Earldom of âichmund as also to Thomas Amaedius and Lewes his Brothers the Honors of Egle and Hastings ¶ Having now done with this Peter de Savoy I return to Iohn de Dreux Son to Peter de Dreux formerly Earl of Richmund as is before observed In 45 Hen. 3. this Iohn his Father being then alive obtained from the King a gift of Twelve thousand pounds sterling for the extent and value of the Earldom of Richmund and besides that Two hundred marks as a free gift the King then Covenanting with him That if the value thereof should upon this extent be found more then to give a farther allowance proportionable to the surplusage In 46 Hen. 3. Prince Edward releasing and quit-claiming to the King all his Interest to the Honor and Rape of Hastings in Com. Suss. The King thereupon granted the said Honor Castle and Rape to this Iohn in lieu of the Lands belonging to the Honor of Richmund which Lands Peter de Savoy passed to the King in exchange for the Honor of Hastings After which viz. in 50 Hen. 3. this Iohn had Livery of the said Earldom of Richmund from Guischard de Charrun a servant to the same Peter de Savoy who was authorised thereunto as it seems And having thus obtained Peter de Savoys title the King by his Letters Patents bearing date at Woodstoke 6 Iuly 52 Hen. 3. granted unto him by the name of Iohn Duke of Britanny Son to Peter late Duke of Britanny the Earldom of Richmund which his Ancestors had formerly enjoyed as the Record expresseth to hold to himself and his heirs of the said King and his heirs as his proper Inheritance And within few days after viz. 20 Iuly the same year by his Charter dated at Norâthampâon granted unto him the Castle and Honor of Richmund in Fee In consideration whereof he quit-claimed to that King all his right and title to the Earldom of Agenoâs in France Being thus possessed of the Earldom of Richmund he did thereupon ratifie all the Grants which had been made by his Ancestors to the Monks of Iervaulâ Abbey in Com. Ebor. And in 53 Hen. 3. obtained License to go into the Holy Land for his support in which journey he likewise obtained leave to Demise certain Lands parcel of the Honor of Richmund for some time to the end he might borrow Two thousand marks thereon as also this farther favor viz. that in case he should die before his return his Executors if his heir should be under age and consequently in Ward to the King might retain those Lands until that debt of Two thousand marks should be clearly discharged In this 53 year of King Henry the Third's Reign he obtained a Grant from the King of the Honor and Rape of Hastings with the custody of the Castle and Knights Fees and the next ensuing year accompanied Prince Edward into the Holy Land In 2 Edw. 1. he procured the Kings Letters mandatory to all the Tenants of the before-specified Honor and Rape of Hastings to do him homage And having buried Beatrix his Wife Daughter to King Henry the Third in the Gray Friers Church in London in An. 1275. 3 Edw. 1. he Covenanted with the Canons of Eglestone in Com. Pal. Dunelm that they and their Successors should find Six of their Covent to celebrate Divine Service in the Castle of Richmund for ever The first of them to sing Mass for the instant day or Festival or of the Holy Ghost with Note the second of the Blessed Virgin with Note the third for the Soul of the before specified Beatrix his Wife and after his death for both their Souls as also for the Souls of all the faithful deceased The Fourth and fifth of the Blessed Virgin without Note and the Sixth for the Soul of the said Beatrix till his own death and afterwards for both their Souls and the Souls of all the Faithful deceased Which Canons to be perpetually Resident in the said Castle of Richmund the number of Thirteen in their Covent at Eglestone not lessened And for their support therein gave unto them his Capital Messuage at Multon with all his Demesn Laâds there as also eight Ox-gangs of Land in that Lordship and Four and twenty Loads of Turff with Twenty Cart Loads of Heath to be yearly taken in the Moor of Boghes Moreover for their Lodgings he appointed them a certain place within his Castle of ââchmund near to the Great Chappel Provided that in time of War they should perform these Services at Eglâstoâe unless by special appointment of the Lord of the Honor of âichmund or his Bailiff In 5 Edw. 1. he obtained a Grant of all the Liberties in Com. Essex Hertf. Norââ Suff. Cantabr Hunt Linc. and Nott. belonging to the Honor of Richmund and died in 13 Ed. 1. leaving Arthur his Son and heir Twenty one years of age To which Arthur succeeded Iohn his Brother and Heir who in An. 1293. 21 Edw. 1. was General of King Edward's Army theâ sent into Gascoigne And the next year following being the Kings Lieutenant in ãâã was joyned in Commission with the Seneschal of Aquitane and some others to conclude a League of Amity with the King of ãâã and thereupon went accordingly In 24 Edw. 1. upon a skirmish with the French near âurdeaâx the French flying into the City This Iohn with Peter de Mauley and Alan de Zouche following them too far were taken prisoners and in 27 Edw. 1. in consideration of his good and laudable Services obtained a Grant from the King of a thousand pounds per annum to be received out of the Exchequer until better provision should be made for him in which Grant King Edward calls him His beloved Nephew In 28 Edw. 1. being with the King in his Scotish Wars he had Scutage of all his Tenants by Military Service Moreover in 33 Edw. 1. he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant in Scotland and continued there for the space of the two next ensuing years In 34 Edw. 1. having obtained from King Edward a Grant of the Earldom of Britaâây he had Summons to the Parliament held at Carlisâe the same year In 1 Edw. 2. he was again constituted the Kings Lieutenant in Scotland and in 2 Edw. 2. continued in that Realm In 13 Edw. 2. the Scots advancing into England as far as York at which time they burnt the Suburbs of that City and made great spoil in many other places being taken prisoner by them in that fight upon Blackmâore near Byland Abbey he was afterwards ransomed for a great sum of Money Towards the payment whereof the King required a Subsidy in his Parliament held at London in 17 Edw. 2. but could not obtain it So that by Letters
with the Tenants there for twenty shillings and the Land of Banhunt for forty shillings And to make good what it should fall short of that value in some convenient part of Essex Hertfordshire or Cambridgeshire but upon this condition That if she should render unto Earl Theobald Brother to King Stephen all the Land which he held in England then to give this Earl Geffrey a valuable exchange in these three Counties before he should be dispossessed And she farther Covenanted That in case she should render the whole Barony and Lands of William Peverel of London to the Heirs of him the said William then to give this Geffrey a valuable exchange for what he had thereof before he should relinquish the same which exchange to be to him and his heirs Furthermore she granted to him and his heirs twenty Knights Fees within which number were the Fee and Service that Hasculf de Taney held in England at his death All which Graeleng and his Mother held for so much as belonged to that Fee promising to make good the remainder of those twenty Fees in the before-specified three Counties and that he should perform the service for those twenty Knights besides the Services for his other Fees Likewise that his Castles which he then had should stand and be fortified at his own pleasure Moreoever that he and all his Tenants should hold their Lands as freely as they held them before he became her Liegeman and to be free from all debts due either to King Henry the First or King Stephen Also that he and his Tenants should be exempted from the Wastes of Foresters and Improvements made in the Fee of him the said Geffrey till the day he became her Liegeman And that all those Wastes should thenceforth be errable without any forfeiture Likewise that he should hold a Market at âissey and a Fair every year beginning on the Eve of S. Iames to endure for three days Besides all this she thereby granted to him the Sheriffalty of Essex to hold of her and her heirs upon the antient Rent payable at the time of the death of King Henry the First so that there should be abated of that Rent of the Sheriffalty whatsoever belonged to Meldon and Newport which she had given him and as much as appertained to the third penny of the Pleas of the County whereof she had made him Earl Moreover that he should hold all her Demesns which might accrew to her in Essex paying the just Rent so long as they were in her Demesn Also that he and his heirs should for ever be Cheif Justices in Essex to her and her heirs of all Pleas and Forfeitures appertaining to the Crown so that she should send none other thither than at some times one of his Peers to sit with him and see that the Pleas were justly held And that he and his heirs should be quit against her and her heirs of any forfeiture or past displeasure before the day he became her Liegeman as also for any forfeiture which might thenceforth happen for any Fees or Castles Land or Tenure by her granted to him as long as he could free himself from any Treason against her Person either by himself or any one Knight in case any should thereof accuse him To this Charter these being Witnesses Henry de Blois Bishop of Winchester Alexander of Lincoln Robert de Betun of Hereford Nigel of Ely Bernard of S. Davids Baldwin Earl of Devon Earl William de Moinun Bryan Fitz-Count Milo of Glocester Robert Arundel Robert Mallet Ralph de London Ralph Paynel Walkline Maminot Robert the Kings Son Robert Fitz-Martin and Robert Fitz-Heldebrand Of which high favors from her King Stephen having notice though all this it is like was done by the Empress to gain him on her side to prevent his own ruine in the eighth of His Reign he seised upon him in the Court then at S. Albans Some say that before he was taken they had a bloody fight in which the Earl of Arundel though a stout Soldier being thrown into the Water with his Horse escaped drowning very narrowly But certain it is That to obtain his liberty he was constrained not only to give up the Tower of London whereof he had the custody but likewise his own Castles of Walden and Plessey Others do tell the story of him thus viz That King Stephen Reigning Henry Duke of Normandy and Earl of Anjou having received the honor of Knighthood from David King of Scots came over into England with the countenance of many of the great Men here And that upon the disturbance which thereupon ensued this Earl Geffrey de Mandevil being an expert Soldier adhered to the King for a time but at length being by some of the prime Nobility through envy accused for compliance with the Kings enemies upon a Council called at S. Albans he was seised on by the Kings command and committed to safe custody and that though many of his Friends interceded for him alleaging That those accusations were unjust they could not obtain his liberty till he had rendred up the Tower of London with his Castles of Walden and Plessey into the Kings hands Moreover that being thus bereft of those strong Holds he allured to him divers Soldiers by whose assistance he did much mischeif in sundry places first invading the Kings own Demesn Lands and wasting them miserably and afterwards making great spoil upon others Likewise that having married his Sister Beatrix to Hugh Talbot of Norâândy he caused her to be divorced and wedded to William de Say a stout and warlike Man and that with his aid he went on in Plunder and Rapine every where without mercy making use of divers cunning Spies whom he sent from door to door as Beggars to discover where any rich men dwelt to the end he might surprise them in their Beds and then keep them in hold till they had with large sums of Money purchased their liberty And that being highly transported with wrath he at length grew so savage that by the help of this William de Say and one Daniel a counterfeit Monk he got by Water to Ramsey and entring the Abbey very early in the morning surprised the Monks then asleep after their nocturnal offices and expelling them thence made a Fort of the Church taking away their Plate Copes and other Ornaments and selling them for Money to reward his Soldiers Also that for these his outrages having incurred the sentence of Publick Excommunication he hapned to be mortally wounded at a little Town called Burwel whereupon with great contrition for his sins and making what satisfaction he could there came at last some of the Knights-Templars to him and putting on him the habit of their Order with a Red Cross carried his dead Corps into their Orchard at the Old Temple in London and Coffining it in Lead hanged it on a crooked Tree Likewise that after some time by the industry and expences of
of Glocester Which last mentioned Robert in 1 Hen. 2. took his Uncle Waleran Earl of Mellent at a Conference held near the Borough of Bernay And in An 1163. 9 Hen. 2. having charged Henry de Essex the Kings Standard-Bearer with cowardice in fleeing from his Colours upon an Appeal and Tryal thereof by Duel vanquished him But all that I have else seen of him is That he gave to the Monks of Thorney the moity of the Church of Wenge in Com. Rutl. And to the Monks of Bermondsey the Tithes of Langfort Bodâey Wiâes and Nacheton I now come to Thurstan his younger Brother This Thurstan being enfeoffed of divers fair Lordships by Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick after the Normans-Conquest built a strong Castle upon an advantageous ascent near to that place now called Henley in Arden in the County of Warwick which was thereupon called Beldesert and continued the cheif Seat of his Descendants for divers ages At which Castle Maud the Empress in King Stephens time granted him her Charter for a Market upon the Sunday every week It is said That he dispossessed the Monks of Thorney of certain Lands lying in Wenge which his Brother Robert had bestowed on them by the consent of the Earl of Warwick of whose Fee they were and that he would not make any restitution of them nor discharge a debt in Money which his Brother did owe to the Abbot nor a Legacy by him given to that Abby until King Stephen by his special Precept threatned That if he did not speedily do it the Earl of Warwick should compel him and in case of his neglect the Bishop of Lincoln should see it done Whereupon he performed what had been so required And by his special Charter for the health of his Soul as also for the Souls of his Wife and Sons and especially for the Soul of his Brother Robert and the Souls of all his Ancestors and Successors granted the one half of the same Town of Wenge with the moity of the Church and Mill excepting the Fee of Thurstan his Esquire and the Fee of Ralph Fitz-Nigel For which Grant those Monks gave to Robert his Son a Mane of Gold In 12 Hen. 2. upon the levying that Aid for marrying the Kings Daugââer it appears that this Thurstan then held ten Knights Fees and a fourth part De Veteri Feoffamento of William Earl of Warwick When he died I have not seen but to him succeeded Henry his Son and Heir who in 2 Rich. 1. regained the possession of the Mannor of Wellesborne in Com. Warr. commonly called Wellesborne Montfort whereof he had been disseised by King Henry the Second This Henry gave to the Monks of Wotton in Com. Warr. his Mill at Henley with a Messuage and some small proportion of Land lying there and to the Monks of Bordesley in Com. Wigorn. certain Fishing in the River of Avon near Hilborough To him succeeded another Thurstan who had great Sutes in King Iohns time with Eustace de Stutevill and Nicholas de Stutevill for part of the Lordship of Cotingham in Com. Ebor. And other Lands and Knights Fees in that County And in 16 Ioh. had Scutage of all his Tenants who held of him by Military service in regard he had personally served the King in his Wars in Poictou To the Nuns of Pinley he gave the tenth part of all his Houshold Provision viz. Bread Bear Flesh Fish and other things pertaining to his Kitchen whose munificence therein had so high an estimation from them that he and his posterity were thereupon reputed no less then Founders of that Religious House And in 18 Ioh. departed this life leaving issue Peter his Son and Heir whose Wardship during his minority with the custody of his Lands was committed to William de Cantilupe Which Peter in 11 Hen. 3. obtained a special Charter from the King bearing date 10 Febr. for a weekly Market at ãâã every Munday instead of that granted to his Ancestor by Maud the Empress on the Sunday so also a Fair yearly for three days viz. the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of S. Giles And in 26 Hen. 3. attended the King in that expedition then made into Gascoigne for which respect all his Tenants by Military service were required to pay him Scutage according to the rate of forty shillings for each Knights Fee In 29 Hen. 3. he was one of those who met in the Tourneament then held at Cambridge contrary to the Kings Prohibition for which his Lands were seised But having made his Peace for that transgression in 32 Hen. 3. he attended the King into Gascoigne And the same year entred into special Covenants with William de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for an intermarriage betwixt each of their eldest Sons and eldest Daughters Whereupon they obtained a special Patent from the King That in case either of them should die before the accomplishment of such marriage and his heir in minority the intended match might notwithstanding hold saving to the King the custody of the Lands only After which viz. in 34 Hen. 3. he obtained a Charter of Free-Warren in all his Demesn Lands belonging to his Castle at Beldesert and divers other places and in 35 Hen. 3. was made Governor of Horestan Castle in Derbishire Moreover in 37 Hen. 3. he obtained a Confirmation of a Marriage for one of his Sons with Agnes the eldest Daughter to Roger Bertram of Mitford a great Baron in the North. And in 40 Hen. 3. was sent Ambassador by the King into France In 41 Hen. 3. being made Warden of the Marches of Wales towards Montgomery for his better support in that service he had at the instance of Prince Edward the custody of the Counties of Salop and Stafford as also the Castles of Salop and Bruges to dispose of the Profits thence arising as he himself should think best during the continuance of the Wars with the Welsh so that for the first year he did hold those Counties he should answer nothing to the Exchequer but at the years end make his accompt in the Kings Wardrobe And the next ensuing year was constituted Governor of the Castles of Bruges and Ellesmere in Com. Salop and likewise Sheriff of the Counties of Stafford and Salop having a special Patent from the King to take Toll of all vendible Commodities coming to the Market of Ellesmere for the space of five years for reparation of the Walls of the Castle of Ellesmere In 43 Hen. 3. he attended the King again into France And in 46 Hen. 3. received Summons to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to march with Prince Edward into Wales But before the end of that year he was prohibited by the King to fortifie his Castle
tide to turn began to consult his own safety And for the better ingratiating himself with the King not only brought in all his Forces but with those alone took Bedford by Assault which had always set light by the Royal Authority and delivered it into the Kings hands And besides all this in 11 Steph. when the King sate down with his Army before the Castle of Wallingford he came in to him with no less than Three hundred well-appointed Horse and there stedfastly continued until a most impregnable Fort was raised for the close besieging that Garrison which had much annoyed the Countrey by frequent excursions But notwithstanding all this the King durst not trust him considering his former actings so that unless he would deliver up the Castle of Lincoln and all other places of strength then in his power it was resolved he should be secured which being afterwards accordingly done at Northampton he was by the Kings command laid hold on and cast into prison Howbeit giving Hostages and making Oath that he would no more be disobedient he had free permission to enjoy the benefit of his Earldom Yet no sooner was heat liberty than neglecting his Oath he began to flie out again seising upon the Kings Castles some by fraud and some by force Howbeit coming to Lincoln expecting to take it by assault he was repulsed with much loss Thence therefore he hasted to his Castle at ãâã whereof finding the Kings Forces possessed he presently raised a strong Fort to besiege them but the King hearing of it made all speed he could to relieve it In which attempt divers of his men were slain and wounded and the King himself hurt yet after a while having gotten more strength he again adventured and then utterly routed them In which action many lost their lives our Earl himself not escaping without Wounds About this time there hapning some variance betwixt this Earl Ranulph and Owen Prince of North Wales Ranulph gathered a power of his friends and hired Soldiers from all parts of England and with the help of Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powys who disdained to hold his Lands of Owen entred North Wales But Owen meeting them at âounsythâ gave them Battle and utterly routed all their Army After this sâil in An. 1150. 15 Steph. this Earl assisted at the Knighting of young Henry Duke of Normandy at Carâeol by David King of Scotland and there came to an Agreement with that King touching âarleol which he claimed as his Hereditary Right and did him homage for it it being then said That instead of Carleol he should have the Honor of Lancaster and that his Son should marry one of the Daughters of Henry Son to the King of Scotland Whereupon they all agreeing to march with what power they had against King Stephen the King of Scots and young Henry advanced with their Forces to Lancaster expecting to have met this Earl there with his as he promised but he failed them And the next year following betaking himself to his wonted treacherous courses was laid hold on by King Stephen and through very strait imprisonment put to great misery nor could he obtain any liberty until he had yielded up Lincoln and all his strong Holds into the Kings hands and given Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester his Nephew for an Hostage Howbeit after he had by that means got his enlargement he performed nothing of what he promised but exposed his Hostage to danger and for regaining his Castles did his utmost to recal young Henry out of Normandy Thus we see how restless this stout Earl was in that quarrel of the Empress and her Son yet before his death he grew more calm as may appear by those amicable Articles of Agreement made betwixt him and Robert then Earl of Leicester at that time one of the Kings most firm Champions in the presence of Robert then Bishop of Lincoln and their own respective Retinues viz. On the Earl of Chesters part Richard de Lovetot William Fitz-Nigel and Ranulph his Sheriff and on the Earl of Leicesters part Ernâld de Bois Geffrey Abbot and Reginald de Bordiney the substance whereof were as followeth viz. I. THat the Earl of Leicester should thenceforth possess Mountsorel Castle to be held of Earl Ranulph and his Heirs upon condition that he should receive Earl Ranulph and his Retinue into the Borough and Fort there upon occasion And in case of necessity that Earl Ranulph himself should lodge in the Castle II. That if the King should command the Earl of Leicester to assist him against Earl Ranulph that he must not take with him above twenty Men at Arms. And in case the Earl of Leicester take any thing from Earl Ranulph in that service faithfully to restore it III. Likewise that the Earl of Leicester should not upon any occasion damnifie Earl Ranulph except he sent him a Defiance fifteen days before IV. That he should assist Earl Ranulph against all Men excepting the King and Earl Simon yea against Earl Simon also in case that he do Earl Ranulph any wrong and not make recompence for it upon request made by the Earl of Leicester V. That he should do his utmost to defend all the Earl of Chesters Lands and Possessions which were within his power VI. Moreover that Raunston Castle should be demolished unless Earl Ranulph should be otherwise content And if any person should hold that Castle against the Earl of Leicester Earl Ranulph to give his real assistance for the destroying it VII That if Earl Ranulph should have cause of Action against William de Alneto the Earl of Leiceâter should bring him to tryal in his Court so long as he should hold any Lands of him And in case the said William shall recede from his fidelity unto the Earl of Leicester for demolishing that Castle or for bringing him to such Tryal in his Court Earl Ranulph not to give William de Alneto any protection By this Accord also the Earl of Leicester was to have the Castle of Witewic belonging to Earl Ranulph fortified ¶ The like Covenants were on the part of Earl Ranulph unto the Earl of Leicester and that he should assist him against all men except the King and Robert Earl Ferrers Also as to the razing of Raunston Castle if any one should hold it against the Earl of Leicester ¶ Furthermore it was agreed That neither of them should erect any new Castle betwixt Hinkley and Coventrey nor betwixt Hinkley and Hacareshul nor betwixt Coventrey and Donington nor betwixt Donington and Leicester nor at Gateham nor at Kinolton nor nearer Nor betwixt Kinolton and Belvoir nor betwixt Belvoir and Okeham nor betwixt Okeham and Rokingham nor nearer unless by the mutual assent of both Likewise That if any man should erect
others accused of Felony and challenged to the Combate by Iohn Fitz-Thomas But shortly after this viz. in 22 Edw. 1. he was imployed in the Wars of Gascoigne Iohn his Son accompanying him thither And the same year commenced his suit against the above specified Iohn Fitz-Thomas at Dublin before the Cheif Justice there and other the Kings Council for so defaming him as abovesaid viz. in saying That this William de Vesci had sollicited him a Confederacy against the King Which charge being denied by Fitz-Thomas and a Schedule by him delivered into the Court containing the words which he acknowledged he was thereupon challenged to the combate by this William and accepted thereof But the King being advertised of this proceeding forthwith directed his Precept to the Treasurer and Escheator of that Realm requiring them That instead of the Combate they should Summon them both to appear before him at Westminster on the morrow next after the Feast of the Holy Trinity then next ensuing then and there to be prepared for the Combate At which time this our William de Vesci came thither accordingly mounted upon his great Horse covered as also compleatly armed with Lance Dagger Coat of Male and other Military accoutrements and proffered himself to the fight But Fitz-Thomas though called appeared not Whereupon this William required judgment against him But instead thereof the further hearing of the same was referred to the next Parliament at Westminster viz. Upon the morrow next after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in 23 Edw. 1. At which time both of them appearing and full debate thereupon had there was no default imputed to Fitz-Thomas in regard of certain Errors which were found in the proceedings So that they were then both at liberty to begin their Actions a new Whereupon Fitz-Thomas declining to revive the quarrel totally submitted himself to the King Who by the advice of his Council ordained That he the said Iohn Fitz-Thomas should be obliged by a certain writing to stand to his Award therein But what was done thereupon appears not In 23 Edw. 1. this William was again in the Wars of Gascoigne but returned sick from thence being then summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm In 24 Edw. 1. he was again imployed by the King in his Wars of Gascoignc The same year also he had a Grant of the custody of all those Lands in England and Scotland which were held of him and then seised into the Kings hands by reason of the Rebellion of his Tenants And in 25 Edw. 1. granted to that King his Castle Mannor and Country of Kildare in Ireland as also his Lordship of Sprouston in Scotland in consideration whereof the King pardoned all the Debts due from him to his Exchequer as also those due from Iohn his elder Brother deceased or any of his Ancestors This William took to Wife Isabel the Daughter of Adam de Periton Widow of Robert de Welles but having no lawful issue Iohn his Son being dead in his life time he did by the Kings License Infeoff that great Prelate Anthony Beke Bishop of Ourham and Patriarch of Ierrâalem in the Castle of âluwiâe and divers other Lands with trust and special confidence that he should retain them for the behoof of William de Vesci his Bastard-son begotten in Ireland at that time young until he came of full age and then pass them to him whereupon that Bishop had Livery of them accordingly But the Mannor of Hotoâ-Buscel in Com. Ebor. he setled absoutely on his said Bastard-son and the Heirs of his Body with Remainder to his right Heirs constituting Thomas Plaiz of Neââon and Geffrey Gyppysmer Clerk his Guardinas he being then in minority And departed this life at Malton upon the Eve of S. Margaret the Virgin in An. 1297. 25 Edw. 1. leaving no other issue than the before specified William his Bastard-son Which William commonly called William de Vesci of Kildare in 4 dw 2. was in that expedition then made into Scotâand and married Maud the Widow of Thomas Nevil of Cherham but reaped no benefit of that trust which was by William his Father so committed to that Bishop For he being irritated by some slanderous words which he had heard that the Bastard spoke of him by his Deed bearing date 19 Nov. An. 1309. 3 Edw. 2. Sold the Castle and Honor of Alâwike to Henry de Percy a great Man in the North from whom the Earls of Northumberland still Possessors thereof are descended Nor did this William long enjoy what was so given him being slain in the Battle of Stââveâin in Scotland commonly called the Battle of Bannocksburne in 8 Edw. 2. leaving no issue having been summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm in Six and seventh as also in the eighth of that Kings Reign he so lost his life Whereupon those Lands in Yorkshire which for lack of issue by him were to return to the right Heirs of William de Vesci his Father descended to Gibert Aton as his nearest Kinsman and Heir viz. Son and Heir of William Aton Brother and Heir of Gilbert Son and Heir of William Son and Heir of Gilbert Aton of Aton in Pickering ãâã in Com. Ebor. by Margery his Wife sole Daughter and Heir to Warine de Vesci Brother of Eustace de Vesci Father of William Father of Iohn and William Which last mentioned William having no other issue but the before specified William the Bastard who died without issue as hath been observed the title of Lord Vesci descending to Aton came through Bromfleet to the Family of Clifford late Earls of Cumberland Laci NExt to this of Vesci I have thought fit to proceed with Laci in regard that from Eustace Fitz-Iohn a Principal Branch of that Stock is sprung as the Descent annexed will shew Of this ancient Family there were two who came into England with Wilâiam the Conqueror viz. Walter de Laci and Ilbert de Laci but how near allied I find not Of these I shall begin with Walter After the King William had subdued those great opponents who most disturbed the peaceable fruition of what he had by his signal Conquest acquired Edwine Earl of ãâã being slain and Morcar his Brother cast in prison of his nearest Norman Soldiers he made great and powerful Commanders and inriched them with ample Gifts and Territories Of which this Walter de Laci for his expertness in Arms being one when the Welsh in 3 Conq. armed themselves against him he was amongst others sent to restrain their bold incursions Who first entring the parts of Brecknock subdued Rese Caducan and Mariadoth three of their Princes making great slaughter there And not long after assisted Wolstan Bishop of Worceââer
Aegelwine Abbot of Eveâham and Vrso then Sheriff of Worcestershire against Roger Earl of Hereford and Ralph Earl of Norâolk then in Rebellion to hinder their passing the Severn for the conjuction of their Forces This Walter de Laci had likewise many skirmishes with Fulk Fitz-Warine in one of which he was taken prisoner and put in Luâlow Castle But after this hearing that the same Castle and Town were won by his Friend Sir Arnold de Lis he came and victualled them both and kept them as his own And when Iors of âudlow and Fouke with his Father Warine endeavored the regaining thereof he sent to the Prince of Wales for help But farther I cannot say of him than that he gave his Lands at Deane to the Monks of S. Peters at Glocester and that being Founder of the Church of S. Peter in Hereford when the work was almost finished climing up a Ladder there he fell down and being killed with the fall 6 Kal. April An. 1084. 19 Wil. Conq. was buried in the Chapter-house at Glocester To which Church of Gtocester Emeline his Wife for the health of his Soul gave five Hides of Land in Duntesborne Leaving issue these three Sons viz. Roger Hugh and Walter and Monk in the Abbey of S. Peters at Glocester Which Roger had great possessions in this Realm through the bounty of the Conqueror viz. in Berkshire two Lordships in Shropshire twenty three whereof he held six of the King and the rest of Earl Roger de Montgomery in Glocestershire twenty in Worcestershire six and in Herefordshire sixty five besides four Carucates of Land lying within the limits of the Castle of Ewias which King William had bestowed on Walter de Laci his Father But in 2 Wil. Rusi joyning with Odo Earl of Kent and others in that Rebellion then raised on the behalf of Robert Curthose and in 5 Will. Rufi with Robert de Molbray Earl of Northumberland on the same account he was banished England and all his Lands given to his Brother Hugh After which going into Normandy he was made General of Curthoses Army and at length taking part with Robert de Belesme Earl of Sârewsâary of whose barbarous and cruel practises I have spoke largely in my Discourse of him did very much mischeif throughout the whole Dukedom of Normandy about the Nineteenth year of King Henry the Firsts Reign I come now to Hugh his Brother Though King William to satisfie those who had assisted him against King Harold had distributed amongst them the greatest part of this Realm nevertheless many more both Normans French and others came afterwards over expecting likewise to share in that General Conquest who finding England too little for satisfaction of their greedy Appetites obtained leave of King William Rufus to invade Waâes In which adventure Robert Fitz-Hamon being very prosperous by his Conquest of Morganoâ others not doubting of the like success imitated his example Whereupon Roger Earl of Shrewsbury won ãâã and ãâã Hugh Earl of Chester Tegeneâ and Rowe nock Bernard Newmarch the Land of Brecknock Arnulph the younger Son of the same Earl Roger the Province of Peâârâke and this Hugh de Laci that of Ewâas Whereunto I shall add what the Learned Sir Iohn Dodd ridge Knight late one of the Justices in the Court of Kings Bench being a person of great knowledge in Antiquities hath in his description of Wales expressed viz. That all these Territories thus acquired were Baronies-Marchers and held of the Crown in capite And because they and their Posterity might the better keep the Lands so acquired and might not be drawn by Sutes of Law from the defence of those Lands so obtained by the Sword the said Lands were ordained Baronies-Marchers and had a kind of Palatine Jurisdiction erected in every of them and power to administer Justice unto the Tenants in each of their Territories having therein Courts with divers Priviledges Franchises and Immunities So that the Kings Writs were not current there unless the whole Barony had been in question Fitz. Ass. fol. 182. 18 Edw. 2. And this was the state of the Government of the Marches of Wales until 27 Hen. 8. But I return This Hugh afterwards became the first Founder of the Priory of Lanthony upon the Bank of the River âothenay in ãâã and amply endowed it with Lands and Revenues He likewise bestowed the Church of S. Peters in Hereford Founded by his Father upon the Monks of ãâã and much inriched the Church of S. Davids Moreover to the Monks of Manmouth he gave three shillings yearly Rent issuing out of Lâdney for the good estate of himself Roes his Wife and Robert his Son but dying without issue left his great Inheritance to his two Sisters viz. Ermeline who had no Children and Emme who took to Husband ... by whom she had a Son named Gilbert who assuming the name of Laci begot on her a Son called Hugh Of which Gilbert all that I can say is That in those turbulent times of King Stephens Reign he took part with Geffrey Talbot his Kinsman in that design for taking the City of âathe on the behalf of Maud the Empress and that being an expert and valiant Soldier after divers Encounters Skirmishes and Victories in the Holy Wars he at length became a Knight Templar and gave to that Order twelve Hides of Land and one Virgate in Guâtinges beside his Demesn there as also five Burgages in Wincheâcâmb I come therefore to Hugh This Hugh upon Assessment of the Aid for marrying of the Kings Daughter certified That he held Fifty one Knights Fees and a fourth part de Veteri Feoffamento and Five and an half de Novo besides divers Lands for which no service was then established Some of his Tenants to them serving him in his house he finding them necessaries and some residing upon his Fermes in Wales where he maintained them at his own charge For all which in 14 Hen. 2. he answered Sixty marks and Forty pence In 18 Hen. 2. this Hugh adhering to the King when young Henry flew out in Rebellion was taken in the Castle of Uernoid for which respect as also for certain great services in Ireland he obtained the same year a Grant of the whole Territory of Methe in that Realm with its Appurtenances to hold to him and his Heirs by the service of Fifty Knights Fees in as ample manner as Murchard Hu Melachlin or any other before or after him enjoyed the same And likewise all the Fees which he had then acquired or should thenceforth acquire about Duââin so long as he should be his Bailiff there Moreover he did then constitute him Governor of
London in the terme of the Epiphany next after the relaxation of the interdict to make their addresses to the King for their great offences and thence to the Kings Court at Northampton and so to their own homes He was also one of those twenty five Barons who swore to the observation of Magna Charta and Charta de Foresta Sealed by the King at Runnimede in the seventeenth year of his Reign and obliged themselves by Oath that they would compell the King in case he should recede He likewise had special Summons by Robert Fitz-Walter commonly called Mareschallus Dei Ecclesiae in that grand insurrection of the Barons to be at the Tournament at Hounslow-Heath which was adjourned thither from Stanford upon Munday next ensuing the feast of S. Peter and Paul But comming not accordingly he received divers other messages from those Barons whereby he had no little rebuke for his delay which so allarmed him that leaving his Castle of Belvoir well fortified victualled and in the custody of such in whom he faithfully confided he hasted to London and being there received with much joy by the rest of those Barons was by them made choice of as a person most valiant and expert in Armes to be Governor of Rochester Castle by the treachery of the then Archbishop of Canterbury delivered into the hands of the Kings Enemies Which when he entred and found neither Armes Ammunition nor Victual therein As also discerning that those who accompanied him thither had no minde to stay in it he told them how dishonorable it would be so to leave it and therefore suddenly got in all the provision of food that could be found in the Town But having not time to look out into the Countrey for more in regard the King came within three days upon them with his Army consisting most of Poictovins Gascoines with a great number out of Lovain Brabant and Flanders and begirt it with a straight seige they defended themselves with all valor imaginable making divers bold sallies with hope to have relief from the rest of the Barons of their party who then were at London Howbeit when they saw no likelyhood thereof and that the Kings forces had by undermining thrown down their outer Walls and made upon them a fierce assault such was their valor though wearied with long watchings and weakned by hunger that they courageously beat them off And at the last this hardy William and those other of the Nobles who were then with him accounting it most dishonorable to perish by Famine when they could not be vanquished by force all their food being spent came out of the Castle and submitted themselves to the King upon the feast day of S. Andrew the Apostle But the King by reason of the vast charge he had been at in that seige which continued little less then three Months and loss of many of his Souldiers that had been slain therein was so highly enraged that without any mercy he commanded that all the Noble men should be hanged Which severe sentence was so distasted by Savaricus de Malloleone a noble Poictovin then one of the chief commanders in the Kings Army that he boldly told the King that the Warr being not yet ended he ought well to consider the uncertain chance thereof adding that if he hanged these the Barons his adversaries might upon the like advantage deal as cruelly with those of his party which might occasion a totall desertion of him Whereupon the King well weighing the Danger forbore the execution of that his sharp sentence and instead thereof committed this our William de Albini William de Lancaster Thomas de Muleton Osbert Giffard and divers other Noble persons unto the Custody of Peter de Mauley who sent some of them to the Castle of Corff there to be kept under strict imprisonment and some to the Castle of Notingham It is observed by my Author that the King with some of his chief Commanders one day going about this Castle of Rochester to view the strength thereof was discerned by an excellent Bow-man who thereupon asked this William de Albini whether he should kill him with his Arrow that he had then in readiness and that he answered No. As also that the Bow-man replied He would not spare us if he had the like advantage To whom William retuned Gods will be done who will dispose and not he During the restraint of this William at Corff the King being then at Notingham marcht the morrow after Christmas day to the Town of Langar and there resting that night sent a solemne Summons to Belvoir Castle the next morning requiring the speedy delivery thereof and withall signifying to those that held it that if they insisted on any conditions the Lord thereof should never eat more Whereupon Nicholas de Albini one of his Sons who was a Clerk in Orders taking with him Sir Hugh Charnels Knight to presrve his Father from that miserable Death carried the Keys of this Castle to the King and delivered them to his hands upon condition that his Father should be mercifully dealt with and they with their Horse and Arms remain in peace Which being promised and the Castle so rendred the King marcht forthwith thither and committed it to the custody of Geffrey de Butville and Oliver his brother two Poictovins taking the oath of fidelity of all others he left therein Whilst he was thus prisoner at Corf his Mannor of Offington being seised on by the King was given to William Earl Warren for the better defence of his Castle of Stanford It is farther observable of this William de Albini that standing firmly with the other Barons in opposition to King Iohn he was one of those that Pope Innocent the third then excommunicated by name for so doing whose sentence bears date at Lateran 17 Kal. Iun. the same year But his stout heart being at length humbled he gave a fine of six thousand marks for his liberty which summe of money was raised by Agatha Trusbut his Wife out of his own Lands the King commanding that they should be delivered into her hands for that purpose with power to sell and mortgage of them what should be needfull sending likewise his special precept y to all his Tenants to give him effectual aid towards the Raising of that great Summe Having thus made fine to King Iohn for his redemption he thought it his safest way to be quiet and therefore submitted himself peaceably to King Henry the third But being not well to be trusted was constrained to yeild up his Wife Agâtha for an hostage and after in her stead his Son Nicholas the Priest Howbeit ere long he grew in such esteem with that King that he was made one of the cheif Commanders in his Army in that memorable Battle of Lincoln in the year 1217 being the first year of
precept from the King to see that the same rates and prices of Commodities should be then there observed as had been formerly in the Reigns of King Henry the second Richard the first and King Iohn And for his better support in that Kings service had a grant of the Lordships of Torksey and Grimesby in Com. Linc. In 3 Hen. 3. he was made Governor of the Castle of Devises in Com. Wilts and of the Forests of Melksham and Chipeham in that County and so continued for the space of five years yet by reason of his personal attendance upon the King and his service otherwise he had licence to depute Philip de Albini his Nephew viz. Son to his Brother Raphe de Albini to be his Lieutenant in the Isles of Garnesey and Gersey Which Philip mortgaging his own Lands at Engleby for his better support in that employment had a promise from the King of sufficient recompence for the same in case this our Philip his Uncle who being the signed with the Cross and gone to the holy-Holy-Land should depart this life within three years ensuing This Philip the younger for his faithfull performance of that service in the government of those Isles had divers eminent persons for his sureties viz. the Earl of Salisbury Roger la Zouche Alan Basset Raphe de Thoenei Fouke Fitz-Warren Almaric de St. Amand Iohn de Gray Geffrey de Nevill and Eudo de Arsic But I return to Philip the elder This Philip being come into the Holy-Land and soon learning how the state and condition of all things in those parts then stood did by an exact Narrative to Ranulph Earl of Cheâter represent unto him the sad loss of Damieta with the circumstances thereof But returning safely from that Voyage within two years after viz. in 8 Hen. 3. answered for seven Knights fees and an half in Com. Somer upon collection of the Scutage of Montgomery and the same year accompanied Richard Earl of Cornwall and Poictou the Kings Brother with a military power into Gascoigne Moreover Shortly after that scil in ann 1226. 10 H. 3. the King discerning that divers of the great Noble men of France being discoritented had declined to attend at the Coronation of Lewes who was then but ten years of age he sent this Philip with Walter Archbishop of York and other Embassadors unto the Nobility of Normandy Anjou Britany and Poictou requiring that they would admit him to come over himself in person unto them and to acknowledge him for their natural Lord. How little success this their Message had is not my business here to relate but the next year following they returned into England In 11 Henr. 3. he was made Sheriff of Berkshire and had the Honor of Wallengford committed to his custody In 13 Henr. 3. again Sheriff of the same County And in 16 H. 3. once more made Governor of the Isles of Garnesey and Gersey After which purposing another voyage to the Holy-Land in order to the fitting himself for that journey he mortgaged his Lordship of Periton for seven years unto his Nephew Raphe de Albini and there departing this life the year next ensuing was buried in those parts as he had often desired Of his Nephew Philip I have observed no more than what is above expressed save that he had the Hundred of Wichton granted unto him in 8 Hen. 3. for his better support in the the Kings service And that his brother Elias became his heir Which Elias was summoned to Parliament in 23 25 25 28 30 32 and 33 Edw. 1. as appears by the Records of those years And with Hawise his Wife conferred on the Canons of Newhus in Com. Linc. for the health of the Soul of William de Albini who gave them Saxelby and other Lands in that County all their right in the Church of Saxelby viz. the third part thereof with certain Lands in Dryholme on the South side of Fossedike his sons Oliver and Raphe confirming the grant To this Elias succeeded Kaphe his son and heir as those Genealogies of this Family that I have seen do import whose name in most Records is written D'aubeny Which Raphe in 20 Ed. 2. was one of the Knights of the Bath then solemnly created and had his Robes as a Baneret In 8 Edw. 3. he was in that Expedition then made into Scotland So also in 12 E. 3. And in 16 Ed. 3. had summons to Parliament but never after This Sir Raphe D'aubeny took to Wife Katherine the sister of Thomas de Thwenge by whom he had issue one only Daughter called Elizabeth marryed to Sir William Botreeux Kt. But by Alice his second Wife Daughter to the Lord Montacute he had issue Sir Giles D'aubeny Knight his son and heir who married Alianer the Daughter of Henry de Wylyngton To whom succeeded another Giles who was Sheriff of the Counties of Bedf. and Buck. in 10 H. 6. and by his Testament bearing date 3 Martii anno 1444. 23 Henr. 6. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chappel of our Lady within the Church of S. Peter and Paul at South-Pederton in Com. Somers before the Altar there and appointed that a Priest should sing for the space of three years in that Chappel for his Soul as also for the Soul of Ioane his wife and the Soul of William D'aubeny whose Bones rested there And moreover that there should be another Priest singing at Kempston for the space of one year for the Souls of Giles his Father Margaret his Mother Alianor his Grandmother and Thomas his Uncle By which Testament he likewise bequeathed unto Alice his Wife a Ring with a Diamond To William his Son two Salers guilt all his Armour and two of his best Horses and to Giles his son a dozen of silver Vessels Which William doing his homage had livery of his Lands in 24 Hen. 6. And in 25 Hen. 6. obtained the Kings Charter for a Fair every year at his Lordship of South-Pederton upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist and three dayes next following To which William succeeded also Giles his son and heir a person of no small note in his time For in 17 Edw. 4. being one of the Esquires for the Body to the King he had in consideration of his many services a grant for Life of the custody of the Kings Park at Petherton near Bridgwater in Com. Somers And in 14 Edw. 4. was retained by Indenture to serve the King in Normandy with four men at Armes and fifty Archers Moreover in Richard the thirds time he was one of the first then taken into consultation through the contrivance of that renowned Lady Margaret Countess of
determination of the twenty five Barons who were elected to take care that the tenor of those Charters should be observed and to compell the King in case he should recede therefrom And the next ensuing year when Lewes King of France was called in by the rebellious Barons presuming he would prevail he adhered to him which put the King into such a rage that he presently raised a mighty Army and in one months space ran over the Lands of those adverse persons plundred and burnt their Houses with their Corn and in in particular exercised the like severity in Norfolk upon the Houses and Lands of this Earl But the death of King Iohn which hapned that year quite altered the Scene for what with the terror from Rome of an Excommunication which was like to be thundred out against Lewes by Walo the Popes Legate unless he would forthwith be gone out of England and the hearts of many who stood not right to King Iohn now inclining to young King Henry certain it is that this our Earl was one of the first that came in unto him And seeing now such hopes of quiet and peaceable times so great was his zeal as of divers other the most eminent Noblemen for recovery of the Holy land from the hands of the Infidels that the very next year following viz. Ann. 1218. 2. Hen. 3. he took a journey thither accompanied by Ranulph Earl of Chesteâ and others and was at that famous Seige of Damieta but in his return thence he died ann scil 1222. Whereupon his Body being brought into England by Thomas a Monk of S. Albans was interred in the Abby of Wymundham whereof he was Patron By Maude Daughter to Iames de Sancto Sidonio with whom he had all her Fathers Lands in England and Widow to Roger Earl of Clare he lest issue William his Son and successor in this Earldome who in the same year his Father died gave an hundred pound for his relief and doing his Homage had livery or ãâ¦ã This William took to Wife Mabel the second of the four sisters and coheirs to Ranulph Earl of Chester with whom he had five hundred pounds Land per annum But that which I farther find most memorable of him is that he confirmed the grants made by his ancestors to the Abby of the Holy Trinity at Essay in Normandy viz. the Church of Filgers with the Tithes belonging thereto part of the Church of Ginoxfosse as also certain Lands in Kerkavill and Francavill with whatsoever the Sons of Ralph Espec held of the Honor of Albini in Alne and Astell Likewise the whole Tithes of the Fair at St. Christophers and of the Toll of Albinei and moreover all that Amicia Wife of Roger de Albinei Mother of William de Albini Pincerna with the consent of her Sons William and Nigel did give to that Abby in Montfamelose and Mesnill-Ogis This Earl William died without issue in 18 H. 3. as it seems for in that year Hugh de Albini Brother and Heir gave two thousand and five hundred Marks Fine to the King to have possession of all the Lands and Castles descended to him by the death of Earl William his Brother as also of all those Lands that did by right of inheritance descend to him from Ranulph Earl of Chester his Uncle which Hugh was then in minority So also at the Solemn Nuptials of King Henry the third for certain it is that the Earl Warren did at that time serve the King of his Royal Cup Loco Comitis Arundeliae eo quod Adolecens fuerat idem Comes Arundeliae nec adhuc gladio cinctus militari in the place of this Earl by reason he was then but a youth and not Knighted But all that I have farther observed of him is that in 26 H. 3. upon that Expedition then made by the King into France to vindicate the injuries which he had received from the King of that Realm this Earl Hugh amongst-others had summons â to prepare himself with Horse and Armes and to attend him thither Likewise that he took to Wife Isabel daughter of William Earl Warren and Surrey but departed this Life in the prime of his youth Non. Maii Ann. 1243. 27. Hen. 3. without issue and was buried in the Abby of Wimundham with his ancestors leaving his great inheritance to be divided amongst his four Sisters viz. to Robert the Son of Robert de Tatshall and Mabell his Wife the eldest of them the Castle and Mannor of Buckenham with the appurtenances for their Capital Seat To Iohn the Son of Iohn Fitz-Alan and Isabel his Wife another of the Sisters and Coheirs the Castle and Mannor of Arundell c. To Roger de Somery who married Nichola the third Sister and Coheir the Mannor of Barwe in Com. Leic. for the cheif seat c. And to Roger de Montall who wedded Cecilie the second Sister and fourth of the said Coheirs the Castle of Rising in Norfolk for their principal seat Another Sister he had named Colet to whom her Uncle Ranulph Earl of Chester gave thirty pound towards her marriage which gift of this King Henry the third confirmed to her in 17 of his Reign All that I shall now Farther observe is that Isabell the Widow of this Earl Hugh had assigned to her for her maintenance untill her Dowry was set forth the Mannors of Wymundham and Keninghall in Norfolk and soon after for her Dowry the Lordships of Burne and Stansted with the Hundred of Burne in Com. Sussex Likewise the Mannor of Olney in Com. Buck. and moreover the Mannors of Snetsham Wymundham Pleââet and Kenninghall with the Hundred of Gilderos in Norfolk And that she was foundress of the Nunery of Marham near Lenne in Norfolk which Lordship of Marham she had by the gift of her Father in Frank-marriage And likewise that in an 1252. 36 H. 3. she moving the King concerning the Wardship of a certain Person which she challenged as her right and not speeding in her suite boldly told him That he was by God Almighty constituted to govern but that he did neither govern himself nor his subjects as he ought to do Adding that he did wrong the Church and vex the Nobles Whereunto the King returned What is this you say Have the Peers framed a Charter and made you their Advocate to speak for them by reasons of your Eloquence No quoth she they have made none at all but you have violated that Charter of Liberties which your Father did grant and which you by Oath obliged your self to observe and notwithstanding you have often extorted money from your liege people for the ratifying thereof yet have you broke it so that you are a manifest infringer of your Faith and Oath What are become of those Liberties of England so often solemnly
Roger de Moubray his Father formerly made to the Monks of Kirby in Warwickshire And gave to the Hospital of Burton-Lazers in Com. Leicest the Tith of all the Meat and Drink spent in his House wheresoever he should reside Likewise to the Canons of St Mary Overie in Southwark he gave the Church of Benstede with the Churches of Wudemarstone and Berges thereunto appertaining which Churches he had in marriage with Mabel his Wife After all which being signed with the Cross he took a journey to the Holy-Land 3 Ric. 1. but died before his arival there upon the Greek Sea where his Corps being put into a Coffin with an Inscription thereon to declare whom it contained was cast into the Ocean leaving issue by Mabel his Wife Daughter to the Earl of Clare four sons viz. William Robert Philip and Roger Of which Robert I finde that he took to Wife a Countess in Scotland who had a fair Inheritance there from whom descended the Moubrays of that Kingdom And of Roger that in 5 Ioh. he obtained a grant from the King of the Mannors of Swansham Fuleburne and Coâtesey which were the Lands of Alan de Roan ¶ This William in 6 Ric. 1. paying an hundred pound for his Relief had livery of his Lands and the same year accounted fourscore and eight pounds upon the Scutage then levied for the Kings redemption being one of the pledges upon that Kings enlargement for payment of the remainder of his Ransom And was one of the principle Barons touching whose affection to Iohn Duke of Normandy upon the death of King Richard the first there grew most doubt but coming to Northampton upon the summons of Hubert Archpishop of Canterbury William Marshal and Geffrey Fitz-Piers Justice of England swore Fealty to him on condition that he should render to every man his right And in 1 Ioh. had exemption from the Scutage of two Marks then levied upon every Knights Fee This William was the Man with whom William de Stutevill had so much and long Contest for those great possessions forfeited by Robert Fronteboef his ancestor who took part with Robert Curthose against King Henry the first all which were given to Nigel de Albini his Great-grandfather as I have already shewed for though there was an Agreement made in K. Henry the seconds time betwixt Robert de Shutevill who then laid claim to that Barony of Robert Fronteboef his Grandfather and Roger de Moubray Grandfather to this William whereupon Stutevill had Kirkby Mâresheved for nine Knights Fees by way of compensation to quit his Fathers claim yet in regard there was no confirmation of that accord in the Kings Court Stutevill commenced new Suites against this William whereupon he gave the King two thousand Marks that he might have equal right done him according to the custom of the Realm which Suites were at length determined by King Iohn and his great Councel in this manner viz. that Stutevill should relinquish his claim to that Barony of Fronteboef and in consideration thereof this William de Moubray should pass unto him nine Knights Fees and twelve pounds Rent All which being done they were made friends at Lue a House belonging to the Bishop of Lincoln in the Province of Lindsey on the Sunday called Septuagessima in 2 Ioh. But after this viz. in 17 Ioh. being constituted Governor of the Castle at York the same year he took part with those Barons who put themselves in Arms and required the confirmation of their Liberties and became a party to the Covenants then made between them and the King whereof I shall make farther mention in my discourse of Robert Fitz-Walter the Ring-leader of them and moreover one of those twenty five and his Brother Roger another who swore to the performance of that Charter then granted by the King at Runnimede which in regard it was by force extorted caused the King to refuse the observance thereof as also to fortify divers Castles and raise what power he could for his own aid whereupon he sent Messengers to the Pope by whom he represented to his Holiness how he had been dealt with the Pope therefore much resenting this complaint by his special Bull made void that Charter Which caused the Barons again to Arm and strengthen themselves by all wayes imaginable the Pope the better to back the King with his assistance thundred out Excommunications against them first in general and afterwards by special names amongst whom this William de Moubray was particularly specified Neither did the fury of this William and the rest of his party determine with the Life of King Iohn which hapned in the eighteenth year of his Reign wherein that Excommunication was so denounced but began to shew it self a fresh in the first year of young K. Henry the third whereupon that heroick William Marshal then Governor of the King and Kingdom advanced against them so prosperously that in the Battle of Lincoln their forces being utterly vanquished this William with many more were taken Prisoners and his Lands bestowed on William Marshal the younger for his better support but in consideration of the Lordship of Benestede in Surry given by him to Hubert de Burgh then Justice of England he soon redeemed all which in case he had not done would shortly after have been free to him for the same year upon that Agreement made 3 Id. Sept. with Lewes King of France whom the Barons had called in to their aid it was concluded that they and all that had affisted them should repossess their their Lands and Inheritances so that from that time there was if not an hearty yet an outward reconciliation betwixt the King and those that so lately were most forward in Armes against him in so much as amongst divers great men who attended the King in his Army to the Seige of Bitham Castle in Lincolnshire this William de Moubray was one and thereupon had Scutage from those that held of him by Military service towards the support of the charge which he underwent in that expedition This William upon the death of his Brother Roger had Livery of his Lands paying the Releif due for the same But more I cannot say of him Than that he Founded a Chappel at Threske dedicated to S. Nicholas and therein a Chantry wherein by a Composition made with the Monks of Newburgh it was agreed That the Bell should be rung though it were not a Parochial Chapple at the celebration of Mass whensoever he or any of his heirs should be present as also on the Festival of S. Nicholas and the Obits of his Ancestors After which he departed this life in the Isle of Axholme and was buried in the Abbey of Newburgh of his
Forest of Farnedale and that he might have liberty with his Dogs to hunt the Fox Cat c. throughout all the Kings Forest in Yorkshire And in 40 Henr. 3. was Constituted Governor of the Castle of Pickering in that County In 41 Hen. 3. he was with the King in that expedition then made into Wales And in 42 Hen. 3. was made Constable of the Tower of London At which time the Barons confederating against the Poictovins the Kings Half-Brothers who bore a great Sway being very powerfull they advanced him to the Office of Justice of England Militem illustrem legum terrae peritum qui Officium Iustitiariae strenuè peragens nullatenus permittat jus regni vacillare saith Matth. Paris a famous Knight and Skillfull in the Laws of the Land who stoutly executing the Office of Justitiar suffered not the rights of the Kingdom at all to waver Soon after which associating to himself Roger de Turkelbi and Gilbert de Preston two eminent Judges of that age he made his Iters into all parts of the Land Within the compass of that year he was also constituted governor of Dover Castle In 44 Hen. 3 he gave three thousand pound for the wardship of the Heirs of William de Kime a great man in Lincolnshire And being the same year made Governor of Scarborough Castle he quitted his Office of Justice of England Hugh le Despencer succeeding him therein In 47 Hen. 3. he was one of those who stood up with Sim. Montfort Earl of Leicester for the Liberties of the subject as they then pretended And as the King on his part for quietness sake was content to submit to the determination of Lewes King of France touching those Ordinances made by the Barons called Provisiones Oxonii so was he one of those who in like sort became an undertaker for them After which viz. in 48 H. 3. being the next ensuing year he was in that fatal Battle of Lewes of the Kings part whence though he shamefully fled leaving Prince Edward in the midst of the Fight such was his thanks from the Barons who then had the day that they seized upon his Lands This Hugh took to Wife Ioan the Widow of ... Wake Heir of Nicholas de Stutevill which Ioane after this Battle her husband being fled beyond Sea obtained from those Barons an assignation of the Lordships of Cotingham and Kirkby-Moresheved in Com. Ebor. for the support of her and her Family during his stay there But the King ere long recovering all in the Battle of Evesham he returned and was made Constable of the Castle of Pickering Of his Death I can speak nothing but plain it is that he made a Will divers years before bearing date at Cestreford on the Wednesday next after the feast of S. Barnabas the Apostle anno 1258. 42 Hen. 3. by which he bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Abby of Thetford and constituted Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester and Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester two of his Executors Nor have I more to say of Ralph Bigod his younger Brother than that he wedded Berta Daughter of ... Furnivall and that he had his residence at Setrington in Com. Ebor. I now return to Earl Roger Son of Hugh last mentioned Nephew and Heir to the last Earl Roger. This Roger having taken to Wife Aliva Daughter and Heir to Philip Basset Justice of England paid ... for the Relief of those Lands which were of her inheritance and doing his Homage had Livery of all that lay in the Counties of Esseâ Berks Oxford Cambridge Suffolk Surrey Southampton and Buckingham In 10 Edw. 1. he was in the Welch expedition then made And having had a grant from King Edward the first of the Castle of Bristol and Nottingham to hold for life In 20 Edw. 1. he surrendred them to him again And in 22 E. 1. obtained the Kings Licence to embattle his Mansion-house at Bungey in Suffolk where there had been a Castle formerly demolished as I have before observed In 25 Edward 1. this stout Earl together with the Earl of Hereford were the cheif of those who opposed that Tax which the King then demanded from his Subjects for his Expedition into Flanders refusing to come to his Parliament unless he would give them safe conduct Saying moreover that they would not be compelled to go with him in that voyage Insisting also that he should ratify the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest and quit that imposition of forty shillings upon every Sack of Wooll which had been for three years before exacted Furthermore they inhibited the paiment of the Eighth-penny-Tax which had been granted to the King in the Parliament at S. Edmundsbury and incited the Londoners to stand up for their Liberties By which doings and the Archbishop of Canterburies help they obtained a Confirmation of those Charters as also certain Articles for the farther explaining of them which were called Articuli super Cartas with pardon for not attending the King into Flanders and for all other their misdemeanors But after this scil in 26 E. 1. all discontents being thus composed he went again into Scotland in that Expedition then made thither And in 29 Edw. 1. having no issue he constituted King Edward his Heir delivering unto him the Marshals Rod upon condition to be rendred back in case he should have any Children as also to have a Thousand pounds from the King in present and a Thousand pounds per annum during his life One of our Historians alledged the reason of this settlement so made by him of all his Lands Honor and Office to have been for some great Offence which he had taken against Iohn his younger Brother and Heir apparent but the same Historian afterwards speaking of that contrivance against Piers de Gaveston by divers of the most eminent Noble men of that time of which number Thomas Earl of Lancaster who married the only Daughter and Heir to Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln was having related a Speech which that Earl of Lincoln upon his Death-bed made to the Earl of Lancaster whereby he encourageth him to stand up for the rights of the Church and the Liberties of the People and reckons up the names of divers great men who had been stout Champions for both goeth on thus Comes verò Marescallus qui vivacissimus fuit exactor libertatum jamdudum mortuo Comite de Hereford seniore cernens se solum non posse proficere in praemissis cum herede careret legitimo timore ductus est ut superius dictum est Regem Edwardum constituit heredem suum Which shews that he setled his Lands for fear For what respect it was I shall not take upon me to argue but that he so did is sure enough as may evidently
that Hugh le Despencer the younger then the Kings Chamberlain and chief favorite had in right of Alianore his Wife one of the three Sisters and Coheirs of Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester the third part of that Earldom then valued at five thousand marks per annum And not content therewith thirsting after the rest which belonged to the two other Sisters with Armed Forces Invaded the Countrey of Glamorgan In opposition to him he associated himself with Humfrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford and his Uncle Sir Roger de Mortimer of Chirke and took Caerdifte subjecting all the Countrey thereabout to his command and moreover carried Sir George Gorges Knight Governor of Caerdiffe Castle Prisoner to Wigmore And not long after being informed that the Castle of âionne with all the Lands and Honor thereto belonging were his own by right he entred upon them and took Fealty of the Tenants of which Lands with all other belonging to Edmund Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundell afterwards condemned for Treason at Hereford he thenceforth obtained a grant from King Edward the third The same year also viz. 14 Edw. 2. joyning with Thomas Earl of Lancaster Humfrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford and other the then discontented Barons he marched with them towards London they being all cloathed in Green but their right hands Yellow and exacted the Oaths almost of all the Bishops and Peers of the Realm to assist them in reforming the Government and to bring the Spencers to Justice Howbeit finding the Kings strength to be at that time such as that they were not like to succeed he and his Uncle Roger by perswasion of the Earl of Pembroke and promise of Favor yeilded themselves to the King who not thinking it fit to put any trust in that their feigned submission committed them both to the Tower of London Where this Roger having intelligence that he was like to suffer Death after he had been Prisoner for a year and an half by mediation of his Uncle who had obtained his liberty got loose as some say But others affirm that hearing the King had a purpose to take away his Life he made a Banquet for Sir Stephen de Segrave then Constable of the Tower and giving him a Soporiferous drink escaped with a Cord by the means of one Gerard de Alspath his Keeper and so got into France where he had a very honorable reception and that afterwards in memory of this deliverance he caused a Chappel to be built in honor of St. Peter in the outer Ward of Ludlow Castle for one Priest to celebrate Divine Service perpetually therein Upon which escape the King forthwith dispatched his precepts to the Seneschall of Gascoin and Constable of Burdeaux to make diligent search for him and to keep him Prisoner in cafe he could be found within their liberties The like Precepts he also sent to all the Sheriffs of England and Bailiffs of the Sea-Ports to levy Hue and Cry as also to make search for him and to take him dead or alive And not finding him caused Margaret his Wife to be sent Prisoner to the Castle of Skipton in Craven allowing her only one Waiting-woman an Esquire a Laundress a Groom and a Page there to be kept by Iohn de Rithre Constable of that Castle and no more then thirteen shillings and fourpence a day for the expence of her selfe and those her servants in the journey and thirteen shillings and four pence a week for their maintenance there as also ten marks per annum for Apparrel And at the same time conveyed her three Daughters to be safe kept in three several Nunneries viz Margaret to Shouldham in Norfolk Ioane to Semplingham in Lincolneshire and Isabel to Chiksaâd in Bedfordshire Being thus in France with the Queen and Prince together with Edmund Earl of Kent and many other of the English Nobility King Edward the second caused sentence of Banishment to be proclaimed against them throughout all the Counties of England with promise of a thousand pounds to whomsoever should bring unto him the Body of this Roger dead or alive And having so done by corrupting the King of France with Money obtained his word to send them all as Captives into England But advertisement of this designe being brought to the Queen she privately got thence to William Earle of Henault with all those Nobles and contracted a marriage for Prince Edward her Son and Philippa Daughter of that Earl By which means having all the Ayd he could give her she made Sail with speed for England Whereat the King upon Tidings thereof was so astonished that he forthwith fled with both the Spencers and other his Parasites unto the Mountainous parts of Glamoâgan in Wales The Scene being thus wonderfully changed this Roger was first made Governor of the Castle of Denbeigh and upon the Coronation of Prince Edward whom the Nobles advanced to the Throne in his Fathers stead by means of his interest with Queen Isabel bearing the cheifest sway caused t his three Sons viz. Edmund Roger and Geffrey to be made Knights at that solemnity And soon after married two of his Daughters unto the Sons of these great men viz. Beatrix to Edward the Son of Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshall of England and Agnes to the Son and Heir of Iohn Lord Hastings Which being done he got a Pardon to himself for breaking Prison out of the Tower of London in 18 E. 2. And before the end of that year went into Scotland in that Expedition then made thither Moreover in confideration of Lands to the value of a thousand pounds per annum which 't is said in the grant were promised him by the King he obtained in the same year a Patent in Fee of the Castles of Denbegh in Wales late Hugh Spencers the elder attainted as also of the Castles of Oswaldeshe Shrawerdyne and Clonnâ with the Mannors of Ryton Wroxestre and Conede in Comit Salop of the Mannor of Cheping-Norton in Com. Oxon and all other the Castles Mannors and Lands which were Edmund Earl of Aâundels attainted in England and Wales excepting the Mannors of Trouford and Dunâam Furthermore the year next following scil 2 Edw. 3 he was made Justice of Wales And in the Parliament begun after the Quinzime of St. Michael caused himself to be advanced to the Title of Earl of Marche And the same year held a Round Table at Bedford After which King Edward taking a Progress into the Marches of Wales he was magnificently received by this Roger and treated with sumptuous entertainments in his Castles of Ludlow and Wigmore So likewise in his Forests and Parks as also with great costs
William de Magnavil vulgarly called Mandevil his Son and Heir who having married Margaret the sole Daughter and Heir to Eudo Dapifer id est Steward to King William had issue by her Geffrey his Son and Heir Steward of Normandy by descent from his Mother and a Daughter called Beatrix Which Geffrey in 5 Steph. upon the payment of Eight hundred sixty six pounds thirteen shillings four pence to the King had Livery of his Inheritance Being also Constable of the Tower of London he was by King Stephen of a Baron advanced to the dignity of an Earl as by his special Charter dated at Westminster appeareth viz. of the County of Essex So that he and his Heirs should enjoy the same Earldom as freely peaceably and honorably as other Earls held those Counties whereof they were Earls Unto which Charter were witnesses William de Ipre Henry de Essex Iohn the Son of Robert Fitz-Walter Robert de Newburgh William de S. Clere William de Dammartin Richard Fitz-Vrse and William de Owe. But notwithstanding this Honor thus conferred on him by King Stephen Maud the Empress by a more ample Charter made at Oxford won him to her party For she not only confirmed to him whatsoever Geffrey his Grand-father or William his Father ever had either in Lands Forts Castles and in particular the Tower of London with the Castle under it to strengthen and fortifie at his pleasure but bestowed on him the Hereditary Sheriffalty of London and Middlesex for Three hundred pounds to hold as amply as Geffrey his Grand-father did as also that of Hertfordshire for Sixty pounds as his Grand-father likewise held it Farther granting to him the Tryal of all Causes in those Counties so that no other should hold Plea therein but by him And that he should have those Lands of one hundred pounds per annum value and the services of those Twenty Knights which she formerly by an other Charter had given him Moreover she confirmed to him all those Lands of two hundred pounds per an value which King Stephen and Maud his Queen had bestowed on him and likewise One hundred pound Land in Escheats with those Knights Fees also given to him by them according to the Tenor of the Charters which he had of them Likewise she gave unto him all the Lands of Eudo Dapifer in Normandy with his Office of Steward as his Rightful Inheritance granting That he should not be impleaded for the same by any person whatsoever And if she and the Earl of Anjou her Husband should think fit that in lieu of his Eschaet-Lands and Knights services he then had he should also enjoy as his right all the Lands in England whereof the same Eudo died seised over and above the one hundred pound Lands per annum and twenty Knights Fees formerly given to him by her and over and above the Lands of Ernulph de Mannevil which he held of him by the service of ten Knights Fees And she farther covenanted with him that in case she could obtain the Castle of Stortford by exchange from the Bishop of London and his Church of S. Paul there that then he and his Heirs should for ever enjoy it And if she could not so obtain it then that she would demolish it And besides all this she granted that Ernulph de Mandevil should enjoy that one hundred pound Lands and ten Knights Fees which she had formerly given him and one hundred pound Lands more in Escheats to be held of her Husband the Earl of Anjou and her in Capite to him and his Heirs of her and her Heirs viz. Cristeshale and Benedis for as much as they were worth and that she would make good the Remainder And she likewise Covenanted that neither the Earl of Anjou her Husband nor her self nor her children would ever make peace with the Burgesses of London but with the consent of him the said Geffrey because they were his mortal Enemies And that the Castle which he had built upon Wye should stand to be fortified at his pleasure Also That he should build one other Castle on his own Land wheresoever he would And that he and his Tenants should enjoy all the improvements they had at any time made upon their respective Lands unto the day that he adhered to her and her said Husband the Earl of Anjou For performance of which Covenants Robert Earl of Glocester Milo Earl of Hereford Bryan Fitz-Count Robert Fitz-Reginald Robert de Curcy her Steward Iohn Fitz-Gilbert Miles de Beauchamp Ralph Paganel Robert de Oilli Constable and Robert Fitz-Heldebrand undertook And that Geffrey Earl of Anjou her Husband and Henry her Son should make good the same she promised that the King of France in case she could procure him should be her Surety as also that these persons should give their Faith for the like performance viz. Iâhel de Meduana Robert de Sabloill Pain de Clarevalle Geffrey de Clarevalle Andrew de Alvy Pipin of Turon Absolom Rumard Reginald Earl of Cornwal Baldwin Earl of Devon Gilbert Earl of Pembroke Hugh Earl of Norfolk Earl Alberic Henry de Essex Peter de Valoins and other of her Barons whom he would accept of and whom she could obtain for Pledges And that all the Clergy of England in her power should undertake to see those Covenants kept by her and her Heirs to him and hiâ Heirs And besides this by another Charter dated at Westminster she constituted him Earl of Essex to hold to himself and his heirs and to have the Third Penny of the Pleas of the Sheriffalty as an Earl ought to enjoy in his Earldom and likewise granted to him and his heirs all those Lands which Geffrey de Magnavill his Grandfather and Serlo de Matom or any of his Ancestors ever held either in England or Normandy Moreover she granted unto him and his heirs the custody of the Tower of London with that little Castle there which belonged to Ravenger and all the Lands Liveries and Customs thereto belonging to fortifie the same at his pleasure as also one hundred pound Lands per annum to hold of her and her heirs in Demesn viz. Newport for the value it yielded at the death of King Henry her Father with License to remove the Market from Newport to his Castle at Walden and all Customs to that Market belonging in Toll Passages and other usages Likewise that the ways from Newport near the Waterside should be directed of course to Walden And that the Market at Walden should be upon Sundays and Thursdays and the Fair there to begin on Whitson-Eve and to continue all that week Moreover she gave him Meldon with its appurtenances to make good that one hundred pound Land before mentioned for so much as it was worth at the time of King Henries death as also Deopdene upon the like value Likewise the Woods of Chatelege
called Mary and died in 3 Hen. 7. Which Thomas succeeding him in his Lands and Honors in 5 Hen. 7. was sent over into Flanders amongst divers other of the English Nobles in aid of Maximilian the Emperor against the French He had also Summons to Parliament by the name of Thomas Arundel de Matravers Chivalier in 22 Edw. 4. And 1 Hen. 7. his Father being then alive And having married Margaret the Daughter of Richard Widvile Earl Rivers had issue by her two sons viz. William and Edward and two Daughters Margaret the Wife of Iohn de la Pole Earl of Lincoln and Ioane married to George Nevill Lord Bergavenny This Earl Thomas by his Testament bearing date 12 Octob. An. 1524. 16 Hen. 8. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Chancel of his Collegiate Church at Arundel where the Corps of his Lady lay interred constituting William Lord Matravers his Son one of his Executors and departing this life in his Park at Dauley 25 Octob. An. 1524. 16 Hen. 8. was buried in the same Collegiate Church at Arundel Which William in 2 Hen. 8. his Father living and then called Sir William Arundel Knight Lord Matravers having Wedded Anne the Sister to Henry Earl of Northumberland obtained a Grant to himself and Heirs of his Body from the King of the Mannors of Warbââton Duriate and Dunpole in Com. Somers and Hunton in Com. Southampt To hold by the service of a Red Rose yearly And in 16 Hen. 8. upon the death of his Father had a special Livery of all his Castles Lordships and Lands In 22 Hen. 8. this Earl William was one of the Lords in Parliament who subscribed that Letter sent to Pope Clement the Seventh whereby he might easily discern that In case he did not comply with King Henry in that cause of his Divorce from Queen Catherine his Supremacy here would be shaken off And in 33 Hen. 8. when the King by Cromwels Policy obtruded much of the Monastery Lands upon his Nobles and others in exchange for Lands of their own he had in lieu of the Mannors of Shillingley Hââernhoo Palingham Wollavington Alversham Codham Bignore Stopeham â and Eartham with four Woods in Sussex the Inheritance of the site of the Priory of Micheâham with all the Buildings thereto belonging as also all the Lands in Michelham Arungton Hailesham Hellingley Chedingley Pewensey Westham Willingdon Sharnford Fockington and Ievington in the same County all which were esteemed at the time of the dissolution of that Priory the Demesn Lands thereof As also the Mannors of Michelham Parkgate Sharnford and Down-Ashe Cawdeane and Holiwich in the same County and in Kent with the Water-Mill of Michelham Parkgate And moreover all the Lands called Sextery-Lands lying in the Towns of Hellingley Willingdon Ievington and Hailesham in that County of Sussex with the Advowson of the Rectory of Ripe lately pertaining to the Monastery of Lewes And likewise all those Mannors and Lordships of Swanborough and Horsted in Com. Suss. Imberhorne in the County of Sussex and Surrey and the Parks called Horsted Park in Com. Suss. belonging also to the said Monastery of Lewes This Earl William by his Testament bearing date 23 Ian. An. 1543. 35 Hen. 8. gave to direction thereby for his Burial but making the Lady Anne his Wife and Henry Lord Matravers his Son his Executors departed this life at Downley in the Parish of Singleton in Com. Suss. upon the twenty third of the same Moneth of Ianuary and was buried at Arundel By his first Wife Anne Daughter to Henry Earl of Northumberland he had issue Henry his Son and Heir and likewise two Daughters Anne and Catherine who died unmarried And by Elizabeth his second Wife Daughter to Robert Willoughby Lord Brook two Daughters Margaret and Elizabeth who died also unmarried Which Henry who succeeded him having been in 36 Hen. 8 Field-Marshal of the Kings Army at the Siege of Boâââgne was in 38 Hen. 8. constituted one of the Assistants to that Kings Executors And in 4 Ed. 6. upon a Peace concluded by the King with the Scots and French wherein also the Emperor was comprehended was one of the Hostages for Ratification of the Articles About this time after the Duke of Somerset Uncle to the King and Protector was brought to the Block by Dudley Earl of Warwick the chief contriver in his Tragedy he endeavored to draw this Earl to his party who at that time was discountenanced and therefore by Warwick singled out as the most fit person for his purpose But after many secret Conferences which were often held betwixt them in the night seeing that he could not prevail he found means to discharge him from the Council and to confine him to his house objections being framed against him that he had taken away Bolts and Locks at Westminster and given away the Kings Stuff being Lord Chamberlain for which he was fined at twelve thousand pounds to be paid by a thousand pounds yearly and the next year following committed to the Tower upon pretence that he had been one of those who did conspire to draw in some of the Lords unto the Lord Pagets house under colour of a Banquet there to take off their heads This Earl Henry after the death of King Edward the Sixth cordially inclined to the Right of Mary the eldest Daughter of King Henry and when that Dudley then Duke of Northumberland was gone out towards Cambridge with what power could at present be had on the behalf of the Lady Iane Grey whom through his influence the Lords of the Council had proclaimed Queen upon a meeting of divers Lords at Baynards Castle in that despeâate juncture of time he bitterly inveighed against him laying open his injustice and cruelty in the time of King Edward and declaimed boldly against that treacherous act of his touching the disherison of the Daughters of King Henry Which stout Speech put such a courage into the rest of the Lords then present that they forthwith resolved to maintain the Right of Mary against all opposers and accordingly proclaimed her Queen in Cheapside Moreover he was again made Constable of England for the day immediately preceding the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth Likewise High Steward of England for the fifteenth of Ianuary on which day she was solemnly Crowned and soon after that one of her Privy Council But in 3 Eliz. having fed himself with some hopes of obtaining Queen Elizabeth for his Wife and failing therein after he had spent much upon these vain imaginations his Friends in Court failing him he grew troubled in mind and thereupon to wear off the grief got leave to travel In 11 Eliz. being constituted one of the Commissioners to
Earl of Albemarle died in his life time An. 1152. 12 Steph. leaving issue a Son called William who never had the title of Earl Which William in 12 Hen. 2. upon the Assessment of the Aid for marrying the Kings Daughter certified his Knights Fees De Veteri Feoffamento to be in number thirty two and De Novo twenty five a fourth and third part of which nine and an half were released This William the third of that name in the second of Richard the First obtained from Simon Briton a Release of all his Claim in the whole Marsh of Bolingbroke betwixt Lindley and Smalnam And in 6 Rich. 1. was with the King in that expedition then made into Normandy Moreover he obtained from Geffrey Fitz-Stephen the Superior of the Knights Templers in England a full Release of all their interest in Bradmere and all the Fees belonging to Bolingbroke and the Soke of Bolingbroke which Earl William his Grandfather had formerly given to them And calling himself Nephew and Heir to Earl William his Grandfather in An. 1182. 28 Hen. 2. confirmed the Grants of all the Lands by him given to them at the Foundation of that Abby Vipount IN An. 1073. 7 Will. Conq. Robert de Vipount was sent into Normandy with William de Molines both expert Soldiers in aid of Iohn de Rlecche a potent person against Fulke Rechin Earl of Anjou who had then invaded those parts Which Robert in An. 1085. 18 Will. Conq. fighting couragiously against Hubert the Vicount and those of Maine then in Rebellion was unhappily stain After this another Robert in Anno 1107. 8 Hen. 1. was at raising the Siege which the Pagans had laid to the City of Antâoech And in 5 Steph. William de Vipount had a contest for certain Lands in Devonshire to be determined by Battle Which William gave certain Lands lying in Hardingstorne in Com. Northampt. to the Nunnery of our âady a Pree id est of the Meadows at Northampton And in 4 Ioh. obtained the Kings Precept to the Steward of Normandy to have as full possession of the Lordship of Uipount in that Dukedom as Robert de Vipount his Brother had when he went into France after the War But upon condition that he should stand to a tryal for it in the Kings Court in case any question were made of his title thereto This last mentioned Robert in 5 Hen. 2. gave twenty marks to have a tryal for his Lands in Devonshire in which County he helââââight Knights Fees in 12 Hen. 2. of the Honor of Toâneâs And in 9 Rich. 1. accounted eighty five pound to the King for the Farm of the Honor of ââkhill Moreover in 3 Ioh. he gave to the King twenty marks and one Palfrey for the Wardship of Richard de Scirinton In 4 Ioh. he was with the King in France and probably in that memorable Battle at Mââabell in which the French and Poictovins received so great an overthrow where also many prisoners were taken divers of which he had in his custody until he received the Kings command to deliver them unto Hugh de Gurnay amongst whom was Arthur Earl of Britanny the Kings Nephew afterwards barbarously murthered For which service without doubt it was That the same year viz. ult Martii he first had a Grant from King Iohn of the Castles of Appleby and Burch with the whole Bailiwick of Westmerland to hold during pleasure And the next ensuing year for his better support in the same Kings service another Grant bearing date at ãâã upon the twenty eighth of October of the premisses together with the services of all those who held not by Military service to hold to him and his heirs by the Wife he then had by the service of four Knights Fees for all services Provided he should not commit Waste in the Woods of Wineâell nor hunt therein during the Kings life except he were there himself in person And saving to the King and his Heirs all Pleas of the Crown Which Grant includes the Barany though not the Borough of Appleby that having been granted to the Burgesses there by King Henry the Second and confirmed by King Iohn in the first year of His Reign so likewise by King Henry the Third in 16 Hen. 3. To this Barony belongs the Castles and Mannors of Appleby and Burgh Under Stanemore Flaxbrigg-Park Sowerby Winton Kirkby Stephen Mallerstang Pendragon Langton Meabourne Regis Brougham Castle Kirkby Thore Mawdes-Meabourne Temple-Sowerby with the Forests or rather Chases of Winefell and Mallerstang All which together with the Sheriff-wick and services of the Tenants to these Lordships hereafter mentioned which held thereof by Cornage made up the Barony viz. Cabergh Hartâey Smardale Holbeck Askham Musgrave-Magna Murtan Cowby Sandford Sowlby Warthcop Waitby Overton Crosby Musgrave-Parva Helton Askby-Magna Askby-Parva Helton-Fletham Crosby-Ravensworth Naitby Hep Bampton Palking Cundall Knipe Clifton Brougham Dufton Brampton Bolton Yavenwick Knockshalcock Clyburne Coleby Hoff Drybeck Ormshead New Biggin Milburne Kirkby-Thore Cracanthorpe Lowther Maud Meabourne and Burton In the same fifth year of King Iohn this Robert de Vipount had also the custody of Windsor Castle so also of the Castle of Bowes in Com. Westmorl In 6 Ioh. he was made Constable of Nottingham Castle and in 7 Ioh. had a Grant of the custody of the Mannors of Lacton and Wateleg part of the Possession of Ralph Tayson Moreover the same year he was joyned with Rich. de Beauchamp in the Sheriffalty of the Countiâs of Nottingham and Derby and afterwards was Sheriff alone of those Counties until the eleventh of that Kings Reign inclusive In 9 Ioh. he was sent into the County Palatine of Durham to signifie unto the people of those parts the tenor of that Conference which had been betwixt the King and his Bishops touching Ecclesiastical Matters and the injuries then offered unto him by the Pope with command That he should so dispose of the Clergy and Laity there and of their whole Estates as he had received direction from the King to do And in 12 Ioh. began first to account for his Sheriffalty of Westmorland In this twelfth year he also executed the Office of Sheriff for Wiltshire for half that year and afterwards till the end of the fifteenth year So likewise for Devonshire from the twelfth to the end of the seventeenth of the same Kings Reign In 13 Ioh. upon levying the Scutage of Scotland he answered three pound sixteen shillings âight pence for three Knights Fees and a third part which were of the Fees of William de Rumeli And by his Deed dated at Cliburne 8 May the same year confirmed the Grant of Maud his Mother Daughter to Hugh de Morevill of Kirk-Oswald in Com. Cumbr.
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 Bremâry 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 deâiring his pardon not only obtained it but also the Castle of ãâã as a pledge of his special savor the custody whereof he committed to Rees Vâchan 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 Buâlt 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 Snodyntâne 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 âoteneis 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 Pelâneeg ãâ¦ã 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
commodities sold at her Market of Hay towards the charge of Walling and Fortifying of that Town And in 24 Hen. 3. gave command to Gilbert Marshall Earl of Pembroke to restore unto the Heirs of this last mentioned William de Braose the Barony of St. Clere being their Rightful Inheritance whereof she died seised and whereof the said Earl possessed â himself upon the death of Leweline late Prince of Wales Having thus done with the Line of Reginald de Braose the third Son of William de Braose called Senior I now come to William the eldest son of William the elder commonly called Willâââm Iunior This William took to Wife ... the Daughter to R. Earl of Clare with whom he had the Town of Buckingham in Frank-Marriage and by her had issue William and Anuâââ a Daughter Wife of Hugh de Mortimer unto whom William her Father gave a hundred shillings Land in Cherleton and Chiriton for maintenance during her Widowhood In 5 Hen. 3. the Welsh making a perambulation betwixt their own Countrey and England for stating the bounds of each did much injury to some especially to the Land sometime belonging to this William But more I cannot say of him then that he was so famished at Windsore as hath been already observed and that he left issue Iohn who was sirnamed Tadody and privately nursed up at Gowher by a Welsh-woman Which Iohn being in in minority at his Fathers death was with his Lands committed to the custody of Giles his Uncle then Bishop of Hereford and after the Bishops death to Reginald his other Uncle And when he came of age levied a Fine to his said Uncle Reginald of all those Lands in Wales which came afterwards to be shared betwixt the four Daughters and Coheirs of William the Son of the said Reginald whereby he covenanted That they should remain to the said Reginald and his Heirs for ever This Iohn had a Grant from the King to himself and his Heir bearing date 25 April 12 Hen. 3. of the Lordships of ãâã Skenefrith and Lentiââoch in Wales with the Castles and Advousons of Churches to them belonging to be held by the service of one Knights Fee and an half He was also possessed of the Barony of ãâã in Sussex and likewise of the Castle and Honor of Sweynsey in ãâã and died at his Castle of Brembre in 1â Hen. 3. by a fall from his Horse his Foot sticking in the ãâã Upon whose death the King gave command to the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire to seise the Lordship of Buckingham which was of the Dowry of Margaret his Wife Daughter of Leweline Prince of Wales and to deliver the same to Peter de Rievaulx a great Man in that age to be by him detained until such time as she the said Margaret did render unto him the two Sons of her late Husband Iohn de Braose and committed the custody of the Castles of Brembre and Cnappe unto Richard Earl of Cornwal to be by him kept till the Heir of the said Iohn should arrive to his full age Which Margaret was afterwards married to Walter de Clifford This Iohn had issue William de Braose who in 41 Hen. 3. when Leweline ap Griffin had raised a great Army to the danger of the Marches of Wales was commanded by the King to make all the strength he could for the safeguard of his own Marches about Gowher And the next year following had Summons to attend the King at Châster well accoutred with Horse and Arms to restrain the insolencies of the Welsh In 44 Hen. 3. he was required amongst other the Barons of the Marches to repair into those parts for the defence of them against the hostile invasions of Leweline and to obey the commands of Roger de Mortimer their General in defence of the Marches In 47 Hen. 3. the Lands of this William being seised upon by those great Men who had been in Arms against the King were by the Kings command again restored to him In 48 Hen. 3. he was one of those Barons who undertook that the King should stand to the Award of Lewes King of France touching the differences which were then betwixt him and the other Barons In 9 Edw. 1. he obtained a Charter of Free-Warren in all his Lands at Bedinges Widelington Kinesberne Findon Waschington Hoke la Stocke Cherseworth and Greenstead in Sussex In 14 Edw. 3. having been with the King in his Welsh expedition he received Scutage of all his Tenants in the Counties of Surrey Sussex Wilts Glocester and Dorset and in 19 Edw. 1. departed this life leaving William his Son and Heir as also another Son called Richard Which William being of full age had Livery of his Lands and soon after came to this Agreement with Mary his Fathers Widow concerning her Dowry viz. That instead of the Lands in Sussex and of Gowher in Wales whereof her said Husband died seised she should enjoy during her life the Mannors of Findon Wassington Sedgewick Greenstead Kinesberne and Bedinges excepting the Pasturage upon the Hill towards Lewes saving to the said William his Royalty in the Barony of Brembre Moreover in 22 Edw. 1. he had Summons 8 Iune amongst other of the great Men to attend the King with speed wheresoever he should be in England to advise touching the weighty affairs of the Realm And about the beginning of September following was one of those that took shipping at Portsmouth with Horse and Arms for a voyage into Gascoigne in the Kings service In 25 Edw. 1. he attended the King into Flanders and in consideration of his good service there obtained the marriage * of Iohn the Son and Heir to Roger de Moubray to the intent that he should marry Aliva his Daughter In 28 Edw. 1. he was in Scotland in the Kings service and in 29 Edw. 1. was there again being of the retinue to Edward Prince of Wales In 30 Edw. 1. there was a great dispute in the Parliament then held at Westminster betwixt this William and the Kings Officers for âaermerdingshire touching the Priviledges and Liberties belonging to Gowher-Land where he claimed Royal Jurisdiction and Cognizance of all Pleas there arising for which he did prescribe not only from the time of King Iohn who granted to William his Ancestor and his Heirs the whole Land of Gowher as it is there alleaged to hold by the service of one Knights Fee but that the Earls of Warwick antiently owners thereof did exercise that Jurisdiction Of which difference no conclusion was then made In 32 Edw. 1. this William was again in the Wars of Scotland and in such favor that the King not only confirmed unto him and his heirs
called Mael who enjoyed not that Inheritance For taking notice that his Mother did play the Adultress watching one night for her Paramour in his returne from her Bed he maimed him grievously and then let him go with shame And that this Act of his so enraged his Mother that in revenge thereof she made her address to the King and publickly took her Oath that this Mael her Son was not begotten by her Husband but by another with whom she had at that time private familiarity Moreover that the King thereupon took occasion to bereave him of his whole Inheritance and caused Livery to be made of it to Sybill her Daughter whom she affirmed to be the child of her Husband and that he married her to a noble Knight of his Court called Miles the Son of Walter Constable of Gloucester Which Miles was afterwards by Maud the Empress advanced to the Earldom of Hereford of whom and his Descendants I have spoke in due place Having thus done with this Bernard I come to Adam de Newmarch though how allied to him I find not who in the time of King Henry the first bestowed three Ox-gangs of Land and an half in Halton on the Canons of Nostell in Com. Ebor. Next to William de Newmarch who in 7 H. 2. gave ninety three pounds sixteen shillings eight pence for the custody of the Lands of Adam de Newmarch Son to the last Adam as I ghess Which William in 10 Ric. 1. paid an hundred pounds for Livery of his Fathers Lands as also an hundred marks for his Relief at the same time In 6 Ioh. Godfrey de St. Martin had Livery of this William's Lands in Hantshire having the custody of them granted to him to be answerable for the Profits to the Exchequer with intimation that if this William had passed any of them away after he fell into his infirmity of Leprosy that those should return to his Barony From this William I descend to Henry de Newmarch who in 12 Hen. 2. upon the assessment of the aid for marrying the Kings Daughter certified his Knights Fees to be in number sixteen an half two thirds and two fifth parts for which in 14 Hen. 2. upon collection of that Aid he paid eleven pounds fourteen shillings and two pence In 6 Ric. 1. this Henry gave a Fine of ten Marks to be then exempt from attendance upon the King into Normandy And for his Scutage at the same time for the Kings redemption seventeen pounds eleven shillings and four pence Moreover he gave the moity of his Lordship of Uppetune to the Monks of Bermundsey and ratified y all those grants which Winebald his Grandfather and likewise Roger and Milo Sons of the same Winebald had given them viz. two Hides in Bridestone three Yard-land and an half in Wicdone as also six Yard-lands in Hardewiche with the Church there He likewise âestowed on them the Tithes of his Lordship of Esâentune and ten shillings issuing out of the Mill at Sutton To him succeeded Iames his Brother and heir who in 6 Ioh. gave two hundred marks for Livery of his Lands being his Heir and in 13 Ioh. paid an hundred thirty seven pounds thirteen shillings for his Relief The same year also upon Collection of the Scutage of Wales he paid twenty four pounds four shillings for his sixteen Knights Fees and an half two thirds and two fifths But shortly after this he died as it seems for in 17 Ioh. the custody of his Lands in Berkshire were granted to Iohn Russell leaving issue two Daughters his Heirs viz. Isabel married to Ralph Russell and Hawyse first to Iohn de Botreaux and afterwards to Nicholas de Molis Which Iohn de Botreaux in 2 Hen. 3. had Livery of the purparty of that Inheritance belonging to Hawyse his Wife Maud the Widdow of this deceased Iames surviving for the marriage of whom in case she would consent Otho Fitz-William gave six Palfreys to the King The like Livery in 8 Hen. 3. had the said Ralph Russel of those Lands which were of the inheritance of Isabel his Wife the other Daughter and Coheir lying in the Counties of Somers Wilts and Glouc. ¶ I now come to another Adam de Newmarch Son of Robert de Newmarch In 6 H. 3. this Adam gave eight marks for the issues of the Barony of Maude de Bajocis And in 42 H. 3. upon the King of Scotland's restraint by his then rebellious Subjects had Summons amongst others to fit himself with Horse and Armes for his relief As also another Summons the same year to attend the King at Chester on Munday preceding the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist to oppose the Hostilities of the Welsh Howbeit in 47 and 48 Hen. 3. when the rebellious Barons appeared in Armes he adhered to them and advancing his Banner against the King at Northampton was with divers other then taken Prisoner in that defeat which they received there whereupon all his Lands in Lincolnshire were seized on and committed to William de Gery and his Mannors of Wylmaresley Campshall Thorpe Bentley and Archsey in Com. Ebor. being likewise so seized by the Kings appointment were committed to Richard Foliot But after their better success at Lewes by the help of the Londoners the Royal Army being totally vanquished where the King and Prince with all the chief of the loyal party were made Prisoners he then had his share therein for calling a Parliament in the Kings name whereunto none were admitted but such as were of that Rebellious Pack he was one of that number then summoned and âate then with them in that seditious Convention Nevertheless though by God's providence the Prince making his escape from Hereford as in my discourse of the Family of Mortimer is shewed surprised him and divers other eminent persons of that party at Kenilworth a little before that memorable Battle of Evesham wherein their whole rebellious Army was totally destroyed yet had he the benefit of that favorable Decree called Dict um de Kenilworth in compounding as others did for his forfeited estate To this Adam by ... his Wife Daughter of Roger de Mowbray succeeded Roger de Newmarch his Son and Heir Which Roger for I suppose it might be he having been in the Scottish wars in 7 Ed. 2. had Summons the next year following to be at Newcastle upon Tine on the Festival of our Lady to march again into that Realm And in 11 Ed. 2. had Free Warren granted to him in all his Demesne Lands at Wilmersley Ryshingthorp Askerne and Scouthorp in Com. Ebor. And in 20 Edw. 3. another Roger de Newmarch Son to this last Roger 't is like obtained the
Possessions of Matthew de Gamages And in 9 Ioh. presented the King with a fair Courser as a Fine for License to marry Sybilla de Kilpeck In 12 Ioh. he gave the King an hundred pounds and another stately Courser the best in all Wales for accelerating the tryal against Robert le Vavasor for the Mannor of Edelington And in 2 Hen. 3. paid fifty marks for Licence to marry Agnes de Wahull the Sister of Iohn de Wahull with the Lands of her Inheritance Moreover being with the King in his Wars of Wales in 7 Hen. 3. he had Scutage of all his Tenants throughout the Counties of Northampton Bedford and Herâford In 10 11 Hen. 3. this William was a Justice Itinerant in several Counties of England and in 12 Hen. 3. one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas. In 13 Hen. 3. he executed the Sheriffs Office in Worcestershire for three parts of that year by Nicholas de Newport his Deputy and the same year upon levying the Scutage of Kery had a special discharge therefrom he then possessing thirteen Knights Fees which formerly belonged to Iohn de Wahull In 16 Hen. 3. he was constituted Sheriff of Herefordshire So likewise in 17 Hen. 3. as also Governor of Hereford Castle and Maud Castle which Sheriffalty he continued the next ensuing year And in 22 Hen. 3. upon the danger of new disturbances from Leoline Prince of Wales being one of the Barons Marchers had Summons to a tend the King at Oxford upon Tuesday next after the xv me of Easter there to treat with him thereon Furthermore in 37 Hen. 3. he attended the King in his expedition then made into Gascoigne After which time I have seen no more of him ¶ But in 5 Edw. 1. I meet with another William Fitz-Warine who was then sent into Wales on the Kings service And in 22 Ed. 1. being deputed by William de Leyburne then imployed by special Letters Patents for the impressing of Ships and other Vessels for the publick service within the Counties of Somerset Dorset Southampton Devon Cornwall and Glocester had Commission from the King to cut down Timber in any of the Kings Forests Parks or Woods within those Counties for the use of the Royal Navy which was appointed to be at Portsmouth upon the Feast day of S. Peter ad Vincula thence to sail forth for the Kings service And soon after that was by a special Precept required to be at the same place well furnished with Horse and Arms to attend the King in his expedition beyond Sea But in 25 Edw. 1. being in the Wars of Scotland and there taken prisoner to the end he might receive no damage in his Lands here during that his restraint the King committed the care of them unto William de Berquey his own peculiar Attorney Having done with this William I now come to a third William called Le Frere id est the Brother This William in 4 Edw. 3. was constituted Governor of the Castle of Montgomery so likewise in 6 9 Edw. 3. And in 12 Edw. 3. attended the King into Flanders being also the same year in the Scottish Wars Moreover in 14 Edw. 3. he was again in Flanders and in 16 Edw. 3. in the Wars of France himself being then a Banneret and of his retinue having one Knight eight Esquires and ten Archers on Horsback and for his Wages an Assignation of eleven Sacks of Wooll and a Quartron of the Kings proper Wools to be paid for himself four shillings a day for his Knight two shillings and for his Archers six pence a piece In which year also he was again constituted Governor of Montgomery Castle and had Summons to Parliament to sit with the Peers of this Realm but never before nor after In 20 Edw. 3. he was again in the Wars of France but from that time till 35 Edw. 3. I have not seen any farther of him than there being then a great Pestilence he died thereof upon the Feast day of the Apostles Simon and Iude seised of one Messuage and one Carucate of Land in Waneting in Com. Berks as also of the Mannors of Ile-Bruer Pulteney and Werne Plokenet in Comitat. Somerset Houghton Upcerne Haddon ... ntioch and Powerstoke in Com. Dorset Leaving Ivo his Son and Heir eighteen years of age and was buried in the Church of the Friers-Minors commonly called the Gray Friers near Smithfield in the Suburbs of London Which Ivo otherwise Iohn in 4 R. 2. arrived with the English Army under the command of Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham at Calais three days before Maudlintide in Iuly and riding therein with his Banner and Penon was with him at the Siege of Nantes And shortly after this viz. in 9 Rich. 2. attended the Duke of Lancaster in his Naval expedition for recovery of the Inheritance of Constance his Wife Heir to the Kingdom of Castile Brus of Skelton OF this ancient Family the first of whom I find mention is Robert de Brus a Noble Knight of Normandy who coming into England with King William the Conqueror first possessed by Conquest and other titles of various acquisition the Mannor and Castle of Skelton as also the Lordships of Merkes Up-Lithum South Weltby Brudon Danby Levington Yarum Brune Tibthorp Cariton in Balne and Thorp des Arches in Com. Ebor. Anandale in Scotland and Hert and Hertnes in the Bishoprick of Durham And soon increased his estate in Porkshire so much that before the end of the Conquerors Reign he became owner of no less then forty three Lordships in the East and West Riding and fifty one in the North Riding of that County or the greatest part of them whereof Gisburne in ãâã being one he there through the advice and instance of Pope Calixtus the Second and of Thurstan then Archbishop of York founded a Monastery for Canons Regular of S. Augustine in 29 Hen. 1. and amply endowed it with Lands and Possessions Agnes his Wife and Adam his Son and Heir joyning with him in that pious work Moreover he obtained from David King of Scotland all that Territory called Estrahanent in that Realm and all the Lands from the Bounds of Dunegal and Stranit unto the Limits of Ranulph de Meschines then Lord of Cumbeâland and that he should have and enjoy his Castle there with all Customs unto it appertaining as amply as the said Ranulph had his in Carlisle and in his Territory of Cumberland In 3 Steph. this Robert discerning that the King of Scots had invaded the North of England with a mighty Army King Stephen being then busied in the South brought his Son Adam then a gallant young Man and all the
Chester being then dead and Ranulph his Son within age as it is like And in 2 Rich. 1. attended that heroick King into the Holy Land where being present at that Agreement which was made betwixt him and Tancred King of Sicily whose Countrey King Richard was to pass through was one of those who undertook for the performance of what was covenanted on King Richards part And the next ensuing year when King Richard had taken the City of Acon wherein the Queens of England and Sicily as also the Daughter of the Emperor of Ciprus were then Resident he committed it to his custody This Bertram sounded the Abby of Croxden in Com. Staff for Gistercian Monks in An. 1176. 22 Hen. 2. and plentifully endowed it with Lands and Revenues amongst which he gave thereto the Church of Alveton commonly called Alton where his capital seat in that County was viz the Castle there and bestowed on the Monks of S. Maries Abby at York the Church of Bosmorth and two Hides of Land there Moreover to the Hospital of S. Iohn Baptist in Stanford in Com. Linc. he joyned with Richard de Humet in the Grant of that part of the Meadow there which lies Northwards of the Bridge and confirmed to the Canons of Kenilworth that Grant of the Church of Hethe in Com. Oxon. Which Lesceline his Mother had made to them And departing this life in An. 1192. 4 Rich. 1. at Ioppa in the Holy Land was buried at Acon This Bertram had two Wives the first Maud Daughter to Robert de Ferrers Earl of Derby with whom her Father gave in Frank-marriage four Knights Fees viz. Crakemerse and Creyton containing one Fee and an half Fornewarke half a Fee Nem Hall and Stanton half a Fee Worthington and Newbold half a Fee and Stanton Harold the fourth part of a Knights Fee but by her he had no issue His second Wife was Rohese but whose Daughter I find not which Rohese survived him And in the tenth of Richard the First gave twenty pounds to the King for liberty to marry again After the death of this Bertram William Fitz-Richard a great Man at that time in Warwickshire in 7 Rich. 1. accounted for the Profits of his Lands whilst he had the custody of them and amongst his disbursements reckons ten pounds laid out for the maintenance of those Soldiers and Servants who were in his Castle at Alveton for the half year preceding as also seven pounds more for those who kept his Castle of Brandon by the Kings appointment To this last mentioned Bertram succeeded Thomas de Verdon his Son and Heir who married Eustachia the Daughter of Gilbert Basset and in 6 Rich. 1. gave a Fine to the King of three hundred marks to have Livery of his Fathers Lands and Castles but in An. 1199. 9 Rich. 1. he died in Ireland After which viz. in 2 Ioh. Gerard de Camvill gave a thousand pounds to the King for the Guardianship of his Widow with her Lands and Liberty to dispose of her in marriage unto Richard de Camvill his Son To which Thomas succeeded Nicholas his Brother who in 6 Ioh. gave to the King one hundred pounds as also a Courser and a Palfrey for Livery of those Lands in Ireland whereof his Father died seised And the same year came to an Agreement with the before specified Richard de Camvill and Eustachia then his Wife touching her Dowry out of the Lands of his Brother Thomas de Verdon her former Husband By which it was concluded That the said Richard and she should inter alia hold the Mannor of Farnham in Com. Buck. and Hethe in Com. Oxon. Moreover in 16 Ioh. upon the death of Roese de Verdon his Mother he had Livery of those Lands in the County of Lincoln which were of her Inheritance And the same year paid fifty seven marks to the King upon levying the Scutage of Poictou in regard he did not attend him thither in that expedition But in 18. Ioh. taking part with the rest of the Rebellious Barons his Lands were seised by special Precepts to the Sheriffs of Warwick Leicester Stafford Lincoln Bucks and Oâon in which Counties they lay and put into the hands of William de Cantilâpe to hold during the Kings pleasure Howbeit upon the death of that King which hapned the same year he submitted to his Son King Henry the Third and thereupon had Livery of them in the first year of His Reign Furthermore in 2 Hen. 3. he paid two hundred marks to the King in satisfaction for the sum of five hundred marks in which his Father was indebted to the Exchequer since he executed the Office of Sheriff for the Counties of Warwick and Leicester in King Henry the Seconds time In this year also he became one of the Sureties to the King for Robert Marmion the younger viz. That he should faithfully keep the Castle of Tamworth in Com. War and bear true alleagiance to the King And in 5 Hen. 3. when William de Fortibus Earl of Albemarle broke out in Rebellion and having fortified his Castle at Bitham in Com. Linc. wasted the Countrey thereabouts he attended the King in person at the storming and taking of that Castle for which service he obtained the Kings Warrant for levying Escuage upon all the Knights Fees which were held of him And in 11 H. 3. procured a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesn Lands at Brandon in Com. Warr. In 15 Hen. 3. he received Authority from the King to take reasonable Aid of his Tenants towards the payment of his debts But the same year he died leaving issue one sole Daughter his Heir called Roâese who in 16. Hen. 3. paid seventy marks for her Releif and Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance as also that she might not be compelled to marry and in case she should make choice of an Husband it to be with the Kings approbation It seems she was then a Widow but an Husband she had in the life time of her Father viz. Theobald le Butiller a Branch of the Noble Family of the Butillers of Ireland for in 9 Hen. 3. the King much desiring that she should take to Husband this Theobald writ specially to her to recommend him for that purpose and likewise unto Nicholas her Father earnestly desiring him to perswade her thereto This Rohese being so great an Heir though she matched with an Husband of a very Honorable Family did not bear his sirname as it is generally usual for all married Women to do but retained her own and so did her Posterity as I shall shew anon and in her Seal represented her self in the habite of that time with her own Paternal Arms upon her Surcoat viz.
besieged but Robert de Stutevile then Sheriff of Yorkshire by the help of some Northen Barons timely relieved it In 23 Hen. 2. this Odonell was one of the witnesses to that Arbitrament made by King Henry betwixt Alfonsus King of Castile and Sanctius King of Navarre As to his pious Works first he demised to the Monks of Newminster the Moors of Chyviott with the Granges of Filton and Tollard and gave to the Canons of Hexham the Church of Chelverton with the Chapels of Birteley Chipecess Gonewarton and Swineburne Little Heton and Colewell as also eight Ox-gangs of Land in Little Chelverton and five Acres of Land called Michelcroft lying on the North-side of the Church And departed this life in 28 Hen. 2. To whom succeeded Robert his Son and Heir And to him Richard de Vnfranvill Which Richard in 6 R. 1. gave one hundred pounds to the King for remitting that Fine which he had made with the Bishop of Durham when the County of Northumberland was in that Bishop's hand and that he might enjoy the King's favour though he did not go into Ireland in that expedition then made thither In 7 R. 1. he stood indebted to Aaron a Jew in the sum of xxiij l. vi s. viij d. for which his Land of Turnay stood engaged And in 5 Ioh. obtained a grant of such a priviledge that none should presume to graze with their Cattel hunt or cut down any Woods in his Forest of Riddesdale and Crokesdale In 6 Ioh. he gave an hundred Marks Fine to the King for his part of those Lands which G. Bishop of Winchester held at his death And in 14 Ioh. the Times being then turbulent delivered up his four Sons in Hostage with his Castle of Prudhou to secure his fidelity so that in case he should thenceforth transgress all to be forfeited and his body disposed of as a Traytor at the King's pleasure Nevertheless so little did he regard this his great Obligation that in 17 Iohn when the Barons put themselves in Arms he made one amongst them for which his Lands were seised and given to Hugh de Baillol But soon after King Henry the Third began to Reign the times growing more calm and quiet he had restitution of his Castle of Prudhou c. Notwithstanding which the King had no great confidence in him in regard he discerned that he fortified his Castle at Harebotle and thereupon in the 6 th of his Reign directed his Precept to the Sheriff of Northumb. to empannel a Jury of twelve Knights of that County to view it and having so done to demolish whatsoever had been added thereto in point of fortification since the War In the time of this Richard it was by Inquisition found that he held the Barony of Prudhou of the King by the service of two Knights Fees and an half as all his Ancestors had done from the time of King Henry the First As also the Town of Little Ryhull paying to the King xx s. per Annum And likewise the Valley of Redesdale de antiquo feoffamento by the service of guarding it from Thieves and Robbers This Richard gave to the Monks of Hexham one Toft and seven Acres of Land in Birteley and the whole Pasture of Coldene as also one Toft and eight Acres of Land in Prudhou and died in 11 Hen. 3. or before for then Gilbert his Son and Heir doing his Homage and paying an hundred pounds for his Relief had Livery of his Lands And in 13 Hen. 3. was one of the Northern Barons appointed by the King to be at Barwick upon Twede upon Sunday before Mid-lent thence to attend Alexander King of Scotland to York where King Henry met him In 17 H. 3. doing his Homage also he had Livery of the one half of the Lands of Mathew de Torinton as one of his Cousins and next Heirs And in 26 Hen. 3. gave a Fine of one hundred Marks over and above his Scutage to be freed from attending the King into Gascoigne Not long after this viz. in 29 Hen. 3. he went by the King's leave with the Earl of Gloucester into the parts of Glamorgan And having given the Hamlet of Beaumond to the Monks of Hexham departed this life in Passion-week in the same 29. year of King Henry 3. Praeclarus Baro partium Augliae Borealium Custos flos singularis parvulum suum relinquens haeredem A famous Baron Guardian and chief flower of the North leaving his Heir of tender years saith Math. Paris Whose Wardship the King committed to Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester he giving ten thousand Marks as a Fine to the King for the same The name of which Heir was called also Gilbert But Maud the Wife of the deceased Gilbert was then surviving and held the Mannor of Hameldân until such time as the King assigned her a competent dowry In 43 Hen. 3. this last mentioned Gilbert being of age upon collection of the Scutage of Wales paid xi l. xij s. for five Knights Fees an half a fourth and twentieth part of the Fees of Mathew de Torinton and held the Mannor of Prudhou with its members viz. Hedley Hasely Wythil Rucestre Inghon Heton Great and Little Babington Herle Welpington Chelidton Barvisford Chipces Birteley Little Heton Thekerington Hirlawe and Welenden for two Knights Fees and an half of antient Feoffment He likewise held Riddesdale by the Royal Power In 49 Hen. 3. being in Arms with the Barons for a while he did no mischief but before the Battel of Evesham he came in to Iohn de Baillol submitting to the King's Authority And in 51 Hen. 3. obtained a Grant for a Market every week at Overton commonly called Market Overton in Com. Rutl as also for a Fair once every year there in which Charter he is stiled Earl of Angos and not before that I have seen But after this ere long viz. in 3 E. 1. Walter de Swethorp came to the King and made a sad complaint against him setting forth that after the end of the Troubles and Peace publickly proclaimed by King Henry the Third this Earl Gilbert did seise upon him and keep him Prisoner in his Castle at Hyrbotel until he had given him one hundred Marks The King therefore directed his precept to Guischard de Charrun and Wâde Northbi to hear and determine of this injury In 20 E. 1. this Gilbert being constituted Governour of the Castles of Dunde and Forfare and of the whole Territory of Anegos in Scotland K. Edw. sent his Precept to the Bishops of S. Andrews and Glascow and other the Guardians of that Realm for allowing him such costs and expences as he had been at in the defence of those places In 22 E. 1. he received command to be at Portsmouth
whereupon in 2 Hen. 3. the King directed his Precept to the Sheriff of Cumberland to give him Possession of the Mannors of Seureby ãâã and Hup-Buttesby which had been formerly granted to him by King Iohn until he should recover his own Lands in Normandy And in 8 H. 3. discharged him from payment for two Knights Fees in Northumberland upon collecting of the Scutage of Montgomery moreover in 10 Hen. 3. he granted him a Mercate at his Mannor of Bowelton in Com. Northumb This is that Robert two Founded the Castles of Helmessey alias Hamlake in Yorkshire and of Werke in Northumberland and married Isabell Daughter of William sirnamed Leo King of Scotland by whom he had Issue two Sons William and Robert unto which William he gave that his Castle of Helmestey as also the Patronage of the Monasteries of Kirkham Rievault and Wardon and to Robert the Castle of Werke with a Barony in Scotland to be held of the said William his Brother by military service And having confirmed to the Knights Templars the Lordship of Riâstan which his Father gave unto them and moreover bestowed upon them the Town of Braunceby he himself became one of that Order in which habit departing this life in 11 Hen. 3. he was buried at London in the Temple-Church there William his Son and Heir being then of full age who doing his Homage and giving security for the payment of an hundred pounds for his Relief had Livery of his Lands This William taking part with his Father and the other Rebellious Barons against King Iohn was made prisoner for what he then acted but for a Fine of thirty Marks again released in 16 Ioh. and the next ensuing year had Letters of Protection for his safe coming to the King howbeit flying out in 18 Ioh. he was constrained to compound for his redemption at an higher rate viz. five hundred Marks for the payment whereof his Son and Nephew were made Hostages and he thereupon sent to the Pope's Legate for Absolution Nevertheless as soon as he discerned an opportunity he flew out again joyning âââh the rest of the Rebellious Barons on the behalf of Lewes Son to the King of France who gave Battel to King Henry the Third at Lincoln in the first year of his Reign and was there taken prisoner but he did not not long continue in restraint for within four months after command was given to Robert de Vipount to deliver him up to Robert de Ros his Father forasmuch as Roger le Bigod Earl of Norfolk the Earl Ferrers Peter Fitz-Herbert and ... Harecourt had obliged themselves by their own Lands that in case he should be put to his redemption they would acquit him unless he were discharged by vertue of those Articles of Peace that were made betwixt King Henry the Third and Lewes of France in the presence of William Marshall Earl of Pembroke and others After which time he stood firm to the King for in the third year of his Reign he was with him in his Army at Newarke Likewise in 5 Hen. 3. he accounted for two hundred and sixteen pounds and one Mark which he had received to the King's use for redemption of prisoners and in 14 Hen. 3. was in Britanny in his service In 25. Hen. 3. he together with Agatha Trusbut gave a Fine of fifty pounds as a Relief due for those Lands which descended to them by Inheritance upon the death of Hillaria Trusbut Sister to Rose who was Grand-mother to this William In 26 Hen. 3. being with the King in Gascoign and having no competent support for longer continuance in his service there he freely offered his Lands in Pawn to the King in case he would supply him with money there which the King refused to do Whereupon being necessitated to return thence the King commanded his Lands to be seised which injurious act was so much resented by Richard Earl of Cornwall the King's Brother and some other of the Nobles that they all forsook the King and came back into England In 29 Hen. 3. he accounted iv l. xij s. vj d. for his Lands in Lincolnshire upon that Aid then collected for marrying of the King 's eldest Daughter viz. for four Fees an half and the eighth part and forty shillings for two Fees in Northumberland And likewise in Yorkshire xj l. xij s. vj d. for five Fees a fourth and twenty fifth part As also for three Fees and a third part of the Fee of Trusbus and two Fees an eighth and twelfth part of the moity of the Fees of Wartre And moreover two Marks and an half for the moity of the Fees of Hillaria Trusbut whose Heir he was which were required in Lincolnshire And in 31 Hen. 3. did his Homage as Cousin and Heir to Agatha Trusbut above-mentioned for one Knights Fee which she held of the King in Lincolnshire and paying the Relief for the same had Livery thereof Moreover in 32 Hen. 3. he paid an hundred pounds Relief for the moity of the Barony of Trusbut as Heir to the same Agatha In 37 Hen. 3. he offered his service to the King to attend him into Gascoigne and in 38 Hen. 3. gave nine pounds five shillings Aid for his Fees in Lincolnshire at the making of the King 's eldest Son Knight viz. for four Fees an half and an eighth part so also for two Knights Fees in Northumberland In 42 Hen. 3. upon the restraint of Alexander the Third King of Scots by his own Subjects this William and Robert his Son had summons to march with other of the Northern Barons into Scotland with Horse and Arms for his deliverance and the same year had summons with others to come to Chester on the Monday next preceeding the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist to march against Lewelin Prince of Wales who had then made divers inroades upon the Marches And departing this life before the end of that year lest Issue by Lucia his Wife daughter to Reginald Fitz-piers of Blewleveny in Wales Robert his Son and Heir and was buried in the midst of the Quire of Kirkham Priory before the high Altar Which Robert married Isabell the Daughter and Heir to William de Albini Lord of Belvoir long before his Father's death whilst she was in Ward to the King as it seems by that Mandate bearing date at Windsore 17 Maii 28 Hen. 3. directed to Bernard de Savay and Hugh Giffard for delivering her unto the said Robert her Husband but not without a round composition as I guess for it appears that both he and his Wife in 32 Hen. 3. were debtors to the King in no less than the sum of 3285 l. xiij s. iv d. and a Palfrey of which sum the
make mention in regard they preceded his Military Actions in point of Time Howbeit when I consider how gloriously he behav'd himself in that memorable Fight against the Scots near North-Alberton in Yorkshire commonly called the Battel of the Standard which hapned in the year of Christ 1138. 3 Steph. I do no less admire his Valour than his Piety But of that famous Encounter and the Occasion thereof having said something already in the Life of William le Gross Earl of Albemarle I shall here onely take notice of his particular Actings And first That he who is called by R. Hoveden Procerum egregius with Thurstan Archbishop of Yorke did incite all the Noblemen of England living beyond Humber to put themselves in Arms for resistance of the Scots who had then Invaded the North of this Realm with a mighty Host and that being of Stature taller by the Head than all others as also had in great Veneration both for his Age and Wisdom ascending a Device which was made about the Standard he did by an elegant Oration encourage the whole English Army to fight putting them in mind of the famous Exploits which had been done of old by the Valour of their Ancestors in Forein Parts and in particular against the Scottish Nation assuring them That to vindicate the vile Profanations which that barbarous People had made in all Holy Places where they came St. Michael and his Angels and St. Peter with the Apostles whose Churches were by them made Stables would fight yea That the Martyrs with their glorious Company whose Altars they had defiled would lead them on Likewise That the Sacred Virgins would intercede for them by their devout Prayers and That Christ himself would take up his Shield and rise up to their Aid And having ended his Speech turned himself to the Earl of Albemarle and gave him his Hand saying I faithfully promise you That I will Conquer the Scots this day or lose my Life by them Which courageous Expression did put such spirit into all the Noblemen there that each of them made the like Vow to other And to take away all opportunity of Flight sent their Horses to a large distance resolving to fight on foot and conquer or to lose their Lives Whereupon soon ensued a glorious Victory to the English Nor was he meerly a Soldier but Learned in the Laws as it seems for he was a Iustice Itinerant together with Eustace Fitz-Iohn a great Baron in the North shortly after the beginning of King Stephen's Reign In his youthful years he took to Wife a certain Lady nam'd Adeline and by her had a Son callâd Walter a comely Person who took such great delight in swift Horses that on a time spurring his Courser to run past his strength he occasioned him to stumble hard by the Stone-cross at Frithby near Kirkham in Yorkshire by means whereof the Horse fell and broke his Rider's Neck to the great grief of this our famous Walter Especk his Father who thus bereât of Issue and in no small care how to dispose of his Estate consulting with William his Uncle then Rector of the Church of Garton was by him advised to make Christ his heir unto part of it Which he accordingly did by Founding those three Monasteries before-mentioned But after this till his Death which hapned in the year 1153. 18 Steph. I have observed no more of him than that two years before he became a Monk in that Abby of Riebaulx so Founded by him as hath been said and that he was there buried upon the seventh Ides of March the same year leaving the Remainder of his Possessions unto his three Sisters viz. Hawise the Wife of William de Buscie Albredae of Nicholas de Trailly and Adeline of Peter de Ros unto which Adeline he especially gave the Patronage of those Abbies of Kirkham and Riebaulx Dunstanvill THe first mention I find of this Family is in the time of King Henry the First Reginald de Dunstanvill then giving the Church of Winterburn in Com. Wiltes to the Monks of Lewes in Com. Suss. After whose death Adelina de L'isle his Wife surviving for the health of the Soul of him the said Reginald her late Husband gave the Lordship of Polton to the Abby of Tewksbury To this Reginald succeeded Robert de Dunstanvill Which Robert in 2 H. 2. had a Grant from the King of the Lordship of Heghtredesbury in Com. Wiltes And in 10 H. 2. was one of the Peers who then undertook that the King should maintain the Laws and Customs of the Realm But all that I have further seen of him is That he gave the Church of Bercham and Chappel of Greteham to the Monks of Lewes in Com. Suss. To him succeeded Walter de Dunstanvill who married Vrsula one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Reginald Earl of Cornwall in whose Right he had the Lordship of Ideshale in Com. Salop. In 2 R. 1. this Walter gave C Marks Fine for Livery of the Mannors of Cumbe Colerne and Wili in Com. Wilts but died in 8 R. 1. or before for in that year Will. de S. Marie-church accounted xxi l. iv s. for xxi Knights Fees and a fifth part which was for his Scutage and in 2 Ioh. Thomas Basset and Alan his Brother offered a Fine to the King of five hundred Marks for the Wardship of his Land and Heir but obtain'd it not as it seems for the next ensuing year Gilbert Basset for six hundred Marks paid to the King had the same Wardship To this Walter succeeded another Walter who in 15 Ioh. attended the King into Pâictou and in 16 Ioh. procured his Charter for a Weekly Market at his Mannor of Hetredesbury in Com. Wilts upon the Wednesdy and a Fair Yearly on the Eve and Day of the Invention of the Holy Cross. This Walter gave his Mannor of Winterburne to Alan Basset Geffrey Fitz-Piers Earl of Essex and Will. Mareschall Earl of Pembroke being Witnesses to the Grant And having been in Arms against King Iohn in 1 H. 3. had Letters of Safe-conduct to come to the King to make his Composition Which being compleated the next ensuing year command was given to the Sheriffs of the Counties of Salop. Cantab. Wiltes and Surr. for restitution of his Lands seised into the King's Hands for that Transgression This Walter gave to the Canons of Wombrugge in Com. Salop. the Mannor of Lens Aynulf in Com. Salop. and two Mills in Ideshale with the Sute which his Tenants of that Mannor did owe thereto and departed this Life in 25 H. 3. Whereupon Walter his Son doing his Homage and giving Security for the Payment of C l. for his Relief had Livery of his Lands And in 41 H. 3. as one of the
should have it again within fifteen days and further signified to him That whatsoever was amiss in the Realm should forthwith be rectified assigning a certain day before which all should be so done viz the Sunday after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel Trusting therefore to the King's performance of that Promise he delivered the Castle into his Hands Howbeit when those fifteen days were past and nothing therein done he grew so enraged that he laid Siege to it again and got it with little ado Whereof the King having Advertisement he forthwith caused his Bishops to excommunicate those who were in that Castle and sent his Precepts to all Parts of the Realm commanding every Man who held Lands of him by Military Service to repair to Gloucester on the Morrow ensuing the Feast of All Saints well accoutred with Horse and Arms to go against it as also to waste the Lands of this Earl both in Wales and all the Parts adjacent But he foreseeing this Storm like an expert Souldier caused all the Cattel and Provision of Victual to be taken thence Which being discern'd by the King he diverted his intended course and march'd to the Castle of Grosmunt Whereof the Earl having notice by his Scouts he presently sent out a strong Party of Horse in the Night which surprising all who lay abroad in Tents brought away above five hundred Horses with divers Waggons wherein the King's Money and Provision of Victual was carried and returned back with safety After which Success he came to Monmouth and took a special View of the Castle there on all parts purposing to gain it by Assault But Sir Baldwyn de Gysnes a Flemish Knight being Governour thereof expecting to gain some Honour issued out with a Party of Horse and assayed to take him Whereupon hapned a sharp Skirmish in which Sir Baldwin with twelve of his stoutest Men bent themselves fiercely towards the Earl but he so valiantly defended himself that none of them could touch him though they kill'd his Horse In this Exigent therefore he unhorst one of those his Assailants and leapt into his Saddle Which Sir Baldwin discerning he furiously made at him again and pull'd off his Helmet and then taking his Horse by the Bridle led him towards the Castle In this desperate condition laying about him courageously with his Sword and killing two of the Soldiers who guarded him one of his own Men discerning his Danger let fly at Sir Baldwin with an Arrow from a Cross-bow which pierc'd his Body through his Armour so that Sir Baldwin falling to the Ground the rest running to take him up he was there rescued by some of his own Men who came in at that instant After this lodging at the Abby of Margan a Frier-Minor of great Credit with the King came to him with intimation That if he would submit himself to Mercy he should have a large proportion of Herefordshire for to support him honourably Others also represented to him the like But after much Discourse and many Arguments on either side instancing the many Grievances for which he took up Arms he concluded That without the joynt Consent of those who stood engaged with him in that Quarrel he could make no Accord Continuing therefore thus in Hostility Iohn de Monemuth a great Baron in those Parts raised all the Power he could against him Whereof having notice he lodg'd himself with ceriain Forces in a Wood through which the Enemy was to pass so that when they came making a great Rout amongst them he slew and took many Iohn himself escaping with much difficulty And thereupon joyning with Leoline Prince of Wales march'd as far as Shrewsbury making great Devastation by Fire and Sword and entring that Town burnt a great part of it The Bishop of Winchester therefore who then bore the chief Sway at Court apprehending that many of the Poictovins had been slain in Wales and the difficulty of suppressing this Earl by force fram'd a Letter to Maurice Fitz-Gerald at that time Justice of Ireland Walter de Lacy and other Great Men there who were his seeming Friends whereby representing to them That this Earl Richard was for manifest Treason banished the Realm of England his Houses and Lands wasted and he for ever disherited as also that being in this condition he still stood out most rebelliously against the King promising That if they would take him living or dead in case he should come over into Ireland the King would bestow all his Land in that Realm to be shared amongst them Which fair Assurance so encouraged those Irish Lords that they soon resolv'd to effect his desires Whereupon the Bishop of Winchester getting into his Hands the King 's Great Seal from the Bishop of Chichester then Chancellor framed a Patent importing as much and sent it to them Which was no sooner received but that to intice the Earl over thither they entred upon his Lands and Castles in that Realm with a Military Power Of which having intelligence he forthwith hasted thither with no more than fifteen Men in his Train Where being landed Richard de Marisco a Person of much Gravity and his Leige-man repaired to him but under-hand confederated with Fitz-Gerald and the rest of those to whom such large Promises had been made and treacherously advised him to raise all the Power he could and to subjugate that whole Realm to his Obedience engaging himself to be his Assistant therein At which the Earl somewhat pausing he said What do you fear Will you degenerate from your valiant Ancestors who never turn'd thier Backs to an Enemy Who then will believe that you are the Son of the Victorious William Mareschall See Conquest attends at your door Behold your Ancient Rights by Lineal Descent which your most Puissant Ancestors who tosk the Name of Strongbow most valiantly acquired Being therefore animated with these Expressions he rais'd what Power he could throughout all his Territories and having so done laid Siege to Lymeric which at the end of four days was yielded to him Moreover proceeding on he took divers Castles as well the King 's as other none daring to make head against him Those Great Men therefore perceiving they could not encounter him with any Strength they had fled to more remote Parts where finding some considerable Forces of Horse and Foot viz. Clx Horse and MM Foot well Armed they bestow'd large Gifts upon them with promise of greater Rewards if they could destroy this Earl And having thus done sent certain Knights-Templars to him to let him know That they could not suffer him thus to go on without being branded with the ignominy of Traytors to the King and therefore desir'd a Truce with him
to its Succession afterwards it is to be noted That the before-specified Henry by Ada the Sister of William Earl Warren had Issue Malcolme and William both Kings of Scotland successively as also a third Son called David And That Malcolme in 3 H. 2. giving up to King Henry the City of Carlisâe together with the Town of New-castle and Castle of Bamburgh in Com. Northumb as also the whole County of London in Scotland had thereupon this Earldom of Huntendon restored to him Simon the Son of Simon de St. Liz the second who had been formerly Earl being then in Minority It is likewise farther to be observed That this Malcolme died without Issue in Anno 1165. 11 H. 2. and that thereupon William his Brother succeeded him as well in this Earldom as in that Kingdom and as a Member thereof possess'd Fodringhey in Com. Northampt. But it was not long after viz. Anno 1173. 19 H. 2. ere that this William invaded Northumberland which he challenged as his Right from David his Grandfather but was repulsed with no small loss Nevertheless the next ensuing year he made a new Attempt but the Great Men of the North raising the Power of the Country gave him Battel at Alnwick and there vanquishing his Army with much slaughter carried him Prisoner to the Castle of Richmund and thence brought him to Northampton to King Henry with his Legs tied under the Belly of an Horse After which being sent to Faleise in Normandy upon the sixth of December Anno 1175. 22 H. 2. he made his Peace with King Henry upon these Terms viz. That he should do Homage to him for the Kingdom of Scotland and for all other his Territories and Lands Also That all the Bishops Earls and Barons of that Realm from whom King Henry requir'd it should do the like According to which Agreement being brought back into England both he and his Brother David came to Yorke and there did Homage to young Henry the King's Son And for the better observance of all Points of that Accord delivered up the Castles of Roxborough Berwic Geddeworth Edenburgh and Stryvelin with David his Brother and divers of the Nobles of Scotland for Hostages But this Story is otherwise told by the Monk of Iorevaulx viz. That King Henry making an Expedition to Tholouse in the fifth year of his Reign Malcolm King of Scotland went with him and for that respect had this Earldom of Huntendon given him Also That after his death William his Brother and Successor in the Kingdom of Scotland held it until he rose in Arms with young Henry against King Henry the Father And then that David his Brother besieging the Castle of Huntendon King Henry being in Normandy appointed That the Nobles of England should march thither with an Army and deliver it to Simon de St. Lize together with the Earldom as the right Heir thereto Moreover That thereupon Simon laid Siege to it until the King of Scots then in it gave him the Keys thereof And That afterwards this Difference occasion'd such an Animosity betwixt them in the King's Presence that he told them both in great wrath That neither of them should have it and thereupon caused that Castle to be demolish'd but express'd that Simon should enjoy the Earldom Likewise That not long after Simon departing this Life without Issue the King gave the same Castle to this William and that thereupon he bestow'd it on David his Brother Whether he did or did not during the Life of King Henry II. I shall not here stand to argue but certain it is That in Anno 1190. 1 R. 1. this William obtain'd from King Richard a Restitution of the Castles of Roxborough and Berwick and whatsoever else King Henry the Second had taken from him when he was his Prisoner As also all his Demâsns and Fees in the County of Huntendon and all other Places to hold to him and his Heirs as freely as Malcolme his Brother had ever enjoy'd them or ought to have enjoy'd them And as certain it is That David his Brother soon after possess'd it for it appears That King Richard the First by his Charter bearing date 24 Iunii in the first year of his Reign granted and confirm'd to this David whom he calls Earl David Brother to the King to Scotland all the Liberties which David King of Scotland his Grandfather and King Malcolm his Brother had in the Honour of Huntendon in the time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry Father of the said King Richard or in the time of the said King Henry his Father Being thus setled in this Earlâom of Huntendon that which I next find memorable of him is That in 6 R. 1. he attended that King in his Expedition then made into Normandy And next That he took to Wife Maud the Daughter of Hugh Revelioc Earl of Chester and eldest Sister and Coheir to Ranulph Blundevile the last Earl of that Family With whom he had in Frank-marriage by the Gift of the same Earl her Brother the Lordship of Badewen in Com. Essex Graham in Lindessei in Com. Linc. Also all his Lands in Golgesby Emungeby and Cisterby in that County with xv Knights Fees By which Maud he had Issue three Sons Henry David and Iohn and four Daughters viz. Maud the Wife of Iohn de Monmoâth Margaret the Wife of Alan of Galloweie Isabel of Robert Lord Brus of Anandale and Ada of Henry de Hastings In 17 Ioh. command was given to S. Earl of Winchester to make Livery of the Castle of Fodringhey to this Earl David he doing his Homage but in case he should die before his performance thereof then to give it up to the King It seems that soon after he adhered to the Rebellious Barons for plain it is that in 1 H 3. William Marshall the younger obtain'd a Grant of all his Lands for his better support in the King's Service It is said That he died in Anno 1219. 3 H. 3. at his Mannor of Yerdley in Com. Northampt. now called Yardley Hastings and that he was buried in the Abby of Sawtre in Com. Hunt Maud his Wife surviving him who thereupon had inter alia the Mannor of Kemmeston in Com. Bedf. assign'd to her for her Maintenance until her Dowrie should be set forth And giving Security That she would not marry again without Licence she had Livery of the Maunors of Graham and Hemingby in Com. Linc. and Totham in Com. Midd. which were part of her Frank-marriage As to his Sons it appears That in 5 Ioh. he gave a thousand Marks Fine to the King that Henry the eldest might have leave to marry Maud de Cauz with her Inheritance But this Henry and David died both of them
he who gave him counsel to displace Hubert de Burgh from the Oâfice or Iustice of England and cast him in Prison nay that he prest to hang him and to banish divers of the Nobility adding That he would have a strict account of his dealing whilst he had been Iustice of England and what he had then received But for answer to this high Charge the Archbishop and Bishops obtain'd time till Michaeâmas following and within the space of a Twelvemonth after the Times being then more calm made his Peace with the King for a thousand Marks without reception into Grace as formerly Howbeit the year following he grew in such Favour that in 21 H. 3. the King wrought a Reconciliation unto him from those of the Nobility who had been his greatest Enemies Shortly after which he came into Action again being made Justice of Chester and the King 's Chief Counsellor And being now grown in years by experience of former times deported himself with much more temper and moderation than heretofore As to his Works of Piety it appears that he gave to the Monks of Stoneley in Com. Warr. the Mannor of Bericote in that County To the Monks of Comâe a Mill at Wykin and to the Canons of Leicester a certain Wood called New-Hay lying near Stockingford in Com. Warr. in which Monastery he became a Canon-Regular before he died He married two Wives first Rohese Daughter of Thomas le Despenser Sister to Hugh Secondly Ida Sister of Henry de Hastings with whom he had in Frank-Marriage the Mannor of Bruneswaver in Com. Warr. And departed this Life in the Abby of Leicester 5 Id. Nov. Anno 1241. 25 H. 3. To conclude Iâte Stephanus in juventute c. saith my Author This Stephen though come of no high Parentage was in his youth of a Clerk made a Knight and in his later days through his Prudence and Valour so exalted that he had the Reputation of one of the Chief Men in the Realm managing the greatest Affairs as he pleased In doing whereof he more minded his own Profit than the Common Good yet for some good Deeds and making a discreet Testament he died with much Honour To him succeeded Gilbert his second Son Iohn the eldest dying in his Life-time as is already observed Which Gilbert having married Annabil the Daughter and Coheir of Robert de Chaucumbe in 15 H. 3. obtain'd a Grant from Simon de Montsort Lord of Leicester of the whole Town of Kegworth in Com. Leic. And in 17 H. 3. procur'd from the King a Grant in Fee-farm to himself and his Heirs of the Mannor of Newcastle under Lime in Com. Staff with the Advowson of the Church of Stoke paying xx l. per annum Rent And the same year was made Governour of Bolesover-Castle In which Trust and for other Services he merited so well as that the King upon his Fathers death which hapned shortly after acquitted him of his Relief then due for the Lands thereupon descended to him and the next ensuing year scil 26 H. 3. made him Justice of all his Forests South of Trent and Governour of Kenilworth-Castle In 32 H. 3. he gave a Fine to the King of C Marks that neither himself nor his Heirs nor Sir William Wastneys Knight who was a Retainer to him might be question'd for any Trespasses done in the Forests during the time that he was Justice and in 35 H. 3. was made one of the Justices of Oyer and Terminer in the City of London to hear and determine of all such Causes us had usually been tried before the Justices Itinerant at the Tower of London A Benefactor he was likewise to the Monks of Stoneley as it seems for it appears that they granted to him and Annabil his Wife that one Monk of their Covent should perpetually celebrate Divine Service there for the health of the Soul of Stephen his Father Rohese his Mother and her the said Annabil In 38 H. 3. with R. Bigod Earl-Marshal being appointed an Embassador beyond-Sea he went into Gascoine But this Journey hastned his death for in his Return towards England with Iohn de Plessets Earl of Warwick and others of the English Nobility having special Letters of Safe-conduct from the King of France for their secure travelling through any of his Territories he was treacherously seised upon at Ponte a City in Poictou and cast into close Prison Which hard usage so impaired his health that languishing with Infirmities he died shortly after Annabil his Wife surviving who ratified the Grants of her Ancestors to the Canons of Chaucumbe and of her own gift bestow'd on them C s. yearly Rent issuing out of her Lordships of Chaucumbe and Dauby and afterwards married to Roger de Somery Baron of Dudley To which Gilbert succeeded Nicholas de Segrave his Son and Heir to whom Alianore the Wife of Robert Hovell quit-claimed all her Right in the Mannor of Alkmundbury in Com. Hunt which Mannor had been part of the Possessions of Stephen de Saegrave their Father In 43 H. 3. this Nicholas attended the King into France but soon after approved himself an active Rebel against him for the same year taking part with the rest of the Barons that had armed themselves he was one of those who constrain'd him to submit to those dishonourable Ordinances made at Oxford and in order to their after-actings planted divers Schismatical Persons in Church-Livings for which and many Sacrilegious Outrages both himself and the rest of his Party were particularly Excommunicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury And in 46 H. 3. upon that Accord made betwixt the King and those Barons receiv'd a special Precept from the King requiring him in case he could not at that time personally repair to Court for ratifying the same Agreement that he should send his Seal for confirmation thereof In 47 H. 3. upon that Insurrection of the Welch wherein they wasted the Lands of Roger Lord Mortimer amongst other Great Men he had Summons to attend the King at Worcester upon the Feast-day of St. Peter ad Vincula there to receive the Order of Knighthood and thence to march with him well fitted with Horse and Arms. Whether he did so or not I cannot say but certain I am that the next ensuing year he was one of the Ringleaders of those who appear'd in open Hostility and fortified Northampton against the King for which his Lands were seised And when the Royal Army took that Town by Assault where many of his Party were laid hold on making his escape he fled to London where those Rebellious Citizens having raised a mighty Power on the behalf of the Barons made him their General Whence he march'd with ãâã Clare
Wales as also of the Mannors of Paynswick Morton and Whaddon in Com. Gloue the Mannors of Bampton in Com. Oxon. Colyngborne Valence and Swynton Valence in Com. Wiltes-Hertfordingbury in Com. Herts Polycote and Donyton in Com. Buck. Swanescomp and Melton in Com. Cantii two parts of the Mannor of Shrivenham and certain Tenements in Fernham in Com. Berks. Irnyng in Com. Suff. as also the Mannor of Banna the moytie of two parts of the Mannor of Fernes the Mannor of Carryk and moytie of the third part of the Castle and Mannor of Fernes in Ireland And being violently seised upon by Hugh le Despenser Earl of Winchester Hugh his Son and others at Kenyton is Surrey was kept in Prison by them for the space of more than a year viz. until the twentieth of April 18 E. 2. and then by terror forced to pass all her Right and Title to the Inheritance of the Mannor of Paynswick in Com. Glouc. to the said Hugh Earl of Winchester and of the Castle of Goderith to his Son Hugh the younger Quincie THE first mention I find of this Name and Family is in Henry the Second's time that King then granting the Inheritance of the Lordship of Buchby in Com. Northampt. to Saier de Quincy formerly the Land of Anselme de Conchis Which Saiber afterwards viz. in 2 R. 1. gave Fifty Marks for the same Lordship it having been an Eschaet and seised into the King's hands as the Record expresseth This Saiber took to Wife Maud de St. Liz and for the health of his Soul as also for the Soul of Saiber his Son and all his Ancestors gave to the Canons of Dunmow in Essex an yearly Rent of x s. issuing out of his Lordship of Bradenham and left Issue two Sons viz. Robert and Saier Which Robert being in the Holy Land in 2. R. 1. upon the Recess of the King of France was made Captain of those Cl Soldiers then left behind for the defence of his Country against the Infidels He also attended King Richard in the sixth year of his Reign in that Expedition which he then made into Normandy But of him I have seen no more I therefore come to Saiber his Brother This Saier was one of the Barons present at Lincolne in 2 Ioh. when William King of Scots did Homage to King Iohn and in 4 Ioh. the King being at that time at Pont-Audomare in Normandy obtain'd a Grant to himself and his Heirs of the Towns of Chennore and Sydeham Moreover in 5 Ioh being Governour of the Castle of Kuil in Normandy and discerning that divers of the Nobles then in those Parts did observe that King Iohn who then lay at Cane minded nothing but Feasting Luxury and lying in Bed till Dinner-time which encourag'd the King of France to enter his Country with an Army and take divers Places upon the approach of some of his Forces before this Castle of Kuill he rendred it to them without any resistance And having married Margaret the younger Sister and Coheir of Robert Fitz-Parnell Earl of Leicester upon the death of that Earl in 6 Ioh. he gave a thousand Marks for the Custody of all those Lands in England which did belong to him as well in Demesn as Fees excepting the Honour of Grentemenill and excepting the Dowrie of the two Countesses viz. the Mother and Wife of the Deceased Earl and excepting the Castle of Muntsorell with the Appurtenances which the King did then retain in his own hands Provided That if Avicia Countess of Montfort Sister to the Wife of this Saiher should come and challenge her part in that Land that then the said Land and Fees should remain in the King's hands until Right should be done to each of them by the King's Court. And in case she should recover her part in those Lands that then she should make good her proportion of the Fine before-specified and likewise that the Lands and Fees of the Honour of Grentemenill should be set forth by the Oaths of Lawful Men. Whereupon the King sent his Precept to the Sheriff of Leicestershire to make Livery unto him of all those Lands lying without the Walls of Leicester which belong'd to the late Earl and whereof he had so granted him the Custody Provided it were no part of the Honour of Grentemenill nor of the Dowrie of the Countess And excepting likewise to the said Countess all that Land which the King had commanded to be given unto her in exchange for the Lands of the Honour of Grentemenill which the Earl had passed to the Bishop of Lincolne by agreement betwixt them And excepting to the Canons of Leicester those Lands which had been given to them by the before-specified Earl of Leicester Moreover the King then granted to this Saiher the Lordships of Bagworth Croft and Seneby parcel of the Lands of the late Earl as also the Mannor of Hungreford in Com. Berks. And the next ensuing year in consideration of Five thousand Marks Fine gave him Livery of all the Lands and Fees of the Honour of Grentemenill which he had formerly assigned to Petronill Countess of Leicester but afterwards reassum'd into his own hands Besides this in 8 Ioh. he granted unto him an yearly Rent of x l. to be receiv'd out of Revenues of the County of Leicester at Easter and Michaelmas by even portions and ratified that Agreement made before himself and his Barons by Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester and this Saiher then bearing the Title of Earl of Winchester concerning all the Lands and Honours whereof Robert late Earl of Leicester died seised so that the one half should totally remain to the one of them and the other moytie to the other excepting to Earl Simon the third Peny of the Earldom of Leicester and the Office of Steward to the King Provided That Forty Pound Lands per annum of Earl Simon 's Purparty should remain to this Earl Saiher until Earl Simon should make Livery unto him of his Purparty of those Lands in Normandy which did belong to the before-specified Earl of Leicester And did also grant That after the Death of the two Countesses of Leicester viz. Petronill the Mother and Lauretta the Wife of Robert what they held in Dowrie should likewise be equally divided betwixt the same Earl Simon and this Earl Saiher Furthermore in 10 Ioh. this Saier gave to the King three excellent Coursers for Livery of the moytie of the Suburb of Leicester which was thereupon divided by a Jury by vertue of the King's Precept And in 12 Ioh. gave him another good Courser such a one as the King already had called Liard and a good pied Brache having then the Title of Earl of Winchester but not before for ought I have seen
for brevity I omit the King only reserving to himself the Castles of Skenfret Grosmunt Bewchastell and Horneby with their Appurtenances and all the Cattel and Stock upon those Lordships Which Grant bears date 13 Nov. 18 H. 3. But ere long the King's Countenance towards him did alter again For in February next ensuing he directed his Precept to the Sheriff of Essex to make Livery of the before-specified Mannor of Hatfeild Peverell unto Robert Passelew to the end that with the Rents and Issues thereof certain Clerks viz. Roman Italian and others who had suffered by Oppression from this Hubert might have Satisfaction suitable to their respective Injuries As also to the Sheriffs of divers other Counties to deliver Possession unto the same Robert of the greatest part of the Lordships and Lands before-specified for the like purposes so that by this means he was again left in a very bare condition Moreover the Bishop of Winchester eagerly thirsting after his death he being still Prisoner in the Castle of the Devises sollicited the King that he might be Governour thereof whereby he might have the fitter opportunity to murther him Having therefore private intimation of this mischievous Design he made it known to his Keepers who compassionating his Condition permitted one of the Soldiers to carry him over the Castle-wall in the Night-time unto the Parish-Church Which Soldier esteeming the Merit great in suffering with him attended him to the High-Altar and there staid But those who were then upon the Guard hearing of his Escape hasted after him with Lights and Clubs and finding him prostrate before the Altar with the Cross in his Hands hurried him again with violence to the Castle and there put him into stricter Custody Whereof when the Report came to the Bishop of Salisbury's Ears he forthwith came to that Castle and requiring those Violators of Sanctuary to restore him again to the Church they answered That they had rather he should be hang 's than themselves For which disobedience the Bishop first excommunicating them took with him Roger Bishop of London and some other Bishops and went to the King to whom he made a great Complaint of the Injury done not departing till he had obtain'd his Liberty But to little purpose for being sent to the Church again the King commanded the Sheriff to besiege him there and to starve him to death Being therefore in this desperate condition the Soldiers had some compassion on him and took him thence to some of his Friends who putting him into a Military Habit convey'd him into Wales unto the King's Enemies where he arriv'd upon the third Calend of November But not long after this the King being at Wodstoke on his Journey towards Gloucester hearing of the death of Richard Mareschall Earl of Pembroke for which he much lamented thence came to Gloucester where he met with Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury and some other of the Bishops then sent to him from London who there acquainted him That they had treated of Peace with Leoline Prince of Wales but so as that there should in the first place be a Reconciliation betwixt him and all his Nobles who having adhered to Leoline had been banish'd the Realm by the instigation of Evil Counsel Which being justly effected the Peace then treated of was like to be the more durable Whereupon the King caus'd all those who had been so banish'd to be sent to Gloucester upon the Sunday preceding Ascension-day viz. 4 Cal. Iunii there to receive his Grace and Favour Amongst which this Hubert being one had a fair Reception Howbeit not long after this viz. in Anno 1237. 21 H. 3. the King grew highly offended with him again in regard that Richard Earl of Gloucester then in Minority had clandestinely wedded Margaret his Daughter without Licence the King having design'd to marry him to a near Kinswoman of his own But being at length satisfied that this was without the knowledge of Hubert upon promise of a Sum of Money he was pacified Shortly after which there was likewise a Reconciliation made by the Bâshop of Winchester and him as also with those other betwixt whom there formerly had been great Animosities Whereupon though it appears that he was the chief and only Man who stuck to the King when others had variance with him as being then guided rather by Aliens than by the Nobles of his own Realm nevertheless the next ensuing year the King began to quarrel with him again requiring from him vast Sums of Money charging also upon him the many Enormities and Excesses of others on purpose that in case he should die under this Obloquie he might with the better colour seise upon all his Lands Amongst which he laid to his charge That he had Traiterously corrupted the Daughter of the King of Scotland who had been committed to his Tutelage by King Iohn Also That he lost Rochell and all Poictou sending over Bags full of Stones and Sand in stead of Coin for the Soldiers there Besieged having stollen away the Money Moreover That he had Traiterously suffered the Castle of Bedford to be lost and that whilst he was under his Tutelage he had consum'd his Treasure converting it to his own use and bought Lands of great extent therewith Also That in the Wars of Britanny against the French by his Treachery a great part of the English Army was lost Likewise That he had caused a Marriage privately to be made with Richard de Clare Earl of Gloucester and his own Daughter thereby machinating Treason against the King himself Furthermore he told him That he had perniciously hindred his Marriage with a Noble Lady privately insinuating to her and her Father That he was silly dishonest tainted with Leprosie deceitful forsworn and more weak than a Woman cruel to his own Subjects and wholly carried away by the allurements of Women And besides all this farther laid to his charge That he had destroy'd his Woods in those Forests where he had to do and that on a time being at his Palace of Wodstoke alone with him in his Chamber he drew his Knife upon him to cut his Throat And in conclusion sharply told him That for this his Insolence he deserv'd not onely Hanging but Drawing also Whereupon bowing himself he said Sir I was never Traytor to you nor your Father and did evidently demonstrate it by sundry Particulars Nevertheless to satisfie the King and appease his wrath he was there adjudged to give up four of his chiefest Castle viz. Bewcastle Grosmunt Skenefrith and Hafeild to the end he might enjoy the rest of his Possessions quietly This was in 24 H. 3. where the Record of that year doth express That
he might marry her to his Son Richard or to Richard Gernon his Nephew As also for the moytic of the Lands of the before-specified Walter Briton then in the King's Hands Whereupon Richard de Hascumbe came into the Court and quitted to the King and to this William all his Right in that moytie to the use of the said Richard de Briwere Moreover in 5 Ioh. he procured from the King those ten Knights Fees in Cornwall which Nicholas de Middleton formerly held with the Marriage of the Heirs of the said Nicholas And in 6 Ioh. obtain'd a Grant in Fee-farm of the Mannor of Chesterfeild in Com. Derb. with Brunâinton and Wittinton and of the Soke and whole Wapentake of Scarvedale paying yearly for the Mannors of Chesterfeild Brunninton and Wittinton with the Soke Lxix l. and for the Wapentake of Scarvedale x l. and that the Mannor of Chesterfeild should have the like Liberties as the Borough of Notingham By the same Grant he likewise had the Mannors of Snotinton in Com. Nott. and Axeminster in Com. Devon pass'd to him in Free-farm excepting the Hundred of Axeminster paying yearly for Snotinton viii l. and for Axeminster xxiv l. And that he should have a Fair at Chesterfeild every year for eight days beginning upon the Festival of the Exaltation of the Hâly Cross As also a Market two days every Week viz. Tuesday and Saturday with Free-fishing in Kingswere in Com. Somerset in Fee-farm also for xx s. per. ann In this sixth year of King Iohn he was constituted Governour of Bolesover-Castle and for the Sum of Eight hundred Pounds procur'd a Grant of the Wardship and Marriage of the Heir of Rohert de Dover with the custody of the Dowrie of Rohese de Dovor his Widow during the King's pleasure and in 14 Ioh. obtain'd from the said Rohese the Inheritance of all the Lands and Fees which she had by Descent in the County of Cornwall viz. Trewrok Menely and Trenant and the moytie of Treglestane and Treneru with the Advowsons of those Churches as also nine Knights Fees which William de Boterell held of the Honour of Richard de Luci with the Service of half a Knights Fee which Gervase Bloye held of that Honour and likewise her Lands at Newintone in Kent Which Grant King Iohn afterwards confirm'd And in 15 Ioh. in consideration of a thousand Marks had Livery of all the Lands of Hugh de Aubervill Moreover standing faithful to King Iohn in those times of his greatest trouble by the Rebellious Barons he obtain'd a Grant of those Lands in Chellesey in Com. Dorset which did belong to Raphe de Raleghe and likewise of all those who held by Military Service of the Barony of Baldwinwake in the Counties of Lincoln Leicester Northampton and Hertford In which year viz. 17 Ioh. the King having raised two great Armies the one to restrain the Irruption of those Rebellious Lords who staid in London the other to march into the North for the wasting of those Countries he constituted this William one of the Principal Commanders of that which staid near London In 18 Ioh. being in the City of Exeter for the defence of that Place he procur'd the King's Precept to Robert de Curtenay Governour of the Castle there to be receiv'd into it together with the Citizens in case the Town could not withstand the Force of the Rebels And in 1 H. 3. being made Governour of the Castle of Lidford in Com. Somerset obtain'd a Grant from the King of the Lands of Maude Candos as also of the Lands of Henry de Columbers in Wollaveton Whereupon the Sheriffs of Somerset and Dorsetshires had command to deliver possession of them accordingly Furthermore in 2 H. 3. he had a Grant of the Wardship of the Heir of Alan de Archis with his Lands in Reminton in Com. Ebor. whereof he had been dispossess'd by reason of the War And in 5 H. 3. was made Governour of the Castle at the Devises in Com. Wiltes In 7 H. 3. he was constituted Governour of Newcastle upon Tine And in 8 H. 3. the King coming to a Conference with the Lords wherein they requir'd of him those Rights and Liberties for which they had so stoutly contested with his Father the Archbishop of Canterbury then speaking on their behalf and urging to the King That he could not refuse of yield thereto by reason that upon the Recess of Lewes of France whom the Barons had call'd in to bear Rule here both himself made Oath to them That he would so do and that the whole Peerage of England did the like this William then one of the King's Council standing up said That those Liberties having been by force extorted ought not to be observed Whereunto the Archbishop replied thus William if thou didst love the King thou wouldest not be an impediment to the Peace of the Realm The King therefore discerning the Archbishop to be moved said We have sworn that they shall be observed and will observe our Oath In this eighth year of Henry the Third he was constituted Governour of Bolesover -Castle in Com. Derb. and obtain'd the Wardship of the Heir of Reginald de Mohun whom he afterwards married to one of his Daughters And as in the time of King Henry the Second and King Richard the First he had for divers years undergone the Care and Trust of the Sheriffalty in several Counties of this Realm as before is observed so did he in like sort for many years of King Iohn's and King Henry the Third's Reign during the time he lived viz. for the Counties of Nott. and Derb. in 1 and 6 Ioh. For Dorset and Somerset in 11 and 12 Ioh. For Hantshire in 1 3 10 12 14 and 17 Ioh. For Wiltes in 10 11 and 12 Ioh. For Cornwall in 1 4 and 5 Ioh. For Berks. and Oxon. in 3 and 4 Ioh. For Devon in 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 10 Ioh. For Sussex in 11 and 12 Ioh. and for Glouc. in 5 H. 3. Having thus done with his Secular Employments I come lastly to his Works of Piety which were great and many For first in the time of King Richard he founded the Abby of St. Saviour at Torre in Com. Devon for Premonstratensiân Canons for the health of the Soul of that King and the Soul of King Henry the Second Next viz. in 3 Ioh. he began the Foundation of the Abby at Dunkiswell in the same County for Cistertian-Monks After that the Hospital of St. Iohn at Bruggewalter in Com. Somerset for the health of the Souls of King Henry the Second King Richard the First and King Iohn for xiii poor People besides Religious and Strangers Then the Priory of Motisfont in Com. Suthampt. for Canons-Regular of St. Augustine
the Wealth of the Land Whereupon he fled to Rome and by false Suggestions procur'd the Pope's Letters for his Institution which were sent by Walescho a Gray Frier who Landed at Dovor The Barons grew so incensed that they forthwith sent Hugh Bigot then Justice of England thither to inquire by what Authority he was suffered to come on Shore who went to this Richard then Constable of the Castle and said Have you been trusted by the People of England as a faithful Warden of the Ports and suffered this Person to Land without our knowledge to the manifest violation of your Oath We think you not onely unworthy of this Place any longer but to be farther question'd for so great a Transgression tending to the Publick damage of the whole Realm And hereupon took the Custody of that Castle and of all the Ports into his own Hands This Richard married Lucia the Daughter and Heir to the same Iohn de Humez whose Possessions in Com. Leic. were given unto him in 17 Ioh. as above is observ'd and had with her certain Lands in Norfolk But adhering to the Barrons in those great Contests which then were betwixt the King and them and being with young Simon Montfort Son to that great Rebel Simon Earl of Leicester at Kenilworth when he was upon his march out of the North to meet with his Father and the Army then by him raised which was advanc'd from the West near Worcester was with Iohn his Son and divers other of the Rebellious Barons surprised in the Night-time by a Party sent out from Prince Edward's Army and had his Lands thereupon extended But both of them by virtue of that Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth were admitted to their Fines for that Offence After which viz. in 56 H. 3. his said Son Iohn died seised of these Lordships viz. Schiringham in Com. Norff. Thurrâck in Essex one Knights Fee in Eiââesford another in ... and half a Knights Fee in Hoo all in Kent Likewise of the Mannors of Radâlive and Toâneton in Com. Nott. Evynton in Com. Leic. Newbottle in Com. Northampt. and of certain Lands in Barton in Com. Ebor. leaving Henry his Son and Heir xvii years of age Which Henry being in the King's Army in Wales in 10 E. 1. had Scutage from all his Tenants in the Counties of Norfolk Suffolk Kent Essex Leicester Notingham and Derby that held of him by Military Service And in 22 E. 1. amongst other Great Men had Summons upon the eighth of Iune to repair forthwith to the King to consult about the urgent Affairs of the Realm as also to be at Portsmouth upon the first of September next ensuing well accoutred with Horse and Arms to attend the King in his Expedition into Gascoigne In 23 E. 1. he was still in the King's Service in Gascoigne So also in 25 E. 1. In 29 E. 1. he was in the Wars of Scotland and of Prince Edward's Retinue So likewise in 31 E. 1. And in 34 E. 1. being there again was of the Retinue to Adomare de Valence This Henry gave to the Canons of Nutley in Com. Buck. for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Alianore his Wife one Cottage in Shiringham in Com. Norff. And in 1 Edw. 2. was one of those Barrons who by a special Instrument under their Hands and Seals dated at Boloigne ult Ian. oblig'd themselves with their Lives and Estates to defend that King his Crown and Dignity against all Power whatsoever But in 2 E. 2. he departed this Life leaving Issue two Sons viz. Richard and Nicholas unto which Nicholas he gave the Mannor of Barton in Ridale in Com. Ebor. from whom it descended to Edmund his Son and Heir and from Edmund to Thomas and from Thomas to Raphe Which Raphe being of full age in 21 H. 6. and then doing his Homage had Livery thereof But I return to Richard the eldest Son This Richard had Livery of his Lands in 2 E. 2. the same year his Father died and in 4 E. 2. was employ'd in the King's Service in Scotland In 6 E. 2. he was Seneschal of Gascoine and in 8 E. 2. obtain'd the Wardship of Raphe the Son and Heir of Richard Basset then deceased for the Sum of Eight hundred Pounds He also receiv'd Command about the same time to advance with Horse and Arms to Newcastle upon Tine and other Parts of the Marches of Scotland for the King's Service In 12 E. 2. he was again in the Wars of Scotland So also in 13 E. 2. being then of the Retinue with Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk In 17 E. 2. he was constituted Steward of the Dutchy of Aquitane and the next ensuing year sent with Nicholas his Brother and many other Great Men with an Army to seise that Dutchy into the King's Hands by reason that the King of France refused to do Homage for it unto King Edward In 19 E. 2. he was made Constable of Notingham-Castle and again in 1 E. 3. In which year he was sent to the Marches of Scotland upon the King's Service In 4 E. 3. he obtain'd a Charter for a Market every Week upon the Fryday at his Mannor of Thurrok in Essex and a Fair yearly upon the Eve and Day of the Feast of St. Peter and Paul Likewise for another market upon the Tuesday every Week at his Mannor of Elefourd in Kent and a Fair every year upon the Eve and Feast-day of the same Apostles Peter and Paul As also a Market every Week upon the Thursday at his Mannor of Shiringham and a Fair yearly on the Eve and Day of the Ascension of our Lord together with Free-warren throughout all his Demesn-Lands in Thurrok and Eillesford in Kent Newbottle in Com. Northampt. Evynton in Com. Leic. Barton upon Trent in Com. Nott. and Codenoure in Com. Derb. And in 7 E. 3. had Summons to attend the King at Newcastle upon Tine on Trinity-Sunday well accoutred with Horse and Arms and thence to march with him against the Scots But by reason of his debility of Body at that time had then a special Dispensation to spare his Service In 8 E. 3. he had another Charter from the King of Free-warren in all his Demesn-Lands within his Mannors of Upton and Tonewell in Com. Suthampt. as also a Market on the Thursday every Week at his Mannor of Deneby in Com. Derb. with a Fair yearly on the Eve and Day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin But in 9 E. 3. he died being then seised of the Mannor of Aylesford in Kent of the Mannor and Castle of Codenoure in Com. Derb. of the Mannor of Evyngton in Com. Leic. Shiringham in Com. Norff. and Thurrok in Essex leaving Iohn
Shrewsbury and in 42 H. 3. Constable of Dovor-Castle In 47 H. 3. Sheriff of Herefordshire and Governour of the Castle of Hereford In 48 H. 3. he had the Custody of all the Lands of Anker de Freschevill in the Counties of Nott. and Derb. And was then one of those Barons who undertook that the King should stand to the Determination of Lewes King of France for the decision of those Differences which were then betwixt him and some of the other then in Arms. And standing Loyal to the King when he had that sharp War with the Rebellious Barons after that signal Victory at Evesham about the beginning of August 49 H. 3. was made Sheriff for the Counties of Nott. and Derb. This Iohn died in 50 H. 3. leaving Reginald his Son and Heir and ... a Daughter married to Robert de Tatshall Which Reginald soon after in respect of his faithful Services to that King obtain'd the favour to have a special Livery of all his Father's Lands though he had not then done his Homage He was also the same year constituted Sheriff of the Counties of Nott. and Derb. and Governour of Notingham-Castle as his Father had been And the next year following had the like Trust for the Castle of Northampton So also in 53 H. 3. In 9 E. 1. he was made Justice of Chester which Office his Father had formerly held and merited so well for his manifold Services that he had part of the Honour of Monmouth give to him by the King in recompence thereof But the Welch charg'd him with the breach of those Articles of Peace which were made betwixt King Edward and them First By framing Accusations against the Men of Tegengl and Ros for Trespasses done in the time of King Henry the Third And secondly That notwithstanding the King had granted to all Land-holders within the four Cantreds That they should enjoy their ancient Liberties and Customs yet that he introduc'd many new Customs amongst them contrary to the Articles of Peace before-mention'd oppressing them in divers other Particulars the mention whereof for brevities sake I pass by And in farther remuneration of his Services obtain'd from that King the Castle of Ruthyn and Cantred of Deffryn-Cluit with all the Lands of Wenthlian de Lascy in the Cantred of Englefeild as by his Charter dated at Dynbey 23 Oct. in the tenth year of his Reign appeareth In the same-year being in the King's Army in Wales he had Scutage of his Tenants who held of him by Military Service This Reginald married Maude the Daughter and Heir of Henry de Longchamp a great Baron whose principal Seat was Wilton-Castle in Herefordshire And in 22 E. 1. receiv'd Command to be at Portsmouth 1 Sept. to attend the King into Gascoigne then in danger by the French In 25 E. 1. the King going into Flanders and committing the Government of this whole Realm in his absence unto Prince Edward joyn'd amongst others this Reginald as an Assistant to him The same year upon the King's Confirmation of those two memorable Charters called Magna Carta and Carta de Foresta which chiefly through the Potency of Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford then Constable of England and Roger Bigot Earl of Norfolk Marshal were then obtained but not with the King 's free liking was one of those who upon that Accord then made betwixt the King and the other Barons that stood for their Rights and Liberties undertook on the King's behalf for the Indempnity of those two Earls In 31 E. 1. he was in the King's Army in Scotland This Reginald had a Daughter called Ioane who was the Wife of Raphe Lord Basset of Drayton and had in Frank-marriage by his Gift all his Lands in Olney in Com. Buck. As also a Brother called Iohn who in 34 E. 1. was in the King's Service in Scotland And departed this Life in 1 E. 2. being then seised of the Mannor of Shirland in Com. Derb. of the Mannor of Rishton in Com. Cestr. of the Castle of Ruthyn and the whole Cantred of Deffren-cloyd and likewise of Penbeden Maismanan and Blorent lying in the Cantred of Englefeild leaving Iohn his Son and Heir forty years of age whose Fealty the King as a special Grace and Favour appointed his Eschactor beyond Trent soon after to take and to make Livery to him of his Inheritance This Iohn was an active Man in the King's Service whilst his Father lived as it seems for in 35 E. 1. in consideration thereof that King acquitted Reginald his Father of Cli l. xix s. vi d. part of a Debt of CCCli l. xix s. vi d. and accepted of the remaining part viz. CC l. by x l. per annum In 4 E. 2. he receiv'd Command from the King to be at Rokesburgh upon the Feast-day of St. Peter ad Vincula well accoutred with Horse and Arms to march against the Scots then declar'd to be the King's Enemies In 7 E. 2. he was again in the Wars of Scotland And in 8 E. 2. receiv'd another Command from the King to be at Newcastle upon Tine on the Feast-day of the Assumption of our Lady well fitted with Horse and Arms to march into that Realm In 10 E. 2. he was Justice of North-Wales and Governour of the Castle of Caernarvon And in 11 E. 2. charg'd to provide CC able Foot-Soldiers out of his Territory of Deffreneloyt for the Wars of Scotland to be at Newcastle upon Tine on the morrow after the Feast of St. Laurence But in 17 E. 2. he departed this Life being seised of the Mannor of Eston-Grey in Com. Wiltes Kemplyng in Com. Glouc. of the Castle of Ruthyn and Cantred of Deffren-âloyt in North-Wales as also of those Lands in Englefeld which were formerly belonging to Wenthlian de Lacy Likewise of the Mannor of Wiltân upon Waye in Com. Heref. Towsland in Com. Hunt Depeden and Punlot in Com. Essex and Schirland in Com. Derb. leaving Henry his Son and Heir forty years of age Moreover it appeareth that he held for term of Life with Remainder to Roger his younger Son by a second Wife as some affirm and to the Heirs of his Body the Mannors of Harewold Podyngton la Leye Brokburwe and Wrest in Com. Bedf. Holewelle in Com. Hertf. Great Brickhill with the Advowson of the Church Walton Woleton Over-Bleâcheleye Snelleston Stoke Hamund and Seweneston with the Advowson of the Church of Walton in Com. Buck. Gylling and Hemyngford Turberviâl in Com. Hunt certain Lands in Depeden in Com. Essex and the Mannors of Swonton Flitte and Houghton in Com. Bedf. From which Henry the Family of the Lord Grays of Wilton and from Roger those of Ruthyn afterwards descended Touching those of Wilton being first to take notice I
married Ioane Daughter and Heir of ... de la Pole Niece and Heir also to Iohn Lord Cobbam Which Sir Reginald left Issue by her Ioane his Daughter and Heir married to Thomas Broke in her Right Lord Cobbam From the same Iohn likewise descended Gerard Braibroke Esq who took to Wife Alianor the Daughter and Coheir of Almaric de St. Amand and had Issue by her three Daughters who became his Heirs viz. Elizabeth married to William Beauchamp afterward Lord St. Amand Maud to Iohn Babington who died without Issue and Alianore Martin THe first of this Family of whom I find mention is Martin de Tours a Norman who making a conquest of the Territorry of Kemeys in Com. Pembr began the Foundation of a Monastery for Benedictine Monks at S. Dogmaels within the Precincts thereof and annexed it as a Cell to the Abby of Tyrone in France which Monastery Robert his Son endowed with Lands in the time of King Henry the First This Robert likewise with Maud Peverel his Wife gave half a yard Land in Burton to the Canons of Plimpton in Com. Devon As also Lands in divers other places On the Monks of Stanley in Com. Wiltes he bestowed the Church of Blachdon and on the Monks of Lewes in Com. Suss. half a Ferling of Land in his Mannor of Cumbe Quit-claiming to them all his title to the Chappel of Cumbe and left issue William his Son and Heir who married the Daughter of Rhese ap Griffin From whom through the instigation of Griffin his Son he received great injuries for by Force and Arms and contrary to his solemn Oath and Promise he took from him his Castle at Lanhever in Kemeys For which oppressive dealing Rhese was afterwards punished with great afflictions from his own Sons who took him prisoner and shut him up in the same Castle In 16 Hen. 2. this William was sent with the Abbot of S. Augustines in Canterbury and sundry other persons of note as Justices Itinerant into the Counties of Kent Surrey Middlesex Berks Oxon Buck and Bedford as others were into the rest of the Shires of this Realm to make Inquisition touching the behavior of all Sheriffs Bailiffs and other Officers likewise of all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Vavasors Knights Citizens and Burgesses as also of their Stewards and Officers what and how much any of them had exacted since that Kings going into Normandy out of any of their Lands and upon sundry other matters And in 33 Hen. 2 having not personally attended the King in his expedition of Galwey in Ireland paid Scutage for all his Tenants in the County of Devon who held of him by Military service But in 6 Rich. 1. upon collection of the Scutage then levied for the Kings Redemption had a special discharge from paying any thing at all To him succeeded William his Son and Heir who upon his Fathers death in 11 Ioh. gave three hundred marks for Livery of his Lands and died in 17 Ioh. as it seems the Wardship of Nicholas his Son and Heir being then granted to Falk de Breant and afterwards in 9 H. 3. to Henry de Trublevill Which Henry in 13 Hen. 3. upon collection of the Scutage of Kery answered for ten Knights Fees and an half of his Inheritance This Nicholas by the marriage of Maud Daughter of Guy de Brien and Eve his Wife Daughter and Heir to Henry de Tracy became Lord of Barnstaple and other large possessions in the County of Devon In 29 Hen. 3. he received command to assist the Earl of Glocester and other the Barons Marchers against the Welsh And in 31 Edw. 1. obtained License for a Market every week upon the Saturday at his Mannor of South Mouton as also for a Fair yearly upon the Eve and Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and three days following Likewise in 44 Hen. 3. for a Market every week upon the Tuesday at West Lidesford in Com. Somers And for a Fair there yearly upon the Eve Day and Morrow of S. Peter ad Vincula This Nicholas had issue another Nicholas who died in his life time and he William who upon the death of Nicholas his Grandfather in 10 Edw. 1. doing his homage had Livery of all his Lands in the County of Devon as also of the Mannors of Lidesford and Blakeden in Com. Somers And in 14 Edw. 1. paid an hundred pounds for his releif In 22 Edw. 1. this William obtained License for a Fair yearly at Merwood in Com. Devon upon the Eve Day and Morrow of S. Michael the Archangel as also for Free Warren in all his Lordships of Dertington Cumbe Martin Holme Kingston Langacre Beare Merwood and Raddon in Com. Devon and West Ludesford in Com. Somers In 26 Edw. 1. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland So likewise in 32 Edw. 1. And in 2 Edw. 2. upon the death of Maud the Wife of Geffrey de Camvile doing his homage had Livery of the Lands whereof she died seised In 8 Edw. 2. he had Summons amongst others to be at Newcastle upon Tine upon the Festival of our Ladies Assumption well fitted with Horse and Arms to restrain the Incursions of the Scots He married Eleanor the Daughter of William de Moâun and having been summoned to Parliament from 23 Edw. 1. till 18 Edw. 2. inclusive departed this life the same year leaving William his Son and Heir Which William doing his homage soon after had Livery of his Lands but died the next ensuing year being then seised of the whole Territory of Kemeys before mentioned which he held of the King in Capite by the fourth part of one Knights Fee wherein he had the Castle and Town of Newport Likewise of the Mannors of Barnstaple Dertington Langacre Raddon Kingston Tauâoke Frome Mymid Tracy Ilford-Cumbe Bovy Tracy South Moulton Warkleigh Haldesworth Kilmington Cumbe Martin the fifth part of the Mannor of Torston the Hamlets of Morthlien and Takebeare with certain Lands in Mymtd S. George all in Com. Devon Also of the Mannor of Blakedon two parts of the Mannor of Lidesford and two parts of the Hamlet of Staunton in Com. Somers Leaving Eleanor his Sister then married to William de Columbers forty years of age and Iames the Son of Nicholas de Audley by Ioane his other Sister at that time fourteen years of age his next Heirs Heron. ABout the beginning of King Iohns time Iordan Hairun had a Barony in Northumberland which he held by the service of one Knights Fee as his Ancestors had done from the time of King Henry the First who Enfeoffed them thereof This Iordan in 13 Ioh. upon collection of the
to be a Wife for his Son and obtained the Kings special Precept to the Barons of his Exchequer to respite their demand of four hundred marks debt due by him viz Three hundred marks for a Fine which he was to have paid for the Wardship and Custody of the Land of Henry de Longcamps Heir and an hundred marks which the King had lent him upon his voyage into Almaine In 16 Ioh. he had Scutage of his Tenants for those Soldiers which were then maintained by him in Poictou for the Kings service and in 17 Ioh. obtained pardon for a Debt of two hundred sixty two marks and sixteen pence which was by his own Agreement to have been paid as a Fine for the Grant of the Countess of Eureux in marriage to his Son Notwithstanding all which favors he forsook the King and adhered to the Rebellious Barons being one of those who called in Lewes of France with design to make him King But in this Error he persisted not long for within the compass of that year coming off to the King he had a Grant of all the Lands of Richard de Engaine and Vitalis de Engaine his Son great Actors in that Rebellion and was made Governor of the strong Castle of Kenilworth in Warwickshire being again Steward of the Kings Houshold Morever he had a Grant of the custody of Montsorell Castle in Com. Leic. then in the hands of those Barons And persisting stedfast to that King in his greatest Distresses obtained a gift of the Lands of William de Charnells in Swepston Ayelmesthorp and Scaelby in Com. Leic. As also of the Lands of William de Folevile in Ashby in the same County and likewise of the Lands of Nicholas de Verdon and Thurstane de Montfort all partakers with the King Enemies at that time Having thus shewed in what esteem he stood with King Iohn let us take a view of the services he did to King Henry the Third and the favors he had from him In 1 Hen. 3. he was with the Royal Army at the siege of Montsorell Castle as also at raising the siege of Lincoln Castle being one of the cheif Commanders in the Kings Army at that time And in 2 Hen. 3. was again made Sheriff for the Counties of Warwick and Leicester in which Office he continued till the eighth of that Kings Reign and had a Grant of all the Lands of Hugh de Gornay In this second year of King Henry the Third he gave another Fine of two hundred marks for Milisent the Widow of Almaric Earl of Eureux to be a Wife for William his Son and for Katherine the Daughter of Hugh de l'Isle to be married to one of his Brothers In 4 Hen. 3. he paid to the King ten pounds blanck for Lands in Hochton which he had with the Daughter and Heir of the before specified Hugh de Gornay And in 5 Hen. 3. obtained the Kings special Letters for receiving ten shillings of each Knights Fee held of him by reason he served in person with the King at the siege of Bitham Castle in Lincolnshire In 6 Hen. 3. he had all the Castles belonging to Reginald de Braose deceased committed to his charge being then also Steward to that King as he had been to his Father But his cheif residence was at Kenilworth Castle as appears by the appointment then given of Timber for repair of those Buildings wherein he there did lodge And in 7 Hen. 3. was made Governor of Pembruge Castle in Com. Heref. And the same year gave five hundred marks for the Wardship and Marriage of Robert de Chandos with the Custody of his Lands In 8 Hen. 3. there growing high discontent from divers of the great Men of that time against Hubert de Burgh Justice of England for his unequal distribution of Justice and incensing the King against them this William took part with them to the no little disturbance of the Publick Peace But it was not long ere those animosities were cooled for within three years after he procured a Confirmation from the King of the Mannor of Eston in Warwickshire commonly called Aston Cantlelow which formerly was part of the Possessions of Ralph de Tankervile Chamberlain of Normandy as also of the Mannor of Middleston which pertained to Gilbert de Vilers to hold till such time as the King should please to restore them unto the right Heirs of the said Ralph and Gilbert Which Mannors this William had formerly received by the Grant of King Iohn and for which Confirmation as also for the Grant of a Market and Fair at Aston he then gave a Fine of fifteen marks And in 13 H. 3. in farther testimony of that Kings favor obtained a pardon for a debt of forty marks due from him to have been paid into the Exchequer for certain Amerciaments laid upon him by the Justices Itinerant and an Acceptance of ten marks per annum until the hundred marks lent him by King Iohn were satisfied Which sum was delivered unto him when he went into Almaine as hath been already observed In 14 Hen. 3. he obtained a Grant of the marriage of Roese the Widow of Theobald Walter for his own behâof And in 15 Hen. 3. had another Confirmation of the Lordship of Aston Cantilupe with this special Proviso viz. That if the King and his Heirs should thereafter restore it to the Heirs of Tankervile he and his Heirs should have other Lands of as good value in recompence thereof All that I have farther seen of him is That he obtained the perpetual Patronage and Advowson of the Priory of Studley in Com. War near to his Lordship of Aston Cantelupe from Peter de Corbuceon Heir to the Founder and that he gave a fair portion of Lands lying in Shotwell in that County thereto Likewise that he built an Hospital at the Gates of that Monastery and that he departed this life 7 Id. Apr. 23 Hen. 3. leaving issue William his Son and Heir Walter a Priest and imployed by King Henry as his Agent to the Court of Rome afterwards Bishop of Worcester Iohn de Cantilupe Lord of Snitfield in Com. Warr. Nicholas de Cantilupe Lord of Ilkeston in Com. Derb. and Thomas de Cantilupe who being elected to the Office of Lord Chancellor of England in 49 Hen. 3. by the power of those who then kept the King prisoner had a Grant of five hundred marks yearly out of the Exchequer for the support of himself and the Clarks of the Chancery in that Office But though he then was so obsequious to the Rebellious Barons yet in 50 Hen. 3. being then Arch-Deacon of Stafford returning to his obedience he had reception into the Kings favor ¶ I
there the next ensuing year under the command of that Earl After this viz. in 38 Edw. 3. Iohn Duke of Lancaster being in Spain with a powerful Army whereof he himself led the Vaward he made twelve Knights whereof Sir Ralph de Camois was one After which time I find no more of him But in 41 Edw. 3. I observe that the King granted a Charter of Free-warren unto Hugh de Camois in all his Demesne Lands at Estroâp Likeput Crambourne Weston Braybeof and Eling in Com. Southamp In 47 Edw. 3. there was likewife another Thomas de Camois Which Thomas obtained the Kings Charter for a Market every week upon the Saturday at his Mannor of Bradwater in Com. Suss. As also a Fair upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle And in 1 Ric. 2. served the King in his Fleet at Sea being then of the retinue with William Lord Latimer In 3 R. 2. this Thomas was in that Expedition then made into France and in 7 R. 2. being elected one of the Knights for the Shire of Surrey in the Parliament then held was specially discharged from that service by reason he was a Banneret in regard that Bannerets formerly had not been put upon thât service Furthârmore the same year in stead of the Market at Bradwater in Comit. Suss. formerly on the Saturday he obtained a new Charter for it to be kept on the Munday and in 9 Ric. 2. was again in the Wars of France Moreover in 10 Ric. 2. he was in that Expedition with Iohn Duke of Lancaster then King of Castile and Leon made into Spain As also in 11 Ric. 2. again in the Wars of France In which year he obtained a Grant for another Fair at Bradwater in Com. Suss. upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Luke But being one of the favorites to King Richard the second upon the prevalency of those Nobles who pretended to rectifie what was amiss in the Government he was about that time removed from the Court. After which the Scene changing by the deposal of King Richard the second in 7 Hen. 4 he was constituted one of the Commissioners with Henry Bishop of Winchester and others to treat with the French Furthermore in 3 Hen. 5. he was again in France being then reteined by Indenture to serve the King there with two Knights twenty seven Men at Armes and sixty Archers for one quarter of that year and the next ensuing year again reteined to serve in those Wars This Thomas had summons to Parliament from 7 Ric. 2. till 8 Hen. 5. inclusive and died 28 Martii 9 Hen. 5. being then seized of the Castle of Porchestre with the Borough and of the Mannor of Wodeton in Com. Southamp Likewise of the Mannors of Bradwater Akkesborne Bercompe Tratton alias Tradington Fyning Fingl Dudeling and Deinford in Comitat. Suss. of the Mannors of Whalton called Camoys Mannor and Mannor of Great Milton called Camoys-Mannor in Com. Oxon. and of the Mannor of Stow-Bedon in Com. Norff. Leaving Hugh Camoys his Cousin and Heir viz. Son of Richard who died in his life time Son of the said Thomas and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir to William de Louches in whose right he held the Mannor of Whateley in Com. Oxon. Which Hugh dying likewise shortly after within age and without issue his two Sisters became his Heirs viz. Margaret the Wife of Ralph Rademilde and Alianore the Wife of Roger Lewkenore Which Ralph and Roger in 5 H. 6. their Homage being respited had livery of the Lands by inheritance thus descended to their Wives Of this Family without doubt was also Sir Roger de Camois Knight who in 22 Hen. 6. was taken Prisoner in the Wars of France and there deteined in great misery Whereupon Isabell his Wife had an Assignation of forty pounds per Annum for her life to be paid by the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London l'Orti IN 6 Hen. 3. Henry de Ortrai which is the same with l'Orti or de Vrtiao having married Sabina the Daughter and Heir of Richard Revel a person of great note in the West viz. Sheriff of the Counties of Devon and Cornwall from 7 Ric. 1. till the end of that Kings reign and of Mabel his Wife Sister and Heir to Walter de Esselegh of ãâã in Com. Wiltes had livery of the Lands of the Inheritance of the said Sabina And in 21 H. 3. obtained License to impark his Woods at Curri in Comit. Somers so that they might be free for any Regard of the Kings Forests but in 26 he departed this life leaving Sabina surviving who doing her Homage had livery of those Lands lying in the Counties of Somerset and Dorset which were of her Inheritance by her Father And in 36 Hen. 3. upon the death of Mabel her Mother doing her Homage and giving security for the paiment of an hundred pounds for her Relief had livery of the Lands which by her death also descended to her To which Henry succeeded another Henry who in 14 E. 1. having been in that Expedition then made into Wales obtain'd the Kings precept for Scutage from all his Tenants by Military service And in the moneth of Iune 22 E. 1. amongst divers other eminent men of that time had summons to attend the King to advise touching the most important affairs of the Realm Whereupon within a few moneths after the King making an expedition into France he received command to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to be at Portsmouth upon the first day of September ready to sail with him into those parts After which ere long viz. in 25 E. 1. he was summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm and in 32 E. 1. obtained license for a Market every week upon the Tuesday at Coclynton in Com. Somers with a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of All-Saints and seven days ensuing Also for a Market every week upon the Tuesday at Bradway in Com. Somers and for a Fair there yearly upon the Festival of St. Aldelme and eight days following with Free-warren in all his Demesn-lands at Curri-Revel and Stoketistre in the same County Likewise for a Market every week upon the Sunday at Asshele in Com. Wilts and a Fair there on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of S. Iames the Apostle Moreover for a Fair once every year at Stambrigge in Com. Somers upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Festival of S. Kenelm and for another every year at Westoure in that County upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lady and
a higher pitch of Honour by the Kings special Charter bearing date 6 Martii the same year viz. to the title and dignity of Duke of Lancaster Which being done by the General consent of all the Prelates and Peers then sitting in Parliament at Westminster for his life he was invested therewith by the Cincture of a Sword with power to have a Chancery in the County of Lancaster and to issue out Writs there under his own Seal as well touching Pleas of the Crown as any other relating to the Common Laws of this Realm As also to enjoy all other Liberties and Regalities belonging to a County Palatine in as ample manner as the Earl of Chester was known to have within that County About this time likewise he was constituted Admiral of the Kings whole Fleet from the River of Thames Westward And having the same year obtained License to take a journey into Spruse there to fight against the Infidels the King thereby granted that in case he should depart this life before his return his Executors should retain all his Castles Mannors and Lands into their hands untill his debts were discharged In his journey thither being taken in High Almaine he was constrained to give three hundred Scutes of Gold for his liberty Which surprisal of him was made by the Duke of Brunswikes means as it seems the designe thereof being told him when he lay at Coloine But before he came to Spruse hearing that the Christians and Pagans had made a Truce he returned to Coloine and there relating what he had heard of the Duke of Brunâwikes purpose said it did not become such a person to deal so with a Stranger in his journey who had never offended him nor intended any thing of ill towards him and that in case he had a mind to meddle with him he should find him ready to perform a Souldiers part Which being told to the Duke of Brunswick he sent him a Letter of challenge Whereunto he return'd answer That he would meet him upon a day appointed to perform in his own person what might justly be requir'd and accordingly rode to Calais with fifty Knights besides others of his retinue In this his passage coming near Gysnes meeting with Sir Iohn Clermont Marshal of France with a large attendance of Men in Arms he was honourably receiv'd by him in the Quind before Christmas and conducted nobly to Heddyng where Sir Iames de Bourbon met him and attended him to Paris at which place he was also received by the Nobility and all other people with high regard The like reception he had by the King of France who sent for him to his Palace as also by his own Kinsman the King of Navar. Much agitation there was before the day of Battel to reconcile them but in vain Upon that day therefore they entred the Lists and having first taken their Oaths as 't is the custom of Duelists to do mounted their Horses for the Combat But it was observed that before they had thus taken their Oaths no man could appear more valiant and Heroick than the Duke of Brunswick seemed to be and that afterwards his countenance chang'd so that he look'd pale and troubled trembling likewise in such sort as that he could not wield his Sword Shield and Lance his Shield also turning aside three times in his taking it up Which being discerned by his friends they advised him to submit himself to the judgment of the King of France in that Quarrel But this our Duke standing cheerfully in his place expecting the Combat said That before he entred the Lists perhaps he might have been perswaded to an agreement but now that he had mounted his Horse and was ready and that the King with his Nobles with an extraordinary confluence of people were there come together it would be an high dishonour to himself and to the whole English Nation to depart without performing what Truth and Justice did require Adding that he would not go out of the Lists neither with dishonour to his Bloud to the King of England nor to his Countrey Whereupon the Duke of Brunswick wholly quitting the quarrel without reservation of his Honour and submitting himself to the Award of the King of France therein the King of France at a great Feast reconciled them And having so done took this our Duke and shewing him divers delightful things offered to give them to him But of those he accepted onely of a Thorn out of the Crown of our Saviour which he brought away and left as a Relick in the Collegiate Church of our Lady at Leicester After which taking his leave of the King of France he returned into England and came to the King at St. Albans where he was received with much joy and honour the King then keeping his Christmas there In this year viz 26 E. 3. he permitted the Canons of Leicester to inclose their Woods and stored them with Deer out of his own Parks and likewise interceeded with the Pope for appropriating the Churches of Humberston and Hungarton to that Abby About this time also he receiv'd special command from the King to keep a strict Guard upon all the Sea-coasts of Lancashire and to arm all those fourty Lanciers which were then raised in his Territories of Monmouth Grosmunt Whitcastel Kedewy Karwathelan and Iskennyn for the publick service In 28 E. 3. he attended the King into France having intelligence that the King of France would give him Battel at S. Omers but when he came thither he found that the French were retreated Shortly after this there being a Truce with the French until Easter he was sent with the Earl of Arundel and others to the Pope then at Avinion to treat of farther Peace with them But the Duke of Bourbon Earl of Arminiak and others who were sent Ambassadors from the French fell off from what they had formerly agreed to upon the Truce concluded at Calais refusing any farther agreement saying That they were prepared to defend their Countrey against the English Requiring that the King of England should first forbear to quarter the Arms of France and that he should do Homage to the King of France for Gascoin But hereunto this our Duke answered That those Arms of France which he bore by the advice of his Liege-men of France he would not relinquish for any mans pleasure And that the King of England should not do Homage to any person over whom by hereditary right from his Mother he claimed superiority At this time of his coming to Avinion viz. on Christmas-Eve he had two hundred Horse in his Train whereof thirty two were covered with Harness At which place he staid six weeks in great honour the Bishops Nobles Citizens and others to the number of two thousand Horse
from 1 E. 4. to 12 H. 7. inclusive but in that year taking discontent at Subâidy then granted in Parliament he joyned with the Cornish Men in that Insurrection by them at that time made Whereupon being taking Prisoner in Battle at Black-Heath 22 Iunii he was drawn from Newgate to Tower-Hill in his own Coat of Arms painted on paper but reversed and torn and there being Beheaded 28 Iunii had Burial in the Black-friers near Ludgate To whom succeeded Iohn his Son and Heir by Ioane his wife daughter to Fulk Bourchier Ld. Fitz Warine which Iohn in 5 H. 8. attended the King at his taking of Therouene and in 22 H. 8. being one of the Lords then siting in Parliament subscribed that Letter to Pope Clement the Seventh whereby they represented to his Holiness that in case he did not comply with the King in that business of his Divorce the future acknowledgment of his Supremacy here would be in danger In 25 H. 8. this Iohn had a special Livery of all the Lands whereof Iames Lord Audley his Father and Ioane his Mother Daughter of Fulke Bourââier Lord Fitzwarine had been possess'd and by Mary his Wife Daughter of Richard Griffin of Braybroke in Com. North. Esquire had Issue George Lord Audley who Married Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir Bryan Tuke Knight Receiver to King H. 8 and lieth Buried in St. Saviours Church in Southwarke leaving Issue Henry Which Henry in 28 Eliz. accompanied Robert Earl of Leicester with her English Auxiliaries into the Netherlands And having Married Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir William Snede of Bradwall in Com. Staff Knight left Issue two Sons George and Iames and two Daughters Anne Married to Thomas Brooke of Norton in Com. Cestr. Esquire and Elizabeth Which George was Created Earl of Castle-Haven in Ireland ... Sept. 14 Iac. and was sometime Governor of Utrecht in the Netherlands and sore Wounded at the Battle of Kinsale in Ireland yet Victorious He took to Wife Lucie Daughter of Sir Iames Mervyn of Funtell in Com. Wilis Knight and had Issue two Sons viz. Mervin Knighted at Whitehall 30 Martii An. 1608. 10 Iac. and Ferdinando made Knight of the Bath at the Creation of Henry Prince of Wales the same year Also five Daughters viz. Elizabeth first Married to Sir Iohn Stowel of Rotherston in Com. Somers Knight afterwards to Sir Thomas Griffin of Dingley in Com. North. Knight Elianore first Married to Sir Iohn Davis Knight the Kings Atturney in Ireland and afterwards to Sir Archibald Douglas Knight Anne to Edward Blount of Arleston in Com. Derb. Esquire Mary to Sir Thomas Thyn of Long-Lete in Com. Wilts Knight and Christian to Sir Henry Mervyn Knight The foresaid Sir Mervyn Tuchet succeeded his Father in his Lands and Honor and had two Wives viz. Elizabeth Daughter and Co-heir to Benedict Barnhant Alderman of London and Anne Eldest Daughter to Ferdinando Earl of Derby Widdow of Grey Brugges Lord Chandos But being accused of certain high Crimes and by Virtue of a Commission of Oyer and Terminer thereupon arraign'd had Sentence of Death passed upon him and lost his Head on Tower-hill ... Maii 7 Car. 1. leaving Issue by the same Elizabeth Three Sons viz. Iames who by Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 3 Iunii 19 Car. 1. was restored to the Title and Dignity of Lord Audley and Earl of Castle-Haven George a Benedictine Monke at Doway and Mervyn who Married Mary the only Daughter to Iohn late Earl of Shrewsbury Widdow of Charles Arundel Eldest Son to William Arundel a younger Brother to the Lord Arundel of Wlardour And Three Daughters Lucie first Married to Iohn Antell Esquire afterwards to Gerald Fitz-Maurice Brother to the Lord of Kerry in Ireland Dorothy to Edmund Vicount Mountgarett and Frances to Richard Butler Brother to Iames Duke of Ormund Which Iames now Lord Audley and Earl of Castle-Haven hath Married Elizabeth one of the Daughters of Grey Bruges Lord Chandos but as yet is without Issue by her Latimer 30 Edw. 1. IN 2 R. 1. William de Latimer gave an hundred Shillings to have a Tryal at Law with Geffry de Valoins who had possess'd himself of part of his Park at Billinges in Com. Ebor. To him succeeded another William who in 38 H 3. was made Sheriff of Yorkshire and Governor of the Castle at Yorke and in 39 H 3. of the Castle at Pikeryng in that County In which Shirevalty he continued untill the end of the first half of the forty fifth year of that Kings Reign And in 42 H 3. amongst other persons of Note in those Northern parts received Command to fit himself with Horse and Arms for the rescue of Alexander King of Scotland then in Minority out of the hands of his Rebellious Subjects who had by violence taken him from those his Councellors unto whose care he had been committed by King Henry in respect he had Married his Daughter In 43 H. 3. this William was constituted Eschaetor General throughout all the Counties of England North of ââent And in 44 H. 3. upon the death of William de Fortibus Earl of Albemaâle had the Castle of Cokermouth committed to his custody In 45 H. 3. he gave a thousand two hundred Marks to the King for the Wardship and Lands of the Heirs of Hugh de Morewyke and benefit of their Marriages and in 47 H. 3. obtained the Kings Precept to the conservators of the Peace in Com. Ebor. Northumb. Cumb. Linc. and Northampton to make Restitution to him of all his Lands which had been seised on in the time of those great Contests with the Barons Wherein standing firm to the Royal Interest upon the Sunday next after the Feast of St. Lucie the Virgin the same year he became one of the Undertakers together with Prince Edward and divers others that the King should submit to the Arbitrement of the King of France touching the Ordinances of Oxford And in 50 H. 3. the King haveing then recovered his Royal Power was again constituted Sheriff of Yorkâ shire as also Governor of the Castles at York and Scardeburgh In which Shirevalty he continued the next year following and for his laudable Service in the time of that War with the Barons had an hundred Marks allowed him for those Expences he then underwent In 54 H. 3. he was amongst others signed with the Cross in order to his journey with Prince Edward to the Holy Land And in ââ E. 1. attended the King in his Expedition then made into Wales In 21 E. 1. he accompanied Iohn de St. Iohn that famous Soldier into Gascoigne whom King Edward at that time sent thither with five hundred Horse and twenty thousand Foot and Landed with him at Castillon upon the
and Office of Surveyour of all the Castles and Lands as well in England as Wales belonging to Prince Edward to hold until he should accomplish his full age And in 37 H. 6. was again constituted one of the Commissioners to meet with those from Scotland at Newcastle upon Cine touching satisfaction for such Injuries as had been committed by the Subjects of either Realm against the other contrary to the Articles of Truce formerly concluded betwixt them This Iohn Vicount Beaumont was summoned to Parliament from 10 H. 6. until 38 H. 6. But in that 38 th year the Duke of Yorke being at Calais and having gotten strength through the aid of the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury sent divers complaints to the King amongst which one was against him calling him their mortal Enemy alleadging that he had misled the King and wrought upon him to consent unto that Act of Parliament made at Coventre against them as also that he had made spoyl of their Lands and Goods And ere long after landing in England gave Battle to the King at Northampton viz 10. Iulii 38 H. 6. where obtaining the Victory this Vicount Beaumont was slain with many other persons of note To whom succeeded William his second Son Henry the eldest Son being dead before and buried in Denington Church in the Diocess of Norwich Which William in right of Elizabeth his Mother Daughter and Heir to William Phelip Lord Bardolfe had also the Title of Lord Bardolfe possessing a large Inheritance as Heir to her and in the same 38 th year of H. 6. made proof of his age as Cousin and Heir to Iohn Lord Bardolf viz. Son and Heir of Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to him the said Iohn viz. that he was born at Edenham in Com. Linc. and Baptized in that Church upon the Feast-day of St. George the Martyr 16 H. 6. the Abbot of Crouland being one of his Godfathers Whereupon he had Livery of his Lands his Homage being respited He first Married Elizabeth Daughter to Richard Scrope Brother to the Lord Scrope of Bolton and secondly Ioane Daughter to Humphrey Duke of Buckingham but adhering firmly to the Lancastrian Interest as his Ancestors had done participated of the hard fate which soon after befel that Family being taken Prisoner at Townton-Field in 1 E. 4. and in the Parliament begun at Westminster 4. Nov. the same year attainted at which time he was seised of the Mannor of Halowton in Com. Leic. Shelforth Stoke Bardolf Gedlyng and Carleton in Com. Nott. Grymesthorpe Aylesthorpe Southorpe Edenbam Hale alias Westhall in Com. Linc. Bolton Perci in Com. Ebor. Loughborough Shepeshed UUhitington Aâhvy la Zouche UUhytwyke Bochaston Newton Hokescote Donyngton Harkefeld Rothy Beaumaner and Botesford in Com. Leic. Stowe Bardolf Roungeton Fareswell in Fyncham UUhinbergh Mateshale Erpyngham UUykmere Cantelee Strapeshagh Castre Denyngton Brundishe Ilkelyshale Clopton and Cretyngham in Com. Norf. UUatton and Stone in Com. Hertf. and UUilberham in Com. Cantabr In 14 E. 4. this William Vicount Beaumont taking part with Iohn Earl of Oxford who withdrew himself from Barnet field in 10 E. 4. fleeing first into Scotland and afterwards into France landed with him in Cornwall and assisted him in keeping of St. Hichaels Mount Whereupon the Sheriff of that County offering pardon to the Earls Men who thereupon forsook him he was brought Prisoner with him to the King But in 1 H. 7. the Lancastrian Party long depressed through the favor of King the chief and only remaining Branch of that Illustrious stock being raised again amongst them this William was restored in Parliament begun at UUestminster 7 Nov. in the first year of his Reign After which I have not seen any thing farther of him than that having been summoned to Parliament from 1. until 12 H. 7. inclusive he departed this life without Issue 28 Dec. 24 H. 7 And that Francis Lovel had he been at that time living and not attainted should have been his next Heir viz. Son of Ioane Sister to the said William ¶ From this Noble Family do the Beaumonts of Cole-Orton Grace-dieu and Stoughton in Com. Leic. derive their Descents by Sir Thomas Beaumont Knight a younger Son to Iohn Lord Beaumont and Catherine his Wife Daughter of Everingham Which Thomas being Lord of Basquerville and Captain of Gailliarde was reteined with Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France in the Minority of King Henry the 6 th to serve the King in those Wars So likewise did the Beaumonts late of UUednesbury in Com. Staff viz. from Henry the younger Brother to Iohn Vicount Beaumont Gorges 2 Edw. 2. IN 41 H. 3. upon that Expedition made into UUales Raphe de Gorges in order thereto had Summons to be at Bristol well fitted with Horse and Arms within the Octaves of St. Peter ad vincula and in 47 H. 3. was made Governor of Schireburne-Castle Likewise in 50 H. 3. of the Castle at Exeter And the same year as also in 51 H. 3. executed the Sheriffs Office for Devonshire as Fermor of it After which in 54 H. 3. he was signed with the Cross in order to his journey into the Holy Land with Prince Edward But died in 56 H. 3. or before Whereupon Elene his Wife had then Livery of the Mannor of Dene for her support And upon her death in 20 E. 1. Raphe her Son and Heir doing his Homage had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance Which Raphe in 21 E. 1. was Marshal of the Kings Army in Gascoigne and in 22 E. 1. went again into those parts where he obtained such favor from the King that in case he should depart this life before his return his Executors should receive the profits of all his Lands from the time of his death until the end of three years and likewise the free administration of all his Goods for the performance of his Will But in that year Charles Brother to the King of France invading Gascoigne with a great power laid Siege to Râsune whereof Iohn de Britania was Governor who forsaking his charge exposed those in the Garrison to the Mercy of the Enemy amongst which this Raphe being one he was carried Prisoner to Paris Nevertheless after this in 25 E. 1. he adventured into Gascoigne And in 28 E. 1. was in the Wars of Scotland so likewise in 31 E. 1. and 32 E. 1. In which 32 year he obtained the Kings Charter for a Market at his Mannor of Lidâton in com Dors. upon the Thursday every week and a Fair yearly upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin and for five days then next following In 34 E. 1. he was again in
Wallewen the Commot of South Stratmargell South Lannerghudell Kerngnon Kenileghe Merghein Iscoyd Trefwen Teyref Moghenaunt and Moiety of the Cantred of Arwiskty as also of certain Lands at Cherlton in Com. Salop. leaveing Iohn his Son and Heir of full age Hawyse his Wife being dead before who having caused the House of Gray-Friers in Shrewsbury to be built lyeth there buried under a flat Marble Which Iohn doing his Homage had Livery of all those Lands and in 33 E. 3. being Lord Chamberlain to the King was in the Wars of Gascoigne Likewise in 43 E. 3. and of the Retinue with Edward Prince of Wales but departed this life upon Thursday next after the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr in 48 E. 3. being then seised of the Mannors of Lydom and Pontesbury in Com. Salop. of the Castle of Pole with the Mannors of Botinton Thaâgarthe Mathrawell and Walwerne of the Commots of South Strode Marghell Kerenignon âevellâock Dendour Meghon-Iscoyd Meghenant and of the Cantred of Aâwistry and Hamlets of Trewerne and Teirtrese parcel of the Mannor of Botinton leaving Iohn his Son and Heir fourteen years of age Ioane his Wife surviving who had for her Dowrie an assignation of certain Burgage in Shrewsbury with the Commots of Oendour Meghem Iscoid Meghenant and Meghemughcoâd in the Marches of Wales Which last mentioned Iohn making proof of his age in 6 R. 2. and doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and in 11 R. 2. was made Justice of North-Wales This Iohn took to Wife Maud the Daughter of Roger de Mortimer Earl of March. And haveing been summoned to Parliament from 6 R. 2. till 3 H 4. inclusive departed this life the same year being then seised of the Castle and Mannor of Cherlton and Mannor of Pontesbury in Com. Salop. Likewise of the Castle Mannor and Burrough of Pole of the Mannor of Botinton with the Hamlet of Treffwerne of the Mannors of Talgarth Mathraull Walwerne with the Chase of the Commots of South Stradmarghell Lluverhudel Kareignon Arwhisty Ughtcote Iscoit Dendour Treiretreff Meghem of the Lordships of Llangarick Place-Dynas of the Towns of Llan-Niclas Magenhaut Llanvâlling and Mannor of Lydom in the Marches of Wales leaving Edward his Brother and Heir thirty years of age who doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands In 9 H. 4. this Edward had great loss by that Insurrection of the Welsh on the behalf of Owen Glendour in consideration whereof he obtained the Kings pardon for those of his Tenants in Powys who submitted And in 5 H. 5. being very active for the apprehension of Sir Iohn Oldcastel then reputed an Heretick who was taken in his Territory of Powys had the thanks of the Parliament then held for that great service And having been summoned to Parliament from 3 H. 4. unto 8 H. 5. inclusive departed this life upon Friday before Palme-Sunday 9 H. 5. being then seised of the Castle and Mannor of Pole of the Mannors of Botington Talgarth Mathrali and Walwern of the Commots of South Stradmarghell Lanverghudell Kareygyon Keveilliock Meghem Ughcoit and Iscoit Meghenaunt and Arwisthy of the Lordships of Langyrie and Market Towns of Pole Lanytglas Maghull and Llanvylling in the Marches of Wales as also of the Mannors of Lythem and Place-Dinas in Com. Salop. leaving Issue by Alianore his Wife Daughter of Thomas and one of the Sisters and Co-heirs to Edmund Holland Earl of Kent Widdow of Roger Mortimer Earl of March two Daughters viz. Ioane twenty one years of age and Ioyce eighteen his next Heirs Elizabeth his Wife surviving who afterwards was Married to Iohn Sutton Lord Dudley Which Ioyce thereupon had Livery of her purparty of those Lands whereof her Father died seised her Homage being respited and shortly after became the Wife of Sir Iohn Tiptoft Knight her other Sister Ioane taking to Husband Sir Iohn Grey Knight who thereupon had Livery of her purpartie of that Inheritance whereof the Lordship of Powys being part his Posterity had afterwards Scil. in 22 E. 4. Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm by that Title as in due place I shall more fully shew ¶ A younger branch of this Family was Alan de Cherlton which Alan in 11 Edw. 2. had a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-Lands at Appeley Whatameshale and Halghton in Com. Salop. and in 14 Edw. 2. was made Governor of Montgomery-Castle Likewise in 15 Edw. 2. of Wigmore-Castle and in 19 Edw. 2. again of Montgomery-Castle In 1 Edw. 3. this Alan obtained License to make Castles of his Mannor-houses at Appeleye and Wytheford in Com. Salop. and having Marryed Elen the Widow of Nicholas de St. Maur one of the daughters and heirs to Alan la Zouche left issue ... from whom the Cherltons of Appeley are descended Holand 8 Edw. 2. THat this Family hath been of great Antiquity in Lancashire is evident from the Register of Cokersand-Abby whereunto some of them were Benefactors in King Iohn's time Of which the first touching whom I have seen any considerable mention is Robert de Holand Son of Iohn son of Ingelram de Holand of Holand in that County who in 31 Edw. 1. was in the Wars of Scotland But as for his rise and advancement in the world it was by being Secretary to Thomas Earl of Lancaster for before that time he was but a poor Knight In 1 Edw. 2. he obâain'd a Grant from the King in Fee of the Mannors of Meleburne Newton Osmundeston Swarkeston Chelardeston Normanton and Wyveleston in Com. Derb. with divers Liberties and Priviledges thereto viz. Return of Writs Pleas of Wythernam Felons Goods c. And in 5 E. 2. was constituted Governor of Beeston-Castle in Com. Cestr. Shortly after which Scilicet in 7 Edw. 2. having Married Mand one of the daughters and coheirs to Alan la Zouche of Ashby in Com. Leic. she being at that time Twenty four years of age he had an Assignation of the Mannors of Halsho and Brackele in Com. North. of the Moiety of the Mannor of Gatelden in Com. Hertf. of the Court-leets in Shybton and Sibford in Com. Oxon. As also of the Advousons of the Churches of Laghton and Merkfeld in Com. Leic. Croxton in Com. Linc. Yelvertoft in Com. North. with the patronage of the Abby of Lilshull in Com. Salop. Geroudan in Com. Leic. the Priorie of Ware in Com. Hertf. and Hospital of Lepers in Brackley in Com. North. And the same year had summons to be at Newcastle upon Cine on the Festival of our Ladies Assumption well fitted with Horse and Armes to restrain the Incursions of the Scots In 9 Edw. 2. he had a Charter for Free-warren in all his
ten Constable and Marshal that his Quarrel was just repaired to the Lists and having so done sheathed his Sword which before he had held naked and putting down his vizor made a Cross on his Horse and with his Sphear in his hand entred Moreover that descending from his Horse he sate down in a chair of green Velvet at the end of the Lists there reposing himself in expectance of his Adversary Furthermore that after Proclamation made by a King at Arms that no Man should approach any part of the Lists upon pain of death except such as were appointed to order or marshal the Field a Herauld cryed Behold here is Henry of Lancaster Duke of Hereford Appellant who is entred into the Lists-Royal to do his devoir against Thomas Moubrary Duke of Norfolk upon pain to be found false and recreant Likewise that the Duke of Norfolk hovered on Horseback at the entry of the Lists his Horse being barded with crimson Velvet richly embroidered with Lyons and Mulberry-Trees and having made his Oath before the Constable and Marshal that his Qurrrel was just and true entred the Lists also and said God ayd him that hath the right and then alighting from his Horse sate down in a Chair of Crimson-velvet curtained about with white and red Damaske Also that after the Earl Marshal had viewed their Sphears to see that they were of equal length and delivered the one to this Duke and sent the other to the Duke of Norfolk by a Knight an Herald proclaimed that the Traverses and Chairs of the Champions should be removed and commanded them both in the Kings Name to mount their Horses and address themselves to the Combat Moreover that hereupon this Duke having got up and closed his Bavier and placed his Sphear in the Rest he set couragiously forward six or seven paces at the found of the Trumpet But that the Duke of Norfolk was not fully set forward when the King cast down his Warder and the Heraulds cryed Ho Ho. And that all this being done the King caused their Sphears to be taken from them commanding them again to their Chairs until he and his Council had deliberated what was best to be concluded in this case Which being done and the Heraulds crying silence the Kings Secretary Sir Iohn Bushie read the Sentence which was That this Duke should within fifteen days depart the Realm not to return for the space of ten years except the King should otherwise think fit And in regard that the Duke of Norfolk had sowed Sedition in the Kingdome he should also be gone and never return nor approach the Confines of England on pain of death Likevvise that the Revenues of his Lands should be stopped till such Moneys of the Kings Treasure as he had taken up for the Garrison of Calais vvere fully paid And that then the King calling them both before him caused them to Svvear that neither of them vvould come in place vvhere the other vvas nor keep company together in any Forreign Countrey Whereupon they departed the Duke of Norfolk going into Almaine and so to Uenice vvhere he died of grief as ' t vvas said And this Duke taking his leave of the King at Eâtham vvhere he had four years Release of his Banishment vvent first to ãâã and then farther into France where having an honorable reception by King Charles the Sixth he had obtain'd the only daughter to the Duke of Berry Uncle to the King in Marriage but that King Richard hindred it Being thus departed he received Letters from his Father advising him rather to go into Castâle than into Hungary But his Father growing sick here in England he removed not from Paris where within a short time he had advertisement of his death Soon after which it so hapned that King Richard being necessitated to go into Ireland for suppressing the Irish then in Armes this Realme grew into great distraction Whereupon the Londoners sent for this Duke promising him their assistance in case he would accept of the Government Having therefore such encourâgement as also considerable aide from the Duke of Britanny he took shipping at le port Blanc and landed at Ravenspur upon the mouth of Humber in Yorkshire Whereupon divers of the Northern Lords repaired k to him so that when he came to Doncaster he had a considerable Army the Commons in all places inclining to him Whence Marching to Evesham in Worcestershire and so to Berkeley in Com. Gloc. he came to Bristoll all the Castles in those parts yielding to him Of which King Richard having Advertisement he hasted back into England and landed in Wales Where finding that he was almost totally forsaken he went to Conway-Castle in Com. Caernarvon This Duke therefore understanding where he was bent his course to Chester and thence sent for a safe Conduct that he might speak with him Which being granted he imployed the Earl of Northumâerland upon that Affair Who proposed that a Parliament might be called wherein Justice might be had against those Enemies of the Common-wealth who had been procurers of the Duke of Glocester's death and the death of other Noble Men as also Pardon for this Duke for what he had done Soon after which he came himself thither And having mustred his Army in the sight of the Castle walkt in to the outer Ward where seeing the King come out he made a reverend obeysance towards him and going on did so a second and third time the King then taking him by the hand and bidding him welcome Whereupon humbly thanking him he said That the cause of his coming was to have restitution of his Inheritance Unto which the King readily assented and called for Wine After which mounting on Horsback they rode to Flynt and so to Chester Thence to Nantwich and so the common rode to London Where he was receiv'd with all expressions of joy But the King being sent to the Tower though a Parliament was called in his Name divers Articles were exhibited there against him whereby he was thought worthy to be Deposed with intimation how fit it might be for him to resign his Right in the Government to this Duke Seeing therefore no remedy but to assent an Instrument was drawn to that purpose as also an open Clayme to the Crown made by this Duke Whereupon he was solemnly placed on the Royal Throne But the particular Formalities at that time used in this business and what else is memorable of him after he became King by the Name of Henry thâ Fourth I leave to the Relation of our Historians Froisard saith o That King Richard fearing his own life sent for this Duke to the Tower and bewayling his condition offer'd a Resignation of the Crown to him And that this Duke
Earl of Essex determining he being the last Male branch descended from Walter the first Earl of this Noble Family the Title of Vicount Hereford first granted to Walter Father to the said Walter and to the Heirs Male of his body did thereupon divolve unto Sir Walter Devereux Knight and Barâonet Son and Heir to Sir Edward Devereux of Castles Bromwich in Com. War Baronet by Catherine his Wife Daughter of Edward Arden of Park Hall in the same County Esquire Which Sir Edward was the only Son to the said Walter Vicount Hereford by Margaret his Second Wife before mentioned This Walter by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter of Thomas Knightley of Borrow-Hall near Knightley in Com. Staff Esquire had Issue four Sons viz. Essex Devereux who Married Anne Daughter of Sir William Corteine Knight a wealthy Merchant of London but died in his Fathers life time without Issue surviving and Leicester Walter Edward and Iohn and departing this life ... was buried at Ipswich in Com. Suff. To whom succeeded in his Honor Leicester his second Son the eldest dying Issueless as is observed Which Leicester now Vicount Hereford first Married ... the Daughter and Heir of Sir William Withypole Knight by whom he had the Lordship of Christ-Church near Ipswith in Suffolk with other fair possessions and by her had Issue one sole Daughter called ... now living Secondly Priscilla ... by whom he hath Issue ... his Son and Heir De la Pole 9 R. 2. THe first of this Family taken notice of to be eminent in the World was William de la Pole who being an active Merchant in Kingston upon Hull accumulated great store of Wealth This William had two Sons Richard and William unto whom in consideration of their good services King Edward the Third in the Fourth year of his Reign granted in exchange for the Mannor of Lyndeây in Com. Nott. the Inheritance in reversion after the death of Raphe de Hastang of the Mannor of Miton in Holdernesse And in 11 E. 3. taking farther into consideration the extraordinary Merits of Richard gave unto him a thousand pounds Sterling out of his Exchequer But of this Richard I shall say no more nor of his Descendents than that he left Issue William his Son and Heir who Married Margaret the Sister and Heir of Iohn Peverel of Castle Ashby in Com. North. And that he had Issue Iohn his Son and Heir who by Ioane his Wife Daughter and Heir to Iohn Lord Cobham had Issue Ioane his sole Daughter and Heir Which Ioane became the Wife of Reginald Braybroke and by him left Issue one sole Daughter and Heir called Ioane Married to Thomas Brooke in her right Lord Cobham I return therefore to William the younger Son to the before specified William This William being also a great Merchant as his Father was resided first at Ravensrod but afterwards at Kingston upon Hull being the first Mayor of that rich Town and in 10 E. 3. undertaking to provide sixty Tuns of White Wine and six hundred Quarters of Salt as also divers sorts of Victuals and to convey them to Barwick upon Twede for the service of the King and his Army then in Scotland loosing part of the Wine and Salt by Tempests obtained an allowance for the same upon the passing his Accompt And in 13 E. 3. when King Edward lay at Antwerp in no little want of Money lent him a thousand pounds in Gold in recompence whereof upon the 26 of September the same year he was constituted second Baron of his Exchequer and advanced to the degree of a Banneret having a Grant of a certain allowance for the better support of that dignity to be annually received out of the Customs at Hull as by Letters Patents bearing date at Martoyn in France 27 Sept. the same year appeareth Moreover long after this viz. in 29 E. 3. the King calling to mind the great and seasonable supply which he had from this William whilst he lay at Antwerp as also that he had afterwards involved himself in extraordinary Debts in continuing to do the like Likewise that after that being come into Hainault upon the Borders of France and much wanting Money he did again readily supply him with many large summs without which that Expedition had been totally fruitless and in consideration thereof made him not only a Knight but enjoyned him to assume the State and Honor of a Banneret Likewise to the end that he and his Heirs might the better support that dignity bestowed on him the Inheritance of the great Mannor of Brustwyke in Holdernesse with its Members as also five hundred Marks of yearly Rent issuing out of the Port of Kingston upon Hull to hold and enjoy untill such time as he should otherwise provide for him And besides all this having farther contributed to the Kings assistance for the recovery of his Rights in France in consideration whereof he had a promise that in case the King should recover his right in those parts he should have a Grant of Lands in that Realm of a thousand pounds per annum value to him and his Heirs for ever Now because for divers reasons he did make a surrender of all those other Grants desiring that hâ might have some assurance of what had been so promised him the King by his Letters Patents bearing date 2 Maii in the said 29 year did declare that so soon as he should be possessed of those his rights in France he would assign unto him Lands in that Realm of the clear yearly value of a thousand Marks This William first designed the Foundation of an Hospital for certain Priests and poor people at Kingston upon Hull and to endow it with twenty Acres of Land and twenty pound yearly Rent in Kingston and Miton As also to purchase the Advouson of the Church of Medburne from Richard le Scrope to the end that it might be appropriated thereto But changing his purpose therein resolved instead thereof to found an House of Nuns called Minoresses of the order of St. Clare and to that end procured License to amortise the Mannors of Frisby North-Cave and Foston near Holdernesse which living not to accomplish his Son afterward did in some sort effect as I shall shew anon And being called Sir William de la Pole sen. Knight in 40 E. 3. was found to die seised of the Mannor of âoâthorpe three Messuages and seaven yard land in Miton and of divers Lands in Kingston upon Hull Cotingeham Newland Helell West-Elvele Feriby Colthorpe Bikerton Sollebergh South-Couton and Smithton in Com. Ebor. jointly with Catherine his Wife as also of the Mannor of Rymeswell with divers Lands and Tenements in Beghom and Est Walsham within the liberties of Holdernesse To
deteins by thy wicked Council or such as thou art which will neverâ be for his Advantage I think If thou beest so much concerned for the Kings profit why hast thou coveteously taken from him a thousand Marks per annum since thou wast made an Earl Which expression soon silenced the Chancellor In this year being a Banneret he was reteined to serve the King in his Scotish Wars for forty days and obtained a Grant to himself and the Heirs Male of his body of five hundred pounds per annum Lands part of the Possessions of William de Vfford late Earl of Suffolk deceased viz. the Castle Town Mannor and Honor of Eye and a Discharge from the farther payment of twenty eight shillings and five pence Renâ which he had usually paid for the Mannor of Costley in Com. Norff. as also of ten pound yearly Rent payable to the Queen for the same Mannor Likewise of ten pound per annum more due out of the same Mannor to the Abbot of Bona Requie in France and of twenty pound yearly due to the King out of the Issues of the County of Suffolk by which Patent he had also a Grant of twenty pound per annum to be paid unto him as Earl of Suffolk out of the Issues of the same County In this year he caused a great number of Souldiers from all parts of the Realm to come up near London to the end they might be ready to resist the French in case they should attempt an Invasion But the Parliament then sitting he was much complained of by the Commons for divers Misdemeanors and Frauds and in particular for purchasing Lands whilst he was Chancellor in deception of the King and being found guilty therein was adjudged worthy of death and that all his Estate should be forfeited Whereupon Sentence was given that all his Lands so puââhased should be seised into the Kings hands Nevertheless upon dissolving of that Parliament divers wealthy Men obliging themselves for him in great sums of Money the King received him into his protection but to quit his Office of Chancellor It is said that the King by the consent of Parliament having promised Ayde to the Inhabitants of Gant in Flanders then besieged by the French and to send them Men at Arms and Archers to the charge of six thousand Marks they were defrauded thereof by this Michael Also that Baldwin de Radinton having taken two Ships from the French for a great summe of Money he gave a Warrant under the great Seal to let them go Likewise that being accused and convicted of divers transgressions frauds and abuses to the great damage of the King and his people he was sent Prisonor to Windsore-Castle and that his Lands and Possessions then valued at a thousand pounds per annum were by judgment of Parliament confiscated to the King besides that he was condemned in the summe of twelve thousand pounds more for satisfaction of the Commons Whereupon and fearing danger from the Duke of Gloucester and other of the great Lords then powerful he attended the King into Wales at such time as he accompanied the Duke of Ireland towards the Sea Coast. But soon after this the King discerning the potency of those Lords in order to the regaining of his own power endeavored to raise what Forces he could Whereof the Duke of Gloucester having notice to quality his wrath made Oath that he never had thought of evil towards him but had used all the means he could to promote his Honor and Profit in every thing yet ingeniously confessed that he loved not the Duke of Ireland and that he neither looked nor could look with a cheerful countenance upon him in regard he had abused his and the Kings Kinswoman by repudiating her and that he resolved to be revenged on him Of all which the Bishop of London making relation to the King and expressing what credit he gave to that which the Duke of Gloucester had sworn this Michael being present and fearing that in case the King and the Duke of Glocester should well accord it might tend much to his detriment he thereupon spoke certain words against the Duke with purpose to irritate the King against him Which occasion'd the Bishop of London to say Hold thy peace Michael it doth not become thee to speak thus Whereunto replying Why say'st thou so The Bishop return'd Because thou wast condemn'd in the last Parliament and 't is meerly through the King's grace and favour that thou livest But the King being not well pleased with the Bishop for saying thus bad him be gone to his Church Discontents therefore daily increasing the Great Lords put themselves in Armes and met at Haringey-Parke near High-gate Whence coming to Westminster-Hall they laid Treason to the charge of this Michael and many others Hereupon seeing himself in such danger he fled privily to âalais and being got thither Shaved his Beard and changed his Habit carrying meat upon his shoulders as if it had been to sell until he came to the Gates of the Castle the Captain thereof being at that time Edmund de la Pole his Brother to whom he was hardly known by reason of that disguise But at length discerning the cause of his coming in such a sort with desire to be there concealed he said Brother you must know that I dare not be false to the King of England for the sake of any Kindred whatsoever nor admit you in without the privity of William de Beauchamp Governor of this Town And accordingly sent to acquaint him therewith desiring his leave to shelter him for a time Which he thereupon obtaining had liberty to go at large wheresoever he pleased Others say that he did not only shave his Beard but his Head and feigning himself to be a Flemish Poulterer carried Capons in a Panyer to the Gates of the Castle to sell to the end he might by this Disguise come to this Brother then Captain of that Castle without suspicion but that being discovered he was taken and brought before William de Beauchamp then Governor of the Town and that he carried him to London to the King Also that the King being highly displeased with Beauchamp for so doing discharged him of his Governorship of Caâais and gave leave to this Michael to go to Hull Moreover that after this being summon'd to the Parliament and appearing not to make answer to such Articles as were then exhibited against him he was Cut-lawed Which of these Relations is truest I cannot say but that he fled out of England is out of doubt and never return'd For certain it is that he died at Paris upon the fifth of September 12 Rich. 2. And that at the time of his forfeiture
prohibited the Abbess of that House to admit her or that she should be admitted any where else Nevertheless notwithstanding this when she arrived to her lawful age she did profess her self a Nun there but the other two viz. Elizabeth and Isabell died before the 10 th of Henry the Fifth unmarried I come now to William brother and heir to the last mentioned Michael In 4 H. 5. this William was reteined by Indenture to serve the King in his wars of France with Thirty men at Armes whereof himself to be one five Knights twenty four Esquires and ninety Archers In the same year he was again reteined to serve him for one quarter of that year with twenty six men at Armes himself and one Knight being part of the number and fifty two Archers And continuing there in 5 H. 5. had of his Retinue Thirty Spears and Ninety Archers In remuneration of which services he then obtained a grant to himself and the heirs male of his body of the Castles of Hambor and Brequebec with their Appurtenances as also of all the Fees and Inheritances which Sir Fulke Paynell Knight possessed within the Dutchy of Normandy being then of the yearly value of Three thousand and five hundred Scutes In 6 H. 5. this William as brother and heir to the said Michael who died in his Minority and in Ward to the King made proof of his age and having thereupon Livery of his Lands his Homage being respited was at the siege of Roan and in the 8 H. 5. again in the King's service in France So likewise in 9 H. 5. And upon the death of that King which hapned soon after was left in France with the Earl of Salisbury for the defence of those Castles and Towns which that victorious King had gained there Also in 1 H. 6. Elizabeth and Isabel two of the daughters and coheirs of Michael his brother being dead in their minority and Catherine the third daughter having assumed the Habit of Religion in the Nunnery of Brusiard Catherine the Widdow of the said Michael being then also dead he had Livery of the Lands of that Inheritance performing his Homage In 1 H. 6. this William being in the wars of France marcht with the Earl of Salisbury to the siege of Pont-Meulan and in 2 H. 6. to the relief of Cravant then besieg'd by the French having Four thousand men under their command and giving Battel to them near Uernoil flew Two thousand and took Four thousand prisoners whereof the Duke of Alanzon their General was one In 3 H. 6. upon taking the City of Maine he was left Governor thereof And in 5 H. 6. was sent with Six thousand Men to Montargis in the Territory of Orleans unto which he laid siege but without success About this time being Governor of Mans and discerning that the Citizens had betrayed it to the French he retreated to the Castle and was shortly after releived by the Lord Talbot And in 6 H. 6. accompanying the Earl of Salisbury with Ten thousand men towards Orieans they took the Town of Genville and soon after the Castle by render also the Town of Baugencie the Towns of Meaun upon Loire Iargeaulx thereupon delivering up their Keys Shortly after which they sate down before Orleans and upon the death of the Earl of Salisbury there slain was by the Duke of Bedford then Regent of France appointed Captain of that siege Which in 7 H. 6. he quitted and marcht to Iergeaux with Four hundred men Whereupon the French following him assaulted that Town and slew many amongst which Alexander his Brother was one himself and Iohn his other Brother being both taken prisoners But he was soon enlarged as it seems for it appears that in 7 H. 6. he was again in those wars So likewise in 8 H. 6. At which time he besieged Aumarle and after twenty four sharp Assaults had it together with the Castle delivered up to him Shortly after which he accompanied the Duke of Burgundy and Earl of Arundel to the siege of Campeigne And in 9 H. 6. attended that King at his solemn Coronation in Paris So likewise in 10 H. 6. in that Expedition then by him made into those parts In 13 H. 6. being sent Embassador to Arâas to treat of Peace with the French he had License to take with him Gold Silver Plate and Jewels to the value of Two thousand pounds And in 14 H. 6. was joyn'd in Commission with the Duke of York-and others to proceed in that Treaty Moreover after the French King had recovered Paris St. Dennis and divers other places of note thereabouts he accompanied the Earl of Salisbury and others into Normandy with Eight thousand men being at that time retein'd to serve the King in his wars of France and Normandy with one Knight Thirty seven men at Armes and One hundred and sixty Archers By reason whereof he obtain'd a special exemption from his service in the King's Houshold and attendance on his Person with this farther favour that in case any Lordships or Lands should descend unto him during his employment in those wars he might have Livery of them though absent by any of his Attorneys In 15 H. 6. this Earl William having married Alice the daughter and heir of Thomas Chancer Widow of Sir Iohn Phelip Knight doing his Fealty had Livery of her Lands and obtained License from the King to Found a certain Hospital at Ewelme in Com. Oxon. a Lordship of her Inheritance consisting of two Priests and thirteen poor men and endowed it with the Mannors of Mershe in Com. Buck. Connok in Com. Wiltes and Ramrugg in Com. Southampt which Hospital was called Gods-house In 16 H. 6. being appointed one of the Lords of the King's Privy-Council and having formerly in recompence of his services done and to be done obtain'd the Grant of an Annuity of One hundred pounds for his life the King farther taking into consideration his great expences in those Offices and Imployments as by himself or his Deputies he had undergone did grant that for the discharge of the same as also of the Fees and Wages which either himself or any else had been at no more than Sixty pounds should be deducted out of that Hundred pound The same year also he procured a Grant for the custody of the Honor of Wyrmgay with all the Lands thereto belonging Likewise of the Mannors of Stow Bardolf and North Rungeton parcel of the Possessions of Thomas Lord Bardolf formerly attainted to hold for seven years In this year he got License to hold a Market every week upon the Tuesday at his Mannor of Hoke Norton in Com. Oxon. As also
and desired the said Drury and Sir William Leighton to see what they could gather for a further confirmation of the Marriage And then Ward being Sir Robert's Proctor unduly caused the said Magdalen to be examined in perpetuam rei memoriam in the Court of Audience before Dr. Creake being of the Plaintiffs Councel without calling any of the parties interessed thereto for proof of the Marriage and Legitimation of the said Sir Robert Dudley And the same day Ward and Sir William Leighton procured a Commission to be awarded to examine other Witnesses in perpetuam rei memoriam and then went into Yorkeshire to find out one Frodesham whom Magdalen pretended was present at the Marriage They meet and returned to Clarke's House in Warwickshire a Tenant to Sir Thomas Leigh Sir Robert Dudley's Father in Law And then they convey'd them from one Tenants House to another not suffering any Well-willer to the Countess of Leicester to speak with them and prepared them with gifts and rewards and got them to set down what they could depose before they were examined upon their Oaths and to subscribe the same And then Sir William Leighton procured one of the Commissioners alone to execute the Commission privately and Ward came down from London and brought a Notary publick to speed the Commission And then Sir William Leighton to effect the Plot and practice intended by the prepared Witnesses to prove the Marriage and Legitimation resolv'd to have a Suit forthwith Commenced in the Court at Litchfeild in the name of Sir Robert Dudley and raised Iohn Bushell to be the Adversary charging him that he had called Sir Robert Bastard about three years before Gosse cites him to the Court in causa probri convitii and Gosse earnestly prest him to appear thereto It was never meant by that Suit to punish Bushell but only to prove the Marriage and Legitimation Bushell appeared and made such Answer as suted best for their purpose The 36 Articles were exhibited thirty whereof tended to prove the Marriage and Legitimation and some of the rest the Defamation And Dr. Babington then sitting in Judgment in the Court and knowing the matter to be there prosecuted unduly against a raised Adversary upon colour of Defamation admitted a very unlawful Prosecution of the Libel and ordered the Defendant to make present Answer and then Frodsham Salisbury and Iones were again examined as Witnesses And after their Examinations carried back to Clarkes Gosse and Leigh's Houses and had Diet and Apparel given them by direction of Sir Robert Dudley and Sir William Leighton For these offences and undue Proceedings which tended to call in question the Lord of Leicester and his then Ladies Marriage and her Jointure and the Estates of many of the Kings Subjects they were all Committed Sir William Leighton fined 300 l. Babington 100 Marks Gosse 40 l. Salisbury and Frodsham 100 l. a piece and Iones 40 l. All the Examinations and Depositions taken in the Court of Audience by the Commissioners and at Lichfeild suppress'd and damn'd The Examinations and Depositions in the Court that concern the Marriage between the Earl of Leicester and the Lady Douglasse Sheffeild to be sealed up by the Clark of the Court and never to be seen or published Iones Salisbury and Frodsham to be ever after held suspected in their Testimonies touching the Marriage and Legitimation of Sir Robert Dudley and the rest were acquitted Which gave such discontent to Sir Robert Dudley that he thereupon resolv'd to quit the Realm and to that end obtaining Licence to Travail for three years went into Italy Whereof his Adversaries took such advantage as that they procured a special Privy-Seal to be sent after him to Command his return Whereunto not obeying his Lands were seized by force of the Statute of Fugitives upon which seizure being surveyed with Kenelworth his chief Seat I have thought it not impertinent briefly to point at the grandeur and State thereof 1. THE Castle it self situate upon a Rock containeth seven Acres upon which the Walls are to spatious and fair that two or three persons together may walk upon most places thereof 2. The Castle with the four Gate-Houses all built of Free-stone hewen and cut the Walls in many places of xv and x. foot thickness some more someless the least four foot in thickness square 3. The Castle and four Gate Houses all covered with Lead whereby it is subject to no other decay than the Glass through the extremity of weather 4. The Rooms of great State within the same and such as are able to receive his Majesty the Queen and Prince at one time built with as much uniformity and conveniency as any Houses of later time and with such stately Cellars all caââied upon Pillars and Architecture of Free-stone Carved and wrought as the like are not within this Kingdom and also all other Houses for Offices answerable 5. There lyeth about the same in Chases and Parks 1200 l. per annum 900 l. whereof are grounds for pleasure the rest in Meadow and Pasture thereto adjoining Tenants and Freeholders 6. There joineth upon this ground a Park-like-ground called the King's Wood with xv several Copices lying all together containing 789. Acres within the same which in the Earl of Leicester's time were stored with Red Dear Since which the Deer strayed but the ground in no sort blemished having great store of Timber and other Trees of much value upon the same 7. There runneth through the said Grounds by the Walls of the Castle a fair Pool containing Cxi Acres well stored with Fish and Fowl which at pleasure is to be let round about the Castle 8. In Timber and Woods upon this ground to the value as hath been offered of 20000 l. having a convenient time to remove them Which to his Majesty in the Survey are but valued at 11722 l. Which proportion in a like measure is held in all the rest upon the other values to his Majesty 9. The Circuit of the Castle Mannors Parks and Chafe lying round together contain at least xix or xx Miles in a pleasant Country the like both for strength State and pleasure not being within the Realm of England 10. These Lands have been surveyed by Commissioners from the King and the Lord Privy-Seal with directions from his Lordship to find all things under the true worth and upon Oath of Jurors aswell Free-holders as customary-Customary-Tenants Which course being held by them are notwithstanding surveyed and returned at 38554l. 15s. 00d. Out of which for Sir Robert Dudley's contempt there is to be deducted 10000 l. and for the lady Dudley's Jointure which is without impeachment of waste whereby she may sell all the Woods which by the Survey amount unto 11722 l. The total of the Survey ariseth as followeth In Land 16431l. 09s. 00d. In Woods 11722 02 00. The Castle 10401 04 00. His Majesty hath herein the mean profits of the Castle and premises through Sir Robert Dudley's contempt during his
yearly on the Eve day and morrow after the Feast of S. Margaret the Virgin Moreover for a Market every Thursday at his Mannor of Brighelâââon in ãâã Also for a Fair every year upon the Feast day of S. Laurence at Hurst for the like upon Martimass day in Winter at Westmâston and a third at Portestad upon the Feast day of S. Nicholas all in Com. Suss. In 7 Edw. 2. with Thomas Earl of Lancaster and some other of the great Earls he refused to attend the King in his Scotch expedition then made And in 10 Edw. 2. was in another expedition for Scoâland In 11 Edw. 2. he was charged with Two hundred Foot for his Lands of ãâã and Yale to be sent into Scotland for the Kings Service And in 13 Edw. 2. was again in the Wars of Scotland In 15 Edw. 2. he was joyned in special Commission with Edmund Earl of âent the Kings Brother joyntly and severally to pursue Thomas Earl of Lancaster and his adherents as also to besiege his Castle of Pontetract and take it And was one of the Peers who gave sentence of death upon him Moreover 18 Edw. 2. he was constituted Captain General Conductor of those Military Men who were sent into Gascoigne with command to bring them unto Edmund Earl of âent then Lieutenant of that Dutchy It is observable that this Earl having no issue by his Wife did by a special Grant give the Inheritance of all his Lands to the King and his Heirs which Grant bears date at Weââminster upon Thursday the morrow after the Feast of S. Peter and Paul 9 Edw. 2. the particulars whereof are therein exprest viz. The Castle and Town of Rigate with the Mannors of âorking Bechesworth and âenington in Surrey the Castle and Town of Lewes the Mannors of Cokefield Cleyton Dychening Mething Fethlam Brightelmeston Rottingden Houndeden Northest Rademeld Kymere Middelton Alington Worth Picoumb in Sussex the Towns of Iford Pydinghow and Seford in Essex the Castles and Towns of Coningesbragh and Sandale and the Mannors of Wakefield Heitfield Thorne Soureby Braithewel Fishlake Dewsbury and Halifax in Yorkshire the Mannors and Towns of Stanford and Grantham in Lincolnshire and also the Castles of Dinas-Bran and Leones with the Lands of Bromfield Yale and Wrightsham in Wales After which scil in 19 Edw. 2. the same King assigned unto him for his life the Castles and Mannors of Coningsburgh and Sandale the Mannors of Wakefield Souresby Brathewell Fishlake Dewsbury and Halifax in Yorkshire In 1 Edw. 3. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland So also in 7 Edw. 3. in which year the Scots making an Insurrection against Edward Baillol their King in regard he had done Homage to the King of England for that Realm this Earl assisted Baillol in wasting a great part of that Countrey And merited so well of him for the many eminent Services he had done and Charges he had sustained in that War that Baillol with the consent of his Nobles then with him gave him the Earldom of Stratherne forfiâted by the Rebellion of Malisâus Earl of that County In 9 Edw. 3. he was again in the Wars of Scotland And in 13 Edw. 3. was constituted the cheif person for arraying all the Men at Arms in Surrey and Sussex and for custody of the Sea Coasts In 16 Edw. 3. the King amongst other Letters to divers of his Nobles sent to this Earl to provide forty Men at Arms an hundred Archers for his service in France requesting him to be at London in person on the Octaves of S. Hilâary there to treat and agree with his Council touching the Wages for those Soldiers in that Expedition In 19 Edw. 3. Ioan Countess of Warâen Wife to this Earl being to go beyond Sea upon some special imployment for the King had Protection for all her Lands here in England which were assigned for her support with the Stock thereupon for the better defence and safeguard of them in her absence But soon after this she died whereupon he married a second Wife as it seems for by an Indenture betwixt King Edward the Third and him bearing date at ânautone the second day of Iune in the Twentieth year of His Reign it was agreed betwixt them That the King should thenceforth protect and defend him against all persons whatsoever Natives or Strangers in all quarrels and causes which might in reason concern him As also that he should support him in the peaceable possession of all his Lands whereof he was at that time seised either in England or Wales And that if God should please to send him an heir by Isabel de Houland then his Wife should the same heir be Male of Female it should be joyned in marriage to some one of the Blood Royal unto whom the King should think fittest So that the whole Inheritance of this Earl with the Name and Arms of Warrenne should be preserved by the Blood Royal in the Blood of him the said Earl And in case he should depart this life without any such issue begotten on the Body of her the said Isabel that then all his Castles Mannors Lands and Tenements in Surrey Sussex and Wales should after such his decease remain to the King to be bestowed upon some one of his own Sons on whom he should think fit on condition that in the person of such Son and his Heirs the Name Honor and Arms of Warenne should be for ever maintained and kept And moreover it was farther agreed That if the said Isabel should by the Law of the Realm be endowed of those Lands and Tenements lying in the Counties of Surrey Sussex and Wales before specified whereof he was at that time possessed that then she should be only endowed of those Mannors Lands and Tenements reserving the Castles to the King and to such of his Sons on whom the King should think fit to bestow them she having a reasonable assignation otherwise in lieu of them All that I farther find of this Earl is That by his Deed bearing date 24 April 8 Edw. 2. he did Release and Quit-claim to the Canons of Rigate his Right to Nineteen shillings four pence one Plough share and four Horse-shooes yearly Rent which the Prior and Covent of Rigaâe had antiently paid to his Ancestors for certain Lands in Rigate And granted to them and their Successors Forty six shillings eleven pence yearly Rent issuing out of certain other Lands there for a Chantry which the said Canons of Rigate and their Successors were obliged to maintain in his Castle of Rigate for the health of her Soul and the Souls of his Ancestors and Heirs So that one Mass should daily be celebrated therein for ever Certain it is that he was the last Earl of that Noble and Antient Family And having by his Testament dated at his Castle of Conesburgh in Com. Ebor. where he stiles
favor all his Lands both in ãâã and elswhere being restored to him excepting the Castles of Montsorei in Com. Leiâ and Paââ in Normandy After which intending a Pilgrimage to Ierusalem he caused enquiry to be made by all his Tenants and Officers what Rights and Libertiâs the Monks of ãâã had in his Forest of ãâã whereby it being found that they ought to have the Titles of all the Issues and Revenues thereof he confirmed them all and gave his Lordship of ãâã to the Canons of S. Fridiswide in Oxford and to the Knights Hospitalers his Town and Church of Broâesburne And surviving King Henry stood in good favor with King Richard the First who soon restored to him all other his Lands and Castles which were detained appointing him to carry one of the Swords of State at his solemn Coronation This Earl took to Wife Petronil the Daughter of Hugh de Grentemesnil with whom he had the whole Honor of Hânkley and Stewardship of England At whose request and the intreaty of William Robert and Roger his Sons as also at the desire of Amicia Countess of Rochfort his Daughter he ratified to the Monks of S. Ebrulfs in ãâã the Grants of all their Lands given to them by Hugh de Grentemesnil Great Grand-father to the said Petronil and by William Fitz-Osberne his own Ancestor And departing this life in his return from Ierusalem at Duras in Greece An. 1190. 2 Rich. 1. was there buried leaving iââue three Sons viz. Robert Fitz-Parnel who succeeded him in this Earldom Roger Bishop of S. Andrews in Scotland and William a Leper Founder of the Hospital of S. Leonards at ââcester as also two Daughters viz. Amicia married to Simon de Montfort and Margaret to Saier de Quincy Which Petronil gave Forty shillings Rent per annum out of her Mills at ãâã for the performance of an Anniversary for William de Bretvil her Son And in 6 Ioh paid Three thousand marks to the King that she might enjoy Leicester with its appurtenââces as also all the Fees and Demesns belonging to the Honor of Grentmesml both within Leicestershire and without as her Right by Inheritance Provided that all the Norman Lands of that Fee and the House of Withwick would be disposed to whom the King pleased giving Pledges for his faithful service to him I come next to Robert Fitz-Parnel In An. 1191. 3 Rich. 1. this Robert Fitz-Parnel being at Mâssana in his journey to the Holy Luild on the Eve of the Purification of our Lady was invested into this his Fathers Earldom of Leicester by King Richard with the cincture of a Sword After this whilest King Richard was held Captive by the Emperor the King of France having entred Nârmandy with an Army taken divers strong Holds there and marched to ãâã the cheif City of that Province This Earl then being there excited the Inhabitants to a stout defence thereof which they through his influence so well performed that the King of France soon retreated without effecting any thing at that time After this he joyned with Iohn Earl of Moreâon Brother to King Richard and others then at Roan against the King of France but going out in the night time upon a design against the Enemy he was through unweariness taken prisoner Whereupon in An. 1195. 7 Rich. 1. he offered a thousand pound sterling for his redemption and to quit his Castle of Pacy for ever but without effect Howbeit the year following obliging himself by solemn Oath and Pledges in Two thousand marks of Silver Troy weight that the King of France should quietly enjoy that Castle and that he would never disturb his possesion thereof other than in a publick War betwixt the King of England and that King he was set at liberty All that I have farther seen of him is That King Iohn in the fifth of His Reiââ gave him all âichmundshire with the Forest and Knights Fees thereto belonging in as ample manner as the Earl of Richmund held the same excepting only the Castles of Richmund and Boves And that having wedded Lauretta Daughter to William Lord Braose of Brembrâ with whom he had in marriage the Lordship of Taustoke in Com. Devon and Twenty three Knights Fees after his pilgrimage to the Holy Land where bearing the Arms of King Richard having unhorsed and slain the Souldan in a Tourneament he returned into England and not long after viz. An. 1204. 6 Ioh. departing this life was buried in the Abbey of Leicester before the High Altar betwixt his Mother and his Grand-father leaving all that great Inheritance which he had from his Ancestors to his two Sisters viz. Amicia the Wife of Simon de Montfort and Margaret of Saier de Quinci betwixt whom it being divided Simon had the moity of the Earldom of Leicester with the Honor of Hiâkâeâ for the Purparty of Amicia and being thereupon created Earl of Leicester enjoyed the Stewardship of England in right of that Honor of ãâã Saier de Quincy having the other half of this Earldom who was shortly after made Earl of Winchester This Amicia by her Deed bearing date at Paris ... in An. 1204. 6 Ioh. soon after her Brothers death gave up all her right in the Castle of Bretvil and whatsoever else the Earl her Brother had on that side the Sea unto Philip the Second then King of France Covenanting if her Sister Margaret then the Wife of Saier de Quincy should in any sort oppose that her Grant That she would make satisfaction for it unto that King out of her Lands in England in consideration whereof the King gave her the Castle of S. Leodegar in Aqââââe and all Aquitine and whatsoever belonged to the Constablewick of that Castle excepting the Fee of William de Galland and the Fee of Iohn de Robriet Of Lauretta the Widow of this Earl it appears that she gave to the Hospital of Bocland in Com. Somers to find a Priest to sing Mass daily at the Altar of our Lady in the great Church there for the health of her Soul and for the Soul of Robert Earl of Leicester her sometime Husband their Ancestors and Successors All her Lands in Nâteston and Ynesford on both sides the Water as also Threescore and four Acres of her Demesn upon Ruwedone and moreover all her Lands of Rudescote Hele Choriecote âââecote and Boteburne Likewise A hundred Acres of his Demesn in Brennesmore his Wood called Ancrewd and one Furlong at âoycher with all the Appurtenances within the Lordship of Taustoâe Likewise that in 16 Ioh. she made Oath to the King That she would never marry without his consent and that afterwards she became an Anchorete at Haâkungcon near ãâã where she continued a Recluse till her death William
Hugh de Say certified the Knights Fees belonging to this Honor in 12 Hen. 2. to be in number Twenty three In Right of this Margery he had also the Lordships of Temetbury Clifton Sapy Cure Iadefen Sheâdeslegh Sutton Stanfort Crolea Estwood Purshull and Aumbrug in Com. Wigor which were given to him by the King with the said Margery to be held by the service of Six Knights Fees and a fifth part This Robert in 17 Ioh. obtained likewise a Grant from the King of all those Lands in Berewic in Com. Suss. which did formerly belong to Mabel de Say Mother of Margery his Wife and then in the Possession of Robert Marmion the younger And moreover of all those Lands in Herleveston in Com. Linc. which did belong to Robert de Mortimer of Norfolk then in Arms with the Rebellious Barons but died not long after For in 3 Hen. 3. this Margery surviving him had an Assignation of her Dowry out of all his Lands lying in the County of Essex And in 15 Hen. 3. was married to William de Stutevil To this Robert succeeded Hugh de Mortimer his Son and Heir who in 43 Hen. 3. upon the death of William de Stutevil Husband to Margery de Say his Mother paying One hundred pound for his Releif had Livery of all those Lands of her Inheritance which he the said William held as Tenant by the curtesie of England during his life In 44 Hen. 3. this Hugh being one of the Barons Marchers received command to repair personally to his House at Ricards Castle and there to attend the direction of Roger Lord Mortimer of Wigmore whom the King had then constituted Captain-General of all his Forces in those parts to oppose the Hostilities of Lewelin Prince of Wales And in 47 Hen. 3. had a farther command together with the rest of the Barons Marchers to go against the said Lewelin who had at that time possessed himself of certain Castles belonging to the Kings good Subjects In 48 Hen. 3. after that fatal Battle of Lewes wherein the King and Prince were both made Prisoners by the Rebellious Barons Montfort coming down with a powerful Army into the Marches of Wales to succor Lewelin his Adherent and Consederate This Hugh seeing the Lands and Houses of the Lord Mortiner of Wigmore wasted by those Forces was constrained to deliver up his House at Ricards Castle unto him But the Battle of Evesham not long after ensuing wherein those Rebellious Lords were utterly vanquished this Hugh who had stood firm to the King throughout the whole time of those troubles had then a peaceable fruition of his estate and in 51 Hen. 3. obtained a Charter from the King for a Market every week upon the Saturday at his Mannor of Bureford in Com. Salop. as also a Fair yearly upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of the Blessed Virgin And after this scil in 1 Edw. 1. executed the Sheriffs Office for the Counties of Salop and Stafford for the greatest part of that year This being the substance of what I have found memorable of him I shall now only take notice that for the health of the Souls of his Ancestors and Successors he made a Grant to the Monks of Worcester of certain Lands in Alesweshey sealed with his Arms viz. Barry of six Pieces charged with Flower de Luces William his Brother being a witness thereto And that he departed this life in 3 Edw. 1. leaving Robert his Son and Heir Twenty two years of age who had soon after Livery of his Lands paying One hundred pound for his Releif Of which Robert all that I can say is That in 10 Edw. 1. he was in that expedition then made into Wales and died in 15 Edw. 1. Whereupon Ioyce his Wife surviving him had an Assignation of the Mannors of Bureford in Com. Salop and Coderugg in Com. Wigorn. for her Dower leaving Hugh his Son and Heir and William a younger Son Which William by reason that he enjoyed the Lordship of Ashby in Com. Leicest commonly called Ashby de la Zouch whereof Robert his Father had been possessed by the gift of Alan la Zouch his Uncle viz. ... assumed the sirname of Zouch and was vulgarly called William la Zouch of Mortimer of whom I shall speak farther by and by But I return to Hugh This Hugh in 24 Edw. 1. doing his homage had Livery of his Lands and having had Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons in 25 27 Edw. 1. in the same Twenty seventh year went to the Wars of Scotland but departed this life in 32 Edw. 1. leaving Ioan his eldest Daughter Twelve years of age and Margaret the younger Eight his next Heirs and being then seised of the Mannors of Wychebaud and Coderugg in Com. Wigorn. parcel of the Mannor of Bureford likewise of the antient site of the Castle and Town of Blethenagh and Column of Blethenagh in Wales also of the Castle and Town of Ricards Castle with its appurtenances and the Hamlets adjoying viz. Bachecote More Overton Wolferton and Whitebrok in Com. Salop. Acroft Wapelith Coumbe Tyteley Rode and Calcop in Com. Heref. As also joyntly with Maud his Wife and to his own Heirs of the Mannors of Boreworth in Com. Salop. Nyminton in Com. Devon Hobrugge in Com. Essex and Norton juxta Daventrey in Com. Northamp Whereupon the said Maud had the Mannor of Wychebaud the site of the Town and Castle of Blethenagh in the Column of Blethenagh in Wales together with the said Column assigned for her Dowry She likewise held in Dower the Mannors of Bureford in Com. Salop. Ambredon in Com. Essex Eudinton in Com. Oxon. Lutlinton in Com. Gloc. and Imeney in Com. Wigorn. All which upon her death the same year divolved to Ioan then the Wife of Thomas de Bykenore and Margaret Wife of Geffrey Cornwail Daughters and Heirs to the above mentioned Hugh Of which Lordships as also of those whereof William de Mortimer of Ham died seised whose Heirs they the said Ioan and Margaret likewise were Partition being made in 3 Edw. 2. she the said Margaret had for her Purparty assigned unto her the moity of the Mannor of Bureford together with the moities of the Mannors of Niminton and Codrugge as also the Mannors of Ambreden Hobrugge and Norton with divers Messuages and Lands in other places the rest falling to the share of Ioan her elder Sister Wife of Thomas de Bikenore as hath been observed but had no issue by him as it seems For plain it is that she afterwards taking to Husband Richard Talbot a younger Son to Richard Lord Talbot of Eccleswel in Com. Heref. her posterity by him enjoyed Ricards-Castle and the rest of the Lands of her Inheritance Zouch of Mortimer I Come now to William the
advanced to the Title of Duke of Buckingham to hold to himself and the Heirs-male of his Body with the Fee of Forty pound per annum out of the Counties of Bedf. and Buâks Moreover in Iune following he was again retained by Indenture to serve the King as Captain of the Castle of Calais during his life with twenty nine Men at Arms on foot and twenty Archers on foot taking two shillings per diem for himself and for his Men at Arms and Archers six pence And soon after that was sent Ambassador with the Archbishop of York and others to treat with the Ambassadors of Charles of France the Kings Uncle touching a perpetual Peace betwixt both Crowns But being thus created Duke of Buckingham ther soon hapned thereupon great animosities betwixt him and Henry Beaâchamâ Duke of Warwick to whom the King had given precedence next before him For the appeasing whereof there was a special act made in Parliament viz. that they should have precedence by turns the one one year and the other the next and so alternately during their lives And the Survivor during his life to have precedence of the others Heir but afterwards such of the Heirs of each who should first happen to have Livery of his Lands to have precedence of the others Heir and the Duke of Warwick to take place the first year Which Duke of Warwick departing this life about two years after without Issue-male this Duke obtained a special Grant bearing date 22 May 25 Hen. 6. unto himself and his Heirs for precedence above all Dukes whatsoever whether in England or France excepting only such as were of the Blood Royal. Moreover in 28 Hen. 6. he was made Constable of Dover Castle as also of the Castle at Quinborongh and Warden of the Cinque-Ports And in 34 Hen. 6. after that fatal Battle of S. Albans where the Duke of York being victorious Humphrey Earl of Stafford his eldest Son lost his life seeing what specious pretences were made by that party to captivate the people he with the Duke of Sommerset got privately to Queen Margaret and gave her notice of the danger For which great adventures and inconsideration of his vast expences in attending the King in those turbulent times as well in Kent against his adversaries then in Arms as in other places in 38 Hen. 6. he obtained a grant of all those Finâs which Walter Devereux of Webley in Com. Heref. Esquire William Hastings of Birby in Com Leicest Esq and Walter Hopton of ... in Com Salop. Esq were to make to the King for their transgressions As to his works of piety all that I have seen is that in 24 Hen. 6. he setled an hundred marks per annum Lands and Rents upon the Dean and Canons of his Free-Chappel at Stafford for the perpetual maintenance of certain Priests there to celebrate Divine Service for the good estate of himself and of Margaret then Queen of England as also of Anne his own Wife during their lives here Likewise for the health of their Souls after their departure hence and for the Souls of all the faithful decâased By his Testament bearing date at Marstoke Castle 16 Augât anno 1460. 38 H. 6. he appointed that his Funeral should be solemnized without any sumptous costs or charge and that on the day of his Obit and Funeral two hundred Marks in Money should de distributed to poor people to pray for his Soul over and above all other costs that day in Meat Drink Cloathing of his Servants and Cloathing and Reward to poor men holding of Tapers Also that the Canons of Marstoke should before his decease have an hundred pounds in money to purchase Lands to the value of an hundred shillings per annum which if it were done in his life they should therewith augment that Covent with one Canon more for ever so that thenceforth there might be fourteen the Prior for the time being accompted for one Of which number one should sing daily and pray for his Soul and for the Souls of his ancestors as also the Souls of his Wife and Children at the Altar in the North Isle of the conventual Church at Marstoke abovesaid And moreover willed thereby his Colledge of Plecy in Essex of the Foundation of Sir Thomas of Wodstoke late Duke of Gloucester his Grandfather should be augmented with three Priests perpetually and six poor men to pray for his Soul and for the Souls of his ancestors his Wife and Children And that there should be purchased and lawfully amortized to the said Colledge by his Executors in case it were not done in his own life time for the augmentation and sustenance of the Master and Brethren of the said Colledge and of the said three Priests and poor men Lands and Tenements to the yearly value of an hundred Marks whereof every of the said seven poor men to have every week twelve pence for his sustenance and to find himself except Housing which he appointed to be built there for them by the advice of his Executors And that there should be builded on the North side of the Church of the said Colledge a Chappel to be hallowed in the worship of the Trinity and our Lady Moreover that there might be found and said in the said Chappel after that it should be so made and hallowed a Mass of our Lady whereunto the said seven poor men to come daily except they were letted by sickness to pray for the Souls abovesaid Of which Testament he ordained Executors his Wife as principal and his Brother of Canterbury But the date of this Will is certainly mistaken it should doubtless be 16 August ann 1459. which falls out to be in 37 Hen. 6. for on the 6 Kalend. of August which is 27 Iuly 38 H. 6. this Duke was slain in the Battle of Northampton fighting stoutly there on the Kings part and buryed as our Historians say in the Gray Friers at Northampton though others affirm that many of the slain were buried in that Monastry there called De lo pre and others in S Iohns Hospital By the Inquisition taken after the death of this Duke it is found that he died upon the tenth of Iuly in 38 Hen. 6. and that Henry Son of Humphrey his eldest Son who was slain in the Battle of S. Albans 22 Maii 33 Henr. 6. as hath been already observed was his next Heir and at that time somewhat more then five years of age Moreover that he then died seized of the Mannor ot Brustwyke with the Hamlets thereunto belonging commonly called the Dominion of Holderness in Com. Ebor. likewise of the Mannor of Desenyng with its members as also the Mannor of Hoverhull and Mannor of Cavenham called Shardlows in Com Suff. of the Mannor of Stratton-Audley in Com. Oxon. Ratcliffe upon Sore and Kneshall in Com. Notting Okeham Camerwell Blechynglegh with the Burrough Essyngham Chepsted
of Land at his Lordship of Thornbury in Gloucestershire And that in 10 Hen. 8. by the Covenants betwixt him and Margaret Countess of Salisbury for the Marriage of Henry his Son and Heir with Vrsula Poole Daughter of that Countess by Sir Richard Poole Kt. her Husband it appears that the Mannors of Somerton Chedsey âoneyate Yarlington and Shipton in Com. Somerset as also the Mannors of Stokenham Yalmeton Pyworthy Woneford and Clifte S. Mary with the appurtenances two hundred Messuages three hundred Cottages two thousand Acres of Land one thousand Acres of Meadow two thousand Acres of pasture five hundred Acres of Wood and fifty pounds in Rent in Stokenham Yalmeton Pyworthy Woueford and Clift S. Mary in Comitat. Devon were setled by the said Margaret upon them the said Henry and Vrsula and the Heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten But after this about two years viz. in 12 Henr. 8. though he liked not of that profuse expence which was occasioned cheifly by Cardinal Wolsey at that magnificent Enterview of King Henry the eighth and Francis the first of France betwixt ãâã and ârdres he sitted himself in a greater splendor than any other Noble man and being prepared for the journey before the King was ready went to see some of his Lands in Kent Where finding his Tenants somewhat clamorous against Charles Knevet his Steward there for exacting upon them he discharged him of his imployment Which peice of Justice so farr irritated Knevet as that he became principally instrumental in his ruine For growing about this time viz. 13 Hen. 8. eminent for his high Blood and ample Revenue he drew on himself a dangerous suspition of aspiring higher which jealousie was fomented by the Cardinal who dissafected him for some words he had cast forth yet could not have overthrown him had not some indiscretion of his own concurred As for Knevet he watched his opportunity and finding that the Duke began to be weakned in two of his cheif Friends and Allies viz. Henry Earl of Northumberland whose Daughter he had married and Thomas Earl of Surry who had married his Daughter viz. Northumberland for claiming certain Wards which after close commitment he was forced to relinquish and Surry for drawing his Daggar at the Cardinal on some occasion being sent away upon an honorable imployment upon private discourse with the Cardinal discovered to him sundry particulars of this Dukes life viz. that he had said if King Henry died without issue how he would punish the Cardinal Moreover that he had treated with one Hopkins a Carthusian Monk of Hinton touching some prediction about the succession of the Crown Likewise the Hopkins should say to the Earl of Westmoriand this Dukes Son in law that if ought but good came to the King the Duke of Buckingham was next in Blood to the Crown the K. having then no issue Also that he told Knevet if he had been committed to the Tower whereof he was in some danger by occasion of Sir Wilâiam Bulmer he would have so wrought that the principal doers thereof should have had no great cause of rejoycing for he would have plaid the part which his Father intended to have put in practise at Salisbury against K. Richard the third who made earnest sute to have come into the Kings presence which had he obtained he would have stab'd him with his Dagger and that in speaking these words he maliciously laid hold on his Dagger swearing that if he were so evil used he would do his best to accomplish his purpose Likewise that being in speech with George Lord Bergavenny he should say that if the King died he would have the rule of the Realm in spight of whosoever said the contrary And swore that if the Lord Bergavenny revealed this he would fight with him These were the principal things charged against him But upon his Indictment and Trial by his Peers he denied all alledging that what he was charged with was false conspired and forged Whereupon Knevet and others being produced against him and deposing to what was alledged in the Articles he had sentence of death pronounced against him by the Duke of Norfolk then High Steward Whereunto he replied thus My Lord of Norfolk you have said as a Traitor should be said to but I was never any I nothing maligne you for what you have done to me but the Eternal God forgive you my Death I shall never sue to the King for life though he be a gracious Prince and more grace may come from him than I desire And so I desire you and all my fellows to pray for me Whereupon he was Beheaded on Tower-hill 17 Maii anno 1521 13 Hen. 8. Nevertheless the Tragedy ended not so for though the Lord Bergavenny after a few months imprisonment was through the Kings favor enlarged yet Hopkins after a serious repentance that he had been Author of so much mischeif died of Greif Being thus put to death he was buried in the Church of the Friers-Augustines near Broadstreet in the City of London leaving issue by Alianore his Wife Daughter to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland one Son called Henry and three Daughters viz. Eliz. married to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Katherine to Ralph Nevill Earl of Westmorland and Mary to George Nevill Lord Bergavenny Which Elianore by her Testament bearing date 24 Iunii ann 1528 20 Hen. 8. appointed her Heart to be buried in the Church of the Gray-Friers within the City of London before the Image of S. Francis and her body in the Church of the Whit-Friers at Bristol if she should happen to decease in those parts But after execution thus done upon this Duke viz. in the Parliament begun 15 Apr. 14 Hen. 8. though there then passed an Act for his Attainder yet there was likewise an Act for the restitution in blood of Henry his eldest Son but not to his Honors and Lands Nevertheless the King out of his special grace and favor by his Letters Patents bearing date 25 Sept. in the same fourteenth year did grant to the same Henry and Vrsula his Wife Daughter of Sir Richard Pole Knight by Margaret his Wife Daughter to George Duke of Clarence the Mannors of Norton in the Moores Tillington Eyton Church-Eyton Wood-Eyton Dorlastone Forbrigge Bradwelle Dâdyngton Pakynton Blyminhull Holdych near New-Castle Tentynshull and Barlaston in Com. Staff with the Advowsons of the Churches to the same belonging As also the Mannors Tenements and Rents of Menlefeâid and Crystelton in Câm Cestr. with the Advowsons of the Churches thereunto belonging Likewise all the Lands Tenements Rents and Services in Briggenoâth in Com. Salop. with all and singular the Castles Lordships Mannors and Lands in the same County of ãâã and South-Wales together with the ãâã of Hay Hope Aston-ââgers ãâã Parke Myniterley Mannor ãâã Bârgh Worthyn-Mannor ãâ¦ã
advice in that matter Which was as it seems that the exchange should accordingly be made for it appears that he was shortly after set at liberty and the same year was again Sheriff for the Counties of Cambridge and Huntendon Moreover the next ensuing year he obtained a grant from the King of the mannor of Andevre in Com. Southampt But now the animosity betwixt the King and the Barons being grown high and the Pope having in favour of the King not only confirmed the suspension of Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury but excomunicated the Barons he grew so much elated thereupon that he came to S. Albans with what forces he then had and there after he had caused that suspension of the Archbishop to be signified to all the Cathedral and Conventual Churches throughout England under the Covent Seal of that Abby raised two potent Armies the one to restrain the Londoners from coming out and the other to subjugate the Northem parts of the Realm and thereupon constituted this Earl one of the cheif Commanders of that which he left behind who accordingly having appointed the Governors of the Castles of ãâã Hartford and Berkhamsted to prevent the carriage of provisions unto London where divers of the rebellious Barons then were he marched into the Counties of Essex Hartford Middlesex Cambridge and Huntendon and there having of his party some great men who were merciless and cruel plundred those Countries exceedingly But the year next following wich was the last of King Iohns Reign Lewes Son to the King of France whom the Barons had called in to Reign in the stead of King Iohn grew so potent that most of the great men who till that time had stood firm to King Iohn forsook him and went in unto Lewes amongst which this our Earl was one of the cheif Howbeit upon King Iohns death which happened that year the Scene altered for he with most of the rest then forsook Lewes and did his Homage to King Henry the third especially for the County of Somerset which that K. then gave him and thereupon joyned with the famous William Marshal then Governor of the King and Kingdom by reason of the Kings tender years in raising the seige of Lincoln which Lewes and those who still held with him had made Which seige being thus raised he was thereupon constituted Sheriff of that County and Governor of the Castle So likewise of the County of Somerset and Governor of the Castle of Shirburne It seems that the gaining of this our Earl at that time to the King was then esteemed of great advantage for it appears that Peter de Mauley in that Command he had to give him livery of the Castle of Shirburne and County of Somerset was required to do it without delay lest he should start back But soon after this he went into the Holy-Land with the Earl of Chester and was at the Battle near Damieta where the Christians had the worst Whence being returned in 5 H. 3. he obtained a grant of the Wardship of the Heir of Thomas Malmains with his Lands And in 7 Henr. 3. being in that Expedition then made into Wales had Scutage of all his Tenants who held of him by military service In 8 Hen. 3. he was constituted Sheriff of Hantshire as also Governor of the Castles of Winchester and Porchester Moreover in 9 Henr. 3. he was sent with Richard Earl of Corâwal the Kings Brother into Gascoin where they beseiged the Towns and Castles of all those who refused Homage and Fealty to King Henry For his support in which imployment the King directed special precepts to all his Tenants by military service aswell of the inheritance of Ela his Wife as otherwise to afford him reasonable aid After which in his return towards England there arose so great a tempest at Sea that despairing of life he threw his money and and rich apparel over-board But when all hopes were past they discerned a mighty Taper of Wax burning bright at the Prowâ of the Ship and a beautifull Woman standing by it who preserved it from Wind and Rain so that it gave a clear and bright lustre Upon sight of which Heavenly Vision both himself and the Mariners concluded of their future security but every one there being ignorant what this Vision might portend except this Earl he attributed it to the benignity of the Blessed Virgin by reason that upon the day when he was honored with the Girdle of Knighthood he brought a Taper to her Altar to be lighted every day at Mass in honor of her when the Canonical Hours used to be sung and to the intent that for this Terrestial light he might enjoy that which is Eternal Howbeit though they thus miraculously escaped Shipwrack the perill wherein they all were was so great that report came to the K. of his being drowned Whereupon Hubert de Burgh then Justice of England moved the King that he would vouchsafe to grant the Wife of this Earl unto one Reymund his Kinsman who pretended an hereditary right to this Earldom of Saââsbury to the end he might marry her Unto which the King assenting Reymund became forthwith a Suitor to her in a glorious Warlike habit but after he had used many fair words to win her she told him with great indignation that she had newly received Letters from her Husband and Messengers who did assure her of his life and safety And added that had he been really dead yet would she never have entertained him for an Husband in regard that his Birth did not sute therewith bidding him look for a Wife somewhere else for thither she assured him he came in vain Furthermore not long after the King being at Marlborough this Earl William came thither to him out of Cornwal where with much difficulty he had landed after that perillous tempest And being received with great joy he made a sharp complaint against Hubert de Burgh affirming that whilest he was in the Kings service beyond Sea Hubert sent an unworthy persoâ to his Wife who had impudently sollicited her chastity Adding that unless the King would do him right therein he should vindicate himself otherwise to the disturbance of the publick Peace But Hubert being then present and confessing his fault did with rich presents qualifie his wrath And being thus reconciled invited him to his Table where it is said that he was poysoned and that going thence very sick to his Castle at Salisbury he presently sent for the Bishop of that Diocess to the intent he might confess himself to him as a good Christian ought to do and to receive the Viaticum as also to dispose of his Goods by
them to give up those Castles which they then held amongst which he compelled Roger Bishop of Salisbury to deliver up Shireburne Devises and Malmesbury some of the other Bishops were so startled thereat that they caused a Councel to be called at Winchester upon the fourth Kalends of September and thereunto summoned the King but he being very busy at that time sent this Alberic thither to seize upon those Bishops In 5 Steph. with Richard Basset then Justice of England he executed the Sheriffs Office for the Counties of Surrey Cambridge âuntendon Essex Hertford Northampton Leicester Norfolk Suffolk Buckingham and Bedford and gave to the Monks of Thorney in Com. Cantabr certain Lands in Isâep but before the end of this year he was killed in London leaving issue by Adeliza his Wife Daughter of Gilbert de Clare three Sons viz. Alberic his Son and Heir ... a Canon in S. Osith's at Chich in Essex and Robert Which Robert in 12 Hen. 2. upon levying the Ayd for marrying the Kings Daughter certified that he then held half a Knights Fee He also held the Lordship of Twiwell in Com Northamp of the Monks of Thorney in Fee-ferme as his Father did This Alberic had likewise two Daughters Adeliza Wife of Henry de Essex and Iuliana Countess of ... Of Adeliza his Wife it appears that she gave to the Monks of S. Osithes at Thich Lands of seven pounds per annum value lying in Dalham Tunstall and Denham being part of her Frank-Marriage and which Alberic her Son Earl of Oxford confirmed Which Alberic being the third of that name was made an Earl in King Stephens time by Maude the Empress as it seems for by that name she rendred and granted to him all the Lands which his Father Alberic de Vere held at the time of his death and likewise the Office of Great-Chamberlain of England to hold as fully as Alberic his Father or as Robert Malet or any of his Ancestors did with all usages and liberties thereunto appertaining Moreover by the same Charter she granted unto him all the Land of William de Abrincis with the whole Inheritance which he claimed in right of his Wife as fully as William de Arches held the same together with the Tower and Castle of Colchester so soon as she could possess him thereof Likewise the Earldom of Cambridgshire and to have the third penny thereof as an Earl ought to have provided that if the King of Scots had not that Earldom or that she could not satisfy him by Exchange that then this Alberic should have the choice of any of these four Earldoms viz. Oxfordshire Berkshire Wiâteshire or Dorsetshire according to the judgement of her Brother the Earl of Gloucester Earl Gefrey id est of Essex and Earl Gilbert id est of Clare to hold as freely and honorably as any other Earl held his Earldom Besides all this she likewise granted to him and to his Heirs the service of William de Heliun viz. ten Knights Fees and also Diham which belonged to Robert de Rannis and was the right of the Nephews of this Earl Alberic viz. the Sons of Roger de Rannis Also Turroc which William Peverell of Notingham had with all those Lands which belonged to Solomon the Priest of Tillebury and liberty for him and his Tenants to improve them and freely to enjoy them from all question for any thing by them done to the day they took part with her and the Earl of Anjou her Husband Moreover she then gave to Geffrey de Vere his Brother all the Lands of Geffrey Talbot and in case she could not uphold them to him then that he should have equivolent satisfaction in exchange thereof according to the judgment of Geffrey Earl of Essex Earl Gilbert and Earl Alberic his Brother Which Geffrey was Sheriff of Shropshire in 11 Henr. 2. for three parts of that year and so till the end of the sixteenth year of that Kings Reign And in 12 Henr. 2. upon levying the Ayd for marriage of the Kings Daughter residing then in Com. Salop. certified his Knights Fees de Veteri Feoffamento to be in number nine and and his Fees de Novo Feoffamento three What became of his Posterity if he left any I find not but in 6. Ric. 1. William de Boterell paid nine pounds for the scutage of his Barony She likewise gave to Robert de Vere the other Brother of Earl Alberic a Barony to the value of that so given to Geffrey and other Lands of equal worth to possess within a year after she should enjoy the Realm of England And Lastly bestowed on this Earl Alberic her Office of Chahcellor for William de Vere his Brother to enjoy the same so soon as it should be rendred up by William Brother to Iohn Fitz-Gilbert at that time Chancellor All which Henry her Son afterwards King by the name of Henry the second confirmed and farther granted to him the third penny of the Pleas of Oxfordshire to the end he might be Earl of that County So that in 12 Hen. 2. upon levying the before-specified Aid for marriage of the Kings Daughter this Earl Alberic certified his Knights Fees to be in number twenty eight a fourth and eighth part and in 14 Henr. 2. paid twenty pounds towards that Ayde by reason of those Knights-Fees After this viz. in 2 R. 1. he gave a fine to the King of five hundred Marks for the Sister of Walter de Bolebec to make a Wife for his Son And in 6 R. 1 upon collecting the Ayd for the Kings redemption paid thirty pounds two shillings and six pence for the Knights Fees he then held This Earl Alberic founded a Monastry for Nunns at Ikelington in the Dioces of Ely also the Priory of Heningham in Essex Luâiz his Wife being the first Prioress there And likewise the Priory of Hatfeild-Broad-Oaâe in Com. Essex Moreover he gave to the Nuns of S. Cross Henghan a certain Wood called Alcotehegh and departed this life in anno 1194 6 R. 1. leaving issue Alberic of whose mother it is said that being great with Child and taking some apprehension at a hurt which befell the Earl her Husband in his Eye she brought forth a Son with a blemish in his Eye In 6 Riâ 1. this Alberic his Father then living was with the King in ãâã and shortly after the death of his Father viz. in 7 R. 1. gave an hundred pounds for his Releif as also five hundred marks upon Collecting the Ayd for the Kings redemption Moreover in 8 R. 1. he paid thirty pounds two shillings and six pence upon collection of the third Scutage of ãâã And in 6 Ioh. gave two hundred marks for the tertium Denârium of Oxfordshââe to the
Priory of Dunmow appointed that his Executors should make an Arch in the Wall near to the Grave of his Mother and that therein the Bodies of himself his wife and children as also the Bones of his Mother should be deposited allowing the charge of forty marks to be bestowed thereon and died the following year as may seem by the Probate of his said Testament which bears date the Tenth of November An. 1432. 11 Hen. 6. Elizabeth his Wife surviving him who held in Dower the Mannors of Hemenhale and ãâã together with the Hundred of ãâã in Com. Norf. The Mannors of Shimâling and Thorne in Com. Suff. The Mannors of Wodham Walter Lâden Uiting Henham Dunmow Parva Burnham Wimbish and Shering in Com. Essex Which Elizabeth died 14 Iunii 4 Ed. 4. whereupon these were found to be her Heirs viz. Elizabeth then unmarried and Anne the Wife of Thomas Ratcliffe Esquire her Daughter by the said Walter Fitz-Walter and Ioane the Wife of Sir Robert Fenys Knight begotten by William Massey her second Husband Which Thomas had issue by her the said Anne Sir Iohn Ratcliffe Knight afterwards summoned to Parliament as Lord Fitz-Walter as in due place I shall more fully shew Beauchamp of Bedford AT the time of the Norman Conquest Hugh de Beauchamp came into England with Duke William and had of his gift Lands of great extent For by the General Survey it appears That he was possessed of Belinghou in Hertfordshire Linclade Solebery and Latebery in Buckinghamshire and of forty three Lordships or the greatest part of them in Bedfordshire This Hugh gave to the Monks of Thorney in Camoridgeshire one yard Land in Elbodesey and had three Sons Simon Paganus id est Pain and Milo whereof Simon is said to die without issue and his Brother Pain to succeed him Which Pain having the Barony of Bedford given to him by King William Rufus married Rohais the Daughter of Alberic de Vere Justice of England Temp. Hen. 1. Widow of Geffrey de Magnavill Earl of Essex This Pain and Rohaiâ confirmed to those Monks of Thorney the Grants of certain Lands which divers of her Tenants had made unto them within the Lordship of Colwurth of her Fee and of himself gave to the Canons of Merâon in Surrey the Church of Upton in Com. Buck. They were also Co-founders of the Priory of Chiksand in âedfordshire But she it was that translated the Secular Canons from S. Pauls in Bedford unto Newnham near Bedford and lieth buried at Chicksand To whom succeeded Simon their eldest Son afterwards Steward to King Stephen Which Simon had divers Sons who held Bedford against the King until Henry Bishop of Winchester the Kings Brother came thither the cheif reason of that their hostility being because they heard that the King had given their Sister in marriage together with the whole Barony of Bedford which belonged to this Simon their Father unto Hugh sirnamed Pauper Brother to the Earl of Leicester But by mediation of that Bishop after five weeks siege they rendred it In 12 Hen. 2. upon Assessment of the Aid for marrying the Kings eldest Daughter this Simon certified the Knights Fees he then held to be thirty six an half and tenth part De Veteri Feoffamento and eight Knights Fees De Novo for all which he paid upon the Collection of that Aid thirty five pounds seventeen shillings four pence In 26 Hen. 2. he gave a Fine of three hundred marks to the King upon an Agreement betwixt him and Guy de S. Valery In 2 Rich. 1. upon levying the Scutage of Wales he paid twenty two pound seventeen shillings ten pence and the same year gave one hundred pound to be Governor of the Castle of Bedford In 6 Rich. 1. upon the expedition then made into Normandy he gave twenty marks for License to stay in Engâand and the same year paid forty five pound fifteen shillings eight pence upon collection of the Scutage for the Rings Redemption In 7 Rich. 1. he executed the Office of Sheriff for the Counties of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire so also for the three next ensuing years And in 7 8 Ioh. answered one hundred marks for each year upon levying the sixth Scutage of that King and gave to the Abbey of Chiksand of his Mothers Foundation the Churches of Chiksand and Hagenes with the Grange of Hagenes the Churches of Lyncelade âogepole Caisho Stotfald and the Chappel of Estwike He likewise confirmed those Grants which the Countess Rohais his Mother had made to the Canons of Newnham and was buried before the High Altar in the Church of S. Paul at Bedford under a plain Marble leaving issue William Which William in 9 Ioh. gave five hundred marks and six Palfreys for Livery of the Lands of his Inheritance And in 13 Ioh. upon levying the Scutage of Scotland had a special discharge for forty five Knights Fees and an half so likewise in 16 Ioh. upon levying the Scutage of ãâã having been personally as it seems in both those expeditions Being possessed of the Barony Bedford which was a Capital Honor as also of the strong Castle of Bedford the Head of that Barony and adheâing to the Barons in those Wars which they had with King Iohn he received their Rebellious Army into it in the Seventeenth of that Kings Reign Wherefore so soon as the King heard thereof he sent Falcasius de Brent his great Favorite with a mighty power thither to summon it Whereupon those of the Barons who were in it came to this Agreement with Falcasius viz. That if releif came not to them within seven days they would render it to him and accordingly did Soon after which the King gave it to Falcasius And as this William de Beauchamp had been an active person in those turbulent times against King Iohn so did he continue against King Henry the Third as is manifest from his being taken prisoner in the Battle of Lincoln 1 H. 3. But submitting to obedience before the end of that year as most did he had restitution of his Lands which were seised upon for that transgression In 2 Hen. 3. he paid sixty one pounds sixteen shillings upon levying the first Scutage of that King for those forty five Knights-Fees and an half a fifth and twelfth part which he then held and was the same year in the Kings Army at Newark In 7 Hen. 3. being with other great Men in that expedition then made into âales he had Scutage of all his Tenants in the Counties of Middleâex Hertfordshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Huntingdonshire and Berkshire and deserved so well for that service That the next year following after the King had caused the Castle of Bedford to be wholly demolished and the
Castle at Plimpton and to have the Lordships of Moreâs and Ridleston which were the Inheritance of the Countess of Mellent which she had granted to him as also for the Lordship of Cruke which was the Dowry of the Countess of Berry and of his Fee for which he had paid fourscore pounds per annum which payment was upon this Fine to be quitted Moreover to have a Tryal by the great Assize for decision of the right betwixt the King and himself touching Rumbrug and Langele viz. eight pound Land near Southampton likewise for enjoying that twenty pound Land which was of the Normans and that he might govern his Tenants by Military service and others in the Isle of Wight according to the Law of the Land and Judgment of his Court so that they might do with their Lands as they rightfully ought In 8 Ioh. he gave to the King one hundred pound and a Palfrey for Livery of the Lordships of Reynton and Feltham which were the marriage Portion of Alice his Grand-mother And in 13 Ioh. paid one hundred seventy and eight marks for eighty nine Knights Fees in Devonshire and four pounds and one mark for three and an half in Berkshire upon levying the Scutage of Wales In 15 Ioh. he went into Poictou In 18 Ioh. the King taking notice of his great age and by reason thereof his disability to defend his Lands against Lewes of France whom the Rebellious Barons had then called in did grant that he might retain his said Lands in his own hand upon condition that Baldwin his Son should constantly remain with the King in his service Which Baldwin having wedded Margaret Daughter and Heir to Warine Fitz-Gerald and dying in the life time of his Father King Iohn gave her in marriage unto his great favorite Falk de Breant in 15 Ioh. This Earl William took to Wife Mabel Daughter to Robert Earl of Mellent and had by the gift of her Father the Lordships of Esturmenistre Moreis and ââdlestune to hold to her and her heirs By which Mabel besides Baldwin his Son who died in his life time as hath been observed he had issue two Daughters viz. Mary the Wife of Robert de Curtenay who had in marriage the Head of his Barony in Devonshire with the Castle of Plimpton And Ioane first married to William the Son of William Briwere and after to Hubert de Burgh Chamberlain to the King who had also in marriage with her the whole Isle of Wight as also Christ Church Which Ioane died without issue This William died in 1 Hen. 3. whereupon his Castles of Caresbrock and Plimpton were committed to the trust of the Sheriff of Hantshire and others and the custody of his Lands in Hantshire Dorsetshire and Somersetshire unto Ralph de Wiliton But the Wardship of the Son and Heir of Baldwin his Son was given to Falk de Breant above mentioned who had married his Mother and held as her Dowry inter alia the Castle of Plimpton which was accounted Caput Honoris Comitatus Devon upon whose death which hapned in 9 Hen. 3. she the said Margaret had Livery of her Dowry by her first Husband Baldwin before mentioned she thereupon undertaking to pay the Debts of her last Husband Falk de Breant by three hundred marks per annum till they should be fully satisfied This Margaret by some called Margery in her pure Widowhood for the health of the Soul of Warine Fitz-Gerald her Father and the Souls of Alice de Curcy her Mother gave to the Canons of Bolton in Yorkshire her Mills at Hareâode in that County And in 36 Hen. 3. An. 1252. departed this life upon the sixth Nones of October Matthew Paris affirms that she was by King Iohn the Tyrant as he calls him who stuck at no wicked act constrained to marry that impious ignoble and base conditioned man Falk de Breant against her Will of which marriage he says one wrote these following lines at that time Lex connectit eos amor concordia Lecti Sed Lex qualis Amor qualis Concordia qualis Lex exlex Amor exosus concordia discors And goeth on thus That on a time being in Bed with him he dreamed that a Stone of an extraordinary bigness like a Thunderbolt burst out of the Tower of the Church at S. Albans and falling upon him crusht him to pieces Whereupon starting out of his sleep and with great amazement trembling she asked him what the matter was and how he did To whom he answered I have in my time undergone many perils but never was so much terrified as in this Dream And having told her all particulars she replied That he had grievously offended S. Alban by polluting that Church with blood and plundering the Abby and therefore advised him for preventing a more grievous revenge to reconcile himself to that holy Martyr Wherefore lodging then at Luyton he forthwith arose and went to S. Albans and having sent for the Abbot fell upon his knees with tears and holding up his hands said Lord have mercy upon me for I have grievously offended God and his Blessed Martyr S. Alban but to a sinner there is mercy Let me therefore by your leave speak to your Covent in Chapter to ask pardon of them in your presence for what I have done Whereunto the Abbot consented admiring to see such Lamb-like humility in a Woolf Therefore putting off his apparel he entred the Chapter-house bearing a Rod in his hand and confessing his fault which he said he did in time of War received a lash by every one of the Monks upon his naked Body And when he had put on his cloaths again he went and sate by the Abbot and said This my Wife hath caused me to do for a Dream but if you require restitution for what I then took I will not hearken to you And so he departed the Abbot and Monks being glad that they were so rid of him without doing them any more mischeif This Margaret held the Lordships of Pishoo Niweham South-Lamheth Wrokeshale and Christechirche in Dower from Baldwine sometime Earl of Devonshire her Husband and came at last to be the Wife of Robert Aguillon but died not till 20 Edw. 1. by which it is evident that she lived to a very great age I now come to Baldwin Son of Baldwin who died in his Fathers life time In 11 Hen. 3. Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester and Hertford gave a Fine of two thousand marks to the King for leave to marry his eldest Daughter to this young Earl Whereupon all his Demesn Lands which were then esteemed at two hundred pound per annum value were committed to the Guardianship of the same Earl of Glocester the rest being in the hands of Savaric de Male-leone till he
Oxford they would compel him thereto by force But in all these things the King gave them satisfaction at Northampton in August following After which viz. in 13 Hen. 3. this Earl was imployed by the King in his service of Wales And in 16 Hen. 3. was one of those unto whom the custody of Hubert de Burgh formerly a potent Man was committed In 17 Hen. 3. having taken to Wife Agnes one of the Sisters and Coheirs to Ranulph Earl of Chester he accounted fifty pounds for the Releif of those Lands of her Inheritance and the next ensuing year had Livery of her Purparty viz. Of all those which lay betwixt the Rivers of Ribble and Mersey for which he and she were bound to pay yearly a Goshawk or forty shillings into the Kings Exchequer as had usually been In 19 Hen. 3. he was again made Governor of Bolesover Castle in Com. Derb. And the same year obtained License to assart and impark his Woods at Wodham within the Forest of Essex Moreover in 21 Hen. 3. he was one of the three cheif Counsellors recommended to the King by the Barons upon that reconciliation of their discontents for the violation of Magna Charta the King then renewing his promise for the strict observance thereof and choâe his Counsellors making oath That they would not for any respect give him other than wholesome advice which so well pleased the people that they then gave a thirtieth part of all their movable Goods excepting of Gold Silver Horse and Arms. In 26 Hen. 3. he gave one hundred pound Fine to the King for Livery of those three Wapentakes of Lancashire lying betwixt Ribâle and Merse viz. West Derby Leland and Saltford which had been seised into the Kings hands for certain misdemeanors of his Bailiffs And for the health of the Soul of Agnes his Wife and his Ancestors Souls gave to the Monkes of Tutbury the Tithes of all his Paunage Venison Honey and Rent arising out of his Forest of Duffield As also the Town of Thornihull and ninety two Acres of Land near Adgarleg But in 31 Hen. 3. scil 10 Kal. Oct. he departed this life having been long afflicted with the Gout his Countess dying also in the same Moneth having been Man and Wife at least Seventy five years if my Author mistaketh not for he affirmeth That S. Thomas of Canterbury celebrated the marriage betwixt them who died in 18 Hen. 2. But I have seen an Autograph mentioning their marriage to have been in An. 1192. 4 Ric. 1. which falls short thereof no less than twenty years This Earl William had a younger Brother called Robert who served King Iohn with five Knights himself accounted in that War with his Barons in 17 Ioh. For which respect he had a Grant of the Lands of Roger de Cressey lying in the Counties of Buckingham Norfolk and Suffolk And the same year gave a Fine of five hundred marks for License to marry Ioane the Daughter and Heir of William de Bocland and to enjoy all her Lands lying in the Counties of Bedford Hertford Bucks Oxon and Berks. Of which sum he was acquitted two hundâed marks in 18 Ioh. He was also one of those who met in that Tourneament held at Blithe in 7 Hen. 3. for which his Lands were seised And in 8 Hen. 3. had the Honor and Castle of Lancaster committed to his charge But farther I cannot say of him than that he died without issue whereupon upon William Earl of Derby his Brother became his Heir as I have already observed I now come to William Son and Heir to the last mentioned Earl William This William in 32 Hen. 3. it being the next year after his Fathers death doing his homage h had Livery of Chartley Castle as also of all other the Lands of his Mothers Inheritance And the same year sate in that Parliament held at London where the King made so stout an Answer to the Demands of his impetuous Barons Moreover he obtained the Kings Precept to the Sheriff of Lincolnshire to be aiding to him in distraining his Tenants by Military Service and other for performance of their services due to him for the Lands of his Inheritance in that County The like Mandate he had to the Sheriff of Lancashire for the enjoyment of such Lands betwixt Ribbel and Mersey as his Uncle Ranulph Earl of Chester formerly possessed He also purchased from Iohn de Verdon certain Houses with a Garden and Court lying in that Street called Sholande within the City oâ London which Houses c. Roese de Verdon Mother of the same Iohn had of the Grant of Michael Belet Furthermore he obtained a Charter for Free-Warren to himself and his Heirs in all the Demesn Lands throughout his Lordships of Liverpole West Derby Evertone Crosseby Waverere Salford Bowelton Penelton Buttuhton Sweinshurst Boureton-Wod and Chorles in Com. Lanc. Esseborne Underwood Bredlow Offidecote Benitlege Thorpe Mapeltone Penewicke Alsope Eytone Huntendone Wednesâeg Sniterton Heke-Narton Caldelaw Crumbeford Midilton Kertinton Hopton Wirkesworth Bonteshal Yptone Mulnfield Matlock Willardeââeg Hertindone Eroudecote Buestanes Nedham Wildon Skernedal Hordlow Heyttone Duffeld Alrewasleleg Beaurepeyre Makeney Winleg Holebrok Suwode Heyhege Cortelege Ravenesdale Holand New-Bigging and Screpton in Com. Derb. Tutbury Rolveston Mercinton Uttokeshather Ioxhale Bartane Tatenhull Hambury Falete Cotes Draycote Hore-Cros Tunstal Borschalenge Condelege Certelege Stowe Wesâon Huctesdon Heywood Ambrictone and Grenlege in Com. Staff And gave to the Canons of Derly the Church of Bolesover in Com. Derb. Which Grant Robert and Wilâiam his two Sons afterwards confirmed He had a Brother called Thomas unto whom Agnes their Mother gave the Castle and Mannor of Chartley which were of her Inheritance Whereupon the King by his Letter signified unto him That if he did not deliver them up accordingly the Sheriff of Staffordshire should compel him thereto About this time he entered into Articles of Agreement with the King that Robert his Son and Heir should marry Isabel the Daughter of Hugh le Brun Earl of Angoleâme and that she should be endowed of the Mannor of Stanford in Com. Berks. and Perry in Com. Nârthampt As also That if this Robert should die before him that then he should make good unto the same Isabel Lands of two hundred pound per annum value in some other part of Northamptonshire in case those should fall short of that worth Likewise That if the same Robert should survive him that then he should endow her with the third part of all his Lands In consideration whereof as a portion for her the King covenanted to give one hundred pound per annum sterling to be received out of his Exchequer at Michaelmass and Easter by even portions out of that sum of four hundred marks per annum which he had formerly
likewise died seized of the Mannors of Raskelf and Sherif-Hoton in Com. Ebor. as also of the Mannors of Burreth and Randeby in Com. Linc. and of divers Lands in the Bishoprick of Durham whereof the Jury knew neither the extent nor Tenuâe leaving Ranulph the Son of Robert de Nevill the younger his next heir and then twenty years of age But before I proceed with what I have to say of this Ranulph I may not omit to take notice that Robert his Father who died in the lifetime of Robert his Grandfather as is observed having married Mary the eldest Daughter and Coheir to Ralph Fitz-Randulph Lord of Middleham had in 54 Hen. 3. Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance doing his Homage of which that Mannor of Middleham was part And likewise a the Mannor of Carleton with the Forest of Coverdale It is said That this Robert frequenting the company of a certain Lady in Craven in an adulterous manner was surprised by some of her Husbands friends and by them so gelded that he died of the wound 6 Iunii An. 1271. 55 Hen. 3. and was buried in the Chapter House at Coverham in Com. Ebor. near to the Tomb of Helewise de Glanvil his Father then living After which scil in 4â Edw. 1. Mary his Widow upon the death of Anastasia her third sister one of the Coheirs to the same Ralph Fitz-Ranulph shared with Robert de Tatshall and Ioane his Wife in her purparty Which Mary lived a Widow upon her own Inheritance no less then forty nine years and in 17 Edw. 1. gave an yearly Rent of twelve marks issuing out of her Lordship of South Pikenham to find two Priests to celebrate Divine Service in the Church of Houton And having held for term of life the Mannors of Middleham Thoraldby Well Snape Carleton Fagherwald Nosterfield Burton and Crakhall with one Messuage in Dikestard as also the Advowson of the Church departed this life in An. 1320. 14 Edw. 2. and was buried in the Quire at Coverham ¶ I now come to Ranulph de Nevill Grand-Son and Heir to Robert the elder This Ranulph being in minority at his Grand-Fathers death obtained liberty of the King that his friends might Plough and manage his Lands and in 13 Edw. 1. had Livery of the Mannors of Kaskelf Sutton and Hoton part of his Inheritance About this time there hapning much variance betwixt the Inhabitants of the Bishoprick and Anthony Beke that great Prelate then Bishop of Durham by reason he had compelled them to go twice into Scotland with Horse and Arms which they alleaged to be contrary to right in regard they held their Lands to defend the Body of S. Cuthbert and that they ought not neither for King or Bishop to go beyond the Rivers of Tine and Tese This Ranulph de Nevill and Iohn de Marne were the cheif countenancers of those who thus opposed the Bishop And not long after that fell out another difference betwixt this Ranulph and the Prior of Durham about the offering of a Stag every year upon S. Cuthberts day in September which in truth was rather a Rent then an Oblation in regard he held Raby with the eight adjoyning Townships by the yearly Rent of four pound and a Stag. For contrary to the custom of his Ancestors he not only required that the Prior of Durham at the offering of that Stag ought to feast him and all the company he should bring But that the Priors own menial servants should for that time be set aside and his peculiar servants and officers put in their stead Whereupon amongst other of his guests he invited Iohn de Baillol of Barnard Castle who refused to go with him alleaging That he never knew the Nevills to have such a priviledge there Sir William de Brompton the Bishops cheif Justice likewise acknowledging That he himself was the first who began that extravagant practise For being a young Man and delighting in Hunting he came with the Lord Nevill at the offering of the Stag and said to his Companions Come let us go into the Abby and Wind our Horns and so they did The Prior farther adding That before the time of this Ranulph none of his Predecessors ever made any such claim but when they brought the Stag into the Hall they had only a Breakfast Nor did the Lord himself ever stay Dinner except he was invited In 22 Edw. 1. this Ranulph received command to attend the King at Portlmouth upon the first of September well furnished with Horse and Arms and thence into France In 4 Edw. 2. having command to be at Newcastle upon Tine on the morrow after All Souls day with ten Men at Arms he thence marched into Scotland It is reported of this Ranulph that he little minded Secular business but for the most part betook himself to conversation with the Canons of Merton and Coverham as also that he committed Incest with his own Daughter and that Richard de Kellaw Bishop of Durham did for that crime compel him to do publick pennance But certain it is that he gave to the Canons of Coverham sixty two Acres of his Demesn Lands in Trakehallâ of nine pound six shillings per annum value and twenty two Acres and an half of Meadow as also certain Rents of his Tenants in Villenage with four Ox-gangs of Land and Meadow of the value of sixty three shillings four pence per annum All which with some Cottiers c. were of the value of twenty pound and an half penny per annum He married two Wives viz. Eufemia the Daughter of Sir Iohn de Clavering and Margery Daughter of Iohn the Son of Marmaââke de Thweng and by the first of them had issue Robert commonly called The Peacock of the North unto whom Mary his Grand-Mother gave the Castle and Lordship of Middleham By the later he had none and departing this life 18 April An. 1331. 5 Edw. 3. was buried in the Quire at Coverham near the High Altar on the South side Which Robert called The Peacock of the North died without issue in his Fathers life time as it seems for Ralph the second Son was found Heir to his Father and at that time forty years of age and upwards who had Livery of his Lands the same year being then Steward of the Kings Houshold In 4 Edw. 3. this Ralph obtained a Charter to himself and the Heir-male of his Body for a Market every week on the Munday at Bliburg in Com. Suff. And two Fairs one upon the Eve and Day of the Annunciation of our Lady and the other on the Eve and Day of her Nativity As also for a Market weekly on the Tuesday at Aynho in Com. Northampt. And a Fair upon the Eve and Day of S. Michael
the said Iohn Lord âatimer whose Cosin and next Heir Sir Iohn Willoughby was that of such Lands she should give two parts and he the said George the third And in case of any Suâe Commenced by Sir Iohn Willoughby against them for any of those Lands she to bear two parts of the costs and he the third Which Maud died upon Friday next after the Feast of S. Bartholoâew the Apostle 25 H. 6. leaving Thomas Lord Clifford her Nephew and Heir viz. Son of Iohn Lord Clifford her Brother then thirty years of age This George Lord Latimer took to Wife Elizabeth the third Daughter by the first Wife of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by whom he had issue one Son viz. Sir Henry Nevill Knight and a Daughter that died without issue but in his later days he grew an Idâot For which cause King Edward the Fourth in the first year of His Reign committed the custody of all his Lordships and Lands to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick his Nephew And departed this life 30 Dec. 9 Edw. 4. being then seised of the Mannors of Mersham and âercop with the third part of the Mannor of Moreland in Com. Westmorl The Mannor of Belton in Com. Cumbr. The Mannors of ãâã Senington âhornton in Pickering-Lithe and Sââmston in Com. Ebor. The Mannor of ãâã Latimer and the Hundred of Cranley in Com. Buck. The Mannors of Stow Kistingbury Brampton Burton Boseyate and the Mannor and Hundred of Corby in Com. Northampt The Mannors of Helpringham Sâredington and Folkingham the Mannors of North Pikenham South Pikenham Foulden Houton and Mannor of Karbroke called Woodhal in Com. Linâ And the Mannors of Wolton Ronhall Cardington Bromham and Diâwike in Com. Bedf. Leaving Richard Nevill his Grandson viz. Son of Sir Henry Nevill Knight his only Son who deceased in his life time his next Heir and at that time about two years of age To which Sir Henry King Edward the Fourth in the eighth year of His Reign taking into consideration his laudable services and that the Mannor of Iselhamstead Latimer in Com. Buck. had been long in the possession of the Lords Latimer granted it and to the Heirs-male of his Body This Sir Henry married one of the Daughters of the Lord Berners and being slain at Edgcoâe Field near Banbury in 9 Edw. 4. his Father then living was buried at Warwick in that beautiful Chappel on the Southside the Quire of the Collegiate Church there built by the Executors of Richard Beauchamp sometime Earl of Warwick for the Sepulture of that Earl from whom by Elizabeth his third Daughter this Henry did descend leaving issue two Sons viz. Sir Richard Nevill Knight who succeeded his Grandfather in the title of Lord Latimer and Thomas a younger Son Which Richard was one of the Commanders of the Kings Forces in the Battle of Stoke juxta Newark upon Trent in 1 Hen. 7. against Iohn Earl of Lincoln and his Rebellious Adherents who were there happily vanquished And in 6 Hen. 7. had special Livery of all the Lands which descended to him by the death of his Grand-father Moreover in 8 Hen. 7. when the Scots had besieged Norham Castle he was an eminent Commander in the English Army upon the advance whereof under the conduct of the Earl of Surrey they fled As also in 5 Hen. 8. at Floddon Field where King Iames the Fourth of Scotland lost his life And in 22 Hen. 8. one of the Peers who subscribed that Letter to Pope Clement the Seventh intimating That if he did not comply with King Henry in that cause of his intended Divorce from Queen Catherine he must expect no other then to lose his Supremacy here And having married Anne the Daughter of Humphrey Stafford of Grafton in Com. Wigorn. Esquire by whom he had issue six Sons viz. Iohn William Thomas Marmaduke George and Christopher and six Daughters viz. Margaret married to ... Son and Heir to ... Willoughby Lord Brooke Dorothy Elizabeth Catherine Susan and Ioane departed this life in the same Two and twentieth of Henry the Eight as it seems for then had Iohn his Son and Heir a special Livery of his Lands Which Iohn first took to Wife Dorothy one of the three Sisters and Coheirs to Iohn Earl of Oxford And upon that Insurrection in Yorkshire in 28 Hen. 8. called The Pilgrimage of Grace with the Lords Scrope Lumley and Darcy was made choice of by the Rebels to treat with the Duke of Norfolk General of the Kings Forces then advancing against them By his Testament bearing date 12 Sept. An. 1542. 34 Hen. 8. bequeathed his Body to Sepulture on the Southside of Well Church where his Ancestors lay buried in case he should die in Yorkshire appointing that the Master of the Hospital and Vicar there should take and receive all the Rents of the Parsonage of Askham Richard in the County of the City of York during the space of forty years as also of the Parsonage of S. Georges Church in York for the like term therewith to find a Schoolmaster at Well before specified during that term of forty years for teaching of Grammar and to pray for him the said Iohn and all others for whom he was bound to pray And having secondly married Catherine Daughter to Sir Thomas Parr of Kendal Knight who became the last Wife to King Henry the Eighth departed this lifâ shortly after for the Probate of this his Testament bears date 11 Martii next ensuing and was buried in S. Thomas Chappel near the North door of S. Pauls Cathedral in London leaving issue by her Iohn his Son and Heir and a Daughter called Margaret Fitz-Alan of Clun IN the time of William the Conqueror Alan the Son of Flathald or Flaald obtained by the gift of that King the Castle of Oswaldâter with the Territory adjoyning which belonged to Meredith ap Blethyn a Britton This Alan having married the Daughter and Heir to Warine Sheriff of Shropâhire in the time of King William the Conqueror had in her right the Barony of the same Warine and confirmed all those Grants which his Ancestors or Tenants had given to the Monks of S. Peters Abby at Shrewsbury soon after the Foundation thereof To him succeeded William his Son and Heir who âeing called William Fitz-Alan in 1 Hen. 1. Founded the Abby of ãâã in Com. Salop. for Canons Regular of S. Augustines Order For which respect he had afterwards a Grant of the Patronage thereof in all vacancies made unto him by King Henry the Second He likewise Founded the Priory of Wombrâgge in the same County for Canons of that rule and bestowed on the Knights-Templars the Lordships of âarditon and Huâhemerse with the moity of Chattewell as also two Messuages in Shrewsbury Moreover
of Hereford his seeming Friend and Kinsman by conâanguinity being treacherously seised on stripped naked exposed to scorn put into Fetters and thrice drawn up by a Rope about his Neck on a Gallows at his own Castle Gates with threats that if he would not deliver up that his Castle to the Earl he should suffer a miserable death And when he was by this barbarous usage almost dead carried to prison there to suffer farther tortures I now come to Roger his Son This Roger in An. 1146. 11 Steph. gave to the Abby of S. Peters at Glocester the Church of S. Leonards at Stanley with the assent of Sabrath the Prior and the Covent at that time there And in 12 Hen. 2. upon the Aid then assessed for marrying the Kings eldest Daughter certified his Fees to be two and an half De Veteri Feoffamento besides two Knights Fees of his own Demesn in Coberley as also one Fee in Stanley with one Hide at Chederinton in Dursley one Hide in Osleword half a hide in Duddington three Hides and an half In Slimbrigge three Hides which by the Kings consent he gave to Maurice the Son of Robert Fitz-Harding who had married Alice his Daughter and morever certified That the Cistercian Monks had Kingswood by the Grant of William de Berkley for which he did the service of one Knight though he received none from them And for all these in 14 Hen. 2. upon payment of the before-specified Aid he answered a hundred shillings This last mentioned Roger called Rogerus junior had two younger Brothers viz. Philip and Oliver In 2 Rich. 1. he paid an hundred marks for his Relief and in 6 Rich. 1. gave a Fine of forty marks for not attending the King with his Army into Normandy as also seven pound ten shillings upon payment of the Scutage at that time levied for the Kings redemption In 8 Rich. 1. he gave a Fine of sixty marks for License to marry Hawise the Mother of Ralph de Sumery and in 1 Ioh. forty marks for eight Knights Fees which he held in Demesn to the end he might not be compelled to go beyond Sea with Horse and Arms in the expedition at that time made In 13 Ioh. he paid seven pound ten shillings upon levying the Scutage of Scotland and fifteen marks for the Scutage of Wales About which time it was certified that there belonged six Knights Fees and an half to this his Honor of Dursley Where or how the Male-line of this Noble Family ceased I shall not trouble my self with the inquiry in regard the Barony was gone before for Robert Fitz-Harding a powerful Man in his time obtaining a Grant of the Castle and Honor of Berkley from Henry Duke of Normandy Son of Maud the Empress possessed himself thereof Whereupon his Descendants assumed that sirname which together with that Castle and Barony continueth to them in the very Male-line to this day Being therefore according to my method to speak next of this Robert I may not omit to take notice That Harding his Father is by some said to have been the youngest Son to one of the Kings of Denmark and by others Ex Regiâ prosapiâ Regum Daniae ortus Descended from the Royal Line of those Kings which little differs in point of honor and dignity And that accompanying Duke William of Normandy in that signal expedition which he made into England he was in that memorable Battle with him against King Harold wherein being victor he thenceforth became King of this Realm But all I have farther seen of this Harding is That after that Conquest he held Witenhort now called Whetenhurst in Com. Gloc. of Earl Brictrick in mortgage and that he died 6 Nov. 16 Hen. 1. I return therefore to Robert commonly called Robert Fitz Harding This Robert firmly adhering to Maud the Empress and her Son Henry Duke of Normandy had in remuneration of his fidelity and services done unto them in their great contests with King Stephen from the said Duke afterwards King by the name of Henry the Second first a Grant of the Mannor of Betthone and a hundred pound Lands in Berkley and after that the whole Lordship of Berkley and all that territory thereabouts called Berkley Hernesse thereunto belonging Of which Lordship and Territory Roger de Berkley owner of Dursley who held it of the Crown in Fee-Farm was then devested in regard that he took part with King Stephen So likewise of Dursley by reason of his refusal to pay the Fee-Farm of Berkley above expressed But through the Mediation of divers Lords of this Realm Roger obtaining Dursley again ceased not to vex this Robert Fitz-Harding for Berkley so taken from him as hath been observed Whereupon complaint being made to Duke Henry he wrought this following Agreement betwixt them viz. That Roger should give Alice his Daughter in marriage to Maurice the Son of this Robert Fitz-Harding together with the Town of Slimbrigge as a Portion Which accord being made at Bristol in the House of him the said Robert Fitz-Harding in the presence of King Stephen and Duke Henry it was then farther covenanted That she the said Alice should have twenty pound Land of the Fee of Berkley for her Dowry And in case the said Maurice should die before the accomplishment of that Agreement the like performance should hold for the next Son of the same Robert Fitz-Harding So likewise in case Alice should depart this life the like Covenants to be observed for her next Sister Morever it was then farther concluded That the eldest Son of that Roger should take to Wife one of the Daughters of the said Robert Fitz-Harding and receiving ten pound ten shillings Land in Dursley by way of Portion to make her a Dowry of the Mannor of Siston near Bristoll Other Sons this Harding before-specified had viz. Nicholas who in 12 Hen. 2. residing in Somersetshire held there two Knights Fees and an half of the King Elias Iordan and Maurice as also three Daughters Agnes the Wife of Hugh de Haselee Maud and Cicely But I proceed with Robert This Robert after Henry Duke of Normandy by the death of King Stephen arrived to the Crown of this Realm obtained a Confirmation of his former Grant for Berkley and Berkley-Hernesse to hold to himself and his heirs by the service of five Knights Fees And in the twelfth of that Kings Reign upon the Assessment of the Aid for marrying of Maud the Kings Daughter to Henry the Emperor certified the Knights Fees he then held to be in number five but that Roger de Berkley then held certain Lands belonging to the Honor of Berkley for which he performed to him no service scil Oseword and half Niwetone with all the Fee of Bernard the Chaplain For
these five Knights Fees this Robert answered five marks in 14 Hen. 2. By Eva his Wife Foundress of a Religious House called the Magdalens near Bristoll and at length Prioress there he had issue four Sons Henry Maurice Robert and Nicholas Which Robert the third Son commonly called Robert de Were in regard he was Lord of that Mannor lying near Axârigge in Com. Somers had also divers other Lordships in that County And in 4 Rich. 1. gave sixty marks for Livery of the Inheritance of Alice Paynell the first Wife of Robert de Gant whose Daughter and Heir having married he had issue by her a Son called Maurice de Gant and founded the Hospital of S. Mark at Bileswike near Bristoil This Robert Fitz-Harding died the fifth of February An. 1170. 17 Hen. 2. and with Eva his Wife lieth buried in the Quire of S. Augustines Abby near Bristoll whereof he was pious Founder To whom succeeded Maurice the second Son for Henry died young as it seems who in 2 Rich. 1. for the better securing of his Title to Berkley and Berkley-Hernesse so granted to his Father as hath been observed gave a Fine of a thousand marks to that King for his farther confirmation thereof This Maurice ratified to his Brother Robert those Grants which his Father had made unto him of the Mannors of Bevertan and Kings Weston and gave to his Brother Nicholas the Mannors of Hill and Nunesfield To the Abby of S. Augustines near Bristoll of his Fathers Foundation he gave one Hide of Land in Hinton near Berkley one Yard Land at Alkintoâ and another at Old-Minster in Hinton He likewise founded the Hospital of Lorwing betwixt Berkley and Dursley as also the Hospital of the Holy Trinity of Longbrigge at the North end of Berkley And having married Alice the Daughter of Roger de Berkley of Dursley before mentioned by whom he had issue six Sons viz. Robert Thomas Maurice William Henry and Richard departing this life 16 Iunii An. 1189. 1 Rich. 1. was buried in the Parish Church of Brainford near London towards the building whereof he had been a special Benefactor Which Robert in 3 Rich. 1. gave a thousand pounds for Livery of his Inheritance and in 1 Ioh. obtained another Charter of Confirmation from that King of all Berkley and Berkley-Hernesse with divers Liberties for which Confirmation he paid sixty marks the next ensuing year But having taken part with the Rebellious Barons against King Iohn he at length scil in 15 Ioh. made his peace covenanting to furnish that King with ten Knights well accoutred with Horse and Arms to serve him in his Wars of France for one whole year at his own proper charges so that the King would acquit him of his five hundred marks Fine paying at the end of the year the remainder not defalked by the service of those Knights But this Agreement was shortly after altered thus viz. That he the said Robert should then go in person with five Knights only and with the other five the next year and so be discharged of the whole Fine After which the same year he had a Grant of the custody of the Forest of Alweston between Berkley and Bristoll But it was not long after ere he fell off again joyning himself to those turbulent spirited Barons who met at Stamford in an hostile manner under colour of claiming their antient Rights and Liberties for which he was with divers others not only excommunicated by the Pope but his Castle of ãâã and all his Lands seised into the Kings hands and committed to the custody of Hugh de Vivonne the profits of his estate being disposed of to the maintenance of the Kings Castle at Bristoll But in 18 Ioh. obtaining Letters of safe Conduct to come to the King then at Berkley Castle he so far prevailed by his humble submission that he obtained his Mannor of Came for the maintenance of Iulian his Wife And in 1 Hen. 3. for Fine of nine hundred sixty six pound and one mark which was not paid till two years after making his peace for that transgression had restitution of all his Lands except the Castle and Town of Berkley which were still reserved to the Kings use whereof neither he nor his Brother who succeeded him could obtain the possession till the eighth of that Kings Reign In which composition he had allowance of two hundred and fifty marks for the service of five Knights performed by him in Poâctou for the space of one year and an half in King Iohns time This Robert however misled in those turbulent times was a very devout man as may seem by his many Works of Piety For to the Canons of S. Augustines near Bristoll he gave certain Lands in Arâââgham and Alkington as also divers Tenements within the Walls of Bristoll to celebrate the Anniversaries of Iulian and Lucy his two Wives He likewise gave them divers Lands lying within his Lordship of Hammâ with a great Wood called Ewecombe in Nibley as also his Land of Bagrugge Moreover he bestowed on them one Messuage and one Yard Land in Cowley likewise his Water-Mill at Berkley with the Custome and Multure of his Castle there and a Messuage adjoyning to the Mill for the maintenance of two Lamps in the Church of that Monastery one before the Hight Altar and the other before the Altar where our Ladies Mass was then celebrated and likewise one Messuage and one Yard Land in Hulmancote in the Parish of Cowley to buy two quartârs of Wheat yearly with Wine for Oblations at the Consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ. To the Church of Berkley for the maintenance of Divine Service there he gave certain Lands in that Parish To the Canons of Bradenstoke his Mannor of Westcote ot the Canons of Christ-Church-Ewiâeham in Com. Southampt he gave certain Lands in consideration whereof they maintained one of their Covent to sing perpetually for his Soul and for the Souls of his Wives and Ancestors To the Priory of Stanley which was a Cell to S. Peters in Glocester he gave a Water-Mill and divers Lands in Cowley To the Canons of Sudwike certain Lands in Berkley To the knights Hospitalers divers Lands in Hamme and some Houses in Berkley To the Monks of Kingswood one Yard Land at Swâây in Wotton with the Water-Mill and Lands adjoyning Likewise one Messuage and one Yard Land in Porkhampton with Pasturage for seven Sows one Boar and their Pigs of one year old likewise common of Pasture for fifty Sheep amongst his Tenants there as also certain fishing places in Severne near Chiselhunger Moreover he gave them a Water-Mill at Wortley and Lands adjoyning thereto with certain
other Lands called Bradpen as also Pasture for one hundred Sheep at Wortley and much more to the fabrick of their Church likewise four Yard Land at Erâingham with divers fishings there half a Yard Land at Ryham his new Mill at Berkley and one Yard Land near unto it one Yard Land in Hulmancorâ one at Swanhunger and all those Lands within and without the Walls of Bristoll which had formerly belonged to his Brother Maurice To the Canons of Hereford he gave two Yard Land in Arlingham and besides all this he Founded the Hospital of S. Catherines near Bristoll within his Lordship of Bedminster as also a Chantry in his Mannor-house there and likewise another Chantry in his Chappel at Portbury And having wedded two Wives viz. Iulian Daughter of William de Pontearch Niece to William Marshall Earl of Pembroke and Lucy Daughter of ... who surviving him became the Wife of Hugh de Gurney departed this life 13 May 4 Hen. 3. without issue being then about fifty five years of age and was buried in the North Isle of S. Augustines Abby near Bristoll over against the High Altar in a Monks Cowl on the Vigil of whose Obiit the Abbot had a Cake of two pence price and two Casts of Bread of there half-pence as also four pence for Wine Every Canon a Cake of a penny and every Fryer of the four Orders in Bristoll a Loaf Which Lucia in 4 Hen. 3. had in Assignation of the Mannors of Beminster Wulton and Slimbrugg for her support untill the Heir the said Robert her late Husband should have Livery of the Lands of his Inheritance and she her self reasonable Dowry Whereupon Thomas de Berkley his Brother and Heir giving a hundred pounds for his Relief had Livery of his Lands and in 8 Hen. 3. which was about four years after giving his two Sisters Sons as Pledges for his faithful custody thereof had restitution of his Castle at Berkley About this time there having been some difference betwixt this Thomas Lord Berkley and the Abbot of S. Peters in Glocester touching the Church of Slimbrugg the Abbot in consideration of a certain place called Lorling given by him the said Thomas to the Priory of Stanley which was a Cell to S. Peters quitted his interest in the Church of Slimbrugge In 26. Hen. 3. this Thomas offered a Fine to the King of sixty marks to be freed from attending him into Gascoigne Whereupon the King being then at Xantome dispatched Letters to him importing That he would acquit him thereof in case he would send Maurice his Son with two other Knights which he accordingly did Touching his Works of Piety it appears That he gave to the Abby of S. Augustines near Bristoll divers Lands and Rents in Cowley Berkley and Hintoâ with Common of Pasture for twenty four Oxen between Longbrigge and Egeton near Berkley As also to the Abby of Kingswood divers Messuages and Lands in Hamme near Simondsal appointing That part of the Rents thereof should be distributed to poor people on the day of his Anniversary Likewise certain Lands in Slimbrigge for the maintenance of certain Lights to burn before the Images of our Lady and S. Catherine in the Chantry there and to the Canons of Bradenstoke all his Lands in Uleigh And departing this life 29 Nov. An. 1243. 28 Hen. 3. was buried in the South Isle of S. Augustines Abby near Bristoll in that Arch next to the Rood Altar leaving issue by Ioane the Daughter of Ralph de Somey Lord of Campden in Com. Gloc. and Niece to William Marshal Earl of Pembroke six Sons viz. Maurice Thomas Robert Henry William and Richard and Margaret a Daughter Wife of Sir Anselme Basset Knight Which Ioane surviving him had in lieu of her Dowry an Assignation for life by her Son Maurice of the Mannor of Wotton with the third of those Lands which Thomas her younger Son then newly dead without issue held in Egge as also of the Mannors of Came Cowley Hurst Alkington and Hinton Which Maurice paying one hundred pound for his Relief and doing his homage had the same year Livery of his Inheritance This Maurice besides the accompanying of his Father in the Wars of France in 41 H. 3. was in that expedition with Prince Edward against the Welsh In 42 43 44 Hen. 3. he had Summons to attend the King well accoutred with Horse and Arms into Wales Lewelin ap Griffin being then in Arms. In 45 Hen. 3. he obtained a Grant of forty marks yearly pension out of the Exchequer until the King should better provide for him And the same year the Barons being in Arms against the king received the Kings Precept to be at London on the morrow after Simon and Iudes day well appointed with Horse and Arms for his assistance In 46 Hen. 3. he procured a Charter for Free-Warren in his Lordship of Wenden in Essex as also a Market there every Tuesday and a Fair yearly on S. Peters day that Mannor being part of the Marriage portion of Isabel his Wife In 47 Hen. 3. he had Summons to be at Hereford with Horse and Arms to march against Lewelin Prince of Wales But soon after this the Barons putting themselves again in Arms he adhered to them for which his Lands were seised by the King as it seems For in 48 Hen. 3. which was the next ensuing year the King having a respect to Isabel his Wife whom he calls his beloved Neice assigned the Mannors of Herâetsham and Torteâclive for her maintenance But for that transgression he obtained pardon in 55 Hen. 3. This Maurice gave to the Abby of S. Augustines near Bristoll divers Lands in Berkley Bevington Walgaston and Erlingham and Common of Pasture for their young Cattle and Swine with his own Herds in divers of his Lordships within the Hundred of Berkley as also in Portbury Likewise Common of Pasture for twenty four Oxen seven Sows and one Boar in Wuâmergaston and Hamme Moreover for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Mary his Wife he gave to the Monastery of Bâanchland a Water-Mill with certain Lands in Bedminster and to the Monks of Kingswood one Messuage and certain Lands in Hamme and Berkley And having married Isabel the Daughter of Maurice de Creoun a great Baron in Lincolnshire by Isabel his Wife Sister to William de Valence Earl of Pembroke by whom he had issue Maurice killed in Tourneament in his own life time Thomas who succeeded him and Robert he departed this life 4 Apr. An. 1281. 9 Edw. 1. and was buried in the North Isle of S. Austins Abby beforementioned being then seised of the Mannors of
the interposition of Philip Morgan then Bishop of Worcester before specified and divers Gentlemen of the Countrey he was constrained to leave hiâ siege This Iames therefore well discerning the potency of that Earl saw no way to right himself but by the power of some greater Man and accordingly applied himself to Humphrey Duke of Glocester the Kings Brother to whom he promised a thousand marks to be paid within one year and an half after and so by his means obtained his Livery Which being effected he paid his Relief as a Baron and had Summons to Parliament thereupon But here it will not be impertinent to observe That part of the Award made by Philip Morgan Bishop of Worcester and Iohn Iuyn afterward Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings Bench for composing some of the differences upon a Reference and Mutual Bonds by the said Earl and this Iames was made 24 Nov. 3 Hen. 6. The other whereby the Mannors of Wotton Simondsall and Cowley with certain Lands in Frampton upon Severne Cromall Acton Kingscote and Mochelhampton in Com. Gloc. The Hundreds of Harclive and Portbury the Mannors of Portbury Limeridge-Wood Weston and Gordan and certain Lands in Uphill and Criâton in Com. Somerset which were Awarded to the said Earl for life as also the Mannors of Came Hinton and Slimbridge with all Lands therein being in Com. Gloc. to the said Iames and the Heirs-male of his Body was made 6 Octob. 4 Hen. 6. And that this Peace held for thirteen years ensuing viz. So long as that Earl did live But after his death notwithstanding that Arbitrement it was by several Inquisitions found that he died seised of all those Lordships and Lands before mentioned as Tenant by the Courtesie of England and that Margaret Eleanor and Elizabeth were his three Daughters and Heirs Which Inquisitions were so found through the means and interest of the Husbands of those Daughters all very powerful Men in that time Nevertheless this Iames kept the possession of Cowley Wotton and Simondsall as he did of Came and Hinton for full three years but not without great Sutes Contentions Quarrels and some Bloodshed Howbeit after all this viz. From the seventeenth to the six and twentieth of Henry the Sixth another Award was made at Cirencester betwixt this Iames and those three Coheirs with their respective Husbands by the Lords Ferrers and Beauchamp Sir Iohn Fortescue and William Yelverton Justices of the Court of Kings Bench and others wherein reciting the former Award so made by the Bishop of Worcester and Judge Iuyn they again Awarded to those three Coheirs the Mannors of Wotton Simondsall and Cowley in Fee as also all other the Lands in 4 Hen. 6. Awarded to the Earl of Warwick except twenty two marks Rent in Frampton and ten pound Rent in Slimbridge and to Iames and the Heirs-male of his Body the Mannors of Came Hinton Slimbridge Hurst Portbury and all other the Lands then in controversie in those places But that Award did not satisfie this Iames insomuch as all violent means being used to compel his assent thereto he kept home and manned his Castle with what strength he had for his own preservation his Lady in the mean time soliciting his business at London Hereupon Margaret the eldest of those three Coheirs then Countess of Shrewsbury being thus seised of Wotton Simondsall Cowley c. by practise with one Rice Tewe a servant to this Lord Iames and his Porter of Berkley Castle got the Lord l'Isle her Son with a number of armed Men into it and there surprising the Lord Iames and his four Sons kept them in prison by the space of eleven weeks by which hard usage he was forced to seal unto certain unreasonable Covenants And shortly after carried them with strong Guards unto the Grey-Fryars at Bristoll and there compelled them to be bound in divers Recognisances of the Statute Staple in twelve thousand two hundred and eighty pounds to the Earl of Shrewsbury and the said Margaret his Countess whereunto for fear of being murthered they did submit During which time of such their durance they were also forced to seal unto divers Deeds of Assurance of those three Lordships to the said Coparceners whereof one was a Lease for two years unto them and their Husbands of the very Castle of Berkley excepting Habitation and House-room for himself his four sons and six servants As also Releases and Bonds to perform all that they had been thus forcibly constrained unto and moreover to acknowledge divers Statutes before the Major of Bristoll in great sums to ratifie all Feoffments and Grants so injuriously from them extorted And after all this hurried them back to Berkley and thence to Cirencester where upon a Commission then sate this Iames pleaded his title as Heir-male by vertue of that Fine levied in 23 Edw. 3. But coming to the Bar after Replication Rejoynder and Sur-Rejoynder Issue being joyned and a Jury returned from the most remote parts of the Countrey the Jury found that Entail made in King Henry the Thirds time to Maurice Lord Berkley the second of that name and unto Isabel his Wife and the Heirs of their two Bodies according at it was laid down in the Inquisition taken after the death of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick before mentioned in 18 ãâã 6. and assessed Damages to an hundred ãâã and costs of Sute to twenty pounds Howbeit though Judge Bingham who lived twenty years after taking notice of those irregular actings would never certifie that Record yet it was after certified by his Widow upon a Writ of Certiorari in 4 Hen. 7. But notwithstanding all this the Lord Iames was not freed For his Lady being at Glocester following his business the Earl of Shrewsbury and his Son the Lord l'Isle being then also there to inquire upon the Oyer and Terminer imprisoned her in that Castle and there kept her till she died Nay such was the violence and cruelty of this Countess Margaret that she caused Iames and Thomas two younger Sons of this Lord Iames to be carried beyond Sea ãâã Iames was slain in the same Battle with Iohn Earl of Shrewsbury her Husband and Thomas being there taken prisoner was put to ransome She likewise kept this Lord Iames for full two years out of his Castle at Berkley and out of all the Lands and Lordships thereto belonging in the mean time making great spoil and waste upon them ¶ Having thus carried this worthy person through these many and not ordinary troubles and disturbances which attended that ãâã ânheritance so divolved to him by vertue of the Entail of his Great Grandfather I shall now briefly take notice of what is most memorable of him otherwise In 7 Hen. 5. upon that notable Rebellion of Owen Glendowr and the Welsh when the French
a power pulled down all the Houses and flew those who refused to submit The King of France therefore hearing what he had done sent summons to him to appear at his Court but he obeyed it not saying he had done no more then his duty Whereupon that King in great wrath caused an Edict for his Banishment to be published But so soon as he heard thereof he betook himself to the Castle of Monpesade which was well fortified where he was out of all danger The King therefore by his Messengers required that he should be delivered up and proceeded against according to the usage of that Realm But so soon as the King of England heard thereof he would not endure that for so just an act so brave a Souldier should have any molestation And the year following renewed his Commission for the government of that Dutchy though he held it not long after but leaving it he was the year following made Constable of Dovor Castle and Warden of the Cinqueports and in 20 E. 2. constituted Governor of the Isles of Garnsey Ieresey Serke and Aureny In 1 E. 3. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland And in 7 Edw. 3. again in Scotland upon the Kings service Moreover in 8 Edw. 3. he was constituted Justice of North-Wales And having been a good benefactor to the Canons of Launde of his Ancestors foundation those Canons in 16 Edw. 3. founded a perpetual Chantry for one Priest to celebrate divine service daily in their Conventual Church for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Ioane his Wife Daughter of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick This Ralph died 25 Febr. 17 Edw 3. leaving Ralph his Grandson viz. Son of Ralph who died in his lifetime Ann. scil 1333. 7 E. 3. his next Heir then eight years of age Which Ralph in 29 Edw. 3. making proof of his age and doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands and the same year went again into Gascoigne So also in 33 Edw. 3. In 34 Edw. 3. he served the King again in his Warrs of France and Normandy and in 35 E. 3. travailed into the Holy-Land In 39 Edw. 3. he was in another Expedition then made into Gascoign And in 40 E. 3. was of the retinue of Prince Edward with his Army in those parts In 42 and 43 E. 3. he continued also there And in 46 and 47 Edw. 3. was again in the Kings service in that Countrey So likewise in 1 Ric. 2. And in 2 Ric. 2. coming back underwent great perill at Sea by Tempest In 3 Ric. 2. he was again in that expedition then made into France under Thomas of Wodstoke Earl of Buckingham for the assistance of the Duke of Britanny then much oppressed by the French Moreover in 4 R. 2. he was again in France and in the retinue of that Earl Wherein he served with two hundred men at Armes and two hundred Archers himself with nine Knights being part of the number where he rode with his Banner displaid And in 7 Ric. 2. made his Testament at London whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Cathedral-Church of Lichfield if he should fortune to die in England and an hundred marks to be bestowed on his Funeral To that Cathedral he then gave two hundred marks for the yearly keeping of his Obit there as also two hundred marks more for the amortizing of Lands in Tamworth Wynecote and Pakyngton with a Mill called Wykford-Mill to the Monks of Canewell Moreover to the Abbot and Covent of Lavenden in Com. Buck. two hundred marks for amortizing the Mannor of Wardyngton to to that House To the Friers Augustines at Atherston five hundred marks for the repairing their House and Church To the Gray-Friers at Northampton two hundred marks for repair of their Church Cloyster and Refectory To the White-Friers at Coventre three hundred pounds To the Hospital of our Lady of Bethlem without Bishopsgate in London two hundred marks Appointing that his whole stock of Chattel upon all his Lordships and Lands should be distributed to his poor Tenants according to the discretion of his Executors Howbeit after this he lived some few years and in 9 Ric. 2. went with Iohn Duke of Lancaster and a great power into Spain for the recovery of the inheritance of Constance his Wife unto the Kingdom of Castile And in 10 Ric. 2. was reteined to serve the King in his Army which he raised that year for the defence of this Realm It is reported by one of our Historians that about this time King Richard discerning his Uncle the Duke of Gloucester and many of the Nobility to be much discontented at his Government in regard they saw that the Duke of Ireland and some others swayed all according to their pleasures so that the ruin of the whole Kingdome was in danger and that they therefore designed the removal of that Duke and his complices from the King by power he sent for the Lord Mayor of London to try whether the Citizens would stick to him against his Uncle and those of that party but was answered that the Citizens would not fight against them that were friends to him and the Kingdom And that this Lord Basset standing by then told the King that his life and estate had been ever ready at his service in the ways of truth and righteousness as also that if he should now be drawn into the Field they should be so still but added that he would not adventure a broken head for the Duke of Ireland Having thus given as large an account of this active person as I can I now come to his last Testament bearing date on Sunday next after the Feast of St. Hillary Anno. 1389. 13 Ric. 2. whereby he likewise bequeathed his body to be buried in the Cathedral Church of Litchfield near the Altar of St. Nicholas By this Testament he gave two hundred pounds over and above certain Tenements in Litchfield and Walshall unto the Priory of Canwell for the augmenting that Covent with five more Monks and to find one Priest perpetually to pray for his Soul and the Souls of his Ancestors at the same Altar of St. Nicholas and keeping his Obit with certain Lights as also to make a Wall towards the water and a new Belfrey And ordained the foundation of four more Chanteries where Prayers should be said for his Soul for ever viz. at Bethlem without Bishopsgate two In the Chappel of our Lady situate in the Church-Yard at Olney in Com. Buck. one and in the new Chappel built by himself at Colston Basset in Com. Notting one more for effecting of all which he gave two hundred pounds Moreover he ordained that the person whomsoever it should be that should first bear his Sirname and Armes according to the appointment of his last
Fee-ferm for the Rent of twenty pounds per annum to be paid into the Exchequer In 3 Ioh. he was constituted Governor of Oxford Castle And in 4 Ioh. executed the Sheriffs Office in that County for half that year In 5 Ioh. for the whole year and so to the sixteenth year of that Kings Reign inclusive In 7 Ioh. he gave five hundred marks to the King for the Wardship of Henry Earl of Warwick and that he might marry one of his Daughters to him In 15 Ioh. he attended the King into Poâctââ and adhering to him in those troubles which he then had with the Barons was one that attended him at Runnimede in the seventeenth of His Reign Moreover in 18 Ioh. he was joyned with Henry Earl of Warwick in the custody of Warwick Castle Nor was he less obsequious to King Henry the Third For in the first year of His Reign he was one of the Commanders of his Army in the Battle of Lincoln But in 4 Hen. 3. he died leaving his three Daughters his Heirs viz. Philippa Wife of Henry Earl of Warwick Ioane of Reginald Valletort and Alice of Iohn Biset Which Philippa was afterwards scil 21 Hen. 3. married to Richard Siward Basset of Wycombe THe first of this Branch was Alan Basset a younger Son to the first Thomas Basset of Hedendon To this Alan King Iohn was very bountiful first by a Grant of the Mannor of Winterbourne in Com. Wilts in 1 Ioh. which had been formerly given to him by Walter de Dunstanvill Next viz. in 5 Ioh. of the Mannor of Wycombe in Com. Buck. to hold in Fee-ferm by the Rent of twenty pound per annum payable to the Kings Exchequer And in 8 Ioh. of the Mannor of Bereweck which came to the Crown by the forfeiture of Adam de Port. This Alan likewise obtained from Gilbert Basset his elder Brother the Lordship of Comton near Cheping-Norton in Com. Oxon. And in 12 Ioh. paid an hundred marks for the Wardship of the Daughter and Heir of Ralph de Hastings Moreover in 14 Ioh. he gave an hundred marks that his Daughter might take to Husband the Son and Heir to William de Lanvaley And in 16 Ioh. had Scutage of his Tenants who held of him by Military service because his Son was then in Poictou in the Kings Army In 17 Ioh. he was with the King at that great meeting with the Barons at Ruââimede And in the eighteenth had a Grant from the King of the Lordship of Menster in Com. Oxon. Which Iohn Lovel had formerly given in Dower to the Daughter of this Alan In 1 Hen. 3. he obtained the Wardship and Marriage of the Heir of William de Montacute Moreover in 6 Hen. 3. he was Sheriff of Roteland and after that to the tenth of Henry the Third inclusive This Alan confirmed to the Monks of Lewes in Sussex the Grant of the Church of Winterbourne which Walter de Dunstanvill his Uncle had formerly given unto them and died in 17 Hen 3. leaving issue Gilbert his Son and Heir which Gilbert then doing his homage had Livery of his Lands as also Warine and Philip two younger Sons who all joyned with Richard Marshall Earl of Pembroke in that Insurrection then by him made Which Warine was slain the same year at the Siege of Caerdiff Castle This Gilbert in 16 Hen 3. was made Governor of S. Briavels Castle and of the Forest of Dean in Com. Gloc. In 17 Hen. 3. the King being much discontented with him for adhering to Richard Marshal Earl of Pembroke as is already observed took from him a Lordship which he had obtained of the gift of King Iohn and when he demanded restitution thereof called him Traytor threatning him that if he did not speedily get out of his sight he should be hanged Whereupon being then outlawed he went on in an open and desperate way of mischeif and burnt the Town of Alâmundbury in Com. Huntingd. then belonging to Stephen de Seagrave But ere long discerning that the Earl of Pembroke did not succeed in his enterprises he with the rest of his adherents made their Peace with the King After which he was admitted of the Kings Houshold and to be one of his Council And in 19 Hen. 3. obtained a Grant of the Mannor of Kirklinton in Comitat. Oxon. which formerly belonged to Iohn Humetz Constable of Normandy This Gilbert married Isabel the Daughter of William de Ferrers and had with her in marriage all the Lordship of Greyweââ by the gift of Gilbert Marshal Earl of Pembroke her Uncle But in 25 Hen. 3. received so great hurt by a fall from his Horse in Hunting that he died thereof in few days Nor did his Son and Heir his only Child long survive him to the great grief of all that Family Whereupon the Inheritance came to Fouke Basset his Brother then Dean of York who in the thirtieth of Henry the Third paid the Fee-ferm Rent of Wycombe to the Kings Exchequer But he being a Clergy-man the estate at length divolved to Philip Basset his next Brother and Heir Which Philip with his other Brothers was of the party of Richard Marshall Earl of Pembroke in that Insurrection by him made in An. 1233. 17 Hen. 3. as hath been before observed But in 18 Hen. 3. was received to favor again and his Lands in the Counties of Essex and Northampton which had been seised on for that offence restored to him In 26 Hen. 3. this Philip had command to attend the King well fitted with Horse and Arms into Gascoigne to vindicate the injuries there done by the King of France In 27 Hen. 3. for the sum of one thousand marks he obtained the Wardship and Marriage of the Heirs of Maud de Lucy And in 29 Hen. 3. was sent with Roger Bigod Earl of Norfolk and some others unto the Council of Lions there to make complaint of the Papal exactions then exercised upon this Realm and to require remedy In 33 Hen. 3. the King taxing his Demesn Lands sent his Precept to the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire to impose a reasonable Tailage upon the Tenants of this Philip in his Mannor of Wycombe In which Town there was an antient custom That any person arriving to the age of twelve years might give sell or bequeath his Lands and serve on Juries in any Assise before the Kings Justices In 42 Hen. 3. he had Summons to attend the King at Chester on Munday next after the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist well furnished with Horse and Arms to restrain the hostile Incursions of the Welsh And the next year following upon the death of his Brother Fouke Basset before
of Beldesert And in 47 Hen. 3. upon that Insurrection then made by the Welsh he had amongst others command to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to repair to Hereford on Munday next after the Feast of the Purification of our Lady In which year he was constituted Governor of the Castle of Corff and Shirebourne So likewise the Castle and Mannor of Seggewike which belonged to Iohn Maunsell Howbeit no sooner had the Rebellious Barons made head at Oxford where forcing the Kings assent to their unreasonable Ordinances they caused a choice of twenty four persons to be made by whose discretion the Kingdom should be governed but that this Peter shewed himself one of the most forward amongst them being not only one of those twenty four so chosen to rule but when all the rest of them except himself and four others calmly considering the great confusion and peril then imminent by reason of that strange rupture were content that those Ordinances should be made void and the King restored to his former condition he joyned with them in opposing it And in the beginning of April next ensuing was in Arms against the King at Northampton where upon storming of that Town by the Royalists when many others were taken he fled to the Castle but was constrained the next day to render himself with his two Sons Peter and Robert who were all of them thereupon sent prisoners to Windsore Castle But long they continued not there for upon the fourteenth of May following hapned that fatal Battle of Lewes in Susseâ where through the too eager and far pursuit by Prince Edward of that Brigade of the Barons Army which he had routed the day being lost himself with the King his Father and many noble persons were made prisoners those Rebellious Barons then having all in their power within three days after issued out a Precept in the Kings name under the Great Seal dated the seventeenth of May unto Dru de Barentine at that time Constable of Windsore Castle requiring him forthwith to set this Peter de Montfort and those his two Sons at liberty Shortly after which Victory those Barons then agreeing amongst themselves that nine select persons should be authorised to exercise Regal Power whereof three at least to be constantly resident at Court for disposing the custody of all Castles and managery of other the most important Affairs as also for the nomination of the Chancellor Justices Treasurer and all other Officers great and small who had to do in the Government This Peter was appointed to be one of those nine Whereupon inter alia they constituted Commissioners to the King of France and to the Popes Legate to reform as they termed it and settle the Kingdom whose names I shall here recite viz. Henry de Sandwich Bishop of London Walter de Cantelupo Bishop of Worcester Iohn of Oxford Bishop of Winchester Hugh Despenser Justice of England Peter de Montfort id est this very Peter and Richard de Mepham Archdeacon of Oxford In which Commission bearing date at Canterbury upon Saturday next after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lady scil 8 Sept. there was a more especial power given to this Peter then any of the rest viz. That whatsoever he should swear to do the King must be obliged by it Dante 's insuper praefato Petro potestatem jurandi in animam nostram quod nos quicquid ipse in praemissis nomine nostro duxerit faciendum ratum habeamus acceptum these being the words thereof And after this by another Commission bearing date at Dover upon the twenty fourth day of the same Moneth of September he was singly sent to the before specified Legate to treat with him privately about those things with desire that he should make as quick a return as might be The intent of all this their application to the Legate being no other then to palliate their disloyal practises towards the King with fair and specious pretences to the Pope lest he should thunder out his curses as he afterwards did against them Moreover besides these eminent trusts it appears That by the same aâthority of the Kings Great Seal he was constituted Governor of Whitenton Castle in Shropshire 19 Dec. and the next day following of Hereford Castle unto which Castle about the midst of May ensuing they removed the King And on the twentieth of that Moneth of May had a Precept to Walter de Evereus then Sheriff of Herefordshire for delivery of the Issues of that County unto him for the better strengthning of that Castle Furthermore that nothing for conveniency in these high Trusts should be wanting to him he obtained by the same Authority a Grant of Prince Edwards Lodgings at Westminster During the time of his continuance in this power certain it is That he did much mischeif by divers hostile actions For it appears that after the King was restored by that happy Victory at Evesham in part of recompence for the losses which Robert Walrand sustained through plunder in his Lands at Kilpeck and Strivele by this Peter he had by the favor of that King a Grant of all the Bulls Oxen and Kine which were then upon the Lands of Blenleveny in Wales belonging to this Peter at the time of the Battle of Evesham But lo the instability of earthly greatness especially that which is raised by disloyal Subjects upon the designed ruine of their rightful Soveraign For it was not many days after that the Prince making his escape from that Castle of Hereford like a sudden flash of Lightning broke through a Cloud but that he raised such a powerful Army that on the day preceding the Nones of August next ensuing he came upon the cheif strength of those Rebellious Barons at Evesham in Worcestershire like terrible Thunder where obtaining an absolute Victory this our Peter de Montfort with divers more of the principal Actors in that Tragedy was slain Whereupon the then Sheriff of Warwickshire scil William Bagât received command to extend his Lordship of Beldesert and all other his Lands in those parts but proper resistentiam inimicorum by reason of the power of the Enemy as the Record expresseth they having then a strong Garison in Kenilworth Castle not far off being not able to do it the King directed a Commission to the Abbot of Bordsley and Prior of Studley to take notice of the particular numbers of Acres of Land Meadow Wood and Pasture and the value of each as also of those his Tenants who held in Villainage with the Rents and Services of the Free-holders and to certifie the same into his Exchequer This Peter took to Wife Alice the Daughter of Henry de Alditâley a great Baron in Staffordshire and had issue by her three Sons viz. Peter William and Robert
In 2 Ric. 1. he gave the King a thousand marks for the Wardship of the Heirs of Gilbert de Monemuthe And in 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 10 R. 1. was again Sheriff of Herefordshire In 6 Ric. 1. he paid fifteen pounds for Iohn de Monmouth upon levying the Scutage for the Kings Redemption but was acquitted from the Scutage of Normandy the same year in regard he was then in person with the King About this time Rese Prince of Wales besieging the Castle of Payne in Elvel belonging to this William was pleased to draw off his forces upon an amicable composition then made between them In 7 Ric. 1. this William and Oliver de Traci the other sharer in the Honor of Berstaple came to an accord touching that Barony by which it appears that Oliver did pass his title to the inheritance thereof unto this William he thereupon being content that Oliver should hold all those Lands for his life and receive an Annuity of twenty pounds from him for terme of his life also And in case the said Oliver should die leaving no issue by his then Wife and born after the date of this agreement that then all those Lands should remain to this our William and his Heirs for ever But if the same Oliver should have such an Heir so born as aforesaid then that the Mannor of Freminton with the appurtenances should come to this William and his Heirs with five Knights Fees there mentioned In 1 Ioh. upon levying the Scutage assessed after the Kings Coronation he accounted thirty marks for the Scutage of Iohn de Monmouth and forty five marks and an half for the Scutage of Adam de Port. In 2 Ioh. the King granted unto this William and his Heirs a special Charter dated at Faleise in Normandy that no Sheriff or other of his Officers should for the execution of their Offices lodge within the Lands of his Honor of Bâaose but that his own Officers should give Summons for all the Pleas there belonging to the King As also that the King's Justices Itinerant whensoever they were to come into the Baliwick of Faleise should sit at Braose and there hold plea of all things belonging to the King receiving entertainment for one day at the cost of this William And moreover by this his Charter granted to all the Tenants of this William within that his Mannor at Braose that they should be exonerated not only from all Carriages and Aid to the Sheriff or Constables of Faleise but from all Customs of Victual whatsoever which should be bought or sold at Faleise In the same year this William de Braose purchased of King Iohn for the summe of five hundred marks all the Lands of Philip de Wirecestre and Theobald Walter in Ireland but Philip de Wyrecestre recovered part of his again by a strong hand and Theobald by the help of his Brother Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury compounding for five hundred marks repossessed his again and became his liegeman If this were the Honor of Limeric as I suppose it was then is our Historian mistaken in the Summe for the Record expresly says that in this second year of King Iohn he gave the King five thousand marks for the Honor of Limerit excepting the City and Advouson of the Bishoprick and Abbies In 5 Ioh. the King bestowed upon him ten pound Lands at Frome in Herefordshire which were part of the Possessions of Stephen de Longchamp To this William and his Heirs it was that King Iohn granted or rather confirmed the whole Land of Gowher lying within the precincts of Kaermerdynshire in Wales to hold by the service of one Knights Fee In 5 Ioh. he gave a Fine of a thousand pounds to the King for the Widdow of Hugh Bardulf to be Wife unto one of his Sons It should seem that she thereupon married Iohn de Braose and that he died soon after For in 6 Ioh. the King issued out his Precept to the Barons of his Exchequer requiring them that in case fifty pounds of that money were then paid they should take no more then twenty five pounds of the remainder and acquit this William of all the rest Within two years following that Widdow gave to the King two hundred marks and five Palfries that she might not be distrained to marry again but continue a Widdow as long as she pleased and that she might enjoy her right to her Fathers Barony In 7 Ioh. this William de Braose gave eight hundred marks three Horses for the great Saddle five ... Chacuros twenty four ... Senâas and ten Grey-hounds to have Livery of the Castles of Grosmont Skenefrith and Lantelio which were of his inheritance and which he held of the King by the service of two Knights Fees In 10 Ioh. the King perceiving that this his Realm was interdicted by the Pope and therefore fearing more mischief sent Souldiers to all the great men of England especially to those of whom he stood in any doubt requiring Hostages from them to the end he might the better reduce them to his Obedience in case they should be absolved from their due Allegiance by his Holiness Whereupon some delivered up their Sons and others their Nephews and near Allies Coming at length to this William and requiring from him the like Hostages they found a Rub for Maud his Wife stept out and told them in short that she would not suffer any of her Children to come into the Kings Hands in regard he had basely murthered his own Nephew Arthur whom he ought to have treated honorably But William rebuked her for speaking thus rashly and said if he had in any thing offended the King he was ready to make satisfaction according to the judgement of the Court and the Barons his Peers upon assignation of a certain day and place without giving any Hostages Whereupon the Messengers returning and reporting to the King what had passed he presently sent his Souldiers and Officers to seize upon him privily and bring him to his presence but William having notice thereof fled forthwith together with his Wife and Family into Ireland As to this story of King Iohn's dealing with him it is in another manner related by some One saith viz. a Monk of Lanthony that this William having Warr with his great Adversary Gwenhunewyn conquered him and slew more then three thousand of the Welch in one day at Elvel viz. on the morrow after the Feast of St. Laurence the Martyr Ann. 1198. which falls out in the last year of King Richard the first and that for this cause King Iohn disherited him and banished him the Kingdom without any formal judgement and that in this Exile he died As also that Maud his Wife with William his Son and Heir were then likewise cast into Prison and there died which Prison was the Castle of Corf Another delivers it thus This
William de Braose Son to Philip de Braose Lord of Buelt held the Lands of Brecknock and Went for the whole time of K. Hen. 2. Ric. 1. and King Iohn's Reigns without any disturbance until he took to Wife the Lady Maud de St. Walerie who in revenge of Henry de Hereford caused divers Welsh men to be murthered in the Castle of Bergavenny as they fate at meat And that for this and some other pickt quarrel King Iohn Banished him and all his out of England Likewise that in this Exile Maud his Wife with William called Gam his Son were taken and put in Prison where she died the tenth year after her Husband fought with Wenbunnyn in Elvail where he slew above three thousand Welsh And goeth on thus An. 1208. 10 Ioh. which agreeth with what Matth. Paris hath delivered upon this matter all England and Wales being interdicted by the Pope upon the sixth Kalends of May King Iohn seized upon the Lands and Castles of this William de Braose and Banished him and his as before hath been said And that whilst he was thus in exile Peter Fitz Herbert obtained of the King the third part of his Lands at Brecknock viz. Blenlevenny Talgard and Walashire Moreover that after this Giles one of the Sons of this William then Bishop of Hereford as his next Heir outed Peter in regard he had no just title to that Estate And not long after that this Bishop Giles being reconciled to the King and thereupon readmitted to the Possession of those Lands enjoyed them all his time and died in Ann. 1215. leaving them to his Brother Reginald But after all these various relations let us now hear the substance of the King 's own report which is upon Record though with a little mistake for it runs in the name of King Henry the second Whereas it should be King Iohn Geffrey Fitz-Piers who is one of the Persons mentioned therein being then Iusticiarius Angliae and not in King Henry the second 's time This William de Braose being indebted to the King in the Summe of five thousand marks of Silver for the Province of Munster in Ireland which had been demised to him and paying nothing at all of five years though he had made divers promises and appointed his own times and being moreover indebted for the Ferme of the City of Limeric for five years also and having paid no more then an hundred pounds which he delivered at Roan in part of what was due It was resolved that according to the Custom of this Realm and the Law of the Exchequer there having been full five years neglect his Chattels should be distreined for satisfaction therein Whereof having notice he caused them to be conveyed out of the way so that no distress at all could be found command was therefore given to Gerard de Achiis the King's Bailiff for Wales that for this debt he should distrein his Goods within that Territory Whereupon Maud de Haia Wife to this William and William Earl Ferrers his Nephew as also Adam de Port who had married his Sister with other of his friends came to the King then at Gloucester and intreated that he might be admitted to his presence to give him satisfaction in the premisses Which being granted and the King immediately removing to Hereford he there attended him and delivered up three of his Welsh Castles viz. Haie Brecknock and Radnoure to be held by the King untill those debts were paid and satisfaction given for his transgression within such a compass of time as then was assigned him at his own request laying moreover all his Lands in England to pledge for performance of what he thus undertook and likewise giving Hostages viz. his Son William de Braose the younger and one of the Sons of Reginald de Braose as also four of the Sons of some of his Tenants Notwithstanding which he made no performance at all in any of his promises but after some time when Gerard Acbiis the Kings Bailiff unto whom the King had committed the custody of those Castles sent to the Constables of them that they should repair to him for receipt of their pay which he used to make Monthly unto them this William having advertisement of their absence brought his two Sons William and Reginald with a multitude of the Countrey people and attempted enterance into each of them and when he saw that he could not effect what he aimed at went to Leominster in Herefordshire burnt half the Town and slew and wounded divers of the Kings Officers and inhabitants thereabouts Likewise discerning that Gerard de Achiis thereupon began to raise the Countrey he fled with his Family into Ireland and was there entertained by William Marshall Walter Laci and Hugh Laci though he was the Kings Enemy and for forfeiture of all he had here in England had left the Kingdom but that William Marshall and the rest to excuse themselves signified to the King that they would undertake he should come in within a certain time limited and make satisfaction for those his Offences and in case he failed so to do they would not harbour him any longer nor suffer him to stay in Ireland Howbeit this promise being not observed by any of them the King raised an Army with purpose to go into Ireland but whilest he was making such preparation this William came to the Kings Officers there and craved of them safe conduct to come into England to make his peace with the King Whereunto they assented taking his Oath that he would so do but no sooner was he landed in Wales having left his Family in Ireland then that he endeavored to do more mischeif In the mean time the Kings Fleet wherein his Army was being come to Pembroke William Earl Ferrers repaired thither and having obtained leave from the King to know the purpose of this William returned answer that he desired to come nearer so that he might by his immediate Messenger have speech with him Which being granted he came to the water side at Pembroke and made offer of forty thousand marks to purchase his peace and to have restitution of all his Castles and Lands as well in England as in Wales which had been seised on for those his Rebellious Exploits Whereunto the King answered That he knew full well it was not at all in the power of William to perform what he had so offered but rather of his Wife then in Ireland and that he should have safe conduct to go thither to confer with her and his friends there concerning the Fine he had proposed and to ratifie such Agreement as should be made betwixt them and if they should not accord thereupon to return again into Wales in the same condition he then stood But to this not consenting he stayed in Wales and after the King was gone into Ireland did more mischeif by burning of Houses Maud de Haya his Wife likewise hearing that the King was arrived in Ireland fled
Priory of Drax in Com. Ebor. for Canons Regular of S. Augustine Moreover he confirmed to the Monks of Selby that Grant which Ralph his Father made to them of the Land Meadow and Woods lying opposite to Roudcliff on the other side of the River Eyre and having married Iulian the Daughter of Robert de Bahantune of Bahantune in Com. Devon left issue Fulke his Son and Heir and Alice a Daughter married to Robert de Gant Of which Fulke I find that in 26 Hen. 2. he paid a thousand marks for Livery of the Honor of Baenton and that he gave his Mannor of Bruggewater to William Briwere But some great offence it seems he did commit for which he fled and for which his Lands were given to William Bardulfe By reason also whereof in 31 Hen. 2. William Briwere then Sheriff of Devonshire answered to the King for the Ferme of his Lordships of Baenton and Uffâcolum But in 1 Ioh. he had restitution of his Honor of Baenton again giving a thousand marks to the King for a Fine Nevertheless in 4 Ioh. being then in Normandy with the King at his Castle of Vire he was suspected of purposing to desert him Howbeit in the presence of divers Nobles there at that time he so far excused the matter as that the King taking his Son in hostage for his future fidelity received him to favor After which it was not long ere he died for in 10 Ioh. William his Son gave two hundred marks for Livery of the Lands whereof he died seised and that Ada his Mother might not be distrained to marry again And in 13 Ioh. gave one hundred pounds and one Palfrey to have for his life those Lands which he held by Sarah his Wife lying in Wadington Gartun and Wicheham which were seised into the Kings hands after her death But in 17 Ioâ being in Arms with other the Rebellious Barons of that time his Lands in Bampton and Ufculum in Com. Devon were seised and given by the King to Richard Malherbe Soon after which he died for in 2 Hen. 3. William Painell his Son gave an hundred sixty seven pounds twelve shillings and eleven pence for Livery of his Lands And in 12 Hen. 3. going on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land assigned Alice de Moyun his Wife Sister of William Brywer and Hugh de Sandford to pay at every three years end after that time twenty marks towards the discharge of his debts due to the King committing to them for that end the Mannor of Bampton But notwithstanding this the King sent his Precept to the Sheriff of Devon to seise all his Lands whereof he was possessed at the time of his pilgrimage To this William thus gone on pilgrimage succeeded William his Son and Heir then within age and committed to the custody of Matthew Fitz-Herbert with the benefit of his marriage Whereupon the next year following the Sheriff of Devon had command to give him Livery of the Mannors of Bampton and Ufculum The like Precept had the Sheriff of Somersetshire for the Mannor of Honespill This last mentioned William died in 33 H. 3. being seised of the Mannor of Bampton leaving Auda his Sister and Heir then the Wife of Iohn de Balun forty years of age Which Auda giving security for her releif viz. one hundred pounds had Livery of all the Lands whereof her Brother so died seised excepting the Dowry of Sybilla Wife of the said William which was thereupon assigned unto her giving security that she would not marry again without License ¶ I now come to Hugh Painell another Son of the before specified William Painell and Iulian de Bahamton as âghess In 9 Ioh. this Hugh had six Knights Fees belonging to his Mannor of Drax which King Iohn gave him And in 17 Ioh. being in Arms with the Rebellious Barons obtained Letters of safe conduct to come to the King to make his Peace which he offered by giving Bond for his future fidelity Howbeit until 3 Hen. 3. his Lands then seised on for that transgression were not restored After which time I find no more of him till 28 Hen. 3. that he died Lettice his Wife having then Livery of his Lands in the Counties of York and Lincoln until his Heir should be of full age ¶ Next to Adam Painell another Son of the before mentioned William and Iulian. In 6 Rich. 1. this Adam paid twenty shillings for his Scutage upon the Kings redemption and married the Widow of William Fitz-Williams Sister and Coheir of Robert Bardulf Lord of Hoo in Kent and of Castle-Carâeton in Com. Linc. This I conceive to be the same Adam who in 17 Ioh. was in Arms with the Rebellious Barons and afterwards returning to obedience was accepted to favor But it seems he fell off again whereupon all his Lands were given to Thomas Boterell and Henry Tibetot Howbeit in 9 Hen. 3. Ralph Paynell his Son doing his homage had Livery of his Purparty of the Lands of the before specified Robert Bardulf his Uncle ¶ About this time there was another Fulke Paynell a younger Son to the last mentioned Fulke as I suppose In 1 Hen. 3. this Fulke being in Rebellion his Lands were given to Hasculfe Paynell his Brother for his support in the Kings service Howbeit shortly afterwards viz. in 3 Hen. 3. he had Livery of the Mannor of Carletion in Com. Ebor. which was seised into the Kings hands with other of his Lands But long after this viz. in 45 Hen. 3. the King having been graciously pleased to declare That whereas he had long before promised to the said Fulke at his being with him in Britanny that upon his return into England he would make restitution of all those Lands which did by Inheritance belong to him and in regard he had not afterwards prosecuted his Livery for them they being not in the Kings own hands he did then in consideration of the laudable services performed by the said Fulke Grant unto William his Son and Heir That whereas those Lands were by judgment of the Kings Court Escheated to the Crown as the Lands of the Normans and consequently did of right belong to the King against those who then held them Or in case the King could otherwise recover them he would so far manifest his kindness to this William as that he should be obliged in all thankfulness unto him for the same Whereupon it seems that he and his son were admitted to some composition for in 1 Edw. 1. it appears that Iohn Paynell his next Heir having paid a Fine of one thousand three hundred and twelve marks for
the Redemption of those Lands obtained the Kings Precept unto the Barons of his Exchequer to make Inrollment thereof Which Iohn died in 12 Edw. 1. whereupon Iohn his Son and Heir had Livery of his Inheritance But dying without issue in 19 Edw. 1. Philip his Brother became his Heir who had thereupon the like Livery Which Philip departed this life in 18 Edw. 2. leaving Elizabeth his Wife surviving who had the Mannors of Ramesham and Comb-Keynes in Com. Dorset assigned for her Dowry and Iohn his Son and Heir Besides this last mentâoned William there was shortly after another William though how branched from this Stock I cannot say Which William in 30 Edw. 1. exhibited his Petition in Parliament on the behalf of Margaret then his Wife for the third part of the Mannor of Corpel in Com. Northampt. part of the Possessions of Iohn de Camoys her first Husband Whereunto the Kings Attorney answered That she ought not to have any Dowry therein by reason that divers years before the death of him the said Iohn she had departed from him and lived in Adultery with this William Paynell and that being never reconciled whilest he lived she ought not by force of the Statute concerning Women eloping from their Husbands and of their own accord living in Adultery with others and not after reconciled to have any Dowry at all Whereupon the said William and Margaret to manifest the consent of Iohn de Camoys for such her departure from him produced a formal Grant from the said Iohn in haec verba OMnibus Christi âidelibus ad quos praeseâs Scriptum pervenerit Johannes de Camoys filius haeres domini Radulphi de Camoys salutem in Domino Noveritis me tradidisse dimiâisse spontaneâ voluntate meâ domino Willielmo Paynell Militi Margaretam de Camoys filiam haeredem domini Johannis de Gatesden uxorem meam etiam dedisse concessisse eidem Willielmo relaxasse quietum clamasse omnia bona catallâ quae ipsa Margareta habet vel de caetro habere posset etiam quicquid mei est de praedictâ Margaretâ bonis vel ãâã cum pertinentiis ita quod nec ego nec aliquis alius nomine meo in praedictâ Margaretâ bonis catallis ipisus Margaretae cum suis pertinentiis de caetero exigere vel vendicare poterimus nec debemus imperpetuum Et volo concedo per praesens Scriptum confirmo quod praedicta Margareta cum praedicto domino Willielmo sit maneat pro volunt ãâã Willielmi In cujus rei testimonium huic praesenti Scripto Sigillum mâum apposui His testibus Thomâ de Depeston Johanne de Ferrings Willielmo de Icombe Henrico le Biroun Stephano Camer Waltero le Blound Gilberto de Batecombe Roberto de Bosco aliis Alleaging That she did cohabite with this William by the freewil and consent of the same Iohn and delivery of her as the words of the Grant do import Howbeit after great Arguments on each part in regard she was never reconciled to her said Husband but surviving him did afterwards formally mary this Sir William Paynell at length judgment was given that she should not have any benefit of that Dowry This William was summoned to Parliament in 32 Edw. 1. and so till 8 Edw. 2. inclusive And in 34 Edw. ãâã was of the retinue to Iohn de Warenne in the Wars of Scotland so likewise in 35 Edw. 1. But all I have farther seen of him is That he granted to the Canons of Heringham in Suffex his Mannor of Cokeham and thirty two Acres of Land in Lanucyngg with the Ferry at New Shoreham in Suffex and that he departed this life 1 Apr. 10 Edw. 2. being then seised of the Mannors of Littleton Paynell and Knighton Paynell in Com. Wilts Westcote in Com. Surr. As also of the Mannors of Wolbeding Atte-Fure Hamtoneâ and Okhangre in Com. Suss. And moreover that to him succeeded Iohn Paynell his Brother and Heir who in 10 Edw. 2. doing his homage had Livery of his Lands saving to Eva de S. Iohn the Widow of the said William her reasonable Dowry Which Iohn in 12 Edw. 2. obtained the Kings Charter for a Market upon the Tuesday every week at his Mannor of Littleton in Com. Wiltes as also a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow of the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist and departed this life the same year leaving Maud his Daughter and Heir thirty years of age Pantulf IN Anno 1074. 8 Will. Conq. William Pantolf a valliant Knight through the advice of Mainer the venerable Abbot of St. Ebrulfs at Utica founded the Abby of St. Peter at Norum and amply endowed it with Lands and Tithes as also with the Churches within his several Lordships both in England and Normandy and Tithes of all his possessions Moreover he gave all his personal Estate to be equally divided betwixt the Monks of St. Ebrulfs and those of Norum Roger de Montgomeric his superior Lord then residing at Beâesââe in Normandy adding his Confirmation thereto Furthermore in Ann. 1077. 10 Will. Conq. he accompanied Robert Abbot of St. Ebrulfs Brother to Hugh de Grentmesnill after he had been at the Dedication of the Churches of Cane Baieâx and Bec which were Consecrated the same year into Apulia at which time Robert Wigard then Duke of Calabria received him with much Honor and taking notice of his valor endeavored to retain him in his service with promise of ample reward setting him next to himself at dinner and offering him in case he would stay three Cities in Italy But it so falling out about this time Mabeâ the Countess being killed by Hugh de Salgei a stout and resolute Knight that this William was shrewdly suspected to be accessory to the murther in regard he had intimate familiarity with that Knight Whereupon Earl Roger de Montgomerie his superior Lord making seizure of all his Lands and seeking his life he fled to Utica with his Wife and Sons and there in great fear remained a long time under the protection of those Monks till at length through the importunity of divers noble persons it was concluded that he should undergo that severe Trial by Fire-Ordeall viz. to purge himself from the guilt of this foul murther by carrying a piece of Iron red hot in his Hands Which he did without any harme his Adversaries looking on with purpose to cut off his Head in case they had discerned him guilty After which having received great consolation in the height of his Adversity from the Abbot and Monks of Utica he gave them four of those Palls which he brought out of Apulia whereof four Copes were made for the Chanters in their Church at Utica
Adam by the before specified Mabel This William assumed the sirname of S. Iohn writing himself Willielmus de Sancto Iohanne filius haeres Adae de Port And in 5 Ioh. gave five hundred marks to the King for Livery of all the Lands of Adam de Port his Father Moreover he covenanted with him that he would provide ten Soldiers well fitted with Horse and Arms to serve him in Poictoâ for one whole year at his own proper costs In 16 17 Ioh. he executed the Sheriffs Office for the County of Southampton and in the same seventeenth year being one of the Barons then in Arms under colour of asserting the Laws c. did not return to his due obedience upon the death of King Iohn which shortly after hapned as many other did For in 1 Hen. 3. it appears that Iohn Maresâhall had then a Grant of all his Lands to support him in the Kings service But afterwards it seems he became loyal and regained the Kings favor for in 11 Hen. 3. he was trusted with the Government of the Isles of Gerâsey and Iârsey To this William de S. Iohn by Godchild the Daughter of N. Paganell his Wife succeeded Robert de S. Iohn his Son and Heir Which Robert in 38 Hen. 3. obtained a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesn Lânds at Warneford and Chauâon in Com. Southampt Hannac Stret-hopton Westâet-Hampton Godinewod Walberton and Bernham in Com. Suss. As also at âchisford in Com. Berks. And in 42 Hen. 3. had Summons amongst divers other great Men to be at Chester upon Munday next after the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist well fitted with Horse and Arms to oppose the incursions of the Welâh Moreover in 45 Hen. 3. he obtained License to fix a Pale upon the Bank of his Moat at Basing as also to continue it so fortified during the Kings pleasure And in 50 Hen. 3. was constituted Governor of the Castle at Porcesâer but died in 5â Hen. 3. or before for then had Iohn his Son and Heir by Agnes the Daughter of William de Cantilupe Livery of his Lands doing his homage Which Iohn in 51 Hen. 3. upon his Fathers death was likewise made Governor of the Castle at Porcester and in 10 Edw. 1. being in that expedition their made into Wales had Scutage of all his Tenants in the Counties of Hereford Southampton Kent Sussex Berks and Warwick who held of him by Military service Furthermore in 21 Edw. 1. having the reputation of an expert Soldier was constituted the Kings Lieutenant in the Dutchy of Aquitane and had an Assignation of two thousand pound Tournois yearly for his expences in that service to be paid by the Constable of Bourdeaux Whereupon being sent into Gascoigne with five hundred Men at Arms and twenty thousand Foot he manned and fortified all the Cities and Castles in those parts But before the end of that year upon a Truce made with the French he sold the Provisions which were laid up in those Garisons and came for England by the way of Paris Shortly after which he was sent over to Iohn de Britannia Earl of Richmond the Kings Nephew and General of his Army in Gascoigne And in An. 1296. 23 Edw. 1. continuing in those Wars assaulted the City of Bayon by Sea with such success that it was soon rendred to him whereupon he laid siege to the Castle there and took it within eight days Thence he advanced towards Bellagard at that time besieged by the Earl of Arras but meeting with the Enemy whose strength was too big for him was taken prisoner and sent to Paris It is said that being thus prisoner Alfonsus King of Leon redeemed him and that being so enlarged and trusted by Alfonsus he delivered up his Countrey to the Enemy Howbeit after this viz. in 25 Edw. 1. he was again in the Wars of Gascoigne and in An. 1299. 27 Edw. 1. was sent with great Forces into Scotland where he continued the next ensuing year Shortly after which viz. in 29 Edw. 1. he was one of the Ambassadors sent with Iohn Earl Warren and others to treat with the Ambassadors of France for a Peace with the Scots but departed this life the next year following leaving issue by Alice his Wife Daughter of Reginald Fitz-Piers Iohn his Son and Heir eight and twenty years of age being at that time seised of the Mannor of Halnaked with the Mannors of Walâerton Bernham and Woodcote in Com. Suss. as Members thereof of the Mannor of Shâreburne in Com. Southampt Which he held in capite of the King by Barony doing for it the service of half a Knights Fee as also of the Mannor of Basââge as a Member of the Barony of Shireburne Moreover of the Mannor of Chaâton in the same County and of the Mannor of Eard in Kent Which Iohn doing his homage the following year had Livery of the Lands of his Inheritance excepting the Dowry of Alice his Mother This Iohn was summoned to Parliament in 28 Edw. 1. his Father then living by the name of Iohn de S. Iohn junior And in 31 Edw. 1. was in that expedition then made into Scotland so likewise in 34 Edw. 1. Moreover in 35 Edw. 1. petitioning the King that he would direct his Precept to Hugh le Despenser at that time Justice of the Forests to permit him to enjoy his Park at Shireburne which his Father had made it was answered That what Parks soever had been made since the Deafforestation of the Forests they should be laid open And in 2 Edw. 2. confirmed to the Monks of Shireburne that gift which Robert de S. Iohn his Grand-father had formerly made unto them of the right Shoulder of every Deer which should be killed in his Park at Shireburne Of this Iohn it farther appeareth That in 3 Edw. 2. he was in that expedition then made into Scotland and that in 4 Edw. 2. he had Summons to be at Newcastle upon Tine with twenty Men at Arms upon the morrow after All-Souls day Likewise that in 7 Edw. 2. he was again imployed in those Scotish Wars and in 8 Edw. 2. that he received farther command to be at Newcastle upon Tine upon the Feast day of the Assumption of our Lady well fitted with Horse and Arms for the like purpose In 10 Edw. 2. he was again in the Wars of Scotland but departed this life 14 Maii 12 Edw. 2. leaving issue by Isabell his Wife Daughter of Hugh de Courtney Hugh his Son and Heir twenty six years of age in 3 Edw. 3. being then seised together with the said Isabell long before deceased of the Mannor of Ludesheet in Com. Southampt
great Barons in regard that Poictovins and other strangers were advanced into the chief places of Trust the King therefore requiring the Barons-marchers to give Hostages for their fidelity till more peaccable Times this Thomas being one of those Barons delivered up Roger the son of Richard Corbet for his pledge into the hands of Walter de Laci In 20 Hen. 3. this Thomas having a sute with Avice and Lucie the daughters and heirs to Roger de Say for a Wood at Ambaldeston they recovered it by a Tryal upon an Assise of Novel disseisin In 22 Hen. 3. the King having intelligence that Lewelin Prince of Aberfraw had caused David his son to take Homage of the great men in North-Wales and Powys sent his Precept to the Barons-marchers of which this Thomas was one to attend him at Oxford upon Tuesday next after the xv me of Easter there to consult touching that matter In 30 Hen. 3. upon an Inquisition taken concerning the Lands of this Thomas it was found that his Mannors of Worthyn Hortone Cauz Munsterlegh Yokehull and Wentenâure were out of the bounds of the Forest. Also that the Tenants of Robert Corbet after they became his Tenants paid Toll at Sbrewsbury and Montgomery but that they never paid any at Montgomery before the time that Wenewine his daughter was married In 32 Hen. 3. this Thomas was constituted Sheriff of the Counties of Salop and Staff and continued in that trust for the thirty third and half the thirty fourth year In Iune 41 Hen. 3. he attended the King in his Expedition into Wales and in Iuly had command to assist Hamon le Strange in preventing the Incursions of the Welch towards Montgomery Also the next year following he had command amongst other of the great men to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to attend the King at Chester on Monday next after the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist thence to march against the Welch And in 44 Hen. 3. had summons to repair to the Marches with all the power he could raise for the defence of those parts against the Welch then in hostility In 47 Hen. 3. he received the King's Precept requiring him to be at Hereford upon the third day after the Epiphany well accoutred with Horse and Arms to march against the Welch who had then possessed themselves of divers Lands belonging to the King's Subjects in the Marches And in like sort to be Ludlow upon the Octaves of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin This Thomas died in 2 Edw. 1. being then seised of the Mannors of Caus Worthyn Yokethull Wentenoure Munsterleg and Aston leaving Peter his son and heir who doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands paying his Relief Which Peter in 10 Edw. 3. was in that Expedition then made into Wales and in Iune 22 Edw. 1. had summons forthwith to attend the King to advise about the most important Affairs of the Realm and soon after that received a farther command to be at Portsmouth well fitted with Horse and Arms thence to sail with them into France In 25 Edw. 1. he was again in the Wars of France Moreover in 27 Edw. 1. he was by Inquisition found to be one of the next heirs to Roger de Valletort a great Baron in the West and having been first summoned to Parliament in 23 Edw. 1. departed this life in 28 Edw. 1. being then seised of the Mannor of Yokesthull a member of Caus as also of the Mannor of Dinnewesâon likewise a member of that Barony Thomas his eldest son who married Ioane the daughter of Alan Plokenet being dead before him in Anno 23 Edw. 1. without issue so that Peter the next son became his heir being at that time thirty years of age and thereupon doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands Which Peter in 8 Edw. 2. had summons to repair unto Newcastle upon Tine upon the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin well fitted with Horse and Arms to restrain the Incursions of the Scots And having had summons to Parliament from 30 Edw. 1. until 15 Edw. 2. inclusive departed this life the same year without issue being then seised of the Mannors of Caus Iokeshull Bâzeham Shelve Dunne-weston Forton Hemme Over-Gorther and Bagelcroft in Com. Salop. which he held by Barony viz. by the service of five Knights Fees Also he held joyntly with Beatrix his Wife the Mannors of Huberton Bryxham and Silpherton in Com. Devon and left Iohn his brother and heir twenty four years of age Which Beatrix was joyntly enâeoffed with him in the Mannors of Caus Munsterley Iokethulle Worthyn Wentenoure Shethe Byâneweston Forton Hemme Over-Gorther Nether-Gorther and Bagheltreâe in Com. Salop. and to the heirs of their two bodies as also in the moity of the Mannors of Hurberton and Brixham in Com. Devon to them and the heirs of their two bodies and for want of such issue to hââ heirs And in 21 Edw. 3. died seised of such estate as is before expressed in the Mannors of Caus Munsterley Yokton Worthyn Wyntenoure Shelbe Fortone Over-Gorther Nether-Gorther and Burghalââre in Com. Salop. By which Inquisition it was also found that Thomas Corbet Ancestor to the before-specified Peter heretofore dying seised of those Mannors had issue a Son called Peter and three Daughters viz. Alice Venice and Emme Likewise that the said Peter had issue Peter his son and heir and that Peter the son having married her the said Beatrix did pass all those his Lands and Lordships to Hugh de Bergum Clerk and that he by Fine levyed in the King's Court 31 Edw. 1. rendred them back to him and her the said Beatrix and to his issue by her It was likewise then found that the before-specified Alice became the Wife of Robert de Stafford and that by her he had issue Nicholas his son and heir and he Edmund and he Raphe then Lord Stafford viz. at the time when that Inquisition was taken Moreover that Emme the other Sister had issue Walter de Brompton her son and heir and he Brian and he Margaret and Elizabeth became his daughters and heirs As also that Margaret took to Husband Robert de Harley and Elizabeth the Wife of Edmund de Cornwall so that Raphe Lord Stafford and Margaret the Wife of Robert de Harley with Elizabeth the Wife of Edmund de Cornwall were the next heirs to the before-specified Peter Raphe Lord Stafford being then thirty two years of age Margaret forty six and Elizabeth forty two Which coheirs coming to an Agreement the same year for parting the Lands of their Inheritance Raphe Lord Stafford had for his Purparty the Castle of Caus intirely with its Appurtenances the Knights Fees being at that time likewise shared betwixt them ¶ Of this Family there was also Roger Corbet
her Heirs at law and him touching her Inheritance of the moity of the Barony of Burgh they claiming the present possession thereof and he the continuing it during his own life by the courtesie of England having had a Child by her which was born alive but for ought I find the Heirs prevailed This Eustace afterwards had to Wife Agnes the second daughter of Ioane de Percy which Ioane was fifth daughter and one of the coheirs to William de Bruâre a great Baron that age ¶ There was likewise about that time another Bernard de Baillol who in 28 Hen. 3. had a Grant of the marriage of Agnes the Widow of Richard de Percy to the end he might take her to Wife if he could obtain her consent But to return To Hugh de Baillol succeeded Iohn his son and heir who in 13 Hen. 3. paid one hundred and fifty pounds for his Relief of those 30 Knights Fees he then hold and upon collection of the Scutage of Kery in Wales had a special discharge for them This Iohn married Dervârguill one of the three daughters and heirs to Alan of Gâlway a great Baron in Scotland by Margaret the eldest Sister of Iohn Scot the last Earl of Chester and one of the heirs to David sometime Earl of Huntingdon by reason whereof he was seised of Galwey in Scotland and had in her right an Assignation of the Mannor of Thorkesây in Com. Linc. as also of Gernemuth and Luddingland in Norfolk until the King should make them a reasonable exchange of other Lands in satisfaction of her part of the Earldom of Chester In the Parliament held at London 28 Hen. 3. requiring a pâcuniary Aid from the people for discharge of that debt which he had contracted by his Expedition into Gascoigne upon their advice the preceeding year this Iohn was one of the twelve then chosen to consider of it and to represent their opinion therein to the Parliament In 29 Hen. 3. he paid thirty pounds upon levying the Aid for marrying the King's eldest Daughter for the thirty Knights Fees he held Upon the death of Christian Countess of Albemarle Sister to Dervorguil his Wife the King's Eschaetor had command to assign unto this Iohn and Dervorguil all her part of the Inheritance of the same Christian lying in the Counties of Northhampton and Lincoln This Iohn executed the office of Sheriff in the County of Cumberland from the 33 to the 39 of Hen. 3. inclusive and was made Governour of the Castle of Carliste Upon the marriage of Margaret the King's Daughter to young Alexander King of Scotland the tuition of them both and of that Kingdom being committed to this Iohn de Baillol and Robert de Ros of Werke within two years after they were both accused before the King at Notingham for abusing their trust in that imployment the particulars wherein I have in my discourse of that Robert de Ros expressed but partly for his Father's sake who had been very serviceable to King Iohn in his greatest distresses and partly for money of which he had store he made his peace In 40 Hen. 3. he paid sixty pounds for the thirty Knights Fees he held upon levying the Aid for making the King 's eldest Son Knight And in 42 Hen. 3. had command to attend the King at Chester well accoutred with Horse and Arms to oppose the hostile Incursions of Lewelin Prince of Wales Also in recompence of his services to the King as well in the Realm of France as here in England he had a Grant of the Wardship of William de Wassingle instead of the sum of two hundred Marks which the King had bestowed on him for that respect In 45 46 and 48 Hen. 3. he under-went the Shireevalty for the Counties of Notingham and Decby and in 46 Hen. 3. had the custody of the Honour of Peverell committed to his charge And standing firm to the King in those troublesome Times when the Barons put themselves in Arms under colour of asserting the rights of the People did not submit to those Ordinances made at Oxford whereupon they seised his Lands and detained them till he sent his Son by the King's permission to undertake for him therein In 48 Hen. 3. being in Arms with the King against those Rebellious Barons he stoutly assisted him in that great defeat then given them at Northhampton but soon after fighting on his part was with him taken prisoner in that fatal Battel of Lewes yet made his escape at it seems for it is affirmed by my Author in reporting the power of Mountfort Earl of Leicester who at that time had the King in his custody that all England was then subject to that great Rebel excepting the utmost parts of the North which opposed his usurped dominion at the instigation of the King of Scots and this our valiant Iohn de Baillol And it farther appeareth that having authority from Prince Edward he there joyned with other of the Northern Barons and raised all the force he could for the King's Redemption as also that he died in 53 Hen. 3. leaving Hugh his Son and Heir twenty eight years of age who then doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands But of this Hugh I have not seen any thing memorable other than his marriage with Anne the Daughter of William de Valence Earl of Pembroke and that he departed this life in 56 Hen. 3. without Issue leaving Alexander de Baillol his Brother and Heir of full age the extent of whose Barony consisted in these Lordships viz. New-bigging Wodhorne with Lynmuwe and Hirst its members Haliwell Lynton Ellyngton and Cressewell Heyden with its members Bethfeld Nigram Heddon Staunfordham the moity of Dalton with its members Rihill Gunwarton with Swinborne a member thereof Newton del West Newton del Est Acum Stelling Ovington Eltrincham Mickeley Quiccunstal Faldirley Bromley and the moity of Bywell with Stokesfield Which Alexander dyed in 7 Edw. 1. whereupon the custody of his Lands was committed to Robert de Evre To whom succeeded Iohn de Baillol who in 10 Edw. 1. had Scutage of his Tenants in regard he was himself in the Welch Expedition at that time made This Iohn wedded Isabell the Daughter of Iohn de Warren Earl of Surrey and in 19 Edw. 1. was one of the chief Competitors for the Kingdome of Scotland the dispute whereof being by the joynt-consent of all totally referred to the decision of Edward the First then King of England the right was adjudged to this Iohn who thereupon enjoyed the Crown of that Realm where I shall leave him his Barony here being involved with that dignity And shall conclude with Alexander de Baillol Brother to this Iohn This
41 E. 3. bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Church of the Minoresses without Algate in the Suburbs of London within two days after her Death without any other Coât than a Blue Cloth and two Tapers of ten pound weight To which Covent she gave a Pair of Silver Candlesticks and xx Marks Moreover she gave to the Cathedral of St. Davids one entire Sute of Vestments of Velvet checquer'd Also to the Priory of Bergavenny where her Husband lay Interred a Sute of Vestments of Green Cloth of Gold To Iohn de Hastings her Son a whole Sute of Vestments red of Cloth of Gold To Ioane her Daughter the benefit of the Wardship of Raph de Greistoke as also a Bed with the Furniture of her Fathers Arms. And for her Executors constituting amongst others Iohn de Hastings her Son and Catherine Countess of Warwick her Sister died 25 Iuly 42 E. 3. Which Iohn the succeeding Earl of Pembroke in 42 E. 3. contracting Matrimony with Anne the Daughter of Sir Walter Manney Knight and at length Heir was necessitated to obtain a special Dispensation from the Pope for the same by reason that he had formerly married Margaret the Daughter of King Edward unto whom she the said Anne stood allied in the third and fourth Degrees of Consanguinity for which Dispensation he gave a thousand Florens of Gold to the Repair of the Church of the Monastery of St. Paul at Urbine and the same year attended Prince Edward in that Expedition then made into Aquitane Where after the Conquest of Burdeyll he marcht with the Earl of Cambridge to the Castle of Roche sur-Yone Then passing through Poictou was besieg'd in an House by S r Loyes of Sanxiere but after this he went into Anjou and there fell to wasting that Country In 43 E. 3. he continued still in those Parts being of the Retinue with Prince Edward So likewise in 44 E. 3. And in 46 E. 3. the Gascoins and Poictovins having had large experience of his Valour and Goodness caused S r Guischard de Angolesme to move the King that he might be sent thither Whereunto the King assenting he was forthwith made Lieutenant of Aquitane and came to the Port of Rochel the day preceding the Eve of St. Iohn Baptist being then about xxv years of age and that Place then Beleaguer'd by the French but was attended with very unhappy success for no sooner was he got with his Ships into that Haven but the Spanish Fleet fell suddenly upon him before he could put his Men in Order to fight so that few of them escaped Death Wounds or Imprisonment and yet without any considerable loss to the Enemy who forthwith set fire on all the English Ships carrying away this Earl with many other gallant Men with no less than twenty thousand Marks in Money sent over by King Edward to maintain the War Which unhappy Accident falling out upon the Festival of St. Aetâelred the Virgin which was the Eve of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativity occasion'd many to censure That God's Judgment so followed him for the injury he had done to the Church of that holy Virgin sc. Ely in a Cause betwixt the Church of S. Edmundsbury and it before his last departure out of England and that the Money so lost had no better luck forasmuch as it had been got from the Religious Houses and Clergy But others attributed it to his living an Adulterous life being a Married Man also that he had in Parliament attempted an Infringement of the Churches Liberties and that he had perswaded the King to lay greater Taxes upon the Clergy than Laiety for support of his Wars Which practice of pilling and poling the Church however the Temporal Lords saith my Author were pleased yet what success they had not onely England but the whole World hath sufficiently found I now come to speak of his Death the Circumstances whereof were as followeth viz. That shaving undergone four years Imprisonment in Spaine with most inhumane Usage he sent to Bertrand Clekyn Constable of France desiring that he would use some means for his Enlargement who thereupon interceding for him to the Bastard of Spaine then calling himself King obtain'd his Liberty in consideration of part of that Money due to himself which being agreed on he was brought to Paris But after his coming thither it was not long ere he fell mortally sick of Poyson as some thought given him by the Spaniards who were reputed to have such a special Faculty in that Art as that the Potion should kill at what distance of time they pleased The French therefore seeing his death approaching being eager to get his Ransom before he died made haste to remove him to Calais but on his Journey thither-ward he departed this Life upon the xvi th of April Iohn his Son and Heir being at that time but two years old and an half and was buried in the Quire of the Friers-Preachers at Hereford but afterwards for the Sum of C l. translated to the Grey-Friers near Newgate in London being then seised of the Mannors of Brampton and Lymmings in Com. Hunt Benham in Com. Berks. Shelford magna in Com. Cantabr Blounham and Kempeston in Com. Beds Berewyke Stoforde Odecombe Mulverton and Littel Mershton in Com. Somerset Yerdele Hastings Touceter and Wutton in Com. Northampt. Wigginton in Com. Staff Worâeild in Com. Salop. Oteley Reyden Badmunsfeld Lidgate and Wridlington in Com. Suff. Sutton Fornesete Winferthing and Ayshele in Com. Norff. Sutton Valence Est-Sutton Claydon Saurers Godewiston and Lucy in Com. Kanc. Totenham in Com. Midd. Padington and Westcote in Com. Surr. Nayleston Barwell and Burbache in Com. Leic. Aston Cantlow Fulbroke Burthingbury Allesley Filongley and Pilardington in Com. Warr. and Intebergh in Com. Wigorn. As also of the Castle of Striguil with the Town of Chepstow and Mannor of Todenham in Com. Glouc. and Marches of Wales and likewise of the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny the Castle and Lordship of Pembroke the Castles of Tinby and Kilgaran with the Commot of Oysterlow in the County of Hereford and Precinct of those Marches and moreover of certain Tenements in the Town of Calais likewise of the Dominion of Wâysford and divers other Lordships and Lands within the Realm of Ireland But here before I proceed farther I shall observe That this Iohn Earl of Pembroke in 43 E. 3. obtaining Licence for that purpose from the King made a Feoffment unto Walter Amyas and others of all his Castles Lordships Mannors c. in England and Wales to certain Uses Which Feoffment being left sealed up in the Hands of his Feoffees to be kept till his Return from beyond Sea was upon his death delivered to the King's Counsel at Westminster who then opening it found That in case
he died without Issue of his Body the Town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his Heirs and Successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and other his Lands in England and Wales to his Cousin William de Beauchamp viz. his Mothers Sisters Son in Fee provided he should bear his Arms and endeavour to obtain the Title of Earl of Pembroke And in case he should decline so to do then his Kinsman William de Clinton to have them upon the same Conditions Upon the death of this last Earl Anne his Wife surviving had thereupon for her Dowrie an Assignation of the Mannors of Sutton Wynferthing and Asshele in Com. Norff. Lydgate Badmondesfeild Otteleye and Wridlyngton with three Burgages within the Town of St. Edmundsbury in Suffolk the Mannors of Thoryton Est-Hannyngfeld South-Hannyngfeld with certain Lands in West-Hannyngfeld and Fanges in Com. Essex the Mannor of Totenham in Com. Midd. Podyngton and Westââte with certain Lands in Southwarke in Com. Surr. the Mannor of Benham in Com. Berâs with certain Lands in Fitelton in Com. Wiltes the Mannors of Brampton and Lyming in Com. Hunt Shelford in Com. Cantabr Blounham and Kempston in Com. Bedf. certain Lands in Repyngdon in Com. Derb. the Mannors of Allefley Filoâgley Aston Cantlow and Pillârdyngton in Com. Warr. and Mannor of Naâlesten in Com. Leic. Which Anne departed this Life upon Palm-sunday in 7 R. 2. Iohn her Son and Heir being then eleven years of age Of which Iohn I find that at the Coronation of King Richard the Second being then not five years of age he claimed to carry the great Golden Spurs and shewing sufficient Evidence of his Right to do that Service it was adjudged That by reason of his Minority another should be appointed to perform the same on his behalf viz. Edmund Mortimer Earl of March whose Daughter Philippa he married though very young but had no Issue by her for so it hapned that in 13 R. 2. the King keeping his Christmass at Wodstoke and there holding a Tournament being then but seventeen years of age he adventured to Tilt with Sir Iohn St Iohn and that by an unluckie slip of St. Iohn's Lance he was run into the bottom of his Belly so that his Bowels breaking out he suddenly died to the great grief of many in regard he was a Person of so Noble a Disposition that in Bounty and Courtesie he exceeded most of his Degree Which untimely death of his was then thought by many to be a Judgment upon the Family in regard that Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke his Ancestor was one of those who gave Sentence of Death upon Thomas Earl of Lancaster at Pontfract for it was observ'd that after that Judgment so given none of the succeeding Earls of Pembroke ever saw his Father nor any Father of them took delight in seeing his Child His Death thus hapning upon the thirtieth of December 13 R. 2. he was buried in the Church of the Grey-Fryers without New-gate in the Suburbs of London where he had a Noble Monument which at the general Dissolution of the Religious Houses by King Henry the Eighth was with the rest utterly defaced Dying thus without Issue Reginald Lordâ Grey of Ruthyn was by some Inquisitions found to be his Cousin and next Heir of the whole Bloud as descended Lineally from Elizabeth Sister to Iohn de Hastings Father of Iohn Great-grandfather of this Earl And by other Inquisitions Hugh de Hastings Son of Hugh Son of Hugh Son of the same Iohn de Hastings by Isabell the Daughter of Hugh le Despenser his second Wife also found to be his Heir-male but of the half Blood This Hugh in 14 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into Flanders and in 16 E. 3. summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm In 20 E. 3. being call'd Consanguineus Regis The King's Cousin he was constituted his Lieutenant in Flanders and Commander of all his Military Forces there against the French where they took above CCC Prisoners and brought them into England And in 20 E. 3. was in that Expedition then made into Britanny being of the Retinue to Henry Duke of Lancaster Moreover in 33 E. 3. he was in the Wars of Gascoine and in 40 E. 3. attended Iohn Duke of Laneaster into Spain After which viz. in 43 E. 3. he was in that Expedition then made into France and of the Retinue with the same Duke of Lancaster This is all of moment that I have seen of him I should now proceed to his Descendents But forasmuch as they never had Summons to Parliament I am not concern'd to speak of them Nevertheless forasmuch as Edward Hastings Great-grand-son to this Hugh had a long Contest with Reginald Lord Grey of Rutbyn for bearing the Arms of this Family it will not I hope be deemed impertinent to take notice that so little did Iohn Earl of Pembroke Father to the last Iohn regard his next Heir-male and so much dislike Reginald Grey Father to the last Reginald as that he Entailed the greatest part of his Lands upon William de Beauchamp before-mentioned Notwithstanding which Settlement the Right of Bearing the Arms was in those days of such esteem that the Contest for them sc. Or a Manch Gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey Son to the before-mention'd Reginald and Edward Hastings Brother and Heir to the last-mention'd Hugh lasted little less than xx years in the Court-Military before the Constable and Marshal of England Wherein after much Money spent Edward Hastings who so challenged them as Heir-male of the Family was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 d. ob q. Costs Grey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Arms adjudged to Grey but imprisoned sixteen years for disobeying that Sentence The particular Proceedings in which Business with the hard measure which Edward Hastings had for brevity I pass by But one thing farther I shall observe viz. That Edward Hastings questioning William de Beauchamp for those Lordships and Lands whereof Iohn the last Earl of Pembroke died seised and which had been so setled upon Beauchamp by that Entail before mention'd Beuchamp invited his Learned Counsel to his House in Pater-noster-row in the City of London amongst whom were Robert Chââlton then a Judge William Pincâebek William Brenchâsley and Iohn Catesby all Learâed Lawyers and after Dinner coming out of his Chappel in an angry mood threw to each of them a Piece of Gold and said Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any Right and Title to Hastings Lordships and Lands Whereupon Pinchbek stood up the rest being silent fearing that he suspected them and said No man here nor in England dare say that you have any Right in them except Hastings do quit his Claim therein and should
Women and Secular Priests giving that Lordship with the Churches of Kidermister and Rokeburne thereto To whom succeeded Henry his Son and Heir Which Henry ratified the Agreement made betwixt the Canons of Brummore and the Lepers and Brethren of Mayden-Bradley touching the Church of Rokeburne And for the health of the Soul of Manser his Father Alice his Mother and Isoud his Wife gave to the Canons of Nutley in Com. Buck. the Church of Bradley Which Henry died without Issue as it seems for it appears that another Henry his Nephew became his Heir and in 1 Ioh. gave to the King five hudred Marks for Livery of the Lordship of Kiderâister in Com Wigorn. and Sandâurst To whom succeeded Iohn Biset Brother and Heir of William Biset Which Iohn paying C l. for his Relief had Livery of his Lands and in 22 H. 3. obtain'd a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-Lands at Kidermister and a Fair yearly for two Days viz. on the Eve and Day of St. Bartholomew This Iohn being Chief Forester of England was in that great Tournament held at Northampton in the xv me of Easter Anno 1241. 25 H. 3. occasion'd by Peter de Savoy Earl of Richmund against Earl Roger Bigod After which ere long viz. within the Octaves of the Blessed Virgin 's Assumption he departed this Life leaving Issue three Daughters his Heirs viz. Margaret the Wife of Richard de Rivers Ela and Isabell Alice his Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs of Thomas Basset of Hedendon surviving who had for her Dowrie and Assignation of the Mannors of Shamelhurst and Burgate with the Hundred of Burgate in Com. Suthampt. as also of the Mannor of Wygewald in Com. Glouc. Columbers IN 2 H. 2. Philip de Columbers paid iv l. upon the Collection of that Tax then called Danegelt After which viz. in 12 H. 2. upon the Assessment of that Aid for marrying the King's Daughter amongst other of the Barons he certified his Knights Fees de veteri Feoffamento to be ten and de novo one for all which in 14 H. 2. he paid vi l. xiii s. iv d. And in 22 H. 2. answered upon the Sheriff's account xx Marks for Trespasses in the King's Forest. But after this ere long he died for in 33 H. â upon Collection of the Scutage due from those Barons who were not in that Expedition of Galweye Maude de Candâs his Widow paid ten Pounds for those Knights Fees which belong'd to him This Philip left Issue three Sons viz. Philip William and Henry which Henry had a Daughter called Georgia who with Hugh de Longcamp her Husband released to Philip and William Brothers of Henry her Father all their Right and Title in the Mannor of Sagnei in England and in that of Dudevill in Normandy But this last-mention'd Philip viz. Son of the first Philip died in 18 Ioh. Whereupon the King granted the Wardship and Marriage of his Heir with the Custody of all his Lands in Com. Somerset to Roger de Hodeng The Name of which Heir was also Philip. Who in 7 H. 3. upon Collection of the Scutage of Wales had Scutage of all his Tenants by Military Service in the Counties of Devon Kent Somerset Suffolk and Hereford he being at that time in the King's Army there and in 9 H. 3. impleaded Maurice de Gant for certain Lands in Stokland in Com. Somerset Moreover in 26 H. 3. he was in that Expedition then made into Gascoine and in 32 H. 3. obtain'd Licence to make a Park at his Mannor of Staway in Com. Somerset as also to have Free-warren there and in all other his Lands and Lordships of Honibere and Wollaveron in that County Postlinges in Kent Boteford in Com. Suff. and Stages in Com. Berks. Furthermore he gave to the Canons of St. Radegunde at Bradsole in Kent the Church of Postlinges in that County In 38 H. 3. Philip the Son of this Philip being in that Expedition then made by the King into Gascoine where he receiv'd the Honour of Knighthood the King for that respect remitted to Philip his Father a Debt of xx l. due by him by reason of his Service there But in 41 H. 1. Philip the Father departed this Life being then seised of the Mannor of Stawey in Com. Somerset which he held with Puryton and Huntwith and other Lands in divers Counties belonging to the said Mannor of Stawey which was the Head of his Barony by the Service of two Knights Fees leaving Philip his Son and Heir xxxii years of age Who thereupon paying C l. for his Relief and doing his Homage had Livery of all his Lands excepting the Mannor of Postling which was afterwards assign'd to Egeline his Mother Daughter of Robert de Courtney for her Dowry This last-mention'd Philip died in 5 E. 1. leaving Iohn his Brother and Heir xxviii years of age Which Iohn then doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands paying C l. for his Relief of all those Lands which he held by Barony Which Iohn in 10 E. 1. was in that Expedition then made into Wales And in 22 E. 1. upon that Exigency wherein the King then stood by reason of those Hostilities from the French had Summons amongst other great Men to attend him for his Advice and shortly after that receiv'd Command to be at Portsmouth upon the first of September to go with him into Gascoine But being there he revolted to the King of France Whereupon all his Lands were seised Nevertheless making his Peace afterwards in 32 E. 1. he was in the Wars of Scotland And the same year obtain'd the King's Charter for a Market every Week upon the Tuesday at his Mannor of Stawey in Com. Somerset as also a Fair yearly on the Eve and Day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin with Free-warren in all his Demesn-Lands at Stawey Stokelonde and Fidington in that County Moreover in 34 E. 1. he was again in the Scottish Wars And having taken to Wife Alice one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Stephen de Pencester departed this Life before the end of that year leaving Philip his Son and Heir xxiv years of age Which Philip in 13 E. 3. was associated with Hugh de Courtney Earl of Devon in guarding the Coasts of Hanâshire He had likewise Summons to Parliament from 8 E. 2. till 15 E. 3. inclusive And having married Alianore one of the Sisters and Heirs to William the Son of William Martin departed this Life in 16 E. 3. and was buried in the Priory of Barstable being then seised of the Mannor of ãâã in Com. Glouc. for the Life of himself and the said
Lord Treasurer to King Edward the Second upon the instigation of some Persons who were inclin'd to disturb the Business did refuse to admit thereof alledging That this Annuity was granted to the Ancestors of the said Isabell by the King's Progenitors under the Name and Title of Earls and therefore that he the said Hugh being no Earl ought not to receive the same and that upon the like pretence the then Sheriffs of Devon did decline to pay it any longer to him The King therefore at the humble desire of this Hugh directed his Precept to the Lord Tâeasurer and Barons of his Exchequer requiring them to make search into the Records and Memorials remaining in their Hands and to certifie him thereof Whereupon receiving advertisement That what had been suggested therein was nothing but truth did by his Letters bearing date at Newcastle upon Tine the xxii day of February the next ensuing year viz. 9 Edw. 3. wherein he stiles him Hugh de Courtney senior Earl of Devon declare That forasmuch as the Inheritance which belong'd to the said Countess and her Ancestors Earls of Devon did by Right of Descent belong to him and which he at that present did enjoy having regard as well to his own Honour and Honour of the Kingdom as to the Honour of him the said Hugh his Royal Pleasure was That he should thenceforth assume the Title of Earl and stile himself Earl of Devon as his Ancestors Earls of Devon had wont to do And moreover sent his Precept to the then Sheriff of Devon commanding him That he should forthwith by publick Proclamation both in his County and all other Places of his Bailiwick require all Persons thenceforth to call him Earl of Devon And likewise another Precept to the Lord Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer That they should cause the said Sum of xviii l. vi s. viii d. to be Annually paid unto him nomine Comitis by the Title of Earl as his Ancestors had formerly receiv'd it And in May following by another Writ to the same Lord Treasurer and Barons inter alia reciting That whereas this Hugh having receiv'd that Annuity from the time that he did his Homage to King Edward the First for so many years as that it had amounted to Clv l. xvi s. viii d. he was by them charg'd therewith as a Debt to the King And that notwithstanding he was content to quit all the Arrearages of that Annual Sum then behind the said Sum of Clv l. xvi s. viii d. was still required from him by the Officers of his Exchequer did thereby command That forasmuch as he was so content to quit those Arrears they should forthwith give him a Discharge from that Sum of Clv l. xvi s. viii d. In 12 E. 3. he raised the Power of Devon and Cornwall and valiantly defended the several Ports in those Counties against the French This Hugh took to Wife Agnes the Daughter of ... St. Iohn Sister to Iohn de St. Iohn who married Isabell his Sister when he was but xvii years of age and had by her Issue four Sons and two Daughters viz. Iohn the eldest who in his Youth betook himself to a Monastick Life in the Abby of Tavestoke and became afterwards Abbot of that House Hugh the second his Heir Robert the third who died in his youth and Thomas the fourth who married Muriel the Daughter and Heir of Sir Iohn de Mules Knight elsewhere called Iohn de Moels Which Thoâmas in 26 E. 3. was joyn'd in Commission with his Brother Earl Hugh for the arraying of all Knights Esquires and others within the Counties of Devon and Cornwall for guarding of the Sea-coasts and had Issue Sir Hugh Courtney Knight and two Daughters viz. Margaret wedded to Thomas Peverell and Muriel to Iohn Dynham Which Sir Hugh died Issueless within age in 42 E. 3. seised of the Mannors of Maperton South-Cadbury Wotton Criket and Northâme in Com. Somerset the Mannor of Kings-Carswill the Hundred of Hay-torre and the Mannors of Pole and Harleston in Com. Devon the Mannor of Over-Wallop in Com. Suthampt. and the Mannor of Overton in Com. Oxon. Whereupon Partition was made of them in 43 E. 3. betwixt the said Margaret his elder Sister and Iohn Dynham Son and Heir of Muriel his younger Sister The Monk of Forde though he gives this Earl Hugh before-mentioned the Character That he was a Person tam sapientiâ quà m scientiâ mirabiliter praeditus extraordinarily endued with wisdom and knowledge and that he did arrive to greater Wealth and Honour than all his Ancestors being Earl of Devon by Hereditary Right yet says That he was no Friend at all to their Abby but that he did deal most injuriously with them in three several respects First in exacting from them certain temporal Services for their Lands which they held in pure Alms Secondly in restraining them of those Liberties and Privileges which they ought in right to have had in their Mannor of Thale compelling the Abbot and his Tenants to do suit for the same to his Hundred at Harrigge And thirdly Whereas by reason of their Order they ought to be free from payment of Tithes for those Lands whereof they were possess'd before the Lateran Council nevertheless that he forc'd them to give Fifty shillings per annum as a Composition to the Rector of Cruck for all which lay in his Parish But though he reports him to be so strict with them yet he acknowlegeth his Munificence to others for he says That he gave to every Religious House in Devonshire xx Marks and to every House of Fryers xx Nobles This Earl died in 14 E. 3. being then seised of the Castle Mannor and Honour of Plimptân with its Members as also of the Mannors of Brummorre Lewynton Twyverton Exewinstre Thopsham the Hundreds of Plimpton Twyverton Harrig and Wonford and Sampford the Castle and Honour of Okehampton with the Mannors of Sampford Courtney Chalvelegh Deultone Ken Wympel Aylesbere the Hamlets of Nyweton Popelesâord three Mills upon Exe near Exeter with the Advowson of the Church of Trouley and all Knights Fees to the said Honours belonging the Mannor of Chilmelegh the Advowson of the Church of Ken and the Prâbendaries of Heyes and Keâ in the Chappel of our Lady within the Castle of Exeter all in the County of Devon and likewise of the Mannors of Crukerne Ebryghton and Ywerne Courtney in Com. Dorset leaving Hugh his Son and Heir then xxxiii years of age and upwards Which Hugh soon after doing his Homage had Livery of his Lands This Hugh upon the death of Robert his younger Brother had Livery of his Lands as his next Heir in 3 Edw. 3. doing his Homage In 7 E. 3. his Father then being alive he was in that Expedition then made into âcotland and in 8 E. 3.
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 âitting 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 Edelmeâton 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 ensuâing 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 Gâartrude 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 Foâheringhay 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 Hâir 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
and Henry de Hastings to the Siege ãâã Castle at Rochester and so to Lewes where the King being with his Army ready for Battel this Nicholas desired that he might have the Honour to make the first On-set which he did with the Londoners who were worsted in that Encounter though otherwise the day proved fatal to the King he being there taken Prisoner with the Prince and all the chief of his Friends After which calling a Parliament in the King's Name he was one of those who had Summons thereto amongst such of the Nobility whereof their House of Peers then consisted But long they prospered not in this their Success for within the compass of sixteen Months following the Prince making his escape out of their Hands through the help of the Lord Mortimer and some other as I have elsewhere shewed raising a powerful Army within a very short time utterly vanquish'd them in the Battel of Evesham where this Nicholas being wounded and taken Prisoner his Lands were given to Edmund the King's Son afterwards Earl of Lancaster Howbeit after this being admitted to Composition by virtue of the Decrâe called Dictum de Kenilworth upon the undertaking of Geffrey Genevill and some others for his future fidelity and that he should strictly observe the Tenor of that Decree he obtained full pardon for his former Actings and a Confirmation of his Lands which had been seised thereupon as also Power to receive Aid from all his Tenants towards the raising of his Fine And within four years after had leave to attend Prince Edward to the Holy Land as also Letters of Protection and some special Immunities be reason of that Journey Whereupon he constituted Iohn de Diggeby his Attoney to prosecute all Suits for him in his absence as occasion should require And when that Prince arrived to the Crown continuing in his favour in the fourth year of his Reign he attended him in that Expedition then made into Wales in which the Castle of Rothelan was taken and the Welch subdued After this scil in 15 E. 1. he was employ'd into Ireland in the King's Service and in 19 E. 1. into Scotland And in 20 E. 1. obtain'd a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-lands at Caludon and Kington in Com. Warr. Bretteby Koxlauston and Cotes in Com. Derb. Staunton in Com. Hunt Overton Segrave Sâleby and Dichesworth in Com. Leic. and Chaucumbe in Com. Northampt. As also for a Market at Mountsorell in Com. Leic. upon the Munday every Week and a Fair yearly upon the Eve Day and Morrow after the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist and five days ensuing But in 23 E. 1. he departed this Life leaving Iohn his Son and Heir thirty nine years of age who doing his Homage the next year following had Livery of his Lands Which Iohn in 54 H. 3. his Father then living and by his consent married Christian the Daughter of Sir Hugh de Plessets Knight and had with her in Frank-marriage the Mannor of Stodesoone Iohn the Son of the said Hugh at that time also taking to Wife Annabil the Daughter of the said Nicholas giving her in Frank-marriage the Mannor of Burton Hanred This Iohn having been taken Prisoner in the Wars of Scotland in 9 E. 1. obtain'd from the King in consideration of his Services there the Grant ãâã One thousand Pounds towards the Paymââââ ãâã his Ransom deducting onely so much as upon Account was due to the King upon any Monies by him received since the time he had been Warden of the Forests beyond Trent and Constable of Notingham-Castle And in 13 E. 1. attended the King in his Expedition into Wales In 19 E. 1. he accompanied his Father into Scotland that being the time when the Competitors for that Kingdom submitted the determination of their Dispute to King Edward who staid then in Northumberland for that purpose And in 24 E. 1. was Constable of the English Army then in Scotland In 25 E. 1. he was by Indenture retain'd to serve Roger le Bigod Earl of Norff. with six Knights himself accounted as well in the time of Peace as War for the term of his whole Life in England Wales and Scotland viz. in times of Peace with six Horses so long as the Earl should think fit taking Bouche of Court for himself and his Knights and for his Esquires Hay and Oats as also Livery for six more Horses and Wages for six Grooms and their Horses Likewise for himself two Robes yearly as well in times of Peace as War as for a Banneret and for his five Knights the like Robes as for his other Bachelors viz. two yearly Moreover he was by these Covenants oblig'd to bring with him in time of War his five Knights with twenty Horses and in consideration thereof to receive for himself and his Company with all those Horses xl s. per diem but if he should bring no more than six Horses then xxxii s. per diem It being likewise agreed That the Horses should be prized to the end that Allowance might be made in case any of them should happen to be lost in the Service For the performance of which Agreement he had a Grant from that Earl of the Mannor of Lodene in Com. Norff. In 25 E. 1. he had Summons to be at London on the Octaves of St. Iohn Baptist to attend the King in his Expedition beyond-Sea And the same year in the Month of October to be at Newcastle upon Tine on the day of St. Nicholas thence to attend Prince Edward the King's ãâã in his Wars against the Scots In 26 E. 1. he had Summons to be at Carlisle on Whitson-Eve well fitted with Horse and Arms to attend the King into Scotland In which Expedition the English obtain'd that great Victory at Faukirke And in 28 E. 1. was again in those Scottish-Wars In which year he procur'd a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-Lands at North Newenton in Com. Oxon. and Lodene in Com. Norff. In 29 E. 1. he obtain'd Licence to make a Castle at his Mannor-house of Bretteby in Com. Derb. And in 30 E. 1. was constituted Governour of Barwick upon Twede as also Warden of Scotland In which year riding out of that Garrison with a small Party he was wounded in a Skirmish by an Ambuscado of the Scots and taken Prisoner About this time he had another Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn Lands at Alkmundbury in Com. Hunt And the next ensuing year the King marching into Scotland with great Forces he again attended him thither and was at the Siege of Caerlaverok At this time the King being Victorious there march'd through the whole Realm all Places of Strength yielding
part of the tenth year Which Walter had one sole Daughter and Heir married to Raphe Chenduit And in 52 H. 3. Sampson Foliot being Sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire for three parts of that year was constituted Governour of Oxford-Castle Cauz IN 12 H. 2. Robert de Cauz being Forester of Notinghamshire and Derbyshire by Inheritance and having his Residence in the County of Notingham upon levying the Aid at that time for Marrying the King's Daughter certified his Knights Fees to be twelve de veteri Feoffamento and de novo three and gave to the Canons of Thurgarton his Mill at Doverbert To him succeeded Maud his Daughter and Heir who in 1 H. 3. gave Lx Marks Fine for Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance and in 2 H. 3. for Lx Marks more had Livery of the Forestership of those Counties But though the Record doth express That the same Forestership was of her Inheritance in 4 H. 3. she gave Lxxx Marks more for a Confirmation thereof This Maud first married to Adam Fitz-Peter Lord of Birkyn whereupon her Descendents assum'd the Sirname of Birkyn and gave the Lordship of Konstone to the Knights Templars Moreover surviving Adam Fitz-Peter she afterwards married to Raphe Fitz-Stephen and holding the Mannor of Winterborne in Dower from him departed this Life in 8 H. 3. Whereupon Iohn de Birkyn her Son by Adam Fitz-Peter de Birkyn her first Husband succeeded her in the Inheritance of her Lands and Forestership of Notingham and Derby shires then doing his Homage and paying CC Marks for his Relief Bolum OF this Barony consisting of the Lordship of Bolum in Com. Northumb. with its Members viz. Lyerdon Burneton Thornbury Cupe Lytle-Wytington Hayden Belsou Bradeford Denum Trewyc and Tunstall held by three Knights Fees was Gilbert de Bolum Son of Iames de Bolum possess'd in 12 H. 2. Which Gilbert had Issue Walter de Bolum and he a Daughter and Heir called Alice Bocland IN 12 H. 2. upon the Assessment of the Aid then levied for marrying the King's Daughter Hugh de Bocland certified That he held two Knights Fees and an half for which he paid xxxiii s. iv d. in 14 H. 2. And being made Sheriff of Berkshire in 16 H. 2. continued so till 21 of that King's Reign To him succeeded William de Bocland Sheriff of Cornwall in 33 H. 2. and so till 1 R. 1. In 2 R. 1. this William gave C l. fine for Livery of the Mannor of Weston which Roger de Sandford held and died in 17 Ioh. leaving Issue Ioane his Daughter and Heir Wife of Robert de Ferrers who paying Five hundred Marks Fine had then Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance lying in the Counties of Bedf. Hertf. Buck. Oxon. and Berkâ Bassingburne IN 16 H. 2. Warine de Bassingburne underwent the Sherissalty for the Counties of Cantabr and Hunt together with Ebrard de Beche for part of that year So likewise for 17 H. 2. and so thenceforth till 22 H. 2. inclusive To this Warine succeeded Iohn de Bassingburne unto whom King Iohn in 14 of his Reign committed the Custody of the Castle of Beningfeld in Com. Northampt. and all the Lands of Hugh de Lizures with the Stock thereon for payment of such Debts as were due to the King by the same Hugh Which Iohn being a great Favourite of that King about this time was reputed one of his Evil Counsellors and stood firm to the Royal Interest in 17 Ioh. upon that great Contest then had with the Barons In 8 H. 3. he gave C Marks for the Wardship of the Sons of Guy de Dive with their Lands the eldest of them having married his Daughter About that time I find mention of Nicholas de Bassingburne who having been in Arms with the Rebellious Barons in the later part of King Iohn's Reign and returning to obedience in 1 H. 3. had restitution of all his Lands lying in the Counties of Kent and Northampt. which had been seised for his defection in particular the Castle of Benifeld To whom succeeded Warine de Bassingburne Which Warine in 37 H. 3. attending the King in his Expedition then made into Gascoine had a special Promise from him viz. That whereas he had then taken to Wife Isabell one of the Daughters and Heirs to Emeric de Saci in case Emeric should die before his return he should hâve the Purparty of his Lands justly assign'd unto him And in 41 H. 3. had command with divers other to assist Hamon Strange in the Parts about Montgomerie to restrain the Incursions of the Welch Moreover in 48 H. 3. the Barons being then powerful whereupon the King was constrain'd to submit to the Determination of the King of France touching the Ordinances of Dxford he was one of that number who then did by Oath undertake for the King therein And the same year with Robert Walrand being Governour of Bristoll hearing that the Prince and Richard Earl of Cornwall his Uncle were taken in that fatal Battel of Lewes and brought Prisoners to the Castle of Walingford march'd thither and stoutly assaulted that Fort with purpose to rescue them though in vain Furthermore in 50 H. 3 having obtain'd a Grant from the King of the Lands of Thomas de Esteley who being in Arms with the Rebellious Barons was slain in the Battel of Eâesham he procured special Licence to make a Castle of his Mannor-house at Asâley in Com. Warr. part of the Possessions of the said Thomas as also of his own House at Bassingburne in Com. Cantabr And the same year had allowance for the Charges he had been at in fortifying the Castles of Northampton and Rokingbam In this year also he was Sheriff for Northampton-shire So likewise the next ensuing year To him succeeded Humphrey de Bassingburne who being also in Arms with the Rebellious Barons in 48 H. 3. had his Pardon obtain'd by the before-specified Warine and in 31 E. 1. granted the Castle of Beningfeld in Com. Northampt. with the Appurtenances and Advowson of the Church excepting the Hamlets of Glapthorne and Southwike with the Mill at Cotherstoke unto Queen Alianore to hold for term of her Life paying unto him C l. per annum Moreover in 14 E. 1. he obtain'd a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-Lands at Bening-felb And in 5 E. 3. had a Charter for a Weekly Market at his Mannor of Wykes in Com. Cantab. upon the Munday as also for a Fair yearly on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Laurence After him I meet with another Warine de Bassingburne who
apprehensive of his danger mounted his Horse well armed with some of his Followers and broke through them whence he came to the King of Scotland to whom he made his complaint of their dealing who punish'd them for that their Rebellious Insurrection and re-establish'd him in the possession of his Right In 42 H. 3. this Earl had Summons to attend the King at Chester well accoutred with Horse and Arms on Munday next after the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist to oppose the Hostilities of the Welch Moreover he had the Title of Constable of Scotland And having founded the Priory of Ulvesâroste in Com. Leic. granted to the Monks of Geroudon all his Venison in his Park of Kitt to hunt and kill at their pleasure He also gave to the Monks of Tame in Com. Buck. all his demesn-Demesn-lands in Sydenham and likewise what was held of him in Villenage with the Tenants thereto and all their Off-spring And having married three Wives 1. Helen the eldest Daughter and Coheir to Alan of Galwey 2. Maud Daughter to Humfrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford Widow of Anselme Mareschall Earl of Pembroke 3. Alianore Daughter to William de Ferrers Earl of Derby Widow of William de Vaux afterwards married to Roger de Leybourne departed this Life 25 Apr. 48 H. 3. leaving Issue by Helen his first Wife three Daughters his Heirs viz. Margaret the Wife of William de Ferrers Earl of Derby Elizabeth married to Alexander Comyn Earl of Feuban in Scotland and Ela to Alan la Zousche Which Coheirs in 56 H. 3. paying their Relief had Livery of the Lands of their Inheritance Another Daughter he had called Isabell though by which Wife I cannot say as is manifest from an Agreement made at Ware upon Wednesday next ensuing the Feast of the Purification of our Lady in Anno 1240. 24 H. 3. betwixt him and Iohn the Son of Hugh de Nevill for a Marriage betwixt Hugh the Son of him the said Iohn and her the said Isabell. A word now of Robert his younger Brother In 41 H. 3. this Robert amongst divers other Noble Persons who sold their Possessions in England for the Assistance of the King of France in the Holy War was one And having married Helene the Daughter of Lewelyne Prince of Wales Widow of Iohn Scott Earl of Huntendon in 22 H. 3. had Livery of the Mannors of Fotheringay and Iarewell in Com. Northampt. Neweston in Com. Bedf. Totenham in Com. Midd. Brampton Cunnyngton and Lympayes in Com. Hunt Badewe in Com. Essex and Exton in Com. Rotel which were part of the Lands of Iohn Scott Earl of Chester and Hunt till her Dowrie should be set out and departed this Life in Anno 1257. 41 H. 3. leaving Issue by the said Helene his Wife three Daughters one of them a Nun and the other two in Ward to Margaret Countess of Lincolne whereof one viz. Ioane became the Wife of Humphrey de Bohun Son to Humphrey Earl of Hereford and the other viz. Margaret was married to Baldwine Wake who in 52 H. 3. doing his Homage had Livery of the Mannor of Sriveton of her Inheritance Zouche of Ashby THAT this Ancient and Noble Family is branch'd from the Earls of Britanny all our Genealogists do agree though they do not deduce the Line of that Descent in each Point alike To the intent therefore that it may the more clearly appear how it is I have thought fit to take notice That William la Zusche in that Confirmation to the Monks of Swavesey in Cambridgshire of the Grants made by his Ancestors unto the Abby of S. Segius and Bachus in Aniow whereunto this Priory of Swavesey was a Cell calleth Roger la Zusche his Father and Alan la Zusche Earl of Britanny Son of Geffrey his Grandfather Which William died in 1 Ioh. for then it appears That Roger his Brother gave to the King C l. for Livery of his Lands and in 5 Ioh. upon Collection of the fourth Scutage of that King's time paid CC Marks This Roger in 15 Ioh. attended the King into Poictou and standing firm to him in that turbulent time towards the later end of his Reign obtain'd a Grant of the Mannors of Petersfeild and Maple-Durham in Com. Suthampt. which were part of the Lands of Geffrey de Mandevill one of the Rebellious Barons then in Arms against him Moreover in 2 H. 3. he procur'd another Grant from the King of all those Lands in the Mannor of Gostelei in Com. Norff. which Falcase de Breant not long before held and which formerly appertain'd to the Vicount of Koan viz. Geffrey la Zuche Father of Alan before-mentioned And in 13 H. 3. was constituted Sheriff of Devonshire Furthermore in 14 H. 3. he had a Confirmation from the King of the Mannor of Swavesheye and of all his Lands in Fulburne in Com. Cantabr which he possess'd by the Gift of the before-specified Alan Vicount of Roan in exchange for all those Lands which he the said Roger then possess'd in Britanny and continued Sheriff of Devonshire unto the end of the fifteenth year of the same King Henry the Third This Roger being Lord of the Mannor of Tonge in Com. Salop. did by a fair Deed under his Seal whereon is his Portraicture on Horseback in a Military Habit grant to Henry de Hugefort and his Heirs three Yard-Land three Messuages and certain Woods lying in Norton and Shawe in the Parish of Tonge with Paunage for a great number of Hogs in the Woods belonging to that Mannor As also liberty of Fishing in all his Waters there excepting the great Pool of Tonge with divers other Privileges viz. of getting Nuts in those Woods for several days c. Rendring yearly to him the said Roger and his Heirs a Chaplet of Roses upon the Feast-day of the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist in case he or they should be then at Tonge if not then to be put upon the Image of the Blessed Virgin in the Church of Tonge for all Services Suit of Court c. And with Alan his Son gave to the Canons of Mayden Bradley in Com. Wiltes a certain Tenement in Tudeworth To whom succeeded Alan his Son and Heir Which Alan in 26 H. 3. had Summons to prepare himself with Horse and Arms and to attend the King into France And in 34 H. 3. had a Grant of the Custody of all the King's Lands in Cheshire and North-Wales viz. Kos Kewennyoc Diffrin-Cloyd and Englefeild to answer the yearly Profit of those Lordships to the King at Midsummer and Christmass by equal Portions Moreover in 36 H. 3. he had the whole County of Chester and all North-Wales committed to his Trust. And in 45 H. 3. obtain'd the King's Charter for a
to the Bishop and representing to him That this Barony was the rightful Inheritance of his Wife as also promising the Money which the other had neglected to pay obtain'd Livery thereof and procured the King's Confirmation of his Title And having so done came to Waldene where the Abbot to congratulate this his Possession met him with much Reverence and desired him to go into the Church and salute the Monks But in stead of so doing he turn'd his Face scornfully from them Howbeit the Abbot seeming to take no notice thereof still rode along with him and at length brought him into the Church Where looking about him with a sowr Countenance he staid but a while scarce saying his Prayers and thence entring the Cloyster went to the Chapter-house-door and told the Abbot That he and his Monks had disherited him and his Posterity by procuring that Priory to be made an Abby The Abbot therefore seeing him thus displeased endeavoured to qualifie him all he could but to no purpose for he threatned them much at his departure and the next morning sent four of the Tenants to forbid them any more to meddle with those Lands which Earl William de Mandevile as they affirmed had formerly given them causing other of his Tenants and Servants to make seisure of the same For which violent Act the Monks making complaint to Richard Bishop of London he forthwith Excommunicated those Tenants and Servants and Interdicted the Parochial Church of Waldene from all Divine Offices Whereupon this Geffrey Fitz-Piers went to the Bishop not with any desire of Absolution from the Excommunication but for a Release of that Church from the Interdict and had it fulfill'd In this distress therefore they represented their Condition to the Bishop of Ely then the King's Vicegerent and obtained Restitution of those Lands Which so irritated this Geffrey as that being armed with the Power of Chief Iustice he entered upon them again by force Their next Refuge therefore being to the Pope they humbly address'd themselves to his Holiness by Letters of Complaint who thereupon summon'd him to answer but without success he refusing to yield any Obedience therein to his Authority About this time it was that Beatrix his Wife died in Child-bed with her Child also and was buried in the Chapter-house at Chiâsand Howbeit her Corps rested not long there for this Geffrey her Husband having founded a Monastery of the Gilbertine-Rule at Shouldham in Norfolk of which Order he was a great Admirer translated it thither About the same time also died old Beatrix de Say Sister to Geffrey de Mandevile the first Earl of Essex who had always been a special Friend to the Monks of Waldene Sheâdeparting this Life at her House at Rikelings 13 Cal. Maii Anno 1207. and was buried at Walden with great Honour And not long after this King Richard return'd The Monks therefore to leave no probable means unassayed made their complaint to him of the wrong to them done by this Geffrey in taking away those Lands which Earl William de Mandevile had so piously given them But in answer thereto with great confidence he told the King That they had absed him with a false Information affirming That they had quietly enjoy'd all those Lands so pretended to be taken from them since the death of Earl William without any disturbance though they had no lawful Right thereto boldly adding with an Oath That the Charter whereunto they pretended was made when the Earl lay on his Death-bed or after he was dead Whereupon divers Witnesses being produc'd to justifie the making thereof when he was of good and perfect memory the King made choice of three onely viz. Richard de Mortimer the then Abbot Richard Ruly a Priest and Sir Richard de Montiney Knight who all clearly testified That it was made the very day of his Recovery from a former Sickness Notwithstanding which Testimony the King did not determine the business But at length addressing to the King again with a farther Complaint they obtain'd his Letters to him on their behalf which were to desire him that he would make some friendly Restitution to them of what they so claimed Adding That what he intended to the House of Shouldham which he had unadvisedly began to Found he might do well to confer on these Monks of Waldene With which Perswasions being somewhat moved he told them That he would give them C Acres of what they so claimed as also C s. yearly Rent out of the Mannor of Weâthamsted Whereupon they express'd That for quietness sake they would accept thereof for the present not delivering up their Charter But in stead of any Fruit of what they expected he thenceforth fed them onely with dilatory Promises Shortly after this viz. upon the death of King Richard and King Iohn Crowned this Geffrey was made Earl of Essex And having by the favour of that King obtain'd a special Grant of the Patronage of the Abby of Waldene upon the Eve of St. Iames the Apostle he came to his Castle adjacent with a great Attendance Whence he sent notice to the Monks That he would visit them the next day and did accordingly Whereupon all the Covent in their best Array met him and went in Solemn Procession before him with their Books of the Gospels richly covered their Censers Banners and all other things of splendor used upon High-days But though they seemed to sing in this their Procession some of them wept bitterly Being come into the Church which was with great Ringing of Bells likewise he kneel'd before the Altar and at his rising offered a Silver Cup. This done the Monks began the Hymn of S. Ambrose called Te Deum and that ended went into the Chapter-house a multitude of People following expecting to hear what Reconciliation would be there made betwixt him and them But in stead thereof he shew'd them the King 's Grant of the Patronage of their House causing it to be publickly read And upon his return visiting the Abbot in his Bed-chamber then very old and infirm he put all others out of the Room and enquir'd much from him of the State of the Abby as also whom he would recommend to be his Successor there And after this upon S. Laurence-day sending for the Prior and one of the Monks he acquainted them That he would in kindness bestow upon the Covent C Acres of Errable Land with a Meadow and a Mill and accordingly did give them that Mill and Meadow situate towards Piriton with the Tillable Land lying betwixt the Abby and the Town of Waldene excepting
journey to the Holy-Land and for the better furnishing himself with money sold many of his Woods But notwithstanding this resolution he went not at that time for the next year following viz. 21 H. 3. the King being seduced by the advice of Aliens and having wasted his Treasure required a great supply from his Subjects which being granted and put into the hands of Aliens to be transported occasioned high discontents this Earl therefore dealt freely with him and represented to him the danger thereof and though he found that what he then said availed little ceased not the next year following to continue his good advice and in particular to tell him how ill he had done in permitting Simon de Montfort to marry the Countess of Pembroke his Sister Which free and plain dealing with the King did not at all alienate his affections from him for shortly after viz. in 23 Hen. 3. he obtained a Grant of the Castle of Lidford and Forest of Dertmore in Fee Before the end of which year meeting with divers of the Nobility at Northampton they did there by Oath oblige themselves to go forthwith into the Holy Land for the service of God and the Church Taking his leave therefore soon after of the Bishops and divers of the Nobles at Reading there met by the appointment of the Popes Legate many of them wept in regard he was a person wholly minding the publick welfare Whereupon he told them That had he not made his Vow he would go rather than stay to see the approaching miseries fall upon this Realm And having prepared all things ready for his journey came to the Abby of S. Albans where in full Chapter he desired the Prayers of that whole Covent for his good success Then went to London and took his leave of the King the Legate and Nobles and so hasted to Dovor Whence soon arriving in France he was nobly received by the King of that Realm and his Mother who sent the Marshal to conduct him through that Countrey and to entertain him in all places honorably thence to Avinion where he had also free and great entertainment then to Uienna whence he intended to take shipping for Arles And being in those parts was met by the Earl of Province whose Daughter King Henry had married and so hasted to the City of S. Giles there to do his Devotions and receive the Benediction of the Monks of that place which done he gave them twenty marks But before he went thence there came to him a Legate from the Pope with the Archbishop of Arles to inhibite him from proceeding farther on his journey Which he took so ill being fully resolved thereon and fitted accordingly that he refused both to obey their authority and to hearken to their disswasions Seeing therefore all their endeavors in vain they would have perswaded him to take shipping at the Port called The Dead-Water but that he liked not and so entred the Mediteranean at Marseilles In An. 1241. 25 Hen. 3. being come into the Holy Land he accepted of a Truce with the Souldan of Babylon upon condition that the French who were prisoners there might be released and that Ierusalem with all the parts adjacent should be free from any molestation as also upon divers other Articles honorable to the Christians And the next year following viz. 26 Hen. 3. returned the King therefore having intelligence thereof with the Queen met him at Dovor Soon after which a Parliament being held at Westminister where all the Nobles of the Realm were met this Earl was sent to them by the King with the Provost of Beverley to desire their advice for the recovery of his Inheritance in Normandy and other parts of France But finding that the King did not incline to follow the Counsel of those who sought the general honor and good of himself and the Realm after some sharp dispute with him thereon he associated himself with the Earls Marshal Hereford and some others and took shipping for France Before this time it was saith my Author that the King by the advice of his Nobles having given him the whole Province of Gascoigne he went thither and shewing his Charter received the homages of that people and after some years by another Charter had a Confirmation of that Grant But afterwards when the Queen was delivered of a Son that she so far prevailed with the King as he should reassume his Grant and give it to the Prince and that this Earl thereupon grew much displeased insisting still upon his right though he thus lost the possession Moreover that the King being then in Gascoigne and finding the people wavering in their obedience not well knowing which way to lean he did in great wrath require this Earl to resign his Grant and to quit his whole right thereto Also that finding him refractory he gave command that the Men of Bourdeaux should seise upon him by night and imprison him which they refused to do partly in respect of his birth and partly by reason they had done homage to him And furthermore seeing he could not prevail with them that way he corrupted some with gifts to effect his desires viz. To lay hands on him as a Rebel and cast him in prison Also That having advertisement thereof then lodging in the Monastery of S. Cross at Bourdeaux he got privily on Ship-board to come for England but without Provisions or any Necessaries for the journey And lastly to add to his affliction that he was so tossed with a fearful tempest as that being in no little peril of shipwrack he made a Vow to found an Abby for Monks of the Cistercian Order in case he should safe arrive in England The next thing memorable of him is that having taken another journey to the Holy Land with William Longespe Earl of Salisbury he returned thence in An. 1422. 26 Hen. 3. and accompanied the King into Gascoigne in aid of Hugh le Brun Earl of March who had married the Kings Mother and was with him in that Battle near Xant against the King of France After which viz. the next ensuing year he married Senchia Daughter of Reymund Earl of Province Sister to the Queen the Weding being kept at Westminstet with great pomp whom he endowed at the Church door with the third part of all his Lands whereof he then stood possessed or should afterwards acquire the Castle and Mannor of Berkhamltead being part And shortly after keeping his Christmas at Walingford entertained the King and most of the Nobility there with extraordinary feasting In 30 Hen. 3. the Templers and Hospitalers electing many secular persons into their Sociâties for succor of the Holy Land and defence of those Castles then besieged
Baron of Tindale in Com. Northumb. in right of Philippa his Wife one of the Heirs of Adam de Tind âe unto which Barony these Lordships did then belong viz. Wardone Fourstaynes Alââwas Hayden Langeley Rethertstawâ Wyden and Blenkeshop all which he held by the service of one Knights Fee de veteri fâoffamento In 42 H. 3. this Nicholas has summons with the rest of the Northern Barons to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to march into Scotland for the rescuing of the King of that Realm out of the hands of his rebellious Subjects he being then in minority and under the tuition of King Henry the Third whose Daughter he had married He had also command before the end of that year to attend the King at Chester on Munday next preceding the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist alike furnish'd with Horse and Arms to restrain the incursions of the Welsh And departed this life in 1 E. 1. whereupon Adam his Son and Heir by the before specified Philippa had Livery of his Lands doing his Fealty This Adam in 8 E. 1. gave to Thomas the Son of Adam de Molton with Isabel his eldest Daughter in marriage and to the Heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten the Mannor of Langale in Com. Cumb. as also the Mannors of Heydon and Alrewas and died in 10 E. 1. Whereupon this Thomas the Son of Adam de Molton then called by the name of Thomas de Lucie for the reasons I have shew'd in my discourse of that Family having married her the said Isabel did his Homage for that Mannor of Langale whereof he and his Wife had been so enfeoffed as before is observd Which Isabel after the death of her said Husband Thomas was married to William Tunstal of Churgaâland as appears by an Inquisition taken the 17 th year of Edw. 3. Plessets OF this Family the first I find mention is of Iohn de Plâssets a domestick servant in the Court of H. 3. and a Norman by birth This Iohn having served the King in his Wars of Wales 15 H. 3. and in 18 and 19 H. 3. been constituted Governour of the Castle at the Devises in Com. Wilts as also Warden of the Forest of Chipâenham in that County underwent the Sheriffs Office for the County of Oâford in 24 H. 3. And in 26 H. 3. in consideration of Two hundred marks obtain'd a Grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Iohn Biset and likewise of the Heirs of Nicholas Malesmaines Certain it is that he stood in no small favour with that King for in 27 H. 3. upon the death of Iohn Mareschal who had married Margery the Sister and sole Heir to Thomas Earl of UUarwick the King sent his Mandate to the Archbishop of York the Bishop of Carleol and William de Cantilupe requiring them that they should earnestly perswade with her to take this Iohn de Plessets for her Husband withall commanding that if Iohn Mareschal before his death had not seisin of UUarwick Castle and those other Lands which were of her Inheritance that they should then retain the same Castle and Lands for his use till she had perform'd what she ought to do in respect of them but in case she were already possess'd of them then to take good security of her that she should not contract matrimony with any except she had the King's license Nay so much did he desire that she should marry with this Iohn that upon Christmas-day the same year being at Burdeaur in France by a special Patent then bearing date he granted to him the marriage of this Margery in case he could get her good will and if not that then he should have the Fine due thereupon Moreover by another Mandate sent to the same Archbishop and William de Cantilupe bearing date in March following reciting That whereas divers Ladies of this Realm neglecting to give such security as in that case by the Laws they ought to do had match'd themselves without the King's consent to the great prejudice and dishonour of himself and his Crown To the intent therefore that the like inconvenience for the time to come might be avoided and forasmuch as she being Sister to the late Earl of Warwick and one of the most Noble Ladies of this Realm as also possess'd of a Castle of great strength situate towards the Marches representing likewise that it would be very periloâs she should take any person whatsoever for her Husband of whose fidelity he had not as great a confidence as of his own commanded that they should forthwith take the Castle of UUarwick and what other Lands of hers they themselves thought fit as a pledge over and above the ordinary security due from her that she should not marry to any man alive without his special license so that in case she should be so rash as to do otherwise that Castle and Lands should be for ever totally forfeited to the Crown Whereupon it seems she gave satisfactory security for it appears that in Iune following she had Livery of the Earldom of UUarwick and before the end of that year wedded this Iohn de Plesset who was a person in such esteem with the King that being a great part of the precedent year attending him in France he there received an Horse from the Seneschal of Gascoin of the Kings special gift prized at Thirty marks which was no small value compared with the rate of other things about that time a Quarter of Wheat being then at no more than Two shillings price And in Septâmber following obtained a special discharge to the Barons of the Exchequer for that Hundred pounds then due to the King out of the Lands belonging to her then his Wife for the Relief of her Brother the late Earl of UUarwick not till then satisfied as also of Two hundred marks farther due by the Earl her Brother to the King And in August next ensuing being well pleased with her for taking this Husband gave her three Bucks out of his Forrest of Havering in Essex she then bearing the Title of Countess of UUarwick and Wife to Iohn de Plessets In 28 H. 3. this Iohn was made Constable of the Tower of London but not by the Title of Earl of UUarwick Nor do I find that he had that appellation very suddenly notwithstanding the Kings precept to the Sheriff of UUarwickshire for Livery of the Ten pounds per annum unto him nomine Comitis as Thomas late Earl of UUarwick used to receive Which Precept bears date 26 Apr. 29 H. 3. For in the Fine levied tres septim Hill 31. H. 3. betwixt this Iohn then Plaintiff and William Mauduit and Alice his Wife Deforciants whereby the Mannors of Warwick Miton Wegenok Sutton Claverdon Tanworth and Brailes in Com. War as also Cheddeworth and
Lydneie in Com. Glouc. all belonging to the Earldom of Warwick were setled upon this Iohn during his life though he should have no issue by her he is barely styled Iohn de Plessets But afterwards I presume he took upon him the Title of Earl by reason of a certain clause in that Fine whereby the before-specified William Mauduit and Alice do as much as in them lies confer the same Earldom upon him for life being loath as it seems to use that Attribute till he had made such an agreement with the next Heir that in case he over-lived the said Margery his Countess and had no issue by her he should not lay it aside again For in August following which is the first mention I find of him after that Fine so levied the King in that License he granted to him to down certain Oakes in the Forrest of Dene affords him the Title of Earl of Warwick which after that time upon all occasions he used As there had been extraordinary means used in gaining this great Lady thus to marry with him so there wanted not suspition that being such an Inheritrix she had been strongly sollicited by some and wrought upon to contract her self privately unto another Therefore to make sure work with her estate the King procured her to seal a Bond with a special Deed to boot whereby she obliged her self that if it could justly be proved that she had contracted marriage with any other then all her Lands and Possessions should be forfeited Which advantage being so obtain'd by his Letters Patents bearing date 18 Oâctob 34 of his Reign he granted to him all those Lands to hold during his life in case any such Contract could be proved whereupon a Divorce betwixt them might ensue And in 34 H. 3. gave him the custody of the Castle at the Devââes in Com. Wilts with all the Lordships thereto belonging and likewise of the Forests of Melkesham and Chââpeham out of which there being a Rent of Eighty pounds per annum reserv'd to the Crown he had Twenty five marks thereof yearly allowed to him for the custody of that Castle In 35 H. 3. he was constituted one of the Justices Itinerant to sit at the Tower of London for hearing and determining such pleas as concerned the City of London And in 37 H. 3. obtain'd from the King a special Release of the Wardship of Hugh his Son and Heir by a former Wife in case he should die and leave him in minority And shortly after that a Grant That if the said Margery the Countess should die before him without any issue of her body that all those Lands and Tenements in Hogenarton Katerinton and Bradeham Knights Fees Reliefs c. which formerly did belong to Henry d' Oilly her Uncle should remain unto him the said Iohn during his natural life In this 37 th year of Hen. 3. he again attended the King into Gascoin but before his return from those parts an unhappy disaster befell him For after Truce made there and that he resolved to come for England determing to pass through Normandy in regard he was that Countrey-man by birth he obtained Letters of safe conduct from the King of France and with divers other Noble Persons set forwards on his journey In which lodging at Pontes in Poictou after all free and courteous entertainment outwardly shew'd to them they were suddenly seiz'd on by the Townsmen and cast into prison This was in 38 H. 3 When or how he was released I find not Which ill usage with the great charges he underwent in that service of Gascoin and the debt wherein he did put himself for making Prince Edward Knight occasioned the King to direct his Letters Patents unto all the Tenants of this Earl wherein giving testimony that he did behave himself laudably and valiantly there and had been oppress'd with great expences and wearied with bodily toil he did earnestly exhort and intreat them that they would freely contribute such reasonable supply to him towards the payment of those debts as that they might expect his Royal favour to themselves when fit opportunity should be offered After which upon his return into England viz. in 39 H. 3. he was again made Governour of the Castle at the Devises And in 42 H. 3. joyn'd with the Earls of Glouc. Hereford Albemarl and others in writing to Pope Alexander the Fourth against Ethelmare the Kings half-brother then Elect of UUinchester defiring his Holiness that he might not be admitted to that Bishoprick being a person totally bent to enrich himself by unjust means and a disturber of the Kingdoms tranquility and welfare In this year also he received summons with divers other great men to repair to Chester on Munday next before the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist sufficiently accoutred with Horse and Arms to attend the King in his Welsh Expedition against Lewelin ap Griffith and his complices And in 44 H 3 had the like command to attend the King at Shrewsbury on the Feast-day of the Nativity of our Lady thence to march with him again into UUales Moreover the next ensuing year he had summons to be at London on the morrow after Simon and Iudes day with Horse and Arms c. which hapned about the time that the dispute betwixt the King and his lofty-spirited Barons grew high by reason whereof having had sufficient experience of his fidelity he had the Sherevalty of the Counties of Warwick and Leicester with the Castle of Sauvey in the confines of Leicestershire committed to his trust But he lived not to see the issue of those troubles which growing on more and nore every day occasion'd much bloudshed and misery to this Realm For in the moneth of February 47 H. 3. he fell desperately sick insomuch as the King apprehending his death not far off out of the especial love and affection which he bore towards him as the Patent imports granted that the Executors of his Testament whensoever he should die might freely administer of his goods and Chattels for the fulfilling thereof Moreover declaring that as to such debts which were due from him to the Crown he would require them of his Heirs Soon after which viz. on the 26 th day of the same moneth departing this life he was honourably buried in the Quire of Missenden Abbey in Com. Bucks being then seised of the Mannors of Okenardton Kedelinton and Bradeham in Com. Oxon. which he held by Barony viz. to find two Knights with their four Servants in the Kings Army at his own proper costs for the space of Forty days Leaving issue Hugh de Plessets his Son and Heir by Christian a former Wife Daughter and Heir to Hugh de Sanford at that time Twenty six years of age Which Hugh in April
Inheritance of Maud his Mother had for his part an Assignation of certain Lands in Rethersthorpe in Com. Northampt. As also divers Lands in Patshull Avescote Derlescote Descote Farningho Petecote Lichebarwe Maidford Tysfield Gayton Ipwell and Preston in the same County and in 43 Edw. 3. was in that expedition then made into Ireland in the Company of William de Windsore In 50 Edw. 3. he was in the French Wars and being afterwards a Knight but never summoned to Parliament left issue Iohn his Son and Heir who married Ioane the Daughter of ... who afterwards became the Wife of Sir Thomas Bromflet K t Which Iohn died without issue in the life time of his Father As also a Daughter called Ioane married to Sir William Nevill Knight Which Ioane made proof of her age in 10 Hen. 5. viz. That being born at Skelton and Baptized in the Church there she was fifteen years of age upon the Feast day of S. Luke the Evangelist the same year also that she had a Sister called Isabell married to Iohn de Wilton upon the day she was Baptized Whereupon the said William de Nevill had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance and bore the title of Lord Falconberge as I have elswhere shewed being summoned to Parliament by that appellation in 7 Hen. 6. and afterwards and lastly advanced to the title of Earl of Kent ¶ Of this Family as Great Grandson to Stephen de Faâconberge Brother to the first Walter was William de Faâconberge viz. Son of Henry Son of William Son of the said Stephen Which William had Summons to Parliament in 28 Edw. 1. and not afterwards But all that I have farther seen of him is That in 7 Edw. 2. having obliged himself to perform Military service for Iohn de Beauchamp of Somerset in the Wars of Scotland for three Knights Fees he undertook in case the service was not performed by Beauchamp that he and his heirs would be answerable for it Knovill 23 Edw. 1. IN 16 Ioh. Bogo de Knovill had Livery of those Lands at Horsed in Comit. Cantabr which Stephen of Oxford sometime held But in 18 Hen. 3. being in that Insurrection then made by Richard Earl Marshall all his possessions were seised into the Kings hands Whereupon he submitted himself and obtained Precepts to the Sheriffs of Northamptonshire Buckinghamshire Sussex Herefordshire and Cambridgeshire to make restitution unto him of what lay in their respective Counties To this Bogo vulgarly called Bevis succeeded another of that name his Son and Heir I presume who in 3 Edw. 1. was constituted Sheriff of the Counties of Salop and Stafford and Governor of the Castle at Blancminster now called Oswestre in Com. Salop. In the Sheriffalty of which Counties he continued till 6 Edw. 1. and was then made Governor of Dolvoron Castle in the Marches of Wales In 13 Edw. 1. he obtained a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesn Lands of Little Teinton Kellecote Notteclive and Yemington in Com. Gloc. as also in those at Dâcherug in Com. Wiltes And having been summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm from 23 Edw. 1. until the thirty fifth of that Kings Reign departed this life in the same year leaving Bogo his Son and Heir thirty years of age who thereupon doing his homage had Livery of his Lands In 4 Edw. 2. this Bogo was in that expedition made into Scotland and the same year obtained another Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesn Lands at Wolvesneuton Godinton Treleny and Landegan lying within the Honor of Strigoil in the Marches of Wales In 8 Edw. 2. he received command to fit himself with Horse and Arms and to repair to Newcastle upon Tine on the Festival of our Ladies Assumption to restrain the Incursions of the Scots And being in that Insurrection with Thomas Earl of Lancaster in 15 Edw. 2. for the saving of his life paid no less then a thousand pounds fine his residence being then in Glocestershire but was never summoned to Parliament nor any of his Descendants Huntercombe 23 Edw. 1. IN 35 Hen. 3. William de Huntercombe having married Isabell one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Robert de Muscamp and paying his proportion of the Releif thereupon due had Livery of the Lands which by descent came to the said Isabel. After which in 42 Hen. 3. he had Summons to be at Chester upon Munday next before the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist well fitted with Horse and Arms to oppose the hostilities of the Welsh And in 54 Hen. 3. was signed with the Cross in order to a voyage to the Holy Land with Prince Edward Whereupon he constituted William de Huntercombe his Attorney to transact all his business until he returned And departed this life in 55 Hen. 3. being then seised of the Mannor of Huntercombe in Com. Oxon. and Wrastlingworth in Com. ... leaving Sir Walter de Huntercombâ Knight his Son and Heir then of full age But as to the Mannor of Hengham in Com. Norf. whereof he also died seised it was in right of Alice de Hodeng a second Wife it being of her Inheritance by whom he had issue a Son called Thâmas twelve years of age at that time Which Walter performing his homage the same year had Livery of the Lands before specified and married Alice one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Hugh de Bolebec of ... in Com. Northumbr Coheir also to Richard de Moutficâât by reason that ãâã the Mother of the same Hugh was one of the Sisters and Coheirs to the said Richard In 5 Edw. 1. this Walter answered fifty pounds for his Releif of the moity of the Barony of Muscamp which he then possessed and in 10 Edw. 1. was in that expedition then made into Wales In 18 Edw. 1. the Isle of Man being in the Kings hands by the render of Richard de Burgh Earl of Ulster the charge thereof was committed to this Walter After which the next ensuing year he obtained a Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesn Lands at Chivelingham Beleford Le Wike Wollovre and Hethpole in Com. Northumbr But this trust in the custody of that Isle he delivered up again by the Kings special Command in 21 Edw. 1. unto Iohn de Baillol Heir to Alexander de Baillol late King of Scotland And in 22 Edw. 1. had Summons to attend the King at Portsmouth well fitted with Horse and Arms thence to sail with him into Gascoigne In 25 Edw. 1. he was in that expedition then made against the Scots and in 26 Edw. 1. Governor of Edenburgh Castle In 27 Edw. 1. he was constituted Lieutenant of Northumberland and in
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 âine 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 Egremuââ 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
Anastasia Wife of Sir Edward de St. John Knight Catherine married to Sir Raphe de Evre Knight and Elizabeth first to William Playce but afterwards to Iohn Conyers of Sockburne in Com. Palat. Dunelm Esquire Which Sir Iohn St. Iohn left issue by the same Anastasta Margaret his sole daughter and heir married to Thomas Bromflet Upon Partition made betwixt which Daughters and cohâirs bearing date at Pickering-Lithe 22 Iulii 13 R. 2. Sir Raphe Evre and Catherine his wife had for their purpartie the Town and Lordship of Did-Maâton excepting the Advouson of the Priorie there as also excepting the Knight's Fees Forrein services of Tenants the site of the Castle in commen the Fayers Toll and perquisites of Court belonging to the Burrough of New-Malton with the reversion of certain Lands and Tenements granted out for terme of life the Rents and Fermes of the Free-holders and Tenants at will in New-Malton and Broughton-Spitel with their Appurtenances which were reserved to all the coparceners in common They had likewise for their purpartie the third part of the Mannors of Aton Marston Roston and Wykham To Anastasia the Widow of Sir Edward de St. Iohn Knight were the Lordships of Brompton Saldene and Snaynton assigned with the moiety of the Mannors of Weââom and Sutton juxta Malton and the third part of the Mannors of Aton Marton Roston and Wykham And to Sir Iohn Conyers and Elizabeth his Wife the Mannors of Wintringham Dugilby Rillington Hoton Busscell Preston and Ebreston also the Moietie of the Mannors of Wellom and Sutton and the third part of the Mannors of Aton Marston Roston and Wykeham Harington 18 Edw. 2. THough this Family at first assum'd their Sur-name from âaverington in Com. Cumbr. which Lordship they did most antiently possess and held till the heir-female thereof married to the Lord Bonvile yet was their chiefest seat and residence at Aldingham in Com. Lanc. from King Edward the First 's time Which Mannor of Aldingham came to Robert de Harington by the Marriage of Agnes the sister and heir to William de Cancefeld son and heir of Richard de Cancefeld by Alice his Wife sister and heir of Michael Flameng that Family of Flameng having been formerly Lords thereof To this Robert and Agnes succeeded Iohn de Harington who in 34 E. I. amongst the rest of those stout young soldiers which were then to attend that King in his Expedition into Scotland received the honor of Knighthood with Prince Edward at the Feast of Pentecost the same year by Bathing and other sacred Ceremonies and in 4 E. 2. had summons to fit himself with Horse and Armes and to be at Carlisle on the morrow after All-Soules day thence to March against the Scots In 12 E. 2. this Iohn obtain'd a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn-lands within his Lordships of Dustwyke in Com. Ebor. and Thirnam in Com. Lanc. And in 14 E. 3. had the like Charter for Free-warren at his Mannor of Wytherflak in Com. Westmorl with License to impark six hundred Acres of Wood Moore and Marish within the Precincts of his Lordship of Aldingham in Com. Lanc. In 20 E. 3. being of the retinue with William d'Eincourt he assisted him in the defence of the Marches towards Scotland and having been summon'd to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm from 18 E. 2. till 21 E. 3. died the same year leaving Iohn de Harington his Grandson viz. son of Robert by Elizabeth one of the sisters and coheirs to Iohn de Multon of Egremund his next heir being then seised of the Mannor of Wytherâlak in Com. Westmorl as also of the Mannors of âhytnum and Aldyngham and Moietie of the Mannor of Uivereston in Com. Lanc. Which Iohn departed this life upon Monday next after the Feast of St. Augustine in 37 Ed 3. being then seized of the third part of the Mannors of Multon in Com. Linc. Also of the Mannors of Aldingham Thirnum and moietie of the Mannor of Ulvereston in Com. Lanc. Likewise of the Mannor of Austwyke in Com. Ebor. and of the mannors of Millum Mosearghe Havertington with its members and third part of the mannor of Cgremund in Com. Cumbr. leaving Robert his son and heir six years old who in 51 E. 3 making proof of his age and doing his homage had livery of his Lands lying in the Counties of Linc. Cumbr. and Ebor. This Robert in 1 R. 2. reâiding at Alding-Ham receiv'd the honor of Knighthood at the Coronation of that King being imploy'd into the parts of Calais in France the same year in his service And having been summon'd to Parliament from 1 R. 2. until 4 H. 4. departed this life upon Friday next after Ascension-day in 7 H. 4. being seised of the mannor of Austwyke in Com. Ebor. Aldingham Thyrnum and moiety of the mannor of Uââlerston in Com. Lanc. of the third part of the mannor of Egremund the third part of the Town of Morton and moiety of the Hamlet of Arleden in Com. Cumbr. And of the Inheritance of Isabel his wife daughter and coheir to Sir Nigel Loryng Knight of the Garter of the mannor of Tremwell in Com Cornub. West-Ashford Bremdon Knafton and Beaupode in Com. Devon Thurstruston Hall in Hankedone in Com. Suff. and Porlok in Com. Somerset leaving Sir Iohn Harington Knight his son and heir Twenty two years of age who thereupon doing his Homage had Livery of all those Lands Which Sir Iohn Harington was in that Expedition made into France in 3 H. 5. And in 4 H. 5. being reteyn'd by Indenture to serve the King in those Wars received Two hundred ninty five pounds in hand towards his wages upon that accompt But the next ensuing year purposing to travel into forrein parts he declared his Testament 8 Iunii An. 1417. 5 H. 5. thereby bequeathing his body to be buried wheresoever he should happen to die and gave to Elizabeth his wife the one half of all his Silver Vessels After which he lived not a year for the Probate of that Testament beares date the 27 th of April next ensuing To whom succeeded Sir William Harington Knight his brother and heir Which Sir William in 10 H. 4. was constituted Sheriff of Yorkshire and Governor of the Castle at York And in 4 H. 5. was by Indenture retein'd to serve the King in his wars of France with Thirty Men at Armes and Sixty Archers and arriv'd with him in Normandy 1 Aug. In 5 H. 5. being again in those wars of France he obtained License to found a Chantry for one Priest to celebrate Divine Service daily in a certain Chapel in the Parish of Ledes in Com. Ebor. there to pray for the good estate of himself during this life and for his Soul
Calne certain Lands and Rents lying in Stockeleigh and divers other places to maintain a Priest to sing Masse at the Altar of St. Edmund at Cane every morning early Sundayes and Holy-dayes excepted for the Soul of Ioane his wife as also for the good estate of himself during this life and for the health of his Soul and the Souls of his Parents Benefactors and all the Faithful deceased But in case the said Warden did fail to perform the trust that Walter de Hungerford his Brother should take the benefit of those Lands to himself and his heirs for ever Likewise that he bestowed on the same Hospital divers Vestments viz. a Chesible a Tunicle a Dalmatick an Albe with an Amice as also a green Tapet adorn'd with white Crosses to be used in the same Chantry for ever Furthermore that he gave to the Freres at Eston certain Lands and Rents in East Graston for the maintenance of a Priest being a Frere of that House to celebrate Divine Service there perpetually for the Soul of Geva his wâfe for the good estate of himself and Walter his Brother and for their Souls after this life as also to keep their respective Obits and to every Frere assisting at those Obits six pence in Money besides one Flagon of Wine amongst four of them with as much in value for Meat and Drink to seven poor people And besides all this that he bestowed certain Lands and Rents lying in Hungerford Sundon and ãâã juxta Huâgerford for the support of a Priest in the Church of St. Lawrence at ãâã to pray for his Soul and the Soul of the same Geva his wife and all the Faithful deceased And lastly that he departed this life in 28 E. 3. or about that time with this Memorial in a Window at Hungerford Ky pour Monsieur Robert de Hungerford tant com il vivera pour le Alme de luy apres sa mort priera cink cens cinquant jours de pardon avera grante de quatorze Evesques tant come il fust en vie par qui en nom de Charite Pater Ave. To whom succeeded Sir Walter de Hungerford Knight his brother who by Elizabeth his wife daughter of Sir Adam fitz Iohn had issue Thomas Which Thomas was Eschaetor for the County of Wilts in 30 E. 3. and in 39 E. 3 gave to the Canons of Eddington in Com. Wilts all his Lands and Tenements in Esthorpe Westorpe Hampton Eâvylle and Heghworthe to keep his Obits and the Obit of his wife Likewise the Obits of Walter his Father and Elizabeth his Mother Also the Obits of Robert de Hungerford his Uncle on the third day after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lady with Placebo and Dirige nine Lessons one Mass of Requiem with Note and three without Note In 51 E. 3. he was Speaker of the House of Commons in the Parliament then held at Westminster that being the first Parliament in which that House had a Speaker he being then a Knight And in 3 R. 2. obtained a Confirmation of that grant of the Office of Forester of Selwood in Com. Wilts which he had formerly acquired from Roger de Sturton and Iohn his son In 6 R. 2. he purchased from Elizabeth the Widow of Edward Lord Spenser the Mannor of Heightesbury called the West-Court together with the Hundred of Heightesbury In 7 R. 2. having fortified his House at Farle Montford in Com Somerset without License he obtained pardon for the same and in 8 R. 2. procured a Charter for Free-warren in all his Demesn Lands at Weâewe and Farle in Com. Somerset Heitredesbury East-Court and West-Court Mildenhalâ Tesfont Ashley Wolley and Laslo in Com. Wilts as also at Doun-Amney in Com. Gloc. And having married Ioane the daughter and co-heir of Sir Edmund Hussie Knight departed this life upon the third day of Dec. 22 R. 2. whereupon he had burial under an Arch within the Chapel at Farley-Castle in Com. Wilts with this Epitaph Hic jacet Thomas Hungerford Chevalier Dominus de Farley Weleve Heylesbyri qui obiit 3 die Decembris Anno MCCCXCVIII cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen Which Ioane surviving him by her Testament bearing date 1 Febr. An. 1411. 13 H. 4. bequeath'd her body to be buried in the Chappel of St. Anne within the Parochial Church of Farlegh Hungerford next to the Grave of her Husband appointing that after her decease with all possible speed the Executors of her Testament should cause Three thousand Masses to be celebrated for her Soul and for the Soules of all the Faithful deceased Also that on the day of her Funeral twelve Torches and two Tapers should burn about her Body and that twelve poor women holding those Torches should be cloathed in Russet with linnen Hoods having Stockings and Shooes sutable She likewise appointed that Ten pounds should be bestowed to buy black cloth for the cloathing of her sons and daughters as also for the sons and daughters of her Executors and all her domestick servants And that Two hundred Marks then in the hands of Sir Walter Hungerford Knight her son should be bestow'd upon the founding of a perpetual Chantry of one Chaplain to celebrate Divine Service in the Chapel of St. Anne in the North-part of the said Church of Farlegh for the health of her Soul and the Soul of her Husband as also for the Soules of all their Anceâors for ever To Katherine the wife of her said son Walter she bequeath'd her black Mantle furr'd with Minever and to Thomas his son a green Bed embroidered with one Greyhound And depaâting this life upon the first day of March An. 1412. was bâried near to her husband with this Epitaph Hic jacet Domina Johanna uxor ejusdem Thoâe Hungerford filia Domini Edmundi Husâ militis quae obiit primo die mensis Martii An. Domini 1412. To this last mention'd Thomas succeeded Sir Waâter Hungerford Knight his son and heir who merited so well from King Henry the Fourth upon his arrival in England when he attained the Crown of this Realm that in râcon pence of his great expences at that time and in consideration of his future services he obtain'd a grant of One hundred pounds per annum to be received out of the Lands of Margaret Dutchess of Norfolk then in the Crown and in 3 H. 4. was imploy'd into France there to continue for the safe-guard of those parts In 7 H. 4. in consideration of his great expences in those wars and especially at Calais where he atchieved great honor by encountring a Knight of France he had a ãâã grant of One hundred Marks per annum payable out of the Town and Castle of ãâã in Com. Wiltes and the same year was constituted Sheriff of thât County In 13 H. 4. upon the death of
when she personally consummated her Marriage with the before-specified Duke of Burgundy In 10 E. 4. when the Duke of Clarence and the Earl of Warwick being revolted from the King fled to Southampton where they had thought to have got a great Ship call'd the Trinity belonging to that Earl this Lord Scales sought with them so that they were forc'd to get into France But the Scene soon after changing he fled with King into Holland Whence returning before the revolution of that year his Father being dead bearing the Title of Earl Rivers he was constituted Governour of the Town and Castle of Calais and Tower of Ryseâaâk as also of the Castle of Gâysnes and the Marches adjâcent for seven years Likewise Captain-Genâral of the King's Army and of all his Forces both by Sea and Land Whereupon in 1â E. 4. in his greatest of dangers he attended him with thirty men at Arms of his own Retinue both into Kent Essex and other parts where he became victorious And in 12 E. 4. was one of the Embassadors sent to treat with Francis Duke of Briâanny upon a Truce betwixt that Duke and King Edward as also for a mutuâl aid to each other upon Conclusion whereof he had a thousand men at Arms and Archers under his Command to carry thither In 13 E. 4. upon the Creation of Prince Edward to be Prince of Wales and Earl of âhester being made Governour to him he obtain'd the Office of Chief Butler of England And in 14 E. 4. was retain'd by Indenture to serve the King in his Wars of France and Normandy with xl men at Armes and CC. Archers After which there having been some Treaty betwixt King Edward and Iames the Third then King of Scotland for a Marriage between this Anthony Earl Rivers and Margaret the Sister to that King in 22 E. 4. Iohn Bishop of Rochester then Lord Privy-Seal and Sir Edward Widvile were sent into Scotland to perfect the same But King Edward shortly after departing this Life Prince Edward his Son being then not above thirteen years of Age the Guardianship of him and Government of the Realm during his Minority was committed unto Richard Duke of Gloucester his next Brother Whereupon that Duke ambitiously aspired the Crown by the Murther of his Nephew At which time this Earl being in the North and sent for by a special messenger from the Duke of Buckingham hasted towards London the young King at the same time being also upon his Journey thitherwards but gone from Northampton by that time the Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham wrought thither leaving this Earl Rivers his Uncle behind who intended to overtake him at Stony-Stratford on the Morrow before he got thence Staying therefore at Northampton that Night those Dukes made friendly cheer with him but after he was gone to his Lodging they with their chiefest confidents fell to Councel Where sitting till break of the day they sent privily to their Servants to make ready speedily with intimation that they were to ride backwards Whereupon divers of their Servants got ready but this Earls Servants were not so quick Those Dukes also took into their own Custody the Keys of the Inn where thây lodg'd that none should pass out without their special Licence and planted some upon the Road to stop any who were gotten out pretending that they themselves would be the first that should attend the young King out of Stony-Stratford that Morning This Earl therefore taking notice of these doings though he feared mischief yet went confidently to the Dukes and askt what all that meant who thereupon began to quarrel with him and told him that he intended to make disturbance between the King and them and to destroy them but that it should not lie in his power And when he began modestly to vindicate himself being a person of good elocution they would not permit him to speak but caused him to be laid hold on and put in Custody Then hasted to Stony-Stratford where they found the King ready to take Horse And having in a seeming humble manner saluted him presently pickt a quarrel with the Lord Richard Grey the Kings half Brother saying that He with the Marquess Dorset his Elder Brother and this Earl Rivers his uncle had conspired to rule the young King and the Realm as also to set variance amongst the Nobility and destroy them and that for the accomplishing thereof the Marquess had entred the Tower of London thence taken the Publick Treasure and sent men to Sea Whereunto the King answering that what his Brother-Marquess had done he could not say but told them that he knew his Uncle Rivers and Brother Gray to be innocent To this the Duke of Buckingham replyed That they had concealed these things from his Grace and forthwith arrested the Lord Richard Grey and Sir Thomas Vaughan Knight and so brought the King and the rest back to Northampton Where taking farther counsel they put new Servants about him sent away whom they pleased and convey'd this Earl Rivers and the Lord Richard Grey to several Prisons Amongst other of the places whereunto this Earl Rivers was then carryed the Castle of Shiriff-Hoton in Yorkeshire was one Where upon the 23 d of Iune an 1483. which was the very day preceding the cruel Murther of the young King in the Tower of London he declared his Testament whereby he bequeath'd his Heart to be carryed to our Lady of Pue adjoining to St. Stephens Colledge at Westminster there to be buried by the advice of the Dean and his Brethren and in Case he should die South of ârent then his Body to be also buryed before our Lady of pue aforesaid Appointing that all the Lands which were his Fathers should remain to his right Heirs with his Cup of Gold of Columbine And that such Lands as were the Lady Scales his first Wife should come to his Brother Sir Edward Wydvill and to his Heirs Male and for lack of such Heirs Male unto the right Heirs of his Father but he to whom it should so come before he took possession thereof to deduct five hundred marks to be imployed for the Souls of the said Lady Scales and Thomas her Brother and the Souls of all the Scales blood in helping and refreshing Hospitals and other Deeds charitable Also to find a Priest one year at our Lady of Pue to pray for the Souls of those Brothers and all Christen-Souls Likewise to find another Priest to sing at the Chappel of the Rodes in Grenewich to pray for his own Soul and all Christen-Souls Farther directing that all his Apparel for his Body and Horse-harness should be sold and with the money thereof Shirts and Smocks for poor folk to be bought But long he staid not at Shiriff-Hoton as
onely certain Acres thereof which his own Tenants after the Disseisâ of the Monks had demised to them for Tillage Thus much as to what is reported of him by these Monks of Waldene I come now to what is else Historical which I shall here relate in order of time In 1 R. 1. in that General Council then held at London wherein the King purposing a Voyage to the Holy Land conferr'd on Hugh Bishop of Durham and William Earl of Albemarle the Office of Justice of England he associated to them this Geffrey with some others as their Assistants in that Trust. In which year he had a Grant from the King of the Lordship of Sutton a Member of Clarenâeford which rendred to the Exchequer Seven Pounds per annum as also Five Shillings per annum which was the Goldsmiths and Five Acres of Land which appertain'd to the Beadle of King Henry the Second to hold by the Service of the fourth part of a Knights Fee Of which Lands c. Iohn Burhount acknowledg'd him to be Heir and whereof he had pass'd to him the Inheritance All which King Henry the Second gave to Robert Fitz-Raphe and Alice Burhunt his Wife He had likewise about that time a Grant from Iohn Earl of Moreton of Kirketon with the Honour Moreover in the Second year of King Richard the First 's Reign upon that Complaint made to the King then at Messana against William de Longchamp Bishop of Ely at that time Chancellor and left Vicegerent here in King Richard's absence special Command was sent from the King to Longchamp That he should thenceforth in all things take the Advice of Walter Archbishop of Roan and some others whereof this Geffrey was one who in those great Contests betwixt Longchamp and Iohn Earl of Moreton the King's Brother so much favoured the Earl that Longchamp caused him to be Excommunicated by the Pope About this time he gave CC Marks for the Wardship of the Heirs of Hubert Bland and their Inheritance and the same year paid xlix l. iii. s. iv d. upon Collection of the Scutage of Wales As also Three thousand Marks for Livery of the Lands of Earl William de Mandevill of the Inheritance of Beatrix de Say his Wife having the King's Charter for the better fortifying his Title to himself and her as next Heirs to the same Earl And from 31 H. 2. to 1 Ric. 1. as also from 4 to 6 Ric. 1. inclusive was Sheriff of Northamptonshire And from 3 R. 1. to 6 R. 1. inclusive for the Counties of Essex and Hertford In 6 R. 1. he was one of the Justices of the King's Court. And in 9 R. 1. Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury then Justice of England being set aside he was advanc'd to that eminent Office in his stead And the same year marching with a great Power into Wales in aid of the Tenants of William de Brause whom Gwenwynwyn Lord of the higher Powys had besieg'd in Maude-Castle after a great Fight and much Slaughter of the Welch reliev'd them Furthermore upon the death of King Richard the First being then Justice of England he was sent with Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury and others into England to keep the Peace there And accordingly meeting at Northampton with those of whose fidelity they most doubted assured them That they should have no wrong but that every Man should possess his own in peace Upon the day of King Iohn's Coronation and not before he was by that King girt with the Sword of the Earldom of Essex though he had formerly the Title of Earl and Administration of the Earldom and then serv'd the King at his Table And the same year obtain'd the King's Charter for a Weekly Market on the Friday and likewise a Fair every year on the Eve of St. Andrew and two days following at his Mannor of Kynebochton in Com. Hunt The next ensuing year he obtain'd another Charter for a Market every Week at Agmundesham in Com. Buck. and likewise for a Fair every year And in 5 Ioh. had a Grant of the Custody of the Honour of Angre in Essex In which year King Iohn extorting from his Nobles a vast Sum of Money made use of him in executing his will upon the Laytie who spared none And underwent the Office of Sheriff for the County of Yorke for the first second fifth and sixth years of King Iohn's Reign For the County of Staff from the first to the sixth inclusive For the County of Westmoreland the second year And for the Counties of Buckingham Bedford Hants Wiltes Salop. and Stafford from the third to the sixth inclusive And about this time was signed with the Cross in order to an Expedition to the Holy-Land but considering the turbulency of Mens Spirits which occasion'd the King to be in fear of a Rebellion so that he could not then spare him he wrote to the Pope to respite his Journey for four or five years promising That then he would send him and all those other who were so signed with the Cross. In 7 Ioh. he had a Grant from the King of the Castle and Honour of Berkhamsted with the Knights Fees thereto belonging in Fee-farm for C l. per annum to hold to him and the Heirs of his Body by Aveline then his Wife And in 10 Ioh. of the Haven called Quâen-Hithe in the City of London in Fee-farm also for the Rent of xxx l. per annum to be paid to the King's Exchequer and Lx s. per annum to the Lepers in the Hospital of St. Giles in the Suburbs of London Moreover about this time he obtain'd a Confirmation of the Mannor of Morton with the Advowson of the Church which Hugh de Courtney had granted to him to hold of him the said Hugh and his Heirs by the Service of half a Knights Fee And in 11 Ioh. gave to the King ten Palfreys and ten Goshawks that he might be exempted from the Tuition of the Daughters of the King of Scotland But in 14 Ioh. I find him rank'd by our Historians of that Age amongst the King 's Evil Counsellors the King then refusing to submit to the Pope's Dictates for which respect his Holiness absolved all his Subjects of this Realm from their Fidelity Lastly In 15 Ioh. he procur'd a Grant in Fee of the Forest of Huntendon As to his Works of Piety I find That he granted to the Brethren of the Hospital of St. Thomas of Acres in the City of London the Guardianship of the Hospital of St. Iohn Baptist in Berkhamstede and likewise of the Hospital of St. Iohn the Evangelist of Lepers there Moreover that he founded an Hospital at Sutton in Com. Ebor. to the Honour of the Holy Trinity and the Blessed