of him in that his Testament he did not at all account himself illegitimate as will be made manifest from what I shall here relate For soon after the death of Queen Elizabeth having Married Alice the Eldest Daughter to Sir Thomas Leigh of Stoneley in Com. War Knight and considering with himself that in Case he made good his Legitimacy not only a good Title to the Earldom of Leicester as Heir to his Father together with other Titles and Dignities would rightfully accrue unto him but also the Castle of Warwick with divers fair Lordships in that County by virtue of an Entail when Ambrose his Uncle was advanced to that Earldom he did by reason of the great Plague at that time in London obtain a Commission from the Archbishop of Canterbury out of the Court of Audience directed to D r Zachary Babington then Chancellor of Litchfeild and others for examining Witnesses to prove his Father's Marriage But no sooner was it discern'd by the Lady Lettice and her Friends that the consequence thereof would much reflect upon her than that they procured Sir Edward Coke Knight the King's Atturney General to exhibite a Bill in the Star-Chamber against him the said Sir Robert and Dame Alice his Lady also against the Lady Douglas Sheffeild for so she was called then Wife of Sir Edward Stafford Knight and against the before-mention'd Sir Thomas Leigh Dr. Zachary Babington ... Drury Henry Frodsham Gent. and others laying to their Charge a Combination and Conspiracy to defame the Lady Lettice and unjustly to intitle himself to those Honours c. And upon the Petition of the Lord Sidney procured a command from the Lords of the Council not only to stop those proceedings at Litchfeild but to bring all the Depositions there taken to remain within the same Court of Star-Chamber in the Council-Chest Nevertheless did they give leave that he should examine Witnesses in that honourable Court in Order to the asserting his Legitimacy Whereupon by testimony upon Oath partly by the said Lady Douglas Sheffeild and partly by divers other persons who were present at her pretended Marriage with this Earl it did appear that she having been first contracted in Cannon-Row within the Liberties of Westminster about two years before was solemnly wedded to him at Aâ—her in Com. Surr. by a lawful Minister according to the Form of Matrimony by Law establisht in the Church of England in the presence of Sir Edward Horsey Knight who gave her in Marriage as also of Robert Sheffeild Esq Dr. Iulio Henry Frodsham and five other persons whose names are there specified and that the Ring wherewith they were so Married was set with five pointed Diamonds and a Table Diamond which had been given to him by the then Earl of Pembroke's Grandfather upon Condition that he should not bestow it upon any but whom he did make his Wife Likewise that the Duke of Norff. was the principal mover of that Marriage but that this Earl pretending a fear of the Queens Indignation in Case it should come to her knowledge made her to Vow not to reveal it till he gave leave whereupon all her Servants were Commanded secrecy therein And it was also farther deposed that within two days after the Birth of this Sir Robert Dudley which hapned at Shene where he was Christened by a Minister sent from Sir Henry Lea having to his Godfathers the Earl of Warwick his Uncle and the same Sir Henry and to his Godmother the Lady Dacres of the South by their Deputies the said Lady Douglass receiv'd a Letter from this Earl which one M rs Erisa then Lady Parker read wherein his Lordship did thank God for the Birth of this his Son who might be their comfort and staff of their old age as are the words of the Letter and Subscribed Your loving Husband Robert Leicester Likewise that the said Lady Douglass was after this served in her Chamber as a Countess until be commanded the contrary for fear the Marriage should be disclosed Other Depositions there were many by several persons some testifying what this Earl had himself expressed in reference to this his Son as of one Owen Iones who averred upon his Oath that attending on the said Sir Robert Dudley at Offington in Com. Suss when he was but ten years of age and at School the Earl of Leicester came to see him and said Owen thou knowst that Robin my Boy is my lawful Son and as I do and have charged thee to keep it secret so I charge thee not to forget it and therefore see thou be careful of him Divers other expressions from this Earl tending to the same purpose were likewise testified by sundry credible persons Likewise what Ambrose Earl of Warwick his Brother had uttered which for brevities sake I omit Also that this Earl of Leicester endeavoured to perswade the Lady Douglas to disclaim the Marriage offering seven hundred pounds per annum in the Close Arbour of the Queens Garden at Grenewich in the presence of Sir Iohn Hâ—baud and George Digby in Case she would so do and upon her refusal terrifying her with protestations that he would never come at her and that she should never have penny from him It seems that she then had the Custody of this her Son for it was deposed that the Earl tendred her a thousand pounds to deliver him unto Sir Edward Horsey Captain of the Isle of Wiht to be there brought up by him and that she refused As to her Marriage with Sir Edward Stafford a person of great honour and sometime imploy'd as Embassador into France she alledg'd that it was to secure her life having had some ill potions given her which occasion'd the loss of her Hair and Nails and repenting said that she had thereby done the greatest wrong that could be to her self and Son But to these Depositions the Star-Chamber gave little Credit esteeming them to be unduly gained as is evident from the Sentence thereupon given by that Honourable Court the tenor whereof I have here exhibited as I find the Minutes thereof drawn up by the then Register there Paschae 3â— Iac. THE Defendant Drury being a man of a mean condition and desperate fortune to the end to insinuate himself into the favour of the Defendant Sir Robert Dudley and to work his own private gain informed the said Sir Robert Dudley that he was the Legitimate Son and Heir of Robert late Earl of Leicester begotten on the Lady Douglas after lawful Marriage and so was to inherit the Honours Mannours and Lands of the late Earls of Warwick and Leicester and told him that one Magdalen Salisbury was present at the Marriage and would justifie the same on her Oath And Sir Robert not giving credit thereto in respect of the said Drurie's condition he by large promises got a Note under Magdalen's Hand to confirm his report and carried it to Sir Robert Dudley and thereupon Sir Robert gave ear unto the business
said Court of Star-Chamber in order to the making good of his Legitimacy and divers Witnesses were examined there accordingly Whereupon by full testimony upon Oath partly made by the said Lady Douglasse her self and partly by divers other persons of quality and credit who were present at the Marriage with the said Late Earl of Leicester by a lawful Minister according to the form of Matrimony then by Law established in the Church of England and the said Sir Robert and his Mother owned by the said late Earl of Leicester as his lawful Wife and Son as by many of the said Depositions remaining upon Record in our said Court still appear which we have caused to be perused for our better satisfaction herein But a special Order being made that the said Depositions should be sealed up and no Copies thereof taken without leave did cause him the said Sir Robert to leave this our Kingdom Whereof his Adversaries taking advantage procured a special Privy-Seal to be sent unto him commanding his return into England Which he not obeying because his Honour and Lands were denied unto him all his Lands were therefore seized on to the King our Father's use And not long afterwards Prince Henry our Dear Brother deceased made overture to the said Sir Robert by special Instruments to obtain his Title by purchase of and in Kenilworth Castle in our County of Warwick and his Mannors Parks and Chases belonging to the same which upon a great under-value amounted as we are credibly informed to about fifty thousand pounds but were bought by the said Prince our Brother in consideration of fourteen thousand five hundred pounds and upon his faithful Engagement and promise of his Princely favour unto the said Sir Robert in the said Cause to restore him both in Honours and Fortunes And thereupon certain Deeds were sealed in the ninth year of the Reign of our said Father and Fines also then were levyed setling the Inheritance thereof in the said Prince our Brother and his Heirs But the said Prince our Brother departing this life there was not above three thousand pounds of the said sum of fourteen thousand five hundred pounds ever paid if any at all to the said Sir Robert's hands and we our selves as Heir to the said Prince our Brother came to the possession thereof And it appearing to our Council that the said Alice Lady Dudley Wife of the said Sir Robert had an Estate of Inheritance of and in the same descendable unto her Posterity in the nineteenth year of our said dear Father's Reign an Act of Parliament was passed to enable the said Lady Alice Wife to the said Sir Robert to alien her Estate which she had by the said Sir Robert therein from her children by the said Sir Robert as if she had been a feme sole which accordingly she did in the nineteeth year of our said Father's Reign in consideration of four thousand pounds and further payments yearly to be made by us to her out of our Exchequer and out of the said Castles and Lands which have not been accordingly paid unto her by us for many years to the damage of the said Lady Alice and her Children to a very great value Which Sir Robert setling himself in Italy within the Territories of the great Duke of Tuscany from whom he had extraordinary esteem he was so much favoured by the Emperour Ferdinand the Second as that being a person not only eminent for his great Learning and Blood but for sundry rare endowments as was well known he had by Letters Patents from his Imperial Majesty the Title of a Duke given unto him to be used by himself and his Heirs for ever throughout all the Dominions of the sacred Empire Which Letters Patents have been perused by our late Earl-Marshall and Heralds And Whereas our Dear Father not knowing the truth of the lawful Birth of the said Sir Robert as we piously believe granted away the Titles of the said Earldoms to others which we now hold not fit to call in question nor ravel into our deceased Father's actions especially they having been so long enjoyed by these Families to whom the said Honours were granted which we do not intend to alter And yet we having a very deep sense of the great injuries done to the said Sir Robert Dudley and the Lady Alice Dudley and their Children and that we are of opinion that in Iustice and Equity the possessions so taken from them do rightly belong unto them or full satisfaction for the same And holding our selves in honour and conscience obliged to make them reparation now as far as our present ability will enable us And also taking into our consideration the said great estate which she the said Lady Alice Dudley had in Kenilworth and sold at our desire to us at a very great under-value and yet not perform'd or satisfied to many thousand pounds damage And we also casting our Princely Eye upon the faithful services done unto us by Sir Richard Leveson Knight of the Bath who hath Married the Lady Catherine one of the Daughters of the said Duke by his said Wife the said Lady Alice Dudley and also the great services which Robert Holburne Esq hath done to us by his learned Pen and otherwise which said Robert Holburne hath Married the Lady Anne one other of the Daughters of the said Duke by his said Wife the Lady Alice Dudley we have conceived our selves bound in honour and conscience to give the said Lady Alice and her Children such Honour and Precedencies as is or are due to them in Marriage or blood And therefore we do not only give and grant unto the said Lady Alice Dudley the Title of Dutchess Dudley for her life in England and other our Realms and Dominions with such Precedencies as she might have had if she had lived in the Dominions of the sacred Empire as a mark of our favour unto her and out of our Prerogative Royal which we will not have drawn into dispute But we do also farther grant unto the said Lady Katherine and Lady Anne her Daughters the Places Titles and Precedencies of the said Dukes Daughters as from the time of their said Father's Creation during their respective lives not only in England but in all other our Kingdoms and Dominions as a testimony of our Princely favour and grace unto them conceiving our selves obliged to do much more for them if it were in our power in these unhappy times of distraction And we require all persons of Honour and other our loving Subjects especially our Earl Marshall Heralds and Officers at Arms to take notice of this our Princely pleasure and to govern themselves accordingly and to cause the said places and precedencies to be quietly enjoyed according to this our gratious intention as they do tender our displeasure and will answer the contempt thereof at their Perils And we further command and require that our said Heralds do make entry of this our pleasure and Grant
In 6 Hen. 3. at the Feast of St. Iames there happening much mischief by a Tumult in the City of London occassioned by an exercise of Wrastling betwixt the Citizens and the Countrey people wherein one Constantine a stout and eminent man of the City was chief he assisted Hubert de Burgh then Justice of England in suppressing that Tumult and caused Constantine with some others to be hanged for that their misdemeanor though he offered fifteen thousand Marks to save his own life In 7 Hen. 3. he received by the hands of the Sheriff of Devon eighteen pounds and half a Mark on the behalf of the Earl of Devons Heir for the third penny of that County And executed the Office of Sheriff for the County of Rutland in 2 Hen. 3. Also for the Counties of Cambridge and Huntendon from 2 Hen. 3. until 7 Hen. 3. and for the Counties of Buckingham Bedford Oxford and Northampton from 2 Hen. 3. till 8 Hen. 3. inclusive In the time of the War betwixt King Iohn and the Barons having the Castle of Bedford given him by that King as hath been already observed he rebuilt it upon anothers Land pulling down a Church there for that purpose and was so oppressive that he possessed himself by violence of the Lands of his own Freeholders and Neighbours especially thirty two in Luiton in Com. Bedf. as also of certain Common-pastures thereabouts Wherefore in Ann. 1224. 8 Hen. 3. Martin de Patshull and other the Kings Justices-Itinerant sitting at Dunstaple and complaint then and there made of his Robberies and Depredations upon many of the Kings good Subjects he was by those Justices â—ined in a great Summe of money Of which having suddain notice he sent out a party of his Souldiers to fetch those Justices and to imprison them in his Castle at Bedford But this designe being made known unto them they hasted away with speed nevertheless one of them they overtook viz. Henry de Braibroke and brought him Prisoner to Bedford where he had barbarous usage The News whereof being brought to the King and his Nobles then at Northampton to consult about the relieving of Poictou he caused the Castle of Bedford to be forthwith besieged William de Breant Brother to this Foâ—ke being then Governor thereof the whole Clergy of the Province of Canterbury sending their assistance for the taking of it And after two moneths time took it by Storm Whereupon the Governor and some others were hanged y for their obstinacy Which so much enraged this Fouke as that having advertisement of the design which Lewes of France then had to make an Invasion here taking advantage of some discontents towards the King from divers of the great men by reason he was so much swayed by the Counsels of Hubert de Burgh at that time Justice of England he encouraged Lewes in that his enterprise vilifying the King for a sottish person and promising that himself with some other of the English Nobles would further the work by raising a flame of War in the midst of the Realm But failing of those whom he expected would have joyned with him he forthwith fled into Wales the King thereupon making seizure of all his possessiâ—ns throughout England Whereof having Advertisement he hasted to the K. then at Eedford and falling down at his feet with all humility craved that in consideration of his former services to his Father and himself he would be merciful unto him Whereupon the King committed him to the custody of Eustace de Fauconbrigge then Bishop of London until judgement should pass upon him Being therefore brought thus low this Distich was made of him Perdidit in mense Fulco tam fervidus ense Omine sub saevo quicquid quaesivit ab aevo But Margaret de Ripariis his Wife then coming to the King in the presence of the Archbishop told him that she never gave her consent to marry him and therefore desired in regard she had been taken by violence in the time of hostility and betrothed to him unwillingly she might be Divorced Shortly after which viz. in March An. 1225. 9 Hen. 3. the King convening his Nobles at Westminster required them to give sentence upon this Traitor Whereupon by reason he had served K. Iohn and himself faithfully for many years they gave judgement that he should not suffer in life or limbe but that he should abjure the Realm for ever In order whereunto William Earl Warren had command for conducting him to the Sea Which being done as he entred the Ship he did with tears desire him to salute the King alledging that whatsoever mischief he had done it was through the incitation of the great men and so with five servants sailed into Normandy Where being Landed he was taken and carried to the King of France with expectation that he should have hanged him in regard he had done much mischief to many of the French in England but finding that he was signed with the Cross they permitted him to go to Rome About this time Otto the Popes Legat being in England humbly besought the King to restore unto Margaret the Wife of this Banished person all his Lands and to receive him again with favor in regard he had so faithfully served in the Wars of him and his Father But thereunto the King answered that being for apparent Treason banished by the whole Clergy and people of England he must observe the Laws Being therefore thus gone she making a composition with the King for his debts by paying of three hundred marks per Annum untill all should be satisfied she had livery of those Lands whereof she had been endowed at the Church door by her former Husband As to the time of his Banishment and departure out of England there is certainly a great mistake by our Historians for manifest it is from a publick Instrument Sealed by him upon St. Bartholomews day viz. 24 Aug. Ann. 1228. 12 Hen. 3. that he was then at London for there it bears date at that time By which he declareth that whereas he had been Excommunicated for imprisoning Henry Braybroke one of the Kings Justices in the Castle of Bedford as also for holding out that Castle against the King and for other disturbances of the Kingdoms peace and afterwards repenting himself craved Absolution giving to the King all the money he then had as also all his Plate Armes Horses Lands and Goods Rents and Possessions whatsoever to dispose of at his pleasure Likewise that having thus obtained Absolution in case the Castles of Plimpton and Stokâ— Cureâ—i were not delivered to the King within fifteen days he would be content to stand still Excommunicate he
or outward pride of the World appointing that certain Masses and Diriges should be done for him there by all the Priests of that Colledge and other his Chaplains according to the antient custom of the Church of England As also that no black Gowns or Coats should be given at his Funeral except to his own Servants and Torch-bearers Likewise that C l. should be distributed to the poorest Housholders of his Tenants and others dwelling next to his Houses of Tatshall Eresham Eâ—â—â—ow and Grymesthorpe in Com. Linc. to pray for his Soul And that a Cup of Gold should be made of his Collar of the Garter and given to the King After which viz. the next ensuing year he departed this life upon Saturday 24 Ang. An. 1545. 37 H. 8. and was not buried at Tatshall as he directed but in the Royal Chapell of St. George in Windsore-Castle at the Kings charge by the Door of the Quire on the South side of that Church near unto the place where King Henry the sixth is interred and in the same Grave with his Aunt ... Daughter to the Lord Dacres of the South Wife of Sir Thomas Brandon his uncle as by the Certificate taken at his Funeral appeareth This great Duke had four Wives First Margaret one of the Daughters to Iohn Nevil Marquess Mountagu Widow of Sir Iohn Mortimer Knight but by her had no Issue Secondly Anne Daughter of Sir Anthony Browne Knight Governour of Calais by whom he had Issue before marriage as some say a Daughter called Anne Wife of Sir Edward Grey Lord Powys and another after marriage named Mary Wedded to Thomas Stanley Lord Mont-Egle Thirdly Mary the second Daughter to King Henry the seventh Widdow of Lewes the xii th King of France by whom he had Issue one Son called Henry created Earl of Lincoln at Bridewell in 17 H. 8. but died in his life time unmarried and two Daughters Frances first married to Henry Grey Duke of Suff. but afterwards to Adrian Stokes and Elâ—anore to Henry Earl of Cumberland Fourthly Catherine Daughter and Heir of William Lord Willoughby of Eresbp by whom he had Issue two Sons Henry and Charles who died both of them upon the 14th of Iuly An. 1551 5 E. 6. in the Bishop of Lincolns House at Bugden in Com. Hunt of the sweating sickness Marny 19 H. 7. THe first mention I find of this Family is in 9 E. 3. William de Marny about that time obtaining a Charter for Free-Warren in all his demesn-Lands at Leyre-Marny in Com. Essex To this William succeeded another William who in 3 H. 4. was constituted Sheriff of the Counties of Essex and Hartford and died in 2 H. 5. being then seised of the Mannour of Leyre-Marny with the advouson of the Church as also of the Mannours of Arderne-Hall in Horndon Gippecroke in great Totham and Hebregge in the same County And to him Sir Thomas Marny Knight Which Sir Thomas left Issue Margaret his Daughter and Heir who died in her minority so that Iohn her Uncle became her next Heir Which Iohn had Issue Henry who being a person of great Wisdom Gravity and of singular Fidelity to that prudent Prince King Henry the 7th was made choice of for one of his Privy-Council in the first year of his reign and in 2 H. 7. fought stoutly for him against Iohn Earl of Lincoln and his adherents in the Battel of Stoke near Newark He was also in the Battel at Black-Hethe in 12 H. 7. against the Lord Audley and the Cornish-men then in Rebellion And upon the death of King Henry the seventh being likewise chosen one of the Privy-Council to King Henry the 8th was shortly after install'd Knight of the most noble order of the Garter From which King he had such high esteem as that he was made Captain of his Guard and in 13 H. 8 upon the attainder of Edward Duke of Buckingham procured a grant in special tail of the Mannours of Little-Brickhill Burton and Esington in Com. Buck. with the advousons of the Churches as also of the Burrough of Buckingham then in the Crown by reason of that Dukes forfeiture And in 14 H. 8. 4 Febr. was made Keeper of the Privy-Seal as also upon the ninth of April following advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the name of Lord Marny After which the next ensuing year he accompanied Charls Brandon Duke of Suffolk then General of the English Forces sent into France landing with him at Calais And by his Testament bearing date 22 Maii the same year bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Chancel of the Church at Leyre-Marny where divers of his Ancestors lay interred in case he should depart this life in or near London Appointing that his Body should be conveyed out of London with the four orders of Friers in that City and every one of those Orders to have xx s. Item to every Church meeting his Corps by the way iii s. iv d. And to every Church where his Body should rest by the way vi s. viii d. Also that there should be xxiv Poor men to hold xxiv Torches at his Burying and Mass and every of them to have a Black Gown and a Hood and xii d. in money Item that his Executors should cause to be said for his Soul and for the Souls of Sir William Marny his Grandfather and Dame Katherine his Wife Sir Robert Marny his Great-Grandfather Sir Iohn Marny his Father and Dame Iane his Wife and for the Souls of his own two Wives Thomasine and Elizabeth as also for the Soul of Thomas Marny and his other Children First at Scala Câ—â—li in Westminster a Trentall of Masses at the Friers-observants at Greenwich a Trental at every of the four orders of Friers in London a Trentall at the Black-friers in Chelmsford a Trentall at the Cross-friers and Gray-friers in Colchester a Trentall and at the Friers at Mâ—ldon a Trentall He also willed that with the profits of his Lands the Chapell which he had begun adjoining to the Chancel of the Parish-Church of Leyre-Marny should be new made with a substantial roof of timber covered with Lead and the Windows glased with Imagery accordingly Likewise that a Tomb of Marble should be set in the wall betwixt the Chancel and the same Chapell vaulted over with Marble and his Image of black Marble or touch thereon with every thing convenient and appertaining to the same Also that two Images of Laton should be made with the Pictures of his two Wives with their Cote-Armours upon them Thomasine on his right hand and Elizabeth on his left on the said Tomb. He likewise willed that a new Almeshouse should be made and set up with five partitions for five Poor Men and one common Kitchin for them all the walls to be
dispossessed of their rightful Inheritances as also of the Danes and named the said Castle Richmont according to the French expression which signifieth the Rich-Mount or Hill it being situate upon the highest most defensible and pleasant place of all that Territory the swift River Swale running at the skirt thereof and half encompassing it Having said thus much touching his first coming into England and setling here I shall conclude with his Works of Piety which were not few nor slender He was the devout and first beginner of the Foundation or rather restorer of that great Abbey of S. Maries in York giving thereunto the Church of S. Olave and Borough wherein the same Monastery was situate in the Suburb of that City from Galmon to Clifton towards the River of Owsel in which it was more commodiously seated than at Lestingham with nine Carucates and an half of Land lying in Clifton rendring the Advowson thereof into the hands of that King to the end he might be the perpetual Patron of it Moreover he gave thereto the Churches of Caterick and Richmund and the Chappel of his Castle there with the Tithes of all his Demesne Lands belonging unto it and likewise thoroughout all Yoâ—kâ—hire as also the Church of S. Botolph in Holland and Town of Sutton near unto it And lastly unto the Abbey of S. Sergius and Bacchus in Normandy he gave the Church of â—wavesey in Cambridgeshire with the Tithes of that place and likewise the Tithes of Bercham Papworth Wimpoâ—e Tofte and Beche which place of Swavesey became afterwards a Cell to that Foreign Monastery Add hereunto what the Monk of Vtica expresseth of him He was ever studious for Peace a great lover of the Poor an especial honorer of the Religious and that his death without Issue occasioned no little sadness to all good People He married Constance one of King William the Conquerors Daughters but died without Issue and was buried in the Abbey of S. Edmunds-â—ury in Suffolk at the South door before the Altar of S. Nicholas The Lands whereof he was possest at the time of the Conquerors Survey were these viz. In Yorkshire One hundred sixty six Lordships or the greatest part of them whereof Gilling was one within the Precincts whereof he built his Castle of Richmount in Dorsetshire One called Devenis in Essex Eight in Hantshire Two in Cambridgeshire Sixty three and Ten Burages in Cambridge in Hartfordshire Twelve in Northamptonshire One in Nottinghamshire Seven in Norfolk Eighty one and in Lincolnshire One hundred and one This last mentioned Alan sirnamed Rufus had four Brothers viz. Alanus Niger and Stephen who succeeded in this Earldom Ribald Lord of Middleham an eminent Baron in these Northern parts from an Heir-female of whose Line that great and honorable Family of the Nevils some Branches whereof do still flourish in this Kingdom as I shall shew in due place did descend and Bardulf whose Son Akar was the pious Founder of Iorevauix a famous Abbey of the Cistercian Order in this Northern Tract This Alan the Black who succeeded his Brother Alan the Red in these Earldoms of Britanny and Richmund wrote himself Comes Brittanniae Angliae and by that title confirmed those Grants which Akar the Son of Bardulf had made to the Monks of Iorevauix and granted divers Immunities and Priviledges to the Burgers of his Borough of Richmund Being in good esteem with King William Rufus upon the seisure of Hoveden and Weston belonging to William de Kairelepho Bishop of Durham who adhered to those of the Nobility that had conspired against the King he shared with Odo de Campania in the enjoyment of those Lordships He Founded a Cell at Romburge in Cambridgeshire annexing it unto the Abbey of S. Maries at York and to the same Abbey of S. Maries he gave the Church of Giâ—ling near Richmund with one Carucate of Land as also his Tithes of Baâ—â—ngburgh Two Hides of Land in Heselingfeld in Cambridgeshire and two Carucates in Skelton And confirmed to the Monks of Thetford in Noâ—folk the Tithes of Neâ—lestede But died without Issue as it seems leaving Stephen his Brother to succeed him in the Earldom and was buried in the Abbey of S. Edmunds Bury at the South door near the Altar of S. Nicholas leaving Stephen his Brother to succeed him in these Earldoms ¶ Which Stephen was the cheif Procurer of King William Rufus in the second year of his Reign to visit the Abbey then called S. Olaves in York and to reedifie the Church thereof Thereupon the King laid the first stone in that Building and bestowed very ample Possessions thereon thenceforth giving it the name of S. Maries of which Lands the Town and Soke of Fuleford were part To the Abbey of S. Edmunds Bury in Sufâ—olk this Earl gave certain Lands lying in Cambridge for the health of the Soul of Alan his Brother To the Monks of Swyneshed in Lincolnshire he was also a Benefactor To the Monastery of Swavesey in Cambridgeshire which was a Cell to the Abbey of S. Sergius and S. Bachus in Anjou he gave the Tithes of his Mills in Cambridge with the Fishings of Swavesey and the Land lying before the Gate of their Mansion To the Cell of S. Martins juxta Richmund he gave two Sheafs of all his Demesn Lands in Witton Muieton Caterick and Forcet And departing this life in the year 1104. was buried in the Monastery of Begar but his heart in the Abbey of S. Martins at York whereunto he had been a good Benefactor as he himself did desire This Earl Stephen left Issue Alan who succeeded him in those Earldoms and Maud a Daughter with whom he gave Swaledaâ—â— in Frank-Marriage unto Walter de Gant Son to Gilbert de Gant who came over into England with King William the Conqueror ¶ In An. 1142. 6 Steph. this Earl Alan standing firm to King Stephen against Ranulph Earl of Chester then holding the City of Lincoln and all the Forts belonging thereto on the behalf of Maud the Empress and her Son Henry Duke of Normandy by night time got over the Wall of that Castle there called Galclint and possessed himself thereof with much Treasure therein He also manned the Castle of Hotun now Shiriff Hotun in Yorkshire then part of the Bishop of Durhams Possessions and made great spoil at Ripon upon the Demesnes and Tenants of the Archbishop of York But soon after the Forces on each side being got together and great preparation made for Battle he fell off saith my Author before any blow strucken notwithstanding which the King adventured and fought most couragiously but was overcome and taken prisoner on the day of the Purification of our Lady and this Earl thereupon compelled
married Alice Sister by the Mothers side to King Henry the Third for she was Daughter to Hugh le Brun Earl of March second Husband to the Kings Mother In An. 1248. 32 Hen. 2. he was one of the great Earls who met in the Parliament held at London on the Octaves of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin in which Parliament the King was freely told of his many high exactions from the Clergy and Laity In An. 1254. 38 Hen. 3. this Earl Iohn answered One hundred and twenty pound for Sixty Knights Fees for which he then gave Aid to the King upon making his eldest Son Knight with Edmund de Lacy took shipping at Dover and sailed to Bourdeaux And in An. 39 Hen. 3. was one of those who adhered to the King in oppressing the people as our Historians do report Moreover in 40 H. 3. he was with other of the cheifest Peers in Westminster-Hall when the Archbishop of Canterbury and divers other Bishops pronounced solemn Excommunication there with Candles lighted against all that should violate the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest. In which year he had the Tertium Denarium of the County of Surrey yielded him by the Kings Precept then sent to the Barons of the Exchequer In An. 1258. 42 H. 3. when the Rebellious Barons came with such a power to the Parliament at Oxford as that they compelled the King to submit to those Provisions which they then made there he with William Valence and others refused to comply with them And the same year had Summons with the rest of the great Men of England to attend the King at Chester thence to march against Leweline Prince of Wales for restraining his hostile Incursions In 46 Hen. 3. he was one of those who upon the Agreement betwixt the King and the Rebellious Barons did on the Kings part set his Seal for Confirmation of the Accord then made And the next ensuing year had the Castle of Pevenesel committed to his custody In An. 1264. 48 Hen. 3. he was amongst others on the Kings part in the Castle of Rochester immediately after Easter when Simon Mountfort Earl of Leâ—cester and certain of the Rebellious Barons laid siege thereto and joyned with divers other of the great Lords in that Submission to the Award which Lewes King of France was to make betwixt the King and the Barons concerning those Ordinances called Provisiones Oxonii But the same year being with Prince Edward in the Van of the Royal Army at that fatal Battle of Lewes notwithstanding he with William Valence Earl of 〈◊〉 did there unworthily desert him at the very beginning of the fight and fled to 〈◊〉 Castle and thence into France yet the Rebellious Barons having by that days success got the King into their hands seised upon his Castle of Lewes and all the rest of his Possessions Whereupon finding no security here he fled beyond Sea whence returning with Valence in May the next ensuing year and landing in Pembâ—okeshire he sent the Prior of Monmouth unto Hereford where Mountfort Earl of Leâ—cesteâ— had the King and Prince in custody to move for the restitution of his Lands in regard he had done nothing which might deserve the forfeiture of them as the Prior then alledged To whom the answer then returned was That if he would come himself in person thither and submit to a tryal in the Kings Court he should have safe conduct so to do Which deeming not safe he confederated with Clare Earl of Glocester then faln off from Mountfort and other of the Barons who stood for the Royal Interest and upon the escape of Prince Edward from Hereford out of the hands of Mountfort joyning with him and his forces at Ludlow had benefit of that glorious Victory at â—vesham upon the fourth of August following in which Mountfort Earl of Leâ—cester being slain the King was freed from that restraint wherein after the Battle of Lewes he had been so long kept by the power of those Rebellious Barons But after this scil in An. 1268. 52 Hen. 3. all things relating to the Publick Being in quiet some of the great Men fell at private discord with one another amongst which it is reported That upon a difference betwixt this Iohn Earl of Warren and Henry de Lacy afterwards Earl of Lincoln touching a certain Pasture they raised what forces they could purposing to fight for it Whereupon the King having notice thereof commanded that his Judges should either judicially or by an amicable Agreement compose the same Who accordingly upon inquiry by the Oaths of the Countrey adjudged the Right thereof to Lacy. About the same time also there fell out no small contest betwixt this our Earl and Sir Alan la Zouch an eminent Baron touching some title of Land Whereupon discerning that he mast submit to the Justice of the Law having first passionately vented himself in foul language at length assaulted Sir Alan and his Son in Westminster-Hall with such violence that he almost killed the one and much wounded the other And having so done fled to his Castle at Rigare but Prince Edward pursued him so close with a strong power resolving to vindicate this injury thus done to the Kings Authority that our Earl seeing it in vain to make opposition met the Prince on foot and with great humility imploring mercy afterwards made his Peace with the King promising satisfaction to the persons injured Which promise was not meerly verbal for it appeareth that he did by a special Instrument bearing date at Creyndone in 54 Hen. 3. oblige himself to come to Prince Edward into the Kings Court and stand to the judgment thereof for that offence lately by him committed against Sir Alan la Zouch and Sir Roger his Son at Westminster and to perform in every point unto his Soveraign Lord the King and all others whatsoever his Peers should deem fit in reference to them and likewise to themselves As also whatsoever the Kings Justices should judge requisite to be done by him in reference to themselves and not to depart the Court until he should both do and receive what was rightful and just according to the Laws and Customs of this Realm And this he did undertake thereby to do upon penalty of forfeiting all his Possessions in England unto the King and his Heirs and of incurring the sentence of Excommunication by all or any the Archbishops Bishops and Prelates of the Land as the King should make choice of to pronounce the same against him and when and wheresoever he should please Whereupon a fine of Ten thousand marks was laid upon him for that misdemeanor Which afterwards by the favor of the King was not only reduced to Eight thousand and four hundred marks
in Com. Warr. and the Mannor of Yerdley in the County of Worcester with all Knights Fees Advousons c. to the same belonging which by the forfaiture of Tho. Beaucamp Earl of Warwick then came to the said Kings hands the grant of all which bears date the 28 th day of September And the next day viz. 29 Septem advanced him to the title of Duke of Norfolk his Grandmother Margaret Daughter and Heir to Thomas of Brotherton being the same day created Dutchess of Norfolk Furthermore within one week after he obtained another grant to himself and the Heirs Male of his Body of the Mannor of Worth with the two Parks thereto belonging and of the Mannor of Kingston juxta Lewes in Sussex with the reversion of the Mannors of Kenynghale in Norfolk Peterwell in Essex and Wyenge in Buckingamshire and advowsons of the Churches c. part also of the possessions of the said Richard Earl of Arundel But see how slippery all Earthly greatness is whereof the foundation is laid with Blood Being thus set up with Honor and Riches he soon irrecoverably fell for within a short space being accused by the the Duke of Hereford viz. Henry of Bolinbroke afterwards King by the name of Henry the fourth for certain words spoken in disgrace of the King viz. that the King notwithstanding his fair countenance and great oaths made meant nevertheless to oppress the Dukes of Lancaster Aumarle Exeter and the Marquiss of Dorset he challenges the Duke to a Duel which was appointed at Coventry upon Gâ—sford-green Lists accordingly being set up whereunto he came the day assigned from his castle of Caludon hard by on a Barbed Horse covered with Crimson Velvet imbroydered with Lions of Silyer and Mulbery-trees But having entred the Lists in great pomp the K. prohibited them to go on to the Combate banishing the Duke of Hereford for ten years and this our Duke of Norfolk during life forbidding any person whatsoever to intercede for either of them under grievous penalties This being done which is not a little observable that very day Twelve-month that he caused the Duke of Gloucester to be murthered at Calais Whereupon he was first scil 26 Februar 21 R. 2. committed prisoner to Windsore Castle and in October following sent away having liberty to transport himself with forty persons of his retinue from any Haven betwixt Orwell and Scardeburgh and to go into Germany Bohemia and Hungary according to an Ordinance made in the Parliament at Coventry as also to take with him a thousand pounds for his support with as much Gold and Silver-Plate Jewels Harness and other Furniture as he should think fit After which Banishment he never returned more into England but died at Uenice of the Pestilence in his return from Ierusalem upon the Munday next before the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel 1 Hen. 4. seised of these vast possessions viz. the Castle of Sweinesey and dominions of Gowher and Kilvey in the Marshes of Wales the Mannor of Wenge in Com. Buck. the Mannors of Aspele Alsphathe Fleckenho Thurlaston Caloudon Weston juxta Chiriton and Chiping-Kington in Com. Warr. the Mannors of Kenet Kentford and Hynton in Com. Cantabr the Mannors of Fenny-Stanton and Alkemondbury in Com. Hunt the Mannors of Chacombe Barton-Segrave and Creeke in Com. Northamp the Mannors of Chesterford Dovercourt Rumford Prittlewel and Morton in Com. Essex the Mannor of Wesson in Com. Heref. the Castle of Strogoile and Mannor of Tudenham in the County of Gloucester and Marshes of Wales the Mannors of Fornesete Lopham Dikelburgh Southfeld Ditchingham the Mannor and half Hundred of Ersham the Mannors of Hanworth Halveryate Fremingham South-Walsham Harliston Keninghale with the third part of the Mannor of Lodene in Comitat. Norff. the Mannors of Segrave Sileby and Mont-sorrell in Com. Leicest the Castle of Framelingham with its Members vix the Mannors of Walton Soham Comitis and Kenet the Mannor and Borrough of Bungey the Mannors of Stoneham â—oningworth Kelishale Staverton Halisle Hoo and Pesenhale with the Hundred of Loose in Com. Suff. the Castle and Mannor of Brethy the Mannors of Rostlaston and Cotton in Com. Derb. the Mannors of Snodesdon and Kingswode in the County of Salop. and Marshes of Wales the Castle of Bedford with the Mannors of Haunes Wiliton Stotfeld and Wilinton in Com. Bedf. the Mannors of Penne and Wenge in Com. Buck. the Mannor of North-pidele in Com. Wigorn. the Castle of Breâ—â—bre with the Mannor of Knappe Shoram Horsham Beaubushe Fyndon Wassyngton Bedinge West-Grinstede Kingsbernes Bosham and Stokton in Com Sussex and the Mannors of Thresk Hovingham Dinington Thwait Kirkeby-Malesart and the Chase of Niderlale in Com. Ebor. Leaving issue by Elizabeth his second Wife Sister and Coheir to Thomas Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundell Thomas his Son and Heir as also Iohn a younger Son with two Daughters Isabel and Margaret the one married to Sir Iames Berkley the other to Sir Robert Howard Knights Which Elizabeth surviving him had assigned to her for her Dowry the Castle and Mannor of Framlingham with its appurtenances the Mannors of Walton Seham and Kenet the Mannor and Burough of Bungeye the Mannors of Stonham Doningworth â—elshall Staverton Holislee Hoo with the Hundred of Loose and Mannor of Pesenhale in Com. Suff. the Mannors of Witherdele in Com. Leic. Stodesdon and Kingsewode in Com. Salop. Kenet and Kentford in Com. Cantabr Chesterford Dovercourt and Rumford in Com. Essex And because the Castle and Mannor of Framelingham before-specified standing near to the Sea was subject to much danger by incursions of Enemies King Henry the fourth in exchange thereof assigned unto her the Castle and Mannor of Bretby with the Mannors of Rostlaston and Colon twelve messâ—ages fourteen Ox-gangs of Land and forty shillings Rent in Repinâ—on Lynton Meleton Wylington Asburne and Howe 's in Com. Derb. as also the Mannor of Penne in Com. Buck. and Hundrâ—d of Goscoâ—e in Com. 〈◊〉 She married to Gerard de Vsflete and died 8 Iuly 3 H. 6. ¶ I now come to Thomas above-specified Son and Heir to the same Iohn and Elizabeth This Thomas was but fourteen years of age at the Death of his Father and never had the title of Duke nor any other than Earl-Marshall Neither is there any more to be said of him but that he married Constance Daughter of Iohn Holland Earl of Huntingdon and Duke of Exeter and that taking part with Richard Scrope Archbishop of York in that conspiracy against the King 6 Hen. 4. was beheaded at York his Head set upon the Walls of that City and his Body buried in the Cathedral there To whom succeeded Iohn his Brother aged seventeen years 8 H. 4. who in the fourteenth year of that Kings reign proving his age had Livery of all his Lands This Iohn being with
Forest of Farnedale and that he might have liberty with his Dogs to hunt the Fox Cat c. throughout all the Kings Forest in Yorkshire And in 40 Henr. 3. was Constituted Governor of the Castle of Pickering in that County In 41 Hen. 3. he was with the King in that expedition then made into Wales And in 42 Hen. 3. was made Constable of the Tower of London At which time the Barons confederating against the Poictovins the Kings Half-Brothers who bore a great Sway being very powerfull they advanced him to the Office of Justice of England Militem illustrem legum terrae peritum qui Officium Iustitiariae strenuè peragens nullatenus permittat jus regni vacillare saith Matth. Paris a famous Knight and Skillfull in the Laws of the Land who stoutly executing the Office of Justitiar suffered not the rights of the Kingdom at all to waver Soon after which associating to himself Roger de Turkelbi and Gilbert de Preston two eminent Judges of that age he made his Iters into all parts of the Land Within the compass of that year he was also constituted governor of Dover Castle In 44 Hen. 3 he gave three thousand pound for the wardship of the Heirs of William de Kime a great man in Lincolnshire And being the same year made Governor of Scarborough Castle he quitted his Office of Justice of England Hugh le Despencer succeeding him therein In 47 Hen. 3. he was one of those who stood up with Sim. Montfort Earl of Leicester for the Liberties of the subject as they then pretended And as the King on his part for quietness sake was content to submit to the determination of Lewes King of France touching those Ordinances made by the Barons called Provisiones Oxonii so was he one of those who in like sort became an undertaker for them After which viz. in 48 H. 3. being the next ensuing year he was in that fatal Battle of Lewes of the Kings part whence though he shamefully fled leaving Prince Edward in the midst of the Fight such was his thanks from the Barons who then had the day that they seized upon his Lands This Hugh took to Wife Ioan the Widow of ... Wake Heir of Nicholas de Stutevill which Ioane after this Battle her husband being fled beyond Sea obtained from those Barons an assignation of the Lordships of Cotingham and Kirkby-Moresheved in Com. Ebor. for the support of her and her Family during his stay there But the King ere long recovering all in the Battle of Evesham he returned and was made Constable of the Castle of Pickering Of his Death I can speak nothing but plain it is that he made a Will divers years before bearing date at Cestreford on the Wednesday next after the feast of S. Barnabas the Apostle anno 1258. 42 Hen. 3. by which he bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Abby of Thetford and constituted Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester and Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester two of his Executors Nor have I more to say of Ralph Bigod his younger Brother than that he wedded Berta Daughter of ... Furnivall and that he had his residence at Setrington in Com. Ebor. I now return to Earl Roger Son of Hugh last mentioned Nephew and Heir to the last Earl Roger. This Roger having taken to Wife Aliva Daughter and Heir to Philip Basset Justice of England paid ... for the Relief of those Lands which were of her inheritance and doing his Homage had Livery of all that lay in the Counties of Esse◠Berks Oxford Cambridge Suffolk Surrey Southampton and Buckingham In 10 Edw. 1. he was in the Welch expedition then made And having had a grant from King Edward the first of the Castle of Bristol and Nottingham to hold for life In 20 Edw. 1. he surrendred them to him again And in 22 E. 1. obtained the Kings Licence to embattle his Mansion-house at Bungey in Suffolk where there had been a Castle formerly demolished as I have before observed In 25 Edward 1. this stout Earl together with the Earl of Hereford were the cheif of those who opposed that Tax which the King then demanded from his Subjects for his Expedition into Flanders refusing to come to his Parliament unless he would give them safe conduct Saying moreover that they would not be compelled to go with him in that voyage Insisting also that he should ratify the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest and quit that imposition of forty shillings upon every Sack of Wooll which had been for three years before exacted Furthermore they inhibited the paiment of the Eighth-penny-Tax which had been granted to the King in the Parliament at S. Edmundsbury and incited the Londoners to stand up for their Liberties By which doings and the Archbishop of Canterburies help they obtained a Confirmation of those Charters as also certain Articles for the farther explaining of them which were called Articuli super Cartas with pardon for not attending the King into Flanders and for all other their misdemeanors But after this scil in 26 E. 1. all discontents being thus composed he went again into Scotland in that Expedition then made thither And in 29 Edw. 1. having no issue he constituted King Edward his Heir delivering unto him the Marshals Rod upon condition to be rendred back in case he should have any Children as also to have a Thousand pounds from the King in present and a Thousand pounds per annum during his life One of our Historians alledged the reason of this settlement so made by him of all his Lands Honor and Office to have been for some great Offence which he had taken against Iohn his younger Brother and Heir apparent but the same Historian afterwards speaking of that contrivance against Piers de Gaveston by divers of the most eminent Noble men of that time of which number Thomas Earl of Lancaster who married the only Daughter and Heir to Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln was having related a Speech which that Earl of Lincoln upon his Death-bed made to the Earl of Lancaster whereby he encourageth him to stand up for the rights of the Church and the Liberties of the People and reckons up the names of divers great men who had been stout Champions for both goeth on thus Comes verò Marescallus qui vivacissimus fuit exactor libertatum jamdudum mortuo Comite de Hereford seniore cernens se solum non posse proficere in praemissis cum herede careret legitimo timore ductus est ut superius dictum est Regem Edwardum constituit heredem suum Which shews that he setled his Lands for fear For what respect it was I shall not take upon me to argue but that he so did is sure enough as may evidently
and the Lady Bona Daughter to Lewes Duke of Savoy Sister to the French Queen and therein sped so well as that it was resolved the Earl of Dampmartin should speedily come over into England to confirm the match so it happened that King Edward hunting in Wychwood Forest chanced to fix his eyes upon Elizabeth the Widow of Sir Iohn Grey and was so captivated with her Beauty that he would not hearken to what this Earl had done for him in France It is said by some that after King Edward had obtained the Crown through the power of this Earl suspecting danger by his greatness he endeavored to diminish him all he could which being discerned he sought all occasions to work the Kings ruine The vulgar opinion of this breach betwixt them was that having used many arguments to diswade the King from marrying of Margaret his Sister to Charles the Son of Philip Duke of Burgundy whom he mortally hated he could not prevail But this was merely a shadow others believed that he grew thus incensed by reason he saw that the King had sleighted his Negotiations in France touching that match with the Daughter of the Duke of Savoy therefore what was the true cause is not easy to affirm howbeit that he did cordially maligne him and dissemble the same till he saw a fit opportunity to shew it is certain enough Nevertheless after this grudge thus harbored he was sent Ambassador in 4 Edw. 4. with the Lord Wenlok to treat with the Agents of the King of France concerning a Peace betwixt both Realms And in 5 Edw. 4 joyned in Commission with the same Lord Wenlok and others to treat with Philip Duke of Burgundy concerning a mutual trade betwixt the English Merchants and those of that Duke as also at the same time impowered to treat with the Duke of Britanny upon a League of Peace and Amity And likewise joyned Commissioner with the Lord Hastings then Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold to treat and conclude with Iames Luxenburgh Lord of Richbourgh the Kings Uncle touching a League of Amity betwixt Charles of Burgundy Earl of Charlois and King Edward In this fifth year of Edward the Fourth he was likewise constituted one of the Commissioners to treat with those from the King of Scotland upon several grievances from the Subjects of that Realm contrary to the Truce made betwixt both Kings And in 6 Edw. 4. imployed together with the Lord Hastings to confer with Charles Earl of Charlois or his Agents touching a marriage betwixt that Earl and Margaret the Kings Sister as also to treat of Peace with the French Kings Ambassadors But the first effects of his discontent were not publickly seen till 7 Edw. 4. that being in Warwickshire he sent for his two Brothers viz. George Nevill Archbishop of York and Iohn Marquess Mountague at which time he communicated his mind to them with divers Reasons for the Restoration of King Henry and soon won them to his bent And having so done he next allured to him George Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother taking advantage of some discontents he had harbored and to fix him the firmer to his side gave him Isabel his eldest Daughter in marriage in 8 Edw. 4. in our Lady Church at Calais with half the Lands of her Mothers Inheritance Hereupon he caused his two Brothers viz. the Archbishop of York and Marquess Mountague to raise a commotion in Yorkshire and having under colour thereof got into Arms the first skirmish they had was at Edgecote in Oxfordshire where the Royalists were beaten but the King himself being yet Northwards in the head of a good Army and resolving to find out his Enemies marched towards Warwick whereof this Earl being advertised he imployed several persons to treat with him for Peace Unto which overture the King too credulously hearkning rested as he thought secure in his Camp at Wolvey Which advantage being discerned by this Earl he there surprised him in the night and taking him from his Bed carried him prisoner to his Castle at Warwick and afterwards to Middleham Castle in Yorkshire where he left him in the custody of his Brother the Archbishop Howbeit not long after by the opportunity of Hunting in the Park which the Archbishop permitted him to do he made his escape and raised such a power in a short space that having vanquished Sir Robert Wells with his Forces in Lincolnshire this Earl and the D. of Clarence thought it safest to pack away and would have got to Calais of which Town he was Captain but that the Lord Vauclere a Gascoigne whom he had constituted his Lieutenant there opposed his entrance Whereupon he landed in Normandy and receiving much countenance from the French King applied himself to Queen Margaret wife of King Henry the Sixth then fled into those parts for safety and for the firmer twisting his and the Lancasterian interest together matched his other Daughter Anne to Edward Prince of Wales taking a solemn Oath to restore King Henry by means whereof he obtained no small assistance from the Queens Friends And in pursuit thereof landing shortly after in the West of England proclaimed King Henry Whereupon his power so increased that King Edward was forced to flee the Land So that then having no rub in his way he entred London in October delivered King Henry out of the Tower and set him again on his Throne Whereupon he was made Lord High Admiral of England But before the revolution of one year King Edward landed here again and increasing in strength very much so daunted the Duke of Clarence that he made his peace with him and offered to do the like for this Earl his father-in-Father-in-Law had not his stomach been too high so that then there being no way but by the Sword to determine the business it came to be decided on Easter day at Barnet-Field in which Battle this stout Earl lost his life with many persons of note and others to a great number After which his Corps being carried to London with that of the Marquess Mountague his Brother and there exposed to publick view in Pauls was thence convâ—yed to Bisham in Com. Berks. and interred in that Monastery with his Ancestors the Montacutes by whom it had been Founded Comines being sent to Calais to the Duke of Burgundy to treat with Vauclere the Deputy-Governor there to this great Man reports That he was so popular that every one wore his Badge no man esteeming himself gallant whose Head was not adorned with his Ragged-Staff nor no door frequented that had not his White-Cross painted thereon in so much as Vauclere himself wore a Jewel in his Hat wherein was a Black Ragged-Staff embroidered with Gold
a power pulled down all the Houses and flew those who refused to submit The King of France therefore hearing what he had done sent summons to him to appear at his Court but he obeyed it not saying he had done no more then his duty Whereupon that King in great wrath caused an Edict for his Banishment to be published But so soon as he heard thereof he betook himself to the Castle of Monpesade which was well fortified where he was out of all danger The King therefore by his Messengers required that he should be delivered up and proceeded against according to the usage of that Realm But so soon as the King of England heard thereof he would not endure that for so just an act so brave a Souldier should have any molestation And the year following renewed his Commission for the government of that Dutchy though he held it not long after but leaving it he was the year following made Constable of Dovor Castle and Warden of the Cinqueports and in 20 E. 2. constituted Governor of the Isles of Garnsey Ieresey Serke and Aureny In 1 E. 3. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland And in 7 Edw. 3. again in Scotland upon the Kings service Moreover in 8 Edw. 3. he was constituted Justice of North-Wales And having been a good benefactor to the Canons of Launde of his Ancestors foundation those Canons in 16 Edw. 3. founded a perpetual Chantry for one Priest to celebrate divine service daily in their Conventual Church for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Ioane his Wife Daughter of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick This Ralph died 25 Febr. 17 Edw 3. leaving Ralph his Grandson viz. Son of Ralph who died in his lifetime Ann. scil 1333. 7 E. 3. his next Heir then eight years of age Which Ralph in 29 Edw. 3. making proof of his age and doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and the same year went again into Gascoigne So also in 33 Edw. 3. In 34 Edw. 3. he served the King again in his Warrs of France and Normandy and in 35 E. 3. travailed into the Holy-Land In 39 Edw. 3. he was in another Expedition then made into Gascoign And in 40 E. 3. was of the retinue of Prince Edward with his Army in those parts In 42 and 43 E. 3. he continued also there And in 46 and 47 Edw. 3. was again in the Kings service in that Countrey So likewise in 1 Ric. 2. And in 2 Ric. 2. coming back underwent great perill at Sea by Tempest In 3 Ric. 2. he was again in that expedition then made into France under Thomas of Wodstoke Earl of Buckingham for the assistance of the Duke of Britanny then much oppressed by the French Moreover in 4 R. 2. he was again in France and in the retinue of that Earl Wherein he served with two hundred men at Armes and two hundred Archers himself with nine Knights being part of the number where he rode with his Banner displaid And in 7 Ric. 2. made his Testament at London whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Cathedral-Church of Lichfield if he should fortune to die in England and an hundred marks to be bestowed on his Funeral To that Cathedral he then gave two hundred marks for the yearly keeping of his Obit there as also two hundred marks more for the amortizing of Lands in Tamworth Wynecote and Pakyngton with a Mill called Wykford-Mill to the Monks of Canewell Moreover to the Abbot and Covent of Lavenden in Com. Buck. two hundred marks for amortizing the Mannor of Wardyngton to to that House To the Friers Augustines at Atherston five hundred marks for the repairing their House and Church To the Gray-Friers at Northampton two hundred marks for repair of their Church Cloyster and Refectory To the White-Friers at Coventre three hundred pounds To the Hospital of our Lady of Bethlem without Bishopsgate in London two hundred marks Appointing that his whole stock of Chattel upon all his Lordships and Lands should be distributed to his poor Tenants according to the discretion of his Executors Howbeit after this he lived some few years and in 9 Ric. 2. went with Iohn Duke of Lancaster and a great power into Spain for the recovery of the inheritance of Constance his Wife unto the Kingdom of Castile And in 10 Ric. 2. was reteined to serve the King in his Army which he raised that year for the defence of this Realm It is reported by one of our Historians that about this time King Richard discerning his Uncle the Duke of Gloucester and many of the Nobility to be much discontented at his Government in regard they saw that the Duke of Ireland and some others swayed all according to their pleasures so that the ruin of the whole Kingdome was in danger and that they therefore designed the removal of that Duke and his complices from the King by power he sent for the Lord Mayor of London to try whether the Citizens would stick to him against his Uncle and those of that party but was answered that the Citizens would not fight against them that were friends to him and the Kingdom And that this Lord Basset standing by then told the King that his life and estate had been ever ready at his service in the ways of truth and righteousness as also that if he should now be drawn into the Field they should be so still but added that he would not adventure a broken head for the Duke of Ireland Having thus given as large an account of this active person as I can I now come to his last Testament bearing date on Sunday next after the Feast of St. Hillary Anno. 1389. 13 Ric. 2. whereby he likewise bequeathed his body to be buried in the Cathedral Church of Litchfield near the Altar of St. Nicholas By this Testament he gave two hundred pounds over and above certain Tenements in Litchfield and Walshall unto the Priory of Canwell for the augmenting that Covent with five more Monks and to find one Priest perpetually to pray for his Soul and the Souls of his Ancestors at the same Altar of St. Nicholas and keeping his Obit with certain Lights as also to make a Wall towards the water and a new Belfrey And ordained the foundation of four more Chanteries where Prayers should be said for his Soul for ever viz. at Bethlem without Bishopsgate two In the Chappel of our Lady situate in the Church-Yard at Olney in Com. Buck. one and in the new Chappel built by himself at Colston Basset in Com. Notting one more for effecting of all which he gave two hundred pounds Moreover he ordained that the person whomsoever it should be that should first bear his Sirname and Armes according to the appointment of his last
King's Army there In this year also he accompanied Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle then Lord Admiral and with nine hundred men having scoured the Seas towards Scotland landed at Bolein Moreover in 1 Edw. 6. he was Admiral of the Fleet then sent into Scotland and in 4 Edw. 6. being Governour of Boloin then in scarcity of Provisions rendred it to the French upon Articles whereupon being made Lord Admiral of England for life upon the arrival of the Marshal of France at Gravesend who brought over the Order of S. Michael to King Edward he conducted him to London In 4 5 ph M. being then Knight of the Garter and stiled Lord Clinton and Say he was by Letters Patents bearing date 10 Febr. constituted Lord Admiral of England Ireland and Wales In which year in the Parliament held at Westminster there being dispute betwixt him and the Lord Stafford for preheminence it was found upon search that his Ancestors the Lords Clinton by long continuance and great antiquity had place next above the Lord Audley In 1 Eliz. this Edward was constituted one of the Queens Privy-Council and in 12 Eliz. upon that Rebellion of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland being joyned with the Earl of Warwick they marched with twelve thousand men whereof those Earls having notice they fled privily into Scotland After which ere long viz. in 14 Eliz. 4 Maii he was advanced to the title of Earl of Lincoln and the next ensuing year constituted one of the Commissioners for tryal of the Duke of Norfolk Moreover in 24 Eliz. he was appointed amongst others a Commissioner to treat concerning the marriage then proposed betwixt the Duke of Anjou and Queen Elizabeth And having married three Wives first Elizabeth Daughter of Sir Iohn Blount Widow of Gilbert Lord Talboys sometime a Concubine to King Henry the Eighth secondly Vrsula Daughter of William Lord Stoerton and thirdly Elizabeth Daughter to Gerald Fitz-Girald Earl of Kildare departed this life in Anno 1584. 27 Eliz. and was buried on the South-side of the Collegiate Chapel of S. George at Windsore in Com. Berks. his Monumental Inscription there carrying erroneously the name of Fienes By which Elizabeth his first Wife he had issue three Daughters viz. Bridget married to Robert Dymock of Scrivelby in Com. Linc. Esquire Katherine to William Lord Borough and Margaret to Charles Lord Willoughby of Parham By Vrsula his second Wife he had Issue three Sons viz. Henry Edward who died unmarried and Thomas who wedded Mary Daughter of Iohn Tirrell of Warley And two Daughters viz. Anne the Wife of William Ascough Son and Heir to Sir Francis Ascough of Kelsey in Com. Linc. Knight and Frances Wife of Gyles Bruges Lord Chandos But by his third Wife Elizabeth Daughter to the Earl of Kildare he had no Issue To this Edward succeeded in that dignity of Earl Henry his Son and Heir of whom I have not seen any thing farther memorable than that he was one of the Peers in Commission for the Tryal of Mary Queen of Scots and that he married two Wives first Katherine Daughter to Francis Earl of Huntingdon by whom he had Issue two Sons viz. Thomas who succeeded him in his Honours and Edward who took to Wife Mary the Daughter of Thomas Dighton of Stourton in Com. Linc. and three Daughters viz. Elizabeth the Wife of Sir Arthur Gorge Knight and Katherine and Frances who dyed young His second Wife was Elizabeth Daughter of Sir Richard Morison K t Widow of William Son and Heir Apparent to Henry the first Lord Norris by whom he had Issue Sir Henry Clinton Knight vulgarly called Fienes I come now to Thomas Son and Heir to this last Earl Henry This Thomas married Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Sir Henry Knevet of Charlton in Com. Wilts Knight by whom he had Issue seven Sons viz. Henry and Thomas who died young Theophilus Edward Charles and Knevet Robert who also died young and Iohn and nine Daughters viz. Katherine who died young Elizabeth ... Frances Wife of Iohn Son and Heir to Sir Ferdinando Gorges Knight Arabella ... Lucie and Anne who died young Susanna Dorcas and Sarah And departing this life at his Castle of Tatshall in Com. Linc. 15 Ian. Anno 1618. 16 Iac. lieth buried in the Chancel of that Parish-Church To whom succeeded Theophilus who was made Knight of the Bathe at the Creation of Prince Charles An. 1616. and married Bridget one of the Daughters to William Viscount Say and Sele by whom he had Issue ... Earls of Gloucester THE first that enjoyed this Title after the Norman-conquest was Robert one of the Illegitimate Sons of King Henry the First who taking to Wife Maud by some called Mabell the eldest of the four Daughters and Heirs to Robert Fitz-Hamon had in her right the whole Honour of Gloucester as also a great Inheritance in Normandy and all the Land of Hamo Dapifer his Wifes Uncle And because it was not much honourable to be enriched with those vast Possessions without some name of Dignity he was advanced to the Earldom of Gloucester by the King his Father After which in Anno 1119. 20 Hen. 1. he attended him in that famous Battel at Brennevill against the French and in 23 Hen. 1. was with him at the taking of the Castle of Brion In Anno 1127. 28 Hen. 1. King Henry discerning all his Male issue lost and no likelihood of more Children and therefore requiring an oath of Fâ—alty unto Maud the Empress his only surviving Child and her Heirs this Earl Robert amongst others took the same accordingly It is said that King Henry on his death-bed gave him sixty thousand pounds which money lay then at Faleise And although upon the death of that King which hapned 1 Dec. Anno 1135. he forbore to come into England nevertheless before the end of that year he arrived Whereupon King Stephen who had usurped the Crown grew much perplexed and therefore to captivate the people publickly swore that he would Govern by the Laws whereupon not only the Bishops did their Fâ—alâ—y to him but this Earl performed his Homage upon condition that Stephen should permit him to enjoy his Honour Nevertheless after this viz. in Anno 1138. 3 Steph. having built the Castle of Bristoll and manned it with other strong Holds against that King he confederated with Milo Constable of England and went beyond-Sea for the Empress she being then in Anjou assuring her that within five months space she should obtain the whole Realm as the Nobility of England had formerly sworn to her Father
his solemn Oath promising that upon the death of King Stephen he would faithfully deliver them to Henry and for his more effectual performance of that Trust gave up his own Son for an Hostage All which being afterwards accomplished he was in 2 Hen. 2. constituted Sheriff of Essex and Hartfordshires and in 7 Hen. 2. the King being then in Normandy and hearing of the death of Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury was sent thence into England to procure the election of Thomas Becket then Lord Chancellour in his room Moreover such was the esteem he then had with King Henry that in the eighth of his Reign he was advanced to that great office of Justice of England And shortly after viz. in 10 Hen. 2. upon that Recognition x made by King Henry of the antient Laws of this Realm was one of those who undertook y for his observance of them In 12 Hen. 2. upon the Aid then assessed for marrying the King's Daughter he certified his Knights Fees lying in the Counties of Kent Suffolk and Norfolk de veteri Feoffamento to be in number seven and that his Ancestors performed the service of Castle-guard at Dovor for the same as also that he held one Knights Fee more de novo Feoffamento in Com. Devon But the same year upon those great Differences which hapned betwixt the King and Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury Becket fleeing into Normandy and coming to Uiceliac to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord the King being theâ— also in those parts discerning divers persons who then repaired to that Festival and amongst them this Richard de Lucie he stept into the Pulpit and there with lighted Candles pronounced the sentence of Excommunication against them all as publick Inceâ—diaries betwixt the King and him but being neither Convicted nor called to answer with the rest he Appealed and enâ—red the Church Soon after which viz. in 13 Hen. 2. the King being still beyond Sea he was made Lieutenant here during his absence And when the King perceived that Alexander the Third then Pope gave countenance to Becket he with some others were sent to the Archbishop of Colein to complain to him against his Holiness for so doing Moreover in Anno 1173. 19 Henry 2. he marched with Humphrey de Bohun Constable of England into Scotland to waste that Country at which time they burned Barwick In this year also the Government of the Realm being again committed to him by reason of the King's absence the Earl of Leicester and others then breaking out in Rebellion on the behalf of young Henry the King's Son as our Historians do shew he joyned with Reginald Earl of Cornwall the King's Uncle in the Siege of Leicester and having taken it burned the whole Town demolishing also the Walls thereof The same year likewise he laid Siege to Huntington and took it This Richard had by the gift of King Henry the Second the Hundred of Angre in Essex as also an hundred Acres of Affart-lands in the Forest of Stantord Grenestede and Angre I now come to his Works of Piety To the Canons of the Holy Trinity without Aldgate in the Suburbs of London he gave twenty shillings Rent in Nâ—wâ—on for the health of the Soul of Rohais his Wife whose Body lay there interred and to the Monks of Feversham the Lordship of Cherham Moreover in Anno 1178. 21 Hen. 2. he founded the Priory of Westwode in the Diocess of Rochester in honour of S. Thomas of Canterbury the Martyr And about the same time also began the foundation of the Priory of Lesnes in Kent which he plentifully endowed But the year next ensuing viz. in the month of Iuly he took upon him the habit of a Canon-Regular there and departing this life soon after was buried in the Chapter-house of that Monastery By the before-specified Rohais his Wife he had Issue two Sons viz. Geffrey de Lucie and Herbert de Lucie and two Daughters Maude married to Walter Fitz-Robert Progenitor to the noble Family of Fitz-Walter to whom she brought the Lordship of Disce before-mentioned and Rohais to Fulbert de Dovor Lord of Chilham in Kent Which Geffrey died in his Father's life-time leaving Richard his Son and Heir who departing this life without Issue the Inheritance resorted to Rohais his Aunt so married to Fulbert de Dovor as hath been observed Touching Herbert de Lucie his younger Son I find that he was fourteen years of age in 32 Hen. 2. and then in the tuition of Godfrey de Lucie having the Lordship of Stanford in Essex and Hundred of Angre for his livelihood but that he likewise died Issueless and that in 9 Ioh. Rohais his Sister paying a Fine to the King had Livery of the whole Barony whereunto she then had an Hereditary right by descent from Richard de Lucie and Herbert de Lucie her Brothers as the Record expresseth Command being likewise given to all the Freeholders and Tenants of those Lands in Cornwall whereof Richard de Lucie her Grandfather was possessed and whereof the said Richard de Lucit and Herbert de Lucie her Brothers were seised to do their services for them to William de Briwer unto whom she the said Rohais had granted them Of Maude de Lucie whom I presume to be the same Maude who was so married to Walter Fitz-Robert I find that she being Lady of Angre was afterwards married to Richard de Ripariis and that she died in 27 Hen. 3. being then seised of the Mannor of Stanford as also of the Mannor and Hundred of Angre leaving Richard de Ripariis her youngest Son surviving Richard her Grandson being then four years of age whose Wardship was for the sum of a thousand Marks committed to Philip Basset I come now to Reginald de Lucie though I cannot as yet discover his Parentage In 20 Hen. 2. this Reginald upon that Rebellion of the Earl of Leicester and others on the behalf of young Henry the King's Son was Governour of Notingham for the King And in 1 Ric. 1. at the solemn Coronation of that King gave his attendance with the rest of the Barons He took to Wife Annabell the second of the three Daughters and Coheirs of William Fitz-Duncan Earl of Murray in Sco land by Alice the Daughter and Heir to Robert de Rumeli Lord of Skypton in Cravene with whom he had the Honour of Egremond in Com. Cumbr. by descent from Alice the Daughter of William de Meschines Lord of that whole Mountanous Territory called Coupland as elsewhere I have more fully shewed And had Issue by the said Annabell a Son called Richard who in 1 Ioh. gave
for so long time as they might send over into England to know whether the King would defend that Realm or not And if not then they would submit all unto him Whereupon assenting to a Conference with them in a certain Meadow appointed for that purpose Geffrey de Marisco hearing thereof seemed much to blame him for it and upbraided him with Cowardise Also at the same time no less than Lxxx of his Souldiers who were corrupted by the Enemy told him That in case he did resolve to fight they would all of them forsake him On the next morning therefore being come to that Meadow in order to the Treaty having no more than xv of his own Men who were faithful Maurice Fitz-Gerald and the rest of his Party with Cxl stout Men well Armed there met him and in the first place demanded the Truce before-mentioned telling him plainly That in case he would not yield thereto he must adventure Battel with them Being therefore thus put to it and urg'd by Geffrey de Marisco and some other treacherous Persons then present to refuse what was thus desired each Side prepared for Fight Which when Geffrey saw he then told him That he would advise him to grant their Desires for quoth he my Wife is Sister to Hugh de Lacy and therefore I cannot take your part against him Whereupon the Earl told him he then saw that he was betray'd saying That he would rather die with Honour than quit the Field And looking back upon his Brother Walter commanded some of his Servants to take him to his Castle near at hand that he might not perish with him whereby his whole Generation should be extinct And having put his Men in Order exhorted them to go on with Courage for the sake of Justice and the English Laws himself boldly charging into the midst of his Enemies But some of those in whom he most trusted perfidiously forsaking him and others delivering themselves Prisoners to the adverse Party he was almost left alone Nevertheless though opprest with Numbers on every side he slew many but at length his Horse being kill'd under him he was stabb'd into the back and carried Prisoner to his own Castle This hapned on Saturday the first of April And being thus wounded his Adversaries required from him the delivery up of his Castles and Lands in that Realm shewing him the King 's Grant of them which when he saw he grew so much afflicted that he minded not the healing of his Wounds Falling therefore into a high Fever by reason of the anguish of them holding up the Cross most devoutly in his Hands he departed this Life upon the xvi th Calends of May and according to his desire had Sepulture in the Oratorie of the Friers-Minors at Kilkenny Militiae flos temporum modernorum The Flower of Chivalry in that time saith Math. Paris where he had a noble Monument afterwards erected to his Memory But it with the Tombs of xviii Knights who came over at the Conquest of Ireland being in that Monastery of the Friers-Minors at Kilkenny were defaced at the general Suppression the Inhabitants turning them to their private Uses whereof some they made Swine-troughs But soon after this the King seeing his Error outed those Aliens from his Court and Council and receiving to Favour all those Noblemen who had been Adherents to this last-mentioned Earl restored to Gilbert Mareschall his Brother his whole Inheritance though he had taken part with him in that Insurrection giving command to the Sheriffs of Wiltes Devon Buck. Berks. Warr. Suthampt. Oxon. Ebor. Essex Northampt. Dorset Glouc. Bedf. Heref. Suss. and Cantabr for Livery thereof accordingly It is said by some That when the King heard of the death of this Earl Richard he caused much distribution of Alms to be made unto poor People for his Soul and commanded That his two Brothers Gilbert and Auselme with Hubert de Burgh and all others then Imprisoned should be brought to his Court. Also That they coming accordingly bare-footed bare-headed and Arms bare to their Elbows to crave his Mercy he wept bitterly being scarce able to stand on his Legs for sorrow so that he was supported by the Earl of Hereford and G. de Crawcumbe Moreover That he kissed them and caused Restitution to be made of all their Lands By others it is said That this Gilbert upon the Death of his Brother Earl Richard in Anno 1234. 18 H. 3. repaired to the King and desired Livery of his Lands offering his Homage and what else he otherwise ought to perform And that the King at the Intercession of the Archbishop of Canterbury receiving his Homage made Restitution thereof accordingly to him As also That at Whitsontide following he girt him with the Sword of Knighthood and delivered unto him the Rod of the Marshalsie of his Court according to custom in as ample a manner as his Ancestors had held it Being therefore thus receiv'd into Favour and restored to the Lands of his Inheritance both in England Wales and Ireland in manifestation of his future intended Fidelity he delivered his Castle of Strigul into the Hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Castle of Dumas in Ireland to the Archbishop of Dublin But the King had so great an Affiance in his Loyalty that he gave them back to him again expecting that this great Instance of his Favour should thenceforth oblige him to a perfect Amity with the rest of the Nobles both of England and Ireland betwixt whom and him there had been formerly very high Animosities Soon after which viz. in 19 H. 3. he obtain'd a Grant of all the Lands of Gilbert de Aquila with the Advowsons of the Churches as also of the Castle of Pevense with the Wards and Services thereto belonging to hold by the Service of two Knights Fees until the same should be restored unto the Right Heirs thereof either upon Peaceable Terms or by Favour He likewise obtain'd at the same time a Grant of the Towns and Castles of Caermerdin and Cardigan to hold to himself and his Heirs by the Service of one Knights Fee as also of the Custody of the Honour of Glamorgan and the Castles thereto belonging during the Minority of the Son and Heir of Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester and Hertford The next year following he got by Treachery the Castle called Marchen belonging to Morgan ap Howell and Fortified it notably for fear of the Prince of Wales And the same year took the Cross with the Earl of Cornwall in order to a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land After which he came with an Army and Fortified the Castle of Averteivi But in Anno 1238. 22 H. 3. he was one of those
to its Succession afterwards it is to be noted That the before-specified Henry by Ada the Sister of William Earl Warren had Issue Malcolme and William both Kings of Scotland successively as also a third Son called David And That Malcolme in 3 H. 2. giving up to King Henry the City of Carlisâ—e together with the Town of New-castle and Castle of Bamburgh in Com. Northumb as also the whole County of London in Scotland had thereupon this Earldom of Huntendon restored to him Simon the Son of Simon de St. Liz the second who had been formerly Earl being then in Minority It is likewise farther to be observed That this Malcolme died without Issue in Anno 1165. 11 H. 2. and that thereupon William his Brother succeeded him as well in this Earldom as in that Kingdom and as a Member thereof possess'd Fodringhey in Com. Northampt. But it was not long after viz. Anno 1173. 19 H. 2. ere that this William invaded Northumberland which he challenged as his Right from David his Grandfather but was repulsed with no small loss Nevertheless the next ensuing year he made a new Attempt but the Great Men of the North raising the Power of the Country gave him Battel at Alnwick and there vanquishing his Army with much slaughter carried him Prisoner to the Castle of Richmund and thence brought him to Northampton to King Henry with his Legs tied under the Belly of an Horse After which being sent to Faleise in Normandy upon the sixth of December Anno 1175. 22 H. 2. he made his Peace with King Henry upon these Terms viz. That he should do Homage to him for the Kingdom of Scotland and for all other his Territories and Lands Also That all the Bishops Earls and Barons of that Realm from whom King Henry requir'd it should do the like According to which Agreement being brought back into England both he and his Brother David came to Yorke and there did Homage to young Henry the King's Son And for the better observance of all Points of that Accord delivered up the Castles of Roxborough Berwic Geddeworth Edenburgh and Stryvelin with David his Brother and divers of the Nobles of Scotland for Hostages But this Story is otherwise told by the Monk of Iorevaulx viz. That King Henry making an Expedition to Tholouse in the fifth year of his Reign Malcolm King of Scotland went with him and for that respect had this Earldom of Huntendon given him Also That after his death William his Brother and Successor in the Kingdom of Scotland held it until he rose in Arms with young Henry against King Henry the Father And then that David his Brother besieging the Castle of Huntendon King Henry being in Normandy appointed That the Nobles of England should march thither with an Army and deliver it to Simon de St. Lize together with the Earldom as the right Heir thereto Moreover That thereupon Simon laid Siege to it until the King of Scots then in it gave him the Keys thereof And That afterwards this Difference occasion'd such an Animosity betwixt them in the King's Presence that he told them both in great wrath That neither of them should have it and thereupon caused that Castle to be demolish'd but express'd that Simon should enjoy the Earldom Likewise That not long after Simon departing this Life without Issue the King gave the same Castle to this William and that thereupon he bestow'd it on David his Brother Whether he did or did not during the Life of King Henry II. I shall not here stand to argue but certain it is That in Anno 1190. 1 R. 1. this William obtain'd from King Richard a Restitution of the Castles of Roxborough and Berwick and whatsoever else King Henry the Second had taken from him when he was his Prisoner As also all his Demâ—sns and Fees in the County of Huntendon and all other Places to hold to him and his Heirs as freely as Malcolme his Brother had ever enjoy'd them or ought to have enjoy'd them And as certain it is That David his Brother soon after possess'd it for it appears That King Richard the First by his Charter bearing date 24 Iunii in the first year of his Reign granted and confirm'd to this David whom he calls Earl David Brother to the King to Scotland all the Liberties which David King of Scotland his Grandfather and King Malcolm his Brother had in the Honour of Huntendon in the time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry Father of the said King Richard or in the time of the said King Henry his Father Being thus setled in this Earlâ—om of Huntendon that which I next find memorable of him is That in 6 R. 1. he attended that King in his Expedition then made into Normandy And next That he took to Wife Maud the Daughter of Hugh Revelioc Earl of Chester and eldest Sister and Coheir to Ranulph Blundevile the last Earl of that Family With whom he had in Frank-marriage by the Gift of the same Earl her Brother the Lordship of Badewen in Com. Essex Graham in Lindessei in Com. Linc. Also all his Lands in Golgesby Emungeby and Cisterby in that County with xv Knights Fees By which Maud he had Issue three Sons Henry David and Iohn and four Daughters viz. Maud the Wife of Iohn de Monmoâ—th Margaret the Wife of Alan of Galloweie Isabel of Robert Lord Brus of Anandale and Ada of Henry de Hastings In 17 Ioh. command was given to S. Earl of Winchester to make Livery of the Castle of Fodringhey to this Earl David he doing his Homage but in case he should die before his performance thereof then to give it up to the King It seems that soon after he adhered to the Rebellious Barons for plain it is that in 1 H 3. William Marshall the younger obtain'd a Grant of all his Lands for his better support in the King's Service It is said That he died in Anno 1219. 3 H. 3. at his Mannor of Yerdley in Com. Northampt. now called Yardley Hastings and that he was buried in the Abby of Sawtre in Com. Hunt Maud his Wife surviving him who thereupon had inter alia the Mannor of Kemmeston in Com. Bedf. assign'd to her for her Maintenance until her Dowrie should be set forth And giving Security That she would not marry again without Licence she had Livery of the Maunors of Graham and Hemingby in Com. Linc. and Totham in Com. Midd. which were part of her Frank-marriage As to his Sons it appears That in 5 Ioh. he gave a thousand Marks Fine to the King that Henry the eldest might have leave to marry Maud de Cauz with her Inheritance But this Henry and David died both of them
de Altâ—â—vipa Clerk in 6 Ioh were constituted Bayliffs for the Counties of Salop and Staff id est substitutes unto that great Man Geffrey Fitz-Piers then Sheriff of those Shires and so continued till 14 Ioh. inclusive In 8 Ioh. being Chamberlain to the King he obtained from him a Grant of the mannors of 〈◊〉 and Norton and in 14 Ioh. of the Lordships of Welinton and Snawbury in Com. Salop. And the next year following when the Barons were so powerful that the King discerned himself too weak to cope with them he was with Raphe Fitz-Nicholas an eminent person in that time sent by him privily unto Admiralius Murmelius great King of â—phâ—ca Marrochia and Spaine to offer this whole Realm of England unto him to hold by a certain Tribute as also to signify unto him that he would quit the Christian Religion and submit to the Law of Mahomet in case he might have the assistance of that Infidel against those potent Men. Upon his return from which Embassie he compounded with Stephen de Staunton and Robert de Stauton his Son and Heir for their Title to the Honor of Montgomery with the Mannors of 〈◊〉 Pulton 〈◊〉 and â—â—deham thereto belonging and had the Kings confirmation thereof Unto which Honor he claimed some Title by descent from Baldwin de Bollers to whom it had been given by King Henry the First with Sibill de Faleise that Kings Niece and sprung from the same Baldwin by his second Wife About this time also he obtained the wardship of William Fitz-Allen Lord of Clun in Com. Salop. and gave his Daughter Mary in Marriage to him but in consideration thereof he was constrained to pay the King five thousand marks for the performance of which payment Ranulph Earl of Chester and several other persons of Note became his Sureties And in 17 Ioh. which was the chief year of that Kings contest with the Barons received command to march unto Tamworth Castle situate on the Confines of Warwick and Staff shires thence to take out all the Prisoners Horse Arms and Ammunition and having so done to lay it level with the ground After which ere long he departed this lifeâ— whereupon his Lordships of Erdington and Aston near unto it were assigned to Roese de Cockfeild his Widdow for her support until such time as her Dowrie should be set forth leaving Giles his Son and Heir from whom in 14 H. 3. the King accepted of five pounds per annum to be paid into his Exchequer until all his Fathers Debts should be satisfied or that the King should please to require them In 35 H. 3. this Giles was one of the Justicesâ— Itinerant for the City of London and in 36 H. 3. constituted one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas as also one of the Justices of Assize in the County of Warwick from 34 until 51 H. 3. inclusive And having been a Benefactor to the Canons of St. Thomas juxta Stafford had a Covenant from them that they should admit of one Canon into their House at his presentation and his Heirs successively there to celebrate Divine Service perpetually at the Altar of St. Thomas the Martyr for the health of his Soul as also for the Souls of his Father and Mother and all his Ancestors And likewise that at the celebration of the Mass of our Lady in the Collect for the dead his name should be alwaise remembred and after his decease registred in their Martyrologue and his Anniversary there duly kept in as ample manner as for their own Patron To the Monks of Tykford in com Buck. he had likewise been a special friend as may seem by their assignation of one Monke of that Covent at their own proper charge to sing for his Soul and the Souls of his Parents To this Giles succeeded Henry his Son and Heir who Married Maud one of the Daughters and at length Co-heirs to Roger de Someri Baron of Dubley one of the Co-heirs also to Nicholas Daughter and Co-heir to Hugh de Albini Earl of â—rundel In 5 E. 1. this Henry was in that Expetion then made into Wales and of the Retinue with William de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick This Henry for the health of his Soul and the Soul of her the said Maud gave to the Nuns of Catesby in Com. North. towards the support of the charge of their Habits and relief of poor people the perpetual patronage of the Church of Yerdley in Com. Wigorn. to the intent that the Fruits of it should be appropriated to their use in consideration whereof they covenanted with him that so soon as they could obtain an Appropriation thereof they would thenceforth appoint one of the Canons of that House to celebrate Divine Service daily for the Souls of him and Maud his Wife and for the Souls of Giles his Father with all their Ancestors and Successors And likewise solemnly keep the Anniversary of him the said Henry and of the Lady Roese his Sister and after his decease bury his Body in their Chapel of St. Edmund before the Altar there And departed this life in 10 E. 1. leaving the same Maud surviving who afterwards Married to William de Bifeild and Henry his Son and Heir who doing his Homage in 23 E. 1. had Livery of his Lands and in 30 E. 1 upon the death of Maud his Mother performing his Homage also had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance In 34 E. 1. this Henry was one of those who received the order of Knighthood with Prince Edward by Bathing and other sacred Ceremonies and thereupon attended him in that Expedition then made into Scotland That which I find farther of him most memorable is that in 9 E. 3. he had Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm and not afterwards as also that by Ioane his Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs to Sir Thomas de 〈◊〉 of Wolvey in Com. War Knight he had Issue Giles his Son and Heir who not appearing in 19 E. 3. to receive the Honor of Knighthood before the Feast of St. Laurence had his pardon for that neglect But having no Summons to Parliament nor any of his Descendâ—nts I shall here put a period to my discourse of this Family Swynnerton 11 Edw. 3. OF this Family which was of great Antiquity in Com. Staff assuming its Surname from a Lordship of large extent so called many were Knights amongst which was Roger de Swinerton who in 34 E. 1. had a Charter for free-warren in all his Demesn-Lands at his said Mannor of Swinerton as also for keeping a Market there upon the Wednesday every week and a Fair yearly upon the Festival of our Ladies Assumption and in 4 E. 2. was in the Wars of Scotland
of that Stair ascending to the Chapel in the great White Tower their Bodies having been put into a Chest of Elme as it should seem upon the taking down of that stair and other out-Buildings near unto it which being made known to His Majesty King Charles the Second he hath most piously caused a square pedestal of White Marble with a large Urne of black Marble on the head of it to be placed in King Henry the Sevenths Chapel within the Collegiate Church at UUestminster wherein they are to be contained and a fit Monumental Inscription to be cut thereon in memorie of them both But of this horrid Murther instead of that content which King Richard fancied to himself and that his posterity should enjoy what he had so got he reapt nothing but vexation and disturbance of mind being perplext on every side for fear of outward dangers and having buryed Edward his only Son by Anne his Wife the younger Daughter and Co-heir to that great Richard Nevill late Earl of UUarwick and Salisbury on whom King Edward the Fourth in 17. of his Reign had conferred the Title of Earl of Salisbury was himself miserably slain at Bosworth-Field by Henry Earl of Richmund the chief remaining branch of the House of Lancaster thenceforth King by the name of Henry the Seventh Leonel Duke of Clarence 36 Edw. 3. THis Leonel third Son of King Edward the Third by Birth but second from whom any Issue did proceed was born at Antwerp in Brabant in 12 E. 3. at such time as the King his Father held a great Tourneament there After which the first mention I find of him is that in 19 E. 3. the King being at Sandwich in order to his passage beyond Sea he was constituted Lieutenant of this Realm during his absence so likewise the next ensuing year upon that great Expedition then made into France In 28 E. 3. he obtained a Charter for a Market every week upon the Tuesday at his Mannor of Brymmesfeld in Com. Glouc. as also for a Fair yearly on the Eve and Day of Corpus Christi In 33 E 3. he was in the Wars of France And in 35 E. 3. being made Lieutenant of Ireland took to Wise Elizabeth the sole Daughter and Heir to William de Burgh Earl of Ulster in that Realm In 36 E. 3. continuing still in Ireland he was advanced to the Title of Duke of Clarence in the Parliament begun at London 17 Cal. Oct. But he did not long enjoy that noble Lady for it appears that in 37 E. 3. the King gave command to the keeper of his great Wardrobe to deliver out four Clothes of Gold-Baudekyn and nine of Baudekyn of Luca to be offered for himself and the Queen at her Funeral then solemnised In 38 E. 3. he had his Commission for the Lieutenancy of Ireland renewed and in 41 E. 3. obtained another Charter for a Market every Friday at his Mannor of Staundon in Com. Hertf. as also for a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow of St. Peter ad vincula And in 42 E. 3. in the Month of April in order to his second Marriage began his journey towards Millaine in Italy with a choice number of English Noble men and Knights Passing through France he was honourably received at Paris by the King the Dukes of Burgundy and Burbon and the Lord Couci So through Savoy whence being accompanied by the Earl of Savoy he went to Millaine and came thither upon Munday next after the Feast of the Holy Trinity where he took to Wife Violenta the Daughter of Galeas Lord of that Teritory whereby he was to have the Moytie thereof But within five Months following being in the City of Alba now called Langavill in Italy in the House of the Duke of Millaine he fell very sick Whereupon by his Testament bearing date there upon the third of October the same year he bequeathed his Body to be buried in England in the Church of the Fryers-Angustines at Clare in Com. Suff. before the High Altar and gave thereto a black sute with all belonging thereto as also his black Cloth Embroidered Moreover he bequeathed to Violenta his Wife his Vestment with Gold Coronets and all that belonged thereto Likewise to Sir Iohn Bromwick Knight his Courser called Ger-faucon and to Sir Iohn Capell his own Chapâ—aâ—n a Girdle of Gold wherewith to make a Chalice in memory of his Soul To Thomas Waleys the Circle of Gold wherewith his Brother the Black Prince was created Prince and to Edmund Mone the Circle wherewith he himself was Created Duke And being then one of the Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter departed this life upon the 17 th day of October the same year poysoned as some thought being then seised of the Mannors of West Peckham in Com. Cantii as also of the Manors of Eston in Com. Somers Mershwode Craneburne Tarent Goundevile Pymperne Stupel the Burroughs of Warham and Weymouth and Mannors of Wike and Portland in Com. Dors. Likewise in right of Elizabeth his Wife of the Mannors of Claret and Berdefelde in Com. Essex Staundone in Com. Hertf. Hunden Erdbury Wodhale in Sudbury and Castle of Clare in Com. Suff. Walsyngham and Brecham in Com. Norff. Waddon and Steple â—laydon in Com. Buck. and of the whole Earldome of Ulster in Ireland with divers Lordships and Lands in that Realm leaving Issue only by Elizabeth his first Wife one sole Daughter and Heir called Philippa thirteen years of age afterwards Wedded to Edmund Mortimer the third Earl of March of that great Family Whereupon his Corps was according to the direction of that his Testament brought over into England and interred in the Church of the Fryers Augustines at Clare before mentioned Which Edmund in 43 E. 3. making proof of her age had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance Kirketon 36 Edw. 3. IN 19 E. 2. Iohn de Kirketon of Kirketon in that part of Lincolnshire called Holand receiving the honor of Knighthood by Bathing c. had allowance of his Robes for that Solemnity out of the Kings Wardrobe 19 Apr. the same year And in 16 E. 3. being possessed of the Castle and Mannor of Tatshal and Mannor of Tumby in that County with the Knights Fees and Advousons of Churches thereunto belonging made a feoffment of that Castle and Lordship to Adam de Welles and others to stand seised thereof to the use of himself and Isabell his Wife and to the Heirs of their two Bodies lawfully begotten with divers remainders his Lands at Kirketon in Holand being at that time valued at ten pounds per annum In 26 E. 3. this Iohn upon the danger of an Invasion by the French was constituted one of the Commissioners of Array in Com. Linc. for Arming of all Knights Esquires
also betwixt him and the daughter and heir to Frederick Burgrave of Nurenburgh but none of them succeeded About this time also it was that Ioane Queen of Apulâ—â— obtain'd leave of King Henry to adopt this Duke for her son and that the Scots laying siege to the Castle of Roxboroâ—gh he raised an Army and Marcht Northward but they hearing of his approach fled In this year likewise being sent for by the King her sailed with a great power into Normandy and in 7. H. 5. was again retein'd by Indenture to serve him in his wars of France with six Knights One hundred and thirteen men at Armes and Three hundred and sixty Archers In 8 H. 5. being at that time in France he was with the King at the siege of Melon that strong City which endured fourteen weeks and four dayes viz. from the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen until Alâ—hallown-tide ere it rendred and in 9 H. 5. was once more made Lieutenant and Governor of this Realme during the King's abode in France In that year also upon the birth of Prince Henry at Windsore-Castle on the festival of St. Nicholas the Bishop he was one of his Godfathers at the Font and in the Moneth of April next following attended the Queen into Normandy In 10 H. 5. being still in France he was sent to raise the siege of a Walled City belonging to the Duke of Burgundy which the Dolphin with the Earl of Armanack and the Scots had laid thereto who hearing of his approach fled And upon the death of King Henry the Fifth which hapned soon after was left Governor and Lieutenant of Normandy as that King did in his life-time direct In 1 H. 6. the King being then but an Infant he was constituted his chief Counsellor and Protector as also Regent of France where continuing for the Government of that Realm he besieged Crotoy both by Water and Land for four moneths till it rendred About this time the Parisians to divert him whilst in his absence they might bring in Charles the Dolphin who call'd himself King of France advertised him that divers Castles and Fortresses lying near their Territories were replenisht with Enemies who stopt their passage and rob'd their Merchants which would be to their utter ruine if by his help they were not releived But this their Plot being discovered he entred Paris with a great Power before they lookt for him and apprehending the Conspirators put then to Execution and not only so but caused the Castles and Forts adjoyning to that City to be furnished with Englishmen And to avoid all Night-watchers about Parâ—s and the confines thereof took into his possession by assault or composition the Towns of â—rainelle and Braâ—e upon Seine And because two Castles the one called Pacâ—e and the other Couâ—saâ—e were ill Neighbours he sent Sir Iohn Fastolfe great Master of his Houshold with considerable forces to win them In 2 H. 6. besieging the Castle of Yvrie it was given up into his hands And having married Anne daughter to Iohn Duke of Burgundy obtain'd a special Act of Parliament for the making her a free-denizen her Homage being respited until she arrived in England In this year upon the taking of Uernoâ—l by Iohn Duke of Alenzon he marcht thither and giving him Battel obtain'd a signal Victory in which that Duke being taken prisoner Five thousand of the French lost their lives Whereupon he put another garrison into it and return'd to Paris In 4 H. 6. he was constituted Admiral of all England Ireland and Aquitane for the life of Thomas Duke of Exeter but afterwards so long as the King should please And in 5 H. 6. continued still in France In 7 H. 6. he was made Captain of the Town and Castle of Calais and the Marches of Picardy adjacent In 8 H. 6. he call'd a Parliament at Roan in Normandy of the three Estates of that Dutchy wherein he represented to them the happiness which they might enjoy by continuing under the English obeysance And soon after recovered the Town of St. Dennis from the French In 11 H. 6. Anne his wife departing the world whereupon the friendship betwixt him and the Duke of Burgundy began to slacken he buried her at the Celestine's in Paris within the Chapel of Orleans where a noble Tombe of black Marble with her Effigies as a Princess placed thereon was erected for her with this Epitaph Cy gist Noble Dame Madame Anne de Bourgongne Espouse de tres Noble Prince Monseigneur Jean Duo de Bethfort Regent de France fille de tres-noble Prince Jean Duc de Burgongne la quelle trespass a Paris le XIV de Novembre lâ— an MCCCCXXXII And before the end of that year married Iaquette daughter to Peter de Luxemburgh Earl of St. Paul In 12 H. 6. he was again constituted the King's Lieutenant of Calais and the Marches extending into Picardy Flanders and Attois and by his Testament bearing date in the Castle of Roan 10 Sept. An. 1435. 14 H. 6. bequeath'd his body to be buried in the Church of the blessed Virgin at Roan in case he should depart this life in Normandy If in Picardy then in the Church of Nostre Dame at Morivele and if in England in Waltham-Abby in Com. Essex Appointing that such Service Lights and other Ordinances should be performed at his Funeral as for a person of his degree according to the direction of his Executors Bequeathing to Iaquetta his wife all his Lands whereof he was then possessed as well in England as in France excepting the Castle and Lordship of Harapute which he gave to Richard his illegitimate son commonly called The Bastard of Bedford to enjoy during his life only And being a person highly famed for his prudent Government in times of Peace and singular prowess in Warr departed this life in the Castle at Roan upon the Festival of the Exaltation of the Holy-Cross in the year above-mentioned without any lawful issue being then seised of the Castle Mannor and Lordship of St. Briavells with the Forest of Dene in Com. Gloc. of the Mannors of Hoo and Preston in Com. Suss. Totyngbek in Com. Surr. Saldene and Bledlowe in Com. Buck. Bradwell Dangehall and Dangebregge in Com. Essex of the Castle and Honor of Richmund with the Mannors of Gilling Aldeburgh Bowes Forset Danby Multon Thornton Middelton Kneton also of the Castle of Wresel with the Mannors of Helaugh juxta Wighall and Kirk-levyngton in Cleveland all in Com. Ebor. of the Mannor of Bassingburne with the Hundreds of Papworth Flemdiche Haringford Chilford Stane and Padefeld in Com. Cantabr of the Mannor of Fulbroke in Com. Warr. Combe Quarles and Monkeston in Com. South two parts of the Mannors of Ambresbury and Winterburne with the Town of Wilton of the Mannor of
required to do his Homage for the Mannours of Little Hoyland and Tolleshunt in Com. Essex to this Ingelram as he had formerly done to Robert In 37 H. 3. this Ingelram had command to send Baldwin de Fienles his Brother well fitted with Horse and Arms into Gascoine there to stay in the Kings service as also William his own Son to be educated with Prince Edward And furthermore to provide lxxx sufficient Men at Arms besides those xl for whom the King had formerly written And the next year following was himself in his service beyond Sea In which year upon collection of the aid for making the Kings eldest Son Knight he paid xii l. for those six Knights fees he then held And in 47 H. 3. in consideration of his long continued and laudable services obtained the custody of the lands of William de Beauchamp of Bedford then deceased to hold untill the Heir should accomplish his full age Moreover in consideration of his great fidelity and constancy to the Royal interest in the time of the Barons Wars so soon as the King recovered his liberty and rightful power by that happy Victory at Evesham in 49 of his Reign he obtain'd his precept that all those his lands whereof he had been dispossessed in the time of those troubles should forthwith be restored to Robert de Amnese his Bayliff To this Ingelram de Fienles succeeded another William who in 54 H. 3. preparing for his journey to the Holy-land constituted William de Amnese his Attorney to transact all businesses for him in his absence giving power also to Reginald de Fenes his Brother to constitute any other Attorney for him during the space of five years In 10 E. 1. this William was in that expedition then made into Wales and in 21 E. 1. possessed the Honour of Chokes in Com. Northt In 22 E. 1. he had command to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to attend the King at Portsmouth upon the first of September thence to sail with him into Gascoine It seems that upon the differences which were about that time betwixt King Edward and the King of France he favoured the French and that his lands in England were thereupon seized But in 27 E. 1. making his peace command was given for the restoring them again After which ere long viz. in 30 E. 1. he departed this life being then seised of the Mannour of Clopham in Com. Surr. and xx Marks yearly rent issuing out of the Mannour of 〈◊〉 in the same County As also of the Mannour of Wendovre in Com. Buck c. and Mertock in Com. Somerset leaving Iohn his Son and Heir xxiv years of age as saith the Inquisition But by another Record it appeareth that proof could not be made of his age according to the custome of England in regard he was born beyond-sea Nevertheless by reason that William his Father had done his Homage to the King and died a Loyal Subject his Homage was also accepted and Livery made to him of all his lands In 10 E. 2. this Iohn de Fienles having lands in Flanders wherein much damage had been done by the Inhabitants of St. Omers he obtain'd the Kings Letter to the Mayor and commonalty of that Town for satisfaction therein in which Letter King Edward calls him his Kinsman And in 18. E. 2. his lands in England having been seised in respect of his residence within the power of France upon security given for his fidelity restitution was made of them until farther Order should be given therein Contemporary with this Iohn was Robert de Fienles who in 5 E. 2. had a Charter for Free-Warren at Wendovre in Com. Buck. And in 7 E. 2. in consideration of his good service done and to be done obtain'd an Annuity of Cx. marks per annum out of the Issues of that County Moreover in 10 E. 2. he had Livery of that Mannor of Wendovre which had been by him demised to the King for a certain time but being afterwards attainted for adhering to the French he lost all A descendent of this Family was Sir William de Fenys Knight viz. Son of William Son of Iohn and Ioane his Wife third Sister and Coheir to William de Say Which Sir William Fenys was made Sheriff of Surr. and Suss. in 20 R. 2. As also in 1 H. 4. and left Issue two Sons Roger and Iames. Which Roger doing his Homage in 6 H. 4. had Livery of his Lands though then within age And in 1 H. 6. being a Knight was made Sheriff of Surr. and Suss. as his father had been This Roger in 19 H. 6. obtained Licence to make a Castle of his Mannor House at Herst Monceaux in Sussex which Lordship first came to this Family by the Marriage of Iohn his great Grandfather with the Heir Female of Monceaux As also to enlarge his Park there with six hundred Acres of Land and left Issue Richard Who being afterwards a Knight and Chamberlain to King Edward the Fourth Married Ioane the Daughter and sole Heir of Thomas Son and Heir to Thomas Lord Dacre by reason whereof in 37 H. 6. he was by Letters Patents bearing date 7 Nov. accepted and declared Lord Dacre and to be a Baron of this Realm And in 1 E. 4. obtain'd a grant from the King to himself and the said Ioane his Wife and to the Heirs of the Body of her the said Ioan of the Mannors of Irthyngton Dacre Kyrk-Oswald Black-hall Farlam Brankanwapt Lasyngby Brampton Burgh upon the Sand Ayketon â—ouclyff and Glassenby and of CCC Acres of Land CC. Acres of Pasture xl Acres of Wood xl s. yearly Rent in Newbigging Mosdale Stafhull and Glossenby and moity of the Mannor of Castell-Kariott in Com. Cumbr. the Mannors of Barton and Hoff in Com. Westmorl Holbeche in Com. Linc. Halton Fishwyke Kelette and Eccleston in Com. Lanc. As also of all other the Lands of the said Sir Thomas Dacre which came to the Crown by Act of Parliament begun at Westminster 4 Nov. in the same first year of that King's Reign After which in 13 E. 4. he was made Constable of the Tower of London and in 15 E. 4. one of the King's Council having a grant of C. marks per annum issuing out of the Customs in the Port of London for his attendance on that service And having been summon'd to Parliament by the Title of Lord Dacre from 38 H. 6. till 22 E. 4. inclusive departed this Life in 2 R. 3. being seised of the Mannors of Herst Monceaux Batisâ—ord and Strete in Com. Suss. leaving Thomas his Grandson his next Heir viz. Son of sir Iohn Fenys Knight his eldest Son who died in his life time twelve years
And in the month of Iuly brought her over with a great power unto Portsmouth whence having carried her to Arundell Castle where she had honourable reception from Queen Adeliza her mother-in-Mother-in-law Widow of King Henry the First and then Wife to William Earl of Arundell he rode with ten Knights and as many Archers on horse-back first to Walingford and thence to Gloucester divulging her arrival to Brien Fitz-Count at Walingford and Milo Constable of England at Gloucester Which news was so acceptable to them that they forthwith prepared to arm on her behalf Then he marched to Worcester and upon the seventh Ides of December took that City Likewise in Aprill following at the instance of Raphe Painell he entred Notingham and having Plundered the Inhabitants Burnt the whole Town And in Anno 1141. 5 Steph. sailing into Normandy carryed with him certain Hostages from divers Noblemen of England who were friends to the Empress desiring that the Earl of Anjou her Husband should there keep them and come over himself for recovery of this Kingdom as the right of his Wife and Son After which viz. the next ensuing year having advertisement that King Stephen had beleagur'd Lincoln which the Earl of Chester then held for the Empress he came with a great power of the Welch aâ—d joyning with others to raise the Siege commanded the Rear of that Army And when both sides were drawn out for Battel made an Oration to the Souldiers First telling the Earl of Chester his Son-in-law who offered to lead on the Army that Being a person noble of Birth and excelling in Valour the Honour to strike the first stroke was not unworthy of him but quoth he that which incites me to fight is the madness and perjury of the King who had sworn Fealty to the Empress in the time of King Henry the First wherefore there being no retreat we must either conquer or dye It is therefore necessary that he who hath no other refuge should have recourse to his Valour Behold said he against whom it is that you are to fight and what manner of men they are Here is against you the Earl of Mellent a most deceitful person having iniquity in his heart fraud in his lips and sloth in his actions Next there is the Earl of Albemarle a drunkard but no Souldier and then there is Simon Earl of Northampton a man of words only who never makes performance of his promise c. Soon after which the fight began and was fiercely maintained for a while on each part but at length the King seeing his Army routed yielded himself to this Earl and was sent Prisoner to Bristoll Upon which success the Empress being too much elated came first to Cirencester so to Winchester where she was solemnly received with Procession by Henry de Blois the King's Brother then Bishop there and afterwards to London with purpose to treat of the state of the Realm where she had very honourable reception by the Citizens but application being made to her by the Queen Wife of King Stephen that the King her Husband might be enlarged on condition that he should render the Kingdom to her and live retiredly in some Cell or perpetually to travel as a Pilgrim she would by no means yield thereto On the other side the Citizens Petitioning her that they might enjoy the Laws of S. Edward and not be obliged to those promulged by her Father which they said were grievous she utterly refused to hearken to them Whereupon the people growing enraged resolved to seise upon her of which having advertisement she forthwith sent away her Houshold-stuff and fled to Oxford where she expected a full Rendezvous of all dispersed Souldiers and commanded that the King then in Prison at Bristoll should be more strictly kept and put in Fetters and so after a few days with this Earl of Gloucester her Brother she marched to Winchester and besieged the Castle there in which the Bishop then was Who seeing his condition sent to the Queen and those of the Nobles that were friends to King Stephen to come speedily to his relief Which accordingly they did and after them the Londoners whereby a powerful Army was soon got together which blocking up all Avenues to the City kept Provisions from the Besiegers and so galled them by frequent skirmishes as that being thus distressed on the one side and allarm'd by divers bold sallies from those within the Castle on the other by whom likewise a great part of the City was fired she sent three hundred of her men to Werwell-Abbey six miles distant there to erect a Fort by which means the Royalists might be so disturbed as that some Provisions might with more security be brought to her But this attempt took no good effect for the Royalists being made aware of it came suddenly to Werwell and making great slaughter amongst those who had begun that work occasioned such a consternation upon the Empress and her party that they were forthwith necessitated for prevention of their ruine to break through the Enemy by flight Which that she her self might the more securely do she crept into a Coffin and caused it to be carried as a dead Corps to Gloucester But upon that her flight this Earl passing thence another way was pursued closely and at Stoubregge taken together with the Earl Warren and many others and thereupon brought to the Queen by the Bishop of Winchester she being then in that City whence she sent him by William de â—pre who then had the power of Kent to be imprisoned in Rochester-Castle After which though offer was soon made to release him in exchange for the King he would not hearken to it but at length about the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy-Cross yielding thereto they were both of them set at liberty Being thus again at large and the King endeavouring to Besiege Walingford where the Empress then was assisted by the Earl of Chester and Hugh Bigod he hindred that design Thence he followed the King to Winchester and beat him off the making a Castle which he intended there and shortly after that sailed into Normandy where finding that Earl Geffrey had reduced that Country and was preparing to march into Anjou to pursue those who were then in Rebellion he previled with him to come into England with all his power and rescue the Kingdom his Wife and Children's Inheritance out of an Usurpers hands Whereupon with Henry his Son and some of his choicest Souldiers they landed at Warham Howbeit when they came thither this our Earl of Gloucester receiving Advertisement that King Stephen had then