Gascoigne under Sir Thomas Nevill in the service of King Ric. 2. and after the decease of an elder brother called Edmund that he returned into England where he was likewise entertained in the said King's service but afterwards upon the deposall of the said King Richard by Henry of Lancaster being constrained to slee into France in regard that he took part with the Earles of Huntingdon Salisbury and Kent c. against the said Henry of Lancaster after one years abode in Paris he travailed with one Robert Arden Esquire his companion into Italy where they served under Iohn Galeas Duke of Millain against the Emperour Rupert and after the death of the said Duke returned into Brabant where they met with two English Friers going to Rome from whom they received tidings that William Curson a younger son of Sir Iohn Curson and cosin Germain to the said Iohn was Abbot of S. Osithes in Essex whereupon he hasted towards England by Amsterdam and arriving at Ipswich Anno 1404. thence presently sped to S. Osithes where changing his name into Smyth but privately making himself known to his kinsman the Abbot was by him curteously entertained who bestowed upon him good means and advanced him in marriage to Milicent the daughter and heir of Robert Laynham by Alice the daughter and heir to Iohn Hend Major of London The Church dedicated to S. Peter was given to the Monks of Conchis in Normandy by Robert de Stadford before spoken of shortly after the Conquest of England by Duke William and appropriated to them by Roger Bishop of Worcester 3. Non. Nov. Anno 1178. 25 H. 2. In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it with the Chapells belonging thereto was valued at Lii marks the Vicars portion being at that time seven marks and a half But in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at xii li. out of which did yearly issue x s. v d. ob for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Procurator Abbatis de Conchis Ioh. de Wotton Diac. Non. Apr. 1306. Prior de Wawens-Wotton Ioh. fil Rob. Sutoris Cap. 3. Id. Sept. 1325. Abbas Conv. de Conchis Frater Ioh. le Tonnelier 26. Iulii 1328. Abbas Conv. de Conchis Ioh. Corpe Pbr. 5. Cal. Iulii 1335. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Conchis Petrus de Loversey Pbr. 4. Oct. 1336. Prior de Wotton Rob. Wykwane 10. Oct. 1367. Ric. Rex Angl. ratione temporal Priorat de Wotton in manu sua c. Ric. Hemery Pbr. 2. Maii 1378. Rolandus Leynthall miles D. Nich. Wedon Cap. 22. Sept. 1425. Rolandus Leynthall miles Will. Saunders Cler. 22. Febr. 1436. Prior Conv. de Wotton-Wawen D. Ioh. Berston Cap. 23. Martii 1445. Prior Conv. de Wotton-Wawen D. Rog. Wheler Cap. 22. Apr. 1446. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Dalton Cap. 7. Martii 1449. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Russell Cap. 17. Ian. 1458. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Will. Harryes Cap. 9. Feb. 1460. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Rog. Iordan in art Magr. 26. Martii 1468. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Brianus Esthorp in S. Theol. Scholar 3. Iulii 1489. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Botreye Pbr. 16. Martii 1514. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Thomas Hartwell in S. Theol. Bac. 17. Dec. 1523. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Thomas Goldston in art Magr. 13. Maii 1545. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Edw. Alcock Pbr. 17. Febr. 1556. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Rad. Olton Pbr. 24. Martii 1557. D. Episc. per lapsum Will. Bolton Cler. 23. Apr. 1579. Praepos Socii ut suprà Ioh. Mascall Cler. 23. Aug. 1580. Monumentall Inscriptions upon Grave stones in the South I le of this Church In brasse upon a Marble Here lyeth the body of Lady Agnes Smyth late wife of Sir Iohn Smyth Knight one of the Barons of the Eschequer daughter of Iohn Harewell Esquier and one of the coheirs of Thomas Harewell Esquier her brother which Agnes dyed the xix â—h of February Anno 1562. Upon one of Alabaster Hic jacet Iohannes Allesbury qui obiit septimo die mensis ................... cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen The Priory I Now come to speak of that little Monastery of Benedictine Monks which sometime stood here and was one of those we call Priories Alien having been a Cell to the Abby of Conchis in Normandy â— Of which kind there were few that had any formall Foundation as in Wolston I have already shewed For the first grant to that forrein Monastery by Rob. de Tonei son doubtless unto Roger who founded Conchis and Nicholas de Stafford his son was no other than verball as it seems by that confirmation thereof which Rob. de Stafford son to the same Nicholas made in H. 2. time wherein he makes mention that his said grandfather and father gave thereunto this Church of Wotton together with the Tithes and oblations of the whole town and one hide of land adjoyning to the same Church as also another hide called Doversele and the lands which the Monks of Conchis had then in tillage here in exchange for the Mannour of Edricston now Edston which at first belong'd to those Monks But I make a question notwithstanding the first grant so made by the before specified Robert de Tonei whether any Monks setled here till after his death for in an Instrument of later time made by the Abbot and Monks of Conchis whereby they constituted a Prior here it is said to be de Fundatione nobilissimi domini Nicholai Stafford which is some argument that he first erected their Mansion here Touching the appropriation of the said Church made in 25 H. 2. to the peculiar benefit of those Monks having already spoke in Wotton I shall now endeavour the discovery of what farther augmentation they had by other Benefactors wherein I find that Robert the son of Herveus de Stafford gave unto them divers particular parcells of land lying in Ullenhale Henry de Montfort the Mill at Henley Robert de Chaucumbe divers Lands in Mockle and Ullenhale Will. de Burley a yard land with a croft and messuage in Burley with all his interest in the Chapell there Geffrey de Pauncefote and Iohn Durvassall certain lands in Buckele juxta Beldesert And to all these had they the addition of the Mannour of Monkenlane in Herefordshire which with severall other lands and Tithes in that Countie were originally granted to the said Monks of Conchis by Raph de Tonei brother to our Robert who in the confirmation of them made by Will. de Vere Bishop of Hereford in H. 2. time is called Radulfus senior de Tonei As to the originall seizures
that the succeeding Abbot for quiet enjoyment thereof was glad to come to a new agreement with him and give him a mark of Gold to purchase his good will whereupon he confirm'd the same in the presence of his Barons of which are specially named Richard fitz-Osbern and Thurstan de Montfort Torf Turchetillus Auschetillus de Harecurt Turulsus de Ponte Audomari Wevia soror Gunnorae Comitissae ' Uxoris Ric. primi Norm Ducis Joscelina Hugo de Montegumerico Rog. de Montegumeri primus comes de Salopia post conq Angliae Humfridus de Vetulis Robertus de Bellomonte Rogerius de Bellomonte a consiliis Willielmo duci Norm Rob. Comes de Mellento postea in Com. Leicest erectus Eliz. sive Isabella filia Hug. magni Comitis Viromandorum Adelina ux Hâ—g de Monteforti Robertus Comes Leicestriae Amicia filia Rodulfi Comitis Nor. wic Gualeranus Comes de Mellento Hugo cogn Pauper Bedfordiae Comitatum obtinuit Henricus cogn de Novoburgo erectus in Comitem Warwici obiit 23. H. 1. Margareta soror Rotroci Comitis de Pertico Rog. Comes Warwici obiit 18. Steph. Gâ—â—â—reda filia Will. 2. Comitis de Warenna Willielmus Co. Warw. obiit s. p. Matilda filia una haered Will. D. Perâ—y ux 1. Margareta D'eivile ux 2. Walerannus Co. Warw. ob 6. Ioh. Margareta filia Huâ—ntr de Bohun Comitis Heref ux 1. Henricus Co. Warwici ob 13. H. 3. Margeria filia Henrici D'oyâ—i ux 1. Thom. Co. Warwici ob 26. H. 3. Ela filia Willielmi Longspe Co. Sarum Ioh. Mareschallus 1. maritus Margeria soror haeres ob s. p. Ioh. de Plessetis Co. Warwici ob s. p. 47. H. 3. Henricus Co. Warwici ob 13. H. 3. Philippa filia una cohaer Thom. Basset de Hedindon postea nupta Ric. Siward Walerannus Gundreda monialis apud Pinley Walerannus Co. Warw. ob 6. Ioh. Alicia filia Rob. de Harecurt relicta Ioh. de Limesei ux 2. Alicia Will. Mauduit de Hanslap Regis Camerarius Isabella soror haeres Will. Beauchamp fil Walt. B. de Eâ—nley in Com. Wig. Will. de Bellocampo comes Warwici Will. Mauduit Co. Warw. ob s. p. 52. H. 3. Alicia filia Gilb. de Segrave Henricus Agnes uxor Galf. de Clinton Henricus Rotrocus episc Ebroâ—censis Robertus monachus in Abbat de Becco Gaufridus Walleranus Comes de Mellento Adelina Buda vx Will. de Molinis Hugo comes de Meliento militiam Christi assumpsit in coenobio de Becco By which instance we may partly see how hardly the native English were dealt with as in my Introduction is shewed viz. not to enjoy their inheritances though they did not at all oppose the Conquerors title as by that trust committed to this Turchill for enlarging of Warwick-Castle may be inferred Nay so imperious were the Normans in these their acquisitions that they would not permit the Religious houses to possess what was formerly granted to them by the English as may seem by that claim which this Earle Henry made to those Lands above-specified so given to Abingdon by Turchill which puts me in minde of the answer that Iohn Earle Warren about the later end of H. 3. time made to Rog. Zouch then chief Justice when being questioned by what right he held his Lands produxit in medium gladium antiquum evaginatum saith my Author ait Ecce domini mei ecce warantum meum Antecessores mei verò cum Will. Bastardo venientes conquesti sunt terras suas gladio easdem gladio defendam à quocunque eas occupare volente non enim Rex terram per se devicit subjecit sed progenitores nostri fuerunt cum eo participes coadâ—utores c. So that having helpt him to get it by the sword they esteemed themselves well worthy to share with him But I return to Earle Henry Of whom that which I find most memorable is that he was one of those great men who in An. 1081. 14. Vill. C. by fair perswasions qualified the anger of K. Will. conceived towards Rob. Curthose his eldest Son so that a fair composure then ensued betwixt them That he was also of great familiarity with Henry the K. youngest Son and one that stuck closest to him upon the death of Will. Rufus for his obtaining the Crown and so likewise ever afterwards Moreover amongst the witnesses to that notable Charter of K. Henry 1. whereby he confirmed the Laws of Edw. the Conf. as K. Will. had new moulded them and granted many other favours to the Church as also to the Peers and other subjects of this Realm he is recorded to be one of which Charters so many were sent through England as there were particular Counties to remain in the several Monasteries of those Shires This Earle began the making of Wedgnock-park near his Castle of Warwick whereof I have already spoke following therein the example of K. Henry who made the first Park at Woodstocke that ever was in England He founded the Priory at Warwick gave the Church of Compton Murdac to be a Prebend in the Church of our Lady at Warwick before it was made Collegiat with other benefits As also the Town of Warminton in this County to the Monks of Preaux in Normandy of all which I shall speak more fully as I come to discourse of them in particular and therefore for a close I will deliver the Character which an eminent Historian who lived at the same time hath of him scil that he was dulcis quieti animi vir qui congruo suis moribus studio vitam egit clausit He wedded Margaret the daughter to Rotrode Earle of Perch and had issue by her Roger who succeeded him in the Earldom of Warwick Henry Geffrey Rotrodâ— Bishop of Eureux Robert that inherited his Fathers possessions in Normandy who was Sewer and Justice of that Dukedom and a great benefactor to the Abby of Bec in which he afterwards was shorn a Monk and departing this life xiiii Kal. Septemb. An. 1158. had sepulture in the Chapter-house there Two daughters he also had but their names I finde not nor whether they were ever married and died xx Iunii An. 1123. 23. H. 1. lying interred in the Abby of Preaux before specified Of Margaret his Countesse who survived him above 20. years I finde that she was a special benefactresse to the Knights Templars for in the year 1156. 2. H. 2. she bestowed the Town of Lammadok in Wales upon them and to the Canons of Kenilworth quitted her interest in the moyety of the Lordship of Salford in this County by the consent of Rotrode Bishop of Eureux Roger Earle of Warwick Râ—b de Newburgh Geffrey and Henry her sons but the direct time of her
death I have not discovered To Henry succeeded Roger his son in the Earldom of Warwick who amongst other of the great Nobility was a witnesse to the Charter of K. Steph. Laws in 1. Steph. but for his military actions I finde no great commendation of him Nay it is reported by an Author of that time wherein he lived that he was vir mollis deliciis magis quam animi fortitudine affâ—uens Neverthelesse being one of those that adhered to Maud the Empresse he was with the Earle of Glouc. and divers other great men at the siege of Winchester in 6. Steph. at which time their Army being utterly routed by the Royallists most of the chief Nobility were taken prisoners but I do not finde that he had much prejudice thereby in regard K. Steph. who had been taken prisoner before in the battail at Lincoln was set at liberty upon condition that the Earle of Glouc. taken then at Winchester with the rest of those that were of his party should also stand in the same condition of freedom as they were before that overthrow And besides this is he reputed to have been the Conqueror of Gowher-land in Wales which his posterity for a long time afterwards enjoyed and wherein he founded a little Priory at Languenith annexing it as a Cell to the Monastery of S. Taurines in Normandy and to the Abby of Nethe gave certain Lands and fishing lying in Glamorgansh within his said Territories of Gouher-land The foundation of the Priory here at Warwick begun by his Father he perfected and did himself found the Collegiat Church of S. Mary in Warwick whereof together with its endowment I shall hereafter speak more fully as also S. Michaels Hospital for Lepers there together with the House of Templars beyond the bridge To divers other Monasteries was he also a benefactor viz. to Bruere in com Oxon. whereunto he gave the Lordship of Mersedene To Pipwell in Northamptonsh by confirming the grant of Causton in this County thereto which as his Charter testifieth he did for the Souls of his Father and Mother Rotrode his Uncle and all his Ancestors To Kenilworth by confirming the grants of the Mannours of Saltford and Newnham thereto and bestowing on the Canons of that House certain Lands in Warwick with the Churches of Brailes Welsburn in this County To the Monks of Preaux in Normandy by giving to them two Hides of Land in Walton To the monastery of Geroudon in com Lâ—ic by conferring thereto the Town of Badsley Endsor in this County which was afterwards given up by those Monks to Earle William his Son and Successor To the Monks of Bordsley in com Wigorn in confirming the grant of Suhanger now called Sunger near Clardon in this County which Will. Giffard had given to that House and conferring on them one Hide of Land in Oxshelve To the Monastery of Thorney in Cambridge shire by confirming the grant thereunto made of the moyety of the Mannour of Wenge by Rob. de Montfort To the Priory of Canwell in Staffordsh by granting thereto 3. yard Land lying in Hull called Hill within his Lordship of Sutton-Colfield in this County And lastly to the Nuns of Wrocheshale by confirming the Church of Shukborow with certain Lands there as also in Bourton and Radford given to them by several persons as I have elsewhere fully declared together with whatsoever was granted to them by Hugh fil Ricardi their Founder By which his several concessions as also his often journeys to the Holy-land may appear that he was a very devout and pious man He wedded Gundrede daughter to Will the second Earle Warren and sister by the mothers side to Waleran â— of Mellent by whom he had issue 3. sons viz. Will. Waleran and Henry and a daughter called Agnes which Will. and Waleran were both Earls of Warwick successively Henry had Gowher-land in Wales left to him by his father but by his death without issue it came to Earle Will. his brother Agnes his daughter was married to Geffrey de Clinton Chamberlain to the King son unto Geffrey the noble founder of the Priory and Castle of Kenilworth who had in Frank-marriage with her by the gift of Earl Roger her Father ten Kts. fees of those xvii that he the said Geffrey held of his fee for which he was to do service in the Castle of Brandon And besides all this he had a grant of this County id est the Sheriffalty of the Shire for so it appeareth by sundry testimonies to hold to him the said Geffrey and his Heirs of the said Earle and his Heirs in such sort as he the said Earle held it of the K. This Earl Roger departed the world xii Iunii An. 1153. 18. Steph. in which year Henry D. of Normandy afterwards K. of England by the name of H. 2. came into England with a great power and was very prosperous for whose better welcome Gundred the Countesse of Warwick before mentioned outed K. Steph. souldiers forth of Warwick-Castle and delivered that Fort unto him To Roger succeeded in the Earldom of Warwick Will. his Son and Heir of whom the first memorable passage that I finde relating to any certain time is the Certificate which he made in 12. H. 2. in answer to that precept he received from the K. touching the number of Knights fees then held of him whereby it appears upon calculation of the particulars that they amounted to Cv. and a half This Earle William founded the Hospitals of S. Iohn and S. Thomas both in Warwick built a new Church for the Templars there and enlarged their possâ—ssions by the gift of the Mannour of Shireburn and certain Lands in Morton both in this County ratified to the Monks of Combe a Hide of Land in Bilney granted to them by Thurbert de Bilney and made the like confirmation to the Monks of Pipwell as Earle Roger his father had done to them concerning Causton for which respect he was received into their fraternity as a Founder of that Abby To the Canons of Kenilworth did he ratifie the Churches of Loxley granted unto them by Rob. fil Odonis as also the Churches of Brayles and Wellesburne which his father gave them in consideration whereof they allowed him one Canon there presentable alwayes by himself This Earl had two wives viz. Maud the eldest of the two daughters and coheirs to Will Lord Percy and Margaret Deivill if Rous mistake not but I rather think that Mâ—ud was the later for I find that by her speciall Charter as Countess of Warwick which was doubtless in her Widowhood she gave to the Monks of Salley in York-shire the Church of Tatcaster with the Chapell of Haselwood and one Carucat of Land in Catthon
preferred to a Schollars place in the University grew such a proficient that the Monks resolved to make him a Sollicitor for managing their Law-suits and to that purpose from the University placed him at the Inns of Court where he grew so skilfull in his profession that finding King H. 7. politiquely resolving to raise great summs of money by taking the forfaiture of penall Lawes which he conceived would be much more plausible to his subjects than the exacting from them by Loans Subsidies and such other ways of tax as his predecessors had used applyed himself to his service wherein being very officious and bringing store of money to the Kings Coffers he obtained a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth daughter and heir to Edward Grey Visc. L'â—sle before mentioned whom he made his wife That the later part of this Story is true I find testimony enough but that the father of Edmund was a Carpenter is not very likely in regard he marryed so eminently viz. Elizabeth one of the daughters and coheirs to Iohn Bramshot Eâ—quier seized of the Mannours of Gatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Weight as also of Bramshot in Hant-shire which Eliz. dyed 12. Oct. 14 H. 7. leaving Edmund her son then 36. years of age the other coheir called Agnes being the wife of Iohn Pakenham whence I conclude that he was a Gentleman as some others of the name of Dudley in severall parts of England are though perhaps not of the Baron of Dudley's line therefore how this formall Story of the Carpenter should rise I cannot well imagine unless the grandfather or great-grandfather of Edm. had been of that trade for it is no wonder to see those that are sprung from as poor Mechanicks by their activeness in the world to get wealth and assume the title of Esquire or Gentlemen without controull yea and be allowed so do Neither do we often find that those which are in truth of right noble extraction will boggle at matching their children with them But I return unto Edmund Dudley He was a man well vers't in the Law and one of the Privy Councell to that prudent Prince King H. 7. chosen in the first year of his raign propter prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polydore In 19 H. 7. he was Speaker of the Parliament and should the same year have been made a Sergeant at Law on the 13. of November but for what reason I will not take upon me to assign he desired that he might be discharged from assuming that degree whereupon the King directed his Precept to Will Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the great Seal commanding his forbearance of making out any Writ to him for that purpose In 22 H. 7. he had the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastings granted to him by Patent and wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer but a Sive-makers son in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugall disposition did project unto him the taking aduantage of such as had transgrest by exacting the forefaitures of penall Statutes or whether the King seeing so fair a gap open for him to rake vast summs of money from his subjects and finding those persons to be sit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses of filling his Coffers 't is hard to say certain it is that these were the men he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hatefull business into good language as Sir Fr. Bacon saith and after he had long made use of their service to that end exposed them to those advantages which the discontented people could justly take for their abhominable extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their estates And besides that they had packt Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any verdict which served for their purpose but at last found they a just reward for such their service for King H. 8. in the first year of his raign being desirous of popularity made known by his Proclamations that whosoever had received injury by the unjust oppressions of any should upon complaint to him have redress which liberty did so so animate the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing then would satisfy but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Dudley being thereupon arraigned in Guild-Hall London on Munday next after the xv of S. Iohn Baptist 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of S. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Charles Somerset of Herbert Knight Stephen Iennings Knight Mayor of the City of London Iohn Fineux Knight Robert Rede Knight William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humfrey Coningesby Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevill Thomas Lovell Knight Edward Poynings Kt. Henry Marney Knight Thomas Englefield Knight and Robert Drury Knight Justices to enquire c. Where the said Edmund being indicted of divers high Treasons was on wednesday next before the Feast of S. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his head cut off on Tower Hill with Empson who was tryed at Northampton through the peoples clamours and for their satisfaction 18. August 2 H. 8. by vertue of the K. speciall Writ for that purpose Having said thus much of the parentage of this Iohn Earl of Warwick I will now go on with my story of him At his fathers death he was scarce eight years old having to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esquire of the Body to the King who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained an Act for the repeal of the said Edmund's attainder and the restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree to enjoy all his said fathers lands Being therefore thus young it was a great while ere he came to appear in any publique employments so that till 24 H. 8. I have not yet seen any farther mention of his name but then I finde he was a Knight though how long he had been so I am not certain After which about ten years he was created Visc. L'isle viz. 12. Martii 34 H. 8. in respect of his descent on the mothers side as I have shewed and the same year made Lord Admirall of England for life Of person he was very comely and of a Spirit highly aspiring saith my Author neither wanted he skill industry nor resolution to attempt great matters In 36 H. 8. he landed the Kings Army at Leith in Scotland with a Fleet of CC. sail on which after they had wasted Edenburgh they also set fire The
Friery where residing he died in an 1625. The Gild. OF this Gild forasmuch as it consisted of the Inhabitants of the whole Parish I have spoke in Manceter The Free-School THis was founded in 15 Eliz. by Sir William Devereux Kt. who then residing at Merevale obtained License to purchase lands and to give them thereunto the substance whereof are situate in Dosthill near Kingsburie And farther of this Town I have not to say than that it gave birth to one of our late famous Poets scil Michaell Draiton who being one of the Esquires that attended Sir Walter Aston of Tixhall in Com. Staff Kt. when he was made Kt. of the Bath at the Coronation of K. Iames lieth buried in the South Cross Isle of Westminster-Abby with this Epitaph on his Monument Doe pious Marble let thy Readers know What they and what their Children owe To Draiton's name whose sacred dust We recomend unto thy trust Protect his memorie and preserve his storie Remain a lasting Monument of his glorie And when thy ruins shall disclaim To be the Tresurer of his name His name that never sades shall be An everlasting Monument to thee Feldon-Bridge AT the further side of Atherston field stands this Bridge over Anker which being ruinous in 6 E. 3. License was granted to Edmund de Shireford to take Toll of all vendible commodities passing over it by the space of three years towards the charge in repairing thereof Merevale WEstwards from Atherston scarce a mile stands Miravale of which there is no particular mention in the Conquerour's Survey in regard it was involved with Grendon lying on the other side the River whereto it then belonged as an Out-wood and therewith became possest by Henry de Feriers a great man in these parts as I shall shew anon whose grandson Robert Earl Feriers having a reverend esteem of the Cistertian Monks which in his time began to multiply in England made choice of this mountainous and woody Desert as fittest for solitude and devotion to found therein a Monasterie of that Order which was begun accordingly in the xiiith year of K. Stephen's reign and being propagated with Monks from Bordesley-Abby in Worcestershire had by reason of such its situation the name of Miravalle attributed thereto the lands wherewith he endowed it being these viz. all his Forest of Arden id est his Out-wood in that part of the Woodland which then bore the name of Arden and also what he had in Whitington together with the Mannour of Overton now called Orton on the Hill in Com. Leic. as also Herdwike in the Peake of Derbyshire unto Cranokesdune with Câ—mmon of pasture in Hertendon and Pillesburie for Sheep and other Cattell as the words of his Charter do import But besides this it had severall other Benefactors of which the principall were these scil Gerard de Limesi Walt. de Camvile Raphe de Baskervile and Pain de Baskervile as K. H. 2. Charter whereby he ratified their grants manifesteth So that about 30 H. 2. there were the Granges of More now More-Barne Broile Seile Litle Petling the Church of Overton on the Hill with the Chapells of Grendon Twicrosse Gopfhull and Baxterley some in this Countie and some in Leicestershire belonging thereto as the Bull of Pope Lucius the third whereby he confirmed them doth manifest Divers lands had these Monks afterwards bestowed on them also through the bountie of sundry other persons viz. in Litle Sheyle by Henry de Appelby and others In Overton subt Ardern by Iohn de Overton and Rob. Stapleton In Brantingthorp by Rob. de Brantingthorp and others In Shepye by Nich. de Temple and others In Hertyndon as parcell of the Mannour of Pillesburie they obtained Cxx. acres of land more from Thomas Earl of Lancaster in lieu of xx s. yearly Rent which they usually did receive at his Exchequer of Tutbury In 2 E. 3. they had a grant of two Messuages three Shops and xii s. Rent in Leicester by Petronill Oliver of Leicester to finde a Priest for celebration of Divine service in the Conventuall Church of Miravale for the soul of her the said Petronill her ancestors and all the faithfull deceased In 11 E. 3. they had more lands bestowed on them lying in Overton Peatling and Brantingthorpe before specified by sundry persons In 18 E. 3. they purchased xvii Messuages and divers lands in Atherston Bentley and Baxterley with the moytie of the Mannour of Baxterley In 31 E. 3. they had a Messuage and a yard land in Bentley bestowed on them by Iohn de L'isle then Lord of that Mannour to find xv Tapers in the Chapell of our Ladie near the Gate of the Abby In 10 R. 2. they purchased six other Messuages in Atherston and certain Rents in Whitington and Baxterley In 16 R. 2. four Messuagâ—s and certain lands in Tamworth â— and Wilmecote as also two Messuages more in Atherston And in 28 H. 6. they obtained the Church of Manceter with an appropriation thereof The value of all which lands and all other their possessions amounting unto CCLiiii l. i s. viii d. as appears by the Survey of 26 H. 8. preserved it from him when the lesser Houses went to wrack in 27 H. 8. But in 30 H. 8. it was overwhelm'd in the generall deluge being surrendred to the King's use by the then Abbot and Covent as their publick Instrument under the Conventuall Seal dated 13 Oct. the same year whereunto their names are particularly subscribed doth manifest whose Pensions during life as they were by Patent granted to them I have here also added Willielmus Arnold Abbas xl l. Ioh. Ownsbe Sub-Prior v l. vi s. viii d. Edm. Bromley alias Crockell v l. vi s. viii d. Will. Tunman v l. vi s. viii d. Rob. Fenne v l. Thomas Benson v l. Will. Robynson Sacrista v l. vi s. viii d. Ioh. Dunne v l. vi s. viii d. Will. Bron v l. Ioh. Spey Liii s. iiii d. After which viz. 2 Dec. 32 H. 8. was the site hereof with the lands and woods adjacent together with New-House-Grange and Pinwell-Grange in Com. Leic. As also Owsthirn-Grange in this Countie granted to Sir Walt. Devereux Kt. Lord Ferrers of Chartley and to the heirs male of his body so that there being a reversion in the Crown for defect of issue male in 4 E. 6. he obtained another Patent being then arrived to the dignitie of Vicount Hereford for the same site and the other lands to himself and his heirs generall Which Walter disposed thereof to Sir Will. Devereux Kt. his younger son as it seems for he it was that patcht up some part of the ruins here and resided thereon as I have heard And by his Testament bequeathing it to Ioan his wife for life gave the remainder to Walter Vicount Hereford his nephew and his heirs Which Walter afterwards created Earl of Essex left issue Robert
Earl of Essex attainted in 43 Eliz. Whose son and heir Robert being restored now scil an 1640. possesseth the site thereof and much of the lands Of the Abbots I have not found the names of any more than these three Ioh. Buggeley 12 H. 6. Thomas Arnold 23 H. 8. Will. Arnold 26 H. 8. 30. H. 8. THough I have now done with this Monasterie and should according to my method proceed to Wedington which is next in order to be spoke of yet in respect that the Family of the before specified Robert Earl Ferrers have had for many ages such large possessions in this Countie and that the principall male branch now remayning of it with another fair stemme do flourish here to this day as in Tamworth and Badsley-Clinton is manifested I shall here digress a little in speaking historically thereof The first of them that setled in this Realm was Henry de Feriers son to Gualcheline de Feriers a Norman which Henry having a great proportion of land by the Conqueror's gift lying in the Counties of Berks. Wiltes Northampt. Hereford this of Warwick Leicester Glouc. Nottingham Derby Essex and Stafford seated himself at Tutburie Castle in Staffordshire near unto which he founded a goodly Monastery for Cluniac Monks endowing it with large possessions But there is little else at this distance that I have seen memorable of him saving that he was amongst other of the great Nobilitie one of the witnesses to King William the Conqueror's Charter made to the Monks of St. Edmundsburie in an 1181. 14. of his reign whereby he confirmed the lands and possessions which they had by the grant of former Kings and that he gave to the Monks of Abingdon the Tithes of Laking To which Henry succeeded Robert for it seems that Eugenulfus and William died without issue which Robert was a witness unto the Charter of King Stephen's Laws made in the first year of his reign and having brought in and commanded the Derbyshire men in that famous Battail near North-Alverton in 3. Stephani where the King had a glorious Victorie against David King of Gualchelinus de Ferrariis Normannus Henricus de Ferrariis intravit Angliam cum Will. Conquestore Bertha Eugenulphus Willlelmus Robertus de Ferrariis erectus in Comitem Derbiae 3 Steph. Robertus Comes junior de Fâ—rrariis de Nottingham Fundator Abb. de Miravale â—3 Steph. Will. Comes de Ferrariis Derb 12 H. 2. Margareta filia haeres Will. Peverell de Nottingham Rob. Comes de Ferrariis 19 H. 2. Sibilla filia Will. de Braosa Will. Co. de Ferrariis obiit in obsid. civitatis Acon 2 R. 1. Sibilla Will. Comes de Ferrariis obiit 31 H. 3. Agnes una filiarum cohaer Ranulphi Comitis Cestriae Will. Comes de Ferrariis obiit 38 H. 3. Margareta una filiarum cohaer Rogeri de Quâ—ncâ— Câ—m Wintoniae Will. de Ferraris de Groby 25 E. 1. Henr. de Ferrers obiit 15 Sept. 17 E. 3. Isab. una fil haer Theob de Verdon Margar. una fil haer Rob. de Ufford Comitis Suff. ux 1. Will. de Ferrers obiit 45 E. 3. Margaâ—eâ—a filia Henrici de Peâ—â—i relicta Rob de Unâ—ranvill fiâ—ii Gilb. Com. Aâ—gusiae Will. de Ferrers miles obiit 11 R 2. Johanna filâ—a .... dom ni Poinings Will. Ferrers de Grobi miles obiit 23 H. 6. Henricus Ferrers obiit vivo patre Eliz. consanguinea haeres Will. Ferrers de Grobi mil. ux Edwardi Grey mil. Tho. Ferrers arm quo Ferrers de Tamworth Maria filia Hug. le Brune Comitis Angolesmi ux 1. Robertus de Fâ—râ—ariis ultimuâ— Comes Dâ—rb Alianora Johannes de Ferrariis de Chartley miles 27 E. 1. Hawisia filia haer Rob. de Muscegrosâ— Robertus de Ferrariis miles 16 E. 3. Joh. de Ferrariis miles 30 E. 3. Eliz. relicta Fulconis filii Ioh. â—e Strange Rob. Ferrers miles 12 R. 2. Edmundus Ferrers de Chartley miles 5 H. 6. vide de posteris in Castle-Bromwich Rob. de Ferrers duxit Eliz. filiam haer Will. le Boteler de Wemme Oversley Will. Comes de Ferrariis obiit 38 H. 3 Sibilla una fil haer Will. Marescalli Comitis Pembr ux prima Agnes ux Will. D. Vesci Isabella 1. nupta Gilb. Basâ—eâ— postea Reg. de Mohun Matilda 1 ux Wâ—ll de Kime 2. Will. de Vinonia 3. Emercio de Rupe Canardi Sibilla ux Franc. de Bohun de Midherst Iohanna 1. ux ... Aguilon postea Ioh. de Mohun Agatha ux Hug. de Mortuomaâ—i de Châ—lmarsh Alianora 1. nupta Will. de Vallibus 2 Rog. de Quâ—â—ci Coâ—iti Winton 3. Rog. de Leiburne .... ux Walchelini Maminot Matilda ux Bertrami de Verdon Walchelinus dâ— Ferraiis Hugo de Fâ—rrariis duxit ... fil haer Hugonis de Say obiit s. prole Will. de Ferrariis Ysabella ux ..... de Mortuomari heres Fratri 6 Joh. Scots was for that good service advanced to the Earldome of Derby but died the year following sc. an 1239. leaving issue Robert his son and heir who stiled himself Robertus Comes junior de Ferrariis and likewise Comes junior de Nottingham Which Robert gave the Church of Bredon in Com. Leic. with the Tithes of his Tenants in Tonge Andreskicke and Wivelestone as also the Chapells of Worthington and Stanton and the Tithes of Newbold and Dichesworth of his Fee to the Canons of Nostel in Yorkshire which Church of Bredon became thenceforth a Cell to that House of Nostell And having been also the pious Founder of the before specified Abby of Merevale in 13 Steph. lyeth there buried wrapt in an Oxe hide To whom succeeded William as appears by that Certificate made in 12 H. 2. of the Knight's Fees he then held which amounted to Lxxix And to him another Robert of whom the first mention I find is in 19 H. 2. at which time hearing how the King's territories in France were invaded by the adherents of young Henry who through the assistance of the King of France then brake out into high Rebellion against his Father and of some ill successes which his said Father's forces had in those parts joyning with the Earls of Chester Leicester Norfolk and other great men here in England in the like hostile Actions manned the Castles of Tutburie and Duffeild against his sovereign and not onely so but raysing the power of Leicestershire marcht early in the morning to Nottingham which then was kept for the King by Reginald de Luci and having without any great difficulty entred the town burnt and plundred it slaying and taking Prisoners most part of the Inhabitants But the year following the King having notice of these
it and by his last will and Testament dated 12 Nov. 16. H. 6. appointed that his Feoffees thereof should hold it to the use of Ioane his wife during her life and afterwards to the behoof of Margaret his Daughter by the said Ioane and her heirs for ever which Ioane took to her second husband one Richard Hotoft who was constrained to defend his wifes right therein against Thomas Throgmorton and one Iohn Brokesby in 30. H. 6. they then laying claim thereto but of this suit the Plantiffes had little benefit as it seems for after the decease of the said Ioane Iohn Hugford of Emscote possest it in right of Margaret his wife daughter to the before specified Nicholas Metley and dyed seized thereof 1. H. 7. leaving Iohn Beaufoe son and heir of Ioane his daughter Margaret Alice and Anne daughters to him the said Iohn and Margaret Metley abovesaid his next heirs as when I come to Emscote shall more plainly be shewed whereupon in 4. H. 8. scil 12. Aug. partition being made of Hugford's lands Iohn Cotes of Honingham in right of Alice his mother had these mannours of Wolston and Merston which Iohn by his deed bearing date xx Aug. the same year past them in exchange to Edward Belknap Esq. and his heirs as in Dercet I shall more fully shew This Edward Belknap was afterwards a Kt. and by his Testament gave Wolston with the mannour of Marston to his brother in Law VVilliam Shelley Esq and Alice his wife sister of the said Sir Edward and to the heirs of the said Alice reserving first an estate for life in them to his wife which VVilliam Shelley by the said Alice had issue Iohn Shelley his son and heir who dyed seized of them 16. Dec. 4. E. 6. leaving William his son and heir 12. years old who being attainted for treason committed xv Dec 25. Eliz. forfeited all the estate he had here which was no more than for life by reason of an entayl made 16. Ian. 23. Eliz. so that dying without issue 15 Apr. 39 Eliz. these Mannours by vertue of the said entail came to Sir Iohn Shelley Kt. and Bt. son and heir to Iohn Shelley brother of the said William which Sir Iohn by his deed of bargain and sale bearing date 19 Oct. 10 Iac. conveyed the same to George Warner Gent. and his heirs the present Owner thereof an 1640. I now return to the descendants from Robert de Chetwode by Sibilla the other daughter and coheir of Roger de Frevill before mentioned This Robert had issue Raph de Chetwode and William which Raph confirmed his Uncle Richard Frevill's grant of Merston-mill to the Abby of Combe but left no issue as it seems for VVilliam his brother inherited the estate and having given to those Monks certain errable lands in Wolston-field left one onely daughter and heir married to VVilliam le Bretun of Long-Ichington betwixt whom they had issue Guy le Bretun Which Guy in 15 E. 2. with other Commissioners was appointed to assess the sum of ccl imposed upon those Knights Esquires and other men at Arms in this County who being summoned to attend the King in person against the Rebels here in England viz. Thomas E. of Lancaster and his complices desired to be exempted from that service In 2 E. 3. he was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at York And in 9 E. 3. one of the Commissioners assigned to assess and collect the sum of 120 l. in this County for the discharge of lx Hobelers and cc Archers which were to be chosen and armed as also conducted to Newcastle upon Tine In 14 15 E. 3. he was assigned with others to make sale of the Ninth of Sheafes Fleeces and Lambs in this County granted to the K. in Parliament as also to levy and collect a Tenth granted in the same Parliament and founded a Chantry in the Abby of Combe for one Monk to sing Mass daily there at the Altar of St. Edmund the Archb. for the soules of William le Breton his father and of Avice his wife and their ancestours which Avicia was a Benefactress in the enlarging and beautifying the Church of Wolston as her picture in a North window thereof doth manifest This Guy had issue Sir William Bretun Kt. Lord also of Wolverton in this County and one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster 45 Edw. 3. who being constituted Shiriff of the Counties of Warwick and Leicester 49 E. 3. in 1. R. 2. served again as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster and left issue Guy of whom I find nothing memorable neither can I trace down this descent any further I now come to the Monastery sometime here situate which being a Cell as I have said to St. Peters sup Dinam in France â— was one of those we commonly call Pryories-alien But of these Cels have I not seen many formal foundations the course being for the most part barely to grant the Land and Tithes as by a multitude of instances might be manifested After which the Monks beyond Sea partly to propagate more of their own Rule and partly to have faithfull Stewards to transmit unto them a good proportion of the profits arising out of such their new acquired possessions at so great a distance built competent places for the reception of a small Covent and then sent over such a number as they thought fit constituting Priors over them successively as occasion required which grants were all very antient I mean shortly after the Conquest being commonly made by such who had themselves been Founders of some Religious House or at least their Ancestours or near Allyes And that the grant of this at Wolston was about that time I have intimated these circumstances do much satisfie me for in our publick Records can I find nothing thereof First that the Fabrick of the Tower Steeple hath the apparent form of those Buildings which were in use soon after the Normans entrance And next that Roger de Montgomeri the Possessour of this place in the Conquerours time stood in a near relation of kindred to Robert Earl of Ewe who with his Brother Hugh Bp of Liseux assisted their Mother Lescelina in the foundation of St. Peters super Dinam before specified as the descent herewith drawn will shew and so consequently was the more like to be a Benefactor to that Monastery Quidam potens de nobili genere Danorum Richardus 1. dux Normanniae Gunnora Guillelmus Lescelina Hugo episcopus Lexovii Rob. Aucensis Comes Osbertus de Bolebec Wevia Hugo de Montegomerico â—oscelina Rogerius de Montegomerico But whether there was any grant thereof at all otherwise than verbal is somewhat disputable for in those elder times concessions by Charter were not very
at Michaelmas and Easter by even portions did in consideration that the said Procurator should make payment thereof at the feasts of the Nativ of St. Ioh. Bapt. and St. Mich. together with the Tenths granted to the said K. by the Clergy so far forth as concerned those Cels restore the same unto the Abbot of the Monastery of St. Nich. before specified But in 50 E. 3. the custody thereof was disposed to Sir Cannon Rubussard Kt. to hold from the feast of St. Mich. th'Archangel then next following during the continuance of the wars with France paying xl l. yearly into his Exchequer Which Sir Cannon was onely to have the same benefit of Rent and other advantages as the Mother Monastery at Angiers before spoken of in times of peace usually had For upon an Extent in 1 R. 2. it appears that all the lands belonging thereto were then valued at CCxx l. iii s. iiii d. per annum But so much were the Monks incumbred by these seizures and appointment of secular persons to have the rule over them that in consideration of a good sum of money in hand they made a Lease to the said Sir Cannon Robsart of all their lands for 25 years And the superiour House beyond Sea likewise discerning themselves so set aside as to the receiving any advantage from hence made their addresses to Thomas Moubray E. of Nottingham and Earl Marshal of England offering to quit their interest here to him upon easy terms Which Earl having in 20 R. 2. obtained liberty to found a Religious House of Carthusian Monks at Eppeworth or where else he thought fit within the Isle of Axholme in Lincolnsh procured the K. Letters Pat. of licence for the Abbot and Covent of St. Nich. at Angiers before specified to grant this their Priory of Monkskirby with the Mannours of Neubold super Avon Copston and Walton to the same belonging As also the advousons of the Churches and Vicaridges of Kirkby-monach Neubold super Avon Withibroke Wapenbury and Sharnford with their pensions unto the said Monastery of Carthusians for ever Whereupon Iohn son and heir to Sir Can. Robsart the Lessee before specified by his deed bearing date upon Easter eve 20 R. 2. released to the King and to Iohn de Moreby Prior assigned of the then late founded House of Carthusians to the honour of the Uisitation of the Mother of God in the Isle of Axholme all his right and title in this Priory But no sooner did H. 4. come to the Crown than that the Priors-alien began to find much favour for in the Parl. held an 1. of his reign taking into consideration the losses and inconveniences that had befallen them by the frequent seizure of their lands and ferming them out in the time of his Grandfather K. E. 3. whereby not onely they had suffered great decay in their buildings but that the worship of God in that regular way Hospitality Alms and other charitable works antiently establisht and there accustomed to be performed were withdrawn as also the pious desires of the Founders thereby defrauded as the words of the Pat. do import did by the advice of his Councel in that Parliament restore to the said Abbot of St. Nich. at Angiers the patronage and advouson of those Religious Houses in England which were subordinate to that Monastery to have and to hold to him and his successours so that they should present fit persons to them upon the vacancies that might happen Howbeit this favour of K. H. 4. was not long enjoy'd by them for K. H. 5. reciting the licence granted by K. R. 2. for founding the said House of Carthusians in the Isle of Axholme and the power then given to the Monks at Angiers to pass away this Priory of Monkskirby with th' appurtenances thereunto as aforesaid by his Letters Pat. dated at Westm. 28. Iunii 3 of his reign confirmed the same Whereupon the said Carthusians being thus possest hereof obtained of K.E. 4. in 8 of his reign a confirmation of those priviledges granted to the Prior of Monkskirby by K. E. 1. in 33 of his reign before specified extending into all their lands there named which they enjoy'd therewith till that fatal overthrow of the Religious Houses in K. H. 8. time when some being corrupted with temporary profit and others through terrour were brought to surrender their Monasteries into the K. hands the said Prior and Cov. of Carthusians did not onely give up theirs but levyed a Fine thereof as also of all the possessions belonging thereto and in particular of this Mannour of Monkskirby with the rest of the Mannours Lands c. appertaining to it Which stay'd not long in the Crown for the same year was it granted away by the King to Thomas Mannyng late Prior of the Monastery of Butley in Suffolks then newly made Bishop of Ipswich to hold for life the remainder to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten to be held in capite by the tenth part of a Kts. fee and the yearly rent of ix l. xiiii s. After which viz. in 37 H. 8. the K. granted unto Trinity Coll. in Cambridge the Rectory of Monkskirby with the tythes and certain lands rents c. lying in Monkskirby and the other Villages adjacent formerly belonging to the before specified Carthusians to hold to them and their successours in pure alms From which Duke this Mannour of Monkskirby with the rest before mentioned divolved to Henry Grey D. of Suff. in right of Frances his wife daughter of the said Charles and one of the sisters and co-heirs to Henry Brandon D. of Suff. From whose death the said Frances held it during her life and dyed 2 Eliz. leaving the Lady Kath. and Lady Mary Grey daughters to the aforesaid Duke her heirs viz. Katherine 19. and Mary 13 years of age Which Kath. being wedded to Edw. Seymour E. of Hertford had issue Edw. Lord Beauchamp that dyed in his fathers life time father to Will now Marq. of Hertford who sold this Mannour to the right honourable Mary Countess of Buck. in our memory paternally through that antient and noble family of the Beaumonts of Coleorton in Leicestersh descended from the Kings of France as is well known Which Mary setled it upon Basil Lord Feilding now E. of Denbigh her Grand-child with divers remainders In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church dedicated to St. Edith was valued at xxxiii marks and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge at xxii l. ix s. 6 d. the Taxation or Ordination whereof was made in an 1237. 21 H. 3. as appears by the original Instrument Which Vicaridge being but of small worth had an augmentation made thereunto by the bounty of the Lady Aliza one of the daughters of Sir Robert Dudley as in Manceter I have particularly shewed As this Parish is spacious so is the present fabrick of the Church very large though
should seeme In 3. H. 3. there was 150 li. 02 s. 03. d. accounted for building up of a Tower thereof which fell down at Christmass before And in 5. and in 6. H. 3. more money layd out in repaires It seems that the said W. de Cantilupe Shiriff of this County and Leicester-shire from 12. Ioh. till 8. H. 3. resided at this Castle for in 7. H. 3. command was given to those that sold the windefall-trees in the Park that they should allow unto him part of that timber to repair the buildings wherein he dwel't which were ruin'd by the winde And the same year and the next did the said Will account for his charges therein and other repaires But in 8. H. 3. the custody thereof was committed to Iohn Russell In 9. H. 3. Rob. Lupus or Low then the Shiriff accounted for the carriage of five tonns of wine brought from South-hampton and laid in here And in 11. H. 3. Will. de Stutevill for mending the Gaole and other things amiss he having that year the Custody thereof together with the Shiriffalty of these Countyes In 13. H. 3. Stephan de Segrave the then Shiriff accounted for mending the banks of the pool and in 15. for repaires of the Castle It seemes that some Malefactors had wont to be imprisoned here for in 15. H. 3. Will. Basset and others were constituted Justices for the Gaol-delivery thereof In 19. H. 3. the then Shiriff accounted 06 li. 16 s. -04 d. for a fair and beautifull boat to lye neer the dore of the Kings great Chamber here In 21. H. 3. here was another Gaol-delivery In 22. H. 3. Hugh le Poer the then Governour had command to deliver it to Walter Gray Archbishop of Yorke to the use of Ottobone the Popes Legate to whom the King had then committed the custody of it Which Ottobone was afterwards Pope by the name of Adrian 5. the occasion of whose coming into England and the stirrs thereupon our Historians do shew Which Ottobone substituted Ric. de Gray to keep it in his steadâ— for by a Precept of the K. to the same Richard bearing date that year he is stiled Constable thereof In 26. H. 3. much cost in building and repaires was bestowed here viz. in seeling the Chappell with Wainscote and painting it making seats for the King and Queen handsomly adorn'd repairing the Tower where the bells hung making all the walls new on the South-side by the pool which I conceive to be the same without alteration that yet stands beautifying the Q. Chamber with painting and enlarging it the same year Gilb. de Segrave being made Governor thereof who by his Letters Pat. dated at Windsore 7. April doth declare that he was to keep it only during the Kings pleasure and not deliver it into the hands of any one but the King himself so long as he lived and that if the King should dy during his custody thereof to yield it to Queene Elianor for the use of the Kings heirs but in case the said Q. could not come in person that then he would not deliver it to any except to some of her uncles to the use of the Kings heires who were not in league with the King of France And for his observance of these conditions he took a solemn oath upon the holy Bible in the Kings presence Howbeit shortly afterwards viz. in 28. H. 3. the King made Simon Montfort Earl of Leic. Governour thereof And in 32. H. 3. granted the custody of it to Alianore his sister then wife of the said Simon to hold during her life about which time the woods belonging to it lying neer the road betwixt Coventre and Warwick were very thick which now are all gone Wherefore in 34. H. 3. the Constable hereof had command to cut down six acres in breadth of the under-wood there growing for the security of passengers In 38. H. 3. the King granted it to the said Sim. Montfort Earl of Leicester and Elianore his wife during their lives which Earl being of a most haughty and ambitious spirit was the principall ringleader in that great rebellion of the Barons begun in 42. H. 3. at which time they put themselves in armes held a Parliament at Oxford by force and compel'd the Kings assent to their unjust and dishonouble Ordinances Which fire so kindled never ceased flaming more or less till it was quenched with the blood of those conspirators in the battail at Evesham 49. H. 3. as our Historians especially Math. Westm. who hath written most largely thereof manifesteth to whom I refer my Reader for more full satisfaction in regard I must confine my self to what relates chiefly to this County wherein I shall observe that in 48. H. 3. after the King had got Northampton and that good success seemed to attend him having there taken divers eminent prisoners many of the Northern Barons likewise coming into his aid Iohn Gâ—ffard a Knight of much valour but one of the most desperat Rebells was sent by Earle Symon with divers other to this Castle to be Governour thereof which as the same Historian reports the said Earl of Leic. had wonderfully fortified and stored with many kindes of warlike engines till that time never seen nor heard of in England Who being come thither and having suspition that the fidelity of the then Earl of Warwick Will. Mauduit was firm to the King he surprized Warwick-Castle most deceitfully and carrying the said Earl with his wife and family prisoners hither demolished a great part of his Castle at Warwick least it should be of advantage to any of the Royall party as when I come to Warwick I shall more punctually shew The particulars touching the battail of Lewes which hapned shortly after where the Barons prevailing the King and Prince were made prisoners as also of the divisions which grew amongst the Chief of those Rebells after they had got all in their power Of the contrivance how to get the Prince out of the Earl of Leic. hands who had him then with the King a prisoner at Hereford-Castle and of his escape and suddain raysing an Army I must not stay here to relate but hasting on to what concerns this place shall observe that Montfort Earl of Leic. understanding that many came into the Prince and how his power daily increased sent his younger son Simon into the North to hasten away the Barons of that rebellious pack residing in those parts who brought up thence almost 20. Banners with a great multitude of Souldiers to this Castle where they made their station for a while and hence went to Winchester but having spoiled that City made a sudden return to this place again whereof notice being given to the Prince then at Worcester with his Army by Raph de Ardern of this County at that time one of the Rebells party who imploy'd a woman called
which being then a wast wherein the Inhabitants of Kenilworth had Common in consideration thereof he gave them all those fields called Priors-fields lying North of the Castle I have heard some who were his servants say that the charge he bestowed on this Castle with the Parks and Chase thereto belonging was no less than 60 thousand pounds Here in Iuly an 1575. 17 Eliz. having compleated all things for her reception did he entertain the Queen for the space of xvii dayes with excessive cost and variety of delightfull shews as may be seen at large in a special discourse thereof then printed and entituled The Princely pleasures of Kenilworth Castle having at her first entrance a floating Island upon the Pool bright blazing with Torches upon which were clad in silks the Lady of the Lake and two Nymphs waiting on her who made a speech to the Q. in meeter of the antiquity and owners of that Castle which was closed with Cornets and other loud Musick Within the base-court was there a very goodly Bridge set up of xx foot wide and lxx foot long over which the Queen did pass on each side whereof were posts erected with Presents upon them unto her by the Gods viz. a cage of Wild-fowl by Silvanus sundry sorts of rare Fruits by Pomona of Corn by Ceres of Wine by Bacchus of Sea-fish by Neptune of all habiliments of War by Mars and of Musical Instruments by Phoebus And for the several dayes of her stay various and rare Shews and Sports were there exercised viz. in the Chase a Savage man with Satyrs Bear-baitings Fire-works Italian tumblers a Country Bride-ale with running at the Quintin and Morrice-dancing And that there might be nothing wanting that these parts could afford hither came the Coventre-men and acted the antient Play long since used in that City called Hocks-tuesday â— setting forth the destruction of the Danes in King Ethelred's time with which the Queen was so pleas'd that she gave them a brace of Bucks and five marks in money to bear the charges of a Feast Besides all this he had upon the Pool a Triton riding on a Mermaid 18 foot long as also Arion on a Dolphin with rare Musick And to honour this Entertainment the more there were then Knighted here Sir Thomas Cecill son and heir to the Lord Treasurer Sir Henry Cobham brother to the Lord Cobham Sir Francis Stanhope and Sir Tho. Tresham The cost and expence whereof may be guest at by the quantity of Beer then drunk which amounted to 320 hogsheads of the ordinary sort as I have credibly heard Shortly after which viz. the next ensuing year he obtained by the grant of the said Q. a weekly Mercate here upon the Wednesday with a Faire yearly on Midsummer-day But this great Earl who bore no little sway in his time as besides our Annals some yet living can testifie having wedded the Lady Lettice daughter to Sir Francis Knolls Knight of the Garter Treasurer of the Houshold to Q Eliz. and widow to Walter E. of Essex â— wanting by her any surviving issueâ— by his last Will and Testament dated at Midleburgh in Zeland 1 Aug. an 1587. being then General of the English Auxiliaries for the United Provinces gave it to Ambrose E. of Warwick his brother for life and the inheritance to Sir Robert Dudley Knight whom he then thought not proper to stile his lawfull son and to his heirs Which Sir Robert being a person of great learning and parts coming to the possession of it within little more than a year after his fathers death for his Uncle surviv'd him no more as in Warwick I have shew'd made it his seat and endeavouring to assert his legitimacy which as to very many stood somewhat dubious in regard of his said fathers marriage with the before specified Countess of Essex during the life of the Lady Douglasse his mother widow to the Lord Sheffeild and daughter to Will Lord Howard of Effingham but failing thereof travelled into Italy where he past away his right therein unto the late Prince Henry the story whereof with the circumstances forasmuch as 't is memorable in sundry respects I shall here succinctly deliver About the beginning of K. Iames his reign this Sir Robert having marryed Alice daughter to Sir Tho. Leigh of Stoneley Kt. and considering with himself that in case he made good his legitimacy not onely the title to the Earldome of Leicester as heir to his father as also that of Warwick for want of issue by the before specified Ambrose his uncle together with the dignity of Lord L'isle would rightfully accrue to him but likewise the Castle of Warwick with divers fair Lordships in this County by vertue of an entail upon his said uncles first advancement to that honour did by reason of the great Plague at that time in London obtain a Commission from the Archb. of Cant. out of his Court of Audience directed to Dr Zachary Babington then Chancellour of Litchfeild and other for examining witnesses to prove his said fathers marriage But no sooner was it discerned by the before specified Lady Lettice and her friends that the consequence thereof would much reflect upon her than that they procured Sir Edw. Coke the K. Atturney general to exhibit a Bill in the Sâ—ar-Chamber against the same Sir Rob. and Dame Alice his Lady as also against the said Lady Douglasse Sheffeild for so she was called then wife of Sir Edw. Stafford Kt. and against the before mentioned Sir Tho. Leigh Dr Zach. Babington and divers other charging them with no less than combination and conspiracy to defame the said Lady Lettice and unjustly to entitle himself to those Honours c. And upon the petition of the Lord Sâ—dney procured a command from the Lords of the Councel not onely to stop the said proceedings at Lichfeild but to bring all the depositions there taken to remain within the said Court of Star-Chamber in the Councel-chest Nevertheless did they vouchsafe liberty to the said Sir Robert to examine Witnesses in that honourable Court in order to the making good of his legitimacy Whereupon by full testimony upon â—ath partly made by the said Lady Sheffeild and partly by divers other persons who were present at her marriage with the before specified Earl it appeared that she having been first contracted in Cannon-Row within the City of Westminster about two years before was solemnâ—y wedded to him in her Chamber at Asher in Surrey by a lawfull Minister according to the form of Matrimony by Law establisht in the Church of England in the presence of Sir Edward Horsey Knight that gave her in marriage as also of Robert Sheffeild Esq and his wife Dr Iulio Henry Frodsham Gent. with five other persons whose names are there specified and that the Ring wherewith they were so marryed was set with five pointed Diamonds and a table Diamond which had been given to him the said Earl by the then Earl of
Bevington were the first Priests for whose maintenance and their successors the said Earl in 9 H. 6. had license to grant the Mannour of Asborne in this County with one mess. one carucat of land and Cxvii s. x d. ob yearly rent lying in Whitnâ—sh and Wellesburne And because he thought not that enough by his last Will and Testament he ordained that in all hast after his decease the remnant of what he had designed for his Chantry Priests there should by his Executors be delivered and made sure to them And that the Chapel there with the other buildings should be new built as he the said Earl had devised for the wholsom and convenient dwelling of those Priests The costs of all which with the consecration of the two Altars therein as appeareth by the accounts of the said Executors from the 28 to the 37 H. 6. amounted unto Clxxxiiii l. v d. ob Then did Earl Richard in memory of the warlike Guy erect that large Statue there yet to be seen on the South side within that Chapel the Figure whereof I have here exprest And having raised a roof over the adjacent Springs walled them with Stone Here was it also that our Warwicksh Antiquary Iohn Rous whose portraicture likewise exactly taken from an antient Roll wherein it was drawn to the life by himself I have represented after he came from the University lived being a Chantry-Priest in this Chapel and compiled his Chron. de Regibus which I have so often quoted Of whom considering his special affection to and knowledge in Antiquities being loth to omit any thing which may do honour to his memory I shall here observe that for his parentage he was the son to Geffrey Rous of Warwick but descended of the Rouses of Brinklow in this County and touching his education course of life and death have transcribed what Bale from Leland hath expressed of him Iohannes Rouuse alias Rossus Warwici urbe magnae olim celebritatis natus simul educatus fuit ut Lelandus scribit donec maturiores anni Philosophicos poscerent praeceptores Tum verò Oxonium petiit altum aliquid in re literaria inchoaturus ubi inter caetera incredibili diligentia usus est in legendis authoribus qui de nostris rebus scripserunt unde tam exactam Britannicae antiquitatis cognitionem sibi comparavit ut multos ex nostris longo praecesserit intervallo Perlustratis enim apud Anglos Cambros omnibus ferè bibliothecis â—opiosam rerum maximè memorabilium supellectilem collegit quae ne per incuriam dilaberetur contulit se ad quietem rem scripturienti inprimis necessariam Est locus in colle positus propè Avonae fluminis ripam distatque à Warwico vix passibus mille ubi constat Guidonem Warwicensem Comitem famosissimum illum vitam olim vixisse solitariam Hunc locum amoenissimum Guidonicumclivum ab eo appellatum alto muro cinctum annuente Rege Edw. quarto Rossus homo minimè ambitiosus unà cum vicinis aliquot fundulis in possessionem accepit Et parato in hunc modum honesto otio atque aurea fortunae mediocritate expeditus alacer scribendi munus aggressus est quod nunquam postea nisi cum ipsa vita deposuit Quo longo tempore multa Chartis commendavit in characteribus latinis praecipue haec Antiquitates Warwici lib. 1. De Episc. Wigorn. lib. 1. Vetustates Clivi-Guidonici lib. 1. De Comitibus Warwic lib. 1. De Academiis Britannicis lib. 1. Contra historiolam Cantabr lib. 1. Cronicon Warwicense lib. 1. Et opera quaedam alia sed imperfecta moriens reliquit Bibliothecam etiam instituit in ipsa australi porticu fani Mariae Warwici Vixit usque ad maturos annos Henrici septimi ac Warwici demum obiit 14 Ian. Anno à Christi servatoris nativitate An. 1491. Sepultusque est ibidem in dicto Mariae fano ut ex inscripto Epitaphio apparet But of these his writings most I suppose are perish'd or in such obscure hands that it is not known to me where they can be seen Those onely which are extant being a Roll of the Earls of Warwick wherein besides a brief Historie relating to each of them their Pictures and Arms are with much curiosity depicted and a Chronicle of the Kings of England reaching down to his own time But I return A place this is of so great delight in respect of the River gliding below the Rock the dry and wholsome situation and the fair Grove of lofty Elms overshadowing it that to one who desireth a retired life either for his devotions or study the like is hardly to be found as Leland in his MS Itinerary made temp H. 8. doth well observe It is a House saith he of pleasure a place meet for the Muses There is silence a pretty wood Antra in vivo saxo the River rouling over the stones with a pretty noyse nemusculum ibidem opacum fontes liquidae gâ—mmei prata florida antra muscosa rivi levis per saxa discursus necnon solitudo quies Musis amicissima Several Caves are there hewen out of the firm Rock one of which if we may believe tradition was made by the renowned Guy when he was an Heremite here In 26 H. 8. by the Survey then taken the lands belonging to this Chantry were certified to be worth xvii l. ii s. iiii d. per annum over and above all reprizes Nich. Launder and Tho. Moore being then the Priests that served therein But by another Survey in 37 H. 8. the value over and above reprizes was certified to be xix l. x s. vi d. All which viz. Chapel Buildings and Possessions thereunto belonging were by Tho. Moore and Rog. Higham Priests of that Chantry the Ks. License being thereunto had and obtained granted unto Sir Andrew Flammock Kt. and his heirs the 4 day of Iune 1 E. 6. Whose son Will. Flammock dying seized of them 11 Iulii 2 Eliz. left Kath. his daughter and heir then abâ—ut 3 years of age The particular lands belonging thereto being 15 mess. 500 acres of land 50 acres of meadow and 30 acres of pasture situate in Guyes-cliff Asborne and Whitnash as by that Inquis appeareth The Chapel here was dedicated to S. Mary Magd. as the grant thereof by Q. Eliz. to Iohn Colburne in 22 of her reign manifesteth and is in the parish of S. Nich. in the suburbs of Warwick This Iohn wedded the said Kath. the daughter and sole heir of Will. Flammock before mentioned And of him was it purchased as I have heard by Will. Hudson of Warwick whose daughter and heir Ursula brought it in marriage unto Sir Tho. Beaufo of Emscote Kt. in which family it still continues Within the precincts of Guyes-Cliffe there is nothing more but the Mill which as I have formerly shewed was in being
Thorp-Mundevile Pbr. 6 Cal. Oct. 1346. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Hugo Aleyn Pbr. 7 Id. Dec. 1348. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Silvestre Cap. 7 Id. Maii 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Haywoll Cap. 17 Cal. Nov. 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Blacfordby Cap. 6. Febr. 1401. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Halford Cap. 7 Oct. 1402. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Tho. Hulle 28 Ian. 1410. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Marchall Cap. 4 Oct. 1421. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Walt. Lydom 19 Dec. 1422. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rog. Wylkins 4 Oct. 1425. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Hull Cap. 9 Iun. 1427. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Loweles Pbr. ult Ian. 1428. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rob. Wells Pbr. 15 Nov. 1437. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Steph. Percivall Pbr. 20. Iunii 1439. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Gybbys 24 Ian. 1441. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Huggeford Cler. penult Iulii 1444. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rog. More Cap. 5 Febr. 1450. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Sherdun alias Iordan Cap. 26 Sept. 1454. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Marten Cap. 4 Maii 1457. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Alryche alias Lyllyngton Pbr. 23 Febr. 1511. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rob. Wylliamson Cap. 1. Maii. 1533. Edw. 6. Rex Angl. Magr. Ioh. Olde 22 Martii 1548. Edw. Bowne gen ratione concess Ioh. Hanby ar D. Will. Ludmans 19 Nov. 1554. Anth. Shughburgh gen Ioh. Dasset gen ratione conces Tho. Shughburgh Tho. Gardiner art Magr. 16 Oct. 1557. Benedictus Shukeburgh ar Ioh. Lounde in Leg. Bacc. 20 Febr. 1561. Benedictus Shukeburgh ar Will. Catherall Cler. 27. Oct. 1564. Will. Catherall hac vice ex assign Bened Shukeburgh Rog. Barker Iunii 1569. Bened. Shukeburgh Georgius Burley Cler. 18. Nov. 1572. Bened. Shukeburgh Ric. Marrell 27 Nov. 1581. Will. Lisley de Evenley in Com. North. ar Ioh. Harper Cler. art Mr. 23 Martii 1626. Lillington LOwer yet on the same side of Leame stands Lillinton perhaps so called from the old English word Lytlan which signifies small or little wherein the E. of Mellent held 4 hydes in the Conq. time with a Mill valued at vi s. viii d. and woods of a mile in length and half a mile in bredth all which were valued at xl s. having been the Free-hold of one Edric in Edw. the Conf. dayes Here was also half a hyde more which Rog. de Olgi then held of Turchill de Warwick valued at xx s. There is no question but that the E. of Mellent's part was by K. H. 1. or by the E. of Warwick upon such terms as the K. directed given to Geffr de Clinton Founder of the Castle and Priory of Kenilworth For by the foundation Charter of that Monastery he granted thereunto 2 hydes of land in this place And as for the half hyde which belong'd to Turchil de Warwick I presume that Hugo fil Ricardi of whom I am to speak in Wroxhall and Hatton was enfeofft thereof inter alia by the said Earl who had the most of Turchil's lands For I find that immediatly upon the foundation of the before specified Monastery the Canons of Kenilworth had the same by his grant in consideration whereof they rendred to him the said Hugh the Churches of Snitenfeld and Claverdon which they held of him and gave him over and above a Cloak valued at vi marks of silver and to Margaret his wife a saddle Nag After which K. H. 1. added his Charter of confirmation and so also did Roger E. of Warwick But the other two hydes belonging to the E. of Mellent above mentioned were as I am induced to believe given by the said Geffr de Clinton with his daughter Lescelina in marriage to Norman de Verdon for I find that they were held of the heirs of the said Norman and her by Rob. de Verdon and of him by Peter de Wolvardington by the service of half a Kts. fee. The extent whereof in 7 E. 1. was certified to be one carucat which the said Peter had in demesn and eleven yard land occupyed by ten servants who did manage that carucat for the benefit of the same Pet. This P. de Wolvardington granted to the Monks of Cumbe that his tenants here in Lillington should grind their Corn at their Mill called Blakedon mill Of the successors to the said Peter in this Mannour I cannot give a perfect account but of what I have found from Record relating thereto I will here adde which is that in 20 E. 3. Margaret de VVolvarton and Iohn de VValdgrave answered for half a Kts. fee in this place held of the heirs of Theob de Verdon and that in 10 H. 6. Iohn VValdgrave of the County of Buckingh Gent. and Ric. Beauchamp E. of Warwick held the same by the name of a Mannour by the service of half a Kts. fee. As also that in 10 H. 7. VVill. Grey Esq dyed seized thereof leaving Thomas his son and heir 15 years of age from whom it came to Edw. Grey who in 28 H. 8. was owner of it I now return to that which the Canons of Kenilworth had in this place which in 7 E. 1. was certified to be one carucat of land then held by them in demesn and 16. yard land managed by xx servants who performed divers servile works for the said Canons and payd also certain yearly Rent for the same Here the said Canons had a Court-Leet and other priviledges as appears by their claim in 13 E. 1. But this coming to the Crown at the dissolution of that House was by Q. Eliz. in 2. of her raign granted unto ...... Gerard and others and in 6. to Ambrose Earl of Warwick and the heirs male of his body but in 38 Eliz. being again in the Crown by reason of the death of the said Earl without issue was in consideration of the good faithfull service which Sir Iohn Puckering Knight then Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England had performed as the words of the Patent do import passed by the said Queen together with the advouson of the Church unto William Borne and Iames Orenge esquiers and their heirs Which William and Iames for a certain sum of money to them payd by Thomas Puckering son and heir of the â—aâ—d Sir Iohn then deceased and in performance of a Decree in the Court of Wards made 23. Oct. 38. Elâ—z sold and confirmed the said Mannour to the same Thomas afterwards Knight and Baronet and his heirs by their deed bearing date 27. Iunii 39. Eliz. The Church dedicated to S. Mary Magd. was â—â—igâ—nally belonging to the Canons of Kenilworth from the very foundation of that
as antiently were given thereto For in Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was certified that the Prior of Ronton had here three yard land and a half then valued at 24 s. xxv s. iv d. yearly Rent of Assise and of the profit of their store yearly x s. At which time the Church appropriat to that Monastery was valued at xxx marks and the Vicaridge at vi But the Vicaridge was again endowed by Walter Langton Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield xvi Kal. Maii An. 1321. 14 E. 2. Which it seemes was more enlarged than the Canons of Ronton well lik't for in 2 H. 4. they obtained License to appropriat the same wholy to the use of their Monastery by which Appropriation it was provided that the Bishop should appoint a competent sum out of the fruits thereof to be distributed yearly to the poor of this Parish according to the Statute of xv R. 2. Cap. 6. But what was done therein I know not Which Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was valued at C s. Patroni Vicariae Incumb temp Instit. Prior Conv. de Ronton Rob. de Calk Pbr 7. Apr. 1305. Prior Conv. de Ronton Galfr. de Caldecote Prid. Id. Aug. 1305. Prior Conv. de Ronton Henr. Hamond Pbr. 4. Id. Ian. 1328. Prior Conv. de Ronton Ioh. de Plumpton Pbr. 1. Maii 1375. Prior Conv. de Ronton Ric. atte Brugg Pbr. 18. Apr. 1383. Prior Conv. de Ronton Rob. de Pollesworth Pbr. penult Ian. 1384. Prior Conv. de Ronton D. Will. Perbyn Pbr. 13. Oct. 1388. Prior Conv. de Ronton D. Will. Pyrbin Cap. 7. Apr. 1403. Prior Conv. de Ronton Ioh. Hyldes Cap. 2. Oct. 1407. Prior Conv. de Ronton Will. Screyfeyld Cap. 8. Oct. 1417. Prior Conv. de Ronton Henr. Coventre Pbr. 8. Oct. 1445. Prior Conv. de Ronton Ioh. Parkyns Cap. ult Feb. 1451. Prior Conv. de Ronton Nich. Rushall Cap. 15. Oct. 1458. David Poole Decret Dr. ratione concess Pr. C. de Ronton D. Edw. Iurdeyn Cler. 19. Iulii 1558. D. Regina Iac. Fundernell 20. Nov. 1571. D. Regina Thom. Davies Cler. 12. Aug. 1581. Tho. Davyes de Greneborough gen Petrus Gibson 2. Sept. 1611. Iac. Rex Ioh. Reason Cler. 4. Dec. 1611. Ioh. Dormer miles Georgius Bealâ— Cler. 20. Iulii 1615. In a North window of the Church these Armes Argent semé of Crosses Croslets fiché with three Liberds heads jesant flower de Luces sable Bereford Woscote THIS is a small Village and hath had its name from one Wulf an antient Inhabitant or possessor thereof in the Saxons time for in old Records it is written Wulvescote but accounted a member of Granborough for as much as the Prior of Coventre's and Catesby's Lordship there as also certain lands belonging heretofore to the Canons of Raunton in Staffordshire extended into it The greatest part of which lands having come by purchase as it seemes to the Fardons were by Margaret daughter and heir to the last of that name who took to husband one Iohn Bishop of Brayles in this County in her widowhood setled upon Thomas her son and heir 27. Oct. 3. 4. Ph. M. by the name of Fardons-place c. which Thomas had issue Iohn who together with Iames his son and heir by their Deed bearing date x. Febr. 39 Eliz. aliened it to Thomas Burman whose son and heir scil Iohn Burman now enjoys it Walcote OF this place now consisting of no more than 3. Houses and called Walcote-end I find mention in the Conq. time one Ordric being certified to hold certain lands here of Turchill de Warwick From which Turchill it came to the Earls of Warwick as it seems for in 20 H. 3. it was held of them by the 5. part of a Knights fee. Which in 36 H. 3. one Warine de Walcote held of Thomas de Arden and he of the Earl of Warwick and afterwards viz. in 9 E. 2. Will. Reymund But in 20 E. 3. this 5. part was shrunk to a sixt at which time Thomas de Flamvill held it of the then Earl Out of this village there was a yard land and quarter antiently given to the Hospitall of S. Iohn situat without the East-gate at Oxford by one Gricia de Wellecote And further I have not met with any thing memorable of this place other than the mention of particular lands which are reputed part of those other Lordships in Granborow before specified Caldecote THIS is now a depopulated place and hath been so a long time In the Conquerors days Turchill de Warwick possest it and had severall tenants that held it of him the extent thereof being somewhat more than one hide But with the rest of Turchil's lands it came to the E. of Warwick for Earl Roger in 23 H. 1. gave to his Collegiat-Church at Warwick then newly founded half a hide in this village Of the rest I find not who was enfeoft but it seemes that the heir female to whom it descended became the wife of Will. Pludio which VVill. gave half a yard land of this her inheritance to the Monks of Cumbe Part of that which Richard Forestarius in the Conq. time held in Greneberge extended into this village For Gilb. de Crok of whom I have there made mention enfeoft Adam de Crok therein But it seems that the family of Verdon had also some interest here for in 36 H. 3. Geffrey de Simely was certified to hold half a Knights fee lying in Ashoâ— and this place of Roes de Verdon which she held over of the Earl of Warwick whereof there is frequent mention in Records the heirs of the same Geffrey answering for it Other matters memorable I have not found thereof till 6 E. 6. that Sir Thomas Newnham Kt. sold it to VVill. Marquess of Winchester then Lord Treasurer of England who setled it upon the Lord Giles Poulet one of his younger sons Which Lord Giles by severall conveyances dated about the 15. and 20. of Queen Eliz. raign past iâ— to Thomas Stapleton Gent. and his heirs from whom or his son the Lord Stanhop of Harington hath since purchased it Lemington-Hastang THIS containing the villages of Hill Herdwick and Bradwell was in the Conquerors time possest by Hasculf Musard the extent thereof being then certified at xii hides and a half with half a virgat whereunto belonged a Mâ—â—l rated at ii s. and a Church All which were valued at xii li. having been the freehold of Azor in Edward the Confessors time In that Survey it is written Lunintone not without some mistake by the transcriber as I think for there is no question but that it had its name originaâ—ly from the River Leame on whâ—se Southern bank it stands This Hasculf Musard was a great man in those dâ—ysâ— and
Which Alwine left issue Turchill who likewise stands in the Catalogue of our Earls and was a great man in that age but no more really Earle than his Father and Ancestors were For if the Earldom of Mercia with which Honour Edwyn the Grand-Childe to Earle Leofrike was dignified did as it included this Shire really vest him in power and authority therein as he had in some other Counties then was this Alwyne his Vicecomes or substitute here which may seem to have been so in as much as the said Edwyne is in an ancient MS. particularly stiled Comes Warwici But that which argues him to have been onely Custos of the County to the Kings immediate use is that in Domesday-book where the profits of the Shire are set down as they were raâ—ed in Edw. the Conf. time there is nothing of the Tertius denarius reckoned to the Earle as in such where the Earle had absolute Jurisdiction is usual but all to the King By which it should seem that these hereditary Vicecomites whom we repute to have been Earles were immediately Officers to the King and not to the Earles of Mercia This Turchill residâ—d here at Warwick and had great possessions in this County when Will. D. of Normandy invaded England and vanquish't K. Harold and though he were then a man of especial note and power yet did he give no assistance to Harold in that Battail as may easily be seen from the favour he received at the hands of the Conquerour for by the general Survey begun about the 14th of K. William's Reign it appears that he then continued possest of vast Lands in this Shire and yet thereof was neither the Borough or Castle of Warwick any part as from the said Survey may be colâ—ected the Borough in Edw. the Conf. time answering a certain yearly Ferm to the King and the Castle properly belonging to the Earle of Mercia if not to the King as a special strong hold for the defence of all these parts and whereof the said Turchill being in the nature of a Governour as his Ancestors were had his denomination viz. Turchill de Warwick attributed to him by the Normans who first introduced such surnames of places here amongst us And therefore whereas my Author represents him to have been a great enlarger of Warwick-Castle his words are Castri Warwici Willâ—elmi Conquestoris and adds nam Rex Will. Conquestor ad Castella construenda totam Angliam fatigabat And what was this for but to busie their mindes and bring them low in their estates that they should neither have time nor abilities to contrive any insurrection against him as also to have places of strength in every corner for better keeping the subdued English in awe But of this Turchill I have not now much more to say besides the mention of these Lands whereof I find him possâ—st by the Conquerour's special favour as yâ—u must conclude at the time of his said general Survey which were these following all in this County and whereof I have in their due places spoken particularly scil Curdworth Bikenhull Minworth Wolthamcote Ricton Pakinton Lanâ—done Mackstoke Merston Elmedone Dosthill Wiginshille Whitacre Bercheston Badsley â—ndsor Lodbroke Caldecoteâ— Rodburn Causton Birdingbury Naâ—ton Fleckno Hodenhill Willoughby Bilton Walecote Shukborow Newton Holme Church-Over Ashow Harbury Baginton Binley Weston Brandon Lillington Radford Rotley Compton Winyatâ— Miton Wimpston Bericote Fulredy Etendone Chesterton Coughton and Nun Eaton Neither can I say that he had all these clearly to himself for in some few I finde that others had a share as where I speak of them in particular will be manifested And though he had so much respect from the victorious Norman as to possesse these during his life yet is it most clear that his Son enjoy'd none of them as his Heir but by the favour of the Conquerour or of those on whom he had bestowed them as will be found by that small remnant in comparison of all these Lordships before recited which was left him and that also to hold by military service from some of the Norman Nobility Which dealing generally in a manner by the Conquerour I have in my Introduction sufficiently made evident Leaving therefore what else I have to say of Turchill till I come into Hemlingford-Hundred in which he and his posterity afterwards resided assuming the sirname of Arden from those woody parts wherein they inhabited I shall now descend to speak of those Earls that were of the Norman race the first of which was called Henry de Novo-burgo from the Castle of Newburgh in Normandy â— the place of his birth He was the younger Son of Rog. de Bellomont Earle of Mellent but of his advancement to the Earldom of Warwick the direct time appears not yet by all circumstances I guesse that it was towards the later end of Will the Conq. time in regard there is no mention of him in the general Survey begun as I have elsewhere shew'd in 14. of his reign for my Author sayes that K. Will. having begirt Warwick with a mighty ditch for the precinct of its Walls and erected the Gates at his own charge did then promote this Henry to the Earldom and annexed thereto the royalty of the Borough of Warwick with the appurtenances which at that time belong'd to the Crown That Earls so anciently had no formal Charters of their Creation is plain enough to any that hath look't into Antiquities the manner of their investiture into that dignity being then and a good while after per cincturam gladio Comitatus as Math. Paris and others do observe it cannot therefore be expected that I should say more as to the manner of his advancement thereto howbeit that it was the Conqueror who conferr'd the same honour upon him is not onely manifest by what I have already said from the Testimony of I. Rous but from the credit of divers other noted Historians It should seem that before the King raised him to that state of Earle he was trusted with the custody of Warwick-Castle then newly built by the Conqueror or rather enlarged and more strengthened as in my discourse of Turchill hath been said and shall be further declared when I come to the particular story thereof but though he had this honour by the Conqueror's gift he was not during that Kings dayes possest of all those great Lands whereof he died seized for it is evident that K. Will. Rufus in the very beginning of his reign bestow'd on him the whole inheritance of Turchil before specified in augmentation of his Earldom so that whatsoever Turchill's posterity enjoyed thereof was but by the favour of this Earl as I have already intimated Nay so clearly did he account himself seized of all Turchill's patrimony that he laid claim to what the Monks of Abendon had in Little Chesterton and Hille both in this County of the said Turchill's gift in the days of Abbot Aldelme so
Exchequer was seized into the Kings hands by reason of some misdemeanour therein committed by one William de Bradecote his Clerke howbeit the King taking into consideration his speciall services before exprest made a quick restitution of it again I find that this Earl had great suits with William de Breause for the dominion of Gowher in Wales wrongfully alienated by King Iohn 4. Ioh. to Will. de Breause great-grandfather of this William whilst Henry Earl of Warwick was in his minority but could not recover it In 15 E. 1. he was again imployed into Wales at which time he beseiged the Castle of Drosselan and had ccxl li. delivered to him by the Bishop of Ely then Treasurer for the defraying his charges in that service At that time the King being in France had constituted Edmund Earl of Cornwall his lieutenant here in England during his absence who taking great care to preserve all things in quiet here whilst the King was away directed his speciall Precept to this Earl of Warwick and other great men requiring them most strictly that they should not ride with armed power in any part of the Kingdom for any respect whatsoever to the terrour of the Kings leige people and disturbance of the Peace but if that any diffâ—rence did arise betwixt them and others they should make it known unto the said E. of Cornwall who would apply a timely remedy thereto In 23 E. 1. being again in Wales with the K. he performed a notable Warlike exploit which was thus Hearing that a great body of the Welch were got together in a plain betwixt two woods and to prevent any danger had fastned their pikes in the ground sloping towards their assailants he marcht thither with a choyse company of Cross-bow-men and Archers and in the night time incompassing them put betwixt every two Horsemen one Crossbow-man who killing many of them that supported those Pikes the Horse charged in suddainly and made so great a slaughter that the like hath seldom been heard The next ensuing year he received command to be at New-castle upon Tine on the first of March furnisht with Horse and Armes for an expedition into Scotland and afterwards was sent with Iohn Earl of Surrey to recover the Castle of Dunbar trecherously gained by the Scots In which action they were constrained to cope with the whole Scotch Army that came to raise the Siege but at length after a sharp dispute obtained a glorious victory wherein the number of slain were supposed to be ten thousand which success made the Castle suddainly to render In 25 E. 1. he had command to be at London upon the Sunday next after the Octaves of S. Iohn Bapt. well provided with Horse and Armes to attend the King into Flanders but it seemes he had other direction to stay behind for I find that he was one of those who were made Governours to Prince Edward then in minority during the Kings absence whom the King had constituted his Lieutenant during that time In the same year he was made Governour of the Castle and Forrest of Rokingham in Com. Northampt. And in Oct. following again appointed to be at New-castle upon Tine on St. Nicholas day to march against the Scotts with Prince Edward But that proved an unhappy business the English Army being for the most part destroyed in attempting to pass the Bridge at Sterling This year it was and on Holy-Rood day being in perfect health that he made his Testament whereby he disposed his body to sepulture in the Quire of the Friers-Minors aâ— Worcester in case he should depart this life within the compass of the four Engâ—ish Seas but if otherwise then in the next House of Friers-Mâ—nors to that place where his death might happen and his Heart wheresoever the Countess his dear consort should resolve to be herself interred To which place when his body was to be buried did he bequeath two great Horses viz. those which at his funerall should carry his Armour for the celebration whereof he gave CC li. which was as much as three thousand in these times For the maintenance of two Souldiers in the Holy-land he gave C li. To Maud his Countess all his silver vessell with his Cross wherein was contained part of the wood that had been of the very Cross whereupon our B. Saviour dyed As also the Vestments belonging to his Chapell to make use of during her life but afterwards the best suit to remain to Guy his eldest son His second suit to his Chapell of Hanslape and the third to his Chapell of Anneley To Guy his son a gold Ring with a Ruby in it together with his blessing To his said Countess a Cup which the B. of Worcester gave him but all his other Cups together with his lesser sort of Jewells and Rings he bequethed unto her to distribute for the health of his soul where she should think fittest And to his two daughters which were Nunns at Shouldham in Com. Norff. a Monastery of their great-grandfather's foundation by the mother side he gave fifty marks He was a benefactor to the Monastery of Thelesford in this County Ratified the grant of Warmington made by Henry de Neuburgh sâ—metime Earl of Warwick to the Monks of Preaux in Normandy bore for his Armes gules semé of Cross-crosslets with a fess Or which Cross-crosslets were by him added to his Coat for his father used them not but whether as a badge of any Pilgrimage that he made unto the Holy-Land or vow so to do I will not take upon me to determine Wedded Maud the eldest of the four sisters and heirs to Richard Fitz-Iohn son of Iohn Fitz-Geffrey Justice of Ireland and widow of Gerard de Furnivall which Maud had for her purpartie of his lâ—nds the Mannours of Chiriel in Com. Wilts Potters-Piri in Com. Northampt. and Querndon in Com. Buck. assigned to her And departed this life either in May or the beginning of Iune Anno 1298. 26 E. 1. leaving Guy his son and heir then 26. years of age who did his homage the 25. of September following and had livery of his fathers lands And 2. Iunii following performed the like homage for the lands descended to him by the death of Maud his mother who dyed the same year This Guy had his Christen name out of doubt in remembrance of the warlike Guy Earl of Warwick in the Saxons time and was a martiall man as well as his Ancestors The same year that his father dyed he had summons with many other great men to be at Carleol on the even of Pentecost well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march into Scotland this being the time that the King made a personall expedition thither and obtained a great victory at Fawkirk in which Battail he behaved himself so gallantly that the King rewarded him with all the Castles
granted unto him the benefit of his marriage whereupon he became wedded to the Lady Kath. his daughter After which was he the same year put again in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this County and Worcestershire and likewise in the County of Oxford and in 17 E. 3. marcht into Scotland with Henry Earl of Lanc. as also many other great persons with a numerous Army for raysing the siege of Louhmaban-Castle whereof William de Boun Earl of Northampt. had the custody In 18 E. 3. he had the Shiriffalty of this County and Leicestershire committed to him for terme of life and in the same year was constituted Marshall of England in which he entailed the Castle of Warwick with divers great Lordships in this and other Countyes upon his issue male mentioning the names of his severall sons then living In the month of Iuly 20 E. 3. he attended the King in his French expedition and arrived with him at Hoggs in Normandy where getting on shore he manifested his valour to admiration by making the first attempt himself in person with one Esquiâ—r and six Archers though he had but a weak Horse under him with which and those few men he encountred with an C. Normans whereof they slew 60. thereby making way for the Army to land And at the same time was he one of the principall Commanders that with the Black-Prince led the van of his Army in that famous battail of Cressy where the English got such lasting honour In 21. E. 3. he was at the siege of Caleis with three Bannerets Knights 61. Esquiers 106. and Archers on Horsback 154. In consideration of which notable services and other his heroik actions the King gave him the summe of 1366 li. 11 s. 08 d. and the next ensuing year assigned unto him a thousand marks per annum during his life partly in recompence of his faithfull services and partly as wages for attendance upon his person with C. men at Armes according to certain Indentures of Covenants betwixt them In 26 E. 3. he recovered the dominion of Gowher in Wales from Iohn Lord Moubray whose title thereto accrued by Aliva his mother daughter and heir to William de Brews to whom King Iohn during the minority of Henry Earl of Warwick Ancestor to this Thomas wrongfully gave the same In which suit I find that Simon Pakeman of Kirby in Com. Leic. did him especiall service 't is like as sollicitor in consideration whereof he gave him the inheritance of all the Lands and Rents he had Over Botyndon in Comâ— Northampt. In 27 E. 3. he was sent with Edw. Prince of Wales Henry D. of Lanc. and Raph Earl Stafford to protect Sir Richard de Willughby and Sir William de Shareshull Justices Itinerant whilst they sate at Chester for fear of any insurrection by the people In 29 E. 3. he attended the said Prince into France this being the time that King Edward hearing that Philip King of France was dead as also that Iohn his eldest son then newly crown'd had given unto Charles the Daulphin of Uiennois the Dukedome of Aquitane whereat being much moved he called the said Prince with divers of his Nobles before him and assigned the said Dukedome of Aquitane unto him but before the revolution of one year after such their arrivall in France hapned that memorable battail of Poictiers in which the K. of France being taken prisoner this Noble Earl gained high renown for his marvailous valor and no small advantage for he had no less than 8000 li. for the redemption of Will. de Melleun Archbishop of Seinz whom he himself took likewise in that fight Nay of so heroik a spirit he was that about 37 E. 3. he travailed into forrain parts and having spent full 3. years in warring against the Pagans at his return brought with him the son to the King of Lituania whom he Christened at London and being his Godfather named him Thomas In 40 E. 3. he was sent upon speciall service by the K. into Flanders having an allowance assigned to him out of the Exchequer of 5. marks per diem for his charges and two marks and a half per diem by way of reward in which year his Commission for Marshall of England was renewed But having now no more to say of his publique imployments saving of that last wherein he dyed and that he was one of the Founders of that Noble Order of the Garter instituted by King E. 3. I will here take notice of his pious works as also of his Testament and then come to his death with the circumstances thereof To the Collegiat-Church of Warwick he gave the advouson of the Church of Pillerton-Hercy in this County To the Canons of Kenilworth two mess. and one yard land lying in Radford-Semeli To the Priory of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. the patronage of the Church of Rotley in this County To the Hospitall of S. Iohn Baptist in Warwick the moity of the Church of Morton-D ' â—ubney in this shire To the Canons of Mâ—xstoke one yard land and one acre lying in Yerdley in Com. Wigorn. with the advouson of the Church To the Collegiat-Church of Astley the advouson of the Church of Long-Stanton in Com. Cantab. And that he was a good Benefactor to the Monks of Abingdon I shall not doubt though I have not seen in what particulars for I find that the Abbot and Covent of that Monastery by their publique Instrument beaâ—ing date 5 Id. Martii Anno 1344. which doth give a generall testimony thereof not only made him a speciall partaker of all their devout exercises but declared that whensoever the tidings of his death did come to their knowledge the like solemn office should be perform'd for him aswell in all the Covents of their Order within this Realm as in their own and not only so but by divers Canons-Regular too as was used to be done for any of their own fraternity friends or benefactors His Testament bears at date Chelchench vulgò Chelsey juxta Westminster on Tuesday 6. Sept. 1369. 43 E. 3. Whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the midst of the Quire of the Collegiat Church at Warwick To every Church within each of his Mannours he gave his best Beast which should there be found in satisfaction of his Tithes forgotten to be payd To Thomas his son and heir a Ring and Cup with Cover the best next that which his daughter Stafford should choose with the Sword and Coat of maile sometime belonging to the famous Guy of Warwick appointing that all his harness weapons and such like habiliments aswell for peace as warr should be equally divided betwixt his two sons viz. Thomas and William To his said son William he gave a Ring and a Cup with Cover the best next after his elder brother had chosen with
Of which Testament were Executors the Lord Cromwell the Lord Tiptoft Iohn Throkmorton Ric. Curson Thomas Huggeford Will. Berkswell Priest and Nich. Rody his Steward After which viz. ult Apr. An. 1439. 17. H. 6. he departed this life as his monumental inscription here most exactly imitated together with the true representation of his magnificent Tombe sheweth leaving issue by Eliz. his first wife daughter and Heir to Thom. L. Berkley three daughters viz. Margaret born at Good-rest in Wedgnok-park the next year after the Battail of Shrewsbury â— second wife to the famous Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury which Margaret died at Londonâ— An. 1467. 7. E. 4. and was buried under the Quire in the Cathedral of St. Paul commonly called St. Faiths Church Alianore born at Walkinston in Essex shortly after the feast of our Ladye 's Nativity 9. H. 4. first married to the L. Rosse â— and afterwards to Edm. Beaufort Marq. Dorset and D. of Somerset And Elizabeth born in Warwick-Castle wife to George Nevil Lord Latimer To his second wife he wedded Isabel daughter of Thomas le Despenser E. of Glouc. and by the death of her brother Richard and elder sister Eliz. without issue Heir to all his Lands but being the widow to Ric. Beauchamp E. of Worcest his Uncles son as in Fillongley I have shewed he had a special dispensation from the Pope to marry her The pictures of which his wives children together with his own as they stand in the East window of that stately Chapel before specified where his Monument is I have upon the next page exquisitely represented By this Isabel he left issue Henry and Anne of both which I shall speak in their order The Lands whereof he was possest were very vast as may seem by that computation of their yearly value extracted from the Accompts of his several Bayliffs through England and Wales in 12. H. 6. amounting to no lesse than 8306. Marks 11. s. 11. d. ob Which setting aside the good penniworths that his Tenants had of what they then held would in the dayes we live augment that sum sixfold at least considering that about that time Barly was sold for 4. s. 2. d. the quarter Oats at 2. s. 1. d. ob Capons at 3. d. a piece and Hens at 1. d. ob as by certain Accompts of his Houshold-Officers appeareth Of her death let us hearken to what the MS. Hist. of Tewksbury saith Isabella uxor Ricardi quinti patrona de Theokesbri rediit de Francia aliquandiu se in Monasterio Canonicorum de Southwyke resocillavit Haec Isabella sepulta est in Theokesbyri eodem anno quo obiit Ricardus quintus Comes de Warwike ejus maritus But of her Monument so designed as I have said there is no more now remaining than what I have here in this Figure exprest I now come to Henry the succeeding Earle Son and Heir to Richard by the said Lady Isabel. This Henry was born at Hanley-Castle in Worcester-shire on Thursday xi Kal. Apr. An. 1424. 3. H. 6. and baptized on the Saturday by Philip Morgan Bishop of Worcester having to his God-fathers at the font Henry Beaufort Cardinal and Bishop of Winchester with Humfry E. Stafford and to his God-mother Ioane Lady Bergavenny the same B. of Worcester being his God-father also at confirmation At his fathers death he hardly exceeded the age of fourteen years but was a person of extraordinary hopes as by the early appearance of his heroick disposition is evident for before he accomplisht full xix years of age he tendred his service for defence of the Dutchy of Aquitane in consideration whereof and to give him the more encouragement in that expedition the K. by his Charter bearing date at Dover 2. Apr. 22. of his Reign created him Primier Earle of England and for a distinction betwixt him and other Earles granted to him and the Heirs male of his body leave to wear a golden Coronet about his head as well in his own presence as elsewhere upon such great Festivals as the like used to be worn And within 3. dayes following considering the high deserts of his noble father of whom he hath this expression quem meaning Earl Richard dignissimè in Armorum strenâ—itate ut columnam immobilem belli fata pro nobis nostris magnanimiter libenter sustinentem suorum cognoscit commendat ingenia ex excellentia meritorum minimè per nos aut progenitores nostros huc usque remuncratorum c. advanced him to the title of Duke of Warwick granting him place in Parl. and all other meetings next to the D. of Norff. and before the Duke of Buck. and giving him xl l. per ann to be paid by the Sheriffe of Warr. and Leic. Shires for the time being out of the revenue of these Counties towards the better support of that Honour But this businesse of Precedency was so stomackt by Humfrey Duke of Buck. that had not the K. by Act of Parl. in 23. of his reign which was the next year ensuing the said Duke of Warwick's Creation qualified it much inconvenience had arisen upon it Therefore for appeasing the contention and strife moved betwixt them for that preheminence those are the words of the Act it was established that from the 2. of Decemb. then next following they should take place of each other by turn viz. one that year and the other the next and so as long as they lived together the Duke of Warwick to have the first years precedency and he which should survive to have place of the others heir male as long as he livedâ— And from that time that the heir male of each should take place of other according as it might happen he had livery of his lands before him After which he had a grant in reversion from the death of Humfrey Duke of Glouc of the Isles of Gerneseyâ— Iersey Serk Erm and Aureney for the yearly Rent of a Rose to be paid at the feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Bapt. As also of the Monnour and Hundred of Bristoll in Glouchesterâ—sh for the yearly ferm of lx li. and besides this of all the Kings Castles and Mannours within the Forest of Dene for the Rent of C. l. per ann To all which Honours he had this further added viz. to be Crowned King of the Isle of Wight by the Kings own hands But this hopefull branch the onely heir male to these great Earlsâ— was cropt in the flower of his youth before the fruits of his Heroik disposition could be fully manifested to the world for upon S. Barnabas day sc. xi Iunii 1445. 23. H. 6. being but xxii years of age he died at Hanley the place of his birth and was buried in the Abby of Tewksbury about the midst of the Quire at the head of Prince Edw. Son and Heir to
14. E. 4. as some say but others that it was on Ship-board when his father fled towards Caleys The younger Richard in the Monastery of Tewksburie An. 1476 who lived scarce a year being poysoned as 't was thought Which Edward being about three years of age at his fathers death was Knighted at York by K. R. 3. in the first year of his Reign with Edw. the onely son to that King but both he his sister were attended with a very hard fate For Edward that bore the title of E. of Warwick onely being at the age of 8. years committed prisoner to the Castle of Shiriff-Hutton in Com. Ebor. by the said K. Rich. 3. where he remained all his Reign was immediatly upon the victory obtained at Bosworth-field by Henry Earl of Richmund thenceforth K by the name of H. 7. by special Warrant removed to the Tower of London and there shut up in a more close and streight condition for no other offence than being the onely male Plantaginet at that time living and so consequently the most rightfull Heir to the Crown and being at length charged with privity of Perkin Warbeck's escape out of the Tower strange inferences were raised by which they made advantage to take away his life whereas the truth is that K. Henry being upon Treaty with Ferdinand K. of Spain for a marriage in the behalf of Prince Arthur his eldest son and the Lady Kath. daughter to the said Ferdinand and finding that the Spaniard thought K. Henrie's title to have no sure foundation whil'st this branch of Plantaginet was extant had a minde to dispatch him out of the world for the fairer effecting whereof a Commission was granted to Iohn Earle of Oxford then high Steward of England to arraign him for that pretended offence which was accordingly done 21. Nov. 15. H. 7. care being taken to perswade him that by confessing himself guilty he should be sure to find mercy from the K. With which fair promises being caught he pleaded as they directed him and so betraying his life into the hands of those that so â—agerly sought it had judgement of death past upon him and accordingly was beheaded on Tower-Hill the 28. day of the same moneth of November After which viz. 25. Ian. 19. H. 7. the better to countenance what was done he was attainted in Parl. so that all the favour he had was that being thus put to death his body should be sent to the Monastery of Bisham and buried with his Ancestors Which cruel dealing we may well think hath been some cause of Gods judgements upon H. 7. posterity as well as upon that noble Lady Katherine who became so sensible thereof when King H. 8. her second husband prosecuted the divorce betwixt them that she expressed as some have said that it was the hand of God for that to clear the way to her marriage the innocent E. of Warwick was put to unworthy death And if it be seriously considered what afterwards befell the said Earle of Oxford and his family we have cause enough to doubt that God was no whit pleased with his activenesse in this bloudy scaene for having within a short time lost the Kings favour and been fined at 30000. li. for a very small offence he spent the rest of his life in discontent and dyed without any lawfull issue After which it was not long that the possessions of that great Earldom became totally wasted and the very Monuments of his noble ancestors in the Abby of Colne torn in pieces in that hideous storm raised by K. H. 8. son and successor of him to whom this Earle had been so obsequious As for the Lands whereof this our Earle of Warwick dyed seized I do not finde that they were any other than the Mannours of Wyke in Com. Midd. Stanford in the Vale of White-horse in Berks. and of Snitterteld in this County Of his sister Margaret born at Farley-Castle in Wilts 14. Aug. An. 1473. 13. E. 4. and married c to Sir Rich. Pool Knight I finde that she had issue Henry Pool Lord Mountagu Reginald Pool Cardinal Geffrey and Arthur with a daughter called Vrsula wife to Henry Lord Stafford Son and Heir to Edw. Duke of Buck. which Marg. in her widowhood sc. An. 1513. 5. H. 8. petitioned in Parliament as Sister and Heir to Edw. Earle of Warwick attainted 19. H. 7. that she might inherit his estate and dignity and so be stiled Countesse of Salisbury which was granted but of her fathers inheritance she had very little that ever I could finde and that also by attainder in Parliament taken away unheard in 31. H. 8. for privity to the conspiracy of Henry Marq. of Exeter as was pretended After which she enjoy'd her life but a short time being barbarously put to death on Tower-Hill 27. Maii 33. H. 8. drag'd to the block by the hair of the head in the lxviii year of her age After the before specified Edward Plantaginet till 1 E. 6. there was no Earl of Warwick but then Iohn Dudley son of Edmund by Eliz. daughter of Edward Grey Visc. L'isle Aunt and heir to Elizabeth Grey Countess of Devon daughter and heir of Sir Iohn Grey Visc. L'isle having been advanced to the dignity of Visc. L'isle 12. Martii 34 H. 8. was through the great favour of King Edward or rather of Edward Duke of Somerset then Lord Protector created Earl of Warwick 16. Febr. 1 E. 6. as descended from Margaret the eldest daughter to Richard Beauchamp sometime E. of Warwick Howbeit before I proceed to speak further of this Iohn I shall crave leave to say something of his parentage That he was the son of Edmund Dudley of whom I shall say more by and by and he the son of one Iohn Dudley is plain enough but as I am not sufficiently satisfied that the said Iohn his grandfather was a younger branch of the Barons of Dudley in Stafford-shire though with his own hand in a descent of those Barons he exprest him so to be viz. second son to Iohn Sutton first of that name that had the title of Lord Dudley so shall I be as tender in affirming that to be true which I have seen under the hand of a very good Genealogist in his time and which he alledgeth to have received from a person of credit id est that the same Iohn his grandfather was a Carpenter and indeed born in the town of Dudley though not of the name other than travailing for his living he hapned to be entertained at the Abby of Lewes in Sussex and was by the Monks called Iohn of Dudley and so growing in favour with the Abbot there marryed and continued Carpenter to the House And that having a son called Edmund who for his pregnancy in learning was taken notice of by the Abbot and
same year the King went over Sea in person and took Bolein in France where this new Admirall having scoured the Seas towards Scotland and being upon the Kings return left his Lieutenant through his valour and military skill defended it against the Daulfin and the French Army of 52000. men as they were reputed though the walls at that time were very much shattered And when the Daulfin had entred the base town not without slaughter of divers English by a brave sally he beat out the French again with the loss of above 800. of their men which were esteemed the best souldiers in that Realm The next yeare after when the French had got a great Fleet at Sea for invasion of England being appointed Admirall he presented battaill to them which they refused returning home with the loss of all their cost Hereupon he landed 5000. men in France fired Treport as also divers Villages thereabouts with the loss of one man and was one of the three Comissioners on the King of England's part by whom the Articles of Truce made 7. Iunii 28 H. 8. in the Camp betwixt Ardres and Guines were concluded To say truth for enterprises by Armes quoth Sir Iohn Haward he was the minion of that time so as few things he attempted but he atchieved with honour which made him more proud and ambitious when he had done Generally he always increased both in estimation with the King and authority amongst the Nobility but doubtfull whether by fatall destiny to the State or whether by his vertues or at least by his appearance of vertues as saith the same Author so that King Henry constituted him one of his xvi Executors whereupon finding the Duke of Somerset Protector to Edward 6. to be neither a man of great wisdom or courage ambitiously aimed to have the sway of all and therefore insinuated himself into his friendship whereby he made him a shadow for accomplishing his own ends To which purpose he first obtained an increase of honour being presently created Earl of Warwick and made Lord high Chamberlain of England for life which office he surrendred in 4 E. 6. and soon after got a grant of Warwick-Castle with the Mannour as also of divers other great Lordships and lands in this Shire whereof I shall take notice as they come in my course most of which he exchanged away with the King in 3 E. 6. for the Mannour of Minster-Lovell in Oxford-shire and divers other Lordships in the same County and in Nott. Glouc. Worcester Berks. and York-shires yet by his power got them again the next year following with more in exchange for lands in Northumberland Bishoprick of Durham Hartford-shire and Middlesex Of his particular great employments and actions I shall not stay to make any large relation for as much as they are obvious enough in our Common Chronicles but will onely point at them in brief He was Lieutenant generall in that expedition for Scotland in 1 E. 6. when the Scots were overthrown at Muscleborough where he made many Knights and indeed the principall person for military skill and prowess upon whom the management of that Warr rested In 3 E. 6. he commanded the Forces that were sent against Ket and his fellow Rebells in Norff. of which he slew about 5000. took Ket himself and setled all in quiet again In 4 E. 6. he was made Lord Steward of the Kings houshold and being now elated with these great successes his ambitious mind had no bound for it mattered not whom he ruin'd so it tended in his own opinion to the ends he aimed at First therefore he rayses discontents betwixt the Protector and the Lord Thomas Seymour his brother whereby soon after the said Lord Seymour became attainted by Parliament upon pretence that he had conspired his brothers death and so lost his head Then did he put the Protector upon making alteration both in State and Religion whereupon some of the Bishops that opposed it were committed to prison What vast summs did he make a shift to pocket by despoiling the Church of her Chalices Crosses and an infinite number of consecrated vessells with the like both silver and gold as also by rich Copes and other vestments under colour of bringing them into the Kings Wardrobe for he it was that led the Protector on to those courses as 't is well known as also by the lands given to maintain Lamps and Lights and for other pious uses Which doings with the ruine of the Cloister and Charnell at Paules the Church in the Strand and two Bishops houses there besides the goodly Church of S. Iohns neer Smithfield that were pulled down to build Somerset House brought upon the Protector no little hatred and so hastned his ruine that being it which our Warwick aimed at who spying so fair an oportunity wrought upon xviii of the Privy Councell to joyn with him therein yet such was his cunning that he accomplisht the work by others being least seen in it himself And because he could not win the Earls of Arundell and Southampt to be his Instruments for that purpose he found means to discharge them from the Councell and confine them to their houses as also to fine the Earl of Arundell 12000 li. upon suggestion that he had taken away bolts and locks at Westminster and given away the Kings stuff when he was Lord Chamberlain And now that he might carry the greater sway he did cause himself to be made Lord great Master of the Kings houshold and having been a prime Actor in the Peace made with France he was by way of reward for that service made generall Warden of the North having 1000. marks per ann lands granted unto him and C. Horsemen of the Kings Charge Mr. Herbert his chief Instrument being made President of Wales with a grant of 500 li. per ann And yet all this seemed not enough for within a while after viz. 20. April 5 E. 6. was he made Earl Marshall of England and xi Oct. following Duke of Northumb about which time he got his son Robert afterwards made Earl of Leic. by Q. Eliz. to be sworn one of the six Gentlemen in ordinary which Robert was as saith my Author his fathers true heir both in hatred towards persons of Nobility and cunning to dissemble the same as also for lust and cruelty a Monster of the Court and sure executioner of his hate After whose entertainment into that place of so neer service the King enjoy'd his health but a while And being now inferior to none of the Nobility in titles of honour and superior to all others in authority and power he could not restrain his haughty hopes from aspiring to an absolute command yet before he directly levelled at his marke the Duke of Somerset was thought fit to be taken away whose credit with the Common people
heir to Sir Edward Guilford Knight who had his Wardship as I have said he left issue 8. sons and 5. daughters viz. Henry that dyed at Bolein Iohn who had the title of Earl of Warwick in his fathers life-time as commonly Dukes sons out of curtesie have of some Earldom whereof their fathers have the honour but dyed without issue Ambrose Earl of Warwick by the favour of Queen Elizabeth as I shall shew anon Robert created Earl of Leic. by the said Q. Guilford who suffred death in 1. M. as his father did Henry slain at S. Quintines and Charles that dyed a child His daughters were these Mary the wife of Sir Henry Sidney Knight of the Garter and Lord President of Wales from whom the now Earl of Leic. is descended Kath. wife to Henry Hastings Earl of Huntingdon As also Margaret Temperance and another Katherine who dyed young In the Parliament held 1. M. was the attainder of this Duke and four of his sons confirmed viz. Iohn called Earl of Warwick Sir Ambrose and Sir Guilford both Knights and Henry Dudley Esquire Going on with the succession of these Earls I come next to Sir Ambrose Dudley abovementioned restored in blood by Queen Mary This Sir Ambrose had in 1. Eliz. a grant of the Mannour of Kibworth-Beauchamp in Com. Leic. to be held by the service of being Pantler to the Kings Queens of this Realm at their Coronations which office and Mannour his father and other of his Ancestors Earls of Warwick had In the second year of her raign he was made Master of the Ordinance In the fourth viz. 26 Dec. Baron L'isle and Earl of Warwick and the 6. of April following had a grant from the same Queen of the Castle Mannour and Burrough of Warwick with divers other Lordships in this Shire eschaeted to the Crown by his fathers attainder in which year she made him her Lieutenant generall in Normandy and during the time of his service there caused him to be chosen Knight of the Garter In 12. of her raign this E. with Edward Lord Clinton were made Lieutenants Generall of her Majesties forces in the North parts In 13. he was constituted chief Butler of England and in 15. sworn of her Privy-Councell He had 3. wives viz. Anne daughter and coheir to Will. Whorwood esq Atturney generall to King H. 8. Eliz. x daughter of Sir Gilbert Talboys Knight sister and sole heir of George Lord Talboys and Anne y daughter to Francis Earl of Bedford but departed this life without issue 21. Febr. Anno 1589. 32. Eliz. at Bedford-house in the suburbs of London and was buried in that beautifull Chapell here at Warwick called our Lady Chapell adjoyning to the Collegiat Church where his Monument is yet to be seen The next that had this title of Earl was Robert Lord Rich grandchild to Richard created Lord Rich. of Leeze in Essex 17. Febr. 1 E. 6. and made Chancelour of England 26. Oct. following which family doe derive their descent from Richard Rich one of the Shiriffs of London An. 1441 20 H. 6. This Robert created Earl of Warwick 6. Aug. 16. Iac. had two wives viz. Penelope daughter to Robert Devereux Earl of Essex and Frances daughter to Sâ—r Christopher Wray Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in Q. Elizabeths time but widow to Sir George St. Paul of Snartford in Com. Linc. Knight and Baronet By the first whereof he had issue Robert Lord Rich his son and heir Sir Henry Rich Knight of the Bath and Capt. of the Guard afterwards created Baron of Kensington Earl of Holland by King Iames and chosen Knight of the Garter Lettice his eldest daughter first marryed to Sir George Cary of Cokington in Com. Devon and after to Sir Arthur Lake Knight And Essex the second to Sir Thomas Cheek of Pirgo in Essex which Earl dyed at Warwick-House in Holburne 24. Martii An. 1618. 15. Iac. and was buryed at Felstede in Essex where his Ancestors do lye To whom succeeded in this Honour Robert his eldest son who wedded Frances daughter and heir to Sir William Newport alias Hatton Knight by whom he hath issue three Sons scil Robert Charles and Henry and three daughters Anne Luce and Frances HAving thus finisht my discourse of the Earles I shall now proceed with the town of Warwick it self whereof as to its first building by Kymbeline a King of the Britans and all other passages relating thereto during the Saxons time I have already in my Introduction and Story of those Earles said as much as I can In the Conquerors time it was a Borough id est habitaculum seu locus munitus and contained CClxi houses whereof Cxxx. were possest by the King Cxii by these his Barons whose names with the particular number held by each of them I have here added viz. The Bishop of Worcester ix The B. of Chester vii The Monks of Coventre xxxvi whereof 4. were wasted for the Castles enlargement The Bishop of Constance i. The E. of Mellent xii Earl Alberic iv Hugh de Grentemaisnill iiii Henry de Ferrers ii Rob. de Stadford vi Rog de Iveri ii Ric. Venator i. Raph de Limesi ix The Monks of Malmsbury i. Will. Bonvallet i. Will. fil Corbucion ii Geffrey de Magnaville i. Geffrey de Wirce i. Gislebert de Gant ii Gislebert Povili i. Nich. Balistar i. Steph. Stirman i. Turchil iiii Harold ii Osbert fil Ricardi i. Cristina i. Luith the Nun. ii All which were belonging to the lands they held in this County and apprized with them and the residue being xix by so many Burgesses which Burgesses enjoy'd them with Soc and Sac and all Customes as they did in Edward the Confessors days In the time of the said King Edward the Shirivalty of this County with the Borough of Warwick and all the Kings Mannours in the Shire answered lxv li. in money and xxxvi Sextars of honey or xxiv li. and viii s. in lieu thereof but at the time of the generall Survey they were rated at Cxlv li. in weight in the ferm of the Kings Mannours xxiii li. for the custome of Dogs xx s. for a Sumpter horse 1 li. for a Hawk and C s. to the Queen for a Fine Besides this they payd also xxiv Sextars of Honey of the greater measure and the Borough vi Sextars viz. xv d. a Sextar whereof the Earl of Mellent had vi Sextars and v. s. The custome of this Borough then was as by the same Survey appears that when ever the King went in person in any expedition by land x. Burgesses thereof attended him in stead of all the rest And if he that was warned to give such his attendance did not go he should pay unto the King C s. but if the King did go by Sea against his enemies the whole Borough was to
Antiquary Iohn Rous of whom I have spoke in Guy-Cliffe who built a Library over the South porch of this Church and dyed 14. Ian. Anno 1491. 6 H. 7. And lastly the no less famous in his kinde Thomas Cartwright whom Mr. Cambden calls inter Puritanos ante signanus and whom the Earl of Leicester who bore such a sway in those days thought it no small policy to court his party in this Realme being so considerable insomuch as he made him Master of the Hospitall then newly by him here founded But before I further proceed with my Monumentall matters in this Church give me leave to digress a little in relating briefly the occasion that moved this Cartwright to broach those Tenets so much tending to the disturbance of the Churches peace as from credible tradition I have heard Being of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge where Doctor Whitgift was Master he made suit to be one of the disputants before Queen Elizabeth at her entertainment in that University and was admitted so to be but missing of such applause and advancement which he thereupon expected and apprehending that the Doctor had been his back-friend he quitted the Colledge and going beyond Sea wrote against him in a Schismaticall manner Of which writings I shall say no more than what the learned Whitaker in few words expresseth Quem Cartwrightus saith he speaking of his second Reply nuper emisit libellum ejus magnum partem perlegi ne vivam si quid unquam viderim dissolutiùs ac penè pueriliùs Verborum satis ille quidem lautam ac novam supellectilem habet rerum omnino nullam quantum ego judicare possum Deinde non modò perverse de Principis in rebus sacris atque Ecclesiasticis authoritate sentit Sed in Papistarum etiam castra transfugit à quibus tamen videri vult odio capitali dissidere verùm ne in hac causa ferendus aliis etiam in partibus tela à Papistis mutuatur Denique ut de Ambrosio dixit Hieronymus verbis ludit planèque indignus est qui à quopiam docto confutetur And I have been told from good authority that the reverend Bishop Andrew's observed that this Cartwright was the first that in the Church of England began the way of praying ex tempore before his Sermon which some call by the spirit From the body of the Church I next come to the Quire On the North side of this Quire towards the upper end lyeth interred William Parr Marquesse of Northampton as by his atchievements viz. coat of Armes Sword Shield Helme and Crest which I have seen there hanging appeareth but forasmuch as there is no Monumentall Inscription I have here transcribed what Mr. Cambden in his Annals of Q. Eliz. Anno 1571. hath said of him Supremum vitae diem hoc anno placidè egit Guliemus Parrus Marchio Northamptoniae amaenioribus studiis musicis amatoriis ceterae Aulae jucunditatibus versatissimus qui ab Henrico octavo primùm ad dignitatem Baronis Parr de Kendalia deinde ad nuptias Annae Bourcheirae Comitis Essexiae unicae haeredis simul ad Comitis Essexiae titulum cum Rex ejus sorerem duxisset atque ab Edwardo sexto ad Marchionis Northamptoniae stylum honorem provectus Sub Maria quòd pro Jana Greja Regina subornatae arma sumpserit Majestatis damnatus ab eadem tamen mox condonatus ad patrimonium ut postea ab Elizabetha ad honores restitutus Liberos genuit nullos sed Henricum Herbertum Pembrochiae Comitem ex altera sorore nepotem reliquit haeredem Monumentall Inscriptions Hic facet Katerina primogenita nobilis viri Domini Thome de Belloc impo quandam Comitis Warwici qui facet humatus in aula australi istius Ecclesie que obiit in Festo Concentionis beate Marie Uirginis Anno Domini Millesimo CCClxx octavo An Epitaph upon the death of M rs Eliz. Chowne who died the last day of August 1597. Here lyes Elizabeth twice happy wife Of two good vertuous men blest from above With both Io ' without both a godly life Till seventye five she lived in perfect love Resting a widow eight and twenty yeares Loving to see her dearest issue wed Before her God in glory she appears Her corps feed wormes her soule by Christ is fed Anno aetatis suae 75. Memoriae sacrum Ceciliae Puckering filiae natu secunda Thomae Puckering Militis Baronetti quae Xpo desponsata obiit 9. die Aprilis An. Do. 1636. aetatisque suae 13. ANAGRAMMA Mistres Cissely Puckering I sleepe secure Christ's my King Death's terrors nought affright mee nor his sting I sleepe secure for Christ's my soveraigne King Epitaphium Birth breeding beauty grace and carriage sweete In thee dear Saint did altogether meete The Sunne ne're saw a comlier face then thine Nor heaven receiv'd a spirit more divine Thrice happy parents such a childe to breede Begott again of God's immortall seede Cease sorrowing then sith Saints and Angels sing To see her match't with an eternall King Memoriae Sacrum Thomae Rous filii natu quarti Thomae Rous de Rous-Lench in Comitatu Wigorniae Baronetti qui primis aetatis suae obiit nono die Septembris Anno Domini 1645. Our Lady Chapell ON the South side and adjoyning to the Quire of this Church stands that stately and beautifull Chapell dedicated to the honour of the B. Virgin the fabrick whereof was begun by the Executors of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick according to the appointment of his Will in 21 H. 6. and perfected in 3 E. 4. together with that magnificent Tombe for the said Earl inferior to none in England except that of K. H. 7. in Westminster Abby the charge of all which came to no less than 2481 li. -04 s. -07 d. ob as by the particular accompts appeareth but to how vast a sum such a piece of worke would have amounted to in these days may be easily guest by that great disproportion in the prizes of things now from what they were then the value of an Oxe being about that time xiii s. iv d. and of a quarter of bread-corne iii s. iv d. That the beauty of this goodly Chapell and Monument through the iniquity of later times is now much impaired all that have seen it may easily discern and thereby guess at the glory wherein it once stood to such therefore would there be no great need to say more thereof but for the satisfaction of others I have here thought fit to insert a brief of the Covenants betwixt the said Executors viz. Thomas Huggeford Nich. Rodye and Will Berkswell and the severall Artists that were employed in the most exquisite parts of its fabrick and ornaments as also of the costly Tombe before specified bearing date xiii Iunii 32 H. 6. Iohn Essex Marbler Will. Austen Founder and Thomas Stevyns Copper-Smith do covenant with the said Executors that they shall make forge and worke in
from Iohn Carpenter then Bishop of Worcester Besides this goodly Tombe of Earl Richard which in the story of his life I have accurately represented there are in the same Chapell these following Monuments viz. of Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester and of Robert his son who dyed young as doe here follow Here under this Tombe lyeth the corps of the Lord Ambrose Duddeley who after the deceasses of his elder brethren without yssue was sonne and heir to John Duke of Northumberland To whom Queen Elizabeth in the first year of her raigne gave the Mannor of Kibworth-Beauchamp in the County of Leyc to be held by the service of being Pantler to the Kings Queens of this realme at their Coronations Which office Mannour his said father other his Ancestours Earles of Warwick held In the second yeare of her raigne the said Queen gave him the office of maister of the Ordinance In the fourth yeare of her said raigne she created him Baron L'â—sle and Earle of Warwick In the same yeare she made him her Lieutenant generall in Normandy and during the time of his service there he was chosen knight of the noble order of the Garter In the twelveth year of her raigne the said Earle and Edward Lord Clinton Lord Admirall of England were made Lieutenants jointly and severally of her Majesties Army in the North parts In the thirteenth year of her raigne the said Qu. bestowed on him the Office of chief Butler of England And in the xv th yeare of her reign was sworn of her privy Councell Who departed this life without issue the xxi th day of February 1589. at Bedford house neer the Citty of London from whence as himself desired his corps was conveyed and interred in this place Neare his brother Robert Earle of Leicester and other his noble ancestors which was accomplished by his last Will and welbeloved wife the Lady Anne Countesse of Warr. who in further testimony of her faithfull love towards him bestowed this Monument as a remembrance of him John Dudley esquire second sonne to John Lord Dudley and knight of the Garter marryed Elizabeth daughter and heire of John Bramshot Esquier and had issue Edmund Duddeley Edmund Duddeley Esquire one of the privy Councell to king Henry the 7 â—h married Elizabeth sister and sole heire of John Grey Viâ—ount L'sle descended as heire of the eldest daughter and coheire of Richard Beauchamp â—â—wl in Warwick and Elizabeth his wife daughter and hèir of the Lord Berkley and heir of the Lord L'ysle and Ties and had issue John Duke of Northumberland John Duke of Northumberland and Earle of Warwick Vicount L'isle and knight of the Garter marryed Jane daughter and heire of Sir Edward Guildford knight and Elianore his wife sister and coheire to Thomas lord la Warre and had issue the said Lord Ambrose The said Lord Ambrose Dudley marryed to his first wife Anne daughter and coheire of William Whorwood esquier Attorney generall to King Henry the eight The said Lord Ambrose married to his second wife Elizabeth daughter of Sir Gilbert Taylbois knight sister and sole heire of George Lord Taylbois The said Lord Ambrose after he was Earl of Warwick marryed to his third wife the Lady Anne daughter to Francis Earle of Bedford Lord Russell and knight of the Garter DEO VIVENTIUM S. SPE CERTA resurgendi in Christo hîc situs est illustrissimus Robertus Dudleyus Johannis Ducis Northumbriae Comitis Warwici Vicecomitis Insulae c. filius quintus Comes Leicestriae Baro Denbighiae Ordinis tum S. Georgii cùm S. Michaelis eques auratus Reginae Elizabethae apud quam singulari gratia florebat Hippocomus Regiae Aulae subindè Seneschallus ab intimis Conciliis Forestarum Parcorum Chacearum c. citra Trentam summus Iusticiarius Exercitus Anglici à dicta Regina Eliz. missi in Belgio ab anno M.Dlxxxv ad annum M.Dlxxxvii Locum tenens Capitaneus generalis Provinciarum confederatarum ibidem Gubernator generalis Praefectus Regnique Angliae Locum tenens contra Philippum ii Hispanum numerosa Classe exercitu Angliam Anno M. Dlxxxviii invadentem Animam Deâ— servatori reddidit Anno Salutis M. Dlxxxviii die quarto Septembris Optimo charissimo marito moestissima uxor Leticia Francisci Knolles Ordinis S. Georgii equitis aurati Regiae Thesaurarii filia amoris conjugalis fidei ergò Posuit It now remains that I take notice of what else I have found worthy of note in relation to this Chapell and not already publiquely known which is that Sir Henry Nevill Kt. son and heir to George Nevill Lord Latimer by Eliz. the third daughter to the noble Earl Richard before remembred who dyed in his fathers life time was here interred at the head of the said Earl as appears by the Testament of the Lady his widow daughter to Sir Iohn Bourchier Lord Berners who also bequeathed her body to be here buried And to the intent that the Dean and Canons of this Coll. Church should devoutly pray for her soul and for the soul of her said husband and all Christen people departed she gave unto them two Gowns of blew Velvet wherewith to make a Vestment and Copes so far as they would reach to be used in the same Colledge one of which gowns belong'd to her said husband And direrected that if those two gowns would not suffice to make a Chesiple two Tunicles a Cope with Altar clothes and frontell that then her Executors should buy as much plain blew Velvet as might compleat the same for to serve to the Altar in the said Chapell And farther appointed that her said Executors should find a Priest to sing in the said Chapell for her soul and the soul of her said husband and all Christen people deceased for the space of three years next ensuing her decease And to this Church she also bequeathed her Crysome gown of fine thred and lawn to be disposed of for a Corporas Other memorable Legacies which she gave by this Testament were these viz. a Ring of gold with a table Diamond to be offered at the Shrine of S. Thomas of Canterbury in the honour of God and that blessed Martyr To her brother Sir Humfrey Bourchier Knight a Ring of gold with a flower de Lyce of Rubyes To her brother Thomas Bourchier an Ouch of gold made like a trunk with a Dyamond two Rubies and two Pearles To Dame Eliz. Lady Wells her sister a flower of gold with a Ruby and two half Pearls To her son the Lord Latimer her wedding Ring To the Parson of S. M. Magd. at old Fish-street end a Cruse of silver and to Thomas Nevill her son her great Primmer Of which Testament she constituted Executors Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight Lord Berners her father Dame Margery his wife her mother Thomas Bourchier her brother and Iohn Bradshaw the same bearing date 2. Octob. Anno 1470. 10 E. 4. and proved the
xvi th of that month which shews that she dyed soon after it was made About ten years after this viz. 20. Sept. Anno 1480. 20 E. 4. Dame Eliz. Lady Latimer third daughter to the said Earl declared her last Will and Testament whereby she bequeathed her body to be interred in this Chapell at the head likewise of her noble father betwixt the above specified Sir Henry Nevill her son and Oliver Dudley her son in Law and appointed that there should be 4. stones of fair Marble with portraitures upon them of copper and gilt according to her estate and degree with Epitaphs representing their births and deceases and other fit things to such purposes cut upon the same and be layd upon the graves of her husband her son her son in Law beforementioned and her self And further ordained that lands of x l. per annum value should be put in Feâ—ffees hands to the end that with the revenue thereof a Priest might be maintained for the saying of Masse and other Divine services at the Altar in the aforesaid Chapell of our Lady to the honour of God and remission of the offences of her said Lord and Father her mother her husband her self her sons and all Christians till such time as the Kings license could be procured for amortizing of lands to that value to the purposes abovesaid And moreover with parcell of those revenues bought a pair of goodly vestments of white Damaske powdred with Bears and ragged staves of gold and in the orfray the Scocheon of her Armes to be well and richly embroydered and delivered to the said Chapell And that a pair of Vestments of black stuff with a like Scocheon in the orfray Crosse to be used in the Church of Wells in exercising the observances for her Lord and husband's soul who was it seems there interred In the East window of this Chapell there are besides those costly portraitures in glasse of Earl Richard with his wives and children which in my story of his life are represented the pictures in their full proportions of St. Alban the protomartyr of England St. Thomas of Canterbury St. Iohn of Bridlington and of St. Winifride unto each of which the renowned Earl Richard by his last Will and Testament bequeathed his Image in pure gold weighing xx li. in weight and in his surcoat of Armes holding an Anker in his hand appointing them to be offered at their severall Shrines in his name as in my story of him I have already declared so great an honour did he bear as it seems to those Saints On the North side of the Quire is a fair room built eight square which was heretofore the Chapter house for the Dean and Canons of this Collegiat Church but in our time converted to another use by the right honorable Foulk Lord Brook who in his life time erected therein a very stately Monument for himself of black and white Marble the representation whereof is on the next page truly exhibited his body being enbalmed and put into a coffin of lead in the Vault below Of the particular Churches which were heretofore in Warwick and so united to this Collegiate Church of our Lady as I have intimated I will here briefly say something That of S. Helene stood where the Priory of S. Sepulchers was founded as I have already shewed and by that means became swallowed up therein S. Michaells at the lower end of the street called Saltford on the North part of the town out of which the Canons of S. Maryes had a portion viz. xi s. per annum as in 19 E. 1. was certifyed and the Lepers in the Hospitall there vi s. viii d. But in 14 E. 3. the great and small Tithes with all oblations thereto belonging were rated at v. marks and a half This Church was governed antiently by its own proper Rector who used to be presented by the Dean of the Collegiat-Church of our Lady and the Prebendary thereof jointly but in 41 E. 3. the number of its Parishioners was so much decreased as also the yearly revenue belonging thereto that it became reduced in a manner to nothing having but three Parishioners and those onely Cottiers so that the yearly value thereof scarce reach't to one mark the Church it self being very ruinous the Church-yard small and not any House for the Parson then standing Patroni Ecclesiae Incumb temp Instit. Decan Canonici Eccles. Coll. B. Mariae Warw. Will. de Kenilworth Cap. 4. Non. Dec. 1296. Decan Canonici Eccles. Coll. B. Mariae Warw. Rob. de Breodun Cler. 26. Dec. 1329. Decan Canonici Eccles. Coll. B. Mariae Warw. Rob. fil Ioh. in le Gate 22. Apr. 1338. Decan Canonici Eccles. Coll. B. Mariae Warw. Reginaldus Dod Pbr. 15. Dec. 1349. Thomas Comes Warwici Henr. Hynks Pbr. 12 Febr. an 1353. Ric. Comes Warwici Ric. Wellys Cap. ult Sept. 1421. Ric. Comes Warwici D. Will. Berkswell Canon 3. Febr. 1434. The Church of S. Iohn Baptist stood in the midst of the Mercate place the outward fabrick whereof is yet to be seen whereunto in 41 E. 3. there was a Rector belonging presentable by the said Dean and the Prebendary of the Prebend but without any mansion for his dwelling the yearly value thereof then scarce amounting to four marks above all charges but this Church had neither Church-yard nor any Ecclesiastique sepulture pertaining thereto the Parishioners being buried in the Church-yard of S. Maries Patroni Incumbentes c. Decanus Canon Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warwici Hugo de Beoley Cap. 10. Kal. Nov. an 1281. Decanus Canon Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warwici Henr. de Compton Pbr. 2. Kal. Aug. 1315. Decanus Canon Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warwici Will. de Lalleford Pbr. 24. Dec. 1349. That of S. Peters antiently stood in the midst of the town whereunto in 14 E. 3. nothing but small Tithes appertained This also in 41 E. 3. had a Rector presentable by the said Dean and the Prebendary of that Prebend the value thereof being then scarce v. marks per annum having no dwelling house and without either Church-yard or Ecclesiastique sepulture the Parishioners burying their dead at S. Maries whereunto it was appropriated afterwards sc. in 22 R. 2. But in K. H. 6. time pulled down whereupon that of S. Peter in stead thereof was in those dayes newly built over the East gate The Church of S. Laurence standing at the lower end of the West street in the suburbe was in 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks and a half and in 14 E. 3. at ix marks In 41 E. 3. the Parson was presentable thereto by the Prebend thereof at which time the Dean of the Collegiate Church and the Prebendary received two parts of the Tith corne belonging to it the Colledge onely two parts of the Tith hay Mills and all small Tithes and the Rector the third throughout which scarce
time amongst which this Mannour of Warmington as also that of Toftes â— with some others was by those Monks of Preaux granted to Lewys Clifford for life with remainder to Lewys his son for life also upon a certain Rent reserved to the King during the continuance of those warrs After which scil in 6 H. 4. the King by his Letters Patent dated 15. Martii granted the said Priory of Toftes with the Mannour of Toftes this of Warmington thereunto belonging to Thom Erpyngham and Iohn Heylles Clerk for the life of the said Thomas which Thomas and Iohn past away all their right therein to the Carthusian Monks at Wytham in Selewood in Com. Somerset 1 H. 5. who not only had the Ks. confirmation thereupon but his grant to hold them after the decease of the said Thomas during the time that the Warrs should last with France As also License to purchase from the said Monks of Preaux all the right and title that they had therein Howbeit such was the poverty of those Monks of Wytham that they were not able to go through with the bargaine before the Parliament held at Leicester in 2 H. 5. wherein there was an Act of Re-assumption made for seizing all the Lands and Possessions of the Priors-Alien into the Kings hand to be possest by him his heirs and successors for ever Which his son viz. King H. 6. being a pious Prince considering and no whit inclining to convert that to Lay-uses which had been formerly dedicated to Gods service as may sufficiently appear by his endowment of the Colledges in Cambridge and Eton with a great part of those lands and disposing of the rest to other Religious Houses not onely remitted to the said Monks of Wytham all the arrears of that annuall Rent reserved to the Crown for this and the other Mannours they so settled but without reservation of any further payment at all granted them to that Mâ—nastery of Wytham to hold and enjoy till he should make a revocation of his Patent And in 19. of his reâ—gn by his Patent dated at Westminster 28. Nov. wherein he recited his former grant out of a most devout affection to the said House of Wytham as being the first of that strict and holy Rule that had been founded in this Kingdom and to the intent that the Monks there serving God should more especially pray for the sâ—uls of his Royall Progenitors as also for his own sâ—ul after his departure out of this life gave unto them and their successors this Mannour of Warmington with that of Toftes and some other to hold and enjoy for ever in pure Almes But that Patent being judg'd invalid after Edward 4. had got the Crown the said Monks of Wytham obtained a new grant of them which bears date at Westminster 20. Iulii in the first year of his reign and held it accordingly till the generall dissolution of the Religious Houses by K.H. 8. whereupon coming to the Crown it was 27. Ian. 35. H. 8. granted unto William Sheldon and Francis Sheldon gentlemen and their heirs but how or when it past from these Sheldons I have not seen nor any more thereof than that in 5 E. 6. Sir Iohn Brown Knight had a License to grant it unto William Byâ—t and others The Church dedicated to S. Michael in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xii marks and a half and in 26 H. 8. at xvi li. iii s. x d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Pratellis Magr. Will. de Bockstones Subdiac 15. Cal. Oct. 1311. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Pratellis Magr. Thomas de Multon Cler. 9. Cal. Apr. 1331. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione Priorat de Warminton in manu sua exist Ioh. de Uppynham Cler. 13. Cal. Iulii 1349. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione Priorat de Warminton in manu sua exist Ioh. de Penerwich 15. Cal. Aug. 1350. Procurator Abb. C. de Pratellis Ioh. Careswell Pbr. 2. Non. Ian. 1361. Procurator Abb. C. de Pratellis Ioh. Bosevill Pbr. 4. Non. Aug. 1364. D. Rex ratione ut supra Ioh. Leech Pbr. 9. Cal. Dec. 1373. D. Rex ratione ut supra Thom. de Pennerudok Aâ—coliâ—us 14. Cal. Maii. 1376. D. Thom. Erpyngham miles Râ—b Lymbourne Cap. 7. Aug. 1404. Prior Conv. de Wytham Ric. Nayler Pbr. 13. Oct. 1429. Prior Conv. de Wytham D. Will. Hull Cap. 12. Iunii 1432. Prior Conv. de Wytham Ioh. Reedhull 10. Ian. 1440. D. Rex D. Sim. Pope Cap. 10. Maii. 1543. Iohan. Crocker de Hoke-Norton in Com. Oxon. ar Ioh. Hawle 10. Sept. 1554. Ric. Petipher de Radway ex conâ—â—ss Ric. Cowper de Warmington Anth. Petipher Cler. fil dicti Rich. 10. ` Dec. 1602. Guliel Hall Edw. Wotton Ric. Wotton in art Magr. 6. Febr. 1628. Arlescote THis little Hamlet standing under Edg-Hill somewhat near the elbow where it turns westwards was in the Conquerors dayes possest by the Earl of Mellent being given unto him with other vast lands in this County by King William upon sharing the Realm amongst his Noâ—mans and at the time of the generall Survey contained five hides and three virgates which five hides were then certified to belong unto the Monks of Preaux in Normandy and valued at 3 li. having been the freehold of one Bovi in Edward the Confessors dayes but the three virgates were then in the hands of the Earl himself and valued at ii s. In that Record it is written Orlavescote which name proceeded as I guess from some antient dweller there in the Danes or Saxons time Here it is that I have resolved to say someâ—hing Historically of the before recited Earl of Mellent in regard that by his pious gift of the 〈◊〉 part of this village to the said Monks of Preaux and his great possessions in this Shire he deserves to be signally memorized He was the son to Roger de Bellomont a person of great esteem with King William the first when he was but Duke of Normandy being one of his prime Councellers by Aâ—elina daughter of Wallâ—ran and sister to Hugh Earl of Mellent after tâ—e death of which Hugh without issue hâ—â— â—bâ—ained the Castle of Mellent from the King of France for a summe of money and succeeded him in the title of Earl Of his speciall valour in that famous Battail with Duke William whereby he got the Crown of England hearken to what Guil. Pictavensis saith Tyro quidam Normannus Rogerii de Bellomonte filius Hugonis de Mellento Comitis ex Adelina sorore nepos haeres praelium illo die primùm experiens egit quod aeternandum esset laude cum legione quam in dextro cornu duxit irruens ac sternens magna cum audatia No mervail therefore then that besides his inheritance in Normandy he obtained
Kintone for the service of the fourth part of a Knights fee. Which Raph being dead in 16 H. 3. Alice his widow had an assignment of this land for her maintenance but the next possessor thereof was Henry de Trublevill and after him though how I cannot discover Thomas de Wapenbury of whom in Wapenbury I have spoke scil in 20 H. 3. Which Thomas granted it to Iohn Mile who had issue Richard and he Henry Mile whose daughter and heir called Margaret was wedded to Will de Welham and over-lived him being a widow in 30 E. 3. To this Margaret succeeded Sir Iohn Brauncestre Knight as owner of this Mannour but whether by purchase or otherwise I cannot directly affirm which Iohn demised all or the greatest part thereof to one Robert Dalby and Iohn Dalby his son in 51 E. 3. and afterwards sold it to Hugh Dalby whom I conceive to be son to the said Iohn This Hugh Dalby was Fermour unto Thomas de Moubray Duke of Norff. of his Mannour of Kineton in R. 2. time and a person in much trust and imployment by the descendants of that Duke as I shall shew anon In 19 R. 2. he bore the office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 20 R. 2. Thomas Moubray Earl of Nottingham and Marshall of England by his Deed bearing date 10. Feb. in consideration of his good service granted to him an annuity of x li. per an during life issuing out of his Mannour of Chacombe in Northamptonshire having in Octob. before being then Governour of Calais in Picardy constituted him with Iohn Styvecle his Atturneys to prosecute all suits for him and answer whatsoever should happen in his absence In 22 R. 2. he was constituted one of the Justices of Peace in this County and in 17 H. 6. departed this life leaving Iohn Dalby his son and heir 32. years of age who dying without issue Ric. Dalby his brother became his heir Which Richard was made Feodary to Iohn Duke of Norff. in 32 H. 6. for all his lands lying in the Counties of Leic. Warwick Notingham Derby and elsewhere within the Realm of England the Counties of Norff. Suff. Sussex and Surrey excepted for the levying collecting and receiving of all Reliefs and profits whatsoever accruing by such Knights fees as belong'd to the said Duke As also his Receiver generall to collect all the Fees and commodities appertaining to him by reason of his Office of Earl Marshall of England through every Barony and part of a Barony according to the Statute therein made and provided for which pains and travail therein he was to have the one half of all the said profits over and above his reasonable costs expended in that service This Richard in 38 H. 6. went over with Nich. Husce esquier into Picardy for the custody of the Castle of Guynes in respect whereof he had the Kings Letters of protection but upon his recesse to this his house at Brokhampton where he made his abode the said protection was revok't and died in 6 E. 4. leaving Robert his son and heir from whom is lineally descended Richard Dalby gent. now Lord of this Mannour Cumbroke THis lying neer unto a narrow and deep valley through which the little brook before specified runs had thence its name the word Cumbe signifying in our old English such a hollow place as I have elsewhere shewed But there is very little that I find memorable in relation thereto other than the dedication of the Church and Church-yard by Simon Bishop of Worcester in H. 1. time to the honour of God the blessed Virgin and St. Margaret saving the right of the mother Church of Kineton For I cannot see that it was a distinct Mannour of it self but that the Mannours of Kineton and Brokhampton did extend into it as from sundry authorities may be observed and therefore I shall passe it by onely taking notice that the Chapell in 26 H. 8. for so it was then called had the small Tithes and oblations of this Hamlet belonging to it which were valued at Cvi s. viii d. per annum Compton-Murdak THis taking its name as all other Comptons do from the situation in or neer some deep valley hath had the addition of Murdak to distinguish it from the many other Comptons in this County in regard that the family of Murdak were antiently owners thereof In the Conquerors time it was possest by the Earl of Mellent and rated at vii hides which were valued at vi li. there being then a Church but in the generall Survey then taken it is written Contone From this Earl of Mellent it came to his brother Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick with other great possessions in this County as I have elswhere often intimated whose son and successor Earl Roger granted it together with the advouson of the Church unto Robert Murdac and his heirs towards the later end of H. 1. time to hold by the service of one Knights fee Will. Earl of Warwick confirming the same unto Roger son to the said Robert In 38 H. 3. Will. Murdac had a Charter of Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands in this place and in Hethcote in Northamptonshire which Will. in 7 E. 1. had two carucates of of land in demesn here xv Tenants holding severall proportions by sundry servile labours and certain Rents as also 3. Freeholders and xvi Cottiers Being a Knight in 13 E. 1. he had his tryall at Warwick before the Justices of Gaol delivery concerning the death of one Raph le Bedel for which he was questioned and departed this life in 26 E. 1. leaving Iohn his son and heir Rob. Murdac 11 H. 2. Rog. Murdac 26 H. 2. Thom. Murdac defunctus 36 H. 3. Will. Murdac obiit 26 E. 1. Nich. Murdac Rector Eccl. de Hethcote Ioh. Murdac fil haeres obiit fine prole Tho. Murdac miles obiit 9 E. 2. Iuliana filia Philippi de Gayton militis Ioh. Murdac miles 16 E. 2. Thomas Murdac miles 44 E. 3. Thomas Murdac obiit fine prole Arnoldus Murdac frater haeres 6 H. 4. Thomas Murdac 17 E. 2. 26. years of age of whom I meet with no more mention the next possessor thereof being Thomas Murdac his brother which Thomas in 29 E. 1. having summons with divers other persons of great quality to be at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast day of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist well appointed with Horse and Armes to march with the King in person and at his charge against the Scots was likewise a Knight and took to wife Iulian the daughter of Sir Philip de Gayton Knight but dyed in 9 E. 2. leaving issue Iohn his son and heir 18. years of age who was a Knight in 16 E. 2. and in 1 E. 3. constituted
of 20 E. 3. howbeit till 6 E. 2. I have not found any mention thereof but then did Iohn de Whitâ—hurch hold lands here to the value of x li. And in 8. E. 3. Sir Robert de Vale Knight possessing it with Compton-Scorfen entailed it upon Iohn his son and heir who had his residence here and dyed seized of it in 36 E. 3. leaving Iohn Burdet and Iohn Norrys his cosins and heirs as in Ludinton may be seen To which family of Burdet it continued till 10 H. 8. that Sir Iohn Burdet Knight past it away to George Throkmorton Esquire and others Atherston super Stoure THis place standing a little lower and on the same side of the Stoure hath that distinction scil from the said River by reason that there is another town called Atherston on the North part of the County And being one of those towns which Odo Bishop of Baieux had of his half brother the Conquerors gift in this Shire was by the generall Survey then taken certified to contain 4. hides and to be held of the said Bishop by one Corbin having a Church as also a Mill which yielded x s. and x. sticks of Eeles but the whole valued at iv li. In that Record it is written Edricestone which shews that it had its originall denomination from one Edricus in the Saxons time It seems that the Ancestor of Raph de Ruperiis was antiently enfeoft thereof and by the K. 't is like in regard of the said Bishop's forfeiture Whether Roger de Ruperiis first enjoy'd it I am not certain though in King Iohn's time he had it but being a Norman he was dispossest thereof by K. H. 3. by reason of his adhering to the K. of France and subjecting himself with what he had in Normandy to his obedience whereupon the King gave it to Godfrey de Craucumbe which Godfrey had also a grant of it from Raph de Ruperiis above-mentioned who thereby reserved to himself and his heirs a pair of gilt Spurs to be paid yearly at Easter for all services which grant the said King confirmed but there it is written Aderichestan and Adrichestone howbeit afterwards scil in 32 H. 3. the King bestowed the inheritance thereof on Geffrey de Langley of whom in Pinley I have spoke in which Charter he calls it Eschaeta nostra de terris Normannorum making also mention that he had it of the said Godfrey in exchange for Staunforham in Northumberland To this Geffrey succeeded Iohn de Langley his grandchild in the possession thereof who in 7 E. 1. held it of the King in Capite by a pair of gilt Spurrs having at that time two carucates of land in demesn and seven Tenants holding seven yard land paying severall Rents and performing sundry servile labours as also a Court-Leet But from this Iohn by some private agreement it seems was it passed to Geffrey de Langley his younger brother for the said Geffrey being possest thereof in 15 E. 1. and impleaded for certain lands here at that time by Fouk de Lucy called his said brother Iohn to warranty Which Geffrey being a devout man became signed with the Crosse for a voyage to the Holy Land in 55 H. 3. In 22 E. 1. he was one of the Knights of the retinue to Edmund Earl of Lancaster upon whom being attending at such time as he agitated a Peace betwixt the then King of France and his brother King Edward of England he was sent with Letters by the said King of France to recall the Constable of that Realm then upon his march into Gascoign with an Army and afterwards returning to England released to the Monks of Stoneley x li. per annum of that annuity of xx li. which had been reserved to Geffrey de Langley his father when he granted to them the Mannour of Staverton in this County whose descendants in the male line enjoyed this Lordship for divers generations Iohn being the last of them that I find who at the death of William his father in 22 E. 4. was about 13. years of age but dyed without issue leaving Alianore his sister and heir as it seems for in 12 H. 7. it appears that Iohn Clanelke and Alianore his wife levied a Fine of this Mannour whereby it was conveyed to Richard Empson and his heirs with warranty against her the said Alianore and her heirs After which it came to Thomas Morton Esquier who in 37 H. 8. past it to Thomas Hunks which T. Hunkâ— dyed seized thereof in 5. 6. Ph. M. leaving Robert his son and heir of full age To whom succeeded Iohn Hunks Gentleman who dying seized of it in 1 Eliz. left Ursula his daughter and heir six years of age afterwards married to Raphe Lidkote The advouson of the Church was given in K. Iohn's time to the Monks of Teuksbury by Roger de Ruperiis but never appropriated to them In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectory was valued at vi marks so likewise in 14 E. 3. but in 26 H. 8. at xiii li. vi s. viii d. out of which was allowed for Procurations and Synodalls xii â— and iv s. yearly Pension to the Monks of Tewksbury Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Will. de Dalby Accol 6. Id. Ian. 1304. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Mr. Rad. Turvill Cler. 11. Cal. Ian. 13â—4 Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Mr. Rob. de Southam 5. Ian. 1339. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Will. de Herdewyke Cap. 13. Aug. 1362. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Will. Solito 12. Dec. 1364. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ioh. Rose Pbr. 8. Aug. 1392. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ioh. Tymmes 28. Sept. 1410. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Rob. Osgodby Cap. 3. Apr. 1426. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Magr. Will. Vauce 20. Ian. 1446. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Thomas Compton Cap. 4. Apr. 1448. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Rog. Kyningham Cap. 22. Iunii 1469. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury Ric. Ferâ—hing 24. Dec. 1472. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Thom. Râ—ttur Cap. 26. Iunii 1489. Abbas Conv. de Teuksbury D. Ric. Sâ—lbrugg Cap. 24. Martii 1505. Ric. Bydle Civis Wigorn ratione concess Ab. Conv. de Tewksbury D. Rob. â—kyres Pbr. 14. Nov. 1545. Ioh. Turner de Atherston gen Magr. Will. Stocke in S. Theol. Bacc. 23. Nov. 1581 Ioh. Turner de Atherston gen Tho. Wilde Cler. 20. Feb. 1583. Ioh. Turner Will Turner ejus filius Ioh. Rogers Cler. 11. Ian. 1608. Ioh. Turner Will Turner ejus filius Magâ—â— Ric. Wright Cler. 16. Sept 1622. Ayleston THis little Village situate in the Parish of Atherston lyeth on the other side the water and in the Conquerors time being possest by
Fullwode and others divers lands for to find two Priests celebrating divine service here for ever all which being forfeited to the King in regard of such disposall made of them without the Royall License contrary to the Statute in that case made and provided were thereupon given away by K. Ric. unto one Iohn Swet who having a desire to assign over his right and state in them unto Rose Mountfort then a great woman in this Parish obtained a Pat. from K. H. 4. in the first year of his reign whereby the said K. gave them unto her and her heirs for ever to the intent that shâ— and they should provide and maintain two Chantrie-Priests to celebrate divine service daylie in this Church at the Altar of our Lady before mentioned aswell for the good estate of the said K. Henry during this life and afterwards for the health of his soul and the souls of his Mother and Queen deceased as for the soul of the said Rose and the souls of her ancestors and heirs and other Benefactors to the said Chantrye Which Rose by her Deed bearing date 8 Maii in the same year reciting the grant so made to her as abovesaid gave those lands unto Iohn Blakenhale and Ric. Boys Priests serving at the before specified Altar to hold to them and their successors Priests of that Chantrie to celebrate divine service there for ever according to the limitations before mentioned The advouson of which Chantrie descended by the said Rose Mountfort to the Catesbies but by reason of the attainder of Sir Wil. Catesbie in 1 H. 7. was granted in 3 H. 7. to Sir Iames Blount and to the heirs male of his body In â—6 H. 8. the lands belonging thereto were valued at xiii l. vi s. viii d. per an but in 37 H. 8. to no more than vii l. vii s. iiii d. at which time I find it certified that this Parish was xx miles in compass so that in case of Plague or ohter sickness there the Priests belonging thereto did use to assist the Vicar in ministring the Sacraments and Sacramentals The lands of both which Chantries were granted in 7 E. 6. to Kenelm Throkmorton Clem. Throkmorton and Iohn Throkmorton Esquires and their heirs I now come to the particular places of note within this Parish viz. Umberslade Monkspath Cley-Hall Codbarow Cheswikes Betlesworth Lodbroke's-Mannour Sidenhale and Crewenhale of which in their order Vmberslade THis being onely an antient Mannour house was in H. 2. time partly given by Henry de Vilers Sewer to Will Earl of Warwick unto Rob. Archer and Seliit his wife and to the heirs of Seliit in which grant it is termed terra de Ombreslade and the said Robert called Rob. Sagittarius and partly by Roger de Hulehale to her the said Seliit onely From which Robert and Seliit I have on the next page represented the lineall descendants with their matches clearly warranted from the originall Charters and evidences of this antient Family whose principall seat it still continues Of William the son to Rob. and Seliit I find that he had a grant of much land here in Tanworth by VValeran Earl of Warwick about the beginning of K. Iohn's reign which is set forth by speciall boundaries according to the use of those times and likewise a Bull from Pope Gregory the ix th for a peculiar Chapell at this place bearing date in 19 H. 3. In the Windows whereof are yet standing and of no less antiquity than E. 3. time the Arms of Beauchamp E. of Warwick Clinton Earl of Huntingdon as also of this Family as they were then set up in the Glass Which VVill. left issue Iohn who being Champion to Thomas Earl of Warwick obtained a speciall Charter from the said Earl to himself and his heirs for freedom to hauk and hunt every where within the territories of Tanworth excepting the Park and to excercise all other Liberties belonging to the said Earl within Monkspath and Ombreslade paying therefore unto him and his heirs xii broad Arrow heads a couple of Capons at Whitsontide yearly This Iohn had issue Iohn and divers other children whereof Thomas was Lord Prior of the Hospitall of St. Iohn of Hierusalem in England in 14 E. 2. which Iohn the younger matching with Margery the daughter of Sir VVill. Traci of Todington in Gloucestershire an eminent family in those parts left issue Iohn and Thomas Of which Thomas I find that having been in that Rob. Sagittarius temp H. 2. Seliit Ricardus Johannes Will. le Archer obiit circa 23 H. 3. Margeria Iohanna ux Walt. filii Sim. de Cherlecote Isab. ux Wil. filii Rad. de Lee. Thomas Joh. le Archer obiit temp H. 3. Christiana secundò nupra Will. de Berneville Tho. Prior S. Ioh Hicrosol in Anglia 14 E. 2. Wil. Rector Eccl. de Pilardinton Rob. Rector Eccl. de Queinton Ioh. le Archer ob ante 28 E. 1. Margeria filia Will. Traci de Toding ton in Com. Glouc. Ric. Rector Eccl. de Ilmindon 23 E. 3. Will. le Archer 2 E. 2. Thomas 10 E. 2. Ioh. le Archer obiit circa 22. E. 3. Isabella filia Rad. Escote 1 E. 3. Ioh. le Archer 16 E. 3. Thomas le Archer obiit 46 E. 3. Margareta filia .... Cleburie Gilbertus le Archer Agnes filia Walteri Cokesey mil. Thomas le Archer obiit 4 H. 6. aetat 84. an Alicia ux 2. Alicia filia Will. Hugford de Midleton in Com. Salop mil. obiit 8. H. 5. Ric. Archer obiit 11 E. 4. aetat 85. Margareta relicta Tho. Newport de Ercall ar ux 2. Alicia filia haeres Wil. Lea de Stotfold ux 3. Ioh. Archer obiit 3. E. 4. vivo patre Christiana sola filia haeres Rad. de Blacklow Civis Lond. relicta Hen. Sewall nupra 25 H. 6. Ioh. Archer obiit 4 Dec. 11. H. 8. Alicia filia Baldwini Mountfort de Colshill mil. nupta 7 E. 4. Ioh. Archer obiit 16 Apr. 12. H. 8. Margareta filia Humfridi Staftord de Blatherwick nupta 19 H. 7. obiit 21. H. 8. Edw. Archer obiit coelebs temp Iac. Regis Iohannes Robertus Ric. Archer ob 5. Oct. 36. H. 8. aet 39. Matilda filia cohaer Nich. De la mere de Hereford parva ob 23. Aug. 6 5. Ph. M. Edw. Fulco Miles Francisca Wimfrida Anna Humfr. Archer obiit 24 Oct. 4. Eliz. Anna filia Rob. Tounsend de Ludlow mil. Capit Iustic Walliae obiit 28 Nov. 5. Iac. Ioh. Archer duxit Elianoram fil haer Ric. Frewin de Handley in Com. Wigorn. Andreas Archer ob 23. Apr. An. 1629. Margar. filia Sim. Ralegh de Farnborough at obiit 16 Aug. 1614. Ric. Archer de Nethorp in Com. Oxon. duxit MariaÌ„ fil haer Roul Bull de Nethorp Simon Archer natus 21 Sept. 1581. factus eq aur per Regem Iac. 21 Aug. 1624. Anna filia Ioh. Ferrers de Tamworth castro eq aur
Hugh de Vienna that in 14 of that Kings reign he quitted to the Kts. Hospitalâ—rs the totall interest that he had in Riton super Dunsmore in 15. sold the Mannour of Rotley with the advouson of the Church unto Nic. de Eton and about that time likewise granted unto Thomas de Arden of Hanwell and â—ose his wife the inheritance of the Mannour of Pedimore and of all his lands lying here in Curdworth as also in Moxhall Minworth Echenours and Overton and to shut himself out of all made a conveyance unto Will. de Beauchamp then Earl 〈◊〉 Warwick and Maud his wife and the heirs of the same Earl of all the Fees throughout England that were held of him The Armes â—e bore were Chequi Or and Azure a Cheveron gules which his Ancestors assumed as it seemes 〈◊〉 regard that they held their lands of thâ— Earls of Warwick whose Cheveron was Ermine in the like 〈◊〉 but whether he left any issue I make a question I now come to Thomas de Arden of Hanwell unto whom this Lordship with other lanes were past by the last mentioned Sir Thomas whâ—â—◠〈◊〉 was at Rotley This Thomas was in that Welch expedition of 5 E. 1. but little else have I seen of him that is very memorable other than the Agreement betwixt the Earl of Warwick and him whereof I have spoken in Pedimore and the bearing of his Armes viz. Eâ—mine a Fesse Chequie as appeareth by his Seal as also that he married Rose daughter unto Raph de Vernun by wâ—om I think he had the said Lordship of Hanwell and left issue one only daughter called Ioan. wedded to Sir Iohn Swinford Knight To whom succeeded Robert his brother who living at Wykham near Banbury became Governour of Banbury Castle in 15 E. 2. and in 16 E. 2. was â—n the Scotch Expedition This Robert was in 3 E. 3. a Knight After which viz. the next ensuing year he obtained License of the King to fortifie his Mannour house at Wykham with an embattelled Wall of lime and stone and in 5 E. 3. departed this life seized of a very fair estate scil the Mannours of Draiton Hanwell Hornle Horynton Dunstuwe Yolughbury Wykham and Swalweclyve in Oxfordshire Wapenham and Sudburgh in Northamptonshire wâ—â— Perchingâ— Adburton Fulking Lawike Hangelton and Note-Knolle in com Suss. Whose grandson Giles being the last male of this branch left an only daughter called Margaret married to Lodowik Grevill Esq from whom the Grevills of this County did descend But the next possessor of this Mannour of whom I have seen any mention was Raph the son of Raph a younger son to Sâ—r Thomas Arden of Hanwell This Raâ—h was in 17 E. 2. certified to be one of the principal Esquires in this County and by Isabell his wife daughter unto Anselme de Bromwich left issue Iohn and Henry Which Iohn bore for his Armes Ermine a Fesse Chequie and in 33 E. 3. being a Knight as also a powerfull man in this County as my Author saith impleaded the Abbot of Leicester for the Mannour of Berwode with the advouson of this Church of Curdworth given to the Canons of that House by his Ancestors many ages before whereupon the Abbot fearing partiality in hearing the cause for it was to be tryed at Warwick procured the King's Letter to the Judges of this Circuit viz. Sir Iohn de Moubray and Thomas de Hingylby requiring them that he might have equal right by means whereof the Verdict past for the Abbot This Sir Iohn de Arden resided at his Mannour of Pedimore as it seems by a License to have divine Service celebrated in his Oratory there but left no other than heirs female whereof Rose was married h unto one Thomas Pakeson and the rest dyed issulesse which Pakeson was outlawed for Felony in 43 E. 3. and dyed in 2 R. 2. leaving Iohn his son 7 years of age 〈…〉 our Historians make ample mention and attempted the raysing forces in Shropshire but being laid hold on before their successe at S. Albans had made them so powerfull he was attainted of high Treason by Iames Earl of Wiltshire Richard Bingham and Iohn Portington Judges appointed to try him and others of that party and lost his life for the same offence on Saturday next after the Feast of S. Laurence the Martyr 30 H. 6. the custody of his lands being committed to Thomas Littleton Sergeant at Law Thomas Greswould and Iohn Gamell Esquires To whom succeeded Walter his son and heir by Eliz. daughter and heir to Ric. Clodshale which Walter having within two years after his Father's death obtained the King's Precept to his Eschaâ—tor for render of those lands in this County of his mothers inheritance and likewise of some other became ere long possest of the residue and wedded Elianore the daughter to Iohn Hampden of Hampden in Buckinghamshire But little else have 〈◊〉 of him that is memorable other than that by his Testament bearing date ult Iunii An. 1502 17 H. 7. he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Câ—urcâ— of S. Peter and Paul at Aston juxta Bermingham and to the Vicar of Aston for his 〈◊〉 and his Tithes forgotten his best Oxe â—ppointing â—â—kewâ—se thereby that at his burial xii li. oâ— Wax shâ—uld be â—pent in Lights and six Torches â—orn by six poor men each of them having a black Gown for that service As also a Trentall of Masses sung for his son and for the souls of his Father and Mother and all Christen souls constituting Flâ—aâ—ore his wife Executrix and Edw. Belbnap Iâ—hn Bâ—acebrigge with Iohn Boteler of Solihull Overâ—eers thereof Thâ—s Walter left issue Iohn Arden his son and heir one of the Esquiers of the Body to K. H. 7. Which Iohn wedded Alice daughter to Ric. Bracebrigge of Kingsbury Esq But concerning this marriage there aâ—ose no smal dâ—fference betwixt the Parents on each side Walter Arden the Father alledging that the said Richard and his servants had stolen away his son Howbeit at length by a reference to Sir Sim. Mountfort of Colshill Kâ— and Sâ—r â—ic Biâ—gham the Judge who then 〈…〉 Midlâ—ton it was determined that the marriage shâ—uld be solemnized betwixt them in February 13 E. 4. and in consideration of CC. maâ—ks portion a convenient Jointure setled as also that for the â—e passe done by the same Richard Bracebrigge in so taking away the young gentleman he shâ—uld give to the before specified Walter 〈◊〉 the best Horse that could by him be chosen in Kingsbury Park Wâ—â—câ— Iohn Arden bequeathed also his body to be buried in Aston Church beforementioned before the 〈◊〉 Image of our blessed Lady of Pitie 〈◊〉 whose Tâ—stamâ—n bearing date 4 Iunii 17 H. 8. here being some things very memorable I shall here recite them Item I bequethe for my Mortuary or Câ—rs present a
of the before specified Iohn Mireden THis place situate upon London-road having from some Inns and Alehouses built for the receipt of Passengers grown of late times to the credit of a Village doth now utterly eclipse the name of Alspath by which and none other the Town it self â—c where the Church standeth was known even from the Saxons times till about the beginning of King Henry the sixt's reign for of Myredene till then I have never seen mention in any authentique writing so that I conceive it to have been about that time that the buildings in this thorough-fare increast to such a considerable number that the name of the place where they stand came to be more frequently used than that of the Town it self Yet am I of opinion that the place where the greatest part of Myridene now stands was very antiently so called for the later syllable dene â—mporteth no lesse being the old English word that signifieth a Valley as this is which I suppose for the foulnesse thereof was at first called Miredene By the Conqueror's Survey where it is written Ailespede and certified to contain four hides having Woods of a mile and half in length and a miâ—e in breadth it appears that the Countess Godeva possest it in Edward the Confessor's days whence I conclude that the famous Earl Leofrike her husband of whom I have spoke at large in Coventre was formerly owner thereof but at the time of the said Survey it with the rest of the lands in this Shire which the said Countess before the Norman invasion held were in the King's hands and ferm'd out by him to one Nicholas This at that time being valued at xxx s. with Coventre and the rest was granted afterwards to the Earl of Chester as it seems but as yet I have not seen when the first of that Familie who assumed their sirname from hence was enfeoft of those lands here which they enjoyed Perhaps it was Ivo de Alspath who lived in H. 2. time for before him I have not observed this sirname attributed to any other To which Ivo succeeded Gerard and Walter but whether they were brothers or not I am not certain It seems that both these had a good share in this place for Gerard de Alspath son of that Ger. in 41 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here and Walter was stiled Dominus de Alspath This Gerard holding certain lands of Richard de Amundevill Lord of Berkswell for which he did Homage in 33 H. 3. by his Deed obligatory bound himself to pay unto the said Richard and his heirs a pair of gilt Spurs yearly at Easter in Berskwell-Hall or xii d. in money whether they should please to choose But that which Walter de Alspath had descended to William de Alspath who in 32 E. 1. had also Free warren granted to him in all his demesn lands thereof This William had a daughter called Annabel second wife to Gerard de Alspath son and heir to the last mentioned Gerard but whether she was an inheritrix or not I make a question Which Gerard and Annabel had issue Sâ—r Gerard de Alspath Knâ—ght a Servant or at least a very great Well-wisher to Roger Mortimer Earl of March who helping to contrive the escape of the said Roger out of the Tower of London where he was a Prisoner by reason of the difference betwixt him and Thomas Earl of Lancaster fled with him out of England for which he got a speciall Pardon in 4 E. 3. Betwixt the descendants of this Sir Gerard and Margerie his neice grew afterwards suits for a great part of these lands the issue whereof was this in brief that the said Margerie whom one William Cocks had taken to wife past away all her right unto Iohn de Chetwyn in whose line it conâ—inued till 2. E. 6. that Thomas Chetwyn of Ingestre in Com. Staff Esquire sold it by the name of the Mannour of Alspath alias Myridene with th' appurtenances unto Iohn Hales of Coventre Gentleman Which Iohn by his Deed bearing date 4 Ian. 4 E. 6. past it unto his brother Christopher and his heirs who in 1. 2. Ph. M. sold it unto Edward Aglionby Esquire and Iohn Holbech Gentleman and Elizabeth his wife to the uses following viz. the one moitie thereof to the said Edward Aglionby his heirs and assignes for ever and the other to the said Elizabeth and the heirs of her body begotten by Iohn Dabridgcourt Gentleman her late husband and for lack of such issue to the right heirs of the said Elizabeth But afterwaâ—ds viz. in 6 Eliz. did Thomas Dabridgcourt Esquire son and heir to the said Iohn and Elizabeth pass back their right and title therein to the before specified Edward Aglionby and his heirs which Edward within 4. years after sold it unto his son in Law William Foster Gentleman Ivo de Alspath Gerardus de Alspath Gerardus de Alspath 41 H. 3. Gerardus de Alspath 27 E. 1. Matilda filia Oâ—berti de Clinton 27 F. 1. Ioh. de Alspath Margeria 50 E. 3. Will. Cocks 50 E. 3. Walt. dominus de Alspath Will. de Alspath 32 E. 1. Annora 9 E. 2. Annabellaâ— Gerardus de Alspath 8 E. 2. Annora filia haeres Gebon ... Arnamentarius Regi E. 3. Margareta Isab. Margeria Radulfus Peche secundus maritus Annora filia haeres Ioh. Peche Ioh. Peche And of this William Foster did Richard Corbet of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. Esquire purchase it in 25 Eliz. viz. to himself and Mary his wife for their lives with remainder to Robert Corbet of Morton-Corbet in Com Salop. his brother and his heirs From which Robert Corbet it descended to Elizabeth his daughter and heir wife to Sir Henry Wallop of Fairley in Com. Sutht Knight who in 7 Iac. aliened it to William Andrews and Iohn Halsall Gentlemen and their heirs From which William and Iohn did Thomas Holbech Gentleman purchase the Capitall messuage or Mannour place with certain lands thereto belonging in Iune 10 Iac the residue being for the most part parcell'd out in petty sales to other persons From whom it is come to Mathew Holbech his son and heir that now enjoys it Within the precincts of this Parish had the Segraves antiently certain lands and Rents which were held of them immediatly of Iohn de Langley and by him of the Earl of Chester's heir viz. Hugh de Albini by the fourth part of a Knight's Fee and in process of time came to have the reputation of a Mannour All which were extended in 50 H. 3. for the rebellion of Nicholas de Segrave but repossessing them again by vertue of the Dictum de Kenilworth they descended to Iohn de Segrave his son and heir who having made a good addition to his inheritance here by
to this Mannour in regard that Sir Baldwyn his Father finding that Sir Edm. Mountfort his half brother before spoken of had backt himself with the countenance of the D. of Buck. a mighty man for the Lancastrian interest made a Feâ—ffment thereof unto this King when he was but Earl of March the better to maintain his title thereto After which viz. in 11 E. 4. he underwent the S. iâ—ffaltie of this Countie and Leicestershire and was retained by the said King to serve him in the wars of France for one whole year with five Spears himseâ—f accounted and Lx. Archers well and sufficiently armed and arrayed taking for himself ii s. per diem for the rest of the said Spears xviii d. and for the Archers vi d. a peice the King to have the third part of all prizes in war taken by him or any of his retinue In 9 E. 4. he had the Lieutenâ—ncie of the Isle of Wight and Castle of Caresbroke under Sir Anth. Widvile Kt. Lord Scales of Nucells and of the said Isle And being made a Kt. Baneret 24 Maii 11 E. 4. served in the wars of Normandie in 15 E. 4. And was in all Commissions of the Peace during the whole reign of that King as also of Array Gaol-deliverie and levying of Subsidies for the most part imployed So also in H. 7. time till the xâ— of his reign being likewise in 4. a Commissioner in this Countie for assigning and choosing of Archers for releif of the Dutchie of Brittanie which imployments do argue that he was a person of great wisdom and courage But such an unhappy fate attended him that by attainder in 10 H. 7. he lost his life whereby his possessions which were very large became confiscate to the utter ruin of his Familie The crime of Treason layd to his charge was this viz. that he sent xxx l. in money by Henry his younger son unto Perkin Warbeck who counterfaiting himself to be one of the murthered sons of K. Edw. 4. did make severall attempts for the obtaining of the Crown In the behalf of which Perkin much hath been said by some arguing that he was really the second son to K. Edward Whether he was so or not I will not stand to dispute but doubtless many did really beleive him so to be of which number this Sir Simon was one having been a stedfast friend to the House of York for it appears that upon his triall in Guild-Hall London the Friday next before Candlemass-day 10 H. 7. in the presence of Edw. D. of Buck. Thom. Marq. Dorset Thom. Earl of Arundell and others Commissioners for that purpose he denied not the charge having thereupon Judgement to be drawn through the midst of the Citie as also hang'd and quartered at Tiburne and being executed accordingly was attainted in the Parl. begun at Westm. 14 Oct. the year following which sad Catastrophe did put a period to the greatness of this antient Familie the line whereof the Pedegree before inserted doth shew till these present times but what I have farther to say thereof is in Kingshurst Upon the confiscation of whose lands this Mannour was soon disposed of by the K unto Simon Digby Deputie to Iohn Earl of Oxford then Constable of the Tower which Simon Digby brought this unhappy Gentleman to the Bar at his said Triall the Patent extending to the heirs male of his body and bearing date at Westminster 23 Dec. 11 H. 7. to whom it still continues Everardus Digby miles coesus in praelio apud Touton 1 E. 4. Everardus Digby mil. a quo Digby de Stokedrye in com Rutl. Sim Digby de Colshill ar ob 12 H. 8. Alicia filia haeres Ioh. Waleys Regin Digby ar ob 25 Apr. 3 E. 6. Anna filia cohaer Ioh. Danvers ar Ioh. Digby ar obiit 15 Nov. ult Mariae Anna filia Georgii Throkmorton de Coughton mil. Georgius Digby factus eques aur in obsid. de Zurphen in Handria per Rob. Comitem Leic. 28 Eliz. obiit 4 Febr. seq Abigal filia Arthuri Heveningham mil. secundò nupta Edw. Cordell ar Rob. Digby factus eq aur apud Dublin in Hibern per Rob. Com. Essexiae an 38 Eliz. obiit .... Maii 16 Iac. Leticia filia haeres Geraldi Fitz-Gerald fil haer Geraldi Comitis de Kildare Robertus Digby erectus in Baronem Digby de Geashill in Hibern per Regem Iac. Sara filia Ric. Boyle Comitis de Corke in Hibernia Catherina Leticia Kildare Baro Digby infra aet an 1640. Ioh. Digby erectus in Baronem Digby de Shiâ—burne Com. Bristoll per Regem Iac. Thomas Digby de Mansfeild-Woodhouse in com Not. Touching the Ancestors of which Simon I find that they having antiently their residence at Tilton in Leicestershire thereupon assumed then sirname from thence in H. 2. time but afterwards fixing at Digby in Lincolnshire were called of that place which ever since hath been the known name of this Family Of which line was Iohn de Digby one of the Commissioners for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick in 11. 12. 14. 15 32. and 33 E. 1. But I return This Simon was second son to Sir Everard Digby of Tilton Kt. which Sir Everard and three of his Brethren lost their lives at Touton-field in Yorkshire on K. H. 6. part But our Simon after he saw that the House of Yorke prevailed carried himself so obsequiously to Edw. 4 th that in 18 of that King's reign he had a grant of an annuitie of x l. per an issuing out of Retford-Mills in Nottinghamshire in consideration of his faithfull service done and to be done as the Patent doth import And within two years after pro bono commodisero servicio quod idem Simon multimodis laboribus expensis nobis per-antea multipliciter impendit as the King expresseth had the Forestership of Thornwodes in the Southern part of Shirewood bestowed on him for life also with the Fee of iiii d. per diem for the performance of that Office Yet no sooner did the Earl of Richmund appear in England though but with slender forces than that he with his six valiant Brothers viz. Sir Everard Digby of Tilton before specified Iohn Digby of Ketelby Rouland Digby of Welby both in Leicestershire Lybeus Digby of Luffnam in Rutland Thomas and Benjamin not forgetting the Lancastrian interest came in to him and fought stoutly on his part at Bosworth-field against K. Richard After which the said Earl having obtained a glorious victorie and being there crowned King by the name of Henry the vii th advanced Iohn and Thomas to the dignitie of Knighthood making the former also Knight-Marshall of his houshold and the other one of the Gentlemen-Huishers of his Chamber conferring on him the Bailywick of Olney in Buckinghamshire and Keepership of the Park there where he thenceforth made his residence
of age but was attended with very ill success in that expedition for no sooner did he arrive with his Army at the Port of Rochel but that the Spanish Navie fell suddainly upon them before they could put themselve in order to fight so that few of them escaped death wounds or imprisonment and yet without any considerable loss to the Enemy who forthwith set fire on all the English Ships carrying away the Earle and many gallant Gentlemen as also no less than twenty thousand marks in money sent over by the K. of England to continue the war which unhappy accident fell out on the Eve of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativitie being the Festivall of St. Aetheldred the Virgin and therefore was it censured by many as my Author observeth that God's judgement so followed him as a punishment for the injurie he had done to the Church of that holy Virgin sc. Ely in a cause betwixt the Church of St. Edmundsbury and it before his departure out of England and that the money so lost had no better luck forasmuch as it had been got from the Religious Houses and Clergy But others attributed it to his living an adulterous life being a married man that he also had attempted in Parliament an infringement of the Church its Liberties and that he perswaded the King to lay greater Taxes upon the Clergie than Laitie for support of his wars which practises of pilling and poling the Church however the temporall Lords saith the same Author were pleased yet what success they had not onely England but the whole world hath sufficiently found I now come to speak of his death the circumstances whereof were as followeth viz. that having undergone four years imprisonment in Spain with most inhumane usage he sent to Bertrand Clerkin Constable of France desiring that he would use some means for his enlargement who thereupon interceded for him to the Bastard of Spain that called himself King and obtained his libertie in consideration of part of that money due to himself whereupon he was brought to Paris and a sum of money assigned which he must pay for his redemption but after his coming thâ—ther it was not long ere that he fell mortally sick of Poison as 't was thought given to him by the Spaniards who were reputed to have such a speciall facultie in that Art as that the potion should kill at what distance of time they pleased The French therefore seeing death approaching him being eager to get his ransome money before he died made haste to remove him unto Calais but on his jâ—urney thither he departed this world upon the very day of St. Aetheldred the Virgin which Saint he had so much offended before his coming out of England as hath been said though the Inquis after his death expresseth it to have been the xvi th of Aprill his son and heir Iohn being at that time but two years old and a half and was buried in the Quire of the Friers Preachers at Hereford as by his Testament and what I shall hereafter say may seem But here before I proceed farther I must observe that this Iohn in 43 E. 3. obtaining License for that purpose from the King made a Feoffment unto Walter Amyas and others of all his Castles Lordships Mannours c in England and Wales to certain uses which Feoftment being left sealed up in the hands of the Feoffees to be kept till his return from beyond Seas was upon his death delivered to the King's Councell at Westminster who opening it found that in case he died without issue of his body the town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his heirs and successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and all other his lands in England and Wales in Fee to his Cosin Will. de Beauchamp viz. his Mother's sisters son provided that he should bear his Armes and endeavour to obtain his title of Earl and in case he neglected so to do that then his Kinsman Will. de Clinton to have them upon the same conditions But I return to his said son and heir of whom I find that at the Coronation of K. Ric. 2. he claimed to carry the great gold Spurs and that though he shewed sufficient evidence for his right so to do yet being under age it was adjudged that the King might appoint another for that time whereupon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March was assigned thereto And moreover that he took to wife whilst he was very young Philippa daughter to the said Edmund Earl of March â— but had no issue by her for being at Wodstoke where the King kept his Christmass in 13 of his reign he tilted with Sir Iohn St. Iohn and by an unfortunate slip was run into the bottome of his Belly so that his bowells breaking out he suddainly died to the great lamentation of many in regard he was a person of so noble a disposition that in bountie and curtesie he exceeded most of his degree So that it is observed that from Aymerie de Valence Earl of Pembroke his lineall ancestor who was one that gave Judgement of death upon Thomas Earl of Lancaster in â— 2. time even unto this Iohn the last Earl of the line none of them ever saw his Father nor any Father of them took delight in the seeing his Child so young were they at their Fathers deaths His body was interred in the Church of the Gray Friers near New-gate in London now called Christ's-Church where he had a fair Monument since with all the rest defaced Dying thus without issue Râ—ginald Lord Grey of Ruthin was by some Inquis found his next heir of the whole blood as descended from Elizabeth sister to Iohn great-grandfather to the said Earl so slain in tilting as hath been said and by other y Inquis Hugh de Hastings son of Hugh son of Hugh son of a second Iohn by Isabell the daughter of Hugh le Despenser as the Pedegree here placed sheweth But so little did Iohn Earl of Will. de Valencia Comes Pembr Andomarus ob â— p. Joanna Isabella Henr de Hastings Joanna de Cantilupe Iohannes de Hastings primus Râ—â—erus de Grey Elizabetha Râ—ginaldus de Grey de Ruthin Reginaldus de Grey Joh. de Hastings secundus Isabella filia Hug. le Despenser Com. Wint. Johannes de Hastings tertius Laurentius de Hastings erectus in Com. Pembr Ioh. Comes Pembr mari captus Ioh. Comes Pembr caesus in hastiludio apud Wodstoke Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings ob s. p. Edwardus de Hastings Pembroke Father to the last Iohn regard his next heir male as it seems and so much hate Reginald Grey father to the last Reginald that he entailed the greatest part of his lands as hath been said on Will. de Beauchamp before mentioned Notwithstanding which settlement 't is observeable that the right of bearing Armes was in those days of such esteem as
that the contest for those of the Earls of Pembroke sc. Or a Manche gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey son to the before mentioned Reginald and Edw. Hastings brother and heir to the last mentioned Hugh lasted little less than twenty years in the Court Militarie before the Constable and Marshall of England wherein after much money spent the said Edw. Hastings who chalenged them as heir male of the Familie was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 ob q. costs â—rey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Armes adjudged to Grey but imprisoned xvi years for disobeying that Sentence The particular proceedings in which business with the hard measure which the said Edward had for brevities sake I pass by referring my Reader to that learned Comment upon Sir Henry Spelman's discourse of Armes lately published by my worthy friend Edw. Byske Esq. where they are compendiously set forth and return to the before specified Wil. Beauchamp Which William possessing this Lordship of Fillongley â— and the greatest part of the said Earl of Pembroke's lands by virtue of that entail was impleaded for the same by the above mentioned Edw. Hastings and having invited his learned Counsell to his House in Pater Noster Row within the Citie of London amongst whom were Rob. Charlton then a Judge Will. Pinchbeck Will. Brenchesley and Iohn Catesby all learned Lawyers after Dinner went into his Chapell and at his coming out in an angry fashion threw to each of them a piece of Gold saying Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any right and title to Hasting's Lordships and Lands whereupon Pinchbeck stood up the rest being silent fearing that he suspected them and said No man here nor in England dare say that you have any right in them except Hastings do quit his claim therein and should he do it being now under age it would be of no validitie Perhaps there had been some former entail to settle them upon the heir male of the Familie which preceded that before spoken of but what ever it was sure we are that Hastings apprehended the injury done to himself so great as that with extream anguish of mind at his later end he left God's curse and his own upon his Descendants if they should not attempt the vindication thereof Of this Will. de Beauchamp who was a younger son unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by Catherine Mortimer sister of Agnes mother unto Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke before specified I find that he was in 4 R. 2. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his wars with CCL men at Armes and CCL Archers for a quarter of a year under the command of Edmund de Langley Earl of Cambridge the King's Uncle in the parts of Portugall and Spain in which expedition the said Earl was Generall So also in 6 R. 2. with that warlike Bishop of Norwich sc. Henr. Spenser who was so victorious in the parts of Flanders about that time and should have had 500. marks for the service of himself in particular of which he received part but because he had it not all before-hand he refused to stir from home After which viz. in 7 R. 2. he was constituted Governour of Calais and retained by Indenture for the safe custodie thereof with CXL men at Armes on Horseback whereof himself with nine other Kts. to be part CL. Archers on Horseback C. men at Armes and CLxxxiii Archers on foot and four Esquires on Horseback with condition that xx men at Armes and ten Archers on Horseback as also ten Archers on foot belonging to the Treasurer of Calais should be under his command in relation to that service and in consideration thereof to receive four shillings per diem for his own wages for the rest of the Knights ii s. and men at Armes serving on Horseback xii d. Which retainer was for two years but the next year ensuing the like Covenants were renewed for the terme of three years more and in 11 and 12 R. 2. for each of those years singly In 10 R. 2 he was made Governour of the Castles of Pembroke and Kilgaran In 16 R. 2. first summoned to Parliament with the Barons by the name of Will. Beauchamp de Bergavenny chivalier and made Knight of the Garter being then possest of the Castle of Bergavenny with the other lands which the befâ—re specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke had so entailed upon him as hath been said In 1 H. 4. made Justice of South-Wales and frâ—m 2 H. 4. till 8. inclusive was in Commâ—ssion for conservation of the Peace in this Countie But farther of his Militarie or Civill imployments I have not seen nor can I say more of him than that he gave to the Collegiate Church of Warwick for the good estate of K. Ric. 2. and Q. Anne his Câ—nsort as also of himself and Ioan his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of all their souls afterwards the advouson of the Churches of Spellesbury and Chadsley-Corbet in Worcester'shire and that he was in some sort a Benefactor to the Gild of the Holy Trinitie our Ladie and S. Iohn Baptist in Coventre as may seem by his portraiture set up in glass on the East side of St. Mary Hall together with his Ladie in robes of great state which in my discourse of that place are most exactly represented And lâ—stly that by his Testament bearing date at Bergavenny 25 Apr. an 1408. 9 H. 4. he bequeatned hâ—s body to be buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers at Hereford next and beneath the Tombe of the before specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke appointing that five Tapers should be hung about his Bodie as soon as mâ—ght be after his death as also that xxiiii men should be cloathed in black each of them hâ—lding a Torch in his hand and to have ii d. a piâ—ce for the same To which place of his burâ—all he bequeathed xx marks or more as his Executors should think fit and over and above what hath been already exprest C l. for the charges of his Funerall directing that ten thousand Masses should be sung for his soul in all the hast that might be after his death by the most honest Priests that could be got as also that four good Priests be found by the space of ten years singing for his soul and for the soul of his Lord Sir Iohn Hastings Earl of Pembroke and for all the souls unto whom he had obligation And moreover to his poor Tenants withâ—n his Lordships C l. To Ioane his wife a pair of Basyns covered and overgylt having the Armes of Warwick and Arundell empaled upon them To Richard his son his best Sword and Harneis to be armed withall aswell for War as Peace as also all his other Harneis for
rumors were spread that Cardinall Poole laboured with divers Princes to procure forces against this Realme and that an Invasion was threatned which seemed the more credible because the Truce concluded betwixt the Emperour and the French King was generally known neither of them wanting pretence to bring an Army hither And this was also seconded by a suddain journey of the King unto the Sea-coast unto divers parts whereof he had sent sundry of the Nobles and expert persons to visit the Ports and places of danger who failed not for their dischargeâ— upon all event to affirme the perill in each place to be so great as one would have thought every place had needed Fortification Besides he forthwith caused his Navy to be in a readiness and Musters to be taken over all the Kingdom All which preparations being made against a danger believed imminent seemed so to excuse this suppression of the Abbyes as that the people willing to spare their own purses began to suffer it easily especially when they saw order taken for building of such Forts But let us look a little upon the success wherein I find that the said Visitor Generall the grand Actor in this tragique buisnesse having contracted upon himself such an Odium from the Nobilitie by reason of his low birth though not long before made Knight of the Garter Earl of Essex and Lord high Chamberlain of England as also from the Catholiques for having thus operated in the dissolution of the Abbies that before the end of the before specified Parl. wherein that was ratified which he had with so much industrie brought to pass the King not having any more use of him gave way to his Enemies accusations whereupon being arrested by the Duke of Norff. at the Councell-Table when he least dream't of it and committed to the Tower he was condemn'd by the same Parliament for Heresie and Treason unheard and little pittied and on xxviii th of Iuly viz. 4. days after the Parliament was dissolved had his Head cut off on Tower-Hill Nor did many of the Reformers speed much better for Fire and Fagot hapned to be their portion even within the same King's time as whosoever looks into the Storie of those days may see And as for the fruit which the people reapt after all their hopes built upon those specious pretences which I have instanc't it was very little For plain it is that Subsidies from the Clergie and Fifteens of all Lay mens goods were soon after exacted And that in Edward 6. time the Commons were constrain'd to supply the King's wants by a new invention viz. Sheep Cloathes Goods Debts c. for three years which Tax grew so heavy that the year following they prayed the King for mitigation thereof Nor is it a little observable that whil'st the Monasteries stood there was no Act for relief of the Poor so amply did those Houses give succour to them that were in want whereas in the next age viz. 39 o Eliz. no lesse than xi Bills were brought into the House of Commons for that purpose But fearing that this digression hath been too tedious I returne These Nunns being thus disposed of and the House demolish'd it was not long ere that the lands were dispersed for in 36 H. 8. the site and demesns with the whole Lordship of Polesworth were sold to Francis Goodere Gentleman which Francis had issue Sir Henry Goodere Knight his son and heir a Gentleman much accomplisht and of eminent note in this Countie whilst he lived having suffred imprisonment in behalf of that magnanimous Ladie Marie Queen of Scotland of whom he was a great honourer who had issue two daughters only scil Frances and Anne the one married to Sir Henry Goodere Knight son and heir to Sir William brother to the before specified Sir Henry the other to Henry Rainsford of Clifford in Com. Glouc. Which last mentioned Sir H. Goodere left four daughters viz. Lucie married to Sir Francis Nethersole Knight a Kentish Gentleman of an antient House sometime Orator for the Universitie of Cambridge and at the time of that his marriage Agent for K. Iames with the Princes of the Union in Germany of whom the King of Bohemia was chief as also Secretarie to the Q. of Bohemia and by them often imployed back again to the Court of England where he was of note by his actings and suffrings in their Majesties service The other viz. Elizabeth to Samuel Roper a Counceller at Law of Lincolns-Inne of whom I have made mention in Monks-Kirby Mary to Samuel Hildersham a worthy Divine Rector of West-Felton in Com Salop and Anne to Iohn Kingston D r of Physick Which Sir Francis at the speciall instance of his said Lady who bore a great affection to this Town in regard it had been possest by her Family from her great-grandfather's time having erected a convenient fabrick of stone therein for a School-House on the front whereof both his own and her Arms are cut with this Inscription Soli Deo Gloria Schola Pauperum Puerorum Puellarum In further accomplishment of her pious desires hath lately enfeoft six gentlemen of the Countrey thereabouts and seven Divines of the impropriate Tithes of Waverton Dordon and Pooley as also of a Rent-chardge of Xl. marks per annum issuing out of Holt-Hall and Freasley and six yard land in Waverton before specified all of the yearly value of Cxl li. per annum at the least which is more than the whole impropriate Tithes of this Parish do amount unto for a liberall maintenance of a Schoolmaster and Schoolmistris to teach the Children of the Parish viz. the Boys to write and read English and the Girles to read and work with the Needle and both to be instructed in the principles of the true Christian Religion And the residue to be imployed to such charitable uses as he may in his life time finde most conducing to advance the knowledge and practise of true Religâ—on and most beneficiall to the Poor of this place and afterwards he shall by his last Will and Testament declare And in default of his so doing that his said Trustees or the major part of them may increase the maintenance of the Vicar of Polesworth for the time being for whom he is now building a fair House there or set up another School to teach the three learned Languages to the Youth of this Parish or relieve poor Widows and Fatherless Children of deceased Ministers that have been learned godly and painfull in their lives or set out poor Apprentices of this Town Or grant exhibitions to the poor Schollars aforesaid towards the sending them to the Universitie of Cambridge and to be there maintained as they shall find most expedient in all or any of these and likely to be continued in perpetuity The Church dedicated to S. Edith was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. rated at xxii marks but the Vicaridge at no more than one mark
most finest wise and of the finest Latten one large plate to be dressed and to lye on the overmost stone of the Tombe under the Image that shall lye on the same Tombe and two narrow plates to go round about the stone Also they shall make in like wise and like Latten an Hearse to be dressed and set upon the said stone over the Image to beare a covering to be ordeyned the large plate to be made of the finest and thickest Cullen plate shall be in length viii foot and in bredth iii. foot and one inch Either of the said long plaâ—es for writing shall be in bredth to fill justly the casements provided therefore the Hearse to be made in the comeliest wise justly in length bredth thickness and height thereof and of every part thereof and in workmanship in all places and pieces such and after an Hearse of timber which the Executors shall make for a pattern and in ten panells of this Hearse of Letters the said workman shall set in the most finest and fairest wise ten Scutcheons of Armes such as the Executors will devise In the two long plates they shall write in Latine in fine manner all such Scripture of Declaration as the said Executors shall devise that may be conteined and comprehended in the plates all the champes about the Letter to be abated and hatched curiously to set out the Letters All the aforesaid large plates and all the said two plates through all the over sides of them and all the said Hearse of Latten without and within they shall repair and gild with the finest gold as finely and as well in all places through as is or shall be any place of the aforesaid Image which one Bartholmew Goldsmyth then had in gilding All the said workmanship in making finishing laying and fastning is to be at the charge of the said workmen And for the same they have in sterling money Cxxv li. Will. Austen Citizen and Founder of London xiv Martii 30 H. 6. covenanteth c. to cast work and perfectly to make of the finest Latten to be gilded that may be found xiv Images embossed of Lords and Ladyes in divers vestures called Weepers to stand in housings made about the Tombe those Images to be made in bredth length thickness c. to xiv patterns made of timber Also he shall make xviii lesse Images of Angells to stand in other housings as shall be appointed by patterns whereof ix after one side and ix after another Also he must make an Hearse to stand on the Tombe above and about the principall Image that shall lye in the Tombe according to a pattern the stuffe and Workmanship to the repairing to be at the charge of the said Will. Austen And the Executors shall pay for every Image that shall lye on the Tombe of the weepers so made in Latten xiii s. iv d. And for every Image of Angells so made vs. And for every pound of Latten that shall be in the Hearse x d. And shall pay and bear the costs of the said Austen for setting the said Images and Herse The said Will. Austen xi Feb. 28 H. 6. doth covenant to cast and make an Image of a man armed of fine Latten garnished with certain ornaments viz. with Sword and Dagger with a Garter with a Helme and Crest under his head and at his feet a Bear musled and a Griffon perfectly made of the finest Latten according to patterns all which to be brought to Warwick and layd on the Tombe at the perill of the said Austen the said Executors paying for the Image perfectly made and laid and all the ornaments in good order besides the cost of the said workmen to Warwick and working there to lay the Image and besides the cost of the carriages all which are to be born by the said Executors in totall xl li. Bartholomew Lambespring Dutchman and Gâ—ldsmyth of London 23. Maii 27 H. 6. covenanteth to repaire whone and pullish and to make perfect to the gilding an Image of Latten of a man armed that is in making to lye over the Tombe and all the apparell that belongeth thereunto as Helme Crest Sword c. and Beasts the said Executors paying therefore xiii li. The said Bartholomew and Will. Austen xii Martii 31 H. 6. do covenant to pullish and repare xxxii Images of Latten lately made by the said Will. Austen for the Tombe viz. xviii Images of Angells and xiv Images of Mourners ready to the gilding the said Executors paying therefore xx li. The said Bartholmew 6. Julii 30 H. 6. doth covenant to make xiv Scutcheons of the finest Latten to be set under xiv Images of Lords and Ladyes Weepers about the Tombe every Scutcheon to be made meet in length bredth and thickness to the place it shall stand in the Marble according to the patterns These xiv Scotcheons and the Armes in them the said Bartholmew shall make repare grave gild enamil and pullish as well as is possible and the same Scutcheons shall set up and pin fast and shall bear the charge of all the stuff thereof the said Executors paying for every Scutcheon xv s. sterling which in all amounteth to xli x s. The said Bartholomew xx Julii 31 H. 6. doth covenant c. to gild pullish and burnish xxxii Images whereof xiv Mourners and xviii Angells to be set about the Tombe and to make the visages and hands and all other bares of all the said Images in most quick and fair wise and to save the gold as much as may be from and without spoiling and to find all things saving gold the said Executors to find all the gold that shall be occupied thereabout and to pay him for his other charges and labours either xl li. or else so much as two honest and skilfull Goldsmyths shall say upon the view of the work what the same besides gold and his labour is worth and the Executors are to deliver money from time to time as the work goeth forward whereof they pay Li. li. viii s. iv d. The said Bartholomew iiio. Martii 32 H. 6. doth covenant to make clean to gild to burnish and pullish the great Image of Latten which shall lye upon the Tombe with the Helme and Crest the Bear and the Griffon and all other the ornaments of Latten and the said Bartholomew shall finde all manner of stuffe for the doing thereof saving gold and all workmanship at his charges the said Executors providing gold and giving to the said Bartholomew such sum and sums of money for his charges and workmanship as two honest and skilfull Goldsmyths viewing the work shall adjudge whereof some of the money to be payd for the borde of the workmen as the work shall go forward whereof they pay xcv li. ii s. viii d. John Bourde of Corff Castle in the County of Dorset Marbler 16. Maii. 35 H. 6. doth covenant to make a Tombe of Marble to be set on the said Earles grave the
said Tombe to be made well cleane and sufficiently of a good and fine Marble as well coloured as may be had in England The uppermost stone of the Tombe and the base thereof to contain in length ix foot of the standard in bredth iv foot and in thickness vii inches the course of the Tombe to be of good and due proportion to answer the length and bredth of the uppermost stone and a pace to be made round about the Tombe of like good marble to stand on the ground which pace shall contain in thickness vi Inches and in bredth xviii inches The Tombe to bear in height from the pace iv foot and a half And in and about the same Tombe to make xiv principall housings and under every principall housing a goodly quarter for a Scutcheon of copper and gilt to be set in and to do all the work and workmanship about the same Tombe to the entail according to a portraicture delivered him and the carriages and bringing to Warwick and there to set the same up where it shall stand the entailing to be at the charge of the Executors after which entailing the said Marbler shall pullish and clense the said Tombe in Workmanlike sort And for all the said Marble carriage and work he shall have in sterling money xlv li. The said Marbler covenanteth to provide of good and well coloured Marble so many stones as will pave the Chapell where the Tombe standeth every stone containing in thickness two inches and in convenient bredth and to bring the same to Warwick and lay it And for the stuff workmanship and carriage of every hundred of those stones he shall have xl s. which in the totall comes to iv li. xiii s. iv d. John Prudde of Westminster Glasier 23. Junii 25 H. 6. covenanteth c. to glase all the windows in the new Chappell in Warwick with Glasse beyond the Seas and with no Glasse of England and that in the finest wise with the best cleanest and strongest glasse of beyond the Sea that may be had in England and of the finest colours of blew yellow red purpure sanguine and violet and of all other colours that shall be most necessary and best to make rich and embellish the matters Images and stories that shall be delivered and appointed by the said Executors by patterns in paper afterwards to be newly traced and pictured by another Painter in rich colour at the charges of the said Glasier All which proportions the said John Prudde must make perfectly to fine glase eneylin it and finely and strongly set it in lead and souder as well as any Glasse is in England Of white Glasse green Glasse black Glasse he shall put in as little as shall be needfull for the shewing and setting forth of the matters Images and storyes And the said Glasier shall take charge of the same Glasse wrought and to be brought to Warwick and set up there in the windows of the said Chapell the Executors paying to the said Glasier for every foot of Glasse ii s. and so for the whole xci li. 1 s. x d. It appeareth that after these windows were so finished the Executors devised some alterations as to adde ........ for our Lady and Scripture of the marriage of the Earle and procured the same to be set forth in Glasse in most fine and curious colours and for the same they payd the sum of xiii li. vi s. iv d. Also it appeareth that they caused the windows in the vestry to be curiously glased with Glasse of ii s. a foot for which they payd L s. The sum totall for the Glasse of the said Vestry and Chappell Xvi li. xviii s. vi d. which in all contain by measure The East window Cxlix foot 1. quarter and two inches The South windows CCCCClx foot xi inches The North windows CCCv. foot The totall DCCCCx foot iii. quarters of a foot and two inches Richard Bird and John Haynes Citizens and Carpenters of London xii Febr. 28 H. 6. do covenant to make and set up in the Chapell where the Earl is buried or where the Tombe standeth a pair of Desks of timber Poppies seats sills planks Reredoses of timber with patands of timber and a crest of fine entail with a bowtel roving on the crest And also the Carpenters do covenant to make and set up finely and workmanly a parclose of timber about an Organ-loft ordained to stand over the West dore of the said Chapell according to patterns All these things to be made set up fastned â—oyned and ordered in as good sort as those in the Quire of S. Maries Church in Warwick the Executors finding all manner of timber and carriages and giving and paying to the said Carpenters for the workmanship xl li. John Brentwood Citizen and Steyner of London 12. Febr. 28 H. 6. doth covenant to paint fine and curiously to make at Warwick on the West wall of the new Chappell there the Dome of our Lord God Jesus and all manner of devises and Imagery thereto belonging of fair and sightly proportion as the place shall serve for with the finest colours and fine gold and the said Brentwood shall find all manner of stuffe thereto at his charge the said Executors paying therefore xiii li. vi s. viii d. Kristian Coleburne Peinter dwelling in London 13. Junii 32 H. 6. covenanteth c. to paint in most fine fairest and curious wise four Images of stone ordained for the new Chapell in Warwick whereof two principall Images the one of our Lady the other of S. Gabraell the Angell and two lesse Images one of S. Anne and another of S. George These four to be painted with the finest oyle colours in the richest finest and freshest clothings that may be made of fine Gold Azure of fine purpure of fine white other finest colours necessary garnished bordered and poudered in the finest and curiousest wise All the cost and wormanship of painting to be at the charge of the said Kristian the Executors paying for the same xii li. By the Accompts of the before specified Will. Berkswell one of the Executors to the said Earl and then Dean of this Coll. Church I find that the structure of this Chapell and Monument was begun in 21 H. 6. but not totally finished till 3 E. 4. which was full 21. years And that the totall cost thereof in the work of Masons Quarriers Smyths Plummers Carpenters and other inferior Labourers added to what those principall Artists had with whom the said Executors so covenanted as I have before exprest amounted to no less than MMCCCCLxxxi li. iv s. vii d. ob At which time were also the Deanery and Colledge both standing at the East end of the Churchyard reedified by those Executors the charge whereof came to DCCCCLxxxviii li. xix s. ix d. But it was not consecrated till the year 1475. 15 E. 4. that Iohn Halse or Hales Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield had a speciall Comission for that purpose