from Iohn Carpenter then Bishop of Worcester Besides this goodly Tombe of Earl Richard which in the story of his life I have accurately represented there are in the same Chapell these following Monuments viz. of Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester and of Robert his son who dyed young as doe here follow Here under this Tombe lyeth the corps of the Lord Ambrose Duddeley who after the deceasses of his elder brethren without yssue was sonne and heir to John Duke of Northumberland To whom Queen Elizabeth in the first year of her raigne gave the Mannor of Kibworth-Beauchamp in the County of Leyc to be held by the service of being Pantler to the Kings Queens of this realme at their Coronations Which office Mannour his said father other his Ancestours Earles of Warwick held In the second yeare of her raigne the said Queen gave him the office of maister of the Ordinance In the fourth yeare of her said raigne she created him Baron L'âsle and Earle of Warwick In the same yeare she made him her Lieutenant generall in Normandy and during the time of his service there he was chosen knight of the noble order of the Garter In the twelveth year of her raigne the said Earle and Edward Lord Clinton Lord Admirall of England were made Lieutenants jointly and severally of her Majesties Army in the North parts In the thirteenth year of her raigne the said Qu. bestowed on him the Office of chief Butler of England And in the xv th yeare of her reign was sworn of her privy Councell Who departed this life without issue the xxi th day of February 1589. at Bedford house neer the Citty of London from whence as himself desired his corps was conveyed and interred in this place Neare his brother Robert Earle of Leicester and other his noble ancestors which was accomplished by his last Will and welbeloved wife the Lady Anne Countesse of Warr. who in further testimony of her faithfull love towards him bestowed this Monument as a remembrance of him John Dudley esquire second sonne to John Lord Dudley and knight of the Garter marryed Elizabeth daughter and heire of John Bramshot Esquier and had issue Edmund Duddeley Edmund Duddeley Esquire one of the privy Councell to king Henry the 7 âh married Elizabeth sister and sole heire of John Grey Viâount L'sle descended as heire of the eldest daughter and coheire of Richard Beauchamp ââwl in Warwick and Elizabeth his wife daughter and hèir of the Lord Berkley and heir of the Lord L'ysle and Ties and had issue John Duke of Northumberland John Duke of Northumberland and Earle of Warwick Vicount L'isle and knight of the Garter marryed Jane daughter and heire of Sir Edward Guildford knight and Elianore his wife sister and coheire to Thomas lord la Warre and had issue the said Lord Ambrose The said Lord Ambrose Dudley marryed to his first wife Anne daughter and coheire of William Whorwood esquier Attorney generall to King Henry the eight The said Lord Ambrose married to his second wife Elizabeth daughter of Sir Gilbert Taylbois knight sister and sole heire of George Lord Taylbois The said Lord Ambrose after he was Earl of Warwick marryed to his third wife the Lady Anne daughter to Francis Earle of Bedford Lord Russell and knight of the Garter DEO VIVENTIUM S. SPE CERTA resurgendi in Christo hîc situs est illustrissimus Robertus Dudleyus Johannis Ducis Northumbriae Comitis Warwici Vicecomitis Insulae c. filius quintus Comes Leicestriae Baro Denbighiae Ordinis tum S. Georgii cùm S. Michaelis eques auratus Reginae Elizabethae apud quam singulari gratia florebat Hippocomus Regiae Aulae subindè Seneschallus ab intimis Conciliis Forestarum Parcorum Chacearum c. citra Trentam summus Iusticiarius Exercitus Anglici à dicta Regina Eliz. missi in Belgio ab anno M.Dlxxxv ad annum M.Dlxxxvii Locum tenens Capitaneus generalis Provinciarum confederatarum ibidem Gubernator generalis Praefectus Regnique Angliae Locum tenens contra Philippum ii Hispanum numerosa Classe exercitu Angliam Anno M. Dlxxxviii invadentem Animam Deâ servatori reddidit Anno Salutis M. Dlxxxviii die quarto Septembris Optimo charissimo marito moestissima uxor Leticia Francisci Knolles Ordinis S. Georgii equitis aurati Regiae Thesaurarii filia amoris conjugalis fidei ergò Posuit It now remains that I take notice of what else I have found worthy of note in relation to this Chapell and not already publiquely known which is that Sir Henry Nevill Kt. son and heir to George Nevill Lord Latimer by Eliz. the third daughter to the noble Earl Richard before remembred who dyed in his fathers life time was here interred at the head of the said Earl as appears by the Testament of the Lady his widow daughter to Sir Iohn Bourchier Lord Berners who also bequeathed her body to be here buried And to the intent that the Dean and Canons of this Coll. Church should devoutly pray for her soul and for the soul of her said husband and all Christen people departed she gave unto them two Gowns of blew Velvet wherewith to make a Vestment and Copes so far as they would reach to be used in the same Colledge one of which gowns belong'd to her said husband And direrected that if those two gowns would not suffice to make a Chesiple two Tunicles a Cope with Altar clothes and frontell that then her Executors should buy as much plain blew Velvet as might compleat the same for to serve to the Altar in the said Chapell And farther appointed that her said Executors should find a Priest to sing in the said Chapell for her soul and the soul of her said husband and all Christen people deceased for the space of three years next ensuing her decease And to this Church she also bequeathed her Crysome gown of fine thred and lawn to be disposed of for a Corporas Other memorable Legacies which she gave by this Testament were these viz. a Ring of gold with a table Diamond to be offered at the Shrine of S. Thomas of Canterbury in the honour of God and that blessed Martyr To her brother Sir Humfrey Bourchier Knight a Ring of gold with a flower de Lyce of Rubyes To her brother Thomas Bourchier an Ouch of gold made like a trunk with a Dyamond two Rubies and two Pearles To Dame Eliz. Lady Wells her sister a flower of gold with a Ruby and two half Pearls To her son the Lord Latimer her wedding Ring To the Parson of S. M. Magd. at old Fish-street end a Cruse of silver and to Thomas Nevill her son her great Primmer Of which Testament she constituted Executors Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight Lord Berners her father Dame Margery his wife her mother Thomas Bourchier her brother and Iohn Bradshaw the same bearing date 2. Octob. Anno 1470. 10 E. 4. and proved the
were at that time betwixt the Abbot of Combe and the before mentioned Giles touching the metes and bounds of their lands on Wolvey-heath and concerning common of pasture which the said Giles challenged in those C. acres of land long before granted to the Monks of Combe by Rob. Basset and Reginald his son as is before exprest and concerning the sole presentation to the Heremitage before specified and commoning upon all that Heath by which Arbitrators it was determined that the said Abbot and Giles should present to the Heremitage in Common and hold all the said Heath in Common except the above mentioned C. Acres of land But all that I further find of this Giles is that he dyed at Dunstaple upon the day of St. Nicholas the Bishop an 1427. 6. H. 6. After which viz. in 16. H. 7. Will. Astley his great Grand-child presented one Iohn Iddezeard to the Heremitage From which VVilliam is Giles Astley Esq. now Lord of the same Mannour descended Having thus deduced the succession of Astley's Mannour I am next to take notice of what the Templars had here Of which the first mention I find is in the Shiriffs account of 1. E. 2. after the seizure of the lands belonging to the Templars into the K. hands wherein he certifies vii s. Rent of Assize received at the Feast of the Annunc of our Lady next before of certain Free-holders and Cottagers there and xx s. at the same terme for the Rent of a Water-mill and a VVind-Mill let to ferm at xl s. per an which possessions were antiently held by the Templars of Alan la Zouch by the fourth part of a Kts. Fee That the Templars were supprest and how their lands came to the Hospitalars I shall shew when I come to Balshall in Hemlingford-Hundred And that the Hospitalars possessions came to the Crown in 31. H. 8. upon that great dissolution of the Monasteries is known sufficiently at which generall deluge this Mannour of theirs in Wolvey was swept in being then accounted as a Member of the Preceptorie of Balshall above-mentioned and continued in the K. hands till 7. E. 6. but was then granted inter alia to Edw. Aglionby of Balshall Esq. and Henry Hugford of Solihull Gent. and their Heirs which Edw. in 3. 4. Ph. M. aliened the same to Thomas Marrow Esq. who the same year granted it to Will. Newman of whom in 3. Eliz. it was purchased by Edmund Scarning Esq. which Edmund dyed seized thereof 3. Apr. 1. Iac. leaving issue Ezechias his son and heir then aged 34. years Touching that Mannour which belong'd to the Monks of Combe I further find thereof this that in 8. H. 6. it was granted by the then Abbot and Covent of that Monastery to Humfry Earl Stafford and his heirs the advouson of the Church with the lands in Little-Copston belonging thereto excepted Here it hapned that K. Edw. 4. being surprized by Ric. Nevill the stout E. of Warwick was carryed away Prisoner to Midleham-Castle in York-shire the circumstances whereof I have briefly touched in my discourse of that Earl in Warwick In an 1291. 19. E. 1. the Church dedicated to St. Iohn Bapt. was valued at xx marks the one moytie being then a Prebend of Lichfield at which time the Vicaridge was rated at 1. mark But in 26. H. 8. at vi l. vi s. iiii d. over and above ix s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals Patroni vicariae Incumbentes Abb. Conv. de Cumba Hen. de Thurlauston Pbr. 3. Id. Febr. 1301. Abb. Conv. de Cumba Ioh. le Smith Pbr. 12. Kal. Nov. 1352â D. Tho. Clerc Canon Eccl. Cath. Lich. Ioh. Osmunderley 3. Nov. 1429. Abb. Conv. de Cumba Ioh Ioykin Pbr. 14. Ian. 1438. Prebend de Wolvey Ric. Blockley diac 28. Nov. 1493. Abb. C. de Cumba D. Rog. VVyldie Cler. 3. Febr. 1537. VV. Marton Preb. de VVolvey in Eccl. Cath. Lich. Ric. Palmer Cler. 10. Iulii 1564. Humf. Perot de Belne in Com. VVigorn Gen. Geo. VVilcockson Cler. 10. Dec. 1619. Copston-parva NOrthwards from Wolvey and in the same Parish lyeth Little-Copston now a depopulated place and known onely by the name of Copston-Fields which originally had its denomination from one Copsi possessor thereof in the Saxons time as I guess that being a name then in use but in the Conq. Survey is there not any express mention thereof so that I do conceive it was involved with Wolvey for in the beginning of H. 2. time Ivo de Harecurt granted all his land in this place together with Wolvey unto Rob. Basset in frank marriage with Beatrice his Sister as in Wolvey is shewed Which Robert very suddainly after gave to the Monks of Combe one carucat of land here In villa igitur mea quae dicitur parva Copston saith he unam caruc terrae c. in perpetuam elemosinam dono So that it seems he was then owner thereof which grant K. H. 2. confirmed Here was antiently a Chappel as appears by the Composition touching the Church of Wolvey betwixt G. Muschamp B. of Coventre and the Abbot of Combe 34 H. 3. whereof I have already spoken How it past from Basset's posterity I have not seen but in H. 3. time Thomas de Asteley had it for after he was slain in the battail of Edâsham 49. H. 3. as in Astley is shew'd this with the rest of his lands being confiscate was given by the K. to Warine de Bassingburne But after the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth whereby they which were not slain in the battail aswell as the posterity of those that lost their lives were admitted to Composition for their forfeited estates as in Kenilworth is manifested Andrew de Astley son and heir to the said Thomas past away this his village of Little-Copston with the appurtenances to the Monks of Combe and their successors for ever in consideration of CCCxx marks sterling which he received of them to redeem his lands so forfeited as hath been said After which viz. in 18. E. 1â the said Monks obteined a Charter of Free-Warren in all their demesn lands here whose possession it continued in till the dissolution of that Monastery Wibtoft I Now come to Wibtoft a petty village but eminent for its situation for it lyeth in one of the Corners where the two famous old Romane ways viz. UUaflingstreet and Fosse do meet in which place once also stood a flourishing City of the Romans called Cleychester as the tradition goes whereof I can say no more than what Mr. Cambden in Leicester-sh hath already spoken the very foundations thereof being now for the most part turn'd up by the Plough and spade and large stones Roman-brick with Ovens and Wells nay Coins of Silver and Brass mixt with its ruins frequently discovered the earth so far as it extended being of a darker colour then the rest thereabouts
mentioned had Free-warren granted to him in 42 H. 3. And that the said Iohn held the same being half a Knights fee of Thomas de Arden lineall heir to the before specified Siward by the service of a Hawke As also that in 13 E. 1. Theobald de Verdon â son and heir of the said Iohn claymed a Court-leet Assise of bread and beer Free-warren and weyfs with other priviledges here in Flekenho and the members thereof viz. Nethercote Wolshamcote Sawbridge for these do appear so to be by the antient stile of the Court there kept all which were allowed Which Theobald had issue Theobald and he severall daughters and heirs as in Brandon is shewed whereupon it came by partition to be assigned unto Isabell the wife of Henry de Ferrers of Groby To whose posterity in the direct line it continued untill it was put into the hands of Iohn Stafford Bishop of Bath and Wells Iohn Visc. Beauâont and other feoffees by William the last Lord Ferrers of Groby who by their deed dated 20. Ian. 20 H. 6. setled it upon the said William for terme of life and after his decease upon Thomas his younger son and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas being so seized thereof gave it to Henry Ferrers his younger son to hold during the life of the said Henry but afterward to remain to Thomas Ferrers son and heir of him the said Thomas by Eliz. one of the sisters and heirs to Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight by whom he had the Castle of Tamworth in this County From which Thomas and Eliz. did lineally descend Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight who by his deed bearing date 20. Sept. 12. Iac. gave it with Anne his daughter in Marriage unto Sir Symon Archer Knight and his heirs of whom and his family which hath been of great continuance in this Shire I have spoke in Tanworth where their seat is Nethercote THIS having been antiently called Parva-Flekenho and originally a member of the other was in 10 E. 2. held by Iohn de Coigne of Theobald de Verdon for half a Knights fee And after him viz. in 2 E. 3. by Will. Coyne who wrote himself Dominus de Nethercote To whose posterity it continued till 31 H. 8. that Robert Cuny esquire past it away to Roger Wigston esquire and his heirs whose son and heir William Wigston esq but afterwards Knight levyed a Fine thereof to Eliz. Onely widow in 3 E. 6. But I have heard that Roger Wigston son and heir to the said Sir William sold it to one Thomas Lee which Thomas in 14. Eliz. by the name of Tho. Lee of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. esquire was certified to dye seized thereof leaving William Watson son of Anne Watson one of his sisters his next heir Which William sold it to Tho. Wilcox who passed it to Robert Clerke late owner thereof Sawbridge THIS being written Salebrugge in antient Records makes me imagine that the name was at first occasioned from the Bridge here over Leame and that the syllable Sal which by corrupt pronuntiation is now called Saw proceedeth from the old Brittish word Sal or Salw id est vilis sive parvae estimationis But it was originally a member of Wolfhamcotâ and continued in the family of Ardern till King Iohn's time that Thomas de Arderne granted it to the Monks of Thorney in Cambrige-shire who in 19 E. 1. were certified to hold in this place one carucate of land rated at xxx s. and iv li. xii s. rent of Assise at which time the value of those customary works due to the Monks from hence were rated at 26 s. 8 d. ând the pleas and perquisites 6 s. 8 d. They had then also a Mill of 4 li. per annum and a stock upon the ground worth xx s. by the year The totall viii li. xix s. iv d. This continued in the Crown after the dissolution of the Monasteries til 2 Eliz. that the Q past it away to ...... Gerard and others by the name of the Mannour of Sawbridge How it came again to her hands I know not but in 4. of her raign by her Letters Pat. dated 28. Oct. she granted it to Ranulph Crew esq and Richard Cartwright gent. and their heires together with a water-mill in Ryeton â to be held in Feeferme paying xx li. yearly into the Exchequer Which Ranulph and Richard by their deed dated the 10. of Nov. following past it to Edward Brook of Flekenho gent. Roger Tibbots of Southam gent. Robert Clârk of Wolfhamcote Yeoman Thomas Chiles of Sawbridge Yeoman and Richard Roberts of Nethercote Yeoman and their heires Shuckborough-superior SOuthwest from Wolfhamcote stands Shuckborough superior part whereof lyes within Kineton-Hundred In the Conq. time the Earl of Mellent held four hides here as appears by the generall Survey then made and Turchill de Warwick half a yard land All which being valued at lv s. were possest by the same Leuvinus before the Norman invasion of whom I have made mention in Monkskirby and Flekenho But in that Record it is written Socheberge whence I conjecture that the originall name was at first composed of a Brittish as well as a Saxon word Swch in that language signifying a Plow and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in the other a Hill which is not unsutable to the nature of the ground viz. arable and the situation thereof That the greatest part of the Earl of Mellent's lands and likewise of the before specified âurchill's came soon after to the antient Earls of Warwick I have often observed yet it when it was or whom that those Earles first enfeoft of this place doth not directly appear but plain it is that Earl Roger who dyed in King Stephen's time gave the Church to the Nunns of Wroxhale and confirmed the grant which Robert then Lord of this Mannour had made of 4. yard land and xx acres of Inclosure to the same Religious house But after this Robert the next that I find to have been Lord of it was Osbert de Lemintone who granted an Oxe-gang of land lying within the precincts thereof to the Abby of Leicester Which Oxe-gang being half a yard land and confirmed by King H. 2. was within a short space given by the Canons of that House to Thomas the son of Oliver de Shukborow and his heires for ix s. yearly rent to be payd to the said Monastery From this Thomas did descend as 't is like that family which long continuing here bore the sirname of Oliver whereof was Thomas Oliver who in 7 E. 1. held 7. yard land in this place viz. 3. yard land and a half of Henry de Berchesdone by the 4. part of a Knights fee which the said Henry held over of the Prior of Coventre and the rest of Iordan de Say by the like service This Thomas Oliver had at that time
14. E. 4. as some say but others that it was on Ship-board when his father fled towards Caleys The younger Richard in the Monastery of Tewksburie An. 1476 who lived scarce a year being poysoned as 't was thought Which Edward being about three years of age at his fathers death was Knighted at York by K. R. 3. in the first year of his Reign with Edw. the onely son to that King but both he his sister were attended with a very hard fate For Edward that bore the title of E. of Warwick onely being at the age of 8. years committed prisoner to the Castle of Shiriff-Hutton in Com. Ebor. by the said K. Rich. 3. where he remained all his Reign was immediatly upon the victory obtained at Bosworth-field by Henry Earl of Richmund thenceforth K by the name of H. 7. by special Warrant removed to the Tower of London and there shut up in a more close and streight condition for no other offence than being the onely male Plantaginet at that time living and so consequently the most rightfull Heir to the Crown and being at length charged with privity of Perkin Warbeck's escape out of the Tower strange inferences were raised by which they made advantage to take away his life whereas the truth is that K. Henry being upon Treaty with Ferdinand K. of Spain for a marriage in the behalf of Prince Arthur his eldest son and the Lady Kath. daughter to the said Ferdinand and finding that the Spaniard thought K. Henrie's title to have no sure foundation whil'st this branch of Plantaginet was extant had a minde to dispatch him out of the world for the fairer effecting whereof a Commission was granted to Iohn Earle of Oxford then high Steward of England to arraign him for that pretended offence which was accordingly done 21. Nov. 15. H. 7. care being taken to perswade him that by confessing himself guilty he should be sure to find mercy from the K. With which fair promises being caught he pleaded as they directed him and so betraying his life into the hands of those that so âagerly sought it had judgement of death past upon him and accordingly was beheaded on Tower-Hill the 28. day of the same moneth of November After which viz. 25. Ian. 19. H. 7. the better to countenance what was done he was attainted in Parl. so that all the favour he had was that being thus put to death his body should be sent to the Monastery of Bisham and buried with his Ancestors Which cruel dealing we may well think hath been some cause of Gods judgements upon H. 7. posterity as well as upon that noble Lady Katherine who became so sensible thereof when King H. 8. her second husband prosecuted the divorce betwixt them that she expressed as some have said that it was the hand of God for that to clear the way to her marriage the innocent E. of Warwick was put to unworthy death And if it be seriously considered what afterwards befell the said Earle of Oxford and his family we have cause enough to doubt that God was no whit pleased with his activenesse in this bloudy scaene for having within a short time lost the Kings favour and been fined at 30000. li. for a very small offence he spent the rest of his life in discontent and dyed without any lawfull issue After which it was not long that the possessions of that great Earldom became totally wasted and the very Monuments of his noble ancestors in the Abby of Colne torn in pieces in that hideous storm raised by K. H. 8. son and successor of him to whom this Earle had been so obsequious As for the Lands whereof this our Earle of Warwick dyed seized I do not finde that they were any other than the Mannours of Wyke in Com. Midd. Stanford in the Vale of White-horse in Berks. and of Snitterteld in this County Of his sister Margaret born at Farley-Castle in Wilts 14. Aug. An. 1473. 13. E. 4. and married c to Sir Rich. Pool Knight I finde that she had issue Henry Pool Lord Mountagu Reginald Pool Cardinal Geffrey and Arthur with a daughter called Vrsula wife to Henry Lord Stafford Son and Heir to Edw. Duke of Buck. which Marg. in her widowhood sc. An. 1513. 5. H. 8. petitioned in Parliament as Sister and Heir to Edw. Earle of Warwick attainted 19. H. 7. that she might inherit his estate and dignity and so be stiled Countesse of Salisbury which was granted but of her fathers inheritance she had very little that ever I could finde and that also by attainder in Parliament taken away unheard in 31. H. 8. for privity to the conspiracy of Henry Marq. of Exeter as was pretended After which she enjoy'd her life but a short time being barbarously put to death on Tower-Hill 27. Maii 33. H. 8. drag'd to the block by the hair of the head in the lxviii year of her age After the before specified Edward Plantaginet till 1 E. 6. there was no Earl of Warwick but then Iohn Dudley son of Edmund by Eliz. daughter of Edward Grey Visc. L'isle Aunt and heir to Elizabeth Grey Countess of Devon daughter and heir of Sir Iohn Grey Visc. L'isle having been advanced to the dignity of Visc. L'isle 12. Martii 34 H. 8. was through the great favour of King Edward or rather of Edward Duke of Somerset then Lord Protector created Earl of Warwick 16. Febr. 1 E. 6. as descended from Margaret the eldest daughter to Richard Beauchamp sometime E. of Warwick Howbeit before I proceed to speak further of this Iohn I shall crave leave to say something of his parentage That he was the son of Edmund Dudley of whom I shall say more by and by and he the son of one Iohn Dudley is plain enough but as I am not sufficiently satisfied that the said Iohn his grandfather was a younger branch of the Barons of Dudley in Stafford-shire though with his own hand in a descent of those Barons he exprest him so to be viz. second son to Iohn Sutton first of that name that had the title of Lord Dudley so shall I be as tender in affirming that to be true which I have seen under the hand of a very good Genealogist in his time and which he alledgeth to have received from a person of credit id est that the same Iohn his grandfather was a Carpenter and indeed born in the town of Dudley though not of the name other than travailing for his living he hapned to be entertained at the Abby of Lewes in Sussex and was by the Monks called Iohn of Dudley and so growing in favour with the Abbot there marryed and continued Carpenter to the House And that having a son called Edmund who for his pregnancy in learning was taken notice of by the Abbot and
de Clifford for by a pleading in 12 Edvardi 1. betwixt Thomas de la More and Hugh D'Eyvile the said Thomas called Roger de Clifford to warranty for the same which Roger in 7 Edvardi 1. was certifyed to be Lord thereof and to hold it of the said Earl by the service of half a Knights Fee having then one carucate of land in demesn and xix yard land held of him in Villenage To this Roger de Clifford succeeded another Roger who wedded Isabell daughter and one of the coheirs to Robert de Vipount and upon an agreement made with Iohn de Crumbwell husband to Idonea widow of Roger de Leyburne the other daughter and coheir of Robert de Vipount past his interest in this Mannour to the said Idonea and her heirs in exchange for some other lands whereupon it became afterwards seized into the Kings hands for some misdemeanour committed by the said Iohn de Crumbwell in staying beyond Sea contrary to the Kings command yet such was the Kings respect to the said Idonea that he permitted her to take the profit thereof towards her maintenance but upon her death without issue which hapned in 8 Edvardi 3. it divolved to Edw. le Spenser son of Hugh le Spenser the younger by virtue of an entail made in 15 E. 2. Howbeit that which is here called the Mannour was but the moytie of this Hamlet as it seemes the other moytie continuing in the family of Clifford still for I find that in 14 Edw. 3. Rob. de Clifford Lord of Westmerland gave to the Canons of Haghmon in Shropshire all his lands and Tenements lying here in Winderton having the Earl of Warwick's license for the same of whom they were held as also the King 's which expresseth plainly that it was the half of this Village But that which was Spenser's Mannour came at length by descent to Isabell daughter of Thomas Lord Despenser as sister and heir to her brother Richard which Isabell first married to Richard Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny afterwards made Earl of Worcester and secondly to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick After whose death she settled it inter alia upon S t Ralph Boteler K t and others and their heirs for the performance of her last Will as she should make declaration of her mind therein for the health and advantage of her soul Yet it should seem that notwithstanding this purpose of hers it descended to her heire and so consequently came to the Crowne as the rest of the Earl of Warwick's Lands did and was not granted away till 1 M. that the Queen disposed thereof to Michael Throkmorton Esquier and his heirs who dyed seized of it 1 Nov. 5. 6. Ph. M. leaving Francis his son and heir 7. years of age As for what the Canons of Haghmon had here or at least so much thereof as I have seen any authority for it was past out of the Crown by Q. Eliz. unto Iohn Dudley and Iohn Ascough and their heirs in 17. of her reign I shall now follow this hilly part of the Country no farther but returning more into the Vaâe must take my course by those brooks and streams which glide through the rest of this Hundred till I have made a perfect view thereof In observance of which order I next come to that petty torrent that hath its head within the precincts of Dasset and so dividing the Lordships of Merston-Boteler Kineton creepeth along betwixt the two Waltons as also the Wellesbourns neer unto which it joyneth with Avon Merston-Boteler THis being possest by Hugh de Grentemaisnill in thâ Conquerors time had then a Church and two Mills and containing x. hides was valued at xv li. But ere long after Raph Boteler of Oversley had a grant thereof as it seems for in King Stephen's time he gave the Church to the Monastery of Alcester of his foundation And it may very well be presumed that the above specified Hugh de ârememaâânill so conferred it upon Boteler in regard that Robert Blanchemaâns Earl of Leicester wedded not his daughter and heir called Petronill till H. 2. time But of this family of Boteler I shall speak historically in Oversley therefore will I next take notice of what is most memorable in relation to this place in particular From the beforespecifyed Raph â it descended to William le Boteler who in 7 E. 1. held it of the Earl of Leicester by the service of two Kts. fees having then one Watermill here and two carucates of land in demesn and xxx Tenants holding one yard land and a half by payment of certain Rent and performance of severall services viz. Plowing Reaping carrying Corn and the like As also x. Cottâers but these did their suit to the Court-Leet held for the Honour of Leicester In this town had Raph de Ardern also at that time seven yard land which he held of Iohn Mallore and he of the said William le Boteler Of which Botelers the last that had to do here was Sir William le Boteler Knight who left issue Eliz. his daughter and heir first marryed unto Sir Robert de Ferrers Knight and afterwards to Thomas Mollington as by the descent in Oversley will appear From which Eliz. it descended to Nevill and afterwards to Gascoign as Oversley did and was by Sir William Gascoign Knight the fourth from him that marryed Nevill's heir sold to Thomas Lord Cromwell in 29 H. 8. which Thomas being attainted in the Parl. begun at Westminster 30 H. 8. it eschaeted to the Crown and was thereupon granted to Richard Fermour and Anne his wife and to Iohn Fermour their son and Maud his wife and to the heirs male of the said Iohn by the Kings Letters Patent dated 23. Nov. 36 H. 8. But it seems that the said Iohn dyed without issue male for I find that K. Edward 6. in 7. of his raign by his Patent bearing date 23. Iunii granted it to Peter Temple of Derset in this County gent. and Thomas Lee of Clatercote in the County of Oxford gentleman and their heirs to hold in Capite by the xl th part of a Knights fee. Which Peter sold away sundry parcells thereof to severall persons about the beginning of Queen Maryes reign amongst which Iohn Woodward purchased the Mannour place and a large proportion therewith Which Iohn dyed seized thereof 8. Nov. 2. 3. Ph. M. leaving Richard his son and heir 50. years of age who dyed also seized thereof 14. Aug. 4. 5. Ph. M. leaving Iohn his son and heir 26. years of age But the greatest proportion besides viz. 1. mess. 1. Garden 1. Orchard CCC acres of land x. acres of meadow viii acres of pasture and L. acres of Heath Furrs was sold to Tho. and Edward Savage by the before specified Peter Temple and Thomas Lee which
one of the two Justices for conservation of the Peace in this Shire as also for putting in execution the Articles contained in the Statute of Winchester In 19 E. 3. he was in Commission for arraying of men in this County and the next year following being of the retinue unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick at such time as the said Earl was in France and got that great honour by his valiant atchievements in the battail of Cressy and elswhere as in my story of him is shewed he bore for his Armes Or frettè sable The time of his death I do not certainly find but to him succeeded Thomas his son and heâr who past away his interest in this Mannour in 44 E. 3. to Alice Perers of whom our Historians make much mention in regard she was Concubine to King E. 3. Which Alice being banisht by authority of Parliament in 1 R. 2. and all her estate confiscate it was seized into the Kings hands and committed to the custody of Iohn Spenser But in 3 R. 2. she being then wedded to Sir William Windsor Kt. the King out of the singular respects that he bore towards the said Sir William for his many notable services and especially because he was at that time retained by Indenture to serve him in his Warrs with CC. men at Armes and CC. Archers under the conduct of Thomas de Wodstoke then Earl of Buck. the Kings Uncle for the expedition of Britanny in which the said Earl was to be Generall by his Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster 15. Martii wherein he reciteth that the said Alice whilst she was single purchased the third part of this Mannour in possession and two parts thereof in reversion after the death of Alice the widow of Sir Iohn Murdak Knight granted it unto the same Sir William Windsor and his heirs for ever Which Sir William dying without issue male his daughters became his heirs whereof Ioan the elder marryed to Robert Skerne of Kingston upon Thames in whose right the said Robert became possest thereof and to strengthen his title therein obtained a Release from Arnold Murdak brother and heir of Thomas Murdak son to the above-mentioned Sir Thomas bearing date 10 Febr. 6 H. 4. as was necessary for I find that there had been an Entail thereof made by the said Sir Thomas in in 37 E. 3. Which Robert in 3 H. 6. did his homage to Richard Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick for those lands held by him here of that Earl by Knights service But long it was not that Skerne continued possest thereof though how it came to passe or the direct time when he parted with it I have not seen For certain it is that about 20 H. 6. Richard Verney Esquire afterward Knight possest itâ and built a great part of the House as it now standeth wherein besides his own Armes with marches he then set up in a fair Canton window towards the upper end of the Hall the Armes of King H. 6. Queen Margaret Hâmfrey Earl of Stafford afterwards created Duke of Buck. Henry Beauchamp Duke of Warwick and the Lord Zouch with some others in such sort as they are represented in the foregoing page by which it appeareth that he was one of those that adhered to the House of Lancaster This Richard Verney was the son of Iohn Verney but whence I cannot tell yet I find one Iohn Verney Eschaetor in Worcester-shire 17 H. 6. So also a Robert Verney who held half a Knights fee in great Wolford of the Baron of Stafford in 46 E. 3. and had issue William his son and heir Lâkewise Richard Verney of Wolverton Esquier in 12 H. 6. yet am I not sure what relation any of these had to him Most probable it is that these Verneys of Compton are sprung from Simon de Vernai who in K. Richard the first 's time wedded Agnes the sister of Hervey Bagot progenitor to the Barons of Stafford for amongst the evidences of this Family I have seen a grant of certain lands in Bromshull in Com. Staff by the said Hervey Bagot to the above specified Simon with Agnes his sister in Frank marriage but how to trace down the descent from that Simon to the said Richard passes my skill except I had more light from Record or private evidence But till 21 H. 6. I find nothing of this Richard howbeit then it appears that he began to have publique imployment in this County viz. in Commission for conservation of the Peace from that time till 14 E. 4. except for the six first years of E. 4. reign being also a Commissioner of Array in 38 H. 6. and in 39 H. 6. a Knight Which Richard departed this life in 5 H. 7. leaving Edmund his son and heir 49. years of age who had speciall Letters of Protection from Thomas Lord Stanley Steward of the Houshold to King E. 4. dated 3. Nov. 8 E. 4. exempting him from being subject to any seizure for his Corn Beeves Muttons or any thing else for the Kings Houshold provision without payment of ready money for the same and bore the office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicester-shire in 21 E. 4. In 2 R. 3. he was in Commission for arraying of men and by his Testament bearing date 24. Feb. anno 1494. 10 H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Conventuall Church of the Friers-Preachers at Warwick betwixt the Altar of our Lady and the Altar of S. Dominick on the North part appointing that by the care of his Executors a Lamp should be continually maintained burning in the Chancell of that Church before the Host and dyed 26. Feb. the same year leaving issue Richard his son and heir then 30. years of age Which Richard was in that esteem with King H. 8. that being inform'd of some infirmity in his Head he afforded him a speciall License bearing date at Grenewich 2. Ian. 8. of his reign that he should wear his Bonnet at all times and in all places aswell in the said Kings presence as elswhere according to his own pleasure without the interruption of any man whatsoever And by his Testament bearing date 2. Oct. anno 1526. 18 H. 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the new Chapell on the North side of the Church here at Compton wherein his Monumentall stone with the portraiture of himself his wife and children in brasse are yet to be seen From whom did lineally descend Sir Grevill Verney late of this place Knight a gentleman accomplisht with singular endowments and of a Noble and courteous disposition who left three sons and one daughter as the Pedegree here inserted doth shew From the second of which viz. Richard a person happily qualified with a most ingenious inclination I have received much assistance for rectifying the Map of this Hundred as
Aleyn Pbr. 7. Aug. 1368. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Will. Chapel Cap 13. Dec. 1375. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Ragbroke 1. Iunii 1403. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Hereward 22. Dec. 1403. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Rog. Coton 9. Sept. 1412. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Thomas Gale Pbr. 28. Novemb 1436. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Yreby Cap. 20. Maii 1439. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Capellanus 5. Iulii 1448. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Dun. 14. Martii 1452. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ioh. Pynk alias Seinbiry Cap. 28. Martii 1452. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Will. Wayte Cap. 18. Aug. 1462. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Hylde Cap. 27. Nov. 1467. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Thomas Ley Cap. 20. Oct. 1479. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Magr. Ioh. Molder in art Magr. 8. Dec. 1502. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Guido Gourgeyne in art Magr. 8. Feb. 1524. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Ric. Powle in art Magr. 7. Aug. 1544. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Anth. Spurret Cler. 26. Martii 1572. Eliz. Angliae Regina Anth. Spurret Cler. 19. Nov. 1575. Wolford-parva IN the Conquerors time this was part of the Earl of Mellent's possessions and of him then held by one Radulphus at which time being certifyed to contain 4. hides and a half and rated at xl s. I find it written Ulwarda one Aluric having been owner thereof before the Norman invasion From the said Earl of Mellent it came to the Barons of Stafford but the direct time when the family of Ingram which to this day enjoys the greatest part of it were enfeoft thereof by any of them I cannot declare though certain it is that they had it very antiently for I find that in 3. Ioh. Engeram de Wiwarth doubtlesse one of that line levied a Fine of lands here and in 36 H. 3. it appears that the same Ingeram held half a Knights fee here of the Baron of Stafford which proportion his posterity also had as by sundry Inquisitions is evident But the Record of 7 E. 1. expresseth that one Thomas de parva-Woleward was Lord thereof and that he held it of Cecìly de Mucegros and she of Iohn de Boys and he of Elene la Zuche and she of the King which Thomas had at that time two yard land here in demesn with certain Freeholders and Cottiers Neverthelesse were the posterity of the Barons of Stafford reputed Lords of it and in 12 H. 8. did Edward Duke of Buckingham levie a Fine thereof together with the Mannours of great Wolford and Tisho unto Richard Bishop of Winchester and others as in great Wolford I have already intimated yet it seems that the Ingrams had a Mannour here for so it appears after the death of Richard Ingraham Esquier in 5 Eliz. Of which Mannour Hastang Ingram is Lord at this day At present this Village hath not many Inhabitants but antiently it consisted of 43. families Burmington IN the Conquerors Survey this place is written Buâdintone through mistake of the m for d and being then possest by Robert de Stadford contained v. hides wherein was a Mill rated at x s. but the value of all was certified at C s. whereof one Godwin was owner before the Norman invasion In 13. Ioh. I find it in the list of those places within this County whereof the Barons of Stafford were Lords and that it answered for one Knights Fee as part of that Honour being held in 36 H. 3. by Adam de Grenevill of Hawisia de Wulleward and by her of the Lord Stafford which Adam bore for his Armes a bend betwixt six Lions rampant and in 52 53 54. and 55 H. 3. was in Commission for taking Assizes of Novell disseisin in this County From whom descended William de Greinvill who for his Rebellion in E. 2. time forfeited this with other Mannours that he had in Wilt-shire Somerset-shire which were thereupon seized yet through the Kings favour he obtained them again and had a grant of this in tail to himself and Lucie his wife and the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten but for want of such issue on Iohn the son of Richard de Rodeney and his heirs After this viz. in 12 E. 3. it appears that Iohn de Wolverton and Lucia his wife levied a Fine of this Mannour as also of the Mannour of Suthwyke in Wilt-shire setling them upon Iohn de Greinvill and his heirs whereby it seemes that they were of the inheritance of her the said Lucia in respect of the warrantie against her heirs And in 17 E. 3. did William the son of Edmund de Greinvill release to the said Iohn all his right and interest in these Mannours But in 46 E. 3. I find that Umfrye Stafford of Suthwike possest it in right of his wife daughter and heir to Greinvill as I guesse From which Humfrey descended Sir Hâmfrey Stafford Knight who by his Testament dated 5. April 1 H. 5. gave inter alia to the Church here at Burmynton lx s. And from him Sir Humfrey Stafford of Hoke in Dorset-shire 10 H. 6. whose grandchild Humfrey created Lord Stafford of Southwike in 4 E. 4. as also Earl of Devon-shire ãâã 9. of that Kings reign revolting from the King in the Battail of Banbury the same year was cut shorter by the head After whose death having no issue Alianore the wife of Thomas Strangways Esquier one of the daughters of Alice Aunt to the said Earl became a coheir to his inheritance to whom inter alia this Mannour of Burmington was alotted which Thomas had issue by her Sir Giles Strangways Knight who in 32 H. 8. levied a Fine hereof to Henry Annesley Gentleman but to what uses I know not nor through what hands it hath since past Ditchford-Frary BElow Burmington is Stoure augmented by a little stream which having its rise in Worcester-shire passes by Dichford-Frary and Stretton upon Fosse and then joyns therewith In the Conquerors time this being possest by Robert de Stadford contained two hides which one Brion then held of him with a Mill rated at lxviii d. and all valued at iv li. having been the freehold of Leuric in Edward the Confessors days But the first mention I find of it after that time is in 31 H. 2. where it appears that Adam de Standon had a suit with Roger de Dikeford for half a Knights fee here And next that in 16 H. 3. there was a Fine levied betwixt Herveus de Stafford and Vivian de Standon for the customes and services
in 13 E. 1. Godfrey Giffard then Bishop of Worcester being then summoned to shew by what warranty he claimed Return of Writs with Assize of Bread and Beere therein and pleading only Prescription the Kings Atturney replyed that Return of Writs was such a Royalty annext unto the Crown that it could not be severed therefrom without speciall grant thereof by Charter and required Judgment for the King whether in this case the Bishops Prescription should be allowed Whereupon the Kings Justices demanded that a Jury should inquire what seisin the said Bishop his Predecessors had thereof who upon their Oaths certifie that they had been in possession time out of minde by reason of which Verdict the Bishop was then dismist And in 9 E. 2. it was found that the Bishop of Worcester was Lord of this Hundred for so it was then stiled by which Record it appears that Stratford super Avon with the Hamlets belonging thereto Hampton super Avon with the like Hamlets As also Bishopston and Clâpton Henley and Beldesert together with the town of Lapworth were then reputed within the same But about the 13 th year of King Edw. 3. Iohn de Peyto junior of whom in Cheââerton I have made mention obtained a grant of it for life together with the Mannour of Stratford super Avon from Welstan then Bishop of Worcester for the Rent of lx li. per annum to be payd to him the said Bishop and his successors which Lease being made without the Kings license became void and not only so but the King for that trespasse seized them into his hands Howbeit regranting them to the said Iohn he past over the Bailywick of it to the said Bishop and his successors for ever In consideration whereof and for his service and Counsell impenso in Com. Warwici imposterum impendendo he got an Annuity of xxx li. for life from that Bishop whereupon by an Inquisition then taken it was certified that there did belong to the said Hundred a certain Court called Gylput held every three weeks as also Return of Writs and the execution of them Fines and Amerciaments with the goods Chattells of all Felons and Fugitives therein After which till 3 E. 6. it continued in the possession of the Bishops of Worcester but then viz. 9. Iulii was it granted away in Exchange for divers lands in Worcestershire by Nicholas Heath the then Bishop unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs which Iohn being attainted in 1. M. as in my Story of the Earls of Warwick is shewed it eschaeted to the Crown and was by Queen Eliz. in 4. of her raign passed inter alia unto Ambrose Dudley E. of Warwick the heirs male of his body which Earl failing of issâe it return'd again to the Crown and was by King Iames granted to Sir Francis Smyth of Wotton-Wawen Knight and his heirs whose son Sir Charles Smyth now sciâ anno 1640. enjoys it But the place which gives name to this Hundred or Liberty is a Tumulus or heap of earth situate in a Lane on the top of an Hill upon the left hand the road leading from Wotton-Wawen to Stratford super Avon about the midway betwixt those two towns and about a Bow-shoot from the said road in the very way betwixt Warwick and Alcester which High way thwarteth the other road neer unto it being certain inclosed grounds that lie within the Parish of Aston-Cantlow and bearing the name of Pathlows to this day To this place there is a Court-Leet as also a Court-Baron belonging and kept twice in the year Infra mensem Paschae infra mensem Michaelis as all other Leets are but no certain day assigned for the same nor is the place where they are kept always one and the same but being in the Lane beforementioned is commonly made choise of in that part where the Hedges are the best shelter from the winde the Stile of the Court being Hundred Sive Libertas de Pathlowe and the Towns and Villages within this Liberty these scil Wotton-Wawen Henley Ullenhale Fullbroke Hampton super Avon Hatton super Avon Alveston Loxley Stratford-vetus Clopton Bishopston Wilmecote parva Drayton Dodwell Shotterie Ludington Ingon Welcombe Bridg-town Tidington and Rien-Clifford whereof divers are depopulated as in my discourse of them will appear Of these at this day only do suit viz. Wotton-Wawen Ullenhale Loxley Bishopston Ludington Drayton and Wilmecote-parva Besides divers who owe suit thereto in respect of tenure howbeit neglect in appearance hath almost lost it But the Bailiffe of the Hundred of Barlichway doth usually answer at all Assizes and Sessions for this Liberty being made use of by the Lord thereof for conveniencies sake Having said thus much in relation to the particular Hundred of Barlichway it self and in generall touching the Liberty of Pathlowe the bounds whereof the Map doth shew I shall first begin my next discourse of the Towns and Villages therein contained which Honiley which lyeth in the very North-East corner thereof and thence go on Southwards till I touch upon the bank of Avon Honiley TIll H. 3. time I have not seen any certain mention of this place but then scil about the beginning of that Kings reign did Richard Peche of whom in Hampton in Ardern I shall say more obtain a great share of this Lordship from Henry de Boreford scil that whereof Raph de Grafton was enfeoft by Waleran Earl of Warwick and of another part which he the said Raph had by the grant of Hugh fil Willielmi Lord of Hatton both parcells being exprest by certain metes and bounds viz. bordering on the said Earls Parke called Wedgnock as also upon the Park of Kenilworth and so extending to a torrent called Merebrook c. All which the said Richard Peche was to hold to himself and his heirs of the beforespecified Henry de Bereford and his heirs by the service of xii d. yearly to be payd at Easter and a pair of Gloves at the Feast of S. Michaell the Arch-Angell Of these lands severall confirmations were made to the same Richard Peche by Margery sister to the before specified Raph de Grafton and Felicia daughter to her the said Margery But the residue of this Lordship then written Hunilegh with the advouson of the Church did William de Arden give to the said Richard Peche in frank marriage with Hawise his daughter which perhaps was at first a part of Hampton in Arden and involved therewith in the Conquerors Survey in whose family it continued till H. 4. time that Margaret the daughter and heir to Sir Iohn Peche brought it with divers other fair Mannours in marriage unto Sir William Mountfort of Colshill Knight as by the descent in Hampton will appear whose grandson scil Sir Simon Mountfort Knight being attainted in 11 H. 7. as in Colshill is shewed this with the greatest part of his possessions came to the Crown and in 12
H. 6. Ioh. de Stanford 15 E. 2. Margeria Matilda 12 R. 2. Ioh. de Stanford obiit s. p. 37 E. 3. Iohanna secundò nupta Thomae dâ Morâhall his Armes Argent upon a Fesse wavy sable three Hares heads cooped Or vith a labell of three points in Chief and by his last Will and Testament bearing date the Tuesday next after the Feast of the Conception of our Lady anno 1428. 7 H. 6 wherein he stiles himself Esquier bequeathing his body to sepulture in the Church of S. Peter here at Wootton and vi li. xiii s. iv d. to the reparation of the great road-way leading betwixt the said town of Wootton and the Heremitage at Sillesburne departed this life the same year leaving issue divers Children of some whereof I shall speak anon in the mean time taking notice of what I have seen in relation to his brother Thomas In 3 H. 5. he was Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 5 c a Justice of Peace for this Countie in which imployment he continued till his death And having been one of those three who with the Shiriff in 7 H. 5. made that return of the names of such gentlemen of note in this Shire which bore antient Armes from their Ancestors and had summons to serve the King in their proper persons for defence of the Realm dyed without issue in 22 H. 6. leaving Thomas son of Roger son of Iohn his brother his next heir But I return to the issue of Iohn elder brother to the said Thomas which were Roger his son and heir that enjoy'd these lands in Wootton Richard who by his Fathers Testament had the Mannour of Shoterich in this County bequeathed to him and lyeth buried before the Altar of S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of the Holy Trinity at Stratford super Avon William sometime Lord of the Mannour of Stoârton and Iohn that had Whitley Which Roger wedded Agnes the daughter coheir of Sir William Clopton of Clopton in Somersetshire and had issue by her William Harewell who by the death of Ioan daughter and heir to the before specified Richard without issue had the Mannour of Shoterich of his grandfathers inheritance This William was a trusty friend to the House of Lancaster as it seems for upon the regaining of the Kingdom by King H. 6. he had the custody of this Countie and Leicestershire and before the end of that his Shirivealtie fought stoutly on King Henrye's part at Barnet field in which battail being taken prisoner r he was thence carried to Windsor-Castle whereupon also his lands were seized by the King and bestowed on Humphrey Stafford Esquire to hold during the King's pleasure But after a while through the solicitation of his kinsman Iohn Leighton Esquire made with Iohn Talbot then Earl of Shrewsbury he was released of his imprisonment and restored to his lands For which favours the said Earl had first xl li. that the same Iohn Leighton promised to give him for obtaining his enlargment lands and xl marks more which he exacted over and above But after this in 14 E. 4. he was constituted one of the Justices of Peace in this County yet I do not find that upon the next renewing of those Commissions or ever after that he had the like imployment during King Edward's reign howbeit in 2 R. 2. he was appointed one of the Commissioners of Array in this Shire All that I have seen more of him is that in 16 H. 7. he founded a Chantrie in the Friers Preachers at Warwick of which I have particularly spoke in my discourse of that place and that departing this life 2. Dec. the same year he was there buried leaving Iohn his son and heir 30. years of age Which Iohn in 18 H. 7. being constituted one of the Justices of Peace in this County was the same year made Constable of Maxstoke Castle by Edward Duke of Buck. and by his Testament bearing date 8. Apr. Anno 1505. 20 H. 7. gave to the said Duke whom he there calls his Lord his great Dun Horse for a Heriot and by Anne his wife daughter and heir to Richard Midleton had issue two sons and five daughters whereof Thomas the elder dyed without issue before 3 H. 8. and William was a Priest whereupon the sisters came to inherit viz. Elizabeth Anne Brigit and Agnes for Maud the Eldest wife of Iohn Leighton dyed without issue before the partage was made betwixt them Of which Elizabeth first the wife of Anth. Ralegh and afterwards of Leonard Rede had for her share the Mannours of Bear-cracombe and Copland in Somersetshire and vi s. viii d. yearly Rent issuing out of the Mannour of Thongland in that County Anne wife to Iames Clifford of Frampton in Com. Glouc. the Mannours of Knoll and Broseley in the Counties of Somerset and Salop. as also certain lands in Sturmister-Marshall in Dorsetshire and Billingsley in Shropshire with iii s. annuall Rent issuing out of Fentre in Com. Salop. and vi s. per annum out of the Mannour of Thongland in that Countie Brigit the wife of Thomas Aâhton of Ashton in Cheshire the Mannours of Ashley Water-Eaton and Longnore in Staffordshire the Mannour of Billingsley in Shropshire and certain lands in Walkeslow before mentioned to the value of ten marks per annum with xxiii s. iv d. yearly Rent issuing out of the said Mannour of Thongland Agnes the wife of Iohn Smyth one of the Barons of the Exchequer for her part this Mannour of Wootton called Lucies Mannour and the Mannour of Shoterich as also certain lands in Stratford super Avon Henley Preston and Edstonia this Shire with divers lands lying in Mickleton in Com. Glouc. the Mannour of Milinchop in Com. Salop Lands in Hungerford Postern magna Postern parva Mounslow and Dydlebery in Shropshire and x s. iv d. yearly Rent issuing out of the before specified Mannour of Thongland the same Partition bearing date 4 Febr. 25 H. 8. From which Baron Smyth by the said Agnes is Sir Charles Smyth Knight since erected to the dignity of Lord Carington and now residing here descended as the Pedegree before inserted sheweth Of whose Family I may not omit here to observe what I have seen attested by Sir William Dethick sometime Garter principall King of Armes and Robert Cooke Clarenceux viz. that the said Iohn Smyth the Baron was grandchild to Iohn Carington and the said Iohn Carington lineally descended from Sir Michaell Carington Knight Standard-bearer to the famous King Richard the first in the Holy Land And of this Iohn Carington as to the occasion that he changed his name to Smyth they do specially certifie from the credit of an antient Manuscript written with the proper hand of him the said Iohn in K. Henry the fourth's time that in his youth he was bred up in
after his Father's death as my authoritie saith he then made a new grant of the premisses to the same Lord Clinton during the minority of the heir then his Ward whereupon the said Lord Clinton in consideration of Lxx li. sterling made an assignation of the said Custodie c. unto Iohn Hales Gentleman at that time Clerk of the Hamper and a very active man in the world as in Coventre I have shewed To the posterity of which Sir Will. Compton it continued till that Will. Lord Compton his great grandchild by his Deed bearing date 3. Febr. 39 Eliz. sold it unto Sir Thomas Egerton Kt. then Lord Keeper of the great Seal from whom Thomas Dilke Esquire afterwards Knight purchased it scil 21. Iunii 41 Eliz. whose grandson William now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Michael was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks In 5 E. 3. Sir William de Clinton Knight purposing to found a Chantrie therein obtained License to bestow the advouson thereof inter alia upon the same with Lands and Rents to the value of xx li. per annum In pursuance whereof he gave to Iohn Lynie Priest Warden of the said Chantrie and his successors a certain piece of land lying then betwixt the road-way leading from Filongley towards Colshill on the one side and the Church-yard of Maxstoke on the other and extending in length from the Lord of Maxstoke's Quarrie to the Pale of his Park together with the advouson of the Church as by his Charter bearing date at Maxstoke on the Feast day of the Annunciation of our Lady 6 E. 3. appeareth And moreover by the same Charter granted unto the said Warden and his successors 8. Messuages six yard land lying in Long-Ichinton as also the Bodies of viii Natives dwelling there with all their Chattells and Off-spring And besides this xx s. yearly Rent payable by one William Snede and Iohn his son out of a Messuage lying in Long-Ichinton aforesaid with the reversion of the same Messuage and one yard land after their deceases and lastly 4. Acres of land lying in the said town of Ichinton together with the advouson of the Church Which endowment being so made he forthwith by the consent of Roger de Northburgh at that time Bishop of this Dioces Iohn Lynie the then Parson whom he constituted Warden as abovesaid Sir Iohn de Clinton Lord of Maxstoke his brother and Parishioner there as also all the other Parishioners of Maxstoke ordained that the said five Priests should thenceforth celebrate divine Servâce daily in the same Church where the Bodies of his Ancestors lay interred for the good estate of him the said Sir William de Clinton Iulian his wife Sir Iohn de Clinton his brother Alice his wife and for the souls of Sir Iohn de Clinton his Father the Lady Ida his Mother as also for the good estate of Edward the third then Kâng of England Laurence de Hastings and for aâl the Lords Hastings in time to come And moreover of the said Roger then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield Henry Prior of Coventre and âheir succâssors and for the souls of all the Kângs oâ England Lords Hastings Bishops of Coventre ând Lichfield Priors of Coventre Brethren and sisters Parents and benefactors and all the faithâuâl deceased Appointing that the said Warden and his successors as aâso the Subwarden and his should be always Priests in Orders admitted and instituted by the Bishop or Coventre and Lichfield for the time being and after the decease of him the said Sir William always presented by the said Sâr Iohn de Clinton his brother and his heirs having a House convenient for themselves and the other three adjoyning to the Churchyard of Maxstoke afâresaid there to inhabâte and lodge together And that the said Warden and his succâssârs shâuld pââvâde from time to timeâ Bâââks Vâââments Lâghts as also two Clerks fâr the use of himself ãâã Sub-warden and the other Priests aswell in the Church as in the Houseâ viz. their Hall and Chamberâ nâght and day And mâreover that he and his said Sub-warden and thâ othâr Priestsâ shâââd wear white Surpliceâ with black Copes and Sââles after the manner of the Vicars-Chorall in the Caâhedrall of Lichfield whil'st they were about divine Service both in the Church and Quire And that the charge of the Books and Ornaments shâuld belong to the Sub-warden whose Office was to direct câncerning the celebration of Masses viz. of whâm what howers and in what order by himself and the other Priests they were to be performed And that Bread Wine Water and Lights should be ready for the said Masses and divine exercises but at the charge of the Warden to be provided And further that aswell the Warden when he could fitly be at leisure and Sub-warden as all the Priests except some great occasion did hinder every day after dinner and before Vââpers should together in the said Church sing the full Office of the Dead viz. Placebo and Dâriâe except on double Fââtivalls and the time of Easter in whâch theâ ought to observe the custome of the Church of Salisbury in saââing the said Office Aâ also ãâ¦ã and Canonicall howers with Note â in the Qââre of the Church aforesaid admitting the Chaplains and Clerks of the same Church to sing with them if they pleased And likewise that after the Compline they should say the Commenâââtion of the Dead â in âhe said Quire according âo the course above described And every Holy day in the Quire together the seven Penitentiall Psalmes and the âv âradualls with the Letanie and accustomed Prayers unless there were cause exprest by the Warden that they should say them out of the Quâre And that both the Warden and Sub-warden all the other Priests should every day celebrate their particular Masses in the said Church or Quire according to appointment except there were a lawfull impediment so that upon every Sunday the Masse of the B. Virgin should be celebrated with Note and the Mass of the day in such sort as was fit And upon every Munday one of them whom the Sub-warden should appoint to celebrate the said Mass of our Lady by Note with the Office for the Dead for the souls of the persons before recited and all the faithfull deceased And after the death of the said Sir William de Clinton and Sir Iohn his brother for their souls also And that another of the said Priests should celebrate the same day the high Mass of S. Michaell th'arch Angell Patron of that Church and of all the holy Angells with Note and the rest throughout the week thus Upon every Tuesday the Mass of S. Thomas sometime Archbishop of Canterbury by Note besides the high Mass of the day by Note also On Wednsday the first Mass of our blessed Ladie by Note and the high Mass of the said day with Note as also a memoriall of S. Katherine the Virgin On
to the posteritie of the said Sir George passed away all his right therein to Sir Rob. Digby Kt. and his heirs by whom it is enjoyed together with Colshill at this day Hawkswell THis is no Mannour of it self but as a member of Colshill and involved therewith hath been and is still enjoyed by the owners of that Lordship Gilsdon THis was heretofore written Gudlesdone for it seems that the Hill which lyes North-Eastwards from the Village being antiently so called gave denomination thereunto But the first mention I find of it in Record is in 10 E. 3. where it appears that one Will. le Wrounge of Colshill whose inheritance it was past away his right therein unto Sir Ric. de Peshale Kt. for an C. marks of silver the occasion whereof was this Sir Richard having an estate for life in the Mannours of Hinton in Cambridgeshire and Shustoke in this Countie was requested by Will. de Clinton then Earl of Huntingdon of whom in Maxstoke I have spoke to quit his right therein unto him inasmuch as he the said Earl had obained the estate in reversion of those Lordships from the Lord Moubray in exchange for other lands whereunto the said Sir Richard assented upon condition that he might have this Mannour cleerly and libertie to take down and remove whether he pleased a certain new House then built by him at Shustoke and likewise to carry away such timber as he had cut down in the Park at Shustoke as also to fell and take away six Oaks more for timber and six for fuell out of the said Park All which being assented unto there were Indentures made betwixt the said Sir Richard and Iohn de Peto junior then of Sheldon in the behalf of the said Earl unto whom he was of Councell for consummating the bargain So that it hereby appears that the C. marks given to the before-specified Will. le Wrounge came out of the Earl of Huntindon's purse Unto which Sir Richard's part of the Indentures is his Seal of Armes affixed viz. Argent upon a Crosse fleuriâè sable an Escâcheon of Augmentation bearing a Lion rampant But it was not long ere that the said Sir Richard again quitted his right to this Mannour unto the before specified Earl whereupon the said Will. le Wrounge and Isabell his wife for the better confirmation thereof levied a Fine to the same Iohn de Peto unto the said Earl's use for in 20 E. 3. did the said Earl pass it unto Iohn de Collesley and his heirs in exchange for certain lands lying in Colshill near Dywyke-bruge which lands do bear the name of Collesleys to this day From this Iohn de Collesley it descended to his two daughters and heirs sc. Margaret the wife of Thomas Holt and Alice betwixt whom partition being made in 23 E. 3. it was allotted to the said Margaret who surviving her first husband afterwards married to Philip de Budeford which Philip joyned with her in the sale thereof unto Will. le Mascy of Swonley in Cheshire whose grandchild William of Sirescote in Staffordshire had issue Catherine his daughter and heir married to Will. de Chisânhale of Chisenhale in Lancashire Lord of this Mannour and of Sirescote in her right who in 12 ãâã 2. sold it to one Iohn de Barwe a Smith of Coventre Which Iohn in 13 R. 2. past it to one Raph Richards who in 3 H. 4. aliened it to Iohn Tate of Coventre in whose line it continued till 27 H. 8 that Iohn Tate a descendant from the said Iohn conveyed it to George Kebyll To whom succeeded in the possession thereof Thomas Kebyll and to him Iohn Wise Gent. by purchase in 14 Eliz. a branch of the Wises of Devonshire as by some antâent writings shewd unto me may seem whose nephew Richard Wise scil son of his Brother William now enjoys it At the skirts of this Parish sc. Coleshill wherewith I have now done Cole meets with Blithe which carrieth away the name scarce half a mile further for having there met with Tame that River hath the prioritie a little below which confluence Bourne likewise enters unto the head whereof next having recourse I come to Corley Corley I Am of opinion that this place had its name originally from the situation which is very high Coryn in the Brittish-tongue signifying the Head or top of any thing for in the Conquerour's Survey it is written Cornelie In that Record it is rated at one hide the Woods belonging thereto being a quarter of a mile in length and half as much in breadth all which were then in the hands of the same Godvine who was owner thereof before the Norman invasion and valued at xxx s. The next that possest it of whom I have seen any mention were the Hasting's Lords likewise of Fillongley hard by yet how soon I cannot declare but by some one of them was Hugh de Ringedon or his ancestor enfeoft thereof which Hugh had it in 4 H. 3. from whom descended Raph de Ryngesdon who in 53 H. 3. was certified to hold it of Henry de Hastings by the service of half a Kt's fee. It should seem that the heir generall of the said Raph de Ryngesdon married to one of the Mancesters Lords of Mancester in this Countie for by severall authorities it appears that the family of Mancester held this Mannour of the heirs of Hastings But for want of light from private evidence I cannot discern how it went from the Mancesters nor of a long time after who possest it I must therefore pass from the later end of Edw. 3. time for then did the male line of Mancester determine untill the reign of E. 4. wherein I find that Iohn de Champernoun died seized of it in 15 E. 4. leaving two daughters and heirs viz. Blanche the wife of Sir Robert Willoughby Kt. and Ioane Which Sir Robert was summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons in 7 H. 7. and afterwards by the name of Rob. Willoughby de Brooke Chivalter by reason of his residence at Brooke in Wiltshire and had issue Robert Willoughby Lord Brooke whose heir was married to Sir Fouke Grevill as in Alcester I have manifested by which means this Lordship of Corley is come with the rest of Grevill's lands to the Lord Brooke who now enjoys it The Church was antiently given to the Monks of Coventre yet neither by whom nor the direct time when have I seen but in 44 H. 3. they had it In an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at four marks and in 26 H. 8. at iiii l. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls In a North window of the Church Gules a Saltire varrè betwixt xii billets Or Champernoun Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Coventre Egidius de Trebys an 1250. Patroni Vicariae Henr. Over Gen. D.
window thereof and therefore that portraiture in one of the North windows of Iohn Lord Moubray kneeling before S. Cuthbert must be of that Iohn that was beheaded at Yorke for his adhering to Thomas Earl of Lancaster which Iohn being doubtlesse a great Benefactor to that new structure and bearing an extra ordinarie respect to S. Cuthbert sometime Bishop of Duresme whose same for sanctitie and miracles was very great in the Northern parts where the said Lord Moubray's estate most lay did upon the rebuilding thereof honour him with the Dedication Bentley THis place though it do lye two miles distant interposed by Whitacre-superior ãâã Shustoke parish the reason thereof being plain viz. that in antient time being both possest by one and the self same Lord who founded and endowed the Church it was both lawfull and proper that he should dispose of the Tithes thereto arising out of it for the better support of the Incumbent the payment of them being then arbitrarie I mean to what Church any man pleased as in Church-Over I have shâwed which custome of payment ever after continuing to Shustoke hath fixt it to be of that Parish By the Conquerour's Survey having Woods of half a mile in length and three furlongs in breadth it was rated for one Hide and is there recorded by the name of Benechelie then being possest by Geffrey deâ Wirce with Shustoke and valued at Lxiv pence at which time one Ansgot a Priest held it of the said Geffrey in pure Almes but afterwards with Wirce his lands it came to Nigel de Albani by whom as it appears by these authorities which I have cited in Shustoke the Ancestor of Walter de Camvile was first enfeoft thereof Which Camviles had large Woods here part whereof being given by Walter de Camvile in H. 2. dayes to the Monks of Merevale have since that time born the name of Monks-Park and been reputed a member of Merevale Out of the residue antiently imparked I find that King H. 3. gave command to the Shiriff of this Countie in 24. of his reign to deliver unto Alexander de Savensby then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield six Bucks in which Precept it is said to have belonged unto Maud de Kamvile wife of Thomas de Astley as the Descent in Arrow sheweth by which Maud most of this Lordship upon partition betwixt those coheirs came to the Familie of Astley and was by Sir Thomas de Astley in King H. 3. time granted unto Iohn de Wilnechote of Winecote juxta Stratford super Avon and his heirs excepting the Park and Out-wood and the service of certain persons residing in the said Hamlet of Bentley to be held of him the said Sir Thomas and his heirs by the Rent of five marks of silver yearly payable at the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist and S. Andrew the Apostle by even portions for all services and demands whatsoever which grant was afterwards confirmed by Sir Andrew de Astley Knight son and heir to the before specified Sir Thomas who reduced the Fee-ferm Rent to xl s. per annum to be payd at the termes abovesaid Which Rent in 12 R. 2. did Sir William de Astley Knight lineall heir of the said Sir Andrew give to the Sacrist of the Collegiate-Church at Astley and his successors for ever But of the Park above mentioned had the said Sir Thomas de Astley no more than a moytie for so it appears by the Extent thereof in 50 H. 3. Henry de Curson being seized of the other part by Descent from another coheir of Camvile Which Sir Thomas and Henry being both Rebells the one slain and the other taken Prisoner in that memorable battail of Evesham 49 H. 3. it was extended and valued at i li. vi s. viii d. About the beginning of King Edw. 2. time was this Mannour of Bentley for so I find it then called granted by the before specified Iohn de Wilnecote unto Henry de L'isle and Ioane his wife and the heirs of the said Henry to whom in the male line it still continueth as by the Descent in Moxhull the seat of that Familie it appeareth Here is now but the carcasse of a Chapell dedicated to the Holy Trinity which antiently was of use to the Inhabitants being a Presentative as the Institutions do manifest the Patronage whereof pertaining to the Lords of Shustoke and granted in 17 E. 3. with that Mannour and advouson of the Church by Iohn Lord Moubray unto Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntendon as also by the said Earl soon after to the Canons of Maxstoke became involved in the appropriation with Shustoke as being part of that Parish The endowment it had as by a Certificate to the Bishop in 34 H. 3. appeareth was an Annuitie of four Marks the Rectorie of Shustoke being then valued but at ten Marks which summe of four marks was payable by the heirs of Roger de Camvile viz. three marks and a half out of the Ferm of a Mill lying in Shustoke and the rest out of Ousthirne-grange all which being swallowed up by the Appropriation before specified there doth not appear to have been any more than one Presentation thereto afterwards and that as the words of the Institution do import to a Chantrie there so that how the Cure was served for a long time I have no certaintie Howbeit in 1 H. 5. did Sir William de Clinton Knight then Lord of Maxstoke and Iohn Boteler of Eccleâhale juxta Coventre by their Feofment bearing date on Michaelmass-day give a certain Tenement and half a yard land lying here in Bentley unto one Thomas Serjeant of Bentley and others and their heirs for the maintenance of a Priest celebrating divine Service every day in the said Chapell for ever But how or by whom this Priest was presented or placed there I have not seen till 2 R. 3. that the Canons of Maxstoke admitted one VVill. Moore thereto by a speciall Instrument dated 18 Iunii under the Covent Seal enjoyning him to perform divine Service therein onely upon Sundays and double Festivalls and at all other times at least three dayes in the week at the Altar of S. Catherine in the Priorie of Maxstoke in case he should be in bodily health and not otherwise lawfully hindred for the souls of the Founder and Benefactors of the said Chantrie and all the faithfull deceased Which Mill before specified did belong to this Chapell for by a Letter Patent from Iohn Lord Clinton directed to the Prior and Covent of Maxstoke and dated 6. Febr. 2 R. 3. taking notice that it was decayed and the VVater-course thereto filled up for want of clensing as also that the said Prior and Covent had a purpose to repair it for the benefit of this Chapell the said Iohn signified his pleasure that they should have leave so to do by cutting down wood in the antient Water-course and scouring
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-Spaâhawk to himself and his
to the King To give some reason why they were called Counties I shall here exhibite the authoritie of an antient MS. which making mention of Osulph Earl of Northumberland hath these words Nec invânâur quod ante pâaedictum Osulphum Comitem aliquis fuerat Comes Northumbriae per consequens nec ibi Comitatus quia Comitatus à Comite dicitur id est dignitas Comitis vel tantum spacium terrae quantum ad Comitem pertinet Whereof more to the same effect in the Glossarie of the learned Sir H. Spelman Knight titulo Comitatus is to be seen and that matters of Controversie were heard before the Earl in his Countie-Court or before his substitute whom the Saxons called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that is Shire-reeve ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã signifying in our old English to part or divide or rather as we yet say to share a thing and Reeve from the Saxon word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a Provost or Steward which name is yet used in divers Mannours being attributed to him who is appointed to collect the Lord's Rents Having said thus much of the beginning and occasion of the Hundreds I shall adde a line or two more from the aforesaid Gloss where there is a large and learned discourse upon that word Est autem Hundredus c. The Hundred is a portion of the Countie wherein antiently dwelt an hundred Sureties for the King's peace as a Tithing wherein were ten and therefore a Hundred contained ten Tithings the number of an Hundred being Ten times ten And 't is not a little observable that before the Normans entrance the Bishop sate in the Hundred-Court with the Lord of the Hundred as he did in the Countie-Court with the Earl and in the Shireeves-Turn with the Shireeve Primi igitur sedebant saith Sir H. Spelman in omnibus regni Comitiis tribunalibus Episcopi in Regali quidem palacio cum Regni magnatibus in Comitatu unà cum Comite Justiciario Comitatus In Turno Vicecomitis cum Vicecomite In Hundredo cum Domino Hundredi sic ut in promovenda Justicia usque quaque gladius gladium adjuvaret nihil inconsulto Sacerdote qui velut Saburra in Navi fuit ageretur And so likewise after the Conquest till King William prohibited it as is evident by these ensuing words of his Mandate to the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln Propterea mando regiâ authoritate praecipio ut nullus Episcopus vel Archidiaconus de Legibus Episcopalibus ampliùs in Hundredo placita teneat nec causam quae ad regimen aniniarum pertinet ad judicium secularium hominum adducat sed quicunque secundùm Leges Episcopales de quacunque causa vel culpa interpellatus fuerit ad locum quem ad hoc Episcopus elegerit nominaverit veniat ibique de causa sua respondeat non secundùm Hundredum sed secundùm Canones Episcopales Leges rectum Deo Episcopo suo faciat Howbeit besides this dividing the Kingdom by King Alfred as hath been said it should seem that he made an exact Survey thereof much like that which was afterwards performed by King William the Conqueror Talem Rotulum saith Ingulphus speaking of Doomesday-book multum similem ediderat quondam Rex Alfredus in quo totam terram Angliae per Comitatus Centurias Decurias descripserat sicut praenotatur qui quidem Rotulus Wintoniae vocatus est quia deponebatur apud Wintoniam conservandus which Roll time hath consumed I believe for I could never discern that our greatest Searchers after Antiquities had seen it Yet of that Survey so made by the Conqueror there is still remaining a most perfect and excellent memoriall kept in the Treasurie of the Exchequer at Westminster and intituled by the name of Liber Judiciarius or Doomesday-book by the light whereof I have been guided in discovering the most antient possessors of the principall places in this Shire touching which Survey our Historians do somewhat differ in the time when it began as these Authorities cited in the margent do shew but the Red book manifests that it was in the fourteenth year of that King's reign and that it was not perfected till the xx th the volume it self declareth That this work was performed with great curiositie and strictnesse observe what an eminent and very antient Historian saith Misit autem dehinc Rex potentissimus Justiciarios per unamquamque Scyram id est Provinciam Angliae inquirere fecit per jusjurandum quot Hydae id âst jugera uni aratro sufficientia per annum essent in unaquaque villa quot animalia Fecit etiam inquiri quid unaquaeque Urbâ Castellum Vicus Villa Flumen Palus Silva redderet per annum Haec autem omnia in Chartis scripta delata sunt ad Regem inter thesauros deposita usque hodie servantur And to the same purpose Ingulphus Abbot of Crouland a Writer of great credit who lived in that age saying that he himself went up to London and took brief notes of the lands belonging to their Monasterie so surveyed as they were recorded in the before specified Book for his successors better knowledge hath this expression Totam terram descripsit nec erat Hyda in tota Anglia quin valorem ejus possessorem suum scivit nec Lacus nec locus aliquis quin in Regis Rotulo extitit descriptus ac ejus redditus proventus ipsa possessio ejus possessor Regiae notitiae manifestatus juxta taxatorum fidem qui electi de qualibet patria territorium proprium describebant the substance of all which is thus Englished by an old Poet The Kynge William for to wite the worthe of his londe Lete enqwere streytliche thorwm al Engelonde How many Plowmh londe and eke Hiden also Were in eche Schire and what worthe therto And the Rentes of eche Towne and of watres eche one That he wiste the worthe thorwm al Engelonde And lete it wryte in a Boke and sithe put hit I wis In the Tresoure of Westminstre ther as hit mutis So that our Kynges sithen when that they raunsome toke Alredi wist what folke mymt paie they founde in thilke Boke By this Survey is evident to be seen what vast possessions the Conquerour did bestow upon those Normans Britans Anjovins and other French that had assisted him the better to interest them in the keeping of what he had thus by strong-hand got of which I shall have occasion to mention many in the following tract and therefore have spoke the more largely of it And shall further crave leave considering how vast a change this Conquest made to go on a little in taking a breif view of the courses then exercised to make a firm establishment thereof And first for his Crueltie to the native English 't is
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 habiâation 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
afterwards the Earldome of Shrewsbury bestowed upon him by the Conq. And by him or one of his sons do I conclude that Alanus filius Fladaldi progenitor to that great family of Fitz Alan became enfâoft of this Lordship for that he had to do here I have seen good authority besides the testimony that his descendants Earls of Arundell were superior Lords of the fee. From which Alan it divolved to Roger de Fredvill in mariage with Sibilla his wife whose daughter 't is like she was For I find that the same Roger and Sibill gave lands out of it to the Monks of Burton super Trent in an 1132. viz. 33. H. 1. quas priùs obtulerat domina Adeliza mater Sibillae tempore Nigelli Abbatis as the Leiger book of that house expresses but who this domina Adeliza her mother was I cannot yet discover Here was in Wolston a religious House subordinate to the Abby of St. Peter super Dinam in the Dioces of Sais in France of which I shall say more anon resolving now to take notice of the posterity of the said Roger de Frevill and Sibilla with whom the inheritance of Wolston went and what I find memorable of them for the clearer understanding whereof I have inserted this descent Domina Adeliza Rogerus de Frevilla 33. H. 1. Sibilla 33. H. 1. Hamo Extraneus 1. maritus Agatha superstes 21. H. 3. Rad. Extraneus Agatha le Strange Ric. G. de Turvill archidiac Dublin 21. H. 3. Gaufrid de Thorville 2. maritus Hamundus de Thurvile 24. H. 3. R. Turvile miles â9 E. 1. 2. E. 2. Iohan. Turvile 15. E. 2.28 E. 3 Tho. Thur. vile 19. E. 3. fil haeres Wil. Rob. Galfr. Rob. le Turvile 9. E. 2.18 E. 2. Robert de Chetwode Sibilla Wil. de Chetwode Agneta W. le Bret. de longa Ichindon 21. E. 1. 3. E. 2. Guil. le Bretun 12. E. 2.20 E 3. Avicia W. Bretun miles 45. E. 3.1 R. 2 Guido Bretun â H. 4. Rad. de Chetwode Ric. de Frevil This Roger was a benefactor to the Cannons of Kenillworth by the consent of Sibill his wife giving them one hyde and one virgate of land here And had issue Richard Agatha and Sibill which Richard became a benefactor to the monasteries of Alcester and Combe in this County To the first whereof he granted the Church of Pebworth in Gloucester-shire and to the other his Mill at Merston in this Parish but had no children it seems for his Sisters became his heirs whereof Agatha marryed to Geffrey Thorvile and Sibill to Robert Chetwode who both with their husbands did confirm the gift of Merston-Mill made to the Monks of Combe by their Brother Richard But forasmuch as the descent from the said Agatha is not so cleared by authority of Record or other evidence as I could wish I must by that light which I have point out what I conceive hath most affinity with Truth which in this and the like uncertainties is exprest by prickt lines as in the example may be discerned This Geffrey Turvill for it may very well be he gave the Chappel of Stockingforth with certain lands there to the Abby of Leicester But the first husband to the said Agatha was Hamon Strange which Hamon by his wifes consent confirmed to the monastery of Kenillworth five virgates of land in Wulfricheston that Roger Frevill and Sibill his wife had formerly given thereto and had issue a daughter named Agatha who gave to the Abby of Combe for the health of her soul and the soul of Richard her son and the rest of her children certein errable land lying in Wulricheston fields In which grant she is called Agatha le Straunge filia Hamonis le Straunge but what her husband was I find not In 24 H. 3. amongst the Kts. fees which were assigned to Hawys the widow of Iohn Fitz-Alan in this County there is mention of one held of the said Iohn by Hamon Turvill and another by the heirs of Raphe Straunge Which Hamon as I guesse was the son of Geffrey Turvile and Agatha and gave lands in Merston within this Parish to the Monks of Combe This Agatha de Turvill lived to a great age for I find that by the procurement of Geffrey Turvill her son who was Arch-Deacon of Dublin and the Kings Treasurer there she had a Patent whereby her self and her heirs were during her life free'd from suit to the County and Hundred Courts for Wuluerecheston Merston and Bretford in this Shire Which Geffrey being elected Bpp. of Ossorie in that Kingdom had the royall assent for confirmation thereof But the next of this line that I meet withall as Lord of Wolston is Sir Richard Turvile Kt. in 29. E. 1. then one of the Coroners in this County an Office in those days of great accompt and confer'd onely upon the wisest and discreetest Knights that might best attend thereon for there is a writ in the Register Nisi sit miles whereby it appeareth that there was a sufficient cause to remove a Coroner chosen if he were not a Knight and had not C. sol Rent of Free-hold But I find that in regard of impotency he was discharged of that Office and dyed the same year as 't is like for in 9 E. 2. was Robert de Turvile certified to be Lord of Wolfricheston with the members thereto belonging To which Robert succeeded Iohn de Turvile who in 19. E. 2. levyed a Fine thereof entayling it on himself and his children by Margaret his wife but for default thereof to Thomas Ferrers and his heirs and left issue Thomas Turvile his son and heir William Robert and Geffrey Howbeit after the 34 E. 3. that this Thomas presented to the Chappel of Bretford I find no more mention of these Turviles here Nor further of this place till x. R. 2. that Sir William Wauton Kt. and Dame Ismania his wife levyed a Fine thereof to the use of Sir William Bagot Kt. and William Glym and the heirs of the said Sir William Bagot for ever by which Fine it appears that there was special warranty against her the said Ismania whence I guess that she was Turviles daughter and heir Which Sir William Bagot left issue Isabell his daughter and heir wife to Thomas Stafford who in H. 5. time past it to the Canons of Kenilworth without licence whereupon it being seized into the Kings hands was in 6 H. 6. granted to Iohn Verney Clerk and Iohn Throgmorton to hold for twelve years but in 10 H. 6. Iohn Weston of Weston Sergeant at Law Iohn Beauchampe of Kenilworth Priest and Iohn Stokes of the same Kenilworth Yeoman were certified to hold it with Merston by the fourth part of a Knights fee. How they had it or how they parted with it I find not but certein it is that Nicholas Metley a Lawyer soon after obteined
souls of the father and mother with the ancestours and heirs of the said Will. la Zuche and Will. Danet and of all the faithfull deceased Concerning which Chantry the B. of Cov. and Lich. upon his Ordination thereof the next ensuing year thus declared That there having been a Chappel of the blessed Virgin Mary within this Mannour of Weston and therein divine service celebrated time out of mind which being grown ruinous was then newly fallen down Sir Will. la Zuche of Haringworth Kt. had rebuilt the same with a fair fabrick in honour of the said blessed Virgin for the good estate of himself as also of Sir Will. la Zuche of Totenes and the Lady Eliz. his wife with their children during this life and afterwards for the health of their souls and for the souls of Will. de Boys Sir Eudo la Zuche Melisent de Montalt Maud la Zuche Elene la Zuche and their children departed this life And for the souls of Will. Danet and Richard Dobyn and other Benefactors with all the faithfull deceased But whereas the first licence for amortizing the lands before mentioned was for two Priests as I have said it seems the said Sir VVill. la Zuche chang'd his purpose for I find that in 21 E. 3. he had the K. licence for the alteration thereof for one Priest onely so that the said Priest might have another under him for performance of that service Belonging to the Lord Zouch his Mannour-house here there was antiently a Park as it seems for in 46 E. 3. Sir VVill. la Zuche had licence to turn a way for the enlargement thereof Howbeit in 10 H. 6. where VVill. Lord Zouch was certified to hold this Mannour it is called Weston-Arnold for distinction from the other Westons in this County in regard that Arnold de Boys had antiently been owner thereof But after the attainder of Iohn Lord Zouch in 1 H. 7. the K. granted it to Sir Iames Blount and to the heirs males of his body nevertheless it seems that the family of Zouch afterwards regain'd it for in 6 E. 6. George Lord Zouch was possest thereof and dyed seized of it 19 Iunii 19 Eliz. leaving Edward his son and heir who sold it to Humphrey Davenport Esq. and Richard Bucknam with Bulkinton and other lands by which means it came to Sir Christopher Yelverton Kt. of the Bath and Anthony Stoughton Esq the present Lords thereof as Bulkinton did A Tradition there is that one of the Lord Zouches who much affected to reside here and wanting sufficient mowing ground for his use upon a time invited the Free-holders of Bulkinton to his house and welcoming them with very good entertainment proposed the purchasing of their several doles in a fair large meadow which lay fitly for him All which assented except one Rogers Whereupon the rest urging him to do as they had done the Lord Zouch said Let the Churle alone with his peice And so to this day the posterity of the said Rogers continue possest thereof it being called the Churles peice Rieton juxta Bulkinton THE first mention that I find of this place is in that grant of the Tithes thereof to the Abby of Leicester as a member of the Parish of Bulkinton viz. when the Church of Bulkinton was first given thereto by Roger de Watervile of which I have already spoken but that it was and is a member of Bulkinton or rather Weston where the Lord had his seat all the testimonies from Record which I have produced before do manifest and therefore I shall not need to say any more thereof Bramcote THis place in the Conq. time contained two hydes whereof one and a half then belonged to Earl Alberie of whom I have made mention in Clifton and the other half hyde to Ric. Forestarius of whom I shall speak in Chesterton But before the Conquest one Salo was owner of that which Earl Alberic had being the same man that afterwards held Bulkintone of the Earl of Mellent The other half hyde one Sexi possest It is there written Brancote perhaps from Bran the Saxon and coit or coed the British word which signifie the burnt wood That the inheritance of this Village was as antiently in Watervile as any of those before specified were I am induced to believe for Roger de Watervile gave six yard land and the Mill here to the Abby of Leicester by the consent of Robert Earl of Leicester his Lord and Founder of that Monastery which grant was afterwards confirmed by Arnold de Boys his Nephew and all the rest of the succeeding Arnolds Yet in an Inspex made by Thomas Earl of Lanc. whereby he recites divers grants to the Canons of Leic. and amongst those the same yard land in Bramcote he declares it to have been given to them by Geffrey le Abbe of whom I had occasion to make mention in Burton-Hastings and together with his confirmation thereof ratifies also the gift of two yard land more which one Ranulph held so that there being eight yard land therein belonging to the Abby of Leic. besides the Mill and what was appurtenant thereto the Canons of that House did as in other their lands in this County claim a Court-Leet and other priviledges therein in 13 E. 1. as granted by the Ks. progenitors to that Monastery for which they then produced their Charters But in 6 E. 2. I find that the heirs of Henry de Hastings held the third part of a Kts. fee here of Iohn de Hastings the elder then deceased it being then written Brompcote The like is certified as to the tenure of that third part by the heirs of the said Henry in 49 E. 3. 14 H. 6. and 16 E. 4. But what the Lord Zouch possest in this Village I am not able directly to point out howbeit certain it is that something he enjoy'd in regard the Free-warren granted to him in 7 E. 2. extended into his demesn lands here as well as in those of Weston Bulkinton and Ryton As for that which the Abbot of Leic. had it amounted to the third part of a Kts fee for in 20 E. 3. it is certified that so much he held of the Earl of Lancaster who then had the Honour of Leic. as is well known All which lands so belonging to that Abby were in 38 H. 8. granted to Edward Watson Esq and Henry Herdson and to the heirs of the same Edward who as I have heard had two daughters that were his heirs the one marryed to ..... Turner the other to ..... Lisle from which ..... Lisle descended ..... Lisle that sold his moytie to George Purefey of Wolvershill Gent. And from ..... Turner William his Grandson of whom Gamaliel Purefey son to the said George purchased the other Wolvershill THE first mention that I meet with of this place is in 21 E. 1. where it is setled
are descended as I have already shewed Of which Sir Thomas in respect he had some publique employments of note in this County I shall say something leaving his posterity by Eliz. daughter of Richard Harecourt son of Sir Will. Harecourt Kt. whose cosin and next heire she was seated at Patshull in Staffordshire where they still continue Of which family viz. of Patshull was the famous Iohn de Astley who on the 29. of Aug. Anno 1438. 17. H. 6. maintaining a Duel on Horsback within the street called St. Antoine in Paris against one Peter de Masse a French-man in the presence of Charles the the vii K. of France pierc't the said Peter through the head and had as by the Articles betwixt them was conditioned the Helmet of the said Peter being so vanquish't to present unto his Lady And on the 30. of Ian. 20. H. 6. undertook another fight in Smyth-field within the City of London in the presence of the same K.H. 6. with Sir Philip Boyle an Arragonian Knight who having been in France by the K. his masters command to look out some such hardy person against whom he might try his skill in feats of Armes and missing there of his desires repaired hither After which combate ended being gallantly perform'd on foot with Battail-axes spears swords and daggers he was knighted by the K. and had an annuity of c. marks given him during his life Nay so famous did he grow for his valour that he was elected Knight of the Garter bearing for his Armes the Coats of Astley and Harcourt quarterly with a label of 3. points Ermine as by a very antient MS. book wherein the Ensignes of those Kts. of that honourable order are depicted appeareth But I return to the before specified Sir Will. de Astley eldest son to Thomas founder of the said Coll. Church He was in Commiss for the Peace upon the severall renuings thereof from 17. R. 2. till 6. H. 5. And in 3. H. 4. assigned to enquire concerning the disturbers of the Laws and framers of Lyes In 4. H. 4. for arraying of men In 6. to treat with the people for a loan of money to the K. and left issue one only daughter by whom the inheritance of this great House divolved to the Grey's of Ruthin But before I speak farther thereof I must add a word or two more of this family of the Astley's in reference to them as they were Barons which is that Thomas who was slain in the battail of Evesham is reputed by our Historians so to have been for before 49. H. 3. have we no particular summons to Parliament to distinguish the Barons from other great men But his son Andrew was summoned in 23 24 25 28 32 33 and 34. E. 1. Nicholas in 30. E. 1. as also in 2 and 3. E. 2. And Thomas who founded the Coll. Church in 16.22 and 23. E. 3. as appears by the Records of those times Howbeit William never had summons Which instances do shew that what is now claim'd as due by custome was not so esteem'd in those days To this William succeeded Ioan his daughter and heir first marryed to Thomas Raleigh of Farnborough in this County Which Thomas by his Testament bearing date here at Astley the Wednesday after the feast of St. Luke the Evang. 6. H. 4. bequeath'd his body to be buryed in the Quire of this Coll. Church and ten pounds for performance of his Obit and gave xx marks also to find a Priest to sing Mass for his Soul the space of 3. years He likewise bequeath'd a bowl of silver with a cover to the Lord Astley and to the Lady Ioan his wife a diamond with a silver bowl and cover To every Yeoman servant of that house vi s. viii d. and to every groom iii. s. iiii d. After whose death which hapned at that time as by the Probate of his will appeareth she marryed to Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin whose posterity by her possest this place for divers generations and were advanced to great honour as I shall shew anon for which respect it will not be amiss to take some notice of this Reginald their common ancestor and whence he sprung He was son of Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin son of Roger by Elizabeth the Daughter of Iohn Lord Hastings of Bergavenny and Isabel his wife one of the daughters and heirs to Will. Valence Earl of Penbroke by means whereof he became heir to the last Iohn Hastings E. of Penbroke as I shall shew more fully when I come to Fillongley Which Rog. was first summoned to Parliament in 28. E. 1. by the name of Roger de Grey Chivalier but his son Reginald had in all his summons the addition of de Ruthin the Castle of Ruthin being his seat and granted by K. Edw. 1. to Reginald Lord Grey of Wilton his grandfather Betwixt this Reginald who had great possessions in Wales and Owen Glendowr there grew some difference about a Common lying betweeen the Lordship of Ruthin and the Lordship of Glendowr-duy whereof Owen was owner and took his sirname Which Owen during the reign of K. R. 2. was too hard for the Lord Grey being then a servitour in Court to K. Ric. with whom he was at the time of his taking by the D. of Lanc. in the Castle of Flint But after K. Richard's deposall the Lord Grey as better friended than Owen entred upon the Common Whereupon Owen having many friends and followers in his Countrey as those that be great with Princes commonly have put himself in Armes against the Lord Grey whom he meeting in the field overcame and took prisoner spoiling his Lordship of Ruthin so that many resorted to him from all parts of Wales not knowing but that he was in as great favour then as in K. Ric. days others also putting in his head that now the time was come that the Britons by his means might recover again the honour and liberties of their ancestors The Lord Grey therefore thus made priâoner was constrain'd to ransom himself at ten thousand marks the King consenting that the Lord Rosse and Willughby with other of his friends and allies should endeavour to raise the said Fine in regard as the Record expresses the King knew him to be a loyal and valiant Kight After which viz. in 9. H. 5. he was retein'd by Indenture to serve the K. in his warrs beyond Sea for half a year with six men at Armesâ himself accounted one and 18. Archers mounted armed and arrayed according to their severall conditions taking per diem for himself 2. s. and for each of his men at Armes 12. d. with the accustomed reward and 6. d. a piece for his Archers As also to have the benefit of all prisoners they should take excepting Kings Princes or any of the Royall blood and especially Charles the Dauphin of Uiennois or any that murthered
his issue Male extinguisht this Mannour inter alia came by force thereof to Sir Will. Beauchamp Kt. second Son to Thomas Beauchamp E. of Warwick which Will. being afterwards summoned to Parl. as Lord Bergavenny had issue Richard whose Daughter and Heir Eliz. brought this Lordship unto the family of Nevill as in Fillongley is also more fully shew'd In which line it continued till Sir Henry Nevill late Lord Bergavenny sold it in our time to Sir Henry Compton Kt. of the Bath now scil an 1640. owner thereof Upon the brow of an hill in the Park here at Allesley do appear some ruins of building which as the Inhabitants say were of a Castle but in Record I cannot find that it was ever so termed That the Church was originally but a Chappell belonging to the Priory of Coventre and the occasion of its building I have already declared In 33 H. 3. there were certain persons delegated by the B. of Cov. and Lich. who with the consent of the Monks of Coventre and the then incumbent presented by the Lord Hastings did ordain that the said Incumbent and his successors should have of the profits belonging thereto all oblations obventions tythes and other emoluments reserving 6. s. 8. d. yearly to the said Church of Coventre in lieu of all burialls and excepting also the tythes of Allesley-Park and all personall tythes which were used amongst the oblations to be offered upon Sundaies in regard that the Lord Hastings being Patron of the Church had released to the Church of Coventre all his right of common in Coventre and Coundulme and the Hamlets adjacent which Ordination bears date on the day of St. Tiburce and Valerian an M. CCXLIX 33. H. 3. Patroni Incumbentes Edm. Com. Cornub ratione minoris aet custodiae haeredis c. Henr. de Hastings Gaufr de Stokelle Cler. 1283. Tho. le Blound miles Sim. de Gaynesburgh accol 13. Cal. Ian. 1326. Will. de Clinton Co. Hunt Ioh. Lynie Pbr. 7. Id. Maii 1337. Will. de Clinton Co. Hunt Tho. de Blythe accol 8. Id. Feb. 1341. D. Iuliana de Hastings Comitissa Hunt Henr. Hunte Cler. 3. Id. Martii 1357. Com. Penbrok Rob Ferror Pbr. 4. Kal. Aug. 1373. D. Rex ratione Dominii de Allesley post mortem Com. P. in manâ sua exist Ioh. Bekân Pbr. 4. Id. Ian. 1375. D. Rex ratione Dominii de Allesley post mortem Com. P. in manâ sua exist Will. Reynald Pbr. 7. Kal. Dec. 1376. D. Iohanna de Beauchamp domina de Bergavenny Will. Neuport Cler. ult Martii 1422. D. Iohanna de Beauchamp domina de Bergavenny Tho. Rishum Cap. 19. Apr. 1426. Edw. Nevill dominus de Bergav Ioh. Strangwish Cler. 2. Oct. 1438. Edw. Nevill dominus de Bergav Will. Loveles Cap. 29. Aug. 1450. Rob. Diâson gen ratione conc H. Nevil mil. D. de Bergav Tho. Steele Cler. 20. Oct. 1554. Edm. Brode hac vice per conc H. domini de Bergav Phil Brode in art Bac. 17. Iunii 1569. Margar. Sanders vidua hac vice per conc ejusdem H. D. de Bergav Sam. Sanders Cler. 4. Oct. 1570. Coundon THis was originally a Member of Coventre as I have said and involved therewith in that grant of E. Leofric made to the Monks upon the foundation of the Monastery 1 Edw. Conf. though it be not particularly named in his Charter By the Conq. Survey it appears that the proportion belonging to the Monks in Condone for so it is there written extended to three virgats of land as also that the words were three furlongs 30. perches in length and 3. furlongs in breadth all being valued at xx s. And in the same Survey it is also recorded that Will. fil Corbuâionis of whom I am to speak in Studley had one virgat of land here at the same time with woods conteining half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth all which were then valued at 4. s. but there it is written Condelme so that in regard the name at that time is so variously recorded and altered out of doubt by corrupt pronunciation from what it first was I shal not trouble my self to guess at the Etymology thereof In 41 H. 3. the said Monks of Coventre had inter alia Free-warren granted to them in all their demeââ lands here And in 44 H. 3. the tythes of this place amongst other of their Mannours were appropriated to them as belonging to Trinity Parish one of the Churches in that City In 53. H. 3. I find that Iohn Beneth of Allesley hâld the xx part of a Kts. Fee here of Henry de Hasting Lord of Allesley which I suppose to be the same that is certified by the Conq. Survey to have been in the hands of Will. fil Corbucionis before specified the extent whereof was in 7 E. 1. signified to be but half a yard land and two acres then in the hands of three Freeholders So that the Monks of Coventre being owners of all the rest had a yard land thereof in demesn and nine Freeholders who held half a Carucat and 12. acres paying severall Rents doing suit of Court twice a year and performing certain servile work in Harvest In this village had the said Monks also a Court-Leet gallows with Assise of Bread and Beer by the grant of K. H. 3. As also weyfs estreys Felons-goods and for Heriots the principall vesell the names of what they so held in demesn being a certain grove named Fowlesmore and a parcell of ground called Priors-field The greatest part of which lands together with the tythes were after the dissolution of the Monasteries granted unto Ric. Andrews Gent. and Leonard Chamberlein Esq. but how they have past since is not much materiall for me to enquire Coventre FOllowing the stream of Shirburn it leads me next into Coventre still a City of eminent note yet much short in glory and Riches to what heretofore it hath been as I shall shew anon but for the originall of its name I can give no positive reason and therefore whither the first part thereof viz. Coven was occasioned by some Covent of Religious persons antiently founded here as some think for there was a Monastery of Nuns long before the Priory as I shall shortly manifest or whither from this little brook of which others conceive the true name to be Cune I will not stand to argue Sure I am that the last Sillable thereof viz. Tre is British and signifieth the same that villa in Latine doth from whence I conclude that the first plantation here hath been of very great antiquity though when or by whom made I cannot expect to discover having so little light of story to guide me through those elder times And as certain is it that a great part thereof and probably the most antient stood on the bank without Bishop-gate North-westward of the City for no less do
cast by the oppression of Hugh Novant the B. before-mentioned for I find that in the time of Prior Roger who died about the 32. of this Kings reign there being a great league of friendship betwixt the Monks of this Monastery and the Canons of Derley in Derbysh these of Coventrâ represented their miserable miserable condition unto those of Derley not only with very lamentable expressions but with tears protesting that their wants were so great that the whole Covent was like to be dispersed except they had present succour and therefore humbly besought the Canons of Derley that they would vouchsaâe to receive some of them into their Monastery there to have subsistence for a while quousque oriens ex alto miseratio altissimi nostro foeliciùs illuxerit occidenti are their words Of which great good will that had been for a long time before betwixt these two Religious houses I find this testimony that by way of mutuall curtesies the Monks of Coventre used to send unto them of Derley Needles and Sope and they of Derley to these Saddles and riding-furniture But after this they received as well from the King as others divers great favours and benefits for the advantage of their Monastery For in 34. H. 3. it was that they obteyn'd in fee-ferme from Rog. de Montalt and Cecily his wife all their interest in the mannour of Coventre with the advouson of the Church of S. Mich. and the Chappell 's thereunto belonging excepting their capitall seat called Cheylesmore and the Park with the House of Friers-Minors and the homage and services of their freeholders whose names I have particularly exprest already in my discourse of the said Roger. And in 41. H. 3. had they the Kings Charter of Free-warren in all their demesn lands of Coventre Cundulme Sow Wylenhale Frankton Merston and Herdwyke Sutham Olethon Offechurch Wasperton Honyton and Packwood with divers other places in this County and Leicestershire As also in 44. H. 3. an appropriation of S. Michaels Church before mentioned with all the Chappell 's thereunto belonging viz. Ansty Shulton Wykin Stoke Bilney Sow Stichall Folkeshull and Sponne and of Trinity-Church with it's Chappell 's the Chappell of S. Iohn with the Hospitall the Churches of Corley and Allespath the Church of Herdwyke and it's Chappell 's with Archidiaconall jurisdiction there The Church of Packwood with Archid. jurisdiction also And likewise the whole Tythes arising in their demesn-lands whersoever In 46. H. 3. the like appropriation for Offechurch And in 51. H. 3. a confirmation of their foundation Charter by E. Leofrik with the Bull of Pope Alexander the first As also a further grant of freedom from doing suite to the County or Hundred-Courts and to the Shiriffs-Turn And that they should have a Coroner within the town of Coventre that might answer before the Justices Itinerant for whatsoever concern'd that office and moreover a Merchants-Gild with all priviledges thereto belonging and that they their tenants nor their goods should be distreyned for any debt not properly their own or for which they were suretyes And after this ere long suffering great losses by reason of such excursions as young Montfort and his fellow Rebells in Kenilworth-Castle or the Kings Army during the six months siege thereof did make had they the Kings Letters-Pat recommending their wants to all their tenants and desiring them that they would so contribute to their relief as that they might expect recompence at God's hand and thanks from him And in 5. E. 1. license to inclose certain wast-grounds neer Coventre â which inter alia were granted to them in fee-ferme by Roger de Montalt and Cecily his wife So that the state wherein this Monastery stood about those times was thus represented by a speciall Inquisition taken shortly after viz. that consisting of black-Monks it had therein a Cathedrall Church and that the Prior and his Covent together with the Chapter of Litchfield did elect the Bishop these having the first voice That the Prior here was also Lord of this town a moytie whereof with the whole Barony he held of the K. in Capite by the service of 2. Kts. fees in the Army And had a weekly Mercate on the Fryday and a Faire every year enduring 8. days with a Coroner and Free-warren in all his demesn-lands which moytie he held as freely as Earl Leofâik did the same of K. Edward the Conf. And that he the said Prior with his tenants being priviledg'd of murther had Gallows Pillory Tumbrell Assise of bread and beere as also fealty of his Burgers and appearances at his Court twice in the year for all which the Charters oâ K. H. 3. and divers other his progenitors were then exhibited And Moreover that he held the other moytie called the Earls part with the outwood wherein the Inhabitants claymed Common of pasture for all manner of Cattell and other commoning in the woods belonging to the Abby of Stoneley of the heirs of Roger de Montalt by the service of cx marks per annum according as in the Fine levyed betwixt the said Roger and Cecily his wife and the said Prior and Covent is more at large conteined which heirs held it of the K. as of the fee of Chester In which half the said Prior had once in the year a Faire lasting six days about the feast of the holy Trinity with Gallows Pillory Tumbrell Assise of bread and beere and fealty of all the Burgers as also two appearances yearly at his Court. By which Inquisit likewise appeareth that the whole town was then exempt from Toll excepting for Horses whereof the Burgers were onely freed but that the said Burgers had Toll of Horses for their own tenants there inhabiting and that the âame Prior had three Mills here with the ponds thereto belonging and two pools in demesn All which immunities and priviledges were in 13. E. 1. pleaded by the Monks who then likewise manifested that they had time out of mind enjoyed two great Courts every year in this place and weyfs and that the Priors Bayliff used ever to go a long with the K. Bayliff to execute all such precepts as concern'd the Crown As also that the town of Coventre answered for xii having Free warren Infangthef Assise of bread and beer Mercate and Faire with all things belonging thereto Pillory Tumbrell and a Coroner of their own And that they were quit of Murther Robbery Suite to the County or Hundred-Courts Ayd to the Shiriff c. Touching the Mercate they had here it was kept in that part of the town called the Priors-half as it seems where still it continues that being the place peculiar thereunto for in E. 2. time upon a suite commenced by the Prior against one Will. Graumpe and others for selling divers wares in Erle-street every week upon the Friday in their houses and shops who pleaded that they did so by vertue of the Charter
short and round their habit being the same with the Monks saving the scapular which reacheth but a little below the middle and is girt close to them Which Institution by Bruno was in the year 1080. as Polydore affirmeth but others say in ann 1084. Howbeit they observe the Rule of S. Benedict as to their diurnal and nocturnal offices yet have not antiently in any one Covent exceeded the number of xiii persons Into England they were first brought by K. H. 2. in ann 1181. 27 H. 2. who founded a Monastery for them at Witham in Somersetsh whereof Hugh Bishop of Lincoln was the first Prior. But now returning to this in particular I will begin with the time and occasion of its foundation Ordinis Carthusiani Monachus In the year 1381. 5 R. 2. Will. Lord Zouch of Haringworth in Northamptonsh having a desire to found a House of this Order near Coventre in honour of S. Anne obtained from Sir Baldwyn Frevile the elder Kt. 14 acres of land here at Shortley where he purposed to build the House resolving to endow it with sufficient possessions but being the same year prevented by death lying upon his sick bed he appointed that C marks per ann should be paid out of his lands untill his heirs did procure as much in Churches appropriate to be setled thereto Which Legacy his Confessor and others who were then about him thought too large and therefore prevailed with him that it should be no more than lx l. per ann The great affection that he had to the founding of this Monastery occasioned him to procure from the House of Carthusians in London three Monks viz. one Robert Palmer at that time Procurator there and the originall mover in that business Iohn Netherby then Vicar of the same Monastery and Edmund Dalling who accordingly came to Coventre on the Eve of S. Andrew the Apostle and began their abode in the Hermitage of S. Anne In which place associating to themselves three Monks from the Monastery of Beauvale in Notingham-sh and four more who were then newly profest of this Order they continued by the space of seven years But the Lord Zouch departed this life in Lent following whereupon his good intentions and fair beginnings were prosecuted by others For Rich. Luff sometime Mayor of Coventre and Iohn Botoner his fellow Citizen bestowed no less than 400. marks upon the Quire Church and Cloysters with three Cells in the east part next to the Chapter-house and making of seven ponds Iohn Holmeton of Sleford 180. li. towards the structure of the Quire and with xx li. of the goods of Will. Tilney whose Executor he was made the Cell at the West-corner of the Cloyster The fourth Cell on the East side was built by Margery Byri of Newarke who thereupon and for the Books of Isaiah and Ieremie with Coments bestowed xx li. The fift being the utmost on the said East side by the Lady Margerie Tilney of Rotston who gave x. li. also to the making of the East window of the Quire The sixt by Iohn Bokingham B. of Lincoln The seventh next to it on the same side by Thomas Beauchamp E. of Warwick And K. Rich. 2. returning from Scotland in the year 1385. about the Nativity of the blessed Virgin and coming to Coventre on Satturday within the Octaves of that Feast at the speciall instance of Q. Anne his consort with his own hands layd the first-stone of the Church viz. at the East end of the Quire publiquely protesting in the presence of his Nobles as also of the Mayor and Citizens of Coventre that he would be the Founder thereof and bring it to good perfection Neither were others slack in so pious a work For the eight Cell viz. the third on the South side was made with xx li. given as a Legacy thereto by Adam Botoner Citizen of Coventre The ninth next to it by Sir Nigel Loryng Knight at the procurement of Rob. Braybrok B. of London The tenth viz. the first in the West corner out of the goods of Will. Tilney before mentioned The eleventh by Iohn Morton Canon of Lichfeild But further I cannot go in the description of these Cells in regard I have not seene any more of the history of its Foundation Neither should I have delivered thus much but that by the care and affection of my worthy friend Mr. Iohn Langley whose delight and knowledge in Antiquities deserves greater commendation then I can in a few lines express the fragment whence I had this being a Manuscript of two leaves in Parchment and written in R. 2. time was redeemed from utterly perishing having been by some ignorant person made the Cover to a School-boy's Book I shall now therefore proceed with what I have from our publique Records wherein I find that K. Rich. 2. by his Precept bearing date 18. Martii in the said fift year of his raign directed to Sir Baldwin Frevill Kt. Rich. Dodenhale then Major of Coventre and Rich. Luff wherein he expresseth that Iohn Netherbury was assigned Prior of this House so intended to be founded in Shortleyfield within the libertyes of Coventre And declaring the bounds of those 14. acres of land so given by Sir Baldwin Frevill viz. in length from the path-way leading towards London on the East part to the river of Shirburne on the West and in breadth from the common road which goeth towards Warwick on the South part to the Mill called Bushele-milne on the North part doth command that the said Sir Baldwin Richard and Richard shall deliver possession thereof unto the same Prior and Monks Soon after which did the said K. grant license to these Monks that they might obtain advousons of Churches to be appropriated to the value of c. li. per annum over and above what should be assigned for endowment of Vicars in the same And within two years following bestowed on them the advouson of the Church of Walton super Trent in Derby-shire In 9. of his reign he gave them the advouson of the Church of Ecclesfeild in York shire In 13. he granted License to the Monks of S. George at Bauquerville in Normandy that they might settle their mannour or Priory of Edweston in Rutland upon them And in 16. in recompence for the advouson of the Church of Walton before mentioned which he had granted with the Mannour to Iohn Delves esq gave them license to purchase the Priory of Lymberg alias Limbroke in Hereford-shire with the parcells of Curtelyngton and Ashby-Mares together with the advouson of the Vicaridges all which belong'd to the Abby of Aveneye in Normandy Certain it is that the strictness of their Rule begot an exceeding regard towards them from many good people as by the increase of their possessions is evident For in 17. R. 2. they had license to purchase from the Abbot of S. Sergius and Bachus in Normandy the Mannours of Swauseye and Dry-Drayton in
I not found any thing memorable other than the grant of the moytie of the Mannour of Hastokeshale for so it was written in 40 E. 3. by Alan Lesset and Margaret his wife to Thomas Langhurst and his heirs And as for Hawksbury in regard it is situate within the liberties of the City of Coventre I shall reserve what I have thereof to be there spoken This Church is not Presentative nor is there any Arms therein more than one Escocheon of Peto with his quarterings Withibrooke THE stream of Sow being here augmented by the access of a rivulet which ariseth above Withibrooke I am to take notice of those places that lye adjacent thereunto which are onely Withibrooke and Hopsford as the Map will shew the former taking its name of the brook on the banks whereof antiently as well as now many Willows have grown but of this place is there nothing recorded in Domesday-book so that whether it were then involved with Monkskirby or Hapsford I mean in the continent of hides certified of them in that Survey I am not able directly to affirm for that it was included in one of them there is no doubt in regard that Moubray afterwards had it with those and other the lands which belong'd to Geffrey Wirce then Lord of that place The first and most antient mention that I find thereof is that Richard de Morevill had it of Will. de Rudevill his kinsman in exchange for the village of Lindlei in Leicestersh by which deed it appears that the said Richard had formerly granted it unto the same Will. de Rudevill And that the ancestors of this Richard de Morevill were enfeofft thereof by Nigel de Albani father of Rog. de Moubrai in H. 1. time the certificate made by the said Roger in 12 H. 2. of what fees were held of him de veteri feoffamento doth sufficiently manifest in which it appears that this Ric. de Morevill held 5 Knights fees Which exchange was confirm'd by the said Rog. de Moubray This Ric. de Morevill gave to the Monks of Combe six yard land with the appurtenances lying in this Lordship with his body to be buryed in that Monastery at his decease But how or when it past from Morevill I have not seen so that whether that grant which Ivo de Harecourt made to Rob. Basset whereby he passed unto him totam terram suam de Wllveya de Copston de Withebroch in frank marriage with Beatrice his sister did contain the whole town of Withfbroch or onely some land that Harecourt had therein I cannot determine The next mention I find thereof is that Nicholaus fil Hulf in 7 Ioh. recovered the right of Presentation to the Church against the Abbot of Combe Which Nich. was afterwards called Nicholaus de Withibroe as appears by the Record wherein mention is made what he contributed towards that great sum which Will. de Molbrai gave to K. Iohn for a Fine that he might enjoy his inheritance concerning which Will. de Stutevile impleaded him and whereof I shall have occasion to speak at large in Brinklow Betwixt this Nich. and the Free-holders of Withibroke on the one part and the Monks of Combe on the other was there an Agreement made in 25 H. 3. concerning Common of pasture and other matters at which time he was a Knight To whom succeeded as Lord of this Mannour Will. de Castell in 37 H. 3. which William was a Benefactor to the Monks of Combe by grant to them and exchanges made with them of certain lands in this place and in 41 H. 3. gave a Fine to the King of half a mark in gold for respiting his Knighthood but whether he were son or marryed the daughter and heir of the before specified Nicholas I know not howbeit in allusion to his name he gave a Castle for his Arms as by his Seal appears which Coat his Grandchild William altered taking two bars and putting the Castle into a Canton Hulf Nich. miles de Withibroc 7 Ioh. Will. de Castell dom de Withibroc Nich. de Castello Remem Regis in Scac. 7 E. 1. Will. de Castello miles 35 E. 1. Georgius de Castello miles 4 E. 2. Will. de Castello 1 E. 3. Georgius de Castello 23 E. 3. Rob. de Castello 12 H. 4. Henricus del Chastel de Bromwiz 54 H. 3. In 7 E. 1. Nich. de Castello son to the last mentioned William was the K. Remembrancer in the Exchequer To whom succeeded another William who in 13 E. 1. paid a Fine of xl s. for replevin of his liberties at Withibrok viz. Courtleot and punishing the breakers of the Assize of Bread and Beer Which William was Shiriff of the Counties of Warw. and Leic. 22 E 1. and in 29 E. 1. received command to attend the K. at Berwic upon Twede on the Feast of S. Iohn Bapt. who then making a warlike expedition against the Scots was victorious as our Historians do manifest 'T is like he was made a Knight at that time for the next mention I meet with of him which was in 35 E. 1. shews him so to be He had issue George a Knight in 4 E. 2. but deceased before the 9 of that K. reign for in that year was it found that Alice his widow held this Lordship Which Alice in 1 E. 3. procured a special pardon for Will the son and heir to the above mentioned George touching the sum of 28 l. 7 s. 2 d. of the 58 l. 7 s. 2 d. which was required of him to be paid into the Exchequer for the Kings use as a debt due by VVill. his Grandfather when he was Shiriff of these Counties To the last mentioned VVill. succeeded George who had a Patent in 47 E. 3. to free him from bearing the office of Shiriff Eschaetor c. and in 51 E. 3. was one of the Commissioners for levying the subsidy of 4 d. upon every head commonly called Pole-money but in 5 and 8 R. 2. did bear the office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicestersh notwithstanding his priviledge In the Parliament of 10 R. 2. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire and in 11 R. 2. being in Commission with divers others for the levying of the moytie of a xv and x. in this County at the later end of the same year was constituted Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire After which viz. in 13 and 14 R. 2. he was in Commission for conservation of the peace But the next and last that I meet with of this name is Robert de Castell son of the said George perhaps which Robert was Shiriff of these Countyes in 12 H. 4. Knight for this Shire in Parliament 2 H. 5. one of the Justices of peace in 5 H. 5. In 7 H. 5. in Commission to treat with the people for a loan
here in which Ks. time it hapning that the Prior of Kirby impleading them for the Grange of Causton for so it was called the Attorney for the Monks of Kirby so subtilly managed the suit that they of Pipwell were foyled therein which occasioned much sadness amongst them But at that time Rog. de Seytone being chief Justice of the Common Pleas after Judgement given discerning the fraud of the adverse part went to the K. taking with him the Abbot of Pipwell and Prior of Kirby and manifested the whole business unto him whereupon the K. made a final determination therein ordering that the Monks of Pipwell should enjoy the said Grange paying to them of Kirby CC marks For which good service they concluded to keep his Anniversary for ever in their Monastery on the xi Cal. of May. But after this viz. in 3 E. 2. the Grange here at Causton by an unhappy accident of a Candle carelesly stuck upon a wall was almost totally consumed with fire This Village hath been long decayed as it seems for our Countryman Rous making mention thereof sayes that there being nothing but a Grange remaining the place was become a den of theeves and manslayers by whom the road from Coventre towards Dunchurch growing much infested exposed all Travailers over Dunsmore-heath to much peril for which he doth not a little blame the Monks as minding more their own particular benefit by depopulation than the publick But by the dissolution of the Monasteries it came to the Crown and being granted 15 Iulii 37 H. 8. to Tho. Boughton Gent. and his heirs a younger son to Wâll Boughton of Lawford descended to Edw. his son and heir who through the countenance of Robert Earl of Leic. a potent man in Q. Eliz. time bore a great sway in this County and having gotten materials by pulling down the White-Friers Church in Coventre raised here the most beautifull Fabrick that then was in all these parts Wâlliam his great grandchild being the present owner thereof Thurlaston IN the Conq. time the E. of Mellent held two hydes and a half in this Village valued at xxxv s. and possest by one Wlgar in Edw. the Conf. dayes Other two hydes and a half Hubertus held of Hugh de Grentmaisnill then rated at lx s. having been the Free-hold of one Baldwin before the Conquest In the general Survey it is wrâtten Torlaveston whence I conclude that the name originally proceeded from some antient owner thereof in the Saxons time But these two hydes and a half last mentioned continued not to the posterity of the said Hugh for thereof did K. H. 1. enfeoff one Wigan sirnamed Marescall of whom in Willoughby I have spoke who held it together with the rest in Wilughby Dunchurch and Hulle by Sergeanty as I have elswhere shewed All which descended to Raph his son and heir and from Raph to Will his son and heir which Will. granted it to Will. de Cantilupe who about the 13 of H. 3. past it away to Stephen de Segrave and his heirs the extent whereof being x yard land and reputed for half the town was held by one Kts. fee the said Stephen then Iusticiarius Angliae having changed the Tenure from Sergeanty to Kts. service Here was in this Village a great quantity of land besides given by many particular persons to the Monks of Pipwell amongst which one mâss with 3 yard land Will. the son of Rob. de Thurlaveston gave cum corpore suo anima Deo S. Mariae de Pipwell in manu Roberti Abbatis obtulit as are the words of his grant Ric. son to the same Will with Tho. de Verdun and Iohn de Verdun Lords of Brandon confirming the same Which Richard was reputed Lord of the Mannour here because he dwelt in the capital messuage that sometime belonged to Wigan le Marescal above mentioned Upon that land so given to the Monks of Pipwell was there a Grange called the Bigging id est aedificium domorum and situat upon that part of the field named Stokewell-furlong It seems that the family of Verdon Lords of Brandon in this County had antiently a Kts. fee here held of the Earls of Warwick which I suppose might be part of what Lescelina daughter to Geffrey de Clinton brought in marriage to Norman de Verdon as by my discourse in Brandon may be gathered but in 20 H. 3. Will. le Franceis held it and in 36 H. 3. Iohn de Thurlaweston of Roes de Verdon And afterwards Sim. fil Margeriae and Iohn Darset From which Iohn descended Will. Dorset alias Dasset as 't is like who in 25 H. 8. past it to Edw. Cave Esq by which means it divolved to Edw. Boughton late of Causton Esq son of Thomas by Margaret daughter and heir to the said Edward Touching this interest of the Verdons here the Register of Pipwell sayes that they had it by means of some that dwelt in the Capital Messuage or Mannour-House that belonged to Wigan Marescall above mentioned but by no good right as is thereby insinuated Which expression of the Monks I conceive to have been partial for I find them complain of their being summoned to do service at the Court of Brandon for their lands in this place to be freed whereof they obtained several Charters from the successive Lords of that Mannour In 11 E. 1. the Monks of Pipwell had a Charter of Free-warren in all their demesn lands here Which lands after the dissolution of that Monastery being by Q. M. granted to Sir Rouland Hill and Sir Tho. Leigh were in like sort as the Mannour of Dunchurch whereof I have already spoke by partition alotted to the said Sir Thomas and setled upon Sir Will. his youngest son whose grandchild Fr. Lord Dunsmore now scil ann 1640. enjoys them Touching the Mannour which Segrave had here it continued in that family as long as the male line lasted and at last by Eliz. the daughter and heir to Iohn Lord Segrave came to Tho. Moubray D. of Norf. as by the descent in Caludon may be discerned Whose son Iohn Moubray D. of Norf. in 10 H. 6. was certified to hold 9 mess. and 9 yard land in this Village by the service of half a Kts. fee but without mention that he was Lord of the Mannour Yet by the Inquis taken the year following after his death it is so called and likewise in all Inq. afterwards and so divolved to the family of Berkley through Isabell one of the daughters and co-heirs to Iohn D. of Norf. in such sort as Caludon did Thom. Lord Berkley dying seized thereof in 26 H. 8. leaving Henry his son and heir then within age Here hath antiently been a Chapel dedicated to S. Edmund in which Rob. de Stretton B. of Cov. and Lich. at the request of Will. de Pettou gave liâcense to the Inhabitants
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 Raââ Dâve 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 âixt 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 Quâetus 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 Sâble 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 Râmdi 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 Lâwelin Prince of Wales then in Rebellion And the
which unjustifiable act he hasted not to take advantage by reason he was lyable to their action and so upon cool debate betwixâ them they grew to this conclusion viz. that Mr. Lyle should suffer a Recovery thereof which was accordingly done in 6 H. 8. Richard Hurst and Iohn Forde of Walshall being the persons to whom it was adjudged Which Richard and Iohn soon after made a New feoffment thereof to some other of the Inhabitants to the use of the town and by the like renewing of Feoffments it hath continued to the said uses untill this day Stonythorpe THIS of a small Hamlet is now reduc't to one House and hath its name from the rocky condition of the ground where it stands the word Thorpe in our old English signifying a petty village But it was originally a member of Long-Ichington and held thereof though when first granted away by the Lords of that Mannour I have not seen For before 2 E. 2. I find no mention of it and then one Robert Sampsun possest it Which Robert in 4 E. 2. sold it to Sir William de Bereford Knight chief Justice of the Common pleas reserving an estate for life to himself and Margery his wife From whom it descended to Edmund de Bereford his son who was seized of it in 3 E. 3. and in 20 E. 3. by Fine entailed it upon the heirs of his body By vertue of which entail it came to Iohn de Bereford son of the said Edmund who dyed seized thereof in 30 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his brother and heir 24. years of age Eva his widow having it assigned to her in part of her dower After which it divolved to Ioan grandchild and heir to Ioan the wife of Gilbert de Ellesfield one of the sisters and heirs to the before-specified Edmund de Bereford then wife to Iohn Hore of Childerley in Com. Cantab. as the descent in Langley sheweth which Iohn and Ioan past it away to William Hore of Elmedon in this County in 8 H. 4. whose posterity in the male line enjoy'd it till about the beginning of H. 8. time that Nicholas Hanslap of Aynho in Com. Northampt. had it by marriage with Ioan the daughter and heir to Robert Hore From which Nicholas is lineally descended ..... Hanslap now owner thereof Anno scil 1640. Will. Hore de Elmedon 8 H. 4. Margareta filia Will. Allesley 4. H. 5. Thom. Hore de Elmedon Margar. filia cohaeres Alani Waldeiue Alanus Hore ..... filia Tho. Mollesley de Billesdon in Com. Staff Tho. Hore occisus s. prole Cath. soror haeres ux Joh. Boteler de Solihull Gulielmus Hore de Stonythorp Rob. Hore de Stonythorpe Joh. Hore de Stonythorpe ..... filia Benedicti Medley de Whitnash Thomas Johannes Edmundus objerunt s. p. Bishops-Ichington HAving now done with the Parish of Long-Ichinton below which Ichene falls into Leame I must ascend to the Southwest side of that torrent where the first town I find taking also its appellation from the same brook is divided into two parts Ichington-superior and Ichington-inferior in the later whereof the mother Church antiently stood but was pulled down at its depopulation as I shall further shew anon so that the Chapell of ease in Ichington-superior is since become the Parish-Church that village being not depopulated though the fields were converted to pasture The reason why this is called Bishops-Ichington is in regard it was for a long time the possession of the Bishops of Coventre and Lichfield as I shall shew by and by but the direct time when they first had it I have not seen though that the Monks of Coventre granted it to them be clear enough being one of those xxiv towns which Earl Leofrick upon his foundation of that Monastery in 1. Edwardi Conf. gave thereunto In the Conq. Survey it was certified to be in the hands of those Monks and to contain 5. hides which were then valued at xii li. and so was it in King Stephen's and H. 3. time for I find it particularly mentioned in their Charters of Confirmation made to that Monastery wherein is intimated that the Monks had newly recovered it by the Precept of Pope Eugenius though who it was that disseised them thereof be not exprest But the first Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield that had it for ought appeareth to me was Roger Molend Nephew to King H. 3. and elected to that See by the Monks of Coventre at the earnest desire of Richard E. of Cornwall the Kings brother in 42 H. 3. which makes me guesse that to him the said Monks first past it because I find that the next year following the same King granted him Free-warren here and a Mercate every week upon the wednsday with a Fair yearly to endure 3 days beginning on the Even of S. Peter and Paul commonly called Lammas The extent of what these Bishops had here was in 7 E. 1. certified at 5. carucats of land and a Windmill which they held in demesn having xvi servants who occupyed 25. yard land and a half performing certain servile work in Harvest and x. servants more holding 8. yard land and a half for which they were to Plow Mâw and do other service there for the said Bishop They had also xvi Cottagers here holding 17. Cottages each of them paying a certain Rent mowing at sometimes and doing suit of Court twice a year And likewise 8. Freeholders holding 8. yard land and a 4. part who did suit to their 3. weeks Court payd a certain Rent plowed at some times and mowed likewise for the Lord. And besides this had Infangthef with divers other priviledges which in 13 E. 3. were upon their claym allowed and afterwards enjoyed till 1 E. 6. that Richard Sampson the then Bâshop past it with the Mannours of Tachebroke Geydon and Chadshunt to one Thomas Fisher esquier for an C li. in ready money and an Annuity of 50 li. per annum reserved to himself and his successors Which grant was confirmed by the Dean and Chapter under their publique Seal 15. Apr. following But this Annuity of 50 li. per annum continued not long For the same Bishop by his Deed of Release bearing date 14 Dec. 2 E. 6. acquitted the said Tho. Fisher and his heirs thereof Which grant of these Mannours and Release so made by the Bishop K. E. 6. by his Letters Pat. dated 20. Apr. 3. of his reign confirmed And moreover granted to the said T. Fisher and his heirs within the precinct of the said Mannours Return of Writs so as the Kings Officers were not to meddle there and that for the future this priviledge should be called The Liberty of Thomas Fisher in the County of Warwick What the reason was that the said Bishop past away this and those other Mannours to the great
Canons of Kenilworth had Free-warren granted to them in all their demeân 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 Mâgr 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-Hâstang 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 sometimâs 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 Lordâhip for some descents during which time one of them viz. Aâtrop 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 ãâã it was his principall seat as when I come to Hâseley âhall 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. Savâge of Tachebroke-Malory in this County which T. Sâvage 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
Of which Testament were Executors the Lord Cromwell the Lord Tiptoft Iohn Throkmorton Ric. Curson Thomas Huggeford Will. Berkswell Priest and Nich. Rody his Steward After which viz. ult Apr. An. 1439. 17. H. 6. he departed this life as his monumental inscription here most exactly imitated together with the true representation of his magnificent Tombe sheweth leaving issue by Eliz. his first wife daughter and Heir to Thom. L. Berkley three daughters viz. Margaret born at Good-rest in Wedgnok-park the next year after the Battail of Shrewsbury â second wife to the famous Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury which Margaret died at Londonâ An. 1467. 7. E. 4. and was buried under the Quire in the Cathedral of St. Paul commonly called St. Faiths Church Alianore born at Walkinston in Essex shortly after the feast of our Ladye 's Nativity 9. H. 4. first married to the L. Rosse â and afterwards to Edm. Beaufort Marq. Dorset and D. of Somerset And Elizabeth born in Warwick-Castle wife to George Nevil Lord Latimer To his second wife he wedded Isabel daughter of Thomas le Despenser E. of Glouc. and by the death of her brother Richard and elder sister Eliz. without issue Heir to all his Lands but being the widow to Ric. Beauchamp E. of Worcest his Uncles son as in Fillongley I have shewed he had a special dispensation from the Pope to marry her The pictures of which his wives children together with his own as they stand in the East window of that stately Chapel before specified where his Monument is I have upon the next page exquisitely represented By this Isabel he left issue Henry and Anne of both which I shall speak in their order The Lands whereof he was possest were very vast as may seem by that computation of their yearly value extracted from the Accompts of his several Bayliffs through England and Wales in 12. H. 6. amounting to no lesse than 8306. Marks 11. s. 11. d. ob Which setting aside the good penniworths that his Tenants had of what they then held would in the dayes we live augment that sum sixfold at least considering that about that time Barly was sold for 4. s. 2. d. the quarter Oats at 2. s. 1. d. ob Capons at 3. d. a piece and Hens at 1. d. ob as by certain Accompts of his Houshold-Officers appeareth Of her death let us hearken to what the MS. Hist. of Tewksbury saith Isabella uxor Ricardi quinti patrona de Theokesbri rediit de Francia aliquandiu se in Monasterio Canonicorum de Southwyke resocillavit Haec Isabella sepulta est in Theokesbyri eodem anno quo obiit Ricardus quintus Comes de Warwike ejus maritus But of her Monument so designed as I have said there is no more now remaining than what I have here in this Figure exprest I now come to Henry the succeeding Earle Son and Heir to Richard by the said Lady Isabel. This Henry was born at Hanley-Castle in Worcester-shire on Thursday xi Kal. Apr. An. 1424. 3. H. 6. and baptized on the Saturday by Philip Morgan Bishop of Worcester having to his God-fathers at the font Henry Beaufort Cardinal and Bishop of Winchester with Humfry E. Stafford and to his God-mother Ioane Lady Bergavenny the same B. of Worcester being his God-father also at confirmation At his fathers death he hardly exceeded the age of fourteen years but was a person of extraordinary hopes as by the early appearance of his heroick disposition is evident for before he accomplisht full xix years of age he tendred his service for defence of the Dutchy of Aquitane in consideration whereof and to give him the more encouragement in that expedition the K. by his Charter bearing date at Dover 2. Apr. 22. of his Reign created him Primier Earle of England and for a distinction betwixt him and other Earles granted to him and the Heirs male of his body leave to wear a golden Coronet about his head as well in his own presence as elsewhere upon such great Festivals as the like used to be worn And within 3. dayes following considering the high deserts of his noble father of whom he hath this expression quem meaning Earl Richard dignissimè in Armorum strenâitate ut columnam immobilem belli fata pro nobis nostris magnanimiter libenter sustinentem suorum cognoscit commendat ingenia ex excellentia meritorum minimè per nos aut progenitores nostros huc usque remuncratorum c. advanced him to the title of Duke of Warwick granting him place in Parl. and all other meetings next to the D. of Norff. and before the Duke of Buck. and giving him xl l. per ann to be paid by the Sheriffe of Warr. and Leic. Shires for the time being out of the revenue of these Counties towards the better support of that Honour But this businesse of Precedency was so stomackt by Humfrey Duke of Buck. that had not the K. by Act of Parl. in 23. of his reign which was the next year ensuing the said Duke of Warwick's Creation qualified it much inconvenience had arisen upon it Therefore for appeasing the contention and strife moved betwixt them for that preheminence those are the words of the Act it was established that from the 2. of Decemb. then next following they should take place of each other by turn viz. one that year and the other the next and so as long as they lived together the Duke of Warwick to have the first years precedency and he which should survive to have place of the others heir male as long as he livedâ And from that time that the heir male of each should take place of other according as it might happen he had livery of his lands before him After which he had a grant in reversion from the death of Humfrey Duke of Glouc of the Isles of Gerneseyâ Iersey Serk Erm and Aureney for the yearly Rent of a Rose to be paid at the feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Bapt. As also of the Monnour and Hundred of Bristoll in Glouchesterâsh for the yearly ferm of lx li. and besides this of all the Kings Castles and Mannours within the Forest of Dene for the Rent of C. l. per ann To all which Honours he had this further added viz. to be Crowned King of the Isle of Wight by the Kings own hands But this hopefull branch the onely heir male to these great Earlsâ was cropt in the flower of his youth before the fruits of his Heroik disposition could be fully manifested to the world for upon S. Barnabas day sc. xi Iunii 1445. 23. H. 6. being but xxii years of age he died at Hanley the place of his birth and was buried in the Abby of Tewksbury about the midst of the Quire at the head of Prince Edw. Son and Heir to
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'âsle 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 Eâquier 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
heir to Sir Edward Guilford Knight who had his Wardship as I have said he left issue 8. sons and 5. daughters viz. Henry that dyed at Bolein Iohn who had the title of Earl of Warwick in his fathers life-time as commonly Dukes sons out of curtesie have of some Earldom whereof their fathers have the honour but dyed without issue Ambrose Earl of Warwick by the favour of Queen Elizabeth as I shall shew anon Robert created Earl of Leic. by the said Q. Guilford who suffred death in 1. M. as his father did Henry slain at S. Quintines and Charles that dyed a child His daughters were these Mary the wife of Sir Henry Sidney Knight of the Garter and Lord President of Wales from whom the now Earl of Leic. is descended Kath. wife to Henry Hastings Earl of Huntingdon As also Margaret Temperance and another Katherine who dyed young In the Parliament held 1. M. was the attainder of this Duke and four of his sons confirmed viz. Iohn called Earl of Warwick Sir Ambrose and Sir Guilford both Knights and Henry Dudley Esquire Going on with the succession of these Earls I come next to Sir Ambrose Dudley abovementioned restored in blood by Queen Mary This Sir Ambrose had in 1. Eliz. a grant of the Mannour of Kibworth-Beauchamp in Com. Leic. to be held by the service of being Pantler to the Kings Queens of this Realm at their Coronations which office and Mannour his father and other of his Ancestors Earls of Warwick had In the second year of her raign he was made Master of the Ordinance In the fourth viz. 26 Dec. Baron L'isle and Earl of Warwick and the 6. of April following had a grant from the same Queen of the Castle Mannour and Burrough of Warwick with divers other Lordships in this Shire eschaeted to the Crown by his fathers attainder in which year she made him her Lieutenant generall in Normandy and during the time of his service there caused him to be chosen Knight of the Garter In 12. of her raign this E. with Edward Lord Clinton were made Lieutenants Generall of her Majesties forces in the North parts In 13. he was constituted chief Butler of England and in 15. sworn of her Privy-Councell He had 3. wives viz. Anne daughter and coheir to Will. Whorwood esq Atturney generall to King H. 8. Eliz. x daughter of Sir Gilbert Talboys Knight sister and sole heir of George Lord Talboys and Anne y daughter to Francis Earl of Bedford but departed this life without issue 21. Febr. Anno 1589. 32. Eliz. at Bedford-house in the suburbs of London and was buried in that beautifull Chapell here at Warwick called our Lady Chapell adjoyning to the Collegiat Church where his Monument is yet to be seen The next that had this title of Earl was Robert Lord Rich grandchild to Richard created Lord Rich. of Leeze in Essex 17. Febr. 1 E. 6. and made Chancelour of England 26. Oct. following which family doe derive their descent from Richard Rich one of the Shiriffs of London An. 1441 20 H. 6. This Robert created Earl of Warwick 6. Aug. 16. Iac. had two wives viz. Penelope daughter to Robert Devereux Earl of Essex and Frances daughter to Sâr Christopher Wray Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in Q. Elizabeths time but widow to Sir George St. Paul of Snartford in Com. Linc. Knight and Baronet By the first whereof he had issue Robert Lord Rich his son and heir Sir Henry Rich Knight of the Bath and Capt. of the Guard afterwards created Baron of Kensington Earl of Holland by King Iames and chosen Knight of the Garter Lettice his eldest daughter first marryed to Sir George Cary of Cokington in Com. Devon and after to Sir Arthur Lake Knight And Essex the second to Sir Thomas Cheek of Pirgo in Essex which Earl dyed at Warwick-House in Holburne 24. Martii An. 1618. 15. Iac. and was buryed at Felstede in Essex where his Ancestors do lye To whom succeeded in this Honour Robert his eldest son who wedded Frances daughter and heir to Sir William Newport alias Hatton Knight by whom he hath issue three Sons scil Robert Charles and Henry and three daughters Anne Luce and Frances HAving thus finisht my discourse of the Earles I shall now proceed with the town of Warwick it self whereof as to its first building by Kymbeline a King of the Britans and all other passages relating thereto during the Saxons time I have already in my Introduction and Story of those Earles said as much as I can In the Conquerors time it was a Borough id est habitaculum seu locus munitus and contained CClxi houses whereof Cxxx. were possest by the King Cxii by these his Barons whose names with the particular number held by each of them I have here added viz. The Bishop of Worcester ix The B. of Chester vii The Monks of Coventre xxxvi whereof 4. were wasted for the Castles enlargement The Bishop of Constance i. The E. of Mellent xii Earl Alberic iv Hugh de Grentemaisnill iiii Henry de Ferrers ii Rob. de Stadford vi Rog de Iveri ii Ric. Venator i. Raph de Limesi ix The Monks of Malmsbury i. Will. Bonvallet i. Will. fil Corbucion ii Geffrey de Magnaville i. Geffrey de Wirce i. Gislebert de Gant ii Gislebert Povili i. Nich. Balistar i. Steph. Stirman i. Turchil iiii Harold ii Osbert fil Ricardi i. Cristina i. Luith the Nun. ii All which were belonging to the lands they held in this County and apprized with them and the residue being xix by so many Burgesses which Burgesses enjoy'd them with Soc and Sac and all Customes as they did in Edward the Confessors days In the time of the said King Edward the Shirivalty of this County with the Borough of Warwick and all the Kings Mannours in the Shire answered lxv li. in money and xxxvi Sextars of honey or xxiv li. and viii s. in lieu thereof but at the time of the generall Survey they were rated at Cxlv li. in weight in the ferm of the Kings Mannours xxiii li. for the custome of Dogs xx s. for a Sumpter horse 1 li. for a Hawk and C s. to the Queen for a Fine Besides this they payd also xxiv Sextars of Honey of the greater measure and the Borough vi Sextars viz. xv d. a Sextar whereof the Earl of Mellent had vi Sextars and v. s. The custome of this Borough then was as by the same Survey appears that when ever the King went in person in any expedition by land x. Burgesses thereof attended him in stead of all the rest And if he that was warned to give such his attendance did not go he should pay unto the King C s. but if the King did go by Sea against his enemies the whole Borough was to
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 Feâffees 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
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 âis 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 whâch the Canons of Kenilworth had here was by Q. Eliz. in 4. of her reign granted to Barth Brokesby and Edw. Downing who sâld 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 aâd 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 Aspâs payd one mark to the K. for seâsân 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
VVill. and two daughters scil Petronill and Sybill which VVilliam dyed without issue as I guesse for the same Henry de Clinton confirm'd this Mannour unto his said sister and their heirs to hold by the like service of a Knights fee and quitted unto them their Relief for all which they gave him xx s. in silver What became of Sibill I know not but Petronill was wedded to Geffrey Peche about King Ric. 1. time and had with her the inheritance hereof which continued to his posterity in the male line till H. 4. time whereof in Hampton in Arden I have spoke To Geffrey succeeded Richard and to him Iohn who in 7 E. 1. was certified to hold it immediatly of Theobald de Nevill by the service of a Knights fee and he of Richard de Harecourt and he of the Earl of Warwick At which time the said Iohn had here two carucats of land in demesn and xiii Tenants holding 7. yard land and a half besides 3. Freeholders as also a Court-Leet It was then likewise found that Iohn Passelew held of the said Iohn Poche two carucates of land here by the service of half a Knights fee which Iohn Passelew had xiv Tenants holding severall proportions thereof but in that Record it is written Wylmelechtone For which Court-Leet together with Assise of Bread and Beer he pleaded Prescription in 13 E. 1. Of this family did divers bear the name of Iohn to one of which in 28 E. 3. there was a Charter of Free-warren granted in all his demesn lands here After which viz. in 12 H. 4. this Mannour with divers other was by a Fine then levied setled upon Catherine the widow of the last Sir Iohn Peche for terme of life and after her decease upon VVilliam Mountfort of Colshill and Margaret his wife and the heirs of their two bodyes with remainder to the right heirs of the said Margaret she being daughter and heir to the before specified Sir Iohn Peche as in Hampton in Arden is manifested From which Sir VVilliam descended Sir Sim. Montfort Knight as in Colshill I have shewed who being attainted in 10 H. 7. forfeited this Lordship with the rest of his lands the inheritance whereof was granted out of the Crown 7. Maii 13 H. 7. to Will. Cope Esquire Coferer of the houshold to the K. to be held in Socage paying xx marks per annum into the Exchequer Which VVill. Cope in 14 H. 7. depopulated xii mess. and 3. Cottages here as was certified by one Inquis and inclosed CCxl acres of land And Sir Edw. Raleigh Knight wasted vi messuages more After which viz. 3. Sept. 22 H. 7. the said Will. Cope sold this Lordship to Iohn Spenser Esquier who soon after began the structure of a fair Mannâur-house wherein when that Inquis was taken âe had his residence with lx persons of his family being a good Benefactor to the Church in Ornaments and other things From which Iohn descended Sâr Robert Spenser Knight created Baron Spenser of this Wormleighton 21. Iulii 1. Iac. whose grandchild viz. Henry Lord Spenser now scil an 164â enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Peter being given to the Canons of Kenilworth in King Stephens time by Geffrey de Clinton son to Geffrey the Founder of that Monastery was confirmed to them by Richard Peche Bishop of Coventre in H. 2. time Out of which Geffrey Muschamp Bishop in King Iohn's time gave unto those Canons a Pension of xl s. per annum to be received during the life of Adam de Kelinton the then Incumbent And granted that after his decease or resignation two parts of the fruits and profits belonging thereto as well in lands and Rents as obventions of the Church-yard and Altar should be appropriated to that Monastery and the third part wholy redound to the Vicar Some question there grew afterwards betwixt the Lord of this Mannour and the Canons of Kenilworth touching the advouson thereof but in 23 H. 3. they grew to an Agreement at which time Richard Peche quitted his interest thereto In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectory so appropriated was valued at xv marks and the Vicaridge at x s. But in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at vi li. xiii s. iv d. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Roger de Shuscote Pbr. 16. Cal. Ian 1305. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Nich. de Radeway 7. Cal. Oct. 1328. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Adam de Thorp 4. Cal. Sept. 1337. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Adam de Thorp-Mundevill Cap. 7. Id. Dec. 1348. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth VVill. le Hunt Cap. 13. Cal. Ian. 1350. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Will. de Lavington Pbr. 29. Sept. 1375. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Ric. de Rossale Pbr. 23. Iunii 1389. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Will. Bacon 4. Apr. 1396. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Ioh. Bagworth Pbr. 27. Ian. 1397. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Adam Merston Cap. 23. Nov. 1402. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Will. Merston Cap. 25. Febr. 1406. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Alanus Thame penult Aug. 1409. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Ioh. Bekenyll 19. Nov. 1427. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth Thom. Halle Pbr. 16. Martii 1492. Prior Conventus de Kenilworth D. Ioh. Symonds 2. Maii 1518. Ioh. Spenser de Aldthorp in Com. Northampt miles Ioh. Awgood Cler. 6. Aug. 1554. Ioh. Spenser de Aldthorp in Com. Northampt miles D. Thom. Knyght Pbr. 21. Oct. 1556. Ioh. Spenser de Aldthorp in Com. Northampt miles Thom. Tayler Cler. 16. Apr. 1575. Ioh. Spenser de Aldthorp in Com. Northampt miles Georgius Hale Cler. 29. Martii 1586. Rob. Spenser miles Baro Spenser VVill. West Cler. 9. Sept. 1604. Fenny Compton IN the valley below Wormleighton Southwestwards stands Fenny-Compton which takes its name from the situation Combe and Cumbe in our old Englishâ signifying a hollow place or deep valley as in Cumbe I have already shewed and Fen dirt In the Conquerors time part of it was possest by the Earl of Mellent and part by Turchil de Warwick That which the Earl of Mellent then had here wherein the Church stood was by the generall Survey then made certified to contain 4. hides and 3. virgats of land which were valued at iv li. Gislebertus who held part of Wormleighton of the said Earl being his Tenant thereto Howbeit that which Turchill de Warwick had was somewhat more and held of him also by two undertenants viz. Almarus who occupyed two hides thereof rated at xl s. and Rogerius 3. hides and one virgate valued at L s. all which had been the freehold of Ordric Alwin and Vlsi in King Edward the Confessors dayes But I cannot directly discover
anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xi marks And in 26 H. 8. at xv li. viii s. ii d. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Amongst the Incumbents here 't is worth observation that Aimer brother to King H. 3. by the mothers side was presented to this Church by the Canons of Kenilworth and instituted Parson thereof being afterwards Bishop of Winchester and by Godwyn called Ethelmare Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Kenilw D. Aymer frater Regis uterinus s. dat Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Walt. de Wodehouse Cler. 8. Cal. Maii 1336. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Trailly Pbr. 15. Cal. Apr. 1337. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Darrell Cler. 8. Id. Oct. 1338. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Roger. de Saperton Pbr. 4. Cal. Nov. 1349. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. Lampe Cap. 4. Cal. Nov. 1350. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Penârich Pbr. 4. Oct. 1378 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Lugger Cap. ult Oct. 1404 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Tho. Chesterfeild in Decret Bac. 27 Nov. 1425 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Rog. Walle Cler. 18 Sept. 1444 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Lye Cler. 26 Maii 1445 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Bowier Pbr. ult Febr. 1448. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Rob. Baguley Cap. 1 Febr. 1451. D. Rex ratione temporal Cov. Lich. Episc. c. Magr. Ioh. Iolyff Pbr. 7. Dec. 1452. D. Episcopus Ioh. Clone in Decr. Bac. tenere in Comendam 2 Ian. 1455. D. Episcopus Mr. Rolandus Lee Decret Dr. 1. Oct. 1526. D. Rex ratione temporal Cov. Lich. Episc. c. D. Iohn Hopkins Cler. ....... 1533. Edw. Littleton de Pilletnallin Com. Staff ar hac vice ratione concess Cov. Lich. Episc. Mr. Will. Dawson Cler. 28. Iunii 1547. Thomas Fysher Thomas Nicholson 8. Sept. 1575. Ric. Venor Edw. Morcot Rad. Wylding Cler. 16. Aug. 1617. Iac. Horsley gen Randolphus Hancock Cler. 25. Martii 1627. Monumentall inscriptions in the Church Upon a Marble whereon is the portraiture of a man in brasse Of your charite pray for the soul of Richard Willis gentleman lord of the Mannour of Fenny-Compton and one of the Kings Iustices of peace in the County of Warwick And Ione his wife Which Richard deceased the viii âh day of February in the yeare of our Lord M. D. XXXi Of whose souls Iesu have mercy Amen This Ioane was the daughter to one of the Graunts of Snitterfeild On another Marble Here lyeth buried the body of Ambrose Willis of Fenny-Compton in the County of Warwick Gentleman the son of William Willis who lyeth buried at Priors-Marson which William was the son of Richard Willis Ioane his wife both lying buried under the stone adioyning Which Ambrose had by Amye his wife eight sonnes all deceased in their infancy but one sonne named Richard and one daughter named Anne yet living He deceased the tenth day of Iune Anno Domini Millesimo quingent esimo nonagesimo This Amye was the daughter of Richard Colles of Little-Preston in the County of Northampton Esquier On another Here lyeth buried the body of Richard Willis of Fenny-Compton in the County of Warwick gentilman son of Ambrose Willis deceased Which said Richard had by Hester his wife five children that is to say George William Richard Iudith and Mary all now living who deceased the tenth day of Iune 1597. This Hester was the daughter of George Chambre of Williamscote in the County of Oxford Esquier In the East window of the North I le these Armes Sable a Fesse engrailed betwixt three Helmets Argent Derset I Come next to Derset a parish somewhat âpatious but that part wherein the Church stands is commonly called Burton-Dasset the Hamlets belonging thereto being these viz. Great Dasset Hardwick Knightcote and Northend In the Conquerors time the Earl of Mellent had x. hides within the compasse of this place which was the Freehold of three Thanes before the Norman invasion and then esteemed to be worth x li. but at the generall Survey no more than viii li. and there written Derceto The residue was then certified to contain xv hides which Harold son to Raph Earl of Hereford held and so did in Edward the Confessors dayes at which time it was valued at xvi li. but by the Conquerors Survey at xx li. where it is written Dercetone In each of which parts there was at that time a Priest and in likelyhood some Chapell besides the mother Church yet I presume the Mother-Church then stood where it now doth scil in that part belonging to Harold From this Harold did paternally descend âhe line of Sudley taking their sirname from Sudley in Gloucestershire their principall seat of which family for that they were Founders of the Monastery of Erdbury within the precinct of Chilverscoton in this County I reserve what I have to say historically till I come to Griffe in that parish where they resided It seems that the same part of this town held by the E. of Mellent as abovesaid came also to the Sudley's for it appears by good authorities that they were possest of the whole and so continued till by an heir generall it descended to Boteler as I shall manifest in due place But when it was past from the said Earl of any of his posterity I have not seen neither can I guess at the direct time otherwise than to conclude it to have been somewhat antient and yet do I make a question whether it were before the xx âh of H. 3. for upon collection of the Aid then levied it is certified that Robert Mauduit held one Knights fee and a half here of the Earl of Warwick unto whom most of the lands and fees which were tâe Eaâl of Mellent's in this County divolved At whâch time it was aâso found that Raph de Suyle answered for a Knights fee in this place But by another Record not above xi years after it appears that Raph de Suthlâg accounted for two Knights fees here which proportion the heirs of the said Raph held in 36 H. 3. For the etymologie of the name considering how vaâioâsly it hath been written in antient time viz. Derceto Dercetone Derceth and Dorcestre I shall oneây deliver my fancy viz. that being a hilly place ât was originally a receptacle for Beasts of Chase wherewith this land before it grew pâpuâous did much abound which kind we knowâ do much delight in Mountaneus grounds as this is So that I supposeâ it might by reason thereof at first be called Deorset with the Saxons which betokeneth a place where wild Beasts have their abode but I leave it as a conjecture As for that part of the town called Burton-Dasset it is by way of distinction fâom the other of which addition I have exprest my conceipt where I discourse of Burton-Hastings in
Stafford as I have shewed there âs cut upon the side of Edg-Hill the proportâon of a Horse ân 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 Câuntrey thereabouts commonly called The vale of Red Horse The Trenches of whâch ground where the shâpe of the said Horse is so cut out being yearly scoured by a Free-holder in this Lordshâp who holds certain lands there by that service The Church dedicated to the Assumption of the B. Virgin beâng 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 certaân 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 transmâtted thereto as in Willoughby I have ântimated 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 Stafâord â was by Râb de Stafford Grandchild to the first Robert given unto Will. Gâffard who bestowed ãâã 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 wâth 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 Cumân 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 ât paât 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 âo 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 ââ 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 Aluâinus 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
said Edmund deceased the xxii day of Ianuary 1558. but the said Elizab. surviving the said Edm. took to her second husband Thomas Sawyer of Raundis in the County of Northampton Geât whom she outlived and then returning into Warwick-shire her native Countrey and desiring after this life ended to have her body layd in the Chancell in the Parish Church of Barton on the Heath in the County of Warwick aforesaid with the body of the said Edmund her first husband she caused this stone to be prepared An. Dom. 1608. as a memoriall of the said Edmund Elizabeth William Iohn and Margaret Wolford-magna IN the Conquerors time Robert de Stadforde held vii hides in this place within the precinct whereof were a Church and a Mill which Mill was then rated at xx d. and the whole at C s. having been part of the possessions of one Waga a great person before the Norman invasion as in Wotton-Wawen appeareth Besides this part which the said Robert then held himself there were 4. hides more two whereof were held of him by Orduui and valued at L s. and the other two by one Aluuin rated at xxx s. all which were the freehold of the said Aluuine in Edward the Confessors time In the generall Survey at that time made the name of this town is variously written viz. in one place Uolwarde and in the other Worwarde where the l is mistaken for an r But for the originall occasion of the name my opinion is however the corruptnesse of pronunciation have by time thus altered it that it was from its being the feat or habitation of one Ulf or Wulf a frequent appellation in the Saxons time and that the later syllable warde should be Warthe the d being thus stricken through â which makes it th for then it signifieth the same that worth doth id est habitatio as I have elsewhere instanced the a being pronounc't o and written accordingly by us in these Southern parts And now that the same syllable is is here made forde it is from the like errour in writing sutably to the vulgar pronunciation as on the contray Lapworth for so we yet call it and write it is recorded by the name of Lapeforde in Domesday-book That this Lordship continued in the line of Stafford descendants from the above mentioned Robert till H. 8. time I could give instance by a multitude of authorities if need were But I shall onely here take notice of what is memorable of them in relation to this place In 13 Ioh. Herveus de Stafford answered for one Knights fees here it being reputed as a part of his Barony and written UUolewarthe But in 19 H. 3. upon the like occasion it is recorded by the name of UUoleworth and in 36 H. 3. UUulleward How it comes to passe I know not but in 13 E. 1. one Richard Chance claimed a Court-Leet Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows and Weyfs here by Prescription and had them allowed which Richard in 9 E. 2. was certified to be Lord of this place Neither can I understand upon what title Iohn de Upton and Ioan his wife had an interest in the fourth part thereof which in 10 E. 2. was entailed upon the issue of the said Iohn by the same Ioan but certain it is that if it were out of the possession of the Barons of Stafford it was not long and very probably in trust onely for in 25 E. 3. Raph Earl Stafford entailed it upon Hugh his son and the heirs of his body by Philippa the daughter to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of UUarwick By which Barons and Earles of Stafford I find that sundry persons were enfeoft of good quantities of land here for it appears that in 20 E. 3. Adam de Grenevill held half a Knights fee of them lying here and in Burmington Robert Verney half a Knights fee here onely in 46 E. 3. William Clerke half a Knights fee in 10 R. 2. and William Ingram one Knights fee in 16. and 22. R. 2. But as there is nothing in this world permanent so this Lordship after such a long continuance unto that Noble Family before specified was in 12 H. 8. past away by Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham to Richard Bishop of UUinchester and others to the use of Sir William Compton Knight and his heirs From whom the Earl of Northampton now Lord thereof is descended as in Compton-winzate appeareth The Church dedicated to S. Michael was given to the Canons of Stone in Stafford-shire by Robert de Stafford grandchild to Robert who lived in the Conquerors time But in 26 H. 3. there was a suit betwixt the Prior of Kenilworth unto which the Monastery of Stone was a Cell as I have elsewhere manifested and Hawise the widow of Richard de Gloucester for the advowson thereof which she claimed as her Dowrie and thereupon called to warrantie Gilbert son and heir to the said Richard who came in and pleaded a Fine levied of five hides of land in UUolward whereby the said advouson remained to the said Richard and his heirs with part of that land And because the Prior was in England and did not put in his claim demanded judgment Whereunto the Prior answered that both before that Fine was levied and after he was in possession of the same presented thereto And because there was no suit betwixt the parties for the said Advouson but for the five hides whereunto it belonged not he said that the before mentioned Fine ought not to hurt him and produced the Charter of Raph fitz Stephân Ancestor to the said Gilbert whereby he confirm'd the grant of that Advouson to those Canons of Stone which Robert de Staffoâd chief Lord of the Fee had made to them And though the said Gilbert replyed that after that grant so made Raph fiâz Stephen presented to the Church yet was it adjudg'd for the Prior. Which Advouson continued to the Canons of Stone till 51 H. 3. but then being past away by them to the Warden and Scholars of Merton-Colledge in Oxford was appropriated to that Colledge on the Calends of Iune anno 1268. 52 H. 3. by Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester and in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was with the Chapell of Burmington valued at xxvi marks After which there was another Appropriation thereof made to the said Colledge by Thomas Cobham Bishop of Worcester 13. Cal. Aug. 16 E. 2. And in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii li. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Rob. de Babington Cap. 16. Cal. Ian. 1322. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Rob. Garoun 4. Sept. 1341. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Will. Taylour 19. Martii 1363. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ric. Cooke Cap. 16. Nov. 1364. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Nich.
written Berricestone in one place and Bericestune in another and was of so much note in those antient times that it gave name to one of the Hundreds then in being as I have eslwhere already observed Whether it were any of the descendants of the before recited Iohais that became first enfeoft thereof by the posterity of Corbuceon I cannot affirm but do conclude that he was common Ancestor to the family of Whitacre and thence had first his sirname as in Whitacre-superior I have manifested Of which family was also Simon who likewise assumed his sirname from hence and wrote himself Dominus de Berchestone as in sundry old Records I have seen To whom succeeded Rich. de Barchestone in 6. Ioh. and after him Simon Henry and Alexander Then Richard in E. 2. time whose name in 17. of that Kings raign is in the list amongst those Esquiers which were certified as men at Armes of this County and bore a Crosse engrailed And lastly Thomas and Alexander temp E. 3. all Lords of this Mannour Which Alexander in 26 E. 3. was in Commission with other persons of quality for the levying and collecting of a xv and tenth so also in 34 E. 3. and in 45 Ed. 3. for the assessing a Subsidy of 1061 li. 07. s. in this County But from him can I not clearly discover the successive Lords of this Mannour untill Iohn Durant became owner thereof in 8. H. 6. After which Iohn I find one Thomas Durant in E. 4. time then William in H. 7. but nothing memorable of them other than that they were gentlemen for so is Iohn recorded in 10 H. 6. and VVill. in 12 H. 7. Which VVill. had issue Henry Duâânt who by his Deed bearing date 14. Sept. 23 H. 7. sold this Mannour to VVilliam VVillington son to Iohn VVillington of Todnam in Gloucester-shire and he of VVilliam VVillington of the same place son of another Iohn descended as 't is probable from that Ralph de VVylinton who lived in E. 1. time of whom I have made mention in Chiriton Betlesworth and Wiginshill of which line I conceive that Iohn de VVylinton and Raph de VVylinton were who in the times of King Edward 3. and R. 2. had successively Summons to Parliament amongst the Barons of this Realm Of this VVill. VVillington I find that being a wealthy Merchant of the Staple and setling himself here at Bercheston he depopulated the town in 24 H. 7. making inclosure of 530. acres of land so that there was no more than 64. acres left for tillage which were used by him as belonging to his Mannour-house there and mannaged with one Plough And that he had a very fair estate in lands in this County as also in Oxford and Gloucester shires but having no issue male advanced his seven daugthers in marriage to divers good familyes viz. Margery to Thomas Holt of Aston juxta Bermingham Esquier and afterwards to Sir Ambrose Cave Knight Godith to Basill Fielding of Newnham Esquier Elizabeth to Edw. Boughton of Lawford Esquier Mary to VVill. Sheldon of Beoley Esquier Margaret to Edw. Grevill of Milcote Esquier Anne to Francis Mountfort of Kingshurst Esquier and Katherine first to Richard Kempe secondly to VVilliam Catesby of Lapworth Esquier and lastly to Anthony Throkmorton a younger son to Sir George Throkmorton Knight And that by his Will which bears date 25. Martii anno 1555. he disposed of his body to be buried here at Bercheston having a fair Monument in the Church as I shall shew by and by But upon the partition betwixt these coheirs this Mannour came to Sheldon as it seems for his posterity of whom I have made some mention in Weston juxta Chiriton doe enjoy it at this day The Church dedicated to S. Martin in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xxviii marks but in 26 H. 8. at no more than xiii li. vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Heur de Bercheston Ric. de Bercheston Pbr. 3. Cal. Febr. 1281. Thomas de Bercheston Ioh. de Bercheston Subdiac 10. Cal. Ian. 1296. Thomas de Bercheston Gilb. de Swaleclive Pbr. 12. Cal. Dec. 1333. Alex. de Bercheston Rog. de Chastelion Cler. 20. Apr. 1345. Alex. de Bercheston Nich. de Todenham Pbr. 17. Nov. 1361. Thomas Comes VVarwici Ioh. Asple 7. Martii 1382. Ric. Bromley alii Feoffati de dominio de Bercheston advoc Eccl. VVill. Taylor 26. Apr. 1388. Ric. Bromley alii Feoffati de dominio de Bercheston advoc Eccl. D. Ioh. Stark 28. Dec. 1389. Thomas Erdington ar Sibilla ux ejus D. Ioh. Gunne 18. Nov. 1433. Thomas Erdington ar Sibilla ux ejus Magr. Thoma Oldbury 15. Ian. 1433. Rob. Ardern ar Magr. Thomas Stocton 7. Maii 1439. Rob. Ardern ar D. Thomas Pyjon 5. Maii 1449. Ioh. Hugford ar alii Feoffati Will. Durant D. Hugo Byker Cap. 23. Iulii 1481. Tho. Wellys Ioh. Wellys ex concess Will. Durant D. Ioh. VVellys Cap. 6. Sept. 1498. Rob. Throkmorton miles Magr. Hugo Humfrey 17. Aug. 1503. Georgius Throkmorton miles VVill. Buckmaster S. Theol. Professor 23. Apr. 1530. Georgius Throkmorton miles D. VVill. Lane Cler. 4. Feb. 1545. Rad. Sheldon de Beoley ar VVill. Bullwer Cleric 8. Oct. 1606. Willington IN this village did Robert de Stadford possesse one hide and a half at the time of the Conquerors generall Survey then valued at xx s. and held of him by one Luvein but had been the freehold of Dodo and Leuric before the Norman invasion The residue had Gislebertus de Gand a great man in Lincoln-shire which was all he possest in this County and extended to no more than one hide one virgate and a half and being held of him at that time by one Fulbric together with a Mill was valued at xx s. having been the inheritance of Aluuardus in Edward the Confessor's days In that Record it is written Ullavintone Howbeit after this till 36 H. 3. I do not find a syllable more thereof but then amongst the Fees of the Lord Stafford it is certified that Richard de Bartone payd xxx d. for Scutage here and in 56 H. 3. Robert de Hamme was Lord of it as appears by a Release made by him and Mabell his wife to the Nuns of Sewardslee in Com. Northampt. of such suit of Court as he claimed of them for the lands they held of him and his said wife within this village Which Robert in 7 E. 1. held of the King four yard land here in demesn by the service of the seventh part of a Knights Fee and suit twice a year to his Court at Long Compton for of that Mannour it seems it was then a member and in 15 E. 1. in the possession of Iohn de Hamme son to the
lack of issue by them on Iohn the brother of the said VVilliam and Lora his wife and the heirs of their two bodies with remainder to Iohn the son of Robert VVolf and his heirs By which entail the moytâe thereof divolved to Ioan the wife of Iohn son to Richard de Foxcote who past it away together with the advouson of the Church unto Thomas de Morehall Clerk But it was not long after that the whole Mannour became the possession of Edmund Earl of Stafford who being slain in the battail of Shrewsbury 4 H. 4. Anne his widow had it inter alia assigned to her in dower After which the posterity of the said Earl enjoy'd it till 12. H. 8. that Edw. D. of Buck. past it to Richard Bishop of Winchester and others to the use of S Will. Compton Knight from whom the Earl of Northampton now Lord thereof is descended The Church dedicated to St. Peter being originally endowed with half a yard land was in an 1291. 10. E. 1. valued at vi marks and a half the advouson whereof in 3. E. 2. had Philip le Lou and Margerie his wife License from the King to grant unto the Nuns of Pinley in this County Neverthelesse they did not so dispose thereof for in 41 E. 3. Thomas de Morehall had the like License to passe it to the Canons of Little-Maldern in Worcestershire and they leave to appropriate it which was performed the 5. of Iune an 1368 42 E. 3. by Will. VVittlesey Bishop of Worcester Another Instrument of the like nature did Henry VVakefeild Bishop of Worcester make dated at Hertlebury 21. Nov. an 1388 12 R. 2. whereupon a yearly Pension of iiis iiiid was reserved to the said Bishop and his successors to be paid out of the fruits thereof But notwithstanding all this those Canons of Malverne never took benefit of these appropriations for it continued a Rectory and in 26. H. 8. was valued at xiiil vis viiid over and above ixs vd ob allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Ioh le Lou Amicia ux ejus Philippus le Lou Margeria ux ejus Ioh. le Lou Cler. 5. Id. Maii 1281. Margeria le Wolfe domina de Whatcote Will. le Brut Pbr. 12. Iulii 1329. Margeria le Wolfe domina de Whatcote Rad. de Snelleston Pbr. 8. Dec. 1329. Ioh. de la Morehall Thomas de la Morehall 24 Nov. 1340. Thomas atte Morehall resignavit presentavit Barth de Brechinham Pbr. 18. Iunii 1359. Phil. de Todenham Rog. Dod Ric. de Mene Ric. West Ioh. Mulward Pbr. 3. Dec. 1361. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Frater Thomas Bandy monachus 5. Cal. Iunii 1368 Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Ric. de Depedale 11. Apr. 1374. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Rog. de Caldecote 12. Oct. 1380. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Ioh. Kyldale 14. Oct. 1384. Hugo Comes Staffordiae Ioh. Clifford Pbr. 27 Maii 1385. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Ioh. Wygot 10 Maii 1392. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Ioh. Aspele 3 Iulii 1409. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Ioh. Taylour 13. Ian. 1409. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Thomas Stanford 4. Nov. 1413. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Ioh. Aspele Cap. 10. Martii 1414. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Ioh. Hancock Cap. 26 Aug. 1414. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Thomas Chyn Cap. 23. Martii 1426. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Christoph. Strange Cap. 29. Iulii 1440. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Thomas Nelle Cap. 4. Dec. 1451. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Will. Aldyngton Cap. 23. Iunii 1486. Will. Hill ratione concess Pr. Conv. de Malvern Rob. Maud Cler. 2. Maii 1511. Henr. 8. Rex Angl. Nich. Austin Cler. 26 Apr. 1542. D. Anna Comitissa Penbrochiae Henr. Michell Cler. 14. Iulii 1573. Ioh. Morell ex concess Will. Domini Compton D. Ioh. Damport Cler. 20. Dec. 1597. Oxhill ON the North side this torrent lyes Oxhill in the Conquerors Survey written Octeselve and being possest by the same Hugh de Grentemaisnil of whom I have made mention in Whatcote was then certified to contain x. hides having a Mill rated at xvid but the value of all together was xil and before the Norman invasion belong'd to the same Toli who had Whatcote After this viz. in H. 2. time Engelram de Dumart became owner thereof whose sisters named Emma and Aeliz by reason of his death without issue succeeded him in the inheritance of it and had livery thereof in 31 of that Kings reâgn Upon what occasion it was that K. Iohn seized upon it appears not but in 18 of his reign the Shiriff of this County received command to deliver possession thereof to Thodoric de Whicheford to whom he had given it in which Record it is wrâtten Hocteshulve howbeit in 3 H. 3. Thomas de Periton had restitution thereof as heâr to Engelard Dummarish sive Dumart his uncle Which Thomas departing this life in 11 H. 3. Adam his son and heir had livery of these lands in Ofteschelfe for so it is written of his inheritance and the next year following was acquitted of the Scutage for half a Knights fee here due upon the expedition of Kerry which Adam bore for his Armes Barry of six peices and upon a Canton 3. barrs wavie But from the family of Periton it divolved to S t Will. de Keyns K t by Margaret a daughter and heir as the Descent sheweth which S r Will. had issue Robert who in 7 E. 1. held it of the King in Capite by the service of one Knights fee having one carucate of land in demesn and five Tenants holding severall proportions by performance of certain servile labours and payment of particular Rents As also divers Freeholders It was likewise then found that the Prior of Ware had one yard land here and the Monks of Bordesley 2 carucates and 6 virgates bestowed on them by Geffery de Beningworth three virgates by Nich. de Donington one by Ric. Clerke and one by Rob. Dumbard As also that they had ix Tenants holding sundry proportions by several Rents and servile imployments with a Court-Leet by the grant of K. H. 3. Which Family of Keyns being of eminent note possest Dodford in Northamptonshire Combe-Keynes and Tarent-Keynes in Dorsetshire and other lands of good value held by Barony but afterwards for want of issue male this Mannour divolved to Cressy through a coheir Sir Iohn Cressy of Dodford before specifyed being owner of it in 10 Henry 6. who departing this life without issue in 31 H. 6. Alianore the wife to S r Humfrey Stafford of
this place as Gerold de Pilardestone in 16 H. 2 Roger de Pilardinton in K. Iohn's time Steph. de Pilardestone and Richard his son and heir temp H. 3. But none of these were Lords of the place for ought I could ever discerne for certain it is that one Gilebert de VVasevill possest it in R. 1. time and by committing Felony whereof he was convicted forfeited his whole estate which occasioned the King to seize upon this Lordship and bestow it upon Hugh de Hercy But not long after came VValeran Earl of Warwick to the said King Richard and petitioned for the same as his right forasmuch as the forfeiture thereof belonged to him in regard it was of his Fee and obtained it accordingly yet at the King's request that the before specified Hugh de Hercy might enjoy it did thereupon make a grant thereof to him Unto which Gilb. de VVasevill I find that Hugh de Gornai was the immediate Tenant thereof and that upon a suit in the Kings Court in 5. Ioh. Osbert de Roneray recovered the possession of it against him the said Hugh but within 3. dayes after that Geffery Fitz piers then Iusticiarius Angliae had command to restore it unto Hugh de Hercy Neverthelesse H. de Gornai retained it for awhile so that the said Hugh de Hercy was exposed to a suit at law for it for in the same year wherein the suit was commenced it appeareth that the King to make satisfaction to Gornai to whom he formerly had given possessiof it commanded that the Sheriff of this County should deliver unto the said Hugh de Hercy seisin of the Mannour of Kineton which he had before granted to him in exchange for Pilardinton upon condition that if the said Hugh de Hercy could obtain Pilardinton of Gornai either by a friendly agreement or a lawfull triall that then Kineton should revert to the King By which of these means it was that Hercy had it I cannot directly tell but that his posterity enjoy'd it is very certain This Hugh de Hercy gave for his Armes only a labell of 5. points and left Iohn his son and heir in ward to Thomas Basset in 13 Ioh. From which Iohn descended Iohn de Hercy I suppose his grandson who in 7. E. 1. held this Mannour of the Earl Warwick by the service of one Knights Fee having at that time one carucate of land in demesn and seven Tenants holding severall proportions by particular Rents and sundry servile imployments But this Iohn had no issue as I guesse for in 35 E. 1. he setled it after the decease of himself and Lettice his wife upon Thomas Wandak and Alice his wife and the heirs of the said Thomas covenanting to receive of the same Thomas during his own and his said wifes life six quarters of Wheat and six quarters of Barley and bore for his Armes a Fesse with a labell of 3. points in chiefe From which Hercyes was it for a long time called Pillerton-Hercy by way of distinction from the other Pillerton called Pillerton-Priors To the before specified Thomas Wandak succeeded Iohn betwixt whom and Will. Spine there was a suit for the title to this Mannour in 29 E. 3. the said VVill. recovering the possession of it against him the said Iohn and Catherine his wife as also against Thomas Paynell others After which the next mention thereof that I meet with is by a Fine levied in 48 E. 3. betwixt Thomas de Wencote and Alice his wife Plantiffs and Henry de Etynton and Kath. his wife Deforc. Whereby the said Henry and Kath. for themselves and the heirs of the said Katherine quitted all their interest therein to the same Thomas de Wencote and Alice and the heirs of the said Alice for ever in consideration whereof the same Henry and Katherine were to receive yearly during their lives x l. sterling so that 't is not unlike but that the saâd Alice and Kath. were daughters and coheirs to the above specified Iohn Wandak Yet how it comes to passe I cannot well imagine but the year ensuing the said Fine so levied Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke was found to dye seized thereof Anne his widow having it inter alia assigned to her in dower So likewise did Iohn de Hastings son and heir to the said Earl in 13 R. 2. leaving Reginald Grey of Ruthin his cosin and heir But in 2 H. 4. I find that the heirs of S â Iohn Thornbury Knight held a Knights Fee here of the Earl of Warwick and that in 10 H. 6. S r Philip Thornbury of Bygrave in Com. Hartford Knight was Lord of this Mannour As also that in 36 H. 6. Richard Thornbury Esq with Thomas his son demised it to Hugh Dalby Gent. for certain years Howbeit all that I have farther seen relating thereto is that in 34 H. 8. there was a Fine levied thereof betwixt VVill. VVhorwood Esq Plantiff and Iohn Mawdley Esq and others Deforc. but to what uses I know not And that in 1. 2. Ph. M. the Q. granted to VVill. Rice Esq the moytie of the same which had eschaeted to the Crown by the attainder of S r Ambrose Dudley Knight Touching the Church dedicated to the blessed Virgin I find that in King Iohn's time there were great suits betwixt the Monks of S. Neofs and Thomas Basset who had the wardship of Iohn son and heir of Hugh de Hercy for the right of Presentation thereto the Monks pretending that the said Hugh de Hercy gave them the perpetuall patronage thereof but in 14 Ioh. they came to an Agreement whereby they concluded to presenâ joyntly to the Rectory and likewise to the Vicaridge by consent of the Parson so that the Vicaâ should pay yearly to the Parson 4 marks saving alwayes the right of the said heir and of the Monks In an 1291 19 E. 1. it was valued at xx marks out of which the Prior of Ware had a portion of Tithes amounting in value to 7. marks and a half Upon what title it was I know not but I do find that Thomas de Tydinton a Priest recovered by a tryall at Law against Iohn de Hercy the advouson thereof which he after past away to Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by his Deed dated at Elmeley the Wednsday after the Feast of S. Mich. an 1309. 3 E. 2. whose son and heir viz. T. Beauchamp Earl of Warw. in 8 E. 3. gave the said advouson to the Canons of his Coll. Church at Warwick who with in 7. years after obtained an appropriation of the fruits thereof from VVolstan thân Bishop of Worcester bearing date at Hertlebury 6 Dec. an 1341 15 E. 3. which was so granted by that Bishop towards the support of their charge in building of the Steeple of the
ground before there was any habitation at all In the Conq. time it was possest by the Earl of Mellent and esteemed at four hides there being then a Church and the whole rated at C s. In the generall Survey then taken it is written Snitefeld having been the freehold of one Sexi before the Norman invasion That it came to Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick brother to the same Earl of Mellent with the rest of those lands in this Shire which he then had there can be no doubt for in 23 H. 1. Roger Earl of Warwick son to the said Henry being owner of it gave to the Collegiate-Church at Warwick one hide of land lying here with two parts of the Tithes of all the Inclosure as also of the paunage of those woods which belong'd to this Village It seems that Hugh fil Ricardi of whom in Wroxhall I have spoke being enfeoft hereof by the same Earl Roger for in King Stephens time he gave the Church to the Canons of S. Sepulchers in Warwick granted this Mannour to Will. Cumin who in H. 2. time wrote himself Dominus de Snitenesfeld to whom succeeded Walter his brothers son as the Descent sheweth Which Walter gave to the Monks of Bordsley certain lands lying here adjoyning to Songer before specified as also in Stretton super Fosse but his son Walter being in rebellion against King Iohn forfeited his lands which were seized on for that offence howbeit in 1 H. 3. returning to obedience he had restitution of them again Of these Cumins was Will. the last male branch who being dead in 18. Ioh. Margerie his widow and an heir then took to husband Will de Hastings Which Will. Cumin left issue a daughter and heir called Margerie within age in 13 H. 3. and in Ward to Will. de Cantilupe but afterwards married to Iohn de Cantilupe a younger son to the said Will. who in 36. H. 3. was certified to hold one Knights fee here in Snitterfeld of Thomas de Clinton the said Thomas holding it over of the Earl of Warwick This Iohn having his seat here obtained to himself and his heirs of King H. 3. a Charter bearing date at Worcester 24. Sept. 41 H. 3. for a weekly Mercate at this place upon the Wednsday and a Faire once every year to hold for three days viz. the Evenâ day and morrow of S. Kenelm After which Margerie wife to the said Iohn surviving her husband did in her widowhood release to the Monks of Bordfley the suit which by their Atturnies they had used to make to his Court at Snitfeild for the lands they held within that fee. Will. Cumin 5. Steph. Rob. Cumin Walt. Cumin 5 H. 2. Margeria Walt. Cumin 1 H 3. Will. Cumin defunctus 18. Ioh. Margeria haeres Will. de Hastings 2. maritus Margeria filia haeres Ioh. de Cantilupo 20 H. 3. Walt. de Cantilupe Rector Eccl. de Snââfeild 9 E. 2. Ioh. de Cantilupe miles 9 E. 2. Alianora 17 E. 2. Thomas West 17 E. 2. Ioh. West 4. E. 3. Thomas West miles obiit 10 R. 2. Thomas West miles obiit 6 H. 4. Thomas West miles obiit 4 H. 5. s. prole Regin West frater haeres dominus la Warre obiit 29 H. 6. Ric. West aetat 19. an 29 H. 6. Ioh. de Cantilupe miles 12 E. 2. Ioh. Cumin To the said Iohn de Cantilupe and Margerie succeeded another Iohn who in 25 E. 1. received summons with divers other great men to attend Edward the Kings eldest son then Lieutenant to the King for defence of the Realm at Newcastle upon Tine upon S. Nicholas day to march against the Scots and the next year following was in that memorable battail of Fawkirk as also in 1 E. 2. assigned one of the Commissioners for conservation of the peace in this County and for causing the Articles in the Statute of Winchester to be observed so also in 3.7 and 9 E. 2. In 5 6 7.10 and 11 R. 2. he was one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 9 E. 2. being a Knight he bore for his Armes 3. Leopards heads jessant flower de Lis Or. To whom succeeded Iohn his son and heir called Iohn de Cantilupe junior who in 12 E. 2. was also a Knight but after that year I find nothing of him and therefore do conclude that he dyed shortly after his father being then alive For in 17 E. 2. the said Sir Iohn de Cantilupe the elder entailed this Mannour upon Thomas West and Alianore his wife and the heirs of their two bodyes paying to him the said Sir Iohn and Maud then his wife xl li. sterling yearly during their lives with remainder for want of issue by the said Thomas and Alianore to the right heirs of the said Sir Iohn which Alianore was daughter and heir to the saidâ Sir Iohn de Cantilupe It seems that Sir Iohn de Cantilupe dyed that very yeare for before the end thereof it appears that the same Thomas and Alianore obtained a Charter bearing date at Westminster 7. Maii for the change of the Wednsday Mercate weekly here unto Tuesday and enlarging the Faire unto eight dayes beginning on the even of S. Kenelm as abovesaid and granting also unto the said Thomas and Alianore and the heirs of their two bodyes Free-warren in all their demesn lands here which Thomas was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster the same year To these Thomas and Alianore succeeded Thomas their son and heir who was a Knight and past away this Mannour about the beginning of R. 2. time to Sir William Beauchamp Kt. and his heirs in exchange for the Mannours of Newenton-Tony and Stretford-Tony in Wilt-shire but reserving an yearly Rent of x li. per annum out of it to himself and his heirs Which Sir William being he that was Lord Bergavenny and brother to Thom. Earl of Warwick dyed seized thereof in 12 H. 4. leaving Richard his son and heir 14. years of age But some entail there was or other settlement hereof in remainder after the death of Ioane wife to the same Lord Bergavenny upon Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and his heirs for it appears that she held it during her life and the said Earl Richard afterwards By which means it came at length to the Crown through the attainder of Edward Plantaginet Earl of Warwick in H. 7. time and was inter alia granted out to Richard Morison Esquire and his heirs 29. Aug. 37 H. 8. who sold it the next year following to Iohn Hales of whom in Coventre I have spoke which Iohn being a wealthy man through a beneficiall Office that he had whereby he acquired a great estate especially in Monastery lands and living unmarried
the name of Bergavenny which stood undemolished about the later end of King H. 8. time the said Gate-house being ruin'd long before The next possessor of it that I find was Iohn Duke of Bedford third son to King H. 4. though how he obtained it I have not yet seen who in 10 H. 6. held it by the fourth part of a Knights Fee This Duke first made the Park and built that little Castle of brick and stone within the compasse of it which was such an eye-sore to the Earls of Warwick as Leland affirmeth and dyed seized thereof in 14 H. 6. leaving King H. 6. his nephew his cosin and next heir who in 28. of his raign granted the custody thereof to Iohn Talbot Lord L'isle to hold during life and to make use of the buildings therein for his own proper habitation at all times except when himself should be there Being thus in the Crown I find that K.E. 4. in 2. of his raign gave it unto Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick and his heirs after whose death at Barnet-field the Park was granted to George D. of Clarence to hold during life who shortly after obtained an estate in tail thereof to himself and the heirs male of his body upon the attainder of which Duke in 18 E. 4. it was certified that the before specified Castle of brick was ruinous so likewise the Gate-house of stone and the Lodge as also a Chapell which in times past had been a Parish-Church After this viz. in 2 H. 8. the custody of the Park was granted to Thomas Lucy then one of the Sewers to the King to hold during pleasure But in 1 E. 6. Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick obtained the inheritance of it together with the Castle of Warwick and divers other great Lordships upon whose attainder which hapned in 1 Mariae as I have elsewhere shewed the Qu. passed it unto Sir Francis Englefield Knight to hold in Capite Since which it is come to the Lucies of Cherlecote by purchase the last Sir Thomas having renewed the Park and by the addition of Hampton woods thereto enlarged it much Touching the Depopulation here I find that it hath been very antient for in 6 H. 6. there were but 4 Inhabitants nay very shortly after our Countrey-man Rous makes this complaint Apud Fulbroke saith he quondam erat Rectoria Ecclesia destruitur Villanis effugatis solùm Manerium remanet residuum imparcatur he means inclosed per Johannem D. Bedfordiae fratrem Regis Henrici quinti qui ibi aedificavit turrim nobilem Castro aequipollentem sed modo quasi nihil est And a little further he goes on thus per talem imparcationem via olim secura modò per sepes palos obtenebrata fit latibulum latronum carcer fidelium locus multiformis supplicii c. Which Castle being ruinous as I have said was pulled down in the beginning of H. 8. time by Sir Will. Compton Knight who had then the custody of the Park and the materialls thereof carried to build his House at Compton-winyate The Church in 14 E. 3. was valued at lx marks but in 26 H. 8. no notice is taken of it having been demolish'd before that time Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Henr. de Burlyngham Pbr. 30. Apr. 1337. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Ioh. Wodecock Pbr. 6. Cal. Oct. 1337. D Sym. Geynesbury Rector Eccles. de Hampton Episc. Sim. le Bakere Pbr. 22. Apr. 1338. D. Iuliana Comitissa Huntind Henr. Spenser ult Ian. 1358. D. Iuliana Comitissa Huntind D. Will. de Stanceby 19. Iulii 1363. Ioh. de Hastings Comes Pembr Ric. Taylour Pbr. 14. Iunii 1370. D. Episc. contemplatione Nich. Lylling mil. D. Ric. de Whashford Pbr. 18. Martii 1383. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. Thomas Shepey 23. Apr. 1384. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. Ioh. Harry Cap. penult Mati 1388. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. D. Henr. Norreys Pbr. 28. Iulii 1389. D. Philippa Comitissa Pembr Thom. Tymburland 1. Oct. 1398. D. Episcopus Edm. Hecker Cler. 24. Oct. 1457. D. Episcopus Rob. Enkbarow Cler. 4. Iulii 1468. D. Episcopus Ric. Newman Cler. 6. Oct. 1470. D. Episcopus Ric. Ewer in Sacra Theol. Bac. 2. Nov. 1543. Hampton super Avon A Little lower upon an ascending ground stands Hampton heretofore called Bishops Hampton for the reasons I shall forthwith shew but of later times Hampton super Avon which being given to the Bishoprick of Worcester in the Saxons time was then involved with Stratford super Avon and by the Conquerors Survey certified to contain xii hides there being then a Church as also a Mill rated at vi s. viii d. and Woods of a mile in length and as much in breadth all which together with three Houses in Warwick as part thereof were at that time valued at xx li. Continuing to the said Bishops it was in 33 H. 3. found to be one of the towns belonging to their Barony and in 39 H. 3. Walt. de Cantilupe the then Bishop obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his successors in all his demesn lands thereof After which viz. in an 1291. 19 E. 1. the value of it is thus set forth scil in Rent of Assize vi li. Three carucates of land at xx s. a carucate One Dovecote at vi s. one Mill at xx s. The Pleas and perquisits xx s. and the profits of the store xx s. But in 3 E. 6. for so long it continued to the succeeding Bishops did Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick obtain it inter alia in exchange from Nichâ Heath Bishop of Worcester for certain lands in Worcester-shire and the same year parted with it again to the King for a more advantagious bargain of lands lying in Oxford-shire and elsewhere but having a design to repossesse it once more he accomplisht his purpose the next year following in exchange for lands lying in Northumberland and other places howbeit his attainder shortly after ensuing Queen Mary in 3. 4. of her raign granted the inheritance thereof together with the advouson of the Rectory unto Thomas Lucy of Cherlecote esquire whose posterity do enjoy it at this day The Church dedicated to S. Peter ad Vincula was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xlv marks there being then a Portion of xx s. to the Monks of Coventre issuing out of it But in 26 H. 8. I find it rated at lv li. xiii s. iv d. vi s. viii d. being then allowed for Synodalls and Procurations and iv li. for a Pension to the Vicar of
Jejunia adhuc retinent nomen officii nam communiter Vigiliae non Jejunia nuncupantur The substance of this I have found Englished in an old Manuscript Legend of S. Iohn Baptist as followeth And ye shall understond and know how the Evyns were first found in old time In the beginning of holl Chirche it was so that the pepull cam to the Chirche with candellys brennyng and wold Wake and coome with light toward night to the Chirche in their devocions and aftir they fell to lecherte and songs daunses harping pipingâ and also to glotony and sinne and so tourned the holinesse to cursydnes wherefore holy faders ordeined the pepull to leve that Waking and to fast the Evyn But hit is callyd Vigilia that is Waking in English and it is callyd the Evyn for at Evyn they were wont to come to Chirche Howbeit the direct time when this prohibition for coming so to Church in the Evening was made hath not as yet appeared to me but I do conclude it to have been very antient for though Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1362. 36 E. 3. by vertue of that appointment made by Pope Gregory the ninth for observation of some speciall Holy days and leaving the rest thus quas singuli Episcopi in suis Diocaesibus cum Clero Populo duxerint solenniter venerandas comanded that Solennitas Dedicationum Ecclesiarum Parochialium Sanctorum in quorum honore Ecclesiae parochiales dedicantur according to the Canon Law Dist. 1. cap. 16.17 Dist. 3. cap. 1. yet there is no doubt to be made considering what is before exprest but that such solemnities of the Churches Dedication were no lesse antient than the primitive times of Christianity and annually kept for many ages upon the same Saints day to whose memory such dedication was made but in processe of time certain inconveniencies being found in the observance of those very dayes especially such as hapned in Harvest when a little neglect may occasion much losse many of them were by speciall authority from the Bishop for that very reason altered and the solemnity transferred to the next Sunday following or some other Sunday as I have seen for instance of Tadcaster and Bishop-Wilton in Yorkshire where the Churches Festivall of the one being on the 28 of August was in the year MCCC xiv assigned to be kept on the Sunday next ensuing the Feast of the Decollation of S. Iohn Baptist and of the other which fell out on the fifteenth of September to be observed the Sunday ensuing Which alteration forasmuch as it broke the antient course and order perhaps occasioned for uniformities sake that Injunction of King Henry made in the year 1536. 28. of his raign whereby with the common assent and consent of the Prelates and Clergy of this his Realm in Convocation lawfully assâmbled amongst other things he decreed ordained and established that the Feast of Dedication of Churches should in all places throughout this Realm be thenceforth celebrated and kept on the first Sunday of the month of October for ever and upon none other day Since which time that Rule hath been observed in divers places as I have particularly taken notice especially where the Saints day unto whom the Church was dedicated hapneth in the Winter time but where it falls out in that time of the year that the weather is warm and proper for merry meetings it is generally seen that the said Festivall is yearly kept on the Sunday next following such day though not by commemoration of the Saint in any particular Church service but by holding up the Custome of Feasting amongst friends and good neighbours with the exercise of dancing and other sports which time is now usually called the Wake through most parts of this Kingdom But returning to Stratford and the successive Bishops that were Lords thereof I find that William de Bleys then being Bishop procured a Charter for another Faire to be kept here on the Eve of S. Augustin and on the day morrow after which Festivall falls yearly on the seventh Cal. of Iune being the 26. of May And within xvi years after Walter de Cantilupe obtained another to be yearly kept on the Eve of the Exaltation of the Holy Crosse the day and two days following viz. 14. Oct. which Charter bears date at Winchester 23. Dec. 24 H. 3. This indeed hath continued till the present times frequented by multitudes that come from far and neer unto it the Toll whereof was very antiently leased for ix s. iv d. and the Toll of the Mercate at xvi s. per annum which Walter sate Bishop for divers years in 39 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his successors in all their demesn lands here bearing date at Merton 2. Apr. Another Faire likewise did Godfrey Giffard when he was Bishop procure in 53 H. 3. to be held for three days viz. the Eve of the Ascension of our Lord commonly called Holy Thursday and upon the day and morow after And moreover the next year following got a new Charter for renewing the Faire again on the Eve of Trinity Sunday so granted by King Iohn as aforesaid and to continue for three days after Touching the revenue which the said Bishop had here in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. I find that it was in Rent of Assize xx li. two carucates of land rated at xx s. one Mill yeilding C s. the pleas and perquisites lx s. and the profits of the store xx s. But it should seem that the said Thursday Mercate grew in time to be neglected for it appears that Walter de Maydenstane made Bishop of Worcester in 2 E. 2. did in the very first year of his consecration obtain a new Charter for one to be kept upon the same day every week and added also another Fair thereto to begin yearly on the Eve of S. Peter and Paul being at the later end of Iune and to hold for xv days Which Charter bears date at Westminstr 4. Martii 2 E. 2. And now that the Mercate became thus setled it was not long ere that the Paving of the town began for in 5 E. 3. did one Robert de Stratford then Parson of the Church of Stratford but afterwards highly advanced as I shall shew by and by procure a Patent for taking Toll for the space of four years upon sundry vendible commodities that should be thither brought for sale towards defraying the charge thereof which Patent being directed Ballivis probis hominibus villae de Stratford super Avone expresseth that it was obtained ad requisitionem dilecti Clerici nostri Roberti de Stratford And was afterwards twice renewed at the request of the said Robert viz. in 8 E. 3. for four years longer and in 10 E. 3. for two years more This Robert de Stratford was afterwards Archdeacon of Canterbury
these later times though perhaps in some particulars varied For it appears that King Iohn in 6 of his reign being to confer this dignitie on Thomas Sturmy directed his Writ to the Shiriff of Hantshire for to make preparations to that purpose which runs thus Praecipimus tibi quod facias habere Thomae Sturmy valetto nostro unam robam de Scarletto cum quadam penula de byssis aliam robam de viridi vel burnetta unam Sellam unum par Loianorum capam ad plumam unam culcitram unum par lintheorum quoniam ipse fiet miles And of K. H. 3. his Knighting Alexander the third K. of Scotland on Christmass day an 1252. at York and xxii more with him being the day preceding the said Alexander's marriage of Margaret daughter to K. Henry Math. Paris saith thus Baltheo donavit militari qui omnibus vestibus pretiosis excogitatis sicut in tam celebri Tyrocinio decuit ornabantur But as these Courtly Ceremonies have been thus antiently used so were there also sacred as is evident by the testimony of Ingulphus viz. a solemn Confession Vigils in the Church Receiving the Sacrament offering the Sword on the Altar with redemption of it and the Bishops Abbots Monks or other Priests putting it on him that was to be thus created as by what he expresseth touching Hereward an English Gentleman Lord of Brune in Lincolnshire upon his return out of Flanders when he was made a Kt. by Brand his Uncle then Abbot of Peterbrough Quoniam Anglorum erat consuetudo saith he quod qui militiae legitimae consecrandus esset vesperâ praecedente diem suae consecrationis ad Episcopum vel Abbatem vel Monachum vel Sacerdotem aliquem contritus compunctus de omnibus suis peccatis confessionem faceret absolutus orationibus devotionibus afflictionibus deditus in Ecclesia pernoctaret in crastino quoque Missam auditurus Gladium super Altare offerret post Evangelium Sacerdos benedictum Gladium collo militis cum benedictione imponeret communicatus ad eandem Missam sacris Christi mysteriis denuò Miles legitimus permaneret And that this usage of offering the Sword at the Altar continued in after times together with the reason thereof we find very evident from Ioan. Sarisburiensis undè jam inolevit consuetudo solennis saith he ut ea ipsa die qua quisque militari cingulo decoratur Ecclesiam solenniter adeat Gladioque super Altare posito oblato quasi celebri professione factâ seipsum obsequio Altaris devoveat Gladiâ id est officii sui âugem Deo spondeat famulatum neque necesse est ut hoc profiteatur verbo cum legitima professio militiae facto ejus videatur inserta And Petrus Blesensis who lived in the same age scil temp H. 2. further explaineth the same Hodie Tyrones saith he enses suos recipiunt de Altari ut profiteantur se filios Ecclesiae atque ad honorem Sacerdotii ad tuitionem pauperum ad vindictam malefactorum patriae liberationem Gladium accepisse All which the learned Selden from whose discourse upon this subject the substance of what I have said is gathered supposeth to be continued under the name of Vigils upon that solemn Knighting of Geffrey of Anjou before specified So that from what hath been said we may clearly conclude that aswell the Sacred as Courtly Ceremonies used at the conferring this dignity have been very antient and very probably observed in such sort as by this following Narrative being a translation from an antient tract thereof in French may be seen whereunto for its better illustration the following Figures delineated from a fair Book in which they were drawn in much larger proportions and in Colours about K. Edw. the iv ths time by the great care and curiositie of that learned and worthy person my singular friend Edw. Byshe Esq. and in his Notes upon Upton already made publick are here added Here followeth the order and manner of creating Knights of the Bath in the time of Peace according to the Custom of England 1. WHen an Esquire comes to Court to receive the Order of Knighthood in the time of Peace according to the Custom of England he shall be honourably received by the Officers of the Court sc. the Steward or the Chamberlain if they be present but otherwise by the Marshalls and Ushers Then there shall be provided two Esquires of Honour grave and well seen in Courtship and nurture as also in the feats of Chivalrie and they shall be Esquires and Governours in all things relating to him which shall take the Order abovesaid 2. And if the Esquire do come before Dinner he shall carry up one Dish of the first course to the King's Table 3. And after this the Esquires Governours shall conduct the Esquire that is to receive the Order into his Chamber without any more being seen that day 4. And in the Evening the Esquires Governours shall send for the Barbour and they shall make ready a Bath handsomely hung with linnen both within and without the Vessell taking care that it be covered with Tapistrie and blankets in respect of the coldness of the night And then shall the Esquire be shaven and his hair cut round After which the Esquires Governours shall go to the King and say Sir it is now in the Evening and the Esquire is fitted for the Bath when you please whereupon the King shall command his Chamberlain that he shall take along with him unto the Esquires Chamber the most gentile and grave Knights that are present to inform counsell and instruct him touching the Order and feats of Chivalrie And in like manner that the other Esquires of the Household with the Minstrells shall proceed before the Knights singing dancing and sporting even to the Chamber dore of the said Esquire 5. And when the Esquires Governours shall hear the noise of the Minstrelâs they shall undress the said Esquire and put him naked into the Bath But at the entrance into the Chamber the Esquires Governours shall cause the Musick to cease and the Esquires also for a while And this being done the grave Knights shall enter into the Chamber without making any noise and doing reverence to each other shall consider which of themselves it shall be that is to instruct the Esquire in the Order and course of the Bath And when they are agreed then shall the chief of them go to the Bath and kneeling down before it say with a soft voice Sir Be this Bath of great honour to you and then he shall declare unto him the feats of the Order as far as he can putting part of the water of the Bath upon the shoulder of the Esquire and having so done take his leave And the Esquires Governours shall attend at the sides of the Bath and so likewise the other Knights the one after the other till
elsewhere within the King's dominions And lastly that he and his heirs should have another Faire yearly within this Town beginning on the Even of S. Dunstan and continuing for two dayes following Which ample Charter bears date at Westminster xviii Nov. in the year before specified After which ere long viz. in 28 H. 6. was he made Lord Treasurer of England but in that Office he continued not long as also a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace and assessing of Subsidies in this County but in these I presume he acted little in respect of his other great imployments being a Baron of this Realm and summoned to severall Parliaments in the said King's time By his Testament bearing date ix Apr. An. 1475. 15 E. 4. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of the Dominican Friers at Worcester in a new Chapell to be made on the North side of the Quire To which House of Friers for his buriall there he bequeathed the value of xx marks to be had in vestments and stuff besides a pair of Organs of his own residing at that time at Chelchith in the County of Midlesex Appointing that a Priest of that Friery should daily say Masse at the Altar within the said Chapell before his Tombe after the Order of a Trentall for his soul and the souls of his Father and Mother Brethren and Sisters his Children and Ancestors souls and especially for the souls of Sir Iohn Fastolf Knight Will. Botreaux and all Christen souls taking by the week for the said Masse so daily to be said viii d. for evermore Which Chapell and Tombe with his statue thereon in Alabaster he did by the said Testament ordein that his Executor should cause to be made and departed this life the same year leaving Sir Ric. Beauchamp Knight his son and heir then 40. years of age who in the private Chapell of this Mannour-house here called by the name of Beauchamps-Court having speciall License from the Bishop of Worcester wedded Eliz. the daughter of Sir Humfrey Stafford Knight by whom he had issue three daughters that were his heirs viz. Eliz. married to Sir Robert Willoughby Lord Brook first summoned to Parl. by that title in 7 H. 7. Anne to Ric. Ligon and Margaret to Will. Rede which Sir Robert had in her right this Mannour of Alcester in partition and dyed seized thereof 10 Nov. 13 H. 8. leaving Eliz. Anne and Blanch his cosins next heirs viz. daughters of Edw. Willoughby his son by the before specified Elizabeth Of which daughters so in minority Eliz. the eldest was committed to the tuition of Sir Edward Grevill of Milcote Knight who obtained her wardship as I have by tradition been informed with purpose to marry her unto Iohn his son and heir but she better affecting Fòuke the younger became his wife to whom she brought this Mannour of Alcester with other lands which Fouke much enlarged his Mannour-house at Beauchamps-Court taking stone and timber from the then newly dissolved Priory at Alcester for that purpose as also his Park with part of the wast belonging to this Lordship and bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire in 34 H. 8. being then a Knight so also in 1 E. 6. and departed this life 10. Nov. Anno 1559. 1 Eliz. leaving issue Fouke his son and heir and Robert a younger son which Fouke was Knighted in 7 Eliz. being then 29 years of age In 12 Eliz. he came first into Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Shire and departing this life in an 1606 4 Iac. left issu by Anne his wife daughter to Raph Nevill E. of Westmerland Fouk his son and heir Which last recited Fouk having been a servant in Court to Q. Eliz. made Under-Treasurer and Chancelour of the Exchequer by K. Iames as also one of the privy Councell and a Gentleman of his Bedchamber in 15. of that King's reign obtained a speciall Charter confirming all such liberties as had been granted to any of his Ancestors in the behalf of this Town upon a new Rent of x s. per annum then reserved to the said K. his heires successors and was created Lord Brook of Beauchamps-Court before mentioned 9. Ian. 18. Iac. with limitation of that Honour for lack of issue male of his own body unto Robert Grevill son of Fouk son of Robert before specified a younger son to the first Sir Fouk This Fouk Lord Brook obtaining the Castle of Warwick from King Iames when it was in a very ruinous condition bestowed so much cost in the repairs thereof beautifying it with most pleasant Gardens and Walks and adorning it with rich furniture that considering its situation no place in this part of England doth compare with it for statelinesse and delight But delaying to reward one Hayward an antient servant that had spent the most of his time in attendance upon him being expostulated with for so doing received a mortall stab on the back by the same man then private with him in his Bed-chamber at Brook-house in London 30. Sept. Anno 1628 5 Car. who to consummate the Tragedy went into another roome and having lock't the dore pierced his own bowells with a sword After which viz. 27. Oct. the said Lord Brook's body being wrapt in Lead brought to Warwick was there solemnly interred in a vault on the North side the Quire of S. Maries Church under that beautifull Monument erected by himself whereof I have there taken notice To whom succeeded in this his Lordship of Alcester and divers other lands of great value the before specified Robert Grevill Lord Brooke by vertue of a speciall grant whereby they were so setled I now come to speak of that Family of Botreaux which possest the other half of this Mannour till 22 H. 6. as I have intimated Robertus Corbet ..... Reginaldus Comes Cornub Regis Henrici primi nothus Henricus Filia cohaeres Henricus fil Herberti Petrus fil Herberti 6. Joh. Herbertus fil Petri 33 H. 3. Regin fil Petri 56 H. 3. Johannes Herbertus Alicia altera filiarum cohaeredum Will. Boterell Will. Boterell 6. Joh. ob s. prole Albreda fil Walteri Waleran Reginaldus de Boterell frater haeres Will. de Botereus 2 E. 1. Will. de Botereus 9 E. 2. Regin de Botereus 4 E. 3. Walt. de Botereaux obiit 41 E. 3. Joh. Botereaux aetat 6. an 41 E. 3. Margeria filia Will. Dunfrell Joh. Botreaux de Wetheley in Com. Warw. gen 10 H. 6. Thomas Botreaux 22 H. 6. Of Will. de Botreaux who married Alice one of the daughters and coheirs to Rob. Corbet I find that he confirmed to the Monks of Alcester all that they there held of his Fee and that he left issue Will. and Reginald which second Will. in 6. Ioh. gave two Horses for the great saddle
Messuages one shop xi acres of land and 4 acres of meadow lying here in Alcester But in 7 H. 4. this Chantry had an addition made thereto by two Priests Iohn Weston and Rob. Canill who gave 4 messuages and 4 acres of land thereto lying also within the precincts of Alcester so that in 26 H. 8. the value of all its revenues extended to iiii l. xiii s. viii d. per an but in 37 H. 8. to no more than iiii l. xii s. over and above reprises I Now come to the Monastery whereof there is scarce any memoriall left amongst the Inhabitants the very ruins being all dig'd up and Corn sowed where it sometime stood and that the place may not be forgotten I shall here before I come to speak of its Foundation describe where it lyes which is about half a mile North from Alcester encompassed with a moat on the West and South sides and on the North and East with the river Arrow making the site thereof a kind of Island which containeth somewhat more than two acres according to our usuall measure as I guess This at the frequent instance of Simon Bishop of Worcester and G. the then Prior being founded by Raph. Boteler of Oversley in the year of our Lord MCXL 5 Steph. upon that piece of ground so encompassed with water as I have said and therefore called the Church of our Lady of the Isle was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and to the honour of the Blessed Virgin St. Anne her mother St. Ioseph St. Iohn Bapt. St. Iohn the Evang. and All Saints for the health of the souls of K. Will. the Conquerour Maud his consortâ K. Will. the younger K. Henry the first Q. Maud his consort K. Steph. Q. Maud likewise his consort Roger de Bellomont and Atheline his wife Rob. Earl of Mellent and Isabell his wife Rob. Earl of Leicester and Avice his wife with their sons as also of Walleran Earl of Mellent And moreover for his the said Raph. Boteler's own soul and the soul of Avice his wife with their Parents ancestors and successors souls by the advice and consent of the before specified K. Steph. Rob. Earl of Leic. and VValeran E. of Mellent and of Robert and Geffrey sons to the said Raph Robert a Monk of Worcester being constituted the first Abbot there upon Martinmass-day in the year abovesaid The same Founder then ordaining that after the death of this Abbot another should be chosen in the Chapter house at Worcester or out of this at Alcester as should be thought most meet And for the maintenance of the Monks here serving God he endowed it with the before specified Isle together with his Lordship of Cockmerse and whatsoever he did possess in Pebworth viz. 4 hides and a half and moreover with all his lands of Waltford Cunbruge and Blinchesfelde with their appurtenances excepting Lx s. yearly Rent which the Abbot of this House was to pay to the Monks of Bec in Normandy And further did he grant thereunto the Chapell of his Castle at Oversleie with the Churches of Alcester Glen Teingworth and Merston and whatsoever appertaâned to them the whole Tithe of his Lorship of Oversleie in lands Vineyards Woods Parks Meadows and Fishings Half the Tithe of his Lordships of Pebworth and Cherletune Two sheaves of that of Ragley All the Tithes of Dorsinton Mulecote Brome and Whitlacesford As also his Mill of Groberi and the half of his three Mills at Oversleie Appointing that whatsoever should govern here for the future as Abbot he should not mispend the revenues of the Monastery upon his secular kindred but for the poor and in Hospitality nor grant away the inheritance of any the lands belonging thereto And which is not the least memorable he might not make any other Knights nisi in sacra veste Christi in qua parvulos suscipere modestè caveat but that maturos seu discretos tam Clericos quam Laicos providè suscipiat as are the very words of his Charter whereby 't is evident that about this time the restriction began which prohibited Ecclesiastick persons to make Knights which it seems they had antiently used to do and as by what I have said in Milcote touching the sacred and Courtly ceremonies formerly excercised in conferring that dignity appeareth Which ample Charter being confirmed by the before specified Robert Earl of Leicester his immediate Lord as also by K. Steph. and Henry the second begot a fair increase of its possessions through the munificence of sundry other persons viz. xx s. Rent yearly issuing out of Impingeham given by Geffrey one of the sons to the said founder the Church of Beoley in Worcestershire by Geffrey de Limesi the Church of Pebeworth in com Glouc. by Ric Frevill with one yard land in Merston and the Tithe of his Salt at Wiche the Church of Edbrighton by Rog. de Watervill and one hide of land in Ryeton in this County lying adjacent to Weston with a meadow situate under that town and some other lands there Neither must I omit to take notice that Simon de Cocton and Alexander de Kynewarton bestowed on these Monks each of them a load of wood for Fewell to be weekly taken out of their Woods at Cocton now Coughton with liberty for them to erect Hogs-cotes in the same Woods All which gifts were ratified by the said K. H. 2. After this viz. in 35 E. 1. had they Lx. acres of Heath or wast lying at Hinstoke in Shropshire with the advouson of the Church of Hinstoke given unto them by Will. le Boteler of Wemme with power to inclose the said wast as also Common of pasture for viii Oxen vi Kine with their calves of one year old and C C sheep in his Wasts and Woods at Hinstoke but with condition that the said Will. and his heirs might make improvement at their pleasure in those woods and wast without the lawfull contradiction of the said Monks And over and above all this was there an annuity of C s. per an given thereunto by the said Will. le Boteler issuing out of certain lands and burgages lying in Shaftesbury in com Dors. for the performance of Divine service Almes and other pious works for the health of his soul as also of the soul of K. Henr. the 4th But after this I do find very little increase of its revenues from any other Benefactors nay rather such a diminution through the ill government and negligence of some Abbots by wasting the stock upon their lands and borrowing of money that in 10 H. 6. upon a Complaint made by William the then Abbot that their debts were so great as in case they should speedily be required himself and his Covent could not possibly subsist the King upon mature advice with his Councell by his Royall authority seised the whole Monastery into his own hands and forthwith
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 suppresâing of all unlawfâll 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 Aâsby 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 Everâoâte 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
or the lande at Evertons and the xli and pray you in every place see cleerness in my soul and pray fast and I shall for you and Iesu have mercy on my Soule Amen My Lords Stanley Strange and all that blood helpe and pray for my Soule for ye have not for my Body as I trusted in yow and if my issue rejoyce my Land I pray you lett Mr. John Elton have the best Benefice and my Lord Lovell come to grace then that ye shew to him that he pray for me And uncle John remember my Soule as ye have done my Body and better and I pray you see the Sadler Hartlington be paied and in all other places After which viz. in the Parl. begun 7 Nov. 1 H. 7. ensued his attainder whereupon all his lands eschaâting to the Crown this Lordship in 3 H. 7. was bestowed on Sir Iames Blunt Kt. and the heirs male of his body To this William succeeded George his son and heir who in 10. H. 7. having Livery of divers lands descended to him aswell by inheritance from Margaret his mother as from William Lord Zouch and Elizabeth his wife Father and Mother to the said Margaret and being by Act of Parl. held the year following restored to his Father 's forfeited possessions whereby this Lordship came again to that Family wedded Elizabeth daughter of Sir Richard Empson Kt. one of the great Projectors in H. 7. time and by his Testament bearing date 8 Maii 19 H. 7. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Church of Ashby-Legers before the Image of the holy Trinity in his Chapell there appointing that two marble stones price of each vi l. xiii s. iiii d. should be brought thither one to be layd upon his Father and Mother and the other upon himself as a memoriall for him and his wife The Probate whereof bears date two years after which shews that he dyed about the latter end of 20 H. 7. leaving William his son and heir by reason of his minority in ward to Iohn Spenser of Wormleâghton who departed this life about the 10 th of H. 8. leaving Richard his Brother and heir in ward also to Sir Will. Spenser Kt. in 19 H. 8. Which Richard having been one of the Kts. for this Shire in that Parl. of 30 H. 8. so fatall to the Monasteries and the next year following Shiriff and so also in 37 H. 8. being then a Knight had two wives scil Dorothe daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser Knight and Eliz. daughter to Will. Astell one of the daughters and heirs to the Lady Iane Bray and departed this life 4 Maii 7 E. 6. leaving William his grandchild and heir for his eldest son William died in his life time Which William being likewise a Knight and residing much at Bushwode underwent the Shiriffalty of this County in 20. Eliz. and by Anne his wife the daughter of Sir Robert Throkmorton Kt. had issue Robert and other sons which Robert having sold this Lordship to Sir Edward Grevill of Milcote Knight of whom Sir Thomas Holt of Aston juxta Bermingham purchased it being unhappily confederate with the Gunpowder Conspirators in 3. Iac. and thereupon slain with Percy at Holbeach-house in Worcestershire was afterwards by Act of Parl. attainted as is fully manifested by our vulgar Writers The Church dedicated to St. Mathew being given about the later end of K. H. 3. time by Will. de Harecurt son of Rob. de Harecurt of whom I have already made mention unto Iohn the son of Peter de Glen and by the said Iohn granted to the Warden and Schollars of Merton Colledge in Oxford â was by them past over to King Edw. 1. Which King in 4. of his reign conferred it on the Provost and Canons of the Hospitall of Montchensy as by his Charter bearing date 24. Nov. appeareth But it seems that those Canons had little benefit by this grant for I find that the same K. by another Charter bearing date 4. Iunii the year ensuing rendred and restored it to the Warden and Schollars of Merton Colledge above mentioned After which viz. in an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xvii marks and a half but in 26 H. 8. at no more than x l. per an the Procurations and Synodals yearly payable out of it being x s. v. d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. per ââpsum Rob. de Lutleburi Cler. 2. Id. Nov. 1286. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. de Cliva Diac. Non. Maii 1286. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Thomas de Wylton 8. Id. Oct. 1303. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Will. Waleys 3. Id. Iulii 1320. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Heyne Cler. 19. Nov. 1349. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Beaugrant Subdiac 9. Cal. Ian. 1367. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Rob. de Horton Pbr. 8. Iulii 1370. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Will. Rous. .... 1370. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Will. Heryngton 14. Maii 1411. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Coke 4. Maii 1422. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Rad. Paret 13. Maii 1433. Custos Scolares domus de Merton D. Rad. Spire 29. Martii 1446. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Hill penult Febr. 1456. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Rob. Arden in Art Magr. 10. Ian. 1488. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Ioh. Iohnson Art Magr. 7. Maii 1509. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Thomas Raynolde Pbr. 17. Aug. 1540. Custos Scolares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Raynshaw Cler. 10. Nov. 1556. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Litton Cler. 30. Oct. 1584. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Morley Cler. in art Magr. ult Maii 1613. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Elly Cler. 16. Oct. 1613. In 47 E. 3. there was a Chantry founded in a certain Chapell adjoyning to this Church by Ric. de Montfort Roger de Ulbarwe Roger atte Greene of Lapworth and Richard Dolfyn a Priest and by them endowed with two messuages two carucates of land twelve acres of meadow and xvi s. Rent all lying in Toneworth for maintenance of a Priest to sing Masse there every day to the honour of the blessed Virgin S. Thomas the Martyr and All Saints which lands were then called by the name of Wodardes-Lond Heath-land â and Lysterley-field as appeareth by the Earl of Warwick's License for amortizing of them whereby also he gave authoritie to the said Richard Montfort and the heirs male of his body to present a fit Priest thereto as often as cause should require but in
of the possessions of Waga of whom I have spoke in Wootton in Edw. the Confessors days was held by Robert de Stafford in the Conq. time and by the generall Survey then taken wherein it is written Holehale certified to contain one hide the woods being half a mile in length and one furlong in breadth all valued at iv li. From which Robert or his son Nicholas did Roger Earl of Warwick obtain it as it seemes and enfeoft thereof one Roger who residing here assumed the sirname of Ulehale from whom descended certain male branches which continued till Edw. 1. time at the least whereof one viz. Robert grandchild to the said Roger wrote himself Dominus de Holenhale and in 36 H. 3. was certified to hold a fourth part of a Knight's fee here of the Earl of Warwick I suppose by some circumstances that this Mannour first came to the family of Mountfort about King H. 3. time for I find that Peter de Mountfort did then confirm the grant of certain particular parcells of land lying here given by petty Freeholders to the Monks Wootton but the first positive proof that I have which manifesteth Montfort directly to have been Lord thereof is in 32 H. 6. where one Richard Hawnell who was enfeoft thereof by Sir William Mountfort of Colshill Kt. releases his right therein to Humphrey Duke of Buck. and others which Duke with the rest had likewise but an estate in trust thereof for it appears that it came to the Crown in 10 H. 7. by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort Knight as in Colshill shall be shewed and was by the same King in 12. of his reign granted away with divers other Lordships in this Countie to Gerald Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth S. Iohn then his wife and the heirs male of their two bodyes K. H. 8. in 2. of his reign confirming the same From which Earl it descended to Sir Iames Fitz Gerald Knight one of his sons by the said Eliz. But by his attainder in 28 H. 8. as I have elsewhere shewed returned again to the Crown and in 1 Mariae was by that Queen granted unto Michael Throkmorton Esquire a younger son to Sir Robert Throkmorton of Coughton Knight who died seized thereof 1. Nov. 5 6 Ph. M. leaving Francis his son and heir seven years of age which Francis had issue Iohn Throkmorton of whom it was purchased in our time by Mr. Bolton a Citizen of London Here is a fair Chapell dedicated to the blessed Virgin wherein the Vicars of Wootton for the time being have of antient time used to find a Priest at their own proper charge to celebrate divine service The Epitaph belonging to the Monument represented on the next page Here lieth the body of Francis Throkmorton Esquire borne in the Citie of Mantua in Italy son and heir unto Michaell Throkmorton Esquire and of Agnes Hide of Southamptonshire which Michaell was borne at Coughton-Court in the Countie of Warwick and was youngest brother to Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton aforesaid Knight And after that the said Michaell had lived many years in Italy in good and great reputation with bountifull Hospitalitie entertaining most of the Noble-men and gentlemen of England that had occasion to come that way and did returne into the Realm of England in the very beginning of the reigne of Q. Mary and received of her gift the Maenours of Honiley Blackwell Packhurst Winderton Vllenhall in Ullenhall and others as appeareth by her Majesties Letters Patent bearing date in the first year of her reign And after went into Italy againe where he departed this life and lieth buried in S. Martin's Church in the said Citie of Mantua under a fair Tombe The said Michael married Iudith Tracie daughter of Richard Tracie of Stanway in the Countie of Gloucester Esquire and of Barbara Lucy of Charlecote in the aforesaid County of Warwick and sister to Sir Paul Tracie Baronet and had by her six Children whereof three that is to say Francis Michaell and Iudith are departed this life without issue and the other three are living that is to say Iohn Michaell and Iudith Anno Dom. 1617. anno decimo quinto domini nostri Iacobi Regis Angliae Mors mihi lucrum portus refugium Sic transit gloria Mundi Omnia vana vidi solo mea Christo repono Mors tua Mors Christi fraus Mundi gloria Coeli Et dolor inferni sunt meditanda tibi Botley THis being originally a member of Wootton is not taken notice of in the Conqueror's Survey but the name which is Saxon shews it to be of greater antiquity for Botle was the word which our Ancestors used in the same sense that we do Domus in Latine In H. 2. time Robert de Stadford possessor also of Wootton gave to the Canons of Kenilworth certain lands lying in this place with the homages and services of severall persons as also to Geffrey Malore and his heirs all those lands homages services which he likewise held of him here reserving the payment of a Sparhawk to himself and his heirs by the said Geffrey and his heirs which Geffrey was of those Malories that resided at Tachebroke in this Countie From whom descended Iohn Malore who in 9 E. 3. had Free warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here and at Tachebrooke before specified as also at Walton on the Woulds in Leicestershire and from him another Iohn who with Ankitell Malore his son and heir by their Deed bearing date the Thursday after the Feast of S. Michael th'arch-Angell 22 H. 6. aliened it to Richard Archer Esquire and his heirs whose posteritie have ever since enjoy'd it Sir Simon Archer of Tanworth Knight being the present owner thereof Whitley THis being in the Conqueror's time possest by Robert de Stadford with Wootton and then certified to contain three hides was held of him by one Drogo which name we now call Drew having then a Mill Woods extending to half a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth all which were valued at xl s. and before the Norman Invasion had been the inheritance of three brothers Some have affirmed that this Drogo was a Norman and servant to the said Robert de Stadford and that his posterity assumed the sirname of Whitley in regard of their residence here as also that from this Family of Whitley came the Offords and Fulwoods the one from Robert who seating himself at Offord whereof I shall speak anon left that name to his descendants and the other from Richard who planting at a place in the parish of Tanworth then called Fulwood but now Clea-Hall had also thence that denomination all which from antient evidences is likewise in some sort manifested Of this Family was one Thomas de Witele who had issue Robert which Robert in consideration of x. marks of silver past
the Conqueror's Survey and was soon after granted by the then possessor of Dudley-Castle unto the Ancestor of Henry de Rokeby to hold by the fift part of a Knight's fee as the Confirmation thereof made unto the same Henry and his heirs by Gervase Paganell Lord of Dudley in H. 2. time doth manifest wherein it is written Saluthley From which Henry descended Ranulph de Rokeby whose daughter and heir Annabill marryed unto Sir Iohn Goband Knight as in Rokeby appeareth whereby the inheritance hereof came to the same Sir Iohn Goband who in 16 E. 2. was certified to hold it of Iohn de Someri Baron of Dudley then newly deceased by the said service of the fift part of a Knight's Fee Which Sir Iohn Goband and Aânabill in 5 E. 3. granted it unto Walter de Clâdshale and Richard his son to hold during the lives of them the said Walter and Richard for the Rent of x li. per annum sterling but afterwards to returne unto the said Sir Iohn and Annabil and the heirs of Annabill Of this Annabill I find that surviving her said husband and afterwards being wedded to Iohn Brown of Burbach in Com. Leic. she past away the inheritance thereof to the before specified Walter and Richard de Clodshale in 17 E. 3. For the better confirmation of which title Iohn the son and heir to the above mentioned Sir Iohn Goband and Annabill released unto them the said Walter and Richard and the heirs of Richard all the right and claim that he could pretend thereto as by the same bearing date at Bermingham in 20 E. 3. sealed with his Armes viz. Gules two barrs Or with 3. Besants in Chief appeareth Which Walter de Clodshale and his descendants in the male line so long as it continued had their seat here and increasing their estate by the marriage of severall heirs were reckoned amongst the Gentlemen of the superior rank in this Countie Agnes 5 E. 2. Walt. de Clodshale 5 E. 2. Alicia filia haeres Rog. de Bishopesden 19 E. 3. Râc de Clodshale 24 E. 3. Iohanna relâcta Roberti de Ribsford Ioh. de Clodshale 47 E. 3. Beatrix soror haeres Will. Golofre 47 E. 3. Ric. Clodshale 3 H. 5. Isabella filia haeres Ric. de Edgbaston relicta Thomae Midlemore Eliz. filia haeres uxor Roberti Ardern de Park-Hall ar 4 H. 6. But from what originall his Ancestors were other than Townsmen of Bermingham wherein they had lands of good worth as by a multitude of antient Deeds appeareth I cannot expresse Of which lands out of the good affection by him born to that place in 3 E. 3. he obtained License from Sir William de Burmingham then Lord of Burmingham of whom they were held to amortize four Messuages and xx acres as also a Rent of xviii d. for the foundation of a Chantrie at the Altar of the blessed Virgin in the Church of S. Martin there in Bermingham for one Priest to celebrate divine Service daily thereat for the souls of him the said Walter and Agnes his wife their Ancestors and successors with all the faithfull deceased Of the same Walter and Richard his son I further find that being by the Commissioners of Array in this Countie 21 E. 3. charged with two Archers they were abated one of them paying xl s. for the expences of that one as also that the said Richard for the health of his soul and the soul of Alice his wife about the same time added five Messuages x. acres of land and x s. Rent to the Chantrie before specified and moreover that in 32 E. 3. he payd a Fine of x li. for his Pardon in respect he came not in to receive the Order of Knighthood upon Proclamation made that all such as were possest of lands or Rents of the value of xl s. should appear for that purpose And likewise that in 34 E. 3. he was in Commission for the assessing and collecting of a xv th and Tenth then granted to the King in Parliament and the same year had a speciall License granted to him from Robert de Stretton then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield dated 3. Cal. Ian. for an Oratorie or Chapell in his House here at Saltley and lastly that he bore for his Armes ...... per pale indented with certain Martlets in the place of a borborder on the dexter part of his shield as appears by his Seal which doubtlesse was in reference to the tenure of his antient lands from the Berminghams whose coat it did so nearly resemble But the last of the male line that had to do here was Richard grandchild to the said Ric. who in 4 H. 4. had the title of Esquire for so he writes himself in a Bond for payment of 500 li. to William de Bermingham Esquire Betwixt this Richard and the same William de Bermingham was there a suit at Law touching the advouson of the Chantrie before specified founded by Walter de Clodhale his Ancestor in the Church of Bermingham in which suit he prevailed and accordingly presented thereto in 5 H. 4. In 7 H. 4. he was one of those gentlemen of note in this Countie Arma portantibus de Armis antiquis as the words of the Writ are who had summons to attend the King in their proper persons for defence of the Realm and in 4 H. 6. underwent the office of Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire By his Testament bearing date at Egebaston 7 Maii Anno 1428. 6 H. 6. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of Bermingham within his own proper Chapell of our Lady constituting the Duke of Bedford whom he there termes his honourable Lord one of his Executors and departed this life the same year as appears by the Probate thereof The Armes which this Richard bore did much differ from his Grandfathers being two Barrs nebulè betwixt six Estoiles as his Seal manifesteth which coat I believe he assumed for the allusion that it hath to his name scil the representation of Clouds to Clodshale for it was a common usage in antient time where they could hit upon any thing that sounded neer or like to the name to bear it in their Armes as by a multitude of instances might be demonstrated But dying without issue male Elizabeth his daughter became heir to this Mannour as also to that of Pebmore in Com. Wigorn. and other lands who being wedded to Robert Ardern of Park-Hall Esquire brought them to that Family wherein they continue till this present Anno scil 1640. Ward end alias Little Bromwich THis place heretofore called Little-Bromwich was at first either a member of Castle-Bromwich or of Aston which contained both But the antientest mention I finde of it is in 13 E. 1. where it appears that one Iohn de Bradewell had a suit for lands therein with Walter de Eylesbury Steward to
sons Iohn and Roger died young so that the inheritance divolved to Thomas who by the death of Maâgaret wife of Sir Roger de Clarindon Knight without issue came to possesse a fair part of the Barony of Tyllaghlarg in Ireland by righfull descent as the Pedegree before inserted sheweth Which Thomas had issue onely two daughters betwixt whom his lands were divided this Mannour falling to Elene the wife of Sir Edmund Ferrers of Chartley Knight and so descended unto William Lord Ferrers of Chartley her son and heir who died seâzed thereof in 28 H. 6. leaving Anne his daughter and heir then the wife of Walter Devereux Esquire which Walter in 2 E. 4. and so afterwards during that King's regn and in 1 R. 3. was summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons by the name of Walter Devereux de Ferrers Chevalier whose grandchild Walter Vicount Hereford setled it upon Edward his son by a second wife and his heires which Edward built a fair House of brick here wherein he resided and being created Baronet 25. Nov. 10â Iac. departed this life 22. Sept. in 20â of that King's reign leaving Sir Walter Devereux his son and heir now Lord of this Mannour Anno scil 1640. Park-Hall THis having been the chief seat of the Ardens for neer CCC years last past had in 38 E. 3. the name of Park-Hall being situate in haya de Bromwich the House as it should seem by an antient moat then standing at the top of the hill Southwards from the River But in 2 H. 5. it was called Manerium de Park-Hall As a member of Bromwich it did originally belong to the old Barons of Dudley for so the tenure thereof implies but when it came to the Ardens or was by them impark't I have not yet discovered In 2 H. 8. I find that the Park was enlarged with Cxl. acres of Wood and Pasture as also with x. acres of arable ground by Iohn Arden Esquire by which it seems that the extent of it before was not great And that afterwards scil in 32 H. 8. it was called Manerium de la Logge alias Park-Hall And here should I according to my accustomed methode speak historically of the Ardens but in regard that Curdworth and Minworth have been of their inheritance even from the Norman Conquest I have thought it more proper to refer what I have to say of that antient Family thither Water Orton THis little village hath its name from the situation standing neer the River and upon such an ascent Before 32 H. 6. I have not found it termed a Mannour but then by an Inquisition taken after the death of Raph de Arden it was so reputed coming to the same Raph by the marriage of Eliz. the daughter and heir of Richard de Clodshale to whose posteritie it still continues That it was originally as a member of Aston belonging to the old Barons of Dudley there is no cause to doubt considering that it hath so antiently been within the view of their Leet held at Bordsley for all the Hamlets in Aston parish and that it appears to have been held as Saltley was the grant whereof from Gervase Paganell I have already vouched But that the Ardens had some lands therein long before the match with Clodshale's heir is as evident There is besides this another Mannour at least in reputation within the precincts of this Hamlet concerning which there was a Fine levied betwixt Francis Morgan and others Plantiffs and Richard Tate and others deforc in 6 E. 6. before which time I have not seen any mention of it and whereof in 43 Eliz. Will. Tate son of Barth Tate was possest At which time I find it certified to be held of Ardens Mannour before mentioned The Inhabitants of this Village being within the parish of Aston did antiently use to hear divine Service in the Chapell of Bromwich but in 20 E. 3. having built one of their own they obtained License from Roger Northburgh then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield for a Priest to performe the like service therein for one year provided that they should not retain any thing of their dues from the Vicar of Aston which License bears date at Heywood 2 Aug. Anno 1346. For the antiquity of the Bridge here I cannot speak positively but in 37 H. 6. I find that Reginald Bowlers then Bishop of this Dioces taking into his consideration that it was out of repair granted a speciall Indulgence of xl days bearing date 24. Sept. to all the Inhabitants of Coventre-Archdeaconry who should within the space of three years next following charitably contribute to the amendment thereof But whether that Bridge was then of stone or not I am not sure for there is a tradition that Iohn Harman alias Vessy Bishop of Exeter in H. 8. time built it and Curdworth bridge at his own Charges causing the stone for that purpose to be brought from the old Mannour-House of Sutton of which Bishop I shall say more when I come to that place Witton THis was the freehold of one Staunchel before the Norman invasion but afterwards being disposed of with Aston to William Fitz Ausculfe the same Staunchel became Tenant to this new Lord as generally the native English were constrain'd to do so that at the time of the Conqueror's Survey it was certified with the rest of Fitz Ausculf's lands in this Countie and containing one hide was valued at xx s. in which Record it is written Witone But the next possessor thereof afterwards that I can yet discover was Andrew de Wicton who held it in 25 H. 3. being the first perhaps that became enfeoft thereof by one of the Batons of Dudley at which time there was some dispute betwixt the same Andrew and William de Pyrie touching the bounds betwixt this Lordship and that of Pyrie in Staffordshire whereupon the King directed his Precept to the Sheriff of this Countie to bring with him twelve discreet and lawfull Knights of Warwickshire having done the like to the Shiriff of Staffordshire so that upon Perambulation made there might be certain metes and bounds exactly set forth betwixt them which were to be certified to the King's Justices at the next Assize and there it is written Wicton which plainly shews that though it be vulgarly pronounced Witton the originall occasion of its name was from the situat on that it hath so near the bent of the River The next mention I find of it is in 19 E. 1. upon the death of Roger de Someri Lord of Dudley where it appears that Iohn the son of Will. Dyxele held it of the same Roger by the eighth part of a Knight's fee. Which Iohn had issue Iohn who wrote himself Dominus de Wicton in 18 E. 2. But in these Dixleys it continued not much longer for in 14 E. 3. did Sarra the widow of the said Iohn de Dixele and
greatnesse and power durst not appear to challenge the Jurie so that he had CCC â given him for damages against them But it so fell out that in 3 E. 3. this mighty man being seized upon by the King at Notingham Castle and by a Parliament there held condemn'd for Treason was put to death whereby all his possessions became confiscate insomuch as the Inhabitants before specified petitioned the K. that he would be gracious unto them in forbearing to proceed to Judgment upon that Verdict whereupon he was pleased to remit thereof CCxlvi li. xiii s. iiii d. Whether by any conveiance from the Bishop of Ely before spoken of it was that Rob. de Moreby of Moreby in Yorkshire had an interest here I know ãâã nor what he so had but in 7 E. 3. I find that the K. granted to him a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here at Solihull as also at Bonnewick and Moreby in Yorkshire It seems that the inheritance thereof was in the Bishop's heirs what ever estate the same Rob. de Moreby had for in 26 E. 3. by a Fine then levied betwixt Anne the widow of Edw. le Despenser Plantiff and Iohn de Hothum of Bondeby Kt. Deforââ this Mannour with the advouson of the Church was setled upon the same Anne during her life the remainder to Hugh le Despenser son to the said Edw. and Anne and Alice his wife daughter of the said Sir I. Hothum and the heirs of their bodies and so to Katherine sister of the said Alice c. Which Alice was afterwards married to Iohn Trussell who in her right held this Lordship in 50 E. 3. But by her first husband she had issue Sir Hugh le Spenser Kt. and Anne a daughter married to Sir Edw. Boteler Kt. which Sir Hugh dyed without issue in 3. H. 4. leaving Anne his sister and heir then 32 years of age Of this Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife I find that in 5 H. 4. they came to an Agreement with Sibill the widow of the said Sâ Hugh le Spenser whereby it was concluded that she the said Sibill shou'd hold this Mannour during her life but afterwards to return unto the same Sir Edward and Anne and their heirs who dying without issue K. H. 5. by his Letters Pat. dated 16 Apr. in the second year of his reign passing to Edward Duke of York for life all the lands which were Thomas Lord Spenser's attainted by Parl. Octab. Hill 3 H. 4. the remainder to Ric. Beauchamp of Bergavenny Kt. and Isabell his wife sister and heir of Richard son and heir to the said Thomas late Lord Despenser deceased and the heirs male of the same Richard and Isabell the Duke by virtue of that grant possest himself of this Mannour ãâã colour that for want of issue by the âaâd Sir Edward Bâteler and Anne the inheritance thereof belonged to the same Thomas le Despenser Earl of Glouc. so attainted and held it till his death which hapning in 3 H. 5 for he was slain at the battell of Agincourt 25 Oct. the same year Ric. Beauchamp and Isabell his wife had livery ãâã Hothum Episc Elien Perius Hothum Ioh. Hothum miles Fâw le De spenser Anna. Edm. Dux Ebor. Edw. Dux Elââr Constanstia Ric. le Despenser Co. Glouc. ob s p. Isabella sola filia haeres ux Ric. Beauchamp domini de Bergav Edw. le Despenser Tho. le Despenser Co. Glouc. Hugo le Despenser Anna ux Edw. Boteler ob s. p. 10 H. 4. Hugo le Despenser miles ob s. p. Ioh. Hothum mil. Alicia Ioh. Trussel mil. 2 maritus Ioh. Trussel ob s. p. Catherina Petrus Hothum Matilda Thomas .... Alicia Margareta ... Skerne Henricus Skerne Edm. Skerne 38 H. 6. thereof 18 Mârtii next ensuing Neverthelesse upon farther consideration and view of the Fine levied in 5 H. 4. whereby it had been so inâaâled the Inquisitions after the several deceases of the said Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife of Sibill the widow of the before specified Sir Hugh le Despenser the K. directed his Precept bearing date 14 Nov. 5 H. 5. to his Eschaetor for this County to seize it into his hands For the cleerer understanding of which titles I have inserted the preceding Descent Of the before mentioned Hugh le Despenser I find that he was interred in the Friers at Stanford and that Thomas Collum then Parson of the Church here at Solihull bore so great an affection to him and the lady Sibill or Isabell his wife for both wayes I find her written that by his Testament be bequeathed a fair Missale to the Church of Solâhull that the Parishioners should provide a Priest to celebrate divine Service there by the space of one year for the souls of the said Sir Hugh and Isabell he himself ordaining that another Priest should do the like there for the space of two years It seems that this Lordship continued in the Crown a good while for in 16 H. 6. the custody thereof was committed by the King to Thomas Greswould for seaven years but in 22 H. 6. by his Letters Pat. dated 25 Sept. he granted it inter alia to Iohn Duke of Somerset and the heirs male of his body to enjoy during the life of Iaquet the widow to Iohn D. of Bedford Raph Boteler and Iohn Beauchamp and the longer liver of them Which Iohn D. of Somerset departing this life without any such issue 27 Maii the same year the King by other Letters Pat. dated 20 Iulii then next following committed the custody thereof together with the Mannour of Sheldon in this County to Edm. Mountford Esq for life answering for them both L. marks sterling per an Yet was it not long that he so held them for it appears that the next year ensuing he surrendred his Pat. into the Chancery to be cancelled to the intent that the King should make a grant of them to Sir Iames Fenys Knight which was accordingly effected 27 Sept. the same year for the speciall services he had done to hold during life without rendring any accompt at all for the same This Sir Iames being afterwards created Lord Say dyed in 30 H. 6. Whereupon this Mannour returning to the Crown was with Sheldon likewise again committed to the custody of Edm. Mountford before mentioned for the term of ten years at L. marks per an as they formerly were But it seems that this Pat. became shortly after surrendred for on the 28 th of March 31 H. 6. the King granted the custody of them to Edm. Earl of Richmund and Iasper Earl of Pembroke for âii years and upon cancelling that Pat. the first of Iuly ensuing sealed another whereby he past the unheritance of them to those Earls Howbeit in 38 H. 6. one Edmund Skerne as Cosin and heir to Iohn Hothum Bishop of Ely after the death
Westminster as one of the Knights for this Shire so also in the Parliament of 32 E. 3. and in 43 E. 3. was Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire In 45 E. 3. purposing to take a voyage beyond Sea he enfeoft Sir Baldwin Frevile Knight and others in certain Mannours and lands within this County with trust that if he should die in those parts they might bring up his Children in a convenient sort with the issues and profits arising out of them this being the time that Iohn Duke of Lancaster sail'd into France with a very great Army to relieve Rochel of whose good successe in that expedition we cannot much boast In 47 E. 3. he served in the Parliament at Westminster again as one of the Knights for this Shire and in 50 E. 3. departed thiâ life leaving Iohn his son and heir xv years of age who being also a Knight in 9 R. 2. attended Iohn Duke of Lancaster then intituled King of Castile and Leon into Spaine but whether he died there or not I am not certain for plain it is that he deceased the same year leaving Ioane and Margaret his daughters and heirs Of which Ioane I have not found what became but plain it is that she had no issue for Sir William Mountfort of Colshill Knight became possest of all Peche's lands by the marriage of Margaret scil this Mannour of Hampton with the Mannours of Honiley Blakwell Wyrmeleghton Fenni-Cumpton Aven-Dasset Dunchurch and Toft â all in this Countie and of Shenington in Gloucestershire all which continued to his descendants till that fatall attainder of Sir Simon Mountfort Knight in to H. 7. whereof I I shall say more in Colshill But after that forfeiture was this Lordship by Letters Patent bearing date 16 Nov. 12 H. 7. given unto Richard Pudsey one of the Esquires for the Body to that King and to Ioane his wife sometime wife of Thomas Say and to the heirs male of the bodie of the said Richard which Richard had no such issue as it should seem for it returned back to the Crown whereupon Simon Mountfort Esquire grandson to the before specified Sir Simon endevoured to obtain it again and to that purpose by the mediation of Edmund Dudley a person then of great power with the King had in consideration of CLxiii li. sterling a promise thereof for the payment of which summe accordingly he procured William Fylding Eâquire and Leonard Verney Gent. to joyn with him in a Recognizance of CC li. But the death of King H. 7. hapning before that intended grant was made it continued in the Crown till 4 H. 8. and then was passed unto Sir Henry Guilford Knight and Margaret his wife and to the heirs male of their bodies which Sir Henry failing also of such issue and leaving the same Margaret surviving there was a Lease for xxxi years in reversion after her death granted by Q. Mârie in 1. of her reign unto Thomas L'isle of Moxhull Esquire in consideration of his good service sayes the Patentâ viz. for the apprehension of Henry Duke of Suffolk But the inheritance thereof being thus in the Crown was obtained by Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester in tail 8. Iulii 15 Eliz. after whose death without allowed lawfull issue it returned again to the said Queen and remaineth to her successors at this day Touching the Church dedicated to our Lady and S. Bartholmew what I have found observable is that Geffrey de Wirce who had this Lordship in the Conqueror's time gave a third part of the Tithe Corn and of the Wooll Cheese and Paunage the whole Tithe unto the Monasterie of S. Nicholas at Angiers whereunto Kirby-Mânachorum in this Countie was a Cell but after Roger de Molbray became possest of Wirce his lands he bestowed both the Church Tithe and Glebe totally and all Chapelnes thereto belonging unto the Canons of Kenilworh shortly after the Foundation of that Religious House which gift of his Roger de Arden afterwards confirmed as also Richard Peche Bishop of Coventre his successor G. Muschamp appropriating to the said Canons the yearly Rent of v. marks v s. iv d. with one stone of waxe issuing out of the fruits thereof whereupon the Monks of Kirby before specified making their claim to the third part of the Tithes as aforesaid by vertue of G. de Wirce his grant which was afterwards confirmed by Nigell de Moubray son and heir to the first Roger got a Composition from the said Canons of Kenilworth which Composition was ratified by Richard Peche before mentioned Whereupon the said Canons prest hard for a full appropriation of all the fruits belonging thereto with the Chapells and at length obtained that their desire from William de Cornhull then Bishop as by his Instrument bearing date at Lichfield 6. Cal. Oct. Anno 1217. 2 H. 3. appeareth But no sooner was this effected than that William de Arden at that time Lord of this Mannour questioned their title to the advouson it self so granted and confirm'd as I have shewed Howbeit by mediation of friends they came to an Agreement with him that he should relinquish such his claim grant unto them free passage throughout his lands to gather and carry their Corn in consideration whereof they yielded that he the said William and his heirs should upon every Vacancie make choise of a new Vicar and the said Canons to present him unto the Bishop to be instituted accordingly which Bishop to put a full period to all disputes then also made an assignation of what the perpetuall Incumbent should for the future always have scil the whole Alterage belonging to the Church of Hampton with the small Tithes and obventions as also the Chapells of Badsley and Nuthurst and all the Glebe belonging to the said Church of Hampton excepting half a yard land in Balshall with the Tithes of Corn and Pease of the whole Parish saving those which pertain to the Chapell of Badsley and Nuthurst belonging to the Vicar And did moreover determine that whosoever should afterwards be presented to that Vicaridge ought to do his fealtie to the Monasterie of Kenilworth in the Chapter-house there and promise the payment of xx s. as an early Pension to the Canons of Kenilworth for the maintenance of a Priest celebrating at Balshall viz. at Easter x s. and Michaelmââs x s. the same Priest for Balshall making Oath to be faithfull in all things relating to the said Vicaridge And likewise that the said Vicar of Hampton for the time being should pay all dues of right belonging to the Bishop and Archdeacon And lastly that the before specified William de Arden and his heirs with their Family should have liberty to hear divine Service in his Chapell at Knoll saving the indempnitie of the mother Church of Hampton In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. this Church was valued at xi marks and
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 Sâr 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 Lâisle 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 inheâiâance 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 âicot his âon 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 âreys 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 hââ Leet only To this Sir Henry succeeded Sir William Murdac Knight who bore for his Armes Bendè of ten pââces Arg. and Gules and had issue Alice his daughter and heir wedded to Sir Thomas âoyvile Knight unto whom she brought a fair inheritance of lands in Leicestershire Which Beyviles had their residence at Stokfaston in that Countie But wiâhin tâe câmpasse âf that time as they had to do hâre they obtained one of the two other parts of this Lordshâpâ ãâ¦ã as it seems So that upân the ãâ¦ã three daughters and heirs of the last Iâhn viz. âliz the wiâe o ãâ¦ã Bury Hatley iâ Com. Herâf abâât the laââr end ãâ¦ã it unto Sâr Râbârt Brââââll of Dene in Com. Northampt. Knight From whom deâcendâd Thomas Brudâelâ Eâquâre afâerwardsâ scil 3. Car. created Lord âruââell a person much to be honoured for his great lâaâning prudenceâ and eminent knowledge in Anââquities who by his Deed of bargain and sale dated 19 Maii 4. Iac. past it unâo Sir Edward Brabazon then of Nether-Whitacre in this Câuntie Knight whicâ Sir Eâward diâpoâed thereof to Siâ Anthâây ârabazon Knight his younger son tâe late âwner thereof Touching that part whâch Ireâs had I find that in 13 E. 3. Thomas le ââeys passed iâ awayâ by the name lâkewise of the Mannour of Pakinton-Pigot to Philip de Aâleston and ãâ¦ã and the heârs of their two ãâã but for lack of such issue to return unto the râgât âeirs of the said Thomas which makeâ me ãâã that the said Kaââeââne was his daughter Aââer this âiz in 50 ãâ¦ã of whom in Maxstoke I shall speak puâcâased oâe third part ãâ¦ã Mânnâur ãâ¦ã and Ioane his wiâe but ãâ¦ã were that which Philip de ãâã above ãâ¦ã the othâr formârây belongiâg to Gâlbert ãâã I cannot well discâver Which third part continued to his posteâity tiâl the beginniâg of H. 7. time though how much longâr I know not for in 20 H. 7. Iohn Creâ Vicount L'isle was found tâ dye sââzed ãâã â by the name likewise of the Mannâur of Pakinton-Pâgot which from him divolved to âhomas Mârquess Dorsât 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 lâneaâl heir to the Clintons before specified which Earl sold ât to one Sampson Baker Gentleman 30 Oct. 15 Eliz. who died seized thereof in 26 Eliz.
of the before specified Iohn Mireden THis place situate upon London-road having from some Inns and Alehouses built for the receipt of Passengers grown of late times to the credit of a Village doth now utterly eclipse the name of Alspath by which and none other the Town it self âc where the Church standeth was known even from the Saxons times till about the beginning of King Henry the sixt's reign for of Myredene till then I have never seen mention in any authentique writing so that I conceive it to have been about that time that the buildings in this thorough-fare increast to such a considerable number that the name of the place where they stand came to be more frequently used than that of the Town it self Yet am I of opinion that the place where the greatest part of Myridene now stands was very antiently so called for the later syllable dene âmporteth no lesse being the old English word that signifieth a Valley as this is which I suppose for the foulnesse thereof was at first called Miredene By the Conqueror's Survey where it is written Ailespede and certified to contain four hides having Woods of a mile and half in length and a miâe in breadth it appears that the Countess Godeva possest it in Edward the Confessor's days whence I conclude that the famous Earl Leofrike her husband of whom I have spoke at large in Coventre was formerly owner thereof but at the time of the said Survey it with the rest of the lands in this Shire which the said Countess before the Norman invasion held were in the King's hands and ferm'd out by him to one Nicholas This at that time being valued at xxx s. with Coventre and the rest was granted afterwards to the Earl of Chester as it seems but as yet I have not seen when the first of that Familie who assumed their sirname from hence was enfeoft of those lands here which they enjoyed Perhaps it was Ivo de Alspath who lived in H. 2. time for before him I have not observed this sirname attributed to any other To which Ivo succeeded Gerard and Walter but whether they were brothers or not I am not certain It seems that both these had a good share in this place for Gerard de Alspath son of that Ger. in 41 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here and Walter was stiled Dominus de Alspath This Gerard holding certain lands of Richard de Amundevill Lord of Berkswell for which he did Homage in 33 H. 3. by his Deed obligatory bound himself to pay unto the said Richard and his heirs a pair of gilt Spurs yearly at Easter in Berskwell-Hall or xii d. in money whether they should please to choose But that which Walter de Alspath had descended to William de Alspath who in 32 E. 1. had also Free warren granted to him in all his demesn lands thereof This William had a daughter called Annabel second wife to Gerard de Alspath son and heir to the last mentioned Gerard but whether she was an inheritrix or not I make a question Which Gerard and Annabel had issue Sâr Gerard de Alspath Knâght a Servant or at least a very great Well-wisher to Roger Mortimer Earl of March who helping to contrive the escape of the said Roger out of the Tower of London where he was a Prisoner by reason of the difference betwixt him and Thomas Earl of Lancaster fled with him out of England for which he got a speciall Pardon in 4 E. 3. Betwixt the descendants of this Sir Gerard and Margerie his neice grew afterwards suits for a great part of these lands the issue whereof was this in brief that the said Margerie whom one William Cocks had taken to wife past away all her right unto Iohn de Chetwyn in whose line it conâinued till 2. E. 6. that Thomas Chetwyn of Ingestre in Com. Staff Esquire sold it by the name of the Mannour of Alspath alias Myridene with th' appurtenances unto Iohn Hales of Coventre Gentleman Which Iohn by his Deed bearing date 4 Ian. 4 E. 6. past it unto his brother Christopher and his heirs who in 1. 2. Ph. M. sold it unto Edward Aglionby Esquire and Iohn Holbech Gentleman and Elizabeth his wife to the uses following viz. the one moitie thereof to the said Edward Aglionby his heirs and assignes for ever and the other to the said Elizabeth and the heirs of her body begotten by Iohn Dabridgcourt Gentleman her late husband and for lack of such issue to the right heirs of the said Elizabeth But afterwaâds viz. in 6 Eliz. did Thomas Dabridgcourt Esquire son and heir to the said Iohn and Elizabeth pass back their right and title therein to the before specified Edward Aglionby and his heirs which Edward within 4. years after sold it unto his son in Law William Foster Gentleman Ivo de Alspath Gerardus de Alspath Gerardus de Alspath 41 H. 3. Gerardus de Alspath 27 E. 1. Matilda filia Oâberti de Clinton 27 F. 1. Ioh. de Alspath Margeria 50 E. 3. Will. Cocks 50 E. 3. Walt. dominus de Alspath Will. de Alspath 32 E. 1. Annora 9 E. 2. Annabellaâ Gerardus de Alspath 8 E. 2. Annora filia haeres Gebon ... Arnamentarius Regi E. 3. Margareta Isab. Margeria Radulfus Peche secundus maritus Annora filia haeres Ioh. Peche Ioh. Peche And of this William Foster did Richard Corbet of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. Esquire purchase it in 25 Eliz. viz. to himself and Mary his wife for their lives with remainder to Robert Corbet of Morton-Corbet in Com Salop. his brother and his heirs From which Robert Corbet it descended to Elizabeth his daughter and heir wife to Sir Henry Wallop of Fairley in Com. Sutht Knight who in 7 Iac. aliened it to William Andrews and Iohn Halsall Gentlemen and their heirs From which William and Iohn did Thomas Holbech Gentleman purchase the Capitall messuage or Mannour place with certain lands thereto belonging in Iune 10 Iac the residue being for the most part parcell'd out in petty sales to other persons From whom it is come to Mathew Holbech his son and heir that now enjoys it Within the precincts of this Parish had the Segraves antiently certain lands and Rents which were held of them immediatly of Iohn de Langley and by him of the Earl of Chester's heir viz. Hugh de Albini by the fourth part of a Knight's Fee and in process of time came to have the reputation of a Mannour All which were extended in 50 H. 3. for the rebellion of Nicholas de Segrave but repossessing them again by vertue of the Dictum de Kenilworth they descended to Iohn de Segrave his son and heir who having made a good addition to his inheritance here by
xviii s. vi d. over and above ix s. vi d. per an allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Of the Vicars here I find that they have antiently been the Rurall-Deanes for this part of the Countrie I mean the Deanrie of Arden containing the Hundred of Hemlingford wherein my present discourse lies Which order of Rurall-Deans was constituted by the Bishop or Arch-Bishop as the learned Spelman observes for the better regulating of Ecclesiasticall affairs concerning whom in a Councell held at London an 1237 21 H. 3. by Otho the Pope's Legate there is this Canon Quod in quodam Concilio statutum invenimus approbantes statuimus ut per quoslibet Decanatus prudentes viri fideles constituantur per Episcopum Confessores quibus Personae minores Clerici confiteri valeant qui Decanis erubescunt confiteri forsitan verentur In Ecclesiis verò Cathedralibus Confessores institui praecipimus generales All that I have farther to observe of this place is that in 4 E. 6. the tall and beautifull Steeple here suffered much hurt by Lightning and Thunder which crackt the West side of the Tower and shattered the upper-part of the Spire for repairing whereof though the Inhabitants sold one of their Bells yet did they shorten it xv foot at the least Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Henr. de Waleshale Cap. an 1285. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Alanus de Pollesworth Pb. die Lune post fest transl S. Th. Mart. 1300 Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Galsr. de Neunham Pb. 7 Cal. Nov. 1320. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Adam de Whitington Pb. 3 Non. Aug. 1350. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. de Attleberwe Non. Dec. 1353. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Hugo de Lyndon Pbr. 4. Cal. Aug. 1377. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Rob. Cheyne Pbr. 19. Dec. 1396. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Ioh. Wellysed Pbr. 6. Sept. 1441. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. Wodehouse Pbr. 4. Aug. 1447. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Will. Abell Cap. 18. Oct. 1455. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Ric. Eliot 15 Iulii 1500. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate Mr. Tho. Barker in Decr. bac 6. Apr. 1504. Priorissa Conv. S. Trin. de Bosco juxta Merkyate D. Thomas Mathew Cap. 18 Dec. 1515. Thom. Pye ex consess Pr. C. de Bosco Humfr. Ryddyll D. Ioh. Fenton Cap. 6. Nov. 1538. Thom. Pye ex consess Pr. C. de Bosco Humfr. Ryddyll Simon Digby postea deprivatus 4. Sept. 1566. Ioh. Nevill Rad. Foxe Cler. 23. Iunii 1574. Episc. Cov. Lich. ratione lapsus Rob. Petipher in art Magr. 5 Iulii 1627. Monumentall Inscriptions in the Chancell Hic jacet Dominus Willielmus Abel quondam vicarius istius Ecclesie qui quidem Dominus Willielmus obiit xviii die mensis Maii anno Domini MD. Cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen Here lyeth the body of Sir Iohn Fenton Prest Bachelour of Law sometime Uicar of this Church and Officiall of Coventre who decessed the xvii day of May 1566. Whose soule Ihesus pardon Amen Monumentall Inscriptions in the Church Of your charite pray for the soullis of Grace Strelly aud Iohn hyr sonne Whych Iohn discessyde the xx day of Iune in the year of our Lord MDxi on whos soullys Iesu have mercy Prey for the sol â of Simond Digbe Of your charite pray for the soules of Homfrey Grevill Gentilman and Katherine his wiffe the whiche decessed the day .... of Ianuary the yeare of our Lord MCCCCCxxxiii Here lyeth Isabell Ryddel late the Wife of Humfrey Ryddel Baylie of Colshil the only daughter of Edmund Parker of Hartshill Which Isabel dyed the xxixth day of October the yere of our Lord God MCCCCClxvi whose soul Iesu pardon Amen Here lyeth the bodyes of William Riddel of Blythâ hall and Ione hys Wife the which William departed this life the last day of August in the yeare of our Lord God MDlviii And the said Ione dyed the xix of August in the yeare of our Lord God MDlvi whose soules Iesu pardon 14. Novembris A. D. 1629 aetatis suae 42. Here resteth the body of Iane late wife of Simon Blyth Gent. who had issue one sonne and 4. daughters whose soule rejoyceth with the Lord. Quam conjux suus amantissimus sic piè deflevit Te faustum non me miserum fleo proh mihi natis Absis Chara conjux religiosa parens Kingshurst THis place did antiently belong to the Mountforts before they were Lords of Colshill for it appears that Peter de Mountfort of Beldesert had it in Edw. 3. time and in 41 of that K's reign by his Testament bequeathed unto Richard his younger son all his goods both moveable and unmoveable there which Richard dwelt here and after his death Roese his widow enfeoft Iohn de Catesby therein who wedded her grandchild as in Lapworth is manifested But Sir Baldw. Mountfort grandchild to the said Peter by Iohn his eldest son getting into possession resided long upon it and so did Sir Will. son and heir to Sir Baldwin as may seem by the License he obtaiin 14 R. 2. from Ric. Scroope Bishop of Cov. and Lich. to have divine Service celebrated in his Chapell here yet at length Iohn de Catesby before-specified brought an Assize of Novel disseisin against the said Sir William but upon the triall lost it So that the said Sir William having thus establisht his title inclosed it laying much of his demesn lands parcell of the Mannour of Colshill thereunto and afterwards gave it unto Sir Edm. Mountfort Kt. his son by a second wife which Sir Edmund made the Parke in 26 H. 6. and resided much here But after him Sir Sim. Mountfort his nephew died seized thereof whose grandchild Simon also dwelt upon it and so did Francis his son betwixt whom and George Digby of Colshull Esq. afterwards Kt. there were great suits for it Which George layd claim thereâo as a member of Colshill and so consequently his right by virtue of K. H. 7. grant made to his Ancestor of that Mannour âs hath been already said So that after much expence of money therein the said Francis was glad to come to an Agreement with him in respect that part of the lands belonging theâeto and lying without the Park did not so clearly appear to be parcell of Kingshurst as the other did and gave him a thousand pounds to quit his title and afterwards Sir Edw. Mountfort Kt. grandchild to the said Francis for further confirmation thereof
the Justs of Peace which belong'd to War To Ioane and Elizabeth his daughters a thousand marks a piece to their marriage And constituting Thomas Arundell Archb. of Canterbury Thomas Earl of Arundell Ioane his wife c. his Executors departed this life in 12 H. 4. leaving issue by the same Ioane who was one of the daughters and coheirs to Ric. Earl of Arundell Richard Beauchamp his son and heir Of this deceased Lord I have the rather taken occasion to speak in regard that he made his residence at some times in this Countie as I presume his Lady also did in her widdowhood for I find that she was at severall times in Commission for treating with the people about Loanes to the King within this Shire surviving him many years her death hapning not till 14 H. 6. Of whose Testament forasmuch as by it that greatness and state wherein the English Nobilitie in those days lived may in some sort be seen as also the pomp of their Funeralls I have here transcribed the greatest part In the name of the blessed Trynyte Fader sonn and Holy Ghoast the xth day of Ianyver in the yeer of our Lord MCCCCxxxiiii I Johanne Beuchamp Lady of Bergavenny as a meke daughter of holi Chirche full in the Christen fayth and belive hool in minde and body blessed be God considering that the freel condicion of this wrechid and unstable lief ys ful of perels and the yend and conclusion thereof is not elles but Deth fro the which no persone of none astate schall escape and therfore purposyng with the love of God to dyspose such goods as of his grace he hath lent me in such use as aryght be most to hys plesauns and profit to my soule and all theirs that I am bounden to I have ordeyned and make my Testament and last Will in this forme First I bequethe my soule to the mercy of my blessed Saviour and maker Ihesu Chryst through the besechyng of his blessed Moder Mary and alle holy companye in Hevene and my symple and wreched body to be buried in the Queer of the Frere-Prechours of Hereford in a new Tumbe by my worthi Lord and somtime husband Sir Will. Beuchamp on whoo 's soule God have merci But I wâl that my Bodi be kept unburied in the place where hit hapneth me to die unto the time my maigne be clethed in black my Hers my Chare and other covenable purviance made and then to be carried unto the place of my buryeng before rehersed with alle the worship that ought to be done unto a woman of myne astate which God knoweth wele procedeth not of no pompe or vayn glorie that I am set in for my Bodi but for a memorial and a remembrance of my soule to my kyn friends servants and alle other And I wol that every Parish Chirch that my seid Bodi resteth ynne a night after hit passeth fro the place of my dying be offred two Clothes of Gold and if hit rest ynne any College or Conventuall Chirche three Clothes of gold Also I devyse that in every Cathedrall Chirche or Conventuall where my Bodi restes a nyght toward the place where my Bodi shall be buried that the Dean Abbot or Prior have vi s. viii d. and everi Chanon Monk Vicar Preste or Clerke that ys at the Dirige at the Mass in the morning shall have xii d. Also I ordeyn that anon aftur my burying there be done for my soule five thousand Masses in alle the hast that they may goodly And I bequethe unto the House of the seid Freres at Hereford in generall CCC marks for to fynd two Prostes perpetuall for to syng for my Lord my Husbond my Lord my Fader my Lady my Moder and me and Sir Hugh Burnell Kt. and alle my good doers and alle Crysten soules the one Prest to syng the fyrst Mass in the mornyng in the same House and the other the last Mass that ys done in the day yn the same House so that it be sene that there be sure ordinauns made therefore to be kept perpetually as Law wolle And I bequethe ech Frere of the same House in speciall the day of my burying to pray for my soule iii s. iiii d. And I wool that the forseyd Freres have a hool sute of black that ys to sey a Chesepyl two Tunycles three Coopes with my best pair of Candelsticks of sylver wrethen and my best sute of vestments of Clothe of gold with Pecocks with Autere-clothes and Aubes and alle that longeth thereto for a memoriall perpetualle to use hem euerie yere at the Anniversarie of my Lord my Husbond and of me And for the costes of myne enterement upon my deth and burying I ordain and devyse a thousand Marks And I devyse C. marks to be dalt peny mele or more after the discretion of myne Executors among poer men and women that come to myne eâteremenâ the day of my burying And I ordain and devise to have five Prestes for to syng for me xx wynters for my Lord my Fader my Lady my Moder my Lord my Husband my son Richard Earl of Worcestre Sir Hugh Burnell Kt. and alle my good doers and alle Crysten soules and that of the most honest persones and good conversacions that mow be founden of which âive Prestes I ordeyn and devyse two to syng in the parish of Rocheforde and other three in Kirkeby-Belers in the Counte of Lecestre duryng the terme aforeseyd Moreover I devyse CC. marks to be departed among my poer Tenants in England in such place as moost nede ys aftur the discrecion of myne Executors Also I devise C l. to be dysposed in clothyng Bedding Hors Oxen and other bestial and necessaries within halve a yere aftur my deth to be yeven dalt among Bed-red men and other poer people dwellyng in the Lordships that I have And also I devyse that Bartholmew Brokesby and Wauter Kebyll be everi yere at Hereford the day of my Anniversarie seing that my Obite with the remnant of my obsequies be done in due wise to the most profit of my soule spendying about the execution thereof at every time x l. after here discrecion Moreover I devise to the marriage of poer Maydens dwellyng withyn my Lordships C l. And to the makyng and emendyng of febull Brugges and foul weyes C l. And to the fynding and deliverans of poer Prisoners that have ben well condicioned xl l. Also I bequethe to Sir James son and eyre of the Erle of Ormond Five hundred pounds to be dispent by myne Executors about the defence of the lands that I give and assigne him by the Will of my Landes in caas they be chalenged or ympugned wrongfully within his age or elles to have the same money or elles so much thereof as ys unspend at hys ful age to the same intent and a payr of Baysins of silver gylt and covered with my Armes And I devyse and bequethe to
to the moytie thereof As for the other moytie I cannot clearly see when or how it past from the said Robert Marmion and Isabell but the next mention I find thereof is in 5 Edw. 3. where it appears to have been entailed by Richard the son of Simon de Whitacre and Amabil his wife on the heirs of their two bodyes lawfully begotten and for default of such issue on the heirs of Sir Richard de Whitacre Knight Which Lord Basset after he had thus gained an interest in this Lordship gave xx li. of Land and Rent lying herein for the endowment of a Chantrie consistâng of three Priests founded by him in the Church of Draiton-Basset as appears by the King's license in 12 Edw. 3. as also of the like License from Sir Baldwin Frevill then superior Lord of the Fee and in 14 Edw. 3. past away all the residue thereof to William de Clinton Earl of Huntindon and his heirs which Earl by his Deed bearing date at Maxstoke the Tuesday next after the translation of S. Thomas the Martyr in 16 Edw. 3. granted away the same in exchange unto Richard de Whitacre and Amabil his wife and their heirs in lieu of their other moytie of their Mannour of Pericroft But from hence for a while I cannot well discern how the succession thereof went howbeit by a Fine levied in 38 Edw. 3. betwixt Sir Fouk de Bermingham Knight Plantiff and Iohn Waryn of Burton Stather in Com. Linc. and Hulma his wife deforc it appeares that the said Iohn and Hulma granted two Messuages and two yard land xvi acres of Pasture and the moytie of one Mess. lying here and in Halughton with the third part of this Mannour and the third part of the Mannour of Pericroft which were the dowrie of the said Hulma unto the same Sir Fouk and his heirs From whom as it seems it descended to Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley and George Longville of Little Billington in Com. Northampâ For in 10 H. 6. the said Edmund and George were certified to be Lords of the whole the residue divolving to them by Isabell the daughter and heir of Iohn de Whitacre and Amice his wife as the Pedegree here inserted and that in Bermingham do shew Steph. fil Radulphi Will fil Radulphi 12 H. 2. Muriel Rad. fil Radulphi 3 Ioh. Limota ux Hug. de Tuâvilla Nich. fil Raduphi miles 29 H. 3. Egidius filius Radulfi Isabella filia haeres Rob. Marmion miles 13 E. 1. Eustach de Hardreshull Amâcia filia haeres Ioh. de Whitacre defunctus 3 E. 3. Isabella filia haeres relicta 9 R. 2. Thomas de Bermingham miles Elizabetha filia haeres Thomas de la Roche Elena ux Edm. Ferreâs de Chartley 2 H. 6. Eliz. ux Georgii Longvâll ar Rob. fil Radulphi Of these Longvill's moytie was sold by Arthur Longvill Esquire descended from the before specified George in 34 Hen. 8. to Iohn Cheyney of Chesham-waterside in Com. Buck. Eâquire And the other moytie coming by a daughter and heir of Ferrers to Devereux as the Descent in Bromwich sheweth was purchased from Walter Devereux Vic. Hereford Lord Ferrers of Chartley by Edmund Skirning of Erdbury in this County Esquire in 12 Eliz. Which Edmund in 18 Eliz. sold the same to Henry Cheyney son and heir to the before specified Iohn The whole Mannour being thus totally in the said Henry Cheyney was by him conveyed the next year following to Iohn Puresey Gentleman who by his Deed bearing date 24. Febr. 25 Eliz. past it to Laurence Washington of Gray's-Inne in the Countie of Middlesex Gentleman Which Laurence in 31 Eliz. sold it to George Villers of Brokesby in Com. Leic. Esquire from whom about the 40 th of the same Queens reign Sir Edward Brabazon Knight purchased it whose son and heir William Earl of Methe in Ireland 15 Aug. 6 Car. sold it to Sir Iohn King and Sir Robert King his son and heir both Knights which Sir Robert now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Giles antiently given and appropriated to the Nunns of Mergate as Lea and Over-Whitacre were was reputed for a Chapell belonging to Colshill But in 32 H. 3. Sir Nicholas Fitz-Raphe then Lord of this Mannour chalenged a title of presenting thereto it being then void and to that end directed his Caveat to the Bishop that he should admit no other Clerk than his In which Church there was never any Vicar endowed but the Nuns of Mergate receiving all the Tithes have provided a Stipendiary to serve the Cure Shustoke ON the other side of Bourne lyes Shustoke which by the Conqueror's Survey is certified to contain four hides having Woods extending to a mile in length and half so much in breadth and valued at xl s. It was then possessed by Geffrey de Wirce of whom in Monks-kirby I have spoke and held of him by one Soâus by reason whereof it had the name of Sotus stoke or Sotestoke for so I have seen it antiently written though in that Survey above mentioned it be Scotescote But as the rest of the said Geffrey Wirce his lands came to Nigel de Arbani progenitor to the Family of Moubray so did this Lordship and from Moubray was granted to the Ancestour of Walter de Camvill together with Bentley to hold by the service of one Knight's Fee as may be cleerly inferred from sundry Records being one of those nine Knight's Fees whereof the said Walter in 12 H. 2. certified that his said Ancestour had been so enfeoffed in H. 1. time To which Walter succeeded Roger de Camvill who in 12 Ioh. gave a Fine of xxx marks that it might be certified by Inquisition whether he held those two Knight's Fees and a fouâth part of the King for which he had summons to go beyond Sea in the King's seâvice or not This Roger gave a Rent of viii s. issuing out of certain lands lying in this Lordship unto the Nuns of Henwood for the health of his Father's Mothers and Ancestours souls and dying without issue left this Mannour with Bentley before specified as also Creke and other fair possessions in Northamptonshire to be divided betwixt his three Sisters and heirs viz. Alice wedded to Robert de Esseby Maud to Thomas de Estley Lord of Astley in this Countie and Petronill to Richard Curson as the Descent in Arrow sheweth Of which lands Robert de Esseby had this Mannour inter alia Whereupon by inheritance from the said Robert and Alice it came at length to William de Esseby who about the 52. of H. 3. being convicted of Felony scil for killing a man maliciously in the Priory of Catesby forfaited all so that this Lordship eschaeting by that means to the Lord Moubray of whom it was held was in 9 E. 2. possest by Iohn de Moubray But long he enjoyed it
not for taking part with Thomas Earl of Lancaster in 15 E. 2. he was beheaded at Yorke after which it became soon disposed of by the King together with Creke in Com. Northampt. unto Elianore the wife of Hugh le Despenser the younger to hold during her life to the use and behoof of Gilbert le Despenser son to the said Hugh which I suppose she held accordingly during the remainder of the said King's reign and no longer as may seem by an Inquis then taken and a confirmation made the year following by Iohn de Moubray son and heir to the last mentioned Iohn unto Sir Richard Pesehale Knight of the third part thereof together with the advouson of the Church which Aliva de Moubray mother of the said Iohn of whose dowrie it was had granted to him the said Richard to hold during life But besides this third part it seems that the said Sir Richard obtained an estate in the rest to hold likewise during his own life for in 16 E. 3. when William de Clinton then Earl of Huntendon had began the Foundation of Maxstoke Priorie having a minde to endow it with lands and possessions situate convenient thereto it appears that after he had agreed with the Lord Moubray to have this Lordship in Exchange for the Mannour of Hinton in Cambridgeshire he gave unto the said Sir Richard in lieu of his terme in this the inheritance of the Mannour of Gudlesdon juxta Colshill with leave to take down a new House which he had built here at Shustoke and to remove it whither he should think fit as also all such timber as was then fallen by the said Richard in the Park here at Shustoke and libertie to cut down in the said Park six more Oaks for Timber and six for Fewell the same grant bearing date 5 Ian. 16. E. 3. After which scil the morrow following Ascension day the said Lord Moubray granted the same with the advouson of the Church unto that Earl and his heirs for ever Whereupon he accordingly by his Deed dated the Saturday before the Translation of S t Thomas the Martyr setled it upon the Canons of Maxstoke and their successors who the next year following for their better conveniencie past it away unto Iohn de Clinton nephew to the before specified Earl in exchange for that part of Maxstoke which was afterwards and still is called the Priorie-Lordship Aâl which being thus performed the same Iohn de Clinton immediately granted it unto the said Earl his uncle to hold during life who being so seized thereof procured a Charter bearing date 20. Ian. the year ensuing that himself for his life and his said nephew and his heirs for ever should have a Court Leet within this Mannour extending likewise into the Hamlets of Bentley and Blithe within the same Parish together with Assize of Bread and Beer Pillorie Tumbrell as also the Liberties of Infangthef and Outfangthef Gallows and Weyfs rendring for the same to the said King his Heirs and Successors xviii d. yearly by the hands of the Shiriff in augmentation of the ferme of the Countie By which Charter there was farther granted to the said Earl as also to his nephew and his heirs Free warren in all his demesn lands within the precincts aforesaid Upon whose death in 28 E. 3. his said nephew Sir Iohn de Clinton had liverie thereof From whom descended Iohn Lord Clinton and Say whose lands were seized on in 38 H. 6. for adhering to the House of Yorke at which time this Lordship inter alia was given by the King to Sir Edmund Mountfort Knight one of his Kervers in consideration of his faithfull service against the said King's enemies but the deposall and ruine of King Henry hapned so soon after as that the Lord Clinton was not long out of possession thereof in whose line it continued till 31 H. 8. that Edward Lord Clinton and Say sold it unto Iames Leveson of Wolverhampton Esquire a rich Merchant of the Staple as by his Deed bearing date 6. Febr. the same year appeareth Which Iames gave it in marriage in 36 H. 8. unto Walter the son and heir of Sir Edward Aston of Ticksall in Com. Staff Knight whose grandson Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bathe being plunged into vast debts by supporting himself in that Embassie of Spaine towards the later end of King Iames his time first sold the greatest part of the Fermes to the severall Tenants and soon after the Mannour it self unto Sir George Devereux of Sheldon Knight the now owner thereof The Church dedicated to S. Cuthbert was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at x. marks and the advouson thereof in 17 E. 3. given by William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon together with the Mannour unto the Priorie of Maxstoke then newly by him founded whereupon soon ensued its appropriation scil 4. Id. Iulii the same year And in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at Cvii s. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Rad. fil Nicholai ex conces D. Regis ratione custodiae haeredis D. Will. de Eseby Rad. le Breton Cler. post mortem Gilb. de Camvile ult Rectoris an 1250. D. Ioh. de Moubray miles Ioh. de Acom Pbr. 3. Id. Oct. 1336. post mortem Ric. de Colshull ult Rectoris Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Edithe Cap. Cal. Martii 1343. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rob. le Spicer Cap. 4. Cal. Martii 1349. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Edithe Cap. 12. Cal. Aug. 1353. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. de Linley Pbr. 7. Id. Martii 1365. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Kytewyld Pbr. 21. Dec. 1390. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Bishop Pbr. 24. Aug. 1398. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Pryce Diac. 21. Sept. 1425. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Orme Pbr. 5. Martii 1456. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Eliot Cap. 18. Iunii 1494. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Thomas Perkins Pbr. 20. Oct. 1500. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Henr. Sutton Cap. penult Iulii 1501. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Ioh. Robynson Cap. 7. Apr. 1536. D. Edw. 6. Rex Angliae D. Rad. Pykering 13. Febr. 1547. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Nich. Haighe Cler. 9. Maii 1562. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Georgius Mutley Cler. 2. Oct. 1576. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Ric. Warde Cler. 29. Oct. 1594. Iac. Rex Angl. c. Iosepââs Harison Cler. ..... 1605. Carolus Rex Angl. c. Ioh. Warde in art Magr. 18. Maii 1632. The present fabrick of this Church was erected in King Edw. 2. time as is evident by the picture of Richard de Coââull the last Rector which stood within these few years in a South
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 Spurâs 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 âs intended for it which R. de Oâlgi 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
in 18 E. 3. got License to pass this Mannour away unto the Monks of Merevale but it was not accordingly conveyed for in 7 H. 4. upon seizure of the lands belonging to those forraign Monasteries for the reasons before exprest as a member of the Priorie of Okeburne which was a Cell to Bec before mentioned it was demised to Will. de Brynklow Clerk and Peter Purly Esq. by Iohn the King's son afterwards Duke of Bedford and Thomas Longley Chancelour of England who had the King's grant of all the lands belonging to the said Priorie of Okeburne to hold for xx years at the rate of xl l. per an After which time viz. in 16 H. 6. the Duke of Bedford being then dead the King gave it to Humphrey Earl Stafford for life and within six years after granted the reversion thereof for ever unto the Provost and Scholars of King's Colledge in Cambridge then newly by him founded Heremitanus S â Augustini Yet of this grant had that Colledge no benefit as it seems for in 31 H. 6. did the said King bestow it upon Edm. Earl of Richmund his half Brother and the heirs of his bodyâ but that Patent held good no longer than the life of that King for it appears that King Edward 4. in the first year of his reign disposed thereof unto the Carthusian Monks of Montgrace in Yorkshire who accordingly enjoy'd it till the dissolution of that House by King Henry 8. Whereupon coming to the Crown it was granted to Henry Marq. Dorset and Thomas Duport and to the heirs of the said Marquess for ever upon whose attainder in 1. Mariae whereof in Astley I have spoke it returned again to the Crown and in 1 2 Ph. M. was past to William Devereux Esquire and his heirs Which William being afterwards a Knight died seized thereof in 21 Eliz. leaving Margaret the wife of Edward Litleton of Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff Esquire and Barbara the wife of Edward Hastings his daughters and heirs But since it is come by purchase to Sir Iohn Repington Knight whose son and heir sc. Sir Iohn R. of Amington Knight now enjoys it Within the precincts of this town there was very antiently a Chapell whereunto the Monks of Bec about the beginning of H. 2. time gave xii acres of land viz. six lying on the one side of the town and six on the other Concerning which Chapell the said Monks and the Parson of Manceter then came to this agreement viz. that the Rector of Manceter for the time being should cause Divine service to be celebrated therein three days every week sc. Sunday Wednesday and Friday and if a Holy-day did happen on any other than of these to be accounted for one of them solemn Service being then to be there performed And moreover in case the passion of St. Peter should happen on any of those days that Mass should be there and then celebrated but on all other days omitted all Tithes and Obventions arising out of this Hamlet to be payd to Manceter yet that Buriall and Baptism should be performed here for the Inhabitants of Atherston except any particular person on his death bed should rather desire sepulture at Manceter than in this Chapell-yard which Agreement was ratified by Richard Peche the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. The Friers THis House was founded by Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton in 49 E. 3. for Friers Heremites of St. Augustine over the Gate whereof is yet to be seen his Armes cut in a fair Shield of Stone Touching the originall of this Order there is no absolute certaintie as Polydore affirmeth Some alleadge that St. Augustine Bishop of Hippo retiring into the Wilderness during the rage of the Manichean Hereticks then instituted it gathering together into one Covent those that were disperst in the Desert Others that divers devout persons desiring to imitate the piety and singular learning of St. Augustine even whil'st he lived left all that they had and betook themselves to the Wilderness whereupon they were called Heremites By which of these means it was I shall not farther stand to enquire but Mendicants they were for certain and for their Habite did wear in their Cloister a white garment close girt to them and when they went out a Black over it with a broad lethern Gârdle buckled as on the last page is represented being shorn on the Head as the Dominicans are These first began to propagate in England about the year 1250. 34 H. 3. as did the Carmelites but in this Countie not of a long time after for to this in Atherston which was the onely House of them therein it was the 49 th of Ed. 3. ere the said Lord Basset gave the land sc. xii acres whereupon it stood at which time they begin to build their Church and came to an Agreement with the Parson of Manceter in the presence of the said Lord Basset the Abbot of Leicester Tho. Harecurt Lord of Bosworth and others Iohn Combe being their Precurator or Warden at that time Which was in substance this that for the Tithes of those places whereupon that structure was to be made and for the rest of the lands before specified they should pay to the said Parson and his Successors xx s. per an at the Feast of St. Michaell the Arch-Angell and Easter by even portions in default whereof a distress to be taken and that if they should acquire any more land then to pay Tithe in kind for the same It seems the Church and buildings were not perfected till King Ric. 2. time for it appears that the said Lord Basset by his Testament bearing date at London 12 Sept. an 1383. 7 R. 2. gave them a Legacie of five hundred marks for compleating thereof This is he that was the last Lord Basset of Draiton for he died without issue and lieth magnificently entombed in Lichfield Cathedrall on the South side of St. Chad's Shrine though the place be not now known by that name the Lord Paget's Monument being erected where that Shrine stood But I do not find that they ever had any more lands than what are above exprest for by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. all that belonged to them was valued but at xxx s. iii d. per an over and above reprises and came to the Crown by the Act of dissolution in 27 H. 8. After which viz. in 35 H. 8. the King granted the site and circuit of the House with a Dove-cote Barn Orchard and two Messuages that stood upon the before specified ground first given thereto unto one Henry Cartwright and his heirs to hold by the xxxth part of a Knight's Fee Which Henry the same year sold it to .... Hill Since which by purchase it came to Sir Iohn Repington Knight who having bought the Mannour as hath been already shewed built a fair House of Brick upon the ruins of this
marriage inter alia with Eliz. his daughter unto Walter son and heir of Sir Edward Aston Knight From whom descended Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bathe who in 1. Caroli or about that time sold it to the Tenants But that whâch the Monks of Burton had here coming to the Crown at the generall dissolution of the Religious Houses in 30 H. 8. was in 33. of that King's reign given to the Collegiate-Church of Burton before specified for King Henry having outed the Monks placed a Dean and secular Canons in their roome But this Collegiate-Church soon following the fate which the Abbies had being likewise dissolved in 37 H. 8. the King by his Letters Patent bearing date 31. Ian. the same yeare granted this Mannour for by that name it is past unto Sir William Paget Knight and his heirs to be held in Capitââ by the xxth part of a Knight's Fee Which Sir William by the name of William Lord Paget of Bendesert for so he had been created by his Deed dated 30. Dec. 1. 2. Ph. M. sold it unto the Lady Elianore Brereton widow sometime wife of Sir William Brereton Knight and to Richard Brereton Esquire her son and heir to the use of them the said Elianore and Richard and the heirs of the said Richard From which Richard it descended to George his son and heir late of Ashley in Cheshire who died seized thereof in 30 Eliz. leaving William his son and heir above xix years of age The Church dedicated to S. Nicholas was in 55 H. 3. given by Osbert de Clinton son of Thomas to the Monks of Burton and in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xvi marks as also appropriated to that Religious House by Pope Urban the sixt in 2 R. 2. In 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii li. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Thomas de Clinton miles Williel de Cherlecote Philippus de Assellis anno 1248. Abbas Conv. de Burton D. Will. de la Warde 10. Cal. Febr. 1303. Abbas Conv. de Burton Ric. de Staunton Cap. 4. Cal. Iunii 1328. Abbas Conv. de Burton Rog. de Baukewell Cler. 4. Id. Febr. 1330. Henr. de Northwell Patronus hac vice Ioh. de Deping Pbr. 3. Id. Maii 1340. Abbas Conventus de Burton D. Ric. Lucas Pbr. 2. Oct. 1369. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Abbas Conventus de Burton Rob. Lucas Pbr. 2. Oct. 1378. Abbas Conventus de Burton Ioh. Ivelyth Cler. 20. Nov. 1404. Abbas Conventus de Burton Will. Batayll Cap. 27. Iunii 1413. Abbas Conventus de Burton Ric. Hasard Pbr. 11. Apr. 1429. Abbas Conventus de Burton Ioh. Alisawndre 9. Febr. 1437. Abbas Conventus de Burton Ric. Parker 3. Iulii 1438. Abbas Conventus de Burton Henr. Fulcock 5. Martii 1501. Abbas Conventus de Burton Will. Darley in art Magr. 12. Febr. 1524. Ric. Coton gen alii ex concess Abb. Conv. de Burton D. Thom. Farmer Cap. 7. Sept. 1542. Sim. Harcot ar Ranulphus Orton 19. Aug. 1567. Humfr. Ferrers ar ex concess Roberti Comitis Leic. Rog. Molde Cler. 8. Oct. 1583. Iacobus Rex Angliae c. Rob. Bostok Cler. 10. Iunii 1619. Iacobus Rex Angliae c. Mich. Bostok Cler. 3. Nov. 1620. Iacobus Rex Angliae c. Ioh. Prior Cler. in art Bac. 7. Nov. 1623. Newton THis seems to have been originally a member of Sekindon as by what I shall say when I come to speak of the Church will appear for there is no mention of it in the Conqueror's Survey and till 5 H. 2. it being in the King's hands was for that respect called Newton-Regis but then granted to Geffrey Sauvage it continued to his Descendants whilst the male line lasted and afterwards to the sisters and coheirs to the last William as the Pedegree in Baginton manifesteth Howbeit the second Geffrey was exposed to a defence of his title thereto in 7 R. 1. against Thomas de Arden the service by which he held it being half a Knight's Fee But by heirs female coming to Ednesoure and Meinill I find that in 13 E. 1. Thomas de Ednesoure and Philippa de Meinill jointly claimed a Court-Leet with Assize of Beer Gallows and Free warren therein by the grant of King H. 2. all which were allowed From which said Thomas son of Thomas by Lucia one of the Sisters and coheirs to the said Will. le Sauvage the one moitie thereof descended to the Herthulls of whom in Baginton I have spoke and from Herthull after divers Descents to Cokain as the Descent in Pooley manifesteth in which Family it continued till Sir Edward Cokain grandfather to Sir Aston Cokain Baronet now living sold it But from the before specified Philippa the second sister and coheir of Sauvage the other moytie came to the Meinills of Derbyshire â she being the wife of Hugh de Meinill of Langley-Meinill in that Countie where the chief seat was sometime Steward to William de Ferrers Earl of Derby and continued in that line for divers Descents Sir Hugh Meinill great-grandchild to the said Hugh and Philippa having in 24 E. 3. a Charter of Free warren âinter alia in all his demesn lands here To which Sir Hugh succeeded Sir Richard and to him Sir Raphe who died in 12 R. 2. without issue male whereby his four daughters became heirs to the estate viz. Ioane first married to Iohn Staunton and afterwards to Sir Thomas Clinton Knight Elizabeth to William Crawshawe Margaret and Thomasine betwixt whom Partition being made it was allotted to Elizabeth by which means it came to Sir Raph Shirley of Staunton-Harold in Com. Leic. Knight with Margaret her daughter and heir by the said Iohn and did continue in that Familie till that Sir Thomas Shirley Knight a younger son to Sir George Shirley Baronet within these few years sold it to the Tenants The Church dedicated to the Assumption of the blessed Virgin was in H. 2. time but a Chapell to Sekindon and in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at viii marks In 39 E. 3. upon some diââerence which arose betwixt the Parson of Clifton-Camvile in Com. Staff and the Parson of this Church touching the perception of certain Tithes I find that it was by Robert de Stretton then Bishop of this Diocess thus accorded viz. that of all Calves Colts and Lambâ belonging to the Inhabitants of Newton and falling within Clifton-Parish as also for the Mâlk of the Kine there calving the Parson of Clifton should thenceforth receive according to the Custome of the Countrey id est for a Colt a penny a Lambe a half penny and for a Calf
said Tombe to be made well cleane and sufficiently of a good and fine Marble as well coloured as may be had in England The uppermost stone of the Tombe and the base thereof to contain in length ix foot of the standard in bredth iv foot and in thickness vii inches the course of the Tombe to be of good and due proportion to answer the length and bredth of the uppermost stone and a pace to be made round about the Tombe of like good marble to stand on the ground which pace shall contain in thickness vi Inches and in bredth xviii inches The Tombe to bear in height from the pace iv foot and a half And in and about the same Tombe to make xiv principall housings and under every principall housing a goodly quarter for a Scutcheon of copper and gilt to be set in and to do all the work and workmanship about the same Tombe to the entail according to a portraicture delivered him and the carriages and bringing to Warwick and there to set the same up where it shall stand the entailing to be at the charge of the Executors after which entailing the said Marbler shall pullish and clense the said Tombe in Workmanlike sort And for all the said Marble carriage and work he shall have in sterling money xlv li. The said Marbler covenanteth to provide of good and well coloured Marble so many stones as will pave the Chapell where the Tombe standeth every stone containing in thickness two inches and in convenient bredth and to bring the same to Warwick and lay it And for the stuff workmanship and carriage of every hundred of those stones he shall have xl s. which in the totall comes to iv li. xiii s. iv d. John Prudde of Westminster Glasier 23. Junii 25 H. 6. covenanteth c. to glase all the windows in the new Chappell in Warwick with Glasse beyond the Seas and with no Glasse of England and that in the finest wise with the best cleanest and strongest glasse of beyond the Sea that may be had in England and of the finest colours of blew yellow red purpure sanguine and violet and of all other colours that shall be most necessary and best to make rich and embellish the matters Images and stories that shall be delivered and appointed by the said Executors by patterns in paper afterwards to be newly traced and pictured by another Painter in rich colour at the charges of the said Glasier All which proportions the said John Prudde must make perfectly to fine glase eneylin it and finely and strongly set it in lead and souder as well as any Glasse is in England Of white Glasse green Glasse black Glasse he shall put in as little as shall be needfull for the shewing and setting forth of the matters Images and storyes And the said Glasier shall take charge of the same Glasse wrought and to be brought to Warwick and set up there in the windows of the said Chapell the Executors paying to the said Glasier for every foot of Glasse ii s. and so for the whole xci li. 1 s. x d. It appeareth that after these windows were so finished the Executors devised some alterations as to adde ........ for our Lady and Scripture of the marriage of the Earle and procured the same to be set forth in Glasse in most fine and curious colours and for the same they payd the sum of xiii li. vi s. iv d. Also it appeareth that they caused the windows in the vestry to be curiously glased with Glasse of ii s. a foot for which they payd L s. The sum totall for the Glasse of the said Vestry and Chappell Xvi li. xviii s. vi d. which in all contain by measure The East window Cxlix foot 1. quarter and two inches The South windows CCCCClx foot xi inches The North windows CCCv. foot The totall DCCCCx foot iii. quarters of a foot and two inches Richard Bird and John Haynes Citizens and Carpenters of London xii Febr. 28 H. 6. do covenant to make and set up in the Chapell where the Earl is buried or where the Tombe standeth a pair of Desks of timber Poppies seats sills planks Reredoses of timber with patands of timber and a crest of fine entail with a bowtel roving on the crest And also the Carpenters do covenant to make and set up finely and workmanly a parclose of timber about an Organ-loft ordained to stand over the West dore of the said Chapell according to patterns All these things to be made set up fastned âoyned and ordered in as good sort as those in the Quire of S. Maries Church in Warwick the Executors finding all manner of timber and carriages and giving and paying to the said Carpenters for the workmanship xl li. John Brentwood Citizen and Steyner of London 12. Febr. 28 H. 6. doth covenant to paint fine and curiously to make at Warwick on the West wall of the new Chappell there the Dome of our Lord God Jesus and all manner of devises and Imagery thereto belonging of fair and sightly proportion as the place shall serve for with the finest colours and fine gold and the said Brentwood shall find all manner of stuffe thereto at his charge the said Executors paying therefore xiii li. vi s. viii d. Kristian Coleburne Peinter dwelling in London 13. Junii 32 H. 6. covenanteth c. to paint in most fine fairest and curious wise four Images of stone ordained for the new Chapell in Warwick whereof two principall Images the one of our Lady the other of S. Gabraell the Angell and two lesse Images one of S. Anne and another of S. George These four to be painted with the finest oyle colours in the richest finest and freshest clothings that may be made of fine Gold Azure of fine purpure of fine white other finest colours necessary garnished bordered and poudered in the finest and curiousest wise All the cost and wormanship of painting to be at the charge of the said Kristian the Executors paying for the same xii li. By the Accompts of the before specified Will. Berkswell one of the Executors to the said Earl and then Dean of this Coll. Church I find that the structure of this Chapell and Monument was begun in 21 H. 6. but not totally finished till 3 E. 4. which was full 21. years And that the totall cost thereof in the work of Masons Quarriers Smyths Plummers Carpenters and other inferior Labourers added to what those principall Artists had with whom the said Executors so covenanted as I have before exprest amounted to no less than MMCCCCLxxxi li. iv s. vii d. ob At which time were also the Deanery and Colledge both standing at the East end of the Churchyard reedified by those Executors the charge whereof came to DCCCCLxxxviii li. xix s. ix d. But it was not consecrated till the year 1475. 15 E. 4. that Iohn Halse or Hales Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield had a speciall Comission for that purpose