which being then a wast wherein the Inhabitants of Kenilworth had Common in consideration thereof he gave them all those fields called Priors-fields lying North of the Castle I have heard some who were his servants say that the charge he bestowed on this Castle with the Parks and Chase thereto belonging was no less than 60 thousand pounds Here in Iuly an 1575. 17 Eliz. having compleated all things for her reception did he entertain the Queen for the space of xvii dayes with excessive cost and variety of delightfull shews as may be seen at large in a special discourse thereof then printed and entituled The Princely pleasures of Kenilworth Castle having at her first entrance a floating Island upon the Pool bright blazing with Torches upon which were clad in silks the Lady of the Lake and two Nymphs waiting on her who made a speech to the Q. in meeter of the antiquity and owners of that Castle which was closed with Cornets and other loud Musick Within the base-court was there a very goodly Bridge set up of xx foot wide and lxx foot long over which the Queen did pass on each side whereof were posts erected with Presents upon them unto her by the Gods viz. a cage of Wild-fowl by Silvanus sundry sorts of rare Fruits by Pomona of Corn by Ceres of Wine by Bacchus of Sea-fish by Neptune of all habiliments of War by Mars and of Musical Instruments by Phoebus And for the several dayes of her stay various and rare Shews and Sports were there exercised viz. in the Chase a Savage man with Satyrs Bear-baitings Fire-works Italian tumblers a Country Bride-ale with running at the Quintin and Morrice-dancing And that there might be nothing wanting that these parts could afford hither came the Coventre-men and acted the antient Play long since used in that City called Hocks-tuesday â— setting forth the destruction of the Danes in King Ethelred's time with which the Queen was so pleas'd that she gave them a brace of Bucks and five marks in money to bear the charges of a Feast Besides all this he had upon the Pool a Triton riding on a Mermaid 18 foot long as also Arion on a Dolphin with rare Musick And to honour this Entertainment the more there were then Knighted here Sir Thomas Cecill son and heir to the Lord Treasurer Sir Henry Cobham brother to the Lord Cobham Sir Francis Stanhope and Sir Tho. Tresham The cost and expence whereof may be guest at by the quantity of Beer then drunk which amounted to 320 hogsheads of the ordinary sort as I have credibly heard Shortly after which viz. the next ensuing year he obtained by the grant of the said Q. a weekly Mercate here upon the Wednesday with a Faire yearly on Midsummer-day But this great Earl who bore no little sway in his time as besides our Annals some yet living can testifie having wedded the Lady Lettice daughter to Sir Francis Knolls Knight of the Garter Treasurer of the Houshold to Q Eliz. and widow to Walter E. of Essex â— wanting by her any surviving issueâ— by his last Will and Testament dated at Midleburgh in Zeland 1 Aug. an 1587. being then General of the English Auxiliaries for the United Provinces gave it to Ambrose E. of Warwick his brother for life and the inheritance to Sir Robert Dudley Knight whom he then thought not proper to stile his lawfull son and to his heirs Which Sir Robert being a person of great learning and parts coming to the possession of it within little more than a year after his fathers death for his Uncle surviv'd him no more as in Warwick I have shew'd made it his seat and endeavouring to assert his legitimacy which as to very many stood somewhat dubious in regard of his said fathers marriage with the before specified Countess of Essex during the life of the Lady Douglasse his mother widow to the Lord Sheffeild and daughter to Will Lord Howard of Effingham but failing thereof travelled into Italy where he past away his right therein unto the late Prince Henry the story whereof with the circumstances forasmuch as 't is memorable in sundry respects I shall here succinctly deliver About the beginning of K. Iames his reign this Sir Robert having marryed Alice daughter to Sir Tho. Leigh of Stoneley Kt. and considering with himself that in case he made good his legitimacy not onely the title to the Earldome of Leicester as heir to his father as also that of Warwick for want of issue by the before specified Ambrose his uncle together with the dignity of Lord L'isle would rightfully accrue to him but likewise the Castle of Warwick with divers fair Lordships in this County by vertue of an entail upon his said uncles first advancement to that honour did by reason of the great Plague at that time in London obtain a Commission from the Archb. of Cant. out of his Court of Audience directed to Dr Zachary Babington then Chancellour of Litchfeild and other for examining witnesses to prove his said fathers marriage But no sooner was it discerned by the before specified Lady Lettice and her friends that the consequence thereof would much reflect upon her than that they procured Sir Edw. Coke the K. Atturney general to exhibit a Bill in the Sâ—ar-Chamber against the same Sir Rob. and Dame Alice his Lady as also against the said Lady Douglasse Sheffeild for so she was called then wife of Sir Edw. Stafford Kt. and against the before mentioned Sir Tho. Leigh Dr Zach. Babington and divers other charging them with no less than combination and conspiracy to defame the said Lady Lettice and unjustly to entitle himself to those Honours c. And upon the petition of the Lord Sâ—dney procured a command from the Lords of the Councel not onely to stop the said proceedings at Lichfeild but to bring all the depositions there taken to remain within the said Court of Star-Chamber in the Councel-chest Nevertheless did they vouchsafe liberty to the said Sir Robert to examine Witnesses in that honourable Court in order to the making good of his legitimacy Whereupon by full testimony upon â—ath partly made by the said Lady Sheffeild and partly by divers other persons who were present at her marriage with the before specified Earl it appeared that she having been first contracted in Cannon-Row within the City of Westminster about two years before was solemnâ—y wedded to him in her Chamber at Asher in Surrey by a lawfull Minister according to the form of Matrimony by Law establisht in the Church of England in the presence of Sir Edward Horsey Knight that gave her in marriage as also of Robert Sheffeild Esq and his wife Dr Iulio Henry Frodsham Gent. with five other persons whose names are there specified and that the Ring wherewith they were so marryed was set with five pointed Diamonds and a table Diamond which had been given to him the said Earl by the then Earl of
to a very flourishing condition as by what I have said and shall further shew appeareth for in 18. E. 3. at the instance of Q. Isabel who had an estate in Cheylesmore for life as also in consideration that the reversion thereof was vested in Edw. then Prince of Wales D. of Cornwall and E. of Chester the K. by his Letters Pat. bearing date 20. Jan. did make it a Corporation consisting of a Mayor and Bayliffs which the Inhabitants should have power to choose and make out of themselves yearly who taking their oath according to the accustomed manner in the like cases might from thenceforth do all things appertaining to those offices And that they their heirs and successors for ever should thenceforth also have power to hold plea as well of trespasses contracts and agreements as of all other things hapning within the town And for the better tranquility of the said Inhabitants and of all merchants repayring thither the K. then granted that from thence-forth there should be a Common Seal by his Royall direction consisting of two pieces according to custome for Recognizances of debts there according to the form of the Statutes-merchant made and published the greater part whereof to remain in the custody of the Major for the time being and the lesser in the hands of a certain Clerk to be there deputed by the said K. his heirs and successors according to the tenure of the said Statutes And that the said Major and Clerk from thenceforth should receive Recognizances of debts according to the tenor of those Statutes as also to give in charge and commit them to due execution And lastly that there should be a Prison made in that part of the Town belonging to the said Q. for the chastizing of malefactors there taken wherof the Mayor and Bayliffs for the time being to have alwaies the custody and charge The xii persons that purchased these liberties for Coventre being Nicholas Michell Henry Dodenhale Walter Whitweb Roger Hunt Will. Trymelei Geffrey Freberne Iohn Rushall Rob. Thymbler Ric. Kerseley Will. Walsale Maurice Norfolk and Will. Wellyngbright Whereupon about two years after they elected a Mayor viz. Iohn Ward and after him continued the like yearly choyce as by the Catalogue of them which I have at the end of my discourse touching this City inserted may appear And in the year 1355. 29 E. 3. did they begin to build the walls by vertue of the K. license in 2 E. 3. before mentioned Richard Stoke at that time Mayor laying the first stone at the gate called New-yate where they began the work but whether they did vigorously proceed therein I cannot say rather supposing that they were restrained For afterwards when Edw. the black Prince came to enjoy that interest here which was setled upon him by the entail before mentioned having granted the same to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty thereof to hold in Fee-ferm for so doth that Pat. dated at Westm. 20 Nov. 37 E. 3. import he gave them license to enclose this City by that name it is there called with a wall of lime and stone embattailed to hold to them their heirs and successours of him the before specified Prince and his heirs for ever Whereupon the next ensuing year these good men of Coventre considering with themselves the great charge that would be required in thus fortifying the Town obtained license 3 Nov. from the K. to tax all the Tradesmen and Inhabitants thereof according to their estates and faculties and to collect all such sums of money as should be levyed for that purpose For effecting whereof accordingly the Mayor and Bayliffs then being with Thomas de Nassyngâ—on Will. Wolfe and Will. Corby were appointed Assessors out of which tax were excepted the lands and goods of all Ecclesiastick persons And to the end that the great charge which they were to undergo in making these walls might be the better born amongst them the K. being very desirous to further the work granted a Commission dated 3 Iulii 40 of his reign unto the Mayor and Bayliffs then being together with VVil. Catesby Nich. Michell VVill. Botoner Ric. de Stoke Henry de Dovedale and Iohn del Tofte giving them power to levy and receive these customs following viz. of every tun of wine 2 s. of every quarter of malt 4 d. of every Ox 4 d. of every Hog and Calf a peny and every Sheep a farthing sold in this Town for the space of 5 years then next ensuing towards the alleviating their charge But this assessment much pinching the Victuallers about 4 years after they made a grievous complaint to the K. alledging that they were almost undone by it Whereupon by his Pat. dated 14 Febr. 44 of his reign he revoked the former Commission commanding nevertheless that the Merchants and other rich men should be taxed with the meaner sort according to their several abilities towards the support of that cost in building those walls That Coventre then flourish'd very much may be discerned by so great and costly a work as this of the Walls Gates and Towers still remaining and second to none in England appears to be as also by that incomparable structure of St. Michael's steeple begun in ann 1373. 47 E. 3. Henry Clerke being Mayor and finished in ann 1395. 18 R. 2. the year of Richard Lichfeild's Mayoralty Neither did it want any advantage that by the K. favour could well be had for to the end that they might securely enjoy all those liberties and priviledges granted by K. H. 2. H. 3. Edw. 2. and E. 3. which are together contained in the Charters of 15 and 20 of E. 3. K. Ric. 2. in 1 of his reign made them an ample confirmation and not onely so but in the same year did constitute Iohn Percy Adam Botoner Henry de Keel Simon de Lichfeld Iohn de Herdwyke and Iohn Toftes Justices for conservation of the peace within the Town of Coventre with power to hear and determine matters of felony and trespass And moreover was out of his Princely goodness so indulgent to them that by his Pat. dated 4 Maii 8 of his reign he ratified the Charter of license made by K. Edw. his Grandfather in 37 E. 3. for building and embattailing the walls and thereby granted them liberty to dig as much stone in his Park of Cheylesmore as should suffice for so much of them as includes the Mannour-house of Cheylesmore with the making of one Gate near the said park adjoyning to the House of Friers-minors which is now called the Gray-frier-yate And likewise that towards the support of that charge the Mayor and Bayliff should for the space of 5 years then next ensuing have his Ferm of sealing woollen cloaths here to the value of xxiiii l. sterling And in 11 of his reign vouchsafed such freedome to the Mayors after that time to be elected there that they should
Antiquary Iohn Rous of whom I have spoke in Guy-Cliffe who built a Library over the South porch of this Church and dyed 14. Ian. Anno 1491. 6 H. 7. And lastly the no less famous in his kinde Thomas Cartwright whom Mr. Cambden calls inter Puritanos ante signanus and whom the Earl of Leicester who bore such a sway in those days thought it no small policy to court his party in this Realme being so considerable insomuch as he made him Master of the Hospitall then newly by him here founded But before I further proceed with my Monumentall matters in this Church give me leave to digress a little in relating briefly the occasion that moved this Cartwright to broach those Tenets so much tending to the disturbance of the Churches peace as from credible tradition I have heard Being of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge where Doctor Whitgift was Master he made suit to be one of the disputants before Queen Elizabeth at her entertainment in that University and was admitted so to be but missing of such applause and advancement which he thereupon expected and apprehending that the Doctor had been his back-friend he quitted the Colledge and going beyond Sea wrote against him in a Schismaticall manner Of which writings I shall say no more than what the learned Whitaker in few words expresseth Quem Cartwrightus saith he speaking of his second Reply nuper emisit libellum ejus magnum partem perlegi ne vivam si quid unquam viderim dissolutiùs ac penè pueriliùs Verborum satis ille quidem lautam ac novam supellectilem habet rerum omnino nullam quantum ego judicare possum Deinde non modò perverse de Principis in rebus sacris atque Ecclesiasticis authoritate sentit Sed in Papistarum etiam castra transfugit à quibus tamen videri vult odio capitali dissidere verùm ne in hac causa ferendus aliis etiam in partibus tela à Papistis mutuatur Denique ut de Ambrosio dixit Hieronymus verbis ludit planèque indignus est qui à quopiam docto confutetur And I have been told from good authority that the reverend Bishop Andrew's observed that this Cartwright was the first that in the Church of England began the way of praying ex tempore before his Sermon which some call by the spirit From the body of the Church I next come to the Quire On the North side of this Quire towards the upper end lyeth interred William Parr Marquesse of Northampton as by his atchievements viz. coat of Armes Sword Shield Helme and Crest which I have seen there hanging appeareth but forasmuch as there is no Monumentall Inscription I have here transcribed what Mr. Cambden in his Annals of Q. Eliz. Anno 1571. hath said of him Supremum vitae diem hoc anno placidè egit Guliemus Parrus Marchio Northamptoniae amaenioribus studiis musicis amatoriis ceterae Aulae jucunditatibus versatissimus qui ab Henrico octavo primùm ad dignitatem Baronis Parr de Kendalia deinde ad nuptias Annae Bourcheirae Comitis Essexiae unicae haeredis simul ad Comitis Essexiae titulum cum Rex ejus sorerem duxisset atque ab Edwardo sexto ad Marchionis Northamptoniae stylum honorem provectus Sub Maria quòd pro Jana Greja Regina subornatae arma sumpserit Majestatis damnatus ab eadem tamen mox condonatus ad patrimonium ut postea ab Elizabetha ad honores restitutus Liberos genuit nullos sed Henricum Herbertum Pembrochiae Comitem ex altera sorore nepotem reliquit haeredem Monumentall Inscriptions Hic facet Katerina primogenita nobilis viri Domini Thome de Belloc impo quandam Comitis Warwici qui facet humatus in aula australi istius Ecclesie que obiit in Festo Concentionis beate Marie Uirginis Anno Domini Millesimo CCClxx octavo An Epitaph upon the death of M rs Eliz. Chowne who died the last day of August 1597. Here lyes Elizabeth twice happy wife Of two good vertuous men blest from above With both Io ' without both a godly life Till seventye five she lived in perfect love Resting a widow eight and twenty yeares Loving to see her dearest issue wed Before her God in glory she appears Her corps feed wormes her soule by Christ is fed Anno aetatis suae 75. Memoriae sacrum Ceciliae Puckering filiae natu secunda Thomae Puckering Militis Baronetti quae Xpo desponsata obiit 9. die Aprilis An. Do. 1636. aetatisque suae 13. ANAGRAMMA Mistres Cissely Puckering I sleepe secure Christ's my King Death's terrors nought affright mee nor his sting I sleepe secure for Christ's my soveraigne King Epitaphium Birth breeding beauty grace and carriage sweete In thee dear Saint did altogether meete The Sunne ne're saw a comlier face then thine Nor heaven receiv'd a spirit more divine Thrice happy parents such a childe to breede Begott again of God's immortall seede Cease sorrowing then sith Saints and Angels sing To see her match't with an eternall King Memoriae Sacrum Thomae Rous filii natu quarti Thomae Rous de Rous-Lench in Comitatu Wigorniae Baronetti qui primis aetatis suae obiit nono die Septembris Anno Domini 1645. Our Lady Chapell ON the South side and adjoyning to the Quire of this Church stands that stately and beautifull Chapell dedicated to the honour of the B. Virgin the fabrick whereof was begun by the Executors of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick according to the appointment of his Will in 21 H. 6. and perfected in 3 E. 4. together with that magnificent Tombe for the said Earl inferior to none in England except that of K. H. 7. in Westminster Abby the charge of all which came to no less than 2481 li. -04 s. -07 d. ob as by the particular accompts appeareth but to how vast a sum such a piece of worke would have amounted to in these days may be easily guest by that great disproportion in the prizes of things now from what they were then the value of an Oxe being about that time xiii s. iv d. and of a quarter of bread-corne iii s. iv d. That the beauty of this goodly Chapell and Monument through the iniquity of later times is now much impaired all that have seen it may easily discern and thereby guess at the glory wherein it once stood to such therefore would there be no great need to say more thereof but for the satisfaction of others I have here thought fit to insert a brief of the Covenants betwixt the said Executors viz. Thomas Huggeford Nich. Rodye and Will Berkswell and the severall Artists that were employed in the most exquisite parts of its fabrick and ornaments as also of the costly Tombe before specified bearing date xiii Iunii 32 H. 6. Iohn Essex Marbler Will. Austen Founder and Thomas Stevyns Copper-Smith do covenant with the said Executors that they shall make forge and worke in
these later times though perhaps in some particulars varied For it appears that King Iohn in 6 of his reign being to confer this dignitie on Thomas Sturmy directed his Writ to the Shiriff of Hantshire for to make preparations to that purpose which runs thus Praecipimus tibi quod facias habere Thomae Sturmy valetto nostro unam robam de Scarletto cum quadam penula de byssis aliam robam de viridi vel burnetta unam Sellam unum par Loianorum capam ad plumam unam culcitram unum par lintheorum quoniam ipse fiet miles And of K. H. 3. his Knighting Alexander the third K. of Scotland on Christmass day an 1252. at York and xxii more with him being the day preceding the said Alexander's marriage of Margaret daughter to K. Henry Math. Paris saith thus Baltheo donavit militari qui omnibus vestibus pretiosis excogitatis sicut in tam celebri Tyrocinio decuit ornabantur But as these Courtly Ceremonies have been thus antiently used so were there also sacred as is evident by the testimony of Ingulphus viz. a solemn Confession Vigils in the Church Receiving the Sacrament offering the Sword on the Altar with redemption of it and the Bishops Abbots Monks or other Priests putting it on him that was to be thus created as by what he expresseth touching Hereward an English Gentleman Lord of Brune in Lincolnshire upon his return out of Flanders when he was made a Kt. by Brand his Uncle then Abbot of Peterbrough Quoniam Anglorum erat consuetudo saith he quod qui militiae legitimae consecrandus esset vesperâ praecedente diem suae consecrationis ad Episcopum vel Abbatem vel Monachum vel Sacerdotem aliquem contritus compunctus de omnibus suis peccatis confessionem faceret absolutus orationibus devotionibus afflictionibus deditus in Ecclesia pernoctaret in crastino quoque Missam auditurus Gladium super Altare offerret post Evangelium Sacerdos benedictum Gladium collo militis cum benedictione imponeret communicatus ad eandem Missam sacris Christi mysteriis denuò Miles legitimus permaneret And that this usage of offering the Sword at the Altar continued in after times together with the reason thereof we find very evident from Ioan. Sarisburiensis undè jam inolevit consuetudo solennis saith he ut ea ipsa die qua quisque militari cingulo decoratur Ecclesiam solenniter adeat Gladioque super Altare posito oblato quasi celebri professione factâ seipsum obsequio Altaris devoveat Gladiâ— id est officii sui â—ugem Deo spondeat famulatum neque necesse est ut hoc profiteatur verbo cum legitima professio militiae facto ejus videatur inserta And Petrus Blesensis who lived in the same age scil temp H. 2. further explaineth the same Hodie Tyrones saith he enses suos recipiunt de Altari ut profiteantur se filios Ecclesiae atque ad honorem Sacerdotii ad tuitionem pauperum ad vindictam malefactorum patriae liberationem Gladium accepisse All which the learned Selden from whose discourse upon this subject the substance of what I have said is gathered supposeth to be continued under the name of Vigils upon that solemn Knighting of Geffrey of Anjou before specified So that from what hath been said we may clearly conclude that aswell the Sacred as Courtly Ceremonies used at the conferring this dignity have been very antient and very probably observed in such sort as by this following Narrative being a translation from an antient tract thereof in French may be seen whereunto for its better illustration the following Figures delineated from a fair Book in which they were drawn in much larger proportions and in Colours about K. Edw. the iv ths time by the great care and curiositie of that learned and worthy person my singular friend Edw. Byshe Esq. and in his Notes upon Upton already made publick are here added Here followeth the order and manner of creating Knights of the Bath in the time of Peace according to the Custom of England 1. WHen an Esquire comes to Court to receive the Order of Knighthood in the time of Peace according to the Custom of England he shall be honourably received by the Officers of the Court sc. the Steward or the Chamberlain if they be present but otherwise by the Marshalls and Ushers Then there shall be provided two Esquires of Honour grave and well seen in Courtship and nurture as also in the feats of Chivalrie and they shall be Esquires and Governours in all things relating to him which shall take the Order abovesaid 2. And if the Esquire do come before Dinner he shall carry up one Dish of the first course to the King's Table 3. And after this the Esquires Governours shall conduct the Esquire that is to receive the Order into his Chamber without any more being seen that day 4. And in the Evening the Esquires Governours shall send for the Barbour and they shall make ready a Bath handsomely hung with linnen both within and without the Vessell taking care that it be covered with Tapistrie and blankets in respect of the coldness of the night And then shall the Esquire be shaven and his hair cut round After which the Esquires Governours shall go to the King and say Sir it is now in the Evening and the Esquire is fitted for the Bath when you please whereupon the King shall command his Chamberlain that he shall take along with him unto the Esquires Chamber the most gentile and grave Knights that are present to inform counsell and instruct him touching the Order and feats of Chivalrie And in like manner that the other Esquires of the Household with the Minstrells shall proceed before the Knights singing dancing and sporting even to the Chamber dore of the said Esquire 5. And when the Esquires Governours shall hear the noise of the Minstrelâ—s they shall undress the said Esquire and put him naked into the Bath But at the entrance into the Chamber the Esquires Governours shall cause the Musick to cease and the Esquires also for a while And this being done the grave Knights shall enter into the Chamber without making any noise and doing reverence to each other shall consider which of themselves it shall be that is to instruct the Esquire in the Order and course of the Bath And when they are agreed then shall the chief of them go to the Bath and kneeling down before it say with a soft voice Sir Be this Bath of great honour to you and then he shall declare unto him the feats of the Order as far as he can putting part of the water of the Bath upon the shoulder of the Esquire and having so done take his leave And the Esquires Governours shall attend at the sides of the Bath and so likewise the other Knights the one after the other till
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
prec xl d. Another Auter cloth steynet prec xvi d. Three Twayles prec xviii d. Four other Auter cloths without fronts one prâ—c xx d. a piece Another prec xii d. the third prec vi d. the 〈◊〉 prec iiii d. Two Cruets prec vi d. Two Paxbâ—eâ—es prec iiii d. Three pieces of old silk for the images prec xl d. A Cofer in the Chapel prec v s. Another Cofer in Sir Thomas Bromley's Chamber prec ii â— A folet of thrid also a gret portvos prec C s. A vestment of the Cheyspel of purple silk prec xxxiii s. iiii d. A Chalice with patyn and Spoâ—e prec xxvi s. viii d. and this Boke vestment and Chalice were yeâ—ven by Sire Henry Wastneys Priest And also a new Missale prec ix marks yeven by Sire Roger Bugge Priest In 26 H. 8. the value of the lands and tenements belonging thereto was esteemed at Ci s. Sir Thomas Allen and Sir Iohn Grene Priests being then Wardens thereof But in 37 H. 8. the value of these Chantries was divided that of the first by the name of Prima Cantaria beatae Mariae in parochia S. Martini rated at Cxv s. xi d. ob over and above all reprises and the other by the name of Secunda Cantaria in praedicta parochia at vi li. iiii d. ob And after the dissolution of them by the Statute of 1 E. 6. the lands belonging to the later were in 4 E. 6. granted out of the Crown to Will. Morice of Cheping-Angre in Essex Esquire and Edw. Isaak of Welle in Kent and their heirs And in 7 E. 6. those appertaining to the other sold to Kenelm and Iohn Throkmorton Esquires Sutton HAving now done with Bermingham and tracing Rhea through the Parish of Aston I come to its confluence with Tame following which River about two miles lower I find the accession of a pretty torrent from the North west at the head whereof stands Sutton being a large Parish but a barren soil and containeth divers Hamlets and places of note viz. Wigginshill Maney Hillâ— Little Sutton Warmley Langley Newhall and Pedimore of all which in their order That this Sutton was originally so called from â—ts situation there is no doubt and therefore as it stands South to Lichfield I am inclin'd to believe that the name at first arose In Edw. the Confesâ—or's days Edwine Earl of Mercia was owner of it but after the Norman invasion the Conqueror held it in his own hands as appeareth by the generall Survey shortly after made wherein it is rated at viii hides the Woods extending to two miles in length and one in breadth and all valued at 4 l. But it continued not long in the Crown for I find that K. H. 1. past it away in exchange unto Roger Earl oâ— Warwick for the Mannours of Hocham and Langham in Rutland Habendum tenendum dicium Manerium de Sutton saith my authoritie dicto Rogero Comiti haeredibus ejus cum omni libertate regalitate sine sectis ad Hundredum sine solutione Scutagii vel alicuius forinseci servitii cum libero Chaceo inter Thame Bourne quae dividunt libertatem dicti Manerii ab aliis Et habeat dictus Rogerus haeredes sui unum Parcum unam liberam Hayam in defensione Et habeant liberam Curiam suam ad voluntatem in omnibus liberis consuetudinibus cum visu Franci plegii Item habeant boscum forinsecum communem libere tenentibus sine Ripario Item habeant in dominico duas Carucatas terrae â—num molendinum aquaticum cum sectis Item habeant Octodecem Cervos non nobiles But it doth not appear by this that any yearly Rent was reserved to the King his heirs and successors upon the said Exchange therefore 't is probable that by some other Agreement with that King or King H. 2. it might be For in the Shiriffs Accompt of 23.24 and 25 H. 2. there is xxxix s. per an answered to the King de Firma de Sutton In 26 H. 2. xvii s. x d. de porquisitis In 30 H. 2. xxxix s. de Firma In 31 H. 2. Lii s. de Firma and in 1 R. 1. iiii l. de Firma howbeit in these two last 't is like some arrears are accounted in regard that xxxix s. was the standing Rent or Ferm formerly due The next thing in order to be spoke of is the Chase whereof the bounds extended as by the before recited authoritie is evident to the banks of Thame and Bourne which Rivers are described by the Map and so consequently out of the bounds of this Countie aswell as into other Lordships within it that are no members of Sutton To give some reason therefore for this I have look't further into the antiquitie thereof and do find that whilst this Lordship continued in the King's hand that which afterwards bore the name of the Chase was then a Forest and this appears by a speciall Inquisition taken in 3 E. 2. where the Jury say upon their Oaths that they had heard their Ancestors affirm the same For that the antient King 's of England before they limited themselves by Carta de Foresta in 9 H. 3. might and did make Forests where they pleased Manwood in his treatise of Forest Laws whereunto I refer my Reader doth sufficiently declare And here before I proceed further I have thought fit to insert a Copie of the bounds of this Chase as by the before-specified Inquisition they are set down Sez sount lez boundes trovez de la Chace de Sottone en Colfelde se commencez à la teste de Bourne dekes à la Boltestile dekes tank à la Tindit hoc dekes tank à Mosewall dekes tank à le Holebrok dekes tank a le Thame dekes tank a Wolford brugge dekes tank a Schrafford brugge dekes tank a Wyford dekes tank a la teste de Bourne Most of which places if not all are I am sure very well known at this day That the Earl of Warwick so held it with all privileges thereto antiently belonging may appear by sundry testimonies some of which I shall here point at About the beginning of K. Iohn's time the Lord Basset of Draiton a great Baron in these parts erected a Park at Draiton-Basset which being within the precincts of this Chase and questioned by Waleran then Earl of Warwick necessitated the said Lord Basset rather than he would pull down his pales again to come to an Agreement with the Earl which accord was in 3 Iâ—â— and because 't is very memorable I will here recite it Haec est finalis concordia inter Comitem Waleranum de Warewic querentem Radulfum Basset tenentem de una sepe in Draiton quam idem Comes dixit fuisse levatam ad nocumentum Forestae suae de Colmesfeld unde placitum conventionis summonitum est inter eos coram Iusticiariis
Ierusalem and that thereupon at the end of nine years they had a certain Rule assigned to them in the Councell of Trecas as also a White habit by Pope Honorius After which they began to multiply very much their possessions being greatly enlarged But in the time of Pope Eugenius they sowed Crosses made of red cloth upon the left shoulder of their Mantles partly to the end that having such a triumphall signe instead of a Buckler they should not flee back from any Infidell whil'st they were armed with so great a protection and partly to the intent they might be distinguished from other Religious persons There are who affirm that the beginners of this Rule were some of the meanest Hospitalars and that they were at first sustained with weapons and food from the reliques of their provisions whether it was so or not I shall not stand to argue but 't is agreed on all parts that they were originally called Knights Templars from having their residence in certain rooms adjoyning to that Temple sometime built by King Solomon As for their Habit the description which William Darrell made thereof to Mâ— Lambard was thus viz. that on their Heads they woâ—e linnen Coâ—fes like to the Sergeants at Law and red Caps close over them on their Bodies shirts of maile and Swords girded unto them with a brod belt over all which they had a White Cloak reachâ—ng to the ground with a red Crosse on the left shoulder as hath been said in such sort as on the next page is represented And that they used to wear their Beards of a great length whereas most other Religious Orders doe shave I shall exhâ—bit the testimony of King Edw. 2. made in the behalf of an eminent servant in his Court Rex c. Cum dilectus valettus noster Petrus Auger exhibitor praesentium nuper voverit quod Barbam suam radi non faciat quousque peregrinationem fecerit in certo lâ—co â—n partibus transmarinis idem Petrus sibi timeat quod aliqui ipsum ratione Barbae sua prolixae fuisse Templarium imponere sibi velini ei inferre impedimenta seu gravamina ex hac causa Nos veritati volentes testimonium perhibere vobis tenore praesentium intimamus quod praedictus Petrus est valetâ—us Camerae nostrae nec unquam fuâ—â— Templarius sed â—arbam suam sic prolixam esse permitâ—it ex causa superius annotata c. Teste Rege c. 17. Febr. Anno c. 4. And touching theâ—r manner of reception into this Order thus I find câ—râ—â—â—â—ed of one of them being examined as to that point Requisitus de modo râ—câ—ptionis dicit quod eraâ— laviger â—â— Templo dum â—raâ— secularis requisiviâ— Magist um ut eum rec perat in Fâ—aâ—â—em Eâ— expositis sib hiis quae regorâ—s sunt in Ordine Templâ— substam talibus Ordinis quâ—aâ—a Obeatentiam â—â—â—stitatem abdicationem pâ—â—prietatis â—uit ducâ—us in Capellam Fraâ—ribus Orainis duntaxat Capellanis Militibus servientibus praesentibus secularibus omnibus exâ—lusis praestito ab eo ad sancta Dei Evangelia juramento quod praedicta tria substantialia dicti Ordinis consueâ—udines bonaâ— laudabâ—les Ordinis Templi servaret negotium terrae Sanctae ultra-marinae pro posse suo â—uvareâ— contrainimicos fidet Christianae Adâ—ecit etiam quod â—uravit quod neminem injuste exhaereditaret â—unc sibi tradebatur Mantellum cum Cruce Pilleum in Capiâ—e The first setling of this Order in England was in that â—â—reet called Holburne in the suburbs of London but there they rested not long for in K. H. 2. â—â—â—e that House which still retaineth the name of the Temple in Fleet-street was erected by them and the 〈…〉 according to the form of the Temple â— Ierusalem dedâ—cated to God and our blessed Ladie by Heraclius Patriarch of Ierusalem in the year 1185. Of the vast possessions they soon obtained in England aswell as other parts of Christendome which at length occasioned their ruine I am not here to speak neither of their Priviledges which were very ampâ—e as by thoâ—e Bulls of Pope Hadrâ—an the 4 â—h and Alexander the third exempâ—ing them from payment of Tithes for their demesn lands and the Charter of Kâ—ng H. 3. affording them divers Liberties and granting unto them extraoâ—â—inarie â—mmunities unto which I refer my Reader Templarius I come now to the speciall Priviledges which they had here in Balshall In 32 H. 3. they obtained a Charter oâ— Free warren in all their demesn lands here In 52 H. 3. a weekly Mercate upon the Thursday with two Faires every year the one on the Eve day and morrow after the Feast of S. Gregory the Martyr and the other on the Eve day and morrow after the Feast of S. Mathias the Apostle And for the surer enjoyment of their interest here in 13 E. 1. they procured a full confirmation from Roger de Moubray heir to Roger the first donour before specified with waâ—rantie of that his Ancestor's Charter for which they made him Partaker of all their Prayers and other spirituall benefits But whether it were really their guilt of such high enormities which through Christendome were layd to their charge or rather their potencie so generally feared which occasioned their ruine I will not here stand to argue certain it is that on Wednsday next after the Feast of the Epiphanie Anno 1307. scil 1 E. 2. by the King 's speciall command and a Bull from the Pope were they generally through England layd hold on and cast into Prison nay througâ— all Christendom as my Author saith and afterwards â—roceeded against in a generall Councell held at London where being convicted of divers great impiâ—ties all their possessions were seized into the Kâ—ng's hands In an antient MS. Chron. which I have seen the cause of their ruine is thus set forth Anno MCCCX. circafestum S. Hillarii omnes Templarii in Anglia in Scotia alii omnes ut dicebantur per totam Christianitatem una hora diei capti sunt propter Heresiae pravitatem necnon propter fraudem quam fecerunt in quodam bello inter Regem Tharsis Paganos in quo tergiverserunt ad Paganos occiderunt praedictum Regem exercitum ejus filium eâ—us unicum ceperunt undè tota Christianitas turbata est valdè But Thom. de Wals. setteth forth other reasons for this severe proceeding against them namely severall grosse and Heathenish yea rather devillish practises unto whom I refer my Reader All which and more were layd to their charge in particular Articles whereupon witnesses being examined they were proceeded against as hath been said the whole series thereof being at large yet to be seen in an antient M S. of that time wherein I have observed that the said Articles do charge them with no lesse than Heresie Idolatrie and most execrable Blasphemie
marks found sufficient sureties for his future good behaviour viz. Sir Iohn Murdak Knight Simon de Whitacre and Alan de Wodelowe And the next year following being a Justice of Assize in this County bore for his Armes Sable three Lozenges Aâ—gent After which viz. in 1 Edw. 3. he was a Knight and in 11 Edw. 3. one of the three for this County that had speciall summons to attend the King in his great Councell held at Westminster the Friday next after Michaelmass-day The next year following he had the like summons to be aâ— Westminster on the morrow after the Clause of Easter the Kâ—ng being then resolved upon an expedition beyond Sea in which year also he was constituted a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace in this Countie and to see that all persons were sufficiently armed according to the Statute of Winchester In 17 E. 3. he was in Commission to arrest such Proctors as were then imployed here in England as also other Purveyors from the Court of Rome which by vertue of the Pope's Bulls did put in practise divers things derogating from the King 's Royall power In 18 E. 3. again joyned in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Countie In 19 E. 3. he had summons amongst sundry other persons of note to be well accoutred with Hoâ—se and Armes on the Feast of S t Laurence to attend the King in his French expedition and by Ioane the daughter of Hugh de Culi of Radclive in Leicestershire had issue Richard his son and heir who bore for his Armes Argent upon a bend sable cotized Gules three Lozenges of the first Which Richard in 27 and 28 E. 3. was imployed as a Commissioner for levying and collecting a xvth and xth in this Countie So likewise in 47 and 48 Edw. 3. but farther of him I have not observed any thing memorable other than that he left issue one onely daughter called Ioane wedded to Alan Waldeif of Alspath by whom she had two daughters and heirs viz. Elene married to Richard Walsh of Onelip in Leicestershire and Margaret to Thomas Hore of Elmedon Which Richard Walsh and Thomas Hore were certified to hold this Mannour joyntly in 10 H. 6. but afterwards Hore had it wholy as it seemes and left Alan his son and heir and he Katherine an onely daughter married to Iohn Boteler of Solihull Gentleman Which Iohn and Katherine had issue Iohn Boteler who sold his moytie to Thomas Marow then of Wrydfen Esquire In whose hands it continued but a while for by his Deed bearing date 3. Martii 2 3 Ph. M. in consideration of CCC li. he past away the same unto Richard Kyfe alias Coke and Iohn Miller both of this town Yeomen and to the heirs and assigns of the said Richard Which Richard by his last Will and Testament bearing date about November 5 6 Ph. M. bequeathed all his lands to Katherine Corbet his wifes daughter and the heirs of her body whereby the inheritance thereof came to the posterity of the same Iohn Miller unto whom she was wedded But the other moytie descended from the before specified Richard Walshe and Elene his wife to Thomas Walshe their son and heir and so to Anne the wife of Sir Thomas Pultney Knight cosin and heir to the said Thomas Walshe Which Sir Thomas Pultney had issue Francis and he Gabraell who in Queen Elizabeth's time aliened it to the heirs of the said Iohn Miller most if not all the Fermes as of Marow's moytie before specified and part of the demesns having been sold out before to the particular Tenants The Church here dedicated to S. Leonard was originally but a Chapell belonging to Colshill as may seem by what I have in Colshill already manifested yet did the patronage thereof pass by the name of a Church in 3 Ioh. as appears by the grant then made unto the Nuns of Mergate in Bedfordshire from Iordan de Whitacre the appropriation whereof I have not seen conceiving that it was very antient but the Cure hath been served by a Stipendiarie there being no Vicar endowed Whitacre inferior THis being part of that which in my discourse of Whitacre superior is contained under the name of Witecore without any distinction came totally to the Marmions Lords of Tamworth-Castle as the other did and in King Stephen or beginning of Hen. 2. reign was granted by Robert Marmion to William Fitz Raphe to hold by the service of one Knight's Fee Which William being a very devout man gave to the Nuns of Polesworth all his lands lying in Aldulvestre now called Austrey in this Shire To whom succeeded Raphe also sirnamed Fitz Raphe one of the pledges for Robert Marmion in 2 H. 3. that he should faithfully keep the Castle of Tamworth to the King's use who in 6 H. 3. was one of the Justices of Assize in this Countie and in 20 H. 3. certified to hold this Mannour of the said Robert Marmion by the service of one Knight's Fee whereat both he and his successors for some descents resided as I guess there being the site of a fair Mannour place which had antiently a Park belonging thereto The next of which line was Nich. Fitz-Raphe whom I take to be son and heir to Raphe before specified who being a Knight about the 29. of H. 3. and in 34 H. 3. one of the Justices for Gaol-delivery at Warwick bore for his Armes two Barrs as by his Seal appeareth and had issue Giles whose daughter and heir Isabell took to husband Robert a younger son to Philip Marmion Lord of Tamworth-Castle Which Robert being by that means possest of this Mannour gave to the Nuns of Polesworth a yard land lying therein for the health of his soul and the soul of the said Isabell and by his Deed bearing date at Draiton-Basset the Wednsday next before the Feast of S. Leo the Pope 14 E. 2. in consideration of an annuity of XL li. to be payd during his naturall life past away all his title and right in this Mannour as also in Halughton Pericroft and Glascote unto Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton to hold during that terme unto which Deed his Seal of Arms is affixt viz. three Swords in pale pointing downwards with a Cheif varrè This Robert had issue a daughter called Amice first married to Eustace de Hardreshull as it seems for the said Eustace and she in 14 Edw. 2. covenanted to passe away all their interest and right herein as also in those other before specified unto the said Lord Basset which was done accordingly by a Fine levied xv Mart. the same year But she was afterwards married to Iohn de Whitacre and in 3 Edw. 3. having buried him released to the said Lord Basset all her right only
filia .... domini Say Barth de Sudley defunctus 20 E. 2. Matilda filia Ioh. de Monteforti Ioh. de Sudley defunctus 14 E. 3. Alâ—anora filia Rob. domini de Seales Ioh. de Sudley defunctus â— p. 41 E. 3. Iohanna ux Will. le Boteler mil. defuncta 41 E. 3. Iohanna filia Ioh. Beauchamp de Powyk mil. Thomas Boteler consangu haeres Ioh. de Sudley 41 E. 3. Alicia ux secunda postea nupta Joh. Dalingrugge mil. Ioh. Boteler deâ—unctus s. p. 5 H. 5. Will Boteler 5 H. 5. Rad Boteler miles Thesaur Angl. duxit Aliciam fil haer Will. Deincourt mil obiit 13 E. 4. Thomas Boteler miles duxit Alianorâ—m sororem Joh. Talbot mil. domini L'isle obiit vivo patre Eliz. ux ..... Norburie Henr. Norburie miles Joh. Norburie miles unuâ— consangu haered Rad. Boteler de Sudley mil. 13 E. 4. Anna filia haeres Ric. Haliwell Iana consangu haer Joh. Norburie mil. 15 H. 8. Edmundus Bray miles 15 H. 8. Anna ux ... Coâ—ham Eliz. 1. nupta Ric. Catesby mil. postea Wil. Clerke ar Fridiswida ux Percevalli Hart. mil. Maria ux Rob. Peckham mil Dorothea ux Edw. Domini Chaundos Francisca ux Tho. Lifeild Iohanna ux ..... Belknap Will. Belknap ar ob s. p. 2 R. 3. Henricus Belknap Edw. Belknap miles obiit 12 H. 8. Margeria ux Rob. Massy mil. defuncta â— prole 3 R. 2. pasturage for Cattell in Derset Radway and Chelverscote But after 20 E. 2. I have not found any more mention of him neither of Iohn his grandchild scil son of Bartholmew is there much to be sayd who died in 14 E. 3. leaving Iohn his son and heir little more than a twelve month old which last Iohn departed this world without issue in 41 E. 3. whereupon Thomas Boteler son of Sir Will. Boteler of Wemme by Ioane eldest daughter to the last Bartholmew and Margerie her sister afterwards married to Sir Robert Massy Kt. became his Cosins and next t heirs This Thomas Boteler was a Kt. in 9 R. 2. To whom succeeded as heir to his Mother Sir Raphe Boteler Kt. a man eminently imployed and highly advanced as I shall forthwith shew For having in 8 H. 6. served the King with xx men at Armes and Lx. Archers in his personall expedition for France he was in 20 H. 6. created Baron of Sudley with an Annuitie of CC. marks per an to himself and his heirs for the better support of that dignitie and became soon after Lord Tresurer of England But in that Office he continued not long for in 28 H. 6. he was retained by Indenture to serve the King for five years as Governour of the Cittadell at Calais with .... men at Armes on Horseback xxix men at Armes on foot and xx Archers all able men of war taking for himself ii s. per diem for his men at Arms on foot viii d. and for his Archers vi d. besides the speciall Fee of C s. the quarter for himself And immediatly thereupon being made the King's Lieutenant of that Town covenanted for the defence and saâ—eguard thereof and the Marches adjoyning to keep C. men at Arms over and above the number before specified and DCCCC Archers for a quarter of a year taking for his men at Arms xii d. a man and his Archers vi d. besides the reward accustomed And was in so great esteem with the Canons of Erdburie for his munifence to them in sundry wiâ—e but specially in procuring for them the Appropriation of the Church at Leyth in Lancashire dated 15 Ian. 28 H. 6. that in consideration thereof they did by their publick Instrument ordeign that two of their Covent should every day celebrate divine service in that Monasterie for the health of his soul appointing parâ—icular Masses for each day of the week binding themâ—elves and their successors to observe his Anniversarie after his decease with Placebo Dirige and Masse of Requiem and to spend vi s. viii d. yearly on the day of his said Anniversarie in their Covent by way of Pittance over and above their usuall allowance After which viz. in 30 H. 6. he had a speciall Pardon granted to him for all offences whereby any advantage mâ—ght be taken against him in respect of his great and generall imployments in which pardon his partâ—cular services to King H. 5. aswell as to the said K H. 6. in France and in the Dutchie of Normandieâ— even from his very youth are gâ—atefully â—cknowledg'd For he had been Lord Tresurer and Chamberlain to K. H. 6. and Standard-beaâ—er and chief Butler of England as also Knight of the Garter and Steward of his Household But after this I find no more of him till his death which hapned 2 Maii 13 E. 4. where it appears that Iohn Norburie and Will. Belknap were his câ—sins and heirs for Sir Thomas Boteler his son died before him without issue So that this Mannour came at length inter alia by Partition made 15 Maii 11 H. 7. to Sir Iohn Norburie and so by Iane his grandchild and heir to Sir Edmund Bray which Iane died seized thereof 24 Aug. in the last year of Q. Maries reign leaving severall daughters and heirs as the Descent before inserted sheweth whereof Frances married to Thomas Lifeild who by the name of Thomas Lifeild of Stoke-Dabernon in com Sur. Esq. together with the said Frances his wife did by his Deed of bargain and sale Dated 7 Maii 3 Eliz. in consideration of 1050 l. sell and convey it unto Iohn Giffard of Chillington in com Staff Esq. whose grandchild sc. Peter son of Walter Giffard in our memorie passed the Mannour consisting of a Royaltie and certain chief Rents to Sir Iohn Newdigate of Erdburie Kt. and the Demesns to certain persons in trust for the use of Thomas Lord Coventre late Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England So that at this day the said Mannour is now enjoyed by Ric. Newdigate Sergeant at Law son to the same Sir Iohn and the demesns by the Lord Coventre son and heir to the said Lord Keeper The Priorie of Erdburie WIthin the precincts of Chilverscoton Parish stood the Monasterie of Erdburie built in K. Henry 2. time by Raphe de Sudley for Canons Regular of St. Augustine the Foundation Charter whereof I never saw but do conceive that the substance wherewith he at first endowed it was as followeth viz. the Church of Chelverdescote with two yard land belonging thereto as also six yard land and a Wood there reputed for half a hide ten Acres of land lying in Broadmedow and a place called the Breche at Whitemore with certain messuages and half a VVood called the Hudells And besides this with some lands and a meadow at Sulingfen together with the Church of Dercet and CC. acres of land lying in one of Dercet fields As also ten
rumors were spread that Cardinall Poole laboured with divers Princes to procure forces against this Realme and that an Invasion was threatned which seemed the more credible because the Truce concluded betwixt the Emperour and the French King was generally known neither of them wanting pretence to bring an Army hither And this was also seconded by a suddain journey of the King unto the Sea-coast unto divers parts whereof he had sent sundry of the Nobles and expert persons to visit the Ports and places of danger who failed not for their dischargeâ— upon all event to affirme the perill in each place to be so great as one would have thought every place had needed Fortification Besides he forthwith caused his Navy to be in a readiness and Musters to be taken over all the Kingdom All which preparations being made against a danger believed imminent seemed so to excuse this suppression of the Abbyes as that the people willing to spare their own purses began to suffer it easily especially when they saw order taken for building of such Forts But let us look a little upon the success wherein I find that the said Visitor Generall the grand Actor in this tragique buisnesse having contracted upon himself such an Odium from the Nobilitie by reason of his low birth though not long before made Knight of the Garter Earl of Essex and Lord high Chamberlain of England as also from the Catholiques for having thus operated in the dissolution of the Abbies that before the end of the before specified Parl. wherein that was ratified which he had with so much industrie brought to pass the King not having any more use of him gave way to his Enemies accusations whereupon being arrested by the Duke of Norff. at the Councell-Table when he least dream't of it and committed to the Tower he was condemn'd by the same Parliament for Heresie and Treason unheard and little pittied and on xxviii th of Iuly viz. 4. days after the Parliament was dissolved had his Head cut off on Tower-Hill Nor did many of the Reformers speed much better for Fire and Fagot hapned to be their portion even within the same King's time as whosoever looks into the Storie of those days may see And as for the fruit which the people reapt after all their hopes built upon those specious pretences which I have instanc't it was very little For plain it is that Subsidies from the Clergie and Fifteens of all Lay mens goods were soon after exacted And that in Edward 6. time the Commons were constrain'd to supply the King's wants by a new invention viz. Sheep Cloathes Goods Debts c. for three years which Tax grew so heavy that the year following they prayed the King for mitigation thereof Nor is it a little observable that whil'st the Monasteries stood there was no Act for relief of the Poor so amply did those Houses give succour to them that were in want whereas in the next age viz. 39 o Eliz. no lesse than xi Bills were brought into the House of Commons for that purpose But fearing that this digression hath been too tedious I returne These Nunns being thus disposed of and the House demolish'd it was not long ere that the lands were dispersed for in 36 H. 8. the site and demesns with the whole Lordship of Polesworth were sold to Francis Goodere Gentleman which Francis had issue Sir Henry Goodere Knight his son and heir a Gentleman much accomplisht and of eminent note in this Countie whilst he lived having suffred imprisonment in behalf of that magnanimous Ladie Marie Queen of Scotland of whom he was a great honourer who had issue two daughters only scil Frances and Anne the one married to Sir Henry Goodere Knight son and heir to Sir William brother to the before specified Sir Henry the other to Henry Rainsford of Clifford in Com. Glouc. Which last mentioned Sir H. Goodere left four daughters viz. Lucie married to Sir Francis Nethersole Knight a Kentish Gentleman of an antient House sometime Orator for the Universitie of Cambridge and at the time of that his marriage Agent for K. Iames with the Princes of the Union in Germany of whom the King of Bohemia was chief as also Secretarie to the Q. of Bohemia and by them often imployed back again to the Court of England where he was of note by his actings and suffrings in their Majesties service The other viz. Elizabeth to Samuel Roper a Counceller at Law of Lincolns-Inne of whom I have made mention in Monks-Kirby Mary to Samuel Hildersham a worthy Divine Rector of West-Felton in Com Salop and Anne to Iohn Kingston D r of Physick Which Sir Francis at the speciall instance of his said Lady who bore a great affection to this Town in regard it had been possest by her Family from her great-grandfather's time having erected a convenient fabrick of stone therein for a School-House on the front whereof both his own and her Arms are cut with this Inscription Soli Deo Gloria Schola Pauperum Puerorum Puellarum In further accomplishment of her pious desires hath lately enfeoft six gentlemen of the Countrey thereabouts and seven Divines of the impropriate Tithes of Waverton Dordon and Pooley as also of a Rent-chardge of Xl. marks per annum issuing out of Holt-Hall and Freasley and six yard land in Waverton before specified all of the yearly value of Cxl li. per annum at the least which is more than the whole impropriate Tithes of this Parish do amount unto for a liberall maintenance of a Schoolmaster and Schoolmistris to teach the Children of the Parish viz. the Boys to write and read English and the Girles to read and work with the Needle and both to be instructed in the principles of the true Christian Religion And the residue to be imployed to such charitable uses as he may in his life time finde most conducing to advance the knowledge and practise of true Religâ—on and most beneficiall to the Poor of this place and afterwards he shall by his last Will and Testament declare And in default of his so doing that his said Trustees or the major part of them may increase the maintenance of the Vicar of Polesworth for the time being for whom he is now building a fair House there or set up another School to teach the three learned Languages to the Youth of this Parish or relieve poor Widows and Fatherless Children of deceased Ministers that have been learned godly and painfull in their lives or set out poor Apprentices of this Town Or grant exhibitions to the poor Schollars aforesaid towards the sending them to the Universitie of Cambridge and to be there maintained as they shall find most expedient in all or any of these and likely to be continued in perpetuity The Church dedicated to S. Edith was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. rated at xxii marks but the Vicaridge at no more than one mark