Mary's reign it being May 15. 1 Mariae that Sir Walter 's murther so hapned To whom succeeded the before specified Richard his son and heir who was strangely juggled out of a fair inheritance this Lordship being part the manner whereof considering what success hath attended it is not unworthy the relation This Richard having but one onely daughter called Margaret by his first wife and doubting of issue male treated with Sir Iohn Littleton of Frankley in Worcestershire for a marriage betwixt his said daughter and William Littleton third son to the said Sir Iohn In consideration whereof he agreed to settle all his lands in remainder after his own decease without other issue upon the said William and Margaret and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten but for lack of such issue to return to his own right heirs And having Writings drawn accordinglyâ— trusted the said Sir Iohn Littleton to get them ingrossed Which being effected and a day appointed for sealing Mr Smyth came over to Frankley where he found very noble entertainment and some of Sir Iohn's friends to bear him company in whose presence the Writings were brought forth and begun to be read but before they came to the uses stept in Sir Iohn Littleton's keeper in a sweat and told them that there were a brace of Bucks at lare in the Park which carryed a glass in their tails for Mr Smyth's Dogs to look in for he loved coursing well and had his Greyhounds there but if they made not hast those market people which passed through the Park would undoubtedly rouse them Whereupon Sir Iohn Littleton earnestly moved Mr Smyth to seal the Writings without further reading protesting that they were according to the draughts he had seen and without any alteration Which bold asleverations putting him out of all suspicion of sinister dealing caused him forthwith to seal them and to go into the Park Hereupon the two Children for they were not above ix years old a peice were marryed together and lived in the house with Sir Iohn But so it hapned that about six years after the young man dyed by a fall from a Horse insomuch as Mr Smyth considering that his daughter had no issue resolved to take her away and signified as much to Sir Iohn who designing to marry her again to George his second son refused to deliver her till which time Mr Smyth never suspected any thing in the Deed formerly so sealed as hath been said But then upon difference betwixt him and Sir Iohn it appeared that for want of issue by the before specified William and Margaret the lands were to divolve unto the right heirs of the said William which was Gilbert Littleton his eldest brother contrary to the plain agreement at first made To make short therefore VVilliam the youngest son marryed her George the second enjoy'd her and Gilbert the eldest had the estate as heir to his brother Which descending to Iohn his son was kept from Mr Smyth the true heir with whom he had great suits in Law and at length by his attainder for adhering to Robert E. of Essex in 42 Eliz. came to the Crown for he was drawn into that Treason as being a man much respected for his wit and valour by those Conspirators and dyed in Prison After which King Iames at his first coming to the Crown of England being petitioned by Muriel the widow to the said Iohn for restitution of his lands well weighing how popular a man the Earl of Essex was and so consequently all those that took part with him were lookt on by the Vulgar unto whom an Act of Mercy could not but be especially at his first entrance very gratefull yeilded to her request and by his Letters pat made a grant of them to her Whereupon she still doubting more trouble by suits with Mr Smyth sold them away to Sergeant Hele a great Lawyer who likewise considering upon what foundation Littleton's title was at first built to the end that it might the better be defended disposed of them to his 5 sons viz. Sir VVarwick Hele and Sir Francis both Knights Nicholas VValter and George But such is the fate that follows these possessions that for want of a publick adversary these brothers are now at suit amongst themselves for them And as none of the line of Gilbert Littleton before specified to whom they so descended by force of the before specified conveyance doth enjoy a foot of them so is it no less observable that the son and heir of George by the same Margaret so marryed as I have declared viz. Stephen Littleton of Holbeach in Worcestershire was attended with a very hard fate being one of the Gunpowder Conspirators in 3 Iac. for which he lost his life and estate as is very well known Bulkintonâ— SOuthwards from hence lyes Bulkinton which is a large Parish containing these Hamlets viz. Weston in Arden Ryeton Bramcote Wolvershill Merston-Iabet and Bernacle of which in their order In the Conquerours dayes this was certified to be in the possession of the Earl of Mellent and held then by Salo his under-tenant at which time it contained 4 hydes and one virgat of land being valued at xx s. and written Bochintone That Ernald de Boys was Steward to Rob. Bossu E. of Leic. I have already taken notice in Clifton but whether this place descended to him as heir to Robert de Watervill his Uncle or whether he were enfeofft thereof immediatly by the said Earl I cannot say nevertheless that he succeeded Watervill as heir is most probable for it appears that Roger de Watervill brother of Robert gave the Church to the Abby of Leicester upon or near the time of that Monastery its foundation which was in an 1143. 8 Steph. To which Church were then belonging two yard land called the glebe with the Chappels of Bernangle Weston Ryton Merston Schelton Ansty and Bramcote all which except Schelton and Ansty do yet continue of this Parish for in those dayes it was seldome seen that the possession of the Mannour and patronage of the Church were in several hands before such perpetual advousons were given to the Monks Which Ernauld confirmed the said grant of Roger de Watervile so also did his descendants the 3 succeeding Ernalds In 13 E. 1. Iohn de Boys son to the last Ernald claimed a Court-Leet Gallows power to punish the breakers of the Assize of Bread and Ale as also Weyfs and to be discharged of the common amerciaments of the County All these I say he claimed then by prescription in this his Mannour of Bulkinton Weston and Ryton with Free-warren here by grant to Ernald his father which were allowed To whom succeeded William his brother and heir as in Clifton is manifested Which William setled this Mannour with divers other upon himself for life and afterwards upon VVilliam de la Zuche and Maud his wife and the heirs of the same VVilliam
Shiriff for enquiry who ought of right to repair it and to distrein them thereunto What was done thereupon I find not but in 26. E. 3. the Abbot of Stoneley being questioned for the not repair of it did not deny but that he ought of right so to do Finborgh WIthin the precincts of Stoneley there was a certain House with two yard land belonging to it called Fynborgh given by King H. 1. unto one William his Falconer by the service of keeping a Falcon. Which land one of the same William his descendants charged with an annuity of 5 s. per annum to the Canons of Kenilworth in respect whereof of the Priors of Kenilworth did chalenge to be Lords of the same tenement exacting Heriots and suite of Court from the possessors thereof But this tenement came at length by succession to one Alex. de Fynborgh who dying without issue Ioan the wife of Steph. Stretton and Alice the wife Iohn Fynborgh being his sisters inherited it Neither of which having children Ioan the survivor gave it in her widowhood to Will. de Hulle a Priest who past it unto one Iohn Bacon of Wolston Which Iohn sold it to Sir Will. Bagot of Baginton in R. 2. time but since that have I seen little of it Fynham THis village lyeth upon the bank of Sow and being a member of Stoneley was possest by the Monks from the Foundation of that Abby they having Free-warren granted to them here in 12. E. 1. In it antiently were xii houses of which eight were gone before the beginning of H. 7. time When it past out of the Crown I have not seen but in 3. E. 6. Cuthbert Ioyner a Citizen of Coventre and Thomas Kevet were owners of it Which Thomas died seized of six mess. here and certain lands to them belonging in 1 Eliz. leaving George his son and heir Fletchamsted THis is now in two parts one commonly called Over-Flechamsted and the other Nether-Flechamsted but antiently they were not divided Here it was that K. H. 1. observing it to be a place of great solitude in respect of the thick woods and large wasts thereabouts gave to one Gerard an Heremite and Priest a carucat of land whereupon in process of time he built Houses and let them for Rent Which Gerard had a Chappell here the yard whereof was consecrated by Walter Durdent then B. of Coventre upon condition that he the said Gerard and his successors should pay tithes to the Canons of Kenilworth in right of their Church of Stonley In this Chappell did he celebrate Divine service daily was afterwards buried therein After whose death K. Henry preferred one Bryan thereunto who also was a Priest and brother to a Templar named Peter Lomsy which Peter sent the said Brian into Ireland upon some business for the Templars and in his absence sung Mass in the Chappell here for the King But Brian dying in Ireland the Templars held this Chantry and the land thereto belonging and procured K. H. 2. to bestow it upon one Robert Pirou a Priest during his life for their use and after his decease upon them Whose grant K. Iohn confirmed Which lands were in 31. H. 2. certified to be worth 14 s. per annum and the Mill that the said Templars had also here 3 s. whereof they continued possest till the destruction of their Order yet not very peaceably in regard that the Canons of Kenilw. perplexed them with suites in R. 1. K. Iohn's time upon the title they pretended to have thereof by the grant of K.H. 1. In 7. E. 1. that which the Templars had here was certified to be 1. that one Carucat of land and Mill above specified held by the service to find a Priest to sing Mass daily for the souls of the Ks. Progenitors and for the soul of Gerard the Heremite 2. That the Tenants of this and the rest of the lands which they had here were to do suite to the Court at Balsall twice a year and each of them to find one man in Harvest for to work four days with their hooks the Templars providing them dyet All which had House-bote and Hey-bote in the Abbot of Stonley's woods called West-wood In the time that the Templars thus held it Guido de Foresta Master of that Order here in England temp E. 1. purchased from the Monks of Stonley for an C. marks and the releasing all their interest of common in the woods and lands belonging to the Abby of Stoneley 192. acres of wast lying in a great out-wood there adjoyning called West-wood with all such Rents and services which the Monks of Stoneley had of the said Templars tenants in Flechamsted except the rent of Iohn Fitz-Nicholas But when the Templars were supprest scil An. 1311. 5. E. 2. Robert de Hockele then Abbot of Stoneley entred into this Chappell and lands here and held them for 40. days Howbeit afterwards by the advise of Tho. de Hockele his brother then a Dr. in Divinity and a Canon of Kenilworth fearing that he might undergo some Ecclesiasticall censure for what he had done rendred them up to the Hospitalars to whom the K. and Pope had granted them as I shall fully shew when I come to Balshall All which lands except the carucat first belonging to this Chantry did pay tithes to the Church of Stoneley and in 21. H. 7. were held of the said Hospitalars by Iohn Beufitz of Balshall in Lease who by his Will disposed thereof to Ellene his wiâ—e Which Order with all the great Monasteries being dissolved in 30. H. 8. the K. by his Letters Pat. dated 26. Febr. 36. of his raign granted away whatsoever the said Hospitalars had here to Iohn Beaumont esq and his heirs by the name of a Mannour the particular lands thereunto belonging being said to be in Over-Flechamsted Who having license the same year to alien it unto William Humberston and his heirs levyed a Fine thereupon T. Hill 2. E. 6. But afterwards it came by purchase to Sir Tho. Leigh Kt. and Dame Alice his wife Which Sir Thomas had issue Sir Thomas who made the Park here built a fair House within it now enjoy'd by his grandson together with Stoneley whereof I have already spoke Nether-Flechamsted COncerning this I have not seen any thing before H. 7. time but then sc. 3. H. 7. was Sir Iohn Catesby Kt. seized thereof from whose son heir viz. Humfrey Catesby esq Iohn Smyth a wealthy Citizen of Coventre living in the Spon-street purchased this other lands of good value Which Iohn in 6. H. 7. was one of the Commissioners appointed in this County for arraying of men in defence of the Kingdom then in danger of an invasion by Charles 8. K. of France as also for conservation of the peace from 8. till 15. H. 7. and then was constituted one of the
mentioned had Free-warren granted to him in 42 H. 3. And that the said Iohn held the same being half a Knights fee of Thomas de Arden lineall heir to the before specified Siward by the service of a Hawke As also that in 13 E. 1. Theobald de Verdon â— son and heir of the said Iohn claymed a Court-leet Assise of bread and beer Free-warren and weyfs with other priviledges here in Flekenho and the members thereof viz. Nethercote Wolshamcote Sawbridge for these do appear so to be by the antient stile of the Court there kept all which were allowed Which Theobald had issue Theobald and he severall daughters and heirs as in Brandon is shewed whereupon it came by partition to be assigned unto Isabell the wife of Henry de Ferrers of Groby To whose posterity in the direct line it continued untill it was put into the hands of Iohn Stafford Bishop of Bath and Wells Iohn Visc. Beauâ—ont and other feoffees by William the last Lord Ferrers of Groby who by their deed dated 20. Ian. 20 H. 6. setled it upon the said William for terme of life and after his decease upon Thomas his younger son and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas being so seized thereof gave it to Henry Ferrers his younger son to hold during the life of the said Henry but afterward to remain to Thomas Ferrers son and heir of him the said Thomas by Eliz. one of the sisters and heirs to Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight by whom he had the Castle of Tamworth in this County From which Thomas and Eliz. did lineally descend Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight who by his deed bearing date 20. Sept. 12. Iac. gave it with Anne his daughter in Marriage unto Sir Symon Archer Knight and his heirs of whom and his family which hath been of great continuance in this Shire I have spoke in Tanworth where their seat is Nethercote THIS having been antiently called Parva-Flekenho and originally a member of the other was in 10 E. 2. held by Iohn de Coigne of Theobald de Verdon for half a Knights fee And after him viz. in 2 E. 3. by Will. Coyne who wrote himself Dominus de Nethercote To whose posterity it continued till 31 H. 8. that Robert Cuny esquire past it away to Roger Wigston esquire and his heirs whose son and heir William Wigston esq but afterwards Knight levyed a Fine thereof to Eliz. Onely widow in 3 E. 6. But I have heard that Roger Wigston son and heir to the said Sir William sold it to one Thomas Lee which Thomas in 14. Eliz. by the name of Tho. Lee of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. esquire was certified to dye seized thereof leaving William Watson son of Anne Watson one of his sisters his next heir Which William sold it to Tho. Wilcox who passed it to Robert Clerke late owner thereof Sawbridge THIS being written Salebrugge in antient Records makes me imagine that the name was at first occasioned from the Bridge here over Leame and that the syllable Sal which by corrupt pronuntiation is now called Saw proceedeth from the old Brittish word Sal or Salw id est vilis sive parvae estimationis But it was originally a member of Wolfhamcotâ— and continued in the family of Ardern till King Iohn's time that Thomas de Arderne granted it to the Monks of Thorney in Cambrige-shire who in 19 E. 1. were certified to hold in this place one carucate of land rated at xxx s. and iv li. xii s. rent of Assise at which time the value of those customary works due to the Monks from hence were rated at 26 s. 8 d. â—nd the pleas and perquisites 6 s. 8 d. They had then also a Mill of 4 li. per annum and a stock upon the ground worth xx s. by the year The totall viii li. xix s. iv d. This continued in the Crown after the dissolution of the Monasteries til 2 Eliz. that the Q past it away to ...... Gerard and others by the name of the Mannour of Sawbridge How it came again to her hands I know not but in 4. of her raign by her Letters Pat. dated 28. Oct. she granted it to Ranulph Crew esq and Richard Cartwright gent. and their heires together with a water-mill in Ryeton â— to be held in Feeferme paying xx li. yearly into the Exchequer Which Ranulph and Richard by their deed dated the 10. of Nov. following past it to Edward Brook of Flekenho gent. Roger Tibbots of Southam gent. Robert Clâ—rk of Wolfhamcote Yeoman Thomas Chiles of Sawbridge Yeoman and Richard Roberts of Nethercote Yeoman and their heires Shuckborough-superior SOuthwest from Wolfhamcote stands Shuckborough superior part whereof lyes within Kineton-Hundred In the Conq. time the Earl of Mellent held four hides here as appears by the generall Survey then made and Turchill de Warwick half a yard land All which being valued at lv s. were possest by the same Leuvinus before the Norman invasion of whom I have made mention in Monkskirby and Flekenho But in that Record it is written Socheberge whence I conjecture that the originall name was at first composed of a Brittish as well as a Saxon word Swch in that language signifying a Plow and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the other a Hill which is not unsutable to the nature of the ground viz. arable and the situation thereof That the greatest part of the Earl of Mellent's lands and likewise of the before specified â—urchill's came soon after to the antient Earls of Warwick I have often observed yet it when it was or whom that those Earles first enfeoft of this place doth not directly appear but plain it is that Earl Roger who dyed in King Stephen's time gave the Church to the Nunns of Wroxhale and confirmed the grant which Robert then Lord of this Mannour had made of 4. yard land and xx acres of Inclosure to the same Religious house But after this Robert the next that I find to have been Lord of it was Osbert de Lemintone who granted an Oxe-gang of land lying within the precincts thereof to the Abby of Leicester Which Oxe-gang being half a yard land and confirmed by King H. 2. was within a short space given by the Canons of that House to Thomas the son of Oliver de Shukborow and his heires for ix s. yearly rent to be payd to the said Monastery From this Thomas did descend as 't is like that family which long continuing here bore the sirname of Oliver whereof was Thomas Oliver who in 7 E. 1. held 7. yard land in this place viz. 3. yard land and a half of Henry de Berchesdone by the 4. part of a Knights fee which the said Henry held over of the Prior of Coventre and the rest of Iordan de Say by the like service This Thomas Oliver had at that time
their principall seat at Wulverle whereof they were called Barons as when I come to Solihull shall be manifested but whether this Cristina marryed to Raph de Limesie an eminent man in the Conquerours time having fair possessions in the Counties of Norff. Suff. Hertford Northampt. Nott. Somerset Devon and Warwick I cannot affirm howbeit that his posterity enjoyed her lands is sure enough flourishing in great honour till King Iohn's time that the male line extinguished and the Barony of Lymsie for so it is called was divided betwixt Hugh de Odingsells a Fleming and David de Lindesey a Scot husbands to the coheirs of Iohn de Limesy as the descent here inserted will shew But before I begin to speak of the family of Odingsells who had their seat here I have a word or two to say of the Limesies their ancerstors which is that from the before specified Raph descended Raph founder of the Priory at Hertford in H. 1. timeâ— which Raph gave thereunto certain lands lying in this Lordship To whom succeeded Alan his son and heir who gave to that Monastery the Church of this Ichinton which grant Gerard his son and Iohn the son and heir of the same Gerard confirmed But descending to Odingsells I observe that from the said Hugh by Basilia sprung two very eminent and worthy families of which the chief resided here at Ichinton even till our fathers memory and that the other which had Solihull and Maxstoke continuing not many descents was by heirs female transplanted into other stocks In 15. Ioh. partition being made betwixt those coheirs the said Hugh and Basilia paid a Fine of 500. marks to the King for livery of the moytie of those lands by inheritance pertaining to her upon the death of her brother Iohn de Limesi without issue lying in the Countyes of Hertford Oxford Worcester Suff and Warwick For securing the Rad. de Limesia fundator Priorat de Hertford Hadewisâ— Alanus de Limesi Triamus de Limesi Gerardus de Limesi 8. H. 2. Amicia Alianora ux Davidis de Lindsei David de Lindsey David Gerard. Walt. Wâ—ll ob s. p. Alicia soror raeres ux Henr. de Pinkney 34. H. 3. Henr. de Pinkney Rob. de Pinkney 13 E. 1. Thom de Pinkney ob s. p. Rob. de Pinkney D. manerii de Stene in Com. Northampt. 22 E. 1. Ioh. de Pinkney miles suspensus 22. E. 1. Ioh. de Limesi duxit Aliciam Fil. Rob. de Harecourt Hugo de Limesi ob s. p. Alanus Gerardus ob s. prole Amabilla ob s. prole Basilia ux Hug. de Odingsels Hugo de Odingsels ob s. p. Gerardus de Odingsels miles 23. H. 3. Hugo de Odingsels 51. H. 3. Ioh. de Odingsels mil. defunctus 10 E. 3. Ioh. de Odingsels ob 27 E. 3. Amicia filia Rog. Corbet Ioh. de Odingsels miles ob 4 R. 2. Ioh. de Odingsels miles ob 5 H. 4. Edw. de Odingsels miles ob 6 E. 4. Margar. filia Ioh. Cokain de Bury-Hatley in Com. Bedf. Gerardus de Odingsels 8 H. 7. Edw. Odingsels 9 H. 7. Anna filia Ric. Verney de Compton ar Edm. Odingsels obiit â— Sept. 5 6 Ph. M. Ioh. Odingsels ob s. proleâ— Will. Odingsels Thom. Odingsels ob s. p. Thom. Odingsels servus Will. D. Burleigh temp R. Eliz. obiitâ— coelebe Rad. cognom de Limesy Ric. de Limesy Petrus de Limesi ob 18. E. 2. Ioh. de Limesi 18 E. 2. Will. de Odingsels de Solihull Maxstoke payment whereof Hugh and Will. two of his sons became bound Which Iohn de Limesi dyed 9 R. 4. 1. Whereupon Alice his widow daughter of Rob. de Harecourt marryed to Walleran E. of Warwick This Hugh de Odingsells was a Knight and a man of great note in his time for I find that in 5 H. 3. he attended the King in person to the siege of Bitham-Castle in Com. Linc. with considerable forces for which he had warrant to levy Escuage upon all his tenants that held of him by military service and dyed in 23 H. 3. whereupon Gerard his son had livery of all the lands in Ichington â— and elswhere that were of the inheheritance of Basilia his mother and held of the King in Capite then doing his homage and giving security to the Shiriff of this County for the payment of his Relief viz. 50 li. whereby it appears that his estate was great the Relief for a Knights fee being antiently but C s. which Gerard being a Knight in 26 H. 3. gave a Fine of 50. marks to be freed from attendance upon the King into Gascoign towards the payment whereof he had power to levy Escuage upon all the Knights fees held of him And in 48 H. 3. had summons with many other great men to be at Oxford in Midlent sufficiently furnish't with Horse and Armes there to give the King advice and assist him against Lewelin P. of Wales and his adherents then in Rebellion but departed this life in 50 H. 3. whereupon the custody of his heir then not of full age with his lands held of the King in Capite were granted to Edmund sirnamed Crouchback the K. son It seemes that the year next following his said son and heir viz. Hugh de Odingsells accomplish't his full age for he then did his homage and had livery of his landsâ— which Hugh in 16 E. 1. was a Knight and in 21. purchased the other moitye of this Mannour from Iohn de Pinkney to whom it descended by inheritance from his great grandmother as the Pâ—degâ—ee sheweth This Iohn de Pinkney being a Knight was the next year following hang'd for felony whereupon there grew suits betwâ—xt the same Hugh de Odingsells and Rob. de Pinkney son and heir of the said Iohn concerning the tide to that Mannour here in Ichington which belonged to him the said Iohn but the King minding to afford his grace and favour in an especiall manner to the above mentioned Hugh who at that time was to be imployed into Gascoign commanded the Shiriff to permit the said Hugh to have the present possession thereof for it was seised into the Kings hands by reason of that forfeiture till the business was determined giving security to prosecute his suit touching the same By the Inq. taken after the death of this Hugh who dyed 33 E. 1. it was certified that he held this Mannour of the King in Capite with the rest of his lands in other places by the service of a half a Barony to find one souldier in the Kings Army for xl days at his own proper costs To him succeeded Iohn his son and heir then 28. years of age Which Iohn â— being one of those that assisted the Earls of Laucaster and Warwick in the murder of Piers de Gaveston had the Kings pardon for that fact in 7 E.
2. In 9 E. 2. he was a Knight and dyed 10 E. 3. leaving issue Iohn his son and heir then 24. years of age who in 25 E. 3. being also a Knight was for divers felonyes and seditions then outlawed whereupon this Mannour became seized into the Kings hands and extended This Iohn wedded Amicia the daughter of Roger Corbet with whom he had in marriage the Mannour of Barlaston in Com. Staff and dyed in 27 E. 3. leaving Iohn his son and heir 16. years of age who in 31 E. 3. gave a Fine to the King of CC. marks for license to marry whom he pleased so that he continued in his due aâ—lâ—gance at which time he did his homage and had livery of his lands This last mentioned Iohn was a Knight in 32 E. 3. at which time he had the Kings pardon for breakâ—â—g the house of William de Shareshull aâ— Barton-Eode and robbing him of plate and Jewells to the value of C l. with certain gold in Florens and other ready money But after this he became of good credit for in 51 E. 3. as also in 1. and 3 R. 2. was he joyned in Commiss with Thom. de Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick and other persons of the best rank for arraying of men in this County and in 4 R. 2. dyed â—eaviâ—g Iohn his son and heir xv years of age who in 9 R. 2. did his homage and had livery â—f his lands Which Iohn was likewise a Kt. and dyed in 5 H. 4. Edw. his son and heir being then in minority who in 3 H. 5. accomplisht his full age and being a Knight in 6 H. 5. was much honoured by that renowned King with severall imployments of note as also by King H. 6. in the beginning of his reign For in the same sixt year of King H. 5. I find him a Commissioner in this Shire for arraying of men and the next year following one of those select men in this County that bearing antient Armes was summoned to attend the King in person for defence of the Realm In 9 H. 5. 2. and 5 H. 6. he was in Commission for the Peace in this County and departing this life in 6 E. 4. left â—ssue by Margaret daughter to Iohn Cokâ—in of Bury-Hatley in Com. Bedf. Gerard his son and heir 35. years of age Of whom I find no other thing memorable than that by his Testament bearing date Anno 1493. 8 H. 7. he bâ—queathed his body to to be buried before the hâ—gh Alâ—â—râ—â— the Chancell of the holy Trinity here a Ichington â— and willed that Margarâ—t his wife should for the health of his soul give iv li. to a Frier or Priest to sing a Trentall of S. George there for the space of one year next ensuing his decease Whose son and heir Edward accomplishing his full age in 9 H. 7. had then livery of his lands and being a Justice of Peace in this County from 17 H. 7. till his death as also in 8 H. 8. E cheator for the Countyes of Warwick and Leicester marryed Anne the daughter of Richard Vernâ—y of Compton esquire by whom he had issue Edmund his son and heir which Edmund dyed seized of this Mannour 2 Sept. 5. 6. Ph. M. leaving Iohn his son and heir 30 years of age who about the beginning of Q. Eliz. time betaking himself to extravagant courses put a period to this antient and long flourishing family and dyed in a miserable condition For having fiâ—st mortgaged this Lordship to Sir Iohn Throgmorton â— as I have credibly heard who past his title therein to Râ—bert Earl of Leicester he became so poor that had not one Harewood formerly his Tenant taken him into his house out of pitty he had dyed in the street Which Earl by his last Will and Testament gave the inheritance thereof after the decease of his Lady unto Sir Robert Dudley Knight his base son as he there calls him of whom in Kenilworth I have further spoke Having thus traced down the succession of the Mannour I must not pass by some other things which are observable concerning this town whereof the first and most antient is that it was the birth-place of S. Wolstan the reverend Bishop of Worcester whose father Eatstanus and his mother Ulgeva being much devoted to the service of God towards the later end of their days took upon them the habit of Religion voluntarily severing each from other which example incited the said Wolstan to the like course of life whereupon having his education in the Abby of Peterburgh he was shorn a Monk at length in the Monastery at Worcester in which his father had spent his later days in Gods service by Brithegus the venerable Bishop of that place and afterwards became Bishop upon the translation of Aldredus to the see of York viz. Anno 1060. 18 Edw. Conf. where he continued till his death sc. 10 Will. Rufi Thâ—s Eatstanus or rather 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had the grant of his habitation here from Oswald Archbishop of York who was also Bishop of Worcester and afterward canonized for a Saint the substance of whose Charter I shall here recite whereby it will appear that at length it was to return again to the Church of Worcester ✚ Regnante imperpetuum Domino nostro Iesu Christo cujus incarnationis humanae anni laterculo DCCCCXCV ego Oswaldus Archiep. cum licentia illius familiae quae sita in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nuam viz. mansam ubi ruricolae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicunt si 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fideli meo homini tradendo concedo sibi dies suos perfruendum post se duobus haeredibus tradendum concessi quibus defunctis Ecclesiae Dei in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 restituatur c. My next observation is that it was anciently one of the chief towns in this Shire first in regard of the large number of hides it contained as appears by the Conquerours Survey and next for that it was ranked amongst those few which in 15 H. 2. were put under the title De auxilio Villarum Burgorum ad maritandam filiam Regis wherunto the Inhabitants hereof payd C s. And lastly that on Satt ix Iulii Anno 1575. 17 Eliz. the before specified Earl of Leicester gave the Queen a glorious entertainment here in her passage towards Kenilworth-Castle erecting a Tent of extraordinary largeness for that purpose the Pins belonging whereto amounted to seven Cart-load by which the magnificence thereof may be guest at But besides the family of Odingsells there were others that had good estates in this town for in 20 H. 3. Robert de Colingham held here half a Knights fee William le Saiz the 4 th part and Nicholas le Breton a fourth of which last I shall say something in Bascote where they resided but of
D. Berkley ux 1. Magar ux Ioh. Talbot Comitis Salop. Iohannes Talbot erectus in Vicecomitem L'isle 22. H. 6. Iohanna filia cohaer Thomae Chedder eq aur Thom. Talbot caesus apud Wotton subt Edge s. p. Eliz. filia cohaeres Edw. Grey erectus in Baronem L'isle per Regem E. 4. in Vice com l'Isle 1. R. 3. Eliz. ux Edm. Dudley aetat 23. ann 20. H. 7. posteà Arthuri Plantaginet filii nothi Regis E. 4. Ioh. Dudley erectus in vicecom L'isle 34 H. 8. in Com. Warwici 1. E. 6. in Ducem Northumb. 5. E. 6. decollatus 1. M. Iana filia Edwardi Guilford eq aur Henr. ob s. p. Ioh. ob s. p. Ambrosius D. erectus in Com. Warwici 4. Eliz. primò duxit Annam fil cohaer Will. Whorwood Atturnati generalis Regis H. 8. secundò Eâ—â—z filiam Gilb. Talbot mil. tertiò Annam filiam Francisci Comitis Bedf. obiit 32. Eliz. sine prole Robertus Dudley erectus in Comitem Leic. per Eliz Reginam Henricus occisus apud S. Qâ—intins in Gallia Carolus ob in pueritia Maria ux Henr. Sidney Ordinis Gart. mil. Margar. ob in pueritia Cath. ux Henr. Hastings Comitis Hunt Temperantia obiit in pueritia Anna ux Ioh. Willoughby ar aet 25. ann 25. H. 7. Ioh. Grey vic L'isle obiit 6. Sept. 20. H. 7. Eliz. nata post humatum patris Margareta ux Georgii Vere eq aur Alianora primò nupta Thomae D. Ros posteà Edm. Beufort D. Somers Elizabetha ux Georgii Nevil D. Latimer Reinburn Will. de B. D. de Bergavenny Iohanna sor coh Tho Co Arund Matild ux Rog. D. Clifford Rogerus Philippa ux Hug. Co. Staff Alicia ux Ioh. Beauchamp de Hach Iohan. ux Rad. Basset de Draiton Isab. uxor Rob. de Ufford Margar. ux Guid. de Montforti Agnes 1. ux Cokesey postea Bardolf Kath. monial apud Wroxhall Inliana ob coelebs Ioh. de B. Admir Angl. ob s. p. 34. E. 3. Emma ux Roul Odingsels Isabella ux ..... Clinton Lucia ux Rob. de Napton Isab. ux Blount Matild ux Rither Wenthlean ux Talbot Margar. ux Sulby Robertus obiit infans Johannes ob vita patris Iac. de Bello-campo 5. E. 1. Joanna ux Barth de Sudley Sarra uxor Ric. Talbot On the 19. of October in that year was it that King Iohn dyed before which all things were not compleated touching the restitution of this Walter 's lands for it was but the 8. of August before that he went to obtain his absolution but what was not effected then became shortly after accomplisht for I find that the 25. of March ensuing he had livery of the Castle of Worcester with the Shirivalty which were committed before to the custody of Iohn Marshall as it seems And further of this Walter have I made no discovery till 20 H. 3. and that is upon occasion of another atonement made with the King for which as the Record expresses he gave 50. marks Fine besides the Aurum Reginae to the Queen whereupon he was received to favour and had a redelivery of the Shirivalty of Worcestershire which in respect of his misdemeanour was seised into the Kings hands and at that time in presence of the King did he constitute Hugh le Poher his deputy in that office whereupon issued a Precept unto the Barons of the Exchequer for his admission 'T is very like that the offence for which he so suffered was a taking part with the discontended Barons in 18 H. 3. by reason that through the perswasion of Peter de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester so many Poictovins were brought into the Realm But long after this he did not live for in 20 H. 3. had Will. de Beauchamp his son and heir livery of his lands doing his homage and giving security to pay C li. for his Relief Which William in 37 H. 3. attended the King in his expedition for Gascoign and after that did very notable service in Wales in consideration whereof the King at the request of Richard Earl of Gloucester respited the payment of certain moneys due by him to his Exchequer till a further time In 42 H. 3. he had summons to be at Chester on the munday next before the feast of S. Iohn Baptist well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march in that expedition against the Welch then in Rebellion and in 44 H. 3. he had again command to be at Shrewsbury sufficiently accoutred for the like purpose There was it seems an accord betwixt this William and Peter de Montfort a great Baron in these parts as in Beldesert I shall shew that there should be interchangeable marriages betwixt both their eldest sons and eldest daughters for K. H. 3. in 32. of his raign gave his allowance thereto saving that he would have the custody of the lands of either who should happen to be in minority at his fathers death till he came of full age Whether that marriage took effect I cannot affirm but certain I am that his son and heir did not marry Montfort's daughter as shall be shew'd anon This William himself wedded Isabell the daughter of William Mauduit of Hanslap in Com. Buck. Chamberlain to the King in his Exchequer with whom by Agreement he was to have xx li. lands per annum in consideration whereof the said William Mauduit assigned unto him in Frank-marriage with her all his lands in Ledecumbe with proviso that if those did not amount to that value he would make it up elswhere To the Abby of Bordsley he gave certain lands situat in Bivinton and by his Testament bearing date at Wauberge the morrow after the Epiphany Anno 1268. 53 H. 3. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Church of the Friers-Minors at Worcester appointing that at his Funerall a Horse compleatly harness'd with all military caparisons should proceed before his corps which usage hath continued in the solemnizing of Funeralls for great persons even till our times Of his Legacyes therein I shall recite the most memorable viz. to a Priest to sing Mass daily in his Chapell without the City of Worcester neer the said House of Friers-Minors for the health of his soul and the souls of Isabell his wife and Isabell de Mortimer and all the faithfull deceased he gave all his Rent of the fee of Richard Bruli in Wiche and Winchester with supply of what should be too short out of his proper goods To Walter his son signed with the Cross for a Pilgrimage to the Holy-Land in the behalf of him the said Testator his father and Isabell his mother two hundred marks To Ioan his daughter a kind of Canopy sometime belonging to S. Wolstan and a book of Lancelot which he the said Testator had lent her To Isabell his daughter a silver cup. To Sibill his daughter towards her marriage all the money due to him from his son
Grentemaisnill and held at that time by Roger his under-tenant But from Grentemaisnill it soon returned to the Crown though by what agreement I have not seen For certain it is that King Henry 1. had it in his hands and gave it to the Abby of Reading in Berkshire of his Foundation whose grant together with the Church King H. 2. his grandchild confirmed In the succeeding times I find it variously written viz. Ruhinton Ruchinton Rokintone and Rowintone and in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. that the extent of what the Monks of Reading had here was found to be three carucates of land valued at x s. a carucate two water-Mills and one Wind-Mill rated at vi s. viii d. In Rent of Assize xi li. and that the profits of their own store in this place amounted to one mark and the Pleas and perquisites one mark and a half Whereunto some Freeholders in this town made a little addition viz. Thomas de Rivere and Richard Goodman by the gift of one mess. Lxix acres of land with viii acres and a half of Meadow or the maintenance of one Monk being a Priest f to celebrate divine service every day in the Abby-Church of Reading above specified for the good estate of the said Thomas during his life in this world and for his soule after his departure hence as also for the soules of his Ancestors and heirs All which lands were by them held of the Barons of Stafford who answered to the King the fourth part of a Knights Fee for the same upon occasion as by sundry Records is evident But after the dissolution of the greater Monasteries in 30 H. 8. Iohn Oldnall the next year following obtained a Lease of this Mannour from the King for xxi years which Lease was it seems ere long surrendred for in 35 H. 8. the King upon the marriage of Katherine Parr his sixt and last wife past it inter alia unto her as part of her jointure Which Katherine dying in 2 E. 6. it returned again to the Crown and in 7 E. 6. was by that King past away with other lands in exchange to Iohn Dudley D. of Northumberland and his heirs whose attainder hapning soon after as in my story of him amongst the Earls of Warwick is shewed Queen Mary became possest of it and in 5. of her reign granted unto the said Iohn Oldnall another Lease for xxi years which he enjoyed not for in 5 Eliz. the Queen past an estate for life therein unto William Skinner Gentleman Alice his wife and Anthony their son but neither did this demise hold for in 6 Eliz. the said Queen gave it to Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick and the heirs male of his body who dying issuelesse it came again to the Crown wherein it remaineth to this day having been since leased to sundry persons The Church dedicated to S. Laurence was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xx marks the Vicars portion at that time being esteemed at viii marks but in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii li. out of which the Synodalls and Procurations yearly payable amounted to viii s. v. d. ob Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Abbas Conv. de Reading Ioh. Tacham Pbr. 15. Oct. 1347. Abbas Conv. de Reading Hugo de Heyham 4. Sept. 1388. Abbas Conv. de Reading D. Will. Godfrey 11. Mar. 1400. Abbas Conv. de Reading Rob. Belde 21. Iulii 1402. Abbas Conv. de Reading Ioh. Hawkys 4. Aug. 1412. Abbas Conv. de Reading D. Ioh. Racheford 24. Ian. 1424. Abbas Conv. de Reading Ioh. Cook Pbr. 12. Dec. 1438. Abbas Conv. de Reading Ioh. Browne Cap. 3. Dec. 1458. Abbas Conv. de Reading Thomas Vtting Cap. 27. Aug. 1499. Abbas Conv. de Reading D. Thomas Heyward Cap. 3. Aug. 1536. Phil. Maria Rex Regina Angl. D. Ric. Heith Pbr. 17. Feb. 1556. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Philippus White Cler. 16. Ian. 1576. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Christoph. Kirkland in S. Theol. B. 14. Apr. 1578. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Magr. Henr. Heycrofte art Ma gr 23. Sept. 1584. Anna Comitissa Warwici Henr. Clerke Cler. 4. Nov. 1600. Iâ— a North window of the Church these Armes Argent upon a Fesse gules three Garbs Or. Preston-Bagot DEscending lower on the Western side of the before specified brook I come to Preston-Bagot which in the Conqueror's time Robert Earl of Mellent possest and by the generall Survey then made wherein it is written Prestetone was certified to be of a large extent viz. x. hides five whereof with a Mill rated at xvi s. and woods of a mile in length and half a mile in bredth were in his own hands and valued at L s. which had been the freehold of one Turbern before the Norman invasion the other five of which Britnod was owner in Edward the Confessor's days one Hugh then held of the said Earl they being estimated at xl s. But that which now and for a long time hath been reputed for Preston-Bagot is of a narrower compasse for out of doubt the places where both Beldesert and Henley do now stand together with most part of what belongeth to them whereupon there was no habitation was taken out of it This therefore coming from the said Earl of Mellent as the greatest part of his lands in this County did to his brother Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick was disposed of in H. 2. time as I guesse by William Earl of Warwick to Ingeram Bagot from whom it had the present name for distinction from other Prestons all which I conclude from severall circumstances the succeeding Earles of Warwick being chief Lords of the Fee as I shall shew by and by and the said Ingeram being possest of lands here at that time To which Ingeram Bagot succeeded Simon his son and heir who in 20 H. 3. answered for part of a Knights Fee here held by him of the Earl of Warwick and gave to the Monks of Reading two Mills lying within this his Lordship Which Simon had issue Robert and he a daughter and heir called Isabell married to Thomas de Etingdon From this Simon or if not from some other who was only the Instrument to convey it as I think did the Knights Hospitalars obtain it in H. 3. time for in 36 H. 3. it appears that Simon de Stoke and divers other held one Knights Fee here of the heir of the same Simon Bagot and that the said heir held it of the Hospitalars and they of the Earl of Warwick And by the Record of 4 E. 1. it is manifested that the Knights Hospitalars had it about 30 H. 3. for from that time had they withdrawn their suit due to the Hundred Court in respect thereof That this is but a small Village may appear by what was certified in 6 H.
what his Ancestors had granted to them in Wenge before mentioned To the Nuns of Pinley in this Countie he gave the tenth part of the povision in victuall for his Household viz. Bread Beer Flesh Fish and other things pertaining to his Kitchin whose munificence therein was so highly esteemedâ— that he and his posterity were reputed for no lesse than Founders of that Religious House Upon his death in 18 Ioh. the wardship of Peter his son and heir together with the custody of his lands was comitted to William de Cantilupe Which Peter in 11 H. 3. obtained a Charter bearing date 10 Febr. for a weekly Mercate at this his Mannour of Beldesert upon the Munday that granted to Thurstane his Ancestor being grown out of use I presume By the same Charter was there also a Fair granted to him and his heirs at this place to be yearly kept for three days viz. the Even day and morrow after the Feast of S. Giles the Shiriff of this County having comand to proclaim it accordingly But it seems he was not out of his wardship at that time for the same year did the said William de Cantilupe his Guardian procure authoritie from the King for receiving reasonable Aid from all the Tenants of the said Peter in this his Mannour of Beldesert and Henley This Peter upon the King's transfretation with his Army into Gascoin in 27. of his reign had power to receive Scutage of all his Knights Fees that he held of the Earl of Warwick according to the rate of xl s. per Scutum but being of a turbulent spirit he ever sided with the rebellious Barons of that age who the better to shadow their disloyall practises first plotted their meetings under colour of exercising themselves in martiall Tourneaments which were forbidden by the King who well foresaw the danger that might ensue yet such was their boldnesse as that notwithstanding the same Prohibition they met at Cambridge amongst whom he made one whose lands thereupon for that disobedient contempt were presently seized on By which timely care of restraining them all things were fairly quieted again at least in shew so that within three years after he and many more of those haughty Spirits attended the King in person into Gascoign And that he was a person of great qualitie in those times may appear by the Agreement betwixt him William de Beauchamp then E. of Warwick for an inter-marriage betwixt each of their eldest sons and eldest daughters whereupon they obtained a speciall Patent from the King that in case either of them did die before the accomplishment of such marriage and that his heir should be in minority the intended match might notwithstanding hold saving to the King onely the custody of the land Which Patent was so granted to them 20 Aug. 32 H. 3. immediatly before that voyage for Gascoin After which viz. in 34 H. 3. he obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and in divers other places and in 35 H. 3. was constituted Governor of Horestan-Castle in Derbyshire But amongst these his secular actions I may not omit to tell what I find of his pious works which is that about this time he confirm'd what his Ancestors had granted to the Monks of Thorney within his Lordship of Wenge in Rutl. And for the health of his soul and the soul of Alice his wife as also of his Father Mother Ancestors and friends whose bodies lay buried in the Prioty of Studley gave to the Canons of that House all his demesn land called the Uineyard situate within the Lordship of Studley In 37 H. 3. he obtained the King's 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. In 40 H. 3. he was sent Ambassador from the King into France In 41. being made Warden of the Marches towards Montgumeri for his better performance of that service he had at the instance of Prince Edward the custodie of the Counties of Salop. and Staff as also the Castles of Salop. and Bruges to dispose of the profits therein arising as he should think best during the continuance of the Warrs with Wales so that for the first year he was to hold those Counties he should answer nothing to the Exchequer but at the years end make his Account in the King's Wardrobe In the next year following he was constituted Governour of the Castles of Bruges and Ellesmere in Shropshire In 43 H. 3. he attended the King into France and bore for his Armes Bendé of six pieces Or and Azure yet all these high favours and Acts of trust from that King towards him could not allay the heat of his proud and lofty stomack For no sooner had the Rebellious Barons made head at Oxford where they forcing the King's assent to their disloyall and unjust Ordinances caused a choise of xxiv persons to to be made by whose discretion the Kingdom should be governed than that this Peter shew'd himself the most forward amongst them being not onely one of those xxiv so chosen to rule as aforesaid but when all the rest of them except himself and four others calmely considering the great confusion variance and petill 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 thereof Howbeit so confident was the King that his own candid intention towards them had wrought a change in their affections that in Ianuary follâ—wing he sent him Summons to appear at Hereford on Munday nexâ— after the Feast of the Purification oâ— our Lady weâ—l â—urnâ—shâ— with Horse and Armes to oppose the pâ—wer oâ— Lâ—â—elin Prince of Wales then in Rebelliâ—n 〈…〉 make a question wheâ—her he obeyed 〈…〉 for in the beginning of 〈…〉 was in Armes agâ—â—â—st the King 〈◊〉 Northampton â— with a muâ—â—itude 〈◊〉 the other rebe 〈…〉 and there taken upon the storming 〈…〉 town by the King's forces on the fiâ—t of 〈…〉 together with his two sons Peter and â—obert who were all sent Prisoners to the Cassle of Windsore Which distresse moved them and the rest to hearken unto termes of accord with the King from whom they soon obtained peaceable conditions so softned was his Prâ—ncely heart with theâ—r seeming fair intentions for the future whereupon by his Precept to Drogo de Barentine then Constable of Windsore Castle dated the 17. of the same month of May he appointed that the said Peter and his sons before specified should be immediatly set at liberty But loe the perfidiousnesse of these Conspirators for within two dayes following they gave the King battail at Lewes in Sussex where through the Prâ—nce his too eager purâ—uit of that part of the Rebells Army which he
of age but was attended with very ill success in that expedition for no sooner did he arrive with his Army at the Port of Rochel but that the Spanish Navie fell suddainly upon them before they could put themselve in order to fight so that few of them escaped death wounds or imprisonment and yet without any considerable loss to the Enemy who forthwith set fire on all the English Ships carrying away the Earle and many gallant Gentlemen as also no less than twenty thousand marks in money sent over by the K. of England to continue the war which unhappy accident fell out on the Eve of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativitie being the Festivall of St. Aetheldred the Virgin and therefore was it censured by many as my Author observeth that God's judgement so followed him as a punishment for the injurie he had done to the Church of that holy Virgin sc. Ely in a cause betwixt the Church of St. Edmundsbury and it before his departure out of England and that the money so lost had no better luck forasmuch as it had been got from the Religious Houses and Clergy But others attributed it to his living an adulterous life being a married man that he also had attempted in Parliament an infringement of the Church its Liberties and that he perswaded the King to lay greater Taxes upon the Clergie than Laitie for support of his wars which practises of pilling and poling the Church however the temporall Lords saith the same Author were pleased yet what success they had not onely England but the whole world hath sufficiently found I now come to speak of his death the circumstances whereof were as followeth viz. that having undergone four years imprisonment in Spain with most inhumane usage he sent to Bertrand Clerkin Constable of France desiring that he would use some means for his enlargement who thereupon interceded for him to the Bastard of Spain that called himself King and obtained his libertie in consideration of part of that money due to himself whereupon he was brought to Paris and a sum of money assigned which he must pay for his redemption but after his coming thâ—ther it was not long ere that he fell mortally sick of Poison as 't was thought given to him by the Spaniards who were reputed to have such a speciall facultie in that Art as that the potion should kill at what distance of time they pleased The French therefore seeing death approaching him being eager to get his ransome money before he died made haste to remove him unto Calais but on his jâ—urney thither he departed this world upon the very day of St. Aetheldred the Virgin which Saint he had so much offended before his coming out of England as hath been said though the Inquis after his death expresseth it to have been the xvi th of Aprill his son and heir Iohn being at that time but two years old and a half and was buried in the Quire of the Friers Preachers at Hereford as by his Testament and what I shall hereafter say may seem But here before I proceed farther I must observe that this Iohn in 43 E. 3. obtaining License for that purpose from the King made a Feoffment unto Walter Amyas and others of all his Castles Lordships Mannours c in England and Wales to certain uses which Feoftment being left sealed up in the hands of the Feoffees to be kept till his return from beyond Seas was upon his death delivered to the King's Councell at Westminster who opening it found that in case he died without issue of his body the town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his heirs and successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and all other his lands in England and Wales in Fee to his Cosin Will. de Beauchamp viz. his Mother's sisters son provided that he should bear his Armes and endeavour to obtain his title of Earl and in case he neglected so to do that then his Kinsman Will. de Clinton to have them upon the same conditions But I return to his said son and heir of whom I find that at the Coronation of K. Ric. 2. he claimed to carry the great gold Spurs and that though he shewed sufficient evidence for his right so to do yet being under age it was adjudged that the King might appoint another for that time whereupon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March was assigned thereto And moreover that he took to wife whilst he was very young Philippa daughter to the said Edmund Earl of March â— but had no issue by her for being at Wodstoke where the King kept his Christmass in 13 of his reign he tilted with Sir Iohn St. Iohn and by an unfortunate slip was run into the bottome of his Belly so that his bowells breaking out he suddainly died to the great lamentation of many in regard he was a person of so noble a disposition that in bountie and curtesie he exceeded most of his degree So that it is observed that from Aymerie de Valence Earl of Pembroke his lineall ancestor who was one that gave Judgement of death upon Thomas Earl of Lancaster in â— 2. time even unto this Iohn the last Earl of the line none of them ever saw his Father nor any Father of them took delight in the seeing his Child so young were they at their Fathers deaths His body was interred in the Church of the Gray Friers near New-gate in London now called Christ's-Church where he had a fair Monument since with all the rest defaced Dying thus without issue Râ—ginald Lord Grey of Ruthin was by some Inquis found his next heir of the whole blood as descended from Elizabeth sister to Iohn great-grandfather to the said Earl so slain in tilting as hath been said and by other y Inquis Hugh de Hastings son of Hugh son of Hugh son of a second Iohn by Isabell the daughter of Hugh le Despenser as the Pedegree here placed sheweth But so little did Iohn Earl of Will. de Valencia Comes Pembr Andomarus ob â— p. Joanna Isabella Henr de Hastings Joanna de Cantilupe Iohannes de Hastings primus Râ—â—erus de Grey Elizabetha Râ—ginaldus de Grey de Ruthin Reginaldus de Grey Joh. de Hastings secundus Isabella filia Hug. le Despenser Com. Wint. Johannes de Hastings tertius Laurentius de Hastings erectus in Com. Pembr Ioh. Comes Pembr mari captus Ioh. Comes Pembr caesus in hastiludio apud Wodstoke Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings ob s. p. Edwardus de Hastings Pembroke Father to the last Iohn regard his next heir male as it seems and so much hate Reginald Grey father to the last Reginald that he entailed the greatest part of his lands as hath been said on Will. de Beauchamp before mentioned Notwithstanding which settlement 't is observeable that the right of bearing Armes was in those days of such esteem as
daughters and heirs scil Adeliza the wife of Simon de Harecurt and Amabil of Robâ—rt Fitz-Walter as the Descent in Curdworth sheweth Which Amabil gave with her body for sepulture to the Nuns of Polesworth the Mill here at Kingsburie with some grounds thereto belonging her sister Alice confirming the granâ— and adding the Mill at Hurley for the health of her soul. But these sisters having no Children this Lordship descended to Amicia their Aunt and heir wife to Peter de Bracebrigge so called from a place of that name neer Lincolne whereof he was possest The Descendants of which Peter and Amicia had their principall seat here till about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign divers of them being Knights as the Pedegree in the foregoing page sheweth This Peter de Bracebrigge was a militarie man as it seems for I find that he gave unto William the son of Fundui and his heirs certain lands lying within the precinct of this Lordship in a place called Esbroc to the intent that the said William shâ—uld upon lawfull warning carry hither to Kingsbury such painted Lances from London or Northampton at the charges of him the said Peter as he might have occasion to use in any Tourneament there and that whensoever the said Peter should take a journey beyond Sea for performance of such martiall exploits he the said Will. to attend him and to bring back his Lances To which Peter succeeded Iohn his son and heir who had much adoe in defending this his inheritance for in 7 Ioh. did Thomas de Arden begin his claim and gave five marks to the said King for a Writ of Right to trye his title thereto which in 9 Ioh. he did set forth as lineall heir to Turchil de Warwic who was seized of it in King H. 1. time and offred to decide his right to it by Duell naming one William de Kopland his Champion which William receiving comand from Ulfkill his Father as being Tenant to the said Iohn assented to undertake the Combate Whereupon Iohn de Bracebrigge answered that he denied not the said Turchil's seisin but tendred triall by the great Assize as to the time and right thereof Unto which the said Thomas replied that the great Assize ought not to be in this case because they were both descended from one stock viz. from Turchil of whose inheritance it was Howbeit Iohn answered that though he acknowledged their descent from Turchil yet he claimed nothing thereby because the said Turchil had two wives and that it was from the first that the said Thomas descended but that this land being the inheritance of Leverunia his second wife who held it all her life and after her decease Osbert her son and after him another Osbert that had severall daughters which died without issue it came to Amicia their Aunt mother to him the said Iohn tendring to put himself upon the great Assize to determine whether he had not more right thereto from the before specified Laverunia than the said Thomas from Turchil and whether the same Turchil were so seized of it the day and year that the said King Henry dyed And lastly because the said land did lye bordering on two Counties scil Warwick and Stafford he offered xx marks to have Knights of both Counties for triall thereof the said Thomas offring xx marks and a Palfrey whereupon it was concluded that the cause should be so decided and so I suppose it was or by some friendly Agreement for I find that the next year following the same Thomas de Arden quitted all his right and title therein to the said Iohn And yet it seems that they were not quiet for in 11 Ioh. the said Thomas de Arden gave a Palfrey that the determination thereof might be before the King and the next year after Iohn de Bracebrigge payd xl s. for to have another Jury but other particulars I have not seen This Iohn de Bracebrigge confirmed the grant of Kingsburie-Millâ— c. and Hurley-Mill made to the Nunns of Polesworth as hath been observed and died without issue in 2 H. 3. leaving William his Brother and heir Which VVilliam in 19 H. 3. was a Justice of Assize at Warwick and afterwards confirm'd to the Monks of Merevale â— the grant of a yard land in Holt made to them by Iohn his Brother and whatsoever else he the said Iohn had given to that Monasterie But to William succeeded Raph his son and heir who questioned the title that the Nuns of Polesworth had to Kingsburie-Mill and Hurley-Mill whereupon they came to a Composition with him giving six marks of silver This Raphe was at that time a Knight and shortly after commenced suit against the Nuns of Mergate for the advouson of Kingsburie-Church but to this they pleaded the grant of Osbert de Arden and exhibited the Charter of Peter de Bracebrigge before specified with the consent of Amicia his wife confirming the same whereupon he had no more to say To which Raphe succeeded Iohn de Bracebrigge betwixt whom and the Prioresse of Mergate there was a Fine levied in 36 H. 3. for certain lands lying within this Lordship of Kingsburie that were setled upon the said Iohn and his heirs paying iii s. yearly Rent to the Nuns In 40 H. 3 this Iohn gave a Fine to the King of two marks in gold that his Knighthood might be respited for three years longer wiâ—hin the compasse of which time being amerced at a mark by the Justices Itinerant in Lincolnshire because he was not a Knight he had a speciall Mandate to the Barons of the Exchequer for acquitting him of that summe But adhering to the rebellious Barons who in 48 H. 3. did put themselves in Armes as in Kenilworth hath been shewed was on the fift of April the same year taken Prisoner in Northampton at the surprisall thereof by the King's Army being at that time a Knight for which this Lordship was seized and given by the King to Roger de Clifford and imprisoned at Shrewsbury as appears by the King's Precept for his deliverie directed to the Bayliffs of that town and dated 9. Ian. 49. H. 3. But the Inquisition upon the extent of his lands says that Hugh de Turberville had the charge of him till he had got his redemâ—ption yet after this he fled into the Isle of Axholme with young Simon Montfort and others where he continued till he saw all his partie totally vanquishtâ— and then submitted to the Diâ—ctum de Kenilworth Iames de Audele undertaking on his behalf It seems that his composition did cast him into some distress for in 53 H. 3. he mâ—d a Lâ—ase of this whole Lordship excepting a yard land that one Walter le Plummer sometime held unto Robert de Typetot and Eva his wife during their lives for which he received of them 500 li.
yearly Pension of xiii s. iiii d. to him the said Bishop and his successors and iiii s. iiii d. to the Arcdeacon of Coventre being reserved As also a Vicaridge endowed whâ—ch Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was valued at x. l. xiii s. iiii d. per an Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Ioh. de Mancesâ—re miles Hugo de Stanford Cler. 1287. Rob. de Herle Ioh. de Herle subdiac 14. Cal. Apr. 1298. D. Guido de Mancestre miles Rog. de Crophul Pbr. 11. Cal. Apr. 1333. D. Guido de Mancestre miles Ric. de Bulcote 15 Cal. Aug. 1349. D. Edm. de Manceâ—tre miles Ric. de â—ybâ—â—smore Cap. Cal. Aug. 1349. D. Gaâ—f Brochull miles Petr. Prilley Leonardus Worthâ—â— Will. Bâ—â—â—kâ—â—w Pbr. xxii Iunii 1392. D. Epâ—â—c per laps Tho. Heton Cler. 10 Nov. 1432. Patroni Vicariae D. Episc. hac vice Ioh. Mâ—â—â—ford alias Barbour Pbr. 20 Feb. 1449. Abbas Conv. de Merevale Magr. Râ—b Whitinton 21. Aug. 1514. Abbas Conv. de Merevale D. Râ—b Barfâ—â— 14. Oct. 1530. Abbas Conv. de Merevale Thomas Allrad Cap. 1. Iunii 15â—8 Anna Hyll de Atherston Tâ—omas Smyth Cler. 9 Nov. 1553. D. Eliz. Regina Wilâ—â—â—dus Rosse Cler. 26. Aug. 1574. Iacobus Rex 〈◊〉 Abell â—ler Art Mag. 31 Iulii 1622. The Chantrie IN 37 â— 6. the Abbot and Covent of Merevale founded a Chantrie at the Altar of the holy Trinitie within this Church for one Priest to celebrate divine service daylie thereat for the soul of K. H. 6. after his departure out of this life and for the souls of Thomas Slawteley Alice and Catherine his wives and all the faithfull deceased The lands belonging whereunto lying in Whitington and Atherston were in 26 H. 8. valued at vi l. vii s. iii d. per an over and above all reprises and in 37 H. 8. at vi l. x s. ii d. ob The Gild. THis was likewise founded in the said 37 â—h year of K. H. 6. at the instance of Iohn Riggeley then Abbot of Merevale and did consist of divers men women Inhabitants of Atherston this Parish of Manceter who were every year upon Trinitie-Sunday to choose amongst themselves for the better rule and government of that Fraternitie two Masters unto which Gild did belong one Priest to celebrate divine service at the Altar of the blessed Virgin in this Church of Manceter for the good estate of the said K. H. 6. and his Queen during this life and for their souls afterwards as also for the good estate of all the Brethren and Sisters of the said Fraternitie Which Priest so serving there had in 26 H. 8. a Stipend of vi l. per an allowed unto him but in 37 H. 8. all the lands belonging thereto were valued at x l. x s. out of which xx s. was yearly given to poor people Hartshill THis place is joyned with Ansley in the Conq â—â—â— Survey where it appears that both of them were then esteemed for two hides and valued at C s. being then fermed out by the King together with Coventre and with Manceter doubtless came to the Earl of Chester for it appears that it was held of those Earls and their heirs and that one Hugh was the first that seated himself here assuming this place for his sirname having a fair Mannour house situate with very much advantage for defence viz. at the utmost point of a ridge that stretcheth ifself betwixt two deep and narrow Vallies and had the reputation of a Castle as the tradition is there being some embattelled Walls yet standing to testifie as much To this Hugh succeeded Robert and to him William who wrote himself Will. de Hardreshulle as his grandfather did and in 3 Ioh. underwent the Shiriffaltie of this Countie and Leicestershire for that great man Will. de Cantilupe of whom in Astonâ—Cantilupe I have made mention as also gave the Church of Ansley to the Nuns of Polesworth and left issue Robert his son and heir who in 2 H. 3. was one of the sureties in the behalf of Robert Marmion for his safe custody of Tamworth Castle to the King's use and in 5. and 6 H. 3. one of the Justices of Assize in this Countie Hugo de Hardredeshull temp H. 1. Rob. de Hardredeshull Will. de Hardredeshull 3 Joh. Rob. de Hardredeshull 2 H. 3. Will. de Hardredeshull deâ—unctus 46 H. 3. Matilda postea nupta Will. de Arderne Rob. de Hardreshull defunctus 1 E 1. Margareta â—oh de Hardeshull mil. defunctus 4 E. 1. Isabella 5 E. 1. Will. de Hardreshull defunctus 32 E. 1. Iuliana Ioh. de Hardreshull miles 10 E. 2. Margareta una fil cohaer Iac. Stafford de Sandon mil. Eliz. filia cohaer Ioh. Culpeper Thomas Culpeper de .... in com Cantii miles 1 R. 2. Alianora 1 R. 2. Ioh. Culpeper de Ashene in Com. Northampt. milâ—s 10 H. 6. Walt. Culpeper ar 16 H. 6. Thomas Culpeper miles Ioh. Culpeper miles obiit 22 E. 4. Alex Culpeper miles 27 H. 8. Thomas Culpeper de Bedgburie in Com. Cantii ar 3 E. 6. Iohanna ux Iac. de Burford mil. Margareta ux Ric. Talbot mil. Erneburga de Hardreshull Abbatissa de Pole sworth 29 E. 1. Ric. de Hardredeshull 23 H. 3. To which Robert succeeded Will. de Hardredeshull his son and heir who in 9 H. 3. gave xx marks to the King for his Releif and 447 l. 7 s. 5 d. being a debt due by him to the Jews In the same year he was in Commission for levying and collecting a xv th in this Countie and Leicestershire so likewise the next year following And for taking Assizes of Novel disseisin in this Shire In 23 H. 3. he gave x. Marks Fine for the custodie of the lands which were belonging to Ric. de Hardredeshull his Uncle and in 43. of the said King's reign did his Homage for all those lands in Lincolnshire which Grace de Li'sle died seized of and were of his inheâ—itance But in 46 H. 3. he departed this life leaving Robert his son and heir who gave Lx s. to the King as a Releif for the lands which his Faâ—her died seized of that were held of the said K. in Capâ—te and doing his Hâ—mage had liverie of them Which Robert â—iding with the Earl of Leicester and other the rebellious Barons in 49 H. 3. and being slain fighting on their part in the battail of Evesham his lands were seized and this Mannour by name given to Wâ—â—ine de Bassiâ—gburne yet to Margaret his widow the King allowed certain of her said husband's forâ—â—â—ted possessions lying in Pultenhethe and Paxton for the maintenance of her â—eâ—â— and her Children but what Children these were doth not appear to me nor what became of â—hâ—m for the inheâ—itance of this Lordship considering that the Dâ—ctum
three days following and in xx H. 6. procured another Patent for taking Toll of all vendible commodities comming hither for the space of four years towards the finishing of the Pavement and repair of Bol-brigge After which I have not seen any thing more of â—t that is considerable till 3 Eliz. that the Queen by her Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 24 Dec. taking notice that it had been a very antient Mercate-town and that the Inhabitants thereof by the name of the Bailiffs and Commonaltie had not only held it time out of minde of her Royall Progenitors in Fee-Ferme by the Rent of v. li xvi s. per annum but enjoyed divers Jurisdictions and Priviledges aswell by Prescrâ—ption as by severall Charters which Charters as they then suggested had been either burnt or casually lost imploring her Royall favour that she would for the better governing thereof vouchsafe to make it a Corporation did at that time ordâ—in it to be a Burrough Corporate consisting of two Bailiffs the one for that part of the town situate in this Countie and the other for that part lying in Staffordshire granting them libertie to have a Common Seal and assigning Peter Bradoke and Henry Draper the first Bayliffs As also that from thenceforth there should be xxiv of the most substantiall Inhabitants assistants to the said Bayliffs and called the principall Burgesses which said Bayliffs and Burgesses to have power as often as they should think fit to call a Court of themselves or the major part of them there to consult and determine of all things tending to the well goverment of it and to choose two Sergeants at Mace for performance of all Proclamations Arrests c. Which Bayliffs to be Justices of the Peace within the same Burrough And moreover that they should have power to keep a Court of Record upon Munday once in three weeks there to hold Plea c. after the usage of the Citie of London And likewise a Gaole for the imprisonment of Felons and Malefactors As also a weekly Mercate every Saturday and two Faires the one on the Feast-day of S. George the Martyr and four days following and the other on the Feast-day of S. Edward the King and Martyr and four days then likewise next ensuing Granting further unto the said Bayliffs for the time being that they should be Clerks of the Mercate within the precincts of the Burrough and to have a Court-Leet twice in the year scil within the compass of a month after Michaelmass and the like limit of time after Easter as also power to purchase or receive by gift lands to the value of Xl li. per annum notwithstanding the Statute of Mortmain And by another Patent bearing date xo Oct. in 30. of her reignâ— gave the inhabitants of this Burrough immunitie from being returned on Juries except they held lands out of the compasse thereof and likewise to choose a Recorder constituting Robert Devereux Earl of Essex their Steward and granting them another Faire yearly to begin on the Feast-day of S. Swithin and to endure for four days At which time she founded an endowed a Grammar School hereâ— but thereof forasmuch as it is situate on the Staffordshire side it concerns me not to speak Closing up therefore I shall observe that forasmuch as 't is not apparent by any of our publique Records that the Saturday-Mercate was granted by Charter till now it was held before by Prescription and questionlesse from the very time that the Saxon Kings had their residence here whereof I have already touched Nor it is to be doubted but that the Priviledge whâ—ch they had in sending of Burgesses to Parliament was of great antiquitie and used only by the like Prescription in such sort as other the antient Burroughs of this Realm did enjoy The Castle HAving now done with the Burrough I come to the Castle touching the Foundation whereof I have already spoke This being in the hands of King William after his Conquest was by him given towards the end of his reign as I guess unto Robert Marmion as my Story in Polesworth intimateth and as is verified by an antient window of this Church where the same King being depicted in his Robes of State and crowned stretcheth forth his hand to him holding a Charter therein neer the Gate of a faire Castle an exact representation whereof I have in page 822. exhibited Which Robert had issue Robert unto whom King Henry the first by his Charter dated at Canoc in Com. Staff granted Free-warren in all his lands within this Countie as Robert his Father had and by name here at Tamworth This last mentioned Robert was possest of the strong Castle of Fontney in Normandie which Castle Geffrey Earl of Anjou beseiged and razed in 4 o Steph. because he held out Faleis against him and gave the Church of Queinton in Gloucestershire to the Nunns of Polesworth Being a great adversarie to the Earl of Chester in 8. Steph. he entred the Priorie of Coventre neer unto which the said Earl had a Castle as I have elsewhere observed and expelling the Monks fortified it making in the fields adjacent divers deep Ditches lightly covered over to the intent that such as should make approaches thereto might be intrapt but it so hapned that as he rode himself to view the Earl's forces that began to draw neer it he sell into one of them and broke his Thigh so that he was forthwith seized on by a Common Souldier who immediatley cut off his Head To him succeeded Robert his son and heir by whose Certificate in 12 H. 2. it appears that he then held xi Knights Fees whereof his Ancestor was enfeoft in H. 1. time and three which he had obtained since for which in 14 H. 2. he gave vii li. xii s. viii d. Aid upon the marriage of Maud the King's daughter This Robert was a Benefactor to the Knights Templar's as by his grant to them of Barston Mill is manifested as also in 33 H. 2. a Justice Itinerant in this Countie and confirmed to the Nunns of Polesworth his Father's gift of the Church of Queinton But in the beginning of H. 3. time he died leaving two sonns by severall wives as it seems both of them bearing the name of Robert Of which Robert the younger gave the summe of 500 li. to the King in 2 H. 3. for the custodie of this Castle and to have possession of the lands whereof his Father died seized untill matters should be so setled as that Englishmen might peaceably enjoy their lands in Normandie and the Normans theirs in England in regard that the Dukedome of Normandie was seized on by the French about the beginning of King Iohn's time for the murther of Arthur Duke of Brittanie but with this condition too that if Robert Marmion his elder brother should make his peace with the King for it seems he then adhered
thereof jointly with his said wife in 2 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir xxxvi years of age who after the decease of his mother in 14 E. 3. doing his homage to the King had full possession thereof Which last mentioned Baldwin died in 17 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir 26. years of age who the next year following did his Homage to the King and had thereupon Liverie of all the lands of his inheritance lying in this Shire as also in the Counties of Hereford Salop. Staff Wigorn. Wiltf Norf. and Suff. In 26 E. 3. he was a Knight and bore for his Armes Or a Crosse fleurè gules and for his Crest upon a Chapeu the Leggs of a man booted spurred and reverst as appeareth by his Seale but not long after this he altered it and bore a Plume of Fethers in stede of the other Of this Sir Baldwin I further find that he was in great esteem with Edward Prince of Wales commonly called the Black-Prince being for his approved fidelitie and service in 38 E. 3. made by him his Steward of Xantoigne in France for life and in 46 E. 3. retained with the same martiall Prince by Indenture to serve Rob. Marmion temp Regis Will. Conq. Robertus Marmion temp H. 1. Milisear Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Rob. Marmion senior ob 25 H. 3. Maria ux 2. Iohanna primò nupta Thomae Ludlow mil. secundò Henrico Hillarie Philippus Marmion ob 20 E. 1. Iohanna filia cohaer Hug. de Kilpeck 27 H. 3. Iohanna ob 23 E. 1. sine prole Mazera ux Rad. Cromwell Iohanna consangu una haeredum Philippi Marmion 20 E. 1. Alex. Frevile 20 E. 1. Baldw. Frevile obiit 17 E. 3. Elizabetha 3 E. 3. Eliz. soror cohaerâ— Ioh. de Monteforti mil. ux 1. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 49 E. 3. Iohanna filia â—â—â— Domini Strange 46 â— 3. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 11 R. 2. Iocosa filia Joh. Botetourt mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile miles obiit 2 H. 4. Iohanna filia Thomae Greene mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob s. prole 7 H. 5. Elizabetha 7 H. 5. Thom. Ferrers filius secundogeniâ—us Will. D. Ferrers de Groby Thomas Ferrers miles obiit 22. Aug. 14 H. 7. Anna filia Leonardi Hastings de Kirby soror Will. Domini Hastings Ioh. Ferrers miles obiit vivente patre Matilda filia Ioh. Stanley de Elford mil. Ioh. Ferrers miles consanguâ— haeres Thomae Ferrers militis 14 H. 7. Dorothea filia Will. Harper de Rushall in Com. Staff ar Margareta filia Thomae Picot servientis ad legem ux 1. Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Ioh. Ferrers arm Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Barbara nupta 31 H. 8. Dorothea ux Edw. Holt ar Humfridus Ferrers miles obiit 5 Iac. Anna filia Humfr. Bradburne de Lee in Com. Derb. nupta 5 Eliz. Walt. Thomas Edw. Ioh Ferrers miles obiit .... 1633. Dorothea filia Ioh. Puckering militis Custodis magni Sigilli Angliae Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit ..... Sept. 1633. Anna filia Ioh. Pakington de Ayles borough in Com. Wigorn. equ aur secundo nupta Philippo Comiti de Chesterfield Ioh. Ferrers natus .... anno 1629. Francisca ux Ioh. Pakington eq aur Anna ux Sim. Archer eq aur Iana ux Thom. Rous Bar. Elizabethaâ— Catherina Brigita Susanna Edw. Henr. Thomas Georgius Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Franciscus Cokain primus maritus Leonardus Ferrers 12 H. 7. Rad. Ferrers Decanus Eccl. Coll. de Tamworth 12 H. 7. Margareta primò nupta Hug. Willoughby mil. secundò Ric. Bingham mil. Eliz. filia Joh. de Botetourt de Weoley mil. nupta 27 E. 3. ux 1. Iecosa ux Rogeri Aston Ida filia .... Clinton 35 E. 3. Matilda ux Rad. le Boteler 20 E. 1. Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Philippa 5 H. 3. Rob. Marmion jun. 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. Will. Marmion 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. him in the warrs of France with six men at Arms viz. three Knights and three Esquires taking xx li. per annum Fee for the Knights and x. marks for the Eâ—quires As also that he had three wives viz. Elizabeth sister and coheir to Sir Iohn Montfoâ—t Kt. of which Family I have spoke in Beldesert Secondly Ida daughter to ..... Clinton a Ladie of Honour to Queen Philippa and thirdly Ioane daughter to the Lord Strange and that he departed this life in 49 E. 3. leaving by the said Elizabeth Baldwin his son and heir xxiv years of age Which Baldwin being a Knight in 1 Ric. 2. exhibited his claim to be the King's Champion on the day of his Coronation and to do the service appertaining to that Office by reason of the tenure of this Castle viz. to ride compleatly armed upon a barb'd Horse into Westminster Hall and there to challenge the Combate with whomsoever that should dare to oppose the King's title to the Crown which service the Marmions antiently Lords thereof had heretofore performed But Sir Iohn Dimock being then his Competitor carryed it from him by Judgment of the Constable and Marshall of England in regard he was possest of the Lordship of Scrivelby in Lincolnshire which by better authorities than Frevile could produce appeared to have been held for divers ages by that service and that the Marmions had the said office as owners thereof and not in right of this Castle it being descended to Dimock with Scrivelby from an heir female of Sir Thomas Ludlow Knight husband of Ioane the yongest daughter to Sir Philip Marmion before spoken of Which Sir Baldwin in 3 R. 2. was also one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Shire and in 9 R. 2. upon partition made betwixt him and Sir Thomas Boteler Knight of Mountfort's lands whereunto they were heirs had the Mannour of Ashstede in Com. Surr. with Gunthorpe and Loudham in Com. Nott. assigned to him as also the reversion of the Mannours of Henley Beudesert and Haselholt in this Countie after the decease of William de Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in whose hands they then were And had two wives both daughters unto Sir Iohn Botetourt of Weoley-Castle in Com. Wigorn. whereof Elizabeth the first was married to him in 27 E. 3. but I suppose she was then very young and died before they lived together in regard it is plain that he afterwards married Ioyce her sister who overlived him and took to her second husband Sir Adam Peshale Knight which Joyce at length became one of the coheirs to Ioyce her Neece daughter and heir to Iohn son
evident that he spared not the very Clergie imprisoning Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury till he died with many others degrading divers Abbots wasting the lands of Wolstan Bishop of Worcester Walter Bishop of Hereford and Frethric Abbot of S. Albans compelling many of the Nobilitie and others to forsake the Kingdom forcing divers aswell Priests as Layâ—men driven out of their possessions to betake themselves to Woods and Deserts where they were constrained to live as Savages whereby there was scarce a great man left all sorts of men being reduced to such miserie and servitude that it was held a disgrace to be accounted an Englishman Tantum tunc Anglicos abominati sunt saith Ingulphus ut quantocunque merito pollerent de dignitatibus pellerentur multò minùs habiles alienigenae de quacunque alia natione quae sub coelo est extitissent gratanter assumerentur For which being toucht with compunction when he lay upon his Death-bed he cryed out thus to his Friends Multis ô Amici gravibusque peccatis onustus contremisco mox ad tremendum Dei Judicium rapiendus quid faciam ignoro and so goes on deploring his iniquities and amongst other of his sins that lay heavie upon his conscience he hath this expression Naturales Regni filios plus aequo exosus habui Nobiles vulgares crudeliter vexavi injustè multos exhaereditavi innumeros maximè in pago Eboracensi fame seu ferro mortificavi And of his more particular proceedings against them and advancing his Normans observe this notable relation from a person that lived in the next age Post regni conquisitionem c. After the Conquest of the Realm there was diligent enquiry made who were in Armes at the battail against the King that had saved themselves by flight To these and the heirs of those which were slain therein all hope was shut for obtaining any of their lands or possessions Nay it was thought to be a great favour that they were permitted to live yet those which were required to put themselves in Arms and did not and others that were not in the battail with much and earnest suit had obtained favour from their new Lords though without hope that their Children should succeed therein and at length their sons began to retain those possessions at the will of the Lord but after a while they became odious to them and were driven away every where from their estates neither was there any man that would restore what he had so taken from them So that the Natives being thus despoiled of their substance and hated made a common complaint to the King whereupon advising with his Councell he decreed that what they could obtain from their Lords either in consideration of any merit or service by lawfull agreement they should enjoy to themselves without interruption but by way of descent they should challenge nothing which with what discreet consideration it was provided saith mine Author is manifest enough especially because by this means they were thenceforth for their own sakes bound to studie all obsequiousnesse to their Lords as to the purchasing of their favour for none of this conquer'd Nation saith he did possesse any thing which seemed to be his own by right of Descent but what onely through his deserts or by agreement he could obtain But besides these ways of high oppression he wanted not divers subtile devices to secure his dominion First by building of Castles in sundry parts of the Realme Then to prevent tumults in the Night season not only disarming the native English but causing a Bell to be rung in every Parish at eight of the clock in the evening at the sound whereof every one was to cover their Fire and go to rest Item ut ferociam populi ad otium perduceret omnibus arma ademit saith Polidore statuitque ut quisque paterfamilias vesperi circiter horam octavam post meridiem tecto ciâ—eribus igne dormitum iret ad id signum vicatim dari voluit per campanas id quod etiam nunc servatur Normanicè vulgò dicitur Coverfeu And in that year in which he triumphed saith M. Paris he took with him some of the English Nobility into Normandie and married them to Norman Ladies and in like sort did he marry divers English women to his Normans continually loading the people with heavy Taxes to the end they might have enough adoe in busying themselves how to live rather than to have any leisure to stir up commotions Moreover for the better new-moulding them he introduced hither the Norman fashion in making Conveyances and Grants viz. by Deeds sealed with wax whereas before they were testified with Crosses and subscribed by those which were present causing the Laws of the Land Statutes of the preceding Kings and all Pleadings to be written in the French tongue Nay to the end that the English Language might in time wear out of use he took care that the French should be taught in Schools as also in writing appointed that the French Fashion should be imitated And for the better accomplishment of his designe introduced the termes of Hawking Hunting Tennis-play Dice and other pastimes in that Language Thus came lo Englonde into Normans honde Normans ne cowde speche then but here owen speche But Franche as that did at hoom here children dide also teche So that heize men of this londe that of here blode come Holden al thilke speche that thei of hem nome For if a man can no Franche men telle of hem ryzt like But lo men holdeth English here kynde speche zitâ— I wene in the worlde ne is londe nether Countrie none That he ne holdeth his kinde speche but Engelonde now one But men wote well to conne both good hit is For the more men conne the more thei ben worthi I wis Nay the poor English were so humbled that they were glad to imitate the Normans even in cutting their hair and shaving their beards and to conform themselves to the fashion of their new Masters in their very cups and dishes For the order and methode of this present work I have followed the Rivers as the most sure and lasting marks where they lye proper for my course and sometimes have taken my aime from those great and well-known Roman ways viz. Wâ—tlingstreet and Fosse which thwarting each other upon the borders of this Countie extend themselves many miles through it or as a boundarie thereto And whereas the Hundreds are so few and the Rivers with their branches very many I have taken each Hundred by it self Following which course I first begin with Aâ—on as it enters the Shire at Clifton in the North-East following till it goes out at Sâ—lford in the South-West dividing the Wood-land for so that part of the Countie lying North thereof is called from the Feldon discoursing in order of the Towns as they lye adjacent thereto or
the fee of the Earl of Winchester in regard of that part of the Honour of Leicester which he held as I have already shew'd in Clifton And in the 55. of H. 3. it appears that Ernauld de Boys of whom I have also spoken in Clifton held four Knights fees in Weston Bulkinton Clifton Wauere viz. this Wauere and Wibtoft so that it may without doubt be concluded that the possession of this Mannour belonged as antiently to the family of Boys as Clifton did How or when they parted with it I know not but in 8. E. 1. it being then written Bruneswafre was granted by Robert Hovel and Alianore his wife to Theobald Malegal and Nicholas Test Merchants of Luke to be held of the said Robert and Alianore and the heires of Alianore for ever paying 1. d. at Easter yearly for all services and for this they gave then C C. marks of Silver so that it seems to have been of the inheritance of Alianore And yet in 13. E. 1. did Iohn de Bosco of whom I have made mention in Clifton claim a Court-leet here and other liberties used by his ancestours time out of mind As also Free-Warren by the grant of K. H. 3. to Ernauld de Boys his Father exhibiting the Kings Charter for the same which was allowed But from the before specified Theobald and Nicholas was it purchased by William Revell in 20. E. 1. which William in 27. of the same K. Reign obteyned a Charter for Free-warren in all his demesn Lands here And in 35. E. 1. entayled it with Clifton as hath been there exprest When these Revells parted with it I find not nor have I seen any thing more thereof till 11. E. 4. that Thomas Bellers Gentleman released to Richard Boughton Esquire all his right therein which Richard was of Little-Lawford and dyed seised thereof 3. R. 3. leaving William his Son and Heir whose descendants there continuing have enjoyed it to this day The Chappel here dedicated to St. Michael with tythes of Corn and Hay as also one yard land and a messuage belonging to the mother Church of Clifton were given by Ernald de Boys viz. the first to the Abby of Leicester In which Chappel there is Christening and Buriall by the speciall grant of the Abbot of Leicester in regard of the distance of this village from the Mother Church of Clifton and the hindrance of access thereto by the overflowing of Avon oft times Armes in this Chappel viz. in the East Window Gules a cinquefoile ermine Old Earl of Leic. Newton ADjoyning to this Village is Newton having its name from the first plantation there which was then new it seems in comparison of the other adjacent Towns In the Conq. time Turchil de Warwic Progenitor of the Ardens held it viz. by Tenants under him the remembrance of whose names are not of consequence it then conteining 3. hydes as is certified in the generall Survey A great part of this village belonged to the Priory of Kenillworth some whereof was given thereunto by Geffrey Clinton in H. 1. time at the Buriall of Geffrey his Father founder of that Monastery as shall be shew'd in its proper place which grant Henry de Arden Grandchild of the above mentioned Turchill confirmed And the rest viz. two Hydes Ernauld de Boys of whom I have already spoken in Clifton gave which Land he the said Ernauld as by his grant appears had of Geffrey Clinton before specified The residue in K. Steph. time did Hugh Bagot purchase together with Cotes now Coton of Raphe de Duuerne And in consideration of xl s. which Ingeram Bagot his Brother gave him towards his expedition beyond Sea with Otuerus de Sulley granted them both to the said Ingeram to be held of Rob. fil Odonis the chief Lord of the Fee Which Ingeram had issue Simon who sold to the Monks of Combe three yard land here Raph de Mora one of the Heirs to Robert fil Odonis confirming the grant But of these Bagots I purpose to speak when I come to Preston Bagot where I shall insert a scheme of their descent Afterward viz. in 8. Ioh. Robert de Cotes now called Coton in the Parish of Church-Over obteyned by exchange from the Abbot and Covent of Combe all the Land that they had in Newton for Lands which he gave them in Cotes And in the 25. of H. 3. Nichola the Widow of Simon Bagot of Preston in this County released to the Abbot and Covent of Combe and their successours the whole right which she had by reason of her dowrie in all those Lands of Cotes and Neuton So that in 36. H. 3. that which the Monkes of Combe had in Newton answered for the sixth part of a Knights Fee upon payment of the aid for the Kings transfretation into Gascoine which as it seemes was viii yard Land or else they had more granted after that time to them for in 4. E. 1. they enjoyed so much In the xx of E. 3. it answered also for the sixth part of a Knights Fee But in R. 2. time by new gifts or smaller measure that which the Abby of Combe had there was rated at xi yard Land and 1. Acre accounting 48. Acres to a yard of Land Thus did this Monastery continue possessed of Newton till its dissolution After which viz. in 36. H. 8. the K. granted away with divers other Lands that which belonged to the Monks of Combe to Thomas Broke and Iohn Williams and to the Heirs of Broke by the name of the Mannour of Neuton And yet in the same year I find a Licence to Mary Dutchess of Richmund to Alien the very same Mannour to Henry Leigh Esquire And afterwards by Inquisition taken upon the death of the said Henry is it found that he dyed seized thereof 14. Apr. 3. Eliz. and that Edward his Son and Heir was xx years of age But what became of those Lands which the Pr. of Kenylworth had here I have not seen Below Newton Eastwards lyes Biggin so called of later time Biggin signifying an habitation in resemblance whereof we have the Saxon word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for inhabitants As also in the Northern parts the name of Biggin for a fair House or Gentlemans seat but antiently this was called Holme having been a Village in the Conq. time though now there be scarce any thing left but a Mill which name it took from the situation lying in a nook betwixt the River Avon and a small brook that comes from Shawell in Leicestershire as the Map will shew for such grounds as are in whole or for the most part compassed with waters are so called as we may observe almost every where In the Conq. time Turchil de Warwick held it by his under-tenants From whom it came with the rest of his Lands as it seemes to the Earles of Warwick for of
and one of the most active of those Barons but afterwards through the Kings mercy received his pardon for that offence And in the beginning of E. 1. time had the trust amongst other men of note in this County to be constituted one of the Justices of Goal-delivery for so I find him recorded in an 2. 3. 6. â— 8. E. 1. Which Nicholas left issue George who amongst divers other men of valour in that time had summons to be at Barwick upon Twede upon the feast day of the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist 29 E. 1. sufficiently furnisht with Horse and Arms to attend the King in his expedition against the Scots Which George by a fine levyed Octab Trin 2 E. 2. entailed this Mannour with the advouson of the Church upon his son Nicholas Charnels and Ioan his wife and the heirs of the same Nicholas by her the said Ioan reserving unto himself first an estate for life therein and was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament of 6. E. 2. but after that time he lived not long for in 13. E. 2. Lucia his widow held this Lordship in dower To whom succeeded Nicholas his son of whom I find that in 18 E. 2. he was joyned with Roger la Zouch for the choosing of xxx Hobelers and lx Archers in the Counties of Warr. and Leâ—c for an expedition into Gascoine In 13 E. 3. one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster In 20 E. 3. of the retinue to Thomas Hatfield then Bp. of Duresme in the French expedition which B. was the Founder of Duresme-Colledge in Oxford and Duresme-House in London In 30 E. 3. assigned one of the Justices in this County for putting the statute of Labourers in execution And that he had issue Thomas and he Maud a daughter and heir wedded to Laurence Trussell of Cublesdon in Staffordshire by which means this Lordship with divers Mannours also in Leicestershire divolved to that family but was not enjoyed without great suits for Iohn Charnells of Beâ—worth in this County combining with one Iohn Marshall Parson of the Church of Swepston in Leicestershire who had been a feoffee in trust for those lands intruded himself into the possession of a large part thereof obtaining a Charter of Free-warren in this Mannour of Bilton to himself and his heirs And for the better effecting of his purpose deduced his pretended title from the King alledging that Edw. Prince of Wales Father to the King dyed seized of it having been enfeoffed thereof by the said Iohn Charnells And the better to carry on his design caused an Inquisition to be taken after the death of the said Prince whereby it was found accordingly so that after much suit in the latter end of E. 3. time exhibiting a Petition in Parliament 1 R. 2. the K. directed his Precept to the Judges of the Common Pleas to do her right therein whereupon it seems she recovered it for in 9 R. 2. she with Laurence Trussell her husband demised it to Sir Raph Ferrers Kt. to hold during his life paying a Rose onely at the Feast of the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist yearly After which it continued in the line of Trussel till the beginning of H. 8. time for though I finde in the Institutions of 10. and 14. H. 4. that Sir Robert Lytton Kt. as Lord of the Mannour presented to the Rectory I conceive it to be an estate to him in trust onely because neither before nor after that time is there any mention of him otherwise and then by Eliz. daughter of Edward but sister and heir to her brother Iohn it came to the Earls of Oxford for in 22 H. 7. the K. granted to Iohn E. of Oxford and to Iohn Vere Nephew of the same Earl the wardship and marriage of the said Eliz to the intent as the Record saith that she should be married to the said Iohn Vere who was then servant to the King and next heir male to the abovesaid Earl Of which Trussells whose seat was at Aylmesthorpe in Leicestershire which they also had by Charnells heir I have onely added the descent that the succession of this Lordship may be the better illustrated for in Warwickshire they had no imployment of note But by Edward Earl of Oxford towards the latter end of Qu. Eliz. reign was it sold unto Iohn Shugborough Esq then one of the six Clerks in Chancery which Iohn dyed seized thereof in 42 Eliz. leaving Henry his son and heir of whom Edward Boughton of Lawford Esq having those lands in Bilton sometime belonging to Pipwell-Abby which after the dissolution were obtained by his Grandfather purchased it about the beginning of King Iames his reign and procured afterwards a Charter of Free-warren to him and his heirs therein which Edward disposed thereof to Thomas Boughton his second son who now scil anno 1640. maketh his residence here The Church dedicated to St. Mark was in a. 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at ix marks but in 26 H. 8. at xvi l. xs vi d. the Procurations and Synodals then being ix s. vi d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Instit. Thomas de Leycestria rector eccl de Beaulton a. 1308. 7 E. 2. Nich. de Charnels Ioh. de Charnells filius D. Georgii de Charnells 8. Kl. Iulii a. 1322. 16. E. 2. D. Lucia quondam uxor D. Georgii de Charnells Ric. des Aspes xii Kal. Iulii a. 1322. 16. E. 2. Nich. de Charnels miles Gilb. de Sutton accolitus iii. Non. Sept. a. 1349. 23. E. 3. Laur. Trussell ar D. de Beaulton Matildis ux ejus patroni Ric. de Wodeman Pbr. xv Martii a. 1390. 14. R. 2. D. Rob. Lytton miles D. de Beulton Ioh. Wyllye Cap. xx Sept. an 1409. 10. H. 4. Rob. Lynton miles D. de Bylton Ioh. Redyman Cap ... Martii a. 1413. 14. H. 4. D. Will. Trussell miles Thom. Rygby Diac. 14. Aug. a. 1429. 7. H. 6 D. Will. Trussell miles Ioh. Woburn Pbr. xxvi Apr. a. 1444. 22. H. 6. D. Will. Trussell miles Ioh. Worsley Pbr. xix Martii a. 1445. 24. H. 6. Ioh. Veer Co. Oxon. ratione maritagii Eliz. filiae heredis Edwardi Trussell Magr. Will. Base xxix Iulii a. 1527. 19. H. 8. Alicia Worcester Rob. Dypsiâ—â—lâ—r 16. Ian. an de Bylton vidua ratione dimiss Ioh. Co. Oxon. 1558. 1 Eliz. Alicia Worcester vidua ratione ut supra D. Thomas Shapman cler 6. Apr. an 1559. 1. Eliz. Will. Randall firmarius manerii de Bylton Edmundus Enos x. Dec. an 1570. Will. Replingham de Harborow-magna generosus ratione dimiss Co. Oxon. Ioh. Enewes in art baccal 18. Maii an 1621. Church-Lawford WEstward from Bilton and near the bank of Avon stands Church-Lawford within which Parish is likewise the Village of Long-Lawford lying somewhat
the said Prior and Covent of Carthusians and their successours for ever All which was confirmed by the K. Letters Patents bearing date 5 Iulii 20 of his reign upon the return of a Writ of Ad quod dampnum thereupon and thenceforth continued to the said Carthusians till the general dissolution of all the Monasteries by K. H. 8. After which it came to the hands of Roger Wigston descended from a family of the Wigstons in Leicester divers whereof were Merchants of the Staple Which Roger being a Lawyer I suppose for he was Steward to the Monastery of Pinley in this County by his Will dated 34 H. 8. bequeath'd his body to be buried in the Church of Wolston having been Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in 33 H. 8. and in commission of the peace for divers years And left issue William VVigston a Justice of Peace likewise in this County and Eschaetor towards the latter end of K. H. 8. reign as also Shiriff in 5 E. 6. but Knighted in 2 3 Ph. M. who dyed 27 Sept. 19 Eliz. and lyeth buryed in the Chancell at Wolston Roger his son and heir being then xl years of age which Roger having no issue male left the inheritance of his lands to his two daughters whereof Susanne was the wife of Nicholas VVentworth Esq who in her right became Lord of this Mannour for so it is now reputed to be and left it to Sir Peter VVentworth Knight of the Bath his son and heir the now owner thereof The Church dedicated to St. Margaret IN an 1291. 19 E. 1. the value of the Rectory here was certified at xxxiii marks out of which besides the sum of xiii sol iiii d. due to the Bp of Coventre and Lichfeild for the time being as a pension there was liii sol iiii d. yearly to be paid to the poor there as the composition manifesteth The Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was valued at xv l. x sol over and above viii l. yearly allowed for the stipend of two Priests serving in two Chappels within this Church and ii sol per annum for Synodals The appropriation of the Fruits of this Church to the Monastery of St. Peter sup Dinam was antient for I have seen a very old Copy of the ordination of the Vicaridge commonly called the Composition made by Alexander de Savensby Bp of Cov. and Litch about the beginning of H. 3. time who at his institution of Henry de Leicester Priest upon the presentation of the Prior of Tutbury Procurator general to the above mentioned Abbot and Covent makes this appointment in the behalf of the said Vicar and his successors viz. that they shall have all the Obventions of the Altar as well of the Mother Church as of the Chappels with a Messuage and a croft which one Alanus then held the Vicar out of these being to pay Synodals and to see that the Chappels were served by honest and able persons But by another Instrument of the said Bp. it appears that by the consent of the before mentioned Prior of Tutbury there was an assignation made of four marks yearly to be paid to the Vicar for the time being out of the profits of the Rectory by the hands of the Procurator of the said Abbot and Covent whoever he should be at Wolfricheston at two terms in the year viz. two marks at the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and two marks on the day of her Purification out of which the Vicar was to give yearly xiii coats each containing three ells and xiii pair of shoes to the poor of the parish by the oversight of the Archdeacon of the place or his Official and whatsoever was remaining himself to have towards the maintenance of one Priest there assisting him There is one thing more that I am not willing to pass by touching this Vicaridge viz. a Commission which I find granted by the Bp. of Cov. and Lichf bearing date 1 Dec. an 1454. 33 H. 6. to certain persons there named and entrusted by him to enquire of the Ordination thereof forasmuch as the present Incumbent had signified to the said B. that the same was so slenderly endowed that having there the cure of souls he could not maintain himself in that fit manner as he ought out of the profits thereof nor well undergo what was incident to him as Vicar and thereupon humbly craveâ— remedy from the B. By which Commission the B. gives power to the persons therein mentioned to call before them the Prior and Covent of Carthusians near Coventre to whom the Rectory was appropriate appointing that this enquiry should be made by persons of credit both of the Clergy and Laity and upon oath as also thereupon to proceed in augmentation thereof as there should be cause with power of Canonical câ—eÌ„â—cion By which it appears that though the Vicaridge were formerly endowed yet if in the discretion of the B. or his successours at any time after the fruit issuing out thereof to the present Incumbent were not esteemed sufficient to maintain him in a fit manner there might be an enlargement made out of the profits of the Rectory And that the B. may lawfully do this I could manifest by very good authorities as well as undeniable reason but in regard this Argument belongs to men of another profession and that there is already a very handsome Discourse written upon this subject by Dr Ryves a learned Civilian entituled The poor Vicars plea I will spare that which otherwise I could have said therein Adding this onely that if respect be to be had that the Vicar is to have that competent and laudable support as is sutable to his degree and quality for work he may not by the Laws being to follow his study maintain hospitality releive the poor pay Procurations and defray all other charges incident to his Benefice and that the Laws do allow him to marry whereby the charge of a single person as antiently they were is by wife and children much in all probability increased then no doubt many hundreds in England ought to be in this case regarded Neither can the Impropriator justly say he hath wrong though he purchased the Rectory at a dear rate for he must needs know that it is divolved to him with no more priviledge than the Monks had it who were alwaies subject to coertion for the like augmentation as cause required it being not originally intended that they who lived plentifully in their Cloyster should sweep away the chief fruits of the Church the Parish which paid duely their Tithes having little advantage from them and that the Vicar who daily served at the Altar should snap on short commons but if there were sufficiency for both each to have share otherwise if one must want it should not be he that did undergo the work I know this will sound harshly in Impropriators ears
souls of the father and mother with the ancestours and heirs of the said Will. la Zuche and Will. Danet and of all the faithfull deceased Concerning which Chantry the B. of Cov. and Lich. upon his Ordination thereof the next ensuing year thus declared That there having been a Chappel of the blessed Virgin Mary within this Mannour of Weston and therein divine service celebrated time out of mind which being grown ruinous was then newly fallen down Sir Will. la Zuche of Haringworth Kt. had rebuilt the same with a fair fabrick in honour of the said blessed Virgin for the good estate of himself as also of Sir Will. la Zuche of Totenes and the Lady Eliz. his wife with their children during this life and afterwards for the health of their souls and for the souls of Will. de Boys Sir Eudo la Zuche Melisent de Montalt Maud la Zuche Elene la Zuche and their children departed this life And for the souls of Will. Danet and Richard Dobyn and other Benefactors with all the faithfull deceased But whereas the first licence for amortizing the lands before mentioned was for two Priests as I have said it seems the said Sir VVill. la Zuche chang'd his purpose for I find that in 21 E. 3. he had the K. licence for the alteration thereof for one Priest onely so that the said Priest might have another under him for performance of that service Belonging to the Lord Zouch his Mannour-house here there was antiently a Park as it seems for in 46 E. 3. Sir VVill. la Zuche had licence to turn a way for the enlargement thereof Howbeit in 10 H. 6. where VVill. Lord Zouch was certified to hold this Mannour it is called Weston-Arnold for distinction from the other Westons in this County in regard that Arnold de Boys had antiently been owner thereof But after the attainder of Iohn Lord Zouch in 1 H. 7. the K. granted it to Sir Iames Blount and to the heirs males of his body nevertheless it seems that the family of Zouch afterwards regain'd it for in 6 E. 6. George Lord Zouch was possest thereof and dyed seized of it 19 Iunii 19 Eliz. leaving Edward his son and heir who sold it to Humphrey Davenport Esq. and Richard Bucknam with Bulkinton and other lands by which means it came to Sir Christopher Yelverton Kt. of the Bath and Anthony Stoughton Esq the present Lords thereof as Bulkinton did A Tradition there is that one of the Lord Zouches who much affected to reside here and wanting sufficient mowing ground for his use upon a time invited the Free-holders of Bulkinton to his house and welcoming them with very good entertainment proposed the purchasing of their several doles in a fair large meadow which lay fitly for him All which assented except one Rogers Whereupon the rest urging him to do as they had done the Lord Zouch said Let the Churle alone with his peice And so to this day the posterity of the said Rogers continue possest thereof it being called the Churles peice Rieton juxta Bulkinton THE first mention that I find of this place is in that grant of the Tithes thereof to the Abby of Leicester as a member of the Parish of Bulkinton viz. when the Church of Bulkinton was first given thereto by Roger de Watervile of which I have already spoken but that it was and is a member of Bulkinton or rather Weston where the Lord had his seat all the testimonies from Record which I have produced before do manifest and therefore I shall not need to say any more thereof Bramcote THis place in the Conq. time contained two hydes whereof one and a half then belonged to Earl Alberie of whom I have made mention in Clifton and the other half hyde to Ric. Forestarius of whom I shall speak in Chesterton But before the Conquest one Salo was owner of that which Earl Alberic had being the same man that afterwards held Bulkintone of the Earl of Mellent The other half hyde one Sexi possest It is there written Brancote perhaps from Bran the Saxon and coit or coed the British word which signifie the burnt wood That the inheritance of this Village was as antiently in Watervile as any of those before specified were I am induced to believe for Roger de Watervile gave six yard land and the Mill here to the Abby of Leicester by the consent of Robert Earl of Leicester his Lord and Founder of that Monastery which grant was afterwards confirmed by Arnold de Boys his Nephew and all the rest of the succeeding Arnolds Yet in an Inspex made by Thomas Earl of Lanc. whereby he recites divers grants to the Canons of Leic. and amongst those the same yard land in Bramcote he declares it to have been given to them by Geffrey le Abbe of whom I had occasion to make mention in Burton-Hastings and together with his confirmation thereof ratifies also the gift of two yard land more which one Ranulph held so that there being eight yard land therein belonging to the Abby of Leic. besides the Mill and what was appurtenant thereto the Canons of that House did as in other their lands in this County claim a Court-Leet and other priviledges therein in 13 E. 1. as granted by the Ks. progenitors to that Monastery for which they then produced their Charters But in 6 E. 2. I find that the heirs of Henry de Hastings held the third part of a Kts. fee here of Iohn de Hastings the elder then deceased it being then written Brompcote The like is certified as to the tenure of that third part by the heirs of the said Henry in 49 E. 3. 14 H. 6. and 16 E. 4. But what the Lord Zouch possest in this Village I am not able directly to point out howbeit certain it is that something he enjoy'd in regard the Free-warren granted to him in 7 E. 2. extended into his demesn lands here as well as in those of Weston Bulkinton and Ryton As for that which the Abbot of Leic. had it amounted to the third part of a Kts fee for in 20 E. 3. it is certified that so much he held of the Earl of Lancaster who then had the Honour of Leic. as is well known All which lands so belonging to that Abby were in 38 H. 8. granted to Edward Watson Esq and Henry Herdson and to the heirs of the same Edward who as I have heard had two daughters that were his heirs the one marryed to ..... Turner the other to ..... Lisle from which ..... Lisle descended ..... Lisle that sold his moytie to George Purefey of Wolvershill Gent. And from ..... Turner William his Grandson of whom Gamaliel Purefey son to the said George purchased the other Wolvershill THE first mention that I meet with of this place is in 21 E. 1. where it is setled
and of such rankness that much of it hath bean carryed by the Husbandmen to further distances like Dung to make the ground more fertile Upon the very thwarting of those two great ways hath antiently stood some eminent Cross which the Country people called High-Cross but now instead thereof is onely a pole bearing that name That this was the station of the Bennones I have Mr. Cambdens authority from Antonines-Itinerary yet nothing more can I say of it time having worn out the memory of what else was memorable But I return to Wibtoft Though it lye in this County yet is it in the Parish of Cleybroke in Leicester-sh and hath a Chappel dedicated to our Lady viz. to her Assumption The first mention I find of it is 60. years and more before the Conquest for Ulfric Spot a potent man in those days and founder of Burton-Abby in Stafford-sh gave it by his Will to one Athelric for life and afterwards to the said Monastery of Burton But in the Conq. time it was possest by the Earl of Mellent and in the generall Survey then taken written Wibetot Willey being join'd therwith both which were the freehold of Sexi in Edw. the Conf. days After which ere long was Ernald de Bois enfeoft thereof with Clifton Bulkinton c. whereof I have already spoke for not only an Extent of Knights-fees in 55. H. 3. shews that they were then held joyntly of the E. of Warwick by 4. Kn. fees but the possession hereof continuing in the family of Boys and afterwards to Zouch as most of the other did argues no less And I find that the grant of Raph Araby made to the Abby of Leic. of 7. mess 10. crofts 5. yard land and a half and one mill lying here was confirm'd by the same Ernald wherein the Abbot claimed a Court-Leet and the like Priviledges that he did in Bulkinton and had allowance of them As also that the same year scil 13. E. 1. the Prioress of Eaton purchased one mess and 120. acres of land lying in this place of Gilbert de Houby a great man in Leicestersh But further can I not speak thereof than that in the line of Zouch it continued as by the severall authorities I have vouch't in Bulkinton appeareth till Edw. Lord Zouch in our Fathers memory past it away as he did the substance of his antient inheritance Willey FOllowing Watlingstreet I next come to Willey joyn'd with Wibtoft in the Conq. Survey both which being then held by the E. of Mellent and containing 3. hides were valued at 4. l. But the first mention that I after meet withall of this place is in 26. H. 2. where Robert de Wilega for so he is there written payd 3. marks to have a tryall in the K. Court against Simon de Verdon for this Village From the E. of Mellent it came to the E. of Warwick as most of Mellent's lands in this County did and was granted to Hastings by one of those antient Earls as may seem by severall Inquisitions from whom the ancestours to Turvile and Herdebergh were at first enfeoft Robert de Wilega being one of those families and called de Wilega whilst he resided here and de Herdeberg when he dwelt at Herdeberg now called Harborough-magna in this County for such kind of alteration of names was usuall enough in old time as I could manifest if need were But what I find memorable in generall touching this family of Herdebergh I purpose to declare when I come to Great-Harborough before mentioned where I have inserted a Scheme of their descent and therefore here I shall chiefly take notice of them as in relation to this place for I have circumstance enough to satisfy me that Herdebergh had the principall interest and not Turvile though Turvile had part In 33. H. 3. there was a tryall betwixt Roger de Herdebergh and the Abbot of Preaux in Normandy touching the Church here in respect of the right that the said Abbot claimed therein by reason of the Cell at Warmington in this County of the Eâ— of Warwick's foundation which was subordinate to that Monastery of Preaux upon which suit it seems that the Abbot of Preaux recovered the same for it appears by the Institutions that he presented thereto To which Roger de Herdebergh succeded Hugh that held this Mannour immediatly of Hastings and had issue Roger who dying in the life time of his Father left onely two Daughters Ela the elder within age in 14. E. 1. marryed to Will. le Boteler of Wemme in Com. Salop and Isabell to ..... by whom she had issue Dionysia that dyed y Childless and Alice wedded to Iohn de Peyto which Iohn and Alice in 7. E. 3. setled the one moytie of this Mannour upon the issue of their two Bodies and for default thereof upon the said William le Boteler and the heirs of his Body with remainder to the right heirs of Ela. And the other moytie after the decease of them the said Iohn and Alice unto the said William with the like remainder By which means it descended to Edmund le Boteler son to the said Will. and Ela as the descent doth manifest which Edm. being a Priest dyed 49. E. 3. whereupon his Sisters became his heirs to the estate whereof Dionysia the eldest marryed to Hugh Cokesey and had issue Sir Walter Cokesey Kt. unto whom Sir Fouke Pembruge Kt. and Margaret his Wife Daughter and heir of Ida or Idonea the second Sister of the said Edmund by William Trussell of Odiham released their right in the fourth part of this Mannour 51. E. 3. which Sir Walter had issue Walter and he Sir Walter Cokesey Kt. that dyed seized thereof 15. Dec. 24. H. 6. without issue leaving Ioyce his Sister and heir first marryed to ...... Beauchamp but afterwards to Grevile by whom she had issue Sir Iohn Grevile Kt. that left Thomas his Son and heir who called himself Cokesey as in Milcote I shall further shew which Thomas was also a Kt. and dyed without issue whereupon Robert Russell and Robert Winter being his Cosens and heirs had livery of his lands in 15. H. 7. From which Robert Winter descended George who accomplishing his full age 27. Ian. 7. Eliz. sold his two parts of this Mannour to the Tenants Hugo de Herdebergh Rog. de Herdebergh Ela filia cohaeres Gulielmus le Boteler de Wemme Ankareta ux Ioh. Strange de Blakmere Joh. Strange defunctus 49. E. 3. Ioh. Strange defunctus 49 E. 3. Eliz. obiit infra aetat Ankareta amita haeres Eliz. ob 1. H. 5. Ric. Talbot miles Gilb. Talbot miles fil haeres aetat 27. an 1. H. 5. Ankareta ob s. prole 9. H. 5. Ioh. Talbot miles erectus in Com. Salop 20.
of no antient building having a tall Spire for a land-mark over all the Country which was more eminent than now it is till the Inhabitants within our memory to save charges in repairing pulled down above xx foot of it Patroni Prioratus Priores de Kirby Ric. de Cornubia temp H. 2. Frater Defensor 35 H. 3. Abb. Conv. S. Nich. Andegav Petrus Franciscus monach 8 Febr. 1314. Abb. Conv. S. Nich. Andegav Will. Eisnelle monach 6 Id. Iunii 1326. Abb. Conv. S. Nich. Andegav Guil. de S. Clemente monach 10. Kl. Iul. 1335. Abb. Conv. S. Nich. Andegav Mauricius Aubere Pbr. Id. Nov. 1350. Abb. Conv. S. Nich. Andegav Oliverus de Desertis mon. Id. Sept. 1353. Abb. Conv. S. Nich. Andegav Frater Willielmus prid Non. Iun. 1358. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Prior Monachi de Kirby Ric. de Suham Cler. 1252. Prior Monachi de Kirby Helias de Staunford Pbr. 16 Iulii 1304. Prior Monachi de Kirby Ric. de Paylington Pbr. 8. Id. Sept. 1308. Prior Monachi de Kirby Ioh. Wylmot Cap. 11. Kl. Iunii 1316. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione temp Pr. de Kirby in manu sua existen Ioh. de Lewes Diac. 11. Kl. Oct. 1342. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione temp Pr. de Kirby in manu sua existen Rob. de Stretford Pbr. 3. Non. Oct. 1346. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione temp Pr. de Kirby in manu sua existen Ric. de Wylie Pbr. 5. Id. Nov. 1350. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione temp Pr. de Kirby in manu sua existen VVill. de VValton Pbr. 7. Id. Apr. 1354. Prior Conv. de Kirby VVill. Stoneley Pbr. 23. Aug. 1361. Prior Conv. de Kirby Rob. Grafton Pbr. 8. Id. Ian. 1361. Prior Conv. de Axholme D. Ioh. Hykkling Cap. 22. Dec. 1414. Prior Conv. de Axholme Ric. Hunt Pbr. 7. Dec. 1421. Prior Conv. de Axholme D. Rob. Barker Cap. 20. Iunii 1427. Prior Conv. de Axholme VVill. Pepir 16. Iulii 1433. Prior Conv. de Axholme Ioh. Pake Pbr. 26. Sep. 1436 Prior Conv. de Axholme Tho. Cowper 6. Iulii 1444. Prior Conv. de Axholme Tho. VVenlok Cap. 10. Oct. 1503. Prior Conv. de Axholme Magister Henr. Sherman 4. Apr. 1522. Prior Conv. de Axholme M. Rob. Newton in decretis baccalar ult Iunii 1528. Prior Conv. de Axholme VVill. Stokwith 13. Oct. 1528. Adrian Stokes ar Tho. VVard art Mag. 3. Febr. 1568. Mag. Scol Coll. S. Trin. Cantab. Edm. Battie sacrae theol bacc 29 Maii 1591. Brook-hurst THis Hamlet being parcel of the Mannour of Monkskirby takes its name from the situation thereof upon that bank or hurst by the Brook which runneth a little Eastward from the Church but of it there is little mention in Record other than that the Kts fee which the Prior of Kirby held of the Lord Moubray did extend into this place Stret-Aston THis being also part of the Mannour of Monkskirby lyeth Eastward from the Fosse commonly called the Street and thence hath its denomination In the same Records where mention is made of Brockhurst is there also of this and in no other that I have seen it being written Stred-Aston and Stroderston as well as Stret-Aston Stretton subtus Fosse THis hath its name from the Street way also below which it lyes and was originally a member of Newbold-Revel and so being possest by the family of Revell descended by a daughter and heir to Malory and from Malory by the like means to Cave and so to Andrews and Boughton as the descent in Newbold-Revel sheweth for in 37 H. 8. Thomas Andrews Esq levyed a Fine thereof and in 8 Eliz. it was found that Margaret Boughton one of the daughters and coheirs of Edw. Cave dyed seized of it leaving Edw. her son and heir 21 years of age Walton OF this Village I have not seen any thing in Record till 19 E. 1. it being antiently reputed as parcel of Monkskirby and the substance thereof belonging to the Priory there That which is then mentioned thereof is upon the payment of a Tenth to the Pope by all the Monasteries as well as Churches in England at which time it was certified that the Prior of Kirby had 4. carucats of land here But the particulars I shall not stand to mention forasmuch as the authorities which I have voucht in Monkskirby will manifest that it being therewith granted to the House of Carthusians in Axholme came at length to the Crown and so attending the possession of that Lordship I mean of Kirby ever since is now in the Earl of Denbigh's hands Esenhull THis place taketh its name I presume from the situation standing Eastwards from Monkskirby and upon a rising ground but was originally a member of Newbold-Revel So that passing from Revel to Malory and Malory to Cave by heirs general as the descent in Newbold-Revel sheweth it came at length by purchase to Sir Walter Smyth of Shirford Kt who dyed seized thereof in 1 Mar. Since which by force of that conveyance whereof I have spoke in Shirford it was possest for a time by the Littletons but eschaeted to the Crown with that Lordship Paylington OF this Village I have not seen any thing before H. 3. time and then I find that Will. de Turevill was Lord thereof for so he writes himself bearing for his Arms gules 3 chevrons varry From which Will. descended Nich. who in 25 E. 1. was certified to hold here and in Herdeberwe half a Kts. fee of the E. of Lanc. Hugh de Herdebergh and Iohn de Charnells holding at the same time each of them the 4 part of a Kts. fee here To this Hugh de Herdebergh succeeded Isabella de Hulles in the possession of what he had here and to her Dionysia and Alice her daughters and heirs as the descent in Wilye sheweth betwixt whom partition being made of these and other lands in 17 E. 2. all that they had in this place was allotted to Alice then the wife of Iohn de Peyto It seems that the residue or a great part thereof was antiently obtained by the Revells of Newbold for in 32 E. 1. Will. Revell had Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here From which family it descended by an heir female unto Malory and so to Cave and from Cave to Andrews and Boughton as the descent in Newbold-Revell sheweth For in 37 H. 8. Tho. Andrews Esq levyed a Fine thereof and in 8 Eliz. Margaret Boughton dyed seized of it leaving Edw. her son and heir 21 years of age Within the precincts of this Village were 4 mess. and 4 carucats of land whereof Walter Hopton Esq dyed seized in 1 E. 4. leaving Eliz. his sister and heir then the wife of Roger Corbet of Morton in Com. Salop
30 years of age Which lands had afterwards the name of a Mannour Andrew the son of Rog. Corbet being possest thereof in 30 H. 8. Which Andrew had issue Robert and he Elizabeth and Anne his daughters and heirs of full age in 37 Eliz. Newbold-Revell THis place having been part of the possessions which Leuuinus had in Edw. the Conf. dayes was after the Norman conquest disposed of to Geffrey Wirce of whom I have already spoke in Monkskirby In the Survey then taken it is written Feni-Niwebold and certified to contain 8 hydes valued at vii l. which large extent makes me of opinion that Stretton subtus Fosse as also Esenhull and Paylington were at that time involved therewith the possession whereof having also gone along with it ever since as by what I have already said appeareth As for its name viz. Feni-Niwebold there is this to be said that bold in our old English signifies a house the word Feni being onely an addition to distinguish it from the many other Newbolds in this Shire Fen with our ancestors the Saxons signifying dirt from which reason part of Cambridge and Huntingdonshires are called the Fens And that it is now called Newbold-Revell is by reason that the family of Revell were antiently Lords thereof as I shall shew by and by But it was antiently reputed a member of Wapenbury in respect that the owners of Wapenbury were Lords hereof it being doubtless part of those 5 Kts. fees which Thomas de Wapenbury held of Roger de Moubray de veteri feoffamento in 12 H. 2. and whereof his ancestors were enfeofft by Nigel de Albani father to the said Roger de Moubray in H. 1. time Which Nigel had Geffrey Wirce his lands conferred upon him as in Monkskirby I have already intimated But touching that antient family of Wapenbury who had their seat at Wapenbury whence they assumed their sirname I shall speak when I come to that place And because this Newbold came by descent from Wapenbury to Revell and afterwards from Revell to Malory I have here inserted the pedegree whereby the same may the better be understood as also what I shall say historically of the families of Revell and Malory whose seat it was Thomas de Wapenbury 12 H. 2. Ric. de Wapenbury 9 R. 1. Juliana soror haeres Rad. Extranei de Cnokin Tho. de Wapenbury 1 20 H. 3. Joh. de Wapenbury ob s. p. Agnes soror cohaeres ux ..... de Beynvill Ric. de Beynvill 14 E. 1. Lora obiit 24 E. 3. Ric. de Beyvill Ric. de Beyvill consangu haeres Ric. Lorae aet 5. ann 24 E. 3. Margeria ux .... de Wassingle Thomas de Wassingle Johanna Hugo Revell Alicia Will. Revell 14 E. 1. Rob. Revell 1 E. 2. Guliel Revell Guliel Revell obiit seisitus de terris in Buckby in Com. Northt Edmescote in Com. Warr. s. prole Iohanna ux Galf. Reynolds Ric. qui cogn fuit Ryvell de Edmescote 7 H. 4. Margeria filia Rob. Hugford de Edmescote Joh. Revell 1 E. 2. Ioh. Revel ob s. prole Guliel Revell miles ob s. p. Nich. Revel rector ecc de Cleyorton ob 6. R. 2. .... ux Ioh. Malory de Winwick Ioh. Malory 6 R. 2. Ioh. Malory 4. H. 5. Tho. Malory miles 23 H. 6. Rob. Malory obiit vita patris Nich. Malory aetat 13. ann 20 E. 4. Doroth. filia cohaeres 26 H. 8. Edw. Cave 1. maritus Cath. filia cohaeres ux Thom. Andrews de Winwick Margareta ux Thomae Boughton de Causton ob 8 Eliz. Geo Ashby 2. maritus Clemens Cave 1. maritus Margeria 26 H. 8. Ioh. Cope de Eydon in Com. Northt 2. maritus Iohan. uxor Ro. de Whitney Elena uxor Rob. Gresley Of this name and County H. Revel is the first whereof the Records that I have seen do make mention son to Rob. Revel as I guess who had to do at Swinford in Leicestersh 29 H. 2. But of this H. I can say no more than that he was a Rebel against K. Iohn for which his lands in this County were seized on and that in 1 H. 3. returning to obedience they were restored to him again Unto which Hugh succeeded W. Revel to whom K. E. 1. in 27 of his reign granted Free-warren in his demesn lands here and in other places of this County whereof I have already spoke Which Will. had issue Iohn and Robert whereof Iohn was Lord of this place in 9 E. 2. being an active man and of great trust in his time for in 6 E. 3. he had the joynt custody of this County with Thomas de Astley and Iohn de Heyford And in 11 E. 3. was in Commission for the levying and receiving Scutage for the K. Army upon his expedition into Scotland In the same year he served as one of the Kts. for this County in the Parliam held at Westm. And the next year following being appointed one of the Receivers of the xv and x. granted to the K. in Parl. the year before was eased of that trouble by the K. speciall favour as also from the Collection of the Scutage before mentioned in regard of his speciall imployment otherwise in the K. affairs as the Records express At which time I find that the K. being to make an expedition into France and to that end taking care for preservation of the Peace here in his absence did summon him being then one of the Kts. for this County amongst others to be at Westm. the morrow after the Clause of Easter before himself and his Councell to hear what should be declared unto them thereupon In 18. E. 3. he was a Kt. constituted one of the Justices for conservation of the Peace in this Shire The like authority had he the year following In 25. E. 3. he served again for this Shire in the Parl. then held at Westm. To this Iohn Revell succeeded Will. who was of the retinue to Thomas Bishop of Duresme in that French expedition 20 E. 3. whereof I have spoke in Hil-Morton And in 32. E. 3. one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westm. I suppose that he then received the dignity of Knighthood for the next year ensuing he is so stiled and bore for his Armes ermine a cheveron gules within a border engrailed sable but had no issue nor either of his Brothers insomuch as their three Sisters became Heirs to the estate viz. ...... marryed to Iohn Malory of Winwick in Northampt-shire who bore for his Armes a fesse between three boars heads couped Ioane to Robert de Whitney of Whitney in Hereford-sh Elen to Rob. Gresley who had issue by her Robert that dyed Childless and Ioane to Ric. Boteler Amongst
3. he was appointed Eschaetor for this County but having the K. speciall warrant to be freed of that office in case he were not willing to undergoe it as the Abbot of Pershore generall Eschaetor on this side Trent affirmed to the K. he procured a discharge and in 41 H. 3. obteined a Charter to himself and his heirs for a weekly Mercate here upon the Tuesday and a Fair once a year to last for three days viz. on the Even of St. Iames and two days following In 45 H. 3. he was constituted one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick but in 48 H. 3. adhering to the rebellious Barons then in armes was taken at Northampton and imprisoned his lands being given to Roger de Somery Baron of Dudley But afterwards taking benefit of the Dictum de Kenilworth he had the K. letters of safe conduct for access to the Court and compounding with the same Roger had all his lands restored again except the Mannour of Merston now called Wavers-Merston in this County which by agreement betwixt themselves the said Roger and his heirs was in consideration of his Fine to have After which he was again admitted to employments of trust as appears by those Commissions of 52.53 and 54. H. 3. for the Gaol delivery at Warwick and dyed in 56 H. 3. leaving Robert his Son and heir of full age and then marryed Whose Grand-child Robert past away the inheritance of this Lordship to Iohn Lovet of Newton in 32 E. 3. Unto which Iohn succeeded VVill. Lovet of Liscumbe in Com. Buck. who in 9 R. 2. granted 12. mess. 3. tofts and 13. yard land lying within this Lordship and Cosford in reversion after the death of Clementia his Mother then the wife of Iohn Paraunt unto VVill. Purefey of Church-Over and his heirs from whom they descended to VVill. his Grand-child for in 10. H. 6. I find that he and one Iohn VVaver were certified to be Lords of this Mannour But for ought I perceive the family of Waver notwithstanding its interest here was at that time very low and might have sunk to nothing had not the industry of Henry Cittizen and Draper of London rais'd it up again for he it was being questionlesse a branch of this antient house that in 39. H. 6. First obtaining a lease from Will. Broke gent. son and heire to Elene Brooke late of Astwell in Com. Northampt. of the one moytie of this mannour for the naturall life of himself and xii years after upon the reâ—t of xi l. per. ann sterling payable at Easter and Michaelmass by even portions purchased the inheritance thereof from the said William in 5. E. 4. as also at the same time bought the other moytie of Will. Bate of Melburne in Com. Derb. Esq. In which year on Ascension day being one of the Shiriffs for the Citty of Loâ—don he was made Knight of the Bath Whereupon resolving to restore this antient feat of his Progenitors not only to the condition wherein it formerly stood but to add a greater lustre thereto the next year ensuing obteined a speciall Patent from the King to rebuild it with Turrets and Walls embattelled and to inclose 500. acres of Land and Pasture with 20. acres of wood for a Parke and moreover to have a Court-Leet here with Free-warren and fishing in all his demesn lands belonging thereto This wealthy Alderman by his Testament bearing date 4. Febr. 9. E. 4. and proved in August following bequeathed his body to be buried in the Church of St. Peter in Cornhill before the Image of St. George there And gave to the Dean and Chanons of S. Steph. Chappell at Westminster and their successors an annuall Rent of 5. marks sterling to endure for xx years next after his decease so that they should pray for his soul and keep on Obit there during the said xx years with Placebo and Mass of Requiem by Note for his Soul and for the Souls of Sir Thomas Haseley Kt. and Annes his wife and all Christian Souls And willed that his Son Harry should have this mannour of Thesturwaver to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and for want of such issue to his Son Thomas with the like remainder to his Son Iohn as also to Eliz. and Anne daughters of the testator Bequeathing likewise an annuity of xx s. sterling out of it to the Parson and Wardens of the Church of Monkskirby to keep an Obit with Placebo and Dirige and Mass of Requiem by Note yearly in the said Church of Monkskirby for his Soul and for the Souls of his Father and Mother making a certain distribution in money to poor people there Which Henry the younger dyed 19. E. 4. leaving Christian his onely child but 5. years of age the custody of whose lands was committed to Thomas Points Esq. 21. E. 4. during her minority This Christian first marryed to Will. Brown Esq. who being a Justice of peace in this County from 18. H. 7. till his death and making his residence here built the Gate-house of timber now standing as appears by the Armes carved thereon which I have below exprest but afterwards became wife to Humfry Dimock Esq. and dyed 29. Martii 36. H. 8. leaving Edw. Brown her grandchild and next heire viz. Son and heire of Iohn Brown deceased in her life time Which Edward the year following his grand-mothers death sold it to Sir Fulke Grevill Kt. From whom it descended to Sir Fulke his grandchild created Lord Brooke of Beauchamps-court 9. Jan. 18. Iac. By which meanes it is come to Robert Lord Brook his heire adopted together with Beauchamps-court and other fair possessions I have now but a word or two more to say and then shall I leave this great parish of Monkskirby which is to observe that part of the old Roman way called Fosse leading through it lyes open like a ditch having not been filled with stones and gravell in such sort as in most other places it is And that on the West-side thereof stands an eminent Tumulus whereupon a Beacon is now situate but antiently some noted Bush as 't is like in regard it bears the name of Cloudsley-bush to this day But touching these Tumuli I have already spoke in my discourse of Knightlow-hill and therefore shall now say no more then that 't is hard to guess whether this had at first its name from one Claudius a Roman Souldier whose place of sepulture it was or from the Brittish word Claude signifying a ditch because it is so near the Fosse Harborow magna FOllowing the stream of Swift I come next to Harborow commonly called Great Harborow in wich parish there is onely one village more viz. Little-Harborow but antiently they were not divided In the Conq. time Ric. Forestarius of whom I shall speak in Chesterton held 4.
the mention of what the Abby of Combe and Monks of Kirby had viz. Combe 3. Mess. and 33 acres of Land and the Monks of Kirby the 4 th part of a Kts. Fee Newbold super Avon THis is one of those places which Geffrey Wirce before spoke of held in the Conq. days out of which he gave to the Monks of S. Nich. at Angiers two parts of the Tythes of corne and cattell and all the Tythe of Wooll and Cheese as also of the mill and a man to gather them After which time by the generall Survey it is certified to contain 8 hides then valued at C. s. and that Leuuinus held it before the Norman invasion But with VVirce his lands it came to Nigel de Albani progenitor to the family of Moubray as I have formerly intimated which Nigel enfeoft thereof Robert de Stutevill in H. 1. time as it seemes for in 12 H. 2. Roger de Moubray son to the same Nigel certified that Rob. de Stutevill then held of him 8 Kts. fees de veteri seoffamento id estâ— whereof his Ancestour had been so enfeoft temp H. 1. the most whereof lay in York-shire where the chief seat of this family was From which Robert descended Roger as the Pedegree on the next page inserted sheweth who granted away this Lordship to Roger Pantolf his nephew by Burgâ—a his sister to be held by the service of 1 Kts. Fee all which was confirmed by the Charter of the said Burgia and of Iseud Pantolf her grandchild But these Pantolfs enjoy'd it not long for Will the son and heire to the before specified Roger dyed without issue leaving his two sisters his heirs viz. Burgia and Emma Which Burgia gave her part to the Monks of Pipwell and Emme marryed to Sir Robert de Waver Kt. of whom in Thesterwaver I have spoke which Will. Pantolf before mentioned betook himself to a retired life and resided in the Monastery of Pipwell having a Chamber assigned him by the Monks there where he determined to end his days and to have been a good benefactor to them but on a time the Monks removed him out of that lodging in respect of an entertainment they gave to a great Judge who travailed it seemes that way which caused him to take such distast that he presently left the House and came to Monkskirby where he after dyed giving to that Monastery what he intended to Pipwell viz. the capitall mess. or Mannour-house of this Neâ—bold with 3. carucates of Land and fishing in the water of Avon To Sir Rob. de Waver and Emme succeeded Sir Will. de Waver Kt. betwixt whom and the Monks of Pipwell partition was made in 35 H. 3. of all the Lands that belong'd to the said sisters and heirs in respect that Burgia had given her part to that Monastery as I have said being at that time sirnamed de Bending After which viz. in 11 E. 1. the Abbot and Covent of Pipwell had inter alia Free-warren granted to them in all their demesn Lands here in Newbold And in 13 E. 1. they claimed a Court-Leet and divers other priviledges therein for which they exhibited the Charters of K. R. 1. and K. H. 3. whereunto allowance was given But it seems that the Monks of Kirby having the Mannour-house obtained some further grant of Lands in this Lordship afterwards for in 4 E. 1. I find that they had the moytie of the Mannour then written Newbold-Paunton and in 33 E. 1. obtained power to keep a Court-Leet for their Freeholders and Tenants here with other priviledges As also a Charter of Freâ—warren in all their demesn Lands of this place Yet I perceive that VVaver's interest in Newbold was not utterly quitted fot in 26 E. 3. it appears that Thomas de VVaver held the 4 th part of a Kts. fee here of Ioane late Countess of Kent heir to Stuteville as the descent sheweth Rob. de Stutevill senior dictus Grundebeof Rob. de Stutevill jun. Rob. de Stutevill Will. de Stutevill ob 4. Ioh. s. p. Nich. de Stutevil 14 H. 3. Hugo Wac Iohanna f. haeres Hugo Bigot Com. Norf. Baldw. Wake fil haeres Iohannae Nich. de Stutevill frater haeres Joh. de Stutevill 6 H. 2. Ioh. de Stutevill Rog. de Stuteville Burgia ..... Pantolf Rog. Pantolf Râ—heis Will. Pantolf ob s. p. Burgia soror cohaer Emma ux Rob. de Waver mil. Will. de Waver ... Pantolf Iseud Pantolf Walter de Tatshall Rob. de Tatshall Rob. de Tatshall duxit Mabiliam sororem haeredem Wil. de Albani Co. Arundeliae Which is it as I think that one VVill. Barbour purchased in E. 3. time for I find that the said VVill. bought certain Lands within the precinct of this Lordship which descended to Iohn his son by whose daughter and heir called Agnes wife to Richard Dalby of Brokhampton they came to that Family and had the reputation of a Mannour whereof the said Richard died seized in 20. E. 4. leaving Robert his son and heir 30 years of age After the dissolution of the Monasteries that which the Monks of Pipwell had here came thus to be disposed of viz. all those Lands called Newbold-grange to Edw. Boughton Esq. and his heirs by a grant from the Crown in 33 H. 8. but the Mannour one Thomas Wightman obtayned who in 4 Eliz. sold it to Sir Tho Leigh Kt. Alderman of London whose great-granchild Francis Lord Dunsmore had a confirmation of it from the K. in 15 Car. But the other Mannour which belong'd to the Monks of Kirby did the Boughtons of Lawford obtain as it seems for in 15 Car. Will. Boughton Esq had the Kings confirmation thereof The Church dedicated to St. Botulph belong'd to the Monks of Kirby very antiently for Geffrey Wirce granted to them the greatest part of the Tythes And by a confirmation thereof made to that Monastery from Roger de Stutevill he relates to the grants not onely of Iohn his father but of his Ancestours he means the former possessors thereof viz. Geffrey de Wirce and Nigel de Albaâ—i In K. Iohns time G. Muschamp then B. of Coventre confirmed it to the said Monks of Kirby upon condition that during the then Incumbent's time whose name was Alardus they might receive annually six marks out of it and afterwards two parts of the profits to their proper use but that to the third the Prior of Kirby should present a fit Clerke to the Bishop who was to discharg Synodals â— all other duties belonging thereto In the year 1291 19 E. 1. it was valued at xix marks and the Vicaridge at v. marks but in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii l. xii s. over and
above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior monachi de Kirby Will. de Walton Cap. 4. Kal. Apr. 1335. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione temporal Pr. de Kirby Ric. de Wyke Pbr. 7. Id. Aprâ— 1354. Pr. C. de Kirby Walt. de Frelond 17. Kal. Dec. 1366. Dom. Rex ratione temporal Pr. de Kirby in manu sua Ric. Tofte Pbr. 14 Apr. 1393. Prior. Conv. de Axholme Rog. Hunt Cap. 12 Sept. 1412. Prior. Conv. de Axholme Tho Normanton Cap. 20. Nov. 1450. Prior. Conv. de Axholme Ioh. Stamford Pbr. 29 Dec. 1458. D. Anna Comitissa Derb. ratione concess Pr. C. de Axholme Dom. Adam Halsall 12 Apr. 1539. Dominus Rex Ioh. Coppull Cap. 10 Ian. 1544. Ph. M. Rex Regina Will. Heather Cler. 15 Iunii 1557. Domina Regina Edw. Bowne Cler. 17 Iulii 1572. Domina Regina Rog. Barker Cler. 5 Maii 1575. Iacobus Rex Ric. King Cler. 25 Iunii 1604. Tho. Gerard de Burwell in Com. Can. tab gen ex concess Edw. Boughton ar Henr. Wylde S. Theol. Bac. 7 Maii 1611. As for the severall Monuments in this Church I have represented them upon the ensuing pages on the last whereof is this Epitaph Here lieth the Bodies of Edward Boughton Esq and Eliz. his wife daughter of Edw. Catesby of Lapworth Hall in the County of Warw. Esq by whom he had issue two sons Will. and Thomas and one daughter Katherine which Thomas married Judith one of the daughters and coheirs of Henry Baker of South-Sowburie in the County of Essex Esq and Kath. married Will. Combe of Stratford upon Avon in the Countie of Warw. Esq Which Edw. died the 9 th of August 1625. and Eliz. died the 12 th of Aprill 1619. William the eldest son of the said Edw. married Abigaile the eldest daughter and coheir of the said Henry Baker Esq and had issue Edward William Humfrey Elizabeth and Abigaile which Abigail wife of the said William dyed the 21 of Febr. 1635. and Eliz died the 14 of Ian. 1632 and Abigaile died the 4 of Sept. 1636. Cosford That Stutevill's lands in Newbold and this place as a member thereof were given to Pantolf in marriage with Burgia sister to Rog. de Stuteville I have already shewed in Newbold As also how that Will. Pantolf dying without issue Burgia and Emme his sisters became his heirs Which Emme being marryed to Rob. de Waver brought the greatest part hereof to that family in which it continued and past with the Mannour of Thester-waver as may seem by some Records which I have there cited As for what belong'd to the Monks of Pipwell I find that in 7 E. 6. the K. granted it to Iohn Greene of the City of Westm. and Raph Hall of London Scrivener and their heirs Which Iohn in 1 2 Ph. M. had licence to alien the same unto Eliz. Boughton from whom as it seems they were afterwards granted to one Tho. Wightman Gent. for it appears that in 4 Eliz. the said Thomas had licence to pass them unto Sir Tho Leigh Kt. Little-Lawford BEfore the Norman invasion this was possest by the same Alwine of whom I have made mention amongst the Earls of Warwick and descended to Turchill his son who held it in the Conq. dayes one Leveva being then his Tenant thereto By the general Survey at that time taken it is certified to contain two hydes whereunto belong'd a Mill all valued at x s. viii d. and there written Lilleford But from this Turchill it came to Henry the first E. of Warwick after the Conquest whose Grand-child Earl William gave it as it seems to Robert de Craft for I find that in 12 H. 2. the same Robert was certified to hold one Kts. fee of him de novo feoffamento To whom succeeded Rog. de Craft brother to the same Robert in the possession thereof who granted the Mill here to the Monks of Pipwell in fee-ferm for the rent of v marks of silver yearly which rent was afterwards released to them by Roger his son in consideration of xx marks given unto him by Walter de Patshull son and heir of Simon 〈◊〉 Patshull who built the Chapter house at Pipwell Wâ—ich Roger afterwards granted this whole Vâ—llage to Iohn de Chavini and his heirs it being then rated at 2 hydes the just proportion that it was certified to contain in the Conq. time id est 8 yard land For which grant he reserved the Rent of i d. to be paid yearly at Easter to him the said Rog. and his heirs for all services excepting forreign there being for that the 5th part of a Kts. fee due Which Iohn de Chavini past it away to the Monks of Combe for C. marks of silver Robert de Campanâ— confirming the grant in H. 2. time But it seems that the Monks of Pipwell paid yearly to the Prior of Kirby at the feast of S. Botulph x s. for the tythe of their Mill here it being within the Parish of Neubold super Avon the Church whereof belong'd to the Monks of Kirby as I have already shew'd Howbeit afterwards they withheld that payment in regard of their priviledge viz. being of the Câ—stertian Order yet did they by Agreement settle the x s. annuity to the said Prior and his successors for ever After which in process of time further difference growing betwixt the Monks of Combe and Pipwell they of Combe required of Pipwell 6 acres of land and xx s. yearly in money for their interest in this Lordship of Little Lawford and in the capital Messuage But the Register of Pipwell saies that in the place where that capital Messuage stood the Monks of Combe had divers Cottages and that they also had the whole Lordship besides so that they of Pipwell having there no more than the Mill with the crofts and holmes thereto belonging did pay that xx s. yearly quia Luna lucet in aqua Upon which differences there was an Award made an 1226. 10 H. 3. by the Abbots of Stratford and Woburâ—e appointed for that purpose by a general Chapter of their order whereby it was decreed that the Abbot and Covent of Pipwell and their successors should for ever enjoy this Lordship with the Mannour house and all the appurtenances which heretofore they held as termers of Rog. de Craft excepting 6 acres which the Monks of Combe were to have for quietness sake and that the Monks â—f Pipwell should yearly pay to them of Combe hereupon xx s. sterling So thatâ— by all that hath been said it appears that Chavini had it from Craft the Monks of Combe from Chavini and they of Pipwell by force of this Award But afterwards to the family of Craft it divolved again it seems yet how I have not seen for in 20 H. 3.
had the victory at Faukirke in Scotland This Andrew gave or rather sold to the Cannons of Erdbury a wood lying within the precincts of Chilverscoton called Herewardshey which his Father had of the grant of Tho. the son of Thomas the son of Scherus de Stoke And dyed in 29. E. 1. leaving Nicholas his son and heir aged 24. years who doing his fealty had then livery of his Fathers lands Which Nicholas in 1. and 3. E. 2. being constituted one of the Commissioners for conservation of the peace in Warwicksh and to see the Statute of Winchester observed in 5. E. 2. was a Knight and bore for his Armes a Lion rampant as by his Seal appeareth But in 7. E. 2. attending the K. in that unfortunate expedition against the Scots was taken prisoner in the battail of Strivelin where many a gallant Englishman had the same fate or lost his life The time of his death I cannot certainly point out but he dyed without issue for I find that Thomas his nephew viz. son of Sir Giles de Astley his younger brother and with him taken prisoner at Strivelin became heire to the estate and in 19. E. 2. had livery of his lands being then of full age Which Thomas was a Knight in 10. E. 3. and such a man whose pious and noble actions gave no small lustre to this family For in 11. E. 3. he founded a Chantry in the Parish-Church here at Astley of one Priest to sing Mass daily for the health of his soul and for the soul of Eliz. his wife daughter to Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warr. as also for the souls of his Father and Mother and all the faithfull deceased to which he had license for the amortizing of 8. mess. 2. carucats of land pasture for 2. horses and 4. Oxen cvj. s. viij d. rent with the appurtenances lying 〈◊〉 Astley Wolvey Milverton and Willughby juxta Dunchurch in this County In 12. E. 3. he was assigned one of the Commissioners for conservation of the peace and to be assistant to Ric. E. of Arundell and Tho. Lord Berkley for arraying of all men in this Shire according to their severall estates and faculties The same year he had license to grant the advouson of the Church here at Astley to the Guardian and Priests belonging to the Chappell of our blessed Lady therein for the health of his soul and the souls of his ancestors and all the faithfull deceased which by Rog. Northburg then B. of Cov. and Litch was appropriated thereunto 8. Kal. Oct. following Who thereupon reserved these pensions viz. to the Chapter of Litchfield 5. s. to the Chapter of Coventre as much and 13. s. 04. d. to the Cathedrall of Litchfield to be payd at the feast of S. Mich. th'Archangell yearly out of the profits thereof Which Chantry as appeares by the Bishops said Instrument of Appropriation consisting of 4. secular Priests one called the Custos or Warden and another the Subwarden was founded for the good estate of the said Thomas de Astley the Lady Eliz. his wife and of Dame Alice and Alice Mothers to them both their heirs and successors as also Roger then B. of Cov. and Lich. and after their decease for the health of their souls and of the souls of Sir Walter de Astley and Isabel his wife Sir Thomas de Astley and Ioane his wife Sir Andrew de Astley and Sibill his wife Nich. de Astley and Alice his wife Sir Giles de Astley father of the said Thomas the founder Sir Thomas de Wolvey and Alice his wife and of Sir Thomas de Clinton Knight For augmentation of which number to seaven Priests and one Clerkâ— in 14. E. 3. he obteyned license to amortize 2. mess. 3. yard land and half 2. acres of wood and 2. s. -8 d. rent in Withibroke Hapsford and Bedworth In that year he was joyn'd in Commission with the Bishop of Worcester the Abbot of Stoneley and Prior of Erdbury to supervise the ninth of Sheaf Lamb and Wooll for this County granted to the K. in Parliament And the next year did he grant to the Prior and Covent of Erdbury and their successors 1. mess. and 36. acres of land lying in Wolvey Thus was the heart of this worthy person still more and more enlarged as we see by these his pious concessions and yet thinking all not enough procured license of the K. for the changing these Chantry-Priests into a Dean and Secular Canons and to grant to them and their successors the perpetuall patronage of the Church of Hill-Morton which was appropriated thereto by the said Rog. Northburgh Bishop of Coventre and Lich. 3. Cal. Martii the same yeare with reservation of x. s. annuall pension to be payd out of the profits thereof at the feast of S. Michael th'Archangel Whereupon he then began to erect a most fair and beautifull Collegiat-Church in the form of a Cross dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin with a tall spire covered with lead whereof I shall say more anon Which foundation consisted of a Dean and two Canons who were to be secular Priests each having their lodgings appointed to them with particular lands out of the before mentioned possessions so given the Dean being to provide a Priest as perpetuall Vicar there and by him presented to the Bishop by the the B. to be instituted and by his mandate to the Chapter of his Church to be admitted having v. Marks by the year quarterly for his salary And likewise another priest with a fit Clerk to serve the Parishioners in the said Church Shortly after which viz. in 20. E. 3. did Tho. Beauchamp E. of Warwick grant thereunto the Church of Long-Stanton in Cambridgshire Nor was it long after that the before specified Founder added more for in 36. E. 3. I finde that he gave ix marks and x. s. yearly Rent issuing out of lands situate in Lilburn and Creek in Northamptonsh and lxv s. v. d. ob q. rent out of lands in Shustoke Filungley and Nun-Eaton in this County And lastly his son Will. Lord Astley in 12. R. 2. xl s. yearly rent issuing out of the mannour of Bentley to Iohn de Plompton Vicar and then Sacrist and to his successors for ever Having now done with the endowment I have a word or two more to say of the Founder relating to his publique employments which is that in 33. E. 3. he was the first in ranke authorised by commission in this County for arraying of men in the K. absence according to the Statute of Winchester As also in 35. constituted one of the Justices of peace in this shire And that by Elizabeth daughter to Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warâ—wick he had issue Sir Will de Astley and Sir Thomas both Knights with Giles his third son from whom the Astley's of Wolvey
not certain of the time when she dyed neither do the particular of all the lands which the Earl her Husband and she had any where appear inasmuch as there are but part of them pointed at in Domesday-Book Those in this County which that Record mentions to have been held by her in Edw. the Conf. time were Coventre Alspath Atherston Hartshill and Ansley Kinesbury Ansty and Folkshull Salford and Bickmersh all which except the two last were fermed of the Conq. by one Nicholas at the time of his generall Survey And of these Coventre was certified to contain 5. hides there being then a Mill and Woods extending to two miles in length with asmuch in breadth all valued at xi l. Leofricus Comes Leicestriae tempore Ethelbaldi Regis Merciorum Algarus primus Algarus secundus Leofricus secundus Leofwinus Comes Edwinus occisus per Wallenses Normannus occisus cum Edrico Streona Leofricus Comes Merciorum fundator Abbatiae Coventre obiit an 13. Conf. Goditha soror de Thoroldi vice-E Comitis Linc. Algarus Comes Merciorum obiit 1059. Algitha 1. nupta Guitfrido Regi Wall 2. Haraldo fil Godwini Comitis Regi Angl. Edwinus C. Merc. occisus suorum inâ—idiis 5 W. C. Morkerus Co. Northumb ob in carcere 2 W. Rufi Lucia 1. nupta yvoni Talboys Comiti Andeg. 2 Rog. fil Geroldi cogn Romara Gulielmus de Rolmara Comes Linc. temp H. 1. Ermenilda .... Matilda .... Ranulphus cogn de Bricasard consobr Ri. Co. Ceâ—â— post cujus morteÌ„ Comitat. Cestr. adeptus est Ranulphus dictus de Gernoniis Comes Cestriae Hugo cognom de Kevilioc Co. Cestriae Ranulphus cogn Blundevile Co. Cestriae obiit s. p. Matilda ux Davidis Comitis Angus Gallovidiae Huntend cujus propars fuit totus Comitatus Cestriae Ada ux Henr. de Hastings Henr. de Hastings Isabella ux Rob. de Brus Rob. de Brus Rex Scotiae Matilda ob s. p. Margar. ux Alani de Galloway Dervogil ux Ioh. de Baliolo Christiana uxor Will. de Fortibus Comitis Albamarliae 25. H. 3. Ioh. cogn Scot Co. Cestr. qui dedit proparté suam Regi H. 3. ob s. p. Mabilia ux Will. de Albincio Comitis Arundeliae Will. Co. Arund ob s. p. Hugo Co. Arund ob s. p. Mabilia ux Rob. de Tatshall Isab. uxor Joh. fil Alani Nichola ux Rog. de Somery Cecilia ux R. de Montâ—lâ— Agnes ux Will. de Ferrariis Comitis Derbiae Hawisia uxor Rob. de Quincy filii Sacri Comitis Winton Ricardus sepultus in Prioratu de Coventre Ricardus Co. Cestr. obiit s. p. Otwellus periit naufragio cum fratre Robertus Abbas S. Edm. Geva uxor Galf. Ridel Hugo-Comes Cestriae temp temp W. Conq. To the before specified Leofrik succeded his son Algar but leaving his story to another work as not so proper for this place all that I shall further say of him is that he was not onely E. of Chester after his fathers death but likewise of Mercia and that departing this life in an 1059. he had sepulture in the Monastery here at Coventre Nor of his issue will it be pertinent for me to say more than that Lucia at the length sole heir to her father and grand-father had to her third husband Ranulph the third E. of Chester of that name who by Maud his mother being also nearly allyed to the famous E. Leofrik and this Marriage as the descent sheweth had title fair enough to the lands and honour of her grand-father father and brothers had not the Conq. sword disposed thereof otherwise But it seems that though the same Ranulph was the next heir in blood likewise to Hugh commonly called Lupus E. of Chester after the decease of Earl Richard without issue yet did he not obtain the possession of that Earldom whereof this City was afterwards reputed part but by purchase from King H. 1. viz. giving up all the inheritance of her the said Lucia and not onely so but a round summe of money which was not all payd of a good while after for I find that in 5. Steph. Ranulph Earl of Chester his son was certified to be indebted to the King a thousand pounds de debito patris sui pro terra Hugonis Comitis as the Record expresseth Having thus stated the succession of this Earldom from the noble Leofrik I shall pass by the story of those Earls and onely take notice of what relates to them as touching this place where they had an eminent seat bearing the name of a Castle in those elder times Wherein I find that Ranulph the first before specified caused the Chappell 's of Allesley Ansty Shulton Wykin all hamlets then within the precincts of Coventre to be built and that Ranulph his son commonly called Gernons who was a man of great action in that turbulent time of King Stephens reign taking part with Maud the Empress and her son Henry Duke of Normandy afterwards K. by the name of H. 2. to whom he was by affinity near allyed having wedded Maud daughter of Rob. Consul E. of Glouc. one of the base sons to K. H. 1. brother by the fathers side to the said Empress being repuls't at Lincoln hafted to his Castle here at Coventre of which finding the K. forces possest he presently rays'd a strong Fort to besiege them whereof the K. being advertised he made all the speed he could to relieve it but in that attempt many of his men were slain and himself wounded yet after a while having gotten more strength and adventuring again he routed the Earl who escap't not without divers wounds Some great injury had this Earl done it seems to Walter Durdent B. of Chester for which he dyed excommunicate for it appears that E. Hugh his son with Maud his Countess gave the village of Stivichale adjoyning to Coventre with a mill next to the Park and some other grounds thereabouts to the said B. and his successors for his absolution and the health of his soul in recompence of that damage Which Hugh being one of those that rose in rebellion against K. H. 2. in 18. of his reign on the part of young Henry so animated his tenants here at Coventre that they took up Armes on his behalf for which they were put to fine in 21. H. 2. But that he was a munificent friend to the Monks of this place what I have said in my Story of the Priory will manifest It seems that the Coventre-men for their disloyall actions before pointed at had their libertyes seised on by the K. which were not fully restored to them till after the death of the said Hugh for I find
that Oliver de Aubeny held half a Kts. fee here of the Mannour of Coventre And in 34 E. 1. by a Fine levyed between Will. D'aubeny pl. and Amicia the widow of Oliver D'aubeny deforc it was entailed upon the said Will and the heirs of his body with remainder to his two brothers viz. Raph and Iohn and for want of issue by them to Oliva and Isabell their sisters and to the heirs of Isabell. By vertue of which entail Raph de Aubeny came to enjoy it as it seems for I find that he past it away to Will. Baret Lord of Passenham in Northamptonsh Which Will. by his deed bearing date the morrow after the Assumption of our Lady 22 E. 3. granted it to Henry E. of Lancaster who in 35 E. 3. dyed seized of it leaving Maud and Blanch his daughters and heirs And this is all that I can say to the succession of it by reason it hath been parcell'd out by sale to sundry persons Olneye OF this place is there no memoriall now left but a double moat which beareth the name neither is there any thing of antiquity thereof that I have seen much materiall Horewelle THis is also now and hath been long depopulated But in 7 E. 1. the same Oliver de Aubeny Lord of Asthull before specified was owner thereof and held it of Rog. de Montalt having at that time one carucat of land and a half in demesn and suit of Court twice a year with 7 Free-holders who held 29 acres of land paying certain rent and doing suit to his 3 weeks Court But it seems that the Monks of Stonley had it soon after for in 12 E. 1. they obtained a Charter of Free warren in all their demesn lands in Stonley and divers other places whereof this is one that which they had here being 2 carucats of land as in 19 E. 1. was certified and a certain Cell Which petty Cells were made use of by the Abbots in those daies as places of penance or punishment to such Monks as either for any offence committed or some displeasure from their Superiour were thither sent But more of Horewelle I find not other than that it is included within the County of this City by K.H. 6. Charter before specified Stivichall THere is no mention of this place in the Conq. Survey so that we must conclude it to have been then involved with Coventre and that as a member thereof it came to the E. of Chester for in K. Steph. time Ranulph E. of Chester possest it What injury that was which this E. Ranulph had done to Walter Durdent then B. of Cov. and to his Church doth not directly appear but certain it is that he dyed excommunicate for the same so that E. Hugh his son and heir past this Mannour of Stivinghale for so it is written unto the said B. and his successors for his fathers absolution and for the health of his soul and his ancestors souls It seems that the same B. granted it unto Steph. de Nerbone and his heirs to hold by the 4 part of a Kts. fee for I find that the heirs of Margery his daughter and heir enjoy'd it and that the said Stephen gave to Will the son of Raph de Fiâ—â—ngele and his heirs two yard land lying in this village in consideration that he fought a duell for him What he was that wedded the said Margerie I know not but a son he had by her who calls himself Ranulphus de Stivichale filius haeres Margeriae de Nerburne dominae de Styvichale Which Ranulph was he as I suppose who past this Mannour unto Walter de Langley Lord of Pinley for in 7 E. 1. it was certified that the same Walter de Langley held the moytie thereof of the heirs of Marg. de Neyrburne by the service of a Rose yearly at which time the said Walter had 3 yard land here held of him in villenage and the rest by Free-holders but the Court-Leet the Bishop still kept And the same year following the said Walt. was found to dye seized of this whole village having four yard land therin which together with the rent from his Free-holders and villains a Mill extended to 8 l. 5 s. 3 d. ob per an To whose posterity it continued whilst the male line lasted and then with Pinley Wikin and other Lordships descended to Ioan the daughter and heir of that family first wedded to Iohn the son of Sir Alan Cherlton Kt. and afterwards to Sir Iohn Trillow Kt. as in Pinley I shall fully manifest 'T is very like that Sir Iohn Trillow and she past it unto Sir Baldwin Frevill Kt. about 40 E. 3. For I find that Sir Peter Careswell Kt. son and heir of Sir Will. Careswell released all his title therein to the said Sir Baldwin as he also did in Pinley and Wikin but what right he had I am not very certain except that intimated in my discourse of Wykin were it After which upon the partition of Frevill's lands whereof in Tamworth I shall speak at large it fell to Thomas Ferrers Esq in right of Eliz. his wife eldest sister and one of the co-heirs to Sir Baldwin Frevill Kt. as appears by the partition made 5 Oct. 31 H. 6. To whose posterity it continued for divers descents But in 16 Elâ—z I find that Thomas Gregory dyed seized thereof leaving Arthur his son and heir 34 years of age whose son Iohn now enjoys it The Chappel here being a member belonging to the Church of S. Mich. in Coventre was therewith appropriated to the Monks ann 1260. 44 H. 3. Which Monks did antiently use to find a Priest to celebrate divine service therein 3 daies every week but the bodyes of the dead were carryed to Coventre In H. 6. time there was an Anchorite mured up here who in those daies had a Legacy given to him by Edith Ruggeley widow unto Nich. Ruggeley of Dunton in this County REturning now to the other side of Coventre I discern Caresley first in my view of which I find no mention till K. Steph. time that Ran. E. of Chester rendred the Chappel to the Monks of Coventre as he did Stivichall and many other it being then written Keresley From which E. it came to Montalt as Coventre whereof it was originally a member did part of it in 34 H. 3. being held by the heirs of Rob. Tuschet and Wido fil Roberti of Rog. de Montalt and Cecilie his wife Which Rog. and Cecily then granting away the Mannour of Coventre in Fee-ferm to the Monks did inter alia reserve to them and their heirs the homage and services of those persons But the inheritance of what the heirs of the said Robert and Wido had was not considerable for it appears that the substance of this village past from the before specified Rog. and Cecily
to belong unto the Monks of Coventre I have not seen any thing notable thereof Shortley A Little lower lyes Shortley antiently a member of Coventre and held of the E. of Chester's heirs by the service of 2 l. 17 s. per ann a pound of Pepper yearly and Heriots But before 17 E. 1. I find it not particularly mentioned at which time there was a Fine levyed thereof betwixt Geffrey de Langley pl. and Ric. de Waldeshef and Beatrice his wife deforc Whereby it appears that at the request of the said Ric. and Beatrice the same Geffrey granted an estate for life therein to Hugh de Vienna with remainder to him the said Geffrey and his heirs Which Geff. was a younger son to Geffr de Langley of whom in Pinley I have spoke From this Geffrey it descended unto Edmund de Langley his son and heir who having issue Ioan a daughter gave it in marriage with her as it seems to Edmund de Chesterton for the same Edmund de Chesterton was seized thereof in 42 E. 3. as appears by his feoffment then made to Sir Fulk de Bermingham and others How he was justled out of it I know not but within 4 years after viz. 46 E. 3. I find that Sir Baldwin Frevill the elder Kt. enfeofft Sir Will. Beauchamp Kt. and divers moe in this Mannour with Pinley Wykin and other lands to stand seized of them to certain uses as in my discourse of that family when I come to Tamworth shall be shewed and in 49 E. 3. dyed seized thereof leaving Baldwin his son and heir 24 years of age Which Baldwyn dyed in R. 2. time leaving his heir within age and what estate he had herein to Ioyce his widow who taking to husband Sir Adam Peshale Kt. was in R. 2. time with him impleaded for the title hereof by Iohn Brandesley in right of Eliz. his wife daughter and heir of Roger Chesterton son and heir of Edmund Chesterton before mentioned and Eliz. his wife daughter unto Edm. de Langley from whom the said Iohn and Eliz. claimed How this difference determined I have not seen but in 4 H. 5. by a Fine then levyed betwixt Sir Iohn Berkley Kt. Iohn Brut the elder with others plaintiffs and Edw. Chesterton deforc it was setled upon the said Iohn Brut and his heirs In which Fine it appeareth that the above mentioned Iohn Barndesly held it by the curtesy of England for life It seems that the heir male of this line afterwards came to possess it again for in 22 E. 4. Will. Langley dyed seized of it leaving Iohn his son and heir 16 years of age at which time the proportion of land that he had here was certified to be C. acres of pasture wherein a certain Mannour-house had in former time stood but then was utterly down and wasted How it came to the Crown I know not but I find that K. H. 8. in 12 of his reign granted it to Edw. Langley Esq and his heirs Which Edw. in 17 H. 8. was seized thereof and past it as I guess to Rog. Wigston Esq and Will. Wigston his son and heir for it appears that in 30 H. 8. they were seized thereof But the said Will. in 37 H. 8. his father being then dead granted it to certain Feoffees to the use of Edw. Pye of Maxstoke Esq and the heirs of his body Which Edw. in 3 E. 6. sold it to Giles Forster then of Balshall Esq. But the said Giles within less than a month after in consideration of 200 l. sterling re-conveyd it to certain Feoffees to the use of the before specified Will. Wigston who being so seized thereof by his deed bearing date 29 Martii 1 M. being then a Knight sold it to Edw. Aglionby of Balshall Esq and to Kath. his wife sister of the said Sir Will. After which I have seen no more thereof than that Iames Fitz-Herbert of Stoke juxta Coventre and Ric. Fitz-Herbert of Shulton in Com. Leic. Gent. in 33 Eliz. aliened it to Edw. Brabazon of Estwell in the same County of Leic. Esq and Mary his wife The Charter-house WIthin the precincts of Shortley sometime stood a very fair Monastery of Carthusian Monks but before I speak of its foundation it will be proper enough to digress a little in shewing how and when that Order first began with the strictness of their Rule The Author thereof was one Bruno born at Colein in Germany a very learned man and Philosophy-Professor in the University of Paris where being present at the Funerall of his friend that had been a man of good conversation and observing that whilst they were celebrating the office for the dead the Corps raised it self up on the Bier and uttered at several distances these words Iusto Dei judicio accusatus sum Iusto Dei judicio judicatus sum Iusto Dei judicio condemnatus sum he became so astonisht as that considering if such were the condition of one whose life had been free from any eminent vice what should become of himself and many others that were in no better state he thereupon with six more of his company who were moved with the same apprehension resolved to seek some desert place where they might end their daies in an austere and mortified course of living without any disturbance of worldly matters which at length they found in the Diocess of Grenoble at a place called Carthuse in the mountainous parts of a vast wilderness and obtaining an assignation thereof from the Bishop erected a Monastery instituting most severe and strict Rules for himself and his Covent viz. wearing hair shirts never to feed on flesh on the Fridays to eat nothing but bread and water to live apart in particular Cells and thither to have their diet singly brought them except on certain Festival daies when they dined together Not to converse with each other but at certain times None to go out of the Monastery but the Superior and Procurator and they onely about the affairs of the Covent Their habit a white loose coat with a cowl of the same but when they go out a case of black stuff all over it being shaved and shorn just as the Benedictines are Into their particular Cells which are low built and do contain 3 or 4 several rooms on the ground-floor onely having behind each of them a little garden environ'd with an high wallâ— is their diet brought to them by Lay-brothers and put in at a little door in the wall near the entrance thereof unto which there is a lock whereof the key is kept by him that serves them At the hours of publick prayers they meet in the Quire But women are not permitted to come within the precincts of their Monastery nor a man to speak with any of them without special license given by the Superior The Lay-brothers are not shaven but their hair on the head is cut
made him begin too late to repent of his doings After this it was not long ere that Symon de Montfort Earl of Leic. with divers of the Barons taking advantage of certain miscarriages in government occasioned by this Geffrey and such other who had abused the power and trust committed to them put themselves in Armes under pretence of asserting the Laws and subject's liberties the particulars of which story I must not here stand to tell but so much thereof as relates to the said Geffrey I shall briefly touch Which is that amidst those turbulent doings in 48. E. 3. he was trusted with the custody of Windsor-Castle as appears by his render thereof upon the Kings command being then necessitated to submit unto a dishonourable truce with the Barons Certainly he was a man of extraordinary note for I find him in the Catalogue of those great men who stood stoutly to the King against his rebellious Barons and lived to a great age for he departed not this world till 2. E. 1. and then Walter his son and heir doing his homage had livery of his lands A younger son he had named Geffrey who was in the Welch expedition with his brother Walter in 41. H. 3. But of him and his descendants I have said something already in Shortley and shall have occasion 〈◊〉 say more when I come unto Atherston super Stoure and therefore now return to Walter This Walter had his Christen name as 't is most like from Walter Marshall Earl of Pembroke under whom his father executed the officâ— of Marshall in the K. houshold And in 36. H. 3. obtain'd a speciall Pat. exempting him from serving on any Juryes so long as he lived The next year following he attended the King into Gascoign and in 41. H. 3. went into Wales with the Royall Army In 3. E. 1. he was constituted onâ— of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick And in 7. E. 1. being certified Lord of this place had here ten Cottiers holding nine Cottages for which they payd severall Rents performed divâ—rs services in Harvest and gathered Nutts for one day He had then also 3. Carucats of land and 3. acres and a Water-myll in demesn and kept a certain outwood containing 5. acres inclosed as a Park which had wont to be common The same year I find that he was again a Justice for the Goal-delivery at Warwick and so likewâ—se the year following in which he dyed leaving his son and heir viz. Iohn de Langley 22. years of age who did his Homage and had livery of his lands immediatly after And had also a younger son called Râ—bert of whom and his posterity I shall speak it Wolfhamcote Which Iohn who had the inheritance of this mannour as also of Wikin and Milcote had summons to be at London with many other great men the Sunday next after the Octaves of S. Iohn Baptist 25. E. 1. to attend the K. in his expedition beyond Sea And in 29. of the said Kings raign had the like summons to be at Barwick upon Twede at the feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist to wait on the K. in his Scottish war wherein he was knighted as 't is probable for the same year he so stiled himself In 5.6 and 7. E. 2. he was constituted one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick In 8. he and Henry de Erdington were appointed to levy and collect in this County and Leicester-sh the Scutage due to K. E. 1. in 34. of his raign when his Army came together at Carleol which was not till then received And the next ensuing year was in Commission for making choyse of one stout and able Footman in every village throught-out this County to march with the King in person against the Scots as also to see that they were sufficiently armed according to the Statute of Winchester In 10. E. 2. he had the like imployment for choosing one Footman in every village of this Shire for the war of Scotland and to see them sufficiently arm'd with Haketones Bacenets Swords Bows and Arrows as also with Slings and such other weapons that were proper for them In 12. E. 2. he with Rob. de Stoke were assign'd to collect an eighteenth in this County In 13. E. 2. for levying and collecting Scutage for the Scottish war In 14. and 15. E. 3. he was again in Comission for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick And in 18. entail'd this Lordship with other lands upon his son Geffrey and his heirs After which I neither find more mention of him nor any historicall matter relating to his descendants excepting of Ioan his great-grandchild and heir to this branch of that family who being wedded to Iohn the son of Sir Alan Charlton of Apley Knight was forcibly taken from him by Sir Iohn Trillow the younger Kt. and kept as his wife many years during which time the same Sir Iohn and she by their deed dated 39. E. 3. granted this Mannour to Sir Baldwin Frevill the elder Kt. and his heirs Who for the corroborating of his title had a Release from Sir Peter Careswell Kt. son and heir to Sir Will. Careswell Kt. of all his interest therein bearing date 3. Maii 46. E. 3. which Ioan was afterwards reconciled to her first husband but dyed without issue Upon the partition of Frevill's lands 31. H. 6. whereof in Tamworth I shall speak this Mannour was allotted unto Robert Aston esq son and heir to Ioyce one of the three Sisters and coheirs to the last Sir Baldwyn Since which it hath continued in the line of Aston till of late time for in 39. Eliz. did Sir Edw. Aston of Tixhall in Com. Staff Knight dye seized of it leaving Walter his son and heir who in 1. Caroli or about that time sold it to severall Coventre men then his tenants to the particular parcells thereof Whitley A Little lower upon the Eastern-bank of Shirburn stands Whitley where there is now no more than a Mannour-house with an old Chappell and a Mill to be seen but antiently it was a village of divers Inhabitants yet is there no mention of it in the Conq. Survey for as much as it was then involved with Coventre As for the name I suppose it proceeds from a Brittish originall viz. Coit id est a wood and by corruptness in pronouncing is come to be writter Whit the latter syllable Ley being also from the Brittish I le which is the same with locus or sedes Nor till K. Stephen's time have I seen it at all mentioned but then did Ranulph Eeal of Chester of whose fee it was render the Chappell thereof to the Monks of Coventre In 34. H. 3. upon the passing of Coventre in Fee-ferm by Roger de Montalt and Cecily his wife to the Monks amongst certain reservations made to
alias Holme Tho. Holme mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. Thom. Hermworth alias Clarke Tho. Clarke mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. Galfr. Snead alias Danyell Galfr. Danyell mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. Rob. Derby alias Hepworth Rob. Hepworth mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. But of the Abbots here have I not found the names of more than these which were immediatly preceding the dissolution viz. VVill. Whittington Iohn Tolton Oliver Adams and Robert Bayte As for the Curses which were usually pronounc't by the Founders of these Religious houses whether they have attended those violators of what they so zealously and with devout minds had dedicated to Gods service I will not take upon me to say but sure I am that after K. H. 8. had accomplish'd this work he thrived but a little as I shall elsewhere in particular observe And how long such possessions have been enjoyed by those that had them they that have look't into the course of this world may easily see For this whereof I am now speaking it was by K. E. 6. first granted to Iohn E. of Warwick and to his heirs 22. Iuuii 1 E. 6. and after his attainder whereof in Warwick I have spoke in 3. 4. Ph. M. Rob. Keylway had a lease of the site and divers lands thereto belonging for 40. years at the Rent of 196. l. -08 s. -01 d. And afterwards another for lx years Which Robert Kelway in 23 Eliz. dyed seized in fee of certain lands belonging to this Monastery Anne the wife of Iohn Harrington Esq. being his sole Daughter and heir and then 30. years of age Binley ABout a mile below Combe the litlte brook before mentioned meeteth with Sow which passing gently on leaveth Binley on its Southeast side In the Conq. time the Monks of Coventre held three hides here whereof the woods were half a mile in length and one furlong in breadth all being then valued at lx sol which they purchased of Osbernus fil Ricardi a great man in that age as when I come to Aston-Cantelow shall be shewed but in Edw. the Conf. time Aldgid widow to Grifin was owner thereof The other part of this village Hadulfus in some places written Hadewolfus progenitor to the family of Rokeby and already mentioned there possest at that time as Tenant unto Turkill de Warwick it containing two hides whereof the woods extended to four furlongs in length and two in breadth all which were valued at 35. s. having been held by the same Hadulfus of the said Turchill before the Norman Conquest Touching the name I shall but onely deliver my conjecture viz. that it may probably be compouâ—ded of two Saxon words Bilene signifying to dwell and ea water which being contracted together came at length to be written according to the usuall pronunciation And that this Etymologie is not unsutable to its situation is plain enough but now we write it Binley as it is vulgarly called though in all an ient authorities it be recorded by the name of Bilneje As to the succession of its owners I shall first proceed with that part which the Prior of Coventre held whereof the Chappell dedicated to St. Bartholmew is a Member having been confirm'd to that Monastery by Ranulph E. of Chester in H. 1. time and appropriated thereto by Rog. Meuland B. of Cov. and Lich. in 44 H. 3. In K. Stephans time or beginning of H. 2. Laurence then Prior of Coventre granted half a hide of that which they had here to the Monks of Combe to hold in Frank-almoign paying to the Monastery of Coventre viii s. per an viz. 4. s. at the Feast of the Nativ of St. Iohn Baptist. and 4. s. at Christmass for all services but how their portion came to be further lessened I know not for of a long time before the dissolution the said Monks of Coventre were reputed Lords of no more than a fourth part of this village All which with the tythes were by K. H. 8. inter alia granted to Robert Burgoine and Iohn Scudamore and their heirs in 36. of his reign The rest very little excepted was bestowed on the Monks of Combe soon after the Foundation of that Abby for Thurbert son of the above mentioned Hadewlfus who is in some places called Thurbert de Bilneja and in other Thurbert de Rochebe gave a large portion thereof as by his Charter where it is set forth by bounds appears whereupon it should seem that he and his wife betook themselves to a retired life in that Monastery the Monks giving them allowance of dyet during their lives as also to Henry his son and heir two marks of silver and to all the rest of their children xii d. a piece for their assent which grant was confirm'd by Rog. E. of Warwick in respect that the lands of the before specified Turchill came for the most part to those Earls and afterwards by Earl William the extent thereof being one hide amounting to the 5. part of a Kts. fee. About the same time Ioeslinus the son of Raph de Bilneje gave to the said Monks a good quantity of land and woods in this place reputed also for one hide and held by the 6. part of a Kts. fee whereupon he had allowance of his dyet as long as he lived according to the proportion for one Monk and as much for his mother All which his brother Robert confirmed in consideration whereof he had a Horse with two marks and 4. s. of silver To this Robert succeded Robert his son who gave them also a large part in woods which is in his Charter set forth by bounds in consideration whereof the Monks granted that after his death as much solemnity should be made for him in that Abby as for one Monk in Masses and Prayers and participation of all other benefits And not long after did Henry de Rochebe son and heir to the before recited Thurbert not onely confirm what his father had given but granted them the Mill here and half his wood called Munechet for which besides the 2. marks he had in his fathers lifetime they gave him 4. marks of silver more with 7. s. to his mother and to each of his brothers viz. Will. Alex. Thomas Ingeram and Ric. xii d. a piece And to him the said Henry as also to his mother allowance of as much dyet as was the proportion for one Monk during their lives By which grants and some others that for brevity I pass by it appears that the said Monks of Combe had here in 7 E. 1. one carucat of land a Water-mill as also two Windmills all held in demesn five Cottages seven yard land and seven acres held by seven Freeholders at a certain Rent homage and suit of Court Foutry two acres of out-wood whereof two were then inclosed within the Park of Brandon for which they had yearly 2. s.
livery of those lands doing their homage in 44 H. 3. whereupon the possession of this Mannour went with Ednesoure Menill having of Savages lands in this County Neuton before mentioned as shall there be shewed at large Of this Tho. de Ednesoure I find that he was in Armes with the Barons against K.H. 3. whereupon his lands were confiscate and given by the K. first to Stephen de Eddeworth and afterwards making other satisfaction to the said Stephen to Philip Marmion Lord of Tamworth But by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth repossessing them again was in 7 E. 1 certified to be Lord of this Mannour then held of Tho. de Arden by the service of half a Kts. fee having in demesn 1 carucat 1 yard-land and 4. acres a water-mill and grove containing 1 acre of land and a half with a park of 4. acres As also xii villains holding 4. yard-land and a half in bond service xii Freeholders occupying xi yard-land and half and one acre by certain Rent and suit to his Court here at Bathkinton and Freewarren having appropriated to himself the fishing in the river Avon on the one side from Fintford-bridge to the bounds of Stonley as also the fishing of Sow on the one side from the lands of the Prior of Coventre unto Bathkinton-park That he had likewise Court-Leet Gallows Assize of bread and beer and all things else belonging to such liberties but by what authority not known Whereunto the said Tho. answered that he used those priviledges by vertue of a certain Cup that K.H. 1. gave to Leticia the daughter of Siward de Arden then his Concubine which allegation of his makes it not improbable that the favour vouchsafed to Hen. de Arden from that K. for enjoying this with some of those other lands of his grandfather Turchill's before mentioned was for her sake for he much affected beautiful women But shortly after this viz. in 13 E. 1. the said Tho. de Edneseure was questioned by what authority he used those privilidges here who pleading prescription it was by the Jury found that he and his ancestours had enjoy'd a Court-Leet and Weyfs time out of mind howbeit as to his other claims he fell short and so they were not allowed This Tho. gave to the Monks of Stoneley all his lands in Hull juxta Wotton vulgarly now called Hill wotton and to the Nuns of Polesworth a piece of ground within his Lordship of Badsley-Ednesoure containing 125. foot in length and 61. in breadth in both which grants he is stiled a Kt. For his descent he was of a very antient family viz. of Ednesoure in Derbysh. whence his ancestors assumed the name and in respect of his relation to the Ferrers Earls of Derby I mean by the tenure of his lands in that County bore for his Armes a fesse betwixt three Horse shoos as by his Seal appears but dyed in 13 E. 1. without issue so that Amicia his sister the wife of Sir Walt. de Miriden Kt. and Ric. de Herthull grandchild to Ioane his other sister became his heirs which Sir Walter had then livery of her inheritance doing his homage This Amicia upon the partition it seems had Baginton for her share but over living Sir Walt. de Miriden took to husband .... de Derley whom she likewise survived and in 20 E. 1. founded a Chantry in the Church of Bathkinton endowing it with one carucat of land and xxx s. yearly rent for doing whereof she had the license of the K. and of Will B. then E. of Warw. the Priest to serve there being to sing Mass daily for the health of her soul the souls of her ancestors and successors and for the soules of the said W. Beauchamp Maud his wife and their children and of all the faithfull deceased And moreover gave one acre and half of land one rood and three â—elions lying in this Lordship to one Ric. Deverell and his heirs to provide for her and her heirs two torches to be burning daily at the high Altar in the Church here at Bathkinton at the elevation of the Host as also to find one Lamp burning at all divine excercises in her Chappell there for ever and dyed in 30 E. 1. leaving Ric. de Herthull her Cousen and heir who then doing his homage had livery of her lands in whose line they continued for divers descents Being now therefore to speak of these Herthull's I shall first in the generall observe that this was an antient family in Derbysh. and Lords of Herthull whence they assumed their sirname being owners of other good possessions in that County This Ric. de Herthull was 30 years of age 30 E. 1. and became a man of much action and note in his time In 29 E. 1. he had summons to be at Berwik upon Twede thence to advance with the K. in person against the Scots The same year was he one of the Commissioners appointed in this County for taxing of a xv And in 30 E. 1. being one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parl. then held at Westm. was joyn'd in Commission with the Shiriff to collect the Aid for Marriage of the K. eldest Daughter granted in the Parl. of 18 E. 1. In 34 E. 1. he served again in the Parl. as one of the Kts. for this Shire and in 1 E. 2. I find him a Kt. as also in 7. one of the Justices for the gaol-delivery at Warwick In 14 E. 2. he had warning to attend the K. against his rebellious Barons at that time in Arms whereof Tho. E. of Lancaster was the ringleader but being weak and ill could not himself go in person whereupon he sent his son Ric. who served in that expedition under Raph Lord Basset This Sir Ric. gave to the Nuns of Polesworth and to the Chappell of St. Nich. at Badsley of which Mannour he was Lord that mess. and half yard land which those Nuns had held of his ancestors in Badsley aforesaid And on Will. Silvester Vicar there and his successors he bestowed a certain tenement which Alan the precedent Vicar held in the time of Will. Sauvage his ancestour And dyed in 18 E. 2. leaving Adam his son and heir who doing his homage had livery of his lands being then 32 years of age In 10 E. 3. this Adam was a Kt. but departed the world the next ensuing year leaving Ric. his son and heir then aged 25. years which Ric. being likewise a Kt. in 16 E. 3. was in 18. in Commission for assessing of a xv then granted to the K. in Parl. and in 20. with others assigned in this County to levy the Aid granted to the K. in Parl. for making his eldest son Kt. In 21 E. 3. upon the array of souldiers being charg'd with two Hoblers he was for some speciall respect as
seems that did not end the business for upon a full Agreement betwixt them where it appears that the said Geffrey allow'd him a third part of the said Kts. fee there is mention made that they had a trial by Battle for it After this scil in 9 H. 3. there was a great suit betwixt Henry E. of Warwick and Will. Maâ—duit and Alice his wife sister to the said Earl for 2 carucats 22 yard land and xvi s. rent with th' appurtenances in this Wotton whereof the E. alledged that E. Walleran his father dyed seized But the said Will. and Alice exhibited the Charter of the same E. Walleran whereby he gave those lands unto her and received her homage thereof causing the Free-holders to do homage also to her the said Alice who was then within age and in the tuition of Alice de Harecourt her mother What further became of this business I have not seen and therefore shall proceed with my discourse thereof in relation to Savage In 36 H. 3. it was certified that the heir of the said Geffrey Savage held one Kts. Fee here of Thomas de Clinton heir male to the first mentioned Geffrey and he of the E. of Warwick To which Geffrey Savage succeeded Philippa as one of the heirs to the last Geffrey who with Robert de Mortimer the Abbot of Stoneley and Prior of Kenilworth in 7 E. 1. held this Wotton and Hull with the Crosse-grange for one Kts. fee. Which Philippa had here at that time 12 servants holding 1 yard land at will and giving Aid at the Feast of S. Mich. at the Lords pleasure with 4 Cottyers and 3 Free-holders which held half a yard land by certain rent fealty and suit of Court twice a year as also a Court-leet and Assize of Bread and Beer by the confirmation of K. H. 1. That which Rob. de Mortimer had was the third part of a Water-mill as also 8 servants holding 3 yard land a half and fourth part at will performing Aid at the Feast of S. Michael The Abbot of Stonley 3 servants holding 1 yard land and a fourth part at will as also 5 Free-holders holding 21 acres and one acre of meadow The Canons of Kenilworth 2 carucats with the Mill of Gibbeclive which they held in demesn besides the Church appropriat endowed with one yard land And likewise 2 servants holding 33 acres of land at will giving Aid viz. mowing reaping raking harrowing making Hay c. eight Cottyers who perform'd the like services and 4 Free-holders paying certain rent and doing suit of Court twice a year But the Mannour belonging to Savage came by inheritance to Menill as may be discerned by the Pedegree in Baginton For in 13 E. 1. Will. dâ— Menill claim'd a Court-leet with Assize of Bread and Beer in this place then termed Woâ—ton-Savage which were allowed From which Will. descended Sir Hugh Menill Kt. who in 24 E. 3. granted the moytie of this Village to Henry E. of Lancaster and his heirs then Lord of Kenilworth-castle whereunto it lay convenient which I suppose was all that Savage had here How it came to the Crown wherein it still continues I need not here declare having made it so plain in Kenilworth the possession of which Castle it hath since accompanied The Church dedicated to All Saints appropriated to the Canons of Kenilworth in K. Iohn's time having been originally granted to that Monastery upon the very foundation thereof was in ann 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at x marks and the Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. at Cxii s. over and above 8 s. allow'd for Procurations and Synodals Which being so small became augmented by the Lady Aliza Dudley with xx l. per ann as in Manceter where the lands were purchased may be seen That which the Canons of Kenilworth had here besides the Church being after the dissolution of that House granted to Iohn D. of Northumb by K. E. 6. came again to the Crown through his attainder and was by Q. Mary passed to Sir Rouland Hill Kt. and others in 1. of her reign by the name of the Mannour of Leek-UUotton alias Crosse-grange and is now in the possession of the Lord Leigh of Stonelâ—y by descent from Sir Tho. Leigh Kt. and Alderman of London his great grandfather to whose use the same was purchased by the before specified Sir Rouland Hill c. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes temp Inst. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Rog. de Boyvill Cap. 2 Id. Sept. 1316. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Tho. de Coventre Pbr. 6 Id. Martii 1328. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Nich. de Haselovere Cap. Id. Iunii 1349. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. de Bradweye Pbr. 4. Non. Sept. 1361. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. de Tâ—ucester Pbr. 9. Cal. Febr. 1361. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. de Stonley Pbr. 9 Cal. Ian. 1362. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ric. de Rossale Pbr. .... Apr. 1377. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. Sprunt 2 Iulii 1380. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Tho. Hulle Pbr. 5 Nov. 1394. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Brou Pbr. 28 Martii 1401. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. de Barston Cap. 25. Nov. 1408. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Repton 23 Iulii 1409. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ric. Grewe Cap. 14 Oct. 1409. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ric. Ashby Cap. ult Iulii 1416. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Racheford Cap. 26. Oct. 1417. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Tho. Flynderkyn 15 Apr. 1425. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ric. Browne 4 Aug. 1425. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Tho. Weston Cap. 15 Maii 1428. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Will. Sutton Pbr. 20 Nov. 1433. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Sokeling Pbr. 3 Martii 1439. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Ioh. Clerke Cap. 9 Oct. 1456. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Tho. Edwards 1 Iunii 1515. Prior Convent de Kenilworth Rob. Kinge Cap. 23 Ian. 1529. Edw. Sanders miles Capit. Baro Scac. Will. Churchley Cler. 20. Maii 1560. Edw. Sanders miles Capit. Baro Scac. Anthon. Offley 17 Sept. 1569. D. Cath. Leigh de Stoneley vidua Humfr. Smalwood art Magr. 14 Aug. 1627. Hill-Wotton THis place antiently written Halle lying Southeast from Wotton about a mile and reputed a member of it taketh its name from the high situation thereof The first mention I find of it is not till the beginning of H. 3. time where Godwin the son of Godewin de Wotton gives to the Canons of Kenilworth with his body which he determined to be buryed in that Monastery an annual rent of v s. issuing out of certain lands here held of Sir Hugh de Beckbirie Kt. which gift of his Aliva de Beckbirie in her widowhood confirmed But being a member of
Bevington were the first Priests for whose maintenance and their successors the said Earl in 9 H. 6. had license to grant the Mannour of Asborne in this County with one mess. one carucat of land and Cxvii s. x d. ob yearly rent lying in Whitnâ—sh and Wellesburne And because he thought not that enough by his last Will and Testament he ordained that in all hast after his decease the remnant of what he had designed for his Chantry Priests there should by his Executors be delivered and made sure to them And that the Chapel there with the other buildings should be new built as he the said Earl had devised for the wholsom and convenient dwelling of those Priests The costs of all which with the consecration of the two Altars therein as appeareth by the accounts of the said Executors from the 28 to the 37 H. 6. amounted unto Clxxxiiii l. v d. ob Then did Earl Richard in memory of the warlike Guy erect that large Statue there yet to be seen on the South side within that Chapel the Figure whereof I have here exprest And having raised a roof over the adjacent Springs walled them with Stone Here was it also that our Warwicksh Antiquary Iohn Rous whose portraicture likewise exactly taken from an antient Roll wherein it was drawn to the life by himself I have represented after he came from the University lived being a Chantry-Priest in this Chapel and compiled his Chron. de Regibus which I have so often quoted Of whom considering his special affection to and knowledge in Antiquities being loth to omit any thing which may do honour to his memory I shall here observe that for his parentage he was the son to Geffrey Rous of Warwick but descended of the Rouses of Brinklow in this County and touching his education course of life and death have transcribed what Bale from Leland hath expressed of him Iohannes Rouuse alias Rossus Warwici urbe magnae olim celebritatis natus simul educatus fuit ut Lelandus scribit donec maturiores anni Philosophicos poscerent praeceptores Tum verò Oxonium petiit altum aliquid in re literaria inchoaturus ubi inter caetera incredibili diligentia usus est in legendis authoribus qui de nostris rebus scripserunt unde tam exactam Britannicae antiquitatis cognitionem sibi comparavit ut multos ex nostris longo praecesserit intervallo Perlustratis enim apud Anglos Cambros omnibus ferè bibliothecis â—opiosam rerum maximè memorabilium supellectilem collegit quae ne per incuriam dilaberetur contulit se ad quietem rem scripturienti inprimis necessariam Est locus in colle positus propè Avonae fluminis ripam distatque à Warwico vix passibus mille ubi constat Guidonem Warwicensem Comitem famosissimum illum vitam olim vixisse solitariam Hunc locum amoenissimum Guidonicumclivum ab eo appellatum alto muro cinctum annuente Rege Edw. quarto Rossus homo minimè ambitiosus unà cum vicinis aliquot fundulis in possessionem accepit Et parato in hunc modum honesto otio atque aurea fortunae mediocritate expeditus alacer scribendi munus aggressus est quod nunquam postea nisi cum ipsa vita deposuit Quo longo tempore multa Chartis commendavit in characteribus latinis praecipue haec Antiquitates Warwici lib. 1. De Episc. Wigorn. lib. 1. Vetustates Clivi-Guidonici lib. 1. De Comitibus Warwic lib. 1. De Academiis Britannicis lib. 1. Contra historiolam Cantabr lib. 1. Cronicon Warwicense lib. 1. Et opera quaedam alia sed imperfecta moriens reliquit Bibliothecam etiam instituit in ipsa australi porticu fani Mariae Warwici Vixit usque ad maturos annos Henrici septimi ac Warwici demum obiit 14 Ian. Anno à Christi servatoris nativitate An. 1491. Sepultusque est ibidem in dicto Mariae fano ut ex inscripto Epitaphio apparet But of these his writings most I suppose are perish'd or in such obscure hands that it is not known to me where they can be seen Those onely which are extant being a Roll of the Earls of Warwick wherein besides a brief Historie relating to each of them their Pictures and Arms are with much curiosity depicted and a Chronicle of the Kings of England reaching down to his own time But I return A place this is of so great delight in respect of the River gliding below the Rock the dry and wholsome situation and the fair Grove of lofty Elms overshadowing it that to one who desireth a retired life either for his devotions or study the like is hardly to be found as Leland in his MS Itinerary made temp H. 8. doth well observe It is a House saith he of pleasure a place meet for the Muses There is silence a pretty wood Antra in vivo saxo the River rouling over the stones with a pretty noyse nemusculum ibidem opacum fontes liquidae gâ—mmei prata florida antra muscosa rivi levis per saxa discursus necnon solitudo quies Musis amicissima Several Caves are there hewen out of the firm Rock one of which if we may believe tradition was made by the renowned Guy when he was an Heremite here In 26 H. 8. by the Survey then taken the lands belonging to this Chantry were certified to be worth xvii l. ii s. iiii d. per annum over and above all reprizes Nich. Launder and Tho. Moore being then the Priests that served therein But by another Survey in 37 H. 8. the value over and above reprizes was certified to be xix l. x s. vi d. All which viz. Chapel Buildings and Possessions thereunto belonging were by Tho. Moore and Rog. Higham Priests of that Chantry the Ks. License being thereunto had and obtained granted unto Sir Andrew Flammock Kt. and his heirs the 4 day of Iune 1 E. 6. Whose son Will. Flammock dying seized of them 11 Iulii 2 Eliz. left Kath. his daughter and heir then abâ—ut 3 years of age The particular lands belonging thereto being 15 mess. 500 acres of land 50 acres of meadow and 30 acres of pasture situate in Guyes-cliff Asborne and Whitnash as by that Inquis appeareth The Chapel here was dedicated to S. Mary Magd. as the grant thereof by Q. Eliz. to Iohn Colburne in 22 of her reign manifesteth and is in the parish of S. Nich. in the suburbs of Warwick This Iohn wedded the said Kath. the daughter and sole heir of Will. Flammock before mentioned And of him was it purchased as I have heard by Will. Hudson of Warwick whose daughter and heir Ursula brought it in marriage unto Sir Tho. Beaufo of Emscote Kt. in which family it still continues Within the precincts of Guyes-Cliffe there is nothing more but the Mill which as I have formerly shewed was in being
at the Norman Conquest and afterwards given by Geffr de Clinton the second to Gilebert Nutricius of whom I shall speak in Lemington in which grant it is called Molendinum de Chibbeâ—lide How the said Gilbert parted with it appears not but I find that Henry de Clinton son to the said Geffrey morgaged it to Randolph de Cocton for ten pounds of silver It seems that the same Geffr bestow'd it on the Canons of Kenilworth for so doth the confirmation of Henry his son made to them thereof imply whereby he grants unto them therewith both the Miller and his Children in which it is written Kibclive And yet it can hardly be said that he gave it for by his deed it appears that the same Canons discharged xx marks of silver which the said Miller was tyed to pay as also 2 marks of silver yearly to the said G. de Clinton during his life But in 7 E. 1. I find that the Prior of Kenilworth had two Mils here which after the dissolution of the Monasteries were granted to Ric. and Tho. Lawley and their heirs Milverton SOmewhat lower on the Southeast side of Avon â— stands Milverton wherein the E. of Mellent held 2 hydes excepting 1 virgat and a Mill valued at 50 s. as appears by the Conq. Survey all which was then rated at C s. having been the Free-hold of one Leuuinus before the Norman invasion but in that Record it is written Malvertone which shews that it originally had its name from some antient possessor thereof That most of the said E. of Mellent's lands in this County came to the Earls of Warwick is plain enough but how or when this place was disposed of by those Earls considering that we have so little light touching those elder times I am not able directly to shew The first most antient mention thereof that I have met with is that Roger Earl of Warwick upon his foundation of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick which was in An. 1123. 23. H. 1. gave inter alia for the maintenance of the Canons there half a hide in Mulvertone so it is there written and all the tithe of those lands there which were of his fee. What proportion of this village Geffrey de Clinton the Founder of Kenilworth-Castle had I cannot say but that he enjoyed a part thereof is certain for upon his death-bed he gave command to Geffrey his son that he should render two yard land lying here in Melvertone to Ermenfrede de Ponte his servant which was done accordingly After this and very antiently doe I find that there were three Lords of this Town viz. Astley Spigurnell and the third a Prebend of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick each possessing a distinct share as I shall shew anon And that what Astley had here was given to their family in H. 1. time as is evident from what I have already said in Astley But the first mention I find of Spigurnell is in 12. Ioh. where Rob. de Milverton levied a Fine of two yard land here to Walter Spigurnell and Celestina his wife Whether this was all that Spigurnell had here I cannot determine but I believe it was the two yard land which the above mentioned G. de Clinton possest This village hath antiently been accounted within the Parish of Wotton for in King Iohn's time G. Muschamp Bishop of Coventre upon the appropriation of the Church of Wotton to the Canons of Kenilworth granted unto them onely one mark yearly out of the Chappell of Milverton But Parishes being not perfectly setled till about the later end of that Kings raign as in Church over I have shewed this Chapell in the beginning of H. 3. time grew to the reputation of a Church for by that name did the above mentioned Walter Spigurnell and Celestina pass the advouson thereof to the Canons of Kenilworth in 16. H. 3. Which family of Spigurnell having their seat at Emscote in this Parish held that place together with Milverton of the Honour of Leicester by half a Knights fee in 55. H. 3. But Astley enfeof't Trussell of the most part that he had here which might be the occasion that Ric. Trussell took part with Thomas de Astley one of the rebellious Barons in H. 3. time for I find that the same Râ—chard was slain in the battail of Evesham with the said Thomas in 49. H. 3. Howbeit the residue of Astley's lands in this place were by Thomas Lord Astley inter alia given in 11. E. 3. for the foundation of a Chantry in the the Parish-Church of Astley â— as I have there manifested which afterwards when the said Chantry being augmented with greater possessions was changed into a Collegiat-Church were by the said Lord Astlâ—y assigned for the maintenance of one of the Canons therein and called the Prebend of Milverton In 7. E. 1. it was certified that Iohn Spigurnell Will Trussell and Raph de Hengham were Lords of Milverton and that the said Iohn held his share therein Emscote being joyned therewith of Elene la Zouch by the service of half a Knights fee. which Elene was one of the coheirs of Roger Quincy E. of Winchester who had part of the Honour of Leicester in right of Margaret his mother one of the coheirs to the last of those antient Earls By that Record it also appears that the same Iohn had two yard land here in demesn and five servants who held one yard land an half and a fourth part by servile tenure as abovesaid and 12. Cottiers holding one Carucat at the will of the Lord And that the Mill was then held by Iohn de Astele of the said Sir Andrew for the yearly rent of v. marks and a half and two strikes of Eeles to Will. Trussell And lastly that Raph de Hengham held his share of the Earl of Warwick viz. two yard land which four Freeholders then occupyed being a Prebend of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick howbeit in 9. E. 2. there was no other certified to be Lord of Milverton but Will. Trussell and yet in 20. E. 3. Maud Spigurnell answered for the sixt part of a Knights fee here and in Emscote which she held of the Honour of Winchester From which Will. descended Sir Allured Trussell Knight as in Billesley appeareth Who in 6. R. 2. entayled this Mannour for by that name it is recorded upon the heires male of his body with remainder to Sir Fouke Pembruge Knight and Margaret his wife and the heires of the said Margaret Whether the descendants of the said Sir Alured past away their right therein or if so when and to whom I cannot say for I find that they continued possest of a great part of this village till H. 8. time Thomas Trussell then dying seyzed of ten messuages xx yard land xxx acres of meadow xx acres of pasture and a water-mill all situat within the precincts thereof
which did exceed the value of ten Franks And if he or they hapned to take any prisoners he should not permit them to be ransomed without the consent of the said Earl or his son And lastly that himself with his Men and Horses should be upon all occasions shipt to and fro at the charge of the said Earl In 3. H. 4. he was Receivour generall to the same Earl and the same year joyned in Commission with the Shiriff for levying and collectâ—ng the Aid in this County for marriage of Blâ—nch the Ks. eldest daughter In 5. H. 4. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then holden And in 9. H. 4. was Surveyour of all the said Earles lands In 19. H. 6. he was one of the Commissioners appointed to treat with the people for a loan to the King In 20. one of the Knights for this Shire in Parliament And upon renewing the Commissions for the peace in this County from 17. till 27. H. 6. still joyned therein He was also Constable and Governour of Warwick-Castle and Supervisor of all the fishings pools and Swans belonging to Henry Duke of Warwick in this County and Stafford-shire In consideration whereof he had an annuity granted to him by the said Duke's Letters Pat. dated 5. Iunii 24. H. 6. And in 28. H. 6. in Commission about levying the Subsidy then granted to the King in Parliament So likewise from 30. H. 6. till 9. E. 4. upon all renewings of the Commissions for the Peace made one As also Squier of the body to the K. E. 4. and to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick Surveyor of his lands And as his publick imployments were very great so were Iohn Hugford his son's whom I find in 34. H. 6. Steward to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick As also a Justice of peace in this County from 1 E. 4. during the whole reign of that K. and of his brother K. Richard 3. as appears by the Records of their times This Iohn having been Shiriff of the Countyes of Warwick and Leic. in 12. and 18. E. 4. in consideration of the acceptable services which the said King acknowledged he had done was constituted Constable of Warwick-Castle as also Steward of Warwick and all the Lordships in this Shire then in the King hands in respect of the minority of Edward son to George Duke of Clarence by reason of the Earledome of Warwick Which office together with the place of Surveyour of all the Parks and Chases in this County King Richard 3. by his Letters Pat. dated 15. Nov. granted also to the said Iohn and Humfrey Beaufo esq in regard of the minority of the aforesaid Edward He was also a great Benefactor to the Abby of Stoneley as appears by the large quantity of land given thereunto by him lying in Ashoe and other places And having much augmented his fortune by the marriage of Margaret daughter and heir to Nicholas Metley as in Wolston and Merston I have shewed departed this life on the feast day of S. Nicholas the B. 1 H. 7. leaving issue by the said Margaret three daughters which were his heirs viz. Ioan marryed to Humfrey Beaufo of Bereford-S Iohn in Oxford-shire esq Alice to Richard Cotes esq and Anne to Gerard Danet esq upon the partition of whose lands this with Milverton came to Iohn Beaufo son and heir to Humfrey Beaufo above mentioned and Ioan the eldest daughter of the said Iohn Hugford Which Iohn in 20. H. 7. had livery of his inheritance without proof of his age that is to say of all the lands descended to him from Humfrey Beaufo his father Ioan his mother and Gerard Danet which Gerard was tenant by the curtesy to such lands as belong'd to Anne his wife another of the daughters and heires to the said Iohn Hugford and departing this life on Michaelmass day Anno 1516. 8 H. 8. lyeth buried together with the severall Hugfords before specified in the South part of the Collegiate Church at Warwick as their Monuments which I have here exactly represented do manifest From whom is lineally descended Henry Beaufo esq Lord of this Mannour Anno scil 1640. Willoughby HEre at Emscote it is that Avon is enlarged by the confluence of Leame which having its head in Northampton-shire about Bramiston and Daventre entreth Warwick-shire betwixt Wolfhamcote and Willoughby Touching its name I mean the etymologie it may seem to be derived from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifyeth a pool or lake for our antient Saxon language is affirmed by very learned men in both to have its originall from the Greek Neither is this conjecture improbable for as much as this River is of a muddy disposition having some standing holes in the nature of lakes or ponds in sundry places thereof And we find at this day that divers of those artificiall Rivers in Cambridg-shire antiently cut to drayn the Fens do bear the name of Leame as Watersey-leame New leame Morton's-leame c. being all muddy channells through which the water hath a dull and slow passage But leaving the better interpretation thereof to those that have more skill I come to Willoughby The occasion of this Towns name is evident enough the last syllable scil Bye in the old English signifying a Village as we use it in some sense to this day calling those orders which are made in a Court-Baron Bye-Laws id est the Town-Laws and the first willough importing that divers of such trees did antiently grow there In the Conq. time most of it was in the possession of Turchill de Warwick and the rest of Hugh Grentemaisnill howbeit the proportion which each had doth not directly appear for as much as it is in the Record confounded with other places But it is there written wilebere wilebej and wilebec which last if it were the originall name must be interpreted the willough-brook for Bee in the Saxon signifieth a little stream How it came into the Kings hands I have not seen but it seemes that King H. 1. possest it and enfeoft one Wigan his servant of 12. yard land here in Sergeanty then valued at xii li. which Sergeanty as well included lands in Dunchurch Thurlaston and Hulle as this viz. to find at his proper costs a man in harness for the Kings service with two Horses in every Army of his within England and wales Which Wigan held this willoughby all his life From whom it descended to Raph his son and heir and from Raph to Will and from Will to Ivo Which Ivo dying without issue it resorted to Thurstane his uncle who granted the whole Mannour with the advouson of the Church to the Hospitall of S. Iohn without the East-gate in Oxford founded by King Henry 3. in 17. of his raign ut ibidem infirmi peregrini suae remedium
reciperent necessitatis In this town there was also one Henry Waltham who held one carucat of land and xvii s. yearly rent here by Sergeanty viz. to be the Kings Marshall in the Court of Common-Pleas which Henry in 5. H. 3. payd ten marks for his Relief due for the land above mentioned and formerly belonging to Will. Wigan his Uncle But besides the Mannour so granted by the said Thurstane to that Hospitall was there given thereunto by Peter the son of the same â—hurstan all that he had here which did belong to the before specified Yvo there called Yvo de Shraule for he was also owner of Shrewley in this County As also the advouson of the Church by Gilbert de Segrave so that in 32. H. 3. the Guardian and Brethren of the said Hospitall being possest of such a fair proportion of lands in this place obtained a Charter for a weekly Mercate here on the Tuesday and a Fair once every year to last for 2. days viz. the Munday and Tuesday in Whit-sonweek Neither was this all for it appears that in 53. H. 3. Iohn the son of Peter son to the before mentioned Thurstane gave thereunto one messuage and one carucat of land more lying within the precincts of this Village as also all his right to the patronage of the Church And that in E. 1. time a family â—earing the name of Hamund and here residing were good Benefactors thereto Of which was one Richard Hamund alas Clerk stiled esquier in 23 H. 6. who then held the whole Mannour by Lease of the said Guardian and Brethren But I further find that Will. Wainflete Bishop of Winchester â— having in 26. H. 6. began the foundation of Magdalen College in Oxford in the very place where the same Hospitall stood did in 35. of the same Kings raign obtain from the said Master and Brethren the grant of this Lordship whereunto it hath eversince continued â—eing possest by the Pâ—esident and Fellows thereof at this day yet constantly leased out to the descendants of the said Richard Clerke men of a fair estate here Of which family were Edward and Hierome viz. sons of Henry Clarke the former father to William Clerke of this place deceased Henry Clerke of Rochester in Kent now Sâ—rgâ—ant at the Law as also oâ— Samuel Clerke of Kingsthorpe in Northamptonshire Doctor of Divinity and one of â—he Chaplains in ordinary to King Iames and Kâ—ng Charles who wedded Margarâ—â— one of the daughters to Wâ—lliam Peyto late of Chesterton in this Câ—unty esquire And the later of Iohn Clerke of Gilsborough in Norhamptonshire Counsellour at Law and Bencher of Lincolns-Inne an scil 1640. From which Richard Sir George Clerke of Watford in Com. Northampton Kt. As also Iohn now merchant of London nephew to the same Sir George and tenant to this Mannour from that Colledge are likewise descended Nor may I omit to take notice that of this family was also the famous Sir Iohn Clerke in H. 8. time as constant tradition still affirmeth who having taken the Duke of Longvile prisoner at the battail of Spurs was for that signall service rewarded by the King with an honourary addition to his Armes viz. in the sinister part of the shield a Canton azure with a demi Ram saliant Argent two flower de Luces Or in chief and over all a baston trunked as appeareth on his Monument at Tame in Oxford-shire Which Armes viz. Argent on a bend gules between three pellets as many Swans proper is still born by these Clerk's before mentioned as well as by the immediat descendants to the said Sir Iohn now residing at Weston by Tame beforementioned and at Crowton in Northamtonshire The Church dedicated to S. Nicholas being very antiently appropriated to the sâ—â—d Hospitall of S. Iohn without the Eâ—st gate in Oxford as by the Institutions to the Vicaridge may seem was in an 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at viii marks And in 26. H. 8. the Vicaridge at ix li. iv s. iv d. To this Church did one Iohn Haward in 15 H. 6. give one mess. lying withing the precincts of UUilloughby as also 20. Acres of land situat in Kite-Herdewik and Bradwell for the finding of a Lamp to burn therein for ever Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Henr. Trunket Pbr. 24. Martii 1311. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. de Allespath Cap. 12. Cal. Sept. 1312. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Pyndâ—re Cap. 3. Cal. Feb. 1348. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Ioh. de Garsyndon Pbr. 29. April 1388. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Bartlot Cap. 15. Oct. 1417. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Michaell Iames 10. Iunii 1431. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Pygete Pbr. 16. Iunii 1431. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Ioh. Mervyn Pbr. 2. Apr. 1436. Magister Hosp. S. Ioh. Oxon. Will. Thomesone Pbr. 3. Sept. 1443. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Ric. Stokysley 1. Febr. 1505. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Will. Humfrey in art Mr. ult Feb. 1521. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Tho. Gardiner Cler. 9. Martii 1547. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Gedeon Haencock Cler. 23. Iunii 1578. Eliz. Regina Gideon Hancock Cler. 3. Febr. 1585. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Rob. Wilton Cler. ult Iunii 1602. Praeses Scholar Col. S.M. Magd. Oxon. Henr. Clerke in art Mr. 15. Maii 1621. Dunchurch I Next come to Dunchurch containing these Hamlets viz. Causton Tofte and Thurlaston the last of which extends it self to the very bank of Leame In the Conquerours time Osbernus fil Ricardi of whom I shall speak in Aston-Cantlow possest it but in Domesday-Book it is written Donecerce and certified to contain five hides valued at C s. of which before the Conquest one Vlmarus was owner As for the originall of the name 't is evident enough Done or Dune signifying in our old English a Hill and Cerce a Church which agrees with the situation thereof In King Stephen's time I find that Hengelramus Clement being Lord of it gave to the Monks of Piâ—well his demesn lands lying in the fields here which grant Will. Clement his son ratified who likewise bestowed the advouson of the Church upon them Richard Peche then Bishop of Coventre confirming the same But whether it was the said Hengelram or his father who became first enfeoffed of this Lordship by the descendants from the before specified Osbernus I cannot directly affirm yet that it was one of them is not to be doubted for as much as by many Records it is evident that the posterity of the said Hengelram held it of the Honour of Ricards-Castle in Hereford-shire which belong'd to the said Osbern and his family who assumed the name of Say by half a Kts. fee. But from the before specified Will.
Oct. 1329. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. de Shulton Pbr. 9. Cal. Maii 1337. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. de Bilney Pbr. 3. Id. Maii 1339. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. de Merâ— Cap. Non. Aug. 1357. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. Sars Pbr. 4. Id. Nov. 1358. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. de Oselveston Cap. Id. Sept. 1361. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Giffard Pbr. 12. Mar. 1390. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Grene Cap. 22. Nov. 1414. Dâ— Episc. Cov. Lich. D. Ioh. Insulens Episc. titulo Comendae 9. Feb. 1449. Dâ— Episc. Cov. Lich. Magr. Will. Elmeshale 29. Oct. 1450. Dâ— Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Stag. Cap. 20. Oct. 1454. Dâ— Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Harrys Cap. super deprivat Ioh. Stagg pro defectu resid 19. Iulii 1456. Dâ— Episc. Cov. Lich. Rad. Whitehed in decret Bace 20. Iulii 1515. Dâ— Episc. Cov. Lich. Tho. Bolte Cler. Nov. 6. 1547 D. Rex hae vice ratione Concess Rad. Cope aliorum Magr. Tho. Bolte 12. Iunii 1553. Nath. Williams art Bac. 19. Maii 1626. Ioh. Biker art Magr. 14. Martii 1626. Causton Northwest of Dunchurch lieth Canston which in the Conq. days one Vlf held of Turchil de Warwic being then certified to contain 1. hide valued at xii s. but before the Norman invasion Edvinus possest it After this till K. Steph. time I do find no more mention thereof but then doth it appear that Ingelramus Clement spoke of in Dunchurch was owner of it himself or his father having been enfeoffed thereof doubtless by Siward de Arden son to the said Turchill for by his grant of it to the Monks of Pipwell he mentions Henry de Ardern son to the said Siward to be his immediat Lord of whom he held it Which Henry with Oliva his wife of whose dowrie it was confirm'd the donation in consideration whereof the Monks gave unto her a Palfrey and a Cow and being possest of so large a proportion in this village soon after obtained from one Turchil de Causton whom Ingelram Clement had formerly enfeof't all his interest therein Will. Clement son to the same Ingelram confirming the grant in the presence of Ric. de Luci and other the Justices Itinerant at Northampton the same year that K.H. 2. came itno England after his son's Coronation and summons given concerning his expedition into Ireland viz. 17. H. 2. Of which Turchil de Causton and Wimare his wife I find that they gave the lands before mentioned to the said Monastery cum corporibus suis whereupon the Monks were to find them all necessaryes during their lives and afford them buriall in their Church-yard at Pipwell when they should dye with performance of the like solemnity as for a Monk of their Covent Many and frequent have been of antient time such grants of lands by particular persons cum corporibus as the expression is some whereof having this added in Ecclesia sive in Cimiterio ejusdem Monasterii sepeliri others not And therefore it may seem that divers who gave their bodyes in this sort did devote themselves during their lives to the service of God in attendance upon the Monks as we see the Lay-brothers in forrein Monasteryes now do Which puts me in mind of a singular instance of this kind whereby it appears that the person so disposed did with certain Ceremonies give livery and seisin after a sort of himself for the rarity of which example I have here transcribed a grant wherein the formality thereof is contained Dâ— Ingebaldo servo SCimus omnes fideliter credimus quod quisquis aliquid de rebus suis exterioribus devota Deo mente donaverit mercedis apud ipsum retributione pro certo gaudebit Quanto magis speraro debemus imo firmiter tenere illum potioris recompensatione mercedis Dei bonitate donandum qui non solùm res transitorias sed etiam seipsum eidem Domino Deo perseveranter mancipaverit serviturum Quod ego Ingebaldus diligenter considerans cum quidem naturalem secundùm seculum à progenitoribus habeo libertatem voluntate propria me in servum trado Domino Deo loco in nomine honore S. Trinitatis id est ejusdem unius summi Dei apud Vindocinum constructo Qua verò istud occasione conceperim cunctis fidelibus volo manifestari ad gloriam Dei habendam erga eundem locum reverentiam omnibus Christianis venerabiliorem Contigit mihi aegritudinem corporis incurrere adeo gravem ut desperatus spem recuperandae salutis prorsus perdiderim Vovi igitur si me Deus convalescere de infirmitate ipsa donaret quod me illi in servum traderem apud praefati Vendocini monasterium sancto ipsius nomini consecratum Quod ego molestia corporis urgente districtiùs promiseram hoc factus sospes incolumis libenter exsolvo Neque enim bonitati illius esse ingratus debui qui me de mortis confinio benignitate misericordissima liberavit Dono etiam mecum eidem venerabili loco universa quae possessionis meae sunt hodie vel esse in totae vita mea justè poterunt quae dare legaliter possum debeo In cujus facti memoriam etiam quatuor denarios de caputagio meo sicut mos secularis est talibus facere super Altare dominicum praedicti loci gratanter impoxens funem quoque signi collo meo devotè circumplicans Carinlam istam scribi in testimonium postulavi manuque mea firmavi addita insuper congerie testium juxta humanae opinionis estimationem idoneorum quorum ista sunt nomina Hilgodus de Carismot Hugo Planus frater Arnulphi Rogerius de Conis Urso Favellus c. Actum Vendocini in Capitulo S. Trin. An. Dom. incarn Mlxxx. 10 Cal. Oct. die nat S. Mauricii The next thing that in order of time I find observabâ—e in relation to this place is that in the year 1266. 51. H. 3. all the chief men in Thurlaston joyned together and would have had Common of pasture by force on Causton-heath At which time Gerard de Lega was Abbot of Pipwell and advising with good Councel as the Register of that House saith stood against the whole Town of Thurlaston like a wall and by a chargeable suit in an Assize of Novel-disseisin before the Judges at Warwick obtained the upper hand on the Feast-day of S. Malachie the B. the year abovesaid In those dayes there was at Causton 2 large Ovens wherein were baked weekly xvi quarters of Corn for coarser bread and vi quarters of the better sort for the Monks and Converts with their servants in their several Grangâ—s of Dunchurch Thurlaston Rokeby Lalleâ—ord Neubold and Thirnmilne in this County as also of Ashby Winwik and Eltingdon in Northamptonsh In 11 E. 1. the Monks of Pipwell had Free-warren granted to them in their demesn-lands
2. yard land in demesn and 2. servants holding the residue under particular Rents and performance of servile labour It was then also certified that William Chatere held 8. yard land here of the Prior of Coventre whereof three parts of a yard land he had in demesn Which interest so belonging to the Monks of Coventre here was in right of their Mannour of Priors-Merston that extended into it for no less doth the Record of 9 E. 2. import The substance of which lands so held by Hastings came in tract of time to one Simon de Shukborow and Raph Chatere for in 6 E. 2. It was found that they two held no less than a Knights fee here of the same Iohn de Hastings From which Simon descended Iohn de Shukborow who in 20 E. 3. held of Hasting's heir the third part of a Kts fee in this place And from him Iohn Shuckborough esq who in 10 H. 6. was certified to hold a Mannour here by the 4. part of a Knights fee. But another Mannour there was also and that very antient which belonged to the family of Dive the inheritance whereof in 27 E. 3. Margaret the widow of Richard Hastang daughter and heir to Raâ—â— Dâ—ve and cosiâ— and heir to Iohn Dive of Ducklington in Com. Oxon. granted to Will. Catesbâ— and Iohn his son wherein Emme the Widow of the said Iohn in 13 H. 4. obtained a Charter of Free-warren â— in the behalf of herself and Iohn her son Which Mannour afterwards coming to the hands of Richard Collyng of Wavers-Merston gent. was in 32 H. 8. past from him unto Thomas Shuckborough esq and his heirs Lord of the other Mannour by descent from Thomas his ancestor before specified whose great-grandchild Sir Richard Shuckborough Knight now enjoys it That these Shuckboroughs were very antiently possest of lands here there is no doubt for I find one William de Suckeberge in 3. Ioh. which might be the first assumer of this denomination there being many good and great families whose ancestors â—ixt not their sirnames till afterwards But little have I seen memorable of them in those elder times other than the bare mention of their names neither am I able of a long time after by the advantage of Records to deduce their descent in a lineall succession I shall therefore briefly mention what I have met with as remarkable touching any of them and so pass on to the next In 1 E. 3. I find that Iohn de Shukburgh having been one of the Coroners in this County an office in those days of great account had his Quâ—etus est the Shiriff being commanded to cause another to be chosen in his room But it seems the Kings command was not thereupon pursued because the next year afterâ— he directed another Precept dated from Pontfract 19 Aug. to the same purpose In 6 H. 4. Iohn Shukkeburgh and Thomas Shukkeburgh were with the Shiriff and other Commissioners assigned to collect a Subsidy in this County then granted to the King in Parliament And in 7 H. 5. William Shukburgh of Shukburgh being rank't amongst those Knights and other Esquiers of this County who bore antient Armes from their Ancestors had warning by the Shiriff to appear before the Councell there to receive order for serving the King in his proper person for the defence of the Realm In 6 H. 6. he was one of the Commissioners appointed for the Collecting a subsidy of vi s. viii d. from certain Inhabitants residing within the Cities and Boroughs of this County And departed this life in 11 H. 6. being at that time one of the Coroners for this Shire From whom descended Thomas who was in Commission for conservation of the peace from 18 H. 7. to the end of that Kings raign and for many years in H. 8. time This family do bear for their Armes Sâ—ble a Cheveron betwixt three Mullets argent relating as t is observable to those little stones called Astroites which are very like a Mullet and frequently found in the plowed fields hereabouts The Church dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist being given to the Nuns of Wroxhall as I have already shewed was antiently appropriated to their use and in 26 H. 8 valued at viii li. vi s. viii d. the Procurations and Synodalls yearly payable to the Archdeacon of Coventre for the same being x s. vi d. But here was never any Vicar endowed the Cure having been served by a stipendary Which Rectory after the dissolution of the Monasteryes was granted to Sir Iohn Williams Knight in 32 H. 8. who had license the year following to alien it unto Thomas Shukborough esq from whom it descended to Sir Richard Shuckborough before mentioned Granborough I Now return somewhat neerer to the bank of Leame where I behold Granborough within which parish is Wolscote Walcote and Calcote This is one of those 24. townes that Leofrik Earl of Mercia gave to the Priory of Coventre at his foundation thereof in 1 Edw. Conf. And wherein by the Conq. Surveyâ— that Monastery was certified to hold 8. hides and 1. virgate of land there being then a Mill rated at xvi d. and the value of all recorded at viii li. At the same time it was also found that Richard Forestarius held of the King 2. hides in this place then valued at fifty shillings which before the Conquest were the freehold of one Râ—mdi But in Domesday-book it is written in one place Graneberge and in the other Greneberge whereby it appeares that the name did originally proceed from its situation on a rising ground A great part hereof was in K. H. 1. time given by Laurencâ— then Prior of Coventre the Monks of that House unto Robert the son of Noel which grant K. H. 2. confirmed to Thomas Noel his son who wedded Margaret one of the sisters and coheirs to Raph Strange of Knockin in Shropshire which Margaret held the same land in dower After whose death Alice and Ioan the daughters and heirs of the said Thomas had livery thereof Alice being then the wife of William de Harecurt and Ioan of Thomas Fitz-Eustace It should seem by what hereafter appears that the issue of Alice by William de Harecourt carryed away the whole inheritance here but whether by any grant from Ioan the other sister or that she had no issue I am ignorant For in 36 H. 3. Ric. de Harecurt was certified to hold the same of the Prior of Coventre which Richard dyed in 42 H. 3. leaving William his son and heir who doing his homage had livery of all his fathers lands In 47 H. 3. this William had summons amongst divers other great men to be at Worcester sufficiently furnisht with Horse and Arms on the Feast-day of S. Peter ad vincula commonly called Lammas to resist the power of Lâ—welin Prince of Wales then in Rebellion And the
Alexander de Savensby Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield temp H. 3. the Vicaridge being then endowed with all the fruits and charged with a Pension of xv marks per annum to those Canons and as much to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield and their successors In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at x. marks over and above the said Pensions and in 26 H. 8. at xx li. besides 9 s. -6 d. yearly allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes temp Inst. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Nich. de Duneschurch Cap. 7. Id. Ian. 1298. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Nich. de Hastang Diac. 10. Cal. Iulii 1328. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Ric. de Dewesbur Pbr. 5. Id. Oct. 1333. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Will. de Emleye Pbr. Non. Iulii 1337. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Adam de Haselbech Pbr. 2. Id. Sept. 1349. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Ric. fil Albini de Nayleston Pbr. 3. Non. Oct. 1352. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Adam de Penerieh Pbr. 13. Cal. Martii 1377. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Will. Shirwood Pbr. 2. Martii 1380. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Ioh. Dalton Pbr. 18. Febr. 1391. Prior Conv. S. Oswaldi de Nostell Henr. Morton Cler. 17. Dec. 1505. Will. Hygden gen ratione concess Pr. C. de Nostell Rob. Holme art Magr. ult Aug. 1558. D. Regina Math. Holme Cler. 18. Iunii 1570. Iana Lock-smyth Vidua Thom. Lever art Bacc. 3. Iulii 1619. In a Window of the Church these Armes Arg. upon a Chief Azure two Mullets Or. Clinton of Marstok Azure a chief gules with a Lyon rampant Or. Hastang Hill THIS place antiently written Hulle hath its name from the high situation thereof and belong'd to the Monks of Abingdon in the Conq. time being given to them by Turchil de Ardene who is commonly called in Domesday-book Turchil de Warwic and confirmed by King William The extent thereof in the said confirmation is said to be two hides and so much doth the generall Survey then made record it to be valuing it at xl s. Nevertheless by another Authority I find that the Conquerour granted four yard land lying in this place to the Abby of Abingdon for service of Castleward to be done at his Castle of Windsor which expresseth that one of the Abbots did enfeoff Henry his servant of all the said four vigrats to perform the above mentioned service of Castleward and that from the said Henry it descended to Hugh his son and heir who sold it to Robert de Hastang But in 2. Ioh. the Abbot of Abingdon recovered the hide of land against Raph the son of Wigan of whom I have spoke in Willoughby Which Raph alledged that King H. 1. gave it to Wigan his Marshall with other lands eschaeted to the Crown by reason that Roger de Causton the owner of it had committed Felony After which viz. in 6. Ioh. the said Abbot levied a Fine thereof to the before mentioned Henry who is therein stiled Henricus filius Pagani To this Henry succeeded Hugh sirnamed de Abendon who in 36 H. 3. was certified to hold the sixt part of a Knights fee here of the said Abbot which was doubtless the same hide before specified and Will. de Curly another 6. part which argueth that the rest of those lands in this place belonging to the said Abby were granted to the Ancestor of the said William de Curly by the like service of Castleward at Windsore for in 18 H. 3. Robert then Abbot of Abendon came to an Agreement with the said William for those services it being then concluded that the same William should pay xl d. ob to the Abbot in lieu thereof This Hugh de Abendon sold all that he had here to Robert de Hastang Lord of Leminton-Hastang as I have there shewed Which Robert wedded one of the daughters and coheirs of the before recited William de Curly whereby he and his posterity enjoyed a great part of Curlye's lands and so consequently this I presume for upon the partition made betwixt Maud and Ioan the the daughters and coheirs of Sir Iohn de Hastang in 49 E. 3. this Mannour of Hull for so it is there called was with Leminton assigned to Maud who marryed to Raph de Stafford as in Leminton I have declared and hath since continued in the family of those Staffords Sir Humfrey Sâ—affâ—rd Knight dying seized thereof 17 Eliz leaving Iohn his son and heir then of full age till with Leminton it came by purchase to Baron Trevor Herdwick THIS was originally a member of Leminton and involved therewith in the Conquerors time as will appear by what I shall say anon But I cannot ascend so high as to shew which of the Hastangs it was that enfoeft him thereof who first assumed his sirname from hence yet I believe it was very antient for in 20 H. 3. I find that Robert de Hastang had suits with VVilliam de Herdewic for certain Customes and services which he claymed from him for the lands he held here And in 21 E. 3. Iohn de Herdewic of Lynleye in Com. Leic. was sued by the Vicar of Leminton for certain lands in this place Howbeit in 12 R. 2. Sir Iohn Salisbury was found to dye seized inter alia in right of Ioan his wife one of the daughters and coheirs of Iohn de Hastang of certain Rents due from the Freeholders and tenants at will in this place which was then as the Record expresseth a Hamlet of Leminton before mentioned But the family of Herdwick who had their principall seat at Lynleye aforesaid continued Lords of this village as long as their male-line lasted as by sundry instances I could manifest and some of them resided here as I guess For Iohn de Herdwik before specified was in 23.26 and 31 E. 3. in Commission with certain other persons of worth for the assessing collecting a x th xv in this shire and in 33 E. 3. had the custody of the Mannour of Warmynton in this County committed to his charge which belonging to the Priory of Toftes was seized into the Kings hands by reason of the warrs with France The same year he was one of the Commissioners for arraying of all men in this County sutable to their estates and degrees according to the Stat. of Winchester in the Kings absence And in 1 R. 2. one of the Justices of Peace for the town of Coventre But of his descendants because they resided in Leicester-shire I have no more to say than that Iohn de Herdwike dying without issue male in H. 8. time and partition being made of his lands 20 H. 8. it appears thereby that this Mannour there called by the
counterfeited by one Thomas Bromle of Coventre whom he indicted for so doing In short after much time and money spent therein I find that the said Iohn de Catesby and Lewes Cardian together with Will. Hathewyk husband to Catherine daughter and heir to the same Lewes and Alice as the Descent sheweth entred into C l. bonds apeice to each other to stand to the Award of the Dukes of Surry and Exeter for a finaâ— end of the business which Dukes referred the examination of the evidence on both sides to Will. Gascoin Rab. Tirwhit Iohn Rede and Will. Skryne great Lawyers of that age who taking to their assistance Sir Walt. Clopton Sir Will. Thirnyâ—g Sir Iohn Cassy Sir Iohn Hulle Sir Wâ—ll Rikhull Will. Hankford and Will. Brenchesâ—e at that time Justices of both Benches and fully weighing the same made Report on the behalf of the before specified Iohn de Catesby as by their Instrument under their Seal bearing date 20 Iunii 22 R. 2. appeareth So that there is no doubt but that those Dukes determined thereof accordingly for certain it is that the said Iohn de Catesby continued the possession From whom it descended to his son Will. who in 6 H. 4. did his homage to Ric. Beauchamp E. of Warwick for the Kts. fee which he held here But this Will departing the world without issue his brother Iohn became heir who dyed before the 13 of H. 4. for in that year did the K. grant Free-warren to Emma his widow and Iohn his son in all their demesn lands here and divers other places To which last mentioned Iohn succeeded Sir Will. Cateâ—by Kt. and to him another Will who being attainted in 1 H. 7. as in Lapworth I have shewed this Mannour eschaeted to the Crown and in 3 H. 7. was granted by the K. to Sir Iohn Râ—sâ—eâ— Kt. and the heirs male of his body but by a specia◠〈◊〉 of Parl. in 11 H. 7. being restored unto George Catesby son and heir of the said Will. together with the rest of his fathers forfeited lands continued in this family till 38 Eliz. that Iohn Throgmorton and others by an Indenture tripartite betwixt Sir Will. Catesby and Sir Thom. Leigh Kts. of the first part Robert Catesâ—â— son and heir of the said Sir Will. on the second and Iohn Throgmorton and Thom. Thornton oâ— the thâ—rd part were enfeoft thereof Which Iohn and the rest did by their Deed of bargain and sale dated 8 Febr. 40 Eliz. pass the same to Sir Rob. Dudley Kt. and Dame Alice his wife daughter of the above mentioned Sir Thom. Leigh and to the heirs of the said Sir Robert Which Sir Robert having issue onely 4 daughters viz. Katherine wife of Sir Ric. Leveson Kt. of the Bath Douglasse Anne and Frances they together with Will. Wise conveyed the same to Will. Palmer Esq and his heirs by their Deed r bearing date 16 Maii 9 Car. Which Will. setled it upon Will. Palmer his second son 1 Iunii 12 Car. who afterwards scil 1 Apr. 18 Car. passed the same to Sir Will. Palmer now of Clerkenwell in Com. Midd. Kt. a branch of those Palmers of Yorksh. by a younger son that setled at Merston in Staffordshire who bear for their Arms Argent upon 2 barrs gules 3 trefoils of the first with a Greyhound in chief sable There was antiently a Bridge over the river betwixt this town and Herberbury which in 21 R. 2. being out of repair was presented to be in the default of those two Villages but upon proof made that the same had been first built by one of the Lords of this Mannour upon his own soylâ— and for the benefit of himself and his own servants the said towns were discharged The Church dedicated to All Saints was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xv marks and in 26 H. 8. at xiii l. x s. over and above ix s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Inst. D. Ioh. de Lodbrok Ioh. de Pavely 13 Cal. Apr. 1298. D. Ioh. de Lodbrok Will. de Daleby Pbr. 4 Cal. Nov. 1303. Hugo fil D. Ioh. de Lodbrok Rog. de Lodbrok 4 Id. Iunii 1319. Hugo de Lodbrok Cler. Rog. de Clifton Cap. 4 Cal. Iunii 1340. D. Hugo de Lodbroc Rect. eccl de Blaby Will. de Shulâ—on Cler. 2 Id. Iunii 1349. D. Hugo de Lodbroc Rect. eccl de Blaby Rad. de Bereford Cler. 9. Cal. Oct. 1349. D. Hugo de Lodbroc Rect. eccl de Blaby D. Petrus Bertholmew 7. Id. Martii 1358. Thomas de Lodbrok Will. de Southam Pbr. Cal. Sept. 1362. Ioh. de Catesby Ioh. Parker 6 Febr. 1388. Ioh. de Catesby Nich. Derby 1 Iulii 1409. Ioh. de Catesby Ric. Norton Cap. 2 Iulii 1413. Ioh. Catesby ar Margar. ux ejus Ioh. Grantham Pbr. 4. Maii 1433. Will. Catesby ar Ioh. Verney Pbr. 20 Dec. 1440. Ioh. Rysley miles Will. Darley in art Bacc. 1 Maii 1506. Ric. Catesby gen D. Thomas Barret 26. Maii 1529. Anth. Throgmorton de Com. Oxon. ar Cath. ux ejus Rob. Lancashire Cler. 20. Febr. 1553. Anth. Throgmorton de Com. Oxon. ar Cath. ux ejus Thom. Williams Cler. 23. Apr. 1564. Anth. Throgmorton de Com. Oxon. ar Cath. ux ejus Rog. Inkforbie S. Theol. bac 5 Iunii 1582. Edm. Tomkins gen Ric. Par S. Theol. bac 25. Aug. 1626. D. Alicia Dudley Edw. Brounker S. Theol. professor 5 Feb. 1628. Napton BEneath Lodbroke more than a mile there falls another torrent into Ichene which haâ—â— its head within the precincts of Napton whereof I am next in pursuance of my method to speak This town stands upon a very eminent ascent of which originally its name was taken cnap in the British language signifying the same with gâ—bbus or tuber for such we know all Hills are in reference to the plains and flatâ— whereon they stand Neither is the word in that sense yet wâ—rn out of use amongst us for we commonly call the top or highest part of a notable ascent the knap of a hill the c and k being omitted in the name of this place for facility of pronunciation In the Conquerors time the E. of Mellent held 3 hydes and 3 virgats here valued at iii l. one Robert being his Tenant thereto and whereof Levenot and Bundi were possessors before the Norman invasion but in the Survey then made it is written both Neptone and Eptone At the same time one Vlchetel whose inheritance it had been in Edw. the Conf. time held of the said Turchil half a hyde valued at xxx s. And the same Robert 3 virgats valued also at xxx s. which before the Conquest belonged to the said Edvinus of whom I have made mention in Flekenho Which Robert being enfeoft of certain lands here by the said E. of Mellent as he was also of Weston
the other two I am not yet able to discover any more Of the Church dedicated to the holy Trinity the moytie antiently belonging to the Monks of Hertford was given unto them by David de Lyndesei and confirmed by Gerard his brother and heir The benefit which they received thereby being two parts of the Tyth-corn throughout all the demesn-lands of this town But the other moytie was granted by the said David to Will. de Odingsels which Will. past it unto Gerard his brother In An. 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xxxiii marks yet how or when the said moytie was granted from the Monks of Hertford to Odingsells I know not but do find that in 13 E. 2. Hugh de Meryngton of Coventre purchased the perpetuall patronage of the whole from Iohn de Odingsells Which Hugh in 1 E. 3. dyed seised thereof leaving Iohn his son and heir 28. years of age who the next year following past it to Sir William de Clinton Knight Which William in 6 E. 3. gave it with 8. mess. six yard land and xx s. Rent in this town to Iohn Lynye Warden of the Chantry at Maxstoke and his successors for the health of his soul and the souls of his ancestors and successors But it was not long after that the said Sir William having begun the foundation of a Priory for Canons-Regular of St. Augustines order at the same place annexed that Chantry with the appurtenances thereunto whereupon the advouson of this Church with the rest of those lands in Ichington were appropriated to the use of the said Canons by R. Northburgh Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield 12. Cal. Martii Anno 1386. 10. E. 3. and a Vicaridge soon after endowed which in 26 H. 8. was valued at vii li. xviii d. over and above 18 d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls But the said Rectory after the dissolution of that Religious house with the lands before specified coming to the Crown was with the site of that Monastery c. past unto the D. of Suff. as also from him to Traps and from the coheirs of Traps to Anthony Ludford and Thomas Fisher which Anthony and Thomas in 25 Eliz. aliened the said lands by the name of a Mannour with two parts of the Tithes of Corn and Hay c. to Robert Dudley then Earl of Leicester since which time they have attended the possession of that Lordship so sold by Odingsells as hath been said Patroni Ecclesiae Incumb temp Instit. Hugo de Odingsels miles D. Ioh. de Odingsels Cler. An. 1288. D. Will. de Clinton miles Rob. de Wyke Pbr. 4. Cal. Nov. 1329. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rob. de Maxstoke Cap. 11. Cal. Nov. 1336. Patroni Vicariae Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Adam de Wythibroke Pbr. Cal. Maii 1337. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. de Bradwell Cap. 8. Cal. Aug. 1349. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Adam de Colsshull Pbr. .... 1359. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. de Caldecote 5. Id. Dec. 1375. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Thom. Nassyngton Cap. 22. Sept. 1407. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Inderay Cap. 28. Feb. 1422. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. D .... get 17. Aug. 1423. D. Episc. per lapsum Will. Sylk decret Dr. Pbr. 2. Aug. 1427. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Ric. Whitelombe 8. Martii 1428. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Nobull Pbr. 8. Iunii 1439. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Thom. Smyth Cap. 16. Dec. 1529. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Thom. Hopkyns Pbr. 9. Maii 1531. Rich. Bartue ar ac Cath. Ducissa Suff. ux ejus Thom. Odingsels 29. Martii 1569. D. Regina Eliz. Georgius Soden 17. Ian. 1569. Thom. Moulde Clerie ex concess Leticiae Comitissae Leic. Math. Gilbert Cler. 28. Apr. 1606. Rob. Comes Leic. Raphaell Pearce in art Mgr. 18. Sept. 1628. Upon a Marble Gravestone this Inscription in a plate of brass Of your charite pray for the soule of Edward Odingsell late o Long-Ichington in the County of Warwick esquier Geâ—tleman-Usher to King Henry the seventh who died ................ in the year of our Lord M. D. xxii Bascote THIS Hamlet was originally a member of Long-Ichinton yet I hâ—ve not met with any mention of it 〈◊〉 7 R. 1. and then do I find that Robert Briton had lands here but afterwards in King Iohn's time that David the son of David de Lindesei whoâ—e right here came by Elianore his mother one of the coheirs to Iohn de Limesi as in Ichington I have shewed did confirm to Nicâ—olas Briton and his heirs eight yard land lying here and in Ichinton to hold by the 4. part of a Knights fee which lands Roger Briton father of the saith Nicholas formerly held After this viz. in 21 E. 1. Sir Iohn Pinkney Knight having granted unto Sir Hugh de Odingsells all his interest in Long Ichinton gave notice to William le Breton that for the future he should perform those services to the said Sir Hugh and his heirs as were due by the same William to the above named Sir Iohn Pinkney Which William was son to the before recited Nicholas as I guess but what I have seen worth note in relation to him or his descendants I have already mentioned in Wolston for in 7 E. 2. Guy le Bretoun son to the said Will. sold all his lands here to Peter de Lâ—mesi and Alice his wife and the heirs of the said Peter which lands in 18 E. 2. eschaeted to the Crown by reason that he was in the rebellion of Thomas Earl of Lancaster as in Arley I have fully manifested The next possessor thereof of whom I have found any mention was Sir Iohn Rochford Kt. who by his deed dated 8 Oct. 4 H. 4. past it unto Thomas Seyvill which Thomas enjoy'd it in 2 H. 5. But in 9 H. 5. Iohn Morton a Priest conveyed it to Ioh. Lee of Warwick Thomas Wyrth and Richard Smyth who were but Trustees it should seem For 6. Sept. 8 H. 6. the same Iohn Lee did pass to Thomas Molesley and his heirs his whole right therein unto whom also T. Wyrth released his interest so that in 10 H. 6. the said â— Molesley who then wrote himself of Mokkushull in this County was certified to be Lord thereof Which Thomas by his deed of feoffment bearing hate on the day of S. Nicholas 30 H. 6. granted it to Wâ—lliam Lyle and Thomas Magot in trust for the use of the town of Walshall but it so fell out that the Inhabitants being kept from the profits thereof in the beginning of H. 8. time by Iohn Lyle son of Will. Lyle the surviving feoffee who denyed any such trust pretending it to be his own inheritance came to Moxhull and drove away Mr. Lyle's Cattell of
besides all this he conferred upon the said Sir Richard and his heirs all his right in that Chappell But the next mention that I find thereof is in 20. H. 3. where Walter de Daivill owner also of Walton-Daiville answered for the 4. part of a Kts. fee in this place which said 4. part in 36. H. 3. was certifyed to be held by Rob de Dayvill of Will de Cantilupe and that the said Will held it over of the heirs of Geffrey Corbicon whereby it may seem that Peter Corbicon son to that Peter which founded the Priory of Studley at such time as he passed the advouson of that Religious house with other lands and Fees unto Will. de Cantilupe as I shall shew when I come to Stodley granted likewise this 4. part of a Kts Fee here to the said Will for I suppose that the same Geffrey here mentioned was a son to the said Peter After this viz. in the same 36. year of H. 3. had Walt D'eyvill whom I account son of the before mentioned Robert a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and other lordships of this County Howbeit in 13. E. 1. Iohn de Hastings as superior Lord of the Fee claymed a Court-Leet Weyfs and other priviledges therein Ioan his mother being one of the sisters and heirs to George de Cantilupe But when or how D'eyvill parted with his interest I have not yet seen nor any more thereof till E. 1. time that Rog de Clifford senior past what he had here which then extended to xx l. lands per ann unto Sir Vrian S. Pere Kt. in exchange for certain lands in Dreyton in Com. Suss. which Sir Vrian for I take it to be he was in 23. E. 1. found to dye seized of a certain Mannour-house with divers lands and tenements situat in this place which he held ioyntly with Margaret his wife of the before recited Iohn de Hastings by the third part of a Kts. Fee leaving Urian his son and heir then xvj years of age but the Record expresseth that the said Mannour-house and lands were purchased by him and the said Margaret of one Ralph de Bure Which last mentioned Sir Vrian for he was a Kt. had issue Iohn who in 8. E. 3. levyed a Fine of this Mannour unto Will the Son of Sir VVilliam Trussell of Cublesdon Kt. but to what uses appears not VVhich VVill. in 20 E. 3. was certifyed to hold the 4. part of a Kts Fee here of the heirs of Hastings notwithstanding all which it should seem that it came by Isabell the daughter of Sir Urian who perhaps was heir to her brother Iohn vnto Sir Walt Cokesey Kt. son and heir of Hugh Cokesey who in 30. E. 3 dyed seized of another Mannour lying in this place both which being thus vnited continued to the heirs of Cokesey for divers generations as I shall shew anon But in the mean time taking a view of such other persons as had to do here I find that in 4. E. 4. Will Cotes dyed seized of a capitall mess and certain lands leaving Iohn his son and heir xv years of age which Will was son and heir vnto Roger who stiles himself Rog fil Silverstri de Honyngham by his deed bearing date in 30. E. 1. and in 9. E. 2. Steward unto Iohn de Warren E. of Sussex and Surrey for all his Courts in these Counties And that in 20 E. 3. Iohn Cotes Will. Blundell and Rog. de Tiringham held here likewise the 4. part of a Knights fee of the Earl of Lancaster and the heirs of Hastings Which 4. part in 44 E. 3. was certified to be held of the E. of Warwick by Iohn de Cotes and Will. Corbizon de Kenilworth In 2 H. 4. it also appears that Edw. Metley held the 4. part of a Knights fee here of the Earl of Warwick And in 10 H. 6. all the principall persons that then had interest in Honyngham are exprest viz. Sir Hugh Cokesey of Worcestershire Knight Iohn Cotes of Honyngham esq Margaret Meâ—ley and Will. Warmyngton of Honyngham husbandman where it is recorded that they held the Mannour of Honyngham with certain lands and tenements there by the 4. part of a Knights fee. Of which family of Cotes I find that some wrote themselves of this place whereby it is manifest that they had their residence here VVherefore having reduced hither all that I have found of them in order of time and with as much certainty in the descent as I have any authority to warrant it withall I shall take notice of what is memorable of them Will. de Cotes obiit 4 E. 3. Ioh. de Cotes fil haeres aet 15. 4 Eâ— 4. Will. Cotes 3. R. 2. Margareta postea nupta Edw. Metley Ioh. Cotes de Honingham 12 H. 6. Iohanna 10 H. 6. Thomas Cotes ar temp E. 4. Râ—c Cotes ar obiit 15. Dec. 20. H. 7. Alicia una filiarum cohaer Ioh. Hugford de Emscote Ioh. Cotes aet 18. 20 H. 7. Anthon. Cotes ar 1. M. In 3 R. 2. Will. Cotes was a Commissioner for levying and assessing a xv then granted to the K. in Parliament And Iohn his son one of those men of note in this County who bearing antient Armes from his Ancestors had command in 7 H. 5. to attend the King in person for defence of the Râ—alm VVhich Iohn in 12 H. 6. was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held and that by Indenture certified to the then Lord Chancelour the names of all such persons in the County as were thought fit to make oath that they would perform certain Articles established in the same Parliament And lastly in 20 H. 6. Escheator for Warwick and Leicester-shires But how long this family continued possest of what they had here I am not sure therefore upon these incertainties I shall leave them resolving next to take notice of the Cokeseys who had likewise an interest in this place as I have already intimated though their principall residence was in Worcester-shire The first of which family was Hugh de Cokesey a younger son as I guess to Sir Walter Cokesey of Cokesey in Worcester-shire Kt. for so it may seem by the Testament of the said Sir Walter bearing date 24 E. 1. The same year that the said Hugh de Cokesey departed this life which was 30 E. 3. as I have already shewed Dionysia his widow one of the daughters and heirs of Will. le Botiller vowed chastity in the presence of Reginald Bryan Bishop of Worcester touching the manner and form of which vows I shall speak in Warwick when I come to historify the family of those Earls and their posterity In 39 E. 3. Walter Cokesey son and heir of the said Hugh making proof of his age had livery of his inheritance and being
a Knight in 49 E. 3. marryed Isabell the daughter and heir of Urian S. Pere Which Walter dyed 6â— H. 4. seized of the Mannour of Honyngham as tenant by the curtesy of England after the death of Isabell his wife leaving Walter his son and heir of full age whose descent I have placed in Wylie whereby may be discerned that Ioyce one of the sisters and coheirs to Sir Hugh Cokesey Knight son to the last Walter marryed to Iohn Grevill and had issue Sir Iohn Grevill Kt. that dyed seised of this Mannour 20 E. 4. leaving Thomas his son and heir 26. years of age Which Thomas assuming the name of Cokesey resided at Milcote in this County where I purpose to speak historically of him and dyed in 14 H. 7. Whereupon Rob. Russell and Rob. Winter had livery of all his lands as his cosyâ—s and heirs whose alliance to him that descent in Wyllie doth plainly shew Which Rob. Winter upon partition of that inheritance had it seemes this Mannour in Honyngham but conveyed the same to Iohn Vnderhill of Nether-Etyndon within a short space for I find that the said Iohn by his feoffment bearing date x. Iunii 5 H. 8. Wherein he recited the said grant from Rob. Winter past it into the hands of Iohn Acard gent. and others to the use of himself and Susan his wife during their lives the remainder to Thomas Vnderhill his son and Anne his wife daughter of the said Robert and the heirs of the said Thomas Which Thomas had issue Edward his son and heir who sold it to Ric. Newport gent. in 36 H. 8. From whom it descended to Iohn Neuport that dyed seized thereof 28. Apr. 8 Eliz. leaving Will. his son and heir then 6. years of age That which is now the Church being antiently but a Chapell dedicated to S. Margaret and belonging to Wapenbury was therewith appropriated to the Priory of Monks-Kirby in this County by G. Muschamp Bishop of Coventre in King Iohn's time and afterwards with Wapenbury came to the Monastery of Sulby in Northamptonshire as I have already manifested In 26 â— 8. the Glebe and Tithes thereof were valued at C s. over and above xl s. yearly allowed by way of stipend to a Priest that served the Cure who had neither Institution nor Induction Offchurch THis hath been a town of no small note in the Saxons time if we may believe Tradition for in one part of the Lordship is a place called the Berrye which signifies no less than burgus or curia and accordingly 't is said that Offa K. of Mercia in the Saxon Heptarchy had here a Palace as also that by reason of his sometime residence here the Church first and so consequently the Village had this name Whether it were so or not I will not stand to argue but that it was part of the possessions belonging to Earl Leofrike and by him given to the Priory of Coventre at the foundation thereof in 1 Edw. Conf. I am fully satisfied though it be not particularly named in that Charter of his nor in the Conquerours Survey amongst the lands belonging to that Monastery For K. H. 3. by his confirmation made to the Monks of Coventre in 51 of his reign of all the lands they then possest and that were de dono praedicto as the words are which do relate to Earl Leofrike the Founder mentioneth Ofechirch amongst the rest Having therefore thus manifested that these Monks were so antiently owners of it I will now descend to what I find afterwards observable thereof which is that in 20 H. 3. Geffrey de Wilnhale held the x part of a Kts. fee in this place of the Prior of Coventre and that in 41. H. 3. the said Prior with his Covent had Free-warren granted to them in all their demesn lands here Which Prior in 7 E. 1. was certified to hold this Lordship of the K. in Capite as a member of his Barony wherein he then had 3 carucats of lands in demesn 3 watermils 28 servants holding 14 yard land and a half at the will of the Lord performing divers servile labours as Plowing Harrowing Mowing Reapingâ— c. for the Monks As also that he had a Court-Leet Gallows Assize of bread and beer with some other priviledges After the dissolution of which Monastery the Capitall messuage here with all the demesn-lands belonging thereto were inter alia by the Ks. Letters Pat. dated 25. Apr. 34 H. 8. granted to Sir Edm. Knightley Kt. and dame Ursula his wife and to the heirs male of his body and for default of such issue to Valentine Knightley his brother the heirs male of his body but for lack of such issue to remain to the right heirs of Sir Ric. Knightley Kt. father of the said Sir Edmund c. Which Sir Edm. dying without issue male 12. Sept. the same year the said Capitall mess. and lands by vertue of the entail before mentioned came to Valentine Knightley his brother who in 4 Eliz. obtained another grant from the Crown of the said Mannour with the Mills c. being at that time a Kt. Of all which he dyed seized 8 Eliz. leaving Ric. his son and heir then of full age but did settle this Lordship as it seemes upon Edw. his younger son for the said Edw. had it and lived here and since his death Robert his son and heir who now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Gregory appropriated to the before specified Monastery of Coventre by R. Molend B. of Cov. and Lich. 5. Non. Martii An. 1260. 44 H. 3. having a yard land and a half belonging thereto was in An. 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at x marks and a half and the Vicaridge at â—x s. which Vicaridge being antiently endowed with 2. yard land and a half as also a competent house and croft had a piece of medowing called the Halemedo in recompence of the Tithes due from the Water-mill and the 3. holmes of medow-ground belonging to the said Mill and in 26 H. 8. was rated at vii li. vii s. vi d. over and above viii s. yearly allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumb temp Instit. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre Magr. Ric. de Fillingley 14. Cal. Martii 1298. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre Rog. de Lodbroke Diac. 8. Cal. Apr. 1317. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre D. Nich. de Bramham Pbr. 5. Cal. Iulii 1319. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre Thom. de Poleye Diac. 2. Cal. Apr. 1328. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre D. Hugo de Ryby Cap. Id. Apr. 1359. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre Rob. Bilney 18. Cal. Oct. 1361. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre Ric. Gibben Pbr. 11. Cal. Apr. 1367. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre Ioh. White 11. Martii 1393. Priorissa Conv. de Coventre Ioh.
the place of her birth of which Monastery she was reputed Patroness And that upon her death in 6. Ioh. the K. directed his precept to the Shiriff of Yorksh. commanding him to take order with the Abbot of Fountains and Henry de Percy her Executors that they should forthwith according to the custom of the Kingdom discharge those debts which were due to his Exchequer But by neither of these wives had he any issue so that departing this life in the Holy land 15. Nov. An. 1184. 30 H. 2. Waleran his Brother succeeded him in the Earldom and estate which Waleran in 2 R. 1. payd 51. l. 03. s. -04 d. to the K. for scutage in respect of the military service he ought to have personally performed in Wales but it seems he had not absolute possession of this Earldom till 7 R. 1. that he gave xx marks to have the tertium denarium de placitis Comitatus Of this Earl I find that in 9 R. 1. he stood charg'd to the K. in xlii l. iiii s. viii d. debt in the nature of scutage towards the payment of a Fine for the K. redemption who had been made Prisoner upon his return from the Holy land And in another debt of a C. l. for license to return into England and in a third debt of C. marks for leave to marry Alice the daughter of Rob. Harecurt and widow unto Iohn de Limesey As also that he had much adoe a great part â—f his time touching this inheritance there being one that feigned himself his elder Brother which dyed in the Holy land who put him to great vexation so that my Author is of opinion that the grant which he made to Hubert Archb. of Canterb. and Chancelour of England of the advouson of all the Prebendaries belonging to the Collegiat Church in Warwick to hold during his life was to purchase his favour in that weighty business But I do not finde that this Earle was a benefactor to any Religious-house other than the Hospitall of St. Michael in Warwick whereunto he gave all the Tith arising out of the assarts of Wedgnock as also of the paunage and Venison and to the Nuns of Pinley and Wrockshall in this County to the first whereof he gave certain Lands situate in Curdeshale within the Liberties of Claverdon and to the other a yard Land lying in Brails He had two wives Margaret the daughter to Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford and Alice the daughter of Iohn de Harecurt but widdow of Iohn de Limesi before mentioned and deparâ—ing this life in 6. Ioh. left issue divers Children of which Henry his eldest son succeeded him in the Earldom Waleran another son had the Mannours of Gretham and Cotesmore in com Runtl given to him by his father with certain Lands in Worcestersh but dâ—ed without issue Alice his daughter by Alice his last wife wedded to Will. Mauduit of Hanslape in com Buck. and had by her father 's appointment the Mannour of Waâ—ton now called Walton-Mauduit in this County for her marriage portion as is evident by K. Iohn's confirmation thereof to her bearing date 30. Nov. in the x. of his reign but at that time she was not married yet it seems she had a husband very young for it appears that she continued in the custody of her mother after she was so espoused by reason of her minority Gundred his other daughter was brought up in the Abby of Pinley before mentioned together with Isabel his Neice for whose education he gave in his life time to the Nuns of that house two Marks of silver yearly to be paid by the hands of his Steward at Claverdon and at the same time bestowed on them the redecimation of his Lordship of Walton in pure Almes for the health of his Soul and the Soul of Margerie his Countesse as also for the Souls of E. Roger his father Gundred his Mother Earle Will. his brother with all his Ancestors and Successors I finde that the same year of E. Waleran's death Alice his Countesse gave a fine of a thousand pounds and ten Palfreys that she might continue a widdow as long as she pleased so that the K. might not compell her to marry as also that she might have the custody of those Children she had by Earle Waleran and lx l. Lands per ann which he gave her freely to dispose of And likewise her reasonable dowry both of her husbands Lands Fees neverthelesse she was not to chuse a husband for her self without the K. approbation After which scil the next ensuing year she gave 3. Palfreys more to the K. that she might have a Jury of xii lawfull Knights to admeasure her dowry out of the Lands and Fees of E. Waleran her late husband but what was done therein appears not howbeit within 2. years after she came to a conclusion with Earle Henry whereupon she had the mannours of Tanworth and Claverdon in this County and of Cheddeworth in Gloucestersh with the service of two Knights Fees the one in Lodbroke and the other in Loxley assigned unto her This Earle Henry being in minority at the death of his Father was committed to the custody of Thom. Basset of Hedindon near Oxford which Thomas for a Fine that he paid to the King had a grant of his marriage 5. May 7. Ioh. to the intent he might match his daughter to him as was afterwards accordingly done though she was not his first wife and had also livery of all his Lands together with the Castle of Warwick by Hugh de Chaucumb then Sheriffe of this County to whom the K. had directed his Precept for that purpose bearing date 24. Aug. ensuing Upon Inquis taken in 12. and 13. Ioh. what number of Knights Fees the great men that held of the K. in Capite had there are fourscore and seventeen certified to belong unto this Earle in Warwicksh For which with the rest being all in number C ii and a third part he paid at the same time CC iiii marks viii s. x. d. for scutage upon the K. expedition with his Army into Wales viz. duaâ— marcas quo quolibet scuto In 15. Ioh. he came of age as I gather for by the K. special Writ bearing date 1. Iunii that year and directed to the Sheriffe of this County he had the tertium denarium de comitaetu Warewic delivered unto him as his Ancestors were used to have In 16. Ioh. he contributed xlii marks to the K. towards the support of his wars in Poictou but was by a special Writ acquitted of the Scuâ—age then exacted from him for that service And did so faithfully adhere to K. Iohnâ— when the Barons rebelliously took up Arms against him that the said K. by his Letters P. bearing date 10. Iunii
which summe of ten pounds was it seems in lieu of the tertius denarius de Placitis Comitatus whereof I have formerly spoke And before the end of this 27. year of H. 3. his reign wedded to the before specified Iohn de Plessets who was a man in such high esteem with the K. that being a great part of the year precedent attending him in France he there received a Horse from the Seneschall of Gascoign of the Kings special gift prized at xxx Marks which was no small value compared with the rate of other things about that time a quarter of Wheat being then but at ii s. price And in Sept. following had a discharge to the Barons of the Exchequer for C. li. whâ—ch was due to the K. out of the Lands belonging to her then his wife for her brother's Relief not till then satisfied as also in Nov. of CC. Marks further debt due by the said Earle her brother to the K. And the next Aug. so weâ—l wâ—s the said K. pleased with her for taking this husband gave her 3. Bucks out of the Forest of Havering in Essex at which time she had the title of Margerie Countesse of Warwick wife to Iohn de Plessets without any name of Earl then attributed to him Neither do I finde that he had that appellation very suddenly after the said Precept so directed to the Sheriffe of this County for livery of the x. li. per ann to him nomine Comitatus sicut praedictus Comes meaning Earl Thomas eas percipere consuevit as the words thereof import which Writ bore date 26. Apr. 29. H. 3. for in the Fine levied 3. septim Hill 31. H. 3. betwixt this Iohn then Plantiffe and Will. Mauduit Alice his wife deforc whereby the Mannours of Warwick Miton Wegenock Sutton Claverdon Tanworth and Brails all in this County as also Cheddeworth and Lydneie in com Glouc. all belonging to the Earldom of Warwick were settled upon the said Iohn during his life though he should have no issue by Margerie the Countesse then his wife in case he over-lived her he is barely stiled Ioh. de Plesseto But afterwards I suppose he took upon him the title of Earl by reason of a clause in that Fine whereby the before specified Will. and Alice do as much as in them lies confer the same Earldom upon him for life being loath it seems to use that attribute till he had made such an agreement with the next Heir that in case he overlived his Countesse and had no issue by her he should not lay it aside again for in Aug following which is the first mention that I finde of him after this Fine was levied the K. in the permission given him to fall certain Oaks in the Forest of Dene affords him the title of Comes Warwici which after that time upon all occasions he used But as there was extraordinary means used as by what I have shew'd appeareth about woing and winning this great Lady to marry with Iohn de Plessets so was there not wanting suspition that being such an Heir she had been strongly solicited by some and that possibly by reason of the frailty incident to her Sex she might have been wrought upon to contract her self privately unto another Wherefore to make sure work with her estate the K. got a Bond of her with a Deed to boot whereby she obâ—â—ged her self that if it could justly be prov'd that she had so contracted marriage with any other before all her Lands and possessions should be forfeited Which advantage being so obtained by the K. by his Letters P. bearing date 18. Oct. â—4 of his reign he granted to the said Iohn all those Lands to hold during his life in case that any such contract should be proved and thereupon a divorce betwixt them ensue Nay he was a man so much in that K. esteem that there is little mention of him upon any occasion but what relates to some special trust or favour for in 34. H. 3. he had the Castle of Divises in Com. Wilts with all the Mannours thereto belonging and the Forests of Melkesh and Chippeham committed to his charge out of which there being a Rent of Lxxx. l. per ann reserved to the K. he had 25. Marks yearly allowed him for the custody of that Castle In 37. H. 3. the K. released to him the Wardship of Hugh his Son and Heir as to his person in case he should die and leave him under age and shortly after did he make him a grant that if the before mentioned Margery his Countesse should dye before him without any issue of her body all the Lands and Tenements in Hogenarton Katerinton and Bradeham Kts. Fees Reliefs c. which did belong to Henry d'Oily her Uncle and by inheritance were descended to her should remain unto him the said Iohn during his natural life And the same year did he attend the K. into Gascoign But before his return out of those parts a great mishap befell him for after things were quieted that he resolved to come again for England determining to pass through Normandy in regard he was that Countrey-man by birth he obtained Letters of safe conduct from the K. of France and with divers other Noble persons set forwards on the journey howbeit lodging at a Citie called Pontes in Poictou after all free courteous entertainment outwardly used to them they were suddenly seized on by the Towns-men and cast into close prison This was in 38. H. 3. but when or how he with the rest were releast appears not Which ill usuage together with the great expences he underwent in that service of Gascoign the debt that he owed to the K. for making Prince Edw. Kt. occasioned the K. to direct his Letters P. to all the said E. Tenants wherein giving testimony that in the service of Gascoign he did laudabiliter strenuè se gerere and that being gravibus immoderatis sumptibus variis anxietatibus corporis fatigatus did earnestly intreat and desire them that they would freely contribute such reasonable Aid to him towards the payment of his debts as they might expect his royal favour when fit opportunity should be offered How long he continued Governour of the Devises-Castle by virtue of the K. former grant appears not but 't is very like that upon his going over with the K. to the wars in Gascoign some other had the charge thereof for after his return it was again committed to his custody viz. 20. Iunii 39. H. 3. By all which testimonies it appears that he was a martial active man Whereunto I shall adde that in 49. H. 3. he joyn'd with the E. of Gloucest Hereford Albamarle and other of the great Nobility in writing to Pope Alex. the 4th against Ethelmare the K. half brother then elect of Winchester beseeching his Holiness
confirming the grant This Hugh de Loges lived to be a very old man and was not compos mentis before he dyed It seemes he had conceived some displeasure against his son and heir viz. Ric. de Loges and therefore did endevour to disherit him of this Lordship and other lands selling this to the Kts. Templars which Richard was a busy actor in that rebellion of the Barons in H. 3. time being of the retinue to Ralph Lord Basset in respect whereof all his lands in this County and Staff were seized on and bestowed inter alia by the K. on Thomas Corbet of Shropshire 30. Nov. 50. H. 3. but submitting to the Decree called Dictum de Kenilw. as appears by Iames de Audley's undertaking for him therein he being at the time when Kenilworth castle was rendred with young Sim. Montfort in the Isle of Ely and finding good surâ—â—â—es viz. Will. de Mortein and Will. de la Rye for his future fidelity was received into the K. protection as his good subiect And in August following sc. 51. H 3. found so much favour that whereas his father had to the disherison of himâ— aliened this Mannour of Chesterton to the Templars the K. taking advantage of its being soe conveyed without License forasmuch as it was held of him in Capite by Sergeanty seized upon it and in consideration of Cxx. marks Fine reinvested him therein promising that he would not permit the said Hugh to do any thing tending to the disheriting him of this or any other lands so held provided that he did conveniently maintain his said father during life at that time old and weak and not in his senses as I have intimated After which in 3. E. 1. this Ric. de Loges being very much indebted obtained License from the K. that for raysing of some money he might demise his lands for a certain time but it seems that under colour of this liberty to set he absolutely sold part of them whereupon the Shiriff of this County had command to seize them into his hands for the Ks. use sc. in 5. E. 1. in which year he was with the K. and his Army in UUales what Agreement he made appears not but certain it is that he repossest them again for in 13. E. 1. being questioned by what authority he held a Court-Leet here and claimed Assize of Bread and Beere within this Lordship he pleaded Prescription and had allowance of those priviledges In 14. E. 1. being then a K t he bore for his Armes Arg. 3. piles gules with a Buck trippant Or in a canton azure as appears by his seal and dyed in 21. E. 1. leaving Ric. his son and heir then 28 years of age who doing his homage had livery of his lands but enjoy'd them not long for in 28. E. 1. he departed this life leaving one only daughter called Elizabeth his heir then 4. years of age whose marriage was granted by the K. the next ensuing year to Nich. de Warrewyk Which Nich. matcht her unto his own son Nicholas who did his fealty and had livery of her lands in 6. E. 2. which Nich. had issue Iohn de Warrewyk his son and heir who by the K. special command entailed this Lordship in 9. E. 3. for default of issue by himselfe and Margaret his wife upon Iohn de Sandersted of Rodbaston and his heirs the same Iohn having marryed his mother During the time that this Iohn de Sandersted held it he obtained a Charter of Free Warren in all his demesn lands here to enjoy during his own life and afterwards to the right heires thereof But upon his death in 27. E. 3. Iohn the son of Will. de Peito became possest thereof by marrâ—age with Alianore daughter and heir to Iohn the son of the before specifyed Nich. de Warwick from which time the Familie of Peto have had their principall seat here Being therefore now to proceed with what I have found historically relating thereto to the end the more light may be given as well to what I have already spoke touching the successive Possessors of this place as to what I shall say of the rest I have here inserted this ensuing Pedegree And because this family of Peto hath been so eminent in former times as by what followes will appear I shall ascend somewhat higher in my discourse thereof than the time that I find them first possest of Chesterton especially considering that they had lands in this County before The first mention I meet with of this name and Family in Warwickshire is in 6. E. 1. Where Ric. de Peito is recorded to have been possest of certain lands in Draiton juxta Stratford super Avon which I suppose were those that he had from Roese Trussell and which she purchased of Walt. de Lodington for Walt. the son of Will de Lodington commenced suit against him and against the other Walter for divers lands here about that time This Ric. being a man of the superiour ranck amongst the gentry of his time was one of the Coroners in this County and dyed in that office 28. E. 1. as appears by the Writ for causing another to be chosen in his stead in which he is called Ric. de Pictavia To him succeeded Iohn a person learned in the Lawes who by his eminencie in that profession as t is most probable was the first advancer of this Family to those fair possessions which qualifyed his descendants the better for such great and noteable employments as thy afterwards had in the world In 15. E. 2. and so every year after during that Ks. time he was constituted one of the Justices for Gaol-delivery in this County so also in the first and second years of K.E. 3. Ric. Chineu cui Rex Will Conq. dedit tres partes de Chesterton Margeria filia haeres Walt. Croc 5. Steph. Will. Croc suspensus Rachinilda Margeria Rob. de Broc Maresc Angl. Margeria filia haeres Hugo de Loges 7. R. 1. 1. H. 3. Hugo de Loges 19. 54. H. 3. Ric. de Pictavia 6. E. 1. 28. E. 1. Joh. de Peito dictus senior 15. E. 2.4 E. 3 Johanna filia Will. Moryn Ioh. de Peto jun. obiit 47. E. 3. s. p. Will. de Peto 19 E. 2. Margareta filia haeres Rob. de Langley Will. de Peto 18 E. 3. Isab. filia Hen. de Bromwich Thomas de Peto 35. E. 3. Ioh. de Peto miles obiit 19. R. 2. Elianora filia haeres Will. de Peto obiit 8. H. 4. Iohanna filia Ioh. de Thornbury mil. obiit 6. H. 5. Rob. Corbet Mil. secundus maritus Will. de Peto miles obiit 4. E. 4. Cath. filia Ioh. Gresly mil. 8. H. 6. Ioh. de Peto obiit 3 H 7. Elianora filia Rob. Mantfeld 32 H 6. Edw. Peto
Ieykyn Cap. 21. Iunii 1425. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. Radchiff Pbr. 10 Dec. 1440 D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Thomas Browell Pbr. 4. Ian. 1444. Prebend de Tachbrok in Eccl. Cath. Lich. Ric. Waterton Pbr. 10 Iunii 1453. D. Episc Cov. Lich. Thomas Compton Cap. 4. Feb. 1457. D. Episc Cov. Lich. Ric. Walker Pbr. 29. Oct. 1493. Thomas Fysher ar Ioh. Antrobus 11. Iunii 1575. Timoth. Wagstaff ar Nath. VVilliams Cler. 14. Feb. 1623. Eliz. Wagstaff vidua Ric. Harvye Cler. in art Magr. 26 Iulii 1626. Tachebrooke-Malory THough this be in the Hundred of Knightlow yet because it is contained within the parish of Bishops Tachebrook I have reserved it to be here spoken of It is called Tachebrook-Malory for distinction from the other in regard the Maloryes were antiently Lords thereof as I shall shew anon and in the Conq. time was certifyed to contain viii hides except one Virgate all which were then possest by the Earl of Mellent and valued at xl s. but in Edw. the Conf. days one Baldwin was owner thereof By the said E. of Mellent â— or Robert E. of Leic. his son was Raph Boteler of Oversley first enfeoft of it as it should seem who granted it to Geffrey de Clinton Founder of the Castle and Priory at Kenilworth in H. 1. time or to Geffrey his son for by â—is gift of certain lands lying within this Lordship to the Templars it appears that he was possest thereof But in the family of Clinton it continued not long for Henry de Clinton son to the last Geffrey gave the whole Village with the Mill and services of the Freeholders to the Canons of Kenilworth in which grant it is written Tachelesbroc though in the Conq. Survey Tacesbroc It seems that before the said grant from Boteler to Clinton was made Malory had some estate in this Lordship past to him by Boteler so that in the beginning of K. Iohns time there growing dispute betwixt them touching their titles they came at length to an Agreement whereupon all was setled by a Fine in 3. Ioh. in manner and form following by the consent of Raph Boteler heir to the beforementioned Raph and superior Lord of the Fee viz. that the Canons of Kenilworth should quietly enioy the one half of this Lordship sc. that which lyes North together with the antient Mannour-house and the Mill holding it of the same Henry de Clinton and his heirs by the service of half a Kts. fee the said Henry and his heirs holding it over by the like service of the before specifyed Raph and his heirs And that all the rest of this Village should remain to Henry Malory and his heirs to be held of the same Raph and his heirs by the service of half a Kts. fee at which time divers of the Tenants here held in Villenage and being then present and privy to this Agreement acknowledged themselves to be Villains This Henry was the son of Askitell Malore who forfeited all his lands in H. 2. time for taking part with young K. Henry in that rebellion against his father but by a Fine of lx marks which he the said Henry payd to the K. in 1. Ioh. he had restitution of them again To the Monks of Combe and Canons of Kenilworth he gave certain lands in Herberbury and to the Nunns of Polesworth 3 yard land in Osbaston in com Leic. But the succession of these Maloryes for the time that they continued Lords of this place can I not exactly point out certain it is that the seat where they most resided was Walton on the Woulds in Leicestersh though they were likewise owners of Botley in this County in all which places sc. Walton Tachebroke and Botley had Iohn Malory a Charter of Free-warren granted to him and his heirs dated 17. Nov. 9. E. 3. which Iohn in 10. E. 3. had license to amortize one mess. with the appurtenances lying within this Lordship for maintenance of a Preist to sing Masse daylie in the Chapel of St Iames situate here in Tachebroke for the health of his soul and the soules of Margery his wife with all the faithfull deceased As for the two half Kts. fees which Boteler thus had here as abovesaid they were by him and his heirs held over of the Earls of Leicester descendants from the E. of Mellent before specifyed to whose Court Leet held for the Honour of Leicester the Inhabitants of this place in token of the Royalty belonging to those Earls did antiently use to appeare This Lordship continued in the family of Mallore till towards the later end of H. 6. time if not longer Whether any of them sold it to Benedict Medley Clerk of the Signet to K. H. 7. as in UUhitnash I have shewed or from whom it was that the said Benedict purchased it I am not sure but apparent it is that he dyed seized of it in 19. H. 7. leaving Will. his son and heir 23. years of age who with Raph Maxfeild then Prior of Kenilworth depopulated 8. mess. here and converted CCCX acres of land into pasture which kept six Plows so that now there is not above 4 Houses left in all the Village After the dissolution of the Monasteries that whâ—ch the Canons of Kenilworth had here was by Q. Eliz. in 4. of her reign granted to Barth Brokesby and Edw. Downing who sâ—ld the same to George Medley esq heir to the before specifyed Benedict to whom succeeded Henry Medley esq who dyed seized of the whole in 21. Eliz. leaving Henry his son aâ—d heir 14. years of age Naspes WIthin the parish of Bps-Tachebrook lyeth a place called Naspes which hath not now above 4. houses in it but antiently it was more populous The first mention I find of it is in 7. R. 1. where Ric. des Aspâ—s payd one mark to the K. for seâ—sâ—n of his lands here and in 9. E. 2. it was certifyed to be a Hamlet belonging unto Tachebrook before specifyed Barford BElow Tachebrook about 2 miles this petty rivulet falls into Avon on whose Southern bank a little below stands Barford where is now a fair stone Bridg of many Arches In the Conq. time Will. fil Corbucion of whom I shall speak in Stodley held one hide here of the K. valued at L s. but in Edw. the Conf. days at xx s. being then possest by Saulf The residue of this town at the same time held by one Hugh of Osbernus fil Ricardi was then certified to contain 4 hides and valued at xl s. having a Mill rated at ii s. in both which places it is written Bereforde I am of opinion that from the said Hugh descended that family who assumed their sirname of this place and the rather for that I find one of them in 23. and 24. H. 2. bearing the same Christen name but
other lands in this County upon VVilliam Buenvasleth a Norman and at the time of the generall Survey certified to contain five hides besides the Inclosure there being at that time a Grove containing two furlongs in length and xx perches in bredth all which were rated at vii li. But the direct time or manner how it came first to the family of Mundevile I have not yet discovered yet do believe it was very early that is to say in H. 1. time for in H. 2. days did Nigel de Mundevile confirm to the Canons of S. Sepulchers in Warwick a yard land lying in this Lordship which his father bequeathed to them with his body to be buried in that Monastery whose name as I take it was Ranulph de Munnevile for such a one lived in this County in H. 1. time and was a witness to that Charter of Earl Roger 23 H. 1. whereby he founded the Collegiate Church at Warwick as also to his grant of Salford to the Canons of Kenilworth about the same time And by what afterwards appears 't is most certain that Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line had these lands of VVilliam Buenvasleth by Agreement or otherwise and thereof enfeof't Mundevile together with Berkswell to hold by the service of one Knights fee for of a Knights fee was he enfeof't in H. 1. time and by the service of one Knights fee was Richard de Mundevile certified to hold this Lordship and Berkswell of the Earl of Warwick in 20 H. 3. in both which he had Free-warren granted to him as also in Thorp-Mundevile in Com. Northampt. by the Kings Charter dated at Clarendon 19 Nov. 37 H. 3. As for the name I find it variously written in antient Records viz. Leitethorne Littethirn Lichthirn Lythtehirne and in Domesday-book Listecorne where doubtless some Letters are mistaken for I am confident that the last syllable should be hirne which in our old English signifies a corner and by what I guess at the former syllable viz. Lich which is the same with Cadaver I suppose that it had originally its name from some sepulture of dead bodies there Of these Mundeviles I shall say more in Berkswell because that was their seat the beforespecified Richard being the last of them that had to do in this County for in 6 E. 1. he past away his interest in the reversion of these Mannours to VVill. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick reserving onely an estate for life to himself and Maud his wife and the longer liver of them in consideration whereof the said Earl granted to them his Mannour of Brayles to enjoy during that terme In 7. E. 1. it appears that the said Richard and his wife so held it for life and that there was then a certain Park here containing four acres and five carucats of land held by the Lord in demesn as also xxi Tenants holding ten yard land and a fourth part performing sundry servile works and ...... Freeholders holding two yard land and a half under certain Rents and doing suit to his three weeks Court And likewise that what the Canons of S. Sepulchers in Warwick had here was then held by Freeholders paying severall Rents After which viz. in 13 E. 1. the beforespecified Richard de Mundevill challenged a Court-Leet here with Assize of Bread and Beer by Prescription but it being found that the King was in possession of those liberties he was amerc't for that claim Which Richard and his wife were dead before the 29 E. 1. as it seems for by the Inquis taken after the death of Maud de Beauchamp widow to VVilliam de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick I find that she dyed seized of this Mannour Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick her son and heir being then of full age Upon the death of which Guy scil 9 E. 2. it was inter alia assigned to Alice his Countess in dower and after the attainder of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in 22 R. 2. given by the King to Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey But the deposition of King R. 2. shortly after ensuing annihilated that grant so that in 2 H. 4. the said Earl dying seized thereof it was assigned to Margaret his Countess as part of her dower and continued to the successive Earls till it came to the Crown with the rest of their lands as in Warwick I have shewed After which I find that King H. 8. made a Lease of it in 21. of his reign for xxi years to Roger Wigston Esquier and in 36. by his Letters Patent dated 9. Apr. in consideration of 536 li. 18 s. 11 d. sold it to Sir Thomas Pope Knight and his heirs together with the advouson of the Church and the next year following granted to him the said Thomas and his heirs all the lands lying within this town and formerly belonging to the Priory of S. Sepulchers at Warwick which are at this day possest by his descendant viz. Sir Thomas Pope of Wroxston in Oxfordshire a younger son to the late Earl of Downe In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church dedicated to S. Laurence was valued at xxvi marks and in 26 H. 8. at xv li. vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Guido de Bellocampo Comes Warw. Magr. Henr. de Hampton Pbr. 15. Cal. Iulii 1307. D. Rex ratione custodiae terrae haered Guidonis Com. Warw. Ioh. de Asheberghe Cler. 10. Cal. Maii 1327. Thomas de Bellocampo Co. Warw. D. Will. de Chilmersh Diac. 4. Iulii 1331. Thomas de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Ioh. de Blockley Pbr. 7. Aug. 1349. Thomas de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Rob. Childe Cap. 1. Dec. 1382. Henr. Rex Angliae ratione minoris aetat Ric. filii haered Thomae Com. Warw. VVill. Kydermyster 18. Iulii 1402. Ric. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Thomas Taylard Cap. 19. Iulii 1431. Attornati Ricardi Comitis Warw. D. Ioh. Nowell Cap. 13. Martii 1437. D. Henr. 6. Rex Angl. Thomas Canke Cap. 23. Iunii 1460. Henr. 7. Rex Angliae VVill. Benet Cler. 19. Aug. 1494. Henr. 7. Rex Angliae D. Alanus Hynske 6. Aug. 1501. Leonardus VVorsley gen ratione advoc sibi concess per D. Regem D. VVill. Benet Pbr. 21. Apr. 1541. Thomas Pope miles D. Ioh. Vernam Pbr. 20. Apr. 1548. Will. Pope de Wroxton in Com. Oxon. ar Rad. Lees Cler. 24. Ian. 1602. In a South window of the Chancell these Armes Chequy Or and Azure a Cheveron ermine old Earls of Warwick Gules a fesse betwixt 6. Crosse Croslets Or. Beauchamp E. of Warw. Of these Incumbents Iohn de Blockley in 37 E. 3. intended the foundation of a Chantry here and to have endowed it with lands of good value as may seem by the return of a Writt of Ad quod dampnum to that purpose but I do not discern
the said Charter for which respect he had a day assigned him to make good his claim In 14 E. 1. he was constituted one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 15 E. 1. one of the 4. Knights to take care that the Articles for conservation of the Peace according to the Statute of Winchester should be observed in this County And the same year as also in 17 E. 1. again one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick He was a Benefactor to the Canons of Thelisford as I have already there shewed and dyed in 31 E. 1. leaving issue by Petronill his wife William Lucy his son and heir then 26. years of age who had livery of his lands the same year which Will. was a Kt. in 2 E. 2. if not sooner and bore for his Arms Gules semé of Crosslets with three Lucies hauriant d'Argent as by his Seal appears Whose publique imployments were as followeth viz. Knight for this Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster in 6 E. 2. In that at Yorke 15 E. 1. Again at Westminster 17 E. 2. In that of Northampton 2 E. 3. and of Westminster in 10 E. 3. For the Gaol-delivery at Warwick he was in Commission in 10â— 16 17â— and 19 E. 2. For conservation of the Peace according to the statute of Winchester in 13 E. 2. In 15 E. 2. for choosing Foot-Souldiers and conducting them to New-Castle upon Tine to march against the Scots so also in 16. at which time the number so conducted were in this County full CCC In 18 E. 2. for ordering of those Knights Esquiers and other Souldiers which were to serve on Horseback with the K. in his Warrs of Gascoin And in 19 E. 2. for conservation of the Peace according to the Statute of Winchester To the Canons of Thelisford he was also a Benefactor as other of his Ancestors had been And by Elizabeth his wife left issue William his son and heir who in 15 E. 2. was in that Welch expedition for the Kings service and in 18 E. 3. a Knight being then in Commission with others to enquire within this County and to certify the names of all persons who had Lands and Rents to the value of an C s. and upwards to a thousand pounds per annum deducting the services and necessary reprises In 19 E. 3. he received Summons with many other persons of quality to prepare himself with Horse and Armes by the Feast of S t Laurence for to wait upon the K. in his French expedition This was the time when that notable battail of Cressy whereof our Historians make relation was fought he being of the retinue of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick but exempted from attendance at that time being then joyn'd in Commission with the Shiriff and some others to array Clx. Archers in this County for the Kings service but after the 22 E. 3. I find no mention of him By Elizabeth his wife he left issue Thomas Lucy who had two wives viz. Elizabeth and Philippâ— which Philippa in 28 E. 3. joyned with him in a grant of certain errable land lying here in Cherlecote to the Canons of Thelesford â— to the intent that they should celebrate Divine Service and pray devoutly there for the soul of William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon as also for the souls of them the said Thomas and Philippa This Thomas had issue William Lucy who being a Knight in 5 R. 2. was the same year retained by Indenture with Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster King of Castile c. to serve him with one Esquier for terme of his life aswell in times of Warr as Peace for which service to have xx li. per an besides his dyet and in 1 H. 4. was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster To him succeeded Thomas his son and heir retained also with the said D. of Lanc. for terme of life to serve him aswell in times of Peace as Warr for which he was to have x. marks per an wages This Thomas being a Kt. in 7 H. 4. served the same year for this County in the Parl. then held In 8 H. 4. he was constituted Shiriff of this and Leicestershire and having been of the retinue to Richard de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for which he had xx li. per annum Fee wedded Alice the onely daughter of Sir William Hugford but by the death without issue of Margerie daughter to William son and heir to the said William at length his heir by whom he had a fair inheritance of lands lying in the Counties of Bedford and Salop. and departed this life 28. Iulii 3 H. 5. leaving William his son and heir 13. years of age the said Alice taking to husband Richard Archer of Tanworth Esquier within 8. weeks after his said decease This William was during his minority in Ward to Iohn Boteler of Werington in Com. Lanc. Esquier and in 2 H. 6. upon the death of Eliz. the widow of Sir Iohn Clinton Knight found Cosen and heir to her viz. son of Alice Hugford daughter of Margerie son of Iames Pabenham son of Ioan sister of William father of William father to the said Elizabeth In 12 H. 6. I find him listed in the Catalogue of those men of note in this Shire that made oath for performance of such particular things as were determined of in the Parliament held at Westminster that year In 14 H. 6. he was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicester-shire so also in 28 H. 6. and the same year jâ—in'd in Commission with the Lord Grey of Groby and others for treating with the people about a loan to the King â—o likewise in 31 H. 6. with Humfrey Duke of Buck. and others for that purpose It seemes that he adhered to the Hâ—use 〈◊〉 Yorke in those turbulent times when so much bâ—oâ—d was spilt in that quarrell with the Lancastrians for in 38 H. 6. he had a Protect on 〈◊〉 himself and all his goods from the Earls of March and Warwick which bears date 18. Iulii and departed this life in 6 E. 4. leaving by Elianore his wife daughter to Reginalâ— Lâ—rd Grey of Ruthin William his son and heir 26. years of agâ—â— whom 7 E 4. doing fealty for the Mannour of Haversham â—n â—om Buck. held of the K. as of his Honour â—f Peverell as also for the Mannour of Shrewley in thâ—s Câ—unâ—y held also of the King as â—f â—â—s Dutchy of Lancaster had his homage respited This William was one of the Commissioners for conservation of the Peace in this County in 11 12 13 and 14 E. 4. in which fourteenth year he had for some
Knightlow-Hundred whereunto I shall adde that 't is probable it might proceed from the Saxon word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth the same with Collis the situation thereof upon a little hill savâ—uring this my conceipt But I now come to what I find memorable in relation to this place In 51 H. 3. Barthol de Suthleg being then Lord thereof had a Charter granted to him and his heirs for a Mercate to be kept every Friday weekly here and a Fair annually for three days viz. the Eve of S t Iames the Apostle and two days after And in 7 E. 1. Iohn de Suthley was certiâ—iâ—d to be Lord hereof where it is written Magna Dercet but said to be a member of Suthley as also to be held by him of the King in Câ—pâ—â—e with his Barony by the service of two Knights fees And that he had at that time here Liii servants holding xix yard land and a half paying severall Rents and performing divers servile labours with xxiv Freeholders holding 24. yard land and a half And moreover it there appears that the Chief Chanter of the Church of Lichfield held here at that time a fourth part of one yard land and the Canons of Erdbury two yard land one whereof the Church was endowed with As also that the Templars of Balshall then had xi Tenants here who held four yard land paying severall Rents and performing severall servile labours The Liberties and Priviledges which the said Iohn de Suthley then had in this Lordship were the Mercate and Faire whereof I have already toucht Free-warren Court-Leet Gallows Cuckstool and Pillory with Assize of Bread and Beer All which together with weyfs as also to be quit of Murther and suit to the Hundred and County Court he claimed partly by Prescription and partly by Charter but it being then found that for Murther he used to partake with the Hundred he was amerc't for that undue claim the rest of his Challenge being fully allowed Which Iohn de Sudley became a speciall Benefactor to the Monastery of Erdbury of his Ancestors foundation by the grant of lands and other advantages thereunto out of this place as I shall punctually shew when I come to speak of that Religious House I often find in Record that this town is called Cheping-Derset the reason whereof is because of the Mercate for Cheping with our Ancestors did signify the same that buying and selling doth with us whence it is that Cheping-Norton in Oxford-shire Chepinham in Wilt-shire and Chepstow in Monmouth-shire had their names But the last of the Sudleâ—'s that had to doe here was Sir Iâ—hn de Sudley Knight who dying without issue in 41 E. 3. left Thomas Boteler son of Ioan his eldest sister then dead and Margerie his younger sister his heirs whereby as also by the death of the said Margerie afterwards without issue the said Thomas became possest of this and all the rest of Sudley's lands which Thomas being afterwards a Knight dyed seized of this Mannour jointly with Alice his wife daughter to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Powyk 21. Sept. 22 R. 2. then leaving Iohn his son and heir xiv years of age who in 8 H. 4. confirmed the estate for life therein which had been granted by certain Feoffees unto the said Alice she being at that time marryed to Sir Iohn Dalyngrugge Knight This Iohn and William his brother were sons to Sir Thomas Boteler by his first wife but both dyed without issue as it seems for upon the death of the abovespecified Alice in 21 H. 6. Sir Raph Boteler Knight was then found to be heir unto her and begotten by the said Sir Thomas being then xl years of age which Sir Raph became a man of great note in H. 6. time as it seems for I find that being Knight for the Body to the King â—e was made his Standard-bearer 28. Martii 17 H. 6. And by Letters Patent dated at Westminster x. Sept. 20 H. 6. created Lord Sudley with the grant of CC. marks per annum to himself and his heirs for the better maintenance of that dignity He was also constituted Lord Treasurer of England 7. Iulii 22 H. 6. which office he held about three years but in 13 E. 4. he departed this life leaving Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and William Belknap his heirs which Sir Iohn Norbury was son of Sir Henry Norbury Knight by Elizabeth and Will. Belknap son of Hamond Belknap by Ioan sisters to the said Raph for he left no issue male Sir Thomas Butler his only son dying in his life time which Sir Iohn Norbury and William Belknap in 16 E. 4. had livery of all the lands descended to them by the death of the abovespecified Sir Raph Boteler The partition whereof was made betwixt the said Sir Iohn and Edward Belknap Esquier son of Henry brother and heir to William Belknap aforesaid in 13 H. 7. whereby this Mannour inter alia became assigned to Belknap for in 2 R. 3. William dyed without issue leaving Henry Belknap his brother and heir 50. years of age which Henry by his Testament dated 25. Iunii anno 1488. 3 H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chapell of our Lady at Bekle in Sussex It seemes he lived there for by the same Testament he gave to the high Altar in that Church xx d. in lieu of his Tithes forgotten and not payd and departed this life 10 Iulii following leaving the said Sir Edward his son and heir xvii years of age who became a man of much publique action for in 2 H. 7. he was one of the Commanders in the Kings Army at the Battail of Stoke In 6. a Commissioner of Array in this County In 12. a Commander in the Battail of Blackheath in Kent against the Western Rebells In 17. he had the custody of Warwick-Castle committed to his charge being at that time Squier of the Body to the King And from 8 H. 7. for the most part during all that Kings raign was in Commission for the Peace in this County as appears upon the severall renewings thereof and sometimes for Gaol delivery In consideration of whose acceptable services the said King by a speciall Patent dated 14. Apr. 24. of his raign granted him immunity from being troubled or questioned for that Inclosure and depopulation which he had made in this Lordship contrary to the Statute in the third of his raign He was also Squier of the Body to King H. 8. being in the first of his raign again constituted Constable of Warwick-Castle for he resided at Weston subtus Wethele in this County as it seems by what I have there manifested And in 8. a Knight The Depopulation and Inclosure that he made within this Lordship scil in 14 H. 7. was of xii mess. and CCClx. acres
grounds there inclosed at that time but to include and lay to the same 2000 acres more of land and wood lying in Compton superior and Compton inferior alias Compton Uyneyatys for the use of himself and his heirs for ever He marryed Wâ—rburge the Daughter and heir of Sir Ioh. Brereton Kt. widow of Sir Francis Cheyney Kt. And by his Testament bearing date 8 Martii an 1522. 14 H. 8. bequeathed his body to be buried here at Compton with his Ancestors and appointed that his said Lady should likewise be there interred as also a Tomb of Alabaster made by the discretion of his Executors for his Father and set over his grave with his Arms cut thereupon and the body of his Mother taken up where she was buried to be brought hither and layd by his said Father By which Testament he likewise bequeathed to the King from whom he acknowledged that he had received all his preferment a little Châ—st of Ivory whereof the lock was gilt with a Chess bord under the same and a pair of Tables upon it and all such Jewels and treasure as was inclosed therein most humbly desiring his highness to accâ—â—t thereof as a remembrance of him He also bequeathd to the said King certain Specialties to the summâ— of a thousand marks beâ—ng for money lent to Sir Thomas Bullein Kt. to the intent that the K. would be so gratious to his Lady and Children as to permit his said Will to be performed as he there expresseth And mâ—â—â—â—ver appâ—â—nted that his Executors 〈…〉 in his name two Chanteries here at Compton and every Preist of the said Chanteries to have yâ—arly for his salary x marks they being to do dayly service in praying for the souls of the King Queen anâ— the Lady Anne Hastings as also for the souls of himâ—elf his wife his ancestors and all Christen souls which Priests and every of them to be presented to the Ordinary of the Dioces and he to make Institution and Induction accordingly And if â—he said Priests or any of them should dye 〈◊〉 theâ— the Abbot of Winchcomb and his successors to present covenable Câ—erks within two months after the vacancy And in case he or his successors should fail that then the Abbot of Evesham to do the same in such a forme as is above rehearsed After which about vi years he dyed of the sweating sicknesse viz. in 20. H. 8. being at that time of the Bedchamber to the King who was also in great danger Touching the Probate of his Will so potent a man was Cardinal Woolsey in those dayes that S r Henry Guilford one of his Executors professed openly that he could not obtain it till he had payd a thousand Marks To which S r Will. Compton succeeded Peter his son and heir then in minority whose wardship was committed to the said Cardinal This Peter marrying Anne the daughter to George Earl of Shrewsbury dyed before he accomplisht his full age sc. 30. Ian. 35. H. 8. leaving issue Henry of the age of xlix weeks and 5. dayes Which Henry being Knighted in 8. Eliz. was summoned to Parl. amongst the Barons 8. Maii 14 Eliz. and dyed in 31. Eliz. leaving issue by Frances his first wife daughter to Francis Earl of Huntingdon Will. his son and heir created Earl of Northampton 2. Aug. 16. Iac. Who being also President of the K. Councell in the Marches of Wales one of the Knights of the most honourable Order of the Garter and Lievtenant to the King in this County of Warwick wedded Eliz. the daughter and heir to S r Iohn Spenser K t Alderman of London and dyed an 1630 7. Car. leaving issue Spenser Earl of Northampton his son and heir whose marriage and issue the Pedegree before inserted sheweth The Church dedicated to S. ..... had antiently two yard land belonging thereto and in an 1291. 19. E. 1. was valued at viii Marks but in 26. H. 8. at x li. As for the fabrick thereof it is now totally reduced to rubbish having been demolisht in an 1646 when Compton house was garrison'd by the Parliament forces the Monuments therein of the before specifyed S r Will. Compton and his Lady with that of Henry Lord Compton his grandson which were very beautifull and stately being then utterly razed and knockt in peices so that in stead of them whereof I was not so happy as to take notice whilst they stood I shall here to the memory of that worthy person who was the first rayser of this House to that lustre it hath since had I mean the before specifyed S r Will. Compton and honour of the Family insert the portraitures of him his Lady and Children as they still remain having been set up in his time in the Chapell of of Balioll Colledge in Oxford Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Robertus dominus de Compton Thomas de CoÌ„pton-Winzate Diac. 2. Kal. Martii 1304. Robertus dominus de Compton Rog. Herbelot Accol 23. Oct. 1330. Thomas de Compton Thomas de Clipston Cler. 20. Dec. 1343. Thomas de Compton Rob. le Ferour 19. Feb. 1347. Nobilis vir Radulfus Baro de Staff Adam de Kyngesthorp Cler. 29. Sept. 1349. Rad. Comes Staffordiae Will. de Pirton Pbr. ult Apr. 1359. Will. de Peyto ex concess Rad. Comitis Staff Will. Mannyng Pbr. 11. Sept. 1369. Will. de Peyto ex concess Rad. Comitis Staff Adam Skil Pbr. 5. Dec. 1370. D. Ioh. de Pâ—ito miles D. Ioh. Sulgrave 27. Iulii 1390. Edmundus de Compton dominus de Compton-Winzate Ioh Etyngdon Pbr. 7. Oct. 1395. Edmundus de Compton dominus de Compton-Winzate AdaÌ„ Merston Pbr. .... 1406 Agneta de Compton relicta Edm. de Compton Ioh. de Compton Cler. 1 Feb. 1411. Will. Compton armiger Ioh. Norton in leg Baâ—c 22 Apr. 1413. Will. Compton armiger Magr. Rob. Ryssenden 7. Martii 1414. Will. Compton armiger Ioh. Banning 26. Nov. 1415. Will. Compton armiger Will. Boveton Cap. 28. Oct. 1416. Venerab vir Rob. Compton dominus de Compton Wynzate D. Rob. Rendur Cap. 1. Maii. 1452. Venerab vir Rob. Compton dominus de Compton Wynzate Magr. Ioh. Paylady Cap. 17 Nov. 1460. Venerab vir Rob. Compton dominus de Compton Wynzate D. Ioh. Newith Cap. 8. Ap. 1462. Idem Rob. Magr. Ric. Dobbes 25 Feb. 1463. Idem Rob. D. Thomas Moleners Cap. 2 Apr. 1465. Idem Rob. D. Ioh. Smalebroke 25 Oct. 1468. Discretus vir Edmundus Compton D. Rob. Smyth Cap. 7 Febr. 1489. Rob. Throgmorton ar alii feoffati terr Will. Compton domini de CoÌ„pton defuncti D. Ioh. Hawksford 17 Apr. 1498. Will. Compton ar D. Ioh. Oliver alias Smyth 26 Apr. 1504. Will. dominus Compton Râ—b Hale Cler. 21 Iulii 1607. Brailes I come next to Brailes within which parish are the Hamlets of Chelmescote and Winderton This Lordship is of
Kintone for the service of the fourth part of a Knights fee. Which Raph being dead in 16 H. 3. Alice his widow had an assignment of this land for her maintenance but the next possessor thereof was Henry de Trublevill and after him though how I cannot discover Thomas de Wapenbury of whom in Wapenbury I have spoke scil in 20 H. 3. Which Thomas granted it to Iohn Mile who had issue Richard and he Henry Mile whose daughter and heir called Margaret was wedded to Will de Welham and over-lived him being a widow in 30 E. 3. To this Margaret succeeded Sir Iohn Brauncestre Knight as owner of this Mannour but whether by purchase or otherwise I cannot directly affirm which Iohn demised all or the greatest part thereof to one Robert Dalby and Iohn Dalby his son in 51 E. 3. and afterwards sold it to Hugh Dalby whom I conceive to be son to the said Iohn This Hugh Dalby was Fermour unto Thomas de Moubray Duke of Norff. of his Mannour of Kineton in R. 2. time and a person in much trust and imployment by the descendants of that Duke as I shall shew anon In 19 R. 2. he bore the office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 20 R. 2. Thomas Moubray Earl of Nottingham and Marshall of England by his Deed bearing date 10. Feb. in consideration of his good service granted to him an annuity of x li. per an during life issuing out of his Mannour of Chacombe in Northamptonshire having in Octob. before being then Governour of Calais in Picardy constituted him with Iohn Styvecle his Atturneys to prosecute all suits for him and answer whatsoever should happen in his absence In 22 R. 2. he was constituted one of the Justices of Peace in this County and in 17 H. 6. departed this life leaving Iohn Dalby his son and heir 32. years of age who dying without issue Ric. Dalby his brother became his heir Which Richard was made Feodary to Iohn Duke of Norff. in 32 H. 6. for all his lands lying in the Counties of Leic. Warwick Notingham Derby and elsewhere within the Realm of England the Counties of Norff. Suff. Sussex and Surrey excepted for the levying collecting and receiving of all Reliefs and profits whatsoever accruing by such Knights fees as belong'd to the said Duke As also his Receiver generall to collect all the Fees and commodities appertaining to him by reason of his Office of Earl Marshall of England through every Barony and part of a Barony according to the Statute therein made and provided for which pains and travail therein he was to have the one half of all the said profits over and above his reasonable costs expended in that service This Richard in 38 H. 6. went over with Nich. Husce esquier into Picardy for the custody of the Castle of Guynes in respect whereof he had the Kings Letters of protection but upon his recesse to this his house at Brokhampton where he made his abode the said protection was revok't and died in 6 E. 4. leaving Robert his son and heir from whom is lineally descended Richard Dalby gent. now Lord of this Mannour Cumbroke THis lying neer unto a narrow and deep valley through which the little brook before specified runs had thence its name the word Cumbe signifying in our old English such a hollow place as I have elsewhere shewed But there is very little that I find memorable in relation thereto other than the dedication of the Church and Church-yard by Simon Bishop of Worcester in H. 1. time to the honour of God the blessed Virgin and St. Margaret saving the right of the mother Church of Kineton For I cannot see that it was a distinct Mannour of it self but that the Mannours of Kineton and Brokhampton did extend into it as from sundry authorities may be observed and therefore I shall passe it by onely taking notice that the Chapell in 26 H. 8. for so it was then called had the small Tithes and oblations of this Hamlet belonging to it which were valued at Cvi s. viii d. per annum Compton-Murdak THis taking its name as all other Comptons do from the situation in or neer some deep valley hath had the addition of Murdak to distinguish it from the many other Comptons in this County in regard that the family of Murdak were antiently owners thereof In the Conquerors time it was possest by the Earl of Mellent and rated at vii hides which were valued at vi li. there being then a Church but in the generall Survey then taken it is written Contone From this Earl of Mellent it came to his brother Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick with other great possessions in this County as I have elswhere often intimated whose son and successor Earl Roger granted it together with the advouson of the Church unto Robert Murdac and his heirs towards the later end of H. 1. time to hold by the service of one Knights fee Will. Earl of Warwick confirming the same unto Roger son to the said Robert In 38 H. 3. Will. Murdac had a Charter of Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands in this place and in Hethcote in Northamptonshire which Will. in 7 E. 1. had two carucates of of land in demesn here xv Tenants holding severall proportions by sundry servile labours and certain Rents as also 3. Freeholders and xvi Cottiers Being a Knight in 13 E. 1. he had his tryall at Warwick before the Justices of Gaol delivery concerning the death of one Raph le Bedel for which he was questioned and departed this life in 26 E. 1. leaving Iohn his son and heir Rob. Murdac 11 H. 2. Rog. Murdac 26 H. 2. Thom. Murdac defunctus 36 H. 3. Will. Murdac obiit 26 E. 1. Nich. Murdac Rector Eccl. de Hethcote Ioh. Murdac fil haeres obiit fine prole Tho. Murdac miles obiit 9 E. 2. Iuliana filia Philippi de Gayton militis Ioh. Murdac miles 16 E. 2. Thomas Murdac miles 44 E. 3. Thomas Murdac obiit fine prole Arnoldus Murdac frater haeres 6 H. 4. Thomas Murdac 17 E. 2. 26. years of age of whom I meet with no more mention the next possessor thereof being Thomas Murdac his brother which Thomas in 29 E. 1. having summons with divers other persons of great quality to be at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast day of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist well appointed with Horse and Armes to march with the King in person and at his charge against the Scots was likewise a Knight and took to wife Iulian the daughter of Sir Philip de Gayton Knight but dyed in 9 E. 2. leaving issue Iohn his son and heir 18. years of age who was a Knight in 16 E. 2. and in 1 E. 3. constituted
the same year unto Rob. de Halford but of the residue I cannot give any farther account In An. 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church was valued at vii marks the portion that the Canons of Kenilworth had out of the Tithes belonging thereto being then rated at five marks but in 26 H. 8. it was esteemed at xiiili vis viiid the Synodalls and Procurations deducted thereout amounting to viiis xiâ— ob the Pension to the Canons of Kenilworth xls. and that to the Monks of Shene viiis Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. Wigorn. Adam de Bibye Cler. 14. Cal. Martii 1270. D. Episc. Wigorn. Rob. de Albinton Cler. 3. Iunii 1275. D. Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. de Bebury Accol 15. Kal. Iulii 1313. D. Episc. Wigorn. Magr. Byndo de Bandinell 8. Id. Apr. 1315. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Will. Wydebrugge Pbr. die S.M. Magd. 1321. D. Episc. Wigorn. Magr. Thom. de Upton Cler. 25. Apr. 1335. D. Episc. Wigorn. Thom. Bakhouse Pbr. 10 Kal. Aug. 1335. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Ioh. de Rippon Cap. 4. Aug. 1339. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Botoner Pbr. 30. Dec. 1339. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Rob. Marny 18. Dec. 1340. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Gate Cler. 17. Dec. 1341. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Bened. Palmer Accol 20 Feb. 1392. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Steph. Donne 11 Iunii 1405. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Tymmes 2 Iunii 1406 Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Rose 28. Sept. 1410. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Will Pikering 13. Aug. 1431. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Mr. David Geffrey in utroque jure Bacc. 27 Ap. 1488 Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Loket Pbr. 15 Iulii 1492. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Sudill Cap. 2 Martii 1514. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ric. Cheney Cler. in S. theol Bacc. 21. Iulii 1546. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Nich. Iackson Cler. 5. Sept. 1561. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Edw. Mussage Cler. 24. Nov. 1571. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Will. Thornhill Cler. 8. Nov. 1579. In a North Window of the Church this Coat Or two Bends gules Sudley Upon a gravestone near the dore of the Church this Inscription Hic jacet Magister Henricus Kymycberi quondam Rector istius Eccclesiae qui obiit 5. die mensis Iulii An D. MCCCCLXXXIIII Cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen Nether-Eatendon A little below Halford Stoure leaveth Netheâ— Eatendon on its Eastern bank within the precincts of which parish are the Hamlets of Over-Eatendon Fulridy and Thorndon There is no doubt but that the name of this place was originally occasioned from its situation Ea in our old English signifying water and dune or don an ascending ground for at the foot of an hill and near the river doth it stand After the Norman invasion Henry de Feriers progenitor to that great family afterwards Earls of Derby possest it the extent thereof amounting to xvii hides then valued at xxi as appears by the Conquerors Survey and of him did one Saswalo hold it at which time there was a Church and a Mill to whose posterity in the male line it hath continued even to this day being the only place in this County that glories in an uninterrupted succession of its owners for so long a tract of time and till the reign of King Henry 3. was their principall seat though their possessions in other Counties were very large whence also they were denominated but afterwards fixing at Shirley in Derbyshire they assumed their sirname of that place which hath ever since been appropriated to this antient Family But of this Sasuualo whose name argues him to have been of the Old English stock as some think I have not much to say considering that we have so little light of History and nothing of Record for other discovery farther than the generall Survey before mentioned and the Registers of Abingdon and Kenilworth the one of which testifieth that he gave the Tithes of Hildesleie to the Monks of Abingdon and the other that he founded the Church here at Eatendon for it plainly appears that he endowed it at its Dedication But I do conclude that he was an eminent person forasmuch as he did not only possess this great Lordship but also Tichmersh in Northamptonshire part of Wintenai in Lincolnshire with Hatun Hoga and Etewell in Derbyshire For as most of the English were totally bereft of their antient patrimony so few of them were permitted to enjoy any more than a part thereof and to hold the same by military or other service from their new Lords as in my Introduction is manifested And if I may guesse at his greatnesse by the extent of his estate which we see amounted to xvii hides in this place I must conclude him to have been no lesse than a Thane in the Saxons time when not much more than five hides of land as the learned Selden observes was the estate of some which had that dignity But leaving this worthy person in regard that at so great a distance no more can be discerned of him I come to Henry his son who was a witnesse to the foundation Charter of Merevale Abby made by Robert de Ferrers granchild to the before specifyed Henry in K. Steph. time as also a devout Benefactor to the Canons of Kenilworth for by the consent of Robert Earl Ferrers his Lord and for the good estate of him the said Earl his wife and sons as also for the remission of his own sins and the souls-health of his Ancestors successors parents and freinds he gave them the Church of this place with all the Glâ—be and Tithes thereto belonging which grant of his was confirmed by the said Earl but dyed without issue as it seems for plain it is that Henry the son to his brother Fulcher succeeded him in the inheritance and conferred on the Monks of Bildwas the land of Ivenbroc Which Henry though he had issue Fulcher yet constituted his younger brother Sewall his heir de Baroniis Fulcheri Henrici id est of the lands of his father and uncle by Fine in the Court of Will Earl Ferrers his superior Lord levied in 4 R. 1. and perhaps by the power of that great Earl as more favouring Sewall which Baronies extended to nine Knights Fees whereof 4. belonged to Fulcher his father and 5. to the before specifyed Henry his Uncle as the red Book in the Exchequer testifieth This Sauualdus or Sewallus for he is both wayes written being a Knight and by reason of his residence here called r Sewallus de Etendon did not only disclaim and remit to the said Canons of Kenilworth all his interest that he had in the patronage of this Church but for the health of his soul and of the soules of his two wives gave
thereunto a certain peice of ground called Oddecrofth containing 18 acres and another of x. acres lying in Over-Eatendon as also 3. acres of land adjoyning to the said Oddecrofte To the Canons of Derley in Derbyshire he gave certain lands called Aldewerch and to the Monks of Tutbury two parts of Hoga now called Hown in that County To which Sewall succeeded Henry his son and heir called Henricus filius Sewalli who attended William Earl Ferrers in the Kings Army when he sailed into Poictou which was as I take it in 4 Ioh. And in 7 Ioh. by virtue of the Kings Precept had livery made to him of the Mannour of Ednesoure in Derbyshire whereof he had been disseised during his absence in that voyage as it seems This Henry likewise erected an Altar dedicated to S. Nicholas in the Church here at Eatendon and gave divers particular parcells of land thereto for the maintenance of a Chantry Preist to celebrate divine service thereat for the health of his own soul and the soules of his wives as also of his childrens souls every day except on Thursdayes and the Feast day of S. Nicholas on which day the said Preist was particularly to celebrate to that Saint And in augmentation of the maintenance for the said Priest he gave the tithe of the Toll of his Mill here and an annuity of 5s. whereof 4 s was to be received by the Preist for his own use and xiiâ— for the Lampe in the said Church of Eatendon reserving power for himselfe and his heirs to present to the said Chantry as often as by death it should become void To him succeeded Sewallus commonly called Sewallus filius Henrici who was a Knight but dyed before the 44 of H. 3. And to him Iames his son and heir the first of this family that assumed the sirname of Shirley for by that appellaon he had Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands as well at Shirley in Derbyshire 31 H. 3. as in 39 of the same Kings reign here at Eatendon in this County Which Iames being afterwards a Knight had issue Raph his son and heir who in 7 E. 1. held this Mannour of Edm. Earl of Lanc. the Kings brother by the service of two Knights fees having at that time three carucates of land in demesn here and xii Tenants holding several proportions by sâ—ndry services As also divers Freeholders The same year he was Shiriff of the Counties of Nottingham and Derby In 9 E. 1. being presented before the Justices Itinerant because being of full age and holding a whole Knights fee he was not a Knight he procured the Kings Letters Pat. as to the respiting thereof for five years And in 22 E. 1. upon the grant made to the King in Parliament of a Subsidy for the support of his warrs was with Thomas de Garshale constituted a Commissioner for the assessing and collecting thereof within this County In 28 E. 1. he had the custody of the Counties of Salop. and Stafford with the Castle of Shrewsbury committed to his charge In 29 E. 1. he had summons with divers other great men to attend the King at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast day of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativity well appointed with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots Sasuualo temp Will. Conq. Henricus 5 Steph. Fulcherus Henricus Fulcherus à quo familia de Ednesoure originem ducit Henricus filius Sewalli Dominus Sewallus filius Henr. 31 H. 3. Isabella filia cohaeres Roberti Meisnill Eliz. uxor Joh. de Walton Jacobus de Schirlâ—y 31 H. 3. Agnes de Wauton 31 H. 3. Rad. de Shirley 7 E. 1. Margareta filia una cohaer Walt. de Waldeshef Pincernae Regis E. 2. Rad de Shirley 4 E. 3. Thomas de Shirley miles defunctus 36 E. 3. Isabella filia Rad. Domini Basset de Draiton relicta 36. E. 3. Hugo de Shirley miles 1 H. 4. obiit 4. H. 4. Beatrix soror haeres Joh de Brews Jocosa fil haeres Thomae Basâ—â—t de Brailesford ar Rad. Shirley miles 3 H. 5. Alicia filia Joh. Cokain de Ashburn mil. 6 H. 6. Rad. Shirley ar obiit 6 E. 4. Margareta filia haeres Joh. Stanton ar Johannes Shirley ar obiit 18 Maii 3 R. 3. Alianora filia Hugonis Willoughby de Wollaton mil. Radulfus Shirley de Stanton mil. obiit 6 â—an 8 H. 8 Eliz. filia cohaeres Thomae Walsh de Onlip in com Leic. ar Anna haeres matris ux Thomae Pultney eq aur Radulfus Shirley de Stanton mil. obiit 6 â—an 8 H. 8 Iohanna filia Rob. Sheffeild mil. Franciscus Shirley de Brailesford ar 3 E. 6. Iohannes Shirley obiit vita patris Iana unica filia haeres Thomae Lovell ar Georgius Shirley ar erectus in gradum Baronetti 9 Iac. Francisca filia Henrici Domini Berkley Thomas Shirley eq auratus Henr. Shirley Bar. Dorothea filia Rob. Comitis Essexiae Carolus Shirley Bar obiit coelebs Robertus Shirley Bar. Sawaldus de Etendon mil. Matilda Ridel In 3 E. 2. he was constituted one of the two Justices in this County for the Goal delivery at Warwick And in 5. E. 2. served as a K t for this shire in two Parliaments the one held at London and the other at Westm. Being one of the Coroners in this County an office of great note in those days as I have elsewhere intimated he had through want of health a discharge from that employment in 6 E. 2. but in 8 E. 2. was Governour of Horeston Castle in Derbyshire and in 16 E. 2. one of the Commisioners in this County for levying a xvth In 17 in the list of those Knights and men at Arms whose names were then certifyed into the Chancery and in 20 E. 2. departed this life leaving Raph his son and heir who having been in Commission for the assessing and collecting a xv th and x th granted in the Parl. of 11 E. 3. was in 12 E. 3. appointed to assess and collect the Scutage then due to the King for the Scotch expedition â—n the first year of his reign and in 14 E. 3. served in the Parl. then holden at Westm. as one of the Knights for this shire To which Raph succeeded S r Thomas Shirley K t of whom I find nothing memorable but his death which hapned before the 36 of E. 3. and that by Isabell his wife he left issue Hugh who being a Knight in 1 H. 4. and the same year by Pat. dated at Westm. 20 Martii made Master of the Kings Hawks of all sorts was a Justice of Peace in this County in 2 H. 4. and the next ensuing year constituted one of the Commissioners to enquire of such persons as were disturbers of the Laws and
demesn Free-warren Court-Leet Gallows and other priviledges together with xxxix Tenants holding 26. yard land by payment of severall Rents and performance of certain services as also viii Cottiers and iv Freeholders From whom descended Sir Iohn de Mountfort Knight who in E. 3. time wedded Ioan the daughter and heir to Sir Iohn de Clinton of Colshill as by the descent in Beldesert will appear And from him Sir Baldwin who in H. 6. time had great suits with Sir Edmund his brother by the Fathers side touching the title to this Lordship which the same Sir Edmund in disherison of Sir Baldwin endeavoured to hold the Story whereof I have set forth in Colshill in regard that Mannour was then in question upon the same title But the last of the Montforts that possest this Lordship was Sir Symon son and heir to the above specified Sir Baldwin who being attainted in 11 H. 7. as in Colshill I shall also shew the inheritance thereof inter alia eschaeting to the Crown was by the said King 1. Dec. 12 H. 7. bestowed on Sir Reginald Bray Knight a great favourite in those days who dying without issue Margerie the onely child of his brother Iohn wife to Sir William Sands Knight became his next heir Which Sir William afterwards Lord Sandes did his homage for the same in 31 H. 8. But it continued not long in the family of Sandes for Thomas Lord Sandes son and heir to William past it a way to Thomas Andrews Esquire since which time I have seen no more of it The Church dedicated to the blessed Virgin was in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at xxx marks there being at that time a portion of 1. mark issuing out of it to the Monastery of Evesham but in 26 H. 8. at xxx li. out of which the Synodalls and Procurations payd amounted to x s. v d. ob and the yearly Pension to the said Monastery of Evesham vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. per lapsum Hugo de Vienna 5. Id. Dec. 1270. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Will. de Monterforti 8. Cal. Apr. 1290. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Henr. de Astede Subdiac 12. Cal. Aug. 1295. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Petrus de Monteforti Cler. 18. Cal. Iulii 1312. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ioh. Anneys Cap. 3. Non. Oct. 1320. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ric le Archer Pbr. 8. Cal. Martii 1323. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ric. de Budeford Pbr. 5. Apr. 1357. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Will. de Monteforti Cler. 13. Iunii 1368. D. Will. Mountfort miles D. Ioh. Hathewey Pbr. 26. Sept. 1431. D. Will. Mountfort miles Ric. de Mountfort Diac. 13. Oct. 1433. Simon Mountfort miles Ioh. Frysby S. Theol. D. 5. Oct. 1467. Simon Mountfort miles D. Oliverus Alwode ulâ— Martii 1474. Simon Mountfort miles D. Ioh. Menske Pbr. 19. Nov. 1492. Will. Sandys miles D. Margeria ux ejus Nich. Hall Cap. 7. Apr. 1528. Eliz. Angl. Regina Augustinus Walker Cler. 22. Nov. 1586. Compton-Scorfen THis as all other Comptons taking its name from the situation thereof in a deep narrow Valley as I have elswhere observed being possest by Robert de Stadford in the Conquerors time was then certified to contain six hides five whereof Warinus then held which were valued at C s. and the sixt Aluinus then rated at x s. In the generall Survey it is in one place written parva Contone and in the other Contone without any distinction at all Howbeit after this till 36 H. 3. I do not directly find who was owner of it but then did Robert de Haleford answer for half a Knights Fee which he held here of Roger le Poer and he of Ernald de Bois and he of the Lord Stafford in which Record it is called Hethin-Compton After this viz. in 7 E. 1. it had the name of Scorfen added thereto at which time Robertus filius Petri was Lord thereofâ— and held it of Thomas de Stoke Iordan Cathelewe and Felicia his wife by the service of half a Knights Fee de parvo feodo Stafford as the Record hath it having at that time three yard land in demesn and three Tenants holding certain lands by payment of sundry Rents and performance of severall base services I am of opinion that this Peter abovementioned father to the said Robert was sirnamed de Valle for clear it is that the Family of that name whose principall seat was at Lodinton neer Stratford were owners of this place from E. 1. time till 34 E. 3. and that Peter de Valle in this County temp H. 3. who preceded the same Robert had first to do here is also apparent which makes it the more likely Which Robert de Valle possest it in 9 E. 2. being afterwards a Knight and so was Robert his son and heir as in Lodinton is shewed Which Robert the younger having issue Iohn that died childlesse Iohn Burdet of Arrow and Iohn Norrys who were his sisters sons as the descent in Lodinton manifesteth became his heirs But the direct time when partition was made of the lands which descended to these coheirs I have not seen howbeit certain it is that this Mannour was allotted to Burdet for the Entail made by Thomas Burdet Esquier temp E. 4. doth shew that he was solely seized of it After whose attainder Margaret his widow had restitution thereof by force of that entail and so it descended and continued to his posterity till Robert Burdet of Bramcote in this County his great grandson by his Deed bearing date ult Sept. 37 H. 8. in consideration of 1300 li. sold it to William Sheldon of Weston in this County and Robert Palmer of Curton in Com. Glouc. Yeoman Foxcote THis having been antiently a member of Ilmindon and possest therewith by Peter de Montfort in 7 E. 1. before which time I have not seen it named in Record was then held by the same tenure all the Tenants which the said Peter had here being ix in number holding 8. yard land of him by certain Rents and severall base services doing their suit twice a year at the Court-Leet held for the Honour of Leicester In which Family it continued a great while for Sir William Montfort of Colshill possest it in 10 H. 6. but it hath been long depopulated Whitchurch THis containing the Hamlets of Crimscote Wimpston and Broghton was in the Conquerors time reputed for two Mannours and possest by the Earl of Mellent the extent thereof by the generall Survey then made being certified at seven hides where it is written Witecerce having â—wo Mills and a Church and the value of all rated at viii li. x s. That this was part of that which Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line and
Newnham in this County to the Canons of Kenilworth in King H. 1. time and gave unto them certain lands in Lillington all which the said King ratifyed To the Priory of Warwick he gave the Church of Snitfeild and to the Nuns of Polesworth confirmed the grant of Oldbury which was of his Fee being bestowed on them by Walt. de Hastings and Hathâ—wis his wife Richardus Hugo fil Richardi cognominatus de Hatton Will. fil Hugonis Matilda Ric. cognom de Saunford obiit s. prole Hugo fil Willielmi 3 Ioh. obiit s. prole Hawisia de Tracy Matilda ux Steph. de Nerbon Margeria de Stivichale 36 H. 3. Ranulphus de Stivichale fil haeres Ioclinus de Stivichale Margeria ux Osberti de Clinton Osbertus de Clinton Thomas de Clinton miles Iacobus de Clinton Osbertus Iohannes de Clinton Thomas de Clinton Ioscelinus fil Hugonis But the issue male of this Family extinguishing as the Descent sheweth and this Lordship thereby coming unto daughters part thereof divolved by Margerie one of the coheirs to the Clintons but the residue the Nuns of Wroxhall and the Canons of Studley had Which part so coming to Clinton was by Sr. Thomas de Clinton Knight grandchild to the before specified Margerie given by the name of his Mannour of Hatton and Beausale unto Iames his younger son and to his heirs reserving to the said Sir Thomas and his heirs a peny to be paid yearly at Christmass for all secular service and demands whatsoever But it should seem that Iames quitted his title therein to Iohn his elder brother's son for in 13 Edw. 1. the said Iohn commenced suit against Will. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for the whole Mannour excepting two messuages and two yard land therein in which the said Earl claimed right by virtue of a grant from Hamon le Strange Howbeit the Earl pleading that he held but a third part thereof whereas the other chalenged the whole had by reason of that advantage the better in the suit so that the said Iohn within a short time after came to an Agreement with him and past unto him one mess. 1 Mill 27. acres of land 4 acres of meadow xl acres of wood 7 Rent and the Rent of 2 li. of pepper with two pair of Gloves price iid yearly quitting wholy also all his title and claim that he had to this Mannour To whose posterity it continued till 3 H. 7. that all the lands belonging to that great Earldome were given up to the King by Anne Countesse of Warwick as in Warwick I have more fully shewed Since which I have not seen any more thereof That which belong'd to the Nuns of Wroxhall being in E. 6. time reputed for a Mannour was then in the Kings hand In an 1291 19 E. 1 the Church dedicated to the holy Trinity was valued at five marks and had a portion of iiiiâ— issuing out of it to the Canons of Warwick but in 14 E. 3. at vi l. xiii s. iiii d. being not presentative Shrewley THis Village is in the parish of Hatton and being possest by Hugh de Grentemaisnill in the Conquerors time was then certified to contain three hides valued at xxx s. the woods thereof extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which before the Norman invasion had been the freehold of one Toli But soon after this Rob. Earl of Leic. the first of that name had it and enfeoft Ernald de Boss thereof as it seems for in a grant which the said Ernald made to the Nuns of Pinley of one carucate of land here in Sravesle for so it was then written he expresses it to be by the consent of Rob. E. of Leic. his Lord which grant the same E. for the health of his own soul and the souls of his father and mother as also of the soul of K. H. 1. confirmed The next mention I find thereof is that in 6 H. 3. Magr. Henry de Waltham had livery of those lands here together with the rest in Wileby which Will. fil Wigani his uncle held of the K. in Capite And in 33 H. 3. I find that Iohn de Screveila held a yard land in this vâ—llage of the King by Sergeantie in Capite which Iohn was Lord of the Mannour as it seems for in 13 E. 1. it appears that Fouk de Lucy had kept a Court-Leet here in prejudice of the said Iohn he holding of the King by Sergeantie and that the said Fouk had without authority erected a Gallows in this Village wherefore it was determined that the said Gallows should be pulled down and that the same Iohn might enjoy his Court-Leet again Neverthelesse upon the death of the said Fouk de Lucy in 31 E. 1. I find that he dyed seized of this Mannour and held it of Maud the daughter and heir of Iohn de Shrevele Will. de Lucy his son and heir being then 26. years of age But the said Will. enjoy'd it not accordingly for Maud the wife of Walt. de Culy whom I conclude to be her that is before exprest having license from the King in respect of the tenure in Sergeantie sold it for CC li. to Iohn de Dufford and his heirs in 1 E. 2. Which Sergeantie was to find one armed man with an Hauberk on Horsback in the Kings service for the space of xl days viz. to ride personally with the K. in his expedition for Wales Which Iohn de Dufford was a Knight in 3 E. 2. and in 6 E. 2. sold it to Philip the son of Philip de Gayton who departed this life in 9 E. 2. leaving his two sisters his heirs sc. Iuliana â— the elder wife to Sir Thomas Murdak Knight and Scolastica the younger wedded to Godfrey de Meaux being also heirs to their brother Theobald Of the moitie whereof the said Scolastica had livery in 10 E. 2. she being then a widow But all that belong'd to Iulian as I can find was but one carucate of land which eschaeted to the Crown by reason of her forfeiture in conspiring with Sir Iohn Vaux Knight to murther her husband for which she was burnt the inheritance whereof was given by the King to Henry Earl of Lanc in 23 E. 3. it then passing by the name of one messuage 26 acres of land and one roode of meadow a pasture called Berry-more and x s. iii d. ob Rent Neither did that which her sister Scolastica had here goe any longer by the name of the moitie of the Mannour for in 27 E. 3. she was found to dye seized of one messuage xx acres of land 3 acres of meadow and viii s. Rent held of the King in Capite by the eighth part of a Knights fee
Earl of of Mellent contained 3 hides and was valued at iiii li. the woods whereof were a mile in extent but in Edw. the Confessors dayes it was the Freehold of one Bovi From which Earl as most of the lands which he had in this County did it came to the hands of Henry de Newburgh his brother the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line as is evident enough And in 9 Ioh. was inter alia assigned for the dower of Alice the widow of Waleran Earl of Warwick so also in 26 H. 3. to Ela the widow of Thomas Earl of Warwick which Ela in 36 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all her demesn lands here and purchased certain other lands in this place of Sir Henry de Lodbroke Kt. which she gave to the Priory at Warwick After this viz. in 13 E. 1. Will. de Beauchamp claimed a Gallows with Assize of Bread and Beer in this Mannour by Prescription which were allowed And in 9 E. 2. was it assigned inter alia as part of the dowry of Alice widdow unto Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick To the posterity of which Earls it continued till 3 H. 7. but then coming to the Crown with all the rest of the possessions belonging to that Earldome was by K. H. 8. in 26 of his reign leased to Rog. Walford for xxi years But King Edw. 6. 22 Dec. 1. of his reign granted the inheritance thereof together with the Castle of Warwick c. unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick After whose attainder in 1 Mariae the said Q. made a Lease thereof for xl years at the Rent of xxvii li. iiii s. i d. ob to Clem Throgmorton of Haseloy Esquier But in 4 Eliz. did Ambrose Dudley then Earl of Warwick obtaine a Pat. thereof together with the Castle of Warwick c. to himselfe and the heirs male of his body who dying without issue it returned to the Crown and was afterwards purchased by Thomas Spencer Esquier a younger son to Sir Iohn Spencer of Althorpe in com Northampt. Knight Which Thomas having likewise obtained a Lease from the Dean and Chapter of Worcester of certain lands in this place built a very fair House thereupon and for the great Hospitality which he kept thereat was the mirrour of this County But having no issue male setled this Mannour inter alia upon Sir Will. Spenser Baronet son and heir of Sir Thomas and he of Sir Will. sometime of Yarnton in Oxfordshire his third brother Touching the Church dedicated to S. Michael it appeareth that Roger Earl of Warwick in 23 H. 1. gave to his Collegiate Church of Warwick then newly founded two parts of the Tithes issuing out of the Inclosures in this parish and likewise of the paunage of all the woods belonging thereto And that in an 1291 19 E. 1 it was valued at xv marks and a half the Vicars portion being then six marks and a half Which Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was rated at vi li. the Procurations and Synodalls issuing out of it being viii li. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. de Berninton Cap. 2 Cal. Iunii 1269. Archidiaconus Wigornia Galf. de Wykwau Pbr. 5 Cal. Sept. 1283. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ric. de Stockton Pbr. 6 Non. Martii 1304. Archidiaconus Wigornia Rob. de Buynton Cap. 11 Cal. Apr. 1307. Archidiaconus Wigornia D. Ioh. de Clone Pbr. 19 Cal. Sept. 1327. Archidiaconus Wigornia Thomas Person Cap. 14 Maii 1359. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. de Stone Pbr. penult Aug. 1361. Archidiaconus Wigornia Will. de Blaklow Pbr. 8 Oct. 1361. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. Curteys Pbr. 19 Feb. 1373. Archidiaconus Wigornia D. Ioh. de Westbury alias Brakley 4 Oct. 1413. Archidiaconus Wigornia Henr. Andrew Cap. 3 Ian. 1423. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. Fletcher Cap. 9 Apr. 1432. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. Hamond Pbr. 8 Iulii 1436. Archidiaconus Wigornia D. Ioh. Reve Cap. 5 Ian. 1473. Archidiaconus Wigornia Will. Pecock art Magr. 17 Apr. 1535. D. Episc. hac vice Andr. Bassam S. Theol. Bac. 4 Maii 1536. Archidiac Wigorn. D. Ric. Todde Pbr. 3 Iulii 1543. Archidiac Wigorn. Edw. Millard Cler. 29 Iulii 1574. Archidiac Wigorn. Rob. Fynche Cler. 8 Feb. 1586. Kington THis is that place as I conceive which I find written Cinton in the Conquerors Survey and there certified to have been at that time possest by the Earl of Mellent and to contain one hide and a half which was then wast and valued at no more than v s. But the extent of the woods is not there recorded howbeit the valuation of them is put at x s. which with the rest had been the freehold of Britnod before the Norman invasion All that I have further seen of this place is that the Abbot of Bordsley had very antiently two carucates of land here for which in 4 E. 1. he was presented to have withdrawn his suit xx years before that time but by whom or when it was given I am not very sure And that after the dissolution of the said Monastery the same land by the name of the Grange Mannour or Ferme of Kington c. was granted to Clem. Throkmorton Esq and Alex. Avenon and their heirs in 37 H. 8. Which Clem. dyed seized thereof by the name of Kinton-Ferm or Grange in 16 Eliz. Langley IN the Conquerors time this being possest by Rob. de Stadford was of him held by one Iudichel and by the Survey then taken certifyed to contain 1. hide and a half having woods belonging thereto of one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which were valued at xl s. and had been the freehold of Ernvi in Edw. the Confessors dayes Howbeit after this till 13 Ioh. I find no more mention of it and then it with Norton being part of the Honour of Hervie de Stafford in this County answered for two Knights Fees But it seems that one of the Gurleys Lords of Norton Curley was enfeoft thereof by some of the posterity of the before specifyed Robert de Stadford for in 23 H. 3. Will. de Curley confirm'd to the Monks of Bordsley all the lands which had been granted to them within the Territories of Langle of his Fee And in 36 H. 3. held one Knights Fee here and in Norton of Robert de Stafford To deduce the succession of its possessors exactly I cannot therefore what I have disjointedly found thereof must satisfy In 17 Edw. 2. Sir Henry de Lodbroke Knight wrote himself Dominus de Langele and within two years after Will. Vauhan had the same title as by his deed with his seal of Armes thereto annext viz. a Cross within a border both engrailed doth testifie And in 39 Edw. 3. was there a Fine levyed of this Mannour between Sir Baldwin Frevill
de Budbrok Rog. de Remstone Cap. 15. Dec. 1363. Patr. Eccl. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Rob. de Caldewell Cler. 23. Apr. 1364. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Rog. de Caldwelle 15. Cal. Maii 1365. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Phil. Keys Pbr. 25. Aug. 1375. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Magr. Ioh. Grafton 13. Ian. 1386. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Thomas Young Cler. 27. Nov. 1387. Patr. Vicariae Thomas Young Rector Ioh. de Mason Pbr. 20. Febr. 1392. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. Ioh. Rolton Cap. 2. Iulii 1404. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. D. Ioh. Robyns Cap. ult Sept. 1460. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. D. Will. Onne Cap. 10. Iulii 1465. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. D. Humfr. Compton Cap. 23. Dec. 1509. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. Steph. Richardson Pbr. 23. Maii 1524. Burgenses villae Warw. Georgius Frekylton Pbr .... 1549. Burgenses villae Warw. D. Henr. Maudesley Pbr. 21. Martii 1549. Balivâ—s Burgenses Warw. Will. Bonde Cler. 2. Iulii 1575. D. Episc. per lapsum Will. Bonde in art Bacc. 30. Martii 1588. Bal. Burg. Warw. Thomas Abington Cler. 23. Iulii 1588. Bal. Burg. Warw. Ioh. Claridge Cler. 16. Iulii 1625. Hampton-Curli THis taketh its name from the high situation thereof hean in our old Emglish signifying the same with altus in Latin for originally those of this name were called and written Heantone and afterwards by corruptnesse in pronunciation Hantone Hamtone and Hamton the addition of Curli thereto being to distinguish it from the severall other Hamtons in this County because the Curlies were antiently Lords thereof In the Conquerors Survey there is no mention of it in regard it was involved with Budbroke whereof it is still a member and had a Chapell in K. Stephens time belonging to that mother Church which Chapell was built without question by Robert de Curli of whom I have spoke in Budbroke for it is manifest that in his time and by him partly it became endowed with glebe at the Dedication of the Church-yard viz. three parts of one yard land inclosed given by him and two Acres a piece out of every yard land in the field by each of his Tenants whereunto did one Auschitell adde two acres lying on one side of the Field and two on the other the Priest serving therein having of antient custome out of the Town-woods House-bote Hey-bote and Fire-bote And as this Hamlet was a member of Budbroke so did the possession thereof continue to the Lords of that Mannour being past away therewith in exchange to Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in E. 3. time from Iohn de Hastang as in Budbroke appeareth Neither hath it been ever since severed Norton-Curli alias Norton inferior OF this place I have not found any mention till King Stephens time and then is it named as a member of Budbroke the family of Curli antiently owners of it giving occasion of that additionall distinction thereto From whom it came to Hastang and from Hastang to the Earl of Warwick in E. 3. time as Budbroke did where my authorities for proof thereof are cited But after the 10. of H. 6. at which time it was with Budbroke and Hampton-Curli possest by Ric. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick I have not seen any more thereof as a Mannour Grove-Park THE first mention I find of this place is in 29 E. 1. where Henry de Pinkeni granted to the King inter alia the homage and service of Will. de Curli and his heirs for one Knights Fee held of him here in which Record it is called la Grave that is to say the Grove shewing that it took its name originally from being a thick wood of high Trees for in that sense we still use the word By the same Record above cited 't is also evident that it was at first a member of Budbroke and so divolving to Theob de Nevill son and heir to Peter by Alice one of the daughters and coheirs of Will. de Curli as the Descent in Budbroke sheweth in 12 E. 1. was by the said Theobald granted to Philip de Gayton and Scolastica his wife for life with remainder to Saier de Rochford son and heir of Raph de Rochford But in the end Thomas de Hastang descended from Ioan the other daughter and coheir to Will. de Curli as the Descent in Lemington-Hastang manifesteth obtained it by purchase in 11 E. 3. from Iohn Hakluyt and Alice his wife in whom it seems the inheritance thereof was the said Alice being the daughter and heir of Tâ—eobald de Nevill above specified What interest it was that Hugh le Despenser the elder Earl of Winchester had therein I know not though it appears that at the time of his death he was seized of it whereupon the King granted out a Commission to enquire neither what was done therein can I find but certain it is that the family of Hastang for a time enjoy'd it Saier de Rochford before specified by his Deed bearing date at Westminster the Munday next after the Feast of S. Iohn Port Latine 28 E. 3. totally releasing unto Sir Iohn Hastang Knight all his title and right therein Which Sir Iohn Hastang being the last principall male branch of that Family left issue two daughters and heirs as in Lemington-Hastang appeareth by whom I suppose it was past away about the beginning of R. 2. time to Thomas Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick for the Lodge in the Park which I take to be that which is now the Mannour-House was built by him the said Earl in 17 R. 2. who dyed seized thereof in 2 H. 4. In the posterity of which Earl it continued till 3 H. 7. and then coming to the Crown with all the rest of Warwick and Spenser's lands as in my story of the Earls will appear was by King Edward 6. in 1. of his raign granted away together with the Castle of Warwick and sundry other lands in this County unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs After whose attainder it return'd again to the Crown and therein continued till Queen Elizabeth by her Letters Patents in 8. of her reign disposed of it to Robert Dudley Earl of Leic. and his heirs Which Earl in 23 Eliz. past it back to the said Queen Having now done with the Parish of Budbroke descending lower towards the bank of Avon I come to a little Brook which rising betwixt Snitfeild and Wolverton and passing by the skirts of Norton-Limesi falleth into Avon neer to Shireburne Of these I shall therefore speak in their order Snitfeild THis perhaps had its name originally from the old English word Snide which signifies a cutting or incision as probably here may have been to divide the
Aspes Pbr. 4. Cal. Oct. 1289. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Nich. de la More Cap. 17. Cal. Iunii 1324. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Ioh. Bakere Pbr. 22. Apr. 1338. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Thomas de Hales Pbr. 28. Aug. 1349. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Philippus de Wolvardinton Pbr. 5. Iulii 1357. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Will. de Harpecote Pbr. 11. Iulii 1357. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Will. de Peek Pbr. 17. Sept. 1370. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Thomas de Kirby Pbr. 8. Nov. 1402. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Will. Lawles Pbr. 8. Apr. 1427. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Cokkes 13. Aug. 1429. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Hogge Cap. 19. Oct. 1439. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Ioys Cap. penult Martii 1462. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Thomas Hessyl Cap. 2. Febr. 1469. Ioh. Beaufitz ar firmarius domus Praeceptoriae de Balshal sibi dimiss per Will. Torney Priorem Pr. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Rich. Enkeston Cap. penult Martii 1475. Prior Hospital S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Ioh. Weston Cap. 7. Apr. 1486. Fulbroke FOllowing the stream of Avon I come next to Fulbroke which perhaps had its name from the depth of the River there In the Conquerors time being possest by the Earl of Mellent it contained two hides having then a Mâ—ll rated at xii s. but the whole was valued at lx s. and held by one Alfled a woman in Edward the Confessors days But as Shirburne last spoke of with divers other lands that the said Earl of Mellent had in this Shire came to Henry de Newburgh his brother so did this of Fulbroke as it seems for in 23 H. 1. Roger Earl of Warwick son to the said Hâ—nry gave to his Collegiate Church at Warwick then newly founded half a hide of land and two parts of the Tithes of his demesn here as also two parts of the Tithes of the Mill and enfeoft Geffrey de Turvill or his father thereof for in 12 H. 2. Eaâ—l William his son certified that the said Geffrey held of him one Knights Fee de veteri feoffamento and in 10 R. 1. I find that William de Turvill possest it After which time till 20 H. 3. I have not met with any more mention of this place and then it appears that Simon de Turvill and Roger de Craft answered for half a Knights Fee here and in Wodecote which half Knights Fee in 36 H. 3. was held by Roger de Craft and Iohn Mâ—ce and in 52 H. 3. by Henry Hubaud How it comes to passe I cannot yet discover but plain it is that this Mannour about the beginning of Edw. 1. time was the inheritance of Isabell wife to William Gernun which William and Isabell in 11 E. 1. sold it to William de Hynkelee and Alice his wife and the heirs of the said William de Hynkelee reserving to themselves and their heirs two Messuages one Mill x s. rent and two yard land as also an annuity of six marks of silver yearly to be payd at the Feast of S. Michael the Arch-Angell together with the service of one Kts. Fee which said service of one Knights Fee and Rent of six marks with the homage and service due from Nicholas de VVarwick and Ioan his wife for the lands that he held in this Lordship the said VVilliam Gernun and Isabell granted to VVilliam de Sutton in 21 E. 1. And the next year following did the same Nicholas de Warwick Ioan his wife obtain the whole Mannour of Alice the widow of VVilliam de Hynkelee before specified in exchange for the Mannour of Stoke in Leicestershire whereof being so possest in 34 E. 1. he purchased of the King a Court-Leet here to himself and his heirs as also Assize of Bread and Beer Infangthef Gallows and Weyfs with other priviledges for all which he was to pay a certain Rent into the Exchequer yearly by the hands of the Shiriff for the time being Of this Nicholas his parentage I am not very certain though I find his name in these parts in the times of H. 2. King Iohn and H. 3. but of himself 't is apparent that he was a man learned in the Laws and Atturney generall to the King In 5 E. 1. he attended VVilliam de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in his Welch expedition In 24 E. 1. he was one of the Commissioners assigned to enquire after certain malefactors that had trespassed in the Earl of Warwick's Park at Studley in this Shire the said Earl being then in Scotland In 32 E. 1. one of the Justices of Assize and Gaol-delivery so also in 1. and 3. E. 2. and had issue two sons viz. Nicholas and VVill. which Nicholas was he that wedded Elizabeth the daughter and heir of Richard de Loges of Chesterton of whom I find nothing farther memorable than what I have observed in Chesterton except his going into Wales with divers other persons of quality in the Kings service in 15 E. 2. and that in 17 E. 2. he is in the list of thoâ—e Esquiers and men at Armes in this County whose names were then return'd into the Chancery But VVilliam de VVarwick his other son who bore for his Armes Sable 6. guttes Or had this Lordship though he kept it but a while for in 18 E. 2. it appears that Iohn de Hastings Lord Bergavenny died seized of it leaving Laurence his son and heir 5. years of age After which scil the next ensuing year it was inter alia assigned to Iulian then wife of Thomas le Blount as part of her dowrie by the death of the said Iohn de Hastings her former husband being then valued at xix li. xvii s. ii d. ob and in like sort was enjoyed by VVilliam de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon her third husband who held it of the King in Capite by the payment of vi s. ii d. per annum for all services the last of which family viz. of Hastings that enjoy'd it was Iohn de Hastings son and heir to Iohn Earl of Pembroke who dyed seized thereof in 13 R. 2. without issue leaving Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin his cosin and next heir as the descent in Fillongley sheweth But by the entail of Hasting's lands whereof in Fillongley I have also spoke it came to William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny a younger brother to the Earl of Warwick for I find that Ioan his Lady built a sumptuous Gatehouse here Hospitium nobilis Domini satis habile ut Duci suo adventu complaceret saith Rous as also a Lodge called by
brother to the before mentioned Raph had therein excepting one hide given to Margaret her mother in marriage which was of the Abbot of Evesham's fee in consideration of which grant and quit claim the same H. de Bereford covenanted to maintain her with all necessaries during her life and to take care of Will her son and Felicia her daughter that they should be disposed of in a convenient fashion Upon the death of which Henry without issue all that he had here descended to Henry de Nasford son of his sister Dionysia which in 36 H. 3. was certified to be held of the Earls of Warwick by the service of half a Kts. Fee Howbeit the posterity of Nasford enjoy'd it not long for it is evident that the Hospitalars became possest thereof shortly after and in 31 H. 3. obtained 2 messuages 10 acres of land and one acre of meadow from one Thomas de Salopesbiri and Idonea his wife so that in 9 E. 2. they were certified to be sole Lords of this Grafton and to hold it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of one Knights Fee But as all the rest of their possessions came to the Crown by that grand dissolution in 30 H. 8. so did this and was shortly after purchased from the K. Will. Sheldon Esq and Iohn Draper by the name of the Mannour of Temple-Grafton with the Rectory and advouson of the Vicaridge It should seeme that upon partition of the lands past in that Pat. to the said W. Sheldon and I. Draper for much more in this and other Counties is thereby granted this Mannour was allotted to Draper for I find that the said I. Draper disposed thereof to Rob. Draper a younger son and of the Rectory with the advouson of the Vicaridge to his son Richard which Richard departing this life 2 Apr. 8. Eliz. left Anne the wife of Will. Kempson and Isabell the wife of Ric. Gennens his sisters and heirs but of the Mannour did Rob. Draper dye seized 13 Iunii 5 Eliz. leaving Will. his son and heir two years of age and upwards which VVill. married Margaret the daughter of Anthony Sheldon of Broadway in Com VVigorn and having no issue by her setled it upon Brace Sheldon second son of VVill. eldest brother to her the said Margaret whose son and heir now enjoys it Of the Church dedicated to S. Andrew I do not find any valuation in an 1291 19 E. 1. but upon collection of the Nones of Sheaf Wooll and Lamb in 14 E. 3. it was rated at vi li xiii s iiii d and in 26 H. 8. certified to be appropriate to the Hospitalars who it seems found some Stipendiary to serve the Cure unto whom there was no certain allowance assigned Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Thomas de Dunington Cap. 4. Non. Maii 1321. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia VValt de Allesle Pbr. 14 Maii 1339. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Henr. de Lighthurne 21 Iulii 1340. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Ioh. Miles Pbr. 26 Aug. 1361. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Rob. Hunte Pbr. 8. Aug. 1361. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Thomas Saunders Pbr. 3 Oct. 1363. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia VVill. Foules Pbr. 15 Dec. 1363. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Ric. Swift Cap. 15 Oct. 1414. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Ioh. Fysher Cap. 2 Iulii 1420. D. Episc. per lapsum VVill. Clopton Art Magr. 7 Iunii an 1458. Iac. Rex Angl. per lapsum Edw. Lewes Cler. 15 Oct. 1608. Iac. Rex Angl. per lapsum VVill. Pace Cler. 1 Febr. 1611. Arden's Grafton THis hath been antiently called Little-Grafton as I shall shew by and by yet in the Conquerors time not distinguisht by any additionall name but then certified to contain 3 hides and one virgate of land which were valued at xxx s and possest by Will. fil Corbucionis of whom Leuric and Eileva then held it whose freehold it had been in Edw. the Confessor's dayes After which viz. in H. 2. time Raph de Grafton enjoy'd it as it seems for it appears that Margar. de Grafton neice and heir to the said Raph sold 3 hides lying in this place for they are said to be de feodo Petri de Stodelei to Will. de Arden in th x th year of K. Iohn's reign whose posterity continuing Lords thereof gave occasion that it was called Arden's Grafton which W. de Arden in 52 H. 3. was certified to â—old it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of half a Kts. fee to whose widow sc. Agatha it was assigned in dower in 4 E. 1. the extent thereof being thus recorded viz. a Mannour House with a garden Clx acres of land and pasture four yard land held in Villenage â—ach yard land yeilding x s per an and the Rent of xii d and a pound of pepper from the Freeholders By the same extent it also appeareth that one Alanus de Grafton then held 1. yard land in this Village reckoned for the 5 th part of a Kts. fee and lyable to forrein service upon occasion But it seems that this Hamlet came to the hands of K. Edw. 1. and probably at that time when Knoll and other lands in this County were by a kind of exchange past unto him from one of Arden's heirs for in 20 E. 1. the same King gave it therewith to the Monks of Westminster for the celebration of Q. Alianor's Anniversary as in Knoll is manifested to whom it continued till the general dissolution by K. H. 8. and was then purchased from the Crown by Will. Sheldon Esq and Iohn Draper together with Temple Grafton the possession whereof for ought I know to the contrary it hath ever since accompanied In this Village had the Monks of Evesham a portion of land granted to them by Wegeat one of our reputed Earls of Warwick before the Norman Conquest which was confirm'd to them by Ufa his successor about the year of Christ 964 And in 6 E. 6. did one Roger Swift die seized of a certain capitall mess. lying in this Hamlet called Allen's land whereunto belonged 500 acres of land 300 acres of Meadow 40 acres of Pasture 20 acres of wood and 200 acres of Heath and Furs leaving Frances Swift daughter of his son Edw. his cosyn and heir which Frances when the Inquis after his death was taken was 8 years of age and afterwards became the wife of Edw. Kempson Gent. second son to Will. Kempson of Temple Grafton and had issue George Kempson Hillborough THis having been antiently given to the Monks of Evesham together with Grafton as I have there observed but wrested from them in the Saxons time was soon
de le Penne of which Henry sc. what he was I have exprest my opinion in Alcester But hitherto I cannot distinguish these two Bromes and therefore whether that spoken of by these Records which I have cited do mean both of them involved together I am not able to determine yet after this viz. in 23 H. 3. I find that Robert the son of Hamon de Brome payd his Relief for 7 yard land in Brome which doth shortly appear to be this King 's Brome for in 7 E. 1. it was certified that the same Robert about the Feast of S. Gregory 3 E. 1. enfeoft M r Will. Pickerell of one mess. four yard land and a fourth part in King 's Brome for the x th part of a Knights Fee and that he had formerly vizâ— temp Regis Ioh. H 3. aliened three yard land to several persons named in the same Inquisition which Rob. notwithstanding what he thus past away dyed seized of three yard land in this place with a House thereupon leaving Robert his son and heir three years of age But after this I find little more memorable in relation to this Village forasmuch as sundry persons became interessed in several parts thereof Will. le Boteler of Oversley having one yard land and a half held by 3 Freeholders Walt. Pikerell 1 mess. 1 carucate of land 3 acres of meadow and xv s. iiii d. yearly rent held of the K. in Capite by the tenth part of a Kts. Fee whereof he had been enfeoft by Will. Pikerell his uncle before specified Which Walter past the greatest part thereof to Peter de Leicester who was certified to dye seized of a certarn Mannour here held of the K. in Capite by the tenth part of a Kts. Fee Besides these it appears that Ric. de Stanford purchased other lands here for upon his death in 14 E. 2. I find that he held one toft with 4 yard land and a half here of the K. in Capite by the service of a pair of Tongs to be paid yearly into the Exchequer by the hands of the Shiriff of this County which lands came afterwards by marriage of Stanford's heirs to the Families of Harewell and Morehall Burnellâ—s Brome THis Mannour together with Bidfordâ— was purchased in 8 E. 1. by Rob. Burnell Bishop of Bathe and Wells of Baldwine Wake and Hawise his wife being of her inheritance as may seem by the warranty against her heirs which Bishop obtained a Charter of Free-warren within two years after for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here and left it to Sir Philip Burnell his nephew to whose descendants it continued together with Bidford 'T is very like that the Burnells having here a Mannour house situate with such great advantages for pleasure and profit sometimes made their abode here though their principall seat was at the Castle of Holgate in Shropsh but I do not find that any of them had imployment in this County except S â— Hugh Burnell who was in Commission for the Peace here from 1 H. 4. till he dyed That they were men of great note appears by these instances viz. that from 5 E. 2. till his death Sir Edw. Burnell was summoned to Parl. with the other Barons so also S r Nicholas from 24 E. 3. and Sir Hugh from 7 R. 2. Which S r Hugh departing this world in 8 H. 5. had his sepulture in the Quire of the Abby at Hales Owen under a goodly Tombe of Alabaster built in his life time near to Ioyce his wife daughter and heir to the Lord Botetort of Weoleigh-Castle in Worcestershire whose Armes he quartered though the usage of later times hath not been so to do Rob. Burnell Bathon Wellen. episc 8 E. 1. Hugo Burnell miles Philippus Burnell miles Edw. Burnell miles obiit 9 E. 2. s. prole Aliva Joh. Handlo secundus maritus Matilda soror haeres Joh. Lovel de Tichmersh 10 E. 2. Ioh. Lovell obiit 21 E. 3. Ioh. Lovell obiit 9 H. 4. Matilda consanguinea haeres Rob. Holland mil. Ioh. Lovel obiit 2 H. 5. Gulielmus dominus Lovell Ioh. dominus Lovel Holland Franciscus vice comes Lovell attinctus 1 H. 7. Guliel Lovell dominus Morley jure ux obiit 16 E. 4. Alianora filia haeres Rob. domini Morley Henr. dominus Morley obiit sine prole 5 H. 7. Alicia soror haeres ux Will. Parker mil. Nich. cognom Burnell 37 E. 3. Hugo Burnell miles aet 26 an 6 R. 2. Edw. Burnell miles obiit vivo patre sine prole But after the issue male of these Burnells became extinct this Mannour by virtue of an Entail made by Maud the sister and heir to Sir Edw. Burnell in 18 E. 2. divolved to her right heirs viz. her Descendants by the first Husband Lovell so that in conclusion upon the attainder of Francis Viscont Lovell 1 H. 7. it eschaeted to the Crown together with Bidford and by K. H. 8.24 Martii 6 H. 8. was granted to Gerard Danet one of the Esq for his body and Mary his wife and to the heirs male of their two bodies To which Gerard and Mary succeeded S r Iohn Danet to him Leonard whose estate herein Q. Eliz. in 6 of her reign confirmed Since which time being purchased by the Lady S. Iohn widow to S r Edw. Griffin of Dingley in com Northampt â— Atturny generall to Q. Eliz. for S r Ries Griffin her son by the same S r Edw. the said S r Ries having first depopulated all except the Mannour house past the whole to S r Iohn Sidley K t who dying without issue it descended to Sir Will. Sidley his brother and heir which S r Will. sold it to Tho. Nurse a Lawyer of Linc. Innne from whom it was past soon after to Ferd. Dowdswel and by him to Fran. Poulton who sold it to S r Sim. Clarke Bar. now sc. an 1640. owner thereof Barton THough I have not met with any direct mention of this place before E. 1. time yet do I conclude it to have bave been a Village long before for in the general Survey then taken it was doubtless involved with Bidford and so past with that Mannour to Lewelin Prince of Wales all which may be concluded from what appears by that Fine in 8 E. 1. wherein it was passed by the name of the Mannour of Berton to Bob. Burnell then Bishop of Bathe and Wells by Baldwyn Wake and Hawisia his wife it being of her inheritance and in 9 E. 2. was reputed a Hamlet of Bidford being with it then held by Aliva or Eva Burnell in dower Howbeit after this till 21 Eliz. I find very little thereof but then it appeareth that Richard Copley upon condition of
observed Skilts THis was antiently a Grange belonging to the Priory of Studley and written Skyllus-grange but the first mention I have found thereof is in a Petition to the Bishop of Worcester temp H. 6. by Thomas Atwode right heir of blood as he there stiles himself to Peter Corbicon the Founder of that Religious House wherein he complains against Thomas Bedull the then Prior for keeping a Paramour here viz. Ioane wife to one Iohn Greene by the connivence of her husband to which Ioane he sundry times resorted in secular apparell allowing her Wheate Malt Wooll and other things whereby the Monastery was much impoverisht It seems that upon Partition betwixt the heirs female of Knightley to whom th said Priory of Stodley came after its dissolution as I have there observed it fell to Iames Duffyld in right of Frances his wife one of those coheirs for in 3 E. 6. did William East and others purchase it of the said Iames together with a fift part of the Mannour of Stodley and in 2 Eliz. sold it to Will Sheldon Esquier by the name of two messuages 600. acres of land 60. acres of Meadow 600. acres of Pasture 120. acres of Wood and 100. acres of Heath and Furrs all which he imparkt for Deer and the on South side thereof built a very beautifull House of brick whereof his posterity of whom I have spoke in Weston juxta Chiriton are possest at this day Holt. THis being that which belong'd to the Knights Templars and after to the Hospitalars here in Studley was in 34 H. 8. past out of the Crown to Sir Edmund Knightley Knight but I find it not called by the name of Holt till 4 E. 6. and then was it certified that Henry Rishton Esquire dyed seized thereof 14. Iunii 3 E. 6. by the name of the Mannour or Capitall mess. called Holt with the appurtenances in Stodelegh and 2. mess. 300. acres of land 50 acres of Meadow 200. acres of Pasture and 60. acres of Wood and underwood to the same belonging leaving Iohn Rishton his son and heir then 18. years of age From which Iohn in 2. 3. Ph. M. it was conveyed to Raph Rishton gent. who the next ensuing year past it to Sir Iohn Southworth Knight Padongre THis was originally a member of that part of Stodley which belong'd to Corbicon and came afterwards to Cantilupe for in 6 E. 2. I find it certified that Ric. fil Ricardi held the sixteenth part of a Knights Fee here of Iohn de Hastings then deceased which was valued at xiii s. iv d. but little else have I further seen thereof than what tends to the same effect Coughton FOllowing the stream of Arrow I come next to Coughton which containing within its Parish the Hamlets of Samburne and Wike was in the Conq râ— time possest by Turchill de Warwick of whom one William then held it and by the generall Survey wherein it is written Coctune certified to contain three hides of land having a Mill valued at xxxii d. as also one House in Warwick yeilding viii d. per annum at which time the Meadows here were estimated at ten acres and the Woods at six furlongs in length and four in breadth wherein there was feeding for 50. Hogs all which being valued at L s. had been the freehold of Untonius in Edward the Confessors days That this was part of those lands belonging to the said Turchill and which were disposed of to Henry de Neuburgh the first Earl of Warwick after the Conquest I am induced to believe from consideration of the tenure forasmuch as it appeareth by sundry authorities to have been held of the succeeding Earls as I shall have occasion to give instance by and by From which Earl I suppose Peter de Stodley sometimes written Peter Corbicon had it for it appears that upon his Foundation of the Priory at Stodley in H. 1. or King Stephen's time he gave the Church to that House but it was not long after ere that a certain family who assumed their sirname from hence were possessors of it Of which Ranulph de Cocton is the first that I meet with who held also a Knights Fee elswhere of the Monks of Evesham in 12 H. 2. This Ranulph had issue Simon de Cocton who towards the latter end of King Iohn's raign was in that Rebellion with the Barons and of the retinue to Walter de Beauchamp for which his lands were seized but upon his return to obedience he had restitution of them again Which Simon gave to the Canons of Alcester in this County a certain place in his Woods here at Cocton whereupon to erect a House for Hogs as also one load of Wood for every week in the year To him succeeded another Simon who in 5 H. 3. confirmed to the Canons of Studley their right in the advouson of this Church at Cocton which Simon was a Knight but having no issue male left his two daughters his heirs Cecilie married to Iohn de la Mare and Ioan to William de Spineto whereby it seems that this Lordship came by partition to Spine for I find that Roger de Spine son to the said William and Ioan past away the inheritance of it to Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester in 17 E. 1. by the name of one mess. and three Carucates of land but the Bishop kept it not long for by his Deed bearing date at Wydinton on the Feast day of S. Luke the Evangelist 21 E. 1. he granted and quit claymed all his right therein by the name of the Mannour of Cocton unto William son of William Spine and his heirs which William I suppose to have been a younger brother to the same Roger. By what right it was that Simon son to Rob. de Bruylli came to have an interest here I cannot directly tell yet out of doubt it is that some title he had and if I may guesse thereat for authority I have none I should imagine that he was descended from Cecilie the other coheir of Simon de Cocton before spoken of but leaving this to further scrutinie I proceed to what is apparent viz. that the same Simon in 36 H. 3. held half a Knights Fee in this place of the Earl of Warwick and that about the 20 E. 1. he made a grant of this Mannour unto William de Luda Bishop of Ely Howbeit I find that within a short time after for the Deed bears date at Thorpe-Watervill in Northamptonshire the Wednsday next after the Feast of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin 26 E. 1. Sir William Tuchet Knight released to the before specified William Spine and his heirs all his right in this Mannour which formerly belonged to the above mentioned Simon de Bruly To this William Spine the second succeeded another William who in 9 E. 2. was certified to hold the half Knights
paternall inheritance into which he was by the said Decree again so reinvested had restitution of an Annuitie of Lv li. per annum to be paid out of the Exchequer to himself and his heirs which had been formerly granted to his Father in lieu of certain woods lying in the Forest of Rutland wherein he had quitted his title to the said King After which I find that resolving on a Pilgrimage to S. Iames in Gallicia he constituted Humphrey de Hastang and Richard de Wrenhull or one of them his Atturney to transact his affairs in the mean time but whether he went the same year or not being 56 H. 3. I am not certain for in 3 E. 1. he had another License to that purpose and within a short space grew in such esteem with King Edward that being imployed in his service for the warrs of Wales 5 E. 1. in 8. of that King's reign he granted unto the renowned Queen Elianore the marriage of Iohn his son and heir with power that she should dispose of him in that kind to whom she pleased and in 11 E. 1. attended the King in that Welch expedition wherein those parts were wholy reduced to obedience for which service he was acquitted of L li. debt due by him to have been paid into the Exchequer This Peter altered his coat of Armes from what his Father and grandfather bore changing their Bendé of six pieces to Bendé of ten but retaining the Colours and departed this life in 15. E. 1. leaving issue Iohn his son and heir and Elizabeth a daughter afterwards married to Will son and heir of Simon de Montacute for which Lady there is yet standing a very beautifull Monument of Marble with her statue cut to the life on the North side of the Quire at Christ Church in Oxford heretofore the Conventuall Church of S. Fridiswides Monasterie there where there was afterwards a Chantrie of two secular Priests founded to celebrate divine service daily for her soul and for the souls of the said William de Montacute as also of Iohn Bokyngham Bishop of Lincolne Sir Peter de Montfort her father the Lady Maud her mother and of Iohn de Montacute William de Montacute Earl of Salisbury Simon de Montacute Bishop of Ely Edward de Montacute Alice de Aubenie the Lady Mary Cogan Elizabeth Prioresse of Haliwell the Lady Hawise Bavent the Lady Maud Abbesse at Berking the Lady Isabell a Nun of Berking children of him the said Sir William de Montacute and her and moreover for the souls of Sir Thomas de Furnivall her second husband Sir Peter Limsie her kinsman and Simon Islipâ— and for the souls of all her parents and friends But of the said Iohn de Montfort do I find very little memorable other than that he took to wife Alice the daughter of Will. de la Plaunche by whom he had issue Iohn and Peter with two daughters viz. Eliz. and Maud whose issue came to possesse a great part of the inheritance pertaining to this family as I shall shew anon for Iohn their elder brother who was one of the murtherers of Peirs de Gaveston having in 7. E. 2. received his Pardon for that offence march't with our English Army into Scotland and there lost his life in the battail of Strivelin without issue Peter the other brother having none legitimate Which Peter for I am next in course to speak of him was first in Holy Orders but after his brother's death enjoying a fair inheritance notwithstanding his sacred function was so dispensed with as it seems that he betook himself to the world and became a Knight And standing loyall to King E. 2. in the time of that great defection when so many adhered to Thomas Earl of Lancaster had a joint Commission with Will. de Beauchamp and Roger de Aylesbury for the safe custody of the City of Worcester In 20. of that King's reign he was made Governour of Warwick Castle then in the King's hands by reason of the Earls minority In 18 19 25 and 26. of E. 3. one of the Commissioners for conservation of the Peace in this County In 20. for arraying of Clx. Archers and in 29. for putting the Statute of Labourers in execution This Iohn took to wife Margaret daughter of the Lord Furnivall but by her had issue no more than one onely son called Guy betwixt whom and Margaret one of the daughters to Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick there was a marriage in 21 E. 3. by vertue of a speciall dispensation from Roger Northburgh Bishop of Coventry Lichfield having authority from Pope Clement the sixt for the same in regard they stood allied in the third and fourth degrees of Consanguinity which marriage was designed by the said Peter and the Earl for the better founding a league of friendship betwixt them and their posteritie in regard that many suits had been betwixt their Ancestors by reason that their lands in divers places lay contiguous Shortly after which marriage there was an estate in tail made of this Castle and Mannour with divers other Lordships lying in this Countie as also in the Counties of Nott. Rutl. and Surrey whereby for want of issue by the said Guy and Margaret they were after the decease of the said Sir Peter to remain unto Tho. de Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick and Katherine his wife and the heirs of the said Earl Which Thomas having obtained such an estate thereof in reversion in 35 E. 3. the same Guy being then dead without issue entailed the same upon Thomas his son and heir and the heirs male of his body and for lack of such issue on William his second son afterwards Lord Bergavenny and the heirs male of his body and for want of such issue on his own right heirs But all this while was Sir Peter de Montfort living who having had certain issue by an old Concubine called Lora de Ullenhale in E. 2. time daughter to one Richard Astley of Ullenhale took care for their advancement as may appear by those possessions they enjoyed whereof I have taken notice in due place And being grown an old man made his Testament bearing date on Saturday next after the Feast of the Conception of our Lady anno 1367. 41 E. 3. by which he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of the Friers Preachers at Warwick whereunto he gave x li. that the said Friersâ— should pray for his soul. To the Nuns of Pinley he gave x. marks for the like purpose and to the Lady Lora de Astley his old paramour then a Nun there C s. To Sir Baldw. Frevill the elder Kt. his kinsman xx li. To his son Richard de Montfort all hâ—s silver and gilt plate as also all his goods moveable and unmoveable lying in his Mâ—nnours of Kingsâ—urst in this Countie and
of Does in Wiltshire bequeathing C li. to be given to certain Prâ—ests to pray for the souls of his Father and Mother and all the faithfull deceased and appointing that every of his old servants should be rewarded at the discretion of his Executors and within two years after died for the Probate of his said Testament bears date 19. Cal. Feb. anno 1369. 43 E. 3. Of which Peter all that I have seen farther memorable is that in 20 E. 2. he gave certain lands and Rent for the finding of a Priest to celebrate divine service daily in the Parish-Church of Preston-Bagot for the health of his own soul as also the souls of his Ancestors successors whereof I have more particularly spoke in my discourse of that place But that which I have to say of his posterity I reserve to be spoken in Colshill where they setled by the marriage of Iohn his eldest illegitimate son with Ioan the daughter and heir to Sir Iohn de Clinton Knight And shall now returne to make enquiry through what hands this Castle and Mannour hath since past In which I find that Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick son to the said Earl by whom the said entail was made as aforesaid by his Deed bearing date at Warwick 19. Iulii 50 E. 3. granted unto Sir William Beauchamp Knight his brother an estate for terme of life therein for the yearly Rent of a Red Rose payable at the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist. But the inheritance thereof did the said Earl passe away to Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight and Sir Thomas Boteler who were the right heirs to Montforts lands whereupon in 9 R. 2. upon the agreement for a partition betwixt Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight and Sir Thomas Boteler Knight of all the lands which by the marriage of those coheirs unto their Ancestors were descended to them it was accorded that when the said William Beauchamp should happen to depart this life the same Sir Baldwin and his heirs should inter alia entirely enjoy this Mannour of Beaudesert in case the said Sir Thomas Boteler had satisfaction in other lands by a reasonable extent in lieu of his right therein And the same Sir William Beauchamp by his Instrument dated at London 5. Febr. 17 R. 2. wherein he is stiled Seigneur de Bergaynne reciting the before specified grant made by his brother Thomas Earl of Warwick to Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight son and heir to Sir Baldwin as abovesaid attourned accordingly But it should seem that Frevill did not afterwards make such an assignation to Butler of any lands to equalize the interest he had here in Beldesert and that in default thereof there was another partition by which Butler had the site of the Castle and the Park wherein it stood and certain other lands in Beldesert with the advouson of the Church all which past by the name of the Mannour of Beldesert together with the town of Henley as parcell of the Mannour of Beldesert for by an Inquis taken after the death of Sir Raph Boteler of Sudley Knight in 13 E. 4. it appeareth that he dyed seized of all these leaving Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and Henry Belknap Esquire his cosins and heirs as by the Descent in Griffe appeareth From which Sir Iohn and Henry did King Edward the fourth in 17. of his reign obtain it as by an Obligation in two thousand marks wherein they the same Sir Iohn and Henry became bound unto the said King to release all their right and title therein by the name of the Mannour of Beaudesert with the appurtenances four Mâ—ssuages four Gardens two Acres of Land CCCC acres of Meadow a thousand Acres of Pasture CCCC acres of Wood and xii li. of Rent with the appurtenances in Beaudesert Henley Whitley and Uinhale unto Iohn Bishop of Worcester Anthony Wydevile Earl Rivers and others to the use of the said King appears And in 21 of his reign constituted Thomas Frebody Receiver to his Highnesse thereof together with other Mannours in these parts From which time it continued in the Crown till King Edward 6. by Patent dated 22. Dec. in the first year of his reign past it away by the name of the Mannour of Henley in Arden alià s Henly-Beaudesert with two Parks thereunto belonging unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs Which coming again to the Crown in 1 Mariae by his attainder whereof I have elswhere spoke was by Q. Elizabeth in the fourth of her reign granted to Ambrose Dudley then Earl of Warwick and the heirs of his body who dying issuelesse it returned again to the Crown from whence Alderman Cawdwell a Londoner purchased the site of the Castle with the Park wherein it stood in our time But the residue of Beldesert which Frevill enjoyed descended to Baldwin his son and heir who died seized thereof upon Thursday in the third week of Lent 5 H. 5. Eliz. wife to Tho. Ferrers Esquire a younger son to the Lord Ferrers of Groby one of the sisters to the said Sir Baldwin Robert Aston son of Sir Roger Aston Knight and Ioice his wife another sister and Margaret the wife of Hugh Willoughby the third sister being found his heirs Betwixt whom Partition also was afterwards made by vertue whereof as it seems this by the name likewise of the Mannour of Beldesert was allotted to Aston for I find that Sir Edward Aston of Ticksall in Com. Staff Knight son of Sir Walter being seized thereof sold it in 36. Eliz. to Francis Smyth of Wotton-Wawen Esquire and his heirs who in 15 Iac. obtained a Charter of Freewarren in all his demesn lands here and dying seized thereof left it to Sir Charles his son and heir since created Lord Carington the present owner thereof Of the Church dedicated to S. Nicholas I find no mention at all in that Taxation of Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. But in 14 E. 3. the Record runneth thus Ecclesia de Beldesert non extenditur propter paupertatem sed valet per annum xl s. and in 26 H. 8. it was rated at viii li. there being at that time ii s. yearly payable out of it for Procurations and Synodals and ii s. as a Pension to the Church of Wotton Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Petrus de Monteforti D. Ric. de Budiford Cap. 6. Non. Martii 1327. Petrus de Monteforti Ioh. de Grafton Accol 15. Oct. 1331. D. Episcopus Ioh. de Alne Pbr. ult Iulii 1332. D. Petrus de Monteforti Henr. de Pyrie Pbr. 4â— Aug. 1333. D. Petrus de Monteforti Galfr. Capellanus de Ilminton 1. Feb. 1368. D. Will. de Bellocampo dominus de Bergavenny D. Henr. Leeke Pbr. 8. Iulii 1407. Rad. Boteler miles Rob. Aston ar Rob. Loughborough Cap. 25. Sept. 1439. Rad. Boteler dominus de Sudley D. Ioh. Hopkyns 24. Ian. 1451. Henr. 7. Rex Angliae D. Iac.
the Counties of Berks. Northampton Stafford Wigorn. Linc. Oxford and Suff. were bestowed by the Conqueror on Robert de Stadford paternally descended from that great and noble Family of Tonei being son as I think to Roger de Tonei totius Normanniae Signifer as also Brother to Raph de Tonei who came into England with Duke William and fought stoutly on his behalf in the battail against King Harold in which I need not make question but that this Robert also was for my Author having mentioned the said Raph and some few others of the highest rank addeth these words aliique quamplures militaris praestantiae fama celebratissimi quorum nomina Historiarum voluminibus inter bellicosissimos commendari deceat In consideration therefore of that notable service I shall conclude that he was rewarded with such vast possessions in the severall Counties before mentioned amongst which this town of Wootton with the rest of Wagen's lands were part but making choise of Stafford for his principall seat where he had a strong Castle as is evident assumed his sirname from thence The extent of this Wootton was then certified to be 7. hides there being at that time a Church and two Mills and the woods belonging â—hereto containing two miles in length and one in breadth which with all the rest were valued at iv li. In the line of which Robert it continued till the death and attainder of Edward Duke of Buck. temp H. 8. But the story of that noble Family I reserve for another work and shall here take notice only of what I find thereof in reference to this place which is no more than that in 13 E. 1. Nich. Lord Stafford obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here And that in 2 Edw. 2. Edmund his son dying seized of this Mannour was certified to hold it together with Tisoe in this Countie and certain lands in Staffordshire of the King in Capite by Barony scil to find three armed men with Horses compleatly harnessed for service in the Warrs of Wales during the space of xl days at his own proper charges After the death of which Duke Thomas Grey Marq. Dorset obtained it inter alia from the King first for life and afterwards to himself and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas had issue Henry Marq. Dorset created Duke of Suff. by King Edw. 6. as in Astley is shewed but attainted in 1 Mariae whereupon this Mannour was granted by that Queen to Sir Iohn Grey Knight and Mary his wife and their heirs 3 Iunii 2 3. Ph. M. From whom Dame Agnes Smyth the Widow of Sir Iohn Smyth Knight one of the Barons of the Exchequer and Francis Smyth son and heir to the said Agnes purchased it 1. Maii 1 Eliz. which Francis died seized of it 3. Sept. 4 Iac. whose grandchild Sir Francis Smyth Knight having in 15 Iac. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here left issue Sir Charles Smyth Knight his son and heir now Lord Carington the present owner thereof BEsides this Mannour here in Wootton that continued so long in the line of Stafford there was another which belonged to the Family of Harewell for many descents but had not the reputation of a Mannour for ought I have seen till of later time For the originall of it grew by divers petty purchases of severall parcells of land in the times of King Edw. 1. and E. 2. made by one Richard de Stanford and Idonea his wife which Richard is stiled in most of the deeds that I have seen Magister Ric. de Stanford Clericus and left issue Iohn his son and heir who in 23 E. 3. being one of the Commissioners in this County for assessing and collecting a xv th and x th then granted to the King in Parliament and in 27 E. 3. Coroner in this Shire bore for his Armes a Fesse and upon a Canton in the dexter part of the shield a martlet as by his Seal appears and had issue Iohn as also Maud a daughter married to Roger de Harewell brother to Iohn Harewell Bishop of Bathe and Wells towards the later end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time which Maud became her brother's heir and possest all those his lands whereunto by marriages of severall heirs and otherwise her descendants made so fair an addition as that they were rankt amongst the superior gentry of this Shire therefore having something to say historically of them this being their principall Seat I have inserted the following Pedegree extracted out of the Evidences of the before specified Lord Carington Of Iohn Harewell son and heir to Roger and Maud I find that he being elected one of the Coroners in this Countie in 16 R. 2. upon his complaint to the King that the choise was not according to the tenour of the Statute of 3. E. 1. Cap. 10. which provideth that those to be chosen ought to be sage and wise Knights that might know how to undergo and that would attend the said Office a Precept was directed to the Shiriff to make a new election in his full Countie wherein the form of the said Statute should be exactly observed In 1 H. 5. he was Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 5 o one of the Councell to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick In 7 H. 5. imployed by Commission with other persons of quality to treat with the people here for a loan of money to the King and from 9 H. 5. till his death a Justice of Peace in this Shire He bore for Magr. Ric. de Stanford Clericus 15 E. 1. Idonea 23 E. 1. Ioh. Harewell Ioh. Harewell Bath Wellen. Episc. obiit 10 R. 2. Rog. Harewell de Wootton 42 E. 3. Ric. Harewell canonicus Eccl. de Wells 20 R. 2. Ioh. Harewell obiit 7 H. 6. Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 7. H. 5. Nich. Harewell ob s. prole Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 17 H. 7. Rog. Harewell de Solihull 21 H. 8. Will. Harewell de Stoorton Ric. Harewell de Shoterich ob 17 H. 6. Iohanna filia haeres ob s. p. 29 H. 6. Rog. Harewell 9 H. 6. Agnes filia cohaer Will. Clopton mil. Will. Harewell obiit 16 H. 7. Agnes filia Henrici Wogan Ioh. Harewell obiit 10 Apr. 20 H. 7. Anna filia haeres Ric. Midleton Agnes filia quinta cohaeres Ioh. Smyth Baro Scac. 25 H. 8. Franciscus Smyth ar obiit 3. Sept. 1606. Maria filia haeres Joh. Morton de Ashby-Folvile in Com. Leic. Georgius Smyth Anna filia Thomae Giffard de Chillington mil. Franciscus Smith miles Anna filia Thomae Markham de Merton in Com Nott. ar Carolus Smyth de Wotton miles erectus in Baronem Carington Eliz. filia Ioh. Carrell eq aur Thomas Harewell obiit sine prole Thomas Harewell ob sine prole 22
away all his interest in this Lordship to Peter de Montfort in H. 3. time Sir Will. de Bishopesdon Sir Thomas his son and Sir Henry Pipard all Knights being witnesses thereto After which the same Peter sc. of Beldesert granted to Roger the son of Henry de Witele and his heirs all those lands and Rents which he the said Roger held of him within the precincts of this place reserving for the same to himself and his heirs the yearly Rent of two pair of white Gloves at Easter and Michaelmasse for all services and likewise Royall service for one yard land a half with reasonable Aid for the making his and their eldest sons Knights and marriage of their eldest daughters according to the custome of the Realm as also suit of Court viz at the severall Courts to be held after Michaelmasse the Feast of S. Hillary and Hokeday upon reasonable Summons But this Henry de Witele was son to Roger the son of Thurstane de Cherlecote and not of the line of Thomas de Witele and fixing here relinquisht his paternal name assuming his sirname thenceforth from this place as was very usual in those times to do In 13 Ioh. I find that this Lordship then certified as parcell of the Honour of Stafford answered for three parts of a Knight's Fee but in 36 H. 3. for no more than two parts Will. Durovassall and Rog. de VViteleg before mentioned at that time holding it of Peter de Montfort and VVill. de Lucy and they of Rob. de Stafford Which Peter and his posterity were the only known Lords thereof for some descents for in 13 E. 1. the same Peter claimed Free-warren here as in other his Lordships which was allowed and in 24 E. 1. Iohn de Montfort his son and heir died seized thereof at which time there were certified y to be seven Free-holders who yearly paid xxx s ob q. Rent the Pleas and Perquisites being then valued at ii s. per an And yet neverthelesse did Iohn de VVhitely in 38 E. 3. and 5 R. 2. write himself Dominus de Witley but this was as Lord mesne under Montfort as I conceive Which Iohn had issue Ric. de VVhiteley who quitted all the interest that he had here to Ioan Beauchamp Lady of Bergavenny and others Feoffees in trust I suppose on the behalf of Iohn Harewell a younger son to Iohn Harewell of Wootton For in 7 H. 5. this Iohn Harewell wrote himself de VVhitley and in 17 H. 7. Iohn Harewell brother and heir of Nich. Harewell eldest son to the said Iohn past it by the name of the Mannour of Whitley into the hands of Iohn Grevill Thomas Trussell and other Feoffees But in 17 H. 8. Roger Harewell son to the said Iohn in consideration of Lx li. by his deed bearing date 16 Martii absolutely sold it to Iohn Smith which Iohn in 22 H. 8. to strengthen his title the better being at that time one of the Remembrancer's in the Exchequer and afterward a Baron of that Court obtained a Release thereof unto Sir Thomas Dennis Knight and others for the use of himself and his heirs to whom it still together with Wootton continues Forwood THe first mention I find of this place is in 14 E. 1. where it was entailed by Peter de Montfort with Haselholt whereof I have already spoke But I am of opinion that it was originally a member of Whitley From which Peter descended Iohn de Montfort who in 24 E. 1. died seized of a certain messuage here with a small Park having 3 carucates of land in demesn all held of the Lord Stafford by the service of iii s. and suit to his three weeks Court at UUotton but afterwards was it accounted as a member of Beldesert Edston IN the Conqueror's time this being possest by the same Robert de Stadford of whom I have made mention in Wootton divers other places was by the general Survey then certified to contain 5. hides and valued at iii li. having Woods belonging thereto which extended to half a mile in length and half a furlong in breadth but before the Norman invasion it was the freehold of Ailric and Uluuinus As for the name there is no question but that it sprung originally from some antient possessor of it in the Saxons time called Edric that being in those dayes an appellation frequently used for in the before specified Survey it is written Edricestone By the same Robert de Stadford it was given as it seems to the Monks of Conchis in Normandy but afterwards upon confirmation setling all things in Wootton to those Monks reassumed by Robert grandchild to the said Robert in exchange for certain lands in Wootton as in my discourse of the Priory there is manifested How and to whom it was passed from the descendants of this Rob. de Stadford I cannot cleerly see but by all circumstances it should seem that Raph de Ruperiis a Norman obtained it For in 6 Ioh. 't is apparent that the King seized it for his disloialty with divers lands elsewhere which belong'd to other Normans the occasion whereof I have toucht in Ilmingdon and caused its value to be enquired of which was then certified at ivl. whereupon he directed his Precept to the Shiriff commanding him to make livery thereof to the Knights Templars to hold at the same rate at which it was so estimated But it seems that the Templars possest it not long for I find that the said King granted it shortly after to Godfrey de Craucumbe and that by the forfeiture of the same Godfrey it again eschaeted to the Crown as also that in 12 and 13 Ioh. it being then in the said King's hands answered for half a Knights Fee as part of the Honour of Stafford and continued in the Crown till 31. H. 3. About which time Peter de Montfort obtained it as it seems for after that year I do not find that the Shiriff accounted to the Exchequer for the ferm thereof and in 36 H. 3. it is apparent that amongst the Baron of Stafford's Fees collected upon the King's transfretation into Gascoin it answered for half one being then held by Will. de Edricheston of the said Peter de Montfort and by him of the Lord Stafford And in 50 H. 3. after the death of the said Peter slain in the battell of Evesham as in Beldesert I have shewed it became extended with the rest of his lands but certain it is that the said Will de Edrichston actually possest it for in divers evidences he is stiled Lord thereof And yet had the same Peter some other interest here for it appears that he granted to the Monks of Bordsley all his Common of pasture within the precincts of this Lordship viz. for xv beasts two Horses for draught and CC sheep according to the large Hundred which
member of the last mentioned Lordship I have seen nothing more than the bare mention in a certain Recognition made by the Inhabitants of Haseler temp H. 6. of what Glebe and Tithes with other profits were then and antiently had been belonging to the Church Vpton THis Village stands upon an ascent and by reason thereof had its name as the first syllable thereof plainly imports In the Conqueror's time it being possest by Will. Buenvasleth was then held of him by one Roger his Tenant and in the generall Survey then taken certified to contain 4. hides and a half and written Optone the Woods belonging thereto being ten furlongs and xviii perches in length and 1 furlong in breadth and the value of the whole Lxx s. But before the Nâ—â—man invasion 3. Fâ—eeholders of Earl Leuric had 〈◊〉 After this it came to one of the old Earls of Warwick but how soon appeâ—rs not By whom it seems that Botelâ—r of Oversley was enfeoft thereof for in 20 H. 3. Mauritius le Botiller held one Kts. fee here of the then Earl From which Maurice or his son I presume it was passed to Hugh Aguilun who dying seized thereof â—n 12 E. 1. without issue male and his four siâ—ters or their children sharing his lands it became allotted to Will. de Whitenton son of Hawise his second sister which Will. in severall grants wâ—ites himself Dominus de Upton juxta Haseloure in one whereof bearing date 19 E. 2. he is stiled a Kt. But from this Sir W. de Whitinton after many descents it divolved unto Guy VVhitington of Pauntley in com Glouc. Esq. who held it in 10 H. 6. And from the said Guy to Thomas VVhitington Esq. who died seized thereof in 38 H. 8. leaving six daughters and heirs whereof Margaret the eldest was wedded to Thomas Throkmorton of .... in com Glouc. Blanch to Iohn S. Abyn Anne to Bricius Berkley Ioane to Roger Bodnam Alice to .... and Eliz. to .... Poole betwixt whom I do not find that there was any Partition made before the 26 of Q. Eliz. reign Southwards from Haseler but within the same Parish is a Coppice wood and in it a notable Hill which is of such a steep and equall ascent from every side as if it had been artificially made so that it is a very eminent mark over all that part of the Country and by the common people called Alcocks Arbour Towards the foot whereof is a hole now almost filled up having been the entrance into a Cave as the Inhabitants report of which Cave there is an old wives story that passes for current amongst the people of the adjacent Towns viz. that one Alcock a great Robber used to lodge therein having got much mony by that course of life hid it in an iron-bound Chest whereunto were three Keys which Chest they say is still there but guarded by a Cock that continually sits upon it And that on a time an Oxford-Schollar came thither with a Key that opened two of the Locks but as he was attempting to open the third the Cock seized on him To all which they adde that if one Bone of the partie who set the Cock there could be brought he would yield up the Chest. But leaving this Fable to those that fancy such things I come to a place not far from it called Grove-hill whence issueth a very pleasant Spring which antiently bore the name of Caldwell being remarkable for an Heremitage that stood close by it and at the Foundation of Alcester Priorie by Raph Boteler of Overâ—â—ey in K. Steph. time was by him given thereto Great Alne HAving now dispatch't on this side the River Alne I must step to the other where I am first to take notice of Great Alne antienly written Ruen Alne â— and therefore corruptly now called Round Alne Tâ—is was given to the Monks of Winchcombe in com Glouc. about the year of Christ DCCCIX by Kenulph King of Mercia then Founder of that Monastery and by the Conqueror's Survey being certified to contain vs hides having a Mill rated at v s. with woods of half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth was valued at iiii l. In that Record it is written Alne being so called from the River nearâ— unto which it is situate Which Monks of Winchecombe had in 35 H. 3. Freewarren granted unto them in all their demesn lands of this Mannour But of it I have seen no more worthy of note other than that after the dissolution of that Abby it continued in the Crown till 42 Eliz. and was then granted to ..... Stone and ..... Grynford to hold in Capite The Rectorie here is appurtenant to that of Kynewarton part of the Parson of Kynewarton's Glebe lying within this Parish But in 26 H. 8. the profits of each were computed by themselves at which time this of Alne was rated at vii l. viii s. there being then issuing out of it for Synodals and Procurations x s. v d. ob In a North window of the Church these Armes ....... two bends engrailed ..... empaling Bende of x pieces Or and Azure Atwood ....... two bends engrailed ..... empaling Bende of x pieces Or and Azure Mounfort Kinewarton THis doubtless had its name originally from some possessor of it in the Saxons time Kineward being an appellation in those days not unusuall Upon the foundation of Evesham Abby by Ecgwin Bishop of Worcester in the year DCCXIIII from our Saviours incarnation it was given by him thereto and in the Conqueror's Survey certified to contain 3. hides which were at that time held of the Abbot by one Ranulf whereunto then belong'd a Mill rated at iii s. the value of all being put at xx s. But in that Record it is written Chenevertone To which Ranulf succeeded another of that name called Ranulfus de Kinewarton Brother unto William Abbot of Evesham in H. 2. time Which Ranulph held the before specified 3. hides of those Monks in demesn and left issue Robert who in 1. Ioh. endowed Ioane the wife of Ric. de Brusle with one hide thereof concerning which there grew suits afterwards betwixt the Monks of Evesham and the descendants of the said Richard and Ioane for in 34 H. 3. Rob. de Bruily brought an Assize of Novell disseisin against the Abbot of Evesham for 5. yard land here but the Monks at â—ast obtained Bruilye's interest by purchase in 10 E. 1. and in 13. of that King's reign claimed by Prescription a Court Leet here with Assize of bread and Beer Weyfs and divers other privileges all which were allowed After which viz. temp E. 2. Walter de Beauchamp granted to them one Messuage 3. acres of meadow and xl s. Rent which he held of the said Monks by the service of x s. per an But there is nothing more of note that I have
retinue to Maurice de Berkley an English Baron But about the 33 E. 3. the said Gerard departed this life leaving Iohn his son and heir under age the custodie of whose lands together with his marriage was granted in 33 E. 3. by Sir Ric. Stafford Kt. unto Ric. de Clodshale of Saltley in this Countie which Iohn by the death of Iohn de Vale his Uncle by the Mothers side without issue in 34 E. 3. was found to be one of his Cosins and next heirs and in 2. R. 2. being then a Kt. was constituted one of the Commissioners in this Countie for taxing a subsidie at that time granted to the K. in Parliament To whom succeeded Sir Thomas Burdet Kt. his son and heir a person honoured with divers great imployments in his time In 5 R. 2. he was constituted one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Countie being then of the retinue unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick In 17 R. 2. he served in the Parlâ— then held at Westm. as one of the Kts. for this Shire so also in the Parliaments of 2. and 8. H. 4. In 3. H. 5. he was made Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire In 6 H. 5. again one of the Commissioners of Array in this Shire and the next year following jointly intrusted together with the Shiriff and some other select persons to treat with the people for a loan of money to the King In 9 H. 5. he was in Commission for assessing and collecting a Subsidie then granted to the K in Parl. and left issue Nicholas his son and heir of whom I find that being one of those who bearing Armes from his Ancestors as the Writ and Return thereof specially intimates he had Summons to attend the King in person at Westminster upon Tuesday in the first week of Lent 7 H. 5. for defence of the Realm Shortly after which he was retained to serve the said K. in his wars for by an Indenture bearing date at Suthwike 6 Maii 8 H. 5. it appears that he received in hand from Iâ—hn Sâ—lvâ—â—â—e Treasurer at Wars to the D. of Bedford for himself two men at Arms and seaven Archers xxix l. xi s. vi d. for one quarters wages And continuing in those wars in 3 H. 6. was one of those that defended the town of S. Iames de Bevuron situate on the frontiers of Normandy towards Britany and upon the siege thereof by Arthur Earl of Richmont and Yverie Constable of France made a courageous â—ally wherein 7 or 800 of the enemy were slain 50 Prisoners 18 Standards and one Banner taken In 15 H. 6. he was a Knight but being afterwards made chief Butler of Normandy and Governour of Cureur in that Dutchy was slain in the battail of Pontoise 18 H. 6. To whom succeeded Thomas his son and heir which Thomas in 28 H. 6. being imployed in this Countie about levying the subsidie then granted to the K. in Parl. was from the 7 th to the fourteenth of E. 4. reign in Commission for conservation of the Peace But in 17 E. 4. having incurred the King's displeasure for his good affections to the D. of Clarence so strict were the eyes and ears that were set â—ver him that an advantage was soon taken to cut of his Head for hearing that the King had killed a white Buck in his Park here at Arewe which Buck he set much store by passionately wishing the Hoâ—es in his Belly that moved the K. so to do being arraigned and convicted of high Treason for those words upon inference made that his meaning was mischievous to the K. himself he lost his life for the same his Body being buried in the Chapell of All Saints within the Gray-Friers Church near Newgate with this memoriall in their Martyrologe viz. that he was valens Armiger Domini Georgii Ducis Clarenciae After the death of which Thomas their grew great suits for this Mannour and other lands betwixt Richard Burdet his son by a former wife that â—ad been for nearness of kindred divorced from him and Iohn Burdet his son by Margaret a later wife For the said Thomas by License obtained from the K. in 12 E. 4. had aliened his lands to his younger son to the disherison of the elder of which he became afterwards so sensible that as he was drawn from the Tower to the place of execution espying his eldest son in Westchepe over against St. Thomas Becket's Hospitall now Mercers Chapell he caused himself to be stayed and there asked his said son forgiveness and acknowledging the wrong he had done him concluded that to be the cause of Gods vengeance then against him But in that suit before mentioned the said Iohn the younger son prevailed Margaret his Mother holding her estate therein for life who shortly after married to Thomas Woodhill Howbeit after this it was not long ere that the before specified Ric. Burdet so wrought with his Brother Iohn as also with the said Margaret and her husband that they levâ—ed a Fine of this Mannour and other lands whereby the same Richard became vested into the present possession thereof the remainder to Thomas his son and for want of issue by him to Robert his other son and the heirs of his body and for lack of such issue to the right heirs of Richard Which two sons died young in their Fathers life time and Richard himself left no heir male The consideration whereof much moving the said Iohn forasmuch as this Mannour and the rest of those entailed lands were like to be transferred to another Familie by Anne the daughter and heir of the same Richard he exhibited a Petition in Parl. to K. H. 8. about the beginning of his reign wherein the better to ingratiate himself he set forth his adherence to Henry D. of Buckingham in the behalf of Henry Earl of Richmund afterwards King by the name of H. 7. against Ric. 3. King in deed but not of right alleadging that upon the miscarriage of that Duke in his said attempts he himself was taken at Gloucester and there kept Prisoner and moved that the said Fine should be made void so that himself and his heirs might enjoy this Mannour with the lands before mentioned in such sort as he and they should and ought to have done hat it not been levied This Iohn Burdet was one of the retinue unto Sir Edm. Howard Admirall in 4 H. 8. for scouring the Seas on the Southern coast of England and in no small favour at Court as it seems for his Petition took such effect that he pursued his claim to this Lordship and all other the lands whereof his Father was seized against Edward Conway and Anne his wife daughter and heir to the before specified Ric. Burdet as if there had been no such entail as hath been said Which suits
was in exchange for certain lands in Bedfordshire and the summe of 774 li. 09 s. 02 d. granted unto Sir George Throkmorton Knight and his heirs 30 Maii 33 H. 8. From which sir George is S r Robert Throknorton Baronet of whom in Coughton I have spoke lineally descended who in 7 Caroli obtained a special Charter for himself and his heirs to hold a Court Leet here and to have Free-warren with certain other priviledges But here before I proceed farther I may not omit to observe that though the possession of this Lordship went thus from the line of Gascoine yet is the honorary title thereof revived in his posterityâ— for in 4 Caroli the King taking notice of Sir Thomas Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse in Yorkshire Knight and Baronet descended by an heir female from the said Sir William to be a man of singular prudence and eminent word and theâ—efore resolving to employ him in the highest affairs of State advanced him to the dignity of Baron Wentworth of the same Wentwoâ—â—h-Woodhouse Newmarcâ— as also of this Oversley and afterwards to the Lieutenancy of Ireland and Earldome of Strafford Nor must I forget that likewise from the same stock viz. from Nicholas a younger brother to the Chief Justice Gascoin before spoken of is also sprung my special friend Richard Gascoine late of Bramham-Biggin in the said County of York Esq a gentleman well worthy of the best respects from all lovers of Antiquities to whose good affections and abilities in those studies his own Family and several others of much eminency allied thereto are not a little obliged How long the Tithes of this Lordship were enjoyed by the Monks of Alcester in order to the grant made by Raph Boteler Founder of that Monastrie I am not certain but in 26 H. 8. it doth not appear that they had them And by what I have otherwise seen it is evident that the Church of Arrow wâ—thin the precincts of which Parish this place is possest them till that Mich. Clerke Parson there in Q. Eliz. time grew so a Composition with Sir Rob. Throkmorton Knight then Lord of Oversley for the same wherby it was concluded that the said Sir Rob. his heirs and assignes owners of this Mannour should be exempt from payment of any Tithes whatsoever arising within the compasse thereof in consideration of which immunity they should pay to the said Michaell and his successors the summe of vi li. of current English money at the Feasts of the Annunciation of our Lady S. Iohn Bapt. S. Mich. th'Archangell and the Nativity of our Lord by even portions but that the Parson of Arrow for the time being should receive all personal Tithes from the Inhabitants of the Hamlet called Oversley-greene and also the Tithe of certain parcells of medowing there particularly expressed Exhall THis in Edw. the Confessor's days having been the Fâ—â—ehold of one Suain but after the Norman Invasion with divers lands of a great extent in this and other Counties bestowed by the Conqueror on Will. fil Corbucion was by the generall Survey whereâ—n 't is written Eccleshelle certified to contain one hide and a half valued at v s. and then held of the same William by Turchill To the posterity of which Corbucion it continued till King Iohn's time or thereabouts but then Will. de Cantilupe obtained it from Ric. Corbicun a younger son to Peter as I guesse of whom in Studley I have spoke which Will. bestowed it on Sibill his sister and Geffrey Pancefot her husband and the heirs of their two bodies Howbeit there is little else that I have seen relating to the Mannour which makes me suppose that it was parcell'd out to Freeholders and no Courts kept whereunto they did any suit or service But I find that Walter Pykerell in 26 E. 1. died seized of one Messuage and two yard land here being of the Fee of Budiford And that Peter de Leicester in 32. E. 1. held Lxxx. acres of land lying here also leaving Iulian his sister and heir then married to Walter de Berntâ—orpe As also that in 10 H. 6. Iohn Ippewell yeoman possest two Messuages and three yard land here which he held by the fifth part of a Knights Fee And that in 37 H. 8. Eliz. Walsingham widow died seized of two Messuages and Lxii acres of land lying in this place leaving Iohn Walsingham her cosin and next heir But farther I have not seen any thing of much note relating thereto other than that the heirs of Corbison have been certified to hold the fourth part of a Knights Fee here of the Earl of Warwick it being now reputed a member of Overslei the Lord of that Mannour having the Roialty thereof Touching the Church originally a Chapell belonging to Saltford and therewith given to the Canons of Kenilworth I find that it was dedicated to S. Giles by Simon Bishop of Worcester in H. 1. time as also then endowed with Glebe and Tithes as by his confirmation which I have thought fit here to transcribe appeareth Universis c. Simon Dei gratia Wigorniensis Ecclesiae minister humilis in Domino salutem Confirmo praesenti pagina donationem quam probi homines de Eccleâ—â—ala donaverunt Ecclesiae praedicti Manerii in die qua eam dedicavi Sciendum est autem quod Robertus Corbusceon ejus uxor donaverunt eidem Ecclesiae imperpetuum unam virgatam terrae cum prato ad tantum terrae pertinente totam suam partem ejusdem Crosti except is duabus acris quas Wido erga eum excambiavit ad opus ejusdem Ecclesiae cum moro sub â—rosto Wido verò ex sua parte quatuor aeras in campo dimidium in prato Robertus similiter duas acras Hanc donationem similiter omnes fecerunt cum Decimis suis plenartis eidem Ecclesiae liberam quietam ab omni seculari servicio Et ego ex mea parte volo praecipio ut libera sit quieta ab omni Episcopali consuetudine Qui autem aliquid inde subtraxerit sive minuere vel perturbare praesumpserit Anathematis gladio feriatur Testibus Gervasio Archidiaconâ— Radulpho Priore de Stanes Pagano Capellano c. And as it was a Chapelry to Saltford so had the said Canons of Kenilworth a ratification thereof to them by the before specified Bishop with Releases from Raph de Budiford and Sir Ric. de Eccleshale Kt. of their right in the advouson thereof which Sir Richard was the same man as I take it who in the grant to Will. de Cantilupe formerly spoke of is called Richard Corbusceon Howbeit the fruits thereof were never appropriated to that Monastery but continued still to the Parson serving the Cure therein In An. 1291 19 E. 1. this Rectory was valued at x. marks but in 26 H. 8. at x li. at which time it appeareth that there was a Pension of xiii s. iiii d.
marrâ—ed to Will Lord Paget and Eliz. to Sir Henry Willoughby of Risley in Derbyshire by partition betwixt them it was allotted to Elizabeth and is by the same Sir Henry accordingly enjoyed the Towns that now owe suit thereto I mean to the Leet being these viz. Berkswell the three Bikenhills Sheldon Edgbaston Curdworth Minworth Kingsbury Hurley â— part of Merston juxta Kingsbury Whateley Holt Slateley half Wilneccote juxta Tamworth the half of Sekindon in Austrey the Mannour sometime belonging to Burton Abby Badsley-Endesoure Ansley Hartshill and Whitacre superior Tame fluv BEing now to speak of the particular places within this Hundred of Hemlingford according to my accustomed method in the â—est I must follow the course of Tame which having its rise from several heads about Dudley and Walshall in Staffordsh glides along with a slow and gentle course whence perhaps it became at first so called as Arrow was by reason of its swiftnesse and entring it at Aston moveth for a while Eastwards but being augmented by divers petty streams in its passage bendeth at length Northwards leaving the same together with the County at Tamworth whereunto as a farewell it giveth that name Aston juxta Bermingham This for distinction from others of that name is now commonly called Aston juxta Bermingham but antiently it was written Estone having originally had that name perhaps from the situation thereof Eastwards from Wedsbury in Staffordshire a town of some note in the Saxons time Before the Norman Conquest Edwine Earl of Mercia was Lord of this place but upon that great distribution made by King William to his friends and followers it with other vast possessions of the disherited English lying in the Counties of Surrey Berks. Buck. Oxon. Northampt. Worcester and Stafford besides much more in this Shire was bestowed on William Fitz Ausculf who had his principall seat at the Castle of Dudley in Staffordshire and by the generall Survey then taken certified to contain viii hides valued at C s. there being at that time a Church with a Mâ—â—l rated at iii. s. as also Woods extending to 3. miles in length and half a mile in breadth all then held of him by one Godmund To which William Fitz Ausculf succeeded in the Barony of Dudley and possession hereof Gervase Paganell who dying without issue left Hawise his sister and heir wife to R. Someri whereby the whole Barony of Dudley divolved to that Family Which R. Someri by her had issue Raph Someri who being possest of this Lordship as a member of the saâ—d Barony gave unto Thomas the son of William de Erdintone and his heirs about the beginning of King Iohn's time his Mannour house here at Estone with all the demesns as also divers Tenements particularly mentioned in his Charter to be held of him the said Raph and his heirs by the service of a pair of gilt Spurs or the price of them viz. vi d. payable at Easter for all services and demands whatsoever Touching which Family of Erdington I shall speak historically in Erdington where I have inserted the Descent and therefore will here take notice of what only concerns them in reference to this place In 2 H. 3. this Mannour together with Erdington was assigned by the King to Roese de Cocfeld the Widow of the before specified T. de Erdington for her present maintenance till her dowry should be set out howbeit the next year following the Shiriff had command though for what reason appears not to deliver possession of it unto Philip de Ascells for the King's use and that he should not permit William Grasse to meddle therewith nor to make any wast or destruction in the land or woods belonging thereto This being the utmost Lordship towards Staffordshire and some dispute growing touching the bounds thereof King H. 3. directed his Precept to the Justices Itinerant in 20. of his reign whereby declaring it to be his royall pleasure that there should be speciall and certain marks set forth for the limits of each Countie about the parts of this Eston in Warwickshire and Hannewurth in Staffordshire he gave command to the Shiriff of Warwickshire to bring into Lichfield upon Sunday next after the Feast of S. Iames the Apostle xii discreet and lawfull Knights there to make and establish such metes and divisions upon their Oaths and the like to the Shiriff of Staffordshire for as many out of that Countie To which Thomas de Erdinton succeeded Giles and unto him Henry which Henry about the beginning of Edw. 1. reign enfeoft Thomas de Maidenhach in this Mannour bounded by the Rivers of Tame and Burne as his Charter manifests who being so possest of it in 13 E. 1. claimed by Prescription Assize of Beer Gallows Infangthef Utfangthef with a Court Leet and Weyfs As also that he and his Tenants should be free from any suit to the Countie or Hundred Courts bounding his claim within the limits of those two Rivers before specified and had allowance of them accordingly After which viz. the next ensuing year did the said Thomas de Maidenhach obtain a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here It seems he was a servant to the King for in that grant the King calls him dilectus Valettus noster our beloved Esquire in 18 E. 1. he impleaded William de Bermingham for fishing in a part of his water called Moylsich to Scraford-bridge within this his Libertie of Aston And in 19 E. 1. was certified to hold this Lordship together with Dudston of Roger de Someri as of his Mannour of Bordesley juxta Burmingham by the Rent of ii s. viii d. payable yearly at the Feast of S. Michael for all services But all that I find farther of this Thomas de Maidenhach is that being to attend the King in his voyage beyond Sea 14 E. 1. he had speciall Letters of protection granted to him as also that he was a Benefactor to the Hospitall of S. Thomas the Apostle in Bermingham by giving thereto ten Acres of Heath lying within this his Lordship of Aston and that he departed this life without issue male for by an Inquis taken after the death of Isabel his widow in 12 E. 2. Ioane Sibill Isabell and Margaret were found to be his daughters and heirs the youngest then being above xxi years of age Of which Ioane shortly after died issulesse so that by Partition made in 12 E. 2. the possessions of the said Thomas were divided betwixt the other three viz. this Mannour of Aston with the Mannours of Gersindon in Oxfordshire Wikes and Sondâ— in Sussex and Bergholtes in Suffolk besides other lands and Rents lying in the Countie of Southampton whereof Sibill then the wife of Adam de Grymesarwe had this Lordship for her share Which Adam and Sibill had issue Iohn unto whom the said Sibill his mother by
the Conqueror's Survey and was soon after granted by the then possessor of Dudley-Castle unto the Ancestor of Henry de Rokeby to hold by the fift part of a Knight's fee as the Confirmation thereof made unto the same Henry and his heirs by Gervase Paganell Lord of Dudley in H. 2. time doth manifest wherein it is written Saluthley From which Henry descended Ranulph de Rokeby whose daughter and heir Annabill marryed unto Sir Iohn Goband Knight as in Rokeby appeareth whereby the inheritance hereof came to the same Sir Iohn Goband who in 16 E. 2. was certified to hold it of Iohn de Someri Baron of Dudley then newly deceased by the said service of the fift part of a Knight's Fee Which Sir Iohn Goband and Aâ—nabill in 5 E. 3. granted it unto Walter de Clâ—dshale and Richard his son to hold during the lives of them the said Walter and Richard for the Rent of x li. per annum sterling but afterwards to returne unto the said Sir Iohn and Annabil and the heirs of Annabill Of this Annabill I find that surviving her said husband and afterwards being wedded to Iohn Brown of Burbach in Com. Leic. she past away the inheritance thereof to the before specified Walter and Richard de Clodshale in 17 E. 3. For the better confirmation of which title Iohn the son and heir to the above mentioned Sir Iohn Goband and Annabill released unto them the said Walter and Richard and the heirs of Richard all the right and claim that he could pretend thereto as by the same bearing date at Bermingham in 20 E. 3. sealed with his Armes viz. Gules two barrs Or with 3. Besants in Chief appeareth Which Walter de Clodshale and his descendants in the male line so long as it continued had their seat here and increasing their estate by the marriage of severall heirs were reckoned amongst the Gentlemen of the superior rank in this Countie Agnes 5 E. 2. Walt. de Clodshale 5 E. 2. Alicia filia haeres Rog. de Bishopesden 19 E. 3. Râ—c de Clodshale 24 E. 3. Iohanna relâ—cta Roberti de Ribsford Ioh. de Clodshale 47 E. 3. Beatrix soror haeres Will. Golofre 47 E. 3. Ric. Clodshale 3 H. 5. Isabella filia haeres Ric. de Edgbaston relicta Thomae Midlemore Eliz. filia haeres uxor Roberti Ardern de Park-Hall ar 4 H. 6. But from what originall his Ancestors were other than Townsmen of Bermingham wherein they had lands of good worth as by a multitude of antient Deeds appeareth I cannot expresse Of which lands out of the good affection by him born to that place in 3 E. 3. he obtained License from Sir William de Burmingham then Lord of Burmingham of whom they were held to amortize four Messuages and xx acres as also a Rent of xviii d. for the foundation of a Chantrie at the Altar of the blessed Virgin in the Church of S. Martin there in Bermingham for one Priest to celebrate divine Service daily thereat for the souls of him the said Walter and Agnes his wife their Ancestors and successors with all the faithfull deceased Of the same Walter and Richard his son I further find that being by the Commissioners of Array in this Countie 21 E. 3. charged with two Archers they were abated one of them paying xl s. for the expences of that one as also that the said Richard for the health of his soul and the soul of Alice his wife about the same time added five Messuages x. acres of land and x s. Rent to the Chantrie before specified and moreover that in 32 E. 3. he payd a Fine of x li. for his Pardon in respect he came not in to receive the Order of Knighthood upon Proclamation made that all such as were possest of lands or Rents of the value of xl s. should appear for that purpose And likewise that in 34 E. 3. he was in Commission for the assessing and collecting of a xv th and Tenth then granted to the King in Parliament and the same year had a speciall License granted to him from Robert de Stretton then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield dated 3. Cal. Ian. for an Oratorie or Chapell in his House here at Saltley and lastly that he bore for his Armes ...... per pale indented with certain Martlets in the place of a borborder on the dexter part of his shield as appears by his Seal which doubtlesse was in reference to the tenure of his antient lands from the Berminghams whose coat it did so nearly resemble But the last of the male line that had to do here was Richard grandchild to the said Ric. who in 4 H. 4. had the title of Esquire for so he writes himself in a Bond for payment of 500 li. to William de Bermingham Esquire Betwixt this Richard and the same William de Bermingham was there a suit at Law touching the advouson of the Chantrie before specified founded by Walter de Clodhale his Ancestor in the Church of Bermingham in which suit he prevailed and accordingly presented thereto in 5 H. 4. In 7 H. 4. he was one of those gentlemen of note in this Countie Arma portantibus de Armis antiquis as the words of the Writ are who had summons to attend the King in their proper persons for defence of the Realm and in 4 H. 6. underwent the office of Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire By his Testament bearing date at Egebaston 7 Maii Anno 1428. 6 H. 6. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of Bermingham within his own proper Chapell of our Lady constituting the Duke of Bedford whom he there termes his honourable Lord one of his Executors and departed this life the same year as appears by the Probate thereof The Armes which this Richard bore did much differ from his Grandfathers being two Barrs nebulè betwixt six Estoiles as his Seal manifesteth which coat I believe he assumed for the allusion that it hath to his name scil the representation of Clouds to Clodshale for it was a common usage in antient time where they could hit upon any thing that sounded neer or like to the name to bear it in their Armes as by a multitude of instances might be demonstrated But dying without issue male Elizabeth his daughter became heir to this Mannour as also to that of Pebmore in Com. Wigorn. and other lands who being wedded to Robert Ardern of Park-Hall Esquire brought them to that Family wherein they continue till this present Anno scil 1640. Ward end alias Little Bromwich THis place heretofore called Little-Bromwich was at first either a member of Castle-Bromwich or of Aston which contained both But the antientest mention I finde of it is in 13 E. 1. where it appears that one Iohn de Bradewell had a suit for lands therein with Walter de Eylesbury Steward to
Iohn Rous Tempore Regis Ioh. saith he erant in Sigillis Dominorum tunicae super loricis non autem ante erant autem tunicae longae ad talos But after this ere long divers bore their Armes on fair large and deep Shields in their Seales and some on the reverse where the picture on Horsback was on the other side of which the same Author saith Circiter annum MCCxviii Domini qui in Sigillis more solito habebant Equites armatos cum gladiis nunc in dorso sigillorum Arma sua posuerunt de novo in Scutis Howbeit in Edw. 1. days and after most men began to leave of their pictures on Horsback in their Seals which custome by degrees declining was utterly given over in Edw. 3. time So that our Historian observes Post captionem Johannis Regis Franciae an sc. 1356 Domini atque Generosi relictis imaginibus Equitum in Sigillis posuerant Arma sua in parvis Scutis Now in what reverend esteem this practise of Sealing hath antiently been may be observed from these testimonies sc. Of a Charter made by K. H. 1. unto the Abby of Evesham touching the Hundred of Blackherst and divers Liberties it appeareth that being exhibited to K. H. 3. and through rude handlâ—ng the Seal cloven in sunder that the validity thereof might not be lessened the K. forthwith caused it to be confirmed 3 Maii 25 H. 3. with this clause Ne igitur praefata Carta occasione fissurae praedictae processu temporis ab aliquo possit haberi vitiosa hac praesenti Charta nostra duximus testificandum quod praedictum Sigillum sanum integrum recepimus Statuentes per hanc Cartam nostram pro nobis haeredibus nostris firmiter percipientes quod praedicta Cartae avi praefati Henrici avi nostri nichilominus esse idem robur omnem eandem efficaciam habeat imperpetuum quod haberet si Sigillum integrum esset indivisum sicut fuit quando praefatus Abbas eam nobis liberavit And for counterfaiting another man's Seal observe what punishment was antiently used Rex Vice comiti Oxon Mandamus tibi quod Anketillum Manvers qui captus fuit pro falsina Sigilli Roberti de Veteri ponte abjurare facias terram nostram ipsum postea sine dilatione mittas ad mare per aliquos de tuis qui videant quod exeat à terra nostra c. T. Rege apud Clipston 27 Martii Nay so tender was every man in those times of his Seal that in case he accidentally had lost it care was taken to publish the same least another might make use of it to his detriment as is manifest in the case of Benedict de Hagham in 54 H. 3. Where the Record runs thus Memorandum quod publicè clamatum est in Banco quod Sigillum Benedicti de Hagham cum uno capite in medio sub nomine suo in quacunque manu fuerit de caetero nullum robur optineat And not much unlike to this is that of Henry de Perpount a person of great quality in 8 E. 1. Memorandum quod Henricus de Perpount die Lune in crast Octab. beati Mich. venit in Cancellaria apud Lincolniam publicè dixit quod Sigillum amisit protestabatur quod si aliquod instrumentum cum Sigillo illo post tempus illud inveniretur consignatum illud nullius esse valoris vel momenti As also that in 7 E. 2. Iohannes E. recognovit in Cancellaria Regis se amisisse Sigillum suum petit quod dicto Sigillo deinceps non habeatur fides Nay by a Pleading in 9 H. 3. I find that CC. marks damages was recovered against Henry de Grendon and Will. de Grendon by Sir Raph de Crophull Knight for forcibly breaking a Seal from a Deed. And in 13 E. 3. when by misfortune a Deed then shewed in the Chancerie was severed from the Seal in the presence of the Lord Chancelour and other noble persons command was not only given for the affixing it again thereto but an Exemplification made thereof under the great Seal of England with a recitall of the premises Nor is that publication made by Iohn de Greseley of Drakelow in Com. Derb. 18 R. 2. upon the losse of his Seal lesse considerable Notum sit omnibus Christianis quod ego Ioh. Greseley non habui potestatem Sigilli mei per unum annum integrum ultimo praeteritum jam notifico in bona memoria sana mente Scripta Sigillo meo contradico denego in omnibus à tempore praedicto usque in diem restaurationis Sigilli praedicti In cujus rei testimonium Sigillum Decanatus de Repindon apposui Testibus domino Thoma Stafford milite Ioh. Arderne Ioh Corsoun de Ketleston Rog. de Montgomeri Dat. apud Drakelow xviii R. 2. And here we see that as Henry de Bereford procured his nephew Roger Hillari to affix his Seal to that Instrument before mentioned in regard it was more known which hath occasioned this digression so doth Iohn de Gresely now cause the Seal of the Deanry of Repindon to be put to his Deed. A multitude of Examples in the like kind I could produce some of the Seals of Bishops some of Deans and Chapters some of Corporations and some of sundry eminent persons whose Seals were most notable but for brevities sake I forbear concluding my discourse of this matter with that which is very observable viz. that King Iohn whilst he was Earl of Moreton to his grant of the Church of Hope in Derbyshire made unto the Canons of Lichfield affixed his gold Ring with a Turky stone in it to the silk string whereunto the Seal was put with this expression non solum Sigilli mâ—i impressione sed proprii Annuli appositione roboravi But further concerning Seales I refer my Reader to the learned Selden's Titles of Honour Part 2. Cap. 5. Sect. 37. And so returning to Sir Edmund de Bereford I find that in 9 E. 3. his Seal of Armes was Crusule fichè and three flowre de lices the colour sable and the field Arg. which coat hath a good affinity with Hillaries before mentioned that differing from this in nothing but a border as the Seal also sheweth In 25 E. 3. this Sir Edmund having by his Testament made at Brightwell in Oxfordshire bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Priory of Chaucumbe betwixt the steps and the Altar in the midst of the floor if with conveniency it might be and to his poor Tenants of Chaulgrave in Oxfordshire Shotswell Derset Wishaw Wiginhill Maney Sutton Bikemershe and Thorpe all in this County given liberall Legacies died in 28 E. 3. leaving Iohn his son possest of most of his lands by vertue of a special entail in 22 E. 3. For it seems he was illegitimate Gualt de Bereford 37 H. 3. Margâ—ria domina de
Beste que iai illoques le iour de ma moriant And lastly that of Simon Digby Esquire in 9 H. 8. who bequeathing his Body to sepulture in the Chancell of the Church at Colshill in this Countie hath this expression and my best Good to my Principal after the use of the Countrey But this kind of payment was converted into money by the Statute of 21 H. 8. whereunto I refer my Reader And so having herein digrest enough by the help of that learned gentleman Master Thomas Barlow of Qu. Coll. Oxon. my singular friend from whom I acknowledge that divers of the materialls whereof I have here made use were imparted to me I return To this Iohn Arden who died ...... Iunii 17 H. 8. succeeded Thomas and to him Edward son and heir to William that died in his Fathers life time in ward to Sir George Throgmorton Knight in 38 H. 8. whose daughter he afterwards married Which Edward though a gentleman not inferior to the rest of his Ancestors in those virtues wherewith they were adorned had the hard hap to come to an untimely death in 27 Eliz. the charge layd against him being no less than high Treason against the Queen as privie to some foul intentions that Master Somervile his son in Law a Roman Catholick had towards her person For which he was prosecuted with so great rigour and violence by the Earl of Leicester's means whom he had irritated in some particulars as I have credibly heard partly in disdaining to wear his Livery which many in this Countie of his rank thought in those days no small honour to them but chiefly for galling him by certain harsh expressions touching his private accesses to the Countess of Essex before she was his wife that through the testimonie of one Hall a Priest he was found guiltie of the Fact and lost his life in Smithfield Tristis hic exitus nobilis viri saith Master Cambden qui sacerdotis insidiis illectus ejusdem testimonio perculsus Lecestrii invidiae vulgò vertebatur Certum enim est illum Lecestrii invidiam nec immeritò incurrisse cui in omnibus quibus poterat se temerè objecerat quasi adultero obtrectaverat ut homini novo detraxerat Upon whose attainder his lands were given away to Edward Darcy Esquire and his heirs but Robert son and rightfull heir to that inheritance being a prudent person and well read in the Laws by virtue of an Entail made upon his marriage in his Father's life time after very long suits recovered all again this Mannour of Curdworth and Minworth excepted and living to a great age with no small reputation in his Countrey left Robert his grand-child heir to the estate Which last mentioned Robert being much accomplisht with learning and other excellent parts died in the flower of his youth whereby the inheritance of this antient Family resorted to his Sisters of whose marriages I have in the Pedegree before inserted taken notice Within this Lordship did the Abbot of Leicester in 13 E. 1. having a large proportion of land by the grant of Hugh de Arden in H. 2. time claim a Court Leet as also Infangthef with Assize of Bread and Beer and to justifie this Challenge exhibited the Charters of K. H. 2. and Ric. 1. whereby the Canons of that house had sundry generall priviledges granted to them throughout all their possessions whereupon the Jury finding that they had enjoy'd a Court-Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer time out of mind those Liberties were allowed And forasmuch as it appeared that in the time of Abbot Henry a Gallows had been set up and a Thief there taken committing Felony adjudg'd to death and hanged by his Bailiff the same Priviledge was likewise allowed The Church dedicated to S. Peter ad vincula being given to the Canons of Leicester in H. 2. time by Hugh de Arden before specified was soon after appropriated to them by Ric. Peche Bishop of Cov. and Lich. his Successors Hugh Novant and Geffrey Muschamp confirming the same And in An. 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at vii marks and a half but the Vicaridge at no more than two marks having long before been endowed with a certain proportion of Glebe and Tithes for maintenance of the successive Incumbents which Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was certified to be worth C s. per an over and above x s. deducted for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Abbas Conv. Leicestriae Mag. Râ—b de Leyrcestre An. 1283. Abbas Conv. Leicestriae Will. de Sutton Cap. 1284. Abbas Conv. Leicestriae Ioh. de Bâ—rhangre Diac. 9. Cal. Iulii 1305. Abbas Conv. Leicestriae Thomas Atteyate Cap. 19. Cal. Ian. 1350. Abbas Conv. Leicestriae Henr. Wyshaw Pbr. 17. Cal. Sept. 1361. Abbas Conv. Leicestriae Ioh. Hamund Pbr. 5 Id. Martii 1367. Abbas Conv. Leicestriae D. Ioh. Broke Cap. 5 Feb. 1404. Abbas Conv. Leicestriae Ric. Lawrence Pbr. 5 Sept. 1493. Abbas Conv. Leicestriae Ric. Singleton Cap. 8. Marâ— 1498. Edw. Arden ar Edm. Lyngard Cler. 27 Maii 1561. Iac. Rex Angl. c. ratione minoris aet Edw. Darcy ar Thomas Aylesbury Cler. 4. Maii 1618. Iac. Rex Angl. c. ratione minoris aet Edw. Darcy ar Will. Clifford in Art Mag. 23 Iulii 1619. Carolus Rex ratione ut supra Iosephus Clifford Cler. 20. Martii 1625. In a North Window of the Church these Armes Gules a Cinquefoile Ermine Old Earls of Leicester Minworth THis having been the freehold of one Godric before the Norman invasion and in the Conqueror's time possest by Turchill de Warwick was by the generall Survey certified to contain 1 hide the woods extending to half a mile in length and 3 furlongs in breadth All which with the rest were then valued at v s. In that Record it is written Meneworde â— the later syllable signifying an habitation or dwelling and the former shewing of whom though a name now out of use But farther of this Village I have very little to say forasmuch as it continued in the Ardens Family till the attainder of Edward in 27 Eliz. and was past out of the Crown therewith in 28 of the same Queens reign to Edward Darcy Esquire and his heirs That part of the Park which lyeth Northward of the River was first impaled by the before specified Edward Arden about the beginning of Q. Eliz. reign as I have heard but before the recoverie of it by Robert Arden his son from Darcy all the Trees were cut down and rid out of it Berwood THis being involved originally with Curdworth is not at all mentioned in the Conqueror's Survey neither have I seen any thing thereof till H. 2. time that Hugh de Arden gave it to the Canons of Leicester viz. locum de Berwda cum exsartis pratis for those are the
greatnesse and power durst not appear to challenge the Jurie so that he had CCC â— given him for damages against them But it so fell out that in 3 E. 3. this mighty man being seized upon by the King at Notingham Castle and by a Parliament there held condemn'd for Treason was put to death whereby all his possessions became confiscate insomuch as the Inhabitants before specified petitioned the K. that he would be gracious unto them in forbearing to proceed to Judgment upon that Verdict whereupon he was pleased to remit thereof CCxlvi li. xiii s. iiii d. Whether by any conveiance from the Bishop of Ely before spoken of it was that Rob. de Moreby of Moreby in Yorkshire had an interest here I know 〈◊〉 nor what he so had but in 7 E. 3. I find that the K. granted to him a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here at Solihull as also at Bonnewick and Moreby in Yorkshire It seems that the inheritance thereof was in the Bishop's heirs what ever estate the same Rob. de Moreby had for in 26 E. 3. by a Fine then levied betwixt Anne the widow of Edw. le Despenser Plantiff and Iohn de Hothum of Bondeby Kt. Deforâ—â— this Mannour with the advouson of the Church was setled upon the same Anne during her life the remainder to Hugh le Despenser son to the said Edw. and Anne and Alice his wife daughter of the said Sir I. Hothum and the heirs of their bodies and so to Katherine sister of the said Alice c. Which Alice was afterwards married to Iohn Trussell who in her right held this Lordship in 50 E. 3. But by her first husband she had issue Sir Hugh le Spenser Kt. and Anne a daughter married to Sir Edw. Boteler Kt. which Sir Hugh dyed without issue in 3. H. 4. leaving Anne his sister and heir then 32 years of age Of this Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife I find that in 5 H. 4. they came to an Agreement with Sibill the widow of the said Sâ— Hugh le Spenser whereby it was concluded that she the said Sibill shou'd hold this Mannour during her life but afterwards to return unto the same Sir Edward and Anne and their heirs who dying without issue K. H. 5. by his Letters Pat. dated 16 Apr. in the second year of his reign passing to Edward Duke of York for life all the lands which were Thomas Lord Spenser's attainted by Parl. Octab. Hill 3 H. 4. the remainder to Ric. Beauchamp of Bergavenny Kt. and Isabell his wife sister and heir of Richard son and heir to the said Thomas late Lord Despenser deceased and the heirs male of the same Richard and Isabell the Duke by virtue of that grant possest himself of this Mannour 〈◊〉 colour that for want of issue by the â—aâ—d Sir Edward Bâ—teler and Anne the inheritance thereof belonged to the same Thomas le Despenser Earl of Glouc. so attainted and held it till his death which hapning in 3 H. 5 for he was slain at the battell of Agincourt 25 Oct. the same year Ric. Beauchamp and Isabell his wife had livery 〈◊〉 Hothum Episc Elien Perius Hothum Ioh. Hothum miles Fâ—w le De spenser Anna. Edm. Dux Ebor. Edw. Dux Elâ—â—r Constanstia Ric. le Despenser Co. Glouc. ob s p. Isabella sola filia haeres ux Ric. Beauchamp domini de Bergav Edw. le Despenser Tho. le Despenser Co. Glouc. Hugo le Despenser Anna ux Edw. Boteler ob s. p. 10 H. 4. Hugo le Despenser miles ob s. p. Ioh. Hothum mil. Alicia Ioh. Trussel mil. 2 maritus Ioh. Trussel ob s. p. Catherina Petrus Hothum Matilda Thomas .... Alicia Margareta ... Skerne Henricus Skerne Edm. Skerne 38 H. 6. thereof 18 Mâ—rtii next ensuing Neverthelesse upon farther consideration and view of the Fine levied in 5 H. 4. whereby it had been so inâ—aâ—led the Inquisitions after the several deceases of the said Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife of Sibill the widow of the before specified Sir Hugh le Despenser the K. directed his Precept bearing date 14 Nov. 5 H. 5. to his Eschaetor for this County to seize it into his hands For the cleerer understanding of which titles I have inserted the preceding Descent Of the before mentioned Hugh le Despenser I find that he was interred in the Friers at Stanford and that Thomas Collum then Parson of the Church here at Solihull bore so great an affection to him and the lady Sibill or Isabell his wife for both wayes I find her written that by his Testament be bequeathed a fair Missale to the Church of Solâ—hull that the Parishioners should provide a Priest to celebrate divine Service there by the space of one year for the souls of the said Sir Hugh and Isabell he himself ordaining that another Priest should do the like there for the space of two years It seems that this Lordship continued in the Crown a good while for in 16 H. 6. the custody thereof was committed by the King to Thomas Greswould for seaven years but in 22 H. 6. by his Letters Pat. dated 25 Sept. he granted it inter alia to Iohn Duke of Somerset and the heirs male of his body to enjoy during the life of Iaquet the widow to Iohn D. of Bedford Raph Boteler and Iohn Beauchamp and the longer liver of them Which Iohn D. of Somerset departing this life without any such issue 27 Maii the same year the King by other Letters Pat. dated 20 Iulii then next following committed the custody thereof together with the Mannour of Sheldon in this County to Edm. Mountford Esq for life answering for them both L. marks sterling per an Yet was it not long that he so held them for it appears that the next year ensuing he surrendred his Pat. into the Chancery to be cancelled to the intent that the King should make a grant of them to Sir Iames Fenys Knight which was accordingly effected 27 Sept. the same year for the speciall services he had done to hold during life without rendring any accompt at all for the same This Sir Iames being afterwards created Lord Say dyed in 30 H. 6. Whereupon this Mannour returning to the Crown was with Sheldon likewise again committed to the custody of Edm. Mountford before mentioned for the term of ten years at L. marks per an as they formerly were But it seems that this Pat. became shortly after surrendred for on the 28 th of March 31 H. 6. the King granted the custody of them to Edm. Earl of Richmund and Iasper Earl of Pembroke for â—ii years and upon cancelling that Pat. the first of Iuly ensuing sealed another whereby he past the unheritance of them to those Earls Howbeit in 38 H. 6. one Edmund Skerne as Cosin and heir to Iohn Hothum Bishop of Ely after the death
which year there was a Fine levied thereof by one Richard atte Ruyding and Elizabeth his wife to the said Nicholas and Ioane and the heirs of Nicholas with warrantie against the same Elizabeth and her heirs whereby it should seem that she was an Inheritrix To which Nich. and Ioane succeeded Margaret their daughter and heir wife to Iohn Waldeif Esquire which Iohn Waldeif had issue by her two daughters and heirs scil Alice married to Iohn Boteler and Anne to Sir Thomas Burdet of Arrow Knight Which Sir Thomas together with Sir Nicholas Burdet Knight Richard Hubaud Esquire and others in 15 H. 6. released to the said Iohn Waldeyff and the same Margaret all their right therein But it afterwards came to Burdet again though how I am not sure for certain it is that Richard Burdet of Arrow before specified was seised of it and that Sir Hugh Conway Knight who married Ioyce his widow held it in 19 H. 7. for the life of the said Ioyce as her Jointure but afterwards it descended to Anne the daughter and heir of the said Richard wife of Edward Conway Esquire which Edward died seized thereof in 38 H. 8. leaving issue Iohn 35. years of age and afterwards knighted Here hath been antiently a kind of Park and a Warren which had the reputation of a Chase in Richard Burdet's time but there is no more memoriall of the Mannour-house than a double old moate of a large extent a Coppice-wood now growing where the House stood Widenay THis is an antient Mannour though not a Village what ever it hath been formerly the first mention thereof that I find being about the beginning of H. 3. time one Philip de Cumtune then granting to William de Parles his Kinsman and his heirs Lx. acres of land here which are set out by certain metes and bounds But the quantity I conceive to be much more than we now allow for Acres for the words of the grant are per magnam mensuram de Arderne in which Deed it is written Withenhai and the Rent reserved thereupon x s. per annum in lieu of all secular sevice and demand From this William de Parles descended another William who in E. 1. time granted to Walter de Aylesbury all this his land at Wydenhay which as his Deed importeth was before past to him from Sir William Bagot So that it seems that Sir William Bagot then of Hide â—uxta Stafford was the Chief Lord thereof by whose grant to the said Walter is reserved onely one Rose yearly at the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist to be payd to him and his heirs for all services Which Walter in 13 E. 1. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here whose posteritie seated at Edricston now called Edston in this Countie continued owners thereof as long as the male line lasted Iohn de Ailesbury in 17 H. 6. having a Patent for confirmation of the said Free warren so granted as abovesaid But by Ioane a daughter and heir of Ailesbury it came to Somervile in H. 7. time as in Edston is shewed and by the attainder of Iohn Somervile Esquire in Q. Eliz. time eschaeted to the Crown Langdon THis place takes its name from the rising ground on the South side whereof it is situate which lying in length like a ridge was called Langdone or Langdune id est the long Hill In the Conqueror's time one Almar held it of Turchill de Warwick it being then certified to contain two hides and a half valued at xx s. having Woods of one mile in length and half a mile in breadth But in H. 1. time one Chetilbernus possest it by the grant of Siward de Arden son to Turchill before mentioned which Chetilbern is written Chetelbernus homo Siwardi and sometimes Ketelbernus de Langdona being not onely a Tenant to the same Siward but his servant in the Office of Sewer This Chetilbern had a son called Robert who died as it seems without issue for the posteritie of his daughter inherited his lands and assumed the sirname of Launde or de la Laund though from what place I am not sure the Christen name of which daughter appears not but she was the wife of one Thomas fil Thurstani called also Thomas de Tamewrda 'T is like that he lived at Tamworth and was a Retainer to the Marmions there for his posteritie were owners of a place called Stretford lying near Faseley-bridg upon Watling-street near Tamworth as also this of Lea juxta Merston in this Hundred both Marmion's fee. Of these I find that in 37 H. 3. Iames de Lande had inter alia a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here and past away his estate in this place to one Gilbert de Kirkeby with the advouson of the Nunnery of Henwood of his Ancestors Foundation For the said Gilb. granted the Capitall Messuage or Mannour place here with all the lands thereto belonging and services of Freeholders others together with the Patronage of that Religious House unto William de Ardene and his heirs for which he had Cxl. marks of silver reserving to the said Iames whom he calls Capitalis Dominus feodi and his heirs all such services that were of right due for the same Of which William de Arden and his Family I purpose to speak in Hampton in Arden where I shall more fully shew how much of their inheritance was disposed of to Queen Elianore by Iohn le Lou and Amice his wife one of the heirs to Richard his grandson Ketelbernus de Langdona temp H 1. Juliana Robertus ....... filia Ketelberni Thomas fil Thurstani cognom de Tameurda Thurstanus Radulfus de Landa 1 Joh. Matilda Jacobus de Landa 20 H. 3. Joh. de Landa 20 E. 1. Elianora 44 E. 3. Jacobuâ— de la Launde 41 E. 3. Sibilla uxor Rog. de Aston Robertus de la Launde Amicia uxor Ricardi filii Radulphi And though this Mannour of Langdon be not particularly mentioned therein yet do I believe that it then past to her as lying within Solihull which is there exprest for the Plea Roll of 46 E. 3. directly affirms as much And in 20 E. 1. upon that grant made by the King to the Monks of Westminster of divers Mannours situate in this and other Counties to the intent that they should solemnize the Anniversarie of the said Queen Alianore then deceased as in Knoll shall be farther manifested this of Langdon is one of the number which in 22 E. 1. was certified to be held by the Abbot of Westminster of Iohn the son and heir of Iames de la Lande rendring to him yearly five marks of silver and that the said Iohn held it of Walter de Winterton in Capite by the thirtieth part of a Knights fee. Upon the dissolution of which
my death shall cause me to remember And make me live to live hereafter ever And gladly to Gods hands my soul surrender Prepar'd by Faith which faith shall faile me never He wave this life and seek that life which lasteth Since that which now I have at length death blasteth I owe a debt which debt I cannot pay Nor can from thraldome worke my own redemption 'T is only Christ who willing is and may To worke from sinne and payne my free exemption 〈◊〉 grant I live as worthy of his favour And that my death of heavenly life may savour The said Sir Clement dyed October 23. A o D. 1619. Dame Mary his wife dyed .... Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Galfr. Marmion prid Non. Martii 1312. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas de Shepey Cap. 6. Cal. Dec. 1337. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. de Wesseford Pbr. 23. Apr. 1384. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Hiâ—pe 28. Aug. 1405. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Cokkys 5. Sept. 1412. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Racheford Cap. 27. Martii 1414. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Hâ—rvy Cap. ult Martii 1416. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Toures Pbr. 5. Oct. 1434. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Lâ—che ult Apr. 1440. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Haddon Cap. 5. Febr. 1450. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Ludlowe 25. Ian. 1454. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Wright Cap. 25. Ian. 1503. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Clerke art Magr. 12. Martii 1527. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Nich. Lyn 10. Martii 1529. Ioh. Fisher gen ratione dimiss c. H. 8. Regis Angl. D. Will. Ravys Cap. 10. Nov. 1539. Clemens Fysher ar Will. Shuttleworth 16. Ian. 1572. Clemens Fysher ar Rob. Osburne Cler. 14. Oct. 1596. Rob. Fysher miles Bar. Georgius Gearye in art liac 5. Nov. 1623. Armes in the East Window of the Chancell Châ—quie Or and Azure Warren Earl of Surrey Varre Arg. and sable a Fesse gules Bracebrigge In the body of the Church is a grave-stone and thereon a portraiture in brass with this Epitaph Hic jacet dominus Iohannes Wright quondam Uicarius istius Ecclesie qui obiit viii die mensis Martij Anno Domini 1527. Eujus anime propitieiur Deus Maxstoke DEscending somewhat lower by the guidance of this River I come to Maxstoke in the Conqueror's Survey written Machiâ—one and certified to contain five hides except one virgate the Woods being one mile in length and half a mile in breadth and the whole valued at xl s. which then belonged unto Turchil de Warwick Alnod holding it as his Tenant but in Edward the Confessor's time to one Aâ—lmundus I have not seen when it was first granted from the Descendants of that Turchil unto the Limesies Lords of Long-Ichinton and Solihull in this Countie of which later viz. Solihull it was reputed a member in 15 E. 2. but that they had it and very antiently appears by the Shiriff's Accompt in 6 Ioh. where Iohn de Braiose and Amabil his wife gave a Fine of XL. marks and a Palfrey to have possession of it and Buleâ— unto both which Alice the widow of Iohn de Limesie brother to the said Annabil being at that time Countess of Warwick claimed an interest having had the King's Precept for receiving seisin thereof for which she had likewise given a Fine but in that Record it is written Maxtoc From this Amabil â— for she died without issue as by the Descent in Ichington appeareth it came to William de Oâ—ingsells son of Hugh de Odingsells by Basilia her sister Which William in 34 H. 3. had a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here and left issue William who in 13 E. 1. claimed here likewise a Court-Leet with Gallows Tumbrell and Assize of Bread and Beer by Prescription which were allowed the Hamlets of Merston and Cotes now Coton being members thereof the same William de Odingsells having xiv Freeholders there from whom he received xxxvi s. viii d. per annum Rent Unto which William succeeded Edmund his son and heir who dying without issue the inheritance came to be divided betwixt his four Sisters and heirs whose names with their matches I have in Solihull exprest Of these Ida the eldest had this Lordship for her share and by marriage with Iohn de Clinton one of the sonns unto Thomas de Clinton of Amington eldest son of Sir Thomas de Clinton of Colshill brought it unto that Family wherein it continued till 16 H. 6. that Sir William de Clinton passed it away in exchange unto Humphrey Earl Stafford for two Lordships in Northamptonshire as I shall shew by and by But forasmuch as the said Iohn de Clinton and his descendants being persons of much eminency had here their seat I shall before I proceed farther say something historically of them This Iohn before his marriage with the said Ida resided at Aminton as his Father did and was called Iohn de Clinton junior whilst his Uncle Iohn whose â—eat was at Colshill lived In 29 Edw. 1. he served in the Parliament at Lincolne as one of the Knights for this Shire and the same year had speciall Summons amongst divers other eminent persons to attend the King at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast day of the Nativitie of S. Iohn Baptist to march against the Scots At which time the King invading Scotland with his Army Royall as a badge of his favour to this Iohn for his speciall service in that expedition whom he calls nostre chier vadlet his beloved Esquier by his Letters Patent dated at Glascow 2. Aug. ensuing granted unto him lands in that Kingdom to the value of XL li. per annum according to an indifferent extent being part of the estate belonging to Malkolme Dromond then in Arms against the said K. Edward After which viz. in Iune 34 E. 1. he attended Edw. P. of Wales by the King 's speciall command into Ponthieu and in 1 E. 2. was made Governour of the Castle and Honour of Wallingford But in 8â— of the said King's reignâ— he departed this life leaving Iohn his son and heir within age and William a younger son who became a person of great eminency as I shall shew anon Joh de Clinton de Maxstoke obiit 8 E. 2. Ida primogenita filiarum cohaer Will. de Odingsels Joh. de Clinton miles 3 E. 3. Margeria filia Will Corbet de Chadsley mil. Idonea altera sororum demâ—â—n haered Will. de Say Ioh. de Clinton miles obiit 20 R. 2. Eliz. filia tandem haeres Will. de la Plaunch consangu una haered Rog. Hillary mil. Edwardus Clinton â—b 1 H. 4. Will. de Clinton miles obiit vivo patre
Peto junior and Beatrice his wife to hold during their lives and the life of the Survivor of them reserving x li. per annum to be payd to himself and his heirs after the decease of the said Henry and Beatrice without issue which Henry and Beatrice confirmed that estate to them the said Iohn and Beatrice the next year ensuing This Beatrice the wife of Iohn de Peto was daughter and heir to Iohn de Sheldon of whose alliance to the said Henry I am not certain But unto Sir Iohn Murdak of whom in Compton-Murdak I have spoke succeeded Sir Thomas Murdak Kt Lord of this Mannour as heir to his Father which Sir Thomas in 48 E. 3. past away all his title therein unto Sir Roger Meres of Kyrketon Knight for CC li. sterling whose son scil Iohn Meres obtained a confirmation thereof from the before mentioned Beatrice the widow of the said Iohn de Peto to take place after her decease which makes me think that she was next heir in blood to the same Henry de Sheldon and in 9 R. 2. sold the same reversion unto Sir Raphe Basset of Draiton Knight who died seized thereof in 14 R. 2. leaving Thomas Earl Stafford and Alice the wife to William Chaworth his cosins and next heirs as the Descent here inserted sheweth .... Basset de Draiton Margareta .... Stafford Rad. Comes Staffordiae Hugo Comes Staffordiae Tho. Co. Staff consangu unus haered Rad. Basset de Drayt. Matilda Iohanna Rogerus Iohannes Catharina Alicia uxor Will. Chaworth altera cohaer Rad. Basâ—â— de Drayton Rad. Basset Rad. Basset Rad. Basset ob s. prole 14 R. 2. To which Thomas succeeded William Earl Stafford his Brother and heir and to William Edmund who in 4 H. 4. granted inter alia to Sir Hugh Shirley Knight this Mannour of Sheldon by the name of Est-Hall and West-Hall upon condition that if he the said Hugh should decease without issue mâ—le of his body then to revert to the before specified Earl and his heirs in confirmation whereof Iohn Browne Parson of Brochole in 2 H. 6. released to Sir Raphe Shirley Knight whom he calls cofin to Sir Raph Basset of Drayton Knight and to the heirs male of his body all his right therein and in other lands which he the said Iohn had together with Walter Skyrlaw Bishop of Duresme and other Feoffees by the grant of the before specified Raphe Basset in Fee-simple without any condition whatsoever Whereupon the said Sir Raph Shirley by the name of Sir Raph Shirley of Radclif super Sore in Com. Nott. Knight in 10 H. 6. was certified to be Lord of this Mannour and to hold it by the service of the fourth part of a Kts. Fee but long it was not ere that the said Earl Stafford had it again though by what agreement I have not seen for by a Bayliffs Accompt of Humfrey Earl Stafford's lands in 23 Hen. 6. it appears that the said Earl then possest it Which Earl being created D. of Buck. soon after died seized thereof viz. in 39 H. 6. leaving Henry his son and heir 4 years of age unto whom succeeded Edw. D. of Buck. attainted in 13 H. 8. by means whereof it came to the Crown and by Letters Pat. dated 29 Martii the same year was last granted out unto Thomas Grey Marq. Dorset for life and about two years after in Fee taâ—l to him and the heirs male of his bodie viz. 27 Iunii 15 H. 8. whose son and heir Hâ—â—râ— D. of Suff. being attainted in 1 M. as in Astley I have 〈◊〉 it resorted again to the Crownâ— and was by Q. Eliz. first granted to ..... 〈◊〉 and others in 2 of her reign but by other Letters Pat. in 17 H. 8. to Heâ— Grey Eâ—q in Fee taâ—l wh â—h 〈…〉 his estate therein to Sir George Digby or Colshill Kt. who died seized thereof in 29 Eliz leaving Robert his son and heir xii years of age and upwards which Robert for fâ—rther corroboration of his title in 3 Iac. obtained a Pat. thereof from the Crown bearing date 15 Nov. to himself and his heirs being thâ—n a Kt. Since which time his posteritie have enjoyed it Besides this Mannour of Est Hall and West-Hall there was another 〈…〉 Sheldon which originally being nothing else 〈◊〉 a mâ—mber of Solihull came in time to have the reputation of a Mannour but the first 〈◊〉 I â—ave seen of i◠〈◊〉 3 R. 2. where it is by 〈◊〉 found that Alice 〈…〉 Sir Hugh le Dâ—spenser inter alia Sulihull 〈…〉 Rent here in Sheldon pay the partly by Fee-holder and partly by those that held in Vilâ—enage which Alice had issue Sir Hugh le Desâ—enser Kt. who in 3 H. 4. died seized of viii l. Rent here leaving Aâ—â—â— the wife of Sir Edw. Boteler Kt. his Sister and heir Howbeit within two years after this which was no more than a certain Rent issuing out of sundry lands here was called a Mannour as appears by a Fine thâ—n levied the eof together with the Mannour of Solihull betwixt Sibill the widow of the said Sir Hugh le Despenser and the before specified Sir Edward Boteler Kt. and Anne his wife Of which forasmuch as it afterwards accompanied Solihull for a long time I shall not need to say more it being a member thereof as is farther manifested by the Inquiâ— taken after the death of George D. of Clarence upon whose attainder it came to the Crown where it rested till 12 H. 8. that the King by his Letters Pat. dated 12 Febr. granted it together with the advouson of the Church to Thomas D. of Norff. and the heirs male of his body which Duke in 20 H. 8. past it away with Solihull unto Edmund Knightley Esq. and Eustaâ—e Kitteley Gent. to the use of Sir George Throbmorton Knight and his heirs whose grandchild Thomas being seized of it in 23 Eliz sold it unto the before specified Sir George Digby as I have heard The Church dedicated to St. Gules was in An. 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks and in 26 H. 8. at viii l. x s. x. d. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Rad. de Perham Thom. de Stodham 3 Id. Maii 1318. Will. de Clinton Co. Huntendoniae Nich. de Sheldon Pbr. 16 Cal. Dec. 1342. Ioh. de Peto junior Ioh. Sromer Cap. 6 Cal. Iulii 1349. Ioh. de Peto junior Ric. de Kinton Cap. 18 Cal. Ian. 1350. D. Rad. Basset de Drayton miles Nich. Nichols Pbr. ult Sept. 1387. Beatix relicta D. Hug. Shirley mil. Thom. Galpyn Cap. 7 Martii 1407. Beatix relicta D. Hug. Shirley mil. Rob. Greene Cap. 12 Maii 1408. D. Rad. Shirley miles Ioh. Parker Cap. 20 Oct. 1427. D. Rad. Shirley miles Thom. Gamul Pbr. 29 Ian.
Deed bearing date at Tamworth in 44 E. 3. past away the same unto Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight and his heirs reserving only an estate for life By which means upon partition made in 31 H. 6. betwixt the three sisters and heirs to the said Sir Baldwin it was allotted to Thomas Ferrers at that time Tenant by the Curtesie of England to all the lands which were of the inheritance of Eliz. his wife deceased eldest of the said three sisters In whose line it continued till Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight about the beginning of King Charles his reign sold it to Charles Adderley Esquiâ—e afterwards an Equerie to the said King and by him Knighted who now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist was antiently given to the Nuns of Mergate in Com. Beaf by one of the De la Launds as I guess But it seems that the title which those Nuns had was not very firme for in 26 H. 3. Iames de la Launde recovered the right of Presentation thereto Howbeit afterwards they grew to Composition with him and gave him 57. marks of silver to quit his claim to it which he did in 36 H. 3. whereupon it became appropriated to them but no Vicar endowed so that the Curate there was provided by those Nunns as a Supendiarie to them Merston juxta Lea and Coton THis place having its name from the flat moorish ground bordering upon it was possest by Turchil de Warwick in the Conqueror's time and then rated at three hides valued at xxx s. which were at that time held of him by one Roger But it was not long I presume ere it came to the Marmions of Tamworth-Castle for in 20 H. 3. Robert Marmion answered for half a Knight's Fee in respect thereof at which time it had the name of Merston-Marmion for distinction from the other Merstons in this Hundred but whether Marmion were any other than superior Lord of the Fee at that time I make a question the Limsies of Maxstoke holding it immediately of them for it appears that in 5 E. 1. Raph de Limesie and Ioane his wife gave to a Chantrie-Priest celebrating Divine Service at Solihull five marks of yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands lying here and in Cotes now called Coton and that the Family of Odingsels who were antiently Lords of Maxstoke by the marriage of Limesie's heir possest it there being xiv Freeholders here and in Cotes which held their Tenements of William de Odingsells in 23 E. 1. paying xxxvi s. viii d. per ann Rent But from Odingsells by an heir female it came to Clinton â— together with Maxstoke and with it being past in Exchange from Sir Iohn Clinton to Humphrey Earl Stafford in 16 H. 6. as the authorities which I have voucht in Maxstoke will manifest hath been reputed as it is a member of that Lordship and so continueth to this day Midleton OF this place there is mention made twice in the Conqueror's Survey first under the title of the lands then belonging to Hugh de Grentemaisnell where it is rated for four hides having a Church as also a Mill esteemed at xx s. which with the rest were all valued at vi li. having been the inheritance of one Pallinus in Edward the Confessor's dayes And next under the title of the lands belonging to Adeliz the wife of the said Hugh where the quantity and value in the grosse summe do not differ but there it is said to have been the freehold of one Turgot before the Norman Invasion After which ere long it was disposed of to one of the Marmions as I guess together with Tamworth-Castle and if we may believe the antient Windows of that Church and some other authorities by the Conqueror himself as in Tamworth I shall more fully shew Neither is it unlikely for by an accompt of the Templars revenues taken in 31 H. 2. it appears that they were then possest of certain lands here that had been bestowed on them by Geffrey Marmion In which Family of Marmion it continued whilst the male line lasted Philip Marmion in 13 E. 1. claiming by Prescription a Court Leet and Gallows here which were allowed as also Free warren within his demesn lands of this place But to this the Jury answered that the Earls of Warwick had free Chase within the same taking forfaitures for all offences done therein and that the said Philip had no Warren except by grant from Ela Countess of Warwick onely for terme of her life whereupon he was a merced for his undue chalenge But this Philip Marmion dying without issue male his lands came to be divided betwixt severall coheirs as the Descent in Tamworth sheweth Of which Alexander Frevill and Ioane his wife Raphe Boteler the elder with Maud his wife and Henry Hillary and Ioane his wife had their particular shares in this Mannour till at the length by purchase Hillarie's part became united to that which Frevill had whereupon Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight procured from Richard Scroope Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield about the 14 th of R. 2. License to have an Oratorie or private Chapell within his Mannour-house here Of the accession of Boteler's part I have not seen any thing but do conclude that it was before the partition made in 31 H. 6. betwixt the Sisters and heirs to the last Sir Baldwin Frevill for thereby it appeareth that Margaret the youngest of them had inter alia this Mannour of Midleton wholy as parcell of her purpart she being then wife to Richard Bingham one of the Justices of the King's Bench and afterwards a Knight Which Sir Richard resided here till he died scil in 15 E. 4. being ioyn'd in all Commissions of the Peace and other matters of importance with the superior Gentlemen of this Countie After whose death she continued a widow even to a very great age as by her Presentation to the Church of Preston-Bagot in 20 H. 7. appears To whom succeeded in the inheritance of this Lordship Sir Henry Willoughby Knight her grandson by Sir Hugh Willoughby of Wollaton in Com. Nott. Knight her first husband as the Pedegree here inserted sheweth Hugo Willoughby de Wollaton in Com. Nott. miles 10 H. 6. Margareta una soror cohaer Baldw. Frevill mil. Ric. Bingham miles unus Justic D. Regis ad plac coram Rege 31 H. 6. Robertus Willoughby Henr. Willoughby miles de S. Sepulchro obiit 20 H. 8. Dorothea ux Anth. Fitz Herbert unius Justic. de Banco 20 H. 8. Ioh. Willoughby miles ob sine prole Edw. Willoughby miles Henr. Willoughby nepos haeres Ioh. Willoughby mil. Anna filia Thomae March Dors. Thomas Willoughby obiit sine prole Franciscus Willoughby miles obiit 37 Eliz. Eliz. filia Ioh. Litleton de Frankley mil. Brigida ux Percev Willoughby eq aur Dorothea ux Henr. Hastings Margar. ux Rob. Spenser de Althorpe
de Herle Four Messuages also lying here and in Rothy Com. Leic. by Iohn Huwet and William Wytherley Priest The appropriate Rectorie of this Parish-Church at Nun-Eaton by the Prior and Covent of Shene All which with the rest whereof I have not found the grants or which being not very considerable for brevities sake are omitted were as a preparative to that fatall dissolution soon after following by the Survey made in 26 H. 8. valued at CCXC li. xv s. ob Out of which inter alia were deducted for the Fees of Henry Marquess Dorset then high Steward of this Monasterie and Iohn Dabridgcourt the Under-Steward vi li. xiii s. iv d. per annum Of William Fynderne Receiver generall ii li. xiii s. iv d. and of William Font Auditor i li. xiii s. iv d. So that being one of the greater Monasteries it was not dissolved till 31 H. 8. But then did the Prioresse and her Covent by their publique Instrument under Seale dated 12 Sept. surrender it to the King whose names as they are subscribed theretoâ— with the severall Pensions by Patent allowed them for life I have here added Agnes Oulton Prioresse xl li. Agnes Wylsey iii li. Isabell Purfrey iii li Ioane Whalley iii li. Eliz. Milward iii lâ—â— Ioane Wetnall iii li. Isabell Repington Liii s. iv d. Ioice Fitz-Herbert Liii s. iv d. Anne Everat Xlvi s. viii d. Luce Haselrig Xlvi s. viii d. Ioane Bale Xlvi s. viii d. Ioane Haseley Xlvi s. viii d. Margaret Dixwell Xlvi s. viii d. Rose Cetonâ— Xlvi s. viii d. Marie Worsley iii li. Ioane Copston Xl s. Marie Barington Xl s. Elene Townsend Xl s. Dorothe Ryddell Xl s. Ioyce Clarke Xl s. Eliz. Berdmore Xxvi s. viii d. Eliz. Banaster Xxvi s. viii d. Ioane More Xxvi s. viii d. Agnes Kyngeston Xxvi s. viii d. Ioane Palmer Xxxiii s. iv d. But in the Crown it continued not long for it appears that King Henry by his Letters Patent dated 29. Maii 32. of his reign which was abought eight months after the Surrender gave it with all the lands in this Countie thereto belonging unto Sir Marmaduke Constable junior of London Knight then his servant son of Sir Robert Constable of Flamborough in Yorkshire which Sir Marmaduke sold part thereof but died seized of the site as also of the Mannour and greatest proportion of the lands so given him 28. Apr. 2 Eliz. leaving Robert his son and heir xxx years of age unto whom the said Queen in the sixt of her reign for the summe of CCCCxxxv li. xiii s. granted the reversion of the premisses scil to him and his heirs generall Of which Sir Robert they were soon after purchased by Sir Ambrose Cave Knight who died seized thereof 2. Apr. 10 Eliz. leaving Margaret the wife of Henry Knolls Esquire his daughter and heir by which means it is come to the Lord Paget and Sir Henry Willoughby in like sort as Kingsburie is whereof I have already spoken and divided accordingly In farther reference to this town the most notable passages which have come to my observation are these viz. That after the Mercate and Faire was so obtained by the Nuns in 7 â— 2. as hath been said they procured speciall Patent to take Toll of all vendible commodities coming thither by the space of five years towards the charge of paying it and next that in 9 E. 3. the Townsmen had the like Patent to take Toll for four years of all such commodities for repairing the Bridge there The Church dedicated to S. Nicholas was given to the Monasterie of Lira in Normandie by Robert sirnamed Bossu Earl of Leicester in Hen. 1. time whose Charter thereof inter alia King H. 2. confirmed In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xxxii marks but after the dissâ—â—ution of the Priories-Alien whereof in Wolston and Wootton-Wawen I have spoke it was sâ—â—â—ed upon the Carthusian-Monks at Shene in Surrey by King H. 5. in 3. of his reign when he founded that Religious House of whom the Nuns here at Eaton obtained it in 38 H. 6. In 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at xix li. xiv s. vi d. over and above ix s. vi d. per annum allowed for Procurations and Synodals and C s. per annum Stipend to the Curate serving in the Chapell at Attilborough Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Lira Galfr. de Vilers 14. Cal. Apr. 1310. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Lira Thomas de Blyburgh Non. Iulii 1318. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Lira D. Edm. de Schireford Cap. xv Cal. Apr. 1321. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione posses Abb. de Lira in manu sua exist Sim. de Thorp Pbr. 4. Id. Ian. 1341. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione posses Abb. de Lira in manu sua exist Walt. de Heyworth 5. Cal. Oct. 1351. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione posses Abb. de Lira in manu sua exist Sim de Thorp 2. Id. Nov. 1351. Edw. Rex Angl. ratione posses Abb. de Lira in manu sua exist Rob. de Haselbech Cap. 18. Cal. Iulii 1357. Procurator Abb. C. de Lira Ioh. Bosevill Cap. 19. Cal. Sept. 1361. Procurator Abb. C. de Lira Magr. Ioh. de Carswell 4. Non. Aug. 1364. Procurator Abb. C. de Lira Will. Lorkin Pbr. 7. Id. Febr. 1368. Dominus Rex ratione ut suprà Henr. Hunt 3. Cal. Nov. 1373. Dominus Rex ratione ut suprà Nich. Derby Pbr. 10. Nov. 1390. Abb. Conv. de Lira Will. Deper Cap. 29. Iulii 1402. D. Henr. Rex Angl. ratione ut suprà Ioh. Wylton Cap. 2. Dec. 1406. D. Iohanna Regina Angliae Ioh. de Tybbay Cap. 13. Dec. 1412. D. Iohanna Regina Angliae D. Ric. Mortomy Cap. 20. Febr. 1412. D. Iohanna Regina Ioh. Tybbay Cler. Nich. Derby Cap. 2. Iulii 1413. Prior Conv. Domus Iesu de Bethlem apud Shene Thomas Waryn Cler. 14. Iunii 1501. Prior Conv. Domus Iesu de Bethlem apud Shene Thomas Dei gratia Panadensis Episc. 4. Iunii 1505. Prior Conv. Domus Iesu de Bethlem apud Shene D. Rob. Whittinton 10. Iunii 1521. Rob. Langley gen Iac. Lyngard in art Bac. 14. Martii 1558. Elizabetha Regina Angl. Thomas Stonynge Cler. 5. Maii 1561. Elizabetha Regina Angl. Nich. Cleyton Cler. 10. Apr. 1565. Elizabetha Regina Angl. Georgius Downes Cler. 7. Iunii 1572. Elizabetha Regina Angl. Iac. Persons Cler. 24. Sept. 1583. Elizabetha Regina Angl. Will. Gurrie Cler. 24. Febr. 1591. Iacobus Rex Will. Butterton in Art Magr. 11. Oct. 1604. Carolus Rex Sampson Hawkhurst Cler. S. Theol. Bac. 19. Maii 1626. Carolus Rex Will. Cradok Art Magr. 3. Sept. 1627. Leek's-Chantrie IN this Parish-Church did one Iohn Leek found a Chantrie in 23 H. 7. of one Priest
de Kenilworth exâ—mpted it from forfeiture came to Sâ— Iâ—hn de Hardreshull Kt. brother to the said Robert who first bore for his Armes a border with Martlets but afterwards Arg. a Cheveron sable betwixt ten Martlets gules and died in 4 E. 1. leaving Wiâ—liam his son and heir five years of age who in 20 E. 1. doing his Homage had liverie of his lands This Will in 21. E. 1. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here as also at Saleby Cukewold and Kelesey in Com. Linc. and Pulteneye in Leicestershire and bore for his Armes a Cross engrailed with a Martlet in the dexter quarter In 29 E. 1. he had Summons amongst divers other eminent persons to attend the King at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast day of S. Iohn Bapt. Nativitie to march with him into Scotland and departed this life in 32 E. 1. leaving Iohn his son and heir ten years of age whose marriage for he was in Warde was granted unto Nich. Malemeyns a servant to the King Which Iohn became of full age in 6 E. 2. and doing his homage had liverie of his lands immediatly whereupon he attended the King in that unfortunate Scotch expedition the same year and was taken Prisoner in the battail of Bannoksburne After which sc. in 10 E. 2. I find that having had some contestation with the Abbess of Polesworth touching an hereditarie right to present two Nuns into that Religious Houâ—e to be there admitted by the said Abbot and Covent upon better consideration of his title he quitted any farther claim thereto being at that time a Kt. And that in 15 E. 2. he was with Nich. de Grey joyned in the Governourship of Donington and Melburne Castles in Leicestershire as also the next ensuing year one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Countie for the Scotch expedition In 17 E. 2. imployed into Gascoign on the King's service and in 20 E. 2. made Governour both of St. Bâ—iavell Castle and the Forest of Dene in Gloucestershire And moreover that in 1 E. 3. he obtained a speciall License from Rog. Northburgh then Bishop of this Dioces for a Priest to celebrate divine service within this his Mannour house at Hardreshull that in 3 E. 3. he was constituted a Commissioner for conservation of the peace in this Countie and bore for his Armes Argent a Cheveron sable betwixt ten Martlets gules as his grandfather did and lastly that he wedded Margaret one of the daughters and coheirs to Sir Iames Stafford of Sandon Kt. by whom he had issue three daughters and heirs viz Eliz. the wife of Iohn Culpeper Ioane of Sir Iames de Burford Kt. and Margaret of Sir Ric. Talbot Kt. Upon partition betwixt which coheirs this Lordship together with Ansley came to Elizabeth From whom descended Sir Alex. Culpeper Kt. upon whose attainder in 1 R. 3. it was granted to Sir Charles Pilkinton Kt. for the Bodie to that King I have not seen for what cause the said Alexander became attainted but do suppose it was for adhering to Henry D. of Buck. But I find that Thomas Culpeper of Bedgburie in Kent Esq. son and heir to the said Alex. repossest it Of which Thomas Sir Anthonie Cook of Giddie-Hall in Essex purchased it and died seized thereof in 18 Eliz. leaving Richard his son and heir of full age Oldburie OF this is there not any particular mention in the Conquerour's Survey 〈◊〉 being then involved with Atherston as I guess though it be a place of great antiquitie as may appear by that quadrangular Fort whence at first it had this name which contains about seven acres of ground as by the rampires whose height and largeness do still shew the strength it was of is manifest being situate upon the most eminent crest of all that mountanous tract bordering upon this nook of the Wood-land and purposely chosen without doubt by the Romans in respect of its vicinitie to Manceter where they had a fixed station On the North part of this Fort have been found by plowing divers Flint stones about four inches and a half in length curiously wrought by grinding or some such way into the form here exprest the one end shaped much like the edge of a Pole-Axe which makes me conjecture that considering there is no flint in all this part of the Countrie nor within more than xl miles from hence they being at first so made by the native Britans and put into a hole boared through the side of a staff were made use of for weapons inasmuch as they had not then attained to the knowledge of working iron or brass to such uses On the South side of this Fort had the Nunns of Polesworth very antiently a Cell as appeareth by part of a Chapell yet standing which was dedicated to St. Laurence and if we may credit that old historicall MS. voucht in my discourse of that Monasterie it must not be denyed but that it was theirs before the Norman Conquest 'T is true that in K. Henry the first 's time Walter de Hastings and Athawis his wife did by their speciall Charter in the presence of Roger de Clinton then Bishop of this Dioces grant unto these Nuns Osanna being then the Prioâ—esse the site of this Oldburie and all Stipershull in fields and woods down to the midst of the Valley on that side Manceter As also a certain part of the wood lying Sâ—uth-east of Oldburie and extending to the rivulet which comes from Hardreshull And moreover all those grounds called Calve-croft and Birchley lying betwixt these two ways sc. Mere-street and Birchley street unto Hugh's wood in circumference But this I do not account to be any other than in the nature of a Confirmation which was very fit for these Nuns to have considering that notwithstanding the Conqueror by those Laws he made in the fourth year of his reign seemed favourable to Religious persons yet by the Preamble to those of K. Henry the first there is an acknowledgement of manifold oppressions which had there not been how expedient it was for them to obtain some good assurance from their new Lords will easily be judged And that this though it pass by the words dedit confirmavit was no other than a ratification seems likely to me both by that declaratorie Instrument made thereupon by the before specified Bishop in these words Rogerus Dei gratia Cestriae Episcopus Omnibus c. Noverint tam praesentes quam futuri Walterum de Hastings Hadevisam ejus uxorem in mea praesentia dedisse consessisse religioni conversationi pauperum mulierum deputasse locum de Aldeberia cum omnibus suis pertinentiis ita quod nichil proprii juris vel dominii vel advocationis terrenae inibi sibi retinuerunt praeter hoc quod
in 18 E. 3. got License to pass this Mannour away unto the Monks of Merevale but it was not accordingly conveyed for in 7 H. 4. upon seizure of the lands belonging to those forraign Monasteries for the reasons before exprest as a member of the Priorie of Okeburne which was a Cell to Bec before mentioned it was demised to Will. de Brynklow Clerk and Peter Purly Esq. by Iohn the King's son afterwards Duke of Bedford and Thomas Longley Chancelour of England who had the King's grant of all the lands belonging to the said Priorie of Okeburne to hold for xx years at the rate of xl l. per an After which time viz. in 16 H. 6. the Duke of Bedford being then dead the King gave it to Humphrey Earl Stafford for life and within six years after granted the reversion thereof for ever unto the Provost and Scholars of King's Colledge in Cambridge then newly by him founded Heremitanus S â— Augustini Yet of this grant had that Colledge no benefit as it seems for in 31 H. 6. did the said King bestow it upon Edm. Earl of Richmund his half Brother and the heirs of his bodyâ— but that Patent held good no longer than the life of that King for it appears that King Edward 4. in the first year of his reign disposed thereof unto the Carthusian Monks of Montgrace in Yorkshire who accordingly enjoy'd it till the dissolution of that House by King Henry 8. Whereupon coming to the Crown it was granted to Henry Marq. Dorset and Thomas Duport and to the heirs of the said Marquess for ever upon whose attainder in 1. Mariae whereof in Astley I have spoke it returned again to the Crown and in 1 2 Ph. M. was past to William Devereux Esquire and his heirs Which William being afterwards a Knight died seized thereof in 21 Eliz. leaving Margaret the wife of Edward Litleton of Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff Esquire and Barbara the wife of Edward Hastings his daughters and heirs But since it is come by purchase to Sir Iohn Repington Knight whose son and heir sc. Sir Iohn R. of Amington Knight now enjoys it Within the precincts of this town there was very antiently a Chapell whereunto the Monks of Bec about the beginning of H. 2. time gave xii acres of land viz. six lying on the one side of the town and six on the other Concerning which Chapell the said Monks and the Parson of Manceter then came to this agreement viz. that the Rector of Manceter for the time being should cause Divine service to be celebrated therein three days every week sc. Sunday Wednesday and Friday and if a Holy-day did happen on any other than of these to be accounted for one of them solemn Service being then to be there performed And moreover in case the passion of St. Peter should happen on any of those days that Mass should be there and then celebrated but on all other days omitted all Tithes and Obventions arising out of this Hamlet to be payd to Manceter yet that Buriall and Baptism should be performed here for the Inhabitants of Atherston except any particular person on his death bed should rather desire sepulture at Manceter than in this Chapell-yard which Agreement was ratified by Richard Peche the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. The Friers THis House was founded by Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton in 49 E. 3. for Friers Heremites of St. Augustine over the Gate whereof is yet to be seen his Armes cut in a fair Shield of Stone Touching the originall of this Order there is no absolute certaintie as Polydore affirmeth Some alleadge that St. Augustine Bishop of Hippo retiring into the Wilderness during the rage of the Manichean Hereticks then instituted it gathering together into one Covent those that were disperst in the Desert Others that divers devout persons desiring to imitate the piety and singular learning of St. Augustine even whil'st he lived left all that they had and betook themselves to the Wilderness whereupon they were called Heremites By which of these means it was I shall not farther stand to enquire but Mendicants they were for certain and for their Habite did wear in their Cloister a white garment close girt to them and when they went out a Black over it with a broad lethern Gâ—rdle buckled as on the last page is represented being shorn on the Head as the Dominicans are These first began to propagate in England about the year 1250. 34 H. 3. as did the Carmelites but in this Countie not of a long time after for to this in Atherston which was the onely House of them therein it was the 49 th of Ed. 3. ere the said Lord Basset gave the land sc. xii acres whereupon it stood at which time they begin to build their Church and came to an Agreement with the Parson of Manceter in the presence of the said Lord Basset the Abbot of Leicester Tho. Harecurt Lord of Bosworth and others Iohn Combe being their Precurator or Warden at that time Which was in substance this that for the Tithes of those places whereupon that structure was to be made and for the rest of the lands before specified they should pay to the said Parson and his Successors xx s. per an at the Feast of St. Michaell the Arch-Angell and Easter by even portions in default whereof a distress to be taken and that if they should acquire any more land then to pay Tithe in kind for the same It seems the Church and buildings were not perfected till King Ric. 2. time for it appears that the said Lord Basset by his Testament bearing date at London 12 Sept. an 1383. 7 R. 2. gave them a Legacie of five hundred marks for compleating thereof This is he that was the last Lord Basset of Draiton for he died without issue and lieth magnificently entombed in Lichfield Cathedrall on the South side of St. Chad's Shrine though the place be not now known by that name the Lord Paget's Monument being erected where that Shrine stood But I do not find that they ever had any more lands than what are above exprest for by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. all that belonged to them was valued but at xxx s. iii d. per an over and above reprises and came to the Crown by the Act of dissolution in 27 H. 8. After which viz. in 35 H. 8. the King granted the site and circuit of the House with a Dove-cote Barn Orchard and two Messuages that stood upon the before specified ground first given thereto unto one Henry Cartwright and his heirs to hold by the xxxth part of a Knight's Fee Which Henry the same year sold it to .... Hill Since which by purchase it came to Sir Iohn Repington Knight who having bought the Mannour as hath been already shewed built a fair House of Brick upon the ruins of this
outrages in England returned at whose entrance his good Subjects took courage and prevailed over the Rebells in every place against whom Rhese Prince of Wales came also with a great power and besieged Tutburie-Castle whereupon this Robert Earl Ferrers apprehending what danger he was in hastned to the King then at Northampton and to obtain his favour rendred the said Castles of Tutburie and Duffeild giving securitie for his future fidelitie but so little did the King trust him that though he received him to outward favour he caused those Castles to be demolished This Robert was a Benefactor to the Abby of Dore in Herefordshire and by Sibilla his wife daughter to William de Braose left issue another William Earl Ferrers who not onely confirmed to the Monks of Geroldon the inclosed ground at Hethcote and pasture for C. Sheep there which his Father had given to them but added another piece of Inclosure adjoyning thereto with pasturage for CC. sheep more at six score to the Hundred five Kine and a Bull and six Oxen. And in 1 Richard 1. gave to the Monks of St. Denis in France for the health of his soul and the soul of Sibill his wife one Wax Taper yearly price xiii d. as also a Stag and a Boar in their proper seasons to be sent thither annually at the Feast of St. Dennis by the Messengers of him the said Earl and his heirs And likewise to the Monks of Lenton all his right to the Church of Woodham in Essex specially for the health of the souls of those that were with him at the burning of Nottingham which belike was the time that his Father made such spoil there as I have before exprest But this William was outed of his Earldomes of Nottingham and Derby by King Richard 1. in the first year of his reign as it seems for upon the said King's first arrivall in England after his Father's death I find that he bestowed them with divers other upon Iohn Earl of Moreton his brother yet I hardly think that the said William continued long so dispossest of them for it appears that the same year he attended King Richard in the Holy Voiage and died at the siege of Acon an scil 1190 2 R. 1. leaving issue William his son and heir Of the great misfortunes that befell that King in his journey by being taken Prisoner I shall not here stand to tell forasmuch as our Historians speak so fully thereof nor of the advantage which Iohn Earl of Moreton before specified made upon it in seizing divers Castles here into his hands reporting that his Brother was dead whereupon he layd claim to the Crown But shall observe that upon the King's enlargement and return order was given for the siege of those Castles whereupon our William Earl Ferrers joyned with the Earl of Chester in besieging of Nottingham Castle which after a while was rendred and for his fidelity was made choice of by the same King to sit with the rest of the Peers in that great Councell held there on the 30 th of March next ensuing At the second Coronation of which King he was one of the four that carried the rich silken Canopie over his head With the Earls of Clare Chester and others of the great Nobilitie he swore Fealtie to King Iohn in the first year of his reign but conditionally that he should render to each of them his own At the Coronation of that King in the Church of St. Peter at Westminister on Ascension day he was also present and one the seventh of Iune following being solemnly invested Earl of Derby by a speciall Charter then dated at Northampton was girt with the Sword by the said King 's own hands having a grant likewise of the Tertium Denarium de omnibus Placitis confirm'd to him and his heirs In 5 Ioh. he obtained a speciall Mandate to Geffâ—ey Fitz-Piers then Iusticiarius Angliae for livery of those lands in Stapleford in Com. Leic. that belong'd to the Vidame of Chartres and were of his Fee which Vidame died in a voyage to the Holy land and was a Ferrers though he bore for his Armes a Bend betwixt six Martlets This Earl was very loyall to King Iohn even in his greatest distresses for in 14 of his reign when that the Pope had deposed him of his Kingdome and that Pandulfus his Legate came over to treat with him the French King being then upon the Seas with a powerfull Navie threatning an Invasion so that King Iohn's condition was so desperate as that he became necessitated to yeild to what termes he could get he manifested his great affection to him in becomming one of the four that gave his solemn Oath for the King's performance of those Articles whereunto he had submitted which Agreement was made 13 Maii the same year as also a witness to the Charter of K. Iohn dated within two days following whereby he gave up his Realm to the Pope Of whose favour to him I cannot omit to take notice of this singular instance viz. that on the 27 th of Iune following he had a speciall grant to himself and his heirs sitting at Dinner upon all Festivalls in the year when they should solemnly celebrate those days with his Head uncovered and without any Cap having a Garland thereon of the breadth of the said Kâ—ng's little Finger In 16 Ioh. he had the Castle of Hareston in Com. Derb. committed to his charge and the next year following when the Barons put themselves in Armes and seized divers Castles having raised Forces on the said King's behalf he took from them by assault the Castles of Bolesover and Pec in Derbyshire whereupon he had a speciall Patent constituting him Governour of them And upon the death of King Iohn stood so firm to the young King Henry the third as that with the rest of the loyall Nobilitie he not onely assisted at his Coronation on Simon and Iude's day but immediatly after Easter accompanied the famous William Maâ—shall then Governour of the King and Kingdome the Earls of Chester Albamarle and many other gâ—eat men to the siege of Mountsorell Castle in Lecestershire then held out by Henry de Braibâ—oke and ten other stout Knights The same year he was also with those noble persons at raising the siege of Lincoln which the Rebellious Barons with Lewes K. of France whom they brought into the Realm had madâ—â— And having new Patents from the King for the custody of those Castles held the government of them for full six years But in the second year of this King's reign he made a jâ—urney to the Holy Land with Ranulph Earl of Chester and some others appointing his Steward viz. Raphe Fitz-Nicholas to transact aâ—l businesses concerning him which should relate to the Exchequer till his return from
and his heirs in 17 E. 3. and so likewise did Iohn de Freford and Margaret his wife as also Alice the widow of Sir Philip Chetwynd in 19. E. 3. But afterwards sc. about the 22 th of E. 3. the said Robert died without issue so that the inheritance of these lands thereby descending to his nephew Sir Raph Rochford Knight son of Ioane the wife of Iohn Rochford before specified he the said Sir Raph entailed them upon the issue of his body by Ioane the daughter of Sir Hugh Menill Knight with remainder to his three sisters successively and then to Sir Richard Stafford and his heirs According to which entail the possession thereof continued for divers years untill at length Sir Raph Rochford being dead the said Ioane his wife married again to one Hugh de Asheby with whom Sir William Chetwyn Knight son and heir to the before mentioned Sir Phiplip making an accord became totally possest thereof having in 39 E. 3. compounded with Isabell the widow of Iohn de Rochford for her title of dower therein formerly granted to her by Sir Raph Rochford her son in Law After which he seated himself here and in 16 R. 2. obtained a License from the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. to have divine Service within a private Chapell for his House But before I descend to speak farther of the said Sir William and his posteritie I shall observe that this Family hath been of great antiquity in Shropshire scil of Chetwynd whence this their sirname was first assumed as also that Iohn de Chetwynd son of Adam had a Charter of Free-warren in 37 H. 3. throughout all his demesn lands in the Counties of Salop. Staff and Warwick for he was possest of Baxterley in this Shire at that time having likewise Ingestre Salt and Gretwich in Staffordshire by Isabell the daughter and heir to Philip de Mutton as it seems But I return to the before specified Sir William great-grandchild to the said Iohn in regard he was the first of this line that had to do here Towards the later end of King Edw. 3. reign he was by Indenture reteined with Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lanc. to serve him aswell in times of Peace as War for ten marks per an Which Indenture being lost was again renewed by the said Duke in 50 E. 3. whereby he increased his Fee to ten pounds per an And afterwards sc. in 10 R. 2. recounting his faithfull services gave the sum of ten pounds more per an to be received out of the issues of his Honour of Tutburie I am of opinion that a great part of the Church here at Grendon was new built by the before-specified Sir William for it is evident that the pictures in glass of many of this Family in their surcoats of Arms were set up there about that time This Sir William had issue Richard of whom I find little memorable and Iohn Which Iohn residing at Alspath now called Mereden was one of the chief persons in this Countie that subscribed the Articles concluded of in the Parliament of 12 H. 6. and in 15 H. 6. served in Parliament as one of the Knights for this Shire being from 17 till 20 H. 6. inclusive in Commission for conservation of the Peace But to the said Richard succeeded Philip his son and heir a person not a little eminent in his time for in 7 H. 6. he had the Shiriffaltie of Staffordshire so also in 15 H. 6. being then a Knight In 17 H. 6. he was imployed into the Dutchy of Guien for the King's service and in 20 H. 6. constituted Governour of the Citie of Eaion in Normandie being allowed 940 marks to retein as many Archers for the safeguard thereof as might be therewith hired for a quarter of a year In 22 H. 6. he was reteined with Humphrey Earl of Buckingham to do him service during life according to his degree aswell in times of Peace as War sc. in times of Peace with as many men and Horses as he the said Earl should appoint out of the said Earl's Lordship of Holdernesse in Yorkshire as also taking bouche of Court and livery for them in his Houshold during such his continuance with him and allowance of reasonable costs for his coming and returning and in case the said Earl might be commanded in any service of War on this side or beyond the Sea upon reasonable warning to attend him with such number of men at Arms and Archers well and sufficiently armed horsed and arrayed after the manner of war as he should assign and receive the like wages and reward as the said Earl did take of the King or of any other his Captains in such expedition with Skippeson and reskippeson reasonable for himself his men and Horses but the said Earl to have the thirds of all manner of Prisoners and prizes to be taken by him the said Sir Philip through fortune of War and the third of the thirds of all Prisoners prizes c. taken by any of his men the Indenture of that his Retainer bearing date at London 13 Februarii the year abovesaid Nay it farther appears that upon the same day he was also retained with that Earl by another Indenture wherein he is stiled the right mighty Prince Humphrey Earl of Buckingham Hereford Stafford Northampton and Perche Lord of Brecknock and of Holdernesse then Captain of the Town and Castle of Calais as his Lieutenant of that Castle for one whole year with xxix men at Armes on Foot and xx Archers whereof two men at Armes on Foot and four Archers to be of the said Sir Philip's own retinue taking for himself xvi d. per diem for his said men at Arms vii d. and his Archers vi d. at the hands of the Treasurer at War to the same Earl And moreover for himself his Lady and a Gentlewoman with her and a Gentleman and two Yeomen of his own retinue bouche of Court and xx l. per an of speciall reward or else allowance for their bouch of Court according as other souldiers of their degree used to have as also for their skippeson and reskippeson And of this Sir Philip I farther find which is not the least observable that having wedded Elene the widow to Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley daughter and heir to Thomas de la Roche as also Cosin and heir to Iohn de Bermingham as in Bromwich appeareth he empaled her Armes on the dexter part of his own which as I conceive was for the dignitie of her person she being a Baronesse and so great an heir and that he departed this life in 24 H. 6. leaving William his grandchild his Cosin and heir Which William afterwards one of the Gentlemen-Huishers of the Chamber to King H. 7. became so much envied by Sir Humphrey Stanley then of Pipe in Com. Staff one of
whom partition being made in 6. R. 2. Iohn Malory son to the same Iohn and ..... had this Mannour of Fenni-Neubold with certain lands in Esenhull Stretton and Strod-Aston and the Capitall meâ—suage or Mannour house of Paylington assigned to him Robert de Whitney and Ioane his wife the Mannour of Clifton in this County with certain lands in Newton juxta Clifton for their part And Richard Boteler Ioane his wife the Mannour of Browns-Over with certain Rents and services in Paylington Which Iohn Malory was constituted one of the Commissioners for conservation of the Peace in this County in 13. and 14. R. 2. In 15. being then a Kt. he was made Shiriff of these Counties To whom succeded Iohn one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parl. held at Westm. 1. H. 5. and in 4. H. 5. Shiriff also of these Counties In 7. H. 5. he was by speciall Commission with others assigned to treat with the people about a loan of money to the King In that year K. H. 5. being victorious in France and Humf. D. of Glouc. his youngest Brother constituted Custos Angliae in the K. absence precepts were directed to the Shiriffs of all the Counties in England in the K. name and signed by the said D. commanding them to elect and appoint a certain number in each Shire of Kts. and Esquires bearing Armes from their Ancestours such as were most able and sufficient to serve the K. for defence of the Realm all which were to attend the K. Councell at Westm. the Tuesday in the first week of Lent For which purpose 13. being chosen in this County this Iohn Malory was one In 2. H. 6. he underwent the office of Eschaetor for these Counties of Warr. and Leic. and the next year following the Sheriffalty And having been in Commission for the peace from 6. H. 5. till 12. H. 6. left issue Thomas who in K. H. 5. time was of the retinue to Ric. Beauchamp E. Warr. at the siege of Caleys and served there with one lance and two Archers receiving for his lance and 1. Archer xx li. per an and their dyet and for the other Archer .x. marks and no dyet This Thomas being a Kt. in 23. H. 6. served for this Shire in the Parliam then held at Westm. and dying 14. Martii 10. E. 4. lyeth buryed under a marble in the Chappell of St. Francis at the Gray-Friers near Newgate in the Suburbs of London To whom succeded Nicholas his Grand-Child viz. son of Robert who dyed in his Fathers life time Which Nich. being a Justice of Peace in this County from the 17. of H. 7. till his death left issue two Daughters his heirs viz. Dorothe first marryed to Edw. Cave and afterwards to George Ashby who had upon partition made of that inheritance 26. H. 8. the Mannour of Winwick in Northampt-sh with certain lands in Stretton and Paylington in this County as also in Swinford Com. Leic. And Margery first married to Clement Cave but afterwards to Iohn Cope which Margery having this Mannour of Newbold assigned to herupon the said partition with certain lands in Esenhull before specified joyned with her second Husband Iohn Cope 12. Oct. 29. H. 8. in the salâ— of this Mannour to Thomas Pope then Treasurer of the Court of Augmentation which Thomas Pope by his deed dated 14. Iulii 30. H. 8. past it to Will. Whorwood Solicitour generall to the K. whose Daughter and heir Margaret became the wife of Thomas Throgmorton Esq. Son and heir unto Sir Rob. Throgmorton of Coughton Kt. which Thomas and Margaret sold it to Sir William Stamford one of the Justices of the K. Bench From whom it descended to Sir Robert Stamford Kt. his son and heir who left it to Charls Stamford a younger son of whom Elizabeth the widow of Iohn Alderford of Abbots-Salford Esq. purchased it for Edward Morgan her son by ..... Morgan a former Husband which Edward sold it to Sir Sym. Clarke Baronet the owner thereof an 1640. Copston-magna OF this place I shall not need to say much for as to the Etymologie of the name what I have exprest in Copston-parva will serve turn And that it was given by Geffrey Wirce to the Monastery of St. Nich. at Angiers in 12 Will. Conq. what I have said in my discourse of Monkskixby will manifest That it continued in the hands of those Monks as parcell of the possessions of the Priory-alien of Monkskirby and past therewith to the House of Carthusians founded in the I le of Axholme in 20 R. 2. I have likewise signified in Monkskirby as also that upon the dissolution of the Religious houses in 31 H. 8. it came to the Crown for all which I shall refer my Reader to the Records there cited not being able to give any further account thereof Neunham-Padox THis place by reason of another not farre off which hath the same appellation hath been antiently distinguished from that by these severall additions scil Newnham juxta Kirkby-monach Newnham parva Cold Newnham and lastly Newnham Padox by reason of a little Park formerly there as 't is like In the Conq. Survey it is rated for one Hide valued at lx s. and written Niweham Geffrey Wirce of whom I have spoke in Kirby being then possest thereof with the rest of whose lands it came to Nigel de Albani as in Kirby I have intimated and was towards the end of H. 2. time as I guess granted by Nigel de Moubray Grand-child to the said Nigell unto Roger de Newham for of this Roger is there no mention in 12 of that Kings reign when Roger de Moubray certified his Knights Fees but afterwards I find that the same Roger de Newham held one Kts. Fee of Nigel de Munbray before mentioned which was doubtlesse for this place To whom succeeded VVill. de Niweham who in 11 Ioh. accounted for vii marks towards the making up for Will. de Molbray that Fine he payd to the King for part of his inheritance concerning which he was impleaded by VVill. de Stutevill From which VVilliam who is stiled Dominus VVillielmus de Newnham which argues he was a Kt. it came in process of time to Philip and was in 6 E. 3. by him setled for want of issue on Robert his Brother for life the remainder to Iohn another Brother and the heirs of his Body and for default of such issue on Ioane Sister to the said Iohn And for lack of issue by her on Mariot his other Sister with remainder to the right heirs of the said Ioane then wife of Roger Ryvell But from this Philip descending two Daughters and heirs viz. Kath. marryed to Iohn Collard and Isabell to Walter Whitehorse the same Iohn and Catherine in 36 E. 3. past their title therein unto the said Walter and
he had lands in Farnborough by purchase in 8 E 2 from Margerie the Widow of Philip de Fillonâ—le Daughter of Avicia wife to Wâ—ll de Halâ—on oâ— Farnebergh â—â—hich Avicia was Dâ—ughter to Nicholas de Say Of Ioâ—n wife to 〈◊〉 â—bove specified Sir Iohn de Rale I find that she was a Gray though of what family I am not very certain by whom he had issue Iohn Father to Thomas upon which Thomas and the issue of his body by Eliz. Daughter to Robert de Evesâ—am was this Lordship entailed in 17 E. 3. After which viz. the same year did Amicia the Widow to the before mentioned Iordan de Say and Thomas dâ— Say son and heir to the said Iordan release unto the above specified Thomas de Ralegh all their right and claim therein as appears by their deed bearing date at Salisbury on the Feast day of S. Benedict the Abbot This Thomas de Ralegh was a man of much publick employment For in 47 E. 3. I find him in Commission for the levying and collecting a Fifteenth and Tenth In 4 R. 2. Shiâ—iff of this County and Leicestershire In the sixthâ— joyn'd in Commâ—ssion with Thomas Earl of Warwick and other persons of quality for conâ—ervaâ—ion oâ— the Peace and resistance of the Rebells in this Shire Iack Straw and his fellows being then up in Arms. In 12. R. 2. he bore the Office of Shirâ—ff again for this County and Leicestersh so also in 15 R. 2. being in Commission for the Peace at other times and departed this life in 21 R 2. leaving Thomas his son and heir xvii years of age who â—n 3 H. 4. had livery of his lands Which Thomas wedded Ioan the Daughter and heir to Will Lord Astley of Astley in this County and resided with her at Astley as it seems for by his Testament bearing date there upon Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Luke the Evang. in 6 H. 4. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Quire of the Collegiate Church of our Lady at Astley and x li. of silver to the same Church to the end that his Obit should be perpetually there observed and his name written in the Martyrologe And also gave xiii l. xiii s. iiii d. for the providing of one Priest to celebrate divine service there for his soul for the space of three years after his decease To the poor xx marks To his Brother Iohn Raleigh two Gowns To the Bayliff of Farnborough xiii s. iiii To the Church of St. Botulph here at Farnborough xl s. To the Lord of Astley a Bowl with a Cover of silver and to Iâ—an Lady Astley his wife a Diamond and a Boal of silver with a cover To every yeoman of the Lord of Astley's household vi s. viii d. To every Groom there iii s. iiii d. and to Will. Raleigh his son a Sword harnessed with silver as also a Dagger and a wood knife And departed this life in the same sixth year of H. 4. leaving issue Will his son and heir but xii months old as also a Daughter called Ioan afterwards marryed first to Gerard Braybroke Esq. and secondly to Edw. Bromflâ—te which Edward by the death of the said Will. Raleigh in his minority 8 H. 5. was in his wifes right Lord of this Mannour and here resided in 10 H. 6. What particular agreement with the said Ioan or her posterity was made by the male branch of this family of Raleigh I find not but certain it is that they came to be owners of this Lordship again it continuing to their posterity even till this very day the first of them that had any publick employment in this Shire being Sir Edw. Raleigh Kt. son of VVill. son of Iohn a younger Brother to the last Thomas as the descent here placed will shew Ioh. de Rale miles 1 E. 3. Iohanna de Grey 1 E. 3. Ioh. de Ralegh junior Thomas de Ralegh obiit 21 R. 2. Eliz. filia Roberti de Evesham 17 E. 3. Regin Grey de Ruthin chivalier Iohanna filia haeres Will. D. Astley Thomas de Ralegh ob 6 H. 4. Iohanna sâ—â—or haeres 1. nupta Gerardo Braybroke ar 2. Edw. Bâ—omâ—lâ—te ar Will. Ralegh obiit infra aet 8 H. 5. Ioh. de Ralegh Will. Ralegh 27 H. 6. Edw. Ralegh miles 7 E. 4. Margareta filia Rad. Verney mil. Civis Merceti Lond. Anth. Ralegh Edw. Ralegh miles 9 H. 8. Anna filia Will. Chamberlain militis Georgius Ralegh ar 37 H 8. Iohanna filia Will. Cuningsby mil. Simon Ralegh ar 11 Eliz. Anna filia Martini Docwray de Balshall Georgius Ralegh miles obiit an 1614. Eliz. filia Christophori Smith ar Edw. Ralegh mil. an 1638. Cath. filia Gabraâ—lis Pultney de Misterton in Com. Leic. ar Which Sir Edw. bore the office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestersh in 7 E. 4. and being a Justice of Peace from 1 E. 5. till 18 H. 7. was at sometimes in Commission for arraying of of men and for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 1 H. 8. he was Steward to the K. for his Mannours of Snitfield and Bearley in this County And by his Testament bearing date 20 Iunii 1509. 1 H. 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chapel of our Lady here at Farnborough directing that the sum of CCCC li. should be raised out of his estate lying in the Counties of Heref. and Glouc. to purchaâ—e lands of x li. per an value to be amortized to the Chantry in the said Chapel of our Lady and that the Chantry Priest there should be a well disposed D. of Divinity to Preach the word of God as also to pray for him the said Sir Edw. his wife with all his Ancestors and Successors and all Christen souls By which Testament he gave xxx l. for to build the South side of the Cleister at Combe and for Glasing it To the Abbot there he bequeathed xx s. To every Priest vi s. viii d. To every Monk profest and no Priest iii s. iiii d. All which were therefore to keep the yearly Obit of him the said Sir Edw. and Margaret his wife as also of Will. Ralegh and Eliz. his wife Raph Verney and Emme his wife Fathers and Mothers of them the said Sir Edw. and Margaret To the Dominican Friers at Warwick he gave x s. To the Friers Minors at Coventre x s. To the White Friers at Coventre x s. and to the Augustine Friers at Atherston x s. Which Margaret was Daughter to Sir Raph Verney Kt. Citizen and Mercer of London by whom he had issue Sir Edw. Ralegh Kt. Father of George who by his Testament dated 2 Apr. an 1546. 37 H. 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chancell of the Church of Ogburne-George if it should fortune him to dye there Concerning the Church here dedicated to St. Botulph I
find that Nicholas the Son of Hugh de Fernberge in Ric. 1. time made a grant that in case it happened he should sell or pawn any of his lands to the Canons of Claâ—ercote or any other Religious House it might be no prejudice to the Church of this place in their Tithes arising out of any Cattell depasturing thereon And that Sir Thomas de Say Kt. in H. 3. time granted to Thomas de Wymundham then Parson thereof the homage and service of Will. de Williamscote uncle to him the said Sir Thomas and of his heiâ—s for 1. mess. and 1 yard land which he the said Will. held of him here in Farnborough In an 1291. 19 E. 1. this Rectory was valued at xi marks and in 11 E. 2. the advouson thereof was granted by Iordan de Say Lord of the Mannour unto Iohn de Ralegh and his heâ—rs After which viz. in 13 E. 3. I find that Sir Will. Shareshull Kt. purchased it of Thomas de Hulhampton Kt. and Margaret his wife but how they had Iohn de Rale's title therein I know not And the next year following granted it to the Canons of Lilshull in com Salop. and their Successors which Canons obtained an appropriation thereof from Roger de Northburgh Bishop of Cov. and Lich. 3 Non. Martii an 1345. 19 E. 3. the Vicaridge being endowed the xii Cal. of Dec. following and a Pension of v. sol per an granted to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield and their Successors by the said Canons of Lilshull out of the fruits of the same Rectâ—â—y But the said endowment was made void as it seems for it appears that by an Instrument bearing date x. Kal. Iulii 1367 41 E. 3. upon a Petition exhibited to the Abbot of Lilshull by the Canons of that House setting forth how short their maintenance was the said Abbot by the consent and License of Rob. de Stretton then Bishop of Cov. and Lich. granted all the profits thereof unto them for augmentation of their dyet and clothing though what was thereupon reserved for the Vicar I have not seen which Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was rated at C xii s. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Sinodals Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. per lapsum Wâ—ll de Pichford Pbr. crast Apost Petri Paulâ— 1307. Gâ—lf de Cornwayl miles Petrus de Norton Pbr. 16. Kal. Maii 1323. Patroni Vicariae Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ioh. de Waverton Cap. 2. Cal. Dec. 1345. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Rog. de Wâ—â—thynton Cap. Id. Ian. 1352. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ioh. Morys Cap. 5. Id. Nov. 1361. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Wiâ—â— Power Pbr. 4. Id. Nov. 1363. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Râ—b de Kitton Pbr. Non. Martii 1364. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Thomas aâ—â—e Nashe Pbr. 2. Aug. 1375. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Hâ—go de Wardyngton Pbr. Non. Apr. 1367. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ric. Câ—lâ—e Pbr. 25. Nov. 1391. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ioh. Gâ—over Cap. 22. Nov. 1414. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Thomas Alfoâ—th Pbr. 12. Maii 1427. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ioh. Stoke Cap. 8. Oct. 1432. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ioh. Kirge Pbr. 16. Apr. 1436 Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ioh. Edwardâ— Pbr ..... 1440. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Petrus Green Pbr. 17. Ian. 1443. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ric. â—ele 19. Dec. 1444. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ioh. Wesâ—ourne Pbr. 11. Dec. 1449. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Wâ—ll Bradbury Cap. 22. Nov 1453. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Ioh. Vlceby Cap. 28. Sâ—pt 1454. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull Hâ—nr Syddall Diac. 24 Maii. 1533. Abbis Conv. de Lilshull D. Hâ—go Lache Cap. 6. Dec. 1534. Dominus Rex D. Thomas Cotton Cap. 8. Iunii 1546. Symon Ralegh arm Thomas Rowley Cler. 4. Iunii 1569. Symon Ralegh arm Thomas Warde Cler. 23. Martii 1577. Symon Ralegh arm VVill. Hobson Cler 2. Iulii 1581. Edw. Ralegh miles Samps Gaâ—ge Cler. in art Bac. 6. Iulii 1620. Cancellarius Magistri Scolar Uuiversitatis Oxon vigorâ— Actus Parl. Tâ—om Gâ—stelow S. Theol. Bac. 6. Martii 1629. In the Church windows are no Arms by reason the whole fabrick hath of late times been rebuilt Mollington THere is but part of this town in Warwick-shire the rest lying in Oxford shire wherewith I am not to meddle That which is certified by the Conq. Survey to be in this County was then rated at v. hides which were valued at lx s. and possest by Osbernus fil Ricardi of whom in Aston Cantilupe I have spoke but before the Norman invasion belonged unto the Mother of Leuvinus de Niâ—ueham From the descendants of which Osbernus the one half thereof came to Iuliana de S. Remigio who bestowed it upon the Canons of Kenilworth about K. H. 2. time to whom it continued tâ—ll the dissolution of that Monastery but then coming to the Crown was purchased by Fouk VVoodhull Gent. in 37 H. 8. who had a grant thereof bearing date 12. Iunii the same year to himself and his heirs to hold in Capite by the xl th part of a Kts. fee paying x s. ix d. ob yearly Rent Which Fouk had issue Leonard and he Iohn that dyed seized of it 30 Ian. 30 Eliz. leaving Anthony his son and heir then of full age But the other part came to Thomas de Arden of Rotley or his Ancestor by grant from some of the descendants of the before specified Osbernus to hold by the half of a Kts. fee for by the Record of 36 H 3. it appeareth that Agnes Cagthelewe then held â—t of the said Thomas and he of Ricards-Castle From which Agnes it divolved to Alianore dâ— Claâ—e who in 1 E. 2. held it of the heirs of Ricards Castle by the like service and in 5 E. 3. dyed seâ—zed of it leaving Iohn her son and heir 22 years of age After which Iohn de Herdwike in 20 E. 3. held it by the third part of a Kts. fee at which time the Prior of Kenilworth's part answered for no more but in 13 R. 2. it went for half a Kts. fee as formerly Howbeit in 18 R. 2. Edm. Waldeyve was found to dye seized thereâ—f and that he held it in right of Margaret his wife as of her inheritance leaving Thomas his son and heir xiiii years of age But how to derive the title that these had from each other is past my skill except I had the sight of private evidence And as much am I to seek in the discovery of its succession till of late for after this till H. 8. time I have not seen ought else thereof neither then do I find any more but two Fines the one levied