three days following and in xx H. 6. procured another Patent for taking Toll of all vendible commodities comming hither for the space of four years towards the finishing of the Pavement and repair of Bol-brigge After which I have not seen any thing more of â—t that is considerable till 3 Eliz. that the Queen by her Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 24 Dec. taking notice that it had been a very antient Mercate-town and that the Inhabitants thereof by the name of the Bailiffs and Commonaltie had not only held it time out of minde of her Royall Progenitors in Fee-Ferme by the Rent of v. li xvi s. per annum but enjoyed divers Jurisdictions and Priviledges aswell by Prescrâ—ption as by severall Charters which Charters as they then suggested had been either burnt or casually lost imploring her Royall favour that she would for the better governing thereof vouchsafe to make it a Corporation did at that time ordâ—in it to be a Burrough Corporate consisting of two Bailiffs the one for that part of the town situate in this Countie and the other for that part lying in Staffordshire granting them libertie to have a Common Seal and assigning Peter Bradoke and Henry Draper the first Bayliffs As also that from thenceforth there should be xxiv of the most substantiall Inhabitants assistants to the said Bayliffs and called the principall Burgesses which said Bayliffs and Burgesses to have power as often as they should think fit to call a Court of themselves or the major part of them there to consult and determine of all things tending to the well goverment of it and to choose two Sergeants at Mace for performance of all Proclamations Arrests c. Which Bayliffs to be Justices of the Peace within the same Burrough And moreover that they should have power to keep a Court of Record upon Munday once in three weeks there to hold Plea c. after the usage of the Citie of London And likewise a Gaole for the imprisonment of Felons and Malefactors As also a weekly Mercate every Saturday and two Faires the one on the Feast-day of S. George the Martyr and four days following and the other on the Feast-day of S. Edward the King and Martyr and four days then likewise next ensuing Granting further unto the said Bayliffs for the time being that they should be Clerks of the Mercate within the precincts of the Burrough and to have a Court-Leet twice in the year scil within the compass of a month after Michaelmass and the like limit of time after Easter as also power to purchase or receive by gift lands to the value of Xl li. per annum notwithstanding the Statute of Mortmain And by another Patent bearing date xo Oct. in 30. of her reignâ— gave the inhabitants of this Burrough immunitie from being returned on Juries except they held lands out of the compasse thereof and likewise to choose a Recorder constituting Robert Devereux Earl of Essex their Steward and granting them another Faire yearly to begin on the Feast-day of S. Swithin and to endure for four days At which time she founded an endowed a Grammar School hereâ— but thereof forasmuch as it is situate on the Staffordshire side it concerns me not to speak Closing up therefore I shall observe that forasmuch as 't is not apparent by any of our publique Records that the Saturday-Mercate was granted by Charter till now it was held before by Prescription and questionlesse from the very time that the Saxon Kings had their residence here whereof I have already touched Nor it is to be doubted but that the Priviledge whâ—ch they had in sending of Burgesses to Parliament was of great antiquitie and used only by the like Prescription in such sort as other the antient Burroughs of this Realm did enjoy The Castle HAving now done with the Burrough I come to the Castle touching the Foundation whereof I have already spoke This being in the hands of King William after his Conquest was by him given towards the end of his reign as I guess unto Robert Marmion as my Story in Polesworth intimateth and as is verified by an antient window of this Church where the same King being depicted in his Robes of State and crowned stretcheth forth his hand to him holding a Charter therein neer the Gate of a faire Castle an exact representation whereof I have in page 822. exhibited Which Robert had issue Robert unto whom King Henry the first by his Charter dated at Canoc in Com. Staff granted Free-warren in all his lands within this Countie as Robert his Father had and by name here at Tamworth This last mentioned Robert was possest of the strong Castle of Fontney in Normandie which Castle Geffrey Earl of Anjou beseiged and razed in 4 o Steph. because he held out Faleis against him and gave the Church of Queinton in Gloucestershire to the Nunns of Polesworth Being a great adversarie to the Earl of Chester in 8. Steph. he entred the Priorie of Coventre neer unto which the said Earl had a Castle as I have elsewhere observed and expelling the Monks fortified it making in the fields adjacent divers deep Ditches lightly covered over to the intent that such as should make approaches thereto might be intrapt but it so hapned that as he rode himself to view the Earl's forces that began to draw neer it he sell into one of them and broke his Thigh so that he was forthwith seized on by a Common Souldier who immediatley cut off his Head To him succeeded Robert his son and heir by whose Certificate in 12 H. 2. it appears that he then held xi Knights Fees whereof his Ancestor was enfeoft in H. 1. time and three which he had obtained since for which in 14 H. 2. he gave vii li. xii s. viii d. Aid upon the marriage of Maud the King's daughter This Robert was a Benefactor to the Knights Templar's as by his grant to them of Barston Mill is manifested as also in 33 H. 2. a Justice Itinerant in this Countie and confirmed to the Nunns of Polesworth his Father's gift of the Church of Queinton But in the beginning of H. 3. time he died leaving two sonns by severall wives as it seems both of them bearing the name of Robert Of which Robert the younger gave the summe of 500 li. to the King in 2 H. 3. for the custodie of this Castle and to have possession of the lands whereof his Father died seized untill matters should be so setled as that Englishmen might peaceably enjoy their lands in Normandie and the Normans theirs in England in regard that the Dukedome of Normandie was seized on by the French about the beginning of King Iohn's time for the murther of Arthur Duke of Brittanie but with this condition too that if Robert Marmion his elder brother should make his peace with the King for it seems he then adhered
the name of Kenilworth was then in two parts the one called Optone certified to contain three hides being then held immediatly of the King by Albertus Clericus in pure Almes upon which were resident two Priests the woods whereof conteyned half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth This being that part of Kenilworth which now the Inhabitants call the High-town and situate upon the ascent on the North part of the Church But the other which in the same Record is written Chinewrde and possest by Rich. Forestarius did then contain no more than three virgats besides the woods which were certified to be half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth Haec duo membra saith Domesday-book jacent ad Stanlei manerium Regis That the name originally did proceed from some antient possessor of it whose habitation was there is not to be doubted the syllable Wrde which should be Wrâ—e id est Worthe and signifieth a mansion or dwelling place manifesting as much but whether his name was Kenelm or Kenulph for antiently it was written Kenilworth or whether it were the above mentioned Rich. Forestarius who had his seat there which Richard in some very antient authorities that I have seen is called Rich. Chineu I cannot positively determine and therefore will not insist longer on conjectures Certain it is that it continued in the Kings hands till H. 1. time and then was given to Geffrey de Clinton a Norman who doubtless had his first abode in England at Clinton now vulgarly called Glinton in Oxford-shire and thence assumed his sirname This Geffrey if we may credit our Countrey-man Rous was grandson to Will. de Tankervile Chamberlain of Normandy and Maud his wife daughter to Will de Arches whose descent is derived from Wevia sister to Gunora Dutchess of Normandy but of the certainty thereof I much doubt considering that an authentique Historian his Contemporary renders him to have been of very mean parentage and meerly raised from the dust by the favour of the said King Henry from whose hands he received large possessions and no small honour being made both Lord Chamberlein and Treasurer to the said King and afterwards Justice of England which great advancements do argue that he was a man of extraordinary parts It seems he took much delight in this place in respect of the spacious woods and that large and pleasant Lake through which divers petty streames do pass lying amongst them for he it was that first built that great and strong Castle here which was the glory of all these parts and for many respects may be ranked in a third place at the least with the most stately Castles of England Neer unto which he also founded at the same timeâ— a goodly Monastery for Black Canons of which Order it will not be amiss to take a brief view before I go on with my discourse of this particular Monastery The most received opinion is that these Canons Regular had their first institution from S. Augustin Bishop of Hippo wherefore I will succinctly deliver the occasion and ground thereof This Augustin was born in the City of Tagaste in Africa and betaking himself to the study of Philosophy in his younger years grew to be an excellent Schollar and a famous Rhetorician for which he became so eminent that being sent for to Millain there to teach Rhetorique by the preaching of S. Ambrose then Bishop of Millain he was reclaimed from the Heresy of Manicheus wherewith he had been tainted And afterwards coming to Hippo at the solicitation of a great person was by Valerius then B. of that place ordayned a Priest in which City he shortly instituted a Covent of Clerks and lived according to the Rule constituted by the holy Apostles instructing them in the Evangelique perfection viz. love of Poverty Obedience and Chastity After which upon the death of Valerius he became B. of Hippo but notwithstanding being desirous to continue his Religious Course of life he founded a Monastery of Clerks within the precincts of his Church Divers sorts of Religious persons have taken him for their Law-giver viz. the Heremites called Augustines Canons Regular c. making all profession under his Rule Their habite as Polyd. Virg. affirmeth is a white coat and a linnen surplis under a black cloak with a hood covering their head and neck which reacheth to the shoulders having under it doublet breeches white stockings and shoos or slippers and when they walk out a black corner'd cap or a broad Hat their Crowns being shaven but not so much as other Monks Thus much as to the Order With this Monastery so founded by the said Geffrey de Clinton I will now proceed in regard it was so signall a Monument of his piety reserving my story of the Castle till anon By his Foundation Charter it appeares that he gave to the Canons of this House for the redemption of his sins as also for the good estate of King Henry whose consent he had thereto and of his own wife and children all the lands and woods of this Kenilworth excepting what he had reserved for the making of his Castle and Park Together with the Mannors of Salford Itlicote and Neunham in this County The Church of Wotton with a hide of land thereto belonging Two hides in Lilenton with the Churches of Clinton in Oxford-shire and Barton in Northhampton-shire Granting further unto them of pasturage viz. that wheresoever his own Cattell Hoggs should be whether within his Park or without there also might theirs have liberty to feed And their tenants Hoggs to have the like freedom in all other except his inclosed woods and Park as his own tenants had Adding by another Charter the gift of a full tenth of whatsoever should be brought to his Castle viz. either to his Cellar Kitchin Larder Granary or Hall-garth as well of all bought or given either in Corn Hay Hoggs Muttons Bacon Venison Cheese Fish Wine Hony Wax Tallow Pepper and Cumin though they had been tithed elswhere before as of his own proper revenue Together with all his Lambskins throughout every his Mannours as well those as should be kill'd to eat as of others that might dy casually Canonicus Regularis S â— Augustini To these large and munificent gifts he added the Mannour of Hichenden in Com. Buck. which he had by the bounty of King Henry and the Church of Stone in Stafford-shire which he procured of one Enisan within whose Lordship it lay by the consent of Nich. de Stafford it being founded in his fee. But that which I call here the Church of Stone was a small Monastery founded in memory of Wolfade and Ruffin slain by King Wolpherus their father in respect that they became Christians being converted from Paganism and baptized by that holy man S. Chad B. of Lichfield near a thousand years since And besides these particulars did he likewise give
which did exceed the value of ten Franks And if he or they hapned to take any prisoners he should not permit them to be ransomed without the consent of the said Earl or his son And lastly that himself with his Men and Horses should be upon all occasions shipt to and fro at the charge of the said Earl In 3. H. 4. he was Receivour generall to the same Earl and the same year joyned in Commission with the Shiriff for levying and collectâ—ng the Aid in this County for marriage of Blâ—nch the Ks. eldest daughter In 5. H. 4. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then holden And in 9. H. 4. was Surveyour of all the said Earles lands In 19. H. 6. he was one of the Commissioners appointed to treat with the people for a loan to the King In 20. one of the Knights for this Shire in Parliament And upon renewing the Commissions for the peace in this County from 17. till 27. H. 6. still joyned therein He was also Constable and Governour of Warwick-Castle and Supervisor of all the fishings pools and Swans belonging to Henry Duke of Warwick in this County and Stafford-shire In consideration whereof he had an annuity granted to him by the said Duke's Letters Pat. dated 5. Iunii 24. H. 6. And in 28. H. 6. in Commission about levying the Subsidy then granted to the King in Parliament So likewise from 30. H. 6. till 9. E. 4. upon all renewings of the Commissions for the Peace made one As also Squier of the body to the K. E. 4. and to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick Surveyor of his lands And as his publick imployments were very great so were Iohn Hugford his son's whom I find in 34. H. 6. Steward to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick As also a Justice of peace in this County from 1 E. 4. during the whole reign of that K. and of his brother K. Richard 3. as appears by the Records of their times This Iohn having been Shiriff of the Countyes of Warwick and Leic. in 12. and 18. E. 4. in consideration of the acceptable services which the said King acknowledged he had done was constituted Constable of Warwick-Castle as also Steward of Warwick and all the Lordships in this Shire then in the King hands in respect of the minority of Edward son to George Duke of Clarence by reason of the Earledome of Warwick Which office together with the place of Surveyour of all the Parks and Chases in this County King Richard 3. by his Letters Pat. dated 15. Nov. granted also to the said Iohn and Humfrey Beaufo esq in regard of the minority of the aforesaid Edward He was also a great Benefactor to the Abby of Stoneley as appears by the large quantity of land given thereunto by him lying in Ashoe and other places And having much augmented his fortune by the marriage of Margaret daughter and heir to Nicholas Metley as in Wolston and Merston I have shewed departed this life on the feast day of S. Nicholas the B. 1 H. 7. leaving issue by the said Margaret three daughters which were his heirs viz. Ioan marryed to Humfrey Beaufo of Bereford-S Iohn in Oxford-shire esq Alice to Richard Cotes esq and Anne to Gerard Danet esq upon the partition of whose lands this with Milverton came to Iohn Beaufo son and heir to Humfrey Beaufo above mentioned and Ioan the eldest daughter of the said Iohn Hugford Which Iohn in 20. H. 7. had livery of his inheritance without proof of his age that is to say of all the lands descended to him from Humfrey Beaufo his father Ioan his mother and Gerard Danet which Gerard was tenant by the curtesy to such lands as belong'd to Anne his wife another of the daughters and heires to the said Iohn Hugford and departing this life on Michaelmass day Anno 1516. 8 H. 8. lyeth buried together with the severall Hugfords before specified in the South part of the Collegiate Church at Warwick as their Monuments which I have here exactly represented do manifest From whom is lineally descended Henry Beaufo esq Lord of this Mannour Anno scil 1640. Willoughby HEre at Emscote it is that Avon is enlarged by the confluence of Leame which having its head in Northampton-shire about Bramiston and Daventre entreth Warwick-shire betwixt Wolfhamcote and Willoughby Touching its name I mean the etymologie it may seem to be derived from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifyeth a pool or lake for our antient Saxon language is affirmed by very learned men in both to have its originall from the Greek Neither is this conjecture improbable for as much as this River is of a muddy disposition having some standing holes in the nature of lakes or ponds in sundry places thereof And we find at this day that divers of those artificiall Rivers in Cambridg-shire antiently cut to drayn the Fens do bear the name of Leame as Watersey-leame New leame Morton's-leame c. being all muddy channells through which the water hath a dull and slow passage But leaving the better interpretation thereof to those that have more skill I come to Willoughby The occasion of this Towns name is evident enough the last syllable scil Bye in the old English signifying a Village as we use it in some sense to this day calling those orders which are made in a Court-Baron Bye-Laws id est the Town-Laws and the first willough importing that divers of such trees did antiently grow there In the Conq. time most of it was in the possession of Turchill de Warwick and the rest of Hugh Grentemaisnill howbeit the proportion which each had doth not directly appear for as much as it is in the Record confounded with other places But it is there written wilebere wilebej and wilebec which last if it were the originall name must be interpreted the willough-brook for Bee in the Saxon signifieth a little stream How it came into the Kings hands I have not seen but it seemes that King H. 1. possest it and enfeoft one Wigan his servant of 12. yard land here in Sergeanty then valued at xii li. which Sergeanty as well included lands in Dunchurch Thurlaston and Hulle as this viz. to find at his proper costs a man in harness for the Kings service with two Horses in every Army of his within England and wales Which Wigan held this willoughby all his life From whom it descended to Raph his son and heir and from Raph to Will and from Will to Ivo Which Ivo dying without issue it resorted to Thurstane his uncle who granted the whole Mannour with the advouson of the Church to the Hospitall of S. Iohn without the East-gate in Oxford founded by King Henry 3. in 17. of his raign ut ibidem infirmi peregrini suae remedium
in all his demesn lands here from whom it descended to Sir William Bishopsdon of Alscote in Com. Glouc. Kt. who in 10 H. 6. held it by half a Knights Fee which Sir William in 17 H. 6. entailed it with divers other lands upon his issue by Philippa his wife with remainder to his right heirs After which I have seen no more thereof save that in 18 H. 7 Thomas Nevill Esquier dyed seized thereof leaving William his son and heir 27. years of age and that about the later end of Queen Eliz. raign Iohn Watson of Bretforâ—on in Com. Wigorn. gent. nephew to Iohn Watson Bishop of Winchester possest it whose son sold it to Lewes Hobdy of late years Lambcote OF this place originally a member of Eatendon inferior I do find no mention till 34 H. 8. but then was it past out of the Crown by the name of a Mannour and lately belonging to the dissolved Monastery of Kenilworth unto Richard Andrews Gentleman and Leonard Chamberlain Esquier and to the heirs of Andrews I Must now passe over to the Western side of Stoure to observe the rest of those places which remain in this Hundred to be spoke of and in so doing am to skip over a long and narrow tract of land that is part of Worcestershire and yet wholy environ'd with this County therefore before I go farther it will not be amisse to give some probable reason for apparent proof I have none why this and such parcells so encompassed as is frequenly seen became thus severed from the Counties wherein they lye which in short I conceive to be no more than this viz. that they being originally I mean before the division of Counties was absolutely made and setled belonging to some great person whose residence was far distant and in the old assessments rated there continued always afterwards so taxt and for that respect have beenâ— and are still reputed part of those Shires And that this was the first ground thereof will be evident enough from the instances that might be given therein through sundry parts of this Realm as in this particular here before us where it is cleer that Tredinton with those Hamlets belonging thereto viz. Tidelminton Blackwelle and Darlingscote together with Newbold antiently a member thereof were parcell of the lands heretofore belonging to the Church of Worcester founded before K. Alfred's time that the condition of our Counties as now they are was absolutely setled As also Goldicote and Alder-Marston belonging to the Monastery of Pershore of which place 't is most like they were members long before that antient Abby was erected But all I have now to take notice of in this Hundred is Ilminton Whitchurch and Atherston super Stoure with the small Hamlets belonging to them Ilmington THis containing the Villages of Compton-Scorfen and Forcote and rated at ix hides by the Conquerors Survey whereof eight were at that time possest by the Earl of Mellent and prized at xii li. and the odde hide by Robert de Stadford valued at L. s. is in two places of that Record written Ilmedone and in the third Edelmitone so that whether it had the name originally from the antient owner thereof as the later imports or from the high situation as the former doth seem to imply I cannot well determine but in that part which the Earl of Mellent had there then stood the Church Of this Mannour was the Progenitor of Robert de Harecourt enfeoft as it seems either by the said Earl of Mellent or one of his descendants for in 5. Ioh. it being seized into the Kings hands amongst the rest of those lands which belong'd to the Normans in respect that the Dukedome of Normandy was then recovered out of the possession of King Iohn by Philip sirnamed Augustus King of France xiii li. land thereof was given by the said King to Owen fil Davidis in exchange for his land of Ellesmere In that Record it is written Illamedone but the next year ensuing being extended together with the rest of those lands which had belong'd to the Normans and were then so seized on the Rent of Assize there amounted unto xiv li. seting aside the Lord's Aid and the profits of his Court And it was then certified that there might be maintained four Ploughs of xl Oxen 500. Sheep 4. Kine 3. Horses and 24. Hogs it having been used to be let to ferm for xx li. with the like stock upon it After which seizure King Iohn bestowed it upon Simon de Montfort first of that name Earl of Leicester but he being disherited and banished for adhering to the French Iohn de Harecourt a famous Baron saith my Author with the Archbishop of Roan interceding with King H. 3. in behalf of the Earl and making then his Claim to this Mannour obtain'd it by the consent of the said Earl who had possest it ever since the Normans lost their lands for their subjection to the above specified King of France I suppose that his name was Richard de Harecourt and not Iohn for by the Record of 5 H. 3. it appeareth that Richard de Harecourt making Fine with the King for all the lands in England which belong'd unto the above specified Robert de Harecourt his father and did by inheritance rightly belong to him the said Richard had restitution of this Mannour by the Kings Precept dated from the Tower of London 6. Ian. that very year Howbeit notwithstanding this restitution to Harecourt Simon de Mounâ—fort Earl of Leicester scil the second of that name held the possession as it should seem for I have seen his originall Deed whereby he granted quit claimed Domino Iohanni filio Ricardi de Harecourt Normanni are the words all his right therein with the advouson of the Church reserving to himself his heirs the service of one Knights Fee and the inheritance of the Court-Leet with all other Royalties And another grant of his whereby he passed to Sir Peter de Montfort and his heirs xl li. lands of his demesn here according to an indifferent and lawfull extent together with the Mannour-house and Warren as also all Homages Rents Reliefs and free customes belonging thereunto for the service of one Knights Fee to him the said Earl and his heirs This Peter de Montfort was a great man in this County as when I come to Beldesert shall appear and had issue Peter who in 56 H. 3. obtained of Sir Iohn de Harecourt Knight before specified a full grant of this Mannour to himself and his heirs having possession thereof delivered accordingly in May Anno 1272. the same 56. year of K. H. 3. as also the Kings Charter of confirmation bearing date 10. Iunii following Which Peter in 7 E. 1. held it of the Earl of of Leicester by the service of one Knights Fee having at that time 4. Carucates of land in
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
Peter Fitz-Herbert and his successors This Peter after he had so obtained the eschaeted moytie as abovesaid grew exasperated for that large Scutage exacted by the King for maintenance of his Army in Poictou 16 Ioh. for which the Barons broke out into Rebellion and therein continued during the life of that King by reason whereof his lands here in Alencester were seized â— and committed to the custody of Will. de Camvill but in 1 H. 3. returning to obedience he had restitution of them again It seems that King H. 3. requiring the arrears of that Scutage in the fift of his reign this Peter was questioned for six marks due thereupon but had his discharge for for the same in regard he produced testimony that he had maintained Souldiers at his own costs in the said Army at that time In which year he had also the Kings Letters mandatory to his Tenants requiring their contribution to himâ— according to the rate of x s. for every Knights Fee towards the defraying of that charge he was at in attendance upon the King at the siege of Bitham Castle In 13 H. 3. he had Letters of protection for a journey beyond Sea wherein he was also to attend the King This Peter confirm'd to the Monks of Alcester whatsoever lands they were possest of in this place granting unto them freedome of paunage for their Hoggs in his Woods here with timber out of the same woods for their necessary occasions and Common of pasture for their Cattell and left issue Herbert commonly called Herbertus fil Petri who in 25 H. 3. came to a composition with Emma the widow of the before specified H. Falconer there called Hamo de Brome for her thirds in this moytie which Herbert shortly after past away all his right in the said moytie to Robert de Chaundoys who held it in 33 H. 3. Howbeit this was not the inheritance as it seemes for that did Walt. the son of Will. de Beauchamp purchase of Reginald son to the same Peter Fitz-Herbert in 56 H. 3. whereupon was reserved the forrein service of half a Knights Fee After which time the posterity of the said Walter enjoy'd it for very many ages having a goodly Mannour-house here whereat frequently making their residence they had sundry eminent imployments relating to this County for which respect purposing to speak historically of them I have inserted the ensuing Genealogie This Walter was brother to William de Beauchamp the first Earl of Warwick of that Family and being signed with the Crosse for a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 53 H. 3. had a Legacy of CC. marks bequeathed to him by his Father towards his better performance of that Holy Voyage In 21 E. 1. he obtained a Charter bearing date at Canterbury 14. Iulii for an yearly Faire to be held at this his Mannour of Alcester for eight days viz. on the Even of S. Giles and seven days following In 26. of the same Kings raign he had Summons amongst other great men to appear at Karleol upon the Even of Pentecost well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots and was the same year with the King in that eminent battail of Fawkirk In 28 E. 1. he had Freewarren granted to him in all his demesn lands here at Alcester as also at Powyk and severall other places in Worcestershire at which time he was Steward of the King's Houshold In that memorable Certificate sent unto the Pope by all the Peers of England sitting in the Parliament at Lincoln 12. Febr. 29 E. 1. whereby they asserted King Edward's superiority over the Realm of Scotland the name of this Walter is there subscribed with the addition of Dominus de Alcester whence I guess that he then resided here It seems that the time for the Faire here so obtained as aforesaid was found inconvenient for in 30 E. 1. in exchange thereof the King granted another Charter to him for to translate the same unto the Even of S. Faith the Virgin and to continue seven days following In 31 E. 1. he attended the King again into Scotland as appears by his being in person at that notable siege of Kaerlaverok But of this Sir Walter for he was a Knight I find no farther mention worthy the taking notice of other than that he wedded Alice the daughter of ...... Tony she being allied to him in the fourth degree of consanguâ—nity which marriage was long after ratified and the Children begot betwixt them decreed legitimate by Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester as having authority from the Pope in asmuch as they knew not of the impediments at the time of that contract made And that about the 31. of E. 1. he departed this Will. de Bellocampo 53 H. 3. Isabella soror haeres Will. Mauduit Comitis Warwici Will. de Bellocampo Comes Warwici jure materno Walt. de Bellocampo 53 H. 3. Alicia filia .... Tony. Egid. de Bello-campo 3 E. 3. Katherina Iohanna filia â—oh de Cherleton jun. 25 E. 3 Ioh. de Beauchamp 25 E. 3. Elizabetha 7 H. 4. Will. Beauchamp de Powyke 9 H. 5. Cath. una filiarum cohaer Gerardi Ufflete 9 H. 5. Eliz. ux Thomae Swinford 6 H. 5. Ioh. Beauchamp miles Thesaur Angl. 28 H. 6. Margareta soror Ricardi Ferrers ar condidit Testam 3 H. 7. Ric. Beauchamp 25 H. 6. Eliz. filia Humfr. Stafford mil 25 H. â— Eliz. una filiarum cohaer Rob. Willough by dominus Brook Edw. Willoughby obiit vivo patre Eliz. una consangu cohaer Roberti Willoughby domini Brooke Fulco Grevill miles filius secundus Edw. Grevill mil. Fulco Grevill miles obiit an 1606. Anna filia Rad. Nevill Comitis Westmerl Fulco Grevill miles dominus Brook obiit coelebs anno 1628. Margareta ux Ricardi Verney militis Robertus Grevill Blanchia filia .... Whitney Fulc Grevill obiit ... Augusti 1632. Maria filia Christophori Copley de Sprodborough in Com. Ebor. Robertus Grevill dominus Brook Cath. filia Francisci Russell Comitis Bedfordiae Anna obiit ante nuptias Blanchia ux Francisci D'autrâ—y mil. ob s. pâ—ole Anna uxor Ric. Ligon Margar. uxor Will. Rede Walt. Beauchamp Chivalier 3 H. 5. Ã quo Beauchamp Baro S. Amand. Will. de Bellocampo haeres Walt. Walt. de Bello-campo obiit 2 E. 3. Hawifia 13 E. 2. life leaving the said Alice a widow and three sons viz. Walter William and Giles Which second Walter in 10 E. 2. upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick his kinsman had the custody of the lands belonging to Warwick Castle together with the said Castle during the minority of his heir committed to him and the same year was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire In 13 E. 2. he obtained a Charter for another Faire
and one Norway Goshawk to the King for license to marry Albreda the widow of Iohn de Ingeham daughter to Walter Waleran over and above CCC marks payd by her for the like permission In 5 H. 3. he attended the K. in person with his Army at that memorable seige of Bitham Castle in Lincolnshire and in consideration of that service had the King's Letters mandatory for assessing Scutage upon his Tenants according to the rate of x s. for every Knight's Fee but being a man of an active Spirit I find that he did put himself in Armes with some of the Barons in 17 H. 3. when the Nobility grew discontented that the K. received so many Poictovins into places of power and trust whereupon his lands here at Alcester were seized upon for so doing To him succeeded Reginald his brother heir who had livery of his inheritance in 27 H. 3. but adhering to the Barons in that great Rebellion of 49 H. 3. had this his Lordship of Alcester again seized on which by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth whereof I have elswhere spoke were restored again Of this Reginald I have not seen any more than that he died about the beginning of E. 1. time leaving Will. his son and heir who doing his fealty had livery of the inheritance descended to him To whom succeeded another Will who made this his place of residence as it seemes for in 17 E. 2. he was in the list of those Knights and men at Armes of this County whose names were then certified into the Chancery though his chief seat was at Botreaux-Castle aliàs Bosse-Castle in Cornwall But the next that had to do here was Reginald Botreaux a younger son to the last Will. upon whom this Mannour was setled in 4 E. 3. and upon the issue male of him and Isabell his wife with remainder to his right heirs From which Reginald descended Thomas Botreaux who in 22 H. 6. sold all that he had here by so antient a succession to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Powyk as I have already observed A word or two now of the Tenure which it seems was by Sergeanty for so doth it appear by severall authorities scil in 27 H. 3. 33 H. 3. Item dicunt saith the Record quod villata de Allencestre ex utraque parte debet respondere domino Regi per Sergeantiam sed nescitur qualiter nec per quod servitium but afterwards I find it cleer for in 32 E. 1. upon the Relief paid by Will. de Botreaux for the moity of this town it is there said to be held of the King per servitium inveniendi medietatem Equitis armati cum uno Equo discooperto in guerra Regis Of the homage and service reserved by Reginald Fitz-Herbert upon his grant of the moytie of this Lordship unto Walter de Beauchamp his heirs in 56 H. 3. I find that Herbert fitz Iohn his grandchild passed it over unto Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and his heirs by his Deed dated at Westminster on Munday 5. Maii 8 E. 2. The Church though at first given by Raph Boteler to the Monks of Alcester upon the Foundation of that Monastery in 5 Steph. afterwards came to the Nuns of Cokehill in Com. Wigorn. which Monastery was founded by Isabell the wife to William de Beauchamp the first Earl of Warwick of that Family for the advouson whereof the said Nuns were at suit with Peter Fitz-Herbert and Will de Boterell Lords of Alcester in 11. H. 3. after which time they quietly enjoyed it as it seems by their Presentations thereto In anno 1291 19 E. 1. it was rated at xii marks the portion which the said Nuns had out of it being two marks and a half The like valuation do I find in 14 E. 3. It seems that upon the rebuilding of it the Dedication became altered for in 11 H. 3. it bore the name of S. Nicholas but in 6 H. 6. of S. Faith the Virgin at which time the value was certified to be no more than xii marks but in 26 H. 8. it extended to xvi li. there being yearly paid for Procurations and Synodals x s. v d. ob per annum out of it and xxvi s. viii d. as a Pension to the Prioresse of Cokehill Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. de Dekene Pbr. 9. Iunii 1339. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ric. Bernet Pbr. 16. Oct. 1361. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Thom. Tyffeld Pbr. 7. Aug. 1368. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Rob. Aumeney Pbr. 24. Nov. 1379. Thomas Crew Ric. Newbold Pbr. 15. Dec. 1391. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. Piry 1. Febr. 1401. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ric. Newbold Pbr. 25. Apr. 1402. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. Tymmes 5. Febr. 1434. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Rob. Beausant 10. Nov. 1435. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Ioh. Lyde Cap. ult Oct. 1469. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Magr. Ric. Harris in decret Bac. 7. Iunii 1470. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Will. Hyot 1. Ian. 1480. Ioh. Somervile de Bordesley ar Anna ejus ux Executrix Testam T. Evance gen nuper mariti sui per concess Prior C. de Cokehill D. Will. Walker Pbr. 19. Maii 1544. Fulco Grevile miles Ioh. Stokton Cler. 20. Iunii 1578. Within this Parish Church were two Chanteries the first in a Chapell of our Lady founded by one of the Botelers of Oversley I suppose Iohn for in 15 E. 1 he presented to it the Priest serving there being to sing Mass every day at six of the Clock in the morning and to pray for the souls of the Founders To which Chantrie did Petronill the Widow of Rob. Squyer of Alyncestre in 7 E. 3. give 3 Messuages xvi acres of land 4 acres of meadow and xx s. Rent with the appurtenances lying in Alcester for divine service to be celebrated there for the soul of E. 2. late King of England as also for her own and her husbands souls their children ancestors and all the faithfull deceased the revenue whereof was in 26 H. 8. certified to be yearly worth vi l. out of which certain Rents were deducted but in 37 H. 8. vi l. v s. ix d. The Priests belonging to this Chantry were successively presented thereto by the Botelers of Oversley before mentioned and afterwards by the Nevills untill 6 H. 7. that Sir Will. Beauchamp of Alcester and others obtained the patronage thereof The other Chantry was founded in 36 E. 3. by Iohn the son of Giles de Beauchamp for one Priest to sing Mass daily and do divine service in the said Church at the Altar of All Saints for whose maintenance he gave xi
as good value in recompence thereof that Charter of confirmation bearing date at Wenloc 26 Maii. Of which noble person I further find that he obtained the Advouson and patronage of the Priory of Studley near this place as I have there shewed from Peter de Corbucon heir to the Founder whereunto he gave a fair portion of lands lying in Shotswell That he also built an Hospitall at the Gates of that Monastery That he bore for his Armes Gules 3 flower de lices Or as by his Seal appeareth within the compasse whereof scil towards the lower part of the Shield there is a Star with a Cressant which is a Badge as hath been observed by judicious Antiquaries of his service in the Holy warrs And that he departed this life 7 Id. Apr. 23 H. 3. being then very aged leaving issue several sons viz. William his son and heir Walter a Priest and imployed by King H. 3. as his Agent to the Court of Rome afterwards elected Bâ—shop of Worcester â— whose story I refer to Godwyn Iohn Lord of Snitfield in this Countie and Nicholas of whom I find no more than the bare mention Which Will. being a martial man as well as his father and accompanying him at raising the seige of Lincolne Castle in 1 H. 3. had in 15 H. 3. much of his father's estate past over to him for which he then did his homage to the King And in 24 H. 3. obtained a special Charter for exempting him from any suit to the County or Hundred Courts Leet Aid to the Shiriff and Hidage for all his lands in England After which viz. in 26 H. 3. he attended the King in that his French expedition which was so unprosperous and having been in 28 H. 3. sent with other of the great Nobilitie to solicite the Prelates for an Aid of money according to the Popes Letters on the King's behalf was the next ensuing year one of those that went Embassiador to the general Councell then held at Lions there to complain of the grievous exactions used here in England by the Court of Rome as well from the Clergie as Laitie and to crave remedie for the same Which William bearing a devout affection to the Canons of Studley before specified gave to the Hospital of his Father's building there lands to the value of x li. per an lying within this Lordship as also certain Rent and pasturage for Cattell in Southernkeston with the Church of Hemeston in Devonshire And having besides all this obtained a special Charter for exempting their Woods situate within the Forest of Fekenham from any view of the King's Foresters and Verderers and been Steward to the King as his Father was as also a most faithfull Councellor left issue by Milisent the daughter of Hugh de Gornay Will. his son and heir Thomas Bishop of Hereford who in 34 E. 1. was canonized for a Saint and Iulian the wife of Sir Rob. de Tregoz and departed this life in 35 H. 3. immediatly whereupon William his eldest son performing his homage and giving security for payment of his Relief which was C li. had livery of his lands Which William in 37 H. 3. obtained a pardon from the King for pulling down the Castle of Penros in Wales belonging to Iohn de Monemuth as also for five marks at which this his Mannour of Aston was amerced for protecting one Rob. de Shelfhill who had been indicted for certain misdemeanors and in 38 H. 3. was constituted Governor of Bovelt Castle in Brecknockshire To the before specified Hospitall built at the Gate of the Priory of Studley he gave the advouson of the Church here at Aston and having wedded Eva one of the daughters aad coheirs to Will. de Braose of Brecknock with whom he had the territory of Upper Went and other lands in England and Wales departed this life in the flower of his youth to the great grief of many leaving issue by her the said Eva George his son and heir and two daughters Of which George being scarce 3. years old at that time I have found very little that is memorableâ— his death hapning before he arrived to years whereby he could be qualified for any great action viz. in 1 Edw. 1. Therefore whether the marriage betwixt him and Margaret the daughter of Edmund de Lacy was ever consummated as their parents had designed when he was scarce two years old I cannot tell but sure I am that he had no issue for Iohn the son of Henry de Hastings and Milicent then the wife of Eudo or Yvo la Zouche were found to be his sisters and heirs Which Henry being in minority in 36 H. 3. and in Ward to Guy de Luzignian the King 's half brother had the benefit of his marriage then disposed of by the said Guy unto Will. de Cantilupe before specified who gave his daughter Ioane thus in wedlock to him Whereupon by partition made betwixt those coheirs the said Milisent had for her share the Castle of Totenesse in Com. Devon the Mannours of Eyton â—n com Bedf. and Haringworth in Northamptonshire â— with other fair possessions in England and Wales as also the advouson of the Priory of Studley in this County And Iohn de Hastings the son of Ioane beforementioned had Bergavenny with the Castle and Honour which were of the inheritance of Eva de Breause his grandmother together with the Castle of Kilgaran in Com. Pembr and amongst other large territories in England and Wales this Mannour of Aston then valued at Lix li. iiii s. i d. per an all which were in the King's hands at the time of the said Partition made by reason of his minority But touching the Family of Hastings I shall speak historically in Fillongley and therefore purpose to make no other mention of them here than what particularly relates to this place In 13 E. 1. this Iohn de Hastings claimed a Court-Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer Weifs Gallows and Free warren within this Mannour by Prescription all which were allowed From which time this Mannour was for divers descents enjoy'd by the posterity of the said Iohn as I could sufficiently demonstrate if need were except for so long as Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon held two parts of it in right of Iulian his wife widow to Iohn de Hastings father of Laurence Earl of Pembroke After the death of which Laurence it appears that it was held of the King in Capite by the service of one Foot souldier in the Warrs of Wales with a Bow without a string and a Helmet for his head by the space of xl dayes at his own proper costs as often as there should be any hostility in Wales From which Family of Hastings it descended not to the Lord Grey of Ruthin
Esquier And to manifest that he was a person eminently qualified in 18 E. 2. he served in the Parliament then held at London as one of the Knights for this Shire having ii s. vi d. allowed him per diem for his expences during that imployment But in 1 E. 3. upon a strong suspition of Heresie suggested against him to the King a Commission to Will. de Clinton bearing date 3 Maii was forthwith issued out not only to arrest and take him but to seize on all his lands goods and Chattels of which being advertised he submitted himself to prison and brought in sureties to stand to a lawfull triall therein viz. Raph. de Crophull of Notinghamshire Walt. de Heselarton of Yorkshire Edm. de Shireford David de Caunton Rog. le Pledour and Iohn de Alspath of this County whereupon he was set at liberty and his lands and goods restored to him as by the King 's special Precept bearing date at Notingham 3 Sept. appeareth After which viz. in 5 E. 3. the said Lord Basset received his full accompt for all the time he had served and reâ—eined to him and gave him a generall Acquittance To whom succeeded Iohn who for the lands in Blaggreve which sometime belong'd to Rob. de Blaggreve his grandmothers Father obtained a Release from Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight heir â—o Marmion as to the suit due to his three weeks Court at Stipershull and all other services for that land during his own life and the life of Maud his wife saving to the said Sir Baldwin his homage and a pair of gilt spurs at the Feast of S. Edith yearly This Iohn in 30 E. 3. payd to Sir Iohn de Arden Kt. and Henry his brother Executors to Raph de Arden their father the sum of vi s. viii d. for reasonable Aid due upon the marriage of Sibill his eldest daughter in respect of the lands in Moxhull which he held of him by military service and at the same time xxxiii s. iiii d. for a Relief due to the before specified Raph for those lands and bore for his Armes three Eglets displayed gules as by his Seal and an old Glasse window in Bentley Chapell appeareth which coat or part thereof at least was assumed by Henry his Father for I have seen a Seal of his with one Eglet displaied within the compasse of a roundle and not in a Shield a course very antiently used before they put their Badges into Shields as I have observed in the Families of Beke of Eresby and Darcy the first of which bore their Crosse sarcilè so and the other their Cinquefoile Which Iohn bearing a singular reverence to the Monks of Merevale desired that his body might be there buried as may appear by certain land and Rent that he assigned to some friends in trust for the finding of divers wax Lights to burn every Sunday and Holiday in the Chapell of our Lady adjoyning to the gate of that Abby for which respect he had a special grant from Robert de Atherston Abbot of that House and his Covent under their publick Seal bearing date the Wednsday after Lammas 33 E. 3. of a certain proportion of ground within the said Chapell of our Lady containing seven foot square where he and Maud his wife at the death of each should have sepulture And that upon all great Festivall days aswell as Sundays five waxen Lights should be burning there as also that he the said Iohn and Maud should have liberty to set up Images in the same Chapell in honour of the blessed Virgin Henricus de Insula Will. de Insula 21 H. 3. Margareta Nicholaus de Insula 36 H. 3. Amieâ—a 41 H. 3. Iuliana filia haer Rob. de Blaggreve 1 E. 1. Ankitellus de Insula 22 E. 1. Christiana ux 2 obiit 33 E. 1. Philippus de Insula Rector Eccl. de Wishaw 4 E. 2. Henr. de Insula 4 E. 2. Iohanna 9 E. 2. Philippus de Insula Rector Eccl. de Cavendish 9 E. 3. Henr. de Insula 9 E. 3. Ioh. de Insula 9 E. 3. Matilda relicta 47 E. 3. Idonea 1 R. 2. Ioh. de Insula 6 H. 4. Margeria 13 H. 4. Will. de L'ile ar 29 H. 6. Iuliana filia Rob. Midlemore de Eggebaston Henricus de L'isle ob 20 H. 7. Eliz. filia Will. Morgan Iohannes L'isle obiit 29 H. 8. Anna filia haeres Will. Lecroft de Colshull 12 H. 8. Nich. L'isle obiit 32 H. 8. Anna filia Thomae Swinerton de Hilton in Com. Staff Thomas L'isle ob 23 Aug. 8 Eliz. Anna filia Georgii Masterson una sororum cohaer Thomae Ioh. L'â—sle obiit 24 Ian. 36 Eliz. Dorothea filia Georgii Willoughby filii Hugonis Wiloughby mil. Franciscus L'isle obiit infra aet 38 Eliz. Ioh. L'isle ar Brigitta filia Ioh. Knotsford de Studley Ioh. L'isle Maria filia Mathei Cradock de Caverswall-castro in Com. Staff ar Regin L'isle de quo illi de Bremor in Com. Suthâ— To which Iohn succeeded Iohn his son who in H. 5. time was retained by the Earl of Warwick amongst other of his Esquires to serve him with one Lance and one Archer at the seige of Caleis for which he was to receive xxl per an besides his diet And to him William and to William Henry who gave the Rectorie of Wilmecote with all the Tithes thereto belonging to Thomas Clapton Master of the Gild at Stratford super Avon to the intent that the Priest singing the first Masse every day in the said Gild should say De profundis before the holy Lavatorie for the good estate of him the said Henry and Elizabeth his wife and for their souls after their departure hence as also for the soules of his ancestors and successors Which Henry was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in the second and nineteenth years of K. H. 7. reign and by his Testament dated 13 Sept. 20 H. 7. bequeathing his body to be buried within his own proper Chapell in the Church of S. Chad at Wishaw before the Image of Henry the sixth sometime King of England departed this life about that time for the Probate of his Will beareth date the next month following Unto which Henry succeeded Iohn his son and heir who taking to wife Anne the daughter and heir of Will. Lecrofte had with der divers Houses and a great proportion of land lying in Colshill and other places Of this Iohn I find that upon the birth of Elizabeth second daughter to King H. 8. afterwards Qu. of England he received a special Letter from Qu. Anne dated at Greenwich 7 Sept. 25 H. 8. advertising him of the good speed she had in her deliverance and desiring his congratulation unto God for it as also his Prayers for the good health prosperity and continuall preservation of the said young Princesse To whom succeed Nicholas and to him Thomas who wedded
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
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
common I am sure as may appear by this instance to the Monastery of Daventre in Northhamptonshire viz. by Stephan de VVelton of the Church of Staverton in that County bearing date in the year 1161. 7 H. 2. In which Charter there is this expression Hanc eandem ecclesiam de Staverton ad jus ecclesiae Daventrensis pertinentem membrum ejus pluribus annis ante hanc dâ—nationem sancto Augustino suis patre meo annuente reddideram sed nullam chartae vel sigilli defensionem contra posterorum cautelam vexativam pulsationem dederam actionem meam immunitam reliqueram ut ergo jam ex hâ—c nunc in seculum rata sit stabilis mea quae praecessit redditio quae sequuntur adjuncta est donatio necnon ipsa praefatae libertatis concessio Scripti Sigilli mei testimonio eas pariter munimine conâ—irmo Leaving therefore the original of this small Monastery thus uncertain I will now descend to what our Records or other evidences which I have seen do shew thereof It appeareth by a publick Instrument of the Prior and Covent of Tutbury bearing date the day of the translation of St. Benedict an 1226. 10 H. 3. that the Abbot and Covent of St. Peters super Dinam had granted to the said Prior and Covent of Tutbury the Church of Wlfricheston with all the appurtenances in consideration of ten pounds sterling to be yearly paid to them and their successours by the said Prior and Covent of Tutbury excepting the right of presentation to such Churches which were of their advouson as they should fall voyd But these Prioryes-alien were seized into the Kings hands in respect of the wars he had with France the Rents and Profits which issued out of them to those forreign Monasteries in case they had received them as formerly being conceived of advantage unto the Kings enemies for such were the French then esteemed to be as this Record doth fully manifest Que à les maisons en Engleterre sont mandez moignes Franceys de par de la pur convenient d'eux id est of those Houses in France to which they were subject les quels n'ount conisance de gentz ne scavent le language ne la manere de la terre Et outre ceo plusours d'eux avenont de notoirement feble vie soeffrent lour maisons de eschoir divine service amenuser degastent les biens de lour maison come la chose se monstre en fait ount grant indignation qe ul Engleis soit avance entre eux si soit il mi si able persone Et qe plus est a douter come homme suppose communement par eux lour cousins allies autres Franceys qe demourront ovesque eux le Conseil de la terre est descovert les bienz emportez a les oeps des enemies dont supplient c. But the first publick seizure made in that kind for which I have seen any authority was in 23 E. 1. as appeareth by the Roul of that year wherein the particular persons in each County to whom the custody of these Religious Houses was committed are recorded Which persons were to retain them in their hands during the Kings pleasure answering to his Exchequer the profits thereout issuing according to the tenor of the Ordinance therein made by the King and his Councel whereupon those in this County and in Leicestershire were committed to the custody of Iohn de Shelton as the same Record sheweth all Freeholders and other tenants of those lands being commanded to be observant to the said Iohn accordingly It seems that K. Edw. 2. in consideration of a certain Rent to be yearly paid into his Exchequer did commit this Cell with what belonged thereto unto the Prior thereof to hold during the Kings pleasure for so in 1 E. 3. the same Prior by his Petition exhibited to the K. and his Councel then in Parliament doth set forth whereby he craveth restitution of the lands goods and chattels with the advouson of Churches belonging to that house and pardon for such arrearages of Rent which were due upon the above mentioned grant of K. Edw. 2. whereunto the King was gratiously pleased to condescend After this K. Edw. 3. seized it again and committed it to the Prior thereof for a certain Rent to be paid into the Exchequer yearly whereof default being made and the same resumed upon the Petition of the said Prior he allowed him iii sol a week for his maintenance command being given to Roger de Gray and Henry Arderne to make payment thereof unto him accordingly but I do not perceive that there was any one Monk there at that time to bear the Prior company In 31 E. 3. it appears that the Prior of this Monastery having made an agreement to pay xx l. yearly into the Exchequer as a ferm for this Cell and being not able to perform it the King was pleased to pardon ten marks a year thereof for the three next ensuing years After which by an extent of these Prioryes-alien in the 1 2 and 3. years of K. R. 2. I find that the possessions hereof were rated at xxviii l. ix sol per annum and that shortly after it was committed to Warine Waldgrave paying xx l. yearly into the Exchequer as Iohn Chater Prior of that House had wont to do Which frequent seizures giving the Monks beyond Sea little hope to have any considerable profit from their English Cells for the future occasioned the Abbot and Covent of St. Peters super Dinam to think of making their best thereof Whereupon by their publick Instrument bearing date 10 Dec. an 1394. 18 R. 2. expressing that by reason of the wars and distance of place they had not received any benefit at all from thence of 50 years their charges in sending over all waies exceeding the profit and that were there perfect peace concluded betwixt the Kings of England and France the benefit would be so small to them as that it would suffice for the maintenance but of one religious person to be sent from their Monastery thither And therefore considering that it might be of advantage and profit to the Prior and Covent of Carthusians near Coventre then lately founded by K. R. 2. and withall that the said Prior and Covent had given them two thousand four hundred Francks in good gold of French coyn to be imployed in purchasing Rents and Possessions lying nearer and more profitably to them did they by their said publick Instrument grant and confirm to the same Prior and Covent of Carthusians this Cell at Wolfricheston with the advousons of the Churches of Wolfricheston and Church-Lauford in the County of Warr. Potters-pirie in the County of Northampton Homton-Ozehell in the County of Leic. with all other profits and advantages to the said Priory of Wolfrichston any waies belonging to have hold and possess to them
of his body who dying without issue in 31. Eliz. it returned to the Crown whereupon the said Queen by her Pat. dated 28. Oct. 40. Eliz. passed it to Randle Crew of Lincolns-Inne Esq. and Richard Cartwright of London Gent. and their heirs who by their deed of bargain and sale bearing date xxiii Iunii 41. Eliz. granted it to Thomas Dilke Esq. but afterwards Kt. and to his heirs whose Grand-child William Dilke of Maxstoke-Castle now enjoys it The Church here was very antiently given by the Prior of Coventre unto the Cathedrall of Lichfield in the name of a Prebend and in 1291. 19. E. 1. was valued at xv marks but in 26. H. 8. at xi l. vi sol viii d the Procurations and Synodalls being then vi sol viii d. per an and the Curate a stipendary to the Prebend But in it are neither Arms nor Monuments Bobenhull BElow Rieton lyes Bobenhull which in the Conq. time being possest a by Robert de Statford of whom I am to speak in Wotton-wawen and of him held by one Aluric whose freehold it had been before the Norman invasion contained then five hydes whereof the woods were two furlongs in length and two in breadth there being at that time a Mill but the value of all then certified at fifty shillings where it is written Bubenhalle In 13. Ioh. this Mannour answered for the third part of a Knights fee amongst the lands which were of the Honour of Herveus de Stafford And in 36. H. 3. amongst the fees held of the Lord Stafford it was certified that the Earl of Warwick held two parts of a Knights fee here But in 7. E. 1. Iohn Fitzwith being Lord thereof held it of Hugh de Plessets by the third part of a Kts. fee the same Hugh holding it over of the Baron of Stafford which Iohn had at that time here one carucate of land in demesn ten servants that held two yard land and a half seven Freeholders holding ten yard land and eight acres as also eight Cottagers In whose family it continued till the later end of Edw. 3. time but then went away with a Daughter and heir as the descent here inserted will shew Wido filius Roberti 36. H. 3. Ioh. fil Guidonis 7. E. 1. Rob. fil Guidonis miles 3. E. 2. Guido fil Rob. 9. E. 2. Eliz. filia haeres infra aetat 10. E. 2. Thomas de Lucy Joh. le Fitzwith 20. E. 2. Joh. Fitzwith Johan ux 2. postea nupta Will. de Tyrington 15. R. 2. Robertus le Fitzwith dictus le Fitz-Gy 30. E. 3. Agnes filia Will. Catesby Iohanna filia haeres probavit aetatem 49. E. 3. Joh. Beauchamp de Holt Joh. Beauchamp mil. obiit 8. H. 5. Alicia Ioh. Pauncefot 1. maritus Margareta filia haeres Ioh Wysham 2. maritus 1. H. 6. Rob. le Fitzwith I am of opinion that these Fitzwith's had their seat here as I shall further instance anon therefore I purpose here to memorize what I find notable of them Of this Iohn whom I have already mentioned I find that he was the first that assumed the sirname of Fitzwith being the son of one Guido or Guy called Guido filius Roberti as in Shotswell I shall have occasion to shew and in 3. E. 1. one of those who had Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick as also that in 5. E. 1. he attended the King in his expedition into Wales at which time the Welch were reduced to subjection their Prince being then content to accept of such termes as K. Edward would afford him And that in 29. E. 1. he was one of those that received the Kings precept to be at Berwick upon Twede sufficiently appointed with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots To whom succeeded Robert called Robertus filius Guidonis who being a Kt. in 3. E. 2. wrote himself of this place which Robert had issue Guy that dyed in 10. E. 2. leaving Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir within age who departed this life without issue as it seems for the inheritance came to Robert le Fitzwith Nephew to the last Guido by Iohn his Brother which Robert having no issue setled part of his lands in his life time upon the said Robert le Fitzwith his Nephew as I shall more fully shew when I come to Bernangre the rest descending to him This last mentioned Robert had two wives Agnes the Daughter of Will. Catesby and Ioane who survived him and marryed to Will. de Tyrington and died in 36. E. 3. leaving issue Ioane his Daughter and heir ward to Sir Richard Penbruge Kt. by the Kings grant which Ioane marryed to Iohn Beauchamp of Holâ— in Worcester-shire and proved her age in 49. E. 3. whereupon her husband and she had livery of her lands This Iohn Beauchamp had the honour to be the first man that ever had creation to the dignity of a Baron in England by Patent which bears date at Wodstoke x. Octobris undecimo R. 2. but he enjoy'd it not long for the same year the rebellious Lords having rais'd a potent army came up to London and there mustering their men in the sight of the Tower where the King then lodg'd forced him to call a Parliament wherein by their power they did what they listed causing Sir Robert Tresilian chief Justice of England and divers others to be attainted of treason of which number this Sir Iohn Beauchamp then Lord Steward of the Kings house-hold being one was thereupon hang'd drawn and quartered But by the Kings writ of Monstraverunt directed to the Justices of the Common Pleas in xv R. 2. upon the allegation of William de Tyrington and Ioane his wife wherein they set forth that the said William and Ioane had recovered the third part of this Mannour in 43. E. 3. as the dowrie of Ioane against the said Iohn Beauchamp and Elizabeth it appears that the said Iohn and Elizabeth long before this attainder viz. the Sunday being the feast day of the exaltation of the Holy cross in 7. R. 2. did demise it unto Iohn Catesby to hold during the said Iohn Catesby his life in consideration of viii l. per an to be payd to the said Iohn Beauchampe and Ioane and their heirs so that by reason of this demise the viii l. Rent per an onely and the reversion after Iohn Catesby his death were seized for the King in regard of the aforesaid attainder And which is not the least notable that his coat of male being then in the hands of one Iohn Reede an Armorer of London was thereupon delivered up unto Henry E. of Derby afterwards King by the name of Henry the 4. by a speciall command But this attainder as all things else done in that Parliament of xi R. 2. held by force being made void in the Parliament of 21. R. 2.
Mary's reign it being May 15. 1 Mariae that Sir Walter 's murther so hapned To whom succeeded the before specified Richard his son and heir who was strangely juggled out of a fair inheritance this Lordship being part the manner whereof considering what success hath attended it is not unworthy the relation This Richard having but one onely daughter called Margaret by his first wife and doubting of issue male treated with Sir Iohn Littleton of Frankley in Worcestershire for a marriage betwixt his said daughter and William Littleton third son to the said Sir Iohn In consideration whereof he agreed to settle all his lands in remainder after his own decease without other issue upon the said William and Margaret and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten but for lack of such issue to return to his own right heirs And having Writings drawn accordinglyâ— trusted the said Sir Iohn Littleton to get them ingrossed Which being effected and a day appointed for sealing Mr Smyth came over to Frankley where he found very noble entertainment and some of Sir Iohn's friends to bear him company in whose presence the Writings were brought forth and begun to be read but before they came to the uses stept in Sir Iohn Littleton's keeper in a sweat and told them that there were a brace of Bucks at lare in the Park which carryed a glass in their tails for Mr Smyth's Dogs to look in for he loved coursing well and had his Greyhounds there but if they made not hast those market people which passed through the Park would undoubtedly rouse them Whereupon Sir Iohn Littleton earnestly moved Mr Smyth to seal the Writings without further reading protesting that they were according to the draughts he had seen and without any alteration Which bold asleverations putting him out of all suspicion of sinister dealing caused him forthwith to seal them and to go into the Park Hereupon the two Children for they were not above ix years old a peice were marryed together and lived in the house with Sir Iohn But so it hapned that about six years after the young man dyed by a fall from a Horse insomuch as Mr Smyth considering that his daughter had no issue resolved to take her away and signified as much to Sir Iohn who designing to marry her again to George his second son refused to deliver her till which time Mr Smyth never suspected any thing in the Deed formerly so sealed as hath been said But then upon difference betwixt him and Sir Iohn it appeared that for want of issue by the before specified William and Margaret the lands were to divolve unto the right heirs of the said William which was Gilbert Littleton his eldest brother contrary to the plain agreement at first made To make short therefore VVilliam the youngest son marryed her George the second enjoy'd her and Gilbert the eldest had the estate as heir to his brother Which descending to Iohn his son was kept from Mr Smyth the true heir with whom he had great suits in Law and at length by his attainder for adhering to Robert E. of Essex in 42 Eliz. came to the Crown for he was drawn into that Treason as being a man much respected for his wit and valour by those Conspirators and dyed in Prison After which King Iames at his first coming to the Crown of England being petitioned by Muriel the widow to the said Iohn for restitution of his lands well weighing how popular a man the Earl of Essex was and so consequently all those that took part with him were lookt on by the Vulgar unto whom an Act of Mercy could not but be especially at his first entrance very gratefull yeilded to her request and by his Letters pat made a grant of them to her Whereupon she still doubting more trouble by suits with Mr Smyth sold them away to Sergeant Hele a great Lawyer who likewise considering upon what foundation Littleton's title was at first built to the end that it might the better be defended disposed of them to his 5 sons viz. Sir VVarwick Hele and Sir Francis both Knights Nicholas VValter and George But such is the fate that follows these possessions that for want of a publick adversary these brothers are now at suit amongst themselves for them And as none of the line of Gilbert Littleton before specified to whom they so descended by force of the before specified conveyance doth enjoy a foot of them so is it no less observable that the son and heir of George by the same Margaret so marryed as I have declared viz. Stephen Littleton of Holbeach in Worcestershire was attended with a very hard fate being one of the Gunpowder Conspirators in 3 Iac. for which he lost his life and estate as is very well known Bulkintonâ— SOuthwards from hence lyes Bulkinton which is a large Parish containing these Hamlets viz. Weston in Arden Ryeton Bramcote Wolvershill Merston-Iabet and Bernacle of which in their order In the Conquerours dayes this was certified to be in the possession of the Earl of Mellent and held then by Salo his under-tenant at which time it contained 4 hydes and one virgat of land being valued at xx s. and written Bochintone That Ernald de Boys was Steward to Rob. Bossu E. of Leic. I have already taken notice in Clifton but whether this place descended to him as heir to Robert de Watervill his Uncle or whether he were enfeofft thereof immediatly by the said Earl I cannot say nevertheless that he succeeded Watervill as heir is most probable for it appears that Roger de Watervill brother of Robert gave the Church to the Abby of Leicester upon or near the time of that Monastery its foundation which was in an 1143. 8 Steph. To which Church were then belonging two yard land called the glebe with the Chappels of Bernangle Weston Ryton Merston Schelton Ansty and Bramcote all which except Schelton and Ansty do yet continue of this Parish for in those dayes it was seldome seen that the possession of the Mannour and patronage of the Church were in several hands before such perpetual advousons were given to the Monks Which Ernauld confirmed the said grant of Roger de Watervile so also did his descendants the 3 succeeding Ernalds In 13 E. 1. Iohn de Boys son to the last Ernald claimed a Court-Leet Gallows power to punish the breakers of the Assize of Bread and Ale as also Weyfs and to be discharged of the common amerciaments of the County All these I say he claimed then by prescription in this his Mannour of Bulkinton Weston and Ryton with Free-warren here by grant to Ernald his father which were allowed To whom succeeded William his brother and heir as in Clifton is manifested Which William setled this Mannour with divers other upon himself for life and afterwards upon VVilliam de la Zuche and Maud his wife and the heirs of the same VVilliam
whom partition being made in 6. R. 2. Iohn Malory son to the same Iohn and ..... had this Mannour of Fenni-Neubold with certain lands in Esenhull Stretton and Strod-Aston and the Capitall meâ—suage or Mannour house of Paylington assigned to him Robert de Whitney and Ioane his wife the Mannour of Clifton in this County with certain lands in Newton juxta Clifton for their part And Richard Boteler Ioane his wife the Mannour of Browns-Over with certain Rents and services in Paylington Which Iohn Malory was constituted one of the Commissioners for conservation of the Peace in this County in 13. and 14. R. 2. In 15. being then a Kt. he was made Shiriff of these Counties To whom succeded Iohn one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parl. held at Westm. 1. H. 5. and in 4. H. 5. Shiriff also of these Counties In 7. H. 5. he was by speciall Commission with others assigned to treat with the people about a loan of money to the King In that year K. H. 5. being victorious in France and Humf. D. of Glouc. his youngest Brother constituted Custos Angliae in the K. absence precepts were directed to the Shiriffs of all the Counties in England in the K. name and signed by the said D. commanding them to elect and appoint a certain number in each Shire of Kts. and Esquires bearing Armes from their Ancestours such as were most able and sufficient to serve the K. for defence of the Realm all which were to attend the K. Councell at Westm. the Tuesday in the first week of Lent For which purpose 13. being chosen in this County this Iohn Malory was one In 2. H. 6. he underwent the office of Eschaetor for these Counties of Warr. and Leic. and the next year following the Sheriffalty And having been in Commission for the peace from 6. H. 5. till 12. H. 6. left issue Thomas who in K. H. 5. time was of the retinue to Ric. Beauchamp E. Warr. at the siege of Caleys and served there with one lance and two Archers receiving for his lance and 1. Archer xx li. per an and their dyet and for the other Archer .x. marks and no dyet This Thomas being a Kt. in 23. H. 6. served for this Shire in the Parliam then held at Westm. and dying 14. Martii 10. E. 4. lyeth buryed under a marble in the Chappell of St. Francis at the Gray-Friers near Newgate in the Suburbs of London To whom succeded Nicholas his Grand-Child viz. son of Robert who dyed in his Fathers life time Which Nich. being a Justice of Peace in this County from the 17. of H. 7. till his death left issue two Daughters his heirs viz. Dorothe first marryed to Edw. Cave and afterwards to George Ashby who had upon partition made of that inheritance 26. H. 8. the Mannour of Winwick in Northampt-sh with certain lands in Stretton and Paylington in this County as also in Swinford Com. Leic. And Margery first married to Clement Cave but afterwards to Iohn Cope which Margery having this Mannour of Newbold assigned to herupon the said partition with certain lands in Esenhull before specified joyned with her second Husband Iohn Cope 12. Oct. 29. H. 8. in the salâ— of this Mannour to Thomas Pope then Treasurer of the Court of Augmentation which Thomas Pope by his deed dated 14. Iulii 30. H. 8. past it to Will. Whorwood Solicitour generall to the K. whose Daughter and heir Margaret became the wife of Thomas Throgmorton Esq. Son and heir unto Sir Rob. Throgmorton of Coughton Kt. which Thomas and Margaret sold it to Sir William Stamford one of the Justices of the K. Bench From whom it descended to Sir Robert Stamford Kt. his son and heir who left it to Charls Stamford a younger son of whom Elizabeth the widow of Iohn Alderford of Abbots-Salford Esq. purchased it for Edward Morgan her son by ..... Morgan a former Husband which Edward sold it to Sir Sym. Clarke Baronet the owner thereof an 1640. Copston-magna OF this place I shall not need to say much for as to the Etymologie of the name what I have exprest in Copston-parva will serve turn And that it was given by Geffrey Wirce to the Monastery of St. Nich. at Angiers in 12 Will. Conq. what I have said in my discourse of Monkskixby will manifest That it continued in the hands of those Monks as parcell of the possessions of the Priory-alien of Monkskirby and past therewith to the House of Carthusians founded in the I le of Axholme in 20 R. 2. I have likewise signified in Monkskirby as also that upon the dissolution of the Religious houses in 31 H. 8. it came to the Crown for all which I shall refer my Reader to the Records there cited not being able to give any further account thereof Neunham-Padox THis place by reason of another not farre off which hath the same appellation hath been antiently distinguished from that by these severall additions scil Newnham juxta Kirkby-monach Newnham parva Cold Newnham and lastly Newnham Padox by reason of a little Park formerly there as 't is like In the Conq. Survey it is rated for one Hide valued at lx s. and written Niweham Geffrey Wirce of whom I have spoke in Kirby being then possest thereof with the rest of whose lands it came to Nigel de Albani as in Kirby I have intimated and was towards the end of H. 2. time as I guess granted by Nigel de Moubray Grand-child to the said Nigell unto Roger de Newham for of this Roger is there no mention in 12 of that Kings reign when Roger de Moubray certified his Knights Fees but afterwards I find that the same Roger de Newham held one Kts. Fee of Nigel de Munbray before mentioned which was doubtlesse for this place To whom succeeded VVill. de Niweham who in 11 Ioh. accounted for vii marks towards the making up for Will. de Molbray that Fine he payd to the King for part of his inheritance concerning which he was impleaded by VVill. de Stutevill From which VVilliam who is stiled Dominus VVillielmus de Newnham which argues he was a Kt. it came in process of time to Philip and was in 6 E. 3. by him setled for want of issue on Robert his Brother for life the remainder to Iohn another Brother and the heirs of his Body and for default of such issue on Ioane Sister to the said Iohn And for lack of issue by her on Mariot his other Sister with remainder to the right heirs of the said Ioane then wife of Roger Ryvell But from this Philip descending two Daughters and heirs viz. Kath. marryed to Iohn Collard and Isabell to Walter Whitehorse the same Iohn and Catherine in 36 E. 3. past their title therein unto the said Walter and
cart load every week by oversight of the said Foresters Other reservations there are but these which I have mentioned are the most memorable In consideration of all which the said Prior and Covent were to pay yearly unto the same Rog. and Cecily and their heires at the mannour-house of Cheylesmore before mentioned c. li. sterling viz. on the Octaves of St. Andrew the Octaves of S. Mary in March the Octaves of S. Iohn B. and the Octaves of S. Michael and x. marks annually for the Nuns of Polesworth at Easter and Michaelmass by even portions under the penalty of x. li. and a clause for distress And besides a Fine levyed in the same 34. year of H. 3. by the said Roger and Cecily for warranty of the premisses so granted did the said Cecily in her widowhood by her deed of Release quit all her interest in the said mannour according to the tenor of the before specified grant As also in the Hospitall and Chappell of Sponne sometime perteining to the Abby of Basingwerk in Flintsh as her said Release imports The next thing which falls out in order of time to be taken notice of in relation to this place is that here it was that those persons elected for the determination upon what terms such as were disherited for their activeness in that notable Rebellion against K. H. 3. should redeem their lands met and resolv'd thereupon Which Decree of theirs is notwithstanding called Dictum de Kenilworth in regard it was then publish't in the K. Camp at that famous six months siege of the Castle as in Kenilworth I have already intimated After this viz. in 3. E. 1. upon the extent of this mannour after the death of Rob. de Montalt son to the before mentioned Roger the mannour-house called Cheylesmore with the Park and Mill in the Park were valued at 5. marks per annum the Rent of Assise belonging thereto 39 li. 09. s. 07. d. and the perquisits of Court 6. s. -8 d. And in 13. E. 1. had the Burgesses and Inhabitants here the K. Letters Pat. bearing date 3. Aug. giving them authority to take Toll of all vendible commodities that should be brought hither for the space of 3. years from Michaelmass next ensuing towards their charge of paving the town viz. for every Hors-load of Corn a half-peny for Every Horse Mare Oxe or Cow a half-peny And likewise upon every thing els which for brevities sake I omit But it seems that xx years afterwards this work of paving was not fully done for in 23. of the same K. reign they had another Pat. to take Toll upon the like Commodities and granted Ballivis probis hominibus de Coventre whereas the other was Burgensibus probis hominibus which shews that the originall of their Bayliffs was betwixt the 13. and 33. E. 1. though the very time when they were constituted be not recorded After which viz. in 9. E. 2. the Prior of Coventre and Rob. de Montalt were certified to be Lords of this place with its members which Rob. being brother and heir to Roger son to the last mentioned Robert with Emme his wife in 1. E. 3. levyed a Fine of all their interest here by the name of the mannour of Cheylesmore with the appurtenances 96. li. 6. s. -8 d. yearly Rent and the services of the Prior of Coventre thereby entayling the same upon the heirs male of his body and for want of such issue on Isabell Q. of England Mother to K. E. 3. during her life and after her decease on Iohn of Eltham brother to the said King and the heirs of his body and for lack of such issue on thâ— said K. Edward and his heirs for ever For setling whereof as abovesaid he had the Kings license dated at Peterborough 8. April Hitherto have I taken notice of the most remarkable passages touching Coventre in generall but now that I am come to the vesting of Cheylesmore in the royall line it will be most proper I conceive to observe what els is notable in relation thereto in order of time reserving what I have further to say of Coventre in generall to be afterwards spoke by it self First then that the situation of this mannour is upon the Southern side of the town the Map to those that know not the place will demonstrate but as to the antiquity of its name can I say little having not met with any mention thereof till 34. H. 3. that Rog. de Montalt and Cecily his wife do in their grant of Coventre to the Monks except it by the name of their mansion or mannour-house of Cheylesmore yet that the seat which the E. of Chester had in that very place was much elder is not to be doubted in regard 't is apparent that their Castle concerning the siege whereof in K. Steph. time by E. Ran. the second I have already spoke stood there For in that ample Charter made by Hugh Keviliok E. of Chester to the Monks of Coventre in H. 2. time in pointing out the boundaryes dividing the Earls part and the Priors asunder he traces the same from S. Mich. -Church-yard and so juxta latam portam mei Castelli are his words Now that this Gate he means was not far off Cheylesmore the place where it stood doth sufficiently testify being at the end of that passage now called Greyfrier-lane entring into the great High-street and retayning the said name of Broad-yale to this day From which testimony may also be observed that the circuit of the outer ward to that Castle was of a large extent considering that it did reach so far North towards the town Having said thus much as to its situation and antiquity I shall proceed with the succession thereof wherein I observe that K. E. 3. having in the Parl. begun at Westm. on the munday next after the feast of S. Matthew the Apostle in xi year of his reign advanced Edward his eldest Son commonly called the Black Prince unto the Dukedom of Cornwall did inter alia for his better support of that honour by his Charter bearing date 1. Oct. the same year settle upon him the reversion of this mannour after the decease of Q. Isabel before specified Iohn of Eltham E. of Cornwall tenant in remainder being then dead without issue to hold to him the said D. and to the eldest sons of him and his heirs Kings of England Dukes of that place successively and not to be severed from the said Dukedom upon the death or not existency of such Dukes to revert unto the Crown together therewith Whereunto the said Q. Isabel by her Letters Pat. dated 10. Dec. in the same year did signify her assent and in regard of her estate therein made attourment After which were there divers great priviledges granted to this place viz. in 18. E. 3. that the tenants to the said Q. should during her life be free from pavage
passage paage lestage stallage tallage carriage pesage pikage and terage throughout all the Kings dominions and that she should within the precincts thereof have Return of writts as also felons goods Fines for trespasses and for licences of concord amerciaments redemptions issues forfeited year day and wast with divers other And the next year following did the same K. further grant to the before specified Q. during her life and to the said Prince in reversion and his heirs a Court-Leet within this mannour with power to hold pleas of all such things as usually were determined before the Justices of Assise for the County of Warwick and likewise to have Return of writts goods of felons and fugitives within the precincts thereof with a gaol for the safe custody of felons or other transgressors And in 21. E. 3. had one Will. le Galeys license to found a Chantry here consisting of three Priests whereof one to be the Warden and to build a Chappell there in honour of the Blessed Virgin with a convenient mansion for them as also to amortize thereunto five mess. lying in Coventre Which Priests were to celebrate divine service daily for the good estate of the said K. E. 3. Q. Isabell his mother Edw. Prince of Wales and of the said Will. le Galeys during their lives and for the health of their Souls afterwards as also for the Souls of Edward late King of England the K. father and of Iohn late E. of Cornwall his brother and all the faithfull deceased After which viz. in 50. E. 3. I find that the said Prince gave 23. mess 6. cottages and 2. gardens lying here in Coventre which were parcell of this his mannour of Cheylesmore unto the Abby of Uale-Royall in Cheshire of Cisterc. Monks founded by the K. his father in 11. of his reign And the same year did he dy seized of this mannour leaving Ric. his son and heir 9. years of age and a half afterwards King by the name of R. 2. in whose days the Park here was not without Deer it seems for in 8. of his reign granting to one Tho. de Quinton the keepership of its pasturage for 6. years paying c. s. per annum to his Exchequer he reserv'd sufficient grasse for them In which 8. year the walls on the South part of this City being not built the Mayor Bayliffs and commonalty thereof humbly besought the K. to give them leave that they might go forward with that work concerning which I shall speak more fully anon who thereupon granted license to them so to do on condition that they should include within their walls his said mannour place standing within the Park of Cheylesmore as the Record expresseth which Park was a woody-ground in those times for in 11. R. 3. the K. assigned Ric. Clerk then keeper thereof to cause as much underwood there to be cut down as would make 3000. fagots and with the money arising by the sale of them to repair the pales And in 9. H. 5. Rob. Castell the K. Steward of this mannour was appointed to cause 12. oaks within it to be fallen for repair of the House as also more underwood to the value of 40. l. for defray of such charges as he should be at therein After this viz. in 16. H. 8. I find that the K. made a lease for 21. years of this his mannour with the herbage of the park and conyes there to Geffrey Whalley Prior of Ulvescroft in Leicestershire for 21. years for the rent of 13. li. -09 s. 05. d. ob And in 3. E. 6. did that K. by his Letters pat bearing date 19. Iulii grant it with the said Park unto Iohn E. of Warwick and his heirs as being part of the possessions annexed to the Dutchy of Cornwall by Charter and not in Parliament to hold in Capite Which Iohn on the 12. of Aug. following made a lease of the premisses unto the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of this City for the terme of 99. years to the uses and intents following viz. that they and their successors for the relief of the poor of the said City should yearly take to pasture in the said Park the number of 80. kyne or heyfers and 20. geldings of such poor Inhabitants of the said City and Suburbs as should not have elswhere nigh thereto sufficient pasture paying yearly for every Cow or heyfer 1. d. and for every gelding 2. d. But after his attainder which hapned in 1. Mariae as in Warwick I have shewed the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty by the mediation of Rob. E. of Leic. son to the said Iohn obteyn'd a grant thereof from Q. Eliz. to hold to them and their successors for ever in fee ferme the Rent reserved being ix li. per annum whereupon they covenanted with the said Earl to observe and perform the trusts before specified for the behalf of the poor Inhabitants as by an Indenture dated 4. Apr. 10. Eliz. appeareth HAving now finished my discourse of Cheylesmore I return to Coventre it self of which the last observable matter that I took notice was touching the paving thereof in 33. E. 1. To the end therefore that it may appear by what degrees it ascended to that beauty and strength in the walls and other buildings of note as also to those priviledges which it now enjoyeth I shall in order of time proceed to declare In 2. E. 3. the Monks of Coventre with the Inhabitants thereof obteyn'd a Pat. for taking Toll of all vendible commodityes that should be brought thither to sell for six years towards their charges of inclosing the same And at the request of Iohn of Eltham E. of Cornwall who had an estate in reversion in the mannour of Cheylesmore as I have there declared for two years more after the end of those six upon condition that the said Earl should not be charged towards building of the gates Which Pat. bears date at Leicester 6. Jan. the same year The particular proportions of Toll little differing from those which were assessed upon every thing for pavage as is before intimated After this in the 6. year of the said K. the Inhabitants of this town had license to erect a Common Conduit of xx foot long and x. foot broad in any of the streets thereof that they should think fittest for their conveniency and benefit And within 2. years following for their better encouragement in prosecuting their affairs obteyn'd a grant to them their heirs and successors of freedom from Toll pavage pontage and murage for all their merchandize throughout the K. dominions in consideration whereof he received a fine of ten marks from them But it had not then the reputation of a City or a Borough and the Record gives this reason eo quod in Quintis-decimis Regi Concessis non contribuit ultra summam c. marcarum In this K. reign it was that Coventre grew up
and one man and woman in Gray-Friers-Hospitall which man and boy are accordingly placed in this House and the Citty at their own charge makes their mayntenance equall with the rest of the Hospitall-men and boys In the year 1560. this Hospitall for Boys was first erected in the place where now it is being a House of the Cittyes and was for some years mainteyned by the Citty and the charity of well disposed people of Cittizens and Strangers till Mr Wâ—eatly in An. 1566. setled some lands towards the mayntenance thereof and other Benefactors since have given in all with his gift about 96 l. per ann Which being not sufficient to maynteine xxi Boyes and a Nurse and place them out Apprentices the Citty doth make up the rest being above 40 l. a year one year with another Corpus-Christi-Gild In Mill-lane THis Gild was founded in 22 E. 3. by Rob. Chaundos Iohn de Wynwik Clerk Iohn de Wyndsore Iohn de Weston Tho. Chaloner Will. Prest Henry de Busseby Nich. le Hunt Iohn Prest Will. de Teynton Gilb. de Pulteney Iohn Russell sen. Ric. le Gonere Iohn de Busheley Rog. de Tuwe Nich. Floutere Ric. Coupere Peter Percy and Nich. Pake in honour of the body and blood of our blessed Saviour for one Priest to sing Mass daily for the good estate of the same King E. and of the said Rob. Iohn c. above specified during their lives in this world and for their souls afterwards as also of all the faithfull deceased Unto which Iohn Scardeburgh of Coventre Iohn Wedon and divers others granted 29 mess. and a half 8 acres of land and 18 d. yearly rent all lying in Coventre in 15 R. 2. The lands and tenements belonging whereunto were by the Survey taken in 37 H 8. certified to be yearly worth 36 l. 10 s. 8 d. Out of which was annually paid to 4 Priests performing divine service in the Churches of the holy Trinity and S. Mich. viz. to each of them 4 l. a peice In toto 16 l. To poor people such as had formerly been of this Fraternity C s. per ann And in obits yearly C s. Of this Gild was Prince Edw. a Brother being so admitted 18 E. 4. as he was also of Trinity-Gild before mentioned Sheremen and Taylors Gild. adjoyning to Gosford-gate in S. George his Chappel as is said THere was yet one Gild more viz. of the Sheremen and Taylors founded it seems in R. 2. time to the honour of Christs Nativity Which K. gave them license to purchase lands in this City of 8 marks per ann value to find a Priest to sing Mass every day for the souls of the Founders thereof and all the faithfull deceased Whereunto K. H. 6. in 17 of his reign added his license for their purchasing of more lands to the value of x marks per ann and that they should choose 4 men of their Fraternity yearly at the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord to be Masters or Governours of the same and to have a Common Seal as also power to plead in any of the Kings Courts as a body corporate From which Gilds or Fraternities there is no doubt but divers Companies in the Cities and Corporations through England took their first patterns for obtaining such priviledges and immunities as at this day they enjoy And now that these Citizens had thus associated themselves into the several Fraternities before mentioned they began to have an opinion that if any more such Gilds were allowed in this place they might receive some inconvenience thereby And therefore in 1 H. 5. procured a declaratory Patent from the K. that thenceforth there should not be any new Gild erected But the young people viz. Journeymen of several trades observing what merry-meetings and feasts their Masters had by being of those Fraternities and that they themselves wanted the like pleasure did of their own accord assemble together in several places of the City and especially in S. George's Chappel near Gosford-gate which occasioned the Mayor and his Brethren in 3 H. 6. to complain thereof to the King alledging that the said Journeymen in these their unlawfull meetings called themselves S. George his Gild to the intent that they might maintain and abet one another in quarrels and for their better conjunction had made choyce of a Master with Clerks and Officers to the great contempt of the K. authority prejudice of the other Gilds viz. the holy Trin. and Corp. Christi and disturbance of the City Whereupon the K. directed his Writ to the Mayor and Justices with the Bayliffs of this City commanding them by Proclamation to prohibite any more such meetings HAving thus taken notice of all that is or hath been within the Walls which is worth observation I come to the Suburbs where I find nothing considerable but the Chappel or Hospital of Sponne on the West part of this City This Hospital was founded in H. 2. time by Hugh Keveliok E. of Chester who having a certain Knight of his houshold called Will. de Auney a Leper gave in pure Alms for the health of his soul and the souls of his ancestors his Chappel here at Sponne with the site thereof and half a carucat of land thereto belonging for the maintenance of such Lepers as should happen to be in the Town of Coventre In which Chappel was antiently one Priest at least to celebrate divine service for the living and the dead And with him had also wont to be certain Brethren and Sisters together with the Lepers praying to God for the good estate of all their Benefactors But this Hospital upon the grant of the Mannour of Coventre to the Monks in 34 H. 3. by Rog. de Montalt and Cecily his wife was inter alia reserved to the said Roger and Cecily and their heirs which Cecily had Coventre by inheritance from those Earls And in the Release made to the said Monks of the premisses by her the said Cecily in her widowhood is said to have been sometime belonging to the Abby of Basingwerk in Flintsh But clear it is that the Monks shortly after appropriated it to their own use though they held it not so very long for I find that it came at length to the Crown together with the Mannour of Cheylesmore and therein continued till 14 E. 4. But then did the K. pass it away to the Canons of Studley in this County and their successors by the name of Libera Capella S. Mariae Magd. apud Sponne juxta Coventrâ— with all the lands tenements c. thereto belonging in pure alms to pray for the good estate of him the said K. and of Q. Eliz. his consort Edw. his eldest son Pr. of Wales D. of Cornwall c. during their natural lives and for their souls afterwards as also for the soul of Ric. late D. of York the said K. father and all his progenitors The Arch-deaconry of Coventre AND now
the ascent whereon it stood Pen in the Brittish language signifying the head top or chief part and I le the same with Locus It should seem that antiently it was a pretty village otherwise there had been no cause for the Chappel but till H. 3. time that Geff. de Langley a man of great note in those days made it his seat I have not seen any thing memorable of it 'T is very like that the neerness of its situation to Coventre invited him to build here for in 22. H. 3. he had a grant from the King of certain timber trees out of Kenilworth-woods for that purpose Of what extraction this family was I know not though they had divers fair Lordships in this County but for as much as this was their chief seat I do here resolve to take notice of what I have found memorable of them Galfr. de Langley temp H. 2. Galfr. de Langley 22. H. 3. obiit 2. E. 1 ....... ux 1. Magr. Rob. de Langley 2. E. 1. Galfr. de Langley 22. H. 3. obiit 2. E. 1 Matilda ux 2. Walt. de Langley defunctus 8. E. 1. ...... ux 1. Ela una fil cohaer Isab. de Hulles 17. E. 2. Joh. de Langley miles 29. E. 1. ..... ux 1. Walterus ob S. p. Ioh. obiit S. prole Magr. Tho. de Langley 4. E. 3. Galfr. de Langley defunctus 10. E. 3. Maria 18. E. 2. Galfr. de Langley 4. E. 3. Ioh. fil Alani de Cherlton militis 33. E. 3. Iohanna filia haeres ob S. p. Ioh. Trillow jun. miles 2. maritus Edm. de Langley 9. E. 2. .... filia Will. de Bereford Iustic Regis Ioh. de Langley Williel de Careswell 2. maritus 4. E. 3. Ioh. de Langley de Atherston super Stour 18. R. 2. Ioh. de Langley Edm. de Langley 9. E. 2. Iohanna ux 1. Ioanna ux Edm. de Chesterton Rog. de Chesterton Eliz. filia haeres Ioh. Barndesley 4. H. 4. Galfr. obiit vita Patris Walt. de Langley defunctus 8. E. 1. Alicia Domina de Bykenhull ux 2. Rob. de Langley 29. E. 1. Alianora filia Rad. de Molington Marg. filia haeres Will. de Peto 47. E. 3. Ioh. de Peto Chivalier Will. de Pâ—to consangu haeres Galf. de Langley 22. R. 2. Galfr. de Langley 15. E. 1. The first mention I have met with of this name and stock is in H. 2. time the K. confirming the grant made by one Geffrey de Langley to the Monks of Combe of lands in Herdebergh now called Harborow-magna in this County 'T is very like that the same Geffrey was the father of this but if there were more than two in a direct line of that Christen name I know not how to distinguish them With Geffrey whom I suppose to be the son of that Geffrey which was a benefactor to Combe I will begin He was first Marshall of the K. Household an office belonging to the E. Marshall of England in fee who by the K. consent appoints a Knight under him to execute the same In which he so behaved himself that the King took great notice of him for a thrifty servant and for that cause afforded him much grace and respect though others con'd him little thank in regard he cut shorr the antient allowance for the Kings own table and lessened the old hospitality of the Court. In 23. H. 3. he obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn-lands here And in 26. H. 3. attended the King in that expedition of Gascoign wherein the English suffered great loss in which voyage he got such reputation with the King as accelerated it seems his further profit and advancement For in 34. H. 3. he obtained a Patent to his own use dated 29. Dec. of the whole benefit accruing by expeditation of Dogs throughout all the Forests of England And the fourth of March following to be Justice of the Kings Forests from Trent Southwards As also within few days after to be Governour of the Castle and Honour of Rokingham in Northampton-shire The same year likewise upon the return of a Writ of Ad quod dampnum had he license to stop up and inclose a certain High-way which interposed betwixt his House and woods here at Pinley and to impark those woods 'T is not to be doubted but as he managed the business his office of Justice in the Forests was very beneficiall to him but with what credit he did the King that service and inrich't himself let us hear an impartiall relation from an Author of that time Sub eisdem siquidem temporibus c. About these times saith he a certain in Knight called Geffrey de Langley who was a Bayliff to the King and a strict Inquisitor after all trespasses committed in the Forests rode through most parts of England In which Office he behaved himself with that cunning frowardness and violence in extorting vast summs of money especially from the Northern gentry as that the very Auditors themselves were astonisht at such a mass And for the better carrying on this course of oppression he rode with a great company of attendants well armed so that if any of those against whom he thus proceeded did but seem to excuse themselves in a muttering way their enemyes being Judges he presently caused them to be cast into prison Neither did he use any proportion in the punishment sutable to the offence for were it but the killing of a Fawn or a Hare and that crossing the way in a mans passage though he were the greatest Noble-man that did itâ— he would ruin him So that this his cruelty made the memory of his predecessors pretious nay Robert Passelew himself in comparison of him was counted a Saint Which Robert being Justice of the Forests immediatly before had been the man that first brought him into that imployment whose good turn he requited with supplanting him putting out all those under Officers that he had placed and undoing them to boot Whereupon the said Robert considering the instability of these terrestriall things forsook the Court and became a Priest Which ways of oppression and cruelty rendred our Geffrey so odious that the K. within two years thought best in prudence to remove him from that Office least the peoples discontents should reflect upon himself And therefore the better to satisfy the world he sent him away into Scotland there to be one of the Governours unto his daughter the Queen of Scots But the Nobles of that Realm finding of what an insolent Spirit he was would not long endure him there whereupon he betook himself to the service of Prince Edward in which he so managed the business that he raised up many enemyes to the King and Prince as well as to himself For being imployed in Wales by the Prince he so tirannized that in 40. H. 3. the Welch broke out into rebellion which
been granted by Thomas Wygford Prior of Coventre and his Covent to one Will. Allicock for 80. years from the 29. of Sept. 26. H. 8. And that afterwards viz. 32. Eliz. the Q. by her Letters Pat. bearing date 21. Martii conveyed inter alia to Sir Iohn Harington Knight afterwards created Lord Harington of Exton and Iohn Read gentleman this Mannour of Sow so before leased Which said Sir Iohn and Iohn by their deed of bargain and sale bearing date 2. Iunii the same year past away the Mannour house to Edw. Lapworth and his son with divers lands thereto belonging from whom descended Alexander Lapworth the present owner thereof Anno 1640. But the Royalty or Mannour with some lands there being reserved by the said Sir Iohn Harington were by Lucie Countesse of Bedford his daughter and heir bequeath'd by Will as I have heard to Mr. George Purefoy of Belgrave in Leicestersh who still enjoys it I now return to that part which Richardus Forestarius held This as Chesterton in Kineton-Hundred also did went with Margery the daughter and heir of the said Richard unto William Crok which William leaving it to his son William who was hang'd for felony it escheated to the Crown but by the favour of the King was given to Rob. de Brok that had marryed Margery sister to the said William which Robert leaving one onely daughter and heir who was wedded to Hugh de Loges it thereby came to that family and so through Loges his heir generall at length to Peto as will more clearly be discerned by the descent in Chesterton where I have observed what is memorable of all those families I shall therefore here take notice onely of them so far as they had relation to this place and no further And first concerning Croc I find that though by the abovesaid forfeiture his estate here was confiâ—cate and that Loges had his interest by force of the Kings grant yet did the said Loges think fit to strengthen his title by an agreement with the heir of Croc as may appear by a Fine that Gilb. Croc levyed thereof in 1. Ioh. to the use of the said Hugh Loges and Margerie his wife and their heirs the proportion being the same viz. 1. hide as in the Conq. time the before specified Richardus Forestarius held Betwixt which Gilbert and the Prior of Coventre there had been suit concerning some claime that the said Gilbert made here for conclusion whereof the Prior granted to him Husbote and Heybote and the moytie of the third peny which should be made of the paunage in Sow In 7. E. 1. the particulars that Loges possest in this place were certified for two Carucats of land which he kept in demesne with six Freeholders who held two Cottages one yard land a half and fourth part and two acres by certain Rent and particular services and xl acres of out-wood wherein the Freeholders had reasonable estovers together with a Court-Leet all which he held of the King by Sergeanty viz. to be Keeper of the Forest of Cank though he had no originall grant to shew but certifies that it was per antiquam tenuram sine Charta Which words clearly manifesting that grants by Deed or Charter were not frequent in those elder times it will not be amisse I suppose to shew when such concessions first began wherein I shall exhibite the authority of a most authentique Historian I mean Ingulphus Secretary to the Conq. while he was only D. of Normandy and afterwards Abbot of Crouland who being so great a Schollar and withall a strict observer of the most eminent passages in his time deserves much the more credit Nam Chirographorum confectionem Anglicanam saith he quae antea usque ad Edwardi Râ—gis tempora fidelium praesentium subscriptionibus cum crucibus aureis aliisque signaculis firma fuerunt Normanni condemnantes Chirographa Cartas vocabant Chartarum firmitatem cum cerea impressione per uniuscujusque speciale Sigillum sub instillatione trium vel quatuor testium astantium conficere constituebant Conferebantur etiam primò multa praedia nudo verbo absque scripto vel charta tantùm cum Domini gladio vel cornu vel galea vel â—ratera plurima tenementa cum Calcari cum Strigili cum Arcu nonnulla cum Sagitta Sed hac initio regni sui posterioribus annis immutatus est iste modus The first sealed Charter that we have in England being that of King Edward the Confessor upon his foundation of Westminster Abby who having his education in Normandy brought into this Kingdom that and some other of their fashions with him which afterwards came to be imitated by all others though by the inferior sort not of a â—â—ng time as Mr. Lambert out of the History of Battail-Abbey observes where Ric. de Lucy Chief Justice of England in H. 2. time is reported to have blamed a mean subject for that he used a privat Seal when as that apperteyn'd as he said to the King and Nobility only But returning to Loges I finde that he held five tenements in this place of the Earl of Chester by the service of conducting the said Earl towards the Kings Court through the midst of the Forest of Kanck meeting him at Rotford-bridg upon notice of his coming and at Hopwas-bridg upon his return In which Forest the Earl might if he pleased kill a Deer in his going and another at his coming back giving unto Loges at each time he should so attend him a barb'd Arrow After which viz. in H. 3. time it appears that Hugh de Loges granted to Will. Bagot and his heirs all his lands in Sow to hold of him the said Hugh and his heirs by the payment of a pair of white Gloves price 1 d. or 1 d. in money at the feast of St. Michael yearly for all services Howbeit this though confirm'd by the King 16. Febr. 54. H. 3. took not effect For Richard de Loges son of the said Hugh commencing suite for the same land as his inheritance proved that his father was not compos mentis at the time when he sealed that Deed and so recovered it again Whereupon it became assigned by the name of a Mannour inter alia unto Eliz. the widow of the above mentioned Richard in 28. E. 1. upon whose decease in 11. E. 3. it was found that she held in dowrie certain lands here by petty-Sergeanty viz. giving to the King one barb'd Arrow as often and whensoever as he should pass through the road-way in Sow towards Wales to hunt there How this Mannour came by descent from the family of Loges to Peto the Pedegree in Chesterton will fully shew in whose line it hath ever since continued till this present age In this parish are the hamlets of Attoxhale and Woodend with the Mannour of Hanksbury but of the two first have
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
granted out of the Crown by K. H. 8. inter alia to Thomas Marrow of London Esquire and his heirs by the name of the Mannour of Wrydfen alias Rudfyn 20. Iunii 37. H. 8. Which Thomas in 3. 4. Ph. M. reconvey'd it to the Crown and the same year had a grant thereof again with Berkswell and other lands in this County But it seemes that Marrow kept it not long for the next year following I find that the Queen passed it to Iohn Throkmorton Esq. for 21. years in which grant it is said to have been in the Qu. hands by exchange for other lands with the said Thomas Marrow Which Lease belike was surrendred for plain it is that Q. Eliz. in 7. of her raign convey'd it to Robert E. of Leic. and his heires After whose death Lettice Countess of Leic. his Widow during her life held it but the inheritance being in Sir Robert Dudley Kt. base son to the said Earl by vertue of his fathers Will he in the same grant whereby he past Kenilworth-Castle to Prince Henry joyned this since which it hath accompanyed the possession thereof There is no more building at this place then one house which having been a Grange belonging to the Canons of Kenilworth upon the dissolution of that Monastery was assigned to the last Prior for his residence whist he lived as I have heard Stonely I Now come to Stoneley situatâ—on the Northern bank of Sow a little below the joyning of of Kenilworth-water therewith which is a very spacious Parish and containeth many petty Hamlets and places of Note viz. Cloud Starton Finham Fletchamsted-Superior and Inferior Hurst Cryfield Canle and Hill with the three Granges called Helenhull Bokindene and Milburne of all which in their order Before the Norman invasion King Edward held it in demesn so likewise afterwards did William the Conq. by whose generall Survey it was certified to contain six hides there being then two Priests of whom I shall say more when I speak of Cloud and Fletchamsted the woods extending to four miles in length and two in breadth Kenilw. being a member thereof in which the King had feeding for 2000. Hoggs There were at that time also two Mills rated at 35 s. -4 d. As for the name there needs not much to be said in regard 't is obvious enough considering that the nature of the soil where the Town stands is rocky Stanlej the antient name now altered to Stoneley signifying a stony place In the Crown it continued till H. 2. time answering xvii l. xiv s. v. d. yearly to the King who had within the precincts thereof two Houses one in the Town of Stoneley and the other at Cryfield his tenants here being called Sokemanni by reason saith Bracton upon that word quod deputati sunt ut videtur taantummodò ad culturam quorum custodia maritagia ad propinquiores parentes jure sanguinis pertinebat Which tenants had wont from antient time every 3. Weeks to do their suite at the Kings Court held for this Mannour upon a hill then and yet called the Motstow-hill on the South-side the river opposite to the Church having that appellation because of the pleadings there the word Mote being to this day used in that sense by our Lawyers each Tenant holding one yard land and paying yearly xxx d. viz. 1 d. an acre in regard every yard land contained xxx acres and no more In the distinct Hamlets belonging to this Mannour there were viii yard land onely and if they had any more it was by improvement of the wasts each of which Hamlets gave a certain portion of money for a Common-fine twice a year howbeit that payment was not made by the Sokemanni but by the interior Tenants if there were any the further customes touching which Sokemanni were as followeth viz. 1. That each of them at his death should give an entire Heriot that is to say his Horse Harness and Armes if he had any otherwise his best beast and that the heire succeeding his father should be admitted to the inheritance at xv years of age doubling his Rent for a Relief and from thenceforth to be joyn'd with the rest of the Sokemanni in Juryes as also in collecting the Kings rents and answering to proces as if he had been of full age 2. That they were to have Estovers in the outwoods by the oversight of the Foresters scil Housebote Heybote and Firebote and freedome of paunage for their own Hogs but for such Hogs as they did buy after the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist to give paunage 3. That at the Bederipe in harvest id est the generall Reap for the Lords corn the word Bede signifying to pray or request they should all come upon request or notice with every of their tenants the Sokemanni to ride up and down on Hoseback with wands to see that they work't well and to amerce those in the Court then and there held that made default or laboured idly 4. That they should be in the field at Sun-rising and work till Sun set not sitting down to breakfast but each of them eating what he brought with him as they went up and down the lands to their work and after breakfast to sit down once before dinner the Lord finding them drink but at Noon both they and the Sokemen to have meat and drink provided by the Lord. 5. That the Reapers should eat by themselves every one having a little Wheat-loaf 4. Eggs and pot age viz. Grewell without flesh boyled in it except the Lord would afford them other with Cheese and Beer sufficiâ—nt and after dinner one sittâ—ng down with bread and beer but the Sokemen themselves to be served with better dyet according to their degrees 6. And lastly when the King should assess his Boroughs and Mannours with Tallage he to have from the Sokemen here the tenth part of their goods I now descend to the foundation of the Abby and the occasion thereof The Order of Cistercian Monks being propagated in England towards the later end of K.H. 1. raign as in Combe I have shew'd found in short time many pious Benefactors in severall parts of the Kingdom who bountifully bestowed upon them very large possessions in such places as were most proper for them to seat themselves with least disturbance in their strict and holy Rule of serving God Amongst which were Maud the Empress and King Stephen who though otherwise opposites to each other yet in this good work concurred granting a certain desert called Redmore lying in the Forest of Canok in Stafford-shire a mile Southwards from Beaudesert unto Clement and Herveâ—e two devout Hermits with others of their society As also a certaine laund called Mellesho for tillage and pasturing of cattell Which Concessions Roger de Clinton then Bishop of Chester not onely confirmed but gave them liberty to betake themselves to what regular life soever they through Gods direction should
in all 17. quarters and a half and 6. quarters of Malt made in beer at 4 s. the quarter The yearly fee then to the principall Officers being to Henry Marq. Dorset their high Seward Liii s. iv d. To Robert Caster gent. their generall Receiver xxvi s. viii d. And to Thomas Gregory Auditor xxvi s. viii d. So that being in clear yearly value less than CC li. it was suppressed by Act of Parl. in 27. H. 8. whereupon the Monks were for the most part disposed of to other Religious Houses that then stood undissolved Thomas Tutbury the then Abbot having a Pension of 23 li. per annum assigned to him during his life Catalogus Abbatum 1. Willielmus primus Abbas obiit Id. Dec. anno 1159. 2. Rogerus obiit Non. Feb. anno 1178. 3. Nicholaus obiit Cal. Sept. anno 1188. 4. Henricus obiit 3. Id. Sept. anno 1189. 5 Will. Pershore translatus ad Bordesley 6. Will. de Campden Abbatizavit 8. ann 7. Will. de Tysoe obiit 10. Cal. Aug. an 1217. 8. Ranulphus cessit officio ann 1221. 9. Will. Gyldeford depositus ann 1231. 10. Osbertus de Westwelle renuntiavit officio Non. Sept. ann 1258. 11. Petrus Wyche obiit 9. Cal. Martii 1261. 12. Ric. de Merynton à regimine amotus ann 1272. 13. Tho. de Orlescote translatus ad Bordesle an 1277. 14. Wâ—ll de Heyford assumptus in Abb. de Bordesse an 1293. 15. Ioh. de la Sale depositus post an 16. 2. menses 16. Rob. de Hockele obiit die S. Desiderii Episc. an 1349. 17. Rob. de Atherston renuntiavit officio anno tertio regiminis sui 18. Thomas de Weston alià s dictus Tho. de Pipe successit eidem Roberto 9. Cal. Iunii an 1352. aetate juvenis Rob. Sutton 10. H. 7. Thom. Hodskinson Thom. Tutbury 27. H. 8. After the before-specified dissolution it contitinued not long in the Crown for in 30. H. 8. it was granted to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and his heirs Which D. had issue Henry and Charles who both dying childless Sir Ric. Cavendish Knight Sir William Sidney Knight Thomas Glemham Esq. Tho. Lovell Esq. Christian Darnell widow Eliz. the wife of Walter Ayscough Esq. and Eliz. the wife of Iohn Trye were found to be their cosins and heirs Betwixt whom partition being made 21. Maii 2. Eliz. the site of this Monastery with part of the lands thereunto belonging was allotted unto William Cavendish Esq. son and heir to the said Sir Richard Which Will. by the name of Will. Cavendish of Trymley St. Martin in Com. Suff. Esq. by his deed bearing date 17. Martii 3. Eliz. sold it unto Sir Rowland Hill and Sir Thomas Leigh Knights Aldermen of London After which upon division made of divers Mannours and Lands joyntly acquired by them the site of this Monastery became allotted to the same Sir Thomas Leigh who purchasing in the greatest part of all other lands lying in Stonley thereabouts and obtain'd in 4. Eliz. a Pat. of confirmation for them all together with the Mannour of Stonley Which Sir Thomas being son to Roger Leigh of Wellington in Shrop-shire descended by a younger branch from that antient family of the Leigh's of High-Leigh in Cheshire as their descent sheweth and bred up under the said Sir Rowland Hill an opulent merchant of London became at length for his skill and diligence his Factor beyond Sea and underwent that trust so well that Sir Rowland having no child match't his neece whom he much affected to him viz. Alice daughter to ...... Barker of Hamon in Shropshire upon whose issue he bestow'd the greatest part of his estate Much might be said of this Sir Thomas Leigh who was Lord Mayor of London in 1 Eliz. but let the Epitaph upon his Monument at Mercers-Chappell where he lyeth buried suffice for he dyed in that City ....... 14. Eliz. leaving issue 3. sons Rouland Thomas and William The eldest of which was largely provided for in Gloucester-shire at Longborow and thereabouts by the said Sir Rouland Hill his Godfather But the second here And the third at Neunham in this County had ample possessions setled upon them by their father and mother she being joyned purchaser in all and lived here at Stonley to a very great age to see her childrens children to the fourth generation where departing this life ..... Ian. an 1603. she was buried at the upper end of the Chancell on the North side The memoriall of which worthy Lady though there be none over the place of her sepulture will continue in that lasting monument of her piety erected in this Town I mean the Hospitall for poor people of which I shall say more anon Thomas the second son Knighted by Q. Eliz. and honoured with the title of Baronet at the first erection of that order scilicet 29. Iunii 9. Iac. wedded Katherine daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser of Wormleighton Knight by whom he had issue Sir Iohn Leigh Knight his son and heir whom he survived And having lived to a great age in much reputation being Custos Rotulorum for this County and in all publique employments of his time one of the superior rank deceased in Febr. 1. Car. leaving Sir Thomas Leigh son to the before specified Sir Iohn his next heir Which Sir Thomas now Lord of this Mannour having been dignified with Knighthood by King Iames wedded Mary daughter and coheir to Sir Thomas Egerton Knight eldest son to Thomas Lord Ellesmere Lord Chancelour of England and firmely adhering to the late King Charles in his greatest distresses was in testimony of his stedfast loyalty advanced to the degree and title of a Baron of this Realm The Church dedicated to our Lady whereunto belonged 8. yard land being given by K. H. 1. to the Canons of Kenilworth shortly after the Foundation of that Monastery was appropriated to them by Geffrey Muschamp Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield in King Iohn's time with a Pension of v. marks out of the Vicaridge and confirmed by Pope Gregory the ix anno 1228. 12. H. 3. And in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at 24. marks the Vicaridge in 26. H. 8. being likewise rated at vi li. -xv s. iv d. over and above xxx s. yearly Pension then payd to the Canons of Kenilw. and 8 s. per annum allowed for Procurations and Synodals Which Vicaridge was by the Lady Aliza Dudley augmented with 20 li. per annum out of lands purchased in Manceter whereof I have there taken notice who also gave three large and faire pieces of gilt plate to remain for the use of the Communicants here for ever The Hospitall before mentioned was founded by the said Lady Alice Leigh for ten poor people viz. five men and five women all of them to be unmarried persons and nominated by her but after her decease by Sir Thomas Leigh her son during his life and his heirs for ever
Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick To whom succeeded Henry his son and heir who in 12. H. 7. made a Park of the one half of this Lordship converting the rest into Pasture whereby 4. of the 5. Messuages there being went to decay In that Park he then also made a pool of certain ground that had formerly been a Medow and in 20. H. 7. obtain'd in exchange from the Abbot of Stonley for other lands all that belong'd to the Monks of that House in this Flechamsted Which Henry left issue Sir Walter Smyth Kt. of whom I have spoke at large in Shirford he Richard he Sir Iohn Smyth Kt. now of Crabet in Sussex the present owner hereof Hurst THis place takes it name from the situation which is upon a dry bank for so the word 〈◊〉 in the Saxon imports The first mention I find hereof is in 1 H. 2. upon translation of the Monks from Radmore to Crulefield being then removed hither Which K. upon the foundation of Stoneley-Abby gave the Monks this place in augmentation of their possessions whereof they afterwards obtain'd K. Iohn's confirmation and out of their essarts here in process of time made a Grange called Bokindene situat about half a mile from hence This Hurst was antiently a pretty Village consisting of 19 houses of which in the beginning of H. 7. time there was no more than one left and is now for the most part possest by the Lord Leigh of Stoneley descended to him from his great-grandfather who purchas'd it in the beginning of Q. Eliz. time Cryfeild THis was antiently written Crulefeld and Croslesfeld the first syllable standing doubtless for his name who possest it in the Saxons time for many of their denominations were such as to us are now very uncouth Before the Norman Conquest the Kings of England had here a House the place where it stood retaining the name of the Bury-stede for a long time after Bury signifying the same with Curia and stede locus In this House whereunto belong'd six carucats of land antiently resided a forreign Earl by the Kings leave Which E. being a great Robber and infesting the Country hereabouts very much was removed by K. H. 2. who upon exchange with the Monks of Radmore for Stoneley brought them hither displacing the Inhabitants and setling them at Hurst But the Monks soon finding how inconvenient the High-wayes were to them chose another where they built their Abby as I have in Stoneley shewed Upon the foundation and endowment whereof the same K. gave them 4 carucats of land in this place which King Iohn confirmed where the Monks had a Grange afterwards burnt by the negligence of those souldiers that quartered therein at the siege of Kenilworth-castle 51 H. 3. In 7 E. 1. it was certified that this Village paid a Stone of Wax yearly for maintenance of the Lights in Stoneley-Abby burning before the Image of the blessed Virgin As also that the Free-holders here did suit to the three weeks Court at Stoneley and came to the Abbots Bederepe as in Stoneley I have at large declared But this place hath also suffered depopulation as well as the neighbouring Villages for of xii Tenements that were antiently here in the beginning of H. 7. time no more than the Grange was then left Which Grange after the dissolution of the Abbyes that the K. past away most of their possessions was 13 Apr. 36 H. 8. granted to Rob. Bocher then a servant in Court and to Eliz. his wife and to the heirs of the same Robert Which Rob. dying seized thereof 31 Maii 3 4 Ph. M. left Rob. Bocher his cosin and heir then 12 years of age Canle THough there be no mention hereof in Record so high as the Conquest yet the name being compounded of two British words viz. Cann which signifieth albus and I le locus doth shew that it hath been of much greater antiquity But of this as involv'd with Stoneley and so coming to that Abby upon the foundation thereof were the Monks dispossest as it seems in H. 3. time For at the time of the siege of Kenilworth-castle in 51 of his reign Ric. de Alcrynton then Abbot of Stoneley commencing his suit against Robert the son of Peter de Canle recovered it and had possession delivered to him by the Shirâ—ff upon the K. command at the Cross in Stoneley on the day of S. Clement the same year whereupon the tenants did their fealty to the said Abbot But after the dissolution the greatest parâ— of it came by the purchase to Sir Tho. Leigh with Hurst and other lands and so is descended to his great grandchild who now enjoys it Hill THis village taking its name from the situation was also a member of Stoneley and involved therewith but antiently written Hulle and sometimes Kings Hulle Here the Monks of Stoneley had a Grange which after the dissolution of their House was in 34 H. 8. granted inter alia to Leonard Chamberleyn Esq and Ric. Andrews Gent. and to the heirs of the said Ric. Andrews but came soon after to Iohn Wade and Tho. Gregory for in 38 H. 8. the said Iohn Wade releas'd his title therein to the said T. Gregory in consideration of the like made to him of lands in Flechamsted Which Tho. dyed seized thereof 16 Martii 16 Eliz. leaving Arthur his son then 34 years of age whose son as I think still enjoys it Helenhull THis was one of the Granges sometime belonging to Stoneley-Abby but the first mention I find of it is a License inter alia granted by Edm. E. of Lanc. 6 E. 1. to the Monks of Stoneley for their quiet enjoyment of what they had improved by inclosure here And I conceive that it came to Tho. Gregory with Kingshull for in 4 Eliz. the said Tho. had License to alien the same unto Will. Phynnis and Arthur Gregory and to the heirs of the said Arthur Which Arthur dyed seized of it with Kingshull above specified 2 Iac. Bokindene THis Grange was built by the Monks of Stoneley upon the essarts which they made at Hurst before mentioned and so passing as a member of Hurst is now scarce taken notice of Milburne-Grange THis standing upon the water which comes from Kenilworth not far from a Mill hath its name thereof burne in the old English signifying a Brook Before the 12 of E. 1. I find nothing of it howbeit then is there mention of it in Charter of Free-warren granted to the Monks of Stoneley and should seem to have been some petty Village for in the beginning of H. 7. time it is reckoned up amongst many other where depopulation had been exercised and in 29 H. 8. was granted inter alia to Iames Cruce of Kenilworth Gent. and his heirs who dyed seized thereof 20 Sept. 1 E. 6.
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
Margaret and Mary the onely daughters and heirs apparent of Thomas Morgan of Heyford in the County of Northampton Esquier sonne and heire of Francis Morgan of Heyford aforesaid sometimes one of the Iustices of the Kings Bench and Marye wife of the said Thomas daughter and sole heir of Sir Edward Saunders Knight sometime chief Iustice of England and after chief Baron of the Exchequer and lyeth buryed in this parish Church of Weston Which Margaret and Mary the daughters dyed that is to say Mary the 22 day of May 1568. before she was one yeare oulde and Margaret the 30 day of September 1568. being of the age of seven years and 21 days On whose soules God have mercy Anno Domini 1584. Upon a Plate of Brass fixed in Marble on the South wall of the Chancel Arâ—is Apolline fueras qui Mista Jodoce â— Heu mortis jaculo victa Tomere jaces Cujus in interitum tulit haec solatia tristem Saunderus verae pignora amicitiae Anno Domini 1566. Decembris 22. Heare lyeth Ioyce Tomer slayne by death That had of Physick skyll Whose losse these comforts Saunders shews As tokens of good wyll Cubington I Come next to Cubington wherein by the Conq. Survey the Prior of Coventre was certified to have 2 hydes valued at xxx s. the E. of Mellent 3. rated at as much which one Boseher then held of him and Roger de Iuri 5. esteemed at xl s. In one place it is written Cubitone and in the other two Cobintone but afterwards Cumbyngton which shews that it had its name originally from the situation of it in a low or deep hallow for the word Cumbe doth signifie as much That which the Prior of Coventre had here was half a Kts. fee which in 20 H. 3. Simon de Cubinton and in 36 H. 3. Henry de Cubinton held of that Monastery But the substance of what the said E. of Mellent had aâ—i which the same Boscher held of him came to the Monks of Stoneley either given by the heirs of the before specified Boscher or by those whom he or they enfeoffed thereof though the particular grants do not appear For Henry Boscher grandchild to the first Boscher made a general confirmation of them in H. 3. time the quantity being 5 carucats of land and xxiiii s. iii d. yearly Rent of Assize as was certified in 19 E. 1. But of that which Rog. de Iveri had Hastings of Allesley was as it seems antiently enfeoffed By one of which line it was given to Semely Lord of Radford-Semely and to S. Maure though when I find not for in 7 E. 1. Will. de Semely held what he had here by the service of half a Kts. fee of Iohn de Hastings viz. 2 yard land in demesn and 3 held by 6 servants at the will of the Lord paying certain yearly rent and doing suit twice a year at the Court of the said Iohn de Hastings at Allesley Which W. de Semely had also six Cottagers holding as many Cottages and 4 Free-holders occupying 2 yard land and 3 quarters and doing suit to his 3 weeks Court here at Cobyngton as also making two appearances every year at the Court of Allesley abovesaid But from Semely I cannot deduce the succession of his part in this place That which Iohn Hugford and Thom. Waldeyve granted to the Monks of Stoneley in 13 E. 4. was certainly it for the quantity viz. 5 mess. 80 acres of land 3 acres of meadow and 4 acres of pasture doth not onely argue the same but the tenure thereof from Sir Edw. Nevill in right of his Mannour of Allesley antiently belonging to Hastings doth put it out of doubt Of Henry de S. Maure who had the rest of Cobington I find that he committed a Murther and fled for it whereupon K. E. 1. seized his Mannour here but allowed to Ermengard his wife liberty to hold it for her maintenance during his royal pleasure It should seem that the K. taking advantage of this forfeiture gave it soon after to the Templars for in 7 E. 1. it was certified that they had here 3 yard land in demesn and a certain Grove inclosed like a Park but being willing to strengthen their title from S. Maure in 9 E. 1. grew to an Agreement with him viz. to pay to them the said Henry and Ermengard 4 marks per ann during the life of her the said Ermengard in consideration whereof they levyed a Fine of it to the use of the said Templars and their successors for ever Which lands so possest by them were in 1 E. 2. seized by the K. and then yeilded 25 s. rent of Assize but were soon after transmitted to the Knights Hospitalars and continued to them till the general dissolution as did also that which the Monks of Coventre and Stoneley had Being thus lodg'd in the Crown the K. in 38. of his reign granted to Edw. Watson and Henry Herdson and their heirs all that belong'd to the Abby of Stoneley called then by the name of Cobynton-grange Which Edw. and Henry had license the same year to alien it unto Ric. Faukoner and his heirs who sold it to one Thomas Fawkoner Which Thomas reserving an estate to himself for life entailed it upon Eliz. his daughter then the wife of George Bodyngton and the heirs of her body with remainder to Agnes Fermour widow his other daughter and the heirs of her body but for lack of such issue to the right heirs of the said Ric. Fawkoner and departed this life 10 Febr. 1 Eliz. his said daughters being then of full age Touching that which belong'd to the Priory of Coventre I find that it was by K. E. 6. in 4 of his reign inter alia granted to Sir Raph Sadler Kt. then Master of the great Wardrobe and to Laurence Wennington Gent. and to the heirs of the said Sir Raph. As also that the Hospitalars Mannour here was past out of the Crown by Q. Eliz. the same year to Iohn Fisher and others The Church dedicated to the Nativity of our Lady being antiently but a Chapel and belonging to Wotton was therewith granted to the Canons of Kenilworth as in Wotton I have already shewed and in ann 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xii marks Which Canons in 5 E. 3. had License to appropriat the Fruits thereof to the use of that Monastery Whereupon scil in 19 E. 3. ensued the endowment of the Vicaridge which in 26 H. 8. was rated at vi l. vi s. viii d. over and above 2 s. allowed for Synodals Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Inst. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. de Harewell Pbr. 11 Cal. Apr. 1309. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Shotteswell accol 3 Ian. 1313. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rob. le Fitzwith Pbr. 8. Cal. Maii 1342. Patroni Vicariae Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Adam dâ—
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
which summe of ten pounds was it seems in lieu of the tertius denarius de Placitis Comitatus whereof I have formerly spoke And before the end of this 27. year of H. 3. his reign wedded to the before specified Iohn de Plessets who was a man in such high esteem with the K. that being a great part of the year precedent attending him in France he there received a Horse from the Seneschall of Gascoign of the Kings special gift prized at xxx Marks which was no small value compared with the rate of other things about that time a quarter of Wheat being then but at ii s. price And in Sept. following had a discharge to the Barons of the Exchequer for C. li. whâ—ch was due to the K. out of the Lands belonging to her then his wife for her brother's Relief not till then satisfied as also in Nov. of CC. Marks further debt due by the said Earle her brother to the K. And the next Aug. so weâ—l wâ—s the said K. pleased with her for taking this husband gave her 3. Bucks out of the Forest of Havering in Essex at which time she had the title of Margerie Countesse of Warwick wife to Iohn de Plessets without any name of Earl then attributed to him Neither do I finde that he had that appellation very suddenly after the said Precept so directed to the Sheriffe of this County for livery of the x. li. per ann to him nomine Comitatus sicut praedictus Comes meaning Earl Thomas eas percipere consuevit as the words thereof import which Writ bore date 26. Apr. 29. H. 3. for in the Fine levied 3. septim Hill 31. H. 3. betwixt this Iohn then Plantiffe and Will. Mauduit Alice his wife deforc whereby the Mannours of Warwick Miton Wegenock Sutton Claverdon Tanworth and Brails all in this County as also Cheddeworth and Lydneie in com Glouc. all belonging to the Earldom of Warwick were settled upon the said Iohn during his life though he should have no issue by Margerie the Countesse then his wife in case he over-lived her he is barely stiled Ioh. de Plesseto But afterwards I suppose he took upon him the title of Earl by reason of a clause in that Fine whereby the before specified Will. and Alice do as much as in them lies confer the same Earldom upon him for life being loath it seems to use that attribute till he had made such an agreement with the next Heir that in case he overlived his Countesse and had no issue by her he should not lay it aside again for in Aug following which is the first mention that I finde of him after this Fine was levied the K. in the permission given him to fall certain Oaks in the Forest of Dene affords him the title of Comes Warwici which after that time upon all occasions he used But as there was extraordinary means used as by what I have shew'd appeareth about woing and winning this great Lady to marry with Iohn de Plessets so was there not wanting suspition that being such an Heir she had been strongly solicited by some and that possibly by reason of the frailty incident to her Sex she might have been wrought upon to contract her self privately unto another Wherefore to make sure work with her estate the K. got a Bond of her with a Deed to boot whereby she obâ—â—ged her self that if it could justly be prov'd that she had so contracted marriage with any other before all her Lands and possessions should be forfeited Which advantage being so obtained by the K. by his Letters P. bearing date 18. Oct. â—4 of his reign he granted to the said Iohn all those Lands to hold during his life in case that any such contract should be proved and thereupon a divorce betwixt them ensue Nay he was a man so much in that K. esteem that there is little mention of him upon any occasion but what relates to some special trust or favour for in 34. H. 3. he had the Castle of Divises in Com. Wilts with all the Mannours thereto belonging and the Forests of Melkesh and Chippeham committed to his charge out of which there being a Rent of Lxxx. l. per ann reserved to the K. he had 25. Marks yearly allowed him for the custody of that Castle In 37. H. 3. the K. released to him the Wardship of Hugh his Son and Heir as to his person in case he should die and leave him under age and shortly after did he make him a grant that if the before mentioned Margery his Countesse should dye before him without any issue of her body all the Lands and Tenements in Hogenarton Katerinton and Bradeham Kts. Fees Reliefs c. which did belong to Henry d'Oily her Uncle and by inheritance were descended to her should remain unto him the said Iohn during his natural life And the same year did he attend the K. into Gascoign But before his return out of those parts a great mishap befell him for after things were quieted that he resolved to come again for England determining to pass through Normandy in regard he was that Countrey-man by birth he obtained Letters of safe conduct from the K. of France and with divers other Noble persons set forwards on the journey howbeit lodging at a Citie called Pontes in Poictou after all free courteous entertainment outwardly used to them they were suddenly seized on by the Towns-men and cast into close prison This was in 38. H. 3. but when or how he with the rest were releast appears not Which ill usuage together with the great expences he underwent in that service of Gascoign the debt that he owed to the K. for making Prince Edw. Kt. occasioned the K. to direct his Letters P. to all the said E. Tenants wherein giving testimony that in the service of Gascoign he did laudabiliter strenuè se gerere and that being gravibus immoderatis sumptibus variis anxietatibus corporis fatigatus did earnestly intreat and desire them that they would freely contribute such reasonable Aid to him towards the payment of his debts as they might expect his royal favour when fit opportunity should be offered How long he continued Governour of the Devises-Castle by virtue of the K. former grant appears not but 't is very like that upon his going over with the K. to the wars in Gascoign some other had the charge thereof for after his return it was again committed to his custody viz. 20. Iunii 39. H. 3. By all which testimonies it appears that he was a martial active man Whereunto I shall adde that in 49. H. 3. he joyn'd with the E. of Gloucest Hereford Albamarle and other of the great Nobility in writing to Pope Alex. the 4th against Ethelmare the K. half brother then elect of Winchester beseeching his Holiness
William and 40. marks more together with the land that he bought in Britlamton to enjoy till she should be marryed and no longer To Sarra his daughter C. marks for augmentation of her marriage portion To William his eldest son the Cup and Hornes of S. Hugh To the Countess his wife a Ring with a Ruby in it To Sir Roger Mortimer a Ring To Sir Bartholomew de Suley a Ring To the Friers-Minors of UUorcester xl s. To the Friers-Minors of Gloucester 1. mark To the Friers Carmelites there 1. mark To the Hospitall of St. Wolstan at Worcester 1. mark To the Hospitall of St. Oswald there x sol To the Canons of Doddeford in Com. Wigorn. 1. mark To the Church and Nuns of Cokehill and Isabell his wife x. marks To the Church and Nunns of Westwood 1. mark To the Church and Nunns without Worcester 1. mark To every Anchorite in Worcester and the parts adjacent iv s. To the Church of Salewarp in Com. Wigorn. a house and garden neer to the Parsonage for to find a Lamp continually burning therein to the honour of God the blessed Virgin St. Catherine and St. Margaret Of which Testament he constituted these Executors viz. William his eldest son Earl of Warwick Sir Roger Mortimer Sir Barth de Sudley with the Abbots of Evesham and great Malverne It seemes he lived not long after for I find that his son and heir viz. William Beauchamp Earl of Warwick before specified did his homage to the Bishop of Worcester in the Chapell of Bredon for the lands he held of him 2. Non. Maii Anno 1269. which was within 4. months after the date of this his Testament And now before I pass further will it be requisit to observe two things First that the noble Lady I mean Isabell his wife who by the death of her brother William Mauduit Earl of Warwick became heir of this great Earldom was not onely Foundress of the Nunnery at Cokehill before specified but betook herself to a Religious life there as may be plainly inferred by the Legacy wherein she is joyned with those Nunns as abovesaid And secondly that this William the Testator though the said Lady his wife the rightfull inheritrix of that Earldom was then living and that he and she both together survived the said William Mauduit her brother above a twelve month never had the title of Earl but that his son and heir was invested with that Honour before his death as appeareth by these two instances from his said Testament viz. Item Willielmo primogenito meo Cornua ciphum Seint Huwe filiae meae Comitissae uxori suae unum annulum cum lapide de Rubie And afterwards Caetera autem bona mea commisi ordinationi dispositioni dilectorum Executorum Testamenti mei D. Rogeri de Mortuomari Willielmi primogeniti mei Comitis Warewyk c. In the first whereof he calls his said sons wife Countess and in the second plainly stiles him Earl Which title he the said William did not onely use in that Instrument of Agreement made betwixt him and Alice the widow of William Mauduit the late Earl in 52 H. 3. whereof I have formerly spoke but hath the same attributed to him by the Kings Precept bearing date 9. Martii next ensuing the month of Ian. wherein the Earl his Uncle dyed his Father and Mother being both alive Where may be also discerned that he was in good esteem with the King forasmuch as by the same Mandate to the Barons of the Exchequer it appears that the King pardoned his Relief viz. C li. and at the same time acquitted him of xcv li. which William Mauduit the late Earl owed to a Jew of London That this William Beauchamp might bear the title of Earl by right from his mother she being heir generall to Mauduit considering what the custome of those antient times was as Mr Selden in his Titles of Honour hath observed I shall not need here to argue But whether he ought so to have done during his fathers life especially before his mothers decease had it not been by the Kings speciall favour I make a great question All that I shall say herein is to shew some probable reason why he was so summoned during their times which is from what I find delivered by Leland out of an old Chronicle of the gests of England written in French but with some mistake exprest The words are these The old Lord Beauchamp of Helmeley sent 3. or 4. of his sons to the battail of Eavesham to help K. Henry the third and Prince Edward against Simon Mountford and the Barons And these brether with their band did a great feate in vanquishing the hoste of Mountfort whereupon the eldest had Bellomont 's heir and the residue were highly preferred The Beauchamps afterwards kept the name of Earl of Warwick to King Edward the fourth's time Now that the substance of this is true viz. that for the service done in that battail he was by the Kings speciall favour honoured with the title of Earl I am very inclinable to believe yet that either he or his father did marry the immediat heir of Bellomont or that the Beauchamps kept the name of Earls till E. 4. time cannot be proved But I return to his Story The 9. of Febr. 52 H. 3. he did his homage as nephew and heir to the said William Mauduit Earl of Warwick for all the lands descended to him by his faâ—hers death at which time the King did express that pâ—o laudabili servicio quod dilectus fidelâ—s noster Will. de Bellocampo Comes Warwici nobis impendit for those are the words of the Writ he was contented to accept of him for those debts which weâ—e due from his father to the Exchequer xx li. per annum till they were run up And in further remuneration of his services did he the year following pardon unto him xcv li. of the same And as he stood in great esteem with K. H. 3. so also did he with K. E. 1. For mense Pasch. 2 E. 1. he was sent in Commission with Roger de Clifford William Bagod Odo de Hodenet and the Prior of S. Thomas juxta Stafford unto the ford of Montgomery in Wales to examin hear and reform the wrongs and trespasses done in those parts contrary to the form of peace concluded betwixt the said King Henry and Lewelin Prince of Wales and to rectify all things according to the tenour of that Agreement at which meeting the Prince of Wales was to be there or send Commissioners on his part to manage that business In 4 E. 1. he was constituted Captain generall of all the Kings Forces in Cheshire and Lancashire for securing those Counties against the vioâ—ence of the Welch and the next year following attended the King in that notable expedition of Wales wherein he became so victorious but in 6 E. 1. his Office of Chamberlainship of the
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
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
Henrici Moton de Peckleton in Com. Leic. Rob. le Harpour miles temp E. 2. Isabella filia Ioh. Herci domini de Pilardington Iohanes le Harpour 6. E. 2. Elizab. filia ..... Lisle de Moxhull Ric. le Harpour frater haeres Alicia filia Rogeri de Culi Iohanes le Harpour filius haeres Isabella filia Rob. Applebi mil. Ioh. le Harpour obiit s. prole Iohanna filia Ric. Vernon de Harlaston Brunus Constantia Henricus del Broc de Cestreton temp R. 1. Hawisia ux Walt. de Elmedon Hawisia soror haeres Ricardus de Broc Robertus de Broc obiit s. p. 48. H. 3. There was also a certain place here held likewise by the said Gilbert le Harpour of the K. by Grand Sergeanty viz. to keep the Hay called Teddesley-Hey within the Forrest of Canoke at his proper costs And that the Ancestors of the same Gilbert had some possessions in this County long before is very probable for it appears that one Hugh Harpur was a witnesse to the Grant of certain lands made to the Canons of Kenilworth by Hugo fil Richardi in the time of K. H. 1. From which Hugh I find the line of his Descendants thus deduced by the learned Cambden and the Seals of Arms of some of them so drawn from certain original Charters by that judicious Antiquary my worthy friend Sr. Tho. Shirley Kt. as they are here expressed But the last of this Family that had to do here was Iohn the son of Iohn le Harpour who in 25 E. 3. past away all his lands in this place as also what he had in Pillardinton Hercy unto Will de Peito and his Heirs so that since that time the Descendants of the said Will. have enjoy'd them together with the other Mannour here in Chesterton whereof I have allready spoke Which Iohn dying with our issue left Richard his Brother and Heir and he Iohn from whom the Harpours late of Rushall in Staffordshire who flourisht there in an eminenr condition for divers Ages did descend Edward Harpour Esq being the immediate Heir male to them and now living The Church dedicated to S. Giles was given to the Canons of Kenilworth by Will. Croc in H. 2. time as I have already shewed yet I find that K. Ric. 1. by his Letters Pat. bearing date 10. Aprill 5. of his reign presented thereunto one Eustace a Clerk upon the vacancy thereof by reason that Rob. de Broc whose daughter and heir became wedded to Hugh de Loges before recited was then dead and his lands at that time in respect of the Tenure in Sergeanty in the Ks. hands However the K. then presented there is no doubt but that the right was in the said Canons of Kenilworth and so continued till they past it away to Rog. Molend B. of Cov. and Lich. and his successors in 12 E. 1. After which sc. in 19. E. 1. I find it valued at 24 Marks and in 11. E. 2. that the K. in consideration of the Mannour of Greneford in Com. Midd. which Walt. Langton then Bp. of Coventre and Lich. as also L. Treasurer u of England and one of the Executors to K. E. 1 gave unto him granted License to the said Walter and his Successors that he or they might dispose and assigne the Advouson thereof inter alia in pure Almes to be appropriated for the founding of Chantries and performance of other pious works for the soul of K. E. 1. and his Ancestors Kings of England but no performance was made thereof accordingly the said Bp. as also his two Successors Rog. de Northburgh and Rob. de Stretton retaining z the same in their hands till 45 E. 3. that the K. being very much moved directed his Precept a to the said Roger de Stretton bearing date 8 Aug. commanding him upon his Allegiance that he should proceed in fullfilling the pious intention of K. E. his Father therein before the Feast of St. Michaell ensuing That there was a new License granted by K. H. 4. bearing date 1 Dec. 14. H. 4 giving power to the then Bp. to bestow it upon the Vicars Chorall of Lichfield and that the said Vicars should appropriate the same is evident Howbeit the Record of its Appropriation I have not seen but do suppose it was made by Iohn Burghill Bp. of Coventre and Lich. in H. 4. time or begining of H. 5. For upon the institution of the first Vicar thereto Iohn Lacy by name 10 Maii an 1414. 2 H. 5. the Vicaridge is there said to be de novo ordinata which Iohn Lacy is he I suppose whom the Record calls Iohn Prest who had the Ks. Letters Patents of pardon granted to him for receiving and harbouring Sr. Iohn Old Castle Lord Cobham here at Chesterton upon the Monday next following the Feast of S. Peter ad vincula commonly called Lammas in 3. H. 5. knowing him to be an Heretick and holding divers opinions contrary to the Catholike Faith for which he then stood indicted as the Pat. importeth But in 26 H. 8. the Vicar here had no more than 5 l. 6 s. 8 d. for his annuall stipend from the Vicars of Lichfeild to whom the Church was so appropriated as I have shewed Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Dominus Rex Nich. de Guldeford Cler. 16 Oct. 1296. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Thomas de Clopton Pbr. 4 Cal. Sept. 1328. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Iohn de Deping 6 Cal. Oct. 1328. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Rob. de Patricha Pbr. 3. Id. Maii 1340. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. de Northburgh Cler. 18 Cal. Martii 1341. Patroni Vicariae D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Mondevill Cler. 15 April 1375. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. D. Ioh. Lacy 10 Maii 1414. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. Ives Pbr. 19 Iunii 1426. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Rob. Saxundale Pbr. 15. Feb 1441. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Welford Canonicus de Stone 3 April 1452. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Audley Pbr. 13 Oct. 1453. Kingston alias Little Chesterton THis being in the parish of Chesterton is also by depopulation reduced only to one House but it was given by Turchill de Warwick to the Monks of Abingdon in Will the Conq. time Siward son to the said Turchill then a youth consenting thereto and the K. himself confirming it By the Conq. Survey it was valued at C s. and certifyed to contain 1 hide one Alwol having held it in Edw. the Conf. days At the time of the said generall Survey the Abbot of Abingdon had another hide of land in this place rated at L s. pawn'd onely to him by the said Turchill which I suppose was not redeem'd for by an antient Roll written about K. Iohn's time it appears that the Monks of Abingdon then possest it and that the extent thereof amounted
same VValter and his heirs And that he they should have sufficient provision of fewell in the woods belonging thereto as other Constables thereof used to have And further that whensoever the said VVilliam or his heirs by the command of the said VValter and his heirs or his or their Bayliffs should be called to any place where the said VValter or his heirs were to hold their Courts receive Accompts or upon other occasions that he and they should have entertainment for themselves and their Horses during their abode there for that purpose at the charge of the said VValter and his heirs which Agreement beareth date at Trim in Ireland 1. Augusti 18 H. 3. This VVilliam de Lucy was a Knight in 17 H. 3. and Executor to his brother Stephen de Lucy by whose death he had a great personall estate In 20 H. 3. the Custody of this County and Leicester-shire was committed to his charge together with the strong Castle of Kenilworth 23. Apr. in which trust he continued for the space of 3. years And in 25 H. 3. was he joyned in Commission with the then Shiriff viz. Philip de Ascells and some others for viewing all the Castles of this County and certifyng the defects in every of them under their Seales to the King In 26 H. 3. the before recited Walter de Lascy sealed a bond unto him of CCClxxii li. sterling in consideration that he should discharge all his debts owing to any Jews in England except those of Hereford and Oxford which sum was to be paid by Lxxx li. per annum untill it might be discharged and in case of making default the said VValter and his heirs were to abide such Ecclesiasticall censure and the like Penance if need were as the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Bishops of Salisbury and Bath should impose on them that were debtors to those who were signed with the Crosse according to the Constitution of Pope Honorius the said VVilliam de Lucy being so signed And in 28 H. 3. did Roys de Verdon of whom in Brandon I have spoken agree with him for Cxx li. to discharge all the debts which the said Walter de Lacy and Iohn de Verdon with Margerie his wife then owed to the Jews except to those of Hereford unto whom the said William was bound to pay 80 li. due to them from the same Iohn de Verdon This William de Lucy was he that founded the Monastery of Thelesford whereof I have lately spoke and had a Chapell within his Mannour-house here at Cherlecote allowed unto him for himself his wife and family by Roger de Cherlecote Parson of the Church of Cherlecote with reservation of his obedience to the mother Church of Cherlecote as touching all Oblations and accesse thereto with his said wife and family upon seven Festivall days in the year viz. Christmasse Candlemasse Easter the Ascension Whitsontide S. Leonard and All-Hallows He bore for his Armes Verry ....... three Lucies hauriant d'Argent as may seem by the impression of one of his Seales but by another r there is nothing of Verry at all He marryed two wives viz. Ysabell daughter to Absalon de Aldermoneston with whom he had certain lands given to him by Gervase then Abbot of Pershore The second was Maud sister and one of the coheirs to Iohn Cotele of whose inheritance he had the Mannour of Bereuton in Hantshire and departed this life about 32 H. 3. leaving issue Sir William Lucy Knight his son and heir of whom I find nothing memorable but his marriage which was with a great heir viz. Amicia daughter and heir to Will. de Furches and heir also to William Fitz Warin by whom he had issue Fouk de Lucy of the retinue to Peter de Montfort one of the rebellious Barons that took up Armes against the King in 48 H. 3. of whom in Beldesert I have spoke was in such favour with them for his activeness in those times that being indebted to one Elyas le Blund a Jew of London in a great sum of money which himself and his Ancestors had taken up at interest he procured a speciall Mandate dated 7. Maii 49 H. 3. directed unto the Commissioners unto whom the estates of the Jews then seized upon were intrusted to deliver up the bonds and to discharge him thereof acquitting him of all interest money due thereupon but reserving the payment of the principall into the Exchequer for at that time those Barons had the Kings person in their custody whom they took Prisoner in the battail of Lewes and made use of his great Seal and all other Regall authority in his name But what a dismall fate attended them though they prospered for a while that which I have said in Kenilworth will plainly manifest the sum whereof is that being utterly vanquisht soon after at Evesham their estates thereupon became confiscate most of which were given away to those that had firmly stuck to the King amongst whom Robert Waleraund had this of our Fouâ— de Lucy howbeit by that favourable Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth being admitted to Composition he reenjoy'd it again and for CC. marks of silver obtained from Peter de Montfort son and heir to the before specified Peter â— a discharge of that x li. per annum Rent reserved out of this Lordship upon the originall grant thereof to his Ancestor as hath been already noted paying only for the future a pair of gilt Spurs or 4 d. at Christmasse only to the said Peter and his heirs for all services whatsoever All which was certified into the Exchequer by that notable Inquis of 7 E. 1. and moreover that he then held here two Water-mills and two Carucats of land in demesn together with the whole Mannour except six yard land called the Hullelond As also that he had xxii Tenants which held 42. yard land at willâ— performing severall services scil Plowing Reaping Mowing making Hay Harrowing carrying Wood and the like and paying certain yearly Rent in money And likewise a Court-Leet with other liberties granted to his Ancestors by King Ric. 1. and confirm'd by King Iohn which Court-Leet was not to be kept but in the presence of the Kings Bayliffe as the said Charter testifieth This Fouk was a speciall lover of good Horses as it should seem for in 11 E. 1. he gave x â— marks to two Londoners that were Merchants of Horses for a black Horse about which time a fat Oxe was sold but for xvi s. In 13 E. 1. being questioned by what authority he held a Court-Leet here and had Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows Infangthef weyfs c. he produced King Iohn's Charter above mentioned but the Jury then found that he and his Ancestors had kept their Court-Leet without the presence of the Ks. Bayliff and so he did at that time notwithstading
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
from the Conqueror ingentia praedâ—a in Anglia as W. Malmesh observes Amongst which this Village of Arlescote being part he devoutly bestowed it on the Mâ—nks of Preaux before specifiedâ— together with the Mannour of Toftes in Norfolk as also the Church and Tithes of Cherlenton in Com. ...... Of which Monastery at Preaux Humfry de Vetulis grandfather to this Robert began the Foundation whereof Roger de Bellomom his son father to ouâ— Earl of Mellent was so great a lover that he not onely perfected the work but plentifully endowed it and afterwards bidding farewell to the vain pleasures of this transitory world became himself a Monk therein choosing it for his sepulture But I return to Robert Earl of Mellent who was a man of an haughty spirit as it seems for in an 1090. sc. 3. Will. Rufâ— being exceedingly puft up with rewards and promiâ—es by the King he came to Roan and boldly required of Robert Curthose D. of Normandy the Castle of Ivery To whom the Duke anâ—wered that he had gâ—ven to his father the Castle of Brion for it which was an equall exchange whereupon he replyed I allow not of that bargain but what your father gave to my father that will I have otherwise by S. Nichasius I shall do that which will displease you At which words the Duke growing very angry caused him to be layd hold on and imprisoned whereof so soon as the crafty old man his father heard he sent the Duke a Present hasting afterwards himself to him and with fine flattering expressions obtained his sons liberty Being a faithfull adherer to King Henry 1. against his brother Robert Curthose before specified he was thereupon advanced to the Earldom of Leicester in England and had also other rich gifts but how he got that Earldom let us â—ear Ordericus Vitalis tell Vâ—bs Legrecestria quatuor dominos habucrat saith he Regem Epiâ—copum Lancolniae Simonemque Comitem Yvonem Hugonis filium Praefatus autem Consul de Mellâ—nto per partem Yvonis qui municeps erat Vice-Comes firmarius Regis callide intravit auxilio Regis suaq callidiâ—ate totam sibi civitatem mancâ—pavit inde Consul in Angliae factus omnes Regri pâ—oceres divitiis potestate praecessit penè omnes parentes suos transcendit Now what the particulars of this cunning and dâ—ceitfull dealing were I shall briefly here rehearse This Yvo having begun a Rebellion in England wherein he had done much mischief by firing some Houses of his neighbours and being through the Kings excessive indignation towards him fined at a vast summe made his addresses to this Earl of Mellent qui praecipitus erat inter Consiliarios Regis saith my Author hoping by his means to obtain some favour who subtilly advised him to perform a long Pilgrimage for effecting whereof he would help him to 500. marks of silver keeping his lands in pawn for xv years with promise that at the end of that terme they should be wholy restored to Yvo his son and not onely so but that he would give him his brothers daughter viz. Henry Earl of Warwick in marriage For the performance of which Agreement the Earl of Mellent gave his oath the King himself also assenting thereto But in this Pilgrimage Yvo departing the world his son neither enjoy'd the woman as was promised nor any of his paternall inheritance Other particulars I shall for brevity omit winding up my discourse with this Satiricall Character w ch an eminent Author of that time hath of him Fuâ—t igitur Robertus Consul de Mellento in rebus secularibus sapientissimus omnium hìnc usque in Hierusalem degentium Fuit scientia clarus eloquio blâ—ndus astutia perspicax providentia sagax ingenio versipellis prudentia insuperabilis consilio profundus sapientia magnus Possessiones igitur magnas varias quas vulgò vocant Honores urbes Castella Vicos Villas flumina silvas praedictis adquisierat instrumentis Erant autem Honores ejus non solum in Anglia verùm in Normannia in Francia pro libitu igitur suo Reges Francorum Anglorum nunc concordes muniebantur nunc discordes praeliabantur Si adversus aliquem insurgebat contritus humiliabatur si proâ—sse volebat gloriosus exaltabatur Hinc thesauri copia auri scil argenti gemmarum palliorum incredibiliter ei confluxit Cum igitur in summo statu gloriae suae degeret contigit quendam alium Consulem sponsam ei tam factione quam dolosis viribus arripuisse unde in senectuâ—e sua mente turbatus angaria obnubilatus in tenebras moeroris incidit nec usque ad mortem se letum vel ylarem sensit Cum igitur post dies dolori dedicatos in infirmitatem mortis praenuntiam incidisset rogatus est ab Archiepiscopo Sacerdotibus cum ei Confessionis purgatorium impenderent officium ut terras quas vi vel arte multis abstulerat poenitens redderet erratum lacrimis lavaret Quibus respondens aâ—t Si terras quas aggregavi multifariam divisero quid miser filiis meis relinquam Cui contra Ministri Domini Sufficient filiis tuis haereditates pristinae quas juste terras adquisisti caetera redde alioquin animam devovisti Gehennae Respondit autem consul Filiis omnia tradam ipsi pro salute defuncti miserecorditer agant Eo autem defnncto filii ejus magis injustè congregata injustè studuerunt augere quam aliquid pro salute paterna distribuâ—re Liquet igitur summam viri sapientiam in fine quasi laus canitur non solum in summam stulâ—â—tiam sed in coecam devenisse insaniam This great man wedded Ysabell daughter to Hugh Earl of Uermandoys by whom he had issue Robert that succeeded him in the Earldome of Leicester and Walleran Earl of Mellent both twins with another son called Hugh sirnamed Pauper Earl of Bedford and divers daughters one whereof viz. Elizabeth was a Concubine to King H. 1. And departing this life on the Nones of Iune anno 1118. 18 H. 1. lyeth buried in the Monastery of Preaux before mentioned All that now rests in relation to this place is to enquire what became thereof after the generall dissolution in King Hen. 8. time wherein I find that it was inter alia past out of the Crown 17. Iunii 34 H. 8. to Ric. Andrews gentleman and Leonard Chamberlain Esquier and to the heirs of Aâ—drews As for the three virgates in case Werlavescote and this be all one it appears that Geffrey de Clinton had them of the Earl of Warwick's grant and that he bestowed them on the Monks of Stoneley immediatly after the Foundation of that Monastery which was in King Stephens time Ratley FOllowing the ascent of Edg-Hill Westward I come next to Ratley which by the Conquerors Survey is certified to contain five hides
had newly advanced to the degree of a Baron had performed on his behalf 〈◊〉 sundry Battails against K. Henry the 6. and his Complices and particularly against Henry D. of Exeter Iâ—sâ—eâ— Earl of Penbroke and this Iames Earl of Wiltshire in consideration thereof granted it to the 〈◊〉 VValter and the heâ—rs maâ—e of his body together with the Mannour of Sutton-Courtney in Berkshire and other great possessions Howbeit Thomas Brother and heir to the said Earl finding favour with K. Edw. being shortly after restored by Act of Parl. to his lands had it again whereupon it descended to his Daughters and heirs viz. Margaret marryed to Sir VVill. Bullein Kt. and Anne the wife of Sâ—r Iames St. Leger Kt. After which scil temp H. 8. Bullein's moytie was past away unto certain Feoffees to the use of Sir Will. Compton Kt. from whom is lineally descended the now Earl of Northampton as in Compton Winyate is shewed the present owner thereof I now return to that Mannour here which was granted â—o Mâ—â—un in E. 1. time This continued in that line till the reign of H. 4. but then Sir Iohn Mohun Kt. dying without issue male it came by parâ—â—tion to Ric. le Strange son and heir of Iohn le Strange of Knokyn by Maud the youngest of the three Daughters and coheirs of the said Sir Iohn Mohun which Richard dyed seized thereof in 27 H 6. leaving Sir Iohn Strange his son and heir who departing this life without issue male Iâ—an his Daughter and heir by marriage wâ—th Geâ—rge eldest son to Thomas Lâ—rd Stanley afterwards Earl of Derby brought it to that family Edw. Earl of Derby son and heir of Henry proving hâ—s age having every thereof accordingly in 14 Eliz. To which Edw. succeeded his Brother Wâ—â—â— Earl of Derby who in our time sold it as I have heard to VVill. Earl of Northampton Grandfather to the present Earl now owner thereof That the Church here is of no less antiquity than the Britains time I shall vouch the authority of an old Historian whereby it will appear that the payment of Tithes was very antient if his relation have credit with my Reader About the year of our Saviours incaâ—nation DC iiii St. Augustine being arrived in England to preach the Gospell came hither whereupon the Priest of this Parish repaired to him and made a complaint that the Lord of the Town not paying his Tithes though admonished was by him excommunicated and yet stood more obstinate St. Augustine therefore conventing him for that fault demanded the reason of such his refusall Knowest thou not quoth he that they are not thine but Gâ—â—'s To whom the Knight answered Did not I plow and sow the land I will therefore have the tenth sheaf aswell as the nine Whereupon St. Augustine replyed If thou wilt not pay them I will excommunicate thee and so hastâ—â—ng to the Altar publickly saidâ— I command that no excommunicate person be preâ—â—â—t at Masse Which words were no sooner spoke than that a dead man that lay buried at the entrance into the Church immediatly arose out of his Grave went without the compass of the Church yard and there stood still during the time of Mass. Which being finished St. Aug. went to him and said I command thee in the name of God that thou tell me who thou art To whom he made answer I was Patron of thiâ— place in the time of the Britains and though frequently warn'd by the Priest yet never would pay him my Tithes and so dyed excommunicate and was thrust into Heâ—l Which answer occasioned St. Augustine to command him to shew where the Priest was buried that so excommunicated him who being accordingly directed to his Grave said To the end that all men may know that life and death are in the hands of God to whom nothing is impossible Arise in his name for we have need of thee Who thereupon came out of hâ—s Grave and stood befâ—re them To whom St Augustine said Brother dâ—'st thou know this man yes quoth he but I would I had never known him for he was alwaies aâ— Râ—bell to the Church a with holder of his Tâ—â—hes and even to his last a very wâ—cked man which occasioned me to excommunicate him Augustine replyed Brother thou knowest that God is mercifull therefore we must have pity on this miserable creature who is the image of God and redeem'd with his bloud having so long endured the pains of Hell Whereupon delâ—vering to him a scourge he kneeled down and cravâ—ng absolution with tears had â—t granted and so by St. Augustine's command returning to his Grave again was immediatly resolved to dust Then said St. Aug. to the Priest How long hast thou been buried Above an hundred and fifty years quoth he Aug. How hast thou fared hitherto Well quoth the Priest enjoying the delights of eternal Life Aug. Art thou contented that I should pray unto God that thou may'st return again to us and by thy preaching reduce many souls unto him that are deceived by the Devill Far be it from thee O Father quoth the Priest that thou shouldest so disturb my quiet as to bring me back to the troublesome life of this World Aug. Go thy way then and rest in peace praying for me and for the Universall Church of God So accordingly entring his grave he fell also to dust Then turn'd S. Augustine to the Knâ—ght and said Wilt thou now pay thy Tithes to God my son Who trembling and weeping fell at his feet and confessing his Offence craved pardon and shaving himself became a follower of S. Augustine all the days of his life Hoc miraculum saith my Author videbitur illis incredibile qui credunt aliquid Deo esse impossibile Sed nulli dubium est quod nunquam Anglorum duras cervices Christi jugo se submisissent nisi per magna miracula divinitùs sibi ostensa But descending to later times and of more certainty I find that about the beginning of King Steph. reign Geffery Magnavil gave this Chuâ—ch to the Monastery of Walden in Essex which he had newly founded In an 1291 19 E. 1. accounting xii marks per an which the Canons of Walden had out of it as also certain Pensions to the Nuns of Hurley in Berks. and to the Chapell of Plessy it was valued at xxiii mâ—rks and afterwards sc. Non. Dec. an 1316. â—10 â— 2. appropriated to the said Monastery of Wâ—lden by Walt. de Maydenston Bishop of Worcester And in 26 H. 8 the Vâ—caridge rated at xâ—ii l vi s viii â— the Procurations and Synodals then payd out of it being xi s vid. That which the Canons of Walden had here was after the dissolution of that Monastery granted away by the King to Thomas lord Audley Chancellour of England and his heirs by the name of a Mannour together with the Rectory of this place but it came again to the Crown as it seems
of them to himself and his successors xii d. for all services at four times in the year viz. at the Feast of S. Michael iii d. the Nativity of our Lord iii d. at Easter iii d. and at the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist iii d. to every of which Burgages he thereby allowed three perches and a half in breadth and twelve perches in length and that they should be free of Toll for ever according to the custome of Bristoll excommunicating all persons that should presume to make violation of those their priviledges All which Maâ—gerius the next Bishop confirmed Next unto whom succeeded Walter Grey who towards the later end of King Iohn's reign obtained a grant for an yearly Faire here beginning on the Even of the holy Trinity and to continue for the two next days ensuing which Charter bears date 29 Oct. 16. Ioh. Touching the originall occasion of which meetings called Faires let us hear what the learned Spelman hath observed Cum autem Christiani ad insignes aliquas celebritates praesertim encoenia dedicationes Ecclesiarum Festa annua peragenda convenirent adesse utique Mercatores solebant sua mercimonia sub ipsis Ecclesiis atque in coemiteriis distracturi And a little below he thus goes on Pariter verò convenisse tum ad merces vendendas tum ad emendas Mercatores quamplurimos atque ita Festum cum Nundinis Nundinas eum Festo miscuisse Tunc enim non solùm advolant ipsi parochiani saith he sed vicini plurimi majorque semper frequentia pro Ecclesiae villae dignitate And further he takes notice that this ill custome in the succeeding ages increast much not onely by the concourse which the Parishioners themselves had thither at that time but even multitudes from the neighbouring Towns and that the meeting was always the greater as the dignitie of the Church and Town became more eminent than ordinary as of S. Peters at Westminster S. Bartholomew's in Smithfield S. Cutberts at Duresme c. Neither saith he is it a hard matter to guesse by the Faire day in case it have been antient to what Saint the Church is dedicated And that this is so we have also an evident testimony here the Church of Stratford being dedicated to the Holy Trinity For the authority usually given by speciall Charter to keep such Faires or meetings he also gives a very good reason Cum verò ex tanta hominum frequentia saith he periculosi saepè tumultus orirentur tenendarum Feriarum praerogativa solius Principis diplomatibus est indulta As for the antiquitie of the word Faire which shews of what great continuance the thing it self hath been it is no lesse then from the Britans Faire in their language which Doctor Iohn Davies in his Britannico-Lat Vocabularie derives from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being the same with merces in Latin signifying as much as Nundinae Forum and Mercatum doth And that such Faires were frequently kept upon the Sunday in former times as this here had used to be is evident by this instance which I shall give In the year of our Lord 1200 being the second of King Iohn's raign the Abbot of Flay a man both devout and learned came into England saith my Author and preaching very zealously in sundry parts amongst other of his pious doctrines he prohibited the keeping of Faires and Mercates on the Lords day Nundinas verò Mercata Dominicae diei adeo interdixit quod omnia ferè quae diebus Dominicis per Angliam fieri consueverant constituerentur in una hebdomada sequentium feriarum Sicque Dominicis diebus fidelis populus divinis solummodo vacans obsequiis omne opus servile penitus abdicavit veruntamen tempore procedente plerique ut canes ad vomitum sunt reversi You see after a while his preaching was quite forgot as appears plainly here for this Charter for a Faire to be kept on Trinity Sunday was about xiv years after those good documents of that holy Abbot Nor indeed do I see that this prophane usage was left till by a Statute law made a long time afterâ— scil 27 H. 6. all such goods or merchandize which should be exposed to sale upon Good-Friday Corpus Christi day Ascension day All Saints day the day of the Assumption of our Lady Whitsunday Trinity Sunday or other Sunday the four Sundays in Harvest excepted were to be forfeited to the Lord of the Libertie or Franchise where such Faire should happen to be kept But the restraint for keeping them in the Church-yards antiently usuall was much elder viz. by the Statute of Winchester 13 E. 1. cap. 6. Having spoken thus much as to the first occasion of Faires viz. the concourse of people to keep the Festivall of the Churches Dedication it will not be amisse I think to say something of the Feast of Dedication it self now vulgarly called the Wake That these Feasts were antient we have the testimony of holy Scripture Facta sunt encoenia id est festa dedicationis in Hierosolimis saith S. John Jesus ambulabat in templo in porticu Solomonis ad confirmationem illius festivitatis And S. Angustin in his Homily upon that Text saith Illum diem quo Templum dedicatum est Iudaei solenniter celebrabant That they were originally kept on the same Saints day annually unto whose memory the Church was dedicated there is no scruple to be made which dutie so performed by Christians was by S. Basil termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and with all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est a worship of God and a reverence to the Martyrs Neither can we judge lesse than that the pious and devout munificence of him that was the Founder and endower of the Church was likewise then gratefully remembred Of the service used in that solemnity I shall not make rehearsall referring my Reader to Durandus where it is particularly described but to the end it may appear how it came to passe that the yearly celebration of that Festivall was and yet is called the Wake I shall briefly make some discovery Antiquitùs in praecipuis festivitatibus saith the same Author duo nocturnalia agebantur officia populus qui ad festa venerat tota nocte in Dei laudibus in Ecclesia vigilabat quod adhuc Romae in plerisque locis in magnis festivitatibus praesertim Sanctorum patronorum Ecclesiarum observatur And in another place he says Et vocabatur Vigilia quia habuit initium à Pastoribus vigilias noctis super greges suas servantibus And he goes on Sed quia lusores Cantores conveniebant turpibus Cantilenis saltationibus commensationibus potationibus fornicationibus intendere ceperunt propter haec multa alia inconvenientia quae fiebant hujusmodi Vigiliae sunt interdictae institutum ut loco earum fiant Jejunia quae
be without prejudice of the mother Church which License was to continue only for two years To him succeeded Laurence his son and heir who by marriage with Maud daughter and heir to Sir Thomas Charnells of Aylmesthorpe in Com. Leic. much increast his estate and amongst other lands of her inheritance had the Mannour of Bilton in this County as in my discourse of that place is shewed Which Laurence had issue by her Sir Will. Trussell Knight who by the death of Margaret the wife of Sir Fouk Pembruge Knight daughter of Sir VVill. Trussell of Acton-Trussell before specifyed and heir not only to her fathers estate but also at length to the lands of Sir Iohn Trussell her Uncle as hath been already shewed became possest of Cublesdon and Acton-Trussell with divers other Lordships lying in the Counties of Staff Salop. Northampt Berks. Norff. and Essex and left issue Sâ—r Thomas and he another Sir VVill. Shiriff of Staffordshire in 6 H. 5. but had his residence in Leicestershire at Aylmesthorpe in H. 6. time Which Sir VVill. Trussell in 11 E. 4. being then the Kings servant in the Office of Valâ—t de Chambre had a grant of the custody of the Kings private Pallace at Westminster for life But afterwards scil in 14 E. 4. he was one of the Kts. for the body to the same K. retained by Indenture to serve him in his French wars for one whole year with six spears himself accounted for one and Lx. Archers well and sufficiently armed and arrayed taking for himself ii s per diem wages xii d per diem for the other Spears and for the Archers vi â— In 15 E. 4. he bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire and dyed 22 Ian. 20 E. 4. seized of the Mâ—â—nours of Acton-Trussell Bedenhale Shiriff-Hales and Thriff-Haly lying in the Counties of Staff and Salopâ— Waburne in Norfolk Shotesbroke in Berks. Aylmesthorpe in Câ—m Leic. Langport Eston-Maâ—duit Merston and Thorp-Malesours in Com. Northampt. Kenington and Wâ—nington in Essex as also of this our Billesâ—ey in Warwickshire but how that comes to passe I doe not apprehend leaving Edw. his son and heir who departed this life 10 Iunii 14 N. 7. Eliz. his daughter and heir being then not much above two years of age whose wardship and marriage in 22 H. 7. was granted by the King to Iohn Vere then Earl of Oxford and to Iohn Vere cosyn of the said Earl which Iohn marryed her and became afterwards Earl of Oxford in whose family most of the lands of her inheritance continued till of late time I now come to Sir Edmund Trussell Kt. second son to Will by Roese the daughter and heir to Will. Pantulf of Cublesdon He marryed Margaret the daughter to Walt. de Osevile and left issue Will. and Edmund which Edmund having to do at Mancestre and other places in this County as shall there be shewed was a man of some note and action as well as his elder brother for I find that he assisted Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warw. and his complices in the murther of Piers de Gaveston It seems that he and his brother had committed some high misdemenour about the 16 of E. 2. for that year did the K. by a speciall Pat. dated at Yorke 20 Sept. appoint Robert de Digby to pursue arrest and seize upon them In 12 E. 3. being â—hen a Knight he founded a Chantry at Hill-Morton as I have there shewed and gave for his Armes argent a Crosse fleurè gules debruised with a bend .... but whether he left any issue or not I cannot determine So likewise was Will. his elder brother a K t in 12 E. 2. and then gave for his Armes Argent a Crosse fleurè gules but his principall seat was at Flore in Northamptonshire though he also possest Morton-Bagot and Nuthurst in this County This is the man that was imployed by the Commons in that wofull convention of theirs in 20 E. 2. called by themselves a Parliament who pronounct the words of Deposition to that unhappy King in this manner as Knighton relates Ego Will. Trussell vice omnium de terra Angliae totius Parliamenti Procurator tibi Edwardo reddo homagium prius tibi factum extunc diffido te privo omni potestate Regia dignitate nequaquam tibi de caet ero tanquam Regi pariturus There are some circumstances that induce me to think that he did repent of this strange fact or at least that he did abhominate that cruell murther of K. E. 2. which so soon followed his said deposal for thouh his lands were seized on as a Rebell by King E. 3. after the beginning of his reign yet upon his submission in the Parl. held at Winchester he was received into favour again having had restitution of them and pardon for his offence which as I conceive was for adhering to Edmund Earl of Kent brother unto the murthered King at that time when being made to believe K. Edw. the second was alive he designed the delivery of him from imprisonment for during that Parliament held at Winchester 1 E. 3. was the said Earl of Kent arrested and lost his life for that buisnesse It seems he was a man of great abilities for immediately upon receipt of his pardon the King made him his Secretary sent him Embassadour to the King of Arragon to treat for a marriage â—etwixt Peter his son and heir and Alianore sister to our K. Edward which took not effect After which I find him imployed as a Commissioner in this County and Leicestershire upon sundry occasions viz. in 6 E. 3. for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 10 E. 3. for hearing and determining cases of Felony and other misdemeanours In 11 E. 3. for declaring the Kings purposes to the Clergy and Laitie upon their lending money to prevent war betwixt England and France In 12 E. 3. for conservation of the peace in this County as also in the Counties of Worcester and Oxford In 19 E. 3. again for conservation of the peace in this County In which year being of the Kings Councell as the Pat. expresseth he had a grant of xl â—â— per an fee to be received at Michaelmas and Easter yearly out of the Exchequer so long as he should attend that imployment To which Will. succeeded Theobald and to him Iohn of whom and his descendants I shall here say no more than that he was Lord of Solihull in this County about the latter end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time in right of his wife as when I come to that place shall be manifested whose issue male became shortly after extinct so that Sir Alured Trussell Knight his brother became Lord of this Mannour it being setled upon him and the heirs of his
be there buried and of that his Testament constituting Rauf Boteler Lord Sudley then Treasurer of England his Overseer departed this life the same year as appears by the Probate thereof leaving Alianore his wife surviving Thomas his son heir and Iohn a younger son from whom the Throkmortons of Gloucestershire are descended Which Thomas his said mother in 26 H. 6. gave lands of six marks per annum value to the Monks of Evesham for the maintenance of a Priest to sing divine service perpetually at the Altar of our Lady in their Conventuall Church at Evesham for the good estate of King Henry the 6. Q. Margaret his royall consort and of them the said Alianore and Thomas during this life and for the health of their souls after their departure hence as also for the souls of the said King's father and grandfather late Kings of England of Katherine late Queen of England and for the soul of Iohn Throkmorton before specified Thomas his father and Anne his mother with their Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased Which King also in consideration of the good service performed by the said Iohn Throkmorton deceased to himself and to Henry the fourth and fift his father and grandfather late Kings of England in the Office of Chamberlain of the Exchequer gave further license to them the said Thomas and Alianore that they or either of them or the heirs of the longer liver of them might found a Châ—ntry of one Priest to sing divine service every day during the woâ—ld at the Altar of the B. Virgin in the Parish-Church of Fladbury before specified for the good estate of him the said King and of all those above mentioned and to endow the same with lands to the value of x li. per annum Till the time of the said Thomas Throkmorton it seemes that this family was not wholy possest of Coughton but then did Iohn Tracy son and heir of Alice the other daughter and coheir of Sir Guy Spine by his Deed bearing date 29. Maii 27 H. 6. grant unto him the said Thomas and his heirs that moitye thereof by inheritance belonging to him Of which Thomas all that I have seen further memorable is that in 5 E. 4. he underwent the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire and that he departed this life in 12 E. 4. leaving Robert his son and heir xxi years of age whom I find a Justice of Peace in this County from 2 R. 3. till towards his death as by the renewing of those Comissions at severall times appeareth In 2 H. 7. this Robert made the Park here at Coughton inclosing therewith a certain Common ground called Wike-wood whereunto he afterwards added Samburn-heath and Spiney's-Leys lying within the said Lordship of Samburne and the same year was a Commander in the Kings Army at the battail of Stoke In 5 6 15 17 21 and 23 H. 7. he was in Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 6 H. 7. for arraying of men against the preparation made by Charles the eight King of France then threatning England with an Invasion In 10 H. 7. he received summons with divers other persons of quality to appear before the King in person upon the Feast day of All Saints the same year to receive the Order of Knighthood upon advancement of Henry the Kings second son to the Dukedome of Yorke and creating him Knight of the Bath in honour whereof these were to be made Knights of that Order yet do not I find by any Comission that he had the title of Knight attributed to him till 17 H. 7. That he was a man of singular piety the sundry bequests contained in his Testament do sufficiently manifest and of no lesse devotion as may seem by his Pilgrimage to the Holy Land which in 10 H. 8. having setled his estate he undertook but dyed beyond Sea in that journey By which Testament bearing date on the Feast day of S. Philip and Iacob anno 1518. 10 H. 8. he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Parish Church here at Coughton under the Tombe in the midst of the Church in case he should dye within this Realm appointing that not above vi li. xiii s. iv d. should be spent at his said buriall and Months mind and that to be given to Priests celebrating thereat nor any entertainment in meat and drink for other than such Priests and Clerks with poor people that lived by Almes And further directed that forthwith after his buriall there should be said for his soul in the Monasteries of Studley and Evesham xxx Masses of Iesu every Priest saying such Masse to have iv d. for his labour And moreover wiâ—led that the East window of the Chancell at Coughton should be glased at the charge of his Executors with the story of the Dome as alâ—o that xx s. should be given to the glasing of the East window of the North I le there with the representation of the seven Sacraments and as much for the East window of the South I le that to be of the seven works of Mercy He also willed that the Image of our Lady should be set on the North side at the end of the Altar in the said South Ile and the Image of the Angell Gabrael on the same side of the I le at the pillar between the I le and the Chancell with a Roll in his hand of greeting looking towards our Lady And at the South end of the said Altar the Image of S. Raphael painted and gilded And that in the North I le at the North end of the Altar the Image of the Trinity to be placed and at the South end the Image of S. Michael all which Images to be richly painted and gilded And besides this he further willed that certain lands to the then value of xvi li. per annum purchased by him of sundry persons there named should be put into the hands of Feoffees to the use of a Priest to sing perpetually in the North I le of Coughton Church for his soul and the souls of his Ancestors and that thenceforth the said Ile should be called the Trinity Chapell and the Priest the Trinity Priest which Priest also to teach a Grammar School freely for all his Tenants Children and to have yearly thereof viii li. and his Chamber but the residue of the said xvi li. to be payd monthly to five poor men dwelling in the Almeshouse here in Coughton viz. every one vii d. a week and his Houâ—-room for ever the residue viz. viii s. viii d. to go to the reparation of the Almeshouse And that the said Priest should every Sunday say a Masse of the Trinity Wednsday Masse of Requiem and Friday Masse of Iesu in case he were disposed and once in the week Dirige for his soul and all Christen souls except the dayes before rehearsed fell upon
double Festivalls Which poor men so to be placed in the said Almeshouse to be chosen out of those that had been his Tenants or serving men at the discretion of his son and heir and heirs successively Advertising his son and heir that if he should so amortize this land for those uses it would be a meritorious deed and for which he should have Gods blessing and his and adjuring that none should break this his Will under pain of the Churches Curse Whereunto when he was upon his Pilgrimage to the Holy Land as I have said he added that Anthony his son should have his best ambling Horse to offer at S. Thomas Hospitall in Rome for a Morâ—uary his son Michael his next best Horse and that his goods which he had sent before to Florence should be divided betwixt the said Anthony and Michael Which Will was dated 10. Aug. anno 1518. and proved 9. Nov. anno 1520. To this Sir Robert succeeded George his son and heir who being a Knight in 17 H. 8. was one of those that attended in Court at that solemn Coronation of Queen Anne in 25 H. 8. and in 18. and 35 H. 8. executed the office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire This Sir George built that stately Castle-like Gatehouse of free-stone here at Coughton intending as it should seem to have made the rest of his House sutable thereto and having erected a fair Monument for himself and the Lady Catherine his wife standing towards the North-side of the Chancell as I shall shew by and by bequeathing his body to be buried under the same departed this life in 1. Mariae as may seem by the Probate of his Testament leaving issue a fair ofspring Of which I find that Robert the eldest was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in 1. M. being then a Knight That Clement the third son was of Haseley in this County of whom and his descendants I have there spoke That Nicholas the fourth was a Knight and in 1 Eliz. imployed as Embassador to Francis the second King of France and Mary Queen of Scots his consort to expostulate the matter with them for assuming the Armes of England in their quarterings and afterwards scil in anno 1567. 9 Eliz. into Scotland at which time the said Queen was most barbarously kept in prison by her rebellious subjects where and when they extorted a resignation of the Regall power from her unto which he having perswaded her to subscribe signified to Queen Eliz. that it was of no validity forasmuch as she had been constrained thereto by the terror of a base imprisonment His other negotiations I shall not stand to particularize referring my Reader to M r Cambden's Annals of Queen Eliz. raign Anno scil 1570. where he speaks of his death and unto Stow's Survey of London for his Epitaph on a fair Monument of Alabaster wherein his statue in armour is cut situate on the south side of the Chancell in S t Catherine Creechurch near Algate within that City But touching the other sons of the said Sir George I find not much memorable except it be of Sir Iohn his seventh son Knighted by Queen Eliz. in the first year of her reign whose Epitaph upon his Monument in the Chancell here at Coughton doth sufficiently declare his eminency and worth Which Sir Iohn had issue Francis attainted in 26 Eliz. for Treason layd to his charge as having conspired God knows what in behalf of the Queen of Scots To the before specified Sir Robert eldest son of Sir George succeeded Thomas and to him Iohn and to him Sir Robert Throkmorton Baronet erected to that dignity by Letters Patent bearing date at Nottingham 1. Sept. 19. Caroli and to him Sir Francis now living whose severall marriages the Pedegree before inserted sheweth The Epitaph upon Sir Robert Throkmorton's Monument represented at the bottome of pag 562. Here lyeth buried Sir Robert Throkmorton Knight son ad heir of Sir George Throkmorton Knight which Sir Robert was twice wedded in the fear of God first to Merell Barkley one of the daughters of the Lord Barkley and did beget on her bodie 3. sons and 4. daughters second to the Lady Elizabeth Hungerford sometime wife of the Lord Hungerford and one of the daughters of the Lord Hussie by whom he did beget two sons and five daughters who departed this life for happier estate the day of Anno Domini 15 .... On the other side of this Monument are these verses Conditur hoc tumulo generosae gloria plebis Luget ut amissum patria chara patrem Nam plebs patronum clari sensere parentem Fautor erat miseris pauperibusque pius Religiosus amans observantissimus aequi Sincerus cultor principis atque Dei. Armatum sensere hostes sensere togatum Pacificum cives clarus utroque fuit Auxerunt famam neptes clarique nepotes Undique multiplici prole beatus erat Erudienda bonos virtutis semina liquet In cinerem rediit qui fuit ante cinis Vita dedit mortem letam mors ultima vita Vita fugax obiit vita perennis adest Magne Roberte vale divae virtutis alumnae Namque tenes superas non rediture domos Circumscribed on the freeze of this Monument O miser respice finem qualis sum in brevi eris vigila ergo quia nescis diem neque horam Upon a plate of brasse fix't on the North wall of the Chancell is this Inscription Of your charite pray for the soul of dame Elizabeth Throkmerton the last Abbas of Denye and Aunt to Sir George Throkmerton Knight who deceassed the xiii day of Ianuarye in the yere of our Lord God a. MCCCCCxlvii who lieth here tumilate in this tumbe on whoze soule and all Christen soules Iesu have mercy Amen Vivit post funera virtus Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conventus de Stodley Ioh. Grenhull Pbr. 29. Maii 1339. Prior Conventus de Stodley Ioh. de Somburne Pbr. 23. Apr. 1378. Prior Conventus de Stodley Thomas de Balle Cap. 1. Oct. 1434. Prior Conventus de Stodley Rob. Cowper Cap. 20. Sept. 1440. Prior Conventus de Stodley D. Hugo Lynesay Pbr. ult Apr. 1471. D. Henr. 8. Rex Angliae D. Henr. Shelmerdyne Cler. 23. Apr. 1541. Thomas Throkmorton generosus Thomas Ireland Cler. 6. Apr. 1593. Ric. Berkley de Lancombe in Com. Gloucest ar Will Norwood de Lech-Hampton in dicto Com. ar Leonardus Digby Cler. 10. Dec. 1624 The Armes which were lately standing in the windows being onely such as had been set up at the new glasing of them in Sir George Throkmorton's time I have purposely omitted in regard they were no other than such as be in the windows of the Mannour-house whereof I have taken notice Samburne OF this place having its originall denomination from that little Sandy brook nigh unto which it stands I find very antient mention
elsewhere within the King's dominions And lastly that he and his heirs should have another Faire yearly within this Town beginning on the Even of S. Dunstan and continuing for two dayes following Which ample Charter bears date at Westminster xviii Nov. in the year before specified After which ere long viz. in 28 H. 6. was he made Lord Treasurer of England but in that Office he continued not long as also a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace and assessing of Subsidies in this County but in these I presume he acted little in respect of his other great imployments being a Baron of this Realm and summoned to severall Parliaments in the said King's time By his Testament bearing date ix Apr. An. 1475. 15 E. 4. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of the Dominican Friers at Worcester in a new Chapell to be made on the North side of the Quire To which House of Friers for his buriall there he bequeathed the value of xx marks to be had in vestments and stuff besides a pair of Organs of his own residing at that time at Chelchith in the County of Midlesex Appointing that a Priest of that Friery should daily say Masse at the Altar within the said Chapell before his Tombe after the Order of a Trentall for his soul and the souls of his Father and Mother Brethren and Sisters his Children and Ancestors souls and especially for the souls of Sir Iohn Fastolf Knight Will. Botreaux and all Christen souls taking by the week for the said Masse so daily to be said viii d. for evermore Which Chapell and Tombe with his statue thereon in Alabaster he did by the said Testament ordein that his Executor should cause to be made and departed this life the same year leaving Sir Ric. Beauchamp Knight his son and heir then 40. years of age who in the private Chapell of this Mannour-house here called by the name of Beauchamps-Court having speciall License from the Bishop of Worcester wedded Eliz. the daughter of Sir Humfrey Stafford Knight by whom he had issue three daughters that were his heirs viz. Eliz. married to Sir Robert Willoughby Lord Brook first summoned to Parl. by that title in 7 H. 7. Anne to Ric. Ligon and Margaret to Will. Rede which Sir Robert had in her right this Mannour of Alcester in partition and dyed seized thereof 10 Nov. 13 H. 8. leaving Eliz. Anne and Blanch his cosins next heirs viz. daughters of Edw. Willoughby his son by the before specified Elizabeth Of which daughters so in minority Eliz. the eldest was committed to the tuition of Sir Edward Grevill of Milcote Knight who obtained her wardship as I have by tradition been informed with purpose to marry her unto Iohn his son and heir but she better affecting Fòuke the younger became his wife to whom she brought this Mannour of Alcester with other lands which Fouke much enlarged his Mannour-house at Beauchamps-Court taking stone and timber from the then newly dissolved Priory at Alcester for that purpose as also his Park with part of the wast belonging to this Lordship and bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire in 34 H. 8. being then a Knight so also in 1 E. 6. and departed this life 10. Nov. Anno 1559. 1 Eliz. leaving issue Fouke his son and heir and Robert a younger son which Fouke was Knighted in 7 Eliz. being then 29 years of age In 12 Eliz. he came first into Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Shire and departing this life in an 1606 4 Iac. left issu by Anne his wife daughter to Raph Nevill E. of Westmerland Fouk his son and heir Which last recited Fouk having been a servant in Court to Q. Eliz. made Under-Treasurer and Chancelour of the Exchequer by K. Iames as also one of the privy Councell and a Gentleman of his Bedchamber in 15. of that King's reign obtained a speciall Charter confirming all such liberties as had been granted to any of his Ancestors in the behalf of this Town upon a new Rent of x s. per annum then reserved to the said K. his heires successors and was created Lord Brook of Beauchamps-Court before mentioned 9. Ian. 18. Iac. with limitation of that Honour for lack of issue male of his own body unto Robert Grevill son of Fouk son of Robert before specified a younger son to the first Sir Fouk This Fouk Lord Brook obtaining the Castle of Warwick from King Iames when it was in a very ruinous condition bestowed so much cost in the repairs thereof beautifying it with most pleasant Gardens and Walks and adorning it with rich furniture that considering its situation no place in this part of England doth compare with it for statelinesse and delight But delaying to reward one Hayward an antient servant that had spent the most of his time in attendance upon him being expostulated with for so doing received a mortall stab on the back by the same man then private with him in his Bed-chamber at Brook-house in London 30. Sept. Anno 1628 5 Car. who to consummate the Tragedy went into another roome and having lock't the dore pierced his own bowells with a sword After which viz. 27. Oct. the said Lord Brook's body being wrapt in Lead brought to Warwick was there solemnly interred in a vault on the North side the Quire of S. Maries Church under that beautifull Monument erected by himself whereof I have there taken notice To whom succeeded in this his Lordship of Alcester and divers other lands of great value the before specified Robert Grevill Lord Brooke by vertue of a speciall grant whereby they were so setled I now come to speak of that Family of Botreaux which possest the other half of this Mannour till 22 H. 6. as I have intimated Robertus Corbet ..... Reginaldus Comes Cornub Regis Henrici primi nothus Henricus Filia cohaeres Henricus fil Herberti Petrus fil Herberti 6. Joh. Herbertus fil Petri 33 H. 3. Regin fil Petri 56 H. 3. Johannes Herbertus Alicia altera filiarum cohaeredum Will. Boterell Will. Boterell 6. Joh. ob s. prole Albreda fil Walteri Waleran Reginaldus de Boterell frater haeres Will. de Botereus 2 E. 1. Will. de Botereus 9 E. 2. Regin de Botereus 4 E. 3. Walt. de Botereaux obiit 41 E. 3. Joh. Botereaux aetat 6. an 41 E. 3. Margeria filia Will. Dunfrell Joh. Botreaux de Wetheley in Com. Warw. gen 10 H. 6. Thomas Botreaux 22 H. 6. Of Will. de Botreaux who married Alice one of the daughters and coheirs to Rob. Corbet I find that he confirmed to the Monks of Alcester all that they there held of his Fee and that he left issue Will. and Reginald which second Will. in 6. Ioh. gave two Horses for the great saddle
had routed he lost the day and was made their Prisoner But having elsewhere toucht the particulars of this Story I will now go on with what concernes this Peter de Montfort and that it may appear how he was one of the most considerable persons in that Rebellious pack shall give severall instances from the speciall trust and imployment he then had in the sway of the Realm Shortly after this Victory at Lewes so obtain'd they agreed amongst themselves that ix Persons shouâ—d be nominated to exercise Regall power whereof three at least to be constantly resident in Court for disposing of the custody of all Castles and other affaires with the nomination of the Chancelour Justices Treasurer and all other Officers great and small tending to the government of the Kingdom of which number this Peter was one which persons so appointed made use of the great Seal transacting all things touching the state of the Realm in the King's name and amongst other their doings constituted Commissioners to the King of France and the Popes Legate to reforme as they term'd it and settle the Kingdom whose names I shall here recite viz. Henry de Sandwich Bishop of Londonâ— Walter de Cantilupe Bishop of Worcester Iohn of Oxford Bishop of Winchester Hugh Despenser Justice of England Peter de Montfort before specified and Richard de Mepham Archdeacon of Oxford In which Commission bearing date at Canterbury the Saturday after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lady scil 8. Sept. there was a more especiall power given to our Peter than any of the rest that is to say that whatsoever he should swear to do the King must be bound by it Dante 's insuper praefato Petro potestatem jurandi in animam nostram quod nos quicquid ipse in praemissis nomine nostro duxerit faciendum ratum habeamus acceptum for these are the words thereof And after this by another Commission bearing date at Dover 24. of the same month of September was the said Peter singly sent to the before specified Legate to treat with him privately about those things with desire that he might make as quick a return as might be the intent of all this application to the Legate being no other than to daub up their disloyall dealings towards the King with fair and specious pretences to the Pope least he should thunder out his Curses against them But besides these eminent imploymenâ—â— I find that by the same authority of the King 's great Seal he had the custody of Whytenton Castle in Shropshire committed to his charge by a Patent dated at Woodstoke 19. Decembris and the next day following of Hereford Castle to which about the midst of May they removed the King and on the twentieth of that month made out a Precept to Walter de Evereus then Shiriff of Herefordshire for delivering the issues of that Countie to this our Peter for the better strengthning of that Castle And that nothâ—ng for conveniency to him in these his high transactions should be wanting he had by the same authoâ—â—ty a grant of Prince Edward's lodgings at Westminster But loe the instability of earthly greaâ—nessâ— eâ—pecâ—aâ—ly such as is raised by dâ—slâ—yalâ— subâ—ects upon the designed ruine of their rightfull Soveraign for it was not many days after that the 〈◊〉 making his eâ—cape from this Castle of Hereford like a suddain flash of lightning broke through a cloud raised such a powerfull Army that on the day before the Nones of August following he came upon the whole strength of those Rebellious Barons at Evesham in Worcestershire like terrible thunder where obtaining a compleat Victorie this our famous Peter de Montfort with divers more of the principall persons in that Tragedie was slain Whereupon the then Shiriff of this County sc. William Bagot had command to extend this Lordship and the rest of his lands in these parts but propter resistentiam inimicorum as the Record expresseth being not able to do it the K. directed a Commission to the Abbot of Bordesley and Prior of Studley to take notice of the particular number of acres of Land Meadow Wood and Pasture and the value of each as also of those that held in villenage with the Rents and services of the Freeholders and to certifie the same into his Exchequer This Peter wedded Alice the daughter of Henry de Aldithley and left issue Petâ—r William and Robert which William had the Mannour of Uppingham in Ruâ—l of his Fathers gift and Robert other lands in that Countie who notwithstanding his activenesse on the Barons part with his Father was afterwards received into grace with the King Having now done with his Story I can do no lesse than observe that in him was this Family in the Meridian of its glory which thenceforth daily faded for being the fourth in descent from Thurstane who was first inrich't with such fair possessions by his kinsman the Earl of Warwick's gift and honoured with many imployments of speciall trust through the great favour of his soveraign being puft up with blind ambition which prompted him to a confederacy with the Rebellious Barons of that age he became partaker of that deserved destruction which befell them After which the lustre of his descendants though no whit abridg'd of their antient Patrimony in regard af that indulgent Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth which admitted them to grace upon favourable termes began daily to diminish till in the like fourth descent his male line was in a manner extinct much of the antient inheritance with this Castle their principall seat then divolving to other Families by daughters and heirs and the memorie of his name preserved only in an illegitimate ofspring as by the Pedegree is cleerly shewed I now come to Peter his eldest son This man siding with his said Father in those Rebellious actions before specified was with him taken prisoner at Northampton in 48 H. 3. being as it seems the Commander in Chief of the Forces there met for no lesse doth an Historian of that time testifie Horum erat praecipuus Petrus de Monteforti junior saith he qui ad castrum confugerat sed in crastino reddidit se Neverthelesse being enlarged as I have already shewed the next mention I find of him is that he was again taken in the battail of Evesham wherein his Father lost his life and thereupon comitted to Thomas de Clare unto whom his forfeited lands were granted whereof he the said Thomas received the benefit according to the Dictum de Kenilworth before mentioned but shortly after notwithstanding these his demerits was not only admitted to grace and favour with the King who by a speciall Patent dated 28. Ian. 51. of his reign released unto him omnem indignationem animi rancorem ratione turbationis c. for those are the words but besides his
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
in generall of the lands belonging to these Priories Alien and the occasion thereof having spoke in Wolston I shall here only take notice of what concerns this place in relation thereto Of which the first mention I find is in 16 E. 3. where the K. by his special Precept directed to the Shiriff of this County reciting that whereas he had committed the custody of it to Iohn the then Prior for a certain ferme to be yearly payd into his Exchequer during his Warrs with France and that the said Prior had neglected payment of that Rent accordingly for which respect it was again seized into his hands he had neverthelesse at the humble request of the said Prior who desired no more than a competent allowance for himself and one Monk then resident with him commanded that the sum of iii s. by the week for himself and xviii d. for his fellow Monk might be duly payd unto him out of the issues thereof during the time that it should continue under that seizure But after this viz. in 48 E. 3. there was another seizure made thereof and the custody of it then committed to Hugh Earl Stafford Iohn Maubert the then Prior and Frier Michael Cheyne Procurator generall to the Abbot of Counches Which Prior Maubert in 3 R. 2. obtained a speciall grant thereof to himself with all the lands belonging to it to hold during the said warrs with France paying XL l. per annum into the Exchequer Perhaps he dyed soon after for within three years following the said ferme was granted to Robert Selby a Priest and Iohn de Burley junior to hold during the continuance of the Warrs before specified paying xlvi li. xiii s. iv d. yearly into the said Exchequer But in 22 R. 2. upon the augmentation made unto the House of Carthusians neer Coventre then newly founded with the grant of severall Priories Alien in sundry Counties of this Realm whereof I have there made mention this of Wootton was one of those that the said King gave thereto though of that grant those Carthusians took little benefit for shortly after K. H. 4. by the deposall of King R. 2. attained the Crown taking into consideration that these Priories-Alien were originally founded to the honour of God and that through the frequent seizures of them into the hands of his Progenitors by reason of the Warrs with France the Monks were driven away and the Houses so wasted that such divine service as had antiently been establish't therein was wholly withdrawn out of his pious care to rectifie the said abuse did by the assent of his Councell in Parliament in the first year of his raign make full restitution unto Iohn Seurayn then newly instituted and inducted Prior here of all the possessions belonging to this House granting it to him and his successors for the like Rent reserved to the Exchequer during the continuance of his Warrs with France as had antiently been paid to the House of Counches in times of Peace upon condition that the same Prior and his successors should thenceforth find and maintaine so many Monks secular Priests and other English Officers therein as by the first Foundation of it were ordained to be and paying all Tenths Fifâ—eens and other Subsidies whatsoever with the Clergie and Commonalty of this Realm as often as there should be occasion Howbeit after this viz. in 4 H. 4. there was a new consideration had in the Parliament then held touching these Priories-Alien viz. that all should be again seized into the King's hands excepting onely those that were Conventuall whereupon the Shiriff of this Countie had command to give warning unto this Prior of Wootton and the rest within his limits to appear in their proper persons at Westminster on the Octaves of S. Hillary and to bring with them all their Charters and Evidences whereby he himself and his Councell might be satisfied whether they had been Priories Conventuall time out of mind or not But notwithstanding this Act they rested not long for whereas the former seizures had been so made onely upon pretence that by transporting part of the revenues belonging to these English Cells to those Houses in France whereunto they were subordinate the King's adversaries at such times as he had Warrs with the French were assisted in the Parliament held at Leicester 2 H. 5. it being considered that though a finall peace should be afterwards made betwixt England and France yet the carrying over such summs of money yearly out of England to those foreingn Monasteries would be prejudiciall to this Kingdom and the people thereof there was an Act then made that all the possessions in England belonging to the said Priories Alien should thenceforth remain to the King and his heirs for ever excepting such whereof there was speciall declaration then made to the contrary al entent saith the Act que divines services en les lieux avant dictz purront plus duement estre fait per gentz Anglois en temps avenir qùe n'ount est é fait devant ces heures en icelles par gentz Francois c. But this Proviso was not very punctually observed for I find that Sir Rouland Lenthale Knight having obtained certain Letters Patent from K. H. 5. by colour of an information that this Priorie was not presentable instituible nor inductible thereupon entred into the possession of it and received the profits so that thenceforth no Divine service was there performed contrary to the purport of that Statute of 1 H. 4. before mentioned as also against the pious intent of the said Founders So that in 16 H. 6. the King a king into his consideration the premisses to the intent that Gods service and all works of Charitie should be there devoutly performed did for the good estate of himself and for the souls of his noble Progenitors his heirs likewise and successors at the humble supplication of Frere Iohn a Monk of the House of Conchis above specified present him the said Monk to the Bishop of Worcester to be instituted and inducted as Prior thereunto And shortly after to give satisfaction unto the said Sir Rouland Lenthale touching that matter granted an anannuity of xx li. to him and his heirs for ever to be received out of the issues and profits of the Countie of Hereford But this new Prior had no long enjoyment thereof for by Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 12. Dec. in 22. of his reign did the same King bestow it upon the Provost and Scholars of his Royall Colledge in Cambridge then newly by him founded to have and to enjoy to themselves and their successors for ever Which Provost and Scholars about four years after obtained a formall Release from the said Prior by the name of Iohn Conches a Monk of the Order of S. Benet at Conches in Normandy and late Prior of the Priory of Wawens-Wootton in the County of Warwick
paticular name certain Knights from the several Counties and Burgesses for the Burroughs to appear the Fryday next before the Feast of St. Michael with whom the said King resolved to have personall Treaty amongst these was our Roger de Aylesbury with Ric. de VVhitacre and Iohn Revell for this County but it seems that Ric. de VVhitacre appeared not for upon assignation of their expences for xv dayes being the time it lasted the appointment to the Shiriff is only for payment of this Roger and Iohn Revell this being the year preceding the said King 's assuming the title of King of France and quartering the Armes of that Realm with England whereupon he took into his royal consideration that the same might occasion him a War with the French and proposed the borrowing of money from the Clergy and people of England for avoiding thereof constituting Commissioners through the several Counties to declare that to be the reason of the said loan And the next year following being resolved of an expedition beyond Sea for effecting his designes in France summoned the like Councell of his Subjects to be held at Westminster the morrow following the Clause of Easter whereunto were again appointed to come in the behalf of this County the said Roger de Aylesbury Ric. de VVhitacre and Iohn Revell there to consult about the conservation of this Realm in peace and safety during the King's absence In 13 E. 3. he served in the Parl. then likewise held at Westminster as one of the Knights for this Shire but after this I find no more of him that is memorable other than that he was a Kt. and left issue Philip his son and heir who bore for his Armes a Bend gules over his Azure Crosse and married Agnes the daughter and coheir of Hugh de Brandeston Lord of the Mannour of Lapworth by whom he had issue Roger. Which Roger had very little to do in the affairs of the publique other than as a Commissioner in 6 H. 4. for collection of a Subsidy in this Connty Neither had Iohn his son any more than in the Office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire in 23 30. H. 6. And Iohn the son and heir of him none at all the Family being declined so much that notwithstanding his descent as heir to Roger before spoken of who was a Knight he wrote himself no other than Gentilman Which Iohn being the last male branch of this house here at Edston left issue Ioane a daughter and heir wedded unto Thomas Somervile of Somervile-Aston in com Glouc. Esquier whereby this Mannour with the rest of his lands came to that Family in which it still continues having been since that time their principal Seat as appears by many authorities But touching the ancestors of this Thomas Somervile I shall say little in regard that having their estate and residence in Gloucestershire they are out of my limits only of this I conceive fit to take notice that they have been of a very antient continuance there and no lesse eminent as it seemâ—â— for one of them was a Knight in 45 H. 3. being stiled Iohannes miles de Aston Somervile and bore for his Armes ...... upon a border ...... 6 Leopards heads ...... as by his Seal appeareth whereunto his great granchild Sir VVill. Somervile Knight in the beginning of Edw. 3. time added one more Leopards head upon the border and Sir Iohn Somervile Knight his son and heir altered it more bearing Argent upon a fâ—sse gules 3 Leopards heads Or betwixt 3 Annulets of the second which coat hath been continued by his posterity to these very times From whom descended Iohn Somervile Esq who in 25 Eliz. being a hot spirited Gentleman and about 23 years of age but a Roman Catholique by profession is said to have been so far transported with zeale for the restoring that Religion by the instigation of one Hall a Priest that he resolved to kill the Queen and to that purpose made a journey to London and that upon his apprehension he confest his intent but being arraigned condemn'd and committed to Newgate within three days after he was found strangled in his lodging How far forth he was guilty of this God knows for with what a high hand things were then borne through the power of Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester is not unknown to most men which Earl had a particular spleen against M r Arden of Parkhall father in Law to this Gentleman as by sundery aged persons of credit I have often heard Bearley THis being written Burlei in the Conqueror's Survey was then held of Rob. de Stadford by one Ailric whose freehold it had been before the Norman invasion but the extent of it by that Record is certified to be no more than 1. hide valued at x s. which was but the one half of what it had been rated at in Edw. the Confessor's days By one of whose descendants sc. of Stafford was Cumin antiently Lord of Snitfield as I conceive first enfeoft hereof and by Cumin Nicholas that assumed his sirname from hence without doubt for in H. 2. time I find that such a man there was and that he with Will. de Burlei his son gave to the Monks of Bordsley xx acres of land lying within the precincts o Claverdon and held of Walter Cumin who coâ—â—â—mâ—d â—â—e grant As also that to the Church of Wootton and the Monks of Conchis they likewise gave in 1 R. 1. all their interest in the Chapell here addâ—ng the grant of one yard land with a Croft and Messuage To which William succeeded Iohn his son and heir who quitted his total interest and claim in the said Chapell unto those Monks and for its better confirmation levied a Fâ—ne thereupon in 5 H. 3. This Iohn had issue Will. de Burle a further Benefactor also to the Monks of Bordsley by granting to them certain lands in Claverdon which he had recovered by a suit in Law in the Kâ— Court at Westminster and bore for his Armes three Garb with 3 flower de lices in Chief which shews what relation he had to Cumin and Cantilupe Lords of Snitfield successively To whom succeeded Hugh his son and heir who gave likewise to those Monks of Bordsley one yard land lying here in Burley but within the Fee of Snitfield and therefore confirm'd by Margery de Cantilupe and Iohn her son Which Iohn about the beginning of Edw. 1. time withdrew the suit that the Inbabitants of this place had usually done to the Hundred Court unto his own Court held a Snitfield So that I think there needs no question to be made but that Cumin was first enfeoft hereof by Stafford to fortifie which my conjecture the more I find that Iohn de Cantilupe son to the last mentioned Iohn was in 9 E. 2. certified
thereon which the Shiriff was commanded to value and according to the rate they should be prized at to deliver them unto him and from hence had it the addition of his name joyned thereto for distinction from the other Astons in this Counâ—y Here hath been antiently a Park and by the tradition of the Inhabitants a Castle also situate Southwards of the Church but the Moat and banks thereof are now so levelled that there is scarce any appearance of it At which Castle forasmuch as the before specified William and his descendants had without doubt their principal residence till by marriage with Eva the daughter and heir of Will. de Braose to Will. his grandson the Castle and Honour of Bergavenny came to this Familyâ— I have here thought fit to say something historically of them ..... de Cantilupe Will. de Cantilupe Senesch Regis obiit 23 H. 3. Matilda relictâ— 36 H. 3. Will. de Cantilupe ob 35 H. 3. Milisent filia Hug. de Gornai Will. de Cantilupe obiit 39 H. 3. Eva filia cohaer Will. de Braosa Georgius de Cantilupe obiit sine prole 1 E. 1. Iohanna Henricus de Hastings Ioh. de Hastings dominus de Bergavenny 11 E. 1. Milisent uxor Eudoniâ— de la Zouch 2 E. 1. Thomas de Cantilupe Episc. Herefordiae Iuliana uxor domini Roberti de Tregoz Walt. de Cantilupe Episc. Wigorn Ioh. de Cantilupe de Snitfield 20 H. 3. Nich. de Cantilupe 46 H. 3. Sibilla uxor Galfridi de Pancefote This Will. de Cantelu or Cantelupe for I find him both ways written was a person of great eminency and power in his time In 1 Ioh. he had a discharge for the Scuâ—age then due from him In 3 4 5 6 Ioh. he was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire and upon leaving that office constituted Governour of the Castles of Hereford Wilton and Purrebach Nay in those great differences betwixt the said King and Pope Innocent the 3. in 13 Ioh. he is taken notice of to have been one of that King 's Chief Councellors and directors and from the 12 th year to the end of his reign had again the custody of the before specified Counties In 15 Ioh. he obtained the King's special Precept to the Barons of his Exchequer to respite their demand of CCCC Marks debt due by him viz. CCC marks for a Fine which he was to have payd for the Wardship and custody of the land of Henry de Longcamp's heir and C. marks which the sand King had lent him upon his Voyage into Almaine In 16 Ioh. he had Scutage of his Tenants in satisfaction for those souldiers which were then maintained by him in Poictou for the King's service as also the same year was amongst others a witnesse to that notable Charter granted by the said King to the Archb. of Canterb. and other Bishops in behalf of all the Churches and Monasteries of England and in 17 Ioh. got a pardon for a debt of CClxii marks and xvid which was by his own agreement to have been payd as a fine for obtaining the Countesse of Eureux in marriage for his son And yet notwithstanding all these favours it appears that in that great defection of the Barons the same year he forsook the King and adhered to them but did not persist long in that error as it seems for shortly after I find that he had a grant of all the lands of Nich. de Verdon and so also of Thurstane de Mountfort great Actors in that Rebellion and was made Governour of the strong Castle of Kenilworth in this Countie being then Steward of the King's houshold Having thus shewed in what esteem he was with K. Iohn let us now take a view of his favour with K. H. 3. and of his eminency in those times In 1. of that K. reign he was in person with the royall Army at the siege of Mountfsorell Castle in Leicestersh and at raising the seige which the rebellious Barons had made against the Castle of Lincoln In 2 H. 3. again made Shiriff of this County and Leicestersh in which office he continued till the 8 th year of that King's reign In 5 H. 3. he had the K. special Letter authorizing him to receive of the several Kts. Fees held of him x s. in respect that he was in person with the K. at the seige of Bitham Castle in Lincolnsh In 6 H. 3. he had by the Ks. special command all the Castles that belonged to Reginald de Braose deceaâ—ed committed to his charge being then Steward to the K. as he had been to his father but it seems that his chief residence was then at Kenilw. Castle before specified for no lesse doth the Record appointing him timber for repair of the buildings for his habitation there import Howbeit the same year being made Governour of Hereford Castle he had in December 8 H. 3. a discharge of his Shiriffalty here and of the Custody of Kenilworth Castle which was thereupon delivered up to Iohn Russell unto whom also those Counties were then committed It should seem that about this time he adhered to the Earl of Chester and some other of the Barons who began to swell against the King and give out big words on the behalf of that Earl whose Castles the said King thought fit to sieze but seeing themselves not strong enough to go through with their designe were glad to submit For which offence I do not find that the Ks. displeasure stuck long upon him in regard that within 3 years after by his Pat bearing date 18 Aug. he confirmed unto him this Mannour of Eston which formerly did belong to Raph de Tankervile Chamberlain of Normandy with the Mannour of Middleston that pertained to Gilbert de Vilers to hold till such time as the said King should please to restore them unto the right heirs of the said Raph and Gilbert which Mannours he the said Will. had first received by the grant of K. Iohn as the same Record testifieth for confirmation whereof as also for a Mercate and Faire here he then gave the K. a Fine of xv marks And in 13 H. 3. received farther testimony of the King's favour by a Pardon of xl marks due from him to have been payd into the Exchequer for certain amerciaments laid upon him by the Justices Itinerant and an acceptance of x. marks per an till the C. marks lent unto him by King Iohn were satisfied which summe the said King delivered unto him when he went on his Embassie into Almaine as I have already intimated In 15 H. 3. he had another confirmation of this Lordship extending also to his heirs with a speciall Proviso that if the said King or his heirs should afterward restore it to the heirs of Tankervile he the said William and his heirs should have other lands of
it was the Freehold of Leuvinus Doda In that Survey it is written Wilmecote the originall of which appellation did questionlesse proceed from the name of some antient Inhabitant there in the Saxons time But the next mention that I find thereof is not till 6 Ioh. where it is written Wilmundecote and certified to be part of those lands that the Normans had in England which were then seized on for their adhering to the K. of France as in Ilmindon I have already observed one Bricto Camerarius being then Lord thereof and Chamberlain of Normandy as I guesse the value of it then consisting only in rent of Assize amounting to xliis per an and no more After which ere long one Will. de Wilmecote was owner of it who doubtlesse took that sirname from his residence here for in 12 H. 3. it appears that he brought an Assize against Maurice Arch-Deacon of Gloucester touching the advouson of the Chapell belonging to this Village yet in E. 1. I find that Raph de Lodinton had a good proportion here viz. two yard land in demesn with a Water Mill as also 5 yard land in Villenage all which he held of Sir Thomas de Camvill by the fourth part of a Kts fee which fourth part in 25 E. 1. was certified to be held of Edm. Earl of Lancaster the Kings Brother by Robert de Vale of whom in Lodington I have spoken already But about that time was there one Iohn de Wilmecote Lord hereof and shortly after him Henry de L'isle of Moxhull in this Countie who with Ioan his wife in 9 E. 2. were found to hold half a Kts. fee here of the Earl of War which half Kts. fee was of her inheritance she being the heir to the before specified Iohn de Wilmecote To which Henry succeeded Iohn his son and heir who in 10 E. 3. entailed this Mannour with the advouson of the Chapell upon the issue of his body by Maude then his wife with remainder to his right heirs by reason whereof it continued to his posterity whereof I shall speak in Moxhull till 8 H. 7. but then was past away by Henry L'isle Esquire and Eliz. his wife to Will. Purchesse and others in trust as I conceive for Hugh Clopton Alderman of London for I find that the said Hugh dyed seized thereof 15 Sept. 12 H. 7. leaving Will. Clopton his Cosin and next heir as in Clopton is shewed who had livery thereof accordingly in 19 H. 7. The Chapell here dedicated to St. Mary Magd. was given to the Gild of the Holy Cross in Stratford super Avon in E. 4. time by the before mentioned Henry de L'isle and Eliz. his wife one Thomas Clopton being then Master of the same Patroni Capellae Incumbentes c. Matilda de Lyle Ioh. de Walton 21 Martii 1372. Matilda de Lyle Ioh. Cade 18 Ian. 1380. Newnham AS for the name of this place it proceeded originally without doubt from the first habitation fixed thereat whether it were one single House or more the syllable Ham with our Ancestors the Saxons not onely signifying a House but a neighbourhood of divers dwellings as we may observe by the many towns that terminate in Ham so that Neunham imports the same that nova habitatio doth But of this little village I have not seen any mention at all in Record above 9 E. 2. where it is certified as a Hamlet of Aston-Cantelupe of which Mannour it is stâ—ll reputed to be parcell Little Alne THis was also originally a member of Aston-Cantelupe and antiently possest by the Lords of that Mannoâ—r It should seem that a great part of those lands which were given to the Canons of Studley by some of the Cantelupes do lye within the compass of this village though in the grant they are said to be in Aston-Cantelupe for upon the passing them out of the Crown in 1. Mariae they are granted to Anthony Skinner by the name of the Mannour of Little-Alne five Tenements a water Mill with a meadow as parcell of the possessions of the Monastery of Studley which Anthony dyed seized thereof 19 Nov. 1 Eliz. leaving issue George and William which George dying without issue Will. became heir to the estate whose grandchild Anthony now enjoys it Shelfhull THe first mention I find of this place is in H. 3. time upon the grant of a large assart to the Canons of Studley by Will. de Cantilupe the third where it is bounded upon the Park of Scelefhull which Park belonging to the Lords of Aston-Cantelupe doth argue that it was antiently a member thereof And out of all doubt those Woods or the greatest part of them which are mentioned by the Conquerour's Survey to belong unto Aston were imparkt by the Lords of that Mannour for their pleasure in Hunting it being a mountanous ground most proper for Deer an Conies But the extent of Shelfhull was more than this Park for in 6 E. 2. after the death of Iohn de Hastings Lord of Aston before specified it appeareth that Will. le Walsh held the sixth part of a Kts. fee of him lying in this place Howbeit till 14 H. 6. I have not seen it called a Mannour but then upon the death of Ioan Beauchamp Lady Bergavenny it carries that name nevertheless it is reputed as a member of Aston-Cantelupe and therewith belongs to the Lord Bergavenny at this day Haseler SOmewhat lower but yet farther distant from the bank of Alne stands Haseler containing these two petty Hamlets sc. Walcote and Upton which before the Norman invasion was the freehold of Vlviet and Aluric but at the time of the Conquerour's generall Survey possest by Nich. Balistarius being certified to contain 5. hides with a Mill rated at vi s. viii d. as also a Salt House of iiii s. Rent and two quarters of Salt all being valued at vi li. In that Record it is written Haselove the stroke over the v. through the transcribers neglect being omitted for it should be Haselovere That the later part of the name viz. Overe which in our common speech signifies the same with supra agreeth with the situation of the place is evident enough for it stands upon a notable ascent almost every way and if I may take leave to guess at the other part I shall conclude that the same hilly ground whereupon the town stands being originally woody and full of Hasells as much of the Country thereabouts yet is gave occasion thereof How it past from the before specified Nich. Balistaerius or his posterity I find not but in H. 2. time Nicholas de Pole one of the King's Justices was chief Lord here whose descendants enjoy'd it not long for in 20 H. 3. it appertained to W. de Hastings and upon the Aid then gathered answered for half a Kts. fee amongst divers other lands in this Countie then certified to be
doing Scutage to the Earl of Leicester for half a Knights Fee upon occasion As also that within this Mannour of Oversley there was at that time a certain Messuage with a Dove-house two Gardens Cxxvi. acres of land in two fields and six acres of meadow of the Abbot of Evesham's Fee and likewise x. Villains who held ten yaâ—d land paying yearly x. marks xi s. iiii d. And moreover a free Rent service therein of two Arrows with vi Cottagers paying yearly vii s. vi d. and two marks yearly by way of Tallage but doing service to the Abbot of Evesham yearly for the whole vi marks and for four acres lying here to Hugh Aguilon i d. And besides all this that there was of the Abbot of Bordsley's Fee seven yard land a Mess. and xix Cottages with vi s. viii d. being a Rent service from two Freeholders That there was also a Park with two Gardens paying to the said Abbot v s. per an in recompence for Housebote which he had used to have there as belonging to his Mannour of Budiford And lastly of the â—â— of Warwick's Fee a Rent of xx d. issuing yearly out of a certain Mill. Unto which William succeeded Iohn his son and heir then but xvi years of age a grant of whose marriage Walter de Beauchamp of Alcester the same year obtained in the behalf of Elianore his daughter and in case the said Elianore should die before the accomplishment of that intended marriage that then he might marry some other of his daughters And moreover that if the same Iohn should depart this life before such marriage that then the said Walter might have the like benefit of his next heir and so from heir to heir till one of his daughters were wedded to one of those Butlers or in case that such one should take a wife of his own choise otherwise then to have the forfeiture due to the King thereupon But this Iohn died within 3 years following so that whether the said marriage were compleated by him or his brother Gawine who was his heir I make a question so that the inheritance came to Will the third brother as the Descent sheweth Which Will. in 25 E. 1. had Summons with other great men to be at London on Sunday next after the Octaves of S. Iohn Bapt. well furnisht with Horse and Armes to attend the K. in his expedâ—tion beyond the Seas whose service was so gratefull that the next year following the K. in recompence thereof acquitted to him the debt due by his Father for the Scutage of 3 Knights Fees which Scutage ought to have been performed by Maud his grandmother in the service of Wales in the tenth year of the same K. Edward's reign This last mentioned William died in 8 E. 3. leaving Will. his son and heir who in 18 E. 3. by the solicitation of Will. de Clinton then Earl of Huntingdon obtained a special discharge from the K. that he should not be compelled to bear Armes in respect of his impotencie nor to take upon him the Order of Knighthood against his own good will And departed this life in 35 E. 3. leaving Will. his son and heir 32 years of age and another son called William as it seems but whether by one wife or not I cannot affirm Which Will. the younger son I take to be him that married Ioan the sister and coheir of Sir Iohn Sudley Knight from whom the Butlers Barons of Sudley descended as in Griffe is manifested For it is evident that Will. the grandchild to William and Ankaret left issue Eliz. his only daughter and heirâ— who being wedded to Robert de Ferrers a younger son to the Lord Ferrers of Chartley brought this place with Wemme and other lands of a fair extent to her said husband who was thereupon summoned to Parliament by the name of Rob. Ferrers de Wemme Chivalier which Lordships viz. of Oversley and Wemme with other of her inheritance lying in the Counties of Salop. Leicester and Warwick were after her said marriage in 44 E. 3. entailed upon the heirs of the body of them the said Robert and Elizabeth with remainder to her right heirs But in 4 R. 2. this Robert died leaving by the same Eliz. Robert his son and heir 4 years of age which Elizabeth continued not long a widow for I find that the next year following she was the wife of Iohn Say and surviving him afterwards became wedded to Thomas Molinton who wrote himself Baron of Wemme in her right and that by her Testament bearing date 6 Ian. 1410 12 H. 4. whereby she bequeathed her body to be buried in the Church of the Crouched Friers near the Tower of London she stiles her self Elizabetha Ferrers Baronissa de Wemme retaining the name of that husband who was of the greatest dignity a custome which I find that women have long used and not yet left and departed this life the same year leaving Elizabeth the wife of Iohn Greistoke son to Raph Lord Greistoke and Mary the wife of Raph Nevill a younger son to Raph Nevill Earl of Westmerland her cosyns and heirs as saith the Inquis viz. daughters of Robert son to her the said Eliz. But I think it mistaken For the Fine Roll of 13 H. 4. whereby this Mannour of Oversley with Merston-Boteler in this County and the Mannour of Tirley in Com. Staff are assigned to the said Raph Nevill and Mary for her purpart she having at that time issue by him directly calls her una filiarum haeredum praedictae Elizabethae Neither is it very likely that she should be her grandchild as the Inquis imports for Robert the son of Rob. Ferrers by her was but 4 years of age in 4 R. 2. so that had he been then living he could have been but 34 years of age And to fortifie my opinion the Clause Roll of 9 H. 5. expresses as much To which Sir Raph Nevill for he was a Kt. succeeded Iohn Nevill Esq. his son and heir by the same Mary who dyed seized of this Mannour in 22 E. 4. leaving Sr. Will. Gascoin Knight his cosyn and next heir viz. son of Ioane his daughter then 30 years of age Which said Sir Will. being great grandchild to Sir Will. Gascoin who served under the renowned H. 5. King of England in his French Warrs and he son to that sometime famous Lawyer Will. Gascoin of Gauthorpe in Yorkshire chief Justice of the Kings bencâ— temp H. 4. was made K t of the Bath at the Queens Coronation in 1 H. 7. From whom descended S Will. Gascoin jun. of Cussworth in the same County of York who in 29 H. 8 past away the inheritance of this Lordship with all other his lands in Warwickshire to Sir Thomas Cromwell Knight then Lord Cromwell which eschaeting to the Crown by his attainder in 31 H. 8.
Warwici vacat de dono nostro existit Habendum occupandum dictum Officium praefato Johanni seu deputato suo sufficienti pro termino vitae suae cum omnimodis vadiis feodis c. ab antiquo debitis c. Teste Rege apud Coventre xxiii Maii. To him succeeded William and likewise to that William another William and to him Thomas who being a learned Lawyer and Justice of North-Wales in H. 8. time as also in Commission for the Peace in this Shire the greatest part of that King's reign wedded Margerie the eldest of the seven daughters and coheirs to William Willington of Barcheston Esquire a wealthy Merchant of the Staple who survived him and afterwards became the wife of Sir Ambrose Cave Knight And by her left issue Edward Holt Esquire Which Edw. having had his education with Sir Iohn S t Leger then of Weoley Castle in in Com. Wigorn. as by his Fathers Will appears was in 14 Eliz. constituted one of the Justices of Peace for this County and in 26 Eliz. Shiriff and dyed 3. Febr. 35 Eliz. Unto whom succeeded Thomas his son and heir then of full age being made Shiriff of this County in 42 Eliz. and Knighted by King Iames at his first coming into England but afterwards viz. 25. Novemb. 10. Iac. advanced to the dignity of a Baronet Of whom I may not omit to take this further notice viz. that by him there was a fair Parke inclosed here and a noble Fabrick therein erected which for beauty and state much exceedeth any in these parts the building whereof was begun in Aprill Anno 1618. 16 Iac. and finished in Aprill 11 0 Caroli As also that by his last Will and Testament he assigned CCC li. for the building of an Hospitall here at Aston for five men five women appointing a Rent charge out of his Mannour of Erdington of LXXXV III li. per ann for their support And lastly that he departed this life .... Anno 1654. being then about LXXXIII years of age The Church dedicated to S. Peter Paul being given to the Monastery of Newport-Paganell in Buckinghamshire commonly called Tikford-Priorie by Gervase Paganell Baron of Dudley and Lord of this Mannour in H. 2. time was appropriated to them by Ric. Peche then Bishop of this Diocesâ— which appropriation Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury shortly afterwards confirmed But the Monks of that House thought not their title very secure till they had got a ratification thereof from Giles de Erdington in 15 H. 3. for which he and his heirs were made partakers of all the prayers and pious works to be performed in that Monastery for ever After which viz. in 38 H. 3. there was an Ordination of the Vicaridge here by Roger de Weseham then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield with the consent of the Monks of Newport-Painell and William de Kilkenny the then Rector By which Ordination bearing date at Brewood on the morrow after the Feast of S. Cecily the Virgin it appears that the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield were thenceforth to receive out of the fruits of the Rectory the sum of xx marks yearly at the Feasts of the Annunciation of our Lady and S. Andrew th'Apostle by even portions Howbeit after this scil about six years there was something more done as to the before specified Ordination by Roger de Molend the succeeding Bishop In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectory was valued at xl marks over and above the same Pension of xx marks payable yearly to the Canons of Lichfield and the Vicaridge at vii marks and a half About the later end of E. 2. time I find that the Nuns of Catesby in Com. Northampt. made some title to the third part of the Tithes belonging to this Church but the Monks of Tikford by a Writ of Right recovered against them and had a confirmation of those Tithes accordingly made by King Edw. 3. in 5. of his reign Upon the dissolution of which Priory of Tikford in 17 H. 8. this Rectory with a certain Mannour here belonging thereto as the words of the Patent do import were with that Religious House and divers other small Monasteries at that time likewise suppressed given to Cardinall Woolsey for the endowing of his Colledges in Oxford and Ipswich then begun to be erected Which Cardinall did accordingly confer what he had here at Aston upon the Dean and Canons of his said Colledge in Oxford then called Woolsey's Colledge But that Foundation of the Cardinall was soon after altered by the King who not only assumed the honour thereof to himself but made great alteration in the endowment yet what was so given here at Aston continued though not without a new grant from the King to Iohn then Bishop of Lincolne and others to the use of the same Colledge Of the before specified Vicaridge I further find that it with the Chapell of Bromwich of xiv s. per an value was in 26 H. 8. rated at xxi li. iv s. viii d. over and above iii s. payd yearly to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield iii s. viii d. to the Bishop for Procurations and Synodalls and iv d. chief Rent of a Garden to Thomas Holt. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Tykford Gâ—lfr de Wenrich Pbr. 2. Cal. Nov. 1303. Prior Conv. de Tykford Henr. de Schirington Pbr. 16. Cal. Martii 1326. D. Rex ratione temporal Priorat de Tykford in mann sua existentium Ioh. Draper Cap. 15. Cal. Aug. 1349. D. Rex ratione temporal Priorat de Tykford in mann sua existentium Petrus Boterell 2. Non. Nov. 1349. D. Rex ratione temporal Priorat de Tykford in mann sua existentium Ric. de Tykenhale Cap. 2. Cal. Apr. 1355. D. Rex ratione temporal Priorat de Tykford in mann sua existentium Thomas Skyll Pbr. 5. Nov. 1383. D. Rex ratione temporal Priorat de Tykford in mann sua existentium Thomas atte Cruche 14. Oct. 1391. Prior Conv. de Tykford Will. Pollard 10. Maii 1404. Prior Conv. de Tykford Will Tonge Cap. 22. Oct. 1405. Prior Conv. de Tykford Rob. Hunte Cap. penult Oct. 1425. Prior Conv. de Tykford Ric. Hancocks Pbr. alt Dec. 1433. Prior Conv. de Tykford Ric. Bryan 6. Iulii 1440. Prior Conv. de Tykford Thomas Gaytoâ— Pbr. 25. Ian. 1440. Prior Conv. de Tykford D. Ioh. Dron Pbr. 3. Nov. 1441. Prior Conv. de Tykford Ric. Grove Pbr. 25. Aug. 1449. Prior Conv. de Tykford Will. Mussolwyke â— Deâ— 1451. Prior Conv. de Tykford David Styward Cap. 9. Sept. 14â—3 Idem Prior Conv. Ioh. Albod Cap. 5. Oct. 1456. Idem Prior Conv. Thomas Baker Cap. 8. Nov. 1458. Ambr. Cave miles ratione dotis Margeriae ux suae
at Dublin for his support in his service But I must not here stand to trace down the descent of that Family in Ireland it being besides my business and therefore shall pass it by with this onely note that in 12 E. 2. when Edward de Brus raised a rebellion in those parts and caused himself to be crowned King of Ireland through the singular valour and prudent conduct of Iohn de Bermingham then Commander in chief for the King against those Rebells the said Edw. de Brus with a multitude of his party were slain and the rest routed for which signall service he the said Iohn was created Earl of Loveth whose posteritie do continue there in great honour till this day bearing the antient Armes of this Family before exprest with a Castle in the sinister part of the Shield for a distinction Willielmus Petrus de Bermingham 12 H. 2. Will. de Bermingham Will. de Bermingham occcisus in praelio de Evesham 49 H. 3. Isabella filia Thomae de Estelegh Will. de Bermingham 11 E. 1. Isabella 32 E. 1. Will. de Bermingham 2 E 2. Matilda relicta 1 E 3. Will. de Bermingham miles 5 E. 3. Will. fil Will. Coleson de Walshall 2 maritus Fulco de Bermingham miles 16 E. 3. Eliz 50 E. 3. Iohanna 5 E. 3. Baldw. de Berming 13 R. 2. s. p. Will. de Bermingh miles 40 E. 3. ob s. p. Cath. filia einiscia cohaer Will. de la Planch 30 E. 3. Ioh. de Berming miles 6. R. 2. ob s. p. Eliz. altera fil cohaer Will. de la Planch ob 2 H. 6. Ioh. de Clinton miles 3. maritus Thom. de Berm mil. 2 R. 2. Isabella fil Ioh. fil Ric. de Whitacre Eliz. filia haeres Thomas de la Roche Elena ux Edm. Ferrers domini de Chartley 2 H. 6. Eliz. ux Georgii Longvile ar Ioh. de Bermingham 5 E. 3. Will. de Bermingham Will. de Berm mil. 27. H. 6. duxit Isab. fil haer W. Hilton Will. de Bermingham ob 7 Iunii 15 H. 7. Nich. Bermingham Edw. Bermingham aet 3. an 15 H. 7. Eliz. posteà nupta Will. Ludford de Ansley gen deinde Will. Askeric gen 2. 3. Ph. M. Anna filia haeres ux or Ric. Atkinson Will. Bermingham 14 H. 7. Henr. Bermingham Will. Bermingham obiit 10 Aug. 1 Eliz. Ioh. de Berm mil. 38. H. 6. Eliz. filia haer ux Baldw. fil Ric Bracebrig 19 E. 4. Thomas de Bermingh Arm. pro corp Regis 24 H. 6. Henr. de Bermingmiles 3 E. 3. ob s. p. D. Petrus de Bermingham defunctus 2 E. 2. Ela filia una haer Will. de Odingsells â— E. 2. Ioh. de Bermingham Com. de Lovâ—th in Hibernia 12 E. 2. Petrus de Bermingham 18 H. 3. I now come to Will. de Bermingham son and successor to the last mentioned William In 25 H. 3. he had a suit for certain lands lying in this place with Iohn the son of Robert de Hathewy for determination whereof certain Justices of Assize were then constituted In 34 H. 3. he was by a speciall Pat. exempted from serving on Juries and the next year following had a Charter for a Faire to be annually held here by the space of four days beginning on the Eve of the Ascension commonly called Holy Thursday as also Free warren in his Mannour of Hoggeston in Com. Buck. Not long after this I find that there grew some dispute betwixt Rog. de Someri Baron of Dudley of whose Fee Bermingham was held and this Will. de Bermingham touching the services due by him to the said Roger for this Mannour with the members thereto belonging for which he required that the same Will should perform the service of eight Knights Fees a half and fourth part and also do suit to the Court at Dudley for the Knights fees belonging thereto once every three weeks whereupon they came to an Agreement in 46 H. 3. viz. that the same Will should do service for so many Knights fees as aforesaid and appear at the Court at Dudley onely twice every year scil at that held next after Michaelmass and that likewise after Easter And moreover that whensoever the King 's Writ of Right should be executed there id est that when of necessitie all the Kts. and Peers of the same Court holding by service military were to be called thither to give Judgement in cases of difficultie as also for triall of a Theif upon reasonable Summons he should not neglect to make his appearance Upon which Agreement the before specified Roger de Someri released to him his suit of Court from three weeks to three weeks But the next thing memorable that I find of this Will. de Bermingham is that he sided with his Father in Law Thomas de Astley and the other Barons in that grand Rebellion against King H. 3. and that being slain in the battail of Evesham in 49 H. 3. and his lands extended this his Mannour of Bermingham was rated at xl l. and the inheritance of it given by the K. with divers Lordships more forfeited by others unto Roger de Clifford for his faithfull service Howbeit by vertue of the Dictum de Kenilworth whereof I have there spoke the greatest part of all mens lands so confiscate being liable to Composition this with the rest upon satisfaction made according to the tenor of that Decree was repossest by Will. de Bermingham son and heir to the Rebell who in 11 E. 1. obtained a Charter of Freewarren throughout all his demesn lands here as also within his Mannour of Stokton in Worcestershire Shetteford in Com. Oxon. Maidencote in Berkshire Hoggeston in Com. Buck. and Cristelton in Cheshire which last viz. Cristleton was given by Thomas de Estley with Isabell his daughter in frank Marriage to Will. de Bermingham Father to the present William In 13 E. 1. this Will upon a Quo Warranto brought against him and all others who excercised or claimed any Liberties or Priviledges within their Lordships exhibited K. Henry the 2. Charter for the Thursday Mercate Toll Tem Sak Sok and Infangenthef And for the Faire and Freewarren K. H. 3. Charter pleading Prescription for Weyfâ— Gallows Court Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer all which were allowed The next year following he had Letters of protection upon the King 's purposed transfretation whom he was to attend therein Whether at that time he went bâ—yâ—nd Sea considering it doth not appear by our Historians that the King himself was out of England I am uncertain but in 25 of the same King's reign it is manifest that he was in Gascoin in his service under the conduct of the Earl of Lincolne and Iohn de S. Iohn of Basing a great Baron where intending to relieve Bellagard then besieged by the Count of Arras the said Earl and Baron divided their forces the Lord S. Iohn leading the Van
prec xl d. Another Auter cloth steynet prec xvi d. Three Twayles prec xviii d. Four other Auter cloths without fronts one prâ—c xx d. a piece Another prec xii d. the third prec vi d. the 〈◊〉 prec iiii d. Two Cruets prec vi d. Two Paxbâ—eâ—es prec iiii d. Three pieces of old silk for the images prec xl d. A Cofer in the Chapel prec v s. Another Cofer in Sir Thomas Bromley's Chamber prec ii â— A folet of thrid also a gret portvos prec C s. A vestment of the Cheyspel of purple silk prec xxxiii s. iiii d. A Chalice with patyn and Spoâ—e prec xxvi s. viii d. and this Boke vestment and Chalice were yeâ—ven by Sire Henry Wastneys Priest And also a new Missale prec ix marks yeven by Sire Roger Bugge Priest In 26 H. 8. the value of the lands and tenements belonging thereto was esteemed at Ci s. Sir Thomas Allen and Sir Iohn Grene Priests being then Wardens thereof But in 37 H. 8. the value of these Chantries was divided that of the first by the name of Prima Cantaria beatae Mariae in parochia S. Martini rated at Cxv s. xi d. ob over and above all reprises and the other by the name of Secunda Cantaria in praedicta parochia at vi li. iiii d. ob And after the dissolution of them by the Statute of 1 E. 6. the lands belonging to the later were in 4 E. 6. granted out of the Crown to Will. Morice of Cheping-Angre in Essex Esquire and Edw. Isaak of Welle in Kent and their heirs And in 7 E. 6. those appertaining to the other sold to Kenelm and Iohn Throkmorton Esquires Sutton HAving now done with Bermingham and tracing Rhea through the Parish of Aston I come to its confluence with Tame following which River about two miles lower I find the accession of a pretty torrent from the North west at the head whereof stands Sutton being a large Parish but a barren soil and containeth divers Hamlets and places of note viz. Wigginshill Maney Hillâ— Little Sutton Warmley Langley Newhall and Pedimore of all which in their order That this Sutton was originally so called from â—ts situation there is no doubt and therefore as it stands South to Lichfield I am inclin'd to believe that the name at first arose In Edw. the Confesâ—or's days Edwine Earl of Mercia was owner of it but after the Norman invasion the Conqueror held it in his own hands as appeareth by the generall Survey shortly after made wherein it is rated at viii hides the Woods extending to two miles in length and one in breadth and all valued at 4 l. But it continued not long in the Crown for I find that K. H. 1. past it away in exchange unto Roger Earl oâ— Warwick for the Mannours of Hocham and Langham in Rutland Habendum tenendum dicium Manerium de Sutton saith my authoritie dicto Rogero Comiti haeredibus ejus cum omni libertate regalitate sine sectis ad Hundredum sine solutione Scutagii vel alicuius forinseci servitii cum libero Chaceo inter Thame Bourne quae dividunt libertatem dicti Manerii ab aliis Et habeat dictus Rogerus haeredes sui unum Parcum unam liberam Hayam in defensione Et habeant liberam Curiam suam ad voluntatem in omnibus liberis consuetudinibus cum visu Franci plegii Item habeant boscum forinsecum communem libere tenentibus sine Ripario Item habeant in dominico duas Carucatas terrae â—num molendinum aquaticum cum sectis Item habeant Octodecem Cervos non nobiles But it doth not appear by this that any yearly Rent was reserved to the King his heirs and successors upon the said Exchange therefore 't is probable that by some other Agreement with that King or King H. 2. it might be For in the Shiriffs Accompt of 23.24 and 25 H. 2. there is xxxix s. per an answered to the King de Firma de Sutton In 26 H. 2. xvii s. x d. de porquisitis In 30 H. 2. xxxix s. de Firma In 31 H. 2. Lii s. de Firma and in 1 R. 1. iiii l. de Firma howbeit in these two last 't is like some arrears are accounted in regard that xxxix s. was the standing Rent or Ferm formerly due The next thing in order to be spoke of is the Chase whereof the bounds extended as by the before recited authoritie is evident to the banks of Thame and Bourne which Rivers are described by the Map and so consequently out of the bounds of this Countie aswell as into other Lordships within it that are no members of Sutton To give some reason therefore for this I have look't further into the antiquitie thereof and do find that whilst this Lordship continued in the King's hand that which afterwards bore the name of the Chase was then a Forest and this appears by a speciall Inquisition taken in 3 E. 2. where the Jury say upon their Oaths that they had heard their Ancestors affirm the same For that the antient King 's of England before they limited themselves by Carta de Foresta in 9 H. 3. might and did make Forests where they pleased Manwood in his treatise of Forest Laws whereunto I refer my Reader doth sufficiently declare And here before I proceed further I have thought fit to insert a Copie of the bounds of this Chase as by the before-specified Inquisition they are set down Sez sount lez boundes trovez de la Chace de Sottone en Colfelde se commencez à la teste de Bourne dekes à la Boltestile dekes tank à la Tindit hoc dekes tank à Mosewall dekes tank à le Holebrok dekes tank a le Thame dekes tank a Wolford brugge dekes tank a Schrafford brugge dekes tank a Wyford dekes tank a la teste de Bourne Most of which places if not all are I am sure very well known at this day That the Earl of Warwick so held it with all privileges thereto antiently belonging may appear by sundry testimonies some of which I shall here point at About the beginning of K. Iohn's time the Lord Basset of Draiton a great Baron in these parts erected a Park at Draiton-Basset which being within the precincts of this Chase and questioned by Waleran then Earl of Warwick necessitated the said Lord Basset rather than he would pull down his pales again to come to an Agreement with the Earl which accord was in 3 Iâ—â— and because 't is very memorable I will here recite it Haec est finalis concordia inter Comitem Waleranum de Warewic querentem Radulfum Basset tenentem de una sepe in Draiton quam idem Comes dixit fuisse levatam ad nocumentum Forestae suae de Colmesfeld unde placitum conventionis summonitum est inter eos coram Iusticiariis
inheritance appertaining to Amicia the wife of Iohn le Lou one of the coheirs being past away unto Queen Alianore then wife of Edward 1. King of England as in Hampton hath likewise been intimated it was totally possest by that Queen and after her death in 20 E. 1. given together with the Mannours of Ardens-Grafton and Langdon and certain lands lying in Alspath Buleye Hulverleye Witlakesfeldâ— Kinwaldesheye Nuthurst and Didington all in this Countie as also with the Mannours of Briddebrok in Essex Westerham and Edulnebrugge in Kent and Turveston in Buckinghamshire to the Monks of Westminster upon condition that the Abbot Prior and Covent of that House or the Prior and Covent if the Abbot should be out of the way upon the Eve of S. Andrew the Apostle on which day the said Queen's Anniversary had used to be kept being solemnly revested in the Quire of that Monasterie should sing a Placebo and Dirige with nine Lessons C. wax Candles weighing xii li. a piece being then burning about her Tombe and every year new ones made for that purpose And furthermore that those Wax-Candles should be lighted at the Placebo and Dirige on the Eve of the same Anniversarie and burn on the day thereof till high Masse were ended And that all the Bells both great and small then ringing they should sing solemnly for her souls health And moreover that on the day of her said Anniversary the Abbot himself in case he were present or the Prior in his stead if he could not procure a more eminent Prelate should sing Masse at the high Altar the Candles then burning and Bells ringing and every single Monk of that Abby a private Masse the inferior Monks their whole Psalter and the Friers Converts of that House the Lords Prayer Creed and Aves as many as the Abbot and Covent should appoint for her soul and the souls of all the faithfull deceased And that likewise the said Prior and Covent and their successors on the same day to distribute unto every poor Body repairing to that Monasterie one penny sterling or money to that value staying till three of the clock expecting their coming before they should begin the Dole which was to be unto seven-score poor people And that of the Waxen Tapers before specified xxx to remain all the year long about the said Queens Tombe till the renewing of them on the day of her Anniversary all which to be lighted upon the great Festivall days and upon the coming of any Noble men thither and as often else as they should see fit And moreover that the said Abbot Prior and Covent and their successors should find two waxen Lights each of them weighing two pounds of wax to burn continually at the Tombe of the said Queen All which being performed the surplusage of the revenue issuing out of these lands to remain for their Pâ—ttances to be provided according as themselves should best like And for the more strict observance hereof every Abbot successively before the restitution of his temporalties to take a solemn Oath for observance of the premisses And that every year upon S â— Andrew's Eve the said King's Charter to be publiquely read in the Chapter-House in the presence of the whole Covent which Charter bears date at Barwick upon Twedâ— 20 Oct. 20 E. 1. The Monks of Westminster being thus possest thereof leased it for life in 34 E. 1. to Raph de Perham but after that time retained it in their own hands for ought I have seen to the contrary untill the generall dissolution of the Religious Hâ—uses by Kâ—ng H. 8. and then Westminster being made a Bishoprick as is very well known this Mannour inter alia became annext unto it but long it continued not so for in 4 E. 6. it was converted to a Deanrieâ— with secular Canons and the jurisdiction of the Bishop united to London Nicholas Ridley being then Bishop unto whom and his successors the same King Edw. 6. by his Patent dated 12. Apr. that very year gave and confirmed this Mannour which grant was afterwards ratified by Queen Mary But in 2 Eliz. there being a Commission for the reassumption of divers lands from the said Bishoprick at which time this Lorship came to the Queens hands it was in 15. Eliz. granted to Robert Earl of Leicester and his heirs which Earl in 23 Eliz. past it a way again in exchange for other lands unto the same Queen so that being thus in the Crown Sir Fulk Grevill Knâ—ght Lord Brook in consideration of his service as the Patent expresseth obtained it in Fee form of King Iames in 20. of his reign to be held of the Mannour of East-Greenwich for the Rent of Lxvii li. xvi s. viii d. per annum The Colledge ABout the later end of Ric. 2. time Walter Cook a Canon of Lincolne bearing a speciall affection to this place considering that it stood distant above a mile from the parish-Church did for the health of his own and his parents souls at his proper costs erect a fair Chapell here with a Tower-Steeple and Bells all in his Fathers own land to the honour of S. Iohn Baptist S. Laurence the Martyr and S. Anne adding also a Church-yard thereto purposing to endow the same Chapell with maintenance sufficient for one secular Priest to celebrate divine service therein so as that there should thenceforth be a Font for Baptizing of all Infants to be born within this Hamlet of Knolle and all persons there deceasing to be buried in that Church-yard For performance whereof he obtained a speciall Bull from Pope Boniface the ixth wherein was contained an Indulgence for seven days of their enjoyned Penance to all such as having made a true confession and were heartily sorâ—y for their sins and repairing yearly out of devotion thither on the Festivalls of our Saviour's Nativity Circumcision Epiphanie Resurrection and Ascension Corpus Christi day and Pentecost As also on the Nativity Annunciation Purification and Assumption of the blessed Virgin Nâ—tivity of S. Iohn Baptist S. Peter and Paul S. Anne and S. Laurence and on the Feast day of the said Chapells Dedication and All Hallown day or on the Octaves of those Feasts and for six days immediatly ensuing the said Feast of Pentecost should confer something towards the repair of the same upon every of those Holy days for the space of seven years which Indulgence bears date at S. Peâ—â—râ— in Rome â—viii Cal. Dec. in the ninth year of his Papacie scil 21 R 2. To second which Bâ—ll was there a speciall License granted to the Inhabitants here residing by Iohn Burghill Bishop oâ— Coventry and Lichfield in 1 H. 4. â—â—nchâ—ng the celebration of Dâ—vine Service therein by any sitting Prâ—ests For confirmation oâ— whith Chapell so built together with the Churchyard before specified there being a speciall Patent made by King H. 4. dated 18. Nov. in the fourth year of his reign License was
Ierusalem and that thereupon at the end of nine years they had a certain Rule assigned to them in the Councell of Trecas as also a White habit by Pope Honorius After which they began to multiply very much their possessions being greatly enlarged But in the time of Pope Eugenius they sowed Crosses made of red cloth upon the left shoulder of their Mantles partly to the end that having such a triumphall signe instead of a Buckler they should not flee back from any Infidell whil'st they were armed with so great a protection and partly to the intent they might be distinguished from other Religious persons There are who affirm that the beginners of this Rule were some of the meanest Hospitalars and that they were at first sustained with weapons and food from the reliques of their provisions whether it was so or not I shall not stand to argue but 't is agreed on all parts that they were originally called Knights Templars from having their residence in certain rooms adjoyning to that Temple sometime built by King Solomon As for their Habit the description which William Darrell made thereof to Mâ— Lambard was thus viz. that on their Heads they woâ—e linnen Coâ—fes like to the Sergeants at Law and red Caps close over them on their Bodies shirts of maile and Swords girded unto them with a brod belt over all which they had a White Cloak reachâ—ng to the ground with a red Crosse on the left shoulder as hath been said in such sort as on the next page is represented And that they used to wear their Beards of a great length whereas most other Religious Orders doe shave I shall exhâ—bit the testimony of King Edw. 2. made in the behalf of an eminent servant in his Court Rex c. Cum dilectus valettus noster Petrus Auger exhibitor praesentium nuper voverit quod Barbam suam radi non faciat quousque peregrinationem fecerit in certo lâ—co â—n partibus transmarinis idem Petrus sibi timeat quod aliqui ipsum ratione Barbae sua prolixae fuisse Templarium imponere sibi velini ei inferre impedimenta seu gravamina ex hac causa Nos veritati volentes testimonium perhibere vobis tenore praesentium intimamus quod praedictus Petrus est valetâ—us Camerae nostrae nec unquam fuâ—â— Templarius sed â—arbam suam sic prolixam esse permitâ—it ex causa superius annotata c. Teste Rege c. 17. Febr. Anno c. 4. And touching theâ—r manner of reception into this Order thus I find câ—râ—â—â—â—ed of one of them being examined as to that point Requisitus de modo râ—câ—ptionis dicit quod eraâ— laviger â—â— Templo dum â—raâ— secularis requisiviâ— Magist um ut eum rec perat in Fâ—aâ—â—em Eâ— expositis sib hiis quae regorâ—s sunt in Ordine Templâ— substam talibus Ordinis quâ—aâ—a Obeatentiam â—â—â—stitatem abdicationem pâ—â—prietatis â—uit ducâ—us in Capellam Fraâ—ribus Orainis duntaxat Capellanis Militibus servientibus praesentibus secularibus omnibus exâ—lusis praestito ab eo ad sancta Dei Evangelia juramento quod praedicta tria substantialia dicti Ordinis consueâ—udines bonaâ— laudabâ—les Ordinis Templi servaret negotium terrae Sanctae ultra-marinae pro posse suo â—uvareâ— contrainimicos fidet Christianae Adâ—ecit etiam quod â—uravit quod neminem injuste exhaereditaret â—unc sibi tradebatur Mantellum cum Cruce Pilleum in Capiâ—e The first setling of this Order in England was in that â—â—reet called Holburne in the suburbs of London but there they rested not long for in K. H. 2. â—â—â—e that House which still retaineth the name of the Temple in Fleet-street was erected by them and the 〈…〉 according to the form of the Temple â— Ierusalem dedâ—cated to God and our blessed Ladie by Heraclius Patriarch of Ierusalem in the year 1185. Of the vast possessions they soon obtained in England aswell as other parts of Christendome which at length occasioned their ruine I am not here to speak neither of their Priviledges which were very ampâ—e as by thoâ—e Bulls of Pope Hadrâ—an the 4 â—h and Alexander the third exempâ—ing them from payment of Tithes for their demesn lands and the Charter of Kâ—ng H. 3. affording them divers Liberties and granting unto them extraoâ—â—inarie â—mmunities unto which I refer my Reader Templarius I come now to the speciall Priviledges which they had here in Balshall In 32 H. 3. they obtained a Charter oâ— Free warren in all their demesn lands here In 52 H. 3. a weekly Mercate upon the Thursday with two Faires every year the one on the Eve day and morrow after the Feast of S. Gregory the Martyr and the other on the Eve day and morrow after the Feast of S. Mathias the Apostle And for the surer enjoyment of their interest here in 13 E. 1. they procured a full confirmation from Roger de Moubray heir to Roger the first donour before specified with waâ—rantie of that his Ancestor's Charter for which they made him Partaker of all their Prayers and other spirituall benefits But whether it were really their guilt of such high enormities which through Christendome were layd to their charge or rather their potencie so generally feared which occasioned their ruine I will not here stand to argue certain it is that on Wednsday next after the Feast of the Epiphanie Anno 1307. scil 1 E. 2. by the King 's speciall command and a Bull from the Pope were they generally through England layd hold on and cast into Prison nay througâ— all Christendom as my Author saith and afterwards â—roceeded against in a generall Councell held at London where being convicted of divers great impiâ—ties all their possessions were seized into the Kâ—ng's hands In an antient MS. Chron. which I have seen the cause of their ruine is thus set forth Anno MCCCX. circafestum S. Hillarii omnes Templarii in Anglia in Scotia alii omnes ut dicebantur per totam Christianitatem una hora diei capti sunt propter Heresiae pravitatem necnon propter fraudem quam fecerunt in quodam bello inter Regem Tharsis Paganos in quo tergiverserunt ad Paganos occiderunt praedictum Regem exercitum ejus filium eâ—us unicum ceperunt undè tota Christianitas turbata est valdè But Thom. de Wals. setteth forth other reasons for this severe proceeding against them namely severall grosse and Heathenish yea rather devillish practises unto whom I refer my Reader All which and more were layd to their charge in particular Articles whereupon witnesses being examined they were proceeded against as hath been said the whole series thereof being at large yet to be seen in an antient M S. of that time wherein I have observed that the said Articles do charge them with no lesse than Heresie Idolatrie and most execrable Blasphemie
Thursday the first Mass of the Holy Ghost by Note as also the high Mass of the day On Friday the first Mass of the B. Virgin by Note and the high Mass of the holy Cross the same day by Note also On Satturday the first Mass of S. Iohn the Evangelist by Note and the high Mass of the glorious Virgin Mary And that every Priest in his severall Mass should specially pray for him the said Sir William and all the persons before recited both living and dead as also that in his Memento for the living speciall mention being made of them as aforesaid they should pray for the good estate of the Church and Kâ—ngdom and all the Benefactors to the said Chantrie And lastly that after his decease they should in the first place remember him next his Father and Mother Brother and their wives aforesaid and afterwards the rest before expressed with the Benefactors to the saâ—d Chantrie and after them whom they should think fit and then all the faithfull deceased Which Ordination so made bears date at Fulbroke in this Conntie 21 Iunii anno 1332. 6 â— 3. and was ratified by the before specified Bishop the sixt of Iuly following The Priorie BUt as this worthy person became advanced to further honour and riches so was his heart much enlarged for works of pietie for within the space of fâ—ur years next following having obtained Lâ—cense from the Kingâ— for the Foundation of a Monastery of Canons-Regular of S. Augustin's Order and for amortizing of the Churches of Maxstoke and Long-Ichinton thereto with xx li. lands per an of his own proper estate he began the fabrick thereof whereby the Chantrie before mentioned became dissolved and was incorporated to that Religious House And being then newly created Earl of Huntendon procured from the said King a most ample Charter of Liberties and priviledges thereto constituting by his own Charter most solemn and exact Rules for the government of those his Canons In which Charter having declared his Dedication thereof to the honour of the holy and individuall Trinity the blessed Virgin S. Michaell th'arch Angell and all Saints he expresseth his said Foundation and endowment to be for the good estate of himself and Iulian his wife as also of Edw. 3. then K. of England Laurence de Hastings Roger Bishop of Cov. and Lich. Henry Prior of Coventre Richard Dean of Lichfield as also of the Monks of Coventre and Canons of Lichfield during this life and for the health of his soul together with the souls of the said Iulian K. Edward the rest as aforesaid after their departures out of this world the souls of Iohn de Clinton his father Ida his mother Iohn his brother and their children living dead and moreover for the souls of all the Kings of England Lords Hastings Bishops of Cov. and Lich. Priors Deans Monks and Canons of the places before recited his Parents Benefactors and of all the faithfull deceased Appointing that there should be therein an elective Prior with a Covent of xii Canons besides there living religiously and regularly according to the Rule of S â— Augustin wearing both in Summer and Winter for their upper garment a black Cope and Hood with a Surplis under the said Cope and such other garments as all other Regular Canons then used And that upon the death of the Prior the Covent should within five or six days proceed to the election of another without seeking for any License of him his heirs or successors Likewise that none should be admitted as a Canon in this Monastery but a Free-born man and so reputed as also of good conversation competently learned for the state of such a Canonâ— having a fit voice to sing being xviii years old at least and fit to receive the Order of Priesthood when he should come of meet age and at the end of the first year after such his entrance that should read or cause to be read openly in his presence all and singular the things contained in the said Charter of Foundation promising his faithfull observance of them And further declared that whereas he had endowed the said Monastery with Lands and Rents to the value of CC li. per an lying within the precincts of Maxstoke and Long-Ichinton before specified when there should happen to be x. marks yearly increase of that revenue either by himself or any other Benefactor or through the industry of the said Prior and Covent within one month after another Canon might be added to their number and so still more Canons as their revenues should proportionably augment And likewise that no yearly Pension should be granted to any one by the Prior except for the certain advantage of the House whereof the Bishop of the Dioces to be Judge As also that the Accounts of all the Officers belonging to the Monasterie should be yearly exhibited to the Prior and Covent or three persons by them nominated and openly read before the whole Covent to the end that every one might thereby know the true state of the House and by Indenture to be then deposited in their Treasurie And hereunto did he adde that after his departure out of this life his Anniversarie should be yearly celebrated by the said Prior and Covent with Placebo and Dirige as also solemn Mass in the Quire and the whole Office of the Dead for the health of his soul with the souls above specified and all the faithfull deceased And that upon the same day there should be a Dole to an C. poor people viz. of Maxstoke and other places to each a Loaf weighing L s. and every day at dinner time over and above the accustomed Bread allowed to the poor one white Conventuall Loaf and a mess of meat out of the Kitchin together with a flagon of Beer assigned to one of the poorest people in Maxstoke or from some other place according to the discretion of the Prior or his Almoner for the health of the said Founder's soul and the souls of the persons above named and all the faithfull deceased And that the Mass of the blessed Virgin the Chapter-Mass and the Mass of the day should be daily celebrated at the houres and in the places accustomed in other Monasteries so that in all those Masses except on the greatest Festivalls mention should be made of him and of Iulian his wife as also of the said King Edward and the persons before recited during their lives in this world and afterwards in such sort as is usually done for the dead And moreover that every Prior before his installation should cause all the particulars contained in the said Charter of Foundation to be openly read promising his faithfull observance of them to his utmost power And after Mattens of the blessed Virgin finished in the Quire and the Mass of the same and at the end of every houre the Pâ—iest celebrating the Mass and the performer of the Office with the same voice that he
made in 2 E. 1. betwixt the daughters and heirs of Cantilupe came to Eudo la Zouche with Milisent his wife This Thomas de Clinton was a man of fair possessions for it appears that he held five Kts. fees of the Earl of Warwick In 32 H. 3. I find that he had a great suit with Hugh de Culi touching Common of pasture here in Colshill which the said Hugh claymed as belonging to his lands in Merston-Culi adjacent and that in the same year he was one of the Justices for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick as also in 35 H. 3. constituted the King's Eschaetor in this Countie in those days an Office of great note for performance whereof he made Oath in the presence of Henry de Wengham afterwards Chancellour of England and the Shiriff of the Shire and had a speciall precept to the same Shiriff to exempt him from serving on Juries by reason of that imployment which held till 37 H. 3. In 38 H. 3. he obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn-lands here In 45. and 49 H. 3. he was again in Commission for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and bore for his Armes onely a Chief which I conceive was Azure the feild being Argent in regard that his posteritie retained the same ordinarie with those colours and wedded Mazera the daughter and heir of Iames de Bisegg Lord of Badsley in this Countie by whom he had issue divers children as the Descent sheweth whereof unto Iohn whom I take to be his second son he gave the inheritance of this Mannour with all his right in the advouson of the Church reserving to himself an C l. sterling during his own life in consideration thereof and the performance of such service to his heirs as to the Chief Lord of the Fee was due and accustomed as also after his own decease 1 d. yearly to be payd at Christmass to his heirs for all services except forrain entailing it upon his other son Osbert and his heirs in case the same Iohn should die without issue which grant was made in 44 H. 3. as appears by the Fine then levied for confirmation thereof This Iohn adhering to the Barons against K. Henr. 3. was one of those that held out Kenilworth-Castle touching the siege whereof I have elsewhere spoke for which offence this Mannour being inter alia seized on was bestowed upon Roger de Clifford but thereof was he not long out of possession through that favourable Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth after which he grew in such esteem for his fidelitie that from 6 E. 1. till 20 of the same King's reign he was sundry times in Commission for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 25 E. 1. intrusted together with Andrew de Astley a great person in these parts to choose and retain all such Knights and Esquires within this Countie as they should think fit for the service to attend Prince Edward then the King's Lieutenant in England with Horse and Armes at London on the Octaves of S. Mich. to be imployed as he the said Prince and the King's Councell should direct In 13 E. 1. he claimed by Prescription within this his Lordship of Colshill Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows Pillorie Tumbrell a Court-Leet Infangthef â— and Utfangthef Mercate Faire and Free-warren but it being demanded of him how he could justifie the said claim he replied that thereto he was not bound to make answer without the King 's speciall Writ to enquire of his Ancestors being seized thereof whereupon there was no more at that time said and bore for his Armes Argent upon a chief Azure two flower de Lices Or as by his Seal and Monument in an arch of the Wall of Colshill-Church where he lieth in male cross-leg'd is yet to be seen which kind of Buriall was onely used by those that had taken upon them the Cross to serve in the Holy-land as Mr. Cambden observes To him succeeded Iohn de Clinton his son and heir who being afterwards a Kt. and in 28 E. 1. constituted one of the Conservators of the Peace in this Countie the next year following had summons amongst dâ—veâ—â— great men to be at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast of the Nativitie of St. Iohn Bapt. well furnisht with Horse and Armes to attend the King in his Scotch expedition So also in 34 E. 1. to be at Carleol in the quinzime of the Nativitie of St. Iohn Bapt. with the King's Army to march against Robert Brus then in Armes in Scotland and in 16 E. 2. had the custodie of the passage from England towards Scotland from Whitoff haven unto Creshopheved This Sir Iohn bore for his Armes Or three piles Azure and a Canton Ermine as by his Seal and other authorities appeareth and wedded Alice the daughter of Sir Rob. de Grendon Kt. by whom he had issue Iohn his son and heir who in 5 E. 3. was a Kt. and bore for his Armes Argent upon a Chief Azure two flowre de Lices Or as his grandfather did and departing this life in 27 E. 3. left issue by ..... daughter of Sir Roger Hillarie Kt. Ioane his daughter and heir within age who first became the wife of Sir Iohn Mountfort Kt. by which means this Lordship of Colshill divolved to that Family secondly of Sir Iohn Sutton Kt. Lord of Dudley and thirdly of Sir Henry Griffith of Wichnoure Kt. Which Sir Iohn de Montfort was the illegitimate son of Peter de Montfort of Beldesert in this Countie but by reason of his said marriage made his residence here and in 35 E. 3. served in the Parliament at Westminster as one of the Kts. for this Shire In 38 E. 3. he was one of the principall Commanders of those few English forces which having besieged the Castle of Doverey in France encountred Charles de Bloys with neer thrice that number which he routed slew the said Charles with neer a thousand others took Prisoners two Earls 27 Lords besides xv men at Armes and left issue Sir Baldwin de Montfort Kt. But Ioane his widow held this Lordship during her life and in 45 E. 3. being then Sir Henry Griffith's wife entailed it upon his issue by her and for lack of such issue upon Iohn the son of Sir Iohn de Sutton and the heirs of his bodie and for lack of such issue upon Baldwin the son of Sir Iohn de Montfort her first husband with divers other remainders Whence I observe that her husband Griffith though he was the last became the first in her respects and Montfort the first set in the last place But all that I have seen worth observance of this Sir Baldwin is that he was one of the Commissioners of Array in this Countie in 8 R. 2. as also that he attended
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
But none of them had better advantages for his faithfull services than the before mentioned Simon for in the first year of that King's reign he obtained the Stewardship of severall Lordships in com Rutl. viz. Upâ—ingham Preston Barowghdon Esenden and Greteham and all the lands in that Countie which had belonged to George D. of Clarence to hold during life and the like Office together with the Receiver-ship for the Mannour of Bedale in Yorkshire And having in the second been a Commander in the King's Army at the battail of Stoke had in consideration of his acceptable services a grant of the Mannour of Ravysbury in the Parish of Micham in Surrey and to the heirs male of his body in which the said King calls him dilectus serviens noster and the next year ensuing bestowed on him the Office of Comptroller of his petty Customes in the Port of London as also the Forestership of Thornewodes in Shirewood formerly conferred upon him by K. Edw. 4 th And in 11 H. 7. this Lordship of Colshill as I have already observed After which viz. in 12 H. 7. I find that he had a Commission to exercise Marshall-Law in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall against divers malefactors and that in 22 H. 7. he was first in Commission for the Peace in this Countie in 23 for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 1 and 9 H. 8. underwent the Shiriffaltie of this Countie and Leicestershire as also that by his Testament bearing date 22 Aug. 9 H. 8. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Chancell here at Colshill under the Tombe made by himself in his life-time which still remaineth and departed this life 24 Feb. 12 H. 8. leaving issue by Alice his wife daughter and heir to Iohn Waleys of Est-Raddon in com Devon Esq. Reginald Digby his son and heir Which Alice by her last Will and Testament bearing date ult Nov. 12 H. 8. gave a messuage here in Colshill of the yearly value of xxxviii s. viii d. and the Rent of vi s. viii d. issuing out of other lands as also one acre of land lying in Colemeadow within the said Mannour of Colshill to the intent that the issues and profits of the same should be distributed after this manner viz. every day in the year immediatly after the sacring of the high Mass in the Church of Colshill and at the end of the same Altar where the said Mass should so happen to be sung to a Child viz. male or female whose parents are Householders dwelling within the Parish and under the age of ix years that can and will before the said sacring kneel down at the said Altars end and say five Pater nosters five Aves and a Creide for the soul of Simon Digby her late husband hers her Childrens and all Christen-souls a peny of silver sterling beginning first at the House next to the Church and so in order passing on from House to House till all be gone through And to the Dean of the said Church for the time being yearly for his labour and diligence in seeing the said Prayers so performed and himself also saying at the said time a Pater noster an Ave and a Creed for the souls abovesaid the yearly summe of vi s. vâ—â—i d. And that the remainder shall be to maintain a solemn Obit in the said Church for the souls abovesaid with the number of three Priests whereof the Vicar of Colshill to be one and the Deacon and the Clerke besides the said Vicar in case he be present to have viii d. And to xii poor people the same time kneeling about the Herse and saying our Ladies Psalâ—er xii d. To the Bell-ringers v. d. For Waxe and Torches burnt then likewise xii d. To the reparation of the House out of which the greatest part of the Rent issueth iii s. iiii d. To the chief Lord of the Fee ii s. And the remainder being viii d. to run on and be kept in store for renewing of this Feoffment as occasion shall be But this bequest being in after times deemed superstitious and the land so given divolving therefore to the Crown the Inhabitants of this Parish obtained it by purchase as I have heard and setled part of the yearly profits thereof for the maintenance of a School there and part for to distribute to such Children viz. pence a piece as abovesaid which repairing to the Church at ten of the clock every morning shall say the Lords-Prayer before the Clerke who for tolling a Bell at that time and hearing the Children to perform that dutie hath also a certain yearly allowance payd unto him Of the before specified Reginald and his descendants I have little more to say till within the compass of this last age considering that their severall matches are expressed in the Pedegree before inserted and that t being Gentlemen of the superior rank they underwent the most publick imployments of note scil Justices of Peace Shiriffs and Commissioners upon all great occasions But in Sir George Digbye's issue grandchild to the said Reginald was there an accession of very much honour to this antient Familie First by the marriage of Sir Rob. Digby Kt. his son and heir with Lettice grandchild and heir female to Gerald Earl of Kildare in Ireland whose son and heir viz. Robert having a fair estate in that Kingdom of his mothers inheritance was by K. Iames created Lord Digby of Geashill his Castle there which Dignitie descends to the heirs male of his body And secondly by Iohn fourth son to the said Sir George who being a person of extraordinary parts and imployed by the same King in that notable Embassie of Spain for a marriage betwixt a daughter of that Kâ—ng and the then Prince of England was created Lord Digby of Shirburne in Dorsetshire 25 Nov. 16 Iac. and about four years after Earl of Bristoll Which Robert Lord Digby in 20 Iac. obtained a a new Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Wednesday and two Faires yearly the one upon St. Mark 's day and the other on St. Mathew's in regard the Mercate and Faire granted by K. Iohn as hath been said were discontinued The Church dedicated to St. Peter was very antiently given to the Nuns of Merkyate in Bedfordshire for in H. 3. time it had a Vicar endowed Nevertheless about the beginning of Edw. 1 reign there grew suits betwixt these Nuns and Iohn de Clinton sen. touching the Advouson thereof but at length they came to an accord and gave him C. marks of silver to quit his title thereto which he did by a Fine then levied whereby it appears that the now Churches of Lea Over-Whitacre and Nether-Whitacre were Chapelries antiently belonging thereto In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectorie then appropriated to those Nuns was valued at xviii marks and the Vicaridge at vi marks but in 26 H. 8. at x l.
in 18 E. 3. got License to pass this Mannour away unto the Monks of Merevale but it was not accordingly conveyed for in 7 H. 4. upon seizure of the lands belonging to those forraign Monasteries for the reasons before exprest as a member of the Priorie of Okeburne which was a Cell to Bec before mentioned it was demised to Will. de Brynklow Clerk and Peter Purly Esq. by Iohn the King's son afterwards Duke of Bedford and Thomas Longley Chancelour of England who had the King's grant of all the lands belonging to the said Priorie of Okeburne to hold for xx years at the rate of xl l. per an After which time viz. in 16 H. 6. the Duke of Bedford being then dead the King gave it to Humphrey Earl Stafford for life and within six years after granted the reversion thereof for ever unto the Provost and Scholars of King's Colledge in Cambridge then newly by him founded Heremitanus S â— Augustini Yet of this grant had that Colledge no benefit as it seems for in 31 H. 6. did the said King bestow it upon Edm. Earl of Richmund his half Brother and the heirs of his bodyâ— but that Patent held good no longer than the life of that King for it appears that King Edward 4. in the first year of his reign disposed thereof unto the Carthusian Monks of Montgrace in Yorkshire who accordingly enjoy'd it till the dissolution of that House by King Henry 8. Whereupon coming to the Crown it was granted to Henry Marq. Dorset and Thomas Duport and to the heirs of the said Marquess for ever upon whose attainder in 1. Mariae whereof in Astley I have spoke it returned again to the Crown and in 1 2 Ph. M. was past to William Devereux Esquire and his heirs Which William being afterwards a Knight died seized thereof in 21 Eliz. leaving Margaret the wife of Edward Litleton of Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff Esquire and Barbara the wife of Edward Hastings his daughters and heirs But since it is come by purchase to Sir Iohn Repington Knight whose son and heir sc. Sir Iohn R. of Amington Knight now enjoys it Within the precincts of this town there was very antiently a Chapell whereunto the Monks of Bec about the beginning of H. 2. time gave xii acres of land viz. six lying on the one side of the town and six on the other Concerning which Chapell the said Monks and the Parson of Manceter then came to this agreement viz. that the Rector of Manceter for the time being should cause Divine service to be celebrated therein three days every week sc. Sunday Wednesday and Friday and if a Holy-day did happen on any other than of these to be accounted for one of them solemn Service being then to be there performed And moreover in case the passion of St. Peter should happen on any of those days that Mass should be there and then celebrated but on all other days omitted all Tithes and Obventions arising out of this Hamlet to be payd to Manceter yet that Buriall and Baptism should be performed here for the Inhabitants of Atherston except any particular person on his death bed should rather desire sepulture at Manceter than in this Chapell-yard which Agreement was ratified by Richard Peche the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. The Friers THis House was founded by Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton in 49 E. 3. for Friers Heremites of St. Augustine over the Gate whereof is yet to be seen his Armes cut in a fair Shield of Stone Touching the originall of this Order there is no absolute certaintie as Polydore affirmeth Some alleadge that St. Augustine Bishop of Hippo retiring into the Wilderness during the rage of the Manichean Hereticks then instituted it gathering together into one Covent those that were disperst in the Desert Others that divers devout persons desiring to imitate the piety and singular learning of St. Augustine even whil'st he lived left all that they had and betook themselves to the Wilderness whereupon they were called Heremites By which of these means it was I shall not farther stand to enquire but Mendicants they were for certain and for their Habite did wear in their Cloister a white garment close girt to them and when they went out a Black over it with a broad lethern Gâ—rdle buckled as on the last page is represented being shorn on the Head as the Dominicans are These first began to propagate in England about the year 1250. 34 H. 3. as did the Carmelites but in this Countie not of a long time after for to this in Atherston which was the onely House of them therein it was the 49 th of Ed. 3. ere the said Lord Basset gave the land sc. xii acres whereupon it stood at which time they begin to build their Church and came to an Agreement with the Parson of Manceter in the presence of the said Lord Basset the Abbot of Leicester Tho. Harecurt Lord of Bosworth and others Iohn Combe being their Precurator or Warden at that time Which was in substance this that for the Tithes of those places whereupon that structure was to be made and for the rest of the lands before specified they should pay to the said Parson and his Successors xx s. per an at the Feast of St. Michaell the Arch-Angell and Easter by even portions in default whereof a distress to be taken and that if they should acquire any more land then to pay Tithe in kind for the same It seems the Church and buildings were not perfected till King Ric. 2. time for it appears that the said Lord Basset by his Testament bearing date at London 12 Sept. an 1383. 7 R. 2. gave them a Legacie of five hundred marks for compleating thereof This is he that was the last Lord Basset of Draiton for he died without issue and lieth magnificently entombed in Lichfield Cathedrall on the South side of St. Chad's Shrine though the place be not now known by that name the Lord Paget's Monument being erected where that Shrine stood But I do not find that they ever had any more lands than what are above exprest for by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. all that belonged to them was valued but at xxx s. iii d. per an over and above reprises and came to the Crown by the Act of dissolution in 27 H. 8. After which viz. in 35 H. 8. the King granted the site and circuit of the House with a Dove-cote Barn Orchard and two Messuages that stood upon the before specified ground first given thereto unto one Henry Cartwright and his heirs to hold by the xxxth part of a Knight's Fee Which Henry the same year sold it to .... Hill Since which by purchase it came to Sir Iohn Repington Knight who having bought the Mannour as hath been already shewed built a fair House of Brick upon the ruins of this
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
outrages in England returned at whose entrance his good Subjects took courage and prevailed over the Rebells in every place against whom Rhese Prince of Wales came also with a great power and besieged Tutburie-Castle whereupon this Robert Earl Ferrers apprehending what danger he was in hastned to the King then at Northampton and to obtain his favour rendred the said Castles of Tutburie and Duffeild giving securitie for his future fidelitie but so little did the King trust him that though he received him to outward favour he caused those Castles to be demolished This Robert was a Benefactor to the Abby of Dore in Herefordshire and by Sibilla his wife daughter to William de Braose left issue another William Earl Ferrers who not onely confirmed to the Monks of Geroldon the inclosed ground at Hethcote and pasture for C. Sheep there which his Father had given to them but added another piece of Inclosure adjoyning thereto with pasturage for CC. sheep more at six score to the Hundred five Kine and a Bull and six Oxen. And in 1 Richard 1. gave to the Monks of St. Denis in France for the health of his soul and the soul of Sibill his wife one Wax Taper yearly price xiii d. as also a Stag and a Boar in their proper seasons to be sent thither annually at the Feast of St. Dennis by the Messengers of him the said Earl and his heirs And likewise to the Monks of Lenton all his right to the Church of Woodham in Essex specially for the health of the souls of those that were with him at the burning of Nottingham which belike was the time that his Father made such spoil there as I have before exprest But this William was outed of his Earldomes of Nottingham and Derby by King Richard 1. in the first year of his reign as it seems for upon the said King's first arrivall in England after his Father's death I find that he bestowed them with divers other upon Iohn Earl of Moreton his brother yet I hardly think that the said William continued long so dispossest of them for it appears that the same year he attended King Richard in the Holy Voiage and died at the siege of Acon an scil 1190 2 R. 1. leaving issue William his son and heir Of the great misfortunes that befell that King in his journey by being taken Prisoner I shall not here stand to tell forasmuch as our Historians speak so fully thereof nor of the advantage which Iohn Earl of Moreton before specified made upon it in seizing divers Castles here into his hands reporting that his Brother was dead whereupon he layd claim to the Crown But shall observe that upon the King's enlargement and return order was given for the siege of those Castles whereupon our William Earl Ferrers joyned with the Earl of Chester in besieging of Nottingham Castle which after a while was rendred and for his fidelity was made choice of by the same King to sit with the rest of the Peers in that great Councell held there on the 30 th of March next ensuing At the second Coronation of which King he was one of the four that carried the rich silken Canopie over his head With the Earls of Clare Chester and others of the great Nobilitie he swore Fealtie to King Iohn in the first year of his reign but conditionally that he should render to each of them his own At the Coronation of that King in the Church of St. Peter at Westminister on Ascension day he was also present and one the seventh of Iune following being solemnly invested Earl of Derby by a speciall Charter then dated at Northampton was girt with the Sword by the said King 's own hands having a grant likewise of the Tertium Denarium de omnibus Placitis confirm'd to him and his heirs In 5 Ioh. he obtained a speciall Mandate to Geffâ—ey Fitz-Piers then Iusticiarius Angliae for livery of those lands in Stapleford in Com. Leic. that belong'd to the Vidame of Chartres and were of his Fee which Vidame died in a voyage to the Holy land and was a Ferrers though he bore for his Armes a Bend betwixt six Martlets This Earl was very loyall to King Iohn even in his greatest distresses for in 14 of his reign when that the Pope had deposed him of his Kingdome and that Pandulfus his Legate came over to treat with him the French King being then upon the Seas with a powerfull Navie threatning an Invasion so that King Iohn's condition was so desperate as that he became necessitated to yeild to what termes he could get he manifested his great affection to him in becomming one of the four that gave his solemn Oath for the King's performance of those Articles whereunto he had submitted which Agreement was made 13 Maii the same year as also a witness to the Charter of K. Iohn dated within two days following whereby he gave up his Realm to the Pope Of whose favour to him I cannot omit to take notice of this singular instance viz. that on the 27 th of Iune following he had a speciall grant to himself and his heirs sitting at Dinner upon all Festivalls in the year when they should solemnly celebrate those days with his Head uncovered and without any Cap having a Garland thereon of the breadth of the said Kâ—ng's little Finger In 16 Ioh. he had the Castle of Hareston in Com. Derb. committed to his charge and the next year following when the Barons put themselves in Armes and seized divers Castles having raised Forces on the said King's behalf he took from them by assault the Castles of Bolesover and Pec in Derbyshire whereupon he had a speciall Patent constituting him Governour of them And upon the death of King Iohn stood so firm to the young King Henry the third as that with the rest of the loyall Nobilitie he not onely assisted at his Coronation on Simon and Iude's day but immediatly after Easter accompanied the famous William Maâ—shall then Governour of the King and Kingdome the Earls of Chester Albamarle and many other gâ—eat men to the siege of Mountsorell Castle in Lecestershire then held out by Henry de Braibâ—oke and ten other stout Knights The same year he was also with those noble persons at raising the siege of Lincoln which the Rebellious Barons with Lewes K. of France whom they brought into the Realm had madâ—â— And having new Patents from the King for the custody of those Castles held the government of them for full six years But in the second year of this King's reign he made a jâ—urney to the Holy Land with Ranulph Earl of Chester and some others appointing his Steward viz. Raphe Fitz-Nicholas to transact aâ—l businesses concerning him which should relate to the Exchequer till his return from
of an authentick Writer that St. Benedict first prescribed that Rule Benedictus cum sorore Scholasticâ primus Regularem vitam certis Legibus ordinibus cum hactenus seorsim liberè Christo inservissent inchoavit which Rule came in time to have that venerable esteem that as Baronius tells us In Liptinensi Concilio in Cameracensi Galliae agro sancitum est ut Monachi ac Nonnae juxta Regulam S. Benedicti Coenobia sua ordinarent The first Monasterie of Nuns which we had here in England was that of Berking in Essex founded by Erkenwald Bishop of London about the year of Christ DCLXVI long before the reception of St. Benet's Rule in this Nation I now come to this of Polesworth and in the first place shall take notice upon what occasion it was founded and then go on to shew the endowment thereof with lands c. King Egbert having one onely son called Arnulph who was a Leper and hearing by a Bishop which came from Ireland that the then King of Connaught had a Nun to his daughter called Modwen that healed all diseased people repairing to her sent his said son at the perswasion of that Bishop into Ireland where he was accordingly cured by the same holy Woman which great favour so pleased King Egbert that he forthwith invited St. Modwen to come into England promising that he would â—ound a Monasterie for her and her Covent Of which tender she soon after accepted forasmuch as the Religious House wherein she resided was by Wars betwixt those petty Kings of Ireland burnt and wasted and brought over with her two of her fellow Nuns Whereupon the King having a great opinion of her sanctitie recommended his daughter Edith unto her to be instructed in Religion after the Rule of St. Benet giving her a dwelling place in the Forest of Ardeâ—â—e then called Trensale where the said Edith together with St. Lyne and St. Osithe lived together in a holy manner and soon after founded a Monasterie for them on the bank of the River Anker at this place called Pollysworth the first syllable Pol importing a deepness of Water and the other scil Worth a dwelling or habitation constituting the said Edith Abbess thereof Ordinis Benedictini monialis I shall not take upon me to censure the truth of this Storie as to the substance of it but in circumstance perhaps there may be some mistakes therein for by an Author who more compendiously speaks thereof it is referr'd to King Ethelwolph son to K. Egbert whose son Alured languishing of a desperate infirmitie was thus cured by S. Modwene whereupon he gave unto her lands in this Realm for the founding of two Monasteries of Nunns one here in Arden at Polesworth wherein as he saith Osithe and Athea two holy Virgins and S. Edith sister to the said King Ethelwolph dwelt and the other at Streneshale But of their going to Oldbury and bringing back hither I shall not make any question though the appartion of S. Edith with her Crosier may be doubted forasmuch as the words of Robert Marmion's Charter and Milisent his wife do import no lesse which I have here transcribed Notum siâ— omnibus me concessisse Osannae Priorissae ad religionem instaurandam Sanctimonialium ibi Ecclesiam S. Edithae de Pollesworda cum pertinentiis it a quod Conventus de Aldeberia ibi sit manens Hence it is as I guess that this Robert Marmion and his wife are by the learned Leland accounted to have been Founders thereof in which repute I shall leave them forasmuch as it also appears that they gave the town of Polesworth totally thereto with their whole demesnes in Waverton all which were confirmed by King Stephen I shall now descend to such other Benefactors as these Nuns had the next and chiefest whereof was Walter de Hastings who gave Oldbury unto them it being a Cell to this Monasterie as I have already observed After which they had by Robert Marmion son to the before-specified Robert and Milisent the Church of Queinton in Gloucestershire which in 12 R. 2. they procured to be appropriate to them As also the Mill at Kingsburie â— called Hemlingford-Mill with certain Meadow-ground and other lands by Robert Fitz-Walter and Amabill his wife one of the coheirs unto Osbert de Arden and moreover a Mill at Hurley given by Alice sister to the said Amabil then wife of Simon de Harecurt both which were confirmed by Raphe de Bracebrigge afterwards Lord of that Mannour In Draiton in Com. Leic. they had a good proportion of land given by Picot Archer in H. 2. time and confirmed by Robert then Earl of Leicester with a farther augmentation by William de Trumpinton In Burdingburie in this Countie certain lands by Edelina sister to Robert Boteler of Ingleby for the souls health of Walter de Somervile her husband The Church of Barwell in Leicestershire by Erneburga the mother of William de Hastings the Church of Ansley in this Countie by William the son of Robert de Hardreshull Certain lands in Bromcote by William Fitz-Walkeline of Bromcote which were confirm'd by Robert his son and heir in consideration that these Nuns allowed him to have a Chantrie in his Chapell at Bromcote Whereunto Robert de Grendon in 32 E. 1. added a yard-land and certain Messuages lying in the same Village All those lands called Coppenhull neer Shuttenton given by William Burdet which Hugh his son confirmed temp H. 2. A yard land in Sirescote by Roger the son of Walter de Sumervile Certain lands in Snarkeston Com. Leic. which William de Appilby gave together with his body to sepulture in this Monasterie which were confirmed by Will. de Charnells and Clementia his wife The Mill of Freseley and a proportion of land there by Robert de Kaily with addition of more by Sir Iordan de Whitacre Knight and Will. Savage which William gave also certain lands in Dodenhale as also all the ground he had in Povele-Wood where the Chapell above S. Edith's Well was built In Bromcote they had an yearly Rent of xx s. given to them by Eustace de Mortein for the health of his soul and the soul of Hillaria his wife upon condition that if they did enjoy those lands in Shotswell whereof he made them a grant that then they should not challenge this Annuitie From Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton they had an annuall Rent of a mark of silver for the enlarging of their Diet upon the day of S. Iohn Baptist's Nativity in honour of that Festivall In Norton now Hoggs-Norton a Carucate of land given by Robert de Gresele and a yard-land by Geffrey de Greseley with certain Rents as also the Homage and services of sundry persons and in Harlaston the Rent of v s. yearly given by William de Vernun for the maintenance of a Lampe to
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
Cal. Nov. 1311. Ioh. Burdeth miles Ioh. de Thurstynton 18. Cal. Maii 1333. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Ric. Colet Accol 12. Cal. Oct. 1349. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Henr. de Wirley Pbr. 10. Cal. Dec. 1361. D. Thomas Burdet miles Rog. Newbrugg Pbr. penult Sept. 1387. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Alanus de Thame Cap. 3. Ian. 1410. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Will. de Erdington 28. Apr. 1411. Thom. Mottelow persona Eccl. de Arrow alii Rob. Evynton Pbr. 13. Martii 1421. D. Thomas Burdet de Arrow miles Nich. Cowper Pbr. 28. Apr. 1439. Thomas Burdet ar Rob. Burton Canon Regularis 10. Martii 1445. Ioh. Burdet ar Ioh. Baker Cap. 13. Febr. 1491. Ioh. Burdet miles D. Thomas Chare 6. Iulii 1521. Thomas Burdet ar D. Will. Lawnslyn 8. Iulii 1530. Thomas Burdet ar Will. Heys Pbr. 5. Aug. 1560. Thomas Burdet ar Ioh. Barwell Cler. 13. Febr. 1577. Tho. Burdet de Bramcote arm Henr. Cowper Cler. 20. Febr. 1617. Thomas Burdet Baronettus Sam. Wollaston ult Iulii 1629. The Church in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at ...... but in 26 H. 8. at Cxvi s. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodals Shuttenton OF this place there is no particular mention in the Conqueror's Survey it being then involved with Sekindon and of that part as I guesse which the Earl of Mellent then possest from whom or his son Robert sirnamed Bossu Earl of Leicester was William Burdet enfeoft thereof who upon his Foundation of the Monasterie at Aucote on the other side the River gave it wholy thereunto excepting those lands called Coppenhull which he had disposed of to the Nuns of Polesworth At that time it was written Schetynton and continued a pretty Village till about the beginning of King H. 8. time that the Monks of Aucote depopulated six Messuages and two Cotages therein which I take to be a third part thereof After the dissolution of which Monasterie it continued in the Crown till 34 H. 8. but then did the King passe it away unto Thomas Lord Audley Chancelour of England inter alia in exchange for other lands who the next year following sold it together with the site of the said Priorie of Aucote unto Ioane Robinson the widow of George Robinson of London Mercer Since which time it hath past with Aucote to such particular persons as I have there manifested The Church was very antiently appropriated to the Monks of Aucote and in 26 H. 8. valued at Xl s. But upon the grant of the Rectorie together with the site of the Priorie of Aucote unto Thomas Lord Audley in 34 H. 8. there was vi li. per annum reserved for a Curate to serve therein I cannot find that there hath ever been any more than one Presentation to this Church that was by the Prior of great Malvern in anno 1341. Aucote being a Cell subordinate to that Monasterie Which Prior of Malverne presented one Richard then Prior of Aucote thereto who was instituted 14 Cal. Aug. in the year abovesaid Aucote-Priorie THis place being originally a member of Sekindon and with Shuttenton obtained from the Earl of Leicester by William Burdet was in anno 1151. scil 5 H. 2. granted therewith to the Monks of great Malvern in Com. Wigorn. upon condition that they should send two of their Covent to serve in the Church here from the Feast of S. Michaell till that time twelve-month and the next year following to adde unto them two more And moreover that afterwards so soon as the building of the Monasterie here couâ—d be compleated according to the capacitie thereof more Monks to be received therein by the advice of the Abbot of Westminster and other Religious Persons of these parts and the Prior to be constituted always by the Prior of Malverne before specified Unto which agreement so made betwixt the said William Burdet and Roger then Prior of Malverne in the presence of the before mentioned Abbot of Westminster as also the Abbots of S. Albans and Malmesburie Robert Earl of Leicester amongst others was a witness The occasion whereupon this little Monasterie was founded is said to be this viz. that the said William Burdet being both a valiant and devout man made a journey to the Holy Land for subduing of the Infidells in those parts and that his Steward whil'st he was thus absent solicited the Chastitie of his Ladie who resisted those his uncivill attempts with much scorn whereupon he grew so full of envie towards her that so soon as he had advertisement of his Master's arrivall again in England he went to meet him and to shadow his own foul crime complained to him of her loosness with others Which false accusation so enraged her husband that when he came home and that she approacht to receive him with joyfull embraces he forthwith mortally stab'd her and that to expiate the same unhappy Act after he understood the truth he built this Monastery Of this storie though I have nothing but by tradition yet that he was the Founder hereof is most certain from what I have before exprest and doubtless that Monument situate in an Arch of the wall on the North side of the Church here at Aucote is for him which is only a plain Free-stone covering the Coffin wherein his Body resteth curiously embossed with the sculpture of a large Crosse. The Benefactors that this Priorie had were but few that I finde viz. Robert de Bramcote who gave a Meadow called Bramcote-Meadow and William Burdet grandchild to the Founder who having conferred thereunto the Rent of xii d. issuing out of a certain tenement in Aucote for the maintenance of a Lampe to burne before the Altar of our Lady in the Church here of S. Blase when he lay upon his death-bed added the grant of half a yard land and a Water-Mill lying in Radelive in Com. Leic. So that all the revenues belonging thereto were by the Survey made in 26 H. 8. valued at no more than xxxiv li. viii s. Out of which Lx s. being yearly payd to the Priorie of Malverne whereunto it was a Cell xx s. to Sir Humphrey Ferrers Knight then high Steward thereof and other Reprizes which in the whole amounted to vi li. ii s. x d. left the clear yearly value but xxviii li. vi s. ii d. In so much as it being exposed to dissolution by the Statute of 27 H. 8. and so coming to the Crown was granted out in 34 H. 8. together with Shuttenton unto Thomas Lord Audley Lord Chancelour of England and by him to Ioane Robinson widow who died seized thereof in 1 Eliz. leaving William her son and heir Which William had issue Thomas who mortgaged it with Draiton-Basset in Com. Staff to one William
thereof jointly with his said wife in 2 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir xxxvi years of age who after the decease of his mother in 14 E. 3. doing his homage to the King had full possession thereof Which last mentioned Baldwin died in 17 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir 26. years of age who the next year following did his Homage to the King and had thereupon Liverie of all the lands of his inheritance lying in this Shire as also in the Counties of Hereford Salop. Staff Wigorn. Wiltf Norf. and Suff. In 26 E. 3. he was a Knight and bore for his Armes Or a Crosse fleurè gules and for his Crest upon a Chapeu the Leggs of a man booted spurred and reverst as appeareth by his Seale but not long after this he altered it and bore a Plume of Fethers in stede of the other Of this Sir Baldwin I further find that he was in great esteem with Edward Prince of Wales commonly called the Black-Prince being for his approved fidelitie and service in 38 E. 3. made by him his Steward of Xantoigne in France for life and in 46 E. 3. retained with the same martiall Prince by Indenture to serve Rob. Marmion temp Regis Will. Conq. Robertus Marmion temp H. 1. Milisear Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Rob. Marmion senior ob 25 H. 3. Maria ux 2. Iohanna primò nupta Thomae Ludlow mil. secundò Henrico Hillarie Philippus Marmion ob 20 E. 1. Iohanna filia cohaer Hug. de Kilpeck 27 H. 3. Iohanna ob 23 E. 1. sine prole Mazera ux Rad. Cromwell Iohanna consangu una haeredum Philippi Marmion 20 E. 1. Alex. Frevile 20 E. 1. Baldw. Frevile obiit 17 E. 3. Elizabetha 3 E. 3. Eliz. soror cohaerâ— Ioh. de Monteforti mil. ux 1. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 49 E. 3. Iohanna filia â—â—â— Domini Strange 46 â— 3. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 11 R. 2. Iocosa filia Joh. Botetourt mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile miles obiit 2 H. 4. Iohanna filia Thomae Greene mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob s. prole 7 H. 5. Elizabetha 7 H. 5. Thom. Ferrers filius secundogeniâ—us Will. D. Ferrers de Groby Thomas Ferrers miles obiit 22. Aug. 14 H. 7. Anna filia Leonardi Hastings de Kirby soror Will. Domini Hastings Ioh. Ferrers miles obiit vivente patre Matilda filia Ioh. Stanley de Elford mil. Ioh. Ferrers miles consanguâ— haeres Thomae Ferrers militis 14 H. 7. Dorothea filia Will. Harper de Rushall in Com. Staff ar Margareta filia Thomae Picot servientis ad legem ux 1. Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Ioh. Ferrers arm Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Barbara nupta 31 H. 8. Dorothea ux Edw. Holt ar Humfridus Ferrers miles obiit 5 Iac. Anna filia Humfr. Bradburne de Lee in Com. Derb. nupta 5 Eliz. Walt. Thomas Edw. Ioh Ferrers miles obiit .... 1633. Dorothea filia Ioh. Puckering militis Custodis magni Sigilli Angliae Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit ..... Sept. 1633. Anna filia Ioh. Pakington de Ayles borough in Com. Wigorn. equ aur secundo nupta Philippo Comiti de Chesterfield Ioh. Ferrers natus .... anno 1629. Francisca ux Ioh. Pakington eq aur Anna ux Sim. Archer eq aur Iana ux Thom. Rous Bar. Elizabethaâ— Catherina Brigita Susanna Edw. Henr. Thomas Georgius Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Franciscus Cokain primus maritus Leonardus Ferrers 12 H. 7. Rad. Ferrers Decanus Eccl. Coll. de Tamworth 12 H. 7. Margareta primò nupta Hug. Willoughby mil. secundò Ric. Bingham mil. Eliz. filia Joh. de Botetourt de Weoley mil. nupta 27 E. 3. ux 1. Iecosa ux Rogeri Aston Ida filia .... Clinton 35 E. 3. Matilda ux Rad. le Boteler 20 E. 1. Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Philippa 5 H. 3. Rob. Marmion jun. 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. Will. Marmion 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. him in the warrs of France with six men at Arms viz. three Knights and three Esquires taking xx li. per annum Fee for the Knights and x. marks for the Eâ—quires As also that he had three wives viz. Elizabeth sister and coheir to Sir Iohn Montfoâ—t Kt. of which Family I have spoke in Beldesert Secondly Ida daughter to ..... Clinton a Ladie of Honour to Queen Philippa and thirdly Ioane daughter to the Lord Strange and that he departed this life in 49 E. 3. leaving by the said Elizabeth Baldwin his son and heir xxiv years of age Which Baldwin being a Knight in 1 Ric. 2. exhibited his claim to be the King's Champion on the day of his Coronation and to do the service appertaining to that Office by reason of the tenure of this Castle viz. to ride compleatly armed upon a barb'd Horse into Westminster Hall and there to challenge the Combate with whomsoever that should dare to oppose the King's title to the Crown which service the Marmions antiently Lords thereof had heretofore performed But Sir Iohn Dimock being then his Competitor carryed it from him by Judgment of the Constable and Marshall of England in regard he was possest of the Lordship of Scrivelby in Lincolnshire which by better authorities than Frevile could produce appeared to have been held for divers ages by that service and that the Marmions had the said office as owners thereof and not in right of this Castle it being descended to Dimock with Scrivelby from an heir female of Sir Thomas Ludlow Knight husband of Ioane the yongest daughter to Sir Philip Marmion before spoken of Which Sir Baldwin in 3 R. 2. was also one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Shire and in 9 R. 2. upon partition made betwixt him and Sir Thomas Boteler Knight of Mountfort's lands whereunto they were heirs had the Mannour of Ashstede in Com. Surr. with Gunthorpe and Loudham in Com. Nott. assigned to him as also the reversion of the Mannours of Henley Beudesert and Haselholt in this Countie after the decease of William de Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in whose hands they then were And had two wives both daughters unto Sir Iohn Botetourt of Weoley-Castle in Com. Wigorn. whereof Elizabeth the first was married to him in 27 E. 3. but I suppose she was then very young and died before they lived together in regard it is plain that he afterwards married Ioyce her sister who overlived him and took to her second husband Sir Adam Peshale Knight which Joyce at length became one of the coheirs to Ioyce her Neece daughter and heir to Iohn son
to the French and regain his inheritance here in England that then he should pay back to the said Robert the younger so much of that summe as the profits of the lands of which he had received the issues did fall short thereof and that the said Robert should then enjoy the Lordships of Witringham and Coningeby in Com. Linc. Queinton in Com. Glouc. and Berewic in Com. Suss. As also that William his younger Brother should have Torinton in Com. Linc. and lands to the value of X li. per annum in Berewic abovesaid of all which they had speciall grants from their Father And further it was then concluded that the said Robert the younger should not only give the King good caution to keep this Castle to his use but upon occasion deliver it up into his hands For performance thereof these were his sureties scil Nicholas de Verdon Geffrey de Camvile William de Hardreshull Raphe fitz Raphe Thomas de Ofirton Iohn de Culi Richard Russell Robert de la Lande Robert de Passi William de Fou and Mathew de Charnels All which being effected he had the King 's speciall Precept to William de Harecurt then Governour thereof for the King to deliver it up unto him But it was not long after this that Robert the elder made his peace for in 5 H. 3. he had possession of this Castle delivered to him and the rest of his Father's lands as appears by the King's signification of his pleasure therein to all that held of it by Militarie service or otherwise as also to the Shiriff of this County So that here I must leave the said Robert the younger whose posteritie flourisht in Lincolnshire for a long time after and speak of the elder Robert I am of opinion that this Robert the elder return'd into Normandie in 17 H. 3. for in that year did he passe over the estate of all his lands in England for seven years unto Peter de Rupibus that potent Bishop of Winchester in those times together with the custodie of â—hilip his son and heir for to marry him where he should think fit without disparagement whereupon by the consent of the same Robert and Philip he made an assignation thereof unto William de Cantilupe Of this Robert I finde no more after that time than his death which hapned in 25 H. 3. But the said Philip became a person of no small account in the world for having married Ioane one of the daughters and heirs to Hugh de Kilpeck of Kilpeck Castle in Herefordshire whose custodie and disposall in marriage the said William de Cantilupe had in 33 H. 3. he was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire and Governour of the Castle of Sauvey which office he held for three yeares then next following and at that time obtained a Confirmation of the Charter of Free warren before mentioned granted to his Ancestor by King H. 1. But in 36 H. 3. he was questioned for sitting with Richard de Mundevill and the rest of the Justices for Gaol-deliverie at Warwick having no Commission so to do for which I do not find that the Kin'gs displeasure stuck long upon him in regard he attended him so soon after into Gascoin upon his return from which voyage he was taken Prisoner by the French in Poictoâ— with Gilbert de Segrave and divers other of the English Nobilitie notwithstanding that they had Letters of Protection from the French King The next mention that I find of him is that he was in that Welch expedition of 41 H. 3. and the year ensuing had Summons with divers other great men to be at Chester on the Eve of S. Iohn Baptist well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march into Wales against Lewelin ap Griffith then in Rebellion In 45 H. 3. he had the like Summons to be at London with all the chief Nobilitie upon the morrow after Simon and Iude's day in which year it was that the defection of the Barons began farther to shew it self by their intrusion upon the King's authoritie in placing Shiriffs for sundry Shires of this Realme In which respect this Philip Marmion as a person in whose fidelitie the King reposed much confidence had by speciall Patent the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk committed to his custodie And in 47 H. 3. had summons amongst other great men to be at Hereford upon the Munday after Candlemas day well furnisht with Horse and Armes to resist the power of the before specified Lewelin so also to be at Worcester on Lammas day next ensuing in like sort accoutred to the same purpose Immediatly whereupon divers of the Barons put themselves in Armes to force the King's assent to those Ordinances which they had made at Oxford so much derogating from his regall power who seeing himself over-powred was necessitated to submit to the determination which the King of France should make therein and to bring in severall of the Peers and other eminent persons to give Oath for his performance thereof amongst which this Philip Marmion was one who likewise adhered stoutly to him throughout those turbulent times which soon after ensued For the next year following he was at the taking of Northampton and in 50 H. 3. as a reward for his faithfull services had a grant of all the King's demesns here in Tamworth aswell in that part which lyes in Staffordshire as of that in this Countie as also in Wyginton to hold during his naturall life for the Rent of xxxiv li. vi s. ix d. And was made Governour of Kenilworth-Castle immediatly upon the render thereof after that memorable six-months siege whereof I have elswhere spoke In 13 E. 1. this Philip claimed by Prescription a Court-Leet and Gallows here at Tamworth with all Weyfs found in a certain place called Asselonde within this his Mannour as also Free-warren in his demesn lands here and in those belonging to the Nunns of Polesworth all which were allowed And upon his death which hapned in 20 E. 1. it was certified that he held this Castle of the King in Capite by Knight's service finding three Knights at his own proper costs for xl days in the Warrs of Wales and that Ioane the wife of William Mortein Maud the wife of Raphe le Boteler Ioane the daughter of Raph Cromwell and Mazera his wife and Ioan Marmion were his next heirs as the Descent in the following page doth more plainly shew Which Ioan Mortein being the eldest daughter had this Castle for her share and died seized of it about three years after leaving no issue whereupon by Agreement betwixt the rest of the coheirs it was allotted to Ioane the wife of Alexander Frevile Which Alexander being brother and heir to Sir Baldwin Frevile Knight of whose inheritance he had fair lands in Norfolk and Herefordshire died seized