Abb. C. de Leic. ad nominationeÌ„ Comitis Staff Ioh. Baron Pbr. Id. Ian. an 1376. Abb. C. de Leic. ad nominationeÌ„ Comitis Staff Ric. de Hesell Pbr. iii. Apr. an 1384. Abb. C. de Leic. Thom. Thurston Cap. xix Apr. an 1416. Abb. C. de Leic. Ioh. Stones Cap. iii. Aug. an 1454. Abb. C. de Leic. Will. Melder Cap. penult Aug. aâ—â— 1507. Abb. C. de Leic. Ioh. Swalle xxi Martii an 1527. Rog. Martin civis Alderm Lond. alii ratione concess Ambr. Dudley mil. D. Eliz. Talboys uxoris ejus filiae haeredis Gilb. Talboys milit Anth. Blake Cler. vii Iunii an 1558. 4. 5. Ph. M. Ioh. Wyrley sen. ar Ioh. Wyrley jun. gener Percivallus Angrome yoman Edw. Bolton Cleric ix Dec. an 1570. Ioh. Cotta medicinae D. Ionathan Grover Cleric xii Martii an 1622. Geo. Wilcockson de Wolvey in com War cleric Henr. Clerk de Rugby gen ex concess Humf. Burneby de Rugby ar VVill. Wilcockson Cleric xxviii Maii an 1627. Bilton SOuthwards from Rugby stands Bilton which was the freehold of one Uluuinus before the Norman invasion And in the Conq. Survey certified to contain five hydes whereof all except one virgate were then possest by Roger de Montgomerie Earl of Arundell and Shrewsbury of which Earl I shall speak more largely when I come to Wolston that virgate belonging to Turchill de VVarwick In the certificate of what Earl Roger held it is written Beltone but in the other of Turchill's lands Bentone mistaking as I suppose the u. for an n. in regard it was there written Beutone the l. being changed for the u. according to the ordinary pronuntiation of many words amongst the vulgar as in Lalleford the very next town which is usually called Lauford and of latter times so written Hingant sive Ingald Walterus fil Ingaldi tempore regis Steph. Maria Beatrix sepulta in cimiterio de Pipwell Galfridus de Crafte Robertus de Crafte Rogerus de Crafte Rogerus de Crafte Beatrix sepulta in cimiterio de Pipwell Rogerus de Crafte 1 H. 3. 25. H. 3. Rogerus de Crafte Will. de Charnells 34. H. 3. Beatrix relicta 34. H. 3. Nich. de Charnells Georgius de Charnells Lucia relicta 13. E. 2. Nich. de Charnells Thomas de Charnells Laurentius Trussell Matildis filia haeres Gulielmus Trussell miles Tho. Trussel Will. Trussel miles Edwardus Trussel obiit x. Junii 14. H. 7. Joh. Trussel obiit 20 Dec. 15. H. 7. Joh. Vere Comes Oxonii Eliz. soror haeres aetat 10. an 22 H. 7. In K. Steph. time Walterus fil Hingan or Ingaldi being owner of this place was a great benefactor to the monastery of Pipwell in Northampton-shire for he gave them a large portion in Bilton which in his graunt is set forth by boundaryes viz. in breadth from the outmost limits of Dunchurch to the old Morewey antiently leading from Hill-Morton towards Warwick and in length from the end of that way to â— little rill of water called Reynesbroc exceping onely the lands belonging to the Church of Bilton lying within that precinct And because half the Lordship of Belton was the dowrie of Marie the wife of this Walter she for her confirmation thereof had a gold Ring and a palfrey given to her by the Abbot which Walter left one onely daughter his heir named Beatrix who brought this Lordship in marriage to Roger the son of Geffrey de Craft owner of Crafte in Leicester-shire whereof he took his name and confirmed the gift of his Father in Law as he acknowledges he promised to do the very day when he marryed the said Beatrix standing before the dore of the monastery in the presence of Geffrey his Father Robert his Brother and divers others And afterwards upon the buriall of the same Beatrix in the Church-yard at Pipwell with Roger his son and heir gave also to those Monks for the health of her soul xi selions of land and a piece of meadow in Bilton which Roger the second following the steps of his ancestours in bounty to that Abby ratified all that his Grandfather viz. Walterus fil Hingan gave and for the better assuring thereof levyed a fine thereupon at Westm. on the Eve of St. Peter and Paul 7. R. 1. adding of his own gift common of pasture in Bilton for three hundred Ewes twelve Kyne and a Bull five Sows and a Boar with their Pigs sixteen Oxen and six young Beasts and fewell in Bilton-moore as much as should be necessary for the expence of the Monks in their grange at Bilton which grange hath been usually called Dunchurch grange in regard that the lands belonging thereto did lye in the fields of Dunchurch and Bilton but it is scituate in part of Bilton This last Roger was in Armes against K. Iohn towards the end of his reign at that time when Robert Fitzwalter a great Baron was made Princeps militiae id est the Generall for the better carrying on of which work the people attributed to him the title of Mareschallus excercitus Dei Ecclesiae but this enterprise not thriving it was called a Rebellion and those that had a hand therein were glad to seek for mercy amongst which this Roger was one who by the favour of K. H. 3. son of K. Iohn upon returning to his allegiance had his lands that were seised on for that insurrection restored to him again which Roger for it might be he was living in 20. and 25. H. 3. for I find him charged in both those years for a Kts. see in Bilton Howbeit after that viz. in 36 H. 3. upon collection of the Aide for the Kings transfretation into Gascoigne Roger de Crafte answered for a Kts. fee in this place but I suppose that this was the third Roger for 't is not like that the other could then be alive It doth not appear to me clearly how Bilton went from this line of Crafte but Charnels was the next that I find possest it and if I may take my liberty to guesse I shall suppose that it was by a Daughter of Crafte About the beginning of Edw. 1. time Nicholas Charnels Kt. entayled this and other Lordships in Leicester-shire on his son George and the heirs male of his body and for default of such issue on Sir William Charnells Kt. brother of the said Sir Nicholas with divers other remainders In which family of Charnells it continued till the beginning of R. 2. time and then by Maude daughter and heir of Thomas Charnells came to Trussell Of the before specified Nicholas I find that being in that Rebellion with the Barons against K. H. 3. so happily crusht in 49 of his reign he was of the retinue to Hamon Straunge a great man towards the coast of Wales
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
with Bulkinton and other Mannours upon Will. la Zuche and Maud his wife and the heirs of Maud by VVill. de Boys as I have in Bulkinton already observed In that Fine it is written Wulfareshull which doth import that the original of its denomination was from one VVulphere his residing there that being a very common name in the Saxons time In the line of Zouch it continued with Weston before spoken of till the time of Edw. Lord Zouch the son of George as the Records which I have cited touching Weston do shew VVill. la Zuche and Maud his wife having Free-warren granted to them here in 7 E. 2. Which Edw. sold the same with Weston c. unto Humphrey Davenport Esq and Richard Bucknam in ..... Eliz. from whom Geo. Purefey 5th son to Mich. P. of Caldecote in this County Gent. purchased it whose son Gamaliel now enjoys it Merston-Iabet THis Village taking its name from the flat and moorish situation had the addition of Iabet to distinguish it from the other Towns in this County of the same appellation in regard the Iabets were antiently Lords thereof In the Conq. time it was in the possession of the E. of Mellent and certified to contain one hyde valued at 3 lib. one Hereuuard being owner thereof in Edw. the Conf. dayes who after the Norman invasion was glad to become Tenant to it under the said E. of Mellent This being part of those 3 Kts. fees whereof Philip de Estley Ancestour to the family of Astley had been enfeofft in the time of H. 1. as I have already pointed at in my discourse of Hill-morton was held by his descendants of the Earls of Warwick by the third part of a Kts. fee and of them by Henry sirnamed Iabet son to Fulco de Merston which Henry gave 4 yard land here to the Abby of Leicester whereupon he was received into that Monastery as a Canon and his wife as a sister To him succeeded Iohn his son and heir sometimes called Ioh. filius Henrici de Merstona and sometimes Iohn Iabet who was a Benefactor to the Monks of Combe by giving to them lands in this place which grant K. H. 2. confirmed This Henry had a brother called Robert who having certain lands in this Village gave divers small parcels thereof to the said Monks of Combe and not onely so but by his deed made them promise that he would neither sell nor pawn any of it except to that Monastery Which grants to those Monks with divers more made by several persons whose names are of no great note were confirm'd by Thomas the son to Walter de Estley in an 1241. 25 H. 3. To whom succeeded Sir Andrew de Astley Kt. who confirmed to them and their successours for ever a Court-Leet here for their own tenants which with other priviledges was allowed of by the K. in 13 E. 1. But the residue of this town the said Sir Andrew himself held by the service of half a Kts. fee as I have already said and in 13 E. 1. claimed here by prescription a Court-Leet Gallows Weyfs power to punish the breakers of the Assize of Bread and Ale Free-warren with immunity from the common amerciaments and of aid to the Shiriff it being then accounted a member of Astley all which were allowed But further than this have I not found any thing considerable of it other than that after the dissolution of the Monasteries that part which belong'd to the Abby of Combe was with divers other lands granted by Letters Pat. dated 28 Octob. 36 H. 8. to Thomas Broke and Iohn Williams and to the heirs of Broke from whom it seems Henry Waver soon purchased it for I find that on the 26 of Febr. next following the said Henry aliened it to Will. Perkins whose descendants do still enjoy it Bernacle IN the Conq. time this was in the Earl of Mellent's possession and held of him by the same Hereuuard that had Merston whose freehold it had been in Edw. the Conf. dayes By the general Survey it is certified to contain 3 virgats of land and of wood 4 furlongs in length and 3 in bredth the value of all being xx s. and there written Berenhangre the latter part of the name viz. hangre signifying of old the same that collis or mons doth but afterwards it is otherwise written There were 4 yard land lying in this place given very antiently to the Abby of Leicester by Henry the son of Fulke de Merston of whom I have made mention in Merston-Iabet all of the fee of Ernald de Boys before spoken of and by him confirmed to that Monastery as also by K. H. 2. In that grant it is written Bernangul but in Thomas E. of Lanc. his ratification of a carucate of land to the same Monastery Berhangil In 13 Edw. 1. the Abbot of Leicester had a Court-Leet here for his own Tenants with other priviledges which he claimed to have had time out of mind It seems that the Fitzwiths of whom in Bobenhull and Shotswell I have spoke were antiently owners of this place though the grant thereof to them have I not found for it appears that the Canons of Leicester granted unto Guy a Knight then Lord thereof that he and his heirs should have an Oratory or Chappel in his house here at Bernangre provided that such Priest who was to celebrate divine service there before he entred upon that duty should take a solemn oath in the presence of the Vicar of Bulkinton for the time being that it might be no damage to the Mother-Church of Bulkinton and that he would be faithfull to the said Vicar This was in H. 3. time as will appear by the descent of that family in Bobenhull for his Grand-child Robert called Robertus filius Iohannis filii Guidonis Lord also of this place dyed in the beginning of E. 2. time From whom descended Robert whose daughter and heir Ioane being the wife to Iohn Beauchamp of Holt brought this Lordship to that family whereof also in Bobenhull I have spoke After which time it accompanyed the possession of Bobenhull first to Pauncefote afterwards to Croft and then to Sir Edw. Grevill as the authorities there cited will manifest but further I cannot speak It seems that the Hospitalars were antiently Lords of the moytie of this Village for so in an old Rentall of lands lying in Ansty and Short-wood they are said to be Which moytie was after the generall dissolution of the Religious Houses granted inter alia by K. E. 6. 15. Dec. in 4. of his reign to Sir Raph Sadler Kt. and Laurence Wennington Gent. by the name of a messuage called Ferne-place Which Sir Raph sold the same to Iohn Wade Gent. and his heirs From whom in 3 Eliz. it was past by the name of the Mannour of Barnakell to Sir Rouland
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
mortua subscripta Henricus quartus Rex Angl. Henr. Princeps VValliae Henr. Bewfort Epicp Wint. Henr. sextus Rex Angl. Franc. Henr. Frowyk de London Alicia mater ejus Henr. Comes VVarwici Cecilia ux ejus D. Ioh. Botourt miles Iocosa ux ejus D. Ioh. Rex Castelli Legionis D. Lanc. D. Constancia regina Castelli Leg. Ducissa Lanc. recepti fuerunt in Fraternitatem Gildae die Sab. prox ante festum S. Lucae Evang. anno regni Regis R. 2. post Conq. Angliae secundo D. Ioh. de Arundell D. Alianora consors sua recepti fuerunt in Gildam 4. die mensis Nov. Anno D. 1379. Ioh. Beauchamp Iohanna ux ejus Ioh. Drax Serjaunt de Armis D. Ioh. Holland Dux de Exon. D. Isabella Ducissa Ioh. Holland miles D. Eliz. ux ejus Ioh. filius frater Regum Dux Bedfordiae Comes de Richemuad de Kendale Constabularius Angliae Isabella Comitissa VVarwici Katerina Ducissa Lanc. D. Ric. Comes Arundell ux ejus Die Merc. prox post festum annunc S. Mariae Anno M. CCCLXXVI D. Rog. de Clarindon miles filius excell Domini nostri Principis VValliae D. Rob. Stretton Episc. Lich. D. Regin Grey dominus de Ruthyn de VVayesford Tho. Beauchamp miles Co. VVarwici VVill. Beauchamp miles ux Tho. Arundell Archiep. Cant. Henr. de Ardern miles D. Ioh. Clinton miles eâ— ux ejus D. Tho. Lancastriae filius illustr Regis H. 4. locum-tenens Hiberniae VVill. de Burgh Iustic Domini Regis Margar. ux ejus D. Will. la Zouch miles Eliz. ux ejus D. Vmfridus filius illustr Regis H. 4. Dux Glouc. D. Humfr. Comes Staffordiae with a multitude more from all parts And it is observed that the annuall Master of this Gild was he that had been Mayor the year before who during his continuance in that office sate next to the Mayor in all publique meetings The Oath of which Master I have likewise here inserted I shall be good and true to the Brethren and Sistern of the Trinity-Gild S. Mary S. John and S. Katherine of Coventre and all lawfull points and Ordinances of this place afore this time ordeyned truly to kepe to my power and in especiall all the ordinances that been or shall be the generall days ordayned truly kepe and observe Also I shall truly receive and true accompt yeild as well of my receipts as of all other things that longen to the Master of this Gild and the arrerage of my accompt if any be truly pay or I depart from my accompt and all other things truly doe that longen to the office of the said Master So help me God and all Saints Also I shall once before Candlemas next coming with 6. or 4. Brethren of this Yeild oversee all the tenements of the sams Yeld Upon the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. it appears that Mr Rob. Glasmond being then Warden of this Colledge of Babbelake for by that name it was then called had viii l. per ann stipend and that there were 7 Priests more which had iiii l. xiii s. iiii d. per ann a peice for their Salary But in 37 H. 8. upon the Survey then taken I find that the revenue of all the lands belonging to the said Gild amounted to Cxi l. xiii s. 8 d. out of which inter alia was then paid 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. per ann to a certain Priest called the Warden of the Chappel of Babbelake And to eight other Priests celebrating divine service there 37 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann To the Master of a Grammar-School there 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. per ann To two Clerks singing there 8 l. per ann To two Boys also singing there 2 l. per ann To divers poor men which had formerly been Brethren of the said Gild 10 l. in money according to the antient use To Tho. Gregory Clerk-Controuler of the same Gild 6 l. per ann And every Priest having likewise a Chamber within the precinct of the same Babbelake worth 4 s. per ann a peice Bond 's Almes-houses HEre was moreover within this place of Babbelake an Almes-house founded by one Thomas Bond a rich Merchant of Coventre wherein at the time of the said Survey were ten poor men and one woman kept to pray for the souls of the said Tho. Bond his grandfather father and all Christian souls All which were at that time maintained at the charge of Tho. Bond grandchild to the said Thomas by whose last Will the said Almes-house was to have been built and such poor maintained with a Priest and to that end certain lands put in Feoffees hands of 49 l. 11 s. 7 d. per ann value Out of which was paid to those poor people every Saturday 6 s. 8 d. which amounted to 17 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann To the Priest celebrating divine service 13 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann and 20 s. for a gown In toto 14 l. 6 s. 8 d. For 38 yards of black cloth to make gowns for the said poor men per ann 3 l. 16 s. 0 d. In Alms given to the poor yearly 13 s. 4 d. For 20 load of wood yearly for the said poor people 1 l. 3 s. 4 d. per ann For the Bayliffs fee 2 l. per ann In toto xliii l. viii s. xi d. ob But this being dissolved by Act. of Parl. as all other Chantryes Gilds and the like Fraternities were in 1 E. 6. I mean what belong'd to the Gild was by the K. Letters Pat. dated 12 Dec. 2 E. 6. granted unto the Bayliffs and Commonalty of this City and their successors to hold in Burgage by the service of 1 d. per ann Touching which Almes-house I shall further adde in memorial of the said Tho. Bond and other its Benefactors the Inscription upon the walls thereof This Hospitall was founded A. D. 1506. by Mr Tho. Bond Draper sometime Mayor and Alderman of this City for ten men and one woman who gave certein lands for mayntenance thereof which his son John Bond continued during his life But Tho. the son of John claimed those lands as his own whereupon the City sued him in Chancery and had a Decree against him which cost them a great sum of money for certein lands valued then at 20 l. per ann In the seventh year of K. James the said lands were questioned as concealed from the Crown which lands and tenements the City were enforc't againe to purchase of the K. to their very great cost and expences Notwithstanding the Citty have continued the charitable uses as formerly and as the lands have been improved so hath the maintenance of the old men been bettered and each mans place is now worth eleven pounds by the year Mr Sim. Norton Draper Mayor and Alderman of this City An. D. 1641. gave 300 marks for and towards the mayntenance of one man and one boy in this Hospitall of Babbelake
to the said Canons liberty to fish with boat and nets one day in every week viz. Thursday in his pool here at Kenilworth But other particulars of him worthy of Note have not I seen any except that false accusation of Treason made against him at Woodstock where K. Henry kept his Easter in 30. of his raign To him succeeded Geffrey his son and heir Lord Chamberlain likewise to the King as his father was and possest of a great estate for by the certificate of William E. of Warwick in 12. H. 2. it appears that he held of him no less than XVII Knights fees de veteri feoffamento Which Geffrey wedded Agnes daughter unto Roger Earl of Warwick with whom he had in marriage ten of those 17. Knights fees id est a discharge from any service for them except in some speciall cases As also Shrivalty of this County to hold to him and his heirs in such sort as he the said Earl had held or might hold it of the King and was a great benefactor to this Monastery of Kenilworth not onely by confirming all his fathers grants thereto but adding these particulars viz. the land at Newton at the buriall of his father The Mannour of Pakinton with the Church and Mill there The greatest part of Leminton with the Church and Mill. The Mill of of Guy-Cliff The Cell of Bretford with lands at Wridfen and Wotton The Churches of Wilmeleghton now called Wormleghton Herberbury Radford and Budbroke all in this County with the Church of Stivecle in Buckingham-shire confirmed to them by William Pipard All which were likewise ratified by Henry de Clinton son to the last specified Geffrey who also gave thereunto the town of Tachebroke with much more land at Wridfen in consideration whereof the before specified Canons allow'd to him every day during his life two manchets such as two of the said Canons used to have and four gallons of their better beer according to wine measure which he was to have whither he were at Kenilworth or not from the time he should enter into a religious life in case he did so do except on those dayes he had entertainment in the said Monastery After whose death Amicia de Bidun his wife released unto these Canons all her right of dowrie which she had in the lands so given by her said husband I will now onely enumerate the principall grants made by divers other persons to this Monastery for as much as of such that were in this County I speak more largely as I discourse of those particular places viz. Brueria now called Hethe near Wotton given by Odo de Turri The Church of Stoneley by K. H. 1. Divers lands in Molington by Iulian de S. Remigio As also the Church of Yftele with a yard land in Couley neer Oxford The Church of Hethe in Oxford-shire by Lescelina daughter to Geffrey the Founder and wife to Norman de Verdon which Bertram de Verdon her son confirmed granting besides a meadow at Asho called Rugenhale and another at Bretford The Churches of Brailes and Wellesburne by Roger Earl of Warwick Of Locksley by Rob. fil Odonis with certain lands also there Of Whitnash by Raph de Mara and Lesceline his wife Of Hampton in Arden and Smite with the Chappell of Brinklow by Roger de Moubray Of Langford in Derby-shire by Nich. de Gresley and Margaret his wife which Margaret in her minority with her whole patrimony was long under the care and tutelage of the before specified Geffrey the Founder Of Chesterton by Will. Croc. Of Fenny-Compton and one hide of land there by Gilbert le Bigoth Of Eatendon with divers lands there by Sewal fil Fulcheri ancestor to the antient family of Shirley yet lords of that Mannour And of Cherlton-Canvile in Com. Somerset by Rich. de Canvile All which with their severall Chappell 's were confirm'd to these Canons by severall Kings and Bishops as I shall have occasion more fully to manifest when I come to each of them Of Broke in Rutland which was a Cell to this Monastery given by Hugh de Ferrers and confirmed by Walcheline his brother Of lands in Newton by Ernald de Bois In Herdwic and Halford by Will. Giffard In Baginton by Hen. de Arden In Ludewell by Manasses Arsic In Tisho by Ric. de Bereford Cecily his wife and Raph de S. Edmundo Of half a yard land in Ricardscote in Com. Staff By Cecily the daughter of Rog. le Wayte Of lands in Herberbury by Henry Malory and others Of fire-wood in Berkswell by Nigel de Mundevill Of lands in Wolston by Rog de Frevill and Sibill his wife And to these were added the Church of Milverton by Walter Espigurnell and Celestina his wife in 16. H. 3. With the greatest part of Locksley Westcote and Morton and the advouson of the Church of Locksley by Peter de Mora about the 38. of H. 3. Afterwards viz. in 19. E. 2. Iohn Lok and Roger de Boyvill had license from the King to grant the Mannour of Patleshull in Stafford-shire to this Monastery In 20. E. 3. Thomas de Hampton to give five mess. with cxii acres of land in Radford thereunto And in 25. of the same K. raign Iohn the son of Iohn de Peto for granting xiv mess. two Carucats and five yard land in Loxley to it Many other small parcells in severall places were at sundry times given to these Canons by common persons the mention whereof I do purposely pass by for brevities sake Of all which the Prior and Covent of this House being thus possest in 12. E. 1. granted away the Churches of Fenny-Compton and Chesterton to the B. of Coventre and Lichfield and his successors for ever And of these their possessions as they had ample confirmations by severall Kings of this Realâ—e so were the priviledges very great which they enjoyed by those Charters viz. power to keep Court-Leet Assise of bread and beer authority to try malefactors within divers of their Lordships and freedom from suite to the County and Hundred-Courts as by the same Charters unto which I have pointed may be seen besides Free-warren in divers of their Mannours as I shall instance when I come to them in particular To these was added by King E. 3. that the Sub-prior and Covent should during the vacancy have the custody of the said House and all the Temporalties appertaining thereunto paying only to the King his heirs and successors for every whole year cxvii li. ii s. viii d. As to the appropriation of the particular Churches before recited to the use and benefit of this Monastery I shall take notice of them when I come to
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
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
they had of his gift in this place To him succeeded Will. his son and heir who exceeded his father in bounty to those Monks for he bestowed on them above CC acres and half a yard land with pasture for 600 Sheep five Sows with their Pigs one Boar 2 teams of Oxen 5 Kyne with their Calves and one Bull 2 young Heifers with their Calves and his Sheep-cotes on the Hills for their Sheep all in this his Lordship of Rodburne Neither was Michael his son streight-handed to them nor almost any other that had Free-hold in this place as may appear by their particular grants of several parcels of land some of them therewith bequeathing their bodyes to sepulture in that Monastery Which Monks obtained divers priviledges here viz. Court-leet Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows c. as appeareth by their claim in 13 E. 1. whereunto K. E. 1. added his Charter of Free-warren dated at Westm. 18 Febr. 18 of his reign But the posterity of Arden who were Lords of this Mannour having their seat here sometimes called themselves de Rodburne as by divers Records besides these which I have in the margent pointed at might be instanced yet the last of them scil William assumed the name of Arden again and in 43 E. 3. sold all the interest he had here to Iohn the son of Will. Catesby at which time Hugh de Prestwode and Agnes his wife past their whole right therein to the said Iohn by a Fine then levyed with warranty against the heirs of the said Agnes So that it seems she was an heir and probably of the same Will. de Arden Which Catesbyes were of Ashby Legers in Com. Northampt. and afterwards had the Mannour of Lapworth in this Shire where I purpose to speak historically of them In 13 H. 4. after the death of Iohn de Catesby the purchaser I find that Enime his widow and Iohn his son had a Charter of Free-warren granted to them inter alia in alâ— their â—emeâ—n lands here And that in 21 E. 4. the Monks of Combe quittâ—d all their interest here by the name of the Mannour of Rodburne grange to Will. Catesby Esq son and heir of Sir Will. Catesby Kt. for which alâ—enation K. H. 7. granted his pardon to the said Monks in 13 of his reign But this Will. Catesby having been a great Favourite to K. Ric. 3. was attainted in the Parl. of 1 H. 7. whereupon his lands eschaeting to the Crown this was by the K. given away to Sir Iohn Risley Kt. and the heirs male of his body Whether it came again to the Crown for want of issue male by the said Sir Iohn Risley I cannot say but in 2 3 Pâ— M. the Q. granted it to Thom. Wilkes Meâ—chant of the Staple and his heirs whose brother and heir viz. Will. Wilkes dyed seized thereof 27 Sept. 15 Eliz. leaving Robert his son and heir then aged 12 years Which Rob. dyed 26 Iulii 19 Eliz. withouâ— issue whereupon his 3 sisters became his heirs as in Hodnell I have shewed But that part of this place which is called Little-Rodburne did heretofore belong to the Priory of Coventre and coming to the Crown at the general dissoluâ—ion of the Religious Houses was in 6 Eliz. granted by the Q. to Henry Goodere of Polesworth Esq and Clem. Throgmorton Esq and their heirs Which Henry by his Deed bearing date 26 Nov. 8 Eliz. released all his right therein to the said Clement and his heirs who in 15 Eliz. sold the same to Will. Catesby of Ashby-Legers in Com. Northampt. Esq and his heirs After whichâ— viz. in 43 Eliz. Rob. Catesby Thomas Leigh and others all Feoffees in trust of Catesby's lands as it seems by their Deed of bargain and sale past it to Ranulph Crew Esq afterwards Kt. and chief Justice of the K. Bench whose grandchild Iohn Crew son and heir to Sir Clipsby Crew his eldest son in Easter Term ann 1650. sold the same to Sir Iohn Dreyden of Cannons-Ashby before mentioned That the Church was very antiently appropriated to the Nuns of Henwood I have already shewed but how long they took benefit thereof I know not for it appears that the Catesbyes presented thereto as a Rectory and that in 26. H. 8. the Parson received onely iiii l. xvi s. ii d. yearly besides ix s. vi d. for Procurations and Synodals from Ric. Catesby Esq then his Patron whereby it seems that there was no Church then standing but how long it had been down I am not yet certain for our Countryman Rous complains of the depopulation here amongst the rest of the Villages in this County which in his time were ruined by inclosure Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Inst. Ioh. Catesby ar D. Ioh. Steward Cap. 27. Apr. 1417. Ioh. Catesby ar Ioh. Watson Pbr. 22 Nov. 1431. Will. Spenser mil. ratione custodiae gard Ric. Catesby fil haer Georgii Catesby D. Thom. Palmer Cap. 24 Maii 1527. Venerab vir Ric. Catesby ar D. Rob. Holme Cap. 20. Ian. 1540. Henr. Philips ar D. Eliz. Catesby ux ejus Tho. Thackam art Magr. 20 Iulii 1573. Edw. Onley ar Gryffin Lhoyde Cler. 16. Dec. 1573. Ran. Crew miles capit Iustic ad Plac. Tho. Wilbraham jure Eliz. ux ejus Sym. Venables Cler. 6 Martii 1625. Ladbroke ABout 2 miles lower on the Northern bank of the same Torrent stands Ladbroke which I suppose had its name originally from the dirty soyl and clay where the stream runneth Llaid in the old British signifying the same with lâ—â—um and limus but it is frequently written in all antient authorities Lodebroc the a being changed into o. In the Conq. time the E. of Mellent had two hydes here then valued at 50 s. Turchill de Warwick 3 hydes with 4 yard land and better whereof one the Priest held and the other two one William whom I suppose to be progenitor of the family which afterwards assumed this place for their sirname And Hugh de Grentmaisnill three yard land with a Mill of iii s. That Turchill's lands for the most part came to Henry E. of Warwick before the end of the Conq. reign I have in Warwick sufficiently manifested but of what family he was whom the succeeding Earls enfeoft of this place I cannot certainly discover but Will. de Lodbroch the first that I find to have assumed his sirname from hence in 11 H. 2. was certified to hold a Kts. fee of Will then Earl of Warwick de veteri feoffamento that is to say whereof himself or his ancestor was enfeoft in H. 1. time so that I am induced to believe that the brother of this Will became so enfeoft For in the Confirmation which the said Will. made to the Canons of Kenilworth of the Church of Herberbury given originally unto them by G. de Clinton
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
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.
Canons of Kenilworth had Free-warren granted to them in all their demeâ—n lands here which they enjoyed till the generall dissolution of the Religious houses by K.H. 8. But after that fatall blow whereby the Monastery lands became dispersed Sir Thomas Darcy Kt. obtained this Mannour of Radford to himself and his heires by Pat. bearing date 27. Aug. 37 H. 8. And being afterwards created Lord Darcy of Chich in Essex past away this Lordship to Ric. Knevit and Elene his wife entayling it on the heirs male of the said Richard by her the said Elene and for default of such issue on Luce the wife of Sir Henry Gate Kt. Anne the wife of Nich. Robertson and Alice the wife of Edm. Verney esq which Ric. Knevit departed this life 1 Nov. 1 Eliz. leaving by her the said Elene Henry his son and heir aged 7. months and 15. days who about the 36. year of Q. Eliz. sold it to Iohn Brown of Barnam in Com. Suss. lineal heir to Iohn Brown esq who being Standard bearer to Iohn D. Bedford at such time as he was Regent of France bore for his Armes sable 2. bends verry Or and gules and lost his life in those warrs as the Pedegree of this family doth manifest Which Iohn had issue Sir Will. Brown late of this place deceased who for the better fortifying his title obtained a new Pat. from the Crown dated 12. Martii 15. Iac. to himself and Iohn Warde and the heirs of him the said Sir Will. in Fee-ferm viz. paying to the said K. his heirs and successors the yearly Rent of iii li. xviii s. v d. ob Which said Sir Will. dying seized thereof not long since left George Brown esquier his son and heir the present owner thereof In 10 H. 4. the Hundred presented that this village ought to repair the Bridge called Quenes-brigge lying within the precincts thereof over the river Leame but what was determined therepon I find not The Church dedicated to S. Nicholas being given to the Monastery of Kenilworth by Henry de Simely in H. 1. time as I have already shewed was appropriated thereto by G. Muschamp B. of Coventre in K. Iohn's time and in An. 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at vi marks but the Vicaridge at ii marks Which Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was rated at ....... over and above ii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Vicariae Incumb temp Inst. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Ioh. de Chadlefhunt Cap. 2. Id. Apr. 1320. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Whitnash Cap. 6. Cal. Iulii 1349. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Barthol de Wappenburry Pbr. 15. Cal. Aug. 1352. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Bedford Pbr. 14. Cal. Oct. 1361. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Henr. Bryth Pbr. 3. Nov. 1378. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. Starter Pbr. 8. Iunii 1397. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Cowper Cap. 10. Iulii 1422. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas Yonge Pbr. 12. Iunii 1436. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Henr. We le Cap. 5. Febr. 1450. Ric. Knyvet ar D. Edw. Lysterley Cler. 15. Martii 1552. Ric. Knyvet ar Ioh. Cruce Cler. 12. Maii 1557. Elena Knevet vidna Ric. Gardiner Diac. 29. Martii 1564. Thomas Brown Ric. Gardiner Cler. 13. Maii 1575. Will. Brown de Radford miles Nath. Potter Cler. in art Mâ—gr 21. Iulii 1631. In the West window of the Church these Arms. Arg. a plain Crosse gules S. George the tutelary Saint for England Or. 2. bends gules Sudley Whitnash FOllowing the course of Leame I come next to Whitnash wherein the same Hunfridus of whom I made mention in Leminton-Hâ—stang was certified to hold 2. hides of Hasculf Masard in the Conquerors time then valued at C s. and which were the Freehold of one Alured before the Norman invasion In that Survey it is written Witenas but afterwards in most Records Witenes As to the originall occasion of the name I cannot speak positively but do suppose that it was Brittish and by time much corrupted as most others are For I have observed that Coit which with them signifieth a wood is sometimâ—s found to be written quit and Whit by our English and Norman Ancestors so that then the syllable nes with the Brittans importing the same as propè doth in Latine sheweth that this place in probability had it's first denomination by being situat nigh some wood then growing there From the before specified Hunfridus descended the family of Hastang whereof in Leminton I have spoke who enjoyed this Lordâ—hip for some descents during which time one of them viz. Aâ—trop Hastang confirmed the grant made to the Canons of Oseney by Ric. Kentensis of half a hide of and lying in this Village But to Hastang in the possession of this Lordship succeeded Roger de Cherlecote who lived in K. Iohn's time From whom descended Sir Thomas de Haseley Kt. who assumed his sirname from that place in 〈◊〉 it was his principall seat as when I come to Hâ—seley â—hall be manifested Of which Sir Thomas in 7 E. 1. it was certified that he held this Mannour of Rob. de Hastang by the service of half a Knights fee excepting iv s. and that he then had here a Water-mill and 3. carucats of land in demesn as also a great pool with xix servants holding 7. yard land six acres and a fourth part at the Will of the Lord performing divers servile imployments and six Free-holders occupying 3. yard land and a hallf It was then also certified that the Kts Hospitalars had 4. messuages lying in this Village held by 4. Free-holders and given unto them by Atrop Hastang Which Sir Thomas de Haseley had issue Robert who granted this Mannour unto Iohn his son from whom descended Thomas Haseley of Whitnash â— who by his Deed dated on the day of S. Lucie the virgin 20 E. 3. past it awy to Tho. Savâ—ge of Tachebroke-Malory in this County which T. Sâ—vage had a fair estate in lands here before purchased by Iohn his father from Iohn Malory of Walton in Leicestershire descended to him the said Iohn from Will. Malory his grandfather All which lands together with the said Mannour did the same T. Savage by his deed bearing date on the feast-day of the translation of S. Edward the K. 1 R. 3. grant unto Benedict Medley of Warwick and his heirs Besides this there was another Mannour here in Whitnash but of its antiquity I can say little for the first mention I meet with of it is that Sir Baldwin Frevill Kt. was seized thereof and that by partition betwixt his sisters and coheirs in 31 H. 6. it fell to Margaret then the wife of Sir Ric. Bingham one of the Justices of the Common Pleas but formerly of Sir Hugh Willoughby Kt. whose grandchild viz. Sir Henry Willoughby Kt. sold
the said Rog. de Wigracestra was I cannot certainly determine but do conclude him from the formality of that grant which K. Henry so made of his Lands to have been a man of no mean rank and that having his sirname of Worcester where it seems his chief seat was might probably have the like Office of Sheriffalty of that County hereditary to his family before the Norman invasionâ— as Turchill de Warwick and his Ancestors of whom I have already spoke had in this Shire To which Walâ—er de Beauchamp succeeded Will. his son and Heir who bore the Office of Despenser to that King as his father had done and had his confirmation thereof together with Livery of all his Lands This Will was in great favour with Maud the Empresse as it should seem for whereas K. Sâ—eph had given the Citie of Worcester unto Waleran E. of Mellent the Castle whereof did hereditarily belong to him by descent from Vrso d'Abitot before mentioned she by her Letters P. bearing date at Oxford did grant and restore unto him and his Heirs not onely the said Castle with the Fortifications thereof to hold of her and her Heirs in Capite but also the Sheriffalty of that County with the Forests and all that belonged thereto of inheritance paying unto her the like ferm as Walt. de Beauchamp his father had formerly done whereupon he became her leige-man against all persons whatsoever and especially against the same Waleran E. of Mellent with whom by that her Charter she declared she would make no agreement for the premisses And furthermore did she then give and restore unto this Will the Castle and Honour of Tameworth here in Warwick-shire to hold as freely as Rob. Despenser brother to the before mentioned Vrso d'Abitot enjoyed the same And likewise the Mannour of Bekeford with Weston and Luffenham in com Rutl. as his right and LX. l. per ann English Lands for his service And besides all this did she again give and restore unto him and his Heirs that Constableship which Vrso de Abitot had as also the Office of Despenser that Walter his father held of K. H. 1. and all the Lands and inheritances of his next Ancestors which had been in Arms against her and that could not make Fine with her for the same unlesse some of their nearest kindred had served in war on her part Of which Will. I further also finde that upon the foundation of Bordsley-Abby by the said Empresse he was not onely a witnesse to her Charter but a benefactor to that house giving the Town of Osmaresley thereto That in 5. H. 2. he was Sheriffe of this County and that by the Certificate of the Knights Fees held of him in 12. H. 2. de veteri feoffamento it appears he had no lesse than xv whereof 7. were held by him immediately of the K. But after 14. H. 2. I have not seen any more mention of him To this Will succeeded Will. his Son and Heir who in 3. R. 1. was charg'd with xl s. for the Scutage of Wales In 13. Ioh. he answered for the like Scutage 4. Marks for two Knights Fees which he had in this County and in 16. Ioh. is taken notice of amongst those upon whom Scutage for support of the K. Army in Poictou was assest which being at 3. Marks per Scutum gave such advantage to the discontented Barons as that they afterwards broke out into rebellion brought in Lewes eldest son to Philip the French King of which businesse our Historians are not silent This last mentioned Will. had issue Walter who was in arms against the K. with the rest of the Barons at that time but there being a composure made with them at Runnimede near Stanes on the xv of Iune 17. Ioh. for on that day doth the K. Charter of liberties bear date he had the Sherivealty of Worcester-sh again restored to him by thy K. Letters P. dated 19. Aug. ensuing which it seems for the causes premised was committed to Will. de Cantilupe and in Febr. following had the custody of all those Mannours in this County belonging to the Bishoprick of Worcester and then in the K. hands committed to his trust by reason of Walâ— Gâ—ey's translation at that time from thence to York But it was not long after ere that the K. holding himself not obliged by that agreement made at Runnimede in regard he was in a sort constrain'd to what he did through the great mens potency at that time strengthened himself with a powerfull Army and procured a sentence of excommunication against all those Rebellious Barons by particular name amongst which this Walt. de Beauchamp was one who it seems taking the same more to heart than many others did made his peace again with the K. and thereupon went to Gualo the Pope 's Legate for absolution from which time of his going till he returned fully absolv'd the K. committed his Castle of Elmeley and all the rest of his possessions to the custody of Walter de Lascy Hugh de Mortimer Walt. de Clifford and Iohn de Monemuth Will. de Cantilupe having command to deliver the same unto them Walterus de Bellocampo temp H. 1. Emelina filia haeres Ursonis de Abetot Will. de Bellocampo Dispensator Regis H. 1. superstes 14. H. 2. Will. de Bellocampo 3. R. 1. Walt. de Bellocampo obiit 20 H. 3. Will. de Bellocampo ob 53. H. 3. Isabella soror haeres Will. Mauduit Warwici Comitis Walt. de Bello-campo de Alcester Isabella Sibilla Will. de B. Comes Warw. ob 26. E. 1. Matilda f. Joh. Fitz-Geffrey ... monial apud Shouldham ..... monialis apud Shouldh Guido de B. Co. Warw. ob 9. E. 2. Alicia soror haer Rob. de Toney Matild ux Galf. de Say Eliz. ux Thom. de Astley mil. Thom. de B. Co. Warw. ob 43. E. 3. Cath. filia Rog. de Mortimer Comitis Marchiae Guido de B. duxit Philippam f. Henr. D. Ferrers de Groby Eliz. Cath. monialis apud Shouldham Margar. Monialis apud Shouldham Tho. de B. Co Warw ob 2. H. 4. Marg. f. Wâ—ll D. Ferrers de Groby Cath. obiit in pueritia Ric. de Bellocampo Co. Warwici Albamarliae ob 17. H. 6. Isabella filia haeres Thomae D. Despenser ux secunda Anna Ric. Nevil Co. Warw. caesus in praelio apud Barnet 11. E. 4. Isab. filia cohaerâ— ux Georgii Dacis Clarentiae Edw. Plantaginet Co. Warw. decollatus 15. H. 7. Margar. uxor Ric. Pole mildecollata temp H. 8. Anna primò nupta Edw. Princ. Walliae posteà Ric. D. Glouc. Edw. Princeps Walliae obiit vita patris s. p. Henr. de Bellocampo Dux Warw. ob 23. H. 6. Cecilia filia Ric. Nevil Comitis Sarum Anna obiit in pueritia Ric. de Bellocampo Co. Warwici Albamarliae ob 17. H. 6. Eliz. filia haeres Thom.
Exchequer was seized into the Kings hands by reason of some misdemeanour therein committed by one William de Bradecote his Clerke howbeit the King taking into consideration his speciall services before exprest made a quick restitution of it again I find that this Earl had great suits with William de Breause for the dominion of Gowher in Wales wrongfully alienated by King Iohn 4. Ioh. to Will. de Breause great-grandfather of this William whilst Henry Earl of Warwick was in his minority but could not recover it In 15 E. 1. he was again imployed into Wales at which time he beseiged the Castle of Drosselan and had ccxl li. delivered to him by the Bishop of Ely then Treasurer for the defraying his charges in that service At that time the King being in France had constituted Edmund Earl of Cornwall his lieutenant here in England during his absence who taking great care to preserve all things in quiet here whilst the King was away directed his speciall Precept to this Earl of Warwick and other great men requiring them most strictly that they should not ride with armed power in any part of the Kingdom for any respect whatsoever to the terrour of the Kings leige people and disturbance of the Peace but if that any diffâ—rence did arise betwixt them and others they should make it known unto the said E. of Cornwall who would apply a timely remedy thereto In 23 E. 1. being again in Wales with the K. he performed a notable Warlike exploit which was thus Hearing that a great body of the Welch were got together in a plain betwixt two woods and to prevent any danger had fastned their pikes in the ground sloping towards their assailants he marcht thither with a choyse company of Cross-bow-men and Archers and in the night time incompassing them put betwixt every two Horsemen one Crossbow-man who killing many of them that supported those Pikes the Horse charged in suddainly and made so great a slaughter that the like hath seldom been heard The next ensuing year he received command to be at New-castle upon Tine on the first of March furnisht with Horse and Armes for an expedition into Scotland and afterwards was sent with Iohn Earl of Surrey to recover the Castle of Dunbar trecherously gained by the Scots In which action they were constrained to cope with the whole Scotch Army that came to raise the Siege but at length after a sharp dispute obtained a glorious victory wherein the number of slain were supposed to be ten thousand which success made the Castle suddainly to render In 25 E. 1. he had command to be at London upon the Sunday next after the Octaves of S. Iohn Bapt. well provided with Horse and Armes to attend the King into Flanders but it seemes he had other direction to stay behind for I find that he was one of those who were made Governours to Prince Edward then in minority during the Kings absence whom the King had constituted his Lieutenant during that time In the same year he was made Governour of the Castle and Forrest of Rokingham in Com. Northampt. And in Oct. following again appointed to be at New-castle upon Tine on St. Nicholas day to march against the Scotts with Prince Edward But that proved an unhappy business the English Army being for the most part destroyed in attempting to pass the Bridge at Sterling This year it was and on Holy-Rood day being in perfect health that he made his Testament whereby he disposed his body to sepulture in the Quire of the Friers-Minors aâ— Worcester in case he should depart this life within the compass of the four Engâ—ish Seas but if otherwise then in the next House of Friers-Mâ—nors to that place where his death might happen and his Heart wheresoever the Countess his dear consort should resolve to be herself interred To which place when his body was to be buried did he bequeath two great Horses viz. those which at his funerall should carry his Armour for the celebration whereof he gave CC li. which was as much as three thousand in these times For the maintenance of two Souldiers in the Holy-land he gave C li. To Maud his Countess all his silver vessell with his Cross wherein was contained part of the wood that had been of the very Cross whereupon our B. Saviour dyed As also the Vestments belonging to his Chapell to make use of during her life but afterwards the best suit to remain to Guy his eldest son His second suit to his Chapell of Hanslape and the third to his Chapell of Anneley To Guy his son a gold Ring with a Ruby in it together with his blessing To his said Countess a Cup which the B. of Worcester gave him but all his other Cups together with his lesser sort of Jewells and Rings he bequethed unto her to distribute for the health of his soul where she should think fittest And to his two daughters which were Nunns at Shouldham in Com. Norff. a Monastery of their great-grandfather's foundation by the mother side he gave fifty marks He was a benefactor to the Monastery of Thelesford in this County Ratified the grant of Warmington made by Henry de Neuburgh sâ—metime Earl of Warwick to the Monks of Preaux in Normandy bore for his Armes gules semé of Cross-crosslets with a fess Or which Cross-crosslets were by him added to his Coat for his father used them not but whether as a badge of any Pilgrimage that he made unto the holy-Holy-Land or vow so to do I will not take upon me to determine Wedded Maud the eldest of the four sisters and heirs to Richard Fitz-Iohn son of Iohn Fitz-Geffrey Justice of Ireland and widow of Gerard de Furnivall which Maud had for her purpartie of his lâ—nds the Mannours of Chiriel in Com. Wilts Potters-Piri in Com. Northampt. and Querndon in Com. Buck. assigned to her And departed this life either in May or the beginning of Iune Anno 1298. 26 E. 1. leaving Guy his son and heir then 26. years of age who did his homage the 25. of September following and had livery of his fathers lands And 2. Iunii following performed the like homage for the lands descended to him by the death of Maud his mother who dyed the same year This Guy had his Christen name out of doubt in remembrance of the warlike Guy Earl of Warwick in the Saxons time and was a martiall man as well as his Ancestors The same year that his father dyed he had summons with many other great men to be at Carleol on the even of Pentecost well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march into Scotland this being the time that the King made a personall expedition thither and obtained a great victory at Fawkirk in which Battail he behaved himself so gallantly that the King rewarded him with all the Castles
better raysed in these parts as occasion should requireâ— which money was by him hidden in Bishops-Ichington pool and that the Duke fayling of his ends and losing his head as is well known Fisher became questioned by authority from Queen Mary for that money but denying it stoutly and put upon the Rack was so extreamly tormented that his fingers were pull'd out of the joynts yet would never reveal it After which he lived till 19 Eliz. and then on Ian. 12. anno 1576. departing this life was interred at the upper end of S. Maryes Church in Warwick where his Monument is yet to be seen leaving Edward his son and heir xxx years of age whose inheritance left him by his father was no lesse than what is now worth 3000 li. per an as I have heard but as such possessions I mean Church lands and the like which were originally given to the maintenance of Gods service wanting that blessing of continuance to the posterity of those that obtain them as for the most part others have doe often shift their owners so we find it here for the substance of all that had been thus rak't together with so much care and industry by the Father was in a short time wasted by the Son who lavish't it out so fast as that foreseeing his his own ruin he betook himself to the course of unthrifts which hastned it on the sooner for making a fraudulent conveyance to deceive Sergeant Puckring to whom in 23 Eliz. he had sold this fair seat and lands thereabout he was by him so prosecuted in the Star-Chamber that had not the Earl of Leicester interposed his Fine would have been very grievous for prevention whereof he at length consented that an Act of Parliament to confirm the estate to the said Sergeant Puckring then Lord Keeper of the great Seal should be made and being yet intangled with debts was committed Prisoner to the Fleet where he remained all the dayes of his life which conveyance from the before specified Edward Fisher being to George Chowne and others 1. Octob. 23 Eliz. they past away their right therein to the said Sergeant Puckring 13. Octob. 24 Eliz. This Sergeant Puckring being Speaker in the Parliament of 28. Eliz. upon answer to Queen Eliz. proposall as to some expedient whereby the life of the Queen of Scots might be saved urged that the Sentence given against her should be put in execution In 36 Eliz. he was Knighted and dyed in 38. whereupon M Cambden in his Annals of that time hath this expression Infra hunc annum nonnulli insignioris notae nobilitatis ex hujus vitae statione evocati fuerunt è quibus inprimis memorandi Ioh. Puokeringus magni Angliae Sigilli Custos qui ob famularum sordes corruptelas in Ecclesiasticis beneficiis nundinendis ipse vir integer apud Ecclesiasticos haud benè andivit But he left issue Thomas his son and heir afterwards made Knight and Baronet a Gentleman much accomplisht with learning and observation by travail in forrain parts in his younger years who afterwards lived here in great esteem for his prudence having been elected Burgess for Warwick or some other place in sundry Parliaments and departing this life 20 Martii anno 1636. left only one daughter called Iane to inherit this with other fair possessions who besides her weakness of body hath been attended with some misfortunes whereof for brevity I pass by the mention and dyed lately without issue whereupon Sir Henry Newton son to Sir Adam Newton of Charlton in Com. Cantii Baronet nephew to the said Sir Thomas Puckring is by his said uncle's designation become heir to this and the greatest part of his estate The next place of note for antiquity lying within the precincts of Warwick is the Hospitall of St. Michael situat on the North side of the town at the lower end of that street called Saltsford neer the Chapell of St. Michaell before spoken of This being founded by Roger Earl of Warwick about the later end of H. 1. or beginning of King Stephen's time had besides what it was then endowed withall little given thereto other than those obventions and Tythes of the assarts of Wedgenok as also of the paunage and venison by Waleran Earl of Warwick so that the whole revenue thereof by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. was certified to amount unto no more than x li. ii s. iv d. over and above reprises all which issued out of lands in Warwick excepting vi s. viii d. yearly Rent of Assize for someâ—hing that belong'd thereto situate in Aven-Derset out of which xxvi s. was annually payd to certain Leprous persons residing there towards their maintenance But by another Survey made in 37 H. 8. I find that the revenue thereof over and above all reprises amounted to x li. xix s. x d. And that it was founded by a King to give Almes weekly to poor people as also to harbour them Howbeit at that time there being no Master there resident the same was demised by Lease with all the Rents and profits thereto belonging unto one Richard Fisher paying therefore yearly x li. which Richard did then weekly distribute 8 d. to the poor and found four beds for their lodging giving viii d. a week to a certain poor woman attending on the poor men and making their beds But at this time the poor people there resident are onely women and viii in number having iv li. per annum distributed amongst them out of the Priory lands late Sir Thomas Puckrings at Michaelmasse and our Lady-day by equall portions A Catalogue of its Guardians scil such as I have found are here inserted with the times of their admission to that charge and the names of those by whom they were constituted Patroni Guardiani D. Episc. Frater Henricus de Cobynton 3. Kal. Iulii 1300. Frater Rogerus Bertram solus tunc frater in eadem domo existens D. Will. de Lichfeld Vicar de Wasperton prid Non. Maii 1308. Confratres ejusdem Hospit Frater Thom. de Olouthon 3. Id. Aug. 1315. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. D. Nich. de Southam 4. Iunii 1339. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Frater Will. de Knytcote 10 Sept. 1343. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Regin Dod Pbr. 7. Ian. 1361. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. D. Ioh. Kekenwich 10. Apr. 1388. Ric. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Walt. Lambard 11. Nov. 1410. Ric. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. D. Will. Blakemore Cap. 22. Iunii 1425. Ric. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Will. Berkswell Cler. 15. Martii 1431. Ric. Nevill Co. Warwici D. Thomas Went Cap. 28. Apr. 1450. Ric. Nevill Co. Warwici D. Thom. Clerke Cap. 20. Sept. 1460. D. Henricus Rex Angliae Williel Herryson Cler. 28. Sept. 1501. Phil. Mar. Rex Regina Angl. D. Ric. Iudson Pbr. 21. Oct. 1556. Phil. Mar. Rex Regina
to Iohn his next Heir and then 9 years of age Cotes THis is that part of Warwick which lyes on the East part of the town beyond the little Brook coming from the Priory Mill and is now called Coton-end In Edw. the Confessors time Edwine E. of Mercia held it but after the Norman Conquest K. Will. had it in his own hand in whose time it was certifyed to contain one hide there being then two Mills rated at C s. and the Woods containing 3 Furlongs in length and as much in breadth In the Conq. Survey it is written Cotes which in our old English signifies the same with Domus It seems that upon the advancement of Henry de Newburgh to the Earldome of Warwick it was by the K. bestowed on him for it appears that the same Henry gave certain lands lying here to the Churches of our Lady and Allhallows which Rog. his son and successor confirmed adding his Grant of all the Tithe thereof and C. acres of land in 23. H. 1. when he united those two Churches making that of our Lady Collegiate But there is no more to be said of it forasmuch as it was so united to Warwick that part thereof being in the possession of the Earls which did not belong to the Colledge Stokehull ON the Northwest side of Warwick lyes Stokehull â— now onely known by certain grounds bearing that name but heretofore it hath been a petty Hamlet as the name imports Stoke signifying the same with Villa The first mention I find thereof is in the foundation of the Collegiate Church of Warw. by E. Roger in H. 1 time where he grants thereto the Tithes of certain Lands situate therein so that there is no question but it came to Henry E. of Warwick as all the rest of the lands thereabout â—â—d viz. upon his advancement to that Earldome or in augmentation of it as I have elsewhere shewed Howbeit till 14 E. 1. I have not seen any thing more thereof that is remarkable but then was there a Fine levied of the moyetie of this Mannour by Iohn le Lou and Amice his wife Plantiffs and Philip le Lou and Margery his Wife deforc whereby the said moyetie became setled upon the same Iohn and Amice and the Heires of Amice And further than this have I no more to say of it other than that it is in Rous his Catalogue amongst the antiently depopulated Villages whereof he makes so much complaint Levenhull THis place lying neer to the last hath no habitation now thereon yet do the Grounds retain the name but what I have seen of it is no more than that Rob. de Morton who stiles himself Dominus de Levenhull by his Deed whereupon a Fine was levyed xv Hill 29 H. 3. granted to the Monastery of S. Sepulchers here in UUarwick totam terram illam extra Warrewyke ex parte occidentali quae appellatur Levenhull which it seems was a Purchase for the Canons of that House gave fourty Marks of Silver in consideration of that Grant and covenanted to pay to the said Robert and his Heirs 13 s. 4 d. per an at the Feasts of S. Mich. and the Annunciation of our Lady by even portions Woodlow THE first mention I find of this place is in that foundation of the Collegiat Church at Warwick made by Earl Roger in 23. H. 1 where the Tithes of certain lands lying here are given thereto and in that grant it is called Wudulan By which testimony t is plain enough that it was originally part of those possessions which Henry de Newburgh the first Earl after the Norman Conquest had hereabouts and there is no doubt I think to be made but that it was a member of Warwick In H. 1 time one Richard the Sonn of Yvo Cook to the before specified Earl Roger held it but having no grant thereof in writing and leaving a Sonn called Alan whom he had trained up in his own profession the said Alan succeeding in that office as servant to William E. of Warwick sonn to Earl Roger obtained a special Charter from him in H. 2 time of this Lordship to himself and his Heirs whereby the Metes and Bounds thereof are exactly set forth By which Charter he also granted to the said Alan and his Heirs power to keep a Court of all his own proper Tenants aswell those residing in Warwick as at Woodlow and to take Toll of them for all things that they should buy or sell within the Borough of Warwick Ratifying moreover to him and his Heirs ths office of Master Cook in his Kitchen which the said Richard his father heretofore held in his and E. Roger his fathers time with all Fees of his Kitchen belonging to the Master Cook both in liveryes and Horses as the Esquiers of his houshold then had and as the said Richard his father used to have in the days of the same Earl Roger and his the said Earl And moreover granted unto him and his heires a yard land lying in Cotes with whatsoever lands the said Richard his father held in Warwick to hold therewith freely and quietly c. with Tol and Team Sach and Soc Infatheyeol and in free socage paying yearly to the said Earl and his heires a pair of Gloves at Easter for all secular service suit of Court and demand whatsoever for which grant and confirmation the said Alan gave unto him x s. in money xij Geese and a firkin of wine From this Alan descended the family of Woodlow as the pedegree here inserted sheweth so named in respect of their residence here who bore for thir Armes Gules a fesse argent betwixt six crosses crosslet Or differing nothing from the coat of Beauchamp E. of Warwick but in the colour of the fessâ— Of which was one Thomas de Woodlow Feodary to Ric. Beauchamp E. of Warwick for all his lands in this County in 10. H. 4. And in 5. H. 5. one of his Councell In 15. H. 6. this Mannour being entailed by Iohn Wodelow was setled upon George Herthul his granchild with divers remainders but it seems that some of these Herthulls past away their right herein to Alice the daughter of Ric. Chester grandchild and heir after the death of her brother Thomas to Avicia one of the daughters and coheirs of Alan de Wodelow for after the death of her second husband sc. Iohn Mayell being in her free state of widowhood by her deed bearing date at Warwick on the feast day of S. Hillary 27. H. 6. she granted the capital mess. of Wodlow with all the lands thereto belonging excepting some that had been exchang'd away to Iohn Brome of Warwick which Iohn was he that became owner of Badsley-Clinton in this County as I shall there shew from whose son Nich Brome by Lettice the daughter of Nich Catesby his third wife is descended Robert Brome Gent. now residing here to
whom the inheritance of this place still continues It seemes that this was antiently a little village though now reduc't to one house for I find it in the list of those places whereof Iohn Rous in his complaint of the Depopulations in this County doth make mention Ivo Richardus Cocus Rogeri Comitis Warw. Alanus Cocus Alanus Thomas fil Alani cogn de Wodelow Alanus de Wodelow 10. E. 2. 7. E. 3. Avicia filia cohaeres Joh. Chestre Ric. Chestre alias dict Ric. de Wodelow 8. E. 3 Tho. Ruding 1. maritus Alicia Joh. Mayel ob s. p. Will. Ruding Thom. Wodlow ob s. p. Dionysia Rog. Pacwood de Warwic Henr. de Wodlow alias Pacwood dominus de Wodlow 36. E. 3. 7. R. 2. Ioh. de Wodlow 15. H. 6. Iocosa monialis Alicia fil haeres Tho. Herthul ar defunctus 20 H. 6. Georg. ob s. p. Ric. ob s. p. Iocosa ux Ioh. Baynam Ioh. Herthul Agnes filia Ioh. Fulwode de Tanworth 16. H. 6. Ioh. Herthull Margeria filia haeres ux Ric. Palmer Chesterton HAving now done with all the places of note within the precincts of Warwick and following the river Avon about a mile and halfe lower I find it increast by a petty torrent which coming from the Southeast joyneth therewith This brook riseth within the precincts of Chesterton of which place being next in order to discourse I shall observe that antiently it had many Inhabitants for no lesse than Lxxix families doth Rous make mention of that there resided which by depopulation were in his time reduced to three but now are augmented to the number of xiiii Through this Lordship doth one of those famous Roman ways whereof I have spoke scil Fosse extend it self upon which as is apparent hath been a Roman Fortification and within the compasse thereof divers old coynes digg'd up That such fortified places had the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by our Ancestors the Saxons is evident enough so that we need not look farther for an Etymologie of this Towns name antiently written Ceastreton and Cestreton than the situation thereof so neer to that place Part of this Village being given by Earl Leofrike to the Monks of Coventre upon the foundation of that Monastery 1. Edw. Conf was by the Conq. Survey certified to contain 1 hide and a half and valued at L. s. By which Survey it also appears that Henry de Feriers a great man at that time had half a hide here then held of him by one Wazelinus and valued at x. s. But the greatest proportion viz. 3. hides did Ric. Forestarius at that time hold which was rated at C. s. and whereof 4 Thein were possest in Edw. the Conf. time This Ric. Forestarius is also called Ric. Venator and Ric. Chineu what he had here in Chesterton was a third part of the town being given to him by Will the Conq. together with other lands in Sergeanty viz by the service of keeping the Forest of Kanoc in Stafford-shire paying to the K. x marks yearly for the Bailywick thereof and for the said lands he so held Which Ric. sounded the Church here endowing it with lands of two marks per an value and had issue one only daughter called Margerie married to Walter Crok who in 5. Steph. gave 3. marks of gold to the K. pro rehabendo Ministerio suo which I conclude to be for his office of Forester in the Forest of Canok and xiiii l. xi s. v. d. for the land of Ric. Chinewe his wifes father To this Walter succeeded Will. his son and heir who gave to the Monks of Radmore in the said Forest of Canok afterwards translated to Stonley in this County all his lands in Wirley in Com. Staff in consideration whereof he was made partaker of the whole benefit of their Cistertian Order and promised that his body should have sepulture in their Monastery On the Canons of Kenilworth he conferred the Church of Chesterton and granted to the Kâ—s Templars a yard land in this Lordship but an ill rate attended him for he was hang'd though for what appears not whereupon his lands were seized into the K. hands who gave them in marriage to one Rob. de Broc â— with Margerie his the said Will. sister Which Rob. de Broc being a man of note in his days for he is called Marescallus Angliae Forestarius de Canoc gave to the Monks of Stoneley a messâ— and half a yard land lying in Radway in this County and dyed in 5 R. 1. leaving issue Margerie his only daughter and heir marryed to Hugh de Loges who in 7. R. 1. payd lx marks fine towards the raysing that great sum of money for the Ks. redemption for which he had the custody of the Forest of Canok with his house at Grimbaldeston and the land of Rob. de Brok whose daughter and heir he had wedded rendred to him It seems that this Hugh was in armes against K. Iohn in those turbulent times towards the end of his reign for which his Castle of Grimbaldeston and Forestership of Canok were seized into the Ks. hands for I find that the said King by his Precept bearing date 1. Dec. 17. Ioh. directed to Thomas de Erdington appointed that in case he found good pledges for his faithfull service to him and sure custody of the Forest of Canok with the said Castle that then he should render them to him but he lived not above a year afterwards as I guess for in 1. H. 3. the custody of his heir called Hugh was committed to Will. de Cantilupe which Hugh held this Mannour of Cestreton and Forestership of Canok in sergeanty as his Ancestors had done and had suit with the Kts. Templars for that hide of land given to them here in Chesterton whereof I have already spoke but could not recover it In 19. H. 3. he received a command from the K. to permit Will. Fitz-Walkelin to enter his Hart hounds at hunting the Stag in his Bayliwick In 25. H. 3. he payd C l. fine to the K. for some miscarriages in his said office of Forester In 36. being a prisoner in Warwick gaol upon an Appeal prosecuted against him for killing of Rog. le Straunge he was bayled The next year following I find that the Shiriff of Staffordshire had command from the K. not to distrain him to take the order of Knighthood except it did appear that he had other lands for which he ought to be a Kt than those that were in Sergeanty but he was the last of this family that held the Stewardship and Bayliwick of Canok-Forest for it appears that K. H. 3. disposed thereof to Sir Thomas de Wescham Kt. and his heirs who past a way the inheritance of it in 12. E. 1. to Philip de Montgomeri the K.
brother to the said E. of Mellent had of that Earl's lands is not to be doubted forasmuch as 't is plain that the Ancestor of Peter de Montfort became enfeoft thereof in H. 1. time it being questionlesse part of those x. Knights Fees and a fourth part which Thurstane de Montfort in 12 H. 2. certified that he then held of William Earl of Warwick de veteri feoffamento for in 20 H. 3. the said Peter de Montfort held it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of one Knights Fee After which viz. in 32 H. 3. there being some difference betwixt the beforespecified Peter and Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester then Lord of Ilmendon whereof I have lately spoke touching the bounds of each Mannour the King directed his Precept to the Shiriff of this County to cause perambulation to be made there betwixt them Whereupon in 34. H. 3. this Peter obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here but being slain in the battaill of Evesham anno 49 H. 3. fighting against the King this with the rest of his lands was seized on which neverthelesse by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth â— came to Peter his son who in 7 E. 1. held it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of one Knights fee having four carucates of land in demesn as also divers Tenants holding severall proportions by certain Rents and servile imployments together with a Court-Leet and Free-warren Which Peter in 13 E. 1. exhibâ—ted his claim for those priviledges and likewise for a Gallows with Assize of Bread and Beer producing King H. 3. Charter for the Free-warren manifesting that himself and his Ancestors had enjoyed all the rest of those immunities time out of mind and had allowance of them accordingly To this Peter succeeded Iohn and to him Peter as in Beldesert is shewed which last mentioned Peter in 20 E. 2. entailed it with other lands upon Iohn de Montfort his son by Lora de Ullenhale a Concubine Other Entails do I also find thereof viz. on Guy de Montfort the legitimate son to the said Peter and Margaret his wife daughter to Tho. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and the heirs of the body of the same Guy begotten on her the said Margaret and for lack of such issue on the said Thomas E. of Warwick and Katherine his wife and the heirs of the said Earl Which Guy departing this life without Children as in Beldesert shall likewise be shewed the said Earl in 35 E. 3. entailed it again as also divers other Lordships in this and other Counties upon Thomas Beauchamp his eldest son with severall remainders But notwithstanding all this the heirs generall of Iohn de Montfort father of the last recited Peter scil Sir Baldwin Frevill and Sir Thomas Boteler Knights recovered it with other lands by a writ of Formedone through the advantage of a preceding Entail but making partition betwixt them in 9 R. 2. as cosins and heirs to Sir Peter de Montfort it was allotted to Boteler whose heirs at length marrying to Norbury and Belknap as the descent in Griff sheweth and their lands thereupon divided betwixt Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and Edward Belknap Esquier this Mannour inter alia was in 13. H. 7. allotted to him the said Edward who made much depopulation and inclosure here but being one of the Esquiers to the body of Henry 7. in 24. of that Kings raign obtained a Pardon for the same and afterwards viz. in 4 H. 8. past it away with other lands in exchange unto Iohn Cotes of Honingham in this County From whom it came to Anthony Cotes of Benefeild in Com. Northampt. Esquier which Anthony in 25. H. 8. depopulated the Capitall Messuage and inclosed C. acres of land there and in 1. 2. Ph. M. levied a Fine thereof to Thomas Gibbons The Church in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xxv marks and in 26 H. 8. at xxi li. vi s. viii d. the Procurations and Synodalls being ix s. v d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Ioh. de Monteforti miles Will. de la Plaunch Cler. crast Purif b. M. 1293. D. Alicia de Monteforti D. Walt. de la Plaunche 7. Cal. Ian. 1297. D. Alicia de Monteforti Will. de la Plaunch Accol 19. Cal. Feb. 1298. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Will. de Stodley Pbr. 18. Feb. 1336. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Ric. de Budeford Pbr. 25. Aug. 1349. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Adam Alreshawe Accol 5. Apr. 1357. Thomas Comes Warwici Rog. de Tangeley Cap. 7. Iunii 1382. D. Tho. Boteler miles Dominus de Suydley D. Thomas Knyzt Pbr. 25. Iunii 1392. Will. Boteler ar Magr. Regin Povy 26. Sept. 1410. Rob. Buyschell Ioh. Eburton sen. Ioh. Eburton Cler. penult Feb. 1415. Alicia nuper ux Will. Boteler mil. Ioh. Balle 20. Ian. 1419. Alicia nuper ux Will. Boteler mil. D. Ioh. Smith Cap. 23. Iulii 1420. D. Walt. Taylboys Dominus de Kyma D. Rog. Bealfitz 1. Dec. 1442. .......... D. Steph. Russell Cap. 4. Maii 1443. .......... Ioh. Elys 20. Martii 1451. Rad. Boteler miles Dominus de Sudley Thomas Thornton in S. Theol. Scholar 9. Febr. 1460. Rad. Boteler miles Dominus de Sudley D. Will. Thommes Cap. 4. Iunii 1462. Edw. Belknap ar Will. Urmeston Pbr. 6. Nov. 1493. Edw. Belknap ar D. Will. Cokkes Prior de Erdbury 15. Iulii 1504. Edw. Wotton miles Maria Danet vidua Anth. Cook ar Magr. Rob. Serle S. Theol. Bacc. 16. Ian. 1539. Rob. Brook ar Tho. Callow gen ex concess Anth. Cook mil. Nich. Underhill 19. Iunii 1571. Crimscote OF this place is there no particular mention in the Conquerors Survey neither have I seen any thing thereof till 7 E. 1. at which time Peter de Montfort held it with Whitchurch whereof originally it was a member without question having divers Tenants holding their lands by performance of sundry servile employments and some small Rents together with certain Freeholders with which Lordship it came to Sir Edward Belknap who possest it in 1 E. 6. As for the name I am of opinion that it first proceeded from some antient Inhabitant here in the Saxons time though antiently it be written in a various manner scil Kenermarcote Kilmescote Kirmiscote and Kenemyscote but of its Owners I can say no more Wimpston THis being also a member of Whitchurch and possest by the Family of Mountfort therewith was heretofore written Wilmeton Wilmeston and Wilmyston and yet is reputed as part of that Mannour Broughton THis Hamlet antiently written Brocton and so called by reason of its situation neer the Stoure which passeth on the Western side thereof was originally a member of Whitchurch as may be inferred from the Roll
seized into the King's hands but returning to obedience he had restitution of them in the last year of that King's reign To whom succeeded Will. who had severall imployments of much trust and note in his time within this County From 11. till 20 H. 3. he was frequently in Commission as a Justice of Assize In 16 H. 3. he with Iohn de Lodbeoc were constituted the King's Eschaetors here In 21 H. 3. he was in Commission for the collecting of a xxx th and in 56 H. 3. one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick To him succeeded Sir Thomas de Bishopsdon Knight his son and heir and to Sir Thomas Sir William howbeit of these I find little else notable than that they were Knights But the next was Sir Iohn de Bishopsdon who served in the Parl. held at Yorke in 12 E. 2. as one of the Knights for this shire being then seized of these Lordships viz. Bishopston Bishopswode vulgò Bushwode Lapworth Thorndon in this County Larkstoke in Gloucestershire Little Cokesey Herdewyk Pepewell and Waresley in com Wigorn. in all which he had Free-warren granted to him by a special Charter bearing date at Newcastle upon Tine 26 Sept. 13 E. 2. In 14 E. 2. he was a Knight and in the Rebellion with Thomas Earl of Lanc for which in 16 E. 2. he had pardon for xl lâ— Fine In 18 E. 2. he was in Commission for conservation of the peace in this shire and to take care that the Articles contained in the Statute of Winchester were observed In 1 E. 3. he served in the Parl. at Westminster as one of the Knights for this shire and was in Commission for the levying a xv th and tenth in this County So also in 2 E. 3. for collecting of a xx th In 4 E 3. again one of the Knights for this shire in the Parl. held at Westm. and the next year following constituted one of the Justices for conservation of the Peace Frethricus de Bissopesdone temp Regis Steph. Will. de Bissopesdone 9 R. 1. Juliana filia Henrici de Monâ—eforti Will. de Bishopsdon 11 H. 3. Thomas de Bishopsdon miles 31 H. 3. Cecilia una filiarum cohaer Henrici Pipard Will. de Bishopsdon miles temp E. 1. Christiana relicta 14 E. 1. Joh. de Bishopsdon miles 14 E. 2. Beatrix filia haeres Joh. de Sheldon Rog. de Bishopsdon 14 E. 3. Alicia filia haeres ux Walt. de Clodshale Thomas de Bishopsdon 7 E. 2. Johanna filia Edm. de Grafton militis Joh. De Bishopsdon 11 E. 3. Isabella filia Ioh. Stretch militis Thomas de Bishopsdon 8 R. 2. Will. de Bishopsdon m l 5 H. 5. Philippa 17 H. 6. Eliz. filia cohaeres ux Thomae Palmer de Holt in Com. Leic. ar Philippa ux Will. Catesby mil. Bearing a special affection to the Hospitall of S t Iohn Baptist in Warwick he gave thereunto the moytie of the advouson of the Church of Morton Merhull in this County and having wedded Beatrice the daughter and heir of Iohn de Sheldon dyed in 14 E. 3. being at that time Bayliff to the K. in his Forrest of Leekhay in Worcestershire which he held by grand Sergeantie leaving Roger his son and heir which Roger bore for his Armes bendè of six pieces Or and Azure with a cantonermine and dyed leaving issue Alice his daughter and heir wedded to Walt. de Clodshale of which Walter and his family I shall speak in Saltley whereupon this Lordship of Bishopsdon came to Iohn brother to the said Roger by virtue of an Entail made in 11 E. 3. whereby Sir Iohn de Bishopsdon Knight setled it with other lands upon his issue male by dame Beatrice his wife Which last mentioned Iohn being a man of eminent parts was in 32 E. 3. constituted Chancelour of the Kings Exchequer and took to wife Isabell the daughter of Sir Iohn Stretch Knight To whom succeeded Thomas and to him Sir Will. Bishopsdon Knight Sheriff of this County and Leicestersh in 5 H. 5. and in 6 H. 5. constituted one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Shire Of this Sir Will. I farther find that being retained by the Earl of Warwick for the fortifying of Calais he served in that imployment with one Launce and two Archers amongst the Knights that then were under him taking for his Launce and one Archer xx li per an and for the other Archer x. marks per an without their diet but he resided for the most part at his Mannour of Alscote in Gloucestershire and having in 17 H. 6. entailed this with divers other Lordships on the issue which he should beget on the body of Philippa his wife left only two daughters his heirs scil Eliz. and Philippa the former marryed to Thomas Palmer of Holt in Leicestershire from whom likewise by a daughter and heir the Nevills of Holt are descended the other to Sir Will. Catesby Knight Who in her right had this Mannour of Bishopston which by the attainder of Will. Catesby in 1 H. 7. whereof in Lapworth I have spoke came to the Crown and in 3 H. 7. was inter alia granted by the King to Sir Iohn Risley Knight and the heirs male of his body but by a speciall Act of Parl. in 11 H. 7. was restored unto George Catesby Esq son and heir to the said Will. together with the rest of his said Fathers forfeited lands whose grandchild viz. Sir Will. Catesby K t in 24 Eliz. sold to sundry persons the particular Tenements within this Lordship amongst which one was past to Will Askew of Lapworth by the name of the Mannour which Will. afterwards sold it to Andrew Archer of Tanworth Esq from whom it descended to his son and heir Sir Sim. Archer Knight and by him was lately granted to Iohn Greene and Thomas Greene yeomen and their heirs who being Inhabitants here are yet possest thereof The Chapell here dedicated to S t Peter is very antient as may appear by the Ordination thereof made in K. Iohn's time in the presence of Maugerius then Bishop of Worcester by S r Will. de Bishopsdon Knight who gave thereunto in pure Almes of his own demesn xiiii acres of land in one field and as much in another as also 4 acres of his land held by servile tenure and pasturage for 8. Oxen in what places soever his own Oxen should graze excepting in his meadows and moreover covenanted with Mauritius then Parson of Stratford super Avon that he and his Tenants there would sustain all the charges concerning the said Chapell viz. in building it up keeping it in repair and providing the Chalice Books Lights Vestments and all other necessaries therein and that the mother Church of Stratford should
receive the whole tithes of Corn and Flax throughout the parish of Bishopston with the bodies of the dead and all Oblations to be made in the said mother Church with Mortuaries after Masse celebrated in the said Chapell but all other Obventions and small Tithes given by the said Knight and his Tenants the Priest serving in that Chapell to receive which Priest and his successors to be thenceforth appointed by the Parson of Stratford for the time being had in 37 Henr. 8. the small Tithes of this Village for his salarie Drayton THis long before the Norman Conquest belonging to the Bishoprick of Worcester as a member of Stratford was in the days of K. Canutus through the power of the Danes taken from them as by the Register of Worcester appeareth where it is written Draeitun but the next mention I find of it for it is not specified in the Conquerors Survey is in H. 2. time Geffrey de Clinton the second then restoring it to one Giffard de Lucerna as heir to Rob. de Lucerna his brother unto whom he had given the inheritance thereof in leiu of speciall service that he had performed to the said Geffery in his Castle of Simili and elswhere to hold by the service of one Kts. fee granting also that Herbert son to the said Giffard and his heirs should hold it of his said father and his heirs by the same service From which time till the days of K. H. 3. I have not seen any more thereof but then viz. in 20 of that Kings reign did Sim. de Draytun hold half a Knights Fee here of the Earl of Warwick so also in 36 H. 3. And in 1 E. 1. was Raph de Lodington seized of 4 yard land and a half here which he held of the King by the Rent of xx s per an payable at Michaelmas only but soon after it appears that these 4 yard land and a half were held by the said Raph. of Will. de Beauchamp E. of Warwick by the service of the eighth part of a Knights Fee and the Rent of xx s yearly to the King and that it was part of the land belonging to the Normans which was so seized on as in Wilmecote I have spoken Shortly after this I find that Ric. de Peito of whom in Chesterton I have spoke had two yard land here granted to him and his heirs by Royse Trussell which she purchased of Walt. de Lodington for which land Amabill the daughter of Walter son of Will. de Lodington commenced suit against him the said Ric. and the above specified Walter in 6 E. 1. How or when this Ric. de Peito increast his estate here I have not seen but that his descendants enjoyed a considerable part of this Village these subsequent instances will shew scil Iohn de Peito sen. in 20 E. 3. the x th part of a Knights Fee and Iohn de Peito his son with Beatrix his wife 1 mess. 2 carucates of land 4 acres of meadow and xxx â— Rent here and in Dodwell of Sir Will Trussell Kt. which continued to his posterity for many ages Dodwell THis petty Hamlet I take to be a member of Draiton for I find no mention at all of it in Record other than in those Inquis which specify the lands in Draiton belonging to the family of Peito in all which it appears that they extended likewise into this Shotery THis village was given to the Church of Worcester by K. Offa about DCCCC years since it then containing 33 Houses as by his Charter whereof I have here inserted part may appear ✚ Regnante imperpetuum domino universitatis creaâ—ore ego Offa Rex Merciorum aliquam partem terrae id est xxxiii cassatorum injus ecclesiasticae libertatis Wigornensis conceden libentissime largior ejusdem agelli nomen est Scottarit quem tamen agrum fluvio quem dicunt Afen constat interlui c. But in the Conquerors Survey there is no mention of it in regard that being then belonging to the Bishopr of Worcester it was involved with Stratford Of which Bishoprick in H. 2. time I find that Adam de Scetriva held here one side and a half of land but little else have I seen memorable of it till E. 3. time that Ric. son and heir of Ric. de Baginden granted to Rob. de Stratford Parson of Stratford his whole right and title to all his lands therein that descended to him by inheritance from his father which grant bears date at Stratford super Avon the Tuesday next after the Feast of S t Mathew the Apostle 6 E. 3. Whether this was it which afterwards past by the name of the Mannour of Shoteriche I know not but certain it is that the said Robert de Stratford by his deed bearing date on Saturday the feast of All Saints 28 E. 3. being at that time Bishop of Chichester entailed this his Mannour of Shoteriche upon Iohn de Bishopston and Isabell the daughter of Iohn Stretch and the heirs of their two bodies and for lack of such issue to return to him the said Bishop and his heirs The next mention of it that I meet with is that in 17 R. 2. the Monks of Evesham having without the royall license seized it into their hands as part of the possessions of Thomas Newnham Clerke their bondman by reason whereof it became forfeited to the Crown the K. thereupon granted it to Sir Will. Arundell Knight to hold and enjoy so long as it should continue in the Crown for the cause abovesaid Divers conveyances do I also find about that time of this Mannour viz. in 17 R. 2. by the same S r Will. Arundell to Iohn Prat Thomas VVells Clerke Iohn Pycard and and VVil. VVenlock Esq and in 8 H. 4. by the said T. VVells and the rest to Iohn Olney Esq and his heirs as also the same year by the said Iohn Olney to Ric. Earl of Arundell Sir Thomas Burdet and S r Allured Trussell Kts with others but all these were only in trust as I conceive for Iohn Harewell Esq of whose family I shall speak in Wotton-VVawen being possest thereof in 4 H. 4. had the same year a License granted to him from Iohn Clifford then Bishop of Worcester to have divine service celebrated by a fitting Priest in the Oratory within his Mannour house here at Shotrech which License bears date 29 Martii an 1402 4 H. 4. Here we see and so it alwaies was upon the like permission that the License for this Oratory was for a fit Priest to celebrate divine service therein which care of the Bishop was not without great reason and the authority of an Imperiall Constitution of no less antiquity than the famous Emperour Iustinian which forbiddeth men to have the sacred mysteries administred in their private Chapells least under that pretence Hereticks should do secretly those things which are unlawfull in which
heir to Geffrey de Langley bearing date at Milcote 5 Nov. 22. R 2. which VVill Grevill being so possest thereof entailed it in 3 H. 4. on the issue male of his body by Ioan his wife and for want of such issue upon his other Sons and the issue male of their bodies successively scil Iohn Lodowick and Wil. with remainder to his right heirs Will. Grevill de Campden obiit 2 H. 4. Johanna soror Philippi Thornbury militis obiit 37 H. 6. Ludovicus Grevill 3. H. 4. Margareta filia haeres Egidii Arden de Draiton mil. Will. Grevill fil haeres obiit 39 H. 6. .... Grevill Cath. soror cohaeres Rob Pointz Ioh. Grevill de Milcote 14 H. 7. Iohanna Edw. Grevill miles obiit 20. H. 8. .... filia Thomae Denton Ioh. Grevill miles obiit 2 E. 6. Edw. Grevill miles obiit 2 Eliz. Margareta filia una haered Wil. Willington ar Ludovicus Grevill ar morte multatus apud Warwick Thomasina filia Will. Petre mil. Edw. Grevill miles Iohanna filia Thomae Bromley milâ— summi Angliae Cancellarii Ioh. Grevill obiit s. proleâ— Iocosa ux Edw. Whitacre Marga. ux Ed. Pennel Maria ux Arth. Ingram eq aur Kath. ux ... Ingram Iana Elix Constancia ob s. p. Fulco Grevill miles à quo Dominus Brooke .... uxor Edm. Tame militis Joh. Grevill de Campden 3 H. 4. Walterus Cokesey Iocosa relicta Beauchamp Joh. Grevill de Charlton râ—gis in com Glouc. miles obiit 20 E. 4. Iohanna relicta 20 E. 4. Tho. Grevill alias Cokesey miles defunctus s. piole 14 H. 7. Anna. Margareta Hugo Cokesey Of this name viz. Greyvill or Greynvill for both ways it is written there was of an elder date in this County as in Burmington I have shewed but whether that they of Campden were of the same line I cannot say and therefore of what family this Will. Grevill was I am yet to learn as also what is memorable of him other than his death which hapned in 2 H. 4. at Campden above specified in the Parish Church whereof he lyeth buried leaving Ioane his wife Sister of Sir Philip Thornbury Kt. surviving who lived a long time after and Iohn his son and heir but by a former wife as may seem by the Entail before mentioned which Iohn resided also at Campden and being Shiriff of Gloucestershire and the Marches of Wales in 6 H. 4 bore for his Arms Or upon a Cross engrailed within the like border sable x annulets of the first with a mullet of 5. points in the dexter quarter This Iohn wedded Ioyce Sister to Hugh but daughter of VValt Cokesey by reason whereof Thomas her grandchild became heir to Cokesey's lands as I shall shew by and by But Iohn the son and heir to the same Iohn and Ioyce dwelt at Cherleton-Regis in com Glouc. and by the death of Ioane his grandfathers second wife hapning in 28 H. 6. came to possess this Mannour of Milcote which she held during life where making then his residence he became first a Justice of Peace in this Shire from the last year of K. H. 6. reign then scil in 1. E. 4. Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire In 5 E. 4. he was Knighted In 13 E. 4. he again bore the Office of Shirâ—ff for these Shires in which year he had livery of the lands descended to him by the death of his mother and in 17 E. 4. being then Shiriff the third time bore the â—ame coâ—e that his father did excepting the Annulets upon the Cross as by his Picture together with his wife both kneeling in their surcotes of Armes in the East Window of the Parish Church at Binton in this County appeareth but departed this life 6 Aug. 20 E. 4. and was buried in the Church of Weston super Avon as may seem by the direction of his Testament leaving Thomas his son and heir and two daughters viz. Anne and Margaret which Thomas in respect of the inheritance he enjoyed by descent from his grandmother assumed the sirname of Cokesey and having forthwith livery of his said fathers lands being then 26 years of age residing here at Milcote was the same 20 E. 4. constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire and at the Coronation of K. H. 7. one of the Knights of the Bath then created concerning which Order I shall here take leave to make a short digression That the making of Knights by this solemn manner of Bathing and other sacred Ceremonies notwithstanding the originall thereof cannot now be discerned is of no less antiquity than the times of our ancestors the Saxons is not I think to be doubted for though in that mention made by Will. Malmesb. of K. Alfred making his grandson Athelstan a Knight he instances no more than the purple Robe with the Sword and rich Belt yet 't is apparent that when Geffrey of Anjon in order to his marriage with Maud the Empress onely daughter to our King H. 1. was made Knight at Roan by the same K. Henry on Whitsunday an 1227. 27 H. 1. it is said by Iohn the Monk of Marmonstier that he with xxv Esquires then attending him were Bathed according to antient Custom Illucescente die altera Balneorum usus uti Tyrocinii suscipiendi consuetudo expostulat paratus est saith he And concerning Robes and other ornaments goeth thus on Comperto Rex à Cubiculariis quod Andegavensis qui cum eo venerant ascendissent de Lavacro jussit eos ad se vocari Post corporis ablutionem ascendens Comitis Andegavorum generosa proles Gaufredus bysso retorta ad carnem induitur Cyclade auro texta supervestitur Chlamide conchylii muricis sanguine tincta tegitur caligis holosericis calceatur pedes ejus sotularibus in superficie Leunculos aureos habentibus muniuntur Ejus verò consodales qui cum eo militiae suscipiendae munus expectabant universo bysso purpura innovantur And moreover Talibus itaque ut praetaxatum est ornamentis decoratus c. adducti sunt Equi allata sunt Arma distribuuntur singulis prout opus erat There being put upon him harness of double Mail and gilt Spurs a Shield of the Lions of Anjou hung on his neck a rich Helm on his head and an armed Spear put into his hand and lastly a Sword out of the King's store ab antiquo saith he ibidem signatus in quo fabricando Fabrorum superlativus Galannus multa operâ studio desudavit And that thus armed he mounted a Spanish Horse which was also first given him by the King the Feast that belong'd to his reception of this dignitie called Festum Tyrocinii being honoured with Tourneaments and Masques which lasted no less than seaven days Of which Courtly Ceremonies most plain it is that the use hath continued ever since even through all ages till towards
of age who being an ambitious spirited man procured License from Q. Eliz. in 9 of her reign to make a Castle here at Milcote and to call it Mount-Grevill which accordingly he began to do on the top of the Hill above a quarter of a mile Southwards from the old Mannour house as is to be seen by part of the fabrick yet standing and therefore the better to support his greatness though he had very fair possessions in this and other Counties he eagerly coveted the estate of one ..... Web a wealthy Batcheler who had been his servant and then was Tenant to him at his Mannour of Draiton in Oxfordshire for obtaining whereof he plotted the murther of him and forged a Will to entitle himself thereto as from credible tradition I have heard To accomplish which execrable design he invited him to his House at a Christmass or Easter season there to make merry then residing at Seasoncote in Gloucestershire and having so train'd him thither hired two of his servants to strangle him in his bed which being accordingly effected he caused it to be given out in the House that the old man was fallen very sick and not like to live whereupon the Parson was sent for to write his Will and one of the Murtherers convey'd into the bed with the dead man about whom the curtains were close drawn and he dolefully groaning as not like to continue long so that being in this seeming weak condition as not able to give directions how the Will should be made all spoken by him with a counterfeit voice too was by way of answer to questions viz. how and to whom his estate should be disposed which in short was to his Master meaning Lodowik Grevill excepting a Legacy to an Atturny in Banbury whose mouth thereby being stopt no one else as he thought would expect any thing or at least not go about to question the Will which being accordingly effected and the company desired to depart the room that the sick man might repose himself a little the News of his death was soon after spread in the House whereupon people were called up who finding him dead in the bed took order for his buriall And now that all this Pageant was over Master Grevill thought himself secure enough of his large Legacy But to the end we may see how divine vengeance ceases not to prosecute such bloody actions though carryed on with never so much clâ—â—eness and subtilty the discovery of this wicked murther was ere long thus brought to light One of the Assasinates being in his Cups at Stratford dropt â—ut some words amongst his pot-companions that it lay in his power to hang his Master which expression being by one that heard hereof related to the other Murtherer he presently acquainted Master Grevill therewith who thereupon resolving to prevent the danger of any such further babling advised that he should be closely made away and for effecting thereof within a short space following sent them both out in the night season upon some pretended business by which means the other took his advantâ—ge to dispatch him and cast his body into a pit of water which afterwards floating was discovered by passengers and upon enquiry when and wâ—tâ— whom he had been last seen the villain was brought in queâ—tion who forthwith confest the whole business thereby detecting his Mr. throughout for which they both had their tryals at Warwick where Mr. Grevill to prevent the loss of his lands stood mute and so having Judgement to be prest suffâ—red death accordingly To whom succeeded Edward his son and heir in the inheritance of this Lordship and other lands of great worth Of which Edward I have heard that in his younger years inadvertently shooting an Arrow upright out of a long Bow it fell upon his elder Brother's head and kill'd him and that their Father was so little sensible of this sad mishap that he made a jest of it telling him that it was the best shoot he ever shot in his life but whether it was the judgement of God to put a period to the line of Lodowik before mentioned for that horrid murther of Web and one of his servants or for what else I may not take upon me to judge certain it is that the whole estate came in short time after to be strangely wasted for so great were Sir Edw. Grevil 's debts and leaving issue onely Daughters that his lands were exposed to sale by Sir Arthur Ingram a Yorkeshire Kt. Husband to Mary the fifth of them and this Mannour then purchased by Lionell Earl of Midlesex whose son and heir now enjoys it Dorsington-parva THis though it be in the Parish of Welford in com Glouc. is in Warwickshire and in the Conquerors time was possest by the same Stefanus who then had Milcote being certified to contain 1 hide which one Ordriâ— held before the Norman invasion With Milcote also it came to Geffrey Martell and so likewise to Hauvill and Langley as the Records I have there vouch't will manifest but after the 4th of E. 3. I have not found any farther mention at all of it in Record till 9 H. 8 that Maud Rous Widow was certified to have converted C C. acres of land lying in this place from tillage to pasture in 17 H. 7. and decaying three Ploughs being then possest of the Capitall messuage From which Maud did descend Sir Iohn Brome of Ragley Kt. as in Ragley appeareth who in 3 E. 6. possest it Binton THis being situate on the brow of an Hill about half a mile distant from the River Avon was one of the towns which S. Egwyn gave to the Abby of Evesham upon the foundation thereof in the year 709. but in the time of K. Ed. the martyr wrested from it with other great possessions by Alfâ—rus a potent Ruler in these parts who expelled the Monks and placed Canons there disposing of this place to certain of his Knights so that upon the Conquest by D. William it was given to some of his Normans for it appears by the generall Surveyâ— soon after made where it is written Banintone that Will. fil Corbucion of whom in Studley I shall speak held two hides here and had 4 quaâ—â—ers of Coin and 8 sticks of Ecles out of his part in the Mill and 3 quarters of Salt from Wiche as appurtenant to his part of the Mannour all which being valued at xxx s. were the freehold of one Edricus before the Norman invasion The residue of this town was then possest by Gerinus Urso de Abitot and Osbernus filius Ricardi that which Urso held extending to two hides with a Mill rated at iâ— s. was valued at xl s. having been the freehold of Ernvi in Edw. the Confessors days but the certain preportion which belong'd to Osbernus cannot be discovered forasmuch as it is certified and valued in gross together with what he had in Hilborough all which one
Lodric was owner of in the Saxons time But the next mention I find thereof is in 1 Ioh. a Fine being then levied betwixt Alex. de hereford and Henry de Beniton of lands here which Henry as a witness to a deed of lands in Grafton is written Henricus de Buvintona so that doubtless the first n in the name of this place is mistaken and that it should be an u for in z 20. H. 3. it is likewise written Buvintone at which time Henry de Buvintone held 2 parts of a Kts. fee here of the Earl of Warwick and Nich. de Buvinton a fourth part So also in 36 H. 3. where Raph de Buvintone then held the 5 th part of a Kts. fee here of Will. de Cantilupe unto whom Corbicon's fees were granted as in Stodley shall be shewed Of this family was one Henry de Buvintone the last heir male to whom succeeded Alice his Daughter and heir wife of Elias de Wonecote which Elias wrote himself Lord of this place in 21 E. 1. so also in 9 E. 2. and had issue Will. de Wonecote owner thereof in 19 E. 2. which Will. about the later end of E. 2. time being one of the Coroners in this County was in 1 E. 3. found insufficient to bear that Office and removed and in 20 E. 3. certified to hold a Kts. fee in this place of the Lord Stafford But from this Will having not seen any private evidence I cannot exhibite a perfect succession nor shew directly when Elias de Wonecote before mentioned brancht from the house of Wilmecote near Stratford super Avon howbeit that he so did I am confident enoughâ— in regard that upon the death without issue of Eliz. Daughter and heir to Iohn de Wynecote which hapned in 24 E. 3. Will. de Buvynton is found to be her Cosin and next heir and at that time lx years of age Of this line was Tho. de Wyncote a Commissioner with others for collecting a Subsidy in this County in 2 R. 2. as also Walt. Wynkote who by the name of Walt. Winkote of Benington Gent. was in 10 H. 6. certified to hold 8. mess. 12. yard land here by the service of half a Kts. fee. To whom succeeded Ric. Wencote L. of this Mannour in 11 E. 4. But the last of them that had to do here was Tho. Wyncote who in 23. H. 8. sold this Mannour with the advouson of the Church to Sir George Throkmorton Kt. by whom it became disposed of to Nich. Throkmorton his second son which Nich. by the name of Sir Nich. Throkmorton Kt. past it to Will. Walter Esq. in 1 2 Ph. M. This Will. Walter being of q Wimbleton in com Sur. dyed seized thereof 10 Sept. 29 Eliz. leaving Will. his son and heir 40 years of age from whom descended Sir Will. Walter Kt. who had issue Iames that dyed young and two daughters viz. Eliz. marryed to Sir Iohn Sackvile of ..... in com Cantii kt Catherine to Knighton Ferrers Esq. son and heir to Sir Iohn Ferrers of Punsburne in com Hertf. Kt. whose marriage being without her Fathers consent occasioned him to settle this Mannour with the rest of his lands in Warwickshire upon his Sister Catherine and her heirs who had issue by the said Mr. Ferrers one onely daughter marryed to .... Fanshaw son and heir to Sir Thomas Fanshaw of Ware-Park in com Hertf. Kt. of the Bathe she her self taking to her second husband Sir Sim. Fanshaw Kt. Brother to the said Sir Thomas Besides the Mannour already spoke of there were certain lands lying in Binton which antiently belong'd to the Abby of Bordsley and w ch in an 1291. 19 E. 1. were certified to be one Carucate with two Dovehouses but by whom give to that Monastery I know not howbeit these by the name of the Mannour or Grange called Binton-grange in 35 H. 8. were granted out of the Crown inter alia to Francis Sheldon Gent. and his heirs who the same year past them away to Sir George Throkmorton above specified by which means they were sold with the Mannour and advouson abovesaid to Will. Walter and are now come to Mr. Fanshaw therewith But that which here belong'd to Osbernus fil Ricardi in the Conquerors time was afterwards possest by the family of Hubaud who had lands in Hilborow close by for in 6 E. 2. after the death of Iohn de Hastings it appears that Iohn Hubaud held half a Kts. fee of him here and in Hilborow the like being evident in 49 E. 3. after the death of Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke The Church in an 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xiii marks and in 26 H. 8. at viii l. over and above x s. v d. ob for Procurations and Synodals Billesley ABout a mile further Northward lyes Billesley which being part of the lands that Hugh de Grentemaisnill had in this County by the Conquerors gift was at that time held of him by one Osbernus and in the generall Survey then taken where it is certified to contain 5. hides which were valued at C s. written Billeslei There was then a Church and divers Inhabitants as by that Record also appeareth and likewise a House in Warwick belonging to this Mannour all which before the Norman invasion were possest by one Baldwinus but at this day there is no more left than the Mannour house and scarce half the Church that antiently stood there all the town with the rest of the Church having been long ago devoured by depopulation whereof our Countryman Rous who lived about 200 years since makes no small complaint To the posterity of Grentemaisnill it continued not for such was the alteration made upon the advancemâ—nt of Henry de Newburgh to the Earldom of Warwick towards the later end of the Conquerors reign that as the greatest part of those possessions which the E. of Mellent his Brother had in this County were conferred upon him so also had he a share of these that Hugh de Grentemaisnill then enjoyed of which this place was part as is evident by that Certificate made in 11. H. 2 where Will. Earl of Warwick expresseth that Osbert Trussell then held it of him by the service of one Kts. fee and that it was de Veteri Feoffamento id est whereof the ancestor of the said Osbert had been enfeoft temp H. 1. and so consequently by the said Earl Henry By which also I gather that the same Osbernus was he to whom it had been granted and in all probablity grandfather to the said Osbert sirnamed Trussell who held it in 11 H. 2. as is above exprest From this Osbert is it that the severall families of Trussell viz. of Cublesdon and Acton-Trussell in Staffordshire of Flore and Gayton in Northamptonshire of Aylmesthorpe in Leicestershire and of this and other places in
be without prejudice of the mother Church which License was to continue only for two years To him succeeded Laurence his son and heir who by marriage with Maud daughter and heir to Sir Thomas Charnells of Aylmesthorpe in Com. Leic. much increast his estate and amongst other lands of her inheritance had the Mannour of Bilton in this County as in my discourse of that place is shewed Which Laurence had issue by her Sir Will. Trussell Knight who by the death of Margaret the wife of Sir Fouk Pembruge Knight daughter of Sir VVill. Trussell of Acton-Trussell before specifyed and heir not only to her fathers estate but also at length to the lands of Sir Iohn Trussell her Uncle as hath been already shewed became possest of Cublesdon and Acton-Trussell with divers other Lordships lying in the Counties of Staff Salop. Northampt Berks. Norff. and Essex and left issue Sâ—r Thomas and he another Sir VVill. Shiriff of Staffordshire in 6 H. 5. but had his residence in Leicestershire at Aylmesthorpe in H. 6. time Which Sir VVill. Trussell in 11 E. 4. being then the Kings servant in the Office of Valâ—t de Chambre had a grant of the custody of the Kings private Pallace at Westminster for life But afterwards scil in 14 E. 4. he was one of the Kts. for the body to the same K. retained by Indenture to serve him in his French wars for one whole year with six spears himself accounted for one and Lx. Archers well and sufficiently armed and arrayed taking for himself ii s per diem wages xii d per diem for the other Spears and for the Archers vi â— In 15 E. 4. he bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire and dyed 22 Ian. 20 E. 4. seized of the Mâ—â—nours of Acton-Trussell Bedenhale Shiriff-Hales and Thriff-Haly lying in the Counties of Staff and Salopâ— Waburne in Norfolk Shotesbroke in Berks. Aylmesthorpe in Câ—m Leic. Langport Eston-Maâ—duit Merston and Thorp-Malesours in Com. Northampt. Kenington and Wâ—nington in Essex as also of this our Billesâ—ey in Warwickshire but how that comes to passe I doe not apprehend leaving Edw. his son and heir who departed this life 10 Iunii 14 N. 7. Eliz. his daughter and heir being then not much above two years of age whose wardship and marriage in 22 H. 7. was granted by the King to Iohn Vere then Earl of Oxford and to Iohn Vere cosyn of the said Earl which Iohn marryed her and became afterwards Earl of Oxford in whose family most of the lands of her inheritance continued till of late time I now come to Sir Edmund Trussell Kt. second son to Will by Roese the daughter and heir to Will. Pantulf of Cublesdon He marryed Margaret the daughter to Walt. de Osevile and left issue Will. and Edmund which Edmund having to do at Mancestre and other places in this County as shall there be shewed was a man of some note and action as well as his elder brother for I find that he assisted Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warw. and his complices in the murther of Piers de Gaveston It seems that he and his brother had committed some high misdemenour about the 16 of E. 2. for that year did the K. by a speciall Pat. dated at Yorke 20 Sept. appoint Robert de Digby to pursue arrest and seize upon them In 12 E. 3. being â—hen a Knight he founded a Chantry at Hill-Morton as I have there shewed and gave for his Armes argent a Crosse fleurè gules debruised with a bend .... but whether he left any issue or not I cannot determine So likewise was Will. his elder brother a K t in 12 E. 2. and then gave for his Armes Argent a Crosse fleurè gules but his principall seat was at Flore in Northamptonshire though he also possest Morton-Bagot and Nuthurst in this County This is the man that was imployed by the Commons in that wofull convention of theirs in 20 E. 2. called by themselves a Parliament who pronounct the words of Deposition to that unhappy King in this manner as Knighton relates Ego Will. Trussell vice omnium de terra Angliae totius Parliamenti Procurator tibi Edwardo reddo homagium prius tibi factum extunc diffido te privo omni potestate Regia dignitate nequaquam tibi de caet ero tanquam Regi pariturus There are some circumstances that induce me to think that he did repent of this strange fact or at least that he did abhominate that cruell murther of K. E. 2. which so soon followed his said deposal for thouh his lands were seized on as a Rebell by King E. 3. after the beginning of his reign yet upon his submission in the Parl. held at Winchester he was received into favour again having had restitution of them and pardon for his offence which as I conceive was for adhering to Edmund Earl of Kent brother unto the murthered King at that time when being made to believe K. Edw. the second was alive he designed the delivery of him from imprisonment for during that Parliament held at Winchester 1 E. 3. was the said Earl of Kent arrested and lost his life for that buisnesse It seems he was a man of great abilities for immediately upon receipt of his pardon the King made him his Secretary sent him Embassadour to the King of Arragon to treat for a marriage â—etwixt Peter his son and heir and Alianore sister to our K. Edward which took not effect After which I find him imployed as a Commissioner in this County and Leicestershire upon sundry occasions viz. in 6 E. 3. for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 10 E. 3. for hearing and determining cases of Felony and other misdemeanours In 11 E. 3. for declaring the Kings purposes to the Clergy and Laitie upon their lending money to prevent war betwixt England and France In 12 E. 3. for conservation of the peace in this County as also in the Counties of Worcester and Oxford In 19 E. 3. again for conservation of the peace in this County In which year being of the Kings Councell as the Pat. expresseth he had a grant of xl â—â— per an fee to be received at Michaelmas and Easter yearly out of the Exchequer so long as he should attend that imployment To which Will. succeeded Theobald and to him Iohn of whom and his descendants I shall here say no more than that he was Lord of Solihull in this County about the latter end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time in right of his wife as when I come to that place shall be manifested whose issue male became shortly after extinct so that Sir Alured Trussell Knight his brother became Lord of this Mannour it being setled upon him and the heirs of his
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
at iv li. xiii s. iv d. which sum in 37 H. 8. was yearly received by the Priest belonging thereto at the hands of M r Robert Midlemore notwithstanding he did not duly attend here but sung in other places at his pleasure The Priory of Studley THis was first founded in King Stephen's time by Peter Corbicon otherwise called Peter de Stodleg in regard of his residence here for Canons Regular of S. Augustin's Order at a place called Wicton neer Wiche in Worcestershire and by him endowed with the Churches of the same Wicton as also of Stodley Cocton now Coughton in this County Salperton in Gloucestershire and all other Churches of his Patronage after the death of the Incumbents that had been presented thereto by him the said Peter or his father and likewise with half the town of Wicton before specified three Houses in Worcester and two Furnaces of Salt at Wiche and the Tithes of all the rest of his Salt there And moreover with half the Tithes of all his demesn lands in Tikenapletre in Com Wigorn. the whole proportion of his essarts there with a Meadow and the oblations called Chirset of that village and likewise of C. acres of his demesn lands in Salperton before specified of the Chapelry of his own House and all thereto belonging with the freedom from Toll Tak and many other exactions Which Canons rested not long at Wicton but were translated hither with an assignation unto them of the Churches above-specified and an addition of the Church of Anedeburne with the Chapell of Dormeston in Gloucestershire and the Chapelry of his own House there as also the grant of divers particular lands viz. one yard land in Stodley situate on the bank of the river Arrow with two curtilages thereunto belonging which I take to be it whereupon the Monastery was built all his lands lying below the high way leading from Bordsley to the bounds of Ipsley a Meadow called Brunham a grove of Alders lying betwixt Stretford and Wasford a Mill that Edwin Brochard held lands which had been belonging to one Aschetill with the wood adjoyning the land of Eluric the Clothier and the wood situate betwixt Alan's land and that of Roger de la Haye with certain other lands which appertained to Robert Meriam And over and above all this he gave them CC. acres of his demesn lands lying in Salperton before specified scil C. acres in the East field and C. acres in the West Confirming likewise his former grant of the said three Houses in Worcester half the Tithes of Tikenapletre with the essarts Meadow and Chircheset before mentioned as also the Tithes of his Salt at Wiche with the two Furnaces there But as the greatnesse of this family much diminished in the time of Peter Corbicon son and heir to Peter the Founder so did also the glory of this Monastery for it appears that at such time as the Patronage thereof was granted by the said Peter unto William de Cantilupe and his heirs the revevenues of it were so wasted by ill guidance and goverment that there were no more than three Canons then left therein Neverthelesse by the pious care and munificence of him and his posterity it soon came to flourish again For besides the grant of those his possessions in Shotswell in this County which he had acquired from Eustace de Mortein and Iohn Wandard with a House and Curtilage he vouchsafed unto them the priviledge that whensoever their House should happen to be vacant by the death of their Prior they should as freely proceed to a new election of another as any Collegiate Church in such cases used to do first only craving the License of him the said William and his heirs and after the election so made then humbly desiring his or their assent thereunto And moreover that whereas by Custome in some Monasteries of England the custody during the vacancy appertained to the Patron he notwithstanding granted unto them for him and his heirs that whensoever any such vacancy should happen the Sub-Prior and Celerer for the time being should in the name of him the said William and his heirs have the custody thereof so that both or one of them did first repair unto him or his heirs to receive the administration thereof at his or their hands but that the Bishop nor any other should have ought to do therewith All which concessions and immunities were ratified by William Wittlesey Bishop of Worcester as his publique Instrument dated here a Stodlegh upon the day of S. Sylvester the Pope Anno 1364. 38 E. 3. doth testify To which William de Cantilupe succeeded Will. his son and heir who followed the steps of his devout father in bounty to these Canons as appears by his grant of lands to them lying in Aston-Cantilupe to the value of x li. per annum for the support and maintenance of a certain Hospitall erected by his father neer the Gate of this Monastery where impotent people might have relief and entertainment Which William likewise bestowed upon them xx s. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands in Snarkeston in Com. Leic. held of him by Raph de Charnells with pasturage for eight Oxen two Kine and one Horse in his own demesn Pasture of Buchme and the Rene granting them also power to hold a Court for their own Tenants as freely as ever he himself used to do And further added the Church of Hemeston in Devonshire of his patronage as also all those essarts with their appurtenances lying within his Park at Shelfhull as they are bounded with the High-way leading from Spernore towards Aston together with the perpetuall patronage of the Church at Aston as also certain lands situate in the Village of Trente And lastly obtained a Charter from King H. 3. dated at Westminster 22. Dec. 26 H. 3. whereby he granted to them that their woods lying within the Forest of Fekenham might be free to themselves and no Officer of the Kings belonging to the Forest to intermedle therein nor presse upon them for hospitality or entertainment without their own good liking From other Benefactors they had as followeth viz. in Yerdeley Com. Wigorn. 33. acres of land given by William Cumin antiently Lord of that Mannour as also a certain proportion there and in Grete conferred on them by William de Edricheston In Ipsley some quantity by Thomas le Barbour In Aldeswelle by Peter de Asserugge In Wicton by Iohn le Roter A place called the Vineyard here in Stodley by Peter de Montfort All those lands in Wike within the precincts of Coughton by Constance the daughter to William a Parke sometime wife of Sir Simon de Cocton Knight in her widowhood which lands she had in frank marriage of her father's gift and certain lands in Hatton given by Iohn de Stodley and Robert de Freynuse All which are confirmed with divers priviledges as the Charters of
to be yearly kept here for 8. days beginning on the Even of S. Barnabas the Apostle In 1 E. 3. he was constituted Constable of England but dyed the year following whose brother William then found his heir and xl years of age did not enjoy this Lordship of Alcester in regard the said Walter had about xii years before setled it upon Giles de Beauchamp another brother Of which William all that I have seen memorable is that upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick who was Shiriff of Worcestershire by inheritance he had the custody of that County committed to him during the minority of his heir But of Giles I find that in 15 E. 2. he was made Shiriff of Caernarvonshire and Governour of the Castle of Beaumaris that in 14 E. 3. he had a Charter to fortify his Mannour-house here at Alcester with a wall of lime and stone and to embattle the same for the use of himself and his heirs and having had summons to the severall Parliaments amongst the other Barons from 20 E. 2. to 9 E. 3. he left issue Iohn of whomâ— I have seen but little other than his founding a Chantry in the Parish-Church here at Alcester in 36 E. 3. whereof I purpose to speak particularly in its proper place and he Sir Will. Lord of this place and Powik and Sir Walt. de Beauchamp a younger son from whom the Beauchamps Barons S. Amand did descend which Walter in 4 H. 4. was retained by Indenture to serve the King in a voyage royall that he intended for France in his proper person with four men at Armes himself accounted for one and xii Archers whereof the third part were to serve on Foot and the rest on Horseback for one whole year taking for himself ii s. per diem For his men at Armes xii d. and for his Archers vi d. And in 3 H. 5. to serve the King for one whole year in a voyage that he made in person into Guienne in which service he was to have four men at Armes and xii Archers all on Horseback and to receive xl marks a piece for his men at Armes and xx marks a piece for each of his Archers But I come now to Sir William the elder brother of whom it appears that in 16 R. 2. he was made Constable of the Castle of Gloucester In 3 H. 4. Shiriff of Worcestershire and in 1 H. 5. of Gloucestershire This Sir William took to wife Catherine one of the daughters and heirs of Gerard Ufflete and left issue Sir Iohn Beauchamp Knight who in 17 H. 6. upon the death of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was constituted one of the Commissioners unto whom the Guardianship of all his Castles and lands during the minority of Henry his son and heir were granted and in 22 H. 6. purchased of Thomas Botereux the other moytie of this Mannour of Alcester which had continued in that Family for divers descents as I shall shew anon And being now intire Lord of the whole in 25. of the same King's reign obtained a speciall Charter which reciting that he the said Iohn and his Ancestors had time out of mind enjoyed a Court-Leet of all their Tenants and Inhabitants within this town to be kept twice every year viz. once after Easter and once after Michaelmasse as also Weyfs Streys and all other priviledges to a Leet belonging together with a Mercate upon the Tuesday every week and a Faire yearly on the Sunday next after the Feast of S. Fayth the Virgin did confirme them to him and his heirs And moreover in consideration of the good and acceptable services performed unto that King and to King Henry the fift his father had he by the same Charter a grant of sundry other priviledges viz. Return of Writts and all other Mandates Precepts and Attachments belonging to the said King his heirs and successors his Justices Eschaetors or other Commissioners Steward and Marshall of his houshold as also of all Summons of the Exchequer levying of Estreats from the said Exchequer execution of Writts and Attachments c. all which thenceforth to be performed and executed by the said Sir Iohn and his heirs or such Officers as he or they should appoint within this town and precincts of the Mannour so that no Shiriff Coroner Bayliffe or other Officer belonging to the King should have ought to do there To which was further added that the said Sir Iohn and his heirs should have cognisance of all Pleas belonging to any of the King's Courts touching such lands and tenements as are within this town and Mannour of Debts Accompts Trespasses Covenants Contracts and causes of Contracts arising within the limits of them as also of Assizes of Novell disseisin and Mort D'ancestor Iurates and Certificates of all lands and tenements within the same to be held before the Steward to him and his heirs here for the time being And likewise full power and authority of holding hearing and determining before their Stewards without any speciall Writ from the King Pleas of Pie pouders and all other Pleas of Debts Accounts Trespasses Covenants Contracts and other Controversies whatsoever arising within this town and Mannour or their precincts although they exceed the summe of xl s. value and to make out Processe against such persons as shall be lyable to any action or distresse by his and their own Officers and Ministers and to attach theit persons within the said town and Mannour and precincts of them in case they have not goods whereby to be summoned and distreined And moreover that the said Sir Iohn his heirs should have the priviledges of Infangthef and Outfangthef the goods of Felons Fugitives and all such as are condemned put in exigend for Treason or Felony as also the Chattells of persons outlawed whether it be at the Kâ—ng's suit or at the suit of the party with the Chattells of those that are Felones de se or any way confiscated And likewise all Fines and Redemptions Issues Amerciaments and Forfeitures with Fines for license of concord Year Day Strepe and Wast of all his and their Tenants as well resident as not resident within this town and Mannour and their precincts in whatsoever of the King's Court they shall happen c. And that neither the King's Steward Marshall Coroner of his Houshold Clerk of the Mercate for the time being nor any servant or Officer belonging to any of them shall have power to meddle within the same or the precincts thereof nor any Purveyor to take any thing there from him the said Iohn his heirs or any the Inhabitants of this place And further that all the Tenants thereof aswell resident as non-resident should be for ever quit of Toll Stallage Pontage Pavage Murage Kayage and Chiminage in all places as well by Land as Water throughout the whole Realm of England and
Elizab. Penelope ux Erasmi de Ligne ar Anna ux Phil. Yong de Kineton in Com. Salop. ar Humfridus Tho. duxit Annam fil Ric. Leigh Mercat Lond. Ioh. Archer ob coelebs Henricus Rebellion with Thomas Earl of Lancaster in E. 2 time he obtained a pardon by the means and intercession of his Uncle the Prior of S. Iohns But to the before specified Iohn succeeded Thomas and to him another Thomas who by his deed bearing date the Munday next after the Feast of the Purification of our Lady 49 E. 3. did for the reverence he bore to the said blessed Virgin as also to S. Thomas the Martyr and All Saints and for the health of his and his wifes souls and of the souls of Thomas le Archer his Father Margaret his Mother his ancestors and heirs and all the faithfull deceased grant License to Ric. de Montfort and others to amortize certain lands lying in Tanworth and held of him for the founding of a Chantrie in the Chapell of our Lady and S. Thomas the Martyr within the Church of Lapworth as I shall there more fully shew which Thomas was one of the Esquires to Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick as appears by the said Earl's grant bearing date at Worcester 20 Martii 1. R 2. whereby he conferred upon him by the title of dilecto nobis Scutifero Thomae le Archer pro bono laudabili servicio quod nobis impendit impendet in futurum for so are the words of his Charter a certain yearly Rent of Ci s. iiii d. issuing out of sundry tenements of the said Earls in Worcester to enjoy during his life and in 21. R. 2. was in Commission for the assessing and collecting a xv th and x th then granted to the K. in Parliament This Thomas wedded Agnes the daughter to Sir Walter Cokesey of Worcestershire and had a speciall Indulgence from Pope Boniface the ix th for the making choice of a Confessor that might pronounce plenary remission to them of all their sins whereof with contrite hearts they should make confession at the time of their deaths To him succeeded Richard his son and heir who took to his first wife Alice the daughter to Will. Hugford of Midleton in Shropshire and at length heir to her brother being then the widow of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote Kt. from which Lady the Families of Lucie and Archer are both descended Which Richard was one of those persons of note in this County who in 7 H. 5. had command to serve the King in person for the defence of the Realm all those then required so to do being such as did bear antient Arms by descent from their Ancestors as the words of the Writ do import But afterwards marrying severall other wives viz. Margaret the widow unto Thomas Newport of Ercall in Shropshire by reason whereof he resided there upon her jointure and Alice the daughter and heir to Will. Ley of Stotfold in Saffordshire he was in 20 H. 6. constituted Shiriff of Staffordshire In 35 H. 6. suggesting that he was to attend the King's service at Barwick upon Twede under the command of Henry Percy Earl of Northumb. then Captain of the said town and Castle he had a Patent of protection dated 8 Iunii but the King being advertised that he did not go with the said Earl accordingly revoked it In his later time he lived at Stotfold before mentioned and there made his Testament 18 Ian. 9 E. 4. whereby he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of St. Mary Magd. here at Tanworth giving unto the fabrick thereof four marks and appointing that xii pounds of VVax should be burnt about his Hearse on the day of his Funerall as also that there should be viii new Torches made and lighted at his said Exequies especially during the celebration of Mass which Torches to be held by 8. poor men each of them having a russet Gown with meat and drink for that day and departed this life in 11 E. 4. being then 86 years of age To whom succeded three Iohns as also another Richard one of the Esquires of the body to King Henry the 8 th whose great grandchild Sir Simon Archer Kt. being a Gentleman much affected to and very well verst in Antiquities hath besides the view of his own private evidences whence what I have exprest of this Family is faithfully asserted with great freeness and curtesy imparted unto me very many rarities for the furtherance of this present work which through his publick respects to this County having with no small industry and cost been got together I have in acknowledgement of the favour and to his lasting honour cited in all places where they are made use of Monkspath THis though it be onely a large tract of ground without any habitation there upon carrieth the reputation of a Mannour having been given by Will Earl of UUarwick in H. 2. time to Roger de Hulehale aud his heirs to hold with other lands by the service of the 4 th part of a Kts. Fee the bounds thereof being in that grant set forth by certein High-ways small brookes and other noted marks one whereof is called Monkespethe and gave denomination at first thereto Which Path I suppose was so named in regard that the Monks of Stoneley past so oft that way to Bordsley Abby in UUorcestershire for the reasons I have in my discourse of Stoneley expressed To the posterity of the said Roger de Hulehale it continued for 4. descents but then did Will. his great grandchild scil son of Robert son of Will son to the said Roger sell it unto Iohn the son of Iohn le Archer in H. 3. timeâ— for Lx. marks Robert his son in 20 E. 1. confirming the grant Since which time it hath continued in the Family of Archer and is to this day in the possession of Sir Sim. Archer Kt. of whom in Umbreslade I have already made mention But besides this Mannour before spoken ofâ— there is another here vulgarly called Little Monkspath and held of the Mannour of Tanworth by the 4 th part of a Kts. Fee having been antiently possest by the Mountforts of Colshill and sold in our time by Sir Edw. Mountfort Kt. to .... Warner Vicar of Tanworth Cley Hall THis being heretofore called Fulwode gave first the sirname unto an antient Family which descending by a younger son from the Offords of Offord juxta Wotton-Wawen made their residence here Of these Iohn Fullwode who bore for his Armes gules a Cheveron betwixt three Mullets Argent in 19 R. 2. obtained License from Tideman Bishop of Worcester for a private Oratory thereat which License was renewed to him by his successor Ric. Clifford in 4 H. 4. and left issue Richard Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire in 37 H. 6. which Richard had issue Robert a Lawyer and a
Justice of Peace in this Shire from 17 H. 7. till his death and sometimes likewise for Gaol delivery From whom by Iohn a second son descended the Fullwodes late of Ford Hall By Robert a third those of Little Alne in this County and by Richard his eldest Robert Which Robert in 35 Eliz. sold it unto Thomas Greswould of whose Executors in 44. of the same Queens reign it was purchased by one Thomas Spooner whose grandchild William past it in our time unto Andrew Archer of Tanworth Esq. Father to Sir Sim. Archer Kt. the present owner thereof Codbarow THis taking its name originally as I guess from the Brittish word Coed which signifieth a Wood and the Saxon Barow importing a place of defence hath been a very antient seat as may seem by the moat and belonging to the Mountforts of Lapworth Richard de Mountfort and Rose his wife being possest of it in 37 E. 3. From whom it descended to Will. Mountfort their son and heir and by partition as it seems came to Ric. Merebroke with Helen one of the daughters and coheirs to the said William Which Richard by his deed dated in 5 H. 6. entailed it for default of issue by Will his son and Alice his daughter upon Iohn Catesby and Margaret his wife and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten the said Margaret being the other daughter and coheir to the above specified Will. Mountfort as in Lapworth is declared by which Entail it is stiled the Mannour of Codbarow But it descended to the issue of the said Alice by Iohn Norris her husband as the grant thereof made by Iohn Norris of Yatenden in com Berks. Kt. unto VVill. Dauntsey of the City of London Mercer and VVill. Sheldon then of the inner Temple Gentleman bearing date 27 Nov. 26 H. 8. doth import which it seems was in trust for the behoof of VVill. Willington of Barcheston Esq. as the words of his Testament do manifest whereby he gave it to Anne his daughter then the wife of Francis Mountfort Esq. and her heirs whose grandson Sir Edw. Mountfort of Bescote in com Staff Kt. sold it to Sim. Archer of Tanworth Gent. afterwards Kt. 10 Iulii 9 Iac. which Sir Simon is the present owner thereof Cheswike THis is onely a kind of old Fortification whereof the grounds wherein 't is situate assume the name and by the forme of it and depth of the trenches though the circuit thereof be not large seems to have been a Roman work the later syllable Wyke importing no less which signifieth in our old English a Castle or fortification But all that I have seen of it from any good authority is that the Family of Broughton juxta Banbury in Oxfordshire were antiently owners of it for in 29 E. 1 Iohn de Broghton had a Charter of Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here as well as those at Broughton and that in 42 E. 3. Sir Thomas Broughton Kt. sold it unto Iohn Waryng and Ric. Gower the principall part whereof Gower had from whose heir it was purchased in our time by one Will. Bache Betlesworth THe first mention I find of this place is in the Charter made by Will Earl of Warwick in H. 2. time to Roger de Vlehale of that circuit of ground called Monkespathe already spoke of wherein he gives to the said Roger quicquid habuit in Betheleswortha scil totum tenementum quod Ricardus senior Ric. junior de se tenuerunt Whether this were the grant whereby that past which was afterwards reputed the Mannour I know not if not then did this continue unto the family of Ulehale and went with Monkspath as 't is like unto Iohn le Archer as involved therewith though not particularly mentioned But for that which afterwards was reputed the Mannour it was about the beginning of H. 3. time granted by Raph de Wilinton unto Rog. Durevassall Which Roger making thereat his residenc did by reason of its remoteness from the Parish Church whereunto in Winter time the ways were bad in 41 H. 3. obtain License from Pope Alex. the 4 th to build a Chapell here and to have a Priest for the celebration of divine service therein Nicholas Longespe at that time Rector of Tanworth likewise assenting thereto but reserving in consideration thereof from the said Roger and his successors to the said Mother-Church of Tanworth a Wax Candle of half a pound weight to be yearly payd on the Feast day of S. Mary Magdalen From this Rog. Durvassall descended Nicholas as in Spernoure I shall shew who together with Rose his wife were jointly seized hereof but he dying and leaving her a widow she became the sole owner of it and was married to Ric. de Mountfort Howbeit after the death of the same Nicholas Will. de Spernore his brother made entry therein and disseised the said Richard and Rose so that suits grew betwixt them yet at last they came to an Agreement whereby it seems that Mountfort was to enjoy it by which means it came to the Catesbies as the Pedegree in Lapworth will shew Robert Catesby senior being seized of it in 36 H. 6. from whom descended Ric. Catesby Esq. who in 25 H. 8. sold it to Thomas Green whose great grandchild now enjoys it Lodbrokes's Mannour THat this was antiently belonging to some of the Family of Lodbroke is not to be doubted howbeit till 8 H. 4. I have not met with any mention of it but then it appears that Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick possessed it in R. 2. time and that it was held of the King as of the Honour of Peverell From which Thomas divolving to the succeeding Earls it came in 3 H. 7. to the Crown with the rest of their lands as in Warwick may be seen and continued therein till 36 H. 8. that Sir George Throgmorton purchased it with the Mannour of Tanworth since which time it hath accompanied the possession of that Lordship Sidenhale OF this place I can say little other than that there was a Family which took their denomination thereof and did bear for their Arms a Fesse betwixt three Cressants in 7 R 2. By a daughter and coheir of which Family it came in 4 E. 3. to Fulwode of Cley Hall and by one of them was sold to ..... Hugford of Henwood in whose line it continued till Iohn Hugford late of Henwood sold it to Nath. Cookes of Ingen near Stratford Crewenhale THere was also a Family that assumed their sirname from hence as antiently as H. 3. time and bore for their Armes Nebule Arg. and sable upon a Fesse gules three broad Arrow heads Or of which I have seen five descents in the male line the last whereof was Iohn de Crewenhale who had one onely daughter and heir marryed in H. 6. time to Will. Parker of Chartley in
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
of all in regard of the naturall high and steep ascent of the ground so near the bank of Arrow made choise thereof for his principall seat and built a fair Castle thereon by whose ruines the strength compasse it was of may seem to have been of no mean consideration and within lesse than a mile distant thereof viz. on the Northside of Alcester founded a Monastery for Benedictine Monks of which I have already spoke whereuntoâ— amongst other his ample concessions for its endowment he added the Chapell of this his Castle From this Raph is it that the Botelers of Oversley no lesse that Barons did deduce their descent and had here their seat till by marriage with Maud the daughter and heir of Pantolf Wemme in Shropshire with other large possessions divolved to them After which it was not long ere that by an heir female this came to Ferrers and so afterwards to Nevill and Gascoine as the Pedegree inserted in the next page sheweth To which Raph succeeded Robert his son and heir called Robertus Pincerna de Oversleia who joyned with his Father in founding the Monastery of Alcester before specified and confirmed to the Nuns of Pinley that grant which Ioh. de Pillardinton made to them of the Land whereupon that Religious House was situate it being of his Fee Which Robert had issue another Raph â— who gave the Chapell of Stocton with the Tithes to the Canons of Leicester and made head against King Iohn with the rest of the Barons for which his lands were seized and committed unto Wiâ— de Gantilupe but in 1 H. 3. the King gave command that in case he did pay xl marks for his redemption that then the said Will. should re-invest him with the possession of his lands again as it seems he did and grew into so fair an esteem with the King that he became imployed in some affaires of trust for I find that in 9 and 10 H. 3. he was constituted a Commissioner for collecting a Fifteenth in this and Leicestershire as also a Justice of Assize in this County Radulfus Pincerna de Legrecestria temp H. 1. Râ—b Pincerna de Overâ—â—eia 5 Steph. Rad. Pincerna 1. Ioh. Mauritius Pincerna 4 H. 3. Rad. le Butiller 34 H. 3. Matilda filia â—â—res Will. de Paunton filia Hâ—g de Paunton Will. le Botiller de Beatrix Wemme obiit 12 E. 1. Ioh. le Botiller fil haeres obiit 15 E. 1. s. p. Gaw nus le Botiller aet 17. an 15 E. 1. Ankareta ux 1. Will. le Botâ—ller obiit 8 E. 3. Ela filia cohaer Rog. de Herdebergh de cujus progenie vidâ— in Willey Will. le Botiller obiit 35 E. 3. Will. le Botiller Rob. de Ferrers obiit 4 R. 2. Eliz. filia haeres obiit 12 H. 4. Ioh. Saysecundus maritus 5 R. 2. Tho. Molinton tertius maritus 5 H. 4. Rob. de Ferrers ob s. p. Eliz. ux Ioh. de Greystoke 13 H. 4. Maria filia coheres 13 H. 4. Rad. Nevill mil. filius Radulsicomit's Westmerl 13 H. 4. Ioh. Nevill de Womersley ar obiit 22 E. 4. Iohanna filia haeres Will. Gascoin Will Gascoin miles consangu haeres Ioh. Nevill aer 30 an 22. E. 4. Will. Gascoin miles Will. Gascoin de Cusworth in com Ebor. miles 29 H. 8. Galfr. Pincerna dictus L'abbe To whom succeeded Maurice his son and heir one of the Justices of Assize likewise in this Countie in 13 H. 3. and in 16 H. 3. a Commissioner for assessing and collecting the fourtieth part of all mens movable goods according to the forme and order then appointed In 21 and 25 H. 3. again one of the Justices of Assize and in 19 22 and 30 H. 3. for the Gaol delivery at Warwick Which Maurice had issue Raph who wedded Maud the daughter and heir to Will. de Pantolf by whom that great Lordship of Wemme in Shropshire with other fair possessions came to this Family and was also one of the Justices for Gaol delivery at Warwick in 34 and 41 H. 3. in the last of which years he was in the Welch expedition and the next year following summoned amongst others of the Peers to be at Chester on Munday next after the Feast of S. Iohn Bapt. well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march against Lewelin Prince of Wales and his complices The like Summons and to be so furnisht did he receive the several ensuing years scil in 44 H. 3. to be at Chester on the Feast day of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin In 45 H. 3. at London on the morrow after Simon and Iude's day In 47 at Worcester on the Feast day of St. Peter ad Vincula and at Ludlow on the Octaves of the Purification of our Lady In 48 he had command with other of the Peers to attend the K. at Oxford in Mid-Lent there to yeild him Councell and thence to advance against the before specified Prince of Wales and his adherents But â—mmediately hereupon was it that the Barons put themselves in Armes against the King as our Anâ—als do manifest whose power afterwards being finally quelled in the battail of Evesham and heir estates confiscate as I have elsewhere shewed this Raph as a reward for his loyall services â—hen performed had the Lordship of Kineton in this Shire which belong'd to Nich. de Segrave bestowed upon him to hold during life upon the same termes as Segrave held it and by another Pat. bearing date but 3. dayes after had the inheritance thereof granted to him Nay so far was he in the King s favour that upon redemption of the lands according to the Dictum de Kenilworth by those which had forfeited them whereby Segrave came to repossesse this Mannour again the King in recompence thereof gave him the summe of CCCC li. to be received out of the Fines and amerciaments coming into his Exchequer But the posterity of this Raph had their residence for the most part at Wemme so that I have therefore the lesse to say of them Of these William his son and heir was a munificent Benefactor to the Monks of Alcester for he gave them Lx. acres of land viz. of his Wast lying at Hynestoke in Shropshire with power to inclose the same as also the advouson of the Church and Common of pasture for 8 Oxen 6 Kine and CC. Sheep in his Woods and Wasts belonging to that Lordship Upon his death which hapned in 12 E. 1. I find it certified that he held this Mannour of Oversley of divers Lords by several services and that there was then a Mannour House with two Gardens two water Mills xii acres of meadow xii acres of arable land ii s. vi d. Rent from two Freeholders four Cottages and three messuages held by Tenants in Villenage of the Honour of Leicester by the service of half a Knights Fee
heard who left two daughters and coheirs scil Margaret the wife of Sir Sim. Clarke Baronet and Elianor of Charles Stanford grandchild to Sir VVill. Stanford Kt. sometime one of the Justices of the King's Bench by Sir Rob. Stanford Kt. his second son Which Charles had issue Iohn and he VVilliam the present owner thereof About the time of K. H. 2. reign there was an Agreement made betwixt the Monks of Evesham and the Canons of Kenilworth touching the Chapell of this Little Salford whereby it appeareth that the said Canons released to those Monks all the land which had been given to maintain divine Service in that Chapell preserving always the first Composition made betwixt the Monasteries of Evesham and Kenilworth before the building of that Chapell And as for the meadow which was given to this Chapell the Monks by this Agreement granted that the Church of great Salford should have that part of it which lyeth betwixt the Water and the Foot-path leading from Salford Mill to Clive Mill by the upper Foarde but the other part of the meadow to continue as the demesn of the Abbot upon condition that it might not be grazed or mowed before the whole meadow should be cut Wood-Bevinton Cock-Bevinton THese two petty Hamlets being originally members of Salford-Priors were involved therewith both in the Conqueror's Survey and in the grant to the Canons of Kenilworth as appears by that Certificate made in 9 E. 2 wherein by the name of Byvinton major and Byvinton minor they were so reputed Of which Wood Bevinton the said Canons did make a Lease to VVill. Grey the elder in H. 7. time who in 21 of that King's reign depopulated here 6 Messuages and one Cottage xxx acres of arable land belonging to each Messuage which he converted unto pasture To whom succeeded Will. his son and heire who surrendring that Lease purchased the inheritance thereof from those Canons for a Fee-ferm Rent of xiiili xiiis iiiid per an and in 10 H. 8. when the Statute of Inclosures was lookt into reedifyed four of the said Messuages Which Will. had issue Eliz. his daughter and heire wife to Edward Ferrers second son to Sir Edw. Ferrers of Badsley-Clinton in this County Kt. who left only daughters whereof Elizabeth the eldest was married to Thomas Randolph son z and heir to Thomas Randolph of Codington in Com. Buck. who purchasing the interest of the other Sisters became intirely Lord of this Mannour and left issue Ferrers Randolph his son and heir now owner thereof Of Cock-Bevynton I can say no more than that it is now possest by Sir Simon Clerke Baronet together with Salford wherewith I suppose thath past ever since it was in the Crown Dunnington THis is also a member of Prior's Salford and involved therewith in all grants by which means it is now possest by the before specified Sir Sim. Clarke HEMLINGFORD HVNDRED THe place whence this Hundred takes its appellation is the Foard or passage over Tame somewhat more than a Flight shoot Southwards from Kingsbury Church of which likewise the Mill near unto it is still called Hemlingford Mill but antiently Colshill that stands about the midst of the Hundred gave name thereto as appears by the Conquerors Survey and to this day the Three-weeks Court held for the same Hundred is kept there 'T is very like that the original occasion of calling the Inhabitants to this place whereupon the name came so to be changed was for that some of the Ardens whose seat Kingsbury long since was being Shiriffs of the Countie caused the meeting of the Hundreders there in regard of their Vicinitie to it but leaving this as a conjecture I come to its antiquity the first mention that I find of its name being in 8 H. 2. Where Raph. Basâ—et the then Shiriff accompts for certain money by way of Amercement for Murther payd out of it and after this scil in 16 H. 2. two marks were answered into the Exchequer for it pro placitis concelatis yet there it is written Sipesocha de Humeliford and so are Cnuchtelaw and Chinton all which had the title of Hundreds soon after But doubtlesse it should have been Sithesoca the old Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being mistaken for a p as in Knightlow I have already intimated which importeth as much as the Fraunchise Libertie or Jurisdiction of a certain company of men suppose an hundred or the like number coming from the Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying a number multitude or company and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a priviledgeâ— Libertie or Jurisdiction And in 21 H. 2. xv marks was accounted to the King for three Murthers whereas it had been amerced but there it is written Sibbesocâ—â— de Humiliford the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being mistaken for a b. as before it was for a p. So also in 24 H. 2. Howbeit in â— H. 2. 1 R. 1. upon the like amerciament for Murther it is called Humeliford Hundred which manifests that the word Sithesoca and Hundâ—edus do intend one and the same thing After which it is constantly termed Hundredus de Humeliford But in K. Iohn's time the Ferm thereof was xx marks the profits of the Leet xl s. the Shiriffs Aid xvii li. xviii s. and the Warth money v s. Which Warth silver now by corruption of speech called Wharfe money I take to have been at first a certain payment for service of warding the King's Castles in this County for antiently it is written Ward peny as by sundry authorities I could manifest In 21 H. 3. Will. de Luscy being â—hen Shiriff accounted For The Ferme thereof xx marks The Shiriffs Aid vi li. The Leet xli s. iiii d. Warth silver v s. In 4 E. 1. by Inquisition taken before the Justices Itinerant it was found that the profits of this Hundred besides perquisites amounted to xiiii li. iii s. ii d. ob per an and the perquisites xx li. it being then in the King's hand In 11 E. 2. the Bayliwick thereof was committed to one Will. Reymond to hold during the Kings pleasure paying yearly to the Shiriff of this County for the time being as much as others had used to doe so that he should keep the same Bailywick according to the forme of the Statute of Lincolne Nor can I find that it was ever out of the Crown untill 3 Eliz. that the Queen by her Letters Pat. bearing date 10 Ian. granted it with all the rights belonging thereto unto Brian Cave Esquier and Edw. Williams and their heirs to hold in Socage of the Mannour of East Grenewich To which Brian succeeded in the possession thereof Sir Ambrose Cave Knight who dying seized of it in 10 Eliz. left Margaret his daughter and heir then wife of Henry Knolls Esquier Which Henry having issue by her two daughters and heirs viz. Mary
whereupon this Lordship together with Aston was inter alia assigned unto Roese de Cokefeld his widow for her maintenance untill such time as her dowrie should be set forth leaving Giles his son and heir of whom in 14 H. 3. the King accepted of C s. per annum to be payd into his Exchequer till all his Father's debts were run up or that the said King should please to require them From the 34. to the 51. of which King 's reign this Giles was a Justice of Assize in this Countie He was also a Benefactor to the Canons of S t Thomas juxta Stafford for it appears by a speciall Instrument under their Covent Seal that they granted to him the admittance of a Canon into their Monasterie upon his Presentation and his heirs successively to celebrate divine service there at the Altar of S t Thomas the Martyr for the health of his soul as also for the souls of his Father Mother and Ancestors And likewise that at the celebration of the Masse of our Lady in the Collect for the dead the name of the said Giles should be always remembred and after his decease his name registred in the Martyrologe and his Aniversary duely kept in as ample manner as for their Patron To the Monks of Tâ—kford in Buckinghamshire had he likewise been a friend as may appear by their assignation of a Monk of that Covent at their own proper costs to sing for his soul and the souls of his parents within that Monasterie To which Giles succeeded Henry his son and heir who in 5 E. 1. was of the retinue unto William de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in the Warrs of Wales and made a Knight in that expedition as I think for in 7 E. 1. he had that title This Henry married Maud daughter of Roger de Someri Baron of Dudley one of the coheirs of Nichola daughter and coheir to Hugh de Albini Earl of Arunrundel for which respect as 't is most probable he bore for his Armes Azure two Lions passant Or and sometimes with a border of Besants having so neer a resemblance to the Coat of Someri scil Or two Lions passant Azure He also for the health of his soul and the soul of her the said Maud gave to the Nuns of Catesby in Com. Northampt. towards supporting the charge of their Habits and relief of poor people the perpetuall patronage of the Church at Yerdley in Worcestershire to the intent that the fruits of the same Church should be appropriated to their use in consideration whereof the said Nuns covenanted with him that so soon as they could obtain an appropriation thereof they would thenceforth appoint one of the Canons of that their Monasterie to celebrate divine Service daily to the worlds end for the souls of him the said Henry and Maud. and of Giles de Erdinton his Father with all their Ancestors and Successors and likewise solemnly keep the Anniversaries of him the said Henry and of the Lady Roese his sister and lastly after his decease bury his body in the Chapell of S. Edmund before the Altar there within the precincts of their Monasterie And departed this life in 10 E. 1. possessed of a fair estate in this County so likewise in the Counties of Leicester Salop. Staff then seized into the King's hands by reason of the minoritie of his heir of which lands this Mannour of Erdington was inter alia assigned for the dowrie of the before specified Maud his wife who shorthly after married to William de Bifeild without License from the King whereupon she gave C li. Fine for her Pardon To this Henry de Erdinton succeeded Henry his son and heir who doing his homage in 23 E. 1 had liverie of his Father's lands and in 30 E. 1. performing the like homage had also liverie of those lands which descended to him by inheritance from his mother then deceased This last mentioned Henry in 3 E. 2. procured Walter Laugton then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield to ordain one Iohn de Hull-Lemynton a subdeacon to celebrate divine Service within the private Chapell of his Mannour-house here at Erdinton undertaking to settle the sum of Lx s. per an for his maintenance and to preserve the said Bishop indempnified therein For his publique employments I find that in 7 E. 2. he was constituted one of the Assessors and Receivers of a Fifteenth as also a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace in this Countie In 8. one of the Justices for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick In 9. one of the Collectors of Scurage in arrear to the King for the Warrs of Scotland in 28.31 and 34. years of his Father's reign In which year likewise he was assigned to supervise that both Men Armes in this Countie were in a fit order and readinesse according to the Statute of Winchester for the Scotch expedition being also constituted one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick and conservation of the Peace In 11 E. 2. he was in Commission to enquire what persons had or should retain any souldiers Horse or Foot or to make confederacies or private meetings within this Shire From that time till 14 E. 2. he was again one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick and in 17. of that Kings reign he is in the list of those Knights and other men at Armes of this Countie whose names were then certified into the Chancerie This is he as I suppose that built the South I le to the Parish-Church of Aston commonly called Erdingtoâ—s Chancell for I find that in 12 E. 2. he gave a certain Rent seck of vi d. per annum to the maintenance of the Gutter betwixt the Church and it in which grant he calls it Nova Capella beatae Mariae de Aston and by Ioane his wife one of the daughters and heirs unto Sir Thomas de Wolvey of Wolvey in this Countie had issue Giles de Erdinton who in 19 E. 3. had a Pardon for not appearing to receive the honour of Knighthood before the Feast of S. Laurence the same year according to the form of the King's Proclamation This Sir Giles in 20 E. 3. was in the Warrs of France the King himself being there in person being of the retinue of Iohn de Montgomery in that servâ—ce and in 23 E. 3. in Commission for the levying of a xvth and Tenth in this Countie So also in 26 E. 3. In 31 E. 3. he was a Knight and bore for his Armes a bend over his Lions passant and in 33 E. 3. one of the Commissioners in this Countie assigned for the arraying of men for defence of the Realm in the King's absence which is the last mention I have seen of him To whom succeeded Thomas his son and heir xxviii years of
by the space of one whole year next after her decease taking xl s. wages with meat drink and lodging And moreover that her Months mind should be kept during the space of one year next after her decease To Robert Midlemore her God-son and Grandchild she likewise gave certain lands by her purchased in Hales-Owen upon condition that he and his heirs should find a Priest to be resident at Studley there to sing for the soul of her late husband and her own soul with all their consanguinitie and asfinitieâ— giving to the said Priest and to every Priest for his time being in wages and salary seaven marks of lawfull money yearly for ever After which viz. in 22 H. 8. she departed this life And now having thus mentioned her Vow of Chastitie to the end it may appear with what Ceremony the same was performed I shall here exhibite the form of a Commission made by the Bishop of this Dioces for the effecting thereof Iohannes c. Cov. Lich. Episc. dilecto fratri nostro N N. salutem fraternam in domino caritatem Peâ— paâ—tem honestae mulieris Margeriae Midlemore relictae Ricardi Midlemore nostrae Dioc. nobis est humiliter supplicatum quod cum ipsa propter ipsius animae salutem uberiorem ac vidocitatis ordinem strictiorem ad Dei honorem devotius ac celebrius servandnm votum continentiae emittere ac continentiane expressè solempniter fovere nec non in signum Viduitatis suae hujusmodi perpetuâ— Deo dante servando Velum sive Peplum cum habitu hujusmodi Viduis continentiam perpetuam expressè solemniter profitentibus debitam consuetam seu ab eis communiter usitatam sibi sumere ad vitam eâ— uti in â—â—stitate ut asserit devotè intendat ipsam ad hujusmidi suum pium propositum admittere dignaremur Nosquâ— hujusmodi supplicationem piam atque devotam ac Deo â—lacabilem reputantes aliasque multiplicis occupati quo minus hujusmodi intentum praefatae Margeriae ad debitum valeamus perducere effectum ad recipiendum igitur expresse solenniter continentiae Votum Castitatis promissum dictae Margeriae ac in signum hujusmodi continentiae castitatis promisso perpetuo servando eandem Margeriam Velandam seu Peplandam habitumque Viduitatis hujusmodi Viduis ut praefertur ad Castitatis professionem dari uti consuetum cum unico Annulo assignandum caeteraque omnia singula faciendum excercendum expediendum quae in negotio hujusmodi de jure vel consuetudine necessaria seu oportuna fore dinoscuntur vobis committimus potestatem per praesentes Sigillo nostro signatum c. But I return to the before specified Robert He was a Justice of Peace in this County from 3. 4. Ph. M. and in 9 Eliz. high Shiriff of this Shire single for till then it with Leicestershire had but one Shiriff referring what is to be said of his descendants to the Pedegree before inserted The advouson of this Church dedicated to St. Bartholmew hath long appertained to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield but when first granted I find not In 12 E. 1. Henry de Egebaston brought an Assize e against them for the right of presentation thereto but they soon came to an Agreement about it for it appears that the very same year he quitted to them all his right therein in consideration whereof they gave him xx l. sterling since which time they have found a Curate to officiate here Armes upon severall Gravestones in the Church as they were long since observed by Mr. Will. Belcher Upon the Tombestone of Iohn Midlemore and Agnes his wire One Escocheon wherein Midlemore and Edgbaston are quartered Another with 3. Leopards heads by which it seems that she was the daughter of Waldeive Upon the Tomb-stone of Ric. Midlemore Midlemore impaling Throkmorton Upon that of Rob. Midlemore Midlemore impaling Ermine a fesse frettè But of these Monuments I might have given a better account had not the Church been utterly demolisht by the Parliament forces in the late wars when they Garrison'd Eggebaston-house Bermingham THis being a place very eminent for most commodities made of Iron was in Edw. the Confessor's days the freehold of one Vluuine but after the Norman invasion Will. Fitz Ausculf whose seat was the Castle of Dudley possest it with divers other towns hereabouts But the Conqueror's Survey I find it rated for 4. hides having Woods of half a mile in length and 4. furlongs in breadth all being then held of the same William by one Richard and valued at xx s. But that its appellation was originally taken from some antient owner thereof or planter here in the Saxons time need not to be doubted the last part of it â—iz ham denoting a home or dwelling and the former manifesting it self to be a proper name Whether the before specified Richard were paternall ancestor to those who afterwards assumed this place for their sirname I cannot positively affirm but certain it is that the Paganells who immediatly succeeded W. Fitz Ausculf in the enjoyment of Dudley Castle and the substance of all other his lands past it away with other fair possessions to be held by military service for in 12 H. 2. amongst the Knights fees then certified by Gervase Paganell it appears that Peter de Bermingham held ix of him de veteri feoffamento so that it is thereby clear that the Father of the same Peter whose name was William if not his grandfather became first enfeoft thereof in H. 1. time This Peter being Sewer to the said Gervase Paganell had a Castle here which stood scarce a Bow shoot from the Church South-westwards and by the grant of K. H. 2. as also of the same Gervase in his presence a weekly Mercate thereat upon the Thursday with the Liberties of Thol Theam Soch Sach and Infangethef to him and his heirs Which Mercate and priviledges K. Ric. 1. afterwards confirmed to Will. de Bermingham son and successor to the said Peter who bore for his Arms Azure a bend lozengè Or as by his seal and other authorities appeareth Out of this Family doubtless came the Berminghams of Ireland who setled there very antiently perhaps in H. 2. dayes upon the first Conquest of that Realm by Ric. Strongbow for I find that in 2 H. 3. there was a controversie touching the title of certain lands there betwixt Eva de Bermingham then the wife of G de Marisco Justice of Ireland and Reginald Talbot for justification whereof the said Reginald pretended a Charter made to him by K. Iohn at such time as he was Earl of Moreton and it is also manifest that there was one Peter de Bermingham an eminent man there about that time forasmuch as K. H. 3. in 18. of his reign made him a grant of xx marks per an to be received out of the Exchequer
Apelby Walt. de Bereford Osbertus de Bereford 2 E. 1. Will. de Bereford miles 16 E 1. Iohanna ux Gilb. de Elsfield D. Gilb. de Elsfield 25 E. 3. Guliel de Elsfield obiit 21 R. 2. Anna filia cohaeres ..... Iohanna Ioh. Hore de Childerley 8 H. 4. Gilbertus Hore ar 16 H. 6. Thomas Hore obiit 20 H. 6. Gilb. Hore obiit infra aetat Ioh. Hore Rowl fil Henr. Pudsey de Barford Bolton in Com. Ebor. filii haer Ioh. Pudsey mil. Editha consangu haeres Gilb. Hore aet 40 an 7 H. 8. Thomas Fulthorp de Castro Bernardi 19 H. 7. Will. Pudsey Robertus Pudsey Alianora filia Hug. Harman de Morehall Georgius Pudsey ar Margareta filia Will. Gibbons Georgius Pudsey an 1640. Matilda filia Humfr. Cotton de Bothe ux r. Ric. Pudsey obiit sine prole Mich. Pudsey Georgius Pudsey Iuliana uxor Thomae de Loundres Margar. ux Jac. de Audle Agnes ux Ioh. Matravers Edm. de Bereford obiit 28 E. 1. Iohâ— de Bereford nothus Alianora filia Ric. Comitis Arundeliae Baldw. de Bereford miles frater haeres defunctus sine prole 1 H. 6. Joh. de Bereford 6 E. 2. Rob. de Bereford Which Iohn wedded Alianore daughter to Ric. Earl of Arundell and after that another wife but dying in Gascoin 30 E. 3. left Baldwin his brother and heir xxiiii years of age This Baldwin was a Knight in 36 E. 3. and in 1 R. 2. constituted by Thomas de Holland half brother to the K. chief Guardian of all the Forests on this side Trent his Lievtenant in that Office In 4 R. 2. he had Free warren granted to him in all his demesn lands and Woods of Brightwell Chalgrave Newnham and Rufford in Com. Oxon. Stene and Fernyngho in Com. Northampt. Bykmersh Shotswell â— and Wyshaw in this County with Sutton and Meysham in Derbyshire And in the same year was made Keeper of the King's Park at Eltham for life with a Fee of iii d. per diem to be received out of the Rents of that Mannour He was a speciall favourite and a powerfull man with K. Ric. 2. For besides the discharge of an C li. due by him for the Wardship and Marriage of Iohn the son and heir of Iohn de Odingsells he is noted to be one of those who had the Character of an evill Counceller given him by that tumultuous Parliament held in 11 R. 2. and thereupon with the Lord Zouch and divers other great men expelled the Court. But the affection born towards him by the King was not without great cause I presume For he had been servant to his Father the Black Prince retained by Covenant for life as well in Peace as Warr having an Annuity of xl li. per an granted unto him out of the Lordship of Coventre which the said King not only confirmed after his Father's decease whilst hâ— was Prince of Wales but again in the first year of his reign This Sir Baldwin had a Bear for his Crest in regard it alluded so near to his name a course very frequent in those times And having no issue he setled a great part of his estate by Fine upon Iohn Hore and Ioane his wife which Ioane was grandchild by a coheir to Will. de Ellesfield and he grandchild of Gilb. de Ellesfield by Ioane eldest sister to Sir Edmund de Bereford before spoken of as the Dâ—scent doth shew This Iohn being of Childerley in Cambridgshire and likewise Gilbert his his son resied wholy there After which ere long viz. about the beginning of H. â— time their male line extinguished and this Lordship with other lands came to the Pudseys For Edith cosyn and heir to the last Gilbert Hore residing at her Mannour of Ellesfield near Oxford having a speciall liking to Rowland Pudsey a younger son to Henry Pudsey of Barford and Bolton in Yorkshire then a Student in that University and a Genâ—leman much accomplisht took him for her husband the posterity of which Rowâ—and and Edith have ever since enjoy'd it New-Hall THis being a member of Sutton was about the beginning of H. 3. time possest by one Will. de Sutton of Warwick which Wâ—ll or his predecessors had it doubtlesse from one of the Earls of Warwick and granted it to one Rob. de Sutton a Merchant of Coventre who past it in 13 E. 3. unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and Sir Iohn Lizours of Fledborough in Com. Nott. Knight to the behoof of the said Sir Iohn and his heirs as it seems for the next year following the said Earl released all his right therein accordingly in which Release it is termed one Messuage called New-Hall After this till 15 H. 6. I have seen no more of it but then did the Homage in a Court Baron held at Sutton present that Sir Ric. Stanhope Kt. died seized thereof by the name of the Mannour of New-Hall held of the Earl of Warw. by the serivce of x s. x d. per an a Heriot being then seized by the Bayliff Whereupon Iames Stanhope son and heir to Sir Richard exhibited a Deed whereby it appeared that his Father had in his life time enfeoft Sir Thomas Aston Knight Nich Goushall Esquier and others in this Mannour and other lands aswell in this County as elsewhere and therefore required a discharge from the Heriot But all that I have further seen thereof is that Katherine the widow of Will. Basset of Fledborough beforementioned demised it in 20 H. 6. unto Will. Deping of Sutton and Ric. Ley of Maney for 21 years by the name of Dominium Vocatum New-Hall Pedimore HEre is now no more remaining of an antient Mannour place that the Ardens had than a large double moat for after they setled in these parts having another House on the South side of Tame called Park Hall whereof I have already spoke they resided for the most part there and let this goe to ruine I do not conceive this to have been the inheritance of that antient Family so long as Curdworth and Minworth whereof I am next to discourse but am of opinion that they had it from one of the Earls of Warwick after Sutton within the territories whereof it lies came to their hands howbeit till 9 E. 1. I have not seen any mention of it at all no not so much as the name but then was it stiled the Mannour of Pedimore and passed by Thomas de Arden of Rotley unto Hugh de Vienna together with all his lands in Curdworth Minworth Moxhull c. Which grant was no other than a trust I suppose for very sâ—on after did the same Thomas convey the inheritance of it to Thomas de Arden of Hanwell and Roise his wife together with all his said lands in Crudeworthâ— Moxhull Minneworth Echenours and Overton as by his Deed whereunto Sir Richard de Mundevill
was of his Fee and given to them by Geffrey de Clinton Gave to the Canons of Leicester his Mannour of Berwood with an Hermitage there as also one Messuage one Mill two Carucates of land Lx. acres of meadow Lx. acres of pasture CCC acres of Wood and X s. Rent in this Curdworth with the advouson of the Church And confirm'd to the Monks of Canwell that grant made by Cecilie his sister of one yard land lying also in this Lordship with the meadow adjoyning thereto but it doth not appear that he left any issue for Henry his brother succeeded him in the estate Alwinus Vicecomes temp Regis Edw. Conf. Turkillus de Warwic .... ux prima Siwardus de Ardena temp H 1. Cecilia Cecilia Filicia Henr. de Ardena Oliva Leticia ux Galfr. Salvagii Herbertus de Arden Thomas de Arden fil haer 9 Joh. Thomas de Arden 7 H. 3. Eustachia soror Savarici de Malalâ—one Thomas de Arden mil. 35 H. 3. Will. de Arden de Rodburn Tho. de Arden de Draiton 6 Joh. Lucia 1 H. 3. Tho. de Arden de Hanwell miles 5 E. 1. Roisia fil Rad. Vernon Rad. de Arden 19 E. 1. Rad. de Arden 9 E. 2. Isabella filia Anleâ—â—â— de Bromwich 16 E. 2. Ioh. de Arden miles 34 E. 3. Roisia filia haer ux Thomae Pakeâ—on relicta 3 R. 2. Henr. de Arden miles 49 E. 3. Elena 2 H. 4. Rad. de Arden miles ob 8 H. 5. Sibilla 2 H. 5. Rob. de Arden attinctus 30 H. 6. Eliz. filia haeres Ric. Clodshale ar 32 H. 6. Walt. Ardern obiit 17 H. 7. Alianora filia Ioh. Hampden de Hampden in Com. Buck Ioh. Arden arm pro corp Regis H. 7. Alicia filia Ric. Bracebrâ—gg ar Thomas Arden ob 5 Eliz. Maria filia Tho. Andrews de Charwelton ar Will. Arden obiit 7 Iunii 36 H. 8. patre vivo Eliz. filia Edwardi Conway ar Edw Arden aet 30 an 5 Eliz. aâ—tinctus 26 Eliz. Maria filia Rob. Throkmorton de Coughton mil. Rob. Arden ar obiit 27 Febr. 1635. Eliz. filia Regin Corbetunius Iustic ad placita coram Rege obiit ... Martii an 1589. Henr. Arden natus ... Apr 1580 factus Eques aur per Regem Iac. obiit an 1616. Dorothea filia Bafilei Feilding de Newnham ar obiit an 1625. Rob. Arden ob caelebs Oxoniae 22 Aug. 1643. Eliz. ux Will. Pooley de Boxsted in com Suff. eq aur Goditha ux Herb. Price dapiferi M. Reginae Dorethea ux Hervei Bagot fil 2 Herv Bagot Bar. Anna ux Caroli Adderley de Lea. ar postea eq aur Catherina Margareta Muâ—â—el Eliz. Sim. Arden duxit Christianam relictam Thomae Bond de Wardend Margareta ux 1. Ambrosius Arden obiit an 1624. Humfr. de Arden Henr. Arden de Longcroft Hall juxta Yoxhall in Com. Staff Ricardus Edwardus Ioh. Arden 17 H. 8. Martinus Arden Eliz. ux Will. Rugeley de Easton in Com. Oxon. Thomas Rob. Henr. Will. Alicia Margareta Galfridus Will. de Arden Thomas de Arden Johanna ux Joh. Swinford Rob. de Arden de Draiton miles 15 E. 2. Nichola Egidius de Arden mil. 30 E. 3. Egid. de Arden 30 E. 3. Margareta filia haer uxor Ludovici Grevill ar Nichola ux Ric. fil Rad. Basser de Weldon mil. 5 E. 3. Will. de Arden 10 Joh. Avicia fil Rob. de Cestreton Will. de Arden de Rodburn Will. de Ardern sen. 23 E. 3. Will. de Arden jun. 23 E. 3. Galfr. monachu apud Coventre Hugo de Ardena Iosephus Râ—c Osbertus Petrus monachus apud Thorney Radulfus de Hamton Turkillus de Warwic Leverunia Osbertus de Ardena Petrus de Ardena Phillippus Osbertus de Ardena Adeliza ux Sim. de Harcurt ob s. p. Amabilis ux Rob. fil Walteri ob s. p. Amicia ux Petri de Bracebrigg Joh. de Bracebrigg de cujus Progenie vide in Kingsbury Guthmundus Which Henry in 12 H. 2. was certified to hold 5. Knights Fees of Will then Earl of Warwick as his brother Hugh did other five and a third part and gave to the Canons of Kenilworth a meadow in Bathkinton He likewise confirmed to them the Mannour of Pakinton and part of Newton As also to the Monks of Combe what they had in Bilney and to the Monks of Pipwell Causton all which were of his Fee and ratified his Father's grant to the Abby of Thorney adding thereto somwhat more in Riton of his own bounty To this Henry succeeded Thomas as son and heir who gave likewise to the Canons of Leicester certain parcells of land and Woods in Berwood and confirmed to the Monks of Stonley what they had in Rotley of his Uncles gift making some enlargement thereof So likewise to the Monks of Thorney of what his Father and grandfather had beâ—â—â—wed on them and moreover gave them all Salbrigge in this County This Thomas was onâ— of those who met at the Tourneament at Blithe in Notinghamshire contrary to the King's prohibition for which his lands were seized on but in 7 H. 3. he had restitution of them again and having wedded Eustachia the widow of Savaricus de Malaleone a Poictovin one of those Courtiers that much guided the K. and against whom the English Nobility took such high exception departed this life before 17 H. 3. For in that year Avicia de Arden wife to Will. de Arden of Rodburne having made a great complaint to the King that whereas her said husband was gone on Pilgrimage to Ierusalem and not returned and yet there being no certainty at all of his death the before specified Eustachia had not only seized upon those lands which the said Avicia had by her husband's assignation to maintain her self in his absence but taken away her son and heir whereupon the King issued out his Precept to the Shiriff â—f this County requiring him to put her in possession again and restore her son Which last mentioned Thomas had issue Thomas who ratified his Father's concessions to the Abby of Thorney and in 35 H. 3. was a Kt. In 48 H. 3. this Thomas had Summons together with many others of the most eminent men in England to appear at Oxford in Midlent there to adviâ—e with the King and attend him in an expedition designed against Lewellin ap Griâ—â—ith Prince of Wales and his complices then in Rebellion but what good affection he bore to the King may be seen by his after-actions for he presently took part with the rebellious Barons and the next year following participated of their fate being taken prisoner in the battell of Evesham Which unhappy enterprize notwithstanding the Dictum de Kenilworth had made him capable of redeeming his Lands by a tolerable fine was as I guesse the ruine of him For I find that in 9 E. 1. he past away all his lands here in Curdworth and divers other places unto
Hugh de Vienna that in 14 of that Kings reign he quitted to the Kts. Hospitalâ—rs the totall interest that he had in Riton super Dunsmore in 15. sold the Mannour of Rotley with the advouson of the Church unto Nic. de Eton and about that time likewise granted unto Thomas de Arden of Hanwell and â—ose his wife the inheritance of the Mannour of Pedimore and of all his lands lying here in Curdworth as also in Moxhall Minworth Echenours and Overton and to shut himself out of all made a conveyance unto Will. de Beauchamp then Earl 〈◊〉 Warwick and Maud his wife and the heirs of the same Earl of all the Fees throughout England that were held of him The Armes â—e bore were Chequi Or and Azure a Cheveron gules which his Ancestors assumed as it seemes 〈◊〉 regard that they held their lands of thâ— Earls of Warwick whose Cheveron was Ermine in the like 〈◊〉 but whether he left any issue I make a question I now come to Thomas de Arden of Hanwell unto whom this Lordship with other lanes were past by the last mentioned Sir Thomas whâ—â—◠〈◊〉 was at Rotley This Thomas was in that Welch expedition of 5 E. 1. but little else have I seen of him that is very memorable other than the Agreement betwixt the Earl of Warwick and him whereof I have spoken in Pedimore and the bearing of his Armes viz. Eâ—mine a Fesse Chequie as appeareth by his Seal as also that he married Rose daughter unto Raph de Vernun by wâ—om I think he had the said Lordship of Hanwell and left issue one only daughter called Ioan. wedded to Sir Iohn Swinford Knight To whom succeeded Robert his brother who living at Wykham near Banbury became Governour of Banbury Castle in 15 E. 2. and in 16 E. 2. was â—n the Scotch Expedition This Robert was in 3 E. 3. a Knight After which viz. the next ensuing year he obtained License of the King to fortifie his Mannour house at Wykham with an embattelled Wall of lime and stone and in 5 E. 3. departed this life seized of a very fair estate scil the Mannours of Draiton Hanwell Hornle Horynton Dunstuwe Yolughbury Wykham and Swalweclyve in Oxfordshire Wapenham and Sudburgh in Northamptonshire wâ—â— Perchingâ— Adburton Fulking Lawike Hangelton and Note-Knolle in com Suss. Whose grandson Giles being the last male of this branch left an only daughter called Margaret married to Lodowik Grevill Esq from whom the Grevills of this County did descend But the next possessor of this Mannour of whom I have seen any mention was Raph the son of Raph a younger son to Sâ—r Thomas Arden of Hanwell This Raâ—h was in 17 E. 2. certified to be one of the principal Esquires in this County and by Isabell his wife daughter unto Anselme de Bromwich left issue Iohn and Henry Which Iohn bore for his Armes Ermine a Fesse Chequie and in 33 E. 3. being a Knight as also a powerfull man in this County as my Author saith impleaded the Abbot of Leicester for the Mannour of Berwode with the advouson of this Church of Curdworth given to the Canons of that House by his Ancestors many ages before whereupon the Abbot fearing partiality in hearing the cause for it was to be tryed at Warwick procured the King's Letter to the Judges of this Circuit viz. Sir Iohn de Moubray and Thomas de Hingylby requiring them that he might have equal right by means whereof the Verdict past for the Abbot This Sir Iohn de Arden resided at his Mannour of Pedimore as it seems by a License to have divine Service celebrated in his Oratory there but left no other than heirs female whereof Rose was married h unto one Thomas Pakeson and the rest dyed issulesse which Pakeson was outlawed for Felony in 43 E. 3. and dyed in 2 R. 2. leaving Iohn his son 7 years of age 〈…〉 our Historians make ample mention and attempted the raysing forces in Shropshire but being laid hold on before their successe at S. Albans had made them so powerfull he was attainted of high Treason by Iames Earl of Wiltshire Richard Bingham and Iohn Portington Judges appointed to try him and others of that party and lost his life for the same offence on Saturday next after the Feast of S. Laurence the Martyr 30 H. 6. the custody of his lands being committed to Thomas Littleton Sergeant at Law Thomas Greswould and Iohn Gamell Esquires To whom succeeded Walter his son and heir by Eliz. daughter and heir to Ric. Clodshale which Walter having within two years after his Father's death obtained the King's Precept to his Eschaâ—tor for render of those lands in this County of his mothers inheritance and likewise of some other became ere long possest of the residue and wedded Elianore the daughter to Iohn Hampden of Hampden in Buckinghamshire But little else have 〈◊〉 of him that is memorable other than that by his Testament bearing date ult Iunii An. 1502 17 H. 7. he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Câ—urcâ— of S. Peter and Paul at Aston juxta Bermingham and to the Vicar of Aston for his 〈◊〉 and his Tithes forgotten his best Oxe â—ppointing â—â—kewâ—se thereby that at his burial xii li. oâ— Wax shâ—uld be â—pent in Lights and six Torches â—orn by six poor men each of them having a black Gown for that service As also a Trentall of Masses sung for his son and for the souls of his Father and Mother and all Christen souls constituting Flâ—aâ—ore his wife Executrix and Edw. Belbnap Iâ—hn Bâ—acebrigge with Iohn Boteler of Solihull Overâ—eers thereof Thâ—s Walter left issue Iohn Arden his son and heir one of the Esquiers of the Body to K. H. 7. Which Iohn wedded Alice daughter to Ric. Bracebrigge of Kingsbury Esq But concerning this marriage there aâ—ose no smal dâ—fference betwixt the Parents on each side Walter Arden the Father alledging that the said Richard and his servants had stolen away his son Howbeit at length by a reference to Sir Sim. Mountfort of Colshill Kâ— and Sâ—r â—ic Biâ—gham the Judge who then 〈…〉 Midlâ—ton it was determined that the marriage shâ—uld be solemnized betwixt them in February 13 E. 4. and in consideration of CC. maâ—ks portion a convenient Jointure setled as also that for the â—e passe done by the same Richard Bracebrigge in so taking away the young gentleman he shâ—uld give to the before specified Walter 〈◊〉 the best Horse that could by him be chosen in Kingsbury Park Wâ—â—câ— Iohn Arden bequeathed also his body to be buried in Aston Church beforementioned before the 〈◊〉 Image of our blessed Lady of Pitie 〈◊〉 whose Tâ—stamâ—n bearing date 4 Iunii 17 H. 8. here being some things very memorable I shall here recite them Item I bequethe for my Mortuary or Câ—rs present a
Esquier And to manifest that he was a person eminently qualified in 18 E. 2. he served in the Parliament then held at London as one of the Knights for this Shire having ii s. vi d. allowed him per diem for his expences during that imployment But in 1 E. 3. upon a strong suspition of Heresie suggested against him to the King a Commission to Will. de Clinton bearing date 3 Maii was forthwith issued out not only to arrest and take him but to seize on all his lands goods and Chattels of which being advertised he submitted himself to prison and brought in sureties to stand to a lawfull triall therein viz. Raph. de Crophull of Notinghamshire Walt. de Heselarton of Yorkshire Edm. de Shireford David de Caunton Rog. le Pledour and Iohn de Alspath of this County whereupon he was set at liberty and his lands and goods restored to him as by the King 's special Precept bearing date at Notingham 3 Sept. appeareth After which viz. in 5 E. 3. the said Lord Basset received his full accompt for all the time he had served and reâ—eined to him and gave him a generall Acquittance To whom succeeded Iohn who for the lands in Blaggreve which sometime belong'd to Rob. de Blaggreve his grandmothers Father obtained a Release from Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight heir â—o Marmion as to the suit due to his three weeks Court at Stipershull and all other services for that land during his own life and the life of Maud his wife saving to the said Sir Baldwin his homage and a pair of gilt spurs at the Feast of S. Edith yearly This Iohn in 30 E. 3. payd to Sir Iohn de Arden Kt. and Henry his brother Executors to Raph de Arden their father the sum of vi s. viii d. for reasonable Aid due upon the marriage of Sibill his eldest daughter in respect of the lands in Moxhull which he held of him by military service and at the same time xxxiii s. iiii d. for a Relief due to the before specified Raph for those lands and bore for his Armes three Eglets displayed gules as by his Seal and an old Glasse window in Bentley Chapell appeareth which coat or part thereof at least was assumed by Henry his Father for I have seen a Seal of his with one Eglet displaied within the compasse of a roundle and not in a Shield a course very antiently used before they put their Badges into Shields as I have observed in the Families of Beke of Eresby and Darcy the first of which bore their Crosse sarcilè so and the other their Cinquefoile Which Iohn bearing a singular reverence to the Monks of Merevale desired that his body might be there buried as may appear by certain land and Rent that he assigned to some friends in trust for the finding of divers wax Lights to burn every Sunday and Holiday in the Chapell of our Lady adjoyning to the gate of that Abby for which respect he had a special grant from Robert de Atherston Abbot of that House and his Covent under their publick Seal bearing date the Wednsday after Lammas 33 E. 3. of a certain proportion of ground within the said Chapell of our Lady containing seven foot square where he and Maud his wife at the death of each should have sepulture And that upon all great Festivall days aswell as Sundays five waxen Lights should be burning there as also that he the said Iohn and Maud should have liberty to set up Images in the same Chapell in honour of the blessed Virgin Henricus de Insula Will. de Insula 21 H. 3. Margareta Nicholaus de Insula 36 H. 3. Amieâ—a 41 H. 3. Iuliana filia haer Rob. de Blaggreve 1 E. 1. Ankitellus de Insula 22 E. 1. Christiana ux 2 obiit 33 E. 1. Philippus de Insula Rector Eccl. de Wishaw 4 E. 2. Henr. de Insula 4 E. 2. Iohanna 9 E. 2. Philippus de Insula Rector Eccl. de Cavendish 9 E. 3. Henr. de Insula 9 E. 3. Ioh. de Insula 9 E. 3. Matilda relicta 47 E. 3. Idonea 1 R. 2. Ioh. de Insula 6 H. 4. Margeria 13 H. 4. Will. de L'ile ar 29 H. 6. Iuliana filia Rob. Midlemore de Eggebaston Henricus de L'isle ob 20 H. 7. Eliz. filia Will. Morgan Iohannes L'isle obiit 29 H. 8. Anna filia haeres Will. Lecroft de Colshull 12 H. 8. Nich. L'isle obiit 32 H. 8. Anna filia Thomae Swinerton de Hilton in Com. Staff Thomas L'isle ob 23 Aug. 8 Eliz. Anna filia Georgii Masterson una sororum cohaer Thomae Ioh. L'â—sle obiit 24 Ian. 36 Eliz. Dorothea filia Georgii Willoughby filii Hugonis Wiloughby mil. Franciscus L'isle obiit infra aet 38 Eliz. Ioh. L'isle ar Brigitta filia Ioh. Knotsford de Studley Ioh. L'isle Maria filia Mathei Cradock de Caverswall-castro in Com. Staff ar Regin L'isle de quo illi de Bremor in Com. Suthâ— To which Iohn succeeded Iohn his son who in H. 5. time was retained by the Earl of Warwick amongst other of his Esquires to serve him with one Lance and one Archer at the seige of Caleis for which he was to receive xxl per an besides his diet And to him William and to William Henry who gave the Rectorie of Wilmecote with all the Tithes thereto belonging to Thomas Clapton Master of the Gild at Stratford super Avon to the intent that the Priest singing the first Masse every day in the said Gild should say De profundis before the holy Lavatorie for the good estate of him the said Henry and Elizabeth his wife and for their souls after their departure hence as also for the soules of his ancestors and successors Which Henry was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in the second and nineteenth years of K. H. 7. reign and by his Testament dated 13 Sept. 20 H. 7. bequeathing his body to be buried within his own proper Chapell in the Church of S. Chad at Wishaw before the Image of Henry the sixth sometime King of England departed this life about that time for the Probate of his Will beareth date the next month following Unto which Henry succeeded Iohn his son and heir who taking to wife Anne the daughter and heir of Will. Lecrofte had with der divers Houses and a great proportion of land lying in Colshill and other places Of this Iohn I find that upon the birth of Elizabeth second daughter to King H. 8. afterwards Qu. of England he received a special Letter from Qu. Anne dated at Greenwich 7 Sept. 25 H. 8. advertising him of the good speed she had in her deliverance and desiring his congratulation unto God for it as also his Prayers for the good health prosperity and continuall preservation of the said young Princesse To whom succeed Nicholas and to him Thomas who wedded
means it is come to Iohn Mayne now of Elmedon Gentleman grandchild to the said Henry Merston-Culy IN King Edward the Confessor's time this place was possest by one Aluric who after the Norman Conquest sold it with the License of King William unto Robert de Oilgi Of which Robert Robert Venator held it at the time of the generall Survey it being then accounted for two hides having Woods which extended to four furlongs in length and one in breadth all valued at xx s. But from this time till King H. 3. reign that Hugh de Culi was owner thereof I have seen no more of it nor after that till 21 E. 3. that Sâ—r Fouk de Bermingham possest it as appears by a speciall License by him then granted unto one Ranulph Leyecroft to amortize two Mess. two yard land and xii s. Rent lying therein for the maintenance of a Priest to celebrate divine Service here every day in the Chapell of S. Leonard for the health of the soul of him the said Ranulph and of his Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased From which Ranulph who had a good proportion of lands here besides what he had so disposed of descended Robert Leecroft by whom in 22 R. 2. the whole Mannour was purchased from Thomas Roche and Eliz. his wife it being of her inheritance as daughter and heir unto Thomas de Bermingham To the descendants of which Robert it continued till H. 8. time that Anne the daughter and heir to William Lecroft of Colshill was wedded unto Iohn L'isle of Moxhull Esquire whose son and heir scil Nicholas Lâ—isle sold it in 25 H. 8. to Reginald Digby of Colshill Esquire in which line it still continues Lindon THat this Hamlet was originally so called from the situation thereof the name doth plainly manifest Lhin in the Brittish signifying a Lake or Pool and don in the Saxon a Hill for at the foot of an indifferent rising ground it standeth but the first mention I have found of it in any Record is in 34 H. 3. where it appears that Gunilda de Lynden brought an Assize of Novel disseisin against Walter de Bishopesdon and others for lands here yet is it no Mannour of it self but the lands of other Lordships reach into it whereof I shall not need to give instance Little Pakinton OF this place I find no mention in the Conqueror's Survey though it seems to have been part of the Earl of Mellent's possessions at that time for it appears that the antient Earls of Leicester were chief Lords of the Fee But certain it is that in King H. 1. time Robert de Ceraso possest it and after him Gilbert the son of Picot which Gilbert had issue William Picot unto whom Nicholas the son of Richard de Torpe released all his right therein that descended to him by inheâ—iâ—ance from the same Robert de Ceraso his grandfather This Gilbert Picot being a Knight had fair possessions in Leicestershire viz. Barow Segrave Glen c. And in 4 H. 3. was William â—icot his â—on one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick and Leicester both In which line of Picot it continued till about the middle of King H. 3. reign but then by daughters and heirs two parts divolved to Murdac and Ireys and the third to Nicholas Pikot which came shortly after to one Gilb. Petemon betwixt whom there grew suits for their interest here in 27 H. 3. But of these coparceners Sir Henry Murdac was the chief being Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in 46 H. 3. and one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick in 56 H. 3. Which Sir Henry doing homage to Roger de Quency Earl of Winchester as Lord of the Honour of Leicester for the fourth part of a Knight's Fee that he and the other coheirs held of him here at Pakinton had authoritie given him by the said Earl to receive the homage of Thomas le â—reys and Agnes his wife as also of Nich. Pikot his fellow partners before spoken of at which time he gave to the same Earl xl s. of silver in the behalf of himself and them and his and their heirs to be released from attendance at the three weeks Court a Leicester making their appearances at hâ—â— Leet only To this Sir Henry succeeded Sir William Murdac Knight who bore for his Armes Bendè of ten pâ—â—ces Arg. and Gules and had issue Alice his daughter and heir wedded to Sir Thomas â—oyvile Knight unto whom she brought a fair inheritance of lands in Leicestershire Which Beyviles had their residence at Stokfaston in that Countie But wiâ—hin tâ—e câ—mpasse â—f that time as they had to do hâ—re they obtained one of the two other parts of this Lordshâ—p◠〈…〉 as it seems So that upâ—n the 〈…〉 three daughters and heirs of the last Iâ—hn viz. â—liz the wiâ—e o 〈…〉 Bury Hatley iâ— Com. Herâ—f abâ—â—t the laâ—â—r end 〈…〉 it unto Sâ—r Râ—bâ—rt Brâ—â—â—â—ll of Dene in Com. Northampt. Knight From whom deâ—cendâ—d Thomas Brudâ—elâ— Eâ—quâ—re afâ—erwardsâ— scil 3. Car. created Lord â—ruâ—â—ell a person much to be honoured for his great lâ—aâ—ning prudenceâ— and eminent knowledge in Anâ—â—quities who by his Deed of bargain and sale dated 19 Maii 4. Iac. past it unâ—o Sir Edward Brabazon then of Nether-Whitacre in this Câ—untie Knight whicâ— Sir Eâ—ward diâ—poâ—ed thereof to Siâ— Anthâ—â—y â—rabazon Knight his younger son tâ—e late â—wner thereof Touching that part whâ—ch Ireâ—s had I find that in 13 E. 3. Thomas le â—â—eys passed iâ— awayâ— by the name lâ—kewise of the Mannour of Pakinton-Pigot to Philip de Aâ—leston and 〈…〉 and the heâ—rs of their two 〈◊〉 but for lack of such issue to return unto the râ—gâ—t â—eirs of the said Thomas which makeâ— me 〈◊〉 that the said Kaâ—â—eâ—â—ne was his daughter Aâ—â—er this â—iz in 50 〈…〉 of whom in Maxstoke I shall speak puâ—câ—ased oâ—e third part 〈…〉 Mâ—nnâ—ur 〈…〉 and Ioane his wiâ—e but 〈…〉 were that which Philip de 〈◊〉 above 〈…〉 the othâ—r formâ—râ—y belongiâ—g to Gâ—lbert 〈◊〉 I cannot well discâ—ver Which third part continued to his posteâ—ity tiâ—l the beginniâ—g of H. 7. time though how much longâ—r I know not for in 20 H. 7. Iohn Creâ— Vicount L'isle was found tâ— dye sâ—â—zed 〈◊〉 â— by the name likewise of the Mannâ—ur of Pakinton-Pâ—got which from him divolved to â—homas Mâ—rquess Dorsâ—t his Unclâ—'s son and so consequently to Henry Duke of Suff. After whose attainder in 1 Mariae whereof in Astley I have spoke it eschaeted to the Crown and continued therein till Queen Elizabeth in the second year of her reign granted it to Edward Earl of Lincolne lâ—neaâ—l heir to the Clintons before specified which Earl sold â—t to one Sampson Baker Gentleman 30 Oct. 15 Eliz. who died seized thereof in 26 Eliz.
Armes is affixt in which she bears her paternall coat in the mid'st and the two Noble-men her husbands on the dexter side with the two Knights Bermingham and Russell on the other In whose Testament I finde little memorable farther than that she disposed her body to be buried in the Chancell at Haversham above specified before the Image of our Lady and gave to the Canons here at Maxstoke to pray for her soul and the soul of the Lord Clinton her husband xl s. But in 2 H. 6. she died being more than Lxxx. years of age so that then the possession of this Castle and Mannour returned to her grandson-in Law scil Sir William de Clinton Knight Lord Clinton and Say Which Sir William sate in Parliament with the rest of the Barons from 23 R. 2. till his death as appears by his severall summons In 1 H. 4. he was in Commission for arraying of men in this Countie and in 9 H. 5. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his warrs of France with xl men at Armes viz. himself one Knight and the rest Esquires as also CCC Archers well and sufficiently mounted armed and arrayed taking for himself iv s. per diem for the Knight ii s. and for each other man at Armes i s. with the reward accustomed Neither was he forgetfull of the before mentioned Canons here at Maxstoke for I finde that in 10 H. 4. he bestowed on them x li. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands lying in Dunton-Basset in Com. Leic. And having married Anne daughter to the Lord Botreaux but widow of Sir Fouk Fitzwarin Knight departed this life in 10 H. 6. leaving Iohn his son and heir xxii years of age Of whom I have little to say considering that within six years after he came to his estate he passed away the inheritance of this Castle and Lordship unto Humphrey Earl Stafford and Anne his wife in exchange for the Mannours of Whishton and Wodeford in Northamptonshire as by the Deed whereunto his Seal of Armes is affixt viz. quarterly Clinton and Say with two Greyhounds supporting the Timbre appeareth which bears date 17. Maii 16 H. 6. After which though he retained some other Lordships in this County yet did he not reside therein so that here I am to leave this branch of that ancient and noble Family from whence the now Earl of Lincolne is lineally descended and trace down the succession of this Castle through such other hands as it hath since fallen into It seems that the before specified Earl had a a very great liking to this Castle for no sooner did he so obtain it but that he plated the Gates all over with Iron and adorn'd them with his own Coat impaled with Nevill his wife being the daughter to Raphe Nevill Earl of Westmerland and supported by two Antelopes in respect that Anne his mother was one of the daughters and coheirs unto Thomas of Woodstoke Duke of Gloucester And in further memorie that these Gates were then so strengthened and beautified he caused the burning Nave and Knot the antient Badges of his Ancestors to be imbossed in the Iron-work thwarting the midst thereof as are yet to be seen This great Earl being created Duke of Buckingham in 23 H. 6. constituted William Draicote his Constable of this Castle for executing which Office he had the Fee of five marks per annum Within the body thereof is a little Chapell in which by speciall dispensation from Reginald Boulers then Bishop of this Diocess was solemnized the marriages of Iohn Talbot son and heir to Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and Katherine Stafford one of the daughters of this Duke in 36 H. 6. As also of Iohn Stafford one of his younger sons afterwards created Earl of Wiltshire and Constance the daughter of Henry Greene Esquire To which Duke succeeded Henry his grandson upon whose attainder in 1 Ric. 3. the custodie of it was committed to Walter Grant one of the Gentlemen-Huâ—shers to the Queen The next thing observable thereof is that King Ric. 3. upon his march towards Nottingham in the last year of his reign came from Kenilworth hither and commanded that part of the inner buildings should be taken down and carried to that Castle with all speed but what was done therein I know not for he was soon after slain at Bosworth-field whereupon King Henry his successor constituted William Trussell Eâ—quire his Constable here Howbeit within a short space Edward Duke of Buckingham son and heir to the said Henry reposessing what his Father had in 18 H. 7. made Iohn Harewell of Waxen's-Wotton Esquire Constable thereof But that Duke forfaited all by his attainder in 13 H. 8. Whereupon Commissioners were appointed to enquire what Castles Mannours Lands c. he was at that time seized of with the names of all his Officers and their severall Fees At which time it was certified inter alia that Hugh Mervyn Esquire had the Keepership of the Park here having been admitted thereto by the said Duke at ii d. by the day as also Bayliffe there at ii d. by the day the old Fee having been but a penny William Phipps Porter at xl s. per annum by an old grant from the said Duke for life he being then above Lxxx. years of age and Iohn Archer Constable his Fee Lxvi s. viii d. per annum Which Duke suffred death 17 Maii in the year abovesaid whereupon 20. Octob. following the King granted unto Sir William Compton Knight and to the heirs male of his body this Castle Park and Mannour to be held of the Crown in Capite by Knights service but because there had been a Recovery of them suffred by the said Duke in 5 H. 8. whereby the Recoverers stood seized to the use of himself and his heirs so that it did not eschaet to the King by his said forfaiture therefore to make all sure it was in the Parliamâ—nt of 15 H. 8. enacted that the before specified Duke should stand and be convicted and attainted of High Treason and forfait to the King and his heirs all Honours Castles Mannour c. whereof he or any person to his use were seized in Fee-simple Fee-tail c. the 24 th of Aprâ—l 4. H. 8. or any time since with a speciall Provâ—so that the same Act should not prejudice the Kâ—ng's grant above mentioned made to Sir William Compton Knight in 13. of his reign Which Sir Will. Compton had issue Peter upon whose death in 36 H. 8. the King supposing he had left no issue male so that the inheritance of this Castle had again return'd to the Crown made a grant unto Edward Lord Clinton of the Custodie of it and the Park with the Herbage and paunage thereof as also of the Bathwick of the Lordship for life but when he understood that the said Peter had a son born
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
Pilgrimâ—ge And in 8 H. 3. was constituted Governour of the Castle and Honour of Lancaster Tâ—â— nâ—xt observable passage relating to this stout Earl â—â—â—rewith I have met is that upon the dâ—fference 〈…〉 the Kâ—ng and Richard Earl of Cornwall his Brâ—ther in 11 H. 3. whâ—re up â—n the King gavâ— away thâ—â—aid Earl of Cornwall's Castle of Berkhamsted he with others more resentinâ— the injury which he thought was ofâ—â—â—ed to the said Earl than the obligation of loyaltie to his sovereign stuck not to put himself in Arms on that Ear'ls paâ—t but the King wisely discerning that unavoidable mischief might have ensued by clashing with his Nâ—bilitie which were then so pâ—tent attributed the fault to hâ—â— Chieâ— Justice and fairly composed the business Nay thâ—s was not all for they threatned him that if he would not restore to them that Charter tâ—uching the Lâ—berties â—f the Forâ—h which he had lately cancelled at Oxford ipsi illum gladâ—is discurrentibus compellerent saith my 〈◊〉 but in all these things the King gave them satisfaction at Northampton in August f. â—â—â—ving In 13 H. 3. this Wâ—llâ—â—m Earl Ferrers was imployed by the Kâ—ng in his service of Wales In 8 H â— he had lâ—verie of the lands lying between Ribbel and Merse which belonging unto Ranâ—lâ—â— Earl of Chester 〈◊〉 wives Brâ—â—hâ—r were assâ—â—â—d â—nto Agnes 〈◊〉 wâ—â— in part of her pâ—rtion of the inheritance belonging to her self and her other sisters and coheirs â—â—r which he and she were then bâ—uâ—d to pâ—y yearly unto the Kâ—ng's Excâ—equer a Gosh 〈◊〉 xl s. In 21 H. 3. he was one of the three châ—ef Councellors recommended to the King by the Barons upon that reconciliation of their discontents for the violation of Magna Charta the King then renewing his promise for the strict observance thereof and those his Councell making Oath that they would not for any respects give him other than wholesâ—me advice which so well contented the people that they gave him a xâ—xth part of all their moveable goodsâ— excepting of Gold Silver Horse and Arms. But in 31 H. 3. scil 10 Cal. Oct. he died vir bâ—nâ—â— plenus dierum Math. Westm. calls him and Mâ—th Paris vir pacificus justus saying that he had lain long afflâ—cted with the Gout His Countess departing e this life the same month ejusdem aetatis famae bonitatis They had been man and wife at least Lxxv. years if my Author mistake not for he affirmeth that St. Thomas of Canterbury celebrated the marriage betwixt them who died in 18 H. 2. But I have seen an autograph mentioning their marriage to have been in an 1192. 4 R. 1. which falls short no less than xx years thereof To which Earl succeeded William his son and heir a discreet and good man saith M. Paris but troubled with his Father's infirmitie who the next year following viz. 32 H. 3. did his Homage and had liverie of Chartley-Castle and all other the lands of his Mothers inheritance and the same year sate in that Parliament held at London where the King made so stout an answer to the high demands of his impetâ—oâ—s Barons This Earl gave to the Canons of Derley in Derbyshire the Church of Bolesover â—n that Countie for the health of his â—oul whose grant Robert and William his two sons afterwards confirmed But there is no other matter memorable that I have seen of him till his death which hapâ—ed to be violent 9 Cal. Apr. 38 H. 3. for being carried in a kind of Chariot by reason of his Gout which through the unskilfulness of the Driver fell off the Bridge at S. Neots his limbs were so broke and body bruised that he quickly died thereof and was buried in this Abby of Merevale leaving issue by Margaret his second wife Robert his son and heir and William for by Sibill his first he had none but Daughters as the Dâ—scent sheweth Which Robert being then in minoritie for the custodie of whose lands the Queen and â—eâ—er de Savâ—â— gave six thousand marks till he should accâ—mpâ—ish his full age had the ill hap to be the last Earl of his Family for no sooner was he come to mans estate but that meeting with a discontented Nobilitie who under many fair and specious pretences infused into him all principles of disloialty his high and hot spiritted youth grew so inflamed as that in 47 H. 3. when the combustions of Civill war began to break out none was more forward to increase them than he yet nec â—iâ—us Regi neque Baronibus quasi non in Baronum numero saith Math. Paris but a world of mischief he did for having got a power of Souldiers at his heels he entred Worcester demolished that place there called the Jewrie plundred the Reâ—igâ—â—us Houses as well as other and destroyed the King's Parks thereabouts To retaliat which outrage the King sent Edward his eldest son down into Stafford and Derbyshires with a good Army where he wasted his lands and Mannours with Fire and Sword and demolished his Castle of Tutburie The next remarkable thing relating to him whereof our Historians make mention is that after the King and Prince were made Prisoners by that unhappy defeat of the Royall Army at Lewes and that Clare Earl of Gloucester grew discontented at the Earl of Leicester's assuming the rule of all to himself he secretly adhered to Clare Of which Leicester having notice layd hold on him but notwithstanding Clare stoutly adventured his life afterwards for the Royall interest yet did this Earl Ferrers no whit incline that way for though he were not in the battail of Evesham yet did he act otherwise with all the power he had so that being highly taken notice of for a most malevolent man to the King he was involved in that generall Sentence of disherison pronounc'd at Westminster on the Feast day of St. Edward's translation sc. 13 Oct. against the King's adversaries and being thereupon in person called into the Court before the King and charg'd with many high Crimes not daring to adventure that Judgement which he foresaw would be delivered against him de vita membris terris tenementis suis gratiae Regis se totaliter submisit saith the Record Whereupon the King out of his gracious disposition in consideration of a Cup of gold adorned with precious stones obtained by the said Earl from Michael de Toni for which he mortgaged to the said Mich. the Mannour of Pirie in Northamptonshire and for fifteen hundred marks to be payd at four severall payments within the compass of a twelve month pardoned his misdemeanours and undertook to secure him against Prince Edward and all others against whom he had been injurious at any time during the troubles untill the 5 th of Dec. 50 H. 3. as
then Bishop of Coventre Lichfield reserving the Rent of a pair of Gloves or a Peny at Easter to Sir Raph de Grendon and his heirs for all service suit of Court and demand whatsoever After which it was not long ere it came to the hands of the Lords of Grendon again for I perceive that in 22 E. 1. Raph de Grendon son to the before specified Sir Raph had it From whom the greatest part of it is divolved with Grendon to the Familie of Chetwin and enjoyed by them at this day But the Inhabitants thereof are within the Leet of Polesworth Freseley THis was also very antiently belonging to the Marmions being originally a member of Polesworth as I guess by one of which Familie I conclude that Robert de Kaily or his Ancestor became at first enfeoft of it for it appears that Robert Marmion who lived in H. 2. time calls that Robert his Knight in respect he held of him by militarie service and confirmed the grant of Freseley Mill which the said Robert had made to the Nunns of Polesworth This Robert de Kaily gave and sold to the Canons of Lilshull in Com. Salop. full two parts of this Village disposing his body to sepulture in that Monasterie and having no issue left the inheritance of the rest to his Sisters whereof one was married to Simon de Whitacre of Whitacre-superior in this Countie and the other to one Richard de Pakington who ratified her Brother's grant But wanting the like Confirmation from the former there grew suits betwixt Sir Simon de Whitacre Knight grandchild to the said Simon and the Canons of Lilshull for part of that land which suits being accorded in 25 H. 3. he released unto them all his title claim thereto Notwithstanding which Release Iordan de Whitacre son and heir to the said Simon after his Father's death taking advantage of those turbulent times scil the Barons Warrs entred upon the same lands again and dyed possest of them in so much as Philippa his widow who shortly after became the wife of Iames de Astley retained them in her hands till another Agreement being made betwixt the said Canons and her unto which Richard de Whitacre her son and heir assented they had quitted their right thereto And yet did not this binde the said Richard de Whitacre but that he began a new suit for those lands whereupon a Jury was returned for triall thereof yet before it came to be so decided they grew to a finall accord which being made in 21 E. 1. he released once more all his right and interest to those lands So that afterwards they enjoy'd them till the generall dissolution by King Henry the viiith but then coming to the Crown they were granted out in 35 H. 8. by the name of the Mannour of Fresely unto Iames Leveson Merchant of the Staple to be held in Capite by the xxth part of a Knight's Fee which Iames the same year aliened part of them to one Iohn Beck That which remained to the Whitacres as hath been said into which the Free warren granted to Simon de Whitacre in 41 H. 3. extended came at length to Alan Waldeiffe by an heir female of that Family as the Descent in Whitacre sheweth and afterwards to Poultney as it seems but it being so small a proportion I have not farther taken notice of it Hall-End OF this place I have not seen any thing till K. Ric. 3. times that it came by a daughter and heir of Sturmie to the Family of Corbin whose antient seat is at Corbins-Hall within Swinford-Parish in Com. Staff where most of them have had their residence but their Descent since they had to do here I have added Nich. Corbin 1 R. 3. Johanna filia haeres Joh. Sturmie Ric. Corbin 20. H. 8. Anna filia haeres Thomae Ramsey de Hitcham in Com. Buck. Thomas Corbin obiit an 1584. Anna filia Will. Repington de Amington ar nupta 31 H. 8. Georgius Corbin ob 25. Sept. 1636. Maria filia Will. Faunt de Foston in Com. Leic. ar Thomas Corbin obiit .... Iunii 1637. Winifreda filia Gawini Grosvenor de Sutton-Colfield Henricus Georgius Thomas Corbin natus .... Apr. 1624. Leticia Dodenhale THis is a depopulated place and did totally belong to the Nunns of Polesworth part thereof being given to them about H. 3. time by William Sauvage sometime Lord of Pooley and the rest by Richard Dodenhale Merchant of Coventre in 21 R. 2. In consideration whereof the said Nunns by their publique Instrument dated 12. Apr. 1. H. 4. granted that there should be every day and night a speciall Collect said for the same Richard in their Chapter-House in such sort as they used to do for their other Benefactors and at his death his name registred in their Martyrologe as also his Anniversarie kept with Placebo and Dirige and solemn Masse celebrated for the soul of Henry Dodenhale sometime Merchant and for the said Richard with Beatrice and Alice his wives their Parents Benefactors and all the faithfull deceased over and besides the night of S. Thomas the Martyr and likewise one Collect once a year for the said Henry Richard Beatrice and Alice their Parents and Benefactors for ever And lastly that at the celebration of the Anniversarie of the said Henry Richard Beatrice and Alice on the Feast-day of S. Thomas the Martyr's translation all the Nunns present thereat to have xii Eggs in the name of a Corrodie for their faithfull performance of that Office Pooley THis as a member of Polesworth did antiently belong to the Marmions of Tamworth-Castle and being originally given by Marmion to Burdet in Fee-Ferme for the Rent of xâ— s. yearly was soon after granted from Burdet to Sauvage as appears by a Confirmation made from Geffrey Sauvage to William Burdet in 10 H. 3. Which passages from Marmion to Burdet and Burdet to Sauvage were about King Stephen's time for Osanna then Abbesse of Polesworth with the consent of her fellow Nunns granted to Helias the son of Geffrey Sauvage a Chapell here but without Service as also a Chapell-yard in consideration whereof he gave to that Covent the inheritance of four Acres of the best Meadow-ground in this Village promising to pay yearly during his life xii d. upon S. Edith's Altar on the day of her Festivall and bequeathed his body wheresoever he should depart this life to be buried in the Church of Polesworth Which Agreement was so made in the presence of Roger de Clinton then Bishop of this Dioces But this tenure in Fee-Ferm did not long continue for it is evident that Robert Marmion whom I take to be the man that first granted it to Burdeâ— did in consideration of x. marks in the nature of a Fine and the yearly payment of a Sore-Spaâ—hawk to himself and his
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
the Ordination before specified It is very like that this Chantry swallowed up that whereof I made mention in 8. E. 3. viz. which Thomas Astley had Licence to found for upon the Survey taken an 37. H. 8. there was no other but this in that Chappell of our Lady the lands belonging whereunto were by the Commissioners in 37. H. 8. certified to be of the the yearly value over and above all reprises of iiii l. xviii sol x. d. For the other Chantry was in a Chappel of St. Iames in Hull super Dunsmore as the Record expresses which is that part of the town situate upon the Hill Westwards from the Church and founded by Mag. Thomas de Morton in 18. E. 3. The certificate in 37. H. 8. expresly says he was a Priest and the word Mag. imports as much yet in the Licence given to him to amortize lands thereunto viz. one messuage one yard land and four acres as also four acres and one rode of meadow in Hill Morton aforesaid it is for a Priest to sing Mass for the good estate of him the said Thomas and Alice his Wife and Margerie their Daughter during their lives and for their souls when they should depart this world As also for the souls of Adam de Morton his father and their ancestours c. But it seems he was a marryed man and a professour in some other science The value thereof in 37. H. 8. was certified to to be xlvi s. viii d. In this Lordship of Hill Morton there were also eight messuages and one yard land and a quarter given by one William Poyntell to the Hospitall of St. Iohn Baptist in Luterworth for the finding of a Chantry Priest there to sing Mass for the souls of him the said William and his VVife 3. E. 3. In the middle I le of this Church are two grave-stones of marble each of them having small portraictures in brass of a man and a woman with divers children on one of them is this Inscription Here lyeth Thomas Perkins and Alice and Elizabeth Our Lord save their souls from everlasting death Amen On the other this Here lyeth Richard Tant and Margaret his wife God bring their souls to everlasting life Amen Rugby ON the South-VVest side of this little Rill which comes from Hill Morton lyes Rugby bounded with Avon towards the North but in Doomesday-Book written Rocheberie Beriâ— signifying with our ancestours a Court or habiâ—ation of note And Roche a rock or quarry of stone for such there is VVestwards from this town about half a mile and 't is very like that the ground whereon the town stands being high is of the same condition though that the quarry lye not very near the surface of the earth so that then the nature of the soyl may be the occasion of the name Howbeit in all the elder times sithence it is written Rokeby with a K. instead of the Ch. In the Conquerours time Turchil de Warwick of whom I have already made mention was owner of it one Eddulfus for so he is called in the Conq. Survey then holding it of him it being then certified to contein two hydes and a half the posterity of which Eddulfus continued possest thereof holding it by half a Knights Fee of the said Turchill's Heirs till it went away with a Daughter and Heir in Edw. the first his time as the descent will shew Eddulfus tempore Conquestoris Thurbertus filius Hadewolfi Henricus de Rokeby Henricus de Rokeby Annabilla Ranulphus de Rokeby Annabilla filia haeres uxor Joh. Goband militis But Thurbert the son of this Eddulfus is sometimes called Thurbertus filius Hadelwolfi de Bilneja for it seems he had also a Seat at Bilney now called Binley and sometimes Thurbertus de Rochebe and was a notable benefactor to the Monks of Combe giving a large precinct of his land in Bilney adjoyning to Smite within which Smite the monastery was founded the lands being exprest by boundaryes after the antient manner which grant was ratified by Henry son to the same Thurbert who calls himself Henricus de Rokeby filius Thurberti de Bilney adding to his fathers gift the Mill of Bilney and some other land for the better assurance whereof Henry de Arderne grandson to Turchill confirms the grant though that with a great part also of his inheritance was taken away by the Conquerour or King H. 1. and given to the Earl of Warwick as I think before that time which was in the reign of K. Steph. Roger Earl of Warwick being a witness thereunto for Earl William son of Roger adds his Charter of confirmation to them all which needed not had he not been possest of Arden's lands Here was a little Castle at Rokeby which stood about a furlong from the Church Northwards as is to be seen by the banks of earth and part of the moat yet remaining I am of opinion that this was one of those Castles which were built in King Stephens time for fearing the coming of the Empress as saith mine Author concessit ut quilibet procorum suorum munitionem seu castrum in proprio fundo facere posset Almost all which were demolished by the command of K. H. 2. about the third year of his reign And besides the probability thereof the Inhabitants have it by tradition that it was Sir Henry Rokebye's castle This Henry de Rokeby was a benefactor to the Abby of Pipwell in Northampton-shire as appears by what he gave in Rokeby where the Monks of Pipwell had a grange He also gave all the land which he had in Holme to the Canons of Leicester whereof I have already spoke for the advouson of the Chappel of Rokeby which was a member of Clifton and belonging to that Abby touching which Chappel there was a sute betwixt the said Henry and the Abbot of Leicester in the 2. year of K. Iohn and bequeathing his body to be buried at Combe therewith gave the yearly rent of half a mark of silver issuing out of the Mill of Aston juxta Bermingham in this County which Henry had issue Henry who consumed all the grants to that Abby made by his grandfather and father adding something from himself in Bilney But it seems that the difference concerning the advouson of the Chappel of Rokeby ended not till this time For by a fine levyed 5. H. 3. betwixt Henry Rokeby and the Abbot of Leicester it was concluded that the said Henry and his heirs should exhibit a fit Clerk to the same Abbot and his successours whom they might present to the Bishop which Clerk should pay to them yearly the antient and due pension that the Abby of Leicester had wont to receive out of the said Chappel of Rokeby in right of their Church of Clifton And to perfect this agreement the said Henry gave to that Abby for ever a yard land in Holme
This Henry was a Knight for so by his grant under seal he is stiled whereby with the consent of Ranulph his son and heir he gave a yard land in Rokeby to the Prior and Monks of Kirby And in the 39 of H. 3. obtained for himself and his heirs a Charter for a weekly Mercate here every Saturday and for a Fair yearly beginning on the Even of St. Laurence to endure for three daies with Free warren in all his demesn lands in Warwickshire For the advantage of which Mercate the Abbot of Combe earnestly moved the Monks of Pipwell for permission that they might purchase or erect a house in Rokeby to receive those Monks of theirs as they should have occasion to imploy thither Howbeit in 13 E. 1. Annabilla the Widow of the said Henry holding this Mannour in dower and claiming Free warren with a Mercate and Faire here for which she exhibited the Charter of K. H. 3. extended her claim further than that Charter warranted as it seems for it was then found that she challenged liberty to punish the breakers of the Assize of Bread and Ale whereof being not seized the Shiriff entred upon the Market Fair and Free warren for the King To which last mentioned Henry succeeded Ranulph his son and heir who dyed before 20 E. 1. for in the 24 of that Kings reign Raph Basset son and heir of Simon Basset of Sapcote granted the custody of Annabil his daughter and heir with her marriage to Peter de Leicester Clerk Which Annabil was the wife of Sir Iohn Goband Kt. Howbeit Annabil her mother being married to ......... Mundevill held Rokeby in dower 3 E. 2. In 1 E. 3. the before specified Iohn Goband and Annabil his wife had a Court Leet and other priviledges granted to them in this their Mannour of Rokeby after which it continued not long in that family for in 23 E. 3. Iohn the son and heir of Sir Iohn Goband Kt. past the inheritance thereof with the advouson of the Church to Raph Lord Stafford and Sir Iohn Oddingsells Kt. and their heirs In which grant he makes mention that the same was setled upon Iohn Brown and Annabil his wife and upon him the said Iohn Goband and his heirs by Iohn Charnells Parson of the Church of Swepston in Leicestershire I suppose that this Annabil married to her second husband the before mentioned Iohn Brown for in 20 E. 3. Iohn Brown is said to be Lord of Rugby which doubtless was in her right After which in 24 E. 3. Sir Thomas Charnells Kt. releast to the said Raph Lord Stafford all his interest in this Mannour And in 7 R. 2. Nicholas Goband Rector of the Church of Cley did the like to Hugh Earl Stafford son of the said Raph in consideration whereof he received xl l. sterling Which Nicholas Goband sealed with three Crosses crosslets fitchè upon the fesse to difference him from the principall branch of that family who bore a plain fesse and 3. besants in chief The Release of Sir Iohn Odingsells to the said Baron of Stafford I have not seen Howbeit there is no question but that such a thing there was for in the same 23. year of E. 3. the Lord Stafford as Patron of the Church exhibited his Clerk to the Abbot of Leicester according to the Agreement before exprest This Mannour continued in the Family of Stafford till the death of Humfrey Duke of Buckingham in 38. H. 6. but how much longer I have not yet seen for the next mention I find thereof is that Ric. 3. an 1. of his Reign granted it to Iohn Lord Dudley and to the Heirs of his body in which Patent it appears that it came to his hands by the death of Margaret Countess of Richmund who was mother to K. Henry 7. and that he so gave it to the Lord Dudley for his faithfull service in favouring his usurped title to the Crown It should seem that Thomas Lord Stanley who was Husband to the Countess of Richmund held it during his life for I have seen a Grant by the said Lord Dudley dated 1 Aug. 2. R. 3. whereby he makes dilectum consanguineum for so he calls him his beloved Kinsman Will. Catesby Esq. Steward thereof whensoever it should come into his hands or the possession of his Heirs and to receive for his yearly Fee ten marks sterling In which grant it is exprest that the said Lord Stanley then had it for that term But I perceive it came again to the house of Stafford though I have not yet seen how nor when for immediatly upon the attainder of Edward Duke of Buckingham Henry 8. granted it to Sir Gilbert Talboys Kt. and Elizabeth his Wife and the Heirs of their two bodies expressing that it was Edward late Duke of Buckingham's attainted Which Sir Gilbert and Elizabeth had issue Elizabeth their Daughter and Heir wedded to Ambrose Dudley afterwards Earl of Warwick who in 2 Eliz. sold it together with the advowson of the Church to Iohn Wyrley and Dorothe his wife Which Dorothe dyed seized thereof ult Martii 28. Eliz. Francis her Son and Heir being then 40. years of age In an 1291. 19. E. 1. the Church dedicated to St. Andrew was valued at seaven marks and a half And in 26. H. 8. at xvii li. xix s. ii d. over and above xx sol yearly Pension issuing out of it to the Abb. of Leicester and ix sol vi d. for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Instit. Abb. de Leic. ad nominationeÌ„ Henrici de Rokeby milit secundùm tenorem cyrographi inter ipsos Alex. de Rokeby Cleric ... an 1253. 37. H. 3. Annabilla domina de Rokeby Rog. Capellanus ... an 1291. 19. E. 1. D. Rad. Basset ratione custodiae haeredis de Rokeby ...................... D. Petrus de Leycest Rob. de Halughton Pbr. iiii Non. Iulii an 1301. Annabilla de MuÌ„â—â—vile D. de Rokeby Ric. de Toucestre accolitus xii Kl. Dec. an 1313. Ioh. Gobant Radulphus Gobant Cleric ... an 1313. Abb. conv Leic. ad nominationeÌ„ Ioh. Goband D. de Rokeby Ioh. Falconarius .... an 1314. Abb. C. de Leic. ad nominationem D. Ioh. Goband mil. D. de Rokeby Ric. de Walton Pbr. Nonâ— Iunii an 1332. Abb. conv Leic. Will. de Lyons Pbr. vi Id. Martii an 1341. Ioh. Goband Will. le Pyndere Capell .... an 1349. 23. E. 3. Abb. C. de Leic. ad denominationem D. Baronis de Stafford Petrus de Bilney Câ—p. xii Kl. Aug. an 1349. Abb. C. de Leic. Will. Parker Pbr. iii. Kl. Sept an 1361. Abb. C. de Leic. ad nominationem D. Rad. Comitis Staff Rog. Geffen Pbr. xiii Kl. Ian. an 1361. Abb. C. de Leic. Will. de Langton Cler. xi Kl. Sept. an 1375.
them the said Thomas and Maud and their heirs by the service of 1 d. to be paid yearly at Easter Which Robert in consideration of xxx marks of silver soon after granted the inheritance thereof unto Henry de Hastings son and Heir of Sir Henry de Hastings Kt. to hold of him the said Robert and his heirs by the service of a pair of white Gloves or 1 d. yearly at Easter But this Henry kept it not long for I find that Sir Thomas de Bray purchased it of him within a short time after to whose posterity residing here it continued for divers descents and at length as it should seem by Elene one of the daughters and co-heirs of Richard Bray wife of Edmund Starky Gent. in H. 6. time divolved to that family in which it rested till 4 Eliz. that William Starky sold it by the name of the capital messuage and certain lands c. in Stretton to the Lady Longvile upon whose death it descended to Bartholmew her son and heir by Bartholmew Tate of de la Pre juxta Northhampton her first husband which Bartholmew in 23 Eliz. conveyed it to Anthony Tate his younger brother who left issue George Tate of Sutton-Bonington in Com. Nott. that by his deed dated 6 Iulii an 1620. sold them to Ric. Taylor of Binley in this County to whose posterity they still continue There is within this Village a Chappel of All Saints which had a Chantry therein founded by Thomas de Wolvardynton Parson of the Church of Lobenham in Leicestershire for two Priests to sing Mass daily at the Altar of St. Thomas the Martyr for the good estates of the said Thomas William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Richard Earl of Arundell Iohn Peyto the younger as also of Alice and Margaret sisters to the said Thomas the Founder during their lives and of the reverend Father in God Roger Northburgh then B. of Cov. and Lich. and for all their souls after their departure out of this life as also for the souls of Sir Peter de Wolvardington Kt. and the Lady Aliva his Wife Father and Mother of the said Thomas and of the souls of Iohn de Wolvardynton William and Peter brethren of the said Thomas deceased and of all faithfull people departed For the maintenance of which two Priests King E. 3. in 19 of his reign granted licence to the said Thomas de Wolvardynton to amortize three messuages three yard land four acres of meadow three acres of wood and xx sol rent with the appurtenances in Stretton aforesaid After this viz. in 2 R. 2. licence was also granted to Robert de Stretton then B. of Cov. and Lich. to amortize four messuages and eight yard land with the appurtenances lying in this Village of Stretton for the maintenance of a Priest to sing Mass daily in the abovesaid Chappel for the good estate of the said King whil'st he lived and for the health of his soul when he should depart this life as also for the souls of the Kings Father and Grandfather and all the faithfull deceased Whence I conclude that this B. was born here and took his name of the place having been first a Canon of Litchfeild and Chaplain to the Black Prince K. Richard the 2. Father but an illiterate man he was saith Godwin in so much as he found it a very difficult matter to obtain Consecration which nevertheless through the Kings power at length he got in 35 E. 3. The lands of the Chantry here founded by Thomas de VVolvardynton were in 26 H. 8. valued at iiii l. xiiii sol per annum but upon the survey taken 37 H. 8. at iiii l. xvii s. per annum Prinsthorpe OF this place lying in the Parish of Wolston but Southwards from it about two miles do not I find any mention till 4. E. 1. at which time it was written Prenesthorpe As for the name it proceeds doubtless from some antient possessor thereof the latter sillable viz. Thorpe signifying a Village or Hamlet for so in the Saxons time they were called the Dutch to this day whose Language hath a great affinity with our old English calling such Villages Dorpes pronouncing d instead of th In xx E. 3. it answered with Stretton upon the Aid then collected And in 31 E. 3. there was a Fine levyed thereof betwixt William de Peeke Parson of the Church of Wapenbury pl. and Nicholas de Stoneley and Hugh de Geydon Priests Deforciants whereby it was setled upon the said William de Peeke for life the remainder to Sir Richard Trewlow Kt. and the heirs of his body and for lack of such issue to Iohn Hockele and Cecelie his wife and the heirs of their two bodies and for default thereof to Nicholas le Eyr and his heirs After which I have seen little considerable of it till it came to the Hugfords of Emscote in H. 6. time but whether by Metley's heir or not I am yet to learn In which family it continued till 9 H. 8. that Iohn Hugford sold it to Sir William Compton Kt. whos 's great Grand-child Sir Henry Compton Knight of the Bath and brother to William late Earl of Northampton now enjoyes it an 1640. Brandon THis being a part of Wolston Parish lying on the other side of Avon and situate at the foot of a Hill the soyl whereof is sandy and dry makes me conjecture that it might originally have its name from the effect that the Sun by heat doth oft-times produce upon such high ground or otherwise because being antiently woody it was first made fit for tillage by burning the thickets that naturally grew thereon In the Conquerours dayes Turchill de Warwick was possest thereof Wlsi then holding it of him By the general Survey then taken where it is written Brandune the extent of it is certified at half a hide the woods containing four furlongs in length and two in bredth and the whole esteemed at xxv sol there being then a Mill rated at xxvi d. But Turchill's lands being by the Conquerour for the most part disposed of to others as I shall have occasion in due place to shew this was it seems given to Geffrey de Clinton Chamberlain and Treasurer to K. H. 1. and Founder of the Castle and Priory of Kenillworth of whose advancement and what else is memorable I am to speak in Kenillworth whose daughter Lescelina being married to Norman de Verdune brought it with other lands to that noble family but Geffrey her brother had a hope to regain it for having given lands in Bretford near adjoyning to found there a small Cell for Nuns as in Bretford I purpose to declare which lands were by those Nuns very soon after granted to the Monastery of Kenillworth and confirm'd by him covenanted wich the Canons of Kenillworth that if he recovered Brandone he would give them as much land in value
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.
Roger de Craft answered for the 5th part of a Kts. fee here held of the E. of Warwick From whom descended Geffrey de Craft who in 4 E. 1. stiles himself Dominus de parva-Lalleford and from him Nich. who was the last of this line that had to do here for ought I have seen Neither can I further discover in whom the possession thereof rested for a long time after untill that Geffrey de Allesley had it which was about the beginning of H. 6. time Which Geffrey marryed Margaret one of the daughters and heirs of Henry Sutton Esq. Lord of Ditchford-Frary in this County where I shall have occasion to make further mention of him and was in Commission for assâ—ssing of the Subsidy granted to the K. in Parl. 9 H. 6. And in 12 H. 6. with the rest of the principal persons in this Shire took his oath for observance of the Articles concluded of in the preceding Parliament In 17 and 18 H. 6. he was constituted one of the Justices of peace in this County and departing this life 18 Aug. an 1441. left issue Elizabeth his daughter and heir wife of Thomas Boughton a Bedfordshire Gentleman as I have heard whereby this Lordship became transferred to that family wherein it still continues Which Thomas being constituted a Justice of peace in this County in 21 H. 6. so continued till the end of that K. reign as appears by the sundry renewings of those Commissions In 31 H. 6. he served in the Parliament as one of the Knights for this Shire and in 38. was appointed with others to array and arm all persons of body able and estate sufficient within this County for the K. service To whom succeeded Richard his son and heir constituted Eschaetor for this County and Leicestersh in 13 E. 4. as also Shiriff in 20. And Justice of peace in 22 E. 4. and 1 E. 5. Which Richard being again Shiriff for these Countyes in 2 R. 3. as by the Indentures betwixt him and Humfry Beaufo Esq the precedent Shiriff appears had the fate to be slain on that K. behalf at Bosworth-field as the tradition is but therein is a mâ—stake for the Inquis taken after his death expresseth that he dyed 20 Aug. 3 R. 3. which was two dayes before the Battail therefore 't is like that raising Forces in this County for the King he was encountred by some of the Earl of Richmund's Troops in their passage towards Bosworth and by that means lost his life Of whose descendants I find that Will. his son and heir was Squire of the body to K. H. 8. and in 27 of that K. reign Shiriff of this County and Leicestersh As also that William Grandson to the same William underwent the like office for these Countyes in 17 and 32 Eliz. being in Commission for the peace the greatest part of that Q. reign So likewise Edward son and heir to the said William the most part of K. Iames his reign having been Shiriff in 4 Iac. But further as to their matches and otherwise the Descent here inserted which briefly points at what else I am able to say in relation to this family here seated shall suffice Tho. Boughton ar 39 H. 6. Eliz. filia haeres Galf. Allesley Ric. Boughton ar ob 3 R. 3. Agnes filia .... Longvile .... filia co haeres Joh. Danvers de Waterstoke in Com. Oxon. ux 1. Will. Boughton aet 12. an 3 R. 3. sepult apud Dunchurch Edw. Boughton ar ob 1 E. 6. Eliz. filia cohaeres Wil. Willington ar Will Boughton ar ob 38 Eliz. Iana soror Tho. Coningsby de Hampton-Court in Com. Heref. eq aur Edw. Boughton aet 24. an 38 Eliz. Eliz. filia haeres Edw. Catesby filli jun. Ric. Catesby eq aur Will. Boughton duxit Abigal fil cohaer Henr. Baker de Shobery in Com Essex erectus in gradum Bar. per R. Car. Tho. Boughton de Bilton duxit Iuditham alteram fil cohaer H. Baker de Shobery ar Will. Boughton aet 12. an 3 R. 3. sepult apud Dunchurch D. Eliz. Barington ux 2. Tho. Boughton de Caustou ar Margar. filia haeres Edw. Cave Edw. Boughton ar Susanna filia Ioh. Brocker eq aur Henricus Boughton Howard filia Edw. Leigh de Rushall in Com. Staff ar Newnham-Regis NExt below on the bank of Avon stands Newnham-Regis where depopulation attending the inclosure hath reduced it to a small number of Inhabitants besides the Mannour-house In the Conq. Survey there is no direct mention of this place so that to what it then belonged I cannot well guess but do conceive it to have been of the E. of Mellent's or Turchill de Warwick's possessions in regard that it was of the fee of Roger E. of Warwick whose father Earl Henry enjoy'd the greatest part of the said E. of Mellent's and Turchill's lands in this County From which E. of Warwick the first that obtain'd it was Hugh fil Ricardi as it seems of whom in Wroxhall I have spoke who past it unto Geffrey de Clinton Chamberlain and Treasurer to K. H. 1. and he to the Canons of Kenilworth upon his foundation of that Monastery Which Canons had special grants from them both to acquit it of all secular services due to either of them or to the King in consideration whereof the said Geffrey gave to the above mentioned Hugh ten marks of silver to Margaret his wife two ounces of gold and to Roger E. of Warwick two gold Rings each having a pretious stone therein for it was held of the said Earl by one Kts. fee as appears by K. H. 2. confirmation thereupon But this for distinction from another Newnham within the same Hundred is called Newnham-Regis in respect that the K. was antiently possest of it as is evident also by the Quo warranto Roll of 13 E. 1. where the Kings Atturney questioning the Prior of Kenilworth for it alledged that K. Richard the first was seized thereof How this claim was determined I find not but that the Canons of Kenilworth enjoy'd it till the dissolution of that Monastery is plain enough and had allowance of a Court-Leet here and divers other notable priviledges After which suppression it continued in the K. hands till 7 E. 6. and was then granted to Iohn D. of Northumberland and his heirs upon whose attainder in 1 M. the Queen past it to Sir Rouland Hill Kt. and Citizen of London Of whom Sir Thomas Leigh Kt. and Alderman of the said City soon obtain'd it as may seem by his presentation to the Vicaridge in 1 Eliz. Which Sir Thomas afterwards setled it on Sir Will. Leigh Kt. a younger son and the heirs male of his body who inclosed it and left issue Francis his son and
Iohn Duke of Burgoine or were consenting thereto And in 3. H. 6. was again reteined to serve the K. for half a year in his French warrs under the command of Iohn D. of Bedford the Kings uncle then Regent of France with xx men at Armes and 60. Archers for the like wages Of his children by the first wife from whom the Earles of Kent are descended it concernes me not here to speak but by this Ioane the heir of Astley he had issue Sir Edward Grey Knight who wedded Eliz. the daughter of Henry Ferrers and grandchild and heire to Will L. Ferrers of Groby in whose right he was L. Grey of Groby Which Edward having been in Commission for the peace in this County 21 22 and 23. H. 6. was in 28. H. 6. appointed with others to treat with the people for a loan of mony to the King and dyed in 36. H. 6. leaving Sir Iohn Grey his Son and heir aged 25. years and Edw. Grey a second son created Lord Lisle by K. E. 4. in right of Eliz. his wife daughter to Iohn Talbot Visc. L'isle sister and heir to Thomas son of the said Iohn and afterwards made Visc. L'isle by King R. 3. viz. 28. Iunii 1. R. 3. Which Edward was with others in 4. H. 7. assigned a Commissioner for choosing of Archers in this County for relief of the Dutchy of Britanny and dyed in 7. H. 7. 1492. as may appear by the Probat of his Will whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the new Chappell of our Lady begun by himself to be built in the Colledge of Astley where the body of Eliz. his late wife was interred but he had another wife called Iane whom by the said Will he appointed to cause certain lands to be amortized to endow and find a Priest perpetually to sing in the said Chappell for his Soul and the Souls of his late wife Eliz. as also the said Iane and all Christen Souls Of his descendants the Pedegre before inserted taketh notice I shall therefore return to Sir Iohn Grey his elder brother the heir of this Lordship This Sir Iohn marryed Eliz. the eldest daughter of Ric. Widvill Earl Rivers as is sufficiently manifested by our Historians in regard that K. E. 4. afterwards made her his wife the said Sir Iohn being slain in the battail of St. AlbanÌ„s 39. H. 6. and had issue by her Sir Thomas Grey Knight created Marq. Dorset 18. Apr. 15. E. 4. who sate in his habit at the upper end of the table that day amongst the Knights in S. Edwards Chamber but for near relation and affection to the young King murthered by Ric. D. of Glouc. the then Protector his unnaturall uncle was 18. Oct. in 1. R. 3. attainted of treason Whereupon King Ric. by his Letters pat bearing date 2. Aug. 2. R. 3. granted this Lordship to the above mentioned Edward Visc. L'isle and the heires male of his body But in 1. H. 7. the Marq. being again restored possest himself thereof and by his testament bequeathing his body to be buryed here in the Coll. Church before the Image of the Blessed Trinity in the midst of his closet within the same Colledge on the South side dyed 20. Sept. 17. H. 7. By which Testament he willed that his Executors should cause to be said for his soul in every of the 4. Orders of Friers in London an hundred Masses by the Fryers in each place with as much hast as might be after his decease And that c. marks should be disposed in Almes to poor people at his buriall Likewise that the Hospitall of Lutterworth in Leicestersh of his patronage to be appropriate to the said Colledge of Astley if the Dean and his Brethren or their successors could obtein such appropriation to be lawfully made within 3. years after his decease to the intent that they should especially pray for the Souls of K.E. 4. and Q. Eliz. his consort and all Christen Souls By the Lady Cecily his wife daughter and heir to Will Lord Bonvile marryed afterwards to Henry E. of Wiltsh who likewise bequeath'd her body to be buried in the same Chappell where the Marq. her husband was interred appointing a tombe to be made over the place of their sepulture he left issue Thomas Marq. Dorset which Thomas impaled 30. acres of wood and pasture for to make that parke here at Astley now called the Little-parke and enlarg'd the great parke here with 90. acres of land in 12. H. 7. taken out of the precincts of Arley which to this day bears the name of Arley laund And by his Testament bearing date 2. Iunii 22. H. 8. bequeath'd his body to be buryed in the Church of Astley neer unto his father appointing that his mothers will should be observed for the maintenance of two Priests in the Chappell there as also that his Executors should with all speed and diligence after his Funeralls were performed and debts payd make and build a Chappell here at Astley according to the will of his father with a goodly tombe over his father and mother which being done to make another tombe in the midst of the Chancell where he himself resolved to be buried And after that should be finished then to build an Almeshouse for xiii poor men there to inhabite and to be for ever nominated by his Executors during their lives and afterwards by his heires each of them to receive xii d. a week for their maintenance with a livery of black Cotton yeerly price 4. s. which said payment he appointed should be made out of the Rents and profits of his mannours of Bedworth and Pakinton and all such lands and tenements as were in the occupation of the Lord L'isle reputed or taken as parcell of the same Lordships the surplusage to be bestowed in repayring the said Almes-house and keeping his Obit yearly And dyed the same year as may seem by the probate of his said Testament leaving issue Henry who marrying the Lady Frances eldest daughter to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and Mary the Q. of France his wife was in her right by reason her two broâ—hers dyed without issue created D. of Suff. 11. Oct. 5. E. 6. In whose time it hapned that the Monasteries were dissolved for effecting of which work his father in law Charles Brandon D. of Suff. was not a little active as may appear by the large share he had of their possessions And there want not circumstances to shew that this Henry then Marq. Dorset was stirring enough therein for amongst other the lands belonging to those religious Houses he had all that appertain'd to this Collegiate Church granted to him and the Lady Frances his wife and his heirs 7. Aug. 37. H. 8. which he enjoy'd not long for leaving issue onely 3. daughters Iane the eldest wedded to Guilford Dudley 4. son to Iohn D.
antiently granted to them from the Earl of Chester in which was contein'd that they should enjoy as ample liberties as the Burgesses of Lincoln and added that the said Earl in his time had a Faire in that street and so likewise his heires till such time as the before-mentioned Roger de Montalt and Cecily his wife demised that street to the predecessors of the said Prior judgment was given for the Prior with lx li. damages and command that they should not sell their commodities any where upon the Friday but in the Priors part But in E. 3. time after the possession of Cheylesmore came to the hands of Q. Isabell there grew some dispute touching the extent of the Priors part so that by an Indenture tripartite bearing date 29. E. 3. made betwixt the said Q. with the Mayor and Commonalty on the one part and the Prior and Covent on the other the division betwixt their said parts was by metes and bounds there described in manner followâ—ng viz. beginning at the stones or pillars near the Cross of S. Iohn Bapt. Hospitall including Northwards all Bishop-street and so all along towards the Common-Quarry neer the garden of Ric. Buckmore and thence streight on taking in all S. Nicholas-street even to the high-way leading unto Radford and so through the midst of Radford to Broad oak towards the East and thence to Whittemore environing that mannour and so to Blakemore and Cuenetsord and thence turning aside by a little brook running from Endemere towards Coventre into Swanneswell-pool and from that pool by a hedge and ditch of the Priory neer to the gate called Derugate to Erlesmylne and thence on the back-side of Erles-orchard including the Bishops-palace and so to the wall of the Priory well-yard and along by the gate of the Monastery to the corner of Trinity-Churchyard where the Butchers use to be and from that corner directly along by the west-gate of the Priory and the guest-stable-wall to the running river and so thwarting the brook excluding S. Iohn's-Hospitall and the Bake-house belonging thereto unto the Cross or pillars before mentioned So that whatsoever is included within those bounds was the Priors part and all the rest the Earles part Divers other Covenants are contain'd in the said tripartite Indenture whereof the Friday-market for cattell and timber is one of the principall which was agreed to be kept in Bishop street and Cook-street as it had wont to be but that the said Prior and his successors should take no Toll except for Horses onely And that the sale of all other vendible commodities whatsoever in this town should be by the ordering of the Mayor and Commonalty and their successors for ever As for the severall messuages and lands purchased by the Monks of sundry freeholders within the precincts of Coventre as also in their other Lordships in E. 2. time and afterwards I shall decline the particular mention of them in regard that there is not any thing very notable to be observed either of the persons from whom they were acquired or of the lands themselves The next thing that in order of time I meet with which may be reckoned worthy of note in relation to this Monastery is that the Clergy and people of the Archdeaconry of Coventre did in Anno 1410. 12. H. 4. make an humble representation to Iohn Keterich B. of this Dioces that the memory of the holy Virgin S. Osburg unto whom this monastery was specially dedicated grew famous for many miracles in those days for as much as divers weak and infirm people which came to her tombe situate in the Priory-Church and there and elswhere imploring her prayers and merits had been restored to bodily health and soundness And therefore did petition the same Bishop that her Birth-day might be solemnized and the said virgin reverenced in Hymnes and Psalmes with other devout suffrages Whereupon the B. caused a Synod of the Clergy of this Archdeaconry to be convened in the said Church the 13. of Octob. in the same year wherein it was determined that her said Birth-day should be solemnized and kept as a double Festivall throughout the whole Archdeaconry every year for ever and in as compleat a manner as the Feast of their Churche's dedication But I now come to that fatall Survey in 26. H. 8. the forerunner of its dissolution wherein I shall not descend to particulars but only represent what the yearly revenew thereof was then certified to be viz. 731. li. 19. s. -05 d. Out of which the Fee-ferme rent to the Crown reserved by Rog. de Montalt as I have shewed with all other Pensions and annuall payments amounting to 249. li. 05. s. 09. d. being deducted the clear remainder was 499. li. 07. s. 04. d. per annum Amongst which deductions I find that 14. li. 13. s. ii d. per annum was reckoned for bread beer and two messes of meat daily viz. as much as would suffice for two Monks and allowed to the poor of S. Iohn's Hospitall within this City upon the first foundation thereof And 06. li. 13. s. 04. d. in money bread wine and other victuall distributed to poor people on Maunday-thursday yearly at the washing of their feet And also 12. li. 11. s. 04. d. for the yearly maintenance of poor Schollars in the said Monastery And 26. s. 08. d. for to keep the Anniversary of E. Leofrik the founder and of the Countess Godeva his wife At the time of which Survey Henry Marq. Dorset was high Steward and had 04. li. per annum Pension and Will. Gevyns Receiver-generall who had 10. li. per annum annuity But behold the instability of these terrestriall things what the pious Founder and all other its worthy benefactors had with great zeal to Gods glory so cheerfully given and bestowed on the structure endowment and adorning of this sometime famous Monastery and that with such heavy imprecations and curses upon any that should take away or diminish ought thereof as the Charters before cited do manifest Against which violators of the Church its patrimony the representative body of this Realm had also so often in terrorem pronounc't solemn curses in open Parliament as whosoever shall cast his eye upon our Statutes and publique Hist. may discern was subverted torn away and scattered in 30. of King H. 8. raign after it had stood neer 500. years the glory of all these parts at which time the very Church it self though a most beautifull Cathedrall and the mother-Church of this City scap't not the rude hands of the destroyers but was pull'd in pieces and reduc't to rubbish For the countenance of which sad Act the then Prior and Covent seeing the fate of some others that refus'd was no less than to be hang'd up at their gates were brought to make surrender of the same into the hands of Commissioners for the Kings use as appears by their publique Instrument under Seal bearing date 15. Ian. in the
not need to say any thing more then what the Inscription upon the walls there do declare May the 4. an 1529. Mr. William Fourd of this City Merchant of the Staple founded this Almehouse for five men and one woman and gave to each of them five pence a week for their maintenance Afterwards Mr. William Pisford his Executor gave other lands aud appointed six men and their wives to be placed therein and each couple to have seaven-pence half peny a week But Mr. William Wigston having power from both of them to alter adde or diminish their wills for the better ordering of the said House did ordain that there should be but five men and their wives and a Nurse and each couple to have seven pence half peny a week and the Nurse the same In the seventh year of King James the lands given to this Hospitall were questioned as concealed from the Crown and were again purchased by the City who have ever since maintained the charitable uses with a great addition out of the Chamber of the City In the year 1621. the City added another man and woman at their own charge so that there is now six couple besides the Nurse each couple being allow'd two shillings weekly and the Nurse one shilling a week although there be not any advance of the Rent to the City Mr. Simon Norton Alderman of this City gave towards the maintenance of one man and woman in this Hospitall for which the City doth allow two shillings a week also as the rest have so that there is now seaven couple and a Nurse in this Hospitall The white Friers ON the South-east part of this City stood the Friers-Carmelites commonly called the White-Friers another sort of Mendicants The first institution of which Order as divers Authors affirm having been Elias the Prophet at Mount-Carmell in Syria where living a retired life in the service of God he gave example unto many devout Anachorites to repair thither for solitude but these being disperst over the whole mountain in private Cells were at length by Almeric Bishop of Antioch reduced into one Covent at which time they elected out of themselves a Superior and first began the foundation of a Monastery where the Chappell of the Blessed Virgin stood viz. near the fountain of Helias Howbeit the observance of this life began not till the days of Pope Alexander the third about the year 1170. Nor till the time of Innocent 3. near 40. years after had they any direct Order that Albert B. of Hierusalem prescribed unto them thus living in the wilderness a form out of St. Basills Rule and a parti-coloured mantle of white and red such a one as Helyas the Prophet antiently used which afterwards Honorius iii. altered conceiving it not to be so proper and in sted of the party-colour appointed that it should be all white calling the Covent of these Freres the family of the Blessed Virgin in regard the white colour being least spotted doth best accord with Virginity But the first mention that I find of their propagating in this Realm is in an 1250. 34 H. 3. at which time Sir Iohn de Vescy of Alnwike in Northumberland a great Baron in those days returning from the Holy land brought into England this Order of Friers and built for them a Monastery at Holme in Northumberland then a desert place and not unlike to Mount-Carmell before mentioned Yet here in Coventre they setled not till an 1342. 16 E. 3. that Sir Iohn Poultney Kt. 4. times Lord Mayor of London erected this House for them whose Armes cut in stone are still extant over the Gates thereof With lands they had no endowment but as the Grey-Friers before spoken of lived on the charity of good people which was not slender so high an opinion had the strictness of their Rule and austerity of their lives obtained there being few persons of quality residing within many miles that by their Testaments gave not liberally to them as by that of the Lord Basset of Drayton in 7 R. 2. appeareth whereby they had no less then a Legacy of CCC l. Further mention after which time I find not till 1 H. 5. that the K. granted licence to Will. Botener of Withibroke to give unto them a piece of ground lying here in Coventre containing 141. foot in length and 45. in breadth for the enlargement of their habitation in consideration whereof they were to celebrate the Anniversary of Iohn Percy and Alice his wife deceased But shortly after the foundation of this Religious house was there one William a Frere thereof who became very famous for his learning and was commonly called Guilhelmus Coventre of whom Balaeus in his sixth Century pag. 461. maketh large mention and of the works that he wrote whereunto I refer my Reader In 22 H. 7. did Sir Thom. Poultney of Misterton Kt. lineall heir to the before specified Sir Iohn by his Testament bearing date 3. Apr. bequeath his body to be buried in the Chancell here appointing that at his Funerall 24. torches each having his Armes upon them should be born by xxiiii poor men every one having a Gown with the Libberds-head behind and before Carmelita Hugo Burnby Thom. Fyscher Ric. Wodcoke Thom. Vicars Will. Walkar Will. Harryson Ioh. Pasty Ioh. Hurst Ric. Cowper Will. Madder Ioh. Newbold Ioh. Elyson Ric. Cowper Will. Kynge No Pension being allow'd to any of them After which this House with all that belong'd thereunto excepting the rent of xx s. per annum due to Mereton's Chantry before mentioned was inter alia by the Kings Letters pat dated 27. Aug. 36. H. 8. granted to Sir Raph Sadler Knight and his heirs to hold in Burgage which Sir Raph sold it to Iohn Hales of whom I have spoke in S. Iohn's Hospitall who made it his habitation as it seems For by his last Will and Testament dated 17. Dec. 15. Eliz. appointing it to be sold he there calls it by the name of Hales-place alias White-Friers in Coventre This was that Iohn whom the learned Leland called Hales with the club-foot which lameness and deformity was occasioned as I have heard by a wound with a dagger that casually in running fell forth of the sheath into the dirt so that as he stept forward the sole of his foot did hit upon the point thereof He dyed 5. Cal. Jan. Anno 1572. 15. Eliz. and was buried in the Church of S. Peters the Poor in Broadstreet London as his Epitaph in Stow's Survey which I have here inserted imports Dominus Johannes Hales à pueritiâ literis deditus excellenti ingenio docilitate memoriâ studio industria singulari adjunctâ linguarum disciplinarum juris Antiquitatis rerum divinarum atque humanarum magna multiplici doctrina instructissimus Evasit innocentiâ integritate gravitate constantiâ fide pietate religione gravissimae etiam aegrotationis rerum difficilium diuturnâ perpessione
them the said Roger and Cecily and their heirs are excepted the homage services of Walter Deyvill and Milo Gerbold for lands they then held in this Whitley Whereby it is clear that they or their ancestors were enfeof't of what they had here from some of the Earls of Chester Which Roger and Cecily in 7. E. 1. were found to be Lords thereof but that the King had at that time foure Freeholders here who held one cottage two yard land and five acres under severall rents And that the said Roger then had one Freeholder viz Adam fil Milonis who held one yard land It was then also certified that the Prior of Coventre had six Freeholders here who occupyed one yard land and half two acres and half a rod with a Water-mill Of which tenants who paid certain rents and did sute to his Court twice in the year Raph de Whitley was one I am of opinion that the said Milo Gerbold was the father of that Adam who is stiled Adam fil Milonis This Adam fil Milonis for I presume it was he was in 12. E. 1. called Adam de Whitley and then certified to hold one yard land in this place by inheritance of Sim. fil Mauricii Who had a grant of K. H. 3. of xxii s. free yearly rent issuing out of those lands so held of the K. as abovesaid Which Rent was in 31. E. 1. convey'd by Roger le Tayllur to one Adam de Okes and his heirs Who in 18. E. 2. was found to dye seized of certain tenements here held of the King by the payment of a half-penny per annum called Warthe at the feast of S. Martin by the hands of the Shiriff of Warwick-shire Will. de Okes son of Will brother to the said Adam being his cosin and heir and of full age Which Will. 18. E. 3. dyed seised of the same leaving Philip his son and heir of full age But hitherto hath there been no mention of Whitley as a Mannour howbeit in 3. R. 2. it was found that Thomas de Freberne dyed seized of it by that name leaving Alice his daughter and heir then ten years of age Nevertheless in 6. R. 2. upon a suite for the title thereof it was found that the said Thomas Freberne had sold the inheritance thereof to one Thomas de Whitley and his heirs Which Thomas de Whitley past it away to Iohn Botoner and two others to whom it was adjudged What bargaining there had been for it I cannot declare but in 19. R. 2. the King granted the custody thereof to Rob. de Malton Clerk and Henry Wybbe it being seised into his hands by reason of the Minority of Margaret sister and heir to Iohn Palmer son of William Palmer Which Will. dyed in 16. R. 2. and his brother Iohn in 19. After this viz. in H. 6. time I find that Iohn Schipley of Coventre was seized of it perhaps by some private deed to direct the uses unto that Fine levved in 2. H. 6. betwixt Will. Schipley Clerk and others plaintiffs and Iohn Burton of Coventre and Ioan his wife deforc But hence for want of light I must make a leap to Q. Marye's time in the second year of whose raign Will. Starky gent. dyed seized of it leaving Thomas his son and heir of full age By whom or his descendants it was sold to .... Tate as I have heard which is like to be true for in 43. Eliz. Will. Tate son of Bartholomew Tate of Northamptonshire was certified to be Lord thereof and of full age A little below Whitley the river Shirburne quitting the libertyes of Coventre where with also I have now done joyns with Sow I must therefore ascend that stream again untill it bring me to its entrance of Knightlow-Hundred which is just at Sow a place taking its name from the brook neer which it is sitâ—at Sow HAlf of this village was given to the Priory of Coventre by E. Leofrike the Founder in the first year of King Edward the Confessor and by the Conq. Survey certified to containe 3. hides and a half whereof the woods extended to half a mile in length and 4. furlongs in breadth all being valued at lx s. But the residue thereof the King and R. Venator then held which R. Venator is also called Rich. Forestarius and had here only one hide The Record doth not express the particular extent of his woods but declares that those there belonging to the King the Abbot id est of Coventre and him the said Richard were three miles in length and one in breadth which with the abovesaid hide being rated at the other half were then also valued at lx s. With the Priors part wherein the Monks in 41. H. 3. had Free-warren I will begin By the Record of 7. E. 1. it appears that the Monks of Cov. had in this place one carucate of land with a Mill in demesne and ten servants holding five yard land by rent service viz. plowing harrowing mowing making and carrying hay reaping corne raking and the like work As also 13. Freeholders which held xii yard land paying each of them a certain annuall rent and doing suit to the Priors Court twice in the year for all services And likewise the royalty of 80. acres of out-wood in which all their Freeholders were to have house-bote and heybote and moreover the Chappell appropriat with half an acre of land adjoyning thereto Which said appropriation was made by Roger Meuland B. Coventry and Lichfield 5. Non. Nov. An. 1260. 44. H. 3. whereby it appears to have been appurtenant unto the Church of S. Michael in Coventry but the greater Tithes viz. corne hey wood and of the Mill the Prior held in his own hand â—he rest viz. wooll lambe with all the small tythes being allowed to the Priest that served the cure there who had also a house adjoyning to the Churchyard and ten acres of glebe which Priest was removable at the Priors pleasure having neither Institution nor induction by the ordinary But besides the particulars above exprest they had likewise here a Mannour-house Court-Leet Gallows Pillory Cuckingstool Felons-goods as also power to punish the breakers of the Affize of bread and beer to which Court did resort all the Priors tenants in Bilney Wilnhale and Ruyton Some other grants there were made at severall times to the said Monastery by particular persons having Freeholders in Sow which being so intermixt with the rest would hardly now be distinguish't though I should point at them as exactly as by the help of Records I could therefore I shall spare that labour and observe that after the dissolution of that Monastery the said Priors Mannour in 32. H. 8. being passed with other lands to Sir Iohn Harington Knight and his heirs to be held in Capite there was then the remainder of a lease unexpired which had
touching the first of that Order erected here in England I find some difference amongst our Historians some affirming it to have been Rievaulx in Yorksh. Bernard Abbot of Clerevaulx sending over part of that Covent to plant there and to instruct the Monks thereof in that Rule which foundation was so made by Walter Espec in an 1132. 33 H. 1. But that Waverle in Surrey preceded it whereof this of Cumbe was a daughter I am much the more confident in regard 't is clear that Will. Giffard B. of Winchester was Founder thereof which Will. dyed 25 Ian. 29 H. 1. four year before Rievaulx is said to be founded And to confirm this that I say hearken to what our old Poet Robert of Gloucester hath to that purpose Houses of Religion as I seide er I wene Kynge Henry lovede moche as hit was wel sene For the ordre of Graye-monkes thorwz then men brouzt Furst here into Englonde and peraventer men him bisouzt As in the Abby of Waverle that hit furst become As in the eizte and twenty yeer of his Kyngdome Having said thus much of their original and first coming into England I shall adde a word or two of the strictness in their Rule and so proceed with my discourse touching the further endowment of this Monastery First for their habite they wear no Leather or Linnen nor indeed any fine Woollen Cloth neither except it be in a journey do they put on any breeches and then upon their return deliver them fair washt Having two Coats with Cowles in Winter time they are not to augment but in Summer if they please may lessen them In which habite they are to sleep and after Mattens not to return to their beds For Prayers the hour of Prime they so conclude that before the Laudes it may be Day-break strictly observing their Rule that not one jote or tittle of their service is omitted Immediatly after Laudes they Sing the Prime and after Prime they go out performing their appointed hours in work what is to be done in the day they act by day-light for none of them except he be sick is to be absent from his Diurnall hours or the Compline When the Compline is finished the Steward of the House and he that hath charge of the guests go forth but with great care of silence serve them For Dyet the Abbot assumes no more liberty to himself then any of his Covent every where being present with them and taking care of his flock except at meat in regard his Table is alwaies with the strangers and poor people nevertheless wheresoever he eats is he abstemious of talk or any dainty fare nor hath he or any of them ever above two dishes of meat neither do they eat of fat or flesh except in case of sickness And from the Ides of September till Easter they eat no more than once a day except on Sundays no not on any Festivall Out of the precincts of their Cloyster they go not but to work neither there or any where do they discourse with any but the Abbot or Prior. They unweariedly continue their Canonicall hours not peicing any service to another except the Vigils for the deceased They observe the Office of St. Ambrose so far as they could have perfect knowledge thereof from Millain and taking care of strangers and sick-people do devise extraordinary afflictions for their own bodies to the intent their souls may be advantaged Which Rules were duly observed by the first Abbot and Covent but afterwards somewhat was abated of that austerity but their habite is still white and nothing different in the fashion from the Monks of St. Benedict's Rule except a girdle which these wear about their middle Being now to speak of the particular endowments which this Monastery had I shall but onely point at the Benefactors with the places where those lands and possessions so given were situate in respect that the substance of them were in this County so that as they fall in my way I omit them not And first touching the posterity of Camvill I onely find that Gerard de Camvill son and heir to Richard the Founder and Nichola de Haya his wife Daughter of Geffrey de la Haya gave to these Monks C. sol to keep his Anniversary there for ever but Nigel de Moubray added all the rest of the woods which adjoyned to those that Roger his Father had bestowed on them before Will. de Moubray son to the same Nigel confirming whatsoever his ancestors had given The other speciall Benefactors were these Richard de Morevill who gave certain lands in Withibroke Thurbert de Bilneie with some others a large part of Bilneje Laurence Prior of Coventre with the Covent of that place half a hide of land in the said town of Bilneje Herbert Putot certain lands in Hopsford Thomas the son of Laurence de Stoke xxiiii acres of land in Withibroke and all his errable land in Bilneje Seher the son of Hugh le Harper of Stoke a wood called Harpers wood lying in Stoke Alice the wife of Walter Britton Wikin-mill which lyeth near Sow and a messuage there Rob. Chetwode and Sibil his wife Purmilne in Stretton super Fosse Agatha le Strange divers lands in Wlricheston now Wolston Ric. de Frevile Merston mill Hamund de Thurvile lands in the same Merston Will. de Borthun Blakedon-mill in â—he Parish of Lillington Walter Spigurwell of Emscote certain Common of pasture in the said Blakedon In Church-Lawford were there divers petty parcells of land given to these Monks some by Roger Hayrun Lord thereof and some by inferior men So also in Ansti and Shulton by Rog. de Buschervill and others Little-Lawford was wholy bestowed on them by Iohn de Chavini Lord of that Mannour In Herdeberwe were divers small parcells of land given by ordinary persons so likewise in Burthingbury In Little-Copston and Wolvey by Rob. Basset and Reginald his son which Reginald gave also the moytie of the Church of Wolvey In Shirford and Bromcote they had lands also given by Thomas Trove Lord of Shirford and others And in Merston Iabet divers petty parcels by inferior persons besides all that Iohn de Merston otherwise called Iohn Iabet had in that Village Part of which lands in Merston were particularly assigned to find shoos for the poor that were dayly releived at the Abby-gate So likewise were certain lands in Bilney and some houses in Coventre In Cotes id est Coton juxta Church-Over and Neuton they had much of the grant of Hugh Bagot Symon Bagot and others In Church-waver they had also divers small parcells bestowed on them by Rob. de Waver and others In Holme now called Biggin the Mill there with certain lands In Caldecote half a yard land given by Emme
the wife of Will. Pludio In Napton two yard land granted to them by Hugh de Alneto In Rodburne a large quantity given by VVill. de Arden In Hodenhull very much by VVill. Angevin and divers more And in Astanescote severall parcells by sundry persons In Lodbroke the like some whereof Iohn de Lodbroke bestowed on them In Harberbury Reginald Basset gave all that he had which was a great proportion many others bestowing severall parcells In Coventre they had many houses and divers parcells of small Rent given to them by sundry persons all which Ranulph E. of Chester ratified In Staffordshire at Trescote VVill. fil VVydonis gave them two hides of land which Gervase Paganell Baron of Dudley confirmed But all these were antient gifts To which were added the Mannour of Little-Copston purchased by the Monks of Sir Andrew de Asteley in H. 3. time as I have there at large declared The Mannour of Brinklow granted to them by Will the son of Sir Robert Thorpe Kt. in 18 E. 3. And the perpetuall Patronage of the Church of Navesby in Northamptonsh obtained by them in 8. H. 6. Neither were the priviledges which they had throughout all their lands of mean consideration for K. H. 2. granted to them Free-warren Court leet Felons goods Infangthef and Outfangthef id est power to judge any thief taken within their Fee and to question any man dwelling with their own Fee and taken for felony in another place as also to judge him in their own Court. To be free likewise from services to the County or Hundred-Court and moreover for paying of Toll and all other customes pertaining to the Crown To these K. Ric. 1. added an immunity from paying Toll and repayring High-ways and Bridges And K. H. 3. from giving any Fine for murder committed within their liberties But such as they had from the Popes were in generall to their whole Order Innocent the 111. in 6. Ioh. exempting them from payment of any Tithes for those lands which they husbanded with their own proper labour or charges aswell such as had been antiently tilled as those that were but new broke up And his successor Honorius extending that Priviledge aswell to all such lands as they had obtained after the generall Councell id est of Lateran as what they had before which Bull of his bears date at Lateran 7. Kal. Iulii Pontif. sut vi Howbeit by the speciall command of Thomas Becket Archb. of Canterbury they were to pay Tithes to the Canons of Kenilworth for all that they had within the Parish of Smite as fully as the said Church of Smite received the same before the Cistercian Monks were seated there till that by complaint to Pope Urban the third who appointed Baldwin then Archb. of Canterbury to hear the matter the same was otherwise setled viz. that the Monks of Combe should thenceforth provide Divine service to be fitly celebrated in the Church of Smite discharging all duties to the Bishop and Archdeacon for that Church And touching viii marks yearly which the Canons of Kenilworth were to receive it was determined that six marks thereof which they had yearly out of the Church of Cherleton id est Cherleton-Camvile in com Somerset and the other two marks out of the Church of Brinklow which the Monks of Combe were content should be payd to those Canons they for peace sake allowing two shillâ— yearly Pension to be payd at the Feast of St. Michael towards the charge of Lights in the Monastery of Combe should suffice upon condition that if the Monks of Combe did till any ground out of which the Chappell of Brinklow had wont to receive Tithes before this agreement that they should still pay tythes for the same except it were new broke up ground as of woods reduced to tillage and except Gardens and inclosures within the precincts of the Grange there belonging to the Monks and what should arise by the keeping of Cattell which Award was made an 1187. 33. H. 2. Thus in great glory plentifully endowed stood this Monastery little less then 400. years till that K. H. 8. a person whose sensuall disposition suting so right with that corrupt age wherein he lived finding Instruments fit for his sacrilegious purposes contrived the destruction of it and all the rest of those pious foundations that his ancestors and other devout persons had made Of whose subtile practises for effecting that work I shall in a short Corollary before I finish this tract make some discovery Amongst which that generall Survey and valuation by Commissioners from him in 26. of his reign at Robin Hoods penni-worths did not a little conduce thereto At which time this Monastery with all its Revenues over and above reprises was certified to be worth CCCii l. xv s. iii. d. per an Of their Hospitality to strangers and great charity in dayly releif of poor people I need not descend to particulars our common Historians and the tradition of such who were eye-witnesses thereof before that fatall subversion of those Houses may sufficiently inform the world I shall therefore onely adde what the certificate upon the before mentioned Survey takes notice of touching this Abby viz. that by their Foundation and a Decree by a generall Chapter of their Order they bestowed in Almes on Maunday-Thursday every year 4. s. -8 d. money ten Quarters of Rye made in Bread at 5. s. the Quarter three Quarters of Malt made in Beer at 4. s. the Quarter and 300. Herings at 20. d. the Hundred distributed to poor people at the gate of the Monastery Their principall Officers being at that time these viz. Thomas Howard D. of Norff. high Steward whose fee therefore was v. marks per an which shews what respect the great Nobility had to those Religious persons Will. Wilcock Receiver generall whose fee was 6. l. per an And Baldwin Porter Auditor his fee being xl s. per an After which ere long ensued the surrender thereof to the K. hands viz. 21. Ian. 30. H. 8. by the then Abbot and his Covent whose names as they stand subscribed under their severall hands to their publick Instrument whereunto their conventuall Seal is affixed with the Pensions granted to them recorded in the Court of Augmentation I have here inserted Robertus Kynner Abbas Roberto Bate Abbati ib. lxxx l. Ric. Coventre sub-Prior Humfr. Sterky mon. vi l. Humfr. Byrmicham alias Starkey Thom. Sutton mon. vi l. Tho. Hampton alias Sutton Cellerar VVill. Sutton mon. vi l. VVill. Hampton alias Sutton Ric. Symning mon. vi l. Ric. Binley alias VVarde Ric. VVastell mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. VVill. Freman alias Aylson VVill. Freman mon. vi l. Ric. Adams alias Bradnack Ric. Braddok mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. Oliverus VVolston Olivero Hardwyn mon. v. xiii.iiii d. VVill. Brynklow alias Parr VVill. Persey mon. v. l. vi s. viii d. Thom. Beke
in all 17. quarters and a half and 6. quarters of Malt made in beer at 4 s. the quarter The yearly fee then to the principall Officers being to Henry Marq. Dorset their high Seward Liii s. iv d. To Robert Caster gent. their generall Receiver xxvi s. viii d. And to Thomas Gregory Auditor xxvi s. viii d. So that being in clear yearly value less than CC li. it was suppressed by Act of Parl. in 27. H. 8. whereupon the Monks were for the most part disposed of to other Religious Houses that then stood undissolved Thomas Tutbury the then Abbot having a Pension of 23 li. per annum assigned to him during his life Catalogus Abbatum 1. Willielmus primus Abbas obiit Id. Dec. anno 1159. 2. Rogerus obiit Non. Feb. anno 1178. 3. Nicholaus obiit Cal. Sept. anno 1188. 4. Henricus obiit 3. Id. Sept. anno 1189. 5 Will. Pershore translatus ad Bordesley 6. Will. de Campden Abbatizavit 8. ann 7. Will. de Tysoe obiit 10. Cal. Aug. an 1217. 8. Ranulphus cessit officio ann 1221. 9. Will. Gyldeford depositus ann 1231. 10. Osbertus de Westwelle renuntiavit officio Non. Sept. ann 1258. 11. Petrus Wyche obiit 9. Cal. Martii 1261. 12. Ric. de Merynton à regimine amotus ann 1272. 13. Tho. de Orlescote translatus ad Bordesle an 1277. 14. Wâ—ll de Heyford assumptus in Abb. de Bordesse an 1293. 15. Ioh. de la Sale depositus post an 16. 2. menses 16. Rob. de Hockele obiit die S. Desiderii Episc. an 1349. 17. Rob. de Atherston renuntiavit officio anno tertio regiminis sui 18. Thomas de Weston alià s dictus Tho. de Pipe successit eidem Roberto 9. Cal. Iunii an 1352. aetate juvenis Rob. Sutton 10. H. 7. Thom. Hodskinson Thom. Tutbury 27. H. 8. After the before-specified dissolution it contitinued not long in the Crown for in 30. H. 8. it was granted to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and his heirs Which D. had issue Henry and Charles who both dying childless Sir Ric. Cavendish Knight Sir William Sidney Knight Thomas Glemham Esq. Tho. Lovell Esq. Christian Darnell widow Eliz. the wife of Walter Ayscough Esq. and Eliz. the wife of Iohn Trye were found to be their cosins and heirs Betwixt whom partition being made 21. Maii 2. Eliz. the site of this Monastery with part of the lands thereunto belonging was allotted unto William Cavendish Esq. son and heir to the said Sir Richard Which Will. by the name of Will. Cavendish of Trymley St. Martin in Com. Suff. Esq. by his deed bearing date 17. Martii 3. Eliz. sold it unto Sir Rowland Hill and Sir Thomas Leigh Knights Aldermen of London After which upon division made of divers Mannours and Lands joyntly acquired by them the site of this Monastery became allotted to the same Sir Thomas Leigh who purchasing in the greatest part of all other lands lying in Stonley thereabouts and obtain'd in 4. Eliz. a Pat. of confirmation for them all together with the Mannour of Stonley Which Sir Thomas being son to Roger Leigh of Wellington in Shrop-shire descended by a younger branch from that antient family of the Leigh's of High-Leigh in Cheshire as their descent sheweth and bred up under the said Sir Rowland Hill an opulent merchant of London became at length for his skill and diligence his Factor beyond Sea and underwent that trust so well that Sir Rowland having no child match't his neece whom he much affected to him viz. Alice daughter to ...... Barker of Hamon in Shropshire upon whose issue he bestow'd the greatest part of his estate Much might be said of this Sir Thomas Leigh who was Lord Mayor of London in 1 Eliz. but let the Epitaph upon his Monument at Mercers-Chappell where he lyeth buried suffice for he dyed in that City ....... 14. Eliz. leaving issue 3. sons Rouland Thomas and William The eldest of which was largely provided for in Gloucester-shire at Longborow and thereabouts by the said Sir Rouland Hill his Godfather But the second here And the third at Neunham in this County had ample possessions setled upon them by their father and mother she being joyned purchaser in all and lived here at Stonley to a very great age to see her childrens children to the fourth generation where departing this life ..... Ian. an 1603. she was buried at the upper end of the Chancell on the North side The memoriall of which worthy Lady though there be none over the place of her sepulture will continue in that lasting monument of her piety erected in this Town I mean the Hospitall for poor people of which I shall say more anon Thomas the second son Knighted by Q. Eliz. and honoured with the title of Baronet at the first erection of that order scilicet 29. Iunii 9. Iac. wedded Katherine daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser of Wormleighton Knight by whom he had issue Sir Iohn Leigh Knight his son and heir whom he survived And having lived to a great age in much reputation being Custos Rotulorum for this County and in all publique employments of his time one of the superior rank deceased in Febr. 1. Car. leaving Sir Thomas Leigh son to the before specified Sir Iohn his next heir Which Sir Thomas now Lord of this Mannour having been dignified with Knighthood by King Iames wedded Mary daughter and coheir to Sir Thomas Egerton Knight eldest son to Thomas Lord Ellesmere Lord Chancelour of England and firmely adhering to the late King Charles in his greatest distresses was in testimony of his stedfast loyalty advanced to the degree and title of a Baron of this Realm The Church dedicated to our Lady whereunto belonged 8. yard land being given by K. H. 1. to the Canons of Kenilworth shortly after the Foundation of that Monastery was appropriated to them by Geffrey Muschamp Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield in King Iohn's time with a Pension of v. marks out of the Vicaridge and confirmed by Pope Gregory the ix anno 1228. 12. H. 3. And in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at 24. marks the Vicaridge in 26. H. 8. being likewise rated at vi li. -xv s. iv d. over and above xxx s. yearly Pension then payd to the Canons of Kenilw. and 8 s. per annum allowed for Procurations and Synodals Which Vicaridge was by the Lady Aliza Dudley augmented with 20 li. per annum out of lands purchased in Manceter whereof I have there taken notice who also gave three large and faire pieces of gilt plate to remain for the use of the Communicants here for ever The Hospitall before mentioned was founded by the said Lady Alice Leigh for ten poor people viz. five men and five women all of them to be unmarried persons and nominated by her but after her decease by Sir Thomas Leigh her son during his life and his heirs for ever
leaving Iames his son and heir 14 years of age Which Iames by his Deed dated 1 Martii 2 3. Ph. M. past it to Anthoâ—y Throgmorton Citizen and Mercer of London who 1 Maii 7 Eliz. sold it to Sir Tho. Leigh Kt. Citizen and Alderman of London whose great grandchild now of Stoneley enjoys it Ashowe HAving now done with that spacious parish of Stoneley following the stream of Avon I come next to Ashow situate on the Northwest side thereof In the Conq. time this was possest by Turchil de Warwik whose free-hold it had been before the Norman invasion one Ermenfridus then holding 2 hides thereof of the same Turchil Here were then also 2 Mills and woods of half a mile in length and 3 furlongs in bredth the whole value of all being certified at xl s. as the Survey then made doth manifest in which it is written Alceshot But 't is very like that there was some mistake in the transcriber for in all antient Records after that time it is written Essesho which makes me conjecture that the original appellation thereof was either by reason of its situation Eastwards from Wotton for of that parish it hath been and that the syllable ho was at first hoâ— which with the Saxons signified a House or Cave or else from the old English word aesce which signifieth an Ash. And as I have taken liberty to guess here at the occasion of its name so must I do touching the succession thereof in regard that the light which I have from Record is so dim in many places Finding therefore that the Verdons were superiour Lords of the Fee here and that Lecelina mother to the first Bertram de Verdon that had any thing to do in this County as I have in Brandon manifested was daughter to Geffrey de Clinton that founded the Castle and Priory of Kenilworth in H. 1. time and gave a meadow here to the Canons of Kenilworth called Ruggenhale which shews that it came by her I need not much doubt but that Turchil de Warwick's issue being dispossest of the most of their fathers lands as I shall elswhere shew this was inter alia bestowed by K. H. 1. on the said Geffrey whom he advanced so high as in Kenilworth is declared and given by him to Norman de Verdon with his said daughter Lecelina in marriage And to that opinion I do the more incline when I consider that it was antiently a Chapelry to the mother Church of Wotton which Church the said Geffry gave to the Canons of Kenilworth at the very foundation of that Monastery But it seems that Verdon did antiently enfeoff one of the Simelyes in this Ashow for in 36 H. 3. Geffrey de Simely held here and in Caldecote half a Kts. fee of Roise de Verdon and she of the Earl of Warwick Which Roise being the heir female of that great family dyed in 32 H. 3. To the said Geffrey succeeded William who in 7 E. 1. with the Abbot of Stoneley was certified to be Lord of this place then written Assche both of them holding the same of Theobald de Verdon whereof the said Will. then had 8 acres in demesn 2 Cottagers owing suit to his three weeks Court here twice a year making appearance at his Court of Brandon and xi Free-holders who held 4 yard land and a half and 9 acres and a half Which Will. had also a certain out-wood here containing 6 acres and another several wood of 6 acres more Here likewise had the Abbot of Stoneley 3 Cottiers and 3 Free-holders who then held 3 yard land a quarter and 4 acres doing suit twice a year also at the Court of Brandon But in 29 E. 1. did Geffrey de Simely alien to Tho. E. of Lancaster then Lord of Kenilworth-castle and his heirs all his wasts and woods called Widenhaye lying in this Lordship viz. betwixt the bank of Avon and the said Earls wood called the Frith belonging to Kenilworth which grant Ric. Basset and Esylia his wife sometime the wife of Wâ—ll de Symelie and mother to the said Geffrey confirmed Howbeit after this Geffrey I have not seen any more of their male line but in 20. E. 3. Iohn de Hokkeley is certified to hold part of a Kts. fee here of the heirs of Verdon The like appears in 34 E. 3. wherein the same is mentioned to be that which Geffrey de Simely held But in 2 H. 4. Will. Allesley had it Little have I seen that is further memorable relating to this place other than that in 13 E. 4. Iohn Hugford Esq and Tho. Waldeyve had license to grant inter alia 8 mess. 2 carucats 20 acres of land 12 acres of wood xii s. a pound of Pepper and a red Rose yearly rent all lying here with half the fishing in Avon to the Monks of Stoneley for ever All which coming to the Crown by the dissolution of that Monastery is possest by the Lord Leigh together with Stoneley and most of the lands sometime belonging thereto The Church dedicated to the Assumption of our Lady having been antiently but a Chapel belonging to Wotton as I have already intimated was confirmed to the Canons of Kenilworth in H. 2. time by Ric. Peche B. of Cov. and had a Pension of xx s. per ann granted out of it to the said Canons by Geffrey Muschamp one of his successors in K. Iohn's time In ann 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at v marks and in 26 H. 8. at vi l. ii s. over and above the xx s. yearly Pension due to the Canons of Kenilworth and 8 s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals But it hath lately been augmented with xx l. per ann by the Lady Aliza Dudley in such sort as the rest were whereunto she gave the like annuity as in Mancetâ—r I have declared Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Inst. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. de Greneburgh Cler. 9 Cal. Dec. 1324. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Houghton Cler. 16 Cal. Oct. 1333. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Shulton Pbr. Id. Nov. 1343. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Torald 12 Cal. Dec. 1345. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Frolesworth Cler. 7 Id. Maii 1349. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Rad. de Cleybroke Cler. 8 Cal. Aug. 1349. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Hugo de Ryby Pbr. 2 Non. Sept. 1361. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Tho Dawen 6 Id. Martii 1364. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Stoneley Pbr. 7. Cal. Nov. 1369. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. de Milverton Pbr. 23 Sept. 1383. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Tho. Cresset Pbr. 24 Martii 1398. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Rouland Pbr. 10 Oct. 1427. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Drury Cap. 22 Iulii 1428. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Tho. Taylour
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
Incumb temp Instit. D. Ioh. Paynell miles Ingeramus de Yerdle Cap. prid Cal. Sept. 1301. D. Ioh. Paynell miles Thom. de Herdwik Pbr. 3. Id. Febr. 1301. Thom. le Blount mil. Thom. le Blount subdiac 5. Id. Martii 1327. D. Will. de Clinton mil. Rad. de Melbourn Cler. 14. Cal. Nov. 1334. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Thom. de Wyleby Pbr. 13. Cal. Iunii 1342. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Adam de Whytington Pbr. Non. Dec. 1353. D. Iuliana de Hastings Comitissa Huntind Will. Sacry Cap. 4. Cal. Apr. 1361. D. Iuliana de Hastings Comitissa Huntind Will. Whitâ—heved Pbr. 23. Aug. 1361. D. Iuliana de Hastings Comitissa Huntind Ric. de Saldeford Pbr. Non. Nov. 1366. D. Rex ratione custod terr Ioh nuper Comit. Pembr Thom. Chapman Cap. 12. Novemb. 1391. Ioh. Hervy Ioh. Styvecle Will Wenlok Benedictus Nichole 20. Maii 1393. Ioh. Prat Ioh. Grant Cler. alii hac vice Will. Baron Pbr. 1. Iunii 1397. Margeria Olney de Weston Vnderwood Thom. Beale Pbr. 7. Oct. 1434. Margeria Olney de Weston Vnderwood Ioh. Reynald Pb. 27. Ian. 1441. Rob. Olney D. de Burdingbury Ioh. Lyke Pbr. 12. Febr. 1443. Rob. Throgmorton ar Roulandus Addyson Pbr. 15. Apr. 1495. Rob. Throgmorton ar Christoph. Masse Pbr. 1. Aug. 1497. Will. Middilmore alii ratione concess strenui viri Rob. Throgmorton mil. D. Ioh. Becheton Cap. 24. Oct. 1539. Immina Ogyll vidua D. Iac. Persyvall Cler. 12. Aug. 1549. Iasper Leeke gen Will. Clever Cler. 8. Aug. 1566. Ric. Cotton hac vice ex concess Iasp. Leeke Mauritius Roulands 18. Aug. 1570. Ioh. Shukborow Hugo Conwaie Cleric 12. Sept. 1573. D. Eliz. Regina Cutbert Terye Cler. 11. Nov. 1581. .... Shukborow ar Ric. Crispe Cleric 1. Maii 1604. Marton ABout a mile below Birdingbury stands Marton which I conceive had its name originally from the Moore or Marish-ground adjoyning the O by antient use in pronuntiation being changed into A as in the North parts of this Kingdom where the Vestigia of our old English are yet most plain to be found is yet veâ—y usuall and whereof there is frequent mention in the Conquerours Survey one of the Hundreds then in being as I have already shewed bearing the title thereof yet do not I find any particular mention of it unless it be that which is there certified to be held by Richard Forestarius and written Mortone whereof the value is certified at xx s. having been the freehold of one VViching before the Norman invasion It should seem that Robert de Craft was owner of it in H. 2. time and that he held itâ— partly of Hugo filius Ricardi of whom I have â—poke in Wroxhale and partly of VVilliam Earl of Warwick For upon the Kings confirmation of the Church to the Nuns of Eaton in this County it is expressed to be of the gift of the said Robert de Craft and of the fee of the same Hugo fil Ricardi and VVilliam Earl of Warwick Whereby I may conclude that the said Robert de Craft was Lord of the Mâ—nnâ—ur But for want of further lighâ— from Record I shall not be able to discover who were owners of it in â— perfect Series and therefore by that little glimpse I have will adventure to guess In 12 Iâ—h VValter VValeâ—â—nd held half a Knights fee here but it should seem that the Canons of Chaucumbe in Northampton-shire and all oâ— the greatest part of the Maâ—â—â—ur before the Rebellion in King Iohn's time for in 1 H. â— the Shiriff had command to give them the like possession thereof as they had before that waâ—r and of which they alleaged that they were unjustly disseised by VVilliam Bâ—sset In 20. H. 3. â—t was certifiâ—d that Raph de 〈◊〉 held a Knights fee here of the Earl of Warwick and in 36 H. 3. that Thomas de Clinton held the same of those Earls Shortly after which viz. in 50 H. 3. I find that Raph Basset of Sapcote one of the vanquisht Rebeâ—ls in the battail of Evesham had xl s. Rent here But what that was to the Mannour or part thereof I am not able to say yet this subsequent particular which I have noted may perhaps by the help of other authorities when they shall be found give some light therein viz. that in 18 E. 1. VVilliam de Hamelton had one mess and one carucat of land in this village which mess was held of Iohn Enâ—ayne and Ioan his wife who held it over of Nicholas Charnells and he of Simon Basset and he of the Earl of Warwick Now that Charnells had some relation to Craft by descent I have in Bilton shewed some probability but to draw any absolute conclusion from these premisses I shall not adventure One thing I meet withall which inclines me to think that whereas it is recorded in the Conquerors Survey that the Earl of Mellent held half â— hide in Mortone unto which one VVallef whose â—reehold it was before the Conquest was then his tenant it is meant this Marton for upon the extent of the lands of Edmund Earl of Lanc. â—n 25 E. 1. it appears that Iohn de Bishopsdon held in Merton which I take to be no other than this place the fourth part of a Knights fee as also that his tenants came to the Court-leet held for the Honour of Leicester And that which makes it more probable that this place or the greater part of it was antiently of the old Earls of Leicesters fee is not onely the grant of the Church to the Monastery of Nun-Eaton as I have already obseâ—ved which was of their foundation but that those Nuns at length were reputed to have the Seignory here as appears by the certificat in 9 E. 2. At which time I also find that Raph Bassâ—t of Sapcote held half a Knights fee therein of the Earl of Warwick Which half Knights fee was in 20 E. 3. certâ—fied to be heâ—d of the same Earls by Guy Bretton VVâ—ll lâ— Zouch and Iohn de Tewe which VVill. gave part of what he so had to the Canons of Studley Bâ—t further than what I have said can I find little relating to this place till Iohn Gold of Welton in Com. Northampt. gent. by his deed dated 2 Nov. 38 H. 8. past a certain Mannour here unto Thomas Oldfield and his heirs â—rom wâ—om descended as t is like Roul Oldfield of Twyford in Com. Sutht gent. which Roul 1. Maii 4. Iac. sold it to Iohn Davies of Watford in Com. Northampt. Câ—erke who 30. Sept. 14 Iac. aliened it to R.c. VValter father of Iohn VValter the present owner thereof As for that Mannour and lands which the Nuns of Eaton had they were 26. Iulii in 4. 5. Ph. M. past out of the Crown to Peter Temple and Mich. Cameswell which Peter and
Founder of that Monastery he there makes mention that his brother whose name is not exprest was his predecessor That which the E. of Mellent had here was also granted by some of the old Earls of Leicester to one of those Lodbrokes to hold by the fourth part of a Kts. fee for the same was held by their posterity of the Lord Ferrers of Groby who by Quincy deduceth his descent from a co-heir of those Earls Will. de Lodbroc 11 H. 2. Henr. de Lodbroc Will. de Lodbroc 1 Joh. Joh. de Lodbroc 1 Joh. Sarra Henr. de Lodbroc 34 H. 3. Isabella 34 H. 3. Joh. de Lodbroc 41 H. 3. Johanna filia haer Ric. de Baresworth 41 H. 3. Ioh. de Lobrock 3 E. 3. Henr. de Lodbroke miles 9 E. 2. Hugo de Lodbroc Rector cccl. de Blaby Ioh. de Lodbroc miles 33 E. 3. Leticia ux 1. Ioh. Hugo Tho. de Lodbroc 24 E. 3. Alicia filia Will. de Catesby 24. E. 3. Ioh. de Lodbroc miles 33 E. 3. Hawisia filia haer Rob. de Davintre mil. ux 2. Alicia uxor Ludovici Cardian temp R. 2. Cath. filia haeres Will. Hathewyk Ioh. Hathewyk gen 10 H. 6. Joh. de Lodbroc Rob. de Lodbrock Rad. Macer sive le Megre temp H. 2. In 5 Ioh. Iohn de Lodbroc granchild of Will being distrained by the E. of Leic. for the service of a Kts. fee heâ—d of the said Earâ— impleaded Tho. de Arden for not discharging him thereof Which Kts. fee lay in Leicestersh as I guess for this Mannour was held of the E. of Warwick by the service of a Kts. fee. This Iohn de Lodbroke in H. 3. time was often in Commiss for taking Assizes of Novel disseisin and Goal-delivery and for other affairs of great importance in this County as I shall here instance viz. in 16 H. 3. he with Will. de Bâ—ssâ—pâ—sdon had the custody of the Kings Eschaets and Wards committed to them and the same year was appointed one of the Commissioners for assessing and collecting a xl part of each mans movable goods for the Ks. use In 19 H. 3. he was constituted one of the Commissioners for gathering of Tallage upon the K. demesn lands and in 21 H. 3. for the collecting of a xxx part of all mens personal estates then granted to the K. In 25. he was one of those who with the Shiriff had appointment to view all the Castles in this County and to certifie under their Seals what defects they found in the strength of them To him succeeded Henry his son and heir who in 26 H. 3. was certified to hold 3 Kts. fees of the E. of Warwick and the next year following was one of the Justices for Goal-delivery at Warwick That this Henry and Iohn his father were Benefactors to the Monks of Combe the particular parcels of land in this Village given to that Monastery by them do sufficiently declare which were received with such gratefull respect as that Will. de Chelre the then Abbot with the Covent of that House by their publick Instrument dated on the Octaves of the holy Trinity an 1250. 34 H. 3. granted to the said Henry and his heirs the choyce of a fit Clerk to be presented in that Monastery and there shorn a Monk successively for ever for the health of the souls of Iohn de Lodbroch his father Sarra his mother and of his the said Henry and Isabell his wife In 39 H. 3. he underwent the Office of Eschaetor in this County and had issue Iohn who wedded Ioan the daughter and heir of Ric. de â—aresworth widow of Ric. de Bray This Iohn in 56 H. 3. received pardon from the King for payment of xl s. at which he was amerced by the Justices Itinerant for not being then a Kt. and in 28 E. 1. being constituted one of the Justices of peace in this County had the next year following Summons with divers other great men to attend the K. at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast-day of the Nativity of S. Iohn Bapt. well and sufficiently provided with Horses and Arms to march against the Scots I am of opinion that he was Knighted in that expedition for in 32 E. 1. I find him so stiled In 1 E. 2. he was again in Commission for the Goal-delivery at Warwick and left issue Henry de Lodbroke who in 9 E. 2. was a Kt. and in 17. in the List of those Kts. and men at Arms whose names were then returned into the Chancery Which Henry had issue Iohn who in 10 E. 3. had his Knighthood respited for 2 years Against this Iohn and his brother Hâ—gh did the Earl of Warwick commence suit in 17 E. 3. alledging that they went about fraudulently to avoâ—d him of the services due for the Mannor of Cuntasthorpe in Com. Leic. held of his fee. Which Iohn took to wife Hawisia the daughter and heir of Sir Rob. de Davintre Kt. and of Hawise his wife daughter of Will. de Keynes and by his Deed beating date the Tuesday next before the Feast of S. Barnabe the Apostle 21 E. 3. past this Mannour unto certain Feâ—ffees for the use of himself during life after to Thomas his eldest son and his heirs who had wedded the daughter of Will. de Catesby the remainder to Hugh brother to the said Thomas and his heirs and so to Iohn brother of the said Hugh and to his heirs and for default of issue by Iohn to the said Will. de Catesby and his heirs Which first mentioned Iohn being a Kt. in 23. E. 3. by his Deed dated at Toneworth the same year released â—o the said Will. de Catesby and Nich. Woodward of Itchington and their heirs all the right he had in this Mannour granting to them and their heirs the advouson of the Church and bore for his Arms. Azure a Cheveron ermine as by his Seal appeareth After which viz. in 46 E. 3. Tho. de Lodbroke son to the said Sir Iohn quitted all his interest in this Mannour to the before specified Will. de Catesby which Will. had issue Iohn who in 7 R. 2. his father being then dead did his homage to Henry Lord Ferrers of Groby for those lands that he held in Lodbroke of him viz. the fifth part of a Kts. fee which were of the Fee of Leicester In K. Ric. 2. time there were great suits betwixt Alice the wife of Lewes Cardian and him the said Iohn for this Mannour as appeareth by several Bils of complaint exhibited in the K. Court by her against him she pretending an Entail made by Sir Henry Lodbroke Kt. her grandfather by force whereof she claimed But Catesby alledged that his father purchased it from Sir Iohn Lodbroke Kt. father to Alice and that the said Deed of Entail was
that one of the ancestors to the family of Lodbroke had some grant from the Earl of Warwick of all that the said Earl had here so that the above specified G. de Clinton and he were at odds about the same which of them had the better title I will not here stand to argue but that Geffrey was a mighty man in H. 1. time in Kenilworth I have shewed so that the said ..... de Lodbroke though he recovered it as the Charter expresseth yet was he contented to hold it of the same Geffrey and by the advice of Walter Durdent then Bishop of Coventre did confirm the grant of this Church to the said Monastery in the presence of that Bishop and a great part of his Clergy which also was ratified by William de Lodbroch his brother and heir who likewise acquitted those Canons of v s. yearly Rent that had been paid to his predecessors out of a yard land that belonged to the said Church Of those possessions here in Herberbury that were of Clinton's fee in 31 H. 2. it was certified that the Templars held 5. yard land part of which were given by Geffrey de Clinton and part by Henry his son against whom in 2. Ioh. the said Templars required warranty Which land in 7 E. 1. was certified to be 1. carucat 2. yard land and 8. Acres all then held by 6. Freeholders who payd certain Rents for the same besides 2. cottages It was then also certified that the said Templars held 5. yard land here in demesn of Rob. fil Odonis which implyes that they had it of his grant But that part of Herberbury so possest by Lodbroke was given it seemes to Raph the son of Rob. de Lodbroke sirnamed Macer or Megre an appellation that he had by reason of his leanness Rob. de Lodbroch Rad. cognom Macer temp H. 2. Rob. le Megre 3. Ioh. Rob. le Megre 28. H. 3. Oliva soror Hug. de Ardern de Hampton amita una cohaer Willielmi Will. le Megre 52. H. 3. Amicia relicta 13 E. 1. Amicia filia cohaeres ux Ioh. Lupi sive Lou 13 E. 1. Margeria ux Philippi le Lovet Will. de Lodbroch For from the said Raph Macer had the Canons of Kenilworth also a confirmation of this Church with 2. yard land thereto belonging in the presence of Will. de Lodbrock his uncle in whose Fee it was situat To whom succeeded Robert le Megre his son who ratified his fathers grant and bestowed on the said Canons 2. yard land lying also in this place Which Rob. in 3. Ioh. gave 2. yard land lying here likewise to the Nuns of Eaton whereon the said Nuns in 7 E. 1. had x. tenants who held 1. yard land and half thereof at will performing divers servile imployments and 2. Freeholders that possest the other half yard land To this Robert succeeded another Robert who in 20 H. 3. answered for half a Kts fee in this place then held of the E. of Warwick and in 28 H. 3. was one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick This last mentioned Robert was a man of very great eminency in this Shire for his knowledge as appears by the trust then reposed in him For whereas in 30 H. 3. the K. had constituted Henry de Wyngham with one Kt. in every County from Trent Southwards to have custody of his Eschaets in the said severall Shires as also to enquire of all Sergeanties so as to certify in whose tenure they then were and in case any of them were alienated without the Ks. consent to discover by whom and to whom such alienations were made and of their values By vertue of which Commission they had also power to call before them xxiv or xii of the most antient lawfull and discreet Kts. in each particular County who being sworn were to enquire upon such Articles as should be exhibited to them touching the said Escheats Sergeanties the certificats whereof are recorded in the Exchequer in that known volume called Testa de Nevill under the title De sergeantiis arentatis this Rob. le Megre being the onely man made choyce of and appointed by the K. in this County performed that service and left issue Will. le Megre who on the Eve of S. Martin an 1254. 38 H. 3. by his Testam bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Monastery of Combe at which time he was received by those Monks to be partaker of all the benefits of their Order Which Will. departed this life before 13 E. 1. for then do I find that Amicia and Margerie were his daughters and heirs one whereof became the wife of Iohn Low and the other of Philip Lovet Whether these daughters had no issue and that thereby this Mannour eschaeted to Iohn de Lodbroke of whom it was immediatly holden or whether the said Iohn de Lodbroke obtained it by purchase or any other Agreement with them I know not but certain it is that his posterity enjoy'd it For in 9 E. 2. Henry de Lodbroke his son was certified to be owner thereof and that he held it by a Kts. fee of the E. of Warwick Which Sir H. de Lodbroke for he was a Kt. in 17 E. 2. setled it upon Iohn his son and Hawise then the wife of the said Iohn and the heirs of their two bodyes lawfully begotten rendring to him the said Sir Henry x marks sterling during his life After which viz. in 24 E. 3. by a â—ine then levyed betwixt the said Hawise Pl. and Will the son of Nich. le Wodward of Ichinton Deforc. it was setled upon the said Hawise for life and from her decease upon Will. de Catesby for life the remainder to Thomas the son of the said Sir Iohn de Lodbroke and Alice the daughter of the same Will. de Catesby and the heirs of their two bodies but for default of such issue to the right heirs of the said Thomas Which Thomas and all his brothers dyed without issue so that Alice the wife of Lewes Cardian became heir at law to them as by the descent in Lodbroke may be seen From whom descended Iohn Hathewyk son of Will. Hathewyk and Catherine daughter and heir of her the said Alice who in 10 H. 6. was certified to hold this Mannour by the 8 part of a Kts. fee at which time he resided here and had the addition of generosus But after this do I find no more mention in Record of this Mannour till 21 H. 8. that there was a Fine levyed thereof betwixt Rob. Dormer Esq and others Pl. and Rob. Corbet Dâ—forc though to what uses I know not Howbeit the next year following it was passed by Ioan the widow of the said Rob. Corbet unto Thomas Englefeild one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas Sir George Throgmorton Kt. and Edward Underhill Gent. as
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
suddain did so vigorously lay at the corner of the Gyants target that his Club bossed with Iron fell to the ground w ch whil'st he stretched out his arm to take up the Palmer with his sword cut of his hand whereupon the Danes grew much dismayed and on the other sidâ— was there as great rejoycing by K. Athelstan and the English and yet notwithstanding did Colbrond hold out the Combate till the evening of that day that by loosing so much bloud he fainted so that Guy with all his strength fetching a blow cut of his head The victory therefore thus happily obtained occasioned the Danes with great confusion to hasten a way and the valiant Guy to give thanks unto God repairing forthwith to the Cathedral where he was honourably received with solemne Procession by the Clergy and others and offered his weapon to God and the Patron of that Church before the high Altar which my Author saith even to his time was kept in the Vestry there and called by the name of Colbrond's Ax but this being done reassumed his Pilgrims habit Whereupon the K. became most importunat with him to discover his name but he utterly refused so to do except to himself and that upon his oath not to reveal it unto which condition the K. assenting they walkt out alone in a by-path to a certain Crosse at some distance from the Citie and as soon as they came thither humbly bowing himself to the K. and saying that he was Guy Earle of Warwick the K. embraced him in his arms kissed him and promised him large rewards if he would live in his Court but he with much thankfulnesse refusing to receive any besought the K. that he would not disclose what he had said in regard his resolution was to continue in that Pilgrims state and so they there parted with tears From whence the Earle bent his course towards Warwick and coming thither not known of any for three dayes together took Almes at the hands of his own Lady as one of those xiii poor people unto which she dayly gave relief her self for the safety of him and her and the health of both their Souls And having rendred thanks to her he repaired to an Heremite that resided amongst the shady woods hard by desiring by conference with him to receive some spiritual comfort where he abode with that holy man till his death and upon his departure out of this World which hapned within a short time succeeded him in that Cell and conâ—â—nued the same course of life for the space of two years after but then discerning death to apprâ—â—ch he sent to his Lady their Wedding Ring by a trusty servant wishing her to take care of his burial adding also that when she came she should find him lying dead in the Chapel before the Altar and moreover that within xv dayes after she her self should depart this life Whereupon she came accordingly and brought with her the Bishop of the Dioces as also many of the Clergy other people and finding his body there did honourably inteâ—re it in that Heremitage and was her self afterwards buried by him leaving her paternal inheritance to Reynburn her onely son Which departure of our famous Guy hapned in the year of our Lord Dccccxxix and of his own age the seventieth To whom succeeded the Noble Reynburn Earle of Warwick through his Mothers right who haveing been stolen away in his Child-hood and carried into Russia where he gave great testimony of his singular valour in sundry Warlike feats whilst he continued in those forreign part upon his return into Engl. wedded the beautifull Lady Leonetta daughter to K. Athelstan but afterwards dying beyond the Seas was buried in a certain Island near unto Uenice and left for his successor Wegeat alias Weyth the humed a person of great courage and much honoured for his skill in martial affairs This Wegeat was a benefactor to the Monastery of Evesham by giving thereunto six messuages lying in Whitlaxford and Grafton in this County and had issue Vsa commonly called Huve the humed a most deveut man and a special friend to the Monks of Evesham for in the year Dcccclxxiiii by the consent of K. Edgar he gave them the whole Village of Whitlaxford now called Wixford and little Grafton and bequeathing his body to sepulture in that Monastery departed this life about the beginning of the reign of S. Edward the K. and Martyr To whom succeeded Wâ—lgeat who obtained a grant from those secular Canons which were possest of the Abby of Evesham upon expulsion of the Monks for 5. hides of Land in the same Whitlaxford upon an easier rent than had wont to be given conditionally that upon his death the Monastery might repossesse the same Land with all the stock that then should happen to be upon it Notwithstanding which the Monks could not get it again of a long time after till that Abbot Egelwyne purchased it a new of Earle Wigod a potent man in the dayes of K. Edw. the Conf. This Wolgeat was in special favour with K. Ethelred but for his wicked courses and oppressions had all his Lands and honour taken from him in the year M. vi Whether he had ever restitution of them or in whose hands the Earldom was thereupon put is uncertain but true it is that Warwick with a great part of the Countrey became shortly after viz. An. M. xvi much wasted by Canutus the Dane at which time the Nunnery near to the Church of S. Nicholas as also the Abby were burnt to the ground When or by whom those Religious houses were founded I never yet could finde nor any mention of them before this It seems the Abby stood on the Northwest part of the Town for the Lane there called Abby-lane argueth as much And the said house of Nuns took up all that which is now S. Nichols-Church-yard with a great part of the ground whereupon the Hospital of S. Iohn Bapt. was afterwards built the Chancel of S. Nicholas Church being the Quire thereof I now come to Wigod the hereditary successor of Wolgeat who being a potent man and a great Warriour as also a special benefactor to the Monks of Evesham lived in the times of K. Ethelred K. Edmund and of the Danish Kings and had to wife the sister of Earle Leofrik founder of the Monastery at Coventre To him succeeded Alwyne contemporary with K. Edward the Conf. and Will the Conq. This is he that in the Conq. Survey is called Alwinus Vicecomes the reason whereof I conceive to be either because that he did exercise the power and Authority of the Earle of Mercia scil Earle Leofrike his Uncle here in Warwick-shire as his ancestors had done for which respect my Author reputes him and them Earls as I have already shewed and hath ranckt them in that degree or else that he had the custody of the County to the Kings immediate use
death I have not discovered To Henry succeeded Roger his son in the Earldom of Warwick who amongst other of the great Nobility was a witnesse to the Charter of K. Steph. Laws in 1. Steph. but for his military actions I finde no great commendation of him Nay it is reported by an Author of that time wherein he lived that he was vir mollis deliciis magis quam animi fortitudine affâ—uens Neverthelesse being one of those that adhered to Maud the Empresse he was with the Earle of Glouc. and divers other great men at the siege of Winchester in 6. Steph. at which time their Army being utterly routed by the Royallists most of the chief Nobility were taken prisoners but I do not finde that he had much prejudice thereby in regard K. Steph. who had been taken prisoner before in the battail at Lincoln was set at liberty upon condition that the Earle of Glouc. taken then at Winchester with the rest of those that were of his party should also stand in the same condition of freedom as they were before that overthrow And besides this is he reputed to have been the Conqueror of Gowher-land in Wales which his posterity for a long time afterwards enjoyed and wherein he founded a little Priory at Languenith annexing it as a Cell to the Monastery of S. Taurines in Normandy and to the Abby of Nethe gave certain Lands and fishing lying in Glamorgansh within his said Territories of Gouher-land The foundation of the Priory here at Warwick begun by his Father he perfected and did himself found the Collegiat Church of S. Mary in Warwick whereof together with its endowment I shall hereafter speak more fully as also S. Michaels Hospital for Lepers there together with the House of Templars beyond the bridge To divers other Monasteries was he also a benefactor viz. to Bruere in com Oxon. whereunto he gave the Lordship of Mersedene To Pipwell in Northamptonsh by confirming the grant of Causton in this County thereto which as his Charter testifieth he did for the Souls of his Father and Mother Rotrode his Uncle and all his Ancestors To Kenilworth by confirming the grants of the Mannours of Saltford and Newnham thereto and bestowing on the Canons of that House certain Lands in Warwick with the Churches of Brailes Welsburn in this County To the Monks of Preaux in Normandy by giving to them two Hides of Land in Walton To the monastery of Geroudon in com Lâ—ic by conferring thereto the Town of Badsley Endsor in this County which was afterwards given up by those Monks to Earle William his Son and Successor To the Monks of Bordsley in com Wigorn in confirming the grant of Suhanger now called Sunger near Clardon in this County which Will. Giffard had given to that House and conferring on them one Hide of Land in Oxshelve To the Monastery of Thorney in Cambridge shire by confirming the grant thereunto made of the moyety of the Mannour of Wenge by Rob. de Montfort To the Priory of Canwell in Staffordsh by granting thereto 3. yard Land lying in Hull called Hill within his Lordship of Sutton-Colfield in this County And lastly to the Nuns of Wrocheshale by confirming the Church of Shukborow with certain Lands there as also in Bourton and Radford given to them by several persons as I have elsewhere fully declared together with whatsoever was granted to them by Hugh fil Ricardi their Founder By which his several concessions as also his often journeys to the Holy-land may appear that he was a very devout and pious man He wedded Gundrede daughter to Will the second Earle Warren and sister by the mothers side to Waleran â— of Mellent by whom he had issue 3. sons viz. Will. Waleran and Henry and a daughter called Agnes which Will. and Waleran were both Earls of Warwick successively Henry had Gowher-land in Wales left to him by his father but by his death without issue it came to Earle Will. his brother Agnes his daughter was married to Geffrey de Clinton Chamberlain to the King son unto Geffrey the noble founder of the Priory and Castle of Kenilworth who had in Frank-marriage with her by the gift of Earl Roger her Father ten Kts. fees of those xvii that he the said Geffrey held of his fee for which he was to do service in the Castle of Brandon And besides all this he had a grant of this County id est the Sheriffalty of the Shire for so it appeareth by sundry testimonies to hold to him the said Geffrey and his Heirs of the said Earle and his Heirs in such sort as he the said Earle held it of the K. This Earl Roger departed the world xii Iunii An. 1153. 18. Steph. in which year Henry D. of Normandy afterwards K. of England by the name of H. 2. came into England with a great power and was very prosperous for whose better welcome Gundred the Countesse of Warwick before mentioned outed K. Steph. souldiers forth of Warwick-Castle and delivered that Fort unto him To Roger succeeded in the Earldom of Warwick Will. his Son and Heir of whom the first memorable passage that I finde relating to any certain time is the Certificate which he made in 12. H. 2. in answer to that precept he received from the K. touching the number of Knights fees then held of him whereby it appears upon calculation of the particulars that they amounted to Cv. and a half This Earle William founded the Hospitals of S. Iohn and S. Thomas both in Warwick built a new Church for the Templars there and enlarged their possâ—ssions by the gift of the Mannour of Shireburn and certain Lands in Morton both in this County ratified to the Monks of Combe a Hide of Land in Bilney granted to them by Thurbert de Bilney and made the like confirmation to the Monks of Pipwell as Earle Roger his father had done to them concerning Causton for which respect he was received into their fraternity as a Founder of that Abby To the Canons of Kenilworth did he ratifie the Churches of Loxley granted unto them by Rob. fil Odonis as also the Churches of Brayles and Wellesburne which his father gave them in consideration whereof they allowed him one Canon there presentable alwayes by himself This Earl had two wives viz. Maud the eldest of the two daughters and coheirs to Will Lord Percy and Margaret Deivill if Rous mistake not but I rather think that Mâ—ud was the later for I find that by her speciall Charter as Countess of Warwick which was doubtless in her Widowhood she gave to the Monks of Salley in York-shire the Church of Tatcaster with the Chapell of Haselwood and one Carucat of Land in Catthon
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
in the last year of his reign commanded Hugh de Nevil to whom he had committed the custody of Warwick-Castle in those turbulent times that he should deliver it to him and to Thom. Basset his father in Law And moreover by his precept to the Sheriffe of this County bearing date at Teuksbury 23. Iulii ensuing appointed that he should have livery of all the Lands of such Rebels which held of his the said Earls Fee to retain during the K. pleasure And as he was thus loyal to that K. so did he stand stoutly to the young K. H. 3. joyning with the Earls of Chester and Albamarle in the siege of Mount-Sorel-Castle 1. H. 3. as also in storming the Castle of Lincoln where they had a glorious victory over those sturdy Barons as our Historians do manifest And in 5. H. 3. when Will. de Fortibus E. of Albamarle had rebelliously strengthened his Castle of Bitham in com Linc. he attended the K. in person to the siege thereof having towards the support of his charge in that expedition x. s. de quolibet scuto for all the Knights Fees held of him In 9. H. 3. he paid xlix li. xii s. v. d. to the K. upon the advance of his Army into Wales which was called Scutagium de Mungumeri Yet afterward when other great men in 11. H. 3. put themselves in Arms on the behalf of Ric. Earle of Cornwall the K. brother he made one but that businesse was quickly composed In 12. H. 3. he paid CC iiii marks viii s. x. d. ob to the K. towards the charge of another Welch expedition called Scutagium de Kerry and the next year following had the K. Letters deprecatory to all his Tenants that held of him by military service for an aid towards such expences he was like to be at in a voyage for Gascoin and to discharge some debt that he owed to the K. During the minority of this Earle it was that K. Iohn in 4. of his reign gave the Seignory of Gowher in Wales of his inheritance unto Will. de Brews concerning which the succeeding Earls of Warwick had great suits as I shall hereafter shew He had two wives viz. Margery the eldest of the two daughters of Henry d'Oyli of Hoke-Norton in com Oxon. and sister of Henry that died without issue by which means part of d'Oylie's inheritance came to this family and Philippa one of the three daughters and Heirs unto Tho. Basset of Hedindon before mentioned but of this Earle Henry his death can I not point out the direct day yet for certain it was in 13. H. 3. for then did Philippa his Countesse give C. marks to the K. that she might not be compelled to marry but live a Widdow as long as she pleased or marry whom she lik't best provided he were a loyal subject to the K. Whereupon she took to husband the same year one Ric. Siward who proved a turbulent spirited man being as M. Paris saith vir martius ab adolescentia for in 17. H. 3. he joyned with divers great Earls Barons in the Rebellion about that time begun against the K. which was not well quieted till the 22. of his Reign but then notwithstanding all his evil demerits was received into favour Much more might be said of this Ric. Siward but it hath no relation to the story of our Earles therefore I shall forbear to discourse further of him especially considering that he was divorced from his Countesse and will close up what I have to speak of her with mentioning in what sort she was a benefactresse to the Canons of Berencester vulgò Bisseter in com Buck. viz. that in her full widdowhood she gave them vii s. yearly rent issuing out of certain lands in Studley within this County to finde one Lamp continually burning before the Altar of S. Iohn Bapt. in the conventual Church of Berencester for the health of her Soul and all her Ancestors and Childrens Souls When she died I do not finde but at Berencester she lieth buried in the Monastery there of her fathers foundation The issue left by this last mentioned Earle was one son and one daughter scil Thomas and Margery both by his first wife which Thomas was of full age at his fathers death as it should seem for in that year he had livery of his Lands paying C. 1. for his relief which was thus apportioned viz. xx l. for his Lands in Wiltshire for which summe Iohn Biset became surety xx li. for his Lands in Oxfordsh for which Thom. Basset stood bound xx li. for his Lands in Gloucestershire for which Raph de Wiliton was bound and xl li. for his Lands in Warwicksh for which Walt. d'Eivill and Ric. de Mundevil were his pledges And in 17. H. 3. being but 4. years after was inrich't with the inheritance of d'Oylie's Lands in Oxfordsh that descended to him by the death of his Uncle Henry d'Oily without issue whereof he had then livery doing his homage and paying C. l. for his Relief to the K. with two Palfreys In which year the K. keeping his Whitsuntide at Gloucester there girt him with the sword of Knighthood together with Rog. Bigod E. of Norff. and Hugh de Vere E. of Oxford Nay I make a question whether he had full seizin of his Earldom of Warwick till then though he had livery of his Lands 4. years before as I have shewed for the K. precept to the Sheriffe of this County bearing date at Teuksbury 24. Maii in that year saith thus Rex cinxit Thomam de Warwic cingulo comitatus Warwic mandatum est Vicecomiti Warwici quod eidem Comiti habere fâ—ciat de praedicto comitatu id quod habere debet nomine Comitis Warwici de quo praedecessores sui Comites Warwici seisiti fuerunt tanquam ad eos pertinente nomine Comitatus Warewici And that this was the meaning of the said Writ viz. that he should thereby be invested in the Earldom may seem by what my Author addeth to that mention of his being Knighted with Rog. Bigod and Hugh Vere as abovesaid scil Will. Long-espe accingitur gladio militari sed non fit Comes Sarum which was at that very time In 25. H. 3. this Earle Thomas gave Clxxx. Marks fine to the K. to the end he might be exempted from attendance upon him in his expedition into Gascoign which summe was over and above his due by way of Scutage for discharge of which Scutage and that he might levy the like upon his Tenants he paid the year following Cxx. l. more And further then this can I not say of him other than that he married Ela daughter to Will. Longspe E. of Salisbury base son to K. H. 2. as also that he departed this life without issue 26. Iunii An. 1242. 26. H. 3.
and suit of harness with all that belong'd thereto To his son Iohn his second coat of Maile Helmet and harness and appointed that all the rest of his Armour Bows and other warlike provision should remain in the Castle of Warwick for his heir constituting these his Executors viz. Alice his Countess Sir Iohn de Hastings Iohn Hamelin Piers le Blund Parson of Hanslape Adam de Herewynton Richard de Brumesgrave Henry de Sidenhale Simon de Sutton Parson of Luffenham William de Wellesburne Parson of Berkeswell with Roger Caumpere Parson of Kibworth and departed this life 12. August next following in his said Castle of Warwick by poison as some thought but had sepulture in Abby of Bordsley before specified Before his death he obtained a grant from the King that his Executors when it should fortune him to depart this life might have the custody of his lands during the minority of his heir being answerable for the value of them to the Exchequer at Michaelmass and Easter every year saving that his Castles of Elmeley and Warwick should not be disposed of to any without the Kings speciall license which grant was confirmed to Iohn Hamelyn and the rest of the Executors in December following his death Neverthelessâ— so much was the K. wrought upon by them whose miscarriages afterwards gave the discontented Nobles opportunity to work his own ruine as that notwithstanding the grant before recited made to those Executors about two years after he passed the custody of them by a new Patent to Hugh le Despenser the elder in satisfaction of a debt of 6770 li. due to him from the said King as was pretended But before I proceed to speak of Thomas Earl of Warwick son and heir to the said Guy I have a word or two to say of the Countess his mother and the rest of her Children which is that she was the daughter of Raph de Tony of Flamsted in Hertford-shire widow of Thomas de Leybourn and at length heir to Robert her brother In November following the Death of her husband she had assigned to her in dowrie the Mannours of Hanslape in Com. Buck. Lygthorne Beausale Haseley Claverdon Berkswell with the third part of the Templars Mannour in Warwick and Shirburne and divers Knights fees all in this County And the next year following gave a Fine of 500. marks for license to marry with William La Zouch of Ashby in Com. Leic. to whom she was accordingly wedded but dyed in 18 E. 2. The other children of Earl Guy were Iohn a martiall Knight Emma the wife of Roul Odingsells Isabell married to ...... Clinton Elizabeth to Thomas Lord Astley and Lucia to Robert de Napton Which Iohn was a man of singular note in his time for in 22 E. 3. the King in consideration of his great services made him a Banneret and gave him Cxl li. per annum out of the Exchequer for his better support In 25 E. 3. he was Governour of Caleis In 26 Iohn Darcy to whom the King had granted the Constableship of the Tower of London for life for the great affection he bore to this Iohn de B. past over his interest in that Office to him which the King also ratified but within two years through the sinister suggestions of some he became much offended with him and put him out of that place constituting Barthol de Burghersh in his stead and after his death Robert de Morley but at the length it appearing to the King that those suggestions were false he received him again into favour and in consideration of his speciall services restored unto him the custody of the said Tower of London by his Letters Patents bearing date 25. Ian. aâ— the town of S. George neer the Castle of Beaufort in France and the same year constituted him Constable of Dovor-Castle Warden of the Cinque-ports for life and Admirall of the Seas for the North and West coasts He was also one of the Founders of that noble Order of the Garter instituted by King E. 3. and departing this life without issue 2. Dec. 34. E. 3. lyeth buryed betwixt two pillars on the South part of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London before the Image of our Lady where he had a fair Monument lately demolisht which was through mistake usually called Duke Humfrey's Tombe I now return to Thomas the succeeding Earl born in Warwick-Castle having to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Henry his brother with Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth This Thomas was very young at his fathers death but who had the custody and tuition of his person during King Edward 2. reign I find not Most likely it is that Hugh le Despenser the great favourite at that time having a grant of his lands as abovesaid had also the charge of his person but in 1 E. 3. the Castle of Warwick with the rest of his lands were committed to Roger Mortimer of Wigmore till he should arrive to his full age and in 3 E. 3. the King being minded to afford speciall favour to him as the very words of the Writ do importâ— accepted of his homage though he was not then of full age commanding that he should have livery of all his fathers lands and the next year following admitted him to the office of Shiriffalty for Worcester-shire which was of his inheritance as also to that of the Chamberlainshâ—p in the Exchequer with power to appoint whomsoever he should think â—it for the execution of them in such sort as in his Ancestors times had been used 'T is not to be doubted but as this Earl was descended from an antient race of worthy Progenitors and by many noble heirs so were his vertues no less eminent than the chiefest of them for from the time that he came to mans estate even till his death which hapned in 23. of King Edw. 3. raign was he scarce ever cut of some notable and high imployment whereof in order I will briefly make recitall In 5 E. 3. he had the goverment of the Isles of Gernsey Serke and Aureney In 6. he was joyn'd in Commission with Raph Lord Basset and William de Shareshull a great Lawyer and afterwards Chief-Justice for conservation of the peace in this County and Worcestershire In 7. to attend the King in his expedition for Scotland at which time Edward de Baliol King of Scotts did homage to King Edward for the Realm of Scotland with the adjacent Isles In 9. he had the custody of the Marches of Scotland committed to him All which was whilst he lived a batchelour For I find that in 12 E. 3. the King in satisfaction of a great summe of money that he owed to Roger Lord Mortimer for the time that he was his Lieutenant of Ireland
preferred to a Schollars place in the University grew such a proficient that the Monks resolved to make him a Sollicitor for managing their Law-suits and to that purpose from the University placed him at the Inns of Court where he grew so skilfull in his profession that finding King H. 7. politiquely resolving to raise great summs of money by taking the forfaiture of penall Lawes which he conceived would be much more plausible to his subjects than the exacting from them by Loans Subsidies and such other ways of tax as his predecessors had used applyed himself to his service wherein being very officious and bringing store of money to the Kings Coffers he obtained a grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Elizabeth daughter and heir to Edward Grey Visc. L'â—sle before mentioned whom he made his wife That the later part of this Story is true I find testimony enough but that the father of Edmund was a Carpenter is not very likely in regard he marryed so eminently viz. Elizabeth one of the daughters and coheirs to Iohn Bramshot Eâ—quier seized of the Mannours of Gatton Calbourne and Whitwell in the Isle of Weight as also of Bramshot in Hant-shire which Eliz. dyed 12. Oct. 14 H. 7. leaving Edmund her son then 36. years of age the other coheir called Agnes being the wife of Iohn Pakenham whence I conclude that he was a Gentleman as some others of the name of Dudley in severall parts of England are though perhaps not of the Baron of Dudley's line therefore how this formall Story of the Carpenter should rise I cannot well imagine unless the grandfather or great-grandfather of Edm. had been of that trade for it is no wonder to see those that are sprung from as poor Mechanicks by their activeness in the world to get wealth and assume the title of Esquire or Gentlemen without controull yea and be allowed so do Neither do we often find that those which are in truth of right noble extraction will boggle at matching their children with them But I return unto Edmund Dudley He was a man well vers't in the Law and one of the Privy Councell to that prudent Prince King H. 7. chosen in the first year of his raign propter prudentiam singularem fidem gravitatem saith Polydore In 19 H. 7. he was Speaker of the Parliament and should the same year have been made a Sergeant at Law on the 13. of November but for what reason I will not take upon me to assign he desired that he might be discharged from assuming that degree whereupon the King directed his Precept to Will Bishop of London then Lord Keeper of the great Seal commanding his forbearance of making out any Writ to him for that purpose In 22 H. 7. he had the Stewardship of the Rape of Hastings granted to him by Patent and wrote a Book called Arbor Reipublicae Whether he with Richard Empson another Lawyer but a Sive-makers son in Touceter as our Historians affirm discerning King Henry to be of a frugall disposition did project unto him the taking aduantage of such as had transgrest by exacting the forefaitures of penall Statutes or whether the King seeing so fair a gap open for him to rake vast summs of money from his subjects and finding those persons to be sit Instruments for his purpose did put them upon such courses of filling his Coffers 't is hard to say certain it is that these were the men he constituted his Iudices fiscales Dudley being an eminent man and one that could put hatefull business into good language as Sir Fr. Bacon saith and after he had long made use of their service to that end exposed them to those advantages which the discontented people could justly take for their abhominable extortions For their course was to proceed secretly to the Outlary against men and then seize their estates And besides that they had packt Jurors upon all occasions who were sure to them in any verdict which served for their purpose but at last found they a just reward for such their service for King H. 8. in the first year of his raign being desirous of popularity made known by his Proclamations that whosoever had received injury by the unjust oppressions of any should upon complaint to him have redress which liberty did so so animate the vulgar who were sufficiently imbittered against them that nothing then would satisfy but their lives so that the King to appease the multitude gave way that they might be legally proceeded against which accordingly was done Dudley being thereupon arraigned in Guild-Hall London on Munday next after the xv of S. Iohn Baptist 1 H. 8. before Edward Duke of Buck. Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Earl of Surrey George Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Earl of Derby Thomas Prior of S. Iohns of Hierusalem in England Charles Somerset of Herbert Knight Stephen Iennings Knight Mayor of the City of London Iohn Fineux Knight Robert Rede Knight William Hodie Knight Robert Brudnell Humfrey Coningesby Iohn Fisher Knight Iohn Boteler William Grevill Thomas Lovell Knight Edward Poynings Kt. Henry Marney Knight Thomas Englefield Knight and Robert Drury Knight Justices to enquire c. Where the said Edmund being indicted of divers high Treasons was on wednesday next before the Feast of S. Margaret the Virgin attainted in Parliament and had his head cut off on Tower Hill with Empson who was tryed at Northampton through the peoples clamours and for their satisfaction 18. August 2 H. 8. by vertue of the K. speciall Writ for that purpose Having said thus much of the parentage of this Iohn Earl of Warwick I will now go on with my story of him At his fathers death he was scarce eight years old having to his Guardian Edward Guilford Esquire of the Body to the King who by his Petition exhibited in Parliament 3 H. 8. obtained an Act for the repeal of the said Edmund's attainder and the restitution of this Iohn in name blood and degree to enjoy all his said fathers lands Being therefore thus young it was a great while ere he came to appear in any publique employments so that till 24 H. 8. I have not yet seen any farther mention of his name but then I finde he was a Knight though how long he had been so I am not certain After which about ten years he was created Visc. L'isle viz. 12. Martii 34 H. 8. in respect of his descent on the mothers side as I have shewed and the same year made Lord Admirall of England for life Of person he was very comely and of a Spirit highly aspiring saith my Author neither wanted he skill industry nor resolution to attempt great matters In 36 H. 8. he landed the Kings Army at Leith in Scotland with a Fleet of CC. sail on which after they had wasted Edenburgh they also set fire The
annos Sexcentosque dies Octobris bis quoque denos Cum lenti crebros morbi perpessa labores Ante diem periit summoque in flore puellis Elizabetha Annaque tenella prole relictis Quodque unum potuit supremum pignus amoris Hoc conjux dedit signavit carmine marmor 1591. On a plate of brasse fixt in the wall neer the Chapter-house dore upon which are also the portraictures of a man and his wife in gownes Of your charite give thanks for the soules of Thomas Oken and Ioane his wyff on whose soules Iesus hath mercy Iesus hath mercy Amen Remember the charyte for the pore for ever Anno Domini M. CCCCClxxiii And here before I proceed further with these Monumentall Inscriptions I must not omit to point at the particular pious works of the same Thomas Oken who having been born in this Borough of very mean parentage and exercising the trade of a Mercer by Gods blessing upon his industry purchased lands here as also in Badsley Beusale and Harbury in this County of good value which by his deed dated 1. Ian. 13 Eliz. he past unto certain Feoffees by whom they were so setled as that out of the profits thence arising there should be yearly payd towards the increase of the head School-masters wages xl Sol. and as much to the under School-master 4 li. to the poor of Warwick viz. at Christmass 40 s. and at Easter 40 s. For 4. Sermons every year 40 s. To six poor Almesfolk that he appointed to be placed in three of his Houses for ever 24. s. a piece with six black Gowns of Rugg or Cotton◠Appointing that the Collectors of the Rents issuing out of those lands should once every year give up their Accompts to the same Feoffees in the presence of the Bayliff and Burgesses of Warwick and a Sermon to be preach't upon that day for which the Preacher to have vi s. viii d. and the Bayliff with the rest xx s. for a dinner But besides all this by his last Will and Testament bearing date 24. Nov. the year abovesaid whereby he disposed his body to be buryed neer St. Anne's Altar within this Church and those portraitures in brass of himself and his wife with the Inscription before inserted to be made did he give xxx li. to be distributed to the poor by xii d. a piece Ten pounds to 30. poor maydens to their mariages viz. vi s. viii d. a piece 100 li. to the Town of Warwick to buy land to enlarge their Common wherewith they purchased a piece of ground called Michaell's piece And to the Bayliff and Burgesses severall pieces of plate which ever since have been transmitted from each Bayliff to his successour To the Bayliff and Aldermen of Stratford and their successours he also gave 40 li. to be set out to eight honest Tradesmen within that Town viz. 5 li. a man for three or four years together at eight pence in the pound whereof the one half to go to the poor the other to the same Bayliff and his brethren to pay 3 s. 4 d. unto a Minister that shall preach unto them a Sermon the rest they themselves to make merry with and at the end of their mirth give God thanks and say the Lords Prayer The like bequest made he to the town of Banbury and dyed 30. Iulii Anno 1573. 15 Eliz. Upon a Tablet at the upper end of the North Isle over the Chapter-house dore Nomine non natura Patri Fishero Generoso quondam hujus Burgi Senescallo prudentissimo Supervisori sagacissimo Auditori fidelissimo Gulielmus Spicerus cùm adoptione tùm affectione filius rude hoc Monumentum filialis pietatis documentum posuit non sine luctu Upon another Tablet hanging on the East side of the uppermost pillar in the North I le NICHOLAS IFFELER Borne at Ozenbrigge in the Province of Westphalia in Germany as a travailing Pilgrim upon earth did leave his native Countrey and made a free Denizen in England inhabited here within this Borough of Warwick where using the mistery of a Glasier painfully and walking in his vocation uprightly God so blessed the increase of his goods and good name that he was preferred to be one of the principall Burgesses of this Borough who for a short time enjoying that place shewing himself an example worthy of imitation in sincere Religion and charitable devotion did give order for the erection of an Hospitall for the necessary and continuall relief of eight poor persons and bestowed likewise another portion of his lands for the further benefit of this Borough And then departing out of this earthly tabernacle unto the celestiall Hierusalem bequeathed his soule to God through his mercy of him to be received his body to the earth here to be buried and his good name to posteritye continually to be remembred who lived and dyed the faithfull servant of Christ upon the 14. day of Ianuary in the year of our Lord God 1591. of his age 80. Via sine devio vita sine termino est mihi Christus In a plate of brass fixt on the pillar by the Pulpit Hic jacet Margareta Uxor Gulielmi Vyner quae certa spe in Christo resurgendi piè placidèque Deo animam reddidit 24. die Iulii anno Domini 1609. Upon the wall on the South side the Church Hic sepulta jacet Israel Uxor Iohannis Norton generosi quae xxix die Novembris Anno Domini 1615. spiritum emisit suum cujus juxta tam religiosam integramque in vitae totius suae erga omnes cursu semitam incessus cum fideli piaque emigratione sua certissimè testatus est quae cordi sunt obsignavit aeternam in per Iesum Christum super se esse pacem misericordiam ut super Israelem Dei. Vita qualis Finis talis Upon the same wall In obitum Iohannis Norton generosi hujus municipii nuper Senescalli deputati Recordatoris qui obiit Septembris 14. Anno Domini 1635. Sed non totus obit pars petiit coelica coelum Vivit in terris nescia fama mori Frater amans conjux fidus virtutis amator Et cultor Domini non simulatus erat Posuit moestissima conjux D.N. Upon the same wall QUIS HIC DORMIT WILHELMUS VINER Divers other persons of note doe lye here interred whose Monuments have been long since defaced as the severall Marbles yet remaining whereupon their Portraitures and Epitaphs in brass were fix◠doe manifest Of these as Leland testifieth were William Berkswell Dean of this Collegiate Church and one of the Executors to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick who saw the building of our Lady Chapell and the structure of those buildings at the East end of the Church-yard called the Colledge begun by the same Earl Richard finished As also Dean Alestre who translated the body of Earl Richard into that Chapell And Dean Haseley sometime School-master to King Henry the 7. And moreover our heretofore eminent
xvi th of that month which shews that she dyed soon after it was made About ten years after this viz. 20. Sept. Anno 1480. 20 E. 4. Dame Eliz. Lady Latimer third daughter to the said Earl declared her last Will and Testament whereby she bequeathed her body to be interred in this Chapell at the head likewise of her noble father betwixt the above specified Sir Henry Nevill her son and Oliver Dudley her son in Law and appointed that there should be 4. stones of fair Marble with portraitures upon them of copper and gilt according to her estate and degree with Epitaphs representing their births and deceases and other fit things to such purposes cut upon the same and be layd upon the graves of her husband her son her son in Law beforementioned and her self And further ordained that lands of x l. per annum value should be put in Feâ—ffees hands to the end that with the revenue thereof a Priest might be maintained for the saying of Masse and other Divine services at the Altar in the aforesaid Chapell of our Lady to the honour of God and remission of the offences of her said Lord and Father her mother her husband her self her sons and all Christians till such time as the Kings license could be procured for amortizing of lands to that value to the purposes abovesaid And moreover with parcell of those revenues bought a pair of goodly vestments of white Damaske powdred with Bears and ragged staves of gold and in the orfray the Scocheon of her Armes to be well and richly embroydered and delivered to the said Chapell And that a pair of Vestments of black stuff with a like Scocheon in the orfray Crosse to be used in the Church of Wells in exercising the observances for her Lord and husband's soul who was it seems there interred In the East window of this Chapell there are besides those costly portraitures in glasse of Earl Richard with his wives and children which in my story of his life are represented the pictures in their full proportions of St. Alban the protomartyr of England St. Thomas of Canterbury St. Iohn of Bridlington and of St. Winifride unto each of which the renowned Earl Richard by his last Will and Testament bequeathed his Image in pure gold weighing xx li. in weight and in his surcoat of Armes holding an Anker in his hand appointing them to be offered at their severall Shrines in his name as in my story of him I have already declared so great an honour did he bear as it seems to those Saints On the North side of the Quire is a fair room built eight square which was heretofore the Chapter house for the Dean and Canons of this Collegiat Church but in our time converted to another use by the right honorable Foulk Lord Brook who in his life time erected therein a very stately Monument for himself of black and white Marble the representation whereof is on the next page truly exhibited his body being enbalmed and put into a coffin of lead in the Vault below Of the particular Churches which were heretofore in Warwick and so united to this Collegiate Church of our Lady as I have intimated I will here briefly say something That of S. Helene stood where the Priory of S. Sepulchers was founded as I have already shewed and by that means became swallowed up therein S. Michaells at the lower end of the street called Saltford on the North part of the town out of which the Canons of S. Maryes had a portion viz. xi s. per annum as in 19 E. 1. was certifyed and the Lepers in the Hospitall there vi s. viii d. But in 14 E. 3. the great and small Tithes with all oblations thereto belonging were rated at v. marks and a half This Church was governed antiently by its own proper Rector who used to be presented by the Dean of the Collegiat-Church of our Lady and the Prebendary thereof jointly but in 41 E. 3. the number of its Parishioners was so much decreased as also the yearly revenue belonging thereto that it became reduced in a manner to nothing having but three Parishioners and those onely Cottiers so that the yearly value thereof scarce reach't to one mark the Church it self being very ruinous the Church-yard small and not any House for the Parson then standing Patroni Ecclesiae Incumb temp Instit. Decan Canonici Eccles. Coll. B. Mariae Warw. Will. de Kenilworth Cap. 4. Non. Dec. 1296. Decan Canonici Eccles. Coll. B. Mariae Warw. Rob. de Breodun Cler. 26. Dec. 1329. Decan Canonici Eccles. Coll. B. Mariae Warw. Rob. fil Ioh. in le Gate 22. Apr. 1338. Decan Canonici Eccles. Coll. B. Mariae Warw. Reginaldus Dod Pbr. 15. Dec. 1349. Thomas Comes Warwici Henr. Hynks Pbr. 12 Febr. an 1353. Ric. Comes Warwici Ric. Wellys Cap. ult Sept. 1421. Ric. Comes Warwici D. Will. Berkswell Canon 3. Febr. 1434. The Church of S. Iohn Baptist stood in the midst of the Mercate place the outward fabrick whereof is yet to be seen whereunto in 41 E. 3. there was a Rector belonging presentable by the said Dean and the Prebendary of the Prebend but without any mansion for his dwelling the yearly value thereof then scarce amounting to four marks above all charges but this Church had neither Church-yard nor any Ecclesiastique sepulture pertaining thereto the Parishioners being buried in the Church-yard of S. Maries Patroni Incumbentes c. Decanus Canon Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warwici Hugo de Beoley Cap. 10. Kal. Nov. an 1281. Decanus Canon Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warwici Henr. de Compton Pbr. 2. Kal. Aug. 1315. Decanus Canon Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warwici Will. de Lalleford Pbr. 24. Dec. 1349. That of S. Peters antiently stood in the midst of the town whereunto in 14 E. 3. nothing but small Tithes appertained This also in 41 E. 3. had a Rector presentable by the said Dean and the Prebendary of that Prebend the value thereof being then scarce v. marks per annum having no dwelling house and without either Church-yard or Ecclesiastique sepulture the Parishioners burying their dead at S. Maries whereunto it was appropriated afterwards sc. in 22 R. 2. But in K. H. 6. time pulled down whereupon that of S. Peter in stead thereof was in those dayes newly built over the East gate The Church of S. Laurence standing at the lower end of the West street in the suburbe was in 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks and a half and in 14 E. 3. at ix marks In 41 E. 3. the Parson was presentable thereto by the Prebend thereof at which time the Dean of the Collegiate Church and the Prebendary received two parts of the Tith corne belonging to it the Colledge onely two parts of the Tith hay Mills and all small Tithes and the Rector the third throughout which scarce
amounted then to C s. per ann but had a Church-yard and Ecclesiastique sepulture In 22 R. 2. it was appropriated to the said Collegiat Church of our Lady a Pension of iii s. iv d. per ann being thereupon reserved to the Bishop and his successors out of it and in 26 H. 8. valued at iii li. vi s. viii d. per ann which sum the Dean and Canons of the said Collegiat Church then received Patroni Incumbentes c. D. Episc. auctoritate Diocesana Gilb. de Kyneton Cler. 10. Non. Feb. 1282. Canonici Eccl. B.M. Warw. Gilb. de Kington Subdiac 14. Cal. Dec. 1283. D. Episc. Henr. de Olney Cap. 6. Id. Nov. 1322. D. Adam de Herwynton Canon Praeb Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. Thom. de Burneby Cler. 9. Kal. Iunii 1325. D. Adam de Herwynton Canon Praeb Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. Will. de Walsh accol Non. Oct. 1338. Praebendarius de Comptox Adam Coriate Pbr. ..... 1339. Ioh. de Bokyngham Praeb Ioh. Roer Pbr. 15. Iunii 1357. Praebendarius de Compion Murdak Ric. de Broughton Pbr. 27. Aug. 1380. The Church of S. Iames being originally but a Chapell and founded over the West gate of this town was given to that of our Lady by Roger Earl of Warwick upon the making thereof Collegiate by him in King Henry 1. time as I have already shewed And in 41 E. 3. was presentable by the Dean and Canons of the above recited Colledge but being at that time void as it had been for many years had no more revenue than xx s. per ann belonging to it and neither Church-yard nor Ecclestique sepulture In 6 R. 2. the advouson thereof was bestowed on the Gild of S. George in Warwick whereof I shall speak anon Patroni Incumbentes c. Will. de Bellocampo Comes Warw. Thom. de Beoleg Pbr. 3. Id. Iunii 1294. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. D. Will de Benynton Pbr. 22. Iunii 1330. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Rob. Sotemay Pbr. 27. Iulii 1339. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. Philippus Bosse Pbr. 18. Maii. 1340. Thom. de Bellocampo Com. Warw. D. Walt. de Ulnehale Cap. 20. Martii 1342. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Ioh. de Harwode Pbr. 19. Iunii 1374. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Ric. Colet Pbr. 12. Sept. 1374. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Hugo de Pykton Cler. ult Dec. 1378. The Priory FRom hence I come to the Priory of S. Sepulchers situate on the North side of this town on a most pleasant ascent the Foundation whereof was begun by Henry de Neuburgh the first Earl of Warwick after the Conquest in K. H. 1. time the occasion thereof being by the recourse of divers Pilgrims in great devotion to the Holy Land the Christians prevailing much about that time who solicited this Earl to erect a Monastery in imitation of those Canons Regular there instituted in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher of our blessed Saviour which Canons used the like habite that other Regular Canons did adding onely a double red Cross upon the brest of their Cope this being the first House of that peculiar Order either in England Wales Scotland or Ireland But after the destruction of Hierusalem again which hapned in Anno 1188. 35 H. 2. almost all the Houses of this Rule began to decay so that then the Religious persons of this Order betook themselves to solicit and implore the aid of good people for help to regain the Holy Land having power to bestow great Indulgences upon those that were bountifull thereto their habite being then chang'd to a gray Cloake and the Prior going with a Pastorall staff howbeit all their endeavours for regaining the Holy Land at last comming to nothing their lands and revenues were transferred to the Order of Friers of the Holy Trinity for redemption of Captives touching the first Institution whereof I have spoke in Thelesford Canonicus Regularis S. Sepulchri The Church of Snitfield given by Hugh fil Ricardi Certain lands lying betwixt Tunstall and Stochull near Warwick by Geffrey de Vinea A stone-house and some particular ground in Warwick by William the son of Gilbert Nutricius Those grounds called Levenhull situate on the Northwest side of Warwick by Robert de Morton in 29 H. 3. One yard land in Lighthorne confirm'd i by Nigell de Mundevill which his father gave when he bequeath'd his body to sepulture here Certain lands in Upton by Thomas de Arden The Church of Hasele confirm'd by Thomas de Cherlecote Lord of Hasele having been given by some of his Ancestors Certain lands in Solihull by Sir William de Odingsells An annuity of 50 s. by Margery de Nerburne given out of Austrey in this shire Certain lands in Claverdon by Ela Longespe Countess of Warwick which she gave for the health of her soul and for the soul of Thomas Earl of Warwick her husband William Earl of Salisbury her father Ela her mother VVilliam and Richard her brothers and Ida her sister sometime wife of VValter fil Roberti Besides all these there belong'd thereto five Mess. one carucat of land and x s. x d. yearely Rent lying within the parish of S. Clements-Danes in the suburbs of London together with the advouson of the said Church of S. Clements all which the Prior and Canons of this House exchanged away unto VValter Stapleton Bishop of Exeter to the use of his Bishoprick for eight acres of land in Snitfield before specified with the advouson of the Church in 17 E. 2. Which Church they had then License to hold appropriate to them and their successors and did accordingly so that it seems the former title they had thereto by the grant of Hugh fil Ricardi either was not good or else they had aliened it away soon after It also seems that much of the lands they had here at Warwick was antiently Common for by an Inquis taken 9 H. 8. I find that they had inclosed foure hundred acres here and depopulated one mess. whereunto eighty acres belonged But over and above these lands had they sundry liberties and priviledges granted to them by King Henry 2. and Richard 1. and confirm'd by King Hen. 3. and Edw. 3. so great an esteem had they of that Order as the Preamble of King Henry 3. Charter implies scil pro reverentia S. Dominici Sepulchri And by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. it appears that besides the Rectories of Snitfield and Haseley above specified there belong'd to this Monastery the Church of Gretham in Com. Rutl. antiently of the Earl of Warwick's advouson though when given thereto I am not very certain all which with the rest of its possessions lying in Warwick Hatton Claverdon Church-Lawford Austrey Snitfield Pinley Solihull and Fenni-Compton were then rated at no more than
x li. x s. ii d. over and above all reprises which undervalue exposing it to dissolution by the Statute of 27 H. 8. Robert Radford the then Prior had a Pension of 5 li. per annum granted to him by the King for his maintenance during life Priores Elect. per Conventum Frater VVill. de Bereford 11. Cal. Nov. 1284. Elect. per Conventum Frater Hugo de Brok Canonicus de Kenillworth 11. Cal. Apr. 1288. Elect. per Conventum Petrus de VVarwic Canonicus 16. Iunni 1338. Elect. per Conventum D. Ioh. VVarwic Canon post mortem Ioh. Alvestre ult Pr. Elect. per Conventum Frater Rob. VVotton Canon 15. Ian. 1473. Elect. per Conventum Frater Rob. Ichington 12. Maii 1493. After which till 38 H. 8. the site of this Religious House with the Lands in Warwick belonging thereto continued in the Crown but then by the Kings Letters Patent bearing date 24. Septemb. it was granted to Thomas Hawkins alias Fisher Gentleman and his heirs to be held in Socage of the Castle of Warwick by the Rent of xxvi s. ix d ob per annum Which Thomas accumulated a vast estate in Monastery and Church lands the most whereof were wasted by his Son as will appear when I come to the particular places where they lay And therefore having been in his time a man so eminent and active it will not be amisse to say something historically of him As for his parentage all that I can say is from the relation of an aged Gentleman sometime the honour of this County for his singular knowledge in Antiquities viz. that his true name was Hawkins and that his father being by profession one that sold Fish by retail at the Mercate Crosse in Warwick was thereupon called Fisher by most people This Thomas as he had good naturall parts so wanted he not convenient education in learning for I find that being a servant to Iohn Dudley heretofore Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland then Visc. L'â—sle he was by him constituted high Steward and Bailiff of his Mannour of Kibworth-Beauchamp in Com. Leic. 4. Maii 34 H. 8. and for his exercise of that Office during life had an Annuity of vi li. xiii s. iv d. granted to him which Queen Mary in 1. of her reign confirmed In 38 H. 8. as I have said he obtain'd the site of this Priory with the lands adjacent In 1 E. 6. the Lordships of Bishops-Ichington Tachebroke Chadshunt and Geydon in this County of the then Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield with the advouson of the Church of Fenni-Compton In 2 E. 6. he purchas 't from the Bishop of Exeter of whom in Sutton I have spoke the Mannours of Chadham and Thorney in Sussex as also of Horsley and Tyting in Surrey the Rectory of South-Mens with the Mannour of Fernefelds in Heringham alias Haringhay in Com. Midd. with the advousons of the Rectories and Vicaridges of Chadham Thorney Horsley South-Mens Fernefelds and Haringham all which were confirm'd by King E. 6. in 3. of his reign about which time he also purchas 't from the Crown the Chantry of Aston juxta Bermingham with all the lands revenues thereto belonging situate in this County Leic. and Staff shires as also lands in Yngton belonging to the Colledge of Stratford super Avon with the Mannour of Draicote in this shire belonging to the Colledge of Newark in Leicester And about the same time joyned with Thomas Dabridgcourt in the buying of much more Chantry land of which in this County these were part viz. a Chapell in Bermingham with lands c. thereto belonging the Chantryes of Deryate-end juxta Bermingham of Hurley Sutton-Colfield and Hill-Morton lands in Lapworth belonging to the Gild of Henley lands in Longley pertaining to the Gild of Aston Cantlow the Chantry of Alspath as also Marlers in Coventre with the lands to them belonging besides a multitude in other places given originally for the maintenance of Obits Anniversaries Lamps and Lights in Churches and the like The Chapell of Bidford as also that of UUarton juxta Polesworth with the lands to them belonging the Rectory of Pillerton-Hercy with the advouson of the Vicaridge and lands in Warwick belonging to a Gild there In 6 E. 6. he had a grant of the Bailywick of Banbury in Oxfordsh being made Collector of the Kâ— revenue within that Borough and Hundred as also Governour of the Castle having a fee of Lxvi s. vii d. per an for exercising the office of Steward and keeping the K. Court within that Mannour In 4 Eliz he purchas 't the Mannour of Herberbury and divers lands in other parts of this County which were sometime belonging to the Monasteries of Nun-Eaton Kenilworth and the Preceptory of Balshall And being thus enricht with such ample possessions he pull'd to the ground this Monastery and raised in the place of it a very fair House as is yet to be seen which being finished about the 8. year of Queen Eliz. reign he made his principall seat giving it a new name somewhat alluding to his own viz. Hawkyns-nest or Hawks-nest by reason of its situation having a pleasant grove of loftie Elmes almost environing it adorning the windows with his Armes and likewise with the Armes of the Dukes of Somerset and Northnmberland expressing his name by a Rebuâ— upon the timber work as the T. R. with a Dolphin betwixt the Letters do import For his publique employments besides what I have already mentioned I shall speak of them from tradition Having been first a servant to Iohn Visc. L'isle from thence he arrived to be Secretary to the D. of Somerset Protector to K. E. 6. and wanting not personall valour was Colonell of a Regiment in the English Army under the conduct of the said Duke and Earl of Warwick at Muâ—kleborough field in Scotland in which battail the English had the day where he taking te Cholours of some eminent person in which a Griffon was depicted had a grant by the said Duke that he should thenceforth in memory of that notable exploit bear the same in his Armes within a Border Verrey which the Duke added thereto in relation to one of the quarterings of his own coat viz. Beauchamp of Hatch as an honourable Badge for that service I have also heard that when the before specified Duke of Northumb. out of his ambition to get the whole sway of all into his power had obtain'd a designation from King E. 6. that the Lady Iane Grey should succeed him in the Throne as I have elsewhere intimated with whom he had matcht his fourth son Sir Guilford Dudley he apprehending that some stirrs might arise thereupon by reason that the Kings two sisters were thereby excluded pivately conveyed a vast summe of money to the hands of this Fisher in whom he reposed great confidence as having been formerly his servant to the end that Forces might be the
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
the Patent expresseth the King was pleased to pardon him a very great misdemeanour viz. the drawing of his knife at the publique Assizes held at Coventre before Ric. de Wilughby and other the Kings Justices there sitting to the great terrour of the people then present Which Sir Iohn in 19 E. 3. sold this Mannour of Morton D'aubeny with the advouson of the moytie of the Church to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick To whose posterity it continued till all the possessions of that great Earldome came to the Crown in 3 H. 7. as it Warwick is manifested After which it was granted by K.E. 6. to Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick who had the Castle of Warwick and divers Mannours in this County formerly belonging to those Earls which Iohn after he was advanced to be Duke of Northumberland past it away to Iohn Coleburne gent. 28. Oct. 6 E. 6. who dyed seized thereof 13. Iunii 1. M. leaving Iohn his son and heir two years of age which Iohn had issue Sir Edmund Coleburne Knight who sold it to Richard Murden gent. which Richard left issue one onely daughter called Mary wedded to Sir Stephen Harvey Knight of the Bath by whom she had two sons viz. Francis and Richard both dead unmarryed and five daughters viz. Mary Elizab. Sara Elianore and Stephana The Church dedicated to the Holy Crosse being in aâ— 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xv marks was then divided betwixt two Rectors In 6 E. 3. Sir Iohn de Bishopsdon Kt. gave the advouson of his moytie thereof to the Hospitall of S. Iohn Baptist in Warwick which was appropriated thereto 16. Apr. anno 1359. 33 E. 3. there being a Pension of 2 s. per annum thereupon reserved to the said Bishop and his successors The other moytie was intended to have been appropriated to the Nuns of Pinley in this County who had obtained the Kings License for that purpose as appears by a Petition exhibited to W. then Bishop of Worcester by one Rob. de Holand in their behalf but whether it were so appropriated or not I cannot say Patroni medietatis Ecclesiae Incumbentes D. Eustachius de la Hacche miles Magr. Ioh. de S. Brigida Pbr. Non. Martii 1280. D. Eustachius de la Hacche miles Alanus de Barkeby 15. Cal. Iunii 1282. D. Eustachius de la Hacche miles R. Clericus D. Petri de Leicester Subdiac Id. Iun. 1283. Gilbertus de Kirkeby Clericus Rad. de Kirkeby 7. Cal. Martii 1283. Gilbertus de Kirkeby Clericus Rob. Tancard Subdiac 4. Cal. Nov. 1288. D. Eustachius de Hacche Ioh. Trimenell Cler. 5. Cal. Martii 1291. .......... Achardus de Longo Prato ..... 1293. Rad. de Kirkeby Thomas de Iccumbe 16. Cal. Nov. 1294. Eustach de Hacche miles Magr. W. de Coventre 2. Cal. Apr. 1299. Rad. de Kirkeby Rob. de Wylewys Cler. 16. Cal. Ian. 1300. .......... Will. Brett accolitus 2. Id. Iunii 1303. Nich. Trimenell Rad. de Snellestone Pbr. 16. Kal. Iulii 1314. Ioh. fil D. Nich. de Trimenell D. Andreas de Herberbury Cap â—1 Kal. Maii 1322. Magr. Confratres Hosp. S. Ioh. Warw. D. Thom. de Goldlesdone Pbr. 26. Oct. 1339. Monumentall Inscriptions in the Chancell on the South side Elizabeth Infant daughter of Stephen Harvy of Milton-Malsoures in the County of Northampt Esq. by Mary his wife sole daughter and heir of Richard Murden Esq. Lord of this town Obiit Iulii 3. 1623. Memoria Iustorum non labilis Richardus Murden de Morton-Morrell Armiger qui vita simul Provincia Vicecomitis Warwicensis excessit Oct. xxx M. DC xxxv Et Maria uxor ipsius filia Thomae Woodard de Butlers-Merston in eodem agro armigeri Quorum filiam unicam haeredem Mariam duxit Stephanus Harvey Northamptoniensis ex honorando ordine Balnearum Eques Expectamus adventum Domini Iesu Christi Qui legis in propriam discede paratior urnam Maturè cineres qui sapit ille sapit Newbold-Pacy ABout a mile lower lyes Newbold commonly called Newbold-Pacy for distinction from those other Newbold's already spoke of in Knightlow-Hundred in regard that the family of Pacy were antiently Lords thereof This was one of those towns which Hasculf Musard of whom I have spoke in Lemington-Hastang had of the Conquerors gift at the time of whose generall Survey Hunfridus progenitor to the family of Hastang held it the extent thereof being then certified at five hides and the value C s. Whether it was Atropus Hastang the son of Hunfridus above specified or the second Atropus that enfeoft Pacy thereof I cannot certainly determine but that it was one of ther is not to be doubted for it appears that Adam de Pasci possest it in K. Iohn's time which Adam had issue Robert who in 2 H. 3. was one of the Sureties for Robert Marmion the younger that he should faithfully keep the Castle of Tamworth in this County for the Kings use and deliver it up to him if occasion should be which Robert had issue Will. the father of another Robert and of Will as I take it who in 7 E. 1. was certified to hold this Mannour of Robert de Hastang by the service of one Knights fee having then in demesn only half an acre of land and xiv Tenants occupying 8. yard land for which they were to perform divers servile employments As also 5. Cottiers and 3. Freeholders holding severall proportions At the same time I find that the Knights Templars had 8. yard land in this Lordship viz. 4. in demesn and 4. held in villenage all which were granted to them by Eustache Fitz-Hugh and Clement Fitz-Robert Of this Will. de Pacy it appears that being impleaded by the Canons of Nostell in 28. E. 1. touching the Advowson of the Church here at Newbold he obtained a Mandate from the King directed to the Justices of the Common pleas commanding them not to take any advantage of his absence in regard he was then employed in his service To which Will. succeeded Ric. de Pacy of whom I find no mention after the 21. of E. 3. nor after that time any thing considerable in reference to what that family had here saving that it was antiently depopulated But that which the Templars had here was in 7 E. 6. passed out of the Crown to Thomas Lucy Esquier and his heirs The Church being given to the Canons of Nostell in Com. Ebor. by Atropus Hastang in H. 1. time was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at 13. marks After which it came to the Provost and Scholars of Queens Colledge in Oxford who obtained an Appropriation thereof from the Pope whereupon the Vicaridge was endowed as appears by the Bishops Instrument bearing date at London 20. Oct. anno 1349. 23 E. 3. who reserved a Pension of half a mark to himself
his learning and holiness of life that divers eminent Prelates came to be his assistants at his first Masse in the performance whereof at the Elevation of the Host an Angell cloathed in white appeared before him bearing a Crosse of red and blew upon his brest having also his hands a Crosse layd upon the heads of two slaves that kneeled down by his side From which time God revealed unto him how he would be served in the foundation of a new Religious Order inciting him to leave all his goods to forsake the present world and to retire himself into the Desart which he accordingly did and distributing all that he had to the poor resorted to an holy Anachorite called Foelix de Valois who lived in an Hermitage within the Dioces of Meaux six leagues distant from Paris called Cerfroy in Latine Cervus frigidus in regard that there at the foot of a little hill was a fair clear and cold Fountain within which a white Hart used to come for refreshment Which two devout Hermites began within this solitary place an Order of the holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives about the year of grace M. CXCIV where they continued for the space of three years living in great austerity from any company of men and being on a day in Prayer were inspired of God to goe to Rome there to declare their intentions to his Holiness and to receive from his hands the Habit and Rule of the Order which they desired to institute for the better effecting whereofâ— they had Letters testimoniall from the Bishop of Paris making mention of the vision which the said Iohn de Matta had at the time that he first celebrated Masse When they came to Rome they were courteously received by Pope Innocent the 3. who forthwith celebrating the holy Masse on the 28. of Ian. being the Octaves of St. Anne did at the time of his elevation of the Host behold the like vision of an Angell cloathed in white as aforesaid with two Captives chain'd whereof the one was a Christian the other a Moore After which he assembled his Cardinalls and made known what he had seen and sent for the Anachorites declaring also to them that the Spirit of God did conduct them to those their designes and that he was the onely Author of the Order they would institute whereupon he gave them white Robes with a Crosse red and blew as on the following page is to be seen declaring to them the mystery of his vision scil the white Robe representing the candour of an innocent life and the purity of conscience The three colours scil of the habite and Crosse signifying the three persons of the holy Trinity the white the Father Eternall the blew which was the traverse of the Cross the Son in his Passion and the red the Charity of the holy Ghost and the two Prisoners bound and fettered had relation to the redemption of Captives appointing that this Institution should be called The Order of the holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives and that all the possessions which they should enjoy might be equally divided into three parts viz. the one for the entertainment and reception of Religious persons the other to relieve the poor and the third to redeem Christians kept Captive by the Infidells Trinitarianus Having signified thus much as to its Foundation I will now enumerate the severall Benefactors that the Canons of this Priory had beginning with the posterity of the pious Founder whereof Fouk de Lucy his grandchild was the first who gave them leave to inclose a way which interposed betwixt the Church of Teflesford and their habitation To him succeded Sir William de Lucy Knight which William gave them liberty to inclose two acres of land lying neer to their House and joyn them to the Court thereof as also a certain parcell of ground called the Hay lying at the head of those two acres along by the brook called Theulisforbrok so far as the breadth of those two acres extended In Bereford much was given thereto scil by Alice the wife of Walter de Bereford and daughter to Reinbald de Cherlecote five yard land By Philip de Kynton a good proportion which he had purchased of Henry de Bereford and others By Henry de Bereford the Church of Bereford and certain lands within that Lordship By Wâ—ll de Nasford sometime Lord of Bereford the fishing in Avon from Le-Milne to his own Mill poolâ— with liberty to make a Pâ—und upon their land at Bereford to keep in such cattell as should trespass upon them as also three yard land called the Free hide exempr from Warth and Scutage and all secular services and to have free ingress and egress to and from the Câ—mâ—on of pasture at Bereford for their cattell By Richard Malore son to VVilliam Malore of Kirkby in Leicester-shire certain lands in the same Kirkby with the advouson of the Church as also the Chapells of Shilton and Pakinton in that County By VVilliam Putot a yard land with a messuage and 4. acres lying in Ashorne in consideration whereof he and his tenants were to be quitted from paying any small Tithes for their lands in Newbold as also of Chircheset By VVilliam de Odingsells certain lands lying within his Lordship of Solihull at a place called Hundeshale By VVilliam de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick three parcells of errable land the one called Cley-pits the second Morecroft and the third Ferny-furlong with Common thereto belonging when the fields are open By Roger de Cherlecote all his lands and tenements in Hethcote viz. from Godewyneschich above Hethcote along to Newbold brook and from the torrent which runneth through the midst of Hethcote to Newbold brook in bredth unto the way leading from Newbold towards Warwick Divers petty grants of sundry others for brevity I omit Which endowments by severall persons so conferred enlarged the revenues belonging to this Monastery so much as that the Canons built their Church a new about the beginning of Edward 1. time as may seem by the Consecration thereof upon the day of the translation of S. Thomas the Martyr Anno 1285. 13 E. 1. which was solemnly performed by Godfrey Giffard the reverend Bâ— of Worcester who then preacht upon this Text there Domus tua decet c. The Benefactors that it afterwards had were these In 28 E. 3. Thomas Lucy then Lord of Cherlecote and Philippa his wife who gave certain lands in Cherlecote to these Friers that they should celebrate divine service and pray devoutly for the soul of VVilliam de Clinton sometime Earl of Huntingdon as also for the souls of them the said Thomas and Philippa In 18 R. 2. Sir VVilliam Lucy Knight Roger Straunge and Iohn Vicar of the Church of Wellesburne gave unto them one meâ—s xl acres of land and vi acres of meadowâ— lying in Ashorne and Newbold-Pacy and in 7 H.
the time when this Earl of Mellent who was advanc't to the Earldome of Leicester by King H. 1 enfeoft Raph Boteler in his part of this Lordship yet that he so did is out of doubt for in that confirmation made by the same King to the Canons of Kenilworth of those lands and Churches wherewith their Monastery was endowed the Church of this Cumton is specified and said to be de feodo Radulfi Pincerne de Legrecestria so that it is clear enough that Butler had it in his time The next possessor thereof that I find was Bigot to whom questionlesse the before specified Raph Boteler granted it for in H. 2. time Gilbert le Bigoth his son releasing to those Canons his right in the advouson of this Church acknowledges that it was de elemosina patris given to them by his father At that time also the said Gilb. quit claimed his title and interest to one hide of land lying here which his Ancestors had bestowed on them in consideration whereof he reserved the service of the fift part of a Kts. fee to be performed by the Incumbent in the said Church on behalf of the before specified Canons This Gilbert in 20 H. 2. answered vi li. to the K. for his lands here which as it should seem was by way of composition for his offence in adhering to those that were in Rebellion against the King on the part of young Henry but in that Record he is called Gilbertus Picot In 5 H. 3. there was a Fine levied of the third part of a Kts. fee here betwixt Cecilie the widow of Gilb. Bigot Ric. Bigot she clayming the said third part as her dowrie in which Record it is written Fenni-Cumpton that being the first time I find it distinguishâ— by such addition Of Bigot's portion intending to say more anon I now câ—me to speak of Turchill's share the passages whereof though I cannot by direct steps exactly trace yet am I satisfied in what road it went viz. to the Earl of Warwick as the rest of Turchill's lands did who enfeoft Turchill's posterity thereof to hold of his descendants by half a Knights fee From whom viz. one of the Ardens the Canons of Trentham in Staffordshire having a grant thereof past it to Richard Peche Lord of Wormleighton whereof I last spoke to hold by the same service all which may be inferred from that Inquis taken in 7 E. 1. whereof I shall make further mention by and by though in 20 H. 3. the Record expresses no other than that the said Ric. Peche held it immediatly of the Earl of Warwick Nor that of 36 H. 3. than that the heirs of Ric. Peche held it of Thomas de Arden and he of the Earl without any mention of the Prior of Trentham But about the beginning of E 1. time upon an Agreement made betwixt Richard Prior of Trentham and the Lady Hawisia widow of Richard Peche the title of the Canons of Trentham begins to appear for I thereby find that the said Canons at the especiall request of William Bishop of Norwich Sir Hugh de Arden Knight and other great men granted to the said Hawise the Wardship of these lands at Fenni-Compton and the Relief of Iohn her son when he should accomplish his full age which Iohn in 7 E. 1. was certified to hold this Lordship of the Prior of Trentham by the service of half a Knights fee the said Prior holding it of Thomas de Arden and he of the Earl of Warwick having one carucate of land in demesn and 5. Villains holding three yard land for which they payd severall Rents and performed suit to his Court. At the same time it was likewise found that the Prior of Clatercote held one carucate of land in demesn of the same T. de Arden by the service of the fourth part of a Knights fee and that the said Prior had also 4. Freeholders who held severall other portions I now return to Bigod By this Record doth it also appear that Robert Bigod descended from Gilbert before specified held his part of this town of Raph le Boteler by the service of half a Knights fee and he of the Earl of Leicester and that the said Robert then had xii Freeholders holding severall proportions of land under particular Rents and suit of Court And moreover that the Prior of Clatercote held two carucats of land of him in pure Almes whereof no Scutage was to be payd for more than one virgate which Robert and all his Tenants used to make their appearance at the Earl of Leicester's Court-Leet But after this I find no more mention at all of these Bigots so that I presume that what they had here was by them sold to Peche for in 13 E. 1. Iohn Peche claimed by Prescription a Court-Leet in this his Lordship together with Assize of Bread and Beer which were allowed From which family it went to Montfort by a daughter and heir as in Hampton in Arden where the Descent is drawn may be seen And by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort 10 H. 7. eschaeted to the Crown out of which it was granted together with Wormleighton unto William Cope Esquier Treasurer of the houshold to the K. 7. Maii 13 H. 7. And past as I think from Cope to Spenser with Wormleighton for in 13 H. 8. Iohn Spenser possest it But in 22 H. 8. a Fine was levyed thereof betwixt Richard Willis gentleman plaintiff and Margery Belingham widow late wife of Sir Robert Belingham Knight daughter and heir to Iohn Beaufitz of Balshall deforciant from which Richard is descended George Willis now Lord thereof an scil 1640. That which the Canons of Clatercote had here was granted out of the Crown in 30 H. 8. unto William Petre D â— of Law and to the heirs male of his body together with the site of that Monastery and Mannour of Clatercote And in 36 H. 8. by another Patent to the same William and his heirs by the name of Sir William Petre Knight But the next year following upon exchange of lands made with the said Sir William Petre the King had it again and by his Letters Patent dated xi Dec. 37 H. 8. granted it inter alia to the Colledge of Christ-Church in Oxford of his own foundation to hold in pure Almes That the Church dedicated to S. Clare was given to the Canons of Kenilworth by Bigot in H. 1. time I have already intimated which grant Richard Peche Bishop of Coventre confirmed temp H. 2. And Geffrey Muschamp Bishop in King Iohn's time assigned xxx s. Pension to them yearly out of the fruits thereof which Alex. de Savensby his successor shortly after confirmed After which till 12 E. 1. the advouson thereof continued to those Canons but then did they passe it to Roger Molend Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield In
Armes in a South window of the Chancell Gules a Fesse betwixt 6. Crosse Croslets Or Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Gules a Cheveron betwixt 3. Cressants Arg. ...... Upon a gravestone in the body of the Church this Epitaph Of your charitie pray for the soule of Iohn Warner the which deceassed the xix day of October in the year of our Lord M.D.xx. On whose soule Iesu have mercy Upon the corner of Edg-Hill within this Parish is there a great Fortification of a quadrangular forme containing about twelve acres as I guesse near unto which in our memory was found a Sword of brasse and a Battaill-axe touching which kinde of weapons M Cambden in Cornwall maketh some mention Of such and other Fortifications made by the Romans as this doubtlesse was Polybius in his xvii book speaketh So also Caesar de Bello Civili Lib. 3. n. 13. Erat eo loco saith he fossa pedum xv vallus contra hostem in altitudinem pedum x tantundemque ejuâ— valli agger in latitudâ—nem patebat Ab eo intermisso spatio pedum DC alter converâ—us in contrariam partem erat vallus humiliore paulo munitione See also more of this subject in Caesar de â—ello Gallico Lib. 7. So likewise in Vegetius Lib. 4. cap. 28. Vpton THis was heretofore possest by the family of Arden being originally a member of Ratley â— and therefore is involved therewith in the Conquerors Survey though it be not particularly mentioned As for its name there is no question but that it proceded from the high situation of the place the syllable Up signifying as much as supra but the first mention that I find of it is in H. 2. time if not King Stephens where one Haraldus filius Gunfridâ— maketh sale to Godfrey de Arden a Monk of Coventre and son to Siward de Arden of certain lands lying here to the use of that Monastery After this viz. in R. 1. time as I guesse did Thomas de Ardern grant certain lands lying in this place to the Canons of S. Sepulchers in Warwick in which deed it is written Hoptone But there was antiently a family assuming their sirname from their residence here which held it of the Ardens whereby 't is evident that from one of that line they were enfeoft thereof Of these one is called Rich. de Upton and I have seen an antient Roll wherein it appeareth that Roger de Upton held it of Thomas de Arden by the service of the tenth part of a Kts. fee From which Roger I presume descended Iohn de Upton certified to be Lord thereof in 9 E. 2. Howbeit the services here due to the Ardens and their heir were granted away by Thomas who sold this Lordship unto Guy de Gyllebrok which Guy past them to Will. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick so that afterwards it was held of the said Earl and his descendants But the next mention I find of this Mannour is in 30 H. 6. where Will. Verney Esquier son and heir to Robert Verney of great Wolford in this County by his Deed bearing date 12. Feb. 30 H. 6. sold it to Ric. Dalby of Brokhampton gent. for Lxxvii l. vi s. viii d. sterling which Richard enfeoft thereof one Morgan Kydwelly esq and others to certain uses who sold it to Will. Danvers afterwards Kt which Will. depopulated 1 mess. and inclosed xxviii acres of land and CC. acres of pasture in this place From whom is lineally descended Iohn Danvers Esq. now Lord thereof Radway THis place being situat on the skirt and neer the passage up to Edg-Hill had its name originally as I guesse from the red colour of the earth which sheweth it self at a good distance upon that road by reason of the ascending ground In the Conquerors time it contained six hides three whereof were then possest by the Monks of Coventre and valued at L s. two by Earl Alberic Progenitor to the Earl of Oxford rated at xx s. and one by Ricardus Forestarius of whom I have spoke in Chesterton valued at xxv s. in which Survey it is written Radwei and Rodeweie But upon some Agreement betwixt the said Monks of Cov and the Bishop that which they had here came to him it seems Two hides whereof did Roger de Clinton Bishop of Coventre give in frank Almes to the Monks of Radmore in K. Steph. time and the third coming to Gâ—â—ffrey de Clinton of Kenilworth was by him bestowed on the same Monks for the health of his soul and the souls of his father and mother and other his Ancestors in acknowledgment of which favour they gave him C s. and to Henry his son a Bisantine Touching that which Earl Alberic had it came to Hugh Bigot Earl of Norfolk in H. 2. time in marriage as I suppose with Iulian daughter to Alberic de Vere the Kings Chamberlain grandchild to the said Earl Alberic for in 9. Ioh. the Shiriff of this County received the Kings Precept to render the possession thereof to Roger Bigot Earl of Norfolk son to the said Hugh it having been seized into his hands upon wroug information as part of the possessions of Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester who was in rebellion about that time It seems that it was afterwards seized again for the King as an Eschaet for in 6 H. 3. the Shiriff of Warwick-shire had a command to make livery thereof to Hugh Bigot Earl of Norfolk son to the same Roger I find it antiently accounted for half a Kts. fee but the land it self as is evident being granted to sundry persons was partly given to the Monks of Stoneley or by those Monks purchast from the particular Freeholders which Monks were translated from Radmore thither as in Stoneley I have shewed And partly to the Canons of Erdbury for it appears that Raph de Sudley bestowed on that Religious House one whole hide lying here which in 7 E. 1. was rated at two yard land and then held by 5. Tenants who payd severall Rents and performed severall servile labours At which time the proportion that the Monks of Stoneley had here was esteemed at four carucates whereof two they then held in demesn the rest being in the hands of Tenants who payd somewhat in Rents and the rest in â—erviâ—e imployments for those Monks But the residue of this town being vii yard land and a half was then possest by Iohn de Morcote son of Alan de Morcote who held it of Richard de Loges This is that which in the Conquerors time was rated at one hide and held by Ric. Forestarius as I have already declared whose right therein lineally descended to the family of Loges as in Chesterton hath been shewed and by Hugh de Loges father to Richard above mentioned was aliened to the said Alan de Morcote In that part which the Monks of Stoneley had here they had Freewarren
granted to them in 12 E. 1. having a Grange within the precincts thereof called Egge-Grange But it was not long ere they became Lords of more for it is evident that in 14 E. 1. the above mentioned Iohn de Morcote sold part of that he had unto them Howbeit the Abbots tenants here did antiently use to performe their suit at the Court-Leet held for the Honour of Leicester The residue of that which was of Loges his see and forâ—erly possest by the above specified Alan de Morcote being 7. messuages one toft with 7. yard land and a half was in 22 R. 2. granted by Robert de Walden of Warwick to the said Monks to find a certain Wax Candâ—e burning in the Conventuall Church of Stoneley every day at the Masse of our blessed Lady whilst the world should endure Of these lands after the dissolution of the Monasteryes a great part was disposed to purchasers viz. Edge-Grange to Ric. Andrews gent. Leonard Chamberlain Esquire and to the heirs of Andrews in 34 H. 8. Radway-Grange which is in the parish of Bishops-Ichington to Francis Goodere gent. and his heirs 13. Apr. 36 H. 8. And in 7 E. 6. another proportion to Thomas and Humfry Cocks both brethren and to the heirs of Thomas But what hands they have past through since I know not The Church dedicated to S. Peter hath been antiently appropriated to the Monastery of Stoneley In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued but at two marks and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge at Cxii s. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodaells Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Will. Ebern Cap. 12. Cal. Aug. 1321. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Thomas de Radway Cap. Id. Iunii 1328. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ioh. le Glees Pbr. 11. Cal. Oct. 1335. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Thomas Veysy Cap. 8. Cal. Sâ—pt 1349. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Thomas Yous Pbr. 3. Non. Iunii 1351. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Will. de Paylinton Pbr. 5. Cal. Iulii 1354. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Thomas de Haluton Monachus 4. Iunii 1378. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ioh. de Doncaster Monach. 12. Oct. 1384. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Edm. Chamberlain Cap. 8. Iunii 1403. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Will. Smyth Cap. ult Nov. 1410. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ric. Watton Cap. 28. Sept. 1417. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Will. Reynolds Cap. 22. Dec. 1418. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ioh. Roulande 11. Martii 1424. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley D. Thomas Harewode Cap. 24. Sept. 1427. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ioh. Fletcher Pbr. 13. Apr. 1429. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Henr. Andrew 8. Apr. 1432 Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Nich. Swey 19. Iun. 1433 Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ioh. Grover Pbr. 20. Nov. 1433. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Tho. Noel Pbr. 22. Ian. 1441 Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ioh. Clerke ult Iulii 1443. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ioh. Smyth Pbr. 25. Apr. 1450. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley Ric. Bishop 5. Martii 1498. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley D. Ioh. Everton 5. Iun. 1506. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley D. Ric. Ionson Cap. 22. Iunii 1529. Abbas Conv. de Stoneley D. Will. Warner Cap. 11. Apr. 1536. Thomas Mecock 6. Sept. 1574. D. Maria Regina Walt. Gâ—les 30. Maii 1575. D. Eliz. Regina Iacobus Rex Ieremias Hill Cler. 4. Oct. 1620. Tisoe FOllowing the tract of Edg-Hill it leads me next to Tisoe which stands likewise at the skirt thereof having within its precincts the Hamlets of Westcote and Kyte-Herdwyke This is a great Lordship and contaâ—ned xxiii hides in the Conq. days as appears by his generall Survey where it is written Ticheshoc being then rated at xxx li. and possest by Râ—b de Stadford a person of eminent note at which time there was a Church but before the Norman Invasion Waga of whom in Wotton I shall speak held it Continuing to the posterity of the said Robert for divers ages I find that in 7 E. 1. Nich. de Stafford held it as part of his Barony by the service of one Knights fee having at that time two carucates in demesn and xiii Tenants occupying certain proportions of land under severall Rents and divers particular services viz. Plowing Harrowing Mowing Thrashing and the like And that Robert de Stafford son to the same Nicholas held then also a good quantity of land here of his said father upon which he had xix tenants who occupying the greatest part thereof performed the like servile dutyes as his father's Tenants dâ—d At that time also it appears that the Monks of Bordsley had 3. yard land and a half withâ—n the precincts of this Lordship The Nuns of Brewood two yard land and a half The Bishop of Worcester 4. yard land The Canons of Stone 3. yard land with the advâ—uson of the Church The Canons of Kenilworth 5. yard land The Canons of Erdbury 2. carucates and the Templars of Balshall 1. carucate all of the fee and gift of the Barons of Stafford Aâ—l whâ—se Tenants except those to the Canons of Kenilworth â— and â—emplars did their suit twâ—ce a year at the Court Leet held at Kinton for that Hundrâ—d Whâ—ch Nâ—cholas Lâ—rd Stafford in 13 E. 1. had Free-warren granted to him â—n all his demesne lands here So also in 15 E. 3. had Raph Lord Stafford grand child to the same Nicholas in consideratâ—on of his acceptable services he being at that tâ—me Steward of the King's houshold a weekly Mercate granted to hâ—m and his heirs therein upon the Tuesday and a Fair yearâ—y for four dayes viz. on the Even and day of S. Peter ad Vincula commonly called Lammas and two days following As a so a Court-Leet wâ—th Wâ—â—s Sâ—rey and divâ—rs other priviledges But â—n 12 H. 8. did Edw. D. of Buck passe away this Mannâ—ur to Râ—c B. of Winchester and others to the use of Sir Wâ—ll Compton Kt. and his heirs since which time they have enjâ—y'd it the Earl of Northampton whâ—se descent in Compton-Winyate inserted being now owner thereâ—t That whâ—ch the Teâ—plars had here was granted to them by Râ—b de Staffâ—rd and Henry de Clinton being in 31 H. 2. valued at vi li. ii s. viâ—i d. But coming afterwards to the Câ—own wâ—th all other lands belonging to the Religâ—ous Hâ—uses was â—n 7 E. 6. past out by the name of a Mannâ—ur to Edw. Aeliorby of Balshall gent. and Henry Hugford of Solthull gent. and their heirs by Letâ—ers Pâ—t dated 26. Maii being now called Temple-Tisoe by way of dâ—stâ—nction from the other Lâ—râ—ship Within the precinct of that Mannour in Tishoe now belonging to the E. of Northampton but antiently to the family of
Stafford as I have shewed there â—s cut upon the side of Edg-Hill the proportâ—on of a Horse â—n a very large forme which by reason of the ruddy colour of the Earth is called the Red Horse and giveth denomination to that fruitfull and pleasant Câ—untrey thereabouts commonly called The vale of Red Horse The Trenches of whâ—ch ground where the shâ—pe of the said Horse is so cut out being yearly scoured by a Free-holder in this Lordshâ—p who holds certain lands there by that service The Church dedicated to the Assumption of the B. Virgin beâ—ng given to the Canons of Stone by Rob. de Stafford grandchild to the first Robert who lived in the Conq. time was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xxx marks and appropriated to those Canons by Godfrey Giffard B. of Worcester in an 1294. 22 E. 1. and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge at x li. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Stanes Hugo de Bidulph Cap. 12. Cal. Maii 1249. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Rob. de Codeshale Pbr. 5. Id. Sept. 1316. Prior Conv. de Stanes Ioh. de Wotton Pbr. 6. Maii 1357. Prior Conv. de Stanes Ioh. Prymme Pbr. 8. Sept. 1369. Prior Conv. de Stanes Ioh. Bleech Cap. 3. Apr. 1426. Prior Conv. de Stanes Thom. Blome 19. Martii 1438. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Ioh. Cowpland Cap. 1. Martii 1451. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Ioh. Lyngard Cap. 24. Maii 1462. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Walt. Busby Cap. 3. Sept. 1471. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Ric. Hyndman 7. Sept. 1486 Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Ric. Shoulde ult Dec. 1526 Will. Barnes gen Will. Edwards Cler. 23. Martii 1563. Monumentall Inscriptions Upon a Marble grave stone in the Chancell ............. Uxor Edmundi baronis de Stafford ................... On another towards the North side of the Church Hic iacet dominus Thomas Mastropp qui mortem obiit xxix Novembris anno M. CCCClxv Westcote THis place lying Westwards from Tisoe was involved therewith at the time of the Conq. Survey but till 3. Ioh. I have not seen it mentioned in any Record and then was there a Fine levied betwixt one Alardus de Westcote and Basilia de Mora of certaâ—n lands here it being of her inheritance as one of the three daughters and coheirs of Rob. fitz Otes who was Lord of Locksley also and held it of the Barons of Stafford by one of which either himself or one of his Ancestors was it seems enfeoft Which said Basilia being marryed to Peter de Mora had issue 5. daughters the eldest whereof was wife to Raph le Falconer otherwise called Raph de Mora the second to Rob. de Offeworth the third to Rob. Balance the fourth to Paulyne Peyure and the fift to one Leonard a Kt. This Raph le Falconer alias de Mora had issue by her a son named Peter de Mora which Peter about the 38 H. 3. past away all this Village of Westcote to the Canons of Kenilworth so that in 7 E. 1. the Prior of Kenilworth was certified to be Lord thereof holding it of the Baron of Stafford by the service of half a Kts. fee. But at the same time had the Hospitall of S. Iohn situate without the East gate at Oxford where Magdalen Colledge now stands a carucate of land in this Village and the Monks of Stoneley 1. yard land which proportion belonging to the said Hospitall being purchased by the Master Brethren and sisters thereof about the beginning of Edw. 1. reign was in 13 E. 1. found to be 4. yard land Upon the Foundation of which Colledge temp H. 6. the lands here in Westcote with the rest that belong'd to the above mentioned Hospitall were transmâ—tted thereto as in Willoughby I have â—ntimated But that which the Canons of Kenilworth had here was in 34. H. 8. granted to Ric. Andrews and Leonard Chamberlain and the heirs of Andrews Kyte-Herdwike THis being also a member of Tisoe and possest therewith by the antient Barons of Stafâ—ord â— was by Râ—b de Stafford Grandchild to the first Robert given unto Will. Gâ—ffard who bestowed 〈◊〉 whole hide thereof upon the Canons of Kenilworth in H. 2. time in recompence for the wrongs he had done them and for the pardon of his sins which grant the said Robert confirm'd But how or when Giffard parted wâ—th his interest here I cannot shew Howbeit in 36 H. 3. it appears that the heir of Raph de Mora held half a Kts. fee in this place of Robert de Stafford And in 7 E. 1. Ric. de Bleys was certified to be Lord of part thereof which he held of the said Baron of Stafford by the service of two parts of a Kts. fee and Iohn de Cantilupe owner of another part of it held it of the said Baron by the service of the third part of a Kts. fee and 1 pound of Cumâ—n I have not found the true reason of its being called Kyte-Herdwike but that it was usually so termed appears by severall Records In 10 H. 6. Will. Verney of Wolford Esq. was Lord thereof and held it by the third part of a Kts. fee. From whom â—t paâ—t to Ric. Dalby of Brokehampton as it seems for the said Richard dyed seized thereof in 20 E. 4. leaving Robert his son and heir xxx years of age Compton-Winyate FUrther Southwards stands Compton-Winyate being so called for distinction from the other Comptons in this County having had that addition in respect that long since there was a Vineyard within the Lordship as by tradition of the Inhabitants appeareth And as all others of the same name was originally â—o called from its situation in a low and deep valley the word Cwin in the Brittish and Cumbe in the Saxon importing no less In the Conq â—â— time it being possest by Turchill de Warwick contained viii hides and one Virgate two whereof were held by Almarus of the said Turchill and valued at xl s. Three and a Virgate by one Roger which were rated at L s. and the rest by Aluâ—inus prized at iiii l. That the greatest part of Turchil's lands came actually to Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line and that the residue which the said Turchil's heirs enjoy'd was by them held of the said Earl and his descendants is plain enough by what I have so often exprest but whether the first that assumed his sirname of this place was immediatly enfeoft thereof by one of those Earls or by any of Turchill's posterity I cannot positively affirm in regard that the Record of 20 H. 3. and that of 36 H. 3. do not directly concur the former of them intimating that the half Kts. fee which Philip de Cumton then had
Edward dyed seized thereof in the life time of Thomas and Thomas departed this life 1. Ian. 5. Eliz. leaving Iohn his son and heir xxx years of age The Church being given to the Monastery of Alcester by Raph le Boteler Founder thereof in K. Stephens time was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. rated at xii marks at which time the Prior of Ware had a portion of the Tithes belonging thereto valued at 1. mark And in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at viii li. iii s. iv d. the Rectory being appropriate to the Monks of Alcester and then rated at xvii li. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Abb. Conv. de Alencester Will. de Alencester Cap. in Vigil b. Cath. Virg. 1268. Abb. Conv. de Alencester Rog. dictus le Boor Pbr. 7. Id. Apr. 1284. Abb. Conv. de Alencester D. Milo de Cirnecester Pbr. 3. Non. Iun. 1306. Abb. Conv. de Alencester D. Ioh. Enche Pbr. 15. Cal. Aug. 1337. Abb. Conv. de Alencester Phil de Warmynton Cap. 7. Iulii 1339. Abb. Conv. de Alencester Ric. Wylkins Cap. 5. Dec. 1402. Abb. Conv. de Alencester D. Thom. Sompner Cap. 15. Nov. 1416. Abb. Conv. de Alencester D. Will. Doninton Cap. penult Iunii 1420. Abb. Conv. de Alencester D. Ioh. Tamworth 27. Apr. 1464. Abbas Conv. de Evesham D. Ioh. Clerke Cap. 14. Ian. 1480. Abbas Conv. de Evesham Magr. Ioh. Pryn in decret Bacc. 5. Apr. 1521. Thom. Woodward gen Ioh. Morse Cler. 11. Sept. 1583. Ric. woodward gen Rad. Wright Cler. 2. Martii 1590. Ric. woodward gen Nich. Byfeild Cler. 21. Ian. 1601. Francisca Woodward Vidua Ioh. Palmer Cler. 2. Feb. 1603. Francisca Woodward Vidua Rob. Rainebow Cler. 8. Ian. 1619 Kineton THis town as it gives name to the Hundred whereof I have spoke already at my enâ—rance thereinto so stands it about the center of it and for divers respects as I shal anon observe is a place as worthy of note as any other in this part of the County There are two places in the Conquerors Survey wherein the name of Cintone which is all one with what we now call Kington or Kineton is to be found the one amongst the lands belonging to the Earl of Mellent but I make a doubt whether that concerns this place rather believing it to be Kington now an obscure Village lying neer Claverdon The other amongst the lands of Will. fil Corbucion and then held by one Ailmarus being then certified to contain no more than two hides besides the woods estimated at half a mile in length and 4. furlongs in breadth all which was then valued but at x s. and had been the freehold of Turchill de Warwick in Edward the Confessors days But whether that were this Kington I am as unsatisfied believing rather this not to be at all mentioned in Domesday-book as some other places of note viz. Alcester and Tamworth in this County are not though then in the Ks. hands as I conclude those places were for it appears by a very authentique Record that it was antient demesn id est in the possession of King Edward the Confessor or King William the Conquerour and very likely of other Kings before those days the name thereof importing no lesse But the first certain mention that I find of it is in the Regâ—ster of Kenilworth â— where it appears that King H. 1. possest it and gave the Church to the Canons of that House immediatly after the Foundation thereof Eâ—clesiam etiam de Chintona de meo domino Concedo c. are the words of his Charter This King Henry granted also to Milo one of the sons to Will. de Oxinford and the rest of his Brethren xxx s. per an lands here in Chinton w ch William their father who is also called Vicecomes held of him and namely the land of Swinlic given by the said King to them and their mother in exchange for what they had in Blochesham Which Milo is he as I guesse who was called Milo de Kineton being a witnesse to many Charters in this County about that time But this land so given to the same Mâ—lo and his brethren King Stephen had again from himâ— and gave it to the said Canons of Kenilworth at such time as he confirm'd to them the grant of the Church by King H. 1. Howbeit the Mannour it self continued in the King's hands for it appears that in 12 H. 2. Will. Basset then Shiriff of this Shire accounted for the charge of making a Goale here and in 23 H. 2. xi marks and a half were assest and received from this town for Aid to the King under the title of Aâ—xilium Burgorum Villarum hominum per Will. fil Radulfi Will. Basset Mich. Belet Justices Itinerant at that time In 4 R. 1. there was xiv li. xv s. viii d. bestowed in workmanship upon the Gaol here by the Ks. speciall Precept Herebert de Putot and William Balance the one Lord of Hopsford â— the other of Ashorne in this County being Overseers of the repair But in 7 Ioh. the King having rendred Pilardington to Hugh de Gurnay from whom he had taken it and bestowed it upon Hugh de Hercy commanded the Shiriff that he should deliver possession of this Mannour to the said Hugh de Hercy by way of exchange for his title in Pilardington upon condition that if the said Hugh de Hercy could by any friendly agreement or by course of law recover Pilardington from the same Hugh de Gurnay that then he should deliver up this back again to the King Which was accordingly done for I find that Hugh de Hercy did repossesse Pillardington whereupon the King having this again by his Charter bearing date at Lincoln 28. Sept. 18. of his raign granted it in Fee-ferm to Stephen de Segrave and his heirs of whom in Caludon I have spoke paying into the Exchequer yearly xii li. viz. at Easter vi li. and Michaelmasse vi li. being the antient Rent that it yeilded to the Crown After which viz. in 4 H. 3. the same Stephen de Segrave obtained the Kings Charter dated 28. Aug. for a Mercate here weekly upon the Tuesday And the next year following did the King direct his speciall Precept to Thomas de Estleg and William Basset reciting that whereas he had granted unto them his speciall Commission for the seizing of all the Demesns and Eschaets which appertained to the Crown they should not meddle with this Mannour in respect that the same Stephen de Segrave had a Patent thereof from King Iohn which had been exhibited to him the said King And in 11. of his reign to fortifie his title granted unto him a new Charter thereof together with the like for the Tuesday Mercate bearing date at Westminster 10. Feb. the
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
Knight Pl. and Iohn the son of Sir Iohn Trillow Knight and Ioan his wife Deforc. it being of her inheritance whereby it past to the said Sir Baldwin for life But in 10 Henr. 6. Richard Beauchamp Earl of UUarwick was Lord of it And shortly after that Iohn Arden of Park-hall Esquier who upon the marriage of Thomas his son and heir setled it inter alia upon him Which Thomas in 1. 2. Phil. M. levyed a Fiâ—e thereof but to what uses I know not The Chapell here as also that of Norton-Limesi antiently belong'd to the Church of UUotton-Wawen but in the year 1257. by a special Agreement made betwixt the Prior of UUotton and the then Rector of the Church of Claverdon it was concluded that from thenceforth the said Chapells with all the Tithes as well great as small arising within their precincts should belong to the Church of Claverdon as also that the Inhabitants of this Village and Norton should bury their dead and receive the Sacraments there In consideration whereof the Rector of Claverdon and his successors were to pay for ever unto the Prior of UUotton and his successors in the Church of Wawens-UUottou 5. marks and 8 â— yearly upon the Feast days of St. Iames the Apostle and St. Martin by equall portions or within two dayes following which agreement was confirmed by Maugerius Bishop of UUorcester upon Fryday being Saint Peters day the year abovesaid When or how the difference grew betwixt the Successors of the said Rector and Prior I know not but I find that about 22 H. 7. the Arch-Deacon of UUorcester as Rector of Claverdon and the Provost and Fellows of Kings Colledge in Cambridge successors to the said Prior came to a new Agreement viz. that the said Rector of Claverdon and his successors should themselves pay to the said Provost and Fellows and their successors xl s. yearly Pension at Easter and Mâ—chaelmasse by even portions in right of their Rectory of VVawens-UUotton which Agreement bears date 1 Februarii anno 1506. 22 Henry 7. Norton Limesi alias Norton superior FOllowing this little brook I come next to Norton-Limesi standing upon an ascent on the Northwest side thereof but it is not at all mentioned in the Conquerors Survey which makes me conclude that it was then involved with UUolvardinton being the very proportion which Rob. de Stadford then held in that place For in 13 Ioh. Where the Fees belonging to the Honour of Stafford in this County are recorded Langeleg and Norton which I take to be this Norton are certified for two Knights Fees And afterwards viz. in 36 Henr. 3. is it also joyned with Langele VVill. de Curli of whom I have spoke in Budbroke answering for one Knights Fee in both these places But in 9 E. 2. it was reputed a Hamlet of Fulbroke and written Norton-Limsey for distinction from the other Nortons It seems that the Earls of UUarwick became possest of it in E. 3. time if not before for in 46 E. 3. it appears that the Knights Fee here in Langley above mentioned was held of Raph Earl Stafford by Thomas Beauchamp then Earl of UUarwick and so likewise by the succeeding Earls of Warwick The Chapell here dedicated to the holy Trinity was antiently dependent upon the Church of UUotton-VVawen but long since annext to the Parish Church of Claverdon Sunger THis place was given to the Monks of Bordsley in K. Steph. time by Will. Giffard and confirm'd by Roger Earl of Warwick but the reason why it is not particularly mentioned in the Conquerors Survey is because it was then involved with Brailes of which Mannour it was accounted for half a hide as the Charter of its confirmation made by Will Earl of UUarwick son to Earl Roger doth testifie After the dissolution of which Monastery it was granted out of the Crown inter alia to Clem. Throkmorton Esquier and Alex. Avenon and their heirs by the name of the Mannour Ferm and Graunge called Songer-grange and is now possest by Clem. Throkmorton of Haseley Esq great grandchild to the said Clement Paulines-Heath OF this place all that I have seen is no more than that the Canons of Saint Sepulchers in UUarwick were seized thereof in 42 H. 3. But I do not find that those lands then so called did continue that name or were reputed a Mannour Pinley-Priory ON an ascending ground upon the North side of that torrenâ— rising about the skirts of Claverdon stands Pinley which was antiently a member of Rowinton and granted as I guesse by Robert the first Earl of Leicester of the Norman line who possest Hugh de Grenâ—emaisnill's lands whereof Rowinton was part to Robert Boteler of Oversley in this County which Robert as it seems enfe oft R. de Pilardinton thereof who was the Founder of this little Monastery For in the Confirmation made by Simon Bishop of UUorcester as also of Iohn Pagham and Alured his immediate successors who lived in K. H. 1. and K. Steph. times there is recitall that the said R. de Pilardinton gave to God and the Nuns of this place totam terram de Pineleia assensu Roberti Pincerâ—e de Overslâ—ia Whether there were any formall Charter of its Foundation I much doubt but if there were 't is â—o wonder through the various changes of its possessors since the dissolution that it is lost And for enroulment in our publique Records I am sure there is none it seldome hapning that such small Houses went to the charge thereof I come now to the severall Benefactors that they had In Pinley Will. the son of Wigan Mareschall gave them half a yard land In Shrewley Ernald de Bois one carucate and Robert de Tayden a certain Tenement containing a full carucate In UUalton-Mauduit VValeran Earl of UUarwick gave the tithe corne In UUalton-Daivil Walt. de D'avill the tithe of his Mill. In Claverdon several parcells of land were given some by Waleran Earl of Warwick in a place called Crudshale and the rest by Nich. de Crudshale In Ruhinton Will. the son of VVill. de Freynuse gave a meadow In Langeley VVill. de Curley and his Tenants several parcells In UUhatcote the Nuns of this House had one yard land and a half granted by Sir Iohn le Lowe Knight In UUhitchurch an yearly Rent of xiii quarters of Wheat and xiiii quarters of Barley which they purchased of Peter de Montfort Lord of that Mannour which Family of Montfort whose seat was a Beldesert were very devout Benefactors to this Monastery for I find that Thurstan de Montfort gave thereunto the tenth part of all the victualls spent in his House viz. Bread Beer Flesh Fish and whatsoever was drest in his Kitchin and that Peter his son obtained the patronage thereof from Roger de Pilardinton in H. 3. time whereof he had a
afterwards seen any thing thereof till 8 E. 3. that upon the taxation of a Fifteenth and Tenth it was certified to bear somewhat a greater proportion than Alveston yet was it not a distinct Mannour of it self but a member of that and so past from the Crown in 33 H. 8. to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester before specified and is at this day reputed parcell thereof Bridg-town THis place hath its name by reason of the situation thereof so neer to Stratford-bridg but the chiefest thing memorable in it is that there hath been an Heremitage whereunto the Chapell of S. Mary Magdalen in this village belonged which Heremitage was antiently endowed with lands by some of the Powers of Ryen-Clifford for reparation of the before specified Bridg all which were confirmed thereunto by Thomas Power Esquier in 22 H. 6. who constituted one Iohn Rawlyns to be Heremite there during his life appointing that he should yearly celebrate an Obit in the Parish-Church of Stratford before mentioned upon the Eve of Corpus Christi for the souls of the Parents and Ancestors of him the said Thomas Power The donation of which Heremitage upon the grant of Ryen-Clifford from Christopher Power to William Clopton in 5 H. 8. is therewith past to him the said William and his heirs since when and not before that ever I could see this place hath been reputed a Mannour the said William Clopton being certified to dye seized thereof 4. Ian. 1 Eliz. From whom is descended Thomas Clopton of Clopton that hath the like right therein at this day but the site of the Heremitage was in 3. 4. Ph. M. granted to the Hospitall of Savoy in the Suburbs of London Loxley THis place was given by Offa King of the Mercians unto the Church of Worcester about CCC years before the Norman Conquest and continued thereto till the time of King Canutus the Dane but then the whole Realm being burthened with grievous taxes and a Constitution made that if any place did fail in payment by the space of 3. days of what was so exacted he that should deposite the money to the Shiriff might presently possesse himself thereof this with divers other lands whereof Ludington Draiton and Milcote in this County were part was by that crafty advantage most injuriously taken from it Sed Deus hanc sui rapinam absque ultione non dimisit saith the Monk of Worcester nam unusquisque eorum qui huic fraudi operam dederunt digna ultione percussi aut luminibus privati aut paralysi dissoluti aut in insaniam versi sunt plurimi etiam semetipsos interfecerunt But at the Norman invasion one Eatstanus had the greatest part of it as his freehold which by the Conq. was disposed of inter alia to the E. of Mellent as may appear by the generall Survey shortly after made where it is written Locheslei certified to contain 4. hides all which excepting one virgate held by Hugo fil Constantii of Hugh de Grentemaisnill and valued at v s. were rated at iv li. xv s. there being then a Church Another hide by the same Survey may seem to have been here though it be in that place written Lochesham which was then in the Bishop of Worcester's hands and rated at xxv s. But that which the Earl of Mellent had came to his brother Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick as it seems with the rest of those lands in this County which the same Henry and his posterity enjoy'd for by what I shall shew anon it will appear to have been of their Fee Whether Robert fil Odonis who lived in H. 2. time was the first that had it by the Earl of Warwick's grant or whether it were his father I am not sure but that the said Robert possest it and made it the place of his residence is out of doubt for in his grant to the Canons of Kenilworth of Cxx. acres of his demesn lands here with a messuage toft and croft and ii s. Rent which for xii marks of silver he sold to them he writes himself Robertus fil Odonis de Lochesleia And besides this so sold by him he gave unto them for the health of his fathers soul whose body lay buried in that Monastery and for the good estate of himself and his posterity pasturage for x. Oxen and C. Sheep in his demesn lands here Which Robert left issue onely 3. daughters his heirs whose matches and descendants I have here inserted Rob. fil Odonis de Locheslei Basilia Petrus de Mora senior ux Rad. le Falconer sive de Mora. Petrus de Mora senior ... ux Rob. de Offeworth ... ux Rob. Balance ... ux Paulini Peyvre ... ux Lenardi .... mil. Agnes ux Will. Trussell Margeria ux Will. Bagod Of Peter de Mora great grandchild to Rob. fil Odonis I find that he was a liberall Benefactor to the Canons of Kenilworth for it appears that about 38 H. 3. he gave them the Mannour-house here at Loxley and all his possessions belonging thereto besides his lands at Westcote and Morton-Bagot with the advouson of that Church Will. Mansell being then high Shiriff of this County and a witnesse thereto which was confirmed to them by Will. Mauduit Earl of Warwick in 47 H. 3. And that the Canons of Kenilworth had here in 19 E. 1. one carucate of land valued at xvi s. in Rent of Assise viii s. and one Mill rated at iv s. at which time the Monks of Worcester had xviii s. Rent of Assize in this Lordship But it seems that the Ancestour of Iohn de Wauton Lord of Walton D'eivile was enfeoft by the Canons of Kenilworth in the greatest part of this Lordship for it appears that the said Iohn held the same of them by Knights service and in 20 E. 3 Baldw. Frevill and William Trussell answered for half a Knights Fee in this place Which Canons having a great share here in 25 E. 3. purchased of Iohn the son of Iohn de Peyto xiv messuages more with two carucates five yard land three acres of meadow and x s. ob Rent in this place All which together with the rest whereof they were possest before coming to the Crown upon the dissolution of that Monastery was 28 Martii 33 H. 8. granted to Thom. Cawarden Esq. and Elizabeth his wife and the heirs of the body of the said Thomas and afterwards coming to Lodowyk Grevill Esquier and Francis Gyll Yeoman was by them sold to Edward Nevill Esquier but continued not long with him for in 12 Eliz. William Underhill dyed seized of it leaving William his son and heir aged xiv years and six months The Church being given to the Monastery of Stone in Staffordshire which was a Cell to the Priory of Kenilworth by Rob. fil Odonis before specified
certain things to be performed by Iohn Copley his nephew gave it to him the said Iohn and the heirs male of his body Marclive THis place taking its name from the Marly-Cliff or descent which we see on the Southern side of Avon was at first a member of Bidford and therewith past from Baldwin Wake and the before specified Hawisia to Rob. Burnell Bishop of Bathe and Wells in 8 E. 1. but then was it written only Clive and in 9 E. 2. as a Hamlet of Bidford was held by Aliva Burnell in dower It seems that much of it was sold long since by the Burnells to ordinary persons which may well be the cause that there is so little notice taken thereof in Record for I find that in 29 E. 3. Walt. Lenche father of Ioh. Lenche then living had purchased two messuages 1 yard land 1 acre of meadow and xxv s. yearly Rent lying in this place of Alice the widow of Edward Burnell and Nich. Burnell her husband's nephew of some part whereof Iohn Rous of Ragley dyed seized in 20 R. 2. But in 16 H. 7 Will. Harewell of Wotton-Wawen dyed seized of the whole Mannour Bickmersh THis Village is in the Parish of Welford in Gloucestershire but by antient depopulation much shrunk from what it heretofore was Part hereof did K. Edgar in the year of Christ 967 grant to Brithnothus his servant for life which Brithnothus transmitted his right therein to the Monastery of Worcester with his son whom he thither sent to live a religious life In that grant of King Edgar it is written Bicamnersce but it seems that afterwards the Church of Worcester became possest of the whole Village for it appears that Edwin brother to Earl Leofrick in Edw. the Confessor's time unjustly seized upon it yet did not long enjoy the fruits of his rapine being ignominiously slain by Griffin King of the Britans whereupon Wulstan the then Prior hoping to regain it went to Alritune and required the lands belonging to his Monastery but all that he could get was only the meadow lying at Marclive the rest being never restored In the Conquerors Survey it is recorded under the title of Elemosinae Regis and written Bichemerse being there certified to contain 5 hides which were then valued at C s. and held of the K. by one Eddid a woman who was also owner thereof in Edward the Confessors dayes After which till the beginning of King Iohn's time I have not seen any further mention of this place but then doth it appear that Robert Foliot was Lord of it and in minority who in 14 H. 3. had a suit with the Parson of Welneford for the Advouson of the Chapell here at Bikemers-Foliot for so it is written claimed by the said Parson as a Chapell belonging to Welneford in which pleading the Composition under the seal of the said Robert was produced manifesting that the Tithes with the parochiall rights of the Court id est the Mannour house did belong to the said mother-Church of Welneford In 20 H. 3. upon collection of the Aid for marriage of the King's sister to the Rom. Emperour it answered for one Knights Fee being there certified under the Fees of Hugh de Albini and expressed to be held of him by Corbeth But in â—6 H. 3. it is recorded to be of the Earl of Gloucester his Fee and then held by Rob. Foliot What right it was that Corbet had here I know not but it seems that he did not quietly enjoy it for first I find that in 32 H. 3. Roesia Foliot brought an Assize of Novell disseisin against Will. Corbet for lands here and in 45 H. 3. Ioan Foliot an Assize of Mort d'ancester against him for this Mannour which Will. Corbet was of Chadsley-Corbet in Worcestersh I am of opinion that this Ioane Foliot was daughter and heire to the before specified Robert and married to Ric. de Williamescote for by a pleading in 52 H. 3. I find that the said Richard and Ioan his wife had to do here and in 4 E. 1. the said Ric. was presented for withdrawing his suit due to the Hundred Court for this Village To which Richard succeeded Henry de Willemscote that sold this Mannour to Iohn de Bloxam in 35 E. 1. Who in 18 E. 2. past it away to Will. de Bereford which Will. died seized of it in 20 E. 2. Whereupon it was inter alia assigned to Margaret his widow in dower In the family of Bereford whereof I shall speak in Langley it continued for some descents S r Baldw. de Bereford Knight grandchild to the beforespecified Will. having Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here But it seems that this S r Baldw. having no issue male of his body the reversion thereof after the decease of Eliz. his wife was setled upon Thomas the son of Philip St. Clere for upon her death in 1 H. 6. the said Thomas was found to be next heir thereto though what relation he had to him in blood I am not very certain which Thomas in 13 H. 6. dyed seized of it leaving Eliz. Alianore and Edith his daughters and heirs Eliz. being afterwards married to Will. Lovell Alianore to Iohn Gage and Edith to Ric. Harecourt Esquiers But farther as to its succession can I say no more than that it was about the beginning of Q. Eliz. time purchased by the Lady S. Iohn widow to S r Edw. Griffin of Dingley Atturney Generall to Q. Eliz. for S r Ries Griffin her son by the said Sir Edward which Sir Ries left issue Edward his son and heir now owner thereof It should seem that a good proportion of this Hamlet was antiently belonging to the family of Morehall of Morehall juxta Wicksford for in 20 E. 3. Amicia de Morehall with VVill. de Audley were certified to answer for one Knights Fee here held of VVill. Corbet and by him of the Honour of Gloucester â— and so divolving to Clopton as the Mannour of Morehall did was past therewith by S r VVill. Clopton Kt. to Thomas Crewe Esq for life After which Sir Iohn Burgh Kt. held it for life as Tenant by the Curtesie of England being of the inheritance of Ioane his wife daughter and coheir to the said VVill. Clopton which Ioane had likewise severall daughters and heirs as in Morehall is shewed amongst whom this with the rest of her lands wâ—re divided The Chapell here is very antient having been founded by Will. Foliot in H. 2. dayes to whom succeeded Robert before mentioned About the beginning of K. Iohn's time there was one R. Foliot Parson here betwixt whom and the Monks of Tewksbury there growing some dispute as to the right of the Tithes g arising out of the Court or Mannour House an Agreement was made and confirmed by Malgerius then Bishop of
William This Peter was a most devout man for to the Monks of Bordsley he gave lands in Hilborough To the Knights Templars the Mill here at Stodley and certain lands besides And moreover was the pious Founder of that Monastery for Canons Regular here in Studley whereof together with its particular endowments benefactors and dissolution I shall speak by and by But to him succeeded Peter his son heir who left very little here to his descendants for it 2 Ioh. he sold to his Tenants of this Mannour all his wood called the Haye to the intent that they and their heirs should have Common of Pasture therein for their Cattell saving onely to himself and his heirs the paunage and agistment for Hoggs Besides this it appears that he gave to Henry de Montfort Lord of Beldesert a large proportion of lands here with Emme his daughter in Frank marriage and likewise divers tenements and particular parcells of ground in exchange for that which the said Henry recovered at Hildeburgewerthe now Hilborough in the Kings Court at Westminster by a triall at Law And moreover to Thurstan Montfort son to the said Henry the intire Park of Stodley with severall other tenements So that accounting also the homage and services of certain particular Tenants in this place which together with the advouson and patronage of the Priory he granted to William de Cantilupe I do not find that he left his posterity much more than the bare name of the Mannour for those of the Inhabitants here that held of Cantilupe by reason of the grant to him so made as aforesaid appeared at his Court-Leet for Aston-Cantilupe and did partake with the Tenants of that Mannour in sundry other priviledges Of the particulars which Montfort had here I find this mention in 24 E. 1. Upon the Extent of Iohn de Montfort's lands viz. that he had ix s yearly Rent payable from five Freeholders at the Feasts of S. Michael and the Annunciation of our Lady as also a Park and a certain Meadow held of the Earl of Warwick by the fourth part of a Knights Fee which Park was then in the hands of the said Earl as it seems for that very year did there a Commission issue out to certain persons to enquire who those were that had entred therein and killed his Deer But these came at length to William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in such sort as the Castle of Beldesert and town of Henley did As to what the Templars had here the extent thereof upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was signified to be one mess. one carucate of land ten acres of meadow two Mills and xxx s. Rent all which he had seized into his hands and held during his life as superior Lord of the Fee upon the suppression of that Order in 4 E. 2. But it was not long after that the Knights Hospitalars possest the same with the rest of the Templars lands as in Balshall shall be manifested That which the heirs of Cantilupe had here was held of them by the third part of a Knights Fee Iohn the son of William de la Hay to holding it of Iohn de Hastings Lord Bergavenny in 18 E. 2. from whom it came to William Beauchamp before specified with much more of Hastings lands And touching the Mannour the substance of what else I have seen is that Peter Corbison in 29 E. 3. enfeoft the then Vicar of Studley therein together with pasturage for a Horse called a Hackney in a meadow there known by the name of Castle-meadow to be tyed and flitted with an iron chain from the Feast of the Purification of our Lady untill the said meadow should be mowed reserving an yearly Rent of three broad Arrow heads to the chief Lord of the Fee for all services Which Peter Corbison had issue one only daughter and heir called Felicia married to Iohn Barret of Shelfhull unto whom the said Vicar of Studley past the premisses in 9 R. 2. which Iohn and Felicia left also a daughter and heir wedded to ..... Atwood who had onely issue Female one whereof became the wife of ... Hunt in H. 8. time from whom .... Hunt who now possesseth the site of the before specified Castle derives his descent The Church being given to the Canons of Studley upon the Foundation of that Monastery as shall anon be shewed and in anno 1291. 19 E 1. valued at xv marks and a half was very antiently appropriated to the Priory here and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge rated at viii li. not in Tithes but a meer stipend payable by the Canons to the Incumbent for the time being Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Adam de Hemburi Pbr 4. Id. Iulii 1290. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Adam de Stodley Pbr. 12. Cal. Iulii 1293. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Nich. de la Sale Pbr. 3. Id. Dec. 1338. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Ioh. de Walton Pbr. 3. Dec 1345. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Rob. de Ordelescote 4. Iulii 1354. D. Episcopus Henr. de Geydon Pbr. 14. Dec. 1362. Prior Conventus de Stodleg Thomas Newman Pbr. 6. Martii 1364. Prior Conventus de Stodleg Petrus Dycones Pbr. 13. Ian. 1375. Prior Conventus de Stodleg D. Ioh. Litster alias Tiyhill Pbr. 16. Aug. 1414. D. Episc. per lapsum Ioh. Campion Pbr. 23. Dec. 1437. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Rob. Ekynton Pbr. 14. Nov. 1438. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Ioh. Morton Canon 26. Apr. 1458. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Milo Sheghe Cap. 2. Iunii 1461. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Thomas Dawes Cap. 13. Aug. 1479. D. Episcopus Magr. Rob. Knowles S. Theol. Dr. 6. Aug. 1536. Edm. Knightley miles D. Ric. Kylmar 14. Sept. 1541. Ioh. Knotsford de majori Malvern unus servien D. Regis ad Arma Iana ejus conjux una haered Edm. Knightley mil. D. Ioh Coxetur Pbr. 23. Sept. 1546. Ioh. Knotsford de majori Malvern unus servien D. Regis ad Arma Iana ejus conjux una haered Edm. Knightley mil. Rob. Dowse Cler. 21. Martii 1550. In this Church there hath been a Chantry founded in 7 H. 4. by Thomas Middlemore of Edgbaston for a certain Priest to sing Masse daily at the Altar of the blessed Virgin on the South part of the same Church for the good estate of him the said Thomas during this life and the health of his soul after his departure hence as also for the souls of his Father and mother and all the faithfull deceased Which Chantry was endowed with Lxxx. acres of land x. acres of meadow and xiii s. iv d. yearly Rent lying in Studley above mentioned the revenues whereof in 26 H. 8. were rated
be there buried and of that his Testament constituting Rauf Boteler Lord Sudley then Treasurer of England his Overseer departed this life the same year as appears by the Probate thereof leaving Alianore his wife surviving Thomas his son heir and Iohn a younger son from whom the Throkmortons of Gloucestershire are descended Which Thomas his said mother in 26 H. 6. gave lands of six marks per annum value to the Monks of Evesham for the maintenance of a Priest to sing divine service perpetually at the Altar of our Lady in their Conventuall Church at Evesham for the good estate of King Henry the 6. Q. Margaret his royall consort and of them the said Alianore and Thomas during this life and for the health of their souls after their departure hence as also for the souls of the said King's father and grandfather late Kings of England of Katherine late Queen of England and for the soul of Iohn Throkmorton before specified Thomas his father and Anne his mother with their Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased Which King also in consideration of the good service performed by the said Iohn Throkmorton deceased to himself and to Henry the fourth and fift his father and grandfather late Kings of England in the Office of Chamberlain of the Exchequer gave further license to them the said Thomas and Alianore that they or either of them or the heirs of the longer liver of them might found a Châ—ntry of one Priest to sing divine service every day during the woâ—ld at the Altar of the B. Virgin in the Parish-Church of Fladbury before specified for the good estate of him the said King and of all those above mentioned and to endow the same with lands to the value of x li. per annum Till the time of the said Thomas Throkmorton it seemes that this family was not wholy possest of Coughton but then did Iohn Tracy son and heir of Alice the other daughter and coheir of Sir Guy Spine by his Deed bearing date 29. Maii 27 H. 6. grant unto him the said Thomas and his heirs that moitye thereof by inheritance belonging to him Of which Thomas all that I have seen further memorable is that in 5 E. 4. he underwent the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire and that he departed this life in 12 E. 4. leaving Robert his son and heir xxi years of age whom I find a Justice of Peace in this County from 2 R. 3. till towards his death as by the renewing of those Comissions at severall times appeareth In 2 H. 7. this Robert made the Park here at Coughton inclosing therewith a certain Common ground called Wike-wood whereunto he afterwards added Samburn-heath and Spiney's-Leys lying within the said Lordship of Samburne and the same year was a Commander in the Kings Army at the battail of Stoke In 5 6 15 17 21 and 23 H. 7. he was in Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 6 H. 7. for arraying of men against the preparation made by Charles the eight King of France then threatning England with an Invasion In 10 H. 7. he received summons with divers other persons of quality to appear before the King in person upon the Feast day of All Saints the same year to receive the Order of Knighthood upon advancement of Henry the Kings second son to the Dukedome of Yorke and creating him Knight of the Bath in honour whereof these were to be made Knights of that Order yet do not I find by any Comission that he had the title of Knight attributed to him till 17 H. 7. That he was a man of singular piety the sundry bequests contained in his Testament do sufficiently manifest and of no lesse devotion as may seem by his Pilgrimage to the Holy Land which in 10 H. 8. having setled his estate he undertook but dyed beyond Sea in that journey By which Testament bearing date on the Feast day of S. Philip and Iacob anno 1518. 10 H. 8. he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Parish Church here at Coughton under the Tombe in the midst of the Church in case he should dye within this Realm appointing that not above vi li. xiii s. iv d. should be spent at his said buriall and Months mind and that to be given to Priests celebrating thereat nor any entertainment in meat and drink for other than such Priests and Clerks with poor people that lived by Almes And further directed that forthwith after his buriall there should be said for his soul in the Monasteries of Studley and Evesham xxx Masses of Iesu every Priest saying such Masse to have iv d. for his labour And moreover wiâ—led that the East window of the Chancell at Coughton should be glased at the charge of his Executors with the story of the Dome as alâ—o that xx s. should be given to the glasing of the East window of the North I le there with the representation of the seven Sacraments and as much for the East window of the South I le that to be of the seven works of Mercy He also willed that the Image of our Lady should be set on the North side at the end of the Altar in the said South Ile and the Image of the Angell Gabrael on the same side of the I le at the pillar between the I le and the Chancell with a Roll in his hand of greeting looking towards our Lady And at the South end of the said Altar the Image of S. Raphael painted and gilded And that in the North I le at the North end of the Altar the Image of the Trinity to be placed and at the South end the Image of S. Michael all which Images to be richly painted and gilded And besides this he further willed that certain lands to the then value of xvi li. per annum purchased by him of sundry persons there named should be put into the hands of Feoffees to the use of a Priest to sing perpetually in the North I le of Coughton Church for his soul and the souls of his Ancestors and that thenceforth the said Ile should be called the Trinity Chapell and the Priest the Trinity Priest which Priest also to teach a Grammar School freely for all his Tenants Children and to have yearly thereof viii li. and his Chamber but the residue of the said xvi li. to be payd monthly to five poor men dwelling in the Almeshouse here in Coughton viz. every one vii d. a week and his Houâ—-room for ever the residue viz. viii s. viii d. to go to the reparation of the Almeshouse And that the said Priest should every Sunday say a Masse of the Trinity Wednsday Masse of Requiem and Friday Masse of Iesu in case he were disposed and once in the week Dirige for his soul and all Christen souls except the dayes before rehearsed fell upon
viz. in anno DCCXIV it being then inter alia given to the Monastery of Evesham by Egwin Bishop of Worcester upon the Foundation thereof and in the Conquerors Survey certified to be parcell of the lands belonging to that Monastery at which time it contained three hides valued at xxx s. the woods extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth The Monks of which House clayming a Court-Leet here with other priviledges in 13 E. 1. by Prescription which were allowed continued owners thereof till the dissolution of that Monastery After which King H. 8. by his Letters Patent bearing date 10. Dec. in 32. of his reign sold it by the name of the Mannour of Samburne to Robert Throkmorton Esquier and his heirs by whom with Coughton beforementioned it is possest at this day Wike THis was originally a member of Coughton for ought I could ever discern But the most antient mention I find of it is in H. 3. time where it appeareth that Constance the daughter of Will. de Parco had lands therein given with her by her father in Frank marriage unto Simon de Cocton After which scil in 6 H. 3. there was a Fine levied of half a hide of land here betwixt Robert de Verdun Plantiff and the said Simon and Constance Deforc. But all that I have else seen of this place is that in 32 E. 3. Will. de Peto released to Nich. de Lichfield Clerke and his heirs all his right therein where it is called the Mannour of Wike lying in the town and fee of Cokton Howbeit there are few at this day that know where it lyes it being totally depopulated and included within Coughton Parke Spernall PAssing to the other side of Arrow I come next to Spernall antiently written Spernoure This in the Conquerors time being in the possession of William Buenvasleth and held of him by one Hugh was then rated at two hides having a Mill of 4 s. besides 7. stickes of Ecles all which with the extent of the woods containing three furlongs in length and one in breadth was valued at xl s. I am of opinion that this with the rest of those lands which the said William Buenvasleth had in Warwickshire came by some agreement to Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line for plain it is that the antient Earls of that stock were Lords of it and that the Durvassals had a grant thereof from one of them to hold in Sergeanty viz. by the service of giving attendance upon the Earl and his heirs at the Castle of Warwick or at their Mannour-houses of Claverdon Tanworth and Sutton at which of them he or they should happen to reside upon Christmass-day Easter-day and Whitsun-day then and there to perform the service of Chief Butler at those times and receive a certain fee for the same Will. Durvassall Joh. Durvassall miles 26. H. 3. Will. Durvassall duxit Agnetem fil Walteri de Cherlecote Rog. Durvassall miles 29 H. 3. Philippus Durvassall Felicia filia Thomae de Camvile domini de Arrow Thomas Durvassall 7 E. 1. Margeria relicta 2 E. 3. Ioh. Durvassall 4 E. 3. Sibilla relicta 23 E. 3. Nich. Durvassall fil haeres obiit s. prole Roesia relicta 36 E. 3. Will. Durvassall 49 E. 3. Margareta filia cohaeres ....... Iohanna filia haeraes uxor Henrici Beaumont Iocosa Girardus 14 E. 1. Thomas 14 E. 1. Philippus Durvassall Eva primò nupta Rob. de Ewenlode postea Rob. de Bagindene Odo Durvassall The first of which family that I have met with from any good authority is William Durvassall whose antiquity is no lesse than H. 2. time as I guesse for I find that Iohn Durvassall his son and successor had great imployment in this County from 11 H. 3. sometimes as a Justice of Assize and sometimes of Gaol-delivery and that in 16 H. 3. he was constituted one of the Commissioners for assessing and collecting from the Inhabitants of this Shire the fourtieth part of all their movable goods for the Kings service In 19 H. 3. a Commissioner with Iohn de Lodbroc for assessing a Tallage upon all the Kings demesn lands in this County excepting Burroughs Towns and Cities In 25 H. 3. associated with the Shiriff and some eminent persons to see what defects were in the King's Castles within this Shire and in 26 H. 3. assisted the said Shiriff and others in the executing a Commission for assessing and imposing the quantity and quality of Armes upon the Inhabitants thereof as also for conservation of the peace About which time likewise I find that he was a Knight and Steward to Thomas Earl of Warwick as also a benefactor to the Monastery of Wotton-Wawen by granting thereto certain lands lying in Bulkeley neere Henley in Arden To which Iohn succeeded Sir Roger Durvassall Knight and to him Philip who had issue Thomas as the descent sheweth which Thomas was one of the Coroners in this County about the beginning of E. 2. time But there is little else memorable that I have seen relating to this family the issue male whereof extinguished about the later end of E. 3. time and therefore to make a perfect discovery how the succession of this Mannour past through the female branches is beyond my skill forasmuch as I find some contradiction in the severall Records relating thereto some of them making good the descent as it is here drawn and others shewing that one William Spernore who dyed about the fift year of King Henry the 4. was seized thereof as Tenant for terme of life the reversion pertaining to Walter Holt as son and heir of Alianore daughter of Nicholas Durvassall Nor what this William Spernore was do I yet know for he is written also Will. Durvassall dominus de Spernore but he was a man of some note in that time for in 5 R. 2. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster so also in 7 R. 2. in the Parliament held at Salisbury In 8 R. 2. he was one of the Commissioners of Array in this County And in 18. again one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster But leaving his parentage thus uncertain I shall descend to the next possessor of this Mannour viz. Walter Holt before specified then in minority and son to Iohn Holt of Yardley who accomplishing his full age in 5 H. 4. had livery thereof and shortly after enfeoft Iohn Reve Vicar of Coughton thereof who departing this life before the estate was past out of him Thomas Reve his brother became intitled thereto as his heir which Thomas quitted all his right therein unto William Wybbe Esquier and his heirs as by his Deed bearing date the Wednsday next after Easter 7 H. 6. appeareth But it was
of the Justices of Peace in this County in 1 R. 2. Upon the Insurrection of the Rebells under the conduct of Iack Straw and Wat. Tiler 5 R. 2. he was joyn'd in Commission with the E. of Warwick and other eminent persons for suppresâ—ing of all unlawfâ—ll Assemblies in this Countie tending to the disturbance of the publick Peace In 6 R. 2. he was again in Commission to the like purpose In 16 R. 2. one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parl. then held at Winchester So likewise in 17. and 22. R. 2. as also in 1. and 2. H. 4. upon the severall renewing of the Commissions for the Peace one of the number then joyned therein being a person learned in the Laws as it seems for it appears that he was Steward of the Earl of Warwick's Courts for his lands in Northamptonshire about the later end of R. 2. reign and Atturny generall for prosecuting their affairs in the Exchequer in 5 H. 5. Of this Iohn I find that he bore the Armes of Lodbroke scil Azure a cheveron ermine quarterly with his own whereby it should seem that some Ancestour of his married a daughter of that Family through whose right after the issue male was extinct he did it Neither is it unlikely in respect of that entail of Lodbroke upon Will. de Catesby his Father as in my discourse of that place is shewed and that he wedded Emme the daughter and heir of Rob. de Craunford by whom the Lordship of Ashby-Legers in Com. Northampt. came first to this Family Which Emme with Iohn her son for Will. the elder Brother was then dead in 13 H. 4. obtained a Charter of Free-warren to themselves and their heirs in all their demesn lands of Rodburne Lodbroke and Shukborough in this Countie as also of Ashby-Legers Walton and Watford in Northamptonshire This second Iohn was in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this County in 5 H. 5. in 6. for arraying of men being the first of the Family that had to do here in Lapworth as hath been already observed To him succeeded Will. his son and heir constituted Shiriff of Northamptonshire in 21 H. 6. with which office he had the custody of Northampton Castle assigned unto him In 30 H. 6. he came into Commission for conservation of the Peace in this County so continuing for the remainder of that King's reign And being again made Shiriff of Northamptonshire had the like charge of the same Castle I am of opinion that he was Knighted that very year for in the next mention I find of him viz. the year following he is so stiled In 34 H. 6. he became the third time Shiriff of Northamptonshire and Governour of that Castle and having been one of the Sewers to K. H. 6. had two wives first Philippa one of the daughters and heirs to Sir Will. de Bishopsden Kt. and secondly Ioan daughter of Sir Thomas Barre Kt. and Alice his wife Sister of Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury but widow of Humfrey de la Bere departed this life in An. 1470. 10 E. 4. lying buried at Ashby-Legers before mentioned By which wife he had issue Will. his son and heir and by his second wife Iohn Catesby of Althorp in Northamptonsh as also Thomas Catesby from whom those sometime of Wavers-Merston in this County did descend Which Will. being a great Favourite to K. Ric. 3. was made Squier of the Body to himâ— and in 1 of his reign constituted Chancelour of the Marches for life and one of the Chamberlains of his Exchequer The same year was he also made one of the Justices of Peace in this County and a Commissioner to enquire of any Insurrections here or in Leicestershire and the next year following a Commissioner for the Gaol delivery at Warwick in which he had a grant from the said King bearing date under his Signet at Kenilworth Castle 28 Maii of an hundred Oaks to be taken within the said Ks. old Park of Tanworth and Earl's wood in Tanworth within this County and 500 Trees for Railes in Lodbrokes-Park within the said Lordship of Tanworth for making his new Park here at Lapworth But following the fortune of that King and stoutly fighting for him at Bosworth field he was there taken Prisoner and beheaded at Leicester within 3. days following where before his Execution he made his Testament as followeth This is the Will of William Catesby Esq. made the xxv th of August 1 H. 7. to be executed by my dere and welbeloved wife to whom I have ever be trew of my Body putting my sole trust in her for the execution thereof for the helth of my soul the which I am undoubted she will execute and for my Body when she may to be beryed in the Church of S. Leger in Aâ—sby and to do such memoriall for me as I have apointed byfor and to restore all land that I have wrongfully purchased and to pay the residue of such land as I have bought truly and to demene hit among her children and myne as she thynketh good after her discretion I doubt not the King will be good and gracious Lord to them for he is called a full gracious Prince and I never offended him by my good and free Will for God I take to my Iuge I have ever loved him Item that the Executors of Nich. Couley have the lande ageine in Everâ—oâ—te without they have their Cl. Item in likewise Renet his lande in Buckby Item in likewise that the Coparceners have their part in Roden hall in Suff. if they have right thereto or else to be restored to them that had it before and the lond beside Kymbalton be disposed for my soul and Evertons and so of all other landes that the parte hath righte in Item that all my Faders detts be executed and paied as to the House of Catesby and other Item that my Lady of Buckingham have Cli. to help her children and that she will see my Lordiâ— detts paied and his Will executed and in speciall for such land as shall be amortised to the House of Plashy Item my Lady of Shaftsbury xl mark Item that John Spenser have his Lxli with the olde money that I owe. Item that Thomas Andrews have his xxli And there as I have be Executor I beseech you see the Will executed and that all other bequests in my other Will be executed as my speciall trust is in yow Maisteres Margarete and I heartily cry you mercy if I have delyd uncurteously with yow and ever pray you to live sole all the deys of yowr life to do for my soul. And I pray of Lord of Winchester my Lord of Worcetur my Lord of London to help yow to execute this my Will and they will do somewhat for me and that Richard Frebody have his xxli and Badby xli
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
had routed he lost the day and was made their Prisoner But having elsewhere toucht the particulars of this Story I will now go on with what concernes this Peter de Montfort and that it may appear how he was one of the most considerable persons in that Rebellious pack shall give severall instances from the speciall trust and imployment he then had in the sway of the Realm Shortly after this Victory at Lewes so obtain'd they agreed amongst themselves that ix Persons shouâ—d be nominated to exercise Regall power whereof three at least to be constantly resident in Court for disposing of the custody of all Castles and other affaires with the nomination of the Chancelour Justices Treasurer and all other Officers great and small tending to the government of the Kingdom of which number this Peter was one which persons so appointed made use of the great Seal transacting all things touching the state of the Realm in the King's name and amongst other their doings constituted Commissioners to the King of France and the Popes Legate to reforme as they term'd it and settle the Kingdom whose names I shall here recite viz. Henry de Sandwich Bishop of Londonâ— Walter de Cantilupe Bishop of Worcester Iohn of Oxford Bishop of Winchester Hugh Despenser Justice of England Peter de Montfort before specified and Richard de Mepham Archdeacon of Oxford In which Commission bearing date at Canterbury the Saturday after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lady scil 8. Sept. there was a more especiall power given to our Peter than any of the rest that is to say that whatsoever he should swear to do the King must be bound by it Dante 's insuper praefato Petro potestatem jurandi in animam nostram quod nos quicquid ipse in praemissis nomine nostro duxerit faciendum ratum habeamus acceptum for these are the words thereof And after this by another Commission bearing date at Dover 24. of the same month of September was the said Peter singly sent to the before specified Legate to treat with him privately about those things with desire that he might make as quick a return as might be the intent of all this application to the Legate being no other than to daub up their disloyall dealings towards the King with fair and specious pretences to the Pope least he should thunder out his Curses against them But besides these eminent imploymenâ—â— I find that by the same authority of the King 's great Seal he had the custody of Whytenton Castle in Shropshire committed to his charge by a Patent dated at Woodstoke 19. Decembris and the next day following of Hereford Castle to which about the midst of May they removed the King and on the twentieth of that month made out a Precept to Walter de Evereus then Shiriff of Herefordshire for delivering the issues of that Countie to this our Peter for the better strengthning of that Castle And that nothâ—ng for conveniency to him in these his high transactions should be wanting he had by the same authoâ—â—ty a grant of Prince Edward's lodgings at Westminster But loe the instability of earthly greaâ—nessâ— eâ—pecâ—aâ—ly such as is raised by dâ—slâ—yalâ— subâ—ects upon the designed ruine of their rightfull Soveraign for it was not many days after that the 〈◊〉 making his eâ—cape from this Castle of Hereford like a suddain flash of lightning broke through a cloud raised such a powerfull Army that on the day before the Nones of August following he came upon the whole strength of those Rebellious Barons at Evesham in Worcestershire like terrible thunder where obtaining a compleat Victorie this our famous Peter de Montfort with divers more of the principall persons in that Tragedie was slain Whereupon the then Shiriff of this County sc. William Bagot had command to extend this Lordship and the rest of his lands in these parts but propter resistentiam inimicorum as the Record expresseth being not able to do it the K. directed a Commission to the Abbot of Bordesley and Prior of Studley to take notice of the particular number of acres of Land Meadow Wood and Pasture and the value of each as also of those that held in villenage with the Rents and services of the Freeholders and to certifie the same into his Exchequer This Peter wedded Alice the daughter of Henry de Aldithley and left issue Petâ—r William and Robert which William had the Mannour of Uppingham in Ruâ—l of his Fathers gift and Robert other lands in that Countie who notwithstanding his activenesse on the Barons part with his Father was afterwards received into grace with the King Having now done with his Story I can do no lesse than observe that in him was this Family in the Meridian of its glory which thenceforth daily faded for being the fourth in descent from Thurstane who was first inrich't with such fair possessions by his kinsman the Earl of Warwick's gift and honoured with many imployments of speciall trust through the great favour of his soveraign being puft up with blind ambition which prompted him to a confederacy with the Rebellious Barons of that age he became partaker of that deserved destruction which befell them After which the lustre of his descendants though no whit abridg'd of their antient Patrimony in regard af that indulgent Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth which admitted them to grace upon favourable termes began daily to diminish till in the like fourth descent his male line was in a manner extinct much of the antient inheritance with this Castle their principall seat then divolving to other Families by daughters and heirs and the memorie of his name preserved only in an illegitimate ofspring as by the Pedegree is cleerly shewed I now come to Peter his eldest son This man siding with his said Father in those Rebellious actions before specified was with him taken prisoner at Northampton in 48 H. 3. being as it seems the Commander in Chief of the Forces there met for no lesse doth an Historian of that time testifie Horum erat praecipuus Petrus de Monteforti junior saith he qui ad castrum confugerat sed in crastino reddidit se Neverthelesse being enlarged as I have already shewed the next mention I find of him is that he was again taken in the battail of Evesham wherein his Father lost his life and thereupon comitted to Thomas de Clare unto whom his forfeited lands were granted whereof he the said Thomas received the benefit according to the Dictum de Kenilworth before mentioned but shortly after notwithstanding these his demerits was not only admitted to grace and favour with the King who by a speciall Patent dated 28. Ian. 51. of his reign released unto him omnem indignationem animi rancorem ratione turbationis c. for those are the words but besides his
Gascoigne under Sir Thomas Nevill in the service of King Ric. 2. and after the decease of an elder brother called Edmund that he returned into England where he was likewise entertained in the said King's service but afterwards upon the deposall of the said King Richard by Henry of Lancaster being constrained to slee into France in regard that he took part with the Earles of Huntingdon Salisbury and Kent c. against the said Henry of Lancaster after one years abode in Paris he travailed with one Robert Arden Esquire his companion into Italy where they served under Iohn Galeas Duke of Millain against the Emperour Rupert and after the death of the said Duke returned into Brabant where they met with two English Friers going to Rome from whom they received tidings that William Curson a younger son of Sir Iohn Curson and cosin Germain to the said Iohn was Abbot of S. Osithes in Essex whereupon he hasted towards England by Amsterdam and arriving at Ipswich Anno 1404. thence presently sped to S. Osithes where changing his name into Smyth but privately making himself known to his kinsman the Abbot was by him curteously entertained who bestowed upon him good means and advanced him in marriage to Milicent the daughter and heir of Robert Laynham by Alice the daughter and heir to Iohn Hend Major of London The Church dedicated to S. Peter was given to the Monks of Conchis in Normandy by Robert de Stadford before spoken of shortly after the Conquest of England by Duke William and appropriated to them by Roger Bishop of Worcester 3. Non. Nov. Anno 1178. 25 H. 2. In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it with the Chapells belonging thereto was valued at Lii marks the Vicars portion being at that time seven marks and a half But in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at xii li. out of which did yearly issue x s. v d. ob for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Procurator Abbatis de Conchis Ioh. de Wotton Diac. Non. Apr. 1306. Prior de Wawens-Wotton Ioh. fil Rob. Sutoris Cap. 3. Id. Sept. 1325. Abbas Conv. de Conchis Frater Ioh. le Tonnelier 26. Iulii 1328. Abbas Conv. de Conchis Ioh. Corpe Pbr. 5. Cal. Iulii 1335. Procurator Abb. Conv. de Conchis Petrus de Loversey Pbr. 4. Oct. 1336. Prior de Wotton Rob. Wykwane 10. Oct. 1367. Ric. Rex Angl. ratione temporal Priorat de Wotton in manu sua c. Ric. Hemery Pbr. 2. Maii 1378. Rolandus Leynthall miles D. Nich. Wedon Cap. 22. Sept. 1425. Rolandus Leynthall miles Will. Saunders Cler. 22. Febr. 1436. Prior Conv. de Wotton-Wawen D. Ioh. Berston Cap. 23. Martii 1445. Prior Conv. de Wotton-Wawen D. Rog. Wheler Cap. 22. Apr. 1446. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Dalton Cap. 7. Martii 1449. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Russell Cap. 17. Ian. 1458. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Will. Harryes Cap. 9. Feb. 1460. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Rog. Iordan in art Magr. 26. Martii 1468. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Brianus Esthorp in S. Theol. Scholar 3. Iulii 1489. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Ioh. Botreye Pbr. 16. Martii 1514. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Thomas Hartwell in S. Theol. Bac. 17. Dec. 1523. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. Thomas Goldston in art Magr. 13. Maii 1545. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Edw. Alcock Pbr. 17. Febr. 1556. Praepos Socii Collegii Regal Cantab. D. Rad. Olton Pbr. 24. Martii 1557. D. Episc. per lapsum Will. Bolton Cler. 23. Apr. 1579. Praepos Socii ut suprà Ioh. Mascall Cler. 23. Aug. 1580. Monumentall Inscriptions upon Grave stones in the South I le of this Church In brasse upon a Marble Here lyeth the body of Lady Agnes Smyth late wife of Sir Iohn Smyth Knight one of the Barons of the Eschequer daughter of Iohn Harewell Esquier and one of the coheirs of Thomas Harewell Esquier her brother which Agnes dyed the xix â—h of February Anno 1562. Upon one of Alabaster Hic jacet Iohannes Allesbury qui obiit septimo die mensis ................... cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen The Priory I Now come to speak of that little Monastery of Benedictine Monks which sometime stood here and was one of those we call Priories Alien having been a Cell to the Abby of Conchis in Normandy â— Of which kind there were few that had any formall Foundation as in Wolston I have already shewed For the first grant to that forrein Monastery by Rob. de Tonei son doubtless unto Roger who founded Conchis and Nicholas de Stafford his son was no other than verball as it seems by that confirmation thereof which Rob. de Stafford son to the same Nicholas made in H. 2. time wherein he makes mention that his said grandfather and father gave thereunto this Church of Wotton together with the Tithes and oblations of the whole town and one hide of land adjoyning to the same Church as also another hide called Doversele and the lands which the Monks of Conchis had then in tillage here in exchange for the Mannour of Edricston now Edston which at first belong'd to those Monks But I make a question notwithstanding the first grant so made by the before specified Robert de Tonei whether any Monks setled here till after his death for in an Instrument of later time made by the Abbot and Monks of Conchis whereby they constituted a Prior here it is said to be de Fundatione nobilissimi domini Nicholai Stafford which is some argument that he first erected their Mansion here Touching the appropriation of the said Church made in 25 H. 2. to the peculiar benefit of those Monks having already spoke in Wotton I shall now endeavour the discovery of what farther augmentation they had by other Benefactors wherein I find that Robert the son of Herveus de Stafford gave unto them divers particular parcells of land lying in Ullenhale Henry de Montfort the Mill at Henley Robert de Chaucumbe divers Lands in Mockle and Ullenhale Will. de Burley a yard land with a croft and messuage in Burley with all his interest in the Chapell there Geffrey de Pauncefote and Iohn Durvassall certain lands in Buckele juxta Beldesert And to all these had they the addition of the Mannour of Monkenlane in Herefordshire which with severall other lands and Tithes in that Countie were originally granted to the said Monks of Conchis by Raph de Tonei brother to our Robert who in the confirmation of them made by Will. de Vere Bishop of Hereford in H. 2. time is called Radulfus senior de Tonei As to the originall seizures
as good value in recompence thereof that Charter of confirmation bearing date at Wenloc 26 Maii. Of which noble person I further find that he obtained the Advouson and patronage of the Priory of Studley near this place as I have there shewed from Peter de Corbucon heir to the Founder whereunto he gave a fair portion of lands lying in Shotswell That he also built an Hospitall at the Gates of that Monastery That he bore for his Armes Gules 3 flower de lices Or as by his Seal appeareth within the compasse whereof scil towards the lower part of the Shield there is a Star with a Cressant which is a Badge as hath been observed by judicious Antiquaries of his service in the Holy warrs And that he departed this life 7 Id. Apr. 23 H. 3. being then very aged leaving issue several sons viz. William his son and heir Walter a Priest and imployed by King H. 3. as his Agent to the Court of Rome afterwards elected Bâ—shop of Worcester â— whose story I refer to Godwyn Iohn Lord of Snitfield in this Countie and Nicholas of whom I find no more than the bare mention Which Will. being a martial man as well as his father and accompanying him at raising the seige of Lincolne Castle in 1 H. 3. had in 15 H. 3. much of his father's estate past over to him for which he then did his homage to the King And in 24 H. 3. obtained a special Charter for exempting him from any suit to the County or Hundred Courts Leet Aid to the Shiriff and Hidage for all his lands in England After which viz. in 26 H. 3. he attended the King in that his French expedition which was so unprosperous and having been in 28 H. 3. sent with other of the great Nobilitie to solicite the Prelates for an Aid of money according to the Popes Letters on the King's behalf was the next ensuing year one of those that went Embassiador to the general Councell then held at Lions there to complain of the grievous exactions used here in England by the Court of Rome as well from the Clergie as Laitie and to crave remedie for the same Which William bearing a devout affection to the Canons of Studley before specified gave to the Hospital of his Father's building there lands to the value of x li. per an lying within this Lordship as also certain Rent and pasturage for Cattell in Southernkeston with the Church of Hemeston in Devonshire And having besides all this obtained a special Charter for exempting their Woods situate within the Forest of Fekenham from any view of the King's Foresters and Verderers and been Steward to the King as his Father was as also a most faithfull Councellor left issue by Milisent the daughter of Hugh de Gornay Will. his son and heir Thomas Bishop of Hereford who in 34 E. 1. was canonized for a Saint and Iulian the wife of Sir Rob. de Tregoz and departed this life in 35 H. 3. immediatly whereupon William his eldest son performing his homage and giving security for payment of his Relief which was C li. had livery of his lands Which William in 37 H. 3. obtained a pardon from the King for pulling down the Castle of Penros in Wales belonging to Iohn de Monemuth as also for five marks at which this his Mannour of Aston was amerced for protecting one Rob. de Shelfhill who had been indicted for certain misdemeanors and in 38 H. 3. was constituted Governor of Bovelt Castle in Brecknockshire To the before specified Hospitall built at the Gate of the Priory of Studley he gave the advouson of the Church here at Aston and having wedded Eva one of the daughters aad coheirs to Will. de Braose of Brecknock with whom he had the territory of Upper Went and other lands in England and Wales departed this life in the flower of his youth to the great grief of many leaving issue by her the said Eva George his son and heir and two daughters Of which George being scarce 3. years old at that time I have found very little that is memorableâ— his death hapning before he arrived to years whereby he could be qualified for any great action viz. in 1 Edw. 1. Therefore whether the marriage betwixt him and Margaret the daughter of Edmund de Lacy was ever consummated as their parents had designed when he was scarce two years old I cannot tell but sure I am that he had no issue for Iohn the son of Henry de Hastings and Milicent then the wife of Eudo or Yvo la Zouche were found to be his sisters and heirs Which Henry being in minority in 36 H. 3. and in Ward to Guy de Luzignian the King 's half brother had the benefit of his marriage then disposed of by the said Guy unto Will. de Cantilupe before specified who gave his daughter Ioane thus in wedlock to him Whereupon by partition made betwixt those coheirs the said Milisent had for her share the Castle of Totenesse in Com. Devon the Mannours of Eyton â—n com Bedf. and Haringworth in Northamptonshire â— with other fair possessions in England and Wales as also the advouson of the Priory of Studley in this County And Iohn de Hastings the son of Ioane beforementioned had Bergavenny with the Castle and Honour which were of the inheritance of Eva de Breause his grandmother together with the Castle of Kilgaran in Com. Pembr and amongst other large territories in England and Wales this Mannour of Aston then valued at Lix li. iiii s. i d. per an all which were in the King's hands at the time of the said Partition made by reason of his minority But touching the Family of Hastings I shall speak historically in Fillongley and therefore purpose to make no other mention of them here than what particularly relates to this place In 13 E. 1. this Iohn de Hastings claimed a Court-Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer Weifs Gallows and Free warren within this Mannour by Prescription all which were allowed From which time this Mannour was for divers descents enjoy'd by the posterity of the said Iohn as I could sufficiently demonstrate if need were except for so long as Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon held two parts of it in right of Iulian his wife widow to Iohn de Hastings father of Laurence Earl of Pembroke After the death of which Laurence it appears that it was held of the King in Capite by the service of one Foot souldier in the Warrs of Wales with a Bow without a string and a Helmet for his head by the space of xl dayes at his own proper costs as often as there should be any hostility in Wales From which Family of Hastings it descended not to the Lord Grey of Ruthin
Roger de Someri Baron of Dudley and recovered them forasmuch as it appeared that the said Walter was born before matrimony betwixt his Father and mother Which Iohn in 19 E. 1. was certified to hold three yard land here of the said Baron by the x th part of a Knight's fee. But from that time till 3 H. 8. that there was a Fine levied thereof betwixt Edward Belknap Esquire and others plantiffs and Richard Wodshawe and othes Defore I have seen little of this Mannour After which it was not long ere that one Iohn Bonde a wealthy Clothier in Coventre and Merchant of the Staple possest it who bearing a good affection thereto by the consent of Geffrey Blythe then Bishop of the Dioces as also of the Prior and Covent of Tikford Rectors of the Parish Church of Aston and Richard Stich then Vicar there built a Chapell here to the honour of the blessed Virgin and S t Margaret for the benefit of the Inhabitants of this Hamlet in respect that the distance from hence to the said parish Church was such as that many times by reason of flouds they could not repaire unto it And for the maintenance of a Priest to perform divine Service therein and likewise support of the ornaments belonging thereto obtained a grant from the said Vicar with the consent of the before specified Monks of Tikford and the Bishop of all Oblations aswell in money as others things which should happen to be there made as also that it should be lawfull for him the said Iohn Bonde his heirs and assignes to retain all his own Tithes aswell arising out of his Park here at Ward end as out of a certain meadow commonly called Irish meadow and belonging of right to the Vicars of Aston paying unto the said Vicar and his successors in the same Church of Aston the summe of vi s. viii d. of lawfull English money for ever as by the publique Instrument of the said Vicar bearing date at Aston aforesaid 23. Feb. Anno 1516. 8 H. 8. appeareth Which Iohn Bonde made a small Park here of xxx acres in 6 H. 8. and stored it with Deer and left issue Thomas Bonde and he severall daughters and coheirs whereof Margaret being the wife of Edward Kynardesley son to Iohn Kynardesley of Brallesford in Com. Derb. brought this Mannour to that Family wherein it still continues Castle Bromwich THat this place had its first denomination from the Broome that the soile being of a sandy disposition naturally produceth and the crooke of the River which our Ancestors used to call a Wich or Wik there is likelyhood enough Neither do I doubt but that originally it was a member of Aston and so disposed of by some one of the old Barons of Dudley unto him who in respect of his residence here had the sirname of Bromâ—wich Of these the first I find mentioned in Record is Wido de Bramewic in 15 H. 2. and nexâ— unto him Alan de Bromwich in 31 H. 2. whose son Thomas granted to the Canons of Leicester certain Common of Pasture in Berwode on the other side the River Besides which Thomas there was one Henry de Bromwich but whether he was also son to Alan I am not sure I am of opinion that this Henry is he who in 54 H. 3. is called Henricus del Chastel de Bromwyz by reason that he had his residence at a little Pile or Castle here situate upon the brow of the Hill on the Southern bank of Tame as by the Vestigia thereof yet remaining may appear from which Castle I suppose that the Family sirnamed de Castello whereof I have spoke in Withibroke took their sirname Henricus de Bromwyz Robertus filius Henrici de Bromwyz 49 H. 3. Anselmus de Bromwyz 15 E. 1. Henr. de Bromwich 16 E. 2. Isabella filia haeres 18 E. 3. Will. de Pero 18 E. 3. obiit s. p. Thomas de la Roche Guliel de la Roche Rob. de la Roche miles Ioh. de la Roche miles 48 E. 3. Thomas de la Roche infra aetat 9 R. 2. Elâ—zabeâ—ha Edm. Ferrers dominus de Chartley Chivalier Elena una consangu haered Joh. Bermingham 5 H. 6. Philippus Chetwind secundus maritus 18 H. 6. Will. dominus Ferrers de Chartley obiit 28 H. 6. Anna filia haeres Walt. Devereux de Ferrers Chivalier 2 E. 4. Ioh. Ferrers armiger 22 H. 6. Eliz. uxor Georgii Longvile ar Tho. de Bermingham frater haeres Iohannis defunctus 9 R. 2. Mariota Margareta ux Rog. de Clarindon mil. obiit infra aet 15 R. 2. Lucia Elianora ux Rob. de Verney Johanna Margar. ux Sim. fil Robert Fleming de Com. Cork in Hibernia Alicia Ioh. Archdekne Of Robert son to the same Henry de Bromwiz I find that in 49 H. 3. he was one of the Collectors of the revenues arising out of those lands within this Hundred of Hemlingford which eschaeted to the King by the overthrow of them that were vanquisht in the battail of Evesham fighting on the Barons part and that he had issue Anselm de Bromwich who in 19 E. 1. was certified to hold of Roger de Someri then Baron of Dudley one hide of land in Wody-Bromwich by the sixt part of a Knights fee for at that time the severall parts of this Hamlet were distinguisht by the name of Wody-Bromwich Little-Bromwich and Castle-Bromwich Henry de Castello then holding in Castel-Bromwich one yard land by the xxxii th part of a Knights fee. As also that Iohn Lovell at that time held of the said Roger de Someri a certain Park here at Bromwich paying ii s. per annum at Michaelmasse for all services And that Thomas de Bromwich held likewise one yard land by the service of the xxii th part of a Knights fee both which I presume to be meant of Castle-Bromwich To this Anselm succeeded Isabell his grandchild and heir who in 18 E. 3. was wedded to William de Peto a younger son of William de Peto at which time this Mannour of Castle-Bromwich wherein the said Anselm reserved an estate to himself for terme of life was setled upon the same William and Isabell and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten but she having no issue by him afterwards married to Sir Iohn de la Roche Knight by whom she had divers Children whereupon being desirous that this Mannour of her so antient inheritance might remain to her posteririty she joyned with her said husband in the levying of a Fine in 48 E. 3. whereby reserving their own lives therein they entailed it upon Iohn their son and the issue male of his body with remainder to Roger Thomas and William their younger children successively and for default of issue by them to the heirs generall of their two bodies and for lack of such issue to the right heirs of the same Isabell. Of which
at Dublin for his support in his service But I must not here stand to trace down the descent of that Family in Ireland it being besides my business and therefore shall pass it by with this onely note that in 12 E. 2. when Edward de Brus raised a rebellion in those parts and caused himself to be crowned King of Ireland through the singular valour and prudent conduct of Iohn de Bermingham then Commander in chief for the King against those Rebells the said Edw. de Brus with a multitude of his party were slain and the rest routed for which signall service he the said Iohn was created Earl of Loveth whose posteritie do continue there in great honour till this day bearing the antient Armes of this Family before exprest with a Castle in the sinister part of the Shield for a distinction Willielmus Petrus de Bermingham 12 H. 2. Will. de Bermingham Will. de Bermingham occcisus in praelio de Evesham 49 H. 3. Isabella filia Thomae de Estelegh Will. de Bermingham 11 E. 1. Isabella 32 E. 1. Will. de Bermingham 2 E 2. Matilda relicta 1 E 3. Will. de Bermingham miles 5 E. 3. Will. fil Will. Coleson de Walshall 2 maritus Fulco de Bermingham miles 16 E. 3. Eliz 50 E. 3. Iohanna 5 E. 3. Baldw. de Berming 13 R. 2. s. p. Will. de Bermingh miles 40 E. 3. ob s. p. Cath. filia einiscia cohaer Will. de la Planch 30 E. 3. Ioh. de Berming miles 6. R. 2. ob s. p. Eliz. altera fil cohaer Will. de la Planch ob 2 H. 6. Ioh. de Clinton miles 3. maritus Thom. de Berm mil. 2 R. 2. Isabella fil Ioh. fil Ric. de Whitacre Eliz. filia haeres Thomas de la Roche Elena ux Edm. Ferrers domini de Chartley 2 H. 6. Eliz. ux Georgii Longvile ar Ioh. de Bermingham 5 E. 3. Will. de Bermingham Will. de Berm mil. 27. H. 6. duxit Isab. fil haer W. Hilton Will. de Bermingham ob 7 Iunii 15 H. 7. Nich. Bermingham Edw. Bermingham aet 3. an 15 H. 7. Eliz. posteà nupta Will. Ludford de Ansley gen deinde Will. Askeric gen 2. 3. Ph. M. Anna filia haeres ux or Ric. Atkinson Will. Bermingham 14 H. 7. Henr. Bermingham Will. Bermingham obiit 10 Aug. 1 Eliz. Ioh. de Berm mil. 38. H. 6. Eliz. filia haer ux Baldw. fil Ric Bracebrig 19 E. 4. Thomas de Bermingh Arm. pro corp Regis 24 H. 6. Henr. de Bermingmiles 3 E. 3. ob s. p. D. Petrus de Bermingham defunctus 2 E. 2. Ela filia una haer Will. de Odingsells â— E. 2. Ioh. de Bermingham Com. de Lovâ—th in Hibernia 12 E. 2. Petrus de Bermingham 18 H. 3. I now come to Will. de Bermingham son and successor to the last mentioned William In 25 H. 3. he had a suit for certain lands lying in this place with Iohn the son of Robert de Hathewy for determination whereof certain Justices of Assize were then constituted In 34 H. 3. he was by a speciall Pat. exempted from serving on Juries and the next year following had a Charter for a Faire to be annually held here by the space of four days beginning on the Eve of the Ascension commonly called Holy Thursday as also Free warren in his Mannour of Hoggeston in Com. Buck. Not long after this I find that there grew some dispute betwixt Rog. de Someri Baron of Dudley of whose Fee Bermingham was held and this Will. de Bermingham touching the services due by him to the said Roger for this Mannour with the members thereto belonging for which he required that the same Will should perform the service of eight Knights Fees a half and fourth part and also do suit to the Court at Dudley for the Knights fees belonging thereto once every three weeks whereupon they came to an Agreement in 46 H. 3. viz. that the same Will should do service for so many Knights fees as aforesaid and appear at the Court at Dudley onely twice every year scil at that held next after Michaelmass and that likewise after Easter And moreover that whensoever the King 's Writ of Right should be executed there id est that when of necessitie all the Kts. and Peers of the same Court holding by service military were to be called thither to give Judgement in cases of difficultie as also for triall of a Theif upon reasonable Summons he should not neglect to make his appearance Upon which Agreement the before specified Roger de Someri released to him his suit of Court from three weeks to three weeks But the next thing memorable that I find of this Will. de Bermingham is that he sided with his Father in Law Thomas de Astley and the other Barons in that grand Rebellion against King H. 3. and that being slain in the battail of Evesham in 49 H. 3. and his lands extended this his Mannour of Bermingham was rated at xl l. and the inheritance of it given by the K. with divers Lordships more forfeited by others unto Roger de Clifford for his faithfull service Howbeit by vertue of the Dictum de Kenilworth whereof I have there spoke the greatest part of all mens lands so confiscate being liable to Composition this with the rest upon satisfaction made according to the tenor of that Decree was repossest by Will. de Bermingham son and heir to the Rebell who in 11 E. 1. obtained a Charter of Freewarren throughout all his demesn lands here as also within his Mannour of Stokton in Worcestershire Shetteford in Com. Oxon. Maidencote in Berkshire Hoggeston in Com. Buck. and Cristelton in Cheshire which last viz. Cristleton was given by Thomas de Estley with Isabell his daughter in frank Marriage to Will. de Bermingham Father to the present William In 13 E. 1. this Will upon a Quo Warranto brought against him and all others who excercised or claimed any Liberties or Priviledges within their Lordships exhibited K. Henry the 2. Charter for the Thursday Mercate Toll Tem Sak Sok and Infangenthef And for the Faire and Freewarren K. H. 3. Charter pleading Prescription for Weyfâ— Gallows Court Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer all which were allowed The next year following he had Letters of protection upon the King 's purposed transfretation whom he was to attend therein Whether at that time he went bâ—yâ—nd Sea considering it doth not appear by our Historians that the King himself was out of England I am uncertain but in 25 of the same King's reign it is manifest that he was in Gascoin in his service under the conduct of the Earl of Lincolne and Iohn de S. Iohn of Basing a great Baron where intending to relieve Bellagard then besieged by the Count of Arras the said Earl and Baron divided their forces the Lord S. Iohn leading the Van
the year next ensuing In 8 R. 2. he served again in the Parliament at Westminster was also a Commissâ—oner for the assessing a xv th and Tenth then granted to the King and the same year constituted Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire but the certain tâ—me of his death I cannot discover After which Elizabeth his widow one of the daughters and heirs to William de la Plaunch by whom he had no issue married to the Lord Clinton as in Maxstoke shall be shewed and held this Lordship of Bermingham in dower till her death which hapned not till 2 H. 6. But before I proceed further it will not be incongruous I hope to say something of Sir Thomas de Bermingham Knight brother to the before mentioned Sir Iohn especially because he had his residence in this Countie and very likely here at Bermingham though he was not Lord of the Mannour In the Parliament held at Westminster 51 E. 3. he was one of the Knights for this Shire The same year and in 1 R. 2. a Commissioner of Array In 2 R. 2. he served again as a Knight for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Gloucester and in another at Westminster In 3 R. 2. he was in Commâ—ssion for arraying of men and for assessing a Subsidie in this Countie and wedded Isabell the daughter of Iohn de Whitacre grandchild and heir to Richard son of Richard son of Simon de Whitacre an antient Family in this Countie as in Whitacre shall be shewed Which Isabell in her widowhood had the custodie of the lands in Wales belonging to Thomas son and heir to Sâ—r Iohn de la Roche Knight deceased committed to her during the minoritie of the said Thomas unto whom she afterwards gave her daughter and heir Elizabeth in marriage Which Elizabeth by the same Thomas de la Roche left issue Elene the wife of Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley and Elizabeth of George Longvile Esquire who were found to be Cosins and heirs to the before specified Sir Iohn de Bermingham Howbeit the inheritance of this Lordship was by some Entail as it seems setled upon the heir male of the Family viz. another William de Bermingham son of William son if I mistake not to Iohn uncle to the before mentioned Sir Fouk for it appears that in 20 Ric. 2. he confirm'd unto certain Feoffees to the use of the Lady Elizabeth then the wife of Sir Iohn de Clinton but formerly of Sir Iohn de Bermingham an estate for life in this Mannour saving the reversion to himself and his heâ—rs and yet stiled himself Dominus de Bermingham before her death as is evident by his presentation of a Priest in 4. H. 4. to Clodshales Chantrie in the Church of Saint Martin here at Bermingham And so for ought I know was reputed notwithstanding the interest that Edm. Lord Ferrers of Chartley had therein in right of Elene his wife as by the Inquis taken after his death may seem This VVilliam Burmyncham was not much inferiour to any of his Ancestors for publick employments in this Countie In 1 H. 5. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster yet afterwards till 17. H. 6. he lived retired as it seems but then he was first put in Commission for conservation of the Peace and the same year had a speciall exemption that no Purveyor or Victualler should take any provision within this his Lordship for the expences of the King's Household in which Patent the King calls him dilectus Armiger noster In this mans time viz. in 19 H. 6. I find it certified that this Lordship of Bermingham was held of Sir Iohn Sutton of Dudley Knight as of his Castle of Dudley by military service scil by Homage Fealtie and Escuage that is to say when Escuage runneth at xl s. so much and when more more and when less less and by suit to his Court at Segesley called Knygton-Court as also by Castleward In â—21 H. 6. he underwent the Office of Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire In 27. he was a Knight In 28 he was a Commissioner for assessing a Subsidie then granted to the King in Parliament as also for treating with the people about lending money to the King but after H. 6. time I do not find him made use of for any publick service whereby I conclude that he adhered to the House of Lancaster for he died not till 18 E. 4. leaving VVilliam his son and heir then thirty years of age I am of opinion that Thomas Bermingham whom King H. 6. made one of the Esquires for his Body was Brother to this Sir VVilliam Which Thomas in 24 H. 6. had the grant of an Annuitie of L. marks to receive during life for his daily attendance upon the same King's person as Esquire of his Body and within two years after was made Master of the King's Hawks having a grant of the Mannour called the Mews with the appurtenances in reversion after the death of Sir Raph Cromwell Knight to hold for his life with all the Fees belonging to that Office But passing from him I come to the last Sir William Bermingham of this Family of whom I can say no more than that he wedded Isabell the daughter and heir of William Hilton and by her had issue VVilliam who departed this liâ—e 7 Iunii 15 H. 7. leaving Edward his grandchild and heir not much above three years old whose Wardship being in 17 H. 7. granted by the King to Edw. Lord Dudley together with the custody of the lands of his inheritance viz. the Mannours of Over-Worton Netherworton Moch Tewe Lytil Tewe and Shutford in Com. Oxon. Hogston in Com. Buck. Byllesley in Com. Wigorn and this of Bermyngham â— was purchased it seems by Elizabeth Bermyngham his mother for I find that she afterwards sold it to William Coningsby Sergeant at Law This Edward hapned to be the last of the Family that had to do here For being contemporary with that ambitious man Iohn Dudley afterwards Vicount L'isle more commonly known by those greater titles which he sometime had viz. Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland he was strangely wrested out of this Lordship For the said Iohn having possest himself of Dudley Castle as in Warwick I have shewed and observing Bermingham a fit ornament for so noble a seat but being the principall residence of such a Family as had for some Hundreds of years enjoy'd it not likely to be purchased from the then rightfull owner conspired by a wicked stratagem to work him out of it which he soon put in practise the Story whereof is in substance thus as by tradition from divers discreet persons I have heard viz. that Dudley did set on some of his Agents to lodge in Bermingham and to learn when
Will. de Odingsells Iohn de Clinton Thomas de Hasele and Ric. de Whitacre Kts. Hugh de Bereford Anketyl de L'ile and others were witnesses appeareth Who being thus in possession of it began to exercise the like Liberty here as he did in his other lands not considering that it was within the compasse of Sutton Chase where the Earl of Warwick had so much priviledge relating both to Vert and Venison as already hath been said so that the Earl having begun suit against him he was glad to seek his favour and submit to a peaceable Agreement by which it appears that the said Earl sc. Will. de Beauchamp condiscended to grant unto them the said Thomas and Roese and the heirs of Thomas liberty to fish in that little stream called Ebroke at his coming to Pedimore and during his stay there so for as his lands lay adjacent thereto As also that they might have liberty to agist Hoggs within their Woods of Curdworth and Pedimore take benefit of the paunage and beat down Acorns for their Swine and likewise gather such Nutts as should be there growing And moreover to cut down wood for their Fewell and Hedges without any assignation of the said Earl's Forester and to make sale of twenty pounds-worth thereof so that it were by the oversight of the said Forester to the end that the Chase might have least prejudice thereby as also timber to repair the buildings within his said Mannour of Curdworth and Pedimore by the like oversight of the Forester upon warning or at least one of the Earl's Bailiffs at Sutton or in those Woods in the presence of two neighbours And if upon such warning given the Forester should absent himself that then the said Thomas and his heirs might by the view of two neighbours enter those Woods and cut down and carry away so much as should be necessary but after the death of the said Thomas and Rose neither his heirs nor assignes to take Estovers for their Fewell and Hedges nor Timber but by assignation of the said Earl's Foresters And that their Woodward should be sworn to the said Earl and his heirs as touching his Vâ—nison carrying only a Hatche or Forest-Bill without Bow and Arrows And further the said Earl did likewise grant for himself his heirs that the same Thomas and Rose and the heirs and assignes of Thomas should have liberty to make improvement of their Wast within the said Mannours according to the Sutton measure to the extent of xx acres only aâ—d to inclose them according to the Custome of the Chase so that Does with their Fawns might leap over the Hedges and that they might reduce the same land to Tillage as they should think fit in severall places to the least damage of the Chase and most advantage of the said Thomas his heirs and assignes Saving to the Commoners their Common of pasture when the Corn is off And lastly that the said Thomas and Rose as also the heirs and assignes of Thomas might peacebly hold in and enâ—oy four Acres and an half of the said Wast whereof they had received the crop before the date hereof which was at Minworth the Sunday next after the Feast of the blessed Viâ—gâ—ns Nativity in 16 Edw. 1. In this Mannour House at Pedimore was antiently a Chapell for I find that Sir Iohn de Arden Knight in 34 E. 3. had License from Rob. de Stretâ—on then Bishop of this Dioces to have a Priest for celebration of Divine Service thereinâ— But now all is levell with the Earth the site thereof with the lands thereto belonging continuing to the posterity of the said Sir Iohn of whom in Curdworth I am to speak till this day Curdworth THis lying on the North-west side of Tame and including Minworth Berwode and Dunton in its Parish was in the Conqueror's dayes possest by Turchill de Warwick and by the general Survey then taken certified to contain 4 hides the Woods being half a mile in length with as much in breadth and all valued at L s. In that Record it is written Credeworde which makes me guess that the name originally arose from some antient owner of it in the Saxons time perhaps Crida for that was then a frequent appellation but before the Norman invasion one Vluvinus had it In this place I have made choise to speak historically of that most antient and worthy Family whose sirname was first assumed from their residence in this part of the County then and yet called Arden by reason of its woodinesse the old Britans and Gauls using the word in that sense as Master Cambden hath observed Not for that the same Turchill or his descendants lived here for their principall seats were in other places viz Kingsbury and Hampton in Arden on this side the Shire as also Rotley and Rodburne on the other whilst some male branches lasted but because this is the chief place which continued longest in the Family even till of late time as I shall shew anon and was near to that where for the greatest part of these last 300 years they have had their residence Having therefore spoken so fully of the before mentioned Turchill in Warwick I shall now passe him by with this only observation that he was one of the first here in England â— that in imitation of the Normans assumed a sirname for so it appears that he did and wrote himself Turchillus de Eardene in the days of K. Will. Rufus This Turchill left issue Siward his eldest son by the first wife as also Peter a Monk in the Abby of Thorney â— and I think Raph of whom and his descendants I shall speak in Hampton in Arden and by a second wife Osbert as in Kingsbury shall be further shewed Which Siward was not permitted to enjoy any large proportion of his Father's lands the Earl of Warwick having the greatest part assigned unto him by K. Will. Rufus about the beginning of his reign in Comitatus supplimentum for augmentation of his Earldome but what he had leave to retain was by him and his posterity held by Military service of those Earlsâ— Some say that he became Sewer to Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of the Norman race but all that I have seen further memorable of him is that he was a witnesse to some principall Grants made by Geffrey de Clinton Founder of Kenilworth Priory in H. 1. time upon his endowment thereof and to certain confirmations of Roger Earl of Warwick and others as also a speciall Benefactor to the Monks of Thorney in Cambridgshire by bestowing on them his Mill at Riton and certain lands in Flekenho within this County And that he left issue Hugh and Henry Which Hugh being a very pious and devout man gave a large proportion of lands out of his Mannour of Rotley unto the Monks of Stoneley confirm'd to the Canons of Kenilworth the grant of Pakinton which
Iesu have mercy Amen On an Alabaster gravestone in the Chancell Willielmus Plasted soror ejus Elizabetha Plasted alter natus annos sex menses duos altera nata annos octo menses decem uterque optimae spei adolescentes uno eodem morbo vitam finierunt consepulti 7 Sept. An. 1591. The Chantrie There was a Chantry founded in E. 1. time by Sir Will. de Odingsells Kt. for one Priest to celebrate Divine service for ever in this Church for the health of the souls of Will. de Odingsells and Ioane his wife father and mother to the said Sir Will. as also for his own soul with the souls of his progenitors Children and all the faithfull deceased for maintenance of which Priest he gave with the consent of Ioan his mother and Raph de Limesi then her husband certain Houses and land situate near to St. Alphag's Well within this Lordship and iii li. yearly Rent payable by severall of his Tenants here whose names are exprest in the grant Which Priest was successively to be presented by the said Sir Will. and his heirs to the Bishop of Coventre and Lich. for the time being and by him to be instituted to the said Chantry In augmentation of whose maintenance the said Raph de Limesi and Ioane his wife gave five marks yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands lying in Cotes now called Coton and Merston juxta Kingsbury in 5 E. 1. To this Chantry in H. 4. time did likewise Will. Hawe and others give one Messuage and xl acres of land lying also here in Solihull called Caldeford's Tenement to the end that the Chantry-Priest for the time being should celebrate Divine Service for the soules of Hugh le De-Spenser and Sibill his wife before specified but the grant being made without License obtained from the K. the said lands became forfeited and were in 14 H. 4. bestowed upon Iohn Birkyn one of the yeomen of the Larder to the K. to hold during life How the means belonging hereunto came to be so diminished appears not but in 16 H. 6. upon the addition of Lx s. more yearly Rent by one Thomas Greswould it appears that the maintenance was so slender that no Priest did then serve therein which Annuity he the said Thomas gave that the Priest officiating there should sing Masse every day for the good estate of the said K. H. 6. and of the same Thomas Greswould and for their souls after their departure hence as also for the souls of the Father and mother of the said Thomas and all the Benefactors thereunto So that in 26 H. 8. the value thereof was found to be Cxiiii s. per an over and above xviii s. yearly Rent payd out of it to severall persons and in 37 H. 8. vi l. xvi s. vi d. per an over and above all Reprizes at which time the Chantrie Priest serving here did upon occasion assist the Parson in ministring the Sacraments in regard that the Parish was spacious and contained 700 Communicants This Chantrie was called the Chantrie of Haliwell the reason whereof I conceive to be because the Houses given thereto by Sir Will. de Odingsells at the first Foundation thereof did stand near S. Alphage his Well but it was in a Chapell on the North side of the Church of Solihull called libera Capella S. Alphegi One thing more I shall observe before I passe from this Church viz. that in 13 E. 3. one Will. de Stow a Priest and Parson of Solihull gave xii acres of land and six acres of meadow to the succeeding Rectors here for the finding of two wax Candles burning therein every day at the celebration of Masse and two Torches alwayes at the elevation of the Host. Olton THis through the corrupt pronunciation of the vulgar is now called Oken end but that it had its name after the plantation at Solihull is apparent enough from what I have formerly said that of Wolverle being waâ—ved and thereupon called the Old-town But by this new name of Olton I find no mention of it till 19 E. 1. upon the extent of the lands belonging to Roger de Someri Baron of Dudley who was then certified to have one meadow and a pasture here at that time and in 23 E. 1. it appears that Ela de Odingsels was jointly enfeoft thereof with William de Odingsells her husband in which Record it is called Manerium de Dulton After which upon the partition of Odingsels lands betwixt the daughters and coheirs it came to Grey of Rotherfeld who wedded Margaret as the Descent sheweth for in 2 H. 4. after the death of Sir Robert Grey of Rotherfeld Knight Ioane his daughter and heir then the wife of Sir Iohn Deincourt Knight had liverie thereof From whom it descended to Alice one of the daughters and coheirs of the said Sir Iohn Deincourt and Ioan the wife of Sir Will. Lovell Knight who in her right died seized of it in 33 H. 6. leaving Sir Iohn Lovell Knight his son and heir 22. years of age which Alice afterwards married to Sir Raphe Boteler Knight who by a Fine levied in 6 E. 4. entailed it upon the issue of his body by her the said Alice with remainder to Anne the wife of Sir Remfride Arundell Knight and the heirs of her body and for want of such issue to the right heirs of Alice Of this Lady Arundell I find that she married afterwards to Robert Crane Esquire and that in 5 H. 8. she demised it â—o Catherine Boteler widow for xx years But in 33 H. 8. Henry Ogard Esq. was Lord thereof and since that as I have heard one M r Oliver Briggs a Shropshire man who sold it to M r Midlemore of Eggebaston Foshaw THis being within the territories of Solihull and antiently a member thereof was towards the later end of H. 3. or beginning of E. 1. time given by William de Odingsells unto Nicholas his younger son and his heirs and is in that grant bounded with Tanworth on the one side Kings-Norton on the other Beoley on a thâ—rd and a great road-way leading from Wihtewrthemilne towards the Earl of Warwick's wood in Tanworth reserving to the said William and his heirs one peny to be yearly payd at the Feast of S t Michaâ—ll the Archangell for all services and demands whatsoever By which deed was there also granted unto the same Nicholas and his heirs a Court-Leet of all the said William's Tenants inhabiting within those precincts paying yearly to hâ—m and his heirs for the same a pound of Cummin seed at the next Court after Michaelmasse to be held at Solihull From whom descended another Nicholas Lord thereof in 10 R. 2. who bore for his Armes the antient coat of Odingsells of Solihull viz. Arg. a Fesse gules with two Mullets of the second in cheif and the addition of three Escalops upon the Fesse in
Abbas Westmonasterii D. Eliz. Pultney Anno 1498. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Alicia Hugford 26. H. 8. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Iohanna Hugford 28. H. 8. In this Parish of Solihull have lived severall Families of antient Gentlemen viz. Boteler Greswould and Waring which last still continues Of Boteler Richard was the first of whom I find any certainty viz. in 8. H. 4. who had issue Iohn a Lawyer afterwards of Elmedon where his posterity continued for some descents so that I shall reserve what I have further to say of him and them till I come to that place Of Greswould the first that I have seen mentioned by any authentique authority was Richard Greswould who died before 13 H. 4. And the next Thomas recorded in 12 H. 6. amongst those persons of quality in this County which were sworn to observe the Articles concluded upon in the Parliament then held Which Thomas in 16 H. 6. having the custody of the Mannour of Solihull together with Sheldon committed to him then seized into the King's hands upon the death of Edward Duke of Yorke augmented the allowance for support of the Chantrie-Priest at Solihull and was a Justice of Peace in this Countie from 21. till 36 H. 6. From whom descended Iohn Greswould of Langdon-Hall before mentioned I am not certain how long the Warings have resided in this Parish for the first mention that I meet with of them here is in 21 H. 7. their seat being called Berry-Hall but antiently they lived within the precincts of Tanworth for I often find them stiled of that place and that Ioan Waryn in 51 E. 3. was in Commission with other persons of quality in this Countie for assessing a Subsidie of Pâ—â—e-money viz. iv d. upon every head So also in 2. R. 2. for collecting a Subsidie then granted and in 7 R. 2. for assessing and gathering the half of a Tenth and Fifteenth To whom succeeded Thomas Waring of Toneworth one of those in this Countie sworn to perform the Articles concluded on in the Parliament of 12 H. 6. being then stiled Armiger Of which Family was likewise the Ladie Alice Waring Prioresse of Henwood in 38 H. 6. But to trace down their descent particularly I shall not need in regard they continue possest of their antient lands to this day having much adorn'd their House by matching with divers very good Families viz. Butler of Elmedon Hubaud of Ipsley Baskervile of Eresley in Com. Hereford Huâ—ford of Henwood and Midlemore of Eggebaston bearing for their Armes Azure a Cheveron betwixt 3. Lions passant Or. Hampton in Arden BEing now past the precincts of Solihull I come next to Hampton in Arden on the Western bank of Blithe in which parish are these severall Villages and Hamlets scil Nuthurst Knoll Balshall Kinwaldsey Didington and Chadleswick but all of them except Didington situate on the other side the River This with divers other fair Lordships being the inheritance of one Luevinus before the Norman Invasion was disposed of by the Conqueror to Geffrey de Wirce of whom in Monkskirby I have spoke and by the generall Survey rated at x. hides there being then a Church as also a Mill of xl d. and Woods extending to three miles in lenth and as much in breadth all valued at C s. In that Record it is written Hantone which manifesteth that the name was originally occasioned from the situation hean in the Saxon signifying high though by contraction written Han and through corrupt pronunciation Ham. But by what I have said in Monkskirby it will appear that all Wirce his lands were conferred on Nigell de Albani which Nigell had issue Roger sirnamed Moubray by whom the Ardens who were Lords of this Mannour were afterwards enfeoft thereof Rad. de Hantona 5. Steph. Rog. de Ardena 20 H. 2 .... filia Alani filii Tur fini Will. de Ardena 5 H. 3. Amicia de Traci Hugo de Ardena miles 35 H. 3. Will. de Ardena defunctus 4 E. 1. ob s. p. 1. Ric. de Ardena frater haeres ideota 4 E. 1. Oliva Rob. le Megre Will. le Megre 52 H. 3. Amicia una filiarum cohaer Joh. Lou sive Lupus 13 E. 1. Margeria altera filiarum cohaer Philippus le Lovet 13 E. 1. Hawisia Ricardus Peche Joh. Peche de Wilmeleghton 49 H. 3. Walt. de Ardena Cler. Rog. de Ardena Cler. Petrus de Ardena Clericus Rob. de Ardena Lexov Archidiac Will. de Ardena Of these the first that had to do here was called Radulphus de Hamtona but whether he were one of the sons to Turchill de Warwick called also Turchill de Ardena of whom I have spoke both in Warwick and Curdworth I dare not absolutely affirm though his posterity assumed the sirname of Arden but do conjecture that he was Of w ch Raphe I find mention first in 5. Steph. and lastly in 33 H. 2. where being then a Justice Itinerant he is termed Radulphus de Ardena But cleer enough it is that though he took his sirname from hence yet he was not absolute owner hereof nor indeed of any more than certain lands called Chadleswie then reputed as a Member of this Lordship which lands he purchased of Roger de Moubray before mentioned for the Mannour-house with the demesns and advouson of the Church were first given by the said Roger de Moubray to Raph de Haia in exchange for certain lands lying in Yorkshire Of which Raphe did Rob. de Arden one of the sons of the said Raphe acquire them for L. marks of silver This Robert being a Clergie-man and Archdeacon of Liseaux in Normandy gave all his estate here unto Peter and Roger his brothers Which Peter a Clerke also having Chadleswic before specified by his Father's gift disposed of it and all his share in the rest unto the same Roger who for confirmation thereof not only obtained the Charters of Roger de Moubray above mentioned and of Nigel his son and heir but of the Bishop of Liseaux together with the Dean and Chapter of that Church under their publique Seals To whom succeded William and to William Hugh de Arden Which Hugh received that Christen name from Hugh fil Willielmi his Godfather otherwise called Hugh de Hatton of whom in Hatton I have spoke and a kinde token withall of his said God-father's love scil the Mill at Amington in this Countie as also a yard land lying in that place in which grant his God-father calls him Filiolus quem de sacro Fonte suscepit whence it appears that in times past the God-fathers received the Child out of the Priests hands as soon as it had been dipt in the Water which usage was very antient and perform'd by more than three persons as it may seem by that constitution of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1151. the words whereof are these Statuimus
inheritance appertaining to Amicia the wife of Iohn le Lou one of the coheirs being past away unto Queen Alianore then wife of Edward 1. King of England as in Hampton hath likewise been intimated it was totally possest by that Queen and after her death in 20 E. 1. given together with the Mannours of Ardens-Grafton and Langdon and certain lands lying in Alspath Buleye Hulverleye Witlakesfeldâ— Kinwaldesheye Nuthurst and Didington all in this Countie as also with the Mannours of Briddebrok in Essex Westerham and Edulnebrugge in Kent and Turveston in Buckinghamshire to the Monks of Westminster upon condition that the Abbot Prior and Covent of that House or the Prior and Covent if the Abbot should be out of the way upon the Eve of S. Andrew the Apostle on which day the said Queen's Anniversary had used to be kept being solemnly revested in the Quire of that Monasterie should sing a Placebo and Dirige with nine Lessons C. wax Candles weighing xii li. a piece being then burning about her Tombe and every year new ones made for that purpose And furthermore that those Wax-Candles should be lighted at the Placebo and Dirige on the Eve of the same Anniversarie and burn on the day thereof till high Masse were ended And that all the Bells both great and small then ringing they should sing solemnly for her souls health And moreover that on the day of her said Anniversary the Abbot himself in case he were present or the Prior in his stead if he could not procure a more eminent Prelate should sing Masse at the high Altar the Candles then burning and Bells ringing and every single Monk of that Abby a private Masse the inferior Monks their whole Psalter and the Friers Converts of that House the Lords Prayer Creed and Aves as many as the Abbot and Covent should appoint for her soul and the souls of all the faithfull deceased And that likewise the said Prior and Covent and their successors on the same day to distribute unto every poor Body repairing to that Monasterie one penny sterling or money to that value staying till three of the clock expecting their coming before they should begin the Dole which was to be unto seven-score poor people And that of the Waxen Tapers before specified xxx to remain all the year long about the said Queens Tombe till the renewing of them on the day of her Anniversary all which to be lighted upon the great Festivall days and upon the coming of any Noble men thither and as often else as they should see fit And moreover that the said Abbot Prior and Covent and their successors should find two waxen Lights each of them weighing two pounds of wax to burn continually at the Tombe of the said Queen All which being performed the surplusage of the revenue issuing out of these lands to remain for their Pâ—ttances to be provided according as themselves should best like And for the more strict observance hereof every Abbot successively before the restitution of his temporalties to take a solemn Oath for observance of the premisses And that every year upon S â— Andrew's Eve the said King's Charter to be publiquely read in the Chapter-House in the presence of the whole Covent which Charter bears date at Barwick upon Twedâ— 20 Oct. 20 E. 1. The Monks of Westminster being thus possest thereof leased it for life in 34 E. 1. to Raph de Perham but after that time retained it in their own hands for ought I have seen to the contrary untill the generall dissolution of the Religious Hâ—uses by Kâ—ng H. 8. and then Westminster being made a Bishoprick as is very well known this Mannour inter alia became annext unto it but long it continued not so for in 4 E. 6. it was converted to a Deanrieâ— with secular Canons and the jurisdiction of the Bishop united to London Nicholas Ridley being then Bishop unto whom and his successors the same King Edw. 6. by his Patent dated 12. Apr. that very year gave and confirmed this Mannour which grant was afterwards ratified by Queen Mary But in 2 Eliz. there being a Commission for the reassumption of divers lands from the said Bishoprick at which time this Lorship came to the Queens hands it was in 15. Eliz. granted to Robert Earl of Leicester and his heirs which Earl in 23 Eliz. past it a way again in exchange for other lands unto the same Queen so that being thus in the Crown Sir Fulk Grevill Knâ—ght Lord Brook in consideration of his service as the Patent expresseth obtained it in Fee form of King Iames in 20. of his reign to be held of the Mannour of East-Greenwich for the Rent of Lxvii li. xvi s. viii d. per annum The Colledge ABout the later end of Ric. 2. time Walter Cook a Canon of Lincolne bearing a speciall affection to this place considering that it stood distant above a mile from the parish-Church did for the health of his own and his parents souls at his proper costs erect a fair Chapell here with a Tower-Steeple and Bells all in his Fathers own land to the honour of S. Iohn Baptist S. Laurence the Martyr and S. Anne adding also a Church-yard thereto purposing to endow the same Chapell with maintenance sufficient for one secular Priest to celebrate divine service therein so as that there should thenceforth be a Font for Baptizing of all Infants to be born within this Hamlet of Knolle and all persons there deceasing to be buried in that Church-yard For performance whereof he obtained a speciall Bull from Pope Boniface the ixth wherein was contained an Indulgence for seven days of their enjoyned Penance to all such as having made a true confession and were heartily sorâ—y for their sins and repairing yearly out of devotion thither on the Festivalls of our Saviour's Nativity Circumcision Epiphanie Resurrection and Ascension Corpus Christi day and Pentecost As also on the Nativity Annunciation Purification and Assumption of the blessed Virgin Nâ—tivity of S. Iohn Baptist S. Peter and Paul S. Anne and S. Laurence and on the Feast day of the said Chapells Dedication and All Hallown day or on the Octaves of those Feasts and for six days immediatly ensuing the said Feast of Pentecost should confer something towards the repair of the same upon every of those Holy days for the space of seven years which Indulgence bears date at S. Peâ—â—râ— in Rome â—viii Cal. Dec. in the ninth year of his Papacie scil 21 R 2. To second which Bâ—ll was there a speciall License granted to the Inhabitants here residing by Iohn Burghill Bishop oâ— Coventry and Lichfield in 1 H. 4. â—â—nchâ—ng the celebration of Dâ—vine Service therein by any sitting Prâ—ests For confirmation oâ— whith Chapell so built together with the Churchyard before specified there being a speciall Patent made by King H. 4. dated 18. Nov. in the fourth year of his reign License was
to them of Mergate in 〈◊〉 Bedf. and appropriated to that Religious House In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at ix marks and the Vicaridge at two marks but in 26 H. 8. the said Vicaridge was estimated at vii 〈◊〉 s. ii d. over and above ix s. vi d. yearly allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Galfr. de Newnham Cap. D. Alanus de Waverton 7. Cal. Nov. 1320. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Ioh. de Wylmunâ—â—cote 4. Id. Iâ—n 1325. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Ioh. Martin Cap. 15. Cal. Nov. 1330. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Henr. de Umbresley Cap. 4. Noâ— Oct. 1349â— Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate D. Will. le Warde prid Id Ian. 1358. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Will. atte Gâ—ange Cap. 2. Id. Martii 1362. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Ioh. Spâ—nne Pbr. 19. Maii 1395. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Nich. Burton 28. Ian. 14â—8 Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Will. Bichenhull Cap. 3. Iunii 1416. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate Will. Erle Pbr. 6. Aug. 1447. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate D. Thomas Orme 15. Sept. 1522. Priorissa Conv S. Trin. de Bosco juxtae Merkyate D. Humfr. Robyns 22. Iunii 1537. Eliz. Angl. Regina Thomas Vagham Cler. 3. Dec. 1565. Eliz. Angl. Regina Andr. Dent Cler. 10. Sept. 1582. Clem. Fisher de Pakinton miles Ioh. Keeling Cler. 31. Oct. 1605. Maria Fisher vidua Will. Hytsonne Cler. 20. Nov. 1620. Middle-Bickenhill and Hill Bickenhill THese were antiently reputed but for one Hamlet and called Little-Bikenhill being in King Iohn's time possest by Richard de Kaines which Richard gave it unto his three sisters scil Raâ—ace Ala and Margaret Will. de Kaines their other brother confirming the grant and Henry de Bickenhull releasing to them all his right therein By these sisters it was divided but a good part thereof came afterwards to the Nunns of Henwood and after the generall dissolution was past out of the Crown inter alia to Edward Aglionby of Balshall Esquire and Henry Hugford of Solihull Gentleman and their heirs by the name of a Mâ—nnour with certain lands and Rents in Hill Bickenhill all which were purchased as it seems shortly after by Iohn Fisher of Pakington Esquire for by the Inquisition taken after his death it appears that he died seized of them from whom they are descended to Sir Clement Fysher Baronet his great grandchild who now enjoys them Kington alias Kingsford part in Bickenhill and part in Solihull-Parish THis is a very antient place though now there be little signe thereof for I find that there stood a Church here in the beginning of H. 3. time the â—dvâ—uâ—on whereof was granted in 5 â—â— of that King's reign to the Nunns of Mergate in Bedfordshire by one Henry le Notte But afterwards viz. in 16 E. 2. it had the reputation for no more than a Chapell belonging to Bikenhill In 37 H. 6. it appears that the Mountforts of Colshill were Lords thereof and therefore I am of 〈◊〉 that it came to them by the daughter and 〈◊〉 of â—ecâ—e a Hampton in Arden did For in that year Sir Baldwin son and heir to Sir William Mountfort passed his estate therein unto Sir Humphrey Stafford Knight son and heir to the Duke of Buck. and others which grant was but in trust as it seems for in 7 H. 7. did Sir Simon Montfort Knight son and heir to the said Sir Baldwin demise it by the name of the Mannour of Kingsford unto Henry and Thomas his two younger sons and in 10 H. 7. died seized of it but attainted as in Colshill is shewed whereupon it eschaeting to the Crown was soon granted inter alia to Girald Earl of Kildare and Elâ—z S t Iohn his wife and to the heirs male of their two bodies lawfully begotten by which it came to Sir Iames Fitz Girald Knight son to the said Earl by that Ladie who being attainted in 28 H. 8. as in Dunchurch appeareth it resorted again to the Crown and in 7 E. 6. was with other lands granted unto Thomas Lucy of Cherlecote Esquire and his heirs which Thomas afterwards a Knight sold it unto Thomas Dabridgment Esquire of whom in Langdon I have made mention Waver's Merston OF this place there is no mention at all in the Conqueror's Survey so that I presume it was then involved with Bikenhill because it afterwards appeareth to be of Arden's Fee From one of which Familie I am of opinion that Anketill de Crafte was first enfeoft thereof about King Stephen or H. 2. time for cleer it is that the same Anketil possest it and had his residence here From whom it descended to Roger de Crafte his nephew scil son of Roger his brother which Roger about the beginning of King Ric. 1. time sold it unto William de Waver son of Robert de Waver his kinsman for XL. li. of silver to be held of him the said Roger and his heirs by the sixth part of a Knights Fee whereupon for distinction from the many other Merstons in this Countie it came to be called Waver's-Merston whose grandchild William in 41 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here But taking part with the rebellious Barons in 49 H. 3. for which his lands were seized and this Mannour given to Roger de Someri Lord of Dudley upon his Composition according to the Diclum de Kenilworth he was necessitated to sell it 〈◊〉 to the said Roger for CC. marks of silver Howbeit afterwards either he or his son Robert redeem'd it again for in 35 E. 1 the same Robert entailed it at his son's marriage together with Th'ester-waver and other lands as in my discourse of that place hath been already said In whose â—ine it continued till 6 H. 6. that Iohn Waver of Th'ester-waver Esquire past it unto Iohn Catesby of Lapworth from whom it came to Iohn Catesby oâ— Stowell grandchild to the said Iohn who in 16 E. 4. obtained a Release from Henry Waver of Th'ester-waver Esquire of all his right and title thereto and afterwards though by what direct steps I have not seen unto the descendants of Thomas Catesby a younger son of Sir Will. Catesby Knight whose Pedegree is in Lapworth to be seen one of which viz. Iohn about the beginning of King Iâ—mes his time sold it unto Henry Mayne of Bovington in Hartfordshire in reversion after his own decease by which
concludeth it to use the Angelique salutation of our Lady and recommendation of her Mother in this manner Ave Maria gratia plona Dominus tecum benedicta tu inter mulieres benedicta fructus ventris tui Jesus Amen Et benedicta sit venerabilis mater tua Anna ex qua tua caro Virginea immaculata processit whereunto the Quire shall answer Amen And lastly obliging his heirs and successors under the penaltie of God's curse with the curses of the blessed Virgin S. Mâ—chaell th'arch Angell and All Saints that they should not make any advantages to themselves out of the possessions belonging to this Monasterie appointed that if the Prior did transgress in any thing pertaining to his dutie every Canon of the House should be obliged to make complaint to the Bishop thereof and the Bishop to see satisfaction made and if any Canon should faile in his particular dutie and thereof be convicted before the Prior or other competent Judge that for the space of five years â—e might not be capable to bear any Office in the Monasterie except the Prior by the advice of the better part of the Covent should think fit to abate three years thereof or any part of that time And for the firmer observance of all these his Ordinances and the more lasting memory of this his establishment he caused this his Charter to be indented and exemplified in three parts the one to remain with the said Prior and Covent for â—ver the other with the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield and the third with himself his heirs and successors unto every of which he affixed his Seal procuring likewise a ratification thereof from Roger de Northburgh then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield as also by the Dean Chapter of Lichfield His bearâ—ng date here at Maxstoke x o ... An. MCCCxxxvi and theirs in April and May following Unto all which the K. added his Confirmation dated 4 0 Martii in the xiith year of his reign Neither was it long after this but that the said Earl made a farther augmentation to what he had so given as hath been said For within one year next following he bestowed on them the advouson of the moitye of the Church of Halughton in Leicestershire In 14 E. 3. the advouson of the Church of Tanworth which was immediatly thereupon appropriated to them by Wulstan Bp. of Worcester with reservation of a Vicaridge to the value of xx `marks yearly to the Prior of Worcester xx s. which Vicaridge was accordingly ordained within two years aftes In 17. E. 3. the Mannour of Shustoke with the advouson of the Church and Chapell or Chantry at Bentley then newly by them purchased of Iohn Lord Moubray Which grant was of so great consequence to these Canons as that by the advantage thereof they soon obtained in exchange for the same from Iohn the son and heir of Sir Iohn de Clinton before specified the antient Mannour-house of Maxstoke moated about and situate neer to this Monasterie together with the Park and all that part which hath since that time been known by the name of the Priory-Lordship Whereupon they converted the old House the antient seat of the said Founder's Ancestorâ— into Barnes keeping up the Moat for the turning of a Water-mill which so continued till within the memory of some aged persons lately deceased By which exchange it likewise appears that the said Founder had also given to this Monastery the moâ—tye of the Mannour of Netherwhitacre and that his nephew had it with Shustoke aforesaid upon that agreement In 19 F. 3. he gave the advousons of the Churches of Aston-Cantlow and Fillongley thereunto then newly obtained by him from Laurence de Hastings E. of Penbroke his son in Law which were immediately appropriated unto it viz. that of Aston-Cantlow by Wolstan B of Worcester and that of Fillongley by Pope Clement the vi th which grant Rog. de Northburgh B p of Coventre Lich. confirmed To these Concessions did Tho. de Beauchamp then E. of Warw. adde the advouson of the Church of Yardley in Worcestershire w ch was forthwith appropriated to them by Wolstan Bp. of Worcester whereupon they had a Release from the Monks of Tikford of all their right thereunto And now that they were so plentifuâ—ly provided for by their Founders bounty and favour of other Benefactors they soon after began to make severall purchases in sundry places though but petty parcells viz. in Maxstoke Coventre and Long-Ichinton as also of a Water-mill in Shustoke and in 10 H. 4. obtained from Will Lâ—rd Clinton Say x li. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands lying in Dunton-Basset in Com. Leâ—c and in 38 H. 6. a Legacie of an C li. from Humfrey Duke of Buckingham to purchase lands of C s. per ann value to the end that the Covent here might be augmented by one Canon more in number sc. xiii in all and that the same Canon or some other should daily sing and pray for the soul of the said Humfrey and for the souls of his Ancestors wife and children at the Altar in the North I le of this Conventuall Church All which lands and possessions with some other whereof for brevitie I omit the mention were in 26 H. 8. upon the Survey then taken estimated at the worth of Cxxx li. xi s. viii d. ob per an Out of which sum considering these severall deductictions viz. for the Conventuall loaf Flagon of beer and Mess of meat given every day to the poor according to the Founder's direction as hath been already observed and valued at iv d. per diem which amounts to vi li. xx d. per ann In money bread and beer distributed to poor people upon Mâ—unday Thursday at the Gates of the Priory iv li. per annum To two Priests weekly celebrating divine service in the Chapell dedicated to the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin within the said Monastery by the appointment of Adam de Overton Lxvi s. viii d. per an Twelve pence per diem to a Canon specially celebrating for the Founders soul Lii s. per an For the Fee of Sir Edw. Ferrers Knight high Steward of the said Monasterie Lx s. per an And in Annuities to other Officers Pensions and Rents the clear yearly value amounted to no more than Lxxxi li. xiii s. vii d. ob So that by Act of Parliament the year following being involved with those which then went to wrack it was in 30 H. 8. with a multitude more granted out of the Crown unto Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and his heirs Which Duke for the sum of 2103 li. sterling sold the same with all the Lands Rectories c. thereunto belonging unto Robert Trapps of London Goldsmith as by his Deed dated 17. Iulii 32 H. 8. appeareth Unto whom succeeded Nich. Trapps his son and heir who leaving issue only
the said Roger were they taken into the King's hand and continued in the Crown till 13 H. 6. that VVilliam VValdeff and Thomas VVylcok obtained a grant of them for the space of ten years Which VVilliam in 26 H. 6. being cosin and heir to Ioyce Plumpton of Notingham one of the daughters and heirs of Roger Plumpton and sister and heir to Phipippa the other daughter and heir to the said Roger as he stiled himself of whose inheritance they were granted them to Thomas VValdeyve his son From which Thomas by an heir female the Willingtons of Hurley do derive themselves and are still owners of all or a great part of these lands Flanders-Hall THis place was antiently so denominated from one Hugh a younger brother to William de Odingsells of which Family I have spoke in Ichington Solihull and Maxstoke as Mr. Burton in his Description of Leicestershire affirmes in regard that his Ancestors came out of Flanders whose descendants assumed it for their sirname but upon the death of Iohn de Flanders the last male branch of this line it was allotted by partition in 13 H. 6. to Elianore the wife of Sampson Erdswike one of his three daughters and heirs by which means it descended to the issue of Iohn Herdwick of Lindley in Leicestershire her first husband and so came to the Purefeys of Caldecote in marriage as I have heard with Ioyce one of the daughters and coheirs to the last Iohn Herdwyck wife to Michael Purefey From which Michael descended William Purefey Esquire who in our time sold it unto Sir Robert Fisher of Packington Knight and Baronet Hallaton OF this place I have not seen any mention till 17 H. 3. at which time it was reputed a member of Coshill and part of the dowry of Elisant the widow unto Osbert de Clinton But after this it came to be possest by the same Robert Marmion of whom I have spoke in Nether-Whitacre and by those authorities which I have there voucht seemeth to have gone with that Mannour till Q. Eliz. time for it appeareth that Walt. Devereux Visc. Hereford in 12 Eliz. sold it with Nether-Whisacre unto Edmund Skerning then of Erdbury Esquire Drakenedge THis was originally a member of Nether-Whitacre as I conceive and so consequently possest by the Marmions of Tamworth-Castle and from one of them granted therewith to Nicholas Fitz Raphe or his Ancestour for it is evident that the Familie of Mancestre who for a good while enjoyed it held it of the heirs of Nicholas Fitz Raphe Lords of Nether-Whitacre by the service of a pair of gilt Spurâ—s and that they held it over of those Marmions Of which Mancestres I find that Hugh in 36 Hen. 3. had a Charter of Free warren extending to all his demesn lands here and that from him it descended to Guy de Mancestre his grandchild who in King Edw. 3. time past it to Robert de Herle and his heirs by the name of a Mannour Which Robert dying without issue of his body it divolved to Sir Raph de Hastings Knight his cosin and heir viz. son of his sister Margaret and from him through divers descents to William Lord Hastings Chamberlain to King Edward the fourth who died seized thereof in 1 Ric. 3. leaving Sir Edward Hastings Knight his son and heir xvii years of age But farther hereof I have not seen than that Richard Hastings in 9 H. 8. was presented for depopulating the Capitall Messuage and CC. acres of arable land lying thereto Whateley IN this place which was originally a member oâ— Kingsburie â— are there certain lands that were antiently given to the Canons of Studley all which after the dissolution of the Monasteries were inter alia granted out of the Crown in 36 H. 8. unto Iohn Beaumont Esquire by the name of the Mannour or Lordship of Whateley who past them away the same year unto Nicholas Wilson and ..... his wife by whom they were sold to Thomas Overton who died seised of them in 32 Eliz. leaving Nicholas his son and heir fifty years of age Slateley THis is a petty Hamlet and parcell of the Mannour of Kingsburie as by severall Records is evident so that there needs no more to be said thereof Holt. IN this which is also parcell of the Mannour of Kingsburie had the Monks of Merevale a yard land given unto them by the first Iohn de Bracebrigge whose grant thereof William de Bracebrigge his brother and heir confirmed But the Village was in part depopulated by Iohn Bracebrigge Esquire who in 19 H. 7. decayed three Messuages upon the Inclosure thereof of which lands Thomas Bracebrigge was possest in 3 Edw. 6. Cliffe THis hath its name from the situation thereof near to the descending ground towards the bank of Tame but of it I have not seen other mention than that Thomas Herthill was presented in 10 H. 8. for depopulating two Messuages and inclosing xl acres of land here Dosthill I Am not sure whether this place be particularly taken notice of in the Conqueror's Survey if it be that which is there written Dercelai â—s intended for it which R. de Oâ—lgi had at that time in pawn from Turchill de Warwick and is said to contain two hides having a Mill of xxxii d. yearly value and Woods extending to two furlongs in length and as much in breadth the whole being valued at xl s. But in 12 H. 2. certain it is that Hugo fil Ricardi of whom in Hatton I have spoke was possest of it as appears by that Certificate which William Earl of Warwick then made whose Father or Grandfather had enfeoffed the said Hugh thereof with other lands of a great extent in King Henry the first 's time it being then written Derteulla By this Hugh was it doubtlesse granted to Thomas fil Thurstani for it is manifest that Robert de la Launde son to the same Thomas gave to Richard Fitz Raphe in marriage with Amicia his daughter the Mill here it being then written Derchethull From which Robert it descended to Iames as the Pedegree in Langdon sheweth who was certified to hold it of the Earl of Warwick in 20 H. 3. But it appears that Albrena Marmion of whom I have made mention in Arrow granted the service of the same Iames de la Laund for this place unto William de Camvile her son whereby it should seem that the immediate grant which the Ancestour to the said Iames had of this place was not from the Earl of Warwick but from one of the Marmions who obtained it from some of those Earls This Iames in 31 H. 3. past unto Robert de Grendon and his heirs all the interest he had here by the name of the Mannour of Dersthull then amounting to half a Knight's Fee Which Robert in 40 H. 3. granted
mention in Fillongley was enfeoâ—t and that from him Walkâ—line who assumed it for his sirname in respect of his residence here originally had it For though we have little light to discover the passages of these elder times the grant of lands being then not frequently by Charter as I have elsewhere observed yet from what is manifested by divers Records in reference to the tenure no less than what I have sayd may cleerly be inferred The male descendants of which VValkeline till E. 3. time continued Lords thereof but then by heirs Female other Families enjoy'd it as I shall forthwith shew But of this VValkeline de Mancestre I have seen no more than that he was witness to a Charter by which Rob. Marmion gave to the Nuns of Polesworth the Church of Quinton in com Glouc. about the beginning of K. H. 2. time and that he confirmed Oldbury to the said Nuns of Polesworth which VValter de Hastings originally gave to them To which Nuns was Hugh de Mancestre grandchild to the said VValkeline also a Benefactor by granting unto them some speciall favours concerning their Mill at Oldburie To whom succeeded Hugh his son and heir who in 29.30.31 and 32 H. 3. was one of the Justices for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 36 H. 3. obtained a speciall Charter of Free-Warren in all his demesn lands here for which he gave xi marks At which time he was one of the Coroners for this Countie and the next year after being made Eschaetor Walkelinus de Mancestre temp Regis Steph. Walt. de Mancestre 7 R. 1. Hugo de Mancestre 7 H. 3. Emma secundò nupta Gilb. de Croc. Hugo de Mancestre obiit 37 H. 3. Siâ— dâ— Mancestre 34 H. 3. Sim. de Mancestre miles 6 E. 2. Henr. de Mancestre 17 E. 1. Walt. de Mancestre 40 H. 3. Erneburga postea ux Joh. de Grendon Joh. de Mancestre miles 13 E. 1. Guido de Mancestre miles 14 E. 2. Cecilia 14 E. 2. Edm. de Mancestre miles obiit s. prole Margareta Roisia ux Leonardi Worthin 20 R. 2. Iohanna ux ..... Brokshole Galfr. Brokushole miles 20 R. 2. Johanna ux Thom. Aspal 8 H. 5. Margeria ux Ioh. Sumpter 8 H. 5. Lucia ux Petri Prilley Hugo Prilley ob s. prole Will. Prilley frater haeres 48. E. 3. departed this life leaving issue Walter and Simon which Simon setled himself within the Lordship of Tanworth where a certain large moated place though the buildings be gone beareth yet the name of his habitation and had issue Sir Simon de Mancestre Kt. who in 6 E. 2. was one of the Knights for this Countie in the Parl. then held at Westminster and gave for distinction in his Armes from those of the elder House three Lions upon the Bend. Of which Walter I find little memorable But to him â—ucceeded Sir Iohn de Mancestre Kt. who in 13 E. 1. covenanted to discharge the Nuns of Polesworth from any Scutage in respect of their lands situate here in Manceter and Oldburie and about that time claimed a Court Leet by Prescription within this Mannour as also Free-warren by virtue of K. Henrye's grant made to Hugh his grandfather both which were allowed In 16 E. 1. he was with the King's Armie in that Welch expedition under the conduct of Edmund Earl of Cornwall bearing for his Armes varrè Arg. and Sable with a Bend gules and left issue Sir Guy de Mancestre Kt. and he Sir Edmund who altered his Armes engrailing the Bend but dying without issue left the inheritance of this Lordship to the Children of his three sisters by which means it came to be divided and scattered For having issue Rose the eldest wife of Leonard VVorthyn from whom descended Sir Thomas Holt of Gristeburge in Com. Lanc. Kt. the said Sir Thomas sold his third part to one Robert Greene of Atherston of which Robert it was purchased by Thomas Ludford of Ansley Gent. whose posteritie enjoy it as I think at this day To Geffrey Brokâ—shole son of Geffrey who wedded the second succeeded Ioane the wife of Thomas Aspall and Margerie the wife of Iohn Sumpter as daughters and heirs whose third part came ere long to VVill. Harper Nich. Rouley both of this place and Thomas Arblastâ—r of Longdon in Com. Staff Esq. for in 10 H. 6. they were joyntly possest of it but made partition thereof as it seems for Thomas Harper the last of that name that had to do here sold his share to Iohn Glover of Baxterley in whose liâ—e it still continues the Mannour house being part of it But Rouley's and Arblaster's came to Thomas Lewes Gent. in Edw. 6. time of whose great-grandchild George did VVill. Cumberford of Cumberford in Com. Staff Esq. of late time purchase it And Prilley's by Aâ—â—e the daughter and heir of Edm. Prilley in H. 6. time to .... VVaver in marriage whose grandson Ric. VVaver in 7 H. 7. sold it to Ric. Cave of Stanford in Com. Nâ—rthampt Which Richard by his Deed bearing date 20 Iulii 9 H. 8. past it with certain lands in Dorstell Kingsburie and Nun-Eaton in this Countie as also in Swinford and Forton in Com. Leic. unto VVill. Filding of Newnham Esq. in exchange for divers lands is Stormysworth in the said Countie of Leic. Of whose great grandchild viz. Basill Filding Esq. did Alice Lady Dudley wife to Sir Robert Dudley Kt. about the twentith year of K. Iames his reign purchase it causing conveiance to be made thereof to the said King and to be enrolled in the Chancerie to the intent that his Majâ—stie should regrant the same to the then Incumbents of Manceter Leke-Wootton Ashow Kenilworth Monkskirby and Stonley for the augmentation of those small Vicaridges xx l. per an a piece which was accordingly done with proviso that the Patentees and their successors should preach one Sermon every Sunday throughout the year and upon every Whitsunday a speciall Sermon in commemoration of the said Ladie Dudley and Aleezia her daughter then deceased who by her last Will and Testament bequâ—athed most of her estate unto her said Mother to be imployed to such uses as she should think fit To each of which Churches this pious Ladie also gave a fair proportion of plate to be used at the Communion The Church was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xxii marks the advouson whereof in 28 H. 6. did the Monks of Merevale purchase from the then Lords of this Mannour sc. Thomas Arblaster the elder and Alice his wife Anne the widow of Thomas Porter Rob. Armeburgh Esq. Reginald Armâ—burgh Clem. Draper Ioan the Widow of VVill. Harper and Raphe Holt and Elene his wife whereupon the Appropriation of it soon ensued by VVill. Booth then Bishop of Cov. and Lich. the
Friery where residing he died in an 1625. The Gild. OF this Gild forasmuch as it consisted of the Inhabitants of the whole Parish I have spoke in Manceter The Free-School THis was founded in 15 Eliz. by Sir William Devereux Kt. who then residing at Merevale obtained License to purchase lands and to give them thereunto the substance whereof are situate in Dosthill near Kingsburie And farther of this Town I have not to say than that it gave birth to one of our late famous Poets scil Michaell Draiton who being one of the Esquires that attended Sir Walter Aston of Tixhall in Com. Staff Kt. when he was made Kt. of the Bath at the Coronation of K. Iames lieth buried in the South Cross Isle of Westminster-Abby with this Epitaph on his Monument Doe pious Marble let thy Readers know What they and what their Children owe To Draiton's name whose sacred dust We recomend unto thy trust Protect his memorie and preserve his storie Remain a lasting Monument of his glorie And when thy ruins shall disclaim To be the Tresurer of his name His name that never sades shall be An everlasting Monument to thee Feldon-Bridge AT the further side of Atherston field stands this Bridge over Anker which being ruinous in 6 E. 3. License was granted to Edmund de Shireford to take Toll of all vendible commodities passing over it by the space of three years towards the charge in repairing thereof Merevale WEstwards from Atherston scarce a mile stands Miravale of which there is no particular mention in the Conquerour's Survey in regard it was involved with Grendon lying on the other side the River whereto it then belonged as an Out-wood and therewith became possest by Henry de Feriers a great man in these parts as I shall shew anon whose grandson Robert Earl Feriers having a reverend esteem of the Cistertian Monks which in his time began to multiply in England made choice of this mountainous and woody Desert as fittest for solitude and devotion to found therein a Monasterie of that Order which was begun accordingly in the xiiith year of K. Stephen's reign and being propagated with Monks from Bordesley-Abby in Worcestershire had by reason of such its situation the name of Miravalle attributed thereto the lands wherewith he endowed it being these viz. all his Forest of Arden id est his Out-wood in that part of the Woodland which then bore the name of Arden and also what he had in Whitington together with the Mannour of Overton now called Orton on the Hill in Com. Leic. as also Herdwike in the Peake of Derbyshire unto Cranokesdune with Câ—mmon of pasture in Hertendon and Pillesburie for Sheep and other Cattell as the words of his Charter do import But besides this it had severall other Benefactors of which the principall were these scil Gerard de Limesi Walt. de Camvile Raphe de Baskervile and Pain de Baskervile as K. H. 2. Charter whereby he ratified their grants manifesteth So that about 30 H. 2. there were the Granges of More now More-Barne Broile Seile Litle Petling the Church of Overton on the Hill with the Chapells of Grendon Twicrosse Gopfhull and Baxterley some in this Countie and some in Leicestershire belonging thereto as the Bull of Pope Lucius the third whereby he confirmed them doth manifest Divers lands had these Monks afterwards bestowed on them also through the bountie of sundry other persons viz. in Litle Sheyle by Henry de Appelby and others In Overton subt Ardern by Iohn de Overton and Rob. Stapleton In Brantingthorp by Rob. de Brantingthorp and others In Shepye by Nich. de Temple and others In Hertyndon as parcell of the Mannour of Pillesburie they obtained Cxx. acres of land more from Thomas Earl of Lancaster in lieu of xx s. yearly Rent which they usually did receive at his Exchequer of Tutbury In 2 E. 3. they had a grant of two Messuages three Shops and xii s. Rent in Leicester by Petronill Oliver of Leicester to finde a Priest for celebration of Divine service in the Conventuall Church of Miravale for the soul of her the said Petronill her ancestors and all the faithfull deceased In 11 E. 3. they had more lands bestowed on them lying in Overton Peatling and Brantingthorpe before specified by sundry persons In 18 E. 3. they purchased xvii Messuages and divers lands in Atherston Bentley and Baxterley with the moytie of the Mannour of Baxterley In 31 E. 3. they had a Messuage and a yard land in Bentley bestowed on them by Iohn de L'isle then Lord of that Mannour to find xv Tapers in the Chapell of our Ladie near the Gate of the Abby In 10 R. 2. they purchased six other Messuages in Atherston and certain Rents in Whitington and Baxterley In 16 R. 2. four Messuagâ—s and certain lands in Tamworth â— and Wilmecote as also two Messuages more in Atherston And in 28 H. 6. they obtained the Church of Manceter with an appropriation thereof The value of all which lands and all other their possessions amounting unto CCLiiii l. i s. viii d. as appears by the Survey of 26 H. 8. preserved it from him when the lesser Houses went to wrack in 27 H. 8. But in 30 H. 8. it was overwhelm'd in the generall deluge being surrendred to the King's use by the then Abbot and Covent as their publick Instrument under the Conventuall Seal dated 13 Oct. the same year whereunto their names are particularly subscribed doth manifest whose Pensions during life as they were by Patent granted to them I have here also added Willielmus Arnold Abbas xl l. Ioh. Ownsbe Sub-Prior v l. vi s. viii d. Edm. Bromley alias Crockell v l. vi s. viii d. Will. Tunman v l. vi s. viii d. Rob. Fenne v l. Thomas Benson v l. Will. Robynson Sacrista v l. vi s. viii d. Ioh. Dunne v l. vi s. viii d. Will. Bron v l. Ioh. Spey Liii s. iiii d. After which viz. 2 Dec. 32 H. 8. was the site hereof with the lands and woods adjacent together with New-House-Grange and Pinwell-Grange in Com. Leic. As also Owsthirn-Grange in this Countie granted to Sir Walt. Devereux Kt. Lord Ferrers of Chartley and to the heirs male of his body so that there being a reversion in the Crown for defect of issue male in 4 E. 6. he obtained another Patent being then arrived to the dignitie of Vicount Hereford for the same site and the other lands to himself and his heirs generall Which Walter disposed thereof to Sir Will. Devereux Kt. his younger son as it seems for he it was that patcht up some part of the ruins here and resided thereon as I have heard And by his Testament bequeathing it to Ioan his wife for life gave the remainder to Walter Vicount Hereford his nephew and his heirs Which Walter afterwards created Earl of Essex left issue Robert
Rob. de Bromcote Serlo de Grendon Robertus Jordanus xl s. But before the Norman invasion one Siward Barn was owner of it as also of som other lands in this Countie that at the Conquest were in like manner disposed of to the before specified Henry de Feriers Which Siward being a potent Englishman was kept Prisoner with divers other persons of qualitie till the end of the Conqueror's reign that the King lying upon his death-bed being moved with compunction for his hard dealing to the native English gave order for their enlargement Whether the before specified Thurstan who held it in the Conqueror's time were paternall ancestor to that Familie which for many ages afterwards enjoy'd it is hard to say Roger de Grendon being the first that took his sirname from hence in King Stephen's time Which Roger or his Father was originally enfeoft hereof in H. 1. time yet not immediatly by Ferrers but by Camvile who it seems had the first grant of it from the said Henry or his son to hold by the service of one Knight's Fee But of Robert Marmion Lord of Tamworth-Castle he held another Knights Fee lying in Dordon and Waverton and to the Church of St. Leonard at Hou gave certain lands which he held of the said Robert Marmion as also to the Nuns of Polesworth half a yard land in Waverton leaving issue Richard de Grendon who confirmed his said Father's grant and for the health of his soul and the soul of Margaret his wife bestowed on the said Nuns half a yard land more situate in the same Vilâ—age towards the support of their garments being likewise a Benefactor to the Canons of Calc near Repton in Derbyshire To this Richard succeeded Sir Robert de Grendon Knight who by Avicia the daughter of William de Bray had issue Robert which Robert being heiâ— to his said grandfather W. de Bray became thereby possest of Shenston a fair Lordship in Staffordshire After which sc. in 20 and 25. H. 3. he was a Justice of Assize in this Countie In 21 H. 3 he was in Commission for collecting a Subsidie and from 26 till 33 H. 3. inclusive a Justice of Gaol-delivery at Warwick In 34 H. 3. he was constituted Shiriff for the Counties of Salop. and Staff as also Governour of the Castles of Salop Bruges and Ellesmere at which time he gave C s. to the King for a Charter of Free-warren In 37 H. 3. he was a Knight but afterward either really or in shew an adherent to the rebellious Barons for it appears that he had some speciall favour from them in respect of a Debt that he owed to the Jews and was by them constituted Shiriff of the Counties of Salop and Staff But if he were cordially theirs he soon gave the King testimony of his more loyall affections for it appears that shortly after their overthrow in the battail of Evesham he was join'd in authoritie with the Shiriff of this Countie for the seizure of their lands and possessions as also made a Commissioner for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick and the next year following having the King 's speciall acknowledgement of his faithfull service obtain'd respite for payment of those Debts which were due from him to the Exchequer for such money as he had received whilst he was Shiriff as abovesaid having libertie to pay it by xx l. per an He was likewise a Benefactor to the before specified Chapell of St. Leonard at Hoo in which the Nuns of Polesworth for it belong'd to them found two Priests perpetually celebrating divine service for the health of his soul. Of this Robert I farther find that he contracted matrimony with one Ioane le Butiller yet did not thereupon receive her as his wife which caused a controversy betwixt them in the Spirituall-Court What he alleag'd in justification of himself appears not but by sentence of the Chief-Chanter of Lichfield and others it is evident that he was quit of her and wedded Emme the daughter to William Basset of Sapcote by whom he had in frank marriage all her Father's lands in Houby with the Homage and service of Sir Steph. de Segrave To which last mentioned Sir Robert succeeded Sir Raph de Grendon Knight one of the Justices for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick in 2 E. 1. Bewixt whom and Geffrey de Camvile there grew certain differences touching the services to be performed for this Lordship which was held of the same Geffrey by one Knight's Fee but in 4. E. 3. they came to an Agreement sc. that the said Sir Raph and his heirs should from thenceforth answer xl s. to the King for Scutage when it might happen and according to that rate doing Homage and paying Relief upon occasion as also performing suit to the Court of the same Geffrey at Clifton-Camvile upon reasonable summons whensoever any Triall might fortune to be there by virtue of the King 's Writ or that a Thief was to be judged In 26 E. 1. this Sir Raphe had Summons amongst sundry other great men to be at Carleol on Whitson-Eve well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots In 28 E. 1. he was a Knight In 29 E. 1. he received another command to attend the King at Barwick upon Twede to march into Scotland In 31 E. 1. having confirm'd to the Nuns of Polesworth those grants of his ancestors made to the Chapel of Hoo before mentioned he released to them all the right he had in severall assarts of Woods and arable within the precincts of Polesworth and departed this life in 5 E. 3. leaving Robert his son and heir and a daughter called Ioane marryed to Iohn Rochford Esquire Which Robert was a man but of weak understanding insomuch as Sir Roger and Sir Philip de Chetwin with Iohn de Freford who had married his Aunts alledging that A. de Clinton second wife to old Sir Raph de Grenden and mother to those three daughters had a joint estate with her said husband in all his lands challenged the inheritance of them she being dead from the before mentioned Robert in right of their wives by virtue of an Entail made in 27 E. 1. and accordingly entred upon them Whereupon the said Robert discerning that he was like to be over-born by the subtilty of those his adversaries resorted for refuge to Henry Duke of Lancaster a potent man at that time yeilding unto him the whole Mannour of Shenston to hold for terme of his life or the longer liver of them conditionally that he would protect him in the possession of this Mannour and his lands at Gopshull and Dordon c. All which being in like sort performed the said Roger de Chetwynd and Ioane quitted their interest to the same Robert
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
to the French and regain his inheritance here in England that then he should pay back to the said Robert the younger so much of that summe as the profits of the lands of which he had received the issues did fall short thereof and that the said Robert should then enjoy the Lordships of Witringham and Coningeby in Com. Linc. Queinton in Com. Glouc. and Berewic in Com. Suss. As also that William his younger Brother should have Torinton in Com. Linc. and lands to the value of X li. per annum in Berewic abovesaid of all which they had speciall grants from their Father And further it was then concluded that the said Robert the younger should not only give the King good caution to keep this Castle to his use but upon occasion deliver it up into his hands For performance thereof these were his sureties scil Nicholas de Verdon Geffrey de Camvile William de Hardreshull Raphe fitz Raphe Thomas de Ofirton Iohn de Culi Richard Russell Robert de la Lande Robert de Passi William de Fou and Mathew de Charnels All which being effected he had the King 's speciall Precept to William de Harecurt then Governour thereof for the King to deliver it up unto him But it was not long after this that Robert the elder made his peace for in 5 H. 3. he had possession of this Castle delivered to him and the rest of his Father's lands as appears by the King's signification of his pleasure therein to all that held of it by Militarie service or otherwise as also to the Shiriff of this County So that here I must leave the said Robert the younger whose posteritie flourisht in Lincolnshire for a long time after and speak of the elder Robert I am of opinion that this Robert the elder return'd into Normandie in 17 H. 3. for in that year did he passe over the estate of all his lands in England for seven years unto Peter de Rupibus that potent Bishop of Winchester in those times together with the custodie of â—hilip his son and heir for to marry him where he should think fit without disparagement whereupon by the consent of the same Robert and Philip he made an assignation thereof unto William de Cantilupe Of this Robert I finde no more after that time than his death which hapned in 25 H. 3. But the said Philip became a person of no small account in the world for having married Ioane one of the daughters and heirs to Hugh de Kilpeck of Kilpeck Castle in Herefordshire whose custodie and disposall in marriage the said William de Cantilupe had in 33 H. 3. he was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire and Governour of the Castle of Sauvey which office he held for three yeares then next following and at that time obtained a Confirmation of the Charter of Free warren before mentioned granted to his Ancestor by King H. 1. But in 36 H. 3. he was questioned for sitting with Richard de Mundevill and the rest of the Justices for Gaol-deliverie at Warwick having no Commission so to do for which I do not find that the Kin'gs displeasure stuck long upon him in regard he attended him so soon after into Gascoin upon his return from which voyage he was taken Prisoner by the French in Poictoâ— with Gilbert de Segrave and divers other of the English Nobilitie notwithstanding that they had Letters of Protection from the French King The next mention that I find of him is that he was in that Welch expedition of 41 H. 3. and the year ensuing had Summons with divers other great men to be at Chester on the Eve of S. Iohn Baptist well furnisht with Horse and Armes to march into Wales against Lewelin ap Griffith then in Rebellion In 45 H. 3. he had the like Summons to be at London with all the chief Nobilitie upon the morrow after Simon and Iude's day in which year it was that the defection of the Barons began farther to shew it self by their intrusion upon the King's authoritie in placing Shiriffs for sundry Shires of this Realme In which respect this Philip Marmion as a person in whose fidelitie the King reposed much confidence had by speciall Patent the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk committed to his custodie And in 47 H. 3. had summons amongst other great men to be at Hereford upon the Munday after Candlemas day well furnisht with Horse and Armes to resist the power of the before specified Lewelin so also to be at Worcester on Lammas day next ensuing in like sort accoutred to the same purpose Immediatly whereupon divers of the Barons put themselves in Armes to force the King's assent to those Ordinances which they had made at Oxford so much derogating from his regall power who seeing himself over-powred was necessitated to submit to the determination which the King of France should make therein and to bring in severall of the Peers and other eminent persons to give Oath for his performance thereof amongst which this Philip Marmion was one who likewise adhered stoutly to him throughout those turbulent times which soon after ensued For the next year following he was at the taking of Northampton and in 50 H. 3. as a reward for his faithfull services had a grant of all the King's demesns here in Tamworth aswell in that part which lyes in Staffordshire as of that in this Countie as also in Wyginton to hold during his naturall life for the Rent of xxxiv li. vi s. ix d. And was made Governour of Kenilworth-Castle immediatly upon the render thereof after that memorable six-months siege whereof I have elswhere spoke In 13 E. 1. this Philip claimed by Prescription a Court-Leet and Gallows here at Tamworth with all Weyfs found in a certain place called Asselonde within this his Mannour as also Free-warren in his demesn lands here and in those belonging to the Nunns of Polesworth all which were allowed And upon his death which hapned in 20 E. 1. it was certified that he held this Castle of the King in Capite by Knight's service finding three Knights at his own proper costs for xl days in the Warrs of Wales and that Ioane the wife of William Mortein Maud the wife of Raphe le Boteler Ioane the daughter of Raph Cromwell and Mazera his wife and Ioan Marmion were his next heirs as the Descent in the following page doth more plainly shew Which Ioan Mortein being the eldest daughter had this Castle for her share and died seized of it about three years after leaving no issue whereupon by Agreement betwixt the rest of the coheirs it was allotted to Ioane the wife of Alexander Frevile Which Alexander being brother and heir to Sir Baldwin Frevile Knight of whose inheritance he had fair lands in Norfolk and Herefordshire died seized
it was purchased by William Comberford of Tamworth Esquire and Anne his wife 2. Oct. 13. Iac. and is now possessed by Will son to the said William and Anne Glascote THe name of this place I take to be Brittish Glascoit in that language signifying Sylva viridis but of it I have not seen any thing till about the beginning of King H. 2. time that Will. the son of Hugh de Hatton confirmed to the Nunns of Polesworth all those lands lying here which William le Franceis had given them By which confirmation it appears that they were of the inheritance of Maud wife to the said William de Hatton But the next possessor hereof was Raphe Fitz-Raph Lord also of Nether-Whitacre where his seat was Which Raph in 6 Ioh. purchased some lands here of Hugh de Culi From whom descended Giles Fitz-Raph as the Descent in Nether-Whitacre sheweth whose daughter and heir called Isabell brought it to Robert son of Philip Marmion in marriage From which time it past along with Nether-Whitacre before specified as the Records there cited do manifest till after the beginning of Edw. 3. time After which till H. 6. time I finde no mention of any more than six Messuages and one yard-land here belonging to Sir Iohn de Clinton of Maxstoke Knight which are said to be parcell of the Mannour of Piricroft but upon the Death of Sir William Clinton in 10 H. 6. it appears that he was seized of the moitie of a Mannour here Whether his descendants purchased in the residue afterwards or whether there be any other member of a Mannour here saving a fourth part which the Lord Ferrers had together with Nether-Whitacre as may seem by some authorities I cannot say but sure it is that in 29 H. 8. Edw. Lord Clinton lineall heir to the before specified Sir Will. sold it together with Bole-Hall by the name of a Mannour or certain Messuages unto Iames Leveson Merchant of the Staple all which came to Sir Walter Aston Knight in marriage with Elizabeth daughter to the said Iames and since to William Cumberford Esquire in such sort as Bole-Hall did Stretford juxta Tamworth THis is now a depopulated place and had its name originally from the situation thereof upon that great Roman way called Watling-street where it thwarts the River towards Faseley But the first mention that I have seen of it is in 37 H. 3. at which time Iames de la Lande was possest of it and had Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands thereof There is no doubt but that it was at first a member of Tamworth and granted by one of the Marmions to the Ancestor of this Iames whose sirname was Tamworth as the Descent in Langdon sheweth In the line of which De la Laundes it continued till 19 E. 3. but shortly after came to the Frevills Lords of Tamworth-Castle for I find that Sir Baldwin Frevill the elder Knight made a Feoffment in trust thereof inter alia unto Sir William de Beauchamp Knight and others and that upon the Partition made betwixt the heirs of Frevill in 31 H. 6. whereof in Tamworth I have spoke it was allotted to Ferrers in which Familie together with Tamworth-Castle it continueth to this day Wilnicote IN Edward the Confessor's days this was the Freehold of one Levenot but after the Conquest it being given unto the Earl of Mellent with a multitude of other Lordships in this Shire by the generall Survey soon after made was certified to contain three hides the Woods extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which together with the rest were then rated at xxx s. whereof v s. was accounted for an Iron-work here at that time In that Record it is written Wilmundecote whereby it may seem that the name originally sprung from some one that possest it in the Saxons time Howbeit till 6 Ioh. I have not seen any more thereof but then it appears that Robert de Valle of which Family I have spoke in Ludinton was in suit for six yard land here whereof Robert his Father had been wrongfully dispossest by William de Longcamp Bishop of Ely and Chancelour to King Richard the first But from the Earl of Mellent part hereof came as the most of those lands which he had in this Countie did unto the old Earls of Warwick and so to Marmion for it is manifest that Will. de Ludinton held part of a Knight's Fee here of Albreda Marmion which divolved to William de Camvile then Lord of Sekindon in this Hundred being held of those Earls But of another part which afterwards had the reputation of a Mannour were the posteritie of the before specified Robert de Vale seized as by an Autograph that I have seen bearing date in 28 E. 1. is evident and so continued till that Sir Robert de Vale Knight in 18 E. 2. sold away the inheritance thereof in reversion after his Father's death unto Roger de Culi son to Sir Hugh de Culi Knight Which Roger was certified to hold it of Henry Duke of Lancaster unto whom a great part of the Honour of Leicester heretofore belonging to the said Earl of Mellent came by the fourth part of a Knight's Fee When it past from these Culies I have not seen but plain it is that Sir Raph Bracebrigge of Kingsbury Knight died seized thereof in 14 H. 6. From whom it descended to Iane and Margerie daughters of William Bracebrigge as the Descent in Kingsburie sheweth and heirs to Michaell their brother which Iane was the wife of Leonell Skipwith of Calthorpe in Com. Linc. and Margerie of Waldeiffe Willington of Hurley in this Countie Gent. who in 8. Eliz. kept Court here in right of their said wives and after that Thomas Willington son and heir to the said Margerie in 43 Eliz. to whose posteritie this Mannour still doth continue Beside this Mannour last spoke of there is yet another here in Wilnicote whereof Sir William Brabazon Knight now Earl of East-Methe in Ireland is owner This I take to be it which Roger Brabazon purchased partly of Adam de Wellesbergh and Maud his wife in 25 E. 1. and partly of Simon de Bruilli and Ioane his wife within two years after But by the name of a Mannour I have not seen it called in Record till 29 H. 8. The Chapell here being a Prebend belonging to the Collegiate Church of Tamworth was in 14 E. 3. valued at vi marks Kingswood THe antientest mention that I find of this place is in 11 E. 2. where Hugh de Meinill entailes one carucate of land lying therein together with the Mannour of Kings Neuton upon the issue male of his body with severall remainders Which carucate was afterwards accounted as parcell of that Mannour having a Messuage situate thereupon called Wardbernes
make choice of and to receive and instruct any such women who having devoted their lives to Gods service would be content to do the like But after they had found what molestation they had by the Foresters who riding frequently that way much disturb'd their devotions they humbly besought the said Empress that she would vouchsafe to change their seat Whereupon bearing a great affection to the Cistercian-Order she told them if they would undergoe that Rule she would grant their request To which proposall of hers they after some deliberation assenting the same place of Radmore was made an Abby one William the principall of those religious persons being elected the first Abbot there unto whom Henry D. of Normandy son to the said Empress by his Charter granted and confirmed not only the same Radmore with the appurtenances viz. Melesho and Wirley for tillage and pasture as also Hedenesford for pasture and paunage with liberty to build a Church and such houses as might be fit for their habitation but gave them the Town of Canok with the appurtenances and the Mill at Wirley with all things belonging thereto Which good work so begun wanted not the bounty of divers other pious men to carry it on Osbert de Arden of whom I shall speak in Kingsbury giving them his Lordship of Merston Will. Croc of whom I am to speak in Chesterton all the right he had in Wirley to the intent that they would receive him into their fraternity and vouchsafe his body buriall there Geffrey de Clinton three yard land at Werlavescote and one hide in Radway And Roger de Clinton B. of Chester before mentioned two hides more in the said Town of Radway Shortly after which this new Abbot and his Monks not yet well instructed in the Cistercian discipline requested Hamon the second Abbot of Bordesley in Worcester-shire to send two of his Covent to inform them therein Which being accordingly done there grew great friendship betwixt these two Monasteries the Monks of Bordfley always giving courteous entertainment to those of Radmore whensoever they had occasion to visit their Grange at Radway Howbeit at Radmore they continued no more then xiii years For finding the Foresters not only troublesome but by their frequent visits somewhat burthensome also they became Petitioners to K. H. 2. on the 14. Cal. of Ian. in the very first year of his raign making use of his mother the Empress their Patroness to mediate that he would be pleased to translate them to his Mannour of Stoneley in Warwick-shire and accept of what they had at Radmore in exchange for that place Whereunto the King gratiously yielding they came from Radmore and first seated themselves where the Grange of Crysteld now stands the inhabitants thereof then removing to Hurst but finding inconvenience there in regard it was so neere the publique road way they made choyce of another place a little below the confluence of Sow and Avon almost inviron'd with the river having that thick wood called Echels on the North and there began the foundation of their Church whereof the first stone being laid Id. Apr. Anno 1154. scil 1. H. 2. the Church-yard was consecrated by Walter Durdent Bishop of Coventre with the assent of the Prior and Canons of Kenilworth to whom the Parish Church of Stoneley appertained upon condition that the said Monks should no way diminish the rights due to the said Church of Stoneley but make just payment of all Tithes to the same for such grounds as they should till within that Parish all which the said King Henry by his Charter confirmed And to the end that these Monks should have Stoneley intire the said King gave command by his precept to the Shiriff of this County to assigne the Freeholders there as much land in value in other places by way of exchange for that they had here But there being a Custom amongst the Cistercian Monks that no new Monastery of the same Rule should without license of the next adjacent Abby of that Order be erected these upon their translation hither were constrayned to come to an Agreement with the Monks of Combe who conditioned with them upon yielding such their license that if they had a minde to erect any Granges or remove the site of their Abby the Monks of Stoneley should not hinder them Which Agreement was made in the presence of the Abbots of Waverle Bordesle and Merevale in Anno 1155. 1 H. 2. At the time when this Monastery was so founded there were in the Mannour of Stoneley 68. villains 4. Bordarii id est Free-holders and two Priests all which held xxx Carucats of land as is exprest in Domesday-book As also 4. Bondmen or servants whereof each held 1. mess. and one quartrone of land by the services of making the Gallows and hanging of Theeves every one of which Bondmen was to wear a red clout betwixt his shoulders upon his upper garment to plow twice a year to reap as oft that is to say at the two Bederipes to give aid to the Lord at the Feast of S. Michael to make the Lords malt and do other servile work As for the particulars that the Monks held in demesn and otherwise in 7. E. 1. I refer my Reader to the Record not accounting it necessary to insert it here having spoken so fully already of their possessions But it seemes that the King did not quit his totall interest in Stonely to the Monks upon the foundation of this Abby for I find that the Shiriff of Warwick-shire in 15. H. 2. accounted 29 s. 9 d. for paunage of the Woods and in 19. H. 2. received 40 s. from those men which held the assarts As also in 27. H. 2. 55 s. for perquisits here Nay his Officers and Foresters in the beginning of King Iohn's time did so insult as that they alledg'd all was his notwithstanding what King Henry his grandfather had given them by his Charter before specified And so far were the priviledges which belong'd to the Monks within this their Mannour of Stoneley slighted that upon any suite betwixt the Tenants or against the Abbot all Writts were directed to the Ks. Baylâ—ffs so that Will. de Tyso the then Abbot considering these grievances and the further dangers to them which were imminent enough repaired to the King and for 200. Marks and two white Palfreys got a confirmation of his fathers Charter with a grant of the Woods of Wethele and the essarts at Hurst for which there had wont to be payd yearly into the Exchequer 29 s. which Charter beares date 12. Maii 5. Ioh. And yet thought they not themselves sure for in 11. H. 3. they gave the King xv Marks for to confirm his fathers grant But I come now to the chief of their other Benefactors resolving to speak more fully of them and of what they gave in the
particular places where the lands so given did lye These were Stephen de Segrave who gave all his land of Bericote with the Mannour house Geffrey de Langley the Mannour of Staverton Hugh de Arden lands in Rotley Robert de Broc lands in Radway Sir Shomas de Ednesoure Knight all his lands in Hull juxta Wotton Geffrey Savage and Sir Will. Whelâ—on Knight Yartford-miln standing upon the little torrent neer Gate-bridge Richard Trussell 1. mess. in Lorley Thomas de Arden the Church of Rotley Iohn de Mercote lands in the said Rotley and Radway Rob. de Waldene more in Radway In all which the priviledges which these Monks had were very many and great viz. Free-warren Infangthef Outfangthef Weyfs Streys goods of Felons and Fugitives Tumbrell Pillory Sok Sak Toll Theam amerciaments for murders Assise of bread and beer with a Mercate and Faire in the town of Stoneley which Lordship was to answer for xii before the Kings Justices or Coroner and the tenants thereof id est Freeholders to plead the Writ of Right according to the custome of the Mannour having Assise of fresh force against such as should disease them without a Writ And moreover that the Kings officers might not take distresses nor make any attachment within the same without the Bayliff of the Mannour As also that the Lord and his tenants of the same Mannour should be free from payment to the County or Hundred-Courts from Murthers Aid to the Shiriff and coming to his Turne from all common amerciaments of Toll Pontage Passage and Murage throughout England and from payment of the expences to the Knights for the Shire sent to Parliament Which Mercate Faire and Free-warren were granted to them by K. E. 1. as his Charter bearing date at Kaernarvon 27. Maii in the 12. year his raign testifieth viz. the Mercate on Thursday every week and the Faire yearly to last for eight days beginning on the Even of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist. But the tenants within the libertyes of Stonley for as much as it was antient demesn of the Crown were to pay Tallage to the Monks as oft as the King had Tallage of the like Mannours the particular summs then due from the Town of Stonley and from the Hamlets antiently belonging thereto being these Stonle 20 s 06 d ob-q Fynham 10 03 o. q. Hull 19 07 o q. Flechamsted 18 09 ob Canle 16 04 ob Melburn 10 s 01 d o. Crulefeld 16 00 o. Hurst 18 05 ob Staverton 19 07 q. The totall-07 li. -09-09 d. -ob Which Aid in 36. H. 3. upon the Kings transfretation into Gascoign the Abbot of Stonie had as appears by the Kings mandate to the Shiriff of this County As for the other memorable passages touching this Monastery or the Abbots and Monks thereof they were these viz. That Will. de Gyldeford the ninth Abbot being a man of singular wisdom and made Penetentiary to Panduph the Popes Legat was afterwards sent with Legatine authority into Wales which occasioned many superior Abbots and others to malign him so that because he countenanc'd a Shepherd belonging to the Monastery to fight a Duell and to hang a Thief that had privately stole away some Cattell of theirs such advantage was taken against him as that being prosecuted for it he was deprived in anno 1235. 15. H. 3. Within ten years after which his deposall the Monks of this House sustained much loss by fire whereby a great part of the Abby was consumed towards the reparation whereof the King allow'd them fourty Oaks out of his Woods at Kenilworth which the Shiriff of this County had command to deliver And not long after this viz. in 43. H. 3. divers of the Monks grew so exorbitant that they fell to wandring insomuch as the King sent forth his Precepts to all Shiriffs and other his Officers to apprehend and deliver them to the Abbot for chastisement according to their demerits and as their Rule required The xvi Abbot viz. Rob. de Hockele though a young man yet being very sage and prudent freed the House from many debts that were owing at the entrance of his goverment and was a great builder for he caused the stalls of the Quire to be all new made as also the carved-work under the steeple with the great East window above the high Altar and the Church to be new dedicated covered with lead all which are now totally demolish't But the Gate-house a fair and strong building and also one of his works still standeth on the front whereof outwards there is remayning yet a large Escocheon of stone whereon three Lyons passant gardant are cut with a Lyon passant gardant upon a Helme set on the corner of the shield according to the fashion of that time wherein he lived Which Badge he fixed here in memory of K. Henry the 2. their Founder But all that I have further to say of them is that in 38. E. 3. there was a Complaint made against Thomas de Pipe the then Abbot viz. that he granted estates to divers persons for lives of severall Fermes and lands without reserving any Rent to be paid to the great pejudice of the Monastery And this was alledged to be for the support of a Concubine that he had called Isabell Beushale and his children by her which were more in number as the Record says than the Monks then in the Covent And it was then also alledged that were it not for these Leases xx might very well have been maintayned therein How he acquitted himself of this scandalous charge I know not but certain it is that the man was a person of notable parts and deserved very well of the House for he composed that excellent Leiger-book being the transcript of their evidences wherein are all things historically entred that concern this Monastery and very many particulars relating to the generall Story of the Kingdom especially of these parts which are not elswhere to be met with whereof I have made much use in this present work and for which his memory will be of good esteem with all that are lovers of History By the Survey taken in 26. H. 8. the revenue of this Abby was certified to be Ch l. iii s. 1 d. ob over and above all reprises Of which the sum of 04 l. -05 s. -04 d. was then reckoned for the charge of 8. quarters of Rye made in bread at 5 s. the quarter 3. quarters of Malt in beer at 4 s. the quarter and 200. Herings at 20 d. the Hundred All which were yearly given in Almes to poor and impotent people upon Maunday-Thursday at the washing of their feet by the decree of a generall Chapter of their Order And moreover Cvii s. viii d. per ann for their charge in relief of poor people viz. three bushels of Rye weekly made in bread being
bonus Angelus orem Exuat ut Christi Corpus imago tua Sed nil vota valent venias cito Christe resurget Clausa jacet tumulo mater astra petit On another Here resteth the body of Thomas Nashe Esquier He marâ— Elizabeth the daug of Iohn Hall gentleman He dyed Aprill 4. Anno 1647. aged 53. Fata manem omnes hunc non virtute carentem Ut neque divitijs abstulit aâ—ra dies Abstulit at referet lux ultima siste viator Si peritura paras per mala parta peris On another Here lyeth the body of Iohn Hall gent. he marr Susanna daughter and coheir of William Shakespere gent. he deceased November 25. Anno 1635 aged 60. years Hallius hic Situs est medica celeberimus arte Expectans regni gaudia leta Dei Lignus erat meritis qui Nestora vinceret annis In terris omnes sed rapit aequa dies Ne tumulo quid desit adest fidissima conjux Et vitae Comitem nunc quoque mortis habet On another Here lyeth the body of Susanna wife of Iohn Hall gent. the daughter of William Shakespere gent. She deceased the 2. day of Iuly Anno 1649. aged 66. Witty above her sexe but that 's not all Wise to salvation was good Mistris Hall Something of Shakespere was in that but this Wholy of him with whom she 's now in blisse Then Passenger ha'st ne're a teare To weepe with her that wept with all That wept yet set her selfe to chere Them up with comforts cordiall Her love shall live her mercy spread When thou ha'st ner'e a teare to shed The Epitaph upon the Earl of Totnes his Monument represented on the next page THOMAS STAFFORDUS strenuus militum ductor in Hibernia merito suo eques auratus serenissimis magnae Britanniae negibus Iacobo Carolo eorumque conjugibus Annae Henriettae-Mariae ob sidelem praestitam operam inter domesticos charus quia cum illustri Comite ejusque conjuge diu familiariter vixit hîc pariter requiescere voluit donec Christi Redemptoris voce ad aeterram gloriam induendam unà cum triumphatis beatorum coelis resuscit abitur superstitibus Valedixit anno ab exhibito in carne Messia supra Millesimum sexagintessimum ......... postquam omnibus notis gratis annos vixisset ....... D. O. M. ET MEMORIAE SACRUM Qui in spem immortalitatis mortales hic deposuit exuvias Georgius Carew antiquissima nobilissimaque ortus prosapia eadem scilicet mascula stirpe qua illustrissimae Giraldinorum in Hibernia Windesoriensium in Anglia familiae à Carew-castro in agro Penbrochiensi cognomen sortitus est Ab ineunte aetate bellicis studiis innutritus ordines in Hibernia adhuc juvenis contra rebellem Desmoniae Comitem primùm auxit Postea Elizabethae foelicissimae memoriae Reginae in eodem regno consiliarius tormentorum bâ—llicorum praefectus fuit Quo etiam munere in variis expeditionibus in illa praesertim longèceleberima qua â—ades Hispaniae expugnatae sunt anno MDXC I. soeliciter perfunctus est Demum cum Hibernia universa domesticae rebellionis Hiâ—panicae invasionis incendio flagraret Momoniae praefectus per integrum triâ—nnium contra hostes tam internos quam externos multa fortiter fideliterque gessit Tandem in Angliam revocatus à Iacobo magnae Britanniae rege ad Baronis de Clopton dignitatem evectus Annae reginae Procamerarius Thesaurarius Tormentorum bellicorum per totam Angliam praefectus Garnseiae Insula gubernator constitutus in secretioris consilit senatum coaptatus est Iacobo deinde ad coelestem patriam evocato Carolo filio usque adeo charus fuit ut inter alia non vulgaria benevoli effectus indicia ab eo Comitis de Totnes honore solenni investitura exornatus fuerit Tantus vir natalium splendore illustris belli pacis artibus ornatissimus magnos honores propria virtute consecutus cum ad plenam adultam senectutem pervenisset piè placidèque animam Deo creatori reddidit Londini in aedibus Sabaudiae Anno Dominicae Incarnationis juxta Anglicam computationem MDCXXIX die Martii XXVII Vixit annos lxxiii menses ferè decem Ioisia Clopton cujus effigies hîc cernitur antìquâ Cloptonorum familiâ filia primogenita haeres ex semisse Gulielmi Clopton de Clopton armigeri conjux moestissima viri charissimi optimè meriti cum quo vixit annos xlix memoriae pariter ac suae in spem foelicissimae resurrectionis Monumentum hoc pro supremo munere non sine lachrymis consecravit Illa vixit annos 78 14. die Ianuarii obiit Anno Domini Incarnat MDC 36. â—â— I come now to speak of the Chantry before specified afterwards known by the name of the Colledge of Stratford super Avon This was founded in 5 E. 3. by Iohn de Stratford already spoke of then Bp. of Winchester in the South I le of the said Church newly by him built and consisted of five Priests for whose maintenance he first setled one messuage in Stratford super Avon with the Mannour of Inge in this Parish which five Priests were to celebrate divine service to the honour of God in the said Ile or Chapell perpetually at the Altar of S t Thomas the Martyr for the good estate of the said Iohn and of Rob. de Stratford his brother afterwards Archdeacon of Canterbury Bishop of Chichester and Chancelour of England as I have already observed and for the souls of Rob. de Stratford and Isabell his wife father and mother to the said Iohn and Robert as also for the good estate of Edw. 3. then K. of England for the Bishop of Worcester for the time being and his successors and for the souls of all the Ks. of England and Bishops of Worcester deceased together with the souls of the Brethren Sisters and Benefactors to the said Bishop of Winchester and all the faithfull departed this life Of which 5. Priests two were to be perpetuall and one of those the Custos or Warden of that Chapell to govern the rest and be called Warden of the Bishop of Winchester's Chapell at Stratford the other the Sub-warden but the rest to be temporary viz. removable at the pleasure of the said Warden As for the particular Rules touching the government thereof with the divine service specially to be celebrated therein I shall for brevities sake omit their recitall in as much as they are at large in the Register and confirmed by Adam de Orlton Bishop of Worcester ix Cal. Martii 5 E. 3. And now that the work of this Chantry was thus happily begun there wanted no care in the pious Founder to enlarge its endowment for in 7 E. 3. he gave thereunto lxix s. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands here in Stratford and being shortly after advanced to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury granted the Patronage thereof in 10 E. 3. to Simon Mountacute
then Bp. of Worcester and hâ—s successors for ever purchasing the advouson of the Church of Stratford from the said Bishop and adding it thereto which was forthwith appopriated unto it as I have already declared And for the farther advantage of these his Chantry-Priests and their successors did he obtain divers immunities and priviledges both to themselves and their tenants as appeareth by K. Edw. 3. Charter bearing date at Westminster 26. Martii 11. of his reign and confirmed by other succeeding Kings And yet thinking all too little did he more augment their possessions giving unto them one messuage and two carucates of land lying in Inge before mentioned three mess. and 6. tofts situate in Stratford super Avon with 7. other mess. lying also there The other Benefactors that it had were these Adam de Styvinton of Stratford who gave thereunto 4. acres of land lying in Ingen Nicholas de Dudley Parson of Kings-Swinford in Worcestershire 4. mess. 70. acres of land 3. acres of meadow and xv d. yearly Rent with the appurtenances in Dudley Com. Wigorn. with Common of Pasture for all manner of Cattell except Goats in the wood called Pensyned neer Dudley aforesaid And Iohn Noie and Reg. le Dishere Priests eight mess. three shops and three tofts in Stratford abovesaid The House of square stone for the habitation of these Priests adjoyning to the Church-yard was built by Raph de Stratford first a Canon of Pauls and afterwards Bishop of London whose good affections to this town being his birth place stir'd him up to that pious work of which he began the structure in 26 E. 3. with ten Carpenters ten Masons and their servants as by the Kings Letters Patent of speciall protection to them till the same should be finished appeareth And after this did King H. 5. in 1. of of his raign grant thereunto an ample Charter of priviledges wherein that of King E. 3. is recited and confirmed So that now being thus fitted with a Mansion as also their revenues and immunities much increased it was not long ere it had the reputation of a Church Collegiate for by that title was the Custos or Warden thereof presented in anno 1423. 1 H. 6. unto which Thomas Balshall D r of Divinity and Warden in E. 4. time added a fair and beautifull Quire rebuilt from the ground at his own costs on the North side whereof he lyeth entombed under a goodly raised Monument whereupon his portraiture in brasse with an Inscription was set which are now utterly torn away To whom succeeded Raph Collingwode D r likewise in Divinity and Dean of Lichfield who pursuing the pious intent of the said D r Balshall which was not in his life time accomplisht instituted to the honour of Almighty God the Holy Trinity the blessed Virgin and S. Thomas the Martyr by the consent of Sylvester Gygles then B p of Worcester four Children Choristers to be daily assistant in the celebration of divine service in that Church as also nominated and admitted by the Warden for the time being which Choristers by his said Ordination should always come by two and two together into the Quire to Mattens and Vespers on such days as the same were to be sung there according to the Ordinale Sarum and at their entrance into the Church bowing their knees before the Crucifix each of them say a Pater noster and an Ave. And for their better regulation did he order and appoint that they should sit quietly in the Quire saying the Mattens and Vespers of our Lady distinctly and afterwards be observant to the Offices of the Quire That they should not be sent upon any occasion whatsoever into the town That at Dâ—nner and Supper-times they should constantly be in the Colledge to wait at the Table and to read upon the Bible or some other authentique book That they should not come into the Buttry to draw beer for themselves or any body else That after Dinner they should go to the singing School and that their School-master should be one of the Priests or Clerks appointed by the discretion of the Warden being a man able to instruct them in singing to the Organ as also that they should have one Bed-chamber in the Church whereunto they were to repair in Winter time at 8. of the Clock and in Summer at nine in which lodging to be two Beds wherein they were to sleep by couples And that before they did put off their clothes they should all say the prayer of De profundis with a loud voyce with the prayers and orisons of the faithfull and afterwards say thus God have mercy of the soule of Rauf Colyngwode our Founder and Master Thomas Balshall a speciall benefactor to the same And for the maintenance of these Choristers he enfeoft S r Edw. Grevil Kt. Io. Grevil Esq. others in certain lands situate in Stratford Drayton and Binton within this County which Feofment bears date 7 Octob. 7 H. 8. But it was not long after that this Colledge thus compleated came to ruine with the rest as a preparative whereunto was that Survey in 26 H. 8. by which the revenue of the lands and tithes belonging to it is certifyed to amount to Cxxviii l. ix s. i d. At which time besides the Warden sc. M r Iohn Bell and the Sub-warden there was one Priest who served the cure for the Parishioners and had vi l. xiii s. iiii d. salary 3 Chaplains 3 Clerks and 4 Choristers whose severall salaries for brevity I omit to mention Robert Porter being then Steward of their Court whose fee was xx s. per. an and Hugh Reynolds their Bayliff who had also xl s. annuity Howbeit at the suppression thereof in 37 H. 8. by the Statute made that year I find another Survey taken where the yearly value is certifyed to be no more than Cxxvii l. xviii s. ix d. Anthony Barker being then Warden and having a stipend of Lxviii l. v s. v d. per an Out of which was paid to D r Bell then Bishop of UUorcester the preceding Warden as hath been observed the yearly summe of xxii l. for a Pension The site of which Colledge in 4 E. 6. was granted to Iohn Earl of Warwick and his heirs who being attainted in 1 Mariae as I have elswhere shewed it came again to the Crown and therein continued long it seems for in 18 Elizabethaeâ— Ric. Coningsby had a Lease thereof granted to him by the Queen for 21 years Patroni Cantariae Custodes sive Gardiani Ioh. Winton Episc. Ioh. de Offchirch Pbr. 22 Oct. 1331. Ioh. Winton Episc. Mr. Ioh. de Suthwaltham Pbr. 12 Iulii 1336. D. Episc. VVigorn Magr. Ioh. Geraud 14 Ian. 1339. D. Episc. VVigorn D. Hugo de Ferrariis ..... 1354. D. Episc. VVigorn D. Will. Boys Pbr. 27 Martii 1368. D. Episc. VVigorn Thomas at
that the contest for those of the Earls of Pembroke sc. Or a Manche gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey son to the before mentioned Reginald and Edw. Hastings brother and heir to the last mentioned Hugh lasted little less than twenty years in the Court Militarie before the Constable and Marshall of England wherein after much money spent the said Edw. Hastings who chalenged them as heir male of the Familie was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 ob q. costs â—rey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Armes adjudged to Grey but imprisoned xvi years for disobeying that Sentence The particular proceedings in which business with the hard measure which the said Edward had for brevities sake I pass by referring my Reader to that learned Comment upon Sir Henry Spelman's discourse of Armes lately published by my worthy friend Edw. Byske Esq. where they are compendiously set forth and return to the before specified Wil. Beauchamp Which William possessing this Lordship of Fillongley â— and the greatest part of the said Earl of Pembroke's lands by virtue of that entail was impleaded for the same by the above mentioned Edw. Hastings and having invited his learned Counsell to his House in Pater Noster Row within the Citie of London amongst whom were Rob. Charlton then a Judge Will. Pinchbeck Will. Brenchesley and Iohn Catesby all learned Lawyers after Dinner went into his Chapell and at his coming out in an angry fashion threw to each of them a piece of Gold saying Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any right and title to Hasting's Lordships and Lands whereupon Pinchbeck stood up the rest being silent fearing that he suspected them and said No man here nor in England dare say that you have any right in them except Hastings do quit his claim therein and should he do it being now under age it would be of no validitie Perhaps there had been some former entail to settle them upon the heir male of the Familie which preceded that before spoken of but what ever it was sure we are that Hastings apprehended the injury done to himself so great as that with extream anguish of mind at his later end he left God's curse and his own upon his Descendants if they should not attempt the vindication thereof Of this Will. de Beauchamp who was a younger son unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by Catherine Mortimer sister of Agnes mother unto Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke before specified I find that he was in 4 R. 2. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his wars with CCL men at Armes and CCL Archers for a quarter of a year under the command of Edmund de Langley Earl of Cambridge the King's Uncle in the parts of Portugall and Spain in which expedition the said Earl was Generall So also in 6 R. 2. with that warlike Bishop of Norwich sc. Henr. Spenser who was so victorious in the parts of Flanders about that time and should have had 500. marks for the service of himself in particular of which he received part but because he had it not all before-hand he refused to stir from home After which viz. in 7 R. 2. he was constituted Governour of Calais and retained by Indenture for the safe custodie thereof with CXL men at Armes on Horseback whereof himself with nine other Kts. to be part CL. Archers on Horseback C. men at Armes and CLxxxiii Archers on foot and four Esquires on Horseback with condition that xx men at Armes and ten Archers on Horseback as also ten Archers on foot belonging to the Treasurer of Calais should be under his command in relation to that service and in consideration thereof to receive four shillings per diem for his own wages for the rest of the Knights ii s. and men at Armes serving on Horseback xii d. Which retainer was for two years but the next year ensuing the like Covenants were renewed for the terme of three years more and in 11 and 12 R. 2. for each of those years singly In 10 R. 2 he was made Governour of the Castles of Pembroke and Kilgaran In 16 R. 2. first summoned to Parliament with the Barons by the name of Will. Beauchamp de Bergavenny chivalier and made Knight of the Garter being then possest of the Castle of Bergavenny with the other lands which the befâ—re specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke had so entailed upon him as hath been said In 1 H. 4. made Justice of South-Wales and frâ—m 2 H. 4. till 8. inclusive was in Commâ—ssion for conservation of the Peace in this Countie But farther of his Militarie or Civill imployments I have not seen nor can I say more of him than that he gave to the Collegiate Church of Warwick for the good estate of K. Ric. 2. and Q. Anne his Câ—nsort as also of himself and Ioan his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of all their souls afterwards the advouson of the Churches of Spellesbury and Chadsley-Corbet in Worcester'shire and that he was in some sort a Benefactor to the Gild of the Holy Trinitie our Ladie and S. Iohn Baptist in Coventre as may seem by his portraiture set up in glass on the East side of St. Mary Hall together with his Ladie in robes of great state which in my discourse of that place are most exactly represented And lâ—stly that by his Testament bearing date at Bergavenny 25 Apr. an 1408. 9 H. 4. he bequeatned hâ—s body to be buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers at Hereford next and beneath the Tombe of the before specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke appointing that five Tapers should be hung about his Bodie as soon as mâ—ght be after his death as also that xxiiii men should be cloathed in black each of them hâ—lding a Torch in his hand and to have ii d. a piâ—ce for the same To which place of his burâ—all he bequeathed xx marks or more as his Executors should think fit and over and above what hath been already exprest C l. for the charges of his Funerall directing that ten thousand Masses should be sung for his soul in all the hast that might be after his death by the most honest Priests that could be got as also that four good Priests be found by the space of ten years singing for his soul and for the soul of his Lord Sir Iohn Hastings Earl of Pembroke and for all the souls unto whom he had obligation And moreover to his poor Tenants withâ—n his Lordships C l. To Ioane his wife a pair of Basyns covered and overgylt having the Armes of Warwick and Arundell empaled upon them To Richard his son his best Sword and Harneis to be armed withall aswell for War as Peace as also all his other Harneis for