and forty marks per annum As also that he had two Sons by Maâ—d dâ— Nereford viz. Iohn and Thomas who were sirnamed Warren For whose sake he obtained of King Edward the Second a Grant of part of those great Possessions which he had given to him before viz. The Castle and Town of Rigate with divers other Lordships in Surrey the Castle and Town of Lewes with many Lordships in Sussex the Castles of Dinas-Bran and Leons as also the Lands of Bromfield Yaâ—e and Wrighlesham in Wales to himself for life with Remainder to Iohn de Warren Son of Maud de Nereford and to the Heirs-Male of his Body and for want of such to Thomas de Warren another Son of the same Maud and the Heirs-Male of his Body and for lack of such issue to the right heirs of him the said Earl with Remainder to the King and his Heirs And moreover by Indenture bearing date at 〈◊〉 20 May 20 Edw. 3. setled upon the same Maud de Nereford for term of her life the Castles Towns and Mannors of Coâ—ngsburgh and Sandale with thâ— Mannors of Wakefield Haitfield Souresby Brethewel Fishlake Dewsbury and Halifaâ— and after her decease upon the said Iohn and Thomas and the Heirs-Males of their Bodies in like sort as abovesaid with Remainder to his right heirs Unto which Indenture his Seal was affixed whereupon on the one side is expressed his Effigies in a Gown and sitting in a Chair holding a Hawk in his left hand with this Circumscription viz. Sigillum Iohannis Comitis Warenniae Stratherniae Comitis Palacii And on the other side on Horsback with his Sword in his right hand and in his left his Shield of Arms with this Circumscription Sigillum Iohannis Comitis Warrenniae Surreyae Domini de Bromfield Yale When Iohn his Son by the before specified Maud de Nereford bore for his Arms Chequy Or and Azure a Canton Gules with a Lion rampant Ermine thereon the proper Coat of Nereford from whom the Warrens of Poynton in Cheshire do derive their descent Of Ioan de Baars before mentioned all that I have farther seen is That in 26 Edw. 3. she being still beyond Sea had License there to continue till the Fifteenth of S. Michael that year And that she departing this World in An. 1361. 35 Edw. 3. was not buried in England Warren of Wirmgay HAving now done with that line of the Earls of Warren and Surrey I come to Reginald de Warren a younger Son to the second Earl William whose cheif Seat was at Wirmgay in Norfolk by reason of his marriage with Alice Daughter and heir to William de Wirmgay Which William de Wirmgay had Livery of his Lands in 6 Hen. 2. and upon the Aid for marrying of Maud Daughter to King Henry the Second in 12 Hen. 2. certified his Fees to be Fourteen and an half This was that Reginald for whom King Stephen in the Twelfth of His Reign by his Charter whereby he constituted Henry Duke of Normandy his Successor in this Realm of England and made Provision for his own Son William who had married Isabel Daughter and heir of William Earl Warren did take care he should have the custody of the castles of Belencumbre and Mortimer in Normandy if he so pleased In 10 Hen. 2. he was one of those Temporal Lords who came to an accord with the King touching their ancient Rights and Liberties In 14 Hen. 2. he answered Nine pounds and ten shillings then in arrear for the Knights Fees pertaining to this Honor of Wirmgay and due upon the Aid for marrying of Maud the Kings Daughter as abovesaid In 16 Hen. 2. he was Sheriff of Kent with Reginald de Cornhulle but no friend to Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury as may seem by his deportment towards him when he returned into England after his Peace made with the King For the one half of that Sixteenth year and for the whole Seventeenth eighteenth and nineteenth years of that Kings Reign he executed the Office of Sheriff for the County of Sussex So likewise for Devonshire for half the same nineteenth year and again for Sussex for the One and twentieth and two and twentieth of Henry the Second In 18 Hen. 2. he accounted Fourteen pound five shillings for the Scutage of this his Honor of Wirmgay And for the health of his own Soul as also for the Souls of Alice his Wife William de Wirmgay her Father and William Earl Warren his Brother he gave to the Canons of Southwark id est S.
Mary Overy the Church of Plumbton ¶ To this Reginald succeeded William his Son and Heir who in 31 Hen. 2. paid Scutage by reason of this his Honor for Military Service done in Ireland And in 2 Rich. 1. Seventeen pound two shillings six pence for the Scutage of Wales In 5 Rich. 1. he had the custody of the Heir of Hugh de Chandos granted to him And in 6 Rich. 1. he accounted for Fourteen pound five shillings upon the Aid for that Kings Redemption In 3 Ioh. he again answered Twenty eight marks and an half for Scutage done for the Knights Fees belonging to this Honor. And in 5 Ioh. gave Four hundred marks to the King for License to marry Milisent the Widow of Richard Muntfichet with her Dowry she being his second Wife This William Founded the Priory of Wirmgay and gave to the Canons of Southwark with his Body there to be buried Sixty Acres of Land in Fortiscre for the health of the Souls of Reginald his Father Alice his Mother Beatrice his Wife Reginald his Son and the Souls of Beatrice and Isabel his Daughters And in An. 1208. 11 Ioh. died leaving the same Beatrix then Widow of Dodo Bardulf his sole Daughter and Heir who the next ensuing year gave a Fine of MMM C. marks for Livery of the Lands Heredirarily descended to her by the death of her Father and assignation of a reasonable Dowry of her Husbands Lands so that she might not be compelled to marry again as also that her Father Debts should be paid as well out of the Goods of Milisent his Wife as out of his own Which Milisent was living in 3 Hen. 3. This Beatrix his Daughter afterwards became the Wife of Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent and Justice of England who had with her the Mannors of Wirmgay Stow Roubeton and Feneburge as also certain Lands in Flesciâ—ge in Com. Norf. But her Son William Bardâ—lf had after her decease this Honor of Wirmgay of whom and his Descendants I shall speak in due place Earls of Leicester THe first of this Family called Robert of whom I am now to speak was not advanced to this Earldom of Leicester until the time of King Henry the First yet being Earl of Melâ—ent in Normandy in the time of the Conqueror I have thought fit to rank him amongst those of that Dignity in his time As for his Parentage by his Fathers side he was of near Alliance to the Conqueror viz. Son of roger de Belâ—omont Grand-son to Turolf of Pont Audomanre by Wevia Sister to Gunnora Wife of Richard the first of that name Duke of Normandy Great Grand-father to King William the First And by Adelina his Mother Heir to the Earldom of Mellent she being Daughter of Waleran and Sister to Hugh both Earls of Mellent which Hugh took the habit of a Monk in the Abbey of Beâ— After whose death without issue this Robert obtained the Castle of Mellent for a sum of Money from the King of France and succeeded him in the title of Earl Of his signal deportment in that memorable Battle with Duke William whereby this Realm of England was thenceforth obtained hearken to what William Pictavensis saith Tyro quidam Normannus c. Acertain Norman young Soldier Son of Roger de Bellomont Nephew and Heir to Hugh Earl of Mellent by Adelina his Sister making the first â—n-set in that fight did what deserveth â—ting Fame Boldly charging and breaking in upon the Enemy with that Regiment which he commanded in the Right Wing of the Army For which eminent Service he had vast Possessions bestowed on him here viz. In Warwickshire Sixty four Lordships and in Leicestershire Sixteen or the greatest part of them besides Seven in Wiltshire three in Northamptonshire and one in Glocestershire whereof Roger his Father was also possessed As to his after-actings I find that being a person of an haughty spirit and puffed up with Rewards and Promises from the King he came to Roan in An. 1090. 3 Wil. Rufi where boldly requiring of Robert Curthose Duke of Normandy the Castle of Ivery the Duke answered That he had given to his Father the Castle of Brâ—on for it which was an equal exchange Whereupon he replied I allow not of that Bargain but what your Father gave to my Father that will I have otherwise by S. Nichasius I shall do that which will displease you At which words the Duke growing very angry caused him to be laid hold on and imprisoned Whereof so soon as the crafty old Man his Father heard he sent the Duke a present hasting afterwards himself to him and with fine flattering expressions obtained his Sons liberty Now what the particulars of this subtil and deceitful dealing were I shall briefly tell Yvo having begun a Rebellion in England wherein he had done much mischief by firing some Houses of his Neighbors and being through the Kings excessive indignation towards him fined at a vast sum made his Addresses to this Earl of Melâ—ent who was the cheif of the Kings Council hoping by his means to obtain some favor Who thereupon cunningly advised him to perform a long pilgrimage for effecting whereof he would help him to Five hundred marks of Silver keeping his Lands in pawn for Fifteen years with promise That at the end of that term they should be wholly restored to his Son and not only so but that he would give him his Brothers Daughter viz. Henry Earl of Warwick in marriage For the performance of which Agreement this Earl gave his Oath the King himself likewise assenting thereto But in this Pilgrimage Yvo departing the World his Son neither enjoyed the Woman as was promised nor any of his Paternal Inheritance In 25 Hen. 1. associating to himself Hugh de Montfort who had married Adelina his Daughter and others notwithstanding the former favors of King Henry to him he entred Normandy in an hostile manner but was encountred and taken prisoner by William de Tankervil who delivered him up captive to the King Other particulars as to his Secular actings I have not observed Take therefore this general Character of him from an eminent Author Fuit igitur Robertus Consul c. This Earl Robert of Mellent was the wisest of all Men betwixt this and Ierusalem in Worldly affairs famous for knowledge plausible in speech skilful in craft discreetly provident ingenuously subtile excelling for prudence profound in counsel and of great wisdom by which means he acquired vast Possessions viz. Honors Cities Castles Town Villages Rivers and Woods The Honors he had were not only here in England but in Normandy and France insomuch as he made the Kings of England Friends and Foâ—s to each other at his pleasure If he was displeased with any Man he forced him to a submissive Humiliation if
Potent Man in King Henry the First 's time and at Oxford killing many of that Bishops servants took him and the Bishop of Lincoln prisoners But after this he stoutly adhered to the Anjovins against King Stephen yet ere long fell off again and grew in such favor with the King that he obtained a Grant of the Borough Castle and whole County of Hereford excepting the Lands of the Bishop and Abbeys there and excepting the Fees of Hugh de Mortimer Osbert Fitz-Hugh William de Braose as also those of Gotsone de Dinan which belonged to Hugh de Laci and in case he would prevail against Gotsone then to hold that clearly Notwithstanding all which in An. 1151. 16 Steph. he was one of those Nobles who met Henry Duke of Normandy at his first arrival in England and supplied him with necessaries Whereupon no less then Thirty fortified Castles were soon yielded to his obedience and grew in such high esteem with him after his attaining the Crown of this Realm that he advanced him to that great Office of Iustice of â—ngland In 10 Hen. 2. he was one of the Witnesses to that Recognition which the King then made of the Peoples Liberties and the same year interceded with the King on the behalf of Thomas Beckâ—t Archbishop of Canterbury The next ensuing year he was sent to bring him to Court but finding him sick in Bed was again sent to let him know That the Barons had pronounced Sentence for his Imprisonment About this time when Reginald Archbishop of â—ologne who had fomented that Schism of Octavian against Pope Alexander came into England to treat of a marriage betwixt Henry Duke of Saxony and Maud the King of Englands Daughter it is said That though other of the Nobles went to meet him solemnly This Earl being then Justice of 〈◊〉 would not give any respect to him because he stood excommunicate by the Pope Thus much as to his Secular Dealings whereunto that famous paction made betwixt Ranulph then Earl of Chester and him which farther demonstrateth his power and greatness may be added whereof I have exhibited the tenor in my Discourse of that Earl But after all this in An. 1173. 14 Hen. 2. upon what occasion I find not certain it is that then rebelling against King Henry he was taken prisoner his City of Leicester wasted and the Wall thereof of extraordinary strength utterly demolished Lastly touching his Works of Piety it is evident that they were exceeding great and many far beyond those of his Father For in An. 1143. 8 Steph. by the consent of Alexander Bishop of Lincoln he Founded that opulent and goodly Abbey for Canons Regular of S. Augustines Order called De Pratis in the Suburbs of Leicester in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and amply endowed it partly with the Possessions which his Father had bestowed on those Secular Canons by him Founded within the Castle of Leicester as hath been already observed but with much more of his own proper gift Likewise he Founded the Abbey of â—erondon in Leicestershire for Cistercian Monks and the Monastery of Nun-Eatâ—n in Com. Warr. for Nuns As also the Priory of Luffield in Com. North. for Monks of S. Benedicts Order all which he liberally endowed with Lands and ample Revenues And besides this to the Monks of S. Ebrulfs at Utica in Normandy he was a special Benefactor freeing them from the payment of Tithes for their Lands and Improvements in Leicestershire as well in the Forest of Leicester as elswhere acquitting them for any Herbage or Paunage for an hundred Hogs either in that Forest or other inclosed Lands He likewise gave unto them nine Burgages within the Walls of Leicester and five without with the Tithes of all his own Demesn Lands in that Town Also the Churches of Belgrave and â—lenfeud with two Yard Land the Chappels of Branteston and Keteby with the Tithes and other Appurtenances in Yrkinfeld In Rothby he gave them two parts of the Tithes of the two Halls there in Humberston the like of the two Halls there and one Yard Land in Evington Ygwarby Sâ—leby Thorp-Ernald Brantingsby Waltham Wikingeston and Houtheby the Tithes of the whole Demesn To the Abbey of Lira likewise in Normandy he gave the Church of Warham and one Hide of Land there as also the Church of Hinkley with the Chappels of 〈◊〉 and Dadlington in Com. Leicest The Church of Eaton with the Chappel of Attlebuâ—gâ— in Com. Warr. The Church of Sibbesdune with the Chappels of Widerdesley Aâ—â—etune Huptone and Draitone and also the Church of Hecham with the Chappel of Lindley in Comit. Leicest Whereupon those Monks made Hinkley a Cell to that Foreign Monastery To the Monks of Bec in Normandy he gave the Lordship of Chinchebirick To the Nuns of Godstow in Com. Oxon. he gave Three pound per annum in Halso To the Canons of Sulby in Com. North. he granted Fewel for their Fire out of his Wood called Ighey as much as they could carry with one Cart twice every day from Easter till Michaelmass with freedom of Toll for whatsoever they should buy or sell in the Market at Leicester And to the Knights Templars he gave a mark yearly Rent issuing out of the Mill at Scheravene He took to Wife Amicia Daughter of Raphe de Waet Earl of Norfolk by Emma Daughter of William Fitz-Osberne Earl of Hereford Which Amicia after the death of William de Bretvil her Uncle viz. Son of William Fitz-Osbern brought Lira Glot Bretvil and a great part of those Lands which William Fitz-Osbern had in Normandy to the before specified Robert Earl of Leicester her Uncle But after a while she quitted all her interest in Bretvil to Philip King of France in exchange for the Castle of S. Leodegar in Aquiline and all Aquiâ—â—ne By this Amicia he had issue Robert his Successor in this Earldom and two Daughters viz. ... Wife to Simon Earl of Huntendon and Hawise married to William Earl of Glocester Which Amicia gave to the Monks of Lira one ounce of Gold at Pont S. Piere in Normandy as also Fifteen shilling sterling yearly for the health of the Soul of William de Bretvil her Brother On the Canons of Leicester she bestowed Lands of Four pounds per annum value in Everlas And by the censent of the Earl her Husband after he took the habit of a Canon Regular in the Abbey of Leicester so Founded by him as hath been observed became a Nun in the Monastery of Nun-Eatâ—n I now come to the death of this great Earl of whom it is said That he lived Fifteen years a Canon Regular in Leicester Abbey and there departing this life in that habit in An. 1167. 14 Hen. 2. was
Rich. 1. was buried in the Abbey of Kirksfall Whereupon in 6 Rich. 1. Isabel his Widow gave Eighty marks to have an assignation of her reasonable Dowry out of his Lands Upon the death of this Robert thus without issue Albreda de Lisours his Sister by the Mother Daughter of Eudo de Lisours by Albreda his Wife Widow of Henry de Lacy before mentioned and then Wife of Richard Fitz-Eustace Constable of Chester possessed her self of this Barony of Pontfract and all his other Lands under pretence of a Grant of them all from Henry de Lacy Father of this last mentioned Robert But in 5 Rich. 1. Roger de Lacy her Nephew then Constable of Chester came to an Agreement with her for the same by a Fine then levied at Winchester before H. Archbishop of Canterbury William Bishop of Ely Chancellor to the King and others By which Fine she the said Albreda Quit-claimed to him all those Lands which did belong to Robert de Lacy. Whereupon he the said Roger covenanted with her that she should enjoy all the Lands which were Robert de Lisours her Father for term of her life by the Service of eight Knights Fees and that after her decease William her Son and his Heirs should inherit them performing the same Service to him the said Roger and his Heirs Upon which Agreement this Roger also gave to her Twenty pound Lands in Bardington to hold during life but afterwards her Son William and his Heirs to enjoy the same by the Service of one Knights Fee In consideration of which Grant she the said Albreda relinquished to this Roger all her Dowry in the Town of Hautone in Lindsey in the County of Lincoln Being therefore come to this Roger Constable of Chester I shall here take notice of his Parentage He was Son of Iohn Constable of Chester and he the Son of Richard Fitz-Eustace Baron of Halton and Constable of Chester by Albreda de Lisours above-specified Sister by the Mothers side to the said Robert de Lacy as hath been already observed Which Iohn thus coming to possess the Lands of Lacy did also assume that sirname and Arms. But all that I have farther seen of him is That he bestowed on the Knights Hospitalers the Lordship of Kâ—esale with the Churches of Flaflock and Marnham which afterwards belonged to the Preceptory of Willoughton And that he Founded the Abbey of Stanlaw in that part of Cheshire called Wirhale in An. 1178. 24 Hen. 2. Moreover that he died in the Holy Land the next ensuing year leaving issue by Alice de Vere his Wife Sister of William de Mandevile Roger his Son and Heir as also Eustace and many others whereof Richard was one to whom he gave the Town of More and who being afterwards a Leper was buried in the Chapter House at Norton near Halton Castle in Cheshire But I return to Roger. This Roger was at the siege of Acon in the Holy Land with King Richard the First An. 1192. 4 Rich. 1. and likewise in that sharp fight against the Saracens who endeavored to relieve it as also at the siege and taking of Damieta In 6 Rich. 1. he answered Forty three pound fifteen shillings for the Scutage then levied upon occasion of the Kings Redemption And in 7 Rich. 1. gave a Fine of Two thousand marks to the King for lively of all the Lands and Castles belonging to the Honor of Pontfract late Robert de Lacies excepting Pontfract Castle which the King then retained in his own hands In 8 Rich. 1. being acquitted of the third Scutage of Normandy levied after the Kings Redemption he paid for the second Forty three pounds fifteen shillings In 1 Ioh. he undertook for the payment of Five hundred marks for Livery of the Lands of Guy de la Val which he challenged as his own right and which King Iohn by his Charter had granted to him viz. The Barony of Pontfract whereof the said Guy had possessed himself in King Henry the Second's time as it seems but upon this Livery he was constrained to give his Son and Heir in hostage for his future fidelity Moreover shortly after the Coronation of that King he was sent with the Sheriff of Northumberland and some other eminent Men of those parts to conduct William King of Scotland unto Lincoln where King Iohn resolved to meet him And in 2 Ioh. was one of the Barons present at Lincoln when David King of Scotland did homage and fealty to King Iohn In 3 Ioh. he obtained a Grant of the Wardship of William the Son of Robert Fitz-Ranulph Lord of Middleham in Com. Ebor. It seems that the Five hundred marks which he undertook in 1 Ioh. to pay for Livery of the Lands of Guy de lay Val were not discharged in 4 Ioh. For it appears that he then came to a new Contract for the same viz. To pay the Money by a hundred marks per annum and moreover to give the King ten Palfreys and ten Lease of Grey-hounds After this scil in 5 Ioh. being made Governor of the Castle of Roche-Andelâ— in France which King Richard the First built he held it out courageously against the French for a time But at length for want of Victual became necessitated to deliver it up and was made their prisoner Whereupon he was necessitated to require Aid of his Tenants for raising Money to pay his Ransom About this time he gave a thousand marks Fine for the Wardship of Richard de Munfichet a great Baron in Essex And in 6 Ioh. was made Constable of the Castle at Carleol as also Sheriff of Cumberland and Governor of the Castle at York In 7 Ioh. he obtained a Grant from the King of the Mannor and Soke of Snaithe to hold to himself and his Heirs by the Service of one Knights Fee and continued Sheriff of Cumberland to the end of the Eleventh year of that Kings Reign so likewise for Yorkshire In 13 Ioh. upon Collection of the sixth Scutage of that King he answered for Forty three Knights Fees an half and fourth part for the Fees of Lacy and Twenty for the Fees of Guy de la Val As also Forty seven pounds six shillings for Forty seven Fees and a fourth part which were the Fees of Richard de Munfichet whose Heir he then had in Ward In the time of this Roger Ranulph Earl of Chester the last of that name marching with some Forces into Wales for want of more strength was constrained to betake himself unto a Castle in those parts viz. Rothelan where being besieged by the Welsh he sent for this Roger then at Chester to come to his relief Who forthwith gathering together divers Minstrels and a multitude of
recorded so often confirmed nay so often purchased I though a Woman and all the free-born people do appeal to the Tribunal of God against you and Heaven and Earth shall bear witness how injuriously you have dealt with us and the God of Vengeance will vindicate us At which Speech the King much astonished knowing his own guilt said Do not you desire my grace and favor as you are my Kinswoman Whereunto she replied Forasmuch as you have denied me that which is right what hope have I of favor but I do in the presence of Christ appeal against those who have by evil councel so misled you from Justice and Truth for their own private ends Albini I Now come to Nigel de Albini younger Brother to William de Albini from whom the antient Earls of Arundell descended This Nigel de Albini being a person of Noble extraction and by the Mothers side a Moubray came into England with William Duke of Normandy and was after his Conquest one of those Captains who marcht with him into Northumberland The Lands which he possessed by the bounty of that King were these viz. the Lordships of Tillebery and Eye in Buckingamshire Craweâ—ai Tingrei Prestelai Herlingdone Merstone Melebroc Ammefelle Meldone Wescote Tlopelle Cainehou Siwileâ—hou Polochessete Stradley Mildentone Carlentone Redewelle Wiboldestune Holme Herghetone Clistone Hornslau and Aldriceseia in Bedfordshire Aldulvestreu and Altone in Warwickshire and Sele and Duntone in Leicestershire Moreover he was a Servant in Court to King William Rufus holding the office of Bow-bearer to him and being girt with the Sword of Knighthood by King Henry the first had the Mannor of Egmanton with divers Parks in the Forest of Shirewood of his gift which Lordship after a short time he gave to his special friend Robert D'avil But when King Henry had farther experience of his great Valor and military Skil he augmented his bounty to him and enfeoffed him of the Vavassories of Camvile and Wyvile which so endeared him to that King that he spared not to adventure his life in his quarrell in the most perilous encounters as is manifest by that his signal performance in the famous Battle of Tenerchebray being the last of those conflicts which King Henry had with his brother Curthose where this Nigel slew his Horse and brought him captive to King Henry whereupon he obtained by the gift of that King all the Lands of Robert Baron of Fronteboef viz. Stutevile in England which by that adherence to Curthose Fronteboef had forfeited And afterwards King Henry beseiging a Castle in Normandy this Valiant Nigel first entred the same and delivered it to his hands in farther remuneration of which service he bestowed on him all the lands of Robert de Molbray Earl of Northumberland both in Normandy and England then forfeited by reason of Molbrays conspiracies as also all his Castles and moreover the Castle of Bayeux with its appurtenances so that then he had no less than an hundred and twenty Knights Fees in Normandy and as many in England Besides all this it is evident that all those large possessions of Geffrey de Wirce viz. twelve Lordships in Warwickshire twenty seven in Leicestershire and twenty four in Lincolnshire whereof the Isle of â—xhoime was part came to the hands of this Nigel whether by forfeiture or otherwise I cannot say which were enjoyed for many ages by his posterity Being thus possessed of all those Lands which were of great extent especially in the north he became not only very powerfull but somewhat oppressive for he took from the Monks of Durham two fair Lordships viz. Berningham and Skirningham and divers lands from some other Monasteries which afterwards being visited with sickness he penitently restored As to his works of piety certain it is that he founded a little Priory of Canons regular of of St. Augustines order at Hirst in the Isle of Arholme which became a Cell to Nostell Abby in Yorkshire And gave the Grange of Aldeburgh to the Monks of Fountains All that he else gave to any Religious House in England was the Church of Newbold super Avon to the Monks of Kirkby in Com. Warwic This Nigel had two Wives first Maude Daughter to Richard de Aquila whom by the permission of Pope Paschall he Married in the life time of her Husband Robert de Molbray Earl of Northumberland before mentioned whilest the said Robert was in Prison for his rebellion against King William Rufus from whom afterwards being divorced because she was his Kinsmans Wife he secondly Married to Gundred Daughter to Girald de Gornay viz. in Iune Ann. 1118. 18 Hen. 1. by the special advice of King Henry the first Which Gundred in her Widowhood had a corrody of forty one pound twelve shillings and three pence before she was dispossessed of the Castle of Brichelaw and gave to the Hospital of S. Leonards in York four Ox-gangs of Land lying in Baggaby By which Maud he had no children but by Gundred he left issue Roger who possessing the Lands of Molâ—ray as hath been said did by the special command of King Henry assume the Surname of Molbray It is reported of this Nigel de Albini that soon after he had received the Kings Writ to take possession of the County of Northumberland whereof Robert de Molbray whose Lands were given to him was dispossessed for his rebellion he fell sick at Roan and there departing the World very aged was buried with his ancestors in the Abby of Bec in Normandy whereunto he had given twenty pound Lands in Duntone in Com. Leic. and other large possessions in this Realm in which Abby he was shorn a Monk before he died ¶ To him succeeded Roger who bore the Surname of Moubray for the causes above expressed and being under age at his Fathers death was in Ward to King Stephen In Ann. 1138. 3 Steph. upon that great Invasion made by David King of Scotland King Stephen being then in the South this Roger though then in minority was one of those Northern Barons who at that time met at York and there consulting with the Venerable Archbishop Thurstan for the defence of those parts was one of the chief Commanders in that memorable Battle near North-Alverton commonly called Bellum de Standardo where the English obtained a glorious Victory over the Scots In 7 Steph. ann scil 1142. adhering to the King against Maude the Empress he was with him in the Battle of Lincoln and there taken prisoner And in ann 1148. 13 Steph. accompanied Lewes King of France in that famous expedition into the Holy-Land then made where to his immortal honor he vanquished a stout and hardy Pagan in single combate In 12 Henr. 2. this Roger was
in Tiltings and other Pastimes Which as it was then said the King did not duly recompence But hereupon he waxed proud beyond measure insomuch as his own Son Geffrey called him the King of Folly He also kept the Round Table of Knights in Wales for a pride in imitation of King Arthur Other particulars of his haughtiness and insolence were these viz. that with Queen Isabel he caused a Parliament to be held at Northampton where an unworthy Agreement was made with the Scots and 〈◊〉 Roll of Homage of Scotland was traiterously delivered as also the Black Cross which King Edward the first brought into England out of the Abby of Sâ—one and then accounted a precious Relique That with the Queen he caused the young King to ride twenty four miles in one night towards Bedford to destroy the Earl of Lancaster and his adherents saying that they imagined the Kings death That he followed Queen Isabel to Nottingham and lodged in one house with her â— That he commanded the Treasure of the Realm and assumed the authority which by common consent in Parliament was conferred on Henry Earl of Lancaster at the Kings Coronation And that he was one of those who practised against the Kings Councel for saying that Edward of Caernarvon was murthered by his means At which his demeanor finding that Edward Earl of Kent the Kings Uncle was much offended he informed the King that his Uncle had a designe to poyson him to the end he might be King himself as next heir to the Crown Iohn of Eltham Earl of Cornwall being newly dead and likewise that he had designed the escape of King Edward the second out of Prison for which soon after he lost his life The truth is this Mortimer bore such sway that he got what he had a mind to it is evident by these followinging grants which he obtained for himself from the young King viz. the Castle and Mannor of Hanley with the Chaces of Malverne and Cors in the Counties of Worcester and Gloucester Likewise the town of Wiche in Com. Wigorn. Also the Castle of Clifford and Mannor of Glasebury part of the Possessions of Hugh le Despenser the younger then attainted And to himself and Ioane his Wife in Fee divers ample Liberties and Jurisdictions to be excercised at his Castle of Trim in Ireland besides the inheritance of all the Territory of Danahmaine in Ireland with very large priviledges thereto Moreover to Geffrey his Son he procured a Grant of the Castle of Donnyngton in Com. Leicest as also the Mannors of Lechelade and Sodington in Comit. Gloucest the mannor of Wokking in Com. Surr. Byeby and Castre in Com. Linc. Ashburne in the Peke in Com. Derb. Ryhale in Com. Roteland and Kyneley in Com. Wilts late Edmund Earl of Kent 's attainted As also the Wapentake of Rysley in Com. Derb. the Wapentakes of Plumtre and Alreton in Com. Norff. the Mannor of Reseby in Com. Leic. and Mannor of Alreton with certain Lands in Drayton in Com. North. likewise parcel of the Lands of the said Edmund the remainder for want of issue of him the said Geffrey to him the said Roger and his heirs But not long after this growing odious to the people by these his Insolencies and evil actings the King was made sensible of the impending mischeif and therefore by the advice of his councel at Nottingham in the Quind of St. Michael taking into consideration his own dishonor and damage as also the impoverishment of his people and revealing his mind privately to Sir William de Montacute gave him immediate command to take the assistance of some trusty persons which he accordingly did viz. Sir Humphrey de Bohun and Sir William his Brother Sir Ralph de Stafford Sir William de Clinton Sir Iohn de Nevile of Hornby Sir William Eland and some others and upon Friday the morrow after the Feast of S. Luke in the dead time of the night getting into the Castle by a way under Ground which through the Rock passeth with Stairs up to the Keepe and still by reason of this his surprize called Mortimers hole entred a room next to the Queens Lodging where finding him with Henry Bishop of Lincoln and some others who made resistance he slew two of them viz. Sir Hugh de Turpliton Knight then Steward of the Kings House and Iohn de Munmouth for which he afterwards had pardon m and took him thence cheifly by Sir William Elands help And having him thus in his Custody on the morrow after seized upon the rest of his adherents and followers who lay in the Town amongst which were two of his Sons viz. Sir Geffrey and Sir Edmund both Knights who were all sent to London with guards there to be secured till the Parliament which was to begin upon the twenty seventh of November next ensuing Whereupon precepts bearing date 23 Octob. were directed to several persons for the seizing of his Castles Mannors and Lands in Wales he being then under Arrest for several mesdemeanors tending to the dammage of the K. and Kingdom as the words therein did import And within three dayes following Commission was granted to Iohn de Kingston and others to take an inventory of all his Treasure and Jewells in Wales and the Marches but not to carry away any thing out of the Wardrobe of Ioane his Wife then at Ludlow or that belonged to any of her Children or Servants Upon the meeting of which Parliament divers Articles were exhibited against him the Chief whereof were in effect as followeth viz. 1. That he was consenting to the murther of King Edward the second in Berkley Castle 2. That he was an impediment to the Kings Honor at Stanhope Park in restraining the English to fall upon the Scots 3. That he had received twenty thousand pounds of the Scots to give them leave to escape and that he caused a dishonorable peace to be afterwards made with them as also that unworthy contract of Marriage betwixt the Kings Sister and David the Son of Robert de Brus. 4. That he had basely consumed the Kings treasure and that of Hugh Despencer after the Queens returne so that the King was in a wanting condition 5. That he had got the richest Wardships of England into his hand And 6. That he was an evil Councellor to the King and the Queen-mother and too familiar with her Whereupon the King commanding the Earls and Barons that just judgement should be done therein they found him guilty of all especially that touching the murther of King Edward the second and gave sentence that he should be drawn and hanged Which being accordingly executed at the common Gallows called the Elmes near Smithfield upon the Eve of S. Andrew his Body was permitted to hang
Advowson of the Church of Wickwane in Gloucestershire How far farther he was a Benefactor to that Monastry I cannot say but 't is very like that he gave somewhat more for it appears that these Monks by their publique Instrument in full chapter granted to him and his heirs by the attribute of Dilecto speciali amico their beloved and singular friend power to present two Monks successively in their Covent who should daily sing Mass in the Church of that Monastry for the health of his Soul as also for the Souls of Earl William his Father Maud his Mother and their Ancestors for ever And besides this he was the first Founder of that Chantrey or Colledge of Priests at Elmeley in Worcestershire I come now to his Testament which bears date at Warwick Castle on Munday next after the Feast of S. Iames the Apostle An. 1315. 9 Edw. 2. by which he bequeathed his Body to sepulture in that Abbey of Bordfley but willed that his Funeral Rites should be performed without any great pomp To Alice his Wife he devised a proportion of his Plate with a Chrystal Cup and half his Bedding as also all the Vestments and Books pertaining to his Chappel the other moity of his Beds Rings and Jewels to his two Daughters to Maud his Daughter a Chrystal Cup to Elizabeth his Daughter he gave the marriage of Astleys heir whom she took to Husband to Thomas his Son his best Coat of Mail Helmet and Suit of Harness with all that belonged thereto to his Son Iohn his second Coat of Mail Helmet and Harness and appointed that all the rest of his Armor Bows and other warlike provisions should remain in Warwick Castle for his Heir And departing this life at his said Castle of Warwick upon the Twelfth of August next following by poyson as some thought was buried in the Abbey of Bordsley before mentioned This Earl Guy before his death obtained a Grant from the King that his Executors when it should fortune him to depart this life might have the custody of his Lands during the minority of his Heir being answerable for the value of them to the Exchequer at Michaelmass and Easter every year Provided that his Castles of Elmley and Warwick should not be disposed of to any without the Kings special License But notwithstanding this Grant and a confirmation thereof after his death to Iohn Hamelyn and the rest of his Execâ—tors in December next following his death so much was the King wrought upon by those persons whose miscarrriages ere long gave the discontented Nobles opportunity to work his own Ruine that about two years after he passed the custody of those Castles and Lands by a new Patent unto Hugh le Despencer the elder in satisfaction of a debt of 6770 l. due to him from the King as it was pretended A word now of Alice the Wife of this great Earl She was the Daughter of Ralph de Tony of Flamsted in Hertfordshire Widow of Thomas de Leybourne and at length Heir to Robert her Brother In November following the death of her Husband she had assigned to her in Dowry the Mannors of Hanslape in Com. Buck. Lyghthorne Beausale Haseleye Claverdon Berkswell with the third part of the Templars Mannor in Warwick and Shirbourne and divers Knights fees in Warwickshire And the next year following gave a fine of five hundred Marks for licence to marry with William la Zouche of Ashoy in Com. Leicest to whom she was accordingly wedded and died in 18 Edw. 2. By this Alice he had issue two Sons viz. Thomas who succeeded him in this Earldom and Iohn a Martial Knight as also five Daughters Maud married to Geffrey Lord Say Emme to Rouland Odingsells Isabel to ... Clinton Elizabeth to Thomas Lord Astley and Lucia to Robert de Napton But before I proceed with my discourse of Thomas his Son and Successor I shall take leave to say something of Iohn his younger Brother Iohn a younger Son to Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick THis Iohn became a person of singular note in his time In 12 Edw. 3. he was in that expedition then made into Flanders and in 13 Edw. 3. was an eminent commander in the third Batalia of the Kings Army drawn out at Uyronâ—osse against the French In 14 Edw. 3. he was in that great Naval fight betwixt the King of England's Fleet and the French before Sluice in Flanders In 16 Edw. 3. being possessed of the Lordships of Beoley and Yardley in Worcestershire he obtained a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesne Lands there In 17 Edw. 3. he recieved the order of Knighthood with twenty pounds per annum for his better support in the Kings service In 20 E. 3. he attended the King into Normandy and carried the Standard-royal in that great Battle of Cressey In 22 Edw. 3. he was at that Famous Tourneament at Canterbury accountred with a surcote of fine silk adorned with the Arms of Sir Stephen Cosyngton Knight and for his singular demerits made a Banneret having one hundred and forty pounds per annum granted to him out of the Exchequer for his better support of that dignity He was likewise the same year made Captain of Calais and in 23 E. 3. constituted Admiral of all the K. Fleet from the mouth of Thames to the Westwards In 25 Ed. 3. being still Captain of Calais he issued out with three hundred men at Armes and two hundred Archers and plundered the Countrey for ten miles and in his return meeting with the Lord of Bealreu and two thousand men at Arms had a sharp Skirmish with them wherein that Lord was slain In 26 Edw. 3. Iohn Darcy of â—nayth to whom the King had granted the Constableship of the Tower of London for life for the great affection he bore to this Iohn de Beauchamp passed over his interest in that Command to him which the King ratified howbeit within two years after through sinister suggestions the King displaced him and constituted Bartholmew de Burgâ—ersh in his stead and after him Robert de Morley but it appearing at length that those suggestions were false he was received again into favor and in 29 Ed. 3. again made Captain of Calais together with the Castle of â—uynes and Forts of Merk Colne Eye and Sandgate as also Admiral And for his better support in those services obtained the Lordships of Ewell Ebesham and Kingswode to be assigned unto him for his Livery In 30 Edw. 3. he was again in the Warrs of France and in 31 Edw. 3. had his Commission for Captain of Calaâ—s and those other Forts renewed In 33 Edw. 3. he was again in France and in 34 Edw. 3. made once more Constable of the Tower of London And
afterwards to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland Anne first to Humphrey Duke of Bucikngham and afterwards to Walter Blount Lord Montjoy Iane a Nun and Cioely to Richard Plantagenet Duke of York ¶ I now come to Ralph Earl of Westmorland Son of this last mentioned Iohn This Ralph after the death of Elizabeth his Mother had forty pound per annum allowed him by the King for his maintenance being then in minority And in 4 Hen. 6. an Augmentation thereof to the sum of fifty pound sixteen shillings eight pence to be paid out of the Fee-farm of the Town of Newcastle upon Tine After which within the compass of the same year the King granted the benefit of his marriage to Sir Iohn Ratcliff Seneschal of Aquitane But more I have not seen of him than that in 21 Hen. 6. he had in right of Elizaâ—eth his Mother the fourth Sister and Coheir to Edmund Earl of Kent and Cosin and Heir to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent for her Purparty and Assignation of the Mannor of Beseâ—y in Com. Linc. and ten pound Renâ— in Skeldingthorp threescore and four Acres of Wood in the Mannor of Brunne with a certain parcel of Wood there called the New Park as also twenty three pound ten shillings yearly Rent issuing out of the Abby of Kirkstall and four pound six shillings six pence Rent out of the Mannor of Blisworth in Com. Northampt. And that he married to his first Wife Elizabeth the Daughter of Henry Lord Percy sirnamed Hotspur Son and Heir to Henry Earl of Northumberland Widow of Iohn Lord Clifford by whom he had issue Iohn his Son and Heir and to his second Margaret the Daughter and Heir of Sir Reginald Cobbam Knight but by her had no issue As also that he died in 2 Rich. 3. Which Iohn by his Testament bearing date 1 Dec. An. 1449 27 Hen. 6. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the midst of the Quire of the Abby of Haut-Emprice in Com. Ebor. and gave thereunto for his Cors praesenté a Courser called Lidiard Nevill appointing that an honest and cunning Priest should sing there for his Soul by the space of a Twelvemoneth after his death and to have for his salary ten marks Moreover he bequeathed to that Abby his Gown of Cloth of Gold blew to make a Vestment as also his Doublet of the same moreover a Gown of Black Velvet and all his Doublets of Velvet Likewise a standing Silver Cup thereof to make a Chalice And having married Anne Daughter of Iohn Holland Duke of Exeter departed this life 20 Martii 29 Hen. 6. without issue leaving Sir Iohn Nevill Knight his Fathers Brother his next Heir then thirty years of age This Sir Iohn Nevill took to Wife Anne the Widow of his Nephew Daughter to Iohn Holland Duke of Exeter and being slain at Towtâ—â— Field upon Palm Sunday 1 Edw. 4. there stoutly fighting for the Lancastrian Interest his Brother the Earl being then alive left issue by her a Son called Ralph who upon the death of the Earl his Uncle which hapned 3 Nov. 2 Rich. 3. was found to be his next Kinsman and Heir being then twenty eight years of age and succeeded him in this Honor was one of the cheif in that Army commanded by Thomas Earl of Surrey in 9 Hen. 7. when Iames King of Scotland invaded this Realm and besieged Norham Castle upon advance whereof the Scots retreated whereupon the English wasted the Borders But this is all that I have seen of him other then that he took to Wife Margaâ—â—t the Daughter of Sir Roger Booth of Barton in Com. Lanc. Knight Brother to Laurence Archbishop of York Which Margaret lieth buried on the South side of the Quire at Branspatâ— by whom he had issue Ralph who married Editha Daughter of Sir William Sands of ... in Com. Southampt and died in the life time of his Father He had likewise a Daughter called Anne wedded to Sir William Conyers Knight It is said that this Earl died at Hornby Castle in Richmondâ—hire for grief of the loss of his eldest Son who lieth buried at Branspath in a Chappel on the South side of the Quire and that he himself was buried in the Parish Church of Hornâ—y but the time of his death I find not So that to him succeeded Ralph his Grandson and Heir who in 22 Hen. 8. having Livery of his Lands was one of those that subscribed the Letter to Pope Clement the Seventh whereby they gave him to understand That unless he did comply with King Henry in that cause of his Divorce from Queen Catherine they would shake off his Supremacy This Ralph married Catherine Daughter of Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham and by her had issue seven Sons viz. Henry his Son and Heir Sir Thomas Nevill Knight Edward Christopher Ralph George and Cuthbert and nine Daughters viz. Eleanor who died without issue Dorothy Wife of Iohâ— Earl of Oxford for which marriage there was a special Act of Parliament in 18 Hen. 8. Mary to Sir Thomas Danby Knight Ioane Margaret to Henry Mannors Earl of Rutland Elizabeth to Thomas Lord Dacres of Gillesland Eleanor to Sir Bryan Stapleton Knight Anne to Sir Fouke Grevill of Beauchamps Court in Com. War Knight and Vrsula and departed this life 24 April 3 Edw. 6. To him succeeded Henry his Son and Heir who first took to Wife Iane the Daughter of Thomas Mannours Earl of Rutland and by her had issue Charles his Son and Heir and four Daughters viz. Eleanor Wife of Sir William Pelpham Knight Master of the Ordnance Katherine married to Sir Iohn Constable of Kirkby Knowle in Com. Ebor. Also Mary and Adeline who died unmarried He secondly wedded Margaret Daughter of Sir Richard Cholmley Knight Widow of Sir Henry Gascoigne Knight by whom he had issue Margaret and Elizabeth This Henry by his Testament bearing date 18 Aug. An. 1563. 5 Eliz. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Parish Church of Staindroâ—e in the Bishoprick of Durham under the Tomb that last was made nigh to the Lady Iane his Wife and departed this life the the same Moneth as it seems for the Probate of his Will bears date upon the twelfth of September next ensuing To whom succeeded Charles his Son and Heir Which Charles in An. 1569. 11 Eliz. being privy to the intended marriage of Mary Queen of Scotland then prisoner in England and sensible of the danger submitted himself to the Earl of Sussex at that time President of the North desiring his intercession to Queen Elizabeth on his behalf But after this there being a rumor that multitudes of people resorted to him and to the Earl of Northumberland the Lord President sent for them But representing to them
of the Prior he had directed the particular place as also that two hundred marks should be employed by his Exetors for his Tomb and a hundred marks on his Funeral Moreover that forty marks should be distributed amongst poor Maids at their marriages as also a hundred pound in Masses Alms and other Works of Charity for his Soul He likewise ordained That on the day of his Funeral there should be offered two Coursers one of them compleatly harnessed with caparisons of his Arms as also Banners Standards and other accoutrements according as was accustomed for a person of his degree Furthermore that his Feoffees should stand seised of his Castle and Mannors of Sheriff-Hoton East Lilling West Lilling and Raskelf to the use of his Wife during her life Likewise that the Covenants of marriage of Thomas his Son with the Lady Willoughby his Wife should be fully performed according to the agreement made betwixt himself and Ralph Lord Cromwel as also the Marriage Covenants for Catherine his Daughter with the Son and Heir Apparent of the Lord Harington and William Lord Bonvile To his Son George he gave twelve Silver Dishes and a Cup with Cover gilt To Alice his Daughter a gilt Cup with Cover To his Daughter Eleanor a Silver Bowl with Cover To his Daughter Catherine the like To his Daughter Margaret a thousand marks to her marriage and a Gilt Cup with Cover and to his Daughter the Countess of Arundel a Cup of Gold Howbeit the next ensuing year viz. 38 H. 6. the tide being turned by reason that some of the old Soldiers deserted the Duke of York and came in to the King he was constrained to flee into Devonshire thence to Gernsey and so to Calais whereupon amongst others he was attained in the Parliament soon after held at Coventrey But from Calais adventuring with the Duke of York again into England he landed at Dover and within a short time giving Battle to the Lancastrians at Northampton there obtained a notable victory Whereupon the Yorkists bearing sway he was advanced to the dignity of Lord Great Chamberlain of England But see the mutability of Terrestrial things marching shortly after against the Lancastrians who had gotten head again in Yorkshire near Wakefield he was there taken prisoner in Battle in Christmass and his Son Sir Thomas Nevill slain Whereupon his head was cut off and conveyed to York and there set on a Pole over one of the Gates of that City After which viz. 15 Febr. 2 Edw. 4. I find that his Body together with the Corps of Alice his Wife and Thomas his Son were buried at Bisham Abby in Com. Berks. The issue which he had by the said Alice his Wife was as followeth viz. Richard Earl of Warwick and after his death Earl of Salisbury Iohn Marquess Mountague Sir Thomas who married ... Widow of the Lord Willoughby and was slain at Wakefield â—eorge Bishop of Exeter and Lord Chancellor of England afterwards Archbishop of York And five Daughters viz. Ioane the Wife of William Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel Cicely married to Henry Beauchamp Duke of Warwick Alice to Henry Lord Fitz-Hugh of Ravensâ—ath Eleanor to Thomas Stanley the first Earl of Derby of that name Katherine to William Bonvile Son and Heir to William Lord Bonvile and Harrington and Margaret to Iohn de Vere Earl of Oxford but afterwards to William Lord Hastings Chamberlain to King Edward the fourth Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick eldest Son to Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury THis Richard having taken to Wife Anne the Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Cousin and Heir to Anne sole Daughter and Heir to Henry Duke of Uarwick obtained by reason thereof as also in Respect of his special services about the Kings person and in the Warrs of Scotland as the Patent bearing date 23 Iulii next after the death of the same Lady Annâ— which hapned 3 Ian Ann 1449 27. H. 6. doth import a confirmation and declaration to himself andâ—his said Wife and to her Heirs of the dignity and title of Earl of Warwick with all preheminencies that any of their ancestors before the Creation of Henry Duke of Warwick used Shortly after which by Fine leavied Quind Trinit 28 Hen. 6. they entailed the Castle of Warwick with divers Lordships in that and sixteen other Counties upon the issue of their two bodies lawfully begotten and in default thereof upon the issue of her the said Anne with remainder to Margaret eldest Daughter to the same Richard Beauchamp late Earl of Warwick and her Heirs This is that Richard Nevill who was commonly called the stout Earl of Warwick and well he might be so termed in regard he bore such a great sway towards the latter end of King Henry the sixth and part of King Edward the fourths Reign having been an eminent actor in those tragick broiles betwixt the Houses of Lancaster and York as our Historians do fully manifest for about the 30 of Hen. 6 he sided with Richard Duke of York who did at that time first put himself in Armes under pretence of reforming what was amiss in the Government The true cause of this taking his part being a variance betwixt himself and the Duke of Somerset which happened in the Court of King Henry the sixth and that the Queen adhered to the Duke of Somerset therein But the Duke of York being not then powerful enough to go through with his designe submitted himself making Oath thenceforth to become a true and faithful Subject Howbeit the next year after having a stronger foundation for his enterprise chiefly through the interest he had in this potent Earl and the Earl of Salisbury his Father he broke out again and in 33 Hen. 6. at S. Albans assailed the Kings Forces where this Earl entring through a Garden gave the first onset and slew many seized upon the King himself caused a Parliament to be summoned made himself Protector of the King and this our Earl of Warwick Captain of l Calais But by the power of some others who saw what was aimed at he was at that time hindred in his speed Whereupon the King coming to Coventrie in 35 of his Reign hoped there to have reconciled all and to that end sent for the Duke by Letters as also for this Earl and his Father who came accordingly Nevertheless being there and pretending some ill intentions towards them they got away York to Wigmore in the Marches of Wales Salisbury to his Castle at Middleham in the North and this Earl of Warwick to Calais Howbeit after some fair overtures they were content to come to London so as they might have store of followers Whereupon this Earl brought with him six hundred men in Red-Coats embroidered with white Ragged-Staves before and behind This was in 36 Hen. 6. where and at which time
Botolph without Algate This Thomas Lord d'Arcy had Summons to the Parliaments of 1 6 21 Hen. 8. Of his Descendants all that I shall observe is That George his eldest Son being restored in Blood with the title of Lord d'Arcy to himself and the Heirs-male of his Body in 2 Edw. 6. by his Testament bequeathed his Body to be buried iâ— the Quire at Bempton near to his Wife appointing that a convenient Tomb should be made and set over them both according to his estate and degree Also that to Agnes Fairfax his Daughter he gave a hundred marks as also his best wrought Silk Carpet bordered with Crimson Velvet which she made To Mary his Daughter a hundred marks to his Daughter Dawney his best Cup and to Elizabeth Clare and Mary his other Daughters certain Anâ—â—al Rents out of part of his Lands for divers years And that he died 28 August 4 5 Phil. Ma. Moreover that from him descended Iohn Lord d'Arcy of Aston in the West Riding of Yorkshire who departed this life without Issue-male ... Iuly An. 1635. 11 Car. 1. as the Descent hereunto annexed doth shew Furthermore that Sir Arthur d'Arcy Knight second Son to the said Lord Thomas in 25 Hen. 8. upon Information given to the King that the Emperor Charles the Fifth had threatned War against England and treated secretly with Iames the Fourth King of Scotland for his aid therein was upon expiration of the then five years Truce permitted to enter the Borders and to forage that Countrey which he did burning divers Towns and carrying away much booty as also that the same year in September following he was made Captain of the Isle of Iersey and in 5 Edw. 6. Lieutenant of the Tower of London And that having married Mary Daughter and Coheir to Sir Nicholas Carew of Bedington in Com. Surr. Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter he died ... April 3 Eliz. and was buried in the Church of S. Botolph without Algate before mentioned And lastly That his Grandson Sir Conyers d'Arâ—y of Hornby Castle in Com. Ebor. Knight being the principal Male-branch then remaining of this ancient and noble Family Henry the eldest Son leaving issue one only Daughter setting forth by his Petition to King Charles the First in that Parliament begun at Westminster 3 Novemb. An. 1640. That after the Attainder of Thomas Lord d'Arcy his Great Grand-father in 29 Hen. 8. Sir George d'Arcy Knight eldest Son to the said Thomas being restored in Blood by King Edward the Sixth obtained a Grant of the title and dignity of Lord d'Arcy to himself and the heirs-male of his Body and that by the death of Iohn Lord d'Arcy late of Aston in Com. Ebor. without Issue-male in the eleventh of His Reign the title and dignity of Lord d'Arcy was utterly extinct did humbly desire That being Grandchild and Heir-male to the before specified Sir Arthur d'Arcy Knight and likewise Son and Heir of Elizabeth Daughter and Coheir of Iohn Lord Conyers Lineal-heir to Margery Daughter and Coheir to Philip Lord d'Arcy Son of Iohn Lord d'Arcy one of the Barons of this Realm in the time of King Henry the Fourth His Majesty would be pleased to declare restore and confirm to him the said Sir Conyers d'Arcy and to the Heirs-male of his Body the stile title and dignity of Lord d'Arcy with such place preeminence and precedency as the said Iohn Lord d'Arcy had and by right from his Ancestors then enjoyed Whereunto His said Majesty graciously condiscending He did by His Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 10 August in the Seventeenth year of His Reign declare restore and confirm unto him the said Sir Conyers d'Arcy Knight and to the Heirs-male of his Body lawfully begotten the stile title and dignity of Lord d'Arcy so enjoyed by his Ancestor Iohn Lord d'Arcy as aforesaid whereupon he had Summons to Parliament accordingly Marmion IN the time of the Norman Conqueror Robert Marmion having by the gift of that King the Castle of Tamwort◠〈◊〉 Com. Warr. with the Territory adjacent thence expelled those Nuns he found there unto a place called Oldbury about four miles distant After which within the compass of a Twelvemoneth as it is said making a costly entertainment at Tamworth Castle for some of his Friends amongst which was Sir Walter de Somervile Lord of Whichover in Com. Staff his sworn Brother it hapned That as he lay in his Bed S. Edith appeared to him in the habit of a veiled Nun with a Crosier in her hand and advertised him That if he did not restore the Abby of Polesworth which lay within the Territories belonging to his Castle of Tamworth unto her Successors he should have an evil death and go to Hell And that he might be the more sensible of this her admonition she smote him on the side with the point of her Crosier and so vanished away Moreover that by this stroke being much wounded he cryed out so loud that his Friends in the House arose and finding him extreamly tormented with the pain of his wound advised him to confess himself to a Priest and vow to restore them to their former possession Furthermore that having so done his pain ceased and that in accomplishment of his vow accompanied with Sir Walter de Somervile and the rest he forthwith rode to Oldbury and craving pardon of the Nuns for the injury done brought them back to Polesworth desiring That himself and his friend Sir Walter de Somervile might be reputed their Patrons and have burial for themselves and their heirs in the Abby viz. The Marmions in the Chapter-house and the Somerviles in the Cloyster However some circumstances in this story may seem fabulous the substance of it is certainly true for it expresly appeareth by the very words of his Charter that he gave to Osanna the Prioress Ad Religionem instaurandam Sanctimonialium ibi Ecclesiam S. Edithae de Polesworth cum pertinentiis ita quod Conventus de Aldeberia ibi sit manens For the establishing of the Religion of those Nuns there the Church of S. Edith of Polesworth with its appurtenances so that the Covent of Oldbury should remain in that place And likewise bestowed on them the whole Lordship of Polesworth with its Demesns in Waverton which Grant King Stephen afterwards confirmed Moreover with Milisent his Wife he gave to the Monks of Bardney in Com. Linc. for the health of the Soul of his Father and Mother his own his wifes Soul and the Souls of their heirs the Town of Butegate near Bardney To this Robert succeeded Robert his Son and Heir to whom King Hâ—nry the First by his Charter bearing date at Eanoc in Com. Staff granted Free-Warren in all his Lands within the County of Warwick as Robert his Father had and particularly at Tamworth This last mentioned Robert possessed
Tanfield for the celebration of Divine Service there for the health of his own Soul as also for the Souls of his Father and Mother and all his Ancestors Upon the Coronation of King Henry the Fifth he was advanced to the Office of Constable of England for that solemnity And in 2 H. 5. in consideration of his good services done and to be done had an Annuity of one hundred pounds per annum given him by that King for the term of his life to be received out of the issues and revenues of the County of Lincoln Also upon the Seige of Harfleu the same year he was sent by the Duke of Clarence to treat with those within the Town and being then Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold was imployed to the General Council of Constance in Germany at that time held For which and other his eminent services upon the Attainder of Henry Lord Scrope of Masham he obtained a Grant of all the Lands of the same Lord Scrope lying in Richmondshire to hold during the term they should continue in the Kings hands rendring therefore an accompt according to a reasonable extent and upon the Surrender of that Grant the same year obtained another of the Mannors of Masham Clifton Watlows Thirne Nostrefield Burton Constable Norton Garstone Bellerby Coverham Ainderby with the Stepyll Berningham and Newsom All which did belong to the same Lord Scrope and divolved to the Crown by reason of that forfeiture to hold for term of life And the next ensuing year was retained by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars of France with forty Men at Arms whereof himself with three Knights to be part of the number and eighty Archers In 5 Hen. 5. he was again retained to serve the King in his Wars of France with eighty eight Men at Arms whereof two to be Knights besides himself and two hundred and forty Archers And before the end of that year was joyned in Commission with Iohn de Nevill to assault and take any Castles Towns c. in the Dutchy of Normandy and to reduce them to the Kings obedience In 6 H. 5. he was with the Duke of Exeter at the Siege of Roan and in 9 Hen. 5. being still Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold attended the King again into France It is farther reported of this Henry that he travelled more then once to Ierusalem and likewise beyond it to Grand Cairâ— where the Souldan had his residence and that in his return he fought with the Saracens and Turks as also that by the help of the Knights of Rhodes he built a Castle there called S. Peters Castle By his Testament bearing date upon the Feast day of S. Iohn the Evangelist An. 1424. 3 Hen. 6. this Henry bequeathed his Body to be buried in our Lady Kirk within the Abby of Iorevaulx appointing that in all haste possible after his death it should be carried thither and buried by day light if it came not too late And in case it did then the same night Moreover willing that a thousand Masses should be said for his Soul with all speed constituting Sir William Sir Geffrey and Mr. Robert Fitz-Hugh his Sons with Elizabeth his Wife his Executors Soon after which viz. upon the eleventh of Ianuary next following he departed this life being then seised of the Mannor of Carleton in Lindrik and Kingston in the said Town of Carleton in Com. Nottingh As also of the Mannors of Thringarth Dent Sedbergh Stavel Thorp under-Stane Fremington West Apelgarth Little Leming Lirtlington East Apelgarth the Castle and Mannor of Ravenswath the Mannors of Ayreton in Craven Cleseby Clawelbek Estanfield Mikelton and Cotherston with the Advowson of the Abby of Iorevaulx all in Com. Ebor. Leaving issue by the before mentioned Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and sole Heir of Sir Robert Grey Knight Son of Sir Iohn Grey of Rotherfield Knight and Brother and Heir of Iohn Grey called Lord Marmion one of the Sons of Iohn Lord Grey of Roâ—herfield by Lora his Wife the second Daughter and Coheir to Herbert de S. Quintin eight Sons viz. Sir William Fitz-Hugh Knight his Son and Heir then twenty six years of age Sir Iohn Fitz-Hugh Knight Robert Bishop of London Iohn who died young Henry drowned in the River of Humber Raufe who died in France Herbert and Richard who also died young And five Daughters viz. Elizabeth who died in her infancy Ioane the Wife of Sir Robert de Willoughby Knight Eleanor the Wife of Philip Lord d'Arcy afterwards of Thomas Tunstall Maud the Wife of Sir William de Evre Elizabeth the Wife of Sir Rauf Grey Knight and Lora the Wife of Sir Maurice Berkley of Beverstan Knight Which Sir William in his Fathers life time viz. in 9 Hen 5. attended that King in his expedition then made into France being then retained by Indenture to serve him with ten Men at Arms himself accounted and thirty Archers And upon his Fathers death being of full age doing his Fealty had the same year Livery of his Lands This Sir William in 11 Hen. 6. was joyned in Commission with the Earl of Northumberland and others to treat with the Commissioners of Iames the First King of Scotland at Hamden-stank or some other place touching satisfaction for such injuries as had been done to the English by the Subjects of that Nation And in 13 Hen. 6. upon information that the Scots were preparing to besiege Barwick and the Castles in the Marches was again commissioned with the Earls of Northumberland Westmorland the Lord Clifford Dacres Greistoke and Latimer to raise the power of the Northern Counties for their defence Moreover in 27 Hen. 6. 18 Decemb. he entred into Covenants with Sir Iohn Constable of Halsham Knight that Lora his Daughter should take to Husband Iohn the Son and Heir of the said Iohn upon Munday before Candlemass day next ensuing And having married Margery the Daughter to William Lord Willoughby of Eresâ—p departed this life upon the 22 of October 31 Hen. 6. being then seised of the Mannor of Staunton Quintin in Com. Wiltes Frome Quintin Evershete and Bell in Com. Dorset the moity of the Mannor of Luddington in Comit. Northampt. the Mannor of Berwike in Com. Suss. Wintringham in Com. Linc. Beghton in Com. Derb. Charlton Kingston and Bothumsall in Com. Nottingh Bradley in Com. Berks. Brandes-Burton Westanfield Estanfield Cairethorpe Wathe Leming Magna Mikelton in â—esdaie Cutherston Lertington Clisseby Clowbeke Berewike Leming Parva West Appelgarth Fremington Dent Wodhall Eâ—wardâ—y Thurkelby Maâ—elton and the Castle of Ravenswath in Com. Ebor. As also of the Mannors of Benton Parva and Aldmore in Com. Northumbr Leaving Henry his Son and Heir twenty three years of age and six Daughters viz. Margery the Wife of Sir Iohn Milton Knight Ioane marâ—iâ—d to Iohn Lord Scrope
the Castle and Lordship of Llan-Blethyan 5. To Richard Siward the Castle and Lordship of Calavan 6. To Gilbert de Humfravile the Castle and Mannor of Penmarke 7. To Reginald de Sully the Castle and Mannor of Sully 8. To Roger de Berkerolls the Mannor of East Orchard 9. To Peter de Soore the Castle and Mannor of Petertoâ— 10. To Iohn le Fleming the Castle and Mannor of S. George 11. To Iohn de S. Iohn the Castle and Mannor of Foumon or Fennon 12. And to William le Esterling alias Stradling the Castle and Mannor of S. Donats Likewise that besides this he gave to the before mentioned Enyon being the person imployed to him from Iestin and who took his part when he saw Iestin refuse to perform what he had promised on his behalf the Lordship of Senghennyth And to Caradoc Fitz-Iestin the eldest Son of Iestin the Castle and Lordship of Avan likewise the Castle of Ruthin to another Son of Iestin And the rest of the Knights Fees not distributed part to other Gentlemen that served him and part to those Welsh who were rightful owners of the same reserving to himself the Castles of Caerdiff and Kenfigg with the Towns of Caerdiff Kenfigg and Cowbrigge and the Sherfee being the Body of the Lordship of Glamorgan with the whole Demesns thereof viz. Meskin Glinrotheny Tyr-Iarl and Boviarton alias Lentwit retaining likewise the cheif Seignory of all and seating himself for the most part at Caerdiff This Robert adhered to King Henry the First against Robert Curthose And at the instance of his Wife and Gerald Prior of Craneburne Founded the Abby of Tewksbury in Com. Gloc. An. 1102. 3 Hen. 1. giving ample possessions thereunto and made Craneburne a Cell to it He also gave to the Monks of Rochester certain Lands in Merlaw and to the Monks of Glocester the Church of S. Cadoc at Lancarvan with Penham consisting of fifteen Hides It is reported that a little before the death of King William Rufus a Forein Monk attending the Court upon some business concerning his Monastery made relation to this Robert Fitz-Hamon then a powerful Man with the King of a marvellous and terrible dream he had the preceding night viz. That he saw the King come into a certain Church and with a proud and insolent behavior despise those that were then present Likewise That he took the Crucifix in his Teeth gnawed the Arms of it and almost pulled off the Legs and that at length the Crucifix gave him such a kick with the right Foot that he fell down in a sound upon the Floor and that there issued so much flame out of his Mouth that the smoak thereof like a Cloud ascended up to the Stars Moreover That when he reported what the Monk had told him the King laught heartily and said This is a Monk and he hath for lucre dreamed Monkishly give him five pounds that it may be seen he dreamed not in vain This Robert Fitz-Hamon took to Wife Sibill one of the Daughters of Roger de Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury and had issue by her four Daughters Mabell Hawise Cicely and Amice and being wounded with a Spear at the Siege of Faleise in Normandy lost his Senses and died soon after viz. in March An. 1107. 7 Hen. 1. Whereupon his Corps were brought over into England and buried in the Chapter-house at Tewskbury to which Abby he had been a great Benefactor but afterwards being translated into the Church betwixt two Pillars on the Southside of the Quire there was in memory of him and his Wife a Mass ordained to be daily sung with this Collect Miserere quesumus Domine Which Church he new built with the Tower Dying thus without Issue-male King Henry the First was not willing that so great an Honor should be shared amongst Women and therefore made two of his Daughters Abbesses viz. Cicely of Shaftsbury and Hawise of Wilton and gave the third viz. Amice in marriage to the Earl of Britanny reserving Mabell the eldest for his own illegitimate Son Robert whom he thereupon created Earl of Glocester and gave him that whole Honor. Montfort THe first of this Family of whom I find mention is Hugh de Montfort Son of Thurstan de Bastenbergh a Norman Which Hugh was commonly called Hugh with a Beard the Normans at that time being usually shaved and accompanying William Duke of Normandy when he first landed in this Realm was with him in that famousâ— Battle against King Harold where the Duke then Conqueror was thereupon advanced to the Royal Throne of this Realm And shortly after being a valiant and expert Soldier received command with some others to be assistant unto William Fitz-Osberne and Odo Bishop of Bayeux in the Administring of Publick Justice throughout the whole Kingdom For which great services he obtained divers fair Lordships as appears by the General Survey viz. Twenty eight in Kent besides a large proportion of Romeney-Marsh sixteen in Essex fifty one in Suffolk and nineteen in Norfolk but at length lost his life in a Duel with Walcheline de Ferrers leaving issue Hugh his Son and Heir Which Hugh by ... his first Wife had issue two Sons Robert and Hugh Which Robert was General of the Army to King William Rufus in the twelfth of His Reign But favoring the title of Robert Curthose in opposition to King Henry the First was called in question for his Infidelity Whereupon being conscious of his guilt he got leave to go to Ierusalem and left all his possessions to the King This Robert gave to the Monks of Bec in Normandy the Churches of Montfort Appevil and Froulancurt but both he and his Brother Hugh died in a pilgrimage without issue And by his second Wife left one Daughter married to Gilbert de Gant Which Gilbert begot on her a Son called Hugh who from his Mother she being so great an Inheritrix assumed the sirname of Montfort as also one Daughter married to Simon Earl of Huntingdon This last mentioned Hugh called Hugh de Montfort the Fourth having taken to Wife Adeline the Daughter to Robert Earl of Mellent joyned with Waleran her Brother and all those who endeavored to advance William Son to Robert Curthose against King Henry the First in An. 1124. 25 Hen. 1. Whereupon entring Normandy with what Forces they could raise he was taken prisoner with the same Waleran and continued in durance for full fourteen years no man interceding for his enlargement in regard what he had done was without any provocation When he died I do not find but that he had issue two Sons viz. Râ—bert and Thurstan as also two Daughters viz. Adeline the Wife of William de Britolio and ... married to Richard Son to ... Earl
and in 42 Hen. 3. had Summons to attend the King at Chester well furnished with Horse and Armes to restrain the Incuâ—sioâ—s of the 〈◊〉 but died in 48 Hen. 3. being then seized of the Mannors of 〈◊〉 and Lâ—ngeton in Com. Dors. with the Adveâ—son of the Church Aâ—eford and Duntisse with the Chappell of Duntisse as also of the Mannor of Celes which was given in Frank-marriage with Maud his Mother Likewise of the Mannor of Norton also given in Frank-marriage with Alâ—reda his Grandmother and of two Knights Fees in 〈◊〉 and Pinford leaving Robert Fitz-Payn Son of Margerie his elder Sister Beatrix the Wife of William de Goviz his second Sister and Albreda de Lincolne his third Sister his next heirs all of full age and Ioane his Wife surviving who had the Mannors of Akeford and 〈◊〉 with the Advousons of the Churches of those Lordships assigned to her for her Dower Which Robert Fitz-Pain and William de Goviz for their good service on the Kings behalf in the Battle of Lewes as the Record expresseth were in 48 Hen. 3. acquitted from payment of the Relief due upon the death of the before-specified Alured de Lincolne their Uncle And doing their Homage had Livery of the Lands hereditarily descended to them by his death viz. the Mannor of Winterborne with the Advouson of the Church to the said Ribert Fitz-Pain and the Mannor of Langeton to Albreda the other Sister for her purparty But in truth it was for fighting there against the King for when they were thus acquitted the King was Prisoner and the rebellious Barons having the power of his Seal acted what they pleased in his name Which Albreda dyed without issue in 6 Edw. 1. Whereupon they the said Robert Fitz-Pain and William de Goviz entring upon the Lands whereof â—he died seized without License were constrained to procure a Pardon of Intrusion Crispin AT the time of the general Survey made by King William the Conqueror it appeareth that Milo Crispin had great possessions in England viz. in Berkshire seven Lordships in Wiltshire twelve in Surrey two in 〈◊〉 three in Bedfordshire three in 〈◊〉 twenty eight and in Oxfordshire thiry three And having wedded Maud the Daughter and Heir to Robert d'Oily by ... his Wife Daughter and Heir of Wigod de Walingford with whom he had the Honor of 〈◊〉 in Berkshire made the Castle of Walingford his principal seat This Milo in 7 Hen. 1. for service done to him in his sickness by 〈◊〉 Abbot of Aâ—endon gave to the Monks of that House an Inne at Colâ—roc in their road to London with half a Hide of Land and sent Gilbert Pipard his Steward and Wâ—rin his Priest to deliver possession thereof upon the Altar at Abendon To the Abby of Bec in Normandy he gave the Lordship of Swynesâ—â—â—â— and all the Tithes of his Dâ—â—esnes belonging to the Honor of Walingford But upon his death without issue which hapned in 7 Henr. 1. this Honor with all his Inheritance besides was disposed of to Brieâ—â—â—â— fil Contitis ¶ Of this Family I presume was also William Crisâ—â—n who in that Warr which King William the Conqueror had against Henry King of France in Normandy was one of his chief Commanders In Ann. 1106. 7. Non. 1. this William adhering to Robert Câ—rthose against King Henry the first was taken Prisoner in that fatal Battle of Tenerchebray wherein all the power of Carthose was utterly vanquished and Normandy thereupon utterly subdued And shortly after viz. in 11 Hen. 1. taking part with that great Rebel Robert de Belesme Earl of Shrewsbury was banished out of Normandy yet about three years after received into favor again Howbeit afterwards scil 19 Hen. 1. he joyned with Lewes King of France against the same King and in that great Battle at Nugent where King Henry was victorious encountered him with such courage that he broke his Head but the King returned such fierce strokes upon him that he selled him from his Horse and took him Prisoner All that I shall farther say of him is that he gave to the Abby of Bec in Normandy the Church of Droecurt with the Lands and Tithes thereto belonging as also the Lordship of Tilla in the Dioces of Lyseux Limesi AT the time of the general Survey made by K. William the Conqueror Ralph de Limesi had great possessions in this Realm viz. in Devonshire four Lordships in Somersetshire seven in Essex three in Norfolk two in Suffolk eleven in Northamptonshire one in Warwickshire one in Hertfordshire four and in Notinghamshire eight Shortly after which he enjoyed also the Lands of Christina one of the Sisters to Edgar Etheling and amongst them Ulverlei in Warwickshire where he had one of his principal Seats himself and his Posterity bearing the title of Barons thereof but now through the alteration which time hath made so obscured that there is scarce any notice taken of it known to the adjacent Inhabitants nought thereof remaining except a large Moat and great Banks whereon antient 〈◊〉 do grow scituate upon the North-west part of 〈◊〉 Parish by the Vulgar called 〈◊〉 and said to have been a Castle Of which place this Ralph gave two parts of his Tithes to the Church of Piritone in Com. Hertf. by him founded But afterwards bearing a venerable respect to the Abby of St. Albans he bestowed thereon this Church of Piriton as also the Church of Hertford which he had likewise built and endowed with diverse Lands and Tithes there and in other places In consideration whereof the Abbot of St. Albans placed therein six of his Monks to celebrate Divine Service for the Soul of him the said Ralph and Hadewyse his Wife and all his Posterity receiving him as a Brother and Monk as also her as a Sister into their Fraternity with promise to bury them both at St. Albans unless that Cell of Hartford should arrive to such Honor as that they had rather lie there and to perform the like solemn Office for him as for any one Monk Moreover he consâ—nted that she the said Hadewyse should bestow upon this Cell at Hartford the Lands of Nigell de Bradwell which were of her Dowery upon condition that so long as she lived she should have three Prebends therein and that after her death another Monk should be admitted thither to pray for the Soul of her and her Husband And after that Monk another perpetually To which Grant amongst other Raer his Son and Robert de Stadford his Nephew were Witnesses To this Ralph de Limesi succeeded Alan his Son and Heir who bestowed on those Monks at Hartford the Church of Ichentone in Com. Warw. and gave to the Knights
into Scotland with her Sons William and Reginald and all her own Family and with her Hugh de Lacy But when the King came to Karrickfergus he received advertisement from Duncan de Carriâ— of Galwey that he had taken her and her Daughter Wife of Roger de Mortimers Son together with William de Braose her Son and his Wife with their two Sons but that Hugh de Lacy and Reginald de Braose her younger Son were escaped Whereupon the King sent two Ships for them under the conduct of Iohn de Curcy and Godfrey de Crancumb Being thus brought to the King she made offer of that Fine of forty thousand marks whereof the King accepted but within three days after repenting her bargain she said she could not make it good The King therefore departing from Karrickfergus for England and taking her with her family along with him she again offered him the forty thousand marks with a penalty of ten thousand marks more in case she paid it not Whereupon the accord was put in writing and sealed on each part both their Oaths being likewise given for performance thereof and not only so but the Seals of those Earls and Barons who were then present for attestation thereto days of payment being appointed accordingly And because the Sheriff of Herefordshire had proceeded against her Husband as a Malefactor in regard of the mischeif he had done in that Countrey and should have Out-lawed him thereupon the King by reason of this Composition commanded the Sheriff to respite the same till his return into England Moreover upon his return having her and her company at Bristoll under Guard she there petitioned that her Husband might have leave to come to her Which being granted he was admitted to the presence of the King and freely expressed his consent to make payment of the Fine In order therefore unto it the King sent a servant of Geffrey Fitz-Piers then Justice of England to go along with him that he might have no impediment in his passage in regard he had been noted for so great a Malefactor But after all this when the first day of payment came the King sending his said Justice of England Geffrey Fitz-Piers and likewise the Earls of Salisbury and Winchester with divers other great Men unto Maud the Wife of this William for the Money she plainly told them they must expect nothing she having no more Money in her Purse then twenty four marks of Silver twenty four shillings of Besants and fifteen ounces of Gold so that neither then nor ever after any thing could be expected from her or from her Husband Which being made known to the King he presently commanded that Proclamation should be made from one County to another for this great Malefactor and in case he came not in according to the Laws of the Realm then to be Outlawed Thus far the Kings Narrative From these various Relations therefore it is no easie matter to discover what his demerits were but what usage he had at last take here from the credit of these two Historians who lived near that time This year viz. An. 1210. 12 Ioh. quoth Matthew of Westminster the Noble Lady Maud Wife of William de Braose with William their Son and Heir were miserably famished at Windsore by the command of King Iohn and William her Husband escaping from Scorham put himself into the habit of a Beggar and privately getting beyond Sea died soon after at Paris where he had burial in the Abby of S. Victor on the Eve of S. Lawrence And Matth. Paris putting his death in An. 1212. which differs a little in time says That he fled from Ireland into France and dying at Ebula his Body was carried to Paris and there honorably buried in the Abby of S. Victor But after these great troubles in his later days I shall now say something of his pious Works To the Monks of Lira in Normandy he gave the Church of Orsesleve And being by Inheritance from his Mother Lord of Bergavenny he gave to the Monks of that Priory all the Tithes of his Castle there viz. of Bread Wine Bear Cider all manner of Flesh Fish Salt Honey Wax Tallow and in general of whatsoever should be brought thither and spent there And moreover two marks of Silver out of his Lordship of Espines and two marks of Silver yearly out of his Lands in England so soon as God should enlarge them to forty pound per annum As also the Toll on the Market day within the Gates of that his Castle Which gift he so made to those Monks of Bergavenny upon condition that the Abbot and Covent of S. Vincenti in Maine to which this Priory of Bergavenny was a Cell should daily pray for the Soul of King Henry the First as also for the soul of him the said William and the Soul of Maud his Wife And it is observed of him that in his usual Communication he would reverendly use the Name of God viz. In Gods name let this be done or If it please God or By Gods grace so likewise in all his Letters he wrote Moreover that in his journeys whensoever he came into a Church or beheld a Cross though he were then discoursing with another he would leave off and betake himself to this devotions and having said his Prayers return to his former discourse Likewise when he met any Children in the way he would salute them courteously to the end he might have a return with the benediction of Innocents By Maud his Wife called Maud de S. Waleric he had issue William who was famished with her at Windsore Giles Bishop of Hereford and Reginald as before hath been observed and four Daughters viz. Ioane who was the Wife of Richard Lord Percy a great Baron in the North Loretta wedded to Robert Fitz-Parnell Earl of Leicester who had with her in Marriage the Lordship of Tavestoke in Com. Devon with thirteen Knights Fees Margaret the Wife of Walter de Lacy and Maud Wife of Griffith Prince of South Wales Of Philip his Brother all that I have met with is That after the Conquest of Ireland upon the return of King Henry the Second thence amongst other persons of note which he left behind him there he was one and under him twenty Soldiers As to the Lands of this great but unhappy Man it appears That in 11 Ioh. the Sheriff of Devon accounted for Toteneys Cornwrthy Barstople and Lappeford and that the stock of Cattle upon some other was sold for the Kings use For in 12 Ioh. William de Nevill accounted for eighty four pounds and five shillings for three hundred thirty seven Kine part of the number of seven hundred and four which came from his Lands each Cow then rated at five shillings Moreover as to his Barony of Brembry it was then in the hands of Richard Earl of Cornwal by reason of this his forfeiture
the Monks of St. Peters Abby at Shrewsbury a part of Bradeston Likewise the Town of Ougfort with the Tithes of â—petone as also the Church and Tithes of Beritone And that after his death ... his Wife for the health of his Soul bestowed on them an House in Shrewsbury which was part of her Dowry to the intent that the Fermour thereof should find a Wax light to burn in the Abby Church there every night throughout the year at the Altar of the Holy Innocents Furthermore it is reported that this Warine had a Brother called Reginald who gave to those Monks of Shrewsbury the Town of Leghe and after the death of Warine took his Wife and his Honor. Likewise that he had a Son called Hugh who gave to those Monks of Shrewsbury the Church of St. Oswald and also the Church of Mutle with the Tithes of Nesse and Scrawardine but Fulke his Son succeeded him in his Lands and Honor. Which Fulke being under the tutelage of one Ioos a Knight fell in Love with his Daughter Hawise and married her and having so done took a journey with Ioos into Ireland and assisted him in his warrs against Walter de Lacie This is that Fulke who was called Fulco Vicecomes and gave the Lordship of Pinelege to the Abby of St. Peter at Shrewsbury He was also constituted Lieutenant of the Marches by King Henry the first about the year 1122. 23 Hen. 1. having then been in Wales and settled all in quiet there Moreover ere long Skirmishing with the Prince of Wales he gave him an hurt in the Shoulder and forced him to flee to a Castle called Cayhome but was in that Skirmish wounded himself After which he rode towards Gloucester to meet King Henry of whom he was courteously entertained and made Steward of his House as also Lord and Governor of those Marches He likewise fought with the Prince of Wales near Hereford and had the better of the day for which respect when the Prince of Wales restored to the Lords Marchers their Lands he retained Mallor and Whitington whereupon King Henry the second gave unto him for that loss the Honor of Alston In 2 R. 1. this Fulk paid an hundred pounds for part of the inheritance belonging to his Wife and was made Knight by King Henry at Winchester together with his three Brethren It is said that upon a falling out with Iohn Son to King Henry the second at the Game of Chesse having his Head broke with the Chesse board by Iohn he gave him such a blow that he almost Killed him When he died I do not certainly find but 't is evident that he was buried at Abberbury and that at the time of his death Fulke his Son and Heir was in the Wars of Lumbardy Moreover that he had five other Sons viz. William Guarine Phillip Iohn and Alan This Fulke the second had a Castle at Abberbury the ruins whereof are extant and was by King Richard the first left to defend the Marches of Wales when he went into the Holy-Land Moreover in 7 Ric. 1. he gave a fine of forty Marks to the King for livery of Whitington Castle according to the judgment then given for him thereof in the Kings Court. But after the death of King Richard Maurice Son to Roger who had Whitington-Castle given him by the Prince of Wales being made Warden of the Marches by King Iohn he desired a confirmation of that Castle under the Great Seal having sent a Courser well trapped unto Montgomerie Castle for the King obtainted his request This Fulke therefore and his Brother desiring Justice from the King as 't is said and not prevailing quitted their fidelity and went from Winchester It is also said that one Gerard a Lord of France being sent by the King to encounter them was slain in that adventure Moreover that Hawyse Wife to this Fulke advising him he fled into Britanny Likewise that thereupon King Iohn seized his Lands and afterwards upon his return into England caused him to be pursued constituting Gilbert de Montferrant Captain of those that followed him whom Fulke and his Brethren killed But notwithstanding King Iohn's wrath towards him upon the death of Maurice the Prince of Wales restored Whitington unto him Whereof King Iohn having notice he privily sent to the same Prince Lewelin to surprise him with his Brethren also and to cut off their Heads Of which designe this Fulke having notice by Ioan Wife of Leweline Sister to King Iohn he fled into France and went by the name of Sir Amyce Howbeit notwithstanding he was thus gone King Iohn would not be satisfied but advertised the King of France that he was a Rebell Nevertheless that King bore such a respect to him that he offered him a Barony there which he refused and â—ailing to other parts at length landed at Dovor thence came to Windâ—ore where hearing that the King was coming thither to hunt he changed his Cloaths with a Colliar and standing in the way where the King rode being asked if he saw any Game he answered yes and thereupon took the King under that pretence to his Tent where his Brethren and Friends were and having him there alone threatned him for his Banishment so sore that he obtained promise of pardon But the King being loose caused him again to be closely pursued that he was constrained to flee to Sea so that he went into Barbary and there fell in love with a noble Lady called Idonea Howbeit at length returning again into England through the mediation of Ranulph Earl of Chester the Earl of Gloucester Hugh Bigot Earl Marshal and Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury he obtained restitution of his Castle at Whitington Our publick Records say that rebelling against King Iohn he was outlawed and that thereupon Weenoc Son of Meurich of Powys gave to the King an hundred pounds and four Palâ—reys for Whitington with the appurtenances whereof his Father had been seised at the time of his death and whereof he had King Henry the second 's Charter as also the confirmation of King Iohn And moreover that the same year through the Mediation of I. Bishop of Norwich and Will Earl of Salisbury the Kings Brother the King was pleased to pardon that his Flight and the Utlary pronounced against him and to receive him to favor Also that thereupon giving two hundred marks and two Coursers he had Livery of the Castle of Whitington as his hereditary right Command being given to the Sheriff of Shropshire to yield him possession thereof accordingly And in 9 Ioh. gave
make mention in regard they preceded his Military Actions in point of Time Howbeit when I consider how gloriously he behav'd himself in that memorable Fight against the Scots near North-Alberton in Yorkshire commonly called the Battel of the Standard which hapned in the year of Christ 1138. 3 Steph. I do no less admire his Valour than his Piety But of that famous Encounter and the Occasion thereof having said something already in the Life of William le Gross Earl of Albemarle I shall here onely take notice of his particular Actings And first That he who is called by R. Hoveden Procerum egregius with Thurstan Archbishop of Yorke did incite all the Noblemen of England living beyond Humber to put themselves in Arms for resistance of the Scots who had then Invaded the North of this Realm with a mighty Host and that being of Stature taller by the Head than all others as also had in great Veneration both for his Age and Wisdom ascending a Device which was made about the Standard he did by an elegant Oration encourage the whole English Army to fight putting them in mind of the famous Exploits which had been done of old by the Valour of their Ancestors in Forein Parts and in particular against the Scottish Nation assuring them That to vindicate the vile Profanations which that barbarous People had made in all Holy Places where they came St. Michael and his Angels and St. Peter with the Apostles whose Churches were by them made Stables would fight yea That the Martyrs with their glorious Company whose Altars they had defiled would lead them on Likewise That the Sacred Virgins would intercede for them by their devout Prayers and That Christ himself would take up his Shield and rise up to their Aid And having ended his Speech turned himself to the Earl of Albemarle and gave him his Hand saying I faithfully promise you That I will Conquer the Scots this day or lose my Life by them Which courageous Expression did put such spirit into all the Noblemen there that each of them made the like Vow to other And to take away all opportunity of Flight sent their Horses to a large distance resolving to fight on foot and conquer or to lose their Lives Whereupon soon ensued a glorious Victory to the English Nor was he meerly a Soldier but Learned in the Laws as it seems for he was a Iustice Itinerant together with Eustace Fitz-Iohn a great Baron in the North shortly after the beginning of King Stephen's Reign In his youthful years he took to Wife a certain Lady nam'd Adeline and by her had a Son callâ—d Walter a comely Person who took such great delight in swift Horses that on a time spurring his Courser to run past his strength he occasioned him to stumble hard by the Stone-cross at Frithby near Kirkham in Yorkshire by means whereof the Horse fell and broke his Rider's Neck to the great grief of this our famous Walter Especk his Father who thus bereâ—t of Issue and in no small care how to dispose of his Estate consulting with William his Uncle then Rector of the Church of Garton was by him advised to make Christ his heir unto part of it Which he accordingly did by Founding those three Monasteries before-mentioned But after this till his Death which hapned in the year 1153. 18 Steph. I have observed no more of him than that two years before he became a Monk in that Abby of Riebaulx so Founded by him as hath been said and that he was there buried upon the seventh Ides of March the same year leaving the Remainder of his Possessions unto his three Sisters viz. Hawise the Wife of William de Buscie Albredae of Nicholas de Trailly and Adeline of Peter de Ros unto which Adeline he especially gave the Patronage of those Abbies of Kirkham and Riebaulx Dunstanvill THe first mention I find of this Family is in the time of King Henry the First Reginald de Dunstanvill then giving the Church of Winterburn in Com. Wiltes to the Monks of Lewes in Com. Suss. After whose death Adelina de L'isle his Wife surviving for the health of the Soul of him the said Reginald her late Husband gave the Lordship of Polton to the Abby of Tewksbury To this Reginald succeeded Robert de Dunstanvill Which Robert in 2 H. 2. had a Grant from the King of the Lordship of Heghtredesbury in Com. Wiltes And in 10 H. 2. was one of the Peers who then undertook that the King should maintain the Laws and Customs of the Realm But all that I have further seen of him is That he gave the Church of Bercham and Chappel of Greteham to the Monks of Lewes in Com. Suss. To him succeeded Walter de Dunstanvill who married Vrsula one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Reginald Earl of Cornwall in whose Right he had the Lordship of Ideshale in Com. Salop. In 2 R. 1. this Walter gave C Marks Fine for Livery of the Mannors of Cumbe Colerne and Wili in Com. Wilts but died in 8 R. 1. or before for in that year Will. de S. Marie-church accounted xxi l. iv s. for xxi Knights Fees and a fifth part which was for his Scutage and in 2 Ioh. Thomas Basset and Alan his Brother offered a Fine to the King of five hundred Marks for the Wardship of his Land and Heir but obtain'd it not as it seems for the next ensuing year Gilbert Basset for six hundred Marks paid to the King had the same Wardship To this Walter succeeded another Walter who in 15 Ioh. attended the King into Pâ—ictou and in 16 Ioh. procured his Charter for a Weekly Market at his Mannor of Hetredesbury in Com. Wilts upon the Wednesdy and a Fair Yearly on the Eve and Day of the Invention of the Holy Cross. This Walter gave his Mannor of Winterburne to Alan Basset Geffrey Fitz-Piers Earl of Essex and Will. Mareschall Earl of Pembroke being Witnesses to the Grant And having been in Arms against King Iohn in 1 H. 3. had Letters of Safe-conduct to come to the King to make his Composition Which being compleated the next ensuing year command was given to the Sheriffs of the Counties of Salop. Cantab. Wiltes and Surr. for restitution of his Lands seised into the King's Hands for that Transgression This Walter gave to the Canons of Wombrugge in Com. Salop. the Mannor of Lens Aynulf in Com. Salop. and two Mills in Ideshale with the Sute which his Tenants of that Mannor did owe thereto and departed this Life in 25 H. 3. Whereupon Walter his Son doing his Homage and giving Security for the Payment of C l. for his Relief had Livery of his Lands And in 41 H. 3. as one of the
Empress and King Stephen he burnt the Abby of Wherwelle in Com. Suthampt. in regard the Nuns of that House harboured some of the Empresses Followers But when the Times grew more calm and quiet he founded an Abby at Boxâ—ey in Kent for Cistertian-Monks in Anno 1144. 9 Steph. Howbeit after the death of King Stephen 't is said that he was forced to depart the Realm and that he thereupon betook himself to a Monastick Life in the Abby of Laon in Flanders as also that he there died 9 Kal. Febr. Anno 1162. Morvill IN Anno 1138. 3 Steph. Hugh de Morvill was one of the Witnesses to that Charter of Protection then made by David King of Scots to the Monks of Tinemouth And in 3 H. 2. Simon de Morvill gave fifty Marks for Livery of the Lands of Raphe de Engaine having married Ada the Daughter and Heir to William de Engaine Son of him the said Raphe in whose Right he possess'd the Barony of Burgh upon the Sands in Com. Cumbr. it descending to her Hereditarily from Ebria her Grandmother Daughter and Heir to Robert Trivers Wife to Raphe de Engaine her Grandfather unto which Robert Ranulph de Meschines anciently Lord of Cumberland first gave the Inheritance of it together with the Forest of Englewode to hold by the Service of Cornage This Simon left Issue by her two Sons Roger and Richard Which Roger had Issue Hugh de Morvile who was one of those in 17 H. 2. that boldly came to Thomas Becket then Archbishop of Canterbury being in his Bed-chamber requiring him by Command from the King That he should restore those Bishops which he had suspended and absolve them that were excommunicated Who answering That what was done by the Apostolick Authority could not be altered he with the rest who had machinated his Death follow'd him into the Cathedral at Canterbury when he went to Vespers and there barbarously murther'd him at the Altar of St. Benedict Which done they entred his Stables and taking away his Horses rode to Knaresburgh in Yorkshire a Town then belonging to this Hugh where they staid till all the Inhabitants thereabouts were weary of them This Hugh took to Wife Helewise de Stutevill with whom he had the Mannors of Kirk-Oswald and 〈◊〉 in Com. Cumbr. and in 2 Ioh. obtain'd Licence to inclose his Woods at Kirk-Oswald likewise to fortifie his Mannor-house and to have a Fair there once every year with a Market every week Moreover he gave unto the King xv Marks and three good Palfreys to enjoy his Court with the Liberties of Toll Theam Infangthef Fire and Water Ordeall and such other Privileges as belong'd to the Crown during the continuance of Helewise his Wife in a Regular Habit And left Issue onely two Daughters his Heirs viz. Ada and Ioane Which Ada first married in his Life-time to Richard the Son of Reginald de Lucie of Egremunt and secondly to Thomas de Multon And Ioane after her Father's death to Richard Gernun Whereupon in 6 Ioh. upon Partition of the Lands of this Hugh betwixt those his Daughters and Coheris Richard de Lucie gave a Fine to the King of Nine hundred Marks and Five Palfreys for the Purpartie of Ada his Wife and Forester-ship of Cumberland as fully as he the said Hugh enjoy'd the same and Richard Gernun Six hundred Marks for liberty to marry Ioane the younger Daughter with the Purpartie belonging to her of those Lands whereof her Father died seised Of Richard de Morvill the younger Son of Simon all I have seen is That in 16 H. 2. he gave to the King a Fine of CC Marks for Livery of those Lands which he claimed with the Daughter of William de Lancaster Also That he took part with the King of Scotland Robert Earl of Leicester and other of the English Nobility in that Insurrection made against King Henry the Second by young Henry his Son whom he had Crowned in his own Life-time Likewise That he was possess'd of the Lordships of Worendene and Bosegate in Com. Northampt. And That he left Issue Helene his Daughter and Heir married to Rolland de Galweie ¶ Of this Family doubtless was Eudo de Morevill who left Issue two Daughters his Heirs whereof Maude became the Wife of Mathew de Columbers Which Mathew in 22 H. 3. gave a Fine of Lx Marks for Livery of her Purpartie of that Inheritance and in 23 H. 3. xx Marks more for Livery of the Lands which were of the Inheritance of Isabell Mother to her the said Maude Somerie IN 5 Steph. Roger de Sumeri gave ten Marks of Silver for Livery of the Lands of his Wifes Mother About which time also King Stephen confirm'd those Grants which Christian de Sumerie and her Sons had made to the Nuns at Stratford commonly called Stratford at Bow in Com. Midd. of their Land at Haselingâ—eild in Com. Cantabr in which County of Cambridge Stephen de Sumeri had anciently a Barony After this there was Iohn de Sumeri who took to Wife Hawyse the Sister and Heir to Gervase Paganell Baron of Dudley in Com. Staff and gave to the Monks of Tykford in Com. Buck. of the Foundation of the Paganells his Wifes Ancestors two Yard-land in Tykford Which Hawyse was afterwards married to Roger de Berkley To whom succeeded Raphe his Son and Heir who in 6 R. 1. accounted CCC Marks for Livery of the Barony of Gervase Painâ—ll his Mothers Father until the King's return out of Almaine And the same year upon Collection of the Aid for that King's Redemption paid Fifty Pound for those Fees of Gervase Paganell But that Sum of CCC Marks was not paid till 1 Ioh. This Raphe de Sumerie in 6 Ioh. obtain'd of that King in lieu of the Mannor of Wolverhampton which the King thereupon gave to Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury the Mannors of Mere Swinford and Clent in exchange Which Mannors were thenceforth to be held by him and his Heirs in Fee paying yearly to the Exchequer by the hands of the Sheriff of Staffordshire for Mere viii l. for Swinford ix l. and for Clent iv l. xiii s. iv d. which was the ancient Farm and C s. more of Increment at Michaelmass and Easter by even Portions performing to the King and his Heirs the Service of one Knights Fee And in consideration of C Marks then by him paid into the King's Exchequer had Livery of those Mannors according to the tenor of that Grant Moreover in 10 Ioh. giving to the King C l. and two Palfreys he had Livery of the Lordship of Newport in Com. Buck. which his Mother formerly
E. 1. had Burial in the Quire of that Abby near his Father's Tomb before the High Altar having bequeath'd thereunto xl l. Sterling with his Arms as also the Chariot for carrying of his Corps and all other things relating to his Funeral At that time of his death he was seised of certain Lands in Wanendon in Com. Buck. which he had in Frank marriage with Isabel his Wife Daughter to Iohn Earl of Oxford Which Isabell surviving him was afterwards married to Oliver de Dynham and buried on the South-side the Quire of the Fryers-Preachers in Exeter He also died seised of the Borough of Pepilford in Com. Devon of the Mannor of Sutton in Com. Berks. of the Mannor of Honiâ—ton in Com. Somerset a Member of the Barony of Okehampton of the Mannor of Crukerne in the same County which William de Vernun Lord of the Isle gave to Robert de Curtenay Father of this Iohn in Frank-marriage with Mary his Daughter of the Mannor of Wotton in Com. Somers of Ywern Courtney in Com. Dorset of the Borough of Okehampton and Mannor of Susebyri in Com. Devon as also of the Mannor of Okehampton and divers other Lordships in Devonsh and elsewhere appertaining to that Barony leaving Hugh de Curtenai his Son and Heir Which Hugh doing his Fealty and paying his Relief had Livery of his Inheritance in 4 E. 1. This Hugh was in that Expedition made into Wales in 10 E. 1. So likewise in those into Scotland in 26 28 31 32 and 34 E. 1. and again in that of Wales in 30 E. 1. Moreover in 8 E. 2. he receiv'd command to be at Newcastle upon Tine well fitted with Horse and Arms to restrain the Incursions of the Scots But more I have not seen of him than what the Monk of Forde reports viz. That what his Pious Ancestors had given to their Abby for the augmenting of God's Service and for the good Estate of themselves and their Posterity in pure and perpetual Alms and without any Condition but their Suffrages he laid claim to for the keeping of his Dogs and Horses affirming That those Lands ought to be held of him by the Service of providing a Travelling-Waggon and one Horse and Gears for five Horses as also a Leathern Cover for that Waggon and keeping of two great Horses or two Palfreys with two Grooms for his use and likewise Horse-clothes for those Horses Moreover for keeping one Greyhound and one Brache with her Welps every year till they should be a Twelve-month old Alledging That Iohn de Courtney his Father was seiâ—ed of all these in King Henry the Third's time and that he himself had the like Travelling Waggon provided at the Charge of those Monks in the tenth year of that King viz. E. 1. into Wales upon his Service in the Wars there All which he did not onely challenge but caused their Cattel at Westford-Grange as also those at Westford and Orchard to be driven away by a multitude of Men upon St. Laurence-day in the sixteenth year of the same King's Reign Whereupon the Monks brought a Writ of Replevin but the Sheriffs Bailiffs made return thereupon That they could not deliver them in regard he laid claim to the Cattel as his own so that a great Suit was begun about this Business yet at length all was agreed Notwithstanding which Accord he came afterwards again with a number of Men upon the Sunday next after the Feast of St. Agatha in Anno 18 E. 1. to take another Distâ—ess but being beaten off by the Abbotâ— Servants returned by Westford-Grange and took twelve Kine four Oxen and four Heâ—â—ers and Impounded them at Wimple Which might have occasion'd another Sute but that the Abbot declin'd it From which time he never did any kindness to those Monks but hated them perfectly This Hugh married Alâ—anore Daughter of Hugh le Despenser Father of Hugh Earl of Winchester and had Issue by her Hugh his Son and Heir Sir Philip Courtney of Moneâ—en near Dartmore in Com. Devon Knight slain in the Battel of Stâ—ivelyn in Scotland Anno NCCCXIV 8 E. 2. as also Sir Thomas Courtney Knight who took to Wife Muriel the Daughter of Sir Iohn de Moels and lieth buried in the Augustine-Friers in London He had also Issue by her the said Alianore four Daughters viz. Isabell married to Sir Iohn St. Iohn Knight Aveline to Sir Iohn Gifford Knight Egeline to Robert Scales and Margaret to Iohn de Mulis And departing this Life at Colcuâ—â—be 3 Cal. Martii Anno MCCXCI 19 E. 1. Hugh his Son and Heir being then xvi years of age was buried at Cowyke near Exeter a Cell to the Abby of Tavestore which 't is said he founded After which Alianore his Widow having for her Dower an Assignation of the Mannors of Woâ—â—enden and Hillesdon in Com. Buck. Ywerne in Com. Dorset Honyngton in Com. Somerset as also Museburi Coliton and Câ—ulmelegh in Com. Devon lived xxxvii years a Widow at Coleâ—umbe keeping good Hospitality and governing her Family with great Prudence But at length in her return out of Kent she departed this Life at London in Anno MCCCXXVIII 2 E. 3. and was buried at Cowike near her Husband I come now to Hugh Son to the last-deceased Hugh and Alianore This Hugh had so much favour from the King in 25 E. 1. as that notwithstanding he made not proof of his Age he then doing his Homage had Livery of the Mannor of Eâ—rightone in Com. Dorset as also of Plymptone Exeminstre Twyvertone and Topeshom in Com. Devon which Hereditarily descended to him by the death of Isabell de Fortibus Countess of Albemarle In 28 E. 1. this Hugh obtain'd a Charter for a weekly Mercate every Saturday at his Mannor of Topeshaâ— in Com. Devon and a Fair yearly upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin and likewise a Mercate every Thursday at his Mannor of Keneford in that County with a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen In 20 E. 2. he received the Honour of Knighthood according to the Solemn Custom of that Age and had his Robes allow'd him and all other Accoutrements for that Ceremony of Bathing as a Baneret In 8 E. 3. then call'd Hugh de Courtney senior representing to the King That whereas he was seised of a certain Annuity of xviii l. vi s. viii d. for the Tertium Denarium of the County of Devon with divers Lands by Right of Inheritance from Isabell de Fortibus Countess of Albemarle and Devon which she in her Life-time did possess and having accordingly receiv'd the same Annuity at the Hands of the Sheriffs of that County for which they had Allowance upon their Accompts in the Exchequer until Walter Bishop of Exeter
exchange his Castle of Werke unto Raphe de Nevill for other Lands was imploy'd in the Parts Beyond-Sea in the King's Service In 21 R. 2. doing his Homage 6 Febr. he had Livery of all the Lands descended to him from William de Montacute late Earl of Salisbury then deceased whose Heir he was viz. Son of Sir Iohn de Montacute Knight Brother to that Earl and being a great Favourite to King Richard the Second was one of those whom he suborn'd to impeach Thomas of Wodâ—toke Duke of Glouc. as also the Earls of Warwick and Arundell in the ensuing Parliament And then bearing the Title of Earl of Salisbury obtain'd from that King a Grant to himself and the Heirsâ—Male of his Body of the Mannors of Cheddeworth and Ledeney in Com. Glouc. Haddesore Shzabeley Koke and Kibbesford in Com. Wigorn. with xx l. yearly Rent in Worcester As also of the Mannors of Saham and Paneworthall in Com. Norff. with the Hundreds and Advowsons of the Churches belonging to those Mannors then seised into the King's Hands by the Attainder of Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Moreover in 22 R. 2. he was constituted Marshal of England in the absence of Thomas Holand Duke of Surrey then imploy'd into Ireland Furthermore in the Parliament then held at Westminster he obtain'd a Scire facias against the Earl of March for the Lordship of Denbigh Shortly after which he had Licence to go into France and soon after that was joyn'd in Commission with the Bishop of St. Asaph and others to treat of Peace with the Scots Likewise before the end of that year he attended the King into Ireland But upon the News of the Duke of Hereford's arrival in England he was dispatch'd thence with a great Power whilst King Richard going to Waterford might get his Fleet together and Landed at Conway in North-Wales Where being advertised that the D. of Hereford had obtain'd the greatest part of the Realm all the Lords being gotten to him he summon'd in the Welch and likewise the Cheshire-Men to the number of Forty thousand who seeing nothing of the King whom they supposed to have been at Conway they dispersed themselves leaving this Earl almost alone Whereupon the Duke of Hereford advancing towards him he withdrew to Conway to which Place the King was by that time come and advised him to go to Beaumares It is reported of this Earl That though upon the deposal of King Richard the Second to whom he had been most obsequious he had such fair respect from King Henry the Fourth that his Life was not brought in question nevertheless he confederated with the Earls of Huntendon and Kent in designing his destruction and accordingly came with them to Windsore-Castle upon the Sunday next after the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord under the disguise of Christmass-Players with purpose to murther him and his Sons and to restore King Richard But finding that their Plot was discovered they fled by Night to Cirencester in Com. Glouc. Whereupon the Towns-men being much affrighted at their coming thither with such numbers at that unseasonable time stopping up all the Avenues to prevent their passage out there grew a sharp Fight betwixt them which held from Midnight until three of the Clock the next morning so that being tired out they yielded themselves desiring that they might not suffer death till they could speak with the King which was granted But that a Priest of their Party setting Fire on the Town to give them opportunity for escape so irritated the Inhabitants that neglecting to quench the Fire they brought them out of the Abby in great sury and Beheaded them about break of the day Being thus put to death his Body was buried in the Abby at Cirencester and there rested till 8 H. 5. that the King upon the humble Petition of Maude his Widow gave her leave to translate it to the Abby of Bustlesham in Com. Berks. of his Ancestor's Foundation This Earl married Maude the Daughter to Sir Adam Francis of London Knight Widow of Iohn Aubrey Son of Andrew Aubrey Citizen of London Widow also of Sir Alan Buxhull Knight and had Issue by her two Sons viz. Thomas at the time of his death xii years of age and Richard who died issueless as also three Daughters viz. Anne first married to Sir Richard Hankford Knight secondly to Sir Iohn Fitz-Lewis Knight and thirdly to Iohn Holand Earl of Huntendon and Duke of Exeter Margaret to William Lord Ferrers of Groby and Elizabeth to Robert Lord Willoughby of Eresby This is that Iohn de Montacute who was one of the Chief of that Sect called Lollards in his time and the greatest Phanatick of them all saith my Author being so transported with Zeal that he caused all the Images which were in the Chappel at Schenele there set up by Iohn Aubrey and Sir Alan Buxhull his Wives former Husbands or any of their Predecessors to be taken down and thrown in obscure places onely the Image of St. Katherine in regard that many did affect it he gave leave that it should stand in his Bakehouse His death as is above-expressed hapned upon the fifth day of January viz. the Eve of the Epiphany 1 H. 4. being then seised in Fee-tail of the Mannor of Stokenham with the Borough of Chydelington the Hundred of Colrigge the Mannor of Yolhampton with the Borough of la Nasse the Mannors of Okeford and Pyworthy the Mannors of Woneford Clift â— St. Mary with the Advowson of the Church the Mannor of Lantyan all in Com. Devon and Cornwall with two Parts of CC Marks yearly Rent issuing out of the Cunage of Tin in Com. Cornub. Likewise of the Mannors of Huniton and Warblyngton of the Castle of Christ-Church-Twynham with the Borough the Mannor of Westoure and Hundred of Christ-Church the Mannors of Kyngewode and Ebbelorde with the Advowson of the Churches of Kyngwode and Shaldeflut of the Mannor of Erlestoke and xx l. Rent of the Farm of the County of Wiltes of the Honour of Sherneton and divers Knights Fees thereto belonging with the view of Frank-pledge and Hundred of Sherneton as also of the Advowsons of the Churches of Wynterborne and Todeworth Meles with three Knights Fees in Upton Skydemore c. all in Com. Suthampt. and Wiltes Also of the Mannors of Knolle Thurlebere la More one Knights Fee in Pontyngton one Knights Fee in East Chelleworth of the Advowson of the Priory of Montacute with the Cells of Careswell St. Carric and Malpas Likewise of Cxx l. yearly Rent to be received of the Farms of those Priories and Cells of the Mannor of Swere with the Advowson of the Church xx l. Rent in Hilleworth x s. Rent in Blakemore with the Wood of Blakemore and Mannor of Blakemore called Neuland
E. 3. was again in the Scottish-Wars But departing this Life at Sheffeild pridie Id. Octobr. Anno 1339. 13 E. 3. lieth buried in the Abby of Beaucheif in Com. Derb. not far from Sheffeild leaving Thomas his Son and Heir seventeen years of age Ioane his Wife who was so great an Inheritrix being deceased long before him in Child-bed viz. 6 Non. Oct. Anno 1334. 8 E. 3. then about thirty years of age and buried before the High-Altar in Croâ—den Abby with her Ancestors Unto this last-mentioned Thomas thus in Minority at his Father's death as is observed upon another Partition made of Verdon's Lands in 18 E. 3. there was allotted the Mannor of Franham with the Hamlet of Sere in Com. Buck. Stoke Verdon with certain Tenements in â—yne-lesdon in Com. Wiltes and the Mannor of Bitlesby in Com. Leic. After which viz. the next ensuing year he attended the King in his Expedition made into France So likewise in 20 E. 3. that being the time when the English took Cane and obtain'd that signal Victory over the French at Cressie Moreover in 21 E. 3. he was again in those Wars So likewise in 23 E. 3. And in 30 E 3. accompanying Henry Lord Percy into Scotland was with him in the Garrison of Roxborough-Castle When this Thomas died I find not but certain it is that he departed this Life without Issue and lieth under a Tomb of Alabaster at Wyrksop above the Quire and that to him succeeded William de Furnivall his Brother and Heir who doing his Homage in 39 E. 3. had Livery of all his Lands excepting those whereof Ioane his Wife then surviving had been endowed This William permitted the Pale of his Park at Wyrksop to be so defective that divers of the King 's Deer out of the Forest of Sâ—erwode coming freely into it were destroyed For which respect William de Latimer Warden of the Forests beyond Trent seised it into the King's Hand but not long afterwards upon the payment of Twenty Pound Fine he had pardon for that Offence And having married Thomasine the Daughter and Heir of ... Dagworth in whose Right he had the Mannor of Dagworth in Suffolk with the Mannor of Dagworth in Elmedone and Crawlebery Elmdone and Crysbale as also the Mannors of Coggeshales in Elmedone 〈◊〉 Arkisdene died in 6 R. 2. leaving Issue one sole Daughter and Heir called Ioane married to Thomas de Nevill Brother to Raphe Earl of Westmerland who was thereupon summon'd to Parliament as Lord Furnivall as I have elsewhere more fully shewed Braibroc THIS Family so called from their chief Sea at Braibroc in Com. Northampt. is descended from one Ingebald who took to Wife Albreda one of the Daughters and Heirs to Ivo Newmarch and had Issue by her a Son called Robert Mey but afterwards Robert de Braibroc Which Robert in 10 R. 1. gave a Fine to the King of CLXXX Marks for his Favour But from King Iohn he found a better esteem being Master of his Wardrobe and one of his Council having also in 6 Ioh. a special Licence for keeping of Greyhounds to take the Fox and Hare in any of the King's Lands and Forests excepting his chiefest Warrens And in 7 Ioh. obtain'd the Mannor of Corby in Com. Northampt. with the Hundred to hold in Fee-farm for the yearly Rent of viii l. to be paid into the Exchequer Not long after which viz. in 12 Ioh. he purchased the Mannor of Langtone as also the Mannor of Sutton And having been Sheriff of the Counties of Buck. and Bedf. from 7 till 15 Ioh. of Northampt. from 10 to 15 and of Roteland in 13 and 15 departed this Life leaving Issue Henry his Son and Heir Which Henry was Sheriff of Rotel in 14 Ioh. And of the same County as also of the Counties of Northampt. Bedf. and Buck. in 16 and 17 Ioh. In which sixteenth year he accounted for forty Quarters of Wheat and forty fat Swine bought to Victual the Castle of Northampton the Price of each Quarter of Wheat being at that time ii s. and of each Hog ii s. But in 17 Ioh. taking part with the Rebellious Barons he underwent the Sentence of Excommunication by the Pope and became so active on their part that in 1 H. 3. he had the Trust of that strong Castle of Montsorell in Com. Leic. which was extraordinarily Fortified and Mann'd and held it out stoutly for some time against the whole Power of the King But before the end of that year Peace being made and all Places of Strength delivered up this Castle amongst others was rendred Whereupon the Son of this Henry de Braybroc then a Prisoner and in custody of Fulke de Breant had his Liberty In 6 H. 3. this Henry having married Christian Daughter and Heir to Wischard Ledet and Margaret his Wife paid C l. for the Relief of her Lands and doing his Homage had Livery of them After which viz. in 8 H. 3. being constituted one of the King 's Justices-Itinerant he was taken at Dunstaple by a Party of Soldiers sent out of the Castle at Bedford by Falk de Breant and carried Prisoner thither that Castle being then held by him in a Rebellious manner but upon the Render thereof which soon after hapned he was enlarged And in 11 H. 3. obtain'd a new Grant from the King of the before-specified Mannor of Corby to hold in Fee-farm by the ancient Rent of viii l. per annum For which Grant and for to have a Fair there he gave Ten Marks And departed this Life in 18 H. 3. leaving Issue by her the said Christian his Wife two Sons viz. Wyschard who assumed the Name of Ledet by reason of his Mothers Inheritance and Iohn She the said Christian surviving who doing her Homage had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance lying in the Counties of Northampt. Linc. and Heref. Which Wischard died in Anno 1241. 25 H. 3. leaving Issue a Son called Walter Which Walter had Issue by Ermentrude his Wife two Daughters his Heirs viz. Alice and Christian whose Marriages the Abbot of Pipwell recovered by a Suit in Law and sold them to Ermentrude their Mother Which Ermentrude passed them again to Iohn de Haya with purpose that they might be Wives for his two Sons and afterwards married her self to Robert de Peche But notwithstanding this Design of Iohn de Haya one of them viz. Alice became the Wife of Sir William Latimer and Christian of Iohn de Latimer From Iohn the younger Son who retain'd the Name of Braibroc descended Sir Reginald Braibroc Knight who
besiege his Castle of Pontfract and take it commanding the assistance to them therein of all his Subjects to their utmost power It is said that in this his flight consulting with those Barons then with him at the Black-Fryers in Pontfract they advised him to march to Dunstanburgh a Castle of his own in Northumberland and that refuâ—ing so to do lest it should be thought he held intelligence with the Scots he expressed that he did resolve to stay still at Pontfract And that thereupon Sir Roger de Clifford drawing out his Dagger swore that he would kill him unless he would go with them whereupon he went having seven hundred Men of his company And before the Kings Forces could overtake him got to Burroughbrigge in Yorkshire where finding the Countrey people in Arms and William Lord Latimer then Governor of the City of York and Sir Andrew de Harcla of Carlisle ready to give him Battle after a short skirmish Humphrey de Boâ—un Earl of Hereford attempting to pass the Bridge was â—lain by one who lay under an Arch and he himself over-powâ—red with numbers taken by the same Sir Andrew So likewise were Roger de Clifford Iohn de Moâ—brâ—y Warreâ—de â—Isle and many others and thence carried to Pontfract where the King and both the Speâ—sers at that time were Where being brought into the Town he was scorned and by the people in derision called King Arthur Which being observed many did deem it a just judgment upon him in regard he had in such sort abused the King when coming out of thâ— North not long before he lay at Pontfrâ—â—t For at that time issuing out of the Castle with his Men they used him very contemptibly exclaiming vilely against him in a most tumâ—ltuous manner And being thus fetcht thither he was on the third day afterwards brought before the King the Earl of Kent the Earl of Winchester Iohn Earl â—arren and Surrey David Earl of Athol and Robert Earl of Angos being all present who gave sentence upon him to be drawn hangâ—d and beheaded But in regard of his great Birth somewhat qualified it and appointed That he should only lose his Head In pursuance whereof he was upon the morrow after the Fâ—ast of S. Benedict brought to a Plain without the Town and there beheaded On which a beautiful Church was afterwards erected to the honor of his memory The rest being sentenced to be drawn and hanged at York and several other places Others relate the story thus viz. That being come to Burroughbrigge he there found Sir Andrew de Harcla Warâ—len of Carlisle and the Marches and Sir Simon Ward Sheriff of Yorkshire ready to encounter him Where relating to Harcla his just quarrel to the Spensers he promised him if he would favor his Cause to give him one of those five Earldoms which he had in possession and that Harcla refusing he told him That he would soon repent it and that he should die â— shameful death as it aftewards hapned Also that Harcla then causing his Archers to shoot the fight bâ—gan in which many of this Earls party being slain he betook himself to a Chappel refusing to yield to Harcla and looking on the Crucifix said Good Lord I render my self to thee and put my self into thy mercy Also that they then took off his Coat-Armor and putâ—ing upon him one of his Mens Liveries carried him by Water to York where they threw Balls of Dirt at him Moreover that from thence they brought him back to the King at Ponfract Castle and there put him in a Tower towards the Abby which he had newly made Likewise that soon after being brought into the Hall he had Sentence of Death by these Justices viz. Aymer Earl of Pembroke Edmund Earl of Kent Iohn de Bretaigne and Sir Robert Malmethorpe who pronounced the Judgment Whereupon saying Shall I die without Answer A certain Gascoignâ— took him away and put a pill'd broken Hood on his Head and set him on a lean white Jade without a Bridle and that then he added King of Heaven have mercy on me for the King of Earth â—ous ad gâ—erthi And that thus he was carried some throwing Pellots of Dirt at him having a Fryer-Preacher for his Confessor to an Hill without the Town where he kneeled down towards the East until one Hugin de Muston caused him to turn his Face toward Scotland and then a Villain of London cut off his Head After which the Prior and Monks obtaining his Body from the King buried it on the right hand of the High Altar The day of his death was certainly upon the Munday next preceding the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin But of this his death the King soon after repented as it is said Touching his Merits there hapned afterwards very great disputes Some thinking it fit that he should be accounted a Saint because he was so charitable and so much an honorer of the Religious as also that he died in a just Cause But cheifly for that his persecutors came to untimely ends in a short time On the other side many there were who taxed him for Adultery in keeping of sundry Women notwithstanding he had a Wife Aspersing him likewise for cruelty in putting to death some persons for small offences and protecting some from punishment who were transgressors of the Laws alleaging also that he was cheifly swayed by one of his Secretaries and that he did not fight stoutly for Justice but fled and was taken unarmed Nevertheless many Miracles were reported to have been afterwards wrought in the place where his Corps was buried much confluence of people coming thereto in honor thereof till the King through the incitation of the Spensers set Guards to restrain them Whereupon they flocked to the place where he suffered death and so much the more eagerly by how much endeavors were used to restrain them until a Church was erected on the place where he suffered Most certain it is that the vulgar sort of people had so great a veneration to him that they worshipped his Picture which with other was drawn on a Tablet in Saint Pauls Cathedral at London till the King by his special Letters to the Bishop of London bearing date at York 28 Iunii 16 Edw. 2. inhibited them so to do Nor was it long after the stream turning another way by the unhappy deposal and lamentable murther of King Edward the Second but that all proceedings concerning the Attainder of him and his adherents being annulled and vacated in the Parliament begun at Westminster on the morrow after the Feast of the Epiphany 1 Edw. 3. there still continued the like veneration for his memory so that in 33 Edw. 3. it was generally believed that Miracles were done at his Tomb and that
it seems For to Pontâ—ract-Castle they hurried him where Sir Richard Ratecliffe Knight one of the Duke of Gloucester's chief Confidents brought him out to a Scaffold telling the people he was a Traytor and not suffering him to speak any thing in Vindication of himself caused his Head to be cut off Another Wife he had called Mary Daughter and Heir to Henry Fitz Lewes but no issue saving one illegitimate Daughter called Margaret Married to Sir Robert Poynes Knight ¶ To this Earl succeeded in his Honours Richard his Brother Which Richard in 5 H. 7. was by Indenture retain'd to serve the King in that Army then sent into Britanny And by his Testament bearing date 20 Febr. an 1490. 6 H. 7. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Abby of St. Iames at Northampton in a place made ready for the same And to the Parish-Church of Grafton all such Cattel as he then had at Grafton viz. two Oxen five Kine and two Bullocks to the intent that they should yearly keep an Obiit for his Soul viz. Dirige and Masse of Requiem with the Curate iv Priests and iv Clerks as also an Herse and four Tapers every Priest taking for his Wages vd. and every Clerk iiid. Appointing that the Lord Thomas Marquess Dorfet should be his Heir to whom he thereby gave all his Lands wheresoever desiring him that there might be as much underwood sold in the woods at Grafton as would buy a Bell to be a Tenor at Grafton to the Bells then there for a Remembrance of the last of the blood And died upon the sixth of March next following without Issue whereupon his Sisters before-mention'd became his Heirs Lord Hoo and Hasting 26 H. 6. OF this Family whose chief Seat was at Hoo in Com. Bedf. were divers persons of eminent note before any of them were rankt amongst the Peers of this Realm For in 20 E 1. it appears that Robert de Hoo obtain'd that King's Charter for a Market every Week upon the Friday at his Mannor of Kâ—ebbeworth in Com. Hertf. and a Fair there yearly on the Eve day and Morrow of the Decollation of St. Iohn Bapt. As also for Free-Warren in all his Demesn-Lands within his respective Lordships of Knebbeworth before-menâ—ion'd and Harpeden in the same County Likewise in those of Hoo Stoppesley and Maldon in Com. Bedf. Clopton in Com. Cantabr and Sibâ—thoâ—pe in Com. Oxon. And that in 11 E. 3. Sir Thomas Hoo Knight had the like grant for a Market every Week upon the Tuesday at his mannor of Wourâ—ling in Com. Suss. and a Fair there yearly on the Eve day and morrow of St. Mary Magdalen As also for a Fair yearly at his Mannor of Bocksteppe on the Eve day and morrow of the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist and another at his Mannor of Dalinton all in the same County upon the Eve day and Morrow of the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin with Free-Warren in all his Lordships of Hoo Stopesley and Whethampsted in Com. Bedf. To which Sir Thomas Succeeded Sir William Hoo Knight his Son and Heir who in 10 R. 2. upon the flight of Michael de la Pole Earl of Suffolk for avoiding the danger at that time approaching him helpt him away to Calais and afterwards in 8 H. 4. served in that Garrison under Iohn Earl of Somerset then Captain there This Sir William by Alice his Wife Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas St. Maur by Iane his Wife Daughter and Heir to Nicholas Malmains had issue Thomas who in 14 H. 6. upon a new Rebellion of the Normans about Caux was sent to suppress them where he slew many and made great wast in the Country And in 20 H. 6. being then a Knight in consideration of his special services and large expences in the Wars of that King obtain'd a grant of xl l. per annum to be received during his life out of the Revenues of the County of Norâ—olk In 24 H. 6. he was again imploy'd in the Wars of France In which he merited so well as that in 26 H. 6. by Letters Patents bearing date 2 Junii in consideration of his eminent services perform'd in France and Normandy aswel in the times of the King's Progenitors as in his own days he was advanc'd to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Hoo and Hâ—sting which Lordship of Hoo is in the County of Bedford and that of Hastings in Com. Suss. as the words of that Patent do import and to the Heirs Male of his Body Moreover he was elected into that Honourable Society of Knights of the most noble Order of the Garter in the time of that King And by his last Will and Testament bearing date 12 Febr. 33 H. 6. appointed that Lands of xx markâ— per annum value should be setled upon the Abbot and Covent of Baâ—tail in Com. Suss. and their Sâ—ccessors to find two Monks perpetually singing at St. Benygni's Altar in that Abby for his Soul and the Souls of his Ancestors as also for the Souls of such others as his Executors should ordain The certain time of his Death I have not found but that he had Summons to Parliament from 27. till 31 H. 6. inclusive and that he Married three Wives first Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas Felton Knight bâ— whom he had issue one Son called Thomas who died in his lâ—fe time without Issue Secondly Elizabâ—th Daughter and Heir to Sir Nicholas Wichinghum Knight by whom he had issue one only Daughâ—â—r called Anne Married to Sir Geffrey Bâ—llâ—n Knight sometime Lord Mayor of London Thirdly Elâ—anâ—re Daâ—ghter to Leo Lord Welles Sistâ—r and Coheir to Richard Lord Welles her Brother and that by her he had Issue three Daughters who also bâ—came his Coheirs viz. Eleanore Marriâ—d to Sir Iames Câ—rew of Bedingtâ—n in Com. Sur. Knight Iane to Sir Roger Copley Knight and Elizabeth to Sir Iohn Devenish Knight Bromflete 27 H. 6. IN 11 R. 2. Thomas de Bramflâ—te obtain'd a 〈◊〉 for Free-Warrâ—n in all his Dâ—mâ—sn-Lâ—â—ds at 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 in Com. Ebâ—r And in 13 2. 2. having Weâ—ded Margâ—râ—t the Daughter and Heir of Sir Iohn St. Iohn Knight by Anastasia his wife Daughter 〈◊〉 Cohâ—ir to William de Aton Lord 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 of the Lands of her Inheritencâ— In 19 R. ◠〈◊〉 Thâ—mas was constituted the King 's Chiâ—◠〈◊〉 And in 9 H. 4. being then a Knight 〈◊〉 Iohn de Ellerker and othâ—rs 〈◊〉 his Mannors of 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 with condition that they should pâ—â—â— them unto Thâ—mas Brâ—mâ—let Esquire his Son and Heir so soon as he should arrive to his full Age and to the Heirs of his Body lawfully begotten and in Case he should die without issue in his Father's life time then the
with those Lordships which he had formerly given to her for her maintenance whereupon she vowed Chastity taking the Veil and was after buried in the Churchyard at Durham ¶ Upon the murther of Earl Vchtred King Canute constituted one Eric or Hirc Earl of this Province but being not pleased long with him he forced him to flee and placed Eadulf sirnamed Cudel Earl in his stead ¶ This Earl Eadulf-Cudel being a sluggish and timerous Man stood much in fear that the Scots would revenge upon him the death of those their Countreymen who had been slain by Earl Vchtred as hath been said and therefore to pacifie them quitted Louâ—â—â—â— wholly unto them by which means that Territory came at first to be a Member of Scotland ¶ After a short time Eadulf departing this life Aldred Son to the before specified Earl Vchtred by Ecgfrid his first Wife came to be Earl and slew Thurebrand the Murtherer of his Father which occasioned no small contests betwixt Carl the Son of Thurebrand and Earl Aldred yet at length through great mediation of Friends Peace being made betwixt them they resolved to go together to Rome but were hindred by tempestuousness of the Sea whereupon returning back Carl received Earl Aldred into his House feasting him very honorably with all seeming affection but afterwards alluring him into a place called 〈◊〉 most barbarously murthered him there ¶ Unto which Aldred succeeded Eadulf his Brother who being much puffed up with pride made great and cruel devastations upon the Welsh But about three years after coming to King Hardi-Canutus for reconciliation he was murthered by Siward who succeeded him in the Earldom ¶ Of this Siward who was a Person famous in his time as shall be farther shewed anon and of a Giantlike stature I may not omit what is Recorded of him as to his Parentage by the Monk of Iervaulx There was in Denmark saith he a Noble Earl of the Blood Royal that had one only Daughter who to recreate her self walking with her Maids into a Wood not far from her Fathers house met with a Bear Which Bear having put the Maids into so great a fright as caused them to flee seised upon the Damsel and there ravished her by which Rape she brought forth a Son that had Ears like a Bear who was thereupon called Berne and succeeded in that Earldom in his Mothers right This stout Earl Berne had Issue a Son named Siward who after a time quitting his Paternal Inheritance in Denmark took shipping and with fifty of his Retinue arrived in the Islands called Orchades where meeting with a fierce Dragon he conquered him in single combate and forced him to flee the Land Having so done he put to Sea again and landed in Northumberland to seek another Dragon where walking in a Wood he met with a reverend old Man who told him that he sought that Dragon which he could not find But said he get you to your Ship again and sail Southwards to the Mouth of the River Thames which will bring you to the wealthy City of London And so parting with him gave him a Standard called Ravelandeys which signifieth The Raven of Earthly Terror Who thereupon coming safely to London was nobly received by King Edward the Confessor with promise of no small honor if he would stay with him Whereunto Siward consenting after thanks given to the King departed the Court but meeting with Tosti Earl of Huntingdon upon a certain Bridge was by him most unworthily affronted by soyling with dirt yet Siward though he took that usage very disdainfully did not then lift up his hand against him but upon his return meeting him in the same place he cut off Tosti's head and carried it to the King who hearing the truth of that passage gave unto Siward the Earldom of Huntingdon which Tosti had possessed Not long after this the Kingdom being much infested by the Danes the great Men of the Land consulting with the King did advise That the little Devil should be first exposed to the great Devil id est that this Earl Siward should be placed upon that part of England which was most like to be invaded by the Danes Whereupon the King committed to his charge the Counties of Westmerland Cumberland and Northumberland under which title of Northumberland he had the Administration of that Earldom from Humber to Twede All which he governed in Peace victoriously subduing the Kings-Enemies and afterwards sent his Son called Osberne-Bulax into Scotland there to get what he could by Conquest Who being there slain in Battle and the news thereof brought to this Earl Siward his Father he enquired upon what part of his Body he hapned to have his Deaths wound and being told that it was upon the forepart thereof he said I am glad that my Son was worthy of such an honorable Funeral Upon the Rebellion of Godwyne Earl of Kent he together with Leofric Earl of Mercia came with a great power to the King Edward the Confessor then at Gloucester It hapned likewise that Egelric Bishop of Durham after he had sate three years Bishop there being expelled by the Clergy because he was a stranger and not elected by their consent addressing himself to this Earl Siward and offering a large gift for his Protection and Favor obtained the same Whereupon he compelled them to receive him again But considering the loss of his Son as hath been said he marched with an Army into Scotland conquered King Macbeth in open Battle wasted the Kingdom and subjugating it to his own power constituted Malcolme Son to the King of Cumberland in his stead And lastly Apparently discerning his Death approaching by reason of a Flux he said How am I ashamed that I did not die in so many Battles but that I am reserved thus to exspire as a Beast Put on me therefore my Armor of Proof gird me with my Sword and reach me my Helmet Let me have also my Target in my Left-hand and my Gilt Ax in my Right that so as the most valiant of Soldiers I may die as a Soldier For in such sort it becomes a Soldier to die and not as a Beast lying down to depart All which being done he breathed his last at York in the year 1055. Anno 13 Regis Edw. Conf. and was there buried in the Cloyster of the Monastery of Galmanho which he had Founded This valiant Earl had to Wife Alfleda Daughter to Aldred late Earl of Northumberland by whom he left Issue Waltheof afterwards Earl of Northumberland as I shall shew anon And surviving her married a Widow called Godgive who for the health of her Soul by the consent of King Edward the Confessor had given to the Abbey of Peterborough
Covent and that he died the Sixth Kalends of August in the year of Christ 1094. And was honorably buried in the Châ—â—ch of that Monastery But others say that he was slain by the Welsh between Cardiff and Brecknock ¶ Though Robert Sirnamed de Belesme was the Eldest Son of Earl Roger last mentioned yet in respect he had only that great Inheritance by his Father and Mother which lay in Normandy and not those Honors in England till afterwards I shall first speak of Hugh de Montgomery his younger Brother because he next succeeded in these Earldoms of Arundel and Shrewsbury whom the Welsh called Hugh Goch by reason of his Red Hair This Hugh in the life time of his Father possessed the Mannor of Wrfeld in Staffordshire He likewise was in that Conspiracy with Robert de Molbray and others for the murthering of King William Rufus in Northumberland having placed divers armed Men in a Wood there of purpose to effect their design which being made known to the King the principal of them were brought to condign punishment and others forced to open theâ—r Purses for regaining that Kings favor amoâ—gst which this Hugh gave Three thousand pounds But of him I find nothing farther memorable than that Action wherein he lost his life in An. 1098. 12 Wil. Ruf. which was thus The Welsh growing powerful and committing many outrages upon the Marches this Earl raising the power of Shropshire joyned with Hugh Earl of Chester and the strength of that County and marched into Angâ—esey where they made most miserable destruction and in a very barbarous and cruel manner cutting off the Hands and Feet of some the Privy Members of others and putting out the Eyes of many and amongst these they took one Kâ—ured a Priest by whose counsels the Welsh had been much guided in those their enterprises and after they had cut off his Stones and his Tongue they pulled out one of his Eyes But this horrid and savage dealing went not long unrevenged for within a few days after Magnus King of Norway Son of Olaus Son to Harold Harfagar having gotten the Orchads and the Isle of Man failed with a few Ships unto the Coasts of Anglesey intending there to have landed but finding opposition he let flie his Arrows at those that were on shore by one of which this Earl was slain That he there lost his 〈◊〉 all Historians agree but the circumstances thereof are somewhat variously delivered Ordericus Vitalis relating it thus viz. That Magnus King of Norway being at Sea with Six Ships directing his course towards England did much Alarm the people on divers Coasts and that there then was great hostility betwixt the English and Welsh at that time Whereupon the power of Châ—shire and Shropshire was raised and ready for Battle in the Countrey of â—â—yannoh nâ—ar the Sea Coast. To which place this Hugh de Montgomery first coming with his Troops expecting Auxiliaries from the Neighboring parts staid there many days circumspectly guarding the Countrey against the Incursions of the Welsh and Norwegians During which stay it hapned that the Inhabitants thereabouts discerned the Norwegians near at hand and in danger of landing ran up and down in no little fear which caused this Earl Hugh to ride near the brink of the shore in order to the Marshalling his Soldiers for the better opposing their entrance but it so fell out that as he sate thus on Horsback he was shot by an Arrow from one of their Ships and falling down into the Water then flowing lost his life After which within few days his Body being carried to Shrewsbury was there buried in the Cloyster of the Abbey with great lamentation Howbeit Giraldus Cambrensis in his Description of Anglesey takes notice of another Circumstance but attributeth it to Hugh Earl of Chester who was at that time in Wales with this our Earl and not to him which is a gross mistake as to the person There is saith he in this Isle viz. Anglesey a Church of S. Teuredaucus the Confâ—ssor in which Earl Hugh after he had subjugated these parts of Wales having kennelled his Dogs all night found them every one mad next morning and that he himself died a miserable death within a Moneth after For hearing that certain Pirates were come to the Haven of this Island in Long-Boats and making hast to oppose their Landing The principal Commander of them called Magnus standing at the fore end of the Boat with a Bow in his hand let flie an Arrow at our Earl then armed Cap a Pe so that no entrance could be made except through his Helmet at the Sights for his Eyes but so fatally was that Arrow directed that it passed through his Head-peice upon his Right Eye and piâ—rcing his Brain caused him to fall headlong into the Sea ¶ I come now to Robert de Belesme Eldest Son to Roger de Montgomery who upon his Fathers death had those Lands and Honors of his which lay in Normandy as hath been observed and now upon the death of Hugh his younger Brother these Earldoms of Arundel and Shrewsbury in England The first mention I find of this Robert is in An. 1073. which was in the Sixth of the Conquerors Reign the King having then heard of much wrong done to his Norman Subjects by some Neighboring powers fearing also an Invasion from them and Insurrections at home prepared a considerable Army wherewith advancing to Mayne and in his passage besieging the Castle of Fresnay he there girt this Robert de Belesme with the Sword of Knighthood After which he grew in so great esteem with that King that he conferred much honor upon him so that he excelled most of the Nobility of Normandy in glory having very great possession there and many strong Castles Nevertheless no sooner was the Conqueror dead but his Turbulent and Rebellious disposition began to shew it self for he then seised upon the Garrisons of Allencioâ— and Belesme with divers other strong Holds and joyned with Odo Earl of Kent and those other on his party against King William Rufus on the behalf of Robert Curthose and was with them in the Castle of Rochester at that time Howbeit when Earl Roger his Father fell off from them upon the fair promises of Rufus this his Son complied with him also but going soon after with Henry Earl of Constance into Normandy and Duke Robert hearing that he was thus reconciled to his Brother Rufus and by Oath obliged to him taking counsel with Odo Bishop of Bayeâ—x before they could act any thing he caused him to be seised on as he came a shore and committed him to close imprisonment The news whereof being brought to the Earl his Father he by Licence from King William
Antiquo Feâ—ffamento to be ten in number Whereof one he saith that he had given upon the death of his Wife to the Knights Hospitalers for the health of her Soul and that he had five more in his own Demesn for all which in 14 Hen. 2. he answered fifteen marks To this last mentioned Baderon succeeded Gilbert his Son and Heir who in 22 Hen. 2. paid an hundred marks to the King for trespasses in his Forests And to Gilbert Iohn Which Iohn in 3 Ioh. gave sixscore marks to the King and two Norway Goshawks for his share of the Lands of Walter Walerond and of those which did belong to the Mother of the same Walter This Iohn in 7 Ioh. upon levying the sixth Scutage of that King paid thirty marks for the fifteen Knights Fees which he held And in 13 Ioh. gave a thousand marks as also two Horses for the great Saddle and ten Chasurs for the obtaining of his favor In 15 Ioh. being then at Glocester with some other of the Barons of the Marches he received command to march to Cirencester upon Munday next after the Octaves of the Clause of Easter well accoutred with Horse and Arms and all the power he could make In 17 Ioh. he was made Governor of the Castles of S. Bravel in Com. Gloc. Bremâ—le in Sussex and Grosmunt in Wales and the same year had a Grant from the King of all the Lands of Hugh de Malbisse lying in the Counties of Bedford and Cambridge which manifesteth that he adhered to the King in that troublesome time when he had War with the Barons In 18 Ioh. he had Livery of the Castles of Grosmunt Skenefrith and Lanteliock as his own proper right He was also then joyned in Commission with Walter de Lacy and others for the custody of Elmeley Castle in Worcestershire until the return of Walter de Beauchamp from Gualo the Popes Legate to whom he went for Absolution from his transgressions against the King and was likewise constituted Guardian of S. Briavels Castle before mentioned In 7 Hen. 3. he had Livery of the Guardianship of the Forest of Clarendon as also of the Bailiwicks of Paulet and Bocholt in Right of Cicely his Wife Daughter and Heir of Walter Walerond to whom by inheritance it did belong And in 8 Hen. 3. upon collecting the Scutage of Montgomery he was specially acquitted for those eight Knights Fees and a third part which were the third part of those twenty five Knights Fees that appertained to Walter Walerond In 13 Hen. 3. he was constituted Sheriff of the Counties of Salop and Stafford but more I have not seen of him than that he was Founder of Grace dieu Abby in Wales and that he left issue Iohn his Son and Heir Which Iohn in 15 Hen. 3. had the Castle and Honor of Strigun committed to his custody as also the County and Castle of Hereford during that year and the next following And about that time for the health of his own Soul the Souls of his Father and Mother and all his Ancestors gave to the Monks of S. Florence at 〈◊〉 before mentioned in pure Alms the Hospital of S. Iohn at Monmouth with divers Lands and Rents thereto belonging In 17 Hen. 3. upon that Insurrection by Richard Earl Marshall this Iohn and Ralph de Toeny were made Generals of the Kings Army consisting much of Poictovins then left in Wales to oppose him but in this imployment their success proved very bad for having a desing privily to have surprised the Earl Marshal their purpose being discovered the Earl planted his Forces in a Wood through which they were to pass and after a great out-cry with sounding of Trumpets fell on them and totally routed them so that they lost many of their Men and escaped very narrowly themselves And in â—0 Hen. 3. at the Coronation of Queen Eleanor with Iohn Fitz-Alan Ralph Mortimer and Walter de Clifford being Lords Marchers claimed as Ius Marchiae to carry the Canopy which belongs to the Barons of the Cinque Ports In 22 Hen. 3. the Truce betwixt King Henry and Lewelin Prince of Wales being at an end whereupon Lewelin exacted Homage from the great men of North-Wales the King directed his precept to this Iohn together with other of the Barons-Marchers to attend him at Oxford in the Quind of Easter there to advise concerning those affairs In 25 H. 3. upon the death of Gilbert Mareschal Earl of Pembroke he was made Governor of Striguil Castle but in 32 Hen. 3. being dead Iohn his Son and Heir paying an hundred pounds for his relief had Livery of his Lands Which last mentioned Iohn in 35 Hen. 3. was constituted Governor of the Castle of Penros in uuales and shortly after made Warden of New-Forest in Hantshire as his Ancestors had been But having no issue Male in consideration of certain Lands which Prince Edward granted him for life he gave to the said Prince and his Heirs for ever his Castle and Honor of Monmouth as also all other his Lands and Tenements Which Grant was confirmed by the King 13 Sept. 40 Hen. 3. and departing this life in 41 Hen. 3. left Albreda de Botereus and Ioan de Nevile his Daughters and Heirs then of full age Fitz-Warine WHen William the Conqueror for strengthening the Marches against the Welch did commit divers places to the trust of sundry persons it is said that amongst other he disposed of Abberbury in Com. Salop. and Alestoun in Com. Glouc. to Guarine de Meez a branch of the House of Loraine Which Guarine was Sheriff of Shropshire in Anno 1083. 16 Will. Conq. and one of the chief Councellors to Roger de Montgomerie then Earl of Shrewsbury Of this Guarine it is also said that hearing a report that William a valliant Knight Sisters Son to Pain Peverell Lord of Whitington in Comit. Salop. had two Daughters whereof Mellet was one who resolved to marry none but a Knight of great Prowess as also that her Father having thereupon concluded that some noble young men should meet at Peverels-place in the Peke and he who performed best should have his Daughter Mellet with the Castle of Whitington he came thither and fighting with a Son of the King of Scotland as also with a Baron of Burgoyne and vanquishing them both having then a Silver Shield with a Peacock for his Crest did thereupon take her to Wife Likewise that being thus seated at Whitington he warred upon the Welsh and that Iorevard Prince of Wales did War on him but at length had the worst Also that he had much ado in defending his Lands against Walter de Lacy who resided at Ludlow Moreover that he founded the Abby at Abberbury and gave to