at the Norman Conquest and afterwards given by Geffr de Clinton the second to Gilebert Nutricius of whom I shall speak in Lemington in which grant it is called Molendinum de Chibbeâ—lide How the said Gilbert parted with it appears not but I find that Henry de Clinton son to the said Geffrey morgaged it to Randolph de Cocton for ten pounds of silver It seems that the same Geffr bestow'd it on the Canons of Kenilworth for so doth the confirmation of Henry his son made to them thereof imply whereby he grants unto them therewith both the Miller and his Children in which it is written Kibclive And yet it can hardly be said that he gave it for by his deed it appears that the same Canons discharged xx marks of silver which the said Miller was tyed to pay as also 2 marks of silver yearly to the said G. de Clinton during his life But in 7 E. 1. I find that the Prior of Kenilworth had two Mils here which after the dissolution of the Monasteries were granted to Ric. and Tho. Lawley and their heirs Milverton SOmewhat lower on the Southeast side of Avon â— stands Milverton wherein the E. of Mellent held 2 hydes excepting 1 virgat and a Mill valued at 50 s. as appears by the Conq. Survey all which was then rated at C s. having been the Free-hold of one Leuuinus before the Norman invasion but in that Record it is written Malvertone which shews that it originally had its name from some antient possessor thereof That most of the said E. of Mellent's lands in this County came to the Earls of Warwick is plain enough but how or when this place was disposed of by those Earls considering that we have so little light touching those elder times I am not able directly to shew The first most antient mention thereof that I have met with is that Roger Earl of Warwick upon his foundation of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick which was in An. 1123. 23. H. 1. gave inter alia for the maintenance of the Canons there half a hide in Mulvertone so it is there written and all the tithe of those lands there which were of his fee. What proportion of this village Geffrey de Clinton the Founder of Kenilworth-Castle had I cannot say but that he enjoyed a part thereof is certain for upon his death-bed he gave command to Geffrey his son that he should render two yard land lying here in Melvertone to Ermenfrede de Ponte his servant which was done accordingly After this and very antiently doe I find that there were three Lords of this Town viz. Astley Spigurnell and the third a Prebend of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick each possessing a distinct share as I shall shew anon And that what Astley had here was given to their family in H. 1. time as is evident from what I have already said in Astley But the first mention I find of Spigurnell is in 12. Ioh. where Rob. de Milverton levied a Fine of two yard land here to Walter Spigurnell and Celestina his wife Whether this was all that Spigurnell had here I cannot determine but I believe it was the two yard land which the above mentioned G. de Clinton possest This village hath antiently been accounted within the Parish of Wotton for in King Iohn's time G. Muschamp Bishop of Coventre upon the appropriation of the Church of Wotton to the Canons of Kenilworth granted unto them onely one mark yearly out of the Chappell of Milverton But Parishes being not perfectly setled till about the later end of that Kings raign as in Church over I have shewed this Chapell in the beginning of H. 3. time grew to the reputation of a Church for by that name did the above mentioned Walter Spigurnell and Celestina pass the advouson thereof to the Canons of Kenilworth in 16. H. 3. Which family of Spigurnell having their seat at Emscote in this Parish held that place together with Milverton of the Honour of Leicester by half a Knights fee in 55. H. 3. But Astley enfeof't Trussell of the most part that he had here which might be the occasion that Ric. Trussell took part with Thomas de Astley one of the rebellious Barons in H. 3. time for I find that the same Râ—chard was slain in the battail of Evesham with the said Thomas in 49. H. 3. Howbeit the residue of Astley's lands in this place were by Thomas Lord Astley inter alia given in 11. E. 3. for the foundation of a Chantry in the the Parish-Church of Astley â— as I have there manifested which afterwards when the said Chantry being augmented with greater possessions was changed into a Collegiat-Church were by the said Lord Astlâ—y assigned for the maintenance of one of the Canons therein and called the Prebend of Milverton In 7. E. 1. it was certified that Iohn Spigurnell Will Trussell and Raph de Hengham were Lords of Milverton and that the said Iohn held his share therein Emscote being joyned therewith of Elene la Zouch by the service of half a Knights fee. which Elene was one of the coheirs of Roger Quincy E. of Winchester who had part of the Honour of Leicester in right of Margaret his mother one of the coheirs to the last of those antient Earls By that Record it also appears that the same Iohn had two yard land here in demesn and five servants who held one yard land an half and a fourth part by servile tenure as abovesaid and 12. Cottiers holding one Carucat at the will of the Lord And that the Mill was then held by Iohn de Astele of the said Sir Andrew for the yearly rent of v. marks and a half and two strikes of Eeles to Will. Trussell And lastly that Raph de Hengham held his share of the Earl of Warwick viz. two yard land which four Freeholders then occupyed being a Prebend of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick howbeit in 9. E. 2. there was no other certified to be Lord of Milverton but Will. Trussell and yet in 20. E. 3. Maud Spigurnell answered for the sixt part of a Knights fee here and in Emscote which she held of the Honour of Winchester From which Will. descended Sir Allured Trussell Knight as in Billesley appeareth Who in 6. R. 2. entayled this Mannour for by that name it is recorded upon the heires male of his body with remainder to Sir Fouke Pembruge Knight and Margaret his wife and the heires of the said Margaret Whether the descendants of the said Sir Alured past away their right therein or if so when and to whom I cannot say for I find that they continued possest of a great part of this village till H. 8. time Thomas Trussell then dying seyzed of ten messuages xx yard land xxx acres of meadow xx acres of pasture and a water-mill all situat within the precincts thereof
as antiently were given thereto For in Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was certified that the Prior of Ronton had here three yard land and a half then valued at 24 s. xxv s. iv d. yearly Rent of Assise and of the profit of their store yearly x s. At which time the Church appropriat to that Monastery was valued at xxx marks and the Vicaridge at vi But the Vicaridge was again endowed by Walter Langton Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield xvi Kal. Maii An. 1321. 14 E. 2. Which it seemes was more enlarged than the Canons of Ronton well lik't for in 2 H. 4. they obtained License to appropriat the same wholy to the use of their Monastery by which Appropriation it was provided that the Bishop should appoint a competent sum out of the fruits thereof to be distributed yearly to the poor of this Parish according to the Statute of xv R. 2. Cap. 6. But what was done therein I know not Which Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was valued at C s. Patroni Vicariae Incumb temp Instit. Prior Conv. de Ronton Rob. de Calk Pbr 7. Apr. 1305. Prior Conv. de Ronton Galfr. de Caldecote Prid. Id. Aug. 1305. Prior Conv. de Ronton Henr. Hamond Pbr. 4. Id. Ian. 1328. Prior Conv. de Ronton Ioh. de Plumpton Pbr. 1. Maii 1375. Prior Conv. de Ronton Ric. atte Brugg Pbr. 18. Apr. 1383. Prior Conv. de Ronton Rob. de Pollesworth Pbr. penult Ian. 1384. Prior Conv. de Ronton D. Will. Perbyn Pbr. 13. Oct. 1388. Prior Conv. de Ronton D. Will. Pyrbin Cap. 7. Apr. 1403. Prior Conv. de Ronton Ioh. Hyldes Cap. 2. Oct. 1407. Prior Conv. de Ronton Will. Screyfeyld Cap. 8. Oct. 1417. Prior Conv. de Ronton Henr. Coventre Pbr. 8. Oct. 1445. Prior Conv. de Ronton Ioh. Parkyns Cap. ult Feb. 1451. Prior Conv. de Ronton Nich. Rushall Cap. 15. Oct. 1458. David Poole Decret Dr. ratione concess Pr. C. de Ronton D. Edw. Iurdeyn Cler. 19. Iulii 1558. D. Regina Iac. Fundernell 20. Nov. 1571. D. Regina Thom. Davies Cler. 12. Aug. 1581. Tho. Davyes de Greneborough gen Petrus Gibson 2. Sept. 1611. Iac. Rex Ioh. Reason Cler. 4. Dec. 1611. Ioh. Dormer miles Georgius Bealâ— Cler. 20. Iulii 1615. In a North window of the Church these Armes Argent semé of Crosses Croslets fiché with three Liberds heads jesant flower de Luces sable Bereford Woscote THIS is a small Village and hath had its name from one Wulf an antient Inhabitant or possessor thereof in the Saxons time for in old Records it is written Wulvescote but accounted a member of Granborough for as much as the Prior of Coventre's and Catesby's Lordship there as also certain lands belonging heretofore to the Canons of Raunton in Staffordshire extended into it The greatest part of which lands having come by purchase as it seemes to the Fardons were by Margaret daughter and heir to the last of that name who took to husband one Iohn Bishop of Brayles in this County in her widowhood setled upon Thomas her son and heir 27. Oct. 3. 4. Ph. M. by the name of Fardons-place c. which Thomas had issue Iohn who together with Iames his son and heir by their Deed bearing date x. Febr. 39 Eliz. aliened it to Thomas Burman whose son and heir scil Iohn Burman now enjoys it Walcote OF this place now consisting of no more than 3. Houses and called Walcote-end I find mention in the Conq. time one Ordric being certified to hold certain lands here of Turchill de Warwick From which Turchill it came to the Earls of Warwick as it seems for in 20 H. 3. it was held of them by the 5. part of a Knights fee. Which in 36 H. 3. one Warine de Walcote held of Thomas de Arden and he of the Earl of Warwick and afterwards viz. in 9 E. 2. Will. Reymund But in 20 E. 3. this 5. part was shrunk to a sixt at which time Thomas de Flamvill held it of the then Earl Out of this village there was a yard land and quarter antiently given to the Hospitall of S. Iohn situat without the East-gate at Oxford by one Gricia de Wellecote And further I have not met with any thing memorable of this place other than the mention of particular lands which are reputed part of those other Lordships in Granborow before specified Caldecote THIS is now a depopulated place and hath been so a long time In the Conquerors days Turchill de Warwick possest it and had severall tenants that held it of him the extent thereof being somewhat more than one hide But with the rest of Turchil's lands it came to the E. of Warwick for Earl Roger in 23 H. 1. gave to his Collegiat-Church at Warwick then newly founded half a hide in this village Of the rest I find not who was enfeoft but it seemes that the heir female to whom it descended became the wife of Will. Pludio which VVill. gave half a yard land of this her inheritance to the Monks of Cumbe Part of that which Richard Forestarius in the Conq. time held in Greneberge extended into this village For Gilb. de Crok of whom I have there made mention enfeoft Adam de Crok therein But it seems that the family of Verdon had also some interest here for in 36 H. 3. Geffrey de Simely was certified to hold half a Knights fee lying in Ashoâ— and this place of Roes de Verdon which she held over of the Earl of Warwick whereof there is frequent mention in Records the heirs of the same Geffrey answering for it Other matters memorable I have not found thereof till 6 E. 6. that Sir Thomas Newnham Kt. sold it to VVill. Marquess of Winchester then Lord Treasurer of England who setled it upon the Lord Giles Poulet one of his younger sons Which Lord Giles by severall conveyances dated about the 15. and 20. of Queen Eliz. raign past iâ— to Thomas Stapleton Gent. and his heirs from whom or his son the Lord Stanhop of Harington hath since purchased it Lemington-Hastang THIS containing the villages of Hill Herdwick and Bradwell was in the Conquerors time possest by Hasculf Musard the extent thereof being then certified at xii hides and a half with half a virgat whereunto belonged a Mâ—â—l rated at ii s. and a Church All which were valued at xii li. having been the freehold of Azor in Edward the Confessors time In that Survey it is written Lunintone not without some mistake by the transcriber as I think for there is no question but that it had its name originaâ—ly from the River Leame on whâ—se Southern bank it stands This Hasculf Musard was a great man in those dâ—ysâ— 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
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
ground before there was any habitation at all In the Conq. time it was possest by the Earl of Mellent and esteemed at four hides there being then a Church and the whole rated at C s. In the generall Survey then taken it is written Snitefeld having been the freehold of one Sexi before the Norman invasion That it came to Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick brother to the same Earl of Mellent with the rest of those lands in this Shire which he then had there can be no doubt for in 23 H. 1. Roger Earl of Warwick son to the said Henry being owner of it gave to the Collegiate-Church at Warwick one hide of land lying here with two parts of the Tithes of all the Inclosure as also of the paunage of those woods which belong'd to this Village It seems that Hugh fil Ricardi of whom in Wroxhall I have spoke being enfeoft hereof by the same Earl Roger for in King Stephens time he gave the Church to the Canons of S. Sepulchers in Warwick granted this Mannour to Will. Cumin who in H. 2. time wrote himself Dominus de Snitenesfeld to whom succeeded Walter his brothers son as the Descent sheweth Which Walter gave to the Monks of Bordsley certain lands lying here adjoyning to Songer before specified as also in Stretton super Fosse but his son Walter being in rebellion against King Iohn forfeited his lands which were seized on for that offence howbeit in 1 H. 3. returning to obedience he had restitution of them again Of these Cumins was Will. the last male branch who being dead in 18. Ioh. Margerie his widow and an heir then took to husband Will de Hastings Which Will. Cumin left issue a daughter and heir called Margerie within age in 13 H. 3. and in Ward to Will. de Cantilupe but afterwards married to Iohn de Cantilupe a younger son to the said Will. who in 36. H. 3. was certified to hold one Knights fee here in Snitterfeld of Thomas de Clinton the said Thomas holding it over of the Earl of Warwick This Iohn having his seat here obtained to himself and his heirs of King H. 3. a Charter bearing date at Worcester 24. Sept. 41 H. 3. for a weekly Mercate at this place upon the Wednsday and a Faire once every year to hold for three days viz. the Evenâ— day and morrow of S. Kenelm After which Margerie wife to the said Iohn surviving her husband did in her widowhood release to the Monks of Bordfley the suit which by their Atturnies they had used to make to his Court at Snitfeild for the lands they held within that fee. Will. Cumin 5. Steph. Rob. Cumin Walt. Cumin 5 H. 2. Margeria Walt. Cumin 1 H 3. Will. Cumin defunctus 18. Ioh. Margeria haeres Will. de Hastings 2. maritus Margeria filia haeres Ioh. de Cantilupo 20 H. 3. Walt. de Cantilupe Rector Eccl. de Snâ—â—feild 9 E. 2. Ioh. de Cantilupe miles 9 E. 2. Alianora 17 E. 2. Thomas West 17 E. 2. Ioh. West 4. E. 3. Thomas West miles obiit 10 R. 2. Thomas West miles obiit 6 H. 4. Thomas West miles obiit 4 H. 5. s. prole Regin West frater haeres dominus la Warre obiit 29 H. 6. Ric. West aetat 19. an 29 H. 6. Ioh. de Cantilupe miles 12 E. 2. Ioh. Cumin To the said Iohn de Cantilupe and Margerie succeeded another Iohn who in 25 E. 1. received summons with divers other great men to attend Edward the Kings eldest son then Lieutenant to the King for defence of the Realm at Newcastle upon Tine upon S. Nicholas day to march against the Scots and the next year following was in that memorable battail of Fawkirk as also in 1 E. 2. assigned one of the Commissioners for conservation of the peace in this County and for causing the Articles in the Statute of Winchester to be observed so also in 3.7 and 9 E. 2. In 5 6 7.10 and 11 R. 2. he was one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 9 E. 2. being a Knight he bore for his Armes 3. Leopards heads jessant flower de Lis Or. To whom succeeded Iohn his son and heir called Iohn de Cantilupe junior who in 12 E. 2. was also a Knight but after that year I find nothing of him and therefore do conclude that he dyed shortly after his father being then alive For in 17 E. 2. the said Sir Iohn de Cantilupe the elder entailed this Mannour upon Thomas West and Alianore his wife and the heirs of their two bodyes paying to him the said Sir Iohn and Maud then his wife xl li. sterling yearly during their lives with remainder for want of issue by the said Thomas and Alianore to the right heirs of the said Sir Iohn which Alianore was daughter and heir to the saidâ— Sir Iohn de Cantilupe It seems that Sir Iohn de Cantilupe dyed that very yeare for before the end thereof it appears that the same Thomas and Alianore obtained a Charter bearing date at Westminster 7. Maii for the change of the Wednsday Mercate weekly here unto Tuesday and enlarging the Faire unto eight dayes beginning on the even of S. Kenelm as abovesaid and granting also unto the said Thomas and Alianore and the heirs of their two bodyes Free-warren in all their demesn lands here which Thomas was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster the same year To these Thomas and Alianore succeeded Thomas their son and heir who was a Knight and past away this Mannour about the beginning of R. 2. time to Sir William Beauchamp Kt. and his heirs in exchange for the Mannours of Newenton-Tony and Stretford-Tony in Wilt-shire but reserving an yearly Rent of x li. per annum out of it to himself and his heirs Which Sir William being he that was Lord Bergavenny and brother to Thom. Earl of Warwick dyed seized thereof in 12 H. 4. leaving Richard his son and heir 14. years of age But some entail there was or other settlement hereof in remainder after the death of Ioane wife to the same Lord Bergavenny upon Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and his heirs for it appears that she held it during her life and the said Earl Richard afterwards By which means it came at length to the Crown through the attainder of Edward Plantaginet Earl of Warwick in H. 7. time and was inter alia granted out to Richard Morison Esquire and his heirs 29. Aug. 37 H. 8. who sold it the next year following to Iohn Hales of whom in Coventre I have spoke which Iohn being a wealthy man through a beneficiall Office that he had whereby he acquired a great estate especially in Monastery lands and living unmarried
Gardner Cap. 22. Maii 1491. Henr. 7. Rex Angliae D. Ioh. Normecote Pbr. 9. Feb. 1497. Ioh. Comes Warwic Vic. L'isle Will. Squier Cler. 25. Feb. 1550. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Magr. Will. Bolton art Magr. 26. Martii 1573. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Will. Doverdale Cler. 12. Oct. 1580. Iacobus Rex Angl. c. Ioh. Ellie Cler. 26. Nov. 1606. Henley IN speaking of this place next I shall somewhat thwart my accustomed order in regard it is in the parish of Wotton-Wawen but considering that it hath so antiently belonged to the Family of Montfort whereof I have last discoursed and that it lyes so neer unto Beldesert whereunto I conclude that it was in some sort antiently annexed I have thought it most proper to be here taken notice of In the Conquerors Survey there is nothing at all of it in respect it is there involved with Wotton whereof it was originally a member and granted as I conceive by one of the Barons of Stafford to the first Montfort that seated himself at Beldesert Nor till King Stephen's time that Maud the Empresse granted to Thurstane de Montfort a Mercate at that his Castle formerly spoke of was there any habitation here as I guess the first building having been occasioned as is most probable for reception of and accomodations to Mercate-people it lying at the very foot of the Hill whereon the said Castle stood and upon the common Road leading from Stratford super Avon to Bermingham for the soonest mention that ever I could meet with of it is in a grant of the Mill to the Monks of Wotton by Henry de Montfort in H. 2. time And the next to that is in 5 H. 3. where Peter de Montfort had a grant of a Mercate here upon the Munday every week and an yearly Faire for two days viz. the Even and day of S. Giles whereof he was to take benefit till he should come of age In which Record it is called Hanley â—ut in truth it ought to have been written Heanley as the ordinary sort of people doe still pronounce it for that was its originall name and occasioned from the ascending ground whereunto it is so neerly situate hean in our old English signifying high Which dayes for the Mercate and Faire being one and the same with that of Beldesert granted to the said Peter and his heirs in 11 H. 3. though here exprest apud Manerium suum de Hanley and there apud Manerium suum de Beaudesert doth much fortifie my former conjecture but as for the manner of the grant they onely thus differ viz. that in this place it is limitted to him alone and to continue till his coming of full age and in the other to him and his heirs from whence may also be inferred that in 11 H. 3. he was out of minoritie In those days it yielded xv li. per annum Rent the Toll and the Eâ—chaets being valued at five marks but after the battail of Evesham it answered very little in regard it was then burnt In 13 E. 1. I find that Peter de Montfort son to the said Peter claimed to have here divers Liberties viz. Gallows Assize of Bread and Beer as also a Mercate and Free-warren within this his Mannour and for the Mercate and Free-warren produced the Charter of King H. 3. but for the rest pleaded Prescription which was allowed And in 24 E. 1. that upon the extent of Iohn de Montfort's lands he dyed seized thereof it being there termed Burgus de Henleye as also that there were then Lxix Burgesses which payd vii li. xviii s. x d. ob Rent and likewise a Park with two Water Mills and moreover that the Pleas and perquisites of Court extended to Lviii s. all which were held of Edmund Baron of Stafford by the service of iii s. or one pair of Scarlet Hose It seems that the Mercate here grew in time to be well frequented for in 10 E. 3. the Inhabitonts of this town procured License from the King to take Toll of all corn and other comodities brought hither to be sold for the space of 3 years towards the defraying their charge of paving the streets which work being not then compleated they obtained another Patent for the like Toll for the space of three years more Neither did this allowance finish the said paving for in 6 R. 2. they had a third Patent for taking Toll in like sort during the terme of five years more As to the entail of this Mannour whereby the remainder for lack of issue by Guy de Montfort was setled upon Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and the heirs of his body I shall not need to say more than what is exprest in Beldesert neither when or how the inheritance thereof was passed out of the said Earl or his son But certain it is that Sir William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny held it for life for by the partition made betwixt Sir Baldwin Frevill and Sir Thomas Boteler in 9 R. 2. whereof in Beldesert I have spoke so much is intimatedâ— and an accord then made betwixt them that the same Sir Baldwin should have this Mannour of Henley intirely after the death of the said Sir William Beauchamp in case he did passe to him the said Sir Thomas other lands of as good value which it seems he did not do for it is most cleer that the heirs of Boteler afterwards enjoy'd it and that Sir Raph Boteler Knight Lord Sudley by an ample Charter in 27 H. 6. wherein is recited that himself and his Ancestors possessors of this town and Mannour used to have a Court-Leet of all their Tenants and other persons resident within the same twice every year there to be held with Weyfs Estreys and whatsoever elfe to a Leet belonged as also a Mercate every Munday all which were then confirmed had moreover a grant that himself and his heirs by their Bayliffs or Officers should within the precincts thereof have Return of Writts and Precepts and Summons from the Exchequer Extraits and Precepts of the Justices of both Benches and Itinerant together with Attachments aswell of Pleas of the Crown as Bills and Precepts of the Steward Marshall and Clerke of the Mercate of the said King's houshold his heirs and successors so that no Shiriff nor other Officer should have power to enter therein concerning any execution of their Office As also of Infangthef Outfangthef Goods of Felons and Fugitives or of any condemned persons and that no Purveyor for the King's Houshold should take any thing there of him the said Sir Raph or his Tenants or any person resident within the precincts thereof All which Tenants the said King did thereby acquit of Toll Stallage Pontage Pavage Poundage Murage Kaiage and Chiminage in whatsoever places throughout the Realm And lastly that he the said Raph and his heirs should have here every year 2. Faires scil one on the Tuesday in Whitson-week
means it is come to Iohn Mayne now of Elmedon Gentleman grandchild to the said Henry Merston-Culy IN King Edward the Confessor's time this place was possest by one Aluric who after the Norman Conquest sold it with the License of King William unto Robert de Oilgi Of which Robert Robert Venator held it at the time of the generall Survey it being then accounted for two hides having Woods which extended to four furlongs in length and one in breadth all valued at xx s. But from this time till King H. 3. reign that Hugh de Culi was owner thereof I have seen no more of it nor after that till 21 E. 3. that Sâ—r Fouk de Bermingham possest it as appears by a speciall License by him then granted unto one Ranulph Leyecroft to amortize two Mess. two yard land and xii s. Rent lying therein for the maintenance of a Priest to celebrate divine Service here every day in the Chapell of S. Leonard for the health of the soul of him the said Ranulph and of his Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased From which Ranulph who had a good proportion of lands here besides what he had so disposed of descended Robert Leecroft by whom in 22 R. 2. the whole Mannour was purchased from Thomas Roche and Eliz. his wife it being of her inheritance as daughter and heir unto Thomas de Bermingham To the descendants of which Robert it continued till H. 8. time that Anne the daughter and heir to William Lecroft of Colshill was wedded unto Iohn L'isle of Moxhull Esquire whose son and heir scil Nicholas Lâ—isle sold it in 25 H. 8. to Reginald Digby of Colshill Esquire in which line it still continues Lindon THat this Hamlet was originally so called from the situation thereof the name doth plainly manifest Lhin in the Brittish signifying a Lake or Pool and don in the Saxon a Hill for at the foot of an indifferent rising ground it standeth but the first mention I have found of it in any Record is in 34 H. 3. where it appears that Gunilda de Lynden brought an Assize of Novel disseisin against Walter de Bishopesdon and others for lands here yet is it no Mannour of it self but the lands of other Lordships reach into it whereof I shall not need to give instance Little Pakinton OF this place I find no mention in the Conqueror's Survey though it seems to have been part of the Earl of Mellent's possessions at that time for it appears that the antient Earls of Leicester were chief Lords of the Fee But certain it is that in King H. 1. time Robert de Ceraso possest it and after him Gilbert the son of Picot which Gilbert had issue William Picot unto whom Nicholas the son of Richard de Torpe released all his right therein that descended to him by inheâ—iâ—ance from the same Robert de Ceraso his grandfather This Gilbert Picot being a Knight had fair possessions in Leicestershire viz. Barow Segrave Glen c. And in 4 H. 3. was William â—icot his â—on one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick and Leicester both In which line of Picot it continued till about the middle of King H. 3. reign but then by daughters and heirs two parts divolved to Murdac and Ireys and the third to Nicholas Pikot which came shortly after to one Gilb. Petemon betwixt whom there grew suits for their interest here in 27 H. 3. But of these coparceners Sir Henry Murdac was the chief being Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in 46 H. 3. and one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick in 56 H. 3. Which Sir Henry doing homage to Roger de Quency Earl of Winchester as Lord of the Honour of Leicester for the fourth part of a Knight's Fee that he and the other coheirs held of him here at Pakinton had authoritie given him by the said Earl to receive the homage of Thomas le â—reys and Agnes his wife as also of Nich. Pikot his fellow partners before spoken of at which time he gave to the same Earl xl s. of silver in the behalf of himself and them and his and their heirs to be released from attendance at the three weeks Court a Leicester making their appearances at hâ—â— Leet only To this Sir Henry succeeded Sir William Murdac Knight who bore for his Armes Bendè of ten pâ—â—ces Arg. and Gules and had issue Alice his daughter and heir wedded to Sir Thomas â—oyvile Knight unto whom she brought a fair inheritance of lands in Leicestershire Which Beyviles had their residence at Stokfaston in that Countie But wiâ—hin tâ—e câ—mpasse â—f that time as they had to do hâ—re they obtained one of the two other parts of this Lordshâ—p◠〈…〉 as it seems So that upâ—n the 〈…〉 three daughters and heirs of the last Iâ—hn viz. â—liz the wiâ—e o 〈…〉 Bury Hatley iâ— Com. Herâ—f abâ—â—t the laâ—â—r end 〈…〉 it unto Sâ—r Râ—bâ—rt Brâ—â—â—â—ll of Dene in Com. Northampt. Knight From whom deâ—cendâ—d Thomas Brudâ—elâ— Eâ—quâ—re afâ—erwardsâ— scil 3. Car. created Lord â—ruâ—â—ell a person much to be honoured for his great lâ—aâ—ning prudenceâ— and eminent knowledge in Anâ—â—quities who by his Deed of bargain and sale dated 19 Maii 4. Iac. past it unâ—o Sir Edward Brabazon then of Nether-Whitacre in this Câ—untie Knight whicâ— Sir Eâ—ward diâ—poâ—ed thereof to Siâ— Anthâ—â—y â—rabazon Knight his younger son tâ—e late â—wner thereof Touching that part whâ—ch Ireâ—s had I find that in 13 E. 3. Thomas le â—â—eys passed iâ— awayâ— by the name lâ—kewise of the Mannour of Pakinton-Pigot to Philip de Aâ—leston and 〈…〉 and the heâ—rs of their two 〈◊〉 but for lack of such issue to return unto the râ—gâ—t â—eirs of the said Thomas which makeâ— me 〈◊〉 that the said Kaâ—â—eâ—â—ne was his daughter Aâ—â—er this â—iz in 50 〈…〉 of whom in Maxstoke I shall speak puâ—câ—ased oâ—e third part 〈…〉 Mâ—nnâ—ur 〈…〉 and Ioane his wiâ—e but 〈…〉 were that which Philip de 〈◊〉 above 〈…〉 the othâ—r formâ—râ—y belongiâ—g to Gâ—lbert 〈◊〉 I cannot well discâ—ver Which third part continued to his posteâ—ity tiâ—l the beginniâ—g of H. 7. time though how much longâ—r I know not for in 20 H. 7. Iohn Creâ— Vicount L'isle was found tâ— dye sâ—â—zed 〈◊〉 â— by the name likewise of the Mannâ—ur of Pakinton-Pâ—got which from him divolved to â—homas Mâ—rquess Dorsâ—t his Unclâ—'s son and so consequently to Henry Duke of Suff. After whose attainder in 1 Mariae whereof in Astley I have spoke it eschaeted to the Crown and continued therein till Queen Elizabeth in the second year of her reign granted it to Edward Earl of Lincolne lâ—neaâ—l heir to the Clintons before specified which Earl sold â—t to one Sampson Baker Gentleman 30 Oct. 15 Eliz. who died seized thereof in 26 Eliz.
that the contest for those of the Earls of Pembroke sc. Or a Manche gules betwixt Reginald Lord Grey son to the before mentioned Reginald and Edw. Hastings brother and heir to the last mentioned Hugh lasted little less than twenty years in the Court Militarie before the Constable and Marshall of England wherein after much money spent the said Edw. Hastings who chalenged them as heir male of the Familie was not onely condemned in 970 l. 17 s. 10 ob q. costs â—rey swearing that he had spent a thousand Marks more and the Armes adjudged to Grey but imprisoned xvi years for disobeying that Sentence The particular proceedings in which business with the hard measure which the said Edward had for brevities sake I pass by referring my Reader to that learned Comment upon Sir Henry Spelman's discourse of Armes lately published by my worthy friend Edw. Byske Esq. where they are compendiously set forth and return to the before specified Wil. Beauchamp Which William possessing this Lordship of Fillongley â— and the greatest part of the said Earl of Pembroke's lands by virtue of that entail was impleaded for the same by the above mentioned Edw. Hastings and having invited his learned Counsell to his House in Pater Noster Row within the Citie of London amongst whom were Rob. Charlton then a Judge Will. Pinchbeck Will. Brenchesley and Iohn Catesby all learned Lawyers after Dinner went into his Chapell and at his coming out in an angry fashion threw to each of them a piece of Gold saying Sirs I desire you forthwith to tell me whether I have any right and title to Hasting's Lordships and Lands whereupon Pinchbeck stood up the rest being silent fearing that he suspected them and said No man here nor in England dare say that you have any right in them except Hastings do quit his claim therein and should he do it being now under age it would be of no validitie Perhaps there had been some former entail to settle them upon the heir male of the Familie which preceded that before spoken of but what ever it was sure we are that Hastings apprehended the injury done to himself so great as that with extream anguish of mind at his later end he left God's curse and his own upon his Descendants if they should not attempt the vindication thereof Of this Will. de Beauchamp who was a younger son unto Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by Catherine Mortimer sister of Agnes mother unto Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke before specified I find that he was in 4 R. 2. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his wars with CCL men at Armes and CCL Archers for a quarter of a year under the command of Edmund de Langley Earl of Cambridge the King's Uncle in the parts of Portugall and Spain in which expedition the said Earl was Generall So also in 6 R. 2. with that warlike Bishop of Norwich sc. Henr. Spenser who was so victorious in the parts of Flanders about that time and should have had 500. marks for the service of himself in particular of which he received part but because he had it not all before-hand he refused to stir from home After which viz. in 7 R. 2. he was constituted Governour of Calais and retained by Indenture for the safe custodie thereof with CXL men at Armes on Horseback whereof himself with nine other Kts. to be part CL. Archers on Horseback C. men at Armes and CLxxxiii Archers on foot and four Esquires on Horseback with condition that xx men at Armes and ten Archers on Horseback as also ten Archers on foot belonging to the Treasurer of Calais should be under his command in relation to that service and in consideration thereof to receive four shillings per diem for his own wages for the rest of the Knights ii s. and men at Armes serving on Horseback xii d. Which retainer was for two years but the next year ensuing the like Covenants were renewed for the terme of three years more and in 11 and 12 R. 2. for each of those years singly In 10 R. 2 he was made Governour of the Castles of Pembroke and Kilgaran In 16 R. 2. first summoned to Parliament with the Barons by the name of Will. Beauchamp de Bergavenny chivalier and made Knight of the Garter being then possest of the Castle of Bergavenny with the other lands which the befâ—re specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke had so entailed upon him as hath been said In 1 H. 4. made Justice of South-Wales and frâ—m 2 H. 4. till 8. inclusive was in Commâ—ssion for conservation of the Peace in this Countie But farther of his Militarie or Civill imployments I have not seen nor can I say more of him than that he gave to the Collegiate Church of Warwick for the good estate of K. Ric. 2. and Q. Anne his Câ—nsort as also of himself and Ioan his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of all their souls afterwards the advouson of the Churches of Spellesbury and Chadsley-Corbet in Worcester'shire and that he was in some sort a Benefactor to the Gild of the Holy Trinitie our Ladie and S. Iohn Baptist in Coventre as may seem by his portraiture set up in glass on the East side of St. Mary Hall together with his Ladie in robes of great state which in my discourse of that place are most exactly represented And lâ—stly that by his Testament bearing date at Bergavenny 25 Apr. an 1408. 9 H. 4. he bequeatned hâ—s body to be buried in the Church of the Friers Preachers at Hereford next and beneath the Tombe of the before specified Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke appointing that five Tapers should be hung about his Bodie as soon as mâ—ght be after his death as also that xxiiii men should be cloathed in black each of them hâ—lding a Torch in his hand and to have ii d. a piâ—ce for the same To which place of his burâ—all he bequeathed xx marks or more as his Executors should think fit and over and above what hath been already exprest C l. for the charges of his Funerall directing that ten thousand Masses should be sung for his soul in all the hast that might be after his death by the most honest Priests that could be got as also that four good Priests be found by the space of ten years singing for his soul and for the soul of his Lord Sir Iohn Hastings Earl of Pembroke and for all the souls unto whom he had obligation And moreover to his poor Tenants withâ—n his Lordships C l. To Ioane his wife a pair of Basyns covered and overgylt having the Armes of Warwick and Arundell empaled upon them To Richard his son his best Sword and Harneis to be armed withall aswell for War as Peace as also all his other Harneis for
of his body who dying without issue in 31. Eliz. it returned to the Crown whereupon the said Queen by her Pat. dated 28. Oct. 40. Eliz. passed it to Randle Crew of Lincolns-Inne Esq. and Richard Cartwright of London Gent. and their heirs who by their deed of bargain and sale bearing date xxiii Iunii 41. Eliz. granted it to Thomas Dilke Esq. but afterwards Kt. and to his heirs whose Grand-child William Dilke of Maxstoke-Castle now enjoys it The Church here was very antiently given by the Prior of Coventre unto the Cathedrall of Lichfield in the name of a Prebend and in 1291. 19. E. 1. was valued at xv marks but in 26. H. 8. at xi l. vi sol viii d the Procurations and Synodalls being then vi sol viii d. per an and the Curate a stipendary to the Prebend But in it are neither Arms nor Monuments Bobenhull BElow Rieton lyes Bobenhull which in the Conq. time being possest a by Robert de Statford of whom I am to speak in Wotton-wawen and of him held by one Aluric whose freehold it had been before the Norman invasion contained then five hydes whereof the woods were two furlongs in length and two in breadth there being at that time a Mill but the value of all then certified at fifty shillings where it is written Bubenhalle In 13. Ioh. this Mannour answered for the third part of a Knights fee amongst the lands which were of the Honour of Herveus de Stafford And in 36. H. 3. amongst the fees held of the Lord Stafford it was certified that the Earl of Warwick held two parts of a Knights fee here But in 7. E. 1. Iohn Fitzwith being Lord thereof held it of Hugh de Plessets by the third part of a Kts. fee the same Hugh holding it over of the Baron of Stafford which Iohn had at that time here one carucate of land in demesn ten servants that held two yard land and a half seven Freeholders holding ten yard land and eight acres as also eight Cottagers In whose family it continued till the later end of Edw. 3. time but then went away with a Daughter and heir as the descent here inserted will shew Wido filius Roberti 36. H. 3. Ioh. fil Guidonis 7. E. 1. Rob. fil Guidonis miles 3. E. 2. Guido fil Rob. 9. E. 2. Eliz. filia haeres infra aetat 10. E. 2. Thomas de Lucy Joh. le Fitzwith 20. E. 2. Joh. Fitzwith Johan ux 2. postea nupta Will. de Tyrington 15. R. 2. Robertus le Fitzwith dictus le Fitz-Gy 30. E. 3. Agnes filia Will. Catesby Iohanna filia haeres probavit aetatem 49. E. 3. Joh. Beauchamp de Holt Joh. Beauchamp mil. obiit 8. H. 5. Alicia Ioh. Pauncefot 1. maritus Margareta filia haeres Ioh Wysham 2. maritus 1. H. 6. Rob. le Fitzwith I am of opinion that these Fitzwith's had their seat here as I shall further instance anon therefore I purpose here to memorize what I find notable of them Of this Iohn whom I have already mentioned I find that he was the first that assumed the sirname of Fitzwith being the son of one Guido or Guy called Guido filius Roberti as in Shotswell I shall have occasion to shew and in 3. E. 1. one of those who had Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick as also that in 5. E. 1. he attended the King in his expedition into Wales at which time the Welch were reduced to subjection their Prince being then content to accept of such termes as K. Edward would afford him And that in 29. E. 1. he was one of those that received the Kings precept to be at Berwick upon Twede sufficiently appointed with Horse and Armes to march against the Scots To whom succeeded Robert called Robertus filius Guidonis who being a Kt. in 3. E. 2. wrote himself of this place which Robert had issue Guy that dyed in 10. E. 2. leaving Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir within age who departed this life without issue as it seems for the inheritance came to Robert le Fitzwith Nephew to the last Guido by Iohn his Brother which Robert having no issue setled part of his lands in his life time upon the said Robert le Fitzwith his Nephew as I shall more fully shew when I come to Bernangre the rest descending to him This last mentioned Robert had two wives Agnes the Daughter of Will. Catesby and Ioane who survived him and marryed to Will. de Tyrington and died in 36. E. 3. leaving issue Ioane his Daughter and heir ward to Sir Richard Penbruge Kt. by the Kings grant which Ioane marryed to Iohn Beauchamp of Holâ— in Worcester-shire and proved her age in 49. E. 3. whereupon her husband and she had livery of her lands This Iohn Beauchamp had the honour to be the first man that ever had creation to the dignity of a Baron in England by Patent which bears date at Wodstoke x. Octobris undecimo R. 2. but he enjoy'd it not long for the same year the rebellious Lords having rais'd a potent army came up to London and there mustering their men in the sight of the Tower where the King then lodg'd forced him to call a Parliament wherein by their power they did what they listed causing Sir Robert Tresilian chief Justice of England and divers others to be attainted of treason of which number this Sir Iohn Beauchamp then Lord Steward of the Kings house-hold being one was thereupon hang'd drawn and quartered But by the Kings writ of Monstraverunt directed to the Justices of the Common Pleas in xv R. 2. upon the allegation of William de Tyrington and Ioane his wife wherein they set forth that the said William and Ioane had recovered the third part of this Mannour in 43. E. 3. as the dowrie of Ioane against the said Iohn Beauchamp and Elizabeth it appears that the said Iohn and Elizabeth long before this attainder viz. the Sunday being the feast day of the exaltation of the Holy cross in 7. R. 2. did demise it unto Iohn Catesby to hold during the said Iohn Catesby his life in consideration of viii l. per an to be payd to the said Iohn Beauchampe and Ioane and their heirs so that by reason of this demise the viii l. Rent per an onely and the reversion after Iohn Catesby his death were seized for the King in regard of the aforesaid attainder And which is not the least notable that his coat of male being then in the hands of one Iohn Reede an Armorer of London was thereupon delivered up unto Henry E. of Derby afterwards King by the name of Henry the 4. by a speciall command But this attainder as all things else done in that Parliament of xi R. 2. held by force being made void in the Parliament of 21. R. 2.
his issue Male extinguisht this Mannour inter alia came by force thereof to Sir Will. Beauchamp Kt. second Son to Thomas Beauchamp E. of Warwick which Will. being afterwards summoned to Parl. as Lord Bergavenny had issue Richard whose Daughter and Heir Eliz. brought this Lordship unto the family of Nevill as in Fillongley is also more fully shew'd In which line it continued till Sir Henry Nevill late Lord Bergavenny sold it in our time to Sir Henry Compton Kt. of the Bath now scil an 1640. owner thereof Upon the brow of an hill in the Park here at Allesley do appear some ruins of building which as the Inhabitants say were of a Castle but in Record I cannot find that it was ever so termed That the Church was originally but a Chappell belonging to the Priory of Coventre and the occasion of its building I have already declared In 33 H. 3. there were certain persons delegated by the B. of Cov. and Lich. who with the consent of the Monks of Coventre and the then incumbent presented by the Lord Hastings did ordain that the said Incumbent and his successors should have of the profits belonging thereto all oblations obventions tythes and other emoluments reserving 6. s. 8. d. yearly to the said Church of Coventre in lieu of all burialls and excepting also the tythes of Allesley-Park and all personall tythes which were used amongst the oblations to be offered upon Sundaies in regard that the Lord Hastings being Patron of the Church had released to the Church of Coventre all his right of common in Coventre and Coundulme and the Hamlets adjacent which Ordination bears date on the day of St. Tiburce and Valerian an M. CCXLIX 33. H. 3. Patroni Incumbentes Edm. Com. Cornub ratione minoris aet custodiae haeredis c. Henr. de Hastings Gaufr de Stokelle Cler. 1283. Tho. le Blound miles Sim. de Gaynesburgh accol 13. Cal. Ian. 1326. Will. de Clinton Co. Hunt Ioh. Lynie Pbr. 7. Id. Maii 1337. Will. de Clinton Co. Hunt Tho. de Blythe accol 8. Id. Feb. 1341. D. Iuliana de Hastings Comitissa Hunt Henr. Hunte Cler. 3. Id. Martii 1357. Com. Penbrok Rob Ferror Pbr. 4. Kal. Aug. 1373. D. Rex ratione Dominii de Allesley post mortem Com. P. in manâ— sua exist Ioh. Bekâ—n Pbr. 4. Id. Ian. 1375. D. Rex ratione Dominii de Allesley post mortem Com. P. in manâ— sua exist Will. Reynald Pbr. 7. Kal. Dec. 1376. D. Iohanna de Beauchamp domina de Bergavenny Will. Neuport Cler. ult Martii 1422. D. Iohanna de Beauchamp domina de Bergavenny Tho. Rishum Cap. 19. Apr. 1426. Edw. Nevill dominus de Bergav Ioh. Strangwish Cler. 2. Oct. 1438. Edw. Nevill dominus de Bergav Will. Loveles Cap. 29. Aug. 1450. Rob. Diâ—son gen ratione conc H. Nevil mil. D. de Bergav Tho. Steele Cler. 20. Oct. 1554. Edm. Brode hac vice per conc H. domini de Bergav Phil Brode in art Bac. 17. Iunii 1569. Margar. Sanders vidua hac vice per conc ejusdem H. D. de Bergav Sam. Sanders Cler. 4. Oct. 1570. Coundon THis was originally a Member of Coventre as I have said and involved therewith in that grant of E. Leofric made to the Monks upon the foundation of the Monastery 1 Edw. Conf. though it be not particularly named in his Charter By the Conq. Survey it appears that the proportion belonging to the Monks in Condone for so it is there written extended to three virgats of land as also that the words were three furlongs 30. perches in length and 3. furlongs in breadth all being valued at xx s. And in the same Survey it is also recorded that Will. fil Corbuâ—ionis of whom I am to speak in Studley had one virgat of land here at the same time with woods conteining half a mile in length and four furlongs in breadth all which were then valued at 4. s. but there it is written Condelme so that in regard the name at that time is so variously recorded and altered out of doubt by corrupt pronunciation from what it first was I shal not trouble my self to guess at the Etymology thereof In 41 H. 3. the said Monks of Coventre had inter alia Free-warren granted to them in all their demeâ—â— lands here And in 44 H. 3. the tythes of this place amongst other of their Mannours were appropriated to them as belonging to Trinity Parish one of the Churches in that City In 53. H. 3. I find that Iohn Beneth of Allesley hâ—ld the xx part of a Kts. Fee here of Henry de Hasting Lord of Allesley which I suppose to be the same that is certified by the Conq. Survey to have been in the hands of Will. fil Corbucionis before specified the extent whereof was in 7 E. 1. signified to be but half a yard land and two acres then in the hands of three Freeholders So that the Monks of Coventre being owners of all the rest had a yard land thereof in demesn and nine Freeholders who held half a Carucat and 12. acres paying severall Rents doing suit of Court twice a year and performing certain servile work in Harvest In this village had the said Monks also a Court-Leet gallows with Assise of Bread and Beer by the grant of K. H. 3. As also weyfs estreys Felons-goods and for Heriots the principall vesell the names of what they so held in demesn being a certain grove named Fowlesmore and a parcell of ground called Priors-field The greatest part of which lands together with the tythes were after the dissolution of the Monasteries granted unto Ric. Andrews Gent. and Leonard Chamberlein Esq. but how they have past since is not much materiall for me to enquire Coventre FOllowing the stream of Shirburn it leads me next into Coventre still a City of eminent note yet much short in glory and Riches to what heretofore it hath been as I shall shew anon but for the originall of its name I can give no positive reason and therefore whither the first part thereof viz. Coven was occasioned by some Covent of Religious persons antiently founded here as some think for there was a Monastery of Nuns long before the Priory as I shall shortly manifest or whither from this little brook of which others conceive the true name to be Cune I will not stand to argue Sure I am that the last Sillable thereof viz. Tre is British and signifieth the same that villa in Latine doth from whence I conclude that the first plantation here hath been of very great antiquity though when or by whom made I cannot expect to discover having so little light of story to guide me through those elder times And as certain is it that a great part thereof and probably the most antient stood on the bank without Bishop-gate North-westward of the City for no less do
name of Herdwick-Grimbald was before the said partition assigned to William Dingley esquire and Alice his wife one of the daughters and heirs to the said Iohn and to the heirs of the said Alice from which William and Alice descended Francis Dingley of Shreveslench in Com. Wigorn. who in Dec. 32 Eliz. past it to Richard Clever whose grandson William now enjoys it Bradwell THIS village stands at a larger distance from Leminton than the other Hamlets within the Parish and taketh its name from the breadth of the Spring which riseth there But of it I have not seen any mention in Record till 49 E. 3. that upon the assignation of what Maud the daughter and coheir of Iohn Hastang had of her fathers inheritance it was reserved in the Kings hands in respect of the minority of Ioan the other sister and coheir which Ioan became the wife of Sir Iohn Salisbury Knight attained in the Parliament of 12 R. 2. But afterwards of Sir Rustine Villenoef Knight and dyed seized thereof 7 H. 5. leaving Ioan the wife of Henry Delves esquire her daughter and heir Birdingbury LOwer yet on the same side of Leame lyes Birdingbury being one of those towns that E. Leofrik gave to the Monks of Coventre upon his foundation of that Monastery and probably was so called at first from its situation so neer the brink of the River Bord in the French signifying a shore Which Monks had here in the Conquerors time two hides valued at xxv s. as appeareth by the generall Survey then made But through mistake of the transcriber the D. is put in the place of the first B. and a G. for the later so that in stead of Berdingberie as it should have been recorded it is written Derbingerie At the same time it was certified that Turchill de Warwick held one hide and half a yard land in this place by Goslinus his under-tenant then valued at xl s. How long those Monks of Coventre held their interest here I have not seen but by what I shall say by and by it will appear that it was granted by them to one of the Hastings of Allesley in this County and to hold by the service of one Knights fee. And for that which Turchill de Warwick had it seems it came to Henry de Armentiers of whom I have spoke in Wotton For in 7. Ioh. Henry Travers being impleaded by the said Henry de Armentiers for the service of a Knights fee which he held of him in this place confest the action and gave him a Fine in consideration of the arrerages then due Which part so belonging to Armentiers amounting to half a Knights fee was in 36 H. 3. certified to be held by Thom. de Clinton of the Earl of Warwick But the Mannour belonging to Hastings was about that time committed to the custody of Stephen de Wautham after the death of Henry de Hastings in respect of the minority of Henry his heir Which last mentioned Henry being an active man in that great rebellion against King H. 3. as in Allesley and Kenilworth I have shewed forfeited all his lands yet such was the favour that the King shew'd unto Ioan his wife as that he assigned divers Lordships of her said husbands amongst which this was one for her maintenance even at that time when he most obstinately held the Castle of Kenâ—lworth against him which also by vertue of the Dictum de Kenilworth came to his posterity For Iohn de Hastings son to the said Henry possest it and in 13 E. 1. claymed a Court-leet and other priviledges therein which were allowed And afterwards granted it to Sir Iohn Paynel Knight who in 28 E. 1. stiling himself Dominus de Burdingbury presented to the Church and in 6 E. 2. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and at Asheleye in Norff. But it seems the estate he had therein was only for terme of life for so was it certified upon the Inquisition taken 6 E. 2. after the death of Iohn de Hastings This Iohn Paynel was no lesse than a Baron having been summoned to the severall Parliaments from 27 E. 1. to 12 E. 2. But Drax in York-shire being his principall seat I shall say no more of him than that he bore for his Armes two barrs with an Urle of Martlets and dyed before the 19. of E. 2. Whereupon this Mannour was assigned to Iulian then the wife of Thomas le Blount as part of her dowrie from Iohn de Hastings her former husband but the inheritance thereof belonging to Laurence de Hastings E. of Pembroke son and heir of the before specified Iohn came at length by force of an entayle together with Fillongley as I have there at large discovered unto William Beauchamp second son to T. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick who in 16 R. 2. granted it unto Iohn Olney Receiver generall of all his lands in consideration of his good and faithfull service to hold during life paying to the said William xl s. per annum Which Iohn then Lord of Weston-Underwood in Com. Buck. was in 2. H. 4. certified to hold half a Knights fee in this place of the E. of Warwick It seemes that the inheritance of it was afterwards granted to the same Iohn Foâ— Margaret the daughter and heir of Robert Olney son to the said Iohn â— being wedded to Thomas Throgmorton of Coughton in this County brought it to that family whose grandson Sir George Throgmorton Knight together with Robert his son and heâ—r by their deed dated 27. Martii 32 H. 8. past it to Iohn Hylmer Citizen of London and his heirs But the next possessor thereof that I find 〈◊〉 Iasper Leek of Grays-Inne in Com. Midd. Gent. which Iasper 16. Dec. 10 Eliz. granted it to Henry Goodeere of Baginton esquire who in June next following sold it to Iohn Shukburgh then of Napton Gent. one of the 6. Clerks in Chancery whose great grandchild Thomas now enjoys it There was certain land lying in this place very antiently given to the Nuns of Polesworth by Edelina the sister to Robert Boteler of Englebj for the health of the soul of Walter de Sumervile and of Roger de Sumervile as also of her own soul and the souls of all her Ancestors and Successors to perform the Anniversary for the said Walter on the feast day of S. Mary Magdalen In consideration of which grant the said Nuns promised that whensoever she should happen to depart this life they would cause her body to be carryed to Polesworth and bury it honourably in their Cloyster with due Exequies The Church dedicated to S. Leonard was in Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at vi marks and in 26 H. 8. at vii li. x s. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Ecclesiae
death I have not discovered To Henry succeeded Roger his son in the Earldom of Warwick who amongst other of the great Nobility was a witnesse to the Charter of K. Steph. Laws in 1. Steph. but for his military actions I finde no great commendation of him Nay it is reported by an Author of that time wherein he lived that he was vir mollis deliciis magis quam animi fortitudine affâ—uens Neverthelesse being one of those that adhered to Maud the Empresse he was with the Earle of Glouc. and divers other great men at the siege of Winchester in 6. Steph. at which time their Army being utterly routed by the Royallists most of the chief Nobility were taken prisoners but I do not finde that he had much prejudice thereby in regard K. Steph. who had been taken prisoner before in the battail at Lincoln was set at liberty upon condition that the Earle of Glouc. taken then at Winchester with the rest of those that were of his party should also stand in the same condition of freedom as they were before that overthrow And besides this is he reputed to have been the Conqueror of Gowher-land in Wales which his posterity for a long time afterwards enjoyed and wherein he founded a little Priory at Languenith annexing it as a Cell to the Monastery of S. Taurines in Normandy and to the Abby of Nethe gave certain Lands and fishing lying in Glamorgansh within his said Territories of Gouher-land The foundation of the Priory here at Warwick begun by his Father he perfected and did himself found the Collegiat Church of S. Mary in Warwick whereof together with its endowment I shall hereafter speak more fully as also S. Michaels Hospital for Lepers there together with the House of Templars beyond the bridge To divers other Monasteries was he also a benefactor viz. to Bruere in com Oxon. whereunto he gave the Lordship of Mersedene To Pipwell in Northamptonsh by confirming the grant of Causton in this County thereto which as his Charter testifieth he did for the Souls of his Father and Mother Rotrode his Uncle and all his Ancestors To Kenilworth by confirming the grants of the Mannours of Saltford and Newnham thereto and bestowing on the Canons of that House certain Lands in Warwick with the Churches of Brailes Welsburn in this County To the Monks of Preaux in Normandy by giving to them two Hides of Land in Walton To the monastery of Geroudon in com Lâ—ic by conferring thereto the Town of Badsley Endsor in this County which was afterwards given up by those Monks to Earle William his Son and Successor To the Monks of Bordsley in com Wigorn in confirming the grant of Suhanger now called Sunger near Clardon in this County which Will. Giffard had given to that House and conferring on them one Hide of Land in Oxshelve To the Monastery of Thorney in Cambridge shire by confirming the grant thereunto made of the moyety of the Mannour of Wenge by Rob. de Montfort To the Priory of Canwell in Staffordsh by granting thereto 3. yard Land lying in Hull called Hill within his Lordship of Sutton-Colfield in this County And lastly to the Nuns of Wrocheshale by confirming the Church of Shukborow with certain Lands there as also in Bourton and Radford given to them by several persons as I have elsewhere fully declared together with whatsoever was granted to them by Hugh fil Ricardi their Founder By which his several concessions as also his often journeys to the Holy-land may appear that he was a very devout and pious man He wedded Gundrede daughter to Will the second Earle Warren and sister by the mothers side to Waleran â— of Mellent by whom he had issue 3. sons viz. Will. Waleran and Henry and a daughter called Agnes which Will. and Waleran were both Earls of Warwick successively Henry had Gowher-land in Wales left to him by his father but by his death without issue it came to Earle Will. his brother Agnes his daughter was married to Geffrey de Clinton Chamberlain to the King son unto Geffrey the noble founder of the Priory and Castle of Kenilworth who had in Frank-marriage with her by the gift of Earl Roger her Father ten Kts. fees of those xvii that he the said Geffrey held of his fee for which he was to do service in the Castle of Brandon And besides all this he had a grant of this County id est the Sheriffalty of the Shire for so it appeareth by sundry testimonies to hold to him the said Geffrey and his Heirs of the said Earle and his Heirs in such sort as he the said Earle held it of the K. This Earl Roger departed the world xii Iunii An. 1153. 18. Steph. in which year Henry D. of Normandy afterwards K. of England by the name of H. 2. came into England with a great power and was very prosperous for whose better welcome Gundred the Countesse of Warwick before mentioned outed K. Steph. souldiers forth of Warwick-Castle and delivered that Fort unto him To Roger succeeded in the Earldom of Warwick Will. his Son and Heir of whom the first memorable passage that I finde relating to any certain time is the Certificate which he made in 12. H. 2. in answer to that precept he received from the K. touching the number of Knights fees then held of him whereby it appears upon calculation of the particulars that they amounted to Cv. and a half This Earle William founded the Hospitals of S. Iohn and S. Thomas both in Warwick built a new Church for the Templars there and enlarged their possâ—ssions by the gift of the Mannour of Shireburn and certain Lands in Morton both in this County ratified to the Monks of Combe a Hide of Land in Bilney granted to them by Thurbert de Bilney and made the like confirmation to the Monks of Pipwell as Earle Roger his father had done to them concerning Causton for which respect he was received into their fraternity as a Founder of that Abby To the Canons of Kenilworth did he ratifie the Churches of Loxley granted unto them by Rob. fil Odonis as also the Churches of Brayles and Wellesburne which his father gave them in consideration whereof they allowed him one Canon there presentable alwayes by himself This Earl had two wives viz. Maud the eldest of the two daughters and coheirs to Will Lord Percy and Margaret Deivill if Rous mistake not but I rather think that Mâ—ud was the later for I find that by her speciall Charter as Countess of Warwick which was doubtless in her Widowhood she gave to the Monks of Salley in York-shire the Church of Tatcaster with the Chapell of Haselwood and one Carucat of Land in Catthon
books of their own language invited him to his Palace and Royally feasting him presented him with three pretious stones of great value besides divers clothes of silk and gold given to his servants where this Baltredam told him privately that he faithfully believed as he did though he durst not discover himself and rehearsed the Articles of the Creed But on the morrow he feasted Sir Baltredams servants and gave them scarlet with other English Cloth which being shewed to Sir Baltredam he returned again to him and said he would wear his livery and be Marshall of his Hall whereupon he gave Sir Baltredam a Gown of black puke furred and had much discourse with him for he was skilfull in sundry languages From Hierusalem he came back to Uenice and was there nobly received Thence travailed he into Russia Lituania Poland Prussiaâ— Westphalia as also some Countreyes of Germany shewing great valour in divers Tourneaments whilst he was in those parts and no sooner returned into England but that he was by Indenture bearing date 2 Oct. 12 H. 4. retained with Henry Prince of Wales afterwards King by the name of H. 5. to serve him aswell in times of Peace as War both in this Realm upon and beyond the Seas for CCL marks per an to be payd out of the Prince his Exchequer at Kaermardyn at Easter and Michaelmass by even portions and whensoever he should be in the said Prince his Court to have 4. Esquiers and 6. Yeomen with him and dyet there for them all Provided that the said Prince in service of Warr should have the third part of what he got in battail and the third of the thirds of what his men at Armes should gain And in case he took any great Commander Fort or Castle the Prince likewise to have them giving him reasonable satisfaction Nay he stood in such high esteem with that heroik Prince that against his Coronation he was for his wisdom and industry as the words of the Charter import constituted high Steward of England for that solemnity And in the second year of his raign when the Sect of Lollards being much increased in all parts of the Realm through the doctrine of Wickliff and others had conspired to seize upon the K. and his brothers with divers other persons of quality and to murther them as my Author affirmeth as also to destroy the Monasteries and Prelates and to share their possessions he forthwith armed himself and gave great assistance to the subduing of them After which he was retained by Indenture bearing date 19. Iunii 3. H. 5. to serve the K. as Captain of Caleys from the 6. day of .......... in 2. H. 5. till Febr. 3. An. 1416. 4. H. 5. to have with him in the time of truce or peace for the safeguard thereof during the time before limited xxx men at Arms sc. Horsmen himself and 3. Knights accounted as part of the number xxx Archers on hors-back CC. foot Souldiers and CC. Archers all of his own retinue besides ten men at Arms and x. Archers on hors-back belonging to the Treasurer of Caleys all which were to be at his command in every thing touching the safe-guard of that place For which service he was himself to receive vi s. viii d. per diem for his Knights ii s. a piece for the rest of his horse xii d. for every Archer on horsback and foot Souldier viii d. and for every Archer on foot vi d. per diem for their wages In which Town there was also to be at the Kings charges xl Cross-bow-men xx Carpenters and v. Masons besides Bowyers with other Officers and Pensioners And in time of war was he to have Cxl. men at Arms on hors-back himself and ix Knights accounted part Cl. Archers on hors-back C. foot Souldiers Clxxxiiii Archers on foot and 4. Scouts on hors-back for his own retinue over and above xx men at Arms and x. Archers on hors-back as also x. Archers on foot belonging to the said Treasurer besides Balisters Carpenters c. Whereupon he soon hasted to Caleys and with the more speed because he heard the French were raising great forces against that place and there was recived with solemne Procession but when he understood that those forces bent another way he resolved to practise some new point of Chevalry causing three Shields to be made and in each of them a Lady painted The first harping at the end of a bedsted with a grate of Gold on her left slieve and her Knight called the green Knight with a black quarterâ— who was ready to just with any Knight of France xii courses having two Shields of purveyance and his Letter sealed with the Seal of his Arms the field silver a manch gules The second Pavice or Shield had a Lady sitting at a covered bord working Pearls and on her sheve a glove of plate â—acâ—ed her Knight being called Chivalier Vâ—rt having his Letter sealed with these Arms the field silver two bars of gules who was to Just xv courses and that should be Saddles of Chains The third Pavice had a Lady sitting in a Garden making a Chaplet and on her slieve a Poleyn with a rivet her Knight being called Chivaliâ—r attendant who with his fellow must run and course with sharp Spears his Letter being sealed with gold and gules quarterly and a border Vert which Letters were sent to the Kings Court of France where 3. French Knights received them and promised their fellows to meet at a day and place assigned whereof the first was a Knight called Sr. Gerard Herbaumes who called himself le Chivalier rouge the 2. a famous Knight named Sir Hugh Launey calling himself le Chivalier blank and the third a Knight named Sir Collard Fines Twelf-day in Christmasse being appointed for the time that they should meet in a Laund called the Park-hedge of Gynes On which day this Earle came into the field with his face covered a plume of ostrich feathers upon his Helm and his Horse trapt with the Lord Toney's Arms one of his Ancestors viz. Arg. a manch gules where first encountring with the Chivalier Rouge at the third course he unhorst him and so return'd with close vizor unknown to his Pavilion whence he sent to the said Knight a good Courset The next day also he came into the field with his Vizor close a Chaplet on his Helm and a Plume of Ostrich feathers aloft his Horse trapt with the Arms of Hanslap viz. silver 2. bars gules where he met with the blank Knight with whom he encountred smote of his Vizor thrice brake his Besagurs and other Harneys and returned victoriously to his Pavilion with all his own habiliments safe and as yet not known to any from whence he sent this blank Knight Sir H. Launey a good Courser But the morrow after viz. the last day of the Justs he came with his face open and his Helmet as the day before save
Angl. D. VVill. Mason Pbr. 2. Oct. 1557. The Hospitall of S. Iohn Baptist. IN the Suburb on the East part of the town is there a street called Smyth's-street where the Jews long since resided neer unto which stood the Hospitall of St. Iohn Baptist founded by Will Earl of Warwick in H. 2. time for entertainment and reception of strangers and travailers as well as those that were poor and infirm What endowment it had at first I am not certain but in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. I find it certified that there was a carucate of land and a Dove-house pertaining thereto the land then valued at x s. and the Dove-house at ii s. howbeit the Record doth not express where it did lye Something there was belonging to it situate in Ditchford in this County viz. one mess. and half a yard land given by Fraricus de Dicheford Lord of that Mannour besides certain small proportions of errable land by other private men as also in Miton which considering that the Donors were mean persons I forbear to mention But in 6 E. 3. Sir Iohn de Bishopdon Knight having obtained License from Henry Earl of Lancaster chief Lord of the Fee gave the advouson of the moity of the Church of Morton-Merhull in this County thereto which moitie was appropriated accordingly by Wolstan Bishop of Worcester in consideration whereof the Master and Brethren of this Hospitall by their publique Instrument bearing date on the Feast day of St. Iohn Port Latine granted for them and their successors unto the said Sir Iohn and his heirs for ever the service of two Priests Friers of the said Hospitall dayly to celebrate divine service there for the good estate of him and Dame Beatrice his wife during their lives and afterwards for their soules and for the soules of their Ancestors heirs and all the faithfull departed which two Friers the said Sir Iohn and Dame Beatrice and their heires should yearly make choise of out of the rest of the Friers of this Hospitall for the performance of that service And in 19 E. 3. Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick gave the advouson of the other moytie of this Church of Morton which was also appropriated thereto by Reginald Bryan Bishop of Worcester 16 Apr. anno 1359. 33 E. 3. So that in 37 H. 8. it was certified that the totall of all the revenues belonging thereto were xix li. xvii s. iii d. ob over and above all reprises and that it was founded to maintain one Master two Chaplains and two poor folks there continually as also to keep Hospitality But at the time of that Survey was there no such thing one Anthony Stoughton servant to the Queen a younger branch of the Stoughton's of Stoughton an antient family in Surrey having obtain'd a grant thereof from the King for his life yet the Chapell was then standing and the lead thereof prized at xii li. scil 4 li. the fouder When it was seized into the Kings hands or upon what ground I cannot well resolve in regard the Statute for dissolution of the small Houses in 27 H. 8. extended onely to Monks Canons and Nuns and that the same King by his Letters Patent bearing date xx Decemb. 32. of his raign granted an estate for life therein to Anthony Stoughton above specified unless it were by Surrender because such Hospitalls were not dissolved by Act of Parliament till 37 H. 8. How it was therefore in this particular I shall not farther trouble my self to guess but if the King had not a sound title thereto when he granted that estate for life to Anthony Stoughton the Act of Parliament in 37. of his reign did make it good after which I find that Queen Eliz. by her Letters Patent dated 25. Iunii 5. Eliz. granted the inheritance thereof to the said Anthony and his heirs male who dyed seized of it 9 Dec. 17 Eliz. leaving issue William his son and heir then 31. years of age father of Anthony the present possessor thereof Patroni Guardiani Thomas Comes Warwici Henr. Bobby frater ejusdem domus 5. Cal. Ian. 1336. Fratres ejusdem Hospit Frater Phil. de Besford 7. Kal. Martii 1343. Fratres ejusdem Hospit Ioh. de Kelingwick confrater 9. Apr. 1363. Fratres ejusdem Hospit Ioh. Hadham confrater ult Aug. 1404. Fratres ejusdem Hospit D. Ricardus Leylond 8. Oct. 1461. Fratres ejusdem Hospit Frater VValt Straunge 17. Maii 1494. The Black Friers IN the Suburbe on the West side of Warwick stood the House of Friers Preachers commonly called Black Friers This Order was begun by St. Dominick a Spaniard in the time of Pope Innocent the III who being at first a Canon with a few that he chose to be his companions instituted a new Rule of strict and holy living and least they should grow sluggish in the service of God by staying at home in imitation of our blessed Saviour he appointed them to travail far and wide to preach the Gospell their Habite being a white coat with a black cloak over it as in the following page may be seen which Order Honorius the III. who succeeded Pope Innocent confirmed and Gregory the ix canonized him for a Saint In anno 1221. 20 H. 3. they first came into England and towards the later end of H. 3. reign setled here at Warwick Iohn de Plessets being then Earl It seems that they afterwards enlarged their mansion for I find that in 9 E. 2. they purchas 't of Avicia de Pilardynton a certain piece of ground containing Clx. foot in length and C. foot in bredth adjoyning thereto for that purpose and had the Kings pardon for so doing The like pardon had they in 18 E. 3. for ten acres of land lying here in Warwick acquired of Iohn de Peito the younger as also for half an acre more of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick situate neer their habitation and to enlarge the same To this House were the Botelers of Sudley and the Montforts of Colshill Benefactors so likewise was William Harewell sometime of Wotton-Wawen in this County Esquire as appears by an Indenture made 9. Oct. 16. H. 7. between Thomas Latimer D â— of Divinity Prior of the Friers Preachers here and the said William For in consideration of xl li. sterling which he gave to the repair of their Church and other necessaries they covenanted that there should be a perpetuall Chantry by one of the Friers thereof to sing Masse at the Altar of St. Peter of Millain in the said Church betwixt the houres of nine and ten every day for the good estate of the said William and Agnes his wife whilst they lived and for their souls after their departure hence as also for all Christen souls and that during their lives there should be every day said by the Priest who was to perform that service after
Armes in a South window of the Chancell Gules a Fesse betwixt 6. Crosse Croslets Or Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Gules a Cheveron betwixt 3. Cressants Arg. ...... Upon a gravestone in the body of the Church this Epitaph Of your charitie pray for the soule of Iohn Warner the which deceassed the xix day of October in the year of our Lord M.D.xx. On whose soule Iesu have mercy Upon the corner of Edg-Hill within this Parish is there a great Fortification of a quadrangular forme containing about twelve acres as I guesse near unto which in our memory was found a Sword of brasse and a Battaill-axe touching which kinde of weapons M Cambden in Cornwall maketh some mention Of such and other Fortifications made by the Romans as this doubtlesse was Polybius in his xvii book speaketh So also Caesar de Bello Civili Lib. 3. n. 13. Erat eo loco saith he fossa pedum xv vallus contra hostem in altitudinem pedum x tantundemque ejuâ— valli agger in latitudâ—nem patebat Ab eo intermisso spatio pedum DC alter converâ—us in contrariam partem erat vallus humiliore paulo munitione See also more of this subject in Caesar de â—ello Gallico Lib. 7. So likewise in Vegetius Lib. 4. cap. 28. Vpton THis was heretofore possest by the family of Arden being originally a member of Ratley â— and therefore is involved therewith in the Conquerors Survey though it be not particularly mentioned As for its name there is no question but that it proceded from the high situation of the place the syllable Up signifying as much as supra but the first mention that I find of it is in H. 2. time if not King Stephens where one Haraldus filius Gunfridâ— maketh sale to Godfrey de Arden a Monk of Coventre and son to Siward de Arden of certain lands lying here to the use of that Monastery After this viz. in R. 1. time as I guesse did Thomas de Ardern grant certain lands lying in this place to the Canons of S. Sepulchers in Warwick in which deed it is written Hoptone But there was antiently a family assuming their sirname from their residence here which held it of the Ardens whereby 't is evident that from one of that line they were enfeoft thereof Of these one is called Rich. de Upton and I have seen an antient Roll wherein it appeareth that Roger de Upton held it of Thomas de Arden by the service of the tenth part of a Kts. fee From which Roger I presume descended Iohn de Upton certified to be Lord thereof in 9 E. 2. Howbeit the services here due to the Ardens and their heir were granted away by Thomas who sold this Lordship unto Guy de Gyllebrok which Guy past them to Will. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick so that afterwards it was held of the said Earl and his descendants But the next mention I find of this Mannour is in 30 H. 6. where Will. Verney Esquier son and heir to Robert Verney of great Wolford in this County by his Deed bearing date 12. Feb. 30 H. 6. sold it to Ric. Dalby of Brokhampton gent. for Lxxvii l. vi s. viii d. sterling which Richard enfeoft thereof one Morgan Kydwelly esq and others to certain uses who sold it to Will. Danvers afterwards Kt which Will. depopulated 1 mess. and inclosed xxviii acres of land and CC. acres of pasture in this place From whom is lineally descended Iohn Danvers Esq. now Lord thereof Radway THis place being situat on the skirt and neer the passage up to Edg-Hill had its name originally as I guesse from the red colour of the earth which sheweth it self at a good distance upon that road by reason of the ascending ground In the Conquerors time it contained six hides three whereof were then possest by the Monks of Coventre and valued at L s. two by Earl Alberic Progenitor to the Earl of Oxford rated at xx s. and one by Ricardus Forestarius of whom I have spoke in Chesterton valued at xxv s. in which Survey it is written Radwei and Rodeweie But upon some Agreement betwixt the said Monks of Cov and the Bishop that which they had here came to him it seems Two hides whereof did Roger de Clinton Bishop of Coventre give in frank Almes to the Monks of Radmore in K. Steph. time and the third coming to Gâ—â—ffrey de Clinton of Kenilworth was by him bestowed on the same Monks for the health of his soul and the souls of his father and mother and other his Ancestors in acknowledgment of which favour they gave him C s. and to Henry his son a Bisantine Touching that which Earl Alberic had it came to Hugh Bigot Earl of Norfolk in H. 2. time in marriage as I suppose with Iulian daughter to Alberic de Vere the Kings Chamberlain grandchild to the said Earl Alberic for in 9. Ioh. the Shiriff of this County received the Kings Precept to render the possession thereof to Roger Bigot Earl of Norfolk son to the said Hugh it having been seized into his hands upon wroug information as part of the possessions of Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester who was in rebellion about that time It seems that it was afterwards seized again for the King as an Eschaet for in 6 H. 3. the Shiriff of Warwick-shire had a command to make livery thereof to Hugh Bigot Earl of Norfolk son to the same Roger I find it antiently accounted for half a Kts. fee but the land it self as is evident being granted to sundry persons was partly given to the Monks of Stoneley or by those Monks purchast from the particular Freeholders which Monks were translated from Radmore thither as in Stoneley I have shewed And partly to the Canons of Erdbury for it appears that Raph de Sudley bestowed on that Religious House one whole hide lying here which in 7 E. 1. was rated at two yard land and then held by 5. Tenants who payd severall Rents and performed severall servile labours At which time the proportion that the Monks of Stoneley had here was esteemed at four carucates whereof two they then held in demesn the rest being in the hands of Tenants who payd somewhat in Rents and the rest in â—erviâ—e imployments for those Monks But the residue of this town being vii yard land and a half was then possest by Iohn de Morcote son of Alan de Morcote who held it of Richard de Loges This is that which in the Conquerors time was rated at one hide and held by Ric. Forestarius as I have already declared whose right therein lineally descended to the family of Loges as in Chesterton hath been shewed and by Hugh de Loges father to Richard above mentioned was aliened to the said Alan de Morcote In that part which the Monks of Stoneley had here they had Freewarren
de Clifford for by a pleading in 12 Edvardi 1. betwixt Thomas de la More and Hugh D'Eyvile the said Thomas called Roger de Clifford to warranty for the same which Roger in 7 Edvardi 1. was certifyed to be Lord thereof and to hold it of the said Earl by the service of half a Knights Fee having then one carucate of land in demesn and xix yard land held of him in Villenage To this Roger de Clifford succeeded another Roger who wedded Isabell daughter and one of the coheirs to Robert de Vipount and upon an agreement made with Iohn de Crumbwell husband to Idonea widow of Roger de Leyburne the other daughter and coheir of Robert de Vipount past his interest in this Mannour to the said Idonea and her heirs in exchange for some other lands whereupon it became afterwards seized into the Kings hands for some misdemeanour committed by the said Iohn de Crumbwell in staying beyond Sea contrary to the Kings command yet such was the Kings respect to the said Idonea that he permitted her to take the profit thereof towards her maintenance but upon her death without issue which hapned in 8 Edvardi 3. it divolved to Edw. le Spenser son of Hugh le Spenser the younger by virtue of an entail made in 15 E. 2. Howbeit that which is here called the Mannour was but the moytie of this Hamlet as it seemes the other moytie continuing in the family of Clifford still for I find that in 14 Edw. 3. Rob. de Clifford Lord of Westmerland gave to the Canons of Haghmon in Shropshire all his lands and Tenements lying here in Winderton having the Earl of Warwick's license for the same of whom they were held as also the King 's which expresseth plainly that it was the half of this Village But that which was Spenser's Mannour came at length by descent to Isabell daughter of Thomas Lord Despenser as sister and heir to her brother Richard which Isabell first married to Richard Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny afterwards made Earl of Worcester and secondly to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick After whose death she settled it inter alia upon S t Ralph Boteler K t and others and their heirs for the performance of her last Will as she should make declaration of her mind therein for the health and advantage of her soul Yet it should seem that notwithstanding this purpose of hers it descended to her heire and so consequently came to the Crowne as the rest of the Earl of Warwick's Lands did and was not granted away till 1 M. that the Queen disposed thereof to Michael Throkmorton Esquier and his heirs who dyed seized of it 1 Nov. 5. 6. Ph. M. leaving Francis his son and heir 7. years of age As for what the Canons of Haghmon had here or at least so much thereof as I have seen any authority for it was past out of the Crown by Q. Eliz. unto Iohn Dudley and Iohn Ascough and their heirs in 17. of her reign I shall now follow this hilly part of the Country no farther but returning more into the Vaâ—e must take my course by those brooks and streams which glide through the rest of this Hundred till I have made a perfect view thereof In observance of which order I next come to that petty torrent that hath its head within the precincts of Dasset and so dividing the Lordships of Merston-Boteler Kineton creepeth along betwixt the two Waltons as also the Wellesbourns neer unto which it joyneth with Avon Merston-Boteler THis being possest by Hugh de Grentemaisnill in thâ— Conquerors time had then a Church and two Mills and containing x. hides was valued at xv li. But ere long after Raph Boteler of Oversley had a grant thereof as it seems for in King Stephen's time he gave the Church to the Monastery of Alcester of his foundation And it may very well be presumed that the above specified Hugh de â—rememaâ—â—nill so conferred it upon Boteler in regard that Robert Blanchemaâ—ns Earl of Leicester wedded not his daughter and heir called Petronill till H. 2. time But of this family of Boteler I shall speak historically in Oversley therefore will I next take notice of what is most memorable in relation to this place in particular From the beforespecifyed Raph â— it descended to William le Boteler who in 7 E. 1. held it of the Earl of Leicester by the service of two Kts. fees having then one Watermill here and two carucates of land in demesn and xxx Tenants holding one yard land and a half by payment of certain Rent and performance of severall services viz. Plowing Reaping carrying Corn and the like As also x. Cottâ—ers but these did their suit to the Court-Leet held for the Honour of Leicester In this town had Raph de Ardern also at that time seven yard land which he held of Iohn Mallore and he of the said William le Boteler Of which Botelers the last that had to do here was Sir William le Boteler Knight who left issue Eliz. his daughter and heir first marryed unto Sir Robert de Ferrers Knight and afterwards to Thomas Mollington as by the descent in Oversley will appear From which Eliz. it descended to Nevill and afterwards to Gascoign as Oversley did and was by Sir William Gascoign Knight the fourth from him that marryed Nevill's heir sold to Thomas Lord Cromwell in 29 H. 8. which Thomas being attainted in the Parl. begun at Westminster 30 H. 8. it eschaeted to the Crown and was thereupon granted to Richard Fermour and Anne his wife and to Iohn Fermour their son and Maud his wife and to the heirs male of the said Iohn by the Kings Letters Patent dated 23. Nov. 36 H. 8. But it seems that the said Iohn dyed without issue male for I find that K. Edward 6. in 7. of his raign by his Patent bearing date 23. Iunii granted it to Peter Temple of Derset in this County gent. and Thomas Lee of Clatercote in the County of Oxford gentleman and their heirs to hold in Capite by the xl th part of a Knights fee. Which Peter sold away sundry parcells thereof to severall persons about the beginning of Queen Maryes reign amongst which Iohn Woodward purchased the Mannour place and a large proportion therewith Which Iohn dyed seized thereof 8. Nov. 2. 3. Ph. M. leaving Richard his son and heir 50. years of age who dyed also seized thereof 14. Aug. 4. 5. Ph. M. leaving Iohn his son and heir 26. years of age But the greatest proportion besides viz. 1. mess. 1. Garden 1. Orchard CCC acres of land x. acres of meadow viii acres of pasture and L. acres of Heath Furrs was sold to Tho. and Edward Savage by the before specified Peter Temple and Thomas Lee which
Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Petrus de Salle Pbr. Cal. Feb. 1333. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Ansty Pbr 12. Maii 1339. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Clynes Pbr. 19 Iulii 1339. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Ioh. Lane Cap. 20. Maii 1439. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Thomas Whatton ult Apr. 1449. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Thom. Young Cap. 3. Oct. 1450 Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Ioh. Mongomery 23. Dec. 1455. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Will. Longedone Cap. 2. Iulii 1460. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Henr. Russell 8 Sept. 1463. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Billingham penult Nov. 1469. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Adam Stapul Cap. 26. Martii 1489. Prior Conv. de Kenilworth D. Tho. Hayken Pbr. 22. Ian. 1512. Eliz. Angliae Regina Ioh. Overton Cler. 7. Nov. 1577. Eliz. Angliae Regina Will. Bristow Cler. 23. Iulii 1584. Wellesburne-Mountfort OF this place I make no question but that Thurstane de Mountfort of whom and his family I shall discourse in Beldesert was enfeoft by the same Henry Earl of Warwick or his son Roger in H. 1. time as part of those x Knights fees and a fourth part which he then had given to him by one of those Earls To whom succeeded Rob. de Montfort his son and heir by whose forfeiture it eschaeted to the Crown about the 22. of K. H. 2. reign for at that time did the Shiriff account x li. for the half years Rent thereof as also according to the same rate in 23.24.25 and 30 H. 2. And in 31. H. 2. Mich. Belet the then Shiriff reckoned C s. layd out for CC. sheep towards the storing this Lordship forthe K 's. use vi s. for 5 Sows and a Boar and xxxvi s. for 8 Cows and a Bull In 33 H. 3. xxiii l. for the ferm thereof that year And in 1 R. 1. xxiii l. xv s. was accounted for the same But the next year following did Henry de Montfort Brother and heir to Robert before specified give a Fine to the K. of C l. for which he obtained it again and soon after enfeoft Will. de Bissopesdune and his heirs in C s. of land here with Iulian his Daughter in marriage viz. six yard land held in Villenage with the villeins residing thereon and all the service of Robert the son of Clerenbald and one yard land which a Herdsman held with the said Herdsman as also the fourth part of all his Lordship here in Wellesburne with Housbote and Heybote in Wellesburne-grove for repair of his buildings and hedges by appointment of his Forrester And a fourth part of his wood at Badsley And in 34 H. 3. Peter de Montfort Grandchild to the said Henry obtained a Charter of Freewarren to himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here as also in divers other places but being slain in the Battail of Evesham 49 H. 3. there was a totall seizure of his estate at which time 't was certified that he had two Carucates of land here and x l. yearly Rent To whom succeeded his son Peter who in 4 E. 1. had a Gallows here as also Assize of Bread and Beer with weifs and in 7 E. 1. held it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of one Kts. fee at which time he had xx Tenants here holding xix yard land a half and fourth part paying sundry Rents and performing divers services as plowing mowing making and carrying Hay raking Corn and the like unto whom he was to allow at mowing time a vessell of Beer containing 52 Gallons and a Mutton or xii d. This Peter had then also five Freeholders who held severall parcells of land under certain Rents and suit of Court All which together with the Customary Tenants before spoke of had Common in Kingswood with paunage for their Hogs and certain proportions of wood for fuell It was then likewise certified that he had Freewarren and a Court Leet here by the grant of K. H. 3. Besides these Customary Tenants and Freeholders it was then also found that Will. the son of Thomas de Bishopsdon held half an acre of land here in demesn and had 4 Tenants holding the vi yard land and 3 quarters before specified by sundry servile imployments all which used to appear at the Court Leet held by the said Iohn Severall Cottiers had the same Peter also here who performed the like services as the other Tenants did All which priviledges of Court Leet Freewarren c. were pleaded in 13 E. 1. and allowed From this Peter descended Guy as the Pedegree in Beldesert will shew who taking to wife Margaret one â—f the Daughters to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in 22 E. 3. entailed it with other lands upon the issue of his body to be begotten on the said Margaret and for default thereof upon the same Earl and Katherine his wife and the heirs of him the said Earl But this entail took not effect for Guy dying without â—ssue Sir Baldwin Frevill and Sir Thomas Boteler Kts. by a Writ of Formedone recovered this and the other Lordships so entailed as Cosins and heirs to P. de Montfort above mentioned whereupon by partition made betwixt them in 9 R. 2. it was allotted to the said Sir Thomas But the issue male of this Sir Thomas extinguishing in Sir Raph Boteler Kt. his son and heir Lord Treasurer of England in H. 6. time Sir Iohn Norbury Kt. and Will. Belknap Esq. being the descendants of Eliz. and Ioan his Daughters as the Pedgree in Griff sheweth became heirs to this inheritance Which Sir Iohn Norbury with Edw. Belknap Cosin and heir of the said VVilliam Belknap divided Botelers lands betwixt them in 13. H. 7. whereupon this Mannour fell to the said Sir Iohn and from himâ— by Anne his Daughter and heir wife to Ric. Hallywell to Iane his Cosin and heir wedded to Sir Edm. Bray Kt. which Iane dyed seized thereof 24 Oct. 5. 6. Ph. M. leaving Sir Will. Cobham Kt. Lord Cobham son of Anne one of the Daughters of the said Iane 26 years of age Eliz. Catesby late wife of Sir Ric. Catesby Kt. and afterwards of Will. Clerke Esq. aged 46 years Fridiswide wife of Sir Percevall Hart Kt. aged 43 years Dorothe the wife of Edw. Lord Chandois aged 29 years and Frances the wife of Thomas Lifeild her Daughters and heirs Walton-D'Eivile IN the Conq â—s time this being possest by the Earl of Mellent was certified to contain v. hiâ—â—â— and rated at vii l. having then a Mill of vi s. valueâ— unto which Earl succeeded Henry Earl of Warwick his Brother in the enjoyment of this Lordship as he did the most of his lands in this County who as 't is probable
said Edmund deceased the xxii day of Ianuary 1558. but the said Elizab. surviving the said Edm. took to her second husband Thomas Sawyer of Raundis in the County of Northampton Geâ—t whom she outlived and then returning into Warwick-shire her native Countrey and desiring after this life ended to have her body layd in the Chancell in the Parish Church of Barton on the Heath in the County of Warwick aforesaid with the body of the said Edmund her first husband she caused this stone to be prepared An. Dom. 1608. as a memoriall of the said Edmund Elizabeth William Iohn and Margaret Wolford-magna IN the Conquerors time Robert de Stadforde held vii hides in this place within the precinct whereof were a Church and a Mill which Mill was then rated at xx d. and the whole at C s. having been part of the possessions of one Waga a great person before the Norman invasion as in Wotton-Wawen appeareth Besides this part which the said Robert then held himself there were 4. hides more two whereof were held of him by Orduui and valued at L s. and the other two by one Aluuin rated at xxx s. all which were the freehold of the said Aluuine in Edward the Confessors time In the generall Survey at that time made the name of this town is variously written viz. in one place Uolwarde and in the other Worwarde where the l is mistaken for an r But for the originall occasion of the name my opinion is however the corruptnesse of pronunciation have by time thus altered it that it was from its being the feat or habitation of one Ulf or Wulf a frequent appellation in the Saxons time and that the later syllable warde should be Warthe the d being thus stricken through â— which makes it th for then it signifieth the same that worth doth id est habitatio as I have elsewhere instanced the a being pronounc't o and written accordingly by us in these Southern parts And now that the same syllable is is here made forde it is from the like errour in writing sutably to the vulgar pronunciation as on the contray Lapworth for so we yet call it and write it is recorded by the name of Lapeforde in Domesday-book That this Lordship continued in the line of Stafford descendants from the above mentioned Robert till H. 8. time I could give instance by a multitude of authorities if need were But I shall onely here take notice of what is memorable of them in relation to this place In 13 Ioh. Herveus de Stafford answered for one Knights fees here it being reputed as a part of his Barony and written UUolewarthe But in 19 H. 3. upon the like occasion it is recorded by the name of UUoleworth and in 36 H. 3. UUulleward How it comes to passe I know not but in 13 E. 1. one Richard Chance claimed a Court-Leet Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows and Weyfs here by Prescription and had them allowed which Richard in 9 E. 2. was certified to be Lord of this place Neither can I understand upon what title Iohn de Upton and Ioan his wife had an interest in the fourth part thereof which in 10 E. 2. was entailed upon the issue of the said Iohn by the same Ioan but certain it is that if it were out of the possession of the Barons of Stafford it was not long and very probably in trust onely for in 25 E. 3. Raph Earl Stafford entailed it upon Hugh his son and the heirs of his body by Philippa the daughter to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of UUarwick By which Barons and Earles of Stafford I find that sundry persons were enfeoft of good quantities of land here for it appears that in 20 E. 3. Adam de Grenevill held half a Knights fee of them lying here and in Burmington Robert Verney half a Knights fee here onely in 46 E. 3. William Clerke half a Knights fee in 10 R. 2. and William Ingram one Knights fee in 16. and 22. R. 2. But as there is nothing in this world permanent so this Lordship after such a long continuance unto that Noble Family before specified was in 12 H. 8. past away by Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham to Richard Bishop of UUinchester and others to the use of Sir William Compton Knight and his heirs From whom the Earl of Northampton now Lord thereof is descended as in Compton-winzate appeareth The Church dedicated to S. Michael was given to the Canons of Stone in Stafford-shire by Robert de Stafford grandchild to Robert who lived in the Conquerors time But in 26 H. 3. there was a suit betwixt the Prior of Kenilworth unto which the Monastery of Stone was a Cell as I have elsewhere manifested and Hawise the widow of Richard de Gloucester for the advowson thereof which she claimed as her Dowrie and thereupon called to warrantie Gilbert son and heir to the said Richard who came in and pleaded a Fine levied of five hides of land in UUolward whereby the said advouson remained to the said Richard and his heirs with part of that land And because the Prior was in England and did not put in his claim demanded judgment Whereunto the Prior answered that both before that Fine was levied and after he was in possession of the same presented thereto And because there was no suit betwixt the parties for the said Advouson but for the five hides whereunto it belonged not he said that the before mentioned Fine ought not to hurt him and produced the Charter of Raph fitz Stephâ—n Ancestor to the said Gilbert whereby he confirm'd the grant of that Advouson to those Canons of Stone which Robert de Staffoâ—d chief Lord of the Fee had made to them And though the said Gilbert replyed that after that grant so made Raph fiâ—z Stephen presented to the Church yet was it adjudg'd for the Prior. Which Advouson continued to the Canons of Stone till 51 H. 3. but then being past away by them to the Warden and Scholars of Merton-Colledge in Oxford was appropriated to that Colledge on the Calends of Iune anno 1268. 52 H. 3. by Godfrey Giffard Bishop of Worcester and in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was with the Chapell of Burmington valued at xxvi marks After which there was another Appropriation thereof made to the said Colledge by Thomas Cobham Bishop of Worcester 13. Cal. Aug. 16 E. 2. And in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii li. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Rob. de Babington Cap. 16. Cal. Ian. 1322. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Rob. Garoun 4. Sept. 1341. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Will. Taylour 19. Martii 1363. Custos Scholares domus de Merton D. Ric. Cooke Cap. 16. Nov. 1364. Custos Scholares domus de Merton Nich.
spreaders of false reports Upon this Hugh and the heirs male of his body did the last Lord Basset of Drayton his uncle by the mothers side for he therein calls him his nephew in 13 R. 2. entail all his lands whereof he was seized in Fee simple as the Feoffment thereupon made to Walter-Skirlaw Bishop of Duresm and others bearing date 16 Ian. manifesteth provided that he should bear the name and Arms of Basset with remainder to Will. de Stafford brother to Edmund Earl Stafford c. but performing not the conditions he did not quietly enjoy them the same Earl being found heir to the rest through an old Entail made of them by Raph Lord Basset his grandfather in 13 E. 3. opposing him therein Howbeit at length was there an Agreement made betwixt the sayd Earl and the same S r Hugh viz. that S r Hugh should quietly enjoy the premises but both of them being slain in the battel of Shrewsbury 4 H. 4. before it could be sealed the difference about that matter continued betwixt their heirs untill King H. 6. so decided it many years after as that S t Raph Shirley Knight son and heir to the before specifyed S r Hugh should quietly enjoy them according to the true meaning of that Accord viz. the Mannours of Radcliff super Sore and Colston-Basset in com Nott. Rakdale Willows Radcliff super Wreke Barrow super Sore and Watton in com Leic as also those of Westhall and East-Hall in this County many of which remain to his descendants at this day But I return This S r Hugh was made cheif Warder of Higham-Ferrers Park by Iohn of Gant D. of Lancaster and in 22 R. 2. Constable of Donington Castle by Henry Duke of Lanc. afterwards King by the name of H. 4 and having wedded Beatrix sister and heir to Iohn de Brews of West-Neston in Susser was slain on Saturday being the Eve of S. Mâ—ry Magd. 4 H. 4. in the battel of Shrewsbury fighting on the Kings part leaving the said Beatrice a Widdow of whom I find that in 9 H. 5. she furnisht the K. with an Esquier by name Iohn Hayteley as also 3. Archers to serve on Horseback with him in the said Kings warrs beyond Sea for three quarters of a year To this S r Hugh succeeded Raph his son and heir then xii years of age who in 3 H. 5. being retained to serve the King then in person with his Army in Gayen with six men at Armes and xviii Archers the famous Battail of Agincourt then hapning and the next year following with viii men at Armes and xvi Archers was honoured with the dignity of Knighthood about that time for in 8 H. 5. being then Shiriff of the Counties of Nottingham and Derby I find him so stiled Unto this Sr Raph and the heirs male of his body did the Feoffees of Raph Lord Basset of Draiton in 2 H. 6. release all their interest in the Mannours of Colston-Basset Radcliff super Sore in com Nott. Rakdale Willows Radcliff super Wreke Barrow super Sore Dunton and Wation in com Leic. as also in the Mannours of Westhalle and Esthalle in Sheldon in this County After which viz. in 10 H. 6. he had his residence at Radcliffe super Sore above mentioned and left issue by Ioyce the daughter and heir to Thomas Basset of Brailsford Esq Raph his son and heir who by Margaret the daughter and heir of Iohn Staunton of Staunton-Harold in com Leic. had issue Iohn and dyed on the Feast day of S. Steph. 6 E. 4. Which Iohn having wedded Alâ—anore the daughter to Sr Hugh Willoughby of Middleton K t dyed 18 Maii 3 R. 3. leaving Raph his son and heir 26 years of age who for his great valour in the battel of Stoke 2 H. 7. was made a Banneret and in 7 H. 7. retained to serve the said King in his wars beyond Sea for one whole year with his Custrell and Page as also four Demilances and xl Archers on foot receiving for his said men at armes Custrell and Page xviii per diem for every of the said Lances ix and Archers vi This S r Raph in 13 H. 7. for his Releif was charged with 5 K t s Fees for his lands in Shepey Hone Bradley Yolgrave and Birch-over one K t s Fee in Brailsford and Wingeworth and the fourth part of a Knights Fee in Stanton-Harold and having by his Testament bearing date at Stanton-Harold 2 Ian. 1516. 8 H. 8. appointed that a thousand Masses should be sayd on the day of his burying or shortly after for his soul but not assigning any certain place for his Sepulture within four dayes after viz. 6 Ian. dyed seized of this Lordship of Over-Eatendon as also of Nether-Eatendon and Newton-Regis in this County of Rakdale Willows Ratcliff super Wreke Whatton Dunton Stanton-Harold and Borton in Com. Leic. Barnham in Suff. Easter-Leeke and Sutton-Bonington in Nottinghamshire as also of Shirley Brailesford Eadneston and Hoone in Derbyshire leaving Francis his son and heir within age afterwards in Ward to S r Will. Compton Kt. which Francis in E. 6. time resided at his Mannour of Brailesford in Derbyshire and had issue Iohn his son and heir who took to wife Iane the only daughter and heir of Thomas Lovet Esq but dyed in his fathers life time leaving issue George who inherited the Mannours of Astwell in Northamptonshire Bottlebridge in Huntingdonshire South-Newton in Oxfordshire and Dorsington in Gloucestershire through his mothers right Which George was created Baronet 22 Maii 9 Iac. at the very first erection of that dignity by King Iames and having a Court-Leet granted to him and his heirs 23 Martii 16 Iac. whithin this Mannour which also extended to his Tenants in Over-Eatendon Fulredy Whatcote and Ilmington in this County left issue S r Henry Shirley Baronet his son and heir and S r Thomas Shirley Knight a great lover of learning and especially affected to Antiquities in the study whereof he hath attained to much Knowledge and thereby given no small lustre to this antient and worthy Family Which Sir Henry wedded the Lady Dorothe sister and one of the coheirs to Robert Devereux the last Earl of Essex by whom he had issue Sir Charles Shirley his son and heir who dyed unmarried and Sir Robert Shirley now Lord of this Mannour and through his mothers right inheritor of great possessions heretofore belonging to the said Earl of Essex The Church was given to the Canons of Kenâ—lworth by Henry sonne to Sasuualo that lived in the Conquerors time as I have already intimated In 6 Ioh. upon the vacancy of the Priory of Kenâ—lworth the King presented Hugh de Wells Archdeacon of Wells thereto who was shortly after Lord Chancelour But about the later end of King Iohn's time Silvester then Bishop
Knight Pl. and Iohn the son of Sir Iohn Trillow Knight and Ioan his wife Deforc. it being of her inheritance whereby it past to the said Sir Baldwin for life But in 10 Henr. 6. Richard Beauchamp Earl of UUarwick was Lord of it And shortly after that Iohn Arden of Park-hall Esquier who upon the marriage of Thomas his son and heir setled it inter alia upon him Which Thomas in 1. 2. Phil. M. levyed a Fiâ—e thereof but to what uses I know not The Chapell here as also that of Norton-Limesi antiently belong'd to the Church of UUotton-Wawen but in the year 1257. by a special Agreement made betwixt the Prior of UUotton and the then Rector of the Church of Claverdon it was concluded that from thenceforth the said Chapells with all the Tithes as well great as small arising within their precincts should belong to the Church of Claverdon as also that the Inhabitants of this Village and Norton should bury their dead and receive the Sacraments there In consideration whereof the Rector of Claverdon and his successors were to pay for ever unto the Prior of UUotton and his successors in the Church of Wawens-UUottou 5. marks and 8 â— yearly upon the Feast days of St. Iames the Apostle and St. Martin by equall portions or within two dayes following which agreement was confirmed by Maugerius Bishop of UUorcester upon Fryday being Saint Peters day the year abovesaid When or how the difference grew betwixt the Successors of the said Rector and Prior I know not but I find that about 22 H. 7. the Arch-Deacon of UUorcester as Rector of Claverdon and the Provost and Fellows of Kings Colledge in Cambridge successors to the said Prior came to a new Agreement viz. that the said Rector of Claverdon and his successors should themselves pay to the said Provost and Fellows and their successors xl s. yearly Pension at Easter and Mâ—chaelmasse by even portions in right of their Rectory of VVawens-UUotton which Agreement bears date 1 Februarii anno 1506. 22 Henry 7. Norton Limesi alias Norton superior FOllowing this little brook I come next to Norton-Limesi standing upon an ascent on the Northwest side thereof but it is not at all mentioned in the Conquerors Survey which makes me conclude that it was then involved with UUolvardinton being the very proportion which Rob. de Stadford then held in that place For in 13 Ioh. Where the Fees belonging to the Honour of Stafford in this County are recorded Langeleg and Norton which I take to be this Norton are certified for two Knights Fees And afterwards viz. in 36 Henr. 3. is it also joyned with Langele VVill. de Curli of whom I have spoke in Budbroke answering for one Knights Fee in both these places But in 9 E. 2. it was reputed a Hamlet of Fulbroke and written Norton-Limsey for distinction from the other Nortons It seems that the Earls of UUarwick became possest of it in E. 3. time if not before for in 46 E. 3. it appears that the Knights Fee here in Langley above mentioned was held of Raph Earl Stafford by Thomas Beauchamp then Earl of UUarwick and so likewise by the succeeding Earls of Warwick The Chapell here dedicated to the holy Trinity was antiently dependent upon the Church of UUotton-VVawen but long since annext to the Parish Church of Claverdon Sunger THis place was given to the Monks of Bordsley in K. Steph. time by Will. Giffard and confirm'd by Roger Earl of Warwick but the reason why it is not particularly mentioned in the Conquerors Survey is because it was then involved with Brailes of which Mannour it was accounted for half a hide as the Charter of its confirmation made by Will Earl of UUarwick son to Earl Roger doth testifie After the dissolution of which Monastery it was granted out of the Crown inter alia to Clem. Throkmorton Esquier and Alex. Avenon and their heirs by the name of the Mannour Ferm and Graunge called Songer-grange and is now possest by Clem. Throkmorton of Haseley Esq great grandchild to the said Clement Paulines-Heath OF this place all that I have seen is no more than that the Canons of Saint Sepulchers in UUarwick were seized thereof in 42 H. 3. But I do not find that those lands then so called did continue that name or were reputed a Mannour Pinley-Priory ON an ascending ground upon the North side of that torrenâ— rising about the skirts of Claverdon stands Pinley which was antiently a member of Rowinton and granted as I guesse by Robert the first Earl of Leicester of the Norman line who possest Hugh de Grenâ—emaisnill's lands whereof Rowinton was part to Robert Boteler of Oversley in this County which Robert as it seems enfe oft R. de Pilardinton thereof who was the Founder of this little Monastery For in the Confirmation made by Simon Bishop of UUorcester as also of Iohn Pagham and Alured his immediate successors who lived in K. H. 1. and K. Steph. times there is recitall that the said R. de Pilardinton gave to God and the Nuns of this place totam terram de Pineleia assensu Roberti Pincerâ—e de Overslâ—ia Whether there were any formall Charter of its Foundation I much doubt but if there were 't is â—o wonder through the various changes of its possessors since the dissolution that it is lost And for enroulment in our publique Records I am sure there is none it seldome hapning that such small Houses went to the charge thereof I come now to the severall Benefactors that they had In Pinley Will. the son of Wigan Mareschall gave them half a yard land In Shrewley Ernald de Bois one carucate and Robert de Tayden a certain Tenement containing a full carucate In UUalton-Mauduit VValeran Earl of UUarwick gave the tithe corne In UUalton-Daivil Walt. de D'avill the tithe of his Mill. In Claverdon several parcells of land were given some by Waleran Earl of Warwick in a place called Crudshale and the rest by Nich. de Crudshale In Ruhinton Will. the son of VVill. de Freynuse gave a meadow In Langeley VVill. de Curley and his Tenants several parcells In UUhatcote the Nuns of this House had one yard land and a half granted by Sir Iohn le Lowe Knight In UUhitchurch an yearly Rent of xiii quarters of Wheat and xiiii quarters of Barley which they purchased of Peter de Montfort Lord of that Mannour which Family of Montfort whose seat was a Beldesert were very devout Benefactors to this Monastery for I find that Thurstan de Montfort gave thereunto the tenth part of all the victualls spent in his House viz. Bread Beer Flesh Fish and whatsoever was drest in his Kitchin and that Peter his son obtained the patronage thereof from Roger de Pilardinton in H. 3. time whereof he had a
Nevill Theobaldus de Nevill Alicia ux Joh. Hakluyt 11 E. 3. Johanna uxor Rob. de Hastang Which VVill. became eminently imployed in his time In 5 H. 3. he was constituted one of the Justices of Assize for determining the difference betwixt Philippa Marmion widow of Robert Marmion and Rob. Marmion son to the said Robert touching her dowry in Tamworth and Midleton and from 6 till 11 H. 3. a Justice of Assize in this County To the Monks of Bordsley he gave two acres of land in Edrichestun and left issue VVill. his son and heir one of the Justices of Assize also in this shire for sundry years and likewise in Commission for the Gaol delivery from 27 till 37 H. 3. Which VVill. confirm'd to the Monks of Bordsley all the land that had been granted to them of his fee within his Lorship of Langley his Seal of Armes being a Labell with 4. points standing in the place of a Bend sinister and left issue two daughters his heirs Alice the wife of Peter de Nevill and Ioan of Rob. de Hastang From whom descended Theobald de Nevill and Iohn de Hastang who were certified to hold 1 Knights Fee here of Will. de Odingsells in 23 E. 1. But it seems that the inheritance which belong'd to the two daughters above specified came at length to be divided betwixt their heirs for I find in 7 E. 2. and afterwards that this Mannour of Budbroke became wholy possest by Hastang and in E. 3. time was past away in Exchange together with other lands unto Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warw â— for the Mannours of Grafton and Upton-war in in Worcestersh with whose posterity it continued till 3 H. 7. that all the other lands of that great Earldome came to the Crown as in Warwick is manifested After which it was by K. E. 6. in 1. of his reign granted inter alia unto Iohn Dudley E. of Warwick and his heirs but in 3 E. 6. exchanged back to the K. again and the next ensuing year reobtained upon another exchange so that eschaeting to the Qu. in 1 Mariae upon the attainder of the said Iohn then D. of Northumb. it was leased out to Iohn Kitley for xxâ— years at the Rent of 16 li per an and 4 Nov. in 2. and 3. of her reign granted to Edw. Sutton Lord Dudly and the heirs male of his body whose son and heir viz. Edward Lord Dudley in 31 Eliz. sold it to Iohn Puckering Sergeant at Law which Iohn left issue Sir Tho. Puckering K t and Bar. the late owner thereof The Church dedicated to S. Michael with all the Tithes was by Rog. E. of Warwick given to the Canons of his Collegiate Church in Warwick upon its Foundation in 23 H. 1. who being thus possest of it granted the same to one M t Iohn a Canon there to hold during life with caution that in acknowledgment of the mother Church id est the Coll. Church abovesaid whereof it was a member he should once every year within the quinzime of S. Michael distribute xv s amongst the Communicants of this parish But shortly after this there growing some difference betwixt Rob. de Curli Lord of the Mannour of Budbroc as I have already intimated and the before specified Canons in the presence of certain persons delegated by the Bishop of Worcester to be Judges thereof the said Rob. rendred up to them all his title and claim therein acknowledging it to be only a Chapell belonging to that mother Church By which recognition of his it also appeareth what Glâ—be and Tythes then appertained thereunto viz. lx acres of Inclosure of the said town on one part of the feild and as much on the other together which the Priest's dwelling house and Crofts antiently belonging to the Church as also all the Tithe of Budbroc aswell of the demesn as otherwise and of Hampton Norton and Crevecuor together with the Tithe of the Mill and Pool all which were belonging to the said Church from the time of Gâ—ffrey de Clinton formerly mentioned who is there stiled Vetus Camerarius in regard that his son Geffrey was also Chamberlain after him By this Agreement doth it also appear that the Vicar of Budbroc and his successors should be presented to the said Church by the Canons of Warwick yet not without the good liking and approbation of the before mentioned Rob de Curly and his heirs But for better confirmation of this Church to those Canons did Will. de Curly quit all his right to them therein in 12 H. 3. In aâ— 1291 19 E. 1. being valued at xvi marks the portion out of it belonging to the said Canons was certifyed to be xvs. But in 41 E. 3. the condition thereof stood thus viz. that it was a Prebendary to the beforementioned Coll. Church and that the prebend did Present a Rector of Parson thereto which Parson presented a Vicar who served the Cure and had a competent portion assigned unto him by the Bishop the value of what the Rector then had being x li per an Howbeit after this viz. in an 1398. 22 R. 2. there was a new Appropriation made thereof to the said Canons of Warwick by Tideman Bishop of Worcester in respect that in the originall annexation the word successors of the Dean and Canons to whom it had been first granted was deficient by reason whereof they had been outed from their possession in the time of Will. Wittlesey Archb. of Cant. there being a Pension of vi s. viii d. reserved to the said Bishop and his successors out of it So that in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at viii li. but in aâ— 1584 27 Eliz. there was a new Ordination or Composition made whereby the Vicar's rights were better setled Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. per lapsum Ric. de Bradewell Cler. 7 Id. Maii 127â— D. Rad. de Hengham alii Canon Eccl. b. M. Warwici Petrus de Leicester Subdiac 5. Cal. Dec. 1282. D. Rad. de Hengham alii Canon Eccl. b. M. Warwici Thomas de Houghton Pbr. 10 Cal. Apr. 1290. D. Rad. de Hengham alii Canon Eccl. b. M. Warwici Petrus de Barton Subdiac 7 Cal. Ian. 1303. Patroni Vicariae Decan Eccl. b. M. Warw. Ioh. de la Hale Pbr. 17. Cal. Iulii 1312. D. Episc. per lapsum D. Will. de Nayleston Cap. 2. Non. Iunii 1316. Decan ut suprà D. Heur de Hewynton 18 Cal. Maii 1319. Patroni Ecclesiae Prebendar Preb. de Compton-Murdak Nich. de Southam Pbr. 28. Nov. 1349. Prebendar Preb. de Compton-Murdak Sim. de Bloston 4. Iulii 1354. Patroni Vicariae Tho. Brok Rector Eccl. de Bodebrok Rob. Loâ—â—kyn Pbr. 8. Feb. 1352. Patr. Eccl. Ioh. de Bokyngham Prabendarius Nich. Andrew 24. Iulii 1357. Patr. Vic. Rector Eccl.
Aspes Pbr. 4. Cal. Oct. 1289. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Nich. de la More Cap. 17. Cal. Iunii 1324. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Ioh. Bakere Pbr. 22. Apr. 1338. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Thomas de Hales Pbr. 28. Aug. 1349. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Philippus de Wolvardinton Pbr. 5. Iulii 1357. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Will. de Harpecote Pbr. 11. Iulii 1357. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Will. de Peek Pbr. 17. Sept. 1370. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Thomas de Kirby Pbr. 8. Nov. 1402. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Will. Lawles Pbr. 8. Apr. 1427. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Cokkes 13. Aug. 1429. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Hogge Cap. 19. Oct. 1439. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Ioh. Ioys Cap. penult Martii 1462. Prior Hospit S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. D. Thomas Hessyl Cap. 2. Febr. 1469. Ioh. Beaufitz ar firmarius domus Praeceptoriae de Balshal sibi dimiss per Will. Torney Priorem Pr. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Angl. Rich. Enkeston Cap. penult Martii 1475. Prior Hospital S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Ioh. Weston Cap. 7. Apr. 1486. Fulbroke FOllowing the stream of Avon I come next to Fulbroke which perhaps had its name from the depth of the River there In the Conquerors time being possest by the Earl of Mellent it contained two hides having then a Mâ—ll rated at xii s. but the whole was valued at lx s. and held by one Alfled a woman in Edward the Confessors days But as Shirburne last spoke of with divers other lands that the said Earl of Mellent had in this Shire came to Henry de Newburgh his brother so did this of Fulbroke as it seems for in 23 H. 1. Roger Earl of Warwick son to the said Hâ—nry gave to his Collegiate Church at Warwick then newly founded half a hide of land and two parts of the Tithes of his demesn here as also two parts of the Tithes of the Mill and enfeoft Geffrey de Turvill or his father thereof for in 12 H. 2. Eaâ—l William his son certified that the said Geffrey held of him one Knights Fee de veteri feoffamento and in 10 R. 1. I find that William de Turvill possest it After which time till 20 H. 3. I have not met with any more mention of this place and then it appears that Simon de Turvill and Roger de Craft answered for half a Knights Fee here and in Wodecote which half Knights Fee in 36 H. 3. was held by Roger de Craft and Iohn Mâ—ce and in 52 H. 3. by Henry Hubaud How it comes to passe I cannot yet discover but plain it is that this Mannour about the beginning of Edw. 1. time was the inheritance of Isabell wife to William Gernun which William and Isabell in 11 E. 1. sold it to William de Hynkelee and Alice his wife and the heirs of the said William de Hynkelee reserving to themselves and their heirs two Messuages one Mill x s. rent and two yard land as also an annuity of six marks of silver yearly to be payd at the Feast of S. Michael the Arch-Angell together with the service of one Kts. Fee which said service of one Knights Fee and Rent of six marks with the homage and service due from Nicholas de VVarwick and Ioan his wife for the lands that he held in this Lordship the said VVilliam Gernun and Isabell granted to VVilliam de Sutton in 21 E. 1. And the next year following did the same Nicholas de Warwick Ioan his wife obtain the whole Mannour of Alice the widow of VVilliam de Hynkelee before specified in exchange for the Mannour of Stoke in Leicestershire whereof being so possest in 34 E. 1. he purchased of the King a Court-Leet here to himself and his heirs as also Assize of Bread and Beer Infangthef Gallows and Weyfs with other priviledges for all which he was to pay a certain Rent into the Exchequer yearly by the hands of the Shiriff for the time being Of this Nicholas his parentage I am not very certain though I find his name in these parts in the times of H. 2. King Iohn and H. 3. but of himself 't is apparent that he was a man learned in the Laws and Atturney generall to the King In 5 E. 1. he attended VVilliam de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in his Welch expedition In 24 E. 1. he was one of the Commissioners assigned to enquire after certain malefactors that had trespassed in the Earl of Warwick's Park at Studley in this Shire the said Earl being then in Scotland In 32 E. 1. one of the Justices of Assize and Gaol-delivery so also in 1. and 3. E. 2. and had issue two sons viz. Nicholas and VVill. which Nicholas was he that wedded Elizabeth the daughter and heir of Richard de Loges of Chesterton of whom I find nothing farther memorable than what I have observed in Chesterton except his going into Wales with divers other persons of quality in the Kings service in 15 E. 2. and that in 17 E. 2. he is in the list of thoâ—e Esquiers and men at Armes in this County whose names were then return'd into the Chancery But VVilliam de VVarwick his other son who bore for his Armes Sable 6. guttes Or had this Lordship though he kept it but a while for in 18 E. 2. it appears that Iohn de Hastings Lord Bergavenny died seized of it leaving Laurence his son and heir 5. years of age After which scil the next ensuing year it was inter alia assigned to Iulian then wife of Thomas le Blount as part of her dowrie by the death of the said Iohn de Hastings her former husband being then valued at xix li. xvii s. ii d. ob and in like sort was enjoyed by VVilliam de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon her third husband who held it of the King in Capite by the payment of vi s. ii d. per annum for all services the last of which family viz. of Hastings that enjoy'd it was Iohn de Hastings son and heir to Iohn Earl of Pembroke who dyed seized thereof in 13 R. 2. without issue leaving Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin his cosin and next heir as the descent in Fillongley sheweth But by the entail of Hasting's lands whereof in Fillongley I have also spoke it came to William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny a younger brother to the Earl of Warwick for I find that Ioan his Lady built a sumptuous Gatehouse here Hospitium nobilis Domini satis habile ut Duci suo adventu complaceret saith Rous as also a Lodge called by
Wasperton Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Magr. Sim. de Balyndon 3. Non. Apr. 1284. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Magr. Nigellus le Waleys Cler. 9. Cal. Iunii 1290. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Hugo de Babington 3. Id. Apr. 1293. D. Episcopus Wigorniae D. Walt. de Morton Subdiac Non. Sept. 1305. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Magr. Rob. de Chigewell Cler. 18. Iunii 1341. D. Episcopus Wigorniae D. Sym. de Geynesburgh 23. Sept. 1346. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Thomas de Mershton 1. Iunii 1356. D. Episcopus Wigorniae Magr. Ric. de Cleanger 9. Maii 1361. Ric. Rex Angl. Ioh. Parkere Cap. 3. Apr. 1382. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Thomas Fladbury Pbr. 10. Aug. 1389. D. Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. Burbache 17. Sept. 1389. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Ric. Clifford Pbr. 4. Maii 1402. D. Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. Wareyn Cap. 5. Maii 1414. D. Episc. Wigorn. Magr. Edw. Prentys Cler. 14. Febr. 1425. D. Episc. Wigorn. Henr. Sharpe Legum Doctor 20. Dec. 1460. Magr. Ric. Ewer in S. Theol. Bac. virtute advoc per I. Bel Episc. Wig. T. Heneage mil. aliis concess Magr. Rob. Haldesworth S. Theol. Decret Doctor 9. Nov. 1508. Magr. Ric. Ewer in S. Theol. Bac. virtute advoc per I. Bel Episc. Wig. T. Heneage mil. aliis concess Magr. Ioh. Iolyffe in S. Theol. Bac. 24. Sept. 1556. Thomas Lucy de Cherlecote mil. Ric. Hill Cler. 13. Dec. 1586. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Walt. de Morton Rector Adam de Utlicote 8. Cal. Nov. 1308. D. Rob. de Chilwell Rector D. Ric. de Wykingeston Subdiac 17. Cal. Apr. 1342. D. Rob. de Chilwell Rector D. Ric. Toky Pbr. 8. Maii 1342. Rector ejusdem Ecc. Walt. Mullewarde 12. Cal. Aug. 1367. Magr. Ioh. Burbache Rector D. Ric. Ferne Pbr. 11. Apr. 1402. Ioh. Tissebury Rector Ric. de Chelmescote Cap. 22. Oct. 1410. Rector Ejusdem Eccl. D. Ric. Wodehous Cap. 5. Dec. 1416. Hatton super Avon THis had its name originally from the Heath neer which is stood and being a member of Hampton past with it to Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and since that to the Lucies of Cherlecote as the Records which I have cited in Hampton will manifest but it hath been antiently depopulated as our Countreyman Rous intimates Hunscote THis is also in the Parish of Hampton super Avon but long since depopulated The first mention I find of it is in 8. Ioh. where it appears that William de Ludinton impleaded VValter fitz Raph for half a hide of land lying therein who very shortly after past away all his interest here unto Thomas de Erdinton of whom in Erdinton I have spoke which Thomas dyed seized thereof in 2 H. 3. whereupon it was committed to the custody of William Marshall Earl of Pembroke From this T. de Erdinton it descended to Henry his great grandchild who in 7 E. 1. was certified to be joint Lord thereof with one William de Bladintone holding it of Margery de Cantilupe of whom in Aven-Drsset I have made mention by the third part of a Knights Fee the said Margery holding it over of Theobald de Verdon and he of the Earl of Warwick It was also then found that the said Henry held at that time one carucate of land here of Will. de Stafford and he of the said Margery c. Which Henry in 23 E. 3. did his homage to the said W. de Stafford then of Bromshull in Com. Staff for the lands lying here so held of him as hath been said viz. 1. mess. and 4. yard land in demesn and two yard land in Villenage acknowledging that he held them of him by the xii th part of a Knights Fee and declaring it to be a member of Amulcote in Stafford-shire having been so granted to his Ancestour Thomas by the before specified Walt. fil Radulfi as above is exprest All which continued in the family of Erdington for divers ages as by severall authorities is manifest but this was not the whole Mannour for in 10 H. 6. it appeareth that Thomas Erdington Esquier had but a part thereof and one Thomas Muston the residue who in that Record is stiled Dominus de Huntescote Both which parts about King E. 4. time as I guesse were purchased by Sir William Lucy of Cherlecote Knight for I find that he dyed seised thereof in 7 H. 7. leaving Edmund his son and heir whose posterity doe still enjoy it Alveston THis lying on the other side the River pertained to the Church of Worcester long before the Norman Conquest for I find that Bishop Oswold granted unto Eadric his God-father three mess. lying in this place to hold for his own life and to two such others as he should assign them unto but after that to return unto the said Church of Worcester In that grant bearing date in the year DCCCLXVI it is written Eanulfestune which shews that the name originally sprung from some antient possessor thereof Eanulfus having been an appellation very frequent in those elder times but after this it was injuriously taken and withheld from the Bishops by certain great men for the space of many years untill that S. Wolstan the venerable Bishop of that See purchased it for a large summe of money of King VVilliam the Conquerour and gave it to the Monks of that place in the third year of King VVilliam Rufus as by his grant appeareth which for the solennity of it I have here inserted Ego Wlstanus gracia Dei Wigorniensis Ecclesiae Pontifex Monasterium S. Dei genitricis Mariae à piae memoriae beato scil Oswaldo praedecessore meo in sede Episcopali constructum majori honore dignitate amplificare cupiens non solùm in Ecclesiae constructione ordinatione verùm etiam Monachorum ibidem Deo famulantium illud locupletare studui augmentatione Quod utrumque Dei omnipotent is miseratio per me servum suum adimplere ex parte dignata est Nam cum à me paulo plus quam xii inventi fuissent fratres usque ad quinquaginta à me ibi congregati sunt in eodem Monasterio Dei mancipati servicio Unde factum est ut sicut numerum fratrum ita etiam ad eorum opus augere opportunum duximus possessiones terrarum Consilio ergo inito cum optimatibus meis terram quandam xv hidarum quae Alfestun ab incolis nominatur multo tempore à quibusdam potentibus hominibus injustè possessam maximo labore pecuniae donatione à Rege Willielmo seniore adquisivi adquisitam verò ad victum eorundem fratrum in eodem Monasterio Deo servientium dedi eamque super Altare S. Dei genitricis Mariae pro remedio animae meae atque ejusdem Regis filiique sui Willielmi similiter Regis in testimonio tam optimatum ejus meorum quà m
William This Peter was a most devout man for to the Monks of Bordsley he gave lands in Hilborough To the Knights Templars the Mill here at Stodley and certain lands besides And moreover was the pious Founder of that Monastery for Canons Regular here in Studley whereof together with its particular endowments benefactors and dissolution I shall speak by and by But to him succeeded Peter his son heir who left very little here to his descendants for it 2 Ioh. he sold to his Tenants of this Mannour all his wood called the Haye to the intent that they and their heirs should have Common of Pasture therein for their Cattell saving onely to himself and his heirs the paunage and agistment for Hoggs Besides this it appears that he gave to Henry de Montfort Lord of Beldesert a large proportion of lands here with Emme his daughter in Frank marriage and likewise divers tenements and particular parcells of ground in exchange for that which the said Henry recovered at Hildeburgewerthe now Hilborough in the Kings Court at Westminster by a triall at Law And moreover to Thurstan Montfort son to the said Henry the intire Park of Stodley with severall other tenements So that accounting also the homage and services of certain particular Tenants in this place which together with the advouson and patronage of the Priory he granted to William de Cantilupe I do not find that he left his posterity much more than the bare name of the Mannour for those of the Inhabitants here that held of Cantilupe by reason of the grant to him so made as aforesaid appeared at his Court-Leet for Aston-Cantilupe and did partake with the Tenants of that Mannour in sundry other priviledges Of the particulars which Montfort had here I find this mention in 24 E. 1. Upon the Extent of Iohn de Montfort's lands viz. that he had ix s yearly Rent payable from five Freeholders at the Feasts of S. Michael and the Annunciation of our Lady as also a Park and a certain Meadow held of the Earl of Warwick by the fourth part of a Knights Fee which Park was then in the hands of the said Earl as it seems for that very year did there a Commission issue out to certain persons to enquire who those were that had entred therein and killed his Deer But these came at length to William Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in such sort as the Castle of Beldesert and town of Henley did As to what the Templars had here the extent thereof upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was signified to be one mess. one carucate of land ten acres of meadow two Mills and xxx s. Rent all which he had seized into his hands and held during his life as superior Lord of the Fee upon the suppression of that Order in 4 E. 2. But it was not long after that the Knights Hospitalars possest the same with the rest of the Templars lands as in Balshall shall be manifested That which the heirs of Cantilupe had here was held of them by the third part of a Knights Fee Iohn the son of William de la Hay to holding it of Iohn de Hastings Lord Bergavenny in 18 E. 2. from whom it came to William Beauchamp before specified with much more of Hastings lands And touching the Mannour the substance of what else I have seen is that Peter Corbison in 29 E. 3. enfeoft the then Vicar of Studley therein together with pasturage for a Horse called a Hackney in a meadow there known by the name of Castle-meadow to be tyed and flitted with an iron chain from the Feast of the Purification of our Lady untill the said meadow should be mowed reserving an yearly Rent of three broad Arrow heads to the chief Lord of the Fee for all services Which Peter Corbison had issue one only daughter and heir called Felicia married to Iohn Barret of Shelfhull unto whom the said Vicar of Studley past the premisses in 9 R. 2. which Iohn and Felicia left also a daughter and heir wedded to ..... Atwood who had onely issue Female one whereof became the wife of ... Hunt in H. 8. time from whom .... Hunt who now possesseth the site of the before specified Castle derives his descent The Church being given to the Canons of Studley upon the Foundation of that Monastery as shall anon be shewed and in anno 1291. 19 E 1. valued at xv marks and a half was very antiently appropriated to the Priory here and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge rated at viii li. not in Tithes but a meer stipend payable by the Canons to the Incumbent for the time being Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Adam de Hemburi Pbr 4. Id. Iulii 1290. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Adam de Stodley Pbr. 12. Cal. Iulii 1293. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Nich. de la Sale Pbr. 3. Id. Dec. 1338. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Ioh. de Walton Pbr. 3. Dec 1345. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Rob. de Ordelescote 4. Iulii 1354. D. Episcopus Henr. de Geydon Pbr. 14. Dec. 1362. Prior Conventus de Stodleg Thomas Newman Pbr. 6. Martii 1364. Prior Conventus de Stodleg Petrus Dycones Pbr. 13. Ian. 1375. Prior Conventus de Stodleg D. Ioh. Litster alias Tiyhill Pbr. 16. Aug. 1414. D. Episc. per lapsum Ioh. Campion Pbr. 23. Dec. 1437. Prior Conv. de Stodleg Rob. Ekynton Pbr. 14. Nov. 1438. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Ioh. Morton Canon 26. Apr. 1458. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Milo Sheghe Cap. 2. Iunii 1461. Prior Conv. de Stodleg D. Thomas Dawes Cap. 13. Aug. 1479. D. Episcopus Magr. Rob. Knowles S. Theol. Dr. 6. Aug. 1536. Edm. Knightley miles D. Ric. Kylmar 14. Sept. 1541. Ioh. Knotsford de majori Malvern unus servien D. Regis ad Arma Iana ejus conjux una haered Edm. Knightley mil. D. Ioh Coxetur Pbr. 23. Sept. 1546. Ioh. Knotsford de majori Malvern unus servien D. Regis ad Arma Iana ejus conjux una haered Edm. Knightley mil. Rob. Dowse Cler. 21. Martii 1550. In this Church there hath been a Chantry founded in 7 H. 4. by Thomas Middlemore of Edgbaston for a certain Priest to sing Masse daily at the Altar of the blessed Virgin on the South part of the same Church for the good estate of him the said Thomas during this life and the health of his soul after his departure hence as also for the souls of his Father and mother and all the faithfull deceased Which Chantry was endowed with Lxxx. acres of land x. acres of meadow and xiii s. iv d. yearly Rent lying in Studley above mentioned the revenues whereof in 26 H. 8. were rated
viz. in anno DCCXIV it being then inter alia given to the Monastery of Evesham by Egwin Bishop of Worcester upon the Foundation thereof and in the Conquerors Survey certified to be parcell of the lands belonging to that Monastery at which time it contained three hides valued at xxx s. the woods extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth The Monks of which House clayming a Court-Leet here with other priviledges in 13 E. 1. by Prescription which were allowed continued owners thereof till the dissolution of that Monastery After which King H. 8. by his Letters Patent bearing date 10. Dec. in 32. of his reign sold it by the name of the Mannour of Samburne to Robert Throkmorton Esquier and his heirs by whom with Coughton beforementioned it is possest at this day Wike THis was originally a member of Coughton for ought I could ever discern But the most antient mention I find of it is in H. 3. time where it appeareth that Constance the daughter of Will. de Parco had lands therein given with her by her father in Frank marriage unto Simon de Cocton After which scil in 6 H. 3. there was a Fine levied of half a hide of land here betwixt Robert de Verdun Plantiff and the said Simon and Constance Deforc. But all that I have else seen of this place is that in 32 E. 3. Will. de Peto released to Nich. de Lichfield Clerke and his heirs all his right therein where it is called the Mannour of Wike lying in the town and fee of Cokton Howbeit there are few at this day that know where it lyes it being totally depopulated and included within Coughton Parke Spernall PAssing to the other side of Arrow I come next to Spernall antiently written Spernoure This in the Conquerors time being in the possession of William Buenvasleth and held of him by one Hugh was then rated at two hides having a Mill of 4 s. besides 7. stickes of Ecles all which with the extent of the woods containing three furlongs in length and one in breadth was valued at xl s. I am of opinion that this with the rest of those lands which the said William Buenvasleth had in Warwickshire came by some agreement to Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line for plain it is that the antient Earls of that stock were Lords of it and that the Durvassals had a grant thereof from one of them to hold in Sergeanty viz. by the service of giving attendance upon the Earl and his heirs at the Castle of Warwick or at their Mannour-houses of Claverdon Tanworth and Sutton at which of them he or they should happen to reside upon Christmass-day Easter-day and Whitsun-day then and there to perform the service of Chief Butler at those times and receive a certain fee for the same Will. Durvassall Joh. Durvassall miles 26. H. 3. Will. Durvassall duxit Agnetem fil Walteri de Cherlecote Rog. Durvassall miles 29 H. 3. Philippus Durvassall Felicia filia Thomae de Camvile domini de Arrow Thomas Durvassall 7 E. 1. Margeria relicta 2 E. 3. Ioh. Durvassall 4 E. 3. Sibilla relicta 23 E. 3. Nich. Durvassall fil haeres obiit s. prole Roesia relicta 36 E. 3. Will. Durvassall 49 E. 3. Margareta filia cohaeres ....... Iohanna filia haeraes uxor Henrici Beaumont Iocosa Girardus 14 E. 1. Thomas 14 E. 1. Philippus Durvassall Eva primò nupta Rob. de Ewenlode postea Rob. de Bagindene Odo Durvassall The first of which family that I have met with from any good authority is William Durvassall whose antiquity is no lesse than H. 2. time as I guesse for I find that Iohn Durvassall his son and successor had great imployment in this County from 11 H. 3. sometimes as a Justice of Assize and sometimes of Gaol-delivery and that in 16 H. 3. he was constituted one of the Commissioners for assessing and collecting from the Inhabitants of this Shire the fourtieth part of all their movable goods for the Kings service In 19 H. 3. a Commissioner with Iohn de Lodbroc for assessing a Tallage upon all the Kings demesn lands in this County excepting Burroughs Towns and Cities In 25 H. 3. associated with the Shiriff and some eminent persons to see what defects were in the King's Castles within this Shire and in 26 H. 3. assisted the said Shiriff and others in the executing a Commission for assessing and imposing the quantity and quality of Armes upon the Inhabitants thereof as also for conservation of the peace About which time likewise I find that he was a Knight and Steward to Thomas Earl of Warwick as also a benefactor to the Monastery of Wotton-Wawen by granting thereto certain lands lying in Bulkeley neere Henley in Arden To which Iohn succeeded Sir Roger Durvassall Knight and to him Philip who had issue Thomas as the descent sheweth which Thomas was one of the Coroners in this County about the beginning of E. 2. time But there is little else memorable that I have seen relating to this family the issue male whereof extinguished about the later end of E. 3. time and therefore to make a perfect discovery how the succession of this Mannour past through the female branches is beyond my skill forasmuch as I find some contradiction in the severall Records relating thereto some of them making good the descent as it is here drawn and others shewing that one William Spernore who dyed about the fift year of King Henry the 4. was seized thereof as Tenant for terme of life the reversion pertaining to Walter Holt as son and heir of Alianore daughter of Nicholas Durvassall Nor what this William Spernore was do I yet know for he is written also Will. Durvassall dominus de Spernore but he was a man of some note in that time for in 5 R. 2. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster so also in 7 R. 2. in the Parliament held at Salisbury In 8 R. 2. he was one of the Commissioners of Array in this County And in 18. again one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster But leaving his parentage thus uncertain I shall descend to the next possessor of this Mannour viz. Walter Holt before specified then in minority and son to Iohn Holt of Yardley who accomplishing his full age in 5 H. 4. had livery thereof and shortly after enfeoft Iohn Reve Vicar of Coughton thereof who departing this life before the estate was past out of him Thomas Reve his brother became intitled thereto as his heir which Thomas quitted all his right therein unto William Wybbe Esquier and his heirs as by his Deed bearing date the Wednsday next after Easter 7 H. 6. appeareth But it was
through the heir female but by virtue of a speciall Entail made by Iohn de Hastings E. of Pembroke son and heir to the before specified Laurence whereof in Fillongley I shall speak was setled together with the Castle and Honour of Bergavenny and other large possessions upon Sir Will. de Beuchamp K t second son to Thomas E. of Warwick and his heirs Which William bearing the title of Lord Bergavenny dyed seized thereof in 12 H. 4. from whom it descended to Ric. Beauchamp Earl of Worcester his son and heir whose daughter and heir Elizabeth being wedded to Sir Edw. Nevill Knight a younger son to Raph Earl of Westmerland thenceforth summoned to Parl. as Lord Bergavenny brought it with other lands of a large extent to that noble Family wherein it hath ever since continued being enjoy'd by the right honourable Iohn Lord Bergavenny at this day The Church dedicated to St. Iohn Bapt. being given to the Canons of Studley as I have formerly intimated by the last Will. de Cantilupe in H. 3. time was in an 1291 19 E. 1. valued at xxxiii marks which grant did not stand so firme but that the heirs of Cantilupe repossest it again for in 24 E. 1. it appears that the said Canons granted to Iohn de Hastings then Lord of this Mannour lands to the value of xiii li. per an lying here in exchange for the said advouson Nay I find that after this the Family of Hastings being potent had it again from the said Canons for in 19 E. 3. did Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke passe it away to Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon and his heirs who immediately thereupon gave it to the Priory of Makstoke then newly by him founded whereupon the Canons of Mackstoke obtained License from the K. for appropriating it to their House which appropriation was accordingly accomplisht the same year by VVolstan then Bishop of Worcester as by his Instrument dated at Blocklegh 4 Oct. appeareth and confirmed by his Chapter by reason whereof they had a yearly Pension of xiii s. iiii d. payable on the Feast day of the Annunciation of our Lady granted to them In which year was likewise an Ordination of the Vicaridge But notwithstanding all this it so fell out afterwards that the Canons of Studley by colour of their originall title got into the possession thereof again whereupon great suits arose betwixt those of Mackstoke and them yet in the end they of Makstoke prevailed who to strengthen their title had the King's confirmation in 5 H. 4. For which they gave a Fine of Lxxi li. xi s. that they might enjoy it according to the tenor of the appropriation thereof so made to them as aforesaid In 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at x li. at which time the Synodalls and Procurations issuing out of it were x s. v d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Alianora Regina Angliae Rad. de Alemannia Cler. 8. Id. Dec. 1277. D. Ioh de Hastings D. Will. de Stratford Cap. 2. Cal. Maii 1295. D. Ioh de Hastings Ioh. de Brom Accol 14 Cal. Ian. 1299. D. Ioh de Hastings Aegid de Baggeshoure Cler. 15 Cal. Apr. 1305. D. Rad. de Monthehermerii Mr. Ioh. Mauduit 4 Non. Oct. 1319. Nobilis mulier Isabella de Hastings Will. de Beresord Cler. 23 Apr. 1328. Nobilis mulier Isabella de Hastings Rob. Mauduit Cler. 2 Cal. Iulii 1330. Patroni Vicariae Prior Conv. de Makstoke Nich. de Sheldon Pbr. 17 Iulii 1339. Prior Conv. de Makstoke D. Adam de Overton Pbr. 14 Sept. 1345. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Ric. de VValford Pbr. 14 Sept. 1361. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Rob. de â—irchesley Non. Febâ— 1365. Prior Conv. de Makstoke Ric. Pulâ—eney Pbr. 22 Nov. 1369. Patroni Ecclesiae Henr. Rex Angl. per recuperat juris ad praesent de Pr. C. de Studley Thomas Burdet Cler. 25 Iunii 1402. Pr. Conv. de Studley Thomas Shelford Cler. 12 Maii 1403. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke Thomas Lucas Pbr. 15 Nov. 1407. Patroni Vicariae Pr. Conv. de Makstoke D. VVill. Drewe Cap. 27 Sept. 1409. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke D. Henr. Hurle Cap. 28 Apr. 1410. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke D. VVill. Andrew Cap. 23 Martii 1423. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke Ioh. Barun ult Maii 1425. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke D. Ioh. Salwey Cap. 18 Aug. 1427. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke D. Ioh. Hende Cap. 16 Aug. 1457. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke D. Rog. Felawe Cap. 4 Aug. 1469. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke D. Rog. Montgombry Cap. 12 Ian. 1484. Pr. Conv. de Makstoke D. Thomas Berton Cap. 16 Iunii 1486. D. Episc. per lapsum D. Rogerus ........ 8 Apr. 1491. Pr. Conv. de Coventre Petrus Irlam Cap. 23 Febr. 1531. H. Dux Suff. D. Franc. ux ejus D. Marg. Clifford Will Stanley miles cohaer Caroli D. Suff. VVill Burton Cler. 20 Dec. 1553â— Thomas Chapman ratione concess W. Stanley mil. D. Rad. Brock Pbr. 25 Sept. 1557. D. Episc. per lapsum Thom. Clerke Cler. 15 Oct. 1560 Henr. 8. Rex Angl. c. D. Thomas King Pbr. 23 Feb. 1536. Ric. Wright de Clopton sen. gen VVill. Tomlinson Cler. 29 Iulii 1622. In this Church there was antiently a certain Fraternity or Gild consisting of the Parishioners only being founded by them to the honour of God and the blessed Virgin but it had no lawfull establishment till 9 E. 4. at which time upon the humble Petition of the Inhabitants License was granted to Sir Edw. Nevill Knight then Lord of the Mannour that he should so settle and order the same as that there might be a certain Priest maintained there to celebrate divine service daily at the Altar of the blessed Virgin in the said Church for the good estate of the said K. Edw. 4. and Eliz. his Consort as also for the Brethren and Sisters of that Fraternitie during this life and for their souls after their departure hence and the souls of all the faithfull deceased which accordingly was effected and lands disposed thereunto for that purpose valued at vii li. ix s. ii d. ob per an in 37 H. 8. Armes depicted on the roof of the Chancell Gules a fesse betwixt six Crosse Crosslets Or. Beauchamp E. of Warwick Argent 3 Crosse Crosslets fiche sable upon a cheif Azure a Mullet and a Rose Or. Argent 6 Crosse Crosslets fichè Sable upon a cheif Azure two Mullets Or. Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Wilmecote IN the Conqueror's time Osbernus fil Richardi possest this place it being then certified to contain three hides which were valued at Lxs. and at that time held of him by one Urso but before the Norman invasion
prec xl d. Another Auter cloth steynet prec xvi d. Three Twayles prec xviii d. Four other Auter cloths without fronts one prâ—c xx d. a piece Another prec xii d. the third prec vi d. the 〈◊〉 prec iiii d. Two Cruets prec vi d. Two Paxbâ—eâ—es prec iiii d. Three pieces of old silk for the images prec xl d. A Cofer in the Chapel prec v s. Another Cofer in Sir Thomas Bromley's Chamber prec ii â— A folet of thrid also a gret portvos prec C s. A vestment of the Cheyspel of purple silk prec xxxiii s. iiii d. A Chalice with patyn and Spoâ—e prec xxvi s. viii d. and this Boke vestment and Chalice were yeâ—ven by Sire Henry Wastneys Priest And also a new Missale prec ix marks yeven by Sire Roger Bugge Priest In 26 H. 8. the value of the lands and tenements belonging thereto was esteemed at Ci s. Sir Thomas Allen and Sir Iohn Grene Priests being then Wardens thereof But in 37 H. 8. the value of these Chantries was divided that of the first by the name of Prima Cantaria beatae Mariae in parochia S. Martini rated at Cxv s. xi d. ob over and above all reprises and the other by the name of Secunda Cantaria in praedicta parochia at vi li. iiii d. ob And after the dissolution of them by the Statute of 1 E. 6. the lands belonging to the later were in 4 E. 6. granted out of the Crown to Will. Morice of Cheping-Angre in Essex Esquire and Edw. Isaak of Welle in Kent and their heirs And in 7 E. 6. those appertaining to the other sold to Kenelm and Iohn Throkmorton Esquires Sutton HAving now done with Bermingham and tracing Rhea through the Parish of Aston I come to its confluence with Tame following which River about two miles lower I find the accession of a pretty torrent from the North west at the head whereof stands Sutton being a large Parish but a barren soil and containeth divers Hamlets and places of note viz. Wigginshill Maney Hillâ— Little Sutton Warmley Langley Newhall and Pedimore of all which in their order That this Sutton was originally so called from â—ts situation there is no doubt and therefore as it stands South to Lichfield I am inclin'd to believe that the name at first arose In Edw. the Confesâ—or's days Edwine Earl of Mercia was owner of it but after the Norman invasion the Conqueror held it in his own hands as appeareth by the generall Survey shortly after made wherein it is rated at viii hides the Woods extending to two miles in length and one in breadth and all valued at 4 l. But it continued not long in the Crown for I find that K. H. 1. past it away in exchange unto Roger Earl oâ— Warwick for the Mannours of Hocham and Langham in Rutland Habendum tenendum dicium Manerium de Sutton saith my authoritie dicto Rogero Comiti haeredibus ejus cum omni libertate regalitate sine sectis ad Hundredum sine solutione Scutagii vel alicuius forinseci servitii cum libero Chaceo inter Thame Bourne quae dividunt libertatem dicti Manerii ab aliis Et habeat dictus Rogerus haeredes sui unum Parcum unam liberam Hayam in defensione Et habeant liberam Curiam suam ad voluntatem in omnibus liberis consuetudinibus cum visu Franci plegii Item habeant boscum forinsecum communem libere tenentibus sine Ripario Item habeant in dominico duas Carucatas terrae â—num molendinum aquaticum cum sectis Item habeant Octodecem Cervos non nobiles But it doth not appear by this that any yearly Rent was reserved to the King his heirs and successors upon the said Exchange therefore 't is probable that by some other Agreement with that King or King H. 2. it might be For in the Shiriffs Accompt of 23.24 and 25 H. 2. there is xxxix s. per an answered to the King de Firma de Sutton In 26 H. 2. xvii s. x d. de porquisitis In 30 H. 2. xxxix s. de Firma In 31 H. 2. Lii s. de Firma and in 1 R. 1. iiii l. de Firma howbeit in these two last 't is like some arrears are accounted in regard that xxxix s. was the standing Rent or Ferm formerly due The next thing in order to be spoke of is the Chase whereof the bounds extended as by the before recited authoritie is evident to the banks of Thame and Bourne which Rivers are described by the Map and so consequently out of the bounds of this Countie aswell as into other Lordships within it that are no members of Sutton To give some reason therefore for this I have look't further into the antiquitie thereof and do find that whilst this Lordship continued in the King's hand that which afterwards bore the name of the Chase was then a Forest and this appears by a speciall Inquisition taken in 3 E. 2. where the Jury say upon their Oaths that they had heard their Ancestors affirm the same For that the antient King 's of England before they limited themselves by Carta de Foresta in 9 H. 3. might and did make Forests where they pleased Manwood in his treatise of Forest Laws whereunto I refer my Reader doth sufficiently declare And here before I proceed further I have thought fit to insert a Copie of the bounds of this Chase as by the before-specified Inquisition they are set down Sez sount lez boundes trovez de la Chace de Sottone en Colfelde se commencez à la teste de Bourne dekes à la Boltestile dekes tank à la Tindit hoc dekes tank à Mosewall dekes tank à le Holebrok dekes tank a le Thame dekes tank a Wolford brugge dekes tank a Schrafford brugge dekes tank a Wyford dekes tank a la teste de Bourne Most of which places if not all are I am sure very well known at this day That the Earl of Warwick so held it with all privileges thereto antiently belonging may appear by sundry testimonies some of which I shall here point at About the beginning of K. Iohn's time the Lord Basset of Draiton a great Baron in these parts erected a Park at Draiton-Basset which being within the precincts of this Chase and questioned by Waleran then Earl of Warwick necessitated the said Lord Basset rather than he would pull down his pales again to come to an Agreement with the Earl which accord was in 3 Iâ—â— and because 't is very memorable I will here recite it Haec est finalis concordia inter Comitem Waleranum de Warewic querentem Radulfum Basset tenentem de una sepe in Draiton quam idem Comes dixit fuisse levatam ad nocumentum Forestae suae de Colmesfeld unde placitum conventionis summonitum est inter eos coram Iusticiariis
inheritance appertaining to Amicia the wife of Iohn le Lou one of the coheirs being past away unto Queen Alianore then wife of Edward 1. King of England as in Hampton hath likewise been intimated it was totally possest by that Queen and after her death in 20 E. 1. given together with the Mannours of Ardens-Grafton and Langdon and certain lands lying in Alspath Buleye Hulverleye Witlakesfeldâ— Kinwaldesheye Nuthurst and Didington all in this Countie as also with the Mannours of Briddebrok in Essex Westerham and Edulnebrugge in Kent and Turveston in Buckinghamshire to the Monks of Westminster upon condition that the Abbot Prior and Covent of that House or the Prior and Covent if the Abbot should be out of the way upon the Eve of S. Andrew the Apostle on which day the said Queen's Anniversary had used to be kept being solemnly revested in the Quire of that Monasterie should sing a Placebo and Dirige with nine Lessons C. wax Candles weighing xii li. a piece being then burning about her Tombe and every year new ones made for that purpose And furthermore that those Wax-Candles should be lighted at the Placebo and Dirige on the Eve of the same Anniversarie and burn on the day thereof till high Masse were ended And that all the Bells both great and small then ringing they should sing solemnly for her souls health And moreover that on the day of her said Anniversary the Abbot himself in case he were present or the Prior in his stead if he could not procure a more eminent Prelate should sing Masse at the high Altar the Candles then burning and Bells ringing and every single Monk of that Abby a private Masse the inferior Monks their whole Psalter and the Friers Converts of that House the Lords Prayer Creed and Aves as many as the Abbot and Covent should appoint for her soul and the souls of all the faithfull deceased And that likewise the said Prior and Covent and their successors on the same day to distribute unto every poor Body repairing to that Monasterie one penny sterling or money to that value staying till three of the clock expecting their coming before they should begin the Dole which was to be unto seven-score poor people And that of the Waxen Tapers before specified xxx to remain all the year long about the said Queens Tombe till the renewing of them on the day of her Anniversary all which to be lighted upon the great Festivall days and upon the coming of any Noble men thither and as often else as they should see fit And moreover that the said Abbot Prior and Covent and their successors should find two waxen Lights each of them weighing two pounds of wax to burn continually at the Tombe of the said Queen All which being performed the surplusage of the revenue issuing out of these lands to remain for their Pâ—ttances to be provided according as themselves should best like And for the more strict observance hereof every Abbot successively before the restitution of his temporalties to take a solemn Oath for observance of the premisses And that every year upon S â— Andrew's Eve the said King's Charter to be publiquely read in the Chapter-House in the presence of the whole Covent which Charter bears date at Barwick upon Twedâ— 20 Oct. 20 E. 1. The Monks of Westminster being thus possest thereof leased it for life in 34 E. 1. to Raph de Perham but after that time retained it in their own hands for ought I have seen to the contrary untill the generall dissolution of the Religious Hâ—uses by Kâ—ng H. 8. and then Westminster being made a Bishoprick as is very well known this Mannour inter alia became annext unto it but long it continued not so for in 4 E. 6. it was converted to a Deanrieâ— with secular Canons and the jurisdiction of the Bishop united to London Nicholas Ridley being then Bishop unto whom and his successors the same King Edw. 6. by his Patent dated 12. Apr. that very year gave and confirmed this Mannour which grant was afterwards ratified by Queen Mary But in 2 Eliz. there being a Commission for the reassumption of divers lands from the said Bishoprick at which time this Lorship came to the Queens hands it was in 15. Eliz. granted to Robert Earl of Leicester and his heirs which Earl in 23 Eliz. past it a way again in exchange for other lands unto the same Queen so that being thus in the Crown Sir Fulk Grevill Knâ—ght Lord Brook in consideration of his service as the Patent expresseth obtained it in Fee form of King Iames in 20. of his reign to be held of the Mannour of East-Greenwich for the Rent of Lxvii li. xvi s. viii d. per annum The Colledge ABout the later end of Ric. 2. time Walter Cook a Canon of Lincolne bearing a speciall affection to this place considering that it stood distant above a mile from the parish-Church did for the health of his own and his parents souls at his proper costs erect a fair Chapell here with a Tower-Steeple and Bells all in his Fathers own land to the honour of S. Iohn Baptist S. Laurence the Martyr and S. Anne adding also a Church-yard thereto purposing to endow the same Chapell with maintenance sufficient for one secular Priest to celebrate divine service therein so as that there should thenceforth be a Font for Baptizing of all Infants to be born within this Hamlet of Knolle and all persons there deceasing to be buried in that Church-yard For performance whereof he obtained a speciall Bull from Pope Boniface the ixth wherein was contained an Indulgence for seven days of their enjoyned Penance to all such as having made a true confession and were heartily sorâ—y for their sins and repairing yearly out of devotion thither on the Festivalls of our Saviour's Nativity Circumcision Epiphanie Resurrection and Ascension Corpus Christi day and Pentecost As also on the Nativity Annunciation Purification and Assumption of the blessed Virgin Nâ—tivity of S. Iohn Baptist S. Peter and Paul S. Anne and S. Laurence and on the Feast day of the said Chapells Dedication and All Hallown day or on the Octaves of those Feasts and for six days immediatly ensuing the said Feast of Pentecost should confer something towards the repair of the same upon every of those Holy days for the space of seven years which Indulgence bears date at S. Peâ—â—râ— in Rome â—viii Cal. Dec. in the ninth year of his Papacie scil 21 R 2. To second which Bâ—ll was there a speciall License granted to the Inhabitants here residing by Iohn Burghill Bishop oâ— Coventry and Lichfield in 1 H. 4. â—â—nchâ—ng the celebration of Dâ—vine Service therein by any sitting Prâ—ests For confirmation oâ— whith Chapell so built together with the Churchyard before specified there being a speciall Patent made by King H. 4. dated 18. Nov. in the fourth year of his reign License was
But none of them had better advantages for his faithfull services than the before mentioned Simon for in the first year of that King's reign he obtained the Stewardship of severall Lordships in com Rutl. viz. Upâ—ingham Preston Barowghdon Esenden and Greteham and all the lands in that Countie which had belonged to George D. of Clarence to hold during life and the like Office together with the Receiver-ship for the Mannour of Bedale in Yorkshire And having in the second been a Commander in the King's Army at the battail of Stoke had in consideration of his acceptable services a grant of the Mannour of Ravysbury in the Parish of Micham in Surrey and to the heirs male of his body in which the said King calls him dilectus serviens noster and the next year ensuing bestowed on him the Office of Comptroller of his petty Customes in the Port of London as also the Forestership of Thornewodes in Shirewood formerly conferred upon him by K. Edw. 4 th And in 11 H. 7. this Lordship of Colshill as I have already observed After which viz. in 12 H. 7. I find that he had a Commission to exercise Marshall-Law in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall against divers malefactors and that in 22 H. 7. he was first in Commission for the Peace in this Countie in 23 for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 1 and 9 H. 8. underwent the Shiriffaltie of this Countie and Leicestershire as also that by his Testament bearing date 22 Aug. 9 H. 8. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Chancell here at Colshill under the Tombe made by himself in his life-time which still remaineth and departed this life 24 Feb. 12 H. 8. leaving issue by Alice his wife daughter and heir to Iohn Waleys of Est-Raddon in com Devon Esq. Reginald Digby his son and heir Which Alice by her last Will and Testament bearing date ult Nov. 12 H. 8. gave a messuage here in Colshill of the yearly value of xxxviii s. viii d. and the Rent of vi s. viii d. issuing out of other lands as also one acre of land lying in Colemeadow within the said Mannour of Colshill to the intent that the issues and profits of the same should be distributed after this manner viz. every day in the year immediatly after the sacring of the high Mass in the Church of Colshill and at the end of the same Altar where the said Mass should so happen to be sung to a Child viz. male or female whose parents are Householders dwelling within the Parish and under the age of ix years that can and will before the said sacring kneel down at the said Altars end and say five Pater nosters five Aves and a Creide for the soul of Simon Digby her late husband hers her Childrens and all Christen-souls a peny of silver sterling beginning first at the House next to the Church and so in order passing on from House to House till all be gone through And to the Dean of the said Church for the time being yearly for his labour and diligence in seeing the said Prayers so performed and himself also saying at the said time a Pater noster an Ave and a Creed for the souls abovesaid the yearly summe of vi s. vâ—â—i d. And that the remainder shall be to maintain a solemn Obit in the said Church for the souls abovesaid with the number of three Priests whereof the Vicar of Colshill to be one and the Deacon and the Clerke besides the said Vicar in case he be present to have viii d. And to xii poor people the same time kneeling about the Herse and saying our Ladies Psalâ—er xii d. To the Bell-ringers v. d. For Waxe and Torches burnt then likewise xii d. To the reparation of the House out of which the greatest part of the Rent issueth iii s. iiii d. To the chief Lord of the Fee ii s. And the remainder being viii d. to run on and be kept in store for renewing of this Feoffment as occasion shall be But this bequest being in after times deemed superstitious and the land so given divolving therefore to the Crown the Inhabitants of this Parish obtained it by purchase as I have heard and setled part of the yearly profits thereof for the maintenance of a School there and part for to distribute to such Children viz. pence a piece as abovesaid which repairing to the Church at ten of the clock every morning shall say the Lords-Prayer before the Clerke who for tolling a Bell at that time and hearing the Children to perform that dutie hath also a certain yearly allowance payd unto him Of the before specified Reginald and his descendants I have little more to say till within the compass of this last age considering that their severall matches are expressed in the Pedegree before inserted and that t being Gentlemen of the superior rank they underwent the most publick imployments of note scil Justices of Peace Shiriffs and Commissioners upon all great occasions But in Sir George Digbye's issue grandchild to the said Reginald was there an accession of very much honour to this antient Familie First by the marriage of Sir Rob. Digby Kt. his son and heir with Lettice grandchild and heir female to Gerald Earl of Kildare in Ireland whose son and heir viz. Robert having a fair estate in that Kingdom of his mothers inheritance was by K. Iames created Lord Digby of Geashill his Castle there which Dignitie descends to the heirs male of his body And secondly by Iohn fourth son to the said Sir George who being a person of extraordinary parts and imployed by the same King in that notable Embassie of Spain for a marriage betwixt a daughter of that Kâ—ng and the then Prince of England was created Lord Digby of Shirburne in Dorsetshire 25 Nov. 16 Iac. and about four years after Earl of Bristoll Which Robert Lord Digby in 20 Iac. obtained a a new Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Wednesday and two Faires yearly the one upon St. Mark 's day and the other on St. Mathew's in regard the Mercate and Faire granted by K. Iohn as hath been said were discontinued The Church dedicated to St. Peter was very antiently given to the Nuns of Merkyate in Bedfordshire for in H. 3. time it had a Vicar endowed Nevertheless about the beginning of Edw. 1 reign there grew suits betwixt these Nuns and Iohn de Clinton sen. touching the Advouson thereof but at length they came to an accord and gave him C. marks of silver to quit his title thereto which he did by a Fine then levied whereby it appears that the now Churches of Lea Over-Whitacre and Nether-Whitacre were Chapelries antiently belonging thereto In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectorie then appropriated to those Nuns was valued at xviii marks and the Vicaridge at vi marks but in 26 H. 8. at x l.
hem in like caas and as they wol answere before the most hygh and mightifull Iuge at the dredfull day of Dome where both they and I shall appere In witnes that this ys my last Will I have set hereto my Sele ywritten in the day and yere aforeseyd I now return to Richard son and heir to the before specified Sir William This Richard was created Earl of Worcester in 8 H. 5. but slain in France within two years after leaving one onely daughter his heir scil Elizabeth married to Sir Edw. Nevill Kt. a younger son to Raph Earl of Westmerland first summoned to Parliament in 29 H. 6. by the name of Edw. Nevill de Bergavenny chivalier From whom is descended as the Pedegree sheweth Iohn Nevill Lord Bergavenny now Lord of this Mannour The Church dedicated to our Lady and All Saints was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xvi marks the advouson whereof in 19 E. 3. being purchased from Laurence de Hastings Earl of Pembroke by Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntendon was by him given to the Canons of Marstoke the same year whereupon they soon obtained an appropriation thereof And in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii l. ix s. ix d. over and above x s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals But all that I have farther found relating to this Church is that in H. 3. time viii s. per an was assigned by one Nich. Burbache Clerk out of certain lands lying in this Parish for the maintenance of a Lampe burning in the body thereof to the honour of the blessed Virgin the said anâ—uitie having been appointed to be so disposed of by Sir Thomas de Hastings who for the souls of his Ancestors gave to the same Nicholas those lands out of which it was so charged and upon that condition Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Henr. de Hastings Thom. de Burbache Cler. an 1248. D. Ioh. de Hastings miles Conradus de Howeschill de Alemania Cler. Cal. Nov. 1305 Patroni Vicariae Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Adam de Overton Cap. 2. Non. Sept. 1345. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Hen. de Corley Cap. 2. Non. Ian. 1345. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Prelate Cap. Id. Apr. 1351. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. de Aldestre 2 Cal. Nov. 1351. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rog. de Aston Cap. 2. Non. Maii 1353. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Galfr de Fitz Cap. 4. Cal. Aug. 1353. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Rymyll Pbr. 2 Dec. 1383. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rob. Bascote Pbr. 8. Cal. Dec. 1386. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. de Shenyndon Pbr. 11 Feb. 1394. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rog. Wylkins Pbr. 26. Feb. 1394. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Heward Cap. 25. Febr. 1399. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Will. Eyre Pbr. 26. Maii 1422. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. â—owper Pbr. 5. Oct. 1434. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Brackley Pbr. 4. Aug. 1435. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Bounde Pbr. 6. Maii 1437. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Esteby Pbr. 4. Nov. 1438. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Littleton Cap. 24. Feb. 1450. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Tho. Haddeley Canon de Lilshull 7. Febr. 1452. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Mr. Thom. Palmer in Leg. Bac. 17. Apr. 1529. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Ioh. Nicholson Pbr. 5. Apr. 1531. Georgius Coldwell gen ex coness Pr. C. de Maxstoke D. Thurstanus Morrey Cler. ult Dec. 1556. Nich. Strange ar Thom. Graunger 2. Martii 1581. Iac. Rex Christoph. Forde Cler. 24. Sept. 1608. Old Fillongley OF this place I have but little to say In 13 Edw. 1. the Prior of Coventre claymed a Court Leet and divers other Priviledges here by vertue of King H. 3. Charter which were allowed and in 20 Edw. 3. was certified to hold it of the Lord Hastings by the eighth part of a Knight's Fee this being as he was superior Lord thereof Nor from hence till Hen. 7. time have I seen any more thereof by the light of our publique Records but in 14. of that King's reign Thomas Froxmere Esquire was found to die seized of it leaving Francis his son and heir xiv years of age Which Family of the Froxmeres had it by a daughter and heir of Fillongley if we may credit some mens Notes of which name there were that long since resided at this place as by tradition I have heard whereof I am the more credulous in regard it appears that William de Fillongley had imployment as a Commissioner in some publique affaires of the County in 51 Edw. 3. and 2 Ric. 2. and that Henry de Fillongley Esquire Sergeant of the Scullerie to King H. 4. was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament of 31 H. 6. as also Shiriff of this Countie and Leicestershire in 37. of the said King's reign Metley THis part of Fillongly now called Metley-end lyeth westward from the Church neer two miles but the most antient mention I find of it is in 6 E. 2. Nicholas de Burbache then holding halâ— a Knight's Fee here of the heirs of Henry de Hastings In which line of Burbache it continued till 3 E. 6. that Richard Burbache sold it to Edw. Pâ—e of Maxstoke-Hall Esquire by the name of the Mannour of Metley Ansley BOurne passing on about a mile below Fillongley-Church is enlarged with another torrent that riseth in Ansley of which place I am next to take notice In Edw. the Confessor's time the Countess Godeva of whom I have spoke in Coventre enjoy'd it but after the Norman Invasion being in the King's hands it was together with Coventre and the other lands which belong'd to that Countess ferm'd out to one Nicholas and in the generall Survey then taken where it is written Hanslei is joyned with Hartshill there also recorded by the name of Ardreshille both which were valued at C s. as also from H. 1. time for many ages afterwards possest jointly by a Family of good note whose cheif seat being at Hartshill assumed that place for their sirname But by a daughter and heir of Hardreshull came at length to Culpeper as the Descent in Hartshill doth shew Which Family of Culpeper having their principall seat at Bedgebury in Kent for the most part made little residence in this Country so that in process of time they sold away all their interest here Sir Alexander Culpeper Knight first passing in Fee-ferm unto Iohn Ludford Gentilman his Receiver and Officer for this Mannour and Hartshill much of the demesns in 20 H. 7. And afterwards Iohn Culpeper a younger son to the said Sir Alexander on whom it seems this was setled all the rest together with the Mannour
not for taking part with Thomas Earl of Lancaster in 15 E. 2. he was beheaded at Yorke after which it became soon disposed of by the King together with Creke in Com. Northampt. unto Elianore the wife of Hugh le Despenser the younger to hold during her life to the use and behoof of Gilbert le Despenser son to the said Hugh which I suppose she held accordingly during the remainder of the said King's reign and no longer as may seem by an Inquis then taken and a confirmation made the year following by Iohn de Moubray son and heir to the last mentioned Iohn unto Sir Richard Pesehale Knight of the third part thereof together with the advouson of the Church which Aliva de Moubray mother of the said Iohn of whose dowrie it was had granted to him the said Richard to hold during life But besides this third part it seems that the said Sir Richard obtained an estate in the rest to hold likewise during his own life for in 16 E. 3. when William de Clinton then Earl of Huntendon had began the Foundation of Maxstoke Priorie having a minde to endow it with lands and possessions situate convenient thereto it appears that after he had agreed with the Lord Moubray to have this Lordship in Exchange for the Mannour of Hinton in Cambridgeshire he gave unto the said Sir Richard in lieu of his terme in this the inheritance of the Mannour of Gudlesdon juxta Colshill with leave to take down a new House which he had built here at Shustoke and to remove it whither he should think fit as also all such timber as was then fallen by the said Richard in the Park here at Shustoke and libertie to cut down in the said Park six more Oaks for Timber and six for Fewell the same grant bearing date 5 Ian. 16. E. 3. After which scil the morrow following Ascension day the said Lord Moubray granted the same with the advouson of the Church unto that Earl and his heirs for ever Whereupon he accordingly by his Deed dated the Saturday before the Translation of S t Thomas the Martyr setled it upon the Canons of Maxstoke and their successors who the next year following for their better conveniencie past it away unto Iohn de Clinton nephew to the before specified Earl in exchange for that part of Maxstoke which was afterwards and still is called the Priorie-Lordship Aâ—l which being thus performed the same Iohn de Clinton immediately granted it unto the said Earl his uncle to hold during life who being so seized thereof procured a Charter bearing date 20. Ian. the year ensuing that himself for his life and his said nephew and his heirs for ever should have a Court Leet within this Mannour extending likewise into the Hamlets of Bentley and Blithe within the same Parish together with Assize of Bread and Beer Pillorie Tumbrell as also the Liberties of Infangthef and Outfangthef Gallows and Weyfs rendring for the same to the said King his Heirs and Successors xviii d. yearly by the hands of the Shiriff in augmentation of the ferme of the Countie By which Charter there was farther granted to the said Earl as also to his nephew and his heirs Free warren in all his demesn lands within the precincts aforesaid Upon whose death in 28 E. 3. his said nephew Sir Iohn de Clinton had liverie thereof From whom descended Iohn Lord Clinton and Say whose lands were seized on in 38 H. 6. for adhering to the House of Yorke at which time this Lordship inter alia was given by the King to Sir Edmund Mountfort Knight one of his Kervers in consideration of his faithfull service against the said King's enemies but the deposall and ruine of King Henry hapned so soon after as that the Lord Clinton was not long out of possession thereof in whose line it continued till 31 H. 8. that Edward Lord Clinton and Say sold it unto Iames Leveson of Wolverhampton Esquire a rich Merchant of the Staple as by his Deed bearing date 6. Febr. the same year appeareth Which Iames gave it in marriage in 36 H. 8. unto Walter the son and heir of Sir Edward Aston of Ticksall in Com. Staff Knight whose grandson Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bathe being plunged into vast debts by supporting himself in that Embassie of Spaine towards the later end of King Iames his time first sold the greatest part of the Fermes to the severall Tenants and soon after the Mannour it self unto Sir George Devereux of Sheldon Knight the now owner thereof The Church dedicated to S. Cuthbert was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at x. marks and the advouson thereof in 17 E. 3. given by William de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon together with the Mannour unto the Priorie of Maxstoke then newly by him founded whereupon soon ensued its appropriation scil 4. Id. Iulii the same year And in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was valued at Cvii s. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Rad. fil Nicholai ex conces D. Regis ratione custodiae haeredis D. Will. de Eseby Rad. le Breton Cler. post mortem Gilb. de Camvile ult Rectoris an 1250. D. Ioh. de Moubray miles Ioh. de Acom Pbr. 3. Id. Oct. 1336. post mortem Ric. de Colshull ult Rectoris Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Edithe Cap. Cal. Martii 1343. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Rob. le Spicer Cap. 4. Cal. Martii 1349. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Edithe Cap. 12. Cal. Aug. 1353. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. de Linley Pbr. 7. Id. Martii 1365. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Kytewyld Pbr. 21. Dec. 1390. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Bishop Pbr. 24. Aug. 1398. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ioh. Pryce Diac. 21. Sept. 1425. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Will. Orme Pbr. 5. Martii 1456. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Ric. Eliot Cap. 18. Iunii 1494. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Thomas Perkins Pbr. 20. Oct. 1500. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke Henr. Sutton Cap. penult Iulii 1501. Prior Conv. de Maxstoke D. Ioh. Robynson Cap. 7. Apr. 1536. D. Edw. 6. Rex Angliae D. Rad. Pykering 13. Febr. 1547. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Nich. Haighe Cler. 9. Maii 1562. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Georgius Mutley Cler. 2. Oct. 1576. D. Eliz. Angl. Regina Ric. Warde Cler. 29. Oct. 1594. Iac. Rex Angl. c. Iosepâ—â—s Harison Cler. ..... 1605. Carolus Rex Angl. c. Ioh. Warde in art Magr. 18. Maii 1632. The present fabrick of this Church was erected in King Edw. 2. time as is evident by the picture of Richard de Coâ—â—ull the last Rector which stood within these few years in a South
Winâ—rida ux Edw. Willoughby Abigal Francisca Hugo Willoughby miles periit in mare glaciali anno 1553. Which Sir Henry being made a Banneret at the battail of Stoke 11. Iunii 2 H. 7. and in 4 H. 7. a Commissioner in this Countie for appointing Archers to the relief of Britanny as also a Knight of the Sepulcher by his Testament bearing date 20 H. 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Church of S. Leonard at Wollaton in Com. Nott. and departed this life 11. Maii the same year leaving issue Sir Iohn Willoughby Knight his son and heir that married Anne one of the sisters and coheirs to Edward Grey Viscount L'isle Sir Edward Willoughby Knight his second son and Sir Hugh Willoughby Knight the third famous for his skill in Navigation but unhappy in his adventure in Anno 1553. being then frozen up in the Northern Seas as our Historians relate Which Sir Iohn Willoughby dying without issue Henry son to his brother Edward became heir to the estate who wedded Anne daughter of Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset and departed this life in 3 E. 6. leaving Thomas his son and heir who dying issulesse the estate came to Francis his yonger Brother afterwards a Knight Which Sir Francis built that stately House at Wollaton in Com. Nott. being the most eminent piece of Architecture in all those parts but departing this life 16. Nov. 38 Eliz. without issue male the inheritance of his lands divolved to daughters so that this Mannour of Midleton inter alia being alotted to Briget the eldest Wife to Sir Percivall Willoughby Knight descended from the Willoughbyes of Ersby in Lincolneshire by Sir Thomas Willoughby one of the Justices of the Common Pleas in King H. 8. time a younger son of that House as their Pedegree sheweth whose son and heir Sir Francis Willoughby Knight now enjoys it Of the Church dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist the Advouson was purchased from Sir Philip Marmion by the Dean and Chapter of the Collegiate-Church at Tamworth in 41 H. 3. After which being appropriated thereto it became a Prebend thereof so that the Cure was served be a Stipendiarie Baxterley PAssing the River now to the other side I come to Baxterly situate at the head of a slender torrent which coming by Hurley enters Tame a little above Kingsburie But of this place there is no particular mention in the Conqueror's Survey it being then involved with Grendon and so consequently possest by Henry de Fâ—rrerâ— From whom it came to one of the old Earls of Warwick and so to Harecourt as may seem by the Record of 36 H. 3. where it is plain that Richard de Harecourt held the sixt part of a Knight's Fee here of the Earl of Warwick And from Harecourt to Luvell for about the beginning of King Edw. 1. reign did Iohn Luvell the son of William Luvell grant to Sir Iohn de Chetwynd his kinsman the inheritance thereof paying to him the said Iohn and his heirs or to Richard de Harecurt Chief Lord of the Fee as the Deed expresseth a pound of Pepper yearly at Easter After which scil in 9 E. 1. it was found that the same Sir Iohn de Chetwynd had certain Customary Tenants here who payd unto him C s. per annum Rent and did suit twice a year at his Leet the extent of what he had here being certified at iv yard land but in 17 E. 3. it appears that Sir Iohn de Chetwynd had xvi Messuages vi yard land vi acres of Pasture and two acres of Wood in this place It seems that the Chetwynds did not long after this retain the possession of these lands for in 19 E. 3. the moytie of this Mannour together with the advouson of the Church was given by some Ecclesiastique persons who were Feoffees to one William de Henover unto the Abby of Merevale to find certain Priests to celebrate divine Service in the Chapell of our Ladie near the Gate of the said Monastery for the soul of the said William de Henovere deceased so that 't is like they were about that time purchased of Sir Iohn de Chetwynd for that purpose in regard of their vicinitie to Merevale All which after the dissolution of that House were in 32 H. 8. together with it purchased from the Crown by Sir Walter Devereux Knight Lord Ferrers of Chartley and so descended to Robert Earl of Essex Lord thereof in anno 1640. Within this moytie is a fair mansion called Baxterley Hall built in King Edw. 6. time by Iohn Glâ—ver then a Retainer to the Lord Ferrers as may appear by the Armes and Badges carved upon the timber-work thereof but formerly a Servant to the Abbots of Merevale as by tradition I have heard Unto which House did that famous assertor of the Protestant Religion scil Hugh Latimer sometime Bishop of Worcester resort whose ghostly Instructions so well grounded Robert Glover Brother to the said Iohn that rather than he would recede from them he chose to lay down his life being burnt at Coventre in 5 6 Ph. M. as M r Fox in his Catalogue of Martyrs hath declared Which Robert had issue Hugh who inherited these lands as cosin and heir to his uncle Iohn in whose line they continue till this day As for the other moytie the soonest discoverie that I have made thereof afterwards is in 12 â— 4. where Thomas Litleton at that time one of the Justices of the Common Pleas gave it to Roger Wall then one of the Canons of Lichfield and other his Feoffees for performance of his last Will From whom descended Sir Edward Litleton of Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff Knight who sold it of late years to George Corbyn â—eorge Ludford and Richard Whitehall Gentlemen Trustees for the Freeholders in whom it now resteth The Church being originally but a Chapell belonging unto Orton on the Hill antiently written Overton subâ—us Arden was with it given to the Monks of Merevale by Robert Earl Ferrers Pope Lucius the third confirming the grant in anno 1185. 32 H. 2. But the patronage thereof after the grant of the moytie of the Mannour together with the Advouson to the Monks of Merevale as formerly hath been said was jointly in the said Monks the heirs of Harecurt superioâ— Lords of the Fee being exercised by turns as the Institutions will manifest In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at five marks but in 26 H. 8. at C s. over and above iv s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. W. filius Roberti de Henover Will. le Archer Cler. an 1302. Rob. de Stokes per concess D. Ric. de Harecurt Thomas de Boudon Cler. 2. Id. Apr. 1303. Will. de Schulton Rector Eccles. de Ashesho Ioh. de Walton Pbr. 16. Cal. Iulii 1343. D. Will. de Harecurt miles
neer those petty streams which run into it beginning always with that wherein the Church is seated and then proceeding with the severall small Hamlets or places of note whether depopulated or otherwise contained within the same Parish setting forth a succession of their antient possessors by which the rise growth continuance and decay of many Families with their most memorable actions are manifested And have also adorned it with those Armes and Pictures of many eminent persons in their times which being antiently set up in the windows of severall Churches and Houses did continue till of late And that there may want nothing conducible to the honour aswell of the Families long since extinct as those that remain I have to my utmost preserved their very Monuments and Memorialls yet remaining following the Example therein of the famous Sertorius Ursatus in his Monumenta Patavina well knowing of what high and venerable esteem such things were with the most civill people of the world in so much as amongst the Romans the defacing and violation of them was punished by great pecuniarie Fines cutting off Hands Banishment nay sometimes by Death according to the merit of the transgressors Most of which through the pious respect of the immediate heirs or neerest relations to those their worthy Ancestors and to their lasting memorie are represented excepting such Plates whereof the persons therein mentioned by particular Inscriptions partly out of some speciall respect to those that they have thus memorized and partly as an ornament to the work have born the charge And excepting these three in p. 188.498 and 758. of the following work viz. 1 of the Hugfords and Beaufoes Lords of Emscote interred in the Collegiate Church at Warwick men of great note in their days as by my discourse of them in that place appeareth whose lineall heir and successor in that estate is Henry Beaufoe now of Emscote Esquire 2 Of Thomas Spenser late of Clardon Esquire a person of much eminencie in this Shire in his time and for his large and noble Hospitalitie the honour of all these parts whose great-grandson and heir male aswell as by adoption is Sir Thomas Spenser now of Yarnton in Com. Oxon. Baronet 3 And that of Sir Richard Bingham Knight one of the reverend Iudges of the King's Bench temp H. 6. who lieth buried at Midleton with the Ladie Margaret his wife daughter and coheir to Sir Baldwin Frevill of Tamworth-Castle Knight and widow of Sir Hugh Willoughby Knight From which Sir Hugh and Margaret is Sir Francis Willoughby now of Midleton Knight descended possessing that Lordship as heir to her Which three last Monuments had I confesse been omitted could I have doubted that the persons here mentioned considering such their relations and the estates they so enjoy would have refused the preservation of their memories by a small charge to the Graver as these following are for the very same reason and no other as is well known viz. 1 of the Temples at Dasset whose heirs and successors in that estate there are Sir Richard Temple Baronet and the Lady Viscountesse Baltinglasse 2 Of Richard Murden Esquire at Morton-Morell whose sole daughter and heir is the Ladie Harvey widow of Sir Stephen Harvey Knight of the Bath 3 of Sir Edward Ferrers at Badsley-Clinton whose heir is Henry Ferrers Esquire now Lord of that place 4 And of Sir Edward Devereux Knight and Baronet at Aston juxta Bermingham whose grandson and heir is the present Viscount Hereford Of the Religious Houses Hospitalls and Chantries those signall Monuments of our Forefathers Pietie I have shewed their Foundations endowments and continuance with their dissolutions and ruine which gave the greatest blow to Antiquities that ever England had by the destruction and spoil of many rare Manuscripts and no small number of famous Monuments And to the end that my discourse of the severall places may be the more perspicuous taking notice of that excellent expression of Arias Montanus viz. Si enim absque locorum observatione res gestae narrentur aut sine Topographiae cognitione Historiae legantur adeò confusa atque perturbata erunt omnia ut ex iis nihil non obscurum nihil non difficile elici possit I have drawn exact Schemes of the severall Hundreds wherein besides the rectifying of divers places which stand amisse in the ordinarie Maps are inserted many that were hitherto omitted fixing them according to their direct stations as also the depopulated Villages and other places of note whereof there is mention in the following work extending the Rivers neerer their originall heads and adding sundry petty streamlets heretofore not taken notice of by our Geographers In etymologizing the names of Towns and Places I have not been over-bold because most of them had their originall denomination from the Britans or Saxons and that Time hath much varied the antient name by contracting it for the more ease in pronunciation or in some sort altered it from what it was at first as is evident in most of them Nor should I have adventured thus far had I not received much light from that learned Gentleman Mr. VVilliam Somnâ—r of Canterbury my singular friend unto whom I cannot attribute enough for his great knowledge in Antiquities and those commendable works which he hath already published and is now taking pains in Much variation there is I confess in the names of sundry places and persons which perhaps may cause some doubt of my care therein but in that I have been very curious having Records or other authentique writings for my authoritie which I thought much more fit to follow than to deliver the names as they are now written And as my chief aime hath been to illustrate the Antiquities of this Countie so must I desire my Readers to observe what intricate parts I have walkt in to make good that undertaking scil the whole series of publick Records and a multitude of antient and obscure Manuscripts as the references to them do shew for the better understanding whereof because the narrownesse of my Margent hath confined me to such brevitie I have added a short Scheme adjoyning to my Index which will plainly demonstrate what those pieces of words and single Letters do mean with notice where the said Records and Manuscripts were when I had the perusall of them And whereas I have cited nothing to give testimonie of the Churches Dedications that what I have said therein of them is from divers old VVills Testaments and other authorities in the Registries of the Bishops of Coventre Lichfield and Worcester which to have instanced particularly could not well be done in regard they were all in loose parcells And moreover it is to be noted that to such or such parts of the Pedegrees where no quotation at all is entred the proof to make them good will appear in the historicall part And lastly that the passages of later times are obvious to the present age wherein we live
higher upon the same River In the Conq. time it was rated for 5 hydes and then held by one Rainaldus of Roger Earl of Arundell and Shrewsbury but written Leileford The lands of which Roger in these parts came afterwards to the family of D' Albany But in H. 2. time Roger Hayrun was Lord of this place in whose male line it continued till E. 2. time held of the heirs of the said Earl of Arundell So that 't is without doubt that this Roger Hayrun or his Father was first enfeâ—ffed thereof by one of those Earls And it may be that William Hayrun who lived in the beginning of K. Steph. time was Father of the same Roger. Of this family there were there 3 Rogers successively all Benefactors to the Monastery of Combe whose grants Iohn Fitz-Alan chief Lord of the Fee by descent from D' Albany confirmed The last whereof gave a piece of wast ground called Bromehill lying also within this Lordship to the Abby of Pipwell with a younger son who was admitted Monk of that house upon which those Monks built a sheep-cote and planted trees it being thenceforth called Marham As also his water-mill here with the suit of the town and their heirs thereto together with the seat of a wind-mill and bequeathed his body to be buryed in the Abby of Combe thereupon giving to the Monks in pure and perpetual alms certain lands of good value After which Agnes his widow desiring also sepulture there gave all her goods movable and unmovable with her body to that Religious House But in 36 H. 3. Will. de Waver is stiled Dominus de Lalleford in right of Iuliana his wife questionless for she is called haeres Rogeri Hayrun so also in 3 E. 1. but how this comes to pass Roger Hayrun having two sons viz. William and Iohn as the descent and what I shall say besides doth shew I cannot well imagine both which were Lords of this place successively but dyed without issue William being living in 56 H. 3. and Iohn in 9. E. 2. leaving two sisters but because the inheritance should not be divided and so diminished Iohn gave the same to Robert son to his sister Margerie Which Robert was son of William de Newnham by the said Margerie upon whom the said Iohn designing him to be his heir did by a fine levyed crast Ioh. Bapt. 1. E. 2. settle this Mannour entailing it upon him the said Robert and Eliz. his wife daughter to one Thomas Boydin of Stretton and to the heirs of the same Robert begotten on the said Elizabeth and for default of such issue to Nicholas brother to the said Robert with divers other remainders so that Robert coming thus to the estate was thereupon called Robertus de Lalleford howbeit when Iohn dyed I certainly find not It seems that this Robert de Lalleford became a man of note in his time for in 14 E. 3. he was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held but dyed before the 20 E. 3. for in that year Iohn his son and heir released to Iohn Whitwell all his right in this Mannour during VVhitwell's life Which Iohn dyed without issue so that VVilliam his brother became thereupon heir who in 35 E. 3. granted it to VValter VVhythors and Isabell his wife and to the heirs of VValâ—er Will. Hayrun 5 Steph. Rogerus Hayrun temp H. 2. Rog. Hayrun 1 Joh. Rogerus Hayrun 36 H. 3. ... monachus apud Pipwell ... filia Margeria uxor W. de Neunham Robertus dictus de Lalleford 14 E. 2. 35 E. 3. Joh. fil haeres obiit sine prole Will. obiit sine prole Will. Hayrun fil haeres 56 H. 3. obiit sine prole Joh. Hayr 9. E. 2. obiit sine prole From whom descended Sir Raphe VVhythors Kt. who granted it to certain feoffees and their heirs which feoffees passed their title therein to Henry Earl of Derby Guy de Mâ—ne Keeper of the Kings Privy Seal Sir Henry Green Knight Sir Iohn Bagot Kt and others all great men in those daies and their heirs their grant bearing date at Bathkynton in this County the monday after the feast day of St. Dunstan 19 R. 2. What chopping there was with it for the space of xxvi years ensuing appears not to me but in 2 H. 6. I find that Nicholas Parker of Thornbury in Gloucestershire a servant to Humfry Earl Stafford passed it to the said Earl and his heirs whence I ghess that all these feoffments last mentioned were but in trust in those turbulent times for this family of Stafford In which line it continued till the attainder of Edward Duke of Buck. 13 H. 8. and by that means coming to the Crown the K. by his Letters Patents bearing date 29 Martii the same year granted it to Thomas Marquess Dorset for life and afterwards by the like Letters Patents bearing date 27. Iunii 15. of his reign to the said Thomas and to the heirs male of his body But I suppose that it came to the Crown 1. Mariae by the attainder of Henry D. of Suffolk Son to the same Thomas For in the next year the Qu. granted Licence to ... Baylye for aliening thereof unto Thomas Leigh Alderman of London and his Heirs Of whom I shall speak more when I come to Stonley After which it was in xi Eliz. setled by him on Alice his wife during her life the remainder to VVilliam Leigh his younger son and the heirs male of his body whose grand-child Francis Lord Dunsmore of whom I shall make further mention in Neunham-Râ—gis doth now scil an 1640. enjoy it In an 1291. 19. E. 1. the Church dedicated to St ..... was valued at x. marks and in 26. H. 8. at xili xv sol iiii d. the procurations and Synodalls then issuing out of it being viii sol The Patronage of this Church was antiently in the Abbot and Covent of St. Peters super Dinam in France in respect of the Priory of Wolfrichston now Wolston in this County a Cell thereto belonging but afterwards in the Prior and Covent of Carthusians near Coventre as by the Institutions may be seen and as I shall have occasion when I come to Wolston more particularly to manifest yet never appropriated to either of those religious houses Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Instit. Procurator Abb. Conv. S. Petri super Dinam D. Ioh. de Berevill Pbr. in Festo S. Barnab Apostoli an 1300. Idem procurator Thom. le Breton Cleric ix Kl. Ian. an praed D. Rex ratione temporal Abb. S. Petr. super Dinam in manu sua existentium Petruâ— de Medburne accolitus vi Id. Dec. an 1325. Procurator Abb. Conv. S. Petri super Dinam Rob. le Venour Capell vi Kl. Ian. an 1326. Procurator Abb. Conv. S. Petri super Dinam Rog.
afterwards the Earldome of Shrewsbury bestowed upon him by the Conq. And by him or one of his sons do I conclude that Alanus filius Fladaldi progenitor to that great family of Fitz Alan became enfâ—oft of this Lordship for that he had to do here I have seen good authority besides the testimony that his descendants Earls of Arundell were superior Lords of the fee. From which Alan it divolved to Roger de Fredvill in mariage with Sibilla his wife whose daughter 't is like she was For I find that the same Roger and Sibill gave lands out of it to the Monks of Burton super Trent in an 1132. viz. 33. H. 1. quas priùs obtulerat domina Adeliza mater Sibillae tempore Nigelli Abbatis as the Leiger book of that house expresses but who this domina Adeliza her mother was I cannot yet discover Here was in Wolston a religious House subordinate to the Abby of St. Peter super Dinam in the Dioces of Sais in France of which I shall say more anon resolving now to take notice of the posterity of the said Roger de Frevill and Sibilla with whom the inheritance of Wolston went and what I find memorable of them for the clearer understanding whereof I have inserted this descent Domina Adeliza Rogerus de Frevilla 33. H. 1. Sibilla 33. H. 1. Hamo Extraneus 1. maritus Agatha superstes 21. H. 3. Rad. Extraneus Agatha le Strange Ric. G. de Turvill archidiac Dublin 21. H. 3. Gaufrid de Thorville 2. maritus Hamundus de Thurvile 24. H. 3. R. Turvile miles â—9 E. 1. 2. E. 2. Iohan. Turvile 15. E. 2.28 E. 3 Tho. Thur. vile 19. E. 3. fil haeres Wil. Rob. Galfr. Rob. le Turvile 9. E. 2.18 E. 2. Robert de Chetwode Sibilla Wil. de Chetwode Agneta W. le Bret. de longa Ichindon 21. E. 1. 3. E. 2. Guil. le Bretun 12. E. 2.20 E 3. Avicia W. Bretun miles 45. E. 3.1 R. 2 Guido Bretun â— H. 4. Rad. de Chetwode Ric. de Frevil This Roger was a benefactor to the Cannons of Kenillworth by the consent of Sibill his wife giving them one hyde and one virgate of land here And had issue Richard Agatha and Sibill which Richard became a benefactor to the monasteries of Alcester and Combe in this County To the first whereof he granted the Church of Pebworth in Gloucester-shire and to the other his Mill at Merston in this Parish but had no children it seems for his Sisters became his heirs whereof Agatha marryed to Geffrey Thorvile and Sibill to Robert Chetwode who both with their husbands did confirm the gift of Merston-Mill made to the Monks of Combe by their Brother Richard But forasmuch as the descent from the said Agatha is not so cleared by authority of Record or other evidence as I could wish I must by that light which I have point out what I conceive hath most affinity with Truth which in this and the like uncertainties is exprest by prickt lines as in the example may be discerned This Geffrey Turvill for it may very well be he gave the Chappel of Stockingforth with certain lands there to the Abby of Leicester But the first husband to the said Agatha was Hamon Strange which Hamon by his wifes consent confirmed to the monastery of Kenillworth five virgates of land in Wulfricheston that Roger Frevill and Sibill his wife had formerly given thereto and had issue a daughter named Agatha who gave to the Abby of Combe for the health of her soul and the soul of Richard her son and the rest of her children certein errable land lying in Wulricheston fields In which grant she is called Agatha le Straunge filia Hamonis le Straunge but what her husband was I find not In 24 H. 3. amongst the Kts. fees which were assigned to Hawys the widow of Iohn Fitz-Alan in this County there is mention of one held of the said Iohn by Hamon Turvill and another by the heirs of Raphe Straunge Which Hamon as I guesse was the son of Geffrey Turvile and Agatha and gave lands in Merston within this Parish to the Monks of Combe This Agatha de Turvill lived to a great age for I find that by the procurement of Geffrey Turvill her son who was Arch-Deacon of Dublin and the Kings Treasurer there she had a Patent whereby her self and her heirs were during her life free'd from suit to the County and Hundred Courts for Wuluerecheston Merston and Bretford in this Shire Which Geffrey being elected Bpp. of Ossorie in that Kingdom had the royall assent for confirmation thereof But the next of this line that I meet withall as Lord of Wolston is Sir Richard Turvile Kt. in 29. E. 1. then one of the Coroners in this County an Office in those days of great accompt and confer'd onely upon the wisest and discreetest Knights that might best attend thereon for there is a writ in the Register Nisi sit miles whereby it appeareth that there was a sufficient cause to remove a Coroner chosen if he were not a Knight and had not C. sol Rent of Free-hold But I find that in regard of impotency he was discharged of that Office and dyed the same year as 't is like for in 9 E. 2. was Robert de Turvile certified to be Lord of Wolfricheston with the members thereto belonging To which Robert succeeded Iohn de Turvile who in 19. E. 2. levyed a Fine thereof entayling it on himself and his children by Margaret his wife but for default thereof to Thomas Ferrers and his heirs and left issue Thomas Turvile his son and heir William Robert and Geffrey Howbeit after the 34 E. 3. that this Thomas presented to the Chappel of Bretford I find no more mention of these Turviles here Nor further of this place till x. R. 2. that Sir William Wauton Kt. and Dame Ismania his wife levyed a Fine thereof to the use of Sir William Bagot Kt. and William Glym and the heirs of the said Sir William Bagot for ever by which Fine it appears that there was special warranty against her the said Ismania whence I guess that she was Turviles daughter and heir Which Sir William Bagot left issue Isabell his daughter and heir wife to Thomas Stafford who in H. 5. time past it to the Canons of Kenilworth without licence whereupon it being seized into the Kings hands was in 6 H. 6. granted to Iohn Verney Clerk and Iohn Throgmorton to hold for twelve years but in 10 H. 6. Iohn Weston of Weston Sergeant at Law Iohn Beauchampe of Kenilworth Priest and Iohn Stokes of the same Kenilworth Yeoman were certified to hold it with Merston by the fourth part of a Knights fee. How they had it or how they parted with it I find not but certein it is that Nicholas Metley a Lawyer soon after obteined
it and by his last will and Testament dated 12 Nov. 16. H. 6. appointed that his Feoffees thereof should hold it to the use of Ioane his wife during her life and afterwards to the behoof of Margaret his Daughter by the said Ioane and her heirs for ever which Ioane took to her second husband one Richard Hotoft who was constrained to defend his wifes right therein against Thomas Throgmorton and one Iohn Brokesby in 30. H. 6. they then laying claim thereto but of this suit the Plantiffes had little benefit as it seems for after the decease of the said Ioane Iohn Hugford of Emscote possest it in right of Margaret his wife daughter to the before specified Nicholas Metley and dyed seized thereof 1. H. 7. leaving Iohn Beaufoe son and heir of Ioane his daughter Margaret Alice and Anne daughters to him the said Iohn and Margaret Metley abovesaid his next heirs as when I come to Emscote shall more plainly be shewed whereupon in 4. H. 8. scil 12. Aug. partition being made of Hugford's lands Iohn Cotes of Honingham in right of Alice his mother had these mannours of Wolston and Merston which Iohn by his deed bearing date xx Aug. the same year past them in exchange to Edward Belknap Esq. and his heirs as in Dercet I shall more fully shew This Edward Belknap was afterwards a Kt. and by his Testament gave Wolston with the mannour of Marston to his brother in Law VVilliam Shelley Esq and Alice his wife sister of the said Sir Edward and to the heirs of the said Alice reserving first an estate for life in them to his wife which VVilliam Shelley by the said Alice had issue Iohn Shelley his son and heir who dyed seized of them 16. Dec. 4. E. 6. leaving William his son and heir 12. years old who being attainted for treason committed xv Dec 25. Eliz. forfeited all the estate he had here which was no more than for life by reason of an entayl made 16. Ian. 23. Eliz. so that dying without issue 15 Apr. 39 Eliz. these Mannours by vertue of the said entail came to Sir Iohn Shelley Kt. and Bt. son and heir to Iohn Shelley brother of the said William which Sir Iohn by his deed of bargain and sale bearing date 19 Oct. 10 Iac. conveyed the same to George Warner Gent. and his heirs the present Owner thereof an 1640. I now return to the descendants from Robert de Chetwode by Sibilla the other daughter and coheir of Roger de Frevill before mentioned This Robert had issue Raph de Chetwode and William which Raph confirmed his Uncle Richard Frevill's grant of Merston-mill to the Abby of Combe but left no issue as it seems for VVilliam his brother inherited the estate and having given to those Monks certain errable lands in Wolston-field left one onely daughter and heir married to VVilliam le Bretun of Long-Ichington betwixt whom they had issue Guy le Bretun Which Guy in 15 E. 2. with other Commissioners was appointed to assess the sum of ccl imposed upon those Knights Esquires and other men at Arms in this County who being summoned to attend the King in person against the Rebels here in England viz. Thomas E. of Lancaster and his complices desired to be exempted from that service In 2 E. 3. he was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at York And in 9 E. 3. one of the Commissioners assigned to assess and collect the sum of 120 l. in this County for the discharge of lx Hobelers and cc Archers which were to be chosen and armed as also conducted to Newcastle upon Tine In 14 15 E. 3. he was assigned with others to make sale of the Ninth of Sheafes Fleeces and Lambs in this County granted to the K. in Parliament as also to levy and collect a Tenth granted in the same Parliament and founded a Chantry in the Abby of Combe for one Monk to sing Mass daily there at the Altar of St. Edmund the Archb. for the soules of William le Breton his father and of Avice his wife and their ancestours which Avicia was a Benefactress in the enlarging and beautifying the Church of Wolston as her picture in a North window thereof doth manifest This Guy had issue Sir William Bretun Kt. Lord also of Wolverton in this County and one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament held at Westminster 45 Edw. 3. who being constituted Shiriff of the Counties of Warwick and Leicester 49 E. 3. in 1. R. 2. served again as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster and left issue Guy of whom I find nothing memorable neither can I trace down this descent any further I now come to the Monastery sometime here situate which being a Cell as I have said to St. Peters sup Dinam in France â— was one of those we commonly call Pryories-alien But of these Cels have I not seen many formal foundations the course being for the most part barely to grant the Land and Tithes as by a multitude of instances might be manifested After which the Monks beyond Sea partly to propagate more of their own Rule and partly to have faithfull Stewards to transmit unto them a good proportion of the profits arising out of such their new acquired possessions at so great a distance built competent places for the reception of a small Covent and then sent over such a number as they thought fit constituting Priors over them successively as occasion required which grants were all very antient I mean shortly after the Conquest being commonly made by such who had themselves been Founders of some Religious House or at least their Ancestours or near Allyes And that the grant of this at Wolston was about that time I have intimated these circumstances do much satisfie me for in our publick Records can I find nothing thereof First that the Fabrick of the Tower Steeple hath the apparent form of those Buildings which were in use soon after the Normans entrance And next that Roger de Montgomeri the Possessour of this place in the Conquerours time stood in a near relation of kindred to Robert Earl of Ewe who with his Brother Hugh Bp of Liseux assisted their Mother Lescelina in the foundation of St. Peters super Dinam before specified as the descent herewith drawn will shew and so consequently was the more like to be a Benefactor to that Monastery Quidam potens de nobili genere Danorum Richardus 1. dux Normanniae Gunnora Guillelmus Lescelina Hugo episcopus Lexovii Rob. Aucensis Comes Osbertus de Bolebec Wevia Hugo de Montegomerico â—oscelina Rogerius de Montegomerico But whether there was any grant thereof at all otherwise than verbal is somewhat disputable for in those elder times concessions by Charter were not very
to say having its name from the wideness of the Forde and for Bradforde is by corruption called Bretforde But the first mention I find thereof is that Geffrey Clinton son to Geffrey who founded the Castle and Priory of Kenillworth gave land to the foundation of a small Cell for Nuns here which land is particularly mentioned in his grant the name of the first Votress there being Noëmi but it seems she liked not the place for her fellow Nun named Seburge and she past away the same lands to the Canons of Kenillworth in the life time of the said Geffrey Clinton and by his consent Henry de Clinton son of the said Geffrey afterwards confirming the grant After this viz. in 11 H. 3. Nicholas de Verdon obtained a special Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Tuesday and his great Grandchild Theobald had here a Gallowes as a badge of those royal priviledges belonging to his Castle of Brandon which Gallowes were in this place at first erected as I guess because it lyes upon that great Roman way called the Fosse so that it might be in terrorem to passengers But upon partition of Verdons lands it went with Brandon to Burghersh in right of Elizabeth his mother one of the co-heirs since which time they have not been severed Here was a kind of Hospital or Chappel of St. Edmund founded I presume by the Turviles Lords of Wolston for they were Patrons of it as appears by the Institutions thereunto Rieton HAving now done with the Parish of Wolston I come to Rieton situate upon the Southern-side of Avon and usually called Rieton super Dunsmore for distinction from another of the same name which is in Bulkinton-Parish the reason being obvious enough forasmuch as the soyl here is of a light sandy disposition and beareth Rye best of any Grain This was one of those towns which Earl Leofrike gave to the Priory of Coventre upon the foundation thereof An. 1043. 1. Edw. Confessoris as I shall further declare when I come to speak of that Monastery But it seems that the Monks chopt it quickly away though it appears not how for Aluuinus Progenitor to the family of Arden had it before the end of the said Kings reign And in the Conq. time Turchill the son of the same Aluuin commonly called Turchill de Warwick held it It is there written Rietone and conteyning three hydes and half a carucate had at that time a Church and a Mill the woods thereof being then certified to contain half a mile in length and two furlongs in breadth and the value of the whole lx sol The word in Domesday-book signifying a mile is leuca or leuva which the French to this day call a legue but that it was used to express a mile that is to say a thousand paces and not a league which with the French is twice so much observe what Ingulphus an authentique Historian who lived in that age says viz. that the English being now brought under the dominion of the Normans did in many things follow the French Garbe and therefore in the stead of miles they called them leucas that is legues but intended miles Nay so carefull were those that took this Survey to account the measure with the scantest in regard of envious Informers that they would alwaies express the measure rather more than less of what it really was The Leiger Book of Stonley says that this Mannour was a member of Stonley and given to the family of Arden by K. H. 1. The first part of which expression is like to be true but I am of opinion that it was part of those lands which Turchills posterity were permitted to enjoy and not at all out of their possession till they granted it a way to the Hospitalars as I shall shortly manifest For Siward de Arderna son and heir to the said Turchill with Cecelia his wife gave to the Monks of Thorney in Cambridge-shire the Mill here at Ryeton for the health of his soul which grant Henry de Arderne his son confirmed which Mill yeilded xii s. Rent per an in that age howbeit in these grants and confirmations of Thorney it is written Rugintunia Rutunia and Ruitonia In which family of Arden it continued till Edw. 1. time Thomas de Arden being certified in 7. E. 1. Lord thereof and that he held it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of half a Kts. Fee This Thomas had here then in demesn three carucates of land and a water-Mill as also three servants each of them holding a yard land and a half and paying a certain yearly rent in money plowing one day in winter a peice and one day in Lent mowing raking making hay carrying corn and gathering Nutts at each work one day The Cottagers were at that time xiii in number who likewise besides their Rent did work one day a piece at some of those before mentioned labours And the freeholders xv which held eight yard land and a fourth part three acres and a half and one rode but their particular names and Rents for brevitie I omit At that time it was also certified that the Abbot of Thorney held a Mill there and half a yard land And the Hospitalars had two Free-holders holding one yard land and a water-Will But in 10. Edw. 1. there was a sure betwixt the before specified Thomas de Arderne and the said Hospitalars by which suit the Prior of St. Iohns recovered of the said Thomas one Mill CC. acres of land twelve acres of meadow and ten acres of wood and had possession thereof accordingly howbeit the Earl of Warwick of whose Fee it was came and interposed with his claim so that there issued out a Writ to enquire of the Earls right therein After which viz. in 14. E. 1. this Thomas though for what consideration I find not granted all his right therein to the said Hospitalars and their successors against whom in 9. H. 8. it was certified that they had inclosed here three hundred acres of land and that by this decay of husbandry if remedy were not provided the Church there would fall to ruin But after the dissolution of the Monasteries K. Edw. 6. in 4. of his reign granted this Mannour inter alia to Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs which Iohn was afterwards made Duke of Northumberland and lost his head in 1. Mariae as in Warwick I shall more fully shew After whose attainder Queen Mary restoring the Romish Religion granted it with other things to Sir Thomas Tresham Kt. as Master of the Hospitall of St. Iohn of Ierusalem in England and to his successours but upon the death of that Queen the Romish Religion being again supprest Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick son to the attainted Duke amongst divers other lands which were his Fathers obteined it to himself and the heirs
souls of the father and mother with the ancestours and heirs of the said Will. la Zuche and Will. Danet and of all the faithfull deceased Concerning which Chantry the B. of Cov. and Lich. upon his Ordination thereof the next ensuing year thus declared That there having been a Chappel of the blessed Virgin Mary within this Mannour of Weston and therein divine service celebrated time out of mind which being grown ruinous was then newly fallen down Sir Will. la Zuche of Haringworth Kt. had rebuilt the same with a fair fabrick in honour of the said blessed Virgin for the good estate of himself as also of Sir Will. la Zuche of Totenes and the Lady Eliz. his wife with their children during this life and afterwards for the health of their souls and for the souls of Will. de Boys Sir Eudo la Zuche Melisent de Montalt Maud la Zuche Elene la Zuche and their children departed this life And for the souls of Will. Danet and Richard Dobyn and other Benefactors with all the faithfull deceased But whereas the first licence for amortizing the lands before mentioned was for two Priests as I have said it seems the said Sir VVill. la Zuche chang'd his purpose for I find that in 21 E. 3. he had the K. licence for the alteration thereof for one Priest onely so that the said Priest might have another under him for performance of that service Belonging to the Lord Zouch his Mannour-house here there was antiently a Park as it seems for in 46 E. 3. Sir VVill. la Zuche had licence to turn a way for the enlargement thereof Howbeit in 10 H. 6. where VVill. Lord Zouch was certified to hold this Mannour it is called Weston-Arnold for distinction from the other Westons in this County in regard that Arnold de Boys had antiently been owner thereof But after the attainder of Iohn Lord Zouch in 1 H. 7. the K. granted it to Sir Iames Blount and to the heirs males of his body nevertheless it seems that the family of Zouch afterwards regain'd it for in 6 E. 6. George Lord Zouch was possest thereof and dyed seized of it 19 Iunii 19 Eliz. leaving Edward his son and heir who sold it to Humphrey Davenport Esq. and Richard Bucknam with Bulkinton and other lands by which means it came to Sir Christopher Yelverton Kt. of the Bath and Anthony Stoughton Esq the present Lords thereof as Bulkinton did A Tradition there is that one of the Lord Zouches who much affected to reside here and wanting sufficient mowing ground for his use upon a time invited the Free-holders of Bulkinton to his house and welcoming them with very good entertainment proposed the purchasing of their several doles in a fair large meadow which lay fitly for him All which assented except one Rogers Whereupon the rest urging him to do as they had done the Lord Zouch said Let the Churle alone with his peice And so to this day the posterity of the said Rogers continue possest thereof it being called the Churles peice Rieton juxta Bulkinton THE first mention that I find of this place is in that grant of the Tithes thereof to the Abby of Leicester as a member of the Parish of Bulkinton viz. when the Church of Bulkinton was first given thereto by Roger de Watervile of which I have already spoken but that it was and is a member of Bulkinton or rather Weston where the Lord had his seat all the testimonies from Record which I have produced before do manifest and therefore I shall not need to say any more thereof Bramcote THis place in the Conq. time contained two hydes whereof one and a half then belonged to Earl Alberie of whom I have made mention in Clifton and the other half hyde to Ric. Forestarius of whom I shall speak in Chesterton But before the Conquest one Salo was owner of that which Earl Alberic had being the same man that afterwards held Bulkintone of the Earl of Mellent The other half hyde one Sexi possest It is there written Brancote perhaps from Bran the Saxon and coit or coed the British word which signifie the burnt wood That the inheritance of this Village was as antiently in Watervile as any of those before specified were I am induced to believe for Roger de Watervile gave six yard land and the Mill here to the Abby of Leicester by the consent of Robert Earl of Leicester his Lord and Founder of that Monastery which grant was afterwards confirmed by Arnold de Boys his Nephew and all the rest of the succeeding Arnolds Yet in an Inspex made by Thomas Earl of Lanc. whereby he recites divers grants to the Canons of Leic. and amongst those the same yard land in Bramcote he declares it to have been given to them by Geffrey le Abbe of whom I had occasion to make mention in Burton-Hastings and together with his confirmation thereof ratifies also the gift of two yard land more which one Ranulph held so that there being eight yard land therein belonging to the Abby of Leic. besides the Mill and what was appurtenant thereto the Canons of that House did as in other their lands in this County claim a Court-Leet and other priviledges therein in 13 E. 1. as granted by the Ks. progenitors to that Monastery for which they then produced their Charters But in 6 E. 2. I find that the heirs of Henry de Hastings held the third part of a Kts. fee here of Iohn de Hastings the elder then deceased it being then written Brompcote The like is certified as to the tenure of that third part by the heirs of the said Henry in 49 E. 3. 14 H. 6. and 16 E. 4. But what the Lord Zouch possest in this Village I am not able directly to point out howbeit certain it is that something he enjoy'd in regard the Free-warren granted to him in 7 E. 2. extended into his demesn lands here as well as in those of Weston Bulkinton and Ryton As for that which the Abbot of Leic. had it amounted to the third part of a Kts fee for in 20 E. 3. it is certified that so much he held of the Earl of Lancaster who then had the Honour of Leic. as is well known All which lands so belonging to that Abby were in 38 H. 8. granted to Edward Watson Esq and Henry Herdson and to the heirs of the same Edward who as I have heard had two daughters that were his heirs the one marryed to ..... Turner the other to ..... Lisle from which ..... Lisle descended ..... Lisle that sold his moytie to George Purefey of Wolvershill Gent. And from ..... Turner William his Grandson of whom Gamaliel Purefey son to the said George purchased the other Wolvershill THE first mention that I meet with of this place is in 21 E. 1. where it is setled
them the said Roger and Cecily and their heirs are excepted the homage services of Walter Deyvill and Milo Gerbold for lands they then held in this Whitley Whereby it is clear that they or their ancestors were enfeof't of what they had here from some of the Earls of Chester Which Roger and Cecily in 7. E. 1. were found to be Lords thereof but that the King had at that time foure Freeholders here who held one cottage two yard land and five acres under severall rents And that the said Roger then had one Freeholder viz Adam fil Milonis who held one yard land It was then also certified that the Prior of Coventre had six Freeholders here who occupyed one yard land and half two acres and half a rod with a Water-mill Of which tenants who paid certain rents and did sute to his Court twice in the year Raph de Whitley was one I am of opinion that the said Milo Gerbold was the father of that Adam who is stiled Adam fil Milonis This Adam fil Milonis for I presume it was he was in 12. E. 1. called Adam de Whitley and then certified to hold one yard land in this place by inheritance of Sim. fil Mauricii Who had a grant of K. H. 3. of xxii s. free yearly rent issuing out of those lands so held of the K. as abovesaid Which Rent was in 31. E. 1. convey'd by Roger le Tayllur to one Adam de Okes and his heirs Who in 18. E. 2. was found to dye seized of certain tenements here held of the King by the payment of a half-penny per annum called Warthe at the feast of S. Martin by the hands of the Shiriff of Warwick-shire Will. de Okes son of Will brother to the said Adam being his cosin and heir and of full age Which Will. 18. E. 3. dyed seised of the same leaving Philip his son and heir of full age But hitherto hath there been no mention of Whitley as a Mannour howbeit in 3. R. 2. it was found that Thomas de Freberne dyed seized of it by that name leaving Alice his daughter and heir then ten years of age Nevertheless in 6. R. 2. upon a suite for the title thereof it was found that the said Thomas Freberne had sold the inheritance thereof to one Thomas de Whitley and his heirs Which Thomas de Whitley past it away to Iohn Botoner and two others to whom it was adjudged What bargaining there had been for it I cannot declare but in 19. R. 2. the King granted the custody thereof to Rob. de Malton Clerk and Henry Wybbe it being seised into his hands by reason of the Minority of Margaret sister and heir to Iohn Palmer son of William Palmer Which Will. dyed in 16. R. 2. and his brother Iohn in 19. After this viz. in H. 6. time I find that Iohn Schipley of Coventre was seized of it perhaps by some private deed to direct the uses unto that Fine levved in 2. H. 6. betwixt Will. Schipley Clerk and others plaintiffs and Iohn Burton of Coventre and Ioan his wife deforc But hence for want of light I must make a leap to Q. Marye's time in the second year of whose raign Will. Starky gent. dyed seized of it leaving Thomas his son and heir of full age By whom or his descendants it was sold to .... Tate as I have heard which is like to be true for in 43. Eliz. Will. Tate son of Bartholomew Tate of Northamptonshire was certified to be Lord thereof and of full age A little below Whitley the river Shirburne quitting the libertyes of Coventre where with also I have now done joyns with Sow I must therefore ascend that stream again untill it bring me to its entrance of Knightlow-Hundred which is just at Sow a place taking its name from the brook neer which it is sitâ—at Sow HAlf of this village was given to the Priory of Coventre by E. Leofrike the Founder in the first year of King Edward the Confessor and by the Conq. Survey certified to containe 3. hides and a half whereof the woods extended to half a mile in length and 4. furlongs in breadth all being valued at lx s. But the residue thereof the King and R. Venator then held which R. Venator is also called Rich. Forestarius and had here only one hide The Record doth not express the particular extent of his woods but declares that those there belonging to the King the Abbot id est of Coventre and him the said Richard were three miles in length and one in breadth which with the abovesaid hide being rated at the other half were then also valued at lx s. With the Priors part wherein the Monks in 41. H. 3. had Free-warren I will begin By the Record of 7. E. 1. it appears that the Monks of Cov. had in this place one carucate of land with a Mill in demesne and ten servants holding five yard land by rent service viz. plowing harrowing mowing making and carrying hay reaping corne raking and the like work As also 13. Freeholders which held xii yard land paying each of them a certain annuall rent and doing suit to the Priors Court twice in the year for all services And likewise the royalty of 80. acres of out-wood in which all their Freeholders were to have house-bote and heybote and moreover the Chappell appropriat with half an acre of land adjoyning thereto Which said appropriation was made by Roger Meuland B. Coventry and Lichfield 5. Non. Nov. An. 1260. 44. H. 3. whereby it appears to have been appurtenant unto the Church of S. Michael in Coventry but the greater Tithes viz. corne hey wood and of the Mill the Prior held in his own hand â—he rest viz. wooll lambe with all the small tythes being allowed to the Priest that served the cure there who had also a house adjoyning to the Churchyard and ten acres of glebe which Priest was removable at the Priors pleasure having neither Institution nor induction by the ordinary But besides the particulars above exprest they had likewise here a Mannour-house Court-Leet Gallows Pillory Cuckingstool Felons-goods as also power to punish the breakers of the Affize of bread and beer to which Court did resort all the Priors tenants in Bilney Wilnhale and Ruyton Some other grants there were made at severall times to the said Monastery by particular persons having Freeholders in Sow which being so intermixt with the rest would hardly now be distinguish't though I should point at them as exactly as by the help of Records I could therefore I shall spare that labour and observe that after the dissolution of that Monastery the said Priors Mannour in 32. H. 8. being passed with other lands to Sir Iohn Harington Knight and his heirs to be held in Capite there was then the remainder of a lease unexpired which had
to the said Canons liberty to fish with boat and nets one day in every week viz. Thursday in his pool here at Kenilworth But other particulars of him worthy of Note have not I seen any except that false accusation of Treason made against him at Woodstock where K. Henry kept his Easter in 30. of his raign To him succeeded Geffrey his son and heir Lord Chamberlain likewise to the King as his father was and possest of a great estate for by the certificate of William E. of Warwick in 12. H. 2. it appears that he held of him no less than XVII Knights fees de veteri feoffamento Which Geffrey wedded Agnes daughter unto Roger Earl of Warwick with whom he had in marriage ten of those 17. Knights fees id est a discharge from any service for them except in some speciall cases As also Shrivalty of this County to hold to him and his heirs in such sort as he the said Earl had held or might hold it of the King and was a great benefactor to this Monastery of Kenilworth not onely by confirming all his fathers grants thereto but adding these particulars viz. the land at Newton at the buriall of his father The Mannour of Pakinton with the Church and Mill there The greatest part of Leminton with the Church and Mill. The Mill of of Guy-Cliff The Cell of Bretford with lands at Wridfen and Wotton The Churches of Wilmeleghton now called Wormleghton Herberbury Radford and Budbroke all in this County with the Church of Stivecle in Buckingham-shire confirmed to them by William Pipard All which were likewise ratified by Henry de Clinton son to the last specified Geffrey who also gave thereunto the town of Tachebroke with much more land at Wridfen in consideration whereof the before specified Canons allow'd to him every day during his life two manchets such as two of the said Canons used to have and four gallons of their better beer according to wine measure which he was to have whither he were at Kenilworth or not from the time he should enter into a religious life in case he did so do except on those dayes he had entertainment in the said Monastery After whose death Amicia de Bidun his wife released unto these Canons all her right of dowrie which she had in the lands so given by her said husband I will now onely enumerate the principall grants made by divers other persons to this Monastery for as much as of such that were in this County I speak more largely as I discourse of those particular places viz. Brueria now called Hethe near Wotton given by Odo de Turri The Church of Stoneley by K. H. 1. Divers lands in Molington by Iulian de S. Remigio As also the Church of Yftele with a yard land in Couley neer Oxford The Church of Hethe in Oxford-shire by Lescelina daughter to Geffrey the Founder and wife to Norman de Verdon which Bertram de Verdon her son confirmed granting besides a meadow at Asho called Rugenhale and another at Bretford The Churches of Brailes and Wellesburne by Roger Earl of Warwick Of Locksley by Rob. fil Odonis with certain lands also there Of Whitnash by Raph de Mara and Lesceline his wife Of Hampton in Arden and Smite with the Chappell of Brinklow by Roger de Moubray Of Langford in Derby-shire by Nich. de Gresley and Margaret his wife which Margaret in her minority with her whole patrimony was long under the care and tutelage of the before specified Geffrey the Founder Of Chesterton by Will. Croc. Of Fenny-Compton and one hide of land there by Gilbert le Bigoth Of Eatendon with divers lands there by Sewal fil Fulcheri ancestor to the antient family of Shirley yet lords of that Mannour And of Cherlton-Canvile in Com. Somerset by Rich. de Canvile All which with their severall Chappell 's were confirm'd to these Canons by severall Kings and Bishops as I shall have occasion more fully to manifest when I come to each of them Of Broke in Rutland which was a Cell to this Monastery given by Hugh de Ferrers and confirmed by Walcheline his brother Of lands in Newton by Ernald de Bois In Herdwic and Halford by Will. Giffard In Baginton by Hen. de Arden In Ludewell by Manasses Arsic In Tisho by Ric. de Bereford Cecily his wife and Raph de S. Edmundo Of half a yard land in Ricardscote in Com. Staff By Cecily the daughter of Rog. le Wayte Of lands in Herberbury by Henry Malory and others Of fire-wood in Berkswell by Nigel de Mundevill Of lands in Wolston by Rog de Frevill and Sibill his wife And to these were added the Church of Milverton by Walter Espigurnell and Celestina his wife in 16. H. 3. With the greatest part of Locksley Westcote and Morton and the advouson of the Church of Locksley by Peter de Mora about the 38. of H. 3. Afterwards viz. in 19. E. 2. Iohn Lok and Roger de Boyvill had license from the King to grant the Mannour of Patleshull in Stafford-shire to this Monastery In 20. E. 3. Thomas de Hampton to give five mess. with cxii acres of land in Radford thereunto And in 25. of the same K. raign Iohn the son of Iohn de Peto for granting xiv mess. two Carucats and five yard land in Loxley to it Many other small parcells in severall places were at sundry times given to these Canons by common persons the mention whereof I do purposely pass by for brevities sake Of all which the Prior and Covent of this House being thus possest in 12. E. 1. granted away the Churches of Fenny-Compton and Chesterton to the B. of Coventre and Lichfield and his successors for ever And of these their possessions as they had ample confirmations by severall Kings of this Realâ—e so were the priviledges very great which they enjoyed by those Charters viz. power to keep Court-Leet Assise of bread and beer authority to try malefactors within divers of their Lordships and freedom from suite to the County and Hundred-Courts as by the same Charters unto which I have pointed may be seen besides Free-warren in divers of their Mannours as I shall instance when I come to them in particular To these was added by King E. 3. that the Sub-prior and Covent should during the vacancy have the custody of the said House and all the Temporalties appertaining thereunto paying only to the King his heirs and successors for every whole year cxvii li. ii s. viii d. As to the appropriation of the particular Churches before recited to the use and benefit of this Monastery I shall take notice of them when I come to
which being then a wast wherein the Inhabitants of Kenilworth had Common in consideration thereof he gave them all those fields called Priors-fields lying North of the Castle I have heard some who were his servants say that the charge he bestowed on this Castle with the Parks and Chase thereto belonging was no less than 60 thousand pounds Here in Iuly an 1575. 17 Eliz. having compleated all things for her reception did he entertain the Queen for the space of xvii dayes with excessive cost and variety of delightfull shews as may be seen at large in a special discourse thereof then printed and entituled The Princely pleasures of Kenilworth Castle having at her first entrance a floating Island upon the Pool bright blazing with Torches upon which were clad in silks the Lady of the Lake and two Nymphs waiting on her who made a speech to the Q. in meeter of the antiquity and owners of that Castle which was closed with Cornets and other loud Musick Within the base-court was there a very goodly Bridge set up of xx foot wide and lxx foot long over which the Queen did pass on each side whereof were posts erected with Presents upon them unto her by the Gods viz. a cage of Wild-fowl by Silvanus sundry sorts of rare Fruits by Pomona of Corn by Ceres of Wine by Bacchus of Sea-fish by Neptune of all habiliments of War by Mars and of Musical Instruments by Phoebus And for the several dayes of her stay various and rare Shews and Sports were there exercised viz. in the Chase a Savage man with Satyrs Bear-baitings Fire-works Italian tumblers a Country Bride-ale with running at the Quintin and Morrice-dancing And that there might be nothing wanting that these parts could afford hither came the Coventre-men and acted the antient Play long since used in that City called Hocks-tuesday â— setting forth the destruction of the Danes in King Ethelred's time with which the Queen was so pleas'd that she gave them a brace of Bucks and five marks in money to bear the charges of a Feast Besides all this he had upon the Pool a Triton riding on a Mermaid 18 foot long as also Arion on a Dolphin with rare Musick And to honour this Entertainment the more there were then Knighted here Sir Thomas Cecill son and heir to the Lord Treasurer Sir Henry Cobham brother to the Lord Cobham Sir Francis Stanhope and Sir Tho. Tresham The cost and expence whereof may be guest at by the quantity of Beer then drunk which amounted to 320 hogsheads of the ordinary sort as I have credibly heard Shortly after which viz. the next ensuing year he obtained by the grant of the said Q. a weekly Mercate here upon the Wednesday with a Faire yearly on Midsummer-day But this great Earl who bore no little sway in his time as besides our Annals some yet living can testifie having wedded the Lady Lettice daughter to Sir Francis Knolls Knight of the Garter Treasurer of the Houshold to Q Eliz. and widow to Walter E. of Essex â— wanting by her any surviving issueâ— by his last Will and Testament dated at Midleburgh in Zeland 1 Aug. an 1587. being then General of the English Auxiliaries for the United Provinces gave it to Ambrose E. of Warwick his brother for life and the inheritance to Sir Robert Dudley Knight whom he then thought not proper to stile his lawfull son and to his heirs Which Sir Robert being a person of great learning and parts coming to the possession of it within little more than a year after his fathers death for his Uncle surviv'd him no more as in Warwick I have shew'd made it his seat and endeavouring to assert his legitimacy which as to very many stood somewhat dubious in regard of his said fathers marriage with the before specified Countess of Essex during the life of the Lady Douglasse his mother widow to the Lord Sheffeild and daughter to Will Lord Howard of Effingham but failing thereof travelled into Italy where he past away his right therein unto the late Prince Henry the story whereof with the circumstances forasmuch as 't is memorable in sundry respects I shall here succinctly deliver About the beginning of K. Iames his reign this Sir Robert having marryed Alice daughter to Sir Tho. Leigh of Stoneley Kt. and considering with himself that in case he made good his legitimacy not onely the title to the Earldome of Leicester as heir to his father as also that of Warwick for want of issue by the before specified Ambrose his uncle together with the dignity of Lord L'isle would rightfully accrue to him but likewise the Castle of Warwick with divers fair Lordships in this County by vertue of an entail upon his said uncles first advancement to that honour did by reason of the great Plague at that time in London obtain a Commission from the Archb. of Cant. out of his Court of Audience directed to Dr Zachary Babington then Chancellour of Litchfeild and other for examining witnesses to prove his said fathers marriage But no sooner was it discerned by the before specified Lady Lettice and her friends that the consequence thereof would much reflect upon her than that they procured Sir Edw. Coke the K. Atturney general to exhibit a Bill in the Sâ—ar-Chamber against the same Sir Rob. and Dame Alice his Lady as also against the said Lady Douglasse Sheffeild for so she was called then wife of Sir Edw. Stafford Kt. and against the before mentioned Sir Tho. Leigh Dr Zach. Babington and divers other charging them with no less than combination and conspiracy to defame the said Lady Lettice and unjustly to entitle himself to those Honours c. And upon the petition of the Lord Sâ—dney procured a command from the Lords of the Councel not onely to stop the said proceedings at Lichfeild but to bring all the depositions there taken to remain within the said Court of Star-Chamber in the Councel-chest Nevertheless did they vouchsafe liberty to the said Sir Robert to examine Witnesses in that honourable Court in order to the making good of his legitimacy Whereupon by full testimony upon â—ath partly made by the said Lady Sheffeild and partly by divers other persons who were present at her marriage with the before specified Earl it appeared that she having been first contracted in Cannon-Row within the City of Westminster about two years before was solemnâ—y wedded to him in her Chamber at Asher in Surrey by a lawfull Minister according to the form of Matrimony by Law establisht in the Church of England in the presence of Sir Edward Horsey Knight that gave her in marriage as also of Robert Sheffeild Esq and his wife Dr Iulio Henry Frodsham Gent. with five other persons whose names are there specified and that the Ring wherewith they were so marryed was set with five pointed Diamonds and a table Diamond which had been given to him the said Earl by the then Earl of
leaving Iames his son and heir 14 years of age Which Iames by his Deed dated 1 Martii 2 3. Ph. M. past it to Anthoâ—y Throgmorton Citizen and Mercer of London who 1 Maii 7 Eliz. sold it to Sir Tho. Leigh Kt. Citizen and Alderman of London whose great grandchild now of Stoneley enjoys it Ashowe HAving now done with that spacious parish of Stoneley following the stream of Avon I come next to Ashow situate on the Northwest side thereof In the Conq. time this was possest by Turchil de Warwik whose free-hold it had been before the Norman invasion one Ermenfridus then holding 2 hides thereof of the same Turchil Here were then also 2 Mills and woods of half a mile in length and 3 furlongs in bredth the whole value of all being certified at xl s. as the Survey then made doth manifest in which it is written Alceshot But 't is very like that there was some mistake in the transcriber for in all antient Records after that time it is written Essesho which makes me conjecture that the original appellation thereof was either by reason of its situation Eastwards from Wotton for of that parish it hath been and that the syllable ho was at first hoâ— which with the Saxons signified a House or Cave or else from the old English word aesce which signifieth an Ash. And as I have taken liberty to guess here at the occasion of its name so must I do touching the succession thereof in regard that the light which I have from Record is so dim in many places Finding therefore that the Verdons were superiour Lords of the Fee here and that Lecelina mother to the first Bertram de Verdon that had any thing to do in this County as I have in Brandon manifested was daughter to Geffrey de Clinton that founded the Castle and Priory of Kenilworth in H. 1. time and gave a meadow here to the Canons of Kenilworth called Ruggenhale which shews that it came by her I need not much doubt but that Turchil de Warwick's issue being dispossest of the most of their fathers lands as I shall elswhere shew this was inter alia bestowed by K. H. 1. on the said Geffrey whom he advanced so high as in Kenilworth is declared and given by him to Norman de Verdon with his said daughter Lecelina in marriage And to that opinion I do the more incline when I consider that it was antiently a Chapelry to the mother Church of Wotton which Church the said Geffry gave to the Canons of Kenilworth at the very foundation of that Monastery But it seems that Verdon did antiently enfeoff one of the Simelyes in this Ashow for in 36 H. 3. Geffrey de Simely held here and in Caldecote half a Kts. fee of Roise de Verdon and she of the Earl of Warwick Which Roise being the heir female of that great family dyed in 32 H. 3. To the said Geffrey succeeded William who in 7 E. 1. with the Abbot of Stoneley was certified to be Lord of this place then written Assche both of them holding the same of Theobald de Verdon whereof the said Will. then had 8 acres in demesn 2 Cottagers owing suit to his three weeks Court here twice a year making appearance at his Court of Brandon and xi Free-holders who held 4 yard land and a half and 9 acres and a half Which Will. had also a certain out-wood here containing 6 acres and another several wood of 6 acres more Here likewise had the Abbot of Stoneley 3 Cottiers and 3 Free-holders who then held 3 yard land a quarter and 4 acres doing suit twice a year also at the Court of Brandon But in 29 E. 1. did Geffrey de Simely alien to Tho. E. of Lancaster then Lord of Kenilworth-castle and his heirs all his wasts and woods called Widenhaye lying in this Lordship viz. betwixt the bank of Avon and the said Earls wood called the Frith belonging to Kenilworth which grant Ric. Basset and Esylia his wife sometime the wife of Wâ—ll de Symelie and mother to the said Geffrey confirmed Howbeit after this Geffrey I have not seen any more of their male line but in 20. E. 3. Iohn de Hokkeley is certified to hold part of a Kts. fee here of the heirs of Verdon The like appears in 34 E. 3. wherein the same is mentioned to be that which Geffrey de Simely held But in 2 H. 4. Will. Allesley had it Little have I seen that is further memorable relating to this place other than that in 13 E. 4. Iohn Hugford Esq and Tho. Waldeyve had license to grant inter alia 8 mess. 2 carucats 20 acres of land 12 acres of wood xii s. a pound of Pepper and a red Rose yearly rent all lying here with half the fishing in Avon to the Monks of Stoneley for ever All which coming to the Crown by the dissolution of that Monastery is possest by the Lord Leigh together with Stoneley and most of the lands sometime belonging thereto The Church dedicated to the Assumption of our Lady having been antiently but a Chapel belonging to Wotton as I have already intimated was confirmed to the Canons of Kenilworth in H. 2. time by Ric. Peche B. of Cov. and had a Pension of xx s. per ann granted out of it to the said Canons by Geffrey Muschamp one of his successors in K. Iohn's time In ann 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at v marks and in 26 H. 8. at vi l. ii s. over and above the xx s. yearly Pension due to the Canons of Kenilworth and 8 s. allowed for Procurations and Synodals But it hath lately been augmented with xx l. per ann by the Lady Aliza Dudley in such sort as the rest were whereunto she gave the like annuity as in Mancetâ—r I have declared Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes temp Inst. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. de Greneburgh Cler. 9 Cal. Dec. 1324. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Houghton Cler. 16 Cal. Oct. 1333. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Shulton Pbr. Id. Nov. 1343. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. Torald 12 Cal. Dec. 1345. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. de Frolesworth Cler. 7 Id. Maii 1349. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Rad. de Cleybroke Cler. 8 Cal. Aug. 1349. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Hugo de Ryby Pbr. 2 Non. Sept. 1361. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Tho Dawen 6 Id. Martii 1364. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Will. de Stoneley Pbr. 7. Cal. Nov. 1369. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ric. de Milverton Pbr. 23 Sept. 1383. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Tho. Cresset Pbr. 24 Martii 1398. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Rouland Pbr. 10 Oct. 1427. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Ioh. Drury Cap. 22 Iulii 1428. Pr. Conv. de Kenilworth Tho. Taylour
find that Henry de Neuburgh the first E. of Warwick after the Conquest in imitation of K. H. 1. who made the Park at Woodstoke containing 7 miles in compass and which was the first in England did impark it but at that time it contained no more than what now is called the Old-Park the rest having been enlarged by the succeeding Earls who had as it seems a Mannour here for so it is called in that settlement made 31 H. 3. by Iohn de Plesseâ—s E. of Warwick upon Will. Mauduit and Alice his wife And concerning this place I further find that the tythes of the assarts here as also of the paunage and venison were by Margery Maresâ—hall Countess of Warwick in H. 3. time given to the Hospital of S. Mich. in Warwick in pure alms And that in 26 E. 1. upon the extent of the lands belonging to Will. Beauchamp E. of Warwick then deceased it was certified that he had here at Wegenok besides the Park containing xx acres a little Pool and eight acres of arable land As also that in 9 E. 2. the underwood of this Park did yeild 26 s. 8 d. per an the herbage 10 s. and the paunage with the Nuts 6 s. 8 d. Howbeit in those dayes the Park was but small till Tho. Beauchamp E. of Warw. enlarged it with certain woods called Wegenok-Donele lying within the parish of Hatton and adjoyning thereto which he purchased of the Lady Scolastica de Melsa After which it continued to the succeeding Earls even to the last of that family but coming to the Crown with the rest of their lands was by K.E. 6. in 1. of his reign granted with the Castle of Warwick and divers other Mannours unto Iohn Dudley E. of Warwick upon whose attainder in 1 M. the Q. demised the herbage and paunage thereof to Henry Iernegan for 30 years at x marks per ann And Q. Eliz. in 14 of her reign past the inheritance of it together with the wood called Fernehill and the Mannour-house named Goodrest to Fulke Grevill Esq and his heirs Which Fulke being created Lord Brooke by K. Iames as I have elswhere shewed setled this and many other lands on Rob. Grevill his kinsman now sc. 1640. Lord Brooke by vertue of an entail with that Honour Touching the said Mannour-house called Goodrest first built by Tho. Beauchamp the second of that name Earl of Warwick in part of E. 3. and R. 2. time I suppose it was so called in respect that some of the Countesses of Warwick to avoyd much concourse of people retired hither when they were near the time of Child-birth for 't is plain that many of their children were born here as I have elswhere observed But all the further mention that I find thereof is that K. H. 7. the Earldome of Warwick being in his hands granted the custody of it with the Gardens and Waters in the Park to Edw. Belknap Esq of the body for life Cuckow-Church THat which beareth this name is onely certain grounds lying within Wedgnok-park where antiently stood a Chapel which was of the Earl of Warwick's patronage How long it is since that Chapel fell to ruine is uncertain but in 16 H. 7. the K. by his Letters Pat. dated 18 Martii reciting that it had been down to the ground of a long time and that the place where it stood with the Chapel-yard had also been and then was imployed to prophane uses As also that there were no Inhabitants there which should rebuild it to the intent that the same place formerly so consecrated might thenceforth be converted to pious uses bestowed it on the Dean and Chapter of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick and their successors together with xl s. yearly rent thereto belonging formerly given to the said Chapel in recompence of the glebe pertaining thereto which the Earls of Warwick had obtained in exchange for the said xl s. rent But the Village whereunto this Chapel did belong many years since depopulated was called Rykmersbery See more thereof in Beausall Blacklow-hill THere is nothing else memorable in the parish of Wotton but Blacklow-hill where the Earls of Lanc. and Warwick having at Dedington in Oxfordsh surprized Piers de Gaveston Earl of Cornwall a great Favourite to K. E. 2. beheaded him without judgement of his Peers or any course of Law on the day of S. Gervasius and Prochasius 7 E. 2. scil mense Iunii under the side of the hill in the place where since that time stood a Cross called Gaverston's-Cross Guyes-Cliffe THis being a great Cliff on the Western bank of Avon was made choyce of by that pious man S. Dubritius who in the Brittons time had his Episcopal seat at Warwick for a place of devotion where he built an Oratory dedicated to S. Mary Madg. unto which long after in the Sâ—xons dayes did a devout Heremite repair who finding the natural Rock so proper for his Cell and the pleasant Grove wherewith it is back'd yeilding entertainment fit for solitude seated himself here Which advantages invited also the famous Guy sometime E. of Warwick after his notable atchievements having weaned himself from the deceitfull pleasures of this world to retire hither where receiving ghostly comfort from that Heremite he abode till his death as by my discourse of him in Warw. shall more fully be manifested It seems that this place continued in the same condition for a long time afterwards For I find that in 8 E. 3. one Thomas de Lewes being a Heremite here had the K. Letters of protection for himself and all his goods in which Record it is written Gibbeclyve And that in 10 H. 4. one Iohn Burry at that time likewise Heremite here had C s. per ann salary for to pray for the good estate of Ric. Beauchamp then E. of Warw. as also for the souls of the father mother of the said Earl Whether it was out of respect to the memory of the famous Guy before mentioned or to view the rareness of its situation I cannot say but certain it is that K. Henry 5. being on a time at Warw. came to see it and did determine to have founded a Chantry here for 2 Priests had he not been by death prevented After which the before specified Ric. Beauchamp E. of Warw. bearing a great devotion to the place whereupon then stood nothing but a small Chapel and a Cottage in which the Heremite dwelt in 1 H. 6. obtained license to do the like sc. for 2 Priests which should sing Mass in the Chapel there daily for the good estate of him the said Earl and his wife during their lives and afterwards for the health of their souls and the souls of all their parents friends with all the faithfull deceased Of which Chantry Will. Berkswell afterwards Dean of the Collegiat-Church in Warw. and one Iohn
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
mentioned had Free-warren granted to him in 42 H. 3. And that the said Iohn held the same being half a Knights fee of Thomas de Arden lineall heir to the before specified Siward by the service of a Hawke As also that in 13 E. 1. Theobald de Verdon â— son and heir of the said Iohn claymed a Court-leet Assise of bread and beer Free-warren and weyfs with other priviledges here in Flekenho and the members thereof viz. Nethercote Wolshamcote Sawbridge for these do appear so to be by the antient stile of the Court there kept all which were allowed Which Theobald had issue Theobald and he severall daughters and heirs as in Brandon is shewed whereupon it came by partition to be assigned unto Isabell the wife of Henry de Ferrers of Groby To whose posterity in the direct line it continued untill it was put into the hands of Iohn Stafford Bishop of Bath and Wells Iohn Visc. Beauâ—ont and other feoffees by William the last Lord Ferrers of Groby who by their deed dated 20. Ian. 20 H. 6. setled it upon the said William for terme of life and after his decease upon Thomas his younger son and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas being so seized thereof gave it to Henry Ferrers his younger son to hold during the life of the said Henry but afterward to remain to Thomas Ferrers son and heir of him the said Thomas by Eliz. one of the sisters and heirs to Sir Baldwin Frevill Knight by whom he had the Castle of Tamworth in this County From which Thomas and Eliz. did lineally descend Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight who by his deed bearing date 20. Sept. 12. Iac. gave it with Anne his daughter in Marriage unto Sir Symon Archer Knight and his heirs of whom and his family which hath been of great continuance in this Shire I have spoke in Tanworth where their seat is Nethercote THIS having been antiently called Parva-Flekenho and originally a member of the other was in 10 E. 2. held by Iohn de Coigne of Theobald de Verdon for half a Knights fee And after him viz. in 2 E. 3. by Will. Coyne who wrote himself Dominus de Nethercote To whose posterity it continued till 31 H. 8. that Robert Cuny esquire past it away to Roger Wigston esquire and his heirs whose son and heir William Wigston esq but afterwards Knight levyed a Fine thereof to Eliz. Onely widow in 3 E. 6. But I have heard that Roger Wigston son and heir to the said Sir William sold it to one Thomas Lee which Thomas in 14. Eliz. by the name of Tho. Lee of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. esquire was certified to dye seized thereof leaving William Watson son of Anne Watson one of his sisters his next heir Which William sold it to Tho. Wilcox who passed it to Robert Clerke late owner thereof Sawbridge THIS being written Salebrugge in antient Records makes me imagine that the name was at first occasioned from the Bridge here over Leame and that the syllable Sal which by corrupt pronuntiation is now called Saw proceedeth from the old Brittish word Sal or Salw id est vilis sive parvae estimationis But it was originally a member of Wolfhamcotâ— and continued in the family of Ardern till King Iohn's time that Thomas de Arderne granted it to the Monks of Thorney in Cambrige-shire who in 19 E. 1. were certified to hold in this place one carucate of land rated at xxx s. and iv li. xii s. rent of Assise at which time the value of those customary works due to the Monks from hence were rated at 26 s. 8 d. â—nd the pleas and perquisites 6 s. 8 d. They had then also a Mill of 4 li. per annum and a stock upon the ground worth xx s. by the year The totall viii li. xix s. iv d. This continued in the Crown after the dissolution of the Monasteries til 2 Eliz. that the Q past it away to ...... Gerard and others by the name of the Mannour of Sawbridge How it came again to her hands I know not but in 4. of her raign by her Letters Pat. dated 28. Oct. she granted it to Ranulph Crew esq and Richard Cartwright gent. and their heires together with a water-mill in Ryeton â— to be held in Feeferme paying xx li. yearly into the Exchequer Which Ranulph and Richard by their deed dated the 10. of Nov. following past it to Edward Brook of Flekenho gent. Roger Tibbots of Southam gent. Robert Clâ—rk of Wolfhamcote Yeoman Thomas Chiles of Sawbridge Yeoman and Richard Roberts of Nethercote Yeoman and their heires Shuckborough-superior SOuthwest from Wolfhamcote stands Shuckborough superior part whereof lyes within Kineton-Hundred In the Conq. time the Earl of Mellent held four hides here as appears by the generall Survey then made and Turchill de Warwick half a yard land All which being valued at lv s. were possest by the same Leuvinus before the Norman invasion of whom I have made mention in Monkskirby and Flekenho But in that Record it is written Socheberge whence I conjecture that the originall name was at first composed of a Brittish as well as a Saxon word Swch in that language signifying a Plow and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the other a Hill which is not unsutable to the nature of the ground viz. arable and the situation thereof That the greatest part of the Earl of Mellent's lands and likewise of the before specified â—urchill's came soon after to the antient Earls of Warwick I have often observed yet it when it was or whom that those Earles first enfeoft of this place doth not directly appear but plain it is that Earl Roger who dyed in King Stephen's time gave the Church to the Nunns of Wroxhale and confirmed the grant which Robert then Lord of this Mannour had made of 4. yard land and xx acres of Inclosure to the same Religious house But after this Robert the next that I find to have been Lord of it was Osbert de Lemintone who granted an Oxe-gang of land lying within the precincts thereof to the Abby of Leicester Which Oxe-gang being half a yard land and confirmed by King H. 2. was within a short space given by the Canons of that House to Thomas the son of Oliver de Shukborow and his heires for ix s. yearly rent to be payd to the said Monastery From this Thomas did descend as 't is like that family which long continuing here bore the sirname of Oliver whereof was Thomas Oliver who in 7 E. 1. held 7. yard land in this place viz. 3. yard land and a half of Henry de Berchesdone by the 4. part of a Knights fee which the said Henry held over of the Prior of Coventre and the rest of Iordan de Say by the like service This Thomas Oliver had at that time
Incumb temp Instit. D. Ioh. Paynell miles Ingeramus de Yerdle Cap. prid Cal. Sept. 1301. D. Ioh. Paynell miles Thom. de Herdwik Pbr. 3. Id. Febr. 1301. Thom. le Blount mil. Thom. le Blount subdiac 5. Id. Martii 1327. D. Will. de Clinton mil. Rad. de Melbourn Cler. 14. Cal. Nov. 1334. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Thom. de Wyleby Pbr. 13. Cal. Iunii 1342. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Adam de Whytington Pbr. Non. Dec. 1353. D. Iuliana de Hastings Comitissa Huntind Will. Sacry Cap. 4. Cal. Apr. 1361. D. Iuliana de Hastings Comitissa Huntind Will. Whitâ—heved Pbr. 23. Aug. 1361. D. Iuliana de Hastings Comitissa Huntind Ric. de Saldeford Pbr. Non. Nov. 1366. D. Rex ratione custod terr Ioh nuper Comit. Pembr Thom. Chapman Cap. 12. Novemb. 1391. Ioh. Hervy Ioh. Styvecle Will Wenlok Benedictus Nichole 20. Maii 1393. Ioh. Prat Ioh. Grant Cler. alii hac vice Will. Baron Pbr. 1. Iunii 1397. Margeria Olney de Weston Vnderwood Thom. Beale Pbr. 7. Oct. 1434. Margeria Olney de Weston Vnderwood Ioh. Reynald Pb. 27. Ian. 1441. Rob. Olney D. de Burdingbury Ioh. Lyke Pbr. 12. Febr. 1443. Rob. Throgmorton ar Roulandus Addyson Pbr. 15. Apr. 1495. Rob. Throgmorton ar Christoph. Masse Pbr. 1. Aug. 1497. Will. Middilmore alii ratione concess strenui viri Rob. Throgmorton mil. D. Ioh. Becheton Cap. 24. Oct. 1539. Immina Ogyll vidua D. Iac. Persyvall Cler. 12. Aug. 1549. Iasper Leeke gen Will. Clever Cler. 8. Aug. 1566. Ric. Cotton hac vice ex concess Iasp. Leeke Mauritius Roulands 18. Aug. 1570. Ioh. Shukborow Hugo Conwaie Cleric 12. Sept. 1573. D. Eliz. Regina Cutbert Terye Cler. 11. Nov. 1581. .... Shukborow ar Ric. Crispe Cleric 1. Maii 1604. Marton ABout a mile below Birdingbury stands Marton which I conceive had its name originally from the Moore or Marish-ground adjoyning the O by antient use in pronuntiation being changed into A as in the North parts of this Kingdom where the Vestigia of our old English are yet most plain to be found is yet veâ—y usuall and whereof there is frequent mention in the Conquerours Survey one of the Hundreds then in being as I have already shewed bearing the title thereof yet do not I find any particular mention of it unless it be that which is there certified to be held by Richard Forestarius and written Mortone whereof the value is certified at xx s. having been the freehold of one VViching before the Norman invasion It should seem that Robert de Craft was owner of it in H. 2. time and that he held itâ— partly of Hugo filius Ricardi of whom I have â—poke in Wroxhale and partly of VVilliam Earl of Warwick For upon the Kings confirmation of the Church to the Nuns of Eaton in this County it is expressed to be of the gift of the said Robert de Craft and of the fee of the same Hugo fil Ricardi and VVilliam Earl of Warwick Whereby I may conclude that the said Robert de Craft was Lord of the Mâ—nnâ—ur But for want of further lighâ— from Record I shall not be able to discover who were owners of it in â— perfect Series and therefore by that little glimpse I have will adventure to guess In 12 Iâ—h VValter VValeâ—â—nd held half a Knights fee here but it should seem that the Canons of Chaucumbe in Northampton-shire and all oâ— the greatest part of the Maâ—â—â—ur before the Rebellion in King Iohn's time for in 1 H. â— the Shiriff had command to give them the like possession thereof as they had before that waâ—r and of which they alleaged that they were unjustly disseised by VVilliam Bâ—sset In 20. H. 3. â—t was certifiâ—d that Raph de 〈◊〉 held a Knights fee here of the Earl of Warwick and in 36 H. 3. that Thomas de Clinton held the same of those Earls Shortly after which viz. in 50 H. 3. I find that Raph Basset of Sapcote one of the vanquisht Rebeâ—ls in the battail of Evesham had xl s. Rent here But what that was to the Mannour or part thereof I am not able to say yet this subsequent particular which I have noted may perhaps by the help of other authorities when they shall be found give some light therein viz. that in 18 E. 1. VVilliam de Hamelton had one mess and one carucat of land in this village which mess was held of Iohn Enâ—ayne and Ioan his wife who held it over of Nicholas Charnells and he of Simon Basset and he of the Earl of Warwick Now that Charnells had some relation to Craft by descent I have in Bilton shewed some probability but to draw any absolute conclusion from these premisses I shall not adventure One thing I meet withall which inclines me to think that whereas it is recorded in the Conquerors Survey that the Earl of Mellent held half â— hide in Mortone unto which one VVallef whose â—reehold it was before the Conquest was then his tenant it is meant this Marton for upon the extent of the lands of Edmund Earl of Lanc. â—n 25 E. 1. it appears that Iohn de Bishopsdon held in Merton which I take to be no other than this place the fourth part of a Knights fee as also that his tenants came to the Court-leet held for the Honour of Leicester And that which makes it more probable that this place or the greater part of it was antiently of the old Earls of Leicesters fee is not onely the grant of the Church to the Monastery of Nun-Eaton as I have already obseâ—ved which was of their foundation but that those Nuns at length were reputed to have the Seignory here as appears by the certificat in 9 E. 2. At which time I also find that Raph Bassâ—t of Sapcote held half a Knights fee therein of the Earl of Warwick Which half Knights fee was in 20 E. 3. certâ—fied to be heâ—d of the same Earls by Guy Bretton VVâ—ll lâ— Zouch and Iohn de Tewe which VVill. gave part of what he so had to the Canons of Studley Bâ—t further than what I have said can I find little relating to this place till Iohn Gold of Welton in Com. Northampt. gent. by his deed dated 2 Nov. 38 H. 8. past a certain Mannour here unto Thomas Oldfield and his heirs â—rom wâ—om descended as t is like Roul Oldfield of Twyford in Com. Sutht gent. which Roul 1. Maii 4. Iac. sold it to Iohn Davies of Watford in Com. Northampt. Câ—erke who 30. Sept. 14 Iac. aliened it to R.c. VValter father of Iohn VValter the present owner thereof As for that Mannour and lands which the Nuns of Eaton had they were 26. Iulii in 4. 5. Ph. M. past out of the Crown to Peter Temple and Mich. Cameswell which Peter and
Founder of that Monastery he there makes mention that his brother whose name is not exprest was his predecessor That which the E. of Mellent had here was also granted by some of the old Earls of Leicester to one of those Lodbrokes to hold by the fourth part of a Kts. fee for the same was held by their posterity of the Lord Ferrers of Groby who by Quincy deduceth his descent from a co-heir of those Earls Will. de Lodbroc 11 H. 2. Henr. de Lodbroc Will. de Lodbroc 1 Joh. Joh. de Lodbroc 1 Joh. Sarra Henr. de Lodbroc 34 H. 3. Isabella 34 H. 3. Joh. de Lodbroc 41 H. 3. Johanna filia haer Ric. de Baresworth 41 H. 3. Ioh. de Lobrock 3 E. 3. Henr. de Lodbroke miles 9 E. 2. Hugo de Lodbroc Rector cccl. de Blaby Ioh. de Lodbroc miles 33 E. 3. Leticia ux 1. Ioh. Hugo Tho. de Lodbroc 24 E. 3. Alicia filia Will. de Catesby 24. E. 3. Ioh. de Lodbroc miles 33 E. 3. Hawisia filia haer Rob. de Davintre mil. ux 2. Alicia uxor Ludovici Cardian temp R. 2. Cath. filia haeres Will. Hathewyk Ioh. Hathewyk gen 10 H. 6. Joh. de Lodbroc Rob. de Lodbrock Rad. Macer sive le Megre temp H. 2. In 5 Ioh. Iohn de Lodbroc granchild of Will being distrained by the E. of Leic. for the service of a Kts. fee heâ—d of the said Earâ— impleaded Tho. de Arden for not discharging him thereof Which Kts. fee lay in Leicestersh as I guess for this Mannour was held of the E. of Warwick by the service of a Kts. fee. This Iohn de Lodbroke in H. 3. time was often in Commiss for taking Assizes of Novel disseisin and Goal-delivery and for other affairs of great importance in this County as I shall here instance viz. in 16 H. 3. he with Will. de Bâ—ssâ—pâ—sdon had the custody of the Kings Eschaets and Wards committed to them and the same year was appointed one of the Commissioners for assessing and collecting a xl part of each mans movable goods for the Ks. use In 19 H. 3. he was constituted one of the Commissioners for gathering of Tallage upon the K. demesn lands and in 21 H. 3. for the collecting of a xxx part of all mens personal estates then granted to the K. In 25. he was one of those who with the Shiriff had appointment to view all the Castles in this County and to certifie under their Seals what defects they found in the strength of them To him succeeded Henry his son and heir who in 26 H. 3. was certified to hold 3 Kts. fees of the E. of Warwick and the next year following was one of the Justices for Goal-delivery at Warwick That this Henry and Iohn his father were Benefactors to the Monks of Combe the particular parcels of land in this Village given to that Monastery by them do sufficiently declare which were received with such gratefull respect as that Will. de Chelre the then Abbot with the Covent of that House by their publick Instrument dated on the Octaves of the holy Trinity an 1250. 34 H. 3. granted to the said Henry and his heirs the choyce of a fit Clerk to be presented in that Monastery and there shorn a Monk successively for ever for the health of the souls of Iohn de Lodbroch his father Sarra his mother and of his the said Henry and Isabell his wife In 39 H. 3. he underwent the Office of Eschaetor in this County and had issue Iohn who wedded Ioan the daughter and heir of Ric. de â—aresworth widow of Ric. de Bray This Iohn in 56 H. 3. received pardon from the King for payment of xl s. at which he was amerced by the Justices Itinerant for not being then a Kt. and in 28 E. 1. being constituted one of the Justices of peace in this County had the next year following Summons with divers other great men to attend the K. at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast-day of the Nativity of S. Iohn Bapt. well and sufficiently provided with Horses and Arms to march against the Scots I am of opinion that he was Knighted in that expedition for in 32 E. 1. I find him so stiled In 1 E. 2. he was again in Commission for the Goal-delivery at Warwick and left issue Henry de Lodbroke who in 9 E. 2. was a Kt. and in 17. in the List of those Kts. and men at Arms whose names were then returned into the Chancery Which Henry had issue Iohn who in 10 E. 3. had his Knighthood respited for 2 years Against this Iohn and his brother Hâ—gh did the Earl of Warwick commence suit in 17 E. 3. alledging that they went about fraudulently to avoâ—d him of the services due for the Mannor of Cuntasthorpe in Com. Leic. held of his fee. Which Iohn took to wife Hawisia the daughter and heir of Sir Rob. de Davintre Kt. and of Hawise his wife daughter of Will. de Keynes and by his Deed beating date the Tuesday next before the Feast of S. Barnabe the Apostle 21 E. 3. past this Mannour unto certain Feâ—ffees for the use of himself during life after to Thomas his eldest son and his heirs who had wedded the daughter of Will. de Catesby the remainder to Hugh brother to the said Thomas and his heirs and so to Iohn brother of the said Hugh and to his heirs and for default of issue by Iohn to the said Will. de Catesby and his heirs Which first mentioned Iohn being a Kt. in 23. E. 3. by his Deed dated at Toneworth the same year released â—o the said Will. de Catesby and Nich. Woodward of Itchington and their heirs all the right he had in this Mannour granting to them and their heirs the advouson of the Church and bore for his Arms. Azure a Cheveron ermine as by his Seal appeareth After which viz. in 46 E. 3. Tho. de Lodbroke son to the said Sir Iohn quitted all his interest in this Mannour to the before specified Will. de Catesby which Will. had issue Iohn who in 7 R. 2. his father being then dead did his homage to Henry Lord Ferrers of Groby for those lands that he held in Lodbroke of him viz. the fifth part of a Kts. fee which were of the Fee of Leicester In K. Ric. 2. time there were great suits betwixt Alice the wife of Lewes Cardian and him the said Iohn for this Mannour as appeareth by several Bils of complaint exhibited in the K. Court by her against him she pretending an Entail made by Sir Henry Lodbroke Kt. her grandfather by force whereof she claimed But Catesby alledged that his father purchased it from Sir Iohn Lodbroke Kt. father to Alice and that the said Deed of Entail was
which were the antient possession of those Monks it is mentioned to be one of those places that they had then newâ—y recovered and recorded bâ— the name of Chadeseâ—font but with Bishops-Itchington it past from the Monks of Coventre to the Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield and in 7 E. 1. was certified to be in the possession of the Bishop of Chester for so was the Bâ—shop of Coventre and Lichfield then called who at that time held 6. carucats of land here in demesn and had xvii servants occupying severall proportions as also two Cottiers and three Freeholders which Freeholders held other tenements by a certain Rent and performance of some services In 13 E. 1. Roger Molend then Bâ—shop of Coventre and Lichfield claymed the like priviledges heâ—e as he did in Ichington-Episc which were allowed Whose successors enjoyd it till 1 E. 6. that Richard Sampsun tâ—e then Bishop aliened it with Ichington to Thomas Hawkins alià s Fisher as I have there shewed From which Fisher it past in exchange 6 E. 6. to Thomas Newsam gentleman for xiii yard land lying in Over and Nether-Ichington and the sum of Cxl. li. in money whose great-grandchild scil Thomas Newsam now enjoys it Within this Mannour so belonging to the Bishop the chief Chanter of Lichfield it seems had antiently also certain possâ—ssions for I find that in 16 H. 3. Richard de Hauton then chief Chanter recovered against one Thomaâ— Mathew 41. acres of land and three messuages whereupon a Fine was then levied and the said mess. and land acknowledged to be the right of the same chief Chanter as belonging to the Cathedrall of Lich. And besides these mess. and lands had he also a title to eight yard land in Radway as an Agreement made in An. 1275. 3 E. 1. betwixt Thomas de Wymundham then chief Chanter and the Monks of Stoneley manifesteth by which it was concluded that the said chief Chanter and his successors should thenceforth accept of xiii s. iv d. per annum payable on the morrow after Easter and the feast day of S. Matthew the Apostle by even portions in lieu thereof The Chapell here was dedicated to All-Saints in the windows whereof are no Armes neither are there any Monuments in it but of a late erection as the Epitaphs I have here added doe manifest On the South Wall Here lyeth buried the Predecessors of Walter Newsam Lord of Chadshunt in the County of Warwick He wedded the daughter of Anthony Aylworth of Aylworth Com. Glouc. Esquier who lived the severall ages of 76. years and had issue Thomas John George Edward and Anne 1621. Upon the said Monument are these Armes viz. Arg. upon a fesse sable 3. Crosses Croslets of the first and a Mullet in chief of the second On a plate of brasse in the said South-wall is the picture of a man with this Inscription Here lyeth the body of William Askell gent. who deceased the 6. of Febr. Anno Dom. 1613. aetat suae 48. On a flat stone in a plate of brass towards the East end of the Chappell Here lyeth buryed the body of Theophilus Wilkyns late of Chadsunt who dyed on the first of August 1613. And in the Chapell yard there hath been an antient Oratory as the Inhabitants report in which was the Image of S. Chadde whereunto Pilgrimages had wont to be made for by an Inquisition taken in 4 Eliz. it appears that the Offrings brought thither upon that occasion did amount to xvi li. per annum one year with another Herberbury FOllowing the course of Ichens I come next to Herberbury wherein I find that divers persons had shares in the Conq. time viz. the Monks of Coventre 1. hide and 1. virgat which being wasted by the Kings Army were then certified to be worth but ii s. The Earl of Mellent 4. hides and a half valued at C s. and held by Leuuinus and Alricus in Edward the Confessors time Turchill de Warwick 4. hides valued at lx s. whereof Willielmus Progenitor to the family of Lodbroke as I conceive was then his tenant one Ordric having been owner of them before the Conquest in which part of the town the Church stood Henry de Ferrers 2. hides valued at iv li. and then held by Wazelinus but were the Freehold of Siward Barn of whom I have spoke in Burton-Hastings before the Norman invasion And William Buenvasleth 3. virgats rated at v. sol But this place is in Domesday-book variously written viz. Edburberie Erburberie and Erburgeberie which considered makes me suppose that one Erneburga or Erburga the name of a woman antiently was possessor thereof in the Saxons time Touching that which the Monks of Coventre had here I find that it came afterwards to the Canons of Kenilworth though how or when I cannot declare the quantity thereof being five yard land as in 7 E. 1. was certified whereof four the said Canons then held in demesn and the fift was occupyed by three servants who performed certain servile labours for the same But the Earl of Mellent's share descended to his son viz. Robert Earl of Leicester which Robert enfeoft the same G. de Clinton thereof who was founder of the Castle and Priory of Kenilworth temp H. 1. Whose grandchild Henry past a great part of it to Reginald Basset of whom in Wolvey I have made mention and Henry Mallore son to Ankitell Mallore Robert Fitz-Parnell Earl of Leic. in King Iohn's time confirming the grants Which Henry kept his part not long but aliened some of it away to the said Reginald who disposed thereof with all he had here besides to the Monks of Combe levying a Fine thereupon in 3. Ioh. and gave the residue to the Canons of Kenilworth But the greater proportion thereof the Monks of Combe had viz. two carucats excepting one virgat in demesn and two Windmills with 12. servants holding ...... yard land and half at the will of the Lord performing divers servile labours two Cottagers holding two Cottages and two Freeholders who occupyed half a yard land and two acres all which were held by them of the heires to the said Reginald Basset by the eight part of a Knights fee That which the Canons of Kenilworth held being 2. Windmills and 2. yard land in demesn three servants occupying one yard land and a half and seven Freeholders holding one mess. two yard land 24. part and two acres Another part of what the same Earl of Mellent had here was granted by some of his descendants to the Monastery of Nun-Eaton whereof they were Patrons But that which Turchill de Warwick had was given it seemes to Henry de Neuburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line and by the said Henry unto Geffrey de Clinton before specified which Geffrey bestowed the Church on the Canons of Kenilworth immediatly after his foundation of that Monastery Henry his grandchild confirming the gift It should seem
besides all this he conferred upon the said Sir Richard and his heirs all his right in that Chappell But the next mention that I find thereof is in 20. H. 3. where Walter de Daivill owner also of Walton-Daiville answered for the 4. part of a Kts. fee in this place which said 4. part in 36. H. 3. was certifyed to be held by Rob de Dayvill of Will de Cantilupe and that the said Will held it over of the heirs of Geffrey Corbicon whereby it may seem that Peter Corbicon son to that Peter which founded the Priory of Studley at such time as he passed the advouson of that Religious house with other lands and Fees unto Will. de Cantilupe as I shall shew when I come to Stodley granted likewise this 4. part of a Kts Fee here to the said Will for I suppose that the same Geffrey here mentioned was a son to the said Peter After this viz. in the same 36. year of H. 3. had Walt D'eyvill whom I account son of the before mentioned Robert a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and other lordships of this County Howbeit in 13. E. 1. Iohn de Hastings as superior Lord of the Fee claymed a Court-Leet Weyfs and other priviledges therein Ioan his mother being one of the sisters and heirs to George de Cantilupe But when or how D'eyvill parted with his interest I have not yet seen nor any more thereof till E. 1. time that Rog de Clifford senior past what he had here which then extended to xx l. lands per ann unto Sir Vrian S. Pere Kt. in exchange for certain lands in Dreyton in Com. Suss. which Sir Vrian for I take it to be he was in 23. E. 1. found to dye seized of a certain Mannour-house with divers lands and tenements situat in this place which he held ioyntly with Margaret his wife of the before recited Iohn de Hastings by the third part of a Kts. Fee leaving Urian his son and heir then xvj years of age but the Record expresseth that the said Mannour-house and lands were purchased by him and the said Margaret of one Ralph de Bure Which last mentioned Sir Vrian for he was a Kt. had issue Iohn who in 8. E. 3. levyed a Fine of this Mannour unto Will the Son of Sir VVilliam Trussell of Cublesdon Kt. but to what uses appears not VVhich VVill. in 20 E. 3. was certifyed to hold the 4. part of a Kts Fee here of the heirs of Hastings notwithstanding all which it should seem that it came by Isabell the daughter of Sir Urian who perhaps was heir to her brother Iohn vnto Sir Walt Cokesey Kt. son and heir of Hugh Cokesey who in 30. E. 3 dyed seized of another Mannour lying in this place both which being thus vnited continued to the heirs of Cokesey for divers generations as I shall shew anon But in the mean time taking a view of such other persons as had to do here I find that in 4. E. 4. Will Cotes dyed seized of a capitall mess and certain lands leaving Iohn his son and heir xv years of age which Will was son and heir vnto Roger who stiles himself Rog fil Silverstri de Honyngham by his deed bearing date in 30. E. 1. and in 9. E. 2. Steward unto Iohn de Warren E. of Sussex and Surrey for all his Courts in these Counties And that in 20 E. 3. Iohn Cotes Will. Blundell and Rog. de Tiringham held here likewise the 4. part of a Knights fee of the Earl of Lancaster and the heirs of Hastings Which 4. part in 44 E. 3. was certified to be held of the E. of Warwick by Iohn de Cotes and Will. Corbizon de Kenilworth In 2 H. 4. it also appears that Edw. Metley held the 4. part of a Knights fee here of the Earl of Warwick And in 10 H. 6. all the principall persons that then had interest in Honyngham are exprest viz. Sir Hugh Cokesey of Worcestershire Knight Iohn Cotes of Honyngham esq Margaret Meâ—ley and Will. Warmyngton of Honyngham husbandman where it is recorded that they held the Mannour of Honyngham with certain lands and tenements there by the 4. part of a Knights fee. Of which family of Cotes I find that some wrote themselves of this place whereby it is manifest that they had their residence here VVherefore having reduced hither all that I have found of them in order of time and with as much certainty in the descent as I have any authority to warrant it withall I shall take notice of what is memorable of them Will. de Cotes obiit 4 E. 3. Ioh. de Cotes fil haeres aet 15. 4 Eâ— 4. Will. Cotes 3. R. 2. Margareta postea nupta Edw. Metley Ioh. Cotes de Honingham 12 H. 6. Iohanna 10 H. 6. Thomas Cotes ar temp E. 4. Râ—c Cotes ar obiit 15. Dec. 20. H. 7. Alicia una filiarum cohaer Ioh. Hugford de Emscote Ioh. Cotes aet 18. 20 H. 7. Anthon. Cotes ar 1. M. In 3 R. 2. Will. Cotes was a Commissioner for levying and assessing a xv then granted to the K. in Parliament And Iohn his son one of those men of note in this County who bearing antient Armes from his Ancestors had command in 7 H. 5. to attend the King in person for defence of the Râ—alm VVhich Iohn in 12 H. 6. was one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held and that by Indenture certified to the then Lord Chancelour the names of all such persons in the County as were thought fit to make oath that they would perform certain Articles established in the same Parliament And lastly in 20 H. 6. Escheator for Warwick and Leicester-shires But how long this family continued possest of what they had here I am not sure therefore upon these incertainties I shall leave them resolving next to take notice of the Cokeseys who had likewise an interest in this place as I have already intimated though their principall residence was in Worcester-shire The first of which family was Hugh de Cokesey a younger son as I guess to Sir Walter Cokesey of Cokesey in Worcester-shire Kt. for so it may seem by the Testament of the said Sir Walter bearing date 24 E. 1. The same year that the said Hugh de Cokesey departed this life which was 30 E. 3. as I have already shewed Dionysia his widow one of the daughters and heirs of Will. le Botiller vowed chastity in the presence of Reginald Bryan Bishop of Worcester touching the manner and form of which vows I shall speak in Warwick when I come to historify the family of those Earls and their posterity In 39 E. 3. Walter Cokesey son and heir of the said Hugh making proof of his age had livery of his inheritance and being
suddain did so vigorously lay at the corner of the Gyants target that his Club bossed with Iron fell to the ground w ch whil'st he stretched out his arm to take up the Palmer with his sword cut of his hand whereupon the Danes grew much dismayed and on the other sidâ— was there as great rejoycing by K. Athelstan and the English and yet notwithstanding did Colbrond hold out the Combate till the evening of that day that by loosing so much bloud he fainted so that Guy with all his strength fetching a blow cut of his head The victory therefore thus happily obtained occasioned the Danes with great confusion to hasten a way and the valiant Guy to give thanks unto God repairing forthwith to the Cathedral where he was honourably received with solemne Procession by the Clergy and others and offered his weapon to God and the Patron of that Church before the high Altar which my Author saith even to his time was kept in the Vestry there and called by the name of Colbrond's Ax but this being done reassumed his Pilgrims habit Whereupon the K. became most importunat with him to discover his name but he utterly refused so to do except to himself and that upon his oath not to reveal it unto which condition the K. assenting they walkt out alone in a by-path to a certain Crosse at some distance from the Citie and as soon as they came thither humbly bowing himself to the K. and saying that he was Guy Earle of Warwick the K. embraced him in his arms kissed him and promised him large rewards if he would live in his Court but he with much thankfulnesse refusing to receive any besought the K. that he would not disclose what he had said in regard his resolution was to continue in that Pilgrims state and so they there parted with tears From whence the Earle bent his course towards Warwick and coming thither not known of any for three dayes together took Almes at the hands of his own Lady as one of those xiii poor people unto which she dayly gave relief her self for the safety of him and her and the health of both their Souls And having rendred thanks to her he repaired to an Heremite that resided amongst the shady woods hard by desiring by conference with him to receive some spiritual comfort where he abode with that holy man till his death and upon his departure out of this World which hapned within a short time succeeded him in that Cell and conâ—â—nued the same course of life for the space of two years after but then discerning death to apprâ—â—ch he sent to his Lady their Wedding Ring by a trusty servant wishing her to take care of his burial adding also that when she came she should find him lying dead in the Chapel before the Altar and moreover that within xv dayes after she her self should depart this life Whereupon she came accordingly and brought with her the Bishop of the Dioces as also many of the Clergy other people and finding his body there did honourably inteâ—re it in that Heremitage and was her self afterwards buried by him leaving her paternal inheritance to Reynburn her onely son Which departure of our famous Guy hapned in the year of our Lord Dccccxxix and of his own age the seventieth To whom succeeded the Noble Reynburn Earle of Warwick through his Mothers right who haveing been stolen away in his Child-hood and carried into Russia where he gave great testimony of his singular valour in sundry Warlike feats whilst he continued in those forreign part upon his return into Engl. wedded the beautifull Lady Leonetta daughter to K. Athelstan but afterwards dying beyond the Seas was buried in a certain Island near unto Uenice and left for his successor Wegeat alias Weyth the humed a person of great courage and much honoured for his skill in martial affairs This Wegeat was a benefactor to the Monastery of Evesham by giving thereunto six messuages lying in Whitlaxford and Grafton in this County and had issue Vsa commonly called Huve the humed a most deveut man and a special friend to the Monks of Evesham for in the year Dcccclxxiiii by the consent of K. Edgar he gave them the whole Village of Whitlaxford now called Wixford and little Grafton and bequeathing his body to sepulture in that Monastery departed this life about the beginning of the reign of S. Edward the K. and Martyr To whom succeeded Wâ—lgeat who obtained a grant from those secular Canons which were possest of the Abby of Evesham upon expulsion of the Monks for 5. hides of Land in the same Whitlaxford upon an easier rent than had wont to be given conditionally that upon his death the Monastery might repossesse the same Land with all the stock that then should happen to be upon it Notwithstanding which the Monks could not get it again of a long time after till that Abbot Egelwyne purchased it a new of Earle Wigod a potent man in the dayes of K. Edw. the Conf. This Wolgeat was in special favour with K. Ethelred but for his wicked courses and oppressions had all his Lands and honour taken from him in the year M. vi Whether he had ever restitution of them or in whose hands the Earldom was thereupon put is uncertain but true it is that Warwick with a great part of the Countrey became shortly after viz. An. M. xvi much wasted by Canutus the Dane at which time the Nunnery near to the Church of S. Nicholas as also the Abby were burnt to the ground When or by whom those Religious houses were founded I never yet could finde nor any mention of them before this It seems the Abby stood on the Northwest part of the Town for the Lane there called Abby-lane argueth as much And the said house of Nuns took up all that which is now S. Nichols-Church-yard with a great part of the ground whereupon the Hospital of S. Iohn Bapt. was afterwards built the Chancel of S. Nicholas Church being the Quire thereof I now come to Wigod the hereditary successor of Wolgeat who being a potent man and a great Warriour as also a special benefactor to the Monks of Evesham lived in the times of K. Ethelred K. Edmund and of the Danish Kings and had to wife the sister of Earle Leofrik founder of the Monastery at Coventre To him succeeded Alwyne contemporary with K. Edward the Conf. and Will the Conq. This is he that in the Conq. Survey is called Alwinus Vicecomes the reason whereof I conceive to be either because that he did exercise the power and Authority of the Earle of Mercia scil Earle Leofrike his Uncle here in Warwick-shire as his ancestors had done for which respect my Author reputes him and them Earls as I have already shewed and hath ranckt them in that degree or else that he had the custody of the County to the Kings immediate use
and suit of harness with all that belong'd thereto To his son Iohn his second coat of Maile Helmet and harness and appointed that all the rest of his Armour Bows and other warlike provision should remain in the Castle of Warwick for his heir constituting these his Executors viz. Alice his Countess Sir Iohn de Hastings Iohn Hamelin Piers le Blund Parson of Hanslape Adam de Herewynton Richard de Brumesgrave Henry de Sidenhale Simon de Sutton Parson of Luffenham William de Wellesburne Parson of Berkeswell with Roger Caumpere Parson of Kibworth and departed this life 12. August next following in his said Castle of Warwick by poison as some thought but had sepulture in Abby of Bordsley before specified Before his death he obtained a grant from the King that his Executors when it should fortune him to depart this life might have the custody of his lands during the minority of his heir being answerable for the value of them to the Exchequer at Michaelmass and Easter every year saving that his Castles of Elmeley and Warwick should not be disposed of to any without the Kings speciall license which grant was confirmed to Iohn Hamelyn and the rest of the Executors in December following his death Neverthelessâ— so much was the K. wrought upon by them whose miscarriages afterwards gave the discontented Nobles opportunity to work his own ruine as that notwithstanding the grant before recited made to those Executors about two years after he passed the custody of them by a new Patent to Hugh le Despenser the elder in satisfaction of a debt of 6770 li. due to him from the said King as was pretended But before I proceed to speak of Thomas Earl of Warwick son and heir to the said Guy I have a word or two to say of the Countess his mother and the rest of her Children which is that she was the daughter of Raph de Tony of Flamsted in Hertford-shire widow of Thomas de Leybourn and at length heir to Robert her brother In November following the Death of her husband she had assigned to her in dowrie the Mannours of Hanslape in Com. Buck. Lygthorne Beausale Haseley Claverdon Berkswell with the third part of the Templars Mannour in Warwick and Shirburne and divers Knights fees all in this County And the next year following gave a Fine of 500. marks for license to marry with William La Zouch of Ashby in Com. Leic. to whom she was accordingly wedded but dyed in 18 E. 2. The other children of Earl Guy were Iohn a martiall Knight Emma the wife of Roul Odingsells Isabell married to ...... Clinton Elizabeth to Thomas Lord Astley and Lucia to Robert de Napton Which Iohn was a man of singular note in his time for in 22 E. 3. the King in consideration of his great services made him a Banneret and gave him Cxl li. per annum out of the Exchequer for his better support In 25 E. 3. he was Governour of Caleis In 26 Iohn Darcy to whom the King had granted the Constableship of the Tower of London for life for the great affection he bore to this Iohn de B. past over his interest in that Office to him which the King also ratified but within two years through the sinister suggestions of some he became much offended with him and put him out of that place constituting Barthol de Burghersh in his stead and after his death Robert de Morley but at the length it appearing to the King that those suggestions were false he received him again into favour and in consideration of his speciall services restored unto him the custody of the said Tower of London by his Letters Patents bearing date 25. Ian. aâ— the town of S. George neer the Castle of Beaufort in France and the same year constituted him Constable of Dovor-Castle Warden of the Cinque-ports for life and Admirall of the Seas for the North and West coasts He was also one of the Founders of that noble Order of the Garter instituted by King E. 3. and departing this life without issue 2. Dec. 34. E. 3. lyeth buryed betwixt two pillars on the South part of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London before the Image of our Lady where he had a fair Monument lately demolisht which was through mistake usually called Duke Humfrey's Tombe I now return to Thomas the succeeding Earl born in Warwick-Castle having to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Henry his brother with Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth This Thomas was very young at his fathers death but who had the custody and tuition of his person during King Edward 2. reign I find not Most likely it is that Hugh le Despenser the great favourite at that time having a grant of his lands as abovesaid had also the charge of his person but in 1 E. 3. the Castle of Warwick with the rest of his lands were committed to Roger Mortimer of Wigmore till he should arrive to his full age and in 3 E. 3. the King being minded to afford speciall favour to him as the very words of the Writ do importâ— accepted of his homage though he was not then of full age commanding that he should have livery of all his fathers lands and the next year following admitted him to the office of Shiriffalty for Worcester-shire which was of his inheritance as also to that of the Chamberlainshâ—p in the Exchequer with power to appoint whomsoever he should think â—it for the execution of them in such sort as in his Ancestors times had been used 'T is not to be doubted but as this Earl was descended from an antient race of worthy Progenitors and by many noble heirs so were his vertues no less eminent than the chiefest of them for from the time that he came to mans estate even till his death which hapned in 23. of King Edw. 3. raign was he scarce ever cut of some notable and high imployment whereof in order I will briefly make recitall In 5 E. 3. he had the goverment of the Isles of Gernsey Serke and Aureney In 6. he was joyn'd in Commission with Raph Lord Basset and William de Shareshull a great Lawyer and afterwards Chief-Justice for conservation of the peace in this County and Worcestershire In 7. to attend the King in his expedition for Scotland at which time Edward de Baliol King of Scotts did homage to King Edward for the Realm of Scotland with the adjacent Isles In 9. he had the custody of the Marches of Scotland committed to him All which was whilst he lived a batchelour For I find that in 12 E. 3. the King in satisfaction of a great summe of money that he owed to Roger Lord Mortimer for the time that he was his Lieutenant of Ireland
granted unto him the benefit of his marriage whereupon he became wedded to the Lady Kath. his daughter After which was he the same year put again in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this County and Worcestershire and likewise in the County of Oxford and in 17 E. 3. marcht into Scotland with Henry Earl of Lanc. as also many other great persons with a numerous Army for raysing the siege of Louhmaban-Castle whereof William de Boun Earl of Northampt. had the custody In 18 E. 3. he had the Shiriffalty of this County and Leicestershire committed to him for terme of life and in the same year was constituted Marshall of England in which he entailed the Castle of Warwick with divers great Lordships in this and other Countyes upon his issue male mentioning the names of his severall sons then living In the month of Iuly 20 E. 3. he attended the King in his French expedition and arrived with him at Hoggs in Normandy where getting on shore he manifested his valour to admiration by making the first attempt himself in person with one Esquiâ—r and six Archers though he had but a weak Horse under him with which and those few men he encountred with an C. Normans whereof they slew 60. thereby making way for the Army to land And at the same time was he one of the principall Commanders that with the Black-Prince led the van of his Army in that famous battail of Cressy where the English got such lasting honour In 21. E. 3. he was at the siege of Caleis with three Bannerets Knights 61. Esquiers 106. and Archers on Horsback 154. In consideration of which notable services and other his heroik actions the King gave him the summe of 1366 li. 11 s. 08 d. and the next ensuing year assigned unto him a thousand marks per annum during his life partly in recompence of his faithfull services and partly as wages for attendance upon his person with C. men at Armes according to certain Indentures of Covenants betwixt them In 26 E. 3. he recovered the dominion of Gowher in Wales from Iohn Lord Moubray whose title thereto accrued by Aliva his mother daughter and heir to William de Brews to whom King Iohn during the minority of Henry Earl of Warwick Ancestor to this Thomas wrongfully gave the same In which suit I find that Simon Pakeman of Kirby in Com. Leic. did him especiall service 't is like as sollicitor in consideration whereof he gave him the inheritance of all the Lands and Rents he had Over Botyndon in Comâ— Northampt. In 27 E. 3. he was sent with Edw. Prince of Wales Henry D. of Lanc. and Raph Earl Stafford to protect Sir Richard de Willughby and Sir William de Shareshull Justices Itinerant whilst they sate at Chester for fear of any insurrection by the people In 29 E. 3. he attended the said Prince into France this being the time that King Edward hearing that Philip King of France was dead as also that Iohn his eldest son then newly crown'd had given unto Charles the Daulphin of Uiennois the Dukedome of Aquitane whereat being much moved he called the said Prince with divers of his Nobles before him and assigned the said Dukedome of Aquitane unto him but before the revolution of one year after such their arrivall in France hapned that memorable battail of Poictiers in which the K. of France being taken prisoner this Noble Earl gained high renown for his marvailous valor and no small advantage for he had no less than 8000 li. for the redemption of Will. de Melleun Archbishop of Seinz whom he himself took likewise in that fight Nay of so heroik a spirit he was that about 37 E. 3. he travailed into forrain parts and having spent full 3. years in warring against the Pagans at his return brought with him the son to the King of Lituania whom he Christened at London and being his Godfather named him Thomas In 40 E. 3. he was sent upon speciall service by the K. into Flanders having an allowance assigned to him out of the Exchequer of 5. marks per diem for his charges and two marks and a half per diem by way of reward in which year his Commission for Marshall of England was renewed But having now no more to say of his publique imployments saving of that last wherein he dyed and that he was one of the Founders of that Noble Order of the Garter instituted by King E. 3. I will here take notice of his pious works as also of his Testament and then come to his death with the circumstances thereof To the Collegiat-Church of Warwick he gave the advouson of the Church of Pillerton-Hercy in this County To the Canons of Kenilworth two mess. and one yard land lying in Radford-Semeli To the Priory of Clatercote in Com. Oxon. the patronage of the Church of Rotley in this County To the Hospitall of S. Iohn Baptist in Warwick the moity of the Church of Morton-D ' â—ubney in this shire To the Canons of Mâ—xstoke one yard land and one acre lying in Yerdley in Com. Wigorn. with the advouson of the Church To the Collegiat-Church of Astley the advouson of the Church of Long-Stanton in Com. Cantab. And that he was a good Benefactor to the Monks of Abingdon I shall not doubt though I have not seen in what particulars for I find that the Abbot and Covent of that Monastery by their publique Instrument beaâ—ing date 5 Id. Martii Anno 1344. which doth give a generall testimony thereof not only made him a speciall partaker of all their devout exercises but declared that whensoever the tidings of his death did come to their knowledge the like solemn office should be perform'd for him aswell in all the Covents of their Order within this Realm as in their own and not only so but by divers Canons-Regular too as was used to be done for any of their own fraternity friends or benefactors His Testament bears at date Chelchench vulgò Chelsey juxta Westminster on Tuesday 6. Sept. 1369. 43 E. 3. Whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the midst of the Quire of the Collegiat Church at Warwick To every Church within each of his Mannours he gave his best Beast which should there be found in satisfaction of his Tithes forgotten to be payd To Thomas his son and heir a Ring and Cup with Cover the best next that which his daughter Stafford should choose with the Sword and Coat of maile sometime belonging to the famous Guy of Warwick appointing that all his harness weapons and such like habiliments aswell for peace as warr should be equally divided betwixt his two sons viz. Thomas and William To his said son William he gave a Ring and a Cup with Cover the best next after his elder brother had chosen with
the Earl his father he gave his best gold Ring To the Countesse his mother his next gold Ring To Philippa his wife the third To Catherine his daughter then a Nunne at Shouldham in Norff. the fourth and appointed that the Church of Neketon in Norff. of his Patronage should be appropriat to the Monastery of Shouldham before-mentioned for the maintenance of Catherine and Margaret his two daughters during their lives and after their deceases the said House of Shouldham obliged to find a Priest to sing divine service daily for the souls of his father and mother his own and his wifes as also for the souls of the said Catherine and Margaret and all the faithfull departed After which in April following his father then alive he dyed at Uendosme in France and was there interred in a Chapell behind the high Altar towards the East having a fair Monument of Alabaster with his statue thereon finely cut and over his harness a surcoat of Armes upon the verge of which Monument is this Inscription Icy gist Monseigneur Gui de Beauchamp l'eyne Filz de â—resnoble puissant home Monsiéur Thomas de Beauchampe Counte de Warwike Mareschal d' Angleterre qui trespassa le xxviii iour d' Averill l'an M. CCCLI Upon which Monument are the Armes of Beauchamp and Mortimer What became of his daughter Elizabeth I cannot imagine but that such a one there was living ten years after her fathers death appeareth by the Testament of Katherine Countess of Warwick mother to this Guy as I have already shewed It seems that the Lady Philippa his wife was a devout woman and resolving to continue a widow whilst she lived upon the eleventh of August the same year made her solemn vow of Chastity in the Collegiat-Church of Warwick before Reginald Bryan then Bishop of Worcester which vow together with the ceremony thereof I have here inserted as I find it recorded in the Register IX Die mensis Augusti Anno Dom. MCCClx apud Warwyk dictus venerabilis pater altam Missam in Pontificalibus in Ecclesia Collegiata heatae Mariae Warwici antedictae celebrans votum castitatis Philippae nuper uxoris Domini Guidonis de Warwic admisit acceptavit dicta Philippa Votum Castitatis emisit sub hiis verbis En le nom de la Seint Trinite Piere Fitz Seint Espirit jeo Philippe que fu la feme Sire Guy de Warwyk face purement dez queor volontee entierement avow a Dieu Seint Eglise a la benure Virgin Marie a tout le bele compaigne celestine a vous reverent Piere en Dieu sire Reynaud per la grace Dieu Evesque de Wyrcestre que ieo ameneray ma vie en chastitee desore en avant chaste serra de mon corps a tout temps de ma vie The rest of the sons of Earl Thomas were Thomas that succeeded him Reynburne so named doubtless in memory of Reynburne the son to Guy Earl of Warwick in the Saxons time that dyed before the 35 E. 3. which Reynburn had issue one onely daughter called Alianore married to Iohn Knight of Hanslap in Com. Buck. who by her had a daughter named Emme that married to Foster from whom the Fosters of Hanslap derive their descent William the 4. son was Lord Bergavenny as I shall shew when I come to Fillongley where I purpose to speak fully of him Roger the fift son dyed without issue as I guess Some are of opinion that he had two more sons viz. Iohn and Hierome because that amongst those portraitures which were in glass in the North Cross of the Collegiat Church at Warwick there are the pictures of two such as appeareth by their surcotes of Armes and those names on the side of them which as I cannot gainsay so am not I fully convinced thereof in regard that neither I. Rous makes mention of them nor any of those Entailes whereby the said Earl setled the greatest part of his lands upon his issue male But he had ix daughters the portraitures of all which are curiously drawn and set up in the windows on the South side of the Quire of the said Collegiat Church and in the habit of that time as they are here represented Seaven of them were marryed and have their paternall Coat upon their inner garment but on the outer mantle their husbands Armes viz. Maud the wife of Roger Lord Clifford Phillipa of Hugh Earl Stafford Elizabeth Alice potiùs of Iohn Beauchamp of Hach in Somerset-shire Ioan of Raph Lord Basset of Drayton Isallell of Iohn Lord Strange of Blackmere afterwards marryed to William Ufforà Earl of Suff. for which respect her picture is twice drawn there Margaret of Guy de Montfort who was afterwards a Nunne at Shouldham Agnes of ..... Cokesey and afterwards of ...... Bardolf The other two were Iulian and Catherine the former whereof dyed unmarryed and the later being a Nunne at Wroxhall in this County was buryed in S. Thomas Chapell there He had likewise another son and daughter but they were illegitimate the son called Sir Iohn Addurston Knight and Mary the daughter wife to Sir Richard Herthull Knight To this last Earl succeeded Thomas his second son by reason that Guy the eldest dyed in his fathers life time Which Thomas received the dignity of Knighthood in 29 E. 3. with his brother Guy and having had C. marks per annum granted him at that time by the King to be payd out of the Exchequer till there should other provision be made for his support did his Homage 7 Febr. 44 E. 3. for all the lands descended to him by his fathers death whereupon he had livery of them for he was 24. years of age when his father dyed Being of a martiall disposition aswell as his Ancecestors he was in 46 E. 3. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his warrs beyond the Seas for one whole year with C. men at Armes and Clx. Archers of which number himself to be one as also with two Banneretts xxx Knights and Lxxvii Esquiers and for that service to receive for himself and his men at Armes double pay but for the rest according to the ordinary rate the year to begin from the time that they should take shipping and to have half in hand for himself and his men at Armes but for the rest a fourth part which expedition was principally intended for raysing the siege of Rochel but as the Earl of Pembroke sent over for that purpose was worsted by the Spaniard who then came with a great Navy to aid the French so was the King and that power he had raised hindred from getting over thither by contrary winds to the loss of nine hundred thousand pounds expences for no less charge had he been at in order
raign straightly commanding them to carry him thither and put him in sure custody as they would be responsible body for body Whereupon this his Castle and Lordship of Warwick with divers other Mannours were given to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and to the heirs male of his body and the rest of his lands to others as I shall shew when I speak particularly of them And the next ensuing year was his son and heir viz. Richard Beauchamp with Eliz. wife to the said Richard committed to the custody of the before specified Thomas Holland at that time Duke of Surrey who had also a speciall grant from the King of a suit of Arras Hangings containing the story of the famous Guy of Warwick and belonging to the banisht Earl Which hard measure to the Earl and his son occasioned Catherine the Nunne at Shouldam before mentioned to petition the King in her own behalf in regard she was the grandchild and heir to this Earls father by Guy his eldest son as I have elswhere manifested and enjoyed no part of her inheritance whereupon she obtained an assignation of Xl. marks per annum annuity out of the Kings Exchequer during her life howbeit the Earl continued not long a Prisoner in the Isle of Man for on the 12. of Iuly 21 R. 2. the Kings Mandate to the Constable of the Tower of London for reception of him thither bears date during the remainder of whose reigne he was kept in durance But alas upon what slippery ground the greatest earthly Potentate stands when he thinks himself surest the fall of this King and divers other whereof the Storyes of our own Nation shew us lamentable examples may sufficiently manifest for within the compass of two years or little more after he had strengthened himself by that alliance with the French fill'd his cofers with vast summs of money by loans and otherwise pull'd down and ruin'd all whose fidelity to him he thought not firm and advanced his friends favourites in that Parliament of 21. of his reign which damn'd those Acts that by the power of the great ones had been made in 11. behold the Monster multitude agitated by the wind of his enemyes malice and ambition took part with them and suddainly overwhelm him in the gulf of absolute destruction by Deposition from his throne and the murther of his person as is not unknown to those who are acquainted with the Story of those times Henry of Lancaster being crowned King in his room In the first year of whose reign a Parliament makes null and void all that had been done in 21 R. 2. so that this our Earl of Warwick was then restored to his full liberty honour and possessions having whatsoever goods in Warwick-Castle were to be found belonging to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent before mentioned bestow'd upon him and in particular that suit of Hangings containing the said Story of Guy of Warwick all which were forfaited to the new King by attainder of Holland In which year he was made a Commissioner for arraying all men in this County according to their estates and faculties but his death now approaching as I shall shew by and by it will here be proper to take notice of his pious works The first whereof that I find is in 49 E. 3. viz. the establishing an Anniversary for his father in the Collegiat Church of Warwick for the solemnizing whereof the Dean Canons and Vicars of that Church and every Priest in Warwick that should come to the Dirige and Mass was to have his dinner and 4 d. in money and vâ— s. -viii d. to be given amongst the Friers of that town iii s. iv d. to the Canons of S. Sepulchers in Warwick and xx s. amongst the poor yearly In 5 R. 2. he built one of the Cells in the Monastery of Carthusians juxta Coventre at the first foundation of that Religious house In 6. he gave the perpetuall patronage of the Church dedicated to S. Iames situat over the gate called Hongyngate in Warwick to the Gild of S. George there newly founded in a Chapell over the same Gate And in 15 R. 2. having finisht the Quire of the Collegiat Church begun by his father and newly built from the ground the whole body of the Church which very fabrik now stands he gave the Mannour of Haseloure with the advouson of the Church and the advouson of the Church of Wolthamcote both in this County together with the perpetuall patronage of the Church of Wyclesford in Cambridg-shire unto the Dean and Canons thereof and their successors to pray for the good estate of King R. 2. and of Queen Anne then his consort of himself and Margaret his Countess Sir William Beauchamp his brother and Ioane his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of their souls after their departures hence as also for the souls of their Progenitors Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased His Testament bears date at Warwick-Castle 1 Apr. Anno 1400. 1 H. 4. whereby he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Collegiat-Church before specified and to every town whereof he was Lord or Patron of the Church xx s. in money in the name of his Principall but if he should depart this life at Warwick then did he appoint the Church of our Lady there to have the best Beast whereof he might be at that time possest For his Herse he directed CCC li. weight of Wax in six Tapers and seaven Morters to remain in the said Church and lx poor men in gowns made of white-cloth every one carrying a Torch at the solemnizing his Funerall As also that xl of those Torches after his Exequies were finished should be distributed to the poore Churches of his Patronage and the residue to remain to the said Collegiat-Church of Warwick And moreover that all his friends attending the Funerall should have good entertainment viz. a Supper over night and a Dinner on the next day and money distributed to the poor according to the discretion of his Executors as also xxx Trentalls sung for his soul with all possible speed that might be after his decease and a thousand Masses in like sort viz. of the Trinity of the Holy Ghost of the Nativity of our Saviour of the Holy Crosse of the five Festivalls of our Lady of the Resurrection of the Ascension of Corpus Christi of the Angells of All Saints and of Requiem of every Feast lxvii Masses five in the whole excepted By which Testament he likewise gave to the King an Image of the blessed Virgin with two Cruets silver and gilt made in the fashion of two Angells To the Archbishop of Canterbury a Tablet of gold To the Colledge of our Lady in Warwick before mentioned a Cross with the pedestall silvergilt and enamell'd with the Story of our Saviours Passion and a precious stone called a Berill bound with silver and enamell'd
King H. 6. In his fathers life time when he was scarce x. years of age being then called by the name of the Lord Despenser he wedded Cecily daughter to Ric. Nevâ—l Earle of Salisbury whose portion was 4700. Maâ—ks which Cecily afterwards sc. 27. H. 6. married to Iohn Lord Tiptoft by whom he left issue one onely daughter called Anne born at Kaerdiff in the moneth of Fâ—br An. 1439. Which Anne being about 2. years old at his death was committed to the tutelage first of Q. Margaret and afterwards of Will. de la Poole D. of Suff. had the title of Countess of Warwick buâ— shâ— did not long survive For I finde that 3. Ian. An. 1449. 27. H. 6. she departed this world at Newelme â—n Oxfordsh a Mannour of the said D 〈◊〉 Suff. and was buried in the Abby of Reading near to the grave of Constance Lady Despenser her great Grand-mother daugther to Edmund of Langley D. of York Whereupon Anne her Aunt born at Caversham in Oxford-shire 3. Id. Iulii An. 1429. 7. H. 6. Sister of the whole bloud to the late D. of Warwick became Heir to the Earldom being at that time the wife of Ric. Nevill Son and Heir to Ric. Nevill Earle of Salisbury before specified having been wedded to him the same year that Henry her brother married Cecily his sister Which Richard by reason of his said marriage and in respect of his special services about the Kings person as also in the Wars of Scotland for so doth the Pat. import had on the 23. of Iuly following the death of his wifes Neice the dignity and title of Earle of Warwick confirm'd and declared to him and his said wife and to her Heirs with all preheminencies that any of their Ancestors before the Creation of Henry D. of Warwick used Shortly after which he with his said Countesse by Fine levied xv Trin. 28. H. 6. entailed the Castle of Warwick with a great number of Lordships in this and xvi other Counties upon the issue of their two bodies lawfully begotten and for default thereof upon the issue of her with remainder to Margaret eldest daughter to Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwick and her Heirs This is that Ric. Nevill who by our Historians is called the stout Earle of Warwick and well he might be so in regard he bore such bold sway towards the later end of K. H. 6. and part of Edw. 4. Reign having been so prime an Actor in those tragick stirs betwixt the Houses of Lanc. York as they that have but indifferently perused the stories of that time cannot be ignorant About the 30. of H. 6. he took part with Ric. D. of York who at that time put himself in Arms under pretence to reform things amisse in the Kingdom but the D. being not then powerfull enough to go through with his design submitted himself making Oath to be a true and faithfull subject howbeit the next year after having laid a better foundation for his attempts chiefly by the interest he had in this Earle and the Earle of Salisbury his father he broke out again in 33. H. 6. and at S. Albans assailed the Kings forces where our Warwick entring through a garden gave the first onset slew many took the person of the King caused a Parliament to be summoned made himself Protector to the K. and Warwick Capt. of Caleys But by the power of some others who saw what was driven at was at that time hindred in his speed so that the King coming to Coventre in 35. of his Reign there hoped to have reconciled all things and to that end sent for the D. by Letters as also our E. of Warwick and his father who came accordingly but they pretending some ill intentions towards them pack-away York to Wigmore in the Marches of Wales Salisbury to Midleham-Castle in the North and our Warwick to Caleys yet after some ever-tures were content to meet at London so as they might have store followers whereupon they came Warwick bringing with him 600. men apparelled in Red Coats embroidered with white Ragged staves before and behinde This was 36. H. 6. where and at which time all things were peaceably accorded in shew but there hapning not long after sc. 37. H. 6. an affray betwixt a servant of the K. and one of Warwick's followers this gave colour of a report that there was a design to kill the Earle which occasioned him to take his Barge haste to Caleys Thither therefore the young D. of Somerset was sent as Captain but Warwick would not resign maintaining himself there by a great booty he had got at Sea as Admiralâ— no less worth than 10000. l. for he had taken 3. Carricks of Ganon and 2. of Spain laden with rich merchandize after two dayes fight with the losse of about C. men of his own and a thousand of theirs After which sc. 38. H. 6. he brings over a band of stout Souldiers from Caleys and with them a valiant Commander named Andrew Trollop to a general Rendevouz that the Yorkists had at Ludeford in Herefordsh on the Vigil of the translation of S. Edw. the K. where he produc'd certain persons before the people to swear that the K. was deceased causing Masse to be said and Offerings made that they might the lesse dread to take the field But Trollop who had served formerly against the French done notably finding that Warw. the rest had foul intentions towards the K. whereas his preservation and honour was pretended to him got away privatly with a choise sort of men came in to the K. w ch did so much daunt the Yorkists that they presently shifted for themselves Warw. with his father getting difficultly to Caleys Whereupon the K. calls a Parl. at Cov. and attaints him with the rest of high treason From Caleys therefore Warwick sayls speedily into Ireland to the D. of York and being not able to carry on their work in Engl. by main strength they pretend all fidelity and allegiance to the K. which feigned shew did not onely gull the ordinary sort of men but even the Archb. of Cant. himself and many other persons of quality that believed them so that they were permitted to land in Kent and the better to delude the people Warwick openly at the Cross in Canterb. swore that they had ever born true faith and allegiance to King Henry upon which stock he got many to joyn with them giving out that they onely desired admission to the K. for speech with him Neverthelesse when they came to Northampt. where his Army was they put themselves in order to fight the Vantguard being led by our Warwick whereupon a bloudy Battail ensued 9. Iulii in which the K. was taken
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
same year the King went over Sea in person and took Bolein in France where this new Admirall having scoured the Seas towards Scotland and being upon the Kings return left his Lieutenant through his valour and military skill defended it against the Daulfin and the French Army of 52000. men as they were reputed though the walls at that time were very much shattered And when the Daulfin had entred the base town not without slaughter of divers English by a brave sally he beat out the French again with the loss of above 800. of their men which were esteemed the best souldiers in that Realm The next yeare after when the French had got a great Fleet at Sea for invasion of England being appointed Admirall he presented battaill to them which they refused returning home with the loss of all their cost Hereupon he landed 5000. men in France fired Treport as also divers Villages thereabouts with the loss of one man and was one of the three Comissioners on the King of England's part by whom the Articles of Truce made 7. Iunii 28 H. 8. in the Camp betwixt Ardres and Guines were concluded To say truth for enterprises by Armes quoth Sir Iohn Haward he was the minion of that time so as few things he attempted but he atchieved with honour which made him more proud and ambitious when he had done Generally he always increased both in estimation with the King and authority amongst the Nobility but doubtfull whether by fatall destiny to the State or whether by his vertues or at least by his appearance of vertues as saith the same Author so that King Henry constituted him one of his xvi Executors whereupon finding the Duke of Somerset Protector to Edward 6. to be neither a man of great wisdom or courage ambitiously aimed to have the sway of all and therefore insinuated himself into his friendship whereby he made him a shadow for accomplishing his own ends To which purpose he first obtained an increase of honour being presently created Earl of Warwick and made Lord high Chamberlain of England for life which office he surrendred in 4 E. 6. and soon after got a grant of Warwick-Castle with the Mannour as also of divers other great Lordships and lands in this Shire whereof I shall take notice as they come in my course most of which he exchanged away with the King in 3 E. 6. for the Mannour of Minster-Lovell in Oxford-shire and divers other Lordships in the same County and in Nott. Glouc. Worcester Berks. and York-shires yet by his power got them again the next year following with more in exchange for lands in Northumberland Bishoprick of Durham Hartford-shire and Middlesex Of his particular great employments and actions I shall not stay to make any large relation for as much as they are obvious enough in our Common Chronicles but will onely point at them in brief He was Lieutenant generall in that expedition for Scotland in 1 E. 6. when the Scots were overthrown at Muscleborough where he made many Knights and indeed the principall person for military skill and prowess upon whom the management of that Warr rested In 3 E. 6. he commanded the Forces that were sent against Ket and his fellow Rebells in Norff. of which he slew about 5000. took Ket himself and setled all in quiet again In 4 E. 6. he was made Lord Steward of the Kings houshold and being now elated with these great successes his ambitious mind had no bound for it mattered not whom he ruin'd so it tended in his own opinion to the ends he aimed at First therefore he rayses discontents betwixt the Protector and the Lord Thomas Seymour his brother whereby soon after the said Lord Seymour became attainted by Parliament upon pretence that he had conspired his brothers death and so lost his head Then did he put the Protector upon making alteration both in State and Religion whereupon some of the Bishops that opposed it were committed to prison What vast summs did he make a shift to pocket by despoiling the Church of her Chalices Crosses and an infinite number of consecrated vessells with the like both silver and gold as also by rich Copes and other vestments under colour of bringing them into the Kings Wardrobe for he it was that led the Protector on to those courses as 't is well known as also by the lands given to maintain Lamps and Lights and for other pious uses Which doings with the ruine of the Cloister and Charnell at Paules the Church in the Strand and two Bishops houses there besides the goodly Church of S. Iohns neer Smithfield that were pulled down to build Somerset House brought upon the Protector no little hatred and so hastned his ruine that being it which our Warwick aimed at who spying so fair an oportunity wrought upon xviii of the Privy Councell to joyn with him therein yet such was his cunning that he accomplisht the work by others being least seen in it himself And because he could not win the Earls of Arundell and Southampt to be his Instruments for that purpose he found means to discharge them from the Councell and confine them to their houses as also to fine the Earl of Arundell 12000 li. upon suggestion that he had taken away bolts and locks at Westminster and given away the Kings stuff when he was Lord Chamberlain And now that he might carry the greater sway he did cause himself to be made Lord great Master of the Kings houshold and having been a prime Actor in the Peace made with France he was by way of reward for that service made generall Warden of the North having 1000. marks per ann lands granted unto him and C. Horsemen of the Kings Charge Mr. Herbert his chief Instrument being made President of Wales with a grant of 500 li. per ann And yet all this seemed not enough for within a while after viz. 20. April 5 E. 6. was he made Earl Marshall of England and xi Oct. following Duke of Northumb about which time he got his son Robert afterwards made Earl of Leic. by Q. Eliz. to be sworn one of the six Gentlemen in ordinary which Robert was as saith my Author his fathers true heir both in hatred towards persons of Nobility and cunning to dissemble the same as also for lust and cruelty a Monster of the Court and sure executioner of his hate After whose entertainment into that place of so neer service the King enjoy'd his health but a while And being now inferior to none of the Nobility in titles of honour and superior to all others in authority and power he could not restrain his haughty hopes from aspiring to an absolute command yet before he directly levelled at his marke the Duke of Somerset was thought fit to be taken away whose credit with the Common people
All Saints accordingly an sc. 1128. 29. H. 1. And united and annext the Churches above specified unto this Colledge of our Lady to be possest by the same Dean and Canons for their own proper behoof as also by Thomas Archb. of Canterbury commonly called St. Thomas by Pope Eugenius the 3. Adrian the 4. King H. 1. and other succeeding Bishops Canonicus Secularis Little can I say touching this sort of Canons for as much as they were no other than Priests and called Secular in regard they performed the Offices of such in serving the world by administring to lay people upon all occasions whereas those as lived Regularly did not so do Neither had they their diet or lodging in common like the Monks and Regular Canons but habitations apart and their maintenance several by distinct shares called Prebendaries assigned unto them as those in our Collegiate and Cathedral Churches even till these times used to have their habite not differing as by this here represented from an ancient Monumental Portraiture in brasse still remaining upon a Marble in the body of this Church may be seen Of which kinde were those that before King Edgar's time had got footing in divers of our Monasteries but through the advice of St. Dunstan â— and power of that devout Monarch were ejected and the Monks again restored consonant to the minde of their pious founders Much ado there was betwixt the Dean and Canons of this Church and the Prior of S. Sepulchers in Warwick the said Prior making claim to a right in this Parish but these differences were at length determined by Pope Adrian the 4. about the beginning of K.H. 2. reign and the right therein adjudg'd to the said Dean Canons all which was afterwards confirm'd by other Popes and Bishops In 8. E. 3. T. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick out of the great respect he bore to this Collâ—dge of Priests gave them the perpetual advouson of the Church of Pillerton-Hercy in this County which was approriated thereto for augmentation of their maintenance in An. 1341. 15. E. 3. But such was the regardlesness of the rights belonging to this Church by those that had to do in the government thereof that in processe of time it received no small losse by the alienation of a great part of its possessions till Will. Wirleseâ— B. of Worcester afterwards Archb. of Canterbury moved thereto by the said Earle restored unto it the greatest part of those ancient rights which before it had howbeit by that Instrument it appears that whereas the Pâ—iory of S. Sepulchers in Warwick was founded where the Churches of S. Sepulchers and S. Helens stood and that the Church of Gretham in Rutland had been very anciently appropriated to the said Priory of S. Sepulchers in consideration whereof the Canons of that House perpetually found at their charge one Sub-Deacon to serve in the said Collegiate Church there was an impossibility of restoring them thereto As also whereas the Churches of S. Iohn S. Michaell S. Laurence S. Peter and S. Iames all standing within the Precincts of this Town whereof the most wanted Church-yards for Sepulture and the rest were grown ruinous there was no necessity at all of repairing them forasmuch as this Collegiate Church had capacity sufficient to receive all the inhabitants coming thereto and the Church-yard spacious enough for to bury their dead that from thenceforth they should constantly come to this Church there to make their Processions and hear Divine service as heretofore upon Sundays and Festivals in acknowledgement of subjection thereto it being the mother Church they had used to do and have sepulture in the Church-yard there in regard that by this Decree and Constitution all other places within the compasse of this Town except the Church Church-yard of S. Nicholas were thenceforth prohibited from having any Ecclesiastick burial in them Which Decree and Constitution whereby also several Pensions are assigned out of the revenews belonging to the Colledge for the Canons-resident differing in proportion from the non-resident bears date at Hertlebury 24. Dec. An. 1367. 41. E. 3. After this divers eminent persons became Benefactors thereto viz. Sir Will. Beauchamp Knight a younger son to the before specified Earle who in March 15. R. 2. gave the advouson of the Church of Spellesbury in Oxfordsh for augmentation of their maintenance to the intent that they should pray for the good estate of K. Ric. 2. Q. Anne his consort and for their Souls after their departure out of this world as also for the good estate of him the said Sir Will. and Dame Ioane his wife during this life and for their Souls afterwards together with the Souls of the said Kings Progenitors his own Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased which Church was appropriated thereto 18. Martii the same year And in April following Thomas B. then E. of Warw. elder brother to the said Sir Will. considering that this Coll. Church so founded by his noble Ancestors was not sufficiently endowed did for the good estate of the said K. and Q. of himself and the Lady Margaret his wife Sir Will. Beauchamp his brother and Dame Ioane his wife as also of all their children during this life and for their Souls after their departures out of this world together with the Souls of their Progenitors Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased bestow upon the said Dean and Canons and their Successors in further enlargement of their maintenance half an Acre of Land in Haselore with the perpetual patronage of that Church a quarter of an Acre of Land in Wolfhamcote with the advouson of the Church both in this County and a quarter of an Acre of Land in Wytlesford in Cambridgesh with the advouson of that Church which said Churches were appropriated accordingly viz. that of Wytlesford in Dec. following that of Haselore in Oct. 18. R. 2. and that of Wolfhamcote in Nov. 19. R. 2. And upon the Feast day of S. Michael 18. R. 2. did the before specified Sir Will. Beauchamp then stiled Lord Bergavenny give further to this Coll. Church half an Acre of Land in Chadsley-Corbet in Com. Wigorn. with the advouson of the Church to be appropriated thereunto to pray for the good estate of himself and Dame Ioane his wife Tho. E. of Warwick his brother Margaret his wife as also for their Children during this life and for their Souls after their departure hence which Church was accordingly appropriated in Octob. following And notwithstanding all this the said Earle thinking their endowment too slender by his Charter bearing date 20. Sept. 19. R. 2. gave thereunâ—o his Mannour of Haseloure in this County And not onely perfected the work of that stately Quire begun by his Father in the mid'st whereof his said fathers and mothers Monument doth stand but built anew the whole body of the
better raysed in these parts as occasion should requireâ— which money was by him hidden in Bishops-Ichington pool and that the Duke fayling of his ends and losing his head as is well known Fisher became questioned by authority from Queen Mary for that money but denying it stoutly and put upon the Rack was so extreamly tormented that his fingers were pull'd out of the joynts yet would never reveal it After which he lived till 19 Eliz. and then on Ian. 12. anno 1576. departing this life was interred at the upper end of S. Maryes Church in Warwick where his Monument is yet to be seen leaving Edward his son and heir xxx years of age whose inheritance left him by his father was no lesse than what is now worth 3000 li. per an as I have heard but as such possessions I mean Church lands and the like which were originally given to the maintenance of Gods service wanting that blessing of continuance to the posterity of those that obtain them as for the most part others have doe often shift their owners so we find it here for the substance of all that had been thus rak't together with so much care and industry by the Father was in a short time wasted by the Son who lavish't it out so fast as that foreseeing his his own ruin he betook himself to the course of unthrifts which hastned it on the sooner for making a fraudulent conveyance to deceive Sergeant Puckring to whom in 23 Eliz. he had sold this fair seat and lands thereabout he was by him so prosecuted in the Star-Chamber that had not the Earl of Leicester interposed his Fine would have been very grievous for prevention whereof he at length consented that an Act of Parliament to confirm the estate to the said Sergeant Puckring then Lord Keeper of the great Seal should be made and being yet intangled with debts was committed Prisoner to the Fleet where he remained all the dayes of his life which conveyance from the before specified Edward Fisher being to George Chowne and others 1. Octob. 23 Eliz. they past away their right therein to the said Sergeant Puckring 13. Octob. 24 Eliz. This Sergeant Puckring being Speaker in the Parliament of 28. Eliz. upon answer to Queen Eliz. proposall as to some expedient whereby the life of the Queen of Scots might be saved urged that the Sentence given against her should be put in execution In 36 Eliz. he was Knighted and dyed in 38. whereupon M Cambden in his Annals of that time hath this expression Infra hunc annum nonnulli insignioris notae nobilitatis ex hujus vitae statione evocati fuerunt è quibus inprimis memorandi Ioh. Puokeringus magni Angliae Sigilli Custos qui ob famularum sordes corruptelas in Ecclesiasticis beneficiis nundinendis ipse vir integer apud Ecclesiasticos haud benè andivit But he left issue Thomas his son and heir afterwards made Knight and Baronet a Gentleman much accomplisht with learning and observation by travail in forrain parts in his younger years who afterwards lived here in great esteem for his prudence having been elected Burgess for Warwick or some other place in sundry Parliaments and departing this life 20 Martii anno 1636. left only one daughter called Iane to inherit this with other fair possessions who besides her weakness of body hath been attended with some misfortunes whereof for brevity I pass by the mention and dyed lately without issue whereupon Sir Henry Newton son to Sir Adam Newton of Charlton in Com. Cantii Baronet nephew to the said Sir Thomas Puckring is by his said uncle's designation become heir to this and the greatest part of his estate The next place of note for antiquity lying within the precincts of Warwick is the Hospitall of St. Michael situat on the North side of the town at the lower end of that street called Saltsford neer the Chapell of St. Michaell before spoken of This being founded by Roger Earl of Warwick about the later end of H. 1. or beginning of King Stephen's time had besides what it was then endowed withall little given thereto other than those obventions and Tythes of the assarts of Wedgenok as also of the paunage and venison by Waleran Earl of Warwick so that the whole revenue thereof by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. was certified to amount unto no more than x li. ii s. iv d. over and above reprises all which issued out of lands in Warwick excepting vi s. viii d. yearly Rent of Assize for someâ—hing that belong'd thereto situate in Aven-Derset out of which xxvi s. was annually payd to certain Leprous persons residing there towards their maintenance But by another Survey made in 37 H. 8. I find that the revenue thereof over and above all reprises amounted to x li. xix s. x d. And that it was founded by a King to give Almes weekly to poor people as also to harbour them Howbeit at that time there being no Master there resident the same was demised by Lease with all the Rents and profits thereto belonging unto one Richard Fisher paying therefore yearly x li. which Richard did then weekly distribute 8 d. to the poor and found four beds for their lodging giving viii d. a week to a certain poor woman attending on the poor men and making their beds But at this time the poor people there resident are onely women and viii in number having iv li. per annum distributed amongst them out of the Priory lands late Sir Thomas Puckrings at Michaelmasse and our Lady-day by equall portions A Catalogue of its Guardians scil such as I have found are here inserted with the times of their admission to that charge and the names of those by whom they were constituted Patroni Guardiani D. Episc. Frater Henricus de Cobynton 3. Kal. Iulii 1300. Frater Rogerus Bertram solus tunc frater in eadem domo existens D. Will. de Lichfeld Vicar de Wasperton prid Non. Maii 1308. Confratres ejusdem Hospit Frater Thom. de Olouthon 3. Id. Aug. 1315. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. D. Nich. de Southam 4. Iunii 1339. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Frater Will. de Knytcote 10 Sept. 1343. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Regin Dod Pbr. 7. Ian. 1361. Thom. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. D. Ioh. Kekenwich 10. Apr. 1388. Ric. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Walt. Lambard 11. Nov. 1410. Ric. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. D. Will. Blakemore Cap. 22. Iunii 1425. Ric. de Bellocampo Co. Warw. Will. Berkswell Cler. 15. Martii 1431. Ric. Nevill Co. Warwici D. Thomas Went Cap. 28. Apr. 1450. Ric. Nevill Co. Warwici D. Thom. Clerke Cap. 20. Sept. 1460. D. Henricus Rex Angliae Williel Herryson Cler. 28. Sept. 1501. Phil. Mar. Rex Regina Angl. D. Ric. Iudson Pbr. 21. Oct. 1556. Phil. Mar. Rex Regina
wedded the heir of Langley as hath been said was Sheriff of this County and Leicestershire in 14. Edw. 3. In 17 Edw. 3. there were divers Proctors of Cardinalls and others from the Court of Rome as well English as forrainers who by virtue oâ— the Popes Bulls made out processe against sundry persons much derogating from the Kâ—ng's royall power in this his Realm whereupon Commissions were issued out to divers persons through England for the finding them out and arresting and bringing them before himself and his Councell of which Commissioners this VVilliam de Peito was one of those that were assigned for this County to that purpose So also in 18. Edw. 3. to enquire what persons were seized of lands to the value of C s. per annum and upwards to a thousand pounds over and above all reprises and to make certificate thereof to the King And likewise in 21. Edw. 3. for levying the subsidy of Wools then granted to the King in Parliament towards the supporting his warrs with France and being a person learned in the Lawes had in 30 E. 3. a Grant from Eliz. de Burghersh Lady of Ewyas one of the daughters and heirs to Sir Theobald de Verdon of an Annuity of ten marks per an issuing out of her Mannour of Brandon in this County for his good and lawfull Counsell in her affairs In 35 E. 3. he with his Sonns Iohn and Thomas attended upon Raph E. of Stafford in his Irish journey that year unto which Raph he was stiled Atturnatus generalis â— but he varied from his Father in the bearing of his Arms and took barry of 6 peices Arg. and Gules per pale indented and counterchanged as appeareth by his Seal which Coat his Posterity have ever since retained When he dyed I am not certain nor how long he lived after 4 R. 2. but he had issue Will. Iohn and Thomas which William married Isabel the daughter of Henry de Bromwich and dyed as I suppose shortly after for I find little mention further of him So that Iohn was his Heir and became the first Lord of Chesterton of this Family by marriage with Elianor daughter and heir of Iohn the son and heir to Nich. de Warwick before specified which Iohn being a Kt. in 38. E. 3. served afterwards as one of the Kts. for this Shire in the several Parliaments of 42 43 and 45 E. 3. held in those years at Westminster and Winchester in which said 45 year he superintended the Assessment and Collection of the Subsidy for this County then granted to the K. In 5. R. 2. he was also one of the Kts. for this Shire and the same year a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace and arresting of the Rebells In 7 and 10 R. 2. he was again Kt. for this shire In 11 R. 2. Lieutenant to the Constable of Dover-Castle In 12 he with Sir Iohn Lakenhith Kt. were Lieutenants in the Court Military to the Constable and Marshall of England so also in 15 R. 2. and dyed in 19 R. 2. leaving Will. his son and heir then 30 years of age who did his Homage the same year and had Livery of the lands of his Mothers Inheritance Which Will. was in 21 R. 2. constituted one of the Comissioners for Assessing and gathering a xv and tenth then granted to the K. in Parliament and in 4 H. 4. also was a Commissioner of Array in this County In 6. H. 4. he released all his right in the advouson of the Church of Wolfhamcote to the Dean and Canons of the Collegiate Church of Warwick which T. Beauchamp E. of Warwick who in 15. R. 2. gave the same unto them had of the grant of Sir Iohn Peyto Kt. his father in 38. E. 3. In consideration whereof the said Dean and Canons did oblige themselves by Indenture that so soon as they should have notice of his death they would forthwith cause his body to be brought unto Warwick if he departed this life within this County and at their own chardges interre the same in the before specifyed Coll. Church in such place where he the said Will. should appoint and keep his Anniversary on the day of his death every year registring his name in their Martyrologe as also pray for him and his ancestors as Founders and Patrons of the said Church at Wolfhamcote And moreover cause his grave to be covered with a Monumentall stone whereupon his Armes with his Epitaph should be graven according to the direction of him the said Will. or his Counsel whence I guess that the raised Monument in the North crosse of the Coll. Church at Warwick was for this man though some paintâ—ng on the wall of late years directed Sir Edw. Peito the heir of this family in repairing it to cause a new Inscription to be put thereon intimating it to be of Edw. 3. time He wedded Ioan the daughter of Sir Ioh. Thornbury Kt. who overliving him afterwards married to Sir Rob. Corbet Kt. and departed this life in 8. H. 4. leaving issue Will. his son and heir whose lands by reason of his mâ—nority were in 10. H. 4. committed to the custody of Iohn Knightley the younger untill he came of full age In 3. H. 5. there was a purpose to have matcht this young gentleman with Eliz. the daughter of Sir Rob. Franceys Kt. but she lived not long neither was he above xvi years of age at that time This VVill. was one of those persons of quality who bearing antient Arms from their Ancestors had summons in 7. H. 5. to serve the K. in person for defence of the Realm and in 2. H. 6. became retained with Ric. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for term of life for which he had a Pension of xx marks per an In 8. H. 6. he was knighted and in 10. H. 6. retained by Indenture to serve the K. in his French warrs for half a year wâ—th xxx men at Armes himself accounted for one as also CL. Archers well and sufficiently mounted armed and arrayed according to their degrees and in consideration thereof to receive 2 s. per diem wages for himself and xii d. per diem for his men at Armes with the accustomed reward viz. according to the proportion of C. marks for xxx men at Armes the quarter and for each of his Archers vi d. per diem it being then covenanted betwixt them that the K. should have the third part of all he might get by the warr and the third of the thirds of whatsoever his retinue did gaine in that Voyage by Prisoners gold silver or Jewells and such prizes that exceeded the value of x. marks and were not to be imployed for victualling of the Army And the said Sir VVill. to make benefit of all Prisoners taken by him or those of his retinue in that Voyage
whether Amfridus de Bereford mentioned in 26. H. 2. were the son of this Hugh I cannot positively affirm howbeit that he was the father of Walter de Bereford is most certain which Walter left issue Henry and a daughter called Dionysia married to ...... de Nasford by whom she had issue Henry de Nasford who became heir to his uncle and so consequently Lord of this Mannour From this family of Bereford did descend as I conceive that male branch who were Lords of Wishaw and Shotswell in this County But in the line of Nasford this Lordship continued not above 4 generations for to Henry de Nasford abovespecifyed succeeded Will. his cosyn and heir who had issue Iohn which was the last of that name as the descent here drawn doth shew Hugo de Bereford 23 H. 2. Amfridus de Bereford 26 H. 2. Walt. de Bereford 9 R. 1. Alicia fil Rembaldi de Cherlcote Henr. fil haeres 6 Ioh. ob s. p. Dionysia 8 H. 3. Dionysia ux ........ de Nasford Henricus de Nasford 10 H. 3. Will. de Nasford junior consanguineus haeres Henrici de Nasford 34 H. 3. Joh. de Nasford 7 E. 2. Of these were Benefactours to the little Monastery of Thelesford hard by viz. Walt. de Bereford and Alice his wife with Henry their son as also Will. de Nasford and Iohn his son which Iohn confirmed what his ancestors had so given and further added that the Canons of that House should have free liberty of Fishing in the river of Avon every day in the week except Sundays viz. from Le Mill to his Mill pool as also Common of pasture for their Cattell in the Common of Bereford In 7. E. 1. upon that Inq. then taken it appears that the said Will. de Nasford was then Lord of this Mannour and that he held it of Theobald de Verdon by the service of half a Kts. fee who held it over of Rob. de Mortimer of Ricards-Castle descended from Osb. fil Ricardi before mentioned as I have elswhere shewed at which time the said Will then had here in demesn two carucats of land a watermill and free fishing in Avon with a Court-Leet and Gallows as also 4 Tenants holding 4 yard land by base service And moreover it is evident that the Kts. Templars then held here of his fee one yard land and the Canons of Thelesford xi five whereof were given to them by Alice the wife of Walter de Bereford In 13. E. 1. the said Will. de Nasford claymed here a Court-Leet Gallows Weyfs with Assize of Bread and Beer by Prescription all which were allowed to whom succeeded Iohn his son and heir who being the last of that family as I have intimated was one of those that did partake with Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warw. and others in the murder of Piers de Gaveston for which offence he had his pardon in 7. E. 2. which Iohn about that time it seems past away this Lordship to the said Earl for in 9 E. 2. Thomas E. of Warw. was certified to be Lord thereof it being then in the Kings hands by reason of his minority And yet afterwards in 14 E. 3. do I find that the same Earl had a grant thereof from William de Clinton Earl Huntingdon unto himself and his heirs with the reversion of certain lands which Iulian his wife held in dower of the Earl of Pembrok's inheritance his Charter bearing date here at Bereford the Sunday next after the Feast day of S. Mathew the Apostle After which time it continued to the succeeding Earls of Warwick as appears by sundry Authorities till all the rest of their possessions came to the Crown as in my discourse of Anne Countess of Warwick is manifested wherein it rested till 1 E. 6. but then together with the Castle of Warwick was granted to Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs upon whose attainder in 1 M. it divolved again to the Crown and was by Queen Eliz. in 4. of her raign together with other lands past to Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick and the heirs male of his body whereof fayling it return'd to the Crown Here was also a reputed Mannour within the precincts of this parish belonging to the Collegiate Church of Westbury in Gloucestershire though how or when it came thereto I have not found but after the dissolution viz. in 35. H. 8. the King sold it to Sir Raph Sadler Knight and his heires who it seems past it to Iohn Earl of Warwick for in 6 Eliz. the Qu. granted it to Ambrose Earl of Warwick and the heires male of his body in like sort as the other Mannour whereof I have already spoke The Church dedicated to S. Peter was in K. Iohn's time given by Henry de Bereford to the Canons of Thevelesford but some Release did they make thereof to him again or to his heirs for in 4 E. 1. Will. de Nasford bestowed the Advouson of it on the Monks of Evesham for which grant they made him partaker of all their spirituall benefits In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xi marks and in 26. H. 8. at xii li. having never been appropriated Patroni Ecclesiae Incumb tempt Instit. Abbas Conventus de Evesham M. Ioh. de Norton 14. Cal. Martii 1280. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Will. de Wellesburn .... 1298. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Walt. Roos accolitus 1. Iulii 1339. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Ioh. de Wengrave Pbr. 20. Oct. 1363. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Ioh. Thorp 17. Sept. 1385. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Ioh. Parkere penult Nov. 1395. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Rob. Forster Cap. 2. Nov. 1442. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Mr. Henr. Pantry 1. Ian. 1457. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Ric. Hacker Cler. 17. Ian. 1464. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Baldw. Hide Cap. 15. Aug. 1466. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Ioh. Smyth Cap. 9. Nov. 1468. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Will. Ewkeston Cap. 22. Dec. 1470. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Rob. Adams in Art Bacc. ...... 1505. Abbas Conventus de Evesham Will. Landisdale Cap. penult Sept. 1524. Abbas Conventus de Evesham D. Rob. Kendale Cap. 21. Oct. 1526. Rog. Barlo gen ratione concess Decan C. de Westbury in Com. Gloucest Ioh. Sewell Cler. 24. Martii 1549. Steph. Hales Civis Lond. gen D. Ric. Michel Cler. 13. Ian. 1558. Edw. Combes gen Iac. Wheler Cler. ult Feb. 1576. Rowley Warde ar Magr. Tho. Warde Cler. 9. Ian. 1623. Wasperton A Little below Barford lyes Wasperton one of the towns 〈◊〉 Earl Leofrik gave to the Monastery of Coventre upon the first Foundation thereof 1 Edw. Conf.
in Seginho and Richmont in Bedfordsh with remainder to his son Thomas for want of â—ssue male of the said Edmund and departing this life on the 3. of Sept. 1525. 17 H. 8. was buried before the Altars in the Gray-Friers Church before specified which Church is yet standing and now commonly known by the name of Christ-Church near Smithfield in the Suburbs of London but if you look there for his Tombe stone it is not to be found For of Cxiv persons that were buried there whereof Iohn Stow makes mention reciting the name of each that had a Monument amongst which is Margaret daughter to Philip K. of France and wife to K. E. 1. Isabell wife to K. E. 2. Ioan Q. of Scotts daughter to K. E. 2. with divers of the English Nobility and other persons of speciall quality and in particular the name of this Sir T. Lucy there is not now one to be seen And if you desire to know what is become of their Tombes hearken to what the same Author says viz. All these and five times so many more have been buried there whose Monuments are wholy defaced for there were ix Tombes of Alabaster and Marble inviron'd with strikes of iron in the Quire and one Tombe in the body of the Church also coped with iron all pulled down besides Cxl. grave-stones of Marble all sold for fifty pounds or thereabouts by Sir Martin Bows Goldsmyth and Alderman of London Thurstanns de Cherlecote Rog. de Cherlecote 7 R. 1. Thomas de Cherlecote 7. H. 3. Tho. de Cherlecote 51 H. 3. Rob. de Hasâ—le 30 E. 1. Ioh. de Hasele de Whitnash 36 E. 3. Ric. de Hasele 36 E. 3. Henr. de Cherlecote Rog. cogn de Witele Walt. de Cherlecote miles 5. Ioh. Cecilia Ysab. filia Magistri Absolonis de Aldermoneston Will. cogn de Lucy 1 H 3. Matilda soror cohaeres Ioh. Cotele Williel de Lucy 34 H. 3. Amicia filia haeres Will. de Furches Fulco de Lucy obiit 31 E. 1. Domina Petronilla Will. de Lucy miles aet 26. an 31 E. 1. Elizabetha 2 E. 2. Will. de Lucy jun. 15 E. 2. Eliz. relicta 28 E. 3. Thomas de Lucy 25 E. 3. Philippa ux 2. 28 E. 3. Will. de Lucy miles 5 R. 2. Thomas Lucy miles obiit 3 H. 5. Alesia soror haeres Will. Huggeford 1 H. 5. Ric. Archer 2. maritus 3 H. 5. Will. Lucy obiit 6 E. 4. Alianora filia Reginaldi D. Gray de Ruthin Will. Lucy miles obiit 7 H. 7. Alesia ux 2. obiit 10 H. 7. Maria ux Ioh. Densell Will. Lucy 10 H. 7. Edw. Lucy Margareta filia Ioh. Brecknock thesaur Regis H. 6. Edm. Lucy aet 28. an 8 H. 7. Iohanna 9 H. 7. Radegunda Edm. Tho. Lucy miles ob 17 H. 8. Eliz. filia Ric. Empson mil. relicta Georgii Catesby ar Edm. Lucy Thomas Lucy Will. Lucy ar ob 5 E. 6. Anna filia Ric. Farmer ar Edm. Timoth. Will. Ric. Tho. Lucy factus miles 7 Eliz. Jocosa filia haeres Thomae Acton ar Thomas Lucy factus miles 36 Eliz. obiit 1 Iac. Constantia filia haeres Ric. Kingsmill Franc. Lucy Will. Lucy S. Theol. Dr. Ric. Lucy eq aur de Broxburne in Com. Bedf. Tho. Lucy miles obiit 7. Dec. 1640. Alicia filia haeres Thomae Spenser de Claverd ar Fulco Thomas Georgius Ric. Lucy Rob. Lucy Spenser Lucy ob s. p. Const. ux Will. Spenser eq aur Marg. ux Briani Broughton ar Elizab. Maria. Jana Martha Jocosa Anna. Radegunda Barbara Anna 10 H. 7. .... ux Galfr. fil Rob. Lascells Eliz. filia haeres Guidonis filii Roberti 25 E. 3. Galf. de Lucy 48. H. 3. Of William Lucy son and heir to the said Sir Thomas I find that he wedded Anne the daughter of Richard Farmer esquier and dyed ...... 5 E. 6. leaving issue Thomas his son and heir afterwards a Knight Richard William Timothy and Edward and these daughters viz. Alice Mary Iane Martha and Ioyce which Sir Thomas in 1 Eliz. built the House here at Cherlecote of brick as it now stands But of his descendants I shall need to say no more than what the Pedegree here inserted together with their Monumentall Inscriptions do shew That which I have else to take notice of relating to this place is that it is one of the towns whereof our Countreyman Rous temp Edw. 4. complained of for Depopulation And that the Church in H. 1. time being a Chapell of Wellesburne was by Simon Bishop of Worcester then confirmed to the Canons of Kenilworth having been annexed to the said Church of our Lady in Wellesburne by Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line as appears by the Confirmation thereof made by William Earl of Warwick grandchild to the same Henry in H. 2. time What agreement was made touching it with the said Canons of Kenilworth by the Cherlecotes who were antiently Lords of this Mannour as I have shewed hath not yet appeared to me but some such thing there was for otherwise could not William de Lucy Founder of the Monastery of Thevelesford in H. 3. time have given the advouson thereof as he did to the Canons of that House It seems there was a portion of xx s. per annum then reserved to the Priory of Kenilworth for so much doe I find that they had out of this Chapell in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. In 14 E. 1. it was valued at 4 marks And by a Certificate upon an Inquisition taken in 12 H. 7. it appears that upon the grant thereof to the said House of Thelesford by William de Lucy before specified it was appropriated to that Monastery but that Robert Prior in E. 1. time gave the right of Presentation to the Vicaridge unto Fouk de Lucy then Lord of Cherlecote and his heirs with whom it continued till about the beginning of H. 7. time that Sir Will. Lucy Kt. bestowed the same patronage upon the Canons of Thelesford and their successors Edmund his son and heir confirming the grant At the time of this Inquisition taken the Vicaridge was found to be of xii marks per annum value being endowed with all Oblations and Obventions Tith corne only excepted and that the Vicar there was lyable to find Bread Wine and Wax for the daily Celebration of Divine Offices and in every usuall Visitation to pay xii d. towards the expences of the Ordinary Patroni Vicariae Incumb tempt Instit. Fulco de Lucie Ioh. de Wilee Cler. 18. Kal. Dec. 1268. Fulco de Lucie Ioh. de Wyk Pbr. Id. Iulii 1285. Will. de Lucie Rob. de Syleby Pbr. 2. Id. Iulii 1306. Attornati Baldwini de Bereford mil. D. Rob. Pardu 11. Cal. Ian. 1366. Baldw. de Bereford miles Will. Manning
the time when this Earl of Mellent who was advanc't to the Earldome of Leicester by King H. 1 enfeoft Raph Boteler in his part of this Lordship yet that he so did is out of doubt for in that confirmation made by the same King to the Canons of Kenilworth of those lands and Churches wherewith their Monastery was endowed the Church of this Cumton is specified and said to be de feodo Radulfi Pincerne de Legrecestria so that it is clear enough that Butler had it in his time The next possessor thereof that I find was Bigot to whom questionlesse the before specified Raph Boteler granted it for in H. 2. time Gilbert le Bigoth his son releasing to those Canons his right in the advouson of this Church acknowledges that it was de elemosina patris given to them by his father At that time also the said Gilb. quit claimed his title and interest to one hide of land lying here which his Ancestors had bestowed on them in consideration whereof he reserved the service of the fift part of a Kts. fee to be performed by the Incumbent in the said Church on behalf of the before specified Canons This Gilbert in 20 H. 2. answered vi li. to the K. for his lands here which as it should seem was by way of composition for his offence in adhering to those that were in Rebellion against the King on the part of young Henry but in that Record he is called Gilbertus Picot In 5 H. 3. there was a Fine levied of the third part of a Kts. fee here betwixt Cecilie the widow of Gilb. Bigot Ric. Bigot she clayming the said third part as her dowrie in which Record it is written Fenni-Cumpton that being the first time I find it distinguishâ— by such addition Of Bigot's portion intending to say more anon I now câ—me to speak of Turchill's share the passages whereof though I cannot by direct steps exactly trace yet am I satisfied in what road it went viz. to the Earl of Warwick as the rest of Turchill's lands did who enfeoft Turchill's posterity thereof to hold of his descendants by half a Knights fee From whom viz. one of the Ardens the Canons of Trentham in Staffordshire having a grant thereof past it to Richard Peche Lord of Wormleighton whereof I last spoke to hold by the same service all which may be inferred from that Inquis taken in 7 E. 1. whereof I shall make further mention by and by though in 20 H. 3. the Record expresses no other than that the said Ric. Peche held it immediatly of the Earl of Warwick Nor that of 36 H. 3. than that the heirs of Ric. Peche held it of Thomas de Arden and he of the Earl without any mention of the Prior of Trentham But about the beginning of E 1. time upon an Agreement made betwixt Richard Prior of Trentham and the Lady Hawisia widow of Richard Peche the title of the Canons of Trentham begins to appear for I thereby find that the said Canons at the especiall request of William Bishop of Norwich Sir Hugh de Arden Knight and other great men granted to the said Hawise the Wardship of these lands at Fenni-Compton and the Relief of Iohn her son when he should accomplish his full age which Iohn in 7 E. 1. was certified to hold this Lordship of the Prior of Trentham by the service of half a Knights fee the said Prior holding it of Thomas de Arden and he of the Earl of Warwick having one carucate of land in demesn and 5. Villains holding three yard land for which they payd severall Rents and performed suit to his Court. At the same time it was likewise found that the Prior of Clatercote held one carucate of land in demesn of the same T. de Arden by the service of the fourth part of a Knights fee and that the said Prior had also 4. Freeholders who held severall other portions I now return to Bigod By this Record doth it also appear that Robert Bigod descended from Gilbert before specified held his part of this town of Raph le Boteler by the service of half a Knights fee and he of the Earl of Leicester and that the said Robert then had xii Freeholders holding severall proportions of land under particular Rents and suit of Court And moreover that the Prior of Clatercote held two carucats of land of him in pure Almes whereof no Scutage was to be payd for more than one virgate which Robert and all his Tenants used to make their appearance at the Earl of Leicester's Court-Leet But after this I find no more mention at all of these Bigots so that I presume that what they had here was by them sold to Peche for in 13 E. 1. Iohn Peche claimed by Prescription a Court-Leet in this his Lordship together with Assize of Bread and Beer which were allowed From which family it went to Montfort by a daughter and heir as in Hampton in Arden where the Descent is drawn may be seen And by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort 10 H. 7. eschaeted to the Crown out of which it was granted together with Wormleighton unto William Cope Esquier Treasurer of the houshold to the K. 7. Maii 13 H. 7. And past as I think from Cope to Spenser with Wormleighton for in 13 H. 8. Iohn Spenser possest it But in 22 H. 8. a Fine was levyed thereof betwixt Richard Willis gentleman plaintiff and Margery Belingham widow late wife of Sir Robert Belingham Knight daughter and heir to Iohn Beaufitz of Balshall deforciant from which Richard is descended George Willis now Lord thereof an scil 1640. That which the Canons of Clatercote had here was granted out of the Crown in 30 H. 8. unto William Petre D â— of Law and to the heirs male of his body together with the site of that Monastery and Mannour of Clatercote And in 36 H. 8. by another Patent to the same William and his heirs by the name of Sir William Petre Knight But the next year following upon exchange of lands made with the said Sir William Petre the King had it again and by his Letters Patent dated xi Dec. 37 H. 8. granted it inter alia to the Colledge of Christ-Church in Oxford of his own foundation to hold in pure Almes That the Church dedicated to S. Clare was given to the Canons of Kenilworth by Bigot in H. 1. time I have already intimated which grant Richard Peche Bishop of Coventre confirmed temp H. 2. And Geffrey Muschamp Bishop in King Iohn's time assigned xxx s. Pension to them yearly out of the fruits thereof which Alex. de Savensby his successor shortly after confirmed After which till 12 E. 1. the advouson thereof continued to those Canons but then did they passe it to Roger Molend Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield In
anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xi marks And in 26 H. 8. at xv li. viii s. ii d. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Amongst the Incumbents here 't is worth observation that Aimer brother to King H. 3. by the mothers side was presented to this Church by the Canons of Kenilworth and instituted Parson thereof being afterwards Bishop of Winchester and by Godwyn called Ethelmare Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Kenilw D. Aymer frater Regis uterinus s. dat Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Walt. de Wodehouse Cler. 8. Cal. Maii 1336. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Trailly Pbr. 15. Cal. Apr. 1337. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Darrell Cler. 8. Id. Oct. 1338. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Roger. de Saperton Pbr. 4. Cal. Nov. 1349. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. Lampe Cap. 4. Cal. Nov. 1350. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Penâ—rich Pbr. 4. Oct. 1378 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Lugger Cap. ult Oct. 1404 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Tho. Chesterfeild in Decret Bac. 27 Nov. 1425 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Rog. Walle Cler. 18 Sept. 1444 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Thom. Lye Cler. 26 Maii 1445 Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. Bowier Pbr. ult Febr. 1448. Dominus Episc. Cov. Lich. Rob. Baguley Cap. 1 Febr. 1451. D. Rex ratione temporal Cov. Lich. Episc. c. Magr. Ioh. Iolyff Pbr. 7. Dec. 1452. D. Episcopus Ioh. Clone in Decr. Bac. tenere in Comendam 2 Ian. 1455. D. Episcopus Mr. Rolandus Lee Decret Dr. 1. Oct. 1526. D. Rex ratione temporal Cov. Lich. Episc. c. D. Iohn Hopkins Cler. ....... 1533. Edw. Littleton de Pilletnallin Com. Staff ar hac vice ratione concess Cov. Lich. Episc. Mr. Will. Dawson Cler. 28. Iunii 1547. Thomas Fysher Thomas Nicholson 8. Sept. 1575. Ric. Venor Edw. Morcot Rad. Wylding Cler. 16. Aug. 1617. Iac. Horsley gen Randolphus Hancock Cler. 25. Martii 1627. Monumentall inscriptions in the Church Upon a Marble whereon is the portraiture of a man in brasse Of your charite pray for the soul of Richard Willis gentleman lord of the Mannour of Fenny-Compton and one of the Kings Iustices of peace in the County of Warwick And Ione his wife Which Richard deceased the viii â—h day of February in the yeare of our Lord M. D. XXXi Of whose souls Iesu have mercy Amen This Ioane was the daughter to one of the Graunts of Snitterfeild On another Marble Here lyeth buried the body of Ambrose Willis of Fenny-Compton in the County of Warwick Gentleman the son of William Willis who lyeth buried at Priors-Marson which William was the son of Richard Willis Ioane his wife both lying buried under the stone adioyning Which Ambrose had by Amye his wife eight sonnes all deceased in their infancy but one sonne named Richard and one daughter named Anne yet living He deceased the tenth day of Iune Anno Domini Millesimo quingent esimo nonagesimo This Amye was the daughter of Richard Colles of Little-Preston in the County of Northampton Esquier On another Here lyeth buried the body of Richard Willis of Fenny-Compton in the County of Warwick gentilman son of Ambrose Willis deceased Which said Richard had by Hester his wife five children that is to say George William Richard Iudith and Mary all now living who deceased the tenth day of Iune 1597. This Hester was the daughter of George Chambre of Williamscote in the County of Oxford Esquier In the East window of the North I le these Armes Sable a Fesse engrailed betwixt three Helmets Argent Derset I Come next to Derset a parish somewhat â—patious but that part wherein the Church stands is commonly called Burton-Dasset the Hamlets belonging thereto being these viz. Great Dasset Hardwick Knightcote and Northend In the Conquerors time the Earl of Mellent had x. hides within the compasse of this place which was the Freehold of three Thanes before the Norman invasion and then esteemed to be worth x li. but at the generall Survey no more than viii li. and there written Derceto The residue was then certified to contain xv hides which Harold son to Raph Earl of Hereford held and so did in Edward the Confessors dayes at which time it was valued at xvi li. but by the Conquerors Survey at xx li. where it is written Dercetone In each of which parts there was at that time a Priest and in likelyhood some Chapell besides the mother Church yet I presume the Mother-Church then stood where it now doth scil in that part belonging to Harold From this Harold did paternally descend â—he line of Sudley taking their sirname from Sudley in Gloucestershire their principall seat of which family for that they were Founders of the Monastery of Erdbury within the precinct of Chilverscoton in this County I reserve what I have to say historically till I come to Griffe in that parish where they resided It seems that the same part of this town held by the E. of Mellent as abovesaid came also to the Sudley's for it appears by good authorities that they were possest of the whole and so continued till by an heir generall it descended to Boteler as I shall manifest in due place But when it was past from the said Earl of any of his posterity I have not seen neither can I guess at the direct time otherwise than to conclude it to have been somewhat antient and yet do I make a question whether it were before the xx â—h of H. 3. for upon collection of the Aid then levied it is certified that Robert Mauduit held one Knights fee and a half here of the Earl of Warwick unto whom most of the lands and fees which were tâ—e Eaâ—l of Mellent's in this County divolved At whâ—ch time it was aâ—so found that Raph de Suyle answered for a Knights fee in this place But by another Record not above xi years after it appears that Raph de Suthlâ—g accounted for two Knights fees here which proportion the heirs of the said Raph held in 36 H. 3. For the etymologie of the name considering how vaâ—ioâ—sly it hath been written in antient time viz. Derceto Dercetone Derceth and Dorcestre I shall oneâ—y deliver my fancy viz. that being a hilly place â—t was originally a receptacle for Beasts of Chase wherewith this land before it grew pâ—puâ—ous did much abound which kind we knowâ— do much delight in Mountaneus grounds as this is So that I supposeâ— it might by reason thereof at first be called Deorset with the Saxons which betokeneth a place where wild Beasts have their abode but I leave it as a conjecture As for that part of the town called Burton-Dasset it is by way of distinction fâ—om the other of which addition I have exprest my conceipt where I discourse of Burton-Hastings in
therewith After which viz. in 4 H. 8. Iohn Crofte and Eliz. his wife levied a Fine of the moytie of this Mannour to Simon Rice Citâ—zen and Mercer of London and others but to what uses I know not Neither can I say to what uses that Fine did inure which was levied of this Mannour in 10 H. 8. between Iohn Trevâ—then and others Plantiffs and Margaret Boleyn widow Deforc Howbeit for certain that Fine levied thereof 29 H. 8. betwixt Thomas Pope Eâ—q Pl. and Ricâ— Fermour and others Deforc. was to the use of the said Thomas Pope and his heirs for even to these very times his posterity do enjoy the same together with another Mannour here which appertained to the dissolved Monastery of Studley for by that name it past from the Crown in 31 H. 8. unto the same Thomas and the heirs male of his body he being then a Knight and Treasurer of the Court of Augmentation Touching the Church dedicated to S. Laurence I have already shewed that the advouson thereof was vested in Robert Wandard and his heirs by the Monks of Preaux in Normandy whereupon a Pension of x s. per annum became setled out of the fruits thereof to be payd to the Parson of Warmington and his successors In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it being valued at viii marks was afterward granted to the Monastery of Lavenden in Com. Buck. about the beginning of E. 3. time as it should seeem by the Presentations thereto but not appropriated till 2 R. 2. and then Pope Urban the 6. by his Bull dated at Rome on the Ides of November granted unto the Canons of that House liberty to take the fruits thereof to their own peculiar use the same year Simon de Sudbury Archbishop of Cant. ordaining the Vicaridge which in 26 H. 8. was valued at Cxiii s. iv d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Rob. de Wandak miles Rob. de Shâ—teswell Cler. ...... 1287. Abbas Conv. de Lavenden Ioh. Steâ—e Clâ—r Id. Iunii 1349. Abbas Conv. de Lavenden Ioh. de Kneton Pbr. 6. Cal. Ian. 1355. Abbas Conv. de Lavenden Ioh. de â—aâ—â—bury Pbr. 14. Cal. Oct. 1367. Patroni Vicariae Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Thomas le Rowe Pbr. 22. Maii 1381. Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Thomas Ieâ—fus Pbr. 4. Martii 1394. Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Thomas Wotton Pbr. 26. Oct. 1438. Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Thom. Wyllingham Canon de Lavenden 9. Apr. 1443. Abb. Conv. de Lavenden Will. â—urvey Canon de Lavenden ult Iulii 1451. D. Thomas Pope miles D. Ioh. Vernam Cler. 22. Iunii 1456. Will. Chancy de Edgcote in Com. Northampt ar ex concess T. Pope mil. D. Will. Rowse Cler. 20. Oct. 1554. Ioh. Pope ar Ric. Key Cler. 7. Feb. 1562. Edw. Grevill gen ex concess Ioh. Pope ar Will. Key Cler. 12. Oct. 1576. Will. Pope de Wroxton mil. de baln Bar. Rob. Petiver in Art Magr. 8. Febr. 1620. Will. Pope de Wroxton mil. de baln Bar. Ric. Hartwell Cler. in art Magr. 19. Maii 1627. Warmington MOre than a mile Northwards on the side of Edg-Hill stands Warmington which in the Conquerors time being possest by the Earl of Mellent contained xv hides and a half two whereof were held by a certain Knight of the said Earl and valued at xx s. and the residue rated at x li. all which had been the Freehold of one Azor before the Norman invasion In that Survey it is written Wermintone in one place and Warmintone in another but I presume that its denomination originally sprung from some antient possessor thereof in the Saxons time perhaps Weremundus for that appellation was then usuall This as most of the lands which the said Earl had in Warwick-shire came to Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick brother to the same E. of Mellent but by what Agreement appears not w ch Henry gave it wholy excepting the Hamlets belonging thereto to the Monks of Preaux in Normandy who built a Cell here and sent over part of their Covent to reside therein and to be subordinate to their House of Preaux of which Cell the said Earl Henry is reputed to have been Founder which Religious House stood about the midst of the town as the Inhabitants by tradition do affirm This grant so made to Preaux by Earl Henry was in Edw. 1. time confirmed by William de â—eauchamp then Earl of Warwick it being then found that there were xx Tenants here that held their lands by a servile tenure viz. each one providing a Labourer one day every week for the Lordâ—â— imployment or to give 1 d. ob for every day in the week which would amount to x d. and so in the year to xliii s. iv d. And that every one of them should plow for the Lord thrice in the year or give x s. per annum and mow his meadowing or give xl d. As also that every yard land should find two men for 3. days in Harvestâ— or give for every day in stede of a man ii d. which comes to xxx s. in the year That they should carry the Lords Hay or give xl d. That each man should perform one dayes carriage in Harvest or give xl d. That they should make the Lords Hay or give x d. Rake his corne or give x d. Harrow each of them one day with a single Horse or give x d. And lastly carry once in the year at Warwick or give xl d. Howbeit afterwards I find that this whole town payd only a marke per annum to the Earls of Warwick at two termes viz. Candlemass and Whitsontide for all services But this Mannour so belonging to Preaux grew afterwards reputed to be parcell of the possessions pertaining to the Priory of Toftes in Norfolk which Religious House was founded by those forraign Monks after they had the grant of the Mannour of Toftes by Rob. E. of Mellent before mentioned the Monks here being either recalled into Normandy or transmitted to Toftes And upon the seizure of those lands which the Priors-Alien had in England whereof in Wolston I have fully spoke was in 33 E. 3. committed to the custody of Iohn de Herdewyk Howbeit afterwards the King allowing some favour to the Monks of thoâ—e Cells the Prior of Toftes had permission to ferm it who whilst he was Tenant thereto made much wast here by falling CC. Ashes prized then at xx li. the yearly value thereof being about that time rated at xxix li. xi s. vi d. per annum Certain it is that the frequent seizures of such lands by reason of the Warrs with France made those forrain Monks willing enough to sell their interest in them during those troubles at least as may appear by the passing them away aswell to divers Lay persons as unto some Religious Houses in England about this
here was by him held directly of the Earl and the other that it was held by Thomas de Cumton son of the same Philip I presume of Thomas de Arden lineall heir to Turchill and that he held it over of the Earl Neither am I certain that this Philip was the first that became enfeoft thereof for I find an Arnulphus de Comton and likewise an Osberâ—us de Comton in 16 H. 2. As also Waleranus de Cumton in R. 1. and beginning of K. Iohn's time all of this County but whether these or any of them were of this place is hard to determine The first mention I meet wâ—â—n of Philip de Cumpton above specified from whom I conclude this family to be descended is in 5 Ioh. or thereabouts For Will. Poer Shiriff of this County in 4.5 6 Ioh. was witness with him to a grant of lands lying in Tiâ—hoe made by Râ—c de Bereford and Cecilia his wife to the Canons of Kenilworth at that timeâ—che succession from which Philip is on the next page inserted in order of time as Records do warrant it but I have not adventured to knit them together excepting where there is apparent proof In 7 E. 1. it was certified that Philip de Comptone Grandchild I presume to the former was then Lord of this Mannour where it is writ Compton-Wyniate â— and that he held it of Thomas de Aâ—dern by the service of half a Kts. fee and he of the Earl of Warwick At which time the said Philip had 2 carucats of land here in demesn and ...... Freeholders who held of him six yard land by severall Rents As also 5 Tenants holding 3 yard land paying certain Rent and performing divers servile labours It was likewise then certified that the Templars had 3 Freeholders here who were possest of two yard land for which they payd a certain Rent and did suit to their Court at Warwick Of the memorable imployments that any of this Family had I shall here briefly take notice as I find them recorded Robert de Compton grandchild to the last Philip was in that expedition of Wales in 15 E. 2. In 6 E. 3. Iohn de Compton was a Knight for this Shire in the Parl. then held at Westin In 23 E. 3. Thomas de Compton of this place being one of the Coroners in this Shire an office of very great account in those days which he held till 50 E. 3. was also in the same 23 year of E. 3. joyn'd in Commission with sundry other persons of quality for assessing and collecting a xv th and x th To him succeded Edmund a Coroner also both in the beginning and later end of R. 2. time But touching his descendants I have not seen much that is memorable till H. 8. time that Will. Compton son and heir to another Edmund who was but xi years of age at his Fathers death which hapned in 8 H. 7. being first a Page to Henry Duke of York second son to K. H. 7. afterwards when he was King by the name of Henry the 8 â—h became Groom of his Bed-chamber for I find him stiled Garcio Camerae in the first year of his reign Nay he quickly grew in such farther favour with that K. that he was the same year advanced to be chief Gentleman of his said Bedchamber and within three years after in consideration of his good and faithfull service had a speciall grant to himself and his heirs of an honourable Augmentat on to his Arms out of the said King 's own royall Ensigns and Devises viz. a Lion passant gardant Or and for his Crest a demi Dragon erased gules within a Coronet of gold upon a torse Argent and vert as by speciall Letters under the same King's sign Manuall bearing date at Westminster the 7th of Novemb. in the fourth yâ—ar of his reign and exemplified by Thomas Wâ—â—â—thesley then Garter principall King of Arms with his Seal and the Seal of his Office the 14 th of December following appeareth About which time or soon after he was Knighted as is evident by that title attributed to him the next ensuing 〈◊〉 in a Patent for life of the Chancelourshâ—p â—f Ireland But that office he held not long for the Archbâ—shop of Dublin had a grant thereof in 7 H. 8. Philippâ—â— de Compton 5. Ioh. Thomas de Cumpton 36 H. 3. Philippus de Cumpton 7 E. 1. Robertus de Cumpton 9 E. 2 Râ—b de Cumpton 1â— E. 2. Thomas de Compton 23 E. 3. Edm. de Compton 12 R. 2. Will. de Compton 10 H. 6. Rob. Compton deâ—unctus 21 E. 4 Edmundus Compton obiit â—â— 7. Will. Compton miles obiit 20 H. 8. Werburgia filia haeres Ioh. Brereton mil. relicta Franciser Cheyney mil. Petrus Compton obiit 30 Lan. 35. H. 8. Anna filia Georgii Comiâ—is Salopiae Henricus Baro-Compton obiit 31 Eliz. Anna filia Ioh. Spenser de Althorpe in com Northampt. mil. Heâ—r Compton miles de balneo Francisca filia Franciâ—ci Comitis Hunâ—indoniâ—â— ux 1. Will. Baro Compton erectus in Comiteâ— Norâ—hamp 2 Aug. 16. Iac. obiit 24. Iunii 7. Car. Eliz. filia haeres Ioh. Spenser mil. Spenser Comes Northampâ— occisus in praelio apud Hopton-Heath an 1643. Maria filia Francisci Beaumont militis Jacobus comâ—s Northampt. duxit Isabellam filiam cohaer Ric. Sackvile Comitis Dors. Carolus Will. Spenser mil. Franciscus Henricus Anna. Penelope mil. Thomas Compton mil. Margar uxor Henr. Baronis Mordant Ioh. de Cumpton 6 E. 3. In the same year of that K. he led the Rereguard of the Kings Army at Therouene composed for the most part of the retinue belonging unto Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester and Wolsey then the King's Almoner being about 800. in number In 10 H. 8. he was charged with providing of 50 Archers for the Kings service in his Wars In 16 H. 8. joyned with the Marq. Dorset to assist Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey â—n his expedition towards Scotland against the D. of Albany who then had invaded the North parts And in 17 H. 8. he had the title of Bursarius Regis This Sir Will. erected a fair Mannour house here at Compton most of the brick used in that structure being brought y from Fulbroke where a ruinous Castle was whereof he had the custody by the Kings grant and Keepership of the Park which Castle he pulled down making use of the materials for that building In the Chapell within this House was a costly window of rare workmanship the passion of our Saviour being therein very lively represented and in the lower part there of his own portâ—aiture as also that of his Lady bâ—th kneeling in their surcoats of Arms. The Parke likewise which is very large was begun by the same Sir Will. about the xi year of H. 8. For then had the License not onely to impark certain
12 Iac. whose grandchild Richard about 12 Car. sold it unto Ric. Shukborough of Shukborough Esq Besides this Mannour already spoke of is there another here at least in reputation for in 30 H. 8. Will. Walter was possest thereof in right of Isabel his wife Which Will. demised the same to Will. VVillington Esq of whom in Barcheston I have spoken who in 1 E. 6. converted 4 mess. here into cottages as also 200 acres of arable land into pasture And being seized in Fee-simple of one mess. and lx acres of land more did the like by it All which by his last Will and Testament he bequeathed inter alia to his cosyn Will. Barnes and his heirs upon condition that he should distribute certain summs of money to the poor of Brailes Shipston and Tysoe In the Chapell here at Chelmescote there was a Chantry founded by one Thomas de Pakinton of Brailes in an 1322 16 E. 2 as appears by a certain Agreement indented made the 16 day of Ian. the same year betwixt Thomas Cobham then Bishop of Worcester the Prior and Covent of Kenilw. and Gilb. de Wythibroke Vicar of Brailes on the one part and the said Thomas de Pakinton on the other part whereby the same Prior and Covent with the said Vicar of Brailes do grant liberty to the said Thomas and his heirs to provide a fit Priest for celebration of Divine service in the Chapell before-specified and to maintain him at his and their proper charges which Priest was to be presented to the Vicar of Brailes for the time being by the said Thomas and his assignes making oath to be accountable unto him for all Tithes obventions and oblations there received as due to the mother Church of Brailes provided that he the said Thomas with his Tenants and neighbours of Chelmescote might have divine service in that Chapell if they thought fâ—â— so that they did perform all parochiall ritesâ— and receivâ— the Sacraments at the Church of Brailes and in acknowledgement of their duty therâ—â—n to repair thither on Christmasse day Candlemasse Good Friday Easter day Whitsunday S t â—eorge his day and All Saints as also on the day of the Dedication of the said Church of Brailes there to hear divine service and visit the said parish Church except manifest and reasonable cause should appear to the contrary and that on those days there should be no service at all in that Chapell All which was confirmed by Simon Mountacute Bishop of Worcester in an 1334. 8 E. 3. But in 21 E. 3 the said Thomas de Pakinton then Parson of Maple-Derham in Oxfordshire by his Instument dated Feb. 25. setling upon Nich. Laumprey of Wroxston his nephew the inheritance of four Messuages and four yard land lying in Over Brailes and of the Fee called Segrave's Fee together with lxvis ob yearly Rent issuing also out of certain lands there did appoint that with the profits of the said land and rent two Priests should be perpetually maintained to celebrate divine service dayly in the parish Church of Brailes for his noble Lord Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick his ancestors kindred and heirs As also for himself his parents kinsfolks and their posterity and for the souls of all faithfull people deceased Howbeit the compleat Ordination of this Chantry was not till the year 1348 22 E. 3 And then did the said Thomas de Pakinton declaring himself to be the Founder of a Chantry consisting of four Priests within the Parish of Brailes appoint and direct that they should clebrate divine service for his Lord the Earl of Warwick his Countesse children and ancestors as also for him the said Thomas and all his ancestors and kinsfolke in manner following viz. two of them which were to inhabite near the said Chapel at Chelmescote in the house there assigned for them every day to sing the Mattens of our blessed Lady and the Mattens of the day with all Canonical hours distinctly and openly and to celebrate Masse dayly in manner and forme following unlesse they should be hindred by sufficient cause viz. One of them every sunday and on the great Festivalls and on Munday the Masse of the holy Trinity Tuesday of S t Thomas the Martyr Wednesday of S t Katherine and S t Margaret Thursday of Corpus Christi Fryday of the Holy Crosse and Saturday of the Annuntiation of our Lady The other Preist to celebrate every day the Masse of Requiem for the soules of all the faithfull departed this life And in every Masse except by reason of solemnizing the Festivall he should be hindred to say seven Collects one of the celebration of the Masse The second for him the said Thomas de Pakinton viz. Deus qui caritatis c. The third also for him likewise after he should be departed this World Deus cujus misericordiae non est numerus suscipe pro anima famuli tui c. The fourth of S t Thomas the Martyr The fift of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin The sixth for the soules of the deceased beginning with Inclina The seventh the generall Collect which beginneth thus Sanctissime Dei genetrix Maria especially naming therein the said Earl his Countesse and children as also him the said Thomas de Pakinton and all his kindred And upon all Holy dayes and others except the solemnity of the Festivall did hinder to say a Placebo and Dirige with commendation of the souls of the persons before spoken of for the souls of all the faithfull deceased And likewise ordained that the other two Priests should also live together near the said mother Church of Brailes in the house assigned for them and be daily present therein at Mattens and all other Canonicall houres to joyne with the Priests belonging to the Church except just cause and hinderance hapned and dayly sing Masse at the Altar near his Father's grave behaving themselves in Masses and all other things in such sort as is directed for the two Priests at Chelmescote And moreover that all these Priests before their admission to these Chanteries should take their corporal oaths before the Vicar of Brailes for the time being that they would preserve the mother Church of Brayles indempnified and observe all other orders as aforesaid to their utmost power Which Ordination was confirmed accordingly by the Canons of Kenilworth as Rectors of the said Church of Brailes as also by Iohn de Chelmescote then Vicar of Brailes â—he Earl of Warwick and Bishop of Worcester Winderton THis being also a member of Brailes is not very antiently for ought I have seen mentioned in Records for the first time that I meet with it is in 20 H. 3. Where it appears that it was held of the Earl of Warwick by half a Kts Fee one of the D'Eivills of Walton-Deivill in this County being possest thereof and in 36 Henry 3. Robert D'Eivill It seemes that D'Eivill became first enfeoft thereof by Roger
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
and the third part did Elizabeth Dutches of Norff. hold in dower To this Thomas succeeded Iohn D. of Norff. as son and heir who enfeoft Ric. Waller and Henry Bradfield in this Mannour and they VVill. Brandon Esq as it seems for Ric. VValler son and heir to the said Richard by his deed bearing date 25 Sept. 1 E. 4. released to the said VVill. and Eliz. his wife with Alianore their daughter all his estate therein in reversion Eliz. Dutchesse of Norff. having an estate for life in the same Neverthelesse by an Inq. taken in 7 H. 7. wherein the title of Iohn de Peito formerly mentioned is recited it appears that the said VVill Brandon by the name of S â— VVill. Brandon Knight and Eliz. his wife received the profits thereof from the 2. till 7 H. 7. but how much sooner or longer is to me yet uncertain Which S â— VVilliam past it to Henry Kebull Alderman of London who depopulated 7 mess. and one cottage here and inclosed 350 acres of land being all that were in this village except the Mannour house wherewith lxxx acres of land were occupied and by his Testament bearing date 28 Apr. an 1517. 9 Henry 8. setled it inter alia upon George Keble his grandchild son of Thomas Kebâ—e his son deceased with remainder for want of issue male by the said George to VVill. Blunt Lord Mountjoy and Alice his wife the Testators daughter and the heirs of their two bodies Which George stiled â—eorge Keble of Bradwell in Com. Essex Esq by his deed bearing date 12 Nov. 24 H. 8. granted it to George VVilloughby Gent. and Iohn Barbour yeoman to the use of VVill. Sheldon of Barcheston and his heirs whereupon there was a Fine levied in 26. H. 8. This VVilliam being also of Beoly in UUorcestershire their principall seat descended by a younger branch as I guessâ— from that antient Family of Sheldon in this County which flourisht at Sheldon till E. 3. time for amongst their evidences I have seen that his immediate Ancestor had lands in R. 2. time within the Lordship of Bermingham which is scarce 4 miles distant from that place was he who liking well the situation hereof in 37 H. 8. obtained License from the King to impark CCC acres of land meadow pasture and wood to be called by the name of UUeston park for ever As also a Charter of Free-warren to himself and his heirs and built a very fair House here in which his descendants have often resided though their chief seat be at Beoley where many of them lye very honourably interred Whichford OF this place there is no particular mention in the Conq rs Survey whence I conclude that it was then involved with Long Compton but it seems that the family of Mohun were owners thereof very timely for I find that Will. de Moion and Agnes his wife gave the Church to the Monastery of Bredlington whose grant King Henry 1. confirmed Howbeit he or his were dispossest again though it appears not how perhaps by K. Stephen for in 3. Steph. divers of the great men beâ—ng in Aâ—mes on the behalf of Maud the Empresse this Wâ—ll then fortifyed and hâ—ld his Castle aâ— Dunster for her but further do I find nothing thereof till 9 R. 1. that Raph de Welleford accounted xvl for the form thereof it being in the Kings own hands as an Eschaet Which forâ—eiture was made by Ioelinus de Pomeria a Norman as by the Râ—cord of 6 Ioâ— appears where its particular extent as of aâ—l other the lands of such Normans which it seems were seized on by the Kâ—ng is certifyed viz. in Rent of Assize viiili xvis the arable land in demesn being 3. carucates consistâ—ng of xxiiii Oxen and the other stock xxi Oxâ—n iii. Horses viii Hogs five Kâ—ne and a Bull five Sows and a Boar and CC. Sheep so that the yearly value of all was rated at xvli In which 6 th year King Iohn bestowed it upon or rather restored it to Reginald de Mohun excepting the â—oâ—n and stock then upon it whâ—ch he appointed to be pâ—ized and otherwâ—se disposed To whose posterity it continued whilst the male line lasted and in 20 H. 3. was held by Reginald de Mohun â—he second by the service of one Kâ—s Fee Which Râ—ginald in 36 H. 3. Having Lâ—cense from the King to stop and incâ—ose a câ—rtain Râ—ad way lying thrâ—ugh his Park here assignâ—ng another without the compasse thereof upon conditâ—on that passengers mâ—ght not receâ—vâ— prejudice left issue Iohn â— who in 7 E. 1. had here three carucates of lâ—nd in dâ—mâ—sn with xvii Tenants holding severall proportions of ground perfoâ—ming ceâ—tain servâ—ces as thrâ—shâ—ngâ— plowing gatheâ—iâ—g Nâ—tsâ— c. As also a Court Leet Free-warren and Gâ—llows and a Wâ—â—d incâ—osâ—â— in which it was then 〈◊〉 that the Kâ—ng ought to have paunâ—ge fâ—r â—l Hogâ—â— and one Boar from the Feast of S. Mâ—câ— unâ—â—l â—word as belonging to his Fâ—eehold in Long Compton 〈◊〉 Iohn de Mâ—hun dyed the same year whereupon thâ—s Maâ—â—our then raâ—ed at L per an being in the Kings hand in râ—gard of the minority of his son was granted to Almarâ—c de St. Amand to hoâ—d till the heir shâ—uld câ—me of full age â—n part of satisfactâ—on for C. marks per an gâ—ven by the Kâ—ng to the sâ—â—d Almarâ—c to be received out of his Wards or Eâ—chaets whose name was also Iohn and his resiâ—ence here as â—t seems for in 17 H. 2. I find him in the list of those Knights and men at Armes of this County then certâ—fâ—ed into the Chancery Howbeit iâ— 6. E. 3. it came again into the K. hands by reason of the minority of the son and heir of that Iohn and was câ—mmitted to the custody of Will. Ayermin Bishop of Norwich who did great repairs upon the Mannour house But at length the â—ssue male of this branch of that family fâ—â—ling for the last S r Iohn Mohun had only three daughters and heâ—rs viz. Elizabeth wife to Will. Mâ—untacute Earl of Salisbury Maud marryed to Iohn le Strange of Knolâ—in and Philippa to Edw. D. of York upon parâ—ition made betwixt them it fell to the said Elizabeth who dying without issue it came to be divided betwixt Richard Lord Strange son to the above specâ—fyed Maud and to Philippa Dutchesse of Yorke â— which Phillippa accordingly held the moâ—tye thereof during her life but dying without issue in 10 H. 6. it descended to the said Lord Strange as her nephew and heir and so from Strange to the Earls of Derby by a daughter and heir as Long Compton did Edw. Earl of Derby being seâ—zed thereof in 14 Eliz. To whom succeeded Wâ—ll his brother who sold it unto Raph Sheldon of Beoley Esq. Grandfather to William the present owner thereof The Church dedicated to S. Michael being
they are most proper to be made when I come to speak in particular of the Church I have the rather inserted here because they give some light to the succession of the Mannour whereunto in those times the patronage of the Church was except very rarely belonging But for want of better help whereby a perfect discovery might be had I am constrained to make use of them being not able to manifest so exactly as I would through what paths the succession of it went till the Lucies became Lords thereof In 20 H. 3. William Bonchivalier answered for part of a Knights fee here then certified to be held of the Earl of Warwick and in 36 H. 3. Raph de Wylinton which Raph in that great defection of the Barons towards the later end of H. 3. time was in Armes against the King and of the retinue to Geffrey de Lucie and in 52 H. 3. held this Mannour by the service of a Knights fee of the Earl of Warwick as of the Mannour of Brailes whose Tenants in 7 E. 1. did their suit twice a year at the Court-Leet for Braâ—les To this Raph succeeded Iohn de Wilinton who in 9 E. 2. held a half and a fourth part of a Knights fee here of the said Earl But the next possessor thereof was Sir William de Lucy Knight viz. in 3 E. 3. Since which his posterity of whom I have spoke in Cherlecote have succeeded him therein to this day The Church in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at viii marks and in 26 H. 8. at xii li. out of which was payd for Synodals and Procurations ix s. v d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Will. de Lucy miles Rad. de Sileby Pbr. 5. Febr. 1328. D. Will. de Lucy miles Leonardus de Lucy Cler. 29. Apr. 1337. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. le Worner Pbr. 21. Apr. 1338. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. de Geydon Pbr. 28. Maii 1339. D. Will. de Lucy miles Ioh. filius Nich. Gerond 25. Oct. 1348. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles D. Ric. Ernold Pbr. 27. Apr. 1362. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Ioh. Aspele 26. Apr. 1388. Thomas Lucie miles Rich. Penne 14. Iulii 1413 Thomas Lucie miles Rob. Cramford 17. Iulii 1413. Ric. Archer ar Ric. Hony 9. Oct. 1416. Atturnati Ricardi Comitis Warwici D. Ric. Paris Cap. 16. Ian. 1420. Edw. Lucy ar D. Henr. Amott Cap. 24. Feb. 1467. Will. Lucie ar D. Ioh. Barret Cap. 12. Oct. 1485. Will. Lucie ar D. Ric. Newman Cap. 17. Aug. 1487. Edm. Lucie fil haeres Will. Lucie mil. Magr. Ioh. Verney in art Magr. 4. Oct. 1503. Will. Lucie ar D. Edw. Large Cler. 5. Nov. 1537. Barton on the Heath OF this place the onely mention in the Conquerors Survey is that one Grim held at that time half a hide of land here of Robert de Stadford then valued at xx s. but in that Record it is written Bertone which is a Saxon word signifieth the same that in some places we now call a â—oldyard yet intendeth all such barnes and out-buildings as belong thereto I am of opinion that the E. of Mellent or Turchill de Warwick had something here at the same time though no particular instance be made thereof in Domesday-book in regard that afterwards Thomas de Arden was found to hold part of a Knights fee here of the Earl of Warwick But there is so little light in those elder times from Record touching this place that I can give but a slender account thereof In King Iohn's time one Simon de Barton was impleaded for certain lands here descended to him from Ranulph de Barton his grandfather yet whether the said Ranulph or his Ancestor were enfeoft of the whole Mannour or onely of some lands here by one of the Barons of Stafford I will not take upon me to determine for in 20 H. 3. it is apparent that Thomas de Arden answered for the fourth part of a Knights fee here held of the Earl of Warwick And in 36 H. 3. Robert Mareschall and Ric. le Eyr had the same fourth part of the said Thomas at which time all that was found to be held of the Baron of Stafford here was but the xvi th part of a Knights fee then possest by Richard le Frankleyn To the descendants of which Rob. Marshall it continued till Queen Elizabeth's time one whereof scil Robert past away the advouson of the Church and some lands here to Nicholas Makarell of Carleton in Lindsey com Linc. in 11 E. 2. but afterwards they had it again and wrote their names Marshall alias Bery Of which line without doubt was Edw. Bery who upon the death of his father 5 E. 6. was 26. years of age and past it away to Will. Underhill of Idlicote who dyed seized thereof 31 Martii 12 Eliz. leaving William his son and heir xiv years of age and upwards But in this Family of Underhill it continued not long for clear it is that one of the Berryes had it again of whom it was purchased by Walter Overbury a younger son to Sir Nich Overbury of Bourton on the Hill in Com. Glouc. Knight about the later end of King Iames his time which Walter rebuilt the Mannour-house of stone in such sort as it now is The Church dedicated to S. Laurence in Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at vii marks and a half and in 26 H. 8. at xiii li. vi s. viii d. over and above viii s. xi d. ob allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Ric. le Marshall de Barton Will. de Preston Subdiac 12. Cal. Martii 1295. D. Nich. Makerell Magr. Ioh. de Hamelden Pbr. 7. Cal. Sept. 1322. D. Nich. Makerell Gilb. de Welleton Cler. 4. Non. Nov. 1323. D. Nich. Makerell D. Henr. de Cokham Cler. 10. Cal. Aug. 1325. .......... Magr. Ioh. de Welton 24 Maii 1354. D. Gilb. de Welton Carleol Episc. D. Henr. de Cokham Pbr. 29. Oct. 1355. Will. Marshall alÃas Bury gen Magr. Thomas Wynchcomb Pbr. 19. Iulii 1471. Will. Marshall alÃas Bury gen D. Rob Beldon Pbr. ult Dec. 1492. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury Ric. a Prise Cler. 6. Nov. 1500. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury D. Alex. Nowers 27. Ian. 1524. Iâ—â— Marshall alÃas Bury D. Edm. Marchall 6. Sept. 1525. Thom. Underhill gen ex concess Thomae Turvill Eliz. ux ejus Will. Underhill Cler. 23. Iulii 1579. In the East window of the Chancell these Armes Arg. a Cheveron sable betwixt 3. Squirils gules Bury Upon a Marble Gravestone in the Chancell this Inscription Here lyeth buried the bodies of Edmund Bury and Eliz. his wife which Eliz. was the seventh daughter of Edward Underhill of Nether-Etingdon in the County of Warwick Esquier The
lack of issue by them on Iohn the brother of the said VVilliam and Lora his wife and the heirs of their two bodies with remainder to Iohn the son of Robert VVolf and his heirs By which entail the moytâ—e thereof divolved to Ioan the wife of Iohn son to Richard de Foxcote who past it away together with the advouson of the Church unto Thomas de Morehall Clerk But it was not long after that the whole Mannour became the possession of Edmund Earl of Stafford who being slain in the battail of Shrewsbury 4 H. 4. Anne his widow had it inter alia assigned to her in dower After which the posterity of the said Earl enjoy'd it till 12. H. 8. that Edw. D. of Buck. past it to Richard Bishop of Winchester and others to the use of S Will. Compton Knight from whom the Earl of Northampton now Lord thereof is descended The Church dedicated to St. Peter being originally endowed with half a yard land was in an 1291. 10. E. 1. valued at vi marks and a half the advouson whereof in 3. E. 2. had Philip le Lou and Margerie his wife License from the King to grant unto the Nuns of Pinley in this County Neverthelesse they did not so dispose thereof for in 41 E. 3. Thomas de Morehall had the like License to passe it to the Canons of Little-Maldern in Worcestershire and they leave to appropriate it which was performed the 5. of Iune an 1368 42 E. 3. by Will. VVittlesey Bishop of Worcester Another Instrument of the like nature did Henry VVakefeild Bishop of Worcester make dated at Hertlebury 21. Nov. an 1388 12 R. 2. whereupon a yearly Pension of iiis iiiid was reserved to the said Bishop and his successors to be paid out of the fruits thereof But notwithstanding all this those Canons of Malverne never took benefit of these appropriations for it continued a Rectory and in 26. H. 8. was valued at xiiil vis viiid over and above ixs vd ob allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Ioh le Lou Amicia ux ejus Philippus le Lou Margeria ux ejus Ioh. le Lou Cler. 5. Id. Maii 1281. Margeria le Wolfe domina de Whatcote Will. le Brut Pbr. 12. Iulii 1329. Margeria le Wolfe domina de Whatcote Rad. de Snelleston Pbr. 8. Dec. 1329. Ioh. de la Morehall Thomas de la Morehall 24 Nov. 1340. Thomas atte Morehall resignavit presentavit Barth de Brechinham Pbr. 18. Iunii 1359. Phil. de Todenham Rog. Dod Ric. de Mene Ric. West Ioh. Mulward Pbr. 3. Dec. 1361. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Frater Thomas Bandy monachus 5. Cal. Iunii 1368 Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Ric. de Depedale 11. Apr. 1374. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Rog. de Caldecote 12. Oct. 1380. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Ioh. Kyldale 14. Oct. 1384. Hugo Comes Staffordiae Ioh. Clifford Pbr. 27 Maii 1385. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Ioh. Wygot 10 Maii 1392. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Ioh. Aspele 3 Iulii 1409. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Ioh. Taylour 13. Ian. 1409. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Thomas Stanford 4. Nov. 1413. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Ioh. Aspele Cap. 10. Martii 1414. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori Ioh. Hancock Cap. 26 Aug. 1414. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Thomas Chyn Cap. 23. Martii 1426. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Christoph. Strange Cap. 29. Iulii 1440. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Thomas Nelle Cap. 4. Dec. 1451. Prior Conv. de Malvern minori D. Will. Aldyngton Cap. 23. Iunii 1486. Will. Hill ratione concess Pr. Conv. de Malvern Rob. Maud Cler. 2. Maii 1511. Henr. 8. Rex Angl. Nich. Austin Cler. 26 Apr. 1542. D. Anna Comitissa Penbrochiae Henr. Michell Cler. 14. Iulii 1573. Ioh. Morell ex concess Will. Domini Compton D. Ioh. Damport Cler. 20. Dec. 1597. Oxhill ON the North side this torrent lyes Oxhill in the Conquerors Survey written Octeselve and being possest by the same Hugh de Grentemaisnil of whom I have made mention in Whatcote was then certified to contain x. hides having a Mill rated at xvid but the value of all together was xil and before the Norman invasion belong'd to the same Toli who had Whatcote After this viz. in H. 2. time Engelram de Dumart became owner thereof whose sisters named Emma and Aeliz by reason of his death without issue succeeded him in the inheritance of it and had livery thereof in 31 of that Kings reâ—gn Upon what occasion it was that K. Iohn seized upon it appears not but in 18 of his reign the Shiriff of this County received command to deliver possession thereof to Thodoric de Whicheford to whom he had given it in which Record it is wrâ—tten Hocteshulve howbeit in 3 H. 3. Thomas de Periton had restitution thereof as heâ—r to Engelard Dummarish sive Dumart his uncle Which Thomas departing this life in 11 H. 3. Adam his son and heir had livery of these lands in Ofteschelfe for so it is written of his inheritance and the next year following was acquitted of the Scutage for half a Knights fee here due upon the expedition of Kerry which Adam bore for his Armes Barry of six peices and upon a Canton 3. barrs wavie But from the family of Periton it divolved to S t Will. de Keyns K t by Margaret a daughter and heir as the Descent sheweth which S r Will. had issue Robert who in 7 E. 1. held it of the King in Capite by the service of one Knights fee having one carucate of land in demesn and five Tenants holding severall proportions by performance of certain servile labours and payment of particular Rents As also divers Freeholders It was likewise then found that the Prior of Ware had one yard land here and the Monks of Bordesley 2 carucates and 6 virgates bestowed on them by Geffery de Beningworth three virgates by Nich. de Donington one by Ric. Clerke and one by Rob. Dumbard As also that they had ix Tenants holding sundry proportions by several Rents and servile imployments with a Court-Leet by the grant of K. H. 3. Which Family of Keyns being of eminent note possest Dodford in Northamptonshire Combe-Keynes and Tarent-Keynes in Dorsetshire and other lands of good value held by Barony but afterwards for want of issue male this Mannour divolved to Cressy through a coheir Sir Iohn Cressy of Dodford before specifyed being owner of it in 10 Henry 6. who departing this life without issue in 31 H. 6. Alianore the wife to S r Humfrey Stafford of
this place as Gerold de Pilardestone in 16 H. 2 Roger de Pilardinton in K. Iohn's time Steph. de Pilardestone and Richard his son and heir temp H. 3. But none of these were Lords of the place for ought I could ever discerne for certain it is that one Gilebert de VVasevill possest it in R. 1. time and by committing Felony whereof he was convicted forfeited his whole estate which occasioned the King to seize upon this Lordship and bestow it upon Hugh de Hercy But not long after came VValeran Earl of Warwick to the said King Richard and petitioned for the same as his right forasmuch as the forfeiture thereof belonged to him in regard it was of his Fee and obtained it accordingly yet at the King's request that the before specified Hugh de Hercy might enjoy it did thereupon make a grant thereof to him Unto which Gilb. de VVasevill I find that Hugh de Gornai was the immediate Tenant thereof and that upon a suit in the Kings Court in 5. Ioh. Osbert de Roneray recovered the possession of it against him the said Hugh but within 3. dayes after that Geffery Fitz piers then Iusticiarius Angliae had command to restore it unto Hugh de Hercy Neverthelesse H. de Gornai retained it for awhile so that the said Hugh de Hercy was exposed to a suit at law for it for in the same year wherein the suit was commenced it appeareth that the King to make satisfaction to Gornai to whom he formerly had given possessiof it commanded that the Sheriff of this County should deliver unto the said Hugh de Hercy seisin of the Mannour of Kineton which he had before granted to him in exchange for Pilardinton upon condition that if the said Hugh de Hercy could obtain Pilardinton of Gornai either by a friendly agreement or a lawfull triall that then Kineton should revert to the King By which of these means it was that Hercy had it I cannot directly tell but that his posterity enjoy'd it is very certain This Hugh de Hercy gave for his Armes only a labell of 5. points and left Iohn his son and heir in ward to Thomas Basset in 13 Ioh. From which Iohn descended Iohn de Hercy I suppose his grandson who in 7. E. 1. held this Mannour of the Earl Warwick by the service of one Knights Fee having at that time one carucate of land in demesn and seven Tenants holding severall proportions by particular Rents and sundry servile imployments But this Iohn had no issue as I guesse for in 35 E. 1. he setled it after the decease of himself and Lettice his wife upon Thomas Wandak and Alice his wife and the heirs of the said Thomas covenanting to receive of the same Thomas during his own and his said wifes life six quarters of Wheat and six quarters of Barley and bore for his Armes a Fesse with a labell of 3. points in chiefe From which Hercyes was it for a long time called Pillerton-Hercy by way of distinction from the other Pillerton called Pillerton-Priors To the before specified Thomas Wandak succeeded Iohn betwixt whom and Will. Spine there was a suit for the title to this Mannour in 29 E. 3. the said VVill. recovering the possession of it against him the said Iohn and Catherine his wife as also against Thomas Paynell others After which the next mention thereof that I meet with is by a Fine levied in 48 E. 3. betwixt Thomas de Wencote and Alice his wife Plantiffs and Henry de Etynton and Kath. his wife Deforc. Whereby the said Henry and Kath. for themselves and the heirs of the said Katherine quitted all their interest therein to the same Thomas de Wencote and Alice and the heirs of the said Alice for ever in consideration whereof the same Henry and Katherine were to receive yearly during their lives x l. sterling so that 't is not unlike but that the saâ—d Alice and Kath. were daughters and coheirs to the above specified Iohn Wandak Yet how it comes to passe I cannot well imagine but the year ensuing the said Fine so levied Iohn de Hastings Earl of Pembroke was found to dye seized thereof Anne his widow having it inter alia assigned to her in dower So likewise did Iohn de Hastings son and heir to the said Earl in 13 R. 2. leaving Reginald Grey of Ruthin his cosin and heir But in 2 H. 4. I find that the heirs of S â— Iohn Thornbury Knight held a Knights Fee here of the Earl of Warwick and that in 10 H. 6. S r Philip Thornbury of Bygrave in Com. Hartford Knight was Lord of this Mannour As also that in 36 H. 6. Richard Thornbury Esq with Thomas his son demised it to Hugh Dalby Gent. for certain years Howbeit all that I have farther seen relating thereto is that in 34 H. 8. there was a Fine levied thereof betwixt VVill. VVhorwood Esq Plantiff and Iohn Mawdley Esq and others Deforc. but to what uses I know not And that in 1. 2. Ph. M. the Q. granted to VVill. Rice Esq the moytie of the same which had eschaeted to the Crown by the attainder of S r Ambrose Dudley Knight Touching the Church dedicated to the blessed Virgin I find that in King Iohn's time there were great suits betwixt the Monks of S. Neofs and Thomas Basset who had the wardship of Iohn son and heir of Hugh de Hercy for the right of Presentation thereto the Monks pretending that the said Hugh de Hercy gave them the perpetuall patronage thereof but in 14 Ioh. they came to an Agreement whereby they concluded to presenâ— joyntly to the Rectory and likewise to the Vicaridge by consent of the Parson so that the Vicaâ— should pay yearly to the Parson 4 marks saving alwayes the right of the said heir and of the Monks In an 1291 19 E. 1. it was valued at xx marks out of which the Prior of Ware had a portion of Tithes amounting in value to 7. marks and a half Upon what title it was I know not but I do find that Thomas de Tydinton a Priest recovered by a tryall at Law against Iohn de Hercy the advouson thereof which he after past away to Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick by his Deed dated at Elmeley the Wednsday after the Feast of S. Mich. an 1309. 3 E. 2. whose son and heir viz. T. Beauchamp Earl of Warw. in 8 E. 3. gave the said advouson to the Canons of his Coll. Church at Warwick who with in 7. years after obtained an appropriation of the fruits thereof from VVolstan thâ—n Bishop of Worcester bearing date at Hertlebury 6 Dec. an 1341 15 E. 3. which was so granted by that Bishop towards the support of their charge in building of the Steeple of the
the same year unto Rob. de Halford but of the residue I cannot give any farther account In An. 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church was valued at vii marks the portion that the Canons of Kenilworth had out of the Tithes belonging thereto being then rated at five marks but in 26 H. 8. it was esteemed at xiiili vis viiid the Synodalls and Procurations deducted thereout amounting to viiis xiâ— ob the Pension to the Canons of Kenilworth xls. and that to the Monks of Shene viiis Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. Wigorn. Adam de Bibye Cler. 14. Cal. Martii 1270. D. Episc. Wigorn. Rob. de Albinton Cler. 3. Iunii 1275. D. Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. de Bebury Accol 15. Kal. Iulii 1313. D. Episc. Wigorn. Magr. Byndo de Bandinell 8. Id. Apr. 1315. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Will. Wydebrugge Pbr. die S.M. Magd. 1321. D. Episc. Wigorn. Magr. Thom. de Upton Cler. 25. Apr. 1335. D. Episc. Wigorn. Thom. Bakhouse Pbr. 10 Kal. Aug. 1335. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Ioh. de Rippon Cap. 4. Aug. 1339. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Botoner Pbr. 30. Dec. 1339. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Rob. Marny 18. Dec. 1340. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Gate Cler. 17. Dec. 1341. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Bened. Palmer Accol 20 Feb. 1392. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Steph. Donne 11 Iunii 1405. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Tymmes 2 Iunii 1406 Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ioh. Rose 28. Sept. 1410. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Will Pikering 13. Aug. 1431. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Mr. David Geffrey in utroque jure Bacc. 27 Ap. 1488 Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Loket Pbr. 15 Iulii 1492. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae D. Will. Sudill Cap. 2 Martii 1514. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Ric. Cheney Cler. in S. theol Bacc. 21. Iulii 1546. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Nich. Iackson Cler. 5. Sept. 1561. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Edw. Mussage Cler. 24. Nov. 1571. Idem D. Episc. Wigorniae Will. Thornhill Cler. 8. Nov. 1579. In a North Window of the Church this Coat Or two Bends gules Sudley Upon a gravestone near the dore of the Church this Inscription Hic jacet Magister Henricus Kymycberi quondam Rector istius Eccclesiae qui obiit 5. die mensis Iulii An D. MCCCCLXXXIIII Cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen Nether-Eatendon A little below Halford Stoure leaveth Netheâ— Eatendon on its Eastern bank within the precincts of which parish are the Hamlets of Over-Eatendon Fulridy and Thorndon There is no doubt but that the name of this place was originally occasioned from its situation Ea in our old English signifying water and dune or don an ascending ground for at the foot of an hill and near the river doth it stand After the Norman invasion Henry de Feriers progenitor to that great family afterwards Earls of Derby possest it the extent thereof amounting to xvii hides then valued at xxi as appears by the Conquerors Survey and of him did one Saswalo hold it at which time there was a Church and a Mill to whose posterity in the male line it hath continued even to this day being the only place in this County that glories in an uninterrupted succession of its owners for so long a tract of time and till the reign of King Henry 3. was their principall seat though their possessions in other Counties were very large whence also they were denominated but afterwards fixing at Shirley in Derbyshire they assumed their sirname of that place which hath ever since been appropriated to this antient Family But of this Sasuualo whose name argues him to have been of the Old English stock as some think I have not much to say considering that we have so little light of History and nothing of Record for other discovery farther than the generall Survey before mentioned and the Registers of Abingdon and Kenilworth the one of which testifieth that he gave the Tithes of Hildesleie to the Monks of Abingdon and the other that he founded the Church here at Eatendon for it plainly appears that he endowed it at its Dedication But I do conclude that he was an eminent person forasmuch as he did not only possess this great Lordship but also Tichmersh in Northamptonshire part of Wintenai in Lincolnshire with Hatun Hoga and Etewell in Derbyshire For as most of the English were totally bereft of their antient patrimony so few of them were permitted to enjoy any more than a part thereof and to hold the same by military or other service from their new Lords as in my Introduction is manifested And if I may guesse at his greatnesse by the extent of his estate which we see amounted to xvii hides in this place I must conclude him to have been no lesse than a Thane in the Saxons time when not much more than five hides of land as the learned Selden observes was the estate of some which had that dignity But leaving this worthy person in regard that at so great a distance no more can be discerned of him I come to Henry his son who was a witnesse to the foundation Charter of Merevale Abby made by Robert de Ferrers granchild to the before specifyed Henry in K. Steph. time as also a devout Benefactor to the Canons of Kenilworth for by the consent of Robert Earl Ferrers his Lord and for the good estate of him the said Earl his wife and sons as also for the remission of his own sins and the souls-health of his Ancestors successors parents and freinds he gave them the Church of this place with all the Glâ—be and Tithes thereto belonging which grant of his was confirmed by the said Earl but dyed without issue as it seems for plain it is that Henry the son to his brother Fulcher succeeded him in the inheritance and conferred on the Monks of Bildwas the land of Ivenbroc Which Henry though he had issue Fulcher yet constituted his younger brother Sewall his heir de Baroniis Fulcheri Henrici id est of the lands of his father and uncle by Fine in the Court of Will Earl Ferrers his superior Lord levied in 4 R. 1. and perhaps by the power of that great Earl as more favouring Sewall which Baronies extended to nine Knights Fees whereof 4. belonged to Fulcher his father and 5. to the before specifyed Henry his Uncle as the red Book in the Exchequer testifieth This Sauualdus or Sewallus for he is both wayes written being a Knight and by reason of his residence here called r Sewallus de Etendon did not only disclaim and remit to the said Canons of Kenilworth all his interest that he had in the patronage of this Church but for the health of his soul and of the soules of his two wives gave
he of the Earl Ferrers which shews that part of Nether-Etindon extended into this And that in 7 E. 1. Henry de Brandeston had xx Tenants in this Village holding severall proportions of land As also that Thomas the son of Thomas de Etindon had two yard land and a half in demesn and certain Tenants holding other lands of him by particular Rents and divers servile employments besides some Freeholders And moreover Iordanus de Pilardintone four yard land held of Iohn de Warwick by the service of a pair of Gloves which Iohn held it over of William le Boteler and he of the Earl of Leicester But this I believe was part of that proportion which Hugh de Grentemaisnill had in thâ— Conquerors time as abovesaid as was that without question which Henry de Brandestor hâ—ld For in 27 E. 1 upon the death of Hugh de Brandeston it is evident that he had much land in this Village whereof xii Tenants held xii toftes and twelve yard land in Villenage then valued at vi li. as also that he the said Hugh so held them all of William le Boteler of Wemme by the service of the fourth part of a Knights Fee And that the Progenitor of Boteler was enfeoft thereof either by Hugh de Grentemaisnill himself or by Robert Blanchmains Earl of Leicester who wedded the daughter and heir to the said Hugh as I have elswhere observed there can be no doubt Afterwards viz. in 20 E. 3. Iohn Lord of Over-Etingdon held the seventh part of a Kts. Fee here of the Earl of Lancaster From which time till 23 H. 8. I find not a syllable of this place worthy the taking notice of in an historicall way But then did Thomas Porter possesse a good part of it by the name of the capitall messuage and certain lands in Over Etingdon and dyed seized thereof leaving Fouk Porter his son and heir within age which Fouk departing this life 28. Febr. 12 Eliz. left Simon his son and heir 19. years of age In 4 E. 1. there was a Chantry founded in the Chapell of our Lady within this Village by William de Ichington who gave thereunto one messuage one tofte one yard land and a half two acres of meadow and four marks yearly Rent with the appurtenances in Over-Etindon and Newbold for the maintenance of a Priest to sing Masse dayly there for the health of his soul as also for the souls of his Ancestors and all the faithfull deceased the Ordination of which Chantry was made xii Cal. Maii anno 1316. 10 E. 2. by the Prior Covent of Kenilworth unto whom the Church of Etindon inferior was appropriated as I have already observed upon the Petition of the said William de Ichington the Founder then Vicar of Nether-Eatindon before specified at the instance of Thomas Earl of Lancaster for the health of the souls of the said Earl and of his father and mother and of Sir Robert de Holland as also for the soul of the said William de Ichington By which Ordination it appeareth that the said Earl and his heires were to present thereto so oft as occasion should be but that the Chantry Priest there celebrating should not receive any Offrings or Tithes from the Parishioners nor administer the Sacraments to them in prejudice of the mother Church And that upon these Festivall days under-written he should repair to the said mother Church at Nether-Eatendon and there celebrate divine service viz. Christmasse-day Candlemasse-day Palm sunday Good-friday Easter-day Ascension-day Whitsunday Trinity-Sunday the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist the Assumption of our Lady All-hallown-day and the day of the Dedication of the said Church And moreover that he and his successors should in the Chapter house at Kenilworth always make Oath of their fidelity to the said Canons of Kenilworth upon admission thereto as also to perform all and singular the Articles above mentioned Which Ordination was confirmed by Walter de Maydenston Bishop of Worcester with the Prior and Monks of that Church To this Chantry did Henry de Brandeston also give viii s. yearly Rent issuing out of two messuages and two yard land lying in this Village of Over Eatendon So that the revenue belonging thereto in 26 H. 8. was valued at vii li. vi s. viii d. the Rent of xviii d. per annum being then payd out of it to Francis Shirley Esquier But in 37 H. 8. at vii li. viii s. iv d. the like Rent of xviii d. per annum being reckoned as due to Shirley and xviii d. more payable to the Bishop of Worcester to be deducted Fulridy IN the Conquerors time did the same Ermenfridus who held one hide of land in Over-Eatendon of Turchill de Warwick hold of him another in this place as appears by the generall Survey in which it is written Fulrei But the Progenitors of Shirley were antiently enfeoft thereof as it seems for in 36 H. 3. it was certified that one Robert de Fulri held half a Knights Fee and the sixt part here of Sewall de Etendon and in 7 E. 1. that Iohn de Weston held it of Raph de Shirley by the service of half a Knights Fee Which Iohn then had half a carucate of land in demesn and two Tenants holding certain lands by servile tenure with some Freeholders But after this viz. in 20 E. 3. Iohn Dimok and Iohn Bardolf answered for half a Knights Fee here held of the Earl of Lancaster and the Lord Stafford Howbeit I do not find that this was ever reputed to be a distinct Mannour of it self but that the Mannour of Nether-Eatendon did extend into it and that the Inhabitants thereof do their suit to the Court-Leet at Nether Eatendon granted by King Iames to Sir George Shirley Baronet in 16. of his raign Thorndon THis Hamlet long since depopulated being a member of Nether-Eatendon is not particularly mentioned in the Conquerors Survey but was possest therewith by Shirley's Ancestors for in 36 H. 3. it appears that William de Bissopesdon held three parts of a Knights Fee here of Sewall de Etendon which argues that Fraricus de Bissopesdon Progenitor to the said William of whom in Fulridy I have made mention was first enfeoft thereof by the Ancestors of the said Sewallus In 7 E. 1. this William de Bissopesdon for I suppose it might be he was Lord hereof and held it of Raph de Etendon for so it seemes that Raph de Shirley was called when he resided at Eatendon by the service of half a Knights fee and had two carucates of land here in demesn with xv Tenants holding seven yard land and a half by severall Rents and sundry servile imployments But of this family of Bishopesdon I shall particularly speak in Bishopesdon where the descent is inserted In 13 E. 2. Iohn de Bishopesdon had a Charter of Free-warren to him and his heirs
brother to the said E. of Mellent had of that Earl's lands is not to be doubted forasmuch as 't is plain that the Ancestor of Peter de Montfort became enfeoft thereof in H. 1. time it being questionlesse part of those x. Knights Fees and a fourth part which Thurstane de Montfort in 12 H. 2. certified that he then held of William Earl of Warwick de veteri feoffamento for in 20 H. 3. the said Peter de Montfort held it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of one Knights Fee After which viz. in 32 H. 3. there being some difference betwixt the beforespecified Peter and Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester then Lord of Ilmendon whereof I have lately spoke touching the bounds of each Mannour the King directed his Precept to the Shiriff of this County to cause perambulation to be made there betwixt them Whereupon in 34. H. 3. this Peter obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here but being slain in the battaill of Evesham anno 49 H. 3. fighting against the King this with the rest of his lands was seized on which neverthelesse by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth â— came to Peter his son who in 7 E. 1. held it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of one Knights fee having four carucates of land in demesn as also divers Tenants holding severall proportions by certain Rents and servile imployments together with a Court-Leet and Free-warren Which Peter in 13 E. 1. exhibâ—ted his claim for those priviledges and likewise for a Gallows with Assize of Bread and Beer producing King H. 3. Charter for the Free-warren manifesting that himself and his Ancestors had enjoyed all the rest of those immunities time out of mind and had allowance of them accordingly To this Peter succeeded Iohn and to him Peter as in Beldesert is shewed which last mentioned Peter in 20 E. 2. entailed it with other lands upon Iohn de Montfort his son by Lora de Ullenhale a Concubine Other Entails do I also find thereof viz. on Guy de Montfort the legitimate son to the said Peter and Margaret his wife daughter to Tho. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and the heirs of the body of the same Guy begotten on her the said Margaret and for lack of such issue on the said Thomas E. of Warwick and Katherine his wife and the heirs of the said Earl Which Guy departing this life without Children as in Beldesert shall likewise be shewed the said Earl in 35 E. 3. entailed it again as also divers other Lordships in this and other Counties upon Thomas Beauchamp his eldest son with severall remainders But notwithstanding all this the heirs generall of Iohn de Montfort father of the last recited Peter scil Sir Baldwin Frevill and Sir Thomas Boteler Knights recovered it with other lands by a writ of Formedone through the advantage of a preceding Entail but making partition betwixt them in 9 R. 2. as cosins and heirs to Sir Peter de Montfort it was allotted to Boteler whose heirs at length marrying to Norbury and Belknap as the descent in Griff sheweth and their lands thereupon divided betwixt Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and Edward Belknap Esquier this Mannour inter alia was in 13. H. 7. allotted to him the said Edward who made much depopulation and inclosure here but being one of the Esquiers to the body of Henry 7. in 24. of that Kings raign obtained a Pardon for the same and afterwards viz. in 4 H. 8. past it away with other lands in exchange unto Iohn Cotes of Honingham in this County From whom it came to Anthony Cotes of Benefeild in Com. Northampt. Esquier which Anthony in 25. H. 8. depopulated the Capitall Messuage and inclosed C. acres of land there and in 1. 2. Ph. M. levied a Fine thereof to Thomas Gibbons The Church in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at xxv marks and in 26 H. 8. at xxi li. vi s. viii d. the Procurations and Synodalls being ix s. v d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Ioh. de Monteforti miles Will. de la Plaunch Cler. crast Purif b. M. 1293. D. Alicia de Monteforti D. Walt. de la Plaunche 7. Cal. Ian. 1297. D. Alicia de Monteforti Will. de la Plaunch Accol 19. Cal. Feb. 1298. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Will. de Stodley Pbr. 18. Feb. 1336. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Ric. de Budeford Pbr. 25. Aug. 1349. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Adam Alreshawe Accol 5. Apr. 1357. Thomas Comes Warwici Rog. de Tangeley Cap. 7. Iunii 1382. D. Tho. Boteler miles Dominus de Suydley D. Thomas Knyzt Pbr. 25. Iunii 1392. Will. Boteler ar Magr. Regin Povy 26. Sept. 1410. Rob. Buyschell Ioh. Eburton sen. Ioh. Eburton Cler. penult Feb. 1415. Alicia nuper ux Will. Boteler mil. Ioh. Balle 20. Ian. 1419. Alicia nuper ux Will. Boteler mil. D. Ioh. Smith Cap. 23. Iulii 1420. D. Walt. Taylboys Dominus de Kyma D. Rog. Bealfitz 1. Dec. 1442. .......... D. Steph. Russell Cap. 4. Maii 1443. .......... Ioh. Elys 20. Martii 1451. Rad. Boteler miles Dominus de Sudley Thomas Thornton in S. Theol. Scholar 9. Febr. 1460. Rad. Boteler miles Dominus de Sudley D. Will. Thommes Cap. 4. Iunii 1462. Edw. Belknap ar Will. Urmeston Pbr. 6. Nov. 1493. Edw. Belknap ar D. Will. Cokkes Prior de Erdbury 15. Iulii 1504. Edw. Wotton miles Maria Danet vidua Anth. Cook ar Magr. Rob. Serle S. Theol. Bacc. 16. Ian. 1539. Rob. Brook ar Tho. Callow gen ex concess Anth. Cook mil. Nich. Underhill 19. Iunii 1571. Crimscote OF this place is there no particular mention in the Conquerors Survey neither have I seen any thing thereof till 7 E. 1. at which time Peter de Montfort held it with Whitchurch whereof originally it was a member without question having divers Tenants holding their lands by performance of sundry servile employments and some small Rents together with certain Freeholders with which Lordship it came to Sir Edward Belknap who possest it in 1 E. 6. As for the name I am of opinion that it first proceeded from some antient Inhabitant here in the Saxons time though antiently it be written in a various manner scil Kenermarcote Kilmescote Kirmiscote and Kenemyscote but of its Owners I can say no more Wimpston THis being also a member of Whitchurch and possest by the Family of Mountfort therewith was heretofore written Wilmeton Wilmeston and Wilmyston and yet is reputed as part of that Mannour Broughton THis Hamlet antiently written Brocton and so called by reason of its situation neer the Stoure which passeth on the Western side thereof was originally a member of Whitchurch as may be inferred from the Roll
in 13 E. 1. Godfrey Giffard then Bishop of Worcester being then summoned to shew by what warranty he claimed Return of Writs with Assize of Bread and Beere therein and pleading only Prescription the Kings Atturney replyed that Return of Writs was such a Royalty annext unto the Crown that it could not be severed therefrom without speciall grant thereof by Charter and required Judgment for the King whether in this case the Bishops Prescription should be allowed Whereupon the Kings Justices demanded that a Jury should inquire what seisin the said Bishop his Predecessors had thereof who upon their Oaths certifie that they had been in possession time out of minde by reason of which Verdict the Bishop was then dismist And in 9 E. 2. it was found that the Bishop of Worcester was Lord of this Hundred for so it was then stiled by which Record it appears that Stratford super Avon with the Hamlets belonging thereto Hampton super Avon with the like Hamlets As also Bishopston and Clâ—pton Henley and Beldesert together with the town of Lapworth were then reputed within the same But about the 13 th year of King Edw. 3. Iohn de Peyto junior of whom in Cheâ—â—erton I have made mention obtained a grant of it for life together with the Mannour of Stratford super Avon from Welstan then Bishop of Worcester for the Rent of lx li. per annum to be payd to him the said Bishop and his successors which Lease being made without the Kings license became void and not only so but the King for that trespasse seized them into his hands Howbeit regranting them to the said Iohn he past over the Bailywick of it to the said Bishop and his successors for ever In consideration whereof and for his service and Counsell impenso in Com. Warwici imposterum impendendo he got an Annuity of xxx li. for life from that Bishop whereupon by an Inquisition then taken it was certified that there did belong to the said Hundred a certain Court called Gylput held every three weeks as also Return of Writs and the execution of them Fines and Amerciaments with the goods Chattells of all Felons and Fugitives therein After which till 3 E. 6. it continued in the possession of the Bishops of Worcester but then viz. 9. Iulii was it granted away in Exchange for divers lands in Worcestershire by Nicholas Heath the then Bishop unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs which Iohn being attainted in 1. M. as in my Story of the Earls of Warwick is shewed it eschaeted to the Crown and was by Queen Eliz. in 4. of her raign passed inter alia unto Ambrose Dudley E. of Warwick the heirs male of his body which Earl failing of issâ—e it return'd again to the Crown and was by King Iames granted to Sir Francis Smyth of Wotton-Wawen Knight and his heirs whose son Sir Charles Smyth now sciâ— anno 1640. enjoys it But the place which gives name to this Hundred or Liberty is a Tumulus or heap of earth situate in a Lane on the top of an Hill upon the left hand the road leading from Wotton-Wawen to Stratford super Avon about the midway betwixt those two towns and about a Bow-shoot from the said road in the very way betwixt Warwick and Alcester which High way thwarteth the other road neer unto it being certain inclosed grounds that lie within the Parish of Aston-Cantlow and bearing the name of Pathlows to this day To this place there is a Court-Leet as also a Court-Baron belonging and kept twice in the year Infra mensem Paschae infra mensem Michaelis as all other Leets are but no certain day assigned for the same nor is the place where they are kept always one and the same but being in the Lane beforementioned is commonly made choise of in that part where the Hedges are the best shelter from the winde the Stile of the Court being Hundred Sive Libertas de Pathlowe and the Towns and Villages within this Liberty these scil Wotton-Wawen Henley Ullenhale Fullbroke Hampton super Avon Hatton super Avon Alveston Loxley Stratford-vetus Clopton Bishopston Wilmecote parva Drayton Dodwell Shotterie Ludington Ingon Welcombe Bridg-town Tidington and Rien-Clifford whereof divers are depopulated as in my discourse of them will appear Of these at this day only do suit viz. Wotton-Wawen Ullenhale Loxley Bishopston Ludington Drayton and Wilmecote-parva Besides divers who owe suit thereto in respect of tenure howbeit neglect in appearance hath almost lost it But the Bailiffe of the Hundred of Barlichway doth usually answer at all Assizes and Sessions for this Liberty being made use of by the Lord thereof for conveniencies sake Having said thus much in relation to the particular Hundred of Barlichway it self and in generall touching the Liberty of Pathlowe the bounds whereof the Map doth shew I shall first begin my next discourse of the Towns and Villages therein contained which Honiley which lyeth in the very North-East corner thereof and thence go on Southwards till I touch upon the bank of Avon Honiley TIll H. 3. time I have not seen any certain mention of this place but then scil about the beginning of that Kings reign did Richard Peche of whom in Hampton in Ardern I shall say more obtain a great share of this Lordship from Henry de Boreford scil that whereof Raph de Grafton was enfeoft by Waleran Earl of Warwick and of another part which he the said Raph had by the grant of Hugh fil Willielmi Lord of Hatton both parcells being exprest by certain metes and bounds viz. bordering on the said Earls Parke called Wedgnock as also upon the Park of Kenilworth and so extending to a torrent called Merebrook c. All which the said Richard Peche was to hold to himself and his heirs of the beforespecified Henry de Bereford and his heirs by the service of xii d. yearly to be payd at Easter and a pair of Gloves at the Feast of S. Michaell the Arch-Angell Of these lands severall confirmations were made to the same Richard Peche by Margery sister to the before specified Raph de Grafton and Felicia daughter to her the said Margery But the residue of this Lordship then written Hunilegh with the advouson of the Church did William de Arden give to the said Richard Peche in frank marriage with Hawise his daughter which perhaps was at first a part of Hampton in Arden and involved therewith in the Conquerors Survey in whose family it continued till H. 4. time that Margaret the daughter and heir to Sir Iohn Peche brought it with divers other fair Mannours in marriage unto Sir William Mountfort of Colshill Knight as by the descent in Hampton will appear whose grandson scil Sir Simon Mountfort Knight being attainted in 11 H. 7. as in Colshill is shewed this with the greatest part of his possessions came to the Crown and in 12
Hatton which Aytropus had and so much of his the said Founder's roialty in Hatton as lay betwixt the two little brooks there together with many other particulars lying in that Lordship Of the Benefactors Roger Earl of Warwick gave the Church of Shukburgh in this County with its appurtenances as also four yard land And Roger Lord of Shukburgh xx acres of Inclosure in that place In Burton Robert Lord of Burton gave one yard land with ..... acres of Inclosure as also one yard land and a half lying in Radford And Raph the son of Wigan the Kings Marshall certain lands adjacent to Wroxhall called Kaldecote or Killecote with divers Inclosures situate betwixt the said Killecote and Burhey as also all the woods and plain adjoyning thereto on the one side and unto the Park of Hugh fil Ricardi the Founder on the other Out of Wardon in Northamptonshire did Richard Foliot likewise grant thereunto xxâ—v s. yearly Rent And out of Hinkley in Com. Leic. Robert Earl of Leicester the Rent of x s. And to all these did Kâ—ng H. 2. adde the gift of x. marks yearly Rent for the health of his soul and the souls of his Father and Ancestors to be payd out of his Exchequer annually at the Feast of S. Michael untill he should bestow on them as much in substance some other way which was by King H. 3. in 43. of his raign performed six marks yearly being assigned to them to be received from the Bishop of Worcester and his successors and the other four marks from the Shiriff of Warwick-shire In Shrewley they had half a hide of land given to them by one Henry de Waltham and in Haseley certain lands by Aâ—trop Hastang for the health of the soul of Cecilie his wife This is the substance of what I have seen touching their possessions all which were confirmed by King H. 2. Ric. 1. King Iohn and H. 3. with many priviledges and immunities as by their particular Charters may appear and which the said Nuns claimed in 13 E. 1. to gether with a Court Leet Gallows and Weifs both in Wroxhall and Hatton whereof they had allowance accordingly But all the rest which is memorable relating to this Monastery whereof I have taken notice till the dissolution thereof is that upon Tuesday the Even of S. Luke anno 1290. 18 E. 1. Godfrey Giffard the then Venerable Bishop of Worcester made his visitation here and preach't upon this Text Non est talis mulier super terram c. And that upon the ninth of Iuly anno 1315. 9 E. 2. Walâ—er de Maydeneston then Bishop of the same Dioces dedicated the Church here together with the high Altar Which new Dedication being so long after the said Monastery was founded argueth plainly that it was then rebuilt by the Nuns for unlesse there had been a new fabrick erected or at least an enlargement and alteration of the old by new walls and a roof it had not been proper And now that I am thus come to mention this Dedication it will not be amisse I think to say something briefly of the Order and Ceremonies antiently used in the like Dedication or consecration of Churches herein making use of the learned Durandus his Rationale Divinorum for my authority who first discourseth of the cause from whence such consecrations had their originall Secondly by whom and Thirdly wherefore the Church is dedicated and what as well such Dedication as all and singular that is performed therein doth signify First therefore as to the cause and occasion whence the Dedication of Churches proceeded he observeth that Moises by the command of God made a Temple and consecrated it with a Table and an Altar as also brazen vessells and utensills for the service of God not only hallowing it with divine prayers but by the annointing with holy Oyle as the Lord had appointed for it is written that the Lord commanded Moses that he should make Chrisme wherewith to annoint the Tabernacle as also the Ark of the Testament in the Dedication thereof Also Solomon the son of David by the Command of God built the Temple with an Altar and consecrated all things thereto for the service of God as is to be seen in the book of Kings That Nebuchadnezar called together all his Nobles at the Dedication of the Brazen Statue which he had made And that the Jews as Burcardus lib. 3. c. Iudei observes did not sacrifice to God nor offer up unto him their divine supplications in any other places than such as were specially dedicated to him If therefore saith my Author they which lived under the shadow of the Law did do thus how much more should we to whom the light of Truth hath so appeared and grace is given by Iesus Christ build Churches to God adorn them the best we can and with divine Prayers and holy Unctions consecrate them with the Altars Vessells and Vestments and all things else pertaining to Gods worship according to the institution of Pope Felix the third Secondly it is to be observed that none but the Bishop onely hath authority to dedicate Churches and Altars in regard he beareth the Image of Christ the Chief Bishop spiritually dedicating without whom we cannot be establisht in grace for he saith Sine me nihil potestis facere And the Psalmist Nisi Dominus aedificat Domum c. whereupon the Councell of Carthage prohibited that no Priest or any person of an inferior Order should do it To these why a Church not first endowed and with what hath been lawfully acquired should not be dedicated he addeth divers reasons to the Constitutions of sacred Canons which here for brevity I passe by and come to the third point viz wherefore it is dedicated First saith he that the Devill and his power may be expelled whereupon Gregory in his Dialogues Lib. 3. Cap. 30. reports that when a Church that belonged to the Arrians being to be rendred to the faithfull was to be consecrated and the Reliques of S. Sebastian S. Agatha were taken out of it the people then assembled there perceived a Hogg running to and fro amongst them which being driven out of dores could not be discerned of any man whereat they grew much amazed By this saith he God shewed that the unclean Inhabitant should depart thence c. Secondly that all persons flying for refuge thereto should have safety as may be read in the Canon of Gregory Et ob hoc Ioab in tabernaculum fugit Altaris cornua apprehendit Thirdly that Prayers may there be heard whereupon in the Prayer at Masse Concede ut omnes qui huc deprecaturi conveniunt ex quacunque tribulatione consolationis tuae beneficium consequantur So also did Solomon pray at the Dedication of the Temple as is to be seen Kings lib. 3. cap. 8. Fourthly that prayses may be therein made
divers defaults of his in the Iters of the Kings Justices But this Thomas came to an untimely end for he was strangled by three of his own servants viz two men and one woman and afterwards cast into a pool here at Haseley which till the murther was found out occasioned such a suspicion that he had drowned himself that his goods and Catalls were seized into the Kings hands and then valued at 71 li. 05 s. 04 d. But the truth at last appearing the Mâ—rtherers had their demerits by judgment of the Kings Justices and restitution was made of those his goods unto his heirs to dispose of for the health of his soul. To him succeeded Thomas his son and heir who by a Charter bearing date 3 Maii 51 H. had Free-Warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here This Thomas was one of the Commissioners for the Gaol delivery at Warwick in 53 and 56 H. 3. so also in 1.2 and 3 E. 1. In 6 E. 1. he was Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire and in Commission likewise for the Gaol delivery at Warwick as also in 11.12 and 14 E. 1. In 15 E. 1. he was constituted one of the Commissioners in this County for conservation of the peace and taking care that the statute of Winchester should be observed The same year and the two next years following he was again one of the Justices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick in severall of which years he is indifferently written sometimes Thomas de Cherlecote and sometimes Thomas de Hasele and was a Knight But his son and heir sc. Robert past away his title in this Mannour to Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in 30 E. 1. to whose posterity it continued till all the lands belonging to that Earldome came to the Crown in 3 H. 7. as in Warwick I have manifested out of which it was granted together with the Castle of Warwick and many other Lordships by King E. 6.22 Iunii 1. of his reign unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs and in 3 E. 6. past back to the King by the said Earl inter alia for lands in Oxfordshire and other Counties Howbeit the next year following he had it again with the rest in exchange for certain Mannours in Northumberland and elsewhere But upon the attainder of the said Iohn then D. of Northumb in 1 Mariae the Q. granted it to Mich. Throkmorton Esq and his heirs who aliened it the year ensuing to Clem. Throkmorton his Nephew third son to Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton in this County Knight who had issue Iob Throkmorton one of those notable Zelots in Q. Eliz. time of whom with some other of the like spirit Mr. Cambden in his Annals of that Queens reign an sc. 1588 hath this expression Hi itaque in Hierarchiam in Praesules probrosis editis libellis quibus tituli erant Martinus Praesulibus exitiosus vel Praesulomastix Minerali Diotrephes Demonstratio disciplinae c. calumniis convitiis virulentissimis adeo scurriliter debacchati sunt ut authores non pietatis cultores sed è popina ganeones viderenter Authores tamen erant Penrius Udallus Verbi Ministri Jobus Throgmortonus vir doctus facetè dicax Fautores Ricardus Knightleius Will Wigstonus equites aurati viri alioquin boni graves prudentes sed à quibusdam ministris sibi sapientibus circumventi qui crimen gravi mulcta in Camera stellata irrogata luissent nisi Archiep. Cantuar. qua fuit ille lenitate Reginam aegrè exorasset Which Iob had issue Sir Clem. Throgmorton Knight a Gentleman not a little eminent for his learning and eloquence having served in sundry Parliaments as one of the Knights for this shire and undergone divers other publique imployments of note and he Clement Throkmorton Esq now Lord of this Mannour The Church dedicated to the Visitation of the blessed Virgin was given to the Monastery of S. Oswald at Nostell in Yorksh. by Anfride Hastang brother to the first Aytrope in H. 1. time but how or when the Canons of Nostell quitted their title thereto I know not Howbeit I find that the Canons of Warwick had it afterwards and that there grew some question betwixt Thomas de Cherlecote Lord of this Mannour and them for the right of patronage thereto which the said Thomas at the length released to them In an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at 5 marks at that time the portion therein belonging to the Canons of Warwick being iiii s. And in 26 H. 8. at iiii li. xiii s. iiii d. a Pension of iiii s. being payd yearly out of it to the Priory of Warwick and for Procurations and Synodalls iiii s. more Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Prior Canonici S. Sâ—pulcri Warw. Thomas Tankard 9 Cal. Iulii 1298. Prior Canonici S. Sâ—pulcri Warw. Ioh. Mile subdiac 6 Cal. Iunii 1304. Prior Canonici S. Sâ—pulcri Warw. Mr. Ioh. de Wulfreton Cler. 16 Cal. Nov. 1317. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Ric. de Mesford Cap. 15 Cal. Ian. 1320. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Henr. de Bradewas Cap. Id. Iulii 1325. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. D. Thomas de Baddesley Pbr. 5. Feb. 1328. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. D. Will. de Nayleston 17 Dec. 1359. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Will. Warde Pbr. 29 Maii 1364. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Rob. Felde Pbr. 8 Sept. 1369. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Will. atte Hulle 17 Iunii 1370. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Rad. Daston 4 Sept. 1388. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Laur. Staundene 12 Iulii 1404. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Ioh Aynolph 21 Aug. 1406. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Robertus Grene 12 Nov. 1409. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Ioh. Clerke 3 Novembris 1410. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Henr. Mackley 24. Martii 1410. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. D. Rad. de Herleston Cap. 1 Sept. 1414. Idem Prior Canon S. Sepulcri Warw. Frater Ricardus Canon in dome Hosp. S. Ioh. Warwici 10 Ian. 1433. D. Episc. per lapsum Phil. VVorthyn Pbr. 24 Nov. 1468. D. Episc. per lapsum D. Iob. Somburne Cap. 24 Feb. 1471. D. Ric. Mores Cap. hacvice Patronus Frater Rob. Ychinton Canon ... Oct. 1512. Pr. Canon S. Sepulcri Warwici D. Ioh. Uttynge Cap. 4 Dec. 1526. Iob Throgmorton VVill. Meacock Cler. 16 Iulii 1594. Claverdon AScending another torrent which meeteth with that last spoke of a little below Haseley I come to Claverdon In the Conquerors time this being possest by the
de Budbrok Rog. de Remstone Cap. 15. Dec. 1363. Patr. Eccl. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Rob. de Caldewell Cler. 23. Apr. 1364. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Rog. de Caldwelle 15. Cal. Maii 1365. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Phil. Keys Pbr. 25. Aug. 1375. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Magr. Ioh. Grafton 13. Ian. 1386. Prebendar Preb. de Compton Murdak Thomas Young Cler. 27. Nov. 1387. Patr. Vicariae Thomas Young Rector Ioh. de Mason Pbr. 20. Febr. 1392. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. Ioh. Rolton Cap. 2. Iulii 1404. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. D. Ioh. Robyns Cap. ult Sept. 1460. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. D. Will. Onne Cap. 10. Iulii 1465. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. D. Humfr. Compton Cap. 23. Dec. 1509. Decan Cap. Eccl. Coll. B. M. Warw. Steph. Richardson Pbr. 23. Maii 1524. Burgenses villae Warw. Georgius Frekylton Pbr .... 1549. Burgenses villae Warw. D. Henr. Maudesley Pbr. 21. Martii 1549. Balivâ—s Burgenses Warw. Will. Bonde Cler. 2. Iulii 1575. D. Episc. per lapsum Will. Bonde in art Bacc. 30. Martii 1588. Bal. Burg. Warw. Thomas Abington Cler. 23. Iulii 1588. Bal. Burg. Warw. Ioh. Claridge Cler. 16. Iulii 1625. Hampton-Curli THis taketh its name from the high situation thereof hean in our old Emglish signifying the same with altus in Latin for originally those of this name were called and written Heantone and afterwards by corruptnesse in pronunciation Hantone Hamtone and Hamton the addition of Curli thereto being to distinguish it from the severall other Hamtons in this County because the Curlies were antiently Lords thereof In the Conquerors Survey there is no mention of it in regard it was involved with Budbroke whereof it is still a member and had a Chapell in K. Stephens time belonging to that mother Church which Chapell was built without question by Robert de Curli of whom I have spoke in Budbroke for it is manifest that in his time and by him partly it became endowed with glebe at the Dedication of the Church-yard viz. three parts of one yard land inclosed given by him and two Acres a piece out of every yard land in the field by each of his Tenants whereunto did one Auschitell adde two acres lying on one side of the Field and two on the other the Priest serving therein having of antient custome out of the Town-woods House-bote Hey-bote and Fire-bote And as this Hamlet was a member of Budbroke so did the possession thereof continue to the Lords of that Mannour being past away therewith in exchange to Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick in E. 3. time from Iohn de Hastang as in Budbroke appeareth Neither hath it been ever since severed Norton-Curli alias Norton inferior OF this place I have not found any mention till King Stephens time and then is it named as a member of Budbroke the family of Curli antiently owners of it giving occasion of that additionall distinction thereto From whom it came to Hastang and from Hastang to the Earl of Warwick in E. 3. time as Budbroke did where my authorities for proof thereof are cited But after the 10. of H. 6. at which time it was with Budbroke and Hampton-Curli possest by Ric. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick I have not seen any more thereof as a Mannour Grove-Park THE first mention I find of this place is in 29 E. 1. where Henry de Pinkeni granted to the King inter alia the homage and service of Will. de Curli and his heirs for one Knights Fee held of him here in which Record it is called la Grave that is to say the Grove shewing that it took its name originally from being a thick wood of high Trees for in that sense we still use the word By the same Record above cited 't is also evident that it was at first a member of Budbroke and so divolving to Theob de Nevill son and heir to Peter by Alice one of the daughters and coheirs of Will. de Curli as the Descent in Budbroke sheweth in 12 E. 1. was by the said Theobald granted to Philip de Gayton and Scolastica his wife for life with remainder to Saier de Rochford son and heir of Raph de Rochford But in the end Thomas de Hastang descended from Ioan the other daughter and coheir to Will. de Curli as the Descent in Lemington-Hastang manifesteth obtained it by purchase in 11 E. 3. from Iohn Hakluyt and Alice his wife in whom it seems the inheritance thereof was the said Alice being the daughter and heir of Tâ—eobald de Nevill above specified What interest it was that Hugh le Despenser the elder Earl of Winchester had therein I know not though it appears that at the time of his death he was seized of it whereupon the King granted out a Commission to enquire neither what was done therein can I find but certain it is that the family of Hastang for a time enjoy'd it Saier de Rochford before specified by his Deed bearing date at Westminster the Munday next after the Feast of S. Iohn Port Latine 28 E. 3. totally releasing unto Sir Iohn Hastang Knight all his title and right therein Which Sir Iohn Hastang being the last principall male branch of that Family left issue two daughters and heirs as in Lemington-Hastang appeareth by whom I suppose it was past away about the beginning of R. 2. time to Thomas Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick for the Lodge in the Park which I take to be that which is now the Mannour-House was built by him the said Earl in 17 R. 2. who dyed seized thereof in 2 H. 4. In the posterity of which Earl it continued till 3 H. 7. and then coming to the Crown with all the rest of Warwick and Spenser's lands as in my story of the Earls will appear was by King Edward 6. in 1. of his raign granted away together with the Castle of Warwick and sundry other lands in this County unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick and his heirs After whose attainder it return'd again to the Crown and therein continued till Queen Elizabeth by her Letters Patents in 8. of her reign disposed of it to Robert Dudley Earl of Leic. and his heirs Which Earl in 23 Eliz. past it back to the said Queen Having now done with the Parish of Budbroke descending lower towards the bank of Avon I come to a little Brook which rising betwixt Snitfeild and Wolverton and passing by the skirts of Norton-Limesi falleth into Avon neer to Shireburne Of these I shall therefore speak in their order Snitfeild THis perhaps had its name originally from the old English word Snide which signifies a cutting or incision as probably here may have been to divide the
the name of Bergavenny which stood undemolished about the later end of King H. 8. time the said Gate-house being ruin'd long before The next possessor of it that I find was Iohn Duke of Bedford third son to King H. 4. though how he obtained it I have not yet seen who in 10 H. 6. held it by the fourth part of a Knights Fee This Duke first made the Park and built that little Castle of brick and stone within the compasse of it which was such an eye-sore to the Earls of Warwick as Leland affirmeth and dyed seized thereof in 14 H. 6. leaving King H. 6. his nephew his cosin and next heir who in 28. of his raign granted the custody thereof to Iohn Talbot Lord L'isle to hold during life and to make use of the buildings therein for his own proper habitation at all times except when himself should be there Being thus in the Crown I find that K.E. 4. in 2. of his raign gave it unto Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick and his heirs after whose death at Barnet-field the Park was granted to George D. of Clarence to hold during life who shortly after obtained an estate in tail thereof to himself and the heirs male of his body upon the attainder of which Duke in 18 E. 4. it was certified that the before specified Castle of brick was ruinous so likewise the Gate-house of stone and the Lodge as also a Chapell which in times past had been a Parish-Church After this viz. in 2 H. 8. the custody of the Park was granted to Thomas Lucy then one of the Sewers to the King to hold during pleasure But in 1 E. 6. Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick obtained the inheritance of it together with the Castle of Warwick and divers other great Lordships upon whose attainder which hapned in 1 Mariae as I have elsewhere shewed the Qu. passed it unto Sir Francis Englefield Knight to hold in Capite Since which it is come to the Lucies of Cherlecote by purchase the last Sir Thomas having renewed the Park and by the addition of Hampton woods thereto enlarged it much Touching the Depopulation here I find that it hath been very antient for in 6 H. 6. there were but 4 Inhabitants nay very shortly after our Countrey-man Rous makes this complaint Apud Fulbroke saith he quondam erat Rectoria Ecclesia destruitur Villanis effugatis solùm Manerium remanet residuum imparcatur he means inclosed per Johannem D. Bedfordiae fratrem Regis Henrici quinti qui ibi aedificavit turrim nobilem Castro aequipollentem sed modo quasi nihil est And a little further he goes on thus per talem imparcationem via olim secura modò per sepes palos obtenebrata fit latibulum latronum carcer fidelium locus multiformis supplicii c. Which Castle being ruinous as I have said was pulled down in the beginning of H. 8. time by Sir Will. Compton Knight who had then the custody of the Park and the materialls thereof carried to build his House at Compton-winyate The Church in 14 E. 3. was valued at lx marks but in 26 H. 8. no notice is taken of it having been demolish'd before that time Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Henr. de Burlyngham Pbr. 30. Apr. 1337. D. Will. de Clinton Comes Huntindon Ioh. Wodecock Pbr. 6. Cal. Oct. 1337. D Sym. Geynesbury Rector Eccles. de Hampton Episc. Sim. le Bakere Pbr. 22. Apr. 1338. D. Iuliana Comitissa Huntind Henr. Spenser ult Ian. 1358. D. Iuliana Comitissa Huntind D. Will. de Stanceby 19. Iulii 1363. Ioh. de Hastings Comes Pembr Ric. Taylour Pbr. 14. Iunii 1370. D. Episc. contemplatione Nich. Lylling mil. D. Ric. de Whashford Pbr. 18. Martii 1383. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. Thomas Shepey 23. Apr. 1384. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. Ioh. Harry Cap. penult Mati 1388. D. Ric. 2. Rex Angl. ratione terr Ioh. de Hastings Com. Pembr in manu sua c. D. Henr. Norreys Pbr. 28. Iulii 1389. D. Philippa Comitissa Pembr Thom. Tymburland 1. Oct. 1398. D. Episcopus Edm. Hecker Cler. 24. Oct. 1457. D. Episcopus Rob. Enkbarow Cler. 4. Iulii 1468. D. Episcopus Ric. Newman Cler. 6. Oct. 1470. D. Episcopus Ric. Ewer in Sacra Theol. Bac. 2. Nov. 1543. Hampton super Avon A Little lower upon an ascending ground stands Hampton heretofore called Bishops Hampton for the reasons I shall forthwith shew but of later times Hampton super Avon which being given to the Bishoprick of Worcester in the Saxons time was then involved with Stratford super Avon and by the Conquerors Survey certified to contain xii hides there being then a Church as also a Mill rated at vi s. viii d. and Woods of a mile in length and as much in breadth all which together with three Houses in Warwick as part thereof were at that time valued at xx li. Continuing to the said Bishops it was in 33 H. 3. found to be one of the towns belonging to their Barony and in 39 H. 3. Walt. de Cantilupe the then Bishop obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his successors in all his demesn lands thereof After which viz. in an 1291. 19 E. 1. the value of it is thus set forth scil in Rent of Assize vi li. Three carucates of land at xx s. a carucate One Dovecote at vi s. one Mill at xx s. The Pleas and perquisits xx s. and the profits of the store xx s. But in 3 E. 6. for so long it continued to the succeeding Bishops did Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick obtain it inter alia in exchange from Nich◠Heath Bishop of Worcester for certain lands in Worcester-shire and the same year parted with it again to the King for a more advantagious bargain of lands lying in Oxford-shire and elsewhere but having a design to repossesse it once more he accomplisht his purpose the next year following in exchange for lands lying in Northumberland and other places howbeit his attainder shortly after ensuing Queen Mary in 3. 4. of her raign granted the inheritance thereof together with the advouson of the Rectory unto Thomas Lucy of Cherlecote esquire whose posterity do enjoy it at this day The Church dedicated to S. Peter ad Vincula was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xlv marks there being then a Portion of xx s. to the Monks of Coventre issuing out of it But in 26 H. 8. I find it rated at lv li. xiii s. iv d. vi s. viii d. being then allowed for Synodalls and Procurations and iv li. for a Pension to the Vicar of
brother to the before mentioned Raph had therein excepting one hide given to Margaret her mother in marriage which was of the Abbot of Evesham's fee in consideration of which grant and quit claim the same H. de Bereford covenanted to maintain her with all necessaries during her life and to take care of Will her son and Felicia her daughter that they should be disposed of in a convenient fashion Upon the death of which Henry without issue all that he had here descended to Henry de Nasford son of his sister Dionysia which in 36 H. 3. was certified to be held of the Earls of Warwick by the service of half a Kts. Fee Howbeit the posterity of Nasford enjoy'd it not long for it is evident that the Hospitalars became possest thereof shortly after and in 31 H. 3. obtained 2 messuages 10 acres of land and one acre of meadow from one Thomas de Salopesbiri and Idonea his wife so that in 9 E. 2. they were certified to be sole Lords of this Grafton and to hold it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of one Knights Fee But as all the rest of their possessions came to the Crown by that grand dissolution in 30 H. 8. so did this and was shortly after purchased from the K. Will. Sheldon Esq and Iohn Draper by the name of the Mannour of Temple-Grafton with the Rectory and advouson of the Vicaridge It should seeme that upon partition of the lands past in that Pat. to the said W. Sheldon and I. Draper for much more in this and other Counties is thereby granted this Mannour was allotted to Draper for I find that the said I. Draper disposed thereof to Rob. Draper a younger son and of the Rectory with the advouson of the Vicaridge to his son Richard which Richard departing this life 2 Apr. 8. Eliz. left Anne the wife of Will. Kempson and Isabell the wife of Ric. Gennens his sisters and heirs but of the Mannour did Rob. Draper dye seized 13 Iunii 5 Eliz. leaving Will. his son and heir two years of age and upwards which VVill. married Margaret the daughter of Anthony Sheldon of Broadway in Com VVigorn and having no issue by her setled it upon Brace Sheldon second son of VVill. eldest brother to her the said Margaret whose son and heir now enjoys it Of the Church dedicated to S. Andrew I do not find any valuation in an 1291 19 E. 1. but upon collection of the Nones of Sheaf Wooll and Lamb in 14 E. 3. it was rated at vi li xiii s iiii d and in 26 H. 8. certified to be appropriate to the Hospitalars who it seems found some Stipendiary to serve the Cure unto whom there was no certain allowance assigned Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Thomas de Dunington Cap. 4. Non. Maii 1321. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia VValt de Allesle Pbr. 14 Maii 1339. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Henr. de Lighthurne 21 Iulii 1340. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Ioh. Miles Pbr. 26 Aug. 1361. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Rob. Hunte Pbr. 8. Aug. 1361. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Thomas Saunders Pbr. 3 Oct. 1363. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia VVill. Foules Pbr. 15 Dec. 1363. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia D. Ric. Swift Cap. 15 Oct. 1414. Prior Hosp. S. Ioh. Ierusalem in Anglia Ioh. Fysher Cap. 2 Iulii 1420. D. Episc. per lapsum VVill. Clopton Art Magr. 7 Iunii an 1458. Iac. Rex Angl. per lapsum Edw. Lewes Cler. 15 Oct. 1608. Iac. Rex Angl. per lapsum VVill. Pace Cler. 1 Febr. 1611. Arden's Grafton THis hath been antiently called Little-Grafton as I shall shew by and by yet in the Conquerors time not distinguisht by any additionall name but then certified to contain 3 hides and one virgate of land which were valued at xxx s and possest by Will. fil Corbucionis of whom Leuric and Eileva then held it whose freehold it had been in Edw. the Confessor's dayes After which viz. in H. 2. time Raph de Grafton enjoy'd it as it seems for it appears that Margar. de Grafton neice and heir to the said Raph sold 3 hides lying in this place for they are said to be de feodo Petri de Stodelei to Will. de Arden in th x th year of K. Iohn's reign whose posterity continuing Lords thereof gave occasion that it was called Arden's Grafton which W. de Arden in 52 H. 3. was certified to â—old it of the Earl of Warwick by the service of half a Kts. fee to whose widow sc. Agatha it was assigned in dower in 4 E. 1. the extent thereof being thus recorded viz. a Mannour House with a garden Clx acres of land and pasture four yard land held in Villenage â—ach yard land yeilding x s per an and the Rent of xii d and a pound of pepper from the Freeholders By the same extent it also appeareth that one Alanus de Grafton then held 1. yard land in this Village reckoned for the 5 th part of a Kts. fee and lyable to forrein service upon occasion But it seems that this Hamlet came to the hands of K. Edw. 1. and probably at that time when Knoll and other lands in this County were by a kind of exchange past unto him from one of Arden's heirs for in 20 E. 1. the same King gave it therewith to the Monks of Westminster for the celebration of Q. Alianor's Anniversary as in Knoll is manifested to whom it continued till the general dissolution by K. H. 8. and was then purchased from the Crown by Will. Sheldon Esq and Iohn Draper together with Temple Grafton the possession whereof for ought I know to the contrary it hath ever since accompanied In this Village had the Monks of Evesham a portion of land granted to them by Wegeat one of our reputed Earls of Warwick before the Norman Conquest which was confirm'd to them by Ufa his successor about the year of Christ 964 And in 6 E. 6. did one Roger Swift die seized of a certain capitall mess. lying in this Hamlet called Allen's land whereunto belonged 500 acres of land 300 acres of Meadow 40 acres of Pasture 20 acres of wood and 200 acres of Heath and Furs leaving Frances Swift daughter of his son Edw. his cosyn and heir which Frances when the Inquis after his death was taken was 8 years of age and afterwards became the wife of Edw. Kempson Gent. second son to Will. Kempson of Temple Grafton and had issue George Kempson Hillborough THis having been antiently given to the Monks of Evesham together with Grafton as I have there observed but wrested from them in the Saxons time was soon
sister but upon the said Lewelin his breaking out in Rebellion the King taking no notice of such his disposal thereof caused it to be seized on howbeit when manifestation was made of the same grant the Barons of the Exchequer received command that the said Iohn Scot who was then Earl of Huntingdon should quietly enjoy it But the next possessor thereof of whom I find any mention was Baldwin Wake in right of Hawifia his wife it being of her inheritance daughter as I take it to Humfrey de Bohun jun. who married Ioane one of the daughters and heirs to Rob. de Quincy third son of Saier de Quincy Earl of Winchester by Helene the widow of Iohn Scot Earl of Chester and Huntingdon for Humfrey de Bohun who was taken in the battaill of Evesham in 49 H. 3. had lands here and in Brome for upon the purchase of it made by Rob. Burnell Bishop of Bathe and Wells in 8. E. 1. from the said Baldwine and Hawise there is speciall warranty against the heirs of her the said Hawise Which Bishop having so obtain'd it within two years after procured a new Charter from the King for the weekly Mercate upon the Fryday bearing date at Westm. 24 Nov. 10 E. 1. And another also of the same date for Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and dying seized thereof left Sir Philip Burnell Knight son of his brother Sir Hugh Burnell his cosyn and heir Which Sir Philip had issue Sir Edw. who deceased in 9 E. 2. without issue leaving Maud his sister and heir first married to Iohn Lovell and afterwards to Sir Iohn Handlow Knight as by the Descent in Brome appeareth Which Sir Iohn Handlow and Maud entailed this Mannour upon the heirs male of their two bodies wherein at that time Aliva the widow of Sir Edw. Burnell had an estate in dower and for default of such issue to the right heirs of her the said Maud. By vertue whereof upon the death of the same Aliva which hapned in 37 E. 3. Nich. son of the said Sir Iohn Handlow and Maud which Nich. assumed the sirname of Burnell had livery thereof and dyed in 6 R. 2. leaving Sir Hugh Burnell Knight his son and heir 26 years of age whose son Sir Edw. Burnell Knight dying in his life time without any issue male it returned to the right heirs of Maud the sister and heir of Sir Edw. Burnell Knighâ— before specified viz. Henry Lovell Lord Morley lineal heir to her the said Maud by Sir Iohn Lovell Knight her first husband above mentioned Which Henry being also tenant in tail sc. to the heirs male of his body and dying without issue the estate therein came to Francis Visc. Lovell his brothers son and his heirs How it came to passe I cannot tell but certain it is that in H. 6. time Ioane Beauchamp Lady Bergavenny and others had an interest in this Mannour during which they demised it to Thomas Harewell and granted the inheritance thereof in reversion unto Thomas Earl of Salisbury and others all which was I suppose but in trust in regard it descended to the same Henry Lord Morley as I have shewed and so came to the said Francis Viscount Lovell upon whose attainder in Parliament about the beginning of H. 7. reign it eschaeted to the Crown therein continued till 6 H 8. that the King by his Letters Pat. dated 24 Martii granted it to Gerard Danet one of the Esquiers for his body and Mary his wife and to the heirs male of their two bodies which Gerard and Mary had issue Sir Iohn Danet Knight that dyed in his mothers life time leaving Leonard his son and heir 29 years of age at the death of the said Mary his grandmother Which Leonard in 6 Eliz. had a confirmation of his estate herein granted to him by the Qeen as also of the Friday Mercate every week with the grant of two Faires yearly I come now to that Mannour which belong'd to the Monastery of Bordsley In 13 E. 1. the Monks of that House were questioned for holding a Court Leet here and clayming Assize of bread and beer therein who pleaded Prescription for the same whereupon the Jury certified that one of the preceding Abbots of Bordsley about an hundred years before that time built divers houses upon this their Lordship and placed certain Freeholders there and that he and his successors had kept a Court Leet and had Assize of bread and beer in this place whereupon the Monks were permitted to enjoy those priviledges The extent of what they had here was in an 1291 19 E. 1. certified to be v. Carucates of land then valued at x s carucate and two Mills rated at xxs. All which by the name of a Mannour together with the site of Bordsley Abby c. after the surrender of that House of the K. use was by a special Fine levied in Trinitie Terme 30 H. 8. by Iohn Byley Abbot of Bordsley and the Covent of that Monastery passed unto the said K. his heirs and successors for ever who being accordingly seized thereof by his Letters Pat. dated 1 Iunii 37 H. 8. granted it inter alia to Tho. Badger Tho. Fowler and Rob. Dyson and their heirs there being at that time a certain mansion named Bidford Grange with three Mills called the Grange Mills reputed parcell thereof together with the Tithes of the said Grange and fishing in Avon to be held by the xx th part of a Knights Fee It should seem that these Patentees made some partition of the lands so passed to them by K. H. 8. and that thereupon this Mannour with th' appurtenances was allotted to the said Thomas Badger for by the Inquis taken after his death it appears that by his last Will and Testament bearing date 15 Oct. 13 Eliz. he gave the inheritance of the Grange before specified to Thomas his son and heir To Will his yâ—unger son and his heirs a House and Land in Bidford and to Ric. and Edward his other sons and their heirs the three water Mills and other lands which Thomas the son of Thomas dying seized of the said Mannour 8 Feb. 38 Eliz. left Will his son and heir then 23 years of age In 23 H. 1. two parts of the Tithe issuing out of the Inclosures here were given by Roger Earl of Warwick to the Collegiate Church of Warwick then newly by him founded in which Tithes the said Earl claimed interest as it seems by reason of the Church of Salford within the Parish whereof Bidford was by him supposed to be Whether it were really so or not I will not stand to argue but sure I am that though Bernard the first Prior of Kenilworth after the foundation of that Monastery chalenged this as a member of Salford whereof I shall speak in its proper place
Hugh having at that time a Church as also a Mill rated at xvi d and woods extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which were valued at xl s but before the Norman Invasion it belonged to Earl Algar of wnomin Coventre I have spoke I am of opinio that this Hugh was progenitor to that antient family of Hubaud which hath continued Lords of this Mannour in a lineall succession till now for in H. 2. time I do find one Hugh Hubald tenant unto Osbernus fil Hugonis grancdhild to the before specifyed Osbernus though we now do and for a long time through corruptnesse in expression have pronounced it Hubaud changing the l into u as is frequent in the Northern parts and thereupon so written it to this day But the 〈◊〉 that I meet with in this Countie sirnamed Hubold is Will. Hubold in 5 Steph. whom I suppose to have been son to the first Hugh and father to the said Hugh Hubâ—ld for the time and other circumstances will well enough bear it To which Hugh succeeded Henry whom I find sometimes written Hubald and sometimes Hubaut and to him another Henry though I cannot perfectly distinguish where the first ceased wherâ—fore I have upon consideration of the time seated him for part of H. 2. Ric. 1. and King Iohn's reign and accordingly have framed the ensuing Pedegree Hugo Will. Huboldus 5 Steph. Hugo Huboldus Henr. Hubald 1 Joh. Henr. Hubaud miles obiit 15 E. 1. Dionysia relicta temp E. 1. Joh. Hubaud defunctus 12 E. 2. Joh. Hubaud miles 13 E. 3. Margareta filia Emerici de Pancevot 14 E. 2. Ioh. Hubaud ar 29 E. 3. Thomas Hubaud ar 2 H. 2. Ric. Hubaud ar 12 H. 6. Thomas Hubaud ar 20 E. 4. Ric. Hubaut ar 5 H. 7. Anna filia Thomae Burâ— et de Arrow Joh. Hubaud ar 21 H. 8. Nich. Hubaud ar obiit 7 E. 6. Joh. Hubaud mil. obiit 26 Eliz. s. p. Maria filia Georgii Throkmorton eq aur Radulfus Hubaud frater haeres Joh. Hubaud anâ— 1642. .... filia Henrici Poole de Okeley in com Wiltes eq aur Radulfus Hubaud fil haeres Anna filia haeres Gervasii Teverey de Stapleford in Com. Nott. ar Will. Thomasâ— Robertus Galfridus This elder Henry was a partie to severall Fines levied of lands lying in this place and elswhere about the beginning of K. Iohn's time in which it is written Ippeslei and Yspelei but I suppose he was dead before the 13 of that Kings reign for then doth it appear that Dionysia de Bereford answered for half a Knights Fee here in Hipeley for so it is recorded which was then certified amongst the fees belonging to the Honour of Ricards-Castle in Herefordshire And in 20 H. 3. Henry Hubouth son to the said Henry was taxed for one Knights fee in Ippesleg under the title of those Fees belonging to the before specified Castle so also in 36. H. 3. Which Henry became a person of much action in this County during the time he lived for in 45 H 3. I find him in Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick and in 49 H. 3. one of those that helpt to hold out Kenilw. Castle against the K. for w ch this Mannour with the rest of his lands were seized on but that offence of his and others being wiped off by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth as I have elswhere shewed he was again a Commissioner for the Goal delivery at Warwick sc. in 53 54 56 H. 3.1 2 3 6 and 7 E. 1. In 13 E. 1. being questioned for withdrawing his suit from the County Court and claiming a Court Leet within this his Mannour of Hyppele by one Inquis it appears that he disclaimed any such challenge yet by another whereby Iohn de Hastings was required to shew by what authority he excercised that libertie in his Mannour of Aston-Cantilupe and extended it into this of Ipsley it is evident that VVill. de Cantilupe the elder together with this Henry had done it in K. Henr. 3. time whereupon that Prescription was allowed which Cantilupes were great men and having an eminent seat there coveted to get the observance of those neighbouring Inhabitants as it seems pretending that this Lordship was immediately held of that their Mannour of Aston and it of Ricard's Castle in regard that all of them were possest by Osbernus fil Ricardi in the Conquerors time For though by some Inquisitions it is said to be held of Ricard's-Castle yet in others was it found to be held of that Mannour and at last viz. in 1 E. 1. whether by the potency of Cantilupe or whether by agreement with Mortimer of Ricard's-Castle heir to Osbernus fil Ricardi as in Farnborough is shewed I know not was certified to be held of George de Cantilupe and so also in 15 E. 1. of Iohn de Hastings heir unto Cantilupe upon the death of the same Henry Hubaud himself and at severall times after To which Henry who was a Knight before he died succeeded Iohn Hubaud within age at his Father's death for in 12 E. 2. did Sir Eymerie Pauncefote K t grant and sell to S r VVill. Lucie of Cherlecote K t the marriage of the said Iohn to the intent that he should take to wife Magaret the daughter of the said S r VVill. Lucie which it seems he did accordingly as may appear by a Fine levied in 14 E. 2. whereby two parts of this Mannour were setled upon the said S r Emeriâ— and Ioan his wife for the life of the said Ioan whom I suppose to have been mother to the same Iohn and afterwards to return unto the same Iohn Hubaud and Margaret and the heirs of the said Iohn This Iohn Hubaud with many other persons of quality was in 15 E. 2. imployed into Wales upon the Kings service for which he had special Letters of Protection In 13 E. 3. he was a K t and in 18. one of the Commissioners in this County assigned to enquire what persons were seized of Lands to the yearly value of C s. and so upwards to a thousand pounds per an over and above reprises and to certifie the same In 19 E. 3. he had Summons to furnish himself with Horse and Armes against the Feast of S. Laurence to attend the King in his French Expedition and was also assigned one of the Commissioners of Array in this County as to the providing of Archers for that service but he then went not as it seems for I find that within 3 months after such his Summons the K. receiving advertisement that he was somewhat weak in body so that he could not well undergoe that imployment as also that two of his sons were then in his service beyond Sea viz. the one in Britanny and the other in Gascoign he had
elsewhere within the King's dominions And lastly that he and his heirs should have another Faire yearly within this Town beginning on the Even of S. Dunstan and continuing for two dayes following Which ample Charter bears date at Westminster xviii Nov. in the year before specified After which ere long viz. in 28 H. 6. was he made Lord Treasurer of England but in that Office he continued not long as also a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace and assessing of Subsidies in this County but in these I presume he acted little in respect of his other great imployments being a Baron of this Realm and summoned to severall Parliaments in the said King's time By his Testament bearing date ix Apr. An. 1475. 15 E. 4. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of the Dominican Friers at Worcester in a new Chapell to be made on the North side of the Quire To which House of Friers for his buriall there he bequeathed the value of xx marks to be had in vestments and stuff besides a pair of Organs of his own residing at that time at Chelchith in the County of Midlesex Appointing that a Priest of that Friery should daily say Masse at the Altar within the said Chapell before his Tombe after the Order of a Trentall for his soul and the souls of his Father and Mother Brethren and Sisters his Children and Ancestors souls and especially for the souls of Sir Iohn Fastolf Knight Will. Botreaux and all Christen souls taking by the week for the said Masse so daily to be said viii d. for evermore Which Chapell and Tombe with his statue thereon in Alabaster he did by the said Testament ordein that his Executor should cause to be made and departed this life the same year leaving Sir Ric. Beauchamp Knight his son and heir then 40. years of age who in the private Chapell of this Mannour-house here called by the name of Beauchamps-Court having speciall License from the Bishop of Worcester wedded Eliz. the daughter of Sir Humfrey Stafford Knight by whom he had issue three daughters that were his heirs viz. Eliz. married to Sir Robert Willoughby Lord Brook first summoned to Parl. by that title in 7 H. 7. Anne to Ric. Ligon and Margaret to Will. Rede which Sir Robert had in her right this Mannour of Alcester in partition and dyed seized thereof 10 Nov. 13 H. 8. leaving Eliz. Anne and Blanch his cosins next heirs viz. daughters of Edw. Willoughby his son by the before specified Elizabeth Of which daughters so in minority Eliz. the eldest was committed to the tuition of Sir Edward Grevill of Milcote Knight who obtained her wardship as I have by tradition been informed with purpose to marry her unto Iohn his son and heir but she better affecting Fòuke the younger became his wife to whom she brought this Mannour of Alcester with other lands which Fouke much enlarged his Mannour-house at Beauchamps-Court taking stone and timber from the then newly dissolved Priory at Alcester for that purpose as also his Park with part of the wast belonging to this Lordship and bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire in 34 H. 8. being then a Knight so also in 1 E. 6. and departed this life 10. Nov. Anno 1559. 1 Eliz. leaving issue Fouke his son and heir and Robert a younger son which Fouke was Knighted in 7 Eliz. being then 29 years of age In 12 Eliz. he came first into Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Shire and departing this life in an 1606 4 Iac. left issu by Anne his wife daughter to Raph Nevill E. of Westmerland Fouk his son and heir Which last recited Fouk having been a servant in Court to Q. Eliz. made Under-Treasurer and Chancelour of the Exchequer by K. Iames as also one of the privy Councell and a Gentleman of his Bedchamber in 15. of that King's reign obtained a speciall Charter confirming all such liberties as had been granted to any of his Ancestors in the behalf of this Town upon a new Rent of x s. per annum then reserved to the said K. his heires successors and was created Lord Brook of Beauchamps-Court before mentioned 9. Ian. 18. Iac. with limitation of that Honour for lack of issue male of his own body unto Robert Grevill son of Fouk son of Robert before specified a younger son to the first Sir Fouk This Fouk Lord Brook obtaining the Castle of Warwick from King Iames when it was in a very ruinous condition bestowed so much cost in the repairs thereof beautifying it with most pleasant Gardens and Walks and adorning it with rich furniture that considering its situation no place in this part of England doth compare with it for statelinesse and delight But delaying to reward one Hayward an antient servant that had spent the most of his time in attendance upon him being expostulated with for so doing received a mortall stab on the back by the same man then private with him in his Bed-chamber at Brook-house in London 30. Sept. Anno 1628 5 Car. who to consummate the Tragedy went into another roome and having lock't the dore pierced his own bowells with a sword After which viz. 27. Oct. the said Lord Brook's body being wrapt in Lead brought to Warwick was there solemnly interred in a vault on the North side the Quire of S. Maries Church under that beautifull Monument erected by himself whereof I have there taken notice To whom succeeded in this his Lordship of Alcester and divers other lands of great value the before specified Robert Grevill Lord Brooke by vertue of a speciall grant whereby they were so setled I now come to speak of that Family of Botreaux which possest the other half of this Mannour till 22 H. 6. as I have intimated Robertus Corbet ..... Reginaldus Comes Cornub Regis Henrici primi nothus Henricus Filia cohaeres Henricus fil Herberti Petrus fil Herberti 6. Joh. Herbertus fil Petri 33 H. 3. Regin fil Petri 56 H. 3. Johannes Herbertus Alicia altera filiarum cohaeredum Will. Boterell Will. Boterell 6. Joh. ob s. prole Albreda fil Walteri Waleran Reginaldus de Boterell frater haeres Will. de Botereus 2 E. 1. Will. de Botereus 9 E. 2. Regin de Botereus 4 E. 3. Walt. de Botereaux obiit 41 E. 3. Joh. Botereaux aetat 6. an 41 E. 3. Margeria filia Will. Dunfrell Joh. Botreaux de Wetheley in Com. Warw. gen 10 H. 6. Thomas Botreaux 22 H. 6. Of Will. de Botreaux who married Alice one of the daughters and coheirs to Rob. Corbet I find that he confirmed to the Monks of Alcester all that they there held of his Fee and that he left issue Will. and Reginald which second Will. in 6. Ioh. gave two Horses for the great saddle
and one Norway Goshawk to the King for license to marry Albreda the widow of Iohn de Ingeham daughter to Walter Waleran over and above CCC marks payd by her for the like permission In 5 H. 3. he attended the K. in person with his Army at that memorable seige of Bitham Castle in Lincolnshire and in consideration of that service had the King's Letters mandatory for assessing Scutage upon his Tenants according to the rate of x s. for every Knight's Fee but being a man of an active Spirit I find that he did put himself in Armes with some of the Barons in 17 H. 3. when the Nobility grew discontented that the K. received so many Poictovins into places of power and trust whereupon his lands here at Alcester were seized upon for so doing To him succeeded Reginald his brother heir who had livery of his inheritance in 27 H. 3. but adhering to the Barons in that great Rebellion of 49 H. 3. had this his Lordship of Alcester again seized on which by the Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth whereof I have elswhere spoke were restored again Of this Reginald I have not seen any more than that he died about the beginning of E. 1. time leaving Will. his son and heir who doing his fealty had livery of the inheritance descended to him To whom succeeded another Will who made this his place of residence as it seemes for in 17 E. 2. he was in the list of those Knights and men at Armes of this County whose names were then certified into the Chancery though his chief seat was at Botreaux-Castle aliàs Bosse-Castle in Cornwall But the next that had to do here was Reginald Botreaux a younger son to the last Will. upon whom this Mannour was setled in 4 E. 3. and upon the issue male of him and Isabell his wife with remainder to his right heirs From which Reginald descended Thomas Botreaux who in 22 H. 6. sold all that he had here by so antient a succession to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Powyk as I have already observed A word or two now of the Tenure which it seems was by Sergeanty for so doth it appear by severall authorities scil in 27 H. 3. 33 H. 3. Item dicunt saith the Record quod villata de Allencestre ex utraque parte debet respondere domino Regi per Sergeantiam sed nescitur qualiter nec per quod servitium but afterwards I find it cleer for in 32 E. 1. upon the Relief paid by Will. de Botreaux for the moity of this town it is there said to be held of the King per servitium inveniendi medietatem Equitis armati cum uno Equo discooperto in guerra Regis Of the homage and service reserved by Reginald Fitz-Herbert upon his grant of the moytie of this Lordship unto Walter de Beauchamp his heirs in 56 H. 3. I find that Herbert fitz Iohn his grandchild passed it over unto Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and his heirs by his Deed dated at Westminster on Munday 5. Maii 8 E. 2. The Church though at first given by Raph Boteler to the Monks of Alcester upon the Foundation of that Monastery in 5 Steph. afterwards came to the Nuns of Cokehill in Com. Wigorn. which Monastery was founded by Isabell the wife to William de Beauchamp the first Earl of Warwick of that Family for the advouson whereof the said Nuns were at suit with Peter Fitz-Herbert and Will de Boterell Lords of Alcester in 11. H. 3. after which time they quietly enjoyed it as it seems by their Presentations thereto In anno 1291 19 E. 1. it was rated at xii marks the portion which the said Nuns had out of it being two marks and a half The like valuation do I find in 14 E. 3. It seems that upon the rebuilding of it the Dedication became altered for in 11 H. 3. it bore the name of S. Nicholas but in 6 H. 6. of S. Faith the Virgin at which time the value was certified to be no more than xii marks but in 26 H. 8. it extended to xvi li. there being yearly paid for Procurations and Synodals x s. v d. ob per annum out of it and xxvi s. viii d. as a Pension to the Prioresse of Cokehill Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. de Dekene Pbr. 9. Iunii 1339. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ric. Bernet Pbr. 16. Oct. 1361. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Thom. Tyffeld Pbr. 7. Aug. 1368. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Rob. Aumeney Pbr. 24. Nov. 1379. Thomas Crew Ric. Newbold Pbr. 15. Dec. 1391. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. Piry 1. Febr. 1401. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ric. Newbold Pbr. 25. Apr. 1402. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Ioh. Tymmes 5. Febr. 1434. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Rob. Beausant 10. Nov. 1435. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Ioh. Lyde Cap. ult Oct. 1469. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill Magr. Ric. Harris in decret Bac. 7. Iunii 1470. Priorissa Conv. de Cokehill D. Will. Hyot 1. Ian. 1480. Ioh. Somervile de Bordesley ar Anna ejus ux Executrix Testam T. Evance gen nuper mariti sui per concess Prior C. de Cokehill D. Will. Walker Pbr. 19. Maii 1544. Fulco Grevile miles Ioh. Stokton Cler. 20. Iunii 1578. Within this Parish Church were two Chanteries the first in a Chapell of our Lady founded by one of the Botelers of Oversley I suppose Iohn for in 15 E. 1 he presented to it the Priest serving there being to sing Mass every day at six of the Clock in the morning and to pray for the souls of the Founders To which Chantrie did Petronill the Widow of Rob. Squyer of Alyncestre in 7 E. 3. give 3 Messuages xvi acres of land 4 acres of meadow and xx s. Rent with the appurtenances lying in Alcester for divine service to be celebrated there for the soul of E. 2. late King of England as also for her own and her husbands souls their children ancestors and all the faithfull deceased the revenue whereof was in 26 H. 8. certified to be yearly worth vi l. out of which certain Rents were deducted but in 37 H. 8. vi l. v s. ix d. The Priests belonging to this Chantry were successively presented thereto by the Botelers of Oversley before mentioned and afterwards by the Nevills untill 6 H. 7. that Sir Will. Beauchamp of Alcester and others obtained the patronage thereof The other Chantry was founded in 36 E. 3. by Iohn the son of Giles de Beauchamp for one Priest to sing Mass daily and do divine service in the said Church at the Altar of All Saints for whose maintenance he gave xi
Messuages one shop xi acres of land and 4 acres of meadow lying here in Alcester But in 7 H. 4. this Chantry had an addition made thereto by two Priests Iohn Weston and Rob. Canill who gave 4 messuages and 4 acres of land thereto lying also within the precincts of Alcester so that in 26 H. 8. the value of all its revenues extended to iiii l. xiii s. viii d. per an but in 37 H. 8. to no more than iiii l. xii s. over and above reprises I Now come to the Monastery whereof there is scarce any memoriall left amongst the Inhabitants the very ruins being all dig'd up and Corn sowed where it sometime stood and that the place may not be forgotten I shall here before I come to speak of its Foundation describe where it lyes which is about half a mile North from Alcester encompassed with a moat on the West and South sides and on the North and East with the river Arrow making the site thereof a kind of Island which containeth somewhat more than two acres according to our usuall measure as I guess This at the frequent instance of Simon Bishop of Worcester and G. the then Prior being founded by Raph. Boteler of Oversley in the year of our Lord MCXL 5 Steph. upon that piece of ground so encompassed with water as I have said and therefore called the Church of our Lady of the Isle was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and to the honour of the Blessed Virgin St. Anne her mother St. Ioseph St. Iohn Bapt. St. Iohn the Evang. and All Saints for the health of the souls of K. Will. the Conquerour Maud his consortâ— K. Will. the younger K. Henry the first Q. Maud his consort K. Steph. Q. Maud likewise his consort Roger de Bellomont and Atheline his wife Rob. Earl of Mellent and Isabell his wife Rob. Earl of Leicester and Avice his wife with their sons as also of Walleran Earl of Mellent And moreover for his the said Raph. Boteler's own soul and the soul of Avice his wife with their Parents ancestors and successors souls by the advice and consent of the before specified K. Steph. Rob. Earl of Leic. and VValeran E. of Mellent and of Robert and Geffrey sons to the said Raph Robert a Monk of Worcester being constituted the first Abbot there upon Martinmass-day in the year abovesaid The same Founder then ordaining that after the death of this Abbot another should be chosen in the Chapter house at Worcester or out of this at Alcester as should be thought most meet And for the maintenance of the Monks here serving God he endowed it with the before specified Isle together with his Lordship of Cockmerse and whatsoever he did possess in Pebworth viz. 4 hides and a half and moreover with all his lands of Waltford Cunbruge and Blinchesfelde with their appurtenances excepting Lx s. yearly Rent which the Abbot of this House was to pay to the Monks of Bec in Normandy And further did he grant thereunto the Chapell of his Castle at Oversleie with the Churches of Alcester Glen Teingworth and Merston and whatsoever appertaâ—ned to them the whole Tithe of his Lorship of Oversleie in lands Vineyards Woods Parks Meadows and Fishings Half the Tithe of his Lordships of Pebworth and Cherletune Two sheaves of that of Ragley All the Tithes of Dorsinton Mulecote Brome and Whitlacesford As also his Mill of Groberi and the half of his three Mills at Oversleie Appointing that whatsoever should govern here for the future as Abbot he should not mispend the revenues of the Monastery upon his secular kindred but for the poor and in Hospitality nor grant away the inheritance of any the lands belonging thereto And which is not the least memorable he might not make any other Knights nisi in sacra veste Christi in qua parvulos suscipere modestè caveat but that maturos seu discretos tam Clericos quam Laicos providè suscipiat as are the very words of his Charter whereby 't is evident that about this time the restriction began which prohibited Ecclesiastick persons to make Knights which it seems they had antiently used to do and as by what I have said in Milcote touching the sacred and Courtly ceremonies formerly excercised in conferring that dignity appeareth Which ample Charter being confirmed by the before specified Robert Earl of Leicester his immediate Lord as also by K. Steph. and Henry the second begot a fair increase of its possessions through the munificence of sundry other persons viz. xx s. Rent yearly issuing out of Impingeham given by Geffrey one of the sons to the said founder the Church of Beoley in Worcestershire by Geffrey de Limesi the Church of Pebeworth in com Glouc. by Ric Frevill with one yard land in Merston and the Tithe of his Salt at Wiche the Church of Edbrighton by Rog. de Watervill and one hide of land in Ryeton in this County lying adjacent to Weston with a meadow situate under that town and some other lands there Neither must I omit to take notice that Simon de Cocton and Alexander de Kynewarton bestowed on these Monks each of them a load of wood for Fewell to be weekly taken out of their Woods at Cocton now Coughton with liberty for them to erect Hogs-cotes in the same Woods All which gifts were ratified by the said K. H. 2. After this viz. in 35 E. 1. had they Lx. acres of Heath or wast lying at Hinstoke in Shropshire with the advouson of the Church of Hinstoke given unto them by Will. le Boteler of Wemme with power to inclose the said wast as also Common of pasture for viii Oxen vi Kine with their calves of one year old and C C sheep in his Wasts and Woods at Hinstoke but with condition that the said Will. and his heirs might make improvement at their pleasure in those woods and wast without the lawfull contradiction of the said Monks And over and above all this was there an annuity of C s. per an given thereunto by the said Will. le Boteler issuing out of certain lands and burgages lying in Shaftesbury in com Dors. for the performance of Divine service Almes and other pious works for the health of his soul as also of the soul of K. Henr. the 4th But after this I do find very little increase of its revenues from any other Benefactors nay rather such a diminution through the ill government and negligence of some Abbots by wasting the stock upon their lands and borrowing of money that in 10 H. 6. upon a Complaint made by William the then Abbot that their debts were so great as in case they should speedily be required himself and his Covent could not possibly subsist the King upon mature advice with his Councell by his Royall authority seised the whole Monastery into his own hands and forthwith
Fullwode and others divers lands for to find two Priests celebrating divine service here for ever all which being forfeited to the King in regard of such disposall made of them without the Royall License contrary to the Statute in that case made and provided were thereupon given away by K. Ric. unto one Iohn Swet who having a desire to assign over his right and state in them unto Rose Mountfort then a great woman in this Parish obtained a Pat. from K. H. 4. in the first year of his reign whereby the said K. gave them unto her and her heirs for ever to the intent that shâ— and they should provide and maintain two Chantrie-Priests to celebrate divine service daylie in this Church at the Altar of our Lady before mentioned aswell for the good estate of the said K. Henry during this life and afterwards for the health of his soul and the souls of his Mother and Queen deceased as for the soul of the said Rose and the souls of her ancestors and heirs and other Benefactors to the said Chantrye Which Rose by her Deed bearing date 8 Maii in the same year reciting the grant so made to her as abovesaid gave those lands unto Iohn Blakenhale and Ric. Boys Priests serving at the before specified Altar to hold to them and their successors Priests of that Chantrie to celebrate divine service there for ever according to the limitations before mentioned The advouson of which Chantrie descended by the said Rose Mountfort to the Catesbies but by reason of the attainder of Sir Wil. Catesbie in 1 H. 7. was granted in 3 H. 7. to Sir Iames Blount and to the heirs male of his body In â—6 H. 8. the lands belonging thereto were valued at xiii l. vi s. viii d. per an but in 37 H. 8. to no more than vii l. vii s. iiii d. at which time I find it certified that this Parish was xx miles in compass so that in case of Plague or ohter sickness there the Priests belonging thereto did use to assist the Vicar in ministring the Sacraments and Sacramentals The lands of both which Chantries were granted in 7 E. 6. to Kenelm Throkmorton Clem. Throkmorton and Iohn Throkmorton Esquires and their heirs I now come to the particular places of note within this Parish viz. Umberslade Monkspath Cley-Hall Codbarow Cheswikes Betlesworth Lodbroke's-Mannour Sidenhale and Crewenhale of which in their order Vmberslade THis being onely an antient Mannour house was in H. 2. time partly given by Henry de Vilers Sewer to Will Earl of Warwick unto Rob. Archer and Seliit his wife and to the heirs of Seliit in which grant it is termed terra de Ombreslade and the said Robert called Rob. Sagittarius and partly by Roger de Hulehale to her the said Seliit onely From which Robert and Seliit I have on the next page represented the lineall descendants with their matches clearly warranted from the originall Charters and evidences of this antient Family whose principall seat it still continues Of William the son to Rob. and Seliit I find that he had a grant of much land here in Tanworth by VValeran Earl of Warwick about the beginning of K. Iohn's reign which is set forth by speciall boundaries according to the use of those times and likewise a Bull from Pope Gregory the ix th for a peculiar Chapell at this place bearing date in 19 H. 3. In the Windows whereof are yet standing and of no less antiquity than E. 3. time the Arms of Beauchamp E. of Warwick Clinton Earl of Huntingdon as also of this Family as they were then set up in the Glass Which VVill. left issue Iohn who being Champion to Thomas Earl of Warwick obtained a speciall Charter from the said Earl to himself and his heirs for freedom to hauk and hunt every where within the territories of Tanworth excepting the Park and to excercise all other Liberties belonging to the said Earl within Monkspath and Ombreslade paying therefore unto him and his heirs xii broad Arrow heads a couple of Capons at Whitsontide yearly This Iohn had issue Iohn and divers other children whereof Thomas was Lord Prior of the Hospitall of St. Iohn of Hierusalem in England in 14 E. 2. which Iohn the younger matching with Margery the daughter of Sir VVill. Traci of Todington in Gloucestershire an eminent family in those parts left issue Iohn and Thomas Of which Thomas I find that having been in that Rob. Sagittarius temp H. 2. Seliit Ricardus Johannes Will. le Archer obiit circa 23 H. 3. Margeria Iohanna ux Walt. filii Sim. de Cherlecote Isab. ux Wil. filii Rad. de Lee. Thomas Joh. le Archer obiit temp H. 3. Christiana secundò nupra Will. de Berneville Tho. Prior S. Ioh Hicrosol in Anglia 14 E. 2. Wil. Rector Eccl. de Pilardinton Rob. Rector Eccl. de Queinton Ioh. le Archer ob ante 28 E. 1. Margeria filia Will. Traci de Toding ton in Com. Glouc. Ric. Rector Eccl. de Ilmindon 23 E. 3. Will. le Archer 2 E. 2. Thomas 10 E. 2. Ioh. le Archer obiit circa 22. E. 3. Isabella filia Rad. Escote 1 E. 3. Ioh. le Archer 16 E. 3. Thomas le Archer obiit 46 E. 3. Margareta filia .... Cleburie Gilbertus le Archer Agnes filia Walteri Cokesey mil. Thomas le Archer obiit 4 H. 6. aetat 84. an Alicia ux 2. Alicia filia Will. Hugford de Midleton in Com. Salop mil. obiit 8. H. 5. Ric. Archer obiit 11 E. 4. aetat 85. Margareta relicta Tho. Newport de Ercall ar ux 2. Alicia filia haeres Wil. Lea de Stotfold ux 3. Ioh. Archer obiit 3. E. 4. vivo patre Christiana sola filia haeres Rad. de Blacklow Civis Lond. relicta Hen. Sewall nupra 25 H. 6. Ioh. Archer obiit 4 Dec. 11. H. 8. Alicia filia Baldwini Mountfort de Colshill mil. nupta 7 E. 4. Ioh. Archer obiit 16 Apr. 12. H. 8. Margareta filia Humfridi Staftord de Blatherwick nupta 19 H. 7. obiit 21. H. 8. Edw. Archer obiit coelebs temp Iac. Regis Iohannes Robertus Ric. Archer ob 5. Oct. 36. H. 8. aet 39. Matilda filia cohaer Nich. De la mere de Hereford parva ob 23. Aug. 6 5. Ph. M. Edw. Fulco Miles Francisca Wimfrida Anna Humfr. Archer obiit 24 Oct. 4. Eliz. Anna filia Rob. Tounsend de Ludlow mil. Capit Iustic Walliae obiit 28 Nov. 5. Iac. Ioh. Archer duxit Elianoram fil haer Ric. Frewin de Handley in Com. Wigorn. Andreas Archer ob 23. Apr. An. 1629. Margar. filia Sim. Ralegh de Farnborough at obiit 16 Aug. 1614. Ric. Archer de Nethorp in Com. Oxon. duxit MariaÌ„ fil haer Roul Bull de Nethorp Simon Archer natus 21 Sept. 1581. factus eq aur per Regem Iac. 21 Aug. 1624. Anna filia Ioh. Ferrers de Tamworth castro eq aur
Staffordshire which Will. had issue by her Thomas and he Thomas and he Iohn Parker who dyed 18 H. 8. leaving issue Alice his daughter and heir wedded to Thomas Greswould second son to Ric. Greswould of Solihull in this County from whom the Greswoulds of Cobington who now enjoy this place are descended Packwood ALne having thus past that large Parish of Tanworth enters the Hundred of Barlichway wherein before it hath gone two miles the access of a petty stream called Silesburne which hath its beginning in the nook of Kineton Hundredâ— before mentioned about the edge of Packwood â— enlargeth its Chanell This place sc. Packwood lying in the utmost corner of Barlichway Hundred and bordering upon Hemlingford is reputed to be a member of Kineton Hundred and as it hath in all Taxes antiently payd therewith so doth it still the reason whereof I conceive to be because it was originally a member of Wasperton whereof I have already spoke though it lye at so great a distance from thence and so consequently belonging to the Monks of Coventre which was no strange thing consisidering what I have said in Tanworth relating to Brailes Yet the first mention that I do find in Record of it by name is in 7 R. 1. where Philip de Kingtone levied a Fine thereof to Roger de Cherlecote But it afterwards came again to those Monks it seems for in 41 H. 3. upon that grant of Freewarren which they had in divers of their Mannours this of Packwood is instanced for one and in 44 H. 3. upon the appropriation of all the Churches and Tithes which were within any of their lands it is there enumerated amongst the rest Howbeit that which chiefly shews it to have been a member of Wasperton and so consequently to have past therewith to the Monastery of Coventre upon the very Foundation thereof by Earl Leofrike is the Record of 7 E. 1. where it being certified that the Prior of Coventre was Lord of both for they are there joined together it is said thus Et tenet per Cartam Warrantum S. Edwardi Regis per confirmationes plurimorum Regum At which time viz. 7 E. 1. the Monks had here two Carucates of land in demesn and two tenants which held one yard land by performing divers servile labours being subject to what taxe and exaction the Prior was pleased to impose upon them As also six Freeholders who held two yard land and a half under severall Rents and suit of Court twice in the year and at the same time a certain Park inclosed with an Out-wood and not within the precincts of any Forest But to put it out of all doubt that it was a member of Wasperton I shall vouch one more authority viz. the taxation of the Temporalties belonging to the Religious houses in an 1291. 19 E. 1. where it is said thus Prior de Coventre habet apud Pacwode quod est membrum de Wasperton duas carucat asterrae valet Carucata x s. de redditu Assisa vii marc unum molendinum aquaticum quod valet vi s. viii d. de placitis perquisitis ii s. The metes and bounds of which Mannour are exactly set forth in the Leiger book of Coventre where divers other things relating thereto that for brevitie I omit are to be found As for the particular privileges that the Monks had here I shall not need to recounc them forasmuch as in Coventre it appeareth what they were throughout all their Mannours in 13 E. 1. In 26 H. 8. upon the Survey then taken the value of what the before specified Monks had in this place was thus certified viz. in Rent of Assise ix s. v. d. In lands tenements pastures and a Mill xiiii l. viii s. iiii d. and the ferm of the Mannour vii l. xiiii s. iiii d. Out of which was allowed to Thomas Hugyn then Bayliff an Annuity of xxvi s. viii d. But coming to the Crown at the generall dissolution in 30 H. 8. it was by the said King's Letters Pat. bearing date 8 Feb. 35. H. 8. past inter alia to Will. Willington then of Barcheston Esq. and Will. Sheldon of Beoley who had wedded one of his daughters and to the heirs of the said Will. Sheldon together with the advouson of the Church to be held in Capite Which W. Sheldon granted it to Rob. Burdet of Bramcote Esq. who died seised thereof 11 Ian. 2 E. 6. leaving Thomas his son and heir xvi years of age which Thomas had issue Robert who in consideration of two thousand pounds demised it to Thomas Spenser Esq. late of Claverdon for 2000 years by which means it came to Sir Will. Spenser of Yarnton in com Oxon. upon whom a great part of the said T. Spenser's estate was setled The Church dedicated to S. Giles antiently appropriated to the Monks of Coventre as I have already intimated was long after viz. in H. 6. time reputed but for a Chapell Wasperton doubtless being the mother Church and therefore not Presentative the Curate having then allowed unto him for his annuall Salary the small Tithes with the Altarage the Tithe Corn and all living Mortuaries being received by the said Monks All which Tithes and Oblations together with the Glebe being allowed to the Curate for his stipend were in 26 H. 8. valued at C s. per an In 30 Eliz. amongst divers other things there was a grant made by the Queen to one Ed. Wymerke of the Chapell here by the name of libera Capella de Pacwode cum pertinentiis but this as I conceive is of the same nature as those Patents were to Tipper and Daw apprehending it to be concealed land Lapworth THis being given to the Bishoprick of Worcester by Kenulph K. of Mercia in the time of Denebert the ix th Bishop of that See continued thereto till the days of K. Canutus the Dane but Brightegus the then Bishop being sent into Saxony to conduct Gunnilda the King's daughter wedded to Cono the Emperour having a speciall servant called Hearlewinus attending upon him in that journey as a reward for his pains and travail bestowed upon him this Village then reckoned for no more than half a hide reserving xiid. yearly to be payd at the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady in acknowledgement of the Church its right as the Register of Worcester manifests where it is written Lappawurthin so that after that time the Bishops had no more to do here In the Conquerours time Hugh de Grentemaisnill held it as appears by the generall Survey then made in which it is written Lapeforde and certified to contain 1 hide the woods extending to two miles in length and 1 in breadth the whole being valued at xx s. But immediatly before the Norman invasion it was the freehold of one Baldwinus who afterwards being glad to stoop as most others then
did became Tenant thereof to the said Hugh as an antient Register belonging to the Bishops of Worcester sheweth wherein it is written Lappewrte and said to be de Soca Episcopi being held of the Bishops Mannour of Old-Stratford From hence till K. H. 3. time having no light from Record to guide me I must by what appears afterwards onely guess at the most probable course of its succession which I conceive was thus viz. that with the rest of Grentemasnill's lands it came by the daughter and heir of that Family to Rob. sirnamed Blanchmains Earl of Leicester in H. 2. time unto whom 't is manifest that she was wedded and that the ancestour of Henry Pipard who lived in H. 3. time obtained it by Feoffment from that Earl or the said Henry himself from some of his descendants for certâ—in it is that those Earls of Leicester were superior Lords hereof and that this Henry was possest of it I have testimony enough But the first particular mention relating to him that I haue met with which hath any date is in 20 H. 3. where it appears that there was a Fine levied betwixt him and Nichola his wife on the one part and Iohn Comin Geffrey Corbizon and Iulian his wife on the other of two yard land here And there is no doubt but that this was his seat for in sundry Deeds which I have seen he is not onely stiled Capitalis Dominus Feodi de Lapworth but it is evident that there was a Mannour house here in those times It should seem that he was a man of the superior rank for in â—5 H. 3. I find him in Commission for the Gaol delivery at Warwick and likewise one of the Justices of Assize so also in 26. and 31. H. 3. In 34 H. 3. he bore the office of Eschaetor in this County In 36 H. 3. he was again one of the Iustices for the Gaol delivery at Warwick and left issue two daughters his heirs viz. Dionysia the wife of Sir Rob. de Harecurt Kt. and Cecilie married to Sir Thomas de Bishopsden Kt. upon partition made betwixt which coheirs this Lordship fell to Dionysia as it seems for I find that in 49 H. 3. it was in the hands of Sim. de Mountfort Earl of Leicester in respect of the minoritie of Will. de Harecurt son and heir to the said Robert which Will. about the beginning of E. 1. time granted unto Henry de Braunteston and his heirs a certain part of his Court and Capitall mansion here viz. that lying towards the West from the great gate by the Wall which then extended to an Oak standing before the dore of the old Grange with the advouson of the Church and the homage and service of sundry Freeholders To which Dâ—ed is his Seal of Arms affixed scil Or two bars gules And after this did the said Will. grant or rather confirm unto Sâ—r. Will. de Bishopsden his nephew viz. son and heir of Sir Thomas de Bishopsden certain lands lying here which Henry Pipard before specâ—fied had formerly given to Sim. Bagot of Preston together with the advouson of the Church and divers other lands lying also here in Lapworth which the said Sir Will. de Bishopsden and Sir Thomas de Bishopsden Father of the said Will. had obtained from sundry other persons for which grant he reserved to himself and his heirs the Rent of one barb'd Arrow to be payd yearly at the Feast of Pentecost for all services D. Hugo de Brandeston miles obiit 27 E. 1. Henricus de Brandestone 11 E. 2. Petronilla 11 E. 2. Hugo de Brandeston defunctus 36 E â— Sibilla Nich. Dur vassall 1 maritus Ronsia una filiarum cohaer Ric. de Miteforti nothus 47 E. 3. D. Petrus de Monteforti dominus de Bellodeserto Will. Montfort fil haeres 14 R. 2. Agnes Margareta filia haeres Ioh. Catesby de Ashby-Legers in com Northamp Will. Catesby miles Philippa filia una haered Will. Bishopsden mil. Elena uxor Ricardi Merebroke Thomas Montfort Agnes uxor Philippi de Ailesbury postea Joh. Bukmore Rog. Ailesbury de Lapworth Beatrix monialis apud Wroxhale Leticia Magister Henricus de Brandestone 7 E. 1. Of Henry de Brandeston above mentioned I find that he was a Priest or professor in some learning for he hath the addition of Magister and that he granted this Mannour to Hugh de Brandeston his brother and Margaret his wife and to the heirs of their two bodies lawfully begotten which Hugh being a Knight in 13 E. 1. had in 21. E. 1. a Charter of Freewarren granted to him in all his demesn lands here from 23 till 27 E. 1. was every year one of the Commissioners for the Gaol delivery at Warwick But after the death of Edmund Earl of Lancaster in 25 E. 1. it was certified that the said Sir Hugh held this Mannour of him by the service of half a Kts. fee doing homage and suit to the Court held for the same Honour of Leicester every three weeks and that all his Tenants did use to repair to the Court Leet belonging to that Honour And upon his death which hapned in 27 E. 1. it appears that the extent of what he had here in Lapworth over and above the Mannour was 3 Carucates of land every Carucate containing 3. Virgates and every Virgate xvi acres Henry his son and heir being then 16 years of age Which Henry in 11 E. 2. acquired from Hugh de Lodbroke Parson of Blaby in Leicestersh the inheritance of another Mannour here whereof Latice daughter to him the said Henry had an estate for life by grant from the said Parson But after this it was not long ere that the same Henry past away one of these Mannours to Sir Iohn de Bishopsden Kt. as appeaâ—s by his deed and a speciall Mandate directed to all his Freeholders and Customary Tenants here in Lapworth for to attourn unto him which I conceive to be that called Bushwood Hall for at Bushwood there written Bispwode doth the same bear date in 14 E. 2. To which Henry succeeded Hugh his son and heir whom I find frequently stiled Dominus de Lapworth having in 11 E. 3. obtained a Lease thereof from Sir Iohn de Bishopsden Kt. for xl years In 33 E. 3. being constituted one of the Commissioners of Array in this County he bore for his Armes two Bars with a bendlet over them and dyed in 36 E. 3. as it should seem for then doth it appear that Sibilla his wife was a widow leaving issue 3 daughters viz. Beatrice a Nun at Wroxhall Agnes wedded to Philip de Aylesbury and Rose to Richard de Montfort betwixt which two last mentioned daughters his inheritance here became divided in 43 E. 3. and that of Letice their Aunt in 47 E. 3. Which
Grentemaisnill and held at that time by Roger his under-tenant But from Grentemaisnill it soon returned to the Crown though by what agreement I have not seen For certain it is that King Henry 1. had it in his hands and gave it to the Abby of Reading in Berkshire of his Foundation whose grant together with the Church King H. 2. his grandchild confirmed In the succeeding times I find it variously written viz. Ruhinton Ruchinton Rokintone and Rowintone and in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. that the extent of what the Monks of Reading had here was found to be three carucates of land valued at x s. a carucate two water-Mills and one Wind-Mill rated at vi s. viii d. In Rent of Assize xi li. and that the profits of their own store in this place amounted to one mark and the Pleas and perquisites one mark and a half Whereunto some Freeholders in this town made a little addition viz. Thomas de Rivere and Richard Goodman by the gift of one mess. Lxix acres of land with viii acres and a half of Meadow or the maintenance of one Monk being a Priest f to celebrate divine service every day in the Abby-Church of Reading above specified for the good estate of the said Thomas during his life in this world and for his soule after his departure hence as also for the soules of his Ancestors and heirs All which lands were by them held of the Barons of Stafford who answered to the King the fourth part of a Knights Fee for the same upon occasion as by sundry Records is evident But after the dissolution of the greater Monasteries in 30 H. 8. Iohn Oldnall the next year following obtained a Lease of this Mannour from the King for xxi years which Lease was it seems ere long surrendred for in 35 H. 8. the King upon the marriage of Katherine Parr his sixt and last wife past it inter alia unto her as part of her jointure Which Katherine dying in 2 E. 6. it returned again to the Crown and in 7 E. 6. was by that King past away with other lands in exchange to Iohn Dudley D. of Northumberland and his heirs whose attainder hapning soon after as in my story of him amongst the Earls of Warwick is shewed Queen Mary became possest of it and in 5. of her reign granted unto the said Iohn Oldnall another Lease for xxi years which he enjoyed not for in 5 Eliz. the Queen past an estate for life therein unto William Skinner Gentleman Alice his wife and Anthony their son but neither did this demise hold for in 6 Eliz. the said Queen gave it to Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick and the heirs male of his body who dying issuelesse it came again to the Crown wherein it remaineth to this day having been since leased to sundry persons The Church dedicated to S. Laurence was in anno 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xx marks the Vicars portion at that time being esteemed at viii marks but in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at viii li. out of which the Synodalls and Procurations yearly payable amounted to viii s. v. d. ob Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Abbas Conv. de Reading Ioh. Tacham Pbr. 15. Oct. 1347. Abbas Conv. de Reading Hugo de Heyham 4. Sept. 1388. Abbas Conv. de Reading D. Will. Godfrey 11. Mar. 1400. Abbas Conv. de Reading Rob. Belde 21. Iulii 1402. Abbas Conv. de Reading Ioh. Hawkys 4. Aug. 1412. Abbas Conv. de Reading D. Ioh. Racheford 24. Ian. 1424. Abbas Conv. de Reading Ioh. Cook Pbr. 12. Dec. 1438. Abbas Conv. de Reading Ioh. Browne Cap. 3. Dec. 1458. Abbas Conv. de Reading Thomas Vtting Cap. 27. Aug. 1499. Abbas Conv. de Reading D. Thomas Heyward Cap. 3. Aug. 1536. Phil. Maria Rex Regina Angl. D. Ric. Heith Pbr. 17. Feb. 1556. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Philippus White Cler. 16. Ian. 1576. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Christoph. Kirkland in S. Theol. B. 14. Apr. 1578. Ambrosius Comes Warwici Magr. Henr. Heycrofte art Ma gr 23. Sept. 1584. Anna Comitissa Warwici Henr. Clerke Cler. 4. Nov. 1600. Iâ— a North window of the Church these Armes Argent upon a Fesse gules three Garbs Or. Preston-Bagot DEscending lower on the Western side of the before specified brook I come to Preston-Bagot which in the Conqueror's time Robert Earl of Mellent possest and by the generall Survey then made wherein it is written Prestetone was certified to be of a large extent viz. x. hides five whereof with a Mill rated at xvi s. and woods of a mile in length and half a mile in bredth were in his own hands and valued at L s. which had been the freehold of one Turbern before the Norman invasion the other five of which Britnod was owner in Edward the Confessor's days one Hugh then held of the said Earl they being estimated at xl s. But that which now and for a long time hath been reputed for Preston-Bagot is of a narrower compasse for out of doubt the places where both Beldesert and Henley do now stand together with most part of what belongeth to them whereupon there was no habitation was taken out of it This therefore coming from the said Earl of Mellent as the greatest part of his lands in this County did to his brother Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick was disposed of in H. 2. time as I guesse by William Earl of Warwick to Ingeram Bagot from whom it had the present name for distinction from other Prestons all which I conclude from severall circumstances the succeeding Earles of Warwick being chief Lords of the Fee as I shall shew by and by and the said Ingeram being possest of lands here at that time To which Ingeram Bagot succeeded Simon his son and heir who in 20 H. 3. answered for part of a Knights Fee here held by him of the Earl of Warwick and gave to the Monks of Reading two Mills lying within this his Lordship Which Simon had issue Robert and he a daughter and heir called Isabell married to Thomas de Etingdon From this Simon or if not from some other who was only the Instrument to convey it as I think did the Knights Hospitalars obtain it in H. 3. time for in 36 H. 3. it appears that Simon de Stoke and divers other held one Knights Fee here of the heir of the same Simon Bagot and that the said heir held it of the Hospitalars and they of the Earl of Warwick And by the Record of 4 E. 1. it is manifested that the Knights Hospitalars had it about 30 H. 3. for from that time had they withdrawn their suit due to the Hundred Court in respect thereof That this is but a small Village may appear by what was certified in 6 H.
paternall inheritance into which he was by the said Decree again so reinvested had restitution of an Annuitie of Lv li. per annum to be paid out of the Exchequer to himself and his heirs which had been formerly granted to his Father in lieu of certain woods lying in the Forest of Rutland wherein he had quitted his title to the said King After which I find that resolving on a Pilgrimage to S. Iames in Gallicia he constituted Humphrey de Hastang and Richard de Wrenhull or one of them his Atturney to transact his affairs in the mean time but whether he went the same year or not being 56 H. 3. I am not certain for in 3 E. 1. he had another License to that purpose and within a short space grew in such esteem with King Edward that being imployed in his service for the warrs of Wales 5 E. 1. in 8. of that King's reign he granted unto the renowned Queen Elianore the marriage of Iohn his son and heir with power that she should dispose of him in that kind to whom she pleased and in 11 E. 1. attended the King in that Welch expedition wherein those parts were wholy reduced to obedience for which service he was acquitted of L li. debt due by him to have been paid into the Exchequer This Peter altered his coat of Armes from what his Father and grandfather bore changing their Bendé of six pieces to Bendé of ten but retaining the Colours and departed this life in 15. E. 1. leaving issue Iohn his son and heir and Elizabeth a daughter afterwards married to Will son and heir of Simon de Montacute for which Lady there is yet standing a very beautifull Monument of Marble with her statue cut to the life on the North side of the Quire at Christ Church in Oxford heretofore the Conventuall Church of S. Fridiswides Monasterie there where there was afterwards a Chantrie of two secular Priests founded to celebrate divine service daily for her soul and for the souls of the said William de Montacute as also of Iohn Bokyngham Bishop of Lincolne Sir Peter de Montfort her father the Lady Maud her mother and of Iohn de Montacute William de Montacute Earl of Salisbury Simon de Montacute Bishop of Ely Edward de Montacute Alice de Aubenie the Lady Mary Cogan Elizabeth Prioresse of Haliwell the Lady Hawise Bavent the Lady Maud Abbesse at Berking the Lady Isabell a Nun of Berking children of him the said Sir William de Montacute and her and moreover for the souls of Sir Thomas de Furnivall her second husband Sir Peter Limsie her kinsman and Simon Islipâ— and for the souls of all her parents and friends But of the said Iohn de Montfort do I find very little memorable other than that he took to wife Alice the daughter of Will. de la Plaunche by whom he had issue Iohn and Peter with two daughters viz. Eliz. and Maud whose issue came to possesse a great part of the inheritance pertaining to this family as I shall shew anon for Iohn their elder brother who was one of the murtherers of Peirs de Gaveston having in 7. E. 2. received his Pardon for that offence march't with our English Army into Scotland and there lost his life in the battail of Strivelin without issue Peter the other brother having none legitimate Which Peter for I am next in course to speak of him was first in Holy Orders but after his brother's death enjoying a fair inheritance notwithstanding his sacred function was so dispensed with as it seems that he betook himself to the world and became a Knight And standing loyall to King E. 2. in the time of that great defection when so many adhered to Thomas Earl of Lancaster had a joint Commission with Will. de Beauchamp and Roger de Aylesbury for the safe custody of the City of Worcester In 20. of that King's reign he was made Governour of Warwick Castle then in the King's hands by reason of the Earls minority In 18 19 25 and 26. of E. 3. one of the Commissioners for conservation of the Peace in this County In 20. for arraying of Clx. Archers and in 29. for putting the Statute of Labourers in execution This Iohn took to wife Margaret daughter of the Lord Furnivall but by her had issue no more than one onely son called Guy betwixt whom and Margaret one of the daughters to Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick there was a marriage in 21 E. 3. by vertue of a speciall dispensation from Roger Northburgh Bishop of Coventry Lichfield having authority from Pope Clement the sixt for the same in regard they stood allied in the third and fourth degrees of Consanguinity which marriage was designed by the said Peter and the Earl for the better founding a league of friendship betwixt them and their posteritie in regard that many suits had been betwixt their Ancestors by reason that their lands in divers places lay contiguous Shortly after which marriage there was an estate in tail made of this Castle and Mannour with divers other Lordships lying in this Countie as also in the Counties of Nott. Rutl. and Surrey whereby for want of issue by the said Guy and Margaret they were after the decease of the said Sir Peter to remain unto Tho. de Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick and Katherine his wife and the heirs of the said Earl Which Thomas having obtained such an estate thereof in reversion in 35 E. 3. the same Guy being then dead without issue entailed the same upon Thomas his son and heir and the heirs male of his body and for lack of such issue on William his second son afterwards Lord Bergavenny and the heirs male of his body and for want of such issue on his own right heirs But all this while was Sir Peter de Montfort living who having had certain issue by an old Concubine called Lora de Ullenhale in E. 2. time daughter to one Richard Astley of Ullenhale took care for their advancement as may appear by those possessions they enjoyed whereof I have taken notice in due place And being grown an old man made his Testament bearing date on Saturday next after the Feast of the Conception of our Lady anno 1367. 41 E. 3. by which he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of the Friers Preachers at Warwick whereunto he gave x li. that the said Friersâ— should pray for his soul. To the Nuns of Pinley he gave x. marks for the like purpose and to the Lady Lora de Astley his old paramour then a Nun there C s. To Sir Baldw. Frevill the elder Kt. his kinsman xx li. To his son Richard de Montfort all hâ—s silver and gilt plate as also all his goods moveable and unmoveable lying in his Mâ—nnours of Kingsâ—urst in this Countie and
to continue for two dayes following and the other upon the Feast-day of S. Luke the Evangelist and two days after which Charter bears date at Westminster xvi Maii. the year above specified From which Family of Boteler it came by daughters and heirs to Sir Iohn Norbury Knight and William Belknap Esquire and so accompanying the possession of Beldesert as by the authorities which I have there cited may be seen returned to the Crown by the death of Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick without issue and continued therein till that King Iames by his Letters Patent bearing date 23. Sept. 17. of his reign past it to Iohn Lord Digby and his heirs with divers Mannours and lands lying in other Counties in consideration of 13000 li. allowed him by his Majestie towards the defraying of his charges in his Spanish Embassie The Chapell here dedicated to S. Iohn Baptist was built about the 41. year of King Edw. 3. as appears by the confirmation thereof then made by William Witlesey Bishop of Worcester in which is exprest that it was erected at the sole charges of the Inhabitants in regard of the large distance and foul ways in Winter-time betwixt this Village and the Parish Church of Wootton-Wawen and by the consent of William de Senye then Prior of Wotton unto which Religious House the said mother Church of Wotton was appropriated and Will. de Perton the then Vicar which Inhabitants and their successors had authoritie then given them by the same Bishop to provide and maintain a fitting Priest at their own proper charges for celebration of Divine service there so that the Vicar of Wotton for the time being might wholly receive and take all Oblations arising in the said Chapell upon Christmass day Candlemass day Easter day and S. Peter's day being the day of the Dedication of that Church and for Churching of Women at any time in the said Chapell But of all other profits arising upon the said days or any other throughout the year the Vicar to have two parts only and the Prior the third And that the Priest belonging to this Chapell might have power so often as occasion should be to Church Women there to administer the Sacrament to such old decrepite people as could not go to the said Parish Church and to perform all other parochiall rites therein buriall for the dead only excepted For the performance of all which the Priest for the time being at his first admission thereto was to oblige himself by his corporall Oath in the presence of the Prior of Wawens-Wotton and the Vicar lest the said Church of Wawens-Wotton should be dampnified And that all good people might be the more stirred up to contribute towards the charges for the fabrick hereof as also for the Bells Books Lights Vestments and other Ornaments belonging thereto the said Bishop by that his publique Instrument which bears date at Hertlebury 5. Cal. Augâ— Anno 1367. granted to every one that would be open-handed therein an Indulgence of xl days all which was confirm'd by the Prior and Monks of Worcester About two years after there was a purpose by one William Fifhyde of this town to found a Chantrie in a Chapell then newly intended to be built here for one Priest to celebrate Divine service daily for the good estate of the said William as appears by that preparation to a License for amortizing of three messuages situate in Henley aforesaid to that end but whether it were performed or not I make a question for I have seen no more of it In 26 H. 6. there was an Hospitall here built for the relief of poor people and strangers towards the support of which charge Iohn Carpenter then Bp. of Worcester granted out an Indulgence to endure for three years on the behoof of all such as should make contribution Some think that the Gild-House situate on the North side of the Chapell is the Hospitall here spoken of For in the Chapell before mentioned there was a Gild founded by Raph Boteler Lord Sudley which Gild had four Priests belonging thereto who were to pray for the Founder's soul. But upon the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. there were no more than two Priests serving therein whereof one had an yearly stipend of v li. vi s. viii d. and the other of v li. Howbeit in 37 H. 8. upon the Extent of the lands belonging thereto which were then valued at xxvii li. iii s. iii d. it appears that there were three Priests z whereof one had a stipend of Cx s. per annum and the other two of C s. a piece as also an Organist who had xl s. annuity Before the dissolution of this Gild it was a custome as I have heard that upon all publique occasions as Weddings and the like the Inhabitants of this town kept their Feast in the Gild House before specified in which they had most kind of Houshold stuff as Pewter Brasse Spits Andirons Linnen Tables c. and Wood out of the little Park at Beldesert for fewell those which were at the charge of the Feast paying only vi s. viii d. for the use of them But now all is gone except the Pewter which being in the Chapell-Wardens custody they lend out for iv d. a dozen when any Feast is made Wootton-Wawen FOllowing this petty stream I come next to Wootton commonly called Wootton-Wawen a Parish of a very large extent containing these Villages and places of note viz. Aspley Mockley Fordâ—Hall Crowley Ullenhale Botley Henley in Arden already spoke of Whitley Forwode Edston Bearley Silesburne Wawens-Moore Wyche and Offord of all which in their order As for the name there is no question but that it was originally occasioned from the situation being amongst woods and so for the more facility of pronuntiation called Wootton insted of Wootton having the addition of Wawen for distinction from another Wootton in this County in regard that one Wagen commonly called Wawen Lord thereof before the Norman Conquest had his seat here This Wawen was a man of great quality in his time for being one of the witnesses to Earl Leofrik's Foundation Charter of the Monastery at Coventry in 1 o Edwardi Conf. he is rankt with other eminent persons and after his name these words added viz. multi alii Primates in Angliae quorum hìc nomina notare fastidiosum esset Neither doth the extent of his lands argue lesse for by the Conqueror's generall Survey it appears that Wara now called Church-Over Wolvarde Tiesho Mortone now Morton-Bagot Ullenhale Offord and this Wootton were all his and perhaps much more though there not recorded But it being the fate of the native English in a manner totally to be dispossest of their inheritances to make way for the Normans advancement this Wagen or Waga for so his name is written in Domesday-book was outed of all those places before specified which with divers other fair Lordships lying in
it was the Freehold of Leuvinus Doda In that Survey it is written Wilmecote the originall of which appellation did questionlesse proceed from the name of some antient Inhabitant there in the Saxons time But the next mention that I find thereof is not till 6 Ioh. where it is written Wilmundecote and certified to be part of those lands that the Normans had in England which were then seized on for their adhering to the K. of France as in Ilmindon I have already observed one Bricto Camerarius being then Lord thereof and Chamberlain of Normandy as I guesse the value of it then consisting only in rent of Assize amounting to xliis per an and no more After which ere long one Will. de Wilmecote was owner of it who doubtlesse took that sirname from his residence here for in 12 H. 3. it appears that he brought an Assize against Maurice Arch-Deacon of Gloucester touching the advouson of the Chapell belonging to this Village yet in E. 1. I find that Raph de Lodinton had a good proportion here viz. two yard land in demesn with a Water Mill as also 5 yard land in Villenage all which he held of Sir Thomas de Camvill by the fourth part of a Kts fee which fourth part in 25 E. 1. was certified to be held of Edm. Earl of Lancaster the Kings Brother by Robert de Vale of whom in Lodington I have spoken already But about that time was there one Iohn de Wilmecote Lord hereof and shortly after him Henry de L'isle of Moxhull in this Countie who with Ioan his wife in 9 E. 2. were found to hold half a Kts. fee here of the Earl of War which half Kts. fee was of her inheritance she being the heir to the before specified Iohn de Wilmecote To which Henry succeeded Iohn his son and heir who in 10 E. 3. entailed this Mannour with the advouson of the Chapell upon the issue of his body by Maude then his wife with remainder to his right heirs by reason whereof it continued to his posterity whereof I shall speak in Moxhull till 8 H. 7. but then was past away by Henry L'isle Esquire and Eliz. his wife to Will. Purchesse and others in trust as I conceive for Hugh Clopton Alderman of London for I find that the said Hugh dyed seized thereof 15 Sept. 12 H. 7. leaving Will. Clopton his Cosin and next heir as in Clopton is shewed who had livery thereof accordingly in 19 H. 7. The Chapell here dedicated to St. Mary Magd. was given to the Gild of the Holy Cross in Stratford super Avon in E. 4. time by the before mentioned Henry de L'isle and Eliz. his wife one Thomas Clopton being then Master of the same Patroni Capellae Incumbentes c. Matilda de Lyle Ioh. de Walton 21 Martii 1372. Matilda de Lyle Ioh. Cade 18 Ian. 1380. Newnham AS for the name of this place it proceeded originally without doubt from the first habitation fixed thereat whether it were one single House or more the syllable Ham with our Ancestors the Saxons not onely signifying a House but a neighbourhood of divers dwellings as we may observe by the many towns that terminate in Ham so that Neunham imports the same that nova habitatio doth But of this little village I have not seen any mention at all in Record above 9 E. 2. where it is certified as a Hamlet of Aston-Cantelupe of which Mannour it is stâ—ll reputed to be parcell Little Alne THis was also originally a member of Aston-Cantelupe and antiently possest by the Lords of that Mannoâ—r It should seem that a great part of those lands which were given to the Canons of Studley by some of the Cantelupes do lye within the compass of this village though in the grant they are said to be in Aston-Cantelupe for upon the passing them out of the Crown in 1. Mariae they are granted to Anthony Skinner by the name of the Mannour of Little-Alne five Tenements a water Mill with a meadow as parcell of the possessions of the Monastery of Studley which Anthony dyed seized thereof 19 Nov. 1 Eliz. leaving issue George and William which George dying without issue Will. became heir to the estate whose grandchild Anthony now enjoys it Shelfhull THe first mention I find of this place is in H. 3. time upon the grant of a large assart to the Canons of Studley by Will. de Cantilupe the third where it is bounded upon the Park of Scelefhull which Park belonging to the Lords of Aston-Cantelupe doth argue that it was antiently a member thereof And out of all doubt those Woods or the greatest part of them which are mentioned by the Conquerour's Survey to belong unto Aston were imparkt by the Lords of that Mannour for their pleasure in Hunting it being a mountanous ground most proper for Deer an Conies But the extent of Shelfhull was more than this Park for in 6 E. 2. after the death of Iohn de Hastings Lord of Aston before specified it appeareth that Will. le Walsh held the sixth part of a Kts. fee of him lying in this place Howbeit till 14 H. 6. I have not seen it called a Mannour but then upon the death of Ioan Beauchamp Lady Bergavenny it carries that name nevertheless it is reputed as a member of Aston-Cantelupe and therewith belongs to the Lord Bergavenny at this day Haseler SOmewhat lower but yet farther distant from the bank of Alne stands Haseler containing these two petty Hamlets sc. Walcote and Upton which before the Norman invasion was the freehold of Vlviet and Aluric but at the time of the Conquerour's generall Survey possest by Nich. Balistarius being certified to contain 5. hides with a Mill rated at vi s. viii d. as also a Salt House of iiii s. Rent and two quarters of Salt all being valued at vi li. In that Record it is written Haselove the stroke over the v. through the transcribers neglect being omitted for it should be Haselovere That the later part of the name viz. Overe which in our common speech signifies the same with supra agreeth with the situation of the place is evident enough for it stands upon a notable ascent almost every way and if I may take leave to guess at the other part I shall conclude that the same hilly ground whereupon the town stands being originally woody and full of Hasells as much of the Country thereabouts yet is gave occasion thereof How it past from the before specified Nich. Balistaerius or his posterity I find not but in H. 2. time Nicholas de Pole one of the King's Justices was chief Lord here whose descendants enjoy'd it not long for in 20 H. 3. it appertained to W. de Hastings and upon the Aid then gathered answered for half a Kts. fee amongst divers other lands in this Countie then certified to be
de Bremesgrave Pbr. 2. Cal. Nov. 1311. D. Ric. de Fiton miles Rob. de Roleye Cler. 1 Iunii 1361. Thomas Burdet miles Magr. Ioh. Fytone 18 Nov. 1403. Thomas Burdet miles Thom. Daddy Cap. 4. Apr. 1433. Thomas Burdet arm D. Thomas Tayler Cap. 24. Apr. 1454. Thomas Burdet arm D. Thomas Hullok Pbr. 5. Febr. 1470. Edw. Conwey generosus jure Agnetis ux suae D. Nich. Tommys Cap. 2. Ian. 1504. Edw. Conway arm D. Will. Alcock Cap. 12. Maii 1531. Edw. Conway arm Will. Clerke art Magr. 14. Nov. 1545. Ioh. Conway miles D. Rog. Metecalfe Cler. 26 Aug. 1549. Edw. Conwey mimiles Thomas Case Cler. 30 Iulii 1620. Ragley OF this Village situate in the Parish of Arrow whereof there is no more than the Mannour house now left there is not in the Conquerour's Survey any mention forasmuch as it was then involved with Arrow whence I conclude that with it Marmion became possest thereof and afterwards Camvile though Raph Boteler of Oversley upon his foundation of the Priorie at Alcester whereby he gave two Sheafs of his Tithe here mentions the same to be de Dominio suo de Raggelei For as those Monks of Alcester had little benefit of that grant so doth it appear by sundry authorities in after-times that Ragley was held of the Lords of Arrow which argues that the possessors thereof were first enfeoft by some of them though when or how that was I am yet to learn For till 5 H. 3. I have not seen any farther mention of this place but then did one Stephen de Raggeleg pass away one messuage lying therein to the Monks of Evesham together with C L. acres of land lying in Kingle But after this it came to the family of Rous the first of which name that directly appears to me to have been owner of it being Iohn Rufus in H. 3. time and it is not unlike but that Thomas le Rous who in 15 E. 2. was appointed one of the Commissioners for making choice of one thousand and eight hundred foot souldiers within this Countie and Leicestershire and to conduct them to Newcastle upon Tine to march against the Scots being at that time Shiriff of these Counties had his seat here and was son to the same Iohn To which Thomas succeeded another Iohn who being a man of the superior rank amongst the Gentry here as may seem by his eminent employments was in 46 E. in Commission for levying and collecting a xv th and xth then granted to the King in Parl. So likewise in 48 E. 3. And in 51 E. 3. as also in 1 R. 2. was in Commission for arraying of men in this Shire In 2 R. 2. for assessing of a Subsidie In 3 R. 2. he served in the Parliament held at Westm. as one of the Knights for this Shire and the same year he was made a Justice of Peace in this County as also a Commissioner for arraying of men for the King's service Nay so eminent he grew for his wealth and authority that he built a stately Gatehouse of stone here at Ragley and imbattailed it like a Castle for which being done without the King's License he had not only a speciall pardon in 5 R. 2. but a Commission to build the rest of his dwelling House here answerably and to fortifie it with strong walls of lime and stone in like sort embattailed To which Iohn succeeded Râ—bert his son and heir of whom there is little memorable but Iohn his grandchild who came of age in â— H. 6. was an active man in the world for in 15 H. 6. he underwent the office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 28 he was in Commission for levying of a Subsidie then granted to the K. in Parl. As also from 22 to 38 H. 6. inclusive a Justice of Peace in this County and dyed in 16 E. 4. leaving Thomas his son and heir 28 years of age Which Thomas departed this world ult Apr. An. 1499 15 H. 7. and lyeth buried in the Chancell at Quinton in Gloucestershire Thomas le Rous 15 E. 2. Joh. le Rous de Raglâ—i 37 E. 3. Cristiana Baldw. Rous habuit Manerium de Stanley juxta Winchcombe in com Glouc. 3 H. 4. Henr. Rous habuit Manerium de Lench-Randolf in Com. Wigorn. Rob. Rous frater haeres Joh. aet 25. an 20 E. 2. Will. Rous obiit 8 H. 5. s. prole Joh. Rous frater haeres obiit 16 E. 4. Matilda Thomas Rous fil haeres obiit 15 H. 7. Thomas Rous obiit s. prole Margareta soror haeres uxor Ioh. Brome de Halton militis Christopherus Brome miles obiit 31 Eliz. Georgius Brome plenae aet 31 Eliz. Ioh. Rous junior 49 H. â— Joh. Rous obiit sine prole 20 R. 2. But Maud his wife had sepulture in the Chapell of our Lady within the Church at Alcester as by her Testament appears whereby she appointed a Tombe-stone of Marble to be layd upon her grave with the portraitures of her husband and her self with 5. sons and 5 daughters to be cut thereon From whom descended another Tho. dyed issulesse so that Margaret his sister the wife to Sir Iohn Brome of Halton in Oxfordshire not Brown as Leland calls him became his heir which Sir Iohn had issue Sir Christopher Brome Knight that dyed seized of this Mannour 31 Eliz. leaving George his son and heir of full age who by his Deed bearing date 12 Aug. 33 Eliz. sold it to Sir Iohn Conway of Arrow Knight grandfather to Edward Vicount Conway the present owner thereof Oversley THis is also in the parish of Arrow but stands on the other side the River on a notable ascent which gave occasion at first to its name Over signifying the same in our English as super or suprà in Latine doth Having been the inheritance of one Britmar before the Norman Invasion â—t was after the Conquest of England with other lands of a vast extent in this as well as other Counties given to the Earl of Mellent whom K. H. 1. advanced to the Earldome of Leic. and by the general Survey then made wherein it is written Oveâ—ley certified to contain 3 hides being then held of the said Earl by one Fulke who had a Mill here at that time valued at iiii s. and Woods belonging to this place extending to three furlongs in length and one in breadth which with all the rest were prized at xl s. Of this great Earl I find that he had a Butler called Raph Radulfus Pincerna de Legrecestria he is written who having obtained lands of good value here and in Leicestershire by the grant of his said Lord and finding this place so eminent for its situation partly by reason of the Woods and Water but most
was in exchange for certain lands in Bedfordshire and the summe of 774 li. 09 s. 02 d. granted unto Sir George Throkmorton Knight and his heirs 30 Maii 33 H. 8. From which sir George is S r Robert Throknorton Baronet of whom in Coughton I have spoke lineally descended who in 7 Caroli obtained a special Charter for himself and his heirs to hold a Court Leet here and to have Free-warren with certain other priviledges But here before I proceed farther I may not omit to observe that though the possession of this Lordship went thus from the line of Gascoine yet is the honorary title thereof revived in his posterityâ— for in 4 Caroli the King taking notice of Sir Thomas Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse in Yorkshire Knight and Baronet descended by an heir female from the said Sir William to be a man of singular prudence and eminent word and theâ—efore resolving to employ him in the highest affairs of State advanced him to the dignity of Baron Wentworth of the same Wentwoâ—â—h-Woodhouse Newmarcâ— as also of this Oversley and afterwards to the Lieutenancy of Ireland and Earldome of Strafford Nor must I forget that likewise from the same stock viz. from Nicholas a younger brother to the Chief Justice Gascoin before spoken of is also sprung my special friend Richard Gascoine late of Bramham-Biggin in the said County of York Esq a gentleman well worthy of the best respects from all lovers of Antiquities to whose good affections and abilities in those studies his own Family and several others of much eminency allied thereto are not a little obliged How long the Tithes of this Lordship were enjoyed by the Monks of Alcester in order to the grant made by Raph Boteler Founder of that Monastrie I am not certain but in 26 H. 8. it doth not appear that they had them And by what I have otherwise seen it is evident that the Church of Arrow wâ—thin the precincts of which Parish this place is possest them till that Mich. Clerke Parson there in Q. Eliz. time grew so a Composition with Sir Rob. Throkmorton Knight then Lord of Oversley for the same wherby it was concluded that the said Sir Rob. his heirs and assignes owners of this Mannour should be exempt from payment of any Tithes whatsoever arising within the compasse thereof in consideration of which immunity they should pay to the said Michaell and his successors the summe of vi li. of current English money at the Feasts of the Annunciation of our Lady S. Iohn Bapt. S. Mich. th'Archangell and the Nativity of our Lord by even portions but that the Parson of Arrow for the time being should receive all personal Tithes from the Inhabitants of the Hamlet called Oversley-greene and also the Tithe of certain parcells of medowing there particularly expressed Exhall THis in Edw. the Confessor's days having been the Fâ—â—ehold of one Suain but after the Norman Invasion with divers lands of a great extent in this and other Counties bestowed by the Conqueror on Will. fil Corbucion was by the generall Survey whereâ—n 't is written Eccleshelle certified to contain one hide and a half valued at v s. and then held of the same William by Turchill To the posterity of which Corbucion it continued till King Iohn's time or thereabouts but then Will. de Cantilupe obtained it from Ric. Corbicun a younger son to Peter as I guesse of whom in Studley I have spoke which Will. bestowed it on Sibill his sister and Geffrey Pancefot her husband and the heirs of their two bodies Howbeit there is little else that I have seen relating to the Mannour which makes me suppose that it was parcell'd out to Freeholders and no Courts kept whereunto they did any suit or service But I find that Walter Pykerell in 26 E. 1. died seized of one Messuage and two yard land here being of the Fee of Budiford And that Peter de Leicester in 32. E. 1. held Lxxx. acres of land lying here also leaving Iulian his sister and heir then married to Walter de Berntâ—orpe As also that in 10 H. 6. Iohn Ippewell yeoman possest two Messuages and three yard land here which he held by the fifth part of a Knights Fee And that in 37 H. 8. Eliz. Walsingham widow died seized of two Messuages and Lxii acres of land lying in this place leaving Iohn Walsingham her cosin and next heir But farther I have not seen any thing of much note relating thereto other than that the heirs of Corbison have been certified to hold the fourth part of a Knights Fee here of the Earl of Warwick it being now reputed a member of Overslei the Lord of that Mannour having the Roialty thereof Touching the Church originally a Chapell belonging to Saltford and therewith given to the Canons of Kenilworth I find that it was dedicated to S. Giles by Simon Bishop of Worcester in H. 1. time as also then endowed with Glebe and Tithes as by his confirmation which I have thought fit here to transcribe appeareth Universis c. Simon Dei gratia Wigorniensis Ecclesiae minister humilis in Domino salutem Confirmo praesenti pagina donationem quam probi homines de Eccleâ—â—ala donaverunt Ecclesiae praedicti Manerii in die qua eam dedicavi Sciendum est autem quod Robertus Corbusceon ejus uxor donaverunt eidem Ecclesiae imperpetuum unam virgatam terrae cum prato ad tantum terrae pertinente totam suam partem ejusdem Crosti except is duabus acris quas Wido erga eum excambiavit ad opus ejusdem Ecclesiae cum moro sub â—rosto Wido verò ex sua parte quatuor aeras in campo dimidium in prato Robertus similiter duas acras Hanc donationem similiter omnes fecerunt cum Decimis suis plenartis eidem Ecclesiae liberam quietam ab omni seculari servicio Et ego ex mea parte volo praecipio ut libera sit quieta ab omni Episcopali consuetudine Qui autem aliquid inde subtraxerit sive minuere vel perturbare praesumpserit Anathematis gladio feriatur Testibus Gervasio Archidiaconâ— Radulpho Priore de Stanes Pagano Capellano c. And as it was a Chapelry to Saltford so had the said Canons of Kenilworth a ratification thereof to them by the before specified Bishop with Releases from Raph de Budiford and Sir Ric. de Eccleshale Kt. of their right in the advouson thereof which Sir Richard was the same man as I take it who in the grant to Will. de Cantilupe formerly spoke of is called Richard Corbusceon Howbeit the fruits thereof were never appropriated to that Monastery but continued still to the Parson serving the Cure therein In An. 1291 19 E. 1. this Rectory was valued at x. marks but in 26 H. 8. at x li. at which time it appeareth that there was a Pension of xiii s. iiii d.
marrâ—ed to Will Lord Paget and Eliz. to Sir Henry Willoughby of Risley in Derbyshire by partition betwixt them it was allotted to Elizabeth and is by the same Sir Henry accordingly enjoyed the Towns that now owe suit thereto I mean to the Leet being these viz. Berkswell the three Bikenhills Sheldon Edgbaston Curdworth Minworth Kingsbury Hurley â— part of Merston juxta Kingsbury Whateley Holt Slateley half Wilneccote juxta Tamworth the half of Sekindon in Austrey the Mannour sometime belonging to Burton Abby Badsley-Endesoure Ansley Hartshill and Whitacre superior Tame fluv BEing now to speak of the particular places within this Hundred of Hemlingford according to my accustomed method in the â—est I must follow the course of Tame which having its rise from several heads about Dudley and Walshall in Staffordsh glides along with a slow and gentle course whence perhaps it became at first so called as Arrow was by reason of its swiftnesse and entring it at Aston moveth for a while Eastwards but being augmented by divers petty streams in its passage bendeth at length Northwards leaving the same together with the County at Tamworth whereunto as a farewell it giveth that name Aston juxta Bermingham This for distinction from others of that name is now commonly called Aston juxta Bermingham but antiently it was written Estone having originally had that name perhaps from the situation thereof Eastwards from Wedsbury in Staffordshire a town of some note in the Saxons time Before the Norman Conquest Edwine Earl of Mercia was Lord of this place but upon that great distribution made by King William to his friends and followers it with other vast possessions of the disherited English lying in the Counties of Surrey Berks. Buck. Oxon. Northampt. Worcester and Stafford besides much more in this Shire was bestowed on William Fitz Ausculf who had his principall seat at the Castle of Dudley in Staffordshire and by the generall Survey then taken certified to contain viii hides valued at C s. there being at that time a Church with a Mâ—â—l rated at iii. s. as also Woods extending to 3. miles in length and half a mile in breadth all then held of him by one Godmund To which William Fitz Ausculf succeeded in the Barony of Dudley and possession hereof Gervase Paganell who dying without issue left Hawise his sister and heir wife to R. Someri whereby the whole Barony of Dudley divolved to that Family Which R. Someri by her had issue Raph Someri who being possest of this Lordship as a member of the saâ—d Barony gave unto Thomas the son of William de Erdintone and his heirs about the beginning of King Iohn's time his Mannour house here at Estone with all the demesns as also divers Tenements particularly mentioned in his Charter to be held of him the said Raph and his heirs by the service of a pair of gilt Spurs or the price of them viz. vi d. payable at Easter for all services and demands whatsoever Touching which Family of Erdington I shall speak historically in Erdington where I have inserted the Descent and therefore will here take notice of what only concerns them in reference to this place In 2 H. 3. this Mannour together with Erdington was assigned by the King to Roese de Cocfeld the Widow of the before specified T. de Erdington for her present maintenance till her dowry should be set out howbeit the next year following the Shiriff had command though for what reason appears not to deliver possession of it unto Philip de Ascells for the King's use and that he should not permit William Grasse to meddle therewith nor to make any wast or destruction in the land or woods belonging thereto This being the utmost Lordship towards Staffordshire and some dispute growing touching the bounds thereof King H. 3. directed his Precept to the Justices Itinerant in 20. of his reign whereby declaring it to be his royall pleasure that there should be speciall and certain marks set forth for the limits of each Countie about the parts of this Eston in Warwickshire and Hannewurth in Staffordshire he gave command to the Shiriff of Warwickshire to bring into Lichfield upon Sunday next after the Feast of S. Iames the Apostle xii discreet and lawfull Knights there to make and establish such metes and divisions upon their Oaths and the like to the Shiriff of Staffordshire for as many out of that Countie To which Thomas de Erdinton succeeded Giles and unto him Henry which Henry about the beginning of Edw. 1. reign enfeoft Thomas de Maidenhach in this Mannour bounded by the Rivers of Tame and Burne as his Charter manifests who being so possest of it in 13 E. 1. claimed by Prescription Assize of Beer Gallows Infangthef Utfangthef with a Court Leet and Weyfs As also that he and his Tenants should be free from any suit to the Countie or Hundred Courts bounding his claim within the limits of those two Rivers before specified and had allowance of them accordingly After which viz. the next ensuing year did the said Thomas de Maidenhach obtain a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here It seems he was a servant to the King for in that grant the King calls him dilectus Valettus noster our beloved Esquire in 18 E. 1. he impleaded William de Bermingham for fishing in a part of his water called Moylsich to Scraford-bridge within this his Libertie of Aston And in 19 E. 1. was certified to hold this Lordship together with Dudston of Roger de Someri as of his Mannour of Bordesley juxta Burmingham by the Rent of ii s. viii d. payable yearly at the Feast of S. Michael for all services But all that I find farther of this Thomas de Maidenhach is that being to attend the King in his voyage beyond Sea 14 E. 1. he had speciall Letters of protection granted to him as also that he was a Benefactor to the Hospitall of S. Thomas the Apostle in Bermingham by giving thereto ten Acres of Heath lying within this his Lordship of Aston and that he departed this life without issue male for by an Inquis taken after the death of Isabel his widow in 12 E. 2. Ioane Sibill Isabell and Margaret were found to be his daughters and heirs the youngest then being above xxi years of age Of which Ioane shortly after died issulesse so that by Partition made in 12 E. 2. the possessions of the said Thomas were divided betwixt the other three viz. this Mannour of Aston with the Mannours of Gersindon in Oxfordshire Wikes and Sondâ— in Sussex and Bergholtes in Suffolk besides other lands and Rents lying in the Countie of Southampton whereof Sibill then the wife of Adam de Grymesarwe had this Lordship for her share Which Adam and Sibill had issue Iohn unto whom the said Sibill his mother by
at Dublin for his support in his service But I must not here stand to trace down the descent of that Family in Ireland it being besides my business and therefore shall pass it by with this onely note that in 12 E. 2. when Edward de Brus raised a rebellion in those parts and caused himself to be crowned King of Ireland through the singular valour and prudent conduct of Iohn de Bermingham then Commander in chief for the King against those Rebells the said Edw. de Brus with a multitude of his party were slain and the rest routed for which signall service he the said Iohn was created Earl of Loveth whose posteritie do continue there in great honour till this day bearing the antient Armes of this Family before exprest with a Castle in the sinister part of the Shield for a distinction Willielmus Petrus de Bermingham 12 H. 2. Will. de Bermingham Will. de Bermingham occcisus in praelio de Evesham 49 H. 3. Isabella filia Thomae de Estelegh Will. de Bermingham 11 E. 1. Isabella 32 E. 1. Will. de Bermingham 2 E 2. Matilda relicta 1 E 3. Will. de Bermingham miles 5 E. 3. Will. fil Will. Coleson de Walshall 2 maritus Fulco de Bermingham miles 16 E. 3. Eliz 50 E. 3. Iohanna 5 E. 3. Baldw. de Berming 13 R. 2. s. p. Will. de Bermingh miles 40 E. 3. ob s. p. Cath. filia einiscia cohaer Will. de la Planch 30 E. 3. Ioh. de Berming miles 6. R. 2. ob s. p. Eliz. altera fil cohaer Will. de la Planch ob 2 H. 6. Ioh. de Clinton miles 3. maritus Thom. de Berm mil. 2 R. 2. Isabella fil Ioh. fil Ric. de Whitacre Eliz. filia haeres Thomas de la Roche Elena ux Edm. Ferrers domini de Chartley 2 H. 6. Eliz. ux Georgii Longvile ar Ioh. de Bermingham 5 E. 3. Will. de Bermingham Will. de Berm mil. 27. H. 6. duxit Isab. fil haer W. Hilton Will. de Bermingham ob 7 Iunii 15 H. 7. Nich. Bermingham Edw. Bermingham aet 3. an 15 H. 7. Eliz. posteà nupta Will. Ludford de Ansley gen deinde Will. Askeric gen 2. 3. Ph. M. Anna filia haeres ux or Ric. Atkinson Will. Bermingham 14 H. 7. Henr. Bermingham Will. Bermingham obiit 10 Aug. 1 Eliz. Ioh. de Berm mil. 38. H. 6. Eliz. filia haer ux Baldw. fil Ric Bracebrig 19 E. 4. Thomas de Bermingh Arm. pro corp Regis 24 H. 6. Henr. de Bermingmiles 3 E. 3. ob s. p. D. Petrus de Bermingham defunctus 2 E. 2. Ela filia una haer Will. de Odingsells â— E. 2. Ioh. de Bermingham Com. de Lovâ—th in Hibernia 12 E. 2. Petrus de Bermingham 18 H. 3. I now come to Will. de Bermingham son and successor to the last mentioned William In 25 H. 3. he had a suit for certain lands lying in this place with Iohn the son of Robert de Hathewy for determination whereof certain Justices of Assize were then constituted In 34 H. 3. he was by a speciall Pat. exempted from serving on Juries and the next year following had a Charter for a Faire to be annually held here by the space of four days beginning on the Eve of the Ascension commonly called Holy Thursday as also Free warren in his Mannour of Hoggeston in Com. Buck. Not long after this I find that there grew some dispute betwixt Rog. de Someri Baron of Dudley of whose Fee Bermingham was held and this Will. de Bermingham touching the services due by him to the said Roger for this Mannour with the members thereto belonging for which he required that the same Will should perform the service of eight Knights Fees a half and fourth part and also do suit to the Court at Dudley for the Knights fees belonging thereto once every three weeks whereupon they came to an Agreement in 46 H. 3. viz. that the same Will should do service for so many Knights fees as aforesaid and appear at the Court at Dudley onely twice every year scil at that held next after Michaelmass and that likewise after Easter And moreover that whensoever the King 's Writ of Right should be executed there id est that when of necessitie all the Kts. and Peers of the same Court holding by service military were to be called thither to give Judgement in cases of difficultie as also for triall of a Theif upon reasonable Summons he should not neglect to make his appearance Upon which Agreement the before specified Roger de Someri released to him his suit of Court from three weeks to three weeks But the next thing memorable that I find of this Will. de Bermingham is that he sided with his Father in Law Thomas de Astley and the other Barons in that grand Rebellion against King H. 3. and that being slain in the battail of Evesham in 49 H. 3. and his lands extended this his Mannour of Bermingham was rated at xl l. and the inheritance of it given by the K. with divers Lordships more forfeited by others unto Roger de Clifford for his faithfull service Howbeit by vertue of the Dictum de Kenilworth whereof I have there spoke the greatest part of all mens lands so confiscate being liable to Composition this with the rest upon satisfaction made according to the tenor of that Decree was repossest by Will. de Bermingham son and heir to the Rebell who in 11 E. 1. obtained a Charter of Freewarren throughout all his demesn lands here as also within his Mannour of Stokton in Worcestershire Shetteford in Com. Oxon. Maidencote in Berkshire Hoggeston in Com. Buck. and Cristelton in Cheshire which last viz. Cristleton was given by Thomas de Estley with Isabell his daughter in frank Marriage to Will. de Bermingham Father to the present William In 13 E. 1. this Will upon a Quo Warranto brought against him and all others who excercised or claimed any Liberties or Priviledges within their Lordships exhibited K. Henry the 2. Charter for the Thursday Mercate Toll Tem Sak Sok and Infangenthef And for the Faire and Freewarren K. H. 3. Charter pleading Prescription for Weyfâ— Gallows Court Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer all which were allowed The next year following he had Letters of protection upon the King 's purposed transfretation whom he was to attend therein Whether at that time he went bâ—yâ—nd Sea considering it doth not appear by our Historians that the King himself was out of England I am uncertain but in 25 of the same King's reign it is manifest that he was in Gascoin in his service under the conduct of the Earl of Lincolne and Iohn de S. Iohn of Basing a great Baron where intending to relieve Bellagard then besieged by the Count of Arras the said Earl and Baron divided their forces the Lord S. Iohn leading the Van
Master Bermingham was to ride out from home which being accordingly done they so contrived their business that one of their plot should ride leisurely before so that they might soon keeping but an ordinary pace overtake him whereupon they watcht an opportunity to strike into Master Bermingham's company as Travailers with whom they soberly rode for a while but being come up to their confederate forthwith set upon him for his Purse so that the villain thus seemingly rob'd makes pursuit after them and likewise after Master Bermingham as one of the pack who being thereupon apprehended and prosecuted apparently saw his danger The business therefore now working according to Dudley's first design there were others imployed to Mr. Bermingham with overture how he might save his Life viz. to make the Vicount L'isle his friend in giving up this Lordship of Bermingham to him which that it might bear the better colour and be the more valid was performed by yeilding it to the King and ratified by a speciall Act of Parliament the tenor whereof was as followeth Where Edward Byrmingham late of Byrmingham in the Countie of Warwick Esquire otherwise callid Edward Byrmingham Esquire ys and standyth lawfully indettid to our sovereing Lord the Kynge in diverse grete summes of money Aud also standyth at the mercy of his Highness for that the same Edward ys at this present convicted of Felony our seide sovereign Lord the Kyng ys contentid and pleased that for and in recompence and satisfaction to his grace of the seyde summes of money to accept and take of the seyde Edwarde the Mannoâ—r and Lordship of Byrmingham otherwise callid Byrmincham with the appurtenances lying and being in the Countie of Warwick and all and singular other lands and tenements reversions Rents Services and hereditaments of the same Edward Byrmingham set lying and beyng in the Countie of Warwick afforeseyde Be yt therefore ordeyned and enacted by the authorite of this present Parliament that our saide sovereine Lord the Kynge shall have hold and enjoy to him his heirs and assignes for ever the seide Mannour and Lordship of Byrmingham c. In which Act there is a reservation of xl l. per an to the said Edward and Elizabeth his wife during their lives Howbeit after this it was no less than nine years ere the grant of it from the Crown to the said Vicount L'isle was made for it bears not date till December 21 37 H. 8. perhaps on purpose so deferred that the world might the less censure him for this hard dealing at which time the inheritance thereof together with the Burgh of Bermingham and patronage of the Rectorie late belonging unto the before specified Edward Bermingham were past unto him with other lands lying in the Counties of Salop Heref. and Worcester But how short a time he enjoy'd it my Story of him as Earl of Warwick will further shew for being attainted and losing his head in 1 M. whereby all that he had eschaâ—ted to the Crown the same Queen in 3. and 4. of her reign by her Letters Pat. dated 9 Apr. granted the inheritance thereof to Thomas Marrow Esq. whose posteritie seated at Berkswell in this Countie continue Lords of it till this day Other particulars memorable relating to this place are as followeth viz. in 35 H. 3. a grant that another Faire should be yearly kept here for three days sc. on the Eve of St. Iohn Bapt. and the two days next following the Shiriff of Worcestershire having then command to proclaim it accordingly throughout his Liberties And that in 12 E. 2. the Inhabitants at the instance of Aâ—domare de Valence Earl of Pembroke obtained a License to take Toll of all vendible commodities brought hither to be sold for the space of three years viz. for every Quarter of Corn a farthing c. towards paving the town But this work was not perfectly compleated within that time nor of xv years after for in 7 E. 3. I find that they had another Pat. to take Toll in like manner for the space of 3. years more The Hospitall of St. Thomas the Apostle THis was situate at that end of the town towards Wolverhampton and on the right hand the road almost opposite to the sign of the Bull but touching the originall Foundation thereof I have not seen any farâ—her testimony than that Certificate made by the Commissioners upon their Survey in 37 H. 8. where it is said they were informed that the Ancestors of the Berminghams Lords of Bermingham erected it for one Priest to sing Mass daylie therein for the souls of the Founders for ever as also that the late Lord of Bermingham viz. Edw. Bermingham Esq. did inter alia grant the patronage of it to one Iohn Prettye for XCIX years which said Iohn past away his title therein to Mr. Clem. Thrâ—kmorton Gentleman And the first mention of it that I find is in 13 E. 1. where it appeareth that Thomas de Maidenhache of whom I have spoke in Aston gave unto it ten acres of Heath in Aston Wiâ—â— de Bermingham x. acres likewise and Ranulph de Rokeby 3. acres of land in Saluteley About that time were divers Cottages and lands lying also in Bermingham and the adjacent Villages given to it by sundry others viz. xxii acres of land and half an acre of meadow by the same Will. de Bermingham and the rest by a number of ordinary persons for all which the Prior and Brethren thereof obtained the King's speciall pardon in 4 E. 2. in regard they had been given thereto after publication of the Statute of Mortmain made in 7 E. 1. In 24 E. 3. Foub de Bermingham and Ric. Spenser gave thereunto two Messuages and an 〈◊〉 â—crces of land lying in Aston and Bermyngham â—o find a Priest to celebrate divine servâ—c◠〈◊〉 at the Altar of our Blessed Lady in the Church of the same Hospitall for the souls of Will. le Mercer and Margerie his wife and of certain others The clear yearly value of all which lands and tenements belonging thereto over and above reprises were in 26 H. 8. certified to be viii l. v s. iii d. at which time Sir Edw. Tofte was Chantrie Priest there but in 37 H. 8. the value above reprises was rated at viii l. viii s. ix d. Patroni Custodes sive Guardiani ejusdem Hospitalis D. Episcopus Frater Rob. Marmion 16. Cal. Oct. 1326. D. Episcopus Ioh Nevill confrater Non. Nov. 1353. D. Fulco de Bermyncham miles Rob. Cappe Cap. 6. Cal. Iunii 1361. D. Fulco de Bermyncham miles Thomas Edmund Pbr. 2 Non. Aug. 1369. D. Ioh. de Clinton miles Ioh. Frotheward Pbr. 15. Nov. 1390. D. Ioh. de Clinton miles Ioh. Cheyne 5. Sept. 1393. Domina Eliz. de Clinton Henr. Bradley Pbr. 22 Oct. 1398. D. Ioh. Russell miles Tho. Salpyn 24 Sept. 1403. D. Eliz. Domina de Clinton Rob. Browe Cap. 7. Martii 1407. D.
domini Regis apud Covintriam viz. Magistro Willielmo de Kilkenny dominis Henrico de Barton Nicholao de Trye scilicet quod praedictus Comes concessit quietum clamavit de se haeredibus suis praedicto Radulfo haeredibus suis praedictam sepem totum Parcum de Draiton infra illam sepem inclusum Et pro hac concessione in pace dimissione quieta clamatione praedictus Radulfus pro se haeredibus suis concessit eidem Comiti haeredibus suis duos Damos idoneos quolibet anno de praedicto Parco captos inter Assumptionem Nativitatem beatae Mariae Virginis scil de utroque Damo quatuor membra Capud corio furcheto ita quod praedictus Radulphus vel haeredes sui per seipsos vel per nuncios suos faciant habere Bailivis praedicti Comitis vel haeredum suorum ad Manerium ipsius Comitis de Sutton praedictos duos Damos sicut praedictum est inter praedicta duo Festa Et sciendum quod praedictum Parcum de Draiton ita clausum erit quod totum erit integrum versus Forestam praedicti Comitis de Colmesfeld sine Bukestall To this Agreement were witnesses Thomas de Erdinton then Shiriff of Staffordshire Geffrey Sauvage Hugh fil Willielmi id est de Hatton Thomas de Ardern Raph de Mutton Will. de Arderne Rob. fil Willielmi Henr. fil Sewalli progenitor to the Shirleys Hugh de Cuilli Henr. de Ullenhale Alex. de Mildecumbe Iordan de Whitacre and dâ—vers other And that the succeeding Earls of Warwick still held it as their free Chase the severall Licenses that they granted to sundry persons in their own peculiar lands and Woods lying within the precincts thereof do sufficiently manifest viz. to Raph de Limesi by Will. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick to make a Park at Weford of his Wood called Ashehay in 17 E. 1. In 18 E. 1. to Raph Lord Basset to hunt in his Woods at Draiton In 21 E. 1. to Will. de Odingsells to hunt in the Woods and feilds of Weford Thickbrome and Hynts So also to Will. Mergâ—ill and Rob. de la Ward in their lands and Woods at Hynts c. And that this Chase was of high esteem with those great Earls who had here a very goodly Mannour House with fair Pools near unto it is evident as I shall now further manifest In 17 E. 1 the last recited Earl obtained a speciall Patent of the King that during his life he might have free libertie to follow and pursue such of his Deer as being hunted within this Chase fled into the Forest of Kanc and there to kill and bring them away without any disturbance of the said King's Verderers or other Officers of the Forest Nay the Earl was so tender in preserving his game that though he had given libertie to the Lord Basset for hunting in his own Woods at Draiton yet to the end it might appear that he excluded not himself he questioned the same Lord Basset for his Keepers over-boldness in those Woods So that Basset coming to an agreement with him it was concluded that from thenceforth his Forester for Draiton-woodâ— for the time being should make Oath to the said Earl and his heirs for his faithfull custodie of the Venison and to make Attachments and Presentments in the said Earl's Court at Sutton touching the same And that the Ranger to the said Earl and his heirs for the time being should oversee the Keepership of the Deer in those Woods at his own pleasure and make attachments for the same As also that the Earl should have the one half of all Amerciaments and recompence for Trespasses done to the Deer in those Woods to be received by his Baylâ—ff of Sutton Which Accord was made at Sutton on the Eve of Holy Rood day in the presence of Sir Iohn Clinton the younger Kt Thomas Prior of Canwell Anketill de L'isle Rob. de Scheldon Henr. de Mabely Will. de Lee Iohn Russell and others In 21 E. 1. there being a complaint made to the King by the before specified Earl that some misdemeanours had been committed by certain lewd persons in killing of Deer within this Chase a speciall Commission was directed to Roger Lord Strange to 〈…〉 punish them according to 〈…〉 And â—n 25 E. 1. Iohn Lord of Little 〈◊〉 came to an Accord with the before specified Earl for license to inclose his Woods at Little â—â—rre as also to improve them by assarting and for cutting of under-wood there they being within the bounds of this Chase for which libertie so granted he covenanted for himself and his heirs to pay yearly to the said Earl and his heirs six barbed Arrows on the Feast day of St. Michaell at his Mannour of Sutton I now come to the Mannour After the death of Thomas Earl of Warwick in 26 H. 3. it was inter alia assigned to Ela his Countess in dower and in 31 H. 3. upon the Agreement made betwixt Iohn de Plessets who had wedded Margerie Mareschall heir to the Earldome of Warwick as in Warwick is fully shewed and Will. Mauduit and Alice his wife Aunt and afterwards heir to the same Margerie it was accorded that the same Iohn de Plessets in case he survived his said wife should enjoy this inter alia during his naturall life But the Countess Ela was then living and a long time after for in 32 H. 3. Philip Marmiun Lord of Tamworth Castle brought an Assise against her for Common of pasture within this Lordship and in 36 H. 3. had a speciall Charter of Free warren granted to her for life in all her demeâ—n lands here as also in divers other Mannours of her dower After which viz. in 13 E. 1. VVill. de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick then Lord thereof claymed by Prescription a Court Leet here with Assize of Bread and Beer Free Chase Infangthef Tumbrell Thewe VVeyf and Gallows and it being found that he and his ancestors had excercised all these Liberties and Privileges time out of mind they were allowed To the last William succeeded Guy de Beauchamp in the Earldome of Warwick and possession of this Lordship who in 28 E. 1. obtained a Charter for a weekly Mercate here upon the Tuesday and a Faire yearly to begin on the Eve of the holy Trinity and to continue for three days following In the time of which Earl viz. in 35 E. 1. the K. having received information that the free Chase here at Sutton â— had been antiently a Forest sc. in the time of the King's progenitors before it came to the same Earl's Ancestors made Henry de Spigurnell and Will. de Mortimer Commissioners to enquire whether it were so or not and in case it should be found accordingly then to certifie when it was so disafforested by whom and for what reason as also how it past from the Crown And the Shiriff of this Countie and
integram virgatam terrae de Bondagio solebant operari cum Domino in Autumpno per duos dies similiter omnes alii Custumarii ad quantitatem tenurae per rationabilem praemonitionem Praepositi pro quo solebant habere unum Multonem pingue iiii d. Panem album xii lagenas cervisiae Et si non venerint tunc solebant amerciari ad proximam Curiam sequentem Et dicunt quod omnes praedictae Consuetudines solebant fieri à tempore Regis Athelstanâ— tempore Regis Johannis ante Coronationem Henrici Regis Et praedecessores praedictorum Iuratorum ....... dicebant Et dicunt quod Waleranus quondam Comes VVarwici concessit quod omnes praedictae consuetudines omnes aliae antiquae consuetudines pro se haered suis durabunt imperpetuum The next things of note that I have observed concerning this Lordship are these viz. that in 9 E. 2. upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick it was valued at xxiiii l. iii d. ob q. per an as also the next ensuing year in respect of the minority of his heir committed to the custody of Iohn de Someri And that in 17 E. 2. there was a notable Robberie committed upon a certain Road thwarting that part of the Chase called Colfeild â— then and yet known by the name of Rugewey the partie rob'd being one Elias le Collier and the summe of money taken from him CCC l. about nine of the Clock in the morning whereupon he commenced his suit against the Inhabitants of this Hundred of Hemlingford and those of the Hundred of Offlow in Staffordshire according to the Statute of Winchester for not prosecuting the Felons in regard that the same Way as the Record saith divideth the Counties of Warwick and Stafford viz. leaving Sutton and Aston 〈◊〉 Bermingham on the one side of it of this Countie and Barre Alrewich with part of Shenston in Com. Staff on the other side and had Jâ—â—gment to recover the money accordingly wâ—ereupon Writts being directed to the Shiriffs of both Shires to levie the said summe return was made that the people were so much indebted to the King and impoverisht by Murrein of their Cattell dearth of Corn and other accidents that they were not able to pay it Nevertheless it seems that the Shiriff pressing hard upon them by virtue of severall Writts to him directed at the procurement of the partie rob'd levied xl marks of it Much ado there was about this Money the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. pleading for himself and his Tenants immunitie from such charges and the Countie still shifting the payment so that at length they procured a Supersedeas from the King to stop any farther proceeding therein Over part of this Chase there is another antient Way called Ykenild-street though not now much noted being one of those four eminent ones made by the Romans concerning which I have said something in my discourse of Watling-street the tract whereof is yet to be seen in divers places within this Countie especially here and over a corner of Sutton Park where going over low grounds it appeareth to be firm and high ridged up with Gravell This Way coming from Tinemouth in Northumberland through Yorkshire to Bolesover and thence by Chesterfeild through Scaresdale comes over Morley-moore to Little Chester near Derby and so over Egginton Heath câ—â—â—sseth the River Dove at Monks-bridge then over Burton-moore and passing Trent at Whichnour-bridge stretcheth through Alderwas-Hays thence to Street-hey and so to Wall antiently called Etocetum where it thwarts Watling-street thence over Radley-moore leaving Little Aston on the right hand entreth this Lordship of Sutton as the Map sheweth and so extendeth it self to Alcester in this Countie Thence over Bitford-Bridge leaving Cambden in Gloucestershire a liitle on the left hand to Stow on the Woulds where it crosseth the Fosse and from Stow to Burford and over Isis at Newbridge directly â—o Wallingford and so through Winchester to Southampton But I return Perhaps the Tuesday Mercate formerly granted as is before exprest grew to be discontinued for in 27 E. 3. Thomas de Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick and Lord of this Mannour obtained another Charter for it upon the same day by which he had likewise a grant of two Faires to be yearly kept here sc. the one on the Eve of the Holy Trinitie and two days after the other on the Eve and day of St. Martin With the other lands belonging to these great Earls this Mannour at length came to Ric. Nevill in right of Anne his wife as in Warwick is shewed but towards the later end of H. 6. reign when this haughty spirited Earl sided with the House of York it was seized by the King and demised to Sir Edm. Mountfort Knight one of his Carvers for the terme of x. years and the Rangership of the Chase disposed of by the same King to Iohn Holt Esq. one of his Household servants to hold for terme of life with the Fees and profits thereof antiently due and payable How it was afterwards sc. in 14 E. 4. taken from the said Anne with the rest of the lands of her inheritance and setled by Act of Parliament upon Isabell and Anne her Daughters I have in UUarwick fully shewed as also how by a speciall grant and Act of Parl. likewise to strengthen the same it came to the Crown It now therefore remains to shew the course of it since in which disquisition I find that K. H. 7. in 5. of his reign assigned it to the before specified Anne to hold during her life After which ere long the Mercate being utterly forsaken the Town fell much to ruin and the Mannour place was totally pulled down by one Winâ—stâ—n who being imployed as an Officer there for the King made use of most of the timber for himself selling the intire fabrick of the Hall unto the Marq. Dorset which was set up at Bradgate in Leicestershire And in this dâ—cayed condition did Sutton continue till that Iohn Hâ—rman â—lias â—eâ—sy Bishop of Exeter â— bearing a gâ—eat affection thereto in respect it was the plâ—ce of his birth having obtained of the King in 19 H. 8. certain parcells of Inclosure here called More crofts and Hethe yards and more than xl acres of wast with Licence to inclose it the next year ensuing procured Letters Pat. dated 16 Dec. for the making it a Corporation by the name of a Warden and Societie to consist of xxiiii persons besides the Warden As also another yearly Faire on Simon and Iude's day with a weekly Mercate upon the Munday the Tuesday Mercate being discontinued together with a Commâ—n Hall or Monte Hall for their assemblies a Clerk of the Mercaâ—e and a Steward and one or two Sergeants at Mace the VVarden for the time being tâ— be Coroner within the same Corporation and that no Shiriff nor Bailiff shall medle within
sort the memory of whom is still famous for his singular learning as Master Cambden observes Vir rarâ doctrinâ insignis saith he qui Saxonicam Majorum nostrorum linguam desuetudine inter-mortuam oblivione sepultam primus nostra aetate resuscitavit But though he was a man so eminent in that kind it seems that his dexterie and diligence in teaching Scholars fell far short of what they expected For it appears that soon after his feeling here the Corporation took great exceptions at him for the neglect of his School and exhibited Articles against him in the Chancery wheâ—eupon after the sitting of a Commission and sundry depositions taken he procured Letters from the Councell Table admonishing them â—â—at they should not go about his removall except aâ—y notable crime could be proved against him so that in conclusion finding such slender esteem amongst them he accepted of his arrears and a gratuitie of ten pounds whereof the said Bâ—shop of Exeter gave five marks and in 1 Edw. 6. resigned â—o that his stay in this place was not much more than a year But how long these Trustees continued so zealous for the good of the School and faithfull in diâ—posing the profits of the lands before specified to the designed uses I cannot affirm perhaps whilst the Bishop lived which was till towards the end of Queen Maries reign Sure I am that to such an height of covetousness they did in time grow that to prevent the Schoolmasters from enjoying what was justly due unto them they contrâ—ved to elect them of their Societie I mean of the Corporation before they could be acquainted with their right so that hauing made Leases of their Lands to their Children or friends for small Rents reserved it should not be in the School-master's power being so bound up as one of that Body politique to question the same Thus was the pious intent of the well-meaning Founder abused till that within these few years the fraud being discovered some remedie was had by a Chancerie Decree at the prosecution of Iohn Michaell the then Schoolmaster that famous man the Lord Coventre being Lord Keeper of the great Seal Hill and Little Sutton THese two petty Hamlets I now joyn together because I find that a good part of them antiently belong'd to the Little Priorie of Canwell situate on the borders of this Countie but witâ—in Staffordshire Which lands as part of Sutton were first given thereto by one of the antient Earls of Warwick as I guess for it appears that Waleran Earl of Warwick made a confirmation to the Monks of that House of three yard land lying in Hulle which is this Hill given to them by Earl Roger his Father To which Monasterie they continued till the dissolution thereof in 17 H. 8. but then by the name of the Mannours of Hull and Little Sutton were they granted together with the site of that Religious house and other its possessions by the King's Letters Pat. dated 20 Ian. the same year unto Cardinall Wolsey who soon after conferr'd them on the Dean and Canons of his Colledge then called Cardinall-Colledg in Oxford Maney and Warmley THese Hamlets are parcell of the Lordship of Sutton and therefore not to be farther spoke of Wigginshill THis being possest by Turchill de Warwick in the Conqueror's time was by the generall Survey certified to contain 3 yard land having Woods of two furlongs in length and as much in breadth one Bruning being then his Tenant thereto whose freehold it had been before the Norman invasion but in that Record it is written Winchicelle and valued at v s. With the rest of Turchill's lands it came to the Earls of Warwick as is evident by the Certificate of their Fees in 20 H. 3. at which time one Will. Bonchivalier enjoyed it but afterwards sc. in 36 H. 3. Raph de Wylinton held it together with Chiriton of the same Earls by the service of a Knights Fee To whom succeeded Iohn de Wylinton in 9 E. 2. who held it single for the fourth part of a Knight's Fee and there it is written Wyginghull The next possessor thereof that I find was Will. de Lucy who in 20 E. 3. held it by the same fourth part of a Knights Fee of Iohn de Hull and he of the before specified Iohn de Wylinton and he of the Earl But by a Court Roll of 35 E. 3. Baldw. de Bereford owner of Langley hard by is said to be Lord of it whose Ancestor Osbert de Bereford had lands here in E. 1. time And in 10 H. 6. Iohn Hore of Wishaw Esq descendant of the same Baldwin yet not by the name of a Mannour but three Messuages and that he held them by the fourth part of a Kts. Fee Which Messuages were in Q. Eliz. time sold to Thomas Gibons then of New Hall by Rob. Pudsey Esq heir to the same T. Hore as in Langley appeareth reserving the antient Rent viz. xlvi s. ii d. ob per an to himself and his heirs There was antiently a suit betwixt the Abbot of Leicester as Rector of the Church of Curdworth and the Parson of Sutton for certain Tithes arising out of nine yard land lying in this Hamlet whereof six were of the Earl of Warwick's Fee and the other three of the Fee of Thomas de Arden and pertaining to the Church of Curdworth And because it was a hard matter to distinguish betwixt these Fees at length by authority from the Pope certain Judges were appointed to determine the businesse who decreed that two parts of the Tithe Corn of the said nine yard land should be payd to the Church of Sutton and the third to Curdworth And also that the Inhabitants upon the same six yard land of the Earls Fee should repair to the Mother-Church of Sutton on the Feast days of the Assumption of our Lady and Easter and there communicate and that the Priest of Sutton should shrive them in Lent and on their Death-beds And moreover that at Sutton they should bury their dead and pay to that Church all their small Tithes throughout the year But because of their great distance from the said Mother-Church they could not without much inconvenience go thither that they should pay all their Oblations and Obventions to the Priest ministring at Curdworth from whom they might receive spiritual comfort as occasion should require As also that the Priest of Sutton should yearly pay to the Church of Curdworth iiii d to buy Frankincense And lastly that the Inhabitants upon the other three yard land of Arden's Fee should be answerable to the Mother-Church of Curdworth for all Obventions and Oblations Langley THat this was originally a member of Sutton in which parish it lyes I incline to believe for in 37 H. 3. which is the first mention that â— ever saw of it Walter de Bereford did inter alia grant to Walter his son L. acres of
all his lands in this Wishawe Langley Sutton and elsewhere upon Will. de Bereford his Brother It shâ—uld seem that these Berefords had that here in Wishawe â— which belong'd to the Templars for in 20 E. 2. which was after the accession of the Templars lands to the Hospitalars as in Balshall shall be shewed it was found that Will. de Bereford beforenamed held a Mannour here of the said Hospitalars by the service of xvii d. to be paid at Michaelmas and the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lady by even portions for all services Touching the Descendants of which Will. de Bereford having spoke in Langley their principall seat in this Countie I have â—ere no more to say of them than that in 19 E. 3. Edmund de Bereford had a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here From which Family it came to Hore and from Hore to Pudseâ— both by heirs femaleâ— as the Descent in Langley sheweth and therefore 't is needlesse here to gâ—ve farther instance thereof In An. 1291 19 E. 1 the Church dedicated to S. Chad was valued at v. marks and in 19 E 2. the advouâ—on thereof granted by Will. de Castell to Will. de Bereford but in 26 H. 8. the value was certified at Cv s. over and above ix s. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Will. de Castello mil. Nich. de Castello 5 Id. Dec. 1306. Georgius de Castello miles Will. de Laberton Accol 10 Cal. Feb. 1310. D. Edm. de Bereford miles Ioh. Stene Cler. 7 Id. Sept. 1342. D. Edm. de Bereford miles Nich. de Lichfeld Cler 14 Cal. Aug. 1349. D. Edm. de Bereford miles Ioh. Grant Cap. 2 Cal. Iulii 1350. Baldw. de Whitenay Decan Eccl. Coll. de Tamworth Tho. de Morehall hac vice Ric. de Geytingdon Cap. 12 Cal. Sept. 1361. Baldw. de Whitenay Decan Eccl. Coll. de Tamworth Tho. de Morehall hac vice Will. de Osmundeston Pbr. 5 Cal. Dec. 1361. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Steph. de Carleton Pbr. Id. Nov. 1367. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Thomas Frome Pbr. 3 Non. Sept. 1375. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Ioh. de Eton Pbr. 12 Cal. Apr. 1376. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Thomas Haddon Pbr. 11 Cal. Dec. 1377. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Henr. Eaytewayte Pbr. 18 Nov. 1383. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Ric. Brewes Pbr. 14 Martii 1396. D. Baldw. de Bereford miles Ioh. Romay 15 Aug. 1405. Eliz. relicta Baldw. de Bereford militis Ioh. Wermote Cap. 2 Oct 1412. Eliz. relicta Baldw. de Bereford militis Nich. Braddeley 7 Iulii 1413. Custos Coll. liberae Capellae Reg. de Windsore Ioh. Rolf Cap. 27 Aug. 1414. Eliz. relicta Balw de Bereford mil. Will. Clerke Cap. 23 Iulii 1416. Ioh. Hore dominus de Wishaw arm Thomas Hemyngburgh 8 Oct. 1425. Ioh. Hore dominus de Wishaw arm Ioh. Harman Pbr. 9 Oct. 1431. Ioh. Hore dominus de Wishaw arm Rob. Yerburgh Pbr. 19 Martii 1431. Ioh. Hore dominus de Wishaw arm Rad. Horleston Pbr. 18 Nov. 1433. Hilb. Hore de Childerley ar Thomas Spenser Pbr. 8 Aug. 1436. Hilb. Hore de Childerley ar Ioh. Gallard 3 Sept 1439. Hilb. Hore de Childerley ar Ric. Sturges ult Apr. 1441. Hilb. Hore de Childerley ar Ioh. Tamworth Canon regul S. Aug. 7 Dec. 1444. Thomas Hore ar Will. Beket Cap. 15 Ian. 1456. Rob. Perham ratione minoris aet Gilb. fil haer Tho. Hore Thomas Dene Cap. 19 Iunii 1494. Rob. Perham ratione minoris aet Gilb. fil haer Tho. Hore Will. Clayton art Magr. 21 Ian. 1494. Tho. Fulthorp Editha ux sua â—ilia haer Ioh. Hore Magr. Will. Burgh in leg Bac. penult Martii 1504. Tho. Fulthorp Editha ux sua â—ilia haer Ioh. Hore D. Will. Smith Cap. ult Maii 1538. Rob. Pudsey gen D. Will. Bowes alias Vicars 5 Aug. 1552. Ioh. L'isley ar ex concess Georgii Pudsey ar Edw. Warde in art Bac. 21 Ian. 1584. Geo. Pudsey ar Ioh. Wilston Cler. 10 Feb. 1602. Geo. Pudsey de Langley gen Mich. Walford Cler. in art Magr. 7 Oct. 1629. Moxhull THis though it be in the Parish of Wishaw seemeth to have been originally a member of Curdworth for 't is evident that the Ardens held it immediately of the Earls of Warwick But the Ancestors of that Family which doth still enjoy it have possest it for more than four hundred years and had it first from one of the Ardens lord of Curdworth as is cleer enough by the Tenure for by severall Inquisitions and other authorities it appeareth to be held of their posterity The first mention that I have met with thereof in any Record is in 36 H. 3. Where it is written Mukeshull Walt. de Bereford having brought an Assize of Novell desseisin against Nich. de L'ile and others for Common of pasture there which Nicholas was the son of William and he of Henry as I think for I have seen antient evidences which do import as much so that 't is like that Henry was he that seated himself here and probable enough it is that Herbert del Yle for so is his name written might be Father to Henry for I find him a witnesse to severall Charters of Geffrey de Clinton son to Geffrey the Founder of Kenilworth Castle and and Priory about the beginning of H. 2. time This William father of Nich. was a person of the superior rank amongst the gentry in this Shire as may seem by a specialll Commission constituting him one of the Justices for the Gaol-delivery at Warwick and Kenilworth but all that I have farther seen of him is that he was a Witnesse to the grant of certain assarted lands in Pedimore which Henry Earl of Warwick made to Thomas de Arden Neither after 10 E. 1. have I found any mention of the before specified Nicholas he being then exempted from serving on Juries by the Kings Letters Pat. To which Nich. succeeded Anketil de L'ile who wedded Iulian the daughter and heir to Rob. de Blaggreve of Midleton and did his Homage to Philip Marmion Lord of Tamworth Castle for the lands he had with her in frank marriage of his Fee Which Ankâ—tel had suits with Raph de Gorgesâ— of Dunton concerning certain lands here in Moxhull about 22 E. 1. and left issue Henry who was a Servant in much trust and esteem unto Raph Lord Basset of Draiton a great man in these parts For in the Commission he had from that Baron to treat with Sir Rob. Marmion concerning the Mannours of Netherwhitacre Halughton Pericroft and Glascote all in this County in 14 E. 2. the Lord Basset calls him nostre chiere bien ame Vadlet his dear and welbeloved
Alice one of the sisters and coheirs to Iohn Masterson Which Thomas in the first year of Q. Mary being one of the Justices of Peace in this County received a speciall Precept from Francis Earl of Huntingdon the Queens Levtenant forthwith to muster and levy such and so many able men well appointed for the Warrs as he should call together meet to serve the said Queens highnesse under that Earl against the Duke of Suffolk and his complices then proclaimed Traitors and to bring them forthwith both Horse and Foot to Warwick Castle where the said Earl then lodg'd In which service he was so active that as a reward for his diligence the Q. granted him a Warrant under her Signet to the Marquesse of Winchester then Lord Treasurer for a grant to passe the great Seal of the Mannour of Hampton in Arden for xxxi years in reversion after the decease of the Lady Margaret then wife to Sir Gawen Carew Knight upon the old accustomed Rent of xxx li. to be reserved unto the said Queen her heirs and successors But the number of years fell short in the Patent for it was but for xxâ— years and the Rent increased to Lv li. As for the rest which relates to this Family either in point of descent or matches the Pedegree before inserted will shew all that I can say Returning now to the banks of Tame I come to Ousthirne whereof in respect it was heretofore a Grange belonging to Merevale I shall reserve what is to be said till I speake of that Abby and so ascending the stream of Blithe whose confluence with Tame is near this place take notice next of Solihull within the precincts of which Lordship it first enters this Hundred Solihull OF this I have not seen any mention till King Iohn's time where the profit of the Leetes kept for the severall Hundreds and some other places is certified one Mark is accounted for it but though the name be of no greater antiquity yet that the place I mean the whole territory which of antient time and still is reputed to belong thereto is I will presently demonstrate notwithstanding that it had at first another appellation and to that end shall begin my discovery by the light of that incomparable Record viz. Domesday book Where I find that it was heretofore called Uluerlei and that Edwine Earl of Mercia possest it in Edward the Confessor's days but after the Conquest one Cristina then owner of Ichinton longa in this County At which time it was certified to contain viii hides and that the Woods belonging thereto were 4 miles in length and half a mile in breadth there being then a Church How it came to passe appears not but certain it is that the rate of all was much lesse at that time than before the Norman Invasion for then it amounted to x li. in value whereas at the time of the generall Survey but iiii li. That this with the other lands which the said Cristina then held came to the Familie of Limsie I have in Long-Ichinton already manifested here being the seat of Limsie's Barony I mean in that place called Ulverle about a mile distant from Solihull Northwards though there be now so litâ—le memory thereof that were it not for some grounds lying adjacent to a petty Hamlet called Olton which yet retaining the name of Hullerley gave me occasion of farther search I should have been at a great losse for the discovery thereof but looking well thereabouts and making diligent enquiry of the Inhabitants I found a large Moat containing within it at least an Acre whereon they say a Castle long since was situate though now nothing be left thereof a parcell of old Oaks growing where the buildings stood which tradition hath the more colour of truth forasmuch as there is a Lane near at hand bearing the name of Castle lane Some of the neighbourhood do call this Hoggs moat which I conceive is intended Odingsells moat but by corrupt pronuntiation now so termed for I have seen the name of Odingsells very antiently written Hoginsells Which grounds being at least a mile diameter have heretofore been a Park as the Country people say and is probable enough from the large bank that lieth on the out side of them invironed with Lanes Not far from whence are the Vestigia of three very large Pooles long ago converted to meadow ground And 't is not to be doubted but that the Village now called Olton was antiently this Wolverle above specified which since the plantation at Solihull having lost the true name is and hath since Edw. 1. time for brevitie been called Olton id est the Old town In H. 1. time I find that Raphe de Limesi the first of this line who was a great man in the Conqueror's days as appears by the possessions he then had lying in divers Counties of England gave to the Church of Piriton in Hartfordshire which he had founded two parts of the Tithes here at Wolverle â— then written Hulferle From which Raph the male line of these Limesies continued but four descents and then between two sisters and coheirs the Barony became divided as in Ichinton I have shewed this upon the partition falling to Basilia the wife of Hugh de Odingsells by whom it was disposed of to Will. de Odingsells his younger son in whose time was Solihull out of the ruines of Wulverle grown to be a town of some note as it seems for in 26 H. 3. he had a Charter bearing date 9 Apr. for a Mercate on the Wednsday every week and a yearly Faire beginning on the Eve of S. Alphage and continuing for 3 days that being the Saint to whom the Church had been dedicated for that it was a very antient usage to have the Faire at that time when the day of the Churches Dedication was yearly solemnized I have in my discourse of Stratford super Avon given a reason In the same 26 th year of H. 3. was this Will attendant upon the King in person beyond the Seas but being returned the next year following he obtained License that there should be a Perambulation made betwtixt the lands in Kings-Norton and Bromesgrove in Worcestershire belonging to the Crown which then were in the hands of Henry de Hastings by Lease and the lands of the above specified Will. de Odingsells here at Solihuâ—l by the Shiriffs of Worcestershire and Warwickshire and xii lawfull and discreet Knights of each Countie After which viz. in 33 H. 3. this William whom my Author calls miles strenuus being made Governour of Montgomeri Castle in Wales was the same year one of those that met at the Tourneament then held at Brackley in Northamptonshire where he had some affront offered to him by Will. de Valence the King's brother who being an Alien had got Richard Earl of Gloucester to side with him by which means the English were much insulted
shew the inheritance of it was shortly after past out of the Crown unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick upon whose attainder by Queen Mary whereof I have spoke in Warwick it became disposed of by that Queen to Edward Lord Dudley and to the heirs male of his body who rendred it back again to the Crown as it seems for I find that the same Queen soon after intending to restore that Religious House of the Knights Hospitalars situate near Smithfield to some part of the lustre it antiently had having to that purpose made Sir Thomas Tresham Knight Lord Prior thereof did inter alia give this Mannour of Balshall thereunto But all that fair design of hers being blasted very soon after Queen Elizabeth began to reign this Mannour of Balshall was by Letters Patent from that Queen dated 29. Iunii 8. Eliz. given to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester and his heirs Kinwaldsey THis petty Hamlet having been so called from some possessor thereof in the Saxons time lyes at a great distance from the Parish Church and hath been antiently reputed and still is esteemed as a member of Hampton but whether it were given to the Nunns of Mergate in Bedfordshire by Rog. de Moubray of whom in Hampton I have spoke or by one of the Ardens who had that Lordship of Hampton from his grant I cannot say yet cleer it is that 't was one of them who so gave it for it appears that Cristina Prioresse of Mergate and the rest of her fellow Nunns did demise it together with Didington unto the first William de Arden about King Ric. 1. time for both which they reserved the yearly Rent of xx s. and that Hugh de Arden son and heir to the same William purchased the inheritance of them both from Isabell the succeeding Prioresse and the Covent of that House for the summe of xxx marks And that these together with Knolle came to the Monks of Westminster but how afterwards they were disposed of I cannot well discover Didington OF this I can say no more than what I have exprest in Kinwaldsey Chadleswic THis place being origina◠〈◊〉 member of Hampton was by Roger deâ— Moubray granted unto Peter de Arden to hold by the tenth part of a Knights Fee in which grant or rather confirmation it is said to have been at first given to the said Peter by Raphe his father called Radulphus de Hamtona as I have elsewhere shewed From this Peter it came to Roger his brother whom he made his heir and so descended to William de Arden who granted it in dower inter alia unto Amicia de Tracy his wife by the name of tota villa de Chadeleswiz But after this viz. in 20. and 36 H. 3. Peter de Montfort was certified to hold it by the eight part of a Knights Fee though how this comes to passe I cannot give a reason for cleer it is that in 29 E. 1. Iohn Peche descended from an heir female of Arden enjoyed it And farther I have not seen any considerable mention of it wherefore I conclude that it was swallowed up in Hampton Badsley-Clinton THis forasmuch as it was heretofore a member of Hampton comes most properly to be next spoke of In the Conqueror's Survey it is not particularly mentioned as being involved with Hampton wherewith it came to Nigel de Albani which Nigell or Roger de Moubray his son enfeoft Walter de Biseg or the father of the same Walter thereof in H. 1. time as may be inferred from that Certificate in 12 H. 2. To which Walter succeeded Raphe and to him Iames de Bisege who bore for his Armes Frette as by his Seal appeareth and left issue Mâ—zera his daughter and heir wedded to Sir Thomas de Clinton of Colshill Knight by whom she had divers sons as the Descent in Colshill will manifest whereof Iames the fourth had the inheritance of this Lordship assigned unto him for part of his patrimony paying 1 d per an to his Fathers heirs whence it came to be named Badsley-Clinton for distinction from another Badsley in this Hundred To which Iames succeeded Thomas who left issue two daughters and heirs scil Ioane first married to Iohn Coningsby but afterwards to Iohn Fowkes of Dry-Merston in Gloucestershire and Petronill to Iohn Wodard of Solihull which Iohn Coningsby for C. marks of silver in 29 E. 3. bought out the interest that the same Iohn Wodard and Petronill had here But whether Coningesby had any issue by the same Ioane or not I am uncertain for evident it is that Fowkes her second husband lived here and in 18 R. 2. joyned with her in the passing of it unto one Nicholas Dudley a tradesman of Coventre and Major of that City in 1 H. 4. But perhaps this was only an estate in trust for it appears that in 2 H. 4. Robert Burdet of Kynghull and Ioane his wife purchased it of Richard Bushell of Dry-Merrston in Gloucestershire and Margaret his wife which Margaret was daughter and heir to Iohn Fowke and Ioan his wife as the Pedegree of Clinton in Colshill doth manifest From which R. Burdet it came to one Nic. Metley a Lawyer by purchase who bequeathing his Body to sepulture in the Temple Church at London appointed that this Mannour should be sold by his Executors inter alia and with the moneys thence arising four Priests provided to celebrate divâ—ne Service for his Soule and the souls of his Ancestors for one whole year after his decease or else two Priests for two years and besides this one other Priest to do as much here at Badsley for the like terme constituting Margaret his mother Ioane his wife and Rob. Catesby his Executors which Margaret and Iâ—ane sold it unto the said Robert Catesby their fellow Executor who enjoyed it accordingly till after the battail of Northampton which was about xx years but then did Iohn Hugford of Emscote in right of Margaret his wife daughter and heir to the before specified Nicholas Mesley enter upon it and by the countenance of Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick whose Steward he was kept possession thereof during the whole life of the said Robert Howbeit before the death of the same Iohn Hugford Nich. Catesby son and heir of Robert made his entrie upon it again and from that time enjoyed it during the whole life of Hugford and eleven years after that the daughters and heirs of the said Iohn whose Descent in Emscote is to be seen disseised him whereupon the before mentioned Nich. Catesby discerning the title to be so disputable past it away unto Iohn Brome a Lawyer by which means it came to the Family of Ferrers as the Pedegree here inserted doth manifest Rob. Brome de Warwick 20 R. 2. Joh. Brome Senior 8 H. 4. Johanna filia haeres Thomae Rody de
Badsley-Clinton Joh. Brome de Badsley Clinton caesus 8 E. 4. Beatrix filia Rad. Shirley mil. â—ocosa Priorisla de Wroxhale Tho. Brome de Wodlow duxit Ioannam fil .... Midlemore de Egebaston obiit s. p. Isabella ux Phil. Purefey postea Thomae Denton Nich. Brome de Badsley obiit 9 H. 8. Eliz. ux Raufredi Arundell mil. ux 1. Isab. ux Thom. Maâ—row servâ—entis ad legem temp H. 7. Dorothea primo nupta Franc. Cokain ar postea Humfr. Ferrers mil. Constantia obiit 30 Sept. 1551. Edw. Ferrers miles obiit 29 Aug. Anno 1535. Henr. Ferrers ar obiit an 1526. Cath. filia Ioh. Hampden de Hampden in Com. Buck. mil. Edw. Ferrers ar obiit 11. Aug. 1564. Brigitta filia Will. domini Windsor Henr. Ferrers ar obiit 10. Oct. 1633. Iana filia cohaeres Hâ—nr White de South-Warnborn in Com. Southampt ar Edw. Ferrers ar Anna filia Will. Peto de Chesterton ar Nich. Brome de Badsley obiit 9 H. 8 Cath. filia ...... Lampeck ux 2. Edw. Brome de Wodlow duxit Marger fil Ioh. Beaufo de Emscote obiit s. p. Nich. Brome de Badsley obiit 9 H. 8 Leticia fil Nic. Catesby de Neunham ux 3. Rad. Brome frater haeres Edwardi Anna filia Regin Digby de Colshill ar Will. Brome de Makstoke-Hall Regin Brome de Wodlow Eliz. filia Thom. Skeffington de Skeffington in Com. Leic. ar Ioh. Brome de Pakinton parva Will. Brome de Halton in Com. Oxon. Robertus Brome Christoph. Brome Iohannes Brome de Halton Margar. soror haeres Thom. Rous de Ragley Christoph. Brome de Halton miles Alianora filia Will. Baronis Windsor obiit Anno 1592. Georgius Brome fil haeres Will. Brome obiit in pueritia Ursula filia haeres uxor Thomae Whorwood de Sandall in Com. Staff mil. Of this Iohn Brome the Lawyer who had first to do here I find that he did descend from a Familie of that name which for severall Descents were Tanners and resided in that suburbe of Warwick South of the Bridge the House still retaining the name of Brome's-place and that Robert his grandfather was a Lawyer as also Steward of the Courts to Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for his lands in this Countie And that Iohn his Father served in the Parliament of 8 H. 4. as one of the Burgesses for the town of Warwick and likewise that they were owners of Brome-Hail or Brome's place in Lapworth whence 't is believed they originally came Which Iohn before he so acquired Catesbye's title to this Lordship had certain lands within the precincts thereof in right of his mother scil Ioane daughter and heir unto Thomas Rodie and for a great part of King Henry the sixt's reign bore much sway in these parts being under Treasurer in the Exchequer But in our publique Records his name is mistaken and written Brown as appeareth in the Commission for assessing of a Subsidie in 14 H. 6. and for treating with the people about a Loan of money to the King From 30 H. 6. till the end of that King's reign I find him in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Countie and in 38 H. 6. one of the Commissioners of Array Howbeit after the beginning of E. 4. reign he was set aside as to any publique employment and at length had the hard fate to be slain by Iohn Herthill Steward to Rich. Nevill the great Earl of Warwick who sending for him out of the White Friers Church in London where he was then at Mass upon some words which hapned betwixt them kil'd him in the Porch the occasion of their quarrell being in shâ—re this Herthill having mortgaged the Mannour of Woodlow to this Iohn would have redeem'd it again for the money borrowed but Brome lying upon advantage resolved to keep the land whereupon growing into height of words in disputing the business Herthill mortally wounded him Before he departed the world having time to make his Will he used therein this expression scil that he forgave his son Thomas who smiled when he saw him run through by Herthill in the White Friers Church-Porch In which Church for there he was buried he had this Epitaph upon his Tombe-stone Nâ—bilis docti sic Regni jure periti Subâ—â—it ut Pulvis Brome corpus cerne Johannis Ingenâ—â— natus â—estis Warwic Comitatus Huâ—us in Ecclesia facta qui corruit ense Pravorum manibus sub Missae tempore caesus Sarcophago Nonis sepelitur mense Novembris Sexaginta Centum quater octo jungito Mille Alme pater requiem sibi praestat habere perennem By Beatrice his wife daughter to Sir Raphe Shirley Knight he left issue divers Children of which Nicholas succeeded him as Lord of this Mannour who from 3 H. 7. till 9 H. 8. was a Juâ—tâ—ce of Peace in this Shire as also for divers yearâ— a Commissioner for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and of Array and in 20 H. 8. Shirâ—ff of this Countie and Leicestershire This Nich. resenting the death of his Father very much about thâ—ee years after way-lay'd the before mentioned Iohn Herthill in Longbridg-field in his pasâ—age towards Barford to keep the Earl of Warwick's Court and there after a short encounter slewâ— him Whereupon Elizabeth Herthill's widow began to stir against him by way of Appeal for killing her husband but by mediation of friends Arbitrators were chosen to accord the business who awarded that she should release unto the same Nicholas all Actions personall and Appeales and that he the said Nich. should pay Câ—li sterling in S. Maries Church at Warwick for the maintenance of a Priest for one whole year to sing Masse and pray for the souls of Iohn Brome and Iohn Herthill so slain as hath been expressed she the said Eliz. finding to the Priest Bâ—â—â—d Wine and Wax as oft as he should so say Maâ—â— And moreover that the same Nich. should at his own prâ—per costs by the space of two years 〈◊〉 a Priest to sing Masse in the Church of Badsley-â—â—â—â—ton for the souâ—s abovesaid which Award bears date at Coventre 18 â— Martii 12 E. 4. Of this Nich. I have further seen that comâ—ming on a time into his Parlour here at Badsley he found the Parish-Priest chocking his wife under the chin whereat he was so enraged that he presently kil'd him For which offence obtaining the King's Pardon and the Popes he was enjoyn'd to do something towards the expiation thereof whereupon he new built the Towre-steeple here at Badsley from the ground and bought three Bells for it and raised the body of the Church ten foot higher all which was exprest in his Epitaph now torn away And likewise built the Steeple of Packwood in which Church windows was this Inscription Orate pro anima Nicholai Brome qui Campanile de Pacwood fieri fecit But farther of him I have not found any thing
made in 2 E. 1. betwixt the daughters and heirs of Cantilupe came to Eudo la Zouche with Milisent his wife This Thomas de Clinton was a man of fair possessions for it appears that he held five Kts. fees of the Earl of Warwick In 32 H. 3. I find that he had a great suit with Hugh de Culi touching Common of pasture here in Colshill which the said Hugh claymed as belonging to his lands in Merston-Culi adjacent and that in the same year he was one of the Justices for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick as also in 35 H. 3. constituted the King's Eschaetor in this Countie in those days an Office of great note for performance whereof he made Oath in the presence of Henry de Wengham afterwards Chancellour of England and the Shiriff of the Shire and had a speciall precept to the same Shiriff to exempt him from serving on Juries by reason of that imployment which held till 37 H. 3. In 38 H. 3. he obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn-lands here In 45. and 49 H. 3. he was again in Commission for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and bore for his Armes onely a Chief which I conceive was Azure the feild being Argent in regard that his posteritie retained the same ordinarie with those colours and wedded Mazera the daughter and heir of Iames de Bisegg Lord of Badsley in this Countie by whom he had issue divers children as the Descent sheweth whereof unto Iohn whom I take to be his second son he gave the inheritance of this Mannour with all his right in the advouson of the Church reserving to himself an C l. sterling during his own life in consideration thereof and the performance of such service to his heirs as to the Chief Lord of the Fee was due and accustomed as also after his own decease 1 d. yearly to be payd at Christmass to his heirs for all services except forrain entailing it upon his other son Osbert and his heirs in case the same Iohn should die without issue which grant was made in 44 H. 3. as appears by the Fine then levied for confirmation thereof This Iohn adhering to the Barons against K. Henr. 3. was one of those that held out Kenilworth-Castle touching the siege whereof I have elsewhere spoke for which offence this Mannour being inter alia seized on was bestowed upon Roger de Clifford but thereof was he not long out of possession through that favourable Decree called Dictum de Kenilworth after which he grew in such esteem for his fidelitie that from 6 E. 1. till 20 of the same King's reign he was sundry times in Commission for the Gaol-deliverie at Warwick and in 25 E. 1. intrusted together with Andrew de Astley a great person in these parts to choose and retain all such Knights and Esquires within this Countie as they should think fit for the service to attend Prince Edward then the King's Lieutenant in England with Horse and Armes at London on the Octaves of S. Mich. to be imployed as he the said Prince and the King's Councell should direct In 13 E. 1. he claimed by Prescription within this his Lordship of Colshill Assize of Bread and Beer Gallows Pillorie Tumbrell a Court-Leet Infangthef â— and Utfangthef Mercate Faire and Free-warren but it being demanded of him how he could justifie the said claim he replied that thereto he was not bound to make answer without the King 's speciall Writ to enquire of his Ancestors being seized thereof whereupon there was no more at that time said and bore for his Armes Argent upon a chief Azure two flower de Lices Or as by his Seal and Monument in an arch of the Wall of Colshill-Church where he lieth in male cross-leg'd is yet to be seen which kind of Buriall was onely used by those that had taken upon them the Cross to serve in the Holy-land as Mr. Cambden observes To him succeeded Iohn de Clinton his son and heir who being afterwards a Kt. and in 28 E. 1. constituted one of the Conservators of the Peace in this Countie the next year following had summons amongst dâ—veâ—â— great men to be at Barwick upon Twede on the Feast of the Nativitie of St. Iohn Bapt. well furnisht with Horse and Armes to attend the King in his Scotch expedition So also in 34 E. 1. to be at Carleol in the quinzime of the Nativitie of St. Iohn Bapt. with the King's Army to march against Robert Brus then in Armes in Scotland and in 16 E. 2. had the custodie of the passage from England towards Scotland from Whitoff haven unto Creshopheved This Sir Iohn bore for his Armes Or three piles Azure and a Canton Ermine as by his Seal and other authorities appeareth and wedded Alice the daughter of Sir Rob. de Grendon Kt. by whom he had issue Iohn his son and heir who in 5 E. 3. was a Kt. and bore for his Armes Argent upon a Chief Azure two flowre de Lices Or as his grandfather did and departing this life in 27 E. 3. left issue by ..... daughter of Sir Roger Hillarie Kt. Ioane his daughter and heir within age who first became the wife of Sir Iohn Mountfort Kt. by which means this Lordship of Colshill divolved to that Family secondly of Sir Iohn Sutton Kt. Lord of Dudley and thirdly of Sir Henry Griffith of Wichnoure Kt. Which Sir Iohn de Montfort was the illegitimate son of Peter de Montfort of Beldesert in this Countie but by reason of his said marriage made his residence here and in 35 E. 3. served in the Parliament at Westminster as one of the Kts. for this Shire In 38 E. 3. he was one of the principall Commanders of those few English forces which having besieged the Castle of Doverey in France encountred Charles de Bloys with neer thrice that number which he routed slew the said Charles with neer a thousand others took Prisoners two Earls 27 Lords besides xv men at Armes and left issue Sir Baldwin de Montfort Kt. But Ioane his widow held this Lordship during her life and in 45 E. 3. being then Sir Henry Griffith's wife entailed it upon his issue by her and for lack of such issue upon Iohn the son of Sir Iohn de Sutton and the heirs of his bodie and for lack of such issue upon Baldwin the son of Sir Iohn de Montfort her first husband with divers other remainders Whence I observe that her husband Griffith though he was the last became the first in her respects and Montfort the first set in the last place But all that I have seen worth observance of this Sir Baldwin is that he was one of the Commissioners of Array in this Countie in 8 R. 2. as also that he attended
to the posteritie of the said Sir George passed away all his right therein to Sir Rob. Digby Kt. and his heirs by whom it is enjoyed together with Colshill at this day Hawkswell THis is no Mannour of it self but as a member of Colshill and involved therewith hath been and is still enjoyed by the owners of that Lordship Gilsdon THis was heretofore written Gudlesdone for it seems that the Hill which lyes North-Eastwards from the Village being antiently so called gave denomination thereunto But the first mention I find of it in Record is in 10 E. 3. where it appears that one Will. le Wrounge of Colshill whose inheritance it was past away his right therein unto Sir Ric. de Peshale Kt. for an C. marks of silver the occasion whereof was this Sir Richard having an estate for life in the Mannours of Hinton in Cambridgeshire and Shustoke in this Countie was requested by Will. de Clinton then Earl of Huntingdon of whom in Maxstoke I have spoke to quit his right therein unto him inasmuch as he the said Earl had obained the estate in reversion of those Lordships from the Lord Moubray in exchange for other lands whereunto the said Sir Richard assented upon condition that he might have this Mannour cleerly and libertie to take down and remove whether he pleased a certain new House then built by him at Shustoke and likewise to carry away such timber as he had cut down in the Park at Shustoke as also to fell and take away six Oaks more for timber and six for fuell out of the said Park All which being assented unto there were Indentures made betwixt the said Sir Richard and Iohn de Peto junior then of Sheldon in the behalf of the said Earl unto whom he was of Councell for consummating the bargain So that it hereby appears that the C. marks given to the before-specified Will. le Wrounge came out of the Earl of Huntindon's purse Unto which Sir Richard's part of the Indentures is his Seal of Armes affixed viz. Argent upon a Crosse fleuriâ—è sable an Escâ—cheon of Augmentation bearing a Lion rampant But it was not long ere that the said Sir Richard again quitted his right to this Mannour unto the before specified Earl whereupon the said Will. le Wrounge and Isabell his wife for the better confirmation thereof levied a Fine to the same Iohn de Peto unto the said Earl's use for in 20 E. 3. did the said Earl pass it unto Iohn de Collesley and his heirs in exchange for certain lands lying in Colshill near Dywyke-bruge which lands do bear the name of Collesleys to this day From this Iohn de Collesley it descended to his two daughters and heirs sc. Margaret the wife of Thomas Holt and Alice betwixt whom partition being made in 23 E. 3. it was allotted to the said Margaret who surviving her first husband afterwards married to Philip de Budeford which Philip joyned with her in the sale thereof unto Will. le Mascy of Swonley in Cheshire whose grandchild William of Sirescote in Staffordshire had issue Catherine his daughter and heir married to Will. de Chisâ—nhale of Chisenhale in Lancashire Lord of this Mannour and of Sirescote in her right who in 12 〈◊〉 2. sold it to one Iohn de Barwe a Smith of Coventre Which Iohn in 13 R. 2. past it to one Raph Richards who in 3 H. 4. aliened it to Iohn Tate of Coventre in whose line it continued till 27 H. 8 that Iohn Tate a descendant from the said Iohn conveyed it to George Kebyll To whom succeeded in the possession thereof Thomas Kebyll and to him Iohn Wise Gent. by purchase in 14 Eliz. a branch of the Wises of Devonshire as by some antâ—ent writings shewd unto me may seem whose nephew Richard Wise scil son of his Brother William now enjoys it At the skirts of this Parish sc. Coleshill wherewith I have now done Cole meets with Blithe which carrieth away the name scarce half a mile further for having there met with Tame that River hath the prioritie a little below which confluence Bourne likewise enters unto the head whereof next having recourse I come to Corley Corley I Am of opinion that this place had its name originally from the situation which is very high Coryn in the Brittish-tongue signifying the Head or top of any thing for in the Conquerour's Survey it is written Cornelie In that Record it is rated at one hide the Woods belonging thereto being a quarter of a mile in length and half as much in breadth all which were then in the hands of the same Godvine who was owner thereof before the Norman invasion and valued at xxx s. The next that possest it of whom I have seen any mention were the Hasting's Lords likewise of Fillongley hard by yet how soon I cannot declare but by some one of them was Hugh de Ringedon or his ancestor enfeoft thereof which Hugh had it in 4 H. 3. from whom descended Raph de Ryngesdon who in 53 H. 3. was certified to hold it of Henry de Hastings by the service of half a Kt's fee. It should seem that the heir generall of the said Raph de Ryngesdon married to one of the Mancesters Lords of Mancester in this Countie for by severall authorities it appears that the family of Mancester held this Mannour of the heirs of Hastings But for want of light from private evidence I cannot discern how it went from the Mancesters nor of a long time after who possest it I must therefore pass from the later end of Edw. 3. time for then did the male line of Mancester determine untill the reign of E. 4. wherein I find that Iohn de Champernoun died seized of it in 15 E. 4. leaving two daughters and heirs viz. Blanche the wife of Sir Robert Willoughby Kt. and Ioane Which Sir Robert was summoned to Parliament amongst the Barons in 7 H. 7. and afterwards by the name of Rob. Willoughby de Brooke Chivalter by reason of his residence at Brooke in Wiltshire and had issue Robert Willoughby Lord Brooke whose heir was married to Sir Fouke Grevill as in Alcester I have manifested by which means this Lordship of Corley is come with the rest of Grevill's lands to the Lord Brooke who now enjoys it The Church was antiently given to the Monks of Coventre yet neither by whom nor the direct time when have I seen but in 44 H. 3. they had it In an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at four marks and in 26 H. 8. at iiii l. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls In a North window of the Church Gules a Saltire varrè betwixt xii billets Or Champernoun Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Coventre Egidius de Trebys an 1250. Patroni Vicariae Henr. Over Gen. D.
the Justs of Peace which belong'd to War To Ioane and Elizabeth his daughters a thousand marks a piece to their marriage And constituting Thomas Arundell Archb. of Canterbury Thomas Earl of Arundell Ioane his wife c. his Executors departed this life in 12 H. 4. leaving issue by the same Ioane who was one of the daughters and coheirs to Ric. Earl of Arundell Richard Beauchamp his son and heir Of this deceased Lord I have the rather taken occasion to speak in regard that he made his residence at some times in this Countie as I presume his Lady also did in her widdowhood for I find that she was at severall times in Commission for treating with the people about Loanes to the King within this Shire surviving him many years her death hapning not till 14 H. 6. Of whose Testament forasmuch as by it that greatness and state wherein the English Nobilitie in those days lived may in some sort be seen as also the pomp of their Funeralls I have here transcribed the greatest part In the name of the blessed Trynyte Fader sonn and Holy Ghoast the xth day of Ianyver in the yeer of our Lord MCCCCxxxiiii I Johanne Beuchamp Lady of Bergavenny as a meke daughter of holi Chirche full in the Christen fayth and belive hool in minde and body blessed be God considering that the freel condicion of this wrechid and unstable lief ys ful of perels and the yend and conclusion thereof is not elles but Deth fro the which no persone of none astate schall escape and therfore purposyng with the love of God to dyspose such goods as of his grace he hath lent me in such use as aryght be most to hys plesauns and profit to my soule and all theirs that I am bounden to I have ordeyned and make my Testament and last Will in this forme First I bequethe my soule to the mercy of my blessed Saviour and maker Ihesu Chryst through the besechyng of his blessed Moder Mary and alle holy companye in Hevene and my symple and wreched body to be buried in the Queer of the Frere-Prechours of Hereford in a new Tumbe by my worthi Lord and somtime husband Sir Will. Beuchamp on whoo 's soule God have merci But I wâ—l that my Bodi be kept unburied in the place where hit hapneth me to die unto the time my maigne be clethed in black my Hers my Chare and other covenable purviance made and then to be carried unto the place of my buryeng before rehersed with alle the worship that ought to be done unto a woman of myne astate which God knoweth wele procedeth not of no pompe or vayn glorie that I am set in for my Bodi but for a memorial and a remembrance of my soule to my kyn friends servants and alle other And I wol that every Parish Chirch that my seid Bodi resteth ynne a night after hit passeth fro the place of my dying be offred two Clothes of Gold and if hit rest ynne any College or Conventuall Chirche three Clothes of gold Also I devyse that in every Cathedrall Chirche or Conventuall where my Bodi restes a nyght toward the place where my Bodi shall be buried that the Dean Abbot or Prior have vi s. viii d. and everi Chanon Monk Vicar Preste or Clerke that ys at the Dirige at the Mass in the morning shall have xii d. Also I ordeyn that anon aftur my burying there be done for my soule five thousand Masses in alle the hast that they may goodly And I bequethe unto the House of the seid Freres at Hereford in generall CCC marks for to fynd two Prostes perpetuall for to syng for my Lord my Husbond my Lord my Fader my Lady my Moder and me and Sir Hugh Burnell Kt. and alle my good doers and alle Crysten soules the one Prest to syng the fyrst Mass in the mornyng in the same House and the other the last Mass that ys done in the day yn the same House so that it be sene that there be sure ordinauns made therefore to be kept perpetually as Law wolle And I bequethe ech Frere of the same House in speciall the day of my burying to pray for my soule iii s. iiii d. And I wool that the forseyd Freres have a hool sute of black that ys to sey a Chesepyl two Tunycles three Coopes with my best pair of Candelsticks of sylver wrethen and my best sute of vestments of Clothe of gold with Pecocks with Autere-clothes and Aubes and alle that longeth thereto for a memoriall perpetualle to use hem euerie yere at the Anniversarie of my Lord my Husbond and of me And for the costes of myne enterement upon my deth and burying I ordain and devyse a thousand Marks And I devyse C. marks to be dalt peny mele or more after the discretion of myne Executors among poer men and women that come to myne eâ—teremenâ— the day of my burying And I ordain and devise to have five Prestes for to syng for me xx wynters for my Lord my Fader my Lady my Moder my Lord my Husband my son Richard Earl of Worcestre Sir Hugh Burnell Kt. and alle my good doers and alle Crysten soules and that of the most honest persones and good conversacions that mow be founden of which â—ive Prestes I ordeyn and devyse two to syng in the parish of Rocheforde and other three in Kirkeby-Belers in the Counte of Lecestre duryng the terme aforeseyd Moreover I devyse CC. marks to be departed among my poer Tenants in England in such place as moost nede ys aftur the discrecion of myne Executors Also I devise C l. to be dysposed in clothyng Bedding Hors Oxen and other bestial and necessaries within halve a yere aftur my deth to be yeven dalt among Bed-red men and other poer people dwellyng in the Lordships that I have And also I devyse that Bartholmew Brokesby and Wauter Kebyll be everi yere at Hereford the day of my Anniversarie seing that my Obite with the remnant of my obsequies be done in due wise to the most profit of my soule spendying about the execution thereof at every time x l. after here discrecion Moreover I devise to the marriage of poer Maydens dwellyng withyn my Lordships C l. And to the makyng and emendyng of febull Brugges and foul weyes C l. And to the fynding and deliverans of poer Prisoners that have ben well condicioned xl l. Also I bequethe to Sir James son and eyre of the Erle of Ormond Five hundred pounds to be dispent by myne Executors about the defence of the lands that I give and assigne him by the Will of my Landes in caas they be chalenged or ympugned wrongfully within his age or elles to have the same money or elles so much thereof as ys unspend at hys ful age to the same intent and a payr of Baysins of silver gylt and covered with my Armes And I devyse and bequethe to
window thereof and therefore that portraiture in one of the North windows of Iohn Lord Moubray kneeling before S. Cuthbert must be of that Iohn that was beheaded at Yorke for his adhering to Thomas Earl of Lancaster which Iohn being doubtlesse a great Benefactor to that new structure and bearing an extra ordinarie respect to S. Cuthbert sometime Bishop of Duresme whose same for sanctitie and miracles was very great in the Northern parts where the said Lord Moubray's estate most lay did upon the rebuilding thereof honour him with the Dedication Bentley THis place though it do lye two miles distant interposed by Whitacre-superior 〈◊〉 Shustoke parish the reason thereof being plain viz. that in antient time being both possest by one and the self same Lord who founded and endowed the Church it was both lawfull and proper that he should dispose of the Tithes thereto arising out of it for the better support of the Incumbent the payment of them being then arbitrarie I mean to what Church any man pleased as in Church-Over I have shâ—wed which custome of payment ever after continuing to Shustoke hath fixt it to be of that Parish By the Conquerour's Survey having Woods of half a mile in length and three furlongs in breadth it was rated for one Hide and is there recorded by the name of Benechelie then being possest by Geffrey deâ— Wirce with Shustoke and valued at Lxiv pence at which time one Ansgot a Priest held it of the said Geffrey in pure Almes but afterwards with Wirce his lands it came to Nigel de Albani by whom as it appears by these authorities which I have cited in Shustoke the Ancestor of Walter de Camvile was first enfeoft thereof Which Camviles had large Woods here part whereof being given by Walter de Camvile in H. 2. dayes to the Monks of Merevale have since that time born the name of Monks-Park and been reputed a member of Merevale Out of the residue antiently imparked I find that King H. 3. gave command to the Shiriff of this Countie in 24. of his reign to deliver unto Alexander de Savensby then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield six Bucks in which Precept it is said to have belonged unto Maud de Kamvile wife of Thomas de Astley as the Descent in Arrow sheweth by which Maud most of this Lordship upon partition betwixt those coheirs came to the Familie of Astley and was by Sir Thomas de Astley in King H. 3. time granted unto Iohn de Wilnechote of Winecote juxta Stratford super Avon and his heirs excepting the Park and Out-wood and the service of certain persons residing in the said Hamlet of Bentley to be held of him the said Sir Thomas and his heirs by the Rent of five marks of silver yearly payable at the Feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Baptist and S. Andrew the Apostle by even portions for all services and demands whatsoever which grant was afterwards confirmed by Sir Andrew de Astley Knight son and heir to the before specified Sir Thomas who reduced the Fee-ferm Rent to xl s. per annum to be payd at the termes abovesaid Which Rent in 12 R. 2. did Sir William de Astley Knight lineall heir of the said Sir Andrew give to the Sacrist of the Collegiate-Church at Astley and his successors for ever But of the Park above mentioned had the said Sir Thomas de Astley no more than a moytie for so it appears by the Extent thereof in 50 H. 3. Henry de Curson being seized of the other part by Descent from another coheir of Camvile Which Sir Thomas and Henry being both Rebells the one slain and the other taken Prisoner in that memorable battail of Evesham 49 H. 3. it was extended and valued at i li. vi s. viii d. About the beginning of King Edw. 2. time was this Mannour of Bentley for so I find it then called granted by the before specified Iohn de Wilnecote unto Henry de L'isle and Ioane his wife and the heirs of the said Henry to whom in the male line it still continueth as by the Descent in Moxhull the seat of that Familie it appeareth Here is now but the carcasse of a Chapell dedicated to the Holy Trinity which antiently was of use to the Inhabitants being a Presentative as the Institutions do manifest the Patronage whereof pertaining to the Lords of Shustoke and granted in 17 E. 3. with that Mannour and advouson of the Church by Iohn Lord Moubray unto Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntendon as also by the said Earl soon after to the Canons of Maxstoke became involved in the appropriation with Shustoke as being part of that Parish The endowment it had as by a Certificate to the Bishop in 34 H. 3. appeareth was an Annuitie of four Marks the Rectorie of Shustoke being then valued but at ten Marks which summe of four marks was payable by the heirs of Roger de Camvile viz. three marks and a half out of the Ferm of a Mill lying in Shustoke and the rest out of Ousthirne-grange all which being swallowed up by the Appropriation before specified there doth not appear to have been any more than one Presentation thereto afterwards and that as the words of the Institution do import to a Chantrie there so that how the Cure was served for a long time I have no certaintie Howbeit in 1 H. 5. did Sir William de Clinton Knight then Lord of Maxstoke and Iohn Boteler of Eccleâ—hale juxta Coventre by their Feofment bearing date on Michaelmass-day give a certain Tenement and half a yard land lying here in Bentley unto one Thomas Serjeant of Bentley and others and their heirs for the maintenance of a Priest celebrating divine Service every day in the said Chapell for ever But how or by whom this Priest was presented or placed there I have not seen till 2 R. 3. that the Canons of Maxstoke admitted one VVill. Moore thereto by a speciall Instrument dated 18 Iunii under the Covent Seal enjoyning him to perform divine Service therein onely upon Sundays and double Festivalls and at all other times at least three dayes in the week at the Altar of S. Catherine in the Priorie of Maxstoke in case he should be in bodily health and not otherwise lawfully hindred for the souls of the Founder and Benefactors of the said Chantrie and all the faithfull deceased Which Mill before specified did belong to this Chapell for by a Letter Patent from Iohn Lord Clinton directed to the Prior and Covent of Maxstoke and dated 6. Febr. 2 R. 3. taking notice that it was decayed and the VVater-course thereto filled up for want of clensing as also that the said Prior and Covent had a purpose to repair it for the benefit of this Chapell the said Iohn signified his pleasure that they should have leave so to do by cutting down wood in the antient Water-course and scouring
to celebrate Divine service for the good estate of him the said Iohn during his life in this world and after his death for the health of his Soul as also for the health of the Souls of his Parents Benefactors and all the faithfull deceased but of this there is no remembrance in the Survey of 37 H. 8. so that when it was dissolved I know not The Free-Schoole THis was founded in 6 E. 6. by the Inhabitants of this town unto whom the King gave for that purpose three Closes of ground lying within the Liberties of Coventre which sometime belonged to the Trinitie-Gild there and were then valued at x li. xv s. viii d. to be held of the Mannour of East-Grenewich in Socage Horeston-Grange THis was originally part of the Lordship of Nun-Eaton but thereof I have not seen any particular mention till 19 E. 1. where it is called the Grange of Horeston belonging then to the Nunns and certified to contain six Carucates of land which by the Survey in 26 H. 8. were valued at xv li. ix s. viii d. and past with the Monasterie unto Sir Marmaduke Constable Knight in 32 H. 8. Which Sir Marmaduke sold the Grange it self with certain lands thereto belonging unto one Iasper Fisher Esquire who died seized thereof in 21 Eliz. leaving Katherine Norwood widow and Anne the wife of Richard Wolriche his cosins and heirs But the grounds called Horeston-fields together with Horeston-Wood were aliened in 4 Eliz. by Robert Constable son and heir to Sir Marmaduke unto Stephen Hales Esquire Attilborough THis being part of the Lordship of Nun-Eaton was at length totally possest by the Nunns as may seem by the Survey taken in 26 Hen. 8. But had a Chapell for the benefit of the Inhabitants whereunto for maintenance of a Priest there serving was antiently the summe of C s. allowed but with the dissolved Monasterie it passed out of the Crown in 32 H. 8. to Sir Marmaduke Constable Since which they have not been severed Stockingford THis was originally a member of Eaton and involved therewith in the Conqueror's Survey but afterwards by the Earl of Leicester scil Robert Bossu granted in exchange to William de Newmarch for Wittewike in Leicestershire which William gave it to the Canons of Leicester About that time also had those Canons the Chapell here by the grant of Geffrey de Turvill and certain lands bordering on Hardreshull which Geffrey the Herâ—mite bestowed on them Within the precincts of this place the Nunns of Eaton had likewise a Grange containing three Carucates of land as is certified by the valuation thereof in 19 E. 1. At which time all that the Canons of Leicester had here was rated but at one Carucate so that what the said Nunns were then possest of was it seems formerly granted to them by those Canons But afterwards it came into Lay hands though how I find not for it appears by a Fine levied in 10 E. 3. betwixt Roger Iabet Plantiff and William Iabet and Maud his wife Deforc. that it was entailed upon William Iabet son of the said William after his Father's decease and upon the heirs of the said William the younger by Elene his wife but for default of such issue on the right heirs of the before specified Maud From which time till 14 H. 4. I have seen no more of it but then did the reversion of it belong unto Hugh Lilburne Iohn the son of Thomas Boteler of Exhale holding it for the life of the same Hugh wâ—â—ch reversion in 1 H. 5. was granted by Will. Boteler and William Babington to the Canons of Erdburie in this Countie the Canons of Leicester of whom it was held giving License for the same reserving to themselves Fealtie and securitie for Lxiii s. iv d. to be payd to them in the name of a Relief which summe by the Survey of 26 H. 8. appears to have been an yearly Rent So that upon the dissolution of the Priorie at Erdburie it was therewith granted unto Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk in 30 H. 8. Which Duke inter alia past it unto Sir Edward Wootton Knight Iohn Danet and Anthony Cooke Esquires betwixt whom being as it seems divided Marie Danet in 35 H. 8. conveyed a third part thereof unto George Medley to certain uses Of the other two parts Sir Anthony dying seized in 18 Eliz. left Richard his son and heir of full age But that which belonged to Nun-Eaton was with that Lordship granted out of the Crown of Sir Marmaduke Constable Knight and hath been possest by the owners thereof ever since Chilverscoton IN the Conqueror's Survey this is written Celverdestoche which shews that it was at first so called from him that possest it in the Saxons time whom I suppose to have been one Ceolfredus that being a name then in use It is there rated at viii hides the Woods containing a mile and a half in length and a mile in breadth the whole being valued at L s. and held by Haroldus fil Radulfi which Raphe was Earl of Hereâ—ord and owner thereof in Edward the Confessor's days In the line of this Haroldus Lords also of Sudley in Com. Glouc. whence they assumed that â—â—rname it continued for divers generations and at length by an heir female divolved to the Butlers as by the Descent in Griffe is manifested But there is little to be said of this place in particular other than that Bartholmew de Sudley in 51 H. 3. ha Free warren inter alia granted to him in all his demesn lands here it having attended the succession of Griffe ever since as a member of that Mannour Within the precinct of this Parish had the Knights Templars certain lands given to them which the Record of 31 Hen. 2. says were de feodo Radulfi de Suthlega being probably of his or his Father's gift and afterwards reputed for a Mannour for by that name had those Templars Free-warren granted to them and their successors therein in 32 H. 3. Which Mannour coming to the Crown in 30 Hen. 8. with all other the possessions belonging to the Religious Houses was in 4 Eliz. sold unto Iohn Fisher and Thomas Dabridgcourt Which Thomas Dabridgcourt having obtained a Release from Fisher of all his right therein by his last Will and Testament in 44 Eliz. gave it to Christian one of his daughter who became the wife of William Belcher of Gilsborough in Com. Northampt. From whom it was purchased by Walter Giffard of Chillington in Com. Staff Esquire and since that of him or his son by Richard Chamberlain Esquire Register of the Court of Wards The Church was given to the Canons of Erdburie together with two yard land by Raphe de Sudley Founder of that Monasterie and in anno 1291. 19 Edw. 1. valued at viii marks being then appropriated to that Religious House and
and his heirs in 17 E. 3. and so likewise did Iohn de Freford and Margaret his wife as also Alice the widow of Sir Philip Chetwynd in 19. E. 3. But afterwards sc. about the 22 th of E. 3. the said Robert died without issue so that the inheritance of these lands thereby descending to his nephew Sir Raph Rochford Knight son of Ioane the wife of Iohn Rochford before specified he the said Sir Raph entailed them upon the issue of his body by Ioane the daughter of Sir Hugh Menill Knight with remainder to his three sisters successively and then to Sir Richard Stafford and his heirs According to which entail the possession thereof continued for divers years untill at length Sir Raph Rochford being dead the said Ioane his wife married again to one Hugh de Asheby with whom Sir William Chetwyn Knight son and heir to the before mentioned Sir Phiplip making an accord became totally possest thereof having in 39 E. 3. compounded with Isabell the widow of Iohn de Rochford for her title of dower therein formerly granted to her by Sir Raph Rochford her son in Law After which he seated himself here and in 16 R. 2. obtained a License from the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. to have divine Service within a private Chapell for his House But before I descend to speak farther of the said Sir William and his posteritie I shall observe that this Family hath been of great antiquity in Shropshire scil of Chetwynd whence this their sirname was first assumed as also that Iohn de Chetwynd son of Adam had a Charter of Free-warren in 37 H. 3. throughout all his demesn lands in the Counties of Salop. Staff and Warwick for he was possest of Baxterley in this Shire at that time having likewise Ingestre Salt and Gretwich in Staffordshire by Isabell the daughter and heir to Philip de Mutton as it seems But I return to the before specified Sir William great-grandchild to the said Iohn in regard he was the first of this line that had to do here Towards the later end of King Edw. 3. reign he was by Indenture reteined with Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lanc. to serve him aswell in times of Peace as War for ten marks per an Which Indenture being lost was again renewed by the said Duke in 50 E. 3. whereby he increased his Fee to ten pounds per an And afterwards sc. in 10 R. 2. recounting his faithfull services gave the sum of ten pounds more per an to be received out of the issues of his Honour of Tutburie I am of opinion that a great part of the Church here at Grendon was new built by the before-specified Sir William for it is evident that the pictures in glass of many of this Family in their surcoats of Arms were set up there about that time This Sir William had issue Richard of whom I find little memorable and Iohn Which Iohn residing at Alspath now called Mereden was one of the chief persons in this Countie that subscribed the Articles concluded of in the Parliament of 12 H. 6. and in 15 H. 6. served in Parliament as one of the Knights for this Shire being from 17 till 20 H. 6. inclusive in Commission for conservation of the Peace But to the said Richard succeeded Philip his son and heir a person not a little eminent in his time for in 7 H. 6. he had the Shiriffaltie of Staffordshire so also in 15 H. 6. being then a Knight In 17 H. 6. he was imployed into the Dutchy of Guien for the King's service and in 20 H. 6. constituted Governour of the Citie of Eaion in Normandie being allowed 940 marks to retein as many Archers for the safeguard thereof as might be therewith hired for a quarter of a year In 22 H. 6. he was reteined with Humphrey Earl of Buckingham to do him service during life according to his degree aswell in times of Peace as War sc. in times of Peace with as many men and Horses as he the said Earl should appoint out of the said Earl's Lordship of Holdernesse in Yorkshire as also taking bouche of Court and livery for them in his Houshold during such his continuance with him and allowance of reasonable costs for his coming and returning and in case the said Earl might be commanded in any service of War on this side or beyond the Sea upon reasonable warning to attend him with such number of men at Arms and Archers well and sufficiently armed horsed and arrayed after the manner of war as he should assign and receive the like wages and reward as the said Earl did take of the King or of any other his Captains in such expedition with Skippeson and reskippeson reasonable for himself his men and Horses but the said Earl to have the thirds of all manner of Prisoners and prizes to be taken by him the said Sir Philip through fortune of War and the third of the thirds of all Prisoners prizes c. taken by any of his men the Indenture of that his Retainer bearing date at London 13 Februarii the year abovesaid Nay it farther appears that upon the same day he was also retained with that Earl by another Indenture wherein he is stiled the right mighty Prince Humphrey Earl of Buckingham Hereford Stafford Northampton and Perche Lord of Brecknock and of Holdernesse then Captain of the Town and Castle of Calais as his Lieutenant of that Castle for one whole year with xxix men at Armes on Foot and xx Archers whereof two men at Armes on Foot and four Archers to be of the said Sir Philip's own retinue taking for himself xvi d. per diem for his said men at Arms vii d. and his Archers vi d. at the hands of the Treasurer at War to the same Earl And moreover for himself his Lady and a Gentlewoman with her and a Gentleman and two Yeomen of his own retinue bouche of Court and xx l. per an of speciall reward or else allowance for their bouch of Court according as other souldiers of their degree used to have as also for their skippeson and reskippeson And of this Sir Philip I farther find which is not the least observable that having wedded Elene the widow to Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley daughter and heir to Thomas de la Roche as also Cosin and heir to Iohn de Bermingham as in Bromwich appeareth he empaled her Armes on the dexter part of his own which as I conceive was for the dignitie of her person she being a Baronesse and so great an heir and that he departed this life in 24 H. 6. leaving William his grandchild his Cosin and heir Which William afterwards one of the Gentlemen-Huishers of the Chamber to King H. 7. became so much envied by Sir Humphrey Stanley then of Pipe in Com. Staff one of
the Knights for the Body to same King and Shiriff of that Countie in 9 H. 7. as that by means of a counterfeit Letter in the name of Randolf Brereton Esquire delivered on Friday night before the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativity requesting his meeting with him at Stafford the next morning by five of the Clock being allured out of his House at Ingestrie and passing thitherwards accordingly with no more attendance than his own son and two servants he was way-layed upon Tixhall-Heath by no less than xx persons whereof seven were of the said Sir Humphrey's own Familie some with Bows and other with Spears all armed with Bregandines and Coats of Male who issuing out of a Sheep-coat and a deep dry Pit furiously assaulted him saying that he should die and accordingly killed him the said Sir Humphrey at that time passing by with at least xxiiii persons on Horseback upon pretence of hunting a Deer All which the Petition to the King made by Alice his widow wherein she craves that the same Sir Humphrey and his said servants might answer for it doth manifest But what was done therein I have not seen neither any farther of his Descendants forasmuch as their residence hath been for the most part in that Countie other than what the Pedegree before inserted sheweth The Church dedicated to All Saints was originally but a Chapell and belonging to Overton subt Arden in Com. Leic. now called Orton on the Hill and therewith confirmed to the Monks of Merevale in King H. 2. time by Pope Lucius the third but I do not find that it was ever appropriated to them or that they continued long Patrons thereof the Advouson having been for many ages in the Lords of the Mannour In an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was rated at xvi marks over and above half a mark which the Parson of Overton before specified did receive out of it and in 26 H. 8. at xx l. iii s. iiii d. besides ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Rob. de Grendon miles Henr. de Grendon Cler. an 1253. Rad. de Grendon miles Will. de Edrichesley Cler. 10 Cal. Apr. 1300. Rad. de Grendon miles Will. de Edrichesley Cler. 10 Cal. Apr. 1300. Rad. de Grendon miles Will. de Clinton Pbr. 7. Apr. 1330. Rad. de Rocheford Nich. de Ivynho Accol 2 ld Dec. 1349. D. Henr. Dux Lanc. VVill. de Slattebourn Cap. 12 Cal. Dec. 1360. D. Will. Beeke miles Will Chetwynd miles Thomas de Hampton Pbr. 14 Cal. Iunii 1369. Ioh. Dux Lanc. Rob. Attemore Pbr. 7 Cal. Iunii 1369. D. Will. Chetwynd de Iagestre miles Ioh. de Bynbroke Pbr. 26 Apr. 1382. D. Alicia de Chetwynd VValt Bullok 3 Ian. 1401. D. Alicia de Chetwynd Ioh. Abyndon 15 Ian. 1401. Ric. Chetwynd fil haer D Will. Chetwind mil. Ioh. Pulford Cap. 18 Febr. 1404. Mag. Ioh. Stafford Legum Dr. Thes. Angl. Sim. Melburn ult Iulii 1423. Thomas Littilton Iohanna ux ejus VVill. VVore 19 Martii 1447. Thomas Littilton Iohanna ux ejus Ric. Cokket Pbr. 4 Aug. 1449. Thomas Littilton Iohanna ux ejus Rog. VVall. in Decr. Bac. Pbr. 26 Ian. 1449. D. Phil. Draicot miles ex concess Will. Chetwyn ar D. Edm. VVondefende 1 Iulii 1538. Ioh. Chetwyn de Ingestre ar D. VVill. Rowley Cler. 17. Oct. 1558. Ioh. Chetwin Will fil haeres ejus Ioh. Sprotte Cler. 3. Dec. 1578. Will. Chetwyn ar Thomas VValker Cler. 10 Oct. 1579. Will. Chetwyn miles Georgius Kent Cler. 26 Iunii 1607. Whittington THat this petty Village was originally a member of Grendon within which Parish it lyes and therewith involved in the Conqueror's Survey I am fully satisfied for part of it was given to the Monks of Merevale by Robert Earl Ferrers upon his Foundation of that Monasterie but the residue did the Family of Grendon owners of Grendon possesse as a branch of that Lordship which in process of time being granted away by some of the Lords of Grendon came to be reputed a Mannour one Margerie Ribbif in 6 R. 2. holding it for life by that name the inheritance being in Sir Geffrey Fuljambe Knight Which Sir Geffrey left issue Alice his daughter and heir about a year old in 12 R. 2. Howbeit after this I do not find it termed a Mannour for upon the grant thereof from Iohn Heklyng of Lyndeby Esquire and Ioan his wife unto William Repington of Amington in this Countie Esquire in 13 H. 6. it passed by the name of ten Messuages CCCC acres of land xxx acres of meadow and xl acres of pasture from whom is descended Sir Iohn Repington now of Amington Knight the present owner thereof That which the Monks of Merevale had here yeilded Liiii s. yearly Rent of Assize in 26 H. 8. but coming to the Crown by the dissolution of that Abby was in 32 H. 8. granted with the site thereof and a multitude of other lands unto Sir Wâ—lter Devereux Knight Lord Ferrers of Chartley and so consequently divolved to Robert Earl of Essex the present owner thereof an scil 1640. Polesworth NExt below Grendon-Parish is Polesworth situate which containeth within its precincts divers Villages and places of note scil Badsley-Endsor Dordon Freseley Hall-end Dodenhale and Pooley on the South side of the River with Stipershill Waverton and Bramcote on the North. Of this place though there be no particular mention in the Conquerour's Survey as of divers the most antient Towns and Burroughs is not yet for antiquitie and venerable esteem needs it not give precedence to any in this Countie being honoured with the plantation of the first Religious-House therein that was in all these parts founded by King Egbert our first English Monarch But before I farther proceed to speak thereof I resolve here to take notice of what I have seen most considerable touching the antiquitie of a Monastick life practised by women as I have done in Coventre for men wherein I cannot discern till towards the fourth Centurie any thing thereof For though a learned person observeth that Non solùm viri sed Mulieres etiam Apostolorum Christi tempore ministerio Ecclesiae addicebantur yet he saith Verum procedente tempore instituta sunt Collegia seu Monasteria Virginum Deo consecratarum solennibus votis obstrictarum And that Marcella was the first who began it in the Western Church we have the testimonie of St. Hierom Marcella saith he in Occidente circa an CCCXL Virginum Viduarum didicit disciplinam which kind of life was taught her by Athanasius as Baronius affirms But that they excercised it so soon in that solemn manner as in after times hath been used viz. under the threefold Vow of Povertie Obedience and Chastitie cannot be made good For cleer it is from the testimonie
rumors were spread that Cardinall Poole laboured with divers Princes to procure forces against this Realme and that an Invasion was threatned which seemed the more credible because the Truce concluded betwixt the Emperour and the French King was generally known neither of them wanting pretence to bring an Army hither And this was also seconded by a suddain journey of the King unto the Sea-coast unto divers parts whereof he had sent sundry of the Nobles and expert persons to visit the Ports and places of danger who failed not for their dischargeâ— upon all event to affirme the perill in each place to be so great as one would have thought every place had needed Fortification Besides he forthwith caused his Navy to be in a readiness and Musters to be taken over all the Kingdom All which preparations being made against a danger believed imminent seemed so to excuse this suppression of the Abbyes as that the people willing to spare their own purses began to suffer it easily especially when they saw order taken for building of such Forts But let us look a little upon the success wherein I find that the said Visitor Generall the grand Actor in this tragique buisnesse having contracted upon himself such an Odium from the Nobilitie by reason of his low birth though not long before made Knight of the Garter Earl of Essex and Lord high Chamberlain of England as also from the Catholiques for having thus operated in the dissolution of the Abbies that before the end of the before specified Parl. wherein that was ratified which he had with so much industrie brought to pass the King not having any more use of him gave way to his Enemies accusations whereupon being arrested by the Duke of Norff. at the Councell-Table when he least dream't of it and committed to the Tower he was condemn'd by the same Parliament for Heresie and Treason unheard and little pittied and on xxviii th of Iuly viz. 4. days after the Parliament was dissolved had his Head cut off on Tower-Hill Nor did many of the Reformers speed much better for Fire and Fagot hapned to be their portion even within the same King's time as whosoever looks into the Storie of those days may see And as for the fruit which the people reapt after all their hopes built upon those specious pretences which I have instanc't it was very little For plain it is that Subsidies from the Clergie and Fifteens of all Lay mens goods were soon after exacted And that in Edward 6. time the Commons were constrain'd to supply the King's wants by a new invention viz. Sheep Cloathes Goods Debts c. for three years which Tax grew so heavy that the year following they prayed the King for mitigation thereof Nor is it a little observable that whil'st the Monasteries stood there was no Act for relief of the Poor so amply did those Houses give succour to them that were in want whereas in the next age viz. 39 o Eliz. no lesse than xi Bills were brought into the House of Commons for that purpose But fearing that this digression hath been too tedious I returne These Nunns being thus disposed of and the House demolish'd it was not long ere that the lands were dispersed for in 36 H. 8. the site and demesns with the whole Lordship of Polesworth were sold to Francis Goodere Gentleman which Francis had issue Sir Henry Goodere Knight his son and heir a Gentleman much accomplisht and of eminent note in this Countie whilst he lived having suffred imprisonment in behalf of that magnanimous Ladie Marie Queen of Scotland of whom he was a great honourer who had issue two daughters only scil Frances and Anne the one married to Sir Henry Goodere Knight son and heir to Sir William brother to the before specified Sir Henry the other to Henry Rainsford of Clifford in Com. Glouc. Which last mentioned Sir H. Goodere left four daughters viz. Lucie married to Sir Francis Nethersole Knight a Kentish Gentleman of an antient House sometime Orator for the Universitie of Cambridge and at the time of that his marriage Agent for K. Iames with the Princes of the Union in Germany of whom the King of Bohemia was chief as also Secretarie to the Q. of Bohemia and by them often imployed back again to the Court of England where he was of note by his actings and suffrings in their Majesties service The other viz. Elizabeth to Samuel Roper a Counceller at Law of Lincolns-Inne of whom I have made mention in Monks-Kirby Mary to Samuel Hildersham a worthy Divine Rector of West-Felton in Com Salop and Anne to Iohn Kingston D r of Physick Which Sir Francis at the speciall instance of his said Lady who bore a great affection to this Town in regard it had been possest by her Family from her great-grandfather's time having erected a convenient fabrick of stone therein for a School-House on the front whereof both his own and her Arms are cut with this Inscription Soli Deo Gloria Schola Pauperum Puerorum Puellarum In further accomplishment of her pious desires hath lately enfeoft six gentlemen of the Countrey thereabouts and seven Divines of the impropriate Tithes of Waverton Dordon and Pooley as also of a Rent-chardge of Xl. marks per annum issuing out of Holt-Hall and Freasley and six yard land in Waverton before specified all of the yearly value of Cxl li. per annum at the least which is more than the whole impropriate Tithes of this Parish do amount unto for a liberall maintenance of a Schoolmaster and Schoolmistris to teach the Children of the Parish viz. the Boys to write and read English and the Girles to read and work with the Needle and both to be instructed in the principles of the true Christian Religion And the residue to be imployed to such charitable uses as he may in his life time finde most conducing to advance the knowledge and practise of true Religâ—on and most beneficiall to the Poor of this place and afterwards he shall by his last Will and Testament declare And in default of his so doing that his said Trustees or the major part of them may increase the maintenance of the Vicar of Polesworth for the time being for whom he is now building a fair House there or set up another School to teach the three learned Languages to the Youth of this Parish or relieve poor Widows and Fatherless Children of deceased Ministers that have been learned godly and painfull in their lives or set out poor Apprentices of this Town Or grant exhibitions to the poor Schollars aforesaid towards the sending them to the Universitie of Cambridge and to be there maintained as they shall find most expedient in all or any of these and likely to be continued in perpetuity The Church dedicated to S. Edith was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. rated at xxii marks but the Vicaridge at no more than one mark
it was purchased by William Comberford of Tamworth Esquire and Anne his wife 2. Oct. 13. Iac. and is now possessed by Will son to the said William and Anne Glascote THe name of this place I take to be Brittish Glascoit in that language signifying Sylva viridis but of it I have not seen any thing till about the beginning of King H. 2. time that Will. the son of Hugh de Hatton confirmed to the Nunns of Polesworth all those lands lying here which William le Franceis had given them By which confirmation it appears that they were of the inheritance of Maud wife to the said William de Hatton But the next possessor hereof was Raphe Fitz-Raph Lord also of Nether-Whitacre where his seat was Which Raph in 6 Ioh. purchased some lands here of Hugh de Culi From whom descended Giles Fitz-Raph as the Descent in Nether-Whitacre sheweth whose daughter and heir called Isabell brought it to Robert son of Philip Marmion in marriage From which time it past along with Nether-Whitacre before specified as the Records there cited do manifest till after the beginning of Edw. 3. time After which till H. 6. time I finde no mention of any more than six Messuages and one yard-land here belonging to Sir Iohn de Clinton of Maxstoke Knight which are said to be parcell of the Mannour of Piricroft but upon the Death of Sir William Clinton in 10 H. 6. it appears that he was seized of the moitie of a Mannour here Whether his descendants purchased in the residue afterwards or whether there be any other member of a Mannour here saving a fourth part which the Lord Ferrers had together with Nether-Whitacre as may seem by some authorities I cannot say but sure it is that in 29 H. 8. Edw. Lord Clinton lineall heir to the before specified Sir Will. sold it together with Bole-Hall by the name of a Mannour or certain Messuages unto Iames Leveson Merchant of the Staple all which came to Sir Walter Aston Knight in marriage with Elizabeth daughter to the said Iames and since to William Cumberford Esquire in such sort as Bole-Hall did Stretford juxta Tamworth THis is now a depopulated place and had its name originally from the situation thereof upon that great Roman way called Watling-street where it thwarts the River towards Faseley But the first mention that I have seen of it is in 37 H. 3. at which time Iames de la Lande was possest of it and had Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands thereof There is no doubt but that it was at first a member of Tamworth and granted by one of the Marmions to the Ancestor of this Iames whose sirname was Tamworth as the Descent in Langdon sheweth In the line of which De la Laundes it continued till 19 E. 3. but shortly after came to the Frevills Lords of Tamworth-Castle for I find that Sir Baldwin Frevill the elder Knight made a Feoffment in trust thereof inter alia unto Sir William de Beauchamp Knight and others and that upon the Partition made betwixt the heirs of Frevill in 31 H. 6. whereof in Tamworth I have spoke it was allotted to Ferrers in which Familie together with Tamworth-Castle it continueth to this day Wilnicote IN Edward the Confessor's days this was the Freehold of one Levenot but after the Conquest it being given unto the Earl of Mellent with a multitude of other Lordships in this Shire by the generall Survey soon after made was certified to contain three hides the Woods extending to one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which together with the rest were then rated at xxx s. whereof v s. was accounted for an Iron-work here at that time In that Record it is written Wilmundecote whereby it may seem that the name originally sprung from some one that possest it in the Saxons time Howbeit till 6 Ioh. I have not seen any more thereof but then it appears that Robert de Valle of which Family I have spoke in Ludinton was in suit for six yard land here whereof Robert his Father had been wrongfully dispossest by William de Longcamp Bishop of Ely and Chancelour to King Richard the first But from the Earl of Mellent part hereof came as the most of those lands which he had in this Countie did unto the old Earls of Warwick and so to Marmion for it is manifest that Will. de Ludinton held part of a Knight's Fee here of Albreda Marmion which divolved to William de Camvile then Lord of Sekindon in this Hundred being held of those Earls But of another part which afterwards had the reputation of a Mannour were the posteritie of the before specified Robert de Vale seized as by an Autograph that I have seen bearing date in 28 E. 1. is evident and so continued till that Sir Robert de Vale Knight in 18 E. 2. sold away the inheritance thereof in reversion after his Father's death unto Roger de Culi son to Sir Hugh de Culi Knight Which Roger was certified to hold it of Henry Duke of Lancaster unto whom a great part of the Honour of Leicester heretofore belonging to the said Earl of Mellent came by the fourth part of a Knight's Fee When it past from these Culies I have not seen but plain it is that Sir Raph Bracebrigge of Kingsbury Knight died seized thereof in 14 H. 6. From whom it descended to Iane and Margerie daughters of William Bracebrigge as the Descent in Kingsburie sheweth and heirs to Michaell their brother which Iane was the wife of Leonell Skipwith of Calthorpe in Com. Linc. and Margerie of Waldeiffe Willington of Hurley in this Countie Gent. who in 8. Eliz. kept Court here in right of their said wives and after that Thomas Willington son and heir to the said Margerie in 43 Eliz. to whose posteritie this Mannour still doth continue Beside this Mannour last spoke of there is yet another here in Wilnicote whereof Sir William Brabazon Knight now Earl of East-Methe in Ireland is owner This I take to be it which Roger Brabazon purchased partly of Adam de Wellesbergh and Maud his wife in 25 E. 1. and partly of Simon de Bruilli and Ioane his wife within two years after But by the name of a Mannour I have not seen it called in Record till 29 H. 8. The Chapell here being a Prebend belonging to the Collegiate Church of Tamworth was in 14 E. 3. valued at vi marks Kingswood THe antientest mention that I find of this place is in 11 E. 2. where Hugh de Meinill entailes one carucate of land lying therein together with the Mannour of Kings Neuton upon the issue male of his body with severall remainders Which carucate was afterwards accounted as parcell of that Mannour having a Messuage situate thereupon called Wardbernes
whereof Maud the wife of Iohn Charnells died seized in 13 R. 2. leaving Ioane the wife of Robert de Aston and Catherine married to William Rodburne her daughters by Henry Stanidelf a former husband her heirs But the exact succession thereof I cannot discover howbeit I finde that it had the reputation of a Mannour about the later end of H. 6. time as also in H. 8. time and since the Cokains of Pooley possessed it though how much sooner I know not But from that Familie it was past away by Sir Edward Cokain Knight within our memorie Stanidelfe THis lying within the precincts of Wilnecote is a Mannour in reputation and was the seat of Henry the son of Geffrey de Stanidelf in E. 3. time who bore for his Armes a Fesse varrè betwixt six Billets as by his Seal appeareth Which Henry left issue two daughters and heirs Ioane the wife of Robert de Aston and Catherine of Will. Rodburne as in Kingswood appeareth Which Mannour came afterwards to the Ferrers of Tamworth-Castle Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight dying seized thereof in 20 H. 7. but how they parted with it I know not for the next notice that I have taken thereof is a grant made from Q. Eliz. of it for three lives to Sir Christopher Blount Knight husband to Letice Countesse of Leicester Amington OF this place there is no speciall mention in the Conqueror's Survey wherefore I am of opinion that it was then involved with Wilnecote and that by the E. of Mellent or rather his brother the Earl of Warwick who had so large a share of his lands in this Countie Hugo fil Ricardi Founder of Wroxhall-Priorie was enfeoft thereof for that he possest it is cleer from sundry testimonies and that it was held by his heirs of the Earls of Warwick for half a Knights Fee is plain enough Which Hugh gave two yard land with all the Royaltie here on the further part the water as also some other particular parcells unto his Kinsman Alexander the son of Atrop and his heirs covenanting with him that if he should fortune to be impleaded either in the King's Court or in the Countie or Hundred Court or any other Court except that in the Chapell here at Aminton he and his heirs would at their proper costs defend the said Alexander and his heirs therein In consideration of which grant the Rent of two pound of Pepper was reserved to be payd yearly on the Feast-day of S. Edith But notwithstanding this grant the inheritance thereof returned to the heirs of the said Hugh For Osbert de Clinton who wedded Margaret his sister and heir to Hugh granchild to the same Hugh possessed it and so did his posterity for many generations whose Descent in Colshill and Maxstoke are to be seen Of which Iohn de Clinton junior claimed divers Liberties and Priviledges here by Prescription in 13 E. 1. viz. Court-Leet Gallows Infangthef and Weyfs with Assize of Bread and Beer all which were allowed whose son and heir Iohn in 28 E. 1. obtained also a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here but in 1 H. 6. did Sir William Clinton Knight make sale of a large proportion here though the Mannour then past not viz. one Messuage five hundred acres of Land C. acres of Meadow CC. acres of Pasture and fishing in the River of Onkere unto William Repington and his heirs all which particulars had been then lately in the possession of Adam St Clere And in 29 H. 8. did Edward Lord Clinton grant more lands here unto Francis Repington Gentleman lineall heir to the said William But in the first grant as I suppose the Capitall Messuage or Mannour-House did passe for it appears that the said Francis died seized thereof in 4 E. 6. whose great grandchild Sir Iohn Repington Knight now enjoys it But of this Familie I can say no more than what the Descent on the next page inserted expresseth Will. Repington de Aminton temp H. 6. ..... filia .... Thurstan Will. Repington Alicia filia Rog. Acton Ioh. Repington 5 H. 7. Colletta filia cohaer Ioh. Goldsmith de Goldsmith-Grange juxta Melton in Com. Leic. Will. Repington obiit 36 H. 8. Iohanna filia Roberti Stokes de Folkeshull infra libertat Civit. Coventriae Maria ux Ioh. Swinfen de Swinfen gen Editha monialis apud Polesworth Franciscus Repington obiit 4 E. 6. Maria filia Ricardi Cotton de Ridware in CoÌ„ Staff Will. Ric. Thom. Repington ar obiit 14 Dec. 1615. Francisca filia Will. Stanford unius Justic. de Com. Banco Joh. Repington miles obiit 23. Jan. 1625. Margareta filia Edw. Litleton de Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff eq aur Joh. Repington miles Eliz. filia Edw. Sebright de Besford in Com. Wigorn. Bar. Humfridus obâ— sine prole an 1622. Edw. Maria primo nupta .... Kendall de Smythâ—by postea Clem. Fisher eq aur Kath. ux Rob. Burton de Lindley Anna ux Tho. Corbin The Chapell here id est the Glebe and Tithes thereto belonging was in 14 E. 3. valued at x. marks Piricroft THis hath antiently past by the name of a Mannour though now it be scarce so reputed and was originally a member of Tamworth as I guess for it appears to have been held of that Castle and being therewith possest was by one of the Marmions about King H. 2. time given to the Ancestour of Raphe Fitz-Raphe whose Descent I have put in Nether-Whitacre the succession of which Mannour it attended as by the Records I have there cited may appeare untill that Will. de Clinton E. of Huntendon in 16 E. 3. obtained the moitie of it in exchange for the moytie of the Mannour of Nether-Whitacre from Richard de Whitacre and Amabill his Wife by which means it descended to the posteritie of Sir Iohn de Clinton Knight elder brother to the said Earl in regard of his death without issue as in Maxstoke is shewed Sir Iohn de Clinton Knight dying seized of it in 20 R. 2. Which moytie being granted with Bole-Hall and Glascote to Iames Leveson Merchant of the Staple in 29 H. 8. and by him past to Sir Walter Aston Knight in marriage with Eliz. his daughter as hath been already observed was in 1 Caroli or about that time sold by Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bath and Baronet grandchild to the said Sir Walter But the residue continuing in the hands of the said Richard de Whitacre descended by an heir female as the Pedegree in Bermingham manifesteth unto Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley who in 14 H. 6. died seized thereof but it bore the name of no more than a fourth part of the Mannour and is now possessed scil anno 1640. by the present Earl of Essex as lineall heir to the said Lord Ferrers Soli Deo sit laus gloria a Sr. Walt. Ralegh in the Preface to his Hist. of the World b Ord. vit
699. b. 700. a. 701. b. 709. a Arden de Kingsbury 170. b. 760.761 a. b. 764. a Arden de Rodburne 219. b. 220. a. 384. a. 677. a. 684. a Arden de Rotley 414. b. 419. a. b. 420. b. 674. b Arden de Hanwell 674. b. 675. a. 677. b Arden de Drayton 534. a Arden de Grafton 541. a. 542. a Arden de Park-Hall 499. a. 641. b. 642.646 a. b. 647. a. 649. a. 678. a. b 680. b. 681. b. 682. a. 685. b. 721. b Armes antiently alluding to the name of the bearer 647. a. 674. a Armeburgh 775. b Armentiers 180. a 215. b Arrabi 48. a Arsic 157. b Arundel 30. b. 527. b. 693. a. 711. b. 712 a. 725 * a Ascough 430. a. 526. b Ashby 56. b. 585. b. 794. a Ashton 415. b. 601. b Askel 284. a Aspale 775. b Assells 396. b. 612. a. 637. a. 644. a Asserugge 556. a Astell 35. a. 587. a Aston 136. b. 596. b. 597. a. 713. a. 749. a 753. a. 756. a. 810. b 821. a. 824. a. b. 825. a. 826 Atwode 554. b. 557 b Audley sive Aldithley 213. a 547. a. 594. b. 762. a Audley Thomas Cancellarius Angl. 446. b. 815. b. 816 b Avenon 499. a. 500. a. 506. b. 612. b Aylesburie 210. a. 214. a. 471. a. 584. a. b. 604. a. 610. a b. 611. a. b. 644. a. b. 647. b. 694. a. 703. b. 720. a Ayleston 716. a Aynesworth 577. b Ayot 37. a B BAbington 770. a. 774. a Badger 455. a. 544. a Baginden 527. b Bagot 9. a. b. 12. a. b. 23 b. 138. b. 150. a. 152. a. b. 164. a. 196. b. 313 b. 513. a. 584. a. 590. a. 594. b. 730. a Bagot de Hide juxta Stafford 566. b. 567. a. 694. a. 807. a Baker 716. a. b Balaunce 141. b. 392. b. 431. a Balshall 521. b Banaster 295. a. 799. b Baptizing of Children the Ceremonies antiently used thereat 679. a. b Barbour 64. a Bardulf 160. b. 321. a. 480. b. 501. b Baret 128. b. 554. b Barnes 428. b Barre 586. a Barons warts temp Regis Ioh. the occasion thereof 310. b Barton 450. b. 457. a Basset 161. a. 556. b Basset de Brailesâ—ord 477. a Basset de Draiton 117. b. 164. b. 321. a. 466. b. 606. a. 636. a. 664. a. b. 725 b. 751. a. 781. a. 799. b Basset de Fledborough 674. b Basset de Hedindon 306. a. b. 307. a. 342. b Basset de Sapcote 217 a. 224. a. 431. b. 793. b Basset de Wolvey 44 b. 45. a. 47. a. 51. a 139. a. 285. a Baskervill 33. b. 782. a. 789. b Bassingburne 71. a. 777. b. 788. b Bate 61. a. 67 b Battail of Evesham 162. a. b Baylies 506. b Baynham 380. b Beauchamp de Elmley 309. b. 310. a. b. 311.312 a. 771. b Beauchamp Earls of vide Warwick Earls Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny 345. b. 615. b. 743. b. 744. a. b Beauchamp Comes Wigorn 746 a Beauchamp de Hach 321. a Beauchamp de Holt 32 a. b. 43. b. 44 a 415 b Beauchamp de Powik and Alcester 408. b 530. a. 569. b. 570. a. b. 571. a. b. 574. a 620. a. 629. a Beaufitz 176. b. 406. b. 708 a Beaufo 23. b. 186. b. 187. a. b. 189. a. b. 296. a. 343. a. 713. b Beaufort Dux Somerset 329 b Beaumont 176. b. â—â— 565. a. b. 766. a Beck 799. b. 807. b Beckbury 181. b Bedyl 801. b Beler 51. a Belcher 695 a. 770. b Bellers 198. a. 199. a. 756. a Belet 182. a. 441. a Belgrave 51. a Belingham 406. b. 708. b. Belknap 23. b. 142. a. 183. a. 200 a. 343. a. 408. b 409. a. 441. b. 484 a. 589. a. 596. b. 647. b. 678 b. 773. a Benedictine Monks vide Monks Benet 85. b 764. b Beningwoâ—th 460. b Benitone 5â—5 b Bentley 404. a Beâ—cheston 207 b. 453. b. 606. a. 724. * a. 749 a. b. 813 b Bereford 157 b 210. a. 232. a. 386. a. b. 387 a. 395. a 415. a b 423 b. 4â—8 b. 535. b. 541. a. 5â—7 a. 671. a. b. 67â— a. â—73 a. b. 674 a 764 b Bermingham 633. a. 637. b 644. a. b. 647 a. 648. a. b. 655 b. 656. a. b. 657. a b. 658 a. 659. a. b. 660 a 633. a. 684 a. 685. a. 688. b. 715. a. 728. a. 751 a Berkley 83 b. 194 a. 206. a 329. b. 431. b. 606. b. 619. a. 623. a. 646. a Berkswell 353. a Berners 801. b Bernthrop 630. b Berry alias Bury 450. b. 451. a Besiles 384. a Beton 224. a Bevill alias Beynvill 55. b. 198. a Bickenhill 713. b. 714. b Bifeild 651. b. Bigot 406. a. b. Bâ—ngham 678. b. 757. b. 821. b Birkin 692. b. Biseg 709. b. 729. * a. Bishe 223. b. 672. b. 743 b Biset 34. a. 306 b. Bishbury 755. b. 756. a Bishop 211. a. 427. a. 471. b Bishopsden 217. b. 366. b 376. b. 390 a. 391. a. 411. a. 441. a. b. 480. a. 481 a. 514 b. 525 b. 526. a. 517. b. 584. a. b. 585. a. 586. a. 589. a. 644 a. b. 646. b. 715. b Blacgrave 685. a. Bladinton 510. b. Blancfront 297 a. 342. b. 6â—3 a. 698. b Blâ—ys 423. a. Blike 494. b. Blithâ— 4â—3 b. 738. a. 755. b 756. a Blounce 33. a. Blount 29 b. 41. b. 216. a. 342. b. 414. b. 415. b. 579. b. 586. b. 825 b Bloxham 547. a. Bocher 177. a. Bodenham 619. a. Bodington 202. b Boâ—vâ—ll 157. b. 716. a Bohun 529. a. 543. a Bohun Co. Heref. 444. a Boleâ—n 4â—5 a. Bollâ—â— 651. a Boâ—ton 210. â— 607. b. Bonchâ—valier 450. a 671. a Bonde 124. a. b. 647. b. 650. a Bonnâ—bury 606. b. Boâ—thâ— 349. a 650 a. 7â—8 * 730. * â— Boscher 202. a de Bosco alias Boâ—s 6 b. 7. a. 8. b. 9. a. 39 a 81. b. 483. a. 494. a. 500. a. 767. b Boskervill 286. b. vide Baskervâ—ll Boteler 48 b. 56 a. 62. b 289 b. 428. a. 655 a. 755 a. 757. a. 783. b. 819. b Boteler de Oveâ—slâ—y 182. a. 385. a. 406. a. 430. a. b 431. b. 480. a. 500.529 b. 541. a. 545. a. b 572. b. 574. a. 575. b. 619. a. b. 621. b. 627. b 628. a. b. 631. b. 632. b Boteler de Eccleshall 79. b. 770. a. 774. a Boteler de Sudley 367. b. 408. b. 429. b. 441. b. 484. a. 589. a. 591. b. 596. a b. 598. a. 693. a. 708. b. 770. b. 772. a. b. 773. a. 774. a. 821. a Boteler de Soliâ—ull 678. b. 689. a. 690. a. 692. a. 693. b. 696. a. 724. * b. 726. * a. 749. a 750. b Boteler de Engleby 216. a. 799. b Boteler de Tamworth 778. b. Boteler de Wolvardington 28. a. 81. a. b Boteler de Hibernia 29. b Botoner 117. b. 137. a 140. a Botetort 545. b. 644. b 645. b. 646. a. 678. a 821. a Botreaux 568 b. 569. a. 570. b. 571. b. 572. a. b. 728. b Botryâ— 720. a Boughâ—on 9. a. 19 b. 22 a. 54. â— 55. a. b. 64. a
and so strengthned to hold it to himself and his Heirs After which time 't is very like that he and his descendants whilst the Male line lasted made it sometimes their seat for it is evident that in 13 E. 3. Iohn his Grandchild had summons amongst the rest of our Warwicksh Kts. to be in readiness sufficiently furnisht with Horse and Armes on the Feast day of St. Laurence to attend the K. into France Which last mentioned Iohn leaving issue Eliz. his Daughter and Heir wedded to Iohn de Moubray of Axholme in Lincolnsh a great Baron this Lordship inter alia divolv'd to that Family Hence it was that Tho. Moubray D. of Norff. son to the said Iohn and Eliz. being accused by the D. of Hereford for certain words spoken in dishonour of the K. R. 2. having challenged the said D. to a Duell appointed at Coventre upon Gosford-green where lists accordingly were set up went upon the day assigned on a Horse barded with Crimson Velvet embroydered with Lions of Silver and Mulbery-trees the issue of which business is sufficiently known to all that are but indifferently acquainted with our English History But after three descents more was this Lordship by Female issue transferred as it seems to Iohn Howard D. of Norff. Son and Heir to Sir Rob. Howard Kt. by Margaret one of the daughters to the before specified Tho. Moubray For by certain Depositions it appeareth that K. H. 7. immediatly after Bosworth-field where the said Iohn fighting on K. R. 3. part was slain gave it unto Sir Gilb. Talbot Kt. his near servant who came in person to take possession thereof But it was not long that Howard had it for by a Fine levied in 10 H. 7. did Maurice Berkley Son to Sir Iames Berkley Kt. and Isabel the other Daughter to the before specified Tho. Moubray D. of Norff. entayl it upon his Heirs Male for corrobration of whose estate therein it was afterwards by partition betwixt Howard and him allotted inter alia to his share whence it descended to George Lord Berkley who by his deed of Bargain and sale dated 14. Iunii 7. Car. sold it to Tho. Morgan of Weston-subt Wetheley Esq. The Chappell here now ruinous was antiently a Presentative as the Institutions of the following Incumbents do manifest Patroni Incumbentes D. Ioh. de Segrave miles Petrus de Incbarwe Pbr. 6. Cal. Feb. 1334. D. Ioh. de Segrave miles Will. de Walys Pbr. 4. Non. Apr. 1346. D. Ioh. de Segrave miles Ric. de Overton Cap. 8. Cal. Sept. 1349. D. Ioh. de Segrave miles Ioh. fil Rob. de Segrave 13. Kal. Dec. 1351. D. Ioh. de Segrave miles Rog. de Belgrave 1359. Below Caludon there is not any other place of note situat on the Banks of Sow within the liberties of Coventre so that now I must ascend to the head of Shirburn which beginning above Allesley being increast with severall torrents passeth through Coventre and on the verge of that Cities Liberties hath its confluence with Sow The first villages bordering upon this little Brook are Allesley and Coundon both which heretofore were Members of Coventre yet neither of them now are within those bounds though the later be in the Parish but do still continue part of Knightlow-Hund as all that Cities liberties heretofore was Allesley OF this there is no particular mention in the Conq. Survey it being there involved with Coventre whereof it was then a Member and of the Parish as aâ—â—ears by that Licence which R. Clinton B. of Cov. temp H. 1. granted for building of the Chappell here at the request of Ran. E. of Chester in the behalf of poor people as was also then allow'd to the inhabitants of Ansty and others whereof I have already spoke with reservation of Sepulture to the Mother Church As for the name I suppose it proceeded from some antient possessor thereof in the Saxons time which probably might be Alsi for that was an appellation then in use When it came first to the family of Hastings or how I cannot positively say yet confident I am that it was before the Marriage of Henry de Hastings with Ada Daughter to David E. oâ— Hunt by Maud the eldest Sister and one of the Coheirs to Ran. the last E. of Chester of that name because I find it not assigned to the said Maud amongst the lands and fees in partition allotted to her But the first mention thereof that I have met with in Record is after the death of the said H. de Hastings in 34 E. 3. it being then in the K. hands by reason of the minority of his Heir and held of the Crown as in right of the Earâ—dom of Chester which the K. in 23. of his reign had taken into his own hands giving satisfaction for the same to the Sisters and Heirs of Ranulph the last Eâ— of that name In which 34. year I find that one Raph de Ierdele a Heremite had an annuity of three Quarters of Wheâ—tâ— allow'd him by the K. out of this Mannour whereof he had the custody for the reason above exprest which yearly allowance the said Heremit had used to receive out of the Mannour of Ierdele in Northamptonsh belonging to the same Henry The next year following did the said H. â—nlarge his Park here having obtained 24. Acres of Westwood-wast from Osbert then Abbot of Stoneley to that purpose And from him it descended to Iohn his Grand-child as the Pedegree in Fillonlâ—y manifesteth who in 7. E. 1. was certified to hold it of Rog. de Somery Husband of Nichola one of the Sisters and Coheirs of Hugh de Albany E. of Arundell son of Will. de Albany and Mabel his Wife one of the Sisters and Coheirs to Ran. E. of Chester before specified by the service of one Kt. Fee which Iohn had then 26. servants here holding xx yard land and a half at will paying certain Rents and performing severall services in time of Harvest As also 22. Cottagers holding so many Cottages at will likewise paying certain small Rents and performing the like services with xi Freeholders occupying 6. yard land and a half and 17. acres for severall Rents and suit to his three weeks Court And moreover 40. acres of out-wood with an antient Park containing 30. acres whereof 12. were parcell of the Mannour of Stoneley but by what authority inclosed within that Park not then known And lastly Freewarren and Weyfs within his liberties here as also Court-Leet Gallows Assize of Bread and Beer for a pâ—â—frey yearly payable to the King All which liberties with certain other Priviledges did he claim within this Mannour by Prescription in 13 E. 1. alledging that himself and his ancestors had enjoy'd them time out of mind From whom descended Iohn de Hastings E. of Penbroke his great Grand-child as the Pedegree in Fillongley sheweth which Earl entayling his lands as there appeareth and
ever after found yet by his Cote of Arms discovering who he was they might have been buried together the state and lustie of whose equipage in that journey may in some sort be discerned by his Painters bill which I have here from the Original transcribed having with him a peculiar Officer at Arms called Warwick-Herauld who had a grant from him of an Annuity of x. Marks Sterling per annum Thes be the parcels that Will. Seburgh Citizen and Peyntour of London hath delivered in the monthe of Juyll the xv yeer of the reign of Kyng Harry the sixt to John Ray Taillour of the same Citee for the use and stuff of my Lord of Warwyk Ferst CCCC Pencels bete with the Raggidde staffe of silver pris the pece v. d. 08. l. -06 s. -00 Item for the peynting of two Paveys for my Lord the one with a Gryfon stondying in my Lordis Colours rede white and russet pris of the Pavys 00-06-08 Item for the other Pavys peyntid with blak and a Raggid staffe bete with silver occupying all the felde pris 00-03-04 Item one Cote for my Lordis body bete with fine gold pris 01-10-00 Item other two Cotes for Herawdes bete with dymy gold pris the pece xx s. 02-00-00 Item iii. Baners for Trumpetis bete with dymy gold pris the pece xiii s. iiii d. 02-00-00 Item iiii Spere shafts of reed pris the pece xâ—i d. 00-0â—-00 Item one grete Burdon peynted with reed 00-01-02 Item 1. nother Burdon ywrithyn with my Lordis Colours reed white and russet 00-02-00 Item for a grete Stremour for the Ship of xl yerdis length and viii yerdis in brede with a grete Bere and Gryfon holding a Raggid staffe poudrid full of raggid staves And for a grete Crosse of S. George for the lymmyng and portraying 01-06-08 Item a Gyton for the Shippe of viii yerdis longe poudrid full of raggid staves for the lymmyng and workmanship 00-02-00 Item for xviii grete Standards entretailled with the Raggid staffe pris the pece viii d. 00-12-00 Item xviii Standardis of worsted entretailled with the Bere and a Cheyne pris the pece xii d. 00-18-00 Item xvi othir Standardis of worsted entertailled with the Raggid staffe pris the pece xii d. 00-05-04 Item 3. Penons of Satyn entreteylled with Raggid staves for the lymmyng full of raggid staves pris the pece ii s. 00-06-00 Item for the Cote armour bete for George by the commandement of my Lord pris 00-06-08 But he safely arrived though not without much difficulty and continued in that high imployment till his death which hapned about 4. years after as I shall shew anon using this title in his Charters Ric. de Beauchamp Comes de Warrewyk de Aumarle seign L'isle Capitayne de Roven Having thus manifested the chief of his publick imployments I now come to speak of those pious works which for his Souls advantage he either performed himself in his life time or by his Will appointed that his Executors should do Of the first was the foundation of that Chantry at Guy-Cliff in 9. H. 6. whereof I have there spoke at large but the rest being left to his Executors performance viz. to perfect the building at Guyes-Cliff the building of that magnificent Chapel in honour of our Lady adjoyning to the Collegiat Church in Warwick where his Monument now is of which I shall speak more fully there the amortizing of Lands for the maintenance of 4. more Priests and 2. Clerks in the said Collegiat Church over and above the number there before and of Lands to the value of xx Marks per ann to his Colledge at Elmley for the maintenance of one more Priest to be added to the number at that time there By his said last Will and Testam bearing date at Caversham in Oxfordsh 8. Aug. An. 1435. 15. H. 6. which is very memorable he appointed that first and in all haste possible after his decease there should be five thousand Masses said for his Soul Next his debts to be truely and wholly paid Then that untill the Chapel above specified were finisht his body should be laid in a Chest of stone before the Altar on the right hand of his fathers Tomb in the said Collegiat Church of Warw. afterwards removed thither where he ordained 3. Masses every day to be sung as long as the world might endure one of our Lady with Note according to the Ordinale Sarum The 2. without Note of Requiem The 3. also without Note viz. the Sunday of the Trinity the Munday of the Angels the Tuesday of S. Thomas of Canterb. the Wednesday of the Holy-ghost the Thurâ—day of Corpus Christi the Fryday of the Holy Crosse the Saturday of the Annunciation of our Lady for performance of which he appointed xl l. Lands per ann over and above all reprises to be amortized viz. for every of the four Priests above specified x. Marks per ann and for every Clerk v. Marks and x. Marks to be divided amongst the said four Priests and other six Vicars of the Colledge to increase their yearly salary viz. to each of them xiii s. iiii d. And besides this that his Executors should treat with the Abbot and Covent of Tewksbury and agree that in their Monastery his Obit might be yearly kept as also one Masse sung every day there for his Soul which to be the first if it might be if not the last To the Collegiat Church of Warwick he gave an Image of our Lady in pure Gold there to remain for ever in the name of a Heriot and appointed that his Executors should cause four Images of Gold each weighing xx li. to be made like unto himself in his Coat of Arms holding an Anker betwixt his hands and so to be offered and delivered in his name viz. one to the Shrine in the Church of S. Alban to the honour of God our Lady and S. Alban another to the Shrine of S. Thomas at Canterbury the third at Bridlington in Yorksh. and the fourth at the Shrine in the Church of S. Winifride at Shrewsbury And moreover that a goodly Tombe of Marble should be erected in the Abby of Kingswood in Com. Glouc. upon the grave of Eliz. his first wife as also restitution made for any wrong done by him and his servants to be rewarded To Isabell then his wife he gave all the silver vessel bedding and houshold stuffe that he had with her and over and above all that and whatsoever else she had since they were married two dozen of silver dishes xii Chargers of silver xii saucers of silver a pair of Basyns covered silver and gilt four other Basyns of silver four Ewers of silver xii pieces of silver of one sort with his Arms enameled on the bottom of them likewise the great Paytren bought of the Countesse of Suff. sometime belonging to the Earle of Salisbury and to his Son Henry the Cup of Gold with the dance of men and women
Of which Testament were Executors the Lord Cromwell the Lord Tiptoft Iohn Throkmorton Ric. Curson Thomas Huggeford Will. Berkswell Priest and Nich. Rody his Steward After which viz. ult Apr. An. 1439. 17. H. 6. he departed this life as his monumental inscription here most exactly imitated together with the true representation of his magnificent Tombe sheweth leaving issue by Eliz. his first wife daughter and Heir to Thom. L. Berkley three daughters viz. Margaret born at Good-rest in Wedgnok-park the next year after the Battail of Shrewsbury â— second wife to the famous Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury which Margaret died at Londonâ— An. 1467. 7. E. 4. and was buried under the Quire in the Cathedral of St. Paul commonly called St. Faiths Church Alianore born at Walkinston in Essex shortly after the feast of our Ladye 's Nativity 9. H. 4. first married to the L. Rosse â— and afterwards to Edm. Beaufort Marq. Dorset and D. of Somerset And Elizabeth born in Warwick-Castle wife to George Nevil Lord Latimer To his second wife he wedded Isabel daughter of Thomas le Despenser E. of Glouc. and by the death of her brother Richard and elder sister Eliz. without issue Heir to all his Lands but being the widow to Ric. Beauchamp E. of Worcest his Uncles son as in Fillongley I have shewed he had a special dispensation from the Pope to marry her The pictures of which his wives children together with his own as they stand in the East window of that stately Chapel before specified where his Monument is I have upon the next page exquisitely represented By this Isabel he left issue Henry and Anne of both which I shall speak in their order The Lands whereof he was possest were very vast as may seem by that computation of their yearly value extracted from the Accompts of his several Bayliffs through England and Wales in 12. H. 6. amounting to no lesse than 8306. Marks 11. s. 11. d. ob Which setting aside the good penniworths that his Tenants had of what they then held would in the dayes we live augment that sum sixfold at least considering that about that time Barly was sold for 4. s. 2. d. the quarter Oats at 2. s. 1. d. ob Capons at 3. d. a piece and Hens at 1. d. ob as by certain Accompts of his Houshold-Officers appeareth Of her death let us hearken to what the MS. Hist. of Tewksbury saith Isabella uxor Ricardi quinti patrona de Theokesbri rediit de Francia aliquandiu se in Monasterio Canonicorum de Southwyke resocillavit Haec Isabella sepulta est in Theokesbyri eodem anno quo obiit Ricardus quintus Comes de Warwike ejus maritus But of her Monument so designed as I have said there is no more now remaining than what I have here in this Figure exprest I now come to Henry the succeeding Earle Son and Heir to Richard by the said Lady Isabel. This Henry was born at Hanley-Castle in Worcester-shire on Thursday xi Kal. Apr. An. 1424. 3. H. 6. and baptized on the Saturday by Philip Morgan Bishop of Worcester having to his God-fathers at the font Henry Beaufort Cardinal and Bishop of Winchester with Humfry E. Stafford and to his God-mother Ioane Lady Bergavenny the same B. of Worcester being his God-father also at confirmation At his fathers death he hardly exceeded the age of fourteen years but was a person of extraordinary hopes as by the early appearance of his heroick disposition is evident for before he accomplisht full xix years of age he tendred his service for defence of the Dutchy of Aquitane in consideration whereof and to give him the more encouragement in that expedition the K. by his Charter bearing date at Dover 2. Apr. 22. of his Reign created him Primier Earle of England and for a distinction betwixt him and other Earles granted to him and the Heirs male of his body leave to wear a golden Coronet about his head as well in his own presence as elsewhere upon such great Festivals as the like used to be worn And within 3. dayes following considering the high deserts of his noble father of whom he hath this expression quem meaning Earl Richard dignissimè in Armorum strenâ—itate ut columnam immobilem belli fata pro nobis nostris magnanimiter libenter sustinentem suorum cognoscit commendat ingenia ex excellentia meritorum minimè per nos aut progenitores nostros huc usque remuncratorum c. advanced him to the title of Duke of Warwick granting him place in Parl. and all other meetings next to the D. of Norff. and before the Duke of Buck. and giving him xl l. per ann to be paid by the Sheriffe of Warr. and Leic. Shires for the time being out of the revenue of these Counties towards the better support of that Honour But this businesse of Precedency was so stomackt by Humfrey Duke of Buck. that had not the K. by Act of Parl. in 23. of his reign which was the next year ensuing the said Duke of Warwick's Creation qualified it much inconvenience had arisen upon it Therefore for appeasing the contention and strife moved betwixt them for that preheminence those are the words of the Act it was established that from the 2. of Decemb. then next following they should take place of each other by turn viz. one that year and the other the next and so as long as they lived together the Duke of Warwick to have the first years precedency and he which should survive to have place of the others heir male as long as he livedâ— And from that time that the heir male of each should take place of other according as it might happen he had livery of his lands before him After which he had a grant in reversion from the death of Humfrey Duke of Glouc of the Isles of Gerneseyâ— Iersey Serk Erm and Aureney for the yearly Rent of a Rose to be paid at the feast of the Nativity of S. Iohn Bapt. As also of the Monnour and Hundred of Bristoll in Glouchesterâ—sh for the yearly ferm of lx li. and besides this of all the Kings Castles and Mannours within the Forest of Dene for the Rent of C. l. per ann To all which Honours he had this further added viz. to be Crowned King of the Isle of Wight by the Kings own hands But this hopefull branch the onely heir male to these great Earlsâ— was cropt in the flower of his youth before the fruits of his Heroik disposition could be fully manifested to the world for upon S. Barnabas day sc. xi Iunii 1445. 23. H. 6. being but xxii years of age he died at Hanley the place of his birth and was buried in the Abby of Tewksbury about the midst of the Quire at the head of Prince Edw. Son and Heir to
Earl of of Mellent contained 3 hides and was valued at iiii li. the woods whereof were a mile in extent but in Edw. the Confessors dayes it was the Freehold of one Bovi From which Earl as most of the lands which he had in this County did it came to the hands of Henry de Newburgh his brother the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line as is evident enough And in 9 Ioh. was inter alia assigned for the dower of Alice the widow of Waleran Earl of Warwick so also in 26 H. 3. to Ela the widow of Thomas Earl of Warwick which Ela in 36 H. 3. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all her demesn lands here and purchased certain other lands in this place of Sir Henry de Lodbroke Kt. which she gave to the Priory at Warwick After this viz. in 13 E. 1. Will. de Beauchamp claimed a Gallows with Assize of Bread and Beer in this Mannour by Prescription which were allowed And in 9 E. 2. was it assigned inter alia as part of the dowry of Alice widdow unto Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick To the posterity of which Earls it continued till 3 H. 7. but then coming to the Crown with all the rest of the possessions belonging to that Earldome was by K. H. 8. in 26 of his reign leased to Rog. Walford for xxi years But King Edw. 6. 22 Dec. 1. of his reign granted the inheritance thereof together with the Castle of Warwick c. unto Iohn Dudley Earl of Warwick After whose attainder in 1 Mariae the said Q. made a Lease thereof for xl years at the Rent of xxvii li. iiii s. i d. ob to Clem Throgmorton of Haseloy Esquier But in 4 Eliz. did Ambrose Dudley then Earl of Warwick obtaine a Pat. thereof together with the Castle of Warwick c. to himselfe and the heirs male of his body who dying without issue it returned to the Crown and was afterwards purchased by Thomas Spencer Esquier a younger son to Sir Iohn Spencer of Althorpe in com Northampt. Knight Which Thomas having likewise obtained a Lease from the Dean and Chapter of Worcester of certain lands in this place built a very fair House thereupon and for the great Hospitality which he kept thereat was the mirrour of this County But having no issue male setled this Mannour inter alia upon Sir Will. Spenser Baronet son and heir of Sir Thomas and he of Sir Will. sometime of Yarnton in Oxfordshire his third brother Touching the Church dedicated to S. Michael it appeareth that Roger Earl of Warwick in 23 H. 1. gave to his Collegiate Church of Warwick then newly founded two parts of the Tithes issuing out of the Inclosures in this parish and likewise of the paunage of all the woods belonging thereto And that in an 1291 19 E. 1 it was valued at xv marks and a half the Vicars portion being then six marks and a half Which Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was rated at vi li. the Procurations and Synodalls issuing out of it being viii li. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. de Berninton Cap. 2 Cal. Iunii 1269. Archidiaconus Wigornia Galf. de Wykwau Pbr. 5 Cal. Sept. 1283. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ric. de Stockton Pbr. 6 Non. Martii 1304. Archidiaconus Wigornia Rob. de Buynton Cap. 11 Cal. Apr. 1307. Archidiaconus Wigornia D. Ioh. de Clone Pbr. 19 Cal. Sept. 1327. Archidiaconus Wigornia Thomas Person Cap. 14 Maii 1359. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. de Stone Pbr. penult Aug. 1361. Archidiaconus Wigornia Will. de Blaklow Pbr. 8 Oct. 1361. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. Curteys Pbr. 19 Feb. 1373. Archidiaconus Wigornia D. Ioh. de Westbury alias Brakley 4 Oct. 1413. Archidiaconus Wigornia Henr. Andrew Cap. 3 Ian. 1423. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. Fletcher Cap. 9 Apr. 1432. Archidiaconus Wigornia Ioh. Hamond Pbr. 8 Iulii 1436. Archidiaconus Wigornia D. Ioh. Reve Cap. 5 Ian. 1473. Archidiaconus Wigornia Will. Pecock art Magr. 17 Apr. 1535. D. Episc. hac vice Andr. Bassam S. Theol. Bac. 4 Maii 1536. Archidiac Wigorn. D. Ric. Todde Pbr. 3 Iulii 1543. Archidiac Wigorn. Edw. Millard Cler. 29 Iulii 1574. Archidiac Wigorn. Rob. Fynche Cler. 8 Feb. 1586. Kington THis is that place as I conceive which I find written Cinton in the Conquerors Survey and there certified to have been at that time possest by the Earl of Mellent and to contain one hide and a half which was then wast and valued at no more than v s. But the extent of the woods is not there recorded howbeit the valuation of them is put at x s. which with the rest had been the freehold of Britnod before the Norman invasion All that I have further seen of this place is that the Abbot of Bordsley had very antiently two carucates of land here for which in 4 E. 1. he was presented to have withdrawn his suit xx years before that time but by whom or when it was given I am not very sure And that after the dissolution of the said Monastery the same land by the name of the Grange Mannour or Ferme of Kington c. was granted to Clem. Throkmorton Esq and Alex. Avenon and their heirs in 37 H. 8. Which Clem. dyed seized thereof by the name of Kinton-Ferm or Grange in 16 Eliz. Langley IN the Conquerors time this being possest by Rob. de Stadford was of him held by one Iudichel and by the Survey then taken certifyed to contain 1. hide and a half having woods belonging thereto of one mile in length and half a mile in breadth all which were valued at xl s. and had been the freehold of Ernvi in Edw. the Confessors dayes Howbeit after this till 13 Ioh. I find no more mention of it and then it with Norton being part of the Honour of Hervie de Stafford in this County answered for two Knights Fees But it seems that one of the Gurleys Lords of Norton Curley was enfeoft thereof by some of the posterity of the before specifyed Robert de Stadford for in 23 H. 3. Will. de Curley confirm'd to the Monks of Bordsley all the lands which had been granted to them within the Territories of Langle of his Fee And in 36 H. 3. held one Knights Fee here and in Norton of Robert de Stafford To deduce the succession of its possessors exactly I cannot therefore what I have disjointedly found thereof must satisfy In 17 Edw. 2. Sir Henry de Lodbroke Knight wrote himself Dominus de Langele and within two years after Will. Vauhan had the same title as by his deed with his seal of Armes thereto annext viz. a Cross within a border both engrailed doth testifie And in 39 Edw. 3. was there a Fine levyed of this Mannour between Sir Baldwin Frevill