had obtained the confiscated Lands of the Rebels by the Kings Grant fiercely opposed that accord saying That it was unjust that what was so deservedly forfeited and for their pains and fidelity given to them by the King should be taken from them again for no cause And it was then said by some that he took such offence against the Earl of Glocester for his forwardness in that Agreement that he conspired his death as also that thereupon the Earl withdrew himself for a time great animosities continuing betwixt them After this viz. in 51 Hen. 3. he had command from the King to fortifie the Castle of Hereford whereof by the Kings former Grant in 44 Hen. 3. he had been constituted Governor And in 50 51 and the fourth part of 52 Hen. 3. had the Sheriffalty of Herefordshire In 54 Hen. 3. he was also made Governor of the Castle of Corff And in 1 Edw. 1. when the King was gone into Gascoigne there being an Insurrection in the North grounded upon a certain vain Prophecy That the King should never return again into England this Roger marching towards them with Edmund the Kings Brother they totally retired and dissipated themselves All being now quiet in 7 Edw. 1. he obtained a Grant from the King of the Territories of Keddewy and Kery and of the Castle of Dolvoron built by David ap Lewelin to hold to himself and his heirs by the service of three Knights Fees And having taken to Wife Maud the Daughter and Coheir to William de Braose of Brecknock with whom he had the Land of Radnor with other fair possessions both in England and Wales had issue by her these three Sons Edmund William and Geffrey Upon whom having procured the honor of Knighthood to be conferred by King Edward the First he at his own costs caused a Tourneament to be held at Kenilworth where he sumptuously entertained an hundred Knights and as many Ladies for three days the like whereof was never before in England and there began the Round Table so called by reason that the place wherein they practised those feats was environed with a strong Wall made in a round Form And upon the fourth day the Golden Lion in sign of triumph being yielded to him he carried it with all that company to Warwick The same whereof being spred into Foreign Countreys occasioned the Queen of Navarre to send unto him certain Wooden Bottles bound with Golden Bars and Wax under the pretence of Wine which in truth were all filled with Gold and for many ages after kept in the Abby of Wigmore Whereupon for the love of that Queen he added a Carbuncle to his Arms. But long it was not after this that he lived for in 10 Edw. 1. he departed this life at Kingslene upon Simon and Iude's Eve Edmund his Son and Heir being then twenty seven years of age and was buried in the Abby of Wigmore with this Epitaph Hic est sepultus qui mansit laâ—de refultus Rogerus mundus de Morte marinâ secundus Cui fuerat gratus dominus Wigmorae vocitatus Hunc dum viverat vi Wallia tota timebat Et sibi donata permansit Wallia tota Militiam scivit semper tormenta subivit Other Children he also had by the same Maude viz. Sir Ralph Mortimer Knight his eldest Son who died in his lifetime Roger Mortimer Lord of Chirke of whom I shall say more anon Sir Gefrey a Knight who also died in his lifetime and lieth buried at Wigmore and Sir William a Knight and stout Souldier who had to Wife Hawyse the Heir of Robert de Muscegros and in her right held the Mannors of Batenton Kemerton Stawell and Cherleton-Muscegros and was enfeossed by Maude his Mother of the third part of the Mannor of Crendon in Comitat. Buck. two parts of the Mannor of Doecumbe of the Castle of Bruggewalter and third part of that Mannor as also of two parts of the Mannor of Meletone all in com Somerset and dying without issue in 25 Edw. 1. left Edmund Lord Mortimer of Wigmore his Brother and Heir Of the before specified Maude all that I have farther seen is that the Castle and Mannor of Radnor with the Mannors of Kingstone and Erlesdone which were of her Inheritance being taken into the Kings hands by reason of his death command was given to the Sheriff of Herefordshire in 11 Edw. 1. to render them unto her and a precept sent to the Sheriff of Shropshire requiring him to take her Oath that she should not marry again without licence And that she departed this life in 29 E. 1. Edmund her Son being then forty years of age who soon after doing his Homage had livery of the Castle of Radnor and other the Lands of her Inheritance Which Edmund solemnly received the Honor of Knighthood at Winchester at the hands of King Edward the first upon the Feast day of the Nativity of our Lady and having so done married Margaret the Daughter of Sir William de Fendles a Spaniard kinswoman to Queen Elianore the wedding being there kept at the King and Queens Charges In 10 Edw. 1. which was the year his Father died this Edmund with some other of the Barons-marchers encountring the Army of Leoline Prince of Wales which was come down from the mountains towards Buelt with little loss put it to a total rout and made great slaughter upon the Welch in which Battle Leoline himself being slain his head was cut off and sent to the King at Rothelan but thence carried to the Tower of London and there set on a Pole Crowned with Ivy. In the same year upon the death of Iohn Fitz-Alan the Castles of Oswaldestre and Arundell were committed to the Trust of this Edmund And in 11 Edw. 1. doing his Homage he had Livery of all his own Lands In 14 E. 1. he obtained a Grant from the King to himself and Margaret his Wife and their Heirs of the Mannors of Marckley and Thornâ—ury in Com. Heref. And in 15 Edw 1. reteined Peter de Mauley an eminent Baron of Yorkshire by Indenture to serve him in the Welch-Warrs against Rese ap Meredith and his Complices then Rebells to the King with ten Light-horse viz. one black with a white Foot price 60 marks c. the colours of the rest being all expressed and their prices Covenanting to pay the price or prices of any of those Horses which might happen to be lost in that service In 22 Edw. 1. he had amongst others command to be at Poâ—â—mouth upon the first of September well accoutred with Horse and Armes to attend the King into Gascoinâ— And in 25 Edw. 1. was one of the Lords that met at Montgomery to consider of that demand which the King then made
took to Wife Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Iohn le Strange of Blackmere which Elizabeth died 23 Aug. 7 Ric. 2. without issue And in 7 Ric. 2. together with the Earl of Northumberland and some of the Northern Barons he entred Scotland with a thousand Spears and six thousand Archers In 8 R. 2. he was retained by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars And in 9 R. 2. constituted Earl Marshal of England by reason of his descent from Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshall as hath been observed to hold the same Office for term of his Life In 10 R. 2. he went to Sea with Richard Earl of Arundell then constituted Admiral to oppose the incursion of the Kings publique Enemies and shared in the glory of that Victory then obtained in that Naval adventure against the French Flemings Normans and Spaniards as also of that valiant attempt upon the Castle of Brest in Britanny which was then taken by the English but such was the prevalency of the Duke of Ireland at that time and of those other parasites who had the Kings eare as that upon his return instead of an honorable reception for his good service he was not looked on with any fair countenance being one of those whose death was designed by that Duke and his complices This Thomas did not make proof of his age untill 12 Ric. 2. but then so doing and performing his Homage he had livery of all his Lands and thereupon constituted Governor of Barwick upon â—weed as also sent with a military power against the Scots who had invaded Northumberland and made great spoil in those parts but having not strength sufficient to give them Battle he retreated back without any attempt upon them After this scil in 14 R. 2. he wasmade Governor of the Castle of Merke in France as also Captain of Calais for the term of five years The next year following scil 15 R. 2. at the instance of this Earl it was that the King vouchsafed such favor to the Town of Calais that for the honor thereof the Mayor and his successors should thenceforth have a Sword born before them with the point upwards except at such time as the King himself or any of his Uncles or the Captain of Calais or his Lieutenant should be present and then to carry the point thereof downwards In 16 R. 2. he was constituted the Kings Liâ—â—tenant in Calais as also in the parts of Picardy Flanders and Artoys and likewise Governor of Calais and of the new Tower there And for his many good services done and to be done had a grant of two hundred Marks per annum for life to be paid out of the Exchequer untill such time as the King should better provide for him Moreover he stood in such favor that the King acknowledging his just and hereditary title to bear for his Crest a golden Leopard with a white Label which of right did belong to the Kings eldest Son in case he had any did by his Letters patents grant unto him and his heirs authority to bear the Golden Leopard for his Crest with a Coronet of Silver about his neck instead of the Labell And in the same year constituted him Justice of Chester and Flintshire for term of life with power to hold Pleas and Sessions there by himself or his sufficient Lieutenant as also Justice of North-Wales In 18 R. 2. he attended the King into Ireland Moreover in 19 R. 2. he was joyned in Commission with Edward Earl of Roteland Son of Edmund de Langley Duke of York and others to contract Marriage with Isabel eldest Daughter to Charles the sixth King of France and King Richard and again constituted Governor of the Castle of Calais Moreover the next ensuing year he obtained the Kings licence for founding that Monastry of Carthusian Monks at his Mannor of Eppe-Worth in the Isle of Axholm which he he thereupon established and most amply endowed As also the Kings Charter of confirmation of the Office of Earl Marshal of England to the Heirs Male of his body with an union of the Office of Marshal in the Courts of Kings Bench and Exchequer thereunto Likewise of the Office of Marshals-cryer before the Steward and Marshal of the Kings household And that he and his Heirs male by reason of this their Office of Earl Marshal should bear a Golden Truncheon enameled with black at each end having at the upper end of it the Kings Arms graven thereon and at the lower end his own Arms. How beit notwithstanding those his many services before remembred such was the prevalency of his old Enemies those Parasites by whom the King was governed that the year following viz. 21 R. 2. with divers other he was arrested and indicted of High Treason at Notingham and Witnesses suborned to accuse him in the ensuing Parliament But here the Scene soon changed for whether with the apprehension of his own danger or allured by those voluptuaries who bore such sway with the King he forthwith adhered to them in the destruction of that honorable person Richard Earl of Arundell whose Daughter he had Married and was one of the chief that guarded him to his Execution Nay it is said by some that he bound up his Eyes and beheaded him himself And soon after that had a principle hand in that execrable Murther of Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester the Kings Uncle causing him to be smothered with a Feather-bed at Calais Whereupon he became in such high favour at Court that the King bestowed upon him and the Heires Male of his Body the Castle Town and Lordship of Lewes the Mannors of Cokefield Clayton Dycheninge Methynge Peâ—cham Brightelmeston Rottingdene Houndedene Northese Rademeld Kymere Middilton Alington Worth Pycombe Sefford Iford Pedingho Kingston and Littleworth the Hundreds of Poninges Buttringhull Strete Beâ—come Swanbergh Holmestrowe Yonesmere Whalesbone the half Hundred of Fishergate the half Hundred of Wyndham and three hundred acres of marish called Wayfeldmerch with all other the Lands of Richard Earl of Arundel which by reason of the said Earles forfeiture came to the King together with all Knights Fees and advowsons of Churches in the Counties of Surry and Sussex the Castle and Town of Reygate with the Park Warren and Chases only excepted And besides all this the Castle and Town of Castleacre with its members and appurtenances in Norfolk which by the forfaiture of the said Earl came to the Crown Moreover the Castle and Mannor of Hanslape the Mannors of Olney Querndon and Shenley Mansel in the County of Buckingham the Mannors of Berghdon Greatham Preston and Uppingham in the County of Roteland the Mannors of Molton and Potters-pirie in the County of Northampton the Mannors of Brayles Toneworth Berkswill Lighthurne Morton and Mereshull
Seven hundred and twenty Men at Arms Seven hundred seventy five Archeâ—s and one hundred forty Balisters id est Cross-Bow Men. And meeting with seven Ships and one Man of War laden with Wine brought them all into Bristol In this year also he was amongst other brave Men sent into France in aid of the Duke of Britanny but in that expedition having a great loss by shipwrack and other misfortunes most of that Fleet were lost and the rest dispersed himself looking also to perish being 〈◊〉 by a Spanish Vessel but quitted himself so valiantly that after a sharp fight of three hours he boarded the Spaniard and brought it safe to Land And having pawned it for a 〈◊〉 pound see out to Sea again towards the Castle of Brest whereof himself and Sir Hugh Calveley were Governors In which adventure he sped so well as that though others suffered great loss yet both himself with all his Soldiers and Horses returned safe About this time he was also joyned in Commission with the Bishop of Herâ—ford and others for reforming of all things done contrary to the Articles of Peace formerly established betwixt King Edward the Third and David de Bruâ— of Scotland And in 3 Rich. 2. being one of the cheif Commanders in that Army whereof Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham was General landing at Calais marched thorow all France into Britanny without damage In 4 Rich. 2. he was imployed with the same Earl of Buckingham to suppress that Insurrection then made by the Commons in Essex which were the remnant of them that rose with Iack Straw And was after sent with the Earl of Waâ—wick to execute Justice upon that rabble which had committed great outrages at S. Aldans In this year also he again accompanied the same Earl of Buckingham to 〈◊〉 where he rode with his Banner displayed and was with him at the Siege of â—antes in Bâ—â—tanny but the Duke of Britanny not coming to their aid he went with that Earl from thence to Uannes to refresh their Army And in 5 Rich. 2. was made Captain of the Castle at Brest likewise in 6 Rich. 2. of the Town In 7 Rich. 2. he was joyned in Commission with Iohn Duke of Lancaster and others to treat with those from Flanders for the appeasing of certain differences betwixt the English and them So likewise with other Commissioners from the King of France touching Peace betwixt both Realitis The same year also he was constituted one of the Commissioners for the guarding of the East Marchâ—â— so likewiâ—e for the reception of those twenty four thousand marks which were to be paid in full satisfaction of the hundred thousand marks for the ransom of David de Brus H. of Scotland In which year upon the departure â— of Sir William de Beanchamp and those of the English who besieged Ipre he came to them from Spruce In 8 Rich. 2. he was again constituted Admiral of the Kings Fleet from the River of Thames Northwards as also retained by Indenture to be Governor of the Castle at Brest from Candlemas day for one whole year receiving for that service over and above the profits thence arising by Redemptions Rents Customs c. Four thousand marks as also two hundred and fifty marks every quarter for the costs and charges incident to that Castle but in case of Truce no more then three thousand marks and two hundred and fifty marks a quartor And for the better security of what was in arreâ—â— to him for those former years that he had been Governor thereof and payment of those sums thus covenanted he was to receive five shillings for every Sack of Wool out of those parts whence his payment was assigned In 10 Rich. 2. he was made Admiral of the 〈◊〉 for that great Army of twenty thousand whereof two thousand were Horse and eight thousand Archers sent into Spain with Iohn of Gant D. of Lancaster called King of Castile and Leon in right of Constance his Wife and then going to recover that her Inheritance In 13 Rich. 2. he was constituted Justice of South Wales And the same year being then Vice-Chamberlain to the King had a Grant of the Castle of Emelin in South Wales And the next year following upon surrender of that Grant obtained another as also of Huckick in Com. Carnarvon with the Commot there In 15 Rich. 2. he was made one of the Commissioners for treating of Peace betwixt the English and French Which Treaty was held at Amiens And likewise Justice of South Wales And in 16 Rich. 2. being then Steward of the Kings Houshold was sent Ambassador into France In 18 Rich. 2. he was sent again into France Moreover he was the same year retained by Indenture to serve the King in Ireland with twenty Men at Arms and forty Archers on Horsback as also with ten Archers on Foot And in 20 Rich. 2. surrendring his Patent of an hundred marks per annum formerly given to him by Edward the Black Prince had another Grant of the like sum to be paid during his life out of the Kings Exchequer at Kaermerdin Moreover besides all these favors upon Saturday the Feast of S. Michael in 21 Rich. 2. he was advanced to the Title of Earl of Worcester and in Ianuary following made Captain of the Town and Castle of Calais as also of the Marches belonging thereto In this year he was likewise retained to serve the King with forty Men at Arms and an hundred Archers in Ireland Also in 22 Rich. 2. with thirty five Men at Arms Knights and Esquires and one hundred Archers on Horsback to every twenty Archers one Carpenter and one Mason and likewise constituted Admiral of the Kings Fleet for that Realm And being thus Admiral as also Vice-Chamberlain and Steward of the Kings Houshold and imployed in sundry Warlike Expeditions and Embassies he obtained a Release of all Debts Accompts Arrearages of Accompts Rents and Arrearages of Rents wherewith he then stood charged But when Henry Duke of Lancaster landed and that King Richard saw his own ruine approaching upon the dismissing of his family he bad this Thomas farewel and reserve himself for better times It seems notwithstanding the great favors he had received from King Richard yet upon his deposal he stood fair with the Duke of Lancaster then assuming the Rule by the name of Henry the Fourth For that King soon after he had thus attained the Crown resolving to let the Pope and divers Christian Princes know by what right and title he had so done sent this Earl with the Bishop of Durham his Ambassadors into France to represent the same to that King And moreover made him one
of that Stair ascending to the Chapel in the great White Tower their Bodies having been put into a Chest of Elme as it should seem upon the taking down of that stair and other out-Buildings near unto it which being made known to His Majesty King Charles the Second he hath most piously caused a square pedestal of White Marble with a large Urne of black Marble on the head of it to be placed in King Henry the Sevenths Chapel within the Collegiate Church at UUestminster wherein they are to be contained and a fit Monumental Inscription to be cut thereon in memorie of them both But of this horrid Murther instead of that content which King Richard fancied to himself and that his posterity should enjoy what he had so got he reapt nothing but vexation and disturbance of mind being perplext on every side for fear of outward dangers and having buryed Edward his only Son by Anne his Wife the younger Daughter and Co-heir to that great Richard Nevill late Earl of UUarwick and Salisbury on whom King Edward the Fourth in 17. of his Reign had conferred the Title of Earl of Salisbury was himself miserably slain at Bosworth-Field by Henry Earl of Richmund the chief remaining branch of the House of Lancaster thenceforth King by the name of Henry the Seventh Leonel Duke of Clarence 36 Edw. 3. THis Leonel third Son of King Edward the Third by Birth but second from whom any Issue did proceed was born at Antwerp in Brabant in 12 E. 3. at such time as the King his Father held a great Tourneament there After which the first mention I find of him is that in 19 E. 3. the King being at Sandwich in order to his passage beyond Sea he was constituted Lieutenant of this Realm during his absence so likewise the next ensuing year upon that great Expedition then made into France In 28 E. 3. he obtained a Charter for a Market every week upon the Tuesday at his Mannor of Brymmesfeld in Com. Glouc. as also for a Fair yearly on the Eve and Day of Corpus Christi In 33 E 3. he was in the Wars of France And in 35 E. 3. being made Lieutenant of Ireland took to Wise Elizabeth the sole Daughter and Heir to William de Burgh Earl of Ulster in that Realm In 36 E. 3. continuing still in Ireland he was advanced to the Title of Duke of Clarence in the Parliament begun at London 17 Cal. Oct. But he did not long enjoy that noble Lady for it appears that in 37 E. 3. the King gave command to the keeper of his great Wardrobe to deliver out four Clothes of Gold-Baudekyn and nine of Baudekyn of Luca to be offered for himself and the Queen at her Funeral then solemnised In 38 E. 3. he had his Commission for the Lieutenancy of Ireland renewed and in 41 E. 3. obtained another Charter for a Market every Friday at his Mannor of Staundon in Com. Hertf. as also for a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow of St. Peter ad vincula And in 42 E. 3. in the Month of April in order to his second Marriage began his journey towards Millaine in Italy with a choice number of English Noble men and Knights Passing through France he was honourably received at Paris by the King the Dukes of Burgundy and Burbon and the Lord Couci So through Savoy whence being accompanied by the Earl of Savoy he went to Millaine and came thither upon Munday next after the Feast of the Holy Trinity where he took to Wife Violenta the Daughter of Galeas Lord of that Teritory whereby he was to have the Moytie thereof But within five Months following being in the City of Alba now called Langavill in Italy in the House of the Duke of Millaine he fell very sick Whereupon by his Testament bearing date there upon the third of October the same year he bequeathed his Body to be buried in England in the Church of the Fryers-Angustines at Clare in Com. Suff. before the High Altar and gave thereto a black sute with all belonging thereto as also his black Cloth Embroidered Moreover he bequeathed to Violenta his Wife his Vestment with Gold Coronets and all that belonged thereto Likewise to Sir Iohn Bromwick Knight his Courser called Ger-faucon and to Sir Iohn Capell his own Chapâ—aâ—n a Girdle of Gold wherewith to make a Chalice in memory of his Soul To Thomas Waleys the Circle of Gold wherewith his Brother the Black Prince was created Prince and to Edmund Mone the Circle wherewith he himself was Created Duke And being then one of the Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter departed this life upon the 17 th day of October the same year poysoned as some thought being then seised of the Mannors of West Peckham in Com. Cantii as also of the Manors of Eston in Com. Somers Mershwode Craneburne Tarent Goundevile Pymperne Stupel the Burroughs of Warham and Weymouth and Mannors of Wike and Portland in Com. Dors. Likewise in right of Elizabeth his Wife of the Mannors of Claret and Berdefelde in Com. Essex Staundone in Com. Hertf. Hunden Erdbury Wodhale in Sudbury and Castle of Clare in Com. Suff. Walsyngham and Brecham in Com. Norff. Waddon and Steple â—laydon in Com. Buck. and of the whole Earldome of Ulster in Ireland with divers Lordships and Lands in that Realm leaving Issue only by Elizabeth his first Wife one sole Daughter and Heir called Philippa thirteen years of age afterwards Wedded to Edmund Mortimer the third Earl of March of that great Family Whereupon his Corps was according to the direction of that his Testament brought over into England and interred in the Church of the Fryers Augustines at Clare before mentioned Which Edmund in 43 E. 3. making proof of her age had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance Kirketon 36 Edw. 3. IN 19 E. 2. Iohn de Kirketon of Kirketon in that part of Lincolnshire called Holand receiving the honor of Knighthood by Bathing c. had allowance of his Robes for that Solemnity out of the Kings Wardrobe 19 Apr. the same year And in 16 E. 3. being possessed of the Castle and Mannor of Tatshal and Mannor of Tumby in that County with the Knights Fees and Advousons of Churches thereunto belonging made a feoffment of that Castle and Lordship to Adam de Welles and others to stand seised thereof to the use of himself and Isabell his Wife and to the Heirs of their two Bodies lawfully begotten with divers remainders his Lands at Kirketon in Holand being at that time valued at ten pounds per annum In 26 E. 3. this Iohn upon the danger of an Invasion by the French was constituted one of the Commissioners of Array in Com. Linc. for Arming of all Knights Esquires
in Normandy and to their Successors in pure Alms. To the Abbey of Grestein in Normandy Founded by Hâ—rlwine de Contevill his Father he was a great Benefactor for he gave thereunto the Lordships of Gratings and â—roâ—eham in Suffolk and the Tithe of Canâ—bâ—s as also his Lands at Saisinton in Cambridgshire Which place of Gratâ—ngs now Cretings was a Cell to that Foreign Monastery He likewise gave thereto the Mannor of Wilminton in Sussex where also there was a Cell for Monks of that Religious House and in Ferlis Five Hides of Lands In Pevensel he gave them the House of one Engeler and in his Forest of Pevensel granted to them Paunage and Herbage with Timber for repair of their Churches and Houses as also Fewel for Fire He gave moreover to that Abbey of Grestein half the Fishing of Langener and the whole Tithe of that Fishing as also the Churches of Eâ—dâ—ne Wesdene and Ferâ—es and one Hide of Land at Heetone But whereas he found that the greatest part of the Possessions which belonged to the Priory of S. Petroc at Bodmin in Cornwal Founded by King Aethelstan had been taken from the same and enjoyed by Canons Secular he therefore seised upon the Remainder and converted them to his own use When he departed this World I do not find but if he lived after K. William Rufus so fatally lost his life by the glance of an Arrow in New Forest from the Bow of Walter Tirell then was it unto him that this strange apparition hapned which I shall here speak of otherwise it must be to his Son and Successor Earl William the story whereof is as followeth In that very hour that the King received that fatal stroke the Earl of Cornwal being Hunting in a Wood distant from that place about two ... and left alone by his Attendants was accidently met by a very great black Goat bearing the King all black and naked and wounded through the midst of his Brest And adjuring the Goat by the Holy Trinity to tell what that was he so carried he answered I am carrying your King to Iudgment yea that Tyrant William Rufus for I am an evil spirit and the Revenger of his malice which he bore to the Church of God and it was I that did cause this his slaughter the Protomartyr of England S. Alban commanding me so to do who complained to God of him for his grievous oppressions in this Isle of Britain which he first â—allowed All which the Earl related soon after to his followers This Earl Robert took to Wife Maud Daughter to Roger de Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury which Maud was also a great Benefactress to the Monks of Gresline in Normandy by the gift of Conoc consisting of ten Hides and two Hides in Bedingham with the Church of that place as also of one House in London with all Customs thereto belonging Moreover she gave unto them Two and twenty Hides of Land which she had of Roger de Montgomery her Father viz. At Harinton Eight at Merse Eleven at Hiteford Six at Langeberge Two at Tavistone Three and an half and at Clavendon Three yards Land By this Maud he had Issue William who succeeded him in these Earldoms of Moreton and Cornwal and three Daughters whose Christian Names are not exprest whereof the first was Wife to Andrew de Vitrei the second to Guy de la Val the third to the Earl of Tholouse Brother to Raymond Count of S. Giles who behaved himself so valiantly in the Ierusalem Expedition The Lands whereof he was possest at the time of the Conquerors Survey were in Sussex Fifty four Mannors besides the Borough of Pevensel in Devonshire Seventy five besides a Church and a House in Exeter in Yorkshire an Hundred ninety six in Wiltshire Five in Dorsetshire Forty nine in Suffolk Ten in Hantshire One in Middlesex Five in Oxfordshire One in Cambridgshire Five in Hertfordshire Thirteen in Buckinghamshire Twenty nine in Glocestershire One in Northamptonshire Ninety nine in Nottinghamshire Six and in Cornwal Two hundred forty eight having two Castles one at Dunhevet the other at Tremeton ¶ William succeeding Earl Robert his Father in the Earldom of Moreton in Normandy and this of Cornwal being a person of a malicious and arrogant spirit from his Childhood envied the glory of King Henry the First And not content with those two Earldoms demanded from King Henry the Earldom of Kent as his Right which Earldom his Uncle Odo the Bishop formerly had giving out privately That he would not put on his Robe unless that Inheritance which he chalenged by descent from his Vncle might be restored to him Unto which demand the King at first considering his own unsetled condition gave a subtile and dilatory answer But when he discerned that those Clouds from whence he doubted a storm were over he not onely denied his request but began to question him for whatsoever he possest unrightfully yet that he might not seem to oppose what was just modestly yeilding that he should have a lawful tryal for the same But with that judicial Sentence which thereupon ensued this Earl being highly displeased in a great rage got over into Normandy and there besides some fruitless attempts which he made against the Kings Castles having an evil eye towards Richard Earl of Chester Son of Hugh made no little spoil upon his Lands though he was then but a Child and in the Kings Tutelage From which time together with Robert de Belesme Earl of Shrewsbury he ceased not to foment a Rebellion in those parts The King therefore discerning these his practises seised upon all his possessions here in England razed his Castles to the Ground and banished him this Realm And not long after passing over into Normandy to quench those flames which these two Earls had made by joyning with Robert Curthose who thought himself injured that his younger Brother Henry had made himself King subdued all that power which there appeared against him and at length laid siege to 〈◊〉 a Town belonging to this Earl For the raising whereof Duke Robert with this William and Robert de Belesme and many other came with a great Army where a short fight ensued this Earl leading the Van and Robert de Belesme the Rear and of the Kings Army Ranulf de Bajorsis an eminent Baron the Van and Robert Earl of Mellent the Rear The Armies thus disposed our Earl William made the Onset upon Ranulf with extraordinary courage but could not break through his Troops they stood so stoutly to it The Front on bothsides thus maintaining their ground Helias Earl of Maine on the Kings part fell upon the Flank of the Enemies Foot who being not well armed were soon shattered which disorder being observed by Robert de
Welsh still continuing their hostilities he was made Captain General of all the Kings Forces in those parts all the Barons Marchers receiving command to be attendant on him with their whole strength And the same year constituted Governor of the Castle of Hereford But notwithstanding all the power of these Barons Marchers Prince Lewelin got the better as some say For this Roger having contrary to his Oath as they report maintained the Kings quarrel and taken from Lewelin all Buelt except the Castle which the Princes Men got by night without bloodshed and therein much Munition the next year following he lost the Castle of Melenith and all his Men therein which were put to the Sword and the Castle demolished And when he came afterwards thither with what strength he could make was pursued so close by the Prince that being constrained to crave leave to depart the Prince in regard he was his Kinsman granted it to him In 45 Hen. 3. he was together with Iames de Aldithley sent to the Ford of Montgomery to meet certain Commissioners from Prince Lewelin to treat concerning a Peace betwixt King Henry and him And in 46 Hen. 3. adhering to Richard Earl Marshal with divers other of the Barons was a party to that Instrument sealed betwixt the King and them for a peaceable composure of the difference In this year Prince Lewelin having besieged the Castle of Keventles belonging to this Roger and taken it as also another strong Hold of his he utterly demolished both of them Whereupon lying in Wait for those his Enemies he made several assaults upon them and slew sometimes Three hundred and sometimes more of them And the year next following the animosities betwixt the King and the Rebellious Barons growing high by reason of those Ordinances which they had made at Oxford so much derogatory to his Regal Authority he standing firm to the King made great waste and spoil upon the Demesn Lands in Wales of Montfort Earl of Leicester the cheif of those Rebels Whereupon Montfort confederating with Prince Lewelin incited him to do the like upon the Lands of this Roger which he did and besides that took his Castle of Radnor and burnt it to the ground In this year also with the rest of the Barons Marchers he received command to repair to Ludlow with Horse and Arms for restaining the farther â—ostilities of the Welsh In 48 Hen. 3. the King seeing himself necessitated to yield to those Ordinances of Oxford the Rebellious Barons being then so strong this Roger was one who at that time undertook for his observance of them But the King soon after getting strength held not himself obliged to what he formerly was so constrained unto and marching to Northampton gave them a notable defeat this Roger being then the cheif in that action And soon after being in that fatal Battle of Lewes where the Rebellious Barons took the King and Prince Edward prisoners discerning the day to be lost forthwith fled together with Iames de Aldithley Roger de Clifford and some other of the Barons Marchers into Wales and there fell upon Prince Lewelin hoping to turn the scale by giving a defeat there to those adherents and confederates of Montfort and the rest of his Rebellious Party But their success at Lewes gave them such reputation that their numbers much increasing Montfort forthwith advanced with a powerful Army into the Marches and there carrying all before him burnt and wasted the Houses and Lands of this Roger. Seeing therefore his Soveraign in this great distress and nothing but ruine and misery attending himself and all other the Kings loyal Subjects he took no rest till he had contrived some way for their deliverance and to that end sent a swift Horse to the Prince then prisoner with the King in the Castle at Hereford with intimation that he should obtain leave to ride out for recreation into a place called Widmersh and that upon sight of a person mounted on a White Horse at the foot of Tulington Hill and waving his Bonnet which was the Lord of Croft as it was said he should hast towards him with all possible speed Which being accordingly done though all the Countrey thereabouts were thither called to prevent his escape setting Spurs to that Horse he over-went them all Moreover that being come to the Park of Tulinton this Roger met him with Five hundred armed Men and seeing many to pursue chased them back to the Gates of Hereford making great â—laughter amongst them Furthermore that having thus brought off the Prince with safety to his Castle at Wigmore he was the cheif person that gave countenance to the raising of a powerful Army consisting cheifly of the Welsh by which upon the fourth of August An. 1265. 49 Hen. 3. a glorious Victory being obtained against that insolent Montfort and the rest of his Party near to Evesham in Worcestershire the King himself was most happily set at liberty By others this story is related thus viz. That this Roger sent the Prince a swift Horse for the purpose before-mentioned and that the Prince obtaining leave of Montfort to try if the Horse were of use for the great Saddle first wearied out other Horses and then got on this a Boy with two Swords whom this Roger had sent being near with another Horse and so turning himself to Robert de Ros then his Keeper and other by-standers said I have been in your custody for a time but now I bid you farewel and so rode away Adding that this Roger with his Banner displayed received him at a little Hill called Dunmor and so conveyed him safe to his Castle at Wigmore Certain it is That in that memorable Battle of Evesham this Roger commanded the third part of the Princes Army and assaulted the Rebellious Barons on the back part the Prince coming on upon the one side and the Earl of Glocester on the other And upon the Twenty seventh of October following had for his faithful services a Grant of the whole Earldom and Honor of Oxford and all other the Lands of Robert de Vere then Earl of Oxford excepting the Mannor of Flete at that time forfeited for taking part with Montfort Earl of Leicester in that Rebellious War It is reported that after this Battle great endeavors being used for a fair composure betwixt the King and the conquered Party which was agitated by Ottobon the Popes Legate the Earl of Glocester and twelve others were chosen to moderate therin whereby those who were vanquished might redeem themselves and their estates by pecuniary compositions which accordingly was effected by that memorable Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth and that this Roger with the rest of the Barons Marchers who
in Tiltings and other Pastimes Which as it was then said the King did not duly recompence But hereupon he waxed proud beyond measure insomuch as his own Son Geffrey called him the King of Folly He also kept the Round Table of Knights in Wales for a pride in imitation of King Arthur Other particulars of his haughtiness and insolence were these viz. that with Queen Isabel he caused a Parliament to be held at Northampton where an unworthy Agreement was made with the Scots and 〈◊〉 Roll of Homage of Scotland was traiterously delivered as also the Black Cross which King Edward the first brought into England out of the Abby of Sâ—one and then accounted a precious Relique That with the Queen he caused the young King to ride twenty four miles in one night towards Bedford to destroy the Earl of Lancaster and his adherents saying that they imagined the Kings death That he followed Queen Isabel to Nottingham and lodged in one house with her â— That he commanded the Treasure of the Realm and assumed the authority which by common consent in Parliament was conferred on Henry Earl of Lancaster at the Kings Coronation And that he was one of those who practised against the Kings Councel for saying that Edward of Caernarvon was murthered by his means At which his demeanor finding that Edward Earl of Kent the Kings Uncle was much offended he informed the King that his Uncle had a designe to poyson him to the end he might be King himself as next heir to the Crown Iohn of Eltham Earl of Cornwall being newly dead and likewise that he had designed the escape of King Edward the second out of Prison for which soon after he lost his life The truth is this Mortimer bore such sway that he got what he had a mind to it is evident by these followinging grants which he obtained for himself from the young King viz. the Castle and Mannor of Hanley with the Chaces of Malverne and Cors in the Counties of Worcester and Gloucester Likewise the town of Wiche in Com. Wigorn. Also the Castle of Clifford and Mannor of Glasebury part of the Possessions of Hugh le Despenser the younger then attainted And to himself and Ioane his Wife in Fee divers ample Liberties and Jurisdictions to be excercised at his Castle of Trim in Ireland besides the inheritance of all the Territory of Danahmaine in Ireland with very large priviledges thereto Moreover to Geffrey his Son he procured a Grant of the Castle of Donnyngton in Com. Leicest as also the Mannors of Lechelade and Sodington in Comit. Gloucest the mannor of Wokking in Com. Surr. Byeby and Castre in Com. Linc. Ashburne in the Peke in Com. Derb. Ryhale in Com. Roteland and Kyneley in Com. Wilts late Edmund Earl of Kent 's attainted As also the Wapentake of Rysley in Com. Derb. the Wapentakes of Plumtre and Alreton in Com. Norff. the Mannor of Reseby in Com. Leic. and Mannor of Alreton with certain Lands in Drayton in Com. North. likewise parcel of the Lands of the said Edmund the remainder for want of issue of him the said Geffrey to him the said Roger and his heirs But not long after this growing odious to the people by these his Insolencies and evil actings the King was made sensible of the impending mischeif and therefore by the advice of his councel at Nottingham in the Quind of St. Michael taking into consideration his own dishonor and damage as also the impoverishment of his people and revealing his mind privately to Sir William de Montacute gave him immediate command to take the assistance of some trusty persons which he accordingly did viz. Sir Humphrey de Bohun and Sir William his Brother Sir Ralph de Stafford Sir William de Clinton Sir Iohn de Nevile of Hornby Sir William Eland and some others and upon Friday the morrow after the Feast of S. Luke in the dead time of the night getting into the Castle by a way under Ground which through the Rock passeth with Stairs up to the Keepe and still by reason of this his surprize called Mortimers hole entred a room next to the Queens Lodging where finding him with Henry Bishop of Lincoln and some others who made resistance he slew two of them viz. Sir Hugh de Turpliton Knight then Steward of the Kings House and Iohn de Munmouth for which he afterwards had pardon m and took him thence cheifly by Sir William Elands help And having him thus in his Custody on the morrow after seized upon the rest of his adherents and followers who lay in the Town amongst which were two of his Sons viz. Sir Geffrey and Sir Edmund both Knights who were all sent to London with guards there to be secured till the Parliament which was to begin upon the twenty seventh of November next ensuing Whereupon precepts bearing date 23 Octob. were directed to several persons for the seizing of his Castles Mannors and Lands in Wales he being then under Arrest for several mesdemeanors tending to the dammage of the K. and Kingdom as the words therein did import And within three dayes following Commission was granted to Iohn de Kingston and others to take an inventory of all his Treasure and Jewells in Wales and the Marches but not to carry away any thing out of the Wardrobe of Ioane his Wife then at Ludlow or that belonged to any of her Children or Servants Upon the meeting of which Parliament divers Articles were exhibited against him the Chief whereof were in effect as followeth viz. 1. That he was consenting to the murther of King Edward the second in Berkley Castle 2. That he was an impediment to the Kings Honor at Stanhope Park in restraining the English to fall upon the Scots 3. That he had received twenty thousand pounds of the Scots to give them leave to escape and that he caused a dishonorable peace to be afterwards made with them as also that unworthy contract of Marriage betwixt the Kings Sister and David the Son of Robert de Brus. 4. That he had basely consumed the Kings treasure and that of Hugh Despencer after the Queens returne so that the King was in a wanting condition 5. That he had got the richest Wardships of England into his hand And 6. That he was an evil Councellor to the King and the Queen-mother and too familiar with her Whereupon the King commanding the Earls and Barons that just judgement should be done therein they found him guilty of all especially that touching the murther of King Edward the second and gave sentence that he should be drawn and hanged Which being accordingly executed at the common Gallows called the Elmes near Smithfield upon the Eve of S. Andrew his Body was permitted to hang
out of his Mannor of Worthy-Mortimer in Comit. Southamp at the Feast of Easter and S. Michael by even portions And in May following was joyned in Commission with the Bishop of Hereford the Lord Latimer and others to reform all and singular abuses done by any of the English towards the Scots contrary to the form of the Truce made by King Edward the third of England and David de Bruys of Scotland Moreover in ◠R. 2. he was again put in Commission with the same Bishop of Hereford the Earl of Northumberland and others to treat with the Commissioners of Robert King of Scotland for an amicable peace betwixt both Realms In 3 R. 2. he gave his Mannor of Chelmarsh called Nethercourt in Comit. Salop. to the said Abbot and Covent of Wigmore to find two Secular Priests to celebrate Divine Service daily in the Church of that Abby for the Souls of Roger his Father Philippa his own Wife and of Philippa his Mother as also for the good estate of himself during this Life and the health of his Soul after his departure hence according to such order and form as should be directed by the Bishop of Hereford In the same year also he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant of Ireland and accordingly went thither there to make his abode and so tamed the Barbarousness of that rude people by destroying ten or eleven of their petty Kings within the space of half a year that he regained almost all his Lands in Ulster which the Irish had for a long time enjoyed and proceeding farther into that Country what with his prudent conduct affability to the Natives kindness and eloquent expressions that within two years and an half he reduced all those parts to obedience causing divers Oakes of an extraordinary length to be sent into Ireland from his Woods of Pennalt in the Territory of Uske in Wales wherewith he framed a strong Bridge with purpose to set over the River of Banne near to the Town of Kolleroth which was a principal Harbor for the Rebells At both ends whereof he raised a fort besides one in the midst to the end it might be a safeguard to himself and his own Souldiers and an effectual destruction to the Enemy But drawing now near his death after he had with great wisdom governed there for the space of almost three years and well nigh reduced that Realm to quiet I shall here take notice that by his last Will and Testament bearing date at Dynebegh in Wales about the time of his going over he bequeathed his Body to sepulture with the Body of his Wife then deceased in the Conventual Church at Wigmore on the left hand the high Altar appointing only five Tapers to burn about his Body during the time of the Service of Burial To the Fabrick of the Church he also bequeathed a thousand pounds to be imployed in the structure thereof according to the discretion of his Mother and his Executors To Roger his Son and Heir he gave his Cup of Gold with a cover called Benesoun and his Sword adorned with Gold which was the good King Edwards as also the great Horn of Gold together with Gods Blessing and his own with special direction that they should all remain to his said Sons next Heir and so to the Heirs of his Family for ever Likewise his great Bed of black Sattin embroidred with White Lions and Roses of Gold with Escocheons of the Armes of Mortimer and Vlvester and all the furniture of that Chamber Moreover he thereby bequeathed to him his lesser Horn of Gold with the Strings Appointing also that if his said Son should depart this Life before his full age and without heir of his Body begotten that then all those Legacies should go to his Son Edmund according to the same tenor To his Daughter Elizabeth he gave his Saltseller in the form of a Dogg To Philippa his Daughter a Coronet of Gold with ... and twenty great Pearles To his Brother the Earl of Northumberland his Cup of a Tortois And to Henry Lord Percy his Son his little Cup made like the body of a Hart with the head of an Eagle It is said by a Monk of Wigmore that before he went out of England having setled divers Lands in Radnor Kingestone Pembrugge and elsewhere to the yearly value of two thousand marks for reedifying the Church at Wigmore Abby the old Church being ruinous and not uniform and performing other works of Piety and Charity he laid the first stone in that Fabrick with his own hands being then habited in his vestments of State Moreover that he obtained this Priviledge for the Abbots of that Monastry viz. that they should thenceforth celebrate Divine Service there with Miter Staff and Dalmatick and other pastorall Ensignes all which he provided for them and purchased divers choice Reliques which he gave to that House And that upon his last departure thence he most humbly with tears desired the prayers of that Covent promising upon his return from Ireland to appropriate the Churches of Kingestone Pembrugge and Kadnore and likewise the priory of Stoke thereunto resolving to forsake the World and there end his daies in the habit of a Canon Regular But this great Earl after he had done such notable feats in Ireland as I have already intimated by taking cold in passing a great River there departed this Life at Corke upon Friday the Feast day of S. Iohn the Evangelist in Christmas ann 1381. 5 R. 2. in the twenty ninth year of his age whereupon his body was for the present deposited in a certain Cathedral there by his own special direction untill the Flesh should be consumed and then his Bones to be translated to Wigmore and honorably entombed with the Lady Philippa his Wife which was accordingly performed and this Epitaph over him Vir constans gratus sapiens benè nuper amatus Nunc nece prostratus sub marmore putret humatus Hic jacet Edmundus moriens Corke corpore mundus Sisque pius Christe sibi quem lapis opprimit iste As also this for her Nobilis hîc tumulata jacet Comitissa Philippa Actibus haec nituit larga benigna fuit Regum sanguis erat morum probitate vigebat Compaciens inopi vivit in arce Coeli This Edmund by Elizabeth the Mother of the Lady Philippa his Wife Daughter and Heir to William de Burgh Son and Heir to Iohn de Burgh Earl of Ulster by Elizabeth his Wife third Sister and Coheir to Gilbert de Clare called the Red who was the last Earl of Gloucester enjoyed the third part of that Earldom of Gloucester scil Clace Walsingham Sudbury Crambourne Pymperne Knolles Berdeford and Whadden in England Uske Trillet and Caerleon in Wales and by the said William the County of Ulster and Dominion of Comiaght in Ireland And had issue by her the
States and Titles as he should or might have done if none Act of Parliament had been made against the sayd King Herry the sixth touching the sayd Mannours c. at any time since the death of the sayd late Earle And that our said Cosyn now forthwith enter into all the same Mannours and thereof take the issues c. to his own use fro the sayd Feast of Easter unto the time he be thereto restored by authority of Parliament in fourme above remembred without any accout or other thing yeilding to Us or our Heires for the same And that he have the making of all Officers Gifts and Benefices Wards and other Proffits c. In Witness whereof We have set our Signet and signe Manuell Yoven at our Mannour of Grenwich 13th of Iuly of our Reign the first Essex Waldene Depedene Quendene Leighes Dunmow Masheby Badewe Plecy Castrum Manerium Higstre Waltham Wykes Shenefeld Chishull Histre Court and Honoâ— Farneham La Fee del Counteâ— de Essex Suff. Elmesse ove Somersham Oston Gloucest Southam Buck. Wycomb Crendone Vn Tenement ove certains Terres in Westcot Berks. Vp-Lambourn Speene Henton Wiltes Pool Manyngford Midd. Enefeld Le Tenement appele Hakenose London Blanch-Apleton Hertford Le Court de Hertford ove le vieu de Hodesdon Northamstede Cantabr Le vieu de Sawston Norf. Fulmodeston Lincol. Long-Benington Oxon. Kirklington Dadington Piryton Ascote Wiltes Vphaven Le vien de Nether-haven Le Court de Apuk-Farley Wokesey Gales Le Chastel Mannour de Galdecot Neuton ove I'appurtenâ—nces Surr. Walton Gloucest Whitenhurst Dors. Les Terres Tenements in Gwyssyth Heref. Le reversâ—on del Mannour de 〈◊〉 le quel Will. Rasyn tient puâ— terâ—â—e de vie  li. s. d. Le total Sum valoris 1084 01 â—9 And within two dayes after advanced him to that high and great Office of Constable of England constituting him also Constable of all the Castles and Steward of all his Lordships lying within the Counties of Salop. and Heref. and likewise Cheif Justice and Chamberlain of all South-Wales and North-Wales But whether itâ— were trouble of Conscience in this Duke in having been thus Instrumental in raising Richard to the Throne by that barbarous murther of his Nephews which begot some remorse in him and Consequently occasioned his retiring to Brecknock in Wales or whether he saw the King by degrees to neglect him is hard to say certain it is that soon after his comming to Brecknock which was not long before the Parliament was called whereby the Lands before-mentioned should have been setled on him he plotted with Morton Bishop of Ely then his prisoner there how to advance Henry Earl of Richmund the only Heir Male of the Lancastrian line to the Crown and to unite the two long divided Houses of Lancaster and York by the marriage of that Earl with the eldest Daughter to King Edward the fourth which contrivance was not so closely carryed on but that King Richard had a glimpse of it who standing upon so slipery a foundation as was the Blood of his murthred Nephews had cause enough to fear what might be the issue thereof And therefore being not ignorant that this Duke of Buckingham was the principal in that contrivance sought to regain him by fair and kind Letters and Messages but those not prevailing used threats which caused him hasâ—â—ly to put himself in Arms and with a power of the Welch to advance towards Salisbury Thomas Marquess Dorset in Yorkshire Sir Edward Courtney with the Bishop of Exeter his Brother in Devonshire and Cornwall and Richard Gilford in Kent being risen also at that very time expecting likewise that the people to whom the bloody murthers of King Richard seemed odious would have come in very numerously unto him And so marched through the Forest of Dâ—ne with purpose to pass the Seâ—erne at Gloucester and joyn with the Courtneys and such other of the Western men as were confederated with them But the extraordinary Floods then hapning hindred his passage over Sâ—berne so long as that the Welch for want of Money and Victual dispersed themselves So that being thus forsaken he was necessitated to betake himself privately to the House of his Servant Mr. Humphrâ—y Banâ—ster in 〈◊〉 not far from 〈◊〉 whom he had tenderly brought up and above all men trusted Of which disaster so soon as the Courtneys and others of his party elsewhere had notice they fled into 〈◊〉 So that order being thereupon given to stop the Ports and Proclamation made that whosoever could reveal where the Duke was hid should be rewarded with a thousand pounds Banaster betraied him to Ioha Mitton then Sheriff of Shropshire who apprehending him in a little Grove near Banasters house conveyed him then apparelled in a Pil'd black Cloak to Salisbury to which place King Richard was by that time come who instead of that reward promised refused to give any thing at all to Banaster saying that he who would be untrue to so good a Master would be false to all other It is said that this Duke being examined strictly by some of the K. Councell franckly discovered the whole plot expecting that having dealt so ingeniously he might have had liberty to speak with the King but that instead of any such favour he was upon All-Souls day following without Arraignment or Judgement beheaded on a Scaffold in the open Market place at Salisbury By Katherine his Wife Daughter of Richard Widevil Earl Rivers this Duke left issue three Sons viz. Edw. his Son and Heir Henry afterwards Earl of Wiltshire and Humphrey who died young and two Daughters viz. Elizabeth married to Robert Radcliffe Lord Fitz Waltâ—r afterwards Earl of Suffeâ— and Anne first married to Sir Walter Herbert Knight but afterwards to George Earl of 〈◊〉 Which Henry created Earl of Wiltshire in 1 Hen. 8. married Muriel Sister and Coheir to Iohn Grey Viscount Lisle but had no issue by her and died 6 Martii 14 Hen. 8. But I return to Edward his elder Brother who succeeded his Father in his Lands and Honors Of this Edward I find no farther mention till 13 Hen. 7. that he appeared in Arms against the Cornish-men upon that Insurrection then made by them on the behalf of Perkin Warbeck But after this the next ensuing year viz. 14 Hen. 7. doing his Homage he had Livery of all his Lands And in 24 H. 7. obtained a grant from the King of the Castle and Town of Bredles the Mannors and Lordships of Cantrecelley Brendieys Penkeiley and â—leranders-town with the third part of the Barony of Penkelley in South-Wales and Advousons of the Churches appertaining to those Lordships That which I next find to be most memorable of him is That in 2 Henr. 8. he had licence to impark a thousand Acres
works of Piety he was a Benefactor to the Canons of Thelesford in Com. War and ratified the Grant of Warmington made by Henry de Newburgh sometime Earl of Warwick to the Monks of Preaux in Normandy He bore for his arms Gules seme of Cross-Crosselets with a Fesse Or. Which Cross-Crosselets were added to his Coat for his Father used them not but whether in testimony of any Pilgrimage by him made into the Holy-Land or vow so to do I cannot determine He wedded Maude eldest of the four Sisters and Heirs to Richard Fitz-Iohn Son of Iohn Fitz-Geffrey Justice of Ireland and Widow of Gerard de Furnival which Maud had for her purparty of her Fathers Lands in England the Mannors of Chiriel in Com. Wilts Potters-Pirie in Com. Northamp and Querndon in Com. Buck. and in Ireland six Villages an half and fourth part in that Cantred called the Cantred of the Isles of Thomond And departed this life either in May or the beginning of Iune Anno 1298. 26 Edw. 1. leaving Guy his Son and Heir twenty six years of age who doing his Homage 25 September following had Livery of is Fathers Lands and upon the second of Iune next after that performed the like Homage for the Lands descended to him by the death of Maud his Mother who died the same year ¶ This Guy had his name out of doubt in memory of that Famous Guy Earl of Warwick so renowned for his Valor in the Saxons times The same year that his Father died he had summonds amongst others to be a Carleol on the Eve of Pentecost well furnished with Horse and Armes to march into Scotland that being the time the King made his Expedition in person thither and obtained a great Victory at Faukirk in which Battle he behaved himself so bravely that he had as a reward of his Valor all the Castles and lands of Geffrey de Moubray lying in that Kingdom excepting the Lordship of Okeford near Roâ—borough Likewise all the Lands of Iohn de Strivelin Also the Castle of Amesfeld with the Land of Drungrey belonging to Andrew de Charteres whereof they the said Geffrey Iohn and Andrew were Seized upon S. Mary Magdalens day the year that Battle was fought In 27 Edw. 1. he was again in the Wars of Scotland and the same year imployed beyond-Sea in the Kings service In 31 Edw. 1. he again attended the King into Scotland and was in person with him at that memorable Seige of Caeâ—laverock In 32 Edward 1. he continued in those Warrs of Scotland In 34 E. 1. he was again in Scotland The same year he had Summons amongst other of the Nobles to be at Westminster the morrow after Trinity-Sunday there to advise with the King concerning an Aid for the making his eldest Son Knight And in 35 Edw. 1. in consideration of his many and great services obtained a Grant to himself and his Heirs of Bernard-Castle in the Bishoprick of Durham together with that whole Town and Lordship Likewise of the Mannor of Middleton with the Chases thereto belonging and Mannor of Gainsford all which Agnes the Wife of Hugh de Baillol held for life and moreover all those Lands in that Bishoprick which Alianore the Wife of Alexander de Baillol held for life all which Castles Lordships Mannors and Lands were part of the possessions of Iohn de Baillol then the Kings Enemy and Rebell In this 35 year K. Edward lying on his death-bed at Burgâ— upon the Sands in Cumberland calling divers of his Nobility to him and amongst them this Earl Guy desired them to be good to his Son and not to suffer Piers Gavestoâ— to return again into England I come now to King Edward the seconds Reign In 5 Edw. 2. this Guy took part with Thomas Earl of Lancaster and those other Nobles who being discontented that Picrs Gaveston had such power with the King as tended to the ruine of many others put themselves in Arms and took him at Scardeburgâ— Whereof the King having notice he desired to speak with him and that his life might be saved promising that in all things he would satisfie their requests Which motion and assurance so wrought upon the Earl of Pembroke who was one of those that acted in this Tragedy that he undertook upon forfeiture of all he had in case they would assent to the Kings proposals he would take care that Piers should not escape but after conference with the King stand to the judgement of the Barons Which was yeilded unto and a day and place assigned when he should be delivered back to them Whereupon the Earl of Pembroke resolved to carry him to Wallingford But being on his journey at Dedington in â—â—fordshire where he had left a guard of his own servants to attend him himself and his Lady lodging at the next town this Guy Earl of Warwick came in the night with a number of Armed Men and took him back to Warwick-Castle where consulting with those about him what then to do they presently determined to cut off his head and accordingly did so upon a 〈◊〉 ground called 〈◊〉 Hill about a mile Northwards from Warwick Which being done the Friers preachers took care of his body and conveyed it to Oxford whence after two years the King removed it to 〈◊〉 in Herefordsrhire causing it to be interred in the Church of the Friers-Preachers there which he founded to pray for the Soul of Piers and his Progenitors It seems that this Piers had much irritated the Earl in calling him th black Dog of Arden because he was of a swarthy complexion but what sway the great men then bore having possessed the people that all they did was for the honor of God and good of the Realm is not hard to discern for though the King did sufficiently take this murther to heart for it was no better he knew not how to punish one actor in it nay so glad he was to please them that within two years after he he granted to each of them a Pardon by particular name But however this Earl thus obtained pardon I do not find that he was heartily reconciled for upon the Kings advance that very 〈◊〉 toward Scotland expecting at 〈◊〉 the Assistance of all those who held of 〈…〉 military service he declined then to do 〈◊〉 nay there was faith Walsingham latens odium a secret hatred betwixt the King and the Nobles especially the Earls of Lancaster and Waâ—â—wick with their adherents And now after all these turmoils drawing near the end of this transitory life in the prime of his days being about forty-four years of age he bestowed on the Monks of Bâ—â—dsley for the good estate of himself and for the health of his Father and Mothers Souls as also for the Souls of his Ancestors and Successors the
night and a Dinner on the next day and that money should be distributed to the poor according to the discretion of his Executors Also thirty Trentals to be sung for his Soul with all possible speed that might be after his decease and a thousand Masses in like sort viz. of the Trinity of the Holy Ghost of the Nativity of our Savior of the Holy Cross of the five Festivals of our Lady of the Resurection of the Ascention of Corpus Christi of the Angels of All-Saints and of Requiem of every feast sixty seven Masses five in the whole excepted By this Testament he likewise gave to the King an Image of the Blessed Virgin with two Cruets silver and gilt made in the fashion of two Angels To the Archbishop of Canterbury a Tablet of Gold To the Colledge of our Lady at Warwick before mentioned a Cross with the pedestal silver and gilt and enameled with the Story of our Saviors Passion and a precious stone called a Berill Bound with silver and enameled to put the Host into also his best Censer with a Chalice two Cruets of silver gilt with a Bason and a piece of silver enameled To his Colledge of Elmeley a Vestment To Richard his Son and Heir his Benediction and these particulars viz. a Bed of Silk embroidered with Bears and his Arms with all belonging thereto A ... wrought with the Arms and Story of Guy of Warwick his Sword Harness and Ragged-staves likewise Moreover he appointed that the Sword and Coat of Mail sometime belonging to the famous Guy with his Cup of the Swan and the Knives and Saltsellars for the Coronation of a King should be and remain to his said Son and his Heirs after him To his Daughter Beauchamp his best Nouche To his Brother of Bergavenny and his Sisters of Suffolk and Clifford and to his Neice Katherine Beauchamp the Nunn at Shouldham each of them some gift of his according to his Executors liking to the end that his memory might be preferred by them And to his Cousin le Despencer a pair of Pater-nosters of Coral with Buckles of Gold This Earl being also a Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter having a great reputation for his valor publick-spiritedness piety and Charity as Rous affirmeth departed this life upon the 8 of April anno 1401. 2 H. 4. and lyeth buried in the South part of the Collegiate Church at Warwick under a fair monument of Marble with Margaret his Wife Daughter to William Lord Ferrers of Groby Which Margaret by her Testement bearing date 28 Novemb. Anno 1406. 8 Hen. 4. bequeathed her body to sepulture there also appointing that at the solemnizing of her Exequies there should be five Tapers containing five pound of Wax burning about it from the beginning of Service on the Eve before her Funeral till the high Mass of Requiem on the morrow after and at the same time twenty Torches to be held burning by twenty poor men about her Herse but to remain afterwards for the high Altar and other Altars of that Church for the honor of God according to antient custom and right Which noble Lady died 22 Ian. anno 1406. 8 Hen. 4. Earl Richard her Son being then 25 years of age Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny BUt before I proceed with my discourse of of him I shall take notice of William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny the younger Son of Thomas Earl of Warwick and Katherine Mortimer and his posterity In 40 Edw. 3. this William attended Iohn Duke of Lancaster with his Forces into Spain And when the English Army was drawn up to give battle to the King of Castile the Duke of Lancaster said to him Sir William behold yonder your Enemies this day ye shall seem a good Knight or else dye in the quarrel And in 44 Edw. 3. served the King in his Warrs of France being then a Knight and of the retinue to Iohn of Gant Duke of Lancaster In 47 Edw. 3. he was in that expedition made into France by the same Duke of Lancaster Moreover in 1 R. 2. he was constituted governor of the Castle and County of Pembroke and the same year served in the Kings Navy at Sea under the conduct of the Duke of Lancaster to oppose the hostilities of the French who had at that time invaded the Isle of Wight and made divers bold attempts upon the Coast of Sussex In 3 Ric. 2. he was in that Expedition then made into France in ayd of the Duke of Britanny And in 4 Ric. 2. being then Lord Chamberlain to the King he had in consideration of his services done and to be done the grant of two hundred pounds per annum for his life He was likewise the same year retained by Indenture to serve the King in the parts of Portugal and Spain with two hundred Men at Armes and two hundred Archers for one quarter of a year under the command of Edmund de Langley Earl of Cambridge being then Marshal of the Host. And in 5 Ric. 2. continued still in the Kings service beyond-Sea So likewise in 6 R. 2. and was then reteined to serve under the command of that warlike Bishop of Norwich scil Henry Spenser at that time Victorious in Flanders but in regard he did not receive the full summe of five hundred marks before hand according to his agreement with that Bishop he declined the Service In 7 R. 2. he was made Captain of Calais and reteined by Indenture for the safe custody thereof with an hundred and forty men at Armes on Horseback whereof himself with nine other Knights to be part of the number an hundred and fifty Archers on Horse-back an hundred men at Armes and an hundred and eighty three Archers on Foot as also four Esq on Horse-back with condition that twenty Men at Armes and ten Archers on Horse-back with ten Archers on Foot belonging to the Treasurer of Calaâ—s should be under his command in relation to that service In consideration whereof he was for his own wages to have â—our shillings per diâ—m for the rest of his Knights two shillings and Men at Armes on Horse back twelve pence which retainer was for two years but the next ensuing year the same Covenants were renewed for three years more and in 11 and 12 R. 2. for each of those years singly In the same 7 year of â— 2 wherein he was thus first retained King Richard constituted him one of his Commissioners to treat of Peace with the King of France So likewise in 9 R. 2. Being thus fixed at Calais he took by times no less than forty eight vessels from the French whereof two were laden with Spices and some with white Herrings bound for Scâ—iuse In this year also he again attended the Duke of Lancaster into Spain for recovery of the Inheritance of the Kingdom of
affinity The same year also he was constituted Admiral of the Kings Fleet to the Westwards and in 20 Edw. 3. did again attend the King in his Wars of France being one of the cheif Commanders under Edward the Black Prince in that famous Battle of Cressie where the English obtained lasting honor In 22 Edw. 3. he was constituted one of the Kings Commissioners to treat with certain Flemings and likewise with the Earl of Flanders touching certain differences then betwixt them As also one of the Ambassadors sent to confer with the Ambassadors of Philip de Valois in the Popes presence concerning thâ— form of that Truce which had been made betwixt King Edward and the same Philip. And in 26 Edw. 3. was charged with eighty Lanciers out of his Territories of Oswaldstry Clun and Chirke well armed and arrayed for service in France He was likewise constituted one of the Commissioners for guarding the Sea Coasts in Surrey and Sussex as also for the arraying of Men in the Counties of Saloy and Stafford And the next year upon the Twenty fourth of October did his homage to the King in the Palace at Westminster for his Barony of Bromfield and Yale In 28 Edw. 3. by Indenture made betwixt this Earl and Roger de Mortimer Earl of March it was agreed that Edmond his Son and Heir should take to Wife Alice the Daughter of the â—ame Roger and that she should have three thousands marks for her portion viz. one thousand at the Sealing of that Agreement upon their Marriage at seven years of age one thousand marks more and at their accomplishing the age of thirteen years the remaining thousand marks And the same year was again sent to Rome to see that Agreement ratified by the Pope which had been made betwixt the Kings of England and France wherein was contained That the King of England should enjoy all his Lands in the Dutchy of Aquitane which the French had unjustly detained in case he did totally quit his claim to that Realm Moreover in the Parliament held this year it being adjudged that Edmund Earl of â—rundel his Father was unjustly put to death in 1 Edw. 3. He was thereupon fully restored as Heir unto him And in 34 Edw. 3. in consideration of the great expence he had been at in guarding the Sea Coasts of Sussex when the French threatned an Invasion there was exempted from the charge at which his Mannor of Medmenham had been then taxed for arraying of Men at Arms and Archers for the Kings service at Sea In 46 Edw. 3. with the Prince the Duke of Lancaster and divers other of the Nobility he again attended the King into France for the relief of Thouars but being crossed by contrary Winds after nine weeks stay at Sea returned And in 47 Edw. 3. was retained by Indenture together with Iohn his Brother to serve the King in his Fleet with forty Men at Armes and forty Archers for one whole year Of which Men at Arms four to be Knights and thirty four Esquires In 49 Edw. 3. this Earl procured License from the King to Found a Chantry in his Chappel at Arundel for a certain number of Priests and Clerks and to endow it with Rent of one hundred and seven marks per annum out of his Lordships of Augemering Wepham and Warncamp in Com. Suss. And by his Testament bearing date 5 Dec. the same year bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Chapter-House of the Priory at Lewes near to the Tomb of Eleanor de Lancaster his Wife appointing that his Funeral should be solemnised without any Men at Arms Horses Herse or other Pomp likewise to have but five Torches with their Mortersâ— as was about the Corps of his Wife and no more then five hundred marks to be expended thereon Moreover he bequeathed two hundred pound to purchase Lands and Rents for the Monks of Lewes or else one or two Churches to be appropriated to that Monastery for the maintenance of two Monks to celebrate two Masses perpetually every day for the Souls of his Father and Mother his Wife with their Children and Successors and all Christian People in the Chappel of S. Thomas the Martyr in that House or else in the Chappel of our Lady on the North of the great Church the one Mass of our Lady the other of the Holy Ghost And that every Prior of that House at the first entrance upon his Government should swear to see the same punctually performed Likewise a thousand marks to purchase Lands of one hundred and seven marks per annum value for the maintenance of six Priests and three Choristers to celebrate Divine Service every day by Note in the Chappel of his Castle at Arundel and pray for the Souls of his Father and Mother his Wife and Children their Successors and all Christians And to rise every day in Summer at the Sun-rising and in Winter at break of the day to their Mattins by Note as also to perform their Masses high and low and other Divine Services according to the direction of his Executors By this Testament he gave to his Son Thomas then Bishop of Ely two thousand marks To his Son Iohn five thousand marks with all the stock upon his Lands at his decease To Ioane his Daughter two thousand marks To Alice his other Daughter three thousand marks To Iohn the Son of his Son Iohn five hundred marks To Wilâ—iam likewise another Son of his Son Iohn five hundred marks To the eldest Daughter of his said Son Iohn a thousand marks To Henry and Edward younger Sons of his Son Iohn each five hundred marks To his Nephews and Neices the Sons and Daughters of Sir Roger le Strange and to his Sister Aleyne la Strange Wife of the said Roger a thousand and a hundred marks over and above a thousand marks more paid to them already To Richard his Son and Heir his best Coronet charging him on his Blessing to keep it during his life and then to leave it to his Heir and so to remain from Heir to Heir Lords of Arundel in remembrance of him To Ioan his Daughter his second Coronet with the like charge to keep it all her life and then that it continue to her Heir and so from Heir to Heir as abovesaid And to Alice his Daughter his third Coronet upon the like conditions And departed this life 9 Kal. Febr. An. 1375. 49 Ed. 3. By Isabel his first Wife whom he repudiated as hath been observed he had issue a Daughter called Philippa married to Sir Richard Sergeaux of ... in Com. Cornub. Knight And by Eleanor his second Daughter to Henry Earl of Lancaster Widow of Iohn Lord Beaumont three Sons viz. Richard who succeeded him in his Lands and Honors Iohn of whom I shall speak further by and by and Thomas Bishop of Ely but afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury and
Hull-Deverell Somerford Matravers with the moity of the Mannors of Eleston and Stapleford in Com. Dors. leaving Iohn his Son and Heir fifteen years of age Which Iohn in 7 Ric. 2. was in the Scotish Warrs and in 12 R. 2. in the Kings Fleet at Sea with Richard Earl of Arundell then Admiral of England In 6 Hen. 4. upon the death of Alianor Matravers his Mother who had married Reginald Lord Cobham he was found to be her next Heir and twenty years of age In 3 Hen. 5. he was in the Warrs of France and in 4 Hen. 5. as Cousin and next Heir male to the before specified Thomas Earl of Arundel then deceaâ—ed having respite for performing his Homage had Livery of the Castle of Arundell as also of the Town and Mannor of Arundell the Mannors of Eastdene Sangelton Stanstede Bourne Palyngham Dunhurst Leghe Wolâ—ayngton Alveredesham Cocking Levemynstre Poling Wepham Oâ—ham Stortetone Prestone East-Hamptonet West-Hamptonet Wolbedyng Pynkhurst Foer and Overfold with the appurtenances and of the Hundreds of Westbourne Syngelton Esebourne Boxe Stokebrugge Anesfourd Bury Rutherbrugge Westesewrith and Polyng with the appurtenances As also Return of Writts within thos Hundreds And likewise of the Forest and Chaces of Arundell in Comitat. Suss. the Castles Towns and Mannors of Clone and Oswaldestre with their appurtenances in Com. Salop. with the Mannors of Ruton Bokenhull Clombury Doditon Hythe Stretton Lydele Conede Acton round Wroxcestre Upton and Hyntes in the same County but the title of Earl was not then attributed to him as by the Record it self is evident In 6 H. 5. he was again in the Warrs of France And having married Alianore the Daughter of Sir Iohn Berkley of Beverston in Com. Glouc. Knight departed this life 29 Apr. 9 Hen. 5. leaving Iohn his Son and Heir thirteen years of age and William a younger Son Which last mentioned Iohn was summoned to Parliament in 7 Hen. 6. and in 8 Hen. 6. was by the Title of Iohn Earl of Arundell reteined * to serve the King in his Warrs of France with two Knights fifty seven men at Armes an hundred and eighty Archers but before he set forwards on that expedition he declared his Testament viz. upon the eighth of April whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Collegiate Church of the Holy-Trinity at Arundell in the Wall betwixt the Quire and the Altar of our Lady Chappel but his death in France prevented his Sepulture there as he intended it and gave to Maude his Wife a Bed of green Worsted and to Humphrey his Son a Bed of Cloth of Gold wrought with Hares red and black And for the better confirmation of his title to this Honor in 11 Henr. 6. being then in France upon the Kings service he exhibited his Petition in Parliament that he might be accepted to his proper place there as also in all publick Councels as Earl of Arundell by reason that his Ancestors Earls of Arundell Lords of the Castle Honor and Seigniory of Arundell had used to enjoy their place and seat in all Parliaments and Councils of the King and his most noble progenitors time out of mind as Lords of the Castle Honor and Seigniory before-expressed whereunto the Title of Earl was united and annexed and which were then in his possession Upon the reading of which Petition Iohn Duke of Norfolk making claim to the same Castle Honor and Seigniory exhibited also his Petition claiming them as his right But after divers arguments on each part and the Entail of the Castle and Honor produced which Richard Earl of Arundell did formerly make by a Fine leavied in the Octaves of the Holy-Trinity before the Justices of the Kings Court of Common-Pleas in 21 Edw. 3. whereby he established it upon the issue Male of his own Body And it appearing that Thomas Earl of Arundell Grandson and lineal Heir-male to the same Richard was then dead without issue as also that by virtue of that Entail the Castle and Seignory of Arundell were by right of descent come to Iohn Lord Maltrevers for so the Record calls him as Cousin and Heir Male to the before specified Thomas viz. Son of Iohn Son of Iohn Son of the said Earl Richard And moreover it being farther considered that Richard Fitz-Alan Cousin and one of the Coheirs to Hugh de Albini sometime Earl of Arundell was seized of the same Castle Honor and Seignory in his Demesn as of Fee and that by reason thereof without any creation he was thereupon Earl of Arundell and peaceably enjoyed the Name State and Honor of Earl of Arundell as also the place and seat of Earl of Arundell in all Parliaments and Councils as long as he lived without any interruption or restraint The King therefore well weighing the premisses and likewise considering the many services done by this Iohn in his Realm of France and Dutchy of Normandy desiring to do him all right therein did by the advice p of the Prelates Dukes Earls and Barons then assembled in that Parliament admit him to the same place and seat in Parliament as his Ancestors heretofore had Shortly after which viz. in 12 Hen. 6. this Earl being still in the Warrs of France with the famous Iohn Lord Talbot besieged the Castle of St. Selerine and after three months took it by force and thence marched toâ— Sellis a Town of great strength which he likewise took Thence advancing towards â—aen in Normandy he took the Castles of Mellaie and St. Laurence and being interrupted in his passage by an Insurrection of the Country-people made great slaughter amongst them Then hearing that the French began to repair and fortify the Castle of Gerbeâ—oie near to Beauvois which might much â—â—ejudice the English he marched thither but too boldly skirmishing with a party which issued out of the Castle was stricken with a Culverine-shot that broke his Legg whereupon falling from his Horse he was taken Prisoner and carried to Beauvois and there departing this life had burial in the House of the Friers-Minors By the Inquisition taken after his death it appears that he died upon the twelfth of May 13 Hen. 6. being then seised of the Mannors of Great Grantesdene and Croxton in Com. Cantabr of the Castle Town and Mannor of Shewardyn as also of two parts of the Castles of Clone and Oswaldestre and Mannors of Clone and Oswaldestre Wroxcestâ—e Acton round Dalyleâ— Stretton and Lyddele in Comit. Salop. of the Mannor of Sâ—apleford Matravers and third part of the Mannor of Kynele in Comitat. Wilts and Mannors of Stonehouse Shurdington Achards Kyngs-Stanlegh and Wodechestre in Comitat. Glonc. of the Mannors of Kyngesdowne Somerton Erle Stoke Tristre Coklington Spertegroffe and Hyneford in Com. Somers of the Mannors of Pompeknoâ—â—e â—olre Kentecomâ—e Wotton Fitz-Pain Phelpestone Welcombe Matravers â—ychet
and the Rape of Brembry in the Kings possession Which Barony as it was then certified had been held from the Conquest by the said William and his Ancestors by the service of ten Knights Fees Berdestaple likewise with fifteen Knights Fees which also were part of his possessions was given by King Iohn to Peter Fitz-Herbert And the Castle and Town of Toteneys with the Lordships of Cornworth and Lodeswell were assigned by the same King unto Henry the Natural Son of Reginald Earl of Cornwall commonly called Henricus filius Comitis It is said that Giles Bishop of Hereford Son to the last mentioned William de Braose being an adherer to the Rebellious Barons against King Iohn sent his Brother Reginald to Brecknock and that the people there receiving him as their Lord he got possession of all his Castles viz. Bergavenny Penkelhy Castell-Gwyn or White Castle Grosmunt and the Isle of Cynuric and that when the Bishop came thither himself they delivered unto him the Castles of Aberhodny Hay Buelth and Blaynlhysny and that he to strengthen himself in that Country promised Castell-Payn Clune with all Elvell to Walter Vachan the Son of Eneon Clyd But after some time the wrath of King Iohn was well asswaged for being at Bremâ—ry in Sussex in the last year of His Reign he gave way that Reginald de Braose third Son to this William the Elder should have safe conduct to come to his presence to do his homage and fealty and granted a great part of his Fathers Lands unto him upon the same Fine and Agreement as Giles Bishop of Hereford his elder Brother had made with him for the same And King Henry the Third in the first of His Reign intimating to this Reginald by a friendly Message That in case he would be an obedient Subject he should repossess all his Lands upon the same Fine and Agreement as Giles Bishop of Hereford his Brother had made with King Iohn he thereunto complying had accordingly Livery of the Castle and Honor of Toteneys and likewise of the Honor of Barstaple Of the Honors of Cnappe and Brembry he had possession before as it seems for in 2 Hen. 3. which was about one year after he passed over his title to them both unto William his Son and Heir in the presence of the King at Wallingford In which year he manifested his loyalty to King Henry being with him in his Army at Newark All which being done without the privity of Leweline Prince of Wales who had confederated with the Rebellious Barons against the King young Rees and Owen Sons to Maud Sister of this Reginald rose in Arms against him and won all his Territory of Buelth except the Castle And so soon as Leweline himself knew thereof he grew so highly incensed that he entred the parts of Brecknock with an Army and laid Siege to Aberhody the cheif Town of that Countrey but the Burgeffes making composition with him he marched over the Black Mountains to Llangrue unto which place this Reginald soon came with six Knights and deâ—iring his pardon not only obtained it but also the Castle of 〈◊〉 as a pledge of his special savor the custody whereof he committed to Rees Vâ—chan Upon lovying the first Scutage of King Henry this Reginald paid forty five marks six shillings six pence for twenty two Knights Fees an half sixth and tenth part for the Barony of Adam de Port. And in 5 Hen. 3. the Welsh having again besieged his Castle at Buâ—lt he obtained Aid from the King to preserve it from destruction But of him I find no more then that he took to Wife Gracia by some called Grifild Daughter and Coheir to William de Bruerâ— and died in 6 Hen. 3. whereof the King being advertised he presently sent his Steward viz. William de Cantilupe to make Livery of his Castles unto William his Son But it seems he had not all of them until some years after For in 12 Hen. 3. the Sheriff of Herefordshire had command to give him possession of the Castles of Radnoâ— and Huntington which did belong to Reginald his Father In this year the King raised the siege of Montgomery Castle at that time made by the Welsh wherein Hubert de Burgh then Justice of England on whom he had bestowed it was Which Hubert having cut down a vast Wood thereabouts by reason it was a receptacle to those rude people began to build another Castle there in a place called Cridie by its natural situation impregnable and named by himself Huberts Folly wherein he had assistance from this ouâ— William de Braose but William then foraging too far amongst the Welsh had the ill hap to be taken prisoner by them and for his redemption was forced to pay two hundred marks which he borrowed of William de Briwere his Uncle passing unto him all his right in Snodyntâ—ne for the same This William de Braose being suspected of overmuch familiarity with the Wife of Leweline Prince of Wales Sister of King Henry was by him subtilly invited to an Easter Feast but after the entertainment was over was charged therewith by Leweline and cast into Prison where he suffered death by a barbarous murther Some say he was hanged and the Wife of Leweline with him Upon news whereof the King granted the custody of all his Lands to William Marshal Earl of Pembroke This last mentioned William de Broase so fatally murthered had to Wife Eve the Daughter of Walter Mareschal Sister to Richard Mareschall Earl of Pembroke Which Eve in 14 Hen. 3. had assigned for her Dowry all her said Husbands Lands in Brecknock Went Kinton Radenor Kingston Erleston S. Elere and â—oteneis the Castles excepted which the King retained in his own hands by whom he left issue four Daughters his Heirs viz. Isabel who became the Wife of David Son of Leweline Prince of Wales Maud the Wife of Roger Lord Mortimer of Wigmore Eve the Wife of William de Cantilupe and Eleanor of Humphrey de Bohun To Isabel afterwards married to Peter Fitz-Herbert came the Lands of Blaynleveny and Talegard To Maud the Lands of Radnor S. Clere Ampoyt Pelâ—neeg 〈…〉 To Eve the Honor and Lands of Bergavenny and to Eleanor the Honors of Brecknock and Haâ— But Eve the Mother stood in the Kings displeasure for a time by reason of the War which he had with Richard Marshall sometime Earl of Pembroke her Brother as it seems Howbeit in 18 H. 3. she was again received into favor and had Livery of the Castle of Hay as also of the Castle of Toteneis which was of her Dowry In 21 Hen. 3. the King gave her License to receive Aid of all vendible
Ekinton in Com. Derb. Kirkby in Com. Nottingh and Diham in Com. Essex which were seised into the Kings hands upon his death having been joyntly Enfeoffed of them with him and had Livery of them accordingly leaving issue Iohn his Son and Heir twenty six years of age in the third of Edward the Second D'Oiley RObert d'Oiley coming into England with William the Conqueror and having by his gift the Baronies of Oxford and S. Waleries built the Castle of Oxford and the Collegiate Church of S. George within the Walls thereof He was also one of the Witnesses to the Charter of Selbey Abby in Com. Ebor. for its Foundation by that King And at the time of the General Survey possessed four Lordships in Bâ—rkshire in Hertfordshire fourteen in Buckinghamshire seven in Glocestershire three in Bedfordshire one in Northamptonshire three in Warwickshire one and in Oxfordshire twenty eight Having at the same time forty two habitable Houses in Oxford and eight which then lay waste as also thirty Acres of Meadow adjoyning to the Wall and a Mill valued at ten shillings per annum Being likewise Constable of Oxford he had the full sway of that whole County and was so powerful a Man in his time that no one durst oppose him in so much as with the Kings consent he possessed himself of a large Meadow lying near to the Castle of Oxford which belonged to the Monks of Abendon whereby he so much irritated them that they came all before the Altar of our Lady primarily dedicated by S. Athelwold and S. Dunstan and there prostrating themselves with tears prayed to God that he would vindicate this injury Whereupon it shortly after hapned that he fell into a grievous sickness wherein he long continued impenitent until by a Vision in the night he had a perfect representation That he was in a Royal Palace where a great number of Nobles stood and in the midst of them a beautiful Person habited like a Woman sitting on a glorious Throne with two Monks of Abendon before her whom he knew Furthermore that when those Monks saw him enter the Palace they bowed their knees to the Lady and with deep sighs said Behold this is he who usurpeth the Inheritance of thy Church having taken away that Meadow from us for which we make this complaint Also that the Lady being thereupon much moved commanded That he should be thrust out of doors and brought to that Meadow there to be tormented and that immediately two young men who stood by led him thither and caused him to sit down Moreover that forthwith divers ugly children brought Hay on their shoulders and laughing said to each other Here is our dear Friend let us play with him And that then laying down their Burthens they pissed thereon and putting fire underneath smoaked him Some also made Ropes of the Hay and threw them in his Face others burnt his Beard And that being in this anguish he called out aloud O Blessed Lady have pitty on me for I am dying Whereat his Wife who lay near him being affrighted said Awake Sir for you are much troubled in your sleep and that being thus rowsed up he said Yes truly for I was amongst Devils To whom she replied The Lord preserve thee from all harm Then having told to her his dream she said God doth correct his Child whom he loveth And it is reported that shortly after at her instance he went to Abendon and there before the Altar in the presence of Abbot Reginald and his whole Covent divers of his Friends likewise standing by he gave them Tadmertune a Lordship of ten pounds per annum value protesting That he would never meddle more with any of their possessions And besides that above one hundred pounds in Money towards the new structure of their Monastery in recompence of the wrong he had done them Likewise that he repaired divers ruinous Churches both within and without the Walls of Oxford also that he became very charitable to poor people And amongst other good works built the great Bridge towards Oxford It is also farther reported of this Robert that he had a very familiar friend called Iohn de Ivery who having accompanied him in the Wars as his sworn Brother enjoyed by his gift certain large possessions and as some think S. Waleries And that the same Robert having married ... the Daughter of Wygod de Walingford a person of great note in that age begot on her one sole Daughter his Heir called Maud first married to Miles Crispin who had with her that whole Barony of Walingford and secondly to Brien Fitz-Count Which Brien and she having no issue betook themselves to Religious lives Whereupon King Henry the First seised upon that Barony of Walingford This is all that I have seen of him other then that departing this life in the Moneth of September he was buried at Abendon on the North side of the High Altar his Wife having Sepulture on his left hand And that leaving no Male-issue Nigell his Brother succeeded him Of which Nigell it appears that he remitted to the Monks of Egnesham near Oxford one Hide of Land which he held of that Abby with the consent of Robert Bloet then Bishop of Lincoln giving unto them three Hides and an half more lying in Miâ—decumbe for the health of his Soul and the Souls of his Wife and Children And lastly that he had issue a Son called Robert d'Oiley the second of whom I find that in 1 Steph. he was one of the Witnesses to the Charter of that Kings Laws But in 6 Steph. when Maud the Empress came with much triumph from Winchester to Oxford he delivered up his Castle of Oxford to her Likewise that he gave to the Monks of Glocester the Tithes of Chesterton and to the Nuns of Godstow the moity of a certain Meadow at Wolvercote called Lambey Likewise to the Knights Templers a parcel of Ground within the Walls of Oxford and another without Moreover that he began the Foundation of the Abby of Oseney near Oxford for Black Canons of the Order of S. Augustine upon this occasion One Edith Forne a beautiful Woman who had been Concubine to King Henry the First but then Wife to this Robert using frequently to walk out of Oxford Castle towards the Banks of Isis and always observing in certain Trees divers Chatter-Pies which commonly made a great noise at her she sent for a Canon of S. Fridiswides in Oxford called Radolph a person of a vertuous life and her own Confessor and acquainted him therewith And that he thereupon advising her to build some Church or Monastery in that place she intreated her Husband so to do Who accordingly performing her
of York until the King should settle Lands of three hundred Marks per Annum value in consideration of the Castle of Werke which he the said William had granted unto the King as is before observed The Lands which were of the Inheritance of Margery his Wife being these viz. the Mannor of Aderly in Shropshire the Mannors of Chrilham Hothfield and Wulrington in Kent the moity of the Mannor of Tarent-Ruyâ—â—chenton and the moity of the Hundred of Conekeshyrie in Dorsetshire the Mannor of Chyngford in Essex the Mannor of Chalbestone in Bedfordshire the Mannor of Hakeford with the Advowson of the Church in Norfolk as also the Mannors of Whitwell and Watton the moity of the Mannors of Holt and Cleye with the Advowson of the Church of Cleye and the moity of the Mannor of Hoghten in the same County Which Margery had for her Dowry these Lands following assigned unto her viz. the Mannors of Uâ—â—ington and Melton in Com. Linc. Botelesford in Com. Leic. Ros in Holderness Garton with its members viz North-Dalton Naburn and Tibethorne and the Mannors of Seton Storthwayt and Fulford in Com. Ebor. as also divers Tenements and Rents in Wartre Methelburne Herlethorpe and Folkeâ—thorpe belonging to those Mannors of Seton and Storlethwayte Touching Margaret one of his Daughters I find that in 6 Edw. 3. there were certain Covenants made betwixt him and Sir Edward de Bohun Brother to William de Bohun Earl of Northhampton viz. That he the said Edward should take her to Wife and enfeoffe her of the Mannors of Upabene in the County of Wilts or of two hundred Marks per Annum Land to hold during her life And now before I proceed farther I shall say something of Iohn the younger Brother of the last mentioned William in regard he was a person so eminent in his time This Iohn being of the party of Queen Isabell and those other whom the King at the instigation of the Spensers had banished landed with her and the Prince who had then for the better carrying on their designs made a Contract with Philippa Daughter to the Earl of Henault at Ypswich on the tenth Calends of October 20 Edw. 2. And being likewise in great favour with the young King upon the deposal of Edward the Second was not only constituted Steward of his houshold in the first year of his Reign but imployed into Scotland in that Expedition made thither the same year his Brother Thomas being also with him in that service and moreover was one of those 12 Lords by whom it was resolved the King being young should be governed In 2 Edw. 3. he was made Governour of Somerton-Castle in Lincolnshire In 7 Edw. 3. he was again in Scotland with his Father upon the King's service So also in 9 Edw. 3. In 10 Edw. 3. he was constituted Admiral of the Seas from the River of Thames Northwards In 11 Edw. 3. he served the King in Gastoigne and the same year had a Charter for Free-warren granted to him in all his Demesn Lands at Touxford Warsop and Aston in Com. Nott. and in Hornlegh and Hornton in Com. Oxon. as also to hunt the Fox Wolf Hare and Cat throughout the King's Forest of Notinghamshire And in 12 E. 3. upon his Petition to the King in Parliament whereby he represented the charge he had been at in arraying of men in divers parts of the Realm whilst he was Admiral command was given to the Lord Treasurer and Barons of the King's Exchequer to make him allowance for the same In that year also he was again imployed beyond the Seas in the King's service and had summons to Parliament from 1 Edw. 3. until the eleventh of that King's Reign inclusive but departed this life before the end thereof without any Issue of his body so that William de Ros his elder Brother became his Heir being then fifty years of age The Lands whereof he died seised being those of his own Inheritance viz. The Mannor of â—arsop in Com. Nott. the Mannors of Wadton Kellyng Salthous in Com. Norff. and the Mannors of Gedeney Gaixhill Steynton Poynton and Lexham in the same County As also the Mannors of Thornton in Craden Thurmanhalle with the moity of the Mannor of Cliffe in Com. Ebor. in right of Margaret his Wife of whose Inheritance they were Upon whose death his Brother William representing to the King that the Goods and Chattels of this Iohn were seised by his Officers for Debt and desiring some allowance out of them for defraying his Funeral expences in consideration of his former faithful services and now at last in regard he dyed beyond-Sea in his personal attendance upon the King in the parts of Brabant and Flanders obtained two hundred Marks for that end And the next year ensuing doing his Homage had Livery of all those Lands above-mentioned whereof he died seised in his own right saving to Margaret his Widow her reasonable Dower which was the third part of the Mannor of Wadton in Com. Norff. the third part of certain Lands in Boston and Skyrbeck in Com. Linc. the third part of the Mannor of Weston juxâ—a Otteley in Com. Ebor. with certain Lands in Bayldon in that County and the third part of the Mannor of Warsop in Com. Nott. ¶ I now come to William de Ros Son and Heir to the last William In 17 Edw. 3. his Father being lately deceased and â—e in minority Raphe Lord Nevill for the sum of a thousand and three hundred Marks had a Grant of the custody of two parts of all his Lands In which year this Raphe sent twenty men at Arms and twenty Archers beyond Sea amongst others for the King's service In 20 Edw. 3. he was in that great Expedition made by King Edward the Third for raising the Siege of Aguyllon which the Duke of Normandy had laid with an hundred thousand men The same year he was one of those Lords who led the second Brigade in that famous Battel of 〈◊〉 where the King obtained a glorious victory And being returned into England before Winter was one of the chief Commanders in the fourth Brigade of the English Army which gave Battel to the Scots at Beawre-parke near Nevills-Cross by some called the Battel of New-Castle upon Tine where David de Bruse King of Scots with many of the Nobles of that Realm were taken Prisoners And in 21 Edw. 3. went again into France with Edward Prince of Wales commonly called the Black Prince the Town of Calais being then Besieged and taken by the English So also in 23 Edw. 3. the King himself hasting thither at that time for preventing the French from regaining of Calaâ—s and the next year following upon proof of his age had Livery of his Lands in which year
Margery his Mother being then alive went on Pilgrimage to Rome whence she retâ—â—ned safe and dyed in England in 37 Edw. 3. This William was summoned to Parliament in 24 and 25 Edw. 3. and married Margaret Daughter of Raphe Lord Nevill but in 26 Edw. 3. taking a journey into the Holy Land he there died without any Issue leaving Thomas his Brother Heir to that great Inheritance then but fourteen years of age Unto this Margaret the Mannor of Thurmanbowe in Yorkshire was assigned for her maintenance who afterwards became Wife to Henry Lord Percy and died in 46 Edward 3. In 31 Edw. 3. this Thomas staying in Gascoigne in the King's service had Letters of Protection this being the year that the Black Prince returned from France after his victory at Poytiers where King Iohn of France was taken prisoner which makes it probable that this Thomas de Ros was personally in that service but he had not Livery of his Lauds till the year next following In that year he had also License to marry Beatrice the Widow of Maurice Fitz-Moris Earl of Desmond daughter to Raphe Earl of Staâ—ford who surviving him became the Wife of Sir Richard Burley Knight Which Lady Beatrice in 10 Hen. 4. founded a Chantry within the Cathedral Church of S. Paul in the City of London in the Chapel of S. Iohn Baptist near the North door of one Priest to celebrate Divine service there for the Souls of Sir Richard de Burley Knight her late Husband as also for the Souls of the Father and Mother of the same Sir Richard and of Richard de Pembruge And moreover for the Soul of Thomas de Ros his Parents and all the Faithful deceased and finally for the good estate of her self during this life and for the health of her Soul afterwards For the maintenance of which Priest she setled twelve Marks per Annum issuing out of certain Messuages and Shops in London and died not till 3 Hen. 5. But I return to William In 33 Edw. 3. he was again in Gascoigne in the King's service where he continued both that and the next year following And in 44 Edw. 3. went again to the Wars of France being then of the retinue to Iohn Duke of Lancaster and with him at the taking of Mountpaon So also in 44 45 and 46 Edw. 3. In which forty sixth year he was in that Fleet with the King designed for the Relief of Thovars which after nine weeks being at Sea and crossed with contrary winds returned back In 47 Edw. 3. he likewise attended the Duke of Lancaster into France who then sailed thither with a very great Army for the relieving of Thovares still besieged So also in 1 Ric. 2. This Thomas had summons to all the Parliaments from 36 Edw. 3. until 7 Ric. 2. inclusive and in that seventh year of Ric. 2. having an extraordinary devotion to go on Pilgrimage to Ierusalem for performance of his vow which he had long made for that purpose obtained License of the King so to do which License bears date the fourth of May. But being on his journey at his Mannor of Uffyngton he there departed this life upon the eighth of Iune next ensuing leaving Iohn his Son and Heir eighteen years of age and William Thomas and Robert his younger Sons as also two Daughters Elizabeth Wife of Thomas Son and Heir of Roger Lord Clifford and Margaret and was buried in the midst of the Quire of Rievault-Abbey in Yorkshire the Lands whereof he was then possessed being these viz. the Castle and Mannor of Belvoir the Mannors of Wollesthorpe Ussyngton with its members in Talyngton Deping and Casewyke as also the Mannors of Wragby Freston and Gousâ—â—l in Com. Linc. The Mannor of Helmestey extending it self into Pokelay Carleton Harum Boselam and Oswaldkirke Likewise the Mannors of Lynton Garton Howesham Turnham-hall Hosse in Holderness Seton Storthwayt Melburne Thornton in Craven and Bayldon in the County of York The Mannor of Adderley in Com. Salop. Stoke-Daubeney in Com. Northt Preston in Com. Buck. The Castle and Mannor of Chilâ—am with the Mannors of Hothâ—eld and Wulrington and the fourth part of the Mannor of Kingsdowne in Kent The Mannors of Wysette and Brende-Bradefeld in Suffolk The moity of the Mannors of Holt and Cleye juxta mare the moity of the Mannor of Cleye juxta Walsyngham with the Mannors of Hakeford Watton and Whitewell in Norfolk the moity of the Mannor of Blanch-Apleton in the City of London the Mannor of Tarent-Uilers in Com. Dorst the Mannor of Botelefford and moity of the Mannor of Plungarth in Com. Leic. the Mannor of Bokeland in Com. Hertf. Shigleford in Com. Essex Sutton upon Trent Screveton Warâ—op and Orston in Com. Nott. and Bourne in Com. Sussex This Iohn though then not twenty years of age was the year following retained to serve the King in his Wars and in 10 Ric. 2. making proof of his age and doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands In 11 Ric. 2. he went to Sea with Richard Earl of Arundell then Lord Admiral in that Naval-expedition wherein great spoil and mischief was done to the French especially in the Islands belonging to that Kingdom In 12 Ric. 2. he was joyned with Henry Earl of Northumberland and Raphe Lord Nevill in the Government of Carlisle and Wardenship of the West-marches of Scotland In 14 Ric. 2. he was one of the Commissioners amongst others as well in treating for Peace betwixt the King and his Adversaries of France and Scotland as for observing the Truce already made And was summoned to Parliament from the tenth to the seventeenth of King Richard the Second's Reign inclusive And as he was thus eminent for his Military Actions so was he no less for his Piety as is manifest by that his Pilgrimage which he made to Ierusalem in which he departed this life at Paphoâ— in the Isle of Cyprus by means of the ill air of that Country without any Issue 6 Aug. 17 Ric. 2. though he had to Wife Mary de Orebie Daughter of Henry de Perci and was buried in the Abbey of Rievaulx on the South-side of the Quire near the high Altar leaving Sir William de Ros Knight his Brother and Heir then twenty four years of age who doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands in February next following Which Mary his Wife daughter of ... by Ioane Daughter and Heir of Iohn de Oreby deceased the year next ensuing leaving Constantine de Clifton and Maude the Wife of Sir Raphe Cromwell Knight her Cousins and Heirs This William thus succeeding his Brother in that fair Inheritance was imployed by the King soon after
obtain'd a Charter for a Mercate every Saturday at his Mannor of Mâ—reâ—on in Com. Devon and two Fairs one on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle and the other on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Margaret In 16 E. 3. being then Earl of Devon he was in that Expedition then made into Bâ—itanâ—y with one Banâ—ret twelve Knights thirty six Esquires and sixty Archers on Horseback of his Retinue And in 19 E. 3. the War continuing still there receiv'd command to prepare himself and all his Retinue well fitted with Horse and Arms to attend the King thither In 21 E. 3. being so infirm as that he was not able to go Personally in that Expedition then made beyond-Sea William de Boâ—un Earl of Northampton joyn'd with Hugh de Courtney his Son in moving the King that he might be excused from coming to Parliament or any Councils and had their Request granted After which recovering he obtain'd leave in 24 E. 3. to travel for one whole year And about this time was elected into that Honourable Society of the most Noble Order of the Garter then newly instituted In 26 E. 3. he together with Thomas de Courtney his Brother were assigned by the King to Arm and Array all Persons both Knights Esquires and others within the Counties of Devon and Cornwall and to conduct them to the Sea-Coasts in opposition of an Invasion then feared from the French And in 30 E. 3. was sent into Britanny with other English Lords upon the King 's special Service Whilst his Father lived he resided at Colcumbe and had the Lordships of Wellesdene and Coker for his Support And having married Margaret the Daughter of Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford had by her Issue six Sâ—â—s viz. Hugh born xi Cal. Apr. Aâ—no MCCCXXVII 1 E. 3. Thomas Edward William Philip and Peter and five Daughters scil Ioan Margaret Elizabeth Catherine and Anne And departing this Life upon Saturday nâ—xâ— preceding the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross in 51 E. 3. was buried in the Cathedral Church at Exeter Of which Sons Hugh being called Hugo de Courtney junior whilst he lived went in thâ—â— Expedition made into France in 20 â— 3. In 21 â— 3. being in the Tournament at Eâ—tham he had a Hood of White Cloth embroider'd with 〈◊〉 and button'd with large Pearls then given him by the King And enjoy'd the Mannor of Woddesden in Com. Buck. with the Advowson of the Church in Right of Maude his Wife Daughter of Thomas Holland Earl of Kent Which Maude in her Widowhood afterwards married to Waleraâ— Earl of St. Paul But this Hugh died in 48 E. 3. his Father then living Thomas the second Son died also before his Father So likewise did Edward the third Son who married Emeline the Daughter of Sir Iohn D'aâ—ney Knight and left Issue two Sons viz. Edward who in 51 E. 3. was found Nephew and Heir to Earl Hugh his Grandfather and at his death xxi years of age and Sir Hugh Courtney of Baunton Knight who married Philippâ— one of the three Daughters and Coheirs of Warine Arcedekene and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir to Iohn Talbot of Ricards Castle William the fourth Son was Archbishop of Canterbury Philip the fifth was of Pouderham from whom the Courtneys of that House are descended Which Sir Philip for he was a Knight being in that Fight at Sea in 1 R. 2. against the Spaniard was sore wounded and fled After which viz. in 7 R. 2. he was constituted Lieutenant of Ireland for ten years Sir Piers de Courtney Knight the sixth Son was unmarried This Sir Piers being also in that Sea-fight against the Spaniard in 1 R. 2. was there sore wounded and taken Prisoner but for his Enlargement had a Grant from the King of the Benefit of the Marriage of Richard the Brother and Heir of Thomas de Poynings In 7 R. 2. he had Licence to send into France by Northampton Herald and Anlet Pursuivant eight Cloths of Scarlet of Black and Russet to give to certain Noblemen of that Realm as also two Horses six Saddles six little Bows one Sheaf of large Arrows and another Sheaf of Crossbow-Arrows for the King of Franâ—e's Keeper Likewise a Greyhound and other Dogs All which were for Presents to the French in respect of the great Honour the King of France had done unto him at such time as he combated there with a Knight of that Realm In 11 R. 2. this Sir Piers Courtney was made Chief Chamberlain to the King And the same year had Licence again to go to Calais with Iohn Hoboldâ—d Esq to challenge the French for the Performance of certain Feats oâ— Arms and behaved himself bravely there But in 13 R. 2. being at Calais he receiv'd a Message from the King of England that he should forbear to exercise any Feats of Arms with the French without the special leave of Henry de Percy Earl of Northumberland which it seems he had for he did then notably manifest his Military Skill and Valour in a Tournament held there to his high Renown In 14 R. 2. he was made Constable of Windsore-Castle And after this viz. in 16 R. 2. when divers Knights came out of Scotland to challenge the English to certain Feats of Arms one ... Darell challenging him they ran with sharp Spears This Sir Piers died in 10 H. 4. ¶ As to the Daughters of the before-mentioned Eâ—â— Hugh Margaret was the Wife of Iohn Lord Cobham Elizabeth 〈◊〉 married to ... Vere and afterwards to Andrew Lutterell and Catherine first to William Lord Harrington and next to Sir Thomas Engaine Knight But I return to Margaret their Mother This Margaret continued a Widow till her death and by her Testament bearing date 28 Ian. 14 R. 2. bequâ—ath'd her Body to be buried in the Cathedral Church at Exeter near to her Lord and Husband appointing that there should be no other Herse for her than plain Bars to keep off the Preass of People and onely two Tapers of five pounds apiece the one at her Head and the other at her Feet without any Torches or other Lights Likewise That upon the day of her Funeral xx l. in Money should be given amongst poor People viz. to every one a Groat And that for the Soul of her Husband and her own Soul CC l. should be distributed amongst the Daughters of Knights and Gentlemen towards that Marriage-Portions and to poor Scholars at School To Margaret the Daughter of her Son Philip she bequeath'd C Marks in augmentation of her Portion To William Archbishop of Canterbury her Son a gilt Chalice and
in London leaving Issue by Katherine his Wife Daughter of King Edw. IV. Henry his Son and Heir Which Katherine died 15 Nov. An. 1527. 19 H. 8. at Tyverton in Com. Devon and was buried in the Parish-Church there for whom was afterwards erected by Henry her Son a fair Chappel on the South-side of the High-Altar and therein a Tomb with the Effigies of this Noble Lady thereon Which Henry being much esteem'd of by King Henry the Eighth in regard of that near Alliance by his Mother was restored in Bloud and Honour in 3. H. 8. and in 14 of his Reign obtain'd a Grant of the Lordship of Calilond in Cornwall which came to the Crown by the Attainder of Edward Duke of Buckingham and upon the eighteenth of Iune in the seventeenth year of his Reign an increase of Honour being then Created Marquess of Exeter at his Royal Palace called Bridewell and soon after that a Grant of a fair Mansion situate in the Parish of St. Laurence-Poultney within the City of London which likewise came to the Crown by the Attainder of Edward Duke of Buckingham before-mentioned In the same year he was one of the Commissioners from the King of England in that Treaty for the Redemption of Francis in First King of France then Prisoner to the Emperour Charles the Fifth In 21 H. 8. he was one of those Lords that subscribed to the Forty four Articles then exhibited to the king against Cardinal Wolsey And in 22 H. 8. did together with the rest of the Peers then â—itting in Parliament subscribe that Letter then sent to Pope Clement the Seventh whereby they earnestly moved his Holiness to ratifie the Divorce betwixt King Henry and Queen Katherine his first Wife representing to him the Opinion of divers Universities and many Learned Men upon that Point withall intimating that recourse would be had unto other Remedies in case of his refusal In which year he obtain'd the Inheritance of the Mannor of Edelmeâ—ton alias Saysbury and Diphans as also the Mannor of Swacliffe and Cordehall with all those Lands called Hersyers in Little Helyndon and Great Helyndon in Com. Middlesex In 28 H. 8. upon that Rebellion in Yorkshire he offered his Service for the suppressing thereof and accordingly march'd with the Duke of Norfalke as far as Doncaster where the Rebels were no less than Thirty thousand strong But though he thus appear'd in Arms against those Rebels yet he did not as it seems approve of the Suppression of the Religious-Houses which was one of the Pretences for which those Northern Men rose nor of those Beginnings then made towards a Reformation by translating the Bible into English and therefore upon an accusation by George Poole Brother to Cardinal Poole that he with Henry Lord Montacute another Brother to that Cardinal had maintain'd Intelligence with the Cardinal then beyond-Sea and conspired the King's Destruction he was committed to the Tower upon the fifth of November 30 H. 8. and on the third of Ianuary following being brought to his Trial before Thomas Lord Audley sitting High-Steward for that time was found guilty and received Sentence of death And though the King had long favour'd him as his Kinsman viz. Son of Catherine Sister to his Mother yet in regard of his near Alliance to the Crown he became so jealous of his Greatness whereof he had given some testimony in his so suddenly raising divers Thousands against the Yorkshire Rebels as that he gladly entertain'd any occasion to cut him off Whereupon he was soon beheaded and thereupon Attainted in the Parliament held the next ensuâ—ing year This Henry married to his first Wife Elizabeth the Daughter and Heir to Iohn Grey Vicount L'isle by whom he had no Issue And to his Second Wife Gartrude Daughter of William Blount Lord Montjoy by Elizabeth the Daugher and Coheir of Sir William Say Knight by whom he left Issue Edward Which Gâ—artrude was also attainted in Parliament as a Confederate with her Husband but not suffering death for that Crime afterwards died naturally and was buried at Wimburne Mynster in Dorsetsh where a fair Tomb is erected to her Memory By her Testament bearing date 25 Sept. Anno MDL VIII 4 5 Ph. M. the bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Chancel or Parish-Church where the should depart this Life appointing a Dirige and a Trentall of Masses to be said and sung for her To her Sister Katherine Berkley she gave a Gown of Black Velvet Furr'd with Jennets To her Brother Mr. Iohn Blount xxl. And to her Cousin Mr. Iames Blount a standing Gilt Bowl with a Cover But Edward his Son though he found little favour from the succeeding King Edward the Sixth being one of those who were in his Coronation-Pardon specially excepted yet did Queen Mary after his long Imprisonment in the Tower of London set him at Liberty and upon the third of September in the first year of her Reign created him Earl of Devonshire at her Palace of Richmund And because it being then thought expedient that the Queen should marry he was in regard of his Royal Descent flourishing Youth and courteous Disposition one of the three then propos'd to her for an Husband Of which Proposal such advantage was taken as that upon the Sentence on Wyat for his Rebellion rais'd under colour of opposing the Queen's Marriage with King Philip of Spain hoping to save his Life Wyat traduced him for aspiring to marry the Lady Elizabeth and so to depose Queen Mary and Reign in Right of his Wife Whereupon he was committed to the Tower But when Wyat came to die he clearly acquitted him thereof and on his Knees craved his Pardon for that irreparable Injury Notwithstanding which he was still kept close Prisoner though removed to Foâ—heringhay until April the year following and then set at liberty This Edward dying at Padua in Italy upon the fourth of October Anno MDLVI 4 3 Ph. M. without Issue and as some think poysoned was the last Earl of Devon of this most Noble and Ancient Family Vicount IN 9 H. 2. there is mention of Iohn le Vicount Son of Odoard Baron of Emeldon in Com. Northumb. To this Iohn succeeded another Iohn who in 8 R. 1. paid xv Marks to the King for the Scutage of those three Knights Fees he then held and that he might be exempted from going into Normandy in the third Expedition made thither after King Richard's Return from Almaine To his Iohn succeeded Iohn his Son and Hâ—ir who gave to the Church of St. Aidan at Bamburgh in Com. Northumb. all his Lands called Hokemers in lieu of the Tithe-Hay in Burton and held Emeldon Staunford Burton Warnetham Craucestre and Dunston
his Son and Heir xxx years of age and a younger Son called Robert who had the Mannor of Cherleton Grey in Com. Somerset as also divers other Lordships and Lands lying in the Counties of Somerset and Dorset by vertue of an Entail formerly made by Fine whereby for want of Issue-male of Robert Fitz-Payn they were setled on this Robert Grey and Elizabeth then his Wife and the Issue-male of their two Bodies lawfully begotten Which Iohn in 7 E. 3. his Father then living was in Scotland in the King's Service where he behaved himself so bravely that in 9 E. 3. the King acknowledging his great Travel and Expences in those his Scottish Wars did in part of Recompence acquit him of all such Debts as he then owed unto the Exchequer and the same year gave hiâ—h Livery of his Lands upon performance of his Homage saving to Ioane his Mother her reasonable Dowrie Before the end of that year he went again to the Wars of Scotland being of the Retinue of Hugh de Andley So likewise in 11 E. 3. in that Expedition then made thither In 12 E. 3. he was in Flanders in the King's Service And in 13 E. 3. there being a general Command to all others to give Aid to the King in the defence of the Sea-coasts he was specially exempted from that Charge and likewise from any Imposition on his Lands by reason he was then beyond-Sea in the King's Service In 14 E. 3. he was again in Flanders and in 15 E. 3. in the Scottish-Wars So also in 19 E. 3. And in 20 E. 3. attending the King in that Expedition then made into France continued there the next ensuing year being of the Retinue with Henry Earl of Lancaster This Iohn being so active a Person had such great esteem with the King that about this time he receiv'd at his Hands a Hood of White Cloth embroidered with Blue Men dancing button'd before with great Pearls And being to perform divers Military Exercises in a Tournâ—â—ent at Canterbury had certain Accoutrements of Indian-Silk whereon the Arms of Sir Stephen Cosyngton Knight were painted bestow'd on him by the King In 22 E. 3. he went again into France being still of the Retinue with Henry Earl of Lancaster and in 26 E. 3. was joyn'd in Commission with the Lord D'eincourt to array all the Knights Esquires and other able Persons residing in the Counties of Notingham and Derby and to conduct them to such Places as should be needful for the defence of the Realm there being an Invasion at that time threatned by the French In 29 E. 3. he was again in the Wars of France and likewise of the Retinue with Henry Duke of Lancaster So also in 33 E. 3. And the same year was constituted Governour of the Town and Castle of â—ochester for Life But after all these his Military Employments he obtain'd Licence in 39 E. 3. to go on Pilgrimage and in 45 E. 3. being grown very aged and not able to endure Travel as formerly had a special Dispensation from the King wherein his great and manifold Services with much fidelity and valour are gratefully acknowledg'd to exempt him from coming to Parliament and Councils and likewise from being charg'd with setting forth any Soldiers whatsoever in the Wars of that King his Heirs or Successors When he diect I have not seen but certain it is that he had two Sons Henry and Iohn who being both of them in that Expedition made into France in 43 E. 3. were of the Retinue with Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Likewise Alice a Daughter Wife of William Son of Sir Adam de Everingham of Laxton in Com. Nott. Which Henry died in his Father's Life-time and left Issue Richard who took to Wife Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Raphe Lord Basset of Sapcote she being then within age Which Richard in 16 R. 2. doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and the next ensuing year went into France upon that King's Service in his Wars there So also in 21 R. 2. And in 2 H. 4. was first made Admiral of the King's Fleet from the Mouth of Thames to the Northwards and afterwards constituted joyntly Governour of the Castle of â—oâ—esburgh in Scotland with Sir Stephen le Scrope for the term of three years covenanting to maintain the Garrison therein for Four hundred Marks per annum And went accordingly In 3 H. 4. he was again sent into France upon the King's Service And in 5 H. 4. constituted Justice of South-Wales In 8 H. 4. he was made Constable of the Castle of Notingham as also Chief-Ranger of the Forest of Shirewood for term of Life And in 14 H. 4. was constituted Governour of the Castle of Frounsak in the Dutchy of Aquirane as also of the whole Country of Frounsaâ—â—ys The same year being Lord Chamberlain to the King he was joyn'd in Commission with Thomas Bishop of Durbam and others to treat with the Embassadors of Iohn Duke of Burgundy for a Marriage betwixt Henry Prince of Wales eldest Son to the King and the Lady Anne Daughter of that Duke touching the Lands both of the Prince and Duke and of the Earl of Charolois his Son In 2 H. 5. he was again in Commission with the same Bishop of Durham and some others to treat with the Embassadors of the King of France about a Marriage betwixt King Henry himself and Ratherine Daughter to the King of France In the same year also he was constituted one of the King's Commissioners to treat with such other as the King of Scots should appoint upon a Truce betwixt King Henry and him both by Sea and Land And the next year following was made Warden of the East-Marches toward Scotland being then also commanded with Iohn Lord Nevill to receive Henry the Son of Sir Henry Percy Knight at the Hands of the Duke of Albany then Governour of the Realm of Scotland and cause him to be safe-conducted to the King In 5 H. 5. he was made Governour of the Castle of Argentoin in the Dutchy of Normandy and went thither accordingly But the next year following upon the first day of August he departed this Life and was buried at Aylesford in Kent being then seised in his Demesn as of Fee of the Castle and Mannor of Codenoure in Com. Derb. of the moytie of the Castle and Mannor of Castle Bytham and the moytie of the Mannors of East Bytham Counthorpe and Wytham with the Mannors of Cheley and Metheringham in Com. Linc. And in the Right of Elizabeth his Wife then surviving of the moytie of the Mannors of Stanton and Sapcote in Com. Leic. of the Mannor of
and an hundred Archers worsting Charles de Bloys and the great Men of Britanny who had a thousand Horse the King thereupon made two Barons viz. Alan Zouch and Iohn l'Isle as also fifty Knights But others affirm that this was at the Battle of Cressey which hapned the same year In 21 Edw. 3. there being a Tourneament then held at Eltham this Iohn had of the Kings gift a White Hood of Cloth embroidered with Men in Blew colour dancing and Buttoned before with large Pearls In 23 Edw. 3. being made a Banneret he obtained for his better support a Grant from the King of two hundred pounds per annum out of the Exchequer And being a Person both valiant and expert in Arms was soon after made choise of by that Warlike Prince King Edward the Third for one of the Knights Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter then by him first founded In 25 Edw. 3. he gave one Acre of Land in Harwood with the Advowson of the Church to a certain Chantry therein founded by him for the good estate of himself and for the Souls of all his Ancestors In which year in consideration of his good services he obtained a Grant from the King for the Sheriffalty of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon and Governorship of the Castle of Cambridge to hold during life And in 26 Edw 3. Covenanted with the Canons of Bolton to found a Chantry of six Priests in the Church of Harwood or of seven in the Church of Bolton they granting to him an yearly Rent of one hundred pounds out of Rowdon Wigdon and divers other Lands In 29 Edw. 3. he was with Prince Edward in the Wars of France And having been summoned to Parliament from 24 Edw. 3. to 28 Edw. 3. inclusive died 14 Octob. 30 Edw. 3. being then seised of the Mannors of Cambelton in Com. Bedf. Pisthobury in Com. Hertf. with its Appurtenances in Sabrichworth Harwood with its Members viz. Carleton Stokton Holthwait Doukeswike and Kirkby-Overblows in Com. Ebor And of the Mannors of Wilburgham Magna Rampton Cotenham Westwike and Coveney in Com. Cantabr leaving Maud his Wife surviving and Robert his Son and Heir twenty two years of age Which Robert had Summons to Parliament in 31 34 Edw. 3. but not afterwards nor any of his posterity Therefore I shall not need to pursue the story of them any farther L'Isle of the Isle of Wight ¶ I Come lastly to those of this Name who were of the Isle of Wight In 51 Hen. 3. Iohn de l'Isle was by reason of the turbulency of the times made Governor of Caresbroke Castle in that Isle And in 22 Edw. 1. had Summons to attend the King with divers other great Men to consult of the important affairs of the Realm Also soon after that to be at Portsmouth well fitted with Horse and Arms thence to accompany him into France In 25 Edw. 1. this Iohn was again in the Wars of France and in 29 E 3. in the Scotish Wars But died in 32 Edw. 1. or before for then Iohn his Son and Heir doing his homage had Livery of his Lands And in 34 Edw. 1. received the Honor of Knighthood with Prince Edward and many others by Bathing and divers sacred Ceremonies In this thirty fourth year he obtained a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesn Lands lying within his Lordships of Woditon Bridiesford Shentling Bonechirche Shorewell Celverton Horting Scelle Blakepanne Mannesbrigge Sherprix and Rigge in Com. Southampt And in 35 Edw. 1. was in the Wars of Scotland In 2 Edw. 2. he was again in the Scotish Wars so likewise in 4 Edw. 2. And in 8 Edw 2. received command to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to be at Newcastle upon Tine upon the Festival of the Assumption of our Lady to restrain the Incursions of the Scots This Iohn had Summons to Parliament from 28 Edw. 1. till 8 Edw. 2. inclusive but not afterwards nor none of his posterity And in 11 Edw 2. was one of the Commissioners appointed to treat with Robert de Brus of Scotland touching a Truce betwixt both Realms But farther I cannot say of him Greystoke THe first of this Family touching whom I can make any discovery is Ranulph the Son of Walter who in 12 Ioh. gave three hundred marks and one Palfrey for the Wardship and Marriage of the Heir of Walter de Carro To which Ranulph succeeded William and to him Thomas his Son and Heir who was in minority in 1 Hen. 3. And in 29 H. 3 obtained the Kings Charter for a weekly Market upon the Sunday at his Mannor of Greystoke in Cumberland as also for a Fair to be yearly held there for three days beginning on the Eve of S. Edwards Translation To this Thomas succeeded Robert his Son and Heir who in 31 Hen 3. giving security for the payment of an hundred pounds for his Releif had Livery of his Lands but lived not long after for in 38 Hen. 3. William his Brother and Heir paying one hundred pounds for his Releif and doing his Fealty had Livery of that Inheritance Ellen the Wife of Robert then surviving who gave to the King a Fine of twenty pounds for liberty to marry again Which William in 42 Hen. 3. amongst other the great men of that time received Summons to attend the King at Chester upon the Morrow next after the feast of St. Iohn Baptist well fittted with horse and Arms to restrain the hostilities of the Welsh And in 13 Edw. 1. procured a Charter from the King for a Fair every year at his Mannor of Morpeth in Northumberland for three days beginning on the Eve of St. Mary Magdelen Which Lordship of Morpeth he had in right of Mary his Wife the eldest of the three Daughters and Coheirs of Roger de Merlay an eminent Baron of the North in that time by whom he had issue two Sons viz. Iohn and William and a Daughter called Margaret married to Sir Robert de la Val Knight he departed this life in 17 Edw. 1. being then seized of the Mannors of Duston in Com. Westmorl Greystoke in Com. Cumberl Morpeth with the Advowson of the Church Crostingthwayt the moity of the Mannors of Staynington and Heppescotes certain Lands in Horstey-Scheles with the Advowson of the Church of Horsley and divers other Lands in Com. Northumb. leaving Iohn his Son and Heir at that time twenty five years of age Which Iohn doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and in 22 Edw. 1. amongst other the great men of that age was required to attend the King to give him his best advice in certain important affairs then to be considered of and in
he sent for all his Knights and Esquires which held of the English party having twelve hundred men at Armes two thousand Archers and three thousand Foot and passing the Garone betwixt Burdeaux and Blay entered Poiâ—ou where he took the Town and Castle of Mirabell by assault Likewise the Town and Castle of Alnoy the Towns of Surgeres and Benon as also Mortain on the Sea side burnt the Town of Lusignen wone the Town and Castle of Taylbourg obtained the Town of St. Iohn d' Angle by render took the Town of Burg St. Maximien by assault So likewise Monstrell Boyvin and the City of Poitiers But these last passages are somewhat otherwise reported by Tho. Walsingham who saith that in this year viz 20 Edw. 3. upon a Counsel held at Brigerak in Aquitane by this Earl and the great men of that Countrey he being then Seneschall there Iohn the eldest Son to the King of France who had long besieged Aguilon but could not take it sent to him for a Truce which was expresly denied and seeing he could not obtain his desire quitted the Siege by night in much disorder leaving his Tents and Baggage behind And that this Earl thereupon fixed himself in Aguilon Reas and several other places as also in the Castles of Agenoys and Tonynges Likewise that marching by Seintonge with a thousand men he lodged at Salveterre which was rendered to him for fear and that after this having taken the Towns of St. Iohn d'Angelyn and Isyngham by assault as also the Castle coming to Poytiers after a short Siege he took it and having refreshed his Army there for eight days returned with great boâ—ty and triumph to Burdeaux About this time also Calais being besieged by the English King Edward took care that the avenues thereto should be strictly guarded so that the French might not approach to raise that siege Whereupon he sent this Earl to keep Newland Bridge with a choice number of men and Archers Shortly after which that strong garrison was rendered At this Siege bearing then the Title of Earl of Lancaster Derby and Leicester and Steward of England he was appointed by the King together with William de Clinton Earl of Hunâ—endon Renaud de Cobham Sir Walter Maney William Lovell and Stephen de Cosintone to hear and determine all disputes touching Armes and thereupon did by a certain Instrument under his and their Hands and Seals bearing date in the Camp there on the Eve of St. Margaret 21 E. 3. give judgement for Iohn de Warbelton in a certain cause then controverted betwixt him the said Iohn Son and Heir to Sir Iohn de Warbelton and Tibaud the Son of Sir Tibaud Russell who assumed the Sirname of Gorges for bearing his Armes viz. Lozengè d'Or d'Asure without any difference it being sufficiently proved that the ancestors of the said Iohn de Warbelton had time out of mind born the same Likewise that Sir Raufe de Gorges Grandfather of this Tibaud forsook his own proper Armes and of his own accord assumed these At this time he had of his own Retinue eight hundred men at Armes and two thousand Archers as also thirty Banners untill the Truce and kept such Hospitality that he spent an hundred pounds a day and eight or nine marks After which Truce it was found also upon account that he had expended in those Wars of France of his own treasure above seventeen thousand pounds Sterling besides the pay which he had from the King In consideration therefore of his Glorious Achivements in the Dutchy of Aquâ—â—tane and elsewhere by many Victories in open Fight as also in taking of divers Cities Towns and Castles as the Record it self doth express he obtained a Grant bearing date in the Camp before Calais 1 Iunii 21 Edw. 3. to himself and the Heirs male of his Body of the Castle and Town of Bragerac which was one of those places he had taken by strong assault Likewise of all the Lands and goods of those prisoners which he had taken at St. Iohn de Angely until their Ransoms were satisfied And soon after that procured another Grant to himself and the Heirs male of his Body of Horestan Castle in Com. Derb. and the annual Rent of forty pounds issuing out of the Town of Derby In this year there being a Tourneament held at 〈◊〉 in â—ent amongst other accouterments prepared for that Heroick Exercise this Earl had a Hood given to him by the King made of white Cloath and embroidered with Dancing men in blew habits and buttoned before with great Pearls In 22 Edw. 3. he was the principal of those persons unto whom the King gave Commission to treat with the Earl of Flanders upon certain differences betwixt the Subjects of England and people of Flanders As also made choice of to treat with the Constable of France upon a Truce for six weeks in order to a Peace throughout Picardy Normandy Arrois Beulongne and Flanders And upon the 25 of Septemb. the same year was constituted the Kings Lieutenant throughout the parts of Flanders Calaâ—s and all other places in France with power to treat and agree with any of the Kings adversaries or their adherents And in December following was sent to Denemere to receive the Fealty and Homage of the Earl of Flanders In this year likewise he obtained a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Lordships of Gymingham Methwolde Thefourd and Beston in Comitat. Norff. And in 23 Edw. 3. by Letters Patent bearing date 20 Aug. was advanced to the title and dignity of Earl of Lincoln having therewith the Annual Fee of twenty pounds granted to him to be paid by the Sheriff of that Shire in lieu of the Tertium Denarium of that County as Thomas his Uncle late Earl of Lincoln had Soon after which he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain-General in the parts of Poictou with power to treat of Peace and Amity as also for observation of the Truce with the French And upon his journey thither obtained License to grant a thousand pounds per Annum Lands and Rents to certain persons to dispose of according to his own direction for the terme of twelve years In this year he marched into Gascoine with thirty thousand men and for ten days space made great spoil in the Countrey for ten leagues with Fire and Sword At which time he took forty two Towns and Castles Then came with his Army to Tholouse and chalenged them out to fight which they declining he burnt the Suburbs of that City About this time also he was elected into that Honourable Society of Knights of the most noble order of the Garter then newly founded And not long after viz. in 25 Edw. 3. having merited so highly by his prudent conduct and renowned exploits in the wars he was farther advanced to
Com. Cornub. Lydfoard in Com. Devon Cosham in Com. Wiltes Newport in Com. Essex UUallingford UUatiyngton and Bensington in Com. Berks. Knaresburgh Routhclyff and Aldburgh in Com. Ebor. As also was made Governor of Nottingham-Castle And likewise of the Castles of Carlisle and Scarborough But this his return and these new Favours rais'd the Peoples discontents in general to such a pitch that the Nobles making advantage thereof resolv'd to take him by force from the King and to that end made choice of Thomas Earl of Lancaster for their General in that adventure Whereupon that Earl backt by such Power sent certain Messengers to the King then at York requiring the delivery of this Piers unto them or else to banish him the Realm Whereunto not yielding and going forthwith from thence to Newcastle upon â—ine they followed him Whereof the King having advertisement he hasted to Tinemouth and so by Shipping to to Scardeburgh the strongest Castle on the Yorkshire Coast being founded on a Rock and for the most part environ'd with the Sea-water commanding the Soldiers there to Victual it presently and protect him whilst he himself went into the parts of UUarwickshire The Lords therefore being inform'd of all this seised upon those his Horses and other Goods which he had left at Newcastle causing them to be apprized and put into safe custody and made all speed after him to Scardeburgh that they could And being come thither began to lay siege thereto But finding no opposition by the Country the Earl of Lancaster draw off the greatest part of his Forces to the end they might not be too burthensome to the parts near adjacent and left the Earles of Pembroke and UUarren to take it by assault Who in a short time so wearied out those Guards which were within it by their frequent Allarms that Piers seeing no remedy yielded b himself promising c to stand to the Judgment of the Barons but with desire of liberty to speak with the King Whereunto the Earl of Pembroke inclining prevail'd with the other Lords that he should the Lord Perci also by a special Instrument in Writing signed in the King's Presence undertaking to preserve him securely against any harm for a certain time upon forfeiture of Life and Limb Lands and Tenements and all he had and so carried g him towards Wallingford But when he was on his way at h Dadington in Orfordshire about four Miles beyond Banbury having left the charge of him with his own servants himself and his Lady lodging in an adjacent Town the Earl of UUarwick in the night time came with divers Armed Men and took him thence to UUarwick Castle Where he kept him till the coming of the Earles of Lancaster Hereford and Arundel and then upon Consultation Whether they should carry him to the King or put him to death a sober person standing by told them That it would be a great folly having been at such a charge and trouble to eatch him to bazard the losing him again saying That it were much better that he should suffer death than that the Realm should be any whit disturb'd by a War Assenting therefore to this Advice they took him out of Prison and brought him to an ascent called Black-low about a Mile North-East from UUarwick and there by the hands of a Welsh-man beheaded him as a publick Traytor to the Kingdom that Prophecie being thereby fulfill'd viz. That he should feel the sharpness of the Teeth of the Black Dog of Arden for so he usually in scorn did call the Earl of UUarwick Being thus put to death the Fryers-Preachers carried his Body to Oxford where being kept for more than the space of two years and thence convey'd to Langele alias Kings Langele near St. Albans in Com. Hertf. it was with great Solemnity interred upon the second of Ianuary An. 1314. in the Church of the Friers-Preachers there newly Founded by that King to Pray for his Soul the king himself being present at his Funeral as also the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of London UUinchester UUorcester Bathe and UUelles Fourteen Abbots with a Multitude of the Religious and Friers-Mendicants Likewise the Earls of Norfolk and Pembroke and of Barons H. le Despenser Henry de Beanmont Bartholomew de Badlesmere Hugh le Despenser the Son Iohn de Handlo with about Fifty Knights Also of Officers the Lord Chancelor the Lord Treasurer the Treasurer of the Wardrobe Sir William Inge one of the Justices of the Common-pleas Sir I. Gisourz Major of London and I. Abel Eschaetor South of Trent But the King took his death so to heart that he desired he might be once revenged thereof This is all that I have to say of him other then that he left Margaret his Wife surviving who Married afterwards to Hugh de Audley junio And one only Daughter called Ioane which Ieane by special Covenants betwixt the King and Thomas de Multon Lord of Egremuâ—â— was to espouse Iohn the son and heir of the said Thomas so soon as they should attain to Marriagable years the Portion which the King agreed to give her being a Thousand Marks Sterling But her Father's purpose was to have Married her unto Thomas the son and heir of Iohn Lord Wake the King therefore by reasons that Wake Married himself otherwise without his License compell'd him to pay so much Money unto the before-specified Thomas de Multon in satisfaction of his Covenant so made as aforesaid Cromwell 1 Edw. 2. OF this Family there is notable mention in our publick Records before of any of them became Barons of this Realm In 17 Ioh. Raphe de Cromwell having adhered to the Rebellious Barons of that age gave a Fine of Sixty Marks and a Palfrey to make his peace And delivering up his eldest Daughter in Hostage had restitution of his Lands which had been seised for that transgression After which viz. in 3 Hen. 3. he was constituted a Justice-Itinerant in the Counties of Lincoln Nottingham and Derby To him succeeded another Raphe who Married Margaret one of the sisters and coheirs to Roger de Someri Baron of Dudley and in 2. E. 1. upon partition of the Lands and Knights Fees which were of their Inheritance had an assignation of her purpartie In 14 Edw. 1. this Raphe having been in that Expedition then made into Wales obtain'd Scutage of all his Tenants by Military service in the Counties of Warw. Leicester Buckingham Glocester Nottingham and Derby And in 22 E. 1. received command to attend the King at Portsmouth upon the first day of September well accoutred with Horse and Armes thence to Saile with him into Gascoigne After which viz. in 25 E. 1. he was
amongst the Barons of this Realm in 1 E. 3. and never afterwards nor any of his Defcendents and died in 2 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his Son and Heir thirty six years of age Which Baldwin died in 17 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his Son and Heir twenty six years of age who doing his Homage the next ensuing year had Livery of the Lands of his Inheritance lying in the Counties of Warr. Heref. Salop. Staff Wigorn. Wiltes Norff. and Suff. and in 38 E. 3. for his approved Fidelity and Service was made Seneschal of Xantoigne for life by the renowned Prince Edward commonly called the Black Prince eldest Son to King Edw. 3. Moreover in 42 E. 3. he was with him in his Wars of Gascoigne and soon after that march with the Duke of Lancaster to Mountpaon whereupon it was rendred In 46 E. 3. he was by Indenture reteyned to serve Prince Edward in his Wars of France with six men at Arms viz. three Knights and three Esquires taking twenty pound per annum see for the Knights and ten Marks for the Esquires And having wedded three Wives viz. Elizabeth Sister and Co-heir to Sir Iohn Montfort of Beldesert in Com. Warr. Knight Ida Daughter to ... Clinton a Lady of Honor to Queen Philippa and Ioane Daughter to the Lord Strange departed this life in 49 E. 3. leaving by the said Elizabeth Baldwin his Son and Heir twenty six years of age Which Baldwin being a Knight in 1 R. 2. exhibited his claim to be the Kings Champion upon the day of his Coronation and to do the service appertaining to that Office by reason of the Tenure of the Castle of Tamworth in Com. War viz. to ride compleatly armed upon a Barb'd Horse into UUestminster Hall and there to challenge the Combat with whomsoever that should dare to oppose the Kings Title to the Crown Which service the Marmions antiently Lords of that Castle had formerly performed But Sir Iohn Dimock Knight being then his Competitor carried it from him by judgment of the Constable and Marshal of England in regard of the Lordship of Scrivelby in Com. Linc. which by better authority than Frevile could produce did appear to be held by that service and that the Marmions enjoyed that Office as owners thereof and not as Lords of Tamworth-Castle Which Lordship of Scrivelby descended to Dimock by an Heir Female of Sir Thomas Ludlow Knight Husband of Ioane the youngest Daughter to Sir Philip Marmion before-mentioned Which Sir Baldwin in 9 R. 2. upon partition made betwixt him and Sir Thomas Boteler Knight of Montforts Lands whereunto they were Heirs had the Mannor of Ashstede in Com. Surr. with the mannors of Gunthorpe and Loudham in Com. Nott. assigned unto him as also the reversion of the mannors of Henley Beudesert and Haselholt iâ— Com. War after the decease of William de Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in whose hands they then were And had two Wives both of them Daughters to Sir Iohn Botetourt of UUeâ—ley-Castel in Com. Wigorn. whereof Elizabeth being married to him in 27 E. 3. very young died as it seems before they lived together for plain it is that he married Ioyce her Sister by whom he had Issue Baldwin nineteen years of age at his Fathers death in 11 R. 2. Which Baldwin in 12 R. 2. married Ioane the Daughter of Sir Thomas Grene Knight and died in 2 H. 4. leaving Baldwin his Son and Heir but two years of age who departing this life in his minority 6 H. 5. left his three Sisters his Heirs Elizabeth married to Thomas Ferrers second Son to William Lord Ferrers of Groby Margaret first married to Sir Hugh Willoughby Knight and afterwards to Sir Richard Bingham Knight and Ioyce to Roger Aston Esquire whereby a fair inheritance came to those Families viz. to Ferrers the Castle and mannor of Tamworth with the mannors of Lee juxta Merston Stretfordâ— juxta Tamworth and Haverburgh all in Com. Warr the mannor of Stichall juxta Coventre and Tadington in Com. Heref. with certain Lands and Rents in UUaverton Allesley and Mereden in Com. War as also in UUiginton in Com. Staff To Aston the Mannors of Ashstede and Newdigate in com Sur. Becknore in com Wigorn. Yatesbury in Com. Wiltes Pinley within the Liberties of Coventre and the Moytie of the Mannor of Henley in Arden in Com. War with the Advouson of the Church of Preston juxta Henley And to Sir Richard Bingham Knight then one of the Justices of the Kings Bench and Margaret his Wife formerly the Wife of Sir Hugh Willoughby of Wollaton in Com. Nott. Knight the Mannors of Middleton and Whitnash with certain Lands in Wilmecote in Com. War the Mannor of Wykin juxta Coventre with certain other Lands and Rents lying within the County of that City as also of the Mannors of Gunthorp and Loudham in Com. Nott. with the Mannors of Bradford Ferne and Mawne in com Heref. Ingham 1 Edw. 3. IN 2 Ioh. Iohn de Ingeham of Ingeham in com Norff. having married Albreda one of the Daughters and Co-heirs of Walter Waleran paid a Fine of sixty Marks to the King and one Palfrey for Livery of the third part of his Barony and for the relief due thereupon excepting the Serjeanty of the Forest which William de Nevill than had And in 4. Ioh. gave thirty Marks for the purpartie belonging to her of the Lands which her Mother then deceased held in Dower but died the next ensuing year leaving her the said Albreda surviving who thereupon gave four hundred Marks for License to Marry with whom she should think fit provided he were a loyal Subject Oliver his Son and Heir being then in ward to Robert de Tateshall Which Oliver died in 10 E. 1. and at that time seised of divers Lands in Little Swinburne ad UUallop in com South Likewise of the moytie of the mannor of Bardolveston in com Dors. Dene Est-Grenestede and certain Lands in Estrodeford in com Wiltes Iohn his Son and Heir being twenty two years of age Which Iohn thereupon doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and died in 2 E. 2. seized of a certain mannor lying in UUaybrede in com Norff. as also of the Mannors of Iengeham and UUaxtonesham in Com. Norff. leaving Oliver his Son and Heir twenty three years of age Who soon after doing his Homage had Livery of all his Lands excepting the Dowry of Margerie his Mother This Oliver became a person of great action in his time For in 4 E. 2. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland So likewise in 7 E. 2. and of the Retinue with Audomare de Valence and afterwards in 10 E. 2. and 13 E. 2. In 14 E. 2. he was constituted Governor
New Bigging to become bound in Ten thousand Marks for the rendring himself prisoner at a certain day in case he did not pay the Ransome then agreed on Of which payment making not performance the King upon complaint commanded Henry de Perci Earl of Northumberland Roger Lord Clifford and Raphe Lord Greystoke to bring him personally to his Presence and to find sufficient security for the indempnifying of those his sureties Nevertheless he neglected so to do by reason whereof the said Iohn de Nevill of Baby was constrain'd to pay the Ransome which was a Thousand Marks Whereupon making complaint to the King in 5 R. 2. he sent his Precept to the Sheriff of Westmorland to levy that sum upon the Goods and Lands of this Thomas as also to Arrest him and keep him in prison untill he should make full repayment thereof the Money having been paid by Nevill to the Earl of March whose Prisoner he was This is all that I have to say of him other than that his summons to Parliament was from 24 E. 3. until 47 E. 3. inclusive and that his Descendents being persons of great note in those parts do continue there to this day Benhale 34. Edw. 3. IN 10 E. 3. Robert de Benhale was in that Expedition then made into France Likewise in 12 E. 3. in that into Flanders And in 34 E. 3. had summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm but never after Edmund de Langele Earl of Cambridge 36 Edw. 3. EDmund the Fifth son of King Edward the Third born Edmund at the King's Mannor-house of Langele in Com. Hertf. An. 1341. 15 E. 3. and baptized by Michael then Abbot of St. Albans took thereupon his Surname from that place And in 21 E. 3. being then but six years of age had a Grant from the King his Father in special tail of all the Castles Mannors and Lands beyond Tâ—ent formerly belonging to Iohn de Warren Earl of Surrey but in regard of his Minority Quen Philippa his Mother received the Profits of them for the maintenance and education of him and other her younger children From which time till 36 E. 3. I have not seen any farther mention of him but then the Parliament sitting though he was at that time in Treland he was created Earl of Cambridge his Patent bearing date 13 Nov. And in 37 E. 3. obtain'd a Grant in Fee of the Castle Mannor and Town of Stanford as also of the Mannor of Grantham both in Com. Linc. In 38 E. 3. it appeares that he should have married Margaret heir to the Earl of Flanders but for neerness of blood the Pope being sent to for his Dispensation therein and Charles the Fifth then King of France craftily hindring it she became the wife to Philip Duke of Burgundy Brother to that King Notwithstanding which it appeares that in 39 E. 3. which was the next ensuing year Sir Nicholas de Tamworth Knight and Iohn Wyn Esquire were sent by King Edward to all the Nobles and other his Friends beyond the Seas to sollicit their help for the expelling those Strangers who had invaded the Counties of Burgundy Nevere and Reth of right belonging to the Countess of Flanders and her son which were to return unto this Edmund and to the Dutchess of Burgundy daughter to the same Earl of Flanders in regard of that Matrimonial Contract made betwixt them as the Record apparently doth manifest In 42 E. 3. Peace being then made with France this Edmund was one of those who on the behalf of the King his Father made Oath for the performance of the Articles then agreed on Also in 43 E. 3. being sent with the Earl of Pembroke and others in aid of the Black Prince then in Normandy he was at the siege of Bourdelf and having taken it Marcht to the Castle of Roche sur yone Moreover after this upon winning the Garrison of Bell-Perch he led away the Duke of Bourbon's Mother and all that were therein And then joyn'd with the Duke of Lancaster his Brother at Bergerath to keep the Frontiers against the French In 44 E. 3. he still continued in those Wars and in 46 E. 3. upon the taking of Lymoges by the Black Prince with the Earl of Pembroke and Sir Guischard de Angle he entred and did much slaughter there After which he attended the King in that Expedition design'd for the rescuing of Thouars but therein being crossed by contrary Windes nothing was attempted Before the end of that year therefore he returned with Iohn Duke of Lancaster his Brother at which time they brought with them the two daughters of Don Pedro King of Castile viz. Constance and Isabell which Isallell shortly became his wife In 47 E. 3. he was retein'd by Indenture to serve the King for one whole year in his fleet at Sea with Two hundred and fifty Men at Armes Two hundred and fifty Archers thirty Knights and Two hundred and twenty Esquires and in 48 E. 3. was joyn'd in Commission by the King his Father with Iohn Duke of Britanny in the Lieutenancy of France and all other Forreign parts Whereupon he â—ailed into Britanny and had the Town of St. Mathews on the Sea-coast with the Castles of Brest and Orrey rendred to him After which they besieg'd Kemperle wherein most of the chief Men of Britanny at that time were and had taken it but that a certain Knight brought them Newes of a Truce betwixt England and France with command from King Edward that they should leave the siege and return home speedily In 50 E. 3. he was made Constable of Dovor-Castle and Warden of the Cinque-ports And in 1 R. 2. in which year he was again retein'd to serve the King in his Fleet at Sea for a quarter of that year with One hundred Men at Armes and One hundred Archers whereof himself and one Banneret to be part of the number twelve Knights and the rest Esquires Froisard saith that upon the appearance of the French near to the Coast of England about that time this Edmund and Thomas of Wodstoke his Brother were at Dovor in the head of an hundred thousand men with Banners display'd In 2 R. 2. he was again in the King's Fleet at Sea And in 4 R. 2. was one of the Principal Commanders in that great Army then sent into Portugall Whereupon he obtain'd a Grant from the King that whereas by reason of his former services and in that voyage to Portugall he had contracted divers Debts his Executors should therefore reteine the profits of all his Lands for one whole year after his death as also receive that sum of Five hundred Marks which had been granted by King Edward the Third to be paid yearly unto him
Tenants in the Counties of Glouc. and Heref. who held of him by Military Service And gave to the Canons of St. Leonard at Pyon now called Wormeley in Com. Heref. his Mills at Lenhale with the sutes thereto appertaining for the maintainance of three Chantry-Priests to celebrate Divine Service for ever for the health of his Soul as also for the Soul of Isabell his Wife and all his Ancestors and Successors Souls He likewise gave unto them an Island lying Eastward from those Mills with three yard Land within his Mannor of Lenhale and a certain Grove called Bircncombe with divers other Lands and Woods in Lenhale Hope Stoke and other places To which Stephen succeeded William his Son and Heir who in 42 H. 3. had Summons to attend the King at Chester on Munday preceding the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist sufficiently furnished with Horse and Arms to restrain the Incursions of the Welch And in 44 H. 3. considering the frequent Hostilities of those ill Neighbors being then one of the Barons-Marchers received command with the rest to repair without delay to the Marches with all the power he could make for prevention of more mischief by them Moreover in 47 H. 3. he had another Summons to be at Hereford upon the third day after the Epiphany well fitted with Horse and Arms to withstand Prince Leoline who had broke the Truce concluded on betwixt King Henry and him as also to be at Ludlow to the same purpose on Munday next after the Feast of the Purification of the blessed Virgin in like sort accoutred Howbeit after this viz in 48 H. 3. being with the King in that fatal Battle of Lewes he forsook him and siding with the Rebellious Barons was slain in the Battle of Evesham in 49 H. 3. Whereupon Maud his Widdow Sister to Walter Giffard Bishop of Bathe and Welles making her address to the King for certain Jewels and Harness which had been deposited in the Church of Hereford by him the said William before that Battle obtained his Precept a to the Treasurer of that Cathedral for the delivery of them unto her But his Lands being seised for that rebellious Action continued in the Kings hands until 51 H. 3. that William his Son and Heir making his composition at three years value according to the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth had Livery of them In 22 E. 1. this last mentioned William upon that great Expedition then made by the King himself into Gascoine received command to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to be at Portsmouth upon the first of September thence to attend him thither and in 23 Edw. 1. was again in those Wars of Gascoine To this William succeeded Sir Iohn D'Evereux Knight who in 42 E. 3. attended Prince Edward commonly called the Black Prince into Galcoine and in 43 E. 3. was Seneschal and Governor of Lymosin Moreover in 44 E. 3. he again served him in his Wars of France and in 46 E. 3. was made Seneschal of Rochell as also Governor of St. Severe in Lymosin In 51 E. 3. the black Prince then dead he was reteined to serve Prince Richard Grandson and Heir apparent to King E. 3. in all his Wars during his whole life and attended him into Spaine and Gascoine having thereupon a Grant of two hundred Marks per annum And when that Prince attained the Crown in the first year of his Reign procured an assignation of the same Annuitie to be paid out of the Fee-ferms due from the Earl of March for Moutgomerie and Buelt in South-Wales In this first year of King R. 2. he also served him in his Fleet at Sea and was constituted Governor of Ledes-Castle in Kent at that time also he joyned with Sir Aubrei de Vere in certain Covenants to serve the King for one quarter of the year with one hundred men at Arms whereof five to be Knights besides himself and an hundred Archers And in 3 R. 2. being an experienced Souldier was made Captain of Calais Shortly after which in consideration of his acceptable services he obtained from Iohn Duke of Britanny a Grant of one hundred Marks per annum for life to be received yearly out of the Mannors of Crawhurst Buleham and Burghesse in the Rape of Hastings in Com. Suss. And in 5 R. 2. being still Captain of Calais was joyned in Commission with the Lord Cobham and others to Treat of Peace with the French In 6 R. 2. he still continued Captain of Calais and in 7 R. 2. was again constituted a Commissioner with Iohn Duke of Lancaster and others to Treat with the Earl of Flanders for the appeasing of those discords which then were betwixt the Subjects of England and the Flemings In 8 R. 2. being then a Banneret he was reteined to serve the King in his Wars for forty days and in 9 R. 2. appointed one of the Commissioners to Treat with others authorised from the King of France touching Peace betwixt both Realms And having obtained a Lease for his life as also for the lives of Margaret his Wife Iohn his Son and Ioane his Daughter of the Priories-Alien of Frompton and Newent in Com. Glouc. then seised into the Kings hands by reason of his Wars with France in regard they were Cells to certain Monasteries in those parts for which he was to pay three hundred and ten Marks yearly into the Kings Exchequer the King in consideration that he had assumed the title and dignity of a Banneret and for that respect was placed at his Royal Standard to the end he might the more honourably support the same degree totally acquitted him of that Annuity In 11 R. 2. he was made Constable of Dovor â— Castle and Warden of the Cinque-Ports but this was through the influence of the great Lords then predominant And in 13 R. 2. joyned in Commission with Walter Skyrlaw Bishop of Durham and others to Treat with such as the King of France should appoint touching a Peace betwixt both Realms he being at that time Steward of the Kings Houshold So likewise to Treat with the Flemmings upon certain important affairs Upon the attainder of Sir Simon Burley Knight the Castle and Mannor of Leonhales in Com. Heref. divolving to the King which Castle and Mannor had been formerly purchased from Robert Earl of Oxford by the said Simon and to the Heirs Male of his body the remainder to this Sir Iohn d'Evereux and his Heirs In 13 R. 2. he obtained a special Grant thereof in see and in 16 R. 2. being possessed of the Lordship of Penshurst in Com. Cantii he obtained Licence to make a Castle of his Mannor-House there By his Testament bearing date on Tuesday ... Iunii An. 1385.
descended to him and it so clog'd with Debts that for the disengaging thereof he Married the said Frances his Grand-Daughter and Heir to Humble Ward the only Son of William Ward a Wealthy Goldsmith in London Jeweller to the late Queen of which Humble I shall speak farther in due place And departing this Life 23 Iunii an 1643. was buried in St. Edmund's Church at Dudley since pull'd down in the time of the late troubles by reason of its nearness to the Castle ¶ Having now done with this Line of the Barons of Dudley I come to Iohn the second Son to Iohn Lord Dudley This Iohn by Elizabeth his Wife one of the two Daughters and Coheirs of Iohn Bramshot Esq Lord of the Mannors of Eatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Wiht as also of the Mannor of Brâ—mshot in Com. Suth had Issue Edmund his Son and Heir which Edmund upon her Death 12 Oct. 14 H. 7. was found to be thirty six years of Age. And having been trained up to the Study of the Laws in Grays-Inne as it seems by his Arms then set up and still remaining in a Window of the Chappel there became so great a proficient therein as that though then but young in 1 Henr. 7. he was made choice of to be one of the Privy Council to that prudent Prince proper prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polyd. Virg. In 19 H. 7. being then Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament he should have been made Sergeant at Law upon the 13th of November But for what reason appears not he did Petition that he might be discharg'd from assuming that Dâ—gree Whereupon the King directed his Precept to William Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal Commanding his forbearance to make out any Writ for his Call and in 22 H. 7. he obtain'd the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastitings in Com. Suss. This Edmund wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer Son to a Sive-maker in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugal disposition did first project the taking advantage against such as had transgressed the penal Laws by exacting from them the forfeitures according to those Statutes Or whether the King perceiving so fair a gap open to rake vast sums of money from his subjects finding those persons to be fit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses for filling his Coffers 't is hard to say But certain it is that these were they whom he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hateful business into good Language as the Lord Verulam saith And merited so well in that imployment as that he obtain'd a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Edward Grey Viscount L'isle whom he made his Wife and by her had issue divers Children But after King Henry had long made use of the services of him and Empson to that end he exposed them to such advantages as the discontented people had any colour to take against them for their manifold Extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their Estates Besides this having also packt-Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any Verdict which serv'd for their purpose they at length had their just reward for those oppressions For King Henry the Eighth in the first year of his Reign being desirous of popularity did by his Proclamation divulge that whosoever had received Injury by the Injustice of any should upon complaint to him have redress Which liberty did so incourage the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing would then satisfie but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Whereupon this Edmund being arraign'd at Guild-Hall in London upon Munday next after the xv m e of St. Iohn Bapt. 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumb. Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of St. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Sir Charles Somerset Knight Lord Herbert Stephen Iennings then Mayor of the City of London Sir Iohn Fineaux Knight Sir Robert Rede Knight Sir William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humphrey Coningesby Sir Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevil Sir Thomas Lovel Knight Sir Edward Poynings Kt. Sir Henry Marney Knight Sir Thomas Englefeild Knight and Sir Thomas Drury Knight Justices to inquire c. upon an Indictment of divers high Treasons and thereupon convicted he was on Wednesday next preceeding the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his Head smitten off on Tower Hill with Empson who had been-tryed at Northampton for the Peoples satisfaction upon the 28th of Aug. 2 H. 8. by virtue of the Kings Special Precept to that purpose leaving Issue three Sons Iohn Andrew and Ierome and a Daughter Married to William Lord Stourton Which Andrew being afterwards a Knight and in that Conspiracy upon the Death of King Edward the Sixth for raising the Lady Iane Gray to the Royal Throne had with others sentence of Death in 1 Mariae for the same Of these Iohn the Elder scarce of eight years of Age at his Fathers Death had to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esq of the Body to the King Who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained a special Act for the Repeal of the said Edmunds Attainder and restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree so that he might enjoy all his Fathers Lands Being therefore thus young many years passed before he appeared in any publick Employment so that till 15 H. 8. I have not seen any farther mention of him but then it appears that he was Knighted by Charles Brandon Duke of Suff. General of those forces sent into France against the Duke of Bourbon Also that in 19 H. 8. he accompanied Cardinal Woolsey into France who then went Ambassador thither and that in 26 H. 8 being the Kings Servant he was made Master of the Armory in the Tower of London for life with the Wages of xiid. per diem for his Groom in that Office Moreover that in 31 H. 8. he was Master of the Horse to the Lady Anne of Cleve then landed in this Realm in order to her Marriage with King Henry And in 32 H. 8. in those triumphal Justs held at Westm. upon the first of May and several days after was the first and principal of the Challenges against all Comers his Horse being trapt with white Velvet After which about two years by reason of his Descent on
succeeding him in his honors married the Lady Frances daughter to Leonel Earl of Middlesex and at length heir to Iames Earl of Middlesex her Brother and by her hath issue three sons viz. Charles called Lord Buckhurst Edward and Richard And three daughters viz. Elizabeth married to the Lord Broghill son and heir to the Earl of Orrory in Ireland Anne to the Earl of Hume in Scotland and Frances to Sir George Lane Knight Which Charles hath married Elizabeth daughter of Hervey Bagot of Pipe-Hall in Com. Warr. a younger son to Sir Hervey Bagot of Blithfeild in Com. Staff Baronet widow of Charles Earl of Falmouth and was created Earl of Middlesex by Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 4 Aprilis 27 Car. 2. Compton Earl of Northampton 14 Eliz. TOuching this Family which assum'd their surname from that Lordship of Compton in Com. Warr. antiently distinguisht from those other Towns of the same appellation by the addition of the Vineyard and thereupon called Compton at the Vineyard certain I am that it is very antient for of that name there were some in the same County in King Henry the Second's time Also it appears that Robert de Compton was in the Wars against the Welch in 15 E 2. Likewise that in 6 E. 3. Iohn de Compton being then a Knight was one of the Knights for that County in the Parliament at that time held and that Thomas de Compton was one of the Coroners in the same County in 23 E. 3. and so continued till 50 E. 3. So likewise his son Edmund in Richard the Second's time that being in those dayes an Office of high repute But the person who laid the Foundation for that Honor which of later years hath been enjoy'd by his Descendents was William the son of another Edmund de Compton who though but eleven years of age at his Father's death in 8 H. 7. became first a Page to Henry Duke of York second son to that King and afterwards so soon as the same Henry ascended to the Royal Throne being one of the Grooms of his Bed-chamber stood so high in his favour as that before the revolution of one year he was chosen for one of the Gentlemen thereof And in 2 H. 8. made Groome of the Stole Soon after which he was made Constable of Sudley-Castle in Com. Gloc. and in 3 H. 8. had the like trust for the Castle at Glocester In 4 H. 8. in consideration of his good and faithful services he obtained a special grant to himself and his heirs of an honorable Augmentation to his Armes out of the King 's own Royal Ensignes and Devises viz a Lyon passant guardant Or and for his Crest a demi-Dragon erazed gules within a Coronet of gold upon a torse Argent and Vert as by a special Instrument under the Kings own Sign Manual bearing date at Westminster 7 Nov. and exemplified by Thomas Wriothesley at that time Garter Principal King of Armes with his Seale and the Seal of his Office annexed thereunto 14 Decembris following appeareth And upon the 4 th of February next ensuing had a Grant of the Office of Vsher of the Black Rod to bear the same at St. Georges Feast within the Castle of Windsore and the Fee of Twelve pence per diem allowance for that service He had likewise the same year by the bounty of that King another Grant to himself and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten of the Mannor of Wyke in Com. Midd. sometime part of the possessions of George Duke of Clarence and of a certain Mansion called Lovells-Inne scituate in Pater-noster-Row within the City of London with divers Tenements pertaining thereto Also of the Mannor of Aldwike in Com. Northampt. called Holand's Mannor with one Wood there called Baro-shanke Likewise of Twenty four Acres of Meadow in Brantsy Twenty four in Swillingholm all in Aldwincle in the same County Also of the Mannor of Deyncourt in Com. Buck part of the possessions of Francis Lord Lovel with the Mannors of Rockholds Cobeham and Rishams part of the Lands of Sir Richard Charleton Knight In 5 H. 8. being then a Knight he had a Commission to retein men in any of those Lordships belonging to such Monasteries whereof he was then Steward for the service of the King in his wars And in that Expedition to Therouene and Tournay the same year led the Rere-ward of the King's Army Shortly after this he was made one of the Knights for the King's Body as also Chancelor of Ireland with liberty to execute that Office by a sufficient Deputy but held it not long for the Archbishop of Dublin obtain'd it in 7 H. 8. In 6 H. 8. he had a Grant to himself and Werburge his wife and to the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten of the Mannors of Elcombe and Ufcote in Com. Wilts Also of the Mannor of Pole-place in Com. Berks. part of the possessions of Francis Lovel and William Vicount Lovel And in 9 H. 8. of the Mannors of Salthrope alias Saltrop Chilton and Blagrave in Com. Wilts And of Two hundred Acres of Pasture called Blagrove with their Appurtenances in Blagrove and Wroughton in the same County Likewise of the Mannor of Wythynden aliâ—â— Myhunden in the Parishes of Wronghton and Lydegerd Kregoce in the same County of the Mannor of Elcomb with the Park called Elcombe Parke of the Mannor of Watlescote alias Wykilscote of the Mannor of Westcote One hundred Acres of Land Sixty Acres of Pasture in Wigleste and Wroughton of the Mannor of Uffecote two Messuages a Thousand Acres of Land a Thousand Acres of Pasture Three hundred Acres of Meadow and Three hundred Acres of Wood in Brode-Hinton all in the â—ame County And of Eight pounds per annum Rent issuing out of the Mannor of Denford in Com. Berks late Francis Vicount Lovell's attainted The same year also he was made Constable of Hanley-Castle in Com. Wigorn. And in 10 H. 8. was charg'd with providing Fifty Archers for the King's service in his Wars In 11 H. 8. he obtained License to make a Park at his Mannor of Compton Vineyatys in Com. War of certain inclosed grounds and to include Two thousand Acres more of Land and Wood therein In 13 H. 8. upon the Attainder of Edward Duke of 〈◊〉 he obtain'd a Grant in special tail of the Mannor Castle and Park of 〈◊〉 in Com. Warr. as also of the Mannors of Scotton and Breâ—eton in Com. Ebor. in reversion after the death or surrender of Simon Coniers In 15 H. 8. he was imploy'd in those hostile Incursions then made into Scotland Cardinal Welsey being the cause thereof as some thought who perceiving in what favour he grew with the King contrived to pack him out of the way left in time he might diminish his greatness In
Iames now Earl of Northampton first married the Lady Isabella one of the two daughters and coheirs to Richard late Earl of Dorset by the Lady Anne his wife sole daughter and heir to George Earl of Cumberland by whom he had issue two sons William and Iames who both died in their childhood and three daughters Anne and Isabella who also died young and Alathea yet living To his second wife he married Mary daughter to Baptist Vicount Campden and by her hath issue two sons George and Spenser and two daughters Inliâ—nâ— and Mary Lord Norris 14 Eliz. THough none of this Family did arrive to the dignity of Peerage until Q. Elizabeths Reign yet was it of great note and honour'd with divers Matches from sundry Noble Houses many ages past For it appears that they were of Speke in Com. Lanc. long before King Edward the Third's time and most of them Knights And that in 35 E. 3. Iohn a second son to Sir Henry Norris of Sâ—eke lived at Bray in Com. Berks. as did also his son and grandson Likewise that in the time of King Henry the Sixth Iohn his great grandson was first Usner of the Chamber next Squyer of the Body and afterwards Master of the Wardrobe to that King Lastly Sheriff of the Counties of Oxon. and Berks. in 36 of his Reign As also Squyer of the Body to King Edward the Fourth And residing at Yatenden in Com. Berks. departed this life 1 Sept. 6 E 4. whereupon he was buried at Bray in an Isle of that Church built at his own cost To whom succeeded Sir William Norris of Yatenden Knight his son and heir one of the Knights for the Body to King Edward the Fourth And in 2 H. 7. a Commander in the King's Army at the Battel of Stoke juxta Newark against Iohn Earl of Lincoln and his adherents This Sir William was a person learned in the Laws as it seems for in that second year of H. 7. he had an Annuity of Twenty Marks out of the Mannor of Swarford in Com. Oxon granted to him by Iohn Duke of Suffolk pro bono consilio impenso impendendo And in 19 H. 7. 5 Maii for the like consideration of his Counsel obtain'd a grant from that King of the custody of the Mannor of Langley which Mannor was then in the Crown by reason of the minority of Edward son and heir to Isabel late wife of George Duke of Clarence as also of the Stewardship of the Mannors of Boreford Shipton Spillesbirie and Hundred of Cadlyngton all in Com. Oxon. which Mannors were then also in the Crown by reason of the minoritie of the said Edward He first Married Isabel the daughter and heir of Edmund Ingaldesthorp widow of Iohn Nevill Marquess Mountagu and by her had issue three sons William Leonel and Richard all which died young and three daughters ... married to Sir Iohn Langford of Bradfeild Knight Ioane to Iohn Cheney of Wodhey in Com. Berk Esquire and Elizabeth to William Farmer of Somerton in Com. Oxon. Esq. He afterwards married Iane daughter to Iohn Earl of Oxford and by her had issue Sir Edward Norris Knight who married Fridiswide the daughter and coheir of Francis Vicount Lovel and by her had issue z two sons Iohn and Henry Which Iohn was Squyer of the Body to King Henry the Eighth and having married Elizabeth the sister of Edmund Lord Bray died without any legitimate issue 21 Oct. 6 Eliz. â—o that Henry became heir to the Estate Which Henry upon the surrendring of Sir William Compton Knight was made Usher of the Black Rod 23 Oct. 18 H. 8. to bear the same before the King or his Lieutenant at St. Georges Feast in the Castle of Windsore He was also Squyer of the Body to that King and in 20 H. 8. one of the Gentlemen of his Privy-Chamber Likewise in 27 H. 8. 29 Nov. made Constable of Walingford Castle But upon the first of May following there being a solemn Just held at Grenewich wherein George Bullen Vicount Rochford was chief challenger and this Henry principal defendent the King suddenly departed thence no cause for it being at all known which much discomposed the whole Company especially the Queen Some say that she let fall her Handkerchief wherewith one supposed her Favourite did wipe his face and that it was perceived by the King But whatever it was the next morning this Henry with the Lord Rochford were committed to the Tower So likewise the Queen Who when she came thither fell upon her knees beseeching God so to help her as she was not guilty of what she was accused Others were also committed at that time upon the same account It is reported that she seem'd to exclaim against this Henry as if he had accused her yet said they should both die together But so they did not nor on the same day she being Tryed before the Duke of Norfolk High Steward for that occasion and found guilty by her Peers He also with the rest soon after and beheaded on the Fourteenth of that Moneth It is likewise reported that the King greatly favoured this Henry and that he much grieved that he was to die with the rest Also that thereupon he offer'd pardon to him conditionally that he would confess that whereof he stood accused but he answered resolutely That in his conscience he thought the Queen guiltless of the objected crime but whether she were or not he could not accuse her of any thing and that he had rather undergo a thousand deaths than betray the Iâ—nocent upon relation whereof to the King he cryed out Hang him up then Hang him up then Hereupon he was Attainted in Parliament â— Iunii the same year viz. 28 H. 8. leaving issue by Mary his wife daughter to Thomas Lord Daâ—res of the South Henry his son and heir and Mary a daughter first married to Sir George Carew Knight and afterwards to Sir Arthur Champernon Knight Which Henry liv'd at Wytham in Com. Berks. being Thirty years of age in 7 Eliz. In An. 1566. 8 Eliz. he was Knighted at his own House at Rycot And in 14 Eliz. sent Embassador into France Where he managed his business with such prudence and honor as that by reason thereof and his fathers sufferings for her Mother's sake he was advanced to the dignity of a Peer of this Realme by Summons to Parliament and took his place in the House of Lords upon the Eighth of May the same year By his Testament bearing date 24 Sept. An. 1589. 31 Eliz. he bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Chapel of Rycot and by Margerie his wife the younger of the two daughters and coheirs to Iohn Lord Williams of â—ame with whom he had that Lordship
Lviii s. v d. Rent of Assize issuing out of divers Burgages in Keneford all in the County of Devon as also the Mannor of Hillesdon in Com. Buck. Which Anne in 11 H. 6. obtain'd Licence from the King to marry Iohn Botreaux Esq and died 16 Ian. 19 H. 6. Of Thomas the next succeeding Earl I find That in 8 H. 6. being then within age he covenanted to serve the King for one whole year with six Men at Arms and xxi Archers in a Voyage-Royal then made into France for the accustomed Wages of War And in 14 H. 6. that he did again covenant by Indenture to serve the King for the Relief of Calais with one Knight xxiv Men at Arms and CCCClxx Archers Moreover That in 19 H. 6. he had Livery of his Lands and his Homage respited Likewise That in 30 H. 6. favouring the Title of Richard Duke of Yorke who aimed at the Crown he entred into Counsel with him for attaining thereof and that he departed this Life upon the Feast-day of St. Blase the Bishop scil 3 Febr. 36 H. 6. as also That Thomas his Son and Heir being then xxvi years of age had shortly after Livery of his Lands doing his Homage Which last-mention'd Thomas stoutly adhering to King Henry the Sixth in those Wars with the House of Yorke had in consideration thereof an Annuity of an hundred Marks per Annum for his Life given him in 38 H. 6. to be yearly receiv'd out of the Profits of the Mannor and Borough of Milberton and Mershwâ—â—e then forfeited to the Crown by the Rebellion as it was then called of Richard Duke of Yorke But long he enjoy'd it not for the House of Yorke prevailing Edward Son to that Duke got the Crown within little more than one year aâ—ter and within one Month more after that viz. 3 Abr. 1 E. 4. he himself viz. this Earl died leaving Thomas his Son and Heir who being at Lowâ—on-Field with his Father upon Palm-Sunday Martii 29 the same year was for that Offence attainted in the Parliament begun at Westminster 4 Nov. following But did not suffer death as it seems for it appears that in 11 E. 4. being again in Arms on the behalf of King Henry the Sixth at the Battel of Tewkesbury he there was slain and buried in that place Notwithstanding all which Henry Courtney Esq for so he is called his Brother and Heir in Blood found so much favour from King Edward that upon the twenty seventh of July in the first year of his Reign without any proof of his Age he gave him Livery of the Mannor of Topesham and of all other the Lands Tenements Boroughs and Lordships which his said Brother was seised of at the time of his death or Thomas Earl of Devon Father of them both But of this special Livery he had small Benefit for in February following King Edward gave the Borough of Tiverton with a great part of the Possessions of the same Thomas late Earl of Devon so attainted as hath been observed unto Sir Humphrey Stafford of Suthwyke Knight and to the Heirs-male of his Body whom he afterwards advanced to the Title of Earl of Devon as I shall shew in due place Howbeit long it was not ere the Scene became chang'd For no sooner had King Henry the Seventh obtain'd the Crown of this Realm but highly favouring those Families who stood firm to the Lancastrian Interest he did not onely advance Sir Edward Courtney of Haccombe Knight Son to Sir Hugh Courtney of Boconnok Knight Son of Hugh younger Brother to Edward late Earl of Devon unto the Title of Earl of Devon as by his Letters Patents bearing date 26 Oct. the same year appeareth but upon the same day by other Letters Patents gave him the Honours Borough and Mannours of Plimpton and Okehampton the Castle and Mannor of Tyverten the Mannors of Sampford Courtney Chalvelegh Cornwood Morton Dawney Topesham Exiland Ken Ecrmynster Colyton Whycaford Whimbel Aylesbere Raylesford Musbury and Chulmelegh as also the Hundreds of Plympton Tyverton Colyton West-Burleghe Est-Burleghe Exrminster Harige and Wâ—nforde with the Advowsons of the Churches of Alfrington Ken Throughen Miltonâ— Damorell and All-Saints in the City of Exeter with the Advowsons of the Prebends of Hayes Coticors and Ken in the Chappel of our Lady within the Castle of Exeter Also of the Chantry of Stiklepath with Free-fishing in the River of Exe and three Mills in Exiland all in the County of Devon Likewise the Mannor of Webington in Bedfordsh the Mannors of Shebrok West-Tanton Landulp Northil Porthloe Porth-pigham Legh-Durant Landzean Trelowyn Trevervyn Courtney Tregamare and Tregulan as also the Boroughs of Crofthole and Port-Pigham with the Advowson of the Churches of Cheviok Landulâ— and Northill and Free-Chappel of Lamana in Cornwale all which were part of the Possessions of Thomas Courtney late Earl of Devon Son of Thomas sometime Earl of Devon And in March following constituted him Governour of the Castle of Restormell in Cornwall This Edward was in that Expedition made into France in 7 H. 7. for assisting of Maximilian the Emperour against the French which succeeded not And in 13 H. 7. with the help of William his eldest Son a Person of great Valour stoutly defended the City of Exeter then besieged by Perkyn Warbeck and that Power which he had newly Landed in Cornwall until the Men of Note in those Western Parts came to the Relief thereof Having married Elizabeth Daughter to Sir Philip Courtney of Maland Knight he had Issue by her Sir William Courtney Knight his Son and Heir and by his Testament bearing date 27 Martii â— H. 8. bequeathing his Body to be buried in the Chappel at Tibertone near the Grave of his Wife gave Lands of iv l. per Annum value for the founding of a Chantry therein He had also four Sisters whose Issue at length became Heirs to the Inheritance viz. Elizabeth Maude Isabell and Florence the first of which was Wife of Iohn Tretherfe the second of Iohn Arundel of Telverne the third of William Mohun and the fourth of Iohn Trelauny To this last Edward succeeded William his Son and Heir who towards the later end of King Henry the Seventh's Reign more for Suspicion than any just Cause was cast into Prison together with William his Uncle Howbeit when King Henry the Eighth came to the Crown he was receiv'd into Favour and in high esteem but when he should have return'd to his Military Exercises he died of a Pleuriâ—ie on the ninth of June 3 H. 8. at Grenewiche before he had either Letters Patents of Creation or was formally Created with Ceremony Nevertheless through the special Favour of the King he was Interred as an Earl on the South-side of the High-Altar in the Black Friers Church