suddain did so vigorously lay at the corner of the Gyants target that his Club bossed with Iron fell to the ground w ch whil'st he stretched out his arm to take up the Palmer with his sword cut of his hand whereupon the Danes grew much dismayed and on the other sidâ— was there as great rejoycing by K. Athelstan and the English and yet notwithstanding did Colbrond hold out the Combate till the evening of that day that by loosing so much bloud he fainted so that Guy with all his strength fetching a blow cut of his head The victory therefore thus happily obtained occasioned the Danes with great confusion to hasten a way and the valiant Guy to give thanks unto God repairing forthwith to the Cathedral where he was honourably received with solemne Procession by the Clergy and others and offered his weapon to God and the Patron of that Church before the high Altar which my Author saith even to his time was kept in the Vestry there and called by the name of Colbrond's Ax but this being done reassumed his Pilgrims habit Whereupon the K. became most importunat with him to discover his name but he utterly refused so to do except to himself and that upon his oath not to reveal it unto which condition the K. assenting they walkt out alone in a by-path to a certain Crosse at some distance from the Citie and as soon as they came thither humbly bowing himself to the K. and saying that he was Guy Earle of Warwick the K. embraced him in his arms kissed him and promised him large rewards if he would live in his Court but he with much thankfulnesse refusing to receive any besought the K. that he would not disclose what he had said in regard his resolution was to continue in that Pilgrims state and so they there parted with tears From whence the Earle bent his course towards Warwick and coming thither not known of any for three dayes together took Almes at the hands of his own Lady as one of those xiii poor people unto which she dayly gave relief her self for the safety of him and her and the health of both their Souls And having rendred thanks to her he repaired to an Heremite that resided amongst the shady woods hard by desiring by conference with him to receive some spiritual comfort where he abode with that holy man till his death and upon his departure out of this World which hapned within a short time succeeded him in that Cell and conâ—â—nued the same course of life for the space of two years after but then discerning death to apprâ—â—ch he sent to his Lady their Wedding Ring by a trusty servant wishing her to take care of his burial adding also that when she came she should find him lying dead in the Chapel before the Altar and moreover that within xv dayes after she her self should depart this life Whereupon she came accordingly and brought with her the Bishop of the Dioces as also many of the Clergy other people and finding his body there did honourably inteâ—re it in that Heremitage and was her self afterwards buried by him leaving her paternal inheritance to Reynburn her onely son Which departure of our famous Guy hapned in the year of our Lord Dccccxxix and of his own age the seventieth To whom succeeded the Noble Reynburn Earle of Warwick through his Mothers right who haveing been stolen away in his Child-hood and carried into Russia where he gave great testimony of his singular valour in sundry Warlike feats whilst he continued in those forreign part upon his return into Engl. wedded the beautifull Lady Leonetta daughter to K. Athelstan but afterwards dying beyond the Seas was buried in a certain Island near unto Uenice and left for his successor Wegeat alias Weyth the humed a person of great courage and much honoured for his skill in martial affairs This Wegeat was a benefactor to the Monastery of Evesham by giving thereunto six messuages lying in Whitlaxford and Grafton in this County and had issue Vsa commonly called Huve the humed a most deveut man and a special friend to the Monks of Evesham for in the year Dcccclxxiiii by the consent of K. Edgar he gave them the whole Village of Whitlaxford now called Wixford and little Grafton and bequeathing his body to sepulture in that Monastery departed this life about the beginning of the reign of S. Edward the K. and Martyr To whom succeeded Wâ—lgeat who obtained a grant from those secular Canons which were possest of the Abby of Evesham upon expulsion of the Monks for 5. hides of Land in the same Whitlaxford upon an easier rent than had wont to be given conditionally that upon his death the Monastery might repossesse the same Land with all the stock that then should happen to be upon it Notwithstanding which the Monks could not get it again of a long time after till that Abbot Egelwyne purchased it a new of Earle Wigod a potent man in the dayes of K. Edw. the Conf. This Wolgeat was in special favour with K. Ethelred but for his wicked courses and oppressions had all his Lands and honour taken from him in the year M. vi Whether he had ever restitution of them or in whose hands the Earldom was thereupon put is uncertain but true it is that Warwick with a great part of the Countrey became shortly after viz. An. M. xvi much wasted by Canutus the Dane at which time the Nunnery near to the Church of S. Nicholas as also the Abby were burnt to the ground When or by whom those Religious houses were founded I never yet could finde nor any mention of them before this It seems the Abby stood on the Northwest part of the Town for the Lane there called Abby-lane argueth as much And the said house of Nuns took up all that which is now S. Nichols-Church-yard with a great part of the ground whereupon the Hospital of S. Iohn Bapt. was afterwards built the Chancel of S. Nicholas Church being the Quire thereof I now come to Wigod the hereditary successor of Wolgeat who being a potent man and a great Warriour as also a special benefactor to the Monks of Evesham lived in the times of K. Ethelred K. Edmund and of the Danish Kings and had to wife the sister of Earle Leofrik founder of the Monastery at Coventre To him succeeded Alwyne contemporary with K. Edward the Conf. and Will the Conq. This is he that in the Conq. Survey is called Alwinus Vicecomes the reason whereof I conceive to be either because that he did exercise the power and Authority of the Earle of Mercia scil Earle Leofrike his Uncle here in Warwick-shire as his ancestors had done for which respect my Author reputes him and them Earls as I have already shewed and hath ranckt them in that degree or else that he had the custody of the County to the Kings immediate use
brother to the before mentioned Raph had therein excepting one hide given to Margaret her mother in marriage which was of the Abbot of Evesham's fee in consideration of which grant and quit claim the same H. de Bereford covenanted to maintain her with all necessaries during her life and to take care of Will her son and Felicia her daughter that they should be disposed of in a convenient fashion Upon the death of which Henry without issue all that he had here descended to Henry de Nasford son of his sister Dionysia which in 36 H. 3. was certified to be held of the Earls of Warwick by the service of half a Kts. Fee Howbeit the posterity of Nasford enjoy'd it not long for it is evident that the Hospitalars became possest thereof shortly after and in 31 H. 3. obtained 2 messuages 10 acres of land and one acre of meadow from one Thomas de Salopesbiri and Idonea his wife so that in 9 E. 2. they were certified to be sole Lords of this Grafton and to hold it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of one Knights Fee But as all the rest of their possessions came to the Crown by that grand dissolution in 30 H. 8. so did this and was shortly after purchased from the K. Will. Sheldon Esq and Iohn Draper by the name of the Mannour of Temple-Grafton with the Rectory and advouson of the Vicaridge It should seeme that upon partition of the lands past in that Pat. to the said W. Sheldon and I. Draper for much more in this and other Counties is thereby granted this Mannour was allotted to Draper for I find that the said I. Draper disposed thereof to Rob. Draper a younger son and of the Rectory with the advouson of the Vicaridge to his son Richard which Richard departing this life 2 Apr. 8. Eliz. left Anne the wife of Will. Kempson and Isabell the wife of Ric. Gennens his sisters and heirs but of the Mannour did Rob. Draper dye seized 13 Iunii 5 Eliz. leaving Will. his son and heir two years of age and upwards which VVill. married Margaret the daughter of Anthony Sheldon of Broadway in Com VVigorn and having no issue by her setled it upon Brace Sheldon second son of VVill. eldest brother to her the said Margaret whose son and heir now enjoys it Of the Church dedicated to S. Andrew I do not find any valuation in an 1291 19 E. 1. but upon collection of the Nones of Sheaf Wooll and Lamb in 14 E. 3. it was rated at vi li xiii s iiii d and in 26 H. 8. certified to be appropriate to the Hospitalars who it seems found some Stipendiary to serve the Cure unto whom there was no certain allowance assigned Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Thomas de Dunington Cap. 4. Non. Maii 1321. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia VValt de Allesle Pbr. 14 Maii 1339. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Henr. de Lighthurne 21 Iulii 1340. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Ioh. Miles Pbr. 26 Aug. 1361. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Rob. Hunte Pbr. 8. Aug. 1361. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Thomas Saunders Pbr. 3 Oct. 1363. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia VVill. Foules Pbr. 15 Dec. 1363. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Ric. Swift Cap. 15 Oct. 1414. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Ioh. Fysher Cap. 2 Iulii 1420. D. Episc. per lapsum VVill. Clopton Art Magr. 7 Iunii an 1458. Iac. Rex Angl. per lapsum Edw. Lewes Cler. 15 Oct. 1608. Iac. Rex Angl. per lapsum VVill. Pace Cler. 1 Febr. 1611. Arden's Grafton THis hath been antiently called Little-Grafton as I shall shew by and by yet in the Conquerors time not distinguisht by any additionall name but then certified to contain 3 hides and one virgate of land which were valued at xxx s and possest by Will. fil Corbucionis of whom Leuric and Eileva then held it whose freehold it had been in Edw. the Confessor's dayes After which viz. in H. 2. time Raph de Grafton enjoy'd it as it seems for it appears that Margar. de Grafton neice and heir to the said Raph sold 3 hides lying in this place for they are said to be de feodo Petri de Stodelei to Will. de Arden in th x th year of K. Iohn's reign whose posterity continuing Lords thereof gave occasion that it was called Arden's Grafton which W. de Arden in 52 H. 3. was certified to â—old it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of half a Kts. fee to whose widow sc. Agatha it was assigned in dower in 4 E. 1. the extent thereof being thus recorded viz. a Mannour House with a garden Clx acres of land and pasture four yard land held in Villenage â—ach yard land yeilding x s per an and the Rent of xii d and a pound of pepper from the Freeholders By the same extent it also appeareth that one Alanus de Grafton then held 1. yard land in this Village reckoned for the 5 th part of a Kts. fee and lyable to forrein service upon occasion But it seems that this Hamlet came to the hands of K. Edw. 1. and probably at that time when Knoll and other lands in this County were by a kind of exchange past unto him from one of Arden's heirs for in 20 E. 1. the same King gave it therewith to the Monks of Westminster for the celebration of Q. Alianor's Anniversary as in Knoll is manifested to whom it continued till the general dissolution by K. H. 8. and was then purchased from the Crown by Will. Sheldon Esq and Iohn Draper together with Temple Grafton the possession whereof for ought I know to the contrary it hath ever since accompanied In this Village had the Monks of Evesham a portion of land granted to them by Wegeat one of our reputed Earls of Warwick before the Norman Conquest which was confirm'd to them by Ufa his successor about the year of Christ 964 And in 6 E. 6. did one Roger Swift die seized of a certain capitall mess. lying in this Hamlet called Allen's land whereunto belonged 500 acres of land 300 acres of Meadow 40 acres of Pasture 20 acres of wood and 200 acres of Heath and Furs leaving Frances Swift daughter of his son Edw. his cosyn and heir which Frances when the Inquis after his death was taken was 8 years of age and afterwards became the wife of Edw. Kempson Gent. second son to Will. Kempson of Temple Grafton and had issue George Kempson Hillborough THis having been antiently given to the Monks of Evesham together with Grafton as I have there observed but wrested from them in the Saxons time was soon
the fee of the Earl of Winchester in regard of that part of the Honour of Leicester which he held as I have already shew'd in Clifton And in the 55. of H. 3. it appears that Ernauld de Boys of whom I have also spoken in Clifton held four Knights fees in Weston Bulkinton Clifton Wauere viz. this Wauere and Wibtoft so that it may without doubt be concluded that the possession of this Mannour belonged as antiently to the family of Boys as Clifton did How or when they parted with it I know not but in 8. E. 1. it being then written Bruneswafre was granted by Robert Hovel and Alianore his wife to Theobald Malegal and Nicholas Test Merchants of Luke to be held of the said Robert and Alianore and the heires of Alianore for ever paying 1. d. at Easter yearly for all services and for this they gave then C C. marks of Silver so that it seems to have been of the inheritance of Alianore And yet in 13. E. 1. did Iohn de Bosco of whom I have made mention in Clifton claim a Court-leet here and other liberties used by his ancestours time out of mind As also Free-Warren by the grant of K. H. 3. to Ernauld de Boys his Father exhibiting the Kings Charter for the same which was allowed But from the before specified Theobald and Nicholas was it purchased by William Revell in 20. E. 1. which William in 27. of the same K. Reign obteyned a Charter for Free-warren in all his demesn Lands here And in 35. E. 1. entayled it with Clifton as hath been there exprest When these Revells parted with it I find not nor have I seen any thing more thereof till 11. E. 4. that Thomas Bellers Gentleman released to Richard Boughton Esquire all his right therein which Richard was of Little-Lawford and dyed seised thereof 3. R. 3. leaving William his Son and Heir whose descendants there continuing have enjoyed it to this day The Chappel here dedicated to St. Michael with tythes of Corn and Hay as also one yard land and a messuage belonging to the mother Church of Clifton were given by Ernald de Boys viz. the first to the Abby of Leicester In which Chappel there is Christening and Buriall by the speciall grant of the Abbot of Leicester in regard of the distance of this village from the Mother Church of Clifton and the hindrance of access thereto by the overflowing of Avon oft times Armes in this Chappel viz. in the East Window Gules a cinquefoile ermine Old Earl of Leic. Newton ADjoyning to this Village is Newton having its name from the first plantation there which was then new it seems in comparison of the other adjacent Towns In the Conq. time Turchil de Warwic Progenitor of the Ardens held it viz. by Tenants under him the remembrance of whose names are not of consequence it then conteining 3. hydes as is certified in the generall Survey A great part of this village belonged to the Priory of Kenillworth some whereof was given thereunto by Geffrey Clinton in H. 1. time at the Buriall of Geffrey his Father founder of that Monastery as shall be shew'd in its proper place which grant Henry de Arden Grandchild of the above mentioned Turchill confirmed And the rest viz. two Hydes Ernauld de Boys of whom I have already spoken in Clifton gave which Land he the said Ernauld as by his grant appears had of Geffrey Clinton before specified The residue in K. Steph. time did Hugh Bagot purchase together with Cotes now Coton of Raphe de Duuerne And in consideration of xl s. which Ingeram Bagot his Brother gave him towards his expedition beyond Sea with Otuerus de Sulley granted them both to the said Ingeram to be held of Rob. fil Odonis the chief Lord of the Fee Which Ingeram had issue Simon who sold to the Monks of Combe three yard land here Raph de Mora one of the Heirs to Robert fil Odonis confirming the grant But of these Bagots I purpose to speak when I come to Preston Bagot where I shall insert a scheme of their descent Afterward viz. in 8. Ioh. Robert de Cotes now called Coton in the Parish of Church-Over obteyned by exchange from the Abbot and Covent of Combe all the Land that they had in Newton for Lands which he gave them in Cotes And in the 25. of H. 3. Nichola the Widow of Simon Bagot of Preston in this County released to the Abbot and Covent of Combe and their successours the whole right which she had by reason of her dowrie in all those Lands of Cotes and Neuton So that in 36. H. 3. that which the Monkes of Combe had in Newton answered for the sixth part of a Knights Fee upon payment of the aid for the Kings transfretation into Gascoine which as it seemes was viii yard Land or else they had more granted after that time to them for in 4. E. 1. they enjoyed so much In the xx of E. 3. it answered also for the sixth part of a Knights Fee But in R. 2. time by new gifts or smaller measure that which the Abby of Combe had there was rated at xi yard Land and 1. Acre accounting 48. Acres to a yard of Land Thus did this Monastery continue possessed of Newton till its dissolution After which viz. in 36. H. 8. the K. granted away with divers other Lands that which belonged to the Monks of Combe to Thomas Broke and Iohn Williams and to the Heirs of Broke by the name of the Mannour of Neuton And yet in the same year I find a Licence to Mary Dutchess of Richmund to Alien the very same Mannour to Henry Leigh Esquire And afterwards by Inquisition taken upon the death of the said Henry is it found that he dyed seized thereof 14. Apr. 3. Eliz. and that Edward his Son and Heir was xx years of age But what became of those Lands which the Pr. of Kenylworth had here I have not seen Below Newton Eastwards lyes Biggin so called of later time Biggin signifying an habitation in resemblance whereof we have the Saxon word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for inhabitants As also in the Northern parts the name of Biggin for a fair House or Gentlemans seat but antiently this was called Holme having been a Village in the Conq. time though now there be scarce any thing left but a Mill which name it took from the situation lying in a nook betwixt the River Avon and a small brook that comes from Shawell in Leicestershire as the Map will shew for such grounds as are in whole or for the most part compassed with waters are so called as we may observe almost every where In the Conq. time Turchil de Warwick held it by his under-tenants From whom it came with the rest of his Lands as it seemes to the Earles of Warwick for of
18 to the 24 of H. 6. In 26 H. 6. he had the Shiriffalty of these Counties and dyed in 6 E. 4. leaving issue Philip his son and heir 24 years of age with Iohn a younger son Which Philip in 8 E. 4. being in Commission for the assessing of two fifteens and two tenths in this County then granted to the K. in Parliament dyed the same year seized inter alia of this Mannour and was buried in the Church of St. Iames at Badsley-Clinton as by his Testament he directed leaving issue Iohn Nicholas and VVilliam Of these three Nicholas was the last that survived but all of them dyed without issue and therefore Nicholas son to Iohn their Uncle became heir to the estate being then in ward to the King for this inheritance Of whom I find nothing further memorable than that he was of Shalston in Buckinghamshire and sold this Mannour of Shirford to Henry Smyth Esq the principal branch of his descendants having for the most part resided ever since at Drayton in Lescestershire whereof George Purefey Esq son and heir of George by Mary one of the daughters and co-heirs to Sir Valentine Knightley is still Lord though his seat be at Wadley in Berks. Which H. Smyth being son to Iohn a wealthy Citizen of Coventre of whom in Nether-Fletchamsted I have spoke bore so great a love to that City that he contributed to the purchase of 50 l. lands per annum for the maintenance of one Priest 12 poor men and one woman in the Gild of the holy Trinity St. Iohn Baptist and St. Katherine there situate And was in Commission for conservation of the peace from the 17 of H. 7. till his death as also for Goal-delivery in 17 and 23 H. 7. And had issue Sir VValter Smyth Kt. whose Murther here at Shirford by his own Lady assisted with two servants and the circumstances conducing thereto which are very memorable I shall here briefly set forth This Sir VValter being grown an aged man at the death of his first wife considering of a marriage for Richard his son and heir then at mans estate to that end made his mind known to Mr Thomas Chetwin of Ingestre in Staffordshire a Gentleman of an antient family and fair estate who entertaining the motion in behalf of Dorothy one of his daughters was contented to give 500 l. portion with her But no sooner had the old Knight seen the young Lady than that he became a sutor for himself being so captivated with her beauty that he tendred as much for her besides a good joynture as he should have received in case the match had gone on for his son Which liberal offer so wrought upon Mr Chetwyn as that he spared not for arguments to perswade his daughter to accept of Sir VValter for her husband Whereupon the marriage ensued accordingly but with what a tragique issue will quickly be seen For it was not long ere that her affections wandring after younger men she gave entertainment to one Mr VVilliam Robinson then of Drayton-Basset a young Gentleman of about 22 years of age son to George Robinson a rich Mercer of London and grew so impatient at all impediments which might hinder her full enjoyment of him that she rested not till she had contrived a way to be rid of her husband For which purpose corrupting her waiting Gentlewoman and a Groom of the stable she resolved by their help and the assistance of Robinson to strangle him in his bed appointing the time and manner how it should be effected And though Robinson failed in coming on the designed night perhaps through a right apprehension of so direfull a fact she no whit staggered in her resolutions for watching her husband till he was fallen asleep she then let in those assasinates before specified and casting a long towell about his neck caused the Groom to lye upon him to keep him from struggling whilst her self and the maid straining the towell stopt his breath It seems the good old man little thought that this his Lady had acted therein for when they first cast the towell about his neck he cryed out help Doll help But having thus dispatcht the work they carryed him into another room where a close stool was plac'd upon which they set him and after an hour that the Maid and Groom were silently got away to palliate the business she made an outcry in the house wringing her hands pulling her hair and weeping extreamly with pretence that missing him for some time out of bed she went to see what the matter was and found him accidentally in that posture Which subtill and feigned shews of sorrow prevented all suspicion of his violent death and not long after went to London setting so high a value upon her beauty that Robinson her former darling perhaps for not keeping touch with her as before hath been said became neglected But within two years following it so hapned that this wofull deed of darkness was brought to light by the groom before specified who being entertained with Mr Richard Smyth son and heir to the murthered Knight and attending him to Coventre with divers other servants became so sensible of his villany when he was in his cups that out of good nature he took his Master to a side and upon his knees besought forgiveness from him for acting in the murther of his Father declaring all the circumstances thereof Whereupon Mr Smyth discreetly gave him good words but wisht some others that he trusted to have an eye to him that he might not escape when he had slept and better considered what might be the issue thereof Notwithstanding which direction he fled away with his Masters best Horse and hasting presently into Wales attempted to go beyond Sea but being hindred by contrary winds after three essays to lanch out was so happily pursued by Mr Smyth who spared for no cost in sending to several Ports that he was found out and brought Prisoner to Warwick as was also the Lady and her Gentlewoman all of them with great boldness denying the fact and the Groom most impudently charging Mr Smyth with endeavour of corrupting him to accuse the Lady his mother in-law falsly to the end he might get her joyncture But upon his arraignment so smitten was he at apprehension of the guiltâ— that he publickly acknowledged it and stoutly justified what he had so said to be true to the face of the Lady and her Maid who at first with much seeming confidence pleaded their innocency till at length seeing the particular circumstances thus discovered they both confessed the fact For which having judgement to dye the Lady was burnt at a Stake near the Hermitage on Wolvey-heath towards the side of Shirford Lordship where the Country people to this day shew the place and the Groom with the Maid suffred death at Warwick This was about the third year of Q.
at Michaelmas and Easter by even portions did in consideration that the said Procurator should make payment thereof at the feasts of the Nativ of St. Ioh. Bapt. and St. Mich. together with the Tenths granted to the said K. by the Clergy so far forth as concerned those Cels restore the same unto the Abbot of the Monastery of St. Nich. before specified But in 50 E. 3. the custody thereof was disposed to Sir Cannon Rubussard Kt. to hold from the feast of St. Mich. th'Archangel then next following during the continuance of the wars with France paying xl l. yearly into his Exchequer Which Sir Cannon was onely to have the same benefit of Rent and other advantages as the Mother Monastery at Angiers before spoken of in times of peace usually had For upon an Extent in 1 R. 2. it appears that all the lands belonging thereto were then valued at CCxx l. iii s. iiii d. per annum But so much were the Monks incumbred by these seizures and appointment of secular persons to have the rule over them that in consideration of a good sum of money in hand they made a Lease to the said Sir Cannon Robsart of all their lands for 25 years And the superiour House beyond Sea likewise discerning themselves so set aside as to the receiving any advantage from hence made their addresses to Thomas Moubray E. of Nottingham and Earl Marshal of England offering to quit their interest here to him upon easy terms Which Earl having in 20 R. 2. obtained liberty to found a Religious House of Carthusian Monks at Eppeworth or where else he thought fit within the Isle of Axholme in Lincolnsh procured the K. Letters Pat. of licence for the Abbot and Covent of St. Nich. at Angiers before specified to grant this their Priory of Monkskirby with the Mannours of Neubold super Avon Copston and Walton to the same belonging As also the advousons of the Churches and Vicaridges of Kirkby-monach Neubold super Avon Withibroke Wapenbury and Sharnford with their pensions unto the said Monastery of Carthusians for ever Whereupon Iohn son and heir to Sir Can. Robsart the Lessee before specified by his deed bearing date upon Easter eve 20 R. 2. released to the King and to Iohn de Moreby Prior assigned of the then late founded House of Carthusians to the honour of the Uisitation of the Mother of God in the Isle of Axholme all his right and title in this Priory But no sooner did H. 4. come to the Crown than that the Priors-alien began to find much favour for in the Parl. held an 1. of his reign taking into consideration the losses and inconveniences that had befallen them by the frequent seizure of their lands and ferming them out in the time of his Grandfather K. E. 3. whereby not onely they had suffered great decay in their buildings but that the worship of God in that regular way Hospitality Alms and other charitable works antiently establisht and there accustomed to be performed were withdrawn as also the pious desires of the Founders thereby defrauded as the words of the Pat. do import did by the advice of his Councel in that Parliament restore to the said Abbot of St. Nich. at Angiers the patronage and advouson of those Religious Houses in England which were subordinate to that Monastery to have and to hold to him and his successours so that they should present fit persons to them upon the vacancies that might happen Howbeit this favour of K. H. 4. was not long enjoy'd by them for K. H. 5. reciting the licence granted by K. R. 2. for founding the said House of Carthusians in the Isle of Axholme and the power then given to the Monks at Angiers to pass away this Priory of Monkskirby with th' appurtenances thereunto as aforesaid by his Letters Pat. dated at Westm. 28. Iunii 3 of his reign confirmed the same Whereupon the said Carthusians being thus possest hereof obtained of K.E. 4. in 8 of his reign a confirmation of those priviledges granted to the Prior of Monkskirby by K. E. 1. in 33 of his reign before specified extending into all their lands there named which they enjoy'd therewith till that fatal overthrow of the Religious Houses in K. H. 8. time when some being corrupted with temporary profit and others through terrour were brought to surrender their Monasteries into the K. hands the said Prior and Cov. of Carthusians did not onely give up theirs but levyed a Fine thereof as also of all the possessions belonging thereto and in particular of this Mannour of Monkskirby with the rest of the Mannours Lands c. appertaining to it Which stay'd not long in the Crown for the same year was it granted away by the King to Thomas Mannyng late Prior of the Monastery of Butley in Suffolks then newly made Bishop of Ipswich to hold for life the remainder to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten to be held in capite by the tenth part of a Kts. fee and the yearly rent of ix l. xiiii s. After which viz. in 37 H. 8. the K. granted unto Trinity Coll. in Cambridge the Rectory of Monkskirby with the tythes and certain lands rents c. lying in Monkskirby and the other Villages adjacent formerly belonging to the before specified Carthusians to hold to them and their successours in pure alms From which Duke this Mannour of Monkskirby with the rest before mentioned divolved to Henry Grey D. of Suff. in right of Frances his wife daughter of the said Charles and one of the sisters and co-heirs to Henry Brandon D. of Suff. From whose death the said Frances held it during her life and dyed 2 Eliz. leaving the Lady Kath. and Lady Mary Grey daughters to the aforesaid Duke her heirs viz. Katherine 19. and Mary 13 years of age Which Kath. being wedded to Edw. Seymour E. of Hertford had issue Edw. Lord Beauchamp that dyed in his fathers life time father to Will now Marq. of Hertford who sold this Mannour to the right honourable Mary Countess of Buck. in our memory paternally through that antient and noble family of the Beaumonts of Coleorton in Leicestersh descended from the Kings of France as is well known Which Mary setled it upon Basil Lord Feilding now E. of Denbigh her Grand-child with divers remainders In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church dedicated to St. Edith was valued at xxxiii marks and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge at xxii l. ix s. 6 d. the Taxation or Ordination whereof was made in an 1237. 21 H. 3. as appears by the original Instrument Which Vicaridge being but of small worth had an augmentation made thereunto by the bounty of the Lady Aliza one of the daughters of Sir Robert Dudley as in Manceter I have particularly shewed As this Parish is spacious so is the present fabrick of the Church very large though
heir created Baronet 24 Dec. 16 Iac. whose son and heir Francis advanced to the dignity of Lord Dunsmore 11 Iulii 4 Car. and afterwards to be Earl of Chichester now scil an 1650. enjoyes it The Church dedicated to ..... is not presentative nor hath in it any Arms or Monuments Arley HAving now taken notice of all those places which lye contiguous to the River Avon on its North side till the stream of Sow meet therewith I must in pursuance of my method ascend to the head of that brook which riseth Westwards from Astley as the Map will shew and not far from the skirts of Arley And therefore to dispatch this corner of the Hundred I will begin with Arley whereof there is a member called Sloley though little taken notice of now but because I find that antiently there is mention of it in Records I must not omit it The later sillable of this Towns appellation is very frequently used as we know for terminating the names of sundry Villagesâ— and if we ascend to the British for its original we shall find I le in that language to be the same with locus in the Latine but if to the Saxons ley there signifieth ground untill'd and in that sense we still use the word in relation to such land As for the former viz. Ar 't is British and signifieth the same with super in Latine which very well agreeth with the situation hereof the greatest part of the Parish being high ground in respect of the ascent to it almost every way so that then Ar-lei is by interpretation in effect locus altus In the Conq. time this was possest by one Cristina a great Woman and with her other lands in this County came immediatly to Raph de Limesi a Baron of eminent note whose chief seat was at Wulverle in those dayes a remarkable place though now there is nothing left thereof more than some grounds within the precincts of Solihull bearing the name and that somewhat corrupted by length of time In the general Survey it is recorded for one hyde the woods whereof contained a mile and half in length and half a mile in bredth all being then valued at lx s. and was as it may seem a member of Wolverle but it is there written A Blei in capital letters the Clerk mistaking the R for a B. Of this Raph de Limesi and his posterity I am to speak when I come to Wolverle where I shall insert the descent of that family whereby it will appear that the daughters and heirs thereof were matcht to Lindesei and Odingsels the former a Scot the other a Fleming Which family of Lindesei continued but a while but that of Odingsells remained even till our fathers memory as in Long-Ichington I shall fully shew Touching this Mannour of Arley I find that one Raph de Limesi who lived in K. H. 3. time had it and granted the inheritance thereof to Richard de Limesy his brother and to his heirs which Richard had issue Peter Howbeit whether the above mentioned Raph de Limesi issued from some younger brother of the family of Limesy whose descent I have plac't in Wolverle I am not able to say but I have seen an antient Pedegree of Odingsells which derives him from that family as son to the first Gerard who lived in H. 3. time expressing that he quitted his paternal name and called himself Limesi to preserve the memory of his Grand-mother Basilia de Limesi I presume in that she was so great an heir which was a course usual enough in antient time to do as I have elswhere observed Following therefore the guidance of that descent I have put this Raph and his brother Richard as younger sons to the said Gerard de Odingsells and the rather for that I conceive that the same Gerard was Lord of this Mannour in regard that he and his brother William had a trial at Northampton against Will. de Waverton and Gerard de Lindesei in 28 E. 3. concerning the advouson of this Church though afterwards it did not constantly accompany the possession of the Mannour as most in those elder times did For Will. de Odingsells of Solihull son to the before mentioned William had it in E. 1. time and yet afterwards Peter de Limesy presented as will appear by the Institutions The return therefore to the said Peter son of Richard whom I find thus possest of Arley as abovesaid He had Free-warren granted to him and his heirs here in 4 E. 2. and being a Knight in 5 E. 2. assisted the Earls of Lancaster Hereford and Warwick in the beheading of Piers de Gaveston for which with the rest he had his pardon in 7 of that K. reign In 9 E. 2. he was in Commission for choosing of foot-souldiers in this County for the wars of Scotland and the same year one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Lincoln In which Parliament the Commonalty giving unto the K. a xvi th towards the charge of his wars in Scotland the foot-souldiers elected as aforesaid were released by the K. command this Peter being with others assigned for levying the said sixteenth In 11 E. 2. he was in Commission for enquiry who they were that furnisht themselves with Arms and retained souldiers horse or foot or did confederate themselves by private meetings in this County And the same year being constituted Shiriff of the Counties of Salop. and Staff had the custody of the Castles of Shrewsbury and Bridgenorth committed to his charge In 14 E. 2. he was in Commission for the Goal-delivery at Warwick but afterwards in the rebellion with Thomas Earl of Lancaster for which his lands being forfeited were seized into the K. hands and dyed at Yorke the Monday next before the feast of the Epiphany in 18 E. 2. but whether a natural death or not the Record doth not specifie leaving issue Iohn de Limesy his son and heir then 24 years of age on whom this Mannour was setled by the grant of Ric. de Limesy his Grandfather What became of this Iohn de Limesy or what issue he had I find not but plain it is that in 2 E. 3. Sir Roger Corbet of Caus Kt. and Amicia his wife granted unto Sir VVill. Camvile Kt. son of Thomas Camvile the reversion of this Mannour as also of the Mannour of Sibbesdon in Leic. which Sir Roger had a daughter also called Amicia wife of Iohn de Odingsells as in Long-Itchington appeareth The next mention I meet with of it is in 19 R. 2. where it appears that Sir Roger Corbet of Lygh Kt. dyed seized of a third part thereof leaving Thomas his son and heir aged 23 years But in 5 H. 4. after the death of Sir Iohn Odingsells of Long-Itchington it was found that Sir Raph Rochford Kt. then held it with
cart load every week by oversight of the said Foresters Other reservations there are but these which I have mentioned are the most memorable In consideration of all which the said Prior and Covent were to pay yearly unto the same Rog. and Cecily and their heires at the mannour-house of Cheylesmore before mentioned c. li. sterling viz. on the Octaves of St. Andrew the Octaves of S. Mary in March the Octaves of S. Iohn B. and the Octaves of S. Michael and x. marks annually for the Nuns of Polesworth at Easter and Michaelmass by even portions under the penalty of x. li. and a clause for distress And besides a Fine levyed in the same 34. year of H. 3. by the said Roger and Cecily for warranty of the premisses so granted did the said Cecily in her widowhood by her deed of Release quit all her interest in the said mannour according to the tenor of the before specified grant As also in the Hospitall and Chappell of Sponne sometime perteining to the Abby of Basingwerk in Flintsh as her said Release imports The next thing which falls out in order of time to be taken notice of in relation to this place is that here it was that those persons elected for the determination upon what terms such as were disherited for their activeness in that notable Rebellion against K. H. 3. should redeem their lands met and resolv'd thereupon Which Decree of theirs is notwithstanding called Dictum de Kenilworth in regard it was then publish't in the K. Camp at that famous six months siege of the Castle as in Kenilworth I have already intimated After this viz. in 3. E. 1. upon the extent of this mannour after the death of Rob. de Montalt son to the before mentioned Roger the mannour-house called Cheylesmore with the Park and Mill in the Park were valued at 5. marks per annum the Rent of Assise belonging thereto 39 li. 09. s. 07. d. and the perquisits of Court 6. s. -8 d. And in 13. E. 1. had the Burgesses and Inhabitants here the K. Letters Pat. bearing date 3. Aug. giving them authority to take Toll of all vendible commodities that should be brought hither for the space of 3. years from Michaelmass next ensuing towards their charge of paving the town viz. for every Hors-load of Corn a half-peny for Every Horse Mare Oxe or Cow a half-peny And likewise upon every thing els which for brevities sake I omit But it seems that xx years afterwards this work of paving was not fully done for in 23. of the same K. reign they had another Pat. to take Toll upon the like Commodities and granted Ballivis probis hominibus de Coventre whereas the other was Burgensibus probis hominibus which shews that the originall of their Bayliffs was betwixt the 13. and 33. E. 1. though the very time when they were constituted be not recorded After which viz. in 9. E. 2. the Prior of Coventre and Rob. de Montalt were certified to be Lords of this place with its members which Rob. being brother and heir to Roger son to the last mentioned Robert with Emme his wife in 1. E. 3. levyed a Fine of all their interest here by the name of the mannour of Cheylesmore with the appurtenances 96. li. 6. s. -8 d. yearly Rent and the services of the Prior of Coventre thereby entayling the same upon the heirs male of his body and for want of such issue on Isabell Q. of England Mother to K. E. 3. during her life and after her decease on Iohn of Eltham brother to the said King and the heirs of his body and for lack of such issue on thâ— said K. Edward and his heirs for ever For setling whereof as abovesaid he had the Kings license dated at Peterborough 8. April Hitherto have I taken notice of the most remarkable passages touching Coventre in generall but now that I am come to the vesting of Cheylesmore in the royall line it will be most proper I conceive to observe what els is notable in relation thereto in order of time reserving what I have further to say of Coventre in generall to be afterwards spoke by it self First then that the situation of this mannour is upon the Southern side of the town the Map to those that know not the place will demonstrate but as to the antiquity of its name can I say little having not met with any mention thereof till 34. H. 3. that Rog. de Montalt and Cecily his wife do in their grant of Coventre to the Monks except it by the name of their mansion or mannour-house of Cheylesmore yet that the seat which the E. of Chester had in that very place was much elder is not to be doubted in regard 't is apparent that their Castle concerning the siege whereof in K. Steph. time by E. Ran. the second I have already spoke stood there For in that ample Charter made by Hugh Keviliok E. of Chester to the Monks of Coventre in H. 2. time in pointing out the boundaryes dividing the Earls part and the Priors asunder he traces the same from S. Mich. -Church-yard and so juxta latam portam mei Castelli are his words Now that this Gate he means was not far off Cheylesmore the place where it stood doth sufficiently testify being at the end of that passage now called Greyfrier-lane entring into the great High-street and retayning the said name of Broad-yale to this day From which testimony may also be observed that the circuit of the outer ward to that Castle was of a large extent considering that it did reach so far North towards the town Having said thus much as to its situation and antiquity I shall proceed with the succession thereof wherein I observe that K. E. 3. having in the Parl. begun at Westm. on the munday next after the feast of S. Matthew the Apostle in xi year of his reign advanced Edward his eldest Son commonly called the Black Prince unto the Dukedom of Cornwall did inter alia for his better support of that honour by his Charter bearing date 1. Oct. the same year settle upon him the reversion of this mannour after the decease of Q. Isabel before specified Iohn of Eltham E. of Cornwall tenant in remainder being then dead without issue to hold to him the said D. and to the eldest sons of him and his heirs Kings of England Dukes of that place successively and not to be severed from the said Dukedom upon the death or not existency of such Dukes to revert unto the Crown together therewith Whereunto the said Q. Isabel by her Letters Pat. dated 10. Dec. in the same year did signify her assent and in regard of her estate therein made attourment After which were there divers great priviledges granted to this place viz. in 18. E. 3. that the tenants to the said Q. should during her life be free from pavage
alias Holme Tho. Holme mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. Thom. Hermworth alias Clarke Tho. Clarke mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. Galfr. Snead alias Danyell Galfr. Danyell mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. Rob. Derby alias Hepworth Rob. Hepworth mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. But of the Abbots here have I not found the names of more than these which were immediatly preceding the dissolution viz. VVill. Whittington Iohn Tolton Oliver Adams and Robert Bayte As for the Curses which were usually pronounc't by the Founders of these Religious houses whether they have attended those violators of what they so zealously and with devout minds had dedicated to Gods service I will not take upon me to say but sure I am that after K. H. 8. had accomplish'd this work he thrived but a little as I shall elsewhere in particular observe And how long such possessions have been enjoyed by those that had them they that have look't into the course of this world may easily see For this whereof I am now speaking it was by K. E. 6. first granted to Iohn E. of Warwick and to his heirs 22. Iuuii 1 E. 6. and after his attainder whereof in Warwick I have spoke in 3. 4. Ph. M. Rob. Keylway had a lease of the site and divers lands thereto belonging for 40. years at the Rent of 196. l. -08 s. -01 d. And afterwards another for lx years Which Robert Kelway in 23 Eliz. dyed seized in fee of certain lands belonging to this Monastery Anne the wife of Iohn Harrington Esq. being his sole Daughter and heir and then 30. years of age Binley ABout a mile below Combe the litlte brook before mentioned meeteth with Sow which passing gently on leaveth Binley on its Southeast side In the Conq. time the Monks of Coventre held three hides here whereof the woods were half a mile in length and one furlong in breadth all being then valued at lx sol which they purchased of Osbernus fil Ricardi a great man in that age as when I come to Aston-Cantelow shall be shewed but in Edw. the Conf. time Aldgid widow to Grifin was owner thereof The other part of this village Hadulfus in some places written Hadewolfus progenitor to the family of Rokeby and already mentioned there possest at that time as Tenant unto Turkill de Warwick it containing two hides whereof the woods extended to four furlongs in length and two in breadth all which were valued at 35. s. having been held by the same Hadulfus of the said Turchill before the Norman Conquest Touching the name I shall but onely deliver my conjecture viz. that it may probably be compouâ—ded of two Saxon words Bilene signifying to dwell and ea water which being contracted together came at length to be written according to the usuall pronunciation And that this Etymologie is not unsutable to its situation is plain enough but now we write it Binley as it is vulgarly called though in all an ient authorities it be recorded by the name of Bilneje As to the succession of its owners I shall first proceed with that part which the Prior of Coventre held whereof the Chappell dedicated to St. Bartholmew is a Member having been confirm'd to that Monastery by Ranulph E. of Chester in H. 1. time and appropriated thereto by Rog. Meuland B. of Cov. and Lich. in 44 H. 3. In K. Stephans time or beginning of H. 2. Laurence then Prior of Coventre granted half a hide of that which they had here to the Monks of Combe to hold in Frank-almoign paying to the Monastery of Coventre viii s. per an viz. 4. s. at the Feast of the Nativ of St. Iohn Baptist. and 4. s. at Christmass for all services but how their portion came to be further lessened I know not for of a long time before the dissolution the said Monks of Coventre were reputed Lords of no more than a fourth part of this village All which with the tythes were by K. H. 8. inter alia granted to Robert Burgoine and Iohn Scudamore and their heirs in 36. of his reign The rest very little excepted was bestowed on the Monks of Combe soon after the Foundation of that Abby for Thurbert son of the above mentioned Hadewlfus who is in some places called Thurbert de Bilneja and in other Thurbert de Rochebe gave a large portion thereof as by his Charter where it is set forth by bounds appears whereupon it should seem that he and his wife betook themselves to a retired life in that Monastery the Monks giving them allowance of dyet during their lives as also to Henry his son and heir two marks of silver and to all the rest of their children xii d. a piece for their assent which grant was confirm'd by Rog. E. of Warwick in respect that the lands of the before specified Turchill came for the most part to those Earls and afterwards by Earl William the extent thereof being one hide amounting to the 5. part of a Kts. fee. About the same time Ioeslinus the son of Raph de Bilneje gave to the said Monks a good quantity of land and woods in this place reputed also for one hide and held by the 6. part of a Kts. fee whereupon he had allowance of his dyet as long as he lived according to the proportion for one Monk and as much for his mother All which his brother Robert confirmed in consideration whereof he had a Horse with two marks and 4. s. of silver To this Robert succeded Robert his son who gave them also a large part in woods which is in his Charter set forth by bounds in consideration whereof the Monks granted that after his death as much solemnity should be made for him in that Abby as for one Monk in Masses and Prayers and participation of all other benefits And not long after did Henry de Rochebe son and heir to the before recited Thurbert not onely confirm what his father had given but granted them the Mill here and half his wood called Munechet for which besides the 2. marks he had in his fathers lifetime they gave him 4. marks of silver more with 7. s. to his mother and to each of his brothers viz. Will. Alex. Thomas Ingeram and Ric. xii d. a piece And to him the said Henry as also to his mother allowance of as much dyet as was the proportion for one Monk during their lives By which grants and some others that for brevity I pass by it appears that the said Monks of Combe had here in 7 E. 1. one carucat of land a Water-mill as also two Windmills all held in demesn five Cottages seven yard land and seven acres held by seven Freeholders at a certain Rent homage and suit of Court Foutry two acres of out-wood whereof two were then inclosed within the Park of Brandon for which they had yearly 2. s.
ib. v li. vi s. viii d. Georgio Rydel Canon ib. v li. vi s. viii d. Rad. Bakester Canon ib. v li. Ric. Hethe Canon ib. v li. vi s. viii d. Ioh. Rivers Canon ib. v li. Will. Clare Canon ib. v li. Ric. Palmer Canon ibâ— v li. Ric. Todde Canon ib. v li. Catalogus Priorum Bernardus temp H. 1. Laurentius temp Regis Steph. Silvester 2. Ioh. Henricus 16. H. 3. David 23. H. 3. Robertus de Estleye 51. H. 3. Rob. de Salle defunctus 6. E. 2. Tho. de Warmynton 6. E. 2. Ioh. de Peyto 2. Id. April 19. E. 3. Henr. de Bradwey 22. Aug. 1361. Tho. de Merston 8. R. 2. Will. de Brayles 11. Aug. 1400. Tho. Kidderminster 12. 〈◊〉 1402. Tho. Holygreve 5. Aug. 1439. Ioh. Yardley 2. Maii 1458. Rad. Maxfeild 11. Ian. 1494. Will. Wall 9. H. 8. Simon Iekys 29. H. 8. Touching the Mannour of Kenilworth which belong'd to this religious House I find that it continued in the Crown till 6. Eliz. and then was granted to Rob. Earl of Leicester at that time possest of the Castle as I shall shew by and by But the site of the Monastery which had been given by K. H. 8. to Sir Andrew Flamok a Courtier of those dayes descended to Sir Will. Flamok his son and heir who dyed seized thereof 11. Iulii 2. Eliz. leaving Katherin his daughter and heir about three years old afterwards marryed to Iohn Colburn of Morton-Morrell in this County esquire Which Iohn having bought certain Horses stolen out of the said Earles stables here at Kenilworth-Castle as was pretended became so terrified by Leicester that he quitted unto him all his right therein upon easy tearmes as I have heard Kenilworth Castle THat this Castle was built by Geffrey de Clintou Chamberlain and Treasurer to K. H. 1. I have already in my discourse of the Priory by him then founded sufficiently manifested where also I have spoke both of his parentage and what else in relation to him is notable but being a place of such extraordinary strength and largeness as may be seen by the circuit breadth and depth of the outer moats and that unnparalel'd part thereof called Cesars-Tower which by the thickness of it's walls and form of building appears to have been of the first foundation continued not long to his posterity for in 11. H. 2. the Shiriff accounted for the profit of the Park and in 19. H. 2. it was possest and garrison'd by the King his eldest son whom he had Crown'd then rebelling against him with whom Lewes K. of France Rob. Earl of Leic. Hugh Earl of Chester and many other great men took part as our Historians do declare At which time there was layd in a c. quarters of bread-corn at viii li. viii s. ii d. charge being not then much more than 2 d. a bushell 20. quarters of Barley at 33 s. 4 d. An hundred Hogs at 7 li. 10 s. Forty Cows salted at 4 li. cxx Cheeses at 40 s. 25. quarters of salt at 30 s. at which time c. â—ol were allow'd for making of a Gaol there And the next year following did the same Shiriff viz. Bertram de Verdon account large summs of money for payment of the Souldiers Horse and Foot therein 'T is true that Geffrey de Clinton son heir to the said Geffrey the Founder had it a while in possession again as some words of his Charter whereby he granted certain lands in Milverton do import viz. Postquam Castellum meum honorem meum recuperavi but it remained with him scarce 7. years and after that time was never out of the Kings hands till Henry 3. granted it to Sim. Montfort E. of Leic. as I shall shew anon for in 27. H. 2. the Shiriff accounted for the Ferm of the ward thereof which I take to be such money as was payd by the Country people who were otherwise to perform their service in person for the guarding of this Castle as also for certain money that he received in the nature of Rent from such as had their abode therein Which makes me conjecture that some persons for security to themselves and their goods obtained leave there to reside whereby they might be preserved from robbery and mischief in those turbulent times The next year following he accounted for the Ferm of such ground as was within the compass of the fortifications In 30. H. 2. for the charge of repayring the walls In 31. for workmanship about the Goale there In 33. for the ground within the Castle and paunage of the Park In 1 R. 1. again for the ferm of the same ground In 2. and 3. for the custody and repair thereof And in the beginning of King Iohn's time Henry de Clinton grandson to the founder released to the King all his right in the same as also in the woods and pools and whatever else belonged thereto excepting what he had possession of at the death of K. H. 2. his father Which Henry de Clinton had issue Henry who being in the rebellion K. Iohn at the later end of his raign submitted himself and returned to obedience in 2. H. 3. assuring the K. of his future fidelity whereupon the Shiriff had command to give him livery of those lands in Kenilworth of his inheritance by right from his father But after him I find little here in Kenilworth of this family and therefore in regard it was of longer continuance in Colshill and Maxstoke in Hemlingford-Hundred I have there inserted the whole descent and made my historicall observations thereupon and so returning again to this Castle do observe that in 5. Ioh. Hugh de Chaucumb afterwards Shiriff of these Countyes for divers years was made Governour thereof his predecessor in that command having been Hugh Bardulf who continued in that place till 9. Ioh. and then Rob. de Ropesle the then Shiriff was put in his roome In 13. Ioh. Will. de Cantilupe Shiriff also at that time accounted for 361. li. 07 s. -00 laid out in more building upon this Castle as also 102. li. -19 s. -03 d. for making a Chamber and Wardrobe The next year following 224 li. for more building there and in 17. Ioh. for he continued many years Shiriff 402 li. 02 s. -00 more for repaires thereof That later end of King Iohn's raign being very troublesome in respect that divers of the Barons rebell'd against him was doubtless the reason wherefore the King bestow'd such cost in building and repaires here about that time for it was then garrison'd with Souldiers Raph de Normanvill being sent thither by the King as a principall Officer yet to be under the command of the before-mentioned W. de Cantilupe the Kings Steward and Governour thereof the Kings son being there then for safety as it
granted out of the Crown by K. H. 8. inter alia to Thomas Marrow of London Esquire and his heirs by the name of the Mannour of Wrydfen alias Rudfyn 20. Iunii 37. H. 8. Which Thomas in 3. 4. Ph. M. reconvey'd it to the Crown and the same year had a grant thereof again with Berkswell and other lands in this County But it seemes that Marrow kept it not long for the next year following I find that the Queen passed it to Iohn Throkmorton Esq. for 21. years in which grant it is said to have been in the Qu. hands by exchange for other lands with the said Thomas Marrow Which Lease belike was surrendred for plain it is that Q. Eliz. in 7. of her raign convey'd it to Robert E. of Leic. and his heires After whose death Lettice Countess of Leic. his Widow during her life held it but the inheritance being in Sir Robert Dudley Kt. base son to the said Earl by vertue of his fathers Will he in the same grant whereby he past Kenilworth-Castle to Prince Henry joyned this since which it hath accompanyed the possession thereof There is no more building at this place then one house which having been a Grange belonging to the Canons of Kenilworth upon the dissolution of that Monastery was assigned to the last Prior for his residence whist he lived as I have heard Stonely I Now come to Stoneley situatâ—on the Northern bank of Sow a little below the joyning of of Kenilworth-water therewith which is a very spacious Parish and containeth many petty Hamlets and places of Note viz. Cloud Starton Finham Fletchamsted-Superior and Inferior Hurst Cryfield Canle and Hill with the three Granges called Helenhull Bokindene and Milburne of all which in their order Before the Norman invasion King Edward held it in demesn so likewise afterwards did William the Conq. by whose generall Survey it was certified to contain six hides there being then two Priests of whom I shall say more when I speak of Cloud and Fletchamsted the woods extending to four miles in length and two in breadth Kenilw. being a member thereof in which the King had feeding for 2000. Hoggs There were at that time also two Mills rated at 35 s. -4 d. As for the name there needs not much to be said in regard 't is obvious enough considering that the nature of the soil where the Town stands is rocky Stanlej the antient name now altered to Stoneley signifying a stony place In the Crown it continued till H. 2. time answering xvii l. xiv s. v. d. yearly to the King who had within the precincts thereof two Houses one in the Town of Stoneley and the other at Cryfield his tenants here being called Sokemanni by reason saith Bracton upon that word quod deputati sunt ut videtur taantummodò ad culturam quorum custodia maritagia ad propinquiores parentes jure sanguinis pertinebat Which tenants had wont from antient time every 3. Weeks to do their suite at the Kings Court held for this Mannour upon a hill then and yet called the Motstow-hill on the South-side the river opposite to the Church having that appellation because of the pleadings there the word Mote being to this day used in that sense by our Lawyers each Tenant holding one yard land and paying yearly xxx d. viz. 1 d. an acre in regard every yard land contained xxx acres and no more In the distinct Hamlets belonging to this Mannour there were viii yard land onely and if they had any more it was by improvement of the wasts each of which Hamlets gave a certain portion of money for a Common-fine twice a year howbeit that payment was not made by the Sokemanni but by the interior Tenants if there were any the further customes touching which Sokemanni were as followeth viz. 1. That each of them at his death should give an entire Heriot that is to say his Horse Harness and Armes if he had any otherwise his best beast and that the heire succeeding his father should be admitted to the inheritance at xv years of age doubling his Rent for a Relief and from thenceforth to be joyn'd with the rest of the Sokemanni in Juryes as also in collecting the Kings rents and answering to proces as if he had been of full age 2. That they were to have Estovers in the outwoods by the oversight of the Foresters scil Housebote Heybote and Firebote and freedome of paunage for their own Hogs but for such Hogs as they did buy after the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist to give paunage 3. That at the Bederipe in harvest id est the generall Reap for the Lords corn the word Bede signifying to pray or request they should all come upon request or notice with every of their tenants the Sokemanni to ride up and down on Hoseback with wands to see that they work't well and to amerce those in the Court then and there held that made default or laboured idly 4. That they should be in the field at Sun-rising and work till Sun set not sitting down to breakfast but each of them eating what he brought with him as they went up and down the lands to their work and after breakfast to sit down once before dinner the Lord finding them drink but at Noon both they and the Sokemen to have meat and drink provided by the Lord. 5. That the Reapers should eat by themselves every one having a little Wheat-loaf 4. Eggs and pot age viz. Grewell without flesh boyled in it except the Lord would afford them other with Cheese and Beer sufficiâ—nt and after dinner one sittâ—ng down with bread and beer but the Sokemen themselves to be served with better dyet according to their degrees 6. And lastly when the King should assess his Boroughs and Mannours with Tallage he to have from the Sokemen here the tenth part of their goods I now descend to the foundation of the Abby and the occasion thereof The Order of Cistercian Monks being propagated in England towards the later end of K.H. 1. raign as in Combe I have shew'd found in short time many pious Benefactors in severall parts of the Kingdom who bountifully bestowed upon them very large possessions in such places as were most proper for them to seat themselves with least disturbance in their strict and holy Rule of serving God Amongst which were Maud the Empress and King Stephen who though otherwise opposites to each other yet in this good work concurred granting a certain desert called Redmore lying in the Forest of Canok in Stafford-shire a mile Southwards from Beaudesert unto Clement and Herveâ—e two devout Hermits with others of their society As also a certaine laund called Mellesho for tillage and pasturing of cattell Which Concessions Roger de Clinton then Bishop of Chester not onely confirmed but gave them liberty to betake themselves to what regular life soever they through Gods direction should
by her Deed bearing date 17 Iunii appeareth Which Iâ—an then levyed a Fine thereof to themâ— by the name of Ioan Hall widow lately called Ioan Corbet in Hill Term 23 H. 8. But it seems that the said Conveyance and Fine was to the use of the said Edw. and his heirs for by the Inquis taken after his death he is certified to dye seized thereof 7 Martii 1 E. 6. leaving Thomas his son and heir 26 years of age To whom succeeded Iohn Underhill which Iohn in 1 Mar. past it to Thomas Freeman and others I come now to that which Henry de Ferrers had here in Herberbury by the Conq. gift though when his posterity granted it away I cannot positively averr but finding that Rob. fil Odonis was possest of a great part thereof in the beginning of K. Iohn's time and that in 12 H. 2. Odo fil Iohannis father of the said Robert was certified to hold one Kts. fee of Will. de Boskervill which Will. held 3 Kts. fees of the Earl Ferrers de veteri feoffamiento I doubt not but that I may safely enough conclude that Rob. first Earl Ferrers son of the said Henry granted it to the father or grandfather of the said Will. de Boskervill for which Kts. fee lying here and in Chesterton Isabell the widow of Raph de Boschervili impleaded the said Rob. fil Odonis in 4 Ioh. alledging that she was endowed by her said husband Whereunto Robert answered that Odo his father dyed seized thereof and that it thereupon descended to Will his son and heir who likewise dying seized of it left a certain daughter his heir and within age by reason whereof the E. Ferrers as superior Lord of the Fee had the custody of it with the said daughter and that she dying in her minority he went to the Earl and gave him such satisfaction that he had livery thereof as right heir But the next year following they came to an Agreement whereupon there was a Fine levied thereof betwixt the said Isabell by the name of Isabell de Say and him the said Robert by which Fine it appears that Burga then the wife of Hugh de Picheford was daughter and heir to the before mentioned Raph de Buschervill and that the said Rob acknowledged the same to be her right the meaning whereof I conceive to be that he held it immediatly of her and not of the Earle Ferrers the said Earle being the cheif from whom her ancestors held it for in 36. H. 3. it appears that Odo de Herberbury who was doubtless the son of the said Robert held the same Kts fee expressed to lye here in Herberbury of Raph de Pichford and that the said Raph held it over of the E. Ferrers This Rob. Fil. Odonis was a benefactor to the Canons of Kenilworth by giving them part of his possessions lying in this place whereof two Acres were for the celebration of a Masse every Saturday the whole in 7. E. 1. being certifyed at 2. yard land and ix acres of which all but the ix acres was then held by 4. servants who performed severall kinds of servile labour for them and the ix acres by 3 Freeholders that payd particular Rents for the same But the last of the before-specifyed family of whom I finde any mention was another Rob. fil Odonis whom I take to be the son of that Odo de Herberbury above mentioned and grandchild to the before recited Robert for he is called Robertus fil Odonis de Herberbyry Which Rob. by his deed recorded in the Rolls of the Chancery 20. Apr. 7. E. 1. bestowed upon the monks of Combe his Mannour house and all else that he had here as also in Chesterton extending to 95. Acres and a half for the health of his soule and of the souls of Eliz. his wife and of all his Ancestors and Successors wherein the said Monks had Court-Leet with other Priviledges Odo fil Iohannis 12 H. 2. Rob. fil Odonis 4 Ioh. Odo de Herberbury 36 H. 3. Rob. fil Odonis 7 E. 1. Will. fil Odonis .... filia obiit s. prole All which they held till the dissolution of the Monasteryes after which this Mannour was by Q. Eliz. granted out of the Crown to Edw. Frost and Iohn Walker and their heirs 19. Ian. 24. of her reign From whom it became aliened to Thom. Wagstaff and from him to Will. Cookes of Snitfeild whose posterity do now enioy it But that which the Canons of Kenilworth had here except the advouson of the Church was granted out of the Crown by Q. Eliz. in 4. of her reign to Iohn Fisher and Thomas Dabridgcourt by the name of a Mannour in which Pat. also past whatsoever belong'd to the Monastery of Nun-Eaton lying in this town And from them the same year unto Thomas Fisher then of Bishops-Ichington and his heirs which Thomas dyed seized thereof 12. Ian. 20. Eliz. leaving Edward his son and heir then 30. years of age and he Iohn who past it away to Thomas Coxe of Bps. -Ichington From whom 16. Iunii 19. Iac. it was purchased by Ric. Wagstaff whose heirs to this day enjoy it Besides these severall Mannours already mentioned I find that in 10. H. 6. Iohn Mallory of the County of Leic. Gent. held another by the 4. part of a Kts. Fee though what became thereof I know not Having thus done with all the distinct Mannours I may not omit to mention that in 7. E. 1. Eustace de Hatch of whom I shall speak in Morton-Morrell held 3. carucats of land here excepting x. acres of Iohn de Lodbrok having tenants that occupied the same who performed divers servile labours for it as the usuall custome of those times was paying but a small Rent Somthing more he held here of the Honour of Leicester but it was not of much moment That the Church dedicated to All Saints was given to the Monastery of Kenilworth by G. de Clinton the founder thereof temp H. 1. I have already shewed which grant of his I find confirmed by Ric. Peche Bp. of Coventre in H. 2. days To whom ere long succeeded G. Muschamp who in K. Iohn's time appropriated it to those Canons assigning half a mark yearly to them out of the Vicaridge In An. 1291. 19. E. 1. it was valued at xviii marks iiii s. viii d. over and above a Pension of x s. per ann payd out of it to the Prior of Warmington and another of xii s. per ann to the Prior of Tutbury at which time the Vicaridge was rated at two marks but in 26. H. 8. at C. sol over and above ii s. yearly for Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumb temp Inst. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Rob. de Gouteby Cap. An. 1251. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. de Northampton Cap. An. 1283. Prior et Conv. de Kenilworth Sym.
in the last year of his reign commanded Hugh de Nevil to whom he had committed the custody of Warwick-Castle in those turbulent times that he should deliver it to him and to Thom. Basset his father in Law And moreover by his precept to the Sheriffe of this County bearing date at Teuksbury 23. Iulii ensuing appointed that he should have livery of all the Lands of such Rebels which held of his the said Earls Fee to retain during the K. pleasure And as he was thus loyal to that K. so did he stand stoutly to the young K. H. 3. joyning with the Earls of Chester and Albamarle in the siege of Mount-Sorel-Castle 1. H. 3. as also in storming the Castle of Lincoln where they had a glorious victory over those sturdy Barons as our Historians do manifest And in 5. H. 3. when Will. de Fortibus E. of Albamarle had rebelliously strengthened his Castle of Bitham in com Linc. he attended the K. in person to the siege thereof having towards the support of his charge in that expedition x. s. de quolibet scuto for all the Knights Fees held of him In 9. H. 3. he paid xlix li. xii s. v. d. to the K. upon the advance of his Army into Wales which was called Scutagium de Mungumeri Yet afterward when other great men in 11. H. 3. put themselves in Arms on the behalf of Ric. Earle of Cornwall the K. brother he made one but that businesse was quickly composed In 12. H. 3. he paid CC iiii marks viii s. x. d. ob to the K. towards the charge of another Welch expedition called Scutagium de Kerry and the next year following had the K. Letters deprecatory to all his Tenants that held of him by military service for an aid towards such expences he was like to be at in a voyage for Gascoin and to discharge some debt that he owed to the K. During the minority of this Earle it was that K. Iohn in 4. of his reign gave the Seignory of Gowher in Wales of his inheritance unto Will. de Brews concerning which the succeeding Earls of Warwick had great suits as I shall hereafter shew He had two wives viz. Margery the eldest of the two daughters of Henry d'Oyli of Hoke-Norton in com Oxon. and sister of Henry that died without issue by which means part of d'Oylie's inheritance came to this family and Philippa one of the three daughters and Heirs unto Tho. Basset of Hedindon before mentioned but of this Earle Henry his death can I not point out the direct day yet for certain it was in 13. H. 3. for then did Philippa his Countesse give C. marks to the K. that she might not be compelled to marry but live a Widdow as long as she pleased or marry whom she lik't best provided he were a loyal subject to the K. Whereupon she took to husband the same year one Ric. Siward who proved a turbulent spirited man being as M. Paris saith vir martius ab adolescentia for in 17. H. 3. he joyned with divers great Earls Barons in the Rebellion about that time begun against the K. which was not well quieted till the 22. of his Reign but then notwithstanding all his evil demerits was received into favour Much more might be said of this Ric. Siward but it hath no relation to the story of our Earles therefore I shall forbear to discourse further of him especially considering that he was divorced from his Countesse and will close up what I have to speak of her with mentioning in what sort she was a benefactresse to the Canons of Berencester vulgò Bisseter in com Buck. viz. that in her full widdowhood she gave them vii s. yearly rent issuing out of certain lands in Studley within this County to finde one Lamp continually burning before the Altar of S. Iohn Bapt. in the conventual Church of Berencester for the health of her Soul and all her Ancestors and Childrens Souls When she died I do not finde but at Berencester she lieth buried in the Monastery there of her fathers foundation The issue left by this last mentioned Earle was one son and one daughter scil Thomas and Margery both by his first wife which Thomas was of full age at his fathers death as it should seem for in that year he had livery of his Lands paying C. 1. for his relief which was thus apportioned viz. xx l. for his Lands in Wiltshire for which summe Iohn Biset became surety xx li. for his Lands in Oxfordsh for which Thom. Basset stood bound xx li. for his Lands in Gloucestershire for which Raph de Wiliton was bound and xl li. for his Lands in Warwicksh for which Walt. d'Eivill and Ric. de Mundevil were his pledges And in 17. H. 3. being but 4. years after was inrich't with the inheritance of d'Oylie's Lands in Oxfordsh that descended to him by the death of his Uncle Henry d'Oily without issue whereof he had then livery doing his homage and paying C. l. for his Relief to the K. with two Palfreys In which year the K. keeping his Whitsuntide at Gloucester there girt him with the sword of Knighthood together with Rog. Bigod E. of Norff. and Hugh de Vere E. of Oxford Nay I make a question whether he had full seizin of his Earldom of Warwick till then though he had livery of his Lands 4. years before as I have shewed for the K. precept to the Sheriffe of this County bearing date at Teuksbury 24. Maii in that year saith thus Rex cinxit Thomam de Warwic cingulo comitatus Warwic mandatum est Vicecomiti Warwici quod eidem Comiti habere fâ—ciat de praedicto comitatu id quod habere debet nomine Comitis Warwici de quo praedecessores sui Comites Warwici seisiti fuerunt tanquam ad eos pertinente nomine Comitatus Warewici And that this was the meaning of the said Writ viz. that he should thereby be invested in the Earldom may seem by what my Author addeth to that mention of his being Knighted with Rog. Bigod and Hugh Vere as abovesaid scil Will. Long-espe accingitur gladio militari sed non fit Comes Sarum which was at that very time In 25. H. 3. this Earle Thomas gave Clxxx. Marks fine to the K. to the end he might be exempted from attendance upon him in his expedition into Gascoign which summe was over and above his due by way of Scutage for discharge of which Scutage and that he might levy the like upon his Tenants he paid the year following Cxx. l. more And further then this can I not say of him other than that he married Ela daughter to Will. Longspe E. of Salisbury base son to K. H. 2. as also that he departed this life without issue 26. Iunii An. 1242. 26. H. 3.
Exchequer was seized into the Kings hands by reason of some misdemeanour therein committed by one William de Bradecote his Clerke howbeit the King taking into consideration his speciall services before exprest made a quick restitution of it again I find that this Earl had great suits with William de Breause for the dominion of Gowher in Wales wrongfully alienated by King Iohn 4. Ioh. to Will. de Breause great-grandfather of this William whilst Henry Earl of Warwick was in his minority but could not recover it In 15 E. 1. he was again imployed into Wales at which time he beseiged the Castle of Drosselan and had ccxl li. delivered to him by the Bishop of Ely then Treasurer for the defraying his charges in that service At that time the King being in France had constituted Edmund Earl of Cornwall his lieutenant here in England during his absence who taking great care to preserve all things in quiet here whilst the King was away directed his speciall Precept to this Earl of Warwick and other great men requiring them most strictly that they should not ride with armed power in any part of the Kingdom for any respect whatsoever to the terrour of the Kings leige people and disturbance of the Peace but if that any diffâ—rence did arise betwixt them and others they should make it known unto the said E. of Cornwall who would apply a timely remedy thereto In 23 E. 1. being again in Wales with the K. he performed a notable Warlike exploit which was thus Hearing that a great body of the Welch were got together in a plain betwixt two woods and to prevent any danger had fastned their pikes in the ground sloping towards their assailants he marcht thither with a choyse company of Cross-bow-men and Archers and in the night time incompassing them put betwixt every two Horsemen one Crossbow-man who killing many of them that supported those Pikes the Horse charged in suddainly and made so great a slaughter that the like hath seldom been heard The next ensuing year he received command to be at New-castle upon Tine on the first of March furnisht with Horse and Armes for an expedition into Scotland and afterwards was sent with Iohn Earl of Surrey to recover the Castle of Dunbar trecherously gained by the Scots In which action they were constrained to cope with the whole Scotch Army that came to raise the Siege but at length after a sharp dispute obtained a glorious victory wherein the number of slain were supposed to be ten thousand which success made the Castle suddainly to render In 25 E. 1. he had command to be at London upon the Sunday next after the Octaves of S. Iohn Bapt. well provided with Horse and Armes to attend the King into Flanders but it seemes he had other direction to stay behind for I find that he was one of those who were made Governours to Prince Edward then in minority during the Kings absence whom the King had constituted his Lieutenant during that time In the same year he was made Governour of the Castle and Forrest of Rokingham in Com. Northampt. And in Oct. following again appointed to be at New-castle upon Tine on St. Nicholas day to march against the Scotts with Prince Edward But that proved an unhappy business the English Army being for the most part destroyed in attempting to pass the Bridge at Sterling This year it was and on Holy-Rood day being in perfect health that he made his Testament whereby he disposed his body to sepulture in the Quire of the Friers-Minors aâ— Worcester in case he should depart this life within the compass of the four Engâ—ish Seas but if otherwise then in the next House of Friers-Mâ—nors to that place where his death might happen and his Heart wheresoever the Countess his dear consort should resolve to be herself interred To which place when his body was to be buried did he bequeath two great Horses viz. those which at his funerall should carry his Armour for the celebration whereof he gave CC li. which was as much as three thousand in these times For the maintenance of two Souldiers in the Holy-land he gave C li. To Maud his Countess all his silver vessell with his Cross wherein was contained part of the wood that had been of the very Cross whereupon our B. Saviour dyed As also the Vestments belonging to his Chapell to make use of during her life but afterwards the best suit to remain to Guy his eldest son His second suit to his Chapell of Hanslape and the third to his Chapell of Anneley To Guy his son a gold Ring with a Ruby in it together with his blessing To his said Countess a Cup which the B. of Worcester gave him but all his other Cups together with his lesser sort of Jewells and Rings he bequethed unto her to distribute for the health of his soul where she should think fittest And to his two daughters which were Nunns at Shouldham in Com. Norff. a Monastery of their great-grandfather's foundation by the mother side he gave fifty marks He was a benefactor to the Monastery of Thelesford in this County Ratified the grant of Warmington made by Henry de Neuburgh sâ—metime Earl of Warwick to the Monks of Preaux in Normandy bore for his Armes gules semé of Cross-crosslets with a fess Or which Cross-crosslets were by him added to his Coat for his father used them not but whether as a badge of any Pilgrimage that he made unto the Holy-Land or vow so to do I will not take upon me to determine Wedded Maud the eldest of the four sisters and heirs to Richard Fitz-Iohn son of Iohn Fitz-Geffrey Justice of Ireland and widow of Gerard de Furnivall which Maud had for her purpartie of his lâ—nds the Mannours of Chiriel in Com. Wilts Potters-Piri in Com. Northampt. and Querndon in Com. Buck. assigned to her And departed this life either in May or the beginning of Iune Anno 1298. 26 E. 1. leaving Guy his son and heir then 26. years of age who did his homage the 25. of September following and had livery of his fathers lands And 2. Iunii following performed the like homage for the lands descended to him by the death of Maud his mother who dyed the same year This Guy had his Christen name out of doubt in remembrance of the warlike Guy Earl of Warwick in the Saxons time and was a martiall man as well as his Ancestors The same year that his father dyed he had summons with many other great men to be at Carleol on the even of Pentecost well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march into Scotland this being the time that the King made a personall expedition thither and obtained a great victory at Fawkirk in which Battail he behaved himself so gallantly that the King rewarded him with all the Castles
and lands of Geffrey de Moubray lying in that Kingdom excepting the Mannour of Okeford neer Roxborough as also with the lands of Iohn de Strivelin and the Castle of Amesfeld with the land of Drungrey that belong'd to Andrew de Chartres which they the the said Geffrey Iohn and Andrew were seized of on the day of S. Mary Magdalen the same year that battail was fought The next year scil 27 E. 1. he was imployed beyond Sea in the Kings service In 31 E. 1. he attended the King again into Scotland and was in person with him at that memorable siege of Kaerlaverok In 34 E. 1. he had summons with divers other great men to appear at Westminster the morrow after Trinity-Sunday there to consider and advise with the King concerning an Aid for making his eldest son Knight The same year I find that he had license to entail all his lands upon Philip the son of Hugh le Despenser for lack of issue male of his own body And in 35 E. 1. the King taking into further consideration his many and great services gave unto him and his heirs Bernard-castle in the Bishoprick of Durham which eschaeted to the Crown upon the forfaiture of Iohn de Baliol King of Scotts This was the last year of King E. 1. but therein I meet with no more mention of this Earl I come now to Edw. 2. time In the fift yeare of whose reign I find that he took part with Thomas Earl of Lancaster and some other of the Nobility who being discontended that Piers de Gaveston then E. of Cornwall was so much in favour with the King put themselves in Armes and took him at Scardeburgh but the King hearing thereof desired to speak with him and that his life might be saved promising that he would in all things satisfy their requests Which motion and assurance so wrought upon the Earl of Pembroke who was one of the great men then acting in this tragedy that he undertook upon forfeiture of all he had that if they would consent to the Kings proposalls he would take care that Peirs should not escape but after conference with the King should stand to the Judgments of the Barons which was yielded unto and a day and place assigned when he should be delivered back to them Whereupon the Earl of Pembroke resolved to carry him unto Wallingford but being on the journey at Dedington in Oxford-shire where he had left a guard of his own servants to look to him himself and his Countess lodging at the next town this Guy Earl of Warwich came in the night time with a number of armed men and carryed him back to Warwick-Castle where consulting with those about him what then to do they presently determined without delay to cut off his head and accordingly did so upon a rising ground called Blacklow-hill about a mile Northwards from Warwick whereof I have elsewhere already spoke Which being done the Friers-Preachers took care of his body and conveyed it to Oxford whence after two years the King removed it to Langley in Hertford-shire causing it to be interred in the Church of the Friers-Preachers which he there founded to pray for the soul of the said Piers and his Progenitors It seems that this Piers had much angred the E. of Warwick in calling him the Black Dog of Arderne because he was of a black and swarthy complexion but what sway the great men then bore having insinuated to the people that all they did was for the honour of God and good of the Realm may easily be seen for though the King did sufficiently take this murther to heart for it was no better he knew not how to punish any one Actor in it nay so glad was he to please them that within two years after he granted to every of them a Pardon by particular name amongst which as servants or Reteinours to this Earl I finde William Trussell Piers de Limâ—sey Osbert de Clinton Rauf de Grendon Edmund le fitz Edmund Trussell Tebaud de Garton Iohn de Nasford Thomas de Clinton Iohn de Mountfort Iohn de Odingsells Hugh de Culy and Iohn de Beauchamp all of this County But however this Earl thus obtained pardon I do not find that he was heartily reconciled to the King For upon his advance that very year towards Scotland and expecting at Barwick the assistance of all those which held of him by military service he forbore then to do his duty Nay my Author says that there was latens odium inter Regem Proceres praecipuè inter Comitem de Lancastria Comitem de Warwico adhaerentes ejusdem As I cannot coÌ„mend his demeanor in these things last spoke of so do I not discern that he had any great comfort thereof himself for t is plain enough that he enjoyed not the felicities of this world full xiv months after as I shall shew by and by Wherefore coming now neer his death which hapned in the prime of his days viz. about the xliv th year of his age let us see what preparations he made for it And herein I find that for the good estate of himself and the health of his fathers and mothers souls and all his Ancestors and successorsâ— he gave to the Monks of Bordesley in Worcester-shire the advouson of the Church of Wickwane in Com. Glouâ— How far further he was a benefactor to that Monastery I cannot say but 't is very like that something more he gave for it appears that the Monks of that House by their publique Instrument in a full Chapter granted unto him and his heirs by the attribute of dilecto speciali amico nostro power to present two Monks successively in their Covent that should sing Mass daily in the Church of what Monastery for the health of his soul and of 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 Chantry or Colledge of Priests at Elmely in Worcester-shire I now come to his Testament which bears date at Warwick-Castle the Munday next after the feast of S. Iames the Apostle Anno 1315. 9 E. 2. by which he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the said Abby of Bordesley but willed that his funerall Rites should be performed without any great pomp To Alice his wife who was the sister and heir to Robert de Tony he devised a proportion of his plate with a Cristall Cup and half his bedding as also all the Vestments and books pertaining to his Chapell the other moity of his Beds Rings and Jewells to his two daughters To Maud his daughter a Cristall Cup. To Elizabeth his daughter he gave the marriage of Astley's heir whom she took to husband as in Astley I have already shewed To Thomas his son his best coat of Maile Helmet
and suit of harness with all that belong'd thereto To his son Iohn his second coat of Maile Helmet and harness and appointed that all the rest of his Armour Bows and other warlike provision should remain in the Castle of Warwick for his heir constituting these his Executors viz. Alice his Countess Sir Iohn de Hastings Iohn Hamelin Piers le Blund Parson of Hanslape Adam de Herewynton Richard de Brumesgrave Henry de Sidenhale Simon de Sutton Parson of Luffenham William de Wellesburne Parson of Berkeswell with Roger Caumpere Parson of Kibworth and departed this life 12. August next following in his said Castle of Warwick by poison as some thought but had sepulture in Abby of Bordsley before specified Before his death he 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 saving that his Castles of Elmeley and Warwick should not be disposed of to any without the Kings speciall license which grant was confirmed to Iohn Hamelyn and the rest of the Executors in December following his death Neverthelessâ— so much was the K. wrought upon by them whose miscarriages afterwards gave the discontented Nobles opportunity to work his own ruine as that notwithstanding the grant before recited made to those Executors about two years after he passed the custody of them by a new Patent to Hugh le Despenser the elder in satisfaction of a debt of 6770 li. due to him from the said King as was pretended But before I proceed to speak of Thomas Earl of Warwick son and heir to the said Guy I have a word or two to say of the Countess his mother and the rest of her Children which is that she was the daughter of Raph de Tony of Flamsted in Hertford-shire widow of Thomas de Leybourn and at length heir to Robert her brother In November following the Death of her husband she had assigned to her in dowrie the Mannours of Hanslape in Com. Buck. Lygthorne Beausale Haseley Claverdon Berkswell with the third part of the Templars Mannour in Warwick and Shirburne and divers Knights fees all in this County And the next year following gave a Fine of 500. marks for license to marry with William La Zouch of Ashby in Com. Leic. to whom she was accordingly wedded but dyed in 18 E. 2. The other children of Earl Guy were Iohn a martiall Knight Emma the wife of Roul Odingsells Isabell married to ...... Clinton Elizabeth to Thomas Lord Astley and Lucia to Robert de Napton Which Iohn was a man of singular note in his time for in 22 E. 3. the King in consideration of his great services made him a Banneret and gave him Cxl li. per annum out of the Exchequer for his better support In 25 E. 3. he was Governour of Caleis In 26 Iohn Darcy 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 B. past over his interest in that Office to him which the King also ratified but within two years through the sinister suggestions of some he became much offended with him and put him out of that place constituting Barthol de Burghersh in his stead and after his death Robert de Morley but at the length it appearing to the King that those suggestions were false he received him again into favour and in consideration of his speciall services restored unto him the custody of the said Tower of London by his Letters Patents bearing date 25. Ian. aâ— the town of S. George neer the Castle of Beaufort in France and the same year constituted him Constable of Dovor-Castle Warden of the Cinque-ports for life and Admirall of the Seas for the North and West coasts He was also one of the Founders of that noble Order of the Garter instituted by King E. 3. and departing this life without issue 2. Dec. 34. E. 3. lyeth buryed betwixt two pillars on the South part of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London before the Image of our Lady where he had a fair Monument lately demolisht which was through mistake usually called Duke Humfrey's Tombe I now return to Thomas the succeeding Earl born in Warwick-Castle having to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Henry his brother with Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth This Thomas was very young at his fathers death but who had the custody and tuition of his person during King Edward 2. reign I find not Most likely it is that Hugh le Despenser the great favourite at that time having a grant of his lands as abovesaid had also the charge of his person but in 1 E. 3. the Castle of Warwick with the rest of his lands were committed to Roger Mortimer of Wigmore till he should arrive to his full age and in 3 E. 3. the King being minded to afford speciall favour to him as the very words of the Writ do importâ— accepted of his homage though he was not then of full age commanding that he should have livery of all his fathers lands and the next year following admitted him to the office of Shiriffalty for Worcester-shire which was of his inheritance as also to that of the Chamberlainshâ—p in the Exchequer with power to appoint whomsoever he should think â—it for the execution of them in such sort as in his Ancestors times had been used 'T is not to be doubted but as this Earl was descended from an antient race of worthy Progenitors and by many noble heirs so were his vertues no less eminent than the chiefest of them for from the time that he came to mans estate even till his death which hapned in 23. of King Edw. 3. raign was he scarce ever cut of some notable and high imployment whereof in order I will briefly make recitall In 5 E. 3. he had the goverment of the Isles of Gernsey Serke and Aureney In 6. he was joyn'd in Commission with Raph Lord Basset and William de Shareshull a great Lawyer and afterwards Chief-Justice for conservation of the peace in this County and Worcestershire In 7. to attend the King in his expedition for Scotland at which time Edward de Baliol King of Scotts did homage to King Edward for the Realm of Scotland with the adjacent Isles In 9. he had the custody of the Marches of Scotland committed to him All which was whilst he lived a batchelour For I find that in 12 E. 3. the King in satisfaction of a great summe of money that he owed to Roger Lord Mortimer for the time that he was his Lieutenant of Ireland
the Earl his father he gave his best gold Ring To the Countesse his mother his next gold Ring To Philippa his wife the third To Catherine his daughter then a Nunne at Shouldham in Norff. the fourth and appointed that the Church of Neketon in Norff. of his Patronage should be appropriat to the Monastery of Shouldham before-mentioned for the maintenance of Catherine and Margaret his two daughters during their lives and after their deceases the said House of Shouldham obliged to find a Priest to sing divine service daily for the souls of his father and mother his own and his wifes as also for the souls of the said Catherine and Margaret and all the faithfull departed After which in April following his father then alive he dyed at Uendosme in France and was there interred in a Chapell behind the high Altar towards the East having a fair Monument of Alabaster with his statue thereon finely cut and over his harness a surcoat of Armes upon the verge of which Monument is this Inscription Icy gist Monseigneur Gui de Beauchamp l'eyne Filz de â—resnoble puissant home Monsiéur Thomas de Beauchampe Counte de Warwike Mareschal d' Angleterre qui trespassa le xxviii iour d' Averill l'an M. CCCLI Upon which Monument are the Armes of Beauchamp and Mortimer What became of his daughter Elizabeth I cannot imagine but that such a one there was living ten years after her fathers death appeareth by the Testament of Katherine Countess of Warwick mother to this Guy as I have already shewed It seems that the Lady Philippa his wife was a devout woman and resolving to continue a widow whilst she lived upon the eleventh of August the same year made her solemn vow of Chastity in the Collegiat-Church of Warwick before Reginald Bryan then Bishop of Worcester which vow together with the ceremony thereof I have here inserted as I find it recorded in the Register IX Die mensis Augusti Anno Dom. MCCClx apud Warwyk dictus venerabilis pater altam Missam in Pontificalibus in Ecclesia Collegiata heatae Mariae Warwici antedictae celebrans votum castitatis Philippae nuper uxoris Domini Guidonis de Warwic admisit acceptavit dicta Philippa Votum Castitatis emisit sub hiis verbis En le nom de la Seint Trinite Piere Fitz Seint Espirit jeo Philippe que fu la feme Sire Guy de Warwyk face purement dez queor volontee entierement avow a Dieu Seint Eglise a la benure Virgin Marie a tout le bele compaigne celestine a vous reverent Piere en Dieu sire Reynaud per la grace Dieu Evesque de Wyrcestre que ieo ameneray ma vie en chastitee desore en avant chaste serra de mon corps a tout temps de ma vie The rest of the sons of Earl Thomas were Thomas that succeeded him Reynburne so named doubtless in memory of Reynburne the son to Guy Earl of Warwick in the Saxons time that dyed before the 35 E. 3. which Reynburn had issue one onely daughter called Alianore married to Iohn Knight of Hanslap in Com. Buck. who by her had a daughter named Emme that married to Foster from whom the Fosters of Hanslap derive their descent William the 4. son was Lord Bergavenny as I shall shew when I come to Fillongley where I purpose to speak fully of him Roger the fift son dyed without issue as I guess Some are of opinion that he had two more sons viz. Iohn and Hierome because that amongst those portraitures which were in glass in the North Cross of the Collegiat Church at Warwick there are the pictures of two such as appeareth by their surcotes of Armes and those names on the side of them which as I cannot gainsay so am not I fully convinced thereof in regard that neither I. Rous makes mention of them nor any of those Entailes whereby the said Earl setled the greatest part of his lands upon his issue male But he had ix daughters the portraitures of all which are curiously drawn and set up in the windows on the South side of the Quire of the said Collegiat Church and in the habit of that time as they are here represented Seaven of them were marryed and have their paternall Coat upon their inner garment but on the outer mantle their husbands Armes viz. Maud the wife of Roger Lord Clifford Phillipa of Hugh Earl Stafford Elizabeth Alice potiùs of Iohn Beauchamp of Hach in Somerset-shire Ioan of Raph Lord Basset of Drayton Isallell of Iohn Lord Strange of Blackmere afterwards marryed to William Ufforà Earl of Suff. for which respect her picture is twice drawn there Margaret of Guy de Montfort who was afterwards a Nunne at Shouldham Agnes of ..... Cokesey and afterwards of ...... Bardolf The other two were Iulian and Catherine the former whereof dyed unmarryed and the later being a Nunne at Wroxhall in this County was buryed in S. Thomas Chapell there He had likewise another son and daughter but they were illegitimate the son called Sir Iohn Addurston Knight and Mary the daughter wife to Sir Richard Herthull Knight To this last Earl succeeded Thomas his second son by reason that Guy the eldest dyed in his fathers life time Which Thomas received the dignity of Knighthood in 29 E. 3. with his brother Guy and having had C. marks per annum granted him at that time by the King to be payd out of the Exchequer till there should other provision be made for his support did his Homage 7 Febr. 44 E. 3. for all the lands descended to him by his fathers death whereupon he had livery of them for he was 24. years of age when his father dyed Being of a martiall disposition aswell as his Ancecestors he was in 46 E. 3. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his warrs beyond the Seas for one whole year with C. men at Armes and Clx. Archers of which number himself to be one as also with two Banneretts xxx Knights and Lxxvii Esquiers and for that service to receive for himself and his men at Armes double pay but for the rest according to the ordinary rate the year to begin from the time that they should take shipping and to have half in hand for himself and his men at Armes but for the rest a fourth part which expedition was principally intended for raysing the siege of Rochel but as the Earl of Pembroke sent over for that purpose was worsted by the Spaniard who then came with a great Navy to aid the French so was the King and that power he had raised hindred from getting over thither by contrary winds to the loss of nine hundred thousand pounds expences for no less charge had he been at in order
that the Chaplet was rich with Pearl and pretious stones and in his Coat of Arms of Guy and Beauchamp quarterly having the Arms of Tony and Hanslap on his trappers and said that as he had in his own person perform'd the service those two dayes before so with Gods grace he would the third whereupon encountring with Sr. Collard Fines at every stroke he bore him backward to his Horse insomuch as the French-men saying that he himself was bound to his Saddle he alighted and presently got up again but all being ended he returned to his Pavilion sent to Sr. Collard a fair Courser feasted all the people gave to those three Knights great rewards and so rode to Caleys with great honour About this time it was that the general Councel of Constance in Germany began unto which totius Christianit at is prudentissimi Pontifices Praelate cum aliis Clericis velut innumeris confluxere as Walsingham saith the cause of which meeting was chiefly about choise of the Pope whereupon from England were sent the Bishops of Salisbury Cov. and Lich. Bath and Wells Norwich Hereford and S. Davids the Abbot of Westm. Prior of Worcester with divers other learned men and for their greater honour our Earle of Warwick themselves and their whole retinue amounting in number to 800 Horse During whose stay at Constance he receiving a Chalenge from a great Duke for his Ladies sake slew the Duke in Justing whereupon the Empresse took his livery viz. the Bear from one of his Knights shoulders and for great favour to him set it on her own shoulder but he having notice thereof made one of Pearle and precious stones which being presented to her she received with much respect Here also was it that the Emperour Sigismund gave him his sword to bear and offered him the heart of S George the English-mens tutelary Saint to bring over into this Realm but hearing the Emperour say that he would come in person into England he restored it to him again saying that the delivery thereof with his own hand would be much more acceptable Nor was it long after that the Emperour did come over accordingly and being made Knight of the Garter offered the holy Heart at Windsor which was there kept in great esteem Upon whose passage hither and return he was royally entertained at Caleys by this our Earle then Captain there his comportment being such that the Emperour told King Henry that no Christian Prince had such another Knight for Wisdom Nurture and Manhood adding that if all courtesie were lost yet might it be found again in him insomuch as ever after by the same Emperours authority he was called the Father of Courtesie In his return from Caleys at that time he took at Sea two great Carricks and shortly after sc. 5. H. 5. attended Thomas D. of Clarence General of the Kings Army into France where he further manifested his valour in divers eminent services for having taken Dampfront he first entred Cane and set the Kings Arms on the Walls with the Duke's crying a Clarence a Clarence Then laid he siege to Caudebek on the River of Seine blockt up the Citie of Roan both by land and water and afterwards won Mount S. Michael as also divers other strong Towns As a reward for which signal services the K. created him Earle of Aumarle At the siege of Roan his Tent stood betwixt the Kings pavilion and S. Katherines and S. Katherines being won he was appointed to keep Port-Martevile After this viz. in May following K. Henry imploy'd him to the K. of France attended with a thousand men at Arms to treat concerning a marriage with the Lady Kath. his daughter but to obstruct his passage the Dolphin sent the Earles of Uandosme and Lymosin with 5000 men at arms to whom the Earle gave Battail wherein both those French Earls lost their lives and one of them by E. Richard's own hands 2000 of their men being slain and taken In which Embassy he sped so well that all things were concluded for the Kings marriage to that Lady whom he wedded 3. Iunii 8. of his reign and that he should enjoy the Realm of France intirely after the death of the then K. whereupon siege being laid to those places that rebelliously opposed this agreement of which the strong Citie of Melon was one this noble Earle gained it with great honour after xiiii weeks and four dayes opposition The next ensuing year viz. the last of the victorious Henry's reign he was sent with Iohn D. of Bedford the Kings brother and other noble persons to raise the siege which the Dolphin had laid to a Citie of the D. of Burgundie's howbeit the D. hearing of their approach did not stay their coming But shortly after K. Henry departed this world having appointed by his last Will that this Earle should have the tutelage of young Henry his Son then an Infant till he were xvi years of age which the Parliament approving he accordingly had In the first year of whose reign he was by Indenture bearing date x. Iulii retained to serve as Capt. of Caleis from the 4. of Febr. past for the space of 2. years having for the custody thereof CClx men himself accounted who with his Lieutenant and the Marshall of the Town were onely to be Horst but all the rest to serve on foot to have also CC. Archers besides ten men at Arms and x. Archers belonging to the Treasurer of Caleys that were to be at his command in all things tending to the safe-guard of that place for which service he was to receive vi s. viii d. per diem for himself ii s. for his Lieutenant xii d. for his Marshall for every of his Foot-souldiers viii d. and for his Archers vi d. After which Philip D. of Burgundy besieging Caleys was by the valour of this noble Earle assisted by Humfr. D. of Glouc. and Humf. E. of Stafford forc'd to flee Nay so conspicuous was his fidelity wisdom and circumspection as the words of the Pat. do import for which respect the custody of the K. royal person as I have already intimated had been by the advice of the D. of Bedf. and Glouc. his Uncles all the Lords of the Councell committed to him as well for the security thereof as education in learning virtue that upon the death of the D. of Bedf. then Regent of France he was discharg'd of that burthen and care and in stead thereof constituted Lieutenant general of the whole Realm of France and Dutchy of Normandy whereupon with his Lady and Son taking shâ—pping for passage over and discerning great danger by a hideous tempest he caused himâ—elf with both of them to be bound unto the main mast of the ship to the intent that if they had perisht and were
ever after found yet by his Cote of Arms discovering who he was they might have been buried together the state and lustie of whose equipage in that journey may in some sort be discerned by his Painters bill which I have here from the Original transcribed having with him a peculiar Officer at Arms called Warwick-Herauld who had a grant from him of an Annuity of x. Marks Sterling per annum Thes be the parcels that Will. Seburgh Citizen and Peyntour of London hath delivered in the monthe of Juyll the xv yeer of the reign of Kyng Harry the sixt to John Ray Taillour of the same Citee for the use and stuff of my Lord of Warwyk Ferst CCCC Pencels bete with the Raggidde staffe of silver pris the pece v. d. 08. l. -06 s. -00 Item for the peynting of two Paveys for my Lord the one with a Gryfon stondying in my Lordis Colours rede white and russet pris of the Pavys 00-06-08 Item for the other Pavys peyntid with blak and a Raggid staffe bete with silver occupying all the felde pris 00-03-04 Item one Cote for my Lordis body bete with fine gold pris 01-10-00 Item other two Cotes for Herawdes bete with dymy gold pris the pece xx s. 02-00-00 Item iii. Baners for Trumpetis bete with dymy gold pris the pece xiii s. iiii d. 02-00-00 Item iiii Spere shafts of reed pris the pece xâ—i d. 00-0â—-00 Item one grete Burdon peynted with reed 00-01-02 Item 1. nother Burdon ywrithyn with my Lordis Colours reed white and russet 00-02-00 Item for a grete Stremour for the Ship of xl yerdis length and viii yerdis in brede with a grete Bere and Gryfon holding a Raggid staffe poudrid full of raggid staves And for a grete Crosse of S. George for the lymmyng and portraying 01-06-08 Item a Gyton for the Shippe of viii yerdis longe poudrid full of raggid staves for the lymmyng and workmanship 00-02-00 Item for xviii grete Standards entretailled with the Raggid staffe pris the pece viii d. 00-12-00 Item xviii Standardis of worsted entretailled with the Bere and a Cheyne pris the pece xii d. 00-18-00 Item xvi othir Standardis of worsted entertailled with the Raggid staffe pris the pece xii d. 00-05-04 Item 3. Penons of Satyn entreteylled with Raggid staves for the lymmyng full of raggid staves pris the pece ii s. 00-06-00 Item for the Cote armour bete for George by the commandement of my Lord pris 00-06-08 But he safely arrived though not without much difficulty and continued in that high imployment till his death which hapned about 4. years after as I shall shew anon using this title in his Charters Ric. de Beauchamp Comes de Warrewyk de Aumarle seign L'isle Capitayne de Roven Having thus manifested the chief of his publick imployments I now come to speak of those pious works which for his Souls advantage he either performed himself in his life time or by his Will appointed that his Executors should do Of the first was the foundation of that Chantry at Guy-Cliff in 9. H. 6. whereof I have there spoke at large but the rest being left to his Executors performance viz. to perfect the building at Guyes-Cliff the building of that magnificent Chapel in honour of our Lady adjoyning to the Collegiat Church in Warwick where his Monument now is of which I shall speak more fully there the amortizing of Lands for the maintenance of 4. more Priests and 2. Clerks in the said Collegiat Church over and above the number there before and of Lands to the value of xx Marks per ann to his Colledge at Elmley for the maintenance of one more Priest to be added to the number at that time there By his said last Will and Testam bearing date at Caversham in Oxfordsh 8. Aug. An. 1435. 15. H. 6. which is very memorable he appointed that first and in all haste possible after his decease there should be five thousand Masses said for his Soul Next his debts to be truely and wholly paid Then that untill the Chapel above specified were finisht his body should be laid in a Chest of stone before the Altar on the right hand of his fathers Tomb in the said Collegiat Church of Warw. afterwards removed thither where he ordained 3. Masses every day to be sung as long as the world might endure one of our Lady with Note according to the Ordinale Sarum The 2. without Note of Requiem The 3. also without Note viz. the Sunday of the Trinity the Munday of the Angels the Tuesday of S. Thomas of Canterb. the Wednesday of the Holy-ghost the Thurâ—day of Corpus Christi the Fryday of the Holy Crosse the Saturday of the Annunciation of our Lady for performance of which he appointed xl l. Lands per ann over and above all reprises to be amortized viz. for every of the four Priests above specified x. Marks per ann and for every Clerk v. Marks and x. Marks to be divided amongst the said four Priests and other six Vicars of the Colledge to increase their yearly salary viz. to each of them xiii s. iiii d. And besides this that his Executors should treat with the Abbot and Covent of Tewksbury and agree that in their Monastery his Obit might be yearly kept as also one Masse sung every day there for his Soul which to be the first if it might be if not the last To the Collegiat Church of Warwick he gave an Image of our Lady in pure Gold there to remain for ever in the name of a Heriot and appointed that his Executors should cause four Images of Gold each weighing xx li. to be made like unto himself in his Coat of Arms holding an Anker betwixt his hands and so to be offered and delivered in his name viz. one to the Shrine in the Church of S. Alban to the honour of God our Lady and S. Alban another to the Shrine of S. Thomas at Canterbury the third at Bridlington in Yorksh. and the fourth at the Shrine in the Church of S. Winifride at Shrewsbury And moreover that a goodly Tombe of Marble should be erected in the Abby of Kingswood in Com. Glouc. upon the grave of Eliz. his first wife as also restitution made for any wrong done by him and his servants to be rewarded To Isabell then his wife he gave all the silver vessel bedding and houshold stuffe that he had with her and over and above all that and whatsoever else she had since they were married two dozen of silver dishes xii Chargers of silver xii saucers of silver a pair of Basyns covered silver and gilt four other Basyns of silver four Ewers of silver xii pieces of silver of one sort with his Arms enameled on the bottom of them likewise the great Paytren bought of the Countesse of Suff. sometime belonging to the Earle of Salisbury and to his Son Henry the Cup of Gold with the dance of men and women
Of which Testament were Executors the Lord Cromwell the Lord Tiptoft Iohn Throkmorton Ric. Curson Thomas Huggeford Will. Berkswell Priest and Nich. Rody his Steward After which viz. ult Apr. An. 1439. 17. H. 6. he departed this life as his monumental inscription here most exactly imitated together with the true representation of his magnificent Tombe sheweth leaving issue by Eliz. his first wife daughter and Heir to Thom. L. Berkley three daughters viz. Margaret born at Good-rest in Wedgnok-park the next year after the Battail of Shrewsbury â— second wife to the famous Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury which Margaret died at Londonâ— An. 1467. 7. E. 4. and was buried under the Quire in the Cathedral of St. Paul commonly called St. Faiths Church Alianore born at Walkinston in Essex shortly after the feast of our Ladye 's Nativity 9. H. 4. first married to the L. Rosse â— and afterwards to Edm. Beaufort Marq. Dorset and D. of Somerset And Elizabeth born in Warwick-Castle wife to George Nevil Lord Latimer To his second wife he wedded Isabel daughter of Thomas le Despenser E. of Glouc. and by the death of her brother Richard and elder sister Eliz. without issue Heir to all his Lands but being the widow to Ric. Beauchamp E. of Worcest his Uncles son as in Fillongley I have shewed he had a special dispensation from the Pope to marry her The pictures of which his wives children together with his own as they stand in the East window of that stately Chapel before specified where his Monument is I have upon the next page exquisitely represented By this Isabel he left issue Henry and Anne of both which I shall speak in their order The Lands whereof he was possest were very vast as may seem by that computation of their yearly value extracted from the Accompts of his several Bayliffs through England and Wales in 12. H. 6. amounting to no lesse than 8306. Marks 11. s. 11. d. ob Which setting aside the good penniworths that his Tenants had of what they then held would in the dayes we live augment that sum sixfold at least considering that about that time Barly was sold for 4. s. 2. d. the quarter Oats at 2. s. 1. d. ob Capons at 3. d. a piece and Hens at 1. d. ob as by certain Accompts of his Houshold-Officers appeareth Of her death let us hearken to what the MS. Hist. of Tewksbury saith Isabella uxor Ricardi quinti patrona de Theokesbri rediit de Francia aliquandiu se in Monasterio Canonicorum de Southwyke resocillavit Haec Isabella sepulta est in Theokesbyri eodem anno quo obiit Ricardus quintus Comes de Warwike ejus maritus But of her Monument so designed as I have said there is no more now remaining than what I have here in this Figure exprest I now come to Henry the succeeding Earle Son and Heir to Richard by the said Lady Isabel. This Henry was born at Hanley-Castle in Worcester-shire on Thursday xi Kal. Apr. An. 1424. 3. H. 6. and baptized on the Saturday by Philip Morgan Bishop of Worcester having to his God-fathers at the font Henry Beaufort Cardinal and Bishop of Winchester with Humfry E. Stafford and to his God-mother Ioane Lady Bergavenny the same B. of Worcester being his God-father also at confirmation At his fathers death he hardly exceeded the age of fourteen years but was a person of extraordinary hopes as by the early appearance of his heroick disposition is evident for before he accomplisht full xix years of age he tendred his service for defence of the Dutchy of Aquitane in consideration whereof and to give him the more encouragement in that expedition the K. by his Charter bearing date at Dover 2. Apr. 22. of his Reign created him Primier Earle of England and for a distinction betwixt him and other Earles granted to him and the Heirs male of his body leave to wear a golden Coronet about his head as well in his own presence as elsewhere upon such great Festivals as the like used to be worn And within 3. dayes following considering the high deserts of his noble father of whom he hath this expression quem meaning Earl Richard dignissimè in Armorum strenâ—itate ut columnam immobilem belli fata pro nobis nostris magnanimiter libenter sustinentem suorum cognoscit commendat ingenia ex excellentia meritorum minimè per nos aut progenitores nostros huc usque remuncratorum c. advanced him to the title of Duke of Warwick granting him place in Parl. and all other meetings next to the D. of Norff. and before the Duke of Buck. and giving him xl l. per ann to be paid by the Sheriffe of Warr. and Leic. Shires for the time being out of the revenue of these Counties towards the better support of that Honour But this businesse of Precedency was so stomackt by Humfrey Duke of Buck. that had not the K. by Act of Parl. in 23. of his reign which was the next year ensuing the said Duke of Warwick's Creation qualified it much inconvenience had arisen upon it Therefore for appeasing the contention and strife moved betwixt them for that preheminence those are the words of the Act it was established that from the 2. of Decemb. then next following they should take place of each other by turn viz. one that year and the other the next and so as long as they lived together the Duke of Warwick to have the first years precedency and he which should survive to have place of the others heir male as long as he livedâ— And from that time that the heir male of each should take place of other according as it might happen he had livery of his lands before him After which he had a grant in reversion from the death of Humfrey Duke of Glouc of the Isles of Gerneseyâ— Iersey Serk Erm and Aureney for the yearly Rent of a Rose to be paid at the feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Bapt. As also of the Monnour and Hundred of Bristoll in Glouchesterâ—sh for the yearly ferm of lx li. and besides this of all the Kings Castles and Mannours within the Forest of Dene for the Rent of C. l. per ann To all which Honours he had this further added viz. to be Crowned King of the Isle of Wight by the Kings own hands But this hopefull branch the onely heir male to these great Earlsâ— was cropt in the flower of his youth before the fruits of his Heroik disposition could be fully manifested to the world for upon S. Barnabas day sc. xi Iunii 1445. 23. H. 6. being but xxii years of age he died at Hanley the place of his birth and was buried in the Abby of Tewksbury about the midst of the Quire at the head of Prince Edw. Son and Heir to
14. E. 4. as some say but others that it was on Ship-board when his father fled towards Caleys The younger Richard in the Monastery of Tewksburie An. 1476 who lived scarce a year being poysoned as 't was thought Which Edward being about three years of age at his fathers death was Knighted at York by K. R. 3. in the first year of his Reign with Edw. the onely son to that King but both he his sister were attended with a very hard fate For Edward that bore the title of E. of Warwick onely being at the age of 8. years committed prisoner to the Castle of Shiriff-Hutton in Com. Ebor. by the said K. Rich. 3. where he remained all his Reign was immediatly upon the victory obtained at Bosworth-field by Henry Earl of Richmund thenceforth K by the name of H. 7. by special Warrant removed to the Tower of London and there shut up in a more close and streight condition for no other offence than being the onely male Plantaginet at that time living and so consequently the most rightfull Heir to the Crown and being at length charged with privity of Perkin Warbeck's escape out of the Tower strange inferences were raised by which they made advantage to take away his life whereas the truth is that K. Henry being upon Treaty with Ferdinand K. of Spain for a marriage in the behalf of Prince Arthur his eldest son and the Lady Kath. daughter to the said Ferdinand and finding that the Spaniard thought K. Henrie's title to have no sure foundation whil'st this branch of Plantaginet was extant had a minde to dispatch him out of the world for the fairer effecting whereof a Commission was granted to Iohn Earle of Oxford then high Steward of England to arraign him for that pretended offence which was accordingly done 21. Nov. 15. H. 7. care being taken to perswade him that by confessing himself guilty he should be sure to find mercy from the K. With which fair promises being caught he pleaded as they directed him and so betraying his life into the hands of those that so â—agerly sought it had judgement of death past upon him and accordingly was beheaded on Tower-Hill the 28. day of the same moneth of November After which viz. 25. Ian. 19. H. 7. the better to countenance what was done he was attainted in Parl. so that all the favour he had was that being thus put to death his body should be sent to the Monastery of Bisham and buried with his Ancestors Which cruel dealing we may well think hath been some cause of Gods judgements upon H. 7. posterity as well as upon that noble Lady Katherine who became so sensible thereof when King H. 8. her second husband prosecuted the divorce betwixt them that she expressed as some have said that it was the hand of God for that to clear the way to her marriage the innocent E. of Warwick was put to unworthy death And if it be seriously considered what afterwards befell the said Earle of Oxford and his family we have cause enough to doubt that God was no whit pleased with his activenesse in this bloudy scaene for having within a short time lost the Kings favour and been fined at 30000. li. for a very small offence he spent the rest of his life in discontent and dyed without any lawfull issue After which it was not long that the possessions of that great Earldom became totally wasted and the very Monuments of his noble ancestors in the Abby of Colne torn in pieces in that hideous storm raised by K. H. 8. son and successor of him to whom this Earle had been so obsequious As for the Lands whereof this our Earle of Warwick dyed seized I do not finde that they were any other than the Mannours of Wyke in Com. Midd. Stanford in the Vale of White-horse in Berks. and of Snitterteld in this County Of his sister Margaret born at Farley-Castle in Wilts 14. Aug. An. 1473. 13. E. 4. and married c to Sir Rich. Pool Knight I finde that she had issue Henry Pool Lord Mountagu Reginald Pool Cardinal Geffrey and Arthur with a daughter called Vrsula wife to Henry Lord Stafford Son and Heir to Edw. Duke of Buck. which Marg. in her widowhood sc. An. 1513. 5. H. 8. petitioned in Parliament as Sister and Heir to Edw. Earle of Warwick attainted 19. H. 7. that she might inherit his estate and dignity and so be stiled Countesse of Salisbury which was granted but of her fathers inheritance she had very little that ever I could finde and that also by attainder in Parliament taken away unheard in 31. H. 8. for privity to the conspiracy of Henry Marq. of Exeter as was pretended After which she enjoy'd her life but a short time being barbarously put to death on Tower-Hill 27. Maii 33. H. 8. drag'd to the block by the hair of the head in the lxviii year of her age After the before specified Edward Plantaginet till 1 E. 6. there was no Earl of Warwick but then Iohn Dudley son of Edmund by Eliz. daughter of Edward Grey Visc. L'isle Aunt and heir to Elizabeth Grey Countess of Devon daughter and heir of Sir Iohn Grey Visc. L'isle having been advanced to the dignity of Visc. L'isle 12. Martii 34 H. 8. was through the great favour of King Edward or rather of Edward Duke of Somerset then Lord Protector created Earl of Warwick 16. Febr. 1 E. 6. as descended from Margaret the eldest daughter to Richard Beauchamp sometime E. of Warwick Howbeit before I proceed to speak further of this Iohn I shall crave leave to say something of his parentage That he was the son of Edmund Dudley of whom I shall say more by and by and he the son of one Iohn Dudley is plain enough but as I am not sufficiently satisfied that the said Iohn his grandfather was a younger branch of the Barons of Dudley in Stafford-shire though with his own hand in a descent of those Barons he exprest him so to be viz. second son to Iohn Sutton first of that name that had the title of Lord Dudley so shall I be as tender in affirming that to be true which I have seen under the hand of a very good Genealogist in his time and which he alledgeth to have received from a person of credit id est that the same Iohn his grandfather was a Carpenter and indeed born in the town of Dudley though not of the name other than travailing for his living he hapned to be entertained at the Abby of Lewes in Sussex and was by the Monks called Iohn of Dudley and so growing in favour with the Abbot there marryed and continued Carpenter to the House And that having a son called Edmund who for his pregnancy in learning was taken notice of by the Abbot and
preferred to a Schollars place in the University grew such a proficient that the Monks resolved to make him a Sollicitor for managing their Law-suits and to that purpose from the University placed him at the Inns of Court where he grew so skilfull in his profession that finding King H. 7. politiquely resolving to raise great summs of money by taking the forfaiture of penall Lawes which he conceived would be much more plausible to his subjects than the exacting from them by Loans Subsidies and such other ways of tax as his predecessors had used applyed himself to his service wherein being very officious and bringing store of money to the Kings Coffers he obtained a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth daughter and heir to Edward Grey Visc. L'â—sle before mentioned whom he made his wife That the later part of this Story is true I find testimony enough but that the father of Edmund was a Carpenter is not very likely in regard he marryed so eminently viz. Elizabeth one of the daughters and coheirs to Iohn Bramshot Eâ—quier seized of the Mannours of Gatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Weight as also of Bramshot in Hant-shire which Eliz. dyed 12. Oct. 14 H. 7. leaving Edmund her son then 36. years of age the other coheir called Agnes being the wife of Iohn Pakenham whence I conclude that he was a Gentleman as some others of the name of Dudley in severall parts of England are though perhaps not of the Baron of Dudley's line therefore how this formall Story of the Carpenter should rise I cannot well imagine unless the grandfather or great-grandfather of Edm. had been of that trade for it is no wonder to see those that are sprung from as poor Mechanicks by their activeness in the world to get wealth and assume the title of Esquire or Gentlemen without controull yea and be allowed so do Neither do we often find that those which are in truth of right noble extraction will boggle at matching their children with them But I return unto Edmund Dudley He was a man well vers't in the Law and one of the Privy Councell to that prudent Prince King H. 7. chosen in the first year of his raign propter prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polydore In 19 H. 7. he was Speaker of the Parliament and should the same year have been made a Sergeant at Law on the 13. of November but for what reason I will not take upon me to assign he desired that he might be discharged from assuming that degree whereupon the King directed his Precept to Will Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the great Seal commanding his forbearance of making out any Writ to him for that purpose In 22 H. 7. he had the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastings granted to him by Patent and wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer but a Sive-makers son in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugall disposition did project unto him the taking aduantage of such as had transgrest by exacting the forefaitures of penall Statutes or whether the King seeing so fair a gap open for him to rake vast summs of money from his subjects and finding those persons to be sit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses of filling his Coffers 't is hard to say certain it is that these were the men he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hatefull business into good language as Sir Fr. Bacon saith and after he had long made use of their service to that end exposed them to those advantages which the discontented people could justly take for their abhominable extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their estates And besides that they had packt Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any verdict which served for their purpose but at last found they a just reward for such their service for King H. 8. in the first year of his raign being desirous of popularity made known by his Proclamations that whosoever had received injury by the unjust oppressions of any should upon complaint to him have redress which liberty did so so animate the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing then would satisfy but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Dudley being thereupon arraigned in Guild-Hall London on Munday next after the xv of S. Iohn Baptist 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of S. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Charles Somerset of Herbert Knight Stephen Iennings Knight Mayor of the City of London Iohn Fineux Knight Robert Rede Knight William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humfrey Coningesby Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevill Thomas Lovell Knight Edward Poynings Kt. Henry Marney Knight Thomas Englefield Knight and Robert Drury Knight Justices to enquire c. Where the said Edmund being indicted of divers high Treasons was on wednesday next before the Feast of S. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his head cut off on Tower Hill with Empson who was tryed at Northampton through the peoples clamours and for their satisfaction 18. August 2 H. 8. by vertue of the K. speciall Writ for that purpose Having said thus much of the parentage of this Iohn Earl of Warwick I will now go on with my story of him At his fathers death he was scarce eight years old having to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esquire of the Body to the King who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained an Act for the repeal of the said Edmund's attainder and the restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree to enjoy all his said fathers lands Being therefore thus young it was a great while ere he came to appear in any publique employments so that till 24 H. 8. I have not yet seen any farther mention of his name but then I finde he was a Knight though how long he had been so I am not certain After which about ten years he was created Visc. L'isle viz. 12. Martii 34 H. 8. in respect of his descent on the mothers side as I have shewed and the same year made Lord Admirall of England for life Of person he was very comely and of a Spirit highly aspiring saith my Author neither wanted he skill industry nor resolution to attempt great matters In 36 H. 8. he landed the Kings Army at Leith in Scotland with a Fleet of CC. sail on which after they had wasted Edenburgh they also set fire The
wedded the heir of Langley as hath been said was Sheriff of this County and Leicestershire in 14. Edw. 3. In 17 Edw. 3. there were divers Proctors of Cardinalls and others from the Court of Rome as well English as forrainers who by virtue oâ— the Popes Bulls made out processe against sundry persons much derogating from the Kâ—ng's royall power in this his Realm whereupon Commissions were issued out to divers persons through England for the finding them out and arresting and bringing them before himself and his Councell of which Commissioners this VVilliam de Peito was one of those that were assigned for this County to that purpose So also in 18. Edw. 3. to enquire what persons were seized of lands to the value of C s. per annum and upwards to a thousand pounds over and above all reprises and to make certificate thereof to the King And likewise in 21. Edw. 3. for levying the subsidy of Wools then granted to the King in Parliament towards the supporting his warrs with France and being a person learned in the Lawes had in 30 E. 3. a Grant from Eliz. de Burghersh Lady of Ewyas one of the daughters and heirs to Sir Theobald de Verdon of an Annuity of ten marks per an issuing out of her Mannour of Brandon in this County for his good and lawfull Counsell in her affairs In 35 E. 3. he with his Sonns Iohn and Thomas attended upon Raph E. of Stafford in his Irish journey that year unto which Raph he was stiled Atturnatus generalis â— but he varied from his Father in the bearing of his Arms and took barry of 6 peices Arg. and Gules per pale indented and counterchanged as appeareth by his Seal which Coat his Posterity have ever since retained When he dyed I am not certain nor how long he lived after 4 R. 2. but he had issue Will. Iohn and Thomas which William married Isabel the daughter of Henry de Bromwich and dyed as I suppose shortly after for I find little mention further of him So that Iohn was his Heir and became the first Lord of Chesterton of this Family by marriage with Elianor daughter and heir of Iohn the son and heir to Nich. de Warwick before specified which Iohn being a Kt. in 38. E. 3. served afterwards as one of the Kts. for this Shire in the several Parliaments of 42 43 and 45 E. 3. held in those years at Westminster and Winchester in which said 45 year he superintended the Assessment and Collection of the Subsidy for this County then granted to the K. In 5. R. 2. he was also one of the Kts. for this Shire and the same year a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace and arresting of the Rebells In 7 and 10 R. 2. he was again Kt. for this shire In 11 R. 2. Lieutenant to the Constable of Dover-Castle In 12 he with Sir Iohn Lakenhith Kt. were Lieutenants in the Court Military to the Constable and Marshall of England so also in 15 R. 2. and dyed in 19 R. 2. leaving Will. his son and heir then 30 years of age who did his Homage the same year and had Livery of the lands of his Mothers Inheritance Which Will. was in 21 R. 2. constituted one of the Comissioners for Assessing and gathering a xv and tenth then granted to the K. in Parliament and in 4 H. 4. also was a Commissioner of Array in this County In 6. H. 4. he released all his right in the advouson of the Church of Wolfhamcote to the Dean and Canons of the Collegiate Church of Warwick which T. Beauchamp E. of Warwick who in 15. R. 2. gave the same unto them had of the grant of Sir Iohn Peyto Kt. his father in 38. E. 3. In consideration whereof the said Dean and Canons did oblige themselves by Indenture that so soon as they should have notice of his death they would forthwith cause his body to be brought unto Warwick if he departed this life within this County and at their own chardges interre the same in the before specifyed Coll. Church in such place where he the said Will. should appoint and keep his Anniversary on the day of his death every year registring his name in their Martyrologe as also pray for him and his ancestors as Founders and Patrons of the said Church at Wolfhamcote And moreover cause his grave to be covered with a Monumentall stone whereupon his Armes with his Epitaph should be graven according to the direction of him the said Will. or his Counsel whence I guess that the raised Monument in the North crosse of the Coll. Church at Warwick was for this man though some paintâ—ng on the wall of late years directed Sir Edw. Peito the heir of this family in repairing it to cause a new Inscription to be put thereon intimating it to be of Edw. 3. time He wedded Ioan the daughter of Sir Ioh. Thornbury Kt. who overliving him afterwards married to Sir Rob. Corbet Kt. and departed this life in 8. H. 4. leaving issue Will. his son and heir whose lands by reason of his mâ—nority were in 10. H. 4. committed to the custody of Iohn Knightley the younger untill he came of full age In 3. H. 5. there was a purpose to have matcht this young gentleman with Eliz. the daughter of Sir Rob. Franceys Kt. but she lived not long neither was he above xvi years of age at that time This VVill. was one of those persons of quality who bearing antient Arms from their Ancestors had summons in 7. H. 5. to serve the K. in person for defence of the Realm and in 2. H. 6. became retained with Ric. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for term of life for which he had a Pension of xx marks per an In 8. H. 6. he was knighted and in 10. H. 6. retained by Indenture to serve the K. in his French warrs for half a year wâ—th xxx men at Armes himself accounted for one as also CL. Archers well and sufficiently mounted armed and arrayed according to their degrees and in consideration thereof to receive 2 s. per diem wages for himself and xii d. per diem for his men at Armes with the accustomed reward viz. according to the proportion of C. marks for xxx men at Armes the quarter and for each of his Archers vi d. per diem it being then covenanted betwixt them that the K. should have the third part of all he might get by the warr and the third of the thirds of whatsoever his retinue did gaine in that Voyage by Prisoners gold silver or Jewells and such prizes that exceeded the value of x. marks and were not to be imployed for victualling of the Army And the said Sir VVill. to make benefit of all Prisoners taken by him or those of his retinue in that Voyage
same VValter and his heirs And that he they should have sufficient provision of fewell in the woods belonging thereto as other Constables thereof used to have And further that whensoever the said VVilliam or his heirs by the command of the said VValter and his heirs or his or their Bayliffs should be called to any place where the said VValter or his heirs were to hold their Courts receive Accompts or upon other occasions that he and they should have entertainment for themselves and their Horses during their abode there for that purpose at the charge of the said VValter and his heirs which Agreement beareth date at Trim in Ireland 1. Augusti 18 H. 3. This VVilliam de Lucy was a Knight in 17 H. 3. and Executor to his brother Stephen de Lucy by whose death he had a great personall estate In 20 H. 3. the Custody of this County and Leicester-shire was committed to his charge together with the strong Castle of Kenilworth 23. Apr. in which trust he continued for the space of 3. years And in 25 H. 3. was he joyned in Commission with the then Shiriff viz. Philip de Ascells and some others for viewing all the Castles of this County and certifyng the defects in every of them under their Seales to the King In 26 H. 3. the before recited Walter de Lascy sealed a bond unto him of CCClxxii li. sterling in consideration that he should discharge all his debts owing to any Jews in England except those of Hereford and Oxford which sum was to be paid by Lxxx li. per annum untill it might be discharged and in case of making default the said VValter and his heirs were to abide such Ecclesiasticall censure and the like Penance if need were as the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Bishops of Salisbury and Bath should impose on them that were debtors to those who were signed with the Crosse according to the Constitution of Pope Honorius the said VVilliam de Lucy being so signed And in 28 H. 3. did Roys de Verdon of whom in Brandon I have spoken agree with him for Cxx li. to discharge all the debts which the said Walter de Lacy and Iohn de Verdon with Margerie his wife then owed to the Jews except to those of Hereford unto whom the said William was bound to pay 80 li. due to them from the same Iohn de Verdon This William de Lucy was he that founded the Monastery of Thelesford whereof I have lately spoke and had a Chapell within his Mannour-house here at Cherlecote allowed unto him for himself his wife and family by Roger de Cherlecote Parson of the Church of Cherlecote with reservation of his obedience to the mother Church of Cherlecote as touching all Oblations and accesse thereto with his said wife and family upon seven Festivall days in the year viz. Christmasse Candlemasse Easter the Ascension Whitsontide S. Leonard and All-Hallows He bore for his Armes Verry ....... three Lucies hauriant d'Argent as may seem by the impression of one of his Seales but by another r there is nothing of Verry at all He marryed two wives viz. Ysabell daughter to Absalon de Aldermoneston with whom he had certain lands given to him by Gervase then Abbot of Pershore The second was Maud sister and one of the coheirs to Iohn Cotele of whose inheritance he had the Mannour of Bereuton in Hantshire and departed this life about 32 H. 3. leaving issue Sir William Lucy Knight his son and heir of whom I find nothing memorable but his marriage which was with a great heir viz. Amicia daughter and heir to Will. de Furches and heir also to William Fitz Warin by whom he had issue Fouk de Lucy of the retinue to Peter de Montfort one of the rebellious Barons that took up Armes against the King in 48 H. 3. of whom in Beldesert I have spoke was in such favour with them for his activeness in those times that being indebted to one Elyas le Blund a Jew of London in a great sum of money which himself and his Ancestors had taken up at interest he procured a speciall Mandate dated 7. Maii 49 H. 3. directed unto the Commissioners unto whom the estates of the Jews then seized upon were intrusted to deliver up the bonds and to discharge him thereof acquitting him of all interest money due thereupon but reserving the payment of the principall into the Exchequer for at that time those Barons had the Kings person in their custody whom they took Prisoner in the battail of Lewes and made use of his great Seal and all other Regall authority in his name But what a dismall fate attended them though they prospered for a while that which I have said in Kenilworth will plainly manifest the sum whereof is that being utterly vanquisht soon after at Evesham their estates thereupon became confiscate most of which were given away to those that had firmly stuck to the King amongst whom Robert Waleraund had this of our Fouâ— de Lucy howbeit by that favourable Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth being admitted to Composition he reenjoy'd it again and for CC. marks of silver obtained from Peter de Montfort son and heir to the before specified Peter â— a discharge of that x li. per annum Rent reserved out of this Lordship upon the originall grant thereof to his Ancestor as hath been already noted paying only for the future a pair of gilt Spurs or 4 d. at Christmasse only to the said Peter and his heirs for all services whatsoever All which was certified into the Exchequer by that notable Inquis of 7 E. 1. and moreover that he then held here two Water-mills and two Carucats of land in demesn together with the whole Mannour except six yard land called the Hullelond As also that he had xxii Tenants which held 42. yard land at willâ— performing severall services scil Plowing Reaping Mowing making Hay Harrowing carrying Wood and the like and paying certain yearly Rent in money And likewise a Court-Leet with other liberties granted to his Ancestors by King Ric. 1. and confirm'd by King Iohn which Court-Leet was not to be kept but in the presence of the Kings Bayliffe as the said Charter testifieth This Fouk was a speciall lover of good Horses as it should seem for in 11 E. 1. he gave x â— marks to two Londoners that were Merchants of Horses for a black Horse about which time a fat Oxe was sold but for xvi s. In 13 E. 1. being questioned by what authority he held a Court-Leet here and had Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows Infangthef weyfs c. he produced King Iohn's Charter above mentioned but the Jury then found that he and his Ancestors had kept their Court-Leet without the presence of the Ks. Bayliff and so he did at that time notwithstading
Knightlow-Hundred whereunto I shall adde that 't is probable it might proceed from the Saxon word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth the same with Collis the situation thereof upon a little hill savâ—uring this my conceipt But I now come to what I find memorable in relation to this place In 51 H. 3. Barthol de Suthleg being then Lord thereof had a Charter granted to him and his heirs for a Mercate to be kept every Friday weekly here and a Fair annually for three days viz. the Eve of S t Iames the Apostle and two days after And in 7 E. 1. Iohn de Suthley was certiâ—iâ—d to be Lord hereof where it is written Magna Dercet but said to be a member of Suthley as also to be held by him of the King in Câ—pâ—â—e with his Barony by the service of two Knights fees And that he had at that time here Liii servants holding xix yard land and a half paying severall Rents and performing divers servile labours with xxiv Freeholders holding 24. yard land and a half And moreover it there appears that the Chief Chanter of the Church of Lichfield held here at that time a fourth part of one yard land and the Canons of Erdbury two yard land one whereof the Church was endowed with As also that the Templars of Balshall then had xi Tenants here who held four yard land paying severall Rents and performing severall servile labours The Liberties and Priviledges which the said Iohn de Suthley then had in this Lordship were the Mercate and Faire whereof I have already toucht Free-warren Court-Leet Gallows Cuckstool and Pillory with Assize of Bread and Beer All which together with weyfs as also to be quit of Murther and suit to the Hundred and County Court he claimed partly by Prescription and partly by Charter but it being then found that for Murther he used to partake with the Hundred he was amerc't for that undue claim the rest of his Challenge being fully allowed Which Iohn de Sudley became a speciall Benefactor to the Monastery of Erdbury of his Ancestors foundation by the grant of lands and other advantages thereunto out of this place as I shall punctually shew when I come to speak of that Religious House I often find in Record that this town is called Cheping-Derset the reason whereof is because of the Mercate for Cheping with our Ancestors did signify the same that buying and selling doth with us whence it is that Cheping-Norton in Oxford-shire Chepinham in Wilt-shire and Chepstow in Monmouth-shire had their names But the last of the Sudleâ—'s that had to doe here was Sir Iâ—hn de Sudley Knight who dying without issue in 41 E. 3. left Thomas Boteler son of Ioan his eldest sister then dead and Margerie his younger sister his heirs whereby as also by the death of the said Margerie afterwards without issue the said Thomas became possest of this and all the rest of Sudley's lands which Thomas being afterwards a Knight dyed seized of this Mannour jointly with Alice his wife daughter to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Powyk 21. Sept. 22 R. 2. then leaving Iohn his son and heir xiv years of age who in 8 H. 4. confirmed the estate for life therein which had been granted by certain Feoffees unto the said Alice she being at that time marryed to Sir Iohn Dalyngrugge Knight This Iohn and William his brother were sons to Sir Thomas Boteler by his first wife but both dyed without issue as it seems for upon the death of the abovespecified Alice in 21 H. 6. Sir Raph Boteler Knight was then found to be heir unto her and begotten by the said Sir Thomas being then xl years of age which Sir Raph became a man of great note in H. 6. time as it seems for I find that being Knight for the Body to the King â—e was made his Standard-bearer 28. Martii 17 H. 6. And by Letters Patent dated at Westminster x. Sept. 20 H. 6. created Lord Sudley with the grant of CC. marks per annum to himself and his heirs for the better maintenance of that dignity He was also constituted Lord Treasurer of England 7. Iulii 22 H. 6. which office he held about three years but in 13 E. 4. he departed this life leaving Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and William Belknap his heirs which Sir Iohn Norbury was son of Sir Henry Norbury Knight by Elizabeth and Will. Belknap son of Hamond Belknap by Ioan sisters to the said Raph for he left no issue male Sir Thomas Butler his only son dying in his life time which Sir Iohn Norbury and William Belknap in 16 E. 4. had livery of all the lands descended to them by the death of the abovespecified Sir Raph Boteler The partition whereof was made betwixt the said Sir Iohn and Edward Belknap Esquier son of Henry brother and heir to William Belknap aforesaid in 13 H. 7. whereby this Mannour inter alia became assigned to Belknap for in 2 R. 3. William dyed without issue leaving Henry Belknap his brother and heir 50. years of age which Henry by his Testament dated 25. Iunii anno 1488. 3 H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chapell of our Lady at Bekle in Sussex It seemes he lived there for by the same Testament he gave to the high Altar in that Church xx d. in lieu of his Tithes forgotten and not payd and departed this life 10 Iulii following leaving the said Sir Edward his son and heir xvii years of age who became a man of much publique action for in 2 H. 7. he was one of the Commanders in the Kings Army at the Battail of Stoke In 6. a Commissioner of Array in this County In 12. a Commander in the Battail of Blackheath in Kent against the Western Rebells In 17. he had the custody of Warwick-Castle committed to his charge being at that time Squier of the Body to the King And from 8 H. 7. for the most part during all that Kings raign was in Commission for the Peace in this County as appears upon the severall renewings thereof and sometimes for Gaol delivery In consideration of whose acceptable services the said King by a speciall Patent dated 14. Apr. 24. of his raign granted him immunity from being troubled or questioned for that Inclosure and depopulation which he had made in this Lordship contrary to the Statute in the third of his raign He was also Squier of the Body to King H. 8. being in the first of his raign again constituted Constable of Warwick-Castle for he resided at Weston subtus Wethele in this County as it seems by what I have there manifested And in 8. a Knight The Depopulation and Inclosure that he made within this Lordship scil in 14 H. 7. was of xii mess. and CCClx. acres
in 1 H. 8. betwixâ— Sir Nicholas Vaus Kt. and others Plantâ—ffs and Sir Thomas Brandon Kâ— and Eliz. his wife deforciants of the fourth part the other in 24 H. 8. of the moytie thereof betwâ—xt Rob. Dormer and others Plantiffs and Rog. Beket and others deforc but to what uses I know not The next owner thereof that I meet with was Henry Keble who by his last Will and Testament setled it inter alia upon George Keble his Grandhild and the heirs Male of his body with remainder to Sâ—r VVill. Blount Lord Montjoy and the Lady Alice his wife which Lord Montjoy and Alice had issue VVill. their son and heir Shotswell PAssing over the vally from Molington Westwards I come next to Shotswell situate on that brow or ledge which beareth the name of Edge-hill for many miles But of this place I find nothing at all by particular name in the Conq â—â— Survey and therefore do conclude that it was then involved with Warmington at that time certified to contain a greater number of hides than of it self it would have been found to do as I suppose the reason of this my conjecture arisingâ— partly from the consideration of its adjacency to Warmington â— and partly for that it hath been with Warmington of the Earl of Warwick â— fee From one of which Earls it was granted to the Ancestor of Iohn de Dâ—ve who had fair lands in Oxfordsh hard by and from Dyve to the Progenitor of Rob. Fitzwith id est filius Guidonis and from Fitzwith to VVandard as may seem by that notable Record of 7 E. 1. But when these passages weâ—e I cannot certainly teâ—l yet do beleive them to have been very antient for I find that Robert VVandard had to do here in K. Iohn's time and that his Fathers name was VVill. of whom there is mention in 16 H 2. Betwixt which Robert and the Abbot of Preauxâ— in Normandy â— there was a Fine levyed â—n 5 H. 3. touching the advâ—uson of this Church whereby it being setled upon the saâ—d Robert he granted an yearly Pension of x s. to the Church of Warmington of the Patronage of the said Abbot to be for ever received of the Parsons incumbent there As for the name I find it in antient time somewhat variously wriâ—ten viz. Sotteswell Shoteswell Scacheswell Seteweld and Chetteswelle but do suppose that it proceeded originally from one Soâ—o for that was an appellation in use before the Nâ—rman Conquest and a fair Spring issuing out of the Hill there and called by his name But of these VVandards were there more that bore the name of Robert than one as it seems for in 40 H. 3. I find that amongst many others who by the K. speciall Pat. had respite of their Knighthood untill Christmass in that year Robert de Wandirâ— is certified to be one being of this County It iâ— very like that this Robert is he who in 7 E. 1. held what he had here of Iohn Fitzwith by the service of half a Knights fee at which â—â—re the said Iohn being Superior Lord had one Carucate of land in demesn and two servants the Canons of Clatercote 7 yard land and the Câ—nons of Studley a Carucate and six Cotages which were given to them by Will. de Câ—ntilupe and whâ—ch he the said Will. had by acquisition from Eustâ—ce de Mortein and Iohn Wandard Thâ—s Râ—b Vâ—andard sometimes also written VVandak was a Knight in 15 E. 1. and Coâ—onâ—â— to the King in this County as appears by hâ—s Wâ—it of discharge from that office in 27 E. 1. and bad issue Thomas who about the beginning â—f E. 2. â—ime as I judge sold this Mannour of Shotswell to VVill. de Bereford for in 9 E. 2. the 〈◊〉 VVill. is certified to be Lord thereof but the Fâ—â—e theâ—eupâ—n was not levied till 12 E. 2. Which VVill. dyed seized of it in 20 E. 2. leaving Edmund his son and heir 28 years of age But of this family of Bereford I shall speak further when I come to Langley in Hemlingford Hundred In 9 E. 3. the said Eâ—mund had a Charter of Free-Warren granted to him inter alia in all his demesn lands here the like Charter had Sir Baldwin de Bereford Kt. in 4 R. 2. Which Sir Baldwin as it seems past away his estate in this Mannour to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Holt Kt. but not directly for the Fine whereby it became vested in the said Sir Iohn and Ioan his wife and the heirs of their two bâ—dies was levyed by one Richard de la Folde a Priestâ— and others who were Feoffees in 49 E. 3. This Sâ—r Iohn Beauchamp is he who was attainted in the Parl. oâ— xi R. 2. and put to death of whâ—m I have already spoke in Bobenhull Iohn his son and heir being at that time but xi years of age whose wardship with the custody of this Maâ—nour was by the said K. 11 Feb. 12 R. 2. granted to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick which Iâ—hn being afterwards a Kt. dyed seized of this Mannour in 8 H. 5. leaviâ—g Margaret the wife of Iohn Pauncâ—fot his Daughter and heir who afterwards became the wife of Iohn VVâ—â—ham But the next possessâ—â—s hereof that I find were Iohn Ashâ—on of Somerton in Oxfordshire and Iohn Blount of Wyginton in the same County viz. in 10 H. 6. perhaps by marriage with some coheirs to the before specifiâ—d Margaret It seems that the greatest part thereof came at lengâ—h to the said Iohn Aâ—ton and that it was by hâ—m granted to Iames le Boâ—â—ller Earl of Ormund whose son and heir viz. Iames â—oteleâ— created Earl of Wiltshire 8 Iulii 27 H. 6. following the fate of the Lancastrian House whereunto he adhered in those times of civiâ—l dâ—ssâ—ntionâ— became attainted in the Parl. held at Westminster 1 E. 4. and put to death at Newcastle havâ—â—g no issue After which K. Edw. by his Letters P. dated 16 Sept. in the second year of his reâ—gn in consideration of the good and acceptable service which Ric. Hâ—recourt Eâ—q had performed unto â—ichâ—rd D. of York â— Father to the â—aid King as alsâ— to the K. himseâ—f granted it unto him the said Râ—châ—â—d and Edith his wife and to the issue male of their two bodies Hâ—wbeit I do not pâ—rceâ—ve that the whoâ—e Mannour pâ—st by that Pat. for â—n 12 E. 4. there was a Fâ—ne levied of a third part thereâ—â— with the third part of divâ—rs other Mannâ—urs in Oxford and Worcester shires whereby it became sâ—â—â—â—d upon Thomas Câ—â—f Eâ—q and Eliz. his wâ—fe with remainder to the right hâ—irs of the saâ—d Eliz. by which it should seem that she was a coheir to the lands formerly belonging to Sir Iohn Beauchamp beforementioned in regard that the third part of the Mannour of Holt in com Wigorn. is setled inter alia
enfeoft Nich. de David villa or D' Aiville therein for by what appeareth by and by it will be evident enough that the family of D' Aiville were afterwards owners thereof And that there was a Nicholas de David-villa in this County contemporary with that Earl a Charter of his witnessed by the same Nicholas doth manifest whereupon it became so distinguished from the other Walton but more antiently it past by the name of Walton-Theodoric sc in 23. H. 1. one Theodoric being then Tenant thereto as I guess To which Nâ—ch succeeded Will. D'avill of whom I find mention in 23 H. 2. And to Will. Walter D'avill one of the Justices of Assize in this County in 11.12.13.17.19.20 and 21. H. 2. As also one of the pledges for Thomas Earl of Warwick in 13. H. 3. upon security given for payment of his Relief He was a Benefactor to the Nuns of Pinley in this County by bestowing on them the tenth part of the Toll of his Mill here at Walton and the tenth peny of the Rent thereof in case he should let it to ferm To whom succeeded Rob. D'aivill one of the Commissioners in this County constituted together with the Shiriff to oversee the defects in all the Castles in 25 H. 3. and to certifie the same to the King which Robert in 27 H. 3. had suits with Hâ—nry de Nasford of Bereford And to Robert Walter D'aivill who in 36 H. 3. had a Charter of Freewarren granted to him in all his demesn lands here as also in other places of this County whereof I shall have occasion to make mention and moreover in Paunton and little Barkworth in Lincolnsh And the next year following underwent the office of Eschaetor for this County But the last of this family that had to do here was Rog. D'Eivill who towards the later end of H. 3. time sold this Mannour to one Simon de Wauton Brothers son perhaps to Sim. de Wauton one of the Justices in the Court of Common Pleas and afterwards Bishop of Norwich for it is confidently affirmed by some learned Antiquaries that the said Bishop was born here and for probability thereof I have seen a precept from K. H. 3. in 22. of his reign directed to Ric. de Grey then Constable of Kenilworth Castle to deliver to Mr. Sim. de Wâ—uton four Oaks for the building of his House at Chesterton which we know is very near to this place And besides this do I find that he was very often in Commission as a Justice of Assize in this County viz. from 32 to 41 H. 3. But to return to Simon who purchased this Mannour of Rog. D'Eyvill he had issue Maud a Daughter and heir in Ward to Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester 7 E. 1. and certified to be then owner of this Lordship holding it of the Earl of UUarwick by the service of one Knights fee. At that time the said Maud had 3 Carucates of land here in demesn a Watermill with Free-warren and a Court Leet As also severall Tenants who besides a certain Rent which they payd did performe divers services as plowing harrowing washing and shearing sheep mowing reaping land the like This Maud was the wife of Iohn de Stretling in 12 E. 1. and aftewards as 't is very probable of Iohn le Strange of Knokyn for upon the death of the said Iohn le Strange in 3 E. 2. it appears that he dyed seized of this Mannour in right of Maud his wife Iohn his son and heir being then 27 years of age From which Iohn descended Alan Straunge Esq. who dyed seized thereof in 5 H 5. it then extending into Walton-Mauduit Wellesburne-Strange and Wellesburne Mountfort leaving Alice his Daughter and heir xâ—i years of age of whom I know not what became nor what relation Sir Thomas Strange Kt. had to her but in 9 H. 6. do I find that the said Sir Thomas was possest of this Lordship and that Anne his grandchild and one of the coheirs marryed unto Rob. le Straunge second son of Henry le Straunge of Hunstanton in Norff. which Robert about the beginning of H. 8. time depopulated 7 Mess. and 1. Cottage here and inclosed Clx. acres of land And Margaret the other to Iohn le Straunge of Massingham younger Brother to the said Robert whereby the one moytie came to Sir Thomas le Strange Kt. son and heir to the same Robert and the other to Barbara le Strange Daughter of Iohn and Sister and heir to her Brother Henry as the descent here inserted sheweth who became the wife of Rob. Mordant son and heir to Will. Mordant of Hampsted in Essex chief of the Prothonotaries of the Court of Common Pleas which Rob. in 32 H. 8. purchased of the before specified Sir Thomas Strange his moytie thereof and of those other lands in this County of their ancestors inheritance Fâ—om whom they are descended to Sir Charls Mordant Kt. now living An. scil 1640. Thomas le Strange miles 9 H. 6. Cath. filia Rog. Dâ—ury de Halstede in Com. Suff. ar Henr. le Strange de Hunstanton in Com. No. ff ar Eliz. obiiâ— 6 H. 7. Thomas le Strange de Walton D'Eivill ar obiit 22 Aug. 1 H. 7. Rog. le Strange miles arm pro corp Regis H. 7. duxit Annam fil H. Heydon mil. obiit 22 H. 7. Iâ—h le Strange ob s. prole Anna filia cohaeres aet 8 an 1 H. 7 Rob. le Strange obiit 3. H. 8. Thomas le Strange miles Amicia Filia Nich. domini Vaux Edwar. Knivet ar 2. maritus Ioh. le Strange de parva Massingham in Com. Noâ—ft ob 9. H. 8. Henricus le StraÌ„ge ob s. prole Barbara uxor Roberti Mordantar Margareta altera fil cohaered aet 6. an 1. H. 7. I now come to speak of the Church antiently a Chapell belonging to Wellesburne as I have already observed and endowed with glebe and Tithes at the time of its Dedication the service to be performed therein being at the disposition of the said Mother Church as a member whereof it came to the Canons of Kenilworth by the grant of Roger Earl of Warwick In H. 2. time there was a conclusion made betwixt the Canons of Kenilworth and Will. D'aiville touching the performance of divine service therein viz. that the said Canons should at their charges and care find a Priest for the dayly effecting thereof For which consideration the said Will. D'aivill gave in frank Almes to the said Monastery of Kenilworth â— and to the Church of St. Peter at Wellesburne xl acres of land in one part of the fields and as many in another part as also the Tithe Hay of all his demesn lands with the Tithes of his Garden And further allowed that the Priest doing service there should
they are most proper to be made when I come to speak in particular of the Church I have the rather inserted here because they give some light to the succession of the Mannour whereunto in those times the patronage of the Church was except very rarely belonging But for want of better help whereby a perfect discovery might be had I am constrained to make use of them being not able to manifest so exactly as I would through what paths the succession of it went till the Lucies became Lords thereof In 20 H. 3. William Bonchivalier answered for part of a Knights fee here then certified to be held of the Earl of Warwick and in 36 H. 3. Raph de Wylinton which Raph in that great defection of the Barons towards the later end of H. 3. time was in Armes against the King and of the retinue to Geffrey de Lucie and in 52 H. 3. held this Mannour by the service of a Knights fee of the Earl of Warwick as of the Mannour of Brailes whose Tenants in 7 E. 1. did their suit twice a year at the Court-Leet for Braâ—les To this Raph succeeded Iohn de Wilinton who in 9 E. 2. held a half and a fourth part of a Knights fee here of the said Earl But the next possessor thereof was Sir William de Lucy Knight viz. in 3 E. 3. Since which his posterity of whom I have spoke in Cherlecote have succeeded him therein to this day The Church in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at viii marks and in 26 H. 8. at xii li. out of which was payd for Synodals and Procurations ix s. v d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Will. de Lucy miles Rad. de Sileby Pbr. 5. Febr. 1328. D. Will. de Lucy miles Leonardus de Lucy Cler. 29. Apr. 1337. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. le Worner Pbr. 21. Apr. 1338. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. de Geydon Pbr. 28. Maii 1339. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. filius Nich. Gerond 25. Oct. 1348. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles D. Ric. Ernold Pbr. 27. Apr. 1362. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Ioh. Aspele 26. Apr. 1388. Thomas Lucie miles Rich. Penne 14. Iulii 1413 Thomas Lucie miles Rob. Cramford 17. Iulii 1413. Ric. Archer ar Ric. Hony 9. Oct. 1416. Atturnati Ricardi Comitis Warwici D. Ric. Paris Cap. 16. Ian. 1420. Edw. Lucy ar D. Henr. Amott Cap. 24. Feb. 1467. Will. Lucie ar D. Ioh. Barret Cap. 12. Oct. 1485. Will. Lucie ar D. Ric. Newman Cap. 17. Aug. 1487. Edm. Lucie fil haeres Will. Lucie mil. Magr. Ioh. Verney in art Magr. 4. Oct. 1503. Will. Lucie ar D. Edw. Large Cler. 5. Nov. 1537. Barton on the Heath OF this place the onely mention in the Conquerors Survey is that one Grim held at that time half a hide of land here of Robert de Stadford then valued at xx s. but in that Record it is written Bertone which is a Saxon word signifieth the same that in some places we now call a â—oldyard yet intendeth all such barnes and out-buildings as belong thereto I am of opinion that the E. of Mellent or Turchill de Warwick had something here at the same time though no particular instance be made thereof in Domesday-book in regard that afterwards Thomas de Arden was found to hold part of a Knights fee here of the Earl of Warwick But there is so little light in those elder times from Record touching this place that I can give but a slender account thereof In King Iohn's time one Simon de Barton was impleaded for certain lands here descended to him from Ranulph de Barton his grandfather yet whether the said Ranulph or his Ancestor were enfeoft of the whole Mannour or onely of some lands here by one of the Barons of Stafford I will not take upon me to determine for in 20 H. 3. it is apparent that Thomas de Arden answered for the fourth part of a Knights fee here held of the Earl of Warwick And in 36 H. 3. Robert Mareschall and Ric. le Eyr had the same fourth part of the said Thomas at which time all that was found to be held of the Baron of Stafford here was but the xvi th part of a Knights fee then possest by Richard le Frankleyn To the descendants of which Rob. Marshall it continued till Queen Elizabeth's time one whereof scil Robert past away the advouson of the Church and some lands here to Nicholas Makarell of Carleton in Lindsey com Linc. in 11 E. 2. but afterwards they had it again and wrote their names Marshall alias Bery Of which line without doubt was Edw. Bery who upon the death of his father 5 E. 6. was 26. years of age and past it away to Will. Underhill of Idlicote who dyed seized thereof 31 Martii 12 Eliz. leaving William his son and heir xiv years of age and upwards But in this Family of Underhill it continued not long for clear it is that one of the Berryes had it again of whom it was purchased by Walter Overbury a younger son to Sir Nich Overbury of Bourton on the Hill in Com. Glouc. Knight about the later end of King Iames his time which Walter rebuilt the Mannour-house of stone in such sort as it now is The Church dedicated to S. Laurence in Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at vii marks and a half and in 26 H. 8. at xiii li. vi s. viii d. over and above viii s. xi d. ob allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Ric. le Marshall de Barton Will. de Preston Subdiac 12. Cal. Martii 1295. D. Nich. Makerell Magr. Ioh. de Hamelden Pbr. 7. Cal. Sept. 1322. D. Nich. Makerell Gilb. de Welleton Cler. 4. Non. Nov. 1323. D. Nich. Makerell D. Henr. de Cokham Cler. 10. Cal. Aug. 1325. .......... Magr. Ioh. de Welton 24 Maii 1354. D. Gilb. de Welton Carleol Episc. D. Henr. de Cokham Pbr. 29. Oct. 1355. Will. Marshall alÃas Bury gen Magr. Thomas Wynchcomb Pbr. 19. Iulii 1471. Will. Marshall alÃas Bury gen D. Rob Beldon Pbr. ult Dec. 1492. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury Ric. a Prise Cler. 6. Nov. 1500. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury D. Alex. Nowers 27. Ian. 1524. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury D. Edm. Marchall 6. Sept. 1525. Thom. Underhill gen ex concess Thomae Turvill Eliz. ux ejus Will. Underhill Cler. 23. Iulii 1579. In the East window of the Chancell these Armes Arg. a Cheveron sable betwixt 3. Squirils gules Bury Upon a Marble Gravestone in the Chancell this Inscription Here lyeth buried the bodies of Edmund Bury and Eliz. his wife which Eliz. was the seventh daughter of Edward Underhill of Nether-Etingdon in the County of Warwick Esquier The
thereunto a certain peice of ground called Oddecrofth containing 18 acres and another of x. acres lying in Over-Eatendon as also 3. acres of land adjoyning to the said Oddecrofte To the Canons of Derley in Derbyshire he gave certain lands called Aldewerch and to the Monks of Tutbury two parts of Hoga now called Hown in that County To which Sewall succeeded Henry his son and heir called Henricus filius Sewalli who attended William Earl Ferrers in the Kings Army when he sailed into Poictou which was as I take it in 4 Ioh. And in 7 Ioh. by virtue of the Kings Precept had livery made to him of the Mannour of Ednesoure in Derbyshire whereof he had been disseised during his absence in that voyage as it seems This Henry likewise erected an Altar dedicated to S. Nicholas in the Church here at Eatendon and gave divers particular parcells of land thereto for the maintenance of a Chantry Preist to celebrate divine service thereat for the health of his own soul and the soules of his wives as also of his childrens souls every day except on Thursdayes and the Feast day of S. Nicholas on which day the said Preist was particularly to celebrate to that Saint And in augmentation of the maintenance for the said Priest he gave the tithe of the Toll of his Mill here and an annuity of 5s. whereof 4 s was to be received by the Preist for his own use and xiiâ— for the Lampe in the said Church of Eatendon reserving power for himselfe and his heirs to present to the said Chantry as often as by death it should become void To him succeeded Sewallus commonly called Sewallus filius Henrici who was a Knight but dyed before the 44 of H. 3. And to him Iames his son and heir the first of this family that assumed the sirname of Shirley for by that appellaon he had Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands as well at Shirley in Derbyshire 31 H. 3. as in 39 of the same Kings reign here at Eatendon in this County Which Iames being afterwards a Knight had issue Raph his son and heir who in 7 E. 1. held this Mannour of Edm. Earl of Lanc. the Kings brother by the service of two Knights fees having at that time three carucates of land in demesn here and xii Tenants holding several proportions by sâ—ndry services As also divers Freeholders The same year he was Shiriff of the Counties of Nottingham and Derby In 9 E. 1. being presented before the Justices Itinerant because being of full age and holding a whole Knights fee he was not a Knight he procured the Kings Letters Pat. as to the respiting thereof for five years And in 22 E. 1. upon the grant made to the King in Parliament of a Subsidy for the support of his warrs was with Thomas de Garshale constituted a Commissioner for the assessing and collecting thereof within this County In 28 E. 1. he had the custody of the Counties of Salop. and Stafford with the Castle of Shrewsbury committed to his charge In 29 E. 1. he had summons with divers other great men to attend the King at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast day of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativity well appointed with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots Sasuualo temp Will. Conq. Henricus 5 Steph. Fulcherus Henricus Fulcherus à quo familia de Ednesoure originem ducit Henricus filius Sewalli Dominus Sewallus filius Henr. 31 H. 3. Isabella filia cohaeres Roberti Meisnill Eliz. uxor Joh. de Walton Jacobus de Schirlâ—y 31 H. 3. Agnes de Wauton 31 H. 3. Rad. de Shirley 7 E. 1. Margareta filia una cohaer Walt. de Waldeshef Pincernae Regis E. 2. Rad de Shirley 4 E. 3. Thomas de Shirley miles defunctus 36 E. 3. Isabella filia Rad. Domini Basset de Draiton relicta 36. E. 3. Hugo de Shirley miles 1 H. 4. obiit 4. H. 4. Beatrix soror haeres Joh de Brews Jocosa fil haeres Thomae Basâ—â—t de Brailesford ar Rad. Shirley miles 3 H. 5. Alicia filia Joh. Cokain de Ashburn mil. 6 H. 6. Rad. Shirley ar obiit 6 E. 4. Margareta filia haeres Joh. Stanton ar Johannes Shirley ar obiit 18 Maii 3 R. 3. Alianora filia Hugonis Willoughby de Wollaton mil. Radulfus Shirley de Stanton mil. obiit 6 â—an 8 H. 8 Eliz. filia cohaeres Thomae Walsh de Onlip in com Leic. ar Anna haeres matris ux Thomae Pultney eq aur Radulfus Shirley de Stanton mil. obiit 6 â—an 8 H. 8 Iohanna filia Rob. Sheffeild mil. Franciscus Shirley de Brailesford ar 3 E. 6. Iohannes Shirley obiit vita patris Iana unica filia haeres Thomae Lovell ar Georgius Shirley ar erectus in gradum Baronetti 9 Iac. Francisca filia Henrici Domini Berkley Thomas Shirley eq auratus Henr. Shirley Bar. Dorothea filia Rob. Comitis Essexiae Carolus Shirley Bar obiit coelebs Robertus Shirley Bar. Sawaldus de Etendon mil. Matilda Ridel In 3 E. 2. he was constituted one of the two Justices in this County for the Goal delivery at Warwick And in 5. E. 2. served as a K t for this shire in two Parliaments the one held at London and the other at Westm. Being one of the Coroners in this County an office of great note in those days as I have elsewhere intimated he had through want of health a discharge from that employment in 6 E. 2. but in 8 E. 2. was Governour of Horeston Castle in Derbyshire and in 16 E. 2. one of the Commisioners in this County for levying a xvth In 17 in the list of those Knights and men at Arms whose names were then certifyed into the Chancery and in 20 E. 2. departed this life leaving Raph his son and heir who having been in Commission for the assessing and collecting a xv th and x th granted in the Parl. of 11 E. 3. was in 12 E. 3. appointed to assess and collect the Scutage then due to the King for the Scotch expedition â—n the first year of his reign and in 14 E. 3. served in the Parl. then holden at Westm. as one of the Knights for this shire To which Raph succeeded S r Thomas Shirley K t of whom I find nothing memorable but his death which hapned before the 36 of E. 3. and that by Isabell his wife he left issue Hugh who being a Knight in 1 H. 4. and the same year by Pat. dated at Westm. 20 Martii made Master of the Kings Hawks of all sorts was a Justice of Peace in this County in 2 H. 4. and the next ensuing year constituted one of the Commissioners to enquire of such persons as were disturbers of the Laws and
of 20 E. 3. howbeit till 6 E. 2. I have not found any mention thereof but then did Iohn de Whitâ—hurch hold lands here to the value of x li. And in 8. E. 3. Sir Robert de Vale Knight possessing it with Compton-Scorfen entailed it upon Iohn his son and heir who had his residence here and dyed seized of it in 36 E. 3. leaving Iohn Burdet and Iohn Norrys his cosins and heirs as in Ludinton may be seen To which family of Burdet it continued till 10 H. 8. that Sir Iohn Burdet Knight past it away to George Throkmorton Esquire and others Atherston super Stoure THis place standing a little lower and on the same side of the Stoure hath that distinction scil from the said River by reason that there is another town called Atherston on the North part of the County And being one of those towns which Odo Bishop of Baieux had of his half brother the Conquerors gift in this Shire was by the generall Survey then taken certified to contain 4. hides and to be held of the said Bishop by one Corbin having a Church as also a Mill which yielded x s. and x. sticks of Eeles but the whole valued at iv li. In that Record it is written Edricestone which shews that it had its originall denomination from one Edricus in the Saxons time It seems that the Ancestor of Raph de Ruperiis was antiently enfeoft thereof and by the K. 't is like in regard of the said Bishop's forfeiture Whether Roger de Ruperiis first enjoy'd it I am not certain though in King Iohn's time he had it but being a Norman he was dispossest thereof by K. H. 3. by reason of his adhering to the K. of France and subjecting himself with what he had in Normandy to his obedience whereupon the King gave it to Godfrey de Craucumbe which Godfrey had also a grant of it from Raph de Ruperiis above-mentioned who thereby reserved to himself and his heirs a pair of gilt Spurs to be paid yearly at Easter for all services which grant the said King confirmed but there it is written Aderichestan and Adrichestone howbeit afterwards scil in 32 H. 3. the King bestowed the inheritance thereof on Geffrey de Langley of whom in Pinley I have spoke in which Charter he calls it Eschaeta nostra de terris Normannorum making also mention that he had it of the said Godfrey in exchange for Staunforham in Northumberland To this Geffrey succeeded Iohn de Langley his grandchild in the possession thereof who in 7 E. 1. held it of the King in Capite by a pair of gilt Spurrs having at that time two carucates of land in demesn and seven Tenants holding seven yard land paying severall Rents and performing sundry servile labours as also a Court-Leet But from this Iohn by some private agreement it seems was it passed to Geffrey de Langley his younger brother for the said Geffrey being possest thereof in 15 E. 1. and impleaded for certain lands here at that time by Fouk de Lucy called his said brother Iohn to warranty Which Geffrey being a devout man became signed with the Crosse for a voyage to the Holy Land in 55 H. 3. In 22 E. 1. he was one of the Knights of the retinue to Edmund Earl of Lancaster upon whom being attending at such time as he agitated a Peace betwixt the then King of France and his brother King Edward of England he was sent with Letters by the said King of France to recall the Constable of that Realm then upon his march into Gascoign with an Army and afterwards returning to England released to the Monks of Stoneley x li. per annum of that annuity of xx li. which had been reserved to Geffrey de Langley his father when he granted to them the Mannour of Staverton in this County whose descendants in the male line enjoyed this Lordship for divers generations Iohn being the last of them that I find who at the death of William his father in 22 E. 4. was about 13. years of age but dyed without issue leaving Alianore his sister and heir as it seems for in 12 H. 7. it appears that Iohn Clanelke and Alianore his wife levied a Fine of this Mannour whereby it was conveyed to Richard Empson and his heirs with warranty against her the said Alianore and her heirs After which it came to Thomas Morton Esquier who in 37 H. 8. past it to Thomas Hunks which T. Hunkâ— dyed seized thereof in 5. 6. Ph. M. leaving Robert his son and heir of full age To whom succeeded Iohn Hunks Gentleman who dying seized of it in 1 Eliz. left Ursula his daughter and heir six years of age afterwards married to Raphe Lidkote The advouson of the Church was given in K. Iohn's time to the Monks of Teuksbury by Roger de Ruperiis but never appropriated to them In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectory was valued at vi marks so likewise in 14 E. 3. but in 26 H. 8. at xiii li. vi s. viii d. out of which was allowed for Procurations and Synodalls xii â— and iv s. yearly Pension to the Monks of Tewksbury Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Will. de Dalby Accol 6. Id. Ian. 1304. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Mr. Rad. Turvill Cler. 11. Cal. Ian. 13â—4 Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Mr. Rob. de Southam 5. Ian. 1339. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Will. de Herdewyke Cap. 13. Aug. 1362. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Will. Solito 12. Dec. 1364. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ioh. Rose Pbr. 8. Aug. 1392. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ioh. Tymmes 28. Sept. 1410. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Rob. Osgodby Cap. 3. Apr. 1426. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Magr. Will. Vauce 20. Ian. 1446. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Thomas Compton Cap. 4. Apr. 1448. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Rog. Kyningham Cap. 22. Iunii 1469. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ric. Ferâ—hing 24. Dec. 1472. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Thom. Râ—ttur Cap. 26. Iunii 1489. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Ric. Sâ—lbrugg Cap. 24. Martii 1505. Ric. Bydle Civis Wigorn ratione concess Ab. Conv. de Tewksbury D. Rob. â—kyres Pbr. 14. Nov. 1545. Ioh. Turner de Atherston gen Magr. Will. Stocke in S. Theol. Bacc. 23. Nov. 1581 Ioh. Turner de Atherston gen Tho. Wilde Cler. 20. Feb. 1583. Ioh. Turner Will Turner ejus filius Ioh. Rogers Cler. 11. Ian. 1608. Ioh. Turner Will Turner ejus filius Magâ—â— Ric. Wright Cler. 16. Sept 1622. Ayleston THis little Village situate in the Parish of Atherston lyeth on the other side the water and in the Conquerors time being possest by
Newnham in this County to the Canons of Kenilworth in King H. 1. time and gave unto them certain lands in Lillington all which the said King ratifyed To the Priory of Warwick he gave the Church of Snitfeild and to the Nuns of Polesworth confirmed the grant of Oldbury which was of his Fee being bestowed on them by Walt. de Hastings and Hathâ—wis his wife Richardus Hugo fil Richardi cognominatus de Hatton Will. fil Hugonis Matilda Ric. cognom de Saunford obiit s. prole Hugo fil Willielmi 3 Ioh. obiit s. prole Hawisia de Tracy Matilda ux Steph. de Nerbon Margeria de Stivichale 36 H. 3. Ranulphus de Stivichale fil haeres Ioclinus de Stivichale Margeria ux Osberti de Clinton Osbertus de Clinton Thomas de Clinton miles Iacobus de Clinton Osbertus Iohannes de Clinton Thomas de Clinton Ioscelinus fil Hugonis But the issue male of this Family extinguishing as the Descent sheweth and this Lordship thereby coming unto daughters part thereof divolved by Margerie one of the coheirs to the Clintons but the residue the Nuns of Wroxhall and the Canons of Studley had Which part so coming to Clinton was by Sr. Thomas de Clinton Knight grandchild to the before specified Margerie given by the name of his Mannour of Hatton and Beausale unto Iames his younger son and to his heirs reserving to the said Sir Thomas and his heirs a peny to be paid yearly at Christmass for all secular service and demands whatsoever But it should seem that Iames quitted his title therein to Iohn his elder brother's son for in 13 Edw. 1. the said Iohn commenced suit against Will. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for the whole Mannour excepting two messuages and two yard land therein in which the said Earl claimed right by virtue of a grant from Hamon le Strange Howbeit the Earl pleading that he held but a third part thereof whereas the other chalenged the whole had by reason of that advantage the better in the suit so that the said Iohn within a short time after came to an Agreement with him and past unto him one mess. 1 Mill 27. acres of land 4 acres of meadow xl acres of wood 7 Rent and the Rent of 2 li. of pepper with two pair of Gloves price iid yearly quitting wholy also all his title and claim that he had to this Mannour To whose posterity it continued till 3 H. 7. that all the lands belonging to that great Earldome were given up to the King by Anne Countesse of Warwick as in Warwick I have more fully shewed Since which I have not seen any more thereof That which belong'd to the Nuns of Wroxhall being in E. 6. time reputed for a Mannour was then in the Kings hand In an 1291 19 E. 1 the Church dedicated to the holy Trinity was valued at five marks and had a portion of iiiiâ— issuing out of it to the Canons of Warwick but in 14 E. 3. at vi l. xiii s. iiii d. being not presentative Shrewley THis Village is in the parish of Hatton and being possest by Hugh de Grentemaisnill in the Conquerors time was then certified to contain three hides valued at xxx s. the woods thereof extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which before the Norman invasion had been the freehold of one Toli But soon after this Rob. Earl of Leic. the first of that name had it and enfeoft Ernald de Boss thereof as it seems for in a grant which the said Ernald made to the Nuns of Pinley of one carucate of land here in Sravesle for so it was then written he expresses it to be by the consent of Rob. E. of Leic. his Lord which grant the same E. for the health of his own soul and the souls of his father and mother as also of the soul of K. H. 1. confirmed The next mention I find thereof is that in 6 H. 3. Magr. Henry de Waltham had livery of those lands here together with the rest in Wileby which Will. fil Wigani his uncle held of the K. in Capite And in 33 H. 3. I find that Iohn de Screveila held a yard land in this vâ—llage of the King by Sergeantie in Capite which Iohn was Lord of the Mannour as it seems for in 13 E. 1. it appears that Fouk de Lucy had kept a Court-Leet here in prejudice of the said Iohn he holding of the King by Sergeantie and that the said Fouk had without authority erected a Gallows in this Village wherefore it was determined that the said Gallows should be pulled down and that the same Iohn might enjoy his Court-Leet again Neverthelesse upon the death of the said Fouk de Lucy in 31 E. 1. I find that he dyed seized of this Mannour and held it of Maud the daughter and heir of Iohn de Shrevele Will. de Lucy his son and heir being then 26. years of age But the said Will. enjoy'd it not accordingly for Maud the wife of Walt. de Culy whom I conclude to be her that is before exprest having license from the King in respect of the tenure in Sergeantie sold it for CC li. to Iohn de Dufford and his heirs in 1 E. 2. Which Sergeantie was to find one armed man with an Hauberk on Horsback in the Kings service for the space of xl days viz. to ride personally with the K. in his expedition for Wales Which Iohn de Dufford was a Knight in 3 E. 2. and in 6 E. 2. sold it to Philip the son of Philip de Gayton who departed this life in 9 E. 2. leaving his two sisters his heirs sc. Iuliana â— the elder wife to Sir Thomas Murdak Knight and Scolastica the younger wedded to Godfrey de Meaux being also heirs to their brother Theobald Of the moitie whereof the said Scolastica had livery in 10 E. 2. she being then a widow But all that belong'd to Iulian as I can find was but one carucate of land which eschaeted to the Crown by reason of her forfeiture in conspiring with Sir Iohn Vaux Knight to murther her husband for which she was burnt the inheritance whereof was given by the King to Henry Earl of Lanc in 23 E. 3. it then passing by the name of one messuage 26 acres of land and one roode of meadow a pasture called Berry-more and x s. iii d. ob Rent Neither did that which her sister Scolastica had here goe any longer by the name of the moitie of the Mannour for in 27 E. 3. she was found to dye seized of one messuage xx acres of land 3 acres of meadow and viii s. Rent held of the King in Capite by the eighth part of a Knights fee
leaving Sir Iohn de Meaux Knight her son and heir then xl years of age Which Sir Iohn sold the same before the 38 of E. 3. to Nich. Fililode and Will. Fililode his brother passing it by the name of the moitye of the Mannour of Shrevesie Nich. having but an estate for life and the inheritance to Will The custody of which moitye was in 6 R. 2. committed by the King to Iohn Horewode one of the Grooms of his Chamber in respect that Iohn Fililode heir to the said W. was under age which Iohn dyed seized thereof 1 H. 4. leaving Giles Fililode his Uncle his next heir who departed this life in 2 H. 6. Katherine the widow of Iohn Blike being found his sister heir To whom succeeded Ric. Blike her son and heir who had livery thereof in 4 H. 6. and to him Richard and to Ric. Humfrey But the last of the Blikes that had to do here was Iohn Blike Gentleman who sold all his interest to Iohn Oldnale in 4 E. 6. by the name of one mess. CC. acres of land xl acres of meadow C. acres of pasture x. acres of wood and lxxx acres of Heath and Furs part thereof lying in Pinley all which in 4 Eliz. the said Iohn Oldnale conveyed to Thomas and Clement Walford But besides this moytie and the other which so came to the coheirs of Philip de Gayton 't is certain that the Lucies of Cherlecote had a Mannour here for in 16 E. 3. the Lady Eliz. the widow of Sir Will. de Lucy Knight had a grant thereof together with the Mannour of Cherlecote made by Sir Will. de Lucy Knight son to the said Sir Will. to hold during her life in consideration whereof she released her interest in other lands which she had right to have held And it is plain by sundry Records that the posterity of the said Sir Will. Lucy possest it till H. 7. time but how much longer I find not Beausale THis is also in the parish of Hatton and by the Conquerors Survey certified to contain half a hide being at that time possest by Odo Bishop of Baieur the Kings half brother but then held of him by one Wadardus and under him by Geroldus the woods containing two furlongs and the whole valued at xx s. In that Record it is written Beoshelle But very shortly after this it came to the hands of Hugo fil Ricardi also Lord of Hatton as hath been shewed and so by Margerie his grandchild and heir to Osbert de Clinton which Osbert had issue Osbert and he Thomas by whom the inheritance thereof was given together with Hatton to Iames de Clinton his younger son Whether this grant to Iames proved invalid or that he quitted his title therein to Iohn his elder brother's son I know not but certain it is that the said I. pass'd it with Hatton unto W. de Beauchamp E. of Warw. and his heirs And for the better strengthening of their title did Maud Countess of Warwick after the death of the said Earl her husband purchase from Sir Hamon le Strange Knight all his right therein which Hamon had a grant thereof from Sâ—r Thomas de Clinton above specified but I suppose it to have been only as a trust for it continued with Hatton to the succeeding Earls of Warwick as by several instances I could manifest Within the precincts of this Lordship there was antiently a Chapell dedicated to S. Iohn the Evang and endowed with Glebe and Tithes by Margerie de Clinton wife to Osbert de Clinton above specified as is exactly exprest in a special grant made by her thereto and confirmed by Ioh. de Abetoth her 2 husband Amongst the particulars whereof are mentioned the Tithe of the Foul caught in the Park and of the Fishes in the Pool there as also of the Venison viz a shoulder of each with the Tithe of the paunage and pasturage in the same for six beasts seven Hogs one Sow a Mare and Cole with two loads of wood at Christmasse yearly All which were antiently given and united to the Collegiate Church of our Lady in Warwick as it seems after the Mannour of Beausale was so possest by the Earls of Warwick as abovesaid For at the death of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick who dyed towards the later end of E. 3. time and in R. 2. time did the Canons of that Church enjoy them But this is now included within Wedgnok Park and was of later time called by the name of Cuckow-Church whereof in my discourse of Wedgnock I have alreade spoke Haseley NExt unto Hafton on the other side of that rivulet which cometh fromwards .... standeth Haseley which in the Conquerors time was possest by Hasculf Musard but of him held by Hunfridus progenitor to the Family of Hastang as in Lemington-Hastang appeareth and then certified to contain 3. hides and half a virgate of land there being a Church as also a Mill rated at iiii s. and the woods belonging thereto extending to a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth all valued at xxx s. having been the Freehold of Azur before the Norman Invasion But it continued not long in the Family of Hastang for Aytrope Hastang granchild to the before specified Hunfredus in consideration of lxxx marks of silver sold it to Will Turpin a gentleman of the Kings Bedchamber reserving from the said W. and his heirs to him the said Aytrop and his heirs the like service as was due by him to his Lord for the same viz. the half and the tenth part of a K t s Fee By which grant the said Aitrop also covenanted that every of the heirs to the said W. Turpin should be quit of their Relief for one Besantine From this W. Turpin was it soon after conveyed to Rog. the son of Thurstane de Cherlecote and his heirs By which grant it appeareth that the Knights service due in respect thereof was as much as belong'd to two hides whereof five made the service of one Knights Fee And for the better confirmation thereof did Osbert Turpin brother to the same Will levy a Fine unto Thomas de Cherlecote son to the above mentioned Roger in 7 H. 3. Of which branch of Cherlecote's Family residing here at Haseley and assuming it for their sirname as I shall shew anon I must not omit to mention what I have met with in an historicall way the descent being placed in Cherlecote In 12. H. 3. the King remitted to Thomas de Cherlecote the Scutage then due from him viz. for half a Knights Fee and a fourth part where he is called Thomas de Cherlecote Vadletus Magistri Stephani de Lucy which shewes he was Lucie's servant though in what capacity is hard to say And in 20 H. 3. accepted of 5 marks instead of xx which were due from him unto the Exchequer for
heir to Geffrey de Langley bearing date at Milcote 5 Nov. 22. R 2. which VVill Grevill being so possest thereof entailed it in 3 H. 4. on the issue male of his body by Ioan his wife and for want of such issue upon his other Sons and the issue male of their bodies successively scil Iohn Lodowick and Wil. with remainder to his right heirs Will. Grevill de Campden obiit 2 H. 4. Johanna soror Philippi Thornbury militis obiit 37 H. 6. Ludovicus Grevill 3. H. 4. Margareta filia haeres Egidii Arden de Draiton mil. Will. Grevill fil haeres obiit 39 H. 6. .... Grevill Cath. soror cohaeres Rob Pointz Ioh. Grevill de Milcote 14 H. 7. Iohanna Edw. Grevill miles obiit 20. H. 8. .... filia Thomae Denton Ioh. Grevill miles obiit 2 E. 6. Edw. Grevill miles obiit 2 Eliz. Margareta filia una haered Wil. Willington ar Ludovicus Grevill ar morte multatus apud Warwick Thomasina filia Will. Petre mil. Edw. Grevill miles Iohanna filia Thomae Bromley milâ— summi Angliae Cancellarii Ioh. Grevill obiit s. proleâ— Iocosa ux Edw. Whitacre Marga. ux Ed. Pennel Maria ux Arth. Ingram eq aur Kath. ux ... Ingram Iana Elix Constancia ob s. p. Fulco Grevill miles à quo Dominus Brooke .... uxor Edm. Tame militis Joh. Grevill de Campden 3 H. 4. Walterus Cokesey Iocosa relicta Beauchamp Joh. Grevill de Charlton râ—gis in com Glouc. miles obiit 20 E. 4. Iohanna relicta 20 E. 4. Tho. Grevill alias Cokesey miles defunctus s. piole 14 H. 7. Anna. Margareta Hugo Cokesey Of this name viz. Greyvill or Greynvill for both ways it is written there was of an elder date in this County as in Burmington I have shewed but whether that they of Campden were of the same line I cannot say and therefore of what family this Will. Grevill was I am yet to learn as also what is memorable of him other than his death which hapned in 2 H. 4. at Campden above specified in the Parish Church whereof he lyeth buried leaving Ioane his wife Sister of Sir Philip Thornbury Kt. surviving who lived a long time after and Iohn his son and heir but by a former wife as may seem by the Entail before mentioned which Iohn resided also at Campden and being Shiriff of Gloucestershire and the Marches of Wales in 6 H. 4 bore for his Arms Or upon a Cross engrailed within the like border sable x annulets of the first with a mullet of 5. points in the dexter quarter This Iohn wedded Ioyce Sister to Hugh but daughter of VValt Cokesey by reason whereof Thomas her grandchild became heir to Cokesey's lands as I shall shew by and by But Iohn the son and heir to the same Iohn and Ioyce dwelt at Cherleton-Regis in com Glouc. and by the death of Ioane his grandfathers second wife hapning in 28 H. 6. came to possess this Mannour of Milcote which she held during life where making then his residence he became first a Justice of Peace in this Shire from the last year of K. H. 6. reign then scil in 1. E. 4. Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire In 5 E. 4. he was Knighted In 13 E. 4. he again bore the Office of Shirâ—ff for these Shires in which year he had livery of the lands descended to him by the death of his mother and in 17 E. 4. being then Shiriff the third time bore the â—ame coâ—e that his father did excepting the Annulets upon the Cross as by his Picture together with his wife both kneeling in their surcotes of Armes in the East Window of the Parish Church at Binton in this County appeareth but departed this life 6 Aug. 20 E. 4. and was buried in the Church of Weston super Avon as may seem by the direction of his Testament leaving Thomas his son and heir and two daughters viz. Anne and Margaret which Thomas in respect of the inheritance he enjoyed by descent from his grandmother assumed the sirname of Cokesey and having forthwith livery of his said fathers lands being then 26 years of age residing here at Milcote was the same 20 E. 4. constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire and at the Coronation of K. H. 7. one of the Knights of the Bath then created concerning which Order I shall here take leave to make a short digression That the making of Knights by this solemn manner of Bathing and other sacred Ceremonies notwithstanding the originall thereof cannot now be discerned is of no less antiquity than the times of our ancestors the Saxons is not I think to be doubted for though in that mention made by Will. Malmesb. of K. Alfred making his grandson Athelstan a Knight he instances no more than the purple Robe with the Sword and rich Belt yet 't is apparent that when Geffrey of Anjon in order to his marriage with Maud the Empress onely daughter to our King H. 1. was made Knight at Roan by the same K. Henry on Whitsunday an 1227. 27 H. 1. it is said by Iohn the Monk of Marmonstier that he with xxv Esquires then attending him were Bathed according to antient Custom Illucescente die altera Balneorum usus uti Tyrocinii suscipiendi consuetudo expostulat paratus est saith he And concerning Robes and other ornaments goeth thus on Comperto Rex à Cubiculariis quod Andegavensis qui cum eo venerant ascendissent de Lavacro jussit eos ad se vocari Post corporis ablutionem ascendens Comitis Andegavorum generosa proles Gaufredus bysso retorta ad carnem induitur Cyclade auro texta supervestitur Chlamide conchylii muricis sanguine tincta tegitur caligis holosericis calceatur pedes ejus sotularibus in superficie Leunculos aureos habentibus muniuntur Ejus verò consodales qui cum eo militiae suscipiendae munus expectabant universo bysso purpura innovantur And moreover Talibus itaque ut praetaxatum est ornamentis decoratus c. adducti sunt Equi allata sunt Arma distribuuntur singulis prout opus erat There being put upon him harness of double Mail and gilt Spurs a Shield of the Lions of Anjou hung on his neck a rich Helm on his head and an armed Spear put into his hand and lastly a Sword out of the King's store ab antiquo saith he ibidem signatus in quo fabricando Fabrorum superlativus Galannus multa operâ studio desudavit And that thus armed he mounted a Spanish Horse which was also first given him by the King the Feast that belong'd to his reception of this dignitie called Festum Tyrocinii being honoured with Tourneaments and Masques which lasted no less than seaven days Of which Courtly Ceremonies most plain it is that the use hath continued ever since even through all ages till towards
of age who being an ambitious spirited man procured License from Q. Eliz. in 9 of her reign to make a Castle here at Milcote and to call it Mount-Grevill which accordingly he began to do on the top of the Hill above a quarter of a mile Southwards from the old Mannour house as is to be seen by part of the fabrick yet standing and therefore the better to support his greatness though he had very fair possessions in this and other Counties he eagerly coveted the estate of one ..... Web a wealthy Batcheler who had been his servant and then was Tenant to him at his Mannour of Draiton in Oxfordshire for obtaining whereof he plotted the murther of him and forged a Will to entitle himself thereto as from credible tradition I have heard To accomplish which execrable design he invited him to his House at a Christmass or Easter season there to make merry then residing at Seasoncote in Gloucestershire and having so train'd him thither hired two of his servants to strangle him in his bed which being accordingly effected he caused it to be given out in the House that the old man was fallen very sick and not like to live whereupon the Parson was sent for to write his Will and one of the Murtherers convey'd into the bed with the dead man about whom the curtains were close drawn and he dolefully groaning as not like to continue long so that being in this seeming weak condition as not able to give directions how the Will should be made all spoken by him with a counterfeit voice too was by way of answer to questions viz. how and to whom his estate should be disposed which in short was to his Master meaning Lodowik Grevill excepting a Legacy to an Atturny in Banbury whose mouth thereby being stopt no one else as he thought would expect any thing or at least not go about to question the Will which being accordingly effected and the company desired to depart the room that the sick man might repose himself a little the News of his death was soon after spread in the House whereupon people were called up who finding him dead in the bed took order for his buriall And now that all this Pageant was over Master Grevill thought himself secure enough of his large Legacy But to the end we may see how divine vengeance ceases not to prosecute such bloody actions though carryed on with never so much clâ—â—eness and subtilty the discovery of this wicked murther was ere long thus brought to light One of the Assasinates being in his Cups at Stratford dropt â—ut some words amongst his pot-companions that it lay in his power to hang his Master which expression being by one that heard hereof related to the other Murtherer he presently acquainted Master Grevill therewith who thereupon resolving to prevent the danger of any such further babling advised that he should be closely made away and for effecting thereof within a short space following sent them both out in the night season upon some pretended business by which means the other took his advantâ—ge to dispatch him and cast his body into a pit of water which afterwards floating was discovered by passengers and upon enquiry when and wâ—tâ— whom he had been last seen the villain was brought in queâ—tion who forthwith confest the whole business thereby detecting his Mr. throughout for which they both had their tryals at Warwick where Mr. Grevill to prevent the loss of his lands stood mute and so having Judgement to be prest suffâ—red death accordingly To whom succeeded Edward his son and heir in the inheritance of this Lordship and other lands of great worth Of which Edward I have heard that in his younger years inadvertently shooting an Arrow upright out of a long Bow it fell upon his elder Brother's head and kill'd him and that their Father was so little sensible of this sad mishap that he made a jest of it telling him that it was the best shoot he ever shot in his life but whether it was the judgement of God to put a period to the line of Lodowik before mentioned for that horrid murther of Web and one of his servants or for what else I may not take upon me to judge certain it is that the whole estate came in short time after to be strangely wasted for so great were Sir Edw. Grevil 's debts and leaving issue onely Daughters that his lands were exposed to sale by Sir Arthur Ingram a Yorkeshire Kt. Husband to Mary the fifth of them and this Mannour then purchased by Lionell Earl of Midlesex whose son and heir now enjoys it Dorsington-parva THis though it be in the Parish of Welford in com Glouc. is in Warwickshire and in the Conquerors time was possest by the same Stefanus who then had Milcote being certified to contain 1 hide which one Ordriâ— held before the Norman invasion With Milcote also it came to Geffrey Martell and so likewise to Hauvill and Langley as the Records I have there vouch't will manifest but after the 4th of E. 3. I have not found any farther mention at all of it in Record till 9 H. 8 that Maud Rous Widow was certified to have converted C C. acres of land lying in this place from tillage to pasture in 17 H. 7. and decaying three Ploughs being then possest of the Capitall messuage From which Maud did descend Sir Iohn Brome of Ragley Kt. as in Ragley appeareth who in 3 E. 6. possest it Binton THis being situate on the brow of an Hill about half a mile distant from the River Avon was one of the towns which S. Egwyn gave to the Abby of Evesham upon the foundation thereof in the year 709. but in the time of K. Ed. the martyr wrested from it with other great possessions by Alfâ—rus a potent Ruler in these parts who expelled the Monks and placed Canons there disposing of this place to certain of his Knights so that upon the Conquest by D. William it was given to some of his Normans for it appears by the generall Surveyâ— soon after made where it is written Banintone that Will. fil Corbucion of whom in Studley I shall speak held two hides here and had 4 quaâ—â—ers of Coin and 8 sticks of Ecles out of his part in the Mill and 3 quarters of Salt from Wiche as appurtenant to his part of the Mannour all which being valued at xxx s. were the freehold of one Edricus before the Norman invasion The residue of this town was then possest by Gerinus Urso de Abitot and Osbernus filius Ricardi that which Urso held extending to two hides with a Mill rated at iâ— s. was valued at xl s. having been the freehold of Ernvi in Edw. the Confessors days but the certain preportion which belong'd to Osbernus cannot be discovered forasmuch as it is certified and valued in gross together with what he had in Hilborough all which one
Lodric was owner of in the Saxons time But the next mention I find thereof is in 1 Ioh. a Fine being then levied betwixt Alex. de hereford and Henry de Beniton of lands here which Henry as a witness to a deed of lands in Grafton is written Henricus de Buvintona so that doubtless the first n in the name of this place is mistaken and that it should be an u for in z 20. H. 3. it is likewise written Buvintone at which time Henry de Buvintone held 2 parts of a Kts. fee here of the Earl of Warwick and Nich. de Buvinton a fourth part So also in 36 H. 3. where Raph de Buvintone then held the 5 th part of a Kts. fee here of Will. de Cantilupe unto whom Corbicon's fees were granted as in Stodley shall be shewed Of this family was one Henry de Buvintone the last heir male to whom succeeded Alice his Daughter and heir wife of Elias de Wonecote which Elias wrote himself Lord of this place in 21 E. 1. so also in 9 E. 2. and had issue Will. de Wonecote owner thereof in 19 E. 2. which Will. about the later end of E. 2. time being one of the Coroners in this County was in 1 E. 3. found insufficient to bear that Office and removed and in 20 E. 3. certified to hold a Kts. fee in this place of the Lord Stafford But from this Will having not seen any private evidence I cannot exhibite a perfect succession nor shew directly when Elias de Wonecote before mentioned brancht from the house of Wilmecote near Stratford super Avon howbeit that he so did I am confident enoughâ— in regard that upon the death without issue of Eliz. Daughter and heir to Iohn de Wynecote which hapned in 24 E. 3. Will. de Buvynton is found to be her Cosin and next heir and at that time lx years of age Of this line was Tho. de Wyncote a Commissioner with others for collecting a Subsidy in this County in 2 R. 2. as also Walt. Wynkote who by the name of Walt. Winkote of Benington Gent. was in 10 H. 6. certified to hold 8. mess. 12. yard land here by the service of half a Kts. fee. To whom succeeded Ric. Wencote L. of this Mannour in 11 E. 4. But the last of them that had to do here was Tho. Wyncote who in 23. H. 8. sold this Mannour with the advouson of the Church to Sir George Throkmorton Kt. by whom it became disposed of to Nich. Throkmorton his second son which Nich. by the name of Sir Nich. Throkmorton Kt. past it to Will. Walter Esq. in 1 2 Ph. M. This Will. Walter being of q Wimbleton in com Sur. dyed seized thereof 10 Sept. 29 Eliz. leaving Will. his son and heir 40 years of age from whom descended Sir Will. Walter Kt. who had issue Iames that dyed young and two daughters viz. Eliz. marryed to Sir Iohn Sackvile of ..... in com Cantii kt Catherine to Knighton Ferrers Esq. son and heir to Sir Iohn Ferrers of Punsburne in com Hertf. Kt. whose marriage being without her Fathers consent occasioned him to settle this Mannour with the rest of his lands in Warwickshire upon his Sister Catherine and her heirs who had issue by the said Mr. Ferrers one onely daughter marryed to .... Fanshaw son and heir to Sir Thomas Fanshaw of Ware-Park in com Hertf. Kt. of the Bathe she her self taking to her second husband Sir Sim. Fanshaw Kt. Brother to the said Sir Thomas Besides the Mannour already spoke of there were certain lands lying in Binton which antiently belong'd to the Abby of Bordsley and w ch in an 1291. 19 E. 1. were certified to be one Carucate with two Dovehouses but by whom give to that Monastery I know not howbeit these by the name of the Mannour or Grange called Binton-grange in 35 H. 8. were granted out of the Crown inter alia to Francis Sheldon Gent. and his heirs who the same year past them away to Sir George Throkmorton above specified by which means they were sold with the Mannour and advouson abovesaid to Will. Walter and are now come to Mr. Fanshaw therewith But that which here belong'd to Osbernus fil Ricardi in the Conquerors time was afterwards possest by the family of Hubaud who had lands in Hilborow close by for in 6 E. 2. after the death of Iohn de Hastings it appears that Iohn Hubaud held half a Kts. fee of him here and in Hilborow the like being evident in 49 E. 3. after the death of Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke The Church in an 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xiii marks and in 26 H. 8. at viii l. over and above x s. v d. ob for Procurations and Synodals Billesley ABout a mile further Northward lyes Billesley which being part of the lands that Hugh de Grentemaisnill had in this County by the Conquerors gift was at that time held of him by one Osbernus and in the generall Survey then taken where it is certified to contain 5. hides which were valued at C s. written Billeslei There was then a Church and divers Inhabitants as by that Record also appeareth and likewise a House in Warwick belonging to this Mannour all which before the Norman invasion were possest by one Baldwinus but at this day there is no more left than the Mannour house and scarce half the Church that antiently stood there all the town with the rest of the Church having been long ago devoured by depopulation whereof our Countryman Rous who lived about 200 years since makes no small complaint To the posterity of Grentemaisnill it continued not for such was the alteration made upon the advancemâ—nt of Henry de Newburgh to the Earldom of Warwick towards the later end of the Conquerors reign that as the greatest part of those possessions which the E. of Mellent his Brother had in this County were conferred upon him so also had he a share of these that Hugh de Grentemaisnill then enjoyed of which this place was part as is evident by that Certificate made in 11. H. 2 where Will. Earl of Warwick expresseth that Osbert Trussell then held it of him by the service of one Kts. fee and that it was de Veteri Feoffamento id est whereof the ancestor of the said Osbert had been enfeoft temp H. 1. and so consequently by the said Earl Henry By which also I gather that the same Osbernus was he to whom it had been granted and in all probablity grandfather to the said Osbert sirnamed Trussell who held it in 11 H. 2. as is above exprest From this Osbert is it that the severall families of Trussell viz. of Cublesdon and Acton-Trussell in Staffordshire of Flore and Gayton in Northamptonshire of Aylmesthorpe in Leicestershire and of this and other places in
Fee in this place before mentioned of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and departed this life in 10 E. 2. leaving William his son and heir which William had divers notable imployments in this County for a great part of Edward 3. raign In 19. he was one of the Commissioners appointed about the arraying of Archers for the French Wars In 20 22 23 and 26 E. 3. for levying and collecting the Fifteenths and Tenths then granted to the King in the Parliaments of those years In 29 31 and 33. E. 3. for conservation of the Peace and taking care that the Statute of Labourers should be duly put in execution and bore for his Armes Sable a Cheveron Argent betwixt 3. Cressants Or. Which William left issue Guy de la Spine who being a Knight in 11 R. 2. served as one of the Kts for this Shire in these severall Parliaments of that King's time viz. in that of 11. R. 2. held at Westminstet in 12. at Cambridge in 14. and 15. at Westminster In which 15. year he was constituted one of the Commissioners in this County for arraying of men in 21. Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire being at that time of the Earl of Warwick's retinue and in 22 R. 2. Receiver generall unto Thomas Holland D. of Surrey who then had the Earldom of Warwick in his hands as I have elsewhere shewed In 1 H. 4. upon that great change notwithstanding the relation that he had to the Duke of Surry he was made Eschaetor for Warwick and Leicestershires So also the same year and in 4 H. 4. a Commissioner for arraying of men in this County and left issue two daughters his heirs viz. Alice wedded unto William Tracy of Todington in Gloucestershire Esquire and Alianore to Iohn the son of Thomas Throkmorton Esquire by which marriage this Lordship of Coughton coming to the line of Throkmorton hath continued therein to this day Will. de Cocton Ranulphus de Cocton 12. H. 2. Simon de Cocton 1. Ioh. Sibilla Sim. de Cocton miles 5. H. 3. Constantia filia Will. de Parco Cecilia ux Ioh. de la Mare Iohanna 8. E. 1. Will. de Spineto 8. E. 1. Rog. de Spineto 17. E. 1. Will. de Spineto 21. E. 1. Nich. de Spineto 23. E. 3. Will. de Spineto 11. E. 2. Guido de la Spine miles 11. R. 2. Alicia una filiarum cohaer ux Will. Tracy Ioh. Tracy 27. H. 6. Alianora altera filiarum cohaer Ioh. fil Thomae Throkmorton obiit 23. H. 6. Ioh. Throkmorton duxit Isab. fil haeredâ— Edw. Brugges ar 16. H. 6. Thomas Throkmorton ar obiit 12. E. 4. Eliz. Abbatissa de Denny 10. H. 8. Willielmus utriusque juris Doctor 10. H. 8. Ric. 10. H. 8. Rob. Throkmorton mil. obiit in Itin. Hierosol 11. H. 8. Cath. filia Will. Marrow Aldermanni Civ Lond. Geoâ—gius Throkmorton miles obiit 1. M. Cath. filia Nich. Baronis Vaulx Rob. Throkmorton miles duxit Murielam fil Tho. Bar. Berkley Thomas Throkmorton plenae aet 23. Eliz. Margar. fil haeres Will. Whorwood Attorn gen Regi H. 8. Ioh. Throkmorton obiit vivo patre Agnes filia Thomae Wilford de ...... in Com. Essex iae ar Dorothea filia Franc. Fortescu eq aur ux 1. Rob. Throkmorton Bar. obiit anno 1650. Maria filia Franc. Smith de Wotton-wawen eq aur ux 2. Clemens Throkmorton de Haseley Kenelmus Anthonius Nich. Throkmorton miles Arth. Throkmorton de Paulers Pery in Com. Northampt miles Ioh. Throkmorton Iustic Cestr. Franciscus Throkmorton attinctus temp Reginae Eliz. Michael Throkmorton servus Reginaldo Poole Cardinali obiit 1. Nov. 5. 6. Ph. Mariae sepultus Mantuae Franciscus Touching the antiquity of this family whose originall Seat was at Throkmorton in the Parish of Fladbury Com. Wigorn. of which place they first assumed their sirname much might be said were it proper for this discourse but foras much as I am by my proposed method to speak historically only of such as having been Lords of any particular Mannour in this County had for the most part or sometimes at least there seats here I must in order thereto begin with the before mentioned Iohn son of Thomas from whom I have deduced this descent whereunto are also added the lines of Cocton and Spine of whose families I have already spoke That the relation which Thomas Throkmorton had unto the Earles of Warwick was not only the introduction of Iohn his son to their service whereof I shall speak by and by but a principall help to his obtaining the daughter and coheir of Spine in marriage is not improbable For of him I find that having been of the retinue to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in 20 R. 2. as also Eschaetor for the County of Worcester in 3 H. 4. in those dayes an Office of great account and trust he was Constable of Elmeley Castle in 6 H. 4. And of Iohn concerning whom I am now about to speak that he was imployed in the service of Earl Richard his son at Caen in Normandy in 5 H. 5. and being brought up to the study of the Lawes was afterwards of his Counsell In 4 H. 6. this Iohn was a Comissioner with sundry other persons of eminency for proposing a Loan of money from the Ks. subjects in this Shire and in 9 H. 6. one of the generall Atturnies constituted by the said Earl for managing all his affaires during his abode beyond Sea being the same year retained of his Counsail for life and an annuity of xx marks per an granted to him for that service In 12 H. 6. he was constituted a Commissioner for conservation of the peace in this County and in 17 H. 6. one of the Executors to the before specified Earl upon whose death which hapned the same year he was joined in authority with Richard Duke of Yorke Richard Earl of Salisbury and sundry other persons of quality for the custody of all the Castles Lordships c. belonging to the said Earl during the minority of Henry his son and heir In 17 H. 7. I find him again in Commission for the peace in this County And having been one of the Chamberlains of the Exchequer to the said K. H. 6. for which respect he had the title of Under Treasurer of England by his Testament bearing date at London 12. Apr. 23 H. 6. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Parish Church of S. Iohn Baptist at Fladbury before mentioned appointing that his Executors should provide a marble stone of such largenesse that it might as well cover the graves of his father and mother as his own with his wife 's in case she should determine to
Peter Fitz-Herbert and his successors This Peter after he had so obtained the eschaeted moytie as abovesaid grew exasperated for that large Scutage exacted by the King for maintenance of his Army in Poictou 16 Ioh. for which the Barons broke out into Rebellion and therein continued during the life of that King by reason whereof his lands here in Alencester were seized â— and committed to the custody of Will. de Camvill but in 1 H. 3. returning to obedience he had restitution of them again It seems that King H. 3. requiring the arrears of that Scutage in the fift of his reign this Peter was questioned for six marks due thereupon but had his discharge for for the same in regard he produced testimony that he had maintained Souldiers at his own costs in the said Army at that time In which year he had also the Kings Letters mandatory to his Tenants requiring their contribution to himâ— according to the rate of x s. for every Knights Fee towards the defraying of that charge he was at in attendance upon the King at the siege of Bitham Castle In 13 H. 3. he had Letters of protection for a journey beyond Sea wherein he was also to attend the King This Peter confirm'd to the Monks of Alcester whatsoever lands they were possest of in this place granting unto them freedome of paunage for their Hoggs in his Woods here with timber out of the same woods for their necessary occasions and Common of pasture for their Cattell and left issue Herbert commonly called Herbertus fil Petri who in 25 H. 3. came to a composition with Emma the widow of the before specified H. Falconer there called Hamo de Brome for her thirds in this moytie which Herbert shortly after past away all his right in the said moytie to Robert de Chaundoys who held it in 33 H. 3. Howbeit this was not the inheritance as it seemes for that did Walt. the son of Will. de Beauchamp purchase of Reginald son to the same Peter Fitz-Herbert in 56 H. 3. whereupon was reserved the forrein service of half a Knights Fee After which time the posterity of the said Walter enjoy'd it for very many ages having a goodly Mannour-house here whereat frequently making their residence they had sundry eminent imployments relating to this County for which respect purposing to speak historically of them I have inserted the ensuing Genealogie This Walter was brother to William de Beauchamp the first Earl of Warwick of that Family and being signed with the Crosse for a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 53 H. 3. had a Legacy of CC. marks bequeathed to him by his Father towards his better performance of that Holy Voyage In 21 E. 1. he obtained a Charter bearing date at Canterbury 14. Iulii for an yearly Faire to be held at this his Mannour of Alcester for eight days viz. on the Even of S. Giles and seven days following In 26. of the same Kings raign he had Summons amongst other great men to appear at Karleol upon the Even of Pentecost well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots and was the same year with the King in that eminent battail of Fawkirk In 28 E. 1. he had Freewarren granted to him in all his demesn lands here at Alcester as also at Powyk and severall other places in Worcestershire at which time he was Steward of the King's Houshold In that memorable Certificate sent unto the Pope by all the Peers of England sitting in the Parliament at Lincoln 12. Febr. 29 E. 1. whereby they asserted King Edward's superiority over the Realm of Scotland the name of this Walter is there subscribed with the addition of Dominus de Alcester whence I guess that he then resided here It seems that the time for the Faire here so obtained as aforesaid was found inconvenient for in 30 E. 1. in exchange thereof the King granted another Charter to him for to translate the same unto the Even of S. Faith the Virgin and to continue seven days following In 31 E. 1. he attended the King again into Scotland as appears by his being in person at that notable siege of Kaerlaverok But of this Sir Walter for he was a Knight I find no farther mention worthy the taking notice of other than that he wedded Alice the daughter of ...... Tony she being allied to him in the fourth degree of consanguâ—nity which marriage was long after ratified and the Children begot betwixt them decreed legitimate by Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester as having authority from the Pope in asmuch as they knew not of the impediments at the time of that contract made And that about the 31. of E. 1. he departed this Will. de Bellocampo 53 H. 3. Isabella soror haeres Will. Mauduit Comitis Warwici Will. de Bellocampo Comes Warwici jure materno Walt. de Bellocampo 53 H. 3. Alicia filia .... Tony. Egid. de Bello-campo 3 E. 3. Katherina Iohanna filia â—oh de Cherleton jun. 25 E. 3 Ioh. de Beauchamp 25 E. 3. Elizabetha 7 H. 4. Will. Beauchamp de Powyke 9 H. 5. Cath. una filiarum cohaer Gerardi Ufflete 9 H. 5. Eliz. ux Thomae Swinford 6 H. 5. Ioh. Beauchamp miles Thesaur Angl. 28 H. 6. Margareta soror Ricardi Ferrers ar condidit Testam 3 H. 7. Ric. Beauchamp 25 H. 6. Eliz. filia Humfr. Stafford mil 25 H. â— Eliz. una filiarum cohaer Rob. Willough by dominus Brook Edw. Willoughby obiit vivo patre Eliz. una consangu cohaer Roberti Willoughby domini Brooke Fulco Grevill miles filius secundus Edw. Grevill mil. Fulco Grevill miles obiit an 1606. Anna filia Rad. Nevill Comitis Westmerl Fulco Grevill miles dominus Brook obiit coelebs anno 1628. Margareta ux Ricardi Verney militis Robertus Grevill Blanchia filia .... Whitney Fulc Grevill obiit ... Augusti 1632. Maria filia Christophori Copley de Sprodborough in Com. Ebor. Robertus Grevill dominus Brook Cath. filia Francisci Russell Comitis Bedfordiae Anna obiit ante nuptias Blanchia ux Francisci D'autrâ—y mil. ob s. pâ—ole Anna uxor Ric. Ligon Margar. uxor Will. Rede Walt. Beauchamp Chivalier 3 H. 5. Ã quo Beauchamp Baro S. Amand. Will. de Bellocampo haeres Walt. Walt. de Bello-campo obiit 2 E. 3. Hawifia 13 E. 2. life leaving the said Alice a widow and three sons viz. Walter William and Giles Which second Walter in 10 E. 2. upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick his kinsman had the custody of the lands belonging to Warwick Castle together with the said Castle during the minority of his heir committed to him and the same year was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire In 13 E. 2. he obtained a Charter for another Faire
did became Tenant thereof to the said Hugh as an antient Register belonging to the Bishops of Worcester sheweth wherein it is written Lappewrte and said to be de Soca Episcopi being held of the Bishops Mannour of Old-Stratford From hence till K. H. 3. time having no light from Record to guide me I must by what appears afterwards onely guess at the most probable course of its succession which I conceive was thus viz. that with the rest of Grentemasnill's lands it came by the daughter and heir of that Family to Rob. sirnamed Blanchmains Earl of Leicester in H. 2. time unto whom 't is manifest that she was wedded and that the ancestour of Henry Pipard who lived in H. 3. time obtained it by Feoffment from that Earl or the said Henry himself from some of his descendants for certâ—in it is that those Earls of Leicester were superior Lords hereof and that this Henry was possest of it I have testimony enough But the first particular mention relating to him that I haue met with which hath any date is in 20 H. 3. where it appears that there was a Fine levied betwixt him and Nichola his wife on the one part and Iohn Comin Geffrey Corbizon and Iulian his wife on the other of two yard land here And there is no doubt but that this was his seat for in sundry Deeds which I have seen he is not onely stiled Capitalis Dominus Feodi de Lapworth but it is evident that there was a Mannour house here in those times It should seem that he was a man of the superior rank for in â—5 H. 3. I find him in Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick and likewise one of the Justices of Assize so also in 26. and 31. H. 3. In 34 H. 3. he bore the office of Eschaetor in this County In 36 H. 3. he was again one of the Iustices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick and left issue two daughters his heirs viz. Dionysia the wife of Sir Rob. de Harecurt Kt. and Cecilie married to Sir Thomas de Bishopsden Kt. upon partition made betwixt which coheirs this Lordship fell to Dionysia as it seems for I find that in 49 H. 3. it was in the hands of Sim. de Mountfort Earl of Leicester in respect of the minoritie of Will. de Harecurt son and heir to the said Robert which Will. about the beginning of E. 1. time granted unto Henry de Braunteston and his heirs a certain part of his Court and Capitall mansion here viz. that lying towards the West from the great gate by the Wall which then extended to an Oak standing before the dore of the old Grange with the advouson of the Church and the homage and service of sundry Freeholders To which Dâ—ed is his Seal of Arms affixed scil Or two bars gules And after this did the said Will. grant or rather confirm unto Sâ—r. Will. de Bishopsden his nephew viz. son and heir of Sir Thomas de Bishopsden certain lands lying here which Henry Pipard before specâ—fied had formerly given to Sim. Bagot of Preston together with the advouson of the Church and divers other lands lying also here in Lapworth which the said Sir Will. de Bishopsden and Sir Thomas de Bishopsden Father of the said Will. had obtained from sundry other persons for which grant he reserved to himself and his heirs the Rent of one barb'd Arrow to be payd yearly at the Feast of Pentecost for all services D. Hugo de Brandeston miles obiit 27 E. 1. Henricus de Brandestone 11 E. 2. Petronilla 11 E. 2. Hugo de Brandeston defunctus 36 E â— Sibilla Nich. Dur vassall 1 maritus Ronsia una filiarum cohaer Ric. de Miteforti nothus 47 E. 3. D. Petrus de Monteforti dominus de Bellodeserto Will. Montfort fil haeres 14 R. 2. Agnes Margareta filia haeres Ioh. Catesby de Ashby-Legers in com Northamp Will. Catesby miles Philippa filia una haered Will. Bishopsden mil. Elena uxor Ricardi Merebroke Thomas Montfort Agnes uxor Philippi de Ailesbury postea Joh. Bukmore Rog. Ailesbury de Lapworth Beatrix monialis apud Wroxhale Leticia Magister Henricus de Brandestone 7 E. 1. Of Henry de Brandeston above mentioned I find that he was a Priest or professor in some learning for he hath the addition of Magister and that he granted this Mannour to Hugh de Brandeston his brother and Margaret his wife and to the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten which Hugh being a Knight in 13 E. 1. had in 21. E. 1. a Charter of Freewarren granted to him in all his demesn lands here from 23 till 27 E. 1. was every year one of the Commissioners for the Gaol delivery at Warwick But after the death of Edmund Earl of Lancaster in 25 E. 1. it was certified that the said Sir Hugh held this Mannour of him by the service of half a Kts. fee doing homage and suit to the Court held for the same Honour of Leicester every three weeks and that all his Tenants did use to repair to the Court Leet belonging to that Honour And upon his death which hapned in 27 E. 1. it appears that the extent of what he had here in Lapworth over and above the Mannour was 3 Carucates of land every Carucate containing 3. Virgates and every Virgate xvi acres Henry his son and heir being then 16 years of age Which Henry in 11 E. 2. acquired from Hugh de Lodbroke Parson of Blaby in Leicestersh the inheritance of another Mannour here whereof Latice daughter to him the said Henry had an estate for life by grant from the said Parson But after this it was not long ere that the same Henry past away one of these Mannours to Sir Iohn de Bishopsden Kt. as appeaâ—s by his deed and a speciall Mandate directed to all his Freeholders and Customary Tenants here in Lapworth for to attourn unto him which I conceive to be that called Bushwood Hall for at Bushwood there written Bispwode doth the same bear date in 14 E. 2. To which Henry succeeded Hugh his son and heir whom I find frequently stiled Dominus de Lapworth having in 11 E. 3. obtained a Lease thereof from Sir Iohn de Bishopsden Kt. for xl years In 33 E. 3. being constituted one of the Commissioners of Array in this County he bore for his Armes two Bars with a bendlet over them and dyed in 36 E. 3. as it should seem for then doth it appear that Sibilla his wife was a widow leaving issue 3 daughters viz. Beatrice a Nun at Wroxhall Agnes wedded to Philip de Aylesbury and Rose to Richard de Montfort betwixt which two last mentioned daughters his inheritance here became divided in 43 E. 3. and that of Letice their Aunt in 47 E. 3. Which
the Counties of Berks. Northampton Stafford Wigorn. Linc. Oxford and Suff. were bestowed by the Conqueror on Robert de Stadford paternally descended from that great and noble Family of Tonei being son as I think to Roger de Tonei totius Normanniae Signifer as also Brother to Raph de Tonei who came into England with Duke William and fought stoutly on his behalf in the battail against King Harold in which I need not make question but that this Robert also was for my Author having mentioned the said Raph and some few others of the highest rank addeth these words aliique quamplures militaris praestantiae fama celebratissimi quorum nomina Historiarum voluminibus inter bellicosissimos commendari deceat In consideration therefore of that notable service I shall conclude that he was rewarded with such vast possessions in the severall Counties before mentioned amongst which this town of Wootton with the rest of Wagen's lands were part but making choise of Stafford for his principall seat where he had a strong Castle as is evident assumed his sirname from thence The extent of this Wootton was then certified to be 7. hides there being at that time a Church and two Mills and the woods belonging â—hereto containing two miles in length and one in breadth which with all the rest were valued at iv li. In the line of which Robert it continued till the death and attainder of Edward Duke of Buck. temp H. 8. But the story of that noble Family I reserve for another work and shall here take notice only of what I find thereof in reference to this place which is no more than that in 13 E. 1. Nich. Lord Stafford obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here And that in 2 Edw. 2. Edmund his son dying seized of this Mannour was certified to hold it together with Tisoe in this Countie and certain lands in Staffordshire of the King in Capite by Barony scil to find three armed men with Horses compleatly harnessed for service in the Warrs of Wales during the space of xl days at his own proper charges After the death of which Duke Thomas Grey Marq. Dorset obtained it inter alia from the King first for life and afterwards to himself and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas had issue Henry Marq. Dorset created Duke of Suff. by King Edw. 6. as in Astley is shewed but attainted in 1 Mariae whereupon this Mannour was granted by that Queen to Sir Iohn Grey Knight and Mary his wife and their heirs 3 Iunii 2 3. Ph. M. From whom Dame Agnes Smyth the Widow of Sir Iohn Smyth Knight one of the Barons of the Exchequer and Francis Smyth son and heir to the said Agnes purchased it 1. Maii 1 Eliz. which Francis died seized of it 3. Sept. 4 Iac. whose grandchild Sir Francis Smyth Knight having in 15 Iac. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here left issue Sir Charles Smyth Knight his son and heir now Lord Carington the present owner thereof BEsides this Mannour here in Wootton that continued so long in the line of Stafford there was another which belonged to the Family of Harewell for many descents but had not the reputation of a Mannour for ought I have seen till of later time For the originall of it grew by divers petty purchases of severall parcells of land in the times of King Edw. 1. and E. 2. made by one Richard de Stanford and Idonea his wife which Richard is stiled in most of the deeds that I have seen Magister Ric. de Stanford Clericus and left issue Iohn his son and heir who in 23 E. 3. being one of the Commissioners in this County for assessing and collecting a xv th and x th then granted to the King in Parliament and in 27 E. 3. Coroner in this Shire bore for his Armes a Fesse and upon a Canton in the dexter part of the shield a martlet as by his Seal appears and had issue Iohn as also Maud a daughter married to Roger de Harewell brother to Iohn Harewell Bishop of Bathe and Wells towards the later end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time which Maud became her brother's heir and possest all those his lands whereunto by marriages of severall heirs and otherwise her descendants made so fair an addition as that they were rankt amongst the superior gentry of this Shire therefore having something to say historically of them this being their principall Seat I have inserted the following Pedegree extracted out of the Evidences of the before specified Lord Carington Of Iohn Harewell son and heir to Roger and Maud I find that he being elected one of the Coroners in this Countie in 16 R. 2. upon his complaint to the King that the choise was not according to the tenour of the Statute of 3. E. 1. Cap. 10. which provideth that those to be chosen ought to be sage and wise Knights that might know how to undergo and that would attend the said Office a Precept was directed to the Shiriff to make a new election in his full Countie wherein the form of the said Statute should be exactly observed In 1 H. 5. he was Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 5 o one of the Councell to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick In 7 H. 5. imployed by Commission with other persons of quality to treat with the people here for a loan of money to the King and from 9 H. 5. till his death a Justice of Peace in this Shire He bore for Magr. Ric. de Stanford Clericus 15 E. 1. Idonea 23 E. 1. Ioh. Harewell Ioh. Harewell Bath Wellen. Episc. obiit 10 R. 2. Rog. Harewell de Wootton 42 E. 3. Ric. Harewell canonicus Eccl. de Wells 20 R. 2. Ioh. Harewell obiit 7 H. 6. Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 7. H. 5. Nich. Harewell ob s. prole Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 17 H. 7. Rog. Harewell de Solihull 21 H. 8. Will. Harewell de Stoorton Ric. Harewell de Shoterich ob 17 H. 6. Iohanna filia haeres ob s. p. 29 H. 6. Rog. Harewell 9 H. 6. Agnes filia cohaer Will. Clopton mil. Will. Harewell obiit 16 H. 7. Agnes filia Henrici Wogan Ioh. Harewell obiit 10 Apr. 20 H. 7. Anna filia haeres Ric. Midleton Agnes filia quinta cohaeres Ioh. Smyth Baro Scac. 25 H. 8. Franciscus Smyth ar obiit 3. Sept. 1606. Maria filia haeres Joh. Morton de Ashby-Folvile in Com. Leic. Georgius Smyth Anna filia Thomae Giffard de Chillington mil. Franciscus Smith miles Anna filia Thomae Markham de Merton in Com Nott. ar Carolus Smyth de Wotton miles erectus in Baronem Carington Eliz. filia Ioh. Carrell eq aur Thomas Harewell obiit sine prole Thomas Harewell ob sine prole 22
as good value in recompence thereof that Charter of confirmation bearing date at Wenloc 26 Maii. Of which noble person I further find that he obtained the Advouson and patronage of the Priory of Studley near this place as I have there shewed from Peter de Corbucon heir to the Founder whereunto he gave a fair portion of lands lying in Shotswell That he also built an Hospitall at the Gates of that Monastery That he bore for his Armes Gules 3 flower de lices Or as by his Seal appeareth within the compasse whereof scil towards the lower part of the Shield there is a Star with a Cressant which is a Badge as hath been observed by judicious Antiquaries of his service in the Holy warrs And that he departed this life 7 Id. Apr. 23 H. 3. being then very aged leaving issue several sons viz. William his son and heir Walter a Priest and imployed by King H. 3. as his Agent to the Court of Rome afterwards elected Bâ—shop of Worcester â— whose story I refer to Godwyn Iohn Lord of Snitfield in this Countie and Nicholas of whom I find no more than the bare mention Which Will. being a martial man as well as his father and accompanying him at raising the seige of Lincolne Castle in 1 H. 3. had in 15 H. 3. much of his father's estate past over to him for which he then did his homage to the King And in 24 H. 3. obtained a special Charter for exempting him from any suit to the County or Hundred Courts Leet Aid to the Shiriff and Hidage for all his lands in England After which viz. in 26 H. 3. he attended the King in that his French expedition which was so unprosperous and having been in 28 H. 3. sent with other of the great Nobilitie to solicite the Prelates for an Aid of money according to the Popes Letters on the King's behalf was the next ensuing year one of those that went Embassiador to the general Councell then held at Lions there to complain of the grievous exactions used here in England by the Court of Rome as well from the Clergie as Laitie and to crave remedie for the same Which William bearing a devout affection to the Canons of Studley before specified gave to the Hospital of his Father's building there lands to the value of x li. per an lying within this Lordship as also certain Rent and pasturage for Cattell in Southernkeston with the Church of Hemeston in Devonshire And having besides all this obtained a special Charter for exempting their Woods situate within the Forest of Fekenham from any view of the King's Foresters and Verderers and been Steward to the King as his Father was as also a most faithfull Councellor left issue by Milisent the daughter of Hugh de Gornay Will. his son and heir Thomas Bishop of Hereford who in 34 E. 1. was canonized for a Saint and Iulian the wife of Sir Rob. de Tregoz and departed this life in 35 H. 3. immediatly whereupon William his eldest son performing his homage and giving security for payment of his Relief which was C li. had livery of his lands Which William in 37 H. 3. obtained a pardon from the King for pulling down the Castle of Penros in Wales belonging to Iohn de Monemuth as also for five marks at which this his Mannour of Aston was amerced for protecting one Rob. de Shelfhill who had been indicted for certain misdemeanors and in 38 H. 3. was constituted Governor of Bovelt Castle in Brecknockshire To the before specified Hospitall built at the Gate of the Priory of Studley he gave the advouson of the Church here at Aston and having wedded Eva one of the daughters aad coheirs to Will. de Braose of Brecknock with whom he had the territory of Upper Went and other lands in England and Wales departed this life in the flower of his youth to the great grief of many leaving issue by her the said Eva George his son and heir and two daughters Of which George being scarce 3. years old at that time I have found very little that is memorableâ— his death hapning before he arrived to years whereby he could be qualified for any great action viz. in 1 Edw. 1. Therefore whether the marriage betwixt him and Margaret the daughter of Edmund de Lacy was ever consummated as their parents had designed when he was scarce two years old I cannot tell but sure I am that he had no issue for Iohn the son of Henry de Hastings and Milicent then the wife of Eudo or Yvo la Zouche were found to be his sisters and heirs Which Henry being in minority in 36 H. 3. and in Ward to Guy de Luzignian the King 's half brother had the benefit of his marriage then disposed of by the said Guy unto Will. de Cantilupe before specified who gave his daughter Ioane thus in wedlock to him Whereupon by partition made betwixt those coheirs the said Milisent had for her share the Castle of Totenesse in Com. Devon the Mannours of Eyton â—n com Bedf. and Haringworth in Northamptonshire â— with other fair possessions in England and Wales as also the advouson of the Priory of Studley in this County And Iohn de Hastings the son of Ioane beforementioned had Bergavenny with the Castle and Honour which were of the inheritance of Eva de Breause his grandmother together with the Castle of Kilgaran in Com. Pembr and amongst other large territories in England and Wales this Mannour of Aston then valued at Lix li. iiii s. i d. per an all which were in the King's hands at the time of the said Partition made by reason of his minority But touching the Family of Hastings I shall speak historically in Fillongley and therefore purpose to make no other mention of them here than what particularly relates to this place In 13 E. 1. this Iohn de Hastings claimed a Court-Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer Weifs Gallows and Free warren within this Mannour by Prescription all which were allowed From which time this Mannour was for divers descents enjoy'd by the posterity of the said Iohn as I could sufficiently demonstrate if need were except for so long as Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon held two parts of it in right of Iulian his wife widow to Iohn de Hastings father of Laurence Earl of Pembroke After the death of which Laurence it appears that it was held of the King in Capite by the service of one Foot souldier in the Warrs of Wales with a Bow without a string and a Helmet for his head by the space of xl dayes at his own proper costs as often as there should be any hostility in Wales From which Family of Hastings it descended not to the Lord Grey of Ruthin
of all in regard of the naturall high and steep ascent of the ground so near the bank of Arrow made choise thereof for his principall seat and built a fair Castle thereon by whose ruines the strength compasse it was of may seem to have been of no mean consideration and within lesse than a mile distant thereof viz. on the Northside of Alcester founded a Monastery for Benedictine Monks of which I have already spoke whereuntoâ— amongst other his ample concessions for its endowment he added the Chapell of this his Castle From this Raph is it that the Botelers of Oversley no lesse that Barons did deduce their descent and had here their seat till by marriage with Maud the daughter and heir of Pantolf Wemme in Shropshire with other large possessions divolved to them After which it was not long ere that by an heir female this came to Ferrers and so afterwards to Nevill and Gascoine as the Pedegree inserted in the next page sheweth To which Raph succeeded Robert his son and heir called Robertus Pincerna de Oversleia who joyned with his Father in founding the Monastery of Alcester before specified and confirmed to the Nuns of Pinley that grant which Ioh. de Pillardinton made to them of the Land whereupon that Religious House was situate it being of his Fee Which Robert had issue another Raph â— who gave the Chapell of Stocton with the Tithes to the Canons of Leicester and made head against King Iohn with the rest of the Barons for which his lands were seized and committed unto Wiâ— de Gantilupe but in 1 H. 3. the King gave command that in case he did pay xl marks for his redemption that then the said Will. should re-invest him with the possession of his lands again as it seems he did and grew into so fair an esteem with the King that he became imployed in some affaires of trust for I find that in 9 and 10 H. 3. he was constituted a Commissioner for collecting a Fifteenth in this and Leicestershire as also a Justice of Assize in this County Radulfus Pincerna de Legrecestria temp H. 1. Râ—b Pincerna de Overâ—â—eia 5 Steph. Rad. Pincerna 1. Ioh. Mauritius Pincerna 4 H. 3. Rad. le Butiller 34 H. 3. Matilda filia â—â—res Will. de Paunton filia Hâ—g de Paunton Will. le Botiller de Beatrix Wemme obiit 12 E. 1. Ioh. le Botiller fil haeres obiit 15 E. 1. s. p. Gaw nus le Botiller aet 17. an 15 E. 1. Ankareta ux 1. Will. le Botâ—ller obiit 8 E. 3. Ela filia cohaer Rog. de Herdebergh de cujus progenie vidâ— in Willey Will. le Botiller obiit 35 E. 3. Will. le Botiller Rob. de Ferrers obiit 4 R. 2. Eliz. filia haeres obiit 12 H. 4. Ioh. Saysecundus maritus 5 R. 2. Tho. Molinton tertius maritus 5 H. 4. Rob. de Ferrers ob s. p. Eliz. ux Ioh. de Greystoke 13 H. 4. Maria filia coheres 13 H. 4. Rad. Nevill mil. filius Radulsicomit's Westmerl 13 H. 4. Ioh. Nevill de Womersley ar obiit 22 E. 4. Iohanna filia haeres Will. Gascoin Will Gascoin miles consangu haeres Ioh. Nevill aer 30 an 22. E. 4. Will. Gascoin miles Will. Gascoin de Cusworth in com Ebor. miles 29 H. 8. Galfr. Pincerna dictus L'abbe To whom succeeded Maurice his son and heir one of the Justices of Assize likewise in this Countie in 13 H. 3. and in 16 H. 3. a Commissioner for assessing and collecting the fourtieth part of all mens movable goods according to the forme and order then appointed In 21 and 25 H. 3. again one of the Justices of Assize and in 19 22 and 30 H. 3. for the Gaol delivery at Warwick Which Maurice had issue Raph who wedded Maud the daughter and heir to Will. de Pantolf by whom that great Lordship of Wemme in Shropshire with other fair possessions came to this Family and was also one of the Justices for Gaol delivery at Warwick in 34 and 41 H. 3. in the last of which years he was in the Welch expedition and the next year following summoned amongst others of the Peers to be at Chester on Munday next after the Feast of S. Iohn Bapt. well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march against Lewelin Prince of Wales and his complices The like Summons and to be so furnisht did he receive the several ensuing years scil in 44 H. 3. to be at Chester on the Feast day of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin In 45 H. 3. at London on the morrow after Simon and Iude's day In 47 at Worcester on the Feast day of St. Peter ad Vincula and at Ludlow on the Octaves of the Purification of our Lady In 48 he had command with other of the Peers to attend the K. at Oxford in Mid-Lent there to yeild him Councell and thence to advance against the before specified Prince of Wales and his adherents But â—mmediately hereupon was it that the Barons put themselves in Armes against the King as our Anâ—als do manifest whose power afterwards being finally quelled in the battail of Evesham and heir estates confiscate as I have elsewhere shewed this Raph as a reward for his loyall services â—hen performed had the Lordship of Kineton in this Shire which belong'd to Nich. de Segrave bestowed upon him to hold during life upon the same termes as Segrave held it and by another Pat. bearing date but 3. dayes after had the inheritance thereof granted to him Nay so far was he in the King s favour that upon redemption of the lands according to the Dictum de Kenilworth by those which had forfeited them whereby Segrave came to repossesse this Mannour again the King in recompence thereof gave him the summe of CCCC li. to be received out of the Fines and amerciaments coming into his Exchequer But the posterity of this Raph had their residence for the most part at Wemme so that I have therefore the lesse to say of them Of these William his son and heir was a munificent Benefactor to the Monks of Alcester for he gave them Lx. acres of land viz. of his Wast lying at Hynestoke in Shropshire with power to inclose the same as also the advouson of the Church and Common of pasture for 8 Oxen 6 Kine and CC. Sheep in his Woods and Wasts belonging to that Lordship Upon his death which hapned in 12 E. 1. I find it certified that he held this Mannour of Oversley of divers Lords by several services and that there was then a Mannour House with two Gardens two water Mills xii acres of meadow xii acres of arable land ii s. vi d. Rent from two Freeholders four Cottages and three messuages held by Tenants in Villenage of the Honour of Leicester by the service of half a Knights Fee
marrâ—ed to Will Lord Paget and Eliz. to Sir Henry Willoughby of Risley in Derbyshire by partition betwixt them it was allotted to Elizabeth and is by the same Sir Henry accordingly enjoyed the Towns that now owe suit thereto I mean to the Leet being these viz. Berkswell the three Bikenhills Sheldon Edgbaston Curdworth Minworth Kingsbury Hurley â— part of Merston juxta Kingsbury Whateley Holt Slateley half Wilneccote juxta Tamworth the half of Sekindon in Austrey the Mannour sometime belonging to Burton Abby Badsley-Endesoure Ansley Hartshill and Whitacre superior Tame fluv BEing now to speak of the particular places within this Hundred of Hemlingford according to my accustomed method in the â—est I must follow the course of Tame which having its rise from several heads about Dudley and Walshall in Staffordsh glides along with a slow and gentle course whence perhaps it became at first so called as Arrow was by reason of its swiftnesse and entring it at Aston moveth for a while Eastwards but being augmented by divers petty streams in its passage bendeth at length Northwards leaving the same together with the County at Tamworth whereunto as a farewell it giveth that name Aston juxta Bermingham This for distinction from others of that name is now commonly called Aston juxta Bermingham but antiently it was written Estone having originally had that name perhaps from the situation thereof Eastwards from Wedsbury in Staffordshire a town of some note in the Saxons time Before the Norman Conquest Edwine Earl of Mercia was Lord of this place but upon that great distribution made by King William to his friends and followers it with other vast possessions of the disherited English lying in the Counties of Surrey Berks. Buck. Oxon. Northampt. Worcester and Stafford besides much more in this Shire was bestowed on William Fitz Ausculf who had his principall seat at the Castle of Dudley in Staffordshire and by the generall Survey then taken certified to contain viii hides valued at C s. there being at that time a Church with a Mâ—â—l rated at iii. s. as also Woods extending to 3. miles in length and half a mile in breadth all then held of him by one Godmund To which William Fitz Ausculf succeeded in the Barony of Dudley and possession hereof Gervase Paganell who dying without issue left Hawise his sister and heir wife to R. Someri whereby the whole Barony of Dudley divolved to that Family Which R. Someri by her had issue Raph Someri who being possest of this Lordship as a member of the saâ—d Barony gave unto Thomas the son of William de Erdintone and his heirs about the beginning of King Iohn's time his Mannour house here at Estone with all the demesns as also divers Tenements particularly mentioned in his Charter to be held of him the said Raph and his heirs by the service of a pair of gilt Spurs or the price of them viz. vi d. payable at Easter for all services and demands whatsoever Touching which Family of Erdington I shall speak historically in Erdington where I have inserted the Descent and therefore will here take notice of what only concerns them in reference to this place In 2 H. 3. this Mannour together with Erdington was assigned by the King to Roese de Cocfeld the Widow of the before specified T. de Erdington for her present maintenance till her dowry should be set out howbeit the next year following the Shiriff had command though for what reason appears not to deliver possession of it unto Philip de Ascells for the King's use and that he should not permit William Grasse to meddle therewith nor to make any wast or destruction in the land or woods belonging thereto This being the utmost Lordship towards Staffordshire and some dispute growing touching the bounds thereof King H. 3. directed his Precept to the Justices Itinerant in 20. of his reign whereby declaring it to be his royall pleasure that there should be speciall and certain marks set forth for the limits of each Countie about the parts of this Eston in Warwickshire and Hannewurth in Staffordshire he gave command to the Shiriff of Warwickshire to bring into Lichfield upon Sunday next after the Feast of S. Iames the Apostle xii discreet and lawfull Knights there to make and establish such metes and divisions upon their Oaths and the like to the Shiriff of Staffordshire for as many out of that Countie To which Thomas de Erdinton succeeded Giles and unto him Henry which Henry about the beginning of Edw. 1. reign enfeoft Thomas de Maidenhach in this Mannour bounded by the Rivers of Tame and Burne as his Charter manifests who being so possest of it in 13 E. 1. claimed by Prescription Assize of Beer Gallows Infangthef Utfangthef with a Court Leet and Weyfs As also that he and his Tenants should be free from any suit to the Countie or Hundred Courts bounding his claim within the limits of those two Rivers before specified and had allowance of them accordingly After which viz. the next ensuing year did the said Thomas de Maidenhach obtain a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here It seems he was a servant to the King for in that grant the King calls him dilectus Valettus noster our beloved Esquire in 18 E. 1. he impleaded William de Bermingham for fishing in a part of his water called Moylsich to Scraford-bridge within this his Libertie of Aston And in 19 E. 1. was certified to hold this Lordship together with Dudston of Roger de Someri as of his Mannour of Bordesley juxta Burmingham by the Rent of ii s. viii d. payable yearly at the Feast of S. Michael for all services But all that I find farther of this Thomas de Maidenhach is that being to attend the King in his voyage beyond Sea 14 E. 1. he had speciall Letters of protection granted to him as also that he was a Benefactor to the Hospitall of S. Thomas the Apostle in Bermingham by giving thereto ten Acres of Heath lying within this his Lordship of Aston and that he departed this life without issue male for by an Inquis taken after the death of Isabel his widow in 12 E. 2. Ioane Sibill Isabell and Margaret were found to be his daughters and heirs the youngest then being above xxi years of age Of which Ioane shortly after died issulesse so that by Partition made in 12 E. 2. the possessions of the said Thomas were divided betwixt the other three viz. this Mannour of Aston with the Mannours of Gersindon in Oxfordshire Wikes and Sondâ— in Sussex and Bergholtes in Suffolk besides other lands and Rents lying in the Countie of Southampton whereof Sibill then the wife of Adam de Grymesarwe had this Lordship for her share Which Adam and Sibill had issue Iohn unto whom the said Sibill his mother by
through a Wood who being presently encountred by the Enemy and the Earl not seconding him was over-powred with numbers and so routed himself with our Sir Will. de Bermingham and eight more Knights besides Esquires very many taken Prisoners and carried in triumph to Paris This Sir Will. de Bermingham died before the 32 of E. 1. for in that year do I find Iohn de Ayleston Clerk presented to the Church of Bermingham by Isabell de Bermingham his widow in whose Seal are 3. Escocheons viz. one with the Bend lozengè another with a Lion rampant and the third a Lion Rampant debruised with a Bend but whose Armes the two last are except I knew the colours is hard to say From which Sir Will. descended another William and Henry a younger son afterwards a Knight who bore for his Armes partie per pale indented Argent and Sable as by his Seal and certain antient Rolls appeareth Touching this last mentioned VVilliam I find that in 2 E. 2. his Bayliffs distrained divers Inhabitants of Bromsgrove and Norton commonly called King's-Norton in Com Wigorn. for Toll in the Mercate here at Bermingham so that there grew a suit betwixt them whereupon producing the Charters of divers King 's as also that of Gervase Paganell formerly mentioned for justification of his Mercate he further alleadged that his Ancestors for so the pleading calls them had a Mercate here before the Norman Conquest But the men of Bromsgrove and Norton to this answered that those Lordships where they so inhabited were of the antient demesn of the Crown of England and that they as all other resident upon the like lands ought to be freed from payment of Toll throughout the Realm for all petty commodities as Victuall and the like except it could appear that they did buy and sell as common Merchants and were acquitted accordingly by the Judgement of the Court having costs awarded them against the said Bailiffs In 11 E. 2. this William was a Kt. but after that finding no more of him by that title I have adventured to conclude the next mentioned William to be his son VVhich VVilliam had many eminent imployments viz. in 18 E. 2. for choosing of 400. Foot-souldiers within this Countie excepting the towns of Warwick and Coventre and arming them for defence of the Realm and likewise the same year for the electing of Knights Esquires and other men at Armes to attend the King into Gascoin The next ensuing year he was a Commissioner appointed to enquire and certifie the names of all those in this Shire that having xl l. lands per an had not received military Armes as also for the arraying of men according to the Statute of Winchester In 20 E. 2. he had the custodie of Dudley Castle with the appurtenances but this was so granted to him by those that then excercised Regall power in the King's name for the King was then a Prisoner and shortly after deposed and murthered The Record says that it was upon the forfeiture of Hugh le Despenser the younger perhaps that upon the death of Iohn de Someri which hapned about 4. years before leaving none but Female heirs the same Hugh had the trust thereof as the King 's speciall Favourite committed to his charge In 1 E. 3. this VVilliam was in Commission with Iohn de Merdak for conservation of the Peace in this Countie as also to put the Statute of Winchester in execution so likewise in 5. E. 3. being at that time a Knight I do not directly find how long he had the custodie of Dudley Castle but in 7 E. 3. 't is evident that it was not out of his hands for by his Patent being to answer for the profits thence arising unto the King's Exchequer and then complaining that the Treasurer and Barons there did refuse to admit of his Accompt whereby he had made defalcation of such wages as had been paid to the Porter and VVatchman of the said Castle and to the Forresters and Keepers of the Chase of Pensened as also of the Parks of Dudley Seggeley and the old Park pertaining to the same Castle there was a speciall Mandamus directed by the King to the said Treasurer and Barons commanding them to let it pass In 9 E. 3. he was in Commission for arraying of men as well Knights as others according to their severall states and degrees in order to the Statute of Winchester to the end that they might be in readiness for the defence of the Realm whensoever they should be called upon In which Commission he is called William de Bermingham senior so also in two others the same year the one for conservation of the Peace and the Statute of Northampton and the other of Array To this last Sir VVilliam succeeded Sir Fouk de Bermingham Knight of whom the first mention that I find is in 16 E. 3. he having then lent 48. marks to Sir Baldw. Frevill of Tamworth Castle for which he had five Mills at Tamworth viz. 3. in Warwickshire and two in Staffordshire in Lease for one year In 20 E. 3. he was retained by Thomas Bishop of Durham to attend the Kâ—ng in his French expedition 'T is probable that in this voyage he used the Coat which Sir Henry de Bermingham hâ—s uncle bore viz. partie per pale indented Arg. and Sable for the next year following it appears that he sealed with it though in 16 E. 3. with the Bend lozengè the antient Coat of his Family and a Label of 5. points In 25 E. 3. â—e was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster So also in the Parliament of 35 E. 3. The same year was he first a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace in this Countie In 36 he served again in the Parliament then held at Westminster as one of the Knights for this Shire so likewise in 39 and 40 E. 3. In the same 40 th year he was one of the Commissioners of Array in this Countie and likewise in 41 E. 3. and lastly in 47 E. 3. one of the Kts. for the Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster To him succeeded Iohn his son and heir who in 50 E. 3. was a Knight and in 2 R. 2. Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire This Iohn bore for his Armes partie per pale Arg. and Sable as his Father last did and in 4 R. 2. served in the Parliament at Northampton as one of the Knights for this Shire being the same year Shiriff for the Counties of Buck. and Bedf. In 5 R. 2. he was again one of the Knights for this Câ—untie in the Parliament then held at Westminster and a Commissioner for raising power against the Rebells id est the followers of Ioâ—n VVicliff So likewise
integram virgatam terrae de Bondagio solebant operari cum Domino in Autumpno per duos dies similiter omnes alii Custumarii ad quantitatem tenurae per rationabilem praemonitionem Praepositi pro quo solebant habere unum Multonem pingue iiii d. Panem album xii lagenas cervisiae Et si non venerint tunc solebant amerciari ad proximam Curiam sequentem Et dicunt quod omnes praedictae Consuetudines solebant fieri à tempore Regis Athelstanâ— tempore Regis Johannis ante Coronationem Henrici Regis Et praedecessores praedictorum Iuratorum ....... dicebant Et dicunt quod Waleranus quondam Comes VVarwici concessit quod omnes praedictae consuetudines omnes aliae antiquae consuetudines pro se haered suis durabunt imperpetuum The next things of note that I have observed concerning this Lordship are these viz. that in 9 E. 2. upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick it was valued at xxiiii l. iii d. ob q. per an as also the next ensuing year in respect of the minority of his heir committed to the custody of Iohn de Someri And that in 17 E. 2. there was a notable Robberie committed upon a certain Road thwarting that part of the Chase called Colfeild â— then and yet known by the name of Rugewey the partie rob'd being one Elias le Collier and the summe of money taken from him CCC l. about nine of the Clock in the morning whereupon he commenced his suit against the Inhabitants of this Hundred of Hemlingford and those of the Hundred of Offlow in Staffordshire according to the Statute of Winchester for not prosecuting the Felons in regard that the same Way as the Record saith divideth the Counties of Warwick and Stafford viz. leaving Sutton and Aston 〈◊〉 Bermingham on the one side of it of this Countie and Barre Alrewich with part of Shenston in Com. Staff on the other side and had Jâ—â—gment to recover the money accordingly wâ—ereupon Writts being directed to the Shiriffs of both Shires to levie the said summe return was made that the people were so much indebted to the King and impoverisht by Murrein of their Cattell dearth of Corn and other accidents that they were not able to pay it Nevertheless it seems that the Shiriff pressing hard upon them by virtue of severall Writts to him directed at the procurement of the partie rob'd levied xl marks of it Much ado there was about this Money the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. pleading for himself and his Tenants immunitie from such charges and the Countie still shifting the payment so that at length they procured a Supersedeas from the King to stop any farther proceeding therein Over part of this Chase there is another antient Way called Ykenild-street though not now much noted being one of those four eminent ones made by the Romans concerning which I have said something in my discourse of Watling-street the tract whereof is yet to be seen in divers places within this Countie especially here and over a corner of Sutton Park where going over low grounds it appeareth to be firm and high ridged up with Gravell This Way coming from Tinemouth in Northumberland through Yorkshire to Bolesover and thence by Chesterfeild through Scaresdale comes over Morley-moore to Little Chester near Derby and so over Egginton Heath câ—â—â—sseth the River Dove at Monks-bridge then over Burton-moore and passing Trent at Whichnour-bridge stretcheth through Alderwas-Hays thence to Street-hey and so to Wall antiently called Etocetum where it thwarts Watling-street thence over Radley-moore leaving Little Aston on the right hand entreth this Lordship of Sutton as the Map sheweth and so extendeth it self to Alcester in this Countie Thence over Bitford-Bridge leaving Cambden in Gloucestershire a liitle on the left hand to Stow on the Woulds where it crosseth the Fosse and from Stow to Burford and over Isis at Newbridge directly â—o Wallingford and so through Winchester to Southampton But I return Perhaps the Tuesday Mercate formerly granted as is before exprest grew to be discontinued for in 27 E. 3. Thomas de Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick and Lord of this Mannour obtained another Charter for it upon the same day by which he had likewise a grant of two Faires to be yearly kept here sc. the one on the Eve of the Holy Trinitie and two days after the other on the Eve and day of St. Martin With the other lands belonging to these great Earls this Mannour at length came to Ric. Nevill in right of Anne his wife as in Warwick is shewed but towards the later end of H. 6. reign when this haughty spirited Earl sided with the House of York it was seized by the King and demised to Sir Edm. Mountfort Knight one of his Carvers for the terme of x. years and the Rangership of the Chase disposed of by the same King to Iohn Holt Esq. one of his Household servants to hold for terme of life with the Fees and profits thereof antiently due and payable How it was afterwards sc. in 14 E. 4. taken from the said Anne with the rest of the lands of her inheritance and setled by Act of Parliament upon Isabell and Anne her Daughters I have in UUarwick fully shewed as also how by a speciall grant and Act of Parl. likewise to strengthen the same it came to the Crown It now therefore remains to shew the course of it since in which disquisition I find that K. H. 7. in 5. of his reign assigned it to the before specified Anne to hold during her life After which ere long the Mercate being utterly forsaken the Town fell much to ruin and the Mannour place was totally pulled down by one Winâ—stâ—n who being imployed as an Officer there for the King made use of most of the timber for himself selling the intire fabrick of the Hall unto the Marq. Dorset which was set up at Bradgate in Leicestershire And in this dâ—cayed condition did Sutton continue till that Iohn Hâ—rman â—lias â—eâ—sy Bishop of Exeter â— bearing a gâ—eat affection thereto in respect it was the plâ—ce of his birth having obtained of the King in 19 H. 8. certain parcells of Inclosure here called More crofts and Hethe yards and more than xl acres of wast with Licence to inclose it the next year ensuing procured Letters Pat. dated 16 Dec. for the making it a Corporation by the name of a Warden and Societie to consist of xxiiii persons besides the Warden As also another yearly Faire on Simon and Iude's day with a weekly Mercate upon the Munday the Tuesday Mercate being discontinued together with a Commâ—n Hall or Monte Hall for their assemblies a Clerk of the Mercaâ—e and a Steward and one or two Sergeants at Mace the VVarden for the time being tâ— be Coroner within the same Corporation and that no Shiriff nor Bailiff shall medle within
Will. de Odingsells Iohn de Clinton Thomas de Hasele and Ric. de Whitacre Kts. Hugh de Bereford Anketyl de L'ile and others were witnesses appeareth Who being thus in possession of it began to exercise the like Liberty here as he did in his other lands not considering that it was within the compasse of Sutton Chase where the Earl of Warwick had so much priviledge relating both to Vert and Venison as already hath been said so that the Earl having begun suit against him he was glad to seek his favour and submit to a peaceable Agreement by which it appears that the said Earl sc. Will. de Beauchamp condiscended to grant unto them the said Thomas and Roese and the heirs of Thomas liberty to fish in that little stream called Ebroke at his coming to Pedimore and during his stay there so for as his lands lay adjacent thereto As also that they might have liberty to agist Hoggs within their Woods of Curdworth and Pedimore take benefit of the paunage and beat down Acorns for their Swine and likewise gather such Nutts as should be there growing And moreover to cut down wood for their Fewell and Hedges without any assignation of the said Earl's Forester and to make sale of twenty pounds-worth thereof so that it were by the oversight of the said Forester to the end that the Chase might have least prejudice thereby as also timber to repair the buildings within his said Mannour of Curdworth and Pedimore by the like oversight of the Forester upon warning or at least one of the Earl's Bailiffs at Sutton or in those Woods in the presence of two neighbours And if upon such warning given the Forester should absent himself that then the said Thomas and his heirs might by the view of two neighbours enter those Woods and cut down and carry away so much as should be necessary but after the death of the said Thomas and Rose neither his heirs nor assignes to take Estovers for their Fewell and Hedges nor Timber but by assignation of the said Earl's Foresters And that their Woodward should be sworn to the said Earl and his heirs as touching his Vâ—nison carrying only a Hatche or Forest-Bill without Bow and Arrows And further the said Earl did likewise grant for himself his heirs that the same Thomas and Rose and the heirs and assignes of Thomas should have liberty to make improvement of their Wast within the said Mannours according to the Sutton measure to the extent of xx acres only aâ—d to inclose them according to the Custome of the Chase so that Does with their Fawns might leap over the Hedges and that they might reduce the same land to Tillage as they should think fit in severall places to the least damage of the Chase and most advantage of the said Thomas his heirs and assignes Saving to the Commoners their Common of pasture when the Corn is off And lastly that the said Thomas and Rose as also the heirs and assignes of Thomas might peacebly hold in and enâ—oy four Acres and an half of the said Wast whereof they had received the crop before the date hereof which was at Minworth the Sunday next after the Feast of the blessed Viâ—gâ—ns Nativity in 16 Edw. 1. In this Mannour House at Pedimore was antiently a Chapell for I find that Sir Iohn de Arden Knight in 34 E. 3. had License from Rob. de Stretâ—on then Bishop of this Dioces to have a Priest for celebration of Divine Service thereinâ— But now all is levell with the Earth the site thereof with the lands thereto belonging continuing to the posterity of the said Sir Iohn of whom in Curdworth I am to speak till this day Curdworth THis lying on the North-west side of Tame and including Minworth Berwode and Dunton in its Parish was in the Conqueror's dayes possest by Turchill de Warwick and by the general Survey then taken certified to contain 4 hides the Woods being half a mile in length with as much in breadth and all valued at L s. In that Record it is written Credeworde which makes me guess that the name originally arose from some antient owner of it in the Saxons time perhaps Crida for that was then a frequent appellation but before the Norman invasion one Vluvinus had it In this place I have made choise to speak historically of that most antient and worthy Family whose sirname was first assumed from their residence in this part of the County then and yet called Arden by reason of its woodinesse the old Britans and Gauls using the word in that sense as Master Cambden hath observed Not for that the same Turchill or his descendants lived here for their principall seats were in other places viz Kingsbury and Hampton in Arden on this side the Shire as also Rotley and Rodburne on the other whilst some male branches lasted but because this is the chief place which continued longest in the Family even till of late time as I shall shew anon and was near to that where for the greatest part of these last 300 years they have had their residence Having therefore spoken so fully of the before mentioned Turchill in Warwick I shall now passe him by with this only observation that he was one of the first here in England â— that in imitation of the Normans assumed a sirname for so it appears that he did and wrote himself Turchillus de Eardene in the days of K. Will. Rufus This Turchill left issue Siward his eldest son by the first wife as also Peter a Monk in the Abby of Thorney â— and I think Raph of whom and his descendants I shall speak in Hampton in Arden and by a second wife Osbert as in Kingsbury shall be further shewed Which Siward was not permitted to enjoy any large proportion of his Father's lands the Earl of Warwick having the greatest part assigned unto him by K. Will. Rufus about the beginning of his reign in Comitatus supplimentum for augmentation of his Earldome but what he had leave to retain was by him and his posterity held by Military service of those Earlsâ— Some say that he became Sewer to Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of the Norman race but all that I have seen further memorable of him is that he was a witnesse to some principall Grants made by Geffrey de Clinton Founder of Kenilworth Priory in H. 1. time upon his endowment thereof and to certain confirmations of Roger Earl of Warwick and others as also a speciall Benefactor to the Monks of Thorney in Cambridgshire by bestowing on them his Mill at Riton and certain lands in Flekenho within this County And that he left issue Hugh and Henry Which Hugh being a very pious and devout man gave a large proportion of lands out of his Mannour of Rotley unto the Monks of Stoneley confirm'd to the Canons of Kenilworth the grant of Pakinton which
greatnesse and power durst not appear to challenge the Jurie so that he had CCC â— given him for damages against them But it so fell out that in 3 E. 3. this mighty man being seized upon by the King at Notingham Castle and by a Parliament there held condemn'd for Treason was put to death whereby all his possessions became confiscate insomuch as the Inhabitants before specified petitioned the K. that he would be gracious unto them in forbearing to proceed to Judgment upon that Verdict whereupon he was pleased to remit thereof CCxlvi li. xiii s. iiii d. Whether by any conveiance from the Bishop of Ely before spoken of it was that Rob. de Moreby of Moreby in Yorkshire had an interest here I know 〈◊〉 nor what he so had but in 7 E. 3. I find that the K. granted to him a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here at Solihull as also at Bonnewick and Moreby in Yorkshire It seems that the inheritance thereof was in the Bishop's heirs what ever estate the same Rob. de Moreby had for in 26 E. 3. by a Fine then levied betwixt Anne the widow of Edw. le Despenser Plantiff and Iohn de Hothum of Bondeby Kt. Deforâ—â— this Mannour with the advouson of the Church was setled upon the same Anne during her life the remainder to Hugh le Despenser son to the said Edw. and Anne and Alice his wife daughter of the said Sir I. Hothum and the heirs of their bodies and so to Katherine sister of the said Alice c. Which Alice was afterwards married to Iohn Trussell who in her right held this Lordship in 50 E. 3. But by her first husband she had issue Sir Hugh le Spenser Kt. and Anne a daughter married to Sir Edw. Boteler Kt. which Sir Hugh dyed without issue in 3. H. 4. leaving Anne his sister and heir then 32 years of age Of this Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife I find that in 5 H. 4. they came to an Agreement with Sibill the widow of the said Sâ— Hugh le Spenser whereby it was concluded that she the said Sibill shou'd hold this Mannour during her life but afterwards to return unto the same Sir Edward and Anne and their heirs who dying without issue K. H. 5. by his Letters Pat. dated 16 Apr. in the second year of his reign passing to Edward Duke of York for life all the lands which were Thomas Lord Spenser's attainted by Parl. Octab. Hill 3 H. 4. the remainder to Ric. Beauchamp of Bergavenny Kt. and Isabell his wife sister and heir of Richard son and heir to the said Thomas late Lord Despenser deceased and the heirs male of the same Richard and Isabell the Duke by virtue of that grant possest himself of this Mannour 〈◊〉 colour that for want of issue by the â—aâ—d Sir Edward Bâ—teler and Anne the inheritance thereof belonged to the same Thomas le Despenser Earl of Glouc. so attainted and held it till his death which hapning in 3 H. 5 for he was slain at the battell of Agincourt 25 Oct. the same year Ric. Beauchamp and Isabell his wife had livery 〈◊〉 Hothum Episc Elien Perius Hothum Ioh. Hothum miles Fâ—w le De spenser Anna. Edm. Dux Ebor. Edw. Dux Elâ—â—r Constanstia Ric. le Despenser Co. Glouc. ob s p. Isabella sola filia haeres ux Ric. Beauchamp domini de Bergav Edw. le Despenser Tho. le Despenser Co. Glouc. Hugo le Despenser Anna ux Edw. Boteler ob s. p. 10 H. 4. Hugo le Despenser miles ob s. p. Ioh. Hothum mil. Alicia Ioh. Trussel mil. 2 maritus Ioh. Trussel ob s. p. Catherina Petrus Hothum Matilda Thomas .... Alicia Margareta ... Skerne Henricus Skerne Edm. Skerne 38 H. 6. thereof 18 Mâ—rtii next ensuing Neverthelesse upon farther consideration and view of the Fine levied in 5 H. 4. whereby it had been so inâ—aâ—led the Inquisitions after the several deceases of the said Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife of Sibill the widow of the before specified Sir Hugh le Despenser the K. directed his Precept bearing date 14 Nov. 5 H. 5. to his Eschaetor for this County to seize it into his hands For the cleerer understanding of which titles I have inserted the preceding Descent Of the before mentioned Hugh le Despenser I find that he was interred in the Friers at Stanford and that Thomas Collum then Parson of the Church here at Solihull bore so great an affection to him and the lady Sibill or Isabell his wife for both wayes I find her written that by his Testament be bequeathed a fair Missale to the Church of Solâ—hull that the Parishioners should provide a Priest to celebrate divine Service there by the space of one year for the souls of the said Sir Hugh and Isabell he himself ordaining that another Priest should do the like there for the space of two years It seems that this Lordship continued in the Crown a good while for in 16 H. 6. the custody thereof was committed by the King to Thomas Greswould for seaven years but in 22 H. 6. by his Letters Pat. dated 25 Sept. he granted it inter alia to Iohn Duke of Somerset and the heirs male of his body to enjoy during the life of Iaquet the widow to Iohn D. of Bedford Raph Boteler and Iohn Beauchamp and the longer liver of them Which Iohn D. of Somerset departing this life without any such issue 27 Maii the same year the King by other Letters Pat. dated 20 Iulii then next following committed the custody thereof together with the Mannour of Sheldon in this County to Edm. Mountford Esq for life answering for them both L. marks sterling per an Yet was it not long that he so held them for it appears that the next year ensuing he surrendred his Pat. into the Chancery to be cancelled to the intent that the King should make a grant of them to Sir Iames Fenys Knight which was accordingly effected 27 Sept. the same year for the speciall services he had done to hold during life without rendring any accompt at all for the same This Sir Iames being afterwards created Lord Say dyed in 30 H. 6. Whereupon this Mannour returning to the Crown was with Sheldon likewise again committed to the custody of Edm. Mountford before mentioned for the term of ten years at L. marks per an as they formerly were But it seems that this Pat. became shortly after surrendred for on the 28 th of March 31 H. 6. the King granted the custody of them to Edm. Earl of Richmund and Iasper Earl of Pembroke for â—ii years and upon cancelling that Pat. the first of Iuly ensuing sealed another whereby he past the unheritance of them to those Earls Howbeit in 38 H. 6. one Edmund Skerne as Cosin and heir to Iohn Hothum Bishop of Ely after the death
of Anne the wife of Sir Edward Boteler Kt. brought a Writ of Scire facias against the said Earl of Pembroke traversing that Inquisâ— whereby it was found that Thomas le Despenser had an estate in reversion therein after the death of Sibill the widow of the said Sir Hugh le Despenser but I do not find that he got any thing thereby I suppose that K. E. 4. upon the attainder of the said Iasper in the first year of his reign and for that disaffection that he bore unto young Henry Earl of Richmund son to the before specified Edmund who afterwards fled the Realme seized those Mannours into his hands for about seaven years after he gave them unto Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick after whose attainder whereof in Warwick I have spoke this Mannour was granted viz. 25 Martii 12 E. 4. to George Duke of Clarence for life without rendring any thing for the â—ame and afterwards scil 28 Iulii 14 E. 4. to him the said George and the heirs male of his body But within a short time it eschaeted again to the Crown by reason of his the said Duke's forfaiture so that in 18 E. 4. the King granted the Bailiwick of it to Thomas Boteler one of the Grooms of his Chamber Neither do I find that it was out of the said King's hands nor his successors till 5 H. 8. that Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey for that signall service done against the Scots at Flodden field obtained a Patent dated 1 Febr. whereby he had not only an advancement to the Dukedome of Norfolk but the inheritance of this Lordship with the advouson of the Church and divers more in sundry other Counties bestowed on him with a limitation to the heirs male of his body as also a speciall Augmentation to his Armes To which Duke succeeded Thomas Duke of Norff. his son and heir who by his Deed bearing date ult Nov. 20 H. 8. past a way the inheritance thereof together with Sheldon before mentioned unto Edm. Knightley Esq. and Eustace Kitteley Gent. to the use of Sir George Throkmorton Knight and his heirs From which Sir George it descended to Thomas his grandchild who by his Deed bearing date 16 Maii 2 Iac. in consideration of 1080 l. sold it to Edm. Hawes of Solihull Gent. and Humfrey Coles of the Middle Temple from whom it was purchased by Sam. Marrow of Berkswell Esq. who past it to Sir Ric. Greves of Moseley in Com. Wigorn Kt. Which Sir Richard sold it to Sir Sim. Archer of Tanworth Knight the present owner thereof The Church dedicated to S. Alphage was in an 1291 19 E. 1. valued at xxx marks over and above two marks which were yearly payd out of it to the Priory of Hertford of Limsie's Foundation as I have already shewed But in 26 H. 8. the value thereof over and above the said Pension of two marks per an to the Prior of Hertford xxii d. yearly Rent to the Chantrey here at Solihull and xi s. xd. paid annually to the Bishop and Archdeacon for Synodalls and Procurations was certified to be xxiiii l. xviiâ— s. iâ—ii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Rad. de Limesi Iohanna de Odingsels ux ejus ratione dotis ejusdem Iohannae Regin de Tykeham an 1286. D. Eustach le Poer Ela de Ordingsels ux ejus ................... D. Ioh. de Grey miles D. Rad. de Hengham Cler. an 1303. Quatuor fil heredes D. Ioh. de Odingsells D. Ioh. de Stanstede Pbr. an 1310. Will. de Bromwich Procurator D. Eust. le Poer Ioh. de Everdon Cler. an 1310. D. Alicia de Caunton domina de Pyriton Ioh. de Sandale subdiac 4 Cal. Nov. 1311. Ioh. de Hothum Elien Episc. Rob. de Beverlaco Pbr. 3 Non. Sept. 1319. Ioh. de Hothum Elien Episc. Will. de Stow Pbr. 5 Cal. Ian. 1329. Ioh. de Hothum fil Ioh. de Hothum mil. Tho. de Glaston Pbr. 10 Cal. Apr. 1336. Ioh. de Hothum fil Ioh. de Hothum mil. Galfr. Scroope Cler. 17 Cal. Dec. 1342. D. Anna le Despenser Ioh. Digg Pbr. 8 Id. Dec. 1362. D. Rad. de Ferrers D. Hug. le Spenser milites Ric. Birches Pbr. 5 Cal. Apr. 1371. Ioh. Trussell Dominus de Solihull jure Aliciae de Hothum ux suae Will. de Newhagh Cler. 6 Dec. 1375. Ioh. Trussell Dominus de Solihull jure Aliciae de Hothum ux suae D. Thom. de Baddeby 4 Febr. 1378. Ioh. Trussell Dominus de Solihull jure Aliciae de Hothum ux suae D. Will. de Newnham Pbr 21 Maii 1379. D. Hugo le Despenser miles Ioh. de Salford Pbr. ult Dec. 1384. D. Hugo le Despenser miles Ioh. Everingham Pbr. 5 Ian. 1394. D. Hugo le Despenser miles Tho. de Collum Cler. 20 Sept. 1399. D. Iac. Fenys Dominus de Say Sele miles Ric. Donyngton Pbr. 28 Martii 1449. Iasper Dux Bedf. Rob. Bryan Decr. Dr. 5 Nov. 1492. Dominus Rex Walter Walmer Clâ—r .... an 1508. Thomas Bleverhayset miles Thomas Bleverhayset 1 Maii 1527. D. Georgius Throkmorton miles Mr. Ioh. Fekenham alias Howman in S. theol Bac. 17 Martii 1544. Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton miles D. Thomas Barnes ult Aug. 1554. Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton miles Will. Hubawd Cler. 16 Iunii 1557. Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton miles Will. Barnes 15 Ian. 1558. Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton miles Magr. Ioh. Bavand Cler. 12 Sept 1560. Will. Bavand ex concess Rob. Throkmorton mil. Henr. Smyth 9 Iunii 1570. Monumentall Inscriptions in the Church Upon a plate of brasse fixt on a marble gravestone lying in the North I le Hic humatur cum parentibus Iohannes botiler olim causidicus Nonis Februarii mundo ademptus Cujus animam suscipiat alti thronus Anno domini MCCCCCxii Amen On an Alabaster stone whereon is the portraiture of a man in his gowne Here lieth the body of Henry Huggeford of Solihull gent. deceased the xiii th of November in the year of our Lork God 1592. To whom the Lord grant a joyfull resurrection Amen Upon a tablet fixed in the North wall of the Church are the portraitures of a man and his wife with 4 sons and 4 daughters and this Inscription 1610. William Hawes aet 80. Ursula Coles aet 76. Here William Hawes and Ursula his wife Their bodyes lye their soules with Christ in life Whose holy Spirit did so direct their wayes That in his Fear they lived to aged dayes In endlesse joy with Christ they now remain By whose blood all salvation do obtain Upon a marble tombe-stone in the body of the Church whereon are portraitures in brasse Of your charity pray for the soules of William Hill gent. and for Isabell and Agnes his wifes Which William deceased the vi day of December in the year of our Lord God MCCCCCxlix On whose soules
in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge with the Chapell of Nuthurst thereunto annexed at xv li. vi s. viii d. over and above xx â— Pension payable yearly to the Canons of Kenilworth â— and xi s. to the Bishop and Archdeacon for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclcsiae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Kenilw ad nominat Hugh de Ardena mil. Thomas de Notehurst Diac. anno 1250. Prior Conv. de Kenilw ad nominat Ioh. Peche mil. Ioh. de Olnefel 11. Cal. Oct. 1320. Prior Conv. de Kenilw ad nominat Ioh. Peche mil. Ioh. atte Well Cap. 2. Non. Iunii 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilw ad nominat Kinardi De la Bere mil. Ioh. de Braunteford 6. Oct. 1387. Prior Conv. de Kenilw ad nominat Kinardi De la Bere mil. Rob. Eyberhale Pbr. 9. Iunii 1391. Prior Conv. de Kenilw D. Ioh. Gerveys Cap. 20. Oct. 1410. Prior Conv. de Kenilw ad nom D. VVill. Mountfort mil. Ioh. Gylbard Cap. 6. Sept. 1413. Prior Conv. de Kenilw ad nom D. VVill. Mountfort mil. Ioh. Harman Cap. 21. Martii 1431. Prior Conv. de Kenilw D. Thom. Boresden 12. Martii 1510. Prior Conv. de Kenilw D. Rad. Massy Cap. 7. Feb. 1515. Prior Conv. de Kenilw D. Petrus Irlam 5. Febr. 1537. D. Henr. 8. Rex Angl. D. Ric. Baynton Cap. 24. Maii 1542. Thomas L'ysley ar Thomas Robynson 26. Ian. 1565. Eliz. Angliae Regina Leonardus Fetherston Cler. 14. Dec. 1584. Eliz. Angliae Regina Walt. Byckles Cler. 3. Feb. 1594. Eliz. Angliae Regina Sim. Grover 30. Oct. 1596. This Church being situate on so fair an ascent had a tall Spire which was a noted mark to a great part of the Wood-land till by the extraordinary violence of Lightning and Thunder hapning on S t Andrew's day at night in the year 1643. it was cloven and fell to the ground at which time the whole fabrick with the tower were torn in divers places Nuthurst OF this place I have seen no mention before H. 3. time it being a member of Hampton originally and therewith coming to Moubray From one of which Family it was past to Montfort and from Peter de Montfort or one of his Ancestors to one of the Hastangs of Lemington-Hastang in this Countie For upon the challenge made by Peter de Montfort in 46 H. 3. of certain services which he claimed as due unto him from Robert de Hastang for the fourth part of a Knights fee here they came to an agreement viz. that the same Robert de Hastang and his heirs upon levying of Scutage after the rate of xl s. a Knights fee should pay to him the said Peter and his heirs x s. and so according to that proportion When or how it past from Hastang I have not seen but about the beginning of E. 3. time Will. Trussell of Flore in Com. Northampt. became owner of it and in 5. of that King's reign had a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here as also a speciall License to make a Park of his Woods in this place From which Will. it descended to the Trussells of Billesley and continued in the possession of that Family whose Descent in Billesley is to be seen till Edward Trussell son and heir to the last Thomas sold it within these few years to William Iesson an Alderman of Coventre The extent of what these Trussells had here being one Mess. CC. acres of land CCC acres of pasture x. acres of meadow xxx acres of Wood and iv s. Rent as appeareth by an Inq. taken after the death of Thomas Trussell in 8 H. 8. Here is an ancient Chapell which in respect of its great distance from the Parish Church hath some Parochiall rites belonging thereto In 2 H. 3. it was with the Church of Hampton appropriated to the Canons of Kenilworth by William de Cornhull then Bishop of this Dioces whereupon an assignation was made of what Tithes the Vicar of Hampton should thenceforth have within this Hamlet as in Hampton is shewed In 18 E. 2. I find that Iohn de Olnefel Vicar of Hampton made a Lease for the terme of eight yeaâ—s unto one Thomas Ketel of Kings-Norton Priest of this Chapell with all the Gâ—ebe Tithes and every thing else thereto belonging reserving to himself all living Mortuaries of the Inhabitants there deceasing and the buriall of the bodies of all married persons and widows with Funerall oblations as also pasture and forage of Hay and Straw yearly sufficient for the maintenance of four young beasts Steers or Heyâ—ers to be there kept and the keeping of three or four Hoggs yearly in Harvest-time and for a month after Michaelmass The conditions to be performed of the part of the said Thomas being these viz. that he and his Clerke should serve personally every day in the said Chapell honestly and decently so that the said Vicar might not have blame therefore and that he should keep the Housing and Chapell with Books Vestments and all other ornaments in as good state or better than he found them not cutting down any Trees and paying to the said Vicar or his Deputie xx s. per annum Unto which Chapell Edmund Fulwood of Tanworth Esquire bearing a good regard in respect of his so near residence thereto scil at Cley-Hall in 9 Eliz. granted a Mess. and certain lands thereto belonging unto Thomas Trussell Thomas Greswould Iohn Lidyate Gentlemen Iohn Sidnall and some others to the use of such Priest as should thenceforth serve therein and be continually resident but in case of such non-residencie the Church-wardens to take the benefit thereof to bestow on the poor and needy Inhabitants of Nuthursâ— on Good Friday or else to the repair of the said Chapell as in their discretion should be thought meet Knoll THis was originally a member of Hampton and therefore not particularly mentioned in the Conqueror's Survey nor till K. Iohn's time have I seen it so much as named but then did William de Arden of Hampton grant it unto Amicia de Tracie his wife as part of her Dower to hold during life in which Deed it is written Gnolle the C. being mistaken for a G. having had its name originally from the situation for in our old English Cnolle signifieth the knap of an Hill or an ascending ground In 35 H. 3. Hugh de Arden son and heir to the said William had Free warren granted to him in all his Demesn lands in this place where it is written la Cnolle And in 46 H. 3. William de Arden son of Hugh commenced suit against Peter de Montfort and others for certain lands here upon the death of which William Agatha his widow had it assigned unto her for part of her dowrie Which William and his brother dying without issue as in Hampton is shewed and the whole
but very little or nothing at all appeareth to have been proved And so much doth an honest Historian in his Acts of the Archbishops of Yorke declare where speaking of the proceedings against them he saith Quamvis in multis essent accusati nichil tamen inventum est quod de jure videretur statum illorum annullare And that this was truth speaking then of Will. de Grenefeld Archbishop of Yorke at that time he further saith Archiepiscopus Willielmus pietate motus super statu Templariorum suae Diocesit omni auxilio destitutorum eos in diversa suae Diocesis instituit Monasteria eisque suo perpetuo vitae necessaria ministrari praecepit Yet such was their hard fate that having been thus dealt withall their whole Order became shortly after condemned in a genetall Councell at Uienna under Pope Clement the v. Anno 1311. 4 E. 2. So that their possessions being thereupon seized into the King's hands what they had in this Countie and Leicestershire was committed to the custodie of Alexander de Compton who in 6 E. 2. answered Lx li. to the King for the issues thereof But 't is plain that the heirs of the Donours for a while came to enjoy them again and that thereupon Iohn de Moubray had this Mannour of Balshall which he held till his death and attainder for adhering to Thomas Earl of Lancaster in 15 E. 2. as also that it was thereupon committed to the custodie of Iohn Peche of whom in Hampton I have spoke to hold during the King's pleasure Houbeit in this condition they scarce continued one year longer For by a generall Decree of Pope Clement before specified dated at Uienna vi Non. Maii in the seventh year of his Papacie they were annexed and incorporated to the Knights Hospitalars of which Order before I proceed farther I will here as I have done of the Templars give a brief account The first institution of this Order was about the year MXCII. after which ere long they setled in England for in the year MC and beginning of King Henry the first his reign Iordan Briset a wealthy and devout man built then an House in the suburbs of London neer Smithfield which was afterwards called S. Iohns of Ierusalem But these also from a low beginning through the great austeritie of their lives at first obtained vast possessions before what belong'd to the Templars was setled upon them In this Countie they had antiently I mean before the accession of the Templars lands to them lands in Grafton given to them by Henry the son to Bernardus de Grafton and others In Chesterton by William de Croc In Preston-Bagot Whitnash Newbold-Pacie Bilney Rieton super Dunsmore Halford Anstie and other places by the gift of sundry persons And of what great esteem this their Order was within England the Charter of priviledges and Liberties granted to them by King Ric. 1. in 5 0 of his reign doth sufficiently manifest where the generall words â—un thus Conâ—essimus omne sus omne Dominium quod ad nos pertinet pertineat omnem potestatem omnes libertates liberas consuetudines quas Regia potestas conferre potest in omnibus c. But I return to Balshall The next thing most observable in reference to these Knights Hospitalars wherewith I have met is a passage which manifesteth that all their Tenants for the better fruition of the many priviledges belonging to those lands did use to erect Crosses upon their Houses which Custome appears by the seizure of a House and certain grounds thereto belonging that lay in Wishaw into the King's hands in respect that one Chestershire the owner thereof had set a Crosse upon it to the end that he might partake of the Templars priviledges whereas in truth the premisses had not any relation to that Order I do not find that the Hospitalars held this place as a Preceptorie by the residence of any of their Fraternity here as the Templars did but rather the contrary for it appears that in E. 4. time Iohn Beaufitz Esquire was their Fermour of the House called the Preceptorie and resided there which Iohn in 22 H. 6. underwent the Office of Eschaetor for this Countie and Leicestershire as also from 11 E. 4. till 4 H. 7. inclusive was a Justice of Peace in this Shire And moreover that having been in 16 E. 4. Shiriff for both these Counties and in 1. and 2 H. 7. again Eschaetor he dyed in 22 H. 7. as the date and probate of his Testament do manifest by which he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Monasterie of Kenilworth before the Image of the blessed Virgin at the door of the Quiâ—e or where else Iohn Yardley the then Abbot should think more expedient And to the Abbot and Covent of that House gave a Basin and Ewre of silver to serve at the high Altar the same Abbot during his whole life being to pray for him daily in his Masse especially by name and he that should daily say the Chapter Masse to pray for the Soul of Sir Raufe Boteler Lord Sudley and his Lady and him the said Iohn Beaufitz especially by name as the said Abbot and Covent pleased and likewise he that was to sing our Lady Masse To the same Abbot he also gave a gilt piece to the value of ten marks to pray daily for him by name in his Masse and he and his Covent to assoil him in the Chapterhouse This Iohn had also in Fletchamsted an estate by Lease from the Knights Hospitalars and besides this possest a Mannour in Lodbroke called Wynteners as also the Mannour of Wodcote in this Countie and left issue Margerie his daughter and heir afterwards married to Sir Robert Belyngham Knight Little have I seen else worthy the notice touching this place other than the Customes which antiently as is evident by that Account in 31 H. 2. were as followeth viz. that their Tenants were yearly to mow three days in Harvest one at the charge of the House and to plow three days whereof one at the like charge As also to reap one day at which time they should have a Ram from the House or viii d. xxiv loaves and a Cheese of the best in the House together with a pail full of drink And moreover that they might not sell their Horse-Colts if they were foaled upon the land belonging to the Temple without the consent of the Fraternity nor marry their daughters without their License After the dissolution of the Monasteries this Mannour being inter alia assigned for the dowrie of Queen Catherine the last wife of King H. 8. was in 1 E. 6. granted I mean the reversion to Edward Duke of Somerset and his heirs to hold by the xlth part of a Knights fee But he being attainted in 5 E. 6. as our Historians do
shew the inheritance of it was shortly after past out of the Crown unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick upon whose attainder by Queen Mary whereof I have spoke in Warwick it became disposed of by that Queen to Edward Lord Dudley and to the heirs male of his body who rendred it back again to the Crown as it seems for I find that the same Queen soon after intending to restore that Religious House of the Knights Hospitalars situate near Smithfield to some part of the lustre it antiently had having to that purpose made Sir Thomas Tresham Knight Lord Prior thereof did inter alia give this Mannour of Balshall thereunto But all that fair design of hers being blasted very soon after Queen Elizabeth began to reign this Mannour of Balshall was by Letters Patent from that Queen dated 29. Iunii 8. Eliz. given to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester and his heirs Kinwaldsey THis petty Hamlet having been so called from some possessor thereof in the Saxons time lyes at a great distance from the Parish Church and hath been antiently reputed and still is esteemed as a member of Hampton but whether it were given to the Nunns of Mergate in Bedfordshire by Rog. de Moubray of whom in Hampton I have spoke or by one of the Ardens who had that Lordship of Hampton from his grant I cannot say yet cleer it is that 't was one of them who so gave it for it appears that Cristina Prioresse of Mergate and the rest of her fellow Nunns did demise it together with Didington unto the first William de Arden about King Ric. 1. time for both which they reserved the yearly Rent of xx s. and that Hugh de Arden son and heir to the same William purchased the inheritance of them both from Isabell the succeeding Prioresse and the Covent of that House for the summe of xxx marks And that these together with Knolle came to the Monks of Westminster but how afterwards they were disposed of I cannot well discover Didington OF this I can say no more than what I have exprest in Kinwaldsey Chadleswic THis place being origina◠〈◊〉 member of Hampton was by Roger deâ— Moubray granted unto Peter de Arden to hold by the tenth part of a Knights Fee in which grant or rather confirmation it is said to have been at first given to the said Peter by Raphe his father called Radulphus de Hamtona as I have elsewhere shewed From this Peter it came to Roger his brother whom he made his heir and so descended to William de Arden who granted it in dower inter alia unto Amicia de Tracy his wife by the name of tota villa de Chadeleswiz But after this viz. in 20. and 36 H. 3. Peter de Montfort was certified to hold it by the eight part of a Knights Fee though how this comes to passe I cannot give a reason for cleer it is that in 29 E. 1. Iohn Peche descended from an heir female of Arden enjoyed it And farther I have not seen any considerable mention of it wherefore I conclude that it was swallowed up in Hampton Badsley-Clinton THis forasmuch as it was heretofore a member of Hampton comes most properly to be next spoke of In the Conqueror's Survey it is not particularly mentioned as being involved with Hampton wherewith it came to Nigel de Albani which Nigell or Roger de Moubray his son enfeoft Walter de Biseg or the father of the same Walter thereof in H. 1. time as may be inferred from that Certificate in 12 H. 2. To which Walter succeeded Raphe and to him Iames de Bisege who bore for his Armes Frette as by his Seal appeareth and left issue Mâ—zera his daughter and heir wedded to Sir Thomas de Clinton of Colshill Knight by whom she had divers sons as the Descent in Colshill will manifest whereof Iames the fourth had the inheritance of this Lordship assigned unto him for part of his patrimony paying 1 d per an to his Fathers heirs whence it came to be named Badsley-Clinton for distinction from another Badsley in this Hundred To which Iames succeeded Thomas who left issue two daughters and heirs scil Ioane first married to Iohn Coningsby but afterwards to Iohn Fowkes of Dry-Merston in Gloucestershire and Petronill to Iohn Wodard of Solihull which Iohn Coningsby for C. marks of silver in 29 E. 3. bought out the interest that the same Iohn Wodard and Petronill had here But whether Coningesby had any issue by the same Ioane or not I am uncertain for evident it is that Fowkes her second husband lived here and in 18 R. 2. joyned with her in the passing of it unto one Nicholas Dudley a tradesman of Coventre and Major of that City in 1 H. 4. But perhaps this was only an estate in trust for it appears that in 2 H. 4. Robert Burdet of Kynghull and Ioane his wife purchased it of Richard Bushell of Dry-Merrston in Gloucestershire and Margaret his wife which Margaret was daughter and heir to Iohn Fowke and Ioan his wife as the Pedegree of Clinton in Colshill doth manifest From which R. Burdet it came to one Nic. Metley a Lawyer by purchase who bequeathing his Body to sepulture in the Temple Church at London appointed that this Mannour should be sold by his Executors inter alia and with the moneys thence arising four Priests provided to celebrate divâ—ne Service for his Soule and the souls of his Ancestors for one whole year after his decease or else two Priests for two years and besides this one other Priest to do as much here at Badsley for the like terme constituting Margaret his mother Ioane his wife and Rob. Catesby his Executors which Margaret and Iâ—ane sold it unto the said Robert Catesby their fellow Executor who enjoyed it accordingly till after the battail of Northampton which was about xx years but then did Iohn Hugford of Emscote in right of Margaret his wife daughter and heir to the before specified Nicholas Mesley enter upon it and by the countenance of Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick whose Steward he was kept possession thereof during the whole life of the said Robert Howbeit before the death of the same Iohn Hugford Nich. Catesby son and heir of Robert made his entrie upon it again and from that time enjoyed it during the whole life of Hugford and eleven years after that the daughters and heirs of the said Iohn whose Descent in Emscote is to be seen disseised him whereupon the before mentioned Nich. Catesby discerning the title to be so disputable past it away unto Iohn Brome a Lawyer by which means it came to the Family of Ferrers as the Pedegree here inserted doth manifest Rob. Brome de Warwick 20 R. 2. Joh. Brome Senior 8 H. 4. Johanna filia haeres Thomae Rody de
Badsley-Clinton Joh. Brome de Badsley Clinton caesus 8 E. 4. Beatrix filia Rad. Shirley mil. â—ocosa Priorisla de Wroxhale Tho. Brome de Wodlow duxit Ioannam fil .... Midlemore de Egebaston obiit s. p. Isabella ux Phil. Purefey postea Thomae Denton Nich. Brome de Badsley obiit 9 H. 8. Eliz. ux Raufredi Arundell mil. ux 1. Isab. ux Thom. Maâ—row servâ—entis ad legem temp H. 7. Dorothea primo nupta Franc. Cokain ar postea Humfr. Ferrers mil. Constantia obiit 30 Sept. 1551. Edw. Ferrers miles obiit 29 Aug. Anno 1535. Henr. Ferrers ar obiit an 1526. Cath. filia Ioh. Hampden de Hampden in Com. Buck. mil. Edw. Ferrers ar obiit 11. Aug. 1564. Brigitta filia Will. domini Windsor Henr. Ferrers ar obiit 10. Oct. 1633. Iana filia cohaeres Hâ—nr White de South-Warnborn in Com. Southampt ar Edw. Ferrers ar Anna filia Will. Peto de Chesterton ar Nich. Brome de Badsley obiit 9 H. 8 Cath. filia ...... Lampeck ux 2. Edw. Brome de Wodlow duxit Marger fil Ioh. Beaufo de Emscote obiit s. p. Nich. Brome de Badsley obiit 9 H. 8 Leticia fil Nic. Catesby de Neunham ux 3. Rad. Brome frater haeres Edwardi Anna filia Regin Digby de Colshill ar Will. Brome de Makstoke-Hall Regin Brome de Wodlow Eliz. filia Thom. Skeffington de Skeffington in Com. Leic. ar Ioh. Brome de Pakinton parva Will. Brome de Halton in Com. Oxon. Robertus Brome Christoph. Brome Iohannes Brome de Halton Margar. soror haeres Thom. Rous de Ragley Christoph. Brome de Halton miles Alianora filia Will. Baronis Windsor obiit Anno 1592. Georgius Brome fil haeres Will. Brome obiit in pueritia Ursula filia haeres uxor Thomae Whorwood de Sandall in Com. Staff mil. Of this Iohn Brome the Lawyer who had first to do here I find that he did descend from a Familie of that name which for severall Descents were Tanners and resided in that suburbe of Warwick South of the Bridge the House still retaining the name of Brome's-place and that Robert his grandfather was a Lawyer as also Steward of the Courts to Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for his lands in this Countie And that Iohn his Father served in the Parliament of 8 H. 4. as one of the Burgesses for the town of Warwick and likewise that they were owners of Brome-Hail or Brome's place in Lapworth whence 't is believed they originally came Which Iohn before he so acquired Catesbye's title to this Lordship had certain lands within the precincts thereof in right of his mother scil Ioane daughter and heir unto Thomas Rodie and for a great part of King Henry the sixt's reign bore much sway in these parts being under Treasurer in the Exchequer But in our publique Records his name is mistaken and written Brown as appeareth in the Commission for assessing of a Subsidie in 14 H. 6. and for treating with the people about a Loan of money to the King From 30 H. 6. till the end of that King's reign I find him in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Countie and in 38 H. 6. one of the Commissioners of Array Howbeit after the beginning of E. 4. reign he was set aside as to any publique employment and at length had the hard fate to be slain by Iohn Herthill Steward to Rich. Nevill the great Earl of Warwick who sending for him out of the White Friers Church in London where he was then at Mass upon some words which hapned betwixt them kil'd him in the Porch the occasion of their quarrell being in shâ—re this Herthill having mortgaged the Mannour of Woodlow to this Iohn would have redeem'd it again for the money borrowed but Brome lying upon advantage resolved to keep the land whereupon growing into height of words in disputing the business Herthill mortally wounded him Before he departed the world having time to make his Will he used therein this expression scil that he forgave his son Thomas who smiled when he saw him run through by Herthill in the White Friers Church-Porch In which Church for there he was buried he had this Epitaph upon his Tombe-stone Nâ—bilis docti sic Regni jure periti Subâ—â—it ut Pulvis Brome corpus cerne Johannis Ingenâ—â— natus â—estis Warwic Comitatus Huâ—us in Ecclesia facta qui corruit ense Pravorum manibus sub Missae tempore caesus Sarcophago Nonis sepelitur mense Novembris Sexaginta Centum quater octo jungito Mille Alme pater requiem sibi praestat habere perennem By Beatrice his wife daughter to Sir Raphe Shirley Knight he left issue divers Children of which Nicholas succeeded him as Lord of this Mannour who from 3 H. 7. till 9 H. 8. was a Juâ—tâ—ce of Peace in this Shire as also for divers yearâ— a Commissioner for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and of Array and in 20 H. 8. Shirâ—ff of this Countie and Leicestershire This Nich. resenting the death of his Father very much about thâ—ee years after way-lay'd the before mentioned Iohn Herthill in Longbridg-field in his pasâ—age towards Barford to keep the Earl of Warwick's Court and there after a short encounter slewâ— him Whereupon Elizabeth Herthill's widow began to stir against him by way of Appeal for killing her husband but by mediation of friends Arbitrators were chosen to accord the business who awarded that she should release unto the same Nicholas all Actions personall and Appeales and that he the said Nich. should pay Câ—li sterling in S. Maries Church at Warwick for the maintenance of a Priest for one whole year to sing Masse and pray for the souls of Iohn Brome and Iohn Herthill so slain as hath been expressed she the said Eliz. finding to the Priest Bâ—â—â—d Wine and Wax as oft as he should so say Maâ—â— And moreover that the same Nich. should at his own prâ—per costs by the space of two years 〈◊〉 a Priest to sing Masse in the Church of Badsley-â—â—â—â—ton for the souâ—s abovesaid which Award bears date at Coventre 18 â— Martii 12 E. 4. Of this Nich. I have further seen that comâ—ming on a time into his Parlour here at Badsley he found the Parish-Priest chocking his wife under the chin whereat he was so enraged that he presently kil'd him For which offence obtaining the King's Pardon and the Popes he was enjoyn'd to do something towards the expiation thereof whereupon he new built the Towre-steeple here at Badsley from the ground and bought three Bells for it and raised the body of the Church ten foot higher all which was exprest in his Epitaph now torn away And likewise built the Steeple of Packwood in which Church windows was this Inscription Orate pro anima Nicholai Brome qui Campanile de Pacwood fieri fecit But farther of him I have not found any thing
Armes is affixt in which she bears her paternall coat in the mid'st and the two Noble-men her husbands on the dexter side with the two Knights Bermingham and Russell on the other In whose Testament I finde little memorable farther than that she disposed her body to be buried in the Chancell at Haversham above specified before the Image of our Lady and gave to the Canons here at Maxstoke to pray for her soul and the soul of the Lord Clinton her husband xl s. But in 2 H. 6. she died being more than Lxxx. years of age so that then the possession of this Castle and Mannour returned to her grandson-in Law scil Sir William de Clinton Knight Lord Clinton and Say Which Sir William sate in Parliament with the rest of the Barons from 23 R. 2. till his death as appears by his severall summons In 1 H. 4. he was in Commission for arraying of men in this Countie and in 9 H. 5. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his warrs of France with xl men at Armes viz. himself one Knight and the rest Esquires as also CCC Archers well and sufficiently mounted armed and arrayed taking for himself iv s. per diem for the Knight ii s. and for each other man at Armes i s. with the reward accustomed Neither was he forgetfull of the before mentioned Canons here at Maxstoke for I finde that in 10 H. 4. he bestowed on them x li. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands lying in Dunton-Basset in Com. Leic. And having married Anne daughter to the Lord Botreaux but widow of Sir Fouk Fitzwarin Knight departed this life in 10 H. 6. leaving Iohn his son and heir xxii years of age Of whom I have little to say considering that within six years after he came to his estate he passed away the inheritance of this Castle and Lordship unto Humphrey Earl Stafford and Anne his wife in exchange for the Mannours of Whishton and Wodeford in Northamptonshire as by the Deed whereunto his Seal of Armes is affixt viz. quarterly Clinton and Say with two Greyhounds supporting the Timbre appeareth which bears date 17. Maii 16 H. 6. After which though he retained some other Lordships in this County yet did he not reside therein so that here I am to leave this branch of that ancient and noble Family from whence the now Earl of Lincolne is lineally descended and trace down the succession of this Castle through such other hands as it hath since fallen into It seems that the before specified Earl had a a very great liking to this Castle for no sooner did he so obtain it but that he plated the Gates all over with Iron and adorn'd them with his own Coat impaled with Nevill his wife being the daughter to Raphe Nevill Earl of Westmerland and supported by two Antelopes in respect that Anne his mother was one of the daughters and coheirs unto Thomas of Woodstoke Duke of Gloucester And in further memorie that these Gates were then so strengthened and beautified he caused the burning Nave and Knot the antient Badges of his Ancestors to be imbossed in the Iron-work thwarting the midst thereof as are yet to be seen This great Earl being created Duke of Buckingham in 23 H. 6. constituted William Draicote his Constable of this Castle for executing which Office he had the Fee of five marks per annum Within the body thereof is a little Chapell in which by speciall dispensation from Reginald Boulers then Bishop of this Diocess was solemnized the marriages of Iohn Talbot son and heir to Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and Katherine Stafford one of the daughters of this Duke in 36 H. 6. As also of Iohn Stafford one of his younger sons afterwards created Earl of Wiltshire and Constance the daughter of Henry Greene Esquire To which Duke succeeded Henry his grandson upon whose attainder in 1 Ric. 3. the custodie of it was committed to Walter Grant one of the Gentlemen-Huâ—shers to the Queen The next thing observable thereof is that King Ric. 3. upon his march towards Nottingham in the last year of his reign came from Kenilworth hither and commanded that part of the inner buildings should be taken down and carried to that Castle with all speed but what was done therein I know not for he was soon after slain at Bosworth-field whereupon King Henry his successor constituted William Trussell Eâ—quire his Constable here Howbeit within a short space Edward Duke of Buckingham son and heir to the said Henry reposessing what his Father had in 18 H. 7. made Iohn Harewell of Waxen's-Wotton Esquire Constable thereof But that Duke forfaited all by his attainder in 13 H. 8. Whereupon Commissioners were appointed to enquire what Castles Mannours Lands c. he was at that time seized of with the names of all his Officers and their severall Fees At which time it was certified inter alia that Hugh Mervyn Esquire had the Keepership of the Park here having been admitted thereto by the said Duke at ii d. by the day as also Bayliffe there at ii d. by the day the old Fee having been but a penny William Phipps Porter at xl s. per annum by an old grant from the said Duke for life he being then above Lxxx. years of age and Iohn Archer Constable his Fee Lxvi s. viii d. per annum Which Duke suffred death 17 Maii in the year abovesaid whereupon 20. Octob. following the King granted unto Sir William Compton Knight and to the heirs male of his body this Castle Park and Mannour to be held of the Crown in Capite by Knights service but because there had been a Recovery of them suffred by the said Duke in 5 H. 8. whereby the Recoverers stood seized to the use of himself and his heirs so that it did not eschaet to the King by his said forfaiture therefore to make all sure it was in the Parliamâ—nt of 15 H. 8. enacted that the before specified Duke should stand and be convicted and attainted of High Treason and forfait to the King and his heirs all Honours Castles Mannour c. whereof he or any person to his use were seized in Fee-simple Fee-tail c. the 24 th of Aprâ—l 4. H. 8. or any time since with a speciall Provâ—so that the same Act should not prejudice the Kâ—ng's grant above mentioned made to Sir William Compton Knight in 13. of his reign Which Sir Will. Compton had issue Peter upon whose death in 36 H. 8. the King supposing he had left no issue male so that the inheritance of this Castle had again return'd to the Crown made a grant unto Edward Lord Clinton of the Custodie of it and the Park with the Herbage and paunage thereof as also of the Bathwick of the Lordship for life but when he understood that the said Peter had a son born
the Duke of Lancaster â—nto Spain in 9 R. 2. and there died â—eaving issue by Margaret the daughter to Sir Iohn de Clinton of Maxstoke Kt. Iohn Wiâ—liam Baldwin Thomas and Margaret which Iohn was under age at his father's death whereupon Sir Wiâ—l Bagot Kt. had his Wardship and married Catherine his daughter to him but he died without issue before 23 R. 2. unto whom succeeded William his brother in the inheritance Of which William I find that having been in H. 4 time one of the chief Esquires retained with the Earl of Warwick for the siege of Callais and in 5 H. 5. Steward of the Household to the same Earl being retained with him at xl marks per an fee As also from 9 H. 5. at which time he was a Kt. till his death in Commissiâ—n for conservation of the Peace in this Countie he was one and indeed chief of the Councell unto the same Earl and Executor to the Ladie Isabell his Countâ—ss and that almost in all imployments for the publick service of the Countrie he had a principall place for in 4.8.14.19 and 24 H. 6. he was in Commission for treating with the people concerning Loans of money to the King In 14. and 28 H. 6. for assessing and levying of Subsidâ—es In 15 and 23 H. 6. one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then heâ—d In 12 H. 6. one of those who swore to the observance of those Articles agreed on in the Parliament of that year and three times Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire viz. in 10.20 and 29 H. 6. As also that he bore for his Armes Aâ—â—ent upon a chief Azure two flowre de 〈◊〉 O being the Coat of Clinton his grand-mothers Father In whose time that fair Spire-Sâ—eâ—ple here beâ—ng newly built from the ground and the Chancell as appeareth by the structure and Armes in sundry of the Windows he was without doubt a speciall Benefactor thereto His Testament bears date the Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Mathew the Apostle 30 H. 6. but there is very little worth notice therein other than the disposall of all his lands in Mollington for the Foundation of a Chantrie here at Colshill which was never accomplished By his first wâ—â—e sc. Margâ—ret daughter and heir to Sir Iohn Peche of Hampton in Arden he had issue Sir Baldwin Mountfort Kt. Iohn that died without issue Robert Richard Parson of Ilmindon and Raph Which Robert being possest of the Mannour of Monkspath in this Countie and of Bescote in Staffordshire left issue one onely daughter and heir named Catherine married to George Booth son and heir to Sir Will. Booth of Dunham in Cheshire of the antient Familie of the Booths of Barton in Lancashire From which George is lineally descended Sir George Booth now of Dunham Baronet But by Ioane a second wife born in Little Briâ—tany had the said Sir Will. Mountfort a son called Edmund first one of the Esquires to King H. 6. and afterwards a Kt. and Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire in 38 H. 6. As also one of the Carvers to the same King and a Commissioner for arraying of men the same year A man indeed much in favour with that unfortunate Prince as appears by an acknowledgement of his services exprest in the preamble of a certain Patent whereby he had the Lordships of Shustoke and Bole-Hall in this Countie then given to him which were seized on for the activeness of Iohn Lord Clinton and Say on the behalf of the House of York Which Sir Edmund by his Testament bearing date 12 Martii 10 H. 7. bequeathed his body to sepulture in our Lady Chapell within the Parish Church of Henley upon Thames in com Oxon. at the window side before the Image of our Lady in the same Chapell appointing thereby that a metely Tomb should be made according to his degree and his Armes set upon it with this inscription Here lyeth Sir Edmund Mountford Knyht sometime Counceller and Kerver with the most blessed King Henry the sixt and after Chamberleyne to the high and mighty Prince Jasper D. of Bedford brother to the said Prince the said King But I return to Sir Baldwin who at his Father's death in 31 H. 6. was xl years of age and in 34 H. 6. a Kt. being then in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Countie Betwixt this Sir Baldwin and Sir Edm. Mountfort his half brother there was a great contestation for this Mannour of Colshill and the Mannour of Ilmindon for it seems that Sir Will. Mountfort their Father being wrought upon by the importunitie of Ioane his second wife did endeavour the disheâ—iâ—on of his Children by the first for the better bearing out whereof he enfeoft Humphrey D. of Buckingham a potent man in that age to the use of the same Ioane and of Edmund his son by her which Edmund to make the said Duke the more frm to his interest setled the reversion in case he should have no issue upon him and Humphry Earl Stafford his son so that when Sir Baldwin made his claim thereunto the Duke through his greatness so terrified him with threats that he forced him solemnly to disclaim the former intail and not onely so but to procure Richard and Iohn his brothers of the whole blood under their hands and Seals to do the like Notwithstanding all which Sir Baldwin afterwards taking heart did set a-foot his title again so that at length the matter was referred to Thomas Bourchier Archb. of Canterb. Richard D. of Yorke Ric. Earl of Salisbury Iohn Earl of Worcester and Henry Vicount Bourchier who awarded the said Duke to have Colshill to himself and to his heirs and that Ilmindon should be to the same Sir Baldwin and his heirs whereupon they released each to other and the said Sir Edmund released to Humphrey Earl Stafford before specified all his right to this Mannour and Sim. Montfort son and heir to Sir Baldwin gave bond of a thousand pounds to the said Duke not to molest the said Ioane and Edmund for the same By which means she the said Ioane and her son went away with the present possession thereof the reversion remayning in the before specified Duke and his heirs Howbeit the said Sir Baldw. and his son upon the attainder of that Duke who was slain in the battail of Northampton an 38 H. 6. procured a speciall clause to be inserted in the Act for the regaining of their right hereunto which forasmuch as it is memorable I have here inserted Foresien alwey that this Act of atteynder in noo wise hurt nor prejudice the right title nor posâ—session of Symond Mountfort Esquire of in nor for the Mannours of Colshull and Ilmyndon in the Shire of Warrewyk and the Manor of Rampnam in Berkshire and the advouson
others of the great Nobilitie to be at Shrewsbury on the Feast day of the Nativitiâ— of the blessed Virgin well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march against Lewelin Pâ—ince of Wales and his complices then in rebellion and the next year following had the like Summons to be at London the morrow after the Feast day of the Apostles Simon and Iude So also in 47â— H. 3. to be at Worcester on the Feast day of S. Peter ad Vincula called Lammas in like sort accoutred but with what affection he came thither is easie to ghess for it appears that being seduced by the turbulent spiritted Barons he joyned with them in committing many great outrages upon the Church and Clergie that very year for which he together with Henry and Simon sons to Sim. Mountfort Earl of Leicester and many more of the rebellious Nobilitie were excommunicated by the Archb. of Canterbury After which no man was more active against the King than he being one of those that on the Barons part submitted to such a determination as the K. of France should make unto whom the dâ—fferences touching those Ordinances called Provisiones Oxonii so prejudiciall to the King was referred and who did put himself in Armes with the rest under pretence of asserting the Laws of the landâ— and the peoples just liberties holding out Northampton hostâ—lely against the King and likewise Kenilworth Castle during that famous six-months siege as in my discourse of that place is shewed So that by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth which after his victorâ—e aâ— Evesham was made in favâ—ur of those Rebells having been so prime an Actor in those disturbances he was specially excepted and referred to a seaven years imprisonment or submission to the King's mercy But with his Lady the King dealt very gratiouslyâ— even in the height of her husband's violence for in September 49 H. 3. he assigned unto herâ— this Lordship of Fillongley with Allesley and Berdingbury in this Counâ—ie as also Barwell and Burbach in Leicestershire for her maintenance which were then valued at C l. per an and in Ianuary the year following added the Lordships of Ierdele Blimham and Nayleston confirming his assignation of this and the rest abâ—ve mentioned The direct time of this Henry's death I find not but I suppose it to have been in 53 H. 3. for in that year had the said Ioan his widdow an allotment of divers Kts. Fees and parts of Fees lying in sundry places for her dower which in the whole came to no less than xxiiii Which great Lady sealed with her husband's Armes scil a Manche the outside of the Seal being decked wâ—th her paternall coat viz. Flower de â—uces To the last Henry de Hastings succeeded Iohn his son and heir which Iohn became a coheir to George de Cantilupe his Uncle by the mothers side unto whom for his part inter alia was allotted the Castle and Honour of Bergavenny the Castle of Kilgaran as also the Mannour of Aston-Cantilupe in this Countie of all which being in â—he Kâ—ng's hands in regard of his minoritie he had â—â—verie in 11 E. 1. then doing his homage and the next year following had command to attend â—hâ— King in his Scotch expedition In 15 E. 1. he was in that Welch voyage with Edm. Earl of Cornwall unto whom the K. being then in Gascoign had committed the custodie of this Realm After which I find that in 21 E. 1. he accompanied Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glouc. and Hereford into Ireland and that in 25 E. 1. he had Summons â— amongst many other great persons to be at London on the Sunday next after the Octaves of St. Iohn Bapt. sufficiently furnâ—sht with Horse and Armes thence to attend the King in his expedition beyond Sea As also the next ensuing year the like Summons to be at Karleol on Whitson Eve to march against the Scots In 28 E. 1. he attended the King with his Army into Scotland and thâ—re performed militarie service for five Knight's fees in which year he obtained a Charter for a Mercate at this his Mannour of Fillongley weekâ—y every Munday and an annuall Faire beginning on the Eve of St. Iohn Bapt. Nativitie to last for five days In 31 E. 1. he attended the King again into Scotland and was at that memorable siege of Kaerlaverok The same year likewise was he in the wars of Gascoigne and in 34 E. 1. had speciall summons amongst the rest of the great Nobilitie to be at Westminster the morrow after Trinitie-Sunday there to consider and take order concerning an Aid for the making of Prince Edward Knight and from the 23 of E. 1. till his death whâ—ch hapned in 6 E. 2. had summons with the rest of the Barons to the severall Parliaments then held but departing this world not long afteâ— leâ—t issue by Isabell his wife daughter 〈◊〉 Will. de Valence Earl of Pembroke Iohn de Haâ—â—ings his son and heir who being of age at that time did his Homage and had lâ—verie of his lands Which Iohn in 16 E. 2. was made Governour of Kenilworth Castle but of him I have seen little elâ—e memorable other than his marriage with Iulian the daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Leyburne and that he departed this life in 18 R. 2. leaving Laurence his son and heir about â—ive years of age which Laurencâ— in 11 E. 3. was committed to the tuition of Will. de Clinica Earl of Huntingdon who had marryed Iulian his mother to be educated with him till he should become of full age hâ—ving an allowance of CC. marks out of the Exchequer yearly fâ—r his support and maintenance during that time Of whâ—m I find that the Kâ—ng had so much careâ— when he was at New Castle upon Tine abâ—ut four years be 〈…〉 having sent for the Qâ—â—en to come thither to him and considering that so long a jâ—urney mâ—â—ht be dangerous to the Child for he was then bâ—en up in her Câ—urt directed his speacâ—all Letters to the said Iulian desiring her as a person most proper to undergo that trust to take him into her charge promising satisfaction for all costs and expences which she should be at therein This Laurence was in 13 E. 3. by the K's Letters Pat. bearing date Oct. 13. declared Earl of Pembroke in regard of his descent from Isabell the eldest sister and coheir unto Aymere de Valence Earl of Pembroke and by Agâ—es one of the daughters to â—og de Mortimer fiâ—st Earl of March had issue Iohn Earl of Pembroke little more than a twelve month old at his fathers's death which hapned in 22 E. 3. Which Iâ—hn was in 46 E. 3. sent over into Gascoign to raise the siege of Rochel beleagured by the French being then about xxv years
of age but was attended with very ill success in that expedition for no sooner did he arrive with his Army at the Port of Rochel but that the Spanish Navie fell suddainly upon them before they could put themselve in order to fight so that few of them escaped death wounds or imprisonment and yet without any considerable loss to the Enemy who forthwith set fire on all the English Ships carrying away the Earle and many gallant Gentlemen as also no less than twenty thousand marks in money sent over by the K. of England to continue the war which unhappy accident fell out on the Eve of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativitie being the Festivall of St. Aetheldred the Virgin and therefore was it censured by many as my Author observeth that God's judgement so followed him as a punishment for the injurie he had done to the Church of that holy Virgin sc. Ely in a cause betwixt the Church of St. Edmundsbury and it before his departure out of England and that the money so lost had no better luck forasmuch as it had been got from the Religious Houses and Clergy But others attributed it to his living an adulterous life being a married man that he also had attempted in Parliament an infringement of the Church its Liberties and that he perswaded the King to lay greater Taxes upon the Clergie than Laitie for support of his wars which practises of pilling and poling the Church however the temporall Lords saith the same Author were pleased yet what success they had not onely England but the whole world hath sufficiently found I now come to speak of his death the circumstances whereof were as followeth viz. that having undergone four years imprisonment in Spain with most inhumane usage he sent to Bertrand Clerkin Constable of France desiring that he would use some means for his enlargement who thereupon interceded for him to the Bastard of Spain that called himself King and obtained his libertie in consideration of part of that money due to himself whereupon he was brought to Paris and a sum of money assigned which he must pay for his redemption but after his coming thâ—ther it was not long ere that he fell mortally sick of Poison as 't was thought given to him by the Spaniards who were reputed to have such a speciall facultie in that Art as that the potion should kill at what distance of time they pleased The French therefore seeing death approaching him being eager to get his ransome money before he died made haste to remove him unto Calais but on his jâ—urney thither he departed this world upon the very day of St. Aetheldred the Virgin which Saint he had so much offended before his coming out of England as hath been said though the Inquis after his death expresseth it to have been the xvi th of Aprill his son and heir Iohn being at that time but two years old and a half and was buried in the Quire of the Friers Preachers at Hereford as by his Testament and what I shall hereafter say may seem But here before I proceed farther I must observe that this Iohn in 43 E. 3. obtaining License for that purpose from the King made a Feoffment unto Walter Amyas and others of all his Castles Lordships Mannours c in England and Wales to certain uses which Feoftment being left sealed up in the hands of the Feoffees to be kept till his return from beyond Seas was upon his death delivered to the King's Councell at Westminster who opening it found that in case he died without issue of his body the town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his heirs and successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and all other his lands in England and Wales in Fee to his Cosin Will. de Beauchamp viz. his Mother's sisters son provided that he should bear his Armes and endeavour to obtain his title of Earl and in case he neglected so to do that then his Kinsman Will. de Clinton to have them upon the same conditions But I return to his said son and heir of whom I find that at the Coronation of K. Ric. 2. he claimed to carry the great gold Spurs and that though he shewed sufficient evidence for his right so to do yet being under age it was adjudged that the King might appoint another for that time whereupon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March was assigned thereto And moreover that he took to wife whilst he was very young Philippa daughter to the said Edmund Earl of March â— but had no issue by her for being at Wodstoke where the King kept his Christmass in 13 of his reign he tilted with Sir Iohn St. Iohn and by an unfortunate slip was run into the bottome of his Belly so that his bowells breaking out he suddainly died to the great lamentation of many in regard he was a person of so noble a disposition that in bountie and curtesie he exceeded most of his degree So that it is observed that from Aymerie de Valence Earl of Pembroke his lineall ancestor who was one that gave Judgement of death upon Thomas Earl of Lancaster in â— 2. time even unto this Iohn the last Earl of the line none of them ever saw his Father nor any Father of them took delight in the seeing his Child so young were they at their Fathers deaths His body was interred in the Church of the Gray Friers near New-gate in London now called Christ's-Church where he had a fair Monument since with all the rest defaced Dying thus without issue Râ—ginald Lord Grey of Ruthin was by some Inquis found his next heir of the whole blood as descended from Elizabeth sister to Iohn great-grandfather to the said Earl so slain in tilting as hath been said and by other y Inquis Hugh de Hastings son of Hugh son of Hugh son of a second Iohn by Isabell the daughter of Hugh le Despenser as the Pedegree here placed sheweth But so little did Iohn Earl of Will. de Valencia Comes Pembr Andomarus ob â— p. Joanna Isabella Henr de Hastings Joanna de Cantilupe Iohannes de Hastings primus Râ—â—erus de Grey Elizabetha Râ—ginaldus de Grey de Ruthin Reginaldus de Grey Joh. de Hastings secundus Isabella filia Hug. le Despenser Com. Wint. Johannes de Hastings tertius Laurentius de Hastings erectus in Com. Pembr Ioh. Comes Pembr mari captus Ioh. Comes Pembr caesus in hastiludio apud Wodstoke Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings ob s. p. Edwardus de Hastings Pembroke Father to the last Iohn regard his next heir male as it seems and so much hate Reginald Grey father to the last Reginald that he entailed the greatest part of his lands as hath been said on Will. de Beauchamp before mentioned Notwithstanding which settlement 't is observeable that the right of bearing Armes was in those days of such esteem as
that the contest for those of the Earls of Pembroke sc. Or a Manche gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey son to the before mentioned Reginald and Edw. Hastings brother and heir to the last mentioned Hugh lasted little less than twenty years in the Court Militarie before the Constable and Marshall of England wherein after much money spent the said Edw. Hastings who chalenged them as heir male of the Familie was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 ob q. costs â—rey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Armes adjudged to Grey but imprisoned xvi years for disobeying that Sentence The particular proceedings in which business with the hard measure which the said Edward had for brevities sake I pass by referring my Reader to that learned Comment upon Sir Henry Spelman's discourse of Armes lately published by my worthy friend Edw. Byske Esq. where they are compendiously set forth and return to the before specified Wil. Beauchamp Which William possessing this Lordship of Fillongley â— and the greatest part of the said Earl of Pembroke's lands by virtue of that entail was impleaded for the same by the above mentioned Edw. Hastings and having invited his learned Counsell to his House in Pater Noster Row within the Citie of London amongst whom were Rob. Charlton then a Judge Will. Pinchbeck Will. Brenchesley and Iohn Catesby all learned Lawyers after Dinner went into his Chapell and at his coming out in an angry fashion threw to each of them a piece of Gold saying Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any right and title to Hasting's Lordships and Lands whereupon Pinchbeck stood up the rest being silent fearing that he suspected them and said No man here nor in England dare say that you have any right in them except Hastings do quit his claim therein and should he do it being now under age it would be of no validitie Perhaps there had been some former entail to settle them upon the heir male of the Familie which preceded that before spoken of but what ever it was sure we are that Hastings apprehended the injury done to himself so great as that with extream anguish of mind at his later end he left God's curse and his own upon his Descendants if they should not attempt the vindication thereof Of this Will. de Beauchamp who was a younger son unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by Catherine Mortimer sister of Agnes mother unto Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke before specified I find that he was in 4 R. 2. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his wars with CCL men at Armes and CCL Archers for a quarter of a year under the command of Edmund de Langley Earl of Cambridge the King's Uncle in the parts of Portugall and Spain in which expedition the said Earl was Generall So also in 6 R. 2. with that warlike Bishop of Norwich sc. Henr. Spenser who was so victorious in the parts of Flanders about that time and should have had 500. marks for the service of himself in particular of which he received part but because he had it not all before-hand he refused to stir from home After which viz. in 7 R. 2. he was constituted Governour of Calais and retained by Indenture for the safe custodie thereof with CXL men at Armes on Horseback whereof himself with nine other Kts. to be part CL. Archers on Horseback C. men at Armes and CLxxxiii Archers on foot and four Esquires on Horseback with condition that xx men at Armes and ten Archers on Horseback as also ten Archers on foot belonging to the Treasurer of Calais should be under his command in relation to that service and in consideration thereof to receive four shillings per diem for his own wages for the rest of the Knights ii s. and men at Armes serving on Horseback xii d. Which retainer was for two years but the next year ensuing the like Covenants were renewed for the terme of three years more and in 11 and 12 R. 2. for each of those years singly In 10 R. 2 he was made Governour of the Castles of Pembroke and Kilgaran In 16 R. 2. first summoned to Parliament with the Barons by the name of Will. Beauchamp de Bergavenny chivalier and made Knight of the Garter being then possest of the Castle of Bergavenny with the other lands which the befâ—re specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke had so entailed upon him as hath been said In 1 H. 4. made Justice of South-Wales and frâ—m 2 H. 4. till 8. inclusive was in Commâ—ssion for conservation of the Peace in this Countie But farther of his Militarie or Civill imployments I have not seen nor can I say more of him than that he gave to the Collegiate Church of Warwick for the good estate of K. Ric. 2. and Q. Anne his Câ—nsort as also of himself and Ioan his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of all their souls afterwards the advouson of the Churches of Spellesbury and Chadsley-Corbet in Worcester'shire and that he was in some sort a Benefactor to the Gild of the Holy Trinitie our Ladie and S. Iohn Baptist in Coventre as may seem by his portraiture set up in glass on the East side of St. Mary Hall together with his Ladie in robes of great state which in my discourse of that place are most exactly represented And lâ—stly that by his Testament bearing date at Bergavenny 25 Apr. an 1408. 9 H. 4. he bequeatned hâ—s body to be buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers at Hereford next and beneath the Tombe of the before specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke appointing that five Tapers should be hung about his Bodie as soon as mâ—ght be after his death as also that xxiiii men should be cloathed in black each of them hâ—lding a Torch in his hand and to have ii d. a piâ—ce for the same To which place of his burâ—all he bequeathed xx marks or more as his Executors should think fit and over and above what hath been already exprest C l. for the charges of his Funerall directing that ten thousand Masses should be sung for his soul in all the hast that might be after his death by the most honest Priests that could be got as also that four good Priests be found by the space of ten years singing for his soul and for the soul of his Lord Sir Iohn Hastings Earl of Pembroke and for all the souls unto whom he had obligation And moreover to his poor Tenants withâ—n his Lordships C l. To Ioane his wife a pair of Basyns covered and overgylt having the Armes of Warwick and Arundell empaled upon them To Richard his son his best Sword and Harneis to be armed withall aswell for War as Peace as also all his other Harneis for
the Justs of Peace which belong'd to War To Ioane and Elizabeth his daughters a thousand marks a piece to their marriage And constituting Thomas Arundell Archb. of Canterbury Thomas Earl of Arundell Ioane his wife c. his Executors departed this life in 12 H. 4. leaving issue by the same Ioane who was one of the daughters and coheirs to Ric. Earl of Arundell Richard Beauchamp his son and heir Of this deceased Lord I have the rather taken occasion to speak in regard that he made his residence at some times in this Countie as I presume his Lady also did in her widdowhood for I find that she was at severall times in Commission for treating with the people about Loanes to the King within this Shire surviving him many years her death hapning not till 14 H. 6. Of whose Testament forasmuch as by it that greatness and state wherein the English Nobilitie in those days lived may in some sort be seen as also the pomp of their Funeralls I have here transcribed the greatest part In the name of the blessed Trynyte Fader sonn and Holy Ghoast the xth day of Ianyver in the yeer of our Lord MCCCCxxxiiii I Johanne Beuchamp Lady of Bergavenny as a meke daughter of holi Chirche full in the Christen fayth and belive hool in minde and body blessed be God considering that the freel condicion of this wrechid and unstable lief ys ful of perels and the yend and conclusion thereof is not elles but Deth fro the which no persone of none astate schall escape and therfore purposyng with the love of God to dyspose such goods as of his grace he hath lent me in such use as aryght be most to hys plesauns and profit to my soule and all theirs that I am bounden to I have ordeyned and make my Testament and last Will in this forme First I bequethe my soule to the mercy of my blessed Saviour and maker Ihesu Chryst through the besechyng of his blessed Moder Mary and alle holy companye in Hevene and my symple and wreched body to be buried in the Queer of the Frere-Prechours of Hereford in a new Tumbe by my worthi Lord and somtime husband Sir Will. Beuchamp on whoo 's soule God have merci But I wâ—l that my Bodi be kept unburied in the place where hit hapneth me to die unto the time my maigne be clethed in black my Hers my Chare and other covenable purviance made and then to be carried unto the place of my buryeng before rehersed with alle the worship that ought to be done unto a woman of myne astate which God knoweth wele procedeth not of no pompe or vayn glorie that I am set in for my Bodi but for a memorial and a remembrance of my soule to my kyn friends servants and alle other And I wol that every Parish Chirch that my seid Bodi resteth ynne a night after hit passeth fro the place of my dying be offred two Clothes of Gold and if hit rest ynne any College or Conventuall Chirche three Clothes of gold Also I devyse that in every Cathedrall Chirche or Conventuall where my Bodi restes a nyght toward the place where my Bodi shall be buried that the Dean Abbot or Prior have vi s. viii d. and everi Chanon Monk Vicar Preste or Clerke that ys at the Dirige at the Mass in the morning shall have xii d. Also I ordeyn that anon aftur my burying there be done for my soule five thousand Masses in alle the hast that they may goodly And I bequethe unto the House of the seid Freres at Hereford in generall CCC marks for to fynd two Prostes perpetuall for to syng for my Lord my Husbond my Lord my Fader my Lady my Moder and me and Sir Hugh Burnell Kt. and alle my good doers and alle Crysten soules the one Prest to syng the fyrst Mass in the mornyng in the same House and the other the last Mass that ys done in the day yn the same House so that it be sene that there be sure ordinauns made therefore to be kept perpetually as Law wolle And I bequethe ech Frere of the same House in speciall the day of my burying to pray for my soule iii s. iiii d. And I wool that the forseyd Freres have a hool sute of black that ys to sey a Chesepyl two Tunycles three Coopes with my best pair of Candelsticks of sylver wrethen and my best sute of vestments of Clothe of gold with Pecocks with Autere-clothes and Aubes and alle that longeth thereto for a memoriall perpetualle to use hem euerie yere at the Anniversarie of my Lord my Husbond and of me And for the costes of myne enterement upon my deth and burying I ordain and devyse a thousand Marks And I devyse C. marks to be dalt peny mele or more after the discretion of myne Executors among poer men and women that come to myne eâ—teremenâ— the day of my burying And I ordain and devise to have five Prestes for to syng for me xx wynters for my Lord my Fader my Lady my Moder my Lord my Husband my son Richard Earl of Worcestre Sir Hugh Burnell Kt. and alle my good doers and alle Crysten soules and that of the most honest persones and good conversacions that mow be founden of which â—ive Prestes I ordeyn and devyse two to syng in the parish of Rocheforde and other three in Kirkeby-Belers in the Counte of Lecestre duryng the terme aforeseyd Moreover I devyse CC. marks to be departed among my poer Tenants in England in such place as moost nede ys aftur the discrecion of myne Executors Also I devise C l. to be dysposed in clothyng Bedding Hors Oxen and other bestial and necessaries within halve a yere aftur my deth to be yeven dalt among Bed-red men and other poer people dwellyng in the Lordships that I have And also I devyse that Bartholmew Brokesby and Wauter Kebyll be everi yere at Hereford the day of my Anniversarie seing that my Obite with the remnant of my obsequies be done in due wise to the most profit of my soule spendying about the execution thereof at every time x l. after here discrecion Moreover I devise to the marriage of poer Maydens dwellyng withyn my Lordships C l. And to the makyng and emendyng of febull Brugges and foul weyes C l. And to the fynding and deliverans of poer Prisoners that have ben well condicioned xl l. Also I bequethe to Sir James son and eyre of the Erle of Ormond Five hundred pounds to be dispent by myne Executors about the defence of the lands that I give and assigne him by the Will of my Landes in caas they be chalenged or ympugned wrongfully within his age or elles to have the same money or elles so much thereof as ys unspend at hys ful age to the same intent and a payr of Baysins of silver gylt and covered with my Armes And I devyse and bequethe to
before the Norman Invasion was esteemed to be worth x s. it being then the freehold of Ailricus But in that Record it is written in two places Witecore and in the third Witacre That the greatest part of these came soon after to the Marmions Lords of Tamworth-Castle is not to be doubted for of so much thereof as lyes in that which is now called Whitacre superior was the Ancestor of Simon de Whitacre enfeoffed in H. 1. time to hold by the service of half a Knight's Fee who also obtained the residue from the Ancestors of those Ardens whose seat was at Hampton in Arden as by what I shall shortly say will appear All which continued in the male line of the said Simon who had their residence here till about the later end of Edward the third his reign but then it was by daughters and heirs transferred to other Families as the following Pedegree sheweth Simon de Whitacre 11 H. 2. .... soror coher Rob. de Kaili Alanus de Whitacre 33 H. 2. Sim. de Bercheston 8 H. 3. Thomas de Whitacre Manasserus de Whitacre Iordanns de Whitacre Isolda Sim. de Whitacre 8 H. 3. Iordanus de Whitacre miles 53 H. 3. Philippa Iac. de Astley frater Andr. de Astley mil. 2. maritus Iordanus de Whitacre Ric. de Whitacre 17 E. 2. Isabella Will. de Whitacre infra aet 8 E. 3. Edm. de Whitacre Ric. de Whitacre 9 E. 1. Ric. de Whitacre miles 1 E. 3. Iohanna filia Hugonis de Culi 5 E. 2. Nich. de Whitacre 18 E. 3. Ric. de Whitacre 49 E. 3. Elizabetha Johanna filia haeres Alanus Waldeiff defunctus 9 H. 4. Elena filia cohaeres Ric. Walshe de Onlip in Com. Leic. ar 20 H. 6. Thom. Walsh ar obiit 3 E. 4. Margeria filia una haered Ric. Burin ar ob 23 H. 7. Rob. Stanton 2 maritus Elena una fil cohaer ux Ioh. Filding Will. Litleton 2. maritus Iohanna haeres matris ux Ioh. Aston de Tixshall mil. obiit 18 H 8. Eliz. ux Rad. Shirley de Stanton ar Anna consangu haeres Thom. Walshe ux Thom. Pultney de Misterton in Com Leic. mil. 17 H. 8. Franciscus Pultney de Misterton ar 1 E. 6. Margareta filia cohaeresâ— Thom. Hore de Elmedon Alanus Hore ar 3 H. 7. Maria relicta 11 H. 7. Cath. filia haeres ux Ioh. Boteler de Solihull gen 21 H. 7. Ioh. Boteler de Solihull Simon Iohannes Thomas To this Simon succeeded Alanus de Witacre and to Alan Simon who as by circumstance may be concluded seating himself at Bercheston assumed that place for his sirname for in 8 H. 3. upon an Accord made betwixt the said Simon de Bercheston and Simon the son of Iordan de Whitacre this Whitacre appears to have been of his inheritance and that he granted the same together with Elmedon in this Countie to the same Simon de Whitacre and his heirs to be held of him the said Simon de Bercheston by the service of one Knight's Fee viz. Whitacre by the one half of a Knight's Fee and Elmedon by another the same agreement being in Warrantie of a Charter formerly granted thereof to that purpose And to make it farther manifest it appeareth by another Fine levied in 23 H. 3. betwixt the parties abovesaid touching the same half Knight's Fee in Whitacre that the same Simon de Whitacre was to performe such military service in Warding at Tamworth Castle but the said Simon de Bercheston and his heirs to have Ward Marriage and Relief from the same Simon de Whitacre and his heirs whensoever occasion should require and that the said Simon de Whitacre and his heirs should perform suit to the Castle of Tamworth before mentioned for the same Simon de Bercheston and his heirs for ever Howbeit by what service the rest was given I have not seen but in H. 3. time did the before specified Simon de Bercheston grant the same unto Hugh de Arden then Lord of Hampton in Arden and superior Lord of the Fee thereof to be held of him the said Simon de Bercheston and his heirs by the tenth part of a Knight's Fee From which severall Simons that were owners of this place it was antiently called Whitacre-Simund as by severall Records appeareth But I return This Simon de Whitacre was a Knight about the 30 th of H. 3. and in 38 H. 3. being grown weak and impotent obtained the King's speciall precept directed to the Shiriff of Warwickshire to exempt him from appearing personally at the Countie or Hundred Court as also at his Turnes provided that he did by his Letters Patent substitute an Atturney to do suit for him there And in 41 H. 3. had a Charter of Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here together with those at Elmedon and Freseley and confirm'd to the Canons of Lilshull in Com. Salop. what Robert de Kaily his uncle whose heir he was had given to them in Freseley in this Shire To him succeeded Iordan de Whitacre who being guilty of some youthfull extravagancies obtained the King's pardon in 36 H. 3. And in 41 H. 3. had a speciall Patent exempting him from the Office of Shiriff Coroner c. and from serving on Juries After which viz. in 50 H. 3. he was a Knight and in 52 and 53 H. 3. one of the Justices for Gaol-delivery in this Countie This Iordan being a man potent in the Countrie and taking advantage of those turbulent times in which the Barons put themselves in Armes against the King entred upon xl acres of Wood in Freseley which belong'd to the Canons of Lilshull before specified and continued possest thereof till his death By reason of which seizure Philippa his widow afterwards held it whereupon the Abbot of Lilleshull brought an Assize of Novell disseisin against her but by mediation of friends the matter was composed and in 56 H. 3. Richard de Whitacre son and heir to the said Iordan quitted his title thereto This Richard de Whitacre being a Knight in 9 E. 1. in 16 E. 1. attended Edm. Earl of Cornwall in that famous expedition of Wales and bore for his Armes upon a Fesse three Escalops with two Mullets in Chief Upon that grant to the King made by the Parliament in 25 E. 1. of a Ninth part of all their moveable goods for confirmation of Magna Charta and Charta de Foresta he was appointed one of the Commissioners in this Countie for the more equall assessing and collecting thereof But after 4 Edw. 2. I find no more mention of him than that he left issue Richard his son and heir and severall other sons which last mentioned Richard having been in that rebellion with Thomas Earl of Lancaster in 15 E. 2. for which he purchased his Pardon that cost C.
outrages in England returned at whose entrance his good Subjects took courage and prevailed over the Rebells in every place against whom Rhese Prince of Wales came also with a great power and besieged Tutburie-Castle whereupon this Robert Earl Ferrers apprehending what danger he was in hastned to the King then at Northampton and to obtain his favour rendred the said Castles of Tutburie and Duffeild giving securitie for his future fidelitie but so little did the King trust him that though he received him to outward favour he caused those Castles to be demolished This Robert was a Benefactor to the Abby of Dore in Herefordshire and by Sibilla his wife daughter to William de Braose left issue another William Earl Ferrers who not onely confirmed to the Monks of Geroldon the inclosed ground at Hethcote and pasture for C. Sheep there which his Father had given to them but added another piece of Inclosure adjoyning thereto with pasturage for CC. sheep more at six score to the Hundred five Kine and a Bull and six Oxen. And in 1 Richard 1. gave to the Monks of St. Denis in France for the health of his soul and the soul of Sibill his wife one Wax Taper yearly price xiii d. as also a Stag and a Boar in their proper seasons to be sent thither annually at the Feast of St. Dennis by the Messengers of him the said Earl and his heirs And likewise to the Monks of Lenton all his right to the Church of Woodham in Essex specially for the health of the souls of those that were with him at the burning of Nottingham which belike was the time that his Father made such spoil there as I have before exprest But this William was outed of his Earldomes of Nottingham and Derby by King Richard 1. in the first year of his reign as it seems for upon the said King's first arrivall in England after his Father's death I find that he bestowed them with divers other upon Iohn Earl of Moreton his brother yet I hardly think that the said William continued long so dispossest of them for it appears that the same year he attended King Richard in the Holy Voiage and died at the siege of Acon an scil 1190 2 R. 1. leaving issue William his son and heir Of the great misfortunes that befell that King in his journey by being taken Prisoner I shall not here stand to tell forasmuch as our Historians speak so fully thereof nor of the advantage which Iohn Earl of Moreton before specified made upon it in seizing divers Castles here into his hands reporting that his Brother was dead whereupon he layd claim to the Crown But shall observe that upon the King's enlargement and return order was given for the siege of those Castles whereupon our William Earl Ferrers joyned with the Earl of Chester in besieging of Nottingham Castle which after a while was rendred and for his fidelity was made choice of by the same King to sit with the rest of the Peers in that great Councell held there on the 30 th of March next ensuing At the second Coronation of which King he was one of the four that carried the rich silken Canopie over his head With the Earls of Clare Chester and others of the great Nobilitie he swore Fealtie to King Iohn in the first year of his reign but conditionally that he should render to each of them his own At the Coronation of that King in the Church of St. Peter at Westminister on Ascension day he was also present and one the seventh of Iune following being solemnly invested Earl of Derby by a speciall Charter then dated at Northampton was girt with the Sword by the said King 's own hands having a grant likewise of the Tertium Denarium de omnibus Placitis confirm'd to him and his heirs In 5 Ioh. he obtained a speciall Mandate to Geffâ—ey Fitz-Piers then Iusticiarius Angliae for livery of those lands in Stapleford in Com. Leic. that belong'd to the Vidame of Chartres and were of his Fee which Vidame died in a voyage to the Holy land and was a Ferrers though he bore for his Armes a Bend betwixt six Martlets This Earl was very loyall to King Iohn even in his greatest distresses for in 14 of his reign when that the Pope had deposed him of his Kingdome and that Pandulfus his Legate came over to treat with him the French King being then upon the Seas with a powerfull Navie threatning an Invasion so that King Iohn's condition was so desperate as that he became necessitated to yeild to what termes he could get he manifested his great affection to him in becomming one of the four that gave his solemn Oath for the King's performance of those Articles whereunto he had submitted which Agreement was made 13 Maii the same year as also a witness to the Charter of K. Iohn dated within two days following whereby he gave up his Realm to the Pope Of whose favour to him I cannot omit to take notice of this singular instance viz. that on the 27 th of Iune following he had a speciall grant to himself and his heirs sitting at Dinner upon all Festivalls in the year when they should solemnly celebrate those days with his Head uncovered and without any Cap having a Garland thereon of the breadth of the said Kâ—ng's little Finger In 16 Ioh. he had the Castle of Hareston in Com. Derb. committed to his charge and the next year following when the Barons put themselves in Armes and seized divers Castles having raised Forces on the said King's behalf he took from them by assault the Castles of Bolesover and Pec in Derbyshire whereupon he had a speciall Patent constituting him Governour of them And upon the death of King Iohn stood so firm to the young King Henry the third as that with the rest of the loyall Nobilitie he not onely assisted at his Coronation on Simon and Iude's day but immediatly after Easter accompanied the famous William Maâ—shall then Governour of the King and Kingdome the Earls of Chester Albamarle and many other gâ—eat men to the siege of Mountsorell Castle in Lecestershire then held out by Henry de Braibâ—oke and ten other stout Knights The same year he was also with those noble persons at raising the siege of Lincoln which the Rebellious Barons with Lewes K. of France whom they brought into the Realm had madâ—â— And having new Patents from the King for the custody of those Castles held the government of them for full six years But in the second year of this King's reign he made a jâ—urney to the Holy Land with Ranulph Earl of Chester and some others appointing his Steward viz. Raphe Fitz-Nicholas to transact aâ—l businesses concerning him which should relate to the Exchequer till his return from
Paramour a Londoner After which it was not long ere that Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester coveting that fair Lordship obtained Paramour's title and so justling out Robinson past this with Shuttenton unto Queen Elizabeth in exchange for other lands so that ever since it hath been in the Crown Tamworth FOllowing the stream of Anker a little lower I come to its confluence with Tame that gives denomination to Tameworth the most eminent Town for situation and antiquitie on this side the Countie of which but the one half including the Castle is in this Shire the Villages of Bole-Hall Glascote Stretford Wilnicote Stanidelf and Amington lying Southwards of the River and Pericroft on the North being members thereof A place this is participating chiefly of the commodities which the Wood-land affordeth being almost inviron'd by it and watered with delightfull Rivers whereby the bordering Meadows are plentifully inricht yet not wanting a spacious Champaine near at hand for farther profit and pleasure so that divers of the Mercian Kings invited doubtless by these advantages had here a Pallace-royall as their severall Charters do manifest Of which Kings the first that I find mentioned was Offa who granting lands in Sapie to the Monks of Worcester concludeth thus Hanc autem praescriptam vicissitudinem terrarum meae donationis pro Domino libertatem ego Offa Rex sedens in regali Palacio in Tamoworthige secundo die Nativitatis Domini in die Festivitatis beati Stephani Martyris concedens donavi Anno ab Incarnatione Christi DCCLXXXI Indictione quarta The next was Coenulf whose Charter thus ends Actae est haec donatio anno DCCCXIV Indict septima in vico celeberimo qui vocatur Tomoworthig c. After him Berthuulf in the year DCCCXLI and lastly Burtherd in the year DCCCLIV And as these authorities do shew that it was by those Kings thus honoured so is there not want of other to manifest the large extent and strength thereof witnesse that vast Ditch to this day called King's Ditch which stretching forth in a streight line from the River Anker somewhat below Bowl-Bridg then making a right angle keepeth on its course paralell to the River for the space of neer four hundred paces and so returning by another right angle runs into Tame below Lady-Bridg whereby the ground within the precincts thereof is of a quandrangular forme Which Ditch though much filled up in most places appears to have been at least xlv foot broad as by measure I have observed But such mischief shortly after did the Danes make by their severall invasions that this place was wasted and continued desolate till that renowned Ladie of the Mercians Ethelfleda daughter to King Alfred and Sister to King Edward the elder after her husband's death scil in the year of Christ DCCCCXIV restored it to its antient strength and splendor raysing a strong Tower upon an artificiall Mount of Earth called the Dungeon for defence against any violent assault thereof upon which Mount that building now called the Castle hath of later times been erected for the body of the old Castle stood below towards the Mercate-place and where the Stables at present are And here it was that the said famous Ethelflede departed this life xix Cal. Iulii anno DCCCCXVIII viz. five years before the death of King Edward her Brother but in the Abbie-Church of S. Peter at Gloucester of hers and her husband's Foundation she had sepulture The next observable thing which in course of time I have met with that concerns this place is that there was a Monasterie here for by the Testament of Wulfric Spot Founder of Burton-Abble in Com. Staff about the year of Christ DCCCCXLIX it appears that he gave thereunto certain lands in Langandune scil Langdon in Com. Staff But whether it was of Monks or Nunns or by whom founded I never could as yet see good testimonie From these antient times therefore whereof so little light by Historie is to be found I shall now descend to those after the Norman Conquest and for my more methodicall discoverie of such things as are most memorable purpose first to speak of the Burrough by it self for by that name it was heretofore called and then of the Castle and its possessors Of the Burrough there is not any particular extent in the Conqueror's Survey nor farther mention of it than that ten Houses therein were at that time belonging to the Mannour of Colshill in this Hundred which was in those days part of the King 's demesn neither can I discover any thing of note for a long time after relating thereto besides the Aid and other advantages which upon sundry occasions it yielded to the King from the beginning of King Stephen's reign that part which is in this Countie answering two marks for an Aide in 15 H. 2. and in 21 H. 3. iv li. xvi s. for the Ferm thereof yet was it antient demesn of the Crown id est belonging thereto in the days of King Edward the Confessor or King William the Conqueror And till about the later end of King H. 3. reign continued in the King 's immediate hand but then was it let to Philip Marmion Lord of the Castle for life at the Rent of xxxiv li. vi s. ix d. per annum Howbeit afterwards the King had it again Whereupon in 11 E. 2. it was granted to Baldwin Frevile during pleasure reserving the old accustomed Ferme viz. iv li. xvi s. Which Lease to Frevile soon determined For the King having the same year given to the Inhabitants thereof License to take Toll of all vendible commodities to be brought thither for the space of three years scil for every Quarter of Corn a half penny c. towards the charge of Paving the Town the next year following made a new grant thereof I mean all this while of that moytie in Warwick-shire unto the Inhabitants of the Burrough their heirs and successors reserving to the Crown the antient Ferme as above is exprest and xx s. yearly increase payable to his Exchequer at the days and termes when the other used to be received as also excepting all Tallages Aids and Customes as had formerly been payd out of it in the times of his Progenitors And in 14. of his reign the time being expired for taking Toll towards the Pavement of the Town by the former Patent renewed it for three years more yet this did not compleat the Pavement as appeares by the sundry other Patents granted to them afterwards aswell by King Edward 3. as this King E. 2. for the same purpose which in the margent I have cited But besides this for Paving did the same Inhabitants obtain a Charter from the King in 10 E. 3. for two yearly Faires here the one upon S. George's day viz. April 23. and three days after the other on the Feast-day of S. Edward and
to the before spefied Sir Iohn Botetourt through which means part of that fair inheritance came to this Familie of Ferrers By whom he had issue Baldwin xix years of age at his Fathers death which happened in 11 R. 2. But of this Baldwin I find nothing memorable excepting his marriage in 12 R. 2. with Ioane the daughter of Sir Thomas Greene Knight and his death which happened in 2 H. 4. To whom succeeded Baldwin his son and heir then but two years of age who departing this life in his minoritie scil 6 H. 5 leaving three Sisters and heirs the inheritance came afterwards to be thus divided in 31 H. 6. viz. to Thomas Ferrers then Tenant by the curtesie Elizabeth the eldest of those coheirs being dead and to Thomas son and heir of the same Thomas and Eliz. this Castle and Mannour of Tamworth the Mannours of Lee juxta Merston Stretford juxta Tamworth and Haverburgh in this Countie as also the Mannour of Stichall juxta Coventre the Mannour Tadington in Com. Heref. with lands and Rents in Waverton Allesley and Mereden in this Countie as also in Wiginton in Com. Staff To Robert Aston Esquire son of Ioice one other of the said Sisters and coheirs the Mannours of Ashsteds and Newdigate in Surrey Becknore in Com. Wigorn. Yatesburie in Com. Wilts Pinley within the Liberties of Coventre and the moâ—tie of the Mannour of Henley in Arden in this Countie with the advouson of the Church of Preston juxta Henley And to Sir Richard Bâ—ngham Knight then one of the Justices of the King's Bench and Margaret his wife formerly the wife of Sir Hugh Willoughby of Wollaton in Com. Nott. Knight the Mannours of Midleton and Whitnash with lands in Wilmecote in this Shire The Mannour of Wikin juxta Coventre with certain other lands and Rents lying within the Countie of that Citie as also the Mannours of Gunthorpe and Loudham in Com. Nott. with Bradford Ferne and Mawne in Com. Heref. Which Partition bears date 5. Oct. the year abovesaid This Thomas Ferrers was second son to William Lord Ferrers of Groby and underwent the Office of Shiriff for the Countie of Staff in 26 H. 6. but departed this life in 37 H. 6. being then the principall male branch of this line of Groby as the Descent in Merevale sheweth in token whereof he bore his Armes with a Labell of three points Azure To which Thomas succeeded as Lord of this Castle Thomas his son and heir then xxxvi years of age who was constituted Shiriff of this Countie and Leicester-shire in 39 H. 6. so also in 1 E. 4. Which Thomas having been a faithfull adherer to the House of Yorke and taken Prisoner in the battail of Wakefeild where he was put to CCC marks Fine obtained a speciall Precept from King Edward 4 th to the Barons of the Exchequer wherein is acknowledged his signall fidelitie to Richard Duke of Yorke Father to the said King and slain in that Battail commanding them to remit unto him CC. marks of the summe for which he was then accomptable to them by reason of his Receipts whilst he underwent that Office in which Precept it further appeareth that the said Thomas was then a Knight being so made as it seems by the same King Edw. in the first year of his reign Nay I find that after this he became a Knight of the Bath at the Creation of the Duke of Yorke 14 E. 4. and from 4 E. 4. till his deathâ— was in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Shire as also in 8 E. 4. again Shiriff of this Countie and Leicester-shire and that by his Testament bearing date 10. Febr. 12 H. 7. he bequeathed his body to be buried on the North side of the Quire within the Collegiate Church here at Tamworth by Anne his wife appointing a marble to be laid over them with their portraitures and Armes in brasse and such Inscription as his Executors should devise departing this life 22. Aug. 14 H. 7. To whom succeeded Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight his grandchild and heir For Sir Iohn his son who in 15 E. 4. was in the King's service in Normandie died in his life time Of which Sir Iohn I find little memorable other than that he was one of the Knights for the body to King H. 7. and in Commission for the Peace from 18. of that King's reign till his death which happened in 1 H. 8. as appears by the Probate of his Will whereby he bequeathed his body to sepulture within th Chancell here at Tamworth before the Image of S. Edith Of whose descendants I shall say no more than that some of them have been Knights and in many publick imployments as by divers Comissions appeareth Iohn son and heir to the last Sir Humphrey being now owner of this Castle referring my Reader to the Pedegree before inserted which manifesteth their matches with sundry good antient Families Upon an Alabaster Tombe-stone lying in the midst of the Chancell at Tamworth under which is buried the body of Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight is this Epitaph If thou hast a minde to know Whose Corps interred lye below Lest thou thinke these words in stone Are all that 's left of him being gone Give eare unto the upright tongue Of whosoere he liv'd among Then free'd from doubt thou wilt consent He left a choicer Monument 1633. Upon another lying neer thereto Here lieth Sir Humfrey Ferrers Knight who married Anne one of the daughters of Sir Iohn Packington of Hampton-Lovet in the Countie of Worcester Knight By whom he had issue three daughters and one son His age was thirty and three years when he departed this life and he was here interred on the second day of November in the year of our Lord 1633. Bole-Hall I Now come to the particular Villages before mentioned which are within this Countie and in the Parish of Tamworth though the Church be in Staffordshire and first of Bole-Hall Of this place I have not seen any thing in Record till 13 R. 2. where with severall other Mannours Sir Iohn de Clinton of Maxstoke Knight entailed it upon the issue of his body by Elizabeth then his wife but from severall circumstances I am satisfied that it was originally a member of Amington which adjoyns thereto and whereof the same Sir Iohn was then possest From whom descended Iohn Lord Clinton who about the beginning of H. 7. time decayed the capitall Messuage here And from him Edward Lord Clinton and Say that sold it in 29 H. 8. unto Iames Leveson Merchant of the Staple which Iames gave it in marriage inter alia with Elizabeth his daughter unto Walter Aston son and heir to Sir Edward Aston of Tixhall Knight whose grandson Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bath and Baronet sold it unto William Anson of Lincolns-Iâ—ne in Com. Midd. Esquire Of whom
to S. Peter was given to the Nunns of Mergate in Bedfordshire by the first Orbert de Arden about the beginning of King Stephen's time Howbeit till 36 Hen. 3. they did not quietly enjoy it as by what I have observed in my discourse of Sir Raphe â—racâ—brigge and Iohn his son appeareth but the moytie thereof was antiently appropriated to them though the direct time when I have not found In anno 1291. 19 Edw. 1. the said appropriated moytie was valued at xiii marks and the other at xv Which other moytie became afterwards also appropriated to them viz. in 12 Rich. 2. whereupon in a short time scil in anno 1397. 21 Rich. 2. ensued the Ordination of the Vicaridge vi s. viii d. yearly Pension being then reserved to the Bishop and his successors and ii s. to the Arch-Deacon Which Vicaridge in 26 Hen. 8. was valued at viii li. ix s. x d. over and above iii. s. per annum deducted for Synodalls Patroni Medictatis Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Will. de Staâ—ford 〈◊〉 1248. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 D. Thomas de 〈◊〉 Pbr. an 1250. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Nigellus â—â—us Remundi an 1256. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Gilebertus de 〈◊〉 Pbr. â—â—l Iâ—â—ii 1300. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Will. de Muneworth Accol 16. â—al Dec. 1310. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Thomas de la Grave Pbr. 8. Id. Febr. 1313. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Thom. â—aâ—lâ—â—ap 2. Non. Aug. 1349. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Râ—c de â—â—ile Cler. 13. Cal. Apr. 1360. 〈◊〉 Conv. S. Trin. de 〈◊〉 D. Ioâ— Clerk Pbr. 5. Febr. 1390. Patroniae Vicariae Huâ—â— Frâ—mâ—â— de Tamworth 〈◊〉 vicc Rad. Heâ—laston Cap. 18. Oct. 1410. Pr. C. E. Trin. de 〈◊〉 Arâ—â—â—â—â—us Thorpe 4. Febr. 1410. Pr. C. â— Trin. de 〈◊〉 Ioh. Freman Cap. 9. Dec. 1411. Pr. C. â— Trin. de 〈◊〉 D. Will. atte Mille 6. Dec. 1421. Pr. C. â— Trin. de 〈◊〉 Ioh. Smyth 8. Apr. 1438. Pr. C. â— Trin. de 〈◊〉 Rob. Trulufe 17. Sept. 1439. Pr. C. S. Trin. de Bosco Thomas Lancashire Pbr. ...... 1439. Pr. C. S. Trin. de Bosco Thomas Wenloke in Decr. Bac 26. Sept. 1499. Pr. C. S. Trin. de Bosco D. Ric. Hutton in Leg. Bac. 3. Martii 1521. D. Regina Magr. Will. Smyth Suceâ—tor Eccl. Cath. Lich. 25. Meii 1554. D. Eliz. Regina Henr. Fletcher Cler. 15. Febr. 1584. D. Eliz. Regina Nich. Rushall Cler. 25. Oct. 1587. D. Eliz. Regina Ioh. Foxe Cler. 1. Martii 1587. Monumentall Inscriptions In the body of the Church Here lyeth the body of Hugh Beresford sometime of Slateley and Elizabeth his wife which Hugh died the xxv th of Iune Anno 1610. In the midst of the Chancell Here lieth the Body of Francis Benet sometime of Dosthill who died the xi th day of Iune anno Dom. 1634. Kimberley-Hall HEere was antiently a Chapell of S. Edmund and in it a Chantrie founded by one of the Bâ—acebriggs of Kingsburie about the beginning of King Edw. 2. time as may seem by the Presentations thereto and called Cantaria de Kynebaldesley By the Survey of 26 H. 8. this Chanâ—â—e is said to be in the Church of Kingsburie which if so then was it not long before removed 〈◊〉 and the value thereof over and above reâ—â—â—s cerâ—â—fied at Cvi s. viii d. But I rather drink that to be a mistake for in 37 H. 8. it is called Cantaria de Hurley forasmuch as 't is situate within the precincts of that Hamlet and then valued at Cxiii s. x d. Hurley OF this place there is no mention in the Conqueror's Survey by reason it was then involved with Kingsburie but I have seen it very antiently written Hurnlei which apparently shews that the name at first grew from its situation hurne or hyrne in the Saxon or old English signifying a nook or corner which rightly agreeth with the position thereof it lying in the utmost corner of Kingsburie Lordship Eastwards As it was a part of Kingsburie heretofore so were the Bracebriggs in those days Lords thereof as appears by a grant of it from Raphe de Bracebrigge about the 25. of H. 3. unto Amicia his mother in name of her dowrie where it is called Manerium de Horleye yet by some other authorities of later time it appears to have been only a member of Kingsburie So also by the Inquisition after the death of Thomas Bracebrigge Esquire in 19 Eliz. But notwithstanding that there is a Mannour within it at least in reputation whereof one Iohn VValdiff Esquire dyed seized in 31 H. 8. which descended to Ioane the sole daughter of Nicholas Nightingale by Ioyce sister and heir to the said Iohn which Ioan was then the wife of Thomas VVillington cosin of VVilliam VVillington Esquire of whom in Barcheston I have spoken the posteritie of which Thomas do still enjoy it It seems that the VValdyve have lived antiently in this place for in 36 H. 6. was Ioane the daughter of VVilliam VValdyve of Hurley marryed unto Robert VVillenhale of Greneburgh in the Chapell here by speciall License from the Bishop directed to the then Vicar of Kingsburie for that purpose Which VVilliam VValdyve was son to Richard a branch of the VValdyves of Alspath Plumpton THis place is now known onely by certain grounds lying on the East side of Kingsburie Parish so called whereof one VValter de Plompton was possest in H. 3. time who held them by a certain weapon called a Danish Axe which being the very Charter whereby the said land was given unto one of his Ancestors hung up for a long time in the Hall of the capitall messuage belonging thereto in testimony of the said tenure untill that the said House was seized upon by Sir Iohn Bracebrigge Knight Lord of Kingsburie in E. 3. time and pulled to the ground After which it remained a great while in the Hall of the mansion belonging to VVilliam de Plompton in Hardreshull about two miles distant being commonly reputed and called the Charter of Plomton What title the said Sir Iohn Bracebrigge had to it I know not but by severall authorities it appears that his posteritie were seized of it by the name of the Mannour of Plomton And in 12 H. 4. did Sir Raphe Bracebrigge Knight â—ell the same the content thereof being C. acres of Land vl acres of Wood and xl acres of Moore then called Plumton fields unto Robert VVaterton Esquire and his heirs All which came afterwards to the hands of one Roger Horton â— who died seized of them â—li H. 5. leaving VVilliam his son and heir xviii years of age But upon the death of
the said Roger were they taken into the King's hand and continued in the Crown till 13 H. 6. that VVilliam VValdeff and Thomas VVylcok obtained a grant of them for the space of ten years Which VVilliam in 26 H. 6. being cosin and heir to Ioyce Plumpton of Notingham one of the daughters and heirs of Roger Plumpton and sister and heir to Phipippa the other daughter and heir to the said Roger as he stiled himself of whose inheritance they were granted them to Thomas VValdeyve his son From which Thomas by an heir female the Willingtons of Hurley do derive themselves and are still owners of all or a great part of these lands Flanders-Hall THis place was antiently so denominated from one Hugh a younger brother to William de Odingsells of which Family I have spoke in Ichington Solihull and Maxstoke as Mr. Burton in his Description of Leicestershire affirmes in regard that his Ancestors came out of Flanders whose descendants assumed it for their sirname but upon the death of Iohn de Flanders the last male branch of this line it was allotted by partition in 13 H. 6. to Elianore the wife of Sampson Erdswike one of his three daughters and heirs by which means it descended to the issue of Iohn Herdwick of Lindley in Leicestershire her first husband and so came to the Purefeys of Caldecote in marriage as I have heard with Ioyce one of the daughters and coheirs to the last Iohn Herdwyck wife to Michael Purefey From which Michael descended William Purefey Esquire who in our time sold it unto Sir Robert Fisher of Packington Knight and Baronet Hallaton OF this place I have not seen any mention till 17 H. 3. at which time it was reputed a member of Coshill and part of the dowry of Elisant the widow unto Osbert de Clinton But after this it came to be possest by the same Robert Marmion of whom I have spoke in Nether-Whitacre and by those authorities which I have there voucht seemeth to have gone with that Mannour till Q. Eliz. time for it appeareth that Walt. Devereux Visc. Hereford in 12 Eliz. sold it with Nether-Whisacre unto Edmund Skerning then of Erdbury Esquire Drakenedge THis was originally a member of Nether-Whitacre as I conceive and so consequently possest by the Marmions of Tamworth-Castle and from one of them granted therewith to Nicholas Fitz Raphe or his Ancestour for it is evident that the Familie of Mancestre who for a good while enjoyed it held it of the heirs of Nicholas Fitz Raphe Lords of Nether-Whitacre by the service of a pair of gilt Spurâ—s and that they held it over of those Marmions Of which Mancestres I find that Hugh in 36 Hen. 3. had a Charter of Free warren extending to all his demesn lands here and that from him it descended to Guy de Mancestre his grandchild who in King Edw. 3. time past it to Robert de Herle and his heirs by the name of a Mannour Which Robert dying without issue of his body it divolved to Sir Raph de Hastings Knight his cosin and heir viz. son of his sister Margaret and from him through divers descents to William Lord Hastings Chamberlain to King Edward the fourth who died seized thereof in 1 Ric. 3. leaving Sir Edward Hastings Knight his son and heir xvii years of age But farther hereof I have not seen than that Richard Hastings in 9 H. 8. was presented for depopulating the Capitall Messuage and CC. acres of arable land lying thereto Whateley IN this place which was originally a member oâ— Kingsburie â— are there certain lands that were antiently given to the Canons of Studley all which after the dissolution of the Monasteries were inter alia granted out of the Crown in 36 H. 8. unto Iohn Beaumont Esquire by the name of the Mannour or Lordship of Whateley who past them away the same year unto Nicholas Wilson and ..... his wife by whom they were sold to Thomas Overton who died seised of them in 32 Eliz. leaving Nicholas his son and heir fifty years of age Slateley THis is a petty Hamlet and parcell of the Mannour of Kingsburie as by severall Records is evident so that there needs no more to be said thereof Holt. IN this which is also parcell of the Mannour of Kingsburie had the Monks of Merevale a yard land given unto them by the first Iohn de Bracebrigge whose grant thereof William de Bracebrigge his brother and heir confirmed But the Village was in part depopulated by Iohn Bracebrigge Esquire who in 19 H. 7. decayed three Messuages upon the Inclosure thereof of which lands Thomas Bracebrigge was possest in 3 Edw. 6. Cliffe THis hath its name from the situation thereof near to the descending ground towards the bank of Tame but of it I have not seen other mention than that Thomas Herthill was presented in 10 H. 8. for depopulating two Messuages and inclosing xl acres of land here Dosthill I Am not sure whether this place be particularly taken notice of in the Conqueror's Survey if it be that which is there written Dercelai â—s intended for it which R. de Oâ—lgi had at that time in pawn from Turchill de Warwick and is said to contain two hides having a Mill of xxxii d. yearly value and Woods extending to two furlongs in length and as much in breadth the whole being valued at xl s. But in 12 H. 2. certain it is that Hugo fil Ricardi of whom in Hatton I have spoke was possest of it as appears by that Certificate which William Earl of Warwick then made whose Father or Grandfather had enfeoffed the said Hugh thereof with other lands of a great extent in King Henry the first 's time it being then written Derteulla By this Hugh was it doubtlesse granted to Thomas fil Thurstani for it is manifest that Robert de la Launde son to the same Thomas gave to Richard Fitz Raphe in marriage with Amicia his daughter the Mill here it being then written Derchethull From which Robert it descended to Iames as the Pedegree in Langdon sheweth who was certified to hold it of the Earl of Warwick in 20 H. 3. But it appears that Albrena Marmion of whom I have made mention in Arrow granted the service of the same Iames de la Laund for this place unto William de Camvile her son whereby it should seem that the immediate grant which the Ancestour to the said Iames had of this place was not from the Earl of Warwick but from one of the Marmions who obtained it from some of those Earls This Iames in 31 H. 3. past unto Robert de Grendon and his heirs all the interest he had here by the name of the Mannour of Dersthull then amounting to half a Knight's Fee Which Robert in 40 H. 3. granted