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
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
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
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
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
memorable other than that he inclosed this Lordship and that he departed this world 29. Aug. Anno 1517. 9 H. 8. leaving issue by Eliz. his first wife daughter to Sâ—r Raufre Arundell Knight Isabell wife to Thomas Marrow Sergeant at Law and Constance married to Sir Edward Ferrers Knight By Katherine his second wife daughter of ...... Lumpeck Edward Brome who died childless And by Lettice his third wife daughter of Nicholas Catesbyâ— Raph Brome from whom they of Woodlow are descended Which Sir Edward Ferrers â— bâ—ing son and heir to Sir Henry Ferrers of Hambleton in Com. Rutl. Knight second son of Thomas Ferrers of Tamworth-Castle in this Countie by Eliz. sister and coheir to Sir Baldwin Frevile Knight as the Descent in Tamworth sheweth had in right of the said Constance this Lordship of Badsley for her share whose posterity have continued owners of it ever since amongst which the memory of Henry Ferrers great gradchild to the same Sir Edward who for his eminent knowledge in Antiquities gave a fair lustre to that antient and noble Family whereof he was no small ornament is yet of high esteem in these parts That which is now the Church here dedicated to S. Iames having been antiently a Chapell of Hampton in Arden and therewith coming to the Canons of Kenilworth as in Hampton is shewed was appropriated to that Monasterie in Anno 1217. 2 H. 3. But notwithstanding this Appropriation it continued as a Rectorie and in an 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at two marks in 14 E. 3. at Lxvi s. viii d. and in 26 H. 8. at iv li. vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Iacobus de Clinton Magr. Will. le Archer 5. Id. Maii 1305. D. Episc. per lapsum Ioh. de Ashyby Cler. 5. Cal. Iunii 1318. Thomas fil Iac. de Clinton Galfr. de Stoneley Cap. 9. Cal. Maii 1328. D. Ioh. de Moubray patronus hac vice Rob. de Enderby Cler. Id. Apr. 1339. D. Ioh. de Clinton miles Will. Serle de Sutham Cler. 6. Id. Febr. 1346. Ioh. de Coningesby Ioh. le Kinge Cap. 5. Cal. Nov. 1349. Ioh. de Coningesby Rog. de Notingham Pbr. 8. Cal. Maii 1353. Ioh. Fouke Will. Clecher Cap. 8. Id. Iulii 1364. Ioh. Fouke Ric. Hanne 3. Cal. Martii 1365. Ioh. Fouke Rad. Poutrell Pbr. 5. Id. Iunii 1381. Nich. Dudley Will. Osmunde Pbr. 1. Sept. 1396. Rob. Burdet D. de Badsley Thomas Hogges Cap. 3. Nov. 1402. Rob. Burdet D. de Badsley Rob. Harlaston Cap. 27. Oct. 1409. Rob. Burdet D. de Badsley Ioh. Osgodby Cap. 22. Sept. 1414. Iohanna Burdet Domina de Badsley D. Ioh. West Cap. 4. Nov. 1418. D. Episc. per lapsum Alex. Awen Pbr. 23. Maii 1493. Nich. Brome ar Will. Sneleston Cap. 14. Nov. 1499. Nich. Brome ar Rob. Banke Pbr. 8. Oct. 1501. Iacobus Rex per lapsum Mauritius Iones Cier 5. Iunii 1606. Iacobus Rex per lapsum Franc. Edwards Cler. 11. Iunii 1619. In the upper part of the East window of the Chancell here at Badsley are curiously represented in Glasse the portraitures of Sir Edward Ferrers Knight and the Lady Constance his wife with three sons and six daughters all kneeling before S. George with this expression in a scroul coming from his mouth Sancte Georgi ora pro nobis as also his Armes empaling hers both with quartrings and supported with two Vnicorns Ermine And in the lower part of the same window is the picture of the same Sir Edward and the Lady Constance his wife with Nicholas Brome Eâ—quire her Father all kneeling in their furcoats of Aâ—mes before a Crucifix the scroul from the lips of the said Sir Edward having this written therein scil Amor meus Crucifixus est And of a later time set up towards the bottom of the same window these four Coats 1. Ferrers empaling Hampden 2. Ferrers empaling Windsor 3. Ferrers empaling White 4. Ferrers impaling Pâ—to with these Inscriptions as I have here divided them 1. Nicholas Brome â—squire Lord and owner of Badsley marâ—â—â—â— Elizabeth daughter of Sir Rawâ—re Arundell of Eggleshole in the Countie of Cornwall Knight Anno Dom. 1473. and died thâ— x â—h 〈◊〉 October 1517. leaving issue Isabell and Constance his two daughters and lieth buried at this Church-dore 2. Sir Edward Ferrers Knight son and heire of Sir Henry Ferrers of East-Peckham in the Counâ—ty of Kent Knight maâ—ried Câ—nstance daughter and coheir of the same Nicholas â—f this Mannour of Badsley-Clinton Anno Dom. 1497. He dâ—ed 2â— Aug. 1535. and lieth buried in the Tombe of the Chancell 3. Dame Constance Ferrers daughter and coheir to Nicholas Brome and Elizabeth Aâ—undel his first wife who married to Sir Edward Ferrers An. D. 1497. and died 30. Sept. 1551. leaving issue by him Henry Edward George and Nicholas and six daughters Jane Ursula Anne Margaret Elizabeth and Alice figured as abovesaid 4. Henry Ferrers Esquire son and heir of the same Sir Edward and Dame Constance married Catherine daughter and coheir of Sâ—r John Hampden of Hampden in the Countie of Buck. Knight Anno 1524 and died 1526. leaving issue only Edward Ferrers his heir and lieth buried in this Tombe 5. Edward Ferrers Esquire son of the same Henry married Bridget daughter of William Lord Windsor Anno Dom. 1548. and died 11. Aug. 1564. leaving issue Henry Ferrers his heir and lieth buried in Tarbick-Church in the Countie of Worcester 6. Henry Ferrers Esquire son of the same Edward and Bridget his wife married Jane the youngest daughter and coheir of Henry White of South-warnborn in the Countie of Hamps Esquire Anno Dom. 1582. and died the x th of October 1633. leaving issue onely Edward Ferrers his heir and lieth buried in this Chancell 7. Edward Ferrers Esquire son of the same Henry and Jane his wife married Anne the eldest daughter of William Peto of Chesterton Esquire Anno Dom. 1611. She died the xii th day of September Anno Dom. 1618. leaving issue onely Henry Ferrers born the 18 th day of December Anno Dom. 1616. All which portraitures and Armes together with the Monument of the same Sir Edward Ferrers and the Lady Constance his wife situate in an Arch on the South side of this Chancell were drawn by my self and designed ready for the Graver with great curiosity to the intent that the beauty of them which is so subject to perish by time and unhappy accidents might have been represented to the world in such sort as others are in this present work for their lasting memorie But so frugall a person is the present heir of the Family now residing here as that he refusing to contribute any thing towards the charge thereof and it not being proper for me to undergo it totally they are omitted The Epitaph upon that Monument of the before specified Sir Edward Ferrers Knight Here lyeth Sir Edward Ferrers Knight son
and heir of Sir Henry Ferrers and Margaret Hekstall his wife of East Peckham in the County of Kent Knight He died th xxix th day of August 1535. leaving issue Henry Edward George and Nicholas Here also lieth Dame Constance his wife daughter heir to Nicholas Brome Esquire of this Mannour of Badsley-Clinton who died the xxx th day of September 1551. Here also lieth Henry Ferrers their eldest son and heir who married Catherine one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John Hampden of Hampden in the Countie of Buck. Knight He died Anno D. 1526. leaving issue Edward Ferrers married to Briget daughter to William Lord Windsor of Bradenham 1548 and died Anno Dom. 1564. Ecce hic in pulvere dormimus Hic nostrae residet gloria carnis Disce mori mundo Vivere disce Deo Hodiae nobis Other Monumentall Inscriptions Upon a stone in the midst of the Chancell Here lieth Henry Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Edward Ferrers and Briget Windsor his wife who was sometime Lord of this Mannour and married Jane one of the daughters and coheirs of Henry White son and heir of Sir Thomas White of South-Warnborn He died the x th day of October Anno Dom. 1633. of his age the 84 th leaving issue Edward Ferrers Upon another near the former Here lieth the body of Edward Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Henry Ferrers and Jane White his wife sometimes Lord of this Mannour who married Anne the eldest daughter of William Peto of Chesterton Esquire and Elianor Aston his wife who died March the xx â—h aged 65. Anno à pariente Virgine 1650. leaving issue onely Henry Ferrers Haec mihi lapidea marmorea posita est immo tibi qui hoc legis quisquis es vigila dum vigilas in rem tuam maturè propera horam scit nemo Vale. In the body of the Church Here lieth Anne the eldest daughter of William Peto of Chesterton Esquire and Elianor Aston his wife who was married to Edward Ferrers Esquire Lord of this Mannour of Badsley the xii th day of February Anno Dom. 1611. and died in child-birth the xii th day of September Anno 1618. aetatis suae 33. leaving issue onely Henry Ferrers Inscribed on the South side of the Chancell in stone Edward Ferrers Esquire son and heir of Henry Ferrers and Jane White his wife did new build and reediâ—ie this Chancell at his own proper costs and charges Anno Dom. 1634. Monuments and Monumentall Inscriptions now defaced which were taken notice of by Mr. Henry Ferrers in Queen Elizabeth's time In the Chancell upon a raised Monument Hic jacet Beatrix Brome vidua filia Radulfi Shirley militis quondam uxor Iohannis Brome de Badsley-Clintoâ— armigeri que obiit â— die mensis Iulit anno Domini MCCCClxxxiii cujus anime propitietur Deus Amen Vpon a Marble there whereon was a large Portraiture in Brasse of a man in armour Hic jacet Philippus Purefey armiger filius heres Willielmi Purefey de Shirford in Com. War armigeri qui obiit xviâ— die mensis Septembris anno Domini MCCCClxviâ— cujus anime propitietur Deus In this Chancell there is a large grave-stone whereon is a plaine Cross but no Inscription under it lyeth buried Dorothy sole daughter and heir of Thomas Marrow Sergeant at Law who was first married to Francis Cokeyne of Pooley in this County Esquire and afterwards to Sir Humfrey Ferrers of Tamworth-Castle Under a large marble lying within the Church dore at the very entrance whereupon hath been a faire portraiture in brasse of a man in armour lyeth buried Nicholas Brome sometime Lord of this Mannour And under the next stone lyeth Elizabeth one of his daughters wife to Thomas Hawe of Solihull Under another neare thereto lyeth Edward Brome son of the said Nicholas by Katherine Lampeck his second wife which Edward married Margery the daughter to Iohn Bâ—aufo of Emscote in this County Eâ—quire and dyed Anno 1531. 23 H. 8. Church-Bikenhill REturning now to the stream of Blithe I come next to Church-Bikenhill This containeth four other petty Hamlets viz. Hill-Bikenhill Midle-Bikenhill Kingsford Wavers-Merston Merston-Culy and Lindon of all which Turchill de Warwick was possest in the Conqueror's time but then they were reputed for no more than two Villages the one certified to contain two hides with Woods of four furlongs in length and as much in breadth having been the freehold of Aluuardus before the Norman invasion And the other likewise two hides the Woods belonging thereto being xii furlongs in length and six in breadth all which one Aluric enjoyed in Edw. the Confessor's days In Domesday-book they are both written Bichehelle but afterwards Bychenhulle and Bigenhull wherefore considering therewith the present manner of pronouncing the word I do conâ—clude that the name originally grew from the old English word Biggen which signifieth a Hall on Mannour-House the later syllable shewing that it stood upon an ascent as we see this town doth It should seem that a younger branch of Arden's Familie whereof the said Turchill was the root had that which is now called Church-Bikenhill assigned for his patrimonie for in the Deed made by Henry de Arderne Turchil's grandson and heir of certain lands for the dowrie of Leticia his wife he likewise grants unto her servitium Eustachii de Arderne de Bychenhulla which it appears that he held of him But I am of opinion that the descendants of this Eustace forsook the name of Ardern and in respect of their residence here assumed the name of Bikenhull for in 33 H. 2. and afterwards I find mention of Thomas de Bikenhulle with relation to this place and about the beginning of H. 3. time Alexander de Bykenhull which Alexander bound himself in the summe of â—v marks of silver unto Sir Hugh de Arden of Hampton Knight that he would neither sell or pawn any part of his lands without the consent of the said Sir Hugh and in 19 H. 3. was one of the Justices of Assize in this Countie After which scil in 23 E. 1. Alice de Langley of whom in Wolfhamcote I have spoke wrote her self Domina de Bygenhull perhaps she was widow unto the said Alexander and yet the same year did Thomas whom I conceive to be his son stile himself so likewise But the next possessor of it though how I find not was Walter Parles about the later end of E. 2. time To whom succeeded William Parles who in 1 E. 3. past away his title therein unto Sir Iohn Peche of Hampton in Arden Knight whose grandchild Sir Iohn Peche in 28 E. 3. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here From which time for want of light I have not discovered any more thereof The Church dedicated to S. Peter though at the first Foundation of the Monasterie of Henwood it was united thereto continued not 〈◊〉 â—o thâ—se Nunns but was transmitted
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.
marks found sufficient sureties for his future good behaviour viz. Sir Iohn Murdak Knight Simon de Whitacre and Alan de Wodelowe And the next year following being a Justice of Assize in this County bore for his Armes Sable three Lozenges Aâ—gent After which viz. in 1 Edw. 3. he was a Knight and in 11 Edw. 3. one of the three for this County that had speciall summons to attend the King in his great Councell held at Westminster the Friday next after Michaelmass-day The next year following he had the like summons to be aâ— Westminster on the morrow after the Clause of Easter the Kâ—ng being then resolved upon an expedition beyond Sea in which year also he was constituted a Commissioner for conservation of the Peace in this Countie and to see that all persons were sufficiently armed according to the Statute of Winchester In 17 E. 3. he was in Commission to arrest such Proctors as were then imployed here in England as also other Purveyors from the Court of Rome which by vertue of the Pope's Bulls did put in practise divers things derogating from the King 's Royall power In 18 E. 3. again joyned in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Countie In 19 E. 3. he had summons amongst sundry other persons of note to be well accoutred with Hoâ—se and Armes on the Feast of S t Laurence to attend the King in his French expedition and by Ioane the daughter of Hugh de Culi of Radclive in Leicestershire had issue Richard his son and heir who bore for his Armes Argent upon a bend sable cotized Gules three Lozenges of the first Which Richard in 27 and 28 E. 3. was imployed as a Commissioner for levying and collecting a xvth and xth in this Countie So likewise in 47 and 48 Edw. 3. but farther of him I have not observed any thing memorable other than that he left issue one onely daughter called Ioane wedded to Alan Waldeif of Alspath by whom she had two daughters and heirs viz. Elene married to Richard Walsh of Onelip in Leicestershire and Margaret to Thomas Hore of Elmedon Which Richard Walsh and Thomas Hore were certified to hold this Mannour joyntly in 10 H. 6. but afterwards Hore had it wholy as it seemes and left Alan his son and heir and he Katherine an onely daughter married to Iohn Boteler of Solihull Gentleman Which Iohn and Katherine had issue Iohn Boteler who sold his moytie to Thomas Marow then of Wrydfen Esquire In whose hands it continued but a while for by his Deed bearing date 3. Martii 2 3 Ph. M. in consideration of CCC li. he past away the same unto Richard Kyfe alias Coke and Iohn Miller both of this town Yeomen and to the heirs and assigns of the said Richard Which Richard by his last Will and Testament bearing date about November 5 6 Ph. M. bequeathed all his lands to Katherine Corbet his wifes daughter and the heirs of her body whereby the inheritance thereof came to the posterity of the same Iohn Miller unto whom she was wedded But the other moytie descended from the before specified Richard Walshe and Elene his wife to Thomas Walshe their son and heir and so to Anne the wife of Sir Thomas Pultney Knight cosin and heir to the said Thomas Walshe Which Sir Thomas Pultney had issue Francis and he Gabraell who in Queen Elizabeth's time aliened it to the heirs of the said Iohn Miller most if not all the Fermes as of Marow's moytie before specified and part of the demesns having been sold out before to the particular Tenants The Church here dedicated to S. Leonard was originally but a Chapell belonging to Colshill as may seem by what I have in Colshill already manifested yet did the patronage thereof pass by the name of a Church in 3 Ioh. as appears by the grant then made unto the Nuns of Mergate in Bedfordshire from Iordan de Whitacre the appropriation whereof I have not seen conceiving that it was very antient but the Cure hath been served by a Stipendiarie there being no Vicar endowed Whitacre inferior THis being part of that which in my discourse of Whitacre superior is contained under the name of Witecore without any distinction came totally to the Marmions Lords of Tamworth-Castle as the other did and in King Stephen or beginning of Hen. 2. reign was granted by Robert Marmion to William Fitz Raphe to hold by the service of one Knight's Fee Which William being a very devout man gave to the Nuns of Polesworth all his lands lying in Aldulvestre now called Austrey in this Shire To whom succeeded Raphe also sirnamed Fitz Raphe one of the pledges for Robert Marmion in 2 H. 3. that he should faithfully keep the Castle of Tamworth to the King's use who in 6 H. 3. was one of the Justices of Assize in this Countie and in 20 H. 3. certified to hold this Mannour of the said Robert Marmion by the service of one Knight's Fee whereat both he and his successors for some descents resided as I guess there being the site of a fair Mannour place which had antiently a Park belonging thereto The next of which line was Nich. Fitz-Raphe whom I take to be son and heir to Raphe before specified who being a Knight about the 29. of H. 3. and in 34 H. 3. one of the Justices for Gaol-delivery at Warwick bore for his Armes two Barrs as by his Seal appeareth and had issue Giles whose daughter and heir Isabell took to husband Robert a younger son to Philip Marmion Lord of Tamworth-Castle Which Robert being by that means possest of this Mannour gave to the Nuns of Polesworth a yard land lying therein for the health of his soul and the soul of the said Isabell and by his Deed bearing date at Draiton-Basset the Wednsday next before the Feast of S. Leo the Pope 14 E. 2. in consideration of an annuity of XL li. to be payd during his naturall life past away all his title and right in this Mannour as also in Halughton Pericroft and Glascote unto Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton to hold during that terme unto which Deed his Seal of Arms is affixt viz. three Swords in pale pointing downwards with a Cheif varrè This Robert had issue a daughter called Amice first married to Eustace de Hardreshull as it seems for the said Eustace and she in 14 Edw. 2. covenanted to passe away all their interest and right herein as also in those other before specified unto the said Lord Basset which was done accordingly by a Fine levied xv Mart. the same year But she was afterwards married to Iohn de Whitacre and in 3 Edw. 3. having buried him released to the said Lord Basset all her right only
30 years of age Which lands had afterwards the name of a Mannour Andrew the son of Rog. Corbet being possest thereof in 30 H. 8. Which Andrew had issue Robert and he Elizabeth and Anne his daughters and heirs of full age in 37 Eliz. Newbold-Revell THis place having been part of the possessions which Leuuinus had in Edw. the Conf. dayes was after the Norman conquest disposed of to Geffrey Wirce of whom I have already spoke in Monkskirby In the Survey then taken it is written Feni-Niwebold and certified to contain 8 hydes valued at vii l. which large extent makes me of opinion that Stretton subtus Fosse as also Esenhull and Paylington were at that time involved therewith the possession whereof having also gone along with it ever since as by what I have already said appeareth As for its name viz. Feni-Niwebold there is this to be said that bold in our old English signifies a house the word Feni being onely an addition to distinguish it from the many other Newbolds in this Shire Fen with our ancestors the Saxons signifying dirt from which reason part of Cambridge and Huntingdonshires are called the Fens And that it is now called Newbold-Revell is by reason that the family of Revell were antiently Lords thereof as I shall shew by and by But it was antiently reputed a member of Wapenbury in respect that the owners of Wapenbury were Lords hereof it being doubtless part of those 5 Kts. fees which Thomas de Wapenbury held of Roger de Moubray de veteri feoffamento in 12 H. 2. and whereof his ancestors were enfeofft by Nigel de Albani father to the said Roger de Moubray in H. 1. time Which Nigel had Geffrey Wirce his lands conferred upon him as in Monkskirby I have already intimated But touching that antient family of Wapenbury who had their seat at Wapenbury whence they assumed their sirname I shall speak when I come to that place And because this Newbold came by descent from Wapenbury to Revell and afterwards from Revell to Malory I have here inserted the pedegree whereby the same may the better be understood as also what I shall say historically of the families of Revell and Malory whose seat it was Thomas de Wapenbury 12 H. 2. Ric. de Wapenbury 9 R. 1. Juliana soror haeres Rad. Extranei de Cnokin Tho. de Wapenbury 1 20 H. 3. Joh. de Wapenbury ob s. p. Agnes soror cohaeres ux ..... de Beynvill Ric. de Beynvill 14 E. 1. Lora obiit 24 E. 3. Ric. de Beyvill Ric. de Beyvill consangu haeres Ric. Lorae aet 5. ann 24 E. 3. Margeria ux .... de Wassingle Thomas de Wassingle Johanna Hugo Revell Alicia Will. Revell 14 E. 1. Rob. Revell 1 E. 2. Guliel Revell Guliel Revell obiit seisitus de terris in Buckby in Com. Northt Edmescote in Com. Warr. s. prole Iohanna ux Galf. Reynolds Ric. qui cogn fuit Ryvell de Edmescote 7 H. 4. Margeria filia Rob. Hugford de Edmescote Joh. Revell 1 E. 2. Ioh. Revel ob s. prole Guliel Revell miles ob s. p. Nich. Revel rector ecc de Cleyorton ob 6. R. 2. .... ux Ioh. Malory de Winwick Ioh. Malory 6 R. 2. Ioh. Malory 4. H. 5. Tho. Malory miles 23 H. 6. Rob. Malory obiit vita patris Nich. Malory aetat 13. ann 20 E. 4. Doroth. filia cohaeres 26 H. 8. Edw. Cave 1. maritus Cath. filia cohaeres ux Thom. Andrews de Winwick Margareta ux Thomae Boughton de Causton ob 8 Eliz. Geo Ashby 2. maritus Clemens Cave 1. maritus Margeria 26 H. 8. Ioh. Cope de Eydon in Com. Northt 2. maritus Iohan. uxor Ro. de Whitney Elena uxor Rob. Gresley Of this name and County H. Revel is the first whereof the Records that I have seen do make mention son to Rob. Revel as I guess who had to do at Swinford in Leicestersh 29 H. 2. But of this H. I can say no more than that he was a Rebel against K. Iohn for which his lands in this County were seized on and that in 1 H. 3. returning to obedience they were restored to him again Unto which Hugh succeeded W. Revel to whom K. E. 1. in 27 of his reign granted Free-warren in his demesn lands here and in other places of this County whereof I have already spoke Which Will. had issue Iohn and Robert whereof Iohn was Lord of this place in 9 E. 2. being an active man and of great trust in his time for in 6 E. 3. he had the joynt custody of this County with Thomas de Astley and Iohn de Heyford And in 11 E. 3. was in Commission for the levying and receiving Scutage for the K. Army upon his expedition into Scotland In the same year he served as one of the Kts. for this County in the Parliam held at Westm. And the next year following being appointed one of the Receivers of the xv and x. granted to the K. in Parl. the year before was eased of that trouble by the K. speciall favour as also from the Collection of the Scutage before mentioned in regard of his speciall imployment otherwise in the K. affairs as the Records express At which time I find that the K. being to make an expedition into France and to that end taking care for preservation of the Peace here in his absence did summon him being then one of the Kts. for this County amongst others to be at Westm. the morrow after the Clause of Easter before himself and his Councell to hear what should be declared unto them thereupon In 18. E. 3. he was a Kt. constituted one of the Justices for conservation of the Peace in this Shire The like authority had he the year following In 25. E. 3. he served again for this Shire in the Parl. then held at Westm. To this Iohn Revell succeeded Will. who was of the retinue to Thomas Bishop of Duresme in that French expedition 20 E. 3. whereof I have spoke in Hil-Morton And in 32. E. 3. one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westm. I suppose that he then received the dignity of Knighthood for the next year ensuing he is so stiled and bore for his Armes ermine a cheveron gules within a border engrailed sable but had no issue nor either of his Brothers insomuch as their three Sisters became Heirs to the estate viz. ...... marryed to Iohn Malory of Winwick in Northampt-shire who bore for his Armes a fesse between three boars heads couped Ioane to Robert de Whitney of Whitney in Hereford-sh Elen to Rob. Gresley who had issue by her Robert that dyed Childless and Ioane to Ric. Boteler Amongst
that Oliver de Aubeny held half a Kts. fee here of the Mannour of Coventre And in 34 E. 1. by a Fine levyed between Will. D'aubeny pl. and Amicia the widow of Oliver D'aubeny deforc it was entailed upon the said Will and the heirs of his body with remainder to his two brothers viz. Raph and Iohn and for want of issue by them to Oliva and Isabell their sisters and to the heirs of Isabell. By vertue of which entail Raph de Aubeny came to enjoy it as it seems for I find that he past it away to Will. Baret Lord of Passenham in Northamptonsh Which Will. by his deed bearing date the morrow after the Assumption of our Lady 22 E. 3. granted it to Henry E. of Lancaster who in 35 E. 3. dyed seized of it leaving Maud and Blanch his daughters and heirs And this is all that I can say to the succession of it by reason it hath been parcell'd out by sale to sundry persons Olneye OF this place is there no memoriall now left but a double moat which beareth the name neither is there any thing of antiquity thereof that I have seen much materiall Horewelle THis is also now and hath been long depopulated But in 7 E. 1. the same Oliver de Aubeny Lord of Asthull before specified was owner thereof and held it of Rog. de Montalt having at that time one carucat of land and a half in demesn and suit of Court twice a year with 7 Free-holders who held 29 acres of land paying certain rent and doing suit to his 3 weeks Court But it seems that the Monks of Stonley had it soon after for in 12 E. 1. they obtained a Charter of Free warren in all their demesn lands in Stonley and divers other places whereof this is one that which they had here being 2 carucats of land as in 19 E. 1. was certified and a certain Cell Which petty Cells were made use of by the Abbots in those daies as places of penance or punishment to such Monks as either for any offence committed or some displeasure from their Superiour were thither sent But more of Horewelle I find not other than that it is included within the County of this City by K.H. 6. Charter before specified Stivichall THere is no mention of this place in the Conq. Survey so that we must conclude it to have been then involved with Coventre and that as a member thereof it came to the E. of Chester for in K. Steph. time Ranulph E. of Chester possest it What injury that was which this E. Ranulph had done to Walter Durdent then B. of Cov. and to his Church doth not directly appear but certain it is that he dyed excommunicate for the same so that E. Hugh his son and heir past this Mannour of Stivinghale for so it is written unto the said B. and his successors for his fathers absolution and for the health of his soul and his ancestors souls It seems that the same B. granted it unto Steph. de Nerbone and his heirs to hold by the 4 part of a Kts. fee for I find that the heirs of Margery his daughter and heir enjoy'd it and that the said Stephen gave to Will the son of Raph de Fiâ—â—ngele and his heirs two yard land lying in this village in consideration that he fought a duell for him What he was that wedded the said Margerie I know not but a son he had by her who calls himself Ranulphus de Stivichale filius haeres Margeriae de Nerburne dominae de Styvichale Which Ranulph was he as I suppose who past this Mannour unto Walter de Langley Lord of Pinley for in 7 E. 1. it was certified that the same Walter de Langley held the moytie thereof of the heirs of Marg. de Neyrburne by the service of a Rose yearly at which time the said Walter had 3 yard land here held of him in villenage and the rest by Free-holders but the Court-Leet the Bishop still kept And the same year following the said Walt. was found to dye seized of this whole village having four yard land therin which together with the rent from his Free-holders and villains a Mill extended to 8 l. 5 s. 3 d. ob per an To whose posterity it continued whilst the male line lasted and then with Pinley Wikin and other Lordships descended to Ioan the daughter and heir of that family first wedded to Iohn the son of Sir Alan Cherlton Kt. and afterwards to Sir Iohn Trillow Kt. as in Pinley I shall fully manifest 'T is very like that Sir Iohn Trillow and she past it unto Sir Baldwin Frevill Kt. about 40 E. 3. For I find that Sir Peter Careswell Kt. son and heir of Sir Will. Careswell released all his title therein to the said Sir Baldwin as he also did in Pinley and Wikin but what right he had I am not very certain except that intimated in my discourse of Wykin were it After which upon the partition of Frevill's lands whereof in Tamworth I shall speak at large it fell to Thomas Ferrers Esq in right of Eliz. his wife eldest sister and one of the co-heirs to Sir Baldwin Frevill Kt. as appears by the partition made 5 Oct. 31 H. 6. To whose posterity it continued for divers descents But in 16 Elâ—z I find that Thomas Gregory dyed seized thereof leaving Arthur his son and heir 34 years of age whose son Iohn now enjoys it The Chappel here being a member belonging to the Church of S. Mich. in Coventre was therewith appropriated to the Monks ann 1260. 44 H. 3. Which Monks did antiently use to find a Priest to celebrate divine service therein 3 daies every week but the bodyes of the dead were carryed to Coventre In H. 6. time there was an Anchorite mured up here who in those daies had a Legacy given to him by Edith Ruggeley widow unto Nich. Ruggeley of Dunton in this County REturning now to the other side of Coventre I discern Caresley first in my view of which I find no mention till K. Steph. time that Ran. E. of Chester rendred the Chappel to the Monks of Coventre as he did Stivichall and many other it being then written Keresley From which E. it came to Montalt as Coventre whereof it was originally a member did part of it in 34 H. 3. being held by the heirs of Rob. Tuschet and Wido fil Roberti of Rog. de Montalt and Cecilie his wife Which Rog. and Cecily then granting away the Mannour of Coventre in Fee-ferm to the Monks did inter alia reserve to them and their heirs the homage and services of those persons But the inheritance of what the heirs of the said Robert and Wido had was not considerable for it appears that the substance of this village past from the before specified Rog. and Cecily
the Record expresseth by the K. Councell discharg'd of one In 33 E. 3. I find him in two Commissions with sundry persons of the best quality in this County for arraying of Souldiers according to the Statute of Winchester In 40. and 42. one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parl. then held In 45. Shiriff of these Counties and the same year one of those that was assigned for the assessing of a subsidy then granted to the K. in Parl. The next year following for the assessing of a x. and xv in this Shire In 50 E. 3. Shiriff once more which office he also bore again in 1 R. 2. but in 5 R. 2. he sold this Lordship to Sir Will. Bagot Kt. Two wives he had viz. Alice daughter of Sir Giles Astley Kt. by whom he had his issue and Mary who overliv'd him and dyed in 13 R. 2. leaving Will. his Grandchild his heir ten years of age which Will. in 2 H. 4. had livery of his inheritance the K. then respiting his homage but deceased the year following without issue leaving Eliz. his aunt and heir first marryed to Edm. Cokeyn Esq. of Ashburne in Derbysh. but then the wife of Iohn Franceys of Inggelby who having issue by her had livery of her lands doing his homage but of such her issue purposing to speak in Pooley I return to Sir Will. Bagot as Lord of this Mannour the estate therein being convey'd to him by divers feoffees into whose hands the said Sir Ric. had past it Sir Iohn Cokeyn son and heir to the said Edm. and Eliz. releasing also to him his interest This Sir Will. being a branch of that antient family of the Bagot 's in Staffordshire as may seem by the observation of one well verst in the antiquities of that County in 6 R. 2. wrote himself of this place and the next year following was constituted Shiriff of these Counties In 11. of that K. reign he served in the Parl. held at Westm. as one of the Kts for this Shire and in 12. in the Parl. held at Cambridge So also in 14 again at Westm. in which year he was likewise in Commission for conservation of the peace in this County and the next year following a Commissioner of Array In the severall Parl. viz. of Winchester in 16 R. 2. of Westm. 17.18 and 20 R. 2. he served again as one of the Kts. for this Shire And upon renewing the Commissions for the peace in 20 and 22. R. 2. was joyned therein In that notable Parl. of 21. R. 2. wherein the K. became so powerfull as our Historians do shew he was a forward ambitious and active man and being one of his chief favourites and Councellers in that turbulent time when Henrry D. of Lanc. who had been formerly banish't landed at Ravenspur in Yorksh. fled with the rest of his fellows to Bristoll there hoping to protect himself in that strong Castle but the discontented Lords taking advantage of the K. absence then in Ireland quickly rais'd an Army of no less than 60000 and besieging that Castle in short time took it and therein all of them except this Sir Will. Bagot who having made his escape fled into Ireland and of those so taken forthwith beheaded Will. le Scrope L. Treasurer Sir Iohn Bushy and Sir Henry Green All which fell out in the 22. and last year of K. R. 2. whose desposall soon after ensued It seems that this Sir Will. came back again into England with K. Ric. for within a month after the new K. began his reign he committed him prisoner to the Tower of London viz. 22. Nov. yet on the 24. of Dec. following the Shiriff of this County received command for speciall reasons thereunto moving the K. as the Writ saith that he should permit the B. of S. Davids and other the feoffees of his lands in this County amongst which this Mannour of Bagington is mentioned in the first place to have possession of them howbeit though for what reason I know not the 23. of Ian. following he superseded the Shiriff as to that restitution But this displeasure of the K. continued not very long for the 12. of Nov. following he gave command to the Constable of the Tower for his enlargement It seems he was still popular for in the Parl. held at Westm. the same year the Commons petitioned that he might be restored to his lands whereunto the K. answered that as he had allowed him pardon so would he otherwise shew him Justice which extended to his reception into grace for in 4 H. 4. he served in the Parl. at Westm. as one of the Kts. for this Shire And the next ensuing year the clouds being over had a full Release from the B. of S. Davids and other his feoffees of all their interest in this Mannour and the rest of his lands But after this he lived not long for on the 6. of Sept. an 1407. 8 H. 4. he departed this world as may seem by that part of his Monumentall Inscrip here at Baginton where he lyes interred with Margaret his wife the sister and heir of Rob. de Whatton of Notinghamsh leaving issue Isabell his onely Daughter marryed to Tho. Stafford of Pipe in Staffordsh son of Sir Tho. Stafford K. nephew and heir to Edm. Stafford B. of Exeter and one of the Kts. for this Shire in the Parl. held at Leicester 2 H. 5. as also one of the Esquires retain'd for life with Ric. Beauchamp E. of Warwick Which Tho. resided here at Baginton whil'st it continued unsold but that was not long for Sir Iohn Bagot Kt. one of the feoffees of Sir Will. Bagots lands by his deed dated upon Palm-Sunday 5 H. 5. wherein making mention of the last Will and Testament of the said Sir Will. Bagot made and published by which he appointed that Margaret his wife should hold this Mannour during her life the remainder to the aforenamed Tho. Stafford and Isabell and the heirs of the body of the said Isabell lawfully begotten and in case she should dye leaving no such issue then to be sold and the money received for the same disposed and distributed for the health of the souls of him the said Will. and Margaret did with the consent of the said Margaret Tho. Stafford and Isabell sell and grant the reversion of this Mannour which ought as he there expresseth to have come to him the said Sir Iohn Bagot after the decease of the said Margaret Tho. and Isabell without issue unto Ric. Beauchamp E. of Warwick Will. Mountfort and others their heirs and assigns for ever the same Tho. Stafford by his deed dated the Friday before the feast of St. Luke the Evang. in the same year confirming the grant Which Earl by his last
and in the possession of the said Geffrey but there it is written Wapeberie the n omitted and doubtless originally so called from the situation thereof berle coming from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Saxon word which signifieth a little Hill or rising ground That Wirce his lands came to Nigel d' Albanie progenitor to the family of Moubray I have elsewhere shewed and that the same Nigellus did enfeoff him that first assumed this place for his sirname is not to be doubted For it appears that Tho. de Wapenbury in 12 H. â— held 5 Kts. fees of Rog. de Moubray son to the said Nigell de veteri feoffamento To which Tho. succeeded Ric. de Wapenbury who marryed Iulian one of the 3 sisters and co-heirs to Raph Straunge of Knockin in Shropsh In 10 Ioh. there was a Fine levyed betwixt Geffr Fitz-piers E. of Essex and this Richard whereby the said Ric. did covenant that he would make no alienation of his lands or woods to any Jew or other person whatsoever to the disheriting or prejudice of Thomas his son and heir provided that he might have liberty to take reasonable estovers for himself or to give his friends out of his woods in this place And in 11 Ioh. the Shiriff accounted xxx l. due from the said Ric. to discharge part of the Fine which W. de Molbrai his superiour Lord made to the K. concerning his inheritance whereof Wâ—ll de Stutevill had impleaded him This last mentioned Thomas was certified to hold 2 Kts. fees and a half of Nigel de Moubray whereof one here at Wapenbury But taking part with the Barons against K. Iohn had his lands seized which upon his return to obedience in 1. H. 3. were again restored to him And afterwards viz. in 9 H. 3. was with the Shiriff the Lord Basset of Drayton and some other eminent persons appointed to conduct the xv gathered for the Ks. use in this County and Leicestersh As also all that the Bishops of Linc. Worcester and Cov. had collected of that kind within their several Diocess and to pay in the same moneys at Northhampton in the quinzime of the holy Trinity He had issue Iohn and 3 daughters which Iohn dying childless left his sisters his heirs But the line of this family and their descendants I have plac'd in Newbold-Râ—vell antiently a member of this Lordship to the end my Reader may the better understand the succession of those who were Lords of that as well as this Mannour It heirs this Mannour came to Wassingelegh For by a Fine levyed 7 E. 2. between Tho. de Wassinglegh and Guy the son of Will. le Bretoun the said Thomas entailed it upon Rog. de Wassinglegh and his heirs by Maud then his wife and for want of such issue to his own right heirs Which Thomas bore for his Arms a Cheveron betwixt 3 pellets But of Wassinglegh's line I have not seen any more after this Thomas so that 't is very like he dyed without issue and that his interest here came to Beynvill For by the Inquis taken after the death of Lora the widow of Ric. Beynvill 24 E. 3. it was certified that she held joyntly with the said Ric. her husband inter alia the capital messuage of Wapenbury with divers lands and houses there some whereof lay common by reason that the tenants were dead of the plague And that Richard who by most other Records is called Robert son and heir of Ric. and Lora was her cosin and next heir and then 5 years old To which last mentioned Ric. succeeded Rob. his son who in 49 E. 3. entailed the third part of this Mannour upon one Rob. Fitz-Robert and Alice his wife and the heirs of their two bodyes and for default of such issue to revert to the said Râ—b Beyvill and his heirs But after that time I have seen nothing further of the Beyvill's interest here nor of any others till 7 H. 5. that Tho. Stafford wrote himself of this place which Tho. marryed Isabell the onely daughter and heir to Sir Will. Bagot as in Baginton I have shewed and perhaps had it in her right But in 10 H. 6. I find that Raph Bellers of .... in Com. Leic. with Ric. Stafford son and heir to the said Thomas were joynt Lords thereof howbeit after this I cannot discern that the descendants of the said Ric. had more to do here and therefore do conceive that the said Raph Bellers obtain'd his whole interest Which Raph in 16 H. 6. past his title therein unto Nich. Metley Esq and others but to the use of the same Nich. and his heirs as may seem by his the said Nich. his Testament To whom succeeded in the possession thereof Iohn Hugford of Emscote Esq in right of Margaret his wife daughter to the said Nich. as I guess Which Iohn leaving 3 daughters and heirs as in Wolston and Emscote is shewed this Mannour came by partition as 't is like unto Ioh. Cotes of Honingham Esq in right of Alice his mother one of tâ—e said 3 daughters and so with Wolston by exchange for other lands to Edw. Belknap Esq afterwards Kt. For plain it is that Sir Anth. Cooke of Giddyhall in Essex Kt. Tho. Wotton and Leonard Dannet Esq in 6 Eliz. enjoy'd it as his cosins and heirs And that the said Sir Anthony obtaining from those coparceners their total right therein dyed seized thereof As also that Anth. Cooke Esq son of Richard son to the said Sir Anth. by his Deed dated 26 Maii 26 Eliz. alien'd it to Ric. Fenys of Broughton in Com. Oxon. Esq which Ric. about 2 years after sold it to Tho. Morgan Esq from whom it is divolved to Thom. Morgan Esq now scil ann 1640. of Weston subt Wethele in such sort as that Lp. of Weston is That the greatest part of the tythes here were given to the Monks of S. Nich. at Angiers by G. Wirce in the Conq. time I have already shewed as also in Monkskirby that the Monks of that place had all that belonged to the said Monastery of Angiers antiently transmitted to them their 's being a Cell to that forreign House This Church therefore dedicated to S. Iohn Bapt. being thus in the power of those Monks they obtained a confirmation thereof from G. Muschamp B. of Cov. in K. Iohn's time who thenceforth allowed them xx s. yearly Pension out of it and a Stone of Wax In an 1291. 19 E. 1. being valued at xv marks it was upon the foundation of that Monastery of Carthusians in the Isle of Axholme concerning which I have spoke in Monkskirby inter alia granted thereto but the Prior and Covent of that House intending to part with it within two years after obtained license to pass it to the Canons of Sulby in Northamptonsh Yet I perceive that they did not absolutely grant it away till
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
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
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
to ix carucats of land But notwithstanding that this giâ—t was soe confirm'd to the Monks by the Conq. yet did Henry de Newburgh after he had by the favour of K. Will. Rufus in the beginning of his reign obtained Turchill's lands in augmentation of his Earldome lay his claim thereto soe that Rainaldâ—s the then Abbot was glad to give him a mark in gold to ratify their title After which sc. in 4. H. 1. the said Monks granted it in fee to one Auskitill who held lands â—f them at Tadmarton in com Oxon. in exchange for those wherein the said Auskitill upon this agreement quitted his title But forasmuch as that land at Tadmarton had been taxed to the K. in all payments for 5 hides and that this at Chesterton was assest at no more than one the said Auskitell allowed the Monks all the Tithe of his corne arising out of this To which Auskitell in K. Iohn's time succeeded one Sir Rob. de Kyngestune Kâ— in the possession of this place whether by descent or otherwise is hard to say which Sir Rob. gave some lands lying here unto Will. de Ardern of Rodburne with Avicia his daughter in frank marriage but in 36. H. 3. one Will. de Ley was owner of it and held it of the Monks of Abingdon by the service of a Kts. fee. 'T is not unlike but that this Will. de Ley might be son to Sir Rob. de Kyngestune and changed his name by residing at his Mannour of Ley â—n Berkshire as was usuall enough in those times when sirnames were but in their infancy To whom succeeded Thomas de Ley who had a whole carucat of land here and a virgat in demesn with x Servants holding severall proportions of him under particular Rents and certain servile employments And to him Iohn de Leye who in 6. E. 3. obtain'd a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here and at Leye in Berksh which Iohn in 12. E. 3. past away all his estate herein to Thomas de Leye his brother his Seal of Armes being 3. lyons passant upon a bend cotized From which time till 3. R. 2. have I seen noe more mention of it but then was it possest by Cath the widow of Sir Thomas Besyles Kt. daughter of Iohn son as I suppose of the said Thomas Leye which Sir T. Besyles had issue Sir Peter who dyed without children whereupon Rob. Craunford son of Margaret daughter of Alice sister to Iohn father to the above specifyed Catherine became his heir and was 30 years of age 3. H. 6. howbeit soon after this viz. in 10. H. 6. Iohn Verney Clerk Parson of Bredon in UUorcestersh with others were certifyed to be Lords thereof of which Iohn I shall say more in Compton-Murdak But it seemes that he and the rest were onely Feoftees in trust for Ric. Verney esq after wards Kt. his brother in those turbulent times for I find that in 25. H. 6. Tho. Hugford esq Nich. Rody and Will. Berkswell Clerk to whom belike the other Feoffees past their interest by their deed bearing date 10. Maii released to the said Ric. Verney and Elianore his wife all their right in this Mannour the depopulation whereof as may seem by Rous his complaint hath been antient From which Sir Ric. Verney descended Sir Ric. Verney late of Comptou-Murdak Kt. who in our time setled a considerable part thereof together with the Mannour-House upon Iohn Verney his younger son whose posterity do still enioy it Tachebrooke Episcopi FOllowing this petty stream I come next to Tachebrook â— commonly called Bishops Tachbrook for distinction from the other which is in this parish In the Conq. time it was held by the Bp. of Chester id est Cov. and Lich and contained 7. hides having then 2. Mills rated at xii s. but all at vii l. being part of the possâ—ssiâ—ns belonging to the Church of St. Chad at Lichfeild as Dâ—mesday book witnesseth wherein it is written Taschebroc I can but guess at the Etymologie of the name perhaps it might be from the Brittish word tegwch though there be so much difference in the orthography for in pronuntiation there can be no great dissonance and therefore considering that tegwch signifyes the same that pulchritudo and serenitas doth it may be applicable enough to this little brook which is soe pure and clear a torrent To the succâ—ssive Bishops of this Dioces it continued till E. 6. time of which Rog. Molend in 43. H. 3. obtaind a Charter of Free warren for himself and his successors in all his demesn lands here In 7. E. 1. it appears that the Bp. held 3 carucats of lands here in demesn and that he had xix servants who work't 3 dayes a weeke for him through the whole year and used to mow ad magnam Pâ—ecariam which I take to be his generall Reap or some such day in Harvest That he had also ix Cottiers who payd certain Rents and did work in Harvest as also six Freeholders that did the like and a Court-Leet with Gallows for which together with Assize of Bread and Beer he pleaded Prescription in 13. E. 1. and had allowance of them But in 1. E. 6. it was passed by Ric. Sampson the then Bp. to Thomas Fysher esq togeâ—her with Bishops Ichington Geydon and Chadshunt as in Bishops Ichington is shewed which alienation was confirm'd by the Dean and Chapter as also by the K. who granted unto the said T. Fisher and his heirs certain Liberties to be excercised within the precincts of these Lordships whereof I have also made mention in Ichington which T. Fysher dyed seized thereof in 20. Eliz. leaving Edw. his son and heir who sold it The Church dedicated to S. Chad hath for a long time been a Prebend of Lichfeild and had a Vicar antienly endowed In an 1291. 19. E. 1. it was valued at xxx marks and in 26. H. 8. the Vicaridge at Cxiii s. iiii d. per an Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Hugo Leyng Cap. 4. Id. Oct. 1327. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. de Stamford 3. Non. Iulii 1345. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. de Stretford 7. Id. Nov. 1348. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. de Derset Pbr. 7. Id. Iulii 1349. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Hugo de Leeth Pbr. 16 Cal. Feb. 1353. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Rob. de .... D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Barthol Power Pbr. 11. Dec. 1390. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Will. atte Kirk Pbr. 8. Oct. 1391. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Henr. Bowyar Pbr 24. Apr. 1394. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. D. Ric. Wytherley Cap. 4 Sept. 1405. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh. Burwell Cap. 24. Apr. 1406. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ric. de Olughton Pbr. 10. Dec. 1423. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Ioh.
Stafford as I have shewed there â—s cut upon the side of Edg-Hill the proportâ—on of a Horse â—n a very large forme which by reason of the ruddy colour of the Earth is called the Red Horse and giveth denomination to that fruitfull and pleasant Câ—untrey thereabouts commonly called The vale of Red Horse The Trenches of whâ—ch ground where the shâ—pe of the said Horse is so cut out being yearly scoured by a Free-holder in this Lordshâ—p who holds certain lands there by that service The Church dedicated to the Assumption of the B. Virgin beâ—ng given to the Canons of Stone by Rob. de Stafford grandchild to the first Robert who lived in the Conq. time was in an 1291. 19 E. 1. valued at xxx marks and appropriated to those Canons by Godfrey Giffard B. of Worcester in an 1294. 22 E. 1. and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge at x li. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Stanes Hugo de Bidulph Cap. 12. Cal. Maii 1249. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Rob. de Codeshale Pbr. 5. Id. Sept. 1316. Prior Conv. de Stanes Ioh. de Wotton Pbr. 6. Maii 1357. Prior Conv. de Stanes Ioh. Prymme Pbr. 8. Sept. 1369. Prior Conv. de Stanes Ioh. Bleech Cap. 3. Apr. 1426. Prior Conv. de Stanes Thom. Blome 19. Martii 1438. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Ioh. Cowpland Cap. 1. Martii 1451. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Ioh. Lyngard Cap. 24. Maii 1462. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Walt. Busby Cap. 3. Sept. 1471. Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Ric. Hyndman 7. Sept. 1486 Prior Conv. de Stanes D. Ric. Shoulde ult Dec. 1526 Will. Barnes gen Will. Edwards Cler. 23. Martii 1563. Monumentall Inscriptions Upon a Marble grave stone in the Chancell ............. Uxor Edmundi baronis de Stafford ................... On another towards the North side of the Church Hic iacet dominus Thomas Mastropp qui mortem obiit xxix Novembris anno M. CCCClxv Westcote THis place lying Westwards from Tisoe was involved therewith at the time of the Conq. Survey but till 3. Ioh. I have not seen it mentioned in any Record and then was there a Fine levied betwixt one Alardus de Westcote and Basilia de Mora of certaâ—n lands here it being of her inheritance as one of the three daughters and coheirs of Rob. fitz Otes who was Lord of Locksley also and held it of the Barons of Stafford by one of which either himself or one of his Ancestors was it seems enfeoft Which said Basilia being marryed to Peter de Mora had issue 5. daughters the eldest whereof was wife to Raph le Falconer otherwise called Raph de Mora the second to Rob. de Offeworth the third to Rob. Balance the fourth to Paulyne Peyure and the fift to one Leonard a Kt. This Raph le Falconer alias de Mora had issue by her a son named Peter de Mora which Peter about the 38 H. 3. past away all this Village of Westcote to the Canons of Kenilworth so that in 7 E. 1. the Prior of Kenilworth was certified to be Lord thereof holding it of the Baron of Stafford by the service of half a Kts. fee. But at the same time had the Hospitall of S. Iohn situate without the East gate at Oxford where Magdalen Colledge now stands a carucate of land in this Village and the Monks of Stoneley 1. yard land which proportion belonging to the said Hospitall being purchased by the Master Brethren and sisters thereof about the beginning of Edw. 1. reign was in 13 E. 1. found to be 4. yard land Upon the Foundation of which Colledge temp H. 6. the lands here in Westcote with the rest that belong'd to the above mentioned Hospitall were transmâ—tted thereto as in Willoughby I have â—ntimated But that which the Canons of Kenilworth had here was in 34. H. 8. granted to Ric. Andrews and Leonard Chamberlain and the heirs of Andrews Kyte-Herdwike THis being also a member of Tisoe and possest therewith by the antient Barons of Stafâ—ord â— was by Râ—b de Stafford Grandchild to the first Robert given unto Will. Gâ—ffard who bestowed 〈◊〉 whole hide thereof upon the Canons of Kenilworth in H. 2. time in recompence for the wrongs he had done them and for the pardon of his sins which grant the said Robert confirm'd But how or when Giffard parted wâ—th his interest here I cannot shew Howbeit in 36 H. 3. it appears that the heir of Raph de Mora held half a Kts. fee in this place of Robert de Stafford And in 7 E. 1. Ric. de Bleys was certified to be Lord of part thereof which he held of the said Baron of Stafford by the service of two parts of a Kts. fee and Iohn de Cantilupe owner of another part of it held it of the said Baron by the service of the third part of a Kts. fee and 1 pound of Cumâ—n I have not found the true reason of its being called Kyte-Herdwike but that it was usually so termed appears by severall Records In 10 H. 6. Will. Verney of Wolford Esq. was Lord thereof and held it by the third part of a Kts. fee. From whom â—t paâ—t to Ric. Dalby of Brokehampton as it seems for the said Richard dyed seized thereof in 20 E. 4. leaving Robert his son and heir xxx years of age Compton-Winyate FUrther Southwards stands Compton-Winyate being so called for distinction from the other Comptons in this County having had that addition in respect that long since there was a Vineyard within the Lordship as by tradition of the Inhabitants appeareth And as all others of the same name was originally â—o called from its situation in a low and deep valley the word Cwin in the Brittish and Cumbe in the Saxon importing no less In the Conq â—â— time it being possest by Turchill de Warwick contained viii hides and one Virgate two whereof were held by Almarus of the said Turchill and valued at xl s. Three and a Virgate by one Roger which were rated at L s. and the rest by Aluâ—inus prized at iiii l. That the greatest part of Turchil's lands came actually to Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line and that the residue which the said Turchil's heirs enjoy'd was by them held of the said Earl and his descendants is plain enough by what I have so often exprest but whether the first that assumed his sirname of this place was immediatly enfeoft thereof by one of those Earls or by any of Turchill's posterity I cannot positively affirm in regard that the Record of 20 H. 3. and that of 36 H. 3. do not directly concur the former of them intimating that the half Kts. fee which Philip de Cumton then had
demesn Free-warren Court-Leet Gallows and other priviledges together with xxxix Tenants holding 26. yard land by payment of severall Rents and performance of certain services as also viii Cottiers and iv Freeholders From whom descended Sir Iohn de Mountfort Knight who in E. 3. time wedded Ioan the daughter and heir to Sir Iohn de Clinton of Colshill as by the descent in Beldesert will appear And from him Sir Baldwin who in H. 6. time had great suits with Sir Edmund his brother by the Fathers side touching the title to this Lordship which the same Sir Edmund in disherison of Sir Baldwin endeavoured to hold the Story whereof I have set forth in Colshill in regard that Mannour was then in question upon the same title But the last of the Montforts that possest this Lordship was Sir Symon son and heir to the above specified Sir Baldwin who being attainted in 11 H. 7. as in Colshill I shall also shew the inheritance thereof inter alia eschaeting to the Crown was by the said King 1. Dec. 12 H. 7. bestowed on Sir Reginald Bray Knight a great favourite in those days who dying without issue Margerie the onely child of his brother Iohn wife to Sir William Sands Knight became his next heir Which Sir William afterwards Lord Sandes did his homage for the same in 31 H. 8. But it continued not long in the family of Sandes for Thomas Lord Sandes son and heir to William past it a way to Thomas Andrews Esquire since which time I have seen no more of it The Church dedicated to the blessed Virgin was in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at xxx marks there being at that time a portion of 1. mark issuing out of it to the Monastery of Evesham but in 26 H. 8. at xxx li. out of which the Synodalls and Procurations payd amounted to x s. v d. ob and the yearly Pension to the said Monastery of Evesham vi s. viii d. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. per lapsum Hugo de Vienna 5. Id. Dec. 1270. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Will. de Monterforti 8. Cal. Apr. 1290. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Henr. de Astede Subdiac 12. Cal. Aug. 1295. D. Ioh. de Monteforti Petrus de Monteforti Cler. 18. Cal. Iulii 1312. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ioh. Anneys Cap. 3. Non. Oct. 1320. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ric le Archer Pbr. 8. Cal. Martii 1323. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles D. Ric. de Budeford Pbr. 5. Apr. 1357. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Will. de Monteforti Cler. 13. Iunii 1368. D. Will. Mountfort miles D. Ioh. Hathewey Pbr. 26. Sept. 1431. D. Will. Mountfort miles Ric. de Mountfort Diac. 13. Oct. 1433. Simon Mountfort miles Ioh. Frysby S. Theol. D. 5. Oct. 1467. Simon Mountfort miles D. Oliverus Alwode ulâ— Martii 1474. Simon Mountfort miles D. Ioh. Menske Pbr. 19. Nov. 1492. Will. Sandys miles D. Margeria ux ejus Nich. Hall Cap. 7. Apr. 1528. Eliz. Angl. Regina Augustinus Walker Cler. 22. Nov. 1586. Compton-Scorfen THis as all other Comptons taking its name from the situation thereof in a deep narrow Valley as I have elswhere observed being possest by Robert de Stadford in the Conquerors time was then certified to contain six hides five whereof Warinus then held which were valued at C s. and the sixt Aluinus then rated at x s. In the generall Survey it is in one place written parva Contone and in the other Contone without any distinction at all Howbeit after this till 36 H. 3. I do not directly find who was owner of it but then did Robert de Haleford answer for half a Knights Fee which he held here of Roger le Poer and he of Ernald de Bois and he of the Lord Stafford in which Record it is called Hethin-Compton After this viz. in 7 E. 1. it had the name of Scorfen added thereto at which time Robertus filius Petri was Lord thereofâ— and held it of Thomas de Stoke Iordan Cathelewe and Felicia his wife by the service of half a Knights Fee de parvo feodo Stafford as the Record hath it having at that time three yard land in demesn and three Tenants holding certain lands by payment of sundry Rents and performance of severall base services I am of opinion that this Peter abovementioned father to the said Robert was sirnamed de Valle for clear it is that the Family of that name whose principall seat was at Lodinton neer Stratford were owners of this place from E. 1. time till 34 E. 3. and that Peter de Valle in this County temp H. 3. who preceded the same Robert had first to do here is also apparent which makes it the more likely Which Robert de Valle possest it in 9 E. 2. being afterwards a Knight and so was Robert his son and heir as in Lodinton is shewed Which Robert the younger having issue Iohn that died childlesse Iohn Burdet of Arrow and Iohn Norrys who were his sisters sons as the descent in Lodinton manifesteth became his heirs But the direct time when partition was made of the lands which descended to these coheirs I have not seen howbeit certain it is that this Mannour was allotted to Burdet for the Entail made by Thomas Burdet Esquier temp E. 4. doth shew that he was solely seized of it After whose attainder Margaret his widow had restitution thereof by force of that entail and so it descended and continued to his posterity till Robert Burdet of Bramcote in this County his great grandson by his Deed bearing date ult Sept. 37 H. 8. in consideration of 1300 li. sold it to William Sheldon of Weston in this County and Robert Palmer of Curton in Com. Glouc. Yeoman Foxcote THis having been antiently a member of Ilmindon and possest therewith by Peter de Montfort in 7 E. 1. before which time I have not seen it named in Record was then held by the same tenure all the Tenants which the said Peter had here being ix in number holding 8. yard land of him by certain Rents and severall base services doing their suit twice a year at the Court-Leet held for the Honour of Leicester In which Family it continued a great while for Sir William Montfort of Colshill possest it in 10 H. 6. but it hath been long depopulated Whitchurch THis containing the Hamlets of Crimscote Wimpston and Broghton was in the Conquerors time reputed for two Mannours and possest by the Earl of Mellent the extent thereof by the generall Survey then made being certified at seven hides where it is written Witecerce having â—wo Mills and a Church and the value of all rated at viii li. x s. That this was part of that which Henry de Newburgh the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line and
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
to be yearly kept here for 8. days beginning on the Even of S. Barnabas the Apostle In 1 E. 3. he was constituted Constable of England but dyed the year following whose brother William then found his heir and xl years of age did not enjoy this Lordship of Alcester in regard the said Walter had about xii years before setled it upon Giles de Beauchamp another brother Of which William all that I have seen memorable is that upon the death of Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick who was Shiriff of Worcestershire by inheritance he had the custody of that County committed to him during the minority of his heir But of Giles I find that in 15 E. 2. he was made Shiriff of Caernarvonshire and Governour of the Castle of Beaumaris that in 14 E. 3. he had a Charter to fortify his Mannour-house here at Alcester with a wall of lime and stone and to embattle the same for the use of himself and his heirs and having had summons to the severall Parliaments amongst the other Barons from 20 E. 2. to 9 E. 3. he left issue Iohn of whomâ— I have seen but little other than his founding a Chantry in the Parish-Church here at Alcester in 36 E. 3. whereof I purpose to speak particularly in its proper place and he Sir Will. Lord of this place and Powik and Sir Walt. de Beauchamp a younger son from whom the Beauchamps Barons S. Amand did descend which Walter in 4 H. 4. was retained by Indenture to serve the King in a voyage royall that he intended for France in his proper person with four men at Armes himself accounted for one and xii Archers whereof the third part were to serve on Foot and the rest on Horseback for one whole year taking for himself ii s. per diem For his men at Armes xii d. and for his Archers vi d. And in 3 H. 5. to serve the King for one whole year in a voyage that he made in person into Guienne in which service he was to have four men at Armes and xii Archers all on Horseback and to receive xl marks a piece for his men at Armes and xx marks a piece for each of his Archers But I come now to Sir William the elder brother of whom it appears that in 16 R. 2. he was made Constable of the Castle of Gloucester In 3 H. 4. Shiriff of Worcestershire and in 1 H. 5. of Gloucestershire This Sir William took to wife Catherine one of the daughters and heirs of Gerard Ufflete and left issue Sir Iohn Beauchamp Knight who in 17 H. 6. upon the death of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was constituted one of the Commissioners unto whom the Guardianship of all his Castles and lands during the minority of Henry his son and heir were granted and in 22 H. 6. purchased of Thomas Botereux the other moytie of this Mannour of Alcester which had continued in that Family for divers descents as I shall shew anon And being now intire Lord of the whole in 25. of the same King's reign obtained a speciall Charter which reciting that he the said Iohn and his Ancestors had time out of mind enjoyed a Court-Leet of all their Tenants and Inhabitants within this town to be kept twice every year viz. once after Easter and once after Michaelmasse as also Weyfs Streys and all other priviledges to a Leet belonging together with a Mercate upon the Tuesday every week and a Faire yearly on the Sunday next after the Feast of S. Fayth the Virgin did confirme them to him and his heirs And moreover in consideration of the good and acceptable services performed unto that King and to King Henry the fift his father had he by the same Charter a grant of sundry other priviledges viz. Return of Writts and all other Mandates Precepts and Attachments belonging to the said King his heirs and successors his Justices Eschaetors or other Commissioners Steward and Marshall of his houshold as also of all Summons of the Exchequer levying of Estreats from the said Exchequer execution of Writts and Attachments c. all which thenceforth to be performed and executed by the said Sir Iohn and his heirs or such Officers as he or they should appoint within this town and precincts of the Mannour so that no Shiriff Coroner Bayliffe or other Officer belonging to the King should have ought to do there To which was further added that the said Sir Iohn and his heirs should have cognisance of all Pleas belonging to any of the King's Courts touching such lands and tenements as are within this town and Mannour of Debts Accompts Trespasses Covenants Contracts and causes of Contracts arising within the limits of them as also of Assizes of Novell disseisin and Mort D'ancestor Iurates and Certificates of all lands and tenements within the same to be held before the Steward to him and his heirs here for the time being And likewise full power and authority of holding hearing and determining before their Stewards without any speciall Writ from the King Pleas of Pie pouders and all other Pleas of Debts Accounts Trespasses Covenants Contracts and other Controversies whatsoever arising within this town and Mannour or their precincts although they exceed the summe of xl s. value and to make out Processe against such persons as shall be lyable to any action or distresse by his and their own Officers and Ministers and to attach theit persons within the said town and Mannour and precincts of them in case they have not goods whereby to be summoned and distreined And moreover that the said Sir Iohn his heirs should have the priviledges of Infangthef and Outfangthef the goods of Felons Fugitives and all such as are condemned put in exigend for Treason or Felony as also the Chattells of persons outlawed whether it be at the Kâ—ng's suit or at the suit of the party with the Chattells of those that are Felones de se or any way confiscated And likewise all Fines and Redemptions Issues Amerciaments and Forfeitures with Fines for license of concord Year Day Strepe and Wast of all his and their Tenants as well resident as not resident within this town and Mannour and their precincts in whatsoever of the King's Court they shall happen c. And that neither the King's Steward Marshall Coroner of his Houshold Clerk of the Mercate for the time being nor any servant or Officer belonging to any of them shall have power to meddle within the same or the precincts thereof nor any Purveyor to take any thing there from him the said Iohn his heirs or any the Inhabitants of this place And further that all the Tenants thereof aswell resident as non-resident should be for ever quit of Toll Stallage Pontage Pavage Murage Kayage and Chiminage in all places as well by Land as Water throughout the whole Realm of England and
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
or the lande at Evertons and the xli and pray you in every place see cleerness in my soul and pray fast and I shall for you and Iesu have mercy on my Soule Amen My Lords Stanley Strange and all that blood helpe and pray for my Soule for ye have not for my Body as I trusted in yow and if my issue rejoyce my Land I pray you lett Mr. John Elton have the best Benefice and my Lord Lovell come to grace then that ye shew to him that he pray for me And uncle John remember my Soule as ye have done my Body and better and I pray you see the Sadler Hartlington be paied and in all other places After which viz. in the Parl. begun 7 Nov. 1 H. 7. ensued his attainder whereupon all his lands eschaâ—ting to the Crown this Lordship in 3 H. 7. was bestowed on Sir Iames Blunt Kt. and the heirs male of his body To this William succeeded George his son and heir who in 10. H. 7. having Livery of divers lands descended to him aswell by inheritance from Margaret his mother as from William Lord Zouch and Elizabeth his wife Father and Mother to the said Margaret and being by Act of Parl. held the year following restored to his Father 's forfeited possessions whereby this Lordship came again to that Family wedded Elizabeth daughter of Sir Richard Empson Kt. one of the great Projectors in H. 7. time and by his Testament bearing date 8 Maii 19 H. 7. bequeathed his Body to be buried in the Church of Ashby-Legers before the Image of the holy Trinity in his Chapell there appointing that two marble stones price of each vi l. xiii s. iiii d. should be brought thither one to be layd upon his Father and Mother and the other upon himself as a memoriall for him and his wife The Probate whereof bears date two years after which shews that he dyed about the latter end of 20 H. 7. leaving William his son and heir by reason of his minority in ward to Iohn Spenser of Wormleâ—ghton who departed this life about the 10 th of H. 8. leaving Richard his Brother and heir in ward also to Sir Will. Spenser Kt. in 19 H. 8. Which Richard having been one of the Kts. for this Shire in that Parl. of 30 H. 8. so fatall to the Monasteries and the next year following Shiriff and so also in 37 H. 8. being then a Knight had two wives scil Dorothe daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser Knight and Eliz. daughter to Will. Astell one of the daughters and heirs to the Lady Iane Bray and departed this life 4 Maii 7 E. 6. leaving William his grandchild and heir for his eldest son William died in his life time Which William being likewise a Knight and residing much at Bushwode underwent the Shiriffalty of this County in 20. Eliz. and by Anne his wife the daughter of Sir Robert Throkmorton Kt. had issue Robert and other sons which Robert having sold this Lordship to Sir Edward Grevill of Milcote Knight of whom Sir Thomas Holt of Aston juxta Bermingham purchased it being unhappily confederate with the Gunpowder Conspirators in 3. Iac. and thereupon slain with Percy at Holbeach-house in Worcestershire was afterwards by Act of Parl. attainted as is fully manifested by our vulgar Writers The Church dedicated to St. Mathew being given about the later end of K. H. 3. time by Will. de Harecurt son of Rob. de Harecurt of whom I have already made mention unto Iohn the son of Peter de Glen and by the said Iohn granted to the Warden and Schollars of Merton Colledge in Oxford â— was by them past over to King Edw. 1. Which King in 4. of his reign conferred it on the Provost and Canons of the Hospitall of Montchensy as by his Charter bearing date 24. Nov. appeareth But it seems that those Canons had little benefit by this grant for I find that the same K. by another Charter bearing date 4. Iunii the year ensuing rendred and restored it to the Warden and Schollars of Merton Colledge above mentioned After which viz. in an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xvii marks and a half but in 26 H. 8. at no more than x l. per an the Procurations and Synodals yearly payable out of it being x s. v. d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. per â—â—psum Rob. de Lutleburi Cler. 2. Id. Nov. 1286. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. de Cliva Diac. Non. Maii 1286. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Thomas de Wylton 8. Id. Oct. 1303. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Will. Waleys 3. Id. Iulii 1320. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Heyne Cler. 19. Nov. 1349. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Beaugrant Subdiac 9. Cal. Ian. 1367. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Rob. de Horton Pbr. 8. Iulii 1370. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Will. Rous. .... 1370. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Will. Heryngton 14. Maii 1411. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Coke 4. Maii 1422. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Rad. Paret 13. Maii 1433. Custos Scolares domus de Merton D. Rad. Spire 29. Martii 1446. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Hill penult Febr. 1456. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Rob. Arden in Art Magr. 10. Ian. 1488. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Magr. Ioh. Iohnson Art Magr. 7. Maii 1509. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Thomas Raynolde Pbr. 17. Aug. 1540. Custos Scolares domus de Merton D. Ioh. Raynshaw Cler. 10. Nov. 1556. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Litton Cler. 30. Oct. 1584. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Morley Cler. in art Magr. ult Maii 1613. Custos Scolares domus de Merton Ioh. Elly Cler. 16. Oct. 1613. In 47 E. 3. there was a Chantry founded in a certain Chapell adjoyning to this Church by Ric. de Montfort Roger de Ulbarwe Roger atte Greene of Lapworth and Richard Dolfyn a Priest and by them endowed with two messuages two carucates of land twelve acres of meadow and xvi s. Rent all lying in Toneworth for maintenance of a Priest to sing Masse there every day to the honour of the blessed Virgin S. Thomas the Martyr and All Saints which lands were then called by the name of Wodardes-Lond Heath-land â— and Lysterley-field as appeareth by the Earl of Warwick's License for amortizing of them whereby also he gave authoritie to the said Richard Montfort and the heirs male of his body to present a fit Priest thereto as often as cause should require but in
6. which is that there was then but nine Housholders in it But upon the generall dissolution of the Religious Houses in 30 H. 8. it came to the Crown and was inter alia granted out to Edward Aglionby of Balshall Esquire and Henry Hugford of Solihull Gentleman and their heirs by Letters Patent bearing date 26 Maii 7 E. 6. From which Edward and Henry Clement Throkmorton of Haseley Esquire purchased it and dying seized thereof 13 Dec. 16 Eliz. left it to Iob Throkmorton his son and heir whose grandchild Clement now enjoys it The advouson of the Church dedicated to All Saints hath been long severed from the Mannour for in 16 H. 3. it was granted to Pauline Peyvre and confirmed to Iohn Peyvre son to Pauline as I suppose in 47 H. 3. by Robert de Maneby Prior of S t Iohn's the Hospitalars being then possest of this Lordship But from Peyvre it soon came to the Montforts of Beldesert as appeateth from the Presentations thereto and so to the Frevills and Willughbyes as heirs to Montfort In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. the Rectory here was valued at vi marks and a half and in 14 E. 3. at iv li. vi s. viii d. but in 26 H. 8. at no more than iv li. Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. D. Petrus de Monteforti Petrus de Leycester Cler. die S. Greg. 1274. Exec. Testam D. Will. de Bellocampo Com-Warw ratione custodiae terr c. Ioh. de Monteforti Will. de Dalby Cler. 15. Cal. Apr. 1301. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Thom. de Compton accol 11. Feb. 1336. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Thomas atte Moore Pbr. 28. Sept. 1361. D. Petrus de Monteforti miles Rob. Barleston Cler. 9. Iulii 1368. D. Baldewinus Frevile Oliverus Glede penult Apr. 1374. D. Will. Beauchamp miles Rob. Pollesworth 26. Oct. 1388. D. Will. de Bellocampo Dominus de Bergavenny Will. Iokin 5. Oct. 1408. D. Will. de Bellocampo Dominus de Bergavenny Ioh. Colman 22. Ian. 1410. D. Episc. hac vice D. Ioh. Grete Cap. 7. Iulii 1431. D. Rad. Boteler miles Rob. Aston ar Io. Hynde 27. Dec. 1438. Ric. Bingham unus Iustic D. Regis de Banco Margar. ux ejus Thomas Barbour Cap. 14. Nov. 1460. Margareta Bingham â—â—lia haeres Baldw. Frevill mil. D. Phil. Echington Cap. 14. Ian. 1486. Henr. Willughby miles D. Ric. Hawle Cap. 25. Febr. 1512. Ioh. Willughby miles Rog. Freman Cap. 17. Feb. 1533. Ph. M. Rex Regina ratione minoris aet Thomae fil haer Henr. Willughby mil. D. Will. Trentham Pbr. 27. Apr. 1557. Thomas Ellesmere de Burmingham Tanner Henr. Evans Cler. 21. Apr. 1602. Thomas Spenser ar Rob. Sawer Cler. 17. Febr. 1607. Upon a grave-stone in the Church this Epitaph Here lyeth Iohn Randoll by birth a Somersetshire man sometime a Student of the Law regardfull of his own and publique Peace who on the Purification of S. Mary in the yeare of our Redemption dyed 1626. IN this Church there was a Chantrie founded by Peter de Montfort of Beldesert who in 20 E. 2. gave xxx acres of land with â— piece of meadow ground as also v s. vi d. in silver v. strikes of Muncorn and one strike of Oats to be yearly paid by certain Feoffees and their heirs therewith intrusted for the finding of a Priest to celebrate divine service daily at the Altar of our Lady within this parish-Church for the health of his soul and the souls of his Ancestors and successors Haselholt THis if it were ever a place of habitation hath now no appearance thereof being onely certain grounds so called having had its name from the situation Holt in our antient English importing a Grove of Trees standing on high Nor till 50 H. 3. have I found it mentioned but then doth it appear that Peter de Montfort slain a little before in the battail of Evesham as in Beldesert is shewed had four marks of Rent issuing out of this place After whâ—ch viz. in 14 E. 1. it was with Beldesert and divers other Lordships entailed by Peter de Montfort son to the said Peter upon the issue of his son Iohn by Alice the daughter of William de la Plaunche the extent thereof being half a Knights Fee and held of Roger de Moubray But in 13 H. 4. William de Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny dyed seized of it together with the Castle and Mannour of Beldesert whereof it was then reputed a member the reversion of it belonging to William Boteler of Suydley and Baldwin the son of Sir Baldwin Freville Knight as heirs in tail Beldesert ON the East side of the last mentioned brook runneth a Hilly tract bordered with deep Vallies on each part the point whereof maketh a kind of Promontorie whose ascent being somewhat steep gave occasion of the fortifying there at first considering its situation in these wood-land parts where through the oportunity of so much shelter advantage was most like to be taken by the disherited English and their ofspring to make head for their redemption from the Norman yoak 'T is not unlike but that this mountanous ground may be it which we find by the name of Donnele in the Conqueror's Survey for as that is therein recorded to be â—n the Earl of Mellent's possession and ranked next unto Preston before spoken of so doth the name argue no lesse don and dune in our old English signâ—fying a Hill But if it were so this now called Beldesert is of a larger extent than that could be for that was then certified but at one hide having a kind of Parke or inclosure containing halfe a mile in length and as much in breadth all which was valued at xxx s. having been the inheritance of Alwoldus in Edw. the Confessors days Therefore in case it were so it must be concluded that a great part of the before specified Preston was afterwards added to it From this Earl of Mellent most sure it is that the greatest part of what he possest in these parts came soon after to Henry de Newburgh his Brother the first Earl of Warwick of the Norman line who thereof and of divers other fair Lordships enfeoft Thurstane de Montfort his neere kinsman Which Thurstane finding it so capable of Fortification erected thereupon that strong Castle whereunto by reason of its pleasant situation the French name Beldesert was given which continued the chief Seat of his Descendants for divers ages but at length through coheirs coming to such Families whose principall mansions were in other places to prevent the advantage which in the times of civill dissention betwixt the Houses of Yorke and Lancaster might have been taken on either side to the prejudice of its owners as I conceive was either demolished or suffred to go to ruine so that now there is not only any one stone
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
H. 6. Ioh. de Stanford 15 E. 2. Margeria Matilda 12 R. 2. Ioh. de Stanford obiit s. p. 37 E. 3. Iohanna secundò nupta Thomae dâ— Morâ—hall his Armes Argent upon a Fesse wavy sable three Hares heads cooped Or vith a labell of three points in Chief and by his last Will and Testament bearing date the Tuesday next after the Feast of the Conception of our Lady anno 1428. 7 H. 6 wherein he stiles himself Esquier bequeathing his body to sepulture in the Church of S. Peter here at Wootton and vi li. xiii s. iv d. to the reparation of the great road-way leading betwixt the said town of Wootton and the Heremitage at Sillesburne departed this life the same year leaving issue divers Children of some whereof I shall speak anon in the mean time taking notice of what I have seen in relation to his brother Thomas In 3 H. 5. he was Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 5 c a Justice of Peace for this Countie in which imployment he continued till his death And having been one of those three who with the Shiriff in 7 H. 5. made that return of the names of such gentlemen of note in this Shire which bore antient Armes from their Ancestors and had summons to serve the King in their proper persons for defence of the Realm dyed without issue in 22 H. 6. leaving Thomas son of Roger son of Iohn his brother his next heir But I return to the issue of Iohn elder brother to the said Thomas which were Roger his son and heir that enjoy'd these lands in Wootton Richard who by his Fathers Testament had the Mannour of Shoterich in this County bequeathed to him and lyeth buried before the Altar of S. Andrew the Apostle in the Church of the Holy Trinity at Stratford super Avon William sometime Lord of the Mannour of Stoâ—rton and Iohn that had Whitley Which Roger wedded Agnes the daughter coheir of Sir William Clopton of Clopton in Somersetshire and had issue by her William Harewell who by the death of Ioan daughter and heir to the before specified Richard without issue had the Mannour of Shoterich of his grandfathers inheritance This William was a trusty friend to the House of Lancaster as it seems for upon the regaining of the Kingdom by King H. 6. he had the custody of this Countie and Leicestershire and before the end of that his Shirivealtie fought stoutly on King Henrye's part at Barnet field in which battail being taken prisoner r he was thence carried to Windsor-Castle whereupon also his lands were seized by the King and bestowed on Humphrey Stafford Esquire to hold during the King's pleasure But after a while through the solicitation of his kinsman Iohn Leighton Esquire made with Iohn Talbot then Earl of Shrewsbury he was released of his imprisonment and restored to his lands For which favours the said Earl had first xl li. that the same Iohn Leighton promised to give him for obtaining his enlargment lands and xl marks more which he exacted over and above But after this in 14 E. 4. he was constituted one of the Justices of Peace in this County yet I do not find that upon the next renewing of those Commissions or ever after that he had the like imployment during King Edward's reign howbeit in 2 R. 2. he was appointed one of the Commissioners of Array in this Shire All that I have seen more of him is that in 16 H. 7. he founded a Chantrie in the Friers Preachers at Warwick of which I have particularly spoke in my discourse of that place and that departing this life 2. Dec. the same year he was there buried leaving Iohn his son and heir 30. years of age Which Iohn in 18 H. 7. being constituted one of the Justices of Peace in this County was the same year made Constable of Maxstoke Castle by Edward Duke of Buck. and by his Testament bearing date 8. Apr. Anno 1505. 20 H. 7. gave to the said Duke whom he there calls his Lord his great Dun Horse for a Heriot and by Anne his wife daughter and heir to Richard Midleton had issue two sons and five daughters whereof Thomas the elder dyed without issue before 3 H. 8. and William was a Priest whereupon the sisters came to inherit viz. Elizabeth Anne Brigit and Agnes for Maud the Eldest wife of Iohn Leighton dyed without issue before the partage was made betwixt them Of which Elizabeth first the wife of Anth. Ralegh and afterwards of Leonard Rede had for her share the Mannours of Bear-cracombe and Copland in Somersetshire and vi s. viii d. yearly Rent issuing out of the Mannour of Thongland in that County Anne wife to Iames Clifford of Frampton in Com. Glouc. the Mannours of Knoll and Broseley in the Counties of Somerset and Salop. as also certain lands in Sturmister-Marshall in Dorsetshire and Billingsley in Shropshire with iii s. annuall Rent issuing out of Fentre in Com. Salop. and vi s. per annum out of the Mannour of Thongland in that Countie Brigit the wife of Thomas Aâ—hton of Ashton in Cheshire the Mannours of Ashley Water-Eaton and Longnore in Staffordshire the Mannour of Billingsley in Shropshire and certain lands in Walkeslow before mentioned to the value of ten marks per annum with xxiii s. iv d. yearly Rent issuing out of the said Mannour of Thongland Agnes the wife of Iohn Smyth one of the Barons of the Exchequer for her part this Mannour of Wootton called Lucies Mannour and the Mannour of Shoterich as also certain lands in Stratford super Avon Henley Preston and Edstonia this Shire with divers lands lying in Mickleton in Com. Glouc. the Mannour of Milinchop in Com. Salop Lands in Hungerford Postern magna Postern parva Mounslow and Dydlebery in Shropshire and x s. iv d. yearly Rent issuing out of the before specified Mannour of Thongland the same Partition bearing date 4 Febr. 25 H. 8. From which Baron Smyth by the said Agnes is Sir Charles Smyth Knight since erected to the dignity of Lord Carington and now residing here descended as the Pedegree before inserted sheweth Of whose Family I may not omit here to observe what I have seen attested by Sir William Dethick sometime Garter principall King of Armes and Robert Cooke Clarenceux viz. that the said Iohn Smyth the Baron was grandchild to Iohn Carington and the said Iohn Carington lineally descended from Sir Michaell Carington Knight Standard-bearer to the famous King Richard the first in the Holy Land And of this Iohn Carington as to the occasion that he changed his name to Smyth they do specially certifie from the credit of an antient Manuscript written with the proper hand of him the said Iohn in K. Henry the fourth's time that in his youth he was bred up in
as good value in recompence thereof that Charter of confirmation bearing date at Wenloc 26 Maii. Of which noble person I further find that he obtained the Advouson and patronage of the Priory of Studley near this place as I have there shewed from Peter de Corbucon heir to the Founder whereunto he gave a fair portion of lands lying in Shotswell That he also built an Hospitall at the Gates of that Monastery That he bore for his Armes Gules 3 flower de lices Or as by his Seal appeareth within the compasse whereof scil towards the lower part of the Shield there is a Star with a Cressant which is a Badge as hath been observed by judicious Antiquaries of his service in the Holy warrs And that he departed this life 7 Id. Apr. 23 H. 3. being then very aged leaving issue several sons viz. William his son and heir Walter a Priest and imployed by King H. 3. as his Agent to the Court of Rome afterwards elected Bâ—shop of Worcester â— whose story I refer to Godwyn Iohn Lord of Snitfield in this Countie and Nicholas of whom I find no more than the bare mention Which Will. being a martial man as well as his father and accompanying him at raising the seige of Lincolne Castle in 1 H. 3. had in 15 H. 3. much of his father's estate past over to him for which he then did his homage to the King And in 24 H. 3. obtained a special Charter for exempting him from any suit to the County or Hundred Courts Leet Aid to the Shiriff and Hidage for all his lands in England After which viz. in 26 H. 3. he attended the King in that his French expedition which was so unprosperous and having been in 28 H. 3. sent with other of the great Nobilitie to solicite the Prelates for an Aid of money according to the Popes Letters on the King's behalf was the next ensuing year one of those that went Embassiador to the general Councell then held at Lions there to complain of the grievous exactions used here in England by the Court of Rome as well from the Clergie as Laitie and to crave remedie for the same Which William bearing a devout affection to the Canons of Studley before specified gave to the Hospital of his Father's building there lands to the value of x li. per an lying within this Lordship as also certain Rent and pasturage for Cattell in Southernkeston with the Church of Hemeston in Devonshire And having besides all this obtained a special Charter for exempting their Woods situate within the Forest of Fekenham from any view of the King's Foresters and Verderers and been Steward to the King as his Father was as also a most faithfull Councellor left issue by Milisent the daughter of Hugh de Gornay Will. his son and heir Thomas Bishop of Hereford who in 34 E. 1. was canonized for a Saint and Iulian the wife of Sir Rob. de Tregoz and departed this life in 35 H. 3. immediatly whereupon William his eldest son performing his homage and giving security for payment of his Relief which was C li. had livery of his lands Which William in 37 H. 3. obtained a pardon from the King for pulling down the Castle of Penros in Wales belonging to Iohn de Monemuth as also for five marks at which this his Mannour of Aston was amerced for protecting one Rob. de Shelfhill who had been indicted for certain misdemeanors and in 38 H. 3. was constituted Governor of Bovelt Castle in Brecknockshire To the before specified Hospitall built at the Gate of the Priory of Studley he gave the advouson of the Church here at Aston and having wedded Eva one of the daughters aad coheirs to Will. de Braose of Brecknock with whom he had the territory of Upper Went and other lands in England and Wales departed this life in the flower of his youth to the great grief of many leaving issue by her the said Eva George his son and heir and two daughters Of which George being scarce 3. years old at that time I have found very little that is memorableâ— his death hapning before he arrived to years whereby he could be qualified for any great action viz. in 1 Edw. 1. Therefore whether the marriage betwixt him and Margaret the daughter of Edmund de Lacy was ever consummated as their parents had designed when he was scarce two years old I cannot tell but sure I am that he had no issue for Iohn the son of Henry de Hastings and Milicent then the wife of Eudo or Yvo la Zouche were found to be his sisters and heirs Which Henry being in minority in 36 H. 3. and in Ward to Guy de Luzignian the King 's half brother had the benefit of his marriage then disposed of by the said Guy unto Will. de Cantilupe before specified who gave his daughter Ioane thus in wedlock to him Whereupon by partition made betwixt those coheirs the said Milisent had for her share the Castle of Totenesse in Com. Devon the Mannours of Eyton â—n com Bedf. and Haringworth in Northamptonshire â— with other fair possessions in England and Wales as also the advouson of the Priory of Studley in this County And Iohn de Hastings the son of Ioane beforementioned had Bergavenny with the Castle and Honour which were of the inheritance of Eva de Breause his grandmother together with the Castle of Kilgaran in Com. Pembr and amongst other large territories in England and Wales this Mannour of Aston then valued at Lix li. iiii s. i d. per an all which were in the King's hands at the time of the said Partition made by reason of his minority But touching the Family of Hastings I shall speak historically in Fillongley and therefore purpose to make no other mention of them here than what particularly relates to this place In 13 E. 1. this Iohn de Hastings claimed a Court-Leet with Assize of Bread and Beer Weifs Gallows and Free warren within this Mannour by Prescription all which were allowed From which time this Mannour was for divers descents enjoy'd by the posterity of the said Iohn as I could sufficiently demonstrate if need were except for so long as Will. de Clinton Earl of Huntingdon held two parts of it in right of Iulian his wife widow to Iohn de Hastings father of Laurence Earl of Pembroke After the death of which Laurence it appears that it was held of the King in Capite by the service of one Foot souldier in the Warrs of Wales with a Bow without a string and a Helmet for his head by the space of xl dayes at his own proper costs as often as there should be any hostility in Wales From which Family of Hastings it descended not to the Lord Grey of Ruthin
the Conqueror's Survey and was soon after granted by the then possessor of Dudley-Castle unto the Ancestor of Henry de Rokeby to hold by the fift part of a Knight's fee as the Confirmation thereof made unto the same Henry and his heirs by Gervase Paganell Lord of Dudley in H. 2. time doth manifest wherein it is written Saluthley From which Henry descended Ranulph de Rokeby whose daughter and heir Annabill marryed unto Sir Iohn Goband Knight as in Rokeby appeareth whereby the inheritance hereof came to the same Sir Iohn Goband who in 16 E. 2. was certified to hold it of Iohn de Someri Baron of Dudley then newly deceased by the said service of the fift part of a Knight's Fee Which Sir Iohn Goband and Aâ—nabill in 5 E. 3. granted it unto Walter de Clâ—dshale and Richard his son to hold during the lives of them the said Walter and Richard for the Rent of x li. per annum sterling but afterwards to returne unto the said Sir Iohn and Annabil and the heirs of Annabill Of this Annabill I find that surviving her said husband and afterwards being wedded to Iohn Brown of Burbach in Com. Leic. she past away the inheritance thereof to the before specified Walter and Richard de Clodshale in 17 E. 3. For the better confirmation of which title Iohn the son and heir to the above mentioned Sir Iohn Goband and Annabill released unto them the said Walter and Richard and the heirs of Richard all the right and claim that he could pretend thereto as by the same bearing date at Bermingham in 20 E. 3. sealed with his Armes viz. Gules two barrs Or with 3. Besants in Chief appeareth Which Walter de Clodshale and his descendants in the male line so long as it continued had their seat here and increasing their estate by the marriage of severall heirs were reckoned amongst the Gentlemen of the superior rank in this Countie Agnes 5 E. 2. Walt. de Clodshale 5 E. 2. Alicia filia haeres Rog. de Bishopesden 19 E. 3. Râ—c de Clodshale 24 E. 3. Iohanna relâ—cta Roberti de Ribsford Ioh. de Clodshale 47 E. 3. Beatrix soror haeres Will. Golofre 47 E. 3. Ric. Clodshale 3 H. 5. Isabella filia haeres Ric. de Edgbaston relicta Thomae Midlemore Eliz. filia haeres uxor Roberti Ardern de Park-Hall ar 4 H. 6. But from what originall his Ancestors were other than Townsmen of Bermingham wherein they had lands of good worth as by a multitude of antient Deeds appeareth I cannot expresse Of which lands out of the good affection by him born to that place in 3 E. 3. he obtained License from Sir William de Burmingham then Lord of Burmingham of whom they were held to amortize four Messuages and xx acres as also a Rent of xviii d. for the foundation of a Chantrie at the Altar of the blessed Virgin in the Church of S. Martin there in Bermingham for one Priest to celebrate divine Service daily thereat for the souls of him the said Walter and Agnes his wife their Ancestors and successors with all the faithfull deceased Of the same Walter and Richard his son I further find that being by the Commissioners of Array in this Countie 21 E. 3. charged with two Archers they were abated one of them paying xl s. for the expences of that one as also that the said Richard for the health of his soul and the soul of Alice his wife about the same time added five Messuages x. acres of land and x s. Rent to the Chantrie before specified and moreover that in 32 E. 3. he payd a Fine of x li. for his Pardon in respect he came not in to receive the Order of Knighthood upon Proclamation made that all such as were possest of lands or Rents of the value of xl s. should appear for that purpose And likewise that in 34 E. 3. he was in Commission for the assessing and collecting of a xv th and Tenth then granted to the King in Parliament and the same year had a speciall License granted to him from Robert de Stretton then Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield dated 3. Cal. Ian. for an Oratorie or Chapell in his House here at Saltley and lastly that he bore for his Armes ...... per pale indented with certain Martlets in the place of a borborder on the dexter part of his shield as appears by his Seal which doubtlesse was in reference to the tenure of his antient lands from the Berminghams whose coat it did so nearly resemble But the last of the male line that had to do here was Richard grandchild to the said Ric. who in 4 H. 4. had the title of Esquire for so he writes himself in a Bond for payment of 500 li. to William de Bermingham Esquire Betwixt this Richard and the same William de Bermingham was there a suit at Law touching the advouson of the Chantrie before specified founded by Walter de Clodhale his Ancestor in the Church of Bermingham in which suit he prevailed and accordingly presented thereto in 5 H. 4. In 7 H. 4. he was one of those gentlemen of note in this Countie Arma portantibus de Armis antiquis as the words of the Writ are who had summons to attend the King in their proper persons for defence of the Realm and in 4 H. 6. underwent the office of Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire By his Testament bearing date at Egebaston 7 Maii Anno 1428. 6 H. 6. he bequeathed his body to sepulture in the Church of Bermingham within his own proper Chapell of our Lady constituting the Duke of Bedford whom he there termes his honourable Lord one of his Executors and departed this life the same year as appears by the Probate thereof The Armes which this Richard bore did much differ from his Grandfathers being two Barrs nebulè betwixt six Estoiles as his Seal manifesteth which coat I believe he assumed for the allusion that it hath to his name scil the representation of Clouds to Clodshale for it was a common usage in antient time where they could hit upon any thing that sounded neer or like to the name to bear it in their Armes as by a multitude of instances might be demonstrated But dying without issue male Elizabeth his daughter became heir to this Mannour as also to that of Pebmore in Com. Wigorn. and other lands who being wedded to Robert Ardern of Park-Hall Esquire brought them to that Family wherein they continue till this present Anno scil 1640. Ward end alias Little Bromwich THis place heretofore called Little-Bromwich was at first either a member of Castle-Bromwich or of Aston which contained both But the antientest mention I finde of it is in 13 E. 1. where it appears that one Iohn de Bradewell had a suit for lands therein with Walter de Eylesbury Steward to
the year next ensuing In 8 R. 2. he served again in the Parliament at Westminster was also a Commissâ—oner for the assessing a xv th and Tenth then granted to the King and the same year constituted Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire but the certain tâ—me of his death I cannot discover After which Elizabeth his widow one of the daughters and heirs to William de la Plaunch by whom he had no issue married to the Lord Clinton as in Maxstoke shall be shewed and held this Lordship of Bermingham in dower till her death which hapned not till 2 H. 6. But before I proceed further it will not be incongruous I hope to say something of Sir Thomas de Bermingham Knight brother to the before mentioned Sir Iohn especially because he had his residence in this Countie and very likely here at Bermingham though he was not Lord of the Mannour In the Parliament held at Westminster 51 E. 3. he was one of the Knights for this Shire The same year and in 1 R. 2. a Commissioner of Array In 2 R. 2. he served again as a Knight for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Gloucester and in another at Westminster In 3 R. 2. he was in Commâ—ssion for arraying of men and for assessing a Subsidie in this Countie and wedded Isabell the daughter of Iohn de Whitacre grandchild and heir to Richard son of Richard son of Simon de Whitacre an antient Family in this Countie as in Whitacre shall be shewed Which Isabell in her widowhood had the custodie of the lands in Wales belonging to Thomas son and heir to Sâ—r Iohn de la Roche Knight deceased committed to her during the minoritie of the said Thomas unto whom she afterwards gave her daughter and heir Elizabeth in marriage Which Elizabeth by the same Thomas de la Roche left issue Elene the wife of Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley and Elizabeth of George Longvile Esquire who were found to be Cosins and heirs to the before specified Sir Iohn de Bermingham Howbeit the inheritance of this Lordship was by some Entail as it seems setled upon the heir male of the Family viz. another William de Bermingham son of William son if I mistake not to Iohn uncle to the before mentioned Sir Fouk for it appears that in 20 Ric. 2. he confirm'd unto certain Feoffees to the use of the Lady Elizabeth then the wife of Sir Iohn de Clinton but formerly of Sir Iohn de Bermingham an estate for life in this Mannour saving the reversion to himself and his heâ—rs and yet stiled himself Dominus de Bermingham before her death as is evident by his presentation of a Priest in 4. H. 4. to Clodshales Chantrie in the Church of Saint Martin here at Bermingham And so for ought I know was reputed notwithstanding the interest that Edm. Lord Ferrers of Chartley had therein in right of Elene his wife as by the Inquis taken after his death may seem This VVilliam Burmyncham was not much inferiour to any of his Ancestors for publick employments in this Countie In 1 H. 5. he served as one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Westminster yet afterwards till 17. H. 6. he lived retired as it seems but then he was first put in Commission for conservation of the Peace and the same year had a speciall exemption that no Purveyor or Victualler should take any provision within this his Lordship for the expences of the King's Household in which Patent the King calls him dilectus Armiger noster In this mans time viz. in 19 H. 6. I find it certified that this Lordship of Bermingham was held of Sir Iohn Sutton of Dudley Knight as of his Castle of Dudley by military service scil by Homage Fealtie and Escuage that is to say when Escuage runneth at xl s. so much and when more more and when less less and by suit to his Court at Segesley called Knygton-Court as also by Castleward In â—21 H. 6. he underwent the Office of Shiriff for this Countie and Leicestershire In 27. he was a Knight In 28 he was a Commissioner for assessing a Subsidie then granted to the King in Parliament as also for treating with the people about lending money to the King but after H. 6. time I do not find him made use of for any publick service whereby I conclude that he adhered to the House of Lancaster for he died not till 18 E. 4. leaving VVilliam his son and heir then thirty years of age I am of opinion that Thomas Bermingham whom King H. 6. made one of the Esquires for his Body was Brother to this Sir VVilliam Which Thomas in 24 H. 6. had the grant of an Annuitie of L. marks to receive during life for his daily attendance upon the same King's person as Esquire of his Body and within two years after was made Master of the King's Hawks having a grant of the Mannour called the Mews with the appurtenances in reversion after the death of Sir Raph Cromwell Knight to hold for his life with all the Fees belonging to that Office But passing from him I come to the last Sir William Bermingham of this Family of whom I can say no more than that he wedded Isabell the daughter and heir of William Hilton and by her had issue VVilliam who departed this liâ—e 7 Iunii 15 H. 7. leaving Edward his grandchild and heir not much above three years old whose Wardship being in 17 H. 7. granted by the King to Edw. Lord Dudley together with the custody of the lands of his inheritance viz. the Mannours of Over-Worton Netherworton Moch Tewe Lytil Tewe and Shutford in Com. Oxon. Hogston in Com. Buck. Byllesley in Com. Wigorn and this of Bermyngham â— was purchased it seems by Elizabeth Bermyngham his mother for I find that she afterwards sold it to William Coningsby Sergeant at Law This Edward hapned to be the last of the Family that had to do here For being contemporary with that ambitious man Iohn Dudley afterwards Vicount L'isle more commonly known by those greater titles which he sometime had viz. Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland he was strangely wrested out of this Lordship For the said Iohn having possest himself of Dudley Castle as in Warwick I have shewed and observing Bermingham a fit ornament for so noble a seat but being the principall residence of such a Family as had for some Hundreds of years enjoy'd it not likely to be purchased from the then rightfull owner conspired by a wicked stratagem to work him out of it which he soon put in practise the Story whereof is in substance thus as by tradition from divers discreet persons I have heard viz. that Dudley did set on some of his Agents to lodge in Bermingham and to learn when
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
heirs release the said x s. annuall Rent unto Geffrey Sauvage brother and heir of the said Elias And moreover that the same William Burdet acquitted to Sir Philip Marmion all his right in the Homage and services of William le Salvage successor to the before specified Geffrey for these lands in Povele which from thenceforth were held immediatly of the Marmions by the service of the said Sore-Sparhawk or ii s. to be payd at the Feast of S. Iames the Apostle in the nature of a Socage tenure But by a daughter and heir of Sauvage as the Descent in Baginton manifesteth it came in processe of time to Sir Thomas de Endeshoure of Endeshoure in Com. Derb. who sometimes residing here obtained a speciall License from Pope Urban the ivth for to build a Chapell within the precincts of this Lordship and to have a Priest for celebration of Divine Service and administring the Sacraments therein by reason of the flouds at sometimes especially in Winter which hindered his accesse to the Mother-Church Howbeit in the Family of Endeshoure it rested not two Descents ere by an heir female it came to Herthull in whose male line it continued for divers ages and at length divolved to Cokain by Eliz. the daughter and heir of Sir Richard de Herthull Knight wife to Edm. Cokain Esquire From which Edmund and Elizabeth is â—ineaâ—ly descended Sir Aston Cokain Baronet now Lord of this Mannour Ioh. Cokain de Ashburne in Com. Deâ—b 44 E. 3. Edm. Cokain ar 5 R. 2. Eliz. filia haeres Ric. de Herthull militis Ioh. Cokain miles obiit 16 H. 6. Isabella filia Hug. Shirley mil. Will. Cokain à quo Will. Cokain eq aur Alderm Civiâ— London temp Regis Iacobi Ioh. Cokain ar obiit 20 H. 7. Anna filia Ric. vernon mil. Thomas Cokain cesus per ...... Burdet vivente patre Agnes filia Rob. Barlow Thomas Cokain miles obiit 28 H. 8. Barbara filia Ioh. Fitz-Herbert Remem Regis H. 7. Franciscus Cokain ar 28 H. 8. Dorothea filia cohaeres Thomae Marrow servientis ad legem Thomas Cokain factus miles apud Leith per Edw. Com. Hertf. 36 H. 8. Dorothea filia Humf. Ferrers mil. nupta 31 H. 8. Franciscus Cokain duxit Annam fil Valentini Knightley mil. obiit s. prole 38 Eliz. Edw. Cokain frater haeres obiiâ— anno 1606. Iana filia Nich. Ashby Thomas Cokain ar Anna filia Ioh. Stanhope de Elvaston mil. Aston Cokain Baronettus anno 1655. .... filia Gilberti Kniveton de Mircaston in Com. Derb. Bar. Alicia ux Edw. Litleton 36 H. 8. Alicia ux Rad. Shirley mil Ioh Cokain de Bury-Hatley in Com. Bedf. Regin Cokain 4 H. 5. These Cokains being Derbyshire Gentlemen originally and of a very antient Family had their chief seat at Ashburne in that Countie But it seems that Sir Iohn Cokain Knight son and heir to the before specified Edmund and Elizabeth made his residence here at Pooley for some time for it is evident that in 13 H. 4. when he was to go into France in the King's service in aid of the D. of Orâ—eans against the D. of Burgundy he made his Will at this place which bears date the Thursday next after the Feast of S. Barnabas the Apostle the same year whereby it appears that having enfeofâ— Sir Iohn Dabâ—idâ— court Knight and others in his Mannour of Badsley-Endsor in this Countie to the end that a certain summe of money might bâ— raised out of the profits thereof for payment of us â—â—oâ—s and towards a marriage portion for 〈◊〉 Elyn he directed that then his said 〈◊〉 should make an estate thereof unto Io 〈…〉 his son and heir and the heirs of his 〈…〉 appointed that if the said Iohn did happen to 〈…〉 â—ssue it should be amortized to find as many Priests singing to the worlds end for his soul his wifes his Children and all his Ancestors â—ouls as the Rent thereof would reasonably maintain viz. in S. Marie-Chapell at Polesworth five pounds to one Priest in S. Marie Chapell near Ashburne seven marks to another Priest and the remnant to be spent in Wax Vigils and Almesdeeds on the Eve and day of his Obit But after this voyage he lived many years for certain it is that he was a Justice of Peace in this Shire from 5 H. 5. till the end of that King's reign and a Commissioner of Array in 6 H. 5. This Sir Iohn Cokain bore the Armes of his Mothers Familie for the most part scil Argent two Barrs vert she being an eminent heir and died in 16 H. 6. leaving issue Iohn his son and heir and William a younger son from whom Sir William Cokain Knight Alderman of London in King Iames his time deduced his descent Which Sir William was father to Charles erected to the dignitie of Viscount Colâ—in by the late King Charles now residing at Râ—shton in Northamptonshire Of the last mentioned Iohn I finde that he had issue Thomas who dwelling here at Pooley and having difference with Thomas Burdet of Bromcote Esquire his neer neighbour so irritated him with affronts that he was slain by Burdet in his passage to Polesworth-Church as the tradition is Which unhappy accident fell out in his Father's life time so that Thomas his son upon the death of Iohn the grandfather in 20 H. 7. became heir who being a brave spirited Gentleman and with King H. 8. at the Seiges of Therovene and Tourney was then Knighted This Sir Thomas built the Mannour-House here at Pooley of Brick as is yet to be seen having in 22 H. 7. imparked the Woods lying Westwards thereof but by his Testament bearing date 4 Apr. 28 H. 8. bequeathed his body to sepulture in our Ladyes Quire at Ashburne where his Ancestors lye interred before the Image of S. Modwen appointing that his Executors should cause a Tombe of Marble to be made there for him which was accordingly performed with this Inscription thereon Here châ—sted in this Tombe and closed in this Clay Doth lie Sir Thomas Cokain Knight and must till Iudgment Day This martiall man so bold and eke this warlikâ— wight At Tyrwyn and at Turney siege was dub'd a worthy Knight Three goodly Houses he did build to his great praise and fame With profits great and manifold belonging to the same Three Parks he did impale therein to chase the Deere The lofâ—y Lodge within this Park he also builded here He did his House and name renew and â—herestore Which others had with negligence in time decayed before This virtuous Knight had issue male three sonns of manly port And eke three daughters virtuous and married in this sort The eldest to her husband had a Knight of worthy same Sir William Basset Lord of Blore he called was by name To Vincent Lowe of Denby Squier the second married was The third to Robert Burdet Squyer as fate
thereof jointly with his said wife in 2 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir xxxvi years of age who after the decease of his mother in 14 E. 3. doing his homage to the King had full possession thereof Which last mentioned Baldwin died in 17 E. 3. leaving Baldwin his son and heir 26. years of age who the next year following did his Homage to the King and had thereupon Liverie of all the lands of his inheritance lying in this Shire as also in the Counties of Hereford Salop. Staff Wigorn. Wiltf Norf. and Suff. In 26 E. 3. he was a Knight and bore for his Armes Or a Crosse fleurè gules and for his Crest upon a Chapeu the Leggs of a man booted spurred and reverst as appeareth by his Seale but not long after this he altered it and bore a Plume of Fethers in stede of the other Of this Sir Baldwin I further find that he was in great esteem with Edward Prince of Wales commonly called the Black-Prince being for his approved fidelitie and service in 38 E. 3. made by him his Steward of Xantoigne in France for life and in 46 E. 3. retained with the same martiall Prince by Indenture to serve Rob. Marmion temp Regis Will. Conq. Robertus Marmion temp H. 1. Milisear Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Rob. Marmion senior ob 25 H. 3. Maria ux 2. Iohanna primò nupta Thomae Ludlow mil. secundò Henrico Hillarie Philippus Marmion ob 20 E. 1. Iohanna filia cohaer Hug. de Kilpeck 27 H. 3. Iohanna ob 23 E. 1. sine prole Mazera ux Rad. Cromwell Iohanna consangu una haeredum Philippi Marmion 20 E. 1. Alex. Frevile 20 E. 1. Baldw. Frevile obiit 17 E. 3. Elizabetha 3 E. 3. Eliz. soror cohaerâ— Ioh. de Monteforti mil. ux 1. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 49 E. 3. Iohanna filia â—â—â— Domini Strange 46 â— 3. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob 11 R. 2. Iocosa filia Joh. Botetourt mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile miles obiit 2 H. 4. Iohanna filia Thomae Greene mil. 11 R. 2. Baldw. Frevile mil. ob s. prole 7 H. 5. Elizabetha 7 H. 5. Thom. Ferrers filius secundogeniâ—us Will. D. Ferrers de Groby Thomas Ferrers miles obiit 22. Aug. 14 H. 7. Anna filia Leonardi Hastings de Kirby soror Will. Domini Hastings Ioh. Ferrers miles obiit vivente patre Matilda filia Ioh. Stanley de Elford mil. Ioh. Ferrers miles consanguâ— haeres Thomae Ferrers militis 14 H. 7. Dorothea filia Will. Harper de Rushall in Com. Staff ar Margareta filia Thomae Picot servientis ad legem ux 1. Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Ioh. Ferrers arm Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit 13 Sept. 1. 2. Ph. M. Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Barbara nupta 31 H. 8. Dorothea ux Edw. Holt ar Humfridus Ferrers miles obiit 5 Iac. Anna filia Humfr. Bradburne de Lee in Com. Derb. nupta 5 Eliz. Walt. Thomas Edw. Ioh Ferrers miles obiit .... 1633. Dorothea filia Ioh. Puckering militis Custodis magni Sigilli Angliae Humfr. Ferrers miles obiit ..... Sept. 1633. Anna filia Ioh. Pakington de Ayles borough in Com. Wigorn. equ aur secundo nupta Philippo Comiti de Chesterfield Ioh. Ferrers natus .... anno 1629. Francisca ux Ioh. Pakington eq aur Anna ux Sim. Archer eq aur Iana ux Thom. Rous Bar. Elizabethaâ— Catherina Brigita Susanna Edw. Henr. Thomas Georgius Dorothea filia cohaer Thomae Marrow serv. ad legem nupta 32 H. 8. Franciscus Cokain primus maritus Leonardus Ferrers 12 H. 7. Rad. Ferrers Decanus Eccl. Coll. de Tamworth 12 H. 7. Margareta primò nupta Hug. Willoughby mil. secundò Ric. Bingham mil. Eliz. filia Joh. de Botetourt de Weoley mil. nupta 27 E. 3. ux 1. Iecosa ux Rogeri Aston Ida filia .... Clinton 35 E. 3. Matilda ux Rad. le Boteler 20 E. 1. Robertus Marmion 12 H. 2. obiit 2 H. 3. Philippa 5 H. 3. Rob. Marmion jun. 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. Will. Marmion 2 H. 3. Will. Marmion 43 H. 3. him in the warrs of France with six men at Arms viz. three Knights and three Esquires taking xx li. per annum Fee for the Knights and x. marks for the Eâ—quires As also that he had three wives viz. Elizabeth sister and coheir to Sir Iohn Montfoâ—t Kt. of which Family I have spoke in Beldesert Secondly Ida daughter to ..... Clinton a Ladie of Honour to Queen Philippa and thirdly Ioane daughter to the Lord Strange and that he departed this life in 49 E. 3. leaving by the said Elizabeth Baldwin his son and heir xxiv years of age Which Baldwin being a Knight in 1 Ric. 2. exhibited his claim to be the King's Champion on the day of his Coronation and to do the service appertaining to that Office by reason of the tenure of this Castle viz. to ride compleatly armed upon a barb'd Horse into Westminster Hall and there to challenge the Combate with whomsoever that should dare to oppose the King's title to the Crown which service the Marmions antiently Lords thereof had heretofore performed But Sir Iohn Dimock being then his Competitor carryed it from him by Judgment of the Constable and Marshall of England in regard he was possest of the Lordship of Scrivelby in Lincolnshire which by better authorities than Frevile could produce appeared to have been held for divers ages by that service and that the Marmions had the said office as owners thereof and not in right of this Castle it being descended to Dimock with Scrivelby from an heir female of Sir Thomas Ludlow Knight husband of Ioane the yongest daughter to Sir Philip Marmion before spoken of Which Sir Baldwin in 3 R. 2. was also one of the Commissioners for arraying of men in this Shire and in 9 R. 2. upon partition made betwixt him and Sir Thomas Boteler Knight of Mountfort's lands whereunto they were heirs had the Mannour of Ashstede in Com. Surr. with Gunthorpe and Loudham in Com. Nott. assigned to him as also the reversion of the Mannours of Henley Beudesert and Haselholt in this Countie after the decease of William de Beauchamp Lord Bergavenny in whose hands they then were And had two wives both daughters unto Sir Iohn Botetourt of Weoley-Castle in Com. Wigorn. whereof Elizabeth the first was married to him in 27 E. 3. but I suppose she was then very young and died before they lived together in regard it is plain that he afterwards married Ioyce her sister who overlived him and took to her second husband Sir Adam Peshale Knight which Joyce at length became one of the coheirs to Ioyce her Neece daughter and heir to Iohn son
to the before spefied Sir Iohn Botetourt through which means part of that fair inheritance came to this Familie of Ferrers By whom he had issue Baldwin xix years of age at his Fathers death which happened in 11 R. 2. But of this Baldwin I find nothing memorable excepting his marriage in 12 R. 2. with Ioane the daughter of Sir Thomas Greene Knight and his death which happened in 2 H. 4. To whom succeeded Baldwin his son and heir then but two years of age who departing this life in his minoritie scil 6 H. 5 leaving three Sisters and heirs the inheritance came afterwards to be thus divided in 31 H. 6. viz. to Thomas Ferrers then Tenant by the curtesie Elizabeth the eldest of those coheirs being dead and to Thomas son and heir of the same Thomas and Eliz. this Castle and Mannour of Tamworth the Mannours of Lee juxta Merston Stretford juxta Tamworth and Haverburgh in this Countie as also the Mannour of Stichall juxta Coventre the Mannour Tadington in Com. Heref. with lands and Rents in Waverton Allesley and Mereden in this Countie as also in Wiginton in Com. Staff To Robert Aston Esquire son of Ioice one other of the said Sisters and coheirs the Mannours of Ashsteds and Newdigate in Surrey Becknore in Com. Wigorn. Yatesburie in Com. Wilts Pinley within the Liberties of Coventre and the moâ—tie of the Mannour of Henley in Arden in this Countie with the advouson of the Church of Preston juxta Henley And to Sir Richard Bâ—ngham Knight then one of the Justices of the King's Bench and Margaret his wife formerly the wife of Sir Hugh Willoughby of Wollaton in Com. Nott. Knight the Mannours of Midleton and Whitnash with lands in Wilmecote in this Shire The Mannour of Wikin juxta Coventre with certain other lands and Rents lying within the Countie of that Citie as also the Mannours of Gunthorpe and Loudham in Com. Nott. with Bradford Ferne and Mawne in Com. Heref. Which Partition bears date 5. Oct. the year abovesaid This Thomas Ferrers was second son to William Lord Ferrers of Groby and underwent the Office of Shiriff for the Countie of Staff in 26 H. 6. but departed this life in 37 H. 6. being then the principall male branch of this line of Groby as the Descent in Merevale sheweth in token whereof he bore his Armes with a Labell of three points Azure To which Thomas succeeded as Lord of this Castle Thomas his son and heir then xxxvi years of age who was constituted Shiriff of this Countie and Leicester-shire in 39 H. 6. so also in 1 E. 4. Which Thomas having been a faithfull adherer to the House of Yorke and taken Prisoner in the battail of Wakefeild where he was put to CCC marks Fine obtained a speciall Precept from King Edward 4 th to the Barons of the Exchequer wherein is acknowledged his signall fidelitie to Richard Duke of Yorke Father to the said King and slain in that Battail commanding them to remit unto him CC. marks of the summe for which he was then accomptable to them by reason of his Receipts whilst he underwent that Office in which Precept it further appeareth that the said Thomas was then a Knight being so made as it seems by the same King Edw. in the first year of his reign Nay I find that after this he became a Knight of the Bath at the Creation of the Duke of Yorke 14 E. 4. and from 4 E. 4. till his deathâ— was in Commission for conservation of the Peace in this Shire as also in 8 E. 4. again Shiriff of this Countie and Leicester-shire and that by his Testament bearing date 10. Febr. 12 H. 7. he bequeathed his body to be buried on the North side of the Quire within the Collegiate Church here at Tamworth by Anne his wife appointing a marble to be laid over them with their portraitures and Armes in brasse and such Inscription as his Executors should devise departing this life 22. Aug. 14 H. 7. To whom succeeded Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight his grandchild and heir For Sir Iohn his son who in 15 E. 4. was in the King's service in Normandie died in his life time Of which Sir Iohn I find little memorable other than that he was one of the Knights for the body to King H. 7. and in Commission for the Peace from 18. of that King's reign till his death which happened in 1 H. 8. as appears by the Probate of his Will whereby he bequeathed his body to sepulture within th Chancell here at Tamworth before the Image of S. Edith Of whose descendants I shall say no more than that some of them have been Knights and in many publick imployments as by divers Comissions appeareth Iohn son and heir to the last Sir Humphrey being now owner of this Castle referring my Reader to the Pedegree before inserted which manifesteth their matches with sundry good antient Families Upon an Alabaster Tombe-stone lying in the midst of the Chancell at Tamworth under which is buried the body of Sir Iohn Ferrers Knight is this Epitaph If thou hast a minde to know Whose Corps interred lye below Lest thou thinke these words in stone Are all that 's left of him being gone Give eare unto the upright tongue Of whosoere he liv'd among Then free'd from doubt thou wilt consent He left a choicer Monument 1633. Upon another lying neer thereto Here lieth Sir Humfrey Ferrers Knight who married Anne one of the daughters of Sir Iohn Packington of Hampton-Lovet in the Countie of Worcester Knight By whom he had issue three daughters and one son His age was thirty and three years when he departed this life and he was here interred on the second day of November in the year of our Lord 1633. Bole-Hall I Now come to the particular Villages before mentioned which are within this Countie and in the Parish of Tamworth though the Church be in Staffordshire and first of Bole-Hall Of this place I have not seen any thing in Record till 13 R. 2. where with severall other Mannours Sir Iohn de Clinton of Maxstoke Knight entailed it upon the issue of his body by Elizabeth then his wife but from severall circumstances I am satisfied that it was originally a member of Amington which adjoyns thereto and whereof the same Sir Iohn was then possest From whom descended Iohn Lord Clinton who about the beginning of H. 7. time decayed the capitall Messuage here And from him Edward Lord Clinton and Say that sold it in 29 H. 8. unto Iames Leveson Merchant of the Staple which Iames gave it in marriage inter alia with Elizabeth his daughter unto Walter Aston son and heir to Sir Edward Aston of Tixhall Knight whose grandson Sir Walter Aston Knight of the Bath and Baronet sold it unto William Anson of Lincolns-Iâ—ne in Com. Midd. Esquire Of whom
Aug. an 1367. Pr. Conv. de Kenill Rog. de Wavere Pbr. xiii Kl. Sept. an 1374. VVill. Purfray ar Ioh. Grantham Cap. iiii Ian. an 1403. Pr. Conv. de Kenill Will. Treberveth iiii Maii an 1433. VVill. Purfray ar dom de Church-waver Symon Moss x. Kl. Aug. an 1433. Pr. Conv. de Kenill Ric. Aystowe xx Maii an 1435. Mag. Thom. Purefay ar hac vice ex concess Nich. Purefay ar Hugo Purefay Scolaris xv Iunii an 1533. Edw. North gen hac vice Patr. ratione concess Pr. Conv. de Kenil D. Thom. de Warmyngton cler 6. Aug. an 1535. D. Episcopus Rog. Eliot art Mag. xvi Ian. an 1566. VVill. Dixwell gener concessione Ioh. Purefey ar Will. Bentley Cleric xxix Iunii an 1566. Thom. Leigh de Stonley miles Rob. Myddilmore Cler. vi Aug. an 1566. VVill. Leigh miles Rog. Vicars Cleric v. Ian. an 1596. Coton juxta Church-over COton â—ntiently called Cotes is in this Parish Cote and Cotan in the Saxon signifying a House of Habitation as we know in our ordinary language but being a Member of Church-Over is not mentioned in the Conq. Survey Nor afterwards that I have seen till Hugh Bagot gave it with Newton to Ingeram his Brother as in Newton I have observed which gift Roger Bagot Son of the said Hugh confirms for Cotes onely wherein is exprest that William Trussell as chief Lord of the fee ratified the same being one of the Heirs of Robertus filius Odonis as when I come to Loxley I shall have occasion to shew and thereupon received homage of the said Ingeram in the Hundred of Barlichway Here was a family to whom this place antiently gave name scil de Cotes who held that which they had of the abovementioned Bagots and were Benefactors to Combe as appears by some pettâ— grants of Land given to those Monks one of which line had Buriall at Combe as may seem by bequeathing his Body thither with a Rent of iii. sol per annum to boot But Simon Bagot in H. 2. time was he that gave most Land here to that Monastery besides the homage and service of Robert de Cotes and his Heirs for all that the said Robert held of him in Neuton which William Trussell before mentioned confirmed So that what the Monkes of Combe had in Cotes was half a Knights fee which they held of William Trussell and he of Raphe de Mora and he of the Baron of Stafford in 36. H. 3. Wherein they claimed a Court-Leet in 13. E. 1. with other Priviledges calling it the Mannour of Cotes super le waus or super waldas as it is recorded 4. E. 1. these Hilly parts being then and after called Wouldes as many other of that kind are to this day in other Counties And in 18. of E. 1. they obteined a Charter of Free-Warren to them and their successours in all their demesn Lands here The quantity of their possessions in R. 2. time being rated at ix yard Land lxxxiiii Acres and a half accounting 48. Acres to a yard Land But after the dissolution of the Monasteries this Mannour so belonging to the Monkes of Combe then called Coton lay wood was granted out of the Crown inter alia to Edward Clinton in 5. E. 6. who as it seems soon past his title therein unto Thomas Marrow for in the same year I find that the said Thomas had Licence to alien it unto William Dixwell Esquire to whose descendants it still continues Hill-Morton REturning now to the South side of Avon I find below Clifton a little rivulet falling into that Channell This rising about Creek in Northampton-shire comes through Hill-Morton which Town takes its name from the situation Hill antiently written Hull conteyning that part standing on the Bank and Moreton where the Church is that below in a moorish flat ground In the Conq. time it was in the possession of the Earl of Mellent who had a large share in this County as by the particulars when they come in my way I shall shew Howbeit I do not find that this Earl of Mellent continued long owner of all those Lands in this County bestowed upon him by the Conq. but that his Brother Henry de Neuburgh advanced to the Earldom of Warwick towards the later end of the Conq. time possest the greatest part of them and amongst the rest had this Hill-Morton then called Mortone as appeares in Doomesday-Book For in 11. H. 2. when William Earl of Warwick certifies what Knights Fees he held de veteri Feoffamento that is whereof they that so held them were enfeoffed of in the time of H. 1. the Record says that Philippus de Estlega held 3. Knights Fees And though the names of the places where they did lye be not there exprest 't is very evident by the subsequent testimonies which I shall produce that Hill Morton was one for the Receivers of the aid for the Marriage of the Kings Sister to the Rom. Emperour 20. H. 3. do certify for Astley and Milverton one Fee and a half Wetington one Fee and Mortone super Dunsmore which is this Hill-Morton half a Knights Fee all which were then held of the Earl of Warwick by Walter de Estleg Grand-child of the above mentioned Philip and do make up three in number being the proportion the said Philip enjoyed which Fees in 36. H. 3. were held by Thomas de Astley Son of Walter of those Earls But Astley is the place where I purpose to speak Historically of this antient family and therefore here shall onely trace down the succession to this which went out with a younger branch For the above mentioned Thomas de Astley marrying a second Wife as the descent herewith drawn doth shew had issue by her severall Sons To Thomas the eldest of them he gave Hill-Morton and the advouson of the Church entayling it upon any Brother or Sister of the whole Blood in case Thomas should dye without issue which grant bears date in May 47. H. 3. But this Thomas the donee about the beginning of E. 1. time dyed without issue leaving his Brother Raphe his Heir from whom in a direct line did descend Sir Francis Astley of Melton-Constable in Norff. Knight Lord of this Mannour lately deceased .uxor prima Thomas de Esteleg miles 47. H. 3. Editha filia Petri Constable de Melton in com Norff. .relicta 18. E. 1. Andreas de Estleg 3 Steph. de Est-ley 18. E. 1. 12 Rad. de Astley haeres fratris 13. E. 1. 28. E. 1. Thomas de Astley 9. E. 2. Margeria relicta 26. E. 3. Rad. de Astley miles 26. E. 3. Thomas de Astley miles 7. R. 2. Catherina relicta 14. R. 2. 1 Thomas de Esteley 47. H. 3. 52. H. 3. mortuus sine prole 13. E. 1. Of Edith Mother to Thomas to
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
the said Prior and Covent of Carthusians and their successours for ever All which was confirmed by the K. Letters Patents bearing date 5 Iulii 20 of his reign upon the return of a Writ of Ad quod dampnum thereupon and thenceforth continued to the said Carthusians till the general dissolution of all the Monasteries by K. H. 8. After which it came to the hands of Roger Wigston descended from a family of the Wigstons in Leicester divers whereof were Merchants of the Staple Which Roger being a Lawyer I suppose for he was Steward to the Monastery of Pinley in this County by his Will dated 34 H. 8. bequeath'd his body to be buried in the Church of Wolston having been Shiriff of this County and Leicestershire in 33 H. 8. and in commission of the peace for divers years And left issue William VVigston a Justice of Peace likewise in this County and Eschaetor towards the latter end of K. H. 8. reign as also Shiriff in 5 E. 6. but Knighted in 2 3 Ph. M. who dyed 27 Sept. 19 Eliz. and lyeth buryed in the Chancell at Wolston Roger his son and heir being then xl years of age which Roger having no issue male left the inheritance of his lands to his two daughters whereof Susanne was the wife of Nicholas VVentworth Esq who in her right became Lord of this Mannour for so it is now reputed to be and left it to Sir Peter VVentworth Knight of the Bath his son and heir the now owner thereof The Church dedicated to St. Margaret IN an 1291. 19 E. 1. the value of the Rectory here was certified at xxxiii marks out of which besides the sum of xiii sol iiii d. due to the Bp of Coventre and Lichfeild for the time being as a pension there was liii sol iiii d. yearly to be paid to the poor there as the composition manifesteth The Vicaridge in 26 H. 8. was valued at xv l. x sol over and above viii l. yearly allowed for the stipend of two Priests serving in two Chappels within this Church and ii sol per annum for Synodals The appropriation of the Fruits of this Church to the Monastery of St. Peter sup Dinam was antient for I have seen a very old Copy of the ordination of the Vicaridge commonly called the Composition made by Alexander de Savensby Bp of Cov. and Litch about the beginning of H. 3. time who at his institution of Henry de Leicester Priest upon the presentation of the Prior of Tutbury Procurator general to the above mentioned Abbot and Covent makes this appointment in the behalf of the said Vicar and his successors viz. that they shall have all the Obventions of the Altar as well of the Mother Church as of the Chappels with a Messuage and a croft which one Alanus then held the Vicar out of these being to pay Synodals and to see that the Chappels were served by honest and able persons But by another Instrument of the said Bp. it appears that by the consent of the before mentioned Prior of Tutbury there was an assignation made of four marks yearly to be paid to the Vicar for the time being out of the profits of the Rectory by the hands of the Procurator of the said Abbot and Covent whoever he should be at Wolfricheston at two terms in the year viz. two marks at the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and two marks on the day of her Purification out of which the Vicar was to give yearly xiii coats each containing three ells and xiii pair of shoes to the poor of the parish by the oversight of the Archdeacon of the place or his Official and whatsoever was remaining himself to have towards the maintenance of one Priest there assisting him There is one thing more that I am not willing to pass by touching this Vicaridge viz. a Commission which I find granted by the Bp. of Cov. and Lichf bearing date 1 Dec. an 1454. 33 H. 6. to certain persons there named and entrusted by him to enquire of the Ordination thereof forasmuch as the present Incumbent had signified to the said B. that the same was so slenderly endowed that having there the cure of souls he could not maintain himself in that fit manner as he ought out of the profits thereof nor well undergo what was incident to him as Vicar and thereupon humbly craveâ— remedy from the B. By which Commission the B. gives power to the persons therein mentioned to call before them the Prior and Covent of Carthusians near Coventre to whom the Rectory was appropriate appointing that this enquiry should be made by persons of credit both of the Clergy and Laity and upon oath as also thereupon to proceed in augmentation thereof as there should be cause with power of Canonical câ—eÌ„â—cion By which it appears that though the Vicaridge were formerly endowed yet if in the discretion of the B. or his successours at any time after the fruit issuing out thereof to the present Incumbent were not esteemed sufficient to maintain him in a fit manner there might be an enlargement made out of the profits of the Rectory And that the B. may lawfully do this I could manifest by very good authorities as well as undeniable reason but in regard this Argument belongs to men of another profession and that there is already a very handsome Discourse written upon this subject by Dr Ryves a learned Civilian entituled The poor Vicars plea I will spare that which otherwise I could have said therein Adding this onely that if respect be to be had that the Vicar is to have that competent and laudable support as is sutable to his degree and quality for work he may not by the Laws being to follow his study maintain hospitality releive the poor pay Procurations and defray all other charges incident to his Benefice and that the Laws do allow him to marry whereby the charge of a single person as antiently they were is by wife and children much in all probability increased then no doubt many hundreds in England ought to be in this case regarded Neither can the Impropriator justly say he hath wrong though he purchased the Rectory at a dear rate for he must needs know that it is divolved to him with no more priviledge than the Monks had it who were alwaies subject to coertion for the like augmentation as cause required it being not originally intended that they who lived plentifully in their Cloyster should sweep away the chief fruits of the Church the Parish which paid duely their Tithes having little advantage from them and that the Vicar who daily served at the Altar should snap on short commons but if there were sufficiency for both each to have share otherwise if one must want it should not be he that did undergo the work I know this will sound harshly in Impropriators ears
of Richard fitz Robert To which William succeeded Thomas who in 55 H. 3. held half a Knights fee in this place and Eton now Nun-Eaton with Sapcote in Leicestershire After which have I not seen any thing considerable relating thereto till 20 E. 3. that William Moton answered for the 8th part of a Knights fee here held of the Honour of Winchester whose title therein divolved as it seems to Richard Grey of Codnoure and Laurence Dutton for in 11 R. 2. the half Knights fee before specified lying here and in Eaton was certified to have been held by them of Henry Lord Ferrers of Groby From which time till 1 Mariae can I discover no more thereof but then was it found that Sir Walter Smyth of whom I have spoken in Shirford dyed seized of the third part of this Mannour As also 300 acres of pasture 60 acres of meadow and 2 s. rent lying here and in Hinkley purchased of Iohn Leeke and Richard Astell leaving Richard his son and heir 22 years of age which Richard in 35 Eliz. being possest of two parts setled them upon William Littleton in marriage with Margaret his daughter in the same manner as he did Shirford whereof I shall speak at large since which it hath accompanyed the possession of that Lordship Burton-Hastings SOuthwards from Stretton and adjoyning thereto lyes Burton antiently called Burton-Hastings by reason that the Hastings were sometime Lords thereof which with other Lands whereof I shall make mention in their due places being part of the possessions belonging to Siunard sirnamed Barn a potent man in England before the Conquest was among other the distributions which William the Conquerour made given to Henry de Fereires one of his Normans Progenitor to that great Family afterwards Earls of Derby and contained then 4 hydes having 2 mills belonging thereto the value of the whole being certified at xl s. But in the general Survey it is written Bortone howbeit in after times Burthon Burhton Burugton Burughton and sometimes Burtone from the old English word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as I guess signifying with the Saxons not onely a place fortified with some warlike rampier or wall but that which had a kind of fence or closure about it or else from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then may it be colonorum villa In H. 2. time half this Town was given to the Monastery of Nun-Eaton by Geffrey le Abbe and Emme his wife it being of her inheritance with the consent of Raph de Turvill and Richard le Abbe heirs to the said Geffrey and Emme and confirmed to them by the Charter of the same King the residue as it seems coming soon after to the family of Hastings for in 36 H. 3. it was certified that Henry de Hasteng held 1. Kts. fee here and in Shireford of the Earl Ferrers And in 53 H. 3. upon the death of Henry de Hastings amongst other Kts. fees assigned in dowry to Ioane his wife there was one in this Burton which Nich. de Turvile then held How or when Turviles interest passed away I have not seen but in 9 E. 2. Iohn the son of Fouke de Orreby having as by his deed he expresses granted all his Lands which he had in the Village of Borghton to William de Herle and his heirs paying to the said Iohn and his heirs 7 marks of silver yearly at the feasts of Easter and St. Michael the Archangel by equal portions then released to the said William all his title to that Rent of 7 marks reserving 6 marks to be paid by the said William during the life of him the said Iohn which release bears date at Stapleford in Cheshire 9 R. 2. whereupon the same year it was certified that the Prioress of Eton and William de Herle were Lords of this place Which William had issue Sir Robert de Herle Kt. assigned one of the Justices for conservation of the peace in this County in 18 and 19 E. 3. who gave a messuage in Eaton to the Nuns there and in 21 E. 3. departed this life leaving his son Robert then 30 years of age which Robert dyed in 38 H. 3. without issue whereupon Sir Raph Hastings Kt. son of Margaret sister to the said Robert became his next heir which Sir Raph had issue Raph that dyed 21 R. 2. leaving issue Raph Richard and Leonard Of these Raph the eldest being attainted for Treason lost his head 20 Iul. 6 H. 4. for conspiring with Richard Scroop Archb. of Yorke and others against the King but Richâ—rd his younger brother a man of better affectionâ— to the Crown had restitution of his Lands and in 2 H. 5. underwent the Shiriffalty for this County and Leicestershire After which viz. in 9 H. 5. he was retained by Indenture to serve the K. in his wars beyond Sea with 10 Men at Arms and 30 Archers taking 2 s. a day for his own wages 1 s. for every of the said Men at Arms and 6 d. for every Archer In 1 5 and 11. H. 6. he had again the custody of those Counties But in 15 H. 6. dyed leaving Leonard his brother and heir xl years of age Which Leonard being also Shiriff for these Counties in 32 H. 6. departed this world in 34. leaving William his son and heir afterwards Lord Chamberlain to K. Edw. 4. and erected to the degree of a Baron by the same King as also made Master-worker of the K. Moneys both Gold and Silver and Keeper of all manner his eschange and interchange in the Tower of London Ireland and Caleys This is he whom Ric. D. of Glouc. afterwards Kning by the name of Ric. 3. caused to be pull'd from the Councel Table in the Tower and immediatly beheaded upon a peice of Timber within the walls of that place as our Historians do manifest But he had a more honourable burial viz. in the Chapel of St. George at Windsor by the appointment of his last Will and Testament and in a place assigned for that purpose by K. E. 4. in his life time where is a fair Monument erected over him by his Executors for the making whereof he bequeathed an hundred marks To whom succeeded Edward his son and heir stiled Lord Hastings and Hungerford who by his Testament in 22 H. 7. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Colledge at Windsor near his Fathers Tombe and left issue George Lord Hastings which George was afterwards created Earl of Huntington 8 Dec. 21 H. 8. and sold this Mannour to Thomas Harvey Esq a rich Merchant who by his last Will and Testament bequeathed it together with one messuage lying in Wodcote in this County to the use of 3 Priests during xxi years to keep an Obit for his soul. After which time it returned to his four
for fuell by the space of xv days before Christmass and for viii days before Easter And whereas the said tenants of Copston had wont in consideration of the said common of Pasture and getting of fuell to perform certain services to the same Reginald and his Father viz. plowing twice a year harrowing once mowing and raking once and in Harvest one man from every House to gather up Corn as also from every House a Hen at Christmass and ten Egges at Easter the said Reginald for the health of his soul and the souls of his Father Mother and Ancestors released to them all those services This Reginald seated himself here at Wolvey as by that grant appeareth and had great suites with Will. de Harecurt Thomas de Astley and other Knights that held of the Honour of Leicester for in 11. Ioh. he gave two palfreys that the cause might be heard before the King wherein he got the better as may seem by that Fine of CC. marks payd into the Exchequer by the said Tho. de Astley the year following pro falso clamore But having no Children the issue of his two Sisters became his Heirs viz. Yuo de Dene and Rob. de Leicester Which Yuo had his seat at Dene in the East part of Northampton-shire but was highly devoted to these Monks of Combe as may appear by his large concessions to them first for pasturage for their Horses and Oxen that were imployed in Tillage and likewise for 12. Kine and a Bull in all places within Wolvey where his own Horses Oxen and Kineâ— or his Heirs or others of the same town were to have pasture as also liberty for them to dig turfe yearly with two men for six days And moreover of his Mill here with the Pool below his Mannour-house and course of water thereto excepting all the Fish but Eels whereof the Monks were to have the one half And afterwards in further testimony of his bounty bestowed on them his Mannour-house and whole Lordship of Wolvey with the homage and services of all that held thereof which grants not onely Nich. de Dene son to the said Yuo confirmed but Ric. de Harecurt Superior Lord of the Fee by descent from the before specified Ivo de Harecurt So that now those Monks having a Lordship here which in 20. H. 3. and 20. E. 3. answered for a whole Kts. Fee claimed in 13. E. 1. a Court-Leet and other Priviledges therein whereof they had allowance And in 18. E. 1. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all their demesn lands here And in 19. E. 2. the like for a Mercate every week upon the Wednesday with a Fair yearly to last for three days viz. the Even of St. Mark the Evang. and two days following But leaving the Monks of Combe thus possest of this Mannour I shall now observe what I find otherwise memorable in Wolvey which is that one Sir Thomas de VVolvey Knight had a fair estate here and left issue Ioan the wife of Sir Henry de Erdington of whom in Erdington I shall speak and Alice of Giles the Son and Heir to Andrew Lord Astley towards the latter end of E. 1. reign upon which Giles and Alice and the Heirs of Alice in 32. E. 1. he setled 37. mess. three carucats with ten yard land and a half lying in Withybroke and this Wulfhey in the County of War Three mess. 1 carucat of Land and 6. s. 6. d. rent in Sixteneby and Olcby in Com. Leic. and 13. mess. and 13. oxgâ—â—gs of land in Scakethorpe and Hothum in Com. Ebor reserving to himself and Alice his wife an estate for term of life in the aforesaid lands paying yearly to the said Giles and Alice a Rose at the Feast of the Nativty of St. Iohn Bapt. for all services But all that I have seen further of him is that being one of the Coroners in this County an Office of great note in those days as in Wolston I have shew'd in 6. E. 2. he was grown so aged and impotent to undergoe the same that he had his Writ of ease And that he bore for his Armes Or a Lyon rampant sable as by his seal and other authorities appeareth which Seal being adorn'd without the compass of the shield with Castles makes me suppose that his paternall ancestours were of the family of Castell residing at Withybroke hard by This Alice the wife to Giles de Astley surviving her Husband was stiled domina de Wolvey as by the institutions to the Chantry may be discerned which Chantry she founded in 17. E. 3. in the Chappel of our Lady within this Parish-Church endowing it with two mess and two yard land lying here in Wolvey for the maintenance of a Priest to sing Mass daily there for ever for the good estate of her self whilst she lived and for the health of her soul after she should depart this life as also for the souls of her ancestors and heirs and all the faithful deceased And left issue Thomas Lord Astley her son and heir of whom being to speak at large in Astley I shall now say no more than what relates to this Lordship which is that he gave 1. mess. and 36. acres of land lying therein to the Prior and Covent of Erdbury and their successors towards the maintenance of a Canon in that Monastery to sing Mass daily for the good estate of him the said Thomas and Eliz. his wife and of the same Alice de VVolvey and Andrew de Astley whilst they lived as also for the health of their souls after their departure hence and for the souls of their heirs and ancestors and all the faithfull deceased To which Thomas succeeded William Lord Astley and Giles a younger son which William in 15. R. 2. gave to the said Giles his Brother and Kath. his wife and to the heirs of their two bodies this Mannour of Wolvey paying to the said William and his heirs a grain of Wheat onely at the Feast of St. Iohn Bapt. yearly for all services Of which Giles all that I find memorable is that in 18. R. 2. which was about three years after he became possest thereof by the consent of the Abbot of Combe he admitted one VVill. de Scregham to the Heremitage upon Wolvey-heath there to live a Heremeticall life in the service of God and to pray for the souls of him the said Giles his ancestours and all the founders and benefactors of the said Monastery of Combe When this Heremitage was first founded appears not but by what is exprest in that Instrument of his admission it seems that it stood in a solitary place upon Wolvey-heath which long before that time had been inhabited by Heremites In 1. H. 5. there was an Award made by Reginald Grey Lord Hastings Weysford and Ruthin and Richard Crosby Prior of Coventre upon certain differences which
at Michaelmas and Easter by even portions did in consideration that the said Procurator should make payment thereof at the feasts of the Nativ of St. Ioh. Bapt. and St. Mich. together with the Tenths granted to the said K. by the Clergy so far forth as concerned those Cels restore the same unto the Abbot of the Monastery of St. Nich. before specified But in 50 E. 3. the custody thereof was disposed to Sir Cannon Rubussard Kt. to hold from the feast of St. Mich. th'Archangel then next following during the continuance of the wars with France paying xl l. yearly into his Exchequer Which Sir Cannon was onely to have the same benefit of Rent and other advantages as the Mother Monastery at Angiers before spoken of in times of peace usually had For upon an Extent in 1 R. 2. it appears that all the lands belonging thereto were then valued at CCxx l. iii s. iiii d. per annum But so much were the Monks incumbred by these seizures and appointment of secular persons to have the rule over them that in consideration of a good sum of money in hand they made a Lease to the said Sir Cannon Robsart of all their lands for 25 years And the superiour House beyond Sea likewise discerning themselves so set aside as to the receiving any advantage from hence made their addresses to Thomas Moubray E. of Nottingham and Earl Marshal of England offering to quit their interest here to him upon easy terms Which Earl having in 20 R. 2. obtained liberty to found a Religious House of Carthusian Monks at Eppeworth or where else he thought fit within the Isle of Axholme in Lincolnsh procured the K. Letters Pat. of licence for the Abbot and Covent of St. Nich. at Angiers before specified to grant this their Priory of Monkskirby with the Mannours of Neubold super Avon Copston and Walton to the same belonging As also the advousons of the Churches and Vicaridges of Kirkby-monach Neubold super Avon Withibroke Wapenbury and Sharnford with their pensions unto the said Monastery of Carthusians for ever Whereupon Iohn son and heir to Sir Can. Robsart the Lessee before specified by his deed bearing date upon Easter eve 20 R. 2. released to the King and to Iohn de Moreby Prior assigned of the then late founded House of Carthusians to the honour of the Uisitation of the Mother of God in the Isle of Axholme all his right and title in this Priory But no sooner did H. 4. come to the Crown than that the Priors-alien began to find much favour for in the Parl. held an 1. of his reign taking into consideration the losses and inconveniences that had befallen them by the frequent seizure of their lands and ferming them out in the time of his Grandfather K. E. 3. whereby not onely they had suffered great decay in their buildings but that the worship of God in that regular way Hospitality Alms and other charitable works antiently establisht and there accustomed to be performed were withdrawn as also the pious desires of the Founders thereby defrauded as the words of the Pat. do import did by the advice of his Councel in that Parliament restore to the said Abbot of St. Nich. at Angiers the patronage and advouson of those Religious Houses in England which were subordinate to that Monastery to have and to hold to him and his successours so that they should present fit persons to them upon the vacancies that might happen Howbeit this favour of K. H. 4. was not long enjoy'd by them for K. H. 5. reciting the licence granted by K. R. 2. for founding the said House of Carthusians in the Isle of Axholme and the power then given to the Monks at Angiers to pass away this Priory of Monkskirby with th' appurtenances thereunto as aforesaid by his Letters Pat. dated at Westm. 28. Iunii 3 of his reign confirmed the same Whereupon the said Carthusians being thus possest hereof obtained of K.E. 4. in 8 of his reign a confirmation of those priviledges granted to the Prior of Monkskirby by K. E. 1. in 33 of his reign before specified extending into all their lands there named which they enjoy'd therewith till that fatal overthrow of the Religious Houses in K. H. 8. time when some being corrupted with temporary profit and others through terrour were brought to surrender their Monasteries into the K. hands the said Prior and Cov. of Carthusians did not onely give up theirs but levyed a Fine thereof as also of all the possessions belonging thereto and in particular of this Mannour of Monkskirby with the rest of the Mannours Lands c. appertaining to it Which stay'd not long in the Crown for the same year was it granted away by the King to Thomas Mannyng late Prior of the Monastery of Butley in Suffolks then newly made Bishop of Ipswich to hold for life the remainder to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten to be held in capite by the tenth part of a Kts. fee and the yearly rent of ix l. xiiii s. After which viz. in 37 H. 8. the K. granted unto Trinity Coll. in Cambridge the Rectory of Monkskirby with the tythes and certain lands rents c. lying in Monkskirby and the other Villages adjacent formerly belonging to the before specified Carthusians to hold to them and their successours in pure alms From which Duke this Mannour of Monkskirby with the rest before mentioned divolved to Henry Grey D. of Suff. in right of Frances his wife daughter of the said Charles and one of the sisters and co-heirs to Henry Brandon D. of Suff. From whose death the said Frances held it during her life and dyed 2 Eliz. leaving the Lady Kath. and Lady Mary Grey daughters to the aforesaid Duke her heirs viz. Katherine 19. and Mary 13 years of age Which Kath. being wedded to Edw. Seymour E. of Hertford had issue Edw. Lord Beauchamp that dyed in his fathers life time father to Will now Marq. of Hertford who sold this Mannour to the right honourable Mary Countess of Buck. in our memory paternally through that antient and noble family of the Beaumonts of Coleorton in Leicestersh descended from the Kings of France as is well known Which Mary setled it upon Basil Lord Feilding now E. of Denbigh her Grand-child with divers remainders In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church dedicated to St. Edith was valued at xxxiii marks and in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge at xxii l. ix s. 6 d. the Taxation or Ordination whereof was made in an 1237. 21 H. 3. as appears by the original Instrument Which Vicaridge being but of small worth had an augmentation made thereunto by the bounty of the Lady Aliza one of the daughters of Sir Robert Dudley as in Manceter I have particularly shewed As this Parish is spacious so is the present fabrick of the Church very large though
blood from those great families of Vaux Longvile and Bellers a younger branch of Moubray left issue Everard Fildyng his son and heir Shiriff of this County and Leicestersh in 21. E. 4. and in 2 H. 7. a Commander in the Kings Army at the battail of Stoke juxta Newarke So likewise at Black-heath in Kent in 12 H. 7. which Everard being made Kt. of the Bath at the marriage of Prince Arthur in 15 of that King's reign was Custos Rotulorum in the County of Leic. within two years after And by his Testament bequeathing his body to be buried before the Altar of our blessed Lady in the Black-Fryers at Northampton departed this life in 6 H. 8. leaving issue by Iellis Russell his wife VVill. Fildyng Esq. Shiriff of Rutlandshire in 11 and 12. as also in 18 H. 8. but afterwards Kt. who having been imployed about raising forces out of his Tenants and otherwise for the Wars of France and Scotland in the time of H. 8. as by severall Privy Seals appeareth assisted likewise with no lesse than xvi Horse at his own charges against the Scots as from the Registers sometime belonging to the Councell-table hath been observed As also with ten able persons most Archers and Gunners in that Navall preparation made by the same King under the conduct of the Earl of Southampt for preventing such attempts as might be exercised by the Pope or his Agents whose Supremacy he had abolished And was in such esteem with Q. Iane third wife to the said K. H. that in 29 H. 8. upon her delivery of Prince Edward she sent a Privy-Seal unto him signifying the same with desire of his congratulation and prayers This S r Will. by Eliz. Daughter to S r Thomas Pultney of Misterton K t leaving issue Basill dyed 24 Sept. 2. E. 6. which Basill was Shiriff of this County in 11 Eliz. and took to wife Godith second of the 7 Daughters and coheirs to Will. Willington of Barcheston Esq by whom he had issue William Shiriff of this County also in 31 Eliz. and thrice of Rutland viz. 24 34 and 40 Eliz. who being afterwards a K t by Dorothy the Daughter to S r Raph Lane by a Daughter and coheir to the Lord Parre of Horton had issue Basill Shiriff of this County in 9 Iac. which Basill by Eliz. Daughter to Sir Walter Aston of Tixshall K t had issue William Lord of this place an scil 1640. who being Knighted by K. Iames about the beginning of his reign and after made Custos Rotulorum in this County was in 18 thereof advanced to the dignity of Baron and Vicount Fildyng And in 20 ob generis claritatem nuptias admodum honorandas sed praecipuè ob eximiam virtutem erga nos Coronam nostram fidem as the words of that Charter importâ— created Earl of Denbigh And having been constituted Master of the great Wardrobe and Admirall at Sea in severall expeditions did likewise by his marriage with Susan Sister to George late D. of Buck. not a little enlarge the honour of this Family In another Window of the Parlour In the parlour Window at Newnham Cester-Over THis was antiently a village of many dwellings but long since depopulated so that there remains now no more than the Mannour House and that reduced to so mean a condition as 't is scarce capable of any Inhabitant other than an ordinary Feâ—mour the grounds for the most part being converted to Sheep-pasture Of later times it hath been by the vulgar called Cester-Over which occasioned Mr. Cambden in his Britannia to represent it as a place of great antiquity and no less then a City in the Romans time to which opinion the adjacency of Watlingstreet did as it seems the more encline him But that addition which is by the corrupt pronunciation of the vulgar called Cester â— should in truth be Thester for so 't is antiently written as I shall shew anon and not used neither till a long time after the Conquest for in Domesday-Book it is called Wara where the place now called Church-Over is written Waure as well as Wara and Browns-Over also Waure and Wara as I have already shew'd with the reason thereof As for this addition of Thester for distinction from the other towns before mentioned it is no more than to signify the Eastern situation thereof from Monkskirby in which Parish it is and so by contracting two words into one viz. The Easter or The Eastward for the more brief expression is called and written Th'ester Robertus temp Conq. Robertus de Waure temp H. 2. Will. de Wavere dom de Thester-Waver 3. R. 1. Will. cognom de Blith Rob. de Waver miles Emma filia Rogeri Pantolf cohaeres Will. Pantolf fratris sui Will. de Waver miles 35. H. 3. obiit 56. H. 3. Johanna haeres Rob. de Hayrun dom de Church-Lalleford Will. de Waver 35. E. 1. Alicia filia Rob. Lovet de Neuton 35. E. 1. Robertus de Thestre-Waure 20. 47. E. 3. Ioh. Waver de Thestrewaver 10. H. 6 Christiana filia .... lakes Hen. Waver miles Aldermannus Civit. Lond. obiit 10 E. 4. Joh. Waver Thomas Waver Henr. Waver fil haeres ob 19. E. 4. Will. Brown ar 1 maritus Christiana filia haeres aet 5. an 19 E. 4. ob 37. H. 8. Humfr. Dimock ar 2. maritus Ioh. Browne â—sabella Edw. Browne ar consangu haeres Christianae aet 22. an 37. H. 8â— In the Conq. dayes Geffrey Wirce of whom I have so often made mention possest it at which time being certified to contain 5. Hides and having a Mill it was valued at xl s. one Robert then holdng it of the said Geffrey which Robert was paternall Ancestour as I conceive to the family of Waure written afterwards Waver who assuming their Sirname from hence flourished here till toward the end of E. 3. time as this descent manifesteth But the first of this line touching whom I have found any thing of note is Sir Rob. de Wavere Kt. who wedded Emma one of the two Daughters of Sir Roger Pantolf Kt. Lord of Neubold-Pantolf and coheirs to Will their Brother This Sir Robert was a good benefactor to the Monks of Combe for besides the grant of 2. yard land common for 100. Sheep 24. Beasts and 30. Hoggs for xxii marks of silver he gave them 96. acres of errable land lying in this village with his Body to be buried in that Monastery appointing the like solemnity to be performed for his Obit as for a Monk of that Covent To him succeded Sir William his Son and heir who wedded Iuliana heir to Rob. Hayrun Lord of Church-Lawford Which Sir VVill. in 35. H. 3. founded a Chantry in the Priory of Monkskirby and endowed it with certain lands and Rents lying in Cosford In 38. H.
Slowley of him the said Sir Iohn by the service of one Kts. fee. As also in 8 H. 5. that Thomas Corbet of Legh then deceased held 8 mess. and 4 yard land and that Thomas his son and heir was 28 years of age Unto which Sir Raph succeeded Henry Râ—chford Esq who past to Thomas Bate Esq all his title therein of whom Edw. Lord Ferrers of Groby obtain'd it in 35 H. 6. But further mention thereof in Records have I not seen till 7 E. 6. there being at that time a Fine levyed of it betwixt Iohn Poley Esq Pl. and Rob. Greene and oothers deforc but to what uses I know not Nor afterwards till 13 Eliz. that Tho. the son of VVill. Skeffington of Skeffington in Leicestersh accomplisht his full age Which Thomas being then possest of it had issue VVilliam whose posterity do now enjoy it In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church dedic to ...... was valued at vi marks but in 26 H. 8. at ix l. vi s. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodals The patronage whereof in 12 R. 2. belong'd to Sir Rob. Grey of Rotherfeild Kt. and Sir Iohn Clinton Kt. by turns But in 2 H. 6. it was found that Eliz. Lady Clinton had the whole advouson in dowry from Robert Lord Grey of Rotherfeild sometime her husband the inheritance belonging to Alice and Margaret daughters and heirs to the said Lord Grey the one marryed to Will Lord Lovel and the other to Raph Lord Cromwell of Tatshall In 31 E. 3. license was granted to Ric. de Caldeford Priest for the amortizing of one mess. 16 acres of land one acre of meadow 8 acres of pasture and one acre and half of moor lying here in Arley to the use of Rob. de Sekindon then Parson here and his successors for a certain Collect or Prayer to be said by him the said Robert and his successors every day in this Church for the soul of Robert Norreis for ever Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Will. D'Oddingsells miles Ric. de Coventre Cler. 1287. Dominae Ela de Odinsells Nich. de VVermyngham Pbr. 9 Kl. Maii 1296. Dominae Ela de Odinsells VVill. de Bockmor Pbr. 7 Id. Ian. 1311. D. Ioh. Grey de Rotherfeild Nich. Hoddele Cap. 3 Id. Nov. 1348. D. Ioh. Clinton de Maxstoke Adam de VVhitindon Cap. 16 Kl. Iunii 1349. D. Ioh. de Grey de Rotherfeild miles Will. de Allespath Pbr. 3 Non. Aug. 1350. D. Ioh. de Grey de Rotherfeild miles Rob. de Sekynton Cler. 13 Kl. Febr. 1354. Ioh. de Clinton miles Ioh. de Islip Pbr. 6 Kal. Ian. 1358. Ioh. de Clinton miles Rob. Birchley Cap. 3 Id. Maii 1361. Ioh. Grey de Rotherfeild miles Ric. de Walford 7 Febr. 1365. D. Eliz. domina de Clinton Will. Thomes Cap. ult Martii 1407. D. Eliz. domina de Clinton D. Will. Lowtery 21 Dec. 1407. D. Eliz. domina de Clinton Ioh. Benet 22 Aug. 1409. Will. Clinton miles dominus de Clinton Say Will. Lynie Pbr 22 Iunii 1426. Will. Clinton miles dominus de Clinton Say Will. Hancock Cap. 3 Oct. 1426. Will. Clinton miles dominus de Clinton Say D. Ioh. Halle Pbr. 26 Oct. 1430. Ioh. dom de Clinton Say Ric. Bedworthy Pbr. 29. Aug. 1433. Ioh. dom de Clinton Say Will. Loneleye Pbr. 27 Iunii 1438. Will. de Ferrers mil. Ioh. Gresley mil. Tho. Mollesley c. Will. Ynge Pbr. 11 Martii 1445. Will. Bull yeoman ratione advoc sibi concessae hac vice per Tho. Clinton milit Ric. Bull 27 Apr. 1517. Dom. Edw. Poynings alii feoffati ad usum Tho. Clinton milit Henr. Morgan 20 Dec. 1517. Tho. Wood alii ex concess VValt Aston gen Ioh. Wood Cler. ult Oct. 1554. Walt. Aston ar Eliz. ux ejus Nich. Bagaley Cap. 21 Iulii 1557. Walt. Aston miles Tho. Buther 1 Febr. 1575. Edw. Coke ar attorn D. Reginae ratione minoris aetat Walt. filii haered Edw. Aston milit Rob. Kercher Cler. in art Mag. 29 Iunii 1598. Slowley THis is a place now onely known by the name of Sloley-hill there being at the skirt thereof where the Brook runs a house still called Sloley-hall which shews that some person of note â—ath antiently dwelt there The first mention I find thereof is in 20 H. 2. where the Shiriff accounts for the profit of cerâ—ain lands here then belonging to Reginald de Eton who was in rebellion against the King in which Record it is written Slalei But in E. 2. time Peter de Limesy was possest thereof with Arley both which were then seized on for his rebellion as I have before declared Since which time it hath gone with Arley as a member thereof But in 9 H. 5. it was found that Richard Sloley of Sloley held of the K. in Capite one mess. and four acres of land here by Sergeanty that is to say giving to the King upon his expedition with his Army towards Scotland one Pole-axe or xii d. in silver for all services Which Richard dyed 8 H. 5. leaving Iohn Porter son and heir of Agnes Porter sister of Henry Sloley father of the said Richard his next heir then aged 40 years Astley WIthin the precincts hereof is the head of Sow of which Brook there is a member of this Lordship that hath its name viz. Souley now scarce taken notice of but by a few scattering houses called Souley end howbeit in the Conq. time it was of more regard for it is mentioned in Domesday-booke by the name of Soulege Before the Norman invasion one Alsi possest this place but after the Conquest Robert E. of Mellent had it at which time it was rated for one hyde having woods extending to one mile in length and half so much in bredth As for the name there is no question but that it first arose from the Eastern situation from some other made habitable before for in the Conq. Survey it is written Estleja id est locus orientalis but corruption in spâ—ech hath in time changed it to Astley as those Towns antiently written Eston are into Aston That the greatest part of the E. of Mellent's lands came to the first E. of Warwick of the Norman line I have given a touch already in Hill-Morton as also that Philip de Estley is certified to hold 3 Kts. fees of Will E. of Warwick in 12 H. 2. de veteri feoffamento by which 't is plain that his Father or Grandfather was enfeofft of them in H. 1. time Of which 3 Kts. fees this Estley was part as by those Records I have there cited appeareth and held of the Earls of Warwick with Wedington Hill-Morton Milverton and Merston-Iabet by the service of hoâ—ding the Earls stirrop when he did get up or alight from Horseback Being to
Iohn Duke of Burgoine or were consenting thereto And in 3. H. 6. was again reteined to serve the K. for half a year in his French warrs under the command of Iohn D. of Bedford the Kings uncle then Regent of France with xx men at Armes and 60. Archers for the like wages Of his children by the first wife from whom the Earles of Kent are descended it concernes me not here to speak but by this Ioane the heir of Astley he had issue Sir Edward Grey Knight who wedded Eliz. the daughter of Henry Ferrers and grandchild and heire to Will L. Ferrers of Groby in whose right he was L. Grey of Groby Which Edward having been in Commission for the peace in this County 21 22 and 23. H. 6. was in 28. H. 6. appointed with others to treat with the people for a loan of mony to the King and dyed in 36. H. 6. leaving Sir Iohn Grey his Son and heir aged 25. years and Edw. Grey a second son created Lord Lisle by K. E. 4. in right of Eliz. his wife daughter to Iohn Talbot Visc. L'isle sister and heir to Thomas son of the said Iohn and afterwards made Visc. L'isle by King R. 3. viz. 28. Iunii 1. R. 3. Which Edward was with others in 4. H. 7. assigned a Commissioner for choosing of Archers in this County for relief of the Dutchy of Britanny and dyed in 7. H. 7. 1492. as may appear by the Probat of his Will whereby he bequeathed his body to be buried in the new Chappell of our Lady begun by himself to be built in the Colledge of Astley where the body of Eliz. his late wife was interred but he had another wife called Iane whom by the said Will he appointed to cause certain lands to be amortized to endow and find a Priest perpetually to sing in the said Chappell for his Soul and the Souls of his late wife Eliz. as also the said Iane and all Christen Souls Of his descendants the Pedegre before inserted taketh notice I shall therefore return to Sir Iohn Grey his elder brother the heir of this Lordship This Sir Iohn marryed Eliz. the eldest daughter of Ric. Widvill Earl Rivers as is sufficiently manifested by our Historians in regard that K. E. 4. afterwards made her his wife the said Sir Iohn being slain in the battail of St. AlbanÌ„s 39. H. 6. and had issue by her Sir Thomas Grey Knight created Marq. Dorset 18. Apr. 15. E. 4. who sate in his habit at the upper end of the table that day amongst the Knights in S. Edwards Chamber but for near relation and affection to the young King murthered by Ric. D. of Glouc. the then Protector his unnaturall uncle was 18. Oct. in 1. R. 3. attainted of treason Whereupon King Ric. by his Letters pat bearing date 2. Aug. 2. R. 3. granted this Lordship to the above mentioned Edward Visc. L'isle and the heires male of his body But in 1. H. 7. the Marq. being again restored possest himself thereof and by his testament bequeathing his body to be buryed here in the Coll. Church before the Image of the Blessed Trinity in the midst of his closet within the same Colledge on the South side dyed 20. Sept. 17. H. 7. By which Testament he willed that his Executors should cause to be said for his soul in every of the 4. Orders of Friers in London an hundred Masses by the Fryers in each place with as much hast as might be after his decease And that c. marks should be disposed in Almes to poor people at his buriall Likewise that the Hospitall of Lutterworth in Leicestersh of his patronage to be appropriate to the said Colledge of Astley if the Dean and his Brethren or their successors could obtein such appropriation to be lawfully made within 3. years after his decease to the intent that they should especially pray for the Souls of K.E. 4. and Q. Eliz. his consort and all Christen Souls By the Lady Cecily his wife daughter and heir to Will Lord Bonvile marryed afterwards to Henry E. of Wiltsh who likewise bequeath'd her body to be buried in the same Chappell where the Marq. her husband was interred appointing a tombe to be made over the place of their sepulture he left issue Thomas Marq. Dorset which Thomas impaled 30. acres of wood and pasture for to make that parke here at Astley now called the Little-parke and enlarg'd the great parke here with 90. acres of land in 12. H. 7. taken out of the precincts of Arley which to this day bears the name of Arley laund And by his Testament bearing date 2. Iunii 22. H. 8. bequeath'd his body to be buryed in the Church of Astley neer unto his father appointing that his mothers will should be observed for the maintenance of two Priests in the Chappell there as also that his Executors should with all speed and diligence after his Funeralls were performed and debts payd make and build a Chappell here at Astley according to the will of his father with a goodly tombe over his father and mother which being done to make another tombe in the midst of the Chancell where he himself resolved to be buried And after that should be finished then to build an Almeshouse for xiii poor men there to inhabite and to be for ever nominated by his Executors during their lives and afterwards by his heires each of them to receive xii d. a week for their maintenance with a livery of black Cotton yeerly price 4. s. which said payment he appointed should be made out of the Rents and profits of his mannours of Bedworth and Pakinton and all such lands and tenements as were in the occupation of the Lord L'isle reputed or taken as parcell of the same Lordships the surplusage to be bestowed in repayring the said Almes-house and keeping his Obit yearly And dyed the same year as may seem by the probate of his said Testament leaving issue Henry who marrying the Lady Frances eldest daughter to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and Mary the Q. of France his wife was in her right by reason her two broâ—hers dyed without issue created D. of Suff. 11. Oct. 5. E. 6. In whose time it hapned that the Monasteries were dissolved for effecting of which work his father in law Charles Brandon D. of Suff. was not a little active as may appear by the large share he had of their possessions And there want not circumstances to shew that this Henry then Marq. Dorset was stirring enough therein for amongst other the lands belonging to those religious Houses he had all that appertain'd to this Collegiate Church granted to him and the Lady Frances his wife and his heirs 7. Aug. 37. H. 8. which he enjoy'd not long for leaving issue onely 3. daughters Iane the eldest wedded to Guilford Dudley 4. son to Iohn D.
Rob. Brokk Cler. 6. Aug. 1538. In the middst of this Church before it was pull'd down by reason of the steeple's ruine as I have observed was a fair raised monument for Thomas Grey the first Marq. Dorset of his family and his Lady whereupon their statues were excellently cut and under the same a vault adorned with the pictures of Bishops Cardinalls and Monks in which their bodyes lay but by the fall of the steeple before specified it was totally broken and spoiled In the Chappell which stood on the Southside of the Quire stood likewise two fair monuments the one of Thomas the second Marq. Dorset and his Lady on the heads of whose statues were Coronets and the other of Edw. Grey Visc. L'isle his Lady on the sides whereof were xvi persons and eight of them in religious habits Both which monuments at the removall of the same Chappell to the east end of the Quire where it now serveth for a Chancell were pull'd down and utterly defaced In the same Quire before the said alteration were also some other monumentall stones of marble with portraitures in brass upon them besides those whereof I have already taken notice upon one of which was this Epitaph Ex Astley domo Miles fuit iste Willielmus Heres magnanimus Thome Astlei viralmus Hic fundatoris fuit largus hospes honoris Et dignus mores strenuus sequitur genitoris Migravit celis animatum luce soleâ—â—i M. C. quater bis Domino regnante perciuit Bedworth FOllowing the stream of this small Brook called Sow I come next to Bedworth a place very well known in regard of the Coal-mines there As for the name thereof I conceive it did originally proceed from some one that possest it in the Saxons time whose name was Bede for that the said appellation was then in use those who are conversant in our English Histories do well enough know the later sillable worth signifying a habitation In Domesday-book it is written Bedeword the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wanting a stroke through it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which with the Saxons stood for th and by that Survey is rated at 4 hydes the woods extending to one mile in length and half a mile in bredth all being then valued at xl s. and whereof Edwyn Earl of Mercia was possest before the Norman invasion but afterwards by the E. of Mellent most of whose lands in this County his brother the E. of Warwick within a short time had from whom some one of the family of Hastings obtained it as it seems for I find that they held it by Kts. service of his descendants together with Wiley whereof I have already spoke I am of opinion that the families of Turvile and Craft were enfeofft thereof by Hastings for it is evident that they antiently possest it mention being made of William de Turevill in 1 Ioh. and in 20 H. 3. that Simon de Turvill and Rog. de Crafâ— held one Kts. fee here But towards the later end of H. 3. time Will. de Charnells had to do here though I am not able to say upon what title unless it were by descent from Beatrix his mother whom I conjecture to have been the heir of Craft as in Bilton you may see Neither can I discern how or when Turvill absolutely quitted his interest in this place for in 20 E. 3. Will. de Charnells and Oliver de Turvill answered for half a Kts. fee here which they held of the heirs of Hastings And yet I find that in 28 E. 1. Will. de Charnells wrote himself Dominus de Bedworth and in 9 E. 2. Henry de Charnels his father is solely certified to be Lord thereof Wanting therefore such light as might guide me in the full discovery of the successive Lords thereof I have added so much of the descent of both these families viz. Turvill and Charnells as I have found by Record to have had relation thereunto Will. de Turvill 20 H. 2 1 Joh. Simon de Turvill 20 H 3. Will. de Turvill 53 H. 3. Magister Philippus de Turvill rector eccl de Bedworth 28 E. 1. Rob. de Turvile 23 E. 1. Oliverus de Turvile 20 E. 3. Beatrix relicta 34 H. 3. Will. de Charnels Will. de Charnels 55 H. 3. Nich. de Charnels miles Dom. de Bilton 28 E. 1. Wil. de Charnels Dom. de Bedworth 28 E. 1. miles 31 E. 1. Henr. de Charnels D. de Bedworth 9 E. 2. Will. de Charnels de Bedw miles 23 E. 3. Ioh. Charnels de Bedworth 6 R. 2. Eliz. relicta â— H. 4. Of these Iohn Charnels was the last for ought I have seen that had it but of that family so possest thereof or of the Turviles have I not seen any thing very memorable other than the founding of a Chantry in this Church at the Altar of our blessed Lady by Philip de Turvile the Parson here presented in 28 E. 1. as his Institution manifesteth Which was performed in 6 E. 3. and endowed with a good proportion of land some lying in Eccleshale but the greatest part in Bedworth the ordination thereof being made by Rog. Northburgh B. of Cov. and Lich. 5 Id. Iulii an 1332. the same sixth year of E. 3. whereby it also appears that the said Philip was then a Canon of Lichâ— In 4 H. 4. there being a Fine levyed betwixt Sir Will. de Astley Kt. and others Plantiffs and Iohn Attehale and Ione his wife Deforc. of 24 mess. 5 carucats and 9 yard land 46 acres of meadow 12 acres of pasture 32 acres of wood and 12 marks 1x s. rent lying in Bedworth Astley Corley and many other places with th'advouson of the Church those lands with the said advouson were thereby vested in the said Sir Will. de Astley and his heirs paying yearly to the said Iohn and Ioane onely during the life of Eliz. the widow of Iohn Charnels x l. sterling and after her decease xx marks yearly to the same Iohn and Ioane during their two lives in case they survived her But in 10 H. 6. it was certified that Iohn Clerke of Coventre Gentleman and the Lady Margaret Astley widow to Sir VVill. Astley before mentioned held this Mannour by the service of half a Kts. fee. So that it seems either the Mannour past by vertue of that Fine or else was granted to the Lord Astley by some other Act for it appears that from that time the heirs of Astley were owners of it and that Regin Lord Grey of Ruthin who marryed the heir female of Astley leas'd the Mannour-house and demesns there for years in 18 H. 6. As also that Thomas the second Marq. Dorset descended from the said Reginald as the Pedegree in Astley sheweth by his Testament bequeath'd it to Edward one of his younger sons for life assigning out of it to the poor of his Hospital which
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
will and Testam bearing date 8 Aug. 15 H. 6. appointed that if it should please God to send him another son his Executors should pass an estate to him inter alia of this his Mannour and Castle of Bathkington and to the heirs male of his body with remainder to his right heirs for ever But departing this life ult Apr. an 1439. 18 H. 6. and leaving Hen. his son and heir afterwards created D. of Warw. the said Henry enjoy'd it and after him Ric. Nevill E. of Salisbury in right of Anne his wife sister and heir of the whole blood to the said Duke unto whom â—being also in that respect advanced to the same Earldom of Warwick the Executors to the same Ric. Beauchamp did in accomplishment of his said last Will and Testam deliver and confirm it inter alia upon condition that he the said Earl and his Countess should forthwith grant it unto the Dean and Chapter of the Collegiate Church in Warwick and their successors in pure and perpetuall alms which was accordingly performed Whereupon it continued thereto till that grand dissolution of the Religious houses by K. H. 8. but then by the Survey made in 26. of that K. reign having been valued at 34. l. 14. s. it became swallowed up in the Crown and by Letters Pat. dated 13 Apr. 36 H. 8. was thence granted unto Francis Goodere of London Gent. and his heirs who dyed seized thereof 1 E. 6. leaving Henry his son 13. years of age Which Henry being afterwards Kt. did by Indenture bearing date 20 Ian. 37. Eliz. entayl it upon the heirs male of his body but fayling of such issue and desiring that his lands might continue to his posterity and name marryed Frances his eldest daughter unto his own brothers son viz. Henry Goodere son and heir to Sir Will. Goodere then of Monkskirby Kt. and setled this Mannour on them and their descendants which Henry being afterwards Knighted and a Gentleman of the Privy-Chamber to K. Iames but not so fortunate as to augment his estate by following the Court engaged this Lordship to Sir Henry Raynsford of Clifford in Gloucestersh and others who in 16 Iac. sold it to William Bromley Esq. descended from Sir Walter Bromley of Bromley in com Staff Kt. temp R. Ioh. the now seat of the Lord Gerard whose family hath for many ages flourisht in the Counties of Staff Salop and Chester and lineall heir Male to the sometime famous Sir Iohn Bromley who in 4 H. 5. recovering the Standard of Guyen in that memorable battail of Corby then gained by the French in a fierce charge on that wing which Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier his near kinsman then commanded had for that eminent service not onely the dignity of Knighthood confer'd upon him but lands of great value in the Dutchy of Normandy with offices of speciall power and trust in those parts as also an augmentation to his Arms viz. the same Standard of Guyen for his Crest To which Sir Iohn succeeded Sir Iohn his son and heir who by his first wife leaving none but femal issue amongst whom by reason of a speciall Entail a large inheritance was shared afterwards wedded M. daughter of Ric. Widvile E. Rivers by Iaquet Dutchess of Bedford a branch of the Imperiall family of Luxemburgh and great grandchild to K. Edw. 3. by the Princess Isabell his eldest daughter and by her had issue Thomas whose direct heir male is Will. Bromley Esq. son to the before specified William now Lord of this Mannour a person whose speciall endowments do shew that he hath not degenerated from such his worthy ancestors unto whom I have dedicated the Map of this Hundred whereof he is so great an ornament as by his Arms therein graven with that honourary Crest before mentioned which hath been born by them ever since may be seen Of the Castle sometime standing here is there now besides the moat nothing remayning except heaps of rubbish nor when it was demolisht have I yet found but this is memorable thereof viz. that when Henry D. of Hereford and Iohn D. of Norff. should have determined the difference then betwixt themselves by a personall combat upon Gosford green near Coventre in 21 R. 2. the said Henry then lodg'd thereat and from thence advanc't to the place appointed upon his white Courser barded with blew and green velvet gorgeously embroidered with Swans and Antelops of Goldsmiths work and armed at all points In an 1291. 19 E. 1. the Church here dedicated to S. Iohn Bapt. was valued at vii marks but in 26 H. 8. at viii l. xx d. over and above viii s. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls Patroni Eccl. Incumbentes c. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Tho. de Dunton Cler. 1285. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. de Shulton Cler. 4. Id. Sept. 1314. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ric. hatte Birches de Solihull Cap. 4. Cal. Iun. 1353. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Fylot Cler. 3. Cal. Feb. 1361. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Henr. Wyther Pbr. 4. Ian. 1377. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. de Stonley Pbr. 23. Sept. 1383. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ric. de Burley 21 Iunii 1384 Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Porter Cap. 26. Aug. 1405. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Haghmund Cap. 18. Ian. 1409. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Will. Smyth Cap. 5. Dec. 1421. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Mag. Ioh. Sparrow in decretis baccal 14. Apr. 1506. Prior Conv. de Kenilworh Ioh. Pysfort art Mag. 11. Apr. 1511. Will. Willington de Bercheston ratione conc c. Pr. C. de Kenill Rob. Wildy Cap. 17. Febr. 1539. Henr. Porter Gen. ratione ut supra Ioh. Farmer Cler. 9. Sept. 1552. Iohanna Winter de Stonley Gen. Ioh. Hyckes Cler. 25. Martii 1555. Edw. Underhill Gen. Edm. Mylnerson 12. Oct. 1557 Ph. M. Rex R. Tho. Dagyll Cler. 9. Dec. 1558. Edw. Underhill de Bathkinton Gen. Tho. VVotton Cler. 1. Sept. 1560. Henr. Goodere ar Iac. Gybson Cler. 24. Apr. 1584. Carolus Rex ratione minoris aetat Will. Bromley Tho. Gybson in art Mag. 16. Dec. 1628. Kenilworth LIttle more than a mile below Baginton is the river of Sow more enlarged by a small brook coming from Kenilworth of which place before I pass further I am next in order to speak Before the Conquest it was a member of Stoneley being antient demesn of the Crown and had within the precincts thereof a Castle situat upon the bank of Avon in the woods opposite to Stoneley-Abby Which Castle stood upon a place called Hom-hill but was demolished in those turbulent times of warr betwixt King Edmund and Canutus the Dane By the Conq. Survey it appears that this which now beares onely
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
in all 17. quarters and a half and 6. quarters of Malt made in beer at 4 s. the quarter The yearly fee then to the principall Officers being to Henry Marq. Dorset their high Seward Liii s. iv d. To Robert Caster gent. their generall Receiver xxvi s. viii d. And to Thomas Gregory Auditor xxvi s. viii d. So that being in clear yearly value less than CC li. it was suppressed by Act of Parl. in 27. H. 8. whereupon the Monks were for the most part disposed of to other Religious Houses that then stood undissolved Thomas Tutbury the then Abbot having a Pension of 23 li. per annum assigned to him during his life Catalogus Abbatum 1. Willielmus primus Abbas obiit Id. Dec. anno 1159. 2. Rogerus obiit Non. Feb. anno 1178. 3. Nicholaus obiit Cal. Sept. anno 1188. 4. Henricus obiit 3. Id. Sept. anno 1189. 5 Will. Pershore translatus ad Bordesley 6. Will. de Campden Abbatizavit 8. ann 7. Will. de Tysoe obiit 10. Cal. Aug. an 1217. 8. Ranulphus cessit officio ann 1221. 9. Will. Gyldeford depositus ann 1231. 10. Osbertus de Westwelle renuntiavit officio Non. Sept. ann 1258. 11. Petrus Wyche obiit 9. Cal. Martii 1261. 12. Ric. de Merynton à regimine amotus ann 1272. 13. Tho. de Orlescote translatus ad Bordesle an 1277. 14. Wâ—ll de Heyford assumptus in Abb. de Bordesse an 1293. 15. Ioh. de la Sale depositus post an 16. 2. menses 16. Rob. de Hockele obiit die S. Desiderii Episc. an 1349. 17. Rob. de Atherston renuntiavit officio anno tertio regiminis sui 18. Thomas de Weston alià s dictus Tho. de Pipe successit eidem Roberto 9. Cal. Iunii an 1352. aetate juvenis Rob. Sutton 10. H. 7. Thom. Hodskinson Thom. Tutbury 27. H. 8. After the before-specified dissolution it contitinued not long in the Crown for in 30. H. 8. it was granted to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and his heirs Which D. had issue Henry and Charles who both dying childless Sir Ric. Cavendish Knight Sir William Sidney Knight Thomas Glemham Esq. Tho. Lovell Esq. Christian Darnell widow Eliz. the wife of Walter Ayscough Esq. and Eliz. the wife of Iohn Trye were found to be their cosins and heirs Betwixt whom partition being made 21. Maii 2. Eliz. the site of this Monastery with part of the lands thereunto belonging was allotted unto William Cavendish Esq. son and heir to the said Sir Richard Which Will. by the name of Will. Cavendish of Trymley St. Martin in Com. Suff. Esq. by his deed bearing date 17. Martii 3. Eliz. sold it unto Sir Rowland Hill and Sir Thomas Leigh Knights Aldermen of London After which upon division made of divers Mannours and Lands joyntly acquired by them the site of this Monastery became allotted to the same Sir Thomas Leigh who purchasing in the greatest part of all other lands lying in Stonley thereabouts and obtain'd in 4. Eliz. a Pat. of confirmation for them all together with the Mannour of Stonley Which Sir Thomas being son to Roger Leigh of Wellington in Shrop-shire descended by a younger branch from that antient family of the Leigh's of High-Leigh in Cheshire as their descent sheweth and bred up under the said Sir Rowland Hill an opulent merchant of London became at length for his skill and diligence his Factor beyond Sea and underwent that trust so well that Sir Rowland having no child match't his neece whom he much affected to him viz. Alice daughter to ...... Barker of Hamon in Shropshire upon whose issue he bestow'd the greatest part of his estate Much might be said of this Sir Thomas Leigh who was Lord Mayor of London in 1 Eliz. but let the Epitaph upon his Monument at Mercers-Chappell where he lyeth buried suffice for he dyed in that City ....... 14. Eliz. leaving issue 3. sons Rouland Thomas and William The eldest of which was largely provided for in Gloucester-shire at Longborow and thereabouts by the said Sir Rouland Hill his Godfather But the second here And the third at Neunham in this County had ample possessions setled upon them by their father and mother she being joyned purchaser in all and lived here at Stonley to a very great age to see her childrens children to the fourth generation where departing this life ..... Ian. an 1603. she was buried at the upper end of the Chancell on the North side The memoriall of which worthy Lady though there be none over the place of her sepulture will continue in that lasting monument of her piety erected in this Town I mean the Hospitall for poor people of which I shall say more anon Thomas the second son Knighted by Q. Eliz. and honoured with the title of Baronet at the first erection of that order scilicet 29. Iunii 9. Iac. wedded Katherine daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser of Wormleighton Knight by whom he had issue Sir Iohn Leigh Knight his son and heir whom he survived And having lived to a great age in much reputation being Custos Rotulorum for this County and in all publique employments of his time one of the superior rank deceased in Febr. 1. Car. leaving Sir Thomas Leigh son to the before specified Sir Iohn his next heir Which Sir Thomas now Lord of this Mannour having been dignified with Knighthood by King Iames wedded Mary daughter and coheir to Sir Thomas Egerton Knight eldest son to Thomas Lord Ellesmere Lord Chancelour of England and firmely adhering to the late King Charles in his greatest distresses was in testimony of his stedfast loyalty advanced to the degree and title of a Baron of this Realm The Church dedicated to our Lady whereunto belonged 8. yard land being given by K. H. 1. to the Canons of Kenilworth shortly after the Foundation of that Monastery was appropriated to them by Geffrey Muschamp Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield in King Iohn's time with a Pension of v. marks out of the Vicaridge and confirmed by Pope Gregory the ix anno 1228. 12. H. 3. And in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at 24. marks the Vicaridge in 26. H. 8. being likewise rated at vi li. -xv s. iv d. over and above xxx s. yearly Pension then payd to the Canons of Kenilw. and 8 s. per annum allowed for Procurations and Synodals Which Vicaridge was by the Lady Aliza Dudley augmented with 20 li. per annum out of lands purchased in Manceter whereof I have there taken notice who also gave three large and faire pieces of gilt plate to remain for the use of the Communicants here for ever The Hospitall before mentioned was founded by the said Lady Alice Leigh for ten poor people viz. five men and five women all of them to be unmarried persons and nominated by her but after her decease by Sir Thomas Leigh her son during his life and his heirs for ever
Clement it came to Iohn Dunheved in right of Christian his wife heir to the said William Which Iohn upon the death of the then Incumbent had a purpose to have entred upon the rights of the Church howbeit the Abbot of Pipwell being advertised thereof got a great number of men Horse and foot and kept possession of it by force whereupon the said Iohn forbore to prosecute his intention yet afterwards the Monks and he came to an Agreement so that with Christian his wife he did by a Fine in 31 H. 3. quit his right in the advouson thereof to the said Monks Within the precincts of this Lordship was the same Wâ—gan of whom I have spoke in Willoughby enfeof't by K. H. 2. with 8. yard land whose son Raph bestowed upon these Monks of Pipwell 7. yard land and a half thereof giving the residue to the Church of this place In consideration whereof the said Monks made him partaker of all the Prayers and benefits of their Order and covenanted to receive him to be a Monke in their Covent or else his brother in case either of them should be willing to live a regular life And besides all this gave unto him 27â— marks of silver to his mother 2. Cows with Calves to Thurstane his brother a Horse and to Wygan his other brother xii d. Which Monks having so large a portion did in 11 E. 1. inter alia obtain a Charter of Free-warren in all their demesn-lands here In 28 E. 1. two parts of this Mannour were setled by the before specified Iohn Dunheved upon himself and Eustachia his wife for their lives the remainder to Stephen their son Which Iohn in 29. E. 1. with divers other persons of note had summons to attend the K. with Horse and Armes at Barwick upon Twede on the feast day of the Nativity of S. Io. Bapt. to march against the Scots To this Iohn succeeded Iohn his younger son Stephen being dead as it seems who in 11 E. 2. entred into Covenants with Sir Iohn Peche Kt. Lord of Hampton in Arden to prosecute suit at the costs charges of the said Sir Iohn touching this and other Mannours as his right by inheritance against whomsoever should lay claym thereto and having cleared his title to enfeoff the said Sir Iohn Peche of them to the use of him the said Sir Iohn and his heirs In consideration whereof the same Sir Io. covenanted to find provide for the said Io. Dunheved during his life a Robe of the same suite that he gave his Esquiers and in time of peace to furnish him with a Horse a Groom in such sort as he allowed to the rest of his servants of that rank but in Warr with two Horses and Grooms and one Horse armed in like fashion as he did to others paying to him the said Iohn x li. per annum quarterly at Hampton in Arden before specified Which Agreement bears date the Sunday after S. Luke the Evangelist the year before mentioned After this viz. in 19 E. 2. I find that Edm. de Verdon and Agnes his wife did by their deed dated 16. Sept. grant to the said Sir Iohn Peche and Alianore his wife and the heirs of their bodyes lawfully begotten this Mannour of Dunchurch but how Verdon came to any title therein appears not And that in 4 E. 3. Iohn Dunheved levyed a Fine thereof to the uses of the said Sir Iohn Peche and Alianore and the heirs of their two bodyes and for default of such issue to Nich. Peche son to the said Sir Iohn for life but after his decease to the right heires of the same Sir Iohn In whose family it continued so long as the male line lasted and then by Margaret one of the daughters and heirs to the last Sir Iohn came to Sir William Montfort of Colshill Knight to whose posterity it remained till the attainded of Sir Simon Montfort in 10 H. 7. Of which families viz. Peche and Montfort I shall peak historically when I come to Hampton in Arden and Colshill in Hemlingford-Hundred But then eâ—cheating to the Crown was by King H. 7. given to Girald Earl of Kildare and Eliz. S. Iohn his wife and to the heirs male of their bodyes 25. Aug. 12 H. 7. And by another Patent dated 20. Iulii 18 H. 7. confirmed whereby also Free-warren was granted to them therein which King H. 8. likewise ratified By vertue of which entail it divolved to Sir Iames Fitz Gerald Knight one of his sons by the said Eliz. S. Iohn But by attainder of the said Sir Iames in 28 H. 8. again resorted to the Crown and in 32 H. 8. was granted to Sir Sir Iohn Fitz Williams Knight and his heirs From which Sir Iohn it came very suddainly to one Anthony Stringer of London to whom I find that King H. 8. in 35. of his reign granted in lieu thereof and other lands which he then had of him in exchange the site of the Priorâ— of S. Margarets near Marlborough in Wilt-shire After which it stayd in the Crown till Queâ—n Marie's time and then was passed in 1. â— of her raign to ...... Smyth and others who the same year aliened it to Sir Rouland Hill and Sir Tho. Leigh Aldermen of London And so being by partition betwixt the said Sir Rouland and Sir Thomas allotted inter alia to the said Sir Thomas was setled upon Sir William Leigh his younger son which Sir William had issue Sir Francis who in 18. Iac. obtained a speciall Pat. for a Court-Leet to be yearly held within this Lordshâ—â— Fâ—â—m whom it is descended to Francis Lord Dunsmore his son and heir now living An. scil 1640. That which the Monks of Pipwell had here came in time also to have the reputation of a Mannour and in 3. 4. Ph. Mar. was granted out of the Crown to the said Sir Rouland Hill and Sir Thomas Leigh and their heirs and so upon the same partition being assigned to Sir Tho. Leigh is enjoyed by the Lord Dunsmore as abovesaid The Church dedicated to S. Peter being given to the Monks of Pipwell as I have already shewed was appropriated to that Monastery by Ric. Peche B. of Cov. in H. 2. time and the Vicaridge endowed by Alex. Savensby his successor an 1220. 13 H. 3. at which time there was x li. per ann reserved to be payd out of the fruits of the Rectory to the Cathedrall of Lich. for ever In an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xv marks per an over above the xv marks yearly Pension payable to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield the Vicaridge at lx s. But in 26 H. 8. at xiv li. xxii d. over above viii s. yearly allowed for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes c. D. Episc. Cov. Lich. Lambertus de Hale Cap. 8. Cal.
bearing date Kal. Dec. ann 1360. 34 E. 3. that they should have divine service for the space of two years therein But about the beginning of Q. Eliz. time it was pulled down by the Lord Berkley's Officers Tofte THis is a member of Dunchurch and had its name originally from some decayed dwelling house for the word Toft signifieth a place where a Messuage hath stood as our Lawyers well know and came to Montfort by descent from Peche as did Dunchurch but after Montfort's attainder was a so granted to the E. of Kildare therewith Since which time for ought I have seen to the contrary it hath attended the possession of that Mannour But there is also another Mannour at least in reputation within the compass of this small Village whereof Iohn Burghton of Burghton in Com. Staff Gent. was possest in E. 4. time by whom 14 Oct. 4 E. 4. it became convey'd to Humfrey Swinnarton Gent. and Iohn Horeway Priest which Humfrey and Iohn 8 Apr. 12 E. 4. setled it upon Humfrey Hill of Blore in the same County of Staff and Ioan his wife daughter of the said H. Swinnarton and the heirs of their two bodyes From whom descended as it seems Humfrey Hill of Buntingisdale in Com. Salop. who by his Deed dated 8 Febr. 18 H. 8. granted it to Iohn Lettely of Dunchurâ—h Yeoman To which Iohn succeeded Iohn Lytley of Thurlaston Gent. who 28 Iunii 5 Eliz. sold it to Iohn Fawkes of this place whose grandchild Iohn still enjoys it Bourton super Dunsmore FOllowing the Northern bank of Leame I next come to Bourton super Dunsmore which one Ingenulfus held of the E. of Mellent in the Conq. time it being then certified to contain 5 hydes valued at lxx s. But before the Norman invasion Leuuinus possest it Within this parish is also Draicote antiently a member of Bourton and in Record so intermix'd therewith that for a long time the particular owners of each are not easily to be distinguish'd But till H. 3. time I have not seen any thing more directly relating to this place howbeit by what I discern of the then possessors thereof viz. Garshale and Verdon who descended from the daughters and heirs of Henry de Burton I shall conclude that the Ancestors of the same Henry being Lords of this Mannour and having their chief residence hereâ— assumed their sirname from hence And the rather do I incline to this opinion in regard I find by very good authority that the same family of Burton were also Lords of Ibbestoke in Leicestersh which with this descended to Garshale and Verdon by the said co-heirs and therefore I have here inserted so much of the line of Burton whereunto those of Garshale and Verdon are knit as also that of Burdet who marryed Garshale's heir all which Families were undoubtedly owners of this and Draycote Robertus de Bortona 23 H. 1. Will. de Burtona temp H. 2. Henricus de Burton A da uxor Rob. de Garshale 1 H. 3. Bertramus de Garshale Tho. de Garshale 51 E. 1. Rob. de Garshale 14 E. 2. Rob. Burdet de Huncote miles 20 E. 3. Eliz. filia haeres Rob. Burdet ob s. p. Joh. Burdet de Huncote miles 21 R. 2. Eliz. filia haeres uxor Humfridi Stafford de Grafton mil. tâ—mp H. 4. Matilda Thomas ob s. p. Iohanna ux .... de Verdon Rob. de Verdon Rob. de Verdon Ric. de Burtona This Mannour being held of the Verdons Lords of Brandon as I shall shew anon was part of that which Lescelina daughter to Geffrey de Clinton brought to her husband Norman de Verdon as I guess and granted by them to Rob. de Bortone and his heirs by the service of one Kts. fee for from the posterity of the said Norman and Lescelina did the descendants of Burton hold it Of which family all that I find memorable is first that Rob. de Burtone was witness to the Charter of foundation of the Collegiat-Church in Warwick made by Rog. E. of Warwick 23 H. 1. As also that he gave xx acres of land lying in this town to the Nuns of Wroxhale Next that Ric. de Burton who I conceive was son to that Robert gave the Village of Hodenhull to the Monastery of Nun-Eaton And lastly that Will. de Borthun bestowed Blakedon-mill upon the Monks of Combe by the allowance of Bertram de Verdon of whom he held it But having done with the line of Burton I come now to that of Garshale whereof Rob. husband to Ada one of the co-heirs to Henry de Burton was the first that had to do here who taking part with the rebellious Barons against K. Iohn had his lands seized but returning to obedience in 1 H. 3. enjoyed them again Of which Rob. de Garshale it was certified in 20 H. 3. that he with Philip de Esseby held Burton super Dunsmore of the E. of Warwick by a Kts. fee. Howbeit in 36 H. 3. it appears that they held it immediatly of Roes de Verdon of whom I have made mention in Brandon and that she held it over of the E. of Warwick by the said Kts. fee But how Philip de Esseby his title grew I am not yet satisfied and therefore will leave it to be further enquired after for he was a man of much note in this County as appears by his being so often in Commission for taking Assizes of Novel-disseisin and Goal-delivery at Warwick To which Rob. de Garshale succeeded Bertram de Garshale of whom I meet with nothing memorable but Thomas the son of Bertram had divers eminent imployments In 15 E. 1. I find that he was one of the Kts. which were assigned in this Shire for taking care that the Articles contained in the Statute of Winchester for conservation of the peace should be observed And in 22 E. 1. one of the Commissioners appointed for levying and gathering a Tenth in this County granted to the K. in Parl. for support of his Wars In 34 E. 1. for levying and collecting a xxx th and xx th part In 1 E. 2. for a xx th and xv th and in 3 E. 2. for a xxv th granted also to the K. in those several Parliaments And bore for his Arms quarterly Argent and Azure upon a bend gules 3 flower de luces Or as by his Seal and other authorities appeareth To him succeeded Rob. de Garshale who entailed this Mannour with the advouson of the Church upon the heirs of his body by Amicia his wife and dyed leaving Eliz. his daughter and heir marryed to Sir Rob. Burdet of Huncote in Leicestersh a younger son to Rob. Burdet of Sekindon and Arrow in this County whose posterity descended from her continued Lords thereof in the male line till H. 4. time that the heir general Eliz. marrying to Sir Humfry Stafford of Grafton
next year follâ—wing received command to attend the King at Oxford in Mid-lentâ— with Horse and Armes there to give him Counsell and to march along with him against the said Lewelin Which Will. or William his son past away this Lordship unto Hugh de Brandeston for in 21 E. 1. the said Hugh had Free-warren granted to him in all his demesn lands here Unto whom succeeded Henry de Brandeston who in 6 E. 2. aliened it to Will. de Berefâ—rd and Edmund de Bereford his son and to the heirs of the said Edmund entayling it for want of issue by Edmund on Iohn de Bereford his brother and the heirs of his body for better confirmation of whose title William de Harecourt son and heir of Sir Iohn de Harecourt of Bosworth in Leicestershire in 3 E. 3. released unto the said Edmund all his right therein Which Edmund in 3 E. 3. granted it to the Monastery of Chaucumbe in Northampton-shire but without license for it appears that in 39 E. 3. it was charged with xx s. annuity to the Monks of Coventre and their successors as being held of that Monastery and so purchased yet it seemes that the Canons of Chaucumbe did not long possess it but that the heirs of Brandeston had it again for by a Fine levied 46 E. 3. between Philip de Aylesbury and Agnes his wife and Richard Montfort and Rose his wife it was concluded that the said Richard and Rose should hold the moytie thereof during their naturall lives but that afterwards it should revert to the same Philip and Agnes and the heirs of Agnes Which Rose and Agnes were daughters and heirs of Hugh de Brandeston grandson to the before mentioned Hugh as in Lapworth I shall shew and held that part of this town called Harecourts-fâ—e of the Monks of Coventre by the service of half a Knights fee and ii s. per annum as also two appearances at the Court held at Southam every year by themselves and their tenants with Ward Marriage Relief and Scutage when it happeneth After which scil in 14 R. 2. Roger Aylesbury of Lapworth son to the abovesaid Philip and Agnes granted to Will. Montfort of Thoneworth and Agnes his wife and their heirs the râ—version of all his part therein after the decease of Agnes his mother Which William upon the marriage of Margaret one of his daughters to Iohn Catesby of Ashby-Lagers in Northampton-shire as in Lapworth appeareth by his deed dated the Munday after the Feast of S. Faith the Virgin 6 H. 5. granted his reversion expectant after the death of Royse his mother unto the said Iohn Catesby and his heirs to which grant the said Royse atturned In the line of Catesby it continued till 23 H. 8. but then was it conveyed to Sir Valentine Knightley Knight who by his last Will and Testament bearing date 26 Dec. 7. Eliz. gave it to Edm. his second son and the heirs male of his body and for want of such issue to the heirs male of the body of the said Sir Valentine the remainder to his right heirs Which Edmund leaving Richard his son and heir who dyed without issue male it reverted to Sir Richard Knightly of Norton in Com. Northhampton Knight as son and heir male to the said Sir Valentine Which Sir Richard by his deed dated 7. Oct. 9. Iac. sold the same to Laurence Bolton from whom Hugh Audley esquire one of the Clerks in the Court of Wards purchased it in 6 Car. anno scil 1629. As for that part of Granborough which Richard Forestarius held in the Conq. time it descended to Walter Crok as Chesterton did Which Walter enfeoft Gilbert Crok there with by the service of x s. and the Sergeanty belonging thereto whose sister and heir Alice held it in 20 H. 3. But from this Alice it came ere long unto Henry de Bray who in 17 E. 1. setled it upon Thomas de Farendone and Emme his wife and the issue of the said Thomas and Emme and in case of their departure without issue that then the said Henry who was a Priest it seemes should hold it during his life but after his decease to remain unto Thomas de Bray and Sarrah his wife and the heirs of their two bodyes by the service of a Clove Gillofer to be yearly payd at Easter for ever From which family of Bray it came to Hastang though how I have not seen For it appears that in 20 E. 3. Iohn de Hastang held it of the heirs of Loges by half a Knights fee. Which Iohn left two daughters his heirs whereof the younger was marryed to Sir Iohn Salisbury who in her right dyed seized of the moytie of this Mannour in 12 R. 2. being attainted in the Parliament then held and Maud the other marryed to Raph Stafford against whom Thomas Bray commenced suit for this Mannour called Bray's and in 1 H. 4. recovered it But it should seem that by some composition Bray quitted his title therein to the said Raph Stafford for I find that the said Raph dyed seized thereof in 11 H. 4. leaving Humfrey his son and heir 26. years of age From whom descended Sir Humfrey Stafford of Blatherwick who dying seized thereof 17 Eliz. as the Record expresseth left issue Iohn his son and heir then of full age But I have heard that the same Sir Humfrey sold it to one Richard Rowley and he to Mr. Thomas Bradgate who had issue William and he a daughter called Alice marryed to Mr. Iohn Hill the present owner thereof I now returne to that Mannour which belong'd to the Priory of Coventre This continued with the Monks till the dissolution of that House in 30 H. 8. and issued not out of the Crown till that Edward Aglionby of Balshall and Henry Hugford of Solihull Gent. had a grant thereof by Patent dated 26. Mâ—ii 7 E. 6. Who forthwith past it viz. 12. Iunii the same year to Valentine Knightley esquire and his heirs Which Val. afterwards Kt. setled it as it seems on Edmund his younger son for in 38 Eliz. the said Edmund was found to dye seized of it leaving Richard his son and heir 28. years of age who dying without issue as in Catesbye's Mannour I have observed it came to Sir Richard Knightley of Norton and so to Hugh Audley the now Lord thereof as that did The Church dedicated to S. Paul hath been very antiently appropriated to the Priory of Ronton in Stafford-shire Which makes me believe that Robert Noel the founder of that Monastery first builded and endowed it but whether it were given thereto before the Harecourts became Lords of this Mannour by Marriage of Noels heir before specified I am yet to learn Besides the Church there are lands of good value here in Granborow heretofore belonging to that Religious house which long since if not
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
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.
but nothing was done thrrein as it should seem For in 8 Eliz. the said Sir Valentine dyed seized thereof leaving Richard his son and heir of full age which Richard sold it in Q. Eliz. time to one Raph Blount an antient servant to Sir Valentine which Raph had issue Richard who inclosed all that belong'd to the Mannour and then sold it to Sâ—r William Samuel of Upton in Com. Northampton Knight who gave it to Arthur a younger son that sold it to William Lord Spenser whose younger son Robert is the present owner thereof The Church belonging to the Monks of Coventre and of their patronage as Lords of the Mannour was by Roger Molend Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield appropriated to them in An. 1260. 44 H. 3. being endowed with two carucates of land In Anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xxvii marks and the Vicaridge at lx s. but in 26 H. 8. the Vicaridge was rated at xxiii li. xvi s. over and above xxvi s. viii d. yearly payd out thereof to the Monks of Coventre and iv s. for Synodalls Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Coventre Will. de Bourton Pbr. 1. Feb. 1313. Prior Conv. de Coventre Rad. de Suham Diac. 3. Id. Martii 1333. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Bokervile Cap. xvi Cal. Dec. 1354. Prior Conv. de Coventre Will. de Welneford Cal. Dec. 1363. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Reynbolt Pbr. 25. Apr. 1384. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ric. Iekell 7. Iulii 1410. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Frankelene 25. Sept. 1410. Prior Conv. de Coventre Walt. Moell 17. Aug. 1413. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ric. Stayton Cap. 8. Iunii 1423. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ric. Whitelombe Pbr. 5. Dec. 1428. Prior Conv. de Coventre D. Ioh. Hulle Pbr. 22. Oct. 1431. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Iames Pbr. 19. Oct. 1432. Prior Conv. de Coventre Thomas Pedyne Pbr. 8. Iunii 1433. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ric. Styler 6. Iulii 1433. Prior Conv. de Coventre Robert Lemyng 1. Ian. 1454. Prior Conv. de Coventre Magr. Tho. Iones in utroque jure Bacc. 25. Sept. 1500. Prior Conv. de Coventre Tho. Orton in decret Bac. 8. Oct. 1501. Henr. Waver alià s Over de Civit. Coventriae Grocer D. Thomas Iackson Cler. 20. Ian. 1556. Henr. Waver alià s Over de Civit. Coventriae Grocer Bernardus Massy in art Magr. 25. Oct. 1558. Henr. Waver alià s Over de Civit. Coventriae Grocer Thurstanus Mooseley 26. Maii 1562. Ric. Atkyns hac vice ex concess Ric. Over Leonardus Harison Cler. 24. Iunii 1569. Rob. Spenser miles Baro de Wormleighton Georgius Hale Cler. 3. Sept. 1604. In a window of the Church these Armes 1. Azure a fesse Ermine betwixt 6. Cranes heads erased Arg. Spenser 2. Spenser empaling Kitson viz. Sable 3. Lucies hauriant d'argent with a Lyon rampant ..... betwixt 2. Annulets upon a chief Or. Merston-Priors THis being in the Parish of Herdwick-Priors was with it amongst divers other Lordships given to the Monks of Coventre by Earl Leofrike in Edw. the Confessors days yet is there no particular mention of it in the Conquerors Survey it being there involved with Herdwike Which Monks in 41 H. 3. had a Charter of Free-warren extending to all their demesn lands here as it did to the rest of their Mannours And in 7 E. 1. had xxxviii Tenants who held 23. yard land in this place paying severall Rents and performing divers services scil Plowing Mowing Reaping and the like all which used to do suit to the Priors Court twice in the year After the dissolution of that Monastery it was granted out of the Crown with Herdwick c. to Sir Edmund Knightley Knight and hath ever since passed therewith being now possest by the Lord Spencer The Chapell as a member also of Herdwike was appropriated to the Monks of Coventre Shukborough-Inferior IN the Conquerors time Ric. Forestarius held half a hide here then valued at xx s. afterwards as by an authentique Record appears reputed for three yard land From which Richard who is there called Ric. Cheneu it descended by Margerie his daughter and heir to William Crok and so by Margerie the sister of William son to the said William to Robert de Brok who by a fair Charter with his portraiture in his Seal on Horseback wherein he calls himself Domini Regis Angliae Marescallus gave to Roger Helie alià s de Bentley this land in Succeberge From whom descended Iohn de Bentley who in 28 E. 1. was certified to hold one hide of land here of Richard de Logeâ— lineall heir unto Robert de Broc as in Chesterton is shewed And from him William de Bentley Lord of Bentley in Com. Staff who in 47 E. 3. granted to Iohn the son of William de Catesby and his heirs all his lands in Over-Shukborough and Nether-Shukborough with the Court-Leet But more of this Nether-Shukborough I have not seen till 3. Eliz. that Thomas Shukborough Esquier was found to dye seized thereof from whom it is descended unto Sir Richard Shukborough now living together with Over-Shukborough as I have there shewed Wormleighton IN the Conquerors time part of this town being in the Earl of Mellent's possession viz. one hide and a half which one Gislebertus held of him was valued at iv li. x s. and then written Wimerestone Another part but much greater did Turchill de Warwick then possesse which was certified to contain three hides and rated at x li. one Warinus being at that time his undertenant for it In that place it is written Wimenestone A third portion here did one Wâ—lliam hold at the same time of Goisfrid de Mannevile viz. half a hide and a fourth part valued at xv s. and there it is written Wimelestone which makes me conjecture that the denomination thereof might originally proceed from the name of its owner scil Wimere or some such name Whether it were by King Henry the first immediatly disposed of to Geffrey de Clinton his Chamberlain and Treasurer of whose advancement I have in Kenilworth made mention or to Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick and by him granted to the said Geffrey I am not certain howbeit that the said Geffrey enjoy'd it is clear enough from what I shall shortly manifest for Geffrey de Clinton son to that Geffrey gave the Church of this place to the Monastery of Kenilworth and afterwards enfeoft Ric. Walsh in the whole Mannour to hold by the service of a Knights fee which grant Henry de Clinton his son ratified to the said Richard and his heirs in consideration whereof he received viii marks of silver but therein it is written Wilmelathtune This Richard VValsh had issue
in 1 H. 8. betwixâ— Sir Nicholas Vaus Kt. and others Plantâ—ffs and Sir Thomas Brandon Kâ— and Eliz. his wife deforciants of the fourth part the other in 24 H. 8. of the moytie thereof betwâ—xt Rob. Dormer and others Plantiffs and Rog. Beket and others deforc but to what uses I know not The next owner thereof that I meet with was Henry Keble who by his last Will and Testament setled it inter alia upon George Keble his Grandhild and the heirs Male of his body with remainder to Sâ—r VVill. Blount Lord Montjoy and the Lady Alice his wife which Lord Montjoy and Alice had issue VVill. their son and heir Shotswell PAssing over the vally from Molington Westwards I come next to Shotswell situate on that brow or ledge which beareth the name of Edge-hill for many miles But of this place I find nothing at all by particular name in the Conq â—â— Survey and therefore do conclude that it was then involved with Warmington at that time certified to contain a greater number of hides than of it self it would have been found to do as I suppose the reason of this my conjecture arisingâ— partly from the consideration of its adjacency to Warmington â— and partly for that it hath been with Warmington of the Earl of Warwick â— fee From one of which Earls it was granted to the Ancestor of Iohn de Dâ—ve who had fair lands in Oxfordsh hard by and from Dyve to the Progenitor of Rob. Fitzwith id est filius Guidonis and from Fitzwith to VVandard as may seem by that notable Record of 7 E. 1. But when these passages weâ—e I cannot certainly teâ—l yet do beleive them to have been very antient for I find that Robert VVandard had to do here in K. Iohn's time and that his Fathers name was VVill. of whom there is mention in 16 H 2. Betwixt which Robert and the Abbot of Preauxâ— in Normandy â— there was a Fine levyed â—n 5 H. 3. touching the advâ—uson of this Church whereby it being setled upon the saâ—d Robert he granted an yearly Pension of x s. to the Church of Warmington of the Patronage of the said Abbot to be for ever received of the Parsons incumbent there As for the name I find it in antient time somewhat variously wriâ—ten viz. Sotteswell Shoteswell Scacheswell Seteweld and Chetteswelle but do suppose that it proceeded originally from one Soâ—o for that was an appellation in use before the Nâ—rman Conquest and a fair Spring issuing out of the Hill there and called by his name But of these VVandards were there more that bore the name of Robert than one as it seems for in 40 H. 3. I find that amongst many others who by the K. speciall Pat. had respite of their Knighthood untill Christmass in that year Robert de Wandirâ— is certified to be one being of this County It iâ— very like that this Robert is he who in 7 E. 1. held what he had here of Iohn Fitzwith by the service of half a Knights fee at which â—â—re the said Iohn being Superior Lord had one Carucate of land in demesn and two servants the Canons of Clatercote 7 yard land and the Câ—nons of Studley a Carucate and six Cotages which were given to them by Will. de Câ—ntilupe and whâ—ch he the said Will. had by acquisition from Eustâ—ce de Mortein and Iohn Wandard Thâ—s Râ—b Vâ—andard sometimes also written VVandak was a Knight in 15 E. 1. and Coâ—onâ—â— to the King in this County as appears by hâ—s Wâ—it of discharge from that office in 27 E. 1. and bad issue Thomas who about the beginning â—f E. 2. â—ime as I judge sold this Mannour of Shotswell to VVill. de Bereford for in 9 E. 2. the 〈◊〉 VVill. is certified to be Lord thereof but the Fâ—â—e theâ—eupâ—n was not levied till 12 E. 2. Which VVill. dyed seized of it in 20 E. 2. leaving Edmund his son and heir 28 years of age But of this family of Bereford I shall speak further when I come to Langley in Hemlingford Hundred In 9 E. 3. the said Eâ—mund had a Charter of Free-Warren granted to him inter alia in all his demesn lands here the like Charter had Sir Baldwin de Bereford Kt. in 4 R. 2. Which Sir Baldwin as it seems past away his estate in this Mannour to Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Holt Kt. but not directly for the Fine whereby it became vested in the said Sir Iohn and Ioan his wife and the heirs of their two bâ—dies was levyed by one Richard de la Folde a Priestâ— and others who were Feoffees in 49 E. 3. This Sâ—r Iohn Beauchamp is he who was attainted in the Parl. oâ— xi R. 2. and put to death of whâ—m I have already spoke in Bobenhull Iohn his son and heir being at that time but xi years of age whose wardship with the custody of this Maâ—nour was by the said K. 11 Feb. 12 R. 2. granted to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick which Iâ—hn being afterwards a Kt. dyed seized of this Mannour in 8 H. 5. leaviâ—g Margaret the wife of Iohn Pauncâ—fot his Daughter and heir who afterwards became the wife of Iohn VVâ—â—ham But the next possessâ—â—s hereof that I find were Iohn Ashâ—on of Somerton in Oxfordshire and Iohn Blount of Wyginton in the same County viz. in 10 H. 6. perhaps by marriage with some coheirs to the before specifiâ—d Margaret It seems that the greatest part thereof came at lengâ—h to the said Iohn Aâ—ton and that it was by hâ—m granted to Iames le Boâ—â—ller Earl of Ormund whose son and heir viz. Iames â—oteleâ— created Earl of Wiltshire 8 Iulii 27 H. 6. following the fate of the Lancastrian House whereunto he adhered in those times of civiâ—l dâ—ssâ—ntionâ— became attainted in the Parl. held at Westminster 1 E. 4. and put to death at Newcastle havâ—â—g no issue After which K. Edw. by his Letters P. dated 16 Sept. in the second year of his reâ—gn in consideration of the good and acceptable service which Ric. Hâ—recourt Eâ—q had performed unto â—ichâ—rd D. of York â— Father to the â—aid King as alsâ— to the K. himseâ—f granted it unto him the said Râ—châ—â—d and Edith his wife and to the issue male of their two bodies Hâ—wbeit I do not pâ—rceâ—ve that the whoâ—e Mannour pâ—st by that Pat. for â—n 12 E. 4. there was a Fâ—ne levied of a third part thereâ—â— with the third part of divâ—rs other Mannâ—urs in Oxford and Worcester shires whereby it became sâ—â—â—â—d upon Thomas Câ—â—f Eâ—q and Eliz. his wâ—fe with remainder to the right hâ—irs of the saâ—d Eliz. by which it should seem that she was a coheir to the lands formerly belonging to Sir Iohn Beauchamp beforementioned in regard that the third part of the Mannour of Holt in com Wigorn. is setled inter alia
a very large exâ—ent yet antiently more spacious for Tanworth which is of itself a great one was heretofore a member thereof as â—n my discourse of that place is manifested the whole being certifyed by the Conq. Suâ—vey to contain 46. hides having woods of 3. miles in length and 2. in breadth All which then yeilded to the K. yearly Lv l wiâ—h xx horse loads of salt and then were in his own hands But before the Conquest it was part of the possessions belonging to Edwine Earl of Mercia Which part wherein the woods were so contained I conclude to be Tanworth whereof there is no expresse mention by name in the said general survey I am of opinion that it was given to Henry de Newburgh Earl of Warwick by K. Will. the Conq. for clear it is that the said Earl possessed it It should seeme that in the grant thereof the number of hides which it contained were exprest and very likely the same that the general Survey before mentioned had recorded but that either the measure was too large or that K. Stephen had a mind to get some mony from Roger Earl of Warwick under that pretence for it appears that about the beginning of his reign he put him to CC marks fine for the overplus of the hides â—n this Mannour After which his posterity enjoy'd it till K. Henr. 7. in 3. of his reign got all the possâ—ssions belonging to that great Earldome as in Warwick I have manifested In 31. H. 3. upon the agreement betwixt Iohn de Plessets with Will. Mauduit and Alice his wife it was inter alia setled upon the said Iohn for life he having wedded Margery the daughter and heir to Thomas Earl of Warwick as in my story of the Earls hath been shewed which Iohn together with his said wife the next ensuing year obtained a Charter from the King for a Mercate here upon the Munday every weeke and a Fair to begâ—n on the Even of S â— George and to continue for the space of two dayes following After which viz. upon the death of Will. Mauduit Earl of Warwick in 52. H. 3. it was by agreement betwixt Alice his widow and Will. de Beauchamp the succeeding Earl assigned to her as part of her dower But in 7. E. 1. was in the possession of the said Will. who then held in demesn 3. carucates of land here as also a certain Park containing xxx acres with Warren and other liberties Which Earl had lx yard land here held of him by sundry Tenants under several rents and certain particular services whereof in regard that in those times the like was usual in most places I will here give instance in one viz. Adam Underwood who holding one yard land payd for the same 7 Bushells of Oats yearly and a Hen being to work for the Lord from the feast of S t Mich. th'arch-Angell till Lammas every other day except Saturday viz. at mowing as long as that time should last for which he was to have as much grasse as he could carry away with his Sithe at the end of Hay-harvest he the rest of his fellow Mowers to have the Lord 's best Mutton except one or xvid in money with the best Cheese saving one or vid in money and the Cheese-fat wherein the said Cheese was made full of salt As also that from the said Feast of Lammas till Michaelmas he was to work two dayes in the week and to come to the Lord's Reap with all his houshold except his wife and his Sheepherd and to mow down one land of Corneâ— being quit of all other work for that day That he should likewise carry two Cart loads and a half of the Lords hay with seven Cart load of stones for three days and gather Nuâ—ts for three dayes And in case that the Lord should keepe his Christmasse at this his Mannour of Brailes he to find three of his horses meat for three nights That he should plow thrice a year for the Lord viz. 6. selions and do the same tillage within xx miles And moreover to make 3. Quarters of Malt giving for every Hogg above a year old id and for every one under a half peny And lastly that he and the rest of the said Tenants here should give xii marks to the Lord at Michaelmasse yearly by way of Aid and not marry his daughter nec filium coronare id est nor make his son a Priest without license from the Lord. That being an usuall restraint of old in Villenage tenures to the end that the Lord might not loose one of his villeins by coming into holy Orders As for the Freeholders here I shall only mention some of them viz. Nich. de Segrave who held at that time viii yard land of the Earl by the service of the sixth paâ—t of a Knights fee Theobald de Nevill and Robert de Hastang viii yard land by the service of a pair of gilt spurs and Peter de Montfort xvi yard land by the 4 th part of a Knights fee. At that time the Nuns of Wroxhall had one yard land here which was given to them in pure Almes by Walleran Eâ—râ— of Warwick So also had the Canons of Kenilworth 4. yard land but that was in right of the Church as part of its glebe After this viz. in 13. E. 1. Will. de Beaucamp Earl of Warwick claim'd by prescription to have certain priviledges here viz. Gallows with Assize of Bread and Beer which were allowed For iâ— is a large and goodly Mannour the yearly value whereof in 9 E. 2. being rated at no lesse than 93 05 s 04 l ob q. There is little else memorable touching this Mannour so long as it continued to the Earls of Warwick But shortly after it came to the Crown as aforesaid it was leased to Richard Hungerford and Iohn Hopper for xl years and afterwards viz. in 21 H. 8. the site thereofâ— and all the demesn lands with the Mercate and Fair as also the water-Mill and Warren of Coneys to VVill. VVillington of Bercheston for xxi years which VVill. held it not out the whole terme for in 30 H. 8. there was another Lease made thereof to VVill Rainsford one of the Gentlemen huishers to the King for xxi years And in 30 Henry 8. the King past away the inheritance thereof to Thomas VVymbush Esq and the Lady Eliz. Talboys his wife and to the heirs of the said Elizabeth Which Thomas and Eliz. in 1 E. 6. sold it to VVill. Sheldon of Beoley in Com. VVigorn whose great grandchild VVilliam now enjoyes it The Church dedicated to S. George was given to the Canons of Kenilworth in King H. 1 time by Roger Earl of Warwick Simon then Bishop of Worc. confirming the grant whereupon in R 1 time ensued the endowment of the Vicaridge by Iohn de Constantiis Bishop of Worc. with all the Altarage and small tythes as
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
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
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
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
Clopton Thomas Clopton Ursula primò nupta Tho. Markham de Ollerton in Com. Nott. secundò Henr. Nevill de Holt. in Com. Leic. arm This Iames de Clopton was son of Iohn and he of Rob de Clopton which Robert and his Ancestors assuming their sirname from this place were antiently Inhabitants here as it seems before they became owners thereof But Walter grandchild to the said Iames assumed the sirname of Cockfield being owner of Cockfield in Essex where he then had his residence He was also called Marshall perhaps in respect of that office in the Kings houshold and by these two names scil Cockfield aliàs Marshall did Iames his grandfather settle upon him and his heirs this Mannour house at Clopton with the greatest part of his lands in this Village and in that place called the Grove Isabell de Norton before specified in 8 E. 1. releasing unto him all her right in the lands which she had so obtained from Sir Peter de Montfort as is before exprest To which Walter succeeded Walter his son and heir and to him Iohn who residing here reassumed the sirname of Clopton and having License from Iohn Carpenter Bishop of UUorcester about the beginning of Edw. 4. time erected an Oratory within this his Mannour house for himself and his own family but within few years after Thomas Clopton his son and heir built a fair Chapell here and made special suit to Pope Sixtus the 4 th for leave to have divine service celebrated therein which was accordingly granted to him and his heirs 14 Cal. Aug. an 1474. Of this family and a younger brother to the same Thomas was Hugh Clopton who being a wealthy Mercer in the City of London bore the Office of Lord Mayor in an 1492. 8 H. 7 and was a speciall Benefactor to the town of Stratford super Avon for at his own costs he built that fair Bridge of Free-stone consisting of xiiii arches with the Causey at the west end thereof substantially walled on each side and made a Way 3 miles from Aylesbury towards London and one mile on this side that town And by his Testament appointed that his Executors should finish that beautifull Chapell of the holy Trinity in the said town of Stratford the Fabrick whereof was begun in his life time He bequeathed also C. marks to be given to xx poor Maidens of good name and fame dwelling in Stratford sc. to each of them five marks a peice at their marriage and likewise C l to the poor housholders in Stratford as also L li to the new building the crosse I le in the parish Church there To the Colledge of Stratford super Avon CC li To the poore housholders in London Cli. To poor Maidens marriages in London Cli. To poor Schollars viz. three at Oxford and three at Cambridge every one xx s the quarter for 5. years To the Hospitall of S t Thomas of Acres xxli. To the Hospitall of Bethlem xls. To the other Hospitalls xl s a peice To the Prisoners of Newgate vil. To those of Ludgate vili. To those of the Kings-bench 4l. To those of the Marshalsy 4l. To the Chamber of London in recompence for disobeying his oath which he observed not or misused xli. To the common Box of the Mercers xli. To the Fellowship of the Venturers resident in Zeland Brabant or Flanders vli. Flemish To the Fellowship of the staple at Calais x marks To divers of his kindred Cl. a year◠some 5 l per an a peice and the portions of any deceasing to be spent in repairing of Bridges High-wayes poor Churches poor Housholders and the like charitable uses This Testament bears date 8 Sept. 12 H. 7. By which also he bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chapell of S. Katherine in the parish Church of Saint Margaret Lothbury within the City of London in case he should depart this life in London or within twenty miles thereof but if at Stratford super Avon or in UUarwickshire then in the Church of Stratford within the Chapell of our Lady between the Altar there and the Chapell of the Trinity next adjoyning thereto and for his Funerall appointed four Torches with 4 Tapers and no more two of which after the solemnizing thereof and of his Months-mind to remain for the high Altar And further directed that his Executors should provide an honest Priest to serve within that Church where his body should happen to be buried for the space of xx years next ensuing his decease there to pray for his soul and for the souls of Iohn his father Agnes his mother and all Christian souls And that the said Priest should be bound to say thrice every week during the said xx years Placebo and Dirige with Commendations taking every year for his salary if he served in London xi marks and if at Stratford upon Avon ten marks per an And dying a Batcheler 15 Sept. 12 H. 7. was buried in the Church of S. Margaret in Lothbury according to his said appointment It seems that being a very wealthy man he got this Mannour of Clopton from his elder Brother's posterity but deceasing without issue it came to them again Will Clopton being found his cosyn and heir who had livery thereof in 19 H. 7. Which Will. was owner also of Cokfield in Essex for by a pardon that he had in 5 Henr. 8. he is stiled VVill. Clopton de Clopton in Com. VVarw. armiger alias VVill. Cockfeild de Cockfeild in Com. Essex ar From which Will. descended Will. Clopton Esq who had two daughters and heirs viz. Ioyce the wife of Sir George Carew K t created Lord Carew of this Clopton 5 Maii 3 Iac. and Earl of Totneis 7 Febr. 1. Car. who dyed without issue And Anne marryed to Will. Clopton of Sledwick in the Bishoprick of Durham descended by a younger branch from the Family before specified Bishopston OF this place there is no mention in the Conquerors Survey because it was a Hamlet pertaining to Stratford and therefore belonging to the Bishop gave occasion that it had the name of Bishopesdone at first attributed thereto the situation being at the foot of an indifferent Hill as the syllable done or dune imports In King H. 1. time Frethricus de Bissopesdone was enfeoft thereof by Sampson then Bishop of Worcester as may seem by that Certificate which his successor made in 12 H. 2. in these words Isti sunt feoffati de dominico à tempore Sansonis Episcopi Frederec de Bissopsdon 1. mil. c. This Frethric or Fraric for so he is sometimes written lived to a great age there being mention of him in 9 R. 1. and had issue Will. his son and heir who being a Knight and in that Rebellion with the Barons against King Iohn was of the retinue to Walter de Beauchamp one of the principall of them for which his lands were
be without prejudice of the mother Church which License was to continue only for two years To him succeeded Laurence his son and heir who by marriage with Maud daughter and heir to Sir Thomas Charnells of Aylmesthorpe in Com. Leic. much increast his estate and amongst other lands of her inheritance had the Mannour of Bilton in this County as in my discourse of that place is shewed Which Laurence had issue by her Sir Will. Trussell Knight who by the death of Margaret the wife of Sir Fouk Pembruge Knight daughter of Sir VVill. Trussell of Acton-Trussell before specifyed and heir not only to her fathers estate but also at length to the lands of Sir Iohn Trussell her Uncle as hath been already shewed became possest of Cublesdon and Acton-Trussell with divers other Lordships lying in the Counties of Staff Salop. Northampt Berks. Norff. and Essex and left issue Sâ—r Thomas and he another Sir VVill. Shiriff of Staffordshire in 6 H. 5. but had his residence in Leicestershire at Aylmesthorpe in H. 6. time Which Sir VVill. Trussell in 11 E. 4. being then the Kings servant in the Office of Valâ—t de Chambre had a grant of the custody of the Kings private Pallace at Westminster for life But afterwards scil in 14 E. 4. he was one of the Kts. for the body to the same K. retained by Indenture to serve him in his French wars for one whole year with six spears himself accounted for one and Lx. Archers well and sufficiently armed and arrayed taking for himself ii s per diem wages xii d per diem for the other Spears and for the Archers vi â— In 15 E. 4. he bore the Office of Shiriff for this County and Leicestershire and dyed 22 Ian. 20 E. 4. seized of the Mâ—â—nours of Acton-Trussell Bedenhale Shiriff-Hales and Thriff-Haly lying in the Counties of Staff and Salopâ— Waburne in Norfolk Shotesbroke in Berks. Aylmesthorpe in Câ—m Leic. Langport Eston-Maâ—duit Merston and Thorp-Malesours in Com. Northampt. Kenington and Wâ—nington in Essex as also of this our Billesâ—ey in Warwickshire but how that comes to passe I doe not apprehend leaving Edw. his son and heir who departed this life 10 Iunii 14 N. 7. Eliz. his daughter and heir being then not much above two years of age whose wardship and marriage in 22 H. 7. was granted by the King to Iohn Vere then Earl of Oxford and to Iohn Vere cosyn of the said Earl which Iohn marryed her and became afterwards Earl of Oxford in whose family most of the lands of her inheritance continued till of late time I now come to Sir Edmund Trussell Kt. second son to Will by Roese the daughter and heir to Will. Pantulf of Cublesdon He marryed Margaret the daughter to Walt. de Osevile and left issue Will. and Edmund which Edmund having to do at Mancestre and other places in this County as shall there be shewed was a man of some note and action as well as his elder brother for I find that he assisted Guy de Beauchamp E. of Warw. and his complices in the murther of Piers de Gaveston It seems that he and his brother had committed some high misdemenour about the 16 of E. 2. for that year did the K. by a speciall Pat. dated at Yorke 20 Sept. appoint Robert de Digby to pursue arrest and seize upon them In 12 E. 3. being â—hen a Knight he founded a Chantry at Hill-Morton as I have there shewed and gave for his Armes argent a Crosse fleurè gules debruised with a bend .... but whether he left any issue or not I cannot determine So likewise was Will. his elder brother a K t in 12 E. 2. and then gave for his Armes Argent a Crosse fleurè gules but his principall seat was at Flore in Northamptonshire though he also possest Morton-Bagot and Nuthurst in this County This is the man that was imployed by the Commons in that wofull convention of theirs in 20 E. 2. called by themselves a Parliament who pronounct the words of Deposition to that unhappy King in this manner as Knighton relates Ego Will. Trussell vice omnium de terra Angliae totius Parliamenti Procurator tibi Edwardo reddo homagium prius tibi factum extunc diffido te privo omni potestate Regia dignitate nequaquam tibi de caet ero tanquam Regi pariturus There are some circumstances that induce me to think that he did repent of this strange fact or at least that he did abhominate that cruell murther of K. E. 2. which so soon followed his said deposal for thouh his lands were seized on as a Rebell by King E. 3. after the beginning of his reign yet upon his submission in the Parl. held at Winchester he was received into favour again having had restitution of them and pardon for his offence which as I conceive was for adhering to Edmund Earl of Kent brother unto the murthered King at that time when being made to believe K. Edw. the second was alive he designed the delivery of him from imprisonment for during that Parliament held at Winchester 1 E. 3. was the said Earl of Kent arrested and lost his life for that buisnesse It seems he was a man of great abilities for immediately upon receipt of his pardon the King made him his Secretary sent him Embassadour to the King of Arragon to treat for a marriage â—etwixt Peter his son and heir and Alianore sister to our K. Edward which took not effect After which I find him imployed as a Commissioner in this County and Leicestershire upon sundry occasions viz. in 6 E. 3. for the Gaol delivery at Warwick In 10 E. 3. for hearing and determining cases of Felony and other misdemeanours In 11 E. 3. for declaring the Kings purposes to the Clergy and Laitie upon their lending money to prevent war betwixt England and France In 12 E. 3. for conservation of the peace in this County as also in the Counties of Worcester and Oxford In 19 E. 3. again for conservation of the peace in this County In which year being of the Kings Councell as the Pat. expresseth he had a grant of xl â—â— per an fee to be received at Michaelmas and Easter yearly out of the Exchequer so long as he should attend that imployment To which Will. succeeded Theobald and to him Iohn of whom and his descendants I shall here say no more than that he was Lord of Solihull in this County about the latter end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time in right of his wife as when I come to that place shall be manifested whose issue male became shortly after extinct so that Sir Alured Trussell Knight his brother became Lord of this Mannour it being setled upon him and the heirs of his
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
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
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
the Counties of Berks. Northampton Stafford Wigorn. Linc. Oxford and Suff. were bestowed by the Conqueror on Robert de Stadford paternally descended from that great and noble Family of Tonei being son as I think to Roger de Tonei totius Normanniae Signifer as also Brother to Raph de Tonei who came into England with Duke William and fought stoutly on his behalf in the battail against King Harold in which I need not make question but that this Robert also was for my Author having mentioned the said Raph and some few others of the highest rank addeth these words aliique quamplures militaris praestantiae fama celebratissimi quorum nomina Historiarum voluminibus inter bellicosissimos commendari deceat In consideration therefore of that notable service I shall conclude that he was rewarded with such vast possessions in the severall Counties before mentioned amongst which this town of Wootton with the rest of Wagen's lands were part but making choise of Stafford for his principall seat where he had a strong Castle as is evident assumed his sirname from thence The extent of this Wootton was then certified to be 7. hides there being at that time a Church and two Mills and the woods belonging â—hereto containing two miles in length and one in breadth which with all the rest were valued at iv li. In the line of which Robert it continued till the death and attainder of Edward Duke of Buck. temp H. 8. But the story of that noble Family I reserve for another work and shall here take notice only of what I find thereof in reference to this place which is no more than that in 13 E. 1. Nich. Lord Stafford obtained a Charter of Free-warren for himself and his heirs in all his demesn lands here And that in 2 Edw. 2. Edmund his son dying seized of this Mannour was certified to hold it together with Tisoe in this Countie and certain lands in Staffordshire of the King in Capite by Barony scil to find three armed men with Horses compleatly harnessed for service in the Warrs of Wales during the space of xl days at his own proper charges After the death of which Duke Thomas Grey Marq. Dorset obtained it inter alia from the King first for life and afterwards to himself and the heirs male of his body Which Thomas had issue Henry Marq. Dorset created Duke of Suff. by King Edw. 6. as in Astley is shewed but attainted in 1 Mariae whereupon this Mannour was granted by that Queen to Sir Iohn Grey Knight and Mary his wife and their heirs 3 Iunii 2 3. Ph. M. From whom Dame Agnes Smyth the Widow of Sir Iohn Smyth Knight one of the Barons of the Exchequer and Francis Smyth son and heir to the said Agnes purchased it 1. Maii 1 Eliz. which Francis died seized of it 3. Sept. 4 Iac. whose grandchild Sir Francis Smyth Knight having in 15 Iac. obtained a Charter of Free-warren in all his demesn lands here left issue Sir Charles Smyth Knight his son and heir now Lord Carington the present owner thereof BEsides this Mannour here in Wootton that continued so long in the line of Stafford there was another which belonged to the Family of Harewell for many descents but had not the reputation of a Mannour for ought I have seen till of later time For the originall of it grew by divers petty purchases of severall parcells of land in the times of King Edw. 1. and E. 2. made by one Richard de Stanford and Idonea his wife which Richard is stiled in most of the deeds that I have seen Magister Ric. de Stanford Clericus and left issue Iohn his son and heir who in 23 E. 3. being one of the Commissioners in this County for assessing and collecting a xv th and x th then granted to the King in Parliament and in 27 E. 3. Coroner in this Shire bore for his Armes a Fesse and upon a Canton in the dexter part of the shield a martlet as by his Seal appears and had issue Iohn as also Maud a daughter married to Roger de Harewell brother to Iohn Harewell Bishop of Bathe and Wells towards the later end of E. 3. and beginning of R. 2. time which Maud became her brother's heir and possest all those his lands whereunto by marriages of severall heirs and otherwise her descendants made so fair an addition as that they were rankt amongst the superior gentry of this Shire therefore having something to say historically of them this being their principall Seat I have inserted the following Pedegree extracted out of the Evidences of the before specified Lord Carington Of Iohn Harewell son and heir to Roger and Maud I find that he being elected one of the Coroners in this Countie in 16 R. 2. upon his complaint to the King that the choise was not according to the tenour of the Statute of 3. E. 1. Cap. 10. which provideth that those to be chosen ought to be sage and wise Knights that might know how to undergo and that would attend the said Office a Precept was directed to the Shiriff to make a new election in his full Countie wherein the form of the said Statute should be exactly observed In 1 H. 5. he was Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire In 5 o one of the Councell to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick In 7 H. 5. imployed by Commission with other persons of quality to treat with the people here for a loan of money to the King and from 9 H. 5. till his death a Justice of Peace in this Shire He bore for Magr. Ric. de Stanford Clericus 15 E. 1. Idonea 23 E. 1. Ioh. Harewell Ioh. Harewell Bath Wellen. Episc. obiit 10 R. 2. Rog. Harewell de Wootton 42 E. 3. Ric. Harewell canonicus Eccl. de Wells 20 R. 2. Ioh. Harewell obiit 7 H. 6. Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 7. H. 5. Nich. Harewell ob s. prole Ioh. Harewell de Whitley 17 H. 7. Rog. Harewell de Solihull 21 H. 8. Will. Harewell de Stoorton Ric. Harewell de Shoterich ob 17 H. 6. Iohanna filia haeres ob s. p. 29 H. 6. Rog. Harewell 9 H. 6. Agnes filia cohaer Will. Clopton mil. Will. Harewell obiit 16 H. 7. Agnes filia Henrici Wogan Ioh. Harewell obiit 10 Apr. 20 H. 7. Anna filia haeres Ric. Midleton Agnes filia quinta cohaeres Ioh. Smyth Baro Scac. 25 H. 8. Franciscus Smyth ar obiit 3. Sept. 1606. Maria filia haeres Joh. Morton de Ashby-Folvile in Com. Leic. Georgius Smyth Anna filia Thomae Giffard de Chillington mil. Franciscus Smith miles Anna filia Thomae Markham de Merton in Com Nott. ar Carolus Smyth de Wotton miles erectus in Baronem Carington Eliz. filia Ioh. Carrell eq aur Thomas Harewell obiit sine prole Thomas Harewell ob sine prole 22
paticular name certain Knights from the several Counties and Burgesses for the Burroughs to appear the Fryday next before the Feast of St. Michael with whom the said King resolved to have personall Treaty amongst these was our Roger de Aylesbury with Ric. de VVhitacre and Iohn Revell for this County but it seems that Ric. de VVhitacre appeared not for upon assignation of their expences for xv dayes being the time it lasted the appointment to the Shiriff is only for payment of this Roger and Iohn Revell this being the year preceding the said King 's assuming the title of King of France and quartering the Armes of that Realm with England whereupon he took into his royal consideration that the same might occasion him a War with the French and proposed the borrowing of money from the Clergy and people of England for avoiding thereof constituting Commissioners through the several Counties to declare that to be the reason of the said loan And the next year following being resolved of an expedition beyond Sea for effecting his designes in France summoned the like Councell of his Subjects to be held at Westminster the morrow following the Clause of Easter whereunto were again appointed to come in the behalf of this County the said Roger de Aylesbury Ric. de VVhitacre and Iohn Revell there to consult about the conservation of this Realm in peace and safety during the King's absence In 13 E. 3. he served in the Parl. then likewise held at Westminster as one of the Knights for this Shire but after this I find no more of him that is memorable other than that he was a Kt. and left issue Philip his son and heir who bore for his Armes a Bend gules over his Azure Crosse and married Agnes the daughter and coheir of Hugh de Brandeston Lord of the Mannour of Lapworth by whom he had issue Roger. Which Roger had very little to do in the affairs of the publique other than as a Commissioner in 6 H. 4. for collection of a Subsidy in this Connty Neither had Iohn his son any more than in the Office of Eschaetor for this County and Leicestershire in 23 30. H. 6. And Iohn the son and heir of him none at all the Family being declined so much that notwithstanding his descent as heir to Roger before spoken of who was a Knight he wrote himself no other than Gentilman Which Iohn being the last male branch of this house here at Edston left issue Ioane a daughter and heir wedded unto Thomas Somervile of Somervile-Aston in com Glouc. Esquier whereby this Mannour with the rest of his lands came to that Family in which it still continues having been since that time their principal Seat as appears by many authorities But touching the ancestors of this Thomas Somervile I shall say little in regard that having their estate and residence in Gloucestershire they are out of my limits only of this I conceive fit to take notice that they have been of a very antient continuance there and no lesse eminent as it seemâ—â— for one of them was a Knight in 45 H. 3. being stiled Iohannes miles de Aston Somervile and bore for his Armes ...... upon a border ...... 6 Leopards heads ...... as by his Seal appeareth whereunto his great granchild Sir VVill. Somervile Knight in the beginning of Edw. 3. time added one more Leopards head upon the border and Sir Iohn Somervile Knight his son and heir altered it more bearing Argent upon a fâ—sse gules 3 Leopards heads Or betwixt 3 Annulets of the second which coat hath been continued by his posterity to these very times From whom descended Iohn Somervile Esq who in 25 Eliz. being a hot spirited Gentleman and about 23 years of age but a Roman Catholique by profession is said to have been so far transported with zeale for the restoring that Religion by the instigation of one Hall a Priest that he resolved to kill the Queen and to that purpose made a journey to London and that upon his apprehension he confest his intent but being arraigned condemn'd and committed to Newgate within three days after he was found strangled in his lodging How far forth he was guilty of this God knows for with what a high hand things were then borne through the power of Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester is not unknown to most men which Earl had a particular spleen against M r Arden of Parkhall father in Law to this Gentleman as by sundery aged persons of credit I have often heard Bearley THis being written Burlei in the Conqueror's Survey was then held of Rob. de Stadford by one Ailric whose freehold it had been before the Norman invasion but the extent of it by that Record is certified to be no more than 1. hide valued at x s. which was but the one half of what it had been rated at in Edw. the Confessor's days By one of whose descendants sc. of Stafford was Cumin antiently Lord of Snitfield as I conceive first enfeoft hereof and by Cumin Nicholas that assumed his sirname from hence without doubt for in H. 2. time I find that such a man there was and that he with Will. de Burlei his son gave to the Monks of Bordsley xx acres of land lying within the precincts o Claverdon and held of Walter Cumin who coâ—â—â—mâ—d â—â—e grant As also that to the Church of Wootton and the Monks of Conchis they likewise gave in 1 R. 1. all their interest in the Chapell here addâ—ng the grant of one yard land with a Croft and Messuage To which William succeeded Iohn his son and heir who quitted his total interest and claim in the said Chapell unto those Monks and for its better confirmation levied a Fâ—ne thereupon in 5 H. 3. This Iohn had issue Will. de Burle a further Benefactor also to the Monks of Bordsley by granting to them certain lands in Claverdon which he had recovered by a suit in Law in the Kâ— Court at Westminster and bore for his Armes three Garb with 3 flower de lices in Chief which shews what relation he had to Cumin and Cantilupe Lords of Snitfield successively To whom succeeded Hugh his son and heir who gave likewise to those Monks of Bordsley one yard land lying here in Burley but within the Fee of Snitfield and therefore confirm'd by Margery de Cantilupe and Iohn her son Which Iohn about the beginning of Edw. 1. time withdrew the suit that the Inbabitants of this place had usually done to the Hundred Court unto his own Court held a Snitfield So that I think there needs no question to be made but that Cumin was first enfeoft hereof by Stafford to fortifie which my conjecture the more I find that Iohn de Cantilupe son to the last mentioned Iohn was in 9 E. 2. certified
to be Lord of this place id est Lord Paramount and that this was then reputed a Hamlet of Snitfield But farther than the before specified Hugh de Burley I cannot trace the succession of this Mannour in that family of Burley nor do I find when or how it went out of it the next possessor thereof that I have discovered being Will. the son of Nich. de Warwick of whom in Fulbroke I have spoke which Will. in 9 E. 2. sold to one Robert Moryn an Inhabitant of Snitfield Which Robert had issue Iohn who by a Fâ—ne levied in 8 E. 3. setled it upon Margaret his mother and Iohn de Cumpton her second husband for their lives with remainder to himself and his heirs After which time I have not seen any more mention of it the reason whereof is plain enough viz. that it was swallowed up amongst divers petty Freeholders by the purchase of their several Ferms as in many other places it falls out so that the Lords of Snitfield who were Superiour Lords here have of later times been taken for the immediate Lords thereof as in 10 H. 6. Ioan Beauchamp Lady of Bergavenny and in 1 H. 8. the King But now the reputed Lord thereof is the owner of those lands here which were antiently given to the Monks of Bordsley and in 19 E. 1. were estimated at two Carucates Which lands upon the dissolution of that Monastery were in 37 H. 8. inter alia past out of the Crown to Clem. Throkmorton Esquier and Alex Avenon and their heirs by the name of the Mannour Grange or Ferme of Byrley alias Buryley And in 3 E. 6. purchased of the said Clem. Throkmorton c. by Will. Walter From which William it is come to Mr. Fanshaw the now owner of it in such sort as Wasperton and Binton are Silesburne THis is a place lying near the little brook which thwarteth the Road from Henley to Alcester whereupon antiently stood an Hermitage but now there is no habitation near it Wawens-Moore OF this I find no other mention than the very name in 9 E. 2. and 8 H. 8. it being a member of Wootton Wyche NEither of this can I say any more than that it was reputed a member of Beldesert in 2 H. 5. Offorde THere is no more now left here than a Mill which being called Offord Mill preserveth the memory of this place but antiently there was a fair Mannour house the vestigia whereof do appear in those grounds lying about a Bow-shoot Northwards from the Mill in the nature of a round Fortification In the Conqueror's time here was also a Village of divers Inhabitants as appears by the general Survey then taken wherein it is recorded to contain 5 hides with a Mill and Woods of a mile in length and half as much in breadth all which were valued at iii li. besides one carucate of Inclosure rated at x s. and then wholly possest by Rob. de Stadford mentioned in Wootton but before the Norman invasion were the freehold of Waga of whom I have there also spoken To which Rob. de Stadford succeeded Nicholas and to him another Robert who in H. 2. time enfeoft one Robert the son of Matthew and his heirs of all his interest in this Village excepting the lands belonging to three Freeholders there named granting likewise to him all that Wood lying on the left hand the antient way leading from Wootton to Morton-Bagot to hold of him the said Robert de Stafford and his heirs by the service of half a Kts. Fee in consideration of which grant the said Robert received the summe of ten Marks one Palfrey and a labouring Horse and Avice his wife two Bisantines Whereupon this Robert seating himself here assumed his sirname from hence but it seemes he held the fourth part of a Knight's Fee besides this of the said Robert de Stafford for in 12 H. 2. by the Certificate then made it appears that he held 3 parts of a Knights Fee of him whereof he had been enfeoft since the death of K. H. 1. This Robert de Offord wedded Agnes the second of the five daughters and coheirs of Peter de Mâ—ra by Basilia his wife the eldest of the three daughters and coheirs to Rob. fil Odonis Lord of Loxley and Morton now Morton-Bagot yet am I not certain of any issue that he had neither till 25 H. 3. have I seen more of this place but then was Will. de Blancfront impleaded for certain lands here and in 36 H. 3. certified to hold half a Knight's Fee therein of the Lord Stafford Which Will. Blancfront was one of the Coroners for this County in 15 E. 2. and had issue Walter and he Henry who wrote himself Lord of this place in â—1 E. 3. but resided at Potsgrave in Bedfordshire After this it returned again to the Family of Stafford â— but whether by Eschaet or purchase I cannot directly say Humfrey Earl Stafford being owner of it in 10 H. 6. Since which time having been enjoy'd by the possessors of UUootton-wawen and being a depopulated place little notice hath been taken of it so that now it is accounted as part of UUootton Lordship and accordingly held by the Lord Carington at this day Aston Cantlow BEing now past that large parish of UUootton-wawen I come next to Aston-Cantlow situate on the Southern bank of Alne Before the Norman Invasion Algar Earl of Mercia was possest hereof but upon that great distribution then made by King William unto his friends and followers this place with divers lands of a large extent as well here as in other Counties was conferred as I guesse upon one Richard a noble Norman for it appears by the generall Survey begun about the xiiiith year of that King's reign that Osbernus fil Ricardi then enjoy'd it with several other fair Lordships lâ—ing in this Shireâ— as also in the Counties of Worcester Hereford Bedford Salop and Nottingham whose principal seat was as I also conjecture at Ricard's Castle in Herefordshire which being doubtlesse built by the same Richard â— for better a wing of the vanquisht English did afterwards retain his name and continueth it to this day In that authentique Record this place is written Estone by reason of its Eastern site from Alcester I presume which was of a more antient plantation and the value thereof then certified to be vi li. being esteemed at v. hides â—â—ving a Church as also one Mill with Woods of a mile in length and as much in breadth the Descendants of which Osbernus I have put in Farnborough for unto them did it continue but a while Tankervile who was Camerarius Normanniae possessing it in 15 H. 2. yet no otherwise than as a Fermor to the King as appears by some Records But in 6 Ioh. Will. de Cantilupe obtained it with the corn and stock
seen concerning this Mannour whilst it continued to the Monasterie of Evesham nor afâ—er the dissolution of that Religious House other than that it was granted out of the Crown 2 Iunii 32 H. 8. to Anthony Skinner of London Gentleman who dyed seized thereof 19 Nov. 1 Eliz. leaving George his son and heir 48 years of age and William a younger son which VVill. by the death of his Brother without issue became heir to the estate from whom it descended to VVilliam his grandson and of him was purchased by Sir Fouk Grevill Kt. Lord Brook in our memory Tâ—â— Church together with the Chapels of Alne aâ—â— Witheley hereto belonging was given to the Monks of Evesham in H. 2. time by Ranulph de Kineworton with the consent of Alexander his son and heir for the healâ—h of the same Ranulph's soul and the soul of Christian his wife as by his Deed which he presented upon the high Altar of that Monastery for seisin thereof appeareth And in An. 1291 19 E. 1. with the Chapelries thereunto belonging was valued at xxiiii marks whereof Alne was â—hen repâ—ted one out of which the Abbot of Winchcombe received an yearly portion of half a mark This Church was new built as it seems about the 9 th of Edw. 2 reign for I findâ— that VValt de Maydston then Bishop of Worcester on the xv Cal. of Iuly the same year did consecrate and dedicate both it and the high Altar whereunto did belong and had done time out of mind a certain mess. and one yard land in Alne as part of the Glebe After which viz. in 26 H. 8. this Parsonage was rated at x li. xiii s. iiii d besides that of Alne Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. B. de Devises xv Cal. Martii 1291. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Simon de Shireford subdiac 15 Cal. Apr. 1315. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Thom. de Blyborough Pbr. 4. Cal. Martii 1321. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. de Somery 1. Aug. 1327. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Galfr. de Welneford 22 Nov. 1354. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Edw. Forst Diac. 16 Oct. 1361. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. Claypole 5. Maii 1374. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Rog. Mey 6 Aug. 1385. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Sim. Sylverston 7 Sept. 1392. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Rob. Canell 1 Feb. 1401. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Ric. Penne 15 Maii 1411. Dominus Episc. Wigorn. Ioh. Tymmes 14 Iulii 1413. D. Rex hac vice ratione temporal Episcopatus Wigorn c. Ioh. Cokkys 11 Feb. 1434. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Nich. Richon Cap. 3. Aug. 1446. D. Episc. Wigorn. Andr. Mankiswell art Mr. 22 Oct. 1454. D. Episc. Wigorn. Mr. Thom. Balsall S. Theol. prof 19 Oct. 1468. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Ioh. Milward Cap. 12. Martii 1471. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Rob. Coke Cap. 21. Ian. 1474. D. Episc. Wigorn. Rad. Lye Cap. 20 Dec. 1481. D. Episc. Wigorn. Mr. Iac. Botiller 28 Iulii 1498. D. Episc. Wigorn. D. Ioh. Sleford Pbr. 6 Oct. 1503. D. Episc. Wigorn. Ric. Warden Cler. art Mr. 8. Iunii 1553. D. Episc. Wigorn. Nich. Iackson sacellanus Episcopi 29 Iulii 1561. D. Episc. Wigorn. Thom. Clerke Cler. 8 Aug. 1562. Upon a Gravestone in the midst of the Chancell is this Epttaph Hic jacet Thomas Clarke vir Octogenus praeses Ecclesiae per annos quinquaginta sex qui diem suam obiit vicesimo quarto Augusti An. MDCXVI Wethele THis lying on the Western side of Arrow being likewise part of the endowment which the Abby of Evesham at its foundation had by S. Ecgwyn's grant and possest by the Monks of that House in the Conqueror's time was by the general Survey then made wherein it is written Wilelei certified to contain three Hides which 3 hides were in H. 2. time held by Ranulph de Kinewarton of those Monks In 13 E. 1. it appears that the Abbot of Evesham challenged a Court Leet here with other the like privileges as he did in Kinewarton which wete allowed But it seems that Malculine Musard or some of his ancestors obtained an estate in fee of this Mannour from those Monks for in E. 2. time by the utlarie of the same Malculine it eschaeted unto them from which time they had it again with a Release of all his right therein after he had got his pardon for that utlatry Howbeit notwithstanding this Release by Malculine did Iohn Musard his son and heir make title thereto with whom the Abbot came to agreement in 23 E. 3. whereupon he wholly quitted his claim And after this in 13 R. 2. did the said Monks purchase two messuages 1 yard land and a half and 3. acres of meadow here of one Thomas Patty a Freeholder All which together with the Maâ—nour coming to the Crown at the generall dissolution of the Abbies was by Letters Pat. bearing date 20 Iulii 35 H. 8. granted to Maud Lane and her heirs to be held in Capite by the xx th part of a Kts. fee which Maud the self same year sold it unto Nich. Fortescue Esq. then Groom Porter to the King who died seized thereof 28 Aug. 3 E. 6. leaving Will. his son and heir nine years of age From which Will. is descended Will. Fortescue of Cokehill in Com. Wigorn. Esq. now Lord of this Mannour Kingle OF this place contained likewise within the Parish of Kinewarton the first mention that I find is in 5 H. 3. where Stephen de Raggeleg grants to Ranulph Abbot of Evesham and his successors CL. acres of land lying therein After which viz. in 13 E. 1. it appears that the Abbot of Evesham made claim to a Court Leet here and divers other privileges by Prescription in like sort as he did in Kinewarton and Wethele which were allowed But I perceive that it was originally a member of Wethele and involved therewith in the Conqueror's Survey though it be not particularly specified therein part thereof having been granted with Wethele to the Monks of Evesham at the Foundation of that Monastery for no less doth the exchange made in 43 E. 3. betwixt the said Monks and Iohn le Rous of Ragley of certain lands here import Whether this which Rous then had by that exchange were all that belong'd to the Monks in this place I cannot say but I do not find any mention afterward that they had more to do here the extent whereof was 90 acres of land and 7 acres of meadow as by the Inquis taken in 3 H. 6. after the death of Will. le Rous appeareth The next possessor thereof that I have yet seen mentioned was Ric. Burdet of Arrow Esq. upon whose issue by Ioice his wife it being entailed in 3 R. 3. descended and is by that means come to the Lord Conway with Arrow whereof I am next
continued many years to a very vast expence betwixt them and ended not in the said Sir Iohn Burdet's days for he was a Knight and dyed in 20 H. 8. But not long afterwards viz. 20 Iulii 22 H. 8. Thomas his son and heir as also the said Edw. Conway and Anne submitted this difference to the Arbitration of Clement then Abbot of Evesham Will. Prior of Worcester Roger Winter and Iohn Russell Esquires who made an Award therein viz. that the said T. Burdet should quietly enjoy to himself and his heirs all the lands in Longdon-Travers and Newbold in Com. Wigorn. And the said Edw. Conway and Anne his wife and their heirs those in Lodyngton in this Countie as also in Belne and Ablench in Com. Wigorn. But this Award did not quiet them so that after new suits begun again above two years after they made choice of Sir Anth. Fitz Herbert and Sir Will. Shelley Kts. then Justices of the Common Pleas to determine the business who taking upon them the decision thereof thus stated it viz. that the said Thomas Burdet and his heirs should have the Mannours of Broâ—cote Sekinton Compton-Scorfin and Wilmecote in this Countie Longdon-Travers Little-Longdon Arminscote and Newbold in Com. Wigorn. with Larkstoke Myculton Pebworth Quinton and Kyrmscote in Gloucestershire as also C C. marks in money And the said Edw. Conway and Anne and their heirs this Mannour of Arrow with the Mannours of Lodyngton Kingley Alymore and Camyl-hill in this Shire Belne Ablench Clodshall Upton-Wareyn Upton upon Severne with Beeley and Elmbrigge in Com. Wigorn. All which have been enjoyed ever since accordingly This Edw. Conway was a younger son to Iohn Conway of Potrithan in Com. Flint Esquire where the principall branch of that antient Family still flourishes and descended from Sir Henry Conway Kt. whose memory is still famous for his military imployments under the conduct of Edm. Mortimer Earl of March and Ulvester about the beginning of K. Ric. 2. reign and not without good cause I presume For having been first retained by the name of Henry Conway Esquire to serve him during his whole life aswell in the times of Peace as in War in consideration of L. marks sterling to be yearly payd out of the Mannours Castle and Lordship of Clifford and Glasebury in Wales and the Marches thereof and for his singular demerits therein received the dignity of Knighthood at the hands of the said Earl he was by Indenture bearing date 1 Aug. 5. R. 2. again retained to do him service as a Knight for the like terme and in times of Peace to have diet for himself one Esquire one Chamberlain and 4. Grooms as also Hay Oats Horshoos and Nayls for six Horses or reasonable allowance for the sameâ— And whensoever he should be required to make his attendance on the said Earl for service of War the like diet and Wages in lieu thereof for himself his Esquire Chamberlain and 5. Grooms with Hay Oats c. for eight Horses and allowance for so many men at Armes and Archers as he should bring to the said Earl for service of War the like wages and reward as he gave to others of their quality Having moreover in consideration of the Surrender of that Annuity of L. marks so granted as abovesaid the yearly Rent of XL. l. to be received out of the Seignory of Kedewyng in Wales at the Feasts of S. Mich. and Easter by equall portions The payment whereof was afterwards ratified by the King as by his Letters Pat. bearing date at Westm. 12 Maii the same year appeareth but assigning his receipt out of the Lordship of Dynebegh which with the rest of the possessions of that Earl then deceased were then in the King's hands by reason of his Son's minoritie I am of opinion that the marriage of the before specified Edward with the said Anne the daughter and heir to Ric. Burdet was occasioned by the means of his elder Brother viz. Sir Hugh Conway Kt. second husband to Ioyce mother of the said Anne as the Descent sheweth the said Hugh being a man of no small note in those days For having received the honour of Knighthood at the Coronation of Eliz. wife to K. H. 7. he became a Counceller of State and Knight for the Body to that King as also Treasurer of Ireland and was retained in 7. of his reign to serve him in his wars beyond the Sea with xx men besides himself being likewise a Justice of Peace in this Countie for severall years But I return to the before specified Edward of whom all that I find farther memorable is that being Gentleman huisher of the Chamber to K. H. 8. he had a speciall License under the Privy Signet dated 12 Feb. 3. H. 8. to retain certain able men voluntiers for the King's service in his wars and that he departed this life on the Thursday next after the Feast of St. Bartholmew the Apostle 38 H. 8. leaving Iohn his son and heir 35 years of age and upwards afterwards Kt. who wedded Katherine the daughter to Sir Raph Verney Kt. and by his Testament bearing date 22 Iulii 6 E. 6. bequeathed his body to â—epulture in the Church here at Arrow Which Sir Iohn had issue Sir Iohn his son and heir that took to wife Ellen the daughter of Sir Fouk Grevill of Beauchamp's-Court in this Countie who being a person of great skill in military affairs was made Governour of Ostend by Rob. Earl of Leicester 29 Dec. An. 1586. 29 Eliz. the said Earl being then Generall of the English Auxiliaries in behalf of the States of the united Provinces and dyed 4 Oct. 1 Iac. leaving Sir Edward Conway Knight his son and heir afterwards one of the principall Secretaries of State to King Iames who upon the 22 of March 22 Iac. was first created Lord Conway of Ragley in this Countie Secondly 15 Martii 2 Car. Vicount Killuâ—â—agh in the Countie of Antrim in Ireland lastly 6 Iâ—nii 3. Car. Vicount Conway of Conway Castle in Kaernar vonshire and left issue Edw. Vicount Conway his son and heir now Lord of this Mannour The Church was granted by Robert Earl of Leicester to the Monks of Alcester in H. 2. time but what right he had to dispose thereof I will not stand to argue forasmuch as they enjoy'd it not long if ever they had to do therewith In An. 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xv marks and a half and in 14 E. 3. at x l. vi s. viii d. but in 26 H. 8. at xi l. out of which was then payd for Synodals and Procurations ix s. v d. ob Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes c. Henr. de Camvill Ioh. le Fort Accol 10. Cal. Feb. 1308. Henr. de Camvill D. Henr. de Newton Cap. 15. Cal. Dec. 1309. Henr. de Camvill Will.
doing Scutage to the Earl of Leicester for half a Knights Fee upon occasion As also that within this Mannour of Oversley there was at that time a certain Messuage with a Dove-house two Gardens Cxxvi. acres of land in two fields and six acres of meadow of the Abbot of Evesham's Fee and likewise x. Villains who held ten yaâ—d land paying yearly x. marks xi s. iiii d. And moreover a free Rent service therein of two Arrows with vi Cottagers paying yearly vii s. vi d. and two marks yearly by way of Tallage but doing service to the Abbot of Evesham yearly for the whole vi marks and for four acres lying here to Hugh Aguilon i d. And besides all this that there was of the Abbot of Bordsley's Fee seven yard land a Mess. and xix Cottages with vi s. viii d. being a Rent service from two Freeholders That there was also a Park with two Gardens paying to the said Abbot v s. per an in recompence for Housebote which he had used to have there as belonging to his Mannour of Budiford And lastly of the â—â— of Warwick's Fee a Rent of xx d. issuing yearly out of a certain Mill. Unto which William succeeded Iohn his son and heir then but xvi years of age a grant of whose marriage Walter de Beauchamp of Alcester the same year obtained in the behalf of Elianore his daughter and in case the said Elianore should die before the accomplishment of that intended marriage that then he might marry some other of his daughters And moreover that if the same Iohn should depart this life before such marriage that then the said Walter might have the like benefit of his next heir and so from heir to heir till one of his daughters were wedded to one of those Butlers or in case that such one should take a wife of his own choise otherwise then to have the forfeiture due to the King thereupon But this Iohn died within 3 years following so that whether the said marriage were compleated by him or his brother Gawine who was his heir I make a question so that the inheritance came to Will the third brother as the Descent sheweth Which Will. in 25 E. 1. had Summons with other great men to be at London on Sunday next after the Octaves of S. Iohn Bapt. well furnisht with Horse and Armes to attend the K. in his expedâ—tion beyond the Seas whose service was so gratefull that the next year following the K. in recompence thereof acquitted to him the debt due by his Father for the Scutage of 3 Knights Fees which Scutage ought to have been performed by Maud his grandmother in the service of Wales in the tenth year of the same K. Edward's reign This last mentioned William died in 8 E. 3. leaving Will. his son and heir who in 18 E. 3. by the solicitation of Will. de Clinton then Earl of Huntingdon obtained a special discharge from the K. that he should not be compelled to bear Armes in respect of his impotencie nor to take upon him the Order of Knighthood against his own good will And departed this life in 35 E. 3. leaving Will. his son and heir 32 years of age and another son called William as it seems but whether by one wife or not I cannot affirm Which Will. the younger son I take to be him that married Ioan the sister and coheir of Sir Iohn Sudley Knight from whom the Butlers Barons of Sudley descended as in Griffe is manifested For it is evident that Will. the grandchild to William and Ankaret left issue Eliz. his only daughter and heirâ— who being wedded to Robert de Ferrers a younger son to the Lord Ferrers of Chartley brought this place with Wemme and other lands of a fair extent to her said husband who was thereupon summoned to Parliament by the name of Rob. Ferrers de Wemme Chivalier which Lordships viz. of Oversley and Wemme with other of her inheritance lying in the Counties of Salop. Leicester and Warwick were after her said marriage in 44 E. 3. entailed upon the heirs of the body of them the said Robert and Elizabeth with remainder to her right heirs But in 4 R. 2. this Robert died leaving by the same Eliz. Robert his son and heir 4 years of age which Elizabeth continued not long a widow for I find that the next year following she was the wife of Iohn Say and surviving him afterwards became wedded to Thomas Molinton who wrote himself Baron of Wemme in her right and that by her Testament bearing date 6 Ian. 1410 12 H. 4. whereby she bequeathed her body to be buried in the Church of the Crouched Friers near the Tower of London she stiles her self Elizabetha Ferrers Baronissa de Wemme retaining the name of that husband who was of the greatest dignity a custome which I find that women have long used and not yet left and departed this life the same year leaving Elizabeth the wife of Iohn Greistoke son to Raph Lord Greistoke and Mary the wife of Raph Nevill a younger son to Raph Nevill Earl of Westmerland her cosyns and heirs as saith the Inquis viz. daughters of Robert son to her the said Eliz. But I think it mistaken For the Fine Roll of 13 H. 4. whereby this Mannour of Oversley with Merston-Boteler in this County and the Mannour of Tirley in Com. Staff are assigned to the said Raph Nevill and Mary for her purpart she having at that time issue by him directly calls her una filiarum haeredum praedictae Elizabethae Neither is it very likely that she should be her grandchild as the Inquis imports for Robert the son of Rob. Ferrers by her was but 4 years of age in 4 R. 2. so that had he been then living he could have been but 34 years of age And to fortifie my opinion the Clause Roll of 9 H. 5. expresses as much To which Sir Raph Nevill for he was a Kt. succeeded Iohn Nevill Esq. his son and heir by the same Mary who dyed seized of this Mannour in 22 E. 4. leaving Sr. Will. Gascoin Knight his cosyn and next heir viz. son of Ioane his daughter then 30 years of age Which said Sir Will. being great grandchild to Sir Will. Gascoin who served under the renowned H. 5. King of England in his French Warrs and he son to that sometime famous Lawyer Will. Gascoin of Gauthorpe in Yorkshire chief Justice of the Kings bencâ— temp H. 4. was made K t of the Bath at the Queens Coronation in 1 H. 7. From whom descended S Will. Gascoin jun. of Cussworth in the same County of York who in 29 H. 8 past away the inheritance of this Lordship with all other his lands in Warwickshire to Sir Thomas Cromwell Knight then Lord Cromwell which eschaeting to the Crown by his attainder in 31 H. 8.
nuper ux T. Holt ar D. Thomas Byrde Cler. 25. Maii 1552. Ambr. Cave miles ratione dotis Margeriae ux suae nuper ux T. Holt ar Laur. Blakeway 30. Maii 1561. Thomas Holt de Dudston miles Ioh. Machon Cler. 1. Martii 1603. Thomas Holt de Dudston miles Ric. Dickleg Cler. 1. Maii 1611. Thomas Holt miles bar Ioh. Grent art Magr. 12. Dec. 1621. Erdington's Chantrie IN 27 H. 6. Sir Thomas Erdington Knight founded a Chantrie in this Church for one Priest to celebrate divine service daily at the Altar of the blessed Virgin perpetually for the good estate of King Henry the sixt and of him the said Sir Thomas and Ioyce his wife during their lives in this world and for the health of their soules as also the souls of their Progenitors Parents and Benefactors and all the faithfull deceased The revevenues whereof in 26 H. 8. were certified to be vii li. xix s. ob over and above iii s. iv d. for the Anniversarie of the Founder and xvi s. ob in Rents to the Lord of the Fee Howbeit in 37 H. 8. considering an Annuitie of xl s. granted out of the lands belonging thereto unto Iohn Throkmorton gentleman for life the cleer yearly value amounted to no more than vi li. But after the generall dissolution of the Chantries this with the lands belonging to it was by Letters Patent bearing date 9. Sept. 2 E. 6. inter alia granted to Ric. Pallady gentleman and Francis Foxall Citizen and Mercer of London and their heirs and the next year following another Patent thereof made to Thomas Hawkyns alis Fysher of Warwick and his heirs In the utmost window on the South side towards the West of those that perteine to the body of the Church is this inscription Orate pro bono statu fratrum de Bromwich qui hanc fenestram fieri fecerunt In the next window is this coat of Armes viz. Argent a Cheveron gules between 3. lozâ—nges sable And under it the portraiture of a man kneeling in a surcoat of the same Armes with 4. sonns behind him over whose heads is this in a scroule Mater Dei memento mei Behind them is the portraiture of a woman in a scarlet gown with 4. daughters having a scroule over her head in which is written Fili Dei miserere mei And under them all this Inscriptoin Orate pro bono statu Roberti Massey Elisabethe vxoris sue In the fourth window on the same South side is this coat viz. Argent a Lyon rampant sable Stapleton empaling Massy and under it the following Inscription Orate pro bono statu Roberti Massey Elizabethe ejus vx qui hanc fenestram fieri fecerunt In one of the like windows on the North side are the portraitures of the same Walter Ardern and Alianore his wife kneeling whose monument is in the Chancell and in the same surcoats of Armes as thereupon are exprest Over his head is this scroule Iesu Fili Dei miserere met Over hers Mater Dei memento mei And under them both this written Orate pro bono statu Walteri Arderne armigeri Elianore vxoris ejus On a stone fixed in the North Wall of the Chancell is this Inscription Henry Williams Vicar once of this Church and Parson of Aberfro in Anglicey lyeth here under who died Anno 1603. Febr. 14. Quod sibi quisque serit praesentis tempore vitae Hoc sibi messis erit cum dicitur Ite Venite On another stone in the same Wall Memoriae Sacrum Pientissimi atque optimi juvenis Olliphi Boys ex antiquâ generosa Boysiorum in Cantio stirpe oriundi patre Antonio Boys verbi divini Ministro apud Cullesden in Surria nati in celeberrima Wichamicorum societate Wintoniae primùm deiâ— Oxoniae educati bonis literis egregiè instructi gradu Magisterii in artibus ornati sacrisque ordinibus initiati Qui cum una altera Concione ad populum habitâ magnam apud omnes spem sui expectationem fecissit gravissimis calculi doloribus interceptus ac demum oppressus hic apud affines suos expiravit die 5. Augusti An. D. 1630. aetatis suae 31. Monumentum hoc Dorothea Gilmin mater amantissima L. M. Q. Posuit On the same side of this Chancell there is a very noble Monument for Sir Edward Devereux Kt. and Baronet grandfather to the now Vicount Hereford erected by his Lady who survived him the Figure whereof I have here omitted for the reasons exprest in my Preface but have added the Epitaph Here lyeth Sir Edward Devereux of Castle-Bromwich Knight and Baronet youngest son of Walter Lord Ferrers of Chartley and Viscount Hereford by Margaret his second wife daughter of Robert Garnish of Kenton Hall in Com. Suff. Esquire who married Katherine eldest daughter of Edward Arden of Park-Hall Esquire by whom he had issue five sons and four daughters Sir Walter Knight and Baronet William George Edward and Henry Margaret Anne Howard and Grace Sir Walter married Eliz. daughter and heir of Robert Bayspoole of Aldeby in Com. Norff. Esquire who died without issue Secondly he married Elizabeth second daughter of Thomas Knightley of Broughall in Com. Staff Esquire brother to Sir Richard Knightly of Fausley in Com. Northampt. Kt. George married Blanch daughter and heire of Iohn Ridge in Com. Salop. gent. Henry married Barbara daughter and heir of Robert Smallbrook of Yardley Gent. William and Edward died unmarried Margaret married Sir Hugh Wrottesley of Wrottesley in Com. Staff Kt. Anne married Robert Leighton of Wattelsborow in Com. Salop. Esquire Howard married Thomas son and heir of Sir Thomas Dilke of Maxstoke Castle in Com. Warr. Esquire Grace the youngest Which Sir Edward died the 22 th of Sept. An. D. 1622. Here lieth Lady Katherine wife to Sir Edward Devereux who died the second of November 1627. To whose memorie Sir George Devereux her second son caused this part of this Monument to be erected according to her command Nechells OF this place there is no mention at all in the Conqueror's Survey forasmuch as it was theâ—â—â—voâ—ved with Aston but the name thereof scil Nechels or Echels for it is indifferently 〈◊〉 discovereth it to have been a Wood at first Echel signifying the same in the German language whereof our 〈◊〉 is a branch as Quercus in the Latine I am of opinion that one of the old Barons of Dudley granted it originally unto one of the Family of Parles together with Hanneworth now called Hansworth in Com. Staff For I find that Osbert de Paâ—les had a Bastard son called Reynald de Asseles on whom he conferred the inheritance of all his lands here in Assells or Nechels Osbertus de Parles Reginaldus de Asseles nothus Simon de Asseles Aliva obiit s. prole Rob. de â—andsacre miles ... Agnes Alicia Georgius de Castello mil. Will. de Castello Matilda Georgius de Castello Margeria Which Reynald had issue Simon
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
greatnesse and power durst not appear to challenge the Jurie so that he had CCC â— given him for damages against them But it so fell out that in 3 E. 3. this mighty man being seized upon by the King at Notingham Castle and by a Parliament there held condemn'd for Treason was put to death whereby all his possessions became confiscate insomuch as the Inhabitants before specified petitioned the K. that he would be gracious unto them in forbearing to proceed to Judgment upon that Verdict whereupon he was pleased to remit thereof CCxlvi li. xiii s. iiii d. Whether by any conveiance from the Bishop of Ely before spoken of it was that Rob. de Moreby of Moreby in Yorkshire had an interest here I know 〈◊〉 nor what he so had but in 7 E. 3. I find that the K. granted to him a Charter of Free warren in all his demesn lands here at Solihull as also at Bonnewick and Moreby in Yorkshire It seems that the inheritance thereof was in the Bishop's heirs what ever estate the same Rob. de Moreby had for in 26 E. 3. by a Fine then levied betwixt Anne the widow of Edw. le Despenser Plantiff and Iohn de Hothum of Bondeby Kt. Deforâ—â— this Mannour with the advouson of the Church was setled upon the same Anne during her life the remainder to Hugh le Despenser son to the said Edw. and Anne and Alice his wife daughter of the said Sir I. Hothum and the heirs of their bodies and so to Katherine sister of the said Alice c. Which Alice was afterwards married to Iohn Trussell who in her right held this Lordship in 50 E. 3. But by her first husband she had issue Sir Hugh le Spenser Kt. and Anne a daughter married to Sir Edw. Boteler Kt. which Sir Hugh dyed without issue in 3. H. 4. leaving Anne his sister and heir then 32 years of age Of this Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife I find that in 5 H. 4. they came to an Agreement with Sibill the widow of the said Sâ— Hugh le Spenser whereby it was concluded that she the said Sibill shou'd hold this Mannour during her life but afterwards to return unto the same Sir Edward and Anne and their heirs who dying without issue K. H. 5. by his Letters Pat. dated 16 Apr. in the second year of his reign passing to Edward Duke of York for life all the lands which were Thomas Lord Spenser's attainted by Parl. Octab. Hill 3 H. 4. the remainder to Ric. Beauchamp of Bergavenny Kt. and Isabell his wife sister and heir of Richard son and heir to the said Thomas late Lord Despenser deceased and the heirs male of the same Richard and Isabell the Duke by virtue of that grant possest himself of this Mannour 〈◊〉 colour that for want of issue by the â—aâ—d Sir Edward Bâ—teler and Anne the inheritance thereof belonged to the same Thomas le Despenser Earl of Glouc. so attainted and held it till his death which hapning in 3 H. 5 for he was slain at the battell of Agincourt 25 Oct. the same year Ric. Beauchamp and Isabell his wife had livery 〈◊〉 Hothum Episc Elien Perius Hothum Ioh. Hothum miles Fâ—w le De spenser Anna. Edm. Dux Ebor. Edw. Dux Elâ—â—r Constanstia Ric. le Despenser Co. Glouc. ob s p. Isabella sola filia haeres ux Ric. Beauchamp domini de Bergav Edw. le Despenser Tho. le Despenser Co. Glouc. Hugo le Despenser Anna ux Edw. Boteler ob s. p. 10 H. 4. Hugo le Despenser miles ob s. p. Ioh. Hothum mil. Alicia Ioh. Trussel mil. 2 maritus Ioh. Trussel ob s. p. Catherina Petrus Hothum Matilda Thomas .... Alicia Margareta ... Skerne Henricus Skerne Edm. Skerne 38 H. 6. thereof 18 Mâ—rtii next ensuing Neverthelesse upon farther consideration and view of the Fine levied in 5 H. 4. whereby it had been so inâ—aâ—led the Inquisitions after the several deceases of the said Sir Edw. Boteler and Anne his wife of Sibill the widow of the before specified Sir Hugh le Despenser the K. directed his Precept bearing date 14 Nov. 5 H. 5. to his Eschaetor for this County to seize it into his hands For the cleerer understanding of which titles I have inserted the preceding Descent Of the before mentioned Hugh le Despenser I find that he was interred in the Friers at Stanford and that Thomas Collum then Parson of the Church here at Solihull bore so great an affection to him and the lady Sibill or Isabell his wife for both wayes I find her written that by his Testament be bequeathed a fair Missale to the Church of Solâ—hull that the Parishioners should provide a Priest to celebrate divine Service there by the space of one year for the souls of the said Sir Hugh and Isabell he himself ordaining that another Priest should do the like there for the space of two years It seems that this Lordship continued in the Crown a good while for in 16 H. 6. the custody thereof was committed by the King to Thomas Greswould for seaven years but in 22 H. 6. by his Letters Pat. dated 25 Sept. he granted it inter alia to Iohn Duke of Somerset and the heirs male of his body to enjoy during the life of Iaquet the widow to Iohn D. of Bedford Raph Boteler and Iohn Beauchamp and the longer liver of them Which Iohn D. of Somerset departing this life without any such issue 27 Maii the same year the King by other Letters Pat. dated 20 Iulii then next following committed the custody thereof together with the Mannour of Sheldon in this County to Edm. Mountford Esq for life answering for them both L. marks sterling per an Yet was it not long that he so held them for it appears that the next year ensuing he surrendred his Pat. into the Chancery to be cancelled to the intent that the King should make a grant of them to Sir Iames Fenys Knight which was accordingly effected 27 Sept. the same year for the speciall services he had done to hold during life without rendring any accompt at all for the same This Sir Iames being afterwards created Lord Say dyed in 30 H. 6. Whereupon this Mannour returning to the Crown was with Sheldon likewise again committed to the custody of Edm. Mountford before mentioned for the term of ten years at L. marks per an as they formerly were But it seems that this Pat. became shortly after surrendred for on the 28 th of March 31 H. 6. the King granted the custody of them to Edm. Earl of Richmund and Iasper Earl of Pembroke for â—ii years and upon cancelling that Pat. the first of Iuly ensuing sealed another whereby he past the unheritance of them to those Earls Howbeit in 38 H. 6. one Edmund Skerne as Cosin and heir to Iohn Hothum Bishop of Ely after the death
Abbas Westmonasterii D. Eliz. Pultney Anno 1498. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Alicia Hugford 26. H. 8. Abbas Westmonasterii D. Iohanna Hugford 28. H. 8. In this Parish of Solihull have lived severall Families of antient Gentlemen viz. Boteler Greswould and Waring which last still continues Of Boteler Richard was the first of whom I find any certainty viz. in 8. H. 4. who had issue Iohn a Lawyer afterwards of Elmedon where his posterity continued for some descents so that I shall reserve what I have further to say of him and them till I come to that place Of Greswould the first that I have seen mentioned by any authentique authority was Richard Greswould who died before 13 H. 4. And the next Thomas recorded in 12 H. 6. amongst those persons of quality in this County which were sworn to observe the Articles concluded upon in the Parliament then held Which Thomas in 16 H. 6. having the custody of the Mannour of Solihull together with Sheldon committed to him then seized into the King's hands upon the death of Edward Duke of Yorke augmented the allowance for support of the Chantrie-Priest at Solihull and was a Justice of Peace in this Countie from 21. till 36 H. 6. From whom descended Iohn Greswould of Langdon-Hall before mentioned I am not certain how long the Warings have resided in this Parish for the first mention that I meet with of them here is in 21 H. 7. their seat being called Berry-Hall but antiently they lived within the precincts of Tanworth for I often find them stiled of that place and that Ioan Waryn in 51 E. 3. was in Commission with other persons of quality in this Countie for assessing a Subsidie of Pâ—â—e-money viz. iv d. upon every head So also in 2. R. 2. for collecting a Subsidie then granted and in 7 R. 2. for assessing and gathering the half of a Tenth and Fifteenth To whom succeeded Thomas Waring of Toneworth one of those in this Countie sworn to perform the Articles concluded on in the Parliament of 12 H. 6. being then stiled Armiger Of which Family was likewise the Ladie Alice Waring Prioresse of Henwood in 38 H. 6. But to trace down their descent particularly I shall not need in regard they continue possest of their antient lands to this day having much adorn'd their House by matching with divers very good Families viz. Butler of Elmedon Hubaud of Ipsley Baskervile of Eresley in Com. Hereford Huâ—ford of Henwood and Midlemore of Eggebaston bearing for their Armes Azure a Cheveron betwixt 3. Lions passant Or. Hampton in Arden BEing now past the precincts of Solihull I come next to Hampton in Arden on the Western bank of Blithe in which parish are these severall Villages and Hamlets scil Nuthurst Knoll Balshall Kinwaldsey Didington and Chadleswick but all of them except Didington situate on the other side the River This with divers other fair Lordships being the inheritance of one Luevinus before the Norman Invasion was disposed of by the Conqueror to Geffrey de Wirce of whom in Monkskirby I have spoke and by the generall Survey rated at x. hides there being then a Church as also a Mill of xl d. and Woods extending to three miles in lenth and as much in breadth all valued at C s. In that Record it is written Hantone which manifesteth that the name was originally occasioned from the situation hean in the Saxon signifying high though by contraction written Han and through corrupt pronunciation Ham. But by what I have said in Monkskirby it will appear that all Wirce his lands were conferred on Nigell de Albani which Nigell had issue Roger sirnamed Moubray by whom the Ardens who were Lords of this Mannour were afterwards enfeoft thereof Rad. de Hantona 5. Steph. Rog. de Ardena 20 H. 2 .... filia Alani filii Tur fini Will. de Ardena 5 H. 3. Amicia de Traci Hugo de Ardena miles 35 H. 3. Will. de Ardena defunctus 4 E. 1. ob s. p. 1. Ric. de Ardena frater haeres ideota 4 E. 1. Oliva Rob. le Megre Will. le Megre 52 H. 3. Amicia una filiarum cohaer Joh. Lou sive Lupus 13 E. 1. Margeria altera filiarum cohaer Philippus le Lovet 13 E. 1. Hawisia Ricardus Peche Joh. Peche de Wilmeleghton 49 H. 3. Walt. de Ardena Cler. Rog. de Ardena Cler. Petrus de Ardena Clericus Rob. de Ardena Lexov Archidiac Will. de Ardena Of these the first that had to do here was called Radulphus de Hamtona but whether he were one of the sons to Turchill de Warwick called also Turchill de Ardena of whom I have spoke both in Warwick and Curdworth I dare not absolutely affirm though his posterity assumed the sirname of Arden but do conjecture that he was Of w ch Raphe I find mention first in 5. Steph. and lastly in 33 H. 2. where being then a Justice Itinerant he is termed Radulphus de Ardena But cleer enough it is that though he took his sirname from hence yet he was not absolute owner hereof nor indeed of any more than certain lands called Chadleswie then reputed as a Member of this Lordship which lands he purchased of Roger de Moubray before mentioned for the Mannour-house with the demesns and advouson of the Church were first given by the said Roger de Moubray to Raph de Haia in exchange for certain lands lying in Yorkshire Of which Raphe did Rob. de Arden one of the sons of the said Raphe acquire them for L. marks of silver This Robert being a Clergie-man and Archdeacon of Liseaux in Normandy gave all his estate here unto Peter and Roger his brothers Which Peter a Clerke also having Chadleswic before specified by his Father's gift disposed of it and all his share in the rest unto the same Roger who for confirmation thereof not only obtained the Charters of Roger de Moubray above mentioned and of Nigel his son and heir but of the Bishop of Liseaux together with the Dean and Chapter of that Church under their publique Seals To whom succeded William and to William Hugh de Arden Which Hugh received that Christen name from Hugh fil Willielmi his Godfather otherwise called Hugh de Hatton of whom in Hatton I have spoke and a kinde token withall of his said God-father's love scil the Mill at Amington in this Countie as also a yard land lying in that place in which grant his God-father calls him Filiolus quem de sacro Fonte suscepit whence it appears that in times past the God-fathers received the Child out of the Priests hands as soon as it had been dipt in the Water which usage was very antient and perform'd by more than three persons as it may seem by that constitution of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1151. the words whereof are these Statuimus
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
gen Iulinus Winspere Cler. 14. Martii 1617. Guliel Wheate gen Henr. Doughty Cler. 24. Oct. 1629. Packinton magna BEfore the Norman Conquest this was possest by one Alauardus a Saxon but afterwards Turchil de VVarwick had it and of him did Godmund his brother hold it at the time of the generall Survey by which it was estimated for four hides valued at xxx s. having two Mills rated at ii s. and Woods extending to a mile in length and as much in breadth but in that Record it is writter Patitone the c being mistaken for a t. Which Turchil or Siward de Arden his son and heir â—â—â—ated it unto Geffrey de Clinton Founder of the Câ—â—â—le and Priorie of Kenilworth temp H. 1. Whereby it descended to Geffrey his son who gave it to that Monastery for the reception of Robert de Clinton his brother to be a Canon there reserving the like service for it as he himself was to perform for the same viz. half a Knight's Fee whereupon the Canons of that House acquitted him of L s. per annum lands which he owed to them for the soul of his brother William and besides that gave him xx marks of silver and that Horse for the great Sadle formerly belonging to Maurice de Clinton his Nephew Which grant was confirmed by King Stephen and likewise by Hugh de Arden and Henry sons of Siward with the consent of their other Brethren who in consideration thereof received from Bernard â— the first Prior of that House ten marks of siâ—ver and for Cecilie their mother one mark After which the said Canons in 19 E. 1. obtained a Charter of Free warren in all their demesn lands here the whole extent of their possessions within thâ—s Lordship being about that time certified at one Carucate and virgate of land rated at xxx s. the profits of the store xx s. In Rent of Assize vi li. xix s. Three Mills at xl s. per annum In Pleas and perquisites yearly iv s. and the Paunage iii s. The totaâ—l xi li. xvi s. But at the generall dissolution in 30 H. 8. all coming to the Crown it was in 36. of the said King's reign aliened to Iohn Fisher Esquire for the sum of 626 li. 1 d. by Patent dated 20. Sept. to be held in Capite by the xx th part of a Knight's Fee the yearly Rent reserved thereupon to the Crown being Liv s. ix d. per annum Which price was the more easy as t is like in regard of a long Lease thereof then in being for in 27 H. 8. the Canons of Kenilworth well discerning by the dissolution of the lesser Monasteries a greater storme approaching demised it for Lx. years thence next ensuing unto one William Wheeler the elder of Kenilworth From which William it came to Simon Wheeler his son whose widow scil Kathetherine daughter to Sâ—r Thomas Digby of Olney in Buckinghamshire marrying to the said Iohn Fisher gave him the first advantage of fixing here This Iohn was of the Family of those Fishers of Dottel in Shropshire and one of the Pensioners to King Henry the 8. K. Edw. the sixt Q. Mary and Q. Eliz. and in 4 Eliz. constituted Steward unto Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick for the Castle and Borough of Warwick with all the rest of his Mannours in this County and Leicestershire for the execution of which Office by himself or his Deputie he had the yearly Fee of five marks He it was that built the whole body of the present Fabrick here at Pakinton as may be seen by the Armes carved on the timber-work and set up in Glass through sundry parts thereof And had the Shiriffalty of these Counties in 5 Eliz. being a Justice of Peace in this Shire from the beginning of Queen Maryes reign till his death which hapned 8 Martii 13 Eliz. To whom succeeded Clement his son and heir a person so much esteemed for his integrity and prudence by Robert Earl of Leicester that he constituted him his Treasurer for that warlike expedition into the Netherlands when he went Generall of the English Auxiliaries in Anno 1585. 27 Eliz. After which being Knighted by King Iames he made a Park of the Out-wood and some other grounds here And having been imployed in all the affaires of greatest moment relating to this Countie in his time lest issue Robert his son and heir Knighted in his Father's life time but afterwards advanced to the dignitie of a Baronet Which Sir Robert raised that large Pool Eastwards from the House built the Lodge in the Park and much adorn'd this Seat with other places of delight and had issue severall sons and daughters as the Descent here inserted sheweth Ioh. Fisher ar Katherina filia Thomae Digby eq aur Clemens Fisher eq aur obiit 1619. Maria filia Franc. Repington de Amington ar Rob. Fisher eq aur Bar. Eliz. filia Anth. Tiringham eq aur Clemens Fisher natus an 1613. Thomas Fisher. Franciscus Fisher Leticia ux Ric. Shilton eq aur Katherina ux Thomae Wightwick fil haered Ioh. Wightwick serv. ad legem Anna primò nupta Tho. Dilke eq aur postea Herv Bagot Bar. Leticia ux Clem. Throkmorton eq aur Maria ux Edwardi Littleton eq aur The Church dedicated to S. Iames belonging with the Mannour to the Priory of Kenilworth had first an yearly Pension of xxviii s. granted out of it to the Canons of that House by Geffrey Muschamp Bishop of this Dioces in King Iohn's time But afterwards viz. in 6 E. 1. was totally appropriated to them by Roger Molend then Bishop as appeareth by his publique Instrument dated at Tachebroke 6 Cal. Aug. the same year In anno 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at v. marks and the Vicaridge at one mark but in 26 H. 8. the same Vicaridge was rated at vii li. x s. i a. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodalls The Inscriptions upon the preceding Monument Iohn Fisher Esquire and Katherine his wife the daughter of Sir Thomas Digby Knight dyed in March A o Domini 1570. and left issue Clement and Thomas which Thomas dyed in Ireland without issue whose souls rest in heaven The other lives confessing Christ trusting to be saved by his death The said Iohn served K. Henry the eight K. Edward the sixt Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth in Court as Gentleman Pensioner to them all Here lye the Bodyes of Sir Clement Fisher Knight Lord of this Mannour and Dame Mary his wife the Daughter of Francis Repington of Amington Esquire who had issue Robert and three other sonns who dyed Infants They had also issue three daughters viz. Anne the eldest married to Sir Thomas Dilke of Maxstoke Lettice the second marryed to Sir Clement Throgmorton of Haseley and Mary the third married to Sir Edward Littleton of Pillington-Hall This tombe
Armes is affixt in which she bears her paternall coat in the mid'st and the two Noble-men her husbands on the dexter side with the two Knights Bermingham and Russell on the other In whose Testament I finde little memorable farther than that she disposed her body to be buried in the Chancell at Haversham above specified before the Image of our Lady and gave to the Canons here at Maxstoke to pray for her soul and the soul of the Lord Clinton her husband xl s. But in 2 H. 6. she died being more than Lxxx. years of age so that then the possession of this Castle and Mannour returned to her grandson-in Law scil Sir William de Clinton Knight Lord Clinton and Say Which Sir William sate in Parliament with the rest of the Barons from 23 R. 2. till his death as appears by his severall summons In 1 H. 4. he was in Commission for arraying of men in this Countie and in 9 H. 5. retained by Indenture to serve the King in his warrs of France with xl men at Armes viz. himself one Knight and the rest Esquires as also CCC Archers well and sufficiently mounted armed and arrayed taking for himself iv s. per diem for the Knight ii s. and for each other man at Armes i s. with the reward accustomed Neither was he forgetfull of the before mentioned Canons here at Maxstoke for I finde that in 10 H. 4. he bestowed on them x li. yearly Rent issuing out of certain lands lying in Dunton-Basset in Com. Leic. And having married Anne daughter to the Lord Botreaux but widow of Sir Fouk Fitzwarin Knight departed this life in 10 H. 6. leaving Iohn his son and heir xxii years of age Of whom I have little to say considering that within six years after he came to his estate he passed away the inheritance of this Castle and Lordship unto Humphrey Earl Stafford and Anne his wife in exchange for the Mannours of Whishton and Wodeford in Northamptonshire as by the Deed whereunto his Seal of Armes is affixt viz. quarterly Clinton and Say with two Greyhounds supporting the Timbre appeareth which bears date 17. Maii 16 H. 6. After which though he retained some other Lordships in this County yet did he not reside therein so that here I am to leave this branch of that ancient and noble Family from whence the now Earl of Lincolne is lineally descended and trace down the succession of this Castle through such other hands as it hath since fallen into It seems that the before specified Earl had a a very great liking to this Castle for no sooner did he so obtain it but that he plated the Gates all over with Iron and adorn'd them with his own Coat impaled with Nevill his wife being the daughter to Raphe Nevill Earl of Westmerland and supported by two Antelopes in respect that Anne his mother was one of the daughters and coheirs unto Thomas of Woodstoke Duke of Gloucester And in further memorie that these Gates were then so strengthened and beautified he caused the burning Nave and Knot the antient Badges of his Ancestors to be imbossed in the Iron-work thwarting the midst thereof as are yet to be seen This great Earl being created Duke of Buckingham in 23 H. 6. constituted William Draicote his Constable of this Castle for executing which Office he had the Fee of five marks per annum Within the body thereof is a little Chapell in which by speciall dispensation from Reginald Boulers then Bishop of this Diocess was solemnized the marriages of Iohn Talbot son and heir to Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and Katherine Stafford one of the daughters of this Duke in 36 H. 6. As also of Iohn Stafford one of his younger sons afterwards created Earl of Wiltshire and Constance the daughter of Henry Greene Esquire To which Duke succeeded Henry his grandson upon whose attainder in 1 Ric. 3. the custodie of it was committed to Walter Grant one of the Gentlemen-Huâ—shers to the Queen The next thing observable thereof is that King Ric. 3. upon his march towards Nottingham in the last year of his reign came from Kenilworth hither and commanded that part of the inner buildings should be taken down and carried to that Castle with all speed but what was done therein I know not for he was soon after slain at Bosworth-field whereupon King Henry his successor constituted William Trussell Eâ—quire his Constable here Howbeit within a short space Edward Duke of Buckingham son and heir to the said Henry reposessing what his Father had in 18 H. 7. made Iohn Harewell of Waxen's-Wotton Esquire Constable thereof But that Duke forfaited all by his attainder in 13 H. 8. Whereupon Commissioners were appointed to enquire what Castles Mannours Lands c. he was at that time seized of with the names of all his Officers and their severall Fees At which time it was certified inter alia that Hugh Mervyn Esquire had the Keepership of the Park here having been admitted thereto by the said Duke at ii d. by the day as also Bayliffe there at ii d. by the day the old Fee having been but a penny William Phipps Porter at xl s. per annum by an old grant from the said Duke for life he being then above Lxxx. years of age and Iohn Archer Constable his Fee Lxvi s. viii d. per annum Which Duke suffred death 17 Maii in the year abovesaid whereupon 20. Octob. following the King granted unto Sir William Compton Knight and to the heirs male of his body this Castle Park and Mannour to be held of the Crown in Capite by Knights service but because there had been a Recovery of them suffred by the said Duke in 5 H. 8. whereby the Recoverers stood seized to the use of himself and his heirs so that it did not eschaet to the King by his said forfaiture therefore to make all sure it was in the Parliamâ—nt of 15 H. 8. enacted that the before specified Duke should stand and be convicted and attainted of High Treason and forfait to the King and his heirs all Honours Castles Mannour c. whereof he or any person to his use were seized in Fee-simple Fee-tail c. the 24 th of Aprâ—l 4. H. 8. or any time since with a speciall Provâ—so that the same Act should not prejudice the Kâ—ng's grant above mentioned made to Sir William Compton Knight in 13. of his reign Which Sir Will. Compton had issue Peter upon whose death in 36 H. 8. the King supposing he had left no issue male so that the inheritance of this Castle had again return'd to the Crown made a grant unto Edward Lord Clinton of the Custodie of it and the Park with the Herbage and paunage thereof as also of the Bathwick of the Lordship for life but when he understood that the said Peter had a son born
of age but was attended with very ill success in that expedition for no sooner did he arrive with his Army at the Port of Rochel but that the Spanish Navie fell suddainly upon them before they could put themselve in order to fight so that few of them escaped death wounds or imprisonment and yet without any considerable loss to the Enemy who forthwith set fire on all the English Ships carrying away the Earle and many gallant Gentlemen as also no less than twenty thousand marks in money sent over by the K. of England to continue the war which unhappy accident fell out on the Eve of St. Iohn Baptist's Nativitie being the Festivall of St. Aetheldred the Virgin and therefore was it censured by many as my Author observeth that God's judgement so followed him as a punishment for the injurie he had done to the Church of that holy Virgin sc. Ely in a cause betwixt the Church of St. Edmundsbury and it before his departure out of England and that the money so lost had no better luck forasmuch as it had been got from the Religious Houses and Clergy But others attributed it to his living an adulterous life being a married man that he also had attempted in Parliament an infringement of the Church its Liberties and that he perswaded the King to lay greater Taxes upon the Clergie than Laitie for support of his wars which practises of pilling and poling the Church however the temporall Lords saith the same Author were pleased yet what success they had not onely England but the whole world hath sufficiently found I now come to speak of his death the circumstances whereof were as followeth viz. that having undergone four years imprisonment in Spain with most inhumane usage he sent to Bertrand Clerkin Constable of France desiring that he would use some means for his enlargement who thereupon interceded for him to the Bastard of Spain that called himself King and obtained his libertie in consideration of part of that money due to himself whereupon he was brought to Paris and a sum of money assigned which he must pay for his redemption but after his coming thâ—ther it was not long ere that he fell mortally sick of Poison as 't was thought given to him by the Spaniards who were reputed to have such a speciall facultie in that Art as that the potion should kill at what distance of time they pleased The French therefore seeing death approaching him being eager to get his ransome money before he died made haste to remove him unto Calais but on his jâ—urney thither he departed this world upon the very day of St. Aetheldred the Virgin which Saint he had so much offended before his coming out of England as hath been said though the Inquis after his death expresseth it to have been the xvi th of Aprill his son and heir Iohn being at that time but two years old and a half and was buried in the Quire of the Friers Preachers at Hereford as by his Testament and what I shall hereafter say may seem But here before I proceed farther I must observe that this Iohn in 43 E. 3. obtaining License for that purpose from the King made a Feoffment unto Walter Amyas and others of all his Castles Lordships Mannours c in England and Wales to certain uses which Feoftment being left sealed up in the hands of the Feoffees to be kept till his return from beyond Seas was upon his death delivered to the King's Councell at Westminster who opening it found that in case he died without issue of his body the town and Castle of Pembroke should come to the King his heirs and successors and the Castle and Lordship of Bergavenny and all other his lands in England and Wales in Fee to his Cosin Will. de Beauchamp viz. his Mother's sisters son provided that he should bear his Armes and endeavour to obtain his title of Earl and in case he neglected so to do that then his Kinsman Will. de Clinton to have them upon the same conditions But I return to his said son and heir of whom I find that at the Coronation of K. Ric. 2. he claimed to carry the great gold Spurs and that though he shewed sufficient evidence for his right so to do yet being under age it was adjudged that the King might appoint another for that time whereupon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March was assigned thereto And moreover that he took to wife whilst he was very young Philippa daughter to the said Edmund Earl of March â— but had no issue by her for being at Wodstoke where the King kept his Christmass in 13 of his reign he tilted with Sir Iohn St. Iohn and by an unfortunate slip was run into the bottome of his Belly so that his bowells breaking out he suddainly died to the great lamentation of many in regard he was a person of so noble a disposition that in bountie and curtesie he exceeded most of his degree So that it is observed that from Aymerie de Valence Earl of Pembroke his lineall ancestor who was one that gave Judgement of death upon Thomas Earl of Lancaster in â— 2. time even unto this Iohn the last Earl of the line none of them ever saw his Father nor any Father of them took delight in the seeing his Child so young were they at their Fathers deaths His body was interred in the Church of the Gray Friers near New-gate in London now called Christ's-Church where he had a fair Monument since with all the rest defaced Dying thus without issue Râ—ginald Lord Grey of Ruthin was by some Inquis found his next heir of the whole blood as descended from Elizabeth sister to Iohn great-grandfather to the said Earl so slain in tilting as hath been said and by other y Inquis Hugh de Hastings son of Hugh son of Hugh son of a second Iohn by Isabell the daughter of Hugh le Despenser as the Pedegree here placed sheweth But so little did Iohn Earl of Will. de Valencia Comes Pembr Andomarus ob â— p. Joanna Isabella Henr de Hastings Joanna de Cantilupe Iohannes de Hastings primus Râ—â—erus de Grey Elizabetha Râ—ginaldus de Grey de Ruthin Reginaldus de Grey Joh. de Hastings secundus Isabella filia Hug. le Despenser Com. Wint. Johannes de Hastings tertius Laurentius de Hastings erectus in Com. Pembr Ioh. Comes Pembr mari captus Ioh. Comes Pembr caesus in hastiludio apud Wodstoke Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings Hugo de Hastings ob s. p. Edwardus de Hastings Pembroke Father to the last Iohn regard his next heir male as it seems and so much hate Reginald Grey father to the last Reginald that he entailed the greatest part of his lands as hath been said on Will. de Beauchamp before mentioned Notwithstanding which settlement 't is observeable that the right of bearing Armes was in those days of such esteem as
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
to the moytie thereof As for the other moytie I cannot clearly see when or how it past from the said Robert Marmion and Isabell but the next mention I find thereof is in 5 Edw. 3. where it appears to have been entailed by Richard the son of Simon de Whitacre and Amabil his wife on the heirs of their two bodyes lawfully begotten and for default of such issue on the heirs of Sir Richard de Whitacre Knight Which Lord Basset after he had thus gained an interest in this Lordship gave xx li. of Land and Rent lying herein for the endowment of a Chantrie consistâ—ng of three Priests founded by him in the Church of Draiton-Basset as appears by the King's license in 12 Edw. 3. as also of the like License from Sir Baldwin Frevill then superior Lord of the Fee and in 14 Edw. 3. past away all the residue thereof to William de Clinton Earl of Huntindon and his heirs which Earl by his Deed bearing date at Maxstoke the Tuesday next after the translation of S. Thomas the Martyr in 16 Edw. 3. granted away the same in exchange unto Richard de Whitacre and Amabil his wife and their heirs in lieu of their other moytie of their Mannour of Pericroft But from hence for a while I cannot well discern how the succession thereof went howbeit by a Fine levied in 38 Edw. 3. betwixt Sir Fouk de Bermingham Knight Plantiff and Iohn Waryn of Burton Stather in Com. Linc. and Hulma his wife deforc it appeares that the said Iohn and Hulma granted two Messuages and two yard land xvi acres of Pasture and the moytie of one Mess. lying here and in Halughton with the third part of this Mannour and the third part of the Mannour of Pericroft which were the dowrie of the said Hulma unto the same Sir Fouk and his heirs From whom as it seems it descended to Edmund Lord Ferrers of Chartley and George Longville of Little Billington in Com. Northampâ— For in 10 H. 6. the said Edmund and George were certified to be Lords of the whole the residue divolving to them by Isabell the daughter and heir of Iohn de Whitacre and Amice his wife as the Pedegree here inserted and that in Bermingham do shew Steph. fil Radulphi Will fil Radulphi 12 H. 2. Muriel Rad. fil Radulphi 3 Ioh. Limota ux Hug. de Tuâ—villa Nich. fil Raduphi miles 29 H. 3. Egidius filius Radulfi Isabella filia haeres Rob. Marmion miles 13 E. 1. Eustach de Hardreshull Amâ—cia filia haeres Ioh. de Whitacre defunctus 3 E. 3. Isabella filia haeres relicta 9 R. 2. Thomas de Bermingham miles Elizabetha filia haeres Thomas de la Roche Elena ux Edm. Ferreâ—s de Chartley 2 H. 6. Eliz. ux Georgii Longvâ—ll ar Rob. fil Radulphi Of these Longvill's moytie was sold by Arthur Longvill Esquire descended from the before specified George in 34 Hen. 8. to Iohn Cheyney of Chesham-waterside in Com. Buck. Eâ—quire And the other moytie coming by a daughter and heir of Ferrers to Devereux as the Descent in Bromwich sheweth was purchased from Walter Devereux Vic. Hereford Lord Ferrers of Chartley by Edmund Skirning of Erdbury in this County Esquire in 12 Eliz. Which Edmund in 18 Eliz. sold the same to Henry Cheyney son and heir to the before specified Iohn The whole Mannour being thus totally in the said Henry Cheyney was by him conveyed the next year following to Iohn Puresey Gentleman who by his Deed bearing date 24. Febr. 25 Eliz. past it to Laurence Washington of Gray's-Inne in the Countie of Middlesex Gentleman Which Laurence in 31 Eliz. sold it to George Villers of Brokesby in Com. Leic. Esquire from whom about the 40 th of the same Queens reign Sir Edward Brabazon Knight purchased it whose son and heir William Earl of Methe in Ireland 15 Aug. 6 Car. sold it to Sir Iohn King and Sir Robert King his son and heir both Knights which Sir Robert now enjoys it The Church dedicated to S. Giles antiently given and appropriated to the Nunns of Mergate as Lea and Over-Whitacre were was reputed for a Chapell belonging to Colshill But in 32 H. 3. Sir Nicholas Fitz-Raphe then Lord of this Mannour chalenged a title of presenting thereto it being then void and to that end directed his Caveat to the Bishop that he should admit no other Clerk than his In which Church there was never any Vicar endowed but the Nuns of Mergate receiving all the Tithes have provided a Stipendiary to serve the Cure Shustoke ON the other side of Bourne lyes Shustoke which by the Conqueror's Survey is certified to contain four hides having Woods extending to a mile in length and half so much in breadth and valued at xl s. It was then possessed by Geffrey de Wirce of whom in Monks-kirby I have spoke and held of him by one Soâ—us by reason whereof it had the name of Sotus stoke or Sotestoke for so I have seen it antiently written though in that Survey above mentioned it be Scotescote But as the rest of the said Geffrey Wirce his lands came to Nigel de Arbani progenitor to the Family of Moubray so did this Lordship and from Moubray was granted to the Ancestour of Walter de Camvill together with Bentley to hold by the service of one Knight's Fee as may be cleerly inferred from sundry Records being one of those nine Knight's Fees whereof the said Walter in 12 H. 2. certified that his said Ancestour had been so enfeoffed in H. 1. time To which Walter succeeded Roger de Camvill who in 12 Ioh. gave a Fine of xxx marks that it might be certified by Inquisition whether he held those two Knight's Fees and a fouâ—th part of the King for which he had summons to go beyond Sea in the King's seâ—vice or not This Roger gave a Rent of viii s. issuing out of certain lands lying in this Lordship unto the Nuns of Henwood for the health of his Father's Mothers and Ancestours souls and dying without issue left this Mannour with Bentley before specified as also Creke and other fair possessions in Northamptonshire to be divided betwixt his three Sisters and heirs viz. Alice wedded to Robert de Esseby Maud to Thomas de Estley Lord of Astley in this Countie and Petronill to Richard Curson as the Descent in Arrow sheweth Of which lands Robert de Esseby had this Mannour inter alia Whereupon by inheritance from the said Robert and Alice it came at length to William de Esseby who about the 52. of H. 3. being convicted of Felony scil for killing a man maliciously in the Priory of Catesby forfaited all so that this Lordship eschaeting by that means to the Lord Moubray of whom it was held was in 9 E. 2. possest by Iohn de Moubray But long he enjoyed it
sterling Which Robert having thus got footing therein procured a Charter of Free warren inter alia extending into all his demesn lands here howbeit this was but temporarie for it appears that Iohn de Bracebrigge son and heir to the last mentioned Iohn at length enjoying it againâ— did in 29 E. 1. obtain another Charter for Free warren here as also at Bracebrigge and Wrauby in Lincolnshire Which Iohn having in 3 E. 2. a speciall Patent from the King exempting him from serving on Juries or undergoing the place of Shiriff Coroner or any other Office against his own liking being at that time a Knight a so bore for his Armes Varre Arg. and Sable a Fesse Gules as by his Seals and certain old Roules appeareth and departed this life in 9 E. 2. leaving Iohn his son and heir ten years of age of whom I have not seen any thing farther till â—5 E. 3. that he presented to the Chantrie of Kynebaldley nor after 31 E. 3. at which time he was a Kâ—â—ght But the next Bracebrigge that had to do here after the death of the before specified Sir Iohn was Raphe whom I suppose to have been his Brother which Raphe presented to the said Chantrie in 9 E. 3. and in 11 E. 3. levied a Fine of two parts of â—hâ—s Mannour This Sir Raphe for he was then a Knight had Summons in 19 E. 3. to fit himseâ—f with Horses and Armes against the Feast of S. Laurence to attend the King into France and in 22 E. 3. had a speciall Patent of exemption from serving on Juries or undergoing the Office of Shiriff Eschaetor Coroner c. In 8 R. 2. he was in Commission for arraying of men in this Countie and in 19 R. 2. died leaving Sir Iohn Bracebrigge Knight his son and heir then xix years of age which Sir Iohn died soon after for by severall authorities it appeareth that Raphe succeeded him as heir whom one Inquisition taken in 1 H. 4. calls Frater Iohannis propinquiâ—r haeres praedicit Radulphi But the Ladie Ioane his mother was Mistresse here for her life as it seems for in 20 R. 2. she obtained License from Richard Scroope the Bâ—shop of Coventre and Lichfield to have Divine service in a private Chapell within this her Mannour-house Of which last mentioned Raphe I find that he was a Knight in 10 H. 4. that in 13 H. 4. he married his son Raph though then but yong unto Ioane the daughter of Sir William Newport Knight that in 7 H. 5. amongst other persons of note Arma portantes de Armis antiquis as the words of the Writt are having speciall summons to attend the King in person for defence of the Realm he was the first in the list of those which were returned by the Shiriff of this Countie In which seventh year of King H. 5. he took a Lease of the Mannour-house Park and Pooles at Sutton of Richard Beauchamp then Earl of Warwick to hold for life one of which Pooles beareth the name of Bracebrigge-Pool to this day and was afterwards retained with the said Earl to serve him with ix Lances and xvii Archers for the strengthening of Calais To him succeeded Raphe his son and heir before mentioned who is rankt amongst the Esquires of this Countie for the subscription of the Articles agreed on in the Parliament of 12. H. 6. And in 14 H. 6. departed this life leaving Richard his son and heir ix years of age of whom I find little memorable other than that difference which Walt. Arden of Park-Hall had with him touching the stealing away of Iohn Arden his son and heir to marry unto Alice his daughter concerning which I have already spoke in Curdworth Neither after this last mentioned Raphe was there one of them imployed in any publique affairs of the Countrey so that having deduced the Descent down to the last that possest this place I have little to observe fartherâ— than that after this Eclipse Thomas the fourth in succession from the said Richard having buried his first wife who was of an antient good Family and marrying a second of mean parentage became so much alienated in affection to his issue by the former that by a Feoffment made of this Lordship unto Sir George Griffith Knight and others bearing date 16. Aug. 5. E. 6. he utterly disherited them thereof setling the same after reservation of a meere estate for life to himself and Ioyse at that time his wife upon Thomas his eldest son by the said Ioyse with remainder for want of heirs male of his body to Iohn and so to Ankitill his other sons by that woman But what successe came of that causelesse disherison of the true heir I cannot omit to take notice which in brief was this In November anno 1557. 5 4 P. M. his said wife dies whereupon his love to those Children that were ere while his darlings cooled so that in 2 Eliz. having run himself into many debts by extravagant courses he contracted with Sir Ambrose Cave Knight then Chancelour of the Dutchie of Lancaster and by a Deed of bargain and sale passes unto him the inheritance of the Mannour-house with the demesns of which act his son Thomas took such advantage that he entred upon that and layd claim to all the rest as forfeited by vertue of the Feoffment before mentioned but getting a piece of money of Sir Ambrose makes good the sale reserving only an Annuitie of xliii li. per annum to himself and his heirs and continued his claim to the residue whereof after much striving he at length had possession About a year after which viz. 1 Martii 11 Eliz. his Father died so that then though he had no interruption for enjoyment of it yet did he so intangle himself with debts that at last he sold it all to Sir Fancis Willoughby of Midleton Knight and through his great improvidence came to die miserably So that here I am to put a period to my story of this antient Family having taken notice of the issue male still remaining in the Pedegree before inserted Kingsbury From which Sir Ambrose Cave did the premisses descend unto Margaret his onely child the wife of Henry Knolls Esquire who leaving issue by her two daughters scil Mary and Elizabeth the one married to the Lord Paget of Beaudesert in Staffordshire and the other to Sir Henry Willoughby of Risley in Derbyshire an equall division was in our time made thereof betwixt them But from Sir Francis Willoughby before specified the Mannour and Tenements so by him purchased did in right of Briget his eldest daughter and coheir come to Sir Percevall Willoughby Knight who sold the Fermes to the Tenants as I have heard but left the Mannour to Sir Francis his son and heir The Church dedicated
the said Roger were they taken into the King's hand and continued in the Crown till 13 H. 6. that VVilliam VValdeff and Thomas VVylcok obtained a grant of them for the space of ten years Which VVilliam in 26 H. 6. being cosin and heir to Ioyce Plumpton of Notingham one of the daughters and heirs of Roger Plumpton and sister and heir to Phipippa the other daughter and heir to the said Roger as he stiled himself of whose inheritance they were granted them to Thomas VValdeyve his son From which Thomas by an heir female the Willingtons of Hurley do derive themselves and are still owners of all or a great part of these lands Flanders-Hall THis place was antiently so denominated from one Hugh a younger brother to William de Odingsells of which Family I have spoke in Ichington Solihull and Maxstoke as Mr. Burton in his Description of Leicestershire affirmes in regard that his Ancestors came out of Flanders whose descendants assumed it for their sirname but upon the death of Iohn de Flanders the last male branch of this line it was allotted by partition in 13 H. 6. to Elianore the wife of Sampson Erdswike one of his three daughters and heirs by which means it descended to the issue of Iohn Herdwick of Lindley in Leicestershire her first husband and so came to the Purefeys of Caldecote in marriage as I have heard with Ioyce one of the daughters and coheirs to the last Iohn Herdwyck wife to Michael Purefey From which Michael descended William Purefey Esquire who in our time sold it unto Sir Robert Fisher of Packington Knight and Baronet Hallaton OF this place I have not seen any mention till 17 H. 3. at which time it was reputed a member of Coshill and part of the dowry of Elisant the widow unto Osbert de Clinton But after this it came to be possest by the same Robert Marmion of whom I have spoke in Nether-Whitacre and by those authorities which I have there voucht seemeth to have gone with that Mannour till Q. Eliz. time for it appeareth that Walt. Devereux Visc. Hereford in 12 Eliz. sold it with Nether-Whisacre unto Edmund Skerning then of Erdbury Esquire Drakenedge THis was originally a member of Nether-Whitacre as I conceive and so consequently possest by the Marmions of Tamworth-Castle and from one of them granted therewith to Nicholas Fitz Raphe or his Ancestour for it is evident that the Familie of Mancestre who for a good while enjoyed it held it of the heirs of Nicholas Fitz Raphe Lords of Nether-Whitacre by the service of a pair of gilt Spurâ—s and that they held it over of those Marmions Of which Mancestres I find that Hugh in 36 Hen. 3. had a Charter of Free warren extending to all his demesn lands here and that from him it descended to Guy de Mancestre his grandchild who in King Edw. 3. time past it to Robert de Herle and his heirs by the name of a Mannour Which Robert dying without issue of his body it divolved to Sir Raph de Hastings Knight his cosin and heir viz. son of his sister Margaret and from him through divers descents to William Lord Hastings Chamberlain to King Edward the fourth who died seized thereof in 1 Ric. 3. leaving Sir Edward Hastings Knight his son and heir xvii years of age But farther hereof I have not seen than that Richard Hastings in 9 H. 8. was presented for depopulating the Capitall Messuage and CC. acres of arable land lying thereto Whateley IN this place which was originally a member oâ— Kingsburie â— are there certain lands that were antiently given to the Canons of Studley all which after the dissolution of the Monasteries were inter alia granted out of the Crown in 36 H. 8. unto Iohn Beaumont Esquire by the name of the Mannour or Lordship of Whateley who past them away the same year unto Nicholas Wilson and ..... his wife by whom they were sold to Thomas Overton who died seised of them in 32 Eliz. leaving Nicholas his son and heir fifty years of age Slateley THis is a petty Hamlet and parcell of the Mannour of Kingsburie as by severall Records is evident so that there needs no more to be said thereof Holt. IN this which is also parcell of the Mannour of Kingsburie had the Monks of Merevale a yard land given unto them by the first Iohn de Bracebrigge whose grant thereof William de Bracebrigge his brother and heir confirmed But the Village was in part depopulated by Iohn Bracebrigge Esquire who in 19 H. 7. decayed three Messuages upon the Inclosure thereof of which lands Thomas Bracebrigge was possest in 3 Edw. 6. Cliffe THis hath its name from the situation thereof near to the descending ground towards the bank of Tame but of it I have not seen other mention than that Thomas Herthill was presented in 10 H. 8. for depopulating two Messuages and inclosing xl acres of land here Dosthill I Am not sure whether this place be particularly taken notice of in the Conqueror's Survey if it be that which is there written Dercelai â—s intended for it which R. de Oâ—lgi had at that time in pawn from Turchill de Warwick and is said to contain two hides having a Mill of xxxii d. yearly value and Woods extending to two furlongs in length and as much in breadth the whole being valued at xl s. But in 12 H. 2. certain it is that Hugo fil Ricardi of whom in Hatton I have spoke was possest of it as appears by that Certificate which William Earl of Warwick then made whose Father or Grandfather had enfeoffed the said Hugh thereof with other lands of a great extent in King Henry the first 's time it being then written Derteulla By this Hugh was it doubtlesse granted to Thomas fil Thurstani for it is manifest that Robert de la Launde son to the same Thomas gave to Richard Fitz Raphe in marriage with Amicia his daughter the Mill here it being then written Derchethull From which Robert it descended to Iames as the Pedegree in Langdon sheweth who was certified to hold it of the Earl of Warwick in 20 H. 3. But it appears that Albrena Marmion of whom I have made mention in Arrow granted the service of the same Iames de la Laund for this place unto William de Camvile her son whereby it should seem that the immediate grant which the Ancestour to the said Iames had of this place was not from the Earl of Warwick but from one of the Marmions who obtained it from some of those Earls This Iames in 31 H. 3. past unto Robert de Grendon and his heirs all the interest he had here by the name of the Mannour of Dersthull then amounting to half a Knight's Fee Which Robert in 40 H. 3. granted
in 18 E. 3. got License to pass this Mannour away unto the Monks of Merevale but it was not accordingly conveyed for in 7 H. 4. upon seizure of the lands belonging to those forraign Monasteries for the reasons before exprest as a member of the Priorie of Okeburne which was a Cell to Bec before mentioned it was demised to Will. de Brynklow Clerk and Peter Purly Esq. by Iohn the King's son afterwards Duke of Bedford and Thomas Longley Chancelour of England who had the King's grant of all the lands belonging to the said Priorie of Okeburne to hold for xx years at the rate of xl l. per an After which time viz. in 16 H. 6. the Duke of Bedford being then dead the King gave it to Humphrey Earl Stafford for life and within six years after granted the reversion thereof for ever unto the Provost and Scholars of King's Colledge in Cambridge then newly by him founded Heremitanus S â— Augustini Yet of this grant had that Colledge no benefit as it seems for in 31 H. 6. did the said King bestow it upon Edm. Earl of Richmund his half Brother and the heirs of his bodyâ— but that Patent held good no longer than the life of that King for it appears that King Edward 4. in the first year of his reign disposed thereof unto the Carthusian Monks of Montgrace in Yorkshire who accordingly enjoy'd it till the dissolution of that House by King Henry 8. Whereupon coming to the Crown it was granted to Henry Marq. Dorset and Thomas Duport and to the heirs of the said Marquess for ever upon whose attainder in 1. Mariae whereof in Astley I have spoke it returned again to the Crown and in 1 2 Ph. M. was past to William Devereux Esquire and his heirs Which William being afterwards a Knight died seized thereof in 21 Eliz. leaving Margaret the wife of Edward Litleton of Pillaton-Hall in Com. Staff Esquire and Barbara the wife of Edward Hastings his daughters and heirs But since it is come by purchase to Sir Iohn Repington Knight whose son and heir sc. Sir Iohn R. of Amington Knight now enjoys it Within the precincts of this town there was very antiently a Chapell whereunto the Monks of Bec about the beginning of H. 2. time gave xii acres of land viz. six lying on the one side of the town and six on the other Concerning which Chapell the said Monks and the Parson of Manceter then came to this agreement viz. that the Rector of Manceter for the time being should cause Divine service to be celebrated therein three days every week sc. Sunday Wednesday and Friday and if a Holy-day did happen on any other than of these to be accounted for one of them solemn Service being then to be there performed And moreover in case the passion of St. Peter should happen on any of those days that Mass should be there and then celebrated but on all other days omitted all Tithes and Obventions arising out of this Hamlet to be payd to Manceter yet that Buriall and Baptism should be performed here for the Inhabitants of Atherston except any particular person on his death bed should rather desire sepulture at Manceter than in this Chapell-yard which Agreement was ratified by Richard Peche the Bishop of Cov. and Lich. The Friers THis House was founded by Raphe Lord Basset of Draiton in 49 E. 3. for Friers Heremites of St. Augustine over the Gate whereof is yet to be seen his Armes cut in a fair Shield of Stone Touching the originall of this Order there is no absolute certaintie as Polydore affirmeth Some alleadge that St. Augustine Bishop of Hippo retiring into the Wilderness during the rage of the Manichean Hereticks then instituted it gathering together into one Covent those that were disperst in the Desert Others that divers devout persons desiring to imitate the piety and singular learning of St. Augustine even whil'st he lived left all that they had and betook themselves to the Wilderness whereupon they were called Heremites By which of these means it was I shall not farther stand to enquire but Mendicants they were for certain and for their Habite did wear in their Cloister a white garment close girt to them and when they went out a Black over it with a broad lethern Gâ—rdle buckled as on the last page is represented being shorn on the Head as the Dominicans are These first began to propagate in England about the year 1250. 34 H. 3. as did the Carmelites but in this Countie not of a long time after for to this in Atherston which was the onely House of them therein it was the 49 th of Ed. 3. ere the said Lord Basset gave the land sc. xii acres whereupon it stood at which time they begin to build their Church and came to an Agreement with the Parson of Manceter in the presence of the said Lord Basset the Abbot of Leicester Tho. Harecurt Lord of Bosworth and others Iohn Combe being their Precurator or Warden at that time Which was in substance this that for the Tithes of those places whereupon that structure was to be made and for the rest of the lands before specified they should pay to the said Parson and his Successors xx s. per an at the Feast of St. Michaell the Arch-Angell and Easter by even portions in default whereof a distress to be taken and that if they should acquire any more land then to pay Tithe in kind for the same It seems the Church and buildings were not perfected till King Ric. 2. time for it appears that the said Lord Basset by his Testament bearing date at London 12 Sept. an 1383. 7 R. 2. gave them a Legacie of five hundred marks for compleating thereof This is he that was the last Lord Basset of Draiton for he died without issue and lieth magnificently entombed in Lichfield Cathedrall on the South side of St. Chad's Shrine though the place be not now known by that name the Lord Paget's Monument being erected where that Shrine stood But I do not find that they ever had any more lands than what are above exprest for by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. all that belonged to them was valued but at xxx s. iii d. per an over and above reprises and came to the Crown by the Act of dissolution in 27 H. 8. After which viz. in 35 H. 8. the King granted the site and circuit of the House with a Dove-cote Barn Orchard and two Messuages that stood upon the before specified ground first given thereto unto one Henry Cartwright and his heirs to hold by the xxxth part of a Knight's Fee Which Henry the same year sold it to .... Hill Since which by purchase it came to Sir Iohn Repington Knight who having bought the Mannour as hath been already shewed built a fair House of Brick upon the ruins of this
did bring to passe The body of this worthy Knight shall never come to Hell But yet in Tombe of Marble-stone till Iudgment day shall dwell To which Sir Thomas succeeded Francis and to him Sir Thomas who resided frequently here in Queen Elizabeth's time being a Gentleman of eminent note in those dayes but since his Descendants have seldome dwelt at this place I now come to that part of Polesworth-Parish lying on the North side of Anker Stipershill THe place which bears this name is situate on the Northern side of Anker a little above Polesworth where the ground hath a naturall and steep descent to the River and by the form of an old entrenchment seems to have been a little Fortification Till Edw. 3. time I have not seen any thing of its name but then being written Stipurnshull it was made use of by the Lords of Tamworth-Castle for the keeping of their Threeweeks-Court as it had been I presume in the Marmions time Which Court continued so kept there for a long time after as by severall Records appeareth all the Tenants of that Fee doing their suit and service there but now it is usually kept no more than twice in the yeare Waverton THis had it's name originally from the high situation Waver and Over importing one and the same with suprà and being a member of Polesworth belong'd to the Marmions of Tamworth-Castle for it appears that Robert Marmion and Milisent his wife gave all their demesn lands lying therein to the Nunns of Polesworth in H. 1. time or thereabouts and enfeoffed g Robert de Grendon of certain lands in this Village which lands are by an heir female come with Grendon to the Chetwins Severall other parcells there were which sundry persons held afterwards of the heirs of Marmion viz. the Culies of Radâ—live in Com. Leic. The heirs of Iohn de Langdon and Will. de Fago and likewise Roger Hillarie though to whom these were first granted will be hard to discover Bramcote THat this was originally a member of Grendon and so consequently possest by the first Henry de Feriers need not to be doubted neither that Râ—ger de Grendon or his Ancestor was very antiently enfeoffed thereof by the same Henry for I finde that Walkeline a younger son to that Roger being seated here assumed it for his â—irname and that it was held by his Descendants of the heirs of Ferrers by half a Knight's Fee the posteritie of which Walkeline bore the Armes of Grendon scil two Cheverons but the colours I know noâ— Of these William son to the said Walcheâ—ine â— was a benefactor to the Nunns of Polesworth by the gift to them of one yard land and four acres lying in this village which grant Robert his son confirmed and bestowed upon the Monks of Aucote a Meadow called Bramcote-Meadow but with Proviso that he and hâ—â— heirs might be Toll-fâ—ee for the Corn they should grinde at Aucote-Mill To the said Robert succeeded William sirnamed de Grendon in the possession of this Mannour whom I take to be his brother From which William at length descended Sir Thomas de Grendâ—n Knight that left issue Margaret his daughter and heir first the wife unto ..... Charnells and afterwards of Thomas Malorie Which Margaret in her last widowhood past away all her title in this Mannour unto Iâ—hn Charnells of Snarkeston Eâ—quire her son and heir and to the neâ—s of his body lawfully begotten as appears by her Deed bearing date here at Bramcote the Munday next after the Feast of S. Andrew the Apostle 7 H. 6. From which Iohn descended William Charnells who in 6 E. 4. sold it unto Thomas Burdet Esquire Ancestor to Sir Francis Burdet Baroneâ— the present owner thereof as by the Pedâ—gree in Arrow doth appear where I have spoken historically of that antient Family whose Seat was for many ages at that place till Conway by an heir female had it Since which time till the marriage of Sir Thomas Burdet Bâ—ronet with Iâ—â—e daughter and heir to William Franceis of Formark in Com. Derb. Esquire a Ladie of singular endowments they resided here but now have made choâ—se of Formark before specified for their principall Mansion Austrey HAving now done with that large Parish of Polesworth I come to Austrey whereof I find that Wâ—lâ—ric Spot the Founder of Burton-Abby in Com. Staff was possest in the time of King Aethelred viz. about Lx. years before the Norman Conquest as also that it was by him given u to the wife of one Morcar but afterwards it came to Leofrike Earl of Mercia of whom in Coventre I have spoke which Leofrike gave two hides thereof to the Monks of Burton before mentioned Of the residue after the Norman Invasion did Henry de Ferrers hold two hides and a half and Nigel de Albingi five hides and a half which five hides were in the hands of eight Theines in Edward the Confessor's â—or's days the Church standing within the compass of them But in the Conqueror's Survey where the value of the whole is rated at v li. x s. scil that which belong'd to Burton-Abby xxx s. That which Henry de Ferrers had xx s. and that which Nigel de Albingi held iii li. it is written Aldulvestreâ— the last syllable thereof being Brittish discovering its great antiquitie and the former that it was originally so called from some antient possessor thereof Of what the Monks of Burton had with other additions given by severall persons afterwards they continued possest till the dissolution of that Monasterie But of the residue neither were the posteritie of Henry de Ferrers nor of Nigel de Albingi long owners For Hugo fil Ricardi of whom I have spoke in Hatton had it in H. 1. time In whose male line it rested so long as the same did last and afterwards by Margerie and Maude sisters and coheirs to Hugh fil Willielmi grandchild to the before specified Hugh as the Descent in Hatton sheweth it divolved to other Families the said Maud wife of Stephen de Nerbon making partition thereof with Thomas de Clinton grandson to her sister Margerie Which partition being so made the moytie belonging to Maude descended to Margerie de Nerbone her daughter and heir who gave all her said purpart to the Monks of Burton before mentioned in pure Almes Osbert de Clinton a younger son to the said Thomas unto whom it seems that the other part was by his Father assigned confirming the grant Which Osbert died without issue as I guess for it is plain enough that his purpart of Austrey came to the posteritie of Thomas his elder brother who were Lords of Maxstoke as the Pedegree in Maxstoke and Colshill sheweth and so descended to Edward Lord Clinton who by his Deed bearing date 6. Febr. 31 H. 8. sold this Mannour unto Iames Leveson of Wolverhampton in Com. Staff Esquire who gave it in
Roger de Craft answered for the 5th part of a Kts. fee here held of the E. of Warwick From whom descended Geffrey de Craft who in 4 E. 1. stiles himself Dominus de parva-Lalleford and from him Nich. who was the last of this line that had to do here for ought I have seen Neither can I further discover in whom the possession thereof rested for a long time after untill that Geffrey de Allesley had it which was about the beginning of H. 6. time Which Geffrey marryed Margaret one of the daughters and heirs of Henry Sutton Esq. Lord of Ditchford-Frary in this County where I shall have occasion to make further mention of him and was in Commission for assâ—ssing of the Subsidy granted to the K. in Parl. 9 H. 6. And in 12 H. 6. with the rest of the principal persons in this Shire took his oath for observance of the Articles concluded of in the preceding Parliament In 17 and 18 H. 6. he was constituted one of the Justices of peace in this County and departing this life 18 Aug. an 1441. left issue Elizabeth his daughter and heir wife of Thomas Boughton a Bedfordshire Gentleman as I have heard whereby this Lordship became transferred to that family wherein it still continues Which Thomas being constituted a Justice of peace in this County in 21 H. 6. so continued till the end of that K. reign as appears by the sundry renewings of those Commissions In 31 H. 6. he served in the Parliament as one of the Knights for this Shire and in 38. was appointed with others to array and arm all persons of body able and estate sufficient within this County for the K. service To whom succeeded Richard his son and heir constituted Eschaetor for this County and Leicestersh in 13 E. 4. as also Shiriff in 20. And Justice of peace in 22 E. 4. and 1 E. 5. Which Richard being again Shiriff for these Countyes in 2 R. 3. as by the Indentures betwixt him and Humfry Beaufo Esq the precedent Shiriff appears had the fate to be slain on that K. behalf at Bosworth-field as the tradition is but therein is a mâ—stake for the Inquis taken after his death expresseth that he dyed 20 Aug. 3 R. 3. which was two dayes before the Battail therefore 't is like that raising Forces in this County for the King he was encountred by some of the Earl of Richmund's Troops in their passage towards Bosworth and by that means lost his life Of whose descendants I find that Will. his son and heir was Squire of the body to K. H. 8. and in 27 of that K. reign Shiriff of this County and Leicestersh As also that William Grandson to the same William underwent the like office for these Countyes in 17 and 32 Eliz. being in Commission for the peace the greatest part of that Q. reign So likewise Edward son and heir to the said William the most part of K. Iames his reign having been Shiriff in 4 Iac. But further as to their matches and otherwise the Descent here inserted which briefly points at what else I am able to say in relation to this family here seated shall suffice Tho. Boughton ar 39 H. 6. Eliz. filia haeres Galf. Allesley Ric. Boughton ar ob 3 R. 3. Agnes filia .... Longvile .... filia co haeres Joh. Danvers de Waterstoke in Com. Oxon. ux 1. Will. Boughton aet 12. an 3 R. 3. sepult apud Dunchurch Edw. Boughton ar ob 1 E. 6. Eliz. filia cohaeres Wil. Willington ar Will Boughton ar ob 38 Eliz. Iana soror Tho. Coningsby de Hampton-Court in Com. Heref. eq aur Edw. Boughton aet 24. an 38 Eliz. Eliz. filia haeres Edw. Catesby filli jun. Ric. Catesby eq aur Will. Boughton duxit Abigal fil cohaer Henr. Baker de Shobery in Com Essex erectus in gradum Bar. per R. Car. Tho. Boughton de Bilton duxit Iuditham alteram fil cohaer H. Baker de Shobery ar Will. Boughton aet 12. an 3 R. 3. sepult apud Dunchurch D. Eliz. Barington ux 2. Tho. Boughton de Caustou ar Margar. filia haeres Edw. Cave Edw. Boughton ar Susanna filia Ioh. Brocker eq aur Henricus Boughton Howard filia Edw. Leigh de Rushall in Com. Staff ar Newnham-Regis NExt below on the bank of Avon stands Newnham-Regis where depopulation attending the inclosure hath reduced it to a small number of Inhabitants besides the Mannour-house In the Conq. Survey there is no direct mention of this place so that to what it then belonged I cannot well guess but do conceive it to have been of the E. of Mellent's or Turchill de Warwick's possessions in regard that it was of the fee of Roger E. of Warwick whose father Earl Henry enjoy'd the greatest part of the said E. of Mellent's and Turchill's lands in this County From which E. of Warwick the first that obtain'd it was Hugh fil Ricardi as it seems of whom in Wroxhall I have spoke who past it unto Geffrey de Clinton Chamberlain and Treasurer to K. H. 1. and he to the Canons of Kenilworth upon his foundation of that Monastery Which Canons had special grants from them both to acquit it of all secular services due to either of them or to the King in consideration whereof the said Geffrey gave to the above mentioned Hugh ten marks of silver to Margaret his wife two ounces of gold and to Roger E. of Warwick two gold Rings each having a pretious stone therein for it was held of the said Earl by one Kts. fee as appears by K. H. 2. confirmation thereupon But this for distinction from another Newnham within the same Hundred is called Newnham-Regis in respect that the K. was antiently possest of it as is evident also by the Quo warranto Roll of 13 E. 1. where the Kings Atturney questioning the Prior of Kenilworth for it alledged that K. Richard the first was seized thereof How this claim was determined I find not but that the Canons of Kenilworth enjoy'd it till the dissolution of that Monastery is plain enough and had allowance of a Court-Leet here and divers other notable priviledges After which suppression it continued in the K. hands till 7 E. 6. and was then granted to Iohn D. of Northumberland and his heirs upon whose attainder in 1 M. the Queen past it to Sir Rouland Hill Kt. and Citizen of London Of whom Sir Thomas Leigh Kt. and Alderman of the said City soon obtain'd it as may seem by his presentation to the Vicaridge in 1 Eliz. Which Sir Thomas afterwards setled it on Sir Will. Leigh Kt. a younger son and the heirs male of his body who inclosed it and left issue Francis his son and
heir created Baronet 24 Dec. 16 Iac. whose son and heir Francis advanced to the dignity of Lord Dunsmore 11 Iulii 4 Car. and afterwards to be Earl of Chichester now scil an 1650. enjoyes it The Church dedicated to ..... is not presentative nor hath in it any Arms or Monuments Arley HAving now taken notice of all those places which lye contiguous to the River Avon on its North side till the stream of Sow meet therewith I must in pursuance of my method ascend to the head of that brook which riseth Westwards from Astley as the Map will shew and not far from the skirts of Arley And therefore to dispatch this corner of the Hundred I will begin with Arley whereof there is a member called Sloley though little taken notice of now but because I find that antiently there is mention of it in Records I must not omit it The later sillable of this Towns appellation is very frequently used as we know for terminating the names of sundry Villagesâ— and if we ascend to the British for its original we shall find I le in that language to be the same with locus in the Latine but if to the Saxons ley there signifieth ground untill'd and in that sense we still use the word in relation to such land As for the former viz. Ar 't is British and signifieth the same with super in Latine which very well agreeth with the situation hereof the greatest part of the Parish being high ground in respect of the ascent to it almost every way so that then Ar-lei is by interpretation in effect locus altus In the Conq. time this was possest by one Cristina a great Woman and with her other lands in this County came immediatly to Raph de Limesi a Baron of eminent note whose chief seat was at Wulverle in those dayes a remarkable place though now there is nothing left thereof more than some grounds within the precincts of Solihull bearing the name and that somewhat corrupted by length of time In the general Survey it is recorded for one hyde the woods whereof contained a mile and half in length and half a mile in bredth all being then valued at lx s. and was as it may seem a member of Wolverle but it is there written A Blei in capital letters the Clerk mistaking the R for a B. Of this Raph de Limesi and his posterity I am to speak when I come to Wolverle where I shall insert the descent of that family whereby it will appear that the daughters and heirs thereof were matcht to Lindesei and Odingsels the former a Scot the other a Fleming Which family of Lindesei continued but a while but that of Odingsells remained even till our fathers memory as in Long-Ichington I shall fully shew Touching this Mannour of Arley I find that one Raph de Limesi who lived in K. H. 3. time had it and granted the inheritance thereof to Richard de Limesy his brother and to his heirs which Richard had issue Peter Howbeit whether the above mentioned Raph de Limesi issued from some younger brother of the family of Limesy whose descent I have plac't in Wolverle I am not able to say but I have seen an antient Pedegree of Odingsells which derives him from that family as son to the first Gerard who lived in H. 3. time expressing that he quitted his paternal name and called himself Limesi to preserve the memory of his Grand-mother Basilia de Limesi I presume in that she was so great an heir which was a course usual enough in antient time to do as I have elswhere observed Following therefore the guidance of that descent I have put this Raph and his brother Richard as younger sons to the said Gerard de Odingsells and the rather for that I conceive that the same Gerard was Lord of this Mannour in regard that he and his brother William had a trial at Northampton against Will. de Waverton and Gerard de Lindesei in 28 E. 3. concerning the advouson of this Church though afterwards it did not constantly accompany the possession of the Mannour as most in those elder times did For Will. de Odingsells of Solihull son to the before mentioned William had it in E. 1. time and yet afterwards Peter de Limesy presented as will appear by the Institutions The return therefore to the said Peter son of Richard whom I find thus possest of Arley as abovesaid He had Free-warren granted to him and his heirs here in 4 E. 2. and being a Knight in 5 E. 2. assisted the Earls of Lancaster Hereford and Warwick in the beheading of Piers de Gaveston for which with the rest he had his pardon in 7 of that K. reign In 9 E. 2. he was in Commission for choosing of foot-souldiers in this County for the wars of Scotland and the same year one of the Knights for this Shire in the Parliament then held at Lincoln In which Parliament the Commonalty giving unto the K. a xvi th towards the charge of his wars in Scotland the foot-souldiers elected as aforesaid were released by the K. command this Peter being with others assigned for levying the said sixteenth In 11 E. 2. he was in Commission for enquiry who they were that furnisht themselves with Arms and retained souldiers horse or foot or did confederate themselves by private meetings in this County And the same year being constituted Shiriff of the Counties of Salop. and Staff had the custody of the Castles of Shrewsbury and Bridgenorth committed to his charge In 14 E. 2. he was in Commission for the Goal-delivery at Warwick but afterwards in the rebellion with Thomas Earl of Lancaster for which his lands being forfeited were seized into the K. hands and dyed at Yorke the Monday next before the feast of the Epiphany in 18 E. 2. but whether a natural death or not the Record doth not specifie leaving issue Iohn de Limesy his son and heir then 24 years of age on whom this Mannour was setled by the grant of Ric. de Limesy his Grandfather What became of this Iohn de Limesy or what issue he had I find not but plain it is that in 2 E. 3. Sir Roger Corbet of Caus Kt. and Amicia his wife granted unto Sir VVill. Camvile Kt. son of Thomas Camvile the reversion of this Mannour as also of the Mannour of Sibbesdon in Leic. which Sir Roger had a daughter also called Amicia wife of Iohn de Odingsells as in Long-Itchington appeareth The next mention I meet with of it is in 19 R. 2. where it appears that Sir Roger Corbet of Lygh Kt. dyed seized of a third part thereof leaving Thomas his son and heir aged 23 years But in 5 H. 4. after the death of Sir Iohn Odingsells of Long-Itchington it was found that Sir Raph Rochford Kt. then held it with
heard who left two daughters and coheirs scil Margaret the wife of Sir Sim. Clarke Baronet and Elianor of Charles Stanford grandchild to Sir VVill. Stanford Kt. sometime one of the Justices of the King's Bench by Sir Rob. Stanford Kt. his second son Which Charles had issue Iohn and he VVilliam the present owner thereof About the time of K. H. 2. reign there was an Agreement made betwixt the Monks of Evesham and the Canons of Kenilworth touching the Chapell of this Little Salford whereby it appeareth that the said Canons released to those Monks all the land which had been given to maintain divine Service in that Chapell preserving always the first Composition made betwixt the Monasteries of Evesham and Kenilworth before the building of that Chapell And as for the meadow which was given to this Chapell the Monks by this Agreement granted that the Church of great Salford should have that part of it which lyeth betwixt the Water and the Foot-path leading from Salford Mill to Clive Mill by the upper Foarde but the other part of the meadow to continue as the demesn of the Abbot upon condition that it might not be grazed or mowed before the whole meadow should be cut Wood-Bevinton Cock-Bevinton THese two petty Hamlets being originally members of Salford-Priors were involved therewith both in the Conqueror's Survey and in the grant to the Canons of Kenilworth as appears by that Certificate made in 9 E. 2 wherein by the name of Byvinton major and Byvinton minor they were so reputed Of which Wood Bevinton the said Canons did make a Lease to VVill. Grey the elder in H. 7. time who in 21 of that King's reign depopulated here 6 Messuages and one Cottage xxx acres of arable land belonging to each Messuage which he converted unto pasture To whom succeeded Will. his son and heire who surrendring that Lease purchased the inheritance thereof from those Canons for a Fee-ferm Rent of xiiili xiiis iiiid per an and in 10 H. 8. when the Statute of Inclosures was lookt into reedifyed four of the said Messuages Which Will. had issue Eliz. his daughter and heire wife to Edward Ferrers second son to Sir Edw. Ferrers of Badsley-Clinton in this County Kt. who left only daughters whereof Elizabeth the eldest was married to Thomas Randolph son z and heir to Thomas Randolph of Codington in Com. Buck. who purchasing the interest of the other Sisters became intirely Lord of this Mannour and left issue Ferrers Randolph his son and heir now owner thereof Of Cock-Bevynton I can say no more than that it is now possest by Sir Simon Clerke Baronet together with Salford wherewith I suppose thath past ever since it was in the Crown Dunnington THis is also a member of Prior's Salford and involved therewith in all grants by which means it is now possest by the before specified Sir Sim. Clarke HEMLINGFORD HVNDRED THe place whence this Hundred takes its appellation is the Foard or passage over Tame somewhat more than a Flight shoot Southwards from Kingsbury Church of which likewise the Mill near unto it is still called Hemlingford Mill but antiently Colshill that stands about the midst of the Hundred gave name thereto as appears by the Conquerors Survey and to this day the Three-weeks Court held for the same Hundred is kept there 'T is very like that the original occasion of calling the Inhabitants to this place whereupon the name came so to be changed was for that some of the Ardens whose seat Kingsbury long since was being Shiriffs of the Countie caused the meeting of the Hundreders there in regard of their Vicinitie to it but leaving this as a conjecture I come to its antiquity the first mention that I find of its name being in 8 H. 2. Where Raph. Basâ—et the then Shiriff accompts for certain money by way of Amercement for Murther payd out of it and after this scil in 16 H. 2. two marks were answered into the Exchequer for it pro placitis concelatis yet there it is written Sipesocha de Humeliford and so are Cnuchtelaw and Chinton all which had the title of Hundreds soon after But doubtlesse it should have been Sithesoca the old Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being mistaken for a p as in Knightlow I have already intimated which importeth as much as the Fraunchise Libertie or Jurisdiction of a certain company of men suppose an hundred or the like number coming from the Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying a number multitude or company and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a priviledgeâ— Libertie or Jurisdiction And in 21 H. 2. xv marks was accounted to the King for three Murthers whereas it had been amerced but there it is written Sibbesocâ—â— de Humiliford the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being mistaken for a b. as before it was for a p. So also in 24 H. 2. Howbeit in â— H. 2. 1 R. 1. upon the like amerciament for Murther it is called Humeliford Hundred which manifests that the word Sithesoca and Hundâ—edus do intend one and the same thing After which it is constantly termed Hundredus de Humeliford But in K. Iohn's time the Ferm thereof was xx marks the profits of the Leet xl s. the Shiriffs Aid xvii li. xviii s. and the Warth money v s. Which Warth silver now by corruption of speech called Wharfe money I take to have been at first a certain payment for service of warding the King's Castles in this County for antiently it is written Ward peny as by sundry authorities I could manifest In 21 H. 3. Will. de Luscy being â—hen Shiriff accounted For The Ferme thereof xx marks The Shiriffs Aid vi li. The Leet xli s. iiii d. Warth silver v s. In 4 E. 1. by Inquisition taken before the Justices Itinerant it was found that the profits of this Hundred besides perquisites amounted to xiiii li. iii s. ii d. ob per an and the perquisites xx li. it being then in the King's hand In 11 E. 2. the Bayliwick thereof was committed to one Will. Reymond to hold during the Kings pleasure paying yearly to the Shiriff of this County for the time being as much as others had used to doe so that he should keep the same Bailywick according to the forme of the Statute of Lincolne Nor can I find that it was ever out of the Crown untill 3 Eliz. that the Queen by her Letters Pat. bearing date 10 Ian. granted it with all the rights belonging thereto unto Brian Cave Esquier and Edw. Williams and their heirs to hold in Socage of the Mannour of East Grenewich To which Brian succeeded in the possession thereof Sir Ambrose Cave Knight who dying seized of it in 10 Eliz. left Margaret his daughter and heir then wife of Henry Knolls Esquier Which Henry having issue by her two daughters and heirs viz. Mary
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