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 Sâ—r 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
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'â—sle 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 â—h married Elizabeth sister and sole heire of John Grey Viâ—ount L'sle descended as heire of the eldest daughter and coheire of Richard Beauchamp â—â—wl 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
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 heâ—r 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 Hâ—mfrey 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 Lâ—kewise 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
whom this Mannour was so given I find that she continued many years a widow after her Husbands death And in 18. of E. 1. granted to her Son Stephen all her Lands in Melton Burgh b. Mariae Langham Burmingham Snitterley Wineton Glamforde Saxlingham Scharnton Est-Todingham Hinmingland Hindringham Hyldolveston and Norwich in the County of Norff. which descended to her by inheritance after the death of Geffrey the Son of Peter Constable of Melton her Brother And if there be truth in tradition as there is likelyhood for antiquity that fair Monument of Free-stone with the statue of a Woman excellently wrought lying in the midst of the South Isle of Hill-Morton Church was erected for this Edith whereof the tabernacle or cover over her head is very like to that of Queen Elianor's Wife to K. Edw. 1. which is of brass in Westminster Abby This Thomas to whom Hill-Morton was so given by his Father obteined to himself and his Heirs in 49. H. 3. a Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Saturday and a Fair yearly to begin on the even of St. Iohn Baptist and to continue for three dayes which Grant being made at such time as the King was a Prisoner the Barons excercising regall authority in his name held not valid and therefore in 52. of the same Kings reign he procured a new Charter ratifying the Fair but altering the Mercate to Wednesday At which time he also had Free-warren granted to him and his Heirs in all his demesn Lands here For this Thomas who dyed before the 13. of E. 1. is there yet standing a very fair monument betwixt two Pillars in the Church of Hill-Morton opposite to that of his Mother Edith whereon his statue of free-stone lyeth cross leg'd in Armor of Male as when I come to speak of the Church may be seen whose Brother and Heir viz. Raphe de Astley in 13. E. 1. claymed a Court Leet and other Priviledges in this Mannour by Prescription and likewise exhibibited K. H. 3. Charter for the Mercate Fair and Free warren last before mentioned all which were allowed To whom succeeded Thomas his Son and Heir certified to be Lord of Hill-Moreton in 9. E. 2. who liking not the Wednesday Mercate there procured a new Patent in 8. E. 3 for to have it upon â—he Tuesday continuing the Fair as formerly and renewing the Charter of Free warren And in the same year obteyned Licence for amortizing of certain Lands lying within this Lordship to maintain a Chantry-Priest to sing Mass for ever in the Chappel of our Lady contiguous to the Parish Church of Hill-Morton for the Souls of him the said Thomas and Margery his wife As also of Edith Astley before mentioned and of the Father and Mother of the said Thomas their Heirs and Ancestours and all Christian Souls deceased This Thomas in 9. E. 3. had a speciall Patent exempting him from Knighthood And in 17. E. 3. gave the perpetuall Patronage of the Church of Hill-Morton to the Dean and Canons of the Colledge of Astley then newly founded by Thomas Lord Astley the chief of that family and dyed before the 20. of E. 3. But of his descendants forasmuch as their residence hath been in Norfolk I have here no more to say The Church Dedicoted to St. John Bapt. IN An. 1291. 19. E. 1. the Rectory was valued at xviii marks And in 26. H. 8. The Vicaridge at vi l. x. sol At which time the Procurations and Synodalls payd out thereof were viii sol Out of which Rectory is there a Pension of xiii sol iiii d. yearly payable to the Bishop originally reserued upon the appropriation thereof as all others of that kind were in recompence of the benefit that he and his Successors might receive out of the Church in case no such Appropriation should have been made Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Instit. Thomas de Estleya miles Philippus de Estleya Cleric frater ejusdem Thomae Sans date Pr. Conv. de Erdbury Thom. de Dunton diac an 1286. Patroni Vicariae Decan Cap. de Astley Will. de Walton Pbr. 4. Non. Sept. An. 1343. Decan Cap. de Astley Galfr. de Lyllburne xiii Kl. Martii An. 1349. Decan Cap. de Astley Ioh. de Rokeby Pbr. iiii Kl. Oct. An. 1350. Decan Cap. de Astley Ioh. Rolf. Pbr. vi Id. Ian. an 1362. Decan Cap. de Astley Will. Meeke Cap. viii Kl. Dec. An. 1386. Decan Cap. de Astley Riâ— Millford Pbr. xxvi Aug. An. 1428. Decan Cap. de Astley Cato Halys Cap. 1. Oct. An. 1428. Decan Cap. de Astley Will. Nicholl Cap. vi Oct. An. 1433. Decan Cap. de Astley Ioh. Coton Pbr. ii Dec. an 1442. Decan Cap. de Astley Ioh. Kempe Pbr. iii. Iunii an 1447. Decan Cap. de Astley Edw. Bate Pbr. xi Oct. An. 1493. Decan Cap. de Astley D. Thom. Morres ult Apr. An. 1521. Decan Cap. de Astley D. Ioh. Grendon Cap. xvii Apr. An. 1525. Henricus Dux Suffolciae Edw. Hopkynson Cler. xxiiii Iunii An. 1553. Edw. Comes Hertfordiae Rob. Wigston Cleric xii Apr. An. 1565. Eliz. Regina Thom. Hodgkinson Cleric viii Apr. An. 1602. But there is something else which I must not pass by before I leave this place and that is the foundation of two Chanteryes here The one of them by Sir Edmund Trussel Knight in the Chappell of our Lady adjoyning to the Parish Church for the soul of Thomas Astley deceased and the good estate of Margerie late Wife of the said Thomas of their Children that were then living and for the souls of their Children deceased as also for the Souls of Iohn Primrose and of the Lady Edith Astley and for the good estate of Sir Raphe Astley Knight and Dame Agnes his VVife Sir Edmund Trussel Knight and Dame Margerie his VVife and of Thomas Meilour Priest and for their souls after their decease The Patronage of which Chantry by the Bishops Instrument for Ordination thereof was reserved after the death of the same Sir Edmund Trussell to be in the Heirs of the said Thomas Astley and Margery And for the maintenance of a Priest perpetually to sing Mass there for the purposes above mentioned the King gave Licence to the said Sir Edmund to amortize four messuages fifty acres of land seaven acres of meadow and xxvi sol Rent in Hill-Morton as it may seem by the Jurors certificate returned upon the Writ of Ad quod dampnum thereupon This Sir Edmund Trussell bore for his Armes a crosse formè fleuritè debruised with a bendlet as appears by the impression of his Seal which I have seen affixed to his first Instrument of Presentation to the said Chantery And I suppose that he marryed Margery the VVidow of the said Thomas Astley though it be not directly exprest in
This Henry was a Knight for so by his grant under seal he is stiled whereby with the consent of Ranulph his son and heir he gave a yard land in Rokeby to the Prior and Monks of Kirby And in the 39 of H. 3. obtained for himself and his heirs a Charter for a weekly Mercate here every Saturday and for a Fair yearly beginning on the Even of St. Laurence to endure for three daies with Free warren in all his demesn lands in Warwickshire For the advantage of which Mercate the Abbot of Combe earnestly moved the Monks of Pipwell for permission that they might purchase or erect a house in Rokeby to receive those Monks of theirs as they should have occasion to imploy thither Howbeit in 13 E. 1. Annabilla the Widow of the said Henry holding this Mannour in dower and claiming Free warren with a Mercate and Faire here for which she exhibited the Charter of K. H. 3. extended her claim further than that Charter warranted as it seems for it was then found that she challenged liberty to punish the breakers of the Assize of Bread and Ale whereof being not seized the Shiriff entred upon the Market Fair and Free warren for the King To which last mentioned Henry succeeded Ranulph his son and heir who dyed before 20 E. 1. for in the 24 of that Kings reign Raph Basset son and heir of Simon Basset of Sapcote granted the custody of Annabil his daughter and heir with her marriage to Peter de Leicester Clerk Which Annabil was the wife of Sir Iohn Goband Kt. Howbeit Annabil her mother being married to ......... Mundevill held Rokeby in dower 3 E. 2. In 1 E. 3. the before specified Iohn Goband and Annabil his wife had a Court Leet and other priviledges granted to them in this their Mannour of Rokeby after which it continued not long in that family for in 23 E. 3. Iohn the son and heir of Sir Iohn Goband Kt. past the inheritance thereof with the advouson of the Church to Raph Lord Stafford and Sir Iohn Oddingsells Kt. and their heirs In which grant he makes mention that the same was setled upon Iohn Brown and Annabil his wife and upon him the said Iohn Goband and his heirs by Iohn Charnells Parson of the Church of Swepston in Leicestershire I suppose that this Annabil married to her second husband the before mentioned Iohn Brown for in 20 E. 3. Iohn Brown is said to be Lord of Rugby which doubtless was in her right After which in 24 E. 3. Sir Thomas Charnells Kt. releast to the said Raph Lord Stafford all his interest in this Mannour And in 7 R. 2. Nicholas Goband Rector of the Church of Cley did the like to Hugh Earl Stafford son of the said Raph in consideration whereof he received xl l. sterling Which Nicholas Goband sealed with three Crosses crosslets fitchè upon the fesse to difference him from the principall branch of that family who bore a plain fesse and 3. besants in chief The Release of Sir Iohn Odingsells to the said Baron of Stafford I have not seen Howbeit there is no question but that such a thing there was for in the same 23. year of E. 3. the Lord Stafford as Patron of the Church exhibited his Clerk to the Abbot of Leicester according to the Agreement before exprest This Mannour continued in the Family of Stafford till the death of Humfrey Duke of Buckingham in 38. H. 6. but how much longer I have not yet seen for the next mention I find thereof is that Ric. 3. an 1. of his Reign granted it to Iohn Lord Dudley and to the Heirs of his body in which Patent it appears that it came to his hands by the death of Margaret Countess of Richmund who was mother to K. Henry 7. and that he so gave it to the Lord Dudley for his faithfull service in favouring his usurped title to the Crown It should seem that Thomas Lord Stanley who was Husband to the Countess of Richmund held it during his life for I have seen a Grant by the said Lord Dudley dated 1 Aug. 2. R. 3. whereby he makes dilectum consanguineum for so he calls him his beloved Kinsman Will. Catesby Esq. Steward thereof whensoever it should come into his hands or the possession of his Heirs and to receive for his yearly Fee ten marks sterling In which grant it is exprest that the said Lord Stanley then had it for that term But I perceive it came again to the house of Stafford though I have not yet seen how nor when for immediatly upon the attainder of Edward Duke of Buckingham Henry 8. granted it to Sir Gilbert Talboys Kt. and Elizabeth his Wife and the Heirs of their two bodies expressing that it was Edward late Duke of Buckingham's attainted Which Sir Gilbert and Elizabeth had issue Elizabeth their Daughter and Heir wedded to Ambrose Dudley afterwards Earl of Warwick who in 2 Eliz. sold it together with the advowson of the Church to Iohn Wyrley and Dorothe his wife Which Dorothe dyed seized thereof ult Martii 28. Eliz. Francis her Son and Heir being then 40. years of age In an 1291. 19. E. 1. the Church dedicated to St. Andrew was valued at seaven marks and a half And in 26. H. 8. at xvii li. xix s. ii d. over and above xx sol yearly Pension issuing out of it to the Abb. of Leicester and ix sol vi d. for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Instit. Abb. de Leic. ad nominationeÌ„ Henrici de Rokeby milit secundùm tenorem cyrographi inter ipsos Alex. de Rokeby Cleric ... an 1253. 37. H. 3. Annabilla domina de Rokeby Rog. Capellanus ... an 1291. 19. E. 1. D. Rad. Basset ratione custodiae haeredis de Rokeby ...................... D. Petrus de Leycest Rob. de Halughton Pbr. iiii Non. Iulii an 1301. Annabilla de MuÌ„â—â—vile D. de Rokeby Ric. de Toucestre accolitus xii Kl. Dec. an 1313. Ioh. Gobant Radulphus Gobant Cleric ... an 1313. Abb. conv Leic. ad nominationeÌ„ Ioh. Goband D. de Rokeby Ioh. Falconarius .... an 1314. Abb. C. de Leic. ad nominationem D. Ioh. Goband mil. D. de Rokeby Ric. de Walton Pbr. Nonâ— Iunii an 1332. Abb. conv Leic. Will. de Lyons Pbr. vi Id. Martii an 1341. Ioh. Goband Will. le Pyndere Capell .... an 1349. 23. E. 3. Abb. C. de Leic. ad denominationem D. Baronis de Stafford Petrus de Bilney Câ—p. xii Kl. Aug. an 1349. Abb. C. de Leic. Will. Parker Pbr. iii. Kl. Sept an 1361. Abb. C. de Leic. ad nominationem D. Rad. Comitis Staff Rog. Geffen Pbr. xiii Kl. Ian. an 1361. Abb. C. de Leic. Will. de Langton Cler. xi Kl. Sept. an 1375.
at Michaelmas and Easter by even portions did in consideration that the said Procurator should make payment thereof at the feasts of the Nativ of St. Ioh. Bapt. and St. Mich. together with the Tenths granted to the said K. by the Clergy so far forth as concerned those Cels restore the same unto the Abbot of the Monastery of St. Nich. before specified But in 50 E. 3. the custody thereof was disposed to Sir Cannon Rubussard Kt. to hold from the feast of St. Mich. th'Archangel then next following during the continuance of the wars with France paying xl l. yearly into his Exchequer Which Sir Cannon was onely to have the same benefit of Rent and other advantages as the Mother Monastery at Angiers before spoken of in times of peace usually had For upon an Extent in 1 R. 2. it appears that all the lands belonging thereto were then valued at CCxx l. iii s. iiii d. per annum But so much were the Monks incumbred by these seizures and appointment of secular persons to have the rule over them that in consideration of a good sum of money in hand they made a Lease to the said Sir Cannon Robsart of all their lands for 25 years And the superiour House beyond Sea likewise discerning themselves so set aside as to the receiving any advantage from hence made their addresses to Thomas Moubray E. of Nottingham and Earl Marshal of England offering to quit their interest here to him upon easy terms Which Earl having in 20 R. 2. obtained liberty to found a Religious House of Carthusian Monks at Eppeworth or where else he thought fit within the Isle of Axholme in Lincolnsh procured the K. Letters Pat. of licence for the Abbot and Covent of St. Nich. at Angiers before specified to grant this their Priory of Monkskirby with the Mannours of Neubold super Avon Copston and Walton to the same belonging As also the advousons of the Churches and Vicaridges of Kirkby-monach Neubold super Avon Withibroke Wapenbury and Sharnford with their pensions unto the said Monastery of Carthusians for ever Whereupon Iohn son and heir to Sir Can. Robsart the Lessee before specified by his deed bearing date upon Easter eve 20 R. 2. released to the King and to Iohn de Moreby Prior assigned of the then late founded House of Carthusians to the honour of the Uisitation of the Mother of God in the Isle of Axholme all his right and title in this Priory But no sooner did H. 4. come to the Crown than that the Priors-alien began to find much favour for in the Parl. held an 1. of his reign taking into consideration the losses and inconveniences that had befallen them by the frequent seizure of their lands and ferming them out in the time of his Grandfather K. E. 3. whereby not onely they had suffered great decay in their buildings but that the worship of God in that regular way Hospitality Alms and other charitable works antiently establisht and there accustomed to be performed were withdrawn as also the pious desires of the Founders thereby defrauded as the words of the Pat. do import did by the advice of his Councel in that Parliament restore to the said Abbot of St. Nich. at Angiers the patronage and advouson of those Religious Houses in England which were subordinate to that Monastery to have and to hold to him and his successours so that they should present fit persons to them upon the vacancies that might happen Howbeit this favour of K. H. 4. was not long enjoy'd by them for K. H. 5. reciting the licence granted by K. R. 2. for founding the said House of Carthusians in the Isle of Axholme and the power then given to the Monks at Angiers to pass away this Priory of Monkskirby with th' appurtenances thereunto as aforesaid by his Letters Pat. dated at Westm. 28. Iunii 3 of his reign confirmed the same Whereupon the said Carthusians being thus possest hereof obtained of K.E. 4. in 8 of his reign a confirmation of those priviledges granted to the Prior of Monkskirby by K. E. 1. in 33 of his reign before specified extending into all their lands there named which they enjoy'd therewith till that fatal overthrow of the Religious Houses in K. H. 8. time when some being corrupted with temporary profit and others through terrour were brought to surrender their Monasteries into the K. hands the said Prior and Cov. of Carthusians did not onely give up theirs but levyed a Fine thereof as also of all the possessions belonging thereto and in particular of this Mannour of Monkskirby with the rest of the Mannours Lands c. appertaining to it Which stay'd not long in the Crown for the same year was it granted away by the King to Thomas Mannyng late Prior of the Monastery of Butley in Suffolks then newly made Bishop of Ipswich to hold for life the remainder to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten to be held in capite by the tenth part of a Kts. fee and the yearly rent of ix l. xiiii s. After which viz. in 37 H. 8. the K. granted unto Trinity Coll. in Cambridge the Rectory of Monkskirby with the tythes and certain lands rents c. lying in Monkskirby and the other Villages adjacent formerly belonging to the before specified Carthusians to hold to them and their successours in pure alms From which Duke this Mannour of Monkskirby with the rest before mentioned divolved to Henry Grey D. of Suff. in right of Frances his wife daughter of the said Charles and one of the sisters and co-heirs to Henry Brandon D. of Suff. From whose death the said Frances held it during her life and dyed 2 Eliz. leaving the Lady Kath. and Lady Mary Grey daughters to the aforesaid Duke her heirs viz. Katherine 19. and Mary 13 years of age Which Kath. being wedded to Edw. Seymour E. of Hertford had issue Edw. Lord Beauchamp that dyed in his fathers life time father to Will now Marq. of Hertford who sold this Mannour to the right honourable Mary Countess of Buck. in our memory paternally through that antient and noble family of the Beaumonts of Coleorton in Leicestersh descended from the Kings of France as is well known Which Mary setled it upon Basil Lord Feilding now E. of Denbigh her Grand-child with divers remainders In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church dedicated to St. Edith was valued at xxxiii marks and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge at xxii l. ix s. 6 d. the Taxation or Ordination whereof was made in an 1237. 21 H. 3. as appears by the original Instrument Which Vicaridge being but of small worth had an augmentation made thereunto by the bounty of the Lady Aliza one of the daughters of Sir Robert Dudley as in Manceter I have particularly shewed As this Parish is spacious so is the present fabrick of the Church very large though
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 Wâ—ll 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 Wâ—lliam 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 wrâ—tten 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 mâ—ss 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 liâ—cense to the Inhabitants
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 â—agerly 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
although it sufficed not to bear out any bad attempt of his own as my Author observeth yet was it of force to cross the evill purposes of others and therefore speeches were cast out that he caused himself to be proclaimed King in divers Counties and much more layd in charge against him by Northumberland's contrivance who when he came to his tryall was one of his Peers upon which Triall though they acquitted him of Treason yet did they find him guilty of Felony whereupon he had Judgment to be hang'd never remembring to crave the benefit of his Clergy which is by some observ'd to be a just Judgment of God upon him for having so much wronged the Church and all learning and had his head smitten off upon a scaffold on Tower-hill After this 't was not long ere infirmities seized upon the King from whom Northumb. was little absent to ordering the matter that whil'st he languish't Guilford Dudley his 4. son did marry with the Lady Iane Grey eldest daughter to Henry Duke of Suff. by Frances daughter to Mary second sister to King H. 8. and that a Patent was sealed for the said Lady Iane's succession to the Crown for drawing whereof in excâ—uding his two sisters with fair pretences the assistance of the Lord chief Justice Mountagu and Secretary Cecill was used which Letter 's were subscribed by alâ— the Privy Councell the greatest part both for number and power of the Nobility the Kings learned Councell and all the Judges at the Common Law except Sir Iames Hales one of the Justices of the Common Pleas some being guided with particular interest for that they were possest of so much Monastery and Chantry lands which if Religion should be altered through Qu. Maryes coming to the Crown they might be in danger to loose and others by fear of or obligation to the Duke of Northumberland then so potent and almost absolute in government of the State that 't was supposed he could make any title good either by his authority or his sword And having now thus designed to himself the power of a King for no less would he have had if the Lady Iane had been Queen he contrived to get the Lady Mary into his hands causing K. Edw. to write his Letters for her coming to him in his sickness but she being made sensible of the device when she was within half a days journey of London directed her course another way after which the King immediatly dyed whereupon Northumb. causes the Lady Iane to be proclaimed Queen but the tide of the peoples affections bending to Mary the Kings eldest sister she is likewise proclaimed first by the Citizens of Norwich and afterwards in Buck. and Northampton-shires neither was there want of numbers in severall parts that began to put themselves in Armes on her behalf So that 't was no sitting still now Northumberland therefore being Queen Iane's Champion with a Commission under the great Seal marcheth out with 600. Horse to suppress any power that should appear for Queen Mary having a promise from the Lords of more forces to be sent after him but such a change did he perceive in the affections of his own Souldiers whereof many forsook himâ— that to daub up the matter he returns to Cambridge and there without either Herauld or Trumpet accompanyed with the Maior and Marquess of Northampton proclaimes Queen Mary himself in the Market-place and in token of joy threw up his Cap. All which would not now secure him for the very next day the Earl of Arundell coming thithither from the Queen arrested him of Treason whence he was with his three sons Iohn Ambrose and Henry convey'd to the Tower of London and from that place ere long to his arraignment where being condemn'd for a Traitor he suffered death at Tower-hill the 22. of Aug. and was buried in the Tower Church by Iohn Cock then Lancaster-Herauld who having been his old servant was willing to shew some respect to him dead from whom living he had received so much favour and therefore begg'd his Head onely of the Queen that he might bury it in the Tower upon which suit he had his wholy body also granted Our Historians that write of his death do say that at his end he profest the Roman Religion and I have heard that for a witness of his Faith he vouch't Dr. Heath Archbishop of York afterwards Lord Chancelour yet was he so much blinded by ambition that apprehending the alteration of Religion to be the chief means whereby he might accomplish his worldly ends he told Sir Anthony Brown afterward Visc Mountacute when he moved him for restoring the Roman Religion â—hat albeit he knew the same Religion to be true yet seeing a new Religion was begun Run Dog run Devill he would go forwards One thing have I further to observe of him which is that being arrived to such a pitch of honour and greatness he was not content with those vast possessions that he had by the bounty of the K. and his own just acquisition but finding Iohn Lord Dudley grandfather to the last Baron to be a weak man whereby he had exposed himself to some wants and so became entangled within the Usurers bonds made those money-merchants his Instruments to work him out of Dudley-Castle which Usurers accordingly getting a mortgage of part of his lands let in such room for the Duke to put in a foot that he soon justled him out of his Castle and Barony so that the poor Lord being thus turn'd out of dore and left to the Charity of his friends for a subsistence spent the rest of his days in making visits amongst them with whom he usually stayed according as he found welcome being commonly called the Lord Quondam but so soon as Queen Mary had taken off the Dukes head she bestowed the Castle of Dudley and all the lands which belong'd to the quondam Lord upon Edward his son and heir who had wedded Katherine Bridges daughter to Sir Iohn Bridges Knight Lord Chandois one of her maids of Honour During the time that this our Earl of Warwick was so possest of Dudley-Castle it being a place that he thirsted after in regard of his name and for the honourableness of the House and seat from which he was desirous the world should believe he was descended for he had thrust into his titles Dux Northumbriae Comes Warwici Mareschallus Angliae Vâ—cecomes L'isle Baro de Somery Basset Tyase Dominus de Dudley praenobilis Ordinis Garterii miles Magnus Magister Seneschallus Hospitii regis he made great repairs there and built that stately fabrick within the walls thereof on the North part which was called the New work adorn'd the Gate-house tower with the Armes of Malpas Someri and the Lyon rampant by him assumed for Sutton's coat fairly cut in large shields of stone and fixt in the wall just over the Port cullice By Iane daughter and
Kenilworth should be duly payd And moreover that a Pension of two Marks per an should be payd to the Bishop of Worcester and his successors and to the Prior and Monks of Worcester and their successors xx s. per an whereupon ensued the Ordination of the Vicaridge made by the same Bishop and dated at Hertlebury xi Martii an 1341. 16 E. 3. In 26 H. 8. the Rectory here was certified to be worth iii l. xiii s. iiii d. per an being so let at that time by Indenture and the Vicaridge vi l. xiii s. iiii d. per an which Rectory with the advouson of the Vicaridge was inter alia past out of the Crown together with the dissolved Monastery of Maxstoke unto Charles Brandon D. of Suff. ult Sept. 30 H. 8. And from the said Duke excepting the advouson of the said Vicaridge conveyed to Rob. Trapps with Maxstoke also being since sold viz. 2 Oct. 44. Eliz. to the before specified Andrew Archer by Will. Poulet son of the Lord Giles Poulet and Mary his wife one of the daughters and heirs of Nich. son to the before specified Rob. Trapps Which advouson coming by mean conveyance unto VVill. Stanley L. Mouteagle was by him 12. Ian. 12. Eliz. aliened unto Ellys Aynesworth of Bolton in com Lanc. Gent. whose son and heir by his deed bearing date 4 Oct. 21. Eliz. conveyed it to Iohn Addenbrook of Beoley in com Wigorn. yeoman which Iohn 12 Oct. 27 Eliz. past it to the same Andrew Archer Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Rad Bolemere Pbr. 3. Cal. Apr. 1292. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Nich. le Boteler 17 Cal. Apr. 1303. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thomas Talbot Cleric 15. Cal. Febr. 1307. Idem Pr. C. ad nominat D. Hug. le Despenser ratione custodiae haered Comitis Warw. Ingelram Berenger Cler. 4. Non. Oct. 1319. Idem Pr. C. ad nominat D. Hug. le Despenser ratione custodiae haered Comitis Warw. Mag. Ric. de Vppavene 11. Cal. Oct. 1322. Idem Pr. Conv. ad nominat Edw. Regis Angl. ratione ut supra D. Thom. de Pakynton Pbr. 8 Martii an 1328. Pr. C. de Kenilw Ric. le Gardiner Pbr. 17. Iulii 1339. VVill. de Clinton Comes Huntendon D. Rob. Wyke 3 Apr. 1340. Prior Conv. de Makstoke D. Will. de Coton 3. Maii 1340. Prior Conv. de Makstoke D. Rob. de Folewode Pbr. 25. Aug. 1341. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Henr. le Gardner 19. Nov. 1349. Prior Conv. de Makstoke VVill. Tykenhale Pbr. 24. Maii 1375. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Ric. Dolfyn Pbr. 5. Aug. 1379. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Hugo de Cookes Pbr. 21 Sept. 1381. Prior Conv. de Makstoke D. Ric. Martyn 23 Maii 1398. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Tho. Hopley 23 Apr. 1399. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Will. Bakon 21 Aug. 1402. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Tho. Draper 16 Oct. 1046. Prior Conv. de Makstoke D. Will. Elys Cap. 14 Iulii 1420. Prior Conv. de Makstoke D. Ric. Greswould Pbr. 28. Nov. 1442. Prior Conv. de Makstoke D. VVill. Swyneshede Cap. 3. Sept. 1465. Prior Conv. de Makstoke D VVill. Harrys Cap. 17 Iulii 1471. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Rad. VVhitehede in leg Bac. 12. Apr. 1514. Henr. 8. Rex Angl. D. Rad. Aleyne Cler. 13. Dec. 1537. Elizeus Aynsworth Gen. Ioh. Parks Cler. 7 Aug. 1573. Monumentall Inscriptions in this Church Orate pro animabus Ricardi Fulwode armigeri Agnetis uxoris ejus qui quidem Ricardus obiit xxiii die Februarii An. Dom. M.D. secundo quorum animabus propitietur Deus Orate pro animabus Roberti Fulwode armigeri Margaretae uxoris suae qui quidem Robertus fuit excellentissimè doctrinatus sive literatus in Communi lege Angliae Et obiit xx die mensis Octobris An. D. 1531. Cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen Here lyeth buried Edward Archer Gent. whiles he lived was a friend to poore He dyed the xviith of Feburary Anno D. 1592. ✚ Ricardum Dolfyn cerne homo locus tenet iste Aeternam lucem ei dare dedignaris Christe But because this did import praying for the dead complaint was made to the Bishop who caused that Inscription to be defaced and instead of it set up this IESUS Ricardum Dolfyn cerne homo mortuum locm tenet Christi Sed noluit locum Christi vivus intrare iste Hic jacet Elizabetha filia Edwardi Gryffyn armigeri obiit 7 Oct. 1608. In this Church were two Chantries the one at the Altar of the blessed Virgin and the other of St. Katherine Of these the former was founded by Robert Folewode first Vicar of Tanworth after the Church became appropriated to the Canons of Makstoke which Rob. by his Deed bearing date at Tanworth on the Feast day of S. Gervasius and Prochasius 19 E. 3. granted to one Ranulph de Folewode and the heirs of his body his capitall Messuage with all the lands and tenements thereto belonging heretofore possest by one Will. de Lee and situate in a place called Beaumunt as also another mess. sometime belonging to Ric. de Piryhull both in this Parish to the intent that the said Ranulph and his said heirs should find a competent Priest of good conversation chosen by the twelve principall Inhabitants of the town to celebrate divine service daylie in this Church at the said Altar of the Blessed Virgin for all the living and dead of this Parish as also for the Benefactors to the said Church and Chantry Which Chantry-Priest for the time being was every year to take his Corporall Oath on the Feast day of St. Mich. the Archangell in the presence of him the said Robert his heirs and successors that he would faithfully perform such servâ—ce as abovesaid and likewise daily say a Placebo and Dirige with a speciall comendation of him the said Robert by name and his heirs and if the said Ran. de Folewode did happen to depart this life without issue of his body that then the Messuages beforementioned should remain to Iohn de Lodbroke and the heirs of his body upon the like termes and so for default of issue by him to Iohn le Archer with these severall remainders in case of issue failing viz. to Henry de Sidenhale Rob. de Crewenhale Iohn Wodard Will. Dolfyn Will. Gower Ric. Alleyn Thomas Wystan and Ric. atte Berne and the heirs of their bodies To which Feoffment were witnesses Sir Peter de Montfort Sir Edm. de Trussell Sir Rog. de Aylesbury and Sir Thomas Blancfront Kts. with others The lands of this Chantrie being in 37 H. 8. valued at vii l. xix s. vii d. above all reprises Touching the other Chantrie I find that in 14 R. 2. one Thomas Collins of this town gave to Thomas Archer Iohn
the Counties of Berks. Northampton Stafford Wigorn. Linc. Oxford and Suff. were bestowed by the Conqueror on Robert de Stadford paternally descended from that great and noble Family of Tonei being son as I think to Roger de Tonei totius Normanniae Signifer as also Brother to Raph de Tonei who came into England with Duke William and fought stoutly on his behalf in the battail against King Harold in which I need not make question but that this Robert also was for my Author having mentioned the said Raph and some few others of the highest rank addeth these words aliique quamplures militaris praestantiae fama celebratissimi quorum nomina Historiarum voluminibus inter bellicosissimos commendari deceat In consideration therefore of that notable service I shall conclude that he was rewarded with such vast possessions in the severall Counties before mentioned amongst which this town of Wootton with the rest of Wagen's lands were part but making choise of Stafford for his principall seat where he had a strong Castle as is evident assumed his sirname from thence The extent of this Wootton was then certified to be 7. hides there being at that time a Church and two Mills and the woods belonging â—hereto containing two miles in length and one in breadth which with all the rest were valued at iv li. In the line of which Robert it continued till the death and attainder of Edward Duke of Buck. temp H. 8. But the story of that noble Family I reserve for another work and shall here take notice only of what I find thereof in reference to this place which is no more than that in 13 E. 1. Nich. Lord Stafford obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here And that in 2 Edw. 2. Edmund his son dying seized of this Mannour was certified to hold it together with Tisoe in this Countie and certain lands in Staffordshire of the King in Capite by Barony scil to find three armed men with Horses compleatly harnessed for service in the Warrs of Wales during the space of xl days at his own proper charges After the death of which Duke Thomas Grey Marq. Dorset obtained it inter alia from the King first for life and afterwards to himself and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas had issue Henry Marq. Dorset created Duke of Suff. by King Edw. 6. as in Astley is shewed but attainted in 1 Mariae whereupon this Mannour was granted by that Queen to Sir Iohn Grey Knight and Mary his wife and their heirs 3 Iunii 2 3. Ph. M. From whom Dame Agnes Smyth the Widow of Sir Iohn Smyth Knight one of the Barons of the Exchequer and Francis Smyth son and heir to the said Agnes purchased it 1. Maii 1 Eliz. which Francis died seized of it 3. Sept. 4 Iac. whose grandchild Sir Francis Smyth Knight having in 15 Iac. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here left issue Sir Charles Smyth Knight his son and heir now Lord Carington the present owner thereof BEsides this Mannour here in Wootton that continued so long in the line of Stafford there was another which belonged to the Family of Harewell for many descents but had not the reputation of a Mannour for ought I have seen till of later time For the originall of it grew by divers petty purchases of severall parcells of land in the times of King Edw. 1. and E. 2. made by one Richard de Stanford and Idonea his wife which Richard is stiled in most of the deeds that I have seen Magister Ric. de Stanford Clericus and left issue Iohn his son and heir who in 23 E. 3. being one of the Commissioners in this County for assessing and collecting a xv th and x th then granted to the King in Parliament and in 27 E. 3. Coroner in this Shire bore for his Armes a Fesse and upon a Canton in the dexter part of the shield a martlet as by his Seal appears and had issue Iohn as also Maud a daughter married to Roger de Harewell brother to Iohn Harewell Bishop of Bathe and Wells towards the later end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time which Maud became her brother's heir and possest all those his lands whereunto by marriages of severall heirs and otherwise her descendants made so fair an addition as that they were rankt amongst the superior gentry of this Shire therefore having something to say historically of them this being their principall Seat I have inserted the following Pedegree extracted out of the Evidences of the before specified Lord Carington Of Iohn Harewell son and heir to Roger and Maud I find that he being elected one of the Coroners in this Countie in 16 R. 2. upon his complaint to the King that the choise was not according to the tenour of the Statute of 3. E. 1. Cap. 10. which provideth that those to be chosen ought to be sage and wise Knights that might know how to undergo and that would attend the said Office a Precept was directed to the Shiriff to make a new election in his full Countie wherein the form of the said Statute should be exactly observed In 1 H. 5. he was Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 5 o one of the Councell to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick In 7 H. 5. imployed by Commission with other persons of quality to treat with the people here for a loan of money to the King and from 9 H. 5. till his death a Justice of Peace in this Shire He bore for Magr. Ric. de Stanford Clericus 15 E. 1. Idonea 23 E. 1. Ioh. Harewell Ioh. Harewell Bath Wellen. Episc. obiit 10 R. 2. Rog. Harewell de Wootton 42 E. 3. Ric. Harewell canonicus Eccl. de Wells 20 R. 2. Ioh. Harewell obiit 7 H. 6. Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 7. H. 5. Nich. Harewell ob s. prole Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 17 H. 7. Rog. Harewell de Solihull 21 H. 8. Will. Harewell de Stoorton Ric. Harewell de Shoterich ob 17 H. 6. Iohanna filia haeres ob s. p. 29 H. 6. Rog. Harewell 9 H. 6. Agnes filia cohaer Will. Clopton mil. Will. Harewell obiit 16 H. 7. Agnes filia Henrici Wogan Ioh. Harewell obiit 10 Apr. 20 H. 7. Anna filia haeres Ric. Midleton Agnes filia quinta cohaeres Ioh. Smyth Baro Scac. 25 H. 8. Franciscus Smyth ar obiit 3. Sept. 1606. Maria filia haeres Joh. Morton de Ashby-Folvile in Com. Leic. Georgius Smyth Anna filia Thomae Giffard de Chillington mil. Franciscus Smith miles Anna filia Thomae Markham de Merton in Com Nott. ar Carolus Smyth de Wotton miles erectus in Baronem Carington Eliz. filia Ioh. Carrell eq aur Thomas Harewell obiit sine prole Thomas Harewell ob sine prole 22
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— Morâ—hall 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 Stoâ—rton 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 Aâ—hton 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
of all his right title and claim that he had or could challenge thereto dated 18 o Iunii 26 H. 6. And for the better securing of their title did the said Provost and Scholars in 1 E. 4. procure a speciall Patent from that King of Confirmation for this and other lands of that kâ—nd which by the munificence of their pious Founder had been granted to them the same Patent bearing date at Westminster 22 Febr. Patroni Priores de Wootton Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Rog. de Pavilliaco monach 12. Cal. Ian. 1285. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Ioh. de Brocâ—a monach de Conchis 8. Cal. Iunii 1288. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Will. de Laverceye monach de Conchis 8. Id. Nov. 1309. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Ioh. le Tonnelier monach 26. Iulii 1328. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Iohâ— de Silvaneto 2. Ian. 1340. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Guillerinus Pinchart die Mart. post festum Dionysii martyris 1349. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Frater Ioh. Maubert monach de Conchis 7. Martii 1370. Abbas de Conchis in Normannia Ioh. Soverain monach de Conchis .... 1400. Henr. 6. Rex Angl. c. Ioh. de Conchis monachus 17. Iunii 1438. Aspley OF this place there is no mention in the Conqueror's Survey and therefore I do conclude that it was at that time involved with Wootton Neither have I seen any thing of it in Record till 5 H. 3. that Alan de Bercheston impleaded Robert de Chaucumbe for certain lands here wherein it is written Apsele That this Robert de Chaucumbe was then Lord of it will appear by what I have next to say viz. that in 15 H. 3. by a Fine levied betwixt Gilbert de Segrave Annabil his wife Plantiffs and the same Robert de Chaucumbe deforc the said Robert having given her the said Annabil his eldest daughter in marriage to the same Gilbert and Milisent the other to Raph Basset setled his lands lying in the Counties of Northampt. Warwick Leic. and Linc. so as if he should fortune to have any other heir besides them two the said Gilbert and Annabil and the heirs of Annabil to enjoy the moitie only of this Mannour of Aspele and the other moitie to go unto the said Raph Basset and Milisent and the heirs of Milisent for ever But plain it is that the said Robert de Chaucuâ—be had no other issue so that upon such partition as was afterwards made betwixt those coheirs this Mannour of Aspele came wholly to Anabill whereupon the before specified Gilbert de Segrave her husband in 36 H. 3. obiained a Charter of Freewarren in all his demesn lands here having an antient Mannour-house upon it as it should seem by the large moat with a Park yet did not her issue by the same Gilbert enjoy it For being afterwards married to Roger de Somery whom she survived in her full and lawfull widowhood she granted it unto Iohn de Somery her son by that husband and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten to be held of her and her heirs paying unto her and Nicholas de Segrave her son and heir and his heirs a pair of gilt Spurrs or six pence at the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist yearly for all services Which Iohn in 13 E. 1. claymed a Court Leet here with Assize of Bread and Beer therein by Prescription whereof he had then allowance But at length it returned to the line of Segrave and in 18 E. 3. was with divers other Mannours in severall Counties entailed by Sir Iohn de Segrave Knight upon the issue of his body by Margaret his wife and for default of such issue upon his right heirs Which Margaret had it inter alia in dower as appears by the Inquis taken after the death of Sir Walter Manney Knight her second husband By vertue of which entail it divolved through an heir female to the Family of Moubray being in 1 H. 4. committed with divers other Mannours in this County to Sir Thomas Rempston Kt. in respect that Thomas the son and heir to Thomas Moubray Duke of Norff. was then in minority and by Moubray's daughter and coheir to Berkley Thomas Lord Berkley dying seized of it in 26 H. 8. leaving Henry his son and heir who accomplisht his full age in 2 3 Ph. M. Forde Hall THis lying within the precincts of Aspele was about the beginning of E. 1. reign granted by Sir Iohn de Somery before mentioned to one Roger de la Forde of Aspele and Agatha his wife and their heirs the Rent of xii d. yearly payable at the Feast of S. Michael and the Annunciation of our Lady by equall portions being thereupon reserved as also forrein service and suit to the Court of him the said Iohn and his heirs Hence came it in succeeding times to be called Forde Hall and in 5 R. 2. past by the name of a Mannour from one Nicholas Prylle of Ludlow to Henry de Bonnebury and his heirs but at length came to Iohn Fullwode about H. 8. time in marriage with Ioan the daughter and heir to Baldwyn Heath Which Iohn being second son to Robert Fullwode of Cley Hall in Tanworth had issue Iohn and he a third Iohn who by marriage with Katherine daughter coheir to Thomas Dabridgcourt of Langdon Hall left issue six daughters his heirs scil Frances the wife of William Noell of Welsborough in Com. Leic. Esquire Elianor of Sir Edw. Hampden Knight Alice of Sir George Fullwode Kt. Christian of Iohn Hales Esquire Grace of Angell Grey of Kingston in Com. Dors. Esquire and Katherine which Grace upon the partition of that inheritance had inter alia this for her share Mockley I Am of opinion that this now bearing the name of Mockley was part of that land which Robert de Stafford granted to the Monks of Conchis whereof in Wootton I have spoke but of it I do not find any particular mention till about E. 1. time and that is also accidentally Gilbert de Monkelee and William de Monkelee with Roger then Vicar of Wootton being witnesses to a grant of certain lands in Buckele lying hard by made to the Monks of Wootton whence I conclude that having belong'd to those Monks it therefore had the name of Monkelee and that by shortnes of pronunciation it is now called Mockle As part of the possessions therefore of that Religious House was it in 7 H. 5. granted by the King with the Priory of Wootton to Sir Rouland Lenthale Knight and in 22 H. 6. past therewith likewise to the Provost and Scholars of King's Colledge in Cambridge by the name of the Mannour of Molkele and being confirmed to that Colledge by King E. 4. is enjoyed accordingly at this day Vllenhale THis place having been part
the Conqueror's Survey and was soon after granted by the then possessor of Dudley-Castle unto the Ancestor of Henry de Rokeby to hold by the fift part of a Knight's fee as the Confirmation thereof made unto the same Henry and his heirs by Gervase Paganell Lord of Dudley in H. 2. time doth manifest wherein it is written Saluthley From which Henry descended Ranulph de Rokeby whose daughter and heir Annabill marryed unto Sir Iohn Goband Knight as in Rokeby appeareth whereby the inheritance hereof came to the same Sir Iohn Goband who in 16 E. 2. was certified to hold it of Iohn de Someri Baron of Dudley then newly deceased by the said service of the fift part of a Knight's Fee Which Sir Iohn Goband and Aâ—nabill in 5 E. 3. granted it unto Walter de Clâ—dshale and Richard his son to hold during the lives of them the said Walter and Richard for the Rent of x li. per annum sterling but afterwards to returne unto the said Sir Iohn and Annabil and the heirs of Annabill Of this Annabill I find that surviving her said husband and afterwards being wedded to Iohn Brown of Burbach in Com. Leic. she past away the inheritance thereof to the before specified Walter and Richard de Clodshale in 17 E. 3. For the better confirmation of which title Iohn the son and heir to the above mentioned Sir Iohn Goband and Annabill released unto them the said Walter and Richard and the heirs of Richard all the right and claim that he could pretend thereto as by the same bearing date at Bermingham in 20 E. 3. sealed with his Armes viz. Gules two barrs Or with 3. Besants in Chief appeareth Which Walter de Clodshale and his descendants in the male line so long as it continued had their seat here and increasing their estate by the marriage of severall heirs were reckoned amongst the Gentlemen of the superior rank in this Countie Agnes 5 E. 2. Walt. de Clodshale 5 E. 2. Alicia filia haeres Rog. de Bishopesden 19 E. 3. Râ—c de Clodshale 24 E. 3. Iohanna relâ—cta Roberti de Ribsford Ioh. de Clodshale 47 E. 3. Beatrix soror haeres Will. Golofre 47 E. 3. Ric. Clodshale 3 H. 5. Isabella filia haeres Ric. de Edgbaston relicta Thomae Midlemore Eliz. filia haeres uxor Roberti Ardern de Park-Hall ar 4 H. 6. But from what originall his Ancestors were other than Townsmen of Bermingham wherein they had lands of good worth as by a multitude of antient Deeds appeareth I cannot expresse Of which lands out of the good affection by him born to that place in 3 E. 3. he obtained License from Sir William de Burmingham then Lord of Burmingham of whom they were held to amortize four Messuages and xx acres as also a Rent of xviii d. for the foundation of a Chantrie at the Altar of the blessed Virgin in the Church of S. Martin there in Bermingham for one Priest to celebrate divine Service daily thereat for the souls of him the said Walter and Agnes his wife their Ancestors and successors with all the faithfull deceased Of the same Walter and Richard his son I further find that being by the Commissioners of Array in this Countie 21 E. 3. charged with two Archers they were abated one of them paying xl s. for the expences of that one as also that the said Richard for the health of his soul and the soul of Alice his wife about the same time added five Messuages x. acres of land and x s. Rent to the Chantrie before specified and moreover that in 32 E. 3. he payd a Fine of x li. for his Pardon in respect he came not in to receive the Order of Knighthood upon Proclamation made that all such as were possest of lands or Rents of the value of xl s. should appear for that purpose And likewise that in 34 E. 3. he was in Commission for the assessing and collecting of a xv th and Tenth then granted to the King in Parliament and the same year had a speciall License granted to him from Robert de Stretton then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield dated 3. Cal. Ian. for an Oratorie or Chapell in his House here at Saltley and lastly that he bore for his Armes ...... per pale indented with certain Martlets in the place of a borborder on the dexter part of his shield as appears by his Seal which doubtlesse was in reference to the tenure of his antient lands from the Berminghams whose coat it did so nearly resemble But the last of the male line that had to do here was Richard grandchild to the said Ric. who in 4 H. 4. had the title of Esquire for so he writes himself in a Bond for payment of 500 li. to William de Bermingham Esquire Betwixt this Richard and the same William de Bermingham was there a suit at Law touching the advouson of the Chantrie before specified founded by Walter de Clodhale his Ancestor in the Church of Bermingham in which suit he prevailed and accordingly presented thereto in 5 H. 4. In 7 H. 4. he was one of those gentlemen of note in this Countie Arma portantibus de Armis antiquis as the words of the Writ are who had summons to attend the King in their proper persons for defence of the Realm and in 4 H. 6. underwent the office of Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire By his Testament bearing date at Egebaston 7 Maii Anno 1428. 6 H. 6. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of Bermingham within his own proper Chapell of our Lady constituting the Duke of Bedford whom he there termes his honourable Lord one of his Executors and departed this life the same year as appears by the Probate thereof The Armes which this Richard bore did much differ from his Grandfathers being two Barrs nebulè betwixt six Estoiles as his Seal manifesteth which coat I believe he assumed for the allusion that it hath to his name scil the representation of Clouds to Clodshale for it was a common usage in antient time where they could hit upon any thing that sounded neer or like to the name to bear it in their Armes as by a multitude of instances might be demonstrated But dying without issue male Elizabeth his daughter became heir to this Mannour as also to that of Pebmore in Com. Wigorn. and other lands who being wedded to Robert Ardern of Park-Hall Esquire brought them to that Family wherein they continue till this present Anno scil 1640. Ward end alias Little Bromwich THis place heretofore called Little-Bromwich was at first either a member of Castle-Bromwich or of Aston which contained both But the antientest mention I finde of it is in 13 E. 1. where it appears that one Iohn de Bradewell had a suit for lands therein with Walter de Eylesbury Steward to
greatnesse and power durst not appear to challenge the Jurie so that he had CCC â— given him for damages against them But it so fell out that in 3 E. 3. this mighty man being seized upon by the King at Notingham Castle and by a Parliament there held condemn'd for Treason was put to death whereby all his possessions became confiscate insomuch as the Inhabitants before specified petitioned the K. that he would be gracious unto them in forbearing to proceed to Judgment upon that Verdict whereupon he was pleased to remit thereof CCxlvi li. xiii s. iiii d. Whether by any conveiance from the Bishop of Ely before spoken of it was that Rob. de Moreby of Moreby in Yorkshire had an interest here I know 〈◊〉 nor what he so had but in 7 E. 3. I find that the K. granted to him a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here at Solihull as also at Bonnewick and Moreby in Yorkshire It seems that the inheritance thereof was in the Bishop's heirs what ever estate the same Rob. de Moreby had for in 26 E. 3. by a Fine then levied betwixt Anne the widow of Edw. le Despenser Plantiff and Iohn de Hothum of Bondeby Kt. Deforâ—â— this Mannour with the advouson of the Church was setled upon the same Anne during her life the remainder to Hugh le Despenser son to the said Edw. and Anne and Alice his wife daughter of the said Sir I. Hothum and the heirs of their bodies and so to Katherine sister of the said Alice c. Which Alice was afterwards married to Iohn Trussell who in her right held this Lordship in 50 E. 3. But by her first husband she had issue Sir Hugh le Spenser Kt. and Anne a daughter married to Sir Edw. Boteler Kt. which Sir Hugh dyed without issue in 3. H. 4. leaving Anne his sister and heir then 32 years of age Of this Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife I find that in 5 H. 4. they came to an Agreement with Sibill the widow of the said Sâ— Hugh le Spenser whereby it was concluded that she the said Sibill shou'd hold this Mannour during her life but afterwards to return unto the same Sir Edward and Anne and their heirs who dying without issue K. H. 5. by his Letters Pat. dated 16 Apr. in the second year of his reign passing to Edward Duke of York for life all the lands which were Thomas Lord Spenser's attainted by Parl. Octab. Hill 3 H. 4. the remainder to Ric. Beauchamp of Bergavenny Kt. and Isabell his wife sister and heir of Richard son and heir to the said Thomas late Lord Despenser deceased and the heirs male of the same Richard and Isabell the Duke by virtue of that grant possest himself of this Mannour 〈◊〉 colour that for want of issue by the â—aâ—d Sir Edward Bâ—teler and Anne the inheritance thereof belonged to the same Thomas le Despenser Earl of Glouc. so attainted and held it till his death which hapning in 3 H. 5 for he was slain at the battell of Agincourt 25 Oct. the same year Ric. Beauchamp and Isabell his wife had livery 〈◊〉 Hothum Episc Elien Perius Hothum Ioh. Hothum miles Fâ—w le De spenser Anna. Edm. Dux Ebor. Edw. Dux Elâ—â—r Constanstia Ric. le Despenser Co. Glouc. ob s p. Isabella sola filia haeres ux Ric. Beauchamp domini de Bergav Edw. le Despenser Tho. le Despenser Co. Glouc. Hugo le Despenser Anna ux Edw. Boteler ob s. p. 10 H. 4. Hugo le Despenser miles ob s. p. Ioh. Hothum mil. Alicia Ioh. Trussel mil. 2 maritus Ioh. Trussel ob s. p. Catherina Petrus Hothum Matilda Thomas .... Alicia Margareta ... Skerne Henricus Skerne Edm. Skerne 38 H. 6. thereof 18 Mâ—rtii next ensuing Neverthelesse upon farther consideration and view of the Fine levied in 5 H. 4. whereby it had been so inâ—aâ—led the Inquisitions after the several deceases of the said Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife of Sibill the widow of the before specified Sir Hugh le Despenser the K. directed his Precept bearing date 14 Nov. 5 H. 5. to his Eschaetor for this County to seize it into his hands For the cleerer understanding of which titles I have inserted the preceding Descent Of the before mentioned Hugh le Despenser I find that he was interred in the Friers at Stanford and that Thomas Collum then Parson of the Church here at Solihull bore so great an affection to him and the lady Sibill or Isabell his wife for both wayes I find her written that by his Testament be bequeathed a fair Missale to the Church of Solâ—hull that the Parishioners should provide a Priest to celebrate divine Service there by the space of one year for the souls of the said Sir Hugh and Isabell he himself ordaining that another Priest should do the like there for the space of two years It seems that this Lordship continued in the Crown a good while for in 16 H. 6. the custody thereof was committed by the King to Thomas Greswould for seaven years but in 22 H. 6. by his Letters Pat. dated 25 Sept. he granted it inter alia to Iohn Duke of Somerset and the heirs male of his body to enjoy during the life of Iaquet the widow to Iohn D. of Bedford Raph Boteler and Iohn Beauchamp and the longer liver of them Which Iohn D. of Somerset departing this life without any such issue 27 Maii the same year the King by other Letters Pat. dated 20 Iulii then next following committed the custody thereof together with the Mannour of Sheldon in this County to Edm. Mountford Esq for life answering for them both L. marks sterling per an Yet was it not long that he so held them for it appears that the next year ensuing he surrendred his Pat. into the Chancery to be cancelled to the intent that the King should make a grant of them to Sir Iames Fenys Knight which was accordingly effected 27 Sept. the same year for the speciall services he had done to hold during life without rendring any accompt at all for the same This Sir Iames being afterwards created Lord Say dyed in 30 H. 6. Whereupon this Mannour returning to the Crown was with Sheldon likewise again committed to the custody of Edm. Mountford before mentioned for the term of ten years at L. marks per an as they formerly were But it seems that this Pat. became shortly after surrendred for on the 28 th of March 31 H. 6. the King granted the custody of them to Edm. Earl of Richmund and Iasper Earl of Pembroke for â—ii years and upon cancelling that Pat. the first of Iuly ensuing sealed another whereby he past the unheritance of them to those Earls Howbeit in 38 H. 6. one Edmund Skerne as Cosin and heir to Iohn Hothum Bishop of Ely after the death
of the Churches of the same Manors with their appurtenances parcells members nor any of them nor any parcell of them nor the right title or possession of eny persone or persones having joynt estate in the said Manors or eny of them with the seide Simond nor the right title nor possession of any persone or persones having estate in the seid Manors or any of them to the use of Baldewyn Mountfort Knight fader of the seide Simond nor eny of them nor their heirs nor assignes nor eny of the heires of the seide Baldewin or Simond which Manors bin entailled on the heirs of the body of the seide Baldewyn begotten as openly appeareth by evidens thereof redy to be shewed for the disheryting of which Baldewyn and Symond of the seide Manors Edmond Montfort Kt. Karver to Henry the vi th late K. of England in dede and not of right by the favour and might of the seide late soo King Humfrey late D. of Buck. and James late Earl of Wilteshire be full unconsciously moynes long time laboured as opunly is known to many of the estates and worshipfull peopul of this Royalme to the utterst empoverishing of the same Baldewyn and Simond Which said Sir Baldewyn the better to manifest what unjust and ill dealing had been excercised by the before specified D. of Buck. for the utter disheriting of him and his son made publication thereof to posteritie by a particular Instrument whereunto he set his hand and Seal which for that it discovers so much of the high oppression therein excercised I have here thought sit to transcribe To all true Cristen pepull to whom this present writinge shall come Baldewyn Mountfort Kt. and Prest sendeth greting c. Know ye me the forseyd Baldewyn being in my good heele and good mynd the day of the making hereof at Hampton in Arderne to say testifye and report for trouthe there being present the Priour of Maxstokeâ— with many other that all such Obligations Recoveres Relees or other writings which y made to Humfrey late D. of Buck. Humfrey late Lord of Stafford and James late Erle of Wiltes or to Sir Edm. Mountfort my brother or eny of them for or of the Manours of Coleshull Ilmyndon Rampnam or eny other parcell of my livelode which was late Sir Will. Mountforts my faders hit was done by compulcion of the seid Duke and for fere of my deth and of my son Sir Simond's For in trouth the seid Duke keped me in Coventre xiiii deyes and aftir had me to the Castel of Maxstoke and there kept meâ— And my son Sir Symond was 〈◊〉 in the Castell of Gloucester and we coude never be delivered out till we agreed to certain Articles written in a â—ill anexid to this my writinge which Articles were send bi the seid Duke and Edmond under the Seale of the said Edmond to my seid 〈◊〉 when he was in prison in the seid Castel of Gloucester rehersyng that we should suffer Recâ—verâ—s to be had ayeyne us such as the late Duke 〈◊〉 Stafford and Earl of Wiltshire or Eâ—m Mâ—unâ—fort by the advice of their Councell cowde or would devise for ther pâ—ofet and also to relece all our right which we had in the seid Mannors to the same Duke and other above rehersed and to do other things as but aâ—pâ—reâ—h more plainly in the seid Bill or els 〈◊〉 seid son should never have comen out of Prison nor y should not have abidden in my Cuntry but to have had and to have stonden in the indignacion of the Lordship of the seid Duke and other Lords above rehirsed which in thoo deys had byn too hevy and too importable for me or my seid son to have boren By the which â—ecoveres Relâ—ce and Obligations so had and made by compulcion the said Edmund my brother would disherit me and mine yssue for ever contrarie to right and consciens God knoweth For in trouth where the seid Duke seid that and if eny man would sey and prove that eny of the seid Manors were entailled to me the seid Sir Baldwyn eyther by Dede or by Fyne he wold not be about to disherit me nor myne heires for M l. and my Lady of Buckingham affirmed and seys the same since tho deth of my seid Lord late her husband all that notwithstanding the seid Edmond my brother at the time of the seid Releces or Obligacions made or eny Recoveres had ayeyne me of the seid Manors had in his kepinge all the evidences concerning the seid Manors and he sware himself and caused me to swere and my brother the Parson and Robert before the seid Duke that we saw never Dede of yntaile of the said Manors nor Fyne whereby they should be entayled where that indeed the seid Sir Edmund was forsworn and caused me and my Brether to be forsworn for he had at that time divers Dedes and Fynes in his â—epyng whereby the seid Manors were and are yntailled which byn now redy to shew Wherefore I the seid Sir Baudwyn in my last deyes requier and charge yow that he presente at the making hereof that ye informe in that ye may my seid Lady of Buckingham and my yonge Lord of Buck. and all other Gentilmen and good men of this Countrey that the seid Manors bin entaylled to me both by Dede and by Fyne which Dedes and Fynes I shew you here at this time to the intent that my Children may have their livelode according to the taille and as right and good consciens will so that they be not disherit by the hiding of the seid Dedes and Fynes and the colour and craft of my seid Brother Sir Edmond being about to hurt not onely his own soul but the soules of the seid good Lord late D. of Buck. and H. late Lord of Stafford his son and James late Earle of Wiltes with many other good and well disposid persons labourers in the same mater not understanding what they did God knoweth In witnes c. I have set my Seale and signe manuell at Hampton aboveseid the Thursday next before S. Hillarie's dey xlix th H. 6. and of the taking ayene of his royall power the first yeere This Sir Baldwyn being at length a widower betook himself to a religious course of life and entring into holy Orders in 39 H. 6. demised unto Simon his son and heir the Mannour of Hampton in Arden â— reserving onely for himself another Priest and six Children celebrating divine Service there with a competencie of meat and drink and other necessaries during his life according to their severall degrees stiling himself Knight and Pâ—iest and died in 14 E. 4. leaving the before specified Simon his son and heir who in K. H. 5. time being a servant in Court to Q. Catherine and in 35 H. 6. retained of Councell to Ric. Nevill Earl of Warwick was in 1 E. 4. a Kt. and in 4. had a Release from that King of all his right