Abby in 30 H. 8. there was first a Dean and Prebendaries setled but soon after a Bishop who being shortly removed the whole City of Westminster and Countie of Middlesex were added to the Dioces of London Nicholas Ridley then Bishop possessing this Mannour which it seems with some other lands that had belong'd to the Abby of Westminster were granted to him But ere long after it came to Iohn Greswould and by Alice his eldest daughter and one of the coheirs to her brother Richard to Thomas Dabridgcourt descended by a younger branch as their Pedegree sheweth from the famous Sanchio Dabridgcourt one of the Founders of the most noble Order of the Garter which Thomas having been a Justice of Peace in this Countie from 16 Eliz. for many years and high Shiriff of the Shire in 29 Eliz. died 12. Maii 43 Eliz. leaving issue by the said Alice four daughters his heirs viz. Katherine married to Iohn Fullwood of Ford-Hall Anne to Thomas Hugford of Henwood Christian to William Belcher of Gilsborough in Northamptonshire and Grace first to William Cartwright and afterwards to William Dabridgcourt Which Iohn Fulwood had issue by the same Catherine divers daughters and heirs as in Ford-Hall is shewed whereof Frances married to Will. Noell of Wellesborough in Com. Leic. Esquire whose posteritie as part of her inheritance do still enjoy it Henwood THis place being originally a part of Langdone last spoken of was about the beginning of King H. 2. reign given by Ketelberne then owner of that Lordship to the Nuns of Estwell for so was the Monasterie upon its first foundation called being built neer a fair Spring lying Eastward of the said Langdone and dedicated to S t Margaret Which Ketelberne by his Charter whereby he so disposed of it setteth forth the metes and bounds thereof as followeth viz. from the Ditch called Hinewudshed by Murrewei to Coleford and thence along the River Blithe to the confluence thereof with Merebroch and ascending Merebroch till it meet with Rodbroch and from thence to the head of the said Rodbroch and so by the midst of Timbresceage unto the Ditch called Hinewudshed excepting Muchelingewich Granting likewise unto them a Free Court with all Customes and Liberties in as ample manner as he the said Ketelberne had his own Court with Customes and Liberties from Hugh de Arden his superiour Lord And pasturage for all their Cattell Horses Sheep Goats and Hoggs in every place where his own used to feed without paunage or any custome at all to be payd for them And in defect of any of his own that theirs might depasture where his should be in case he had any And moreover gave them power to take timber in Langdon-wood for the structure of their Church and other buildings with leave to erect a Mill wheresoever they could find a fit a place upon any part of their land his lying opposite thereto But afterwards the name of Estwell growing out of use it came to be called Hean-wood by reason of the tall Oakes there growing the word hean in our old English signifying high Unto these Nunns which were of S. Benedicts Rule did Pope Gregory the ix in Anno 1228. 12 H. 3. confirm all such Tithes as they had obtained within the precincts of Solihull together with the rest of their possessions whereof I shall here exhibite a short view with the Donors names viz. one yard land in Rodburne by William de Arden given to them about the beginning of H. 2. reign as may seem by the confirmation thereof made by Walter Bishop of Chester as also the advouson of the Church which was appropriated to them by G. Mushchamp Bishop of Coventre in King Iohn's time To these did Ralph de Lande adde all his Land and Wood called Havekeseard with a Mill situate upon the River of Blithe now called Henwood-Mill And Iames de la Lande his son certain lands and Houses lying in that part of Langdon called Suthey As also Roger de Camvill an Annuitie of viii s. issuing out of lands in Shustoke in this Countie which in his grant are particularly named In 33 E. 1. the Abbot of Westminster bestowed on them xv Acres of Waste belonging to his Mannour of Longdone before specified and in 4 E. 3. Richard de Feure of Brandon two Mess. xxx acres and half of land xii acres of Meadow and xxviii s. iv d. Rent lying in Bretford Church-Lawford Stretton Prinseâ—horpe Merston juxta Lalleford and Bereford juxta Warwick And besides these inferior persons I find that King Ric. 2. was likewise a Benefactor to them granting the advouson of the Church of Chorleton de Oâ—temore to this House in 22. of his reign So also King Henry 4 th who gave them the perpetuall patronage of the Church of Everdon in Northamptonshire in the first year of his reign both which Churches were appropriated by Pope Innocent the vii in anno 1404. 5 H. 4. by whose Bull it appears that the Church of Bikenhull in this Countie was united to this Monasterie at the very first Foundation thereof and that at the time of the appropriation made of the Churches before specified the Nunns of this Covent were xii in number But it being one of the small Monasteries for in 26 H. 8. the yearly revenues belonging thereto were certified at no more than xxi li. ii s. ob it was dissolved by the Statute of 27 H. 8. whereupon Ioane Hugford the then Prioresse had an Annuitie of iii li. vi s. viii d. granted to her for life After which scil in 31 H. 8. the King by his Letters Patent dated 25. Febr. in consideration of CCvii li. v s. granted to Iohn Higford and his heirs the site thereof and divers lands thereto belonging lying within the Parishes of Solihull and Knoll in this Countie to be held in Capite by the twentieth part of a Knight's Fee paying xxiii s. i d. yearly to the King his heirs and successors in the name of a Tenth which Iohn being descended from the Hugfords of Edmescote of whom I have spoke by William Hugford of Prinsethorpe a younger son of that Family having so obtained it pulled down the Church transform'd the House and seated himself thereat To whom succeeded Iohn his son and heir and to him likewise another Iohn who sold it to M r William Spooner in our memory Patroni Priorissae de Henwood Abbas Westmonasterii D. Margareta le Corzon post cessionem D. Kath. Boydin An. 1310. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Milisanda de Fokerham 3. Cal. Apr. 1339. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Iohanna Fokerham 11. Cal. Sept. 1349. Abbas Westmonasterii Alianora de Stoke post mortem D. Iohannae de Pichford 20. Apr. 1392. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Iocosa Midlemore An. 1400. Abbas Westmonasterii Ioecia Midlemore 8. Ian. 1438. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Alicia Waringe Anno 1460.
of all his right title and claim that he had or could challenge thereto dated 18 o Iunii 26 H. 6. And for the better securing of their title did the said Provost and Scholars in 1 E. 4. procure a speciall Patent from that King of Confirmation for this and other lands of that kâ—nd which by the munificence of their pious Founder had been granted to them the same Patent bearing date at Westminster 22 Febr. Patroni Priores de Wootton Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Rog. de Pavilliaco monach 12. Cal. Ian. 1285. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Ioh. de Brocâ—a monach de Conchis 8. Cal. Iunii 1288. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Will. de Laverceye monach de Conchis 8. Id. Nov. 1309. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Ioh. le Tonnelier monach 26. Iulii 1328. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Iohâ— de Silvaneto 2. Ian. 1340. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Guillerinus Pinchart die Mart. post festum Dionysii martyris 1349. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Ioh. Maubert monach de Conchis 7. Martii 1370. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Ioh. Soverain monach de Conchis .... 1400. Henr. 6. Rex Angl. c. Ioh. de Conchis monachus 17. Iunii 1438. Aspley OF this place there is no mention in the Conqueror's Survey and therefore I do conclude that it was at that time involved with Wootton Neither have I seen any thing of it in Record till 5 H. 3. that Alan de Bercheston impleaded Robert de Chaucumbe for certain lands here wherein it is written Apsele That this Robert de Chaucumbe was then Lord of it will appear by what I have next to say viz. that in 15 H. 3. by a Fine levied betwixt Gilbert de Segrave Annabil his wife Plantiffs and the same Robert de Chaucumbe deforc the said Robert having given her the said Annabil his eldest daughter in marriage to the same Gilbert and Milisent the other to Raph Basset setled his lands lying in the Counties of Northampt. Warwick Leic. and Linc. so as if he should fortune to have any other heir besides them two the said Gilbert and Annabil and the heirs of Annabil to enjoy the moitie only of this Mannour of Aspele and the other moitie to go unto the said Raph Basset and Milisent and the heirs of Milisent for ever But plain it is that the said Robert de Chaucuâ—be had no other issue so that upon such partition as was afterwards made betwixt those coheirs this Mannour of Aspele came wholly to Anabill whereupon the before specified Gilbert de Segrave her husband in 36 H. 3. obiained a Charter of Freewarren in all his demesn lands here having an antient Mannour-house upon it as it should seem by the large moat with a Park yet did not her issue by the same Gilbert enjoy it For being afterwards married to Roger de Somery whom she survived in her full and lawfull widowhood she granted it unto Iohn de Somery her son by that husband and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten to be held of her and her heirs paying unto her and Nicholas de Segrave her son and heir and his heirs a pair of gilt Spurrs or six pence at the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist yearly for all services Which Iohn in 13 E. 1. claymed a Court Leet here with Assize of Bread and Beer therein by Prescription whereof he had then allowance But at length it returned to the line of Segrave and in 18 E. 3. was with divers other Mannours in severall Counties entailed by Sir Iohn de Segrave Knight upon the issue of his body by Margaret his wife and for default of such issue upon his right heirs Which Margaret had it inter alia in dower as appears by the Inquis taken after the death of Sir Walter Manney Knight her second husband By vertue of which entail it divolved through an heir female to the Family of Moubray being in 1 H. 4. committed with divers other Mannours in this County to Sir Thomas Rempston Kt. in respect that Thomas the son and heir to Thomas Moubray Duke of Norff. was then in minority and by Moubray's daughter and coheir to Berkley Thomas Lord Berkley dying seized of it in 26 H. 8. leaving Henry his son and heir who accomplisht his full age in 2 3 Ph. M. Forde Hall THis lying within the precincts of Aspele was about the beginning of E. 1. reign granted by Sir Iohn de Somery before mentioned to one Roger de la Forde of Aspele and Agatha his wife and their heirs the Rent of xii d. yearly payable at the Feast of S. Michael and the Annunciation of our Lady by equall portions being thereupon reserved as also forrein service and suit to the Court of him the said Iohn and his heirs Hence came it in succeeding times to be called Forde Hall and in 5 R. 2. past by the name of a Mannour from one Nicholas Prylle of Ludlow to Henry de Bonnebury and his heirs but at length came to Iohn Fullwode about H. 8. time in marriage with Ioan the daughter and heir to Baldwyn Heath Which Iohn being second son to Robert Fullwode of Cley Hall in Tanworth had issue Iohn and he a third Iohn who by marriage with Katherine daughter coheir to Thomas Dabridgcourt of Langdon Hall left issue six daughters his heirs scil Frances the wife of William Noell of Welsborough in Com. Leic. Esquire Elianor of Sir Edw. Hampden Knight Alice of Sir George Fullwode Kt. Christian of Iohn Hales Esquire Grace of Angell Grey of Kingston in Com. Dors. Esquire and Katherine which Grace upon the partition of that inheritance had inter alia this for her share Mockley I Am of opinion that this now bearing the name of Mockley was part of that land which Robert de Stafford granted to the Monks of Conchis whereof in Wootton I have spoke but of it I do not find any particular mention till about E. 1. time and that is also accidentally Gilbert de Monkelee and William de Monkelee with Roger then Vicar of Wootton being witnesses to a grant of certain lands in Buckele lying hard by made to the Monks of Wootton whence I conclude that having belong'd to those Monks it therefore had the name of Monkelee and that by shortnes of pronunciation it is now called Mockle As part of the possessions therefore of that Religious House was it in 7 H. 5. granted by the King with the Priory of Wootton to Sir Rouland Lenthale Knight and in 22 H. 6. past therewith likewise to the Provost and Scholars of King's Colledge in Cambridge by the name of the Mannour of Molkele and being confirmed to that Colledge by King E. 4. is enjoyed accordingly at this day Vllenhale THis place having been part
the same Sir James a Bed of gold of Swans with tapetter of grene Tapesery with branches and floures of divers colours and two pair shetes of Raynes a paire of Fustiaunce sixe pair of other shetes six pair of Blankets six Materas six Pelowes and with Qvissons and bancours that longen to the Bedde aforeseyd with alle my stuffe at Bergevenny a pane of Menyvere with alle my Armure in England and Wales which goods I wyll that yt shalle abyde in the kepyng of Robert Darcy Barth Brokusby and Wauter Kebell till the seyd Sir James be xx yere of age and then to be delivered to him and ells not And in caas that the said Sir James dye withyn the seyd age withouten yssue of his body lawfully begoten than I wol and devyse all the forseyd goods to be delivered to John of Ormund his broder in the same wise that the seyd Sir James shulde have hit And if John dye er he come at the same age I wol that Thomas Ormund his brother have hit in the same wise that John shulde have hit And if Thomas dye or he come at that age than I wol that alle these goods be solde and done for my soule and here 's and alle my good doers And I bequethe unto the same John of Ormund a Bed of cloth of gold with Lebardes with those Queshions and Tapettes of my best rede wosted that longen to the same Bed and bancours and Formes to longe to the same Bede also four pair of Shetes four pair of Blankets three Pelowes and three Materas And I bequethe unto Thomas of Ormund his broder a Bede of Velvet white and black paled with Quyshons Tapettes and Formers that long to the same Bede Three pair of Shetes three pair of Blankets three Pelowes and three Materas And I bequethe unto Elizabeth hys sister a Bede of blew Baudekyn with Quyshions Tapetes of blew wosted and Formes that long to the same Bede Four pair ef Shetes four pair of Blankets four Pelowes and four Materas And I bequethe to my sone Sir James of Ormund three of the best Hors in my chare and John his broder my next best and Thomas hys broder my next best aftur hym and John Gray the sixth And I bequethe to John of Ormund and Thomas hys broder in defence of her livelyhood that I have bequest hym eyther of them DCC marks Also I bequethe to Bartholmew Brokusby my Hallyng of black rede and grene with morys Letters with Quyshions with bancours and costers And I bequethe unto the same Bartholmew my Bede of Sylke black and rede embroydered with wodbynd floures of sylver and alle the costers and apparyl that longeth thereto And I wol that the seyd Barth have xii pair of Shetes of the best cloth that I have save Raynes six pair of Blankets and a pane of Menyverâ— and a bolle of sylver callyd Playcebolle and my best Cup of gold covered and my round basyn of sylver pounced with morys letters with the Ewer that longeth to the same Basyn And I bequethe unto the same Bartholmew a dozen vessell of sylver garnyshed and two Basyns and two Ewers of sylver and my best Gown furred with Marters And I devyse to Rob. Darcy CCCC marks and my ymage of our Ladie that the Erle of March gaf me and a Cup of gold covered Also I devise to Wauter Kebell C. mark and three of my best lowe Hors. And I wol that the seid Wauter have my best blak Bede of sylke with alle the apparell of a Chambre of the best blak Tapeter that I have and six pair of Shetes and six pair of Blankets three Materas and my round Basyn of silver with Bolles and a Ewer that longeth thereto and my litle Saler and six Spones of sylver that byn in my Mannour at the Snyterfeld and my best stayned Halle with a Potel Pot and three pece of silver aud a grete Maser covered that was Sir Adam Persale 's and my second Gown of Marters And I bequethe the remnant of my Gownes furred with Marters to my son Sir James of Ormund and to his two brethren afâ—ur the discresion of myne Executors And I bequeth to Isabell Muton C. marks for her marriage And I bequethe to Florys Lee C. marks and two Hors to his marriage And I bequeth to Richard Burley C. marks so both they be ruled by me and mine Executors and dwell with me whilst I live And I bequethe to Raynald Moton C. marks And I bequethe to Thomas Besford C. marks And I bequethe to John Daunsey xx l. And I bequethe to Henry Lecester xx l. And I bequethe to Henry Filongley C. marks And I bequethe to Alyson Darcy C. marks And I bequethe to Henry Brokusby C. marks under the condition that he be governed by me and by the worthiest of his kynn And I bequethe to John Massy C. marks And I bequethe to Philip Cuberley xx l. and to VVâ—â—l Loudham C. marks And I bequethe to Eliz. dâ—â—ghter of the Earl of Ormund C. marks and to Tâ—omas Blankany xx l. And to John Yerdley x. â—â—rks And to John Bultus x l. And to littel Lewes x. marks And to John Hulle C s. And to Thomas Burton x l. And to Thomas VVelby C s. And to John Foteman xl s. And to John Gardener of Bergevenny four marks And also I wol that alle the remnant of my servants be rewarded afâ—â—r the discrecion of mine Executors Also I devyse to my Prestes and Clerkes of my Chapell if they go with my Body and do my Obsequies daylie till I be buried on my costes and to ben ruled afâ—ur myne Executors C. marks And I wol that my Wardeâ— with her mariages and all the livelihode that I have by hem bâ— uâ—der the goâ—vernauns of Rob. Darcy Barth Bâ—okusby and Wauter Kebell they for to fullfâ—ll hiâ— and to dispose hit to the most advantage of my soule and to performe hit and put in Execution my Will and my devyse aforeseyd I ordeyn and make myne Executors Mr. Iohn Bathe Chanon of Welles takyng for his labour xl l. and if he take mynistrâ—cion Rob. Darcy Barth Brokusby Wauter Kebell Sir Will. Crâ—ke takyng for hys labour if he take mynistracion xx l. and Iohn Bultus And I wol that Wauter Kebell ne Iohn Bultus admynister ne do nothing that toucheth my Testament in any wise wythout the advise or commandment of the remnant of myne seyd Executors And the residue of my goods I wol and ordeyn hem to be dysposed by myne Executors to bere yerely charges of my Obits and in Almâ—sdeedes doyng in the mene time whiles they wol lâ—st Requirâ—ng and preying all thâ—se pâ—rsones Executors aforenamed and so far as I dare or mayâ— charging hem that as my singular trust ys on hem afore other they refuse not but to take upon hem the Administration of this Testament with the conditions afore rehersed and put it in execution as they wolde I shulde do for
Margoth that cunningly travailed in mans apparell he made a shew as if he would have march't to Salisbury and to colour the business sent certain Foot with accoutrements for Horse before but when he wrought to the way thwarting the Countrey towards Kenilworth hasted thitherward and coming privatly in the night time to a deep valley neer this Castle armed and ordered his men which whil'st he was doing he heard a great noyse that made them fear their enemyes had taken an Allarm and were then ready to fall upon them but it hapned to be nothing els than certain carriages going out to fetch victuall for the Rebells which they took making use of their fresh horses and so entring the town and the Monastery surprized a great number of their enemyes with very little slaughter Of which number were xv that bore Banners whereof these were the chief Gilbert de Gant Rob. de Vere Earl of Oxford Will. de Montchensy Ric. de Gray Adam de Newmarch Baldwin Wake Walter de Colevile Iohn de Gray son of Ric. de Gray and Hugh de Nevill with their Horses and Armes whom they carryed prisoners to the Castle of Worcester But young Sim. Montfort lodg'd that night in the Castle and so with those that were there secured themselves the Prince making so suddain a return to Worcester that Montfort had no notice thereof but expecting to joyn with those Forces which his son had brought out of the North hasted from Hereford towards Kenilworth passing Severn in the twilight where it was fordable and staying two days at Kemsey neer Worcester on the third came to Evesham Whose motions being observed by the Prince he divided his Army into three parts whereof himself led one Clare Earl of Glouc. another and Rog. Mortimer the third and marching towards Evesham fromwards the North made shew as if coming from hence it had been the forces of young Montfort with the Northern Barons before specified for the better disguising of which business he caused the Banner of young Simon with the rest that he had taken to be carryed in the front of his Army and so hasted to get the top of the hill neer Evesham there to embattle But this approach of the Prince saith the same Author was discovered by one Nicholas a Barber to Montfort Earl of Leich who being skilfull in the knowledge of ensignes told the Earl that his sons Forces were coming for he knew their Banners Howbeit Montfort suspecting the worst and fearing to be circumvented sent the Barber to the top of the Abby-steeple to take a clearer view of them who was no sooner come thither but he found it quite otherwise for the Prince had then taken down those colours of theirs and erected his own Banner with the Banner of the Earl of Glouc. oâ— the one side and that of Mortimer towards the west which when the Barber saw he cryed out to the Earl and told him how it was who forth with making all hast he could to draw out his Army encouraged them with confident expressions that it was for the laws of the land yea the cause of God and Iustice that they were to fight But God that sometimes permits rebellious Subjects to prevail in many wicked attempts against their Soveraigns making use of them only for a while as his chastising rod for speciall respects to manifest to all the world that he owned them not in these their unchristian enterprises brought upon them swift confusion For the Welch even before the battail began betook themselves to flightâ— of which many were drown'd in the river Avon and the rest of the Rebells strength after a sharp skirmish was overpowred so that few escap't the present slaughter that the same day were not taken prisoners The principall persons that lost their lives in this battail were Simon Earl of Leic. Henry Montfort his eldest son Hugh le Despenser Raph Basset of Drayton Thomas de Estele Will. de Mâ—undevile Iohn de Beauchamp of Bedford Guy de Raliol Rog. de Rowele Will. de Eboraco Ric. Trussell Will. de Bermiâ—â—â—am Wilt. de Creppings Rog. de St. Iohn and Rob. Tregoz Divers other persons of quality with a multitude of the common sort being then also slain Of those that were wounded and taken prisoners these were the chief Guy de Mountfort a younger son to the said Earl of Leic. Iohn Fitz-Iohn Henry de Hastings Humfry de Boun the younger Iohn de Vescy Peter de Montfort jun. and Nich. de Segrave This was done on the Nones of Aug. id est 4. Aug. Anno 1265. 49. H. 3. Many other particulars are there touching this Rebellion and the said battail not yet made publique but because they do not directly relate to this County whereunto I do confine my self I must pass them by not intending to have digre'st so much had not that which I have said upon this subject been deduced from such authorities as have not yet come to the open view of the world and without the relation whereof there would not have been so perfect a coherence in my Story of this place as now there is a great part of the Scene lying in this Shire After which victory many places of strength were rendred to the King but Sim. Montfort one of the sons of Earl Simon continuing still in this strong Castle received in divers of those that fled from the battail with other the friends and followers of them that were slain who were much imbittered for the death of their kindred and familiars whereby he grew to be very powerfull sending abroad his Bayliffs and Officers like a King his Souldiers spoyling burning plundering and destroying the Houses Towns and Lordships of his adversaryes driving away their cattell and imprisoning many forcing them to what fines he pleased for their liberty Which course of domineering he held on from the feast of S. Martin which is about xi Nov. in 50. H. 3. till Midsummer following that the siege began But the King being thus by the Victory at Evesham redeemed and restored to his Regall power having call'd a Parliament at Winchester wherein that great City of London was for its malevolent adherence to and assistance of the Rebells deprived of its antient priviledges and all that had been active for them or their furtherers disherited and their estates bestowed on those that had stood firm to the King according to their severall demerits considering well what further mischiefs might befall the whole Kingdom unless the insolencies of those which were in this Castle should be restrained their numbers daily increasing made preparation to march into these parts for the timely reducing thereof And having fitted himself with an Army came to Warwick staying there a while for more forces from severall parts In this interim it seemes Simon Montfort the younger before mentioned considering that without the help of a powerfull Host to raise the siege of this
their principall seat at Wulverle whereof they were called Barons as when I come to Solihull shall be manifested but whether this Cristina marryed to Raph de Limesie an eminent man in the Conquerours time having fair possessions in the Counties of Norff. Suff. Hertford Northampt. Nott. Somerset Devon and Warwick I cannot affirm howbeit that his posterity enjoyed her lands is sure enough flourishing in great honour till King Iohn's time that the male line extinguished and the Barony of Lymsie for so it is called was divided betwixt Hugh de Odingsells a Fleming and David de Lindesey a Scot husbands to the coheirs of Iohn de Limesy as the descent here inserted will shew But before I begin to speak of the family of Odingsells who had their seat here I have a word or two to say of the Limesies their ancerstors which is that from the before specified Raph descended Raph founder of the Priory at Hertford in H. 1. timeâ— which Raph gave thereunto certain lands lying in this Lordship To whom succeeded Alan his son and heir who gave to that Monastery the Church of this Ichinton which grant Gerard his son and Iohn the son and heir of the same Gerard confirmed But descending to Odingsells I observe that from the said Hugh by Basilia sprung two very eminent and worthy families of which the chief resided here at Ichinton even till our fathers memory and that the other which had Solihull and Maxstoke continuing not many descents was by heirs female transplanted into other stocks In 15. Ioh. partition being made betwixt those coheirs the said Hugh and Basilia paid a Fine of 500. marks to the King for livery of the moytie of those lands by inheritance pertaining to her upon the death of her brother Iohn de Limesi without issue lying in the Countyes of Hertford Oxford Worcester Suff and Warwick For securing the Rad. de Limesia fundator Priorat de Hertford Hadewisâ— Alanus de Limesi Triamus de Limesi Gerardus de Limesi 8. H. 2. Amicia Alianora ux Davidis de Lindsei David de Lindsey David Gerard. Walt. Wâ—ll ob s. p. Alicia soror raeres ux Henr. de Pinkney 34. H. 3. Henr. de Pinkney Rob. de Pinkney 13 E. 1. Thom de Pinkney ob s. p. Rob. de Pinkney D. manerii de Stene in Com. Northampt. 22 E. 1. Ioh. de Pinkney miles suspensus 22. E. 1. Ioh. de Limesi duxit Aliciam Fil. Rob. de Harecourt Hugo de Limesi ob s. p. Alanus Gerardus ob s. prole Amabilla ob s. prole Basilia ux Hug. de Odingsels Hugo de Odingsels ob s. p. Gerardus de Odingsels miles 23. H. 3. Hugo de Odingsels 51. H. 3. Ioh. de Odingsels mil. defunctus 10 E. 3. Ioh. de Odingsels ob 27 E. 3. Amicia filia Rog. Corbet Ioh. de Odingsels miles ob 4 R. 2. Ioh. de Odingsels miles ob 5 H. 4. Edw. de Odingsels miles ob 6 E. 4. Margar. filia Ioh. Cokain de Bury-Hatley in Com. Bedf. Gerardus de Odingsels 8 H. 7. Edw. Odingsels 9 H. 7. Anna filia Ric. Verney de Compton ar Edm. Odingsels obiit â— Sept. 5 6 Ph. M. Ioh. Odingsels ob s. proleâ— Will. Odingsels Thom. Odingsels ob s. p. Thom. Odingsels servus Will. D. Burleigh temp R. Eliz. obiitâ— coelebe Rad. cognom de Limesy Ric. de Limesy Petrus de Limesi ob 18. E. 2. Ioh. de Limesi 18 E. 2. Will. de Odingsels de Solihull Maxstoke payment whereof Hugh and Will. two of his sons became bound Which Iohn de Limesi dyed 9 R. 4. 1. Whereupon Alice his widow daughter of Rob. de Harecourt marryed to Walleran E. of Warwick This Hugh de Odingsells was a Knight and a man of great note in his time for I find that in 5 H. 3. he attended the King in person to the siege of Bitham-Castle in Com. Linc. with considerable forces for which he had warrant to levy Escuage upon all his tenants that held of him by military service and dyed in 23 H. 3. whereupon Gerard his son had livery of all the lands in Ichington â— and elswhere that were of the inheheritance of Basilia his mother and held of the King in Capite then doing his homage and giving security to the Shiriff of this County for the payment of his Relief viz. 50 li. whereby it appears that his estate was great the Relief for a Knights fee being antiently but C s. which Gerard being a Knight in 26 H. 3. gave a Fine of 50. marks to be freed from attendance upon the King into Gascoign towards the payment whereof he had power to levy Escuage upon all the Knights fees held of him And in 48 H. 3. had summons with many other great men to be at Oxford in Midlent sufficiently furnish't with Horse and Armes there to give the King advice and assist him against Lewelin P. of Wales and his adherents then in Rebellion but departed this life in 50 H. 3. whereupon the custody of his heir then not of full age with his lands held of the King in Capite were granted to Edmund sirnamed Crouchback the K. son It seemes that the year next following his said son and heir viz. Hugh de Odingsells accomplish't his full age for he then did his homage and had livery of his landsâ— which Hugh in 16 E. 1. was a Knight and in 21. purchased the other moitye of this Mannour from Iohn de Pinkney to whom it descended by inheritance from his great grandmother as the Pâ—degâ—ee sheweth This Iohn de Pinkney being a Knight was the next year following hang'd for felony whereupon there grew suits betwâ—xt the same Hugh de Odingsells and Rob. de Pinkney son and heir of the said Iohn concerning the tide to that Mannour here in Ichington which belonged to him the said Iohn but the King minding to afford his grace and favour in an especiall manner to the above mentioned Hugh who at that time was to be imployed into Gascoign commanded the Shiriff to permit the said Hugh to have the present possession thereof for it was seised into the Kings hands by reason of that forfeiture till the business was determined giving security to prosecute his suit touching the same By the Inq. taken after the death of this Hugh who dyed 33 E. 1. it was certified that he held this Mannour of the King in Capite with the rest of his lands in other places by the service of a half a Barony to find one souldier in the Kings Army for xl days at his own proper costs To him succeeded Iohn his son and heir then 28. years of age Which Iohn â— being one of those that assisted the Earls of Laucaster and Warwick in the murder of Piers de Gaveston had the Kings pardon for that fact in 7 E.
or the lande at Evertons and the xli and pray you in every place see cleerness in my soul and pray fast and I shall for you and Iesu have mercy on my Soule Amen My Lords Stanley Strange and all that blood helpe and pray for my Soule for ye have not for my Body as I trusted in yow and if my issue rejoyce my Land I pray you lett Mr. John Elton have the best Benefice and my Lord Lovell come to grace then that ye shew to him that he pray for me And uncle John remember my Soule as ye have done my Body and better and I pray you see the Sadler Hartlington be paied and in all other places After which viz. in the Parl. begun 7 Nov. 1 H. 7. ensued his attainder whereupon all his lands eschaâ—ting to the Crown this Lordship in 3 H. 7. was bestowed on Sir Iames Blunt Kt. and the heirs male of his body To this William succeeded George his son and heir who in 10. H. 7. having Livery of divers lands descended to him aswell by inheritance from Margaret his mother as from William Lord Zouch and Elizabeth his wife Father and Mother to the said Margaret and being by Act of Parl. held the year following restored to his Father 's forfeited possessions whereby this Lordship came again to that Family wedded Elizabeth daughter of Sir Richard Empson Kt. one of the great Projectors in H. 7. time and by his Testament bearing date 8 Maii 19 H. 7. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Church of Ashby-Legers before the Image of the holy Trinity in his Chapell there appointing that two marble stones price of each vi l. xiii s. iiii d. should be brought thither one to be layd upon his Father and Mother and the other upon himself as a memoriall for him and his wife The Probate whereof bears date two years after which shews that he dyed about the latter end of 20 H. 7. leaving William his son and heir by reason of his minority in ward to Iohn Spenser of Wormleâ—ghton who departed this life about the 10 th of H. 8. leaving Richard his Brother and heir in ward also to Sir Will. Spenser Kt. in 19 H. 8. Which Richard having been one of the Kts. for this Shire in that Parl. of 30 H. 8. so fatall to the Monasteries and the next year following Shiriff and so also in 37 H. 8. being then a Knight had two wives scil Dorothe daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser Knight and Eliz. daughter to Will. Astell one of the daughters and heirs to the Lady Iane Bray and departed this life 4 Maii 7 E. 6. leaving William his grandchild and heir for his eldest son William died in his life time Which William being likewise a Knight and residing much at Bushwode underwent the Shiriffalty of this County in 20. Eliz. and by Anne his wife the daughter of Sir Robert Throkmorton Kt. had issue Robert and other sons which Robert having sold this Lordship to Sir Edward Grevill of Milcote Knight of whom Sir Thomas Holt of Aston juxta Bermingham purchased it being unhappily confederate with the Gunpowder Conspirators in 3. Iac. and thereupon slain with Percy at Holbeach-house in Worcestershire was afterwards by Act of Parl. attainted as is fully manifested by our vulgar Writers The Church dedicated to St. Mathew being given about the later end of K. H. 3. time by Will. de Harecurt son of Rob. de Harecurt of whom I have already made mention unto Iohn the son of Peter de Glen and by the said Iohn granted to the Warden and Schollars of Merton Colledge in Oxford â— was by them past over to King Edw. 1. Which King in 4. of his reign conferred it on the Provost and Canons of the Hospitall of Montchensy as by his Charter bearing date 24. Nov. appeareth But it seems that those Canons had little benefit by this grant for I find that the same K. by another Charter bearing date 4. Iunii the year ensuing rendred and restored it to the Warden and Schollars of Merton Colledge above mentioned After which viz. in an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xvii marks and a half but in 26 H. 8. at no more than x l. per an the Procurations and Synodals yearly payable out of it being x s. v. d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. per â—â—psum Rob. de Lutleburi Cler. 2. Id. Nov. 1286. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. de Cliva Diac. Non. Maii 1286. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Thomas de Wylton 8. Id. Oct. 1303. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Will. Waleys 3. Id. Iulii 1320. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Heyne Cler. 19. Nov. 1349. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Beaugrant Subdiac 9. Cal. Ian. 1367. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Rob. de Horton Pbr. 8. Iulii 1370. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Will. Rous. .... 1370. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Will. Heryngton 14. Maii 1411. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Coke 4. Maii 1422. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Rad. Paret 13. Maii 1433. Custos Scolares domus de Merton D. Rad. Spire 29. Martii 1446. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Hill penult Febr. 1456. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Rob. Arden in Art Magr. 10. Ian. 1488. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Ioh. Iohnson Art Magr. 7. Maii 1509. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Thomas Raynolde Pbr. 17. Aug. 1540. Custos Scolares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Raynshaw Cler. 10. Nov. 1556. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Litton Cler. 30. Oct. 1584. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Morley Cler. in art Magr. ult Maii 1613. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Elly Cler. 16. Oct. 1613. In 47 E. 3. there was a Chantry founded in a certain Chapell adjoyning to this Church by Ric. de Montfort Roger de Ulbarwe Roger atte Greene of Lapworth and Richard Dolfyn a Priest and by them endowed with two messuages two carucates of land twelve acres of meadow and xvi s. Rent all lying in Toneworth for maintenance of a Priest to sing Masse there every day to the honour of the blessed Virgin S. Thomas the Martyr and All Saints which lands were then called by the name of Wodardes-Lond Heath-land â— and Lysterley-field as appeareth by the Earl of Warwick's License for amortizing of them whereby also he gave authoritie to the said Richard Montfort and the heirs male of his body to present a fit Priest thereto as often as cause should require but in
black Gâ—lding amling that Almighty God may the rather take my soul unto his mercy and grace Item I bequethe to the high Auter of Aston aforesaid for Tithes and Offerings negligently forgotten iii s. iiii d. c. Item I bequethe my whiâ—e Harners complete to the Church of Aston for a George to wear it and to stand on my Pewe a place made for it provided alway that if the said George be not made within a year after my decease that then I will that mine Executors do sell it and 〈…〉 to sing in the Chapell of Orton so â—â—ire as the money will extend Item I will at the day of my buriall that xii pore women of my Tenants shall have each of them a black Gown with a Hood a pair of Bedes Four pence and a Dinner to bear each of them a Torch about my Herse Item I will have burning about my Herse xxiiii Tapers and each Taper of half a pound of Wax Item I will every Months day during the year be sung a solemne Dirige and on the morrow Masse of Requiem for my soule and all Christen soules by Note and at every Dirige and Masse to be bestowed iii s. iiii d. amongst Priests and Clerkes Ringing and Lights Item I will that a Priest sing at Orton two whole Trentalls of St. Gregorie with the Diriges belonging that is for two years and to have v l. a year c. Item my best Gown of black Damask to my parish Church of Aston to make a Cope with all But here before I proceed further with my historicall discourse of this Family taking notice of the Mortuaries given by this Iohn Arden and his Father it will not be a miss to say somewhat not onely touching the antiquitie but the reason and originall occasion of such bequests as also how in times past they were usually paid That which here is called a Mortuarie was by our Ancestors the Saxons called Saul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as is to be seen in the Laws of Canutus and signifies a tribute or pension payd for the safety of the Soul the later syllable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importing the same with census vectigal and pensio as Master Lambert observeth Neither is the word with a signification not much unlike out of use with us at this day we commonly calling such money as Travelers pay for their entertainment at a common Inne the Shot But ascending as far as I can to discover the antiquitie of this payment I find a passage in a very antient generall Councell of this Nation Concilium Aenhamense called by King Aetheldred at the request of Aelpheagus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Wulstane Arch-Bishop of Yorke An. M. ix 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 man â—ymble 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opâ—num 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which words Sir H. Spelman thus interprets Sed aequissimum est ut animae symbolum quam pecuniam Sepulchralem nunc vocant semper dependatur cum sepulchrum sit effossum the same Canon being confirm'd by King Canutus 23. years after almost in the very same words But here we may observe that though there be a time prefixt when this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or symbolum animae ought to be payd yet was it neither certain whether it were Oxe Cow Horse Money or other Good nor indeed any other than arbitrarie And no less doth the old Latine M S. Copie of the before mentioned Synod Cap. 14. implie where the Saxon Canon is thus rendred Munera necnon defunctorum animabus concernentia puteo impendantur aperto id est Let the gifts also which are given for the behoof of the Souls of the dead be paid at the opening of the Grave And further to make good what hath last been spoke let us observe what Glanvill a famous Lawyer who lived in H. 2. time hath to that purpose Potest quilibet homo liber saith he maâ—oribus debitis non involutus de rebus suis in infirmitate sua rationabilem divisam facere sub hac forma secundùm cuâ—usdam patriae consuetudinem Quod Dominum suum primò de meliore re quam habet recognoscat Deinde Ecclesiam postea verò alias personas pro voluntate suâ And going further saith Quicquid autem diversarum Patriarum consuetudines super hoc teneant secundùm Iura regni non tenetur quis in Testamento suo alicui personae nisi pro voluntate sua aliquid relinquere libera enim dicitur esse cujuscunque ultima Voluntas secundùm has Leges sicut secundùm alias Leges Now to give some reason for the name I shall cite what Lâ—ndwood expresseth thereof sc. Mortuarium sic dictum quia relinquitur Ecclesiae pro Anima defuncti And for this he cites the Gloss. upon the Decretal Epistle of Pope Honorius the third about the year 1220 and beginning of the reign of our Henry the third But Sir Edw. Coke from the words of Sim. Langham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury near 300 years since in a certain Constitution of his thus hath it Mortuarium saith he is a gift left by a man at his death pro recompensatione subtractionis Decimarum personalium Oblationum which is a more particular definition than the former yet is not this very consonant to the instances in these two Testaments viz. of Walter and Iohn Arden before recited for in the first Walter Arden bequeaths for his Mortuarie and his Tithes forgotten his best Oxe not or his Tithes which and shews that they were not one and the same thing And Iohn Arden in his Will makes it more plain viz. Item I bequethe for my Mâ—rtuaries or Cors presentè a black Geldyng amblyng that allmighty God may the rather take my soul unto his mercy and grace And then in a distinct Legacie he sath Item I bequethe to the high Aultar of Aston for Tithes and offerings negligently forgotten iii s. iiii d. So that here we see Cors presentè is apparently the same as we call the Mortuarie id est the Body presented or offered to the Priest for where Mortuaries were used to be payd the Body of the best Beast or Good was according to the custome offered and presented to the Priest in behalf of the Corse or person deceased And yet however here they are given as a Legacie or bequest which argues that of Custom they were not antiently payd in this place 't is very evident that where they had been used to be payd the Laws of this Realm did so settle them that they were then recoverable as due debts which the Statute de Circumspectè agatis in 13 E. 1. doth manifest in these words Item si Rector petat Mortuarium in partibus ubi Mortuarium dari consuevit c. And Custome in tract of time did so prevail as that they being held as due debts the payment of them was injoyned by severall Constitutions the first whereof that I have met with is
xviii s. vi d. over and above ix s. vi d. per an allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Of the Vicars here I find that they have antiently been the Rurall-Deanes for this part of the Countrie I mean the Deanrie of Arden containing the Hundred of Hemlingford wherein my present discourse lies Which order of Rurall-Deans was constituted by the Bishop or Arch-Bishop as the learned Spelman observes for the better regulating of Ecclesiasticall affairs concerning whom in a Councell held at London an 1237 21 H. 3. by Otho the Pope's Legate there is this Canon Quod in quodam Concilio statutum invenimus approbantes statuimus ut per quoslibet Decanatus prudentes viri fideles constituantur per Episcopum Confessores quibus Personae minores Clerici confiteri valeant qui Decanis erubescunt confiteri forsitan verentur In Ecclesiis verò Cathedralibus Confessores institui praecipimus generales All that I have farther to observe of this place is that in 4 E. 6. the tall and beautifull Steeple here suffered much hurt by Lightning and Thunder which crackt the West side of the Tower and shattered the upper-part of the Spire for repairing whereof though the Inhabitants sold one of their Bells yet did they shorten it xv foot at the least Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Henr. de Waleshale Cap. an 1285. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Alanus de Pollesworth Pb. die Lune post fest transl S. Th. Mart. 1300 Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Galsr. de Neunham Pb. 7 Cal. Nov. 1320. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Adam de Whitington Pb. 3 Non. Aug. 1350. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. de Attleberwe Non. Dec. 1353. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Hugo de Lyndon Pbr. 4. Cal. Aug. 1377. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Rob. Cheyne Pbr. 19. Dec. 1396. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Ioh. Wellysed Pbr. 6. Sept. 1441. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. Wodehouse Pbr. 4. Aug. 1447. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. Abell Cap. 18. Oct. 1455. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Ric. Eliot 15 Iulii 1500. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Mr. Tho. Barker in Decr. bac 6. Apr. 1504. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Thomas Mathew Cap. 18 Dec. 1515. Thom. Pye ex consess Pr. C. de Bosco Humfr. Ryddyll D. Ioh. Fenton Cap. 6. Nov. 1538. Thom. Pye ex consess Pr. C. de Bosco Humfr. Ryddyll Simon Digby postea deprivatus 4. Sept. 1566. Ioh. Nevill Rad. Foxe Cler. 23. Iunii 1574. Episc. Cov. Lich. ratione lapsus Rob. Petipher in art Magr. 5 Iulii 1627. Monumentall Inscriptions in the Chancell Hic jacet Dominus Willielmus Abel quondam vicarius istius Ecclesie qui quidem Dominus Willielmus obiit xviii die mensis Maii anno Domini MD. Cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen Here lyeth the body of Sir Iohn Fenton Prest Bachelour of Law sometime Uicar of this Church and Officiall of Coventre who decessed the xvii day of May 1566. Whose soule Ihesus pardon Amen Monumentall Inscriptions in the Church Of your charite pray for the soullis of Grace Strelly aud Iohn hyr sonne Whych Iohn discessyde the xx day of Iune in the year of our Lord MDxi on whos soullys Iesu have mercy Prey for the sol ✚ of Simond Digbe Of your charite pray for the soules of Homfrey Grevill Gentilman and Katherine his wiffe the whiche decessed the day .... of Ianuary the yeare of our Lord MCCCCCxxxiii Here lyeth Isabell Ryddel late the Wife of Humfrey Ryddel Baylie of Colshil the only daughter of Edmund Parker of Hartshill Which Isabel dyed the xxixth day of October the yere of our Lord God MCCCCClxvi whose soul Iesu pardon Amen Here lyeth the bodyes of William Riddel of Blythâ— hall and Ione hys Wife the which William departed this life the last day of August in the yeare of our Lord God MDlviii And the said Ione dyed the xix of August in the yeare of our Lord God MDlvi whose soules Iesu pardon 14. Novembris A. D. 1629 aetatis suae 42. Here resteth the body of Iane late wife of Simon Blyth Gent. who had issue one sonne and 4. daughters whose soule rejoyceth with the Lord. Quam conjux suus amantissimus sic piè deflevit Te faustum non me miserum fleo proh mihi natis Absis Chara conjux religiosa parens Kingshurst THis place did antiently belong to the Mountforts before they were Lords of Colshill for it appears that Peter de Mountfort of Beldesert had it in Edw. 3. time and in 41 of that K's reign by his Testament bequeathed unto Richard his younger son all his goods both moveable and unmoveable there which Richard dwelt here and after his death Roese his widow enfeoft Iohn de Catesby therein who wedded her grandchild as in Lapworth is manifested But Sir Baldw. Mountfort grandchild to the said Peter by Iohn his eldest son getting into possession resided long upon it and so did Sir Will. son and heir to Sir Baldwin as may seem by the License he obtaiin 14 R. 2. from Ric. Scroope Bishop of Cov. and Lich. to have divine Service celebrated in his Chapell here yet at length Iohn de Catesby before-specified brought an Assize of Novel disseisin against the said Sir William but upon the triall lost it So that the said Sir William having thus establisht his title inclosed it laying much of his demesn lands parcell of the Mannour of Colshill thereunto and afterwards gave it unto Sir Edm. Mountfort Kt. his son by a second wife which Sir Edmund made the Parke in 26 H. 6. and resided much here But after him Sir Sim. Mountfort his nephew died seized thereof whose grandchild Simon also dwelt upon it and so did Francis his son betwixt whom and George Digby of Colshull Esq. afterwards Kt. there were great suits for it Which George layd claim thereâ—o as a member of Colshill and so consequently his right by virtue of K. H. 7. grant made to his Ancestor of that Mannour â—s hath been already said So that after much expence of money therein the said Francis was glad to come to an Agreement with him in respect that part of the lands belonging theâ—eto and lying without the Park did not so clearly appear to be parcell of Kingshurst as the other did and gave him a thousand pounds to quit his title and afterwards Sir Edw. Mountfort Kt. grandchild to the said Francis for further confirmation thereof